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Crossroads Reviews 2022
Russ used to be cool. He’s a former mennonite turned associate minister at a suburban church in 1971, but before he moved to the suburbs, he lived in new york. He marched with stokely carmichael. He likes dylan thomas and has an encyclopedic knowledge of the blues. He lines the walls of his office with proof of his progressive bona fides and good taste.
“but to the kids who now thronged the church’s hallways in their bell-bottoms and bib overalls, their bandannas,” franzen writes, those bona fides “signified only obsolescence.” the youth of russ’s church consider him helplessly dorky, old and out of touch beyond redemption. They think the way he showers attention on the church’s teen girls is creepy. Moreover, they can smell his weakness; how much he longs for their approval, how eager he is to please them. It only makes them more contemptuous.
So now russ, unable to control the kids around him, has been pushed out of crossroads, the church youth group that he helped found. He barricades himself in his office in wrathful self-pity, mourning his lost edge, resenting the wife and children who he believes are the reason he lost it, and ashamedly lusting after a lovely young widow among his parishioners.
Russ is not the sole protagonist of crossroads, which is concerned with both family and nation. Yet his professional humiliation looms balefully over the rest of the novel, his failure a sin that poisons his children’s lives. We won’t find out the details for hundreds of pages, but it’s clear that, like franzen himself, russ has found that he cannot be both a hip young outsider and the embodiment of the patriarchy. The world will no longer allow such a thing. And so crossroads becomes a portrait of america on the brink of turning away from the well-meaning white male preachers of the world, an america on the brink of recognizing other voices.
Crossroads is the first of a planned trilogy that franzen, channeling middlemarch’s windbaggy casaubon, has titled a key to all mythologies. It loosely follows the same structure that franzen first developed in 2001’s corrections and reprised in both 2010’s freedom and 2015’s purity: a set of interlocking novellas, with different members of the hildebrandt family taking over in each section
Of the four children, the two eldest, clem and becky, are like their father: born rule followers whose only big questions are whose rules to follow. Clem, newly escaped to college, is considering dropping out to join the vietnam war in an act of protest against his own unearned privilege and his parents’ pacifism. Becky, a senior who reigns over the high school’s popular crowd with an easy and instinctual callousness, is considering getting very into jesus; she’s also considering getting very into sex and drugs and rock ’n’ roll.
Both clem and becky are disgusted by their father after his exile from crossroads, and they understand themselves to be enmeshed in a familial war, the aims of which are obscure. Clem has long felt himself to be allied with his mother against his father, and becky, generally a daddy’s girl, is considering switching sides to join her brother. “do you have any idea how embarrassing it is to be your son?” clem asks russ.
Franzen is having fun with the clem and becky sections, their self-consciously square vocabulary, their earnest striving, the intensity of their small ambitions. But it’s with the two black sheep of the hildebrandt clan, perry and marion, that crossroads crackles to vicious, blazing life. (the youngest child in the family, judson, does not get a section to himself.)
Perry, a sophomore in high school, is highly aware both that he is the smartest one in his family and immediate social group, and that he is not a very good person. His quest to self-betterment, interspersed with frequent attempts at self-medication, winds around and around itself in long circulatory sentences so delighted with their own cleverness that they delight you, too, as you read, almost as much as they sting you. (perry, it almost goes without saying, is firmly allied with his mother against his father.)
Perry’s obsession with becoming a better person also gives franzen a chance to lay out most clearly one of crossroads’ biggest thematic questions: namely, whether improving oneself purely and without self-interest is even possible.
“my question,” perry asks a rabbi and a priest at a climactic cocktail party, “is whether we can ever escape our selfishness. Even if you bring in god, and make him the measure of goodness, the person who worships and obeys him still wants something for himself. He enjoys the feeling of being righteous, or he wants eternal life, or what have you. If you’re smart enough to think about it, there’s always some selfish angle.”
Then the party’s hostess busts him for sneaking alcohol and monopolizing the grown-ups.
Meanwhile, marion, our matriarch, hides behind a frumpy cloak of preacher’s wife anonymity when everyone else is narrating, only to come screaming out in a vicious blast of rage the second we get to hear her voice for ourselves. Rage at herself, her family, the world: marion is, frankly, over all of it.
Franzen’s name has become synonymous with the foibles of white male writers across the world at their most smugly blinkered, partly because of his deeply cranky nonfiction and partly because his work is often given the kind of critical attention rarely lavished on authors from more marginalized backgrounds. But with marion, he reminds us that he’s actually one of our great novelists of female fury. Marion’s self-effacing self-loathing is a protective bandage over deep wounds of trauma, and in her sections of crossroads, franzen peels away the layers to show us all that seethes below. By the time she’s finished with russ, his first humiliation seems lenient.
Yet despite marion’s fury, there is a surprising tenderness to this novel. Franzen is known for his acidity, for his willingness to delve into the least attractive parts of his characters’ psyches. Crossroads is certainly unsparing toward the hildebrandts, but it is also empathetic. Even awful, dorky, self-pitying russ is allowed moments of surprising grace. This is a big, ambitious novel that aims to say big, ambitious things about america, and the church, and familial power dynamics; about what happens to families and countries after the patriarch has been deposed; about how we strive to be good and whether we ever can be. But it is also interested in the possibility of redemption after a great sin — or a great humiliation.
Jonathan franzen’s outsize reputation as a crank means that to his critics, he’s come to seem like a walking chain email on the evils of social media, and it has often tended to occlude his equally outsize reputation as a great writer. So loud is the conversation about him that it is sometimes hard to see the forest for the franzenfreude.
Crossroads is good enough to overwhelm that conversation. The book is deceptively simple, merciless without being cruel, and thrilling in its sheer fury.
Haters and his own often-insufferable public persona be damned: jonathan franzen really is one of the great novelists of his generation. Crossroads stands ready and willing to prove it.
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B&H Photo Video Review
About B&H Photo Video
B&H Photo Video is an American photography and video equipment retailer. It was founded in 1973 and is based in New York City. The company operates a large retail store and a well-established online store, B&H Photo Video .
B&H Photo Video offers a wide range of photography and video equipment, including cameras, lenses, lighting and studio equipment, audio equipment, drones, and more. They also offer a range of services, including rental equipment, repairs, and photo printing.
One of the key strengths of B&H Photo Video is their large selection of products and their knowledgeable staff, who are available to help customers find the right equipment for their needs. Additionally, the company offers competitive prices and fast shipping, making it a popular destination for photographers and videographers looking to purchase new equipment.
Overall, B&H Photo Video is a reputable and reliable source for photography and video equipment, offering a wide range of products and services to meet the needs of professional and amateur photographers and videographers alike.
Overview of B&H Photo Video
B&H Photo Video is a leading retailer of photography and video equipment, offering a wide range of products and services to meet the needs of professional and amateur photographers and videographers alike. With over 45 years of experience in the industry, the company has established a reputation for providing high-quality products at competitive prices, backed by exceptional customer service and support.
B&H Photo Video is the online store of B&H Photo Video, offering a convenient way for customers to shop for their photography and video equipment needs. The website offers a wide selection of products, including cameras, lenses, lighting and studio equipment, audio equipment, drones, and more. The website also offers helpful resources, such as product reviews and tutorials, to help customers make informed buying decisions.
In addition to their online store, B&H Photo Video operates a large retail store in New York City, offering customers the opportunity to see and test the equipment before they buy. The company also offers rental equipment, repairs, and photo printing services to meet the needs of customers in a variety of different scenarios.
Overall, B&H Photo Video is a comprehensive resource for photography and video equipment, offering a wide range of products, services, and support to help customers find the right equipment for their needs.
Who Is B&H Photo Video For?
B&H Photo Video and its online store, B&H Phphoto Video, is primarily for professional and amateur photographers and videographers. The company offers a wide range of photography and video equipment to meet the needs of customers at all levels of experience and skill, including:
- Professional Photographers and Videographers: B&H Photo Video offers high-end equipment and a comprehensive selection of products that can meet the demands of professional photographers and videographers.
- Amateurs and Enthusiasts: B&H Photo Video offers a variety of entry-level and mid-range equipment, making it accessible and affordable for amateur photographers and videographers to start or continue their photography and videography journey.
- Students and Educators: B&H Photo Video offers educational discounts to students and educators, making it a great resource for those in photography and videography programs.
- Businesses: The company also offers a range of equipment and services suitable for businesses in a variety of industries, including event photographers and videographers, commercial photographers, and more.
Overall, B&H Photo Video is a one-stop-shop for photography and videography equipment and accessories, serving customers of all levels of experience and skill.
B&H Photo Video Reviews: What Do Customers Think?
B&H Photo Video and its online store, B&H Photo Video , generally receive positive reviews from customers. Many customers appreciate the wide selection of products offered and the knowledgeable staff who are available to help with any questions or concerns.
Customers also frequently praise the competitive prices offered by B&H Photo Video and the fast shipping, which helps to make their shopping experience convenient and efficient. The company’s reputation for providing high-quality products and exceptional customer service has earned it a strong and loyal customer base.
However, like any company, B&H Photo Video is not without its critics. Some customers have reported issues with customer service, particularly when it comes to resolving issues with orders or returns. Others have criticized the company’s return policy, which they view as inflexible or difficult to navigate.
Overall, the majority of customers have positive experiences with B&H Photo Video and are satisfied with the products and services offered. While there are some areas for improvement, the company remains a popular destination for photographers and videographers looking to purchase equipment.
Is B&H Photo Video Worth It?
Whether B&H Photo Video is worth it depends on the individual needs and preferences of the customer. However, here are a few factors to consider:
- Wide Selection: B&H Photo Video offers a wide selection of photography and videography equipment, making it a convenient and comprehensive resource for customers.
- Competitive Prices: The company offers competitive prices on its products, making it an attractive option for customers who are looking to save money.
- Good Reputation: B&H Photo Video and its online store, B&H Photo Video , have a good reputation in the industry, and are known for providing high-quality products and exceptional customer service.
- Fast Shipping: Customers can expect fast shipping on their orders, making it a convenient option for those who need their equipment quickly.
- In-Store Experience: For those who prefer to see and test the equipment before making a purchase, B&H Photo Video operates a large retail store in New York City.
However, there are also some drawbacks to consider. For example, some customers have reported issues with customer service and the company’s return policy.
In conclusion, whether B&H Photo Video is worth it will depend on the individual needs and preferences of the customer. But, with its wide selection of products, competitive prices, and good reputation, it is definitely a company worth considering when shopping for photography and videography equipment.
B&H Photo Video Promotions & Discounts
B&H Photo Video and its online store, bhphotovideo.com, offer a range of promotions and discounts to its customers. Here are a few examples:
- Sales & Clearance: B&H Photo Video regularly runs sales and clearance events, offering customers the opportunity to save on a wide range of products.
- Educational Discounts: The company offers educational discounts to students and educators, making it a great resource for those in photography and videography programs.
- Bundle Deals: B&H Photo Video also offers bundle deals, where customers can purchase multiple products at a discounted price.
- Coupons and Promo Codes: From time to time, the company may offer coupons or promo codes, which customers can use to receive discounts on their purchases.
- Loyalty Programs: Bhphotovideo.com also has a loyalty program, which rewards customers for their purchases and provides access to exclusive promotions and discounts.
It is important to note that promotions and discounts may vary, and not all offers may be available at all times. Customers can stay up-to-date on the latest promotions and discounts by visiting the B&H Photo Video website and signing up for the company’s email newsletter.
Where to Buy B&H Photo Video
B&H Photo Video is an online store that specializes in photography and videography equipment. Customers can purchase products directly from the website, B&H Photo Video .
In addition, B&H Photo Video operates a large retail store located in New York City, where customers can see and test the equipment in person before making a purchase.
Customers who prefer to shop in-store can find the B&H Photo Video retail store at 420 Ninth Avenue, New York, NY 10001. The store is open Monday through Thursday from 9am to 7pm, Friday from 9am to 1pm, and Sunday from 10am to 6pm. The store is closed on Saturday.
B&H Photo Video FAQ
B&H Photo Video offers a comprehensive FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) section on its website to assist customers with their questions and concerns. Some of the most common topics covered in the FAQ include:
- Ordering and Shipping: Information on placing an order, shipping options, and delivery times.
- Payment and Financing: Details on payment options, financing, and billing information.
- Returns and Exchanges: Information on the company’s return policy, and instructions for making a return or exchange.
- Warranty and Repair: Details on the company’s warranty policies, and information on how to get equipment repaired.
- Technical Support: Answers to common technical questions, and information on how to get support for specific products.
- Product Information: Detailed information on specific products, including specifications, features, and compatibility.
Customers who have questions or concerns not covered in the FAQ can reach out to B&H Photo Video customer service team for further assistance. The company offers a variety of contact options, including email, phone, and live chat.
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PETBARN PET INSURANCE REVIEW 2022
With three levels of cover, petbarn pet insurance provides up to 100% back on eligible vet bills, with no excess and no annual claim limit. Alongside a few additional extras, this cover also allows petbarn regulars to earn friends for life points on their premiums.
Who is Petbarn?
Active in the australian market for more than 35 years, petbarn is one of the country’s best known pet supply retailers, with 140 stores nationwide. Petbarn is part of greencross limited, australasia’s largest integrated consumer facing pet care company, which owns more than 130 veterinary practices and over 200 pet speciality stores.
In terms of its pet cover, petbarn pet insurance cannot be purchased in its stores. Plans are only available online or over the phone. What else is worth knowing? Petbarn pet insurance is administered by petsure and underwritten by the hollard insurance company, two of the biggest names in australian pet insurance.
Petbarn Pet Insurance
Core Cover
- No annual claim limit
- Per condition limit of $500 (per policy period)
- Up to 90% back on eligible vet bills (subject to per condition limit)
- Up to 65% back for pets over 8 years old
- No excess
- From 8 weeks up to 9 years old
Core Plus Cover
- No annual claim limit
- Per condition limit of $1,000 (per policy period)
- Includes cover for cruciate ligament conditions
- Up to 90% back on eligible vet bills (subject to per condition limit)
- Up to 65% back for pets over 8 years old
- No excess
- From 8 weeks up to 9 years old
Total Cover
- No annual claim limit
- Per condition limit as set out in PDS
- $750 of dental included (6 month waiting period applies)
- Includes cover for cruciate ligament conditions
- Up to 100% back on eligible vet bills (subject to per condition limit)
- Up to 65% back for pets over 8 years old
- No excess
- From 8 weeks up to 7 years old
Some examples of limits on specific conditions on total cover include $1,500 for tick paralysis, $2,500 for snake bites, $4,000 for cancer and $6,000 for bone fractures (per policy period).
It’s worth noting that total cover also provides cover on certain treatments that other policies don’t cover, such as behavioural therapy, dental illness and prescription diets.
What We Love
- Intro offers: petbarn often provides introductory discounts and offers to attract new customers to sign up. To find the latest offers on petbarn pet insurance, check out our promo codes and discounts page before you apply.
- Rewards book: when you apply for petbarn pet insurance, you will receive petbarn’s little book of big savings. This book contains vouchers valued at $1,000, covering everything from free gifts and bonuses, to upgrades and discounts.
- Multi-pet discount: planning on getting pet cover for more than one pet? With petbarn pet insurance, you receive a generous 10% discount on your premiums on all additional policies.
- Reimbursement: with core and core plus cover, you can claim up to 90% back on all eligible vet bills, while with total cover, you can claim up to 100% back. Bear in mind that the amount you get back will be subject to the per condition limit put in place on your particular policy. For example, if have core cover and your vet bill comes to $800, you would receive 90% back on a limit up to $500.
- No overall claim limit: unlike many pet insurance plans in australia, petbarn pet insurance does not have an overall annual benefit limit. Instead, petbarn puts in place a per condition limit, which varies according to the level of cover
- No excess: there is no excess on any of petbarn’s pet insurance plans. If you visit the vet frequently, this could help to reduce the upfront costs associated with making a claim. However, it is worth noting that plans offered elsewhere in the industry typically have higher premiums on policies with no excess, compared to policies that come with an excess. To make sure you find the plan that best suits your budget, be sure to compare pet insurance options thoroughly.
- Any vet: you can visit any vet (other than yourself) that is licensed to legally practice as a veterinarian in australia.
- Claim flexibility: when it comes time to make a claim, you can use petbarn’s gaponly feature, which assesses your claim in real time at the vet, so you only pay the gap. Alternatively, you can pay the entire vet bill upfront, then make a claim either online or on paper.
- Request pre-approval: if you’re unsure whether your policy will pay out on a particular procedure, you can contact the provider in advance to ask for pre-approval. This can give you peace of mind before visiting the vet, knowing that you won’t be out of pocket when it comes time to pay.
- Earn points: as a regular either at greencross vet clinics or at petbarn stores, you may already be a member of the friends for life loyalty program. If so, you’ll be happy to know that you can earn friends for life points on every dollar you pay on premiums. Once you’ve earned 6,000 points, you’ll be rewarded with a $10 loyalty voucher to be used on your next purchase, instore or online. Members enjoy further discounts and benefits instore, including up to 20% off participating dog and cat food when shopping instore as part of the frequent feeder program.
- Cover for life: provided you apply for a policy before your pet reaches that policy’s age limit, you can enjoy cover for life as long as there is no break in cover, and as long as petbarn provides that policy.
- Cured pre-existing conditions: like most other pet insurance plans, petbarn pet insurance doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions. But, if you can prove the condition was temporary, and there have been no signs of it in the previous 18 months, it will no longer be excluded from cover. Be aware that chronic conditions and several other specified conditions do not fall within this category.
What To Consider
- Cost: premiums for petbarn pet insurance are pricey, coming in well above the average price in our annual pricing survey.
- Reduced reimbursement: once your pet reaches the age of eight, the amount you can claim back on vet bills falls to 65%. Petbarn states this is due to the fact that older animals generally spend more time at the vet, increasing the amount the insurer has to pay out. Petbarn says it decreases the reimbursement rate to keep premiums “affordable”, however, as many pet owners of older pets will attest to, premiums on older pets are already costly. Consider whether as you visit the vet more as your pet ages, you would be happy to receive less back on your vet bills.
- Per condition limits: where other pet insurance providers have sub-limits, petbarn pet insurance has per condition limits. This is basically the total amount each policy will pay out per condition, according to the level of cover chosen. As an example, with core plus cover, the per condition limit is $1,000, so if you want to make a claim on a costly procedure such as a cruciate ligament, you would only receive $1,000 back. With total cover, that limit is set at $4,000.
- Waiting periods: all pet insurance plans in australia put in place waiting periods. With petbarn pet insurance, there is no waiting period for accidental injury. For illness, total cover has a waiting period 20 days, while for core and core plus cover it’s 30 days. For cruciate ligament conditions, there is a 6 month waiting period on core plus and total (cruciate ligament is not covered on core cover).
- Exclusions: similarly, all policies have exclusions. In the case of petbarn pet insurance, exclusions include consultation fees, pre-existing conditions, routine or preventative treatments, some elective treatments, and breeding or obstetrics. On core and core plus, additional exclusions apply. Always read the pds for full details.
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Shoe Review: OOFOS Recovery Sandals
Slide into something comfortable with OOFOS recovery sandals.
You’ve likely seen OOFOS recovery sandals on the feet of fellow athletes after races, workouts and gym sessions. OOFOS sandals are made with soft, squishy foam and generous arch support to cradle your feet and relieve pressure on your joints. Plus, they’re available in a variety of comfortable styles and spiffy colors.
Fleet Feet reviewers tested the OOFOS OOahh Slide, the OOFOS OOlala Sandal and the OOFOS OOriginal Sandal. Here’s what you can expect when you slide into a pair of OOFOS.
OOFOS Foam Absorbs Impact
Most running shoes provide energy return with each step, helping you pop back off the ground into your next stride. But when you’re done running, you want to sink your feet into something soft. OOFOS recovery sandals feel like pillows, cushioning your feet and cradling your arches the moment you slide into them.
“Wow. Just wow. There’s a lot going on under the surface with these shoes because they do not at all feel like your normal rubber. I really like them,” Nate says.
OOFOS recovery sandals use proprietary OOfoam technology to absorb impact and reduce stress on your feet, ankles and other joints. OOFOS says their closed-cell foam absorbs 37 percent more impact than traditional EVA foams. More impact absorption leads to less wear and tear on your body, keeping your feet and legs feeling fresh.
“These are by far the most comfortable sandals I’ve ever worn. I can never go back to wearing other sandals again after trying these. I always make sure to bring these along to races so I can slip them on after I finish – it’s a much needed relief after pounding the pavement for hours at a time,” Caroline says.
All OOFOS sandals use the same patented footbed that cradles your arches for a soft yet supportive fit.
The arch support provides stabilization while standing and walking, meaning your feet don’t have to work as hard during these movements. This helps you recover faster from tough runs and training sessions so you can get back to performing at your best.
“The arch support is subtle but definitely noticeable and helps my feet feel less fatigued after a long run or tough workout,” Caroline says.
Both the OOFOS slides and the sandals feature the same OOfoam technology and patented footbed, offering the same luxuriously comfortable fit. All you have to do is choose your preferred style.
“OOfos sandals always feel good, but their shining moment is when you first put them on after wearing anything else, or even after going barefoot. When my feet or legs are tired, it feels so good to put on my Oofos,” Kate says.
Because OOFOS doesn’t make half sizes for their recovery sandals, you’ll have to go up or down a half size depending on the shape of your feet. A good rule of thumb is to go up to the closest full size for men and down to the closest full size for women, but this will depend on the shape of your unique feet. If you’re unsure about the shape of your feet, get fit at your local Fleet Feet.
Comfortable Styles are Perfect for Relaxing
Whether you’re hanging around the house or running a full day of errands, OOFOS recovery sandals are your new best friend. They offer reliable support for your feet while remaining lightweight and easy to pair with any outfit or occasion.
“I have been wearing OOFOS for just over three years now. I love that they have different styles that all have a similar, amazing feel, but give you a chance for a different look,” Kate says.
With multiple colors to choose from, you can easily find a pair that suits your style. Plus, the waterproof materials are perfect for wearing to the pool, the beach or jumping in the shower after a sweaty gym session.
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