Last night was a glorious night in Chicago. I took my daughter to see Rush in Chicago at the Charter One Pavilion. Charter One Pavilion is located on a site where the old Miegs Field used to be. It was a great venue for an intimate concert.

Photo taken by Kozmo4rush from the site Rushisaband.com

We got lucky because the show was a reschedule of a rained out date in July. The most shocking thing to me was that we had no major traffic slow downs into Chicago. No parking lots, no bumper to bumper. Just a steady speed up from Indianapolis into Chicago – shocking! The only parking lot I saw was the one under Soldier Field.

It was a great show. The tour name was Time Machine. The stage props and themes were done in a Jules Verne motif of the future. I think Alex and Geddy should go into acting because their pre-show videos are quit entertaining. Neil has a cameo role in the shorts while Alex and Geddy have you laughing. The show starts when Alex hits the time machine button and the band opens up with Spirit of the Radio. (Sad – it was a great radio station in Toronto that got gobbled up by a big media company and converted into something different than the song is about).

The first set took us through several songs ranging from Spirit of the Radio to Subdivisions. My daughter was especially excited because they played one of her favorite songs off the Presto album called Magic Wand. For me, the song selection seemed to speak to me. Even Magic Wand – “If I could wave my magic wand.” Or, Time Stand Still – “Children growing up, Friends growing older.” Marathon – “One moments high, and glory rolls on by, like a streak of lightening, that flashes and fades in the summer sky.” Or, one of my favorites, Subdivisions – “Conform or be cast out.”

After the intermission, we were entertained with yet another video. It shows the band in multiple iterations playing Tom Sawyer, as Alex keeps hitting his Time Machine. Geddy is dressed like some Andy Warhol character with Alex as a large Ray Daniels (their Manager) and Neil as the cameraman.

The 2nd set took me back to my Junior year in high school. I still remember spring break in Florida in 1980 driving down I-95 to see my brother listening to LImelight. I mean, Tom Sawyer is my personal Anthem. “His mind is not for rent, to any God or Government, always hope for your discontent, most changes aren’t permanent, but change is.” (When I worked in the airline industry, the one constant was change).

It was great to hear the whole Moving Pictures album. I always enjoyed the themes in the album culminating with the lyrics, “Everyone has to deviate from the norm.” How true these words in a society that is pushing for conformity and homogeneity. Conservation at the expense of creativity.

After Moving Pictures, Rush entertained us with their new song Caravan. After 40 years of making music, they still have the ability to write music that is edgy and complex that stirs an old man’s teenage boy. Who needs Viagra, just listen to Caravan and the testosterone will start surging. Then, they played 2112, the ultimate anti-establishment anthem for those of us who grew up in the 70s. Pissed off that corporate did not approve your idea? Then listen to 2112, it will make you feel better.

As the set ended, I prepared my Zippo app on my iPhone for the encore. I was not the only one. They were easy to get back on stage. (I know, it’s just a formality now).

They ended the show with Working Man. They did a Reggae version of the beginning which was actually pretty good before they went into the full song. The show ended.

We are entertained by another video. As I am watching it, I am thinking it is their escape video. They must have jumped into their coaches and started heading up to Minnesota for the next show. The odd sense I got was how programmed we are to stop and watch the video, while they make their escape. (I may be wrong, but I could not see them hanging out in the trailers that were positioned behind the stage).

Great show! Nostalgic for an old guy like me that has been following the band since 1976. Pure joy for my daughter who discovered the band in my iPod collection. She is more fanatical about them than me. Joy to have a daughter that likes the same music as me both old and new.

The 1982 World Cup was during my senior year in High School.  That year, we had a lot of exchange students who shared my interest in the game.  I was hooked into the game.  We were lucky in Michigan because CBC televised the games on Channel 9.  We were able to follow the games out of Canada.  I was a senior in High School at the time.  Italy made an improbable run to the final off the heroics of Paolo Rossi who had returned after a ban from the game for match fixing in Italy.

I was in Germany for the final to watch the Germans get handled by the Italians.  It was a great German team who made it to the final, only to lose to Paolo Rossi and the Italians.  I watched the game with my buddy and his host family.  The passions were muted by my host family.  I wished I had gone to Hungary to watch it with my Uncles.  They would have been screaming at the TV and shouting for joy at the goals.

In 1986, I was in college at Bowling Green.  I signed up for cable just to watch the games again.  I believe my cable package was primarily through the CBC again.  My beloved Hungarian team of 1986 was embarrassed by the then Soviet Union.  (I did my year abroad program that August.  I asked my Uncles, what happened?  They said it was the pasta they ate in the elevation of Mexico City).

We all know about 1986.  It was the year of Diego Maradona.  The infamous “Hand of God” against England.  Yet, I just watched a replay of the game.  England really had nothing to complain about.  They sucked in that game.  Maradona was running circles around them.  Argentina were the better team.

The 1986 final was actually shown on national TV. Argentina was by far the better team, but Germany made it game coming from behind to tie it up.  All of those supporting Europe’s hearts were broken when Argentina went ahead for good.  No German miracle would be had in 1986 – just runner ups – again.

This is the start of a 4 part series of my World Cup Soccer history.

Well, June has come and gone.

I have lived through my 9th World Cup. I remember ABC’s Wide World of Sports in 1970 when Brazil beat Italy in the final in Germany. You know, the scene where Pele scores and jumps into his teammate. I remember the day my Dad was watching it on TV. I don’t remember the details of the game. I do remember my Dad watching it.

In 1974, I spent 2 months in Hungary. I arrived in Hungary about the time of the final in Germany between Holland and Germany. Again, I don’t remember the details. I did go to my first professional game that year, as my Uncle Pali took me to my first Ferencvaros game in Budapest. I think I may even have the ticket stubs from that game somewhere.

He then took me to subsequent professional games while I was there, as the league started in August. It was at a time where we always had August off for the whole summer.

1978 began my love affair with the World Cup. Back then, all of us foreigners would congregate at venues where the games were shown on closed circuit TV. In Michigan, we had to drive to Detroit and watch games at the Masonic temple or across the river in Windsor at the hockey arena. Hungary was in the World Cup at the time. Several of us Hungarians went to watch games.

I fell in love with the World Cup. The fans at the Masonic temple brought their mini-flags and were passionately rooting for their favorite teams. I was hooked. There was the excitement in the game. The edge of your seat emotions that go with that expectation of a goal being scored.

The critics that call soccer boring. They just don’t get it. There is passion like nothing at an American sporting event. World Cup fever is in the blood, not in the conformity of following a winner.

I did not make it to the final in 1978. My Dad and his buddies did. It was a great game. Holland made it to the final again, as they did in 1974, only to lose to the home team again. This time in overtime to the heroics of Mario Kempes of Argentina.

The images of River Plate stadium full to the brim with Argentinian fans willing their team to win the whole thing. The field covered in paper confetti when Argentina scored their goals. The fans going crazy.

I started playing the game in 1976.   The 1978 World Cup in Argentina was the event that pushed me over the edge into a life-long fan of the game.

This is a funny song. I kind of agree that the whole antenna issue is overrated.

On my trip to Florida this weekend, every flight was full. I could not even get a boarding pass, until I reached the gate. Only from Indianapolis to Atlanta did I see empty seats and they were not many. I have already provided my frustration with the TSA. (Remember? Find people, not things).

I flew Delta on the way down and am returning US Airways on the return. The trip to Atlanta was short and sweet. Atlanta Airport was busy on Saturday morning. The foot traffic seemed non-stop in the airport and it was hard to find any place to sit. There were lines for food and coffee. I am thinking to myself, “I thought we were in a recession?”

I show up at the gate for my connecting flight to West Palm Beach looking for a seat. The gate agent says, “Well, you have to wait. The flight is overbooked and I requested volunteers. I think I have enough and you should get on the flight.” I say, “Ok fine, just please don’t stick me in a middle seat.” (When God wants to punish you, he sticks you in a middle seat). To add a little drama to the trip, we had a delay. The flight attendant assigned to our flight was injured on her previous flight. They had to look for a replacement.

I got on Facebook and asked a former classmate from High School who is a flight attendant, if she is available. Did not sound like it. She sounded like she had her own problems and was not about to give me any sympathy. She ignored me.

So, you know how it is when a flight is delayed and people are waiting. The waiting area is overflowing with bodies, there is no place to sit and I need a plug to charge my laptop. So, I decide to occupy some space in front of the window because it appears a seat is empty. Someone was saving it for their friend. No problem, I will just stand here. Luckily a guy gave me his seat, so he could find a plug. I decided I would rather eat my bagel and egg sandwich than find a plug.

I have to say, I like Delta’s standby board. I could see that a seat was assigned to me. All I had was my printed receipt that I had printed off before I left Indy. I just handed it to him when I was boarding and he printed off my seat assignment for me. So, I have to give the airlines credit, they have gotten more efficient in processing passengers at the gate, once it is time to board. (I know you road warriors out there are probably saying, well, duh and others may not agree).

You have to understand. Back in the day. They would pull your ticket, rubber band them, throw them into a bag. The bag would be sent to Barbados. They had an office workers key punch the ticket info into the back office system. Revenue would be posted a few days later. (What happened to all those keypunch operators in Barbados?)

We finally boarded the plane and were on our way. I arrived 45 minutes late. My Brother was waiting for me. As we started heading to his car, he got lost in the garage. (My brother is notorious for getting lost – so it was just a loving reminder of his being navigationally challenged). We back tracked and figured out where he parked. We were on our way.

For the return, there was drama too. I arrived at the airport on time. Since they took my shaving cream, I made it through security unscathed and grumpy. I had to make the sarcastic comment that I feel so much safer now having gone through security.

On to the gate! Well, my partner was with me. I leave him at Airtran and look for an outlet to plug my laptop so I could juice my phone. So, I head down to my gate, plug in all my devices to charge them up. He walks down. His flight is delayed because the afternoon Floridian thunderstorm shows up to wreak havoc on air traffic at Ft. Lauderdale.

Well, my flight is on-time. Crap – no it’s not. 20 minute delay? No problem with that. The flight is full! Every seat! So, I am happy, I have an aisle seat. I get back to my seat and there is a family sitting in it. The guy asks me, if I would switch seats. I reluctantly agree.

Now, everyone is coming onto the plane. All the seats are screwed up in the back. He sent me to the wrong row and I am sitting in someone else’s seat. I am mad at myself. I am thinking, Paul, used to be a pro. You know better. When the flight is full, you have to just sit in your assigned seat and make the deals after everyone has sat down.

Luckily it has worked out. I am still en route to my connection in Charlotte. We are running really tight. I have 15 minutes to get to my connection when I land. So, this story is not over. If I make the connection, no problems. If not, I am screwed because the delay was weather related. Based on what the Pilot is saying, we are getting no breaks to make up our time. There is rain slowing things down now.

Well, we landed. Everyone should have been able to make their flight. I had to go from concourse B at the end to Concourse C towards the end. It felt like a half mile walk.

Between the carriers, I found Delta’s people far more friendlier than the US Air crews. The flight attendants on the US Air flights seem cranky and scolding in a Sister Mary Elephant way. “Class, you need to turn those cell phones off now!” “Class, turn those cell phones off!” “TURN THOSE CELL PHONES OFF NOW!” – thaaank you.

I fell asleep on my leg from Charlotte to Indianapolis. I like to listen to music. They start the decent and I am finishing up a song. “Sir….turn your music off.” I roll my eyes. Let me finish my song.

The weekend adventure was over. I got off the plane, turned on Porcupine Tree and waited for my ride. The memory of flying over the weekend kept bringing me back to MOO. I miss the old days before all the rules, fears and baggage fees.

I took a trip to Florida this past weekend for business. I have to admit, I have not been on an airplane for a while. I used to work for American Airlines years ago and traveled often. I was a pro – literally. Since my time there, my current position as President of Professional Blog Service has not put me on too many airplanes, as we are able to conduct most our business online.

I used to travel a lot. I took my first trip when I was just 1 year old. It was to Budapest, Hungary. My brother said I cried all the way over to London on our Pan American (Pan Am) flight. (At least that what my brother says. I don’t remember).

As I got older, I took a lot more flights even in my youth to visit relatives in Europe. I flew a lot to Florida as well. Back in those days, it was always fun, even when things went wrong. Trips to Budapest were always an adventure because it was deep dark communism in the 60s and 70s. There always seemed to be a hundred check points with “passport please” from a uniformed army guy making sure that one of their citizens was not escaping. Airports and borders had uniformed army with AK-47s strapped to their back.

Have times changed. Going through the airport today in the United States is just a pain in the catooshi (as my wife would say-though I am not sure that is how she spells it). Instead of passports, we now show our driver license. We take our shoes off, our belts off, our leg braces off and are herded like cattle. Old men with hip replacements are scanned like suspects because the guy who can barely walk is got to be a suspect because the metal detector went off. Today, I feel like always saying MOOOO! when I am in line.

The Hungarians were actually smarter about processing people. They asked you questions about where are you going and what are you doing. If you had a US Passport they usually waived you through or asked what you were bringing into the country. They could not have you bringing blue jeans into the country and selling them on the black market.

For my flight to Florida, I made sure I wore shorts and sandals and had my laptop bag and a small weekend bag with clothes and a Dobson kit. I wanted to get through security without taking any clothing off with shoes I could slip on and off. Despite this preparation, I overlooked one small thing. I brought shaving cream so I could shave and be presentable for my client meeting.

Wouldn’t you know it, they pulled my bag aside. I am startled. What? It’s full of clothes. “Oh yeah, my Dobson kit.” The girl says, “I am sorry, this is too big (shaving cream), it has to stay here.” I am thinking, “Damn, I was so careful.

Here is my beef with the whole episode. She asked me no questions. We are spending all this money confiscating harmless items out of people’s Dobson kits without asking a single question. If you want me to feel safe, ask me questions, look at how I bought my ticket, find out what is in my head. I will gladly answer questions to where I am from, where I am going and what I am doing with confidence. I have nothing to hide. I am not a suspect either.

You need it because a terrorist can get through. We are spending all this money on machines for little old men to get a full body scans because their hip replacement triggered the metal detector. What a waste of time and money. If someone is going to blow up a plane, they are going to be nervous. You find nervous people and train your security to find nervous people. We need to look for people. The current system is a complete waste of money.

The current budget is $6.0 BILLION. $1 BILLION of which is printed money. To top it all off, Michael Chertoff is using his influence to peddle the new full body scanners.

According to the Washington Post:
Chertoff’s advocacy for the technology dates back to his time in the Bush administration. In 2005, Homeland Security ordered the government’s first batch of the scanners—five from California-based Rapiscan Systems.

Today, 40 body scanners are in use at 19 U.S. airports. The number is expected to skyrocket at least in part because of the Christmas Day incident. The Transportation Security Administration this week said it will order 300 more machines.

In the summer, TSA purchased 150 machines from Rapiscan with $25 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds.

What Chertoff has failed to reveal in his message. Rapiscan are his clients. And, Congress approved the funds. BOOOOO!

As we try to herd the masses through, the bad guy is getting through. The current system relies on technology to find things, despite the fact that it is people that commit the terrorist acts.

“WE SHOULD BE LOOKING FOR BAD PEOPLE, NOT THINGS!” Stop the madness already!

Let’s find a way to find people. The Israelis have been doing it for years. I would rather see us spend money providing a real security process than lining Michael Chertoff’s pockets and the pockets of his buddies with printed money.

On Saturday, I took my daughter and her friend to Cincinnati to see Porcupine Tree.

They are a band based out of England that is a throwback to 70s concept bands that produce a body of work through albums versus individual songs. This was the first time we got to see them live, so it was a real treat.

The band played the whole of the current album The Incident. It is a story of life and the bad things that happen along the way.

The venue was Bogarts in Cincinnati. It is located right off the campus of the University of Cincinnati. It is a strange part of town. Broad Ripple in Indianapolis is Vanilla compared to this part of town. It seemed a little rougher around the edges. The concert was general admission. For all the older people there, standing up for a whole concert was kind of challenging. I was sore at the end of the show. For the kids, it was an amazing experience to watch their musical heroes perform only a few feet from the stage.

(I went up to the balcony where all my fellow 70s leftovers were hanging out).

The crowd was quite mixed. There were people wearing Rush T-shirts, Pink Floyd T-shirts. The age of the crowd ranged from teenagers like my daughter to guys and gals in their mid-50s.

The sound was excellent. It was not too loud and it sounded very clean. The band is very tight.

Steven Wilson is the lead for the band. He is a musical prodigy having recorded his first album at a very young age in his teens. He writes all their music. He plays guitars and keyboards.

Colin Edwin is the bass player. He actually moves pretty well for an English bloke. So much so, that a women took off her bra and threw it up to him at the end. He has done a lot of projects and has played with some pretty well known people.

Richard Barbieri is the old guy on the keyboards. He is a throwback to Richard Wright of Pink Floyd

. His keyboards and synthesizers provide a subtle but important background to the guitars and drums.

Gavin Harrison is got to be one of the best drummers alive. He is a one of a kind drummer. He does not sound like anyone. He has this melodic approach to drums and use of cymbals are fantastic. He is a drummer that knows how to use a double bass. Just seeing him play was the great pleasure for me. He is an amazing drummer.

Here is the rest of their tour schedule. If you want to experience a great evening of excellent music performed by great musicians, Porcupine Tree can deliver a show.

May 04 2010  BUFFALO, USA: Town Ballroom
May 06 2010  QUEBEC CITY, Canada: Capitole Du Quebec
May 07 2010  MONTREAL, Canada: Place De Arts
May 08 2010  TORONTO, Canada: Sound Academy
May 10 2010  PITTSBURGH: Mr. Smalls
May 11 2010  RICHMOND: The National Theater
June 2010
Jun 09 2010  BERGEN: Ole Bull Scene
Jun 10 2010  OSLO: Norwegian Wood
Jun 12 2010  SWITZERLAND: Greenfield Festival
Jun 13 2010  DONNINGTON PARK: Download Festival
Jun 19 2010  GERMANY: Hurricane Festival
Jun 20 2010  GERMANY: Southside Festival
July 2010
Jul 01 2010  DENMARK: Roskilde Festival
Jul 03 2010  BELGIUM: Rock Werchter Festival
Jul 07 2010  TEL AVIV, Israel: Exhibition Grounds
Jul 10 2010  FINLAND: Ruisrock Festival
Jul 14 2010  ITALY: Pistoia Blues Festival
Jul 16 2010  CZECH REPUBLIC: Colours of Ostrava
September 2010
Sep 24 2010  NEW YORK: Radio City Music Hall

Great show, great band and it does not cost an arm and a leg – $22.00 at the Bogart. (Plus all the ticketing non-sense)

Book of Dreams, “God will produce the greatest soccer player in the world. And, he will come from the United States – the chosen nation of the world.”

Photo by ISI Photos

In the United States, we always seem to be looking for the next great Soccer savior to emerge from our shores. Several years ago, it was a young Ghanian immigrant kid that out dribbled everyone here in Indianapolis at the then Snickers National Championships. That young man was Freddy Adu, a player that has struggled since going professional at the tender age of 14. He was the next Pele and walked on water.

I think Freddy listened to all his press and has since struggled to make the impact everybody thought he would make. I think American Soccer fans expected too much from a 14 year old kid. He is still a young player that possesses some great technical ability. Let’s hope that his time in Greece allows him the opportunities he has been lacking the past 2 years in Europe.

Jozy Altidore

American Soccer fans need to calm down. Because now the same expectations are being put onto a young kid from New Jersey named Jozy Altidore.

Jozy is and has been a natural goal scoring talent. He featured for the New York Red Bulls at 16. The difference between he and Freddy was most people left him alone. They did not want to make the same mistake with him. And, he produced on the field.

Jozy was transferred from the MLS side New York Red Bulls to La Liga’s Villareal 2 years ago for a record $10 million transfer. He had limited playing time on his arrival into Spain. He was sent to Xerex of the Segundo Division for playing time. The problem was Xerex was playing so well, they did not need him and they were working towards promotion. It just did not work out for him. Villareal always had it in mind to send Jozy on loan.

This year, they sent him to England to play for Hull City. No offense to Hull City fans, but the team was crap before Jozy arrived. He was not going to make it that much better. Hull City’s midfield still sucked and their defense let in goals like a sieve. For selfish reasons, I can say that Jozy got out of Hull City what he went there to do – get playing time, get knocked around and adapt to the game in Europe.

Now he can go back to Villareal battle tested and stronger for the experience. And, he can start tearing up La Liga.

Here is why I say this, if you look at the careers of players like Didier Drogba, Thierry Henry, Ruud Van Nistelroy and even Eric Cantona. They were not world beaters at 20 years old. Their games played and goal production are very similar to what Jozy has accomplished. Jozy has actually done more, as he has 8 national team goals to his name in competitive FIFA competitions.

(Yeah, but that is in CONCACAF) Well, some of the European groups are pretty weak as I am a follower of one of those weak teams. I wish my Hungarian team had a forward of Jozy’s ability.  (They do actually, but the coaches are reluctant to put too much expectation on a young kid name Krisztian Nemeth – only the fans see him as a savior too).

The magic number 25

A player does not reach his full potential until he is 25 years old. How old are Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo? When did they really come into their own and start dominating games? Even Lionel Messi was allowed to develop his talent at Barcelona. Give Jozy a break.

Point is, to expect that out of Jozy Altidore is premature and just not going to happen.

My only concern for Jozy was his goal production should have been higher for Hull City. However, what he did not produce in goals, he did draw important fouls that led to goals. He was generally rated pretty high in post-game player ratings on Sky Sports.

I know American soccer fans have had their disappointments from the 2006 World Cup. We can’t put our hopes and dreams onto a 20 year old kid from New Jersey who is really just getting started. He accomplished what he needed to accomplish at Hull City. He will play for the US National Team. He may even be the impact player against talent from Slovenia and Algeria.

To expect him to carry us through to the final is a little much.

Freddy Adu is the lesson for all of us. We were too impatient with him. Let’s not do the same to Jozy Altidore.

Last week on Thursday April 22, 2010, Erik Deckers participated in the Strategy Session called Mistakes Small Business Makes in their marketing.  Erik was responsible to talk about “The 3 Mistakes Companies Make with Their Blogging and Social Media.  He will discuss the following:

1. Ignoring Social Media
2. Broadcasting, Not Conversing
3. Abandoning the Plan

I think he did a pretty good job.

Check it out:

I spent 3 years at a startup company that built a software application that helped Doctors and Nurse Practitioners provide point of care disease management. The company’s name was Isprit. They are still in existence, but are having a hard time getting Doctors to consider automation. It was a great system because it re-engineered the patient-Doctor encounter to be more efficient, informative and patient driven.

When I took the job, a former Pharmaceutical Executive laughed and said, “Doctors will not buy it.” Unless you can show them how to make money with it, or keep them out of jail, they will never buy it.” He ended up being right about it.

I had a Doctor that was using an EMR (Electronic Medical Record). He dumped all his patients and went into research. I signed up with a Doctor who was recommended by our pharmacists. His office is still using pen and paper. It really sucks because nothing is in real time. Data is collected during the visit, but I am always waiting for the lab results.

So, I attended the “At the Top” networking event last Thursday at the Skyline Club. (Best networking even in Indianapolis by far). Tom Godby, a local entrepreneur and businessman gave the keynote presentation. He talked about one of his companies that has a point of care medical device that measures cholesterol.

Why are more Doctors not using this device? The product is Cardiochek. You can buy it for yourself, or your Doctor could use it for your cholesterol checks when you go in for a yearly exam.

The way my Doctor works. I go into his office, they take my blood and then send it to a lab. We have our appointment, then I get a phone call a couple of weeks later. He has me come into the office to discuss the results. The cost to me and my insurance company is too much. Cholesterol is something that can be done real time in his office before I even see him.

How the encounter should work using a device like Cardiochek.

Dr. Elaine Habig is a internal medicine doctor in Lebanon, Indiana. Here is how she works with her patients.

1. Patient gets their finger pricked using a device like Cardiocheck
2. Nurse puts the results into their Caretrack system
3. Dr. Habig reviews the results with the patient in the room on a screen that graphs out the current results and compares it to previous results.
4. They discuss treatment options right there, or diet adjustments
5. Patient gets a printout of the cholesterol readings right there.

No phone calls, no come back into the office and waste an hour of your time. No additional costs to the patient.

Why are more Doctors not doing this?

If we want real healthcare reform in this country, you and I need to become consumers of our healthcare. There is no reason my Doctor should not be using a point of care system or point of care device to measure basic blood work. They can provide better care with good data and be more consistent in their delivery, if they know the outcomes of their own work with patients. If data resides on paper only, it has not value to either the physician or the patient.

I was at Isprit about 3 years ago. With all the talk of reducing healthcare costs, it could start with a simple change in how we deliver it. Streamline patient encounters, use available technology for standard procedures, and make healthcare delivery as customer driven as other industries.