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You are at: Home > News > Three UK West Country Attractions in line for Accessible Tourism Awards
Three UK West Country Attractions in line for Accessible Tourism Awards
THREE West Country businesses have been shortlisted for the first UK tourism award recognising attractions with access for disabled visitors.
The new Rough Guide to Accessible Britain Awards named the Totnes Rare Breeds Farm – whose population includes tame owls, rescued hedgehogs and red squirrels – alongside the South Devon Railway and the Eden Project in Cornwall.
The awards have been devised to reward the efforts made by attractions across the country to ensure that visitors with disabilities are not excluded.
The two South Devon businesses and the Eden Project have been named in the family venue category.
Totnes Rare Breeds Farm owner Barrie Tolley, who is also a director of the South Devon Railway, said: "We have worked hard to be as accessible as possible and are really excited that these efforts have been recognised.
"Welcoming visitors with disabilities to both the Rare Breeds Farm and the railway is part of our day-to-day operations and we enjoy the feedback we receive to continue to make the experience as inclusive and enjoyable as possible."
The awards are supported by Motability Operations, which runs a successful car scheme for disabled people, and have been launched to coincide with the third edition of the award-winning Rough Guide to Accessible Britain.
Attractions were whittled down by the guide's reviewers and judging panel into four categories. In the family venue category, the railway and farm go up against Legoland in Windsor, Berkshire, the London Science Museum, the Alnwick Garden in County Durham and the Eden Project.
Other categories recognise the best active, heritage and free venues.
Martin Dunford, founder of Rough Guides, and one of the judges, said: "The Accessible Britain Awards mark the achievements of attractions, however large or small, across the UK that have demonstrated considerable effort and creativity in providing inclusive experiences for visitors with disabilities."
Delia Ray, head of marketing of Motability Operations, said: "Now in its third edition, the Rough Guide to Accessible Britain has inspired more people to get about and discover more of the UK's best sites.
"We've been consistently impressed with the response of attractions, which have looked for new ways to make their venue as inclusive as possible.
"The new awards recognise these steps and highlight the attractions around the UK that have set new standards in accessibility."
Winners will be announced at a reception at the Tate Modern in London on March 22, hosted by outdoors adventurer and TV personality Ben Fogle.
Related article: ENAT News
Author(s): Western Morning News
Language(s): EN
Publisher: Western Morning News
Source: http://www.thisiswesternmorningnews.co.uk
Attractions | Customer relations | Disability, disabilities, technical aids | Management of tourist venues and attractions | Nature holidays | Publishing | Rail travel | Special services for disabled visitors
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Flower boutique trains and hires people experiencing homelessness to break down social stigmas
Jessica Schambach
FRIDAY, JANUARY 15. >> A NEW OKLAHOMA CITY BUSINESS BLOSSOMING IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE. IT TRAINS AND HIRES HOMELESS PEOPLE TO BREAK DOWN SOCIAL STIGMAS AND BUILD UP LIVES. >> A FLOWER SHOP DEDICATED TO GROWING NOT JUST ITS PRODUCT BUT ITS PEOPLE. >> EVERY SINGLE BOUQUET THAT WE SELL AND ARRANGEMENT THAT WE SELL CREATES DIGNITY AND EMPLOYMENT FOR OUR VENDORS. >> THEY OPENED THEIR STORES MID-DECEMBER IN OKLAHOMA CITY GIVING NEW LIFE TO PEOPLE LIKE MARCIA WALKER. IT MADE ME GET MY LIFE BACK TOGETHER, YOU MIGHT SAY. >> WE EMPLOY THEM OUT OF HOMELESSNESS. >> GET TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL, GET THAT EDUCATION AND NOW THEY ARE ABLE TO. >> INTO THIS JOB AND WE'RE WORKING ALONGSIDE THEM TO HELP THEM BUILD THEIR JOB SKILLS AND THINK ABOUT WHAT'S NEXT. >> IT'S GIVEN ME MIND -- MY INDEPENDENCE BACK. I WAS RELYING ON EVERYON ELSE AND NOW I DON'T HAVE TO. >> THERE ARE BOUQUETS FOR INDIVIDUALS AND EVENTS, WREATHS FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS AND NOW THEY ARE GEARING UP FOR VALENTINE'S DAY. THE FLOWERS WON'T LAST FOREVER BUT THE IMPACT JUST MAY. >> YOU CAN STOP IN. YOU CAN ORDER ONLINE. OR THEY WILL DELIVER AS WELL. A GRANT FROM OKLAHOMA CIT
A new Oklahoma business is blossoming in more ways than one — it trains and hires people experiencing homelessness to break down social stigmas and build up lives.A flower shop is dedicated not just to its product but to its people.“Every single bouquet and arrangement, we will create dignity and employment for our vendors,” Curbside Chronicle Director Ranya Forgotson said.Curbside Flowers in Oklahoma City opened its doors in mid-December. It has given new life to people like Marsha Walker.“Oh, I love it. It has made me, yeah, get my life back together, you might say,” Walker said.It’s a community effort that was started by The Homeless Alliance and its magazine “Curbside Chronicles.”“We employ people transitioning out of homelessness,” Forgotson said.And the flower shop sets them up with an education in retail floral design at Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City.“Get to go back to school, get that education. And now, they’re able to enter into this job, and we’re working alongside them to help them build their job skills and think about what’s next,” Forgotson said.“It’s given me my independence back, I guess,” Walker said. “After being homeless, that kind of takes your independence away. You’re having to rely on everyone else, and now I don’t have to.”Curbside Flowers creates bouquets for both individuals and events, wreaths for special occasions, and now they’re gearing up for Valentine's Day. The flowers won’t last forever, but the impact just might.“So, whenever you buy flowers from Curbside Flowers, you’re helping create job opportunities for men and women working to end their homelessness,” Forgotson said.“Some people say it has been a blessing, and I think it has been a blessing to us all,” Walker added.You can stop in, order online or they’ll deliver. More information can be found here.A grant from the Oklahoma City Community Foundation helped get Curbside Flowers up and running.
A new Oklahoma business is blossoming in more ways than one — it trains and hires people experiencing homelessness to break down social stigmas and build up lives.
A flower shop is dedicated not just to its product but to its people.
“Every single bouquet and arrangement, we will create dignity and employment for our vendors,” Curbside Chronicle Director Ranya Forgotson said.
Curbside Flowers in Oklahoma City opened its doors in mid-December. It has given new life to people like Marsha Walker.
“Oh, I love it. It has made me, yeah, get my life back together, you might say,” Walker said.
It’s a community effort that was started by The Homeless Alliance and its magazine “Curbside Chronicles.”
“We employ people transitioning out of homelessness,” Forgotson said.
And the flower shop sets them up with an education in retail floral design at Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City.
“Get to go back to school, get that education. And now, they’re able to enter into this job, and we’re working alongside them to help them build their job skills and think about what’s next,” Forgotson said.
“It’s given me my independence back, I guess,” Walker said. “After being homeless, that kind of takes your independence away. You’re having to rely on everyone else, and now I don’t have to.”
Curbside Flowers creates bouquets for both individuals and events, wreaths for special occasions, and now they’re gearing up for Valentine's Day. The flowers won’t last forever, but the impact just might.
“So, whenever you buy flowers from Curbside Flowers, you’re helping create job opportunities for men and women working to end their homelessness,” Forgotson said.
“Some people say it has been a blessing, and I think it has been a blessing to us all,” Walker added.
You can stop in, order online or they’ll deliver. More information can be found here.
A grant from the Oklahoma City Community Foundation helped get Curbside Flowers up and running.
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Home » QS-9000 Drives Continuous Improvement for Chemical Distributors
QS-9000 Drives Continuous Improvement for Chemical Distributors
Quality Quotient: CHEMCENTRAL Benchmarks Bar Coding with PVS Nolwood
When Mike Gallagher, vice president of Plant Operations, and Dave Beattie, corporate traffic manager, for CHEMCENTRAL Corp., Bedford Park, Ill., arrived at PVS Nolwood's headquarters in Detroit, they were stepping onto a competitor's turf. Nolwood and CHEMCENTRAL are both highly successful chemical distributors and thus potential rivals.
But on this visit, cooperation was the watchword. The CHEMCENTRAL executives were on a benchmarking mission. A division of PVS Chemicals, Inc., an international chemical producer, PVS Nolwood had implemented one of the most advanced bar-coding systems in the industry to manage its inventory. CHEMCENTRAL, a billion-dollar corporation with 39 branches in North America, was there to see the bar-coding system in action.
In bar coding, information is automatically coded in a sequence of lines of various widths and configurations on a label, which is affixed to each item as it enters the system.
QS-9000 Is Driver
The mission was largely driven by the fact that both companies were registered to QS-9000, the system standard for quality management derived from ISO 9000.
Developed by the automotive industry to meet its special needs, QS-9000 is a far more challenging standard than its forerunner. It has up to 383 requirements ("shall statements") as opposed to up to 137 for ISO 9000. The fact that both companies had registered to QS-9000 testified to their recognition of the importance of quality. According to Ken Jaggers, CHEMCENTRAL's vice-president, Compliance and Quality, the company adopted the standard because "Our research showed QS-9000 gave more return on investment." Dick Peacock, Nolwood's president, expressed similar sentiments: "To keep our business growing in a marketplace that's not growing, we have to provide the highest level of service attainable. QS-9000 is critical to that."
QS-9000 is not only challenging to implement and register to, it also poses a continuing challenge in that continuous improvement is one of the key requirements of the program. It's not enough to manage inventory effectively or process orders efficiently. A QS-9000 company also must continually seek out ways of improving those processes. This effort toward continuous improvement was a critical driver behind CHEMCENTRAL's interest in bar coding and the benchmarking mission.
In part, PVS Nolwood was paying back a debt, since it had previously benchmarked with CHEMCENTRAL when it was looking to implement an ERP system. Sharing of information between chemical distributors is also encouraged by the industry's Responsible Distribution Code (RDP), which both Nolwood and CHEMCENTRAL subscribe to as members of the National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD). Both companies have integrated their RDP procedures, which establish requirements for health, safety and the environment, into their QS-9000 systems. The NACD's guiding principles specifically call upon members to promote RDP principles by "sharing experiences and offering assistance to others who produce, handle, transport or dispose of chemicals."
Bar-Coding Basics
The setting for CHEMCENTRAL's introduction to bar coding was Nolwood's Detroit headquarters, the worldwide headquarters of the PVS organization. Representatives from the two companies and other interested observers reviewed Nolwood's implementation of, rationale for and experience with the bar-coding technology.
In bar coding, information is automatically coded in a sequence of lines of various widths and configurations on a label, which is affixed to each item as it enters the system. A handheld scanner or reader that uses laser light to translate the code first into optical impulses and then into the computer language, ASCII, which is entered into a database, can read each array or bar code. Once in the database, the information can be accessed by any business application.
Nolwood uses the bar-code system throughout its warehousing, inventory and supply-chain management processes to manage distribution, shipments and payments. The system uses Intermec equipment.
"We can take an order in our customer-service department for the product that we need to ship in three weeks, determine whether we have the product in inventory, identify which lots we'll use to fill the order, fax the customer a certificate of analysis (which gives the customer a chemical analysis of a given lot) for the lots we'll ship while the customer is on the line, and then electronically block the warehouse from shipping the wrong order," explained Dick Peacock.
"That makes it think-proof, mistake-proof," replied Mike Gallagher.
"Although we had problems at first when we switched over in 1998, it has worked well since we got the bugs out of it," Peacock stated. "It's key to inventory control. We cycle count a little everyday, so that over the year we count between 12 and 15 times. Arthur Anderson, our accountant, accepts the validity of the cycle count so we don't have to do an annual inventory. That saves some time and money, but more than that it shows the system is under control."
"It's also valuable for confirming shipments," said Peacock. "You know how many times your customers don't want to pay because they don't think they got the shipment. When the signed receipts come back, we scan them in and then when there's a question our customer-service reps can use the bar code to retrieve an electronic copy of the signed shipper and fax it back right from their desks. We don't even file them by customer; we just batch-file by date."
"With the bar code?" said Gallagher. "Wow, that is slick."
"One of CHEMCENTRAL's biggest problems is tracking lot numbers, since some customers -- 25% or so -- want shipments in complete lots to ensure uniformity. There may be 300 drums of a product from different lots jumbled up. To get to the drums from the right lot can be a challenge. Is this a problem bar coding can help with?"
"Once the lot number is automatically assigned, it shows up on anything from there on out," said Melissa delaGarza, Nolwood's manager of customer service. "So the bar-code system has helped us learn to live with lot numbers. We can see in the inventory right away if we can complete an order from a single lot for the customers who request it. We also know right where each lot is in the warehouse. We see a trend toward tracing product by lot number."
"So do we," replied Mike Gallagher.
There can be 300 drums of a product from different lots. Bar coding can help get the drums from the right lot.
To see the system in action, the Benchmarking Team moved to PVS Nolwood's warehouse in a commercial section of Detroit. Nolwood has grown consistently and incrementally, enveloping adjacent properties. "We have four addresses connected now, and we're looking to buy the building next door," said Peacock.
During a spirited discussion, important details about Nolwood's bar-code system emerged:
The cycle counting process turns up 10 to 12 corrections a week. Broken pallets and the consequent mixing of lots are the most common problems.
Negative inventories are a constant challenge.
The system tracks 1,000 products and grades of products with 5,000 lot numbers in inventory.
The volume through the warehouse each week is about 80 million pounds.
Based on forecasts, replenishment is done on weekly intervals.
In the warehouse, orders are filled at night. Loaders receive a "pick sheet" that gives them instructions via bar codes. It tells them where products are located. The warehouse is organized by "location" -- products, amounts, lot numbers and customer code. Each loader uses a scanner first to read the pick list, then to find the product, which he or she selects and loads. If a loader scans in the wrong product, he or she gets an error message. In theory, the system is mistake-proof.
"This system gives us much more control," said Ron Watkins who has worked as a loader and truck driver for 14 years at Nolwood. "Before you had to remember where everything was. Now the bar code gives you the location, so you don't have to depend on your memory or search around to find something because someone has moved things around."
The visitors from CHEMCENTRAL were convinced that bar coding would help their company. "No doubt it would improve efficiency and increase productivity," Mike Gallagher said. "We'd spend a lot less time preparing an order."
"It would give us higher-quality information and data if we had bar coding," Beattie added. "We'd know up-front where the product was going to come from and how it's going to be loaded before we even went to the warehouse. Knowing where everything is to begin with is a huge advantage."
"I'm sure it improves their service to the customer, and they are more profitable as a result," said Gallagher. "It's a great example of continuous improvement. It's QS-9000 in action. I expect CHEMCENTRAL will begin to look very seriously at implementing a similar system. It would be a big financial commitment for us and we'd have to integrate it with our current systems, so it won't happen overnight. It's a matter of weighing the costs against the benefits. We spent a year researching before deciding to go ahead with QS-9000. No doubt we'll exercise similar care in regard to bar coding."
Nolwood embraced bar coding primarily to reduce human errors, which result from the natural human difficulty in distinguishing between similar chemicals. This issue was magnified by the challenges inherent in the need to maintain and track lot numbers for certain chemicals for key customers.
"Eliminating errors gave us a competitive advantage," said Dick Peacock. "Important customers care about lot traceability because it enables them to eliminate a potential error in their own operation. If they have a problem, they know it's not because of the variability in the chemicals they got from us. Bar coding our inventory is part of continuous improvement, which we're formally committed to by QS-9000 and RDP."
Loaders receive a "pick sheet" that gives them instructions via bar codes and tells them where products are located.
Nolwood knows that bar coding has reduced errors because the company has developed a sophisticated Service Report System, which tracks error rates. In this system, every problem ranging from a leaky drum to a late shipment to a customer complaint to a failure of one department to communicate with another is reported. Anytime anything isn't perfect, it is entered into the Service Report System, which is accessible at computers throughout the organization. Everyone has access to the system and everyone is encouraged to enter reports. The process captures on-average 300 reports per month. It is a highly developed, non-conformance reporting system that is part of correction action, Element 4.14.2, in QS-9000.
"Since introducing bar coding, shipping errors in general have dropped 35%," said Phyllis Baca-Flores, manager of quality systems, who created the Service Report System. "Inventory levels have also really improved. The percentage of back orders that we can control has been reduced by half. We no longer see any back orders that result from product error."
Nolwood's Service Report System produces a wide array of information not only about Nolwood's performance but also about the performance of Nolwood's customers and vendors. Reports from the system are broadly distributed to both customers and suppliers who need and want to know where they are having problems. Suppliers want to see how they stack up. The information provided by the Service Report System provides benchmarks that are helpful to many who work with Nolwood.
"QS-9000, bar coding and the Service Report System combine to make us more predictable, more accurate and more responsive," said Dick Peacock. "That's what it's all about. Our business is growing in a marketplace that's not. Our margins are growing in a marketplace where margins are typically shrinking because our customers are willing to pay for the premium level of service we provide. Quality pays."
Editor's Memo<br>Packaging Drives Demand for Adhesives
Quality Quotient<br>Web-Based Platform Designed to Halve Time/Costs of ISO 9000 Implementation
ADVANCING ADHESIVES: Cell Holding Tape Drives Solar Innovation
Case Study<br>Mobile Mixing System for In-Plant Chemical-Intermediate Transportation
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Press Release March 13, 2020
Alston & Bird Ranked Among Top 5 Counsel for Patent Litigation Defense: 2010-2019
Alston & Bird has been ranked among the top five most-active AmLaw 100 firms in defending patent cases over the past decade.
As highlighted by Lex Machina in its 2020 Patent Litigation Report, which focuses on 10 years of legal analytics, Alston & Bird defended 667 cases, including 336 high-volume plaintiff cases and 86 abbreviated new drug application (ANDA) cases. Fifty-five of the cases were heard in federal district court.
Further underscoring Alston & Bird’s success in patent defense is the ruling secured by the firm in January in favor of Ford Motor Co., which won a final judgment of noninfringement in Delaware federal court against claims by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Ethanol Boosting Systems LLC alleging that Ford infringed patented technology that produces cleaner and more-efficient engines.
In another case in December in U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, Alston & Bird client CarMax Auto Superstores Inc. won the dismissal with prejudice of claims by KCG Technologies that CarMax infringed a patent related to smart phone technology for cars.
The Lex Machina ranking is the most recent earned by Alston & Bird for its patent defense work. In January, the firm was recognized by Patexia Inc. in its 2020 ITC Intelligence Report as one of the top five most-active and best-performing law firms representing respondents in Section 337 investigations conducted by the U.S. International Trade Commission.
Lex Machina is an intellectual property litigation research company and division of LexisNexis.
Richard R. Hays
Chairman / Managing Partner
Other Phone: 212.210.9560
Email: richard.hays@alston.com
Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical & Life Sciences Patent Litigation
Inter Partes & Covered Business Method Review
ITC Section 337
Patent Prosecution, Counseling & Review
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Immersive Storytelling
Immersive Development
VR Market Research
Fader is made by Vragments, which is a company located in Berlin, Germany. Fader is a browser-based VR editing tool made for journalists with little to no previous VR experience. You can edit and publish from any browsers for free.
Try Fader Now
Article Published on RJI Website
The Reynolds Journalism Institute (RJI) is a center for researching and testing new models of journalism in an era of technological advances. RJI makes the most of its location at the Missouri School of Journalism and the extensive resources at the university. RJI’s work crosses diverse specialties within journalism, including media convergence, editorial content and methods, the evolution of advertising, innovation in management and the impact of new technologies.
Fader brings 360-degree video and VR to small newsrooms
By ALEX LI, KATIE HUGHES AND KATIE PARKINS
As 360-degree video and virtual reality become ubiquitous in journalism, it poses a challenge for newsrooms that may not have the resources of The New York Times or BBC to produce the same caliber of story. How do those smaller newsrooms keep up?
My role: I analyzed and compared competitors to Fader in the market. From page 6 to 22. I also assisted the creation of other content.
© 2019 by Zijian (Alex) Li
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Monday, January 18th | 5 Shevat 5781
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Students at Ryerson U Welcome Firing of Teaching Assistant Over ‘Purify Filth of Jews’ Comment
by Lea Speyer
Fliers posted on the Ryerson campus calling for the firing of Ayman Elkasrawy as part of the ‘Ryerson Against Racism’ campaign.
Jewish students at Toronto’s Ryerson University applauded the school’s recent decision to terminate a teaching assistant who called to “purify Al-Aqsa Mosque from the filth of Jews.”
Aedan O’Connor — a campus activist who led a “Ryerson Against Racism” campaign to have Ayman Elkasrawy fired for his remarks — praised university officials for “doing the right thing and treating this situation seriously.”
“Although antisemitism is still a problem at Ryerson, this is a positive indication of support for Jews on campus. I appreciate the administration’s efforts to combat this issue and look forward to working with them in the future,” she told The Algemeiner.
Tamar Lyons, newly elected president of the school’s chapter of Students Supporting Israel, said, “I am proud that my university stepped up and sent a message to the Ryerson community that we do not stand for such hate and bigotry.”
i24 News – There will be no thaw in the ties between Turkey and Israel until the former closes the...
“Ryerson’s president, Mohamed Lachemi, truly wants to work to make the school safer for Jewish students. This was an example of him turning his words and statements into actions. With the recent antisemitic actions that have been taking place on campus, it’s really important to be receiving this support,” she told The Algemeiner.
The larger Canadian Jewish community has also expressed relief with Ryerson’s decision, including Jewish human rights group B’nai Brith Canada, whose CEO, Michael Mostyn, said in a statement, “There is no place for someone who believes that Jews are ‘filth’ to deliver lectures or grade assignments at a Canadian university.”
Mostyn added that he hopes this incident “will serve as a turning point in what has been a difficult year for Jewish students on that campus.”
Elkasrawy came under fire last month after revelations of anti-Jewish comments he delivered during a 2016 Ramadan service at the Masjid Toronto mosque, where he serves as an imam. His remarks included prayers to Allah to slay the enemies of Islam “one by one and spare not one of them.”
In an apology issued on February 20, prior to his termination, Elkasrawy stated:
Neither I, Masjid Toronto or the congregation harbor any form of hate towards Jews…I firmly believe that all human beings: Muslims, Jews, Christians and people of all and no faith deserve to live a life free of any threat to their safety. In my supplication my intention was to refer to a very specific political situation that is the result of military occupation…
The Jewish Defense League of Canada has filed a hate crime complaint with Toronto Police against the mosque.
This was the latest in a series of antisemitic controversies that have hit Ryerson in recent months. In November 2016, as The Algemeiner reported, members of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and the Muslim Student Association (MSA) staged a walkout from a Ryerson Student Union (RSU) meeting, during a discussion on instituting a “Holocaust Education Week” on campus. Students snickered and heckled, before exiting en masse from the meeting in order to prevent the necessary quorum for a vote on the motion.
Last month, it was revealed that the RSU president, Obaid Ullah, had covered up his participation in the staged walkout. Text messages exposed that Ullah told members of SJP and MSA to “please leave” the room to “lose quorum” and force the RSU to adjourn the meeting.
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Your Remark
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Sold on eBay: New-in-box Apple II, never to be opened
by Ken Gagne Filed under Hacks & mods, Mainstream coverage;
About this time three years ago, Dan Budiac made headlines when he bought a new-in-box Apple IIc for $2,553. Although Apple II hardware is sold on eBay every day, this purchase was unique for a combination of three factors: the high price it fetched; the rarity of an Apple IIc whose original packaging had never been opened; and the fact that Budiac, rather than preserving that state as any collector would, instead removed the computer, booted it up, and played Oregon Trail.
Another such opportunity has come about, this one landing in the hands of Alabama's J. Scott King. He purchased the IIc from a dealer in Chicago for a sum far greater than Mr. Budiac paid: according to the eBay auction, the final bid was $4,995.
That's a lot of money to pony up for a 25-year-old machine, and Mr. King won't even get the joy of the machine that Mr. Budiac did: this IIc is staying in its box. He justifies his investment and decision: "I didn't buy the machine for its utility value, or even its stand alone value as a new machine," he explains. "No, I bought it because it was new in the sealed boxes and might be (maybe not) the only sealed factory box set left — to me that makes it highly collectible. I'll promise you this: in 10, 20 or 30 years from now and I going to be worried I might have paid to much — I don't think so."
He recorded his purchase's arrival in this YouTube video:
A photo gallery of the IIc is also available on Mr. King's Web site.
Mr. King emailed me earlier this month with the offer of an interview; unfortunately, his email response landed in my junk folder, which is why this blog post was beaten to the punch by the latest episode of the RetroMacCast podcast, which interviews Mr. King starting at time index 16:56. My apologies for the late report.
Tags: collectable, IIc, J Scott King, MyFavoriteApple, RetroMacCast, unboxing
Mike says: May 12th, 2012 7:44 AM
I have a a new in the box Apple IIc, MonoChrome Monitor, Monitor stand, Okimate 20 printer and the software still with the srink wrap on them what is the best place to put them up for sale
Ken Gagne says: May 15th, 2012 1:16 PM
Mike: eBay seems to be a seller's market, so you could get good value for your setup there. Listen to the Open Apple podcast every month for reports of similar sales on the site.
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iiNet vs AFACT: Internet Industry Association denied entry
On the final day of proceedings, IIA's application to join in on the case has been rejected
Spandas Lui (ARN) 26 November, 2009 14:48
The Internet Industry Association (IIA) has been refused participation in the legal dogfight between the Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft (AFACT) and iiNet by the Federal Court.
The industry body represents the wider Internet community, including ISPs, and has more than 140 members.
On the final day of the copyright trial, presiding judge, Justice Cowdroy, passed judgment rejecting IIA’s application to contribute to the case as amicus curiae, a ‘friend of the court’. The application, first flagged in September, was opposed by AFACT as it claimed IIA was incapable of taking a neutral position in the case as iiNet is a member of the organisation.
AFACT also accused the the IIA of liasing with the defendant to provide advice on the case. AFACT had previously tendered email documents showing the two parties had communicated over copyright infringement.
Justice Cowdroy concluded the industry body would have little to add to the trial. In a judgment document, he said that most concerns regarding the Copyright Act and Telecommunications Act 1997 has been covered extensively by iiNet.
“Indeed the industry detail and comprehensiveness of iiNet’s closing submissions, stretching more than 260 eclipses the brief submission of the IIA and even on the specific matters with which the IIA wishes to address the Court,” the document said. “The Court acknowledges that the fact that the IIA could not be considered impartial is irrelevant.
“Equally, it is irrelevant that the IIA happens to have a perspective which is aligned with one of the parties and not the other.”
AFACT barrister, Tony Bannon SC, also delivered his rebuttal to iiNet’s closing. He restated his previous credibility attacks on iiNet and readdressed the claim the ISP is culpable for the piracy by its users.
“The user with an unauthorised copy of a film, if he is not online then he is not infringing and iiNet… has power to prevent access to its facilities and hence iiNet has the ability to address infringement,” Bannon said. “[To assert iiNet] has no power to prevent [infringements on its network] is ambitious and it is wrong.”
He rejected iiNet’s claim it had no control over the BitTorrent software, the primary tool used for the said copyright infringements, and was therefore unable to act.
“This ignores the central element to infringement, which is making [content] available online, in this case, by iiNet’s facilities,” Bannon said. “If [a user] is not online… there is nothing the BitTorrent software can do to cause [him or her] to be infringing online.”
AFACT is representing a host of Hollywood film studios suing iiNet for ‘authorising’ copyright contravention by its users by turning a blind eye to their illegal downloads on BitTorrent.
The proceedings are scheduled to conclude today. A verdict is not expected for several months. For a detailed timeline of the case, click here.
Tags iiNetAustralian Federation Against Copyright Theft (AFACT)Internet Industry Association (IIA)
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GE delivers financing to Australian IT suppliers
Nadia Cameron (ARN) 13 September, 2004 12:03
Well versed in providing vendor financial services internationally, GE Commercial Finance has launched a series of third-party packages for distributors and resellers in the A/NZ market.
Although some manufacturers, including traditional IT vendors IBM, HP or Canon, might provide financing with their own products, they did not cater for all goods held by distributors, GE Commercial Finance managing director of vendor finance, Sandra Philpott, said.
In addition, delivering a range of financing options for end customers was not a core competency of distributors, systems integrators or resellers, she said.
With GE's new offering, both groups could offer financing options as an additional service with their product sales, Philpott said.
"These plans will appeal to VARs especially who are looking to provide additional services to their customers," she said. "They shouldn't have to feel proficient in selling finance. The key for us is to partner with them and use our specialist skills to provide these services."
GE's new IT&T product portfolio, eXpress Finance, is based on three financing options: rental, higher purchase and financial lease.
Interest rates would vary, depending on the type of finance facility the customer took, or the length of the contract (up to 60 months), Philpott said.
The financier would also provide sales and marketing support, as well as assist with end of term rental funding on reselling products after a lease agreement has expired, she said.
To help resellers draft financing for their end customers, GE had created an online financing tool which would be given to partners free of charge, Philpott said. This would allow them to do on the spot quotes for customers and apply for finance.
GE's push into the local IT&T industry was its latest step in launching its vendor financial services globally, she said. The company already had one million customers signed up to its technology vendor financing platforms worldwide.
The idea behind the latest initiative was to extend its financing packages right through the IT chain: from the manufacturer to the reseller.
"We already partner with the manufacturers of equipment," Philpott said. "For example, Sun has a global partner program with us, as well as most of the other large IT vendors.
"We are willing to take higher levels of risk when borrowing against equipment than the banks because we are more comfortable lending against products and equipment due to our manufacturing ties," she said.
In order to be eligible for the end-user finance packages, resellers must undergo GE's accreditation process, and provide details on product information, credit reports and trading history, she said.
There was also a minimum $2000 finance amount for all customers, she said. The company now has 45 resellers accredited in A/NZ.
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Microsoft gains cloud security certification … six months after Google
Microsoft has received FISMA certification for its cloud computing data centers, a key step toward gaining customers in the federal governmen
Jon Brodkin (Network World) 03 December, 2010 09:03
Microsoft has received FISMA certification for its cloud computing data centers, a key step toward gaining customers in the federal government market that has been infiltrated by rival Google. However, Microsoft's hosted Exchange and Online services have not yet been awarded FISMA approval.
Just this week, Google scored a major win when the U.S. General Services Administration announced plans to become the first federal agency to move all of its e-mail and collaboration tools to a cloud-based service, specifically Google Apps.
Also read: Microsoft's cloud-based Exchange, SharePoint still stuck in 2007
Microsoft said it was "disappointed" in the GSA's decision, and accused Google of "adding random functionality" without meeting real business requirements.
However, it was Google that gained approval under the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) in July, well before Microsoft.
While the GSA announced its move to Google on Wednesday, Microsoft announced its own compliance with FISMA on Thursday in a blog post written by risk and compliance director Mark Estberg.
"Meeting the requirements of FISMA is an important security requirement for U.S. federal agencies," Estberg wrote. The certification, called an "authorization to operate," was issued specifically to Microsoft's Global Foundation Services organization.
The GFS "provides a trustworthy foundation for the company's cloud services, including Exchange Online and SharePoint Online," Microsoft said. However, Exchange and SharePoint themselves are still "currently in the FISMA certification and accreditation process."
A Microsoft spokesperson confirmed that "Exchange and SharePoint Online have not yet received FISMA approval but are in the process of doing so. Microsoft's cloud infrastructure (data centers) is what received FISMA approval."
GFS's Online Services Security & Compliance team has previously obtained ISO 27001 certification and SAS 70 Type II attestation.
"We have also gone beyond the ISO standard, which includes some 150 security controls and developed over 300 security controls to account for the unique challenges of the cloud infrastructure and what it takes to mitigate some of the risks involved," Estberg writes. "The additional rigorous testing and continuous monitoring required by FISMA have already been incorporated into our overall information security program."
Estburg also said Microsoft's cloud features "highly-focused testing and monitoring, automated patch delivery, cost-saving economies of scale, and ongoing security improvements."
Microsoft has recently rebranded its cloud services under the name "Office 365," which is now in beta and includes Microsoft Office, SharePoint, Exchange, Lync Online and other services. The upgraded service will reach general availability in the first half of 2011.
More from Kemp
Tags cloud computingMicrosoftinternetGooglesoftwareData Centerhardware systemsConfiguration / maintenance
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CEOs force CIOs, CMOs into digital transformation bunker
CIOs and CMOs who value their jobs are collaborating on digital transformations that require them to map out and connect customer interactions across every touchpoint. But this isn’t happening as much as it should.
Clint Boulton (CIO (US)) 04 March, 2016 01:51
Healthy tensions between CIOs and CMOs are very much alive, with the former building hardy IT systems and the latter rapidly acquiring new marketing technology. But IT and marketing are going to have to work more closely together if they are going to deliver on the digital transformations their CEOs are demanding, says Kevin Cochrane, CMO of marketing software provider Jahia Solutions Group.
A big reason is big data, which requires the CIO's technical proficiency to collect and analyze data from a variety of customer touch points, something a CMO is ill-equipped to do, he says.
Kevin Cochrane, CMO of Jahia Solutions Group
“[CIOs and CMOs] are in the bunker together, and they're forced to learn how to get along, support each other and collaborate," says Cochrane who has worked with CIOs in various marketing and product development roles at OpenText, Interwoven, Adobe and Day Software. "The pressure from the CEO is: You go figure this out and [the CIO and CMO are] have to come up with a framework to have a dialogue."
An outsider might be forgiven for failing to understand how digital transformations can be compared to pitched battles for survival in the trenches. The inside story is that most CEOs are ordering digital transformations because they see them as table stakes for competing in a world gone increasingly digital. With analog revenues flattening or declining, CEOs are seeking more revenue from their digital businesses and have told Gartner that digital revenue will increase by more than 80 percent by 2020.
What CEOs are saying to CMOs and CIOs
"CEOs are telling CIOs and CMOs to put in place a new foundation for digital business," Cochrane says. "The CEO tells the CMO I want a strategy for customer experience and he tells the CIO to make it happen." IT has to enable marketing with tools and extend those tools to every customer touch point. That requires CIOs to account for every customer interaction with the corporate brand across the call center, physical stores, online and mobile devices.
As Forrester Research analyst, Sheryl Pattek, told CIO.com, “Customer experience is becoming a hot button — not just for the CMO, but across the C-suite. Customers expect a consistent experience, and they expect a company to know who they are from device to device and from touch point to touch point. You can only do that with technology.”
Cochrane says that while the CMO has traditionally owned the customer experience with little influence from the CIOs, that needs to change because of the vast amount of information streaming into businesses from social media, as well as from various Internet-connected devices. With the data surface broadening so much, CMOs need help from the CIO.
Read more How a CMO, CIO and CFO data alliance is helping Tatts Group transform its digital marketing game
"Marketing can’t consolidate this data from different systems and sources," Cochrane says.
"Someone needs to take a holistic view across the entire marketing technology and IT landscape and put in place a business strategy, and technology strategy and implementation plans for a 360-degree view of the customer."
CIOs have begun implementing Hadoop software and other emerging data management technologies to help separate signal from noise.
One challenge CEOs face is CMOs' tunnel-vision like focus on customer acquisition, when they should be considering how to reach every consumer across the enterprise.
Read more: Glen Willoughby: Today’s CIOs wield revolutionary tools
"The CEO has to have that conversation because a lot of CMOs don't care what happens in the call center or the [sales] field," after they acquire the customer, Cochrane says. "A lot of CMOs just want to focus on campaigns and get on Ad Age." And the CEO separately tells the CIO to help the CMO because they lack the tools and skills to build an operational plan for customer experience lifecycle.
CIOs, CMOs remain far apart
How much headway are CIOs and CMOs making together in their digital transformations is unclear. As the CIO.com digital magazine noted, CIOs and CMOs at Akamai and SAS Institute have enjoyed fruitful partnerships. While one might expect that of two leading technology providers, they still may be outliers.
Some 49 percent of the respondents said the CMO-CIO relationship has become much or somewhat closer and more collaborative in the past three years, while 43 percent said it has remained the same, according to CIO.com’s 2016 State of the CIO research.
However, only 51 percent of the respondents said that the two parties are working together to select and deploy marketing technologies at their organizations, suggesting both that shadow IT is alive and well and that a disconnect remains between the move-fast-and-break-things CMOs and their cautious CIO counterparts.
Cochrane says CIOs and CMOs must continue to become more simpatico to establish long-term advantages and differentiation in an intensely competitive market. And with all apologies to the 6 percent of large organizations with chief digital officers, the CIO has largely taken the lead in executing the digital strategy, Cochrane says.
"The CIO is becoming this transformational business leader that works with the CMO, but in turn goes to every line of business and says how ‘do we start optimizing your customer touchpoint so that each and every customer interaction is a brand moment that drives loyalty, engagement and advocacy,’ " Cochrane says.
More from AppDynamics
Tags data-driven marketingCMO-CIO relationship. CMO/CIO relationship
Delivering business success with application security
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Help is all you need
Jon Silk (ARN) 08 September, 2004 11:51
Express Data has revamped its ageing pre-sales help desk to simplify reporting and query handling as part of an overall strategy to overhaul its customer-facing systems. The helpdesk is available to resellers to provide technical, product and sales advice on its complete range of products.
The internally-developed, Web-based system would replace the 10-year-old Lotus Notes setup that used multiple databases and was difficult to navigate for helpdesk staff, Express Data pre-sales manager, Eileen Espiritu, said.
"With the old system we didn't know how long incidents or queries were taking to be finalised," she said. "This gives us excellent visibility and streamlines the entire process. It also means new staff have access to the history of specific calls."
The ED pre-sales helpdesk takes 2000-3000 calls per month from resellers. These queries are often escalated to technical staff. The helpdesk would improve waiting times and problem solving while ensuring answers to specific product-related questions were provided quickly, Espiritu said.
ED has been actively updating its reseller-facing services over the past few weeks. Last month, it announced the addition of an automated email system for access to stock availability and pricing that automatically scans and replies to email queries.
It also upgraded its annuity scheme to include end-user - as well as reseller - notification as part of its contract reminder service. The pre-sales division recently launched Netscribe, an extension of the ED website with editorial-style reviews and opinion on the technologies and solutions in the ED catalogue.
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ASA Ruling on Guccio Gucci SpA
Internet (display)
Guccio Gucci SpA
Still images that appeared at the end of a video for the fashion brand Guccio Gucci SpA, seen on www.thetimes.co.uk on 15 December 2015, featured several models dancing to a soundtrack. The final part of the ad featured several photos of individual models. Image (a) featured a woman leaning with her back to a wall and was wearing a long dress which covered her body from the neck down to her mid-calves including her arms. Image (b) featured another model who was sitting on a sofa. She was wearing a high necked jacket and a skirt which covered her down to her mid-thighs.
The complainant, who believed the featured models appeared unhealthily thin, challenged whether the ad was irresponsible.
Guccio Gucci SpA said that the ads were part of a video that portrayed a dance party and was aimed at an older, sophisticated audience. They noted that the target population of The Times, where the ad appeared, had an adult and mature readership. They said it was, to some extent, a subjective issue as to whether a model looked unhealthily thin. which they considered was not the case for either of the women identified by the complainant. They believed both models had slim builds. but were not depicted in a way that could be interpreted as unhealthily thin. For example, nowhere in the ads were any models’ “bones” visible, their makeup was natural rather than heavy (which might have accentuated the impression of thinness), lighting was uniform and warm to ensure there were no hollows caused by shadows and their clothes were not revealing. The visual parts of their bodies appeared toned and slim.
The Times concurred with Guccio Gucci that whether or not models were unhealthily thin was a subjective matter.
The ASA noted that the model seated on the sofa wore a short skirt which showed her legs up to her mid thighs. We noted that her legs, while slim, appeared to be generally in proportion with the rest of her body which was not excessively slender or underweight – for example, her knee and ankle bones were not overly noticeable. We therefore considered that the model did not appear to be unhealthily thin.
We noted that the model leaning against the wall was wearing a long dress so that only her lower legs, ankles, neck and head were visible. We considered that her torso and arms were quite slender and appeared to be out of proportion with her head and lower body. Further, her pose elongated her torso and accentuated her waist so that it appeared to be very small. We also considered that her sombre facial expression and dark make up, particularly around her eyes, made her face look gaunt. For those reasons, we considered that the model leaning against the wall appeared to be unhealthily thin in the image, and therefore concluded that the ad was irresponsible.
The ad breached CAP Code (Edition 12) rule 1.3 1.3 Marketing communications must be prepared with a sense of responsibility to consumers and to society. (Responsible advertising).
The ad must not appear again in its current form. We told Guccio Gucci SpA to ensure that the images in their ads were prepared responsibly.
Via De Tornabuoni 73/R
Children: Safety
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Ind-WI 1st ODI: Rain stops play as Virat Kohli dances before Gayle; see video
In the first ODI, India won the toss and elected to bowl first against West Indies here at the Providence Stadium.
09 Aug 2019 10:17 AM
1st ODI between India and West Indies called off due to rain after 13 overs of play
Rain played spoilsport as the first one-dayer between India and the West Indies was called off after the home side scored 54/1 in 13 overs.
'Great to have Gayle in the squad' : West Indies skipper Jason Holder
India white-washed Windies in the T20I series by 3-0 and will play in the first ODI game at Guyana later today.
1st ODI: With Shikhar Dhawan back, KL Rahul could be back at No 4
With 17 hundreds in 130 ODIs, Dhawan will rightfully take his place at the top of the order alongside Rohit Sharma.
'Expecting more performances from Rishabh Pant': Virat Kohli
The Indian skipper said Pant applied himself in the third game and played the big shots that made the difference.
'My best was not enough' : Kieron Pollard
Pollard played a knock of 58 runs from 45 balls which allowed West Indies to post 146 runs for the loss of six wickets.
'Rishabh Pant is future, need to give him space': Virat Kohli
He has been around for a couple of years now and Kohli feels that he will soon start finishing games more consistently.
3rd T20I: Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant power India to a complete 3-0 sweep
Young Rishabh Pant finally came good under the guidance of skipper Virat Kohli as India comfortably beat West Indies by seven wickets.
Fabian Allen replaces Khary Pierre for 3rd T20I against India
Fabian last wore the maroon colours during the World Cup in the UK.
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Backstage Experts
How Comedy Works
By Steve Kaplan | Oct. 17, 2018, 04:30 PM
Photo Source: Photo by Diana Feil on Unsplash
First off, let’s differentiate between “funny” and “comic.”
“Funny” is whatever makes you laugh. Period. End of story. When my niece was five, I could shake a set of keys in her face and dissolve her into hysterics. To her, that was funny. But is it comedy? Would you submit a set of keys to Sundance or shake them in a comedy club or base an Off-Off Broadway show about them?
“Funny” is subjective. Different things make different people laugh at different times. To try to guess what other people find funny is a mug’s game—just look at many sitcoms if you don’t believe me.
So if funny is subjective, what’s comedy?
Many people have come up with many definitions. Freud thought it was man laughing at others’ misfortunes. Bergson thought it was the “mechanical encrusted on the living.” E.B. White said, “Analyzing humor is like dissecting a frog. Few people are interested and the frog dies of it.” They all may be right, but I think that comedy is the art of telling the truth about what it’s like to be human. Drama might help us dream about what we could be, but comedy helps us live with who we are. And who are we?
We’re a motley crew, hurtling through the void in a cold, uncaring universe, not knowing where we came from, not knowing where we're going, trying out best in our fumbling, bumbling human way, to make each and every moment in that universe as good as we possibly can, or just a little bit better than the moment before. We’re a species who continue to get up after being knocked down, either because we’re too stupid or stubborn or hopeful to continue to stay down where it’s safe, and where we’ll all end up anyway.
READ: 10 Comedy Terms Every Actor Should Know
It’s stupid, futile, hopeless. But no matter how hopeless we are, how pitiful, how pathetic, how wrong-headed, how selfish, how petty our solutions, it's also wonderfully, gloriously human. And the comedian is simply the courageous person who gets up in front of a large group of strangers and admits to, simply confesses to being human—telling the truth about herself, and others. People may be sitting the dark thinking, “I’m a failure, I'm defeated, I'm all alone.” The comic artist goes out there and says, “Me too.” The comic actor isn’t straining to be funny but simply allowing his own humanity, her own absurdity, with all the flaws, foibles, and failings, to inform the characters they play and connect with the audience sitting in the dark.
The essential gesture of the comedian is the shrug. “Hey, you’ll live. I’ve been there, that’s life, You’ll live!” The art of comedy is the art of hope. This is the truth, the comic metaphor for our lives.
So how does it work? Comedy tells a story about an ordinary guy or gal (Jackie Gleason used to call him a ‘moke’), struggling against insurmountable odds without many of the required tools with which to win, yet never giving up hope. Tell a story like that and even though some people may not laugh, that’s comedy.
From this paradigm, we can draw usable, practical tools...what we call the “Hidden Tools of Comedy.”
Like the “non-hero,” an ordinary guy who lacks some—if not all—of the required skills with which to win. Or “metaphorical relationship,” the idea that beneath every surface relationship is a true or essential, metaphorical relationship. (It’s Oscar and Felix, two middle-aged divorced roommates, acting like an old married couple.)
Or “straight line/wavy line,” the idea that, as John Cleese once said of the beginning of Monty Python, “We used to think that comedy was watching someone do something silly...we came to realize that comedy was watching somebody watch somebody do something silly.” Think of Kramer in “Seinfeld.” The comedy isn’t just watching Kramer behave in his typically outrageous fashion, the comedy requires Jerry or George or Elaine to watch it in bemused amazement.
*This post was originally published on Sep. 19, 2017. It has since been updated.
Check out Backstage’s comedy audition listings!
The views expressed in this article are solely that of the individual(s) providing them,
and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Backstage or its staff.
Steve Kaplan
For years, Steve Kaplan has been the industry’s most respected and sought-after expert on comedy. In New York, Steve was co-founder and artistic director of Manhattan Punch Line Theatre. In Los Angeles, he created the HBO New Writers Project. In addition to private coaching and one-on-one consultations, Steve has taught his Comedy Intensive workshops to thousands of students around the world.
See full bio and articles here!
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Watch the Youtube Video of the Charlie Daniel's Band, singing...
We need GOD IN AMERICA again
Disclaimer!?
Many "prophecies" etc., of a World War III invasion scenario of the USA have been given by many people in what we consider to be the "past"... HOWEVER there are many who believe that the "timeline" that we are now living in is NOT the original timeline. In other words, these prophecies/visions may apply only to the original timeline and not to this one, IF we are to believe the alleged mountain of "evidence" that THIS may be an engineered timeline. OR, these prophecies, etc., MAY apply to THIS timeline also, regardless. It is hard to say... when people begin to manipulate the very foundations/fabric of reality, for instance as in the case of the Hadron Collider in CERN Swtlerland, there is no telling what the so-called "future" might hold. If the invasion can be stopped because we have essentially been given a "second chance" at changing the timeline all-together (in spite of other potential horrific side-effects), then great. But if not... well, maybe SOME things in this universe/omniverse are destined and can not be changed!?
Note from the editor of this web-page: I began this web-page over 20 years ago, and at that time I was very concerned about the fate of the USA, so I tried to WARN 'her' citizens about what was coming in the future... Since then however, I have experienced much harm and personal attacks and abuse from so-called fellow "Americans". At this point I have concluded that if/when the USA is invaded by a socialist united nations military force, it will be the direct result of the righteous JUDGEMENT of Almighty God upon the United States of America (corporate/pagan 'Babylon') for its many, many crimes against God and Life. This judgement has/will be brought upon the people of the USA BECAUSE OF its rebellion against Almighty God in the form of abortion/infanticide, pagan & wicca cults, abuses against the innocent, drug trafficking, the criminal military-industrial complex, secret government collusion with what can only be described as 'infernal' entities, corporate global imperialism, pornography, sex trafficking, AND ALSO eco-political demon-inspired cults like the Skull & Bones Society / Trilateral Commission / Council On Foreign Relations / Federal Reserve / Bildebergs / the multi-trillion-dollar Masonic underground base-networks... and OTHER 'tentacles' of the Bavarian/German ILLUMINATI... or Jesuit Freemasonry, since the FOUNDER of the Illuminati (may he fry eternally in hellfire) was a jesuit priest by the name of Adam Weishaupt. The Illuminati is a cult that has infiltrated U.S. politics, economics, education, religious 'institutions', the media, fraternities, etc. In other words this invasion will be ALLOWED by Almighty God to punish/purge the USA of the infesting, cancerous VIRUS that infects it at every level. For those true Christian Patriots, please do not take this as an attack against YOU personally. You are merely victims of an evil that has been allowed to infest the USA for many decades. However, it is YOU who will play a very big part in RENEWING this nation, like a Phoenix from the ashes... (but ONLY with the power, ability, and grace of Almihty God!) . So, I have personally stopped praying for this country and have resigned myself to the fact that judgement IS coming upon the USA, and we as INDIVIDUALS will determine how this judgement affects each and every one of us ON AN INDIVIDUAL basis, depending on our own personal connection (or lack thereof) with our benevolent Creator. Is our national motto "in God we trust" still applicable today?
Search for the
Christian Military Fellowship
Will World War III breakout in the 2020's !?
OR is it 2033 !?
(IF the future is split into two or more timelines?)
******* ******* *******
OR... is THIS pastor correct in
his prophecy that World War III will be a nine-year-long war
lasting from 2021-2030?
The Imminant
( Which according to some will take place following a major economic collapse, to then be followed by a military INVASION of the U.S.A. by "New World Order" controlled nations like China, Russia, Germany, Mexico, Arabs, etc., because of Americans' continued resistsnce to the acceptance of the "New World Order" and the "North American Union". )
A.P.F.N. VIDEOS
The Coming War Will Be A...
Physical-Psychological-Spiritual War
...a war against our spirit, soul and body !!!
The Supreme Battle Strategy
God has taken much of His protection off of America
because of the
AMERICAN HOLOCAUST AGAINST THE CHILDREN
Watch these videos of 'In America', by the Charlie Daniels Band
See The Amazing...
Human Statue of Liberty
A Fool and His Money are Soon...
Mirroring of
THIS Website is BOTH
ALLOWED and ENCOURAGED
{to view 'source code' click right mouse button and select 'view page source'}
COMING IN WEEKS ?
A "UNITED NATIONS" ALLIANCE [RUSSIA, CHINA, ARABS, GERMANS, ETC.]
PRECIPITATE A SUDDEN ATTACK AND INVASION OF THE U.S.A.
the enemies OF Freedom...
[LIVING ON BORROWED TIME]
Joe Biden deserves to be known for the
TRUE POLITICIAN
That he is...
Word definition: Politics (noun) - 'Poli': latin for "many." 'Tics': blood sucking insects.
WASHINGTON'S
The Art of War Meets The Art of the Deal
SEVERAL HUNDRED
PROPHECIES, DREAMS AND VISIONS
WHICH CONFIRM GEORGE WASHINGTON'S ORIGINAL VISION
George Washington ?
FREEDOM PROCLOMATION
B.F.N.
******* ******* ******* ******* *******
<<< FREEDOM FIGHTERS >>>
"IN CASE ALL ELSE FAILS, LIBERTY WILL SURVIVE"
--- L.G.N.A. ---
WE NEED MORE LEADERS
LIKE GEORGE WASHINGTON
www.ronpaulradio.com
We need more leaders like
and his son Rand
The framers of the U.S. Constitution included SEVERAL Patriots... Ron Paul is just one man... who will STAND with him!?
We are in this TOGETHER !!!
A leader is only as strong as
HIS SUPPORTERS !!!
( Just why do we in America send so many soldiers overseas to die in UNDECLARED WARS and 'police actions'...? Could it be that some people[?] in the Executive branch of Government are intentionally weakening the armed forces of the USA in preparation for an east-block invasion... in order to impose their 'New World Order' by FORCE... considering that their attempts to impose it through conspiratorial subversion and stealth are failing due to growing public opposition ?!? )
FROM RON PAUL
�The Imminent Fall of the United States of America!�
LARGE ZIPPED FILE ARCHIVES OF WW-III PROPHECIES
SORTED ALPHABETICALLY
The prophecies of Isaiah...
ARE COMING TO PASS !!!
A LARGE "UNITED NATIONS" ARMY OF RED CHINESE, RUSSIAN, ARAB, GERMAN, ETC., SOLDIERS ARE PREPARING FOR AN INVASION OF THE U.S.A. -- FROM THE ATLANTIC AND PACIFIC COASTS AND FROM JUST SOUTH OF THE U.S. - MEXICAN BORDER...
ACCORDING TO A GROWING BODY OF EVIDENCE...
GOD BLESS our brave patriotic border militia -- the MINUTEMEN !!!
Are Illegal Aliens Being Used As A
To Invade/Infiltrate America In Preparation For An ALL-OUT foreign MILITARY Invasion of the USA!?
WAR BETWEEN AMERICA AND CHINA
IN THE BIBLE CODES!?
One Possibe Scenario
Note: The enemy is NOT the 'Chinese' people themselves - but Socialist-Communism! ... Communism is
NOT a Chinese phenomena
in origin, but it has infested this most populous country in the world with its 'virus', and has driven some of those Chinese who love truth and freedom into exhile (Taiwan, South Vietnam, South Korea, etc., as well as to many sanctucaries of freedom around the world, including those in the Christian and Patriotic Chinese communities within the United States...)
World War III and the global economic collapse will probably be...
SIMULTANEOUS
Be aware of the strategies of the 'Illegals'
Website(s) to aid and abet Illegal aliens
Before you go singing the praises of "capitalism" over communism, you should know that communism is
THE INFERNAL SPAWN
"capitalism"
CHINESE MILITARY FORCES
Have Been Seen Training with Mexican troops on the southern border of the USA!?
Prison Planet - Does the New World Order 'Dragon' have a
Machiavellian 'left wing' (Communist SOCIALISM)
and a 'right wing' (National SOCIALISM) !? ... Also, there is the strange connection between Rome ("the MOTHER of harlots and ABOMINATIONS of the Earth" - Revelation 17:5) AND ISLAM !
Will the Invasion take place
BEFORE or AFTER the RAPTURE !?
(One Woman's Near-Death Vision of the Future of the USA)
The Communist Red Chinese threat
Has WALMART become a Communist - New World Order TROJAN HORSE!?
A Potentially Deadly Red Chinese - Arab/Muslim Alliance
Google.com search for "Prophecies of World War III"
Prophecies-visions recieved by "Shanna" and her father
ARAB ARMIES FORMING INSIDE AMERICA
Prophecies of Raymond Aguilera
Prophecies of Dimitru Duduman
The Prophecies of Thomas S. Gibson
More Prophecies from Thamas S. Gibson
The Vision of Maj. General George McClellan
Dreams about Judgement upon America
Watchmen-Prophets-Assembly
Exodus - 2006
Fabrice Bect of France shares this code, apparently concerning a future invasion of the USA by Russia (etc.?)... He works closely with http://exodus-codes.com/... Some years ago he found...
A BIBLE CODE
THAT SEEMS TO SPEAK OF A FUTURE RUSSIAN INVASION... OF THE USA
The prophecies of 'Gammadim'
Nevada governor candidate David Lory Vanderbeek on the vision of George Washington
Watchmen-Prophets-Assembly Invasion Maps
The Gammadin Vision
Search for = "Chinese soldiers in Mexico"
Take The House
Many Prophecies, Dreams, and Visions for America
Prophecies Being Fulfilled
Did World-War-II Ever End !?
The Watchman Prophets Assembly - Yahoo Groups
The WPA-Apostolic Prophetic Company - Yahoo Groups
Will A Mexican 5th Column Infiltration Precede a Socialist Invasion of the USA !?
The Bening Prophecy Archives
Prophecies and Visions of Bob Neumann
The "New World Order"... aka
The "NEW WEIRD ODOR INC."
...was 'created' by the Jesuit-spawned Bavarian Illuminati and its infiltrated Freemasonic networks to CHALLENGE and RESIST the U.S. Constitutional system... because it was founded on Judeo-Christian principles which threatened the demonic plans of the satan-worshipping cult of the Bavarian/German Illuminati..
CHINESE DISARMAMENT OF US CITIZENS BEFORE INVASION
"Search" for: The "Henoch Prophecies" "WW III"
Will Russia Strike First?
Chuck Youngbrandt's visions of the invasion of the USA
The Prophecies of Linda Newkirk
The prophecies of Red Elk
A 200-Millian-man Red Chinese Army
A Message from "Old Bill"
USA Invasion Prophecies
More Visions and Prophecies
China and Russia joint exercises to strengthen ties
John Koyle's vision of the Chinese-Russian invasion of America
Is the Corona-virus part of a Red Chinese World War III biological attack against the nations of this world? See:
https://zeenews.india.com/world/chinas-world-war-3-plan-using-coronavirus-to-conquer-and-rule-the-world-2278896.html
Ron Paul on how the Coronavirus is being USED by the frato-eco-political ELITE to steal our constitutional rights...
Over 220 Godly Christian Prophetic Warnings For The Future 'Invasion Of The United States'
The Prophecies of the Hopi Indians of Arizona
the Wolfgramm prophecies
The rising Sea Dragon in Asia
War in US - dream, vision
Chinese sailors preparing for an American invasion
World war three is in motion!!!
China getting ready for war
the Jesuit New World Order vs. American independence
The Russian Navy off the U.S. Coast - was the "fall" of Communism in Russia a ruse!?
Nostradames and WWIII
When WWIII started - a must read...
U.N. Troops ready to take over America soon!?
U.S. Special Forces, Foreign Troops Practice Invading Tampa
We have corrupt Mexican troops invading the US in Texas and Arizona all the time
Invasion of the USA - www.prisonplanet.com
NATIONAL SECURITY CHALLENGES FOR THE 21st CENTURY
Secret Chinese-Russian military exercises
Are You Prepared For World War Three?
Do you speak Chinese? - Maybe you Should!
If this video doesn't stir your anger at the trators within, then I don't know what will
the visions of 'White Buffalo Woman'
Google search for...
"Chinese submarines off California coast"
More prophecies on the invasion of America
War with China in the Bible Codes
America's enemies are preparing for war
China's 'secret' war agianst America
Beware the False Patriots
Because of the war in Iraq -- China's ally -- Was 2006 the 'secret beginning' of WWIII?
General Patton
Dying For Your Country
World War III coming soon, here is why!
When will WWIII begin?
The final Invasion of America
World War III and the Bible codes
The Coming Occupation of the west and east coast's - and other parts - of America
The "Glories" of Communism
Naomi Worlf on "The End of America"
100,000 chinese troops now in mexico and canada to invade usa, for the UN
Is Joe Biden being secretly backed by satanist/communist
RED CHINA !?
To establish a Coup d'�tat in the USA by manipulating the socialist media?
Net-search for Bible Codes on the "invasion of America"
The last U.S. President - a time to flee
Are the "right wing" and the "left wing" forces all controlled by the same Machiavellian Jesuit beast!?
The visions of Gail Smith of Utah
the Bible Codes and the "...Chinese Red Dawn war with the USA..."
Iran and the start of World War III?
(WORD File...When the Icon appears on the lowwer-left of the screen, click on it and select "Always Open Files of This Type")
Russia warns U.S. on Iran moves
King James version Bible Codes on World War III
An Important Message For All Jews Living In The USA
From a Jew who is very well informed about the Jesuit connection to the Bavarian Illuminati...
America Where Have You Gone !?
Beware of the FOURTH REICH
Alleged time travelers speak of an impending Chinese, etc...
INVASION OF AMERICA
The Red Chinese are intentionally destroying the United States economy
Andrew's Story
Albert Einstien
time or interdimensional travel is POSSIBLE, according to the largely proven theory of Relativity. There have ACTUALLY been several people who claim to have come "here" from the futuere (or an alternate timeline!?) and have given details and even VIDEOS of the reality of World War III - which will be faught
The World-War-III Megafix
Russia suspends arms treaty -- The World War III Wheels are in Motion
The 100 Greatest Military Photographs
Is Washington D.C. the '2nd Beast' which Brings 'Judgement' upon America !?
The Coming China/Russia Invasion of the United States
"They may take our lives, but they'll never take our...
FREEDOM !"
William Wallace... in the movie
A 'Red Dawn' Warningto America
Rissia and China will attack America BECAUSE OF WALLSTREET !!! --- It's Time to fight the ENEMY WITHIN !!!
Wallstreet CREATED Communism - Now Wallstreet's Bastard Child is returning to devour it's Machiavellian "Mother"
Amanda G's Story
Vision of Russia, China, North Korea, Cuba, Mexico, and Iran (etc.?) invading the USA
Chinese Military Forces training to attack the USA
to impose the Satanic 'New World Order' by Force
Will the INVASION be an
INQUISITION AGAINST
PROTESTANT AMERICA !?
Albert Pike - Jesuit connection
The Illuminati is the BRIDGE between the Jesuits and the global Masonic conspiracy. The May 31, 2020 episode of https://www.coasttocoastam.com/, with guest William F. Mann, revealed that Albert Pike, the 33rd degree "grandmaster" mason (AND a KKK leader who paid homage to lucifer), was intimately guided and instructed BY THE JESUITS during his early years of initiations into the deeper levels of freemasonry (which was infiltrated by the Jesuit Adam Weishaupt's Bavarian/German Illuminati cult). Weishaupt's Illuminati cult is essentially an ARM of of the Jesuit Order, which itself was rooted in ancient Babylonian occultism! Mann also said that there is a VAULT in the western USA where the massive TEMPLAR TREASURE exists, just like in the movie(s) "NATIONAL TREASURE"...
Beware of one of the most deadly diseases that exists...
ISOLATITUS
"World War 3" - 2020s - "Bible Codes"
AMERICA'S SECRET ESTABLISHMENT
By Antony Sutton
RED CHINESE INVASION OF AMERICA
WILL BE WELCOMED WITH OPEN ARMS BY THE
NEW WORLD ORDER AGENCIES OF AMERICA
Note: The "Pharisees" are still very much in power in the Israeli government -- and the Israeli PEOPLE who make up well OVER 90% of the Jewish Population are also being controlled by the "New World Order" agenda 'Zionists' who are NOT EVEN JEWISH !!!... just as AMERICANS are being controlled by the
JESUIT-CREATED
"New World Order" organizations such as these:
( Skull & Bones Society - Council on Foreign Relations - Trilateral Commission - Federal Reserve - United Nations - Internal Revenue Service - The Bilderbergers ).
Reports from a deep-level intel agent named "Gene" of a 30,000 pound bunker-buster bomb destroying a secret Red Communist Chinese DUMB (Deep Underground Military Base) below a remote forest in Maine (USA), and killing over 50,000 Chinese infiltrator-troops operating in the underground base-network there.
IS WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT...
Navy S.E.A.L. Admiral McRaven Leaves the Audience SPEECHLESS
Witchcraft and Astrology
One of the prime Motivators behind the Invasion -- as Divine Judgement!?
******* MORE *******
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Exodus2006 and
Sherry Shriner
On World War III
At this point I will state something that a lot of Americans may not want to hear.
In spite of the vision of George Washington concerning the need for divine intervention to stop the invasion -- only AFTER multitudes of Americans fall on their faces before God Almighty and pray for deliverance... many of these prayers I believe will be prayers of REPENTENCE... as it will have been - if we are to be honest with ourselves - mostly OUR fault that this invasion/purging is coming.
Why? Well, just ask the Native Americans about having their homelands INVADED by outsiders, and their peoples slaughtered by the multitudes, by those who claimed they were bringing 'civilization' to the land.
Or ask the black/brown people about the Americans INVADING their lands in Africa and taking them by force to be slave laborors in America.
There are well over 2 million illegal aliens in the USA (1990 figure) and 55% of those are from Mexico. And some of these may very well play a part in preparing a MEXICAN AND RED CHINESE INVASION of the USA, north from the border of Mexico. However, how many Native Americans considered the Spanish AND Europeans to be 'illigal immigrants' on their lands?
Just so you know... how things play out in the future are largely determined by the 'seeds' that have been planted in the past. We will not even mention the poison that has been spread through witchcraft, media deception & corporate greed, homosexuality, etc.
The best thing we can do, however, is to plant good seed from this time forth and root up the 'weeds' resulting from the 'bad seed' planted in the past... all in accordance to the Creator of the Universe of course, and all with the realization - as the U.S. Constitution says - that all men (and women) are created EQUAL !
WAS THE PROPHESIED INVASION AND ATTACK ON AMERICA...
******* DELAYED ? *******
The Appearance of the...
KUNG FLU
(A biological attack on the USA to prepare for an inevidable MILITARY attack/invasion?)
According to some, the invasion will follow a...
WORLD WIDE ECONOMIC COLLAPSE
The Creature from Jekyll Island
Wall Street and the Rise of Hitler
By Antony Suttom
EUSSR: The Soviet Roots of European Integration - by Vladimir Bukovsky
This website is protected by the
Prochecy and the
Bible Codes
( Click on the Picture Above )
'FREEDOM'
by David Gates & "BREAD"
Several Christian-Patriot Links
A Story About How America Was Almost Destroyed By Criminals
Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of all who threaten it
*** A ***
POSSIBLE SCENARIO !?
http://www.shatteredcitadel.com/
This war will NOT be won ONLY by the soldiers who fight on their FEET, but by those who learn to...
FIGHT ON THEIR KNEES
"We should not be willing to die for our country... but make the enemies of truth and freedom die for theirs..." - Branton
WIKIPEDIA LINKS PAGE ON THE
"UNITED STATES MILITIA"
(could it be like this, only LATER than he predicted?)
Click on the audio file which appears in the bottom left of the screen after clicking on this link
There are 5 'known' branches of the U.S. military... the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, the Marines, and the Coast Guard... however it is unlikely that president Donald Trump will succeed in ESTABLISHING / CREATING his proposed 6th military branch known as the U.S.S.F. (the United States Space Force), considering that...
An Above Top Secret
-- Back Engineered --
U.S. Space Force Has Already Existed For Decades
Will You Be A...
z e r o
Or A...
H E R O ! ?
The ancient Israelis were held captives in PHYSICAL
"Babylon"
Today modern day "Christians" are being held captives in "American Babylon"
(which is the SOURCE of global abortion, homosexuality, pornography, socialism, witchcraft, and drugs/sorcery!)
If You Have Any Comments Or Even Potential Additions To This Page
YOU MAY EMAIL THE WEBMASTER AT...
branton777@yahoo.com
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Campgrounds & RV Parks in Langlade County
Antigo Lake RV Park
Located off of Hudson Street and Third Avenue, the Antigo Lake RV Campground offers 13 padded RV sites and can accommodate RV's up to 45' in length (with the exception of site 13). The campground also have a new tent camping area located adjacent to the RV campground.
Sites 1-12 have electric (120 amps), septic and water hook-ups. All campers have access to restroom facilities with coin-operated showers. Free WiFi available.
The campground is within walking distance of four ball diamonds, play parks, shelters, walking/biking path 9-hole Disc Golf Course and downtown Antigo.
Reservations are accepted one year prior to the requested date by calling 715-623-3633 ext 131 or 154.
Great Northern Campground
N6146 County Road H
Gleason, WI 54435
715-623-CAMP (2267)
Great Northern Campground offers 53 sites, most with water and electric hook-ups. It is conveniently located on the ATV / UTV trails and all riders are welcome! We offer a large swimming pond with sand beach, new showers, flush toilets, sand volleyball and a large playground area. Daily and seasonal rates available. Dogs are welcome!
Whether you are looking to rough it or rough it in style, Great Northern Campground, located about 16 miles northwest of Antigo, has what you are looking for.
Jack Lake Campground
N8375 Park Road
Deerbrook, WI 54424
Langlade County's Veteran's Memorial Park, located along beautiful Jack Lake - 15 miles north of Antigo, Wisconsin. Jack Lake is a pristine, crystal clear, spring-fed lake surrounded by hundreds of acres of county-owned forest, rich with recreational opportunities and wildlife. The park and campground are situated on the lake's west and south shore, nestled among mature maple, birch, oak and pine trees, providing a relaxing and peaceful setting.
Get ready to enjoy the Northwoods and smell the cracking fire! The campground is open from May 1 through December 1 and consists of 48 individual campsites with electrical hook-ups. You may wish to call ahead to check availability since there are no reservations and sites are booked on a first come-first serve basis. Pets are allowed in the campground on a leash. Check out time is 1 pm. Amenities include newly constructed flush toilets and a shower facility, firewood sales, ice sales, boat rentals, picnic tables, fire rings, playground equipment, volleyball and basketball courts, 18-hole disk golf, horseshoe pits and a RV dumping station.
The Timberdoodle Lodge, Ruffed Grouse Retreat and Gobblers Roost Cabins are available by reservations. These 16'x20' cabins sleep 5, includes LP fireplace, electrical outlets, lighting, dining table, chairs, bunk beds, grill and fire pit.
Mohican RV Park
W12180 County Road
Bowler, WI 54416
Camp year-round at Mohican RV Park. A full-service park featuring 57 site located among the towering hardwoods of the casino's backyard. All 57 site include 50/30/20 amp service, water and sewer hook-ups, fire rings and a picnic table. Full hook-ups are seasonal. Pets are allowed in the park. Park provides 24-hour security and convenience store located nearby.
Pelican Lake Campground
2060 County Road Q
Pelican Lake, WI 54463
Pelican Lake Campground offers a spacious family campground spread out over 40 acres of fun and nature. Enjoy fishing and boating on 3585 acres of Pelican Lake. There are 50 seasonal sites with water, sewer and electric (50 amp) and phone line hookup. There are 50 seasonal and overnight sites with water and 20/30 amp and 20/30/50 amp electric hook-ups. All overnight sites come with a fire pit and picnic table. Reservations will be taken on a first come first serve basis. Seasonal and overnight sites are of ample size to accommodate all size campers and motor homes.
Pelican Lake Campground offers a game room, playground area, volleyball court, horseshoe pits, shuffleboard, plus access to a swimming area with 22' water mat and other water toys. A boat launch, free dump station, spacious bathrooms with pay showers, coin laundry and general store with firewood and ice are also available for guests. Other activities in the surrounding area include golfing, off road races, close access to ATV trails, dining, casino's and much more.
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APAC Stories
Audio Overview of East Asia Pacific Issues, Tuesday, 19 February 2019
by Gennalyn Dela Fuente
https://apacassistance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/EAPaudio20190219.mp3
APAC Assistance Operations Assistant Bhargav Reddy discusses Main Issues in East Asia Pacific.
Main Issues in East Asia Pacific
Firstly in INDONESIA
Authorities will temporarily close Jl. Pancoran in West Jakarta on February 19 and 20 for the Chinatown Festival in the Chinatown area. West Jakarta Transportation Agency said, “To avoid traffic jams because of the closure, we will divert the traffic to other streets”.
Traffic from Jl. Toko Tiga to Jl. Pancoran will be diverted to Jl. Pintu Kecil and Jl. Asemka. However, traffic from Jl. Pancoran to Jl. Toko Tiga Seberang and Jl. Pintu Kecil will remain open. The road closures are likely to increase the traffic and cause delays in supply chain operations of the businesses in the area.
Clients are advised to avoid the roads around the Chinatown area in Jakarta until Wednesday. Consider alternate routes to avoid closed roads.
Two people were killed and one person was injured in a drive-by shooting in Mandaluyong City yesterday.
They were shot by unidentified assailants on motorbikes near Reliance Street in Mandaluyong City, east of Manila. The shooting comes despite the gun ban is in place before the mid-term elections and police have intensified security measures in Metro Manila for the midterm elections.
Gun violence and illegal weapons trafficking in the Philippines are major concerns for law enforcement agencies. Clients are advised to avoid any political events before the elections and employ extreme caution while going out at night in Manila or other major cities in the Philippines.
Office of the Election Commission of Thailand has warned that posting text, sharing or commenting on messages that defame political candidates violates the Computer Crime Act. Major social media platforms have agreed to remove illegal and fake contents from their platforms in two days by using artificial intelligence.
Candidates and supporters can use the online platforms and pay for online advertising, but if the payment exceeds 10,000 baht (USD 320) they need to declare the expense after the election. Those who post rude or violent remarks will be jailed up to six months and with a fine of 10,000 baht (USD 320) as it breaks sections 70 and 159 of the ECT law.
Clients are advised to avoid all political events and posts online. Refrain from engaging with any political content on social media platforms.
Main Issues in South Asia
Firstly in PAKISTAN
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman has signed investment deals worth more than USD 20 billion with Pakistan yesterday during his state visit. Seven agreements and Memorandums of Understanding were signed between the two countries.
Saudi Arabia signed an agreement to set up an oil refinery in the southwest of Pakistan and to supply oil and petroleum products to meet the growing demands of Pakistan.
Also in Pakistan
Yesterday a leader of Pak Sarzameen Party was shot dead in a suspected targeted attack in the Sakhi Hasan Chowrangi area of the southern city of Karachi.
The politician had recently contested for the Sindh Assembly seat of PS-122. Political assassinations are frequently reported in the country.
Clients are advised to avoid all political events in Pakistan. Employ extreme caution while visiting crowded and impoverished areas of Karachi.
More than 40 people, including three journalists, were injured during a turf war between two groups of the Bangladesh Chhatra League party in the Jagannath University in Dhaka yesterday.
Some of the party workers were armed with lethal weapons including crude bombs and swords. Police had to fire teargas to control the situation.
Clients are advised to avoid the southern part of Dhaka city as more clashes are expected in the area.
Vehicular movement will be temporarily suspended in various parts of Colombo until the conclusion of the Gangarama Perahera festival which will commence at 7:00 pm today.
Traffic movement on the following roads will be limited from 5.00 pm: Sir James Peiris Mawatha, Navam Mawatha, Perahera Mawatha, W.A.D. Ramanayake Mawatha, Muttiah Road, Sri Jinarathana Mawatha, Hunupitiya Lake Road, Braybrooke Place, Park Street and Staple Street.
Clients are advised to avoid traveling to areas expected to host the festival celebrations and avoid the roads scheduled for closures. Expect heavy traffic in Colombo during the festival.
A couple was arrested by police yesterday from Pokhara-5 area of Parsyang district in central Nepal on charges of printing and circulating fake currency. Police found 19 counterfeit banknotes of Rs 1000 denomination.
Police recovered a color printer, laptop, mobile top-up cards of Nepal Telecom and Ncell worth Rs 90,000 and two fake Indian banknotes of INR 500. The couple came under police scanners after local grocery store reported the couple who paid in counterfeit notes in exchange of top-up cards.
Clients are advised to be aware of counterfeit currency widely circulated in Nepal and smuggled across to India. Report to local authorities if there are any suspicions.
Posted in Assessments, FreeContent
Audio Overview of South Asia Issues, Monday, 18 February 2019
Audio Overview of South Asia Issues, Tuesday, 19 February 2019
Copyright © 2021 APAC AssistancePrivacy PolicyTheme by SiteOrigin
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Living In A Post-Sizzle World, And Friday Before The Browns
Darren Urban/Word From The Birds
When the news came – unexpectedly – Friday that the Cardinals were releasing Terrell Suggs, one of my first thoughts was back to when he first signed in March when Suggs was asked how much he still had left in his age-37 season.
"Let’s see how much (I’ve) got left," he responded. No boasting. No grand pronouncements of what he would do. He seemed to wonder as much as anyone else. And while he did have the 5½ sacks that are second on the team and had the second-most pressures on the team after Chandler Jones, Suggs also hasn't produced much the last few games, other than Sunday's fumble recovery. He's had one tackle the last two games, and one-half sack in the past six. His practice time, thanks to injuries and his normal Fridays off, dwindled. He also was on a team that was struggling, something Suggs had rarely dealt with in his career.
When Kliff Kingsbury said cutting Suggs was a mutual decision, you could see why that would be the case (and it'll be interesting what team claims him on waivers, and if he could end up back in Baltimore.)
It's been a weird season in the case of in-season veterans being cut. The reasons aren't necessarily in line with each situation, but once the regular season began, the Cardinals have released safety D.J. Swearinger, wide receiver Michael Crabtree, cornerback Tramaine Brock and now Suggs. As Kingsbury maneuvers through this first season, it feels like he and the Cardinals are getting a sense of how the coach might want the roster shaped in 2020 – or at least getting a jump on roster-shaping, given that all four players were on the final year of their deal.
-- Back to Sunday's game, which will be the home finale for the year. Seems like just yesterday the Cardinals opened the season with 2½ quarters of ugly before a thrilling rally and near-win in overtime against the Lions at State Farm Stadium to open the season (Alas, if Brock had just held on to the ball.)
-- No it doesn't seem like yesterday. It's been a long season.
-- Still, there is a level of excitement, even with two teams not living up to expectations, with the Kyler Murray-Baker Mayfield meeting. Here's the big question: Both guys have had some issues this season trying to do too much – Mayfield for a chunk of the year, Murray more of late – and you have to wonder how easily that can be corrected in this situation. I mean, both guys admitted how much they'd like to top their buddy. That could just exacerbate things Sunday. To me, whichever quarterback handles it better has the best chance to actually get that win.
-- There is also something to be said about who runs the ball better, however. The Browns, with defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, are 26th in the league in rush defense. The Cardinals are 24th. The Browns have NFL-leading rusher Nick Chubb plus Kareem Hunt. The Cards still are trying to get the Kenyan Drake-David Johnson duo going in tandem.
-- Odell Beckham came into the NFL in 2014 and the two times when he was with the Giants made for epic matchups with his friend and fellow LSU product Patrick Peterson – or at least, they should have and never did. Because Beckham still has yet to play against the Cardinals, which should change Sunday.
Back in 2014, Beckham was injured in the Drew Stanton-last-second-starter-for-Carson-Palmer game, a 25-14 Cardinals win in New York. In 2017, the year Beckham missed almost the whole season, the Giants visited late in the year and were beaten up, 23-0, in what was Bruce Arians' final home game as coach. Now we'll see some Beckham-Peterson, although neither player is playing like we're used to, with Beckham playing through a groin issue (and maybe not the best fit in the offense) and Peterson struggling some of the time as well.
-- There is a toy drive at Sunday's game. Volunteers and Cardinals cheerleaders will collect new unwrapped toys and monetary donations outside of each stadium entrance, benefitting Helping Hands of Freedom and the Firefighter Angel Foundation of Prescott.
-- Peterson on Larry Fitzgerald's plans for 2020: "If I had to take a wild guess, I'd say he's coming back." I tend to agree with Patrick, as we go into this game. Yes, maybe it could be Fitz’s last home game, but I just feel like he loves playing too much right now. He will take his time and think it through after the season – I don't think he's made any decisions, even to himself. But it just feels like to me, at some point, he and Michael Bidwill will have their annual chat, and there will be an announcement that he signed another one-year deal.
See you Sunday.
Cardinals Earn A Top-10 Ranking In Special Teams Play
Unit has several key performers scheduled to be restricted free agents
Carson Palmer Headed Into College Football Hall Of Fame
Former Cardinals QB won Heisman in 2002
Final Game For DeAndre Hopkins Comes With Hefty Price Tag
Wide receiver fined after gesture to official in Rams loss
Potential Coaching Changes And Kliff Kingsbury On Playcalling
Some staff moves reportedly happening already
A Hard Way To End, And Rams Aftermath
Padding Chances For The Playoffs, And Friday Before The Rams
The Benefit Of Budda Baker And Jalen Thompson, Back Together
Safety tandem would be important in playoff appearance
Cardinals, NFL Expected To Get 17th Game Next Season
NFC teams will get extra game against an AFC opponent
DeAndre Hopkins' Record, The Cards' Miss, And 49ers Aftermath
'Twas The Thursday Before The Niners
Josh Rosen To Make Return To Arizona With 49ers
One-time first-round quarterback will serve as emergency backup
Finally, Some Paydirt For Larry Fitzgerald
Murray throws his fifth TD lifetime to the future Hall of Famer
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Implementing the Taylor Good Work Report not going far enough?
While the government has set out a number of proposals to implement parts of the Taylor Good Work Report, it was not clearly reported in the press that there are actually no proposals for some of the key elements, only that consultations are being commenced, to seek views. These are in relation to:
Changes to the law on employment status - that the case law principles that govern ‘employee’ status – namely, personal service, control and mutuality of obligation – should be codified in primary legislation.
Enforcement of employment rights - the Government has accepted the Review’s recommendation that the state (through HMRC) should take responsibility for enforcing the basic set of core pay rights that apply to all workers – NMW, sick pay and holiday pay – for the lowest paid workers.
Protecting agency workers - a number of proposals address problems associated with uncertain hours and atypical working patterns, and the Government is intending to go further in this area than the Taylor Review proposed. Whereas the Review suggested that agency workers should be able to request a direct contract of employment after 12 months, and zero-hours workers should be able to request a contract giving guaranteed hours after the same period, the response states that all workers, not just specific groups, should be able to request a ‘more predictable contract’ where appropriate.
Measures to increase transparency in the UK labour market, including consolidate guidance on the statutory protections that apply to pregnant workers and those on maternity leave, the potential benefits of making it easier for workers to trigger formal consultation processes with their employer, proposal to reform statutory sick pay, so that all workers are eligible regardless of income from day one and it accrues on length of service.
The proposals that are going ahead only relate to:
enforcing vulnerable workers’ holiday and sick pay ‘for the first time’
a new right to a payslip for all workers, including casual and zero-hour workers
a right for all workers, not just zero-hour and agency, to request a ‘more stable contract’
taking further action to ensure unpaid interns are not doing the job of a worker
introducing a new naming scheme for employers who fail to pay employment tribunal awards
quadrupling employment tribunal fines for employers showing malice, spite or gross oversight to £20,000 and considering increasing penalties for employers who have previously lost similar cases.
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Home > Events > Past Events > Dianne Venetta Book Signing - September 22nd
Dianne Venetta Book Signing - September 22nd
Join us in welcoming Dianne Venetta as she presents and signs all three of her novels. Saturday, September 22nd from 1pm - 3pm.
Jennifer's Garden - JENNIFER’S GARDEN epitomizes the showdown between a career woman’s criteria for the perfect husband and what true love means.
In a race against time, cardiologist Jennifer Hamilton is caught between her mother’s dying wish and taking the risk of a lifetime with Jackson Montgomery. He’s the man hired to complete the landscaping for her new home; the venue for her upcoming wedding. Jackson’s everything she never wanted in a man, but as the job progresses, his lure pulls strong. It’s an attraction she cannot deny.
And one that puts her career on the line.
Recently won Best in Romance from IndieReader.com Discovery Awards
Lust on the Rocks - LUST ON THE ROCKS embodies a woman’s lust for sexual freedom and the ensuing conflict she feels when love and commitment come to call.
She has what he needs, and he won’t stop until he gets it. Trouble is, what begins as a matter of death, becomes a matter of life.
One case away from partnership, Samantha Rawlings is forced to share her high-profile case with a sexy younger man, whose eyes are on a different prize. In the best interests of her client, Sam opens the door to his strategy. Turns out, a little too far…
Victor Marin has ulterior motives. The defendant in her case holds the key to his revenge, and his last chance for justice. But as he chases old demons, he uncovers a powerful woman with no inhibitions, one he wants to possess for himself. But decidedly single, Sam wants no part.
Until Vic walks away.
Whisper Privileges - Young and ambitious Sydney Flores is both athlete and event planner determined to make her mark and live in the limelight of international travel and cutting edge technology. But brawn and brains will only get a girl so far when her heart refuses to play along. Harboring an insecurity few would believe, she’s received the assignment of a lifetime—only it’s not the one she’s expecting.
Miami, Florida is the venue for the Special Olympics National Games and Clay Rutledge’s son is competing in swimming. A sure bet to win the gold, father and son plan to ride their tropical victory to the World Games—until an unexpected turn of events jeopardizes their plans for fortune and fame.
Tasked with managing the events, Sydney quickly learns that Clay’s quiet, sexy confidence demands special attention, something she’s more than willing to oblige. But a jealous ex-lover of a boss has other plans, as does her office nemesis.
Trapped between a desire to mix business with pleasure and a boy who reminds her of a life she swore to move beyond, Sydney is at a personal crossroads. She can have career or love—but to attain both requires a consent she yearns to give but fears impossible…
Don’t be fooled by the venue–this one’s a passionate chase!
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<< Go to www.biocatalogue.org
The BioCatalogue is a registry of biological Web Services. The BioCatalogue website is freely accessible to the world as it is searchable and indexable to search engines. It provides an open platform for biological Web Services registration, annotation and monitoring.
Our Goals:
Provide a single registration point for Web Service providers and a single search site for scientists and developers.
Provide a curated catalogue of life science web services
Providers, Expert curators and Users will provide oversight, monitor the catalogue and provide high quality annotations for services.
BioCatalogue as a place where the community can find, contact and meet the experts and maintainers of these services.
The BioCatalogue is a BBSRC funded project and has been running since 1st June 2008. The project is a joint venture between the University of Manchester (led by Carole Goble) and the EMBL-EBI (led by Rodrigo Lopez).
Publications & Citations
To contact us directly, email contact@biocatalogue.org
To be kept up-to-date of the development of the BioCatalogue or to request new features, please join the BioCatalogue-Friends Mailing List
For information about the BioCatalogue code base, APIs or to set up your own BioCatalogue, please join the BioCatalogue Hackers mailing list
How To Cite The Project
Bhagat, J., Tanoh, F., Nzuobontane, E., Laurent, T., Orlowski, J., Roos, M., Wolstencroft, K., Aleksejevs, S., Stevens, R., Pettifer, S., Lopez, R., Goble, C.A.: BioCatalogue: a universal catalogue of web services for the life sciences, Nucl. Acids Res., 2010. doi:10.1093/nar/gkq394
License of Code and Content
The BioCatalogue codebase is licensed under the BSD license. The content contributed on the http://www.biocatalogue.org and http://test.biocatalogue.org sites are licensed under the Creative Commons Public Domain License unless specified otherwise. Please see the Terms of Use for more information.
PLEASE NOTE: the Creative Commons Public Domain License has since been retired (in Oct 2010) and we are in the process of moving to a new license for the content.
The BioCatalogue iPhone4 and iPad app is now available for free: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/biocatalogue/id450120348?ls=1&mt=8
Carole Goble presented a keynote entitled Web Services in the Scientific Wilds at IEEE SERVICES 2011 The 7th World Congress on Services in Washington DC, USA on 8th June 2011. (slides)
The BioCatalogue was presented at the 2011 http://www.enfin.org/page.php?page=esbCENFIN Enabling Systems Biology conference in London, UK on 13th April 2011 by Jiten Bhagat (slides) and the BioCatalogue iPad app was demoed by Mannie Tagarira.
Carole Goble presented a Webinar on Social Computing for Scientists: Building collaborative e-Laboratories for the NCBO, on March 16th 2011. (Slides)
Carole Goble presented BioCatalogue at BioIT Europe 2010 Hannover, Germany 05-09 Oct 2010. (slides)
BioCatalogue first iPhone and iPad app now available for download for free here
The BioCatalogue Functional Unit paper presented at IEEE 2010 Fourth International Workshop on Scientific Workflows, Miami, Florida, USA, July 5-10, 2010
The National Cancer Research Institute has integrated the BioCatalogue into their ONIX Portal. More details
The BioCatalogue was presented and demoed at ISMB 2010 in Boston, MA USA [ slides ]
Check out a cool BioCatalogue introduction video on the OpenHelix Blog
The BioCatalogue Nucleic Acids Research (NAR) paper has now been published. Find it here
There is a BioCatalogue demo at ISMB 2010 in Boston on Sunday, July 11 from 3:30 p.m. - 3:55 p.m, room 309
The BioCatalogue team will be at the EMBRACE Workshop for Web Service Providers in Bioinformatics: Syntax, Semantics and Publishing, June 2-4, 2010, Department of Systems Biology, Technical University of Denmark
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A Nostalgia For What We Lose: Interview with Nunzio Paci
Jul17 by bizzarrobazar
The hybrid anatomies created by Nunzio Paci,born in Bologna in 1977, encountered a growing success, and they granted him prestigious exhibitions in Europe, Asia and the US.
The true miracle this artist performs on his canvas is to turn what is still usually perceived as a taboo – the inside of our bodies – into something enchanting.
But his works are complex and multilayered: in his paintings the natural elements and creatures fuse together and as they do so, all boundaries lose their meaning, there is no more an inside and an outside; each body explodes and grows branches, becoming indefinable. Even if besides the figures there still are numbers, anatomical annotations and “keys”, these unthinkable flourishes of the flesh tend to checkmate our vision, sabotage all categories and even dismantle the concept of identity.
But rather than just writing about it, I thought it best to interview Nunzio and let our chat be an introduction to his art.
You began as a street artist, in a strictly urban environment; what was your relationship with nature back then? Did it evolve over the years?
I was born and raised in a small country town in the province of Bologna and I still live in a rural area. Nature has always been a faithful companion to me. I too did go through a rebellious phase: in those years, as I recall them, everything looked like a surface I could spray paint or write on. Now I feel more like a retired warrior, seeking a quiet and dimly lit corner where I can think and rest.
In the West, man wants to think himself separated from nature: if not a proper dominator, at least an external observer or investigator.
This feeling of being outside or above natural laws, however, entails a feeling of exclusion, a sort of romantic longing for this “lost” connection with the rest of the natural world.
Do you think your works express this melancholy, a need for communion with other creatures? Or are you suggesting that the animal, vegetable and mineral kingdoms have actually always been inertwined, and all barriers between them are a cultural construct, an illusion?
I think my work is about “longing for what we constantly lose” – voices, perfumes, memories… I often have the feeling I’m inventing those fragments of memories I had forgotten: I believe this is a form of self-defense on my part, to survive the melancholy you mention. For this reason, through my work, I try to translate what cannot be preserved through time into a visual form, so that I can retrieve these memories in my most nostalgic moments.
Yours are autoptic visions: why do you feel the need to dissect, to open the bodies you draw? As the inside of the body is still a taboo in many ways, how does the public react to the anatomical details in your works?
I need to be selfish. I never think about what the audience might feel, I don’t ask myself what others would or wouldn’t want to see. I am too busy taming my thoughts and turning my traumas into images.
I can’t recall exactly when I became interested in anatomy, but I will never forget the first time I saw somebody skin a rabbit. I was a very young child, and I was disturbed and at the same time fascinated – not by the violent scene in itself, but by what was hidden inside that animal. I immediately decided I would never harm a living being but I would try and understand their “engineering”, their inner design.
Later on, the desire to produce visionary artworks took over, and I started tracing subjects that could be expressive without offending any sensibility. But in the end what we feel when we look at something is also a product of our own background; so generally speaking I don’t think it’s possible to elicit am unambiguous sensation in the public.
You stated you’re not a big fan of colors, and in fact you often prefer earthy nuances, rusty browns, etc. Your latest woks, including those shown in the Manila exhibit entitled Mimesis, might suggest a progressive opening in that regard, as some floral arrangements are enriched by a whole palette of green, purple, blue, pink. Is this a way to add chromatic intricacy or, on the contrary, to make your images “lighter” and more pleasing?
I never looked at color as a “pleasing” or “light” element. Quite the opposite really. My use of color in the Mimesis cyle, just like in nature, is deceptive. In nature, color plays a fundamental role in survival. In my work, I make use of color to describe my subjects’ feelings when they are alone or in danger. Modifying their aspect is a necessity for them, a form of self-defense to protect themselves from the shallowness, arrogance and violence of society. A society which is only concerned with its own useless endurance.
In one of your exhibits, in 2013, you explicitly referenced the theory of “signatures”, the web of alleged correspondences among the different physical forms, the symptoms of illness, celestial mutations, etc.
These analogies, for instance those found to exist between a tree, deer antlers and the artery system, were connected to palmistry, physiognomy and medicine, and were quite popular from Paracelsus to Gerolamo Cardano to Giambattista della Porta.
In your works there’s always a reference to the origins of natural sciences, to Renaissance wunderkammern, to 15th-16th Century botanics. Even on a formal level, you have revisited some ancient techniques, such as the encaustic technique.
What’s the appeal of that period?
I believe that was the beginning of it all, and all the following periods, including the one we live in, are but an evolution of that pioneering time. Man still studies plants, observes animal behavior, tries in vain to preserve the body, studies the mechanisms of outer space… Even if he does it in a different way, I don’t think much has really changed. What is lacking today is that crazy obsession with observation, the pleasure of discovery and the want to take care of one’s own time. In learning slowly, and deeply, lies the key to fix the emotions we feel when we discover something new.
A famous quote (attributed to Banksy, and inspired by a poem by Cesar A. Cruz) says: “Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable”.
Are your paintings meant to comfort or disturb the viewer?
My way of life, and my way of being, are reflected in my work. I never felt the urge to shock or distrub the public with my images, nor did I ever try to seek attention. Though my work I wish to reach people’s heart. I want to do it tiptoe, silently, and by asking permission if necessary. If they let me in, that’s where I will grow my roots and reside forever.
Werner Herzog, a filmmaker who often addressed in his movies the difficult relationship between man and nature, claims in Grizzly Man (2006) that “the common denominator of the universe is not harmony, but chaos, hostility, and murder”. Elsewhere, he describes the Amazon jungle as a never-ending “collective massacre”.
As compared to Herzog’s pessimistic views, I have a feeling that you might see nature as a continuum, where any predator-pray relationship is eventually an act of “self-cannibalism”. Species fight and assault each other, but in the end this battle is won by life itself, who as an autopoietic system is capable of finding constant nourishment within itself. Decomposition itself is not bad, as it allows new germinations.
What is death to you, and how does it relate to your work?
As far as I’m concerned, death plays a fundamental role, and I find myself constantly meditating on how all is slowly dying. A new sprout is already beginning to die, and that goes for all that’s living. One of the aspects of existence that most fascinate me is its decadence. I am drawn to it, both curious and scared, and my work is perhaps a way to exorcise all the slow dying that surrounds us.
You can follow Nunzio Paci on his official website, Facebook page and Instagram account.
This entry was posted in MondoMacabro and tagged anatomia, anatomy, art, arte, artist, artista, artwork, autopsia, autopsy, color, colore, contemporanea, contemporary, death, dipinto, dissection, dissezione, herzog, interview, intervista, italian, italy, macabre, macabro, malinconia, melancholy, morte, natura, nature, nostalgia, nunzio paci, painting, pop, realism, realismo, surrealism, surrealismo, wunderkammer.
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6 comments to A Nostalgia For What We Lose: Interview with Nunzio Paci
Livio says:
Tuesday July 17th, 2018 at 10:25 AM
Da disegnatore professionista, mi permetto di dire che le immagini ed i contenuti sono strabilianti, ma tecnicamente sono “debolucci”. Ripeto, ciò non toglie quasi nulla al lato artistico, che è notevole, ma … quasi.
Non mi sembra che l’effetto cercato sia il realismo, se è a questo che ti riferisci. E l’uso che fa del colore per me è il più delle volte superlativo. Poi è chiaro che c’entrano anche i gusti personali. 🙂
Thursday July 19th, 2018 at 09:06 AM
Mmm… Non è questione di realismo, anche se riferendosi a parti anatomiche sarebbe stato più appropriato (ma è un parere personale), parlo di alcune parti “approssimative” e qualche caduta in anatomia… Comunque, opere molto belle.
Mari ma says:
Friday July 20th, 2018 at 12:47 AM
È possibile acquistare le opere o le stampe Dell artista? Non trovo niente dai suoi contatti
Nella pagina contatti c’è la mail, puoi provare a chiedere.
Chiara Taraschi says:
Tuesday July 24th, 2018 at 03:22 PM
Questi disegni, a mio parere, sono un meraviglioso modo di celebrare la bellezza della natura.. ne sono rimasta incantata.. invidio il genio creativo di questo artista che non conoscevo e, che da questo momento adoro!
Welcome To The Dollhouse Thursday July 20th, 2017
L’effigie di Sarah Hare Friday February 8th, 2013
Aghori Sunday September 30th, 2012
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Constantine the African, De Melancholia
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A treatise on melancholy by Constantine the African (d. 1098) is inserted into a collection of popular historical and philosophical texts in this English compilation. In the 12th century, previously unknown medical works containing new knowledge were translated and brought to Europe from the Arab world. The earliest evidence of this trend is witnessed in the works of Constantine, a monk at the abbey of Monte Cassino in Southern Italy, who appears to have brought medical texts from his native northern Africa and translated them from Arabic into Latin.
This volume, copied at the Augustinian priory of Kirkham, Yorkshire in the mid-12th century, also contains a copy of Orosius, Historia adversus paganos, a Christian history of the world.
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3rd quarter of the 12th century, Kirkham
Constantine the African
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Burney MS 216
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Medieval England and France, 700–1200
Medical knowledge in the early medieval period
Taylor McCall
History and learning, Science and nature
Understanding of the human body and the treatment of illness in the Middle Ages derived from the works of classical authors as well as contemporary scholars. Taylor McCall examines popular medical texts and their circulation before 1200.
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The Black Country LEP, along with the four Black Country local authorities and the Homes & Communities Agency are working together to create a new 21st Century Garden City in the centre of England, which will connect into existing communities and infrastructure.
Within the region there is a significant number of high quality investment opportunities that can be offered to developers and other organisations.
This Garden City vision will utilise existing green, cultural and economic assets to develop attractive places where people want to live, transforming the reality and perception of the Black Country. There is an opportunity to lever £6 billion of investment and deliver 45,000 new homes over the next 10 years, by intelligently applying the 10 garden city principles:
Garden City principles
Desciption
To revive and enhance the Black Country’s under-used land assets, particularly brownfield sites.
The Black Country is scattered with over 550 vacant brownfield sites, with the potential to deliver 45,000 new homes. A Garden City should aim to add value to derelict land through appreciating it in the context of its surrounding environment- is there a local canal front we can enhance? Can we incorporate local greenery? Can I easily walk to town, or catch a bus or train?
For more information on our brownfield research, click here.
To maintain and make the most of the Black Country’s existing assets.
The Black Country was, and is still, very well known for its manufacturing industry, which is remains reflected in the character of certain town centres, such as Willenhall. As well as that, the Black Country has veins of multiple canals running through it. A Garden City should embrace and enhance the legacy of the Black Country, through incorporating these assets, rather than designing them out.
To integrate open green spaces, planting and home food-growing into homes and neighbourhoods.
Evidence shows that people with access to green spaces, live healthier and happier lives. The Black Country is spotted with plenty of green spaces, ranging from larger parks like the Walsall Arboretum and Sandwell Valley, to smaller neighbourhood greens. A Garden City should encourage the use of such greenery, through incorporating open and shared spaces into the development, as well as creating accessibility to existing local greenery, to achieve walkable, vibrant and sociable neighbourhoods.
To ensure connectivity via all modes of transport, particularly public transport, walkability and cycling.
The Black Country is at the heart of the West Midlands, with various transport links leading to every corner of the country. With the new Metro link across the Black Country, by 2023 it will be easier than ever to walk from home, onto a tram, straight into Birmingham City Centre, onto another train from New Street or Moor Street stations to anywhere in the country. And with Birmingham being the centre of the HS2 Hub, the opportunities are vast. Links also exist to the Birmingham, East Midlands, Manchester and Heathrow airports, for international flights via the M6 and M1 motorways. A Garden City should embrace the opportunities of transport links through recognising, and enhancing, connectivity in a healthy way- encouraging walking, cycling and use of public transport.
To ensure easy and convenient access to local facilities and services, such as schools, health care and shops, and preventing isolation.
In the past 20 years, England has seen the closure of many schools, post offices, pubs and so on. It is evident that such services provide natural interaction, preventing social polarisation, and in turn creating a better quality of life. As well as that, easy access to education and healthcare provisions are key to any development. A Garden City should provide all residents with equal opportunities through ensuring access to a range of facilities, services and amenities.
To have a clear identity and be distinct from the surrounding developments.
Taking into account the surrounding environment, existing assets and features of the Black Country should create a distinctive development that stands out from its surrounding in a positive manner. A Garden City should be a development incorporating innovative design and “thinking outside of the box” in developing, with a strong character and a sense of identity.
To support and encourage growth in current and new business.
The Black Country is home to numerous businesses of all sizes, from local to national. The region thrives from high earning jobs in its advanced manufacturing industries and Birmingham’s professional services sector. The Black Country has the UK’s highest concentration of manufacturing, with major companies in the aerospace and automotive sectors, including Jaguar Land Rover, who have opened their engine manufacturing centre in the Black Country Enterprise Zone. A Garden City should support enterprise growth within the region and embrace the existing economy through enhancing existing businesses, particularly small local businesses.
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To give residents the voice to manage and build their community.
The key to creating a community is engaging and interacting with residents to respond to their wants and needs- creating a shared sense of pride within neighbourhoods; a sense of place; and a sense of belonging to a community. Community cohesion draws a line through creating segregation, social polarisation and resulting mental health issues. A Garden City will engage its residents throughout the development process, providing homes, not just houses.
To harness technical innovation on a small and large scale within developments.
With fast moving technological advancements, the potential to incorporate these into developments is vast. The European Smart City Framework, identifies various themes in which we can be “Smart”, the following three can be influenced through development;
• Smart environment- energy efficient buildings; low carbon and renewable energy generation and distribution; urban services.
• Smart people- provision of education and training; social inclusion; encouraging creativity and innovation; and personal data management
• Smart living- behaviour and consumption; healthy lifestyles; quality housing, amenities and services; cultural vibrancy; and social cohesion.
A Garden City should aim to encourage environmentally-friendly ways of living, through provision of smart technology on either a small or large scale.
To promote and encourage living healthy lifestyles.
It is proven that there is a strong relationship between the environment in which people live and their health outcomes; if one lives in a quality-built, well-thought after environment that in itself will have a positive impact in terms of quality of life. All of the principles in some way relate and have impact on health i.e. garden, engaging, connectivity, facilities and services include social factors- it is well known that the key determinates of health are social (as shown below). Through encouraging walking/cycling; use of public transport; organic foods and community cohesion, the physical and mental health of a community can drastically improve; preventing obesity, depression, social polarisation etc., which in turn reduces stress on public services and leads for a happier life. A Garden City should recognise that everything within it is health related and should aim to promote healthier lifestyles, whether in an obvious way or not.
The Black Country is an attractive location for businesses to succeed. Our highly skilled workforce in precision engineering, automotive, aerospace and construction technologies ensure that products made in the Black Country are sold around the world.
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Prayables
Open Book: Christmas Special
Pray Maker and her friend Alice Shelton discuss spiritual themes and questions from literature and poetry, then top it off with a prayer from the Prayables collection. Join us in our journey to find God between the pages of our favorite books. This week, Lori and Alice will discuss all kinds of Christmas quotes from their favorite books, poetry and more!
Radio Transcript
Lori:
Hello and welcome to Open Book: A lively discussion of literature and spirituality. My name is Lori Strawn, and I’m a Pray Maker for Prayables.com, an online prayer community for women of all faiths. With me is my friend Alice Shelton. Hi, Alice.
Hi Lori
We would love to have you join our conversation. You can call 347-855-8506, or join us in the chatroom by signing in at Blog Talk Radio.
Well today is our big Christmas special and I’d like to start off the show by reading a bit of Dickens. Let’s face it, you can’t think of Christmas without thinking about Dickens, right?
The following quote is, shockingly, not from “A Christmas Carol.” It comes from the book The Pickwick Papers, chapter 28.
“We write these words now, many miles distant from the spot at which, year after year, we met on that day, a merry and joyous circle. Many of the hearts that throbbed so gaily then have ceased to beat; many of the looks that shone so brightly then have ceased to glow; the hands we grasped have grown cold... and yet the old house, the room, the merry voices and smiling faces, the jest, the laugh, the most minute and trivial circumstances connected with those happy meetings crowd upon our mind at each recurrence of the season....Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childish days; that can recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth; that can transport the sailor and the traveler thousands of miles away, back to his own fireside and his quiet home!”
What did you think about that, Alice?
Well I like the reminsence of it. I think Christmas is one of those Holidays that for people, whether they struggle for the Holidays or love it and revel in it, all of us really somehow try to capture each year something in our childhood Christmas. I don't know what it is about Christmas but for me it's, gosh, snow and snowy evening, and I don't know snow angels. There are just smells and sights that bring memories back from childhood. I'm one of those that has to reconcile every year with 'there is no Norman Rockwell family,' I seem to have to rediscover that but that's what this speaks to for me. It's just that somewhere we all want to reconnect to some perfect Christmas that we either experience as children or thought we experienced as children. I don't know, what do you think?
So true. I absolutely agree with you. Why don't you read somehting next?
Well you picked dickens and I picked Dr. Seuss. So my sister's name is Cindy and we called her Cindy Louhou so I think that's why I'm always drawn to the Grinch that Stole Christmas, but I think this has a little bit of sentiment about Christmas.
"And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store? What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more?"
What do you think Lori?
Oh I love that quote so much, it's my favorite part of the whole show and it's so true because, let's face it, as you said before we're all kind of striving for that perfect Christmas that we had as children, but it was never perfect. If you think about it, nothing's ever perfect. But it was enough.
That's right. And I think just as there's a little Santa in each one of us, I think there's a little Grinch in all of us.
And we have to fight to get past it.
That's right, that's right.
All right, next I'd like to read a poem by U.A. Fanthorpe. It’s called “The Wicked Fairy at the Manger”:
"My gift for the child:
No wife, kids, home;
No money sense. Unemployable.
Friends, yes. But the wrong sort —
The workshy, women, wimps,
Petty infringers of the law, persons
With notifiable diseases,
Poll tax collectors, tarts;
The bottom rung.
His end?
I think we’ll make it
Public, prolonged, painful.
Right, said the baby. That was roughly
What we had in mind.”
Yeah I have some friends who would love this. This is pretty profound.
It sort of just says it right out there. It kind of puts it in understandable terms that we can get. This speaks to me a lot.
Agreed. In a way it's sort of like "Give me Does," the Christmas story, only, you know, no happy ending. You know they have the wicked fairy that shows up to the birth of the baby and puts a curse on him. You know, this poor child went in with all of this waiting ahead of him in his life, you know? Just amazing.
I like kind of the words that are used to describe the people who are going to be bringing about the kingdom of God. The people that we think are the wrong side of the track soar, I mean, and the fact that women is mentioned in it, wow, that's profound.
I'll definitely share this with some folks this season.
Wonderful, why don't you read another favorite?
This is really just part of the lyrics to what is my absolute favorite Christmas song, and that is The Little Drummer Boy, so this will be familiar to people. I especially love the Bing Crosby and David Bowie version of the song if anybody's wondering about that. I left out the "perumpumpum pum," let's just assume people know that.
"Little Baby
I am a poor boy too
I have no gift to bring
That's fit to give the King
Shall I play for you
On my drum?
Mary nodded
The ox and lamb kept time
I played my drum for Him
I played my best for Him
Then He smiled at me,
Me and my drum."
What I love about that is really just the line "I played my best for Him" because I think that's one of the things at Christmas that we should really recognize; is that God gives us great and small gifts, and sometime even the smallest gifts that we think don't have a lot of meaning, if we do them with our best effort, God really really loves to see that.
Oh I could not have said that better, it was exactly what I was feeling. All he asks is that you give your best.
My next selection, I'd like to read part of the poem “At Christmas” by Edgar Albert Guest:
“A man is at his finest towards the finish of the year;
He is almost what he should be when the Christmas season is here;
Then he’s thinking more of others than he’s thought the months before,
And the laughter of his children is a joy worth toiling for.
He is less a selfish creature than at any other time;
When the Christmas spirit rules him he comes close to the sublime.
Man is ever in a struggle and he’s oft misunderstood;
There are days the worst that’s in him is the master of the good.
But at Christmas kindness rules him and he puts himself aside
And his petty hates are vanquished and his heart is opened wide.
Oh, I don’t know how to say it, but somehow it seems to me
That at Christmas man is almost what God sent him here to be.”
Don't you like the use of the word "almost" in the last sentence? It "is almost what God sent him here to be.” Do you know when this was written?
You know what, I don't but I believe it was a long time ago.
I was going to say Edgar Albert Guest isn't really a familiar name to me. You have found some really neat things, I like that. I'd like to see the rest of the poem because this context is neat.
Yeah, how about you? Another one?
Well I went for the short ones but I do have another one. Now this one you may be familiar with this author and I did not find a reference to a book to this but the author of this quote is Mary Alan Chase. Do you know Mary Alan Chase?
Okay well maybe you can tell me about her some other time, but it's real brief. It just says:
"Christmas, children, is not a date, it is a state of mind."
And that's it.
Wow, that's beautiful and profound.
Yeah, it is. I would love to know what it's from. She may have said it off handedly in an interview. It's an important thing because so many times, if you have family all over the country or if you have people that you're not going to be able to see on the big day, think about friends who are divorced and have children living in other households, you know, they don't always see their children or the important people in our lives on that date. So I think it's important to try and think of Christmas as a time and state of mind, and kind of a state of being, and not try to get caught up on packing everything into one day. It's just a day.
It is in the end. Well we have time for one little extra short one so I've got a quote, it's by Taylor Caldwell and I'm not sure if this is part of a bigger work or something she said off hand, and the quote is:
“I am not alone at all, I thought. I was never alone at all. And that, of course, is the message of Christmas. We are never alone. Not when the night is darkest, the wind coldest, the world seemingly most indifferent. For this is still the time God chooses.”
Nice, well I have one more really really short one too that I think we can squeeze in.
And this is by the wondeful, funny Erma Bombeck from a book, "I lost Everything in the Post-Natal Depression." She's so funny, the quote is:
“There’s nothing sadder in this world than to awake Christmas morning and not be a child.”
I think that's something to think about.
Well it is my birthday so I still get a little bit of a kick.
Christmas is your birthday?
Oh well Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday, very nice. I think I did know that, but you know, I'm sure I sent a gift Lori.
And it will be here any day.
Well I we're going to have to finish up now I think and we're going to finish with a prayer from the Prayables collection, from www.prayables.com. It's called and it was written by yours truly.
Our driveway is a lot for rental cars,
our basement is a campsite:
blankets on couches,
air mattresses, sleeping bags.
Upstairs the cacophony of catching up:
Look how the kids have grown!
How was vacation?
Gee, I miss Gram.
Thank You for bringing us together.
Thank you for gathering us safely.
Thank You for this loud, unruly crowd:
My family, my heart.
Keep them in Your care,
for together or apart,
they sustain me.
Keep us from quarreling,
from raising old accusations and hurts.
We have so little time to love.
Please, help us to make each moment
together a memory.
Amen. I hope you and I both, as we are with our families and traveling this Holiday season, can remember that prayer, especially the second stand of it, I think that's important. So you have safe travels this holiday season.
And you as well. And I'd like to thank all of our listeners for listening today as we discuss a quote from Willa Cather's book "Death Come from an Archbishop." Until then, if you're looking for God, just open a book.
5 Prayers For Strength in Spiritual Warfare
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Puck : (A Twisted Lit Novel)
3.7 (57 ratings by Goodreads)
By (author) Kim Askew , By (author) Amy Helmes
Available. Dispatched from the UK in 5 business days
Available. Expected delivery to the United States in 10-13 business days.
Not ordering to the United States? Click here.
Life isn't always fair, and no one knows that better than fifteen-year-old Puck. When she's unceremoniously booted from yet another foster home, this city kid lands at DreamRoads, a rehabilitation wilderness camp for juvies. Her fellow campers include a famous pop star with a diva attitude, a geeky, "fish out of water" math whiz, and a surly gang-banger with a chip on his shoulder. The program's steely director aims to break Puck, but she knows that every adult has a breaking point, too. Determined to defy this realm of agonizing nature hikes and soul-sucking psychobabble -- even if that means manipulating four lovestruck camp counselors and the director's dim-witted second-in-command -- Puck ultimately gets much more than she bargains for in this "wondrous strange" outdoor odyssey inspired by The Bard's most beguiling comedy.
Publication date 15 Nov 2016
Publisher Doublet Press
Bestsellers rank 2,900,957
5 19% (11)
2 7% (4)
Book ratings by Goodreads
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mate-of-the-tyger-prince
Mate of the Tyger Prince
by Shannon West
Mate of the Tyger Prince 1
Painted Hearts Publishing
Science Fiction Shape-shifter Alternative (M/M, Gay)
Diplomatic marriages between two members of different planets certainly aren’t unheard of—but for Prince Mikos of Tygeria and Col. Ryan Donnelly of Earth, it might just be a fate worse than death. The union is meant to end a devastating war that has lasted for over a hundred and fifty years, but when the female bride intended for the fierce, sexy prince runs away, her handsome brother is substituted instead. Men are for mating as far as the Tygerian prince is concerned, but the colonel also happens to be Mikos’s sworn enemy, not to mention being completely irritating.
Ryan is horrified to learn that the Tygerians not only expect him to take the place of his sister, marry the Bloody Prince of Tygeria, and go to live with him on his mysterious planet, but they also expect him to undergo physical alteration to have the man’s baby! And nobody is taking hell no for an answer. Ryan’s being asked to turn his whole life upside down and the handsome Tygerian gets under his skin like nobody else. But with the fate of the universe at stake, how can he say no? Can the two enemies put aside their differences and focus on making love and not war—not to mention a baby? As a powerful love struggles to take root, can they learn to trust each other and stand together against the forces that are trying to tear them apart?
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The human, called Royal Consort Blake, was wearing long, luxurious robes of some blue, silky fabric that rustled every time he moved. He was a blond, handsome man who had to be around forty, but looked younger. He was pacing angrily in front of the Consul’s desk. Meanwhile one of the Tygerian princes, Prince Mikos, the intended groom, lounged negligently in a chair, looking supremely, outrageously bored. The king had six sons, and this one was one of them. Ryan never could keep all their names straight.
It irritated him to admit the alien was gorgeous. Like all the Tygerians he was big. Maybe six feet six inches tall, but not in the least gangly or awkward with the height as some young men could be, and he was muscular, but not overly so. His hair was a golden shade of red, and his skin was like all the Tygerians’—a pale golden-brown color with black stripes running faintly just under the skin. Exotic, and strangely beautiful. His green eyes, when he glanced over at Ryan as he came into the room, had something cold and savage peeking out of them.
He was wearing an Axis uniform, dark blue with golden epaulets festooned over his broad shoulders. His chest was covered in medals that Ryan was sure must be merely decorative. No way had this spoiled-looking royal scion earned all those medals. Did this pampered prince even realize how many men’s lives were at stake here? Truly, each and every one of them weighed heavily on Ryan’s soul.
A colonel in the Alliance forces, Ryan had lost most of his company in a recent battle on Lycanus 3. They had been overrun, and only a handful of his men had survived and escaped, along with Ryan and one newly commissioned lieutenant. His men had pulled Ryan’s unconscious body from the field, and it was a miracle that any of them had survived. He was here on this space station orbiting VR-3 now because he was recovering from the wounds he’d suffered in that battle, and of course, because of Allison’s wedding.
Lycanus 3, the smallest, but most strategically significant of the Lycan planets because of its exports, was now occupied by Axis troops, and the noble Balenescu family were all under house arrest. It was one more nail in the Alliance’s coffin, though the Balenescus’ close ties to some wealthy and powerful Tygerian nationals had helped to bring this politically negotiated marriage about. Two of the Balenescu family members had actually married Tygerian males and were living on Tygeria as their nobyos.
Ryan was mostly healed now and anxious to rejoin his unit, but his father had asked him to accompany him to the space station to witness his sister’s wedding and help him try to establish the peace agreement. These talks and treaties, not to mention this farce of a state marriage between his sister and the prince had been hard won—a diplomatic coup. The peace negotiators had worked night and day for it. An alliance like this one would have gone a long way toward shoring up any kind of peace treaty that could be arranged before the summit coming up in the next quarter-cycle. If Allison could have gone through with the marriage, a lasting peace might have been successfully negotiated. Now Allison had ruined everything by running away. She had condemned them all with her actions, and his poor father had been left holding the bag.
The king’s consort banged his fist on his father’s desk and raised his voice, startling Ryan and drawing his attention back to the little drama unfolding behind him. “No! Absolutely not!” he replied to something his father had said in a wheedling, conciliatory tone that Ryan hated. “Your daughter has dishonored us by rejecting our generous offer of marriage to the king’s son. She’s humiliated us by running away. The enormous diamond reserves we were willing to give you access to as a bride price are completely off the table. Finished!”
“But Consort Blake, please…those diamond reserves will fuel entire planets for centuries to come. Without them, their inhabitants could be cast back into the Stone Age. Please. I beg you to reconsider.”
“Perhaps you should have thought of that before you offered us your worthless offspring as a bride for my son. My son is a high prince. Can you even fathom the honor he paid her by agreeing to make her his spouse?” The consort slammed his fist down again, knocking a sheaf of documents to the floor. “We should simply walk away now and leave this wretched place. Once the king learns of this calculated insult, he’ll no doubt withdraw his agreement to meet in summit talks. Forget the peace treaties. We have no need of them! Obviously the Alliance can’t be trusted to honor its obligations.”
Consul Donnelly leaped to his feet. “Please Consort Blake, there must be something we can do—some way to make this up to you. Please tell me what we can do! I’ll do anything. Anything!”
Ryan, who had just about had enough, whirled around to face the men. “Don’t bother, sir. And don’t grovel to him! His mind is obviously made up.” Turning to look at the king’s consort, a man who had once years ago been a highly decorated officer of the Alliance forces before he was captured and turned into some kind of love-slave for the fucking Tygerian king, Ryan made one last appeal to what was left of his humanity.
“Surely, sir, you’re aware of how tirelessly the Consul has worked to bring about peace over the three years since he took office. We’ve made one concession after another to the Axis of Planets and finally, in an act of desperation and selflessness, he offered up his only daughter as a hostage and a pawn in this game. You were human…once.” He paused to let the insult sink in. The consort’s blue eyes glittered at him dangerously, but Ryan rushed on with what he needed to say.
“You should know that our children aren’t slaves—he couldn’t force Allison to marry. He thought he had her convinced, but she took one look at this…this son of yours…”
“Ryan!” Consul Connelly shouted, his voice tinged with shock and despair. “That’s enough!”
Ryan whirled around to face his father. “I’m done begging them, sir! Look at him! He’s an uncivilized brute, and neither of them even cares about the treaty.” He knew he’d gone too far, but no matter what he said, he knew they’d already made up their minds. The Tygerians were only toying with them now.
“Arguing with this man who has renounced his humanity and aligned himself with savages is useless, sir.” Ryan continued, lifting his chin defiantly. He turned to focus his attention on the king’s consort, who was staring at him with his haughty eyebrows raised. He looked completely incredulous and outraged. If he’d been wearing pearls, he’d no doubt have been clutching them. “I respectfully submit that the king’s consort obviously made up his mind and then snapped it shut.”
The consort flushed hotly and opened his mouth to speak, but before he could, the big Tygerian prince surged to his feet and pulled his father or whatever the hell he was behind him. The prince crossed the space between the colonel and himself so quickly, he was only a blur of motion, and he seized Ryan by his jacket front and held him aloft. Ryan gasped as he looked up into his eyes and his blood ran cold. How could Ryan have miscalculated so badly as to think the Tygerian soft and spoiled?
With the tips of his toes dangling inches above the floor, the huge Tygerian’s face loomed close to Ryan’s, and his breath gusted hotly against his skin. His green eyes, so disturbingly cat-like, narrowed fiercely. “How dare you speak to the consort in such a manner, you Alliance scum?”
Ryan pulled frantically at the Tygerian’s hands but couldn’t budge them. He kicked ineffectually at his legs, but the prince simply held him out at arm’s length. When Blake tried to kick him in the balls, he turned so that Ryan’s kicks landed on his hip and he laughed at Ryan tauntingly. The problem was that this new hold twisted Ryan’s uniform jacket so that it bunched up under his chin, choking him. As he gasped for breath, he could see the king’s consort smirking and leaning his hip against the desk, his arms folded over his chest. There would obviously be no help from that quarter.
Ryan forced himself to go limp, half-closing his eyes, as if he’d surrendered. From under his lashes, he saw a smile of satisfaction bloom on the big alien’s face. He relaxed his hold on Ryan, bringing him in closer and allowing him to sag to his feet. He kept his hand wrapped in Ryan’s uniform jacket, though, keeping him close enough that Ryan could smell his warm, musky scent. This was his chance. Using the last of his strength, Ryan brought both hands up and clapped them as hard as he could against the prince’s ears.
The reaction would have been comical under any other circumstances. He looked like a bear stung by bees. The prince yelped, dropped his hands and clutched his ears with both hands. He opened his mouth and howled his rage, as Ryan stepped back, straightening his clothes and smiling evilly at him. He could almost see plumes of steam spiral up from each of the alien’s ears and through his fingers like in a cartoon.
Ryan’s father rushed to his son’s aid, jostling the prince’s arm to pass by him and stand beside his son. Ryan had a feeling that might have been a mistake. One shouldn’t touch a Tygerian royal, and he wondered vaguely if his father would be chastised for that. There was no telling what they would do to Ryan for striking the high prince. Now that the excitement had passed, he was beginning to feel a little weak-kneed, and he looked around for a place to sit down.
“Son, are you all right? Your highness…Consort Blake, please! Put a stop to this now—my son is injured!”
“I’m fine, Father,” Ryan said, embarrassed and trying to gently push him off.
“Your son is injured?” the king’s consort said, his eyebrows lifting in outrage. “What about my son? Your son indeed!”
Then as the words sunk in, Blake suddenly straightened up and tilted his head, one eyebrow quirking upward. “Did you say your son?”
“Yes, of course he is! And your son just attacked him!” the consul said, casting a wounded, outraged look back over his shoulder.
Blake smiled then and rubbed his hands together, as eager as a cat who’d just spied a big bowl of tasty cream. “You mean to tell me this young man… Your unmarried son? Well, why didn’t you say so? Who needs the daughter? This one will do fine. In fact, he’ll do even better!” He stepped forward and laid a hand on Prince Mikos’s arm. “Stop playing with him, Miki. You’ll have plenty of time to do that after the wedding. This young man,” he said, gesturing grandly toward Ryan, “is your new mate and royal consort.” He got a speculative look in his eye. “Maybe even the bearer of your children.”
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Milan (MM)
by Jordan Ashton
Harbor of Lost Souls 1
Contemporary Paranormal Vampires/Werewolves Alternative (M/M, Gay)
[Siren Classic ManLove: Erotic Alternative Paranormal Romance, M/M, werewolves, bondage, HEA]
Milan Ambrozi has hidden from the world and from love for far too long. After he receives a letter from his sister, Ari, that their father is dying, he decides to finally face his inner demon and go back to be with everyone he loves who he left behind.
Carlos Hernandez has been picking up the pieces ever since his ex-lover, Milan, suddenly disappeared from everyone’s life five years ago. Carlos has been helping Ari and her terminally ill father through this trying time. When Milan returns, Carlos lashes out at him with pent-up anger and hurt he’s kept bottled all of these years.
Milan explains he had no choice, that he had to leave to keep them safe. Yet he refuses to say why. They decide to set aside their differences and try to be friends. But that passionate fire Carlos and Milan had never died. It’s alive and hotter than ever, so is their love they keep denying to each other.
When people in the city start dying from spontaneous combustion, Carlos uncovers that Milan’s involved somehow. Will Milan tell Carlos the truth or will his inner demon lash out at everyone he loves?
Cover Art by Harris Channing
4.5 HEARTS: "This is book one in this series and I would suggest reading them in order. It will keep you from not getting lost, gives you an insight into their world and explain why they do the things they do.This is a cute story although it did have me questioning why Milan had left me guessing but he answers it a little further in the story. I found a new world that was amazing. Milan and Carlos had been in love and were planning to go on with their lives together. However when Carlos had asked him to get married he panicked. Going and getting drunk ended up with him in the alley getting bitten by a werewolf. He awoke surrounded by priest and told what had happened. He spent the later years trying to help those that had ended up like him. Living in a monastery with the brotherhood kept his life busy. However, it did not make him forget his father, sister and the man he loved. He thought about Carlos all the time. So when his sister calls him about this father he rushes back. He finds his father dying, his little sister crying and Carlos madder than a hornet. Carlos had gone on with his life, engaged to a woman and just wanting to help his adopted family. However, things don’t always go the way things are planned. Carlos was meant to be with Milan and life has a way at making that happen. I love the dangers that this story shows you that is out there. I also loved the way Carlos had taken to the new of Milan being a werewolf. It shows the love is still there going strong. I have found another favorite here and I cannot wait for the next book to come out. My only problem is that there was not enough to it. It caught my attention from the moment I started reading it and kept it all the way to the end. It left me wanting more. I would recommend reading this story. It gives you sexy men, shifters, excitement, and the sense of danger.This story will give you everything you could want in it and still leave you wanting to know more. It makes you want to go out and get the next book. I was glad to have had a chance to read it." -- Lisa, MM Good Book Reviews
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Never in a thousand years would Milan Ambrozi have expected this. He leaned on the door to his room and stared at the letter in his hands. Father Theosis had hand delivered it to him just minutes ago. As he turned the folded manila envelope, he frowned. It was from his sister Arianna.
Five years had passed since Milan last saw her. It was a day Milan could never forget and wished had never happened, because it was the worst day of his life, the day the world as he knew it ended.
The images of elongated, sharp fangs, black fur, and demonic red eyes seared his eyes as the haunting memories of that night returned. They were still as painful now as they were five years ago.
He released a long breath and tapped the letter on his chin. A part of him wanted to open it and find out what Arianna wrote, but another part of him dreaded it.
They hadn’t kept in touch all of these years. Arianna had tried and so had his father, sending him letters to the sanctuary’s P.O. Box, but Milan had never replied. He read every single one of their messages and his heart ached with each breath he took. He missed and loved them so much. Just as he missed and loved his one true love, Carlos Hernandez, whom he’d abandoned that night just like he did them.
It was supposed to be the first night of the next chapter in their relationship. Carlos had popped the question before the nightmare ever occurred that ripped Milan from him and everyone else he loved.
Not a day went by that Milan didn’t fantasize or reminisce about their love and what he had left behind. Carlos was and would forever be his soul mate. No one would ever replace him in his heart.
If only he could turn back time to the way things were. Back to a time when he and Carlos were madly in love and having passionate sex every waking hour, and his baby sister was still in pigtails, and his father was happy and not angry with him.
But unfortunately that wasn’t an option. Time only moved forward, not backward, and so must he. Sooner or later he needed to step forward and out from this shelter he had immersed himself, and return to his family and friends and his past life.
But how could he ever face them again? How could he tell them the truth?
Casting his thoughts and fears aside, he sighed and slumped onto the edge of his bed. The springs in the mattress creaked under his weight. He combed his wavy black locks out of his eyes and tore the envelope open in one swift and smooth movement.
The scent of rose water drifted into the air, tickling his nose. He closed his eyes and sniffed the folded letter he extracted. It smelled of his baby sister. Tears filmed his eyes as memories of her in pony tails, smiling at him in a wide, dimpled grin flooded his mind. Her sixteenth birthday had passed three months ago. He wondered how much she had changed in these past five years. Not only had he missed all of her teen years so far, but her sweet sixteenth birthday, as well. He’d never regain those lost precious moments, ever.
He unfolded the paper and began to read, preparing himself for a back lashing, words of hatred, of resentment at being abandoned and forgotten. But what he read took him completely by surprise.
Dear Milan,
This letter will probably never reach you as my other letters before this haven’t, but I had to send it just in case you do get it and read it.
I don’t know how to write this. What words can I use to make this any less painful for you? I know they’ll break your heart and make you cry, but there is no good way to pass on bad news.
A few months ago Daddy was diagnosed with lung cancer. Treatments haven’t helped. The cancer spread. We found out yesterday that he has only a few weeks or months to live.
Please come home. We really need you.
His grip on the paper slacked and it drifted to the carpeted floor as the silence in the room ended with his cries. He covered his face with his hands and leaned his elbows on his knees. He cried for his father, for his sister and their suffering. He cried for his damnation and the cruel God he had come to know all too well.
Life wasn’t fair, and the good always suffered undeservingly. His father, a kind and generous man who had loved and nurtured him and his sister all of his life, was suffering a slow and painful death. And there wasn’t anything anyone could do to stop it.
He let the sorrow and despair flow out, until there were no more tears or energy to spare. He lay back on the bed and stared at the twirling ceiling fan, being mesmerized by its simple and constant spinning motion.
Now that this detrimental blow had been delivered, he knew without a doubt that the time for hiding had passed. He needed to face his inner demons and conquer them.
The letter screamed its purpose in his ears. His father and baby sister needed him. Now more than ever. It was time to go home.
Carlos walked up to the bureau and turned on the MP3 player. Soft and sensual jazz music seeped out of the tiny speakers. He began to take off his shirt as he approached Milan.
Milan flopped onto the bed, admiring this sexy man’s moves and scrumptious chest as Carlos’s shirt moved up and over his shoulders and head. His muscular arms flexed, and so did his pecs.
Carlos certainly took pride in his physique and Milan was ever-grateful as inch by heavenly inch of his toned body was revealed.
He gave him a seductive look over twice and licked his lips. “Mmm, you look so good. How often do you work out each week?”
Carlos gazed at his arms and chest before saying, “Often. Oh, so does that mean you like what you see?”
Milan moved closer to him as Carlos came to the bed’s edge. He gently touched his hairless chest and glided his hands over every defined muscle until goose bumps of pleasure formed on Carlos’s skin. “You could say that, yes.”
Carlos caressed Milan’s hair. “Well, why don’t we even things out?” He dipped in and began to tug Milan’s black suit jacket and tie off. Milan’s gaze focused on Carlos’s body while Carlos kept undressing him. He traced the outline of his limbs and torso with his hands, which sent pleasure plowing into Carlos’s cock. It twitched and stretched in Carlos’s tight briefs under Milan’s scrutiny, which excited Milan even more. He drew in air and moaned his approval. He cupped his huge bulge and gently squeezed it.
Carlos pulled him up to his feet and pushed Milan’s pants down below his knees. Now they both stood close to one another dressed only in the boxer briefs. Milan’s erect cock was already peeking out of his brief briefs. Carlos brushed his right hand over its wet tip. Shivers of pleasure soared through Milan. He closed his eyes and groaned.
A look of worry washed over Carlos’s eyes, and he halted his ministrations. “You okay, or are you in pain?”
Milan bit his lip and shook his head. “No, I’m okay.”
Carlos motioned to the handcuffs. “Should we put these on you now?”
Milan followed his gaze, then he looked back into Carlos’s eyes. “No, not yet. I want you to get your pleasure and then we’ll restrain me so you can give me mine.”
Carlos grinned encouragingly. “All right, but the minute you feel any discomfort, warn me, okay?”
Milan cocked a brow and nodded as his gaze traveled downward. “Yes, lover boy,” he murmured.
He slipped his right index and middle fingers into the elastic top of Carlos’s’ underwear and drew him in. Cool air circulated around Milan’s hand and Carlos’s cock with the quick movement, which Milan could see made Carlos’s cock twitch in response.
Milan crushed his pelvis against Carlos’s. His hands circled around Carlos’s waist and slid his briefs lower until he was able to cup Carlos’s ass cheeks. He squeezed and rubbed them while he tilted his head and kissed his lips.
Sparks of sexual pleasures circled around Milan’s lips and tongue as Carlos teased and caressed them.
When Milan gently bit his lover’s lower lip and sucked it, Carlos apparently could no longer contain his desires. He slid his hands down Milan’s back, his short nails scratching him in erotic foreplay. Milan moaned in satisfaction as the sensation was so pleasurable. His cock grew and stretched.
The moment Carlos’s hands reached the top edge of Milan’s boxers, he pulled them downward toward his knees. He squeezed and pinched his ass cheeks and demanded, “Turn around.”
Milan followed his orders, facing the bed, his shins against the end of the mattress. Carlos began to kiss and lick his neck and earlobe. Milan leaned against him, his eyes closed. His breathing was heavy, but it wasn’t a deep growling sound like he had heard escaping his lips a few days back that warned Milan he was starting to lose control. So far so good.
Carlos’s lips moved downward, kissing his shoulders and his back. Milan constricted his shoulder blades twice when Carlos tickled him involuntarily. Goose bumps formed all over Milan’s body, turning Carlos’s kisses and licks on his skin into erotic sensations.
Carlos focused on Milan’s ass once he’d finished with Milan’s back. First he kissed each cheek, while he directed him to bend over. Milan balanced his upper body weight on his bent elbows on the bed.
“Oh, fuck,” Carlos murmured as he passed his finger over Milan’s asshole. Milan puckered it in pleasurable reflex. Carlos pulled his own underwear down completely and stepped out of them while he continued to tease and stimulate Milan’s ass with his right hand.
Carlos’s freed cock brushed against Milan’s left cheek, its wet tip leaving a streak of pre-cum in its path. Carlos moaned in pleasure, apparently from the stimulating friction it gave him. He pushed Milan’s ass cheeks apart and lifted Milan’s pelvis, obviously so that he’d have a more strategic position to fuck Milan. He passed his cock up and down and around Milan’s hole, which Milan continued to pucker. Then he slipped his index finger into him.
A groan escaped Milan’s lips. Carlos stopped and asked, “Do I continue?”
“Fuck yes,” Milan purred.
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When you arrive, look forward to a warm welcome and the highest levels of customer service possible, to ensure that you will have a memorable experience.
Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre and Country Park is set in the heart of England, a picturesque place and accessible by road and via the Battlefield Railway line, click here for timetable.
To download a copy of the Explore Bosworth Map click here.
Click here for the Traveline website, which allows you to plan your journey to Bosworth Battlefield.
A list of local services can be found here
By Foot from Market Bosworth
Take the gated road (just below the market place) out of Market Bosworth, signposted Sutton Cheney, then take a right onto Ambion Lane and walk another half a mile and look for the signpost mentioning the Centre
Surrounded by a network of motorways, the M1, M6, M42 and only 9.5 km from Jct 1 on the M69. Located close to Market Bosworth, 5.5 km North from Hinckley and only 19 km from Leicester. Post code CV13 0AD. GPS Coordinates
Catch the 153 bus service (does not run on Sundays) from Leicester to Market Bosworth. The Heritage Centre and Country Park is located three miles south of Market Bosworth. Taxis are available although they do need to be pre-booked, or you could take a pleasurable walk. Click here for the Arriva website.
Regular services are available from London to Nuneaton and Leicester . Click here for the National Rail Enquiries website. The Battlefield Line also runs trains from Shackerstone Station (see above for website link).
By Canal
You can visit us from The Ashby Canal. There are some 48 hour visitor moorings by Sutton Cheney Wharf, where visitors can follow the footpath up to the visitor centre. These were put in specifically for the Visitor Centre.
There are also some moorings available by the old railway bridge 34A, follow the old line up to Shenton Station and on to the visitor centre that way.
Accessible from either East Midlands Airport or Birmingham Airport.
Walking Opportunities from Bosworth Battlefield. Click here for details & maps of walks around the area.
Cycling Opportunities from Bosworth Battlefield. Click here for further information about cycling in Leicestershire.
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Britain’s budget U-turn merits Brexit deal alarm
Spread-eagled Phil
15 March 2017 By George Hay Follow @gfhay
Chancellor Philip Hammond has reversed last week’s tax hike for self-employed workers. As EU exit negotiations begin, the UK critically needs a united government that can be firm in the face of political pressure. Ditching a defensible reform implies the opposite.
UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond said on March 15 he had scrapped a planned increase in national insurance contributions for self-employed workers, announced in the previous week's budget.
"In light of what has emerged as a clear view among colleagues and a significant section of the public, I have decided not to proceed with the Class 4 NIC measures set out in the budget," Hammond said in a letter to Conservative lawmakers.
"It is very important to me and to the prime minister that we are compliant not just with the letter, but also the spirit, of the commitments that were made."
Hammond also said there would be no increases to national insurance rates during the current parliament, which is due to run until 2020.
Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer Hammond leaves Downing Street in London, Britain, March 15, 2017. REUTERS/Toby Melville - RTX313X6
Reuters: UK's Hammond forced into U-turn on jobs tax after party revolt
Philip Hammond letter, March 15
Britain's tax raid on gig economy misses the mark
Do-nothing UK budget belies big risks ahead
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This site uses cookies to ensure the best viewing experience for our readers. Read more about it Got it
Double-chin reducing Israeli startup closes $74 million China licensing deal
The agreement provides JuveStar with exclusive rights to develop and commercialize Raziel Therapeutics’ proprietary RZL-012 compound
Meir Orbach 18:2222.09.20
Raziel Therapeutics
Fosun Pharma
Israel-based pharmaceutical company Raziel Therapeutics Ltd. announced on Tuesday the signing of a major licensing deal with China’s Fosun Pharma for milestone payments of up to $74 million. Raziel Therapeutics entered the agreement with Tianjin JuveStar Biotech Co., Ltd., a company invested and incubated by Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical.
The agreement provides JuveStar with exclusive rights to develop and commercialize Raziel's proprietary RZL-012, an injection used for reducing double chins, in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan.
A doctor injects a compound into a patient's chin. Photo: Shutterstock
RZL-012 is an injectable drug product indicated for the aesthetic treatment of adults having moderate to significant submental fullness, commonly referred to as a double-chin. The compound destroys fat cells, resulting in fat volume reduction and improved appearance of the chin area. In the future, it is set to be used to reduce fat in other parts of the body.
Under the terms of the agreement, Raziel Therapeutics will receive potential payments (including upfront and R&D milestone payments) of $27 million between now and marketing approval in the territory. Raziel is also eligible to receive additional potential sales milestone payments of up to $47 million, as well as tiered royalty payments on future net sales. JuveStar will be responsible for conducting necessary clinical studies (Phase III), marketing and sales in the territory, while Raziel will be responsible for manufacturing the drug substance and finished drug product for both the clinical and commercial activities in the territory. There will be no transfer of intellectual property.
"Fosun Pharma is one of the leading healthcare companies in China, with expertise and access to both the aesthetic and therapeutic markets. We see Fosun Pharma as an ideal partner to commercialize RZL-012 in the fast-growing aesthetic Chinese market,” said Alon Bloomenfeld, president and chief executive officer at Raziel Therapeutics. “Fosun Pharma already has a growing portfolio of products in facial aesthetics, the field in which we plan to gain the first approval for RZL-012. We look forward to working with the Fosun Pharma team on the clinical, regulatory, and commercial pathways to introduce RZL-012 to this important, developing geography."
The Israeli company has raised a total of $30 million to date. In December 2019 it completed a $22 million seriec C round was led by Pontifax, with participation from Catalyst Fund, Quark venture, Peregrine Investments, Wille AG, and existing investors.
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Cambridgeshire PC faces misconduct hearing over Tube ticket bust-up
PC Josh Williams, based in Huntingdon, will attend the planned four-day hearing
Raymond Brown
Huntingdon police station, where PC Josh Williams is based (Image: Google)
A foul-mouthed Cambridgeshire police officer who allegedly tried to flee Tube train ticket inspectors faces a misconduct hearing after being deemed “arrogant and confrontational”.
PC Josh Williams, based in Huntingdon, will attend the planned four-day hearing at Biggleswade Town Council Offices, on October 9.
It is alleged that he breached the standards of professional behaviour in respect of honesty and integrity, authority, respect and courtesy and discreditable conduct.
Jogger jumped and attacked by two men near Cambridge
Police had to be called after PC Williams allegedly passed through a ticket barrier at Leicester Square tube station and was approached by inspectors, who queried his ticket.
It is alleged that the officer pushed or physically manoeuvred past the inspectors in an attempt to leave and became aggressive, forcing British Transport Police officers to intervene.
In full: shamed police boss Naveed Malik's grovelling apology
The officer was prosecuted for two offences of unacceptable behaviour and was convicted at court of using abusive and offensive language and the court found his behaviour arrogant, uncompromising and confrontational.
PC Williams appeared at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court on May 12 for a retrial.
He was found guilty of byelaw offences 6(1) using offensive language and 6(2) disorderly behaviour at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court on January 13 (2017).
PC Williams appealed the convictions and the judge overturned the offence of 6(2) disorderly behaviour.
He must pay £350 for the offence of using offensive language as well as court costs.
A police report said: “On January 23, 2016 whilst off duty it is alleged that the officer passed through a ticket barrier at Leicester Square tube station and was approached by two revenue inspectors who queried his ticket.
“It is alleged that the officer pushed or physically manoeuvred past the inspectors in an attempt to leave. “The officer was stopped by the revenue inspectors and became aggressive in his manner, to the point that British Transport Police officers had to intervene.
“The officer was prosecuted for two offences of unacceptable behaviour on the transport for London Regional Railway Network.
This is why a police helicopter was launched over Cambridge last night
"The officer was convicted at court of using abusive and offensive language, contrary to the Railway Byelaw 6 (1) and the court found his behaviour arrogant, uncompromising and confrontational.”
You can keep up to date with all the latest news in and around Cambridge by downloading our free app. It is available for the iPhone and iPad from Apple's App Store, or the Android version can be downloaded from Google Play.
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5-year-old boy caught driving on Utah highway was heading to California for a Lamborghini
N'dea Yancey-Bragg / USA TODAY
Police in Utah pulled over a 5-year-old driver who said he was heading to California to buy a Lamborghini.
The boy was being watched by his 16-year-old sibling Monday when the teen took a nap, public information Officer Nick Street told USA TODAY. When the sibling woke up "the keys to the car were gone, the car was gone, and the child was gone," Street said.
The 5-year-old boy drove onto the freeway about 2 or 3 miles from his home in his parents' car, Street said.
Trooper Rick Morgan pulled the boy over after he saw the car swerving so badly on Interstate 15 in Odgen, Utah, that he thought the driver was impaired or needed medical attention. He was driving 32 mph in an area with a speed limit of 70 mph. Morgan told the Associated Press that the boy did not respond to his lights but pulled over when he hit his siren.
“I approached the vehicle and I was expecting to find somebody who needed an ambulance or paramedics,” Morgan said.
But when the window came down, Morgan said it was pretty clear that it was “a very underaged driver who was behind the wheel.”
One of our Troopers in Weber Co. initiated a traffic stop on what he thought was an impaired driver. Turns out it was this young man, age 5, somehow made his way up onto the freeway in his parents' car. Made it from 17th and Lincoln in Ogden down to the 25th St off-ramp SB I-15.pic.twitter.com/3aF1g22jRB
— Utah Highway Patrol (@UTHighwayPatrol)May 4, 2020
The boy was sitting on the edge of his seat to reach the brake pedal, the trooper said.
Street said the boy was "was pretty shy and he appeared solemn" after being pulled over. Dash camera footage of the traffic stop shows Morgan pulling over the SUV and questioning the driver.
"How old are you? You're 5 years old?" Morgan says in the video. "Wow, OK. Where did you learn how to drive a car?"
The boy told the trooper he was planning to drive to California to buy himself an Italian luxury sports car.
"He might have been short on the purchase amount, as he only had $3 dollars in his wallet," the Utah Highway Patrol said in a statement on Twitter.
The boy's parents were contacted and they took custody of their son and the vehicle.
No one was hurt Street said, but the police are in contact with the Weber County attorney's office to determine whether to file charges against the boy's parents. Street said it's not unusual to find 13- or 14-year-olds behind the wheel, but it was "very strange" to see a child that young driving.
"It's the first time I’ve ever seen something with a child that young," Street said.
Follow N'dea Yancey-Bragg on Twitter: @NdeaYanceyBragg
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Greenfield Man Charged after Shooting at Juvenile for Lighting Fireworks
By: CBS58 Staff
Posted: Jul 6, 2016 4:24 PM CST
A Greenfield man has been charged for shooting at a juvenile and mother that were shooting off fireworks in their yard on Saturday.
According to the complaint, the juvenile was shooting off fireworks in his backyard when he witnessed a man come out on an apartment balcony and rack a gun. The man shot once in the direction of the juvenile and his mother.
Jeffrey Gleason has been charged with one count of second degree recklessly endangering safety.
Gleason allegedly told police he was upset because the fireworks were extremely loud and preventing him from sleeping.
He said he never pointed the gun in the direction of the juvenile and had no intention of shooting him.
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A car thief threatened to call the police on a mom who left her child in the back seat of the car he stole
Milwaukee Art Museum is 1 step closer to becoming a LEGO set
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« Prev Article. 3 - Whether chastity is a distinct… Next »
Whether chastity is a distinct virtue from abstinence?
Objection 1: It would seem that chastity is not a distinct virtue from abstinence. Because where the matter is generically the same, one virtue suffices. Now it would seem that things pertaining to the same sense are of one genus. Therefore, since pleasures of the palate which are the matter of abstinence, and venereal pleasures which are the matter of chastity, pertain to the touch, it seems that chastity is not a distinct virtue from abstinence.
Objection 2: Further, the Philosopher (Ethic. iii, 12) likens all vices of intemperance to childish sins, which need chastising. Now "chastity" takes its name from "chastisement" of the contrary vices. Since then certain vices are bridled by abstinence, it seems that abstinence is chastity.
Objection 3: Further, the pleasures of the other senses are the concern of temperance in so far as they refer to pleasures of touch; which are the matter of temperance. Now pleasures of the palate, which are the matter of abstinence, are directed to venereal pleasures, which are the matter of chastity: wherefore Jerome says [*Ep. cxlvii ad Amand. Cf. Gratian, Dist. xliv.], commenting on Titus 1:7, "Not given to wine, no striker," etc.: "The belly and the organs of generation are neighbors, that the neighborhood of the organs may indicate their complicity in vice." Therefore abstinence and chastity are not distinct virtues.
On the contrary, The Apostle (2 Cor. 6:5,6) reckons "chastity" together with "fastings" which pertain to abstinence.
I answer that, As stated above (Q[141], A[4]), temperance is properly about the concupiscences of the pleasures of touch: so that where there are different kinds of pleasure, there are different virtues comprised under temperance. Now pleasures are proportionate to the actions whose perfections they are, as stated in Ethic. ix, 4,5: and it is evident that actions connected with the use of food whereby the nature of the individual is maintained differ generically from actions connected with the use of matters venereal, whereby the nature of the species is preserved. Therefore chastity, which is about venereal pleasures, is a distinct virtue from abstinence, which is about pleasures of the palate.
Reply to Objection 1: Temperance is chiefly about pleasures of touch, not as regards the sense's judgment concerning the objects of touch. which judgment is of uniform character concerning all such objects, but as regards the use itself of those objects, as stated in Ethic. iii, 10. Now the uses of meats, drinks, and venereal matters differ in character. Wherefore there must needs be different virtues, though they regard the one sense.
Reply to Objection 2: Venereal pleasures are more impetuous, and are more oppressive on the reason than the pleasures of the palate: and therefore they are in greater need of chastisement and restraint, since if one consent to them this increases the force of concupiscence and weakens the strength of the mind. Hence Augustine says (Soliloq. i, 10): "I consider that nothing so casts down the manly mind from its heights as the fondling of women, and those bodily contacts which belong to the married state."
Reply to Objection 3: The pleasures of the other senses do not pertain to the maintenance of man's nature, except in so far as they are directed to pleasures of touch. Wherefore in the matter of such pleasures there is no other virtue comprised under temperance. But the pleasures of the palate, though directed somewhat to venereal pleasures, are essentially directed to the preservation of man's life: wherefore by their very nature they have a special virtue, although this virtue which is called abstinence directs its act to chastity as its end.
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Complexity Settings to the Rescue: A New Lease of Life for Evidence-Based Policy?
It would be naive and, potentially, ill-advised to have evaluation solely drive policy direction. Good, open, evidence-backed policy, however, does need to be informed by evaluation results and insights. My CECAN Fellowship provided me with a rare opportunity to investigate how evaluation is applied in real life within a government department – in this case Defra – and how it can be used to plan for future policymaking.
Models as ‘Interested Amateurs’
Pete Barbrook-Johnson, Research Fellow at the Policy Studies Institute at the University of Westminster & Knowledge Integrator Research Fellow at the Centre for the Evaluation of Complexity Across the Nexus (CECAN) at the University of Surrey.
Taking The Temperature of Trust
It is over two years since Ofwat set increasing trust in water as its key objective for its 2015 five year business plan.To establish what has happened since, I interviewed 19 senior and influential figures across all parts of the water sector. I am seeking wider perspectives via a survey (click HERE to participate) and hope this article will stimulate you to take part.
One Researcher’s Anecdote is Another Researcher’s Data
A couple of days ago, a DEFRA policy official told me that the uncertainty over EU exit was creating a fertile environment for evaluation, as champions try to ensure their favoured policies have a place in the forthcoming landscape, post Brexit. This struck me as interesting, and I made a note of it.
That Way Lies Prosperity: Sustainability and the Nexus
Sustainable Development and its relative Sustainability, concepts which have a rich history of appeal and animosity, have nevertheless become the dominant conversation framing environment-development policy in recent decades.
Agriculture Fit For A Complex World
To say that we live in a complex world is, in a very general sense, rather banal and uninteresting being neither particularly illuminating nor especially profound. But, scratch beneath the surface, and an acknowledgement of that complexity can be revelatory.
Why We Need Network Analysis to Understand the Future of Economics
Network analysis is the method of the future. That is not only – certainly not primarily – because we are ever more connected in some superficial social-media driven internet sort of way. All of that may be fascinating (and certainly can be analysed using network analysis), but it is not fundamental to our existence as humans – we existed before Facebook, we will exist after it is gone
CECAN Complexity in Evaluation Workshop: What we Did and What we Learned
The first of two blogs following this event, from the perspective of the lead facilitator, Dr Paul Brand
Why Carry Out Economic Evaluation?
I have only recently joined the small economic research consultancy Simetrica. Before this I spent 16 years in the Government Economic Service, starting as an economic advisor in DTI in 2000 (now known as BEIS). I first worked on employment policy and one of my main tasks was to produce Impact Assessments for new employment regulation using the tools of Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA).
Access to Data is Crucial
CECAN is exploring how evaluation of policy can better inform the impact those policies have and assess the extent to which these have been successful. In order to do this, access to data is crucial, yet can at times be problematic. CECAN’s Knowledge Integrator, Candice Howarth met Emma Uprichard and Robert MacKay from the Centre and based at the University of Warwick and asked them over a series of emails to explain what the implications of some of these challenges are.
Aligning Policy and Evidence for the Age of Complexity
As the world changes in complex and unpredictable ways, Government is changing too. As it does so, the need grows for policy-making and the evidence that informs it to be alive and responsive to the increasing pervasiveness of complexity. In public service systems the increase in complexity often means that no single institution is ever ‘in charge’ or has direct control over how changes unfold.
Complexity High on the Agenda at the EES 2016 Biannual Conference
Maastricht was the location of this year’s European Evaluation Society (EES) conference over a sunny week in late September. At the end of first day, we were treated to a civic reception in the building in which the Maastricht treaty was signed in 1992, bringing up mixed emotions for some of us.
Likelihoods
The scope of the CECAN project runs wide as well as deep; complexity in the energy, water, environment and food domain would most immediately be thought to arise from the physical systems at the nexus core. Yes, complexity in weather systems, biological populations spring quickly and easily to mind as do the ‘user level’ human interactions with these systems and other local and global physical systems.
Is Policy Evaluation Fit For Purpose?
By Roger Highfield, Director of External Affairs of the Science Museum, member of the Royal Society’s Science Policy Advisory Group. To tackle climate change, ecosystem destruction and the many daunting issues facing humanity we need not only to draw on science and engineering but also develop policies that can change the behaviour of 7.5 billion people.
After the Brexit vote: What Next for the UK’s Environment?
This post is by Andy Jordan, Charlotte Burns and Viviane Gravey. They recently co-led an expert reviewof the environmental implications of Brexit funded by the UK in a Changing Europe Initiative.
How Should Academics Interact with Policy Makers? Lessons on Building a Long-term Advocacy Strategy
What can academics learn from how civil society organisations and NGOs approach policy impact? Julia Himmrich argues that academics have a lot to gain from embracing the practices of long-term advocacy. Advocacy is about establishing relationships and creating a community of experts both in and outside of government who can give informed input on policies.
Reflections on Language and Complexity
When I turned up at the CECAN Evaluation and Complexity workshop this week it was my first day back at work after a holiday in Crete, an experience that I thought might have put me in the right frame of mind. Being the non-scientist in a roomful of scientists often seems like being in a foreign country where I only speak a few words of the language.
Should Academics be Expected to Change Policy? Six Reasons Why it is Unrealistic for Research to Drive Policy Change.
UK social scientists feel a growing pressure to achieve policy change. In reality, this process is more complex than it sounds. James Lloyd looks at six reasons that limit the impact research can have on policy change. None of this should suggest that academic researchers shouldn’t seek to influence policymaking. But more consideration is needed on how best academic evidence can leverage the real-world nature of policymaking.
The Science of Using Research
Governments all over the world invest large sums of public money into producing knowledge that helps them understand their countries’ complex socioeconomic issues. This knowledge, in the form of research, can be used to formulate potential solutions through public policies and programmes.
Development actors facing pressure to provide more rigorous assessments of their impact on policy and practice need new methods to deliver them. There is now a broad consensus that the traditional counterfactual analysis leading to the assessment of the net effect of an intervention is incapable of capturing the complexity of factors at play in any particular policy change.
Global Challenges Require Cross-Cutting Solutions
New research led by the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research suggests that current UK policies on water, energy and food are too fragmented to effectively tackle global challenges. Issues such as climate change, resource constraints and the increasing population cut across several sectors and need similarly cross-sectoral policies. Future research must meet this challenge by focusing on the nexus between sectors, scales and timeframes.
Tools, Tools Everywhere and not a Hammer in Sight!
Members of the Sociology department, alongside colleagues from across the University of Surrey, have been working on the ERIE project for the past six years. One of the main outputs of the project is the development of a suite of software tools designed to help anyone and everyone make decisions and think strategically.
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Century Casinos Inks Colorado Online Sports Betting Deal With bet365, Analyst Likes Long-Term Outlook
Posted on: May 20, 2020, 11:31h.
Last updated on: May 20, 2020, 11:49h.
Century Casinos (NASDAQ:CNTY) is adding to its sports betting offerings in Colorado. It has announced a partnership with bet365 that will see the companies offer offer internet and mobile sports betting in the Centennial State as the sports calendar increases following the coronavirus shutdown.
Century Casinos could get some help from Missouri reopenings and the return of sports to boost Colorado wagering. (Image: KAIT-8 News)
The deal with bet365 is for the second of Century’s three internet betting licenses in its home state. The first was inked with Circa Sports earlier this year. Financial terms of those agreements haven’t been released. Century has one more Colorado online sports wagering license available.
The online sportsbook operations agreement with bet365 is a 10-year agreement that includes a minimum annual revenue guarantee and a percentage share of net gaming revenue payable to the Company each year, with an advance fee being paid on contract signing,” according to a statement.
Centennial State voters approved sports wagering last November and it went live on May 1, though opportunities for bettors were initially limited. Action could start to pick up, as NASCAR resumed last weekend and the addition of a number of non-conventional golf offerings.
More Sports, Reopening Help
The COVID-19 pandemic is decimating estimates for the first-year of sports betting in Colorado. The NHL and the NBA – one of the most-wagered leagues in the US – suspended seasons before the playoffs started, and Major League Baseball hasn’t even started its 2020 edition.
Those factors, among others, are prompting experts to speculate the Centennial State could actually turn a small loss on sports wagering this year unless professional sports rapidly resume and the NFL season proceeds as expected.
Century, which operates two casinos in its home state, is feeling plenty of coronavirus impact as well. But the company said earlier this week it’s reopening eight casinos in Poland, taking a step in the right direction to get operations back to normal. That’s pivotal, because some analysts say the company’s cash position is stretched.
“The company’s current liquidity position is somewhat stretched relative to those of its peers, in our view, as net of cash needed to reopen the business, we estimate the company could endure a zero- revenue environment for an additional four months (August 2020),” said Stifel analyst Brad Boyer in a note obtained by Casino.org.
Relief on the Way
With the sports calendar beginning to add some meat, Century can start capitalizing on its Colorado internet sports betting licenses. Though it’s not immediately clear when the state will allow land-based casinos to reopen.
The company has three other domestic venues – two in Missouri and one in West Virginia. Show Me State casinos have the green light to restart on June 1, while the Mountain State is expected to follow suit on June 5.
“All told, we like the convenience-oriented nature of CNTY’s properties and expect the business to prove resilient on the other side of COVID,” said Boyer.
He has a “buy” rating and $12 price target on the stock.
Century Casinos Inks Colorado Sports Betting Agreement With Tipico
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Wynn Land Deal Shows Deep Connections Between Wynn, Trump, and Ruffin
Full House Resorts Goes All-in on Indiana Mobile Sports Wagering, Bets on Colorado Approval With Wynn Resorts
Colorado September Sports Betting Handle Jumps 61 Percent, But Taxable Revenue Turns Negative
Real Money Online Casinos
Todd Shriber — October 13, 2020
Philip Conneller — July 4, 2018
Katie Barlowe — January 16, 2018
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BetMaster Casino Review
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BetMaster Casino and Sports Book, or BetMaster.io as it’s often known, is a top gambling destination that launched back in 2015. It has a major iGaming brand behind it and works hard to provide a safe and secure gaming environment for its growing base of players.
In this BetMaster review, we’ll highlight the site’s payment methods, games, bonuses, and customer support features. 5+ years is a long time in the iGaming industry. The question is, has BetMaster used that time to grow into a competitive and high-quality casino or are you better off spending your time and money elsewhere?
BetMaster is run by a company known as Reinvent Ltd, which is based in Cyprus and licensed in Curacao. If that name sounds family, it’s probably because this is the same operator behind the wonderful Casinoin which, incidentally, also uses the “.io” domain.
For the sake of clarity (and because it was one of the first questions we had when we reviewed Casinoin) the .io domain is the top-level domain of the British Indian Ocean Territory. This region consists of over 1,000 islands, but most inhabitants are military personnel. As with many other top-level domains, it has nothing to do with the company’s location and everything to do with the fact that the domain just looked good.
In fact, the “IO” is a common abbreviation in technology and it’s also short and catchy, making it the perfect fit.
Sports books and casinos are very hit and miss when it comes to the layout and the aesthetics.
Some of them try to do too much and end up looking cluttered and messy, something that MELbet has been accused of in the past (although, in our opinion MELbet is fantastic and we have nothing but praise for it). And then there are those that go the other way, creating something that is overly simple and dull or something that was clearly developed for mobiles and without a thought for desktop players.
Thankfully, BetMaster doesn’t have this issue. It sits firmly in the middle of these two—the Goldilocks zone. It is colourful, but not excessive; feature rich, but not over the top. And this is true for the sports book as well as the casino. We’re very impressed with the way that everything looks and feels and it’s clear that the developers have spent a lot of time crafting the perfect site.
It is colourful, but not excessive; feature rich, but not over the top.
There are a few minor issues, including the odd use of English, which gives you the impression that the site was created using Google Translate. We don’t remember experiencing this issue on Casinoin, but it’s one of the few niggling issues that we have with the layout of BetMaster.
BetMaster is compatible with mobile and there are apps for iOS and Android. You can find these in the respective App Stores or download them directly from the BetMaster website.
BetMaster has never stopped adding titles to its roster and it currently has a massive 4,400 for you to choose from! We have covered some massive online casinos since we first launched Coinbuzz and some of those have gone all-out when it comes to gaming selections, including Wild Tornado. However, we’re not sure that we’ve ever seen anything this big or impressive.
Of those 4,400+ titles, over 4,000 are real money slot machines and these are provided by developers like Betsoft, Blueprint Gaming, Red Rake Gaming, Playtech, NetEnt, Microgaming, Thunderkick, Spinomenal, and Wazdan, to name just a few.
You can browse top titles like Wild West Gold, Valley of the Gods, Dawn of the Druids, Book of Atem, Sun of Egypt, and many more. Use the “Provider” filter in the top-right to narrow your search down. Alongside each developer, you’ll see the total number of available games, including more than 800 from Microgaming, 100 from NetEnt, 100 from Pragmatic Play, and 80 from Yggdrasil Gaming.
If it’s table games that you’re looking for, just use the menu options on the left side of the screen. Alongside slots, you’ll see options for:
Jackpots: Games that have massive fixed jackpots and progressive jackpots, including a few popular Betsoft titles (A Night in Paris, Chili Quest, Charms and Clovers).
Roulette: A selection of colourful and varied Roulette games, including ones that adopt classic French, European, and American roulettes. Unique variants like Double Jackpot Roulette and 3D Roulette can also be found here.
Blackjack: Games of VIP, Lucky Sevens, Classic, and Multihand Blackjack are available here, along with several other variants. There were more than 40 different variations when we compiled this review. However, despite the fact that the site lists Microgaming and Playtech as developers, we were surprised and disappointed to see that Blackjack Switch and Double Xposure Blackjack were not included.
Poker: This is where you will find the largest selection of a single table game, but only because all video poker titles are included alongside casino variations like Three Card Poker.
Baccarat: A little over a dozen variations of Punto Banco Baccarat.
Instant Games: A few Roulette and Blackjack games, as well as virtual scratch cards and other instant win titles. Simplicity is the aim of the game here and many of these titles give you a chance to win big.
Sic Bo: A dice game that is often overlooked but has been explored in full at BetMaster, with 17 different variants.
Although our main goal is to discuss online casinos, we can’t overlook BetMaster’s sports book and virtual sports, both of which allow you to bet on a multitude of markets every single day. The virtual sports side of things took off during 2020, when many real sports were suspended, and BetMaster is a great example of why these worked so well.
Players can take a punt on everything from greyhound racing to motor racing and football. All games are simulated in full and bets can be made prior to their commencement. As for the real deal, the BetMaster sports book spans dozens of sports across hundreds of markets, and players can bet pregame and in-play.
As you would expect, football markets are the most populated but we noticed a surprising amount of coverage for ice hockey, handball, table tennis, and other sports that are often overlooked.
We expected a lot from this online casino as it seemed to be ticking all of our boxes. In doing so, we expected to encounter an issue, and that’s exactly what happened. It’s not a huge one, but it will be a stumbling block nonetheless.
That issue comes in the form of the BetMaster Welcome Bonus, which is limited to just $300 as a 100% matched bonus. This comes with 40 Free Spins as well, which are spread over 4 weeks. The wagering requirement is fixed at 50x and this includes 100% of slot wagers (except for roughly 0.5% of the casinos’ slots) 10% of Live Casino games and 0% of table games.
It’s not a terrible bonus, but it’s one of the smallest we have covered and that’s a disappointment. We weren’t expecting it to be as generous as 1xBit, but even if it was just two or three times larger, we’d have a table-topping online casino on our hands.
On the plus side, the sports book bonus is fantastic. Usually, these bonuses are limited to small free bets or to a few bucks offered as a matched deposit bonus, but at BetMaster, you can collect up to $250 along with free bets. Of course, you can’t get the casino bonus and the sports book bonus and you have to choose one or the other. If you’re going to be betting and gaming, we recommend opting for the former.
It offers slightly less, but it’s generally much easier to get a return from a sports bet than it is from a gaming session. This way, you can start your membership in style and earn some credits. Once you’ve cleared the playthrough rate, that money can then be withdrawn or used to play casino games or place sports bets.
The minimum deposit at Betmaster is just $10 and you can choose from several different payment methods, including Visa, Interac, Skrill, and a multitude of cryptocurrencies.
In fact, alongside all of the usual options, such as Bitcoin, Litecoin, Dogecoin, and Ethereum, you can use lesser-known digital currencies like Monero, Tether, and several others.
All withdrawals are processed fairly quickly, and you should get your money within just a few hours. Of course, it’s a different story if you use a slower method like debit, credit, or wire transfer, but for cryptocurrencies and instant payment methods, everything is more or less immediate.
The same can be said for much of the Betmaster website. It operates as we expect all modern online casinos to operate. You can sign up by adding your email address and a few basic details. Once you confirm that email, some checks will be conducted and you will be verified more or less instantly. We were so impressed and surprised by the speed of this process that we find ourselves looking for the catch.
Did we miss something, are we going to be hit with a passport request or be told that we need to wait a week before we can start betting or withdrawing?
But the catch didn’t come. Everything really was quick and easy, and that ensured we had a fantastic experience all round.
Of course, we only spent two nights at the casino, but it was two nights that included a deposit, a bonus, several sports bets, lots of casino games, and an eventual withdrawal. It was brilliant all round.
And if you’re jealous because it sounds like we got lucky, don’t be. We actually lost most of our money by the time we cleared the wagering requirements. We just wanted to test the withdrawal speed.
Withdrawal Limits and Fees
We usually have a massive problem with withdrawal limits, as noted in our review of Rabona Casino and Sports Book. However, that limit was fixed at a measly $500 a day and the BetMaster limit is set at a generous $6,000, extending to $18,000 a week and $36,000 a month.
Your first withdrawal in a 24-hour period is free, but you make an additional withdrawal in that time you will be charged 5%. It makes sense, therefore, to wait for a day. You will also need to leave your withdrawal for 24 hours after your deposit. If that time has not passed, you will only be able to withdraw the amount that you deposited.
We have seen a few reviewers complain about this, but as far as we are concerned, it’s a non-issue. Most casinos and sports books have restrictions on how much you can withdraw after making a deposit. Many will stop you completely for 48 hours. The fact that BetMaster limits you to just 24 and allows you to return your deposit, is great.
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Everything about Betmaster is brilliant. Or rather, nearly everything is brilliant. We would have loved to see a loyalty scheme reminiscent of the one available at SlotsHeaven, as well as a larger Welcome Bonus. But when you consider how much trouble we’ve had finding a casino that looks great, plays well, has a wide selection of games, and offers a multitude of cryptocurrencies, we’re happy to dismiss those issues and give Betmaster two thumbs up!
We’ve been disappointed recently with some Bitcoin sports books and casinos. Withdrawal limits and the lack of diverse payment options has left us frustrated. However, Betmaster doesn’t have those issues and while it’s not quite the best site that we have reviewed, it probably is one of the best Bitcoin sports book and casino combos that we have seen in a long time.
Join Betmaster today to see what all the fuss is about.
BetMaster Casino Review Details
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CSU has continually declined the Coloradoan's requests for direct virtual interviews with any administrators since it began reporting on student-athlete athletic staff allegations in early August.
Diana Prieto, CSU vice president for Equity, Equal Opportunity and Title IX, sent an email to the university community Friday announcing her department would "continue to work closely with Joe Parker, Director of Athletics, and his leadership in the coming months to address issues of culture in CSU Athletics, specifically around reporting and non-retaliation in response to Title IX concerns.''
"In essence, this work is changing the culture in athletics, in connection with reporting and in connection with complaints,'' Prieto said during Friday's virtual meeting.
Donohue, who was the impacted party involving a sexual misconduct case against a fellow student-athlete, said federal and university policies are in place to protect student-athletes but aren't being followed, continually placing student-athletes at risk.
She told McConnell that was made clear with CSU's handling of student Katie Schiller's lawsuit claiming repeated sexual assault at the hands of prominent booster Michael Best while Schiller was a server at Canvas Stadium during the 2019 football season.
Donohue told McConnell that had Parker taken steps to address sexual misconduct issues she brought to him during several meetings prior to Schiller's case, Schiller would not have been put in the same situation.
"(Parker) kept telling me he was a father and that he cared about the student-athletes on campus almost as much as he did his own children,'' Donohue said. "I can promise you that if a father found out that his daughter was sexually assaulted that I cannot fathom putting that young woman back into that position.''
COVID-19: CSU glad to reach fall break
McConnell said when she became the university's first female president in July 2019, she heard about issues with the university's Title IX office generally but not specific to athletics. As a result of those concerns, she restructured the office, named Prieto to oversee it and elevated Prieto's position to cabinet level in May.
McConnell addressed other efforts she has taken on regarding student-athletes' and athletic staff's concerns.
CSU response: CSU supports victims of sexual harassment, discrimination and violence
She pointed to Friday's announcement that Prieto's office would work more closely with the athletic administration, which stemmed from the investigation's recommendations and the Coloradoan's Wednesday story on sexual misconduct cases. She also pointed to the athletic administration investigation she launched in September.
She acknowledged Friday that reports of Title IX compliance concerns came as a result of interviews conducted during that investigation.
"Our responses show how seriously we take everyone who spoke to those investigators,'' McConnell said in the virtual meeting.
The Coloradoan has asked for the Title IX reports from the investigation, but CSU denied that request, citing Title IX confidentiality policy. CSU also previously stated in an email that it would not provide Title IX report and investigation cases from the five years prior to Parker becoming athletic director, saying it would require "intensive effort'' to retrieve that data. CSU did provide data for the past five years, during Parker's tenure.
The Coloradoan sought to compare and contrast the data before and during Parker's tenure to bring context to the issue.
Despite the investigation report being released Oct. 7, CSU said in a Friday email that it has not received an invoice of the cost of the approximately two-month investigation by law firm Husch Blackwell.
A CSU faculty council member said Prieto and Jannine Mohr, deputy general counsel in CSU's Office of General Council, will attend its virtual meeting Dec. 1 to address faculty concerns regarding these issues. The meeting is at 4 p.m. and open to the public.
Student-athletes in the virtual meeting and in interviews said McConnell never reached out to student-athletes and athletic staff for input before announcing to the university community her action plan resulting from the investigation. They said that inaction in essence discounted complaints launched by student-athletes and staff who fear retaliation.
"Reading your (action plan) email statement, this is essentially patting the university on the back about dealing with racial insensitivity and everything being hunky-dory and calling Brooke Hudson (a Black volleyball player who publicly criticized the investigation) a liar in talking about the racial insensitivity that she has experienced on campus,'' Donohue said.
CSU COVID-19 research: Test could be on market soon
McConnell said she had not previously received complaints from student-athletes.
"I would have met with people earlier had I known,'' she said. "Without people coming forward to us, this is the first time I'm able to have that conversation.''
Current tennis player Emma Corwin and current softball player Jordan Acosta pointed out during the virtual meeting that they sent emails regarding these issues to McConnell prior to the investigation and never received a response.
They also said McConnell's words about taking sexual misconduct concerns seriously don't match her actions.
It was insensitive toward sexual misconduct victims, they said, for McConnell to announce her action plan the same day a Coloradoan story outlined misconduct complaints, and for athletic administrator Shalini Shanker to repeatedly remove a letter of support for those victims from a student-athlete organization Instagram account.
They pointed to the continued employment of Steve Cottingham, CSU deputy assistant athletic director, who resigned under pressure as the former athletic director at Marquette while its athletic department dealt with sexual misconduct issues. They also said using Urban Meyer as a consultant to hire the head football coach in December after his suspension at Ohio State for his handling of domestic abuse allegations against an assistant coach are proof of the administration's true feelings.
Reporter Miles Blumhardt looks for stories that impact your life. Be it news, outdoors, sports — you name it, he wants to report it. Have a story idea? Contact him at milesblumhardt@coloradoan.com or on Twitter @MilesBlumhardt. Support his work and that of other Coloradoan journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today.
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Boonville volunteer takes on weather to deliver meals
By Brendan Crowley GateHouse Missouri
BOONVILLE — Wayne Lammers laced up his shoes and strapped on his spikes. Freezing rain had been falling over Missouri for two days.
The sun came back to Boonville on Friday, shimmering off trees glazed with ice.
The Meals 4 You program, similar to Meals on Wheels, is a partnership between the Central Missouri Area Agency on Aging and the Boonslick Senior Center in Boonville. Clients receive insulated blue tote bags loaded with seven frozen meals, a quart of milk, a loaf of bread and a ziplock bag filled with snacks.
In total, the Boonslick Senior Center serves meals to 78 homebound clients throughout Cooper County, the center’s director Sherry Bellamy said. They also serve between 25 and 50 meals at the center every day.
Lammers and Cindy Newton deliver meals every Thursday to homebound clients in Boonville. But last Thursday, the ice made it impossible. For the people Lammers serves, getting out to buy groceries is hard enough in good conditions, he said. After two days where travel was nearly impossible for everyone, he figured some of them could be seriously in need of food.
Determined to deliver meals Friday, Lammers strapped on his spikes for the first time and fired up the red pickup truck.
Lammers went up to the Boonslick Senior Center towing a block of ice that had frozen to the truck bed. He loaded up the truck with 84 frozen meals packed into twelve, big, blue bags that appropriately included pouches of hot cocoa mix — sugar-free for clients managing diabetes.
A welcome surprise
Lammers delivers meals to Lilburn Shirley every week, but Shirley was surprised to see him Friday. The last time the two had spoken, it looked like a delivery wasn’t going to be possible. But Lammers climbed up the brick staircase leading to Shirley’s house. The brick was mostly clear, so Lammers spikes clicked and crunched as he carried the blue bag up to Shirley’s door.
Shirley, a lifelong Boonville resident, said he has received delivered meals for a few years.
“I look forward to them every week,” Shirley said. “They’re real handy.”
Shirley grew up on a farm outside Boonville with the Hill family, who adopted him. He graduated from Laura Speed Elliott High School and has worked in kitchens all over town.
Shirley prepped and cleaned at the Hotel Frederick, tended bar at big house parties, baked at the Kemper Military and cooked several places, he said. Now retired, Shirley said his favorite meal he gets delivered is the sweet and sour chicken and rice.
The sun was beaming and roads were mostly clear Friday, so Lammers was able to make some of his deliveries without issue. Still, the air was cold, and untreated areas like some sidewalks, driveways and parking lots were treacherous.
The spikes were especially useful at one house, which had an uphill driveway, still covered in a sheet of ice. Lammers scaled the driveway, delivered the food, and then laid salt down to help the driveway thaw, he said.
Meals 4 You
While Meals on Wheels delivers hot meals, Meals 4 You delivers frozen meals and packaged food. Delivering hot meals throughout the county just isn’t practical, Bellamy said. A lot of communities have switched to frozen meals for that reason.
The meals are ordered through the Central Missouri Area on Aging, a group that serves 19 counties, including 23 senior centers. The frozen meals are prepared by Graves Menu Maker Foods in Jefferson City, Bellamy said.
Everyone who gets a meal from the center, whether they get it delivered or eat it at the center, is asked to donate $4 to cover the cost of the meal. Nobody is ever turned away because they can’t pay, and the center doesn’t even know who pays, Bellamy said.
Anyone who is homebound can get meals delivered, Bellamy said. That doesn’t mean that they never leave their home, just that it’s very difficult for them to get to the grocery store and cook for themselves.
The center is always looking for volunteers, whether they volunteer to deliver meals or to help out inside the center, Bellamy said. The center doesn’t have many people working on staff, so it relies on people volunteering their time. As a nonprofit, the center also relies on donations from the community, she said.
Truck with a mission
A sign on the driver-side door of Lammer’s delivery truck reads: “LeRoy Vanderhoof Meals on Wheels.”
Vanderhoof got Lammers into delivering meals three years ago, Lammers said. Vanderhoof, who died in 2016, did a lot of good for Boonville. If you needed a ride to church, Vanderhoof would take you. If you needed a meal, Vanderhoof would bring it to you in his red pickup, Lammers said.
“He was a firm believer in helping his fellow man,” he said.
Lammers said he wanted Vanderhoof’s name to stay present in the community, and he wanted to carry on his legacy. So, Lammers still delivers meals in the red truck, with Vanderhoof’s name still printed on the door.
Finished delivering his meals for the week, Wayne Lammers climbed in the red pickup truck and headed off to enjoy his afternoon. Lammers is a photographer, and he said he was going to take photos of ice-covered Boonville shimmering under the midday sun.
bcrowley@gatehousemedia.com
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CompAir Sweden Home
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Gardner Denver showcases OneAir offering at ACHEMA 2018
Gardner Denver will be showcasing its new OneAir offering at ACHEMA 2018, delivering single source industrial air solutions for the chemical engineering and process industry.
Taking place 11 – 15 June at Messe Frankfurt, visitors to stand J39 in hall 8 will be able to view Gardner Denver’s latest technologies, from leading brands including CompAir, Robuschi, Gieffe Systems, Elmo Rietschle and NASH.
Commenting on the event, Martin Mueller, Marketing Director at Gardner Denver, explains: “OneAir brings together Gardner Denver’s extensive brand portfolio to provide a single service offering to those seeking the very latest compressed air and vacuum technologies. OneAir delivers a simplified relationship for all involved, which can result in reduced lead times, lower administration costs and more straight-forward servicing and maintenance agreements.
“At ACHEMA 2018, we will be exhibiting our extensive range of technologies for the chemical engineering and process industry. From conveying to compressing gas, our extensive portfolio of efficient, high-quality solutions can help ensure a customer’s operations, now and in the future. We look forward to welcoming visitors to stand J39 in hall 8 at ACHEMA 2018 to discuss our new OneAir offering in more detail.”
The revolutionary new oil-free Ultima compressor will be on display from CompAir. The compressor offers up to 12 per cent improved energy efficiency compared to a conventional two-stage machine, as well as a 37 per cent smaller footprint. For applications that demand the highest levels of air quality and purity, the water-cooled technology removes the gearbox and single motor associated with conventional variable-speed machines. Instead, it uses two U-Drives powered by two separate inverters, with each airend stage driven directly and independently, for even greater performance.
An intelligent digital gearbox design then monitors and adjust the speeds of each aired continuously, ensuring maximum efficiency and pressure ratios at all times.
In addition, the design of the compressor results in hugely reduced friction, resulting in an oil-free compressor with the highest levels of efficiency throughout its full turndown range.
With a noise level of only 69 dB(A), other key benefits of Ultima include 12 per cent better overall heat recovery than standard two-stage oil-free compressors and reduced energy consumption of 45 per cent when compared with conventional two-stage models.
CompAir will also be exhibiting its S-Series scroll compressor. With its compact design, and low noise operation, the S-Series is ideally suited to ensure full protection from contamination and to meet the demands of sensitive environments.
Robuschi
Robuschi will be presenting the Robox Lobe EL 55-2C, a rotary lobe blower that can be used for special gas handling in the process industry. Delivering pressure up to 1,000 mbar (g) and capacity up to 2,850 m3/h, the unit is assembled with RBS, an innovative three lobe rotary blower that provides gastight sealing of the driving shaft. Tested to withstand potential explosions in these environments, the product also features a 1.3 bar overpressure PED certificated suction silencer, as well as a base frame with discharge silencer.
The brand’s ATEX version of the Robox Lobe EL 55-2C is offered with a spark safe belt guard, temperature protection switch and pressure safety valve. No matter the processes involved, Robuschi can supply rotary lobe blower solutions that are configured to meet a customer’s individual requirements.
Gieffe Systems
Gieffe Systems will be exhibiting its customised vacuum solutions for ‘wet’ systems within the chemical and process industry. Offered with a liquid ring vacuum pump, vacuum boosting courtesy of positive displacement blowers, and ATEX certification, the state-of-the-art technologies available from Gieffe Systems provide efficient and high-performance solutions for even the most demanding process gas applications.
Elmo Rietschle will be showcasing its range of ATEX-approved vacuum and pressure solutions. Technologies include the brand’s C-VLR ZEPHYR claw vacuum pumps, with capacities ranging from 60 to 6,000 m³/h and maximum continuous vacuum up to 100, 150 and 200 mbar (abs). The C-DLR ZEPHYR claw compressor will also be on display, with capacities also ranging from 60 to 6,000 m³/h, and maximum pressure in continuous operation of up to 2.2 bar. Offering oil-free and contactless operation, claw technology delivers high efficiency and low wear.
Elmo Rietschle will also be exhibiting its ATEX-approved side channel blowers. With their high inlet volume flow up to 2,500 m³/h and a differential pressure of up to 780 mbar, the brand’s low-noise G-BH1 side channel blower has earned a reputation for assured reliability, low maintenance and robustness. The blowers deliver 20,000 operating hours without fail and are virtually maintenance free.
Finally, for stable operation liquid ring pumps must be permanently supplied with liquid, which escapes with the conveyed gas on the discharge side. As a result, Elmo Rietschle has developed a standardised circuit unit as an innovative system solution. This feeds the operating liquid that escaped on the discharge side completely or partially back into the pump. Circuit units are available for the full range of Elmo Rietschle liquid ring pumps, with ATEX certification and in stainless steel or cast iron.
NASH will be exhibiting its DRY-PRO dry screw vacuum pump and its 2BM series of magnetic drive liquid ring pumps and compressors at ACHEMA 2018.
The NASH® DRY-PRO® is a remarkably simple, yet sophisticated, reliable and highly efficient dry vacuum pump. The dry and contact-free operation requires no lubrication in the pumping chamber. This means no process contamination and no pollution caused by the pump’s operation. Due to its oil-free and contact-free screw design, NASH DRY-PRO pumps can safely and reliably handle corrosives, organics, inorganics and solvents.
The NASH 2BM series of liquid ring vacuum pumps and compressors provide reliable, leak-free performance for applications requiring the highest levels of safety. Through a magnetic drive with static o-ring seals, the 2BM series achieves non-contact torque transmission, which allows for a hermetically sealed pump body. This key feature eliminates leaks while reducing maintenance. With non-contact torque there are less wearing parts, and no wearing shaft seals.
For more information on Gardner Denver, please visit www.gardnerdenver.com/industrials.
About the Gardner Denver Industrials Group
Gardner Denver Industrials Group delivers the broadest range of compressors and vacuum products, in a wide array of technologies, to end-user and OEM customers worldwide in the industries it serves.
The Group provides reliable and energy-efficient equipment that is put to work in a multitude of manufacturing and process applications. Products ranging from versatile low- to high-pressure compressors to customized blowers and vacuum pumps serve industries including general manufacturing, automotive, and waste water treatment, as well as food & beverage, plastics, and power generation. The Group’s global offering also includes a comprehensive suite of aftermarket services to complement its products.
Gardner Denver Industrials Group, part of Gardner Denver, Inc., is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. Gardner Denver was founded in 1859 and today has approximately 7,000 employees in more than 30 countries. For further information, please visit www.gardnerdenver.com.
For further press information, please contact Edson Evers PR:
Ed Owen, James Montgomery or Jane Woods on 01785 255146.
Edson Evers Public Relations
120 Newport Road
ST16 1BY
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Industrial fishing threatens sharks, dolphins, billfish
TUCSON, Ariz. -- Industrial fishing poses the biggest threat to life and fin for sharks, dolphins and billfish that inhabit the tropical and northern Pacific Ocean, says a new study forecasting the effects of commercial fishing on ocean ecosystems.
Though not targeted by the fishing industry, some ocean species often get caught unintentionally in nets or lines used to catch tuna and other commercially valuable fish, says a study presented to scientists today, Aug. 5, at the annual meeting of the Ecological Society of America.
A University of Wisconsin-Madison group's study points to the potential increased risks for the large, slow-growing, slow-to-reproduce animals at the top of food chain.
"It's the sharks, dolphins and billfishes that are hurt the most," says Jefferson Hinke, a University of Wisconsin-Madison graduate student and study group member.
Now, populations of most target species are stable and viable, thanks in part to restrictions on undiscriminating fishing practices such as drift nets and fish aggregation devices. However, any substantial increase in industrial fishing could play havoc with both target and non-target animal populations, Hinke says.
"In these systems, environmental variability tends to have little effect at the top of the food web," he says. "What's really important is the fishing."
Hinke, working under the auspices of the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis in Santa Barbara, Calif., is part of a group that is developing computer models able to accurately forecast the effects of fishing on major ocean ecosystems. The hope, he says, is to provide fishery managers with a set of tools that can be used to predict change in economically important but ecologically sensitive systems.
The models Hinke and his colleagues are working to develop can help reveal "what happens when you fish off the top of the food chain," says James Kitchell, a UW-Madison professor of zoology. "You fish in different ways, you have different effects."
In the Pacific, tuna populations - the intended and preferred catch of commercial fishing outfits from Japan, the U.S. Mexico and other Pacific nations - are in generally good shape, Hinke notes. Because these fish tend to mature and reproduce at much earlier ages than the non-target species like sharks and dolphins, their populations are able to withstand relatively heavy fishing pressure. However, increased fishing pressure would very likely cause strong declines, especially for the already very heavily fished yellowfin tuna stocks.
Other animals at that top of the ocean ecosystem heap are a different story. "Yellowfin tuna have a life span of only five years," Hinke says. "They have really fast growth rates and they can begin to reproduce early in life. A shark, on the other hand, can live 20 or 30 years and may not reproduce until it reaches 10 years of age. Sharks also produce relatively few offspring as opposed to a tuna which will spawn sometimes every day for a year and produce millions and millions of eggs."
The models being developed by Hinke and his colleagues at the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis also are meant to forecast how fish populations of all kinds will respond to different fishing scenarios. Ratcheting up fishing pressure, according to model simulations, may cause as much as a 20-50 percent decline in populations of dolphins, sharks and billfishes like marlin, sailfish and swordfish.
"The models are part of the toolbox for managers, and they have proven to be effective," Hinke says. "We can model at a level now that permits us to tell how some of these animals might respond to different levels of pressure."
Co-authors of the paper delivered by Hinke include Kitchell, who directs the UW-Madison Center for Limnology, Isaac Kaplan of the UW-Madison Center for Limnology, and George Watters, a scientist at the Pacific Fisheries Environmental Lab in Pacific Grove, Calif. Robert Olson, also a co-author, is a scientist at the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission in La Jolla, Calif.
-- CONTACT:
James Kitchell, (608) 262- 3014, kitchell@mhub.limnology.wisc.edu
Terry Devitt (608) 262-8282, trdevitt@facstaff.wisc.edu
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Venom shape untangles scorpion family tree
MADISON, Wis. -- As a child growing up in Mexico, Carlos Santibanez-Lopez feared the scorpions that would often decorate the walls and ceilings of his home in search of a warm place with plenty of food.
So when a college project sent him to collect scorpions at night using a blacklight, he decided to face his dual fears of scorpions and the dark.
"And I did it and I loved it," says Santibanez-Lopez, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. "When you see a scorpion glowing under a blacklight, it's amazing. I just got hooked instantly."
As he began studying scorpions in depth, Santibanez-Lopez came to learn that the scorpion family tree was a tangled mess. Scientists concentrated their work on a handful of species dangerous to humans, often neglecting the full diversity of some 2,400 species of scorpions. And the scorpions' remarkably similar body plans -- normally the way to distinguish species from one another -- muddled things further.
In new work with UW-Madison Professor of Integrative Biology Prashant Sharma, Santibanez-Lopez has made a fresh attempt to untangle the scorpion family tree using not the shape and structure of the arachnids' bodies, but the shape of their venom.
By predicting the three-dimensional shape adopted by the venom molecules of dozens of scorpion species, Santibanez-Lopez and Sharma have identified a split going back to the common ancestor of today's scorpions. One branch adopted a slightly narrower venom. The other branch's venom is rounder. The distinct forms also underlie the venom's function: each shape has its own molecular targets in prey.
It's the first time that the shape of molecules has been used in place of anatomy to organize evolutionary relationships, suggesting new ways to disentangle the many complicated family trees found throughout nature.
The work is published Nov. 14 in the journal PeerJ. Sharma and Santibanez-Lopez collaborated with researchers in the UW-Madison Department of Botany and at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
The researchers used genomic sequences from 55 scorpion species and more than 3,000 genes to construct a preliminary family tree. The tree recreated major findings from work Sharma performed in 2015, showing two main branches stemming off of the common ancestor of today's scorpions: the Buthida and the Iurida.
But genomic sequences never tell the whole story. Other characteristics, usually anatomical structures, can help determine if the DNA is telling the truth.
"One of the things we were lacking to support the tree was something morphological," says Sharma. "But scorpions all basically look the same. They're often referred to as 'living fossils' because of how little they've changed since they first evolved."
So Santibanez-Lopez and Sharma turned to the scorpions' venom, one of the arachnids' defining characteristics. Using the known structure of one scorpion venom molecule as a scaffold, the researchers predicted the shapes of 41 different venoms from across the scorpion family tree.
They found that the Iurida venom resembled a three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle piece, while the Buthida venom was much more spherical. These distinct shapes supported and recreated the family tree developed from genomic sequences, providing a physical underpinning that the indistinguishable anatomy of the scorpions simply couldn't.
"We're applying techniques developed for anatomical data and bringing it down to the molecular level," says Sharma.
The researchers also found that these venoms have changed extraordinarily little over the eons -- some 300 million years of evolution. This conservatism is evidence that the venom's shape has been constrained by the consistency of molecular targets in their prey, where the venom disrupts nerve cells.
Because the shape of the venom carries information about its function in prey, Santibanez-Lopez and Sharma believe similar approaches could help predict how much of a threat particular species pose to humans -- which would beat Santibanez-Lopez painful, real-world experience separating the mild from the severe stings.
"You get to know which ones you can handle with your hands," he says.
This work was supported in part by National Science Foundation grant IOS-1552610; and by CONACYT grant reg. 207146/454834.
Eric Hamilton, (608) 263-1986, eshamilton@wisc.edu">eshamilton@wisc.edu
CONTACT: Prashant Sharma, (608) 890-2346, prashant.sharma@wisc.edu">prashant.sharma@wisc.edu; Carlos Santibanez-Lopez, santibanezlo@wisc.edu">santibanezlo@wisc.edu
DOWNLOAD PHOTOS: https://uwmadison.box.com/v/scropion-venom
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Covid-19: training dogs to sniff out the virus from The Guardian's Science Weekly
From The Guardian's Science Weekly - What does a disease smell like? Humans might not have the answer, but if they could talk, dogs might be able to tell us. Able to sniff out a range of cancers and even malaria, canines' extraordinary noses are now being put to the test on Covid-19. Nicola Davis hears from Prof Dominique Grandjean about exactly how you train dogs to smell a virus, and how this detection technique could be used in managing the spread of Covid-19. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sciencepod">theguardian.com/sciencepod</a>
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Mineralogical characteristics
Crystal habit and form
Origin and occurrence
Meteorites and the Earth’s mantle
Other occurrences
Alteration products and weathering
Home Science Earth Science, Geologic Time & Fossils Earth Sciences
https://www.britannica.com/science/olivine
Mineralogy Database - Olivine Mineral Data
Mindat - Olivine
The Mineral and Gemstone Kingdom - Olivine
Planetary Science Research Discoveries - Olivine on Mars
Amethyst Galleries' Mineral Gallery - The Mineral Olivine
William B. Simmons See All Contributors
Professor of Mineralogy, University of New Orleans. Coauthor of Rare-Earth Pegmatites of the South Platte District.
Olivine, any member of a group of common magnesium, iron silicate minerals.
Olivines are an important rock-forming mineral group. Magnesium-rich olivines are abundant in low-silica mafic and ultramafic igneous rocks and are believed to be the most abundant constituent of the Earth’s upper mantle. Olivine also occurs in high-temperature metamorphic rocks, lunar basalts, and some meteorites. The name olivine derives from the unusual yellow-green to deep bottle-green colour of the magnesium-iron olivine series. Typically the name olivine is given to members of the forsterite-fayalite solid-solution series. In addition to these magnesium and ferrous iron end-members, the olivine group contains manganese (tephroite), calcium-manganese (glaucochroite), calcium-magnesium (monticellite), and calcium-iron (kirschsteinite) end-members ( Table). Gem-quality forsterite olivine is known as peridot. Because of its high melting point and resistance to chemical reagents, magnesium olivine is an important refractory material—i.e., it can be used in furnace linings and in kilns when other materials are subjected to heat and chemical processes.
The composition of most olivines can be represented in the system Ca2SiO4-Mg2SiO4-Fe2SiO4 (Figure 1). The most abundant olivines occur in the system from forsterite (Mg2SiO4) to fayalite (Fe2SiO4). Most of the naturally occurring olivines are intermediate in composition to these two end-members and have the general formula (Mg, Fe)2SiO4. Members of the series monticellite (CaMgSiO4) to kirschsteinite (CaFeSiO4) are rare. Minor elements such as aluminum, nickel, chromium, and boron can substitute in olivine.
The name forsterite is restricted to those species with no more than 10 percent iron substituting for magnesium; fayalite (from Fayal Island in the Azores, where it was believed to occur in a local volcanic rock but probably was obtained from slag brought to the island as ship’s ballast) is restricted to species with no more than 10 percent magnesium substituting for iron. Compositions intermediate to these series end-members are identified by FoxFay, which is an expression of the molar percentage of each compound. For example, Fo70Fa30 denotes a composition of olivine that is 70 percent forsterite. The notation is shortened to Fo70.
The continuity in the forsterite-fayalite series has been verified experimentally. At the magnesium-rich end of the solid-solution series, natural crystals may contain very small amounts of calcium, nickel, and chromium; the iron-rich members near the other end of the series may incorporate small amounts of manganese and calcium. Apart from ferrous iron, the crystalline structure of the olivines is also capable of accommodating relatively small amounts of ferric iron; dendrites (small branching crystals) of magnetite or chromite found oriented with respect to some crystallographic direction within such olivines may be attributed to exsolution. The presence of relatively large amounts of ferric oxide in the analyses of olivines, however, clearly indicates either an advanced state of oxidation or the mechanical inclusion of co-precipitating magnetite upon crystallization from the magma.
In addition to the forsterite-fayalite series, other complete solid-solution series exist among the various olivine minerals. Fayalite is soluble in all proportions with ash-gray tephroite (from Greek tephros, “ashen”), pure manganese silicate (Mn2SiO4); the intermediate in the series is knebelite (FeMnSiO4). Tephroite and knebelite come from manganese and iron ore deposits, from metamorphosed manganese-rich sedimentary rocks, and from slags.
All olivines crystallize in the orthorhombic crystal system. Olivine is classified as a nesosilicate which has isolated SiO4 tetrahedrons bound to each other only by ionic bonds from interstitial cations. The structure of olivine can be viewed as a layered closest-packed oxygen network, with silicon ions occupying some of the tetrahedral voids and the calcium, ferrous iron, and magnesium cations occupying some of the octahedral voids (Figure 2). The layers consist of octahedrons cross-linked by independent SiO4 tetrahedrons. There are two symmetrically nonequivalent octahedral sites, M1 and M2. In magnesium-iron olivines there is no M1 or M2 site preference for magnesium or ferric iron. However, in calcic olivines like monticellite, calcium preferentially enters the M2 site and magnesium occupies the M1 site.
Figure 2: Portion of the idealized structure of olivine projected perpendicular to the a axis showing the positions of the M1 and M2 octahedral sites.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
Forsterite-fayalite series
Monticellite
Tephroite
Nesosilicate
Fayalite
Glaucochroite
Forsterite
Roepperite
Kirschsteinite
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Posted on December 19, 2019 December 19, 2019 by Jaydeepsinh_Rathod
The Unravelling of the AMT
By Jaydeepsinh_Rathod 24 Comments
The thought of writing this article came as I recalled a recent interview of Vagheesh Narasimhan with the Caravan magazine, where he explains how in his view, the Indo-Aryans must have spread across South Asia.
Before coming to what Vagheesh said in the interview, let us take a brief detour so that his comments could be understood in its proper context.
The Textual Evidence for AMT
Except for the truly ignorant on the subject, it is clear as daylight to all scholars, whether Indian or Western, that the Rigvedic geography is centred in North India, more specifically around Punjab, Haryana & Western UP. The westernmost lands mentioned in Rigveda are the eastern regions of Afghanistan and these were certainly peripheral in the scheme of things of Rigvedic Aryans.
Yet, through the last two centuries several attempts have been made to parse out some sort of evidence from Rigveda or any of the early Vedic texts, in the form of memory or otherwise, that could support the argument of an extra-Indian homeland of the Rigvedic Indo-Aryans. However all such attempts have come to naught.
Let us go through the opinion of the mainstream western Indologists on the matter so that there remains no room for doubt on the matter.
Edwin Bryant notes in his seminal book,
The first prominent note of discord between traditional exegesis and Western scholarship was sounded because of the lack of explicit mention, in the Vedic texts, of a foreign homeland of the Aryan people. As mentioned previously, this conspicuous silence had been noted even by nineteenth-century Western scholars (e.g., Elphinstone 1841). The absence of any mention of external Aryan origins in traditional Sanskrit sources is, to this day, perhaps the single most prominent objection raised by much of the scholarship claiming indigenous origins for the Aryan culture. (pg 59)
Already in the middle of the 19th century we have scholars such as Curzon (1855) who argues, “Is it legitimate … to infer that because the Aryans early spread to the South . . . and extended themselves over the peninsula, they also originally invaded, from some unknown region and conquered India itself?” (pg 65) and Muir(1860) who notes that “none of the Sanskrit books, not even the most ancient, contain any distinct reference or allusion to the foreign origin of the Indians” (pg 63)
Bryant quotes Srinivas Iyengar, who in 1914 quite pertinently said,
The Aryas do not refer to any foreign country as their original home, do not refer to themselves as coming from beyond India, do not name any place in India after the names of places in their original land as conquerors and colonizers always do, but speak of themselves exactly as sons of the soil would do. If they had been foreign invaders, it would have been humanly impossible for all memory of such invasion to have been utterly obliterated from memory in such a short time as represents the differences between the Vedic and Avestan dialects. (pg 59)
Bryant refers to Indian scholars as early as the latter half of the 19th century who object to the external origins of the Indo-Aryans, which should clear the doubts of those who think that opposition to AIT/AMT is a modern Hindutva invention.
As per Bryant, “… the fact that the Vedas themselves make no mention of any Aryan invasion or immigration reveals a major epistemological concern in this debate. ” (pg 59)
Bryant concludes the chapter thus, “The sequence of texts does seem to suggest a movement of the Brahmanic geographical horizons from the Northwest to other parts of India. Nonetheless, the Indigenous response needs to be considered: the texts give no obvious indication of a movement into India itself. Indigenous Aryanists, on the whole, are prepared to accept a shift of population from the Sarasvatl region eastward toward the Gangetic plain…But they do not feel compelled to then project this into preconceived hypothetical movements into the subcontinent itself in the pre- and protohistoric period.”
Hans Henrich Hock, a well-known linguist and Sanskritist, in his contribution to this major volume, The Indo-Aryan Controversy, also observes,
Some publications claim that the Rig-Veda contains actual textual evidence for an Aryan in-migration…suffice it to state that none of them provide unambiguous clues that the point of origin for these travels was further (north-)west or outside of India/South Asia, or that the direction of travel was to the east or further into India/South Asia. (pg 290)
Hock rather candidly tells us that “…the passages cited by Biswas and Witzel do not provide cogent evidence for Aryan in-migration and thus cannot be used to counter the claim of opponents of the so-called “Aryan Invasion Theory” (e.g. Rajaram and Frawley 1997: 233) that there is no indigenous tradition of an outside origin.” (pg 291)
Another major linguist George Cardona concurs that “… there is no textual evidence in the early literary traditions unambiguously showing a trace of such migration. “(pg 38)
Cardona goes one step further and analyses a particular passage Michael Witzel, an ardent proponent of the AMT, cites from the Baudhayana Srauta Sutra, to support his argument of textual evidence.
Cardona’s verdict,
It is beyond dispute that the interpretation Witzel gives to this passage does not accord with its syntax… one must conclude that, without resort to unwarranted liberty of interpretation, this text cannot serve to document an Indo-Aryan migration into the main part of the subcontinent. Witzel also notes (1995b: 338–9) that the Yadu-Turvaśa and the Anu-Druhyu had been established in the Panjab by the time the Rgveda was composed and that, ‘They retain only the dimmest recollection of their move into South Asia…’
As per Cardona, “…there is no clear textual evidence showing early Indo-Aryan remembrance of a migration…”
The Archaeological Evidence for AMT
Having thus laid out the Western Indologists’ view on the (lack of) textual evidence in support of the AMT, we may now move to the archaeological evidence and specifically to what Vagheesh Narasimhan said in the recent interview, the full excerpts of which can be read here.
In the midst of the interview, in its latter half, Vagheesh responds to a question and the following is part of his answer,
Similarly, if you ask archaeologists about transitions in culture in India, the evidence suggests that there is very little change in the material culture from the Harappan period to the post-Harappan period. The way people are eating, the way people are burying their dead, the way crops and grains are being grown and so on and so forth remain basically the same. Moreover, there is a striking difference in the cultural practices of the populations from the Central Steppe and populations in the Vedic period in India, including the most prevalent Vedic rituals of Soma and Homa, for which there is no precedent on the Steppe. Thus, in in South Asia, just as in Europe, the arriving steppe pastoralists who mixed into local populations clearly adopted local cultural practices, which we call today Vedic culture.
In other words, the supposed steppe pastoralist migrants abandoned their steppe cultural practices when they entered India and adopted the Harappan & post-Harappan cultural practices and through this developed what we know of as the Vedic culture.
So if we may recap, there is NO textual evidence to support an AMT or extra-Indian homeland of the Vedic people as per the Western Indologists themselves. This includes the Rigveda too, which is supposed to have been composed not too long after the Indo-Aryan migration. Further more, there is not a shred of archaeological evidence that suggests any intrusion of a steppe cultural element in the post-Harappan period in South Asia. Therefore, the migrating Steppe pastoralists must have abandoned their steppe practices and adopted the post-Harappan practices and totally blended in.
Yet they somehow managed to impose their language(s) across the entire swath of North India/Pakistan and renamed almost all of the places and rivers in North India in their own language. They also managed to preserve most perfectly the wheeled vehicle terminology among all IE groups even though the Harappans themselves knew wheeled vehicles for atleast 2 millenia before the AMT. They also managed to preserve the terms related to cattle and dairy in their own steppe derived language even though they happened to be nomads who were apparently getting acculturated into a group which had domesticated cattle about 5 millenia earlier.
Why should the Harappans stop using their own native terms, which they would have had considering their long acquaintance with these lifestyles, for the terms developed in the steppe language of these migrating nomads who clearly knew little of cattle and dairying ?
To put it most starkly, archaeologically the steppe migrants lost all cultural practices and adopted the post-Harappan South Asian cultural practices, yet linguistically they somehow largely preserved their Indo-European culture and myths and language which they shared with their steppe cousins.
How do you explain this paradox ?
Further Problems for the AMT
The lack of archaeological evidence for AMT has been known for several decades now and even James Mallory, one of the foremost proponents of the PIE steppe origin theory acknowledges it thus,
In any event, all three models require some form of major language shift despite there being no credible archaeological evidence to demonstrate, through elite dominance or any other mechanism, the type of language shift required to explain, for example, the arrival and dominance of the Indo-Aryans in India. (pg 150)
And further,
The archaeological evidence for an expansion from the steppelands across historical Iran and India varies from the extremely meagre to total absence: both the Anatolian and the Kurgan theory find it extraordinarily difficult to explain the expansion of the Indo-European languages over a vast area of urbanized Asian populations, approximately the same area as that of Europe. (pg 462)
To explain this lack of steppe material into South Asia, Mallory had suggested the kultur-kugel model whereby the Indo-Aryan steppe pastoralists adopted the practices of the BMAC people first before they migrated into South Asia and thereby they took BMAC cultural norms and not the steppe norms into South Asia.
Ofcourse, the claims of Narasimhan et al 2019, are in direct conflict with this since they claim that the steppe groups who migrated into South Asia apparently made little impact on BMAC but largely bypassed it before moving into South Asia. Further, there was apparently no genetic contribution of BMAC into the Harappans as well as the latter day South Asians. So the Kultur-kugel model goes for a toss because such a model demands the migration of acculturated Indo-Aryans of BMAC into South Asia who spread the Indo-Aryan language and culture in that region.
New emerging evidence
One of the central planks of the AMT theory since the last few decades has been that the Indo-Aryan migrants brought horse drawn spoked wheel chariots into India which was earlier unknown in the region.
However, the evidence suggests that the knowledge of spoked wheels was quite widespread across the entire Harappan domain from the Early Harappan period onwards. A recent paper by the archaeologist Krishnendu Das, in the Puratattva Journal published annually by Indian Archaeological Society collates all the available evidence from myriad different sites of the Harappan era and shows that the evidence of spoked wheels at Harappan sites is undeniable.
We also have the recent evidence of a chariot from the site of Sanauli at the eastern fringes of the Harappan civilization, and it is potentially the oldest known chariot so far, tentatively dated to between 2200-2000 BC.
(those interested only in Chariots can jump to 28:00)
Finally we may also note that the presence of horse bones and figurines from various Harappan sites is also quite well-documented.
Sandor Bokonyi, an internationally renowned Hungarian archaeozoologist, acknowledged the presence of horse remains at the Harappan site of Surkotada in Gujarat,
Through a thorough study of the equid remains of the prehistoric settlement of Surkotada, Kutch, excavated under the direction of Dr. J. P. Joshi, I can state the following: The occurrence of true horse (Equus caballus L.) was evidenced by the enamel pattern of the upper and lower cheek and teeth and by the size and form of incisors and phalanges (toe bones). Since no wild horses lived in India in post-Pleistocene times, the domestic nature of the Surkotada horses is undoubtful. This is also supported by an intermaxilla fragment whose incisor tooth shows clear signs of crib biting, a bad habit only existing among domestic horses which are not extensively used for war.
One may also note this tweet by Niraj Rai
Genetic evidence of Horses in mature Harappan period. The findings will be published soon.
— Niraj Rai (@NirajRai3) January 8, 2019
So the early South Asians, before the advent of the chariot weilding steppe migrants already knew of horse and spoked wheels and also the chariot.
Genetics completes the AMT unravelling
In the same Caravan interview of Vagheesh, he mentions another very interesting point,
We also have evidence for the first time of a female-biased migration into Iron Age populations in the Swat Valley.
Please ponder upon this.
The Swat Iron Age samples are the only ancient samples from South Asia proper besides the solitary Rakhigarhi sample, and these 100 odd Swat samples are the earliest samples from South Asia who apparently show the ‘steppe’ ancestry. But this steppe ancestry largely came from women of the steppe as per the Harvard team. It should also be noted while y-dna R1a Z93 was overwhelmingly dominant in most 2nd millenium BC samples from the steppe, it was absent in Swat IA save 1 sample.
So did the steppe women bring the Indo-Aryan language and culture into South Asia ? Vagheesh and his team argue that though the ancient Swat samples show a female bias in steppe ancestry, most modern South Asians show a male bias in steppe ancestry in the form of widespread presence of y-dna R1a-Z93. But is he really sure that R1a-Z93 spread into South Asia from the steppe ? Chaubey and his team are certainly going to contest this strongly when their paper on modern Indian R1a diversity comes out soon.
Assuming the steppe brought R1a-Z93 into South Asia, the present evidence forces us to think that it came to South Asia in small numbers and later on expanded within South Asia itself. This could only have happened after, as Vagheesh argues, the steppe migrants got acculturated into the post-Harappan civilization of South Asia to give rise to Vedic culture.
But initially it were mostly the steppe women who got assimilated. Steppe women marrying local South Asian men could not be construed as having preserved and spread the steppe IE culture into South Asia. Could it ? And that is also what Vagheesh is arguing when he points out the archaeological evidence where Vedic culture seems to have arisen out of the steppe migrants assimilating and acculturating into the post-Harappan culture of North India. yet
So let us recap what we discussed.
There is no textual evidence, from any of the Vedic texts including the Rigveda, for the AMT. This is surprising given the fact that Rigveda is not very far removed in time from the period of the suppossed migration.
There is no archaeological evidence of the steppe migration into South Asia since there is not a single element of the Bronze Age steppe culture in the post-Harappan period in South Asia.
The argument of the steppe Indo-Aryans bringing the innovation of horse drawn spoked wheeled chariot into South Asia also falls flat as all of these are clearly present in the Harappan archaeological record.
The ancient DNA evidence suggests a female biased steppe migration into South Asia.
Now let us be honest. After this survey, does the AMT theory for Indo-Aryans in South Asia appear to be on solid footing ? Or does it even have the ground beneath its feet ?
CategoriesGenetics TagsAryan Migration Theory
24 Replies to “The Unravelling of the AMT”
Giacomo Benedetti says:
Congratulations, I agree with almost everything, but not with this: “there is not a shred of archaeological evidence that suggests any intrusion of a foreign cultural element in the post-Harappan period in South Asia”. In Jhukar and Cemetery H cultures, we have elements compared with BMAC or Iran, like stamp seals and figures on pottery.
INDTHINGS says:
Jaydeep until you address the elephant in the room, AMT/AIT will continue to be unassailable.
Why is there no Aryan DNA in South Asia before the alleged date of the Aryan arrival, yet after this proposed date, we find Aryan DNA? This is full proof evidence of Aryans originating outside the region.
I also think your points against AMT/AIT are not convincing at all. A number of ancient population migrations did not leave oral/written records of their ancient homeland, nor did they result in a change in material culture that would be observable via archaeology. But we know they happened.
Razib Khan says:
i pointed out to VR that in that region you have non-indo-european burusho. i think the swat ppl were latecomers to indo-aryan.
also, the genomewide vs Y data today is pretty clear in showing steppe bias in male mediated ancestry all over. there were clearly lots of anamolies in the mixing process (AHG goes up all across NW during iron age).
Deep bhatnagar says:
Do we have any info regarding large scale deaths due to epidemic akin to black deaths from the steppe migration period in Indian subcontinent ? We already know that Harappans were in decline & natural changes were happening. Will this not create a possibility for ‘Male bias’ in these samples ? Why only see it from ‘invasion’ perspective ?
I have wondered about this as well. Did the steppe migrants bring with them disease and disease resistance that allowed them to establish a much larger genetic and cultural footprint in the South Asian gene pool? There is some recent evidence that this may have been the case in Europe with Yamnaya migrations.
Mayuresh Madhav Kelkar says:
Institute Colloquium 19 “Archaeo Genetic Research at Harappan Site of Rakhigarhi”By Dr Vasant Shinde
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUzYQCQeeRQ
More interesting parts starting at the 20 mim mark
Q & A session following Shinde’s talk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CYSdIci6A4
thewarlock says:
we need more mitochondrial DNA discussions. I want to know more about my skymother. More information about my jungle father would be good too.
Sky= steppe
River=indus
Jungle=AASI
We focus a lot on skyfather.
Manjul presentation: 22:41 dog burials.
This is yet another piece of evidence confirming the IE identity of the burials. page 34-35
https://books.google.com/books?id=NQ12k9delf4C&pg=PA35&lpg=PA35&dq=dog+burials+in+IE+mythology&source=bl&ots=RLwNThLKqk&sig=ACfU3U3cn_G2G-DoJaUV3ebfMBSnx-mP4g&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiNtsK8rMLmAhXvRt8KHXQeAr8Q6AEwCXoECAsQAQ#v=onepage&q=dog%20burials%20in%20IE%20mythology&f=false
Jaydeepsinh_Rathod says:
Giacomo,
Thanks for pointing that out. I am aware of the BMAC influence and should have used a better choice of words. I have edited out that part.
MMK,
Yes I was struck by that part about dog burial as well. Therefore, if as Anthony and others say, dog burial was an inherently Indo-European custom, it further cements the IE identity of the Sanauli warriors.
No particular scholarly comment. I just find the reference to insertion of female steppe DNA into the South Asian genome as “steppe women marrying local South Asian males” touchingly quaint. 🙂
Milan Todorovic says:
If I am not mistaken, our own thewarlock (according to himself) is an example of this case. The truth is that this contradicts ‘There is no archaeological evidence of the steppe migration into South Asia…’ but it is original on the global scale.
Very well Roma B. Maybe the first draft of Rig Veda was created hundreds or thousands of years before arrival to SA. Roughly, some tribes (future Russians) left Vinca and crossed Carpathian m. about 4500 years ago, some reached SA 4000 years ago. It means that some trips lasted for 500 years. It is interesting connection with Irish mythology. Maybe, this is a key thing. I like to see at least some speculations about this connection. Much more interesting than dog burials. If chariots existed before Aryans arrival, it does not mean that their migration did not exist.
Of course, not mentioning of thousands of Aryan toponyms…
(“The Aryas do not refer to any foreign country as their original home, do not refer to themselves as coming from beyond India, do not name any place in India after the names of places in their original land as conquerors and colonizers always do, but speak of themselves exactly as sons of the soil would do – Srinivas I, 1914”)
…and if Indo-Aryans did not exist, what about Tibeto-Aryans, Afghano-Aryans, Chino-Aryans, Irano-Aryans, Yaggu-Aryans, etc.?
Come on. if u watch South Indian movies it’s not quaint at all ??
Even more delicate way of putting thngs is: David Reich while talking of increased Steppe component in Iberial populations says ‘ Steppe people had a preferential access to Iberian females’
I like the term ‘preferential access’ to females or males. That makes unequal social processes lot cuter
Roma Bhatt says:
Yes AMT has solid footing in all terms. They had already arrived by mature phase. Rigveda is book of hymns not attestations from which place they turned up. Probably, it would have taken a generation for them to arrive to South Asia.(they themselves may have not known where their fathers came from).
Harappan language is lost. All archaic PIE daughter languages have survived including proto-bangani(centum langauge)relates to R1b haplogroup.
Asvins dieties or dual kings, using honey-beer, wool threads (kanva brahmans) belongs to PIE. Cremation of dead, using gold in the mouth. Each PIE could have variety of different culture.
Atharaveda(book 1&10) similar parallels to Irish mythology.
Vedic culture is amalgamation culture of PIE+Indus+Folklore of South Asia.
Joint press conference by Vasant Shinde & Niraj Rai
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0Lg1b_8N54
Some really pissed off people in the audience!
Bhikshu says:
Interesting article. Some very ill informed comments on Aryan gene – no there is nothing called Aryan gene. Don’t start with a supposition and then work backwards.
The female mediated minor steppe genes at around 1000 BCE, and then gradual build up during later periods clearly tells that the steppe nomads came there as part of trade routes, and locals were the dominant folks taking their women as wives. The steppe % then builds up in the interior heartlands over next few centuries, perhaps even millennia to reach a max of 20% in some pops in South Asia. But, none if it can be thought of bringing IE, too little, too late, no archaeology of an external cultural memeplex.
At this stage it has to be explored how the Iranian like ancestry spread the IE language to Europe and beyond.
Bro jaideep why do u fret so much ?
How does it matter where we came ( or didn’t come ) from. We aryans (N-indian Hindus ) rule India anyway ??
Great article, Jaydeep, People are overawed by the Reich lab and there is no reason to be. When the Narasimhan et al. preprint went up on bioRxiv last year, they were claiming that “Iranian agriculturalists” migrated to the Indian Subcontinent bringing agriculture with them similar to how Anatolian agriculturalists brought agriculture to Europe (“A Tale of Two Subcontinents”). I wrote in the comments in bioRxiv that this could not be true because a paper published in 2004 showed that mtDNA haplogroups shared between Iran and India had diverged before 25,000 years ago. Lo and behold, they have abandoned their idea and now in their Science paper they say that the “Iranian agriculturalists” in India and the “Iranian agriculturalists” in Iran diverged before 12,000 years ago i.e. before agriculture was invented anywhere.
Their claim of demonstrating the migration of Steppe people into the Indian Subcontinent depends only on the fact that they were able to model modern Indians as a combination of Indus_Periphery, AHG and Steppe_MLBA. But qpAdm models do not necessarily prove anything. Other populations in place of Steppe_MLBA will likely work as well or better. One suggestion I have proposed is “Aigyrzhal_BA”.
In view of the excellent evidence that you have marshaled in your article, it is Narasimhan et al. who have to review their work.
I wrote in the comments in bioRxiv that this could not be true because a paper published in 2004 showed that mtDNA haplogroups shared between Iran and India had diverged before 25,000 years ago.
this is a dumb objection though. no way the “iranian” groups are that diverged. just incomplete lineage sorting stuff.
I am very confused about what Vagheesh said in Caravan magazine:
1. Steppe population came to India in large numbers
2. Steppe adopted Indus cultural ways but not their language
3. Instead leftover Indus people adopted Steppe language.
How can a large group of immigrats take up cultural practices but not the language? All modern migrant groups point the other way, they rather keep their culture but switch the language.
Also, which people would teach Steppe the Indus ways but not the language? What are they using to communicate?
All of this points to Steppe being invaders than immigrants. They can force people to communicate to them in a Steppe language, but they can’t force people to change their cultural ways (particularly in populations dispersed over a large area).
It also seems to gel with what Islamic and English invaders did later.
But I don’t know how Reich group would sort out their story and not sound too implausible.
Excellent questions, Rose!
10 + Amazing Facts About Lithuania
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_AGOlsphpE
“The Indo European languages actually come from Sanskrit.”
None of that “Steppe homeland” business in popular media also.
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Nerd Scene: Interview with Stephanie Philips, Comic Book Writer
by David Theriault October 23, 2019, 9:08 am 0 Comments
Writing can be a difficult art to master, and writing comic books is its own beast. Buffalo’s own Stephanie Phillips slays that beast with skill. Stephanie writes for some major players in the comic realm like Dark Horse Comics, Ominous Press, Top Cow/Image Comics, Black Mask Studios, AfterShock Comics, and more. She has written titles such as Devil Within, Kicking Ice, Descendent, and The Butcher of Paris. I had the pleasure of meeting with the wordsmith herself to find out more about her work and her experiences with comics.
How did you get into writing?
I have my Master’s Degree in English, and am currently working on my PhD in Rhetoric and Writing. I was mainly doing academic writing at first, but wanted to do something more creative.
How did you get into comic book writing specifically?
I met a comic book writer (Ron Marz, co-creator of Kyle Rayner) who suggested I give it a shot. I already liked comics and wanted to explore a more creative form of writing, so I decided to give it a try.
Why focus on comic writing over other writing forms?
I do do others. I also do TV and film. I just really fell in love with writing comics.
What was it that got you interested in comics in the first place?
I watched Batman: The Animated Series as a kid and loved it. I later found out that there were comics of all the same characters that I liked. Comics helped me read something for fun during my graduate studies, and I’ve always, always loved reading anything and everything I could get my hands on since I first learned to read.
How did you get involved with such big names in comics like Image or Dark Horse?
I continuously climbed the ladder. I started making my own comics and went from there. I made sure I networked as much as possible at conventions to get my work out there. I won the Top Cow Talent Hunt they did last year, which is how I got involved with them.
How does the process work exactly? Do your write the comic scripts at home and send it to these publishers via email?
Yeah, that’s exactly it. I send it to the editor, and they send it back if anything needs changing. Then it gets sent to an artist. It comes back to me to make any final adjustments and lettering before the process is finished. I write from home and only need to travel for conventions and pitch meetings. I always get to come back here after, which is nice.
Do you come up with the ideas to pitch to them or do they hire you to work on specific projects?
It’s usually me. I pitch my ideas to them and get to work on my own stories. The publishers have also reached out to me to work on their licensed characters. For instance, Image Comics has contacted me about working on a story for a character named Molly from their Postal series. It’s a little of both, but I mainly write my own stories.
Your latest work is The Butcher of Paris. Can you tell me a little about that?
I worked with Dark Horse Comics and Dean Kotz who did the art for it. It’s about a real-life serial killer (Marcel Petiot) who claimed over 60 victims in Nazi-occupied Paris. He was wanted by both the Nazis and the Allied Forces. A French Detective races to bring him to justice before the Nazis beat him to it. It’ll be a 5-issue series with the first releasing this December.
Do have any specific titles you’ve written that you are happier with than others? Do you have any favorites?
Butcher of Paris. It’s been years in the making. It’ll be exciting to have it out in the world.
How do you come up with ideas for your comics?
Most of them are based on history. I like “what-if” scenarios and things that are out of place or different than what you’d expect from certain points in history, like a serial killer in Nazi-occupied France. I have also worked with horror, which strays from the historical themes of my other work.
Do you also do any of the artwork for your comics or do you stick to writing?
I’m just the writer. No artwork for me!
You’re also a professor at the University at Buffalo. Do you use your comic book writing experiences in the classroom?
I have before, but none of my students really know I write comics. I haven’t gone full comic nerd on them yet. I teach technical writing, so it does come up for me personally, like the way I think about writing.
Are there any comic book writers who inspire you?
Garth Ennis. He makes historical comics like I do. There’s not a large market for it, so it’s cool that there’s someone out there interested in making the same things I enjoy making.
Do you have any advice for aspiring comic book writers?
Make a comic book. It’s tough because companies won’t look at someone who has never made a comic. Make your own first, then network. Bring it to conventions and show others your work.
Stephanie has created a wide variety of comics. There is something for every reader on her writing resume, whether you’re a fan of horror, history, or even hockey. I, for one, cannot wait for The Butcher of Paris to drop this December. You can find out more about Stephanie and her comic books, along with what she’ll be working on next, on her website at www.stephaniecomics.com. She will be at Dave and Adam’s for Halloween Comic Fest (like Free Comic Book Day, but spookier) on October 26th from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Feel free to stop by, discuss comics, and support a local writer.
Tagged with: AfterShock Comics, Black Mask Studios, Comic Book Writer, Dark Horse Comics, Dean Kotz, Descendent, Devil Within, Garth Enni, Image Comics, Kicking Ice, Kyle Rayner, Marcel Petiot, Nerd Scene, Ominous Press, Ron Marz, Stephanie Philips, The Butcher of Paris, Top Cow, Top Cow Talent Hunt
Written by David Theriault
David Theriault is brand new to Buffalo, NY, hailing from New England, where he was born and raised. David has worked in television production since 2016 and puts his Creative Writing degree to work by writing scripts. He is in search of nerd culture communities throughout the WNY area where he can share his love of all things nerdy. You can find him at your local comic book or gaming stores, cosplaying at conventions, or online at his nerd culture blog: www.nonstopnerd.com
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October 22, 2019 by George Johnson
Buffalo Mass Mob XXIX St. Rose of Lima Church Sunday
September 21, 2018 by RaChaCha
Judith Frizlen
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Claudia Mattos
The Strangeness Will Wear Off
David Castillo Gallery, Miami Beach
The Strangeness Will Wear Off proposes the enduring legacy of Modernism as a radical and boundary-pushing form into the contemporary moment. The represented works each look to the long history of twentieth-century art-making as a stylistic reference point to be borrowed, rearranged, and re-explored in the twenty-first. In varying degrees of historical pastiche and revisioning, the artists in this exhibition untangle new approaches in the pictorial strategies of Figurative Expressionism, Action Painting, Minimalism, Neo-Dada and other Modernist movements; and the long-established aesthetics of these forms find renewed context, voice, and relevance through the dynamic experimentation and questioning of these artists working today.
The exhibition’s title takes its name from an unaired 1950 radio interview of Abstract Expressionist Jackson Pollock, in which he meditates on the conditions and novelties of the art contemporary to any period:
New needs need new techniques… Each age finds its own technique… [The] strangeness will wear off and I think we will discover the deeper meanings in modern art.
All art is contemporary to its time, and strangeness is the marker of unfamiliarity, of new ideas bubbling up through the visual language of a new age and artistic convention.
Deep early-to-mid-century references course through Eamon Ore-Giron’s striking paintings where repeated patterns, shapes, and limited color palettes feature; we see the influence of Cuban-American abstract painter Carmen Herrera’s minimal geometries intermingled with the vibrant rhythms of Suprematism. There is an impact felt of aesthetic forms borrowed from decorative indigenous practices that find their origins throughout the Americas, and much of Ore-Giron’s work meditates on the long history of colonialism throughout the continent.
In his evocative and deeply personal paintings, Vaugh Spann contemplates dimensionality, abstract formalism, the iconographies of his own childhood, and a wider, racialized history that can be provoked through experimentation with material and pattern. The surfaces of his compositions explode with texture, color, and shape, marrying a subjective, methodical order with a painterly virtuosity; influences drawn from Abstract Expressionism and Postminimalism in equal measure.
Pepe Mar creates bold and energetic fabric paintings in a collage process that loads their surfaces with layered references to art history, the queer club culture of the last thirty years, and his own artistic practice. There are clear affinities to be drawn between Mar’s work and that of American painter Robert Rauschenberg, evidenced in their use of non-traditional materials and an exuberance for drawing from the expansive visuality of popular culture.
Here, strangeness is embraced as a tactic of allying the past’s canonized forms with new and uncharted approaches of the present; a subversive proposition of making what is current and forward-looking feel familiar. Beyond art history, however, The Strangeness Will Wear Off frames new opportunities for engaging with often overlooked and decentered histories of living within a dominant culture as a member of an under-represented class. Borrowing from history to expound upon the present ultimately serves as an allegory of possibilities for productive change into the future.
The Strangeness Will Wear Off bears witness to the lasting cultural impact of Modernism and its manifestations in contemporary art; the acclimatization to and canonization of these forms, and their radical assimilation into the art made today; a strangeness worn off and now made unfamiliar again. The exhibition probes at the means through which artists break uncompromisingly with conventions while borrowing pointedly from the past; a new twenty-first century avant-garde that looks to history in its various forms as a catalyst for what is to come.
@2020 by Claudia Mattos
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How to Sell Jewelry
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Understanding a GIA Diamond Grading Report
If you are looking to sell your diamond, you may be aware of the GIA Diamond Grading Report, and how having one could impact the amount of money you receive for yours. A GIA report could be helpful when determining the value of your diamond, so it’s a good idea to get familiar with all the important information provided by it. GIA provides detailed information on the unique characteristics of a diamond. After inspection by GIA’s Graduate Gemologists, the diamond is graded on multiple fronts. But it is the interpretation of this data by a professional diamond buyer, coupled with current supply and demand, which will ultimately determine the value of your diamond – not the report itself.
If you have a Diamond Grading Report from a reputable lab, CIRCA can provide an indication of the diamond’s value, sight unseen. However, you should note that different labs have different criteria for grading diamonds, and so the same diamond may receive a different grade than the GIA, for example, than it might from another lab. Since a diamond’s desirability - and therefore its value - is based on its overall beauty, it is only after a physical examination that our buyers would determine the value of your diamond.
If you don’t have a Diamond Grading Report, that’s okay too. CIRCA prides itself on the skillsets of our highly trained diamond buyers who physically examine each diamond with or without GIA reports, and look for the nuances which will maximize your diamond’s value. So while a GIA Diamond Grading Report can be helpful when you sell your diamond, it is not necessary in order to receive and offer from CIRCA.
Let’s take a look at a typical GIA Diamond Grading Report, what data is included, and how to interpret this information in relation to your diamond.
What is a GIA Diamond Report?
A GIA Diamond Grading Report is a document that the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) provides after a thorough and meticulous examination of your diamond. It provides information for every important characteristic of your diamond. There is more to your diamond than its cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. Every single diamond is unique. In fact, each one was exposed to different conditions and natural elements when it formed beneath our Earth’s crust, and is also susceptible to wear and tear above the surface– so every individual scratch, inclusion, blemish, and identifier that is unique to your diamond may appear on this document.
During a diamond evaluation, GIA’s Graduate Gemologists inspect each diamond under an industry standard 10 power microscope to determine the stone’s unique characteristics, including the 4C’s (i.e. carat weight, color, clarity and cut) and more.
Let’s Break It Down
So now that we know what a Diamond Grading Report is, what about the finer points? What are all the different factors that gemologists look for when grading your diamond, and what do they mean? Let’s examine what’s in a Diamond Grading Report.
Your GIA Diamond Grading Report Includes:
GIA Report Number:
A GIA Report Number is a unique report identification number issued by the GIA for each evaluated diamond. You can refer to this number if you’re looking to sell your diamond.
Shape and Cutting Style
Shape and cutting style is defined by the shape in which the diamond was cut. Some of the most common diamond shapes include:
Old European Cut
Rose Cut
Measurement is defined by a diamond’s length, width, and depth, always measured in millimeters.
Carat Weight is defined by the diamond’s weight, in carats.
Most diamonds are graded on a colorless scale. Colorless diamonds are categorized by the absence of any color (a yellow, brown, or grey hue can be from natural elements, such as nitrogen, inside the stone.) White diamonds are rarer and more highly sought after, so less color translates into greater value. For Fancy Color Diamonds, the opposite is true: In most cases, the more saturated the color, the more valuable a diamond can be.
The Color Grade for Colorless diamonds uses the alphabet to establish its scale, starting with D and going through to XYZ. D colors are colorless and sit at the top of the scale. E and F color diamonds are next and are still considered colorless diamonds, though they have a very minute hue. G – J color diamonds start to emit a subtle yellow color. K and lower start to have a very strong yellow hue, and when we go further down the scale to XYZ, diamonds exhibit a lot of color.
Clarity Grade is defined by the absence of any inclusions or blemishes on or inside of the stone. The less imperfections the diamond has, the better its clarity is.
Inclusions are natural flaws located within the diamond and might be the result of overwhelming heat and pressure that the gemstone experienced during its formation. Other inclusions are the result of foreign materials getting caught in the diamond growth.
Examples of inclusions are crystals, feathers, black carbon spots, and graining. Blemishes that appear on the outside of a diamond are usually the result of human wear and tear. Blemishes include chips, abrasions, and surface scratches.
When gemologists grade a diamond’s clarity based on the GIA clarity scale, the size, type, number, and position of these imperfections all matter.
The GIA grading scale for clarity from best to worst is:
Flawless (F)
Very Very Slightly Included (VVS1, VVS2)
Very Slightly Included (VS1, VS2)
Slightly Included (SI1, SI2)
Included (I1, I2, I3)
Cut is defined by the angles and proportions of the different facets on the diamond in relation to each other. Each diamond is graded on how well it is cut. The proportions of the angles of each facet impact the way a diamond reflects light, attributing to its brightness, fire, and scintillation – or what most would refer to as its ‘sparkle’. Most diamonds with an excellent GIA cut grade tend to have tremendous life and brilliance. Diamonds with poor GIA cut grades have far less interaction with light and can appear dull and lifeless.
The GIA grading scale for cut from best to worst is:
Polish is defined by the appearance of abrasions, burns, nicks, roughness, pits, or scratches which may be found anywhere on the outside surface of a diamond. After a diamond is cut, it will be polished to achieve a smooth finish. However, a diamond can sometimes experience some minute damage during this process, but it’s usually not visible to the unaided eye. So when grading a diamond’s polish, a gemologist will look for any indications of these abrasions on the diamond. These can appear on the girdle, or any facet, including the table and culet.
The GIA grading scale for polish from best to worst is:
Symmetry is defined by how proportionally many aspects of a diamond align, including crown angles, height variation, girdle thickness, lower half percentage variation, misshapen facets, pavilion depth variation, table alignment, and more. Symmetry will affect the overall beauty and appearance of the diamond, and impact the way light reflects and refracts throughout the gemstone.
The GIA grading scale for symmetry from best to worst is:
Fluorescence is the impact that UV light has on a diamond. Diamonds with faint or medium fluorescence can have the appearance of a slight haziness. Usually fluorescence is blue in color. Less often, a diamond can have yellow or even white fluorescence (other colors too). Diamonds with strong - or very strong -fluorescence can appear quite cloudy, milky or hazy to the naked eye, and emit a prominent and saturated glow in the presence of UV light. About ten percent of all diamonds have some level of fluorescence. The more expensive diamonds (large and high color, think D-E-F), are far more valuable when they exhibit no fluorescence. But for most other diamonds, especially diamonds with faint fluorescence, this phenomenon rarely impacts the diamond’s visual nature. It is worth noting that diamond sellers discount high color diamonds with strong fluorescence by anywhere from 5% to 40% compared to a similar diamond with no fluorescence.
The GIA grading scale for fluorescence from best to worst is:
Laser Inscriptions:
Laser Inscriptions indicate whether a Diamond Grading Report Number, or other identifier, is laser inscribed on a diamond’s girdle. Not all diamonds feature an inscription, but if they do, it will be indicated here.
Proportions:
Proportions features a graphic representation of a diamond’s measurements.
Clarity Characteristics:
Clarity Characteristics features a plotted diagram, or a map, of all inclusions noted on a diamond. These inclusions or blemishes (for example: feathers, crystals, inclusions, laser drills, or chips) are all illustrated on the diagram and correspond to where they appear on the diamond.
“A GIA Diamond Grading Report is a document that the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) provides after a thorough and meticulous examination of your diamond. It provides information for every important characteristic of your diamond. There is more to your diamond than its cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. ”
How a GIA Grading Report Affects Diamond Value
Now that you are familiar with the GIA Diamond Grading Report, you have a better understanding of the characteristics that diamond buyers look for when evaluating your gemstone. Few highly trained professionals know how to look for the nuances that can increase the value of your diamond.
CIRCA’s diamond buyers are professionals who use and uphold the standards of the GIA’s diamond grading practices. By the way, a diamond is no less valuable without a GIA report. They simply help identify and assess all the good and bad characteristics. These reports are not always necessary to have for you to receive your offer from CIRCA.
CIRCA’s diamond buyers are highly trained and, upon a physical inspection, can determine the characteristics of your diamonds with or without GIA Diamond Grading Reports. Upon a physical inspection, our team’s knowledge, the utilization of GIA’s International Diamond Grading System, and our global distribution network in Asia, Europe and the Americas, all give our clients confidence that they will receive the very best prices and immediate payment for the diamonds they wish to sell. Schedule a visit today to receive the best value and immediate payment for your diamond.
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Climate change sponsors lead the way
Kevin P. Coughlin/Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
New York Assemblyman Steven Englebright at the unveiling a state-of-the-art well system to fully contain and treat the plume of contamination caused by industrial waste from the U.S. Navy in 2018.
Englebright and Kaminsky championed the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.
Who was this week's biggest Winner?
Steve Englebright & Todd Kaminsky
Cathy Nolan & Jessica Ramos
Tiffany Cabán
Marcos Crespo & Luis Sepúlveda
Deborah Glick & Gloria Steinem
Other (write your answer below)
Who was this week's biggest Loser?
Liz Krueger & Crystal Peoples-Stokes
Keith Raniere
Richard Carranza
Tom Rutledge
Joe Addabbo & Gary Pretlow
Update: End-of-session legislative wins and losses dominated last week's Winners & Losers list. More than a third of voters got behind state Sen. Todd Kaminsky and Assemblyman Steve Englebright, who led the way with a sweeping climate change law. Meanwhile, state Sen. Liz Krueger and Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes were easily voted the week's biggest losers after their efforts to legalize recreational marijuana turned into a bad trip.
Democrats in Albany are the big winners this week. While some big things didn’t get done – like recreational marijuana and gestational surrogacy – lawmakers passed sweeping climate change legislation, enacted a stricter sexual harassment standard, paved the way for undocumented immigrants to get driver’s licenses, and more. Of course, the long-term political ramifications won’t be entirely clear until next year’s elections – but in the meantime, we have this week’s Winners & Losers.
The 31-year-old public defender is on a roll ahead of the Queens district attorney Democratic primary on Tuesday. Cabán, a progressive insurgent backed by U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, picked up high-profile endorsements this week from U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, and even The New York Times. Even if Cabán is a loser next week, she’s succeeded at something few can – building a national profile and support from a local DA race.
State Sen. Luis Sepúlveda, Assemblyman Marcos Crespo are taking a victory lap after Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the Green Light bill into law. The legislation, which will allow undocumented immigrants to obtain drivers’ licenses, squeaked through the state Senate on a 33 to 29 vote. The lawmakers overcame fierce opposition from Republicans, uncertainty from moderate Democrats and the glare of the national spotlight. It was also a victory for Make the Road New York and the New York Immigration Coalition, which worked with Metropolitan Public Strategies and others to secure passage.
State lawmakers may not have saved the world this week, but they did pass landmark legislation that puts into statute groundbreaking climate change goals for the state. While Gov. Andrew Cuomo is talking big about the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, it was state Sen. Todd Kaminsky and Assemblyman Steven Englebright, the two leads sponsors, who did more than anyone to get it over the finish line. Maybe, just maybe, Planet Earth now has a fighting chance – if the rest of the world follows New York’s lead.
Assemblywoman Deborah Glick and activist Gloria Steinem helped block a bill that would have legalized gestational surrogacy, an issue that has split the LGBTQ and progressive communities. Gay men – among others – want to be able to have start families of their own more easily, but Glick and Steinem are not enthusiastic about women renting out the wombs. Despite the best efforts by the governor to get a deal on the issue, Glick and Steinem never budged.
State Sen. Jessica Ramos and Assemblywoman Cathy Nolan sponsored the bill that passed this week to give farm workers similar rights as the state’s other hourly employees. Though Nolan said she doesn’t stand by all aspects of the bill, she referred to the compromise as “still a victory” for its guaranteed overtime to workers exceeding 60 hours per week. Once passed, the law will also make it easier for farm workers to unionize. Meanwhile, Ramos also sponsored bill to legalize the use of e-bikes and e-scooters – which passed in a sweeping 56-5 vote.
State Sen. Addabbo and Assemblyman Gary Pretlow had no luck as the sponsors of a bill to permit mobile sports betting. Addabbo in particular had expressed confidence in his odds, but perhaps he was bluffing. In any case, it’s clear Addabbo and Pretlow were taking a gamble all along, with Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie questioning the measure’s constitutionality all along.
Fair or not, New York City’s schools chancellor has been taking flak for his emphasis on diversifying the city’s public schools, with some lawmakers calling his rhetoric divisive. Others have came to his aid, but now, after getting heat for hiring some of his former employees, and another aide may become the subject of an ethics investigation. Yet the biggest loss for Carranza is his failure to get state lawmakers to let the city scrap the entrance exam for elite high schools.
It was a long, drawn-out battle, but it’s time to be blunt: legalizing recreational marijuana isn’t happening this year. Krueger made the announcement that a joint agreement just couldn’t be reached and the bill was dead. More limited measures may expand medical marijuana and further decriminalize low-level offenses, but this loss is easily one of the biggest for Democrats at the end of the session. Lawmakers will have to dive back into the weeds next session to hash it out.
Almost two years after reports about Nxivm – which prosecutors exposed as a sex cult outside Albany in which women were branded – first surfaced, the group’s founder, Keith Raniere, is about to pay for his crimes. Jurors in federal court in Brooklyn took less than half a day to convict Raniere on seven counts, including racketeering and sex trafficking.
It hasn’t been a good week for the leader of Charter Communications. First, five veteran female NY1 reporters filed a lawsuit against the station, alleging gender and age discrimination. Then, up in Albany, longtime TV anchor and top-notch journalist Liz Benjamin stepped aside as host of Charter Spectrum’s “Capital Tonight” show, taking her encyclopedic knowledge of state politics with her. For an executive in the news business, it’s usually not good when you’re the one making news.
Steve Englebright
Todd Kaminsky
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Category: Blog Series
In this category, you will find a series of blog posts on an idea, a concept, a theme of anything. Be it Music, Movies, Business cases etc.,
Of a Curious Case of Movie adaptation from Books
In this last post, on the Three-part blog series, we are going to discuss the movies adapted from books. It is not easy to adapt a book to a movie and at the same time doing it also has more benefits. let’s dive a little deeper into understanding this.
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Tagged Book adaptations, Movies, Tamil Movies, Tamil Novels
The first post in this series is Of a Curious Case of Remakes.
The second post in this series Of a Curious case of Big Budget Movies.
Note: I have a better understanding of the Tamil Film Industry more than any others, hence the opinions here will be based on Kollywood.
Some History:
Kollywood and many other Film Industries moved to the Silver Screen from the theatres, they have been the biggest form of art for a very long time. In Tamil Nadu street plays, villupaatu and puppetry were the primary forms of storytelling mediums, they relied on Mythology, local folklores and at times the story of kings who ruled the land were story sources.
Kollywood in its initial days saw plenty of Historical fiction and Mythological movies. Over a period, they transitioned into family dramas and occasional thriller movies.
Books and movies are storytelling mediums and it is natural that some movies adapted successful books. Book reading gives us a leeway of imagination, some embrace it and don’t want to give up on those imaginations dampened. But people like me who are movie fans would want to see how a good filmmaker would treat the book and give a fantastic movie out of it.
First Literary adaptation:
Since mythologies had their roots from the theatre and street play days, we can consider them as the first literary adaptations. In Tamil, Ramayanam (1932) was the first-ever movie adapted from a book produced by East India Film Company.
Later, there was Kovalan (1933), a character based on Silapathikaram, (One of the Five Great Tamil epics )and then came so many mythological movies in Tamil adapted from Short-stories, poems, and dubbed from other languages. But a book adaptation in Tamil came in 1936, written by S.S.Vasan who is the founder of the famous Tamil Weekly Ananda Vikatan. The movie is Sathileelavathi, directed by Ellis R. Dungan and had M.K. Radhakrishnan and M.R. Gnanambal in the lead roles.
Why adopt a literary source?
Literary sources provide ready-made stories and plot points for the directors and screenplay writers to work on. Does it mean the Directors lack story writing skills? Yes, a Director’s primary job is to direct i.e., Plan, communicate, run the ship without it sinking. Unfortunately, a director’s role isn’t the one you see on screen.
Book adaptations and Indian Directors
Our Indian directors take pride in showing that they can write Story, Screenplay, Dialogues, and Direction. Some directors even go to the lengths of composing Music, editing, and Cinematography. It is okay for a director to do everything until and unless the film he/she intend to take has reached the audience. This quality is one of the banes of Indian Cinema in itself, the directors attach these credentials to their egos and carry it everywhere.
Some directors who want to tell a story will first be a reader, Is it necessary to read before they tell a story? No, but books always open an avenue of imagination for anyone who reads. It not only widens their views but also their imagination and skills such as storytelling.
Polarizing opinions on adapting a book to a Movie:
Story-telling is an art, making a movie out of existing material is also an art. Adapting a book into a movie isn’t an easy task, in books the author doesn’t have a limitation to write but it isn’t the case in movies. There is a time limit and the audiences could only for so many hours in a closed hall.
So, the directors take some leverage in adding or removing scenes from the movie they see fit. Let’s take Visaranai as an example, directed by Vetrimaaran; which is an adaptation. Only the first half of the movie is from the book and the director added the second half which fits the narrative of the larger system. It did well and the book Lockup by Mu. Chandrakumar sold like hotcakes. We can also take the Lord of the Rings book series which Director Peter Jackson adapted into a three-part movie also received wide-spread appreciation from the readers. A director needs conviction and must understand the story, its theme, and politics more to adapt it.
Directors like Mahendran, Balu Mahendra, K. Balachandar, and a few more made great Movie adaptations from books. They have also written their own stories. We call them auteurs of Tamil Cinema because their movies stand the test of time and aged well over years. Do, I call other directors bad? definitely not, but the point I’m trying to drive here is one must be a reader to be a better storyteller. It is okay to hire someone to write stories and they can Direct. They wouldn’t fare less, instead, their work gets mass appreciation.
Thus ends my three-part blog series and What do you think about this series? Do share your thoughts in the comments and let’s discuss more there. 🙂
Of a Curious Case of Big Budget Movies
India being one of the largest producers of films, Big budget movies play a significant role in exposing the movies beyond borders.
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Tagged 2.0, Baahubali, Big Budget Movies, Bollywood, Indian Cinema
In our second post on the Three-part blog series, we are going to talk about the Big Budget films of the past decade, which changed the landscape of India Cinema and also shed the spotlight on some of the Regional Cinema, let’s delve a little deep into this.
You can read the First post of this series here.
The views expressed in the blogpost are purely my observation on the Indian Film Industry and I’m not an industry expert. The Cost of the movie is shared based on the data available in the public domains.
We all know the concept called Films came into India very late like every other technology, but we have been one of the largest producers of films in the world. Excitingly we are also the only country in the world with multiple language film industries (16 Languages approx.)
With such a rich mix of languages, we produce so many movies in each language to satisfy the entertainment needs of our people. Before films, we had other art forms such as Theatre plays, Street plays, puppetry, and much more. Then we slowly transitioned to the large screen film-watching experience.
Big Budget movies have always been a status symbol of an Industry and the respective fan base of each Film Industry in India do more chest-thumping about the budget of the film than the quality of the film itself. That being said Savitri, a 1933 Telugu Language film is said to be the first expensive Indian Film produced by East India Film Company, says Wikipedia. From, then on there have been numerous movies from various languages tried to claim the limelight for themselves.
Psst… This blog post itself is more of a chest-thumping one. Read on 😛
Bollywood and its dominance:
Bollywood, its artists, and the fans always have kept themselves as the forerunners of the Indian cinema which stopped people from exploring other Indian Language movies. Just like how Hindi speaking population is dominant and wants their language to be Ubiquitous for the whole of Multi-lingual country, the Hindi Cinema aka Bollywood also kinda did the same.
For a very long time, Bollywood Cinema kept other languages at bay but every now and then a Bengali or Marathi film grab that limelight with auteurs like Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak, and many more, who shared those glorious initial days of Indian Cinema.
For other language movies, it was really hard to grab the eyeballs of the entire country or atleast a sizable number of new audiences. If a certain film industry grabs a new set of audiences they will be on the path of development. That’s where these Big Budget films come into place. Now, with the dominance of OTT platforms Non-Bollywood Movies (NBM) get their due and more people moving towards these NBM.
Back then these NMB’s need extra budget to be distributed to other regions and thus Big budget movies were used primarily to gain the focus on these other Film industries. Even though Tamil Film Industry aka Kollywood tried to get its limelight on various occasions starting from Chandralekha (1948), a Bi-lingual movie, Indian (1996), Ratchagan (1997), Jeans (1998), Sivaji (2007), Dasavataram, Ghajini (2008) and Enthiran (2010) the attention dwindled after the movies were released.
Only after the Bi-Lingual film like Baahubali: The Beginning (2015) which primarily had actors from the Tamil and Telugu film industries, the South Indian Cinema got its due and I personally feel Baahubali was released right on time when the OTT platform was on the rise along with larger Internet penetration (these being indirect factors) gained more popularity across the country and as a result, Telugu and Tamil Cinema came back to the limelight.
Baahubali -The Beginning:
When the Baahubali franchise was announced and told to be one of the big-budget movies from the Telugu Film Industry aka Tollywood, not only the fans were happy but the whole of India was awaiting its release. Baahubali was said to be of the dream works of Director S.S. Rajamouli, before starting this huge project, he tested the waters with movies like Magadheera and Eega. Both these movies were received well and S.S. Rajamouli understood the pulse of the audience.
The first part took a lot of time in the making and was shot both in Tamil and Telugu simultaneously with the same cast. The movie was then dubbed into various other languages before the release. The movie was received well across the country, upon seeing this huge success from Telugu Industry the entire nation, even the World started noticing the South Indian film industries.
After Baahubali: The Beginning:
Upon the success of Baahubali, as usual, Bollywood wanted to gain back its limelight. So, “Thugs of Hindostan” came back into focus after it was put on hold for some time. The project was announced in 2016 and was released in 2018. In the meantime Baahubali: The Conclusion was shot and released in 2017.
After the success of Baahubali, many other Film Industries want to try their hands into the Big budget movies and few really did succeed but most of them were flops. The prime reason for these various film Industries in India wants to have their own big-budget movies is to gain attention to their Film Industry and also the huge ROI’s.
Why many Big Budget movies in India flop?
For the case of easy understanding let’s take the movies like Thugs of Hindostan, 2.0, and Saaho. All these three movies had one common problem a bad story and the worst screenplay. 2.0 for instance could have been filmed within 150 Crores and that movie really didn’t need 570 crores. Well, if you are going to defend the quality of graphics, it was poor too. The movie really didn’t need someone like Akshay Kumar who just appeared for very few scenes. The director lacked planning and I’m sure out of 570 crores atleast 50% would have gone to the casting alone and they should have gone to the movie with that remaining budget.
The same goes for Saaho and Thugs of Hindostan, in the name of Big budget these directors bring in big names but give them very little screen time for which they could have cast some other actor. I wish the directors cast actors who would fit the role and not for the sake of them having good reach. If the product is bad customers don’t care about the brand value. It is still a bad product.
Big Budget movies in a way are required for an Industry to reach beyond its borders and few Industries and movies across the world have definitely done that. Also, after they reach the Industry and the stakeholders (Producers, Actors, Directors, etc.,) should produce quality movies, if not their movies won’t fare well and they will not get back their Return of Investment. Produce quality movies be Big budget or stringent budget. People are increasingly loving to stay at the comforts of their homes with the rise of OTT platforms and apart from Tamil Nadu watching movies in theaters is a Luxury, if you want the audiences to walk into the theaters, the quality should be of utmost importance than anything else.
Of a Curious Case of Remakes
First blog post of an experimental three-part blog series, where this post discuss in lengths about Movie Remakes.
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Tagged Badla, Evaru, Ghilli, Jayam, M.Kumaran S/o Mahalakshmi
Hello readers, I’ve been wanting to write analysis posts for quite some time, but haven’t mustered the courage to do so. Now, going with a leap of faith with this first post on this experimental three-part series.
Remakes, whenever we hear this word the first thought pops into our head will be an instant comparison with the original movie. Is it wrong? Who am I to judge you? Remaking a movie is an art in itself. The directors, actors, producers everyone know what they are doing and are aware of the backlash they might get if the movie doesn’t fare, well. Even after knowing the risks why do they remake movies? What goes into the successful formula of Movie remakes? Let’s dive a little deeper into this topic. A word of warning before proceeding further, I’m not an industry expert but a mere viewer and the opinions/analysis expressed in this article is purely my observation and it is going to be on Indian cinema (Bollywood is not Indian Cinema😝).
What is a Remake?
The remake is a re-production of a Movie or a TV Series based upon its earlier production but with a completely new cast and crew. Usually, remakes in India are done to a different set of target audiences, and the plot, characters are designed to meet their culture, ethos, food, and sensibilities which are remade from other Indian language movies or Foreign Language movies. Bi-lingual, multi-lingual, Copy/Inspirations doesn’t fall under this category.
One need not compare the remake to its original for the movie to be good. We can consider how the particular movie stayed true to the heart of the original and delivered its own narrative, satisfied the experience of the viewers, and helped all other parties involved, its a win-win.
Why do they Remake a movie?
Historically, successful movies have been remade in many languages or a couple of other languages. The producers opted to remake these successful movies because 1. There is a story, characters, and everything setup which proved to be successful or can be called success formula movie 2. This assures the producers a minimum guarantee win and they can definitely get their ROI (Return on Investment) and gain a little bit of profit and 3. These movies also appeal largely to the Theatre owners owing to their popularity in other languages which in turn might bring in more foot-falls into theaters.
Remake directors and Indian audiences:
Indian audiences are habituated to see one person doing everything from Story, Screenplay Dialogue, and Direction. Some directors even went to the lengths of adding Music, Editing, Lyrics, and whatnot? According to Indian audiences, a Director is a person who does everything, and only in recent times, they have come to an understanding that a Director of a movie can just be a Director because that person has a sense of following a schedule and following the Screenplay. This happened after their exposure to Hollywood and other foreign language movies. Until recently, the directors who do remake movies are looked down upon by the audiences and Produces alike.
For the sake of easier understanding, I’m resorting to the movies which I’ve watched and also some popular movies.
Forms of Movie Remakes:
Shot-by-shot remake – Movies like Something Something Unakkum Enakkum and Nuvvostanante Nenoddantana, Senior Bachchan’s Don and Rajini’s Billa, and the list go on.
Core plot/theme remake – Movies like Okkadu and Ghilli, Singam, and Singham and this list is smaller compared to the other.
1. Shot-by-shot remake:
As established earlier remake is an art and anything can go wrong when you remake a movie from one language to another. When a director chooses to go for a shot-by-shot remake it is not as easy as we think. The Director should be in a position to understand the reason for a shot, the mood of the scene, why the shot was placed in a particular way, and most importantly the character development and choosing the right cast who would suit the role. Personally, Mohan Raja or “Jayam” Raja has done a great job in this.
I don’t clearly remember the similarities between Telugu and Tamil “Jayam” and the same goes for “M. Kumaran S/O Mahalakshmi” and its original “Amma Naana O Tamila Ammayi” but I vividly remember “Something Something” and it’s original, having seen both it was astonishing to see the time and effort to bring an exact copy of shot placements, dialogues, and everything, except for Santhanam’s cringe comedy at times. Well, the movie was largely enjoyable, stayed true to the original, and was also successful. What more do we need? No, I’m not saying the movie with good box office numbers to be good but when the movie is good it must be appreciated.
2. Core Plot/Theme remake:
Taking a core plot of a movie and remaking it to the current trend or the region/language the movie is being made is yet another tough task. There are very few movies that were successful and I would like to quote the Bollywood movie “Don” with Shahrukh khan totally reversed the idea of the original movie, which really worked. After the success of Don in Hindi, in Tamil “Billa” was made and this time they didn’t remake the Hindi Don but making slight changes to the old Billa movie.
“Ghilli” (Tamil) was an official remake of a Telugu movie “Okkadu” which had Mahesh Babu as a lead. They took two primary things from the movie, one the lead being a Kabaddi player and the heroine being harassed by a thug and with this core, Tamil director Dharani gave a fantastic Commercial movie that had every element to it. I also want to appreciate the director of “Evaru” (Telugu) which was the Official remake of “Badla” (Hindi) which again is an Official remake of “The Invisible Guest” (Spanish). So to speak the original Spanish movie was well made and it had some interesting elements to it. When The Invisible Guest was made in Hindi, they reversed the gender roles which was interesting and added a little more flavor to the movie. again when the same movie was remade in Telugu they added more suspense elements to the story which elevated the experience. So, to speak Evaru was my favorite among the three even though it was a remake it stood good as an independent movie.
It is not easy to remake a movie and making it relatable to the audiences to whom the movie is being told. The Directors should put as much hard work into the remake movies as the movies with original stories. If you, as an individual feel the movie didn’t sit well with you, it is understandable but looking down upon them and mocking them does nothing fruitful. Original or a Remake, ultimately they are movies and they need to be watched as an independent movie and understand if the plot and the characters were justified. I’m not suggesting to appreciate bad movies, NO. Calling out bad movies will help the Industry thrive with good content but all I saying is remakes must also be treated as an individual movie.
I requested my good friend Srilakshmi Indrasenan who blogs at iamStri. I don’t listen to much Hindi songs except for a selected few and she suggested she would do this and Thak you for that Srilakshmi and over to her. Music Director […]
Tagged Bollywood, Bollywood Music, Emraan Hasmi, Hindi Songs, Kangana Ranaut
I requested my good friend Srilakshmi Indrasenan who blogs at iamStri. I don’t listen to much Hindi songs except for a selected few and she suggested she would do this and Thak you for that Srilakshmi and over to her.
Music Director in Focus: Pritam
Album: Gangster
The movie was released in 2006. Those were the times, when I used to ogle at Emraan Hashmi. My sister and I went FDFS for this movie just for Emraan. Shiney Ahuja wasn’t famous or rather “infamous” back then and this was the debut movie for Kangana Ranaut. The trailer was quite appealing, especially the “Ya Ali” music in the BGM. Also, the concept seemed intriguing– a drunk girl, a bar singer, and a gangster – Ah! Those were the days of love triangles. I even remember the tagline on the poster – “She fell in love with him, the day she betrayed him.”
Speaking of the music, until I watched the movie, I haven’t heard any track except Ya Ali. After watching this movie, both my sister and I were addicted to the songs – and I’m happy to say that I am still addicted. Pritam Chakraborty has been in the industry for 17 years now. However, he started being a solo music composer only in 2004 for Dhoom. While I love most of his songs, I would easily call Gangster is the best album.
There are primarily 5 songs, 3 mix versions, and 1 remix – making it totally 9 songs. I am going to talk primarily about the 5 main songs.
Tu Hi Meri Shab Hai:
This is one of the best songs till date for both Emraan and Pritam. Yes, there are many more lovely songs by the duo, but this easily takes the first spot. I don’t know if it’s the mesmerising voice of KK or the magical verses of Sayeed Quadri, this song just enters into your hearts and melts it delicately that at the end of the song, you will feel weak on your knees. This song is perfect for almost everything – be it long drives, nighttime lullaby, slow dance, party number (mix version) or date night.
Favourite Lines From The Song:
“Aankhon se padhke tujhe dil pe maine likha;
Tu ban gaya hai mere jeene ki ek wajah.”
Bheegi Bheegi:
Better known as “Hamaari Adhoori Kahaani,” this song is quite opposite to the previous song here. While Tu Hi Meri Shab Hai calms your senses, this song just hits your senses like a shot of espresso. Not-so-well-known Bengali singer James rendered his voice for this beautiful song, and the fast-moving happenings in the movie during this song will just keep all your senses hooked. The lyrics for this song were by Mayur Puri.
“Roota roota rab, chhuta chhuta sab;
Toota toota dil, tere bina ab;
Kaise ho jeena gawara?”
Lamha Lamha:
Penned by Neelesh Misra, this song was sung by Abhijeet Bhattacharya and Sunidhi Chauhan. The visuals of this song are so dreamy that you cannot resist falling in love with the lead pair – Emraan and Kangana. Also, this was one of the boldest performances of that time by a debut actress. I would even call this the best ever debut performance by an actress in Bollywood. If I die without slow dancing for this song with my significant other, I would probably roam as a ghost with this as an unfulfilled wish.
“Behakti shaam aayi hai tujhe lekar ke baahon mein;
Tujhe chhu loon ke rakhu main chhupakar ke nigaahon mein;
Sharmati ithlaati hai machalti hai.”
Mujhe Mat Roko:
Another song penned by Sayeed Quadri, Mujhe Mat Roko by Kavita Seth is just poignant. If listening to this song doesn’t give you goosebumps, I don’t know what will. How will you feel when you betray someone and get betrayed at the same time? Well, this song is the answer. There aren’t many female-centric sad, love failure songs. I always wonder why, but this one song does justice to the genre totally, and this is the one love failure song we all need.
“Dil ki aankhon ne meri apana sanam dekh liya;
Ab isi dar pe mere dam ko nikal jaane do.”
Ya Ali:
Another Sayeed Quadri number, Ya Ali was rocked by Zubeen Garg. Yes, I wouldn’t call this singing, but this was some serious soul-stirring rocking, smashing, and killing – all in a positive way, of course. If you haven’t shaken your legs for this song at least once in pubs during Bollywood Nights, it’s high time that you do it at least now. Writing this I remember all the Nautanki dance moves we did in our college night parties for this song.
“Bina tere na ek pal ho, na bin tere kabhi kal ho;
Yeh dil ban jaaye pathhar ka na ismein koi hulchul ho.”
While songs in Dhoom were totally peppy and dance-worthy, this movie showed the versatility that Pritam displays in his compositions. From a tragic love song to a racy, feet-tapping number, Pritam just takes you on a musical ride with this album. The BGM of the movie, again by Pritam, was just so perfect – be it during emotional scenes, sensual scenes, or racy sequences. One of the most worthy, subtle BGM mentions would be the one during the terrace conversation between Emraan and Kangana – the whole scene is just flawlessly perfect. While this movie did decently well in the box office, I would still call it one of the underrated movies in Bollywood.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=PKRtwNMRbb4
Happy Listening… 🙂
Music Director in Focus: G.V.Prakash Kumar Album: Aayirathil Oruvan Aayirathil Oruvan is the album next line. After 10 years of its release now the movie is getting the spotlight it should have received then. G.V.Prakash Kumar’s finest work till date. He definitely […]
Tagged Aayirathil Oruvan, Andrea, Bombay Jeyasree, G.V.Prakashkumar, Karthi Sivakumar
Music Director in Focus: G.V.Prakash Kumar
Album: Aayirathil Oruvan
Aayirathil Oruvan is the album next line. After 10 years of its release now the movie is getting the spotlight it should have received then. G.V.Prakash Kumar’s finest work till date. He definitely had to fill the void of Yuvan – Selvaragavan combo which gave five consecutive hits. I remember mentioning about the Indiana Jones style in the first half of the movie and the second half of the movie was a travel back to the time of Kings. GVP’s BGM and the songs played a huge part in the second half of the movie. This album features six songs, two mix versions and 2 themes which don’t include “Adho andha paravai” from 1965 movie of the same name.
Oh Eesa (Composer’s Mix)
This song is set up when the movie took some twists and turns. It has a very captivating music with Karthick and Andrea crooning their voices for Tamil and English respectively. Penned by Selvaragavan and Andrea. I absolutely loved the stunning visuals of this song which reflects the English album feel.
Un Mela Aasadhaan
I remember watching the Audio launch of this movie on TV and was excited to see Dhanush, GV, Andrea and Aishwarya Dhanush singing and dancing. Such a peppy number it is, penned by Selvaragavan. Apart from the voices, I hate the lyrics for its highly misogynist nature or is it only me who thinks that way? Perfect song for after sarakku parties when you are in a dancing mood.
Thaai Thindra Manne (The Cholan Ecstasy)
A song which depicts the state of the once royal Chozhan king and his empire. The prelude of this song uses “Yaazh” an old musical instrument which isn’t widely used these days and the whole song is filled with the music of “Udukkai” an instrument which is known to be used by Lord Shiva. Tamil lyrics is penned by Vairamuthu and rendered by Vijay Yesudas whose emotions are clearly visible through Parthiban on screen. I lost words seeing and hearing the song, my goosebump and the sad moment is when the poor king yearns Puli kodi poritha chozha maandhargal, eli kari koripadhuvoo!
Kaatrai kudikkum thaavaramaagi kaalam kazhipadhuvo!
Mandai oodugal mandiya naatai, mannan aazhuvadhoo! Mannan Aazhuvadho!
Telugu lyrics of this song is penned by Vetturi Sundararama Murthy and rendered by Nithyasree Mahadevan.
It is an instrumental where the king and his people enjoys the camp fire along with some drinks to celebrate the new winner of their barbaric game. One can make their own assumption but I see it as a meagre enjoyment they have in their sad and pathetic life. I am unable to identify the instruments used but the particular fluteish music is unique accompanied with the drum beats is truly a music to celebrate.
Pemmane
Another song penned by Vairamuthu. Yet another song about the sad state of the Chozhas and their king who lost a war with the Pandiyas and their Military. This song marks the comeback of legendary P.B.Srinivas and the lady’s voice is rendered by Bombay Jayashree. The tone of the song itself is set to feel the pain and the yearning of the Chozhas and propagates their royal life which went into drains.
Maalai neram another beautiful song rendered by Andrea is one of my other favourites from this album.
G.V. Prakash Kumar very much musically talented and proved that on multiple occasions in various movies. This particular movie is one of his best compositions and he clearly would have had a bright future if he had continued to only compose, instead he went on to pursue his acting career and his music is deteriorating by every other movie. The BGM in this movie has a stark difference in the first and second half. The first half has a racy adventurous tone were the second half has a worried tone of music throughout, except the war sequences. It would be appreciable if he comes back to composing instead of acting.
I requested my friend Arun to write this post because when I started this series he suggested me to spotlight Music Director Ghibran who is underrated and underutilised. Apart from few of his albums I haven’t listened to all. Hence, I requested him […]
Tagged Ghibran, Kamalhassan, Kollywood, Tamil Cinema
I requested my friend Arun to write this post because when I started this series he suggested me to spotlight Music Director Ghibran who is underrated and underutilised. Apart from few of his albums I haven’t listened to all. Hence, I requested him to Guest post for me and I believe he happily agreed to 😛 and over to him.
Music Director in Focus: Ghibran
Album: Uthama Villain
Uttama Villain, one of Kamal’s recent masterpieces, featured a newbie in Tamil music industry, Ghibran. Why would a big shot like Kamal sign up a newbie for not just one, but three consecutive movies of his? Well, any fan of Tamil cine industry will know how trained and talented Kamal is with regard to music. And, if we are to comment whether Kamal’s judgement is in any way lacking, we are reassured once again that it wasn’t. For Ghibran delivers a magnum opus that does not stay just as a lingering element in the movie, but acts, actually, as one of the guiding forces of the movie. The album Uttama Villain features 17 performances that include 7 instrumentals, 3 Karaoke versions and 7 songs.
Lovea Lovea:
The song that lampoons Kamal’s own, and a few other senior actors’, conduct in Tamil cine industry doesn’t, however, manage to convey its intent. The satire was not clearly visible and the music wasn’t good either. Probably it was deliberate but could have been better. The unwanted techno music during the bridge of the song was more than irritating. If this single song was provided as a sample for this album, I would probably lose heart to listen more from this album.
Kadhalum Kadavul Mun:
This song that beguiles Mutharasan into believing that Karpagavalli had given in, is marked by fluid dance movements and melodious Carnatic music. Of note is the throbbing drumbeat which carries the song through its completion. Avoidance of any electronic/digital, and usage of only traditional, instruments adds more élan to the song.
Uttaman Introduction:
The fusion between Tamil Nadu’s “villu paatu” and Kerala’s “Thaiyyam” dance form is rendered in such an eye-catching fashion that one who appreciates art cannot help but watch it with their mouth agape. It is, of course, no little feat to have utilised, in an era of head-spinning digitalisation, purely conventional musical instrumentals in sculpting this song. A big kudos to Ghibran.
Uttaman and Mutharasan Kadhai:
What immediately follows is Uttaman Kadhai but it is best to clump these two songs together for the purposes of comparing and contrasting them. Kamal’s narrative voice in both the performances, his flawless pronunciation and the poetic element are so wonderful that one will not tire of it no matter how many times one listens. Ghibran so skilfully maintains a powerful chord throughout Mutharasan Kadhai, symbolic of king’s power and a sort of comical tone throughout Uttaman Kadhai indicative of Uttaman’s character. I suggest you, reader, to listen to them sequentially and you will understand the genius of Ghibran.
Saagaavaram:
This very short song that basically caters to the audience one of the takeaways from the movie features some of the never-before-used instruments used in Tamil cinema such as Jal tarangs. The song is laden with rich lyrical meaning and is actually rich in its wordplay—for example, the line “seyyul pol oru kaathal vendum” can be interpreted in a minimum of 2 ways by any listener. The chorus “kelaai manna!” feels like yet another evergreen chorus such as the overused “thaandavakone!” or “gnaana penne!” And is informative as well—including references being made to Kaniyar, ancient Tamil mathematicians; to abiogenesis; and the sun growing in size and consuming the earth. All in all, one of the defining songs of this movie.
Iraniyan Naadagam:
The final song of the movie—personally speaking, my favourite—is not just a visual treat but also an auditory treat: thanks not just to lyrics but also music. The song marks some of Kamal’s personal beliefs and is a cornerstone in Tamil song sequences. The closing chant “Hari Hari” was rendered comical—the way Kamal would have wanted—thanks to Ghibran’s breath-taking music. I, of course, am at loss of words to describe the content of this song. The song ends with a man killing the god (Kamal’s atheistic stance), a deliberate satire of Prahalad’s story.
Uttama Villain Theme:
Although a separate subheading was given to instrumentals alone, I cannot help but dedicate a paragraph to the theme song. The song features a coarse kind of voice that is meant to mimic asura (villain) and the chant “mrithunjayan,” the key theme of this movie makes it worth listening to. And what is noteworthy is the inculcation of the fear element in the music suggestive of a dangerous villain. The drum beat throughout, rarely used in other pieces, manages to just “hug” the whole performance and guide it through its completion.
Miscellaneous instrumentals and karaokes:
Ghibran’s prowess as a music director is evident perhaps in the instrumentals and karaokes, for the songs distract a casual listener from paying much attention to the music. Instrumentals titled Uttaman & Karpagavalli, Father & Son, Father & Daughter, and Guru & Sishya, I would argue, needn’t even be named explicitly so, because these four, if listened consequently to compare and contrast, will show the genius of Ghibran where he manages to capture in such a perfection the nuances between the concerned characters. One can finger where and when and why a particular instrumental play—such is the exactitude of Ghibran in conveying the scenes.
The instrumental Dr Aparna features one of the most poignant, unparalleled, and sweetest string music in Tamil music industry—I assure you that only if you will sit back, close your eyes and listen, will take you to a different world altogether. This very short music will leave you yearning for more. Letter from & to Yamini starts off with a very smooth two-toned piano music, with a mellifluous string accompanying it; oh, and the crescendo, alongside the female voice just would make you cry, if you are an emotional type.
The bottom-line observation about Ghibran:
No doubt that this album is, in every single way conceivable, a unique venture in Tamil music industry. The karaokes and instrumentals exhibit such an extremely strong and powerful symphonic orchestration, the kinds which one can expect only from Ilayaraja or Ravi Shankar (no, not even ARR). Ghibran, sure, is tremendously talented in orchestration and is unafraid of failures. What, however, he should add some more focus on is the individuality of each tones—although he makes such grand orchestrations, the instruments sound in a way hodgepodge without much differentiation—most of the times all of them blind together and make it difficult to follow the path taken by each and every instrument. But that is not to say that Ghibran is in any way lesser; he is one of those rare up-and-coming music directors with such a remarkable potential.
One more Guest Post by mu beloved friend Aishwarya Ashok who blogs here and on Quora. I am not going to go on with Guest posts for this Series but I really thought some of my friends could bring a best out of these albums. Music […]
Tagged Azhagam Perumal, Jyothika, Karthik Raja, Madhavan, Maniratnam
One more Guest Post by mu beloved friend Aishwarya Ashok who blogs here and on Quora. I am not going to go on with Guest posts for this Series but I really thought some of my friends could bring a best out of these albums.
Music Director in Focus: Karthik Raja
Album: Dumm Dumm Dumm
A light rom-com paired with striking melodies–that’s how you can rightly denote Dumm Dumm Dumm. The music director, though considered not-so-popular (Well, if you take his cognate ties, he is popular, being the son of the Maestro Ilayaraja), has truly done justice to his film by composing songs of catchy tunes, and instilling in us a sense of remembrance. And that’s how I get to write about this classic, my-all-time-favorite movie, even after so many years. Let’s get going.
Let me decode the songs of this movie:
Suttrum Bhoomi
The song starts with the chirping of birds and gives a fresh feel. The song revolves around the care-free, happy life of the female protagonist and the fun she gets by being herself. Not to leave out the raillery of her sisters, much to the coyness of their soon-to-be-married sister.
A tapping beat sets the mood of the song, thanks to the drums and low notes of strings (guitar). Harini’s voice is just beautiful and suits the happy theme of the song. The chorus that goes “Athiri Bhathiri” and “Thillalangadi” reminds us of our native, funny-yet-awesome terms. The string interlude before the first charanam (1st stanza) uplifts the song and appears to be antipodal to the rustic setup, yet acceptable.The background music sticks to mild beats and the drums join to the tunes of the strings just before the second charanam (2nd stanza). The song is sure to leave one in a happy state.
Some personally favorite lines:
Sattai paiyil ulagam, Kaikkuttaiyae vaanam,
Kattalai ittadhum kaetkum,Ye thennai maramae thennai maramae,
Udambil valayalgal yaeno, Thirumanam unakku thaano
Athan Varuvaga
Oh! I’m sure most of us would know this song. It was the so-called popular pre-wedding song of those times and still gets referred to, in the same way. The song is folkish and considered to be perfect for dance moves. With blushes, occasional teasings, boisterous laughs–the song is sure to give a positive air, all filled with happiness. The ghatam tunes along with the brief taal clangs and singer’s swaras start the song, giving it a semi-classical feel. The singers choice is commendable–Malgudi Shubha, Tippu, Harini and Chitra Sivaraman. All voices blend perfectly and are simply a treat to listen to. Harini’s aalap and Tippu’s simple-yet-breezy vocals before the 1st charanam (1st stanza) are cute. The violin symphony-kind interlude, along with alternating mridangam tunes is just superb. Overall, a wonderfully made and rendered song.
These lines are simple, but rightly captures the love at first sight feeling:
avagha vandhu ninale
seriya kaadhu kekadhu
mulusa parve theriyadhu
ozunga pesa mudiyadhu
Un Perai Sonnale
My best choice in the album is this song. It’s melodiously rendered by Unnikrishnan and Sadhana Sargam. A slow song that grows on you as you keep listening to it. Also, it has a mystic charm and slightly resorts to a missing-of-love feel. Again, this song has gentle string tunes, along with some keyboard notes. I just love everything about this song– the reverberating beats, the sweet background tunes, the vocals, the soothing chorus portions, and the lyrics. The song captures the sadness, loneliness, and helplessness of two souls so perfectly.
Some beautiful lines:
Ul Naakil Thithikkume
Pogaathey Pogaathey
Unnodu Sendraale
Vazhi Ellaam Poo Pookume
Vaarayo Vaarayo
Saanjaadum Sooriyane Chandiranai Azhavaithai
Sogam Aen Solvaaya
Senthaazham Poovukkul Puyal Ondru Varavaithaal
Ennaagum Solvaaya
Ragasiyamai Ragasiyamai
Another captivating song I should say. And the magic of strings and drum beats repeat. The composer has neatly handled both these instruments and has shown striking variations in the way they’ve been used, in each song. The soothing vocals by Sadhana Sargam and Hariharan melt any person who listens to the song. Your heart sways with Hariharan’s “Ooo….” at the end of the pallavi. The song shows the dreamy love of both the protagonists and shows wedding rituals of different traditions. And the violin interlude before the 1st charanam (1st stanza) adds to the beauty of the song. The song never misses its romantic feel and oozes with love wholly.
Lyrically wonderful lines:
Solla Thudikkum Vaarthai Kirangum
Thondai Kuzhiyil Oosi Irangum
Ilai Vadivil Ithayam Irukkum
Malai Vadivil Athuvum Ganakkum
Desingu Raja
The nature of the song is like a squabbling, not literally though. The backdrop of the song is set to a dynasty, and the entire song proceeds as clashing arguments between the king and the queen. Not taken just as a direct love song, it still is considered one, argumentatively in love may be. The clarion of the trumpet begins the song, like how it would begin a war. However, this doesn’t make the song very serious. A pinch of seriousness is woven along with the softness of Sujatha’s and Harish Raghavendra’s voices. Beginning on a bold note, the song moves to a smooth tune with mild keyboard notes and drum beats, with occasional trumpet sounds.
Krishna Krishna
Personally, I don’t like this song very much. It’s just another youthful, bachelor boys’ song. It’s sung by Harish Raghavendra and Febi Mani. The song isn’t very catchy, and definitely, it’s not up to the mark of the other songs on the album. But yes, it adds to the freshness and youthfulness of the album. Like a song tailor-made for the male protagonist, the 20th century’s supposedly cool and yo-yo type guy.
Overall, the album is definitely a good attempt with the right selection of singers, great use of instruments, and snappy tunes.
A guest post by my Good friend Megha who blogs here. She is the one who inspired me to Write this series and she suggested me this album. I thought it would be great if, she herself writes it and hence, she did. […]
Tagged A.R.Rahman, Aishwarya Rai, ARR, Mani Ratnam, Ravanan
A guest post by my Good friend Megha who blogs here. She is the one who inspired me to Write this series and she suggested me this album. I thought it would be great if, she herself writes it and hence, she did. Thanks a tonne Megha 🙂
Music Director in Focus: A.R.Rahman
Album: Ravanan (Tamil)
Usure poguthey (Karthik- Vairamuthu)
This song can be easily said to be a masterpiece. This has brought out the best of all the three people involved in it- The composer, the lyricist and the singer.
Appearing to be a self-justification given by the lead (Veera) for falling for Ragini, who is another man’s wife, this song starts with sounds. Erratic cymbals, crumbling dried leaves, the sound of waterfalls and the sound of wading through a pool of water find a place in the starting of the song. The intensity of the song is like the wild forest fire which starts with a spark and grows slowly and ends up in a fearsome blaze.
Vairamuthu has re-emphasised why he is put up there, on a high pedestal, when it comes to lyrics. My favourite lines are these-
“Manasu sollum nalla solla maaya odambu kekala”
This line begins to describe the dilemma that Veera, the lead character, also perceived to be Raavanan ( Ramayana context) about what is acceptable and what is not in the social parlance. This line also says that the feeling he had for Ragini was lost since it was mainly concerned with the body and not with the mind.
Karthik’s voice romances with all possible ranges within the given pitch and the flow is impeccable and effortless. Total class!
Kaattu Sirukki (Anooradha Sriram and Shankar Mahadevan- Vairamuthu)
The element of air and the eerie silence builds the base for this song. This song describes the earthy beauty of Sita (Ragini) and how Raavanan fell for her beauty.
With the legendary Shankar Mahadevan and an equally talented Anooradha Sriram giving voices to the beautiful words of Vairamuthu, this song predominantly hovers in the high pitch.
To give words to the beauty of a lady is not new. But the way it is done with such language and choice of words does make this number unique and novel.
My favourite lines in this song would be-
Thandai aninjava konda sarinjadhum anda saraacharam pochu
Vandu thodaa mugam kandu vaanaandharam vaangudhey perumoochu
Rough translation would go like this-
When the lady with her hair tied up beautifully with ornaments lied down, the entire world went missing.
On seeing her flawless face ( also an expression that implies not devoured by amorous activities ) the vast expanse of skies sigh out in jealousy.
Lovely isn’t it??
Keda Keda Kari – (Benny Dayal, Rayhanah- Vairamuthu)
Most Mani Ratnam movies have a wedding song. We remember Yaaro Yarodi from Alaipayuthey, Kummi adi Kummi adi from Sillunu Oru Kadhal and more recently Sarattu vandiyil from Kaatru veliyidai. Keda Keda is one such wedding song which has rustic Tamil lyrics and sounds.
Weddings are chaotic. Dancing in total sync with super coordinated lyrics and stuff happens only in movies we say. This song supports our view that weddings are chaotic. With various scenes and voices playing around, ARR has done a great job in painting a close-to-reality picture about weddings.
Among the many voices that sung the song, Benny Dayal’s and Rayhanah’s stand out and sets the flavour for the song.
And of course, this is also one of my picks from this movie. So when I get to have my pick in songs, why not my lines from the pick??
Iva kannaala paatha Saanaki Amsam
Kattil mela paatha soorpanaka Vamsam
Roughly translating to – She is as demure as Sita outwardly, yet as wild as Soorpanakha (Ravana’s sister) in bed.
This is yet another pointer that says villages had procreating as one of the major goals of marriages and they were unabashed in expressing it. This also gives us a glimpse into the lives in the backbone of India, where our age-old traditions and customs stay untouched till date.
Kodu poatta – (Benny Dayal- Vairamuthu)
This song is about an uprising. A revolution. A revolution against the ruling class. The song goes along the lines of revolting and rebelling against the written rules of the land and how unfair they are to the lower class of people.
In the movie, this song is placed at a strategic point. Ragini gets to see Veera in a more lively avatar and maybe she starts to understand his point of view. Maybe this is where she starts to feel sympathetic to his cause for the fight, for the abduction of another man’s wife. Ragini sees a Veera, who is a lovable leader of his group of people. She sees a Veera who is the darling of his subjects, who would give their life for Veera.
Somehow in many places, this song reminds me of the tunes in the movie “Ayudha Ezhuthu” also from Mani Ratnam. The song “Yaakai Thiri” has a striking resemblance to this number and both are set in a very similar stage in their respective stories.
Naan Varuven- AR Rahman- Vairamuthu
This song is peaceful and deep. Placed in the climax of the movie, this song actually seems like Ragini is haunted with the memories of her time with Veera. A tabooed topic, she still harbours feelings for her abductor. If her feelings were out of love or sympathy, my guess is as good as yours.
The above video supports my view about this song. With scenes from her life in the woods interspersed by the silhouette of the composer, it is a pleasurable watch. If you are thinking that you have heard this tune somewhere else, look nowhere else but Anbe Sivam. The title song of Anbe Sivam has its starting very similar to the notes of this number.
Veera Veera- Vijay Prakash- Vairamuthu
A typical title song, Veera Veera is fast-paced with wonderful chorus supporting the lead vocals. The entire song has a tribal tone to it and is peppy. A bonfire song and a happy number- that would be my description for this one.
The sound of hand claps and short, fast beats make this tap-dance worthy. A must listen number if you want to get your mood up to party mode.
Kalvare kalvare- Shreya Ghoshal- Vairamuthu
A much-hyped song, this number has a feeling of gentle swaying to it. Something like rocking a craddle. This is one such song, which is typical of ARR songs. You don’t like it immediately but definitely after listening multiple times. The structure of the song is unconventional and hence might be difficult to reproduce with perfection.
I am not a big fan of this song personally, because I like earthy tones and I find Shreya Ghoshal’s voice too sweet for my liking. Well, I am a Sunidhi Chauhan kinda person I think.
My favorite lines from this song –
Ummai Enni Ummai Enni Oomai Kangal Thoongathu
Thalaiva En Thalaiva Agamareveero.. Arulpuriveero..
A rough translation of this would be –
My unaware, innocent eyes won’t sleep, thinking of you
My beloved, my lord, would you read my mind and grant me that?
This song describes the love between Ragini and her husband. This was may be shown to convey how good a couple they were and how much in love Ragini was with her husband.
To me, Kalvare sounds like a lullaby, a very good one at that.
This post has been written by a good Friend Gopalakrishnan Krishnasamy. In the blogger’s circle, he is known as Prabala Padhivar Gopal and he blogs at Movie Herald. You can watch out for his Movie reviews here. Music Director in focus: Sean Roldan […]
Tagged Anthony Dasan, Dhanush, Kollywood, Madonna Sebastian, Pa. Paandi
This post has been written by a good Friend Gopalakrishnan Krishnasamy. In the blogger’s circle, he is known as Prabala Padhivar Gopal and he blogs at Movie Herald. You can watch out for his Movie reviews here.
Music Director in focus: Sean Roldan aka Raghavendra
Sean Roldan started as an Indie musician with his own band then Ventured into Tamil Film Industry with Vaayai Moodi Pesavum directed by Balaji Mohan. Later on, he also composed for movies like Sadhuranga Vettai, Mundasupatti, Joker and few more to his credit. Pa. Pandi put him in limelight as a musician apart from him singing for other music directors.
Pa Paandi is a drama movie written and directed by Dhanush Kasthuriraja. The movie stars Raj Kiran and Revathy in the lead along with Dhanush, Prasanna, Chaya Singh and Madonna Sebastian. The score and songs of the movie are composed by Sean Roldan. This is one of the finest albums of the composer who made waves with his indie compositions.
I chose this movie in the series majorly for one reason as the songs were aptly integrated into the movie and each song conveys a different mood. The brilliance of the composer and director is naming the song in perfect sync with the emotion and story it conveys through the same. This album came as a sea breeze at a time when the complexity of the tunes and music is highly praised. This whole album is with minimal programming and many live instruments played. The lyrics are well crafted and given importance to singing more than music. You will get a feel of listening to a retro Illayaraja album.
The Life of Power Paandi – Vaanam
As the name suggests this song is about the day to day life of our protagonist Power Paandi. This shows his happiness, his world and how he enjoys the life. The soothing composition is sung by Ananthu who is known for singing Maaya Nadhi from Kabali and is written by Selvaraghavan.
The Mass of Power Paandi – Soorakaathu
This song is a typical hero worship song which we have been seeing for a long time in Tamil Cinema but here it is rejoicing of an Old man who after a long time had a chance to stretch his muscles. This song expresses the joy of an old man who entered his forte after a long long time. The song is written and sung by Dhanush himself.
The Youth of Power Paandi – Paarthen
This is a love song showcasing the lover of younger Power Paandi. Dhanush plays the role of younger power paandi carries the role with ease. The song is crooned by Sean Roldan and Shwetha Mohan and written by Selvaraghavan. This particular song is my pick of the album.
Power Paandi – The Nomad – Veesum Kaathodadhaan
This song shows the trip of Power Paandi. The cruiser bike in a highway and guitar riffs are always better than any other love. Bikers will enjoy the picturization and the rustic voice of Sean Roldan and Anthony Dasan. The song is written by Raju Murugan.
The Romance of Power Paandi – Venpani malare
Three versions of the song are available on the album. One sung by Sean Roldan another by Shwetha Mohan. After the release of the album due to fan’s request, there is a version sung by Dhanush was released. The song was penned by Dhanush and portrays the core theme of Old age love is beautiful manner.
Happy Listening.:)
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‘We’ve seen the worst that COVID can do’: NorthShore, Glenbrook Hospital staff receive first doses of COVID-19 vaccine
By Kaitlin Edquist
Rose Paone, a NorthShore University HealthSystem ICU nurse and clinical coordinator, speaks about the hospitals' first doses of COVID-19 vaccines during a news conference Dec. 18, 2020, at Glenbrook Hospital in Glenview. (Kaitlin Edquist / Pioneer Press)
When Rose Paone, a nurse and clinical coordinator in Glenbrook Hospital’s ICU, rolled up her sleeve to receive the COVID-19 vaccine Thursday, she said she felt relief and optimism for “a little glimpse of hope” following the past nine brutal months.
Paone and other NorthShore University HealthSystem staff and administrators said during a news conference at Glenbrook Hospital in Glenview Friday that they’re feeling a sense of hope about an end to the pandemic with the introduction of a vaccine.
“I’m very optimistic that this vaccine is truly a light at the end of what has been a long, dark tunnel for us,” said Glenbrook Hospital President Jesse Peterson Hall.
Staff and administrators also stressed, however, that safety protocols will continue to be essential over the next few months as people receive the vaccines at staggered times.
“We are not out of the woods by any means, and everybody still has to listen to the rules to keep everybody safe,” said Dr. Neil Freedman, head of pulmonary and critical care for NorthShore.
The five-hospital NorthShore system includes Glenbrook, Evanston, Highland Park, Skokie and Swedish hospitals. In its first round of shipments, officials said the five hospitals received about 5,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine, which was approved for emergency use by the Food and Drug Administration Dec. 11.
About 30 vaccines were given at Evanston Hospital Thursday afternoon as a “practice run,” and Glenbrook Hospital began its distribution Friday morning, according to officials. Those at the news conference who received the vaccine Thursday reported feeling fine one day later.
Like Paone, fellow ICU nurse Luisa Penepacker said she felt relieved while getting the vaccine, and she also felt emotional. She said the staff was thrown into a dangerous situation in March and that everyone from doctors to nurses to housekeepers, transportation workers, respiratory therapists and others have “come together with such passion.”
“We’ve seen the worst that COVID can do,” she said of those working on the front lines. “If everybody could just do their part and take the vaccine, then we can really end it, and then we won’t have to see so much suffering anymore.”
NorthShore officials said somewhere between 10,000 to 15,000 employees are eligible for the vaccine, so they’ve prioritized those working directly with COVID-19 patients to receive it first. Officials said they want to make sure all teams of physicians, nurses and support staff at the hospital will receive equal protection.
Hina Patel, front, NorthShore University HealthSystem senior clinical pharmacist and vaccine program coordinator, speaks about the hospitals' first doses of COVID-19 vaccines during a news conference Dec. 18, 2020, at Glenbrook Hospital in Glenview. The NorthShore system received about 5,000 initial doses for staff at its five hospitals. (Kaitlin Edquist / Pioneer Press)
According to NorthShore clinical pharmacist Hina Patel, the hospitals report what they have administered to the state’s public health department so they can continue to receive doses as needed, especially as the Pfizer vaccine requires two doses three weeks apart.
She and other hospital officials said they’re optimistic that they’ll have all the doses they need and that they’ll be able to vaccinate everyone on their staff who wants it over the next few months, especially with the possible introduction of other vaccines including Moderna, which is expected to receive FDA approval Friday.
Freedman said of those who have been offered the voluntary vaccine, about 60% of staff have decided to take it so far, though he said there’s been “almost universal uptake” among critical care staff.
“I think it’s appropriate for some people to be apprehensive to see (how others are going to fare), but I think over time I’m hopeful that most people will see this as a safe and effective vaccine and will want to take it,” he said.
Still, NorthShore officials urged skeptics to trust in the science of the research and data from the vaccine trials when it’s their turn to receive it.
Glenbrook Hospital has been the focus of COVID-19 care within the NorthShore system, and officials monitor the capacity situation daily, according to Peterson Hall.
He and Freedman said they’ve had sufficient number of beds to handle the COVID-19 patient population and have recently seen a decline but that continual staffing changes and capacity decisions need to be made to accommodate patients.
National health officials are hoping that the country will have enough vaccines for anyone who wants it by late spring or early summer, Freedman said. For that reason, he and other officials urged people to continue safe practices in order to keep themselves and those around them safe, especially with the holidays approaching.
“Even with the vaccine, we must remain vigilant in our own personal actions,” Glenbrook Hospital President Jesse Peterson Hall said. “We have to continue to mask up, we have to continue to wash up and we have to continue to stand back.”
Despite the excitement, the optimism and the light many see at the end of the pandemic tunnel, officials say the next few months will be key as most of the general population awaits their turn to receive a vaccine.
[Most read] Column: A Catholic pastor speaks out about Trump. Some parishioners walk out. »
“Let’s be optimistic, but it’s still time that we need to sacrifice for a little bit longer, so we can protect everybody within our community and our loved ones so we can finally make it through this,” Freedman said.
kedquist@chicagotribune.com
Twitter: @kaitlinedquist
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Skid Steer Loader or Compact Track Loader — How to Choose
Thu December 10, 2020 - Southeast Edition #26
Jason Riley – RDO EQUIPMENT COMPANY
It's the most popular piece of equipment on construction jobsites. It has been and remains a consistent, high-selling machine in the construction industry. And it has been around for six decades.
The skid steer loader is a must-have in virtually every construction fleet, from general builders to landscapers, and even those offering snow and ice management services. This small yet mighty machine proved to offer numerous benefits on various jobsites and gave way to inspire a new take on it: the compact track loader (CTL).
Skid Steer or Compact Track Loader
The CTL is designed to tackle tasks similar to that of a skid steer. Hallmarked by a tracked design instead of tires, it offers different operational abilities compared to its sister machine.
It's easy to look at a skid steer and a CTL and assume the only difference between the two is tires versus tracks — but there's much more to it than that, especially when it comes to deciding which one is needed on the jobsite.
The first step in deciding between a skid steer or compact track loader is to understand the basic features and traits of each, and how those translate into unique advantages on various jobsites.
Both are jobsite proven as dependable, efficient machines known for exceptional maneuverability. Able to turn on a dime, skid steers and compact track loaders can operate in tight or awkward spaces where turning radius isn't generous.
Skid steers are lighter than track loaders, making them easier to transport, often with less time and cost. Building on 60 years of trusted, dependable operation, they continue to have a solid reputation in the construction world, thanks to manufacturers like John Deere that have built quality machines throughout the years.
CTLs have the edge over skid steers in terms of operator comfort. Their smooth operation is a bit more forgiving than the rougher ride of a skid steer. Tracks also cause less disruption to the ground, reducing site clean-up time compared to a skid steer.
Once the basics are understood, it's time for a closer look at what separates the skid steer and the compact track loader. Most often, the decision really hinges on where the machine is going to be used.
Not just true in the real estate world, location comes into play as a deciding factor between a skid steer and compact track loader because each machine is designed to perform its best in certain conditions.
Skid steers are great on harder surfaces like concrete and asphalt, especially when equipped with hard tires. While compact track loaders are able to operate on these surfaces, the harsher ground is tougher on tracks and can cause accelerated wear. Rocky conditions are also much tougher on CTLs, with the possibility of a track being damaged or cut by sharp objects. That said, skid steer operators too must take caution on this terrain to avoid puncturing tires.
Conversely, compact track loaders can operate in places skid steers would struggle including uneven, muddy, sandy, and snowy terrain. Tracks navigate well on these surfaces and the added stability makes a compact track loader more productive and capable of better lifting and breakout force.
While location is perhaps the most important factor in choosing a skid steer or compact track loader, it's not the only one. Like any decision, a machine has to make sense on the bottom line, which is why cost considerations are the next area to examine in this debate.
Dollars, Cents
Operating and ownership costs vary between skid steers and compact track loaders.
In terms of time investment, skid steers and compact track loaders require virtually the same commitment to preventative maintenance. The only differentiating part is tires vs. tracks, and both of those should be checked on a regular basis — tire pressure on skid steers, track tension and adjustment on CTLs.
A pro tip for checking track tension: resist the instinct to make them too tight. A little sag in the tracks is good, as overtightening can lead to undercarriage issues and accelerated track wear.
Looking at upfront and short-term costs, the skid steer comes out as the more economical choice. The price tag of a compact track loader is higher than a comparably-sized skid steer. And the biggest wear item of a CTL, the tracks, is more expensive than skid steer tires.
Evaluating long-term costs, compact track loaders have a bit of an edge. Despite a common misconception, tracks last several hundred hours longer than skid steer tires, in comparable operating situations. A mid-quality track typically lasts three to four times longer than conventional tires, with proper use and care.
Another factor to consider is downtime cost. If clean ground conditions become sloppy, a skid steer may not be able to work. A compact track loader, however, is designed to perform in adverse ground conditions, and the day's productivity won't be halted due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
Reviewing these three key considerations, it's easy to see just how individualized the choice is for a skid steer or compact track loader.
A company that sees the majority of time spent on asphalt or concrete surfaces is going to get results with a skid steer and pay a lower initial cost. Conversely, a contractor whose jobsite characteristics predominantly include uneven or sandy terrain, or those who do a good amount of work in rainy and snowy weather may find the track loader is worth the upfront cost and the investment will pay off in the long run.
Keep in mind the basics, consider location, and check overall costs when making the decision between a skid steer or a compact track loader.
Compact Track LoadersMini / Compact EquipmentRDO Equipment CompanySkid Steer Loaders
Compact Track Loaders Mini / Compact Equipment RDO Equipment Company Skid Steer Loaders
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Darts Nutz Darts Forum › ALL ABOUT DARTS › PDC darts News
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Lewis Aiming For Big Year
ADRIAN LEWIS is aiming to make a strong start to the Betway Premier League against Raymond van Barneveld on Thursday as he bids to enjoy a successful 2017.
The two-time World Champion began the year with a run to the semi-finals of the Unibet Masters last weekend, defeating Kim Huybrechts and Robert Thornton in Milton Keynes before losing out to Michael van Gerwen.
Lewis faces another Dutchman, Raymond van Barneveld, when the Premier League begins at the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle, and is eager to make a strong start to the season.
"I love playing Barney and we've had some crackers over the years so I'm looking forward to it," said the 32-year-old.
"I've got Barney in the first game and then you know you're coming up against another top player the next week, and the week after that.
"You've put yourself in that position to be shot at, you're in the top eight in the world.
"I think I'm going to have a good year this year. I think my mind's a lot stronger than it was, I had a lot going on last year and my mind wasn't 100 percent on darts.
"I've learned a lot from watching the top players do what they do. It's a massive year for me. I'm defending a lot of money on the Order of Merit at the end of the year but I can make amends early in the year I think.
"I've got to take the rough with the smooth and enjoy it, instead of thinking about the negatives I'm looking at the positives and I think that will be the turning point."
Lewis become one of an elite group of players to achieve a nine-darter in the Premier League last season during a win over James Wade in Belfast, and feels that another perfect leg could be achieved in 2017.
"The nine-darter was special and they always are," added Lewis. "I think I can hit another one and it would be fantastic to do it again."
Despite his defeat to van Gerwen in Milton Keynes, Lewis is aiming to show his class against both the World Champion and world number two Gary Anderson this year.
"Michael and Gary have been the best two players in the last two years, without a shadow of a doubt, but I can match them with my ability," said Lewis.
"Mentally I think I'm probably about 80 percent, but my aim is to be 100 percent at the end of the year.
"I know I can beat Michael, but when you give him that freedom he turns up and it's the same for me when I've got that freedom and no worries."
Hope it's not all blank words, we have to wait and see..
I'd love to see one of these articles titled "John Doe Hopes for Terrible Year." Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.
vanJupp
Lewis is in my opinion the most talent player, but he doesn't use this talent on a regular basis. You always see great moments from him and than absolute rubbish. Just no consistency.
Winmau - Andy Fordham SE
carlmuscleman67
Pili Nut
He is an amazing talent, and can overturn anyone on his day even Mvg , hope he can start winning the big ones again
gumbo2176
Too many times I've seen him show up on stage and have the look like he doesn't even want to be there and he just goes through the motions. I wish the guy played up to his potential most of the time because he's a great player and can beat anyone on any given day.
Not impessed with his stuff against barney! He needs a 180degree turn, now!
(02-04-2017, 03:53 PM)stone Wrote: Not impessed with his stuff against barney! He needs a 180degree turn, now!
Stuffed Barney yesterday and took 2nd in the first day of UK Open qualifiers. However Adrian was booted in the second round today in Wigan.
The G
Lewis needs to loose 12 stone . AKA...Keith Deller. Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.
Match Darts=Target Darryl Fitton,s® 22g
Back ups= Hmmmmm??? ®
And..A few sets of spares .® Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.
(02-04-2017, 04:13 PM)The G Wrote: Lewis needs to loose 12 stone . AKA...Keith Deller. Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.
Maybe start throwing them awesome/cool black pixel barrels his sponsor makes too. Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.
(02-04-2017, 04:15 PM)Great White North Wrote:
Can't see that happening but........can you imagine how the Pixel Grip sales would skyrocket !!! Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.
Snackpot, eh, what a dishevelled darter he's become. A big year ahead? Don't make me laugh. I can certainly see a BIGGER shirt in his not too distant future, and that's about it I'm afraid.
Before he even contemplates a return to the winner's enclosure, Lewis needs to concentrate on his lifestyle choices. You know, the little things like diet, exercise, having, if nothing else, the semblance of pride in one's personal performance. Hell, just taking a bath and washing his hair every once in a while wouldn't be a bad idea according to Mrs Boots.
It's sad at the age of 32, when he should be somewhere near his peak, I can imagine the moment he tries anything more strenuous than lobbing some tungsten or pressing the send button on his Twatter account, the porky-pitcher would suffer a massive coronary embolism, do the funky chicken for a second or two, and it's 'bag 'em and tag 'em' time.
As alluded to by The G, dropping 'Keith the fella Leech' from his entourage would certainly be a step in the right direction. I fail to see what Deller brings to the table - Kebabs, KFC and other such fine dining would be my first guess!
Lewis has talent, no doubt about that, and a (very small) part of me would like to see him back at the top challenging the likes of MvG and Gary, but unless he sorts himself out, and quickly, I suspect we've seen the best of Adrian Lewis.
(02-05-2017, 02:01 PM)Boots Wrote: Snackpot, eh, what a dishevelled darter he's become. A big year ahead? Don't make me laugh. I can certainly see a BIGGER shirt in his not too distant future, and that's about it I'm afraid.
A bit harsh, but there's a lot of truth in some of what you have posted. The guy is 4th in the current PDC Order of Merit, but often plays like he's out the top 50 with halfhearted performances where it looks like he is totally disinterested in what's occurring on stage.
I doubt there's a person that posts to this group that wouldn't be over the moon to be in his position on a weekly basis to be able to compete on the big stage in front of huge crowds with the potential to earn hefty sums of money for what was once a pub game played for pints and pride. He needs to get the fire back in his heart for the game and play up to his potential once again.
When he's on, he's a pleasure to watch, but for a while now he seems content to do just so much and leave a lot on the table when the games are over.
(02-05-2017, 02:46 PM)gumbo2176 Wrote:
Yeah, on reflection, perhaps it was a bit strong. I needed a rant and couldn't resist the urge to vent after my darting frustrations of the night before, and a Lewis discussion tends to bring out the best in me - lol
And you're quite right; I would give most people's right arm to have an ounce of his talent. And yes, when he's hot he makes the game look easier than shooting fish in a leaky barrel. And yes, he's blessed with oodles of natural talent. And yes, that's reason enough for me to dislike him - haha. But, at a push I'm sure I could come up with a few more Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.
It's interesting about those world rankings. Am I correct in thinking they're calculated every two years? A quick look over the last 18, 12 and 6 months shows him heading south with ranks of 5th, 7th and 14th in the world. That's gotta be a worry for Jackpot and his mum. Or perhaps a fair reflection of his apparent apathy for the game that has fed him so well?
Who knows... Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.
The PDC Order Of Merit is based on players earnings over a 2 year period. Right now Adrian Lewis is ranked 4th.
Lewis Aiming To Hook Third Title hamo 0 535 12-19-2016, 03:32 PM
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CelebritiesDating HistoryWho is Fabian Mazzei Dating Now?
Who is Fabian Mazzei Dating Now?
Fabian Mazzei
Argentinean Movie Actor
lbs ( kg)
Ahead, we take a look at who is Fabian Mazzei dating now, who has he dated, Fabian Mazzei’s wife, past relationships and dating history. We will also look at Fabian’s biography, facts, net worth, and much more.
Who is Fabian Mazzei dating?
Fabian Mazzei is currently married to Araceli González. The couple started dating in 2007 and have been together for around 13 years, and 25 days.
The Argentinean Movie Actor was born in Buenos Aires on January 18, 1966. Argentinian actor who is known for appearing in both films and television series. He is most recognized for his recurring role as Andres Saldivar in the 2014 television series We Are Family. He is also known for playing the character Santiago in the 2006 film Perez Mouse.
As of 2021, Fabian Mazzei’s wife is Araceli González. They began dating sometime in 2007. He is a Capricorn and she is a Gemini. The most compatible signs with Capricorn are considered to be Taurus, Virgo, Scorpio, and Pisces, while the least compatible signs with Capricorn are generally considered to be Aries and Libra. Araceli González is 53 years old, while Fabian is 55 years old. According to CelebsCouples, Fabian Mazzei had at least 2 relationship before this one. He has not been previously engaged.
Fabian Mazzei and Araceli González have been dating for approximately 13 years, and 25 days.
Fact: Fabian Mazzei is turning 56 years old in . Be sure to check out top 10 facts about Fabian Mazzei at FamousDetails.
About Fabian Mazzei’s wife
Araceli González
Fabian Mazzei’s wife, Araceli González was born on June 19, 1967 in . She is currently 53 years old and her birth sign is Gemini. Araceli González is best known for being a Spouse. She was also born in the Year of the Goat.
Who has Fabian Mazzei dated?
Like most celebrities, Fabian Mazzei tries to keep his personal and love life private, so check back often as we will continue to update this page with new dating news and rumors.
Fabian Mazzei wifes: He had at least 2 relationship before Araceli González. Fabian Mazzei has not been previously engaged. Fabián Mazzei has been in a relationship with Mónica Cruz (2005 – 2006). We are currently in process of looking up information on the previous dates and hookups.
Online rumors of Fabian Mazzeis’s dating past may vary. While it’s relatively simple to find out who’s dating Fabian Mazzei, it’s harder to keep track of all his flings, hookups and breakups. It’s even harder to keep every celebrity dating page and relationship timeline up to date. If you see any information about Fabian Mazzei is dated, please let us know.
Relationship Statistics of Fabian Mazzei
What is Fabian Mazzei marital status?
Fabian Mazzei is married to Araceli González.
How many relationships did Fabian Mazzei have?
Fabian Mazzei had at least 2 relationships in the past.
How many children does Fabian Mazzei have?
He has no children.
Is Fabian Mazzei having any relationship affair?
Fabian Mazzei Biography
Fabian Mazzei was born on a Tuesday, January 18, 1966 in Buenos Aires. His birth name is Fabian Mazzei and she is currently 55 years old. People born on January 18 fall under the zodiac sign of Capricorn. His zodiac animal is Horse.
He made his acting debut in the 1990 television series Socorro, 5th. Ano. In 2000, he went on to appear in films as well with his debut role being in Appearances. In 1995, he also developed a strong relationship with Channel 13 where he appeared on a range of original televised programs.
Continue to the next page to see Fabian Mazzei net worth, popularity trend, new videos and more.
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By Fred Altieri
Los Angeles Football Club 2020 Game 03 vs Houston Dynamo Monday, July 13, 2020
Brain Rodriguez First Goal Ever For LAFC tied Score in 2nd Half
The MLS is back and so is LAFC. Thanks to a two-goal deficit comeback in the second half, the Black and Gold were able to tie the Houston Dynamo, 3-3, in the Group Stage F, Round 1 match of the MLS Is Back Tournament. 24 Major League Soccer clubs are competing at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex outside of Orlando, Florida in Bay Lake, ending with the Championship Match scheduled on August 11.
Playing without the services of league MVP Carlos Vela, the Black and Gold were still knocking off the four-month rust in the first half as the Dynamo used a opportunistic counter-attack to mount a 3-1 first half lead. But two significant goals by Diego Rossi and Brian Rodriguez restored order and gave LAFC the momentum by the 69th minute.
"Very pleased that there are moments of good football," said LAFC head coach Bob Bradley. "Our ideas continue to go in a good direction. Certainly where our moments of sharpness are not what we want. They have some dangerous attackers, so in transition we were a little slow to react on plays and paid the price."
"But I really liked in the second half that we were able to vary it, make some of those passes right off of the edge of the defense and get Brian and Diego into good positions. I thought that we were able to push the game in the second half and that's a credit to the work that the guys have put in."
Houston midfielder Memo Rodriguez opened the scoring in the 9th minute, securing a loose ball outside the box and delivering a well-placed shot inside the left goal post past diving LAFC goalkeeper Kenneth Vermeer. Ten minutes later, Bradley Wright-Phillips, scored the equalizer by stretching a pass from Diego Rossi into the net.
Wright-Phillips, a two-time MLS Golden Boot winner, was signed in February after having played for the New York Red Bulls for the past seven seasons. It was his first goal in his first game playing for LAFC. The prolific scorer has now put away 109 goals in 196 MLS games played and should figure prominently in the club's scoring attack this season.
Houston kept countering with deep passes, retaking the lead as Memo Rodriguez scored his brace in the 30th minute on a cross and a short rebound. "We didn't handle of couple of plays. Memo Rodriguez on the first goal outside the box, instead of just closing down we turned our back," said Bradley.
"The second one, again, when Rodriguez came in from deep, the reaction in the defense, Tristan (Blackmon) was a little slow to react. That's a play he has to make for us. And the free kick goal, we didn't handle well."
The Dynamo upped the ante just before half as forward Alberth Elis headed a one-bouncer on a perfectly placed free kick by Darwin Quintero. Vermeer and LAFC's defense has now allowed three goals in two consecutive matches this season as they also scrambled for a 3-3 tie with the Philadelphia Union on March 8 at Banc of California Stadium.
Bradley: "We certainly don't want to give up goals but we want to play football where we control games, where we push forward, where we win balls back quickly... But this is part of the process. If you want to be a team that plays upfield, then you have to have the courage to defend high. Your defenders have to be able to cover space behind."
LAFC turned the tide in the second half with a scintillating shot by Diego Rossi in the 63rd minute. It was the kind of goal that places Rossi on a short list elite scorers in the league, a meaningful shot that changed the nature of the match. His hard right bender past goalkeeper Marco Maric had the Dynamo suddenly concerned while cutting the lead, 3-2.
Six minutes later, forward Brian Rodriguez scored his first goal ever for LAFC, who slipped Latif Blessing's touch pass into the back of the goal. It was a highly anticipated goal in his tenth match from Rodriguez that the club and supporters have been expecting since he joined last season. It was a minor miracle that Houston was able hold off the Black and Gold's attack for the remainder of the match to secure the 3-3 tie.
Forward Diego Rossi Scored 30th Career Goal for LAFC Cutting Lead in 2nd Half
"And it's been really good for me to see guys like Mark-Anthony Kaye, (Eddie) Segura, Diego Rossi and Eduard (Atuesta) step up and take more responsibility in the group. It's something that we're very happy about... I think our training continued to push guys. I wasn't surprised that we could still push the game the way that we did. That part is all the players take responsibility," said Bradley.
"I thought that there were a lot of times in the game where we lost balls in the attacking part of the field, our reactions and counter-pressing were really good. That still tells me that those are the kinds of ideas that our team appreciates and that we use to play good football."
LAFC next takes on crosstown rival LA Galazy in Group F play this Saturday, July 18, in the continuing saga of El Trafico. LAFC defeated the Galaxy 5-3 in last season's most anticipated MLS Playoff match at the Banc. They finish up Group F action on Thursday, July 23 against the Portland Timber. The top two finishers of each Group as well as the next four best records advance to the Round of 16 beginning July 25.
2020 NFL Power Rankings – Week 16
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LAFC vs. Tigres in Champions League Final
The recruiting spotlight shines bight on Centaur student-athletes
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College Sports and Mental Health
OCTOBER 31, 2019 | written by Steve Ulrich
>> Happy Halloween! Congratulations to the Washington Nationals on bringing the Major League Baseball championship to D.C. for the first time since 1924. And a tip of the cap to Mark Scialabba (Williams '02), the director of player development for the Nats.
>> Today's Word Count: 1,198, less than 5 minutes.
>> If this email was forwarded to you, we invite you to sign up for your own in-box delivery below.
1. College Sports and Mental Health
Tyler Hilinski had a standout sophomore season at Washington State in 2017, but just a few weeks after the season ended he took his own life.
"Sports is often seen as a laboratory for the bigger world, a microcosm within which we can learn about the human condition, and where we can test theories before applying them more generally. It also boasts passionate and highly engaged fan bases, and can be a powerful medium for focusing attention on a particular topic. As college sports turns its attention to mental health, it could drive innovation that might have a wider impact on non-athletes and non-students as well."
After losing their son, Tyler, to a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head, Kym and Mark Hilinski focused on tackling depression, a common symptom in many neurodegenerative diseases, though also a wider problem. They launched the Hilinski’s Hope Foundation last year to “promote awareness and education of mental health and wellness for student athletes.”
The foundation already counts 16 universities, including Washington State and South Carolina, and two of college football’s Power Five conferences, the ACC and SEC, among its sponsors and partners. It works with Behind Happy Faces, an online mental health curriculum, and Step UP!, a program developed by the NCAA and the University of Arizona that educates students about ways to help others. Behind Happy Faces currently serves more than 70,000 high school and college students, and the NCAA is planning a study of the program at six universities.
Earlier this year, Hilinski’s Hope also partnered with the NCAA Sports Science Institute to support the development of “evidence-based approaches” for health screening of student athletes. The Institute published its first official guidelines on mental health in 2016, promoting student-athlete screening, counseling and programs that support overall mental wellbeing.
>> Why It Matters: In 2017, the National Institute of Mental Health reported that 17.3 million U.S. adults suffered at least one major depressive episode, a prevalence of 7.3%. That same year, suicide was the tenth biggest cause of death in the U.S., accounting for 47,173 lives lost.
>> Reality Check: Research from professor Daniel Eisenberg from the U. of Michigan School of Public Health has shown that 40% of both students and student-athletes experience symptoms of depression, anxiety or other mental health conditions. Of that group, a further 40% typically seek help, indicating that 24% of the student body may suffer from an unaddressed mental health concern.
>> Keep Reading from Jen Booton, SportsTechie
2. The Inner Circle
We wrap up our look at winter pre-season polls with the National Wrestling Coaches Association.
Loras
Mount Union (T-5)
UW-Whitewater (T-5)
UW-La Crosse
Stevens (T-8)
Baldwin Wallace (T-8)
Coe (T-8)
TCNJ (T12)
RIT (T-12)
Alma (T-14)
Ithaca (T-14)
Top-Ranked Individuals
125: Mike Tortorice, UW-Whitewater
133: Charlie Nash, Baldwin Wallace
141: Jordin James, Mount Union
149: Brett Kaliner, Stevens
157: Antwon Pugh, Mount Union
165: Ryan Epps, Augsburg
174: Darden Schurg, Wabash
184: John Boyle, Western New England
197: Riley Kauzlaric, UW-Whitewater
285: Adarios Jones, Augustana
3. Run to Glory
Fall championship season hits high gear this weekend as most conferences hold their annual Cross Country championship meets. Forty-one conferences will determine champions this weekend, beginning with the Skyline Conference that runs today at the Hudson Valley Sports Dome in Milton, N.Y.
Congrats to the CCNY men and the Hunter women for capturing the CUNYAC championship last Sunday. The Dean men and Elms women won the NECC title last weekend.
Men's Meets to Watch
Centennial, Gettysburg, PA (#5 Johns Hopkins, #23 Haverford, #31 Dickinson)
NESCAC, Williamstown, MA (#2 Williams, #18 Colby, #24 Bates)
Liberty, Annandale-on-Hudson, NY (#15 RPI, #26 St. Lawrence, #27 Ithaca)
MIAC, Northfield, MN (#19 St. Olaf, #29 St. Thomas, #30 Carleton)
SCIAC, Claremont, CA (#3 Pomona-Pitzer, #8 Claremont-M-S)
UAA, Pittsburgh, PA (#4 Carnegie Mellon, #7 Chicago, #9 Washington-St. Louis)
WIAC, Platteville, WI (#16 La Crosse, #21 Stevens Point, #34 Stout)
Women's Meets to Watch
Centennial, Gettysburg, PA (#1 Johns Hopkins, #5 Dickinson)
Liberty, Annandale-on-Hudson, NY (#15 RPI, #21 Vassar, #27 RIT)
MIAC, Northfield, MN (#9 Carleton, #14 St. Thomas, #32 Gustavus Adolphus)
NESCAC, Williamstown, MA (#4 Williams, #6 Tufts, #16 Bates)
UAA, Pittsburgh, PA (#2 Washington-St. Louis, #7 Chicago, #24 Rochester)
>> Complete List
Searching for talent for your athletic department? Need assistance with a departmental review or a strategic plan? Time to refresh your conference's policies and procedures? ASC is dedicated to small colleges and is committed to providing solutions for your concerns.
Contact Kurt Patberg (kpatberg.asc@gmail.com), Kim Fierke (kim.fierke.asc@gmail.com) or Steve Ulrich (steveulrich.asc@gmail.com) to see how ASC can help your organization.
4. Topping the Charts
The second regional rankings of the 2019 fall season were released on Wednesday. Here is who tops each region in each sport.
Great Lakes: Centre (15-0)
New England East: Endicott (14-4)
New England West: Middlebury (13-1)
North Atlantic: Geneseo (15-2)
South Atlantic: TCNJ (15-0)
South: Salisbury (15-1)
Central: Washington-St. Louis (13-1-1)
East: William Smith (13-1-1)
Great Lakes: Carnegie Mellon (10-3-1)
Mid-Atlantic: Messiah (15-1-1)
New England: MIT (15-1-2)
North: St. Thomas (12-2-2)
South Atlantic: TCNJ (13-1-1)
West: Pomona-Pitzer (13-1-1)
Central: Calvin (16-1)
East: Rensselaer (13-1-2)
Great Lakes: John Carroll (13-2-2)
Mid-Atlantic: Johns Hopkins (12-2-1)
New England: Amherst (12-0-2)
North: Central (13-2-2)
South Atlantic: Washington and Lee (11-2-3)
West: Claremont-M-S (10-3-2)
Central: St. Olaf (23-4)
Great Lakes: Calvin (20-2)
Mid Atlantic: Johns Hopkins (25-0)
Midwest: Chicago (24-1)
New England: Tufts (21-1)
New York: Stockton (26-2)
South: Emory (23-2)
West: Trinity TX (29-4)
Ryan Stevens named head baseball coach at Wells.
Ryan Spencer named head men's and women's tennis coach at U. of Ozarks.
6. 1 Halloween Thing
"The social contract of Halloween is simple: Provide adequate treats to costumed masses, or be prepared for late-night tricks from those dissatisfied with your offer. To help you avoid that type of vengeance, and to help you make good decisions at the supermarket today, we wanted to figure out what Halloween candy people most prefer. So we devised an experiment: Pit dozens of fun-sized candy varietals against one another, and let the wisdom of the crowd decide which one was best.
While we don’t know who exactly voted, we do know this: 8,371 different IP addresses voted on about 269,000 randomly generated matchups. So, not a scientific survey or anything, but a good sample of what candy people like. And here’s what they said:"
>> The Bottom Line: "So, in the end, the best Frankencandy has the chocolate of a Hershey bar, the nougat of a Baby Ruth, the caramel of a Milky Way, the peanut butter of a Reese’s Cup and the wafer of a Twix, and it’s assembled in a castle looming over an Eastern European village. Or if you’re trying to make this at home: Maybe take a Twix bar and smush it on a PayDay, or roll a Snickers around in rice crispies."
>> Keep Reading from FiveThirtyEight
>> The Final Word: I was promised there would be no math in this newsletter.
Labels: 1 Thing, Comings and Goings, Cross Country, Field Hockey, Mental Health, NCAA, Polls, Rankings, Soccer, Volleyball, Wrestling
Board of Governors Starts NIL Process
A Football Twist to a Partisan Divide
An Isolated Conference in an Age of Expansion
Management Council Weighs In
Are You In Compliance?
Regional Ranking Day
Master Teacher Gets Hall Call
NATA Urges Delay of Youth Sport Specialization
The Notre Dame of eSports
DIII Continues Academic Success
D3Playbook: The Officiating Crisis
Realignment Moves Forward
Mr. Robinson's Neighborhood
UMHB Must Vacate Football Title
BREAKING: Mary Hardin-Baylor Must Vacate 2016 Foot...
An Unseen Admissions Scandal Victim
CCC Assumes Control of Hockey Operation
NCAA Rejects Academic Fraud Recommendations
St. Thomas Receives DI Offer
ILC Endorses Snack Proposal
What is EEE?
Grinnell Cancels Football Season
Your Move, NCAA
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Home » News » Driver’s license offices reopen with limited services; appointments required
Driver’s license offices reopen with limited services; appointments required
The Texas Department of Public Safety is reopening driver's license offices by appointment only and with limited service starting this week. The Marble Falls location will open Friday, May 29, but people can begin making appointments starting Tuesday, May 26. Staff photo by Daniel Clifton
Texas Department of Public Safety driver’s license offices in Marble Falls and Llano will reopen Friday, May 29, by appointment only and with limited services.
The reopenings are part of the DPS’ four-phased approach to resuming driver’s license office operations across the state. The first phase reopened offices in Northwest and West Texas on Tuesday, May 26.
The Marble Falls and Llano offices, part of the second phase, will begin accepting appointments Tuesday at 1 p.m. Phase 2 covers offices in South and Central Texas.
Call the Marble Falls office at 830-693-0200. It is located at 1405A Mormon Mill Road and open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Call the Llano office at 325-247-7788 ext. 3221. It is located at 100 W. Sandstone, Room 200, and open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays.
Phase 3 includes the reopening of driver’s license offices in North and Southeast Texas.
The only services available at this time are first-time Texas driver’s licenses, commercial driver’s license, and learner’s licenses or identification cards, and driving tests.
Gov. Greg Abbott has postponed the expiration of current driver’s licenses, CDLs, ID cards, and Election Identification Certificates through his COVID-19 emergency declaration. Cards that expired on or after March 13, 2020, fall under this declaration and will remain valid until 60 days after the DPS provides public notice that normal driver’s license operations have resumed. According to DPS officials, that 60-day period has not begun.
“Due to the extension still being active, appointments for renewals will not be available until further notice,” according to a DPS media release.
Phase 4 will allow customers to schedule an appointment for all driver’s license office transactions and is expected to begin midsummer. The DPS will announce details of this phase at a later date.
As the DPS begins the process of reopening, it is taking steps to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 and ensure the public and its staff are as safe as possible during driver’s license office transactions. The following safety measures will be in place as offices reopen:
All staff members and the public who are taking a driving test will be required to wear face masks or facial coverings.
Every person (staff and the public) will be screened for symptoms prior to coming into the office, including having their temperature checked.
Customers might be asked to reschedule their appointment if they do not pass the safety screening.
Only actual customers will be allowed into the driver’s license offices. This will limit capacity and ensure everyone can maintain a safe social distance. Exceptions include those needing ADA accommodations, the elderly, parents with small children, and parents and legal guardians needed to complete a transaction.
DPS staff will sanitize workstations and equipment between each customer transaction.
Eye examinations will no longer require physical contact with an eye testing machine.
Customers must pay with credit/debit card, check, or money order. No cash payments will be accepted.
editor@thepicayune.com
Tags: driver's license office, government, Llano news, Marble Falls news, Texas Department of Public Safety
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GOVERNMENT MEETINGS: For week of Jan. 18
3 days ago by: DailyTrib.com
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Home » News » Business » Advisor Sharma for making JK Cements more vibrant, financially viable
Advisor Sharma For Making JK Cements More Vibrant, Financially Viable
30 July, 2020, By Cross Town News
SRINAGAR, JULY 30:-Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor, K K Sharma, today emphasized the need and significance of making the Jammu and Kashmir Cements more vibrant and financially viable so that it could emerge as a huge contributor towards economy of Jammu and Kashmir besides creating job avenues for local youth.
Advisor was speaking at the 103rd Board of Directors meeting of JK Cements Limited (JKCL) which was held here online today.
Financial Commissioner Finance, Arun Kumar Mehta, Commissioner Secretary Industries & Commerce, M K Dwivedi; Director General Planning, Sahibzada Bilal, Secretary Technical Power Development Department, Bashir Ahmed Dar, Chief Engineer Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited, Aijaz Dar and other senior officers participated in the meeting through Video conferencing from Srinagar while Director Geology and Mining, Vikas Sharma and Managing Director JKCL, Naresh Khajuria participated from Jammu.
Advisor, while enumerating the measures being taken up for revival of the company, said that the government is implementing several innovative initiatives for ensuring its revival as well as viability. He asked the Corporation officers to enhance the cement production so that it comes up as one of the major players in the cement industry and income generating unit. He asked the management and the company officials to work in tandem for effectively carrying out the revival programme. He also asked for removing bottlenecks, if any, in the Corporation functioning by adopting new technological interventions and scientific methods.
While discussing in detail the revival plan of the plants at Samba and Khrew, the meeting was told that necessary measures have already been taken up like working out modalities for the Memorandum of Understanding between the JKCL and the Industries and Commerce department besides providing much needed financial infusion. Further, it was decided that the Commissioner Secretary, Industries and Commerce will take fortnightly review of working of the company for enhanced outcome.
The meeting also discussed in the detail various issues related to power supply, liabilities, human resource management and connected concerns of the Company.
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Home > Cruise Line > Celebrity Cruises > Celebrity Constellation
Celebrity Constellation Overview
Celebrity Constellation Takes its Place Among the Stars
The Celebrity Constellation sails to exotic destinations — and offers a stunning array of amenities and choices. AquaClass staterooms offer a Hansgrohe® shower tower as well as access to the Persian Garden. You can also count on priority access to dine at Blu, which serves breakfast and dinner.
If you’re a loyal Captain’s Club Zenith member — or staying in a Celebrity, Signature, Royal, Penthouse, or Reflection Suite, you’re in for a treat. You’ll have access to an exclusive lounge boasting a concierge, large-screen TV, library, a premium continental breakfast, light lunch, and snacks. You’ll also receive free, celebratory pre-dinner drinks each day.
Feed your hunger at the Tuscan Grille, or treat yourself to Crush, where you can treat yourself to vodka and caviar at ice-filled tables. If you’re in the mood for chilling on the Celebrity Constellation, the Canyon Ranch SpaClub will pamper you with soothing massages.
Cellar Masters
Michael's Club
The Martini Bar & Crush
Immerse yourself in the culture of wine within the inviting atmosphere of Cellar Masters, the onboard wine bar. Cellar Masters offers you the opportunity to try a bold collection of both familiar and unknown wines from around the world. To help you explore these wines, Celebrity features a state-of-the-art Enomatic® wine-by-the-glass dispensing system. The sommeliers will guide you in the use of the Enomatic® system and offer further insight into the fine art of wine selection, an integral part of an epicurean lifestyle.
Light up the night with Lady Luck by your side in this world-class casino. With a sophisticated ambiance and captivating sights and sounds, the casino offers exhilaration for experienced high rollers and those trying their luck for the first time.
Michael's Club is a private lounge for those in Celebrity, Signature, Royal, Penthouse, and Reflection Suites, as well as for Captain’s Club Zenith members. This luxurious club features a large-screen TV, reading areas stocked with magazines, newspapers, and books, a premium continental breakfast, light lunch, and self-service snacks, and complimentary pre-dinner drinks in the evenings. Its dedicated Concierge can help arrange your specialty dining reservations, book your shore excursions, and even handle inquiries about various ports of call.
The Rendezvous Lounge is the perfect place to gather before dinner for a cocktail and dancing. After dinner enjoy live music, dancing and a signature cocktail.
Talented bartenders put on a high-energy show, preparing an intriguing menu of classic and contemporary martinis on the totally cool, ice-topped bar, including the 20-Year Martini in celebration of Celebrity's 20th Anniversary. Sit back in the contemporary plush high-back chairs while listening to up-tempo tunes and enjoy a collection of classic and rare vodkas and a portfolio of fine caviars.
Café al Bacio & Gelateria
Bistro on Five
Ocean Liners Restaurant
San Marco Restaurant
Oceanview Café and Bar
AquaSpa Café
An Italian steakhouse with a nouveau twist. An outgoing waitstaff ensures tableside service that's personal as well as professional. And the food? Take the traditional style and artisanal flair of Italy, add contemporary influences, and serve the cuisine in abundance. It's all part of the expansive character of Tuscan Grille.
The warm atmosphere, comfortable furniture, and sweet scent of freshly baked waffle cones create an instant emotional connection. Café al Bacio is a great place to relax, any time of day.
Stop by Bistro on Five whenever you wish. It's open from six in the morning until late at night, and reservations are not required. The friendly, open nature of Bistro on Five is reflected by the chefs. Whether you need a fast breakfast before a shore excursion or a relaxing lunch after you've returned, the service is as quick as you need it to be. The attentive waitstaff will introduce you to the globally inspired crêpes on the menu and the panini, soups, salads, and desserts that are featured as well.
Ocean Liners Restaurant is a celebration of that luxurious era of transatlantic crossings. The walls are lined with paintings of the SS Ile de France and other notable ships, and glass showcases of marine memorabilia capture the mystique of a bygone era. Relive the age of post-World War I jubilance and glamorous innovation as you enjoy Rack of Lamb Encroute with a vintage glass of Burgundy in these magnificent surroundings.
The San Marco Restaurant is the centerpiece of Celebrity's immersive and enriching range of culinary experiences. Enjoy an unparalleled wealth of choices every evening. Working literally around the clock, the galleys delight in sending out artfully presented dishes, every delicate micro-green garnish perfectly in place. And, as part of the Top Chef at Sea experience, guests will have the opportunity to indulge in some of the dishes that the judges raved about on Bravo’s Emmy® Award-winning TV show. Top Chef Night in the Main Restaurant features a full menu of delicious appetizers, soups, salads, entrees, and desserts that were big hits on the show.
This café's décor and offerings reflect that of an international marketplace. With a menu influenced by multiple cultures, the cuisine takes diners on a voyage around the world. Stations available in the marketplace include made-to-order pasta, stir-fry, pizza, sushi, a full salad bar, and a variety of appetizer entrées and desserts. Open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late night.
Celebrity was one of the first cruise lines to offer a spa restaurant. They saw an opportunity to create an extension of the industry's leading spa experience by introducing the AquaSpa Café. The result is a creative take on healthy cuisine, featuring an eclectic blend of offerings that are both flavorful and good for you.
Celebrity iLounge
Canyon Ranch SpaClub®
Keep in touch 24 hours a day in the Celebrity iLoungeSM, the one-of-a-kind hip Internet lounge that is the first Apple® Specialist at Sea. Celebrity iLoungeSM also offers various iLearn classes to help you master the latest photography, video, and audio skills.
Relax and rejuvenate in the serene spa at sea. Experience the unique services of Canyon Ranch in the breathtaking setting of Celebrity's modern luxury ships. Enhance your vacation with a complete wellness and lifestyle program that increases resilience, restores serenity, and helps you feel rejuvenated.
Spend the day by the pool. Relax with a book, or have a bite at the grill. Enjoy the serenade of the music from the bandstand and dance your heart away on the dance floor. For a refresher, take a dip in the pool or rejuvenate in the whirlpool.
To make the most of your spa experience, visit the Persian Garden before or after your spa treatment. Surrounded by beauty, you will instantly drift away as different grottos release a variety of dry heat, steam, and mists into the air with aromatherapy-filled vapors. Relax on a heated ceramic lounger while your body is purified and the pressures of life escape you.
Regardless of your fitness level, Celebrity's fitness center empowers you with tools for health of body and peace of mind. From boot camps to indoor cycling, be good to your whole self in the state-of-the-art fitness facility with soaring floor-to-ceiling windows. Build strength, flexibility and body awareness with comprehensive yoga, Pilates, and body-sculpting classes. Led by certified instructors, these classes rival those of the most elite health and fitness facilities.
Caribbean $799 $1,349
Transatlantic $2,399
Select Destination CaribbeanEurope ----- CaribbeanEuropeRepositioningTransatlantic
Select Departure Port BarcelonaRomeTampaVenice ----- BarcelonaCivitavecchia (Rome)RomeTampa/St.PetersburgVenice
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"Top Large Ship" Conde Nast
5 Night Caribbean Cruise
Departing From Tampa/St.Petersburg
Your Celebrity Cruise Package Includes:
Most entertainment and daily activities
It does not include travel protection, shore excursions, personal expenses, specialty dining, wifi, gratuities, or alcoholic beverages.
Ship: Celebrity Constellation
Tampa - Florida
Belize City - Belize
Cozumel - Mexico
Tampa - Florida (View Itinerary)
Day 1: Tampa - Florida (Depart 05:00 PM)
Day 3: Belize City - Belize (10:00 AM - 06:00 PM)
Day 4: Cozumel - Mexico (10:00 AM - 07:00 PM)
Day 6: Tampa - Florida (Arrive 07:00 AM)
Family with Kids, Family with Teens, Gourmet, Honeymoon, Luxury, Romantic, Senior, Wedding
1. Tampa - Florida (Depart 05:00 PM)
3. Belize City - Belize (10:00 AM - 06:00 PM)
4. Cozumel - Mexico (10:00 AM - 07:00 PM)
6. Tampa - Florida (Arrive 07:00 AM)
FREE On Board Tips!
Book today & your on board gratuities are included in the price of your cruise!
Offer Terms: Offer include the prepayment of on board gratuities for all guests in the stateroom. Always Included Pricing Packages apply to sailings, excluding Galapagos cruises, in an inside, ocean view, veranda, Concierge Class, or AquaClass stateroom. Pricing Packages apply to new individual bookings and to staterooms in non-contracted group bookings, which must be named and deposited. Pricing packages are capacity-controlled, availability varies by sailing, and eligible staterooms may sell out. All pricing packages are non-transferable and applicable only to the Eligible Bookings. Pricing packages are not combinable with other offers including but not limited to Simply Sail, Loyalty, Travel Partner or Employee Rates. No refunds or credits will be granted for unused options. Pricing packages are subject to availability and may change without notice, are capacity controlled, and not applicable to charters or contracted groups. Single occupancy bookings are eligible for all Pricing Packages, but will be limited to a single beverage package and Wi-Fi for one device. Changes to booking may result in removal of pricing package. Travel Agents: Group bookings that are named prior to the start date of the new pricing strategy cannot be cancelled and rebooked under Always Included. Named bookings can receive the Always Included amenities, if they change their pricing to prevailing rates. Unnamed group space will receive the Always Included listed amenities, no action needed.
FREE Drinks!
Book today & we will give you a Free Beverage Package for all guests in the stateroom!Offer Terms: Offer is for new bookings only. The beverage package is based on the rate booked. The Beverage Packages are available for selected drinks only, and does not include room service, in-stateroom purchases, mini bar items or souvenir glasses. Optional gratuities may apply to certain on-board purchases (such as spa, specialty dining and drinks above the package amount) and are not included in the Gratuities Included offer. The Classic Beverage Package includes all Carbonated Drinks, Bottled Water, Juices including Apple, Cranberry, Orange, Lemon, Grapefruit, Premium Coffees and Teas as well as beer, spirits, cocktails and wines by the glass up to $9 per serving. The Premium Beverage Package includes All Carbonated Drinks, Premium Bottled Water, Freshly Squeezed and Bottled/Canned Juices, San Pellegrino, Red Bull, Vitamin water, Honest Iced Teas and Premium Coffees and Teas as well as beer, spirits, cocktails and wines by the glass up to $15 per serving. Bottles of wine are not included. Always Included Pricing Packages apply to sailings, excluding Galapagos cruises, in an inside, ocean view, veranda, Concierge Class, or AquaClass stateroom. Pricing Packages apply to new individual bookings and to staterooms in non-contracted group bookings, which must be named and deposited. Pricing packages are capacity-controlled, availability varies by sailing, and eligible staterooms may sell out. All pricing packages are non-transferable and applicable only to the Eligible Bookings. Pricing packages are not combinable with other offers including but not limited to Simply Sail, Loyalty, Travel Partner or Employee Rates. No refunds or credits will be granted for unused options. Pricing packages are subject to availability and may change without notice, are capacity controlled, and not applicable to charters or contracted groups. Single occupancy bookings are eligible for all Pricing Packages, but will be limited to a single beverage package and Wi-Fi for one device. Changes to booking may result in removal of pricing package. Travel Agents: Group bookings that are named prior to the start date of the new pricing strategy cannot be cancelled and rebooked under Always Included. Named bookings can receive the Always Included amenities, if they change their pricing to prevailing rates. Unnamed group space will receive the Always Included listed amenities, no action needed. The minimum drinking age for purchasing or consuming alcoholic beverages on Celebrity Cruises ships sailing from North America and Canada is 21 years at the time of sailing, and elsewhere is 18 years to comply with applicable laws. Where the eligible guest in a stateroom is less than the applicable minimum age on the initial sailing date, a Classic Non-alcoholic beverage package will be provided to this guest instead. Valid passenger date of birth information must be provided at the time of booking before a beverage package will be applied. This is a legal requirement and we reserve the right to withdraw the package if guests do not meet the qualifying criteria.
FREE WiFi @Sea
Book today & we will give you FREE WiFi @Sea Package for the first two guests in the stateroom!
Offer Terms: Offer is for new bookings only. Offer is only valid for two internet packages per cabin. Additional internet packages can be purchased for an additional charge. Guests with Internet Packages will receive instructions for Internet access in their staterooms on the first day of the cruise. The internet package included is based on the rate booked. Xcelerate Stream Package includes highspeed internet with the ability to message or video chat, browse the web, send emails, post on social media, and access streaming video and music. Xcelerate Surf Package includes basic internet service allowing web browsing, email access and text messenger services. This package does not include VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technology such as FaceTime, Skype, or the ability to stream videos through Nexflix and YouTube. Always Included Pricing Packages apply to sailings, excluding Galapagos cruises, in an inside, ocean view, veranda, Concierge Class, or AquaClass stateroom. Pricing Packages apply to new individual bookings and to staterooms in non-contracted group bookings, which must be named and deposited. Pricing packages are capacity-controlled, availability varies by sailing, and eligible staterooms may sell out. All pricing packages are non-transferable and applicable only to the Eligible Bookings. Pricing packages are not combinable with other offers including but not limited to Simply Sail, Loyalty, Travel Partner or Employee Rates. No refunds or credits will be granted for unused options. Pricing packages are subject to availability and may change without notice, are capacity controlled, and not applicable to charters or contracted groups. Single occupancy bookings are eligible for all Pricing Packages, but will be limited to a single beverage package and Wi-Fi for one device. Changes to booking may result in removal of pricing package. Travel Agents: Group bookings that are named prior to the start date of the new pricing strategy cannot be cancelled and rebooked under Always Included. Named bookings can receive the Always Included amenities, if they change their pricing to prevailing rates. Unnamed group space will receive the Always Included listed amenities, no action needed. The minimum drinking age for purchasing or consuming alcoholic beverages on Celebrity Cruises ships sailing from North America and Canada is 21 years at the time of sailing, and elsewhere is 18 years to comply with applicable laws. Where the eligible guest in a stateroom is less than the applicable minimum age on the initial sailing date, a Classic Non-alcoholic beverage package will be provided to this guest instead. Valid passenger date of birth information must be provided at the time of booking before a beverage package will be applied. This is a legal requirement and we reserve the right to withdraw the package if guests do not meet the qualifying criteria.
Up to $800 to Spend On Board!
Book today & we will give you up to $800 to spend on board!
Offer Terms: Offer is for new bookings only. Offer is valid on Select 1-5 Night Celebrity Cruise Sailings. On Board credit amount is based on number of guests in the stateroom, length of sailing as well as the price of the cruise. All guests in the same stateroom must select the same pricing package at the time of booking. Guests’ onboard account will be credited with an OBC based on the rate chosen and length of sailing. OBC has no cash value, cannot be used in an onboard casino, is applicable to cruise only, non-transferable, is not redeemable for cash, and will expire if not used by 10:00 PM on the final night of the cruise. Pricing Packages apply to new individual bookings and to staterooms in non-contracted group bookings, which must be named and deposited. Pricing packages are capacity-controlled, availability varies by sailing, and eligible staterooms may sell out. All pricing packages are non-transferable and applicable only to the Eligible Bookings. Pricing packages are not combinable with other offers including but not limited to Simply Sail, Loyalty, Travel Partner or Employee Rates. No refunds or credits will be granted for unused options. Pricing packages are subject to availability and may change without notice, are capacity controlled, and not applicable to charters or contracted groups. Single occupancy bookings are eligible for all Pricing Packages, but will be limited to a single beverage package and Wi-Fi for one device. Changes to booking may result in removal of pricing package. Travel Agents: Group bookings that are named prior to the start date of the new pricing strategy cannot be cancelled and rebooked under Always Included. Named bookings can receive the Always Included amenities, if they change their pricing to prevailing rates. Unnamed group space will receive the Always Included listed amenities, no action needed.
10 Night Caribbean Cruise
San Juan - Puerto Rico
Philipsburg - St. Maarten
Basseterre - St Kitts & Nevis
Charlotte Amalie - St. Thomas
Puerto Plata - Dominican Rep
Day 4: San Juan - Puerto Rico (03:00 PM - 10:00 PM)
Day 5: Philipsburg - St. Maarten (10:00 AM - 07:00 PM)
Day 6: Basseterre - St Kitts & Nevis (07:00 AM - 06:00 PM)
Day 7: Charlotte Amalie - St. Thomas (07:00 AM - 03:00 PM)
Day 8: Puerto Plata - Dominican Rep (11:30 AM - 07:00 PM)
Day 10: Day At Sea
Day 11: Tampa - Florida (Arrive 07:00 AM)
4. San Juan - Puerto Rico (03:00 PM - 10:00 PM)
5. Philipsburg - St. Maarten (10:00 AM - 07:00 PM)
6. Basseterre - St Kitts & Nevis (07:00 AM - 06:00 PM)
7. Charlotte Amalie - St. Thomas (07:00 AM - 03:00 PM)
8. Puerto Plata - Dominican Rep (11:30 AM - 07:00 PM)
10. Day At Sea
11. Tampa - Florida (Arrive 07:00 AM)
Up to $1,600 to Spend On Board!
Offer Terms: Offer is for new bookings only. Offer is valid on Select 10+ Night Celebrity Cruise Sailings. On Board credit amount is based on number of guests in the stateroom, length of sailing as well as the price of the cruise. All guests in the same stateroom must select the same pricing package at the time of booking. Guests’ onboard account will be credited with an OBC based on the rate chosen and length of sailing. OBC has no cash value, cannot be used in an onboard casino, is applicable to cruise only, non-transferable, is not redeemable for cash, and will expire if not used by 10:00 PM on the final night of the cruise. Pricing Packages apply to new individual bookings and to staterooms in non-contracted group bookings, which must be named and deposited. Pricing packages are capacity-controlled, availability varies by sailing, and eligible staterooms may sell out. All pricing packages are non-transferable and applicable only to the Eligible Bookings. Pricing packages are not combinable with other offers including but not limited to Simply Sail, Loyalty, Travel Partner or Employee Rates. No refunds or credits will be granted for unused options. Pricing packages are subject to availability and may change without notice, are capacity controlled, and not applicable to charters or contracted groups. Single occupancy bookings are eligible for all Pricing Packages, but will be limited to a single beverage package and Wi-Fi for one device. Changes to booking may result in removal of pricing package. Travel Agents: Group bookings that are named prior to the start date of the new pricing strategy cannot be cancelled and rebooked under Always Included. Named bookings can receive the Always Included amenities, if they change their pricing to prevailing rates. Unnamed group space will receive the Always Included listed amenities, no action needed.
9 Night Europe Cruise
Palma De Mallorca - Spain
Provence (toulon) - France
Florence/pisa(laspezia)italy
Rome (civitavecchia) - Italy
Naples - Italy
Kotor - Montenegro
Split - Croatia
Venice - Italy (View Itinerary)
Day 1: Barcelona - Spain (Depart 05:00 PM)
Day 2: Palma De Mallorca - Spain (07:00 AM - 04:00 PM)
Day 3: Provence (toulon) - France (10:00 AM - 06:30 PM)
Day 4: Florence/pisa(laspezia)italy (08:00 AM - 07:00 PM)
Day 5: Rome (civitavecchia) - Italy (07:00 AM - 07:00 PM)
Day 6: Naples - Italy (07:00 AM - 06:30 PM)
Day 8: Kotor - Montenegro (07:00 AM - 04:00 PM)
Day 9: Split - Croatia (07:00 AM - 04:00 PM)
Day 10: Venice - Italy (Arrive 06:45 AM)
1. Barcelona - Spain (Depart 05:00 PM)
2. Palma De Mallorca - Spain (07:00 AM - 04:00 PM)
3. Provence (toulon) - France (10:00 AM - 06:30 PM)
4. Florence/pisa(laspezia)italy (08:00 AM - 07:00 PM)
5. Rome (civitavecchia) - Italy (07:00 AM - 07:00 PM)
6. Naples - Italy (07:00 AM - 06:30 PM)
8. Kotor - Montenegro (07:00 AM - 04:00 PM)
9. Split - Croatia (07:00 AM - 04:00 PM)
10. Venice - Italy (Arrive 06:45 AM)
Venice - Italy
Taranto - Italy
Barcelona - Spain (View Itinerary)
Day 1: Venice - Italy (Depart 07:00 PM)
Day 4: Taranto - Italy (10:00 AM - 07:30 PM)
Day 10: Barcelona - Spain (Arrive 06:00 AM)
1. Venice - Italy (Depart 07:00 PM)
4. Taranto - Italy (10:00 AM - 07:30 PM)
10. Barcelona - Spain (Arrive 06:00 AM)
Key West - Florida
Kralendijk - Bonaire
Oranjestad - Aruba
Willemstad - Curacao
George Town - Grand Cayman
Day 3: Key West - Florida (07:00 AM - 04:00 PM)
Day 6: Kralendijk - Bonaire (11:00 AM - 09:00 PM)
Day 7: Oranjestad - Aruba (08:00 AM - 11:00 PM)
Day 8: Willemstad - Curacao (07:00 AM - 03:00 PM)
Day 10: George Town - Grand Cayman (11:30 AM - 06:30 PM)
3. Key West - Florida (07:00 AM - 04:00 PM)
6. Kralendijk - Bonaire (11:00 AM - 09:00 PM)
7. Oranjestad - Aruba (08:00 AM - 11:00 PM)
8. Willemstad - Curacao (07:00 AM - 03:00 PM)
10. George Town - Grand Cayman (11:30 AM - 06:30 PM)
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Select Departure City
Civitavecchia (Rome) only(2)
Rome only(2)
Tampa/St.Petersburg only(18)
Art Auctions only(36)
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Culinary Demos (0)
Library only(36)
Miniture Golf (0)
Outdoor Movie Screen (0)
Waterslides (0)
Wine Tasting only(36)
Sort by: Price (Low to High) Price (High to Low)Duration Duration (High to Low)
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RGRTA tweaks routes, bus stops
David Riley
@rilzd
Far fewer workers need to commute to the leaner Eastman Kodak Co. today than 30 years ago. So why would public buses continue to travel to and from the company the same way they did a generation ago?
Despite tweaks over the years, some Rochester-Genesee Regional Transportation Authority bus routes have not been updated in any systematic way in decades — until recently. The authority began overhauling bus routes in 2012.
"They're still going to destinations that were relevant 30 years ago," said Crystal Benjamin, the authority's planning director. "What we want to do is update the system so they go to the destinations that are relevant now."
The latest updates kicked in Jan. 6 on several key routes linking the city and suburbs, including 20 from downtown Rochester through Gates, Spencerport and Brockport. Routes 30 and 2, both of which serve downtown and Webster, also have changed.
Route changes in Henrietta are on the drawing board this year. Next year, the authority has its eye on more city routes, including 12, from the 19th Ward to Monroe Community College, and 18 and 19, both of which serve Plymouth and University avenues.
The authority previously tweaked routes along Main and Goodman streets and Dewey Avenue.
Routes also will change when the authority's downtown Regional Transit Service terminal opens some time in 2015. Benjamin said the authority also is working to plan route changes more proactively as big developments come up, including College Town and CityGate.
Part of the goal, too, is to make routes easier for customers to understand.
"When they can't figure out how to ride the bus somewhere, it's a barrier," she said.
Also in the works is a study of the placement and number of bus stops in the RGRTA's territory. The end result may be eliminating and streamlining some of the roughly 3,800 bus stops in Monroe County alone — a number that can slow down service.
"It's more than we think we need, but having that many stops makes it difficult to maintain them all and even more difficult to invest in each one," Benjamin said.
The authority expects recommendations from Passero Associates, the company carrying out the study, by May.
DRILEY@DemocratandChronicle.com
Twitter.com/rilzd
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Android ‘TV Guide’ App Redesign: New Features And Social Interaction But Lots Of Ads
Reuters ReporterMay 06, 2013 06:38 PM EDT
Facebook Linkedin Twitter Google+ Print Email
After re- launching the app for iOS last summer Android ‘TV Guide’ has finally thrown Android users a bone. ‘TV’ Guide updated it’s app for Android for the first time since 2010. It is available for Ice Cream Sandwich (4.0.2) and Jellybean (4.1).
They have added a number of new features like the Watchlist tool that allows users to customize listings by adding favorite shows, sports teams, actors and movies. Another cool too is New Tonight Tending which is a social list of what other app users are watching and filters for Watchlist that show users only their favorite shows.
Other features of the updated app include:
- Social check-in and discussion: Throughout the app, check in, share and discuss what you're watching via social networks using TV Guide's "I'll Watch" button.
- Video Search and Curated Video Channels: Find the TV shows, movies and web originals you want to watch now or browse through editor- and guest-curated channels. Guest curators have included Andy Cohen from Bravo's "Watch What Happens Live."
- Celebrity Watchlist Videos: The biggest stars – Sigourney Weaver, Tina Fey, Katie Couric and dozens more
– Share why they love their favorites in these exclusive TV Guide videos.
- Super-Charged "Classic" Listings: Our best listings grid ever, including alerts, HD and favorite channel filters, "I'll Watch" social sharing, and instant "Add to Watchlist." - Original Editorial Content: TV Guide's original breaking news and features – and the ability to discuss them with editors and other fans.
- New Tonight Sports: Every sporting event on TV that day.
The updated app has gotten an enthusiastic reception so far, it’s gotten 9 million downloads with 1.1 million users creating Watchlists and monthly active users doubling to 2.5 million users. This will be a major source of revenue for the company that uses ad-support to allow the app to be free. There is concern about the potentially excessive number of ads that might diminish excitement. It has already dented the rating on the Apple store to 3.5 out of 5 stars. Android users have been more generous with a 4.0 out of 5.
More: Smartphones, Android devices, Computing, Android, Technology, Computer architecture, Google Nexus, Google, Motorola Droid, Nexus, Tegra, Nexus One, Motorola
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Ag Interest Rate Snapshot
Farm Credit Rates
Iran: Enrichment Beyond Deal Limits
7/7/2019 | 9:30 AM CDT
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) -- Iran announced Sunday it will increase its uranium enrichment to an unspecified level beyond the terms of its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, breaking another limit set under the accord and furthering heightening tensions between Tehran and the U.S.
Setting another unspecified 60-day deadline for the deal, Iran took further steps toward pressuring Europe while urging further diplomacy to save an agreement that President Donald Trump unilaterally pulled the U.S. from a year ago.
Hopes for saving the faltering deal appear increasingly dim, however, as the Europeans have been unable to offer Iran any effective way around U.S. sanctions that block Tehran's oil sales abroad and target its top officials. But Iran's recent measures, while of concern to nuclear non-proliferation experts, could be easily reversible if Europeans offer Iran the sanctions relief it seeks.
Tensions began rising in May when the U.S. rushed thousands of additional troops, an aircraft carrier, nuclear-capable B-52 bombers and advanced fighter jets to the Mideast.
Mysterious oil tanker blasts near the Strait of Hormuz, attacks by Iranian-backed rebels in Yemen on Saudi Arabia and Iran shooting down a U.S. military drone have raised fears of a wider conflict engulfing a region crucial to global energy supplies.
In Sunday's news conference, Iranian officials said the new level of uranium enrichment would be reached later in the day, but did not provide a percentage. Under the nuclear deal, the cap for enrichment was set at 3.67%, a percentage closely monitored by inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency, the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog.
"Within hours, the technical tasks will be done and enrichment above 3.67% will begin," Iran nuclear agency spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi said. "We predict that the IAEA measurements early tomorrow morning will show that we have gone beyond 3.67%."
The IAEA said it was aware of Iran's comments and "inspectors in Iran will report to our headquarters as soon as they verify the announced development."
Ali Akbar Velayati, an aide to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, made remarks in a video Saturday about Iran's need for 5% enrichment. Bushehr, Iran's only nuclear power plant, is now running on imported fuel from Russia that's enriched around 5%.
Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif sent a letter to EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini outlining the steps it had taken, said Abbas Araghchi, a deputy foreign minister. Discussions with European powers are continuing and ministerial-level talks are planned later this month, he said.
"We will give another 60-day period, and then we will resume the reduction of our commitments," Araghchi said, without elaborating.
On Saturday, French President Emmanuel Macron told his Iranian counterpart, Hassan Rouhani, in a phone call that he is trying to find a way by July 15 to resume the dialogue between Iran and Western partners.
Kamalvandi also stressed that Iran will continue to use only slower, first-generation IR-1 centrifuges to increase enrichment, as well as keep the number of centrifuges in use under the 5,060-limit set by the nuclear deal. Iran has the technical ability to build and operate advanced centrifuges that work faster, but is barred from doing so under the deal.
"For the enrichment we are using the same machines with some more pressure and some special technical work," he said. "So we don't have an increase in the number of centrifuges for this purpose."
But Kamalvandi stressed that Iran is able to continue enrichment "at any speed, any amount and any level."
Sunday's announcement about uranium enrichment came a year after President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the deal. Iran has repeatedly warned Europe in recent weeks that it would begin walking away from an accord neutered by a maximalist American campaign of sanctions.
The decision to ramp up uranium enrichment came less than a week after Iran acknowledged breaking the deal's 300-kilogram (661-pound) limit on its low-enriched uranium stockpile.
Experts warn higher enrichment and a growing stockpile narrow the one-year window Iran would need to have enough material for an atomic bomb, something Iran denies it wants but the deal prevented.
Enriched uranium at the 3.67% level is enough for peaceful pursuits but is far below weapons-grade levels of 90%.
Iran denies it seeks nuclear weapons, but the nuclear deal sought to prevent that as a possibility by limiting enrichment and Iran's stockpile of uranium.
International reaction came swiftly, including from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who long has described Iran and its nuclear program as a threat to his country. He called on world powers to impose "snapback sanctions" on Iran.
"It is a very, very dangerous step," Netanyahu said. "I'm asking you, not to provoke but out of joint knowledge of history and what happens when aggressive totalitarian regimes can cross the threshold toward things that are very dangerous to us all. Take the steps that you promised. Enact the sanctions."
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Admission Steps
Communication Management - Learning and Development - MA
1 Admission
2 Application
3 Start the
Print Steps
Terms and Deadlines
Degree and GPA Requirements
Additional Standards for Non-Native English Speakers
Additional Standards for International Applicants
For the 2020-2021 academic year
See 2021-2022 requirements instead
Fall 2020 quarter (beginning in September)
Final submission deadline: July 31, 2020
International submission deadline: June 19, 2020
Winter 2021 quarter (beginning in January)
Final submission deadline: November 6, 2020
International submission deadline: October 2, 2020
Spring 2021 quarter (beginning in March)
Final submission deadline: February 12, 2021
International submission deadline: January 8, 2021
Summer 2021 quarter (beginning in June)
Final submission deadline: April 30, 2021
International submission deadline: March 26, 2021
Final submission deadline: Applicants cannot submit applications after the final submission deadline.
Degrees and GPA Requirements
Bachelors degree: All graduate applicants must hold an earned baccalaureate from a regionally accredited college or university or the recognized equivalent from an international institution.
Grade point average: The minimum undergraduate GPA for admission consideration for graduate study at the University of Denver is a cumulative 2.5 on a 4.0 scale or a 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits (approximately two years of work) for the baccalaureate degree. An earned master’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution supersedes the minimum standards for the baccalaureate. For applicants with graduate coursework but who have not earned a master’s degree or higher, the GPA from the graduate work may be used to meet the requirement. The minimum GPA is a cumulative 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for all graduate coursework undertaken.
Program GPA requirement: The minimum undergraduate GPA for admission consideration for this program is a cumulative 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
Official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) are required of all graduate applicants, regardless of citizenship status, whose native language is not English or who have been educated in countries where English is not the native language. Your TOEFL/IELTS/CAE scores are valid for two years from the test date.
The minimum TOEFL/IELTS/CAE test score requirements for this degree program are:
Minimum TOEFL Score (Internet-based test): 80 with minimum of 20 on each subscore
Minimum TOEFL Score (Paper-based test): 550
Minimum IELTS Score: 6.5 with minimum of 6.0 on each band score
Minimum CAE Score: 176
English Conditional Acceptance Offered: Master's degree applicants who do not meet the required level of English proficiency may be considered for conditional acceptance if all other admission criteria are met. Prior to enrolling in any graduate-level coursework, English Conditional Acceptance (ECA) requires an evaluation by the University of Denver's English Language Center (ELC) and successful completion of intensive ELC English courses including the Graduate Preparation Program. Academic classes may not be taken while students are enrolled at the English Language Center. As an alternative to the English Language Center, an applicant may become fully admitted by submitting sufficient TOEFL/Academic IELTS scores.
Read the English Language Proficiency policy for more details.
Read the English Conditional Admission (ECA) policy for more details.
Read the Required Tests for GTA Eligibility policy for more details.
Per Student & Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) regulation, international applicants must meet all standards for admission before an I-20 or DS-2019 is issued, [per U.S. Federal Register: 8 CFR § 214.3(k)] or is academically eligible for admission and is admitted [per 22 C.F.R. §62]. Read the Additional Standards For International Applicants policy for more details.
Required Essays and Statements
We require a scanned copy of your transcripts from every college or university you have attended. Scanned copies must be clearly legible and sized to print on standard 8½-by-11-inch paper. Transcripts that do not show degrees awarded must also be accompanied by a scanned copy of the diploma or degree certificate. If your academic transcripts were issued in a language other than English, both the original documents and certified English translations are required.
Upon admission to the University of Denver, official transcripts will be required from each institution attended.
Recommendations are optional and not required as part of admission materials. The admission committee reserves the right to request recommendations when reviewing an admission application.
Essays and Statements
Personal Statement Instructions
On the University College website, read the description of the master's program and concentration for which you are applying. Then, in a statement of 450-500 words (approximately two pages in 12 pt., double-spaced type), please explain how your chosen course of study aligns with your personal goals and motivations. In addition, please address how your education and professional experiences have shaped your desire to pursue your degree.
Résumé Instructions
The résumé (or C.V.) should include work experience, research, and/or volunteer work.
Start the Application
Your submitted materials will be reviewed once all materials and application fees have been received.
Our program can only consider your application for admission if our Office of Graduate Education has received all your online materials and supplemental materials by our application deadline.
Application Fee: $75.00 Application Fee
Applicants should complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 15. Visit the Office of Financial Aid for additional information.
APPLY TO DU
VISIT DU
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Supreme Court's "Standing" Ruling in Spokeo and Its Impact on Pending and Future Litigation
By John Seiver and Bryan Thompson
The U.S. Supreme Court recently issued its much-anticipated ruling in Spokeo v. Robins, in which the Court considered whether Congress can confer Article III standing on a plaintiff to bring an action based on an alleged violation of a statute where that plaintiff has not otherwise suffered concrete injury. In a 6-2 decision, the Court held that whatever statutory violation may have occurred, a plaintiff must suffer an injury-in-fact that is concrete and particularized to satisfy Article III standing. Although “intangible” injuries can be concrete, and the “violation of a procedural right” can be sufficient in some circumstances, the Supreme Court noted that even an intangible injury must have actually occurred, such that “a bare procedural violation, divorced from any concrete harm” to the plaintiff cannot satisfy the injury-in-fact requirement.
However, the Court offered little additional guidance. Instead, in reversing, it narrowly focused on the 9th Circuit’s standing analysis, holding that the court failed to properly address whether the procedural violations alleged by the plaintiff satisfied the concreteness requirement, and that particularization and concreteness must each be satisfied.
The impact of the Court’s decision is thus likely to be more limited than many observers and class action defendants initially hoped. While Spokeo arose under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (“FCRA”), the case had the potential to have wide implications for putative privacy class actions brought under a host of federal laws, including the Video Privacy Protection Act (“VPPA”), the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”), and other statutes where Congress created private rights of action and provided statutory damages to compel compliance by those regulated.
Plaintiffs have been successful in raising claims under these and other statutes without identifying cognizable harm flowing from alleged statutory violations. Standing has thus become a major issue in privacy litigation. Whether plaintiffs can satisfy this elemental requirement to have their claims survive a motion to dismiss often determines whether the parties engage in years of costly litigation or choose to settle, frequently for substantial sums.
Spokeo may ultimately have a muted impact on the issue of standing in some privacy class actions, doing little more than creating an additional hurdle for plaintiffs to clear by requiring them to demonstrate both a statutory violation and, where not apparent from or intrinsic to that violation, injury-in-fact that is both concrete and particularized. That said, the Court’s focus on an alleged harm being individualized to a plaintiff – i.e. by requiring it to be “concrete and particularized” – may make the bar for class certification harder for plaintiffs to clear. For a class to be certified, questions common to the class must predominate over questions affecting individual members and a class representative’s claims must be typical of the class. Spokeo could potentially preclude class certification when each plaintiff must show individualized harm to establish standing and not just for quantifying damages. Indeed, the Supreme Court previewed this potential argument for defendants in another case decided earlier this term, Tyson Foods v. Bouaphakeo, which examined whether a class can be certified that includes members who do not have standing, having not suffered a concrete and particularized injury.
Robins’ Problem with What Spokeo Did
The central issue in Spokeo was whether the plaintiff, Robins, suing on a FCRA claim, established the requisite constitutional standing to sue in federal court on the private right created by that federal statute.Robins alleged that Spokeo willfully violated the FCRA by publishing factually incorrect personal information about him on its website, including that he was married, had children, was employed, earned a high wage, and held a graduate degree. The 9th Circuit ruled that the FCRA statutory cause of action that did not require plaintiffs to show that they had suffered any actual harm, and that “the violation of a statutory right is usually a sufficient injury in fact to confer standing.”
In vacating that decision and remanding to the 9th Circuit, the Supreme Court held that a concrete injury must be “real” and not “abstract,” but that the injury suffered does not necessarily have to be “tangible.” Instead “intangible” harms – like violations of the First Amendment, injury to reputation due to slander, or being barred from accessing information Congress required to be public – or even a risk of harm – may still qualify as a “concrete” injury. And in some instances, violation of a procedural right granted by a statute affecting an intangible harm – such as being denied information Congress required to be publicly available – “can be sufficient . . . to constitute an injury in fact.”
However, the Court continued, while Congress has the power to define new injuries – including intangible harms – and new rights under a statute, a plaintiff does not automatically satisfy injury-in-fact merely by suing to enforce or vindicate that statutory right. Instead, if the statutory violation is more “procedural” in nature but itself causes no harm or risk of harm – e.g., failure to provide a required notice – the plaintiff must establish some more concrete injury resulting from the violation for there to be injury-in-fact and thus standing. In the FCRA context, where the law seeks to curb dissemination of false information by requiring consumer reporting agencies to follow particular procedures, the Court noted there may be some bare procedural violations – such as dissemination of an incorrect zip code – that could not without more cause actual harm or a risk of harm and therefore could not alone suffice to establish standing. The Supreme Court remanded the case to allow the 9th Circuit to complete that inquiry with respect to the incorrect information about Robins that was published, but the Court took “no position” on whether Robins adequately alleged injury-in-fact leaving that entirely to the 9th Circuit.
Is There a Valid "Public Right" versus "Private Right" Distinction?
Justice Thomas’ concurrence elaborated on the majority’s distinction between bare procedural violations “divorced from any concrete harm,” which do not satisfy standing, and intangible injuries or risks to harm that can alone constitute injury-in-fact. In Justice Thomas’ view, where a statute creates a “public right” – i.e. requirements and/or prohibitions meant to benefit the public generally –the plaintiff must still suffer some concrete, individual harm from violation of the statute, distinct from the general public, to sue individually or to serve as the representative for a class action. Alternatively, if Congress adopts a statute and creates a “private right” – i.e. a requirement/prohibition meant to benefit the individual – the plaintiff need not allege any additional harm beyond the invasion of that right.
Justice Thomas clarified that courts historically presumed a de facto injury when a plaintiff sued for invasion of a private right – therefore, a property owner would not have to show anything more than that the defendant entered his or her land to assert a claim for trespass. However, “when a plaintiff seeks to vindicate a public right, the plaintiff must allege that he has suffered a “concrete” injury particular to himself.” Statutes that provide a series of regulatory duties to protect consumers at large thus would require a plaintiff to separately demonstrate that he or she suffered a concrete and particularized harm to assert a viable cause of action.
Spokeo’s Impact on Privacy Class Actions
Spokeo may not give defendants a lot to work with, at least at the 12(b)(6) phase where defendants have their best chance at gaining dismissal of actions for lack of standing. Instead, the distinction between procedural violations “divorced from any concrete harm” that do not qualify as injuries for Article III standing purposes, and those intangible injuries or risks to harm that can alone constitute injury-in-fact, will allow plaintiffs in some cases to simply allege “concrete” harm that is sufficiently plausible to withstand a motion to dismiss. Even without such an allegation, Spokeo invites plaintiffs to argue that bare violation of a “right” protected under a given statute is not merely “procedural” but instead directly affects the plaintiff and requires no further proof of a concrete harm.
Spokeo’s greatest impact may potentially be the class certification phase. Spokeo’s emphasis on plaintiffs demonstrating both a concrete and particularized harm in order to survive the standing inquiry may create problems for certifying a class under Rule 23(b)(3), which requires a class may only be certified if questions common to class members predominate over those affecting individual members and requires the class representative’s claims to be typical of the class members. In Robins’ case under the FCRA, Justice Thomas noted in his concurring opinion an approach that may help in future standing analyses (with emphasis added here):
Section 1681e(b) [of the FCRA] requires Spokeo to follow reasonable procedures to assure maximum possible accuracy concerning the individual about whom the report relates. If Congress has created a private duty owed to Robins to protect his information, then the violation . . . suffices for Article III injury in fact. If that provision, however, vests any and all consumers with the power to police the “reasonable procedures” of Spokeo, without more, then Robins has no standing to sue . . . absent an allegation that he has suffered an individualized harm.
It is questionable whether Robins or another plaintiff could successfully show that publishing inaccurate information alone is an injury. But even if such allegation were possible, if each putative class representative and class member must first prove injury from publication of inaccurate information about that would-be plaintiff or class member to establish liability, those individual questions may well predominate over common issues and Robins’ claims may well not be typical of the class, so as to preclude certification.
Further, the combined effect of Spokeo and Tyson Foods may have a significant impact. In Tyson Foods, the Court held that statistical evidence may suffice to prove liability for the class in narrow and specific circumstances where permitted by the statute at issue, and where the exact same statistical evidence would be used to establish or defeat liability for each individual class member. The majority opinion in Tyson Foods held that Tyson Foods invited the error of potentially compensating uninjured class members because it refused to bifurcate the trial. However, Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Alito’s concurrence questioned whether the Court could rely on “invited error” to overcome the Article III injury-in-fact requirement. The Tyson Food’s majority’s ambiguity and reliance on invited error to justify compensating potentially uninjured class members is now seemingly untenable alongside Spokeo’s concrete-and-particularized injury requirement. Although some harms or injuries can be established with little more than reference to a procedural violation, this may prove to be an unintended but important silver lining for businesses defending themselves against class actions asserting procedural violations of privacy statutes.
Time will tell how the 9th Circuit and other lower courts will resolve these questions. There are dozens of FCRA, TCPA, and other privacy cases that were stayed pending the decision in Spokeo, and the 9th Circuit still must decide on remand whether the FCRA violations that Robins claimed are sufficiently “concrete” to satisfy standing. Even if the 9th Circuit allows Robins to proceed, whether a class could be certified in his case is hard to predict. Meanwhile, plaintiffs and defendants in other privacy cases are sparring over Spokeo’s meaning: on May 20, defense counsel in In re Nickelodeon Consumer Privacy Litigation wrote a FRAP 28j letter to the Third Circuit arguing that Spokeo precludes reviving plaintiffs’ claim that defendants violated the VPPA, stating that plaintiffs had not alleged any concrete injury to assert standing, as Spokeo now requires. Some lower courts have previously accepted the argument that a bare violation is enough to find injury in the VPPA context.
More recently, one federal court in a TCPA case found injury because the challenged calls “required Plaintiffs to waste time answering or otherwise addressing widespread robocalls.” However, the analysis on this point was brief, and did not delve into the question whether the alleged violations involved in the challenged calls were “procedural,” such as technical failures in documenting consent, or substantive as might be the case where there is a complete lack of consent.
How courts will resolve whether a plaintiff has suffered a concrete injury in light of Spokeo, and whether the Court’s decision erects and higher barriers to class certification where concrete injury is a must to show standing, bear close watch.
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Deutsche Telekom lines up VR and AR over 5G for Bayern Munich
6th September 2019 @ 13:18
Deutsche Telekom and football club FC Bayern Munich have teamed up to deploy 5G mobile coverage around the Bayern Munich club grounds from spring 2020, enabling fans to use augmented and virtual reality apps on 5G-enabled devices.
Work on developing the applications is slated to start this year, with Deutsche Telekom setting up antennas around the grounds in spring next year.
The first tests may take place earlier, outside the stadium, as the 5G expansion programme is already underway in the local area in the north of Munich, according to the telco.
“Deutsche Telekom is working with FC Bayern Munich to open up the world of 5G technology to soccer spectators. Fans visiting the Allianz Arena will be able to explore a whole new dimension in soccer through VR and AR. We’re helping bring the club and its fans even closer together, which is of course in keeping with our motto – ‘Life is for sharing’,” said Michael Hagspihl, head of consumers at Telekom Deutschland.
“The Allianz Arena stands for quality, progress, and innovation. We are really pleased we can offer our supporters this very special technology so early on, thanks to the support of our long-standing partner, Deutsche Telekom. Following on from the comprehensive expansion of Wi-Fi in 2015, 5G technology is the next logical step in making the whole match experience in the Arena even more attractive,” said Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, executive board chairman of FC Bayern München AG.
Tags: 5g, Bayern Munich, Deutsche Telekom, Germany
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Digital TV News: ESS Technology
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Jan 7, 2010 – ESS Technology has unveiled RadiX, the highest performance CMOS hybrid TV tuner for worldwide analog and digital terrestrial and cable TV reception.
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Navigate Okavango Delta Safari
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andBeyond Xudum Lodge
Botswana sets the standard for low density, low impact tourism in Southern Africa and the Okavango’s luxury lodges are some of the very best in the world. There are wonderful tented camps and lodges in every corner of the Delta, many so elaborate and beautifully constructed that it’s hard to imagine how they were built at all. Situated in some of the Okavango’s most remote, secluded regions they often seem to grow organically, directly from the earth. Ecological construction and management practices are a hallmark of many lodges and most use timber and other natural materials to blend in as much as possible. Depending on the lodge and the time of year, you may gaze out onto vast, open, game-rich plains, or sit high on stilts over an endless, lapping lagoon.
Every part of a luxury Okavango safari is a highlight in itself. From the moment you fly in over the lush, elephant-dotted floodplain, to the lodge’s stunning tented suites, the tranquil mokoro trips, the food. Days are spent exploring the Delta, often by boat which adds an extra special twist. And at night the lodges come alive with the soft light of glowing lanterns for an evening of fine dining under the African stars. The Okavango’s lodges are known for exceptional service, and private guides and bespoke activities are the norm. June to August is usually the best time for water-based activities and September and October are more suited to wildlife viewing.
Most of the Okavango’s luxury camps are small and intimate, which also means that space is limited and the popular camps tend to fill up fast. If you’re looking to visit during peak season especially (June to October), then consider making enquiries about a year in advance. If you’re undecided where to go, then try splitting your time between two different camps – perhaps three or four days near deep water for motorboat and mokoro trips and another few days in a drier area for game drives. Moving between camps involves planning and some precision, but there are plenty of established tour companies that have the logistics well in hand. It’s usually best, both in terms of practicalities and price, to book everything through a single operator rather than try to arrange your itinerary yourself. Fly-in safaris can vary in price considerably, from $600 a night for a luxury mobile safari, all the way up to over $3000 a night at a top luxury lodge. April, May and November are more affordable times to travel, while there’s still good weather across the Delta, but substantial discounts are available.
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10 Ways Pregnancy Changes Your Skin
By Michele Bender
Your belly’s not the only body part growing and changing during pregnancy. Here’s what will happen to your skin in the next nine months...
Pregnancy brings more than an expanding waistline, strange cravings and a ride on an emotional roller coaster. You might also get thick gorgeous hair and rosy cheeks. Or not. For some women, pregnancy delivers breakouts, discoloration, skin tags and varicose veins. It also may cause hypersensitivity, so you can’t use your favorite jewelry or beauty products. The reason is hormonal fluctuations. “Changes in estrogen and progesterone levels influence skin in all pregnant women,” says Judith Hellman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist affiliated with Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York.What else is waiting for you? Read on to find out.
1. What to expect: That pregnancy glow and clear complexion.
Experts believe a combination of hormones, oil and a 40% increase in blood volume makes a pregnant woman’s skin seem luminous during pregnancy. “Pregnancy’s hormonal changes deliver more oxygen and nutrients to all organs, including the skin,” Dr. Hellman says.
Another reason for that radiance: Weight gain, which “fills out the skin and ‘tightens’ it, making it appear smooth,” she says.
2. What to expect: Breakouts
The increase in progesterone levels also triggers more “sebum (oil) production, causing breakouts,” explains Ranella Hirsch, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Cambridge, Mass.So choose acne products with care. Avoid products with retinol, retinoids and salicylic acid, because of possible birth defects. “Retinols and retinoids are vitamin A derivatives, and oral vitamin A in high doses can cause serious birth defects,” says Matthew Schulman, MD, assistant professor of plastic surgery at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. “It’s not likely that a topical retinol or retinoid will harm a developing baby, but there’s no data regarding the use of these ingredients during pregnancy.”Use benzoyl peroxide instead, Dr. Schulman advises. The acne-fighter has been tested and found to be safe during pregnancy. Or try natural topical remedies such as tea tree oil and lavender. Other dermatologist-administered acne treatments, such as intense pulsed light (IPL) treatments and micro-dermabrasion, are also safe, Dr. Schulman says.
“Just make sure it’s a crystal-free micro-dermabrasion system, because the commonly used aluminum crystals haven’t been studied during pregnancy,” Dr. Schulman says.3. What to expect: Dark skin patches
About half of pregnant women develop melasma, which appears as large, dark patches on their face. Sometimes called the “mask of pregnancy,” this hyper-pigmentation is commonly found symmetrically on the cheeks, nose and forehead. Increased hormones levels are one factor. “Estrogen, progesterone and melanocyte-stimulating hormone” – which regulates skin color – “are highest during the third trimester,” Dr. Schulman says.Unfortunately, pregnant women have few options to prevent melasma. Avoid the sun to prevent it from worsening and use a broad-spectrum sunscreen (which blocks ultraviolet A and B rays).After delivery and you’re done with breastfeeding, you can use lightening products with licorice, vitamin C, kojic acid, soy or retinol.
4. What to expect: Good thick hair days
Normally, each hair grows for 2-6 years, then rests for a few months before falling out. But a pregnant woman’s hair rests longer before falling out, creating a thicker mane. Nails also grow longer and stronger.“Pregnancy boosts your body’s hormones, blood volume and water, providing more oxygen and nutrients for your hair,” Dr. Hirsch says.Enjoy it while it lasts; the effect disappears after pregnancy.
5. What to expect: Hair everywhere
The downside of lush, fast-growing hair? It’s not all on your head, but also on your face, bikini line, underarms or legs. Depilatories/bleach creams are fine for small areas like the lip, but skip large spots like the bikini line. Such products have active ingredients, such as barium sulfide powder and calcium thioglycolate, which could be absorbed into your bloodstream and affect your developing baby. They haven’t been tested and proven safe to use during pregnancy.
Even procedures such as waxing or depilatories may feel extra painful and cause breakouts or rashes. If so, try shaving, which may be less irritating.Besides, the effect is temporary: Hair – even on your head – “will start to fall out about 3-6 months post-partum, a condition known as telogen effluvium,” says Elizabeth Hale, MD, clinical associate professor of dermatology at NYU Langone Medical Center. “So let things normalize before booking laser hair removal.”6. What to expect: Sensitive skin
Your emotions aren’t the only touchy thing during these nine months. “Pregnancy can make skin more sensitive – even to products or materials” that never bothered you before, says Dr. Hale. “A common problem is irritation from jewelry that you might have worn your whole life.” Use gentle, fragrance-free products and always test new skincare products on your wrist or behind your ear before using them.
7. What to expect: Moles
Moles may get bigger or new ones can crop up. Some women may even develop pyogenic granulomas, dark, oozing growths also called “pregnancy tumors,” on hands or in the mouth.
Though most usually are harmless, see a dermatologist anytime you see a new or changing mole, spot or pigment patch. “Skin cancers can pop up during pregnancy, so it’s a good idea to have them examined,” Dr. Hellman says. “It’s not easy for the average person to know which are benign.”If the moles are harmless, wait until after delivery to have them removed. But don’t delay treatment if they’re cancerous. “They can be treated surgically, even during pregnancy,” Dr. Hellman says.
8. What to expect: Skin tags
Skin tags – harmless, tiny growths attached to the body by a small, narrow base – are commonly found in high-friction spots like the underarms, groin area, under breasts or the base of the neck. They often appear in the second and third trimesters. That’s because “during pregnancy, elevated levels of estrogen and progesterone stimulate the growth of the skin’s outer layers,” Dr. Schulman says. Although some shrink postpartum, most remain. A dermatologist can remove them.
9. What to expect: A dark stripe on your abdomen.
About three-fourths of pregnant women get a dark black, vertical line, called a linea nigra, heading from the belly button to pubic area.
“It results from increased melanin production in pregnancy,” says Mona Gohara, MD, associate professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Conn.“Higher levels of estrogen in the body ratchet up pigment-producing cells, making them go into melanin overdrive,” she says.In fact, your nipples may darken too. Don’t worry: Both fade after pregnancy.Because UV rays can make the linea nigra darker, use sunscreen if you plan to expose your belly in a bikini. 10. What to expect: Varicose veins
There’s a downside to the increased blood volume that brings a glow to your cheeks: It also puts pressure on leg veins, causing painful swelling.
“Varicose veins are abnormally stretched, swollen veins protruding from the skin,” explains Luis Navarro, MD, director of the Vein Treatment Center in Manhattan. “They’re often the result of faulty vein valves or weak walls.”The antidote is exercise, which boosts circulation and keeps blood from pooling. Compression hose are especially important if you’re on your feet a lot.If varicose veins don’t vanish on their own, the most effective treatment is sclerotherapy post pregnancy or after you’re done having kids, Dr. Navarro says.During this procedure, a vascular surgeon or dermatologist injects foam into the veins to close them up. A few sessions are needed, but legs often return to pre-pregnancy smoothness. For more information, visit our Pregnancy and Skin Health Centers.
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Trump will become US 'opposition leader': Joe Hockey2 months, 1 week ago
Donald Trump will become US 'opposition leader': former ambassador Joe Hockey
Doug Dingwall@dougdingwall 11 Nov 2020, 11:52 a.m.
US President Donald Trump with then-Australian ambassador to the US Joe Hockey. Picture: Instagram
The former ambassador predicted President Trump would monetise his support base and establish cable news and social media platforms to rival Fox News and Facebook.
Donald Trump will become the United States' "opposition leader" following his defeat and has probably convinced himself he was robbed the presidential election, former ambassador to the US Joe Hockey has said.
Mr Hockey, speaking at a virtual Trans-Tasman Business Circle event on Tuesday, also praised Joe Biden's "disciplined" campaign and said the election result was the right one for the US.
The former Coalition government treasurer predicted President Trump would monetise his support base, establish cable news and social media platforms, and remain a force in the nation's politics after leaving the White House.
President Trump would be frustrated there was no comprehensive legal evidence yet supporting his claims of widespread election fraud, Mr Hockey said.
"He'll be thinking to himself , and look, I think he's been thinking it for a while, 'what's next?'," he said.
How will Joe Biden deal with COVID-19?
ACT's Democrats celebrate Biden election win
EDITORIAL: Hard road awaits Joe Biden after victory
Mr Hockey, who knew and played golf with Mr Trump while he was ambassador to the US between 2016 and 2020, doubted the US President would concede election defeat and said he had probably convinced himself he was robbed of victory.
President Trump would establish media platforms to rival Fox News, Facebook and Twitter.
"That'll be his vehicle to wind up 70 million people to support him," Mr Hockey said.
The outgoing president would become the "leader of the opposition" in the US probably until the mid-term elections in 2022, the former ambassador said.
Mr Hockey faced backlash last week after saying electoral fraud was possible in the US, and questioning results from Washington, D.C. where Mr Biden received strong support.
Speaking on Tuesday, Mr Hockey said the polarised political debate had made governing the US difficult but President-elect Biden was off to a good start winning broad support from Americans.
"His demeanour is perfect for the moment, just calm, not making rash decisions, considered, just reassuring and experienced," he said.
"Many more people like Joe Biden than voted for him, many more people, in America.
"There's a foundation there probably amongst moderate Republicans but also amongst the working class that will give him a go. The question is how he handles it."
Then-Australian ambassador to the US Joe Hockey with Foreign Minister Marise Payne, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and then-US ambassador to Australia designate Arthur B. Culvahouse, Jr. in Washington, D.C. in 2019. Picture: US Department of State
Mr Hockey predicted the Biden administration would rebuild multilateralism in international affairs but would bring little change in the US relationship with China beyond the words it used.
"The US has had enough. China is completely friendless in the United States," Mr Hockey said.
"America has woken up to cyber security threats and the more it's dug down, the more it's discovered what it didn't know about the theft of intellectual property and malfeasance by state-related actors, not just out of China but out of other places as well."
There was a need for Chinese President Xi Jinping to meet Mr Biden, and for more engagement between China and other countries.
There would be an opportunity for Prime Minister Scott Morrison to work with President-elect Biden to make relations with China more constructive.
"The question will be how do you bring along other countries," Mr Hockey said.
The story Trump will become US 'opposition leader': Joe Hockey first appeared on The Canberra Times.
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CricketCricket
SeriesSeries
ICC RankingsICC Rankings
Has Steven Smith made the fastest ODI hundred for Australia?
48dSteven Lynch
Need for speed: How Mitch and Lockie Ferguson developed the Machineroad app
51dDeivarayan Muthu
Ramachandra Guha: 'Cleaning up Indian cricket is a lost cause'
52dInterview by Nagraj Gollapudi
Zimbabwe to host ODI World Cup qualifiers in June-July 2023
34dESPNcricinfo staff
Hosts New Zealand to kick off 2022 Women's ODI World Cup on March 4
Gill as opener, Pant as keeper - Gavaskar, Border give their views on India's XI
34dVarun Shetty
Gavaskar on increased concussion incidents: 'Front press' the reason for getting hit on helmet
34dNagraj Gollapudi
Tom Moody returns to Sunrisers Hyderabad, this time as director of cricket
Tim Southee and Neil Wagner wrap up dominant 2-0 win
37dKarthik Krishnaswamy
If players can travel and quarantine, why can't umpires, asks Jason Holder
Jason Holder 'looking to make use of every opportunity' after pay cuts as bubble life continues
Mitchell Starc's boots made to have Nathan Lyon's victims walking
36dDaniel Brettig
Rejuvenated Galle Gladiators look to find a way past Wanindu Hasaranga
34dAndrew Fidel Fernando
'I bowled wicket-to-wicket and tried to bowl dots' - Hasaranga on his LPL success
History beckons as Jaffna Stallions look to beat the odds one last time
34dMadushka Balasuriya
Bhanuka Rajapaksa: Our seam attack is better than anybody else's
Fantasy Pick - Galle Gladiators vs Jaffna Stallions
34dRahul Maniraja
Perth Scorchers vs Melbourne Stars, BBL 2020-21, Fantasy Pick, team predictions
Whatever happened to Craig Simmons, maker of the fastest BBL hundred?
34dAlex Malcolm
Shubman Gill: India have 'plenty of moves' for Australia's chin music
Jaffna Stallions set up final clash with Galle Gladiators
'LPL vital for Sri Lanka cricket's future' - Dasun Shanaka
Titans vs Dolphins called off after Dolphins player tests Covid-19 positive
35dFirdose Moonda
Singapore promoted to global qualifier for 2022 T20 World Cup
Sams stars in Thunder's thrilling win over Heat
Daniel Sams' stunning all-round show carries Sydney Thunder to victory
Chris Lynn, Dan Lawrence investigated for Covid-19 protocol breach in BBL
Injured Angelo Mathews likely to miss South Africa tour
Australia's opener conundrum deepens as Burns fades
36dAndrew McGlashan
Hanuma Vihari: The challenge with the pink ball is during twilight, under floodlights
36dSidharth Monga
Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant tons set up Indians' victory push
D'Arcy Short takes down Rashid Khan and then top-order collapse costs Adelaide Strikers
Babar Azam ruled out of T20Is against New Zealand
Misbah-ul-Haq: We 'considered pulling out of New Zealand tour'
38dUmar Farooq
Ross Taylor dropped for Pakistan T20Is; Lockie Ferguson out with injury
Angelo Mathews calls for IPL-style playoff structure in LPL
Dhananjaya Lakshan's all-round show puts Galle in final
2022 Under-19 men's World Cup qualifying events set to begin in June 2021
Yuvraj Singh named in Punjab's 30-man probables' list for Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy
Has batting become easier in the second half of a Test in recent times?
37dAnantha Narayanan
BCCI: Rohit Sharma 'clinically fit' but must work on his endurance while in quarantine
Smith keen to let captaincy talk 'rest for now'
Gilchrist urges selectors to lock in Burns to aid final warm-up
Melbourne Renegades start strong after bowlers, Shaun Marsh fire
37dAlan Gardner
Steven Smith's back-to-back centuries, both in 62 balls, are the third fastest hundreds for Australia in ODIs Getty Images
Steven LynchEditor of the updated edition of Wisden on the Ashes
Steven Lynch won the Wisden Cricket Monthly Christmas Quiz three years running before the then-editor said "I can't let you win it again, but would you like a job?" That lasted for 15 years, before he moved across to the Wisden website when that was set up in 2000. Following the merger of the two sites early in 2003 he was appointed as the global editor of Wisden Cricinfo. In June 2005 he became the deputy editor of Wisden Cricketers' Almanack. He continues to contribute the popular weekly "Ask Steven" question-and-answer column on ESPNcricinfo, and edits the Wisden Guide to International Cricket.
Steven Smith scored two centuries in three days against India, both of them coming in 62 balls - has anyone made a faster hundred for Australia in ODIs? asked Brent Franklin from Australia
Those near-identical centuries by Steven Smith against India on Friday and on Sunday come in joint third on Australia's list of the fastest hundreds in men's one-day internationals. Their quickest took just 51 balls, by Glenn Maxwell against Sri Lanka in Sydney during the 2015 World Cup, while James Faulkner belted one from 57 balls against India in Bengaluru in 2013-14.
Who played the most Test matches without ever ending up on the losing side? asked Sanket Amdalli from the UAE
This unusual record is held by the Indian offspinner Rajesh Chauhan, who appeared in 21 Tests in the 1990s, of which 12 were won and nine drawn. He's well ahead of the next man, the Australian legspinner Colin McCool, who was never on the losing side in his 14 Tests, ten of which were won. The Antiguan allrounder Eldine Baptiste played ten Tests for West Indies between 1983-84 and 1989-90 and won the lot, another record.
The equivalent record for one-day internationals is currently held by another Indian, wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha, whose nine ODIs have brought eight wins and a no-result. The new South African fast bowler Anrich Nortje has played in seven ODIs as I write, and finished on the winning side each time (on the flip side, Nortje has lost five of his six Tests).
Is it true that Garry Sobers was supposed to play in the first World Cup? asked Michael Johnstone from England
Garry Sobers - or Sir Garfield, as he'd been since the New Year Honours were announced earlier in 1975 - was indeed in the original West Indies squad for the inaugural World Cup in England. However, he withdrew after suffering a groin strain while playing for Littleborough in the Central Lancashire League. "I would have loved to play," he wrote. "But I had pulled a muscle and, though it might have healed in the intervening two weeks, I did not believe it was worth taking the risk. Countries had to declare their 14 players in advance, and if someone dropped out there was no provision to call up a replacement."
Rohan Kanhai took Sobers' place and, aged 39 and greying at the temples, scored a vital 55 in the final against Australia at Lord's, at one point going scoreless for 13 overs while Clive Lloyd made merry.
It meant that Sobers played only one official one-day international, against England at Headingley in 1973, when he was out for a duck (although he did take 1 for 31).
Rohan Kanhai replaced an injured Garry Sobers at the 1975 World Cup and made 55 in the final PA Photos
Six Indian batsmen scored 1 against West Indies at Ahmedabad in 1983-84. Is this a record for the most 1s in a Test innings? asked Syed Nooruzzaman from Pakistan
The short answer is yes: India's six 1s against West Indies in Ahmedabad in 1983-84 is comfortably a record. Sunil Gavaskar was the first to go for a single, and he was followed by Sandeep Patil, Ravi Shastri, Kapil Dev, Roger Binny and Balwinder Sandhu. India, who had needed 242 to win, were all out for 103 (looking on the bright side, at least no one was out for 0). Michael Holding inflicted three of the dismissals. There are ten instances of four batsmen scoring 1 in the same Test innings.
When Australia were bowled out for 75 by South Africa in Durban in 1949-50, there were six 2s on the scorecard (including the not-out batsman Bill Johnston). There have been five Test innings that included six ducks, plus six more with five ducks and a 0 not out.
Zimbabwe hold the corresponding record in one-day internationals: five of their batsmen made 1 against Bangladesh in Dhaka in January 2005, although only four of them were dismissed: Chris Mpofu finished with 1 not out. There are 20 instances of four scores of 1 in an ODI innings.
When Bangladesh's women slid to 54 all out against India in the opening match of the T20 Asia Cup in Bangkok in November 2016, there were seven scores of 1, including the last five in the order (one of whom, Khadija Tul Kubra, was not out).
Did Imran Khan, now the prime minister of Pakistan, play in the McDonald's Cup in Australia in 1985? asked Farwa from Morocco
The McDonald's Cup was the name given to the Australian states' one-day competition from 1979-80 to 1987-88, after which the sponsor changed. Imran Khan had a season with New South Wales in Australia, in 1984-85, as he recovered from a leg injury. He did not appear in NSW's first two games in that season's McDonald's Cup, but he was Man of the Match in the semi-final, against Victoria at the MCG, following 1 for 28 from his ten overs with 73 not out in a seven-wicket win. And he was on the winning side again in the final, against South Australia in Sydney, scoring 36 and taking a wicket as NSW eased to an 88-run victory which formed part of a domestic double, as they also won the four-day Sheffield Shield that season.
And there's a clarification for one of last week's questions, about players who have appeared for multiple IPL teams, after queries from Sooryanarayanan Sesha and Harbinger Ora:
Irfan Pathan played for five IPL teams - the Kings XI Punjab, Delhi Daredevils, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rising Pune Supergiant and Gujarat Lions - but he was also in the Chennai Super Kings squad in 2015, when he did not appear in a match. So he shouldn't really appear on the list, although he was on the roster of six different squads. Thanks also to those who pointed out that Shaun Marsh was the leading scorer in the inaugural IPL in 2008, with 616 runs for Kings XI Punjab, before he'd played for Australia.
Use our feedback form or the Ask Steven Facebook page to ask your stats and trivia questions
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NCAAMNCAAM
BracketologyBracketology
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Monmouth hires Vandy assistant Rice as coach
Monmouth hires King Rice as coach
WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. -- Monmouth hired Vanderbilt assistant King Rice as its basketball coach Tuesday, looking to put the basketball program on course after five straight losing seasons.
He replaces Dave Calloway, who resigned under pressure. The Northeast Conference school plans to introduce Rice at a news conference Wednesday.
Rice, once a point guard who played for Dean Smith at North Carolina, has 13 seasons of college coaching experience, including 10 years working for current Vanderbilt coach Kevin Stallings.
Rice and Stallings were together for five seasons at Illinois State (1994-98) and the last five at Vanderbilt, which made the NCAA tournament four of the last five seasons.
"He brought a tremendous amount of energy, liveliness, hard work, and dedication to his position here at Vanderbilt, and I believe those attributes will make him a very successful head coach at Monmouth," Stallings said.
The 42-year-old Rice also worked at Providence and Oregon. He was the head coach of the Bahamas national team from 2001-04.
Rice played at North Carolina from 1988-91, helping the Tar Heels to a spot in the 1991 Final Four. He ranks third in assists on the school's career list.
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Darrell Hammond to Replace Don Pardo as the Voice of Saturday Night Live
By Ryan Bort
The announcements keep on coming as we near the premiere of Saturday Night Live's 40th anniversary season. Last week we learned that Daily Show correspondent Michael Che will replace Cecily Strong as Colin Jost's Weekend Update co-anchor, and today longtime cast member Darrell Hammond has been announced as the late Don Pardo's replacement as the voice of SNL.
"I just knew it wouldn't be anybody who sounded like Don or replicated him," said Lorne Michaels. "It can't be what it was, but it could sort of be in the same tradition. And it will be nice to have Darrell around. He understands the show and will probably be helpful in ways we haven't yet figured out."
And this isn't the first time Hammond has manned the mic for some of the most famous intros in show business. Listen to Pardo talk about the time Hammond filled in for him below:
[H/T: Vulture
Style Don'ts On Display in New Dumb and Dumber To Movie Poster
Help, We're in a Living Hell and Don't Know How to Get Out
CPAC Bonus Saturday -- The Princess In Excelsis
The Man Who Dresses the NBA Will Now Be Dressing You
Live Sessions: Watch Justin Townes Earle Perform Fleetwood Mac's 'Dreams'
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Five ways to support our society during the COVID-19 pandemic
How to help the Singapore community during the coronavirus crisis.
Apr 2, 2020 Words By Lauren Gui
Remember Lord of the Flies? An uninhabited island, something about a pig, an important seashell, a little murder here and there? Substitute social distancing calls for the seashell, blatant refusal to stop hoarding or heed lockdown restrictions for murder, throw in a stray virus for good measure, and we’ve got ourselves the perfect storm for a modern-day William Golding novel.
As though the COVID-19 pandemic wasn’t a brutally literal test of ‘survival of the fittest’, excessive food hoarding and those exploiting the crisis by buying out and reselling limited medical supplies at exorbitant prices have further marginalised the elderly, sick and differently abled individuals’ access to food and healthcare necessities. Likewise, those who continue to recklessly disregard calls for social distancing play a risky little game of Russian roulette with the lives of these vulnerable groups.
There is a silver lining however, that has emerged within this climate of uncertainty, bringing out the best of humanity and its capabilities: acts of fortitude, compassion and kindness. The young American girl doing a grocery run for an elderly couple stranded in a carpark, unable to cope with the crowd. The #caremongering movement in Canada that mobilises local community efforts to ensure equal distribution and access to basic resources.
Australian supermarkets opening an hour early exclusively for the elderly, differently abled and pregnant women, leading Singapore to adopt similar measures by allocating the first hour of opening to these shopper groups. Privately-owned European gin distilleries that utilise alcohol by-product to manufacture hand sanitiser for distribution among the less privileged.
In the face of an invisible enemy that knows no nationality, ethnicity or respect for borders, how can we better support the vulnerable in our society during the pandemic? Here are some ways that we can safely practise providing aid to those who need it most.
1. Up your hygiene game
While the coronavirus is mainly transmitted through close contact with respiratory droplets such as a cough or sneeze, studies have found that the coronavirus is also transmitted by fomites—materials that have been contaminated with droplets of the coronavirus. Individuals can become infected when they touch those contaminated objects and then touch their eyes, nose and mouth. The solution? Keep your sneezes and coughs covered with a tissue, and bin it afterwards in a covered and lined bin. Avoid touching your face in public before washing your hands for at least twenty seconds and disinfect door handles to prevent surface transmission.
See the BBC's guidelines on what 2 metres looks like here.
2. Stop hoarding and buy only what you need
Stick to two weeks’ worth of what you need. The average person does not need that much sitting around at home. But the elderly man with arthritis who lives alone and can barely make it to the kitchen, much less out of the house, does.
3. Be responsible and practise social distancing
It is entirely possible to be virulent without being symptomatic, which is why scientists have recommended avoiding crowds, social gatherings and maintaining a distance of two metres from other individuals on essential trips out. Reports of people defiantly flocking to the beach or holding parties in jest of social distancing measures have not only acted irresponsibly to the immune compromised, but are also intensifying the strain on our healthcare system by occupying limited hospital resources. Social distancing is physical distancing, not social isolation. With today’s technology, there is a myriad of social media channels to safely maintain social interaction and continue working from home to minimise physical contact.
4. Deliver essential and emergency care packages
Reach out to elderly, pregnant or differently abled relatives or neighbours who might need help with picking up prescriptions, pet food or running errands, leaving the items in the mailbox or in a safe place for them to collect. Naturally, all households differ and items should be customised to their needs. A basic list of things to consider including in these packages?
Dried and long-life food: oats, cereal, pasta, rice, tea/coffee, biscuits, spreads, long-life cheeses, milk powder, cooking oil, dried fruits or nuts
Bottled foods: canned tuna, meats, tomatoes, baked beans, soups
Frozen goods: frozen vegetables, fruits and meats
Health supplies: gloves, alcohol-based hand sanitiser/wipes, surgical face masks, toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, Band-Aids, feminine hygiene products
Perishable products such as milk and bread can be included, as long as they are consumed by their use dates and preferably before long-life products
5. Supporting COVID-19 relief organisations
Different community-led organisation efforts have come forward to ensure that those without a social support circle will not be forgotten. Donate or volunteer your time at these organisations:
(a) The Courage Fund
Set up by Community Chest, this fund provides relief and support to vulnerable individuals, families, healthcare workers, frontline workers and volunteers affected by the COVID-19 situation.
Donate to the Courage Fund here or contact Community Chest at 6210 2600 for further enquiries on how to provide structured assistance.
(b) Food From The Heart
A non-profit charity organisation that aims to alleviate hunger among the less privileged through their food distribution programme.
Donate to their food programme here, sign up for volunteering opportunities here or contact Food From The Heart at 6280 4483 for further enquiries on cash donations.
(c) SG United Portal
This centralised platform was set up by Social and Family Development Minister Desmond Lee to coordinate volunteer and donation opportunities for COVID-19 relief efforts towards the underprivileged, vulnerable and healthcare workers.
Donate to partner charities here, sign up for volunteering opportunities here or contact the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre at 6550 9595 for further enquiries on how to provide structured assistance.
Is Henry Golding the new James Bond?
Neil Humphreys on nostalgia as a coping mechanism in the new normal
Letter from the editor: September 2020
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Visit the Global Business Department
Manage $1 million of Fordham’s money—and study St. Augustine. Get an uncommonly well-rounded business education.
You have a moral compass. You also have big ambitions. In the global business major at Fordham, we know these qualities are the very bedrock of success. Here you’ll become part of the next generation of business leaders through a rigorous and innovative program immersed in the world financial capital of New York City.
We’re considered one of the top business schools in the U.S. for a reason. (For many reasons.) Our dual core curriculum—half business, half liberal arts—makes Fordham business graduates unique: skilled in global commerce, but also keenly aware of the human factor in every deal.
You will study with business leaders and moral thinkers. Global content is woven into every core curriculum course.
Our business classes will have you developing consulting recommendations for Campbell's or Under Armour, generating an idea for a startup venture, and practicing the fundamentals of financial modeling.
Our liberal arts classes will have you studying philosophers from Socrates and St. Augustine to Descartes and Kant, reading classic authors such as Shakespeare and Virgina Woolf, and experiencing the fine arts at New York City museums, concert halls, and theaters—on Broadway and off.
College is your time to develop a portfolio of professional and personal assets. The professional: knowledge, skills, and experience highly valued in our global economy. The personal: strong values, self-awareness, concern for others, and an inner drive for excellence that will serve you throughout life.
We prepare you to take a leading role in business—and have a fulfilling life outside of work.
The Global Business major is offered only at Lincoln Center. There are three primary concentrations:
Digital media and technology
Digital media track
Technology track
Global finance and business economics
Marketing, with a focus on consumer insight
Select programs:
Global Business Honors Program: rigorous, in-depth international business curriculum for high achievers that includes classes in macroeconomics, information systems, and financial management. You’ll go to London in your first year and countries such as Argentina, Chile, and China in later years.
Fair Trade Program: a hands-on, real-life experience in commerce with a conscience. You identify, import, market, and sell global Fair Trade products from Kenya, India, and Bolivia in the U.S. You can visit these artisans to see firsthand how the Fair Trade model benefits promotes social justice and the environment.
Student Managed Investment Fund: Manage a real $1 million global portfolio in a course taught by finance professor James Kelly. You and your classmates invest $1 million of Fordham's endowment in a variety of domestic and international assets. In recent years, student returns on investment have beat the benchmarks in stocks, bonds, and commodities.
World-class internships at top global companies in every industry are just a subway ride away. More than 90 percent of business majors have at least one internship at Fordham, and many graduate with four or five on their resumes. Companies include:
MTV/Viacom
More than 75 percent of Gabelli graduates who got job offers before graduation reported that their internship led directly to the full-time spot.
Take your coursework global with a study abroad program. Fordham has connections with more than 150 programs in universities all over the world, including Germany, China, Turkey, Argentina, and the Gabelli London satellite campus.
Information Systems I and II
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Life After Fordham
Our globally minded education in a global city prepares you for a range of business careers. Our graduating classes rank among the top five in the nation in starting salary.
But it’s not just about the money. Our graduates report significant career fulfillment. Their work is meaningful to them, because they make it matter to the world.
Our Personal and Professional Development Center staff will help you figure out the right route for you. We’ll shape your accomplishments so far—academic experience, internships, study abroad—into a portfolio that will catch the attention of companies from global giants to local landmarks.
Want to be an analyst Credit Swisse? An associate at KPMG, one of accounting’s Big Four? An account executive at the advertising powerhouse BBDO? Those are a few of the paths recent graduates have taken.
The possibilities are endless. Some you may (not) have thought of:
You also get access to our powerful (and Fordham-loyal) network of alumni, who want to see you succeed as they have. Many alumni have started their own businesses in industries ranging from financial management to sustainable energy.
Learn More About the Global Business Degree
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Father of Israeli Soldier Appeals to Hezbollah
NAHARIYA, Israel – The father and the new bride of an Israeli soldier snatched by Lebanese guerrillas appealed Monday to his captors to give them word of his condition through international humanitarian organizations.
Ehud Goldwasser, 31, and fellow reservist Eldad Regev, 26, were snatched by Hezbollah from Israel's side of the Lebanon border on July 12. In response, Israel launched a massive air operation in southern Lebanon while Hezbollah pounded northern Israel, including this town about six miles south of the border where Ehud Goldwasser and his bride of one month have their home.
CountryWatch: Israel
"Please let me see a sign that Udi is alive," Karnit Goldwasser said in an interview with AP Television News, using her husband's pet name. "We are just married, we have started to begin our lives, please let me see a sign that he is alive, that everything is O.K with him."
Goldwasser's father, Shlomo, noted that world leaders meeting at the Group of Eight summit in Russia on Sunday called on Hezbollah to free the two captured soldiers, for the Palestinian Hamas group to release a 19-year-old soldier it captured in a June 25 raid from Gaza into Israel and for Israel to set free Hamas ministers and legislators it subsequently took prisoner.
"I'm calling on the people who kidnapped him to contact any humanitarian organization in the Western world or whatever and send us a sign of life from my son," Shlomo Goldwasser said. "We are not going to criticize any organization, we're not going to judge anyone, we just want to know from the humanitarian side ... if he's hurt and if he needs help, medical aid, that's want we want from them."
• Hezbollah Rockets Rain Down on Israel
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Examination manual
FCS call reports
How to submit data to FCA
Call report disclosures
This page contains disclosures regarding call reports submitted by specific institutions and groups of institutions.
YBS Farmer Lending Reports for AgFirst Farm Credit Bank
In early 2019, AgFirst Farm Credit Bank discovered an error in its compilation of young, beginning, and small farmer (YBS) call report data. To correct the error, AgFirst submitted revised YBS call report schedules to FCA in March and May 2019. The corrected reports included bank-only YBS data from 2009 to 2017. District association data were not affected. FCA reviewed the corrected reports and posted the new data to its website on Aug. 9, 2019.
The most significant change was a reduction in the reported current-year business activity (new) and total outstanding loan volume to all borrowers. To a lesser degree, YBS new and outstanding volume was also reduced in most periods. The new and total outstanding loan volume to all borrowers is used to calculate the percentage of YBS new and outstanding loan volume to total new and outstanding loan volume.
Because of the correction, AgFirst’s new and outstanding YBS loan volume as a percentage of new and outstanding total loan volume increased from what was originally reported. The YBS loan volume percentage for beginning and small categories increased in most of the affected periods, whereas the loan volume for the young category increased as a percentage in approximately half of the affected periods.
The changes were insignificant to overall Farm Credit System YBS lending data.
CRS Reports for Lone Star, ACA
In 2017, Lone Star Ag Credit, ACA, discovered appraisal and accounting irregularities affecting a segment of the association’s lending portfolio. As a result, the ACA issued a Notification of Non-reliance on Previously Issued Financial Statements on Aug. 9, 2017, which applied to financial statements for 2016 and the first quarter of 2017. FCA removed the affected call reports from FCA’s website.
The ACA’s subsequent investigation led to the discovery that the irregularities were caused by an event where a former loan officer had breached association policies and engaged in improper conduct. The ACA has now recognized the effect of the event in its financial statements, has corrected previously filed call reports, and submitted all subsequent reports. These reports are now available on our website.
CRS Reports for FCS Southwest for Prior Periods
In 2014, Farm Credit Services (FCS) Southwest, ACA, noted a sudden significant increase in delinquencies in an identifiable portion of its retail lending portfolio. This led to the discovery that some of the institution's loans were not adequately secured or were ineligible (that is, the borrowers were not eligible to borrow from a System institution).
To reflect the impact of these issues, the institution corrected Call Report information for the periods March 31, 2013, through September 30, 2015. Financial information for prior periods should not be relied upon. On November 1, 2015, FCS Southwest became a wholly owned subsidiary of Farm Credit West, ACA.
Loan Classification Errors
In early 2016, certain System institutions discovered they had been misclassifying some of their loans. For example, a loan that should have been classified as a real estate mortgage was classified instead as a production loan.
Although the overall loan volume total was correct for each institution, many of the totals for individual loan types were incorrect. These errors affected the following Call Report Schedules:
RC.1 (lines 1.a.i through 1.a.xii)
RC-F1
RI-E
Those institutions with material errors were required to correct their December 31, 2015, call reports. Institutions with material errors were also required to submit corrected data for Schedule RC.1, line 1.a.i. through line 1.a.x., for December 31, 2013, and December 31, 2014.
See this spreadsheet for a list of all institutions with material errors. For each loan type for each institution, the spreadsheet shows the dollar volumes as they were originally reported, as well as the corrected data as of December 31, 2013, and December 31, 2014.
Please note that the corrected data were not incorporated into the call reports on our website because they would create inconsistencies between the schedules. Therefore, for the institutions in the spreadsheet, you cannot rely on call report data in these schedules for all periods prior to December 31, 2015. For corrected data, please use the spreadsheet.
Also, as noted on page F-25 of the 2015 Annual Information Statement published by the Federal Farm Credit Banks Funding Corporation, the revisions had no impact on the System's financial position or results of operations.
Page updated: August 13, 2019
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Gun violence is a public health crisis that our country has been facing for decades. We seek a society where we can feel safe in our communities without the risk of violent death.
United Church of Christ/Jessie Palatucci
Tell Congress: Enact Universal Background Checks
Guns Don't Make Us Safer, Yet We've Already Seen Record Amounts of Gun Purchases This Year
The Rise of Ghost Guns—and What it Means for Gun Violence Prevention
Five Years After the Charleston AME Church Shooting, There’s More Congress Can Do to Stop Gun Violence
More Gun Violence Prevention Updates
Legislative Ask
Support Universal Background Checks
The gun violence epidemic facing our country is a public health crisis that can be avoided –but only if Congress takes action.
Lobby Congress From Home
Advocacy Resource
Publish Letters to the Editor
Fibonacci Blue
Matt Drobnik
Creating a Peaceful Society by Reducing Gun Violence
In times of increased gun violence, thoughts and prayers are no longer enough. We need policies and action.
When it Comes to Gun Violence, We Need to Know
Researching the effects of gun violence is essential but, because of a provision known as the Dickey Amendment, the U.S. government hasn’t conducted any significant research on the impact of gun violence for more than 20 years.
Removing Military Weapons From Our Communities
FCNL submitted this statement in advance of a hearing, calling on Congress to mark up and pass the Assault Weapons Ban of 2019 (H.R. 1296).
We seek a world free of war and the threat of war.
We seek a society with equity and justice for all.
We seek a community where every person's potential may be fufilled.
We seek an earth restored.
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Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE): Alaska Native-Serving Institutions Program CFDA Number 84.031R
The summary for the Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE): Alaska Native-Serving Institutions Program CFDA Number 84.031R grant is detailed below. This summary states who is eligible for the grant, how much grant money will be awarded, current and past deadlines, Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) numbers, and a sampling of similar government grants. Verify the accuracy of the data FederalGrants.com provides by visiting the webpage noted in the Link to Full Announcement section or by contacting the appropriate person listed as the Grant Announcement Contact. If any section is incomplete, please visit the website for the Department of Education, which is the U.S. government agency offering this grant.
Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE): Alaska Native-Serving Institutions Program CFDA Number 84.031R: Note: Each funding opportunity description is a synopsis of information in the Federal Register application notice. For specific information about eligibility, please see the official application notice. The official version of this document is the document published in the Federal Register. Free Internet access to the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations is available on GPO Access at: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/index.html. Please review the official application notice for pre-application and application requirements, application submission information, performance measures, priorities and program contact information.
Purpose of Program: The ANNH Program provides grants to eligible institutions of higher education (IHEs) that have an undergraduate enrollment of at least 20 percent Alaska Native or 10 percent Native Hawaiian students to allow such institutions to plan, develop, undertake, and carry out activities to improve and expand their capacity to serve Alaska Native and Native Hawaiians. Examples of authorized activities for the ANNH Program are in section 317(c) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA).
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.031R.
Applications for grants under the Alaska Native-Serving Institutions Program (CFDA number 84.031N) and the Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions Program (CFDA number 84.031W) must be submitted electronically using the Governmentwide Grants.gov Apply site at www.Grants.gov. Through this site, you will be able to download a copy of the application package, complete it offline, and then upload and submit your application. You may not email an electronic copy of a grant application to us.
You may access the electronic grant application for the ANNH Program at www.Grants.gov. You must search for the downloadable application package for this program by the CFDA number. Do not include the CFDA number's alpha suffix in your search (e.g., search for 84.031, not 84.031R or 84.031V).
Federal Grant Title: Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE): Alaska Native-Serving Institutions Program CFDA Number 84.031R
Federal Agency Name: Department of Education
Grant Categories: Education
Type of Opportunity: Discretionary
Funding Opportunity Number: ED-GRANTS-022616-003
Type of Funding: Grant
CFDA Numbers: 319237, 319246
CFDA Descriptions: Higher Education_Institutional Aid
Current Application Deadline: Apr 26, 2016 Applications Available: February 26,
Original Application Deadline: Apr 26, 2016 Applications Available: February 26,
Posted Date: Feb 26, 2016
Creation Date: Feb 26, 2016
Archive Date: May 26, 2016
Total Program Funding: $1,500,000
Maximum Federal Grant Award: $500,000
Minimum Federal Grant Award: none
Expected Number of Awards: 3
Cost Sharing or Matching: No
Applicants Eligible for this Grant
Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
Additional Information on Eligibility
1. Eligible Applicants: (a) An IHE is eligible to receive funds under the ANNH Program if it qualifies as an Alaska Native or Native Hawaiian-Serving Institution. At the time of application, an Alaska Native-Serving Institution must have an enrollment of undergraduate students that is at least 20 percent Alaska Native (34 CFR 607.2(e)); and a Native Hawaiian-Serving Institution must have an enrollment of undergraduate students that is at least 10 percent Native Hawaiian (34 CFR 607.2(f)).
At the time of submission of their applications, applicants must certify their total undergraduate headcount enrollment and that either 20 percent of the IHE's enrollment is Alaska Native or 10 percent is Native Hawaiian. An assurance form, which is included in the application materials for this competition, must be signed by an official for the applicant and submitted.
To qualify as an eligible institution under the ANNH Program, an institution must also be--
(i) Accredited or preaccredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association that the Secretary has determined to be a reliable authority as to the quality of education or training offered;
(ii) Legally authorized by the State in which it is located to be a junior college or to provide an educational program for which it awards a bachelor's degree; and
(iii) Designated as an ``eligible institution'' by demonstrating that it: (1) Has an enrollment of needy students as described in 34 CFR 607.3; and (2) has low average educational and general expenditures per full-time equivalent (FTE) undergraduate student, as described in 34 CFR 607.4.
Note: The notice announcing the FY 2016 process for designation of eligible institutions, and inviting applications for waiver of eligibility requirements, was published in the Federal Register on November 19, 2015 (80 FR 72422). Only institutions that the Department determines are eligible, or are granted a waiver, may apply for a grant in this program.
Link to Full Grant Announcement
Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE): Alaska Native-Serving Institutions Program CFDA Number 84.031R; Notice Inviting Applications
Grant Announcement Contact
Julius Cotton ED Grants.gov FIND Systems Admin. Phone 202-245-6288 EducationGrantInquiries@ed.gov Program Managers: Robyn Wood or Don Crews, Office of Postsecondary Education, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 7E311, Washington, DC 20202. You may contact these individuals at the following email addresses or telephone numbers: Robyn.Wood@ed.gov; (202) 502-7437 Don.Crews@ed.gov; (202) 502-7574
e-Mail: Program Manager
Department of Education 202 708 5660
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Home » One Shop’s Journey to LEED Certification
Running a Shop Leadership Operations Sales+Marketing Technology Finance Tools Green in the Shop
One Shop’s Journey to LEED Certification
Jake Weyer
Believe it or not, the LaFontaine family’s flagship GM dealership, in the little-known suburb of Highland, Mich., is a tourist destination. Since it opened in June of 2008, high school and college classes, Boy Scout troops, GM executives and curious customers tour the 63,000-square-foot, $15 million facility every week.
Why would people flock to a car dealership when they’re not even in the market for a car (or so they think)? They come to see the only Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified GM dealership in existence. LEED status, which the U.S. Green Building Council awards to buildings that meet stringent standards for energy efficiency and reduced environmental impact, is eco-lingo for “super green.”
For the dealership and its growing body shop, the building’s roughly $2 million worth of environment-driven features also mean super sales.
“If you gave me $2 million and said ‘Go advertise,’ I couldn’t buy the amount of exposure we got from going green,” says Ryan LaFontaine, general manager of LaFontaine Automotive Group, which has grown into a thriving dealership empire in Michigan during the last quarter century.
With everything from a $600,000, 64-well geothermal heating and cooling system, to using energy-saving fluorescent lights instead of conventional bulbs, the dealership and the body shop have truly undergone a green transformation. (See “Greening A Dealership” for more details on the dealership’s LEED transformation.)
And as extravagant as some of the building’s features might seem, most of the green elements are possible at smaller body shops, says Alan Bloom, president of Bloom General Contracting Inc., a partner in the LaFontaine build. Bloom, who has been involved in numerous dealership builds, says the geothermal system was the only feature that smaller shops might not be able to afford.
“It’s all pretty simple stuff,” he says.
The Body Shop Benefit
The collision center, which at 7,000 square feet was too small for the 125 cars per month it averaged last year, recently expanded, giving it a total of 12,000 square feet. It makes about $3 million a year in revenue and sports a host of its own green features.
Besides being housed in a LEED-certified building, the body shop engages in further green practices, says Todd McCallum, who oversees collision center operations at the Highland facility.
It recycles just about everything including carwash water, sprays waterborne, and is lit with natural light for much of the day. Vegetable oil is used in each of the shop’s hydraulic lifts, and all of the facility’s cleaning chemicals are environmentally safe. So is the nontoxic, low-VOC wall paint.
Nitrogen is used to inflate tires for longer life and better mileage, and the shop tries to limit paper use by scanning in any paper documents and filing them on a computer system, McCallum says. Once a document is scanned, all references are made electronically.
McCallum says there’s no doubt that the building’s green renovation has done wonders for the body shop. Here are some of the ways the collision center has been able to capitalize on the dealership’s commitment to green:
• Attract insurance company representatives to the shop. Curious representatives from carriers are among the regular tourists, McCallum says, which has helped net five DRP relationships. It’s looking for more.
• Invite them back for training. Those insurance representatives also visit the shop for continuing education training sessions on hybrid repairs, new regulations and other topics at its purpose-built training facility.
• Create employee ownership of green initiatives. Each of the shop’s 16 employees is trained on the building’s green aspects, how they work and why they’re important. This helps the building’s visitors get quick answers to questions, because every employee is an expert on the facility, McCallum says. “It gives them a sense of ownership and makes them want to take care of it,” he says.
Green Influence
The success of LaFontaine—they are the No. 1 Buick seller in the U.S.—hasn’t gone unnoticed by GM, which has since worked with the dealership’s LEED consultant, Newman Consulting Group, to reduce energy use at its other dealerships.
Roger Young, of the building’s architecture firm Young & Young Architects Inc., says he even convinced GM representatives to ditch their standard of a dealership facelift every seven years, arguing that a greener approach would be to build for longevity. Remodels are now considered every 15 years.
GM applauded the LaFontaine facility after its completion and suggested it wouldn’t be the last of its kind. Susan Docherty, who at the time was vice president of Buick-Pontiac-GMC, said the building tied in with the company’s green-vehicle efforts.
“With the opening of this dealership and those that are sure to follow, our customers can enjoy a 360-degree green car-buying and car-owning experience,” she says.
And the LaFontaines aren’t done. They’ve been adding green elements to their other facilities and they’re working on a new 15,000-square-foot collision center to serve an expanded Chevrolet dealership in Dexter, Mich.
The LaFontaines are seeking LEED certification for that dealership, but not the new shop. That doesn’t mean it won’t be loaded with eco-friendly features, however.
The family’s plan to build sustainably paid off in a big way, and they aren’t going to change what works. Crowds are sure to be gathering at more LaFontaine landmarks in the future.
“This far exceeded anything we could have imagined,” LaFontaine says.
Greening A Dealership
When the LaFontaine family decided to make its facility green, they committed to making it cutting-edge green—as green as it could be. They went full tilt, hiring green-building consultant Newman Consulting Group and a new architecture firm, Young & Young Architects Inc.—even though plans for a less-green dealership redesign were already drawn.
“The footings were in the ground at the time,” recalls architect Roger Young, of Young & Young. “We were called in to quickly re-spec the building.”
The plans the group came up with after collaborating with GM and builder Bloom General Contracting Inc. were revolutionary in the industry and meant to meet LEED standards for energy savings, water efficiency, carbon emissions and other criteria.
The geothermal wells, which capture energy 350 feet beneath the facility, made it into the final design. Other building features and business strategies include:
• Eighty-five skylights that fill the building with natural light;
• Controlled lighting that uses photocells and computer controls to shut off
electrical light when ample natural light is available, or when no motion is
detected for 15 minutes;
• A "green board" display describes the dealership's green journey for tourists
• Fluorescent bulbs that use half the energy of conventional lights;
• Waterborne paint technology;
• A white roof that reduces the building’s heat island effect;
• Not only does the shop spray
waterborne paint, but walls are also
painted with low-VOC paint.
• Fluorescent bulbs that use half the
energy of conventional bulbs light the
• A windmill that pumps water from a retention pond for irrigation;
• A carwash that recycles 85 percent of the water wasted by conventional washes;
• A roof storm water retention system that treats water before routing it to the
retention pond;
• The shop uses green cleaning
• A 64-well geothermal system, which
captures energy 350 feet below the
facility, provides heat and cooling.
• Low-flow toilets for reduced water consumption;
• Recycled and reused building materials supplied by firms within a 500-mile radius;
• Pavement made with crushed concrete;
• Doors made of compressed corn cobs and wheat;
• Low-emitting adhesives, sealants, paints and carpet systems;
• A carwash recycles 85 percent of the
water wasted by conventional washes.
• Eighty-five skylights with magnifying
prisms fill the building with natural
• Cups made of recyclable corn-based products;
• Recycling bins for metal, plastic and cardboard;
• Preferred parking for employees who carpool or drive low-emission or
alternative-fuel vehicles;
• Bicycle storage areas to encourage cycling to work.
Young says making the design modifications to meet LEED standards was challenging. It even required already contracted vendors to change how they sourced materials. But he thinks the extra steps were worth it.
“At the end of the day, it sold cars like never before and it brought bodies into the store like never before,” he says.
One of the building’s best attributes, Young adds, is that none of its green features stand out.
“You wouldn’t know walking into it that it’s a green facility,” he says, “and I think that’s a testament to doing it right.” –JW
Recent Articles by Jake Weyer
CIC Panel Tackles Scanning Challenges
Volkswagen offers shop certification program to U.S. body shops
The Keys to One-on-One Meetings
Assured Performance Network introduces shop certification program
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The Missing Star
PT: La stella che non c’è
OT: LA STELLA CHE NON C’È
France, Italy, Switzerland 2006
Director: Gianni Amelio
Section: International Program
THE MISSING STAR has an intriguing quest and a gentle love story, but its greatest value lies in its insights into a modern China most Westerners have never seen. The quest is simply a good man's desire to see that a piece of equipment sold by his company works properly. Maintenance engineer Vincenzo is alarmed when his firm in Genoa, Italy, sells a blast furnace with a faulty valve to a Chinese buyer. Knowing the machinery is dangerous and having devised the means to correct the fault, the doggedly independent Vincenzo travels to Shanghai to deliver a new valve. The machinery, however, has changed hands and has been sold to a steel mill deep in the Chinese industrial heartland. Determined to do what he thinks is right, the Italian seeks out the young translator, Liu Hua, who had been with the visiting Chinese delegation. She becomes his guide as they travel in search of the factory that bought the equipment and discover a China he never expected. Ray Bennett, Hollywood Reporter, Sept 8, 2006
Cast: Sergio Castellitto, Tai Ling, Angelo Costabile, Hiu Sun Ha, Catherine Sng
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Exclusive: Xenfin Group Confirms Acquisition of Liquidity Pool, Duncan MacInnes to Lead
The company will retain strategic and operational independence, as the sales team will continue to be led by Kevin Eldridge,
Victor Golovtchenko | Analysis ( Retail FX ) | Friday, 24/10/2014 | 13:28 GMT+2 2014-10-24T11:28:41+00:00 2014-10-24T11:28:41+00:00
Photo: Victor Golovtchenko
The Xenfin Group confirmed today that it has acquired Mako FX Partnership LLP. While the company will remain operationally and legally separate, Adrian Patten and Simon Jones will no longer be a part of the company’s management, which will be headed by Xenfin’s CEO Duncan MacInnes, CEO of the Xenfin Group.
The company will retain its sales team, led by Kevin Eldridge and assisted by Paula Fry, while the support team will continue operations headed by Kevin Taylor and Sophie Verdellet.
Xenfin hence acquires Liquidity Pool, which is a multi-bank platform connecting users to various pricing streams and provides them with a disclosed model, allowing clients to take advantage of targeted pricing and other customizable solutions.
Xenfin explains in its announcement that Liquidity Pool aims to remain a leading institutional platform and the firm’s strategic and operational independence will remain intact.
According to a company announcement obtained exclusively by Forex Magnates, “Since the inception of the platform, Xenfin has been a key delivery partner, responsible for the design, build and deployment of the liquidity management system and have a thorough understanding of all aspects of the Liquidity Pool business, as a result.”
“Xenfin will continue to apply their extensive expertise in software development and infrastructure to further enhance the Liquidity Pool Platform and its related offerings,” the statement concludes.
Earlier this week, Forex Magnates reported that Adrian Patten, Founding Partner at MakoFX, and Simon Jones, the firm’s Managing Partner, have both left the company.
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DHFL resolution: Piramal says its bid is best
Piramal’s resolution plan for DHFL has no conditions, except for approvals like competition commission of India (CCI). The company has not included any sunset clauses or any rights to revoke the plan..
DHFL administrator R Subramaniakumar had earlier filed several avoidance applications at bankruptcy court, based on the report filed by Grant Thornton.
Piramal Enterprises chairman Ajay Piramal has written a letter to the administrator for Dewan Housing Finance Corporation (DHFL) pointing out the company’s bid for DHFL is Rs 2,500 crore higher than that made by Oaktree Capital’s. “Piramal Capital and Housing Finance’s bid is designed to ensure the highest upfront cash payment of Rs 13,000 crore. This is higher than the competing bid by Rs 1,000 crore. Additionally, the competing bid has asked for an escrow of Rs 1,500 crore from lenders’ funds, and if we adjust that from cash payment, our bid is higher by Rs 2,500 crore,” the letter reads.
The letter argues Oaktree’s offer is not implementable due to constraints in the takeover of DHFL’s insurance business. “…the competing foreign financial investor’s resolution plan is unimplementable till such time that a credible, regulatorily acceptable alternate buyer for the Insurance business emerges,” the letter read.
As per sources, the proposed takeover of DHFL’s insurance business by Oaktree may invite regulatory challenges as it is a foreign entity. Currently, 49% of DHFL Pramerica Life Insurance is owned as foreign investment by Prudential International Insurance Holdings.
Piramal also mentions that Oaktree’s plan for DHFL is conditional. “The competing bid has stated that if the plan is not approved and implemented by March 31, 2021, or if there is any deterioration in asset quality or deviation from assumptions in the bid, the bidder reserves the right to discuss repricing or to revoke,” the letter read.
Piramal has promised merger of its housing finance entity with DHFL, committing Rs 10,400 of equity capital upfront. An offer has been made to retail fixed deposit (FD) holders of DHFL, committing an additional 10% of the amount allocated to them by the CoC (committee of creditors).
Oaktree Capital had offered a total of Rs 36,646 crore, Piramal Enterprises had bid Rs 35,550 crore for the entire book while Adani Properties had submitted a total bid of Rs 33,110 crore. FE learned the CoC will meet on December 24 to discuss the resolution plans and vote on them. However, the voting may continue for 10-15 days as per sources.
The admitted claims of financial creditors from DHFL stands at Rs 87,120 crore as on September 10. State Bank of India is the lead creditor with claims of Rs 10,083 crore, followed by Bank of India which has claimed Rs 4,126 crore. Among others, Canara Bank has claimed Rs 2,682 crore while National Housing Bank (NHB) has claimed Rs 2,434 crore. DHFL has been undergoing insolvency proceedings at the NCLT in Mumbai since December 3.
DHFL resolution Piramal says its bid is best
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Finder Bank of Mum and Dad Report 2020
From mortgage payments to groceries, millions of Australian parents are subsiding the lives of their adult children. Finder analysed how much parents are forking out, and where this money is going.
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Comparisons A-Z
Australian adults are getting by with a little help from mum and dad. A nationally representative Finder survey of 1,011 adults asked 445 parents with children over 18 about the financial support they provide to their kids.
What is the "Bank of Mum and Dad"?
Most adult kids fly the nest eventually, but for many, financial support from their parents remains ongoing. Finder research shows that almost half (44%) of Australian parents help their adult offspring out with expenses.
How much are parents contributing?
According to Finder's research, almost a quarter of Aussie parents (23%) pay for their adult children's groceries.
Around 17% allow their adult children to live at home rent-free, while 7% charge board or low rent. A further 14% cover their adult children's bills, while 1 in 10 (9%) provide free childcare for their grandchildren.
That same number (9%) fork out for their child's car-related costs like registration fees and petrol, while 6% pay for or subsidise tertiary education. Travelling isn't off the cards either, with 7% of parents forking out for some or all of their adult children's holiday costs.
Which state is home to Australia's most generous parents?
South Australia has the highest proportion of parents who support their adult kids financially, with over half opening their wallet (54%). This is followed by Victoria, where 1 in 2 parents (50%) help out their kids with money.
But adult kids in Western Australia might feel they are on their own by comparison. In WA, just 34% of parents provide financial assistance, but keep in mind that this still accounts for 1 in 3 parents.
Parents are also mortgage lenders
As any first home buyer knows, property in Australia is notoriously expensive, especially in capital cities. A recent study by Domain found that it would take a couple aged 25-34 years old 6 and a half years to save a 20% deposit for an entry-level house price in Sydney ($680,000), and 6 years for a similar property in Melbourne ($600,000).
Unattainable property prices mean that many young Australians require a financial leg up to get a foothold in the market. Finder's research shows that 7% of parents have either chipped in for a house deposit, while 3% have gone guarantor for their child. But the funding doesn't stop there – a further 3% of parents help their children out with mortgage repayments as well.
How to financially support your adult kids
Offering financial support to adult kids can be the big break they need to get ahead, especially for big-ticket items like a home loan or tertiary education. But this generosity can sometimes come at a cost. That's why as a parent, it's important to ensure to safeguard your own financial position and be realistic about the potential risks involved.
Encourage financial literacy. It's never too late to teach children (or grownups) how to handle money responsibly. Teach them how to save, compare bank accounts and how to set up their own emergency fund. If you are comfortable, talk to them about some of your own financial mistakes in the past so they can learn from them.
Protect your own emergency account. Make sure you have an emergency stash of cash set aside that is for your own personal use. You never know what the future may hold, and it's important you have enough to cover any unexpected costs like emergency medical care, car trouble or vet bills.
Set up a payment plan. If you lend money in the form of a 'loan', draw up an agreement so repayment expectations are clear from the start.
Make informed decisions. If you agree to go guarantor on your child's home, make sure you've researched all possible options (including best and worst case scenarios). It can be a good idea to see a mortgage broker or financial planner together, to ensure you're making the right decision.
Help your kids to help themselves. Everyone falls short of cash from time to time. But if this is becoming a regular occurrence for your kids, they may have budgeting or cash flow issues. Brainstorm ways they could support themselves, this may be through a second income stream, new job or downgrading their lifestyle.
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New San Diego Firefighters Without Defined Death Benefits
Typically, firefighters’ pensions allow for death benefits to their families should a tragedy occur, reports NBC San Diego.
When voters approved Proposition B, known as pension reform, city officials vowed that firefighters would never face the situation of being without that benefit.
After the vote, there’s no clear structure for paying out death or disability benefits post Proposition B.
The city has no new insurance policies taken out to provide death or disability benefits to firefighters hired after the city passed comprehensive pension reform.
Several key city officials told NBC 7 Investigates the money to pay out death and disability benefits for new-hires would come out of the General Fund, as opposed to previously coming out of SDCERS money. They also say they are waiting to address situation after a final determination on Proposition B’s legality
City officials also say they know they are obligated to pay a death benefit, but no one knows what that check would look like, or how it would be paid out.
Before June 2012, Councilman Kevin Faulconer, a candidate for mayor, and former Mayor Jerry Sanders had an alternate plan that kept firefighter’s death benefits intact.
They compromised with Carl DeMaio, but vowed firefighters would never be in this situation.
Faulconer says fixing this is a top priority.
“Providing death and disability benefits for firefighters and lifeguards who put their lives on the line is simply the right thing to do,” Faulconer said. “That’s why I fought to include it in the Comprehensive Pension Reform ballot initiative, and why I will work to implement it as mayor.”
Read more of the story here http://bit.ly/1aotc5c
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Fire EMS, News
FDNY Responders Back on the Job as COVID-19 Pandemic Continues
By Fire Engineering Staff | 4.8.20
New York City announced that thousands of Fire Department of New York (FDNY) firefighters and medics have returned to work after COVID-19 exposure.
Earlier this week, FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro told reporters that more than 2,000 members were out sick amid the coronavirus pandemic. On Tuesday, the FDNY’s official Twitter account announced that 1,310 EMTs, paramedics, and firefighters who reported testing positive for COVID-19, were exposed to the virus, or were suspected of having COVID-19 had returned to full duty.
The pandemic’s death toll in the city continued to surge, with the New York Post reporting that more than 3,500 had been killed by coronavirus complications. The Associated Press noted that this death toll was already greater than the number of people killed during the 9/11 attacks.
Additional, several news outlets noted that many “probable” coronavirus deaths were not being counted in the official New York City tally. The Post noted that this was because these victims had expired at home and not been tested for the virus.
Elsewhere in the country, the Chicago Fire Department lost a firefighter to coronavirus complications while an assistant chief in Pennsylvania died last week from COVID-19.
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One Dead in St. Paul (MN) Fire
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The Fitzsimmons Foundation
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divided government
one party controls the white house & another party controls one or both houses of congress
unified government
the same party controls the white house & both houses of congress
the inability of the government to act because rival parties control different parts of the government
the people chosen to cast each state's votes in a presidential election; each state can cast one electoral vote for each senator & representative it has; the district of columbia has three electoral votes, even though it cannot elect a representative or senator
pyramid structure
a president's subordinates report to him through a clear chain of command headed by a chief of staff
several of the president's assistants report directly to him
ad hoc structure
several subordinates, cabinet officers, & committees report directly to the president on different matters
the heads of the fifteen executive bran departments of the federal government
bully pulpit
the president's use of his prestige & visibility to guide or enthuse the American public
veto message
a message from the president to Congress stating that he will not sign a bill it has passed; must be produced within ten days of the bill's passage
pocket veto
a bill fails to become law because the president did not sign it within ten days before Congress adjourns
line-item veto
an executive's ability to block a particular provision in a bill passed by the legislature
signing statement
a presidential document that reveals what the president thinks of a new law & how it ought to be enforced
legislative veto
the authority of Congress to block a presidential action after it has taken place; the Supreme Court has held that Congress does not have this power
charges against a president approved by a majority of the House of Representatives
lame duck
a person still in office after he or she has lost a big for reelection
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The Geekiest ‘Game of Thrones’ Season 3 Recap: “Kissed by Fire”
By Alison Herman
We’ve officially reached the halfway point of Game of Thrones Season 3, and “Kissed by Fire” takes the breakneck pace established by last week’s blockbuster episode and runs with it. The bulk of the action here was more emotional than practical — lots of friendships evolving, romances developing, and kids growing up way too fast — but this week saw major developments for many characters who haven’t had nearly the screen time they deserve.
First and most disappointing is Jon Snow, who finally consummates his relationship with Manic Pixie Dream Wildling Ygritte. The show highlights how much more significant a betrayal of Jon’s principles sex is than simply ratting out secrets to Mance and friends (after all, he’s well acquainted with the possible ramifications of premarital sex). But by compressing hundreds of pages’ worth of budding romance into one out-of-nowhere display of emotional intimacy, the infamous “cave scene” rushes viewers into a payoff moment the show just hasn’t earned. I wasn’t buying that Ygritte never wanted to leave the cave, and I certainly wasn’t buying her transformation from a steely free spirit to a tenth-grade girl scrawling “Mrs. Jon Snow” all over her notebook.
Much better was Jaime’s heartbreaking monologue on the shortcomings of black-and-white morality and the burden of being defined by a disloyalty that saved the lives of thousands. The speech is central to our understanding of who Jaime Lannister is: a man who’s seen the idiocy of knightly duty and chivalry up close, and a basically good person who’s had to live with the entire world thinking he’s a traitor for saving its skin. Nikolaj Coster-Waldeau absolutely crushes it, and impressively so does Gwendolyn Christie. The scene, an adaptation of one of the books’ most crucial passages for Jaime’s character development, was exactly what I needed it to be, and although the “My name is Jaime” line should have come across as a cheap, clunky commentary on the Kingslayer’s identity issues, it still somehow worked.
Arya Stark, meanwhile, gets her own mini-arc about what happens when the pure and simple rage of a 12-year-old girl meets the real world. The Hound wins his trial by combat with Beric Dondarrion, who’s conveniently brought back to life by red priest Thoros of Myr. I like that we’re finally meeting sympathetic Lord of Light worshipers in addition to the ultra-creepy Melisandre, but I like Arya’s list of names even better: for those who didn’t quite catch it, the list represents everyone Arya would like to see dead. The list is a minor detail, but it only adds to the tone set by her attempted assault on Sandor Clegane; at this point, Arya doesn’t care about Beric’s justice, she just wants simple, violent revenge. These scenes show us a child contorted and motivated by pure hatred at how the world actually works, and it’s one of the saddest character developments in the series to date.
Over at Riverrun, Robb Stark’s situation is looking increasingly dire — one of his most important bannermen murders the Lannister hostages, forcing the King in the North to either mete out justice and lose a good chunk of his army or spare him and compromise his principles. In true Stark fashion, he chooses the former, illustrating that Robb’s inherited both his father’s strengths and his gaping flaws. One would have thought the oldest Stark had figured out by now that uncompromising consistency usually doesn’t end so well. In terms of adaptation, however, this episode finally had me appreciating the addition of Talisa: as a three-dimensional human being rather than sad sack Jeyne Westerling, she’s poised to act as Robb’s voice of reason, reminding him that executing Lord Karstark is all well and good morally but fantastically dumb strategically. He goes through with it anyway, but the good advice was still there, and not just from Catelyn, who’s quickly running out of ways to work the “worried mother” angle.
Beating out all of these three story lines for Saddest/Creepiest Arc is the situation at Dragonstone. Here, we meet Stannis’s wife and daughter for the first time, and realize that the castle must be an even more depressing place than we thought. Selyse is even more fervently religious than her husband, clinging to her faith after a hard life defined by her failure to produce a son, so much so that she keeps the remnants of her miscarriage preserved in jars, a horrifying visual addition from the book. Her only child is Shireen, a sweet girl afflicted with both a skin disease and a tremendously awkward father figure. Shireen’s about the only child left on this show with her sense of innocence intact, sneaking down to the dungeons to teach Davos how to read and providing us with one of the most awesome scene transitions in the show’s history.
Daenerys’s adventures don’t give us much more than some historical background and a reminder of what a great liberator she is, however, leaving us with the machinations in King’s Landing. The writers are clearly trotting out Olenna as an excuse to give nearly every major player a meaty comic relief scene — Littlefinger and Tywin are likely up next — but what’s more interesting is Sansa’s scene with Lord Baelish himself. The series hasn’t done a good job up until now of demonstrating how jaded Sansa’s become, but her smoothly delivered lies show she’s finally learned not to trust anyone around her, except possibly Margaery. What’s tragic is just how much more jaded she’s about to become now that the Lannisters are marrying her off to Tyrion. The final family planning summit was fantastic, pitting Tywin’s icy ambition against both of his children’s pressure points: Tyrion’s twin insecurities of his physical deformities and his serious relationships with women, as well as Cersei’s newfound independence, which she’ll now be forced to sacrifice. As Tywin storms out, we feel for both of them — not to mention Sansa, who’s about to get yet another rude awakening.
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Urine-Soaked Seat Ruins Couple's Vacation
Not even business class is safe.
Picture this: you've got a flight to catch. You push through all the stress and scramble of packing, getting to the airport, trudging through security, and hearing the same tinny announcement loop for an hour in the waiting area. You finally get up to board the plane, and you get to do so before others because you paid a little extra for the good seats. The end is near - you can feel it. You're almost on vacation.
You shove your bag into the overhead compartment and finally sink down into your seat with a glass of champagne to relax with your wife. Hold on now, something's not right. You suddenly feel damp. You just sat in piss.
This was the reality for hapless British Airways passenger Andy Vicary. The 52-year-old had just boarded a 10-hour flight to Kingston, Jamaica when the incident occurred. According to Fox, they bagged his £150 ($195) pants and seat him elsewhere (far from his wife) for the flight.
"The entire seat was saturated in urine. The cabin crew tried to take the seat cover off and it was disgusting as it had soaked right through. I had to move seats and I was not able to sit with my wife for the flight, which was really disappointing as well. The cabin crew put my trousers in a plastic bag, but I was not able to wash them on holiday as there are no clothes washing facilities, so when I got back I just had to throw them in the bin."
His misery didn't stop there.
"We traveled to the resort in Kingston and quite a few of the people that were on the flight with us were also staying at the resort. The whole holiday I had people coming up to me to ask me questions about what had happened."
Some might be able to laugh it off and enjoy the rest of the trip, but Vicary was obviously quite frustrated with the ordeal. He was compensated by British Airways with 40,000 airline miles and a future seat upgrade, but he's not pleased as he believes it ruined the entirety of his £5,000 ($6500) vacation.
"The lady at British Airways who dealt with the complaint was very nice and everything, but I really do not think that they were right to offer me air miles. For me, it just didn't seem enough to compensate what had happened."
Time for your thoughts: Is he justified in suing for more compensation? Or is he just taking the piss?
By Gloria Borger / Tuesday 23 October 2018 09:45 / United States
Late term
Bass, how low can you go?
Just a prank, bro!
By Sunshine.0.ninja - United States
Today, I was looking through my boyfriends phone, when I found a naked picture of myself. Too bad I haven't sent him any. Ever. FML
By AnonymousOne
Today, I took my car to dealer because of the loud knocking sound I heard while driving it. Twenty-four hours later, they told me it was fixed. Fifteen minutes after I drove away, the tire flew off my car while I was on the highway. My car is now totaled. FML
By eemp - France
Today, I got sent to detention for saying, "that's what she said" after a girl in my class said, "push a little harder" while disecting a frog. FML
By Anonymous - United States - Brecksville
Today, I smelled chicken nuggets and asked my boyfriend if he was making some. He wasn't. It was my armpits. FML
By Anonymous - United Kingdom - Bridgwater
Today, I sent an email to my boss saying I'd fixed a glitch in our mail servers. He called me later, angrily shouting that I'd done a piss-poor job of fixing it, because my email had spammed his inbox with several hundred duplicate messages. FML
By Lolrus - Qatar
Today, I was jogging through my neighborhood and then I notice this cute guy running beside me, we stoped and flirted for a while and my mom drove past. She then rolled down the window and said "Honey, you owe me for the dry cleaning on your period pants." FML
By wtfiswronghere - United States - Jacksonville
Today, my grandmother insisted that Mexicans sacrifice humans every year as part of their Catholic religion. The Swaggart guy on TV said so, and apparently, he can't be wrong, ever. FML
By Nuttree - United States
Today, I noticed my husband chews his tongue while we are having it off. He also does this while he is playing World of Warcraft. FML
By kalazoo21 - United States
Today, I quit my job that my girlfriend and I worked together at. Fellow employees are not allowed to date one another and I said it would be ok if I was the one to leave. When I got home to her and told her that I quit, she decided to break up with me. I now have no job and no girlfriend. FML
Today, my 6 ft snake got loose. I found it. It was in my neighbor's backyard, constricting their pet rabbit. FML
By Stinkycar
Today, it was an unusually hot day and I saw one of my friends walking down the street carrying a large bag. I stopped and asked if he needed a ride. When he got in, I noticed a horrible stench. He then told me he'd just been dumpster diving. FML
By ko - United States - Chicago
Today, I went to see a musical that some school friends had put on. At some point in the show, the main character kicked her leg up in the air, and her high heel flew off of her foot and into the audience. The shoe hit me square in the face. FML
By mojolady
Today, lice were found in my hair. At the hair salon. I'm now banned from that salon. FML
By Mrs. Man - United States
Today, a stranger told me how proud he was that my boyfriend and I were so open with our sexuality. For the past three years, most strangers have thought we are a pair of gay men. I am a woman. FML
By Marcilor001
Today, I realized I have a weight problem. My brother excitedly showed me his new high-end scale and measured his weight, then our other brothers. I took one step on it and the screen read "E". It then shut off and hasn't turned on since. FML
Today, I found out that it is never, ever a good idea to put a band-aid of any kind on your penis, because eventually you will have to take it off. FML
By Mudge - United States - San Francisco
Today, my friend said that his dad told him we couldn't hang out anymore, he thinks I'm a bad influence because I don't have all 90's in my classes. The only reason he knows I have below a 90 is because he's my geography teacher. I have an 87. FML
By lawl - Canada
Today, my date asked if I could drive his friend home before we went out for breakfast. His friend had blonde hair, big boobs and wore a skimpy black dress. He wasn't 100% sure of her name. I guess I drove home my date's one night stand. FML
By ilu.xo - Canada
Today, I found out the guy I've been seeing for 3 months lives at home with his parents. He's 30. They live in a '50+ only' housing complex and he sneaks in the side door. FML
Today, my mom thought it would be a good idea for me to talk with a British accent during my job interview to make me sound smarter. I'm applying for a job at McDonald's. FML
By Is_This_Real - United States - Pittsburgh
Today, the only constant person in my life is the guy that smokes outside my apartment building. FML
By Kelly - United States
Today, I was babysitting a young boy. I accidentally let a few words slip when I dropped something. He won't stop dropping the F bomb and his mother is coming to get him in the morning. FML
By "breemonster"
Today, I got an email notification. I opened up my email, and found m4m craigslist add responses. My boyfriend used my phone to login to his email yesterday. FML
Today, a week after my son was born via C-section, I received 3 messages from 3 different women saying that they had recently slept with my fiancé. One of them said they tested positive for herpes. FML
Today, I finally got to watch some porn after not being able to for a while. All I could notice in the video was how badly the participants were playing snooker. FML
Today, I got a call from a girl I know, asking if i could babysit her little brother at my house tonight. I said yes. When the boy came over he mentioned that his sister was having a party and didn't want him there. Turns out all my friends were invited except me. FML
By thatguy - United States
Today, I bought a laptop so that I could have dirty video chats with my internet girlfriend. I got home only to find that the only place I can get a decent wifi signal is in front of my mom's room. FML
Today, my mom tried to sell me a bag of rice, with "Cocaine" written on the side of it in sharpie pen. In exchange for my soul. FML
By fet - United Kingdom - Bristol
Today, I had to shave my feet in order to wear ballet flats. I'm not a hobbit. FML
By WTF
Today, I came home to find my girlfriend crying. Concerned, I quickly asked her what was wrong. She told me tearfully that she couldn't understand why her pet lizards hadn’t grown into dinosaurs yet, and that pet store had cheated her. I’m still concerned now, but for entirely different reasons. FML
By larrythelobster - United States
Today, one of my junior marines called to tell me they were in an accident that totaled both cars. The car he hit was parked in a nearby parking garage. It was mine. FML
By Anonymous - United States - Baltimore
Today, I visited my girlfriend's apartment for the first time. I guess she forgot to do some spring cleaning before I showed up, because I saw my laptop on her couch. The same laptop that was stolen from my house along with several other valuables last week. FML
By "Sarah-Louise James"
Today, I was told by one of my bridesmaids that she can't afford the travel costs to get to my wedding, after telling me that she didn't need me to organize alternate free travel for her. I'm getting married in less than two weeks. FML
By SSH - United States
Today, I just got done reading all the healthy benefits that come with sex. One of them is higher self-esteem. Then I remembered that I haven't had sex in 15 months. FML
By ugh. - United States - Palo Alto
Today, after waiting two months to attend a very important course, I finally got to go. This is the same day I caught a horrible cold, got Auntie Flow’s monthly visit, my IBS flared up, and my acid reflux as well. So here I go, crampy, constipated, congested, and gassy. FML
By ...... - United States
Today, I was talking with my uncle, when the subject of my abusive mother-in-law came up. He assured me he'd talk to her and straighten things out. Apparently this means posting on her Facebook wall threatening to "pimp-slap a bitch" if she doesn't get her "fat ass out of family business". FML
By S3XY_SiNG3R - 11/4/2020 02:00
Confinement, episode 3774
Today, I woke up to use the restroom, because I had to take a shit. There was basically no toilet paper left. I asked my boyfriend if he could go get some. It was 1 a.m. He said he’d go when the stores were open, then told me to just rinse off in the shower. FML
By shmarf - United States - Belton
Today, my girlfriend gave me my first ever blowjob and she surprised me by deciding to swallow. Or so I thought. When she came up to kiss me, she spat my man-milk into my mouth and almost pissed herself laughing when I freaked out and nearly threw up. FML
By jezebel - United States
Today, I got a call from the office telling me I was fired. When I asked why, my boss explained my mother called and told him I was in a "weak mental state." She thought she was helping me get off for my birthday. Now I have no job. FML
By Crog - United Kingdom
Today, I accidentally kicked a child down a set of steps. I work in a kids play area. FML
By Anamaria Bobic | 1
#7712851 - Tuesday 23 October 2018 17:09
No clothes washing facilities? Did this man forget that soap and bathroom sinks exist?
You can wash clothes by hand. He could’ve washed his pants and let them air dry. Better than just keeping a pair of piss soaked pants with you all vacation.
How did he think people kept their clothes clean before washing machines and dry cleaners?
I’d like to say this amazes me but it really doesn’t. Having money makes you forget how to do basic things for yourself apparently
Also if he threw out the pants when he got back why didn’t he just throw out the pants during the vacation? Weird he kept the pants and brought them back with him just to throw them out lol
By melisssa87 | 30
Well they do know who sat in the seat before, let that person pay for peeing all over the place
By Dave_Davington | 33
He should've pissed on top of the existing piss to assert his dominance.
By RichardPencil | 29
I’m sure there’s some way to wash clothes in Kingston, Jamaica. The bad flight ruined his “entire” vacation?
C’mon, man! This valid complaint has just devolved into a pissing contest!
By TheSminty1 | 17
You think he was angry? The guy who sat in the seat before him was really pissed off.
By Anubis_81 | 21
C'mon. I feel sorry for the fact he sat in piss, but really, he couldn't wash them, and yet kept them the whole trip? How stupid.
By Joshua Latta | 5
They nasty as hell
By LadyRen | 20
Maybe he shouldn’t pay $195 for pants.
Tina Harwood | 6
#7713079 - Wednesday 24 October 2018 4:50
THANK YOU. I can't understand why someone would pay that much for pants...
By MATTY2512 | 15
Well, he’s a tad overdramatic. Unless he consistently sat in other people bodily fluids for the rest of his vacation, than he’s fine. Sucky stuff happens and at least he was compensated for it.
By BlueSteele220 | 30
I guess that left him in a pissy mood for his vacation..
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Nightcrawler (in Hollywood Movies)
Nightcrawler (2014) - Download Movie for mobile in best quality 3gp and mp4 format. Also stream Nightcrawler on your mobile, tablets and ipads
Plot: When Lou Bloom, a driven man desperate for work, muscles into the world of L.A. crime journalism, he blurs the line between observer and participant to become the star of his own story. Aiding him in his effort is Nina, a TV-news veteran.
Starcast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Rene Russo, Bill Paxton
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller,
Downloads: 50149.5
IMDb Rating: 7.9/10 (401214 votes)
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Nightcrawler BluRay 480p.mp4 (273 MB) { 31241 hits } - MediaInfo - SS
A razor sharp satire with Gyllenhaal in top form (by trublu215)
If you take the slick look of Drive and the satirical wit of Network, you get Nightcrawler. This film is a genius first film for director Dan Gilroy, it is darkly comedic, surprisingly disturbing and is brilliantly acted. The film tells the story of Lou Bloom, a freelance videographer who covers the crime world in LA for a local news station and ruthless editor played by Rene Russo. It isn't before long until Bloom's demented job overtakes his life, making him colder and colder the deeper he goes. The film plays like a twisted bloody version of Network and has the satirical wit to <more>
back it up. Jake Gyllenhaal is utterly fantastic in this film. Lou Bloom is a role that he is completely submerged in and it oozes through every frame as our dislike for Bloom intensifies throughout the film. But what this film does best is not make us particularly like Bloom but it makes us wonder what he is willing to do next. And trust me, his actions get as sick and as shocking as they come. Bloom is a depraved individual and Jake Gyllenhaal deserves a hell of a lot acknowledgment for this role because he pulls off the tricky task of making the audience care about a character that is truly unlikeable and does so with not one false note. It is truly mesmerizing to see. The supporting cast including Rene Russo and Bill Paxton are absolutely great in this film and deliver career bests here. The cinematography also is top notch here, blending the awesome pallets of Drive with a bitter cold makes for an engaging view and makes it hard for you to peel your eyes from the screen. Writer/Director Dan Gilroy is someone to watch, especially coming out of the gates with a film filled with sheer and raw velocity like this one. It is not only an impressive first film but a brilliant film all around. I highly recommend it.
THE Film of the year (by pschofield-292-682589)
This is one of the few films that has held me in my seat from beginning to very end even when half way through I desperately needed to visit the bathroom . The storyline, script, filming and acting combine into the perfect storm of a brilliant film. Jake Gyllenhaal plays a character, on what I can only describe as at the higher end of the autistic spectrum and deserves an Oscar nomination for this role. His character is perfectly matched by Rene Russo playing the role of her career as the success seeking ageing news editor. And a shout too for Riz Ahmed as Rick, Gyllenhaal's assistant. <more>
What a contrast to "The Judge" which I saw last week, "Nightcrawler" is superior on every level, go see !
Character study of a manipulative sociopath. (by lnvicta)
Once Jake Gyllenhaal signed on to do Nightcrawler I knew it would be a special film. The man has been producing nothing but gold lately and this is no different. Nightcrawler is an experience - it takes you on this journey through the grimy streets of LA, through the corrupt minds of media moguls, and everything is told through the eyes of seemingly charming slimeball reporter Louis Bloom Jake Gyllenhaal . Nightcrawler works on so many levels. The writing and direction is fantastic, which is especially impressive as it's the directorial debut by Dan Gilroy who takes on both duties. He <more>
had a clear vision of how he wanted to portray LA and the sleek, brooding yet slightly lackadaisical tone transfers perfectly onto the big screen. The acting is phenomenal - Gyllenhaal gives a performance that's the polar opposite from his character in Prisoners and he was on point for every second. He was the perfect casting choice to carry the movie.The movie has a clear message on the media and how they abuse stories and reap the benefits regardless of who gets victimized. It's a message that has been told a million times before, but never quite like this. Nightcrawler throws you right into the gritty streets along with a hustling thief, Lou, who starts freelancing as a videographer of crime scenes and selling his footage to a news channel for money. We go along this journey with Lou and watch his transformation from being a sleazy but ambitious individual to becoming a manipulative, self-serving sociopath. Then you start to realize that he was like that all along. His charming charisma masked his true intentions, and this peek into his psyche is the most potent and disturbing aspect of the movie. It's a character study that encompasses an entire lifestyle, and told with enough elegance and wit to keep you on board the whole way.There's a dark comedic tone present throughout. Lou's persistence and crass remarks to basically anyone he encounters provide some good laughs. He doesn't sugarcoat anything, he'll talk to anyone in order to get his way, and he has a sleazy smirk that never fails to get a reaction. Also Gyllenhaal's chemistry with Rene Russo the news director is palatable and their work dynamic becomes more of a gripping co-dependency as the movie progresses.Nightcrawler is a must-watch for fans of cinema. It's a work of art from a directorial and writing standpoint, from an acting standpoint, and from a basic human nature standpoint. It really does a hell of a job at sucking you into this dark gloomy world to the point where you don't want to get out. It's intense, it's funny, it's thrilling, it's powerful, and most of all, it's real. Nightcrawler is simply sensational.
The only thing worse than a nightcrawler is the coroner in the eyes of a victim (by StevePulaski)
"Nightcrawler" is the kind of film that will catch audiences by surprise with its painstaking thoughtfulness, and features the kind of lead character that will be discussed in film circles who don't detest American cinema and actually give it the benefit of the doubt. The film plunges us into the dark, seedy world of a nightcrawler, somebody who, often working freelance with his or her own equipment and schedule, patrols the streets of crowded cities with multiple police scanners searching for recently-committed crimes in the neighborhood, like rape, shootings, murders, car <more>
accidents, and so forth. The object of a nightcrawler is to get candid and intimate shots of the ugliness that plagues these scenarios as quickly and as neatly as possible and sell them to news stations or eyewitness programs to turn quick profit. Job requirements include possible insomniac, lack of emotional connection or any immediate empathy to tragedy or horror, exceptional navigational/driving skills, and a load of free time.Jake Gyllenhaal plays Lou Bloom, a man at rock-bottom living in Los Angeles, selling scrap metal to get money before eventually turning to the nightcrawling business. He teams up with Rick Riz Ahmed , a young man desperate to make money to keep a roof over his head, who helps navigate Lou's routes as a nightcrawler and learns of numerous police codes to help Lou decipher the police scanner jargon. Together, the two make for an amateur nightcrawling team, turning profit by selling the footage – expertly shot, analyzed, and even occasionally manipulated by Lou – to Nina Rene Russo , the station manager of a severely failing news station that is in dire need to regain viewership.Ultimately, "Nightcrawler" juggles two tricky but immersing features with its material, simultaneously giving us a look into a grimy and often dirty gig as somebody who is essentially a voyeur into the most vulnerable time of the people he meets and posing frightening commentary on contemporary news. The nightcrawler is not looking to help or to provide encouragement; he's there to get his shots and move on, hoping to turn as large of a profit as he can. We see Los Angeles in the light of what could be classifiable as a contemporary film noir, in dark, sometimes shadowy-photography and dingy environments that reveal an ugliness to a city that is normally captured as very beautiful and ideal in terms of climate. Director Dan Gilroy and cinematographer Robert Elswit a frequent collaborator of Paul Thomas Anderson do everything in their power to subvert our ideas of Los Angeles and focus on transitory locations that show the ugliest of human events in such a way that is beautiful and captivating thanks to crystal-clear photography.The other feature "Nightcrawler" toys with is the contemporary exploration of journalistic ethics and how, with local cable news competing with so many twenty-four hour news stations, who, in turn, are also battling more rapidly-updated social media websites, the manipulation of news is ever-present on Television. News programs, like sitcoms, reality shows, and sports events, are a game of numbers and those numbers are ratings – something that "Nightcrawler" makes depressingly clear to us. A crucial scene to this message comes into play when Lou has shot and sold the defining tape of his career and has worked to manipulate it for personal gain. He watches as Nina plays the tape on the air, directing the news anchors in such a specific way in terms of language and mannerisms that we see the fear-mongering happen right before our eyes.On top of all the social commentary, we see amazingly realistic crime scenes and car accidents to boot. Perhaps it's the lack of intimacy many directors lend to these situations, often showing a car accident, and characters limping and trudging along with little bloodshed, but "Nightcrawler" details these scenes with an incredible eye for attention and realism. Gilroy makes us the voyeur and gives the window into these car accidents that we glance over to see but not entirely anticipate or really want to see. The attention to detail in these seems is simply exquisite and uncommonly believable."Nightcrawler," in addition, features a wonderful performance by Gyllenhaal who, like his co-star Paul Dano in last year's "Prisoners," plays detached and empty with such conviction, and channels something of an inner-Philip Seymour Hoffman in "Owning Mahowny," showing his character's complete fulfillment when obsessing over his job and his work. Even Riz Ahmed shouldn't be overlooked here, playing the overworked and under-appreciated assistant to Gyllenhaal's Lou in a role that could've been an empty, and even distracting, side role. The entire project is rich in commentary, performances, and environmental beauty that it could easily be one of the most complete films of the year.
Crossing the Line Through Sheer Ambition (by FilmMuscle)
Whereas Gone Girl explored the wild misconceptions and dangerous influence of the media, Nightcrawler explores another even more corrupted facet of the entity's nature: shamelessly capitalizing on the popularity of crime television—violence, murder, blood, gunshots. The program's ratings continue heightening along with the network's desire for even more thrilling footage. Nightcrawler follows Louis Bloom Jake Gyllenhaal as he climbs up the ladder of success and builds a career through rash ambition. Lacking a formal education and adequate work experience, he's truly a <more>
victim of the unfair modern job market/unemployment. So, he says "screw it" and takes matters into his own hands, acting with sheer desperation and eagerness to reach that level of power and affluence America so often glorifies. After personally witnessing a car accident on the freeway as snooping reporters close in, the scene lights a fire inside Louis and inspires him to give the job a try. Soon afterwards, he purchases a camcorder and a radio scanner, persistently discovering new crime scenes to capture on tape as intimately as he possibly can. Thus, his extensive coverage grabs the attention of a morning news channel, and a special relationship forms therein: a consistent supply of new gruesome/entertaining crime footage for an increasing sum of money. As we see the frightening lengths Louis is willing to strive towards in order to prove himself as a proficient workingman and elevate his value above and beyond, this grave thriller intermittently surprises us with effectively mocking twisted humor, but the incredibly deranged human psychology on display keeps us startled and tense throughout regardless. Gyllenhaal arguably gives the absolute best performance of his career in a role that substantially differentiates from his earlier work. His creepy, relaxed composure hides the true inner scariness and ferocity. Publicly, Louis is a professional, polite, and upstanding citizen who's just looking to work hard. Privately, he violently yells in front of a mirror until he shatters it, as well as blackmails a TV news director to further his career. Rene Russo also impresses as the morning news director—almost as daring in her lust for more provocative violent imagery—who's beguiled by this eccentric and only mistakenly fuels Louis' psychotic drive. In addition, Riz Ahmed's Rick serves as Louis' gullible, clueless "employee" who just wants to escape the dispiriting state of homelessness and finally earn a living, completely unaware of the perilous and unethical situations he'll be cast in along his employer's selfishly ruthless path.This isn't the kind of film whose quality solely relies on a central performance because the narrative is just as cruelly gripping. Unfortunately, the film industry is stocked with so many safe crowdpleasers and compromising thrillers that it's wholly refreshing to see these uncompromisingly grim, chilling psychological character studies occasionally pop up. The film becomes more morally repulsive and disturbing as it proceeds while the satire on the American Dream and merciless ambition becomes that much more brutal. Nightcrawler is deeply unsettling as well as it is honest in its portrayal—Los Angeles is actually the perfect setting, beautifully shot in its alluring and deceptive nighttime scenery. After all, it is probably the #1 destination for the unrelentingly audacious and reckless individuals of the nation in search of a prosperous career.
All in a Night's Work (by billygoat1071)
Nightcrawler seems like a satire to modern television news about how they choose their leads or often seek for more ratings by entertaining their viewers rather than aim straightly to the facts. But there is a much interesting story beneath here and that is the main character, Louis Bloom. The guy that easily manipulates people with his sinister tricks of persuasion. Everything else may just be the natural world of crime and accidents, but in the eyes of this character, the experience is made far stranger and oddly fascinating. This provides a compellingly menacing and provoking piece of <more>
commentary which results to such engrossing film.What the plot mostly does is to fully absorb the viewers into the character of Bloom by studying his sociopathic behavior and the words coming out from his mouth. He is a charming young man with a dark intention hidden behind his grins. He pushes the limits of the law and his own safety, only to accomplish on what he must do in the job, even if it risks many people's lives. The actions of this antihero is ought to feel terrifying on how it affects to both the business he's working on and the society he is watching. The media's side however is more of a picture of cynicism on how they broadcast the scariest stories of the city, giving the people fear so they could earn more viewers out of the concern. It just breaks down on how the evil of their success is disguised as their own ethics.The filmmaking perfectly captures their night's work. You couldn't clearly see the scenario they shoot unless you watch them on a video footage. The violence and peril they witness are shown without any hint of sympathy, since they only use them for the news show. The horror of these gritty scenes once again belongs to the nightcrawler. Jake Gyllenhaal is one of the biggest highlights here. His character obviously has the personality of a psychotic villain; he is mostly bluffing, and by the dashing enthusiasm he shows to the people around him, you probably may not know when his inner total madness will burst out from his frightening eyeballs, and that provides more tension than you expect. This is one of the Gyllenhaal performances that will be remembered for his career.Out of common sense, this story may lead its main character to a moral about how much he is taking this job too far, probably destroying his humanity. But no, this guy is relentless, almost inhumane, and his style in fact helps his career grow bigger, which turns out we are actually rooting for a villain. And that probably pictures to some oppressive ambitious beings out there behind some system. This is where things go in the end, bringing an outcome to a social satire. You can spot a lot of relevance even when some of the situations get a little out of hand. Nightcrawler is something else than a sentiment, what we must focus here is Lou Bloom: a new, possibly iconic, movie vigilante, except the only skin he is purposely saving is himself and his career.
Jake G's Blinks in Prisoners are Only Rivaled by the Weaslely Grin In Nightcrawler (by LTSmash14)
This movie was both fun and terrifying. Jake Gyllenhaal's performance as Lou Bloom will certainly frighten you. He is brilliant when paired with the amazing monologue style rants written for him.Lou Bloom is a driven man reminiscent of a sociopath who finds he has a talent as "nightcrawling" in that he takes videos of true crimes as they are happening to be broadcast on the news. His motivation and seeming lack of empathy allow him to break through and take the controversial images, and sell them with a strong aptitude for negotiation.As a character, he grows more and more <more>
"motivated" and seems to learn his business in such a way to bring him amazing success, but to the determinant, perhaps, of his assistant and the victims of these crimes.The writer/ director of this movie making his directorial debut certainly understands fear and comedy. The simplest scene was made into a laugh by the angles and cuts.It's funny, and enjoyable, but still terrifying enough to feel like a real horror thriller.
Gyllenhaal at his Best (by Chrismeister)
Nightcrawler from the very beginning is not a traditional Hollywood film. It certainly does not follow the narrative of one and even though it has the three-act structure we are all familiar with, it spins them around. This is particularly evident in the third act, incredibly suspenseful with a brilliant, almost anti-climax. Suspense is the main key to this film's success, it build and builds to the point where the last twenty minutes of the film are completely unpredictable. Dan Gilroy in his directorial debut here has shown a real understanding of how to keep an audience engaged and <more>
following a character who isn't an easy man to spend a great deal of time with. Gilroy's screenplay is fast paced and one of the finest this year. The script focuses the audience on the characters, Louis Bloom particularly yet the supporting characters are just as impressive by Bill Paxton and Rene Russo alike. It doesn't follow the rules of a typical script, we are introduced instantly to a criminal and this man is supposed to be our protagonist. Yet what becomes clear is that there is not a protagonist in Nightcrawler, Jake Gyllenhaal's Louis Bloom is the antagonist. He can be described as nothing less than a psychopath and his portrayal by Gyllenhaal is one of his greatest performances. He is very gaunt here, losing a lot of weight for the role, however that is not the main reason for his impressive performance. Gyllenhaal is an actor who continues to impress me; his work in Enemy from earlier this year was just as brilliant. He has chosen excellent roles in films such as Zodiac, Prisoners and End of Watch. The cinematography is also fantastic, night-time LA has not looked this good since 2011's Drive. All these elements come together to make a captivating piece of filmmaking, a film I expect will be discussed more as time goes on.
Undeniably disturbing and unapologetically cynical, yet surprisingly funny. (by BrentHankins)
When we first meet Louis Bloom Jake Gyllenhaal , he's cutting sections of chain-link fence from a construction site to sell for scrap. It's not exactly the ideal way to make a living, and Bloom certainly aspires to greater things - he even lobbies unsuccessfully for a job at the scrapyard, but the manager isn't keen on hiring thieves. But while driving home, Bloom comes across an auto accident, with emergency personnel working frantically to free a woman trapped in the wreckage while the entire scene is being filmed by an independent cameraman Bill Paxton hoping to sell the <more>
footage to a local news station.Something about this profession strikes a chord with Louis, and it doesn't take long before he's armed himself with a shoddy police scanner and a cheap camcorder, trying to get his feet wet in his newly adopted vocation. Louis quickly learns that the veterans don't take kindly to newcomers, and they're not about to share any tricks of the trade, but Louis's lack of experience is more than balanced out by his cunning and ingenuity. In one early scene, as late night news director Nina Rene Russo tells him that she already has footage from the same incident he recorded, Louis smiles warmly and informs her that he was closer to the subject, with a better angle - but he's not trying to bargain with her, he's just merely passing along information, with just the right amount of aloofness to pique her interest.With her station struggling desperately for ratings, Nina strikes up a deal with Louis, giving her first option on whatever footage he captures from his late-night escapades. The relationship bears fruit quickly, with the station boasting a steady string of high-rated scoops, and Louis trading in his beat-up hatchback and low-grade equipment for a Dodge Charger and a GPS-enabled police scanner complete with a touchscreen interface. He also acquires the services of Rick, a homeless "intern" that assists with navigation and operating the second camera in exchange for a paltry thirty bucks per night, and Louis's constant promises of developing his skills to further his "career."As Louis continues to outrun and outsmart his fellow nightcrawlers, he comes obsessed with recognition, and the power that comes from it. He demands that the name of his "news company" be read by the morning anchors anytime his footage is shown, he insists that he be introduced to the TV station executives and credited with Nina's ongoing success, and he subtly threatens to offer his footage to rival news outlets unless Nina yields to his romantic advances. And he does all of these things, and plenty more, with a frighteningly genial disposition, his face always lit up with a cheerful grin.While roles in Enemy and Prisoners afforded Gyllenhaal the opportunity to play characters that inhabit some dark spaces, there's something even more compelling about watching him disappear into the mind of a complete sociopath. No matter what deplorable and horrific action Louis takes over the course of Nightcrawler's two- hour running time, he never shows the slightest hint of guilt or remorse, remaining singularly focused on achieving his goals at any cost. Combined with Gyllenhaal's dramatic physical change - he lost over 20 pounds for the role, with his hollowed eyes and gaunt appearance adding to the creepiness - it's a fascinating performance, and among the actor's best work to date.Undeniably disturbing and unapologetically cynical, Nightcrawler is also an acerbic derision of what passes for "journalism" in today's society, where actually reporting the news has become far less important than providing ghastly imagery for the public to devour en masse. One of the film's best sequences plays with this very idea, as the stomach-churning choices that Louis makes after arriving at the scene of a home invasion are justified when Nina agrees to the exorbitant price he places on the footage. The exchange borders on outrageous, and yet we can't help but wonder how authentic it might be. After all, as Paxton's character says wisely, "If it bleeds, it leads."
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Story Hour
Shemeska's Planescape Storyhour - (Updated 21Nov2020)
Thread starter Shemeska
Shemeska
So the original thread for the Storyhour was both so old and so gigantic that I could no longer rename the thread title to reflect new updates without having to get moderator help each time. So this thread will cover Storyhour updates from 2014 onwards. Very likely we'll see a third iteration of this before the story is finished years from now. After all, we've had an awesome ride up to this point, and we'll be barely half way through at the conclusion of the Pandemonium/Gehenna/Outlands plot arc.
And for everyone that has been reading this, both from the start and folks that have picked it up along the way: Thank you so very much. This has been a labor of love, a wonderful way to remember one of my favorite campaigns of all time, and also a way to look at how my writing has hopefully improved over the years. Still a work in progress of course.
Previous Storyhour thread covering the start through early 2014: Shemeska's Planescape Storyhour (Updated 29 Jan 2014)
Cilret Leobtav stopped and smiled up at the figure seated on his shoulder. The blotch of darkness said nothing, but returned the smile with one like a darker rift torn in a starless sky.
"Fools..." The once-Guvner whispered as he looked up at a hillock a few hundred yards ahead of himself. He stood in the middle of gentle depression in the Outlands. If he were to be ambushed, this would be a perfect place as it obscured the landscape all around, allowing a force to assemble all around him if they wished.
"Whatever your intent, you will not proceed further." A single figure stood atop the ridge, looking down at the mortal and his silent companion. She gleamed silver in the sunlight.
"Your desires are worthless, rilmani nuisance." Leobtav sneered, stretching his fingers in preparation for what would come.
Atop the ridge, encircling the single mortal, space distorted and a veil lifted, revealing more than a hundred armored ferrumach. The first rank of many more, they stood at attention, spears and axes at the ready in the sunlight.
"Say what you will about our desires mortal," The argenach frowned. "But you will not proceed. The god of the tiere will remain imprisoned as his betrayed believers left him till they and only they return to unlock his chains with their forgiveness, requited or not."
"You cannot stop me from doing as I am commanded." Leobtav closed his eyes and called to mind the first of dozens of spells. As he did so, a dozen more emerged fresh in his mind, drawn from the endless well in which his master dwelled. He trembled and gasped at the pain it brought. Another grain of sand fell through the hourglass containing his soul, swallowed by that same void that swirled and hungered at the bottom.
The argenach laughed and drew her blade. "Look around you mortal. You have one final chance to turn around and leave with your life. What do you say?"
"Rilmani," Leobtav called out as his feet lifted off of the ground and crackles of energy surrounded his frail body, "I feel His touch carried on the wind. I see Him in every drop of blood I spill. I hear Him in every scream for mercy, and echoing in every death rattle when I give no quarter. The Waste itself spoke to me and I opened my soul to it. Now He whispers, I listen, and I obey."
The argenach blinked, confused at the mortal's reaction in the face of overwhelming numbers. She motioned and the ferrumachs began their suicidal charge.
****
- PCs pursue Leobtav, taking Ficklebarb with them, leaving Doran, Settys, and Frollis behind.
The relatively mundane, terrestrial landscape and temperate biome faded away over the next several hours, replaced by a wasteland of withered scrub, dead or dying trees, and periodic swampland that forced them to divert their course in order to avoid the miasma of decaying organic matter and clouds of biting, stinging insects. Such was the nature of the Outlands as the plane mirrored the aspects of those planes it touched in tangent, metaphysically speaking, at the gates located in each of the 16 Gatetowns.
Flying as they were, they were able to avoid much of the difficulty posed by the harsher terrain as the Outlands took upon aspects of both Carceri and the Abyss. That stroke of good luck would not would not last indefinitely however.
"Does anyone else see that?" Fyrehowl stopped and looked hard into the distance, ears flickering ahead in an unconscious posture of alertness.
Tristol squinted his eyes, "See what?"
Fyrehowl pointed out on the horizon, out somewhere much closer to the Gatetown ring. "Out there on the horizon. Can't you see them?"
Something was out there. A lot of things in fact. Moving. Marching.
"I can't say I do." The aasimar squinted more and shook his head.
"I do." Toras frowned as he watched what looked at first like a line of ants moving on the horizon. "That's an army."
That it was. Beyond the range of most of their vision, excepting the celestial and half-celestial, a massive army marched in the direction of Plague-Mort. Forty thousand baatezu in orderly ranks, flying the banners of the Hag Countess of Maladomini, and beside them a second column of troops marched with smaller numbers and less rigid organization: 'loths, some ten thousand strong.
"That's odd..." Fyrehowl remarked as her ears lay back against her head. "Devils and 'loths. A bunch of them."
Clueless held his hands up warily, "They can keep on moving wherever they're going as long as it isn't the way that we're headed."
Toras squinted further, wishing that he had a spyglass. "I can't make out the baatezu much since they're marching in formation. But there's a bunch of mezzoloths, canoloths, yeah pretty much all of the lesser ones and cr*p..."
On the cusp of mentioning that the 'loths were accompanied by a cloud of flying slasraths, each of them carrying one or two robed figures each -arcanaloths- one of the flyers broke away from the main force and then vanished in the brilliant flicker of a teleport.
Clueless unsheathed Razor, "I don't know what that flash of light was, but that I saw."
"Someone saw us." Toras drew his blade as well. "Everyone get ready."
Mirroring the first burst of light from afar, a second series of teleportation flashes erupted all around them, causing them all to squint. When the light faded, they were surrounded by an assortment of fiends, in all comprising 3 cornugons, 10 mezzoloths, 2 osyluths, and nearly a dozen abishai of assorted colors. Each of the fiends snarled or chittered, hefting their weapons at the ready, but otherwise they stood their ground and briefly glanced up to the single figure sitting cross-legged atop a blue-black slasrath that hovered directly above and ahead of the party.
Looking down from his cushioned seat, an arcanaloth yawned and levitated a logbook and pen into his hands. "In the name of her infernal majesty the Hag Countess, Lord of the 5th, state your business for your transit in the region bordering Plague-Mort and Curst." Sneering at the party that garnered his primary attention, the greater yugoloth seemed distinctly bored and uninterested in his job, playing over glorified secretary and also marshal for what he clearly considered lesser beings.
Toras adjusted his stance, obscuring Fyrehowl as much as possible from the 'loth, lest her presence bring about more malice than disinterest.
"Speak now or I incinerate the lot of you." The 'loth's lip curled up, revealing a row of pearlescent fangs. "At least it would provide me with some amusement for today."
"No need to be hasty." Clueless replied, giving a slight bow. "We're here only in transit, seeking a criminal that passed this way a day ahead of us."
"A criminal?" The 'loth asked, barely sounding as if he honestly cared one way or the other. The baatezu below him however seemed at least marginally less hostile at the response.
Clueless recalled Leobtav's original association with the Guvner's, and his time in Hopeless. "Wanted for crimes against Thingol the Mocking, and for crimes against the Fraternity of Order..."
The arcanaloth held up his other hand, indicating Clueless to be silent. "So be it." He shrugged in as noncommittal way as he could. "No need to finish. I just need something to write. I really don't care as I said before. Kill this criminal if you wish, collect your bounty, or die at the hands of a pack of leomarshes. What happens to you is what happens. I on the other hand, I have a city to sack."
The fiend actually smiled at the last moment and then vanished along with his underlings in another brilliant flash of light.
Toras smiled and put away his sword, "Well that went a lot better than it could have. Saves us the time spent killing them all."
It went completely unsaid that had conflict broken out, the distant army would likely have set upon them en masse. It had indeed been most opportune that the fiend hadn't really cared about them.
"City to sack?" Florian looked troubled. "Which one and where?"
They would find out, but it would be a number of days still.
Many hours later, having followed Doran's map from point to point across the landscape, most of them worn down or nearly unrecognizable by the passage of millennia, they finally came across a point both not on the map at all, and one immediately recognizable.
"What the hell happened here?" Fyrehowl gazed across a field of smoking ruins.
No birds sang. No insects buzzed. At the edge of the village a great circle of dead grass demarcated the boundary of something terrible that had touched, and where it had touched, killed. Twenty buildings of stone, wood, and thatch had been reduced to ashes, while a stone watchtower lay on its side, toppled over with its lower half melted by magic or acid, ultimately having collapsed atop a cluster of tents which still issued periodic gouts of flame and smoke.
"He's been here." Ficklebarb's eyes enlarged and he choked back a wail at what he, or a shattered part of him had done.
Dozens of bodies littered the ground, unmarked but unmoving, along with half as many black smears of greasy ashes, the latter killed by something much more destructive, but equally effective.
"This was a khaasta village." Toras glanced down at the corpse of an adult, lizard-like humanoid. He'd died with a spear in one hand and slaver's chains in the other. "They didn't have a clue who he was or what he could do."
"Just how powerful is he?" Tristol peered at the spell effects Leobtav had unleashed, all of them profound, all of them loosed wantonly. "This was like killing an ant with a fireball."
"Let's search the ruins." Toras suggested "If anyone is left, we need to talk to them and find out what happened."
Initially their efforts were for naught. Bodies within the ruins had been charred to lumps of charcoal, or withered husks drained of life. Leobtav had either been thorough in his cleansing of the village, or else the khaasta had been zealous in their assault. Spreading out though, further from the putative center of the circle of dead grass, they had better luck.
"I found someone!" Fyrehowl called out as her ears picked up on motion within the rubble of one of the cottages. A whimper and a swift hush, followed by a hand clamping shut over a muzzle.
The others gathered behind the lupinal where she stood next to a pile of fallen debris and a partially collapsed tent.
"Hs'kzik! Dzu'hathissim!" A wary, terrified cry emerged from the debris; part terror, part bravado.
"We're not the one who did this." Toras looked at the others, none of whom spoke khaasta. "You're safe. You can come out. We won't hurt you."
A hand covered in dusty brown scales lifted part of the tent wall and two pairs of reptilian eyes gazed out at the party. Tentatively they both stepped out and warily looked around, seemingly expecting their original attacker to return at any minute.
"We're friends." Fyrehowl asked, immediately drawing a spark of comprehension on the lizard-folk's faces. "You're safe."
The two khaasta were covered in dust and ash, and each was wounded in some capacity from fallen debris and fire. The first was an elderly female, mostly blind from cataract's that clouded her eyes, but she stood more erect and with more bravery than her companion, a young, terrified male whose posture and red, swollen eyes spoke of an inability to cope with loss. She had seen every shade of joy and loss in her long life, but he was young, and what he had witnessed had broken his spirit. Tears stained his cheeks, and clutched hard to his chest, he held a scorched, severed hand, probably all that remained of his fallen wife.
"Fyrehowl?" Clueless glanced at the lupinal. "They don't speak planar common, but you can speak to them regardless. So if you could translate that would be awesome."
Fyrehowl nodded and began speaking to the two frightened survivors. Despite speaking in planar common, they understood her regardless, hearing her words in their own tongue as soon as she spoke. Hearing the celestial calmed their nerves, as much as they could be calmed, having survived the destruction of their village, and having witnessed the deaths of their families, spouses, and children.
"What happened here?" Clueless looked at the wildly gesticulating khaasta, trying to parse meaning before Fyrehowl translated for them.
"Leobtav." The lupinal explained. "The village just happened to have been built here since the time that the map was written down. They weren't important. They were just in the way."
The khaasta male sat down and began sobbing once again, holding the wife's severed hand to his cheek.
"Their chief demanded to know who he was, and when he ignored them, they tried to take him captive. The commotion drew a crowd, which was when these two briefly saw him. They describe him as having "a demon upon his shoulder" that was whispering to him, telling him what to do."
Perched on Toras's shoulder, Ficklebarb whimpered at the mention of his master's companion, whatever it was. He'd felt its touch before, but never physically. As Leobtav's soul withered, whatever had latched onto him in Gehenna grew ever more potent, and now seemed able to physically manifest.
Fyrehowl gave the manifest conscience a look of pity before she continued her translation of the khaasta, "They say that he laughed as he destroyed the village building by building, slaying their warriors, slaying gravid mothers, and even the young and elderly. They also say that when he left, he took almost a score of the town with him, male and female alike, bending them to his will as if they were marionettes."
- fight with undead khaasta. Surviving khaasta are given food and what supplies can be spared. Party continues onwards, following Doran's map, following in Leobtav's footsteps.
- fight with possessed khaasta in the Outlands.
Another day passed without incident, but the landscape around them seemed bizarrely empty. Wildlife had fled, and wherever intelligent creatures had been present, they'd scattered or been slaughtered in Leobtav's wake. Most disturbing though was the aftermath of Leobtav's conflict with the rilmani.
Two times they came across battlegrounds, each of them strewn with the remnants of rilmani armor and weapons. The Outlands had swallowed the fallen rilmanis' essence, dissolving their corpses as they merged with the plane of their birth, leaving behind only the bizarre scattering of equipment. Each battlefield was ravaged by flames, acid, and the lingering reek of lightning generated ozone, as well as numerous instances of what could only be described as the aftereffects of wanton bursts of negative energy.
"The rilmani are hurling themselves at him by the hundreds," Tristol looked up from where he crouched over a pile of rilmani weapons and armor welded together by a combination of extreme heat and magnetism.
"That's not what bothers me." Clueless shook his head. "It's the fact that so far it looks like they've failed, and there's only six of us, not counting Ficklebarb."
"Let's worry about that later." Florian frowned, looking to the east where on the far horizon they could see a rising cloud of dark, heavy smoke forming - likely another battle between Leobtav and the neutral outsiders. "We can pray that they do stop him before we catch up, or if not, that they weaken him enough that we can do the deed ourselves."
They moved on and flew for several more hours before the Outlands' light waned and drew to the first hours of darkness, forcing them to land and hastily prepare camp. None of them however could sleep, both from knowing what awaited them, and from the unknowns that surrounded that looming confrontation. What would Leobtav do if he found the tiere deity? Free it? Kill it? What consequences would either bring? What had touched him years ago in the frozen lower reaches of Gehenna?
These questions and more filtered through Tristol's mind as he sat in his tent, staring down at his spellbook, rememorizing his spells for the next day. Nisha sat next to him, curled up close and periodically tapping his toes with the tip of her tail.
"You shouldn't worry so much." Nisha pulled down on Tristol's spellbook with the tip of her nose, smiling as she looked up over the level of the pages.
"I can't help it." Tristol poked her nose. "There's a lot at stake tomorrow."
"You're being too serious." Nisha giggled. "Delightfully so."
"Delightfully serious? That's an odd thing for you to be saying."Tristol looked at her askance. "And besides, technically you've got a spellbook as well. I've seen you study it."
"I can be serious at times." Nisha shrugged as her eyes wandered over the formulae diagrams in Tristol's book. "Occasionally. Maybe. From time to time. About as often as I have my nose in a spellbook."
"You should do that more." Tristol smiled. "It'd be fun to see you develop more as a wizard."
"I don't need to study much."
"I didn't mean to downplay your ability as a wizard." Tristol hoped he hadn't offended her. "You've just got fewer spells at the moment. But we can work on that. I'd love to help you there."
"No need." Nisha held up a finger and the tip of her tail. "Archmages don't need to study as much."
"Archmages?" Tristol cocked his head to side quizzically.
"Like me." Nisha quipped. "The Great Archmage Nisha."
Tristol had the sudden mental image of just such a thing: Nisha with the power of a Netherese archmage of old, but with precisely her current level of whimsy.
"Hey!" Nisha waved her tail in front of his face. "Tristol?"
"You looked a bit spaced out there for a second."
"I'm sure you'd make a great archmage." He tried to smile without looking terrified at the idea. "You're cute."
"So are you." She batted at his tail with her own.
"Awww…" Tristol put his spellbook down and wrapped an arm around the tiefling. The two of them hugged, he kissed her forehead and she his chin. If only for a moment they were both smiling and the recent and ongoing horror that had begun in Pandemonium for them seemed distant, at least until a quick series of taps on the tent brought them out of their introspective snuggle.
"You both should get up and take a look at this." Clueless called to them from outside. "This is something to see."
Nisha looked at Tristol and shrugged. The aasimar got to his feet and extended a hand. Smiling, she gave it a quick kiss and let him help her to her feet. Together they walked outside and looked around. All of the others were up and awake, all staring off towards the east.
"What do you make of that?" The bladesinger asked Tristol.
In the distance, only a dozen hours away, the horizon was illuminated with the ruddy glow of raging flames and frequent bursts and crackles of light.
"That's a battle." Florian unconsciously rubbed the holy symbol of Tempus between her thumb and forefinger. "That's a huge, huge battle."
"Go rilmani!" Toras pumped his fists in the air.
Clueless grinned and looked at the map. "Regardless of how that battle goes, it looks like we can probably catch up with Leobtav in fairly short order tomorrow. At least that's my take on the map. Distance has been odd out here, and it might be longer once we get started."
Brilliant blue bursts of lightning erupted in the distance, followed minutes later by rolling crashes of thunder.
"We should try to rest though." Clueless sighed. "If the rilmani can't stop him, we'll need to be at our best."
"Agreed," Fyrehowl's ears twitched at the thunderclaps.
Five hours later the distant sounds of battle waned, the crackle and roar of spells faded, silence retook its throne, and the horizon grew still but for the lingering glow of small fires. The battle was over.
Sitting atop a cushion in Toras's tent, Ficklebarb's eyes stared off into space, looking past the horizon, looking past the battle, directed to where Leobtav stood. The professor's manifest, severed conscience whimpered as he felt an echo of his greater self's exultation. The rilmani had failed.
"Please." He whispered, shedding a tear that rolled down the ruddy scales of his face. "Please don't listen to it. Please don't do what it says. Please, please don't open the door..."
The sky was still swathed in darkness; the morning light had yet to begin its ascent into the sky. Just before dawn, the night's reverie was shattered by a thunderous roar from the east.
81Dagon
Shemeska said:
Thank you for bringing it to us! This is one of the best stories we've ever read, and we're so lucky that come hell or high water, you've kept telling it for so long! You've singlehandedly brought so many people into enjoying planescape and inspired so many more campaigns. It's really incredible Todd Here's to ten more years!!
Reactions: carborundum and Shemeska
Akhelos
So i have finally read all parts already written down....but wait, that means I have to wait like everyone else till the enxt Post.... NOOOOOOOOO. Okay I can read Storyhour 2 while waiting *g*
In progress, along with a bunch of other things (both products and stories).
Also, I got married last week. View attachment 59483
I've been a busy busy 'loth
Wait you finally found out your real Feelings for Akin and married him? But did not invite your fellow Arcanaloths? I mean you own a third of Sigil, enough space to accomdate all of your brothers and Sisters!! That would have been the biggest Party ever! *gg*
The two arcanaloths said nothing, either verbally or telepathically for some time as they watched the tower. Finally, one of them spoke and broke the silence.
“So what is it that you’re holding there?” Apteris asked, taking a step closer. “I can smell it on the wind, and the normal pitch is different from when we otherwise come up here to chat.”
Alpthis chuckled and moved his hand to place a fist-sized object on the edge of the cliff.
Apteris wrinkled his nose and looked at the black lump of ragged flesh.
It was a heart, freshly removed from its recent body, likely by magic, probably within the last few minutes, and there was a rather pronounced bite that had been taken from the left ventricle.
“So who was the victim?” The sorcerer-monk asked.
“She was a traitor you see. Plotting against the mistress.” Alpthis explained, licking a bit of blood off of his lower lip. “At least that’s my excuse and I’ll be keeping to it.”
Apteris said nothing as he gestured to the heart and telekinetically brought it to his right hand. He looked at the heart, sniffed at it like some expensive delicacy, and then bit into it like it were an apple.
“So?” Alpthis asked while his brother finished his taste. “Your opinion on the matter brother?”
“I recognize the taste. Lucinda Ap Fireth.” He said, taking a second bite before tossing it back for his brother to finish. “I -should- recognize the taste. I was f*cking her you know.”
“Only when I wasn’t.”
“Not even then always.”
They shared a mutual chuckle; a rival out of the way, even if their beds might lack a partner for the short term.
I have a Question. How did you handle it with Arcanaloth Deads? Did you specifiy it or let it open...or according to the old Books? Or better said, did you specify that they stay dead or that they can come back if they are not killed on Ghenna...meaning that the two Brothers will eventually meet their Victim in the Future again even if she will definetly never speek with them again *gg*
And also I have an Idea....are the Gautiere....the Guardinals? Because the Name sound comparable...and I have a Crazy Idea. That perhaps the Guardinals or better the first of their Kind are risen Yugoloths/Arcanaloths. ^^ And that the imprisoned God is a Baernaloth who wanted to stop them, perhaps the one who created them....and that his Fall and their rise splitted the Baernaloths and make them the demented. And Yes I know that I am Crazy ^^
You have a wonderful Story here and I can say that you really give a lot of Inspiration for own Campaigns and perhaps we will use some of them in our soon to be starting little campaign even if we are still planning, especially how Dark it will be. But it will absolutely Incorporate Yugoloths as we have at least one in our group, hunted by her own Kind for a transgression she never did. ^^
81Dagon said:
I've really enjoyed telling it so far, and there's still a lot to tell!
Akhelos said:
I generally handle it as follows: if an arcanaloth dies in Gehenna they're permanently dead. If they die outside of Gehenna if they're powerful enough they'll eventually reform in Gehenna, but weaker, and at the discretion of the Keeper of the Tower they might come back as a lower caste 'loth. With reference to the former lover of Alpthis and Apteris, it's open for debate where they killed her. They were eating her heart like an apple while in the Waste, but they could have killed her in Gehenna (the 'loth purge instigated by the Ebon happened across Gehenna, the Waste, and Carceri at roughly the same time).
The next two updates are going to have a -lot- of stuff answered, and a lot more questioned raised.
It began as a flash of swift and searing white light from the east, in the direction of the Cathedral of the Chained God. Then, like the thunder in the aftermath of a bolt of lightning reaching skyward, they heard the sound itself. It washed over them like a wave, profound and wrathful, but then the strangest thing happened as they felt a swift breeze blowing not away from the sound, but towards it.
"What in Andros' name was that?" Toras exclaimed.
"That sounded like a scream." Florian looked at the horizon with unease. "Or maybe less a scream than a roar?"
Clueless nodded in agreement, "I haven't heard anything like that since the 'loths tamed the Mother of Serpents."
Fyrehowl scowled at the mention of the 'loths, and the mention of the Oinoloth's chained beast elicited a snarl. "Let's not even bring them into this. But it was neither. That was an explosion."
"That rush of air." Tristol nodded at the lupinal. "If the gautiere deity was sealed somewhere, I think we just heard the door being forced open."
Collectively they paused and looked at one another. Leobtav could not be allowed to do what he wished, whatever in fact that was. They had to hurry.
"We should get moving." Florian rubbed her holy symbol of Tempus like a gilded worry-stone, but then she smiled. "Otherwise the battle might be over before we get there, and we can't have that."
Making their way through the shifting, unmappable terrain of the Hinterlands, for the next four hours, silence reigned. The sounds of battle faded and where the horizon had burned and flashed, now it smoldered with what few fires remained in the aftermath. But as they approached the site of the battles they had heard, the site that Leobtav had spent years searching for, the Cathedral of the Chained God, they would find that not all was silent in Leobtav's wake.
"We should probably stop flying and do this on foot." Clueless remarked. "We won't have any cover up here."
"But flying is fun!" Nisha put her arms out, flapping them twice and then pantomiming a dragon breathing flame on some hapless village. "Besides I..." The tiefling's eyes crossed and her face wrinkled as a smell drifted across her nose, carried by the wind. She spat out a burst of Xaos-speak and shook her head, "Ok, yeah I'm fine with landing and going on hoof, foot, whatever. The smell of death on the winds says we should land."
The wind blew quicker, filling the air with the reek of death, suggesting a recent and obscene death toll only miles away now. Though it would slow them down in their pursuit, the oppressive smell was enough to force them to land and walk the remaining distance.
They were silent for the next two miles, noting that the landscape was trampled by the passage of thousands of feet, marked by the footprints of boots and the clawed feet of the rilmanis' mounts as well. They had come across battles between the rilmani and Leobtav already, but the sheer number of individuals that had passed this way suggested that those battles had been mere skirmishes compared to what loomed ahead.
"Can you feel that?" Fyrehowl shivered and her hackles rose.
"Feel what?" Florian glanced back at the lupinal.
"The air feels, I dunno... heavy." She shrugged and tried to shrug off the disquieting sensation she felt as they approached the rise of a tall natural hill, earthwork, or -given its size- the lip of an eroded crater.
"I feel it too." Toras narrowed his eyes as he began the ascent. "I can't place it though. It just feels wrong. Terribly wrong."
"Foehammer watch over us." Florian whispered, touching her holy symbol to her lips.
Gathering themselves for whatever might await over the top of the rise, they pushed ahead, but no amount of preparation could truly prepare them for what they saw.
Tristol gazed in a mixture of fascination and horror at the landscape as they stood atop a circular rim surrounding a deep, heavy depression, "Mystra preserve..."
Stretching perhaps five miles in diameter, the crater-like bowl in the surface of the Hinterlands centered on a massive, circular cathedral at its center. Built of purest white marble and decorated with innumerable gleaming gemstones, it radiated a brilliant white light, and where that light touched, it evoked emotions of purity, glory, and devotion. That however was all the purity and glory that had existed in that place for eons. Stretching out from the base of the cathedral, the land was warped, looking like huge ripples in the surface of a lake as if an angry titan had dropped a stone in a lake and then frozen it in some unmoving snapshot of time. Though ground itself seemed sick. Everything was stained a sickly reddish black, darker and deeper the closer to the cathedral, extending outwards like a leeching stain of blood.
"The ground," Fyrehowl's fur bristled and her ears lay back, "It's actually bloody."
Toras daubed two fingers on the ground, wincing from something and averting his exposed face as his fingertips came back smeared red and slightly sticky. "It's also hot."
Florian made a face as she looked at the blood saturating the ground, "What the hell happened back then to make it this way?"
"We might as well be in a deific domain." Clueless mused, "What happens is what happens really. What I'm keener to know is what the hell happened here just recently?"
Nisha glanced down across the depression and the carnage that covered much of it, with a distinct path laid out before them around which most of the devastation clustered. "We can follow Leobtav's path and find out. Not that I really want to."
"That's probably the best way to go actually." Toras mused. If he fought his way through any guardians in place, he'll have sprung any traps or wards as he went."
"Like wandering through the woods and being the second person on the trail." Nisha quipped.
"Huh?" Tristol looked at her, and the mischievous, knowing grin playing across her face. "Last time we were in Sylvania we went on a walk and you insisted that I go first..."
"Because the first person tends to walk into the spiderwebs first." The tiefling stuck her tongue out and smiled.
Tristol chuckled and shook his head. "I should cast web on you."
The two of them continued to banter between themselves while the others looked down, following Leobtav's path of destruction.
"He won't have left anything behind." All eyes looked down to Ficklebarb's thin, shivering voice. "He's so close to what he wants to find; so sure of himself that he won't even consider that you're coming after him. He isn't looking back."
“We’ll do whatever we can.” Toras put a finger on Ficklebarb’s side. “We’ll do whatever we have to do. Whatever happens to Leobtav, we’ll do what you want and need us to do.”
"He isn't looking back at all." The tiny not-familiar shed a tear. It fell, sparkling to the ground, sizzling as it contacted the earth. Purity had no place on the unhallowed earth. “Thank you, Toras and all of you.”
Tentatively they descended, winding their way down the slope of the depression and towards the looming cathedral. All the way they passed the ruin and detritus of Leobtav's passage. Rubble littered the ground: an amalgamation of destroyed constructs, dead rilmani, and butchered gautiere. The constructs were ancient, apparently placed there as guardians eons before, but the neutral exemplars and the gautiere were newly put to the slaughter.
They all turned and looked at a destroyed golem as they passed it, and then two more, both of them reduced to twisted hulks of still smoking metal. Dozens more were scattered about in pieces, having been physically torn apart, with sections of their armored bodies shredded and gouged as if by great claws.
"Those aren't of rilmani manufacture." Tristol remarked, looking at the vast difference in style between them and the rilmani remains hurled about like broken dolls across the landscape.
Most of the fighting had taken place further out from the cathedral itself, and past a certain point the land retained its original state, but even there it showed the signs of terrible, horrific things long in the past. The ground was still sticky with blood, and still radiated a dull heat that only increased with each passing step, but eventually it began to elicit a crunch.
"What are we walking on?" Nisha grimaced and glanced down at her hooves. "Because I really really want some horseshoes of levitation right about now."
Collectively they paused and looked down. The earth was no longer soil, but a mixture of bones of the ancient dead and fragments of wood burned to charcoal and metal long since rusted into powder. Ground down by the ravages of time were the fragments of utterly ancient siege engines, devices of war, chariots, wagons, and bodies of their riders and beasts of burden.
"These were tiere." Ficklebarb explained. "He had such contempt for them."
They stared at the familiar, wondering if he was referring to Leobtav or to the gautiere's imprisoned god. But regardless of which, he was correct about the remains they trod upon beneath their footfalls. They were tiere. They were the ones who had been there to seal and lock the doors of the Cathdral, the inner circle of their race killed in the throes of a betrayed power and the concomitant damnation of their entire race.
Fyrehowl's ears twitched. "Stop."
"What is it?" Clueless gripped Razor's pommel.
Tristol's ears did the same motion and he glanced at the lupinal with a look of odd, uneasy worry. "I can hear it too. That's... hideous..."
"What is?" Nisha glanced about, ignoring for the moment her sticky, bloody hooves.
Not immediately answering the xaositect, Fyrehowl whimpered. "Powers above..."
"Sh*t..." Toras didn't need to hear them in order to see them.
Ahead, beyond the point where there were no longer any of the original guardians and no more rilmani, there was one final group of beings: the gautiere. They wandered about aimlessly, confused and enraged, howling and screaming in absolutely, abject, irrational fury. They dug claws into their own flesh as they wept, shrieking till their voices dulled and broke, hands beating themselves in misery. How dare someone intrude upon this place! How dare he threaten to grant their creator and betrayer the peace of death! Their world, their reality, their self-identity was breaking apart.
So absorbed in their misery were they however, that they paid little attention to the group following in Leobtav's footsteps. While it would have been tempting to give them at least a glance of misery, the sheer malice of the gaitiere's wailing disabused them of the notion - all but Ficklebarb. In a very real way he, or at least another part of him, was responsible for their misery.
"Forgive me..." Ficklebarb silently mouthed to each and every one of them as they passed by.
Beyond them, the gates of the Cathedral stood wide, torn asunder as if by giant claws. Wrenched wide, the gleaming white gates were tarnished, scorched by flame or spark, and a rime of frost covered the remainder of their surface, radiating a palpable chill even at dozens of yards distance
"We may be too late..." Florian mumbled, but the thought was there already, haunting their minds as they listened to the gautiere lament echo across the landscape.
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves." Toras spoke with affected confidence. "I don't think that..." He abruptly stopped and grabbed his sword to the ready as a lone figure shimmered into view atop the steps before the yawning entrance.
"Hold it, that's not Leobtav." Fyrehowl barked out a warning before Toras and her companions could overreact.
The silvery figure held up a hand in greeting.
"That's a rilmani." Clueless smiled. "Haven't seen one of them before."
"Only seen one rilmani ever really: one of the coppery kind." Nisha flicked her tail, causing the bell at its tip to ring once. "I rather miss him."
Putting away their weapons and much more at ease than when they first walked through the wasteland surrounding the Cathedral, they approached the lone argenach. The solitary argenarch smiled as best she could as they approached. She was covered in blood, much of it her own, and very likely she was one of the few survivors from Leobtav's passage.
"Greetings." The argenach's voice was weary and tired, and as they approached her, she slumped down and sat upon the steps rather than remain standing.
"Who are you?" Clueless asked, looking at her face and then to her injuries.
"There is not much time, nor is my name important." She waved away Clueless's concern. "You must enter and stop him."
Beyond where the argenach sat, the entrance to the Cathedral was smeared with blood, ash, and a pile of gautiere corpses where the damned race had literally tried to barricade the door with their own flesh to prevent Leobtav entry.
"Forgive me, but do you know why he's here, Leobtav that is?" Tristol looked past the rilmani and into the darkened interior of the Cathedral.
"No, we do not." The argenach shook her head and frowned. "What he intends and what empowers him is a mystery to us. But this place cannot be opened. Not now. Not yet. It was for the gautiere themselves to one day return and rectify their grand mistake, but not now, not like this. This was not supposed to be."
"We passed by a half dozen battlefields." Clueless explained, looking back Spireward. "You certainly tried to stop him."
"We tried, but we failed and now it may be too late. Alas we cannot enter beyond the gates, but you can. The Balance must be kept. The traitorous god must remain imprisoned until the day when the tiere return to open the door themselves, release him from his chains and forgive him, redeeming them both.”
"How do you know that?" Fyrehowl tilted her head to the side. "You seem convinced of the gautiere opportunity to redeem themselves from their fall. Altruism isn't normally something that I associate with your kind, you're more complex normally."
"Altruism is meaningless without equivalent malice. The gautiere began this, and they should end this by restoring that Balance." The argenach's voice was calm and convinced. "We would disrupt the process if we intervened. We only desire to provide the chance to them. But we knew it would occur. We thought so..." Her voice trailed off with a tone of worry and uncertainty. "Long ago the aurumachs watched the tiere fall, imprisoning their divine patron and damning themselves. They cast great divinations and saw that a time would come when the gautiere would wander from Carceri and loose the shackles from their deity, and from themselves. Knowing this, we watched and protected this place, knowing that it was the gautiere and the gautiere alone who would decide what would one day happen. The Balance would be preserved and they would one day right the scales of their own souls."
"That isn't what happened though." Toras frowned.
"No, it isn't." The argenach blinked back tears of grief and confusion. "This was not to be. The aurumach prophecies have come crashing down. Fate has been twisted and perverted and I cannot see how. Please, you must stop this from going further."
"They can." Ficklebarb smiled at the rilmani. She looked into the familiar's eyes, and there saw something. Something subtle and unspoken, but it seemed to calm her worry.
"What the little one said." Toras placed the dragon on his shoulder, hefting his sword and glancing to the Cathdral's doorway. "Come on. We have to end this and put things right."
"We'll see you on our way out." Clueless nodded to the argenach and followed Toras along with the others.
They crossed over the threshold and into the gloom within, when the rilmani stood, turned and called out to them, finally smiling, “Kiro sends his regards. Good luck.”
"Finally I am here. Finally after all of these years of searching." Cilret Leobtav smiled and looked down at the preparations that he had made for what would come next.
Decades of his life had been spent in toil leading up to this. He had given himself to the Ash Singer, body, mind, and soul. There was nothing left of the man who had found the darkness in that forsaken patch of ground in Gehenna, there was only this blessed, hollow vessel through which his master interacted with this reality, so distant and so unprepared.
"Poetic in a way that I began my journey in a ruined cathedral in Gehenna's frozen depths, and now I stand in a cathedral paradoxically both younger and older than that one, prepared for the next stage of my journey."
The figure of the tiere deity made no response - the gautiere had seen to that in their own way eons before. Leobtav had simply embellished upon their sacrilege in his own horrific, profane way. Upon entry into the central, holy sanctum he'd gone swiftly to work, carving symbols into the ground whispered into his ear by the figure seated upon his shoulder, symbols spelling out words that burned his eyes and more than once caused his nose and mouth to bleed simply by exposure. Concentric intertwined rings he'd carved round and round the tiere god, along with a single word: a name, a description, a title of the entity, the smallest fragment of which perched like some black imp upon his shoulder, digging its claws into flesh and other, subtler and much more precious things as the time drew close to finish this portion of as Leobtav would phrase it, 'what had to occur for it all to happen once again.'
"I am ready." He whispered, trembling slightly as his vision blurred and his head pounded from the strength of the magic that he had carved into the floor - a channel, a siphon, a godtrap, a macerating, devouring maw. He was exhausted from the sheer physical labor and from the blood loss. But he was nearly done. "Everything that you told me in Gehenna will come to pass as it did once before. But this time perfect. This time as it should be. This time without their interference."
The thing upon his shoulder snickered and a voice flooded into Leobtav's mind.
"THE PUPPETMASTERS OF THE WASTE THINK THEMSELVES IN CONTROL. ANCIENT FOOLS. THEY HASTEN THEIR OWN OBLIVION. IGNORANT AND FULL OF NAUGHT BUT HUBRIS. THE IRONY..."
Leobtav whimpered as the darkness flexed its claws and dug into his shoulder once more.
"I am ready master. Please let this task finally be finished."
Leobtav cradled his hands together and felt them filled with a weight. Looking down he smiled at the dagger now present, having not been there a moment before. Made of crudely sculpted and chipped obsidian of a type familiar to any scholar of the lower planes of Conflict, it was new, as if it had been prepared for its sole task but then never used. Though it was not the intent of the design, it would be used for something thematically similar, but wholly elevated by comparison. Only not for the one whose deific heart it would be plunged into.
"IT IS TIME."
Leobtav smiled, closed his eyes, stepped forward and raised the blade.
Tsuga C
Just grand: grand adventure, grand vistas, grand dreams, grand malevolence. Keep it comin', Shemeska!
The hallway stretched out before them as they trekked into the Cathedral's depths, dark beyond the mere absence of light - their conjured light seemed to degrade with each step, with small grain-like motes of light breaking off and devoured by the surrounding gloom as they progressed. It only added to their apprehension of what they would find at the end of their journey, and the surroundings themselves did not help either.
"Why couldn't they have built this as a happy place?" Nisha frowned as she gingerly stepped forward at point, a dozen feet ahead of the others, using a practiced eye and her own unnatural luck to scope for any traps, both magical and mundane.
"I think it was intended to be." Tristol's tail flitted side to side nervously. "But it certainly didn't stay that way."
"Imprisoned or not, it's a god's domain, and everything here changes to reflect it." Fyrehowl's own tail matched Tristol's nervous motions as she glanced at the bizarre architecture.
Flanking them, a line of larger statues glared down, their mouths open and frozen in alabaster snarls. They wore armor similar to the gautiere outside, but heavier, and of a much older, complex, baroque design. In one hand they held heavy silvery shields marred black with time's caress and in the other long spears whose silver spikes shown brilliantly as if new, evidently enchanted. Each was positioned such that they all seemed turned to collectively face any progressing further into the Cathedral, like a stone army prepared to fend off any invasion of the blasphemous sanctum.
"Creepy statues..." Nisha peered at their snarling faces and made her own growling expression back. "But at least Leobtav seems to have cleared out any traps. I haven't found a single one so far."
This of course was the precise moment that the party stood exactly halfway down the corridor, with an equal number of armored statues before and behind them, cutting off both routes. Collectively the statues stepped off of their bases with the sound of grating stone and shrieking metal grinding against joints not moved in eons.
"Oh you had to say that!" Toras put his hands up in the air and glared at the tiefling. "You just had to poke fate in the eye and stick your tongue out at it. Again!"
Nisha bit her lip and suppressed an inappropriate giggle, drawing her rapier in one hand and snatching a wand from her belt with the other, "If I could do that by making a joke, we'd be in a lot more trouble every day..."
"Everyone group together, we'll let them come to us." Clueless drew Razor and prepared for the attack.
Marching in lockstep, the statues advanced.
- here the PCs fight a dozen advanced caryatid columns. Skipping the full writeup of that fight.
Clueless sat down to rest for a moment on the broken remains of one of the columns, "Well, with the noise that created, now Leobtav knows we're coming after him. I suppose we don't have to worry about stealth from this point forward."
"How did -he- get past them without getting attacked?" Toras kicked a pile of broken stone and shook his head.
"How'd he get past an army of rilmani and gautiere?" Florian shrugged.
"How are we supposed to stop him when they couldn't?" Nisha's expression was dubious on the issue. "I know we've discussed this before, but still."
"Because you have to stop him." Ficklebarb's voice was even more unsteady than before; the not-pseudodragon was living on borrowed time. "Because I want you to. I'm the part of him that still cares, that looks in horror at what he's done, and is begging you to end this."
"What happens to you if we do?" Toras asked with a heavy furrow of his eyebrows, underlying his concern at what might mean killing Ficklebarb as well as his master if they were linked irrevocably.
"Whatever happens, you have to do it." The tiny dragon's expression was unreadable, "He's close."
With the warning provided by the last sane, good fragment of Cilret Leobtav's soul, the party clambered over the remains of the Cathedral's guardians. It wasn't very far as the familiar counseled them, and with a wary, heavy heart they progressed into the Cathdral's depths. The interior of the structure was larger than its exterior would have suggested, and while the vaulted, blackened corridor twisted, turned, and split numerous times, they followed Ficklebarb's advice on the swiftest route to the very interior, and indeed he was onto something as with each turn the gloom slowly but surely lifted and the passage grew wider and its architecture more and more elaborate.
"We're here..." Ficklebarb whimpered.
"What the hell is that?" Toras gripped his sword and gasped at what they saw at the Cathedral's heart.
The chamber was massive, easily encompassing the size of the entire edifice as viewed from the outside. Concentric rows of empty pews surrounded an open center; places where the entirety of the tiere race would have sat, enraptured by the manifest presence of their god. Yet at the Cathedral's heart where their god would have reigned supreme, things were not as they were originally intended.
There, atop a great raised golden dais, stood a shining white altar, atop of which hovered a black, featureless outline of a giant humanoid body. It hung limp and motionless in the air, each of its limbs bearing a golden manacle and trailing golden chains down to spikes driven into the floor. Imprisoned and entombed by his own worshippers, the tiere deity had constructed a prison of his own making, and eventually his realm had grown to resemble that concept ever more directly.
The imprisoned tiere deity was not solitary as it hung there above the altar turned cenotaph.
"It is done. Another tumbler falls. You are too late."
Leobtav's frail form straddled the blackened outline as he looked down upon the deity's shackled form. His back was turned to the them, and he had not even turned to so much as regard them when they stepped into the chamber.
"Whatever you're doing, we're here to put an end to it." Clueless pointed Razor at the ex-Guvner, resolute and angry, staring eye to eye with the madman.
"You will pay for what you did to those people in Pandemonium, and to those in Hopeless." Toras shouted, blade drawn and eager to bring justice to those who could not exact it themselves.
Leobtav smirked and casually leapt from the altar down to the ground. As he did so, the rest of the tiere god's form was revealed, as was the black glass dagger plunged into its heart. Spreading out from the wound, the black of the figure's body was leached away into a pale grey, as was the color of the altar and the floor below it as if the blade was feeding and leaching something far more than life.
"Those people did not deserve what I did to them." Leobtav shrugged and then laughed, half-triumphant, half nervous. "But we don't always choose to do what we do in life. Some things simply must happen. I learned that a very long time ago."
Upon his shoulder, the shadowy figure sneered and stroked his head like a treasured pet.
"They didn't deserve what I did to them, but I did enjoy it however." Leobtav sneered derisively, slapping his hands together with a motion of washing his hands. "It wasn't quick for most of them you know. I let them suffer."
Leobtav casually recited a summary of the murders in Pandemonium, the ones before then in Hopeless, and a half dozen in other places. None of them made sense. They served no purpose at all. Whatever had polluted his mind all of those years ago in Gehenna had left him a broken, damned shell. Leobtav's victims had simply been side effects of the corrosive, soul-devouring process that began in the Vale of Frozen Ashes that had progressively molded him into a tool for the entity he called the Ashsinger to use in a task that ultimately led to the tiere deity.
"Would you care to listen to them?" Leobtav smiled and opened his mouth. Rather than his own voice, what issued was a chorus of tormented cries for mercy, screams of pain and horror, and prayers whispered far too late - all of them the wails and whispers of his victims.
Fyrehowl snarled and pointed her blade at him, joining the others. "I've seen too many innocent people suffer for no reason in this life, and I'll be damned if I let you add to that any further."
"Yes, yes you will be..." Leobtav whispered as he looked at the lupinal. "Do what you will celestial bitch, it will be as relevant and effective as your attempts to help your own people at Rubicon."
"F*ck you!!!" Fyrehowl's face as a contorted mask of rage and pain, tears welled in her eyes, and she tensed to pounce.
"Master, I have served you well." Leobtav's voice was triumphant as he laughed. Giddy on his success at the task of decades, he wanted to celebrate, and also to put to death the last fragments of his former self. "Please allow me the pleasure of rending these irrelevant fools' souls into so much metaphysical paste, and with them, what little is left of me that you have not taken as your own."
Holding on to Toras's shoulder, the last remaining portion of Leobtav's soul shed a tear. "He's too far gone. I'm too far gone. This can't end any other way. I'm so sorry..." The not-familiar understood what would happen, what -must- happen, and ultimately what that fate entailed for himself.
It happened in the space of a single instant as Leobtav dropped a hand to his side, snatched something there and then brought his hand back up, now brandishing a rod. Nothing of its type had been there a moment before, nor within reach tucked into his belt or anywhere else, it had simply appeared. Whatever the thing upon his shoulder was, it was affording him whatever he wished to have. With a crooked smile upon his face a chain of contingencies went off, erupting in flashes of light that caused his glasses to glare over, appearing like solid, luminous eyes as they did. The man's skin hardened with an invisible gloss of stone, a circle of flame erupted around him, and his movements sped up into a blur of motion.
"Don't let him cast!" Tristol shouted, preparing to counterspell whatever the former Guvner might hurl at them. Surely he would be on the last of his memorized spells after having butchered countless rilmani, surely that must be the case. But the thing on his shoulder whispering in his ear threw all of those assumptions and all rationality by the wayside.
Clueless and Fyrehowl were swift and in the blink of an eye they spread out to the sides, hoping to flank Leobtav and divide his attention as they others attacked from the front. Before they managed to ran more than a few yards however, Leobtav was ready with something of his own.
"Rise up chaff of the lower planes. Rise up forsaken broken things. Rise up spawn of the Heart of Darkness, things that should have never been made. You are nothing, but you will obey nonetheless in the name of He that I serve."
Leovtav's words drifted in and out of Abyssal, Infernal, Yugoloth, and in a droning whisper underlying them all, something older and darker whose use caused bits of blood to leak from his eyes and ears. But he did not care. This would be his last battle. He had served his purpose well and this last triumph was for him and him alone.
Around him, shadows coiled and gathered in three pools of darkness, and with each word he spoke, they congealed and coagulated into discrete forms: shadowy versions of tanar'ri, baatezu, and yugoloth - vrock, cornugon, and nycaloth. They lifted themselves up from whence they'd formed, stretched, and roared. Leobtav pointed at his foes and his servants moved without question, spreading their wings and brandishing fangs and talons.
"What the hell are those?" Florian shouted as she hefted her weapon and intoned a prayer to Tempus, exhorting the Foehammer to guide their hands and shield their bodies and souls.
Though they superficially resembled those fiends, Leobtav's servitors were made of congealed, shifting darkness. Within their greater forms the shadows moved in impressions of smaller, struggling, tortured figured trapped within. Those three fiends would normally be at one anothers' throats, but at Loeobtav's call they acted without reservation. The normal divide of Law and Chaos was absent, assuming of course that they were the actual fiends they appeared to be.
Tristol's eyes went wide and he whispered a prayer to Mystra as he watched Leobtav launch into a frenzy of spellcasting, unleashing two or three spells in the space that he would have hurled one or potentially rarely two. The madman's magical repertoire was also utterly unphased by his recent battles against the rilmani and gautiere; the spells were simply flowing into his head from somewhere else, affording him the luxury of simply calling them down without having to perform the normal, complex mental calculations and hurdles to appropriately put them from abstract formulae to unleashed reality.
The first spells Leobtav hurled were among the most powerful that Tristol knew existed: a spread of blistering meteors, a rolling cloud of desiccating vapor, and finally a finger pointed at Toras and an intonation of a single word, "Die!" The meteors were dodged and the horrid wilting withstood, but not without injury, some of them brutal, and while Toras momentarily stiffened, he resisted the necromantic curse in time to viciously attack the shadowy vrock lunging at him.
A burst of flickering, clashing colors erupted about the shadowy cornugon, stunning and disorienting it. Nisha let out a shout of surprised glee, and whatever the creature truly was, at the very least it reacted to spells as if it were an actual baatezu.
Fyrehowl and Clueless teamed up on the nycaloth, with the bladesinger unleashing a flurry of slashing strikes and a bolt of flame as the lupinal tripped, tackled, and savagely mauled it with fangs and claws before it thrust its wings are darted free.
A second time Leobtav invoked death, only this time on Clueless. But like Toras before him, the half-fey gave a pained, injured grimace but shook off the full effect.
"Good luck with that!" Clueless mocked Leobtav, "Piss off with the necromancy."
Leobtav smiled and turned to the half-fey, his glasses reflecting the guttering, dying waves of the meteor swarm's flames. "Death is not the worst that I could give you..."
Tristol was prepared to counterspell, thinking that Leobtav would use a similar spell on the bladesinger, but the first words that spilled from his mouth were something altogether different. This time he didn't hurl a trio of spells. He only cast one.
"Suffer for my Master." Leobtav called out. "Suffer for me. Suffer forever."
The ambient light dimmed and Clueless was wrenched from where he stood on the ground, his voice cutting off and erupting in an unmitigated shriek of agony. His body glowed with black flame and once hurled into the air he simply stayed there, suspended, contorting in pain. Whatever Leobtav had done to him, none of Clueless's fellows had ever seen anything like it, nor had they ever seen the bladesinger in so much blind torment.
"Help... me..." The words formed on Clueless's lips and then he twisted in the air again, dancing about like a tormented rag-doll, blood seeping from his eyes and nose.
Tristol couldn't place the spell. It was terrible, blasphemous and completely beyond anything that he had ever witnessed, even in Halruaa. The closest thing to it were the ferocious spells hurled by the Netherese archmages of old.
"All of you will suffer like him!" Leobtav gestured to Clueless, cackling in mad glee.
Seeing their companion suffering so only pushed them to greater heroism however. Leobtav's servitors were dispatched, and slowly the madman accrued wounds of his own: a holy smite from Florian, a diving slash from Nisha, and a disintegration counterspelled and turned back on him by Tristol. Leobtav was more powerful on his own than any of them, but he was a weak, sickly man outside of the power he channeled, and there was only one of him.
"Die! All of you!" The reek of ozone gathered around Leobtav and flickers of electricity formed into the maw of a great blue wyrm above his head. Gesturing and laughing bolts of blue-white lightning chained between all of his foes, with Florian and Nisha taking the worst of it, and the latter collapsing to the ground, moaning but still conscious.
"Helpless! Worthless wretches all of you!" Leobtav mocked them, all the while oblivious to the lupinal, herself immune to lightning. With the stealth borne of her adherence to the Ciphers she darted forward, scimitars ready to strike.
Neither oblivious nor mad, Toras smiled and charged forward, drawing another bolt of lightning to his chest, a flurry of bolts of glowing force, and a flickering green beam of corrosive energy. They all struck true, but it didn't matter. He couldn't fail. No matter how it hurt, he had to put an end to this.
"How does it feel bastard of the upper planes?" Leobtav lambasted him and moving his hands in the same motions that he had before nailing Clueless in place in agony. "How does it feel to know that..."
Fyrehowl's blades sunk deep, followed a moment later by the point of Toras's greatsword. Both of them broke through Leobtav's magical shielding with a shattering noise tempered by the wet, sickening sound of a punctured lung. Blood welled up and stained his shirt. With a horrified look of surprise and fear he staggered back.
"Master! Restore me that I might finish this task!" Leobtav begged, coughing up blood with each strangled, tortured word. "Master please! Help me!"
The thing upon his shoulder crouched down, put one hand on his head and turned to look at him with their eyes on an equal level.
"Please..." Leobtav begged, bracing himself against the tiere god's altar. "You promised me..."
The shadow smiled like a darker gulf in a black, starless sky. It smiled and it snickered, audibly mocking its servant before turning and leaping off of him, vanishing into a sudden tear in the fabric of space. The air was deathly cold and filled with a sense of palpable loss and emotional agony, and then it sealed and the presence was gone.
"Master no..." Leobtav wailed as blood pulsed from his hemorrhaging wound. His eyes were wide and hollow, his mind unable to grasp that just like the tiere, his god had abandoned him. As he struggled to comprehend its betrayal as the life left his body, his expression was hauntingly similar to that of the gautiere who wandered, lost, enraged and weeping at the Cathedral's gates.
Leobtav dropped the rod in his hands and slumped to the ground, focusing on the tiny, now transparent form of that fragment of his soul named Ficklebarb. He focused on that portion of himself and scowled, mad with fury, curses and invectives spilling from his lips in a furious torrent. His fury fell silent, the loss of blood ebbed, and then he began to weep, never taking his eyes off of the pseudodragon. Leobtav shuddered and died.
Perched within Toras's hands, in the moment before his great self passed, Ficklebarb whispered, "I forgive you."
Toras looked down at his empty hands and shed a tear of his own. Leobtav was dead, and with him, so too was the only good fragment of his soul. What might become of them, if there was anything there that might be redeemed and reclaimed somewhere else on the planes, none could truly say.
Clueless dropped to the ground, gasping and coughing blood. With Leobtav dead, the spell was ended.
Softly, Nisha began to cry and not from the pain of the lightning bolt that had burned her terribly only a minute before. Tristol sat down and held her, only barely holding back his own emotions.
"Why did Ficklebarb have to die?" She asked, holding the aasimar's tail like a security blanket, wiping her tears and the ashes on her face upon its white tip. "It isn't fair, it isn't right."
Tristol held her close and looked up at the others'. Their faces were sullen and marked with regret. There was little different that they could have done. Leobtav and Ficklebarb were portions of the same soul, and inevitably the death of the larger one would mean the death of the other.
"He gave us permission Nisha," Clueless said, trying to justify their actions. "He begged us to do what we needed to do, and we did what he wanted."
"It really was the best way." Tristol concurred, "Even if it doesn't feel that way right now."
Silence fell over them all as they stared at Leobtav's broken body, and Toras stared long and hard at his empty hands where Ficklebarb had perched, and at the lingering black marks on the guvner's corpse where his puppet master had sat.
"What the hell was that thing on his shoulder?" Toras's face was livid with a cold rage, and his fists clenched and unclenched. With Ficklebarb's passing, it was as if a child had died on his watch. An innocent creature had vanished and the world was left a colder, harder place as a result. The thing that had caused all of its pain and eventual obliteration would pay.
"I don't have a clue." Tristol's ears lay back on his head as he cradled Nisha against his chest. "It didn't honestly seem to be there under any detections spells; no magic, nothing. But it was giving Leobtav access to magic that I've never seen anyone cast. Some of those spells are just so far beyond me, or anyone I've ever known...he shouldn't have been able to just casually hurl those about."
"What do you think the chances are that he has anything on his corpse that might give us a hint at what the hell he was doing?" Clueless glanced down at where Leobtav's body lay on the ground, bloody and contorted. "Who wants to roll the body?"
Nisha waved her hands in the negative, reacting to the idea of touching Leobtav's corpse like it were red hot and covered in filth.
"I'll do it." Fyrehowl patted the tiefling on the shoulder and went about riffling through the dead man's pockets and pouches. He didn't have much. Despite the ferocity of the spells he'd unleashed, his spellbook was small, comprising only those spells that would have been expected for a moderately skilled wizard and member of the Fraternity of Order. What had granted him power beyond his mortal capacity had done so while flaunting the normal rules of magic.
"Ring, ring, bracers, a pair of rods, a dagger, and a metal cog or something." The lupinal listed out the other items on Leobtav's person before standing up and furiously brushing her hands on her thighs, disgusted for having touched the man. "When we have a chance to rest, we can identify everything. But from the look of it all, there's nothing spectacular here. No mocking will and testament, no cursed items, nothing that brought him back from the dead when you touch it."
"Yeah..." Toras said as he upended a flask of oil on the corpse. "Not risking that happening. Someone care to set the body alight for me?"
Florian whispered a prayer and dropped a small burst of flame on the oil-soaked corpse. It was small consolation perhaps for the horrific things that he'd done, but at the very least it put a more definitive end to what they'd been through in Pandemonium and beyond.
Toras smiled grimly as he watched the corpse burn, "We're still left with no idea what the hell he was even trying to do here."
Clueless sighed, "Whatever it was, we should assume that he was successful. The thing controlling him seemed happy enough to just discard him like a tool that had outgrown its usefulness."
"So why stick a knife in the heart of a deity? Why this one?" Florian pondered, looking at the hovering body atop the altar. "Because clearly this was the only one he cared about, given he spent decades trying to find it."
"Whatever corrupted him might have had a history with the tiere, or their god." Clueless guessed, throwing out ideas, equally perplexed with all of them. "I don't know. I really don't know."
Tristol meanwhile had walked up to the altar, staring at the words that Leobtav had carefully carved into the stone. Much like the bloody text he'd left at Howler's Crag, it was a self-righteous exultation of himself and the entity he worshipped, but this time there was something else.
“By His WILL the sacrifice is offered and accepted. The space of years be not a barrier to what shall be. And so shall the First be the Last; the Original to which all are but shadows shall ascend. Let the patterns of the world bear witness to the inevitability of the Everdark, the Ashsinger, the VOR’NEL’THRAANIX”
"What the hell does that mean?" Tristol puzzled over a the last portion of the inscription: "VOR’NEL'THRAANIX". A word or perhaps a phrase within the text, he struggled to make heads or tails of its meaning. He whispered the words to a spell, hoping to decipher it via magical translation, but it only left him more bewildered and ill at ease. Three attempts later and it simply translated as the exactly same word, a slurry of meaningless letters that inexplicably translated to the exact same meaningless meaning each time.
"What does what mean?" Clueless walked over to inspect the text himself.
"Does it make your eyes hurt if you stare at it?" Fyrehowl gave an apprehensive shudder. "You know, like, well, that other language we know of that I'm not going to talk about?"
She meant Baernaloth, but whatever it was, the text was not written in Baern.
"No, it doesn't." Tristol was definitive on that. "It isn't written in that language or anything like it. In fact it isn’t related to any language I’ve ever seen. It just refuses to translate to anything more than that phrase. Whatever I do, it's the same garbled random nothing."
"Don't look at me," Nisha quipped, turning her head sideways to glance at the text and coming up equally as confused and stumped as Tristol. "Garbled, random, nothing yes, but even so I didn't write it."
Tristol chuckled while Fyrehowl circled the text, gazing down at it warily. The lupinal squinted, turned her head to one side and then the other, and finally gave up with a perplexed look upon her face.
"I don't have any idea what that means." She frowned, "The rest of it sure, it's planar common with a few obscure words in Infernal and Celestial tossed in, but that seems pretty standard for someone who used to be a member of the Fraternity of Order. It's spooky sounding garbage but that one word sticks out like a vrock flying around in Celestia."
Several more minutes were spent in discussion about the text and its meaning, both obvious and hidden. Ultimately they could come to no firm conclusions, and as discussion on it wore thin, their attention shifted to the tiere god's corpse, and to the dagger plunged into its heart.
"So what exactly do we do with -that-?" Toras gestured towards the blade.
"We don't ask the tiefer to climb up there and touch it?" Nisha quipped as she conspicuously stepped behind Tristol, doing her best to hide. "But that being said, what did Leobtav intend anyway? Was it a sacrifice? Part of a ritual for something else? Is it even dead? Is it just a normal dagger or some sort of freaky artifact? Etc Etc"
"Etc Etc?" Tristol chuckled.
"Yep, Etc Etc." The bell at the tip of Nisha's tail jangled as she smiled.
They bantered amongst themselves while the others stared at the tiere god-corpse.
"I don't know what he intended to do, but I don't think it's wise to just leave this here." Clueless looked down at the obsidian dagger plunged into where the tiere god's heart would have been, had it been human. "At the very least we can keep it safe and out of anyone else's hands, whatever it is."
"Do you think it's wise to just pluck it out?" Fyrehowl's tone was markedly nervous.
The bladesinger shrugged. Without any other objections forthcoming, Clueless braced himself against the altar and tentatively touched the blade's hilt. It was cold to the touch, more so than it should have been in the ambient temperature, but otherwise nothing was out of the ordinary. It neither shocked him, shot a jolt of horror and agony through his mind, nor did it drain a portion of his life purely by touching it. To all impressions, it was just a dagger roughly chipped out of volcanic glass.
Others might have recognized a vague similarity to the obsidian blades crafted for the promotion ceremonies of greater yugoloths, but that knowledge was itself a closely held 'loth secret outside of the fact that it involved ritual suicide and dramatic pre and post-mortem bodily mutilation. But even if they had, the resemblance was only in the most basic outline, and the blade lacked the identifying, unique markings of one that they might find prepared to advance a nycaloth or arcanaloth. It was simply a dagger.
Shrugging at the lack of ill effect, Clueless gripped the blade and pulled. Buried in the dead god's heart there was a moment of resistance, and then it wrenched free.
"Mind if I take a look at it?" Tristol asked, pointing to the blade.
Clueless shrugged and handed over the dagger. Nothing odd occurred. He didn’t refuse to give it up, it didn’t magnetically stick to his person, nor did it compel him to attack in a mad bloodlust. Whatever purpose it had been used for, the dagger seemed entirely benign.
Tristol whispered the words to a fairly simple spell of magical identification. "Huh..."
"Huh? What does ‘huh’ mean?" Clueless looked at the dagger in Tristol’s hands and then to the aasimar’s reaction to whatever the spell had told him.
Tristol didn't respond and instead began the intonations of a much more powerful divination spell. The wizard stared at the dagger for several long minutes, turning it over in his hands and trying to determine its properties, power, and perhaps its origins. His expression grew more and more frustrated and finally he handed it back to Clueless.
"Again, what does that mean?" Clueless accepted the dagger back, albeit warily.
"Well, it isn't magical." Tristol shrugged. "And by that I mean that it doesn't have any magical aura whatsoever. But it sucked out the life of a god... yeah... it's unique."
By unique, he meant artifact, though he couldn't immediately prove that assumption without taking some time to be certain, time that as I turned out, they didn't have.
"That isn't good." Fyrehowl pointed towards the tiere god. Where the dagger had been plucked free, the black flesh around the wound had begun to crumble, collapsing in upon itself. The dead god was releasing whatever transient grip its remaining, ephemeral essence held upon the world.
A heavy shudder ran through the Cathedral.
“Oh come on! This sort of thing only happens in bad, drunken adventuring stories.” Toras threw his hands up in disbelief. “You kill the horrible evil thing its castle, lair, or domain starts to implode and you barely get out with your lives.”
A shower of ragged chunks of marble fells from the ceiling, then larger pieces, then one of the massive ornate keystones began to tremble. In the absence of the tiere god, the domain was collapsing, and with it, the Cathedral too.
“Trope in drunken, grandiose recollections of adventures yes, far too often,” Florian called out as she was already sprinting towards the exit. “But it seems to actually be the case right now. Everyone run!”
The keystone was already breaking free as they bolted for the exit, and as they reached the entryway it fell. Horrified, looking back over their shoulders, they watched it plummet in slow motion, knowing that the central chamber’s collapse would follow on its heels.
“Run run run!” Clueless shouted out, sprouting his wings and flying as quickly as he could.
Unable to fly, Fyrehowl dropped to all fours, leaping forwards and actually outpacing the bladesinger.
Tristol whispered a spell and immediately began to run nearly as quickly.
“Think you can share that with the rest of us?” Toras shouted as he dodged a falling column that broke and showered them all in shards of broken stone. “That would really, really be useful right now!”
“I can’t!” Tristol grimaced. “It’s a simple spell, but I can only affect myself! I’d share it with all of you if I could! I… how the hell are you running sideways on the wall Nisha?!”
True to his word, the tiefling was indeed running on the right wall as they hurried for the exit, completely perpendicular to everyone else. Bizarre yes, but she was keeping up with the rest of them,
“I don’t know!” Nisha shrugged and kept on running in blatant, terrified disregard of gravity.
There wasn’t much time to speculate or really do anything else but madly scramble for the entrance. A hundred yards later the Xaositect jumped from the wall to avoid a falling row of statues, somersaulting to the opposite wall and continuing to run sideways, muttering ‘runrunrunrunrunrun!’ to herself in frantic, clipped tones.
The main entrance was open and light poured out, welcoming them with safety and escape as behind them, the entire structure collapsed in a building, growing torrent of imploding, collapsing stone. Seconds slower and the following wave of destruction might have caught them, trapping them under tons of rock, but it didn’t.
Gasping and shouting cries of relief, they burst from the exit and didn’t stop running till they reached the rim of the domain. Turning back, they watched in amazement, confusion, and a small bit of horror as the saw not a collapsing building, but a hungry void of nothingness at the domain’s center, slowly distorting space and drawing in everything around it: rubble, the ancient bones of the dead, piles of broken golems, piles of rusting armor and weapons, and thousands of staggered, weeping gautiere. Their god was gone and along with it their only chance of redemption, and now oblivion called.
“There isn’t anything we can do.” Toras lamented. “I’m not sure that they could have been helped by anyone but themselves. They might have one day, but Leobtav took that choice away from them. We did give them some measure of justice however.”
“For what it’s worth I suppose.” Clueless frowned.
Fyrehowl snarled, “Leobtav deserved worse than what he got.”
Nisha, now returned to normal, mundane gravity’s tyranny, sighed and looked at Toras. “I’m going to miss Ficklebarb...”
“I think we all will.” Toras sighed along with the tiefling. “We did what he asked us to do though. We saw this through and gave him what he needed. We should smile at that.”
Clueless nodded his head, “It’s over at least.”
The future would prove that statement oh so very wrong.
Meanwhile in the city of Portent in Gehenna, a contingent of yugoloths wormed their way through the city's labyrinthine streets, marching towards the structure at the city's beating heart. Nearly three hundred mezzoloths and half that many heavily armored nycaloths flying overhead guarded a core of two dozen arcanaloths and the solitary figure at their center who needed no such protection at all. Unconcerned with the petitioners and others that made their home in the city, they marched through the tangle of streets that resembled veins and arteries of some great slumbering beast whose chest was ripped open by a god and then transmuted to the urban biology of a city rather than flesh and blood.
Venrisala ap Krangath internally whimpered as she approached the side of the figure leading their procession. Bits of frost perpetually clung as a rime on her chocolate brown coat, and she brushed back an errant strand of hair that had fallen from her otherwise immaculately coiffed hair. She had to look her best in the presence of her better. Walking in his shadow, the archfiend's presence caused whirling eddies in space, budding off and spiraling away as motes of darkness like some artist's impression of plague spores. They were cold. Walking so close to him also caused her heart to flutter, and she wasn't sure if it was from desire, jealousy, or some deep seated primordial fear. "Oinoloth..."
Vorkannis the Ebon, Oinoloth of the Waste turned and smiled, "I presume that you have already purged the Great Hall for my arrival there?"
Reflexively she bowed before replying, "Yes Oinoloth. A dozen of the city's petty barons, gangleaders, and self-proclaimed lords now hang from the eaves. None of your servitors were harmed in the process, which runs counter to Portent's nature. Most perplexing."
"Not at all," The Oinoloth chuckled, "They acted on my orders."
Venrisala waited for a further explanation, but none was forthcoming.
"Laughing Jane however..." The arcanaloth winced and paused. The prophetic tiefling that lived within the Great Hall was one of the two reasons why the myriad lords of Portent wished control over the building: her and the bizarre throne at the very center of the hall that was carved from the bones of a creature that had never been identified, but which radiated a sense of power and control. "None of the nycaloths wished to execute her, given what she said to them. She addressed them each by their true names and..."
"No matter," The Ebon sneered casually, dismissively. "Laughing Jane is irrelevant."
Venrisala glanced at the Ebon as they approached the gate of the Great Hall. The corpses of those put to death swung gently on the breeze, filling the air with the occasional creaking of the rope used in their execution. She paused, waiting on further orders as the mezzoloths stood at attention and the nycaloths perched on the roofs of adjacent buildings. "Oinoloth?"
"It isn't Laughing Jane that I came here to speak with." The Ebon flashed a smile of ivory white fangs and looked at his attendant with luminous, scarlet eyes. "All of you are to wait outside until I am finished. This should not take long."
Best. Line. Ever.
Awesome as usual. I'll be patiently waiting for the next segment. The Wheels within Wheels are turning, although I have no real idea how this fits together.
Storyhour update, wohoo...and know we know that Xiaosects can run on walls without knowing how and how fast Lupinals can run. *g* I hope they at least could save their loot and Information and did not lose it in the run. ^^
The Grand Hall was a heavy, ancient structure, with walls wrought of black basalt and supported by ornate flying buttresses. The foundation stones were of a slightly different shade of stone however, and if one dug their hands into the street and perhaps pried up some of the surrounding courtyard's pavement stones, they might find deeper foundation stones in different colors still. The Grand Hall had been razed to the ground more than once and then rebuilt. Each iteration of Portent's heart was built to house the nameless throne within, itself the only piece of the original structure long since vanished to time and the ravages of invasion, the iconoclasm of long forgotten Oinoloths, and the internal strife of Portent itself where violence against one another was forbidden, but not the destruction of property - still the throne remained.
The Oinoloth nodded and a pair of towering nycaloths obediently opened the heavy wooden doors, revealing the inner sanctuary brilliantly lit by candles and magical braziers, and there at its center the ossified throne.
The archfiend smiled and then looked up at the dozens of corpses swinging in the breeze. All of them were petitioners, and under normal conditions, upon this second death, all of them would eventually decay into their base soul-stuff. While his retinue rightfully suspected that they would be swallowed by Gehenna itself and either vomited back in their present form anew, or else broken down and used in the forging of a new mezzoloth, the Oinoloth knew otherwise - something other than Gehenna would be feasting upon them.
The heavy doors slammed shut with a gesture as the 'loth entered. Away from his sycophants he smiled and walked calmly towards the bizarre throne.
"What have you done?!" A voice called out from the shadows, sibilant and hissing.
"They all deserved to die! They deserved it yes!" The second voice was that of an elderly woman.
"You!" A third voice, distinct from the first but also hissing joined in, full of rancor and confusion. "YOU!"
Standing between the Oinoloth and the throne at the center of the chamber stood an old tiefling woman. Dressed in dirty rags, she looked to have barely eaten in days. From the eye-sockets of her frail face, itself framed by a matted tangle of dishwater-gray hair, a pair of green and black serpents sprouted, each of them hissing angrily at the intruding archfiend.
"Silence larvae-spawned wretch." The Ebon's voice was curt and dismissive, and he never actually turned to look at the tiefling. He never even made a motion, but as he walked past her, a telekinetic wave hurled her back against the wall twenty feet distant.
Laughing Jane shuddered and struggled to stand. Her serpents hissed back, if only weakly, and she trembled with both fear and hatred, digging her nails into the palms of her hands so forcefully as to draw blood. The Oinoloth paused and glanced back, sneering as she bled, and then resumed his walk towards the throne, ignoring the tiefling as if she were no longer even there.
The Oinoloth sat upon the throne and waited for something to happen. With a look of patient amusement upon his muzzle, Vorkannis strummed his fingers upon the worn, calcified surface of the arms.
The vascular patterns locked in brick and cement into Portent's streets was not just a bit of macabre artistic flair, and deep below the city, something locked and sealed away stirred from its imprisoned slumber and blinked.
“What is it you wish my child?" A voice older than Gehenna itself issued forth into the Ebon's mind, trickling up from below the stones of Portent, focused and channeled by the throne he sat upon. "What brings you here to me?”
"Gormisekt ap Portent…" The Oinoloth spoke a name that had not been pronounced since long before Larsdana ap Neut had laid the foundations of the Tower of the Arcanaloths. Few remembered the name, and of those who did, fewer still cared for the reasons why its owner had been sealed away. The Oinoloth's tone was laced with self-satisfaction and a certain level of bemused deceit as he pronounced the name and let it dance upon his tongue. "Hello I suppose.”
"Hello is a strange word to use. Most of your kind are apprehensive, terrified even when they call out to me, sitting upon a throne when they should be on their knees." The voice was slow, still gathering itself from its slumber. "You think yourself better than the others that have come before you seeking my wisdom?"
"I am not the same as any that have ever sat upon this throne." The Ebon's violet eyes sparkled as the braziers and candles illuminating the chamber began to snuff themselves out, one by one. "You should know that."
"You have sat on more thrones than this one." The voice, or something backing it, oozed across the Ebon's mind like some sentient, psychic bacterium feeling and sensing about a new environment, tasting rather than seeing. "You have sat upon the Siege Malicious. You are an Oinoloth."
"That is one title I hold, yes." The Ebon smirked and continued strumming his fingers. "Probably one of the least important ones. But as far as making a statement goes, it was an important step to take."
"Why are you here Oinoloth?" The Ebon's ears echoed with the sounds of hissing serpents and the dull, monotonous throbbing of an ancient heart grown quick by renewed interest for the first time in eons. "Tell me."
The Oinoloth shrugged, "I wanted to speak with you."
"Few have ever come here with that express purpose." The voice grew louder as the presence behind it slouched away from its quiescence. "Only a handful have ever known that I existed when they sat upon this throne. Yet you did, and you know my name. How is that?"
"I know a great, great many things Gormisekt." Vorkannis exuded a sense of smug confidence, even as the presence feeling about the ramparts of his mind carried within itself a growing sense of distrust and even confusion.
"Answer me Oinoloth: why are you here?" The voice grew more attentive, more focused, and the foundation stones of Portent began to rattle as if from the subtle trembling of an earthquake.
"We've never formally met you see." Vorkannis smirked and his teeth glowed white within the darkness, they along with his eyes and the trio of ioun stones above his head providing the only light. "I felt it high time for me to give my respects and gaze into your cell. So as I began by saying, hello."
Suddenly the presence shuddered and that distant, powerful but slumbering malignancy sleeping and imprisoned below Portent awoke and turned the full measure of its ancient, god-like gaze upon the Oinoloth.
“IMPOSSIBLE!" Dust and stone rained down from the ceiling as the psychic presence screamed into the Oinoloth's mind, manifesting elsewhere to collapse a dozen structures in the surrounding blocks and reduce every petitioner in the same radius to sudden, inexplicable pain. "IMPOSSIBLE!"
"Greetings," Vorkannis began to laugh. "Such a pleasure to finally meet you."
"YOU WERE NEVER MEANT TO BE FREE!”
"You of all beings should appreciate the irony!" The Ebon snickered, genuinely smiling at the inchoate rage bubbling up from the ancient prison below Portent.
“YOU?! YOU WERE LOCKED AWAY! WE IMPRISONED YOU! YOU CANNOT BE FREE!" The baernaloth's voice shifted from rage to perhaps the closest thing to fear that such a being was capable of experiencing, "WHAT HAVE MY KINDRED DONE?! WHAT HAS LAZARIUS DONE?!”
“The Demented have done nothing." The Ebon spat the pronunciation of the collective name of the 13. "That is what they do, and that is why they will fail. That is why I am free and you are here."
"THIS WAS NOT TO BE! EVERYTHING WAS FORESEEN! EVERYTHING!"
The Ebon laughed, “Everything that you or they might have hoped to achieve in this reality is for naught. Everything will change Gormisekt. Everything!"
The shackled baernaloth screamed and the foundation stones of Portent rocked with its impotent fury. Vaguely, the Ebon heard Laughing Jane vomit and weep convulsively. The baernaloth screamed a hundred questions and curses at the Oinoloth, but the Ebon ignored them as he laughed with bitter, triumphant contempt.
Finally, the Oinoloth ceased his laughter and addressed the shackled baernaloth one last time, "You are not of the 13, and so Gormisekt I suppose I also came here to let you stew on words of warning that you will never share with the Demented and they would never ask you to tell them. The Oblivion Compass nears midnight. Soon. Oh so soon my old friend. 475 days, 9 hours, 3 minutes, and 12 seconds." The archfiend rose from the throne and smoothed his robes, preparing to leave, save for one final, damning statement, "Rot in your prison as I was meant to Gormisekt. We will not meet again before this is over."
The gloom that blanketed the skies above the Waste was unremitting in nearly all places, and of those few blessed or cursed locations where the clouds withdrew in respect or terror, only a grey void was seen beyond the cloud cover. The isolated valley that contained the Oblivion Compass was one such place, but even before a mad or lost traveler noticed the clouds peeled back, they heard the shrieking of metal, the thrum of gears spinning, the tremble of great mechanical engines moving below their feet, and above all of those things, they heard the screams.
The multitude of dials erupted out of the ashen soil untouched by rust of grim, constructed not of metal, not of stone, but of the welded together bodies of modrons and the screaming spirits of moignos and others bound into the horrific amalgamation as immortally suffering grease and nothing more. The great central dial, unmoving for eons at a time moaned and a shudder resonated through the system. Simultaneously every other wheel stopped and the great dial clicked forward, one step closer to whatever position indicated midnight, and the Secundus and its chorus of agonized moignos began to scream in a single, tortured, unified voice.
"Probabilities collapse. There is still chaos, uncertainty within the solution. But the time of collapse remains the same for all outcomes: 475 days, 9 hours…"
13,000 years previous - somewhere upon the Gray Waste:
Off in the distance, the armies of Anthraxus marshaled for their long march to Gehenna, and from there to Avernus. Yet, though numbering in their millions, none of the fiends felt the presence of a single, conspicuous set of eyes upon their number. Not one of them held even a glimmer of awareness of a singular incongruity upon the Waste that sat silently upon the ashen soil, itself rendered from the bones of a billion, billion dead.
“All of you will die.” The figure whispered. “Helekanalaith has sold you a dozen times over to the lords of Hell and a dozen more princes of the Abyss.”
There was a pensive tone to his voice, something between bravado and put upon bitterness and cynicism. With the inflected emotional tone, he sought to take his mind from other things as he sat within the dirt before a particular, seemingly unexceptional spot.
“But at least all of you wretches…” He paused, gritted his teeth, and looked at his hands, filthy with the soil of the Waste. “At least all of you wretches –can– die.”
His tears would have stained the ground if they had formed. Feel as he might, and even try as he might however, that which refused him death, it refused him that particular outward display of emotions as well. Very little was his own anymore. He’d given up everything, truly everything, and as a result his life, his tattered, broken soul, and every aspect of them both were no longer his. Any level of control was simply an illusion in the unimportant moments between moments when he served as a vessel. Age was meaningless, as were death and disease neither a worry nor succor, and the only emotions he was capable of experiencing were those considered negative. His grief and self-doubt remained with him like a sick blessing to remind him of his sloughed mortality and all that he had done wrong.
IT IS ALMOST TIME
He shivered as the voice rattled through his body, ringing in his head like a peal of funeral bells – the voice that echoed up from the ragged holes torn in the essence of his immortal soul.
He looked up at the sky, featureless and oppressive normally, but now… no, something had changed. A circle of clouds had formed overheard, coiled like a serpent directly above the otherwise absolutely prosaic spot that he sat before. The Waste itself, just like him, was waiting for something to happen. Something ordained if not perhaps foreseen.
“What of Lazarius?” He blurted out his question without pause and without a drop of fear. “Tellura? Harishek? Alashra? The others? What of them?”
He winced in pain as the yawning void reaching through his soul reached closer and seemed to chuckle.
THEY KNOW ONLY WHAT THEY HAVE DONE. NOTHING MORE. THE ARCHITECT AND SHEPHERDESS CANNOT SENSE ME, NOT AT HOW LITTLE MY INFLUENCE STRETCHES INTO THIS REALITY. EVEN IF THEY COULD, CHORAZIN HAS ALREADY DRAWN HIS FIRST CARDS.
The man nodded, even if the last name was not one he was yet acquainted with. A visit to the Thrice Damned seemed to be in his future. Perhaps.
High above, the circle of clouds grew wider like some great, pensive Ouroboros, or perhaps a school of sharks circling, and waiting. Whatever the Waste was reacting to, it was something that he was here to bear witness to.
With a deafening shriek it happened.
The ground before the man exploded. His teeth rattled as the shockwave ripped through the earth and rocked across the Waste for miles as the ground erupted with a deafening roar. Ash, stone, dirt and powdered bones mixed into a polluted slurry with Styx water sprayed outwards with force enough to pepper the flesh of a fiend. The man simply stood there, and as the falling earth splattered back down around him, sizzling and still cooling as a rain of black, glassy tektites, somehow he remained unsullied.
All was silent for a moment but for the crackle of shattering, cooling glass.
The man peered over the lip of the still partially molten caldera that yawned wide before him, gazing down some seventy meters to the glowing, bleeding bottom, marred by a single dark blotch at its center. Either something had plummeted and finally landed, or something that torn its way up and out. As quickly as it had happened, the man wasn't sure which it had been.
A gaping wound in the flesh of the Waste, Styx water flowed in rapidly like the blood of an angry, infected gash. There at the very center, a solitary figure crouched and then stood up. Dirt and mud matted his fur and Styx water dripped from his form incessantly as the sound of his heavy, triumphant breathing cut the sudden silence in the explosion’s aftermath. Black lips parted to expose brilliant, ivory teeth. Liquid, moving shadows licked up from his body at the bottom of the cauldron, tasting the air like the forked tongues of a thousand serpents and slowly, his head rose up and a pair of piercing, reddish-pink eyes fixed upon the man looking down upon his simultaneous arrival upon Oinos, Niflheim, and Pluton.
The man at the crater or caldera’s rim started to speak, but as he prepared to do so, the presence lurking in the dark places of his soul and the void beyond them surged forward. He smiled and looked down, a passenger within his own body, host to something greater, and the voice that spoke was not his own, but in the present instance, oh how it was familiar.
“Hello Vorkannis. We should talk.”
The Ebon looked up, eyes glowing with an intensity unmatched by the molten soil a moment before, his ivory fangs bared and snarling. Then, in a moment the fiend's rage bled away and he stared upwards, not saying a word. His head tilted to the side in a gesture of curiosity, and then he smiled, comprehending. The Ebon's albino eyes locked with the thing lurking behind those of Professor Cilret Leobtav, "Yes. Yes we should."
What. Is. He!?
And oh great, it looks like time travel has entered the equation (at least I think). Shemmy, your flowcharts for this story must have looked more like a tangled briar rather than a tree. I greatly approve.
This last update links back to some things in the very first post regarding what Helekanalaith thought to himself about the Ebon having just walked out of the Waste with no history to speak of, and what Lazarius and Sarkithel talk about to the General of Gehenna and himself respectively.
Everything is connected in some capacity: Unity of Rings and all that.
Tristol's player ended up making a flow chart for the campaign, and it's a monstrous briar patch that would look fitting atop the Marauder's head.
The same player is making a flow chart for our current planar Pathfinder game (it's not quite as poetically twisted as the one for the Storyhour, but it's weird and complicated, which tends to be standard for any game I run).
Okay....Vorkannis becomes really frightening....if even an Baernaloth Fears him and says that he should have been imprisoned and never been in this Reality....
Let me Guess...he is something akin to an Baernaloth, that nuked the last Reality and now they dont want it repeated in this one and so imprisoned him? ^^
I'd agree except I've gotten the impression that the Demented are the ones who want history to repeat itself and Vorkannis is the one screwing it up. Although I do admit that that theory certainly jives with the explanation the General was given in the first post. I'll have to reread again.
Tal Rasha
Very good writing Shemeska, as always. Still enjoying this SH after all these years.
See, and I was sure it was Vorkannis who had directed Leobtav to do all he did. Guess not.
So VOR’NEL’THRAANIX is a proper name then? Would explain why all attempted translations resolved to the same term.
Tal Rasha said:
That's basically my working theory.
Thank you! I'm still having a blast writing it. Working on the next update.
My players at that time were pretty much sold on "the 'loths are behind everything!" and then the Pandemonium plot arc came out of left field. There are more moments like that to come, some of which were punctuated by loud, out of character, bewildered curses at the time because of some plot twists. Damn I had fun with this campaign!
As for VOR'NEL'THRAANIX, I might go back and rephrase the details of the translation attempts. Essentially all of the attempts come back as unable to do anything with it. It isn't a proper name, it isn't gibberish, it isn't a verb or a pronoun - it's something that doesn't make any sense to any attempt at magical translation. It's something that shouldn't do that, but it does it anyway.
Don't worry, you'll see it again. Might take a while, but you'll see it again. Everything comes back together eventually.
Speaking of things coming back, I've been rereading the Demented cycle as preparation for one of my campaigns. Any chance that the remaining four entries will see the light of day any time soon? Not to add more on top of the already far too long list of requests we've given you
EDIT: Also, while we're at it, was the caldera where Mydianclarus met with the shadow-that-is-strongly-implied-to-be-Vorkannis the same caldera that Leobtav found Vorkannis in?
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Zooey Deschanel Opens Up About Accompanying Jonathan Scott to J.D. Scott's Wedding
Zooey Deschanel and her Property Brothers beau donned coordinating superhero costumes at his brother and Annalee Belle's wedding in Las Vegas on Thursday.
By Corinne Heller Nov 02, 2019 2:40 PMTags
WeddingsZooey DeschanelHalloweenCouplesProperty Brothers
Dennys Ilic/Instagram
Zooey Deschanel says she was "overjoyed" to attend the wedding of her new boyfriend and Property Brothers star Jonathan Scott's older brother J.D. Scott, which she did in costume! And it looks like the family has welcomed her with open arms.
J.D., also an HGTV star, married his longtime girlfriend Annalee Belle in Las Vegas on Thursday, Halloween. Zooey, 39, and Jonathan, 41, dressed up as Catwoman and Batman for the reception.
"It's the first time I've ever been cat-woman escorted to a fancy dress party wedding by Batman," the New Girl alum wrote on Instagram on Friday night. "Only for the nuptials of @mrjdscott and @annaleebelle could I be so inspired! Congrats to these gorgeous and gracious love birds, I was overjoyed to celebrate such a happy union!"
"Cat-Woman! My nemesis. Damn you and your charming personality and amazing costume," J.D. commented. "Curses for sneaking onto the guest list and making my family so happy. You may have won this one but we shall meet again. ❤️"
"We're so so happy you were able to be there with us!" Annalee commented. "Your costumes were great!"
The wedding was held at a private home and had a ‘40s and ‘50s vintage movie theatre theme.
They Dated? Surprising Star Couples
Other guests also arrived in costumes, while the bride and groom wore non-traditional wedding attire.
For the ceremony, the groomsmen, which included Jonathan and his twin brother and Property Brothers co-star Drew Scott, dressed up as Mortal Combat fighters.
A post shared by Mike (@michael_wilkes)
E! News learned in September that Zooey is dating Jonathan after the two were photographed holding hands.
Watch: Megan Fox & Zooey Deschanel Open Up About Motherhood
The actress had recently separated from her second husband of four years, film producer Jacob Pechenik, with whom she shares a daughter, Elsie Otter, 4, and son, Charlie Wolf, 2.
Khloe Kardashian's BFF Khadijah Haqq McCray Welcomes Baby No. 3
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Mr. Dream
The exceedingly generic Mr. Dream is the character invented to replace real-life boxer Mike Tyson in Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!! once the licensing agreement expired.
Following the expiration of their licensing agreement with professional boxer Mike Tyson, Nintendo chose to re-release Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!, sans Tyson. To compensate, Nintendo created Mr. Dream, a sprite swap of Tyson, and rebranded the game as Punch-Out!! Featuring Mr. Dream. Despite the rest of the game being identical to the Tyson version and Mr. Dream retaining Tyson's move set, the Mr. Dream version of Punch-Out!! is widely considered inferior due to the notion that as a character, Mr. Dream is simply not as intimidating nor as interesting as Tyson.
Mr. Dream has yet to appear in any other video game since his debut.
NES Remix Pack April 24, 2014
NES Remix 2 April 24, 2014
Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!! October 1987
WSHP
Final Boss
Instant Kill
Top Rated Lists for Mr. Dream
100 items ggg
Hailinel 47
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scallywag179 7
Smedles 3
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Home Translational Medicine Model Systems Stem-Cell-Based Human Gastruloid Allows Peek into “Black Box” of Embryonic Development
Image analysis of human gastruloid showing 'anteroposterior' patterning. Green is posterior part similar to tail-end of an embryo, magenta is anterior part similar to developing heart cells, grey marks DNA. [Naomi Moris, University of Cambridge]
Regenerative Medicine/Tissue Engineering
Stem-Cell-Based Human Gastruloid Allows Peek into “Black Box” of Embryonic Development
Naomi Moris, University of Cambridge
During implantation, the human embryo is hidden inside a “black box.” Although peeking inside has been prohibited by the 14-day rule, which restricts in vitro studies to preimplantation events, a new experimental model, one that incorporates embryonic stem cells, has been used to observe processes that ordinarily occur in embryos only after the first 14 days of development. By revealing these events, which include the emergence of the human body plan, the new model could help scientists deliver boon after boon: infertility treatments, new approaches to preventing miscarriages and birth defects, platforms for generating transplant tissues, and treatments for many diseases.
The new model is a human gastruloid, a three-dimensional assembly of stem cells that was developed by scientists from the University of Cambridge and the Hubrecht Institute in the Netherlands. These scientists reported that their gastruloid can capture certain aspects of gastrulation, the process by which an embryo transitions from a rounded shape to an elongated shape. During gastrulation, three distinct layers of cells are formed in the embryo that will later give rise to all the body’s major systems: the ectoderm layer will give rise to the nervous system; the mesoderm layer, the muscles; and the endoderm layer, the gut.
The scientists described their human gastruloid in a new study (“An in vitro model for early anteroposterior organization during human development”) that appeared in Nature. “Our model produces part of the blueprint of a human,” said Alfonso Martinez-Arias, PhD, professor at the University of Cambridge’s department of genetics, who led the study. “It’s exciting to witness the developmental processes that until now have been hidden from view—and from study.”
To make gastruloids in the lab, the scientists placed defined numbers of human embryonic stem cells into small wells, where the stem cells formed tight aggregates. After treatment with chemical signals, the gastruloids were seen to lengthen along a head to tail axis, known as the anteroposterior axis, turning on genes in specific patterns along this axis.
The scientists noted that although model organisms have provided much insight into this gastrulation, very little about the process in humans, “owing to the difficulty of obtaining embryos at such early stages of development and the ethical and technical restrictions that limit the feasibility of observing gastrulation ex vivo.”
According to Martinez-Arias and Naomi Moris, PhD, junior research fellow at the University of Cambridge who participated in the study, human gastruloid models should be considered ethical. “Human gastruloids do not show any evidence of cell types associated with the brain, nor do they form the cells required for implantation,” they indicated. “Significantly, they lack the morphology (shape) of an early human embryo, and therefore do not manifest human organismal form. As such, they are non-intact, non-autonomous, and non-equivalent to human embryos, and do not have human organismal potential.”
Martinez-Arias and Moris also indicated that gastruloids are distinct from embryoid bodies (EBs), which have been used for many years to promote the differentiation of pluripotent stem cells toward multiple lineages. “The different cell types that emerge in EBs remain disorganized and often fail to represent the organization of the embryo,” they noted. “One potential reason for these differences is that EBs are generated from thousands of cells and under different culture conditions, while gastruloids are generated from a few hundred cells under specific conditions that favor the spatial and temporal patterning of the group of cells.”
By looking at which genes were expressed in these human gastruloids at 72 hours of development, the Cambridge University and Hubrecht Institute researchers found a clear signature of the event that gives rise to important body structures such as thoracic muscles, bone, and cartilage—but no structures containing brain cells.
Comparison between a 20-day-old human embryo and a human gastruloid. Left: False-colored Carnegie Stage 9 human embryo, with additional brain/neural folds and extraembryonic tissues (not colored). Right: False-colored 72-hour-old human gastruloid. Coloring indicates estimated similarity of gene expression profiles. Human embryo image courtesy of Kathleen Kay Sulik. Gastruloid image by Naomi Moris.
“In the human gastruloids, the pattern of gene expression—with a central somitic domain and posterior presomitic domain of a similar length—leads us to suggests that 72-h human gastruloids might serve as a model for some of the features of late CS8 or early CS9 human development,” the authors of the Nature article wrote. That is, the researchers judged the equivalent human embryonic age of the gastruloids by comparing them to the Carnegie Collection of Embryology. This official collection contains a continuum of human embryos, including day-by-day growth over the first eight weeks. They suggest that gastruloids partially resemble 18–21-day-old human embryos.
“With the current protocol, the majority of human gastruloids curl or retract after 72 h; this probably represents a technical limitation, and extension beyond this point will require further study,” the article’s authors added. “The lack of anterior neural and extra-embryonic lineages that is characteristic of gastruloids raises important questions about the self-organization of the mammalian body plan, but also removes several of the ethical considerations that are associated with prolonged culturing of human embryo.”
Model organisms including mice and zebrafish have previously enabled scientists to gain some insights into human gastrulation. However, these models may behave differently from human embryos when the cells start to differentiate. Animal models can respond differently to certain drugs: the anti-morning sickness drug thalidomide, for example, passed clinical trials after testing in mice but subsequently led to severe birth defects in humans.
“[The new gastruloid system] will allow us to reveal and probe the processes of early human embryonic development in the lab for the first time,” said Moris, the first author of the current study. “Our system is a first step toward modeling the emergence of the human body plan, and it could prove useful for studying what happens when things go wrong, such as in birth defects.”
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Back on the road for Mike
All they needed was a miracle: the 10 million selling Mike and the Mechanics perform at the Villa Marina on July 16. We talk to Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Mike Rutherford – founding member of Genesis – who formed the Mechanics back in 1984.
From 1970s progressive madness to the slick pop juggernaut of Genesis, and the more upbeat Mike and the Mechanics, guitarist Mike Rutherford has played on some of the most recognisable popular music in recent history.
Surviving the death of frontman Paul Young in 2000, Mike and the Mechanics reappeared with a new album, The Road, in 2011. This year the new line-up are back, and on the road.
Hi Mike. Looking forward to coming to the Isle of Man?
It’s rare, and really nice at my age and stage in my career, to get to go somewhere for the first time. We arrive the day before the gig, so there’ll be a chance to see the place. I’ve heard nice things actually. How big is the island? Really? Oh, I shall definitely have a look around then!
How big an operation is coming over?
The charm of The Mechanics is that it’s the opposite of the huge Genesis touring production. We’re a mobile band of six (two singers and guitar, bass, keyboard and drums) with two road managers – we can play anywhere.
How does the distinctly 80s synth sound of the music come across with the new band?
Well, it’s a different band so it changes a little bit. We’ll do a cover of the hits and the stuff people would recognise from the radio, like Over My Shoulder and All I Need is a Miracle. I’m a big believer in the balance of a set. We’re going to try an acoustic bit at the front of the stage, it came from when we were picking the set, just strumming guitars and drumming tables with pencils. Some of the stuff sounded great – when you break things down, you hear it better.
How did you know the new material would end up being Mike and the Mechanics?
When I write it’s just about timing, who is around at the time. It could be Genesis, it could be Mike and the Mechanics, whatever works. The Mechanics to me is an interesting full-time/part-time band, I like that. We pick it up when it feels right.
At 60, is touring still a pleasure?
The live thing is very popular again now. Mike and the Mechanics toured last year, and it was great fun. Genesis was always kind of moody, Mike and the Mechanics is lighter, more ‘up’. We’ve always had two frontmen, and the energy that brings is great. At my age, if I wasn’t enjoying it, being around good people, I just wouldn’t do it.
How was recording, compared with the early Genesis days?
Back then the choices were small, so you had to make it work, you could use a mellotron or maybe an organ.
Now, you can do absolutely anything. It’s progress in a sense, but it takes longer. And it’s not quite the same labour of love. Now if you don’t like something you can just wipe the whole lot and start again.
Is there more to come?
We’re in the middle of going through all the old Genesis tapes and Mike and the Mechanics material, moving them as the storage was getting damp. There’s some really interesting stuff.
Next year is 25 years since The Living Years album, so some of the B-sides unreleased in the UK might surface then.
© iomtoday
Last modified onSunday, 24 June 2012 14:59
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Transcontinental transfer keeps harvest on track
Peach orchards in Colorado and South Carolina shuttle H-2A workers to avoid job losses.
Ross Courtney // Sep 22, 2020
An H-2A worker originally contracted to a Colorado orchard picks peaches in late May at Titan Farms in South Carolina after a freeze and the coronavirus pandemic prompted the companies to transfer workers. (Courtesy Hillary Barrow/Titan Farms)
Two dramatic “acts of God” this spring led peach growers separated by half a continent to work out a labor deal.
Western Colorado had a spring freeze that cut peach production significantly, leaving H-2A employees at two family farms without enough work. Meanwhile, visa restrictions due to the coronavirus left a South Carolina farm that relies on contracted Mexican laborers short staffed.
Fortunately, it’s a small peach world.
“I have friends out there,” said Chalmers Carr, president of Titan Farms of Ridge Spring, South Carolina, one of the largest peach producers in the United States.
Among them is Charlie Talbott, president of Talbott Farms in Palisade, Colorado. On the morning of April 14, a harsh cold event killed most of his peach crop this year.
Farmers prepare for housing during pandemic
Talbott typically brings H-2A workers to his farm on two contracts, one running February through October, the other for peak harvest season from late July through September.
The harvest contract he canceled, but he felt bad for the workers on the longer contract who were already in the United States. H-2A regulations include a “contract impossibility” clause that allows employers to terminate a contract if weather, fire or some other act of God makes it impossible for them to continue employing the workers. But he didn’t want to pull that string, he said. Nearby growers of fruit, melons or corn couldn’t take the workers, either.
“We hated to have this be a financial and logistical loss for them, as well,” Talbott said.
About the same time, 1,800 miles to the east, the coronavirus created uncertainty over border crossings and led the U.S. State Department to cut back on visa processing. At first, the U.S. Consulate in Monterrey, Mexico, shut down completely, but by mid-April it had resumed some visa activity, offering to waive in-person visa interviews for returning H-2A workers.
That helped, but Titan Farms was expecting some new contracted workers this year, leaving the company facing a potential labor shortage.
So, the two cross-country friends agreed to transfer the workers from Colorado to South Carolina. On April 26, a total of 41 workers from Talbott Farms and nearby C & R Farms loaded buses in Palisade for the 26-hour drive over the Rocky Mountains, the Great Plains, the Mississippi River and the Appalachian Mountains to Titan Farms in South Carolina to help Carr complete the harvest.
Response to the coronavirus
The maneuver was just one example of how the nation’s farm workforce infrastructure has been pivoting during the pandemic.
Transfers have been allowed under H-2A contracts for years, long before the coronavirus. Normally, they happen within a state or growing area, just because of travel costs, but the paperwork is tremendous, said Kerry Scott, the program manager for MasLabor, a Virginia-based seasonal labor facilitator. Neither of the farms in this transfer were MasLabor clients.
However, in light of the coronavirus, federal government agencies helped facilitate transfers this year. The U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Agriculture teamed up to create a database of nearly 54,000 H-2A workers already in the U.S. who could be available for transfer when their contracts expired.
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In mid-April, the Department of Homeland Security set temporary rules that allowed employers to hire foreign workers already in the United States, as soon as the department received the H-2A petition, if those growers were worried contracted workers would be unable to enter the country due to travel restrictions. Homeland Security also temporarily allowed H-2A workers to stay beyond the normal three-year maximum.
The U.S. Department of Labor also granted a host of temporary regulatory relaxations in late March and early April, including extending filing deadlines, allowing alternate housing for workers and permitting employers to assign workers to jobs and worksites not specifically listed on the job order.
Normally, those are big no-no’s, Scott said. But federal authorities understood that the normal concentrated housing densities of H-2A camps presented a public health risk, so they allowed growers to amend their applications for alternatives to spread people out. State health authorities still have to greenlight those other housing facilities.
Mexico’s federal government adjusted, too, Scott said, extending in absentia passports of workers already in the U.S. who would normally be required to visit a Mexican consulate.
Meanwhile, Scott advises his employer clients to discourage their H-2A workers from traveling to their home countries during downtimes on the farm this season, to avoid having them stuck if travel restrictions are imposed. In Washington, for example, some workers take a vacation between cherry and apple harvests. If workers need to or insist on visiting home, Scott suggests trying to convince them to stagger their trips, so not all of them get stuck out-of-country at one time.
Meanwhile, employers who typically contract workers from Guatemala, Nicaragua and Jamaica may want to keep their eyes open for alternative labor pools from Mexico, Scott said. Mexico has been allowing workers to travel to the U.S., but the other H-2A participating countries have stricter restrictions.
Scott hopes the U.S. government will leave some of the relaxed rules in place after the pandemic, in the name of efficiency.
“This whole emergency may prove that we don’t have to be so restrictive after the virus has come and gone,” he said. •
—by Ross Courtney
Ross Courtney2020-09-16T09:47:24-07:00September 22nd, 2020|Coronavirus, Labor, Legal & Regulatory, Ross Courtney, September 2020 Issue, Stone fruits|
About the Author: Ross Courtney
Ross Courtney is an associate editor for Good Fruit Grower, writing articles and taking photos for the print magazine and website. He has a degree from Pacific Lutheran University. -- Follow the author -- Contact: 509-930-8798 or email.
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