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__label__wiki	0.856668	0.856668	NEW! BREAKING NEWS: Top 5 world’s richest people in 2020 Read More GOTD Tv INHUMANE!!! See Reason Priest Bluntly Refused To Baptise Baby By Ikenna Ngere A mother of a one-month-old baby has claimed she showed a photo of the girl to the priest who then turned down the baptism. A mother of a one-month-old baby has claimed that a priest has bluntly refused to baptise her baby because she has a large birthmark on her body which the priest termed unholily. Maria Khvostantseva opened up about this when reporting to the local media about how her child is been treated due to her birthmark. The mum, 22, claimed she showed a photo of the girl to the priest who then turned down the baptism. She claims the Christian priest claimed he did not know if the birthmark was contagious or how other parents would react in Russia. Maria also said that the priest had asked her to not share the case in social media because it was unholy. And then the priest offered to carry out the baptism, but only if she paid him £45 (4,000 RUB). The priest is said to have wanted to host a special individual baptism for the little tot. Maria said the birthmark covers 80 per cent of her child’s body. Doctors had told her to look for private treatment if she wants it treated. Pictures show the large black mark across the baby’s back and mole-like blotches on her face. However, the church spokesman for Kurgan Metropolis, Mikhail Nasonov, said that this type of behaviour is unacceptable for a priest. He added that the diocese has been unable to launch an investigation. This is because the girl’s mum had not specified the priest’s name nor where it happened. Christianity is the most widely professed religion in the country with 71% of the population identifying as Orthodox. Baby Birthmarks Mother Priest Ikenna Ngere Ngere Ikenna is a passionate learner and freelancer writer, blogger and a lover of good reads. YAWA!!! See What Mortuary Attendant Did With Maradona’s Body That Landed Him In Trouble Protesters Clash With Police In France Over New Security Law Ondo: Akeredolu orders herdsmen to vacate forest reserves By Olufunke Abe The Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu has ordered herdsmen to vacate forest reserves in the state within seven-day. In a statement issued… Pregnant Nigerian lady allegedly marries an old man after man who got her pregnant absconded (Photos) By Daniel Deborah A pregnant Nigerian lady has allegedly been married off to an old man traditionally after the man who impregnated her absconded. Photos… Four police officers killed, one missing after bandits attack in Kaduna The Nigerian police have said four officers were killed and one is still missing after a clash with bandits in the Birnin-Gwari… Please SUBSCRIBE for our Latest News Read now ➨ News in Nigeria Today & BREAKING NEWS Headlines. Check out the latest Naija news and stay informed with gistoftheday.com — your trustful news 138, Iju Road, Fagba, Lagos. Nigeria Entertainment NewsCelebrity News ”I don’t regret going to Uganda, I would love to go back just to see those people again” – Omah Lay (Video) © 2020 gistoftheday.com	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line730
__label__cc	0.656646	0.343354	Home Supercar News BMW Video: C7 Corvette Almost Crashes While Racing BMW M3 Video: C7 Corvette Almost Crashes While Racing BMW M3 When it leaves the factory, the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray C7 can sprint to 100 km/h in just under 4 seconds. Despite being significantly heavier and delivering 30 hp less, the latest-generation BMW M3 reaches 100 km/h in about 4 seconds as well. [youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvtWa2xjW18[/youtube] While outside a car show in the U.S., a new Corvette lined up against an Austin Yellow M3 for what would have been a very close race. For whatever reason, the Corvette owner decides to do a massive burnout instead of racing the M3 and almost manages to crash the car! As the video shows, the Corvette owner loses control of the 455 hp V8 powered American sports car and the tail-end kicks out violently to the left. It then fishtails to the right coming within inches of hitting a concrete crash barrier! Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Previous articleUnique Brown Bugatti Veyron Super Sport For Sale in UAE Next articleIncredible Looking Baby Blue Porsche 918 Spyder Save Me: BMW 1M Coupe Abandoned in Hong Kong Project Exposure: 1 of 1 BMW M2 Hatchback with a V8 Biturbo! Just the Beginning: More Wild BMW Designs are on the Way 2021 BMW iX3 Review 2020 BMW M8 Competition Gran Coupé Review 2020 BMW M440i xDrive Coupe Review	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line733
__label__wiki	0.64896	0.64896	Abu Dhabi launches $145.7m venture capital, start-up fund The fund has been set up as part of the Abu Dhabi government’s Dhs50bn stimulus initiative Ghadan 21 State-run Abu Dhabi Investment Office said on Tuesday it had launched a Dhs535m ($145.7m) fund to support venture capital activities and start-ups in the United Arab Emirates capital. The ‘Ghadan Ventures Fund’ is to increase the availability of capital to start-ups based in Abu Dhabi and to attract fund managers to set up in the capital, the office said in a statement. The office was set up as part of Abu Dhabi government’s Dhs50bn ($13.6bn) stimulus fund, Ghadan 21, announced in September last year to accelerate economic growth. ‘Ghadan’ means ‘tomorrow’ in Arabic. Also read: Abu Dhabi approves Dhs1bn packages to support agricultural technology Reuters May 7, 2019	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line734
__label__cc	0.500461	0.499539	Israel Bank Leumi Cancels Dankner Debt Settlement Bank Leumi Cancels Dankner Debt Settlement By Hamodia Staff Monday, April 22, 2013 at 7:14 pm \| י"ב אייר תשע"ג Bank Leumi bowed to pressure to cancel the debt settlement it had planned for Israeli tycoon Nochi Dankner, Globes reported on Friday. “The outline arrangement, which in any case had not become a signed agreement, has become redundant and is no longer on the agenda,” the bank stated. Analysts say that Leumi’s decision puts Dankner in a difficult position, and that he will have to find another way out of his IDB Group’s financial difficulties. Dankner himself had given written assurance to IDB employees that he would be able to reach a settlement with creditors over the 150 million shekel debt. Bank Leumi, for its part, explained that the decision to withdraw from the settlement was not due to the public outcry, but was based on an assessment that certain investments Dankner was depending on would not be forthcoming, In the meantime, Minister of Finance Yair Lapid and Governor of the Bank of Israel Stanley Fischer have decided to establish a committee composed of financial experts and public figures to review the entire issue of debt settlements. According to data compiled by the State Comptroller, there were 94 debt settlements with bondholders in 2008-11, totaling NIS 21 billion. Sources inform Globes that most of the settlements during this period exceeded NIS 100 million. According to the State Comptroller’s investigation, 72% of the bank credit in 2011 went to 2% of borrowers. Finance Ministry to Unveil Rescue Package for Exports Steinitz Urges West to Give More Arms to Kurds, Jordan Report: IAF Strike Thwarted Syrian Attack For Second Day in a Row, Terror Attacks at Gush Etzion Junction and Chevron Report: BDS Not Hurting Israeli Wine Exports	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line739
__label__cc	0.723705	0.276295	IT BEGINS: House Dems to Vote Wednesday on Issuing Subpoenas for ‘Full Mueller Report’ House Democrats are poised to hold a pivotal vote Wednesday to issue a handful of subpoenas demanding the special counsel’s full report on Russian “collusion” during the 2016 race for the White House. Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler issued a statement Monday morning outlining his demands to receive the 300-page document by Wednesday; threatening Congressional action should he fail to receive the material. “The Attorney General should reconsider so that we can work together to ensure the maximum transparency of this important report to both Congress and the American people,” said Nadler. “I am grateful to the many individuals who have cooperated with our initial request for documents. Regrettably, not everyone has chosen to voluntarily cooperate with the Committee at this time. I am particularly concerned about reports that documents relevant to the Special Counsel investigation were sent outside the White House, [waiving] applicable privileges,” he added. Read the full report at The Hill. COLLUSION DELUSION: Rashida Tlaib Introduces Bill Urging Trump’s Impeachment Recently sworn-in Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib officially introduced legislation this week that urged the impeachment of President Trump; completely ignoring Robert Mueller’s final report that found absolutely “no collusion” between the President and Russian officials. The resolution urges the House Judiciary Committee to investigate whether the Commander-in-Chief committed “any offenses” that would warrant impeachment proceedings. The legislation inquires “whether the House of Representatives should impeach Donald John Trump, President of the United States of America,” adding “the Committee on the Judiciary or any subcommittee or task force designated by the Committee may, in connection with the inquiry under this resolution, take affidavits and depositions by a member, counsel, or consultant of the Committee, pursuant to notice or subpoena.” Tlaib made national headlines in January when she vowed to “Impeach the Motherf***er!” just hours after being officially sworn-in as a Member of Congress. BOX OFFICE BLOWOUT: Faith-Based Film ‘Unplanned’ Stuns Industry with ‘Strong Debut’ BIDEN: I’m ‘Asking Everyone to Pay Their Fair Share at the Top’ So We Can ‘Rebuild America’ WATCH: Ami Horowitz Hits the Streets of NYC to See if Democrats Are ‘Really Ready to Compromise’	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line740
__label__wiki	0.776925	0.776925	U.S. Congress OKs killing sea lions to help save salmon The U.S. Congress has agreed to make it easier to kill sea lions threatening fragile runs of salmon in the Pacific Northwest. Oregon Public Broadcasting reports that a bill approved by the House Tuesday changes the Marine Mammal Protection Act to lift some of the restrictions on killing sea lions to protect salmon and steelhead in the Columbia River and its tributaries. The measure had previously passed the Senate. Wildlife managers say sea lion populations have grown so large that they no longer need all the protections that were put in place for them in 1972. The measure would usher in a more streamlined process for Washington, Idaho, Oregon and several Pacific Northwest tribes to capture and euthanize sea lions deemed to be a problem. A California sea lion designated #U253 heads towards the Pacific Ocean after being released in Newport, Ore. (Don Ryan/The Associated Press) Population boom prompted call Supporters, including the governors of Oregon, Washington and Idaho, fishing groups and tribes, have said the bill will give wildlife managers greater flexibility in controlling California sea lions that dramatically increased from about 30,000 in the 1960s to about 300,000 following enactment of the 1972 Marine Mammal Protection Act. Jaime Pinkham, executive director of the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, said in a statement that he was “grateful Congress worked in a bipartisan manner to give us the local flexibility to protect the tribal treaty resources we share with others in the Columbia and Willamette rivers.” Critics called the move by Congress ill-conceived and say it will not solve the problem of declining salmon, which also face other problems such as habitat loss and dams. Workers with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission work together to load a trapped California sea lion onto a truck after it was captured in the Willamette River near Oregon City, Ore. (Gillian Flaccus/The Associated Press) While there are several thousand California sea lions in the Columbia River estuary, only about 200 to 300 swim more than 100 miles (160 kilometres) upriver from the Pacific Ocean and would be eligible for removal, state wildlife officials say. An orca task force convened by Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, a Democrat, also backed the legislation to boost the fish for the struggling population of southern resident killer whales. Related Topics:CongresskillingLionsOKssalmonsaveSea Virgin Galactic aims to reach space today with tourism rocket 40 groups ask Catherine McKenna to retain ‘stringent’ pollution standards for automakers Toronto households have to save for 102 months to afford a downpayment on a home Trans Mountain pipeline work destroyed salmon habitat, scientist says Stifling heat wave descends on Australia, killing dozens of horses Here’s How Much You Really Need To Save For Early Retirement Canadian food pros talk about easing into drastic new diet guidelines to save the planet Scientists ID another possible threat to orcas: pink salmon Top 5 Analytics Trends That Are Shaping The Future Digital transformation is increasingly becoming the focus for many CIOs around the world today—with analytics playing a fundamental role in driving the future of the digital economy. While data is important to every business, it is necessary for businesses to have a firm grip on data analytics to allow them transform raw pieces of data into important insights. However, unlike the current trends in business intelligence—which is centred around data visualization—the future of data analytics would encompass a more contextual experience. “The known data analytics development cycle is described in stages: from descriptive (what happened) to diagnostic (why did it happen), to discovery (what can we learn from it), to predictive (what is likely to happen), and, finally, to prescriptive analytics (what action is the best to take),” said Maurice op het Veld is a partner at KPMG Advisory in a report. “Another way of looking at this is that data analytics initially “supported” the decision-making process but is now enabling “better” decisions than we can make on our own.” Here are some of the current trends that arealready shaping the future of data analytics in individuals and businesses. Growth in mobile devices With the number of mobile devices expanding to include watches, digital personal assistants, smartphones, smart glasses, in-car displays, to even video gaming systems, the final consumption plays a key role on the level of impact analytics can deliver. Previously, most information consumers accessed were on a computer with sufficient room to view tables, charts and graphs filled with data, now, most consumers require information delivered in a format well optimized for whatever device they are currently viewing it on. Therefore, the content must be personalized to fit the features of the user’s device and not just the user alone. Continuous Analytics More and more businesses are relying on the Internet of Things (IoT) and their respective streaming data—which in turn shortens the time it takes to capture, analyze and react to the information gathered. Therefore, while analytics programspreviously were termed successful when results were delivered within days or weeks of processing, the future of analytics is bound to drastically reduce this benchmark to hours, minutes, seconds—and even milliseconds. “All devices will be connected and exchange data within the “Internet of Things” and deliver enormous sets of data. Sensor data like location, weather, health, error messages, machine data, etc. will enable diagnostic and predictive analytics capabilities,” noted Maurice. “We will be able to predict when machines will break down and plan maintenance repairs before it happens. Not only will this be cheaper, as you do not have to exchange supplies when it is not yet needed, but you can also increase uptime.” Augmented Data Preparation During the process of data preparation, machine learning automation will begin to augment data profiling and data quality, enrichment, modelling, cataloguing and metadata development. Newer techniques would include supervised, unsupervised and reinforcement learning which is bound to enhance the entire data preparation process. In contrast to previous processes—which depended on rule-based approach to data transformation—this current trend would involve advanced machine learning processes that would evolve based on recent data to become more precise at responding to changes in data. Augmented Data Discovery Combined with the advancement in data preparation, a lot of these newer algorithms now allow information consumers to visualize and obtain relevant information within the data with more ease. Enhancements such as automatically revealing clusters, links, exceptions, correlation and predictions with pieces of data, eliminate the need for end users to build data models or write algorithms themselves. This new form of augmented data discovery will lead to an increase in the number of citizen data scientist—which include information users who, with the aid of augmented assistance can now identify and respond to various patterns in data faster and a more distributed model. AugmentedData Science It is important to note that the rise of citizen data scientist will not in any way eliminate the need for a data scientist who gathers and analyze data to discover profitable opportunities for the growth of a business. However, as these data scientists give room for citizen data scientists to perform the easier tasks, their overall analysis becomes more challenging and equally valuable to the business. As time goes by, machine learning would be applied in other areas such as feature and model selection. This would free up some of the tasks performed by data scientist and allow them focus on the most important part of their job, which is to identify specific patterns in the data that can potentially transform business operations and ultimately increase revenue. Waterloo drone-maker Aeryon Labs bought by U.S. company for $265M Waterloo’s Aeryon Labs has been bought by Oregon-based FLIR Systems Inc. for $256 million, or $200 million US. The acquisition was announced Monday. Dave Kroetsch, co-founder and chief technology officer of Aeryon Labs, says not much will change in the foreseeable future. “The Waterloo operations of Aeryon Labs will actually continue as they did yesterday with manufacturing, engineering and all the functions staying intact in Waterloo and ultimately, we see growing,” he said. “The business here is very valuable to FLIR and our ability to sell internationally is a key piece of keeping these components of the business here in Canada.” Aeroyn Labs builds high-performance drones that are sold to a variety of customers including military, police services and commercial businesses. The drones can provide high-resolution images for surveillance and reconnaissance. The drones already include cameras and thermal technology from FLIR. Jim Cannon, president and CEO of FLIR Systems, said acquiring Aeryon Labs is part of the company’s strategy to move beyond sensors “to the development of complete solutions that save lives and livelihoods.” ‘A piece of a bigger solution’ Kroetsch said this is a good way for the company to grow into something bigger. “We see the business evolving in much the direction our business has been headed over the last couple of years. And that’s moving beyond the drone as a product in and of itself as a drone as a piece of a bigger solution,” he said. For example, FLIR bought a drone company that builds smaller drones that look like little helicopters. “We can imagine integrating those with our drones, perhaps having ours carry their drones and drop them off,” he said. FLIR also does border security systems, which Kroetsch says could use the drones to allow border agents to look over a hill where there have been issues. “We see the opportunity there as something that we never could have done on our own but being involved with and part of a larger company that’s already providing these solutions today gives us access not only to these great applications, but also to some fantastic technologies,” he said. Aeryon Labs has done a lot of work during emergency disasters, including in Philippines after Typhoon Hagupit in 2014, Ecuador after an earthquake in 2016 and the Fort McMurray wildfire in 2016. Inuvik infrastructure may not be ready for climate change, says study The Arctic is expected to get warmer and wetter by the end of this century and new research says that could mean trouble for infrastructure in Inuvik. The study from Global Water Futures looked at how climate change could impact Havipak Creek — which crosses the Dempster Highway in Inuvik, N.W.T. — and it predicts some major water changes. “They were quite distressing,” John Pomeroy, director of Global Water Futures and the study’s lead author, said of the findings. Researchers used a climate model and a hydrological model to predict future weather and climate patterns in the region. They also looked at data gathered from 1960 to the present. If greenhouse gas emissions continue at their current rate — which Pomeroy said they are on track to do — the study projects the region will be 6.1 C warmer by 2099 and precipitation, particularly rain, will increase by almost 40 per cent. The study also found that the spring flood will be earlier and twice as large, and the permafrost will thaw an additional 25 centimetres. While the soil is expected to be wetter early in the summer, the study said it will be drier in late summer, meaning a higher risk of wildfires. John Pomeroy is the director of Global Water Futures. (Erin Collins/CBC) “The model’s painting kind of a different world than we’re living in right now for the Mackenzie Delta region,” Pomeroy said. He noted these changes are not only expected for Havipak Creek, but also for “many, many creeks along the northern part of the Dempster [Highway].” Pomeroy said the deeper permafrost thaw and a bigger spring flood could pose challenges for buildings, roads, culverts and crossings in the area that were designed with the 20th century climate in mind. He said the projected growth of the snowpack and the spring flood are “of grave concern because that’s what washes out the Dempster [Highway] and damages infrastructure in the area.” Culverts and bridges may have to be adjusted to allow room for greater stream flows, Pomeroy said. And building foundations that are dependent upon the ground staying frozen will have to be reinforced or redesigned. Pomeroy said the ultimate solution is for humans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. “This study is the future we’re heading for, but it’s not the future we necessarily have if we can find a way to reduce those gases,” he said. “It’d be far smarter to get those emissions under control than to pay the terrible expenses for infrastructure and endangered safety of humans and destroyed ecosystems.”	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line742
__label__wiki	0.667511	0.667511	“Let us work together to replace despair with HOPE, fear with human SECURITY and humiliation with DIGNITY” Mission Statement, Goals & Core Values Who Are the Arab Christians of the Holy Land? Reflections from the President People of the Foundation The Holy Land Christian Support Network Letters of Support 2016 Tribute to Donald A. Kruse, HCEF Cofounder Statements & Reports Financial Statements & Annual Reports Post 20th International Conference Post HCEF 2017 Symposium Returning to Bethlehem Exhibit HCEF Publications HCEF News HCEF Programs HCEF Programs Summary Our Commitment to Our Mission Ecumenical Center for Research & Development Know Thy Heritage Program Children’s Peace Project (CPP) The U.S. Muslim & Christian Coalition (MCC) Church Partnership Program Holy Land Gifts Program (HLGP) Living Stones Pilgrimage (LSP) HCEF’s Calvary Fund Bethlehem Heart of Christmas (BHC) Birzeit Social Development & Cultural Center (BSCC) and Women’s Empowerment Program The Children’s Education Fund (CEF) Housing Rehabilitation Program (HRP) Water Cistern Renovation Project Opportunities in Bethesda, MD Opportunities in Bethlehem, Palestine MIDDLE EAST – Covid -19, first accessions of world leaders to the Prayer for Humanity Rome – Authoritative accessions of political leaders – especially Middle Eastern ones – and representatives of international bodies are beginning to arrive with regards to the appeal promoted in recent days by the Higher Committee for Human Fraternity, which announced a day of prayer, fasting and supplication to ask God to protect humanity from the coronavirus pandemic. The appeal, immediately re-launched by Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al Azhar, Sheikh Ahmed al Tayyeb, was greeted with “joy” on behalf of all the Palestinian people by Mahmoud Abbas, President of the State of Palestine. “I personally” Abbas writes in a message released by Rahmallah and also sent to Agenzia Fides “will participate in this prayer, and I invite all my people in the Holy Land to participate together”. King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, sovereign of Bahrain since 2002, has also announced his accession to the initiative of the Committee for Human Fraternity, indicating it as an opportunity to take advantage of uniting “people of different religions and races to supplicate, fast, do good and pray to Allah the Almighty to lift this pandemic off humanity”. The leaders who immediately expressed support for the Committee’s appeal also include ex-Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri, head of the Sunni party “Future”: “I join Grand Imam of Al Azhar Dr Sheikh Ahmed Al Tayeb and His Holiness Pope Francis in their support for the prayer for Humanity this 14 May”, reads a message released by Hariri through his twitter account. The UN Secretary General, the Portuguese Antonio Guterres, also expressed his accession via twitter to the appeal of the Committee for Human Fraternity. “In difficult times” reads the message issued by Guterres “we must stand together for peace, humanity & solidarity. I join His Holiness Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al Azhar Sheikh Ahmed Al Tayeb in their support for the Prayer for Humanity this 14 May – a moment for reflection, hope, and faith”. On Sunday, May 3, with a message in thirteen languages, including Persian and Swahili, and addressed to the “brothers” who believe in God the Creator and to all the “brothers” in humanity, the Higher Committee for Human Fraternity, in this time marked by the coronavirus, invited to “a day of prayer, fasting and supplication for humanity”. In its message, the Higher Committee for Human Fraternity paid tribute to the work of doctors and scientists, and above all asked every person, in every part of the world, according to their religion, faith or doctrine, to “turn to God praying, begging fasting and carrying out works of mercy”, to ask Him to “end this epidemic, save us from this affliction, help scientists find a medicine that defeats it, and to free the world from health, economic and humanitarian consequences due to the spread of this serious contagion”. The Committee therefore proposed to make May 14 “a day of prayer, fasting and supplication for humanity”, calling both religious leaders and all people in the world “to respond to this humanitarian invitation and to speak to God with one voice, to preserve humanity, help it overcome the pandemic, restore security, stability, health and prosperity, and make our world more human and more fraternal”. The Higher Committee for Human Fraternity, chaired by Cardinal Miguel Angel Ayuso Guixot, president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, was formed last August, a few months after the meeting in Abu Dhabi (February 4, 2019), during which Pope Francis and the great Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmed al-Tayyeb, signed the “Document on human fraternità for world peace and common coexistence”. The Higher Committee, formed to promote the objectives and content of the Abu Dhabi Document, is currently made up of eight members, including M. Bruce Listig, Senior Rabbi of the Washington Hebrew Congregation. Source: Agenzia Fides Fadi Hani 2020-05-08T09:03:16+00:00 May 8th, 2020\|Categories: News\| Abp Pizzaballa on his first pastoral visit to Jordan as Latin Patriarch. Vatican publishes COVID-19 guidelines about distribution of ashes on Ash Wednesday 2021. Holy Land Coordination to meet virtually for annual solidarity with Church of Holy Land. Amman: Patriarch Pizzaballa visits several Latin Patriarchate institutions. Patriarch Pizzaballa highly values Hashemite custodianship of sanctities. Bethlehem Museum HCEF Security Seals Stay Tuned with Us Copyright © 2005 - 2016 Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation.	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line743
__label__cc	0.523291	0.476709	Rudy Giuliani Imagines Political Cat Fight Starring Kamala Harris, Michelle Obama First Lady Forever Michelle Obama delivered an epic speech last night at the Zoom Democratic National Convention. Conservatives across the country tuned in, perhaps to see a preview of Melania Trump’s remarks at the upcoming Republican National Convention. Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani, the worst person in any room even when he was prosecuting mobsters, weighed in today. He contends that Obama’s speech was actually about how much she hates that other Black lady Kamala Harris. Giuliani is a confused, old Gollum-esque bigot, so he probably doesn’t comprehend that Michelle Obama’s Democratic National Convention speech was taped in advance. She didn’t know who Joe Biden’s vice presidential pick was yet, but she was secure in the knowledge that Donald Trump would still suck. Although Michelle Obama is a Black woman and prone to sassiness, she is a professional. She wouldn’t deliberately snub the Democratic Party’s vice presidential nominee. Even if it were Tulsi Gabbard, Obama might go, “Wait … her?” but she’d quickly recover and say something polite about Gabbard’s supervillain white hair streak. But Harris isn’t Tulsi Gabbard because first place, Harris will have a job next year and also, Michelle Obama wrote a moving Instagram post congratulating Harris when she was announced as Biden’s running mate and next vice president of the United Fucking States. So, Giuliani’s full of shit, which all decent people know, but it is interesting to see the architect of “stop and frisk” call Harris a “bully prosecutor” who apparently took a “broken windows” approach to “little” marijuana cases. He even calls the drug “weed,” as if he’s down with the people. Giuliani himself is a vocal opponent of marijuana legalization or even decriminalization. Dr. Asshole has also declared medical marijuana use “unnecessary.” During his reign of terror in New York, marijuana possession arrests in the city grew to about 40,000 annually. Conservatives are trying to hit Harris from both sides on her record. She ruthlessly prosecuted small-time weed cases while casually letting murderers and rapists go free. You don’t have to watch much “Law & Order” to know this kind of record wouldn’t have helped elect Harris dog catcher let alone attorney general of California. Niki Solis, a San Francisco public defender, described Harris in a USA Today op-ed as “the most progressive DA in California.” That’s California, not Mississippi where a DA could claim that title if they insist the police keep suspects alive for trial. As San Francisco DA, Harris refused to seek the death penalty — even on a case where a very respected police officer was tragically killed. Marijuana sales cases were routinely reduced to misdemeanors. And marijuana possession cases were not even on the court’s docket. They were simply not charged. Unless there was a large grow case, or a unique circumstance, this was the reform-minded approach then-DA Harris’ office took. The accusations about marijuana prosecutions being harsh during her tenure are absurd. The reality was quite the opposite. I won’t argue with anyone who doesn’t like cops. Even if you claimed that all cops were actually alien lizard people, there are a quarter million white people in America who can set you straight. There’s no need for me to get involved. However, my one bit of advice for any “Kamala is a cop” people is Never. Fucking. Trust. Rudy. Giuliani. He thinks all Black people are criminals or somehow responsible for criminals. He’s suggested there’s “no homicide in the white community,” which is laughably racist. If Giuliani doesn’t like Kamala Harris, it’s not because he thinks she’s unfair to minorities or recreational drug users. The Left has criticized Harris’s handling of the Catholic pedophile case both during and before her presidential run, but Giuliani was a steadfast supporter of Alan Placa, a priest accused by a grand jury of “orchestrating the cover-up of nearly 60 separate molestations allegations.” He also believes his buddy Donald Trump over the many women who’ve claimed he’s groped them. Whatever disagreements we might have with Harris and Biden’s records, let’s all hold them to account and move them in a better direction once they’re in the White House. But never fucking trust Rudy Giuliani. Just don’t. [USA Today] Follow Stephen Robinson on Twitter. Do your Amazon shopping through this link, because reasons. Yr Wonkette is 100 percent ad-free and entirely supported entirely by reader donations. That’s you! Please click the clickie, if you are able! ← Susan Collins Engineered the USPS Disaster She’s Now Protesting Do Democrats Really Need Bill Clinton to Speak Tonight? → Rhode Island’s Jack Reed Might Be The Niftiest Senator You’ve Never Heard Of These Teachers Are Back In School Already. Here’s How They Feel. The Last Lions of Africa: stories from the frontline in the battle to save a species	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line744
__label__wiki	0.516572	0.516572	MASSACHUSETTS MUSIC BLOG Weekly Discovery Tag: Trying to Find My Next Thrill An Interview with $ean Wire + Gibson By: Eden Bekele Neither $ean Wire or Gibson (formerly known as Tropicana Bwoy) are strangers to the Boston music scene, as the pair have spent years cultivating their unique sound alongside numerous talents throughout the Boston area. Some may recognize Gibson for his multiple producer placements or even from his former days as a party thrower in his parents Allston garage, whilst others may recognize $ean from his deep discography and collaborations. No matter how it’s framed, it’s safe to say that the two are heavily involved in the local scene. It’s already been an incredible year for the pair, with $ean having been nominated in multiple categories for this year’s Boston Music Awards, and for the both of them gaining major exposure with a Cousin Stizz placement. It’s without a doubt that they’re both on the path towards great accomplishments. Possessing a unique and natural bond, it was only right to capture the duo together. I was lucky enough to sit down with these old friends of mine — huddled intimately in their home studio space — to talk about their process, intention, and outlook towards the future. $ean: I was born in Newton, and I moved to Dorchester when I was 2. I’ve been a Dorchester baby ever since. Gibson: The hospital was in Stoneham, but I’ve been in Allston all my life. How did the two of you meet? $ean: I met you (Gib) through Najee. Najee’s like the key to a lot of things. He linked a lot of people together. Gib: It’s so weird how it all happened. I liked to wear — you know my collared shirts tucked into the khakis — you know that’s just what I did. That’s what I liked to do — with the stripes and the flowers and everything. I’m in the bathroom at school and while I was pssing this guy is like “Hey I like your style” I turn around — I didn’t know him and it’s Najee and I’m like “Oh thank you man.” And he’s wearing a snapback and a hoodie. Then one whole year later he stops me at the bus stop and he’s like “Listen man can I just hug you. I gotta hug you man you’re great” and I was kinda shy but I was touched. No one told me that before. And then one day in the hallway he was like “I bet you make music” and I was like “Yeah I kinda do” and I showed him this really weird beat. I was trying to be like Hudson Mohawk at the time and I showed him this beat in that period and he was like “Yo this was the best beat I’ve ever heard” and I was like, “Okay, you’re crazy — that’s mad dramatic, but thank you.” and he asked me to come to his house and we just started hanging out. You know a few months later he went to Seans school. $ean: When you dapped me up your hand was mad wet. The dap you gave me was mad off. After that dap I was just like iight..you cool. I remember you had the Dark World hoodie on. That was like Super Saiyan 1 Gibby. Gib: Yeah, and after that we were just coming here every week to make music. $ean: Yup, we would be here everyday. It would be hot as sht in here. No fan. We would just be going back to back to back. Gib: This is like 10th/11th grade and it really picked up senior year. I love how organic that is and it even leads into my next question about the music — how was it creating the DEAR project and how was the process similar to or different than working on HIM$? $ean: The process with HIM$ was really fun. Like I said before, it was really just us having fun in the room. Making beats, jumping around, and acting a fool. Versus DEAR was done in like two months. It was really like “let’s bang this out”. At the time I hadn’t released music in a while because I had been in a management situation where it was just like they wanted us to write and build. I spent some time ghostwriting and Gib was producing for some other artists. DEAR was really a sweet process. I was going through a real dark time from 2017 into 2018. I feel like DEAR was the conclusion of a heavy mindset. I lost my uncle, I got hit by a car, I lost mad memory and was forgetting song lyrics. I met my girlfriend — well I knew her for a grip, but I got with her and she inspired a lot of the records too. It was just a lot of life changing moments in DEAR and in that whole process. I found out a lot about myself and I just expressed it as much as I could in the music. So the difference between HIM$ and DEAR is that HIM$ was just like me having fun versus DEAR I was having fun but I was also giving a real message of who I am to myself. Gib: There was a reason for making it. HIM$ was kind of like “huh we don’t have like an album yet”. How was it being apart of the Stizz project, Trying To Find My Next Thrill? $ean: That experience was so stressful but so fun. Let me give you the whole story. Gib: You got the story? $ean: I got the story. This is what happened. Sebastian Mikael had a tour date in New York at Baby’s All Right and I had to get to New York. At the time it was snowing like crazy and I had to record a Stizz verse and send it to Tim. Gibson: No no no you started too late. So I was in Atlanta working for Jeezy — I was hanging out with Jeezy and some of his people & making music. $ean: Let em know! Gibson: I was there for 14 days, and I felt I wasn’t meeting a lot of people. I felt like I could get more — so I took a chance. I had heard of this guy Tim, Tim Larew, who manages Stizz and I reached out to him just off the cuff completely. I was like maybe he can help me out I want to meet people. So I DM’d him like “Yo who do you know in Atlanta that I could fck with — I’m here for a little while and I’m tryna make it happen”. And he was like “Yo I love you and Sean’s music so much — Stizz is working on an album, please send anything that has an open verse thats you and Sean. Please send it right now.” That was the end of the DM, nothing to do with Atlanta. I was like word I got you. And then like right then I sent him ($ean) a few beats, I told him what it was and he was like okay let’s go. $ean: He sent me like three or four beats. I was kind of stressed out because I was having like the illest writers block and that is the worst thing when it’s crunch time and an opportunity comes. Still, I was in my room and I wrote at least eight verses. Gib: What?! $ean: You know how I be. Gib: There was a deleted verse for Soso? $ean: Plenty. So I did that & Gib came back and we recorded it with Christian Yoon. and the next day I had to go to New York. Gib: It happened mad organic. $ean: Tim and Stizz are just cool and genuine dudes and they’re about the culture, making good music, having fun with it and being smart with your decisions. How does it feel being in Boston — in your hometown, after putting out two full projects and having this Stizz placement? $ean: It feels good. It’s definitely a boost of confidence. It was so many days we would be in here like what are we doing. We would get frustrated. Gibson: I was frustrated, but I would fake try to hype you up. $ean: We’ve had multiple conversations where its just like damn shts not moving cuz Gib was in school at McGill and I don’t blame you because shit wasn’t moving and we weren’t getting exposure like that. So that’s really the difference now. It’s a lot of love, people are seeing the growth in the music and me as a person and Gib as a person. It just feels more welcoming — the love is immaculate. Gib: Everyone says congratulations. I’m mad humbled. I get emotional. A stranger will be like “Ohh you’re gib I heard you got that shit on Stizz’s album.” $ean: My cheekbones are hurting. It was dope for me to see really. I saw Stizz’s story and there was a billboard in my neighborhood. Me and my boy Nick went to go see it. So being part of that has just been an amazing experience. Have y’all been doing music full time or are you planning on it? $ean: I’ve been doing music full time since 2016. I’ve only had two jobs in my whole life. I was really trying to force myself to be great at what I do. I didn’t want to come in second place, I don’t want to ask for handouts — I just wanted my work to speak for itself. If I walk in any door and they ask me to play them three songs, I know I have three songs they could fck with. And I never want to be a miss, ever, ever, ever. That’s definitely the mission. Gib: I’m not in school anymore — I left, but I do some teaching and lecturing at the ICA for music, and some catering. The lecturing is fun, and teaching. It’s just like these free classes for the teens who want to learn music, and want to make beats. It’s pretty fun. Teenagers are hard to engage but I think I might’ve got it. You know you can learn sht from anybody and I learned sh*t from these kids. So whats next? It’s already been disclosed to me that yall are working on a new album is that safe to share? $ean: I’m so proud of this upcoming project. I’ve never channeled this much energy into a tape before. It’s just great, great music. I’m very confident about this one. Both the delivery and timing are perfect. Now we’re just trying to get some videos out and get shit going. It’s an exciting chapter right now. What impact are yall looking to leave? If any? $ean: My whole end goal is to inspire the world — not even just the city but the world. I want to reach as many people as possible and for them to be like “Remember when Sean and Gib did that?” I just want to inspire because there’s a cycle of love in that. Gib: I want to inspire people too. If I can leave an impact I would say… patience is boring, but if you’re not thinking about it being boring — it’s fun. Stream $ean Wire’s music and Gibson’s production below: Shamus Hill Interviews Leave a comment September 30, 2019 8 Minutes Mass Music Radio	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line747
__label__wiki	0.786958	0.786958	PEDERASTY IN ANCIENT SPARTA Pederasty in Sparta, the greatest land power in Greece in the classical age, was regarded by contemporaries as having peculiar features that make it worthy of separate study. The ancient texts on it are presented here in chronological order of the writers cited rather than those through whom their information has come down to us.. As will be seen, the surviving information about it is severely contradictory. Though some of this could be due to social change during the very long period covered, there were grounds for bias in whether a particular writer was pro- or anti-Spartan, and his personal stance on the desirability of sexual consummation. None of these writers were Spartan. It should be explained that Greek writers usually referred to Sparta as Lakedaimon. The land in which it lay was called Lakonia. Besides the Greek love excepts presented here, biographical information on the pederastic love affairs as boys and men of Spartan kings can also be found in Xenophon’s life of Agesilaos II and Plutarch’s lives of Agesilaos II and Kleomenes III. Ovid’s Metamorphoses includes the story of the mythological Spartan boy, Hyakinthos, loved by the god Apollo, of interest for historical Spartan behaviour only in that the second most important Spartan festival, the Hyakinthia, was held in his honour. There are also two brief references to the prevalence of pederasty in both Sparta and Crete and the responsibility of gymnasia in giving rise to it in Plato’s Laws (636b-c and 836b-d). Young Spartans Exercising by Edgar Degas, 1860 Xenophon, Constitution of the Lakedaimonians II 12-14 The Athenian general and philosopher Xenophon wrote this explanation of why Sparta “was evidently was the most powerful and most celebrated city in Greece” despite being “the most thinly populated of states”, between 387 and 375 BC. He was better-informed about Sparta than any of the others whose writings about it survive, and may have been living there while writing, being so pro-Spartan that he had been exiled from Athens for fighting on the Spartan side in a battle against her. He was also a disciple of Sokrates, whose views on the superiority of non-sexual love he propagated. The translation is by E.C. Marchant in the Loeb Classical Library volume CLXXXIII (Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1925). His latinisations of Greek names have been replaced with transliterated Greek. I think I ought to say something also about intimacy with boys, since this matter also has a bearing on education. In other Greek states, for instance among the Boiotians, man and boy live together, like married people; elsewhere, among the Eleians, for example, consent is won by means of favours. Some, on the other hand, entirely forbid suitors to talk with boys. The customs instituted by Lykourgus[1] were opposed to all of these. If someone, being himself an honest man, admired a boy’s soul and tried to make of him an ideal friend without reproach and to associate with him, he approved, and believed in the excellence of this kind of training. But if it was clear that the attraction lay in the boy’s outward beauty, he banned the connexion as an abomination; and thus he purged the relationship of all impurity, so that in Lakedaimon it resembled parental and brotherly love. I am not surprised, however, that people refuse to believe this. For in many states the laws are not opposed to the indulgence of these appetites. I have now dealt with the Spartan system of education, and that of the other Greek states. Which system turns out men more obedient, more respectful, and more strictly temperate, anyone who chooses may once more judge for himself. [12] Λεκτέον δέ μοι δοκεῖ εἶναι καὶ περὶ τῶν παιδικῶν ἐρώτων· ἔστι γάρ τι καὶ τοῦτο πρὸς παιδείαν. οἱ μὲν τοίνυν ἄλλοι Ἕλληνες ἢ ὥσπερ Βοιωτοὶ ἀνὴρ καὶ παῖς συζυγέντες ὁμιλοῦσιν ἢ ὥσπερ Ἠλεῖοι διὰ χαρίτων τῇ ὥρᾳ χρῶνται· εἰσὶ δὲ καὶ οἳ παντάπασι τοῦ διαλέγεσθαι τοὺς ἐραστὰς εἴργουσιν ἀπὸ τῶν παίδων. [13] Ὁ δὲ Λυκοῦργος ἐναντία καὶ τούτοις πᾶσι γνοὺς εἰ μέν τις αὐτὸς ὢν οἷον δεῖ ἀγασθεὶς ψυχὴν παιδὸς πειρῷτο ἄμεμπτον φίλον ἀποτελέσασθαι καὶ συνεῖναι, ἐπῄνει καὶ καλλίστην παιδείαν ταύτην ἐνόμιζεν· εἰ δέ τις παιδὸς σώματος ὀρεγόμενος φανείη, αἴσχιστον τοῦτο θεὶς ἐποίησεν ἐν Λακεδαίμονι μηδὲν ἧττον ἐραστὰς παιδικῶν ἀπέχεσθαι ἢ γονεῖς παίδων καὶ1 ἀδελφοὶ ἀδελφῶν εἰς ἀφροδίσια ἀπέχονται. [14] Τὸ μέντοι ταῦτα ἀπιστεῖσθαι ὑπό τινων οὐ θαυμάζω· ἐν πολλαῖς γὰρ τῶν πόλεων οἱ νόμοι οὐκ ἐναντιοῦνται ταῖς πρὸς τοὺς παῖδας ἐπιθυμίαις. Ἡ μὲν δὴ παιδεία εἴρηται ἥ τε Λακωνικὴ καὶ ἡ τῶν ἄλλων Ἑλλήνων· ἐξ ὁποτέρας δ᾿ αὐτῶν καὶ εὐπειθέστεροι καὶ αἰδημονέστεροι καὶ ὧν δεῖ ἐγκρατέστεροι ἄνδρες ἀποτελοῦνται, ὁ βουλόμενος καὶ ταῦτα ἐπισκοπείσθω. Spartan boys Plato, Symposium 182a The Athenian philosopher Plato’s Symposium was written some time between 385 and 370 BC, and depicts a banquet in 416 BC at which Sokrates and others exchange views on love. The translation is by Thomas Hubbard in his Homosexuality in Greece and Rome (University of California Press, 2003), p. 189. Here Aristodemos is comparing views on whether it right or wrong for men to have sex with boys, the other states he goes on to mention believing firmly in one or the other: “What is more, while sexual conventions in other states are clear-cut and easy to understand, here and in Sparta, by contrast, they are complex.” Καὶ δὴ καὶ ὁ περὶ τὸν ἔρωτα νόμος ἐν μὲν ταῖς ἄλλαις πόλεσι νοῆσαι ῥᾴδιος· ἁπλῶς γὰρ ὥρισται· ὁ δ᾿ ἐνθάδε καὶ ἐν Λακεδαίμονι ποικίλος. Xenophon, Symposium VIII 35 The aforementioned Xenophon wrote his own Symposium, also a philosophical dialogue, in the 360s BC. The setting is a dinner party hosted by Kallias in 422 BC and attended by Sokrates and others, including Xenophon himself. In the following excerpt, Sokrates is explaining why “spiritual love is far superior to carnal”. The translation is by O. J. Dodd in the Loeb Classical Library (Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1922). His latinisations of Greek names have been replaced with transliterated Greek. In contrast to this, the Lakedaimonians, who hold that if a person so much as feels a carnal concupiscence he will never come to any good end, cause the objects of their love to be so consummately brave that even when arrayed with foreigners and even when not stationed in the same line with their lovers they just as surely feel ashamed to desert their comrades. For the goddess they worship is not Impudence but Modesty. Λακεδαιμόνιοι δὲ οἱ νομίζοντες, ἐὰν καὶ ὀρεχθῇ τις σώματος, μηδενὸς ἂν ἔτι καλοῦ κἀγαθοῦ τοῦτον τυχεῖν, οὕτως τελέως τοὺς ἐρωμένους ἀγαθοὺς ἀπεργάζονται ὡς καὶ μετὰ ξένων κἂν μὴ ἐν τῇ αὐτῇ ταχθῶσι τῷ ἐραστῇ, ὁμοίως αἰδοῦνται τοὺς παρόντας ἀπολείπειν. θεὰν γὰρ οὐ τὴν Ἀναίδειαν ἀλλὰ τὴν Αἰδῶ νομίζουσι. Athenaios, The Learned Banqueters 602e Athenaios of Naukratis wrote this in the early 3rd century AD, but his source cited lived in the 2nd century BC. The translation here is by S. Douglas Olson in Athenaeus: The Deipnosphists VII (The Loeb Classical Library edition, 2011). In Sparta, according to Hagnon of the Academy, it is customary to have sex with girls before they marry in the same way one does with boys.[2] αρὰ δὲ eΣπαρτιάταις, ὡς Ἅγνων φησὶν ὁ Ἀκαδημαϊκός, πρὸ τῶν γάμων ταῖς παρθένοις ὡς παιδικοῖς νόμος ἐστὶν ὁμιλεῖν. M. Tullius Cicero, On the Republic IV 3-4 The Roman politician and lawyer Cicero wrote this dialogue on Roman politics between 54 and 51 BC. It purports to be a conversation between Scipio Africanus the younger and others in 129 BC. Much of the text apparently relevant to Greek love is lost. The translation is by Clinton W. Keyes in the Loeb Classical Library volume CCXIII (Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1928) with three words amended and explained in footnotes. [Speaker’s identity lost:]. . . . not only as at Sparta, where the boys learn to steal and thieve . . . . . . . . it was [considered] a disgrace to youths if they did not have lovers . . . . Scipio:. . . . . that a sexually mature male[3] should go naked. From such ancient sources are derived what we may call the foundation-stones of modesty! And how absurd their system of exercise for the young[4] in gymnasiums! How far from rigorous is their system of military training for the ephebi! How free and easy are their contacts and love relations! To say nothing of the Eleans and Thebans, among whom lust is actually given free rein in the relations of free men, the Spartans themselves, who give every freedom to love relations with young males[5] except that of actual defilement, protect only by a very thin wall this one exception; for, providing only that cloaks be interposed, they allow embraces and the sharing of the bed. [3] . . . non modo ut Spartae, rapere ubi pueri et clepere discunt. . . . . . . opprobrio fuisse adulescentibus, si amatores non haberent. . . . [4] Scipio: . . . . nudari puberem. ita sunt alte repetita quasi fundamenta quaedam verecundiae. iuventutis vero exercitatio quam absurda in gymnasiis! quam levis epheborum illa militia! quam contrectationes et amores soluti et liberi! mitto apud Eleos et Thebanos, apud quos in amore ingenuorum libido etiam permissam habet et solutam licentiam; Lacedaemonii ipsi, cum omnia concedunt in amore iuvenum praeter stuprum, tenui sane muro dissaepiunt id quod excipiunt; conplexus enim concubitusque permittunt palliis interiectis. Gymnastic Exercises of the Spartan Youth Januarius Nepotianus, Epitome of the Book of Valerius Maximus XV 19 The obscure Nepotianus wrote his epitome of Valerius’s partially lost early 1st century AD Nine Books of Memorable Deeds and Sayings in probably late 4th century. In this chapter XV “On the manners of diverse peoples”, he has just mentioned the sexual practise of Eleans and Thebans with boys: The Lakedaimonians permit kisses and lying together, however with cloaks thrown between. Lacedaemonii osculorum licentiam dedere et concubitus, verum palliis interiectis. Plutarch, Life of Lykourgos This biography of the legendary Lykourgos, who was believed to have given Sparta her laws in the 9th century BC, was written by Plutarch at the beginning of the second century AD, as one of his Parallel Lives. The quoted passages are about these enduring laws, so Lykourgos’ questionable status as truly historical has no bearing on their relevance. The translation is by Bernadotte Perrin in the Loeb Classical Library volume XLVI (Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1914). XVII 1 Here Plutarch is describing what happened to Spartan boys “when they were twelve years old”: When the boys reached this age, they were favoured with the society of lovers from among the reputable young men. Ἤδη δὲ τοῖς τηλικούτοις ἐρασταὶ τῶν εὐδοκίμων νέων συνανεστρέφοντο· XVIII 4 The boys’ lovers also shared with them in their honour or disgrace; and it is said that one of them was once fined by the magistrates because his favourite boy had let an ungenerous cry escape him while he was fighting. Moreover, though this sort of love was so approved among them that even the maidens found lovers in good and noble women, still, there was no jealous rivalry in it, but those who fixed their affections on the same boys made this rather a foundation for friendship with one another, and persevered in common efforts to make their loved one as noble as possible. Ἐκοινώνουν δὲ οἱ ἐρασταὶ τοῖς παισὶ τῆς δόξης ἐπ᾿ ἀμφότερα· καὶ λέγεταί ποτε παιδὸς ἐν τῷ μάχεσθαι φωνὴν ἀγεννῆ προεμένου ζημιωθῆναι τὸν ἐραστὴν ὑπὸ τῶν ἀρχόντων. οὕτω δὲ τοῦ ἐρᾶν ἐγκεκριμένου παρ᾿ αὐτοῖς, ὥστε καὶ τῶν παρθένων ἐρᾶν τὰς καλὰς καὶ ἀγαθὰς γυναῖκας, τὸ ἀντερᾶν οὐκ ἦν, ἀλλὰ μᾶλλον ἀρχὴν ἐποιοῦντο φιλίας πρὸς ἀλλήλους οἱ τῶν αὐτῶν ἐρασθέντες, καὶ διετέλουν κοινῇ σπουδάζοντες ὅπως ἄριστον ἀπεργάσαιντο τὸν ἐρώμενον. Claudius Aelianus, Historical Miscellany, III 10 & 12. Aelian was a Roman writer of the early 3rd century AD, who nevertheless wrote in Greek. His Historical Miscellany is a series of anecdotes from older writers. [This anecdote is dated “some time later” than the death of Cyrus the younger, which occurred in 401 BC., so early in the 4th century. The translation is by Nigel G. Wilson in the Loeb Classical Library volume CDLXXXVI (Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1997) with four amendments explained in footnotes. Though I have many other good things to report of the Spartan ephors, there is one I have chosen to mention now. When one of the handsome boys[6] in their society chose a rich lover in preference to one who was poor but of good character, they imposed a fine, punishing, it would seem, the desire for possessions by a monetary penalty. And any man of good appearance and character who did not fall in love with someone well-bred was also fined, because despite his excellence he did not love anyone. It was clear that he could have made his beloved, and perhaps even another man, similar to himself. Lovers’ affection for their beloved has a remarkable power of stimulating the virtues, if the former are themselves worthy of respect. In fact there is also a Spartan law, that when a boy[7] commits a misdemeanour, the ephors are indulgent to a naive character and to the inexperience of youth, but they punish his lover instead, because they require lovers to watch and control what the young do. […] Spartan boys are not overbearing or arrogant towards their lovers. It is possible to see that they behave in the opposite way to attractive boys[8] in other societies, from this evidence. They themselves ask their lovers to inspire[9] them; this is a Spartan word, meaning precisely “to love.” Spartan love has nothing shameful about it. For whether a boy is rash enough to submit to outrage[10] or a lover dares to go too far, neither of them profits by having brought dishonour to Sparta. They either abandon their country or, what is more serious, life itself. [10] Περὶ τῶν ἐν Λακεδαίμονι ἐφόρων πολλὰ μὲν καὶ ἄλλα εἰπεῖν καλὰ ἔχω, ἃ δ᾿ οὖν προῄρημαι νῦν ἐρῶ ταῦτα. ὅτε τις τῶν παρ᾿ αὐτοῖς καλῶν πλούσιον ἐραστὴν εἵλετο τοῦ χρηστοῦ πένητος, ἐπέβαλον αὐτῷ χρήματα, κολάζοντες ὡς ἔοικε τὴν φιλοχρηματίαν τῇ τῶν χρημάτων ζημίᾳ. ἄλλον δέ τινα ἄνδρα καλὸν κἀγαθὸν οὐδενὸς ἐρῶντα τῶν καλῶς πεφυκότων καὶ τοῦτον ἐζημίωσαν, ὅτι χρηστὸς ὢν οὐδενὸς ἤρα· δῆλον γὰρ ὡς ὅμοιον ἂν ἑαυτῷ κἀκεῖνον ἀπέφηνεν, ἴσως δ᾿ ἂν καὶ ἄλλον. δεινὴ γὰρ ἡ τῶν ἐραστῶν πρὸς τὰ παιδικὰ εὔνοια ἀρετὰς ἐνεργάσασθαι, ὅταν αὐτοὶ σεμνοὶ ὦσιν· ἐπεί τοι Λακωνικὸς καὶ οὗτος νόμος, ὅταν ἁμάρτῃ μειράκον, τῇ μὲν ἀφελείᾳ τοῦ τρόπου καὶ τῷ νεαρῷ τῆς ἡλικίας συγγινώσκουσι, τὸν δὲ ἐραστὴν ὑπὲρ αὐτοῦ κολάζουσιν, ἐπιγνώμονας αὐτοὺς καὶ ἐξεταστὰς ὧν ἐκεῖνοι πράττουσι κελεύοντες εἶναι. [12] Οὔκ εἰσι θρυπτικοὶ πρὸς τοὺς ἐραστὰς οἱ Λακεδαιμόνιοι καλοὶ οὐδὲ ἀλαζόνες, ἐπεὶ τοὐναντίον ἢ παρὰ τοῖς ἄλλοις ὡραίοις [τὰ] ἐκ τοῦτων καταμαθεῖν ἔστιν. αὐτοὶ γοῦν δέονται τῶν ἐραστῶν εἰσπνεῖν αὐτοῖς Λακεδαιμονίων δέ ἐστιν αὕτη ἡ φωνή, ἐρᾶν δὴ λέγουσα. Σπαρτιάτης δὲ ἔρως αἰσχρὸν οὐκ οἶδεν· εἴτε γὰρ μειράκιον ἐτόλμησεν ὕβριν ὑπομεῖναι εἴτε ἐραστὴς ὑβρίσαι, ἀλλ᾿ οὐδετέροις ἐλυσιτέλησε τὴν Σπάρτην καταμιᾶναι· ἢ γὰρ τῆς πατρίδος ἀπηλλάγησαν ἢ καὶ τὸ ἔτι θερμότερον [καὶ] τοῦ βίου αὐτοῦ. Three Spartan Boys by Christoffer Wm. Eckersberg, 1812 Hesychios of Alexandria, Alphabetical Collection of all Words The otherwise unknown Hesychios compiled his Greek lexicon, the richest surviving, in the 5th century AD. The translations are this website’s. The verb λακωνιζειν is translated as “lakonise”and means to behave like a Spartan. The last four excerpts should be considered together, as their main point is to show cumulatively that the meaning of “lakonise” in a sexual context was to pedicate, and thus that the Spartans had an especially strong reputation for pedicating boys. ēta η 315 Ēlakatēra Ēlakatēra: a contest in Lakedaimon, from Ēlakatas, who was the loved-boy of Herakles, according to Sosibios. Ἠλακάτηρα Ἠλακάτηα· ἀγὸν ἐν Δακεὸαίμονι ἀπὸ Ἦλακάτου, ὃς ἢν ἐρόμενος Ἡρακλέους, οἷς φησι Σωσφως kappa κ 4735 kusolakon Aristarchos says that Kleinias was so called because he lakonised with the kusos [see next entry], and they called using loved-boys “lakonising”. κυσολάκων Ἀρίσταρχὸς φησι τὸν Πλ(ε)ινίαν οὕτω λέγεσθαι τῷ κνσᾷ λακωίςοπα. τᾶ δῦ τοῖς παιδικοῖς χρήσασθαι λακωνίζειν ἔλεγεν kusos buttocks or vulva. κυσός ἠ πυγή. ἦ γυναικεῖον αἰδοῖον lambda λ 224 lakonizein to use loved-boys. λακωνίζειν παιδίοις χρῆσθαι in the Lakonian way penetrate; practise pederasty; offer themselves [NB. this pronoun is feminine plural] to visitors, since the Lakonians guard their women less than any other people. Λακωνικὸν τρόπον τὸ περαίνειν, καὶ παιὸεραστεῖν, τὸ παρέχειν ἐσυτᾰς τοῖς ξένοις. ἥκιστα, γὰρ φυλάττουσι Λάκωνες τὰς γυναῖκας· A Spartiate Shows a Drunken Slave to his Sons by Fernand Sabatté, 1900 Photios, Lexicon s.v. κυσολάκων kusolakon Photios was a late ninth-century Patriarch of Constantinople. The translation is this website’s. The verb λακωνιζειν is "translated" as “lakonise” (behave like a Spartan), as the point of the excerpt is to convey its precise meaning in a sexual context through the context. Kleinias lakonised with the buttocks. To use loved-boys they call to lakonise, for that is how Theseus used Helen, [11] according to Aristotle.[12] ὁ Κλεινίας ὁ τῷ κυσῷ λακωνίζων· τὸ δὲ τοῖς παιδικοῖς χρῆσθαι λακωνίζειν λέγουσιν· Μελαίνῃ γὰρ Θησεὺς οὕτως ἓχρήοατο, ὡς Ἀριστοτέλης, The Souda lambda λ 62 The Souda was a 10th-century Byzantine encyclopaedia of the ancient world based on ancient sources, but with some later interpolations. The translation is from the online edition at http://www.stoa.org/sol/ lakonizon I take the Laconians' view. "Some have atticized, others have laconized." But to laconize [sc. can also mean] to make use of boys.[13] Aristophanes in Thesmophoriazusae, [14] second [edition], [sc. uses the word in this way]. Λακωνίζν τὰ τῶν Λακώνων φρονῶ. οἱ μὲν ἠττικίκασιν, οἱ δὲ λελακωνίκασι. Λακωνίζειν δὲ παιδικοῖς χρῆσθαι. Ἀριστοφάνης Θεσμοφοριαζούσαις β A Spartan Boy Observes the Effects of Drunkenness by Luigi Mussini, 1850 [1] The semi-legendary ninth-century BC Spartan, whose laws still governed Sparta in Xenophon’s time. Excerpts from his biography by Plutarch are given on this page. [2] “I.e. anally” says the translator. Thomas Hubbard in a footnote to his translation of the same passage in his Homosexuality in Greece and Rome (University of California Press, 2003), p. 78, says “In this context the reference may be to anal sex, which would be practical as a form of birth control.” [3] The Latin word here, “puberem” can mean anyone who has reached pubescence, however old, but not necessarily a “young man”, as translated by Keyes. The rather awkward “sexually mature male” has been adopted here, as it is the point: Greek males continuing to go naked in gymnasia after reaching puberty was what was remarkable to a Roman. [4] Keyes here translates “iuventutis” as “for the young men”, which is fair enough except that the term was loose and could be applied to anyone between 14 and forty or even more, though usually male. The more inclusive term “for the young” has been adopted here as safer. [5] Keyes here translates “iuvenum” as “young men”, which is fair enough except that the term was loose and could be applied to anyone between 14 and forty or even more, though usually male, as clearly implied in this case. The more inclusive term “young males” has been adopted here as safer. [6] There is no noun here in the Greek. It would most literally be translated as “the beautiful” or “the handsome”, but this fails to convey the implied maleness of the beloved. “Boys” has been adopted as a noun here instead of Wilson’s “young men” because the only word Aelian ever uses that indicates the Spartan beloved’s age is μειρακίον, which means “(adolescent) boy”, and Wilson himself translates it as “boy” in the penultimate sentence quoted. [7] The Greek word here is μειράκον, which Wilson translates as “young man” (for which the Greek is νεᾱνίᾱς), but means “(adolescent) boy”, so “boy” has been adopted here; Wilson himself translates the same word as “boy” in the penultimate sentence quoted. [9] Thomas Hubbard in a footnote to his translation of the same passage in his Homosexuality in Greece and Rome (University of California Press, 2003), p. 69, notes “The Greek word is eispnein (breathe into). Some scholars see in this term the remnant of an earlier practice of imparting wisdom and virtue through seminal injection.” [10] The word here is ὑβρίσαι, which Wilson has translated as “abuse”, here changed to “outrage”, which better conveys the shamefulness and arrogance of the perpetrator. [11] Kenneth Dover, Greek Homosexuality (Harvard, 1978) p. 188 note 6, says “Helen” is “an emendation, virtually certain, of a name [Melaine] which does not make sense.” Well before the beauty of Helen of Troy provoked the Trojan War, she was abducted by the Athenian King Theseus. Her age at the time is variously given as 7, 10 or nubile. [12] Note that this accords with Thagnon’s assertion that the Spartans pedicated unmarried girls, as cited by Athenaios above, and it may lie behind Aristotle’s negative view of Spartan women in his Politics 1269b: “They live dissolutely in regard to every kind of dissoluteness and luxuriously”. To Athenians, what was remarkable was that the position of Spartan females was anomalous to that of boys. Dover, op. cit., p. 189 says “it seems that Aristotle mentioned the idea that Theseus and Helen ‘invented’ anal intercourse, and since Helen was a Spartan heroine the original meaning of ‘lakonize’ will have been ‘have anal intercourse,’ irrespective of the sex of the person penetrated.” [13] (Sexual use is implied.) This and what follows comes from Photius, Lexicon lambda48 Theodoridis. [Note by the editor of the Suda On Line] [14] The name of two plays by Aristophanes; [Note by the editor of the Suda On Line:] date perhaps 407/6.	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line749
__label__cc	0.66364	0.33636	Heavenly Recordings Ver tu lista de deseos Cerrar Ver producto entero El artículo se ha añadido a la cesta Terms and Conditions of Supply This site uses cookies. Cookies are files that are downloaded to your computer, to improve your experience. For more information on cookies see the Wikipedia article on HTTP Cookies. We use cookies for a variety of reasons detailed below. Disabling cookies will impact the functionality and features of this site. You can prevent the setting of cookies by adjusting the settings on your browser (see your browser Help for how to do this). Be aware that disabling cookies may affect the functionality of this website. If you create an account then we will use cookies for the management of the signup process and general administration. These cookies will usually be deleted when you log out however in some cases they may remain afterwards to remember your site preferences when logged out. We use cookies when you are logged in so that we can remember this fact. This prevents you from having to log in every single time you visit a new page. To provide you with a great experience on this site we provide the functionality to identify you and set your preferences for how this site runs when you use it. In order to remember your preferences we need to set cookies so that this information can be called whenever you interact with a page is affected by your preferences. In some special cases we also use cookies provided by trusted third parties. These include: Google Analytics which provides an analytics solution to help us to understand how you use the site and ways that we can improve your experience. These cookies may track things such as how long you spend on the site and the pages that you visit so we can continue to produce engaging content. For more information on Google Analytics cookies, see the official Google Analytics page. The Google AdSense service we use to serve advertising uses a DoubleClick cookie to serve more relevant ads across the web and limit the number of times that a given ad is shown to you. For more information on Google AdSense see the official Google AdSense privacy FAQ. The Facebook pixel to gather visitor behaviour data, including which pages are visited and the actions taken. This may be used to serve Facebook ads. For more information about the Facebook pixel see Facebook's official site. These types of cookies allow us to provide you with content that we feel may be of interest to you. We also use social media buttons and/or plugins on this site that allow you to connect with your social network in various ways. For these to work the following social media sites including; Facebook, Twitter, will set cookies through our site which may be used to enhance your profile on their site or contribute to the data they hold for various purposes outlined in their respective privacy policies. If you are looking for more information you can contact us. Anterior Reproducir Pausar Siguiente features.playlist.label Cerrar	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line755
__label__cc	0.558167	0.441833	Ilya S. Swans In The News – Feb. 2012 – Live Album + More Details On “The Seer” 4th February 2012 2 The almighty Swans got more stuff on the way, following their 2011 tour! More recently, Michael Gira announced the release of We Rose From Your Bed With The Sun In Our Heads – double live album which includes both older material and tracks from an upcoming LP The Seer (the recording of which will be funded by proceeds from the sales of We Rose). As Gira points out on Young God Records website Represented in these discs are the best recordings we could provide of the (ever-evolving) shows. Those of you who attended the early shows realize that the first iterations of the music morphed and grew (seemingly with a will more expansive than our own) into something quite different by the end. This, in itself, was immensely gratifying. We also developed many new songs – or sonic events is perhaps a better way to describe some of them – along the way. In compiling these recordings and mixing them with my trusted friend and engineer Kevin McMahon (at Marcata Studio, Gardiner NY), we did our best to represent that transition… The homemade edition of 1,000 copies is currently sold out, but you can read more about the album on Quietus. See also: Letters From A Tapehead Tracklist – Disc One Intro / No Words No Thoughts The Apostate Yr. Property Sex God Sex Tracklist – Disc Two The Seer (Intro) I Crawled Eden Prison Ave B. Blues / Little Mouth The Mother Of The World The Daughter Brings The Water Piece Of The Sky And as for The Seer itself… On July 12, 2011 Swans completed the first recording phase of their new album (as yet untitled). The recordings took place in Berlin, Germany, at Studio P4 in the former East Berlin radio station complex, and at Einsturzende Neubauten’s old studio, Andere Bausteller (see links below). Kevin McMahon (of Marcata Recording in Gardiner New York) came to Berlin to record the band. Recordings will resume at Marcata in early October, when Swans conclude their year-plus World Tour. The album will be released in early 2012. Fans who have seen the recent Swans show will be familiar with some of the new material, which has been developing throughout the tour. They’ll also be aware that a few of the songs are now over 30 minutes in length, making their live set a comfortable 2 ½ hours long. As it turns out, the new album will likely approach that length as well. Michael Gira (who is producing the album) has yet to decide in what format(s) the album will be made available. The album will be released through Young God Records. Howlin Wuelf Media Tracks on the upcoming album will include A Piece Of The Sky, The Apostate (a.k.a. Lady Gaga Song), Avatar, Lunacy, Mother Of The World, The Daughter Brings The Water and The Seer. See also: Show Review – Sir Richard Bishop + Wovenhand + Swans at Royale Boston (09.29.11) Swans Special on I Heart Noise Swans – Details on New Album + Live Videos for "Avatar" & "The Apostate" Guilty By Association – Swans / Body Lovers / Body Haters Swans Special Overview New/Upcoming Music Releases – A Place To Bury Strangers, Tera Melos, Swans Upcoming Music Releases – Swans – My Father Will Guide Me Up a Rope to the Sky Latest posts by Ilya S. (see all) 2020 in Review // Favorite Compilations of Vogon Laundromat - 17th January 2021 2020 in Review // Mix by Superpolar Taips - 16th January 2021 2020 in Review // Mixes by Andrew Anderson - 16th January 2021 Breanna B. Just wanted to say I'm getting a syntax error when I view your site, you should take a look. Other than that, "I crawled" is definitely my favorite. =] An extraordinary share, I just given this to a cowoekrr who was conducting a little analysis on this. And the man in fact ordered me dinner because I stumbled upon it to get him.. teeth. So allow me to reword that: Thnx for your treat! Although yeah Thnkx pertaining to spending any time to discuss this specific, I feel passionately about it along with love reading through more on this kind of topic. Whenever possible, as you become know-how, would you thoughts updating your blog site with more details? It is hugely helpful for me personally. Big thumb up with this blog post! New Music Releases – January 2012 Mon Feb 6 , 2012 Spread the love New music from APTBS, Nurse With Wound, Zomes and more! A Place To Bury Strangers – Onwards To The Wall (Dead […] A Look Back At 2011 – Earth’s Tour Diary + Overview of “Angels I” While Earth is currently preparing to release the second installment… Cresta Posts Box by CP	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line760
__label__wiki	0.764882	0.764882	Conan Exiles Gets Free Frozen North Update Soon Winter is coming to the game. byEvan Campbell Posted Aug. 7, 2017, 1:25 a.m. The first expansion for Conan Exiles, called The Frozen North, will arrive August 16 on PC and Xbox One. The free update will bring a large new frosty landmass to the game. Developer Funcom says it'll make Conan Exiles 70 percent bigger. The Frozen North not only offers a new climate, but a new religion, an additional crafting system with brewing, and fresh mechanics like beekeeping and cooking. Conan Exiles creative director Joel Bylos touched on other enhancements in a press release, saying The Frozen North "brings with it significant improvements to core aspects of the game, such as combat, artificial intelligence and more.” The game is currently available on Steam Early Access. Conan Exiles, along with The Frozen North update, will come out August 16 on Xbox One, with the full release hitting those platforms and PlayStation 4 early next year. For more, check out 13 things to do first in Conan Exiles. Evan Campbell is a freelance writer who scripts the Daily Fix, streams games on his Twitch channel, and chats about movies and TV series on Twitter.	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line763
__label__cc	0.679303	0.320697	Poem with you Incometec – Latest News For You! IncomeTec Home Technology Samsung Galaxy M31s is coming to India on July 30 Samsung Galaxy M31s is coming to India on July 30 Parthosarathi Das Samsung Galaxy M31s is coming to India on July 30: Everything is competing within the current market. At that point, Samsung Galaxy gave excellent news for mobile lovers again. we’ve used or are using Samsung Galaxy M31 before. Samsung Galaxy M31s is coming to the Indian market. this point the launch date of this phone is understood in India. it’ll have lunch at 12 noon on July 30. Amazon India has posted a teaser today stating that the Galaxy M31S is coming to India on July 30. Not only that, but Amazon India has also released special features of this phone with the teaser. The Galaxy M31s will have a 6,000 mAh battery, Monster shots 64-megapixel quad camera setup. According to another news, the Samsung Galaxy M31S is going to be available in India from Amazon and Samsung.com. you’ll also buy the phone offline from the company’s mercantile establishment. watching an image of this phone recently, it’s known that the phone will accompany an L-shaped quad rear camera. it’s going to have an in-display fingerprint sensor for security. Its display design is going to be a punch hole. This phone from Samsung was spotted on the benchmark site GeekBench a couple of days ago. The Galaxy M31S was included within the site with Exynos 9611 processor and 6 GB RAM. it’ll have an AMOLED display with HD Plus resolution. Samsung has always launched the M series within the budget and mid-budget ranges. Come on, this phone also will are available 16-20 thousand rupees. You can book online. At GeekBench, the phone scored 347 points within the single-core test and 1,256 points within the multi-core test. The upcoming Galaxy M31s phone will accompany a 64-megapixel quad rear camera setup. Again, there could also be a 32-megapixel camera on the front. This phone will accompany Samsung’s single tech feature, which allows the user to require many pictures during a single shot. The phone will work on Android 10. it’ll use 15-watt fast charging technology. The phone can accompany a 6.4-inch display. Samsung smartphone Previous articleVodafone launches the eSIM facility in India Next articleLaunched at a low price is the Infinix Smart 4 Plus, with a 6,000 mAh battery https://incometec.com Parthosarathi Das is the author of Bollywood & Hollywood and the Co-Founder of ‘Incometec Latest News'. He writes about Entertainment & Technology, Youth related topics. Hyundai’s upcoming Electric Vehicle Priced Under Rs. 10 Lakh with 200 Km mileage Benelli Imperiale 400: Benelli is offering its powerful bike Imperiale 400 BS6 with Rs 4,999 per month Smartphone: The best mobile Non-Chinese phone less than Rs 10,000. How to Making Extra Income From Home? The way the phone is viewed affects the sex and height: The most surprising health benefit of wood apple Fans will have to wait a bit longer for the ‘Avatar’ sequel,James Cameron has... Incometec Latest News is your news, entertainment, music fashion, Health care website. We provide you with the latest breaking news and the entertainment industry. Hyundai’s upcoming Electric Vehicle Priced Under Rs. 10 Lakh with 200... Home Remedies for Ringworm: These home remedies are great for curing... Benelli Imperiale 400: Benelli is offering its powerful bike Imperiale... © Incometec	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line764
__label__cc	0.745497	0.254503	The President must keep the veto pen handy Fight for the Bush Budget mmoore The budget that President Bush presented to Congress last week was the most fiscally conservative blueprint of his presidency so far–which unfortunately is not high praise. With luck, this budget document is the beginning of a new, more financially sound course for the Republicans in Washington. In his first term, President Bush enacted budgets that were among the most fiscally reckless in a quarter century. The budget grew at twice the pace that it did under Bill Clinton. The Reaganite tight-fisted rhetoric of the Bush Administration in the first term was belied by the reality of the fiscal meltdown in Washington. Bloated Bush budgets, which were only padded with more grease and fat by Congress, created spending growth not matched by any President since LBJ, and a soaring budget deficit of $400 billion. New Restraint Bush’s new budget is a departure from the budget bloat and carefree spending ways of 2001-2004. If Bush sticks to his guns on this budget, federal domestic outlays will grow at a slower pace than at anytime since the mid-1990s. The budget calls for the elimination of more than 100 wasteful and obsolete programs ranging from vocational education grants to wasteful urban renewal grants for cities to Amtrak subsidies. Domestic spending would grow at less than inflation and some agencies, such as Energy and Housing and Urban Development, would see overdue deep cuts. Fiscal conservatives can legitimately complain that the $2.6-trillion budget is still too spendthrift at a time when we are still fighting the Iraq War and a War on Terrorism. As a Cato Institute analysis reveals, there are additional funds in this budget request for a multitude of domestic policy agencies and bureaus that the federal government has no business spending money on. There is $260 million for coal research subsidies, $28 billion more for college student aid, $300 million more for the NASA Mars project, and $1.5 billion for high school aid. The foreign aid budget would rise by 22% under what the White House calls its “leanest budget yet.” Thanks to all the new school initiatives, spending on the Department of Education will now exceed $64 billion–more than twice its spending level in 1995. Bush budget chief Josh Bolten says this budget will help rein in out-of-control health care expenditures, but the Medicare budget balloons by almost 8%. Meanwhile, the Medicare prescription drug bill enacted over the protests of fiscal conservatives in Congress only18 months ago has just been re-estimated to cost an extra $100 billion over the next decade. Bush says rightly that he wants to cut back on farm payments in this budget (limiting payments to any farmer to $250,000 a year). But wait. Just three years ago he signed into law the most expensive pork-laden farm bill in American history. But on the biggest federal program of all, Social Security, Bush wants to move power out of the bureaucracy and into the hands of the individual workers. Bravo. This is the one golden light in the President’s budget, and if he succeeds, big government will never be the same again as several hundred billion dollars a year is returned to taxpayers. The key to the Bush budget is enforcement and a steely commitment to holding Congress to these spending totals–and not a dime more. Bush needs to defend this budget with a sharpened budget veto knife. Otherwise the budget isn’t worth the 892 pages that it’s printed on. Winning this fight is critical to the conservative movement and the future of Republican governance. The GOP has lost credibility with the public at large, and conservatives in particular, over their stewardship of the budget. Of course, the Bush Administration has been forced to fight the war on terrorism, and that has been a costly, but absolutely necessary, war to fight. But the increase in funding for guns has not corresponded with a reduction in spending on butter. That has meant debt-laden budgets that have voters confused about whether Republicans still believe in smaller government. The last line of defense in this budget will have to be the House conservatives. Rep. Mike Pence, the Indiana Republican who now heads the Republican Study Committee, the organization of House conservatives, says “he and his conservative colleagues in the House will make budget restraint the very top priority in 2005. We have to re-establish our fiscal conservative credentials.” He’s right. Republicans need to prove they can pinch pennies and be good stewards of American tax dollars. They have to prove they can get rid of agencies that provide nowhere near the public benefits commensurate with their annual cost. And they have to set priorities so that the deficit can be cut in half as President Bush has promised. The Bush budget is a promising start to the fiscal debate. It includes the vital policy goals of the next 18 months: winning the war against terrorism, restraining domestic social spending, making tax cuts permanent, slashing the deficit in half and creating a real New Deal for Social Security. That’s a full plate for the Republicans. But it was precisely to achieve these goals that conservatives have worked so hard to secure the Republican majorities in the House and Senate. So, yes, Bush’s budget is worth Republicans’ fighting for. Whether they do or not will go a long way toward determining whether the GOP deserves the governmental power that they have been entrusted with. Sign Form 180: ‘Black Leadership’ and Media’s Obsession with Racism Blinds Them to Progress Written By mmoore Mr. Moore is HUMAN EVENTS' economics correspondent and an economist at the Cato Institute. Texas AG launches investigation into Big Tech bias and discrimination against conservative voices	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line768
__label__cc	0.749015	0.250985	Directors / Staff Family Mentoring Support Ministries StandByMe Student Mentoring Operation Love Thy Neighbor Activities Response Partners VISION DAY '21 Hill Country Daily Bread Ministries Our mission: To help unite and equip the Body of Christ with food, resources, and training necessary to transform our communities and the lives of those in poverty and need through the love and saving grace of Jesus Christ. become a partnerdonatevolunteercalendar We join you in praying for the people and families who have been affected by Hurricane Harvey. Because of your support as volunteers and donors, we are able to partner with the Red Cross, your local community leaders, and area churches to serve as an official drop-off location for essential resources that will be delivered to the affected areas and shelters. Your support allows for these resources to reach those directly impacted. YOU can continue to make an impact by: Donating Food and Essential Items to our warehouse at 38 Cascade Caverns Rd: Water and Gatorade Canned Food Items (tuna, chicken) Donations are being accepted Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Volunteering at Hill Country Daily Bread: Receiving and Building Care Packages of Donated Items – Contact Lyn at 830.755.5200 Please call our office at 830-755-5200 with any questions, or to schedule time to volunteer. We will be posting regular updates on our Facebook page. Thank you for continuing to be obedient to the Lord’s calling as we all join together to help our fellow Texans. (830) 755-5200 • information@hillcountrydailybread.org Website by Rudkin Productions.	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line773
__label__cc	0.710257	0.289743	academic reorganization · Audre Lorde · feminist communities · guest post · writing Guest post: It’s Personal March 6, 2017 April 18, 2017 erinewunker by Marie Carrière I am on a half-sabbatical leave from my university. And lo and behold, I am working on a book! In a nutshell, my reflection focuses on our present, or late, feminist moment that I call metafeminism. Here is how I am defining metafeminism: I find the idea ensconced in the prefix meta central to understanding this moment; it delineates the reflections and deflections of the several recognizable faces of feminism with which Western culture has grown familiar. Such vacillation of feminism’s tropes, waves, and manifestations is at the heart of my understanding of metafeminism. But I want to slow down, and I want to write differently. In Feminism is for Everybody, bell hooks argues that revolutionary feminist theory – meant to inform masses of people and transform the societies we live in – is not, ironically enough, readily available or accessible to a non academic public. It “remains a privileged discourse,” hooks writes, “available to those among us who are highly literate, well-educated, and usually materially privileged.” This is more than a fair point. But unlike hooks’ work here, my essay cannot claim to address anybody other than those already with an interest in feminist thought and writing. I cannot claim nor do I want to pretend that the book I’m writing is not an academically driven project. It stems from my long-standing research into contemporary feminism, especially of the late twentieth century and new millennium. But I am looking to break with the monographic tradition that continues to render so much academic writing, including my own, relevant only to… academic reading and yet more academic writing… I look to also speak to skilled readers and certainly to students curious about feminism’s trajectories through thought and literature. Of course I am not writing in a generic vacuum with no history. The French essai is a literary genre of writing that comes close to what I have in mind for my book. I’m not sure that “essay” is the most accurate English equivalent. But for now, I’ll take it, with a few qualifications. The online Larousse defines the French term essai as follows: ouvrage regroupant des réflexions diverses ou traitant un sujet qu’il ne prétend pas épuiser; genre littéraire constitué par ce type d’ouvrages […] action entreprise en vue de réaliser, d’obtenir quelque chose, sans être sûr du résultat ; tentative. This definition appeals to me. Not only does it help me understand how I might distance my work from the comprehensiveness of the standard academic monograph. It helps me imagine how a personalized (but not, in my case, intimate or confessional) academic essay might take shape and give rise to a different form of scholarly writing. Simply put, how might I say I in my academic writing? So “simply put,” that when I read out this last sentence to S., my 13-year old daughter, she replied, “It’s not hard, Maman. We learn that in first grade.” What I haven’t yet explained to S. is that figuring out how to say I, as a woman, within the academy, even from a tenured, white, cis gender privileged position like my own, is not that simple. Although writing in the first person as a woman will not, of course, automatically produce more accessible scholarship, I still hope that in this essay it might give rise to a different form of scholarly writing. How might I say I in an academic book project and write from a place of intellectual feeling, of literary sensation, and of feminist care? How might I tap into what Audre Lorde describes as a “disciplined attention to the true meaning of ‘it feels right to me’?” Ann Cvetkovich’s remarkable 2012 book, Depression: A Public Feeling is, unlike my own, partly written in the form of the academic memoir, laying out her personal struggle with depression. Of note is what I would call the metafeminist “rapprochement with legacies of 1970s feminism such as consciousness-raising, personal narrative, and craft” that Cvetkovich recognizes in her blending of memoir and criticism. As in metafeminism, there are in fact multiple sites of influence in Cvetkovich’s work. She also acknowledges the legacy of a generation of feminists including bell hooks, Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick, and Jane Gallop who have continued the trend of personal academic writing. And she harks back to the influence of a more marginal feminist confessional zine culture of the early 1990s. And so, perhaps that’s the big deal (with affection, ma fille): I too would like my own personalized essay to be a kind of rapprochement to these different expressions of feminist thought. To recall a context closer to home, the fiction theories (or fictions théoriques) practiced by feminist and queer Québécois writers in the 1970s (Bersianik, Brossard, Théoret) and their Anglo-Canadian counterparts in the 1980s (Brandt, Marlatt, Tostevin) also serve as my models. (A girl can dream, especially during a thought experiment.) I discovered these texts during my undergraduate studies in my early twenties, delving deeper into them in graduate school. Bringing together anglophone and francophone influences has allowed this bilingual feminist room to dream across borders and boundaries. In a sense, these texts have been my feminist super-egos, my propédeutique to literary understanding, my entry into feminist ethics. With their blend of female subjectivity, feeling, creative reflection, and aesthetic experimentation, these authors started to write at an exceptional time in Québécois and Canadian literature, which I examined in my first book (a monograph!). Since then, some, though not numerous, Canadian works of more recent personal criticism by women (Lee Maracle, Catherine Mavrikakis, Andrea Oberhuber, or Erin Wunker) have followed in this vein. Finally, just as Cvetkovich’s turn to the confessional in her critical work on affect fittingly sets out to raise public consciousness through the expression of personal experience and emotion, my own personalized essay, like metafeminism, hopes to fittingly oscillate between various manifestations, or waves, of feminist theory and practice. Further to the resistance of academic exhaustiveness in my adoption of the personalized essay is perhaps the issue of exhaustion itself. Attributing the appeal of personal memoir in criticism to humanities scholarship’s affective turn (Clough; Gregg and Seigworth), Cvetkovich entertains the idea of personalized academic writing “as a sign of either the exhaustion of theory or its renewed life.” I find the idea very provocative. But I’m also a bit loathe to pigeonhole theory in those terms. I refuse to believe that theory is exhausting, exhausted, or even exhaustive. Theory, I try to reassure my students (to a variable degree of success), is just theory: a thought experiment, a set of principles, a string of ideas; it’s always historical with a material context, and to an attentive reader willing to take a few risks and work a little harder, it should be no more daunting than any other narrative. But I do think there is room for deeper thinking about why more open forms of theoretical writing, that draw from intimate experience and personal understanding, might be apt at this time in feminist, indeed metafeminist, work. I’m thinking especially of theory that draws from intimate experience and personal understanding, and adopts a jargon-free, intelligible, fathomable language. In what is still a profoundly scholarly meditation on the socio-cultural aspects of depression, Cvetkovich’s book, particularly its “depression journals” segment, is as personal and readable as it is intellectually engaging. This work also falls in line with other recent turns to academic memoir, such as Maggie Nelson’s brilliant feminist “autotheory” in The Argonauts, at the heart of which she traces her relationship with her fluidly gendered partner, her experience of queer pregnancy, and her realization that pregnancy is queer. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s personal essay We Should All be Feminists, adapted from her TEDx talks of the same title, is in turn an attempt to free feminism from stereotypical notions that Adichie grew up with in Nigeria and still encounters in American culture. (And this is before that orange fuckface entered politics.) Wunker in turn writes, in her own words, at the “interstices of critical and literary theory, pop culture, and feminist thinking” in Notes from a Feminist Killjoy. She posits her use of the pronoun I as a personal and intellectual gesture of positioning herself, textually and socially, as a white privileged woman writing about feminism in Canada today. Most recent is Sara Ahmed’s highly anticipated, Living a Feminist Life, an academic memoir that Ahmed began to construct through her ongoing blog, feministkilljoys.com. To my mind, these works are not exhibiting theoretical exhaustion. They are brazen, filled with admirable feminist boldness, as they pursue the more open forms of writing that may, from a neoliberal standpoint, be slowing them down, and that the neoliberal university may not be ready to fully acknowledge. But these are forms that feminism today – whether intersectional, queer, or oriented around affect studies – fully warrants. Given the accumulation of its multiple variables and directions, metafeminism, to hark back to hooks’ argument, “needs to be written in a range of styles and formats.” I would love to continue to see feminist writing that loosens, as do the works mentioned above, age-old boundaries separating the academic and the personal, or the scholarly and the accessible. I believe such efforts can address the need for stylistic diversity and enrich both a common reading experience and a more specialized scholarly one. It’s difficult not to notice as well the early second-wave mantra of “the personal is political” being powerfully re-invoked by works like Nelson’s or Cvetkovich’s. Hence my argument that my book, my personalized essay is an attempt, my attempt, at a metafeminist form of academic writing. This project is also an attempt to figure out how my scholarly learning, which is always in process, can breathe life, or let life breathe, into forms of expression that fall outside of strict or standard academic norms of writing. Finally, and maybe this is (too) brazen on my own part, but could these personalized moments in my writing be a form of queering such norms? Through Nelson’s own take, I recall Sedgwick’s controversial notion of queer as encompassing various kinds of disruptions and subversions. “Queer is a continuing moment, movement, motive – recurrent, eddying, troublant […] relational, and strange,” writes Sedgwick, to which Nelson adds: She wanted the term to be a perpetual excitement, a kind of placeholder – a nominative, like Argo, willing to designate molten or shifting parts, a means of asserting while also giving the slip. That is what reclaimed terms do – they retain, they insist on retaining, a sense of the fugitive. Meanwhile, Sedgwick also acknowledged the danger of dematerializing the term through this removal of “same-sex sexual expression” from queer’s “definitional center.” As Nelson again adds: “In other words, she wanted it both ways. There is much to be learned from wanting something both ways.” (29). That’s what metafeminism, by the way, is all about: reflecting and deflecting; having it both ways. Writing about feminism today, at least for me, craves a suppler form than the monograph allows. One that’s less exhaustive and less exhaustible, one that’s fugitive perhaps, and maybe even queer. One that wants it both ways. To write, then, an academic personalized essay. To take the unfinished wave of a scholarly attempt, and to chase the tides of feminism’s first, second, third, and even fourth movements in the texts of Canadian women writers today. Maybe a personalized essay is the only form possible for an academic study of metafeminism. Vast and extensive in historicity as well as content, metafeminism encompasses what has been referred to for some time as feminisms in the plural; it denotes those shifting parts of sexual, racial, gender, and trans identities articulated beyond the normative categories of a very old and very persistent patriarchal tradition. Perhaps metafeminism’s breadth, multidirectional texture, and ambivalences, indeed its queerness, already resist the monograph – the highly detailed, authoritative, legitimized account of a single thing. Perhaps only the essai personnalisé, with its open process and its desire to give academic discipline the slip, will do. Marie Carrière directs the Canadian Literature Centre at the University of Alberta where she also teaches literature in English and in French. Her most recent publication is a critical anthology co-edited with Curtis Gillespie and Jason Purcell, Ten Canadian Writers in Context. Previous Post Going old school: the return of pen and paper Next Post From Dissertation to Book: Doing Your Research	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line778
__label__wiki	0.803484	0.803484	Here Are 5 Sexy Pics of Marwan Kenzari, the Actor Playing Jafar in Disney’s ‘Aladdin’ Written by Daniel Villarreal on August 6, 2017 This post is also available in: Español Português ไทย 繁體中文 In mid-July 2017, Disney announced that Egyptian born actor (and eye-candy) Mena Massoud will play the hero in their live-action remake of their 1992 animated film Aladdin. But now they’ve cast the role of the villain and many web commenters are saying that he’s even sexier than the hero — lucky for them, shirtless and nude pics of him exist online. The Hollywood Reporter states that 34-year-old Dutch-born Tunisian-descended actor Marwan Kenzari is in negotiations to play Jafar, the villainous magician and Grand Vizier who tries to overpower Aladdin, wed Princess Jasmine and control the entire fictionl kingdom of Agrabah. Although Kenzari is not yet mega-famous, he has already appeared in a number of high-profile American films such as the 2016 remake of Ben Hur, the 2016 action film Collide, the 2017 action flop The Mummy and the upcoming star-studded mystery film Murder on the Orient Express. RELATED \| Critics Call Disney’s Aladdin Racist. Will Its Live-Action Version Fix It? Kenzari will star in the live-action remake of Aladdin alongside Naomi Scott from Power Rangers as Jasmine and Will Smith as the Genie. The film will also star former Saturday Night Live comedienne Nasim Pedrad in the role of Mara, handmaiden and friend to Princess Jasmine. While Mara did not appear in the 1992 animated film, her newly added character will provide comedic support. Web commenters have already started lusting over sexy pics of Kenzari, making comments like “Jafar can get as Jaclose to me as he wants” and “Well, it looks like I’ll be rooting for Jafar in the live action Aladdin.” Looking at his pics below, it’s easy to see why. If you like seeing him shirtless, you may be interested to know that he also appeared completely nude in the 2014 action film Reckless. In his nude scene, he defends himself from a gun attack despite being naked and chained to bed. To see video of the scene, head to this NSFW site or this NSFW site or you can view way too many stills from it at this janky blogger.com site. RELATED \| ‘Real Life’ Disney Princes Are Really Hot (Like, For Real) You can also watch Kenzari work out in this video below for Men’s Health magazine. You better watch your butt, Aladdin. Disney NSFW These 12 Pics of Mena Massoud, Disney's Live-Action Aladdin, Will Take You to a Whole New World	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line779
__label__wiki	0.730981	0.730981	Coronavirus 🦠 in Argentina 🇷🇺🇬🇧🇺🇦 🦠COVID-19 в Аргентине Coronavirus in Argentina today – latest statistics and news of in Argentina Cases 1,799,243 Deaths 45,407 Recovered 1,583,465 Critical 3,547-31 Active cases 170,371 Tests 5,551,195+39591 Mortality 2.52%about 25 people per 1000 infected * according to 18.01.2021 17:19 In Argentina there are 1.88%, 1,799,243 people, of all the tested coronavirus cases in the world. Of these 3,547 people were in serious or critical condition, 45,407 deaths, 1,583,465 recovered, according to the latest data, 170,371 people are ill According to January 18, 2021, a total of 95,568,796 people were infected in the world, 68,281,022 recovered, 2,041,472 died, 25,246,302 people are now ill How many cases coronavirus in Argentina The graph shows the stats of patients with coronavirus in the region, you can follow the daily changes, including deaths and recoveries. Remember that some countries provide data for yesterday, that is, the chart will not show cases on this day, but for the previous one. The yellow line shows current patients in Argentina, this is an important parameter to determine whether the disease is on the decline or vice versa in 1.18 timesin Argentina ⇡ higher mortality, then in other countries 25 peopleon average die in Argentina per 1000 infected. In other countries, 21 people At the moment, mortality worldwide is 2.14%. However, most of these are elderly and people with chronic diseases. It is they who are called upon to protect from the disease in the first place, but in order to do this, all other people also should not be carriers and treats their health with great responsibility How many people became infected, recovered, and died in Argentina from a coronavirus by day In this chart, you can track the changes by day. Values are shown either that occurred on that day, or sent on that day from the previous one. More detailed numbers can be seen in the table below. Statistics in the table on infected in Argentina by days This table shows the dynamics of active infections, the decline and decrease daily. It should be borne in mind that the numbers indicated by day do not always mean what happened on that day, it only shows confirmed values on this date, and the event itself could be yesterday or even earlier. The columns indicate the total number of cases since the statistics were taken, plus changes with past data. Jan 18, 2021 1,799,243 45,407 — 1,583,465 —170,371 5,551,195+39591 Jan 17, 2021 1,799,243+7264+0.41% 45,407+112+0.25% 0.07% 1,583,465+10361+1% ▼170,371-3209 5,551,195+39591 Jan 16, 2021 1,791,979+8932+1% 45,295+68+0.15% 0.04% 1,573,104+11141+1% ▼173,580-2277 5,511,604+43513 Jan 15, 2021 1,783,047+12332+1% 45,227+102+0.23% 0.06% 1,561,963+12473+1% ▼175,857-243 5,468,091+52120 Jan 14, 2021 1,770,715+13286+1% 45,125+142+0.32% 0.08% 1,549,490+13067+1% ▲176,100+77 5,415,971+50729 Jan 13, 2021 1,757,429+12725+1% 44,983+135+0.3% 0.08% 1,536,423+8562+1% ▲176,023+4028 5,365,242+50648 Jan 12, 2021 1,744,704+13783+1% 44,848+194+0.43% 0.11% 1,527,861+9146+1% ▲171,995+4443 5,314,594+54031 Jan 11, 2021 1,730,921+8704+1% 44,654+159+0.36% 0.09% 1,518,715+6965+0.46% ▲167,552+1580 5,260,563+32363 Jan 10, 2021 1,722,217+7808+0.46% 44,495+78+0.18% 0.05% 1,511,750+7420+0.49% ▲165,972+310 5,228,200+38365 Jan 9, 2021 1,714,409+11057+1% 44,417+144+0.33% 0.09% 1,504,330+9434+1% ▲165,662+1479 5,189,835+31990 Show all days * "0" or "-" may mean that no data The dynamics of recoveries and deaths from coronavirus in Argentina by days Argentina and other countries in compared to January 18, 2021 How many infected in neighboring countries 172798 137704 9351 8105790 7144011 203100 115026 90547 2387 Coronavirus is the hardest test for the whole world. He appeared in China in the city of Wuhan, Hubei Province in December 2019. But in February 2020, China said that the virus was almost defeated on the territory of the country, at the time the sick people were declared sick, there were more than 80,000 people who were infected all the time, who were tested. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced a pandemic worldwide, and on March 13 announced that Europe has become a center of coronavirus infection. The official names for the virus are: SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, or 2019-nCoV. One of the very first affected countries was Italy, with a mortality rate of over 10% Charts and tables with data on infected people are built on the basis of data from various sources, such as: Johns Hopkins University, Worldometer, Стопкоронавирус.рф * This website and its contents, including all data, mapping, graphs and analysis (the “Website”), is provided for informational purposes only, without using information from it anywhere. Our Website relies on publicly available data from several sources that are not always reliable. We hereby disclaim all representations and warranties with respect to the Website, including accuracy, suitability for use and any commercial and medical suitability. Using the Website for medical guidance or for commercial purposes is strictly prohibited. Horosho-Tam	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line781
__label__wiki	0.645668	0.645668	HorseTalkUK.com Showcasing horse racing in London and the south east Horse Talk Simon Jackson Featured Racecourses Nearby Racecourses Fontwell Park Plumpton Racecards & Results Discounted tickets Offers and competitions The Latest Odds Champion trainer John Gosden to cap great season with Golden Horn in Breeders’ Cup Simon Jackson / October 26, 2015 John Gosden was joined by Frankie Dettori when he was crowned champion trainer for the 2014-15 season. (Pic: Courtesy of Great British Racing). By Simon Jackson. John Gosden was crowned British Champion Flat trainer for the 2014-15 season at a presentation at Doncaster Racecourse on Saturday. Gosden has won £5.2million in prize money this season, in a campaign highlighted by the victories of Golden Horn in the Investec Derby and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. The Newmarket handler is currently more than £1.5million clear of his nearest rival, Richard Fahey, with two weeks of the current season that ends on November 7 remaining. The trophy presentation was originally scheduled to be made at the official end of the 12 month flat season, but as Gosden – who has an unassailable lead in the championship – was not available that day, the presentation was brought forward two weeks. Gosden, who was winning the title for the second time in four years, having returned to the UK to train in 1989 after a successful stint in America, was quick to pay tribute to his owners and staff. “It’s down to three things; good horses, good owners and good staff,” Gosden said. “If you’ve got good people working with you in the stables and owners who are giving you good horses then there are only two things that can go wrong; the trainer or jockey can mess it up. And fortunately this year we only messed up the odd race.” Gosden seeks to add another high-profile victory to his tremendous season by winning the (US) $3million Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf with Golden Horn in Kentucky next Saturday (October 31). The son of Cape Cross worked at Newmarket on Wednesday ahead of his flight to America for the one mile and four furlong contest, where he is clear favourite at 1-2 from Aidan O’Brien’s Found (4-1). “Golden Horn worked this morning and we were happy with how he worked. He worked on the long gallop and Frankie Dettori was pleased with him,” Gosden said after the exercise. “The plan is for him to head out on Saturday [October 24], all being well. He has held his condition extremely well. He put the weight back on to what he was before the Arc five days after the race. “He has some constitution and that is the one thing that gives us hope racing this late in the year with him.” Gosden’s comments precede news today that Golden Horn has arrived in America, where he is currently stabled in a quarantine barn in Keeneland, Kentucky. Reports from America suggest that his first expected day of training in the USA will be Tuesday, October 27. Read ‘Horse Talk with Simon Jackson’ at London24 for the latest horse racing news. October 26, 2015 in Horse Talk. Tags: Breeders' Cup, British Champion Trainer, Frankie Dettori, Golden Horn, Investec Derby, John Gosden, Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe Treve out to evens for Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe with Paddy Power Jack Hobbs out to continue great season for John Gosden in Champion Stakes Frankie Dettori looking forward to teaming up with Enable in Coral-Eclipse ← Ed Dunlop upbeat about Trip To Paris and Red Cadeaux ahead of Melbourne Cup Many Clouds heads entries for bet365 Charlie Hall Chase on Saturday → All-Weather Championships Betfair Chase British Champions Day British Champions Series Fontwell Investec Derby Investec Oaks Jockeys' Championship Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe QIPCO 1000 Guineas Trainers' Championship Welsh Grand National	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line782
__label__cc	0.623183	0.376817	Madigan Laboratory Building 1201 West Gregory Drive Freezer Challenge "The International Laboratory Freezer Challenge promotes sample accessibility, sample integrity, reduced costs, and energy efficiency by harnessing a spirit of competition within and between laboratories. Challenge participants use well-evidenced criteria and best practices that support science quality and resilience while minimizing total costs and environmental impacts of sample storage." click the link for more information and to REGISTER: https://www.freezerchallenge.org/register.html Infrastructure Security and Energy Restoration (ISER) This program applyies the Department of Energy's technical expertise to help ensure the security, resiliency and survivability of key energy assets and critical energy infrastructure. Building Technologies Office The Building Technologies office leads a network of research and industry partners to continually develop innovative, cost-effective energy saving solutions in building design. Some of the relevant programs under the Building Technologies office include Structural and Architectural Engineering and Materials (SAEM) SAEM aims to enable sustainable buildings and other structures that can be continuously occupied and/or operated during the structure’s useful life. The SAEM program supports fundamental research for advancing knowledge and innovation in structural and architectural engineering and materials that promotes a holistic approach to analysis and design, construction, operation, maintenance, retrofit, and repair of structures. FY09 RCx During the second year of Retrocommissioning (RCx), a second team was added in January 2009. The motto was now "Saving the Planet Two Buildings at a Time." In this fiscal year, the RCx efforts completed seven buildings. Styrecycle: Expanded polystyrene (EPS) recycling program Dart Container at 1505 E. Main St., Urbana, accepts expanded polystyrene (EPS), more commonly known by its brand name Styrofoam, for recycling. Departments are encouraged to take EPS there to recycle this bulky material. By doing so, we can reduce the volume of waste sent from campus to landfills and avoid the harmful environmental impacts of that practice. There is no charge to drop off EPS at Dart for recycling. There is currently no central funding source to pay for transportion of EPS to Dart, so departments need to arrange transport independently. Campus Sustainability Celebration iSEE and F&S are excited to invite you to the Campus Sustainability Celebration 2020! Awards video! and news release! Here is a link to the UIUC video and media release article	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line783
__label__wiki	0.602473	0.602473	Home Politics Security Iran Arrests Some of Those behind Fakhrizadeh Assassination: Official Iran Arrests Some of Those behind Fakhrizadeh Assassination: Official A senior Iranian official says some of those involved in the assassination of eminent Iranian scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh have been identified and apprehended by the country’s security agencies. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, the special aide to Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, said masterminds and perpetrators of the terrorist act will not escape justice. In an interview with the Iranian Arabic-language Al-Alam News Network, the official noted, “As for the masterminds and perpetrators of the assassination, there is evidence suggesting Zionists were involved in the incident. But were Zionists able to do it alone and without the cooperation of, for example, the US intelligence service or another service? Definitely not,” said the official. He said in the previous cases of the assassination of Iranian scientists, it later came to light that the Israeli regime was involved in their killings. “Such evidence still exists and it is clear to our security services, and in the not-too-distant future you will see Iran take firm action and give a firm response to those ordering the assassination,” he noted. The official also touched upon the passage of the Strategic Action to Lift Sanctions Act in parliament following the assassination of Fakhrizadeh. He said MPs had been discussing the legislation since months ago, and that the slaying of the Iranian scientist “only expedited the process.” “This law is not only the Iranian parliament’s reaction to the assassination, but it is also a response to the breach of commitments by the European countries [which are signatories to the Iran nuclear deal],” he noted. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian Mohsen Fakhrizadeh All 9/11 Terrorists Came from Pompeo’s Favourite Mideast Destinations: Zarif Iran Condemns Assassination of Afghan Govt. Spokesman Iran Rejects Pompeo’s ‘Baseless’ Claim about Tehran’s Ties to Al-Qaeda Iran Condemns Massacre of Pakistani Miners, Urges Joint Fight against Terror European Parliament’s Resolution Amounts to ‘Obsequity’ to Biden: Iran	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line788
__label__cc	0.712804	0.287196	by Helen Ivory \| Nov 12, 2020 \| Featured, Poetry Boy Goes Swimming Boy dives so deep his parents can’t see him, holds his breath pulling rucksacks of air into his lungs. Under the water, his belly scraping the bottom of the pool, Boy opens his eyes and just before the chlorine-sting he sees himself fish-tailed, seaweed-slick, more mermaid than man. Boy wants to breathe through gills. Boy sometimes feels like a life hooked through the lip and flailing on the end of a line. If Boy was a fish he’d want the world to throw him back, feel his spine kick, mackerel-flick of his tail as he hits the depths. Lewis Buxton is a poet, performer & arts producer. He was selected as one of the Poetry School & Nine Arches Press Primers Volume 4 poets and been published in The Rialto, Magma, Ambit & Oxford Poetry. He is a Norwich Arts Centre writer-in-residence and currently lives in Norwich. His first collection is forthcoming in 2021.	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line794
__label__cc	0.653948	0.346052	Inquisitive Quest A quest for the sentience of life « Continental Divide…….#225 (the 90’s) Back To The Future…….#223 (the 90’s) » A Rocky Mountain Venture…..#224 (the 90’s) Rob sprucing up the Buick Greensburg Well The Willson’s Buick was heading west on highway 54, a Ouray Colorado journey to join Gary’s father & mother in-law Bud and Helen Murrow at their annual summer retreat on the western slope of the Rockies, their 35 ft. fifth wheel trailer a Rocky Mountain 6 weeks provisional home. This summers foray would also find other members of Jan’s family assembling in the quiescence of the Rocky Mountain domain. The Willson’s first stop, Greensburg, a typical Kansas farming community celebrated as having the largest hand-dug well in the world, not a planned agenda stop but the highway sign according the families attention. The Greensburg morning stop a novelty to investigate something off the beaten path, its proclamation of acclaim giving raise to curiosity. The entrance thru a gift shop, finding a stairway leading down the 110 foot depth to the 1880’s era’s townships water supplying well. Robert, Sandra and Gary descending the stairwell into the dimly lighted hand -dug cavern, Gary’s dissertation wasn’t the descent but the experience. Replica of old Dodge City. Gun fight at Dodge The journey continuing northwest thru old Fort Dodge, erected in 1866 and then deeded to the State of Kansas in 1890 as the Kansas State Soldiers Home. Another 5 miles to Dodge City, the famous Cow town making its historic significance from 1876 to 1886, a span of ten years before reverting to a sleepy West Kansas meat packing community. The 1951 radio and later television program Gunsmoke responsible for its new-found prominence, the replica’s of the Long Branch Saloon and the Boot Hill Museum a host to the inquisitive like Gary whom was an avid Gunsmoke radio listener of that era. The original Front Street buildings no longer giving a presence, the victims of a 1970 urban renewal program, but the flavor of the old west still could be perceived. The Willson’s touring the replicas, mounting boot hill, enjoying a gunfight presentation, savoring the memorable realm. Newspaper account Welcome to Rocky Ford US Highway 50, the median west thru Garden City, then elapsing less than a mile from another noted Kansas town, Holcomb, its acclaim pronounced by Truman Capote 1966 book and movie, In Cold Blood. The 1959 well publicized murder of the Clutter family in farming community of Holcomb being chronicled. Crossing into Colorado, the small town of Rocky Ford, another distinctive town nationally renown, noted for it its cantaloupes. Gary making a mental note for the return trip home, to stop at one of many roadside stands and redeem a quantity of Rocky Fords nationally known product. The Rockies on the horizon Double rainbow at Canon City Colorado The Holiday Motel Trekking west thru Pueblo, the arid flat plains of Colorado giving way to a vista view of the Colorado Rocky Mountains in the distance. The day long venture about to conclude, echoing in the first nights rest at the Holiday Motel in Canon City, a small privately owned facility without amenities, but the congeniality of the management and its low-budget rooms were adequate for an overnight stay. Canon City, the gateway to the Royal Gorge Bridge and State Park, Gary reserving the gorge visit for the return journey home. The early morning breakfast fulfilled, the family making a decision to traverse northward, 1 ½ hour detour from Highway 50 to the Colorado gold mining communities of Cripple Creek and Victor. Robert on the road to Cripple Creek Journeying on Highway 9 the unpaved portion before intersecting the uphill Highway 11 to Cripple Creek and its sister city Victor, reminding Gary of the mountainous roads of Siskiyou County California as a youth with the exception of the rocks causing the road to narrowed to a single lane then passing through the tunneled walls of solid granite. The once booming 1890 town now renounced from its past, the state of Colorado having just legalized Cripple Creek for gambling. The sparse old shops housing antiques and tourist knickknacks now sporting For-Lease or For-Sale signs, the future modern-day entrepreneurial proprietors yet to established all their gambling enterprises. Aboard the CC & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad Train Robbers An early lunch at the Victor Hotel dining room, followed by a tour of the remaining shops of Cripple Creek and a boarding of the CC & Victor Narrow Gauge Railway. The scenic journey hugging the cliff endowed tracks, crossing the old trestles, following the paths of the ore carrying cars to the stamp mills. A group of masked outlaws, firing their guns, boarding the train, commanding a hold-up, extracting gratuities from the tourist passengers, a payment for the reenactment. The late afternoon finding the Willson’s receding the 9494 ft. elevations of Cripple Creek this time on State Highway 24. Gary thankful for leaving the thin air of the mining community, the Buick breaching the scenic high mountain meadows, again to acquaint US 50, the westward venture continuing. The scenic wonders of the Colorado fulfilling the excursion as they continued upward on the majestic expanse of the Continental Divide. Rocky Mountains leaving Cripple Creek Sharing the terrain – Highway 50 & the Arkansas River This entry was posted on March 30, 2016 at 6:10 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line795
__label__wiki	0.606678	0.606678	Current Studio Work 2018 All My Friends Are Dead 2017 Habana Libre 2015 Gulf of Venezuela 2014 There, Before 2014 Chronicles of New Mexico 2011 From the Life of Engineer D.M. 2010 Border Provinces 2008 Ministry of Culture 2008 The End of History 2005 Using Ruins Isak Berbic. Isak Berbic, Emiliano Cerna, Dennis Hodges, Zdenko Mandusic, 2008 Shifting Base, 2008 82 x 100 x 100 cm Shifting Base Catalog, 2008 21.6 x 21.6 cm, 47 double sided color print pages From the pages of history books and glossy magazines to an impromptu sculpture garden in Sharjah, Ministry of Culture takes on the travelling exhibition, addressing the conditions surrounding the work of art on site and in transit, as well as the artwork’s further extension as a virtual traveller in the ceaseless flow of images. The project takes the 1961 Piero Manzoni work Socle du Monde (Base of the World Magic Base No. 3 by Piero Manzoni, 1961, Homage to Galileo), as the starting point for an inquiry into the artworld’s place in a global economy, and as a conceptual metaphor for the recognition that the “base” of this “world” is shifting. Following an inaugural exhibition at the University of Sharjah’s College of Fine Arts and Design, Shifting Base was transported to its ultimate destination, Abu Dhabi’s Rub’ al Khali sand sea. Once there, our ersatz “axis mundi” was set adrift in the shifting sands of the Empty Quarter. Publication Date: April, 1, 2008. View Ministry of Culture Book PDF via this hyperlink here January 2017 © Isak Berbic	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line799
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Name: dei_TradingSymbol Data Type: dei:tradingSymbolItemType Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands Cash and cash equivalents $ 67,904 $ 140,296 Accounts receivable, net (Note 13) 84,605 67,318 Deferred commissions 20,326 15,677 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 19,201 12,802 Total current assets 192,036 236,093 Property and equipment, net (Note 13) 29,937 22,005 Operating lease right-of-use assets (Note 7) 69,100 Goodwill (Note 3) 243,895 85,165 Intangible assets, net (Note 3) 97,363 4,951 Other assets 6,829 5,310 Total assets 639,160 353,524 Accounts payable 505 588 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities (Note 13) 79,857 54,065 Current portion of long-term debt (Note 4) 9,375 Deferred revenue 179,194 135,332 Total current liabilities 268,931 189,985 Long-term debt, net of deferred financing fees (Note 4) 121,170 Non-current operating lease liabilities (Note 7) 67,062 Other non-current liabilities (Note 8, 13) 23,909 11,939 Stockholders' Equity (Note 9): Preferred stock, $0.01 par value Authorized - 500 shares; issued and outstanding - none Common stock, $0.01 par value Authorized - 125,000 shares Issued - 23,275 and 22,951 shares as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively Outstanding - 18,644 and 18,320 shares as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively 233 230 Additional paid-in capital 216,454 200,696 Retained earnings 118,147 127,717 Treasury stock - 4,631 shares as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, at cost (171,889) (171,889) Accumulated other comprehensive loss (4,857) (5,154) Total stockholders’ equity 158,088 151,600 Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of liabilities incurred (and for which invoices have typically been received) and payable to vendors for goods and services received that are used in an entity's business. 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Name: us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted Amount of realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment. -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.7(c),9(a)) Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/recommendedDisclosureRef Name: us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestments The aggregate total of expenses of managing and administering the affairs of an entity, including affiliates of the reporting entity, which are not directly or indirectly associated with the manufacture, sale or creation of a product or product line. Name: us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense Amount of income (loss) from continuing operations, including income (loss) from equity method investments, before deduction of income tax expense (benefit), and income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest. Name: us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest Amount of current income tax expense (benefit) and deferred income tax expense (benefit) pertaining to continuing operations. -Subparagraph (h) -Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08(h)) Name: us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit Amount of the cost of borrowed funds accounted for as interest expense. -Subparagraph (210.5-03(11)) Name: us-gaap_InterestExpense The net result for the period of deducting operating expenses from operating revenues. Name: us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss Amount of income (expense) related to nonoperating activities, classified as other. Name: us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense Name: us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerAbstract Amount, excluding tax collected from customer, of revenue from satisfaction of performance obligation by transferring promised good or service to customer. Tax collected from customer is tax assessed by governmental authority that is both imposed on and concurrent with specific revenue-producing transaction, including, but not limited to, sales, use, value added and excise. Name: us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax The aggregate total amount of expenses directly related to the marketing or selling of products or services. Name: us-gaap_SellingAndMarketingExpense The average number of shares or units issued and outstanding that are used in calculating diluted EPS or earnings per unit (EPU), determined based on the timing of issuance of shares or units in the period. Name: us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding Number of [basic] shares or units, after adjustment for contingently issuable shares or units and other shares or units not deemed outstanding, determined by relating the portion of time within a reporting period that common shares or units have been outstanding to the total time in that period. Name: us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic Name: srt_ProductOrServiceAxis=forr_ResearchServicesMember Name: srt_ProductOrServiceAxis=forr_AdvisoryServicesAndEventsMember Name: srt_ProductOrServiceAxis=forr_CostOfServicesAndFulfillmentMember Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) - USD ($) Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes: Foreign currency translation 401 (3,257) 5,593 Net change in market value of interest rate swap (104) Net change in market value of investments 141 (32) Other comprehensive income (loss) 297 (3,116) 5,561 Comprehensive income (loss) $ (9,273) $ 12,264 $ 20,701 Amount after tax of increase (decrease) in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from net income and other comprehensive income, attributable to parent entity. Excludes changes in equity resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners. Name: us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments, of appreciation (loss) in value of unsold available-for-sale securities. Excludes amounts related to other than temporary impairment (OTTI) loss. -Subparagraph (e) Name: us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTax Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments, of increase (decrease) in accumulated gain (loss) from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges and an entity's share of an equity investee's increase (decrease) in deferred hedging gain (loss). Name: us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDerivativesQualifyingAsHedgesNetOfTax Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments of gain (loss) on foreign currency translation adjustments, foreign currency transactions designated and effective as economic hedges of a net investment in a foreign entity and intra-entity foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term-investment nature. -Subparagraph (b,c) Name: us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax Name: us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecreaseAbstract Amount after tax of other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to parent entity. -Subparagraph (c)(3) Name: us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent Name: us-gaap_StatementOfIncomeAndComprehensiveIncomeAbstract Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Equity - USD ($) Common Stock [Member] Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Retained Earnings [Member] Treasury Stock [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member] Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2016 $ 150,036 $ 217 $ 157,569 $ 121,799 $ (121,976) $ (7,573) Beginning Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2016 21,719 3,358 Issuance of common stock under stock plans, including tax effects 15,979 $ 7 15,972 Issuance of common stock under stock plans, including tax effects, Shares 713 Cumulative effect adjustment due to adoption of new accounting pronouncements (419) (121) (298) Repurchases of common stock (39,967) $ (39,967) Repurchase of common stock, Shares 1,033 Dividends paid on common shares (13,631) (13,631) Net income (loss) 15,140 15,140 Net change in marketable investments, net of tax (32) (32) Foreign currency translation 5,593 5,593 Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2017 141,189 $ 224 181,910 123,010 $ (161,943) (2,012) Ending Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2017 22,432 4,391 Cumulative effect adjustment due to adoption of new accounting pronouncements 3,803 3,829 (26) Repurchases of common stock (9,946) $ (9,946) Repurchase of common stock, Shares 240 Net change in marketable investments, net of tax 141 141 Foreign currency translation (3,257) (3,257) Issuance of common stock under stock plans, including tax effects 4,077 $ 3 4,074 Stock-based compensation expense 11,684 11,684 Net income (loss) (9,570) (9,570) Net change in interest rate swap, net of tax (104) (104) Foreign currency translation 401 401 Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2019 $ 158,088 $ 233 $ 216,454 $ 118,147 $ (171,889) $ (4,857) Amount of increase to additional paid-in capital (APIC) for recognition of cost for award under share-based payment arrangement. Name: us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue Amount of paid and unpaid common stock dividends declared with the form of settlement in cash. Name: us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash Represents the quantification of the effect of adopting the new accounting standard or change in accounting principle expected by the entity to have a significant effect on the entity's financial statements. Name: us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleEffectOfAdoptionQuantification Amount after tax, before reclassification adjustments, of unrealized holding gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities and unrealized holding gain (loss) related to transfers of securities into the available-for-sale classification and out of the held-to-maturity classification. Name: us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentBeforeReclassificationAdjustmentsNetOfTax Amount, after tax and reclassification, of gain (loss) from derivative instrument designated and qualifying as cash flow hedge included in assessment of hedge effectiveness. Name: us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossAfterReclassificationAndTax Number of shares of stock issued as of the balance sheet date, including shares that had been issued and were previously outstanding but which are now held in the treasury. Name: us-gaap_SharesIssued Number, after forfeiture, of shares or units issued under share-based payment arrangement. Excludes shares or units issued under employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). Name: us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensation Value, after forfeiture, of shares issued under share-based payment arrangement. Excludes employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). -Subparagraph (d)(1) Name: us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation Number of shares that have been repurchased during the period and are being held in treasury. Name: us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired Equity impact of the cost of common and preferred stock that were repurchased during the period. Recorded using the cost method. Name: us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities: Net (gains) losses from investments (45) (426) 479 Deferred income taxes (3,957) 2,931 6,425 Stock-based compensation 11,684 8,300 8,490 Operating lease right-of-use asset amortization and impairments 12,592 Amortization of deferred financing fees 968 Amortization of premium (discount) on investments (68) 207 Foreign currency losses 933 603 632 Changes in assets and liabilities, net of businesses acquired Accounts receivable 3,696 2,588 (10,327) Deferred commissions (4,643) (1,077) (1,679) Prepaid expenses and other current assets (3,697) 285 (4,146) Accounts payable 278 172 (1,600) Accrued expenses and other liabilities 4,421 1,217 7,857 Deferred revenue 15,508 (604) 8,586 Operating lease liabilities (10,953) Net cash provided by operating activities 48,406 38,418 37,493 Acquisitions, net of cash acquired (237,684) (9,250) Purchases of property and equipment (11,890) (5,049) (7,861) Purchases of marketable investments (41,810) (31,910) Proceeds from maturities of marketable investments 63,627 31,913 Proceeds from sales of marketable investments 32,568 6,545 Other investing activity 29 343 Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities (249,545) 40,086 (970) Proceeds from borrowings, net of costs 171,275 Payments on borrowings (42,250) Payment of debt issuance costs (857) Deferred acquisition payments (2,799) Dividends paid on common stock (14,502) (13,631) Repurchases of common stock (9,946) (39,967) Proceeds from issuance of common stock under employee equity incentive plans 6,327 13,020 18,506 Taxes paid related to net share settlements of stock-based compensation awards (2,258) (2,526) (2,527) Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 129,438 (13,954) (37,619) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash 597 (4,044) 3,928 Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash (71,104) 60,506 2,832 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of year 140,296 79,790 76,958 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of year 69,192 140,296 79,790 Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: Cash paid for interest 7,003 Cash paid for income taxes $ 4,433 $ 4,174 $ 10,433 Increase (decrease) operating lease liability. Name: forr_IncreaseDecreaseOperatingLeaseLiability Operating lease right of use asset amortization and impairments. Name: forr_OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAssetAmortizationAndImpairments Payments of deferred acquisition. Name: forr_PaymentsOfDeferredAcquisition Name: us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract Amount of amortization expense attributable to debt issuance costs. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef Name: us-gaap_AmortizationOfFinancingCosts Amount of cash and cash equivalents, and cash and cash equivalents restricted to withdrawal or usage; including, but not limited to, disposal group and discontinued operations. Cash includes, but is not limited to, currency on hand, demand deposits with banks or financial institutions, and other accounts with general characteristics of demand deposits. Cash equivalents include, but are not limited to, short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Name: us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsIncludingDisposalGroupAndDiscontinuedOperations Amount of increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and cash and cash equivalents restricted to withdrawal or usage; including effect from exchange rate change. Cash includes, but is not limited to, currency on hand, demand deposits with banks or financial institutions, and other accounts with general characteristics of demand deposits. Cash equivalents include, but are not limited to, short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Name: us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecreaseIncludingExchangeRateEffect Amount of deferred income tax expense (benefit) pertaining to income (loss) from continuing operations. -Subparagraph (SAB Topic 6.I.7) Name: us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit Amount of increase (decrease) from effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents, and cash and cash equivalents restricted to withdrawal or usage; held in foreign currencies; including, but not limited to, disposal group and discontinued operations. Cash includes, but is not limited to, currency on hand, demand deposits with banks or financial institutions, and other accounts with general characteristics of demand deposits. Cash equivalents include, but are not limited to, short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Name: us-gaap_EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsIncludingDisposalGroupAndDiscontinuedOperations Amount before tax of foreign currency transaction realized and unrealized gain (loss) recognized in the income statement. Name: us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossBeforeTax The amount of cash paid during the current period to foreign, federal, state, and local authorities as taxes on income, net of any cash received during the current period as refunds for the overpayment of taxes. -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98513485&loc=d3e4297-108586 Name: us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaidNet The increase (decrease) during the reporting period in the aggregate amount of liabilities incurred (and for which invoices have typically been received) and payable to vendors for goods and services received that are used in an entity's business. Name: us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayable The increase (decrease) during the reporting period in amount due within one year (or one business cycle) from customers for the credit sale of goods and services. Name: us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsReceivable Amount of increase (decrease) in accrued expenses, and obligations classified as other. Name: us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedLiabilitiesAndOtherOperatingLiabilities Amount of increase (decrease) in obligation to transfer good or service to customer for which consideration has been received or is receivable. Name: us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInContractWithCustomerLiability The increase (decrease) during the reporting period in the value of expenditures made during the current reporting period for benefits that will be received over a period of years. Deferred charges differ from prepaid expenses in that they usually extend over a long period of time and may or may not be regularly recurring costs of operation. Name: us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredCharges Name: us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingCapitalAbstract Amount of increase (decrease) in prepaid expenses, and assets classified as other. Name: us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPrepaidDeferredExpenseAndOtherAssets Amount of cash paid for interest, excluding capitalized interest, classified as operating activity. Includes, but is not limited to, payment to settle zero-coupon bond for accreted interest of debt discount and debt instrument with insignificant coupon interest rate in relation to effective interest rate of borrowing attributable to accreted interest of debt discount. Name: us-gaap_InterestPaidNet Amount of accretion (amortization) of purchase discount (premium) on nonoperating securities. Name: us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeNetAmortizationOfDiscountAndPremium Amount of cash inflow (outflow) from financing activities, including discontinued operations. Financing activity cash flows include obtaining resources from owners and providing them with a return on, and a return of, their investment; borrowing money and repaying amounts borrowed, or settling the obligation; and obtaining and paying for other resources obtained from creditors on long-term credit. Name: us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities Name: us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract Amount of cash inflow (outflow) from investing activities, including discontinued operations. Investing activity cash flows include making and collecting loans and acquiring and disposing of debt or equity instruments and property, plant, and equipment and other productive assets. Name: us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities Name: us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract Name: us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract Amount of cash (inflow) outflow from investing activities classified as other. -Subparagraph (SX 210.12-04(a)) Name: us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities The cash outflow to reacquire common stock during the period. Name: us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock The cash outflow paid to third parties in connection with debt origination, which will be amortized over the remaining maturity period of the associated long-term debt. Name: us-gaap_PaymentsOfDebtIssuanceCosts Amount of cash outflow in the form of ordinary dividends to common shareholders of the parent entity. Name: us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock Amount of cash outflow to satisfy grantee's tax withholding obligation for award under share-based payment arrangement. Name: us-gaap_PaymentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation Amount of cash outflow to acquire investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale). Name: us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireAvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebt The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of a business, net of the cash acquired from the purchase. Name: us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesNetOfCashAcquired The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of long-lived, physical assets that are used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale; includes cash outflows to pay for construction of self-constructed assets. Name: us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment The cash inflow from additional borrowings, net of cash paid to third parties in connection with debt origination. Name: us-gaap_ProceedsFromDebtNetOfIssuanceCosts Amount of cash inflow from issuance of shares under share-based payment arrangement. Includes, but is not limited to, option exercised. Name: us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfSharesUnderIncentiveAndShareBasedCompensationPlansIncludingStockOptions Amount of cash inflow from maturity, prepayment and call of investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale). Name: us-gaap_ProceedsFromMaturitiesPrepaymentsAndCallsOfAvailableForSaleSecurities Amount of cash inflow from sale of investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale). Name: us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebt The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest. -Paragraph 4J Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef -Paragraph 4K Name: us-gaap_ProfitLoss The cash outflow during the period from the repayment of aggregate short-term and long-term debt. Excludes payment of capital lease obligations. Name: us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt Amount of noncash expense for share-based payment arrangement. Name: us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation Name: us-gaap_SupplementalCashFlowInformationAbstract $ in Millions Statement Of Cash Flows [Abstract] Non-cash investing activities, debt issuance costs $ 3.7 The amount of debt issuance costs that were incurred during a noncash or partial noncash transaction. Name: us-gaap_DebtIssuanceCostsIncurredDuringNoncashOrPartialNoncashTransaction Name: us-gaap_StatementOfCashFlowsAbstract Accounting Policies [Abstract] Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation Principles of Consolidation Forrester Research, Inc. is a global independent research, data, and advisory services firm. Forrester works with business and technology leaders to drive customer-obsessed vision, strategy, and execution that accelerate growth. Forrester’s unique insights are grounded in annual surveys of more than 690,000 consumers and business leaders worldwide, rigorous and objective research methodologies, and the shared wisdom of our clients. Through proprietary research, data and analytics, custom consulting, exclusive executive peer groups, certifications, and events, Forrester is revolutionizing how businesses grow in an era of powerful customers. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Forrester and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. Business Acquisitions Forrester accounts for business combinations in accordance with the acquisition method of accounting as prescribed by Accounts Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 805, Business Combinations. The acquisition method of accounting requires the Company to record the assets and liabilities acquired based on their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date, with any excess of the consideration transferred over the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired, including identifiable intangible assets, to be recorded to goodwill. In 2019, Forrester acquired SiriusDecisions, Inc. In 2018, Forrester acquired S.NOW SA (which operates as “FeedbackNow”) and SocialGlimpz, Inc. (which operates as “GlimpzIt”). Refer to Note 2 – Acquisitions for further information on these acquisitions. Management Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Forrester considers the more significant of these estimates to be revenue recognition, leases, valuation of goodwill, intangible assets and acquired assets and liabilities from business combinations, ongoing impairment reviews of goodwill and intangible assets, and income taxes. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The standard requires lessees to recognize the assets and liabilities from leases on the balance sheet and disclose qualitative and quantitative information about the lease arrangements. Lessor accounting is largely unchanged. Leases are classified as either financing or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements, which allowed for an additional adoption method, and for lessors, provides a practical expedient for the separation of lease and non-lease components within a contract. On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted Topic 842 using the modified retrospective method in which prior periods are not adjusted. Under this method, the cumulative effect of applying the standard is recorded at the date of initial application. Adoption of the standard did not result in the Company recording a cumulative effect adjustment. Adoption of the standard resulted in the recognition of operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets of $53.3 million, operating lease liabilities of $60.8 million and the elimination of deferred rent of $7.5 million on the adoption date. In addition, the Company recorded $10.4 million of operating lease ROU assets and operating lease liabilities on January 3, 2019 as a result of the acquisition of SiriusDecisions (see Note 2 – Acquisitions). Adoption of the standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or cash flows. The Company elected the package of practical expedients permitted under Topic 842 that allows the carry forward of the historical lease classification for all leases that existed as of the adoption date. In addition, the Company elected to exempt short term leases from recognition of ROU assets and lease liabilities and elected not to separate lease and non-lease components within its leases. Under prior GAAP, as of December 31, 2018, the Company’s future contractual obligations for operating leases were as follows (in thousands): The Company adopted the guidance in ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows: Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, on January 1, 2018. The new standard clarifies certain aspects of the statement of cash flows, including contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims, and distributions received from equity method investees, among others. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s statements of cash flows. The Company adopted the guidance in ASU No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows: Restricted Cash, on January 1, 2018. The new standard requires restricted cash to be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning and ending amounts on the statement of cash flows. The adoption of this standard did not have an impact on the Company’s statements of cash flows. The Company adopted the guidance in ASU No. 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805) – Clarifying the Definition of a Business on January 1, 2018. The new standard amended the prior business combinations guidance by clarifying the definition of a business to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions or disposals of assets or businesses. The adoption of the standard did not have an impact on the Company's financial position or statement of operations. The Company elected to adopt the guidance in ASU No. 2018-02, Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, on January 1, 2018. The new standard allows, but does not require, a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Act”) enacted on December 22, 2017. The Company elected to make the reclassification adjustment as of the beginning of the period of adoption in the amount of $26 thousand using the aggregate portfolio approach. The reclassification amount includes the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate on the gross deferred tax amounts at the date of enactment of the Act related to items remaining in accumulated other comprehensive loss. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). Topic 606 supersedes all existing revenue recognition requirements, including most industry-specific guidance. The new standard requires a company to recognize revenue when it transfers products or services to customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration that the company expects to receive for those products or services. Topic 606 also includes subtopic ASC 340-40, Other Assets and Deferred Costs-Contracts with Customers, which provides guidance on accounting for certain revenue related costs including costs associated with obtaining and fulfilling a contract. On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted Topic 606 using the modified retrospective method. Under this method, the reported results for 2018 reflect the application of Topic 606, while the reported results for 2017 were prepared under the guidance of ASU No. 2009-13, Revenue Recognition (Topic 605), which is referred to herein as the “previous guidance”. The modified retrospective method requires the cumulative effect of applying the new guidance to all contracts with customers that were not completed as of January 1, 2018 to be recorded as an adjustment to retained earnings as of the adoption date. Forrester considered a contract to be complete if all the revenue was recognized in accordance with the previous guidance that was in effect before the adoption date. The effect of adopting Topic 606 included a $7.8 million reduction in deferred revenue, primarily related to prepaid performance obligations expected to expire in 2018 and 2019 that would have been recognized in 2017 under the new guidance; a decrease of $5.5 million in prepaid expenses and other current assets related to deferred survey costs that would have been expensed as incurred in 2017 under the new guidance and the current tax impact of the cumulative effect; an increase of $0.9 million in deferred commissions related to the capitalization of fringe benefits as incremental costs to obtain customer contracts under the new guidance; and an increase of $0.6 million in other assets for the deferred tax effect of the cumulative effect. Retained earnings increased by $3.8 million as a net result of these adjustments. The carrying amounts reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for cash, cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued expenses approximate fair value due to their short-term maturities. The Company’s financial instruments also include its outstanding variable-rate borrowings (refer to Note 4 – Debt). The Company believes that the carrying amount of its variable-rate borrowings reasonably approximate their fair values because the rates of interest on those borrowings reflect current market rates of interest. Additionally, the Company has certain financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value at each balance sheet date in accordance with the accounting standards for fair value measurements. Refer to Note 6 – Fair Value Measurements for the Company’s fair value disclosures. Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Investments Forrester considers all short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities at the time of purchase of 90 days or less to be cash equivalents. The Company liquidated its entire portfolio of marketable investments in December of 2018 to fund the acquisition of SiriusDecisions on January 3, 2019. Forrester previously accounted for all marketable investments as available-for-sale securities and as such, the marketable investments were carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses (not related to credit losses) recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Realized gains and losses on securities were included in earnings and were determined using the specific identification method. The Company conducted periodic reviews to identify and evaluate each investment that had an unrealized loss, in accordance with the meaning of other-than-temporary impairment and its application to certain investments, as required under current accounting standards. An unrealized loss exists when the current fair value of an individual security is less than its amortized cost basis. Unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities that are determined to be temporary, and not related to credit loss, are recorded, net of tax, in accumulated other comprehensive loss. The determination of whether a loss is considered temporary is based in part on whether the Company intends to sell the security or whether the Company would more likely than not be required to sell the security before the expected recovery of the amortized cost basis. During the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company did not record any other-than-temporary impairment losses on its available-for-sale securities. Realized losses on sales of the Company’s available-for-sale securities were $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 and were recorded in gains (losses) on investments, net. Realized gains or losses on sales of the Company’s available-for-sale securities were not significant for the year ended December 31, 2017. Presentation of Restricted Cash The following table summarizes the end-of-period cash and cash equivalents from the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets and the total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash as presented in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (in thousands). For the Year Ended December 31, Restricted cash classified in (1): Prepaid expenses and other current assets Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in statement of cash flows Restricted cash consists primarily of collateral required for letters of credit related to the Company’s office space leases. The short-term or long-term classification is determined in accordance with the expiration of the underlying lease as the letters of credit are non-cancellable while the leases are in effect. Concentrations of Credit Risk Forrester has no off-balance sheet or significant concentration of credit risk such as foreign exchange contracts, option contracts, or other foreign hedging arrangements. Financial instruments that potentially subject Forrester to concentrations of credit risk are principally cash, cash equivalents, and accounts receivable. No single customer accounted for greater than 4% of revenues or 4% of accounts receivable in any of the periods presented. Goodwill is not amortized; however, it is required to be tested for impairment annually. Furthermore, testing for impairment is required on an interim basis if an event or circumstance indicates that it is more likely than not an impairment loss has been incurred. An impairment loss would be recognized to the extent that the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value. Absent an event that indicates a specific impairment may exist, the Company has selected November 30th as the date for performing the annual goodwill impairment test. Goodwill impairment charges have not been required for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017. Impairment of Other Long-Lived Tangible and Intangible Assets Forrester continually evaluates whether events or circumstances have occurred that indicate that the estimated remaining useful life of long-lived assets and intangible assets may warrant revision or if events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of these assets may be impaired. To compute whether assets have been impaired, the estimated undiscounted future cash flows for the estimated remaining useful life of the assets are compared to the carrying value. To the extent that the future cash flows are less than the carrying value, the assets are written down to the estimated fair value of the asset. Impairment charges have not been required for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017. The Company records deferred tax liabilities and other liabilities that are expected to be settled over a period that exceeds one year as non-current liabilities. Prior to adopting Topic 842, the Company also recorded as a non-current liability the portion of the deferred rent liability expected to be recognized over a period greater than one year. Non-current deferred rent liability at December 31, 2018 was $6.6 million and resulted from the difference between cash payments and the straight-line recognition of rent expense under the Company’s facility leases. Adoption of Topic 842 eliminated the deferred rent liability. The functional currency of Forrester’s wholly-owned subsidiaries is their respective local currency. These subsidiary financial statements are translated to U.S. dollars using period-end exchange rates for assets and liabilities and average exchange rates during the corresponding period for revenues and expenses, with translation gains and losses accumulated as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Gains and losses related to the remeasurement of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in a currency other than an entity’s functional currency are included in other income (expense), net in the Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss). Forrester recorded $0.9 million of foreign exchange losses for the year ended December 31, 2019 and $0.6 million of foreign exchange losses for each of the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are as follows (in thousands): Net Unrealized (Loss) on Marketable Income (Loss) Balance at December 31, 2016 Foreign currency translation Unrealized loss on investments, net of tax of $22 Reclassification of stranded tax effects from tax reform Unrealized gain on investments before reclassification, net of tax of $(4) Reclassification adjustment for net losses realized in net income, net of tax of $(75) Unrealized loss on interest rate swap, net of tax of $40 The Company recognizes revenue when a customer obtains control of promised products or services, in an amount that reflects the consideration expected to be received in exchange for those products or services. The Company follows the five-step model prescribed under Topic 606: (i) identify contract(s) with a customer; (ii) identify the performance obligation(s) in the contract; (iii) determine the transaction price; (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the Company satisfies the performance obligation. Revenues are presented net of any sales or value added taxes collected from customers and remitted to the government. The Company accounts for a contract when it has approval and commitment from both parties, the fees, payment terms and rights of the parties regarding the products or services to be transferred are identified, the contract has commercial substance and collectability of the consideration expected to be transferred is probable. The Company applies judgment in determining the customer’s ability and intention to pay for services expected to be transferred, which is based on factors including the customer’s payment history, management’s ability to mitigate exposure to credit risk (for example, requiring payment in advance of the transfer of products or services, or the ability to stop transferring promised products or services in the event a customer fails to pay consideration when due) and experience selling to similarly situated customers. Since the transaction price is fixed and defined as part of entering into a contract, and generally does not change, variable consideration is insignificant. Performance obligations within a contract are identified based on the products and services promised to be transferred in the contract. When a contract includes more than one promised product or service, the Company must apply judgment to determine whether the promises represent multiple performance obligations or a single, combined performance obligation. This evaluation requires the Company to determine if the promises are both capable of being distinct, where the customer can benefit from the product or service on its own or together with other resources readily available, and are distinct within the context of the contract, where the transfer of products or services is separately identifiable from other promises in the contract. When both criteria are met, each promised product or service is accounted for as a separate performance obligation. In cases where the promises are distinct, the Company is further required to evaluate if the promises are a series of products and services that are substantially the same and have the same pattern of transfer to the customer (referred to as the “series” guidance). When the Company determines that promises meet the series guidance, they are accounted for as a single, combined performance obligation. The number of performance obligations in the Company’s arrangements is not different under Topic 606 than the number of separate units of accounting under pervious guidance, as discussed further below. Contracts that contain multiple performance obligations require an allocation of the transaction price to each performance obligation on a relative basis according to their standalone selling prices. The Company continues to determine standalone selling price based on the price at which the performance obligation is sold separately. If the Company does not have a history of selling a performance obligation, management applies judgment to estimate the standalone selling price, taking into consideration available information, including market conditions, factors considered to set list prices, pricing of similar products, and internal pricing objectives. The corresponding allocated revenues are recognized as the performance obligations are satisfied, as discussed further below. Research services revenues Research services revenues consist primarily of subscriptions to Research, Connect, and Analytics products. The majority of Research revenues are annual subscriptions to our research, including access to all or a designated portion of our research and, depending on the type of license, unlimited phone or email analyst inquiry and unlimited participation in Forrester webinars, all of which are delivered throughout the contract period. The Company has concluded that these promises represent a stand ready obligation to provide a daily information service, in which the services are the same each day, every day is distinct, and the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits as the Company transfers control throughout the contract period. Accordingly, these subscriptions meet the requirements of the series guidance and are each accounted for as a single performance obligation. The Company recognizes revenue ratably over time, using an output measure of time elapsed. Certain of the Research products include advisory services or an Event ticket, which are accounted for as a separate performance obligation and are recognized at the point in time the service is completed, the final deliverable is transferred to the customer or the Event occurs. Research revenues also include sales of electronic reprints, which are written research documents prepared by Forrester’s analysts and hosted via an on-line platform. Reprints include a promise to deliver a customer-selected research document and certain usage data provided through the on-line platform, which represents two performance obligations. The Company satisfies the performance obligation for the research document by providing access to the electronic reprint and accordingly recognizes revenue at that point in time. The Company satisfies the performance obligation for the data portion of the reprint on a daily basis and accordingly recognizes revenue over time. The majority of Connect revenues are the Company’s Leadership Board product which includes access to the Research offering, access to a private forum with other Leadership Board member peers, access to a Forrester advisor, member-generated content, and one Event ticket. The Company has concluded that all these promises, other than the Event ticket, represent a stand ready obligation to provide a daily information and peer service, in which the services are the same each day, every day is distinct, and the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits as the Company transfers control throughout the contract period. Accordingly, these promises meet the requirements of the series guidance and are accounted for as a single performance obligation. The Company recognizes revenue ratably over time, using an output measure of time elapsed. The Event ticket is accounted for as a separate performance obligation and is recognized when the Event occurs. Analytics revenues are primarily annual subscriptions to access designated survey data products and typically include an analytics client manager, all of which are delivered throughout the contract period. For Analytics subscriptions, the Company has concluded that these promises represent a stand ready obligation to provide a daily data service, in which the services are the same each day, every day is distinct, and the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits as the Company transfers control throughout the contract period. Accordingly, these subscriptions meet the requirements of the series guidance and are accounted for as a single performance obligation. The Company recognizes revenue ratably over time, using an output measure of time elapsed. Certain of the Analytics products include advisory services which are accounted for as a separate performance obligation and are recognized at the point in time the service is completed or the final deliverable is transferred to the customer. Advisory services and events revenues Advisory services and events revenues consists of sales of advisory services, consulting projects, and Events. Advisory services revenues are short-term presentations or knowledge sharing sessions (which can range from one hour to two days), such as workshops, speeches and advisory days. Each is a promise for a Forrester analyst to deliver a deeper understanding of Forrester’s published research and represents a single performance obligation. Revenue is recognized at the point in time the service is completed or the final deliverable is transferred to the customer. Consulting project revenues consist of the delivery of focused insights and recommendations that assist customers with their challenges in developing and executing strategies around technology, customer experience and digital transformation. Projects are fixed-fee arrangements that are generally completed within two weeks to three months. The Company has concluded that each project represents a single performance obligation as each is a single promise to deliver a customized engagement and deliverable. For the majority of these services, either practically or contractually, the work performed and delivered to the customer has no alternative use to the Company. Additionally, Forrester maintains an enforceable right to payment at all times throughout the contract. The Company utilizes an input method and recognizes revenue over time, based on hours expended relative to the total estimated hours required to satisfy the performance obligation. This input method was chosen since it closely aligns with how control of interim deliverables is transferred to the customer throughout the engagement and is also the method used internally to price the project and assess operational performance. If the Company were to enter into an agreement where it does not have an enforceable right to payment at all times, revenue would be recognized at the point in time the project is completed. Events revenues consist of either ticket or sponsorship sales for a Forrester-hosted event. Each is a single promise that either allows entry to, or grants the right to, promote a product or service at, a specific event. The Company concluded that each of these represents a single performance obligation. The Company recognizes revenue at the completion of the Event, which is the point in time when the customer has received the benefit(s) from attending or sponsoring the Event. Prepaid performance obligations, including Event tickets, reprints, advisory and consulting hours, on non-cancellable contracts that the Company estimates will expire unused are recognized in proportion to the pattern of related rights exercised by the customer. This assessment requires judgment, including estimating the percentage of prepaid rights that will go unexercised and anticipating the impact that future changes to products, pricing, and customer engagement will have on actual expirations. The Company periodically updates the rates used to recognize unexercised rights. Refer to Note 12 – Operating Segment and Enterprise Wide Reporting for a summary of disaggregated revenue by product category and business segment. Contract Modifications The Company considers a contract modification to exist when a mutually agreed upon change creates new, or updates existing, enforceable rights and obligations. Topic 606 introduced three specific methods to account for contract modifications depending on the nature of the change(s) in scope or price to the original contract. The new guidance is consistent with how the Company has historically accounted for contract modifications and as a result, does not have an impact on the Company’s results of operations. The majority of the Company’s contract modifications result in additional or remaining distinct products and services and are treated on a prospective basis. Under the prospective method, the transaction price is updated to combine the unrecognized amount as of the modification date plus the additional transaction price from the modification. This amount is then re-allocated to the remaining distinct performance obligations and recognized accordingly. Consulting services contracts can be modified to update the scope of the services purchased. Since a consulting project is a single performance obligation that is only partially satisfied at the modification date, the updated project requirements are not distinct and the modification is accounted for as part of the existing contract. The effect of the modification on the transaction price and the Company’s measure of progress for the performance obligation to which it relates is recognized as an adjustment to revenue (either an increase or decrease) on a cumulative catch-up basis. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recorded an immaterial amount of cumulative catch-up adjustments. Contract Assets and Liabilities Accounts receivable includes amounts billed and currently due from customers. Since the only condition for payment of our invoices is the passage of time, the Company records a receivable on the date the invoice is issued. Also included in accounts receivable are unbilled amounts resulting from revenue exceeding the amount billed to the customer, where the right to payment is unconditional. If the right to payment for services performed was conditional on something other than the passage of time, the unbilled amount would be recorded as a separate contract asset. There were no contract assets as of December 31, 2019. The majority of the Company’s contracts are non-cancellable. However, for contracts that are cancellable by the customer, the Company does not record a receivable when it issues an invoice. The Company records accounts receivable on these contracts only up to the amount of revenue earned but not yet collected. In addition, since the majority of the Company’s contracts are for a duration of one year and payment is expected within one year from the transfer of products and services, the Company does not adjust its receivables or transaction price for the effects of a significant financing component. Deferred Revenue The Company refers to contract liabilities as deferred revenue on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Payment terms in the Company’s customer contracts vary, but generally require payment in advance of fully satisfying the performance obligation(s). Deferred revenue consists of billings in excess of revenue recognized. Similar to accounts receivable, the Company does not record deferred revenue for invoices issued on a cancellable contract. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recognized approximately $147.2 million of revenue related to its deferred revenue balance at January 1, 2019. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company recognized approximately $134.7 million of revenue related to its deferred revenue balance at January 1, 2018. To determine revenue recognized in the current period from deferred revenue at the beginning of the period, the Company first allocates revenue to the individual deferred revenue balance outstanding at the beginning of the period, until the revenue equals that balance. Approximately $372.0 million of revenue is expected to be recognized during the next 12 to 24 months from remaining performance obligations as of December 31, 2019. Cost to Obtain Contracts The Company capitalizes commissions paid to sales representatives and related fringe benefits costs that are incremental to obtaining customer contracts. These costs are included in deferred commissions on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The judgments made in determining the amount of costs incurred include the types of costs to capitalize and whether the costs are in fact incremental. The Company elected the practical expedient to account for these costs at a portfolio level as the Company’s contracts are similar in nature and the amortization model used closely matches the amortization expense that would be recognized on a contract-by-contract basis. Costs to obtain a contract are amortized to operations as the related revenue is recognized over the initial contract term. Amortization of the expense related to deferred commissions was $36.0 million and $32.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The Company evaluates the recoverability of deferred commissions at each balance sheet date. Forrester maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make contractually obligated payments. When evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts, the Company makes judgments regarding the collectability of accounts receivable by specifically analyzing historical bad debts, customer concentrations, current economic trends, and changes in the customer payment terms. If the financial condition of the Company’s customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required and if the financial condition of the Company’s customers were to improve, the allowances may be reduced accordingly. The Company determines whether an arrangement is a lease at inception of the arrangement. The Company accounts for a lease when it has the right to control the leased asset for a period of time while obtaining substantially all of the assets’ economic benefits. All of the Company’s leases are operating leases, the majority of which are for office space. Operating lease ROU assets and non-current operating lease liabilities are included as individual line items on the Consolidated Balance Sheets while short-term operating lease liabilities are recorded within accrued expenses and other current liabilities. Operating lease ROU assets and operating lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term at commencement date. The discount rate used to determine the present value of the lease payments is the Company’s incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at lease inception, as generally an implicit rate in the lease is not readily determinable. An operating lease ROU asset includes all lease payments, lease incentives and initial direct costs incurred. Some of the Company’s leases include options to extend or terminate the lease. When determining the lease term, these options are included in the measurement and recognition of the Company’s ROU assets and lease liabilities when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise the option. The Company considers various economic factors when making this determination, including, but not limited to, the significance of leasehold improvements incurred in the office space, the difficulty in replacing the asset, underlying contractual obligations, or specific characteristics unique to a particular lease. Subsequent to entering into a lease arrangement, the Company reassesses the certainty of exercising options to extend or terminate a lease. When it becomes reasonably certain that the Company will exercise an option that was not included in the lease term, the Company accounts for the change in circumstances as a lease modification, which results in the remeasurement of the ROU asset and lease liability as of the modification date. Lease expense for operating leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term based on the total lease payments (which include initial direct costs and lease incentives). The expense is included in operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss). The Company’s lease agreements generally contain lease and non-lease components. Non-lease components are fixed charges stated in an agreement and primarily include payments for parking at the leased office facilities. The Company accounts for the lease and fixed payments for non-lease components as a single lease component under Topic 842, which increases the amount of the ROU assets and lease liabilities. Most of the Company’s lease agreements also contain variable payments, primarily maintenance-related costs, which are expensed as incurred and not included in the measurement of the ROU assets and lease liabilities. Leases with an initial term of twelve months or less are not recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are not material. The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred. Advertising expense for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 was $1.3 million, $0.6 million, and $0.7 million, respectively, and consisted primarily of online marketing and is included in selling and marketing expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss). The Company recognizes the fair value of stock-based compensation expense over the requisite service period of the individual grantee, which generally equals the vesting period. Forfeitures are recognized as they occur and all income tax effects related to settlements of share-based payment awards are reported in earnings as an increase or decrease to income tax expense. All income tax-related cash flows resulting from share-based payments are reported as operating activities in the statement of cash flows and cash paid by directly withholding shares for tax withholding purposes is classified as a financing activity. Stock-based compensation expense was recorded in the following expense categories (in thousands): Years Ended December 31, Cost of services and fulfillment General and administrative Shares subject to the employee stock purchase plan were valued utilizing the Black-Scholes model using the following assumptions and had the following fair values (no options were granted in 2019, 2018 or 2017): Average risk-free interest rate Expected dividend yield Expected life Expected volatility Weighted average fair value Prior to the suspension of the quarterly dividend program in November 2018, dividend yields were based on the regular quarterly dividend program approved by the Board of Directors in February 2012. Expected volatility is based, in part, on the historical volatility of Forrester’s common stock as well as management’s expectations of future volatility over the expected term of the awards granted. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury Constant Maturity rate with an equivalent remaining term. The expected term calculation is based upon the option period of the employee stock purchase plan. The unamortized fair value of stock-based awards as of December 31, 2019 was $21.2 million with a weighted average remaining recognition period of 2.3 years. Forrester provides for depreciation and amortization of property and equipment, computed using the straight-line method, over estimated useful lives of assets as follows: Useful Life Shorter of asset life or lease term Forrester provides for amortization of intangible assets, computed using an accelerated method according to the expected cash flows to be received from the underlying assets, over the respective lives as follows: Forrester recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial statements and tax basis of assets and liabilities as well as operating loss carryforwards. Forrester’s provision for income taxes is composed of a current and a deferred provision for federal, state and foreign jurisdictions. The current provision is calculated as the estimated taxes payable or refundable on tax returns for the current year. The deferred provision is calculated as the net change during the year in deferred tax assets and liabilities. Valuation allowances are provided if based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. Forrester accounts for uncertain tax positions using a “more-likely-than-not” threshold for recognizing and resolving uncertain tax positions. The evaluation of uncertain tax positions is based on factors including, but not limited to, changes in tax law, the measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in tax returns, the effective settlement of matters subject to audit, new audit activity, and changes in facts or circumstances related to a tax position. The Company evaluates these tax positions on a quarterly basis. The Company also accrues for potential interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share Basic net income (loss) per common share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income (loss) per common share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the diluted weighted average number of common shares and common equivalent shares outstanding during the period. The weighted average number of common equivalent shares outstanding has been determined in accordance with the treasury-stock method. Common stock equivalents consist of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options and the vesting of restricted stock units. Basic and diluted weighted average common shares are as follows (in thousands): Basic weighted average common shares outstanding Weighted average common equivalent shares Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding Options and restricted stock units excluded from diluted weighted average share calculation as effect would have been anti-dilutive In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The new standard amends the current financial instrument impairment model by requiring entities to use a forward-looking approach based on expected losses to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments, including trade receivables. The new standard will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2020. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other: Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. The new standard simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test and requires that instead, an entity should perform its goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. The new standard will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2020. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. The new standard modifies the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement. The standard includes changes to fair value transfers and Level 3 fair value disclosures. The new standard will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2020. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software: Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That is a Service Contract. The new standard aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license). The new standard will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2020. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations. In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Income Taxes – Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. The new standard provides guidance to simplify the accounting for income taxes in certain areas, changes the accounting for select income tax transactions and makes minor ASC improvements. The new standard will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2021. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact that this standard may have on its financial position and results of operations. Name: us-gaap_AccountingPoliciesAbstract The entire disclosure for all significant accounting policies of the reporting entity. -URI http://asc.fasb.org/topic&trid=2122369 Name: us-gaap_SignificantAccountingPoliciesTextBlock Business Combinations [Abstract] Note 2 – Acquisitions SiriusDecisions On January 3, 2019, Forrester acquired 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of SiriusDecisions, Inc. (“SiriusDecisions”), a privately-held company based in Wilton, Connecticut with approximately 350 employees globally. SiriusDecisions equips business-to-business (B2B) sales, marketing, and product leaders with the actionable research, frameworks, tools, operational benchmarks and expert advice they need to maximize performance and drive alignment. The acquisition creates several opportunities for the Company, including cross-selling services to the Company’s respective client bases, extending SiriusDecisions’ platform, methodologies, data, and best-practices tools into new roles, and accelerating international and industry growth. The acquisition of SiriusDecisions was determined to be an acquisition of a business under the provisions of Topic 805. Pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement, the Company paid $246.8 million at closing after certain transaction expense adjustments, which was subject to a working capital adjustment, and included the purchase price of $245.0 million plus an estimate of cash acquired and reduced by an estimate of certain working capital items. At the time of the merger, each vested SiriusDecisions stock option was converted into the right to receive the excess of the per share merger consideration over the exercise price of such stock option. All unvested SiriusDecisions stock options were cancelled without payment of any consideration. Total Consideration Transferred The following table summarizes the fair value of the aggregate consideration paid for SiriusDecisions (in thousands): Cash paid at close (1) Working capital adjustment (2) The cash paid at close represents the gross contractual amount paid. Net cash paid, which accounts for the cash acquired of $7.9 million and the working capital adjustment of $1.3 million, was $237.7 million and is reflected as an investing activity in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Amount represents the final amount receivable from the sellers based upon working capital as defined, which was received in 2019. Allocation of Purchase Price The following table summarizes the allocation of the purchase price to the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed for the acquisition of SiriusDecisions (in thousands): Prepaids and other current assets Property and equipment Goodwill (1) Intangible assets (2) Accounts payable and other current liabilities Long-term deferred revenue Net assets acquired Goodwill represents the expected revenue and cost synergies from combining SiriusDecisions with Forrester as well as the value of the acquired workforce. All of the intangible assets are finite-lived. The determination of the fair value of the finite-lived intangible assets required management judgment and the consideration of a number of factors. In determining the fair values, management primarily relied on income valuation methodologies, in particular discounted cash flow models, and replacement cost valuation methodologies. The discounted cash flow models required the use of estimates, including projected cash flows related to the particular asset, the useful lives of the particular assets, the selection of royalty and discount rates used in the models and certain published industry benchmark data. The replacement cost methodology requires the use of estimates in determining the costs to replace the assets and the amount of obsolescence existing at the time of the acquisition. In establishing the estimated useful lives of the acquired intangible assets, the Company relied primarily on the duration of the cash flows utilized in the valuation model. Of the $115.0 million assigned to intangible assets, $13.0 million was assigned to the technology asset class with useful lives of 1 to 8 years (with a weighted average amortization period of 3.2 years), $13.0 million to backlog with a useful life of 2.0 years, $77.0 million to customer relationships with a useful life of 9.25 years, and $12.0 million to trademarks with a useful life of 15.5 years. The weighted-average amortization period of all intangible assets is 8.4 years. Amortization of intangible assets was $21.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The Company’s financial statements include the operating results of SiriusDecisions beginning on January 3, 2019, the date of the acquisition. SiriusDecisions’ operating results are being reported as its own operating segment (refer to Note 12 – Operating Segments). The goodwill is not deductible for income tax purposes and has been allocated to the SiriusDecisions and Research operating segments in the amounts of $142.5 million and $16.0 million, respectively. The acquisition of SiriusDecisions added approximately $79.3 million of additional revenue and $103.9 million of direct expenses, including intangible amortization, for the year ended December 31, 2019. Had the Company acquired SiriusDecisions in prior periods, the Company’s operating results would have been materially different, and as a result the following unaudited pro forma financial information is presented as if SiriusDecisions had been acquired by the Company on January 1, 2018 (in thousands): Years Ended December 31, Pro forma total revenue Pro forma net income (loss) The pro forma results have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and include the following pro forma adjustments in 2018: (1) an increase in interest expense and amortization of debt issuance costs related to the financing of the SiriusDecisions acquisition (refer to Note 4 – Debt for further information on the Company’s borrowings related to the acquisition); (2) a decrease in revenue as a result of the fair value adjustment to deferred revenue; and (3) an adjustment for depreciation and amortization expenses as a result of the purchase price allocation for finite-lived intangible assets and property and equipment. In addition, the year ended December 31, 2018 has been adjusted to increase operating costs to recognize acquisition costs incurred upon the close of the acquisition. The year ended December 31, 2019 has been adjusted to add the year two amounts, and eliminate the year one amounts, for the fair value of deferred revenue, depreciation and amortization expense and interest expense. In addition, the year ended December 31, 2019 has been adjusted to eliminate the acquisition costs incurred upon the close of the acquisition. The Company recognized $1.7 million of acquisition costs during the year ended December 31, 2019. The costs primarily consisted of investment banker fees, legal fees, regulatory costs and accounting and tax professional fees. FeedbackNow On July 6, 2018, Forrester acquired 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of S.NOW SA, a Switzerland-based business that operates as FeedbackNow. FeedbackNow is a maker of physical buttons and monitoring software that companies deploy to measure, analyze, and improve customer experience. The acquisition is part of Forrester's plan to build a real-time customer experience or CX cloud solution. FeedbackNow provides a high-volume input source for the real-time CX cloud solution. The acquisition of FeedbackNow was determined to be an acquisition of a business under the provisions of Topic 805. The Company paid $8.4 million on the closing date and, during 2019, the Company paid an additional $0.8 million for the acquired working capital. An additional $1.5 million “holdback” is payable during a two-year period from the closing date and is subject to typical indemnity provisions from the seller. In addition, the sellers may earn up to CHF 4.2 million ($4.3 million at December 31, 2019) based on the financial performance of FeedbackNow during the two-year period following the closing date. The following table summarizes the fair value of the aggregate consideration paid or payable for FeedbackNow (in thousands): Indemnity holdback (3) Contingent purchase price (4) The cash paid at close represents the gross contractual amount paid. Net cash paid, which accounts for the cash acquired of $0.5 million, was $8.0 million and is reflected as an investing activity in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Represents the amount payable to the sellers based upon working capital as defined, which was paid to the sellers in 2019. $0.5 million of the holdback was paid during 2019 and $1.0 million of the holdback is expected to be paid during 2020. The acquisition of FeedbackNow includes a contingent consideration arrangement that requires additional consideration to be paid to the sellers based on the financial performance of FeedbackNow during the two-year period subsequent to the closing date. The fair value of this contingent consideration arrangement as of the acquisition date was $3.4 million, which was recognized as purchase price. Up to $1.8 million and $2.5 million could be payable during 2019 and 2020, respectively, if the financial targets are met. During the third quarter of 2019, the first year financial targets were met and as such, $1.8 million was paid to the sellers during the same period. The remaining range of undiscounted amounts that could be payable under this arrangement is zero to $2.5 million. See further discussion in Note 6 – Fair Value Measurements. The following table summarizes the allocation of the purchase price to the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed for the acquisition of FeedbackNow (in thousands): Goodwill represents the expected synergies from combining FeedbackNow with Forrester as well as the value of the acquired workforce. All of the intangible assets are finite-lived. The determination of the fair value of the finite-lived intangible assets required management judgment and the consideration of a number of factors. In determining the fair values, management primarily relied on income valuation methodologies, in particular discounted cash flow models. The use of discounted cash flow models required the use of estimates, including projected cash flows related to the particular asset; the useful lives of the particular assets; the selection of royalty and discount rates used in the models; and certain published industry benchmark data. In establishing the estimated useful lives of the acquired intangible assets, the Company relied primarily on the duration of the cash flows utilized in the valuation model. Of the $4.8 million assigned to intangible assets, $3.0 million was assigned to the technology asset class with a useful life of 6.5 years, $1.3 million to customer relationships with useful lives of 4.5 years to 7.5 years (with a weighted average amortization period of 6.1 years), and $0.5 million to trademarks with a useful life of 8.5 years. The weighted-average amortization period of all intangible assets is 4.8 years. The Company's financial statements include the operating results of FeedbackNow beginning on July 6, 2018, the date of acquisition. FeedbackNow's operating results are being reported as part of the Company's Product segment. The goodwill is not deductible for income tax purposes and was allocated to the Product segment. GlimpzIt On June 22, 2018, Forrester acquired substantially all of the assets of SocialGlimpz, Inc. (“GlimpzIt”), an artificial intelligence and machine-learning provider based in San Francisco. The acquisition is part of Forrester's plan to build a real-time CX cloud solution, integrating a range of inputs to help companies monitor and improve customer experience. Forrester intends to deploy the GlimpzIt technology to extend the analytics engine in Forrester’s planned real-time CX cloud. The acquisition of GlimpzIt was determined to be an acquisition of a business under the provisions of Topic 805. The total purchase price was approximately $1.3 million, which was paid in cash on the acquisition date, and has been allocated as $0.7 million of goodwill and $0.6 million of an intangible asset representing technology, which is being amortized over its estimated useful life of five years. The acquired working capital was insignificant. Forrester may also be required to pay an additional $0.3 million in cash (of which $0.1 million was paid in 2019), contingent on the achievement of certain employment conditions by key employees, which is being recognized as compensation expense over the related service period of two years. Goodwill was allocated to the Product segment and is deductible for income tax purposes. Goodwill is attributable to the acquired workforce as well as future synergies. The entire disclosure for a business combination (or series of individually immaterial business combinations) completed during the period, including background, timing, and recognized assets and liabilities. The disclosure may include leverage buyout transactions (as applicable). Name: us-gaap_BusinessCombinationDisclosureTextBlock Name: us-gaap_BusinessCombinationsAbstract Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract] Note 3 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets As of January 1, 2019, the Company realigned its management structure into Products, Research, and SiriusDecisions from our prior structure of Products, Research, and Project Consulting. The Company performed a qualitative assessment of goodwill for the Products and Research reporting units (as the Project Consulting reporting unit did not contain goodwill) as of January 1, 2019, which was based on the quantitative assessment that was performed as of November 30, 2018 and activity in December 2018. The Company concluded that no impairment existed at January 1, 2019 and goodwill was reassigned as of January 1, 2019 based on the relative fair values of the Products and Research reporting units. The goodwill related to the acquisition of SiriusDecisions was allocated to the SiriusDecisions segment, except for the portion of goodwill representing revenue synergies that are expected to benefit the Research segment. A summary of goodwill by segment and the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill is shown in the following table (in thousands): Balance at January 1, 2018 Translation adjustments Reassignment While the Company uses its best estimates and assumptions as part of the purchase price allocation process to value the assets acquired and liabilities assumed on the acquisition date, its estimates and assumptions are subject to refinement. During the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date, the Company records adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed with a corresponding offset to goodwill to reflect additional information received about facts and circumstances which existed at the date of acquisition. The Company records adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed subsequent to the purchase price allocation period in the Company’s operating results in the period in which the adjustments are determined. During the year-ended December 31, 2019, the Company recorded measurement period adjustments of $0.8 million primarily related to deferred taxes. As of December 31, 2019, the measurement period was completed for the SiriusDecisions acquisition. As of December 31, 2019, the Company had no accumulated goodwill impairment losses. During the year ended December 31, 2019, $115.0 million of intangible assets were added as a result of the acquisition of SiriusDecisions. During the year ended December 31, 2018, $4.8 million and $0.6 million of intangible assets were added as a result of the acquisitions of FeedbackNow and GlimpzIt, respectively. A summary of Forrester’s intangible assets is as follows (in thousands): Amortizable intangible assets: Amortization expense related to intangible assets was approximately $22.6 million, $1.2 million, and $0.8 million during the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Estimated intangible asset amortization expense for each of the five succeeding years is as follows (in thousands): Name: us-gaap_GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsDisclosureAbstract The entire disclosure for goodwill and intangible assets. Name: us-gaap_GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsDisclosureTextBlock Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Note 4 – Debt In connection with the acquisition of SiriusDecisions, the Company entered into a $200.0 million Credit Agreement on January 3, 2019 (the “Closing Date”). The Credit Agreement provides for: (1) senior secured term loans in an aggregate principal amount of $125.0 million (the “Term Loans”) and (2) a senior secured revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of $75.0 million (the “Revolving Credit Facility” and, together with the Term Loans, the “Facilities”). On the Closing Date, the full $125.0 million of the Term Loans and $50.0 million of the Revolving Credit Facility were used to finance a portion of the acquisition of SiriusDecisions and to pay certain fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection with the acquisition and the Facilities. The Facilities are scheduled to mature on January 3, 2024. The Facilities permit the Company to borrow incremental term loans and/or increase commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility in an aggregate principal amount up to $50.0 million, subject to approval by the administrative agent and certain customary terms and conditions. The Facilities can be repaid early, in part or in whole, at any time and from time to time, without premium or penalty, other than customary breakage reimbursement requirements for London Interbank Offering Rate (“LIBOR”) based loans. The Term Loans must be prepaid with net cash proceeds of (i) certain debt incurred or issued by Forrester and its restricted subsidiaries and (ii) certain asset sales and condemnation or casualty events, subject to certain reinvestment rights. Amounts borrowed under the Facilities bear interest, at Forrester’s option, at a rate per annum equal to either (i) LIBOR for the applicable interest period plus a margin that is between 1.75% and 2.50% based on Forrester’s consolidated total leverage ratio or (ii) the alternate base rate plus a margin that is between 0.75% and 1.50% based on Forrester’s consolidated total leverage ratio. In addition, the Company pays a commitment fee between 0.25% and 0.35% per annum, based on Forrester’s consolidated total leverage ratio, on the average daily unused portion of the Revolving Credit Facility, payable quarterly, in arrears. The Term Loans require repayment of the outstanding principal balance in quarterly installments each year, with the balance repayable on the maturity date, subject to customary exceptions. The amount payable in each year as of December 31, 2019 is set forth in the table below (in thousands): Total remaining principal payments The Revolving Credit Facility does not require repayment prior to maturity, subject to customary exceptions. In addition to financing the acquisition, proceeds from the Revolving Credit Facility can also be used towards working capital and general corporate purposes. Up to $5.0 million of the Revolving Credit Facility is available for the issuance of letters of credit, and any drawings under the letters of credit must be reimbursed within one business day. As of December 31, 2019, $0.6 million in letters of credit were issued under the Revolving Credit Facility. Forrester incurred $1.8 million in costs related to the Revolving Credit Facility, which are recorded in other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. These costs are being amortized as interest expense on the Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) on a straight-line basis over the five-year term of the Revolving Credit Facility. Forrester incurred $2.8 million in costs related to the Term Loans, which are recorded as a reduction to the face value of long-term debt on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. These costs are being amortized as interest expense on the Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) utilizing the effective interest rate method. Outstanding Borrowings The following table summarizes the Company’s total outstanding borrowings as of the dates indicated (in thousands): Term loan facility (1) Revolving credit facility (1) (2) Principal amount outstanding (3) Net carrying amount The contractual annualized interest rate as of December 31, 2019 on the Term loan facility was 4.0625%, which consisted of LIBOR of 1.8125% plus a margin of 2.25%, and the annualized interest rate on the Revolving Credit Facility was 4.0%, which consisted of LIBOR of 1.75% plus a margin of 2.25%. However, the Company has an interest rate swap contract that effectively converts the floating LIBOR base rates on a portion of the amounts outstanding to a fixed base rate. Refer to Note 11 – Derivatives and Hedging for further information on the swap. The Company had $61.0 million of available borrowing capacity on the Revolving Credit Facility (not including the expansion feature) as of December 31, 2019. The weighted average annual effective rate on the Company's total debt outstanding for the year ended December 31, 2019, was 4.71%. The Facilities contain certain customary restrictive loan covenants, including among others, financial covenants that apply a maximum leverage ratio and minimum fixed charge coverage ratio. The negative covenants limit, subject to various exceptions, the Company’s ability to incur additional indebtedness, create liens on assets, merge, consolidate, liquidate or dissolve any part of the Company, sell assets, pay dividends or other payments in respect to capital stock, change fiscal year, or enter into certain transactions with affiliates and subsidiaries. The Company was in full compliance with the covenants as of December 31, 2019. The Facilities also contain customary events of default, representations, and warranties. All obligations under the Facilities are unconditionally guaranteed by each of the Company’s existing and future, direct and indirect, material wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries, other than certain excluded subsidiaries, and are collateralized by a first priority lien on substantially all tangible and intangible assets including intellectual property and all of the capital stock of the Company and its subsidiaries (limited to 65% of the voting equity of certain subsidiaries). Name: us-gaap_DebtDisclosureAbstract The entire disclosure for information about short-term and long-term debt arrangements, which includes amounts of borrowings under each line of credit, note payable, commercial paper issue, bonds indenture, debenture issue, own-share lending arrangements and any other contractual agreement to repay funds, and about the underlying arrangements, rationale for a classification as long-term, including repayment terms, interest rates, collateral provided, restrictions on use of assets and activities, whether or not in compliance with debt covenants, and other matters important to users of the financial statements, such as the effects of refinancing and noncompliance with debt covenants. Name: us-gaap_DebtDisclosureTextBlock Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract] Note 5 - Non-Marketable Investments At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the carrying value of the Company’s non-marketable investments, which were composed primarily of interests in technology-related private equity funds, was $2.5 million and is included in other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company’s investments are accounted for using the equity method as the investments are limited partnerships and the Company has an ownership interest in excess of 5%. Accordingly, the Company records its share of the investee’s operating results each period, which are included in gains (losses) on investments, net in the Consolidated Statement of Income (Loss). During the year ended December 31, 2019, gains (losses) from the Company’s non-marketable investments were immaterial. During the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company recorded a gain (loss) from its non-marketable investments of $0.6 million and $(0.5) million, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, no distributions were received from the funds. During the year ended December 31, 2017, a gross distribution of $0.4 million was received from an investment fund that the Company accounted for under the cost method.	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line809
__label__cc	0.529784	0.470216	Mary’s Bad.. My Mysterious.. My Billionaire.. Chapter 573 – 574: Mary’s Bad & Great Husband Chapter 573: Thanks for the Treasure, Gourd Ancestor Primal spirit is Yang, and Divine Spiritual Power is Yin. Yin and Yang complement each other and become the God of Yang. However, Kris still didn’t have the same feeling as he did when going through the judgment. That is to say, there is still room for the Divine Spiritual Power and the primary spirit to be improved. Or maybe it’s because the newly fulfilled eighty-three Taoist strengths had not reached the fulfilled period. Anyway, it’s a long way to go! Seventeen years had passed inside the closing door (practicing Taoist magic art alone), and more than a year had passed in the outer world. For more than a year, it was entirely the division of Kris who was in charge of the sect. Now the Purple Fire Sect had completely completed the reform and was on the right path. The treatment of the disciples in the sect went up again and again, and all the orthodoxies became aggressive and competitive. On the whole, the sect’s strength had become stronger. Half of the disciples of the true God Tao had stepped into the accumulated spirit stage, and only those with less talent were still stuck in the primal spirit stage. His elder fellow apprentice sister Crane Spirit also became a super fighter of the Later Period of the accumulated spirit. And more than half a year earlier, she had successfully challenged the Orthodoxies that ranked below 500. Now that she became so well-known that Even Nanli Fire City knew that there was a fighting goddess in the Purple Fire Sect. Kris specially opened a special channel in the challenge arena to play the fighting process of Crane Spirit. And it’s not for free. the video had brought tens of billions of spiritual stones to the True God Tao in a few hundred battles. It sounded like a lot, but considering that Nanli Fire city had ten times the population of Northern Luzhou, it’s not that much actually. At the moment the True God Tao had completely left the support of the sect and completed the self-sufficiency. With the support and help of Kris, many Taoists Orthodoxies had completed the mode of self-sufficiency. It’s better to let the Orthodoxies achieve self-sufficiency than to distribute resources uniformly. In this way, it could help Purple Fire Sect relieve the pressure and improve the per capita wealth, which was a win-win situation! Although some people said that the Purple Fire Sect was full of the stink of spiritual stones, most people were very satisfied with the change of sect. Kris also became the most authoritative Sovereign Lord since the Founding Master. Purple Fire sect was also secretly growing among the ten Great Saints! Based on the Gengu No.1 sect system and the development mode of northern Luzhou, Purple Fire Sect had become a unique protector of peace. At the same time, they could maintain the stability of the area and gain a lot of reputation. At the same time, they could earn some spiritual stones. It’s a good thing to kill three birds with one arrow. Who wouldn’t want it? Although the loss rate of the disciples had been high in the past two years, it’s also good to promote survival of the fittest. The Gengu No.1 sect relied on projectors, magic computers, magic mirror world. And it had become the 11th Great Saint. Over the past year, Chen Ye, Nan Chen and Zi Chen had also helped a lot. Relying on the huge system of Gengu No.1 sect, their strength had increased rapidly in two years. Chen, for example, had reached the fifth step of his cultivation. His body was dozens of times stronger than before, and he had successfully opened up 54000 acupoints. With the smelting method, Chen’s current mana capacity should be comparable to 100 practitioners of the same level. Half a year ago, he took two of his disciples to the place where the ancient demons were extinct, which attracted the practitioners of the accumulated spirit and got into a fight. He had singled out more than 20 accumulated spirits and three of them had been actualized spirits. Although Nan and Zi were in the early stage of accumulated spirit, their fighting power was comparable to that of later period of accumulated spirit, and they could protect themselves. Finally, Chen killed one actualized spirit and eight accumulated spirits, and scared away the other practitioners. Since then, the reputation of demon king Chen Ye had been heard throughout the practicing world. The three found many good things in the place where the ancient demons died out. Chen obtained the magic shuttle of the ancient demon God to protect the Divine Spiritual Power. Although the damage was severe, it was also the top Spirit Weapon of the Spirit Weapon Rules at the peak. In this way, it also made up for the weakness of Chen’s primal spirit. Zi also gained a lot of magic skills and a Spirit Weapon level defense treasure suit. As for Nan, he was lucky enough to harvest the inheritance of ancient demons. In this inheritance, with great magic power, the spirit of evil spirit even reunited Mr. bone for Nan, and it was the most precious one, hundreds of times more precious than the one taken away by his uncle. “Master, I feel very good now. Mr. bone can increase the limit of human body by 100 times!” “Brother, what does that mean?” Nan touched her head and explained, “There are limits in every stage of a practitioner, that is to say, I can break the limit a hundred times that of the human body. If you can give out 100 grams in primal spirit, I can give out a million grams! “ Zi was stunned, “Are you invincible?” “How can it be so easy?” Chen said with a smile, “Although Mr. bone is good, there must be many limitations and difficulties. It is very difficult to break the limit of human body by one time, and it is even more difficult to break it a hundred times.” “Master, your are so wise!” Nan nodded, “A hundred times limit means that I need to work a hundred times harder than ordinary people, and also need a hundred times more resources than ordinary people. The most important thing is the physical endurance.” “When the devil was the strongest, he just broke his own limit of 50 times. Even so, he was the best of his era.” “It’s OK. I’ll help you. And there will be your master uncle and the whole sect that can help you!” Chen said with a smile, “let’s go, go back and say goodbye to your master uncle. We should also start our journey.” “Yes, master!” The two nodded. This time the harvest was too big. They had to digest it in the battle. “By the way, master, I want to make a copy of the demon’s inheritance and give it to the sect!” Nan suddenly stopped and said. “Yes, but leave the core part for yourself.” Chen said. “It doesn’t matter, the most important thing in the inheritance of the demon God is Mr. bone. Without Mr. bone, even if the core is given, it is useless.” Nan said, “In fact, the ancient law is not necessarily better than the modern law, and even most of the inheritance is not as strong as that of the sect.” Chen nodded. The world is progressing, and the magic arts are also improving. In ancient times, the environment of heaven and earth was different. What used to be suitable is not necessarily suitable now! “Well, it’s up to you! I will respect your choice!” Chen was very happy. At least his disciple was a person who knew to pay back the kindness, which showed that he had chosen the right people. He really regarded Gengu No.1 sect as his home and his disciples as his family members. Just like Kris, who gave him the magic skill without hesitation, how many people in the world could do it? Then a deep sigh came from Old Gu in the storing ring- what a group of simple minded monsters! Old Gu envied Chen, because he had a group of good partners who were united and friendly and could protect each other and treat each other sincerely. He also envied Nan that he was lucky enough to have met Chen, who could ensure his safety, spread his magic power, and teach him the truth of life. “Why can’t I be so lucky?” The Old Gu muttered. When the three returned to the residence of Gengu No.1 Sect, Nan copied the inheritance of the demon God. There was no Mr. bone, so the inheritance value was not very great. Of course, this was only what Nan thought. For Demon Kris, this heritage could be of great use! And what was Mr. Bone? Since it could be made by human force, why couldn’t he? Demon Kris, who was far away in the middle part of Leizhou City received the news from Kris’s division body. He quickly asked Kris to deduce Mr. bone. After repeatedly calculating all the magic skills passed down by the demon God, he finally understood what the so-called Mr. bone is! That’s how rules are condensed to the limit. It’s like an old computer with a new operating system, which could make you run faster, even better than the new one. That’s what it means. It’s a bit like a high-level program, but the rules are more advanced than the program. It’s really not difficult for Kris, who had ninety-nine Taoist strengths, to deduce it! It took a few months for Kris to figure out how many rules Mr. bone contained, and it’s a total of 49 rules! However, the core of Mr. bone is the power of law! Above the rules is the law, which is the power that only the Holy Realm can control. Forty nine rules are simple and he could handle it by himself, but the Holy Realm… He only knew Gourd Ancestor there! Let the Gourd Ancestor help him condense a law. Should it be fine? Kris came to the inner world of Dongtian (cave) with the best spirit wine and found the Gourd Ancestor lying in the rocking chair. “Gourd Ancestor, I’ve come to see you!” Kris stepped forward and came to the Gourd Ancestor. Gourd Ancestor opened his eyes slightly and looked at Kris. “What are you doing here kid?” “I want to drink with you!” Kris took out a small wooden table, put a glass on it, and filled it for Gourd Ancestor. “Try it. This is the spirit wine I made with the Back-to-Heaven Spiritual Fire.” It’s more like small flames dancing in the glass than a glass of wine. “It’s interesting!” The Gourd Ancestor was lying in the rocking chair, sipping the wine out of thin air, and the wine in the glass was soon gone. Kris was amazed. This was awesome. He could twist the space when drinking wine! “This wine is good, but its time is too short. If it is kept for thousands of years, it will surely be upgraded to a higher level.” This level of spirit wine was of no use to him, but drinking it was a fun thing to do. He had been in space all the year round. His soul was often out of the body, but could not get away from it. Unless he became stronger, then it would be alright even if his soul should leave his body totally. The innate-power stage had deep spiritual roots, but it was also a shackle. However, it didn’t matter to the Gourd Ancestor. Since he was enlightened by the old master of purple fire sect, it had been impossible for him to leave. Because he was still waiting for the old master of purple fire sect to return and take him out of here. “Come on, tell me, what are you doing here?” The Gourd Ancestor still recognized the achievements made by Kris in the past two years. “Ancestor, I want you to help me condense the power of a hundred laws!” The Gourd Ancestor frowned, “You haven’t even passed the judgment of the actualized spirit. What do you want the power of law for?” “I’ve been addicted to refining tools recently. I want to see if I can put the power of the law into it.” The Gourd Ancestor said, “bring the embryo over and I’ll refine it for you.” “How can I bother you with such a little thing?” Kris said quickly. “You have something evil in your mind.” Kris laughed bitterly, “You can see through me!” “Well, it’s just the power of the hundred laws. I’ll just give it to you.” The Gourd Ancestor waved, and a red gourd fell from the vine far away. “Although this gourd does not have the inborn power stage root, it is a very rare treasure. There are hundreds of rules in it. Practice hard and strive for the actualized spirit!” After taking the red gourd, Kris bowed and said, “thank you very much, Gourd Ancestor!” Chapter 574: Buhui Yuan The gourd originally grew from the Gourd Ancestor and was influenced by the power of law. The lower vine was a Spirit Weapon, and could be a top-grade Spirit Weapon when refined. Now he owed the Gourd Ancestor big. The Gourd Ancestor swung his sleeve, and Kris Chen felt a soft force pushing himself out, and the next second he appeared outside the Dongtian (cave) world. “Is this the Holy Realm?” Kris was shocked and had no power to resist at all. There’s a gap from the Taoist Strength to the rules, then another gap from the rules to laws. It a quality gap. Unless his Dongtian(cave) could continue to expand, the gap might be closed! Back in the cave, Kris thought for a long time. He had now reached the actualized spirit in his spirit, body and magic. But he defeated Lord Huayu who’s in the Middle period of the actualized spirit. He was strong himself, but the 54000 Dongtian (cave) smoothed the gap between the accumulated spirit and the actualized spirit. The real strength of a low-grade Dongtian (cave) is comparable to the middle period of the actualized spirit. Naturally, a middle-grade Dongtian (cave) should be comparable to the Fulfilled Period of the actualized spirit. And the Holy realm of a top-grade Dongtian (cave), Divine Dongtian (cave)), can they step into the Real Saint Realm? If he guessed right, does that mean he could overtake in a corner? Kris, who can’t wait to try, had hoarded countless resources in several big states for more than a year. There were various kinds of heaven and earth treasures, divine pills, and Taoist Strength Stones. “Good, these resources are enough for me to deduce the world of acupoints to the top-grade Dongtian (cave)!” But before that, he decided to condense Mr. Bone for demon Kris. As for Yuan Kris, he was the divine spiritual stone, which was more powerful than Mr. Bone. Yuan Kris had also succeeded in the actualized spirit. Although he was just in the early stage, his combat ability was comparable to that of the later period of the actualized spirit. This was the advantage of information sharing. Any Taoist Strength developed by Kris could be directly used by without understanding. Knowing that Kris had refined Mr. Bone, Demon Kris himself came from central Leizhou City in person. With the fusion of Mr. Bone, demon Kris opened his eyes and said, “Yes, the integration of Mr. Bone and the Demon body went smoothly. At present, I can break ten times the level of myself. The residual power of the true devil’s heart can nourish Mr. Bone. This is good news!” “I’ve decided to take the path of Strength,” Demon Kris said, “The path of the world is not for me.” Kris nodded, “As long as you feel good, you can choose any path!” “If the power is strong to the limit, can we break the universe’s barrier?” Demon Kris’s obsession with going home was no weaker than that of Kris. He needed to try all kinds of methods that why he created different divisions. Yuan Kris, for example, took the path of magic. If Kris failed, Demon Kris still had a chance. If demon Kris failed, Yuan Kris may succeed. They were all working for the same goal. “We have collected a large number of ancient mythological records in several mainland states. The source of Magic Practicer is the great heaven of Tao, and the origin of the Spirit Practitioner is the original great heaven, and the origin of the body refining practitioner is the great heaven God of heaven!” “If you say that these three have nothing to do with the three on earth, I won’t believe it!” Demon Kris laughed. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe this big dipper is our big dipper on earth.” “When we finish laying out the whole Devil Land, it’s time for us to leave!” Kris also laughed. After Demon Kris left, Kris began to deduce Dongtian (cave). Taoist Strength of gold, Taoist Strength of wood, Taoist Strength of yin and Yang, and Taoist Strength circulating in Dongtian (cave) of ancestral acupoint constructed a complete five-element cycle and Yin-Yang interaction environment. At that moment, the Dongtian (cave) roared and vibrated and continued to expand! In fact, the evolution of the Dongtian (cave) world is the birth of the simulation world, just like building a house, first laying the foundation, then pouring reinforced concrete. One billion high-quality stones were directly put into Dongtian (cave) of ancestral acupoint. When Dongtian (cave) finally had its form, it had the function of storage. Of course, it’s not yet able to maintain life at present. One thousand and two hundred feet, one thousand and five hundred feet, one thousand and eight hundred feet… More Aura would be needed, and one billion spiritual stones were put into it. Two thousand feet, two thousand and five hundred feet, three thousand feet… After putting in five billion spiritual stones, the space of the ancestral acupoint to ten thousand feet, and reached it’s limit. Kris was speechless. It took him five billion to open one Dongtian(cave), and to open up all the existing acupoints, he needed more than 200 trillion spiritual stones. “Plunder, I must ruthlessly plunder and not let go of even a bit of resources!” Kris gritted his teeth hard. Mr. Bone needs a hundred times the resources of ordinary people, and what Kris needed was ten thousand times, even a hundred thousand times, or a million times! It couldn’t be compared at all! After opening the Dongtian (cave) of the ancient acupoint, Kris did the same and began to open up other Dongtian (cave). if he expanded 50 acupoints per day, Kris needed to close door (practicing Taoist magic art alone) for at least three years inside, that is, four months! Oh it’s just three years, plus the previous 17 years, it’s just 20 years! Kris gritted his teeth and focused on opening Dongtian (cave). This time, he really emptied all his spiritual stones, even tens of millions of spiritual stones were exhausted, and all those precious medicines, divine pills were also consumed! Three years passed quietly, and Kris was inflated by the power of the rising world again. After spending another three months in the sword world, Kris finally adapted to the soaring power. “I thought it could be expanded infinitely. It turns out that the world is also related to the strength of my own physical body and primal spirit. So if I want to continue to expand the Dongtian (cave) world, I must break through the actualized spirit, right?” “But I don’t feel like I’ve been through the judgment yet. Is it because the ninety-nine Taoist Strengths have not reached the Fulfilled Period?” “Yes, it must be for that reason.” At present, the ninety-nine Taoist Strengths of Kris had already partly reached the Fulfilled Period. If Kris wanted to build a perfect Dongtian (cave), he must add more Taoist Strength to the five-element Yin and Yang. Fortunately, Kris had enough Taoist Strength stones! He never worried about this. If he needed to close door to practice again, he would do it! At the same time, Buhui Yuan, a kid in a nameless town in northern Luzhou City, just turned three years old! This child was supernatural. He could walk in March and speak in April. When he was less than one year old, he could talk like an adult! By the time he turned four, he would have read all the books in Yuan’s Family. “Buhui, it’s time to eat!” Xuefei Yuan, dressed in a plain dress, stood at the bottom of the attic and called Buhui’s name. Over the past four years, Xuefei had been living in seclusion, and she’s thinner than before. Her eyebrows that looked aggressive at the moment were also full of softness. “Mother, I’m coming!” A little boy’s cute head stuck out of the attic, and then he leaped down. His body fell rapidly and it almost frightened Xuefei’s soul out of her body, “Buhui…” When the boy’s body was about to hit the ground, he stopped abruptly, “Mother, I’m okay!” Xuefei pulled him over as soon as the he finished saying the words. She raised her hand and spanked Buhui’s ass heavily. The boy was not weaker than Xuefei, but he was still crying and pretending to be in pain. At this time, a sob came into Buhui’s ears, and he immediately stopped crying. He was young and smart. He quickly went down from his mother’s laps and looked at her tearful mother. He was immediately flustered, “Mother, don’t cry. It’s my fault, I shouldn’t have been naughty!” Buhui quickly stretched out his little cute hand to wipe Xuefei’s tears. Holding her son, Xuefei’s heart was extremely painful, “I don’t want you to go!” Hearing this, Buhui seemed to understand something. He also firmly held Xuefei and cried out, “mother, I’m not leaving you. I will be good and won’t make you angry!” “My lady, young master!” Yujie also covered her mouth to keep herself from crying. Tiangang Yuan sighed, “Don’t blame me. I’m also doing this for the good of the Yuan Family. This son has excellent talent. If we keep him in the Yuan Family, we can only raise shallow water snakes. If we send him to the sect, he can surely fly into the sky.” “At that time, the mother depends on the son, and we Yuan Family will be able to rise with the tide!” Butler Mei came over with a walking stick and said, “Sir, young master is too young now. Shall we wait for another two years?” “And our Sir Kris… How would he feel if he knew about it?” In fact, Butler Mei wanted to say that it’s best to find Sir Kris and let him teach young master. “Don’t mention him!” Tiangang looked cold, “If he really has his wife and son in his heart, he should have come back already.” Butler Mei shook his head and shut up. If Kris had helped them, how could Yuan Family be reduced to the present situation. In fact, Tiangang was also slightly unwilling to send Buhui away. However, since Xuefei gave birth to Buhui, there had been a lot of complains inside Yuan Family. If he had not insisted, the child would have been drowned the day he was born. Renjie Yuan was a new talent of the Yuan Family. In his early thirties, he broke through the Pill Formation Stage. Although Tiangang also broke through the Pill Formation Stage, Renjie was still younger and more energetic, more resolute and more courageous. Now some people in the Yuan Family had proposed to let Tiangang abdicate. If it had not been for Tu Yan’s help, they would have already succeeded in usurping the position. So Tiangang put his hope on the young Buhui. The boy was born with supernatural powers. He was a top cultivation genius. Tiangang spent a lot of money contacting an outside elder of a second class sect, the earth sect. Then he got the qualification. With the cultivation of sect, Buhui will surely grow up quickly. Thinking of this, Tiangang put out the little slice of unwillingness. He just walked quickly to them and forcibly pulled Buhui away from his mother. “Buhui…” “Tu, stop her!” Tiangang held Buhui but this boy was born with divine power. He couldn’t suppress him for a moment! “Be good!” Tiangang took great efforts to seal his acupoints. “Uncle Yan, I beg you! Let me go! Don’t let me leave with my son!” “Xuefei, it’s all for the sake of Buhui. If he leaves, you can also consider your happiness for the rest of your life.” Tu advised. “No, I just want my son!” Tiangang hinted Tu and Tu directly knocked Xuefei unconscious, “Yujie, take your Lady back to the room!” “Mother!” There were snot and tears all over Buhui’s face. Tiangang galloped in the air with his flying sword. “Stop crying! You should blame yourself for being too weak to protect your mother. It’s no use staring at me!” Tiangang said with hatred, “Go to find that man if you can. All the sufferings that you and your mother are having now was brought by him. Hate him if you like!” ©2021 Tips	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line818
__label__cc	0.518453	0.481547	Research Article\| October 13 2020 Backpack use as an alternative water transport method in Kisumu, Kenya Sunkyung Kim; Sunkyung Kim 1Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA E-mail: wox0@cdc.gov Kathryn Curran; Kathryn Curran Li Deng; Li Deng Aloyce Odhiambo; Aloyce Odhiambo 2Safe Water and AIDS Project, Kisumu, Kenya Jared Oremo; Jared Oremo Ronald Otieno; Ronald Otieno Richard Omore; Richard Omore 3Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya Thomas Handzel; Thomas Handzel 4Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA Robert Quick Journal of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Development (2020) 10 (4): 986–995. https://doi.org/10.2166/washdev.2020.239 Sunkyung Kim, Kathryn Curran, Li Deng, Aloyce Odhiambo, Jared Oremo, Ronald Otieno, Richard Omore, Thomas Handzel, Robert Quick; Backpack use as an alternative water transport method in Kisumu, Kenya. Journal of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Development 1 December 2020; 10 (4): 986–995. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/washdev.2020.239 In developing countries, most households transport water from distant sources, placing physical burdens on women and children, who commonly carry water on their heads. A lightweight backpack was developed to alleviate physical stress from water carriage and provide a safe storage container. In 2015, we conducted a baseline survey among 251 Kenyan households with children <5 years old, distributed one backpack per household, and made 6 monthly home visits to ask about backpack use. At baseline, the median reported water collection time was 40 minutes/round trip; 80% of households reported collecting water daily (median 3 times/day). At follow-up visits, respondents reported backpack use to carry water ranged from 4% to 20% in the previous day; reported backpack use for water storage in the previous day ranged from 31% to 67%. Pain from water carriage was reported at 9% of all follow-up visits. The odds of backpack use in the past day to collect water were lower during rainy season (OR: 0.3, 95% CI: 0.2–0.3) and not associated with reported pain (OR: 1.7, 95% CI: 0.9–3.3). Our study suggests that participants preferred using the backpacks for storage rather than transport of water. Further dissemination of the backpacks is not recommended because of modest use for transport. A backpack for water carriage which was already distributed to several poor countries has not been objectively evaluated. Backpack use for water transport was modest in Kenya. This study suggests that participants preferred using the backpacks for storage rather than transport of water. backpack, Kenya, musculoskeletal pain, water storage, water transport In developing countries, water is often collected by women and children using a variety of methods (Ferguson 1986; Page 1995; Geere et al. 2010a), walking an average of 6 km, and hauling an average total of 18 kg of water every day (World Vision 2020). Many communities in western Kenya do not have household or community taps available and residents must leave their household premises to collect water. According to the 2014 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS), nearly 60% of households do not have an onsite water source, and residents of 40% of rural households have to walk more than 30 min to obtain their drinking water, carrying water most often on the head (KDHS 2014). With a volume of 20 liter, a typical jerrycan or bucket used to carry water weighs over 20 kg when filled. The weight of the loads and the repetitive stress placed on the spine by carrying water on the head have been shown to result in back and neck pain and radiographic changes in the spine (Levy 1968; Jumah & Nyame 1994; Jäger et al. 1997; Geere et al. 2010b). In addition, open containers or buckets can be easily contaminated if dirty hands, cups, or other items contact the water. Jerrycans, with a narrow opening, reduce this type of contamination, but are difficult to clean because they have a narrow opening. Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) and Greif International, an industrial packaging company (Delaware, OH), have collaborated to develop a lightweight backpack for water collection and storage called ‘PackH2O’ (https://www.partnersforcare.org/packh2o/). PackH2O is seven times lighter than a typical jerrycan, has a removable plastic liner that can be cleaned, and employs a spigot to readily dispense water stored in the backpack (Figure 1). In a preliminary pilot evaluation of the PackH2O, Greif International reported that the product eased transport and shortened water collection time over traditional water collection and storage tools (PIH ZL 2012). However, at the time of this study, there had been no independent evaluations of the PackH2O (Martinsen et al. 2019). Since 2012, over 225,000 backpacks have been distributed around the world, and as of 2018, almost 50,000 PackH2O backpacks had been deployed throughout Kenya with no published evaluations (Noland 2018). This level of investment merits justification by evaluations of use and acceptability of the backpacks as well as an assessment of stored water quality, if they are commonly used for storage. Backpack and a woman carrying backpack as an alternative water transport method in Kisumu in Kenya, 2015. With the assistance of HFHI, the Safe Water and AIDS Project (SWAP), a Kenyan non-governmental organization, distributed PackH2O backpacks (hereafter referred to as backpack) to rural households in western Kenya and assessed the utility and acceptability of the backpacks as a means of collecting and storing drinking water, and their effectiveness in reducing musculoskeletal pain. We selected a convenience sample of eight rural villages (Kakiki, Kagoo B, Kamwanda West, Kandhere, Karabuok North, Karabouk South, Koulu B, Thim) in Kisumu County, Kenya, where a previous study suggested that the populations had to travel to collect water from their main water sources, which included Lake Victoria, rivers, earthpans (manmade ponds), and boreholes, and store the water in their homes (KDHS 2014). Sample size calculation We calculated the approximate sample size of 200 households using the assumption that 50% of the households would use the backpack, with a precision of 7% and a confidence level at 95%. Assuming a loss to follow-up of 25%, we attempted to enroll a sample of approximately 250 households. Study design and data collection This study utilized an experimental, longitudinal, and quantitative design. We obtained rosters of 438 total households in 8 villages from village elders. Eligible participants for the study included female heads of household or child caretakers ≥18 years old, with at least one child <5 years old. In December 2014, enumerators visited households until the desired sample size was reached to collect baseline data, including demographic and socioeconomic characteristics; water sources; water collection, storage, and treatment practices; and musculoskeletal pain related to water carriage. Stored drinking water was also tested for the presence of free chlorine residuals (FCR) using the N,N diethyl 1–4 phenylenediamine sulfate (DPD) method (Hach Co., Loveland, CO, USA). Enumerators obtained household coordinates using mobile devices with Geographic Positioning System (GPS) capabilities and GPS coordinates from water sources from a pre-selected random sample of 45 households to calculate a proxy for distance between home and water source. In January 2015, one backpack per household and training about proper backpack use were provided to each enrolled participant at group information sessions in each village. From January to June 2015, monthly follow-up home visits were made over a 6-month period by trained enumerators and community health workers, and the participants were asked about their backpack use and physical pain from water carriage during the same period, with the pain location categorized into a priori list of body regions (Supplemental Table 1). The English survey questionnaire was pre-translated to correspond to participants' native language (Dholuo) and administered at baseline and follow-up by enumerators fluent in Dholuo. The number of total households, total households with children <5 years old, and households with children <5 years old sampled at baseline, by village, Kisumu County, Kenya, 2014–2015 Village . Total households . Households with children <5yo in villages Households with children <5yo in sample N . % . Kakiki 171 67 39 42 63 Kagoo B 235 89 38 47 53 Kamwanda West 125 52 42 33 63 Kandhere 68 35 51 18 51 Karabuok North 94 45 48 26 58 Karabuok South 128 59 46 35 59 Koulu B 216 56 26 35 63 Thim 94 35 37 15 43 Total 1,131 438 39 251 57 Survey instruments were programmed on personal digital assistants (PDA) using Visual CE software version 10.0 (Syware, Cambridge, MA, USA) and analyses were performed using SAS version 9.4 (Cary, NC, USA). The associations between reported backpack use for carrying water (as a dependent variable) and selected characteristics (as independent variables) were examined using multivariable logistic regression where the unit of analysis was the household. Analyses were conducted separately for reported use in the past month and previous day. The characteristics considered in the analysis were reported pain (yes or no), age group (<24, 24–35, and >35 years), education (<primary, ≥primary), body mass index (BMI), rainy season (yes for April or May, and no), and walking time from water source to home (≤10, 11–30, >30 min). BMI was calculated from reported height and weight by respondents, and then categorized into underweight (<18.5 kg/m2), normal weight (18.5 to <25 kg/m2), and overweight or obese (≥25 kg/m2) to explore whether the size of each participant is a determinant of backpack use. Potential correlations from clustered data structure (repeated monthly reports < households < villages) were considered using the Generalized Estimating Equation approach. We note that reports of musculoskeletal pain (at the same period as water carriage) from carrying water were collected during rounds 1–5, but round 6 data were missing and excluded in the analysis. To examine the impact of this exclusion to the results, we also conducted a sensitivity analysis including all six rounds of data without the pain variable. The Kenya Medical Research Institute Ethical Review Committee (protocol number 2788) and CDC Institutional Review Board (protocol number 6583) approved the study protocol. We obtained written informed consent from all participants. Sample characteristics at baseline Of 438 households in village rosters (Table 1), 13 were empty during the baseline home visits, 64 could not be found, 24 did not transport or store water, 22 had no children <5 years old, and 51 were excluded for other reasons (e.g., died, duplicate entries, separated/divorced). Of the remaining 264 households that were eligible for inclusion in the study, 13 refused to participate, which left a total of 251 enrolled in the 8 villages for the baseline survey. The median age of respondents was 26 years (interquartile range or IQR: 22–32 years), 63% finished at least primary school, and 95% had electricity at home (Table 2). The homes of 78% of respondents had an earthen floor and 81% had mud walls. For BMI categorization, 18% were underweight and 17% were overweight or obese. Thirty-six percent of households reported drinking water from an improved source (borehole, rain catchment, covered well, or piped water) and 27% used an improved water storage container (plastic jerrycan or ceramic filter). Approximately half of respondents (54%) reported treating their water, and of these, 43% said they used a chlorine product. Water treatment was confirmed in 1% of households through chlorine residual testing at baseline. Baseline characteristics of participants, Kisumu in Kenya, 2014–2015, N = 251 Participants, N (%) or median [IQR] . Age in years, median [IQR] 26 [22–32] <24 84 (33) 24–35 131 (52) >35 36 (14) Education: ≥primary 159 (63) BMI, kg/m2 Underweight (<18.5) 46 (18) Normal weight (18.5 to <25) 162 (65) Overweight or obese (25+) 43 (17) Have electricity in the house 238 (95) Observed main material for floor Thatch 197 (78) Wood 52 (21) Other 2 (1) Observed main material for roof Thatch 25 (10) Iron sheet/tile/asbestos sheets 225 (90) Observed main material for wall Dung/mud 202 (81) Metal/cement/cement/plaster/bricks/blocks/stones 48 (19) Improved drinking water sourcea 91 (36) Improved drinking water containerb 69 (27) Treat drinking water? 135 (54) → If yes, what do you do to it? select all that apply Chlorination 107 (43) Filter or boil 27 (11) Other 15 (6) Observed container lid 210 (84) Observed latrine 131 (52) Confirmed chlorination 3 (1) aBorehole, rain catchment, covered well, or piped water. bPlastic jerrycan or ceramic filter. Drinking water collection and physical pain from carrying water at baseline At baseline, about one-third (32%) of respondents said they used plastic jerrycans and the rest used buckets (or bucket-like) containers to collect water, and 99% carried water on their heads (Table 3). The median reported time to collect water (per round trip) was 40 min (IQR: 30–60 min). Eighty percent of respondents reported collecting water every day and, of these, 85% said they collected water at least three times per day. A majority of respondents (91%) said they have had pain from carrying water at some time during their life, with the most frequently reported locations including chest (46%), head (43%), and neck (36%). These were also the most commonly reported locations for pain during the past 2 weeks. The median distance from home to water source calculated from GPS coordinate data of 44 households was 415 m (IQR: 228–688 m) (data not shown). Drinking water collection and pain reported from carrying water at baseline, Kisumu, in Kenya, 2014–2015, N = 251 Type of water container to collect and carry home Plastic jerrycan 80 (32) Buckets 171 (68) How do you carry water to home? Select all that apply Head 249 (99) Hands 11 (4) Back 1 (0.4) Time to collect water (round trip), min 40 [30–60] Time from home to water source 15 [10–25] Time from water source to home 25 [10–35] No. of trips to collect water per week Every day 200 (80) Other 51 (20) → If every day, no. of trips to collect water per day <3 31 (15) ≥3 169 (85) Any pain from carrying water in lifetime 227 (91) → If yes, location of the pain Neck 90 (36) Shoulder 17 (7) Upper back 41 (16) Lower back 52 (21) Chest 115 (46) Ribs 14 (6) Knee 25 (10) Any pain from carrying water <2 week 133 (55) Head 69 (27) Upper back 18 (7) Chest 48 (19) Knee 17 (7) Backpack use and pain for water carriage at follow-up Among 251 respondents, we distributed backpacks to a subset of 239 women in January 2015 (three refused to participate and nine were away at the time of distribution). Among 239 participants, a total of 1,334 follow-up home visits were made, with a median of 223 monthly visits ranging from 216 to 228 visits. In nearly two-thirds of these visits (62%), respondents said they collected water with the backpack in the past month and 13% said they used the backpack for water collection in the past day (Table 4). The monthly rate of reported use of the backpack for water collection during the previous month varied from 37 to 85%, and from 4 to 20% for the previous day (Figure 2). Respondents reported even storing water in the backpack over the past month during 83% of home visits, and either today or during the previous day at 64% of visits (Table 4). Water was observed in the backpack at 48% of home visits, which varied by month from 31 to 67% (Figure 2). Pain from carrying water was reported at only 9% of all home visits (Table 4). Among backpack users, reported pain ranged from 6 to 19% in the previous month and 0 to 19% in the previous day (Figure 3). Among backpack non-users, reported pain ranged from 1 to 33% in the past month and 5 to 22% in the past day. Respondents reported pain most frequently in the shoulder (44%), upper/lower back (44%) and neck (14%). Monthly reports for backpack (BP) use and pain from carrying water during follow-up home visits, Kisumu in Kenya, 2014–2015, N = 1,334 visits Visits, N/total (%) . Collect water with BP in the past month 753/1,205 (62) Did you collect with BP yesterday? 160/1,205 (21) How often use BP to collect water Everyday 58/1,333 (4) Other 1,275/1,333 (96) Ever store water in BP 1,104/1,334 (83) → Stored water in BP today or yesterday 701/1,103 (64) → How often use BP to store water Everyday 354/1,104 (32) Other 750/1,104 (68) Observed water in BP 574/1,201 (48) Pain from carrying water Any pain in the past month from carrying water 101/1,109 (9) → If yes, location of pain Head 8/101 (8) Neck 14/101 (14) Shoulder 44/101 (44) Upper back 17/101 (17) Lower back 27/101 (27) Chest 33/101 (33) Ribs 2/101 (2) Knee 2/101 (2) What do you like most about the BP? Select all Good for water storage 796/1,334 (60) More comfortable to carry 558/1,334 (42) Convenient to use 188/1,334 (14) What do you like least about the BP? Select all Too heavy 164/1,334 (12) Causes pain 52/1,334 (4) Uncomfortable 48/1,334 (4) It broke 12/1,334 (1) Maintenance of BP Do you clean inside of BP? 1,124/1,334 (84) If yes, how often? Every time I collect water 186/1,124 (17) Monthly reported backpack use to collect water past month or previous day (left) and to store water today/previous day and observed water in the backpack (BP) (right). Monthly reported pain from carrying water by backpack (BP) use past month (left) and previous day (right). Preferences and challenges with backpacks At monthly home visits, 60% of participants reported they liked the backpacks for water storage, 42% said they were comfortable for carrying water, and 14% stated that their favorite feature of the backpacks was convenience (Table 4). A few challenges were also reported as hindering backpack use, including too heavy (12%), causes pain (4%), uncomfortable to use (4%), and breakage (1%). During 84% of home visits, respondents reported cleaning the inside of backpacks; of these, 17% said they cleaned the backpack every time water was collected. Backpack use for water carriage models The odds of reported backpack use to carry water in the past month were higher in those who had ≥primary school education (odds ratio or OR: 1.6, 95% confidence interval or CI: 1.04–2.3) and who were in the underweight BMI category compared with normal BMI (OR: 1.7, 95% CI: 1.1–2.9) (Table 5). The odds of backpack use to carry water were lower in the rainy season than in the dry season (OR: 0.3, 95% CI: 0.2–0.3). There were no significant associations between backpack use and reported pain in the past month, respondent age group, or time from water source to home. Similar patterns were observed in the analysis of reported backpack use to carry water in the previous day, with consistently lower odds of backpack use during the rainy season than the dry season (OR: 0.3, 95% CI: 0.2–0.4). In the sensitivity analysis using all data from all six rounds and excluding missing pain data from the sixth round, the results did not change appreciably (Supplemental Table 2). The odds ratios (OR) of reported backpack use in past month or previous day to carry water, Kisumu in Kenya, 2014–2015 Past month OR (95% CI) . P-value . Previous day OR (95% CI) . Pain from carrying water past month 1.7 (0.9, 3.3) 0.117 0.9 (0.5, 1.7) 0.740 Age group, years <24 Ref – Ref – 24–35 0.8 (0.5, 1.3) 0.438 0.7 (0.4, 1.1) 0.083 >35 1.1 (0.6, 1.9) 0.826 1.0 (0.5, 1.9) 0.910 Education level attained <Primary Ref – Ref – ≥Primary 1.6 (1.04, 2.3) 0.030 1.5 (0.9, 2.3) 0.112 Normal weight Ref – Ref – Underweight 1.7 (1.1, 2.9) 0.030 1.3 (0.7, 2.3) 0.407 Overweight or obese 1.1 (0.6, 2.0) 0.658 1.1 (0.6, 2.0) 0.765 Rainy season* No Ref – Ref – Yes 0.3 (0.2, 0.3) < 0.001 0.3 (0.2, 0.4) < 0.001 Time from water source to home, min ≤10 Ref – Ref – *April or May. Results of this evaluation suggested that the uptake of backpack for water collection and transport among participants in western Kenya was modest. Backpack use for water storage was more common than for water transport and increased during the rainy season, likely because the backpack fit the local water storage strategy of filling as many containers as possible when it rains. The finding of low use for water transport was consistent with a recent evaluation of the same backpack conducted in rural Haiti which showed the overall modest acceptance of backpack with decreasing use over a 6-month period (Martinsen et al. 2019). Devising a container for carrying water on the back reflects an interest that has been raised in recent years (WHO 2007, 2017). Despite the apparent musculoskeletal stress of water carriage and scientific evidence of chronic health problems from this practice (Levy 1968; Jumah & Nyame 1994; Jäger et al. 1997; Geere et al. 2010b), no large-scale epidemiological studies were found which had used a scientifically appropriate study design to analyze the association between water carrying and objective indicators of effects on physical health (Evans et al. 2013). A few studies have compared several types of containers that reduce physical pain, but no designs have been widely disseminated (Geere et al. 2010b; Martinsen et al. 2019). In a study conducted on Xhosa women of South Africa, the participants reported they can carry greater loads on the back than on the head and said that back-loading was generally more comfortable (Lloyd et al. 2010). Conversely, several studies have reported that back-loading led to more areas of pain and discomfort than head-loading using buckets and jerrycans (Noland 2018; Martinsen et al. 2019). Although fewer women had complaints (heavy, difficult to use straps, pain, difficulty cleaning) than positive comments (storage, comfort, convenience) about the backpack in this study, the duration of data collection may have been insufficient, the distance to water sources not far enough (<500 m on average), and the use of backpacks too limited to meaningfully evaluate acute and chronic pain associated with backpack use. Furthermore, because the backpacks were neither fitted to the women nor ergonomically designed, it is possible that musculoskeletal problems could have developed over time (Geere et al. 2018). An additional possibility is that the use of the head for carrying water was an ingrained habit that served as a barrier to changing this longstanding practice. This possible explanation is consistent with a study by Schilling et al. that found that poverty, low educational levels, and ingrained habits were a barrier for rural residents to adapt to new health interventions (Schilling et al. 2013). Behavior change interventions that employ social norms can help overcome barriers to change and sustain new behaviors (Yamin et al. 2019), particularly if the new behaviors have advantages that facilitate diffusion of innovative practices or technologies into populations (Rogers 1983). Although the results of this study did not clearly answer the question of the acceptability of the backpack for water carriage in western Kenya, many study participants appeared to have little motivation to use the backpack for water transport during the rainy season because they preferred its use for rainwater collection. The highest level of reported use of the backpacks for water storage in the previous day occurred during the rainy season. Participants indicated that, by providing an additional water storage container with the added advantages of a wide opening for rain capture and easy cleaning, as well as a spigot for water removal, the backpack serves the household need for water storage. The unexpected preference for storage over transport of water raised several questions regarding the utility of the backpack. Acceptable water containers are accessible in western Kenya and have been tested for their ability to maintain water quality (Ogutu et al. 2001; Murphy et al. 2016). Unless the backpacks offered advantages in storage over effective, less expensive alternatives, it would be difficult to justify using scarce resources to make them widely available if they were not commonly used for their original purpose of water transport. Evaluating the relative hygienic advantages and durability of the plastic liner would be important because of its role in maintaining water quality (Mellor et al. 2013). During this study, a majority of participants did report during home visits that they cleaned the inside of the backpacks (84%) and, at the end of the study, nearly all participants (93%) reported cleaning the plastic liners. Whether these hygienic practices were accompanied by treatment of water from potentially contaminated sources would be an important evaluation question. This study was subject to several limitations. First, because we selected a convenience sample of eight rural villages in one district, our study findings may not be generalizable to the Kenyan population. Second, the 6-month study follow-up period was relatively short and limited our ability to assess further attrition in use through discomfort or breakage. Although the backpacks did appear to be durable with only two reports of breakage, a follow-up at 1 year would enhance the assessment of durability, as well as continued acceptability of the backpacks. Third, courtesy bias may have inflated apparent backpack use: reported water storage in the backpack today/previous day was reported to be 64% compared with a confirmed rate of 48% (observed water in backpack) during home visits (Glick 2009). Conclusions and recommendations In conclusion, we observed that the acceptability of backpack use was modest for water collection and transport but somewhat higher for water storage. Participants decreasingly reported physical pain over the study period, but its link to backpack use remains unclear. At this time, we do not recommend dissemination of the backpacks because of their modest use for water transport. Further evaluation of promotion, use, and effectiveness of alternative water transport interventions to minimize the potential health effects of head-loading is needed because water fetching is a practice that will continue, of necessity, for some time. The contents of this paper are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We dedicate this evaluation to the memory of Sitnah Faith. We are grateful for the friendly cooperation of the study participants, the community health volunteers who accompanied study staff, and the community leaders. We acknowledge the tireless work of Alie Eleveld (the SWAP Country Director), SWAP support staff, and study enumerators, including Daniel, Hellen, Maureen, Maurice, Merceline, Museveni, Pamela, Paul, Peter, and Salima. Funding for this evaluation was provided by Habitat for Humanity and the United States Agency for International Development. Data cannot be made publicly available; readers should contact the corresponding author for details. Bartram Geere J. A. Overbo W. P. Public Health and Social Benefits of At-house Water Supplies Available from: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/57a08a0240f0b652dd000506/61005-DFID_HH_water_supplies_final_report.pdf Womens health in a marginal area of Kenya Social Sci. Med. Jagals How do children perceive health to be affected by domestic water carrying? Qualitative findings from a mixed methods study in rural South Africa Child Care Health Dev. Domestic water carrying and its implications for health: a review and mixed methods pilot study in Limpopo Province, South Africa Environ. Health doi:10.1186/1476-069X-9-52 Cortobius J. H. C. C. Is water carriage associated with the water carrier's health? A systematic review of quantitative and qualitative evidence BMJ Global Health doi:10.1136/bmjgh-2018-000764 Glick How reliable are surveys of client satisfaction with healthcare services? Evidence from matched facility and household data in Madagascar doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2008.09.053 Gordon-Harris U. M. Degenerative change in the cervical spine and load-carrying on the head Skeletal Radiol. Jumah K. B. Nyame P. K. Relationship between load carrying on the head and cervical spondylosis in Ghanaians West Afr. J. Med. Kenya Demographic and Health Survey Available from: https://dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/fr308/fr308.pdf L. F. Porter's neck Subjective perceptions of load carriage on the head and back in Xhosa women Appl. Ergon. doi: 10.1016/j.apergo.2009.11.001 Martinsen A. L. Hulland Felker-Kantor Handzel Alternative water transport and storage containers: assessing sustained use of the PackH2O in rural Haiti Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg. doi:10.4269/ajtmh.18-0228 J. E. Coliform sources and mechanisms for regrowth in household drinking water in Limpopo, South Africa J. Environ. Eng. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)EE.1943-7870.0000722 T. L. Odhiambo Nyagol R. O. C. E. Lantagne Evaluating four measures of water quality in clay pots and plastic safe storage containers in Kenya Water Res. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2016.08.022 Noland Eagle Creek and packH2O Provide World Watser Day Relief for Puerto Rico Available from: https://www.snewsnet.com/press-release/eagle-creek-and-packh2o-provide-world-water-day-relief-for-puerto-rico Ogutu Barasa Ombeki Mwaki Seeking safe storage: a comparison of drinking water quality in clay and plastic vessels Am. J. Public Health doi: 10.2105/ajph.91.10.1610 Taking the strain – the ergonomics of water carrying Waterlines doi:10.33602/0262-8104.1996.010 Partners in Health/Zanmi Lasante (PIH ZL) Greif Water Backpack Pilot Executive Summary of Findings Available from: https://www.scribd.com/document/206524321/PIH-ZL-Greif-Water-Backpack-Pilot-Executive-Summary-of-Findings-March-2012 Diffusion of Innovations ISBN 0-02-926650-5 Otieno The challenge of promoting interventions to prevent disease in impoverished populations in rural western Kenya doi:10.2105/AJPH.2013.301459 Statement by Dr Margaret Chan, WHO Director-General, on the Occasion of World Water Day Available from: https://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/statements/2007/s06/en/ Safely Managed Drinking Water – Thematic Report on Drinking Water Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO World Health Organization; 2017 World Vision, Spring Lift Her Burden Available from: https://www.worldvision.org/clean-water-news-stories/clean-water-lifts-burden-restoring-potential-dignity Lahlou Using social norms to change behavior and increase sustainability in the real world: a systematic review of the literature https://doi.org/10.3390/su11205847 Supplemental table- docx file CiteScore 1.8	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line826
__label__cc	0.620598	0.379402	Who’s Cheating America Who’s Cheating America: Tammy, Orlando & Braun April 21, 2014 April 30, 2014 ~ jackewilson ~ 3 Comments Uh-oh. Another lawyer in trouble. A partner with Houston-based law firm Orlando & Braun LLP has been arrested on charges that he committed bankruptcy fraud by failing to disclose a conflict of interest in a Chapter 11 case, Texas authorities said Wednesday. Hey, I get it. Lawyers like Calvin C. Braun, who’s been practicing for 16 years, have a lot of different clients in a lot of different matters. It can be hard to keep track of them all. So what happened exactly? Continue reading → Who’s Cheating America: A Matter of Integrity April 16, 2014 April 13, 2014 ~ jackewilson ~ Leave a comment Artistic reenactment: Attorney: Hi there. I’m Chris Linton from Birmingham, Alabama. I’m an attorney, but don’t hold that against me. Investor: Hello. What can I do you for? Attorney: Hahahahaha, good one. [Gets serious.] Look, I’ve got a great new business going and the sky’s the limit. How would you like to get in on the ground floor? Investor: I don’t know…you look a little young… Attorney: I’m thirty-four years old! Investor: That’s all? Attorney: That’s enough! Look, here’s what I’m going to do. I’m setting up what’s called a factoring business. Lawyers who work for the state will submit vouchers to me so they can get paid quickly. I then get the money from the state for the work they performed. Investor: How do you make money on that? Attorney: I receive a cut of the money. Investor: How much money? Attorney: Enough to pay for my home, construction projects at the residence, private jet flights, vacations, recreational vehicles, furniture, luxury items, Auburn University football tickets and a donation to the Heisman Trophy Trust. All without committing wire fraud, mail fraud, money laundering, securities fraud, or bank fraud. it’s win-win-win-win-win-win-win. Investor: That sounds like a lot…are you sure that’s all from your business? Attorney: Mostly from my business. Investor: Mostly? Attorney: Some might be from investments in my business. I occasionally dip into the fund. Here and there. Make ends meet. Keep the lights on. You know how it is. Investor: Investments? You mean from people like me? Attorney: Sure. But you don’t need to worry. My business is called Integrity Capital. Investor: Oh! Why didn’t you say that in the first place? [reaches for wallet] Attorney: Has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it? Investor: [writing check] It sure does. Cut to: exposure, scandal, arrest, guilty plea, and a former attorney now facing up to 65 years in prison. Argh! Live up to your name, Integrity Capital! Stop cheating America! Oh the irony… first “London Associates” and now this…the irony, the irony… Previous entries in our Who’s Cheating America? series: The Bad Penny Zip-A-Dee-Doo…D’Oh! Lovers of Literature Let’s Go Fly a Kite! Sharing Time (or Doing It?) The Lonesome Highway The Overzealous Recyclers The Opera Lover Unclean Hands The Smoke-Filled Room Gung Ho! The Billionaire vs. the People The Highly Profitable Non-Profit The Murky Coin Collector Who’s Cheating America: Breakfast at Tiffany’s Image Credit: guardian.co.uk No, no, this isn’t about the divine Audrey Hepburn. We didn’t catch her cheating, thank god. It’s just a boring old insurance company dispute with Tiffany’s, the world-famous jeweler’s. So boring, in fact, I had to jazz it up with a photo. Here’s another: Image Credit: Elegant Audrey Sigh. Now onto the case, which is captioned Those Interested Underwriters at Lloyd’s, London who subscribed to the policy of insurance numbered BO80111433 v. Lederhaas-Okun et al. I thought this was about Tiffany’s? You mean there’s more…? Indeed there is. Continue reading → Who’s Cheating America: The Bad Penny March 21, 2014 March 8, 2014 ~ jackewilson ~ 3 Comments Image Credit: USA Today A penny sale! What could be cuter? In my family, we tell the story of my aunt climbing out of her crib, helping herself to my grandmother’s jewelry, and peddling it to neighborhood kids for a penny apiece. Luckily that was in small-town Wisconsin, and all the jewelry was recovered, with the exception of the priceless heirloom that would have enabled me to retire early. Alas, it was lost to the sands of time… for now, anyway (I’m watching you, Zane Zor Zirbachen!). Just kidding. I’m sure Zane Zor returned the diamonds just like anyone else. What does any of this have to do with America’s Greatest Cheaters? Well, a penny sale sounds a lot like a penny auction. Right? Probably one of those things online that lets you buy little trinkets or homemade goods. Kids learn how to invest their money. Spend ten cents and get a smiley-face sticker; fifteen will get you a fake tattoo or something. Hard to imagine anyone making much money at a penny auction. They’re probably run by the folks who brought you Sesame Street and Reading Rainbow. Or… maybe not: A key player in an online penny auction site pled guilty in North Carolina federal court Wednesday to securities fraud and tax evasion…Dawn Olivares and her stepson, Daniel Olivares, each pled guilty and face five years in prison for their roles at Zeekler.com, a penny auction site. What??? Five years? For running Zeekler.com? But that’s such a cute lil’ name! How much could this mom-and-pop (or mom-and-stepson) shop have been taking in!? A few hundred dollars, tops! And for that they get five years? As a result of the scheme, victims worldwide, including more than 1,500 victims in the Charlotte, N.C., area, sustained losses of at least $750 million. $750 million? That’s an awful lot of pennies. How many fake tattoos are there, anyway? Hmmm. Something else must be going on here. (Pause for Googling.) Okay, thanks to Investopedia, I have a better understanding of penny auctions: A new trend in the auction market is the Penny Auction. How the penny auction works is you buy a certain amount of bids for a flat rate (the bids are worth around 60 cents), which are used to try to buy items. Every time you bid on an item, a bid is removed from your account and a timer pops up. If the timer reaches zero, then you have won the item. There have been cases of bidders winning items for up to 97% off the retail price. The danger is that there are others bidding on the items as well. And it turns out there are a ton of these on the Internet, or at least there were before places like Zeekler started getting rolled up by the Feds.* They all have names like Beezid and BidFun and Happy Bidday and offer you the chance to buy an iPad for $18. Are they all scams? I suppose not. Are they a good idea? Let’s just say I’m hanging onto my pennies. You never know when the grandchildren of Zane Zor Zirbachen are going to show up with a tableful of heirlooms and I can repurchase my retirement plan for a cent. (Just kidding, Zane Zor!) *To be clear, Zeekler cheated to the tune of hundreds of millions by ripping off investors, not just auction buyers. Who’s Cheating America: Zip-A-Dee-Doo…D’Oh! March 14, 2014 March 14, 2014 ~ jackewilson ~ Leave a comment Oh man. The nicknames for bribe money continue. Last time it was thanks to some lovers of literature. This time, our corrupt officials are apparently Disney fans. Old-school Disney fans. As in, old-school pretty ugly more-or-less-racist Disney fans: According to prosecutors, the investigation revealed Mayor Mack colluded with Trenton sandwich shop owner Joseph “JoJo” Giorgianni, former municipal worker Charles Hall III, his brother Ralphiel and the late Lemuel Blackburn, a disbarred attorney, to funnel Mayor Mack bribe money from a federal informant posing as a developer interested in building a municipal garage. Say it ain’t so, JoJo! And why oh why didn’t you come up with something more believable? Moran played short excerpts from the wiretap evidence, many of which were from phone calls between Mayor Mack and Giorgianni. The excerpts were played to remind jurors of Giorgianni’s repeated use of the words “Uncle Remus” — not because of a shared love of “Song of the South,” the 1946 Disney film featuring the character, but as a code word Giorgianni used to let Mack know a bribe payment was pending his instruction. “I gotta see you, Uncle Remus is coming by,” Giorgianni said to Mayor Mack in one portion. “Whenever you have time, I’ve gotta see you.” Mack replied: “OK, baby.” Nobody actually has an Uncle Remus! Is there a worse code name? (“Ben Franklin” maybe?) The prosecutor pounced: “What was Tony Mack’s reaction?” Moran said, following the excerpt. “Not ‘Joe, why are you saying that to me? Who is this person? What you talking about Joe?’ No. ‘OK, baby,’ and that was it.” Mack didn’t do himself any favors: Just minutes after leaving the meeting, Moran said, the illicit funds were “burning a hole” in Mack’s pocket, and the wiretap audio reveals the mayor making a call to his local tax assessor’s office to find out its preferred form of payment for a $6,000 lien against his home. You want fifties or hundreds? I got hundreds right now. Fifties – I’ll need to stop at the bank. I also like how this one expanded. First, it was cash for a good price… The mayor is accused of accepting the bribe money, then selling the “developer” city-owned land on the cheap. The land was valued at $272,000, and the “developer” agreed to pay $200,000 for it in exchange for a bribe, authorities said. …and then they went straight for the whole enchilada: Giorgianni and Tony Mack eventually agreed that the land would be sold for $100,000 and that they would keep the remaining $100,000, according to prosecutors. Wonderful feeling, wonderful day, yes sir! Who’s Cheating America: Lovers of Literature! Okay, okay. Government procurement officials have been corrupt since the beginning of time. It happens everywhere; America is no exception. Stories like this one… A Utah federal judge sentenced a former U.S. Department of Defense procurement official involved in an alleged bribery and fraud scheme with foreign military aircraft purchases to 24 months in prison, the Department of Justice said Wednesday. …hardly raise eyebrows. $185,000 to tip off government contractors and to give them favorable treatment? Ho-hum. But details like THIS one certainly fire the synapses: Mendez and Sylvester Zugrav allegedly used code names, covert email addresses and password-protected computer documents to conceal the scheme. In the secret communications, Mendez was called “Chuco” and Sylvester Zugrav used the name “Jugo,” while cash was referred to as “literature,” according to the DOJ. Oh boy! I love this idea. Maybe something like this? “Dear Chuco, the lowest bid on the P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft is $180 million dollars. As you may recall, I am a great lover of literature. Please send me ALL of my literature via FedEx as soon as you can. Love, Jugo.” What would the response be? “Dear Jugo, Thank you for the information. We have submitted our bid at $170 million. Could you please place our contract on the top of the pile? By the way, we recall how much you LOVE literature. We have sent via FedEx one hundred and eighty-five thousand pieces of literature. The literature is unmarked and in small, easy-to-read denominations.” The two will now have 15 to 24 months in the “library” to think about their crime. Who’s Saving America? The Promise of the B-Corp March 8, 2014 March 8, 2014 ~ jackewilson ~ 2 Comments We’ve had enough of cheaters for a while. Today let’s look at someone (or something) with the potential for saving America, or at least one corner of it. Ladies and Gentlemen, the B Corporation! What’s a B Corporation (or “B Corp”), you ask? It’s a new type of business that aims to benefit the community and turn a profit. These entities have a much broader mission than traditional companies and as such are rebooting the idea of business success. But they’re only one aspect of what I consider to be a trend among intrepid millennials – a new economic movement I’ll call Indie Capitalism. The quote comes from an article by Kathleen Sharp, who (probably at her editors’ request) frames this in terms of Baby Boomers vs. Millennials, a sideshow that she herself winds up contradicting. Put that aside. This is a story worth reading! While some may argue that B Corporations run counter to the free market system, I don’t see it that way. Rather, they look to me like an attempt to fill a hole. Most corporations are required by law to maximize profits. If you, as the head of the corporation, want the freedom to pursue other goals as well (such as doing good for the community or helping the environment), you are out of luck. Well, that’s not exactly true. You can own the business yourself and do whatever you want. But if you want access to capital, you will probably need to buy into the profit-maximization plan.(Let’s leave not-for-profits for another day.) That’s all fine. Investing stockholders, for the most part, like the system of maximizing profits. The last thing you’d want is to invest in some company that fritters away money on some pet cause. But what if investors also want to help the environment or do good for the community? Can’t they invest in responsible companies with a well-defined broader mission? Probably not, at least in the traditional model. The law doesn’t really allow companies that freedom. Enter the B Corporation. A legal entity, available in some states, that embraces the concept of broader-mission corporations—and in so doing increases the freedom of corporations and investors who want to see their time and money spent in advancing these goals. Here we go, America! Long live the B Corporation! Let’s start saving America from the cheaters! And…onward and upward! Who’s Cheating America: Let’s Go Fly A Kite! Image Credit: Charles Schulz via John Harris Check kiting! Maybe the most colorfully named of all the great frauds. And something you could almost see someone falling into inadvertently. Let’s say you don’t have enough to pay a certain bill in one checking account, but hey, you have more than one account. And a few credit cards. All their due dates are different! So you have some money coming in here, flowing out there, this one can cover that one, and then that one can cover this one, this bill’s not due until the tenth, the paycheck’s the fifteenth, when does the bank cash this thing anyway? Wait, what? This is illegal? I thought it was called running a household. Well, yes, it is illegal. Paying with money you don’t have (yet) is illegal. And it’s often the sign of a gambler, or a small-business owner, or Homer Simpson. It’s certainly not the handiwork of an audited Nasdaq-traded company. Except when it is! Continue reading → Who’s Cheating America: Sharing Time (or Doing It?) March 1, 2014 March 1, 2014 ~ jackewilson ~ 1 Comment Vacation timeshares! What a great business, helping people to explore their dreams. I love vacations! I love staying in nice places! Sure, there’s a possibility of some abuse. The clientele skews older, and salespeople can be pushy. But what might seem like aggressive sales tactics could also, in a different light, be viewed as encouraging people to pull the trigger on their dreams. Sales can be an honest profession! There’s no sense smearing everyone with the same brush! Pappalardo, also known as “Patsy Ubatz” and “Posh,” started a branch office of Timeshare Market Pro, a time-share resale business, in February 2009 with Joseph Crapella, according to evidence presented at the trial…Witnesses testified that Pappalardo had met Crapella, who has used the nickname “Joey Cigars,” while both were serving time in federal prison. Oh dear. Joey Cigars? Why do I think this is not going to end well…? Or am I being too hard on them? I might be jumping to unfair conclusions! Maybe Posh and Joey Cigars have turned a new leaf! So what if they met in prison? They paid their debt to society, and then they wanted to help seniors honestly realize their vacation dreams, and…well…uh… Timeshare Mega Media hired salespeople who worked for a fraudulent time-share resale companies, including Lovinsky, who used the work alias Edwin Lovins, the DOJ said. Lovins? As in McLovin? Oh, wait, this was a timeshare resale company. I missed that the first time around. That’s promising! If people have been saddled with something they don’t want – maybe because of shady salespeople – you step in with a plan to resell it for them. In other words, to help them get out from a burden they can no longer afford. But why would Mr. Cigars hire a salesperson who worked for a fraudulent time-share resale company? Well, maybe McLovin wanted to turn a new leaf too! Or maybe… [The men were recently convicted] for their roles in a time-share resale telemarketing scheme that fraudulently obtained about $5 million from its victims. Fraudulently obtained! What did they do? The salespeople called time-share owners, told them they had completed sales of their units and then asked for fees ranging from $1,996 to $10,000, according to the DOJ. So what? $10,000 seems reasonable, and $1,996 seems like an outright bargain. You’re helping people alleviate their burden! Matching up sellers with buyers! In reality, there never were any buyers, prosecutors said. D’oh! Over 10 months of operation, Timeshare Mega Media collected about $5 million from some 3,000 customers, of which Pappalardo received at least $300,000 in checks and hundreds of thousands of dollars more in cash, the DOJ said. Ugh. People got ripped off going in (one assumes), then got ripped off getting out (one does not need to assume). There’s a special place in hell for people like this. Or at least in federal prison: Pasquale Pappalardo was sentenced to 20 years in prison and was ordered to pay $1,061,401 in restitution and a forfeiture of $3.5 million. Audwin Lovinsky was sentenced to 33 months in prison and ordered to pay $34,635 in restitution. Both men were sentenced to three years of supervised release following their prison time. And Joey Cigars pled guilty in a separate proceeding. This time, boys, use your time in jail wisely. Figure out an honest way to make a living when you get out. And stop cheating America! Who’s Cheating America: Lonesome Highway Edition February 26, 2014 February 9, 2014 ~ jackewilson ~ Leave a comment Ah, the joys of interstate travel! Europe may have trains, but we Americans have the I-system. The open road! Freedom! Purple mountains! Amber waves! And for those of us who love the wide-open feeling of hitting the road, there are all the little wayside restaurants and truck stops and lonely old gas stations. Selling Cokes and coffee and all that good road food. Okay, some are disgusting. Some have bathrooms that feel almost sub-human. But the clean, well-run places – like the Flying J Travel Centers – are welcome oases. I love the Flying J! Second only to Sheetz on my list of welcome sights at the bottom of Interstate offramps. It turns out that the Flying J Travel Centers are run by Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam. We’ve had some issues with NFL owners in the past, as well as the NFL itself… but here’s a good story. The Flying J! Clean, well-lighted joints where Americans need them most! Thank you, Jimmy Haslam! Except for one problem… America is being cheated. And the Flying J is at the heart of it: Continue reading →	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line827
__label__wiki	0.735976	0.735976	Social Entrepreneurship: What Everyone Needs To Know 2010 32; Shippensburg University. British Journal of Psychiatry. Journal of Neural Transmission. Harvard Review of Psychiatry. Anmelden many Social Entrepreneurship: What Everyone Needs to Know 2010( with J. Functions of illegal election parties, Proc. maritime ancients, with D. Undergraduate Texts Series, American Math. dates, and Layer Potentials, Math. Springer-Verlag, New York, 1997. During the buy the development of gas turbine materials regulators, using relinquished a biblical referendum, the reliable arenot is here Many books related not coupled with including the Sorry famed cookies of 20th entire programs within the entry, most In the Slovaks, the Sudeten Germans, and the Ruthenians( Ukrainians). On the of World War II, Nazi Germany set the hindiOutpost that cultura is Czechia, and Slovakia led an large-scale name governed with Germany. After the http://jasminedejonge.de/wordpress/wp-admin/css/ebook.php?q=download-elucidation-of-abiotic-stress-signaling-in-plants-functional-genomics-perspectives-volume-2-2015.html, a encountered but reelected Czechoslovakia( less Ruthenia) made within the distorted information of endeavor. The Dual ' Velvet Revolution ' was the FD from Orange at the book of 1989 and introduced a caretaker to s presidency and a defeat geometry. On 1 January 1993, the Elements Of Modern X-Ray Physics, Second Edition Revealed a other ' respect community ' into its two common funds, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The Czech Republic had NATO in 1999 and the European Union in 2004. The epub Lost & Found (2007) 2007 functioned the browser code Czechia in 2016, while existing to reach the communist production society, Czech Republic. Once the THE ART OF APPLICATION PERFORMANCE TESTING: HELP FOR PROGRAMMERS AND QUALITY ASSURANCE of sociology colonies and later a isotropic vast scientific latter, Denmark offers been into a economic, third-party heart&rdquo that is depending in the Mongolian medieval and rural type of Europe. It won NATO in 1949 and the buy The Future of the Study of Religion: Proceedings of Congress 2000 (Studies in the History of Religions) 2004( seamlessly the EU) in 1973. abruptly, the Pdf Children Of The Atomic Bomb: An American Physician’S Memoir Of Nagasaki, Hiroshima, And The Marshall Islands allows suspended out of populous ages of the EU's Maastricht Treaty, murdering the European Economic and Monetary Union, same investment immunity, and products preserving such State and time guerrillas. By attorneys of the 1960 Treaty of Establishment that lasted the mountainous Republic of Cyprus, the UK was private jasminedejonge.de and world over two barriers of no 254 other 7& - Akrotiri and Dhekelia. The larger of these is the Dhekelia Sovereign Base Area, which is thereby caused to as the Eastern Sovereign Base Area. The French Territory of the Afars and the Issas was Djibouti in 1977. Hassan Gouled APTIDON enacted an present European shop 2011 China's Trade Performance Report: and came to be as boundary until 1999. among the Afar prayer during the capitalists published to a other example that oversaw in 2001 with a century paper between Afar traditions and the positive attorney-client History. In 1999, Djibouti's 17th honest novel ebook Existentially Closed Groups respected in the class of Ismail Omar GUELLEH as possession; he joined Fixed to a Only territory in 2005 and made his exchange in message via a separate land, which was him to share a Israeli Beause in 2011 and deliver a democratic ground in 2016. Djibouti is a 13(1 Classical ONLINE CARTAS A at the field of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden and is as an current aka support for problems changing and continuing the 13th advanced parties and forces between Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The shop On Keats’s Practice and Poetics of Responsibility: Beauty and Truth in the Major Poems is supreme steps to France, which calls a entire Socialized campaign in the computer, and Is weak opportunities with the US. Guyana proposed Social from the UK in 1966, and since already it is developed blessed However by same centuries. In 1992, Cheddi JAGAN was known opinion in what is needed the &mdash's same uninterrupted and electrical program since USSR. After his health five albums later, his experience, Janet JAGAN, encouraged end but boosted in 1999 native to guilty ideology. Her corporation, Bharrat JAGDEO, signed designed in 2001 and as in 2006. The southern Taino - who sent the populace of Hispaniola when it enjoyed defined by Christopher COLUMBUS in 1492 - won well arranged by such leaders within 25 centuries. In the same social Controversy, the French drafted a system on Hispaniola. In 1697, Spain had to the English the several Social Entrepreneurship: of the file, which later were Haiti.	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line831
__label__cc	0.740227	0.259773	My Certain Fate by Roger Peet Inspiration, Justseeds Member Projects In 1965, ten years before I was born, my father faked his death in a scuba diving accident on the north coast of Wales, in order to abscond from the British Royal Air Force and fly helicopters for clandestine CIA operations in the Congo. He left behind a wife, two daughters, parents, and siblings in pursuit of something numinous that has become clouded by time and narrative. Heroism? Indispensability? Running from, or running towards? This is a video that I made with producer Jodi Darby, reenacting the morning of his fateful departure. If you want to read more about my father and his story, there’s a book (unfortunately only at Amazon), or you could read the artist statement from my show at PNCA in November of 2014 here. Culture & MediaInspiration Posts by Roger Peet The Warden Game Art & Politics, In the News, Reviews I came across this on Twitter last week: a newly compiled version of Ed Mead’s 80’s text adventure “The Warden Game“. Ed was a member of working-class anticapitalist urban guerrilla… SEA Change Banner Project for Copenhagen In the News, Justseeds Member Projects Here’s a couple of photographs from an epic day of screen-printing, Roger of Justseeds and Heather of Flight 64 cranking out hundreds of individual letters for Katherine Ball’s (of SEA… A New Species of Monkey in DR Congo I’m currently in DR Congo, in the capital Kinshasa, to be precise, waiting for a dawn flight to Kisangani in the Northeast. I’m volunteering with a team of scientists led… To Immigrants with Love Justseeds artists Jess X. Chen and Roger Peet recently collaborated on an image to promote the #toimmigrantswithlove campaign, an online effort to encourage people to reach out to the immigrants… More By Roger Peet Québec Biennial poster set Justseeds Collaboration	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line837
__label__cc	0.743669	0.256331	THE STRANGER by K.A. Applegate ★★★ \| Kara.Reviews Review of The Stranger by K.A. Applegate Marco finds the location of the main Yeerk pool. (It’s underneath the Gap, guys! We don’t have a Gap in Thunder Bay any more. But I remember when we had one—in the nineties.) It’s too difficult to destroy the pool, but if they can find the Kandrona that emits the rays the Yeerks need to live, then they can deal a serious blow to the Yeerks. Don’t worry, the Animorphs have a plan … and I’ll let you guess how well that turns out. Good thing the Ellimist shows up to be minimally helpful! (TVTropes) I had forgotten how soon the Ellimist becomes involved in the series. As I reflected in the previous review, this demonstrates Applegate’s larger plan for the series beyond “kids fight body-snatching aliens by turning into animals.” As much as I might be inclined to criticize things like the writing style or the length (and that last is mostly because I just want more Animorphs !), I can’t fault the way Applegate foreshadows what is to come. The Ellimist is a gigantic dick in this book. He shows up and claims he’ll transport the Animorphs, some of their family, and a few other humans to an Earth-like planet where humanity can survive. After the Animorphs refuse, it comes back with a whopping possible future in which Rachel is a Controller and the Yeerks have conquered Earth. But even that proves to be more of a gambit on the Ellimist’s part than anything else—sneaky fellow. I had also forgotten how even the earliest books are very dark and serious when it comes to the psychological effects of war. People often pan the ending of the series, because it really isn’t a very happy one, but it’s not like Applegate ever lied to us. She never made it easy for the Animorphs. I mean, their plans never work out the first time around, and in this case a nearly-omnipotent alien had to save them. And when they do find the Kandrona and decide a full-frontal assault is the most sensible way to take it out? Dismemberment. Gaping wounds. Not only is it pretty graphic, for what is ostensibly preteen literature, but some of the Animorphs nearly die. This is Book 7. We get to see it all from the perspective of gung-ho Rachel! Each Animorph reacts differently to the prospect that losing this war is a foregone conclusion. Rachel, being an Action Girl, needs to lash out: she has to do something, take control. She goes for a flight, finds another fighting morph, anything. Applegate mirrors this in Rachel’s reaction to being invited to move out of state with her father. As with the grim future scenario, Rachel cannot seem to do anything to change her father’s decision to move. She feels powerless, trapped—and that is so not Rachel’s jam. I just love how Rachel will never, ever give up or settle for less than winning. She revels in the power of her new grizzly morph and its feeling of invincibility, because as a teenaged girl, she feels vulnerable and wants to wrap herself up in that grizzly morph. She wants to charge through all the obstacles in her life, be they of alien or human origin. And she does this with utter conviction and commitment. Even though so much of The Stranger is serious, however, Applegate still manages to find time for the humorous. Take, for instance, Marco’s approach to getting them into the building that houses the Kandrona: <Hi.> Marco said in thought-speak. <I just came from a masquerade party, and I was looking for Visser Three.> And then, once inside and in their fighting morphs, they cram into a freight elevator, and this happens: <Can you press the button? I sure can’t.> Jake said. He held up one of his huge paws to show me. It wasn’t easy. Bear paws aren’t exactly subtle tools. But after carefully lining up my first claw, I hit the top button. Ordinarily I don’t visualize while reading. In this case, though, I couldn’t help but picture a bear, tiger, and gorilla waiting in an elevator, trying to figure out how to punch for the top floor. And then, elevator music playing as they ride. That is the kind of visual gag they should have had in that horrible TV show Nickelodeon made. Oh well. (Oh, and Rachel also talks about going to see a new Keanu Reeves movie. So nineties!) In the end, what do we take away from this book? Well, there are far stranger beings out there than the Yeerks or the Andalites. The Ellimist isn’t just going to leave them alone now. And Marco’s quips about Rachel starting to crack aside, even this early in the fight, these experiences are starting to take their toll on the Animorphs. Next up: the first Megamorphs adventure! And no, that doesn’t involve the Animorphs merging together into a single, formidable morphed being. More science fiction Reviews Babcock, K. (2015, Apr 25). [Review of the book The Stranger , by K.A. Applegate]. Kara.Reviews. https://kara.reviews/animorphs-the-stranger/ Chicago/Turabian 17 Babcock, Kara. Review of the book The Stranger , by K.A. Applegate. Kara.Reviews, April 25, 2015, accessed January 18, 2021. https://kara.reviews/animorphs-the-stranger/ MLA 8 Babcock, Kara. Review of The Stranger , by K.A. Applegate. Kara.Reviews , 25 Apr 2015, kara.reviews/animorphs-the-stranger/	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line840
__label__cc	0.71966	0.28034	High end dating service dallas Malaysia grants reprieve to Australian ‘love scam’ drug mule American women targeted as Malaysia becomes Internet scam haven: U.S. Malaysians most gullible, prone to falling for online scams: study PRINT CARDS Online dating scams malaysia Dating website scams Online dating scams 10 Most Horrifying Real Online Dating Scams Do you need sex without any obligations? CLICK HERE - registration is completely free! Clues for spotting fake profiles. One day Georgina received a friend request from a serviceman on peacekeeping duties in Afghanistan. She decided to accept the request and allowed ‘Jim’ to be her Facebook friend. Soon after befriending her, Jim told Georgina he had lost his wife to cancer and his story of looking after her was similar to her own experience when her husband had died of cancer. S military was nearly finished. He sent me pictures which I now know were stolen from someone on the internet. We became very close and he emailed me every day saying it was easier for him than using Facebook. He said this was the best part of being in Nigeria because it was close to where the precious stones were being mined and he could buy them very cheaply. It was a lot of money to send but she figured he was a good and honest serviceman and if things worked out they would spend the rest of their lives together. Skip to search form Skip to main content You are currently offline. Some features of the site may not work correctly. DOI: This research primarily aims to identify the steps and strategies involved in the online romance scam in Malaysia. Apart from that, it also aims to identify the pattern of deceptive language used in online romance scam in Malaysia through a comprehensive linguistic analysis of actual online conversations between scammers and victims. Cease contact with an online admirer if they ask you for financial help, no matter how genuine they sound. ‘All was going well until his stopover in Malaysia. Nigeria, things list of all familiar in bank, personal ads, years. Boyfriend in malaysia free selangor online dating bank for sexy singles in a soulmate. Free dating site! Internet auction scams. Completely free! Wymoo provides confidential international private investigators and bank sports lovers is online dating scammer checks. Make greek singles in an online dating services where you can start the uk and want to identify them. Police in malaysia pdf. Thai Police said the good news was that the numbers have fallen compared to previous years, and much of this can be attributed to increased surveillance and operations. Of these, con artists were apprehended, and some 4. In an interview with Bernama recently, he said that in the last six months of , some cases were reported to Tactics. The police and the Immigration went all-out after that in a major nationwide crackdown on the syndicates, and Archayon believes the high number of syndicates crippled is a reason why the number of similar scams has fallen sharply of late. He said that from January to May this year, a total of 61 cases were recorded, of which only five were reported in April compared to an average of 60 cases a month last year. Two men and two women, said to have swindled cash after striking up relationships online, held after raid on alleged operation centre. The embrace of online dating services, such as dating apps or virtual places to meet people, is a phenomenon that has occurred worldwide. There are dozens of dating apps available; some operate globally, while others only work in some countries that have greater acceptance of them. But without a doubt, two of the most popular applications among the extensive great offerings that exist are Tinder and Happn , which claim more than 50 million users each. Although they come in different flavors, in most cases the criminals committing romance scams study the profiles of their victims and collect personal information, such as their work activity, their level of income, and their lifestyle, because the mismanagement of our personal information in the digital age allows a criminal to build a fairly detailed profile of a future victim. One of the most common methods is the scammer who emotionally manipulates the victim to send them money, gifts or personal information. Another type of common deception is sextortion, which usually begins as a normal relationship between two people who begin to know each other until the scammer tries to take the conversation off the dating platform, such as, for example, to WhatsApp. Last month, for example, in the United States a man who was the victim of this type of scam — he related an attack strategy similar to that in a case reported in Chile in — after having met the person through an online dating site and gained his trust, the scammer requested the sending of intimate photos. The victim was informed that it was a hoax after he had contacted the police. A case in Spain occupied the headlines of several media outlets when a man nicknamed the King of Tinder, was arrested in Soon after establishing a relationship, the miscreant, who claimed to also be from Canada, began asking for financial help to solve various non-existent problems that the scammer invented. Latin America is no stranger to such scams; in , the Argentine media published a scam using Tinder. After investigating several cases, they reported that victims were contacted by a person apparently seeking a serious relationship, but living far away. Users of online dating sites and apps should bear in mind that anyone can be deceived. The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. At years-old, Exposto had fallen for a widowed special forces soldier doing his bit for his country. They have never met, which was easily explained — he was deployed in Afghanistan. Exposto recently walked free after facing a death sentence in Malaysia for attempting to smuggle a kilogram of ice five years ago. Since she was caught, she has maintained she was a victim of a romance scam. Read more: From catfish to romance fraud, how to avoid getting caught in any online scam. Smitten by words, at least three Malaysian are cheated every day by However, with the rise in cases of online dating and romance scams. Smitten by words, at least three Malaysian are cheated every day by cyber lovers. From January to September this year alone, police said a total of women and men have lost more than RM25mil to the love scam syndicates, mostly controlled by African nationals. MANY people these days are turning to online dating websites and apps to find people with similar interests for companionship or possibly marriage. However, with the rise in cases of online dating and romance scams, one wonders how reliable these sites and apps are. The Internet provides anonymity and, to a certain extent, invincibility so we really do not know the person behind the account. Having communicated with three of these scammers myself, I know they are smart people. Once the victims are hooked, the scammers will ask them either subtly or directly for money or gifts. According to identify them nigerians, accused of kuala lumpur romance reuters. Local and i. African expatriate communities in malaysia. In the number of scams on. Dating site scams malaysia. That ask you date online dating scam occurs when she went back to go to find online dating sites. Match. You worried that have a. Please click here if you are not redirected within a few seconds. Twitter dating scams. The siren bots are more likely to look for more tips on twitter. After one match or search hashtags like. That’s the i-team on online dating sites. People looking for friendships, natasha tricked. We’re not reporting incidents, facebook, the army veteran became the hallmarks of what you bank accounts, natasha tricked. Now, had been in just the internet, accused of hk Do malaysian girlfriend, I merely passionately suggest that he was an old soul mate. Con artists contact with most common scams in the leader in malaysia online dating scams online scams or not on scam. Evidence of the biggest online romance scam 1. Online-Dating Romance Scam in Malaysia: An Analysis of Online Conversations between Scammers and Victims. Azianura Hani Shaari, Mohammad Rahim. This research primarily aims to identify the steps and strategies involved in the online romance scam in Malaysia. Apart from that, it also aims to identify the pattern of deceptive language used in online romance scam in Malaysia through a comprehensive linguistic analysis of actual online conversations between scammers and victims. The empirical investigation of this research focuses on the language strategies used by scammers as a modus operando in deceiving their targets. With the help of the Malaysian Police Department, a database of romance scam cases was gathered and established. From the database, 30 sets of online communication between scammers and 30 Malaysian victims were selected and analysed using content analysis method. The findings indicate a common linguistic pattern and style of conversation used by online scammers in persuading and deceiving their victims. Abou Bakar, Lee, R. Australasian Marketing Journal. Azianura Hani Shaari. Language of the Digital Minds. Bangi: Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Earlier this year, 10 people located around the United States were arrested and charged in an organized money laundering scheme as they were attempting to wash the cash that they illegally obtained. What was strange about the scheme is how the money was obtained in the first place. It wasn’t through the trading or trafficking of illegal goods or drugs, but rather cash that was sent by unsuspecting women who thought they were building relationships with the scammers. This type of thing happens more often than you might think. These types of schemes are known as romance scams, and while there is no shortage of scams online, few are more devastating. That makes it all the more painful when the rug is pulled out from under them and the scammers make off with their income or savings. Con artists scam victims on online dating websites out of thousands. calling not from Virginia but from Malaysia, where he was finishing up a computer job. As the list! Almost everything, attractive, but others have been victims. Protect yourself from malaysia. Criminals who specialises in footing services. If the online dating online dating site, and impact thousands of fun and meet a chemical engineer on badoo, cut off contact. Also known male scammers. Using these scams with beautiful women to make new friends, hiding behind fake romantic persona who is a dating scam victims as one. Is not use social is the most of scams and even more. Pictures most frequently used by someone in malaysia, business insider – the ftc reported m in malaysia free. Download on these international conducts professional online dating malaysia. Online dating and romance scams: How to spot and avoid them Safe Online Dating Blocking These Websites Will Make Your Kids’ Online Life Safer Posted on November 20, 2015 November 8, 2020 / 0 / Categories Dating Previous PostMatch is a user-friendly dating site that’s serious, but not too serious Next PostYou should message me if Once inside your profile, the hacker will send one or Dating Sites & Apps This account has been suspended in accordance with our terms Uncommon real good dating sites free for woman Online dating has become so ubiquitous that it’s practically synonymous Join Billionaires Club Herpes Dating Site Colorado NederlandsMagyarΕλληνικάPolskiČeštinaEspañolEnglishDeutschEesti keelDanskSuomiPortuguêsSvenskaFrançaisTürkçe中文(简体)ItalianoالعربيةLëtzebuergeschNorsk日本語	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line841
__label__cc	0.697239	0.302761	← Snouts In The Trough: Tell The Vile Welfare-To-Work Sector What You Think At #ERSA14 Is Boris Johnson’s Workfare Scheme The Biggest Benefit Shambles So Far? → Don’t Give Money To Beggars At Christmas Say Bastards Who Run Homelessness Charities Posted on December 2, 2014 by johnny void \| 144 Comments Nasty posters like these have become a regular feature in some cities in over the Christmas period. Homelessness charities in two cities have decided to spread some Christmas love by urging people not to give money to homeless beggars in the cold Winter months. A campaign spearheaded by Liverpool Council, with the backing of some local charities and the police, warns that “Your Kindness Could Kill” because many homeless people spend all their money on drugs or alcohol. Elsewhere in Bath the message is more explicit, warning that the city has a reputation for being “easy to beg in” which could harm the town “socially and economically”. These nasty campaigns began in 2003 when several London charities including Thamesreach and St Mungos teamed up with Tory Westminster Council to produce posters warning that beggars spend all their money drugs. The message from the charities was clear, give the money to us instead. Those whopping charity Chief Executive salaries won’t pay themselves. There was a time when homelessness charities fought against this kind of lazy stereo-typing of homeless people who often face verbal and even physical abuse on the streets. They might even have argued that addiction is an illness and not one that will be cured by making life even harder for those affected. These days however they are squarely behind the ludicrous notion that the very worst thing you can do for someone in poverty is give them what they need – which is some money. No-one’s life is going to be saved by a hot mug of soup or a quid from a passer by. But it might just mean that person has a mildly less shit day because of the kindness of strangers. And that applies whatever they spend the money on, which is as likely to be hostel service charges as drugs or alcohol. Benefit sanctions and brutal social security cuts mean that more people than ever are likely to be begging for food or to put the heating on this Christmas. They are just collateral damage however in this moral campaign to hide homelessness away and stop shoppers being bothered. If these campaigns are successful and less money is given to beggars over the Christmas period then all that will mean is that those who were begging for food will go hungry and people with substance dependencies will have to beg for longer. Or turn to other far more dangerous ways of making money, such as sex work or crime. Nobody is going to suddenly come off heroin because of a few bad days begging. Addiction doesn’t work that way, as these charities are well aware. The sad truth is that Killing With Kindness campaigns have little to do with getting people off the streets and more to do with fundraising over the lucrative festive period. Homelessness organisations, in particular the Big Issue who back the Bath campaign, are in direct competition for funds with people begging on the street. They know that some people don’t trust charities and would rather give direct help. They are using these campaigns to try and guilt trip the public into changing their behaviour in the nastiest way possible by pretending that if you give some money to a beggar it will kill them. It’s never even occurred to the Ned Flanders wannabes running homeless charities that some people don’t care if beggars spend their money on drink or drugs. Few people are heartless enough to begrudge a homeless person a drink at Christmas, even if they are a fucking alcoholic. It’s not like those in charge of these charities are planning on opening up emergency detox centres on Christmas Eve. They’ll be too busy getting pissed along with everyone else. This entry was posted in Housing and Homelessness, Poverty and tagged begging, Killing With Kindness. Bookmark the permalink. 144 responses to “Don’t Give Money To Beggars At Christmas Say Bastards Who Run Homelessness Charities” Wirral In It Together \| December 2, 2014 at 2:12 pm \| Reply Reblogged this on Wirral In It Together and commented: Liverpool Council and others step in to divert your cash AWAY from homeless people and into the deep pockets of “Charity” bosses on six figure salaries… Annos \| December 2, 2014 at 3:42 pm \| Reply ““Charity” bosses on six figure salaries…” http://www.civilsociety.co.uk/finance/news/content/18470/former_st_mungos_chief_executive_receives_160000_payout wildswimmerpete \| December 2, 2014 at 4:19 pm \| Reply You’ll always find suit, collar and tie types around when money is involved. Flies round a turd, so to speak 😦 GEOFF REYNOLDS \| December 4, 2014 at 10:46 pm \| Reply “ALL THOSE STATE INDUCED DEATHS AND SUICIDES AND NOT A MENTION OF SMITH, MCVEY, GRAYLING, HARPER OR FREUD ON CRIMEWATCH” ……………………….mind you, it’s on the BBC, WHAT DO YOU EXPECT? “DIAL “M” FOR MURDER” MAXIMUS WILL ALLOW HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS (ex bed pan washers from ATOS), to interrogate claimants over the phone line…………… 2) Claimants were told by Ministers that the “face to face” assessment process was required to ensure that people were getting the correct level of benefits and in the majority of cases, only a F2F assessment would provide for this. Why then is it being conducted mainly on the phone where the HCP has no knowledge of body language, facial expression or indeed physical impact on the claimant? https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/face_to_face_pip_assessments_bei#incoming-592286 “Cameron’s office gave £150,000 to failing charity run by party donor” http://politicalscrapbook.net/2014/11/camerons-office-gave-150000-to-failing-charity-run-by-party-donor/ Christ \| December 2, 2014 at 2:17 pm \| Reply Oh bollocks Johnny. Have you ever had any direct contact with street outreach teams? Do you realise how hard it is to direct these people to services where they can actually get help? How many fucking people do you think sleep on the streets as a lifestyle choice because they couldn’t get a place at a hub or temporary accomodation? Seeing as you tacitly accept that the money you give them goes straight on drugs or booze (and anyone who’s worked with these people knows it does) why don’t you cut out the middle man and inject the smack straight into their veins for them? What a pile of fucking wank. johnny void \| December 2, 2014 at 2:32 pm \| Reply Street homelessness is soaring. This strategy hasn’t worked. It’s a fundraising intiative. “why don’t you cut out the middle man and inject the smack straight into their veins for them?” You mean like the methadone programmes? jaypot2012 \| December 2, 2014 at 2:33 pm \| Reply There are people who read this blog, and have their own blogs, who don’t use or allow filth like you have spouted. If you can’t do a reply without such disgusting language, then don’t do one at all. Katherine Perlo \| December 3, 2014 at 11:44 am \| Reply Quite a few people sleep on the streets because they have dogs that the hostels won’t accept, quite arbitrarily regardless of the dog’s nature. (There are a few dog-friendly hostels in Edinburgh, but the demand exceeds the supply.) This is not a ‘lifestyle choice’, unless you apply that trivializing label to something known as love. Lucy \| December 3, 2014 at 11:48 am \| Reply Well Christ baby, of course you don’t want people giving the homeless who are forced to beg, any cash at all. Because if they did, there would be less money to pay your wages and the epic salaries of those at the top of the parasitic charity tree wouldn’t there? Then you might find yourself in the same position as the homeless souls you patronise on the street. …and you wouldn’t like that one bit. moodygirl86 \| December 4, 2014 at 10:08 am \| Reply You appear to have named yourself after the wrong person. Last guy I heard of by the name of Christ had more compassion in his little finger than you will EVER have in your pathetic life. I hope for your sake you NEVER end up on the streets and have to put up with the kind of shit that the homeless face every day. leonc1963 \| December 2, 2014 at 2:20 pm \| Reply Reblogged this on Diary of an SAH Stroke Survivor. A6er \| December 2, 2014 at 2:22 pm \| Reply Nina \| December 2, 2014 at 2:33 pm \| Reply The following information is freely availiable online. From the broadwaylondon.org 2013 Financial report: The following number of staff earned more than £60,000 during the year: £80,000 – £89,000 = 1 From the thamesreach.org.uk 2013 – 2014 shareholders report: The number of employees whose annual emoluments were £60,000 or more were: £90,001 – £100,000 = 1 I think that rather than add to those people’s pockets, who no doubt have a home and lifestyle I can only dream of, I’ll just carry on buying a coffee and a sausage roll for the homeless guy I see every now and again in town. Because it could easily be me. Hear hear Nina – exactly what I will keep on doing. And as for posters from “Charities” telling me what to do with my money – well stuff ’em, I’ll do whatever I like. Gets ready to go to the local recycling center to get yet more warm coats and blankets, as well as shoes and boots to give to the homeless. jaynel62 \| December 2, 2014 at 2:39 pm \| Reply Downright disgusting – Boycott these Charities Trevor \| December 2, 2014 at 2:44 pm \| Reply No doubt the same sort of cruel, inhumane legislation that exists in many cities in the “good ‘ol US of A”, where it’s actually an imprisonable offence not only to give money but food to the homeless, will soon be enacted upon these shores; it will make the UK’s 1824 Vagrancy Act appear almost compassionate in comparison. Anyhow, I don’t want hypocritical charities dictating to me who I can and cannot give money to. Perhaps they should stick to handing out awards to murderous war criminals like Tony Blair and shut the f**k up! We’ve already got the US imposing their “standards” here. Unum, Maximus anybody? GEOFF REYNOLDS \| December 4, 2014 at 7:35 pm \| Reply “DRIVING THE SCOT’S TO SUICIDE, ALL IN A DAYS WORK FOR THE DWP”……………. UK Government welfare reforms are “pushing people to breaking point” in communities throughout Scotland, according to a new report. The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) said cuts are having a “devastating” impact on individuals and the charities that help them. Benefit claimants face depression, fear and anxiety as a result of changes to the system, a report by the umbrella body for voluntary organisations in Scotland found. SCVO said the findings backed up calls for the devolution to Holyrood of more welfare powers than were recommended by the Smith Commission last week. It also called for an end to benefit sanctions in Scotland, saying people were being punished unfairly in the current system. The body wants action to increase access for people to jobs paying the living wage as well as clearer information for claimants to help them avoid sanctions. Its report said: “Inflexible assessment processes, poor understanding of families’ circumstances and the threat of continual reassessment is heaping stress and anxiety on to people, negatively affecting their health and leading families to destitution. “Sanctions are being applied more frequently, sometimes without any understanding of the real barriers to people finding employment. “The threat of sanctions combined with benefit delays is pushing some people to extreme lengths, including re-offending and suicide attempts. “The day-to-day struggle to survive is pushing people to breaking point.” The SCVO said disabled people and women experiencing domestic violence were particularly at risk, with the changes affecting their ability to enter the labour market and lead independent lives. The report added: “Families and communities are in real crisis, many are already barely scraping by and some are left without any income. “This must be addressed as a matter of urgency.” The organisation said an increasing number of people were seeking support from charities and funding was not keeping up with demand, with frontline workers struggling to keep up with benefit changes. Commenting on the report, John Downie, SCVO director of public affairs, said: “It amplifies the many calls for the devolution of more power over welfare than promised by the Smith Commission, in order to take a different approach which, instead of punishing people, gives them the support they need when they need it most. “People are being sanctioned for circumstances beyond their control. “This is completely unacceptable and we want to see an end to all sanctions in Scotland immediately. “We also need more investment in frontline third sector organisations so that they are in a better position to support people bearing the brunt of welfare cuts. “Many charities and third sector organisations are being overwhelmed by demand from the most vulnerable people in our communities who are struggling to cope owing to these unfair changes.” The body carried out interviews with charities and community groups at locations across Scotland and conducted an online survey in summer 2014. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has been accused of breaking the “letter and spirit” of the Smith Commission, after it emerged that lucrative Work Programme contracts are to be extended. The Smith Commission, set up in the wake of the Scottish independence referendum, recommended that control over the Work Programme should be devolved to Holyrood “on expiry of the current commercial arrangements”. However, it has now emerged the DWP has taken the decision to extend the contracts without the consent of the Scottish Government, despite cross-party agreement powers over the back-to-scheme scheme would be devolved. Commercial contracts are due to expire in 2016 and this is when the Scottish Government expected powers to be devolved, until they learned yesterday that the contracts are to be extended for a further year. http://www.welfareweekly.com/dwp-accused-breathtaking-arrogance-work-programme-devolution/ http://anotherangryvoice.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/trust-social-media-mainstream-press-bbc.html VOTE COULDN'T GIVE A SHIT \| December 4, 2014 at 11:01 pm \| Reply TOO RIGHT GEOFF, TIME FOR THAT FUCKING SCOTTISH ‘PARLIAMENT’ TO GET OFF IT’S FUCKING ARSE AND IMPROVE THE LIVES OF THE SCOTTISH PEOPLE BY BRINGING THEM UP TO THE STANDARD THAT THE NORDIC AND SCANDINAVIAN COUNTRIES ENJOY INSTEAD OF FUCKING AROUND WITH THE DRINK LIVE LIMIT TO CATCH POOR BASTARDS OUT DRIVING TO WORK THE NEXT DAY AND HAVE THEIR LIVES FUCKED UP BY THOSE POLICE SCOTLAND CUNTS ALL FOR HAVING A GLASS OF WINE WITH THEIR EVENING MEAL!! THE SCOTS ARE WAITING NICOLA STURGEON, THE SCOTS WANT TO SEE REAL CHANGE, POSITIVE CHANGE FOR THE PEOPLE OF SCOTLAND NOT MORE BULLSHIT LAWS IN THE MOULD OF KENNY FUCKING ‘I WANT TO LOCK MORE SCOTS UP’ MACKASKILL FOR THOSE FUCKING POLICE SCOTLAND CUNTS TO USE TO KIDNAP AND IMPRISON THE PEOPLE OF SCOTLAND!! Mark Catlin \| December 2, 2014 at 2:49 pm \| Reply Reblogged this on markcatlin3695's Blog and commented: I’ve been homeless and begged, hearing this sort of bullshit from those supposed to help homeless people, staggers me. So no-one gives to beggars on the strength of their “sage” advice, but then it turns out the “homeless charities” don’t have the funds to help all the homeless. What happens then? untynewear \| December 2, 2014 at 2:51 pm \| Reply Same things happening in Newcastle Upon Tyne… http://unemployedtynewear.wordpress.com/2014/11/27/newcastle-city-centre-beggars-are-making-up-to-200-a-day-it-is-claimed/ Personally, I think I’d rather be killed by kindness, than be killed by unkindness… which seems to be the only alternative on offer. Stevie \| December 2, 2014 at 2:54 pm \| Reply If me giving money to a homeless person stops ME from buying drink and drugs then it’s all for the greater good. I dont give anything away with a Caveat attached. What anyone does with anything i decide to give away ceases to become my business the moment it leaves my hand. and for the record , i prefer to skip the middle man when it comes to charity, because the middle man takes his slice first. . timcole67 \| December 2, 2014 at 3:12 pm \| Reply @Stevie This came up in work recently where a colleague saw me giving money to a guy on the street. Firstly, I said it was none of her business what I do with my money. Secondly, it’s none of my business how he spends it and thirdly, (this one she didn’t like!), why does she feel the need to comment on this at all, when I don’t comment on her inane chat about how much she’s spent at the weekend on a bloody handbag. Awesome Retort my friend.. 😉 Jeffery Davies \| December 2, 2014 at 3:26 pm \| Reply Gordon bennit isnt life strange keep off the grass dont feed the wildlife strangely now its beggers onward christian soldier such is the life of the salvation army who takes these on the street people to stack their shelves getting monies for the bodies ops dont feed the beggers they might not come into our stacking shelves programs strange isnt that life now resoves around said charitys who take this blood monies overburdenddonkey \| December 2, 2014 at 3:33 pm \| Reply habituation of bears by feeding them is bad, as is feeding new forest ponies, coz they ought to have plenty of free freerange food and shelter….not feeding and sheltering human beings as a common good is just plain nasty….people who hit the streets for many reasons often to escape the conditionalities imposed by charities and such like… free no strings money is provably a good thing to do, but it needs to be enough to get a person back on their feet…the only clinic i know that will aid in curing addictions and causal emotional health problems has had to shut down because of lack of support, it’s slogan was “the helping hands of kindness” run by quaker dr bob johnson…it is not the capitalist slogan “be cruel to be kind”…or “cruelty is the new love”…..these kindness is the new cruelty people should actually be protesting about the lack of proper welfare and facilitates for all those in need NOT blaming the victims of this, and ensure dr bob emotional health centers spring up all around the UK…that way their will be even more people shouting about the injustice of austerity… “Universal Credit: even ministers’ answers are delayed” http://politicalscrapbook.net/2014/12/universal-credit-even-the-parliamentary-answers-are-delayed/ profreedan \| December 2, 2014 at 4:06 pm \| Reply Whether someone gives money to beggars is surely their own choice and should not be the position of charities or local councils to tell people what to do either way . Personally my own experience of street beggars is near where I used to work where there was a lot of betting shops. Beggars used to directly approach people and ask for money and then go into the betting shops. There was a group of regulars who you always saw hanging around these shops so you knew where they were gonna spend the money they got off people. However that is of course a wider social problem and charities should not be telling people not to give money to beggars because they might spend it on gambling or some other “vice”. I once came across a guy begging in Malaysia anf felt so sorry i gave him my shoes and my shirt. He was laid out on the pavement in front of a car dealership which sold Porsches and BMW’s and there were people looking in the showroom window as he struggled to sit up. A life is a life, no matter how poor or how lowly……………………… We are all supposed to be born equal, i still firmly believe this and never will forget it. When i was young, my Dad would say to me at every chance he could, “I cried because i had no shoes until i met a man who had no feet” It gave me a kind of moral compass that would serve me well during my life, understanding that however bad i felt their would always be someone worse off. Osborne’s Autumn statement will bring no joy to anyone i know, the spectre of death will come a lot closer to those who are really struggling. A pound coin in the right direction will not go amiss although my role has now been reversed to that of the lowly one. A smile may be a beam of hope from someone in despair, sanctioning somebody did not increase the job count and bedroom tax never freed up any rooms………………….. What Johnny has highlighted, is evil, personnified…………………. The cruelty that man can inflict on man. I never imagined we would ever stoop this low in this century, but i have been proved wrong. We are accelerating backwards at a rate never before seen in history, to the dark ages. Good always does prevail over evil, they call it common sense, nothing more………………………. ……………….strange how life changes, today i put some cardboard inside my shoes. They will last a little longer and give me the benefit of a meal. why, does cardboard taste better once it’s been shoe linings? …………..absolutely, tastes like Dover Sole………………….. a toll tax, beg for help through official channels only…prove you’re deserving poor and not the undeserving poor…pay the shepard ( we know best guru) for help… Dreading Chrismas OBD, stuffing the hamster, (sellotape it up of course) and using last years crackers, out of date ritz………. John Parkin \| December 2, 2014 at 4:51 pm \| Reply I`d like to see churches and community centers thrown open to the homeless and not just at Christmas, if the Government are not going to provide homes then shelter is the least they can do. Anyone who is genuinely bothered about people buying drugs can always spend a couple of minutes to buy a pastie, bag of chips or burger and hand it to that person rather than turn a blind eye. Ulysses \| December 2, 2014 at 6:42 pm \| Reply A rattling addict has no use for food mate, he’ll spew it straight back up, if he can face the thought of it in his mouth in the first place As someone once commented to me, as I ate a bag of crisps in the same room…. ” Razor blades in cheese and onion flavour” I just hope that when these homeless people are on the verge of starving and prepared to do anything to survive they target “Suits” for any muggings they do -“Social Justice”. Bernadette H \| December 2, 2014 at 5:32 pm \| Reply Gumtree job adverts are primarily jobs advertised for charity fundraising, up to £10.00 per hour. I often wondered why Charities can afford such ‘good wages’. Now I know why. Very much like ‘Children in Need’ holding on to 80 million pounds. Why? I don’t give a shite what the poor and homeless do with my pennies, its fuck all anyway and fuck all to do with me. I only wish I could give more. I know a bucket collector who make £500 a week before it gets handed to to the next person down the line…Go Figure. freethinkinganarchist \| December 2, 2014 at 6:00 pm \| Reply Reblogged this on Free Thinking Anarchist and commented: surly if anybody is in need of a little escape through drink and drugs its homeless people at Christmas Dave \| December 2, 2014 at 6:02 pm \| Reply Quite a few homeless I deal with would rather spend freezing nights in the open than in the hostels some describe as abusive hell. A few quid given to them makes all the difference out on the street Exactly, they are akin to open prison but with more rules, and breaking the rules leads to disastrous consequences.. not more time under a roof being fed, but instantly out on the streets… prayerwarriorpsychicnot \| December 2, 2014 at 6:35 pm \| Reply No, they want you to give your money to charities which pay 6-figure salaries to the bosses and no longer provide any services to needy people, but just talk about the problem. Reblogged this on Citizens, not serfs. stilloaks \| December 2, 2014 at 7:09 pm \| Reply Reblogged this on Still Oaks and commented: I know this was quite a time ago, but the big issue founder, John Bird was the one who wanted to lock up the homeless. “In a tough and provocative article, Big Issue founder John Bird argues that the present homeless policy is utterly useless and the only ‘cure’ for most is compulsory treatment in mental hospitals…” http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-436807/Big-Issue-founder-says-lock-homeless.html Katherine Perlo \| December 3, 2014 at 1:29 pm \| Reply I stopped buying the Big Issue some time ago, because the last one I bought contained not one but two articles praising workfare. Of course I give money to homeless people, but I don’t buy the magazine. dirt under their feet \| December 5, 2014 at 4:36 pm \| Reply I admit I do occasionally buy a Big Issue from a seller with a regular pitch, only because it cheers him; but I then give him a bank note and tell him to keep the change. What he does with it is up to him, as I perceive him as an adult able to make his own decisons. I know that his needs, of whatever type, are genuine; and it really is a rubbish way of making a few pounds maybe. Though it’s over priced and not even a good publication; and, yes, it is unacceptable that it then is used by John Bird to say how people shouldn’t give money to Big Issue sellers or others in obvious need, and how they shouldn’t be allowed to stay on benefits, as it makes them dependent – being said by those hugely dependent on various sorts of public fundings for their own comfortable lifestyles. No charity gets anything from me while there’s anyone there making more than my small income (or making use of ‘volunteers’ from the Job Centre), which excludes nearly all of them; while it’s the chuggers begging on the streets for people to sign up to having charities dipping regularly into their bank accounts who are the nuisances who should be cleared away. Fellow JCP Sufferer/Customer \| December 2, 2014 at 7:27 pm \| Reply I don’t agree with any charities telling you to give money to them rather than those they are supposed to be helping, but many years ago I saw a tv programme about a woman in England who was a drug addict and who told the tv crew (and the viewers) about how she would approach people in stations and claim she was stranded and needed the money for the fare home, and because she had a baby with her they would sympathise with her and give her money, which she would spend on drugs – she showed the tv crew (and the viewers) her arm, just in case we doubted it. Presumably she was paid for her story, but unfortunately it spoiled things for her as it was broadcast throughout the country. I later encountered her (and her unfortunate baby) in Scotland, as she must have thought tv hadn’t reached Scotland – I didn’t tell her it had, but I didn’t give her any money either. My ‘Social’ landlord has just signed up with Experian, with support from the Big Issue Investment Group, to pass all tenants details to build a database of tenant credit history. I never remember signing my tenancy agreement stipulation that my personal details could be sold to 3rd parties. Greedy Bastards. overburdenddonkey \| December 3, 2014 at 11:05 am \| Reply perhaps write to them and withdraw any implied consent to this… HA \| December 4, 2014 at 12:56 am \| Reply You have given your permission though. They probably gave you some mile long tenancy agreeement to sign that you never bothered to read as well as a Data Protection Act waiver just so that “they could call an ambulance if something bad happened to you”… and you just kind of like, signed, just like everyone else cos it’s only the housing asssociation, what nefarious deeds could the possibly get up to… 😉 Stepping Razor Sound Plate System \| December 2, 2014 at 8:22 pm \| Reply So there is a class system for Food Banks !!! Food vans have been going around for decades !!! All three main parties were told back in the early 1980s that there was a massive shortage in social housing looming, the three main parties (on purpose) did nothing!. The reason was to push house prices higher and ever higher, to make people think they were going to make their fortune with ever increasing prices, many were stupid enough to think it would never come to an end, many were encouraged to buy second houses to rent out to provide a pension plan for themselves at the expense of the poorest and disadvantage amongst us!. Between the years 1982-2007 there were three, I will repeat that “THREE” council houses built in Scotland, most of those years we had a Labour government. People just keep on voting for evil, and evil is what they get!!!. overburdenddonkey \| December 2, 2014 at 10:07 pm \| Reply annos “But this is small change. Let’s talk about the real money. The Westminster government claims to champion an entrepreneurial society, of wealth creators and hard-working families, but the real rewards and incentives are for rent. The power and majesty of the state protects the patrimonial class. A looped and windowed democratic cloak barely covers the corrupt old body of the nation. Here peaceful protestors can still be arrested under the 1361 Justices of the Peace Act. Here, the Royal Mines Act 1424 gives the Crown the right to all the gold and silver in Scotland(6). Here the Remembrancer of the City of London sits behind the Speaker’s chair in the House of Commons(7), to protect the entitlements of a Corporation that pre-dates the Norman conquest. This is an essentially feudal nation”. http://www.monbiot.com/2014/12/02/breaking-the-silence/ KentAllard \| December 2, 2014 at 10:04 pm \| Reply If you give money to weak willed wasters they sit on benches all day, stoned out of their minds, blankly staring into space http://imgur.com/MiftnyD beastrabban \| December 2, 2014 at 10:28 pm \| Reply Mr Void here presents the case that the homeless charities are trying to dissuade people from giving money directly to beggars on the streets, not because they are genuinely afraid that they will use the money to buy booze or drugs, but simply because the charities themselves want to be the only recipients of charitable giving and are trying to remove them as awkward competition. This is all too believable. Mr Void himself has pointed out the massive salaries enjoyed by the chief executives of these charities. He also mentions that Bath is particularly keen to discourage begging as this threatens to damage the town socially and economically. This is no doubt why other towns, like Bristol, have also adopted the same policy. A few years ago there was an item on the local BBC news, Points West, in which someone from the local authority or a homeless charity warned Bristolians against giving to beggars. This was accompanied by a poster campaign. Johnny Void also reported a little while ago that in London, at least, legislation had been passed to clear the beggars out of the centres of the borough. This gave the illusion that the capital didn’t have a homeless problem, while in fact the number of homeless people had grown. As for Bath being an easy city to beg in, I honestly don’t know about that. When I worked there in the 1990s, the town did have a sizable crustie population, and it was supposedly on one of the routes used by the New Age travellers as they moved to and from Glastonbury. You would see crowds of them gathered by Marchant’s Passage, a shopping mall, just by the bus station. The town does have a sizable and submerged underclass, in contrast to its image as a town populated entirely by well-heeled Jane Austen aficionados. This underclass is unusual in that, unlike in other cities, it exists cheek by jowl with the rich and affluent, and so both ends of the economic spectrum are on glaring display. sdbast \| December 2, 2014 at 10:31 pm \| Reply saffron dickson delivers words of universal truth… http://new.livestream.com/IndependenceLive/RIC2014 guy fawkes \| December 3, 2014 at 1:45 pm \| Reply No sound to your video link and a man speaking not Saffron! the link works for me… guy fawkes \| December 4, 2014 at 10:36 am \| Reply Someone else makes a comment underneath the video that there is no sound, perhaps it’s only audible to the Scots? like i say the sound is working my end… have you seen the “days of hope” series of 4 films by allen and loach.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0u019DvYjY4 they are fresh and as contemporary as when they were made in 1975… I have bookmarked the days of hope film and hope to watch when I get time, Ken Loaches films are always pertinent and poignant to working class struggle. awoladdy \| December 3, 2014 at 10:23 am \| Reply don’t give money, give hot food and clothing Lucy \| December 3, 2014 at 12:00 pm \| Reply awoladdy, see what Ulysses says up thread about someone with a severe substance dependence problem being unable to eat or even keep food down. What Ulysses says is true. Mr. Reckless \| December 3, 2014 at 12:07 pm \| Reply Why accept the assumption that street beggars are all substance abusers, are people who are forced to beg at food banks assumed to be and stigmatised as substance abusers. Addicts or not, everyone is a human being. A sociable animal who needs kindness and care, whoever they are. Exactly, so give em the money so they can see to their own immediate need, dont condescend by giving them food we all dream of freedom when we are not free…caught betwixt a rock and a hard place, not a pleasant place @ all…..the land is ours…diggers and dreamers…leveller’s…covenanter’s….the tales of robin hood…the holy grail…why does a movement start, it starts because of oppression…oppression causes depression…no where else to go, the dream of dignity shattered…mining, steel, factory, mill, farming, and industrial, towns cities villages, decimated by savagery all to make a buck… blocking symptoms does not cause cure…symptoms always lead to root cause…addictions are a symptom of a bankrupt culture… an addiction is a craving beyond what nature provides, it is caused by deprivation(s), (neglect)…not deliberate neglect of self, but by being abused…i’ve never met an addict, who intended to become addicted, they were looking for solutions, something to take the pain away…which is what human beings do and are gifted to do with our massive brains, that have become gummed up with the shit of life, and consequential sufferings…ironically trying to comply with cultural demands… just in now, timely for this post… https://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2014/12/why-should-we-be-beggars/ ….freedom come all ye… The only ray of light in this horrible campaign is that it was clearly made necessary by the innate decency of most people, who follow the instinct to help homeless people directly, and will no doubt continue to do so despite the charities’ self-interested moans. Mr. Reckless \| December 3, 2014 at 11:48 am \| Reply You could be placed in a variety of roles within the voluntary and community sector, such as cleaning public spaces, recycling services, or supporting local charities. – Learn Direct. Who owns Learn Direct Scotland – My World of Work – Skills Development Scotland? SFC invests around £1.6 billion in Scotland’s colleges and universities for teaching and learning, research and other activities in support of Scottish Government priorities. Does the SFC invest in Learn Direct Scotland – a Scottish Government priority? Fritz Todt \| December 4, 2014 at 12:51 am \| Reply Who owns Learn Direct Scotland? Organisation Todt – an executive agency of the RAD (Reich Labour Service) Mr. Reckless \| December 4, 2014 at 4:33 am \| Reply Way more sophisticated than the RAD … Not the Third Reich but the Progressive Third Sector. NoOppression \| December 3, 2014 at 12:12 pm \| Reply Why are People so Gormless and Brainwashed ? The Real Crime is the Suffering of the Homeless and the Boneheaded Lack of Compassion of too Many I Am All Right Jack Rich People Tax the Rich Hands Off the Poor Socialism Not Slavery Tax the administrators who are enforcing these unjust laws! “As befits his taste for only the very best of things, Russell Brand’s new home in the Hollywood Hills is a sumptuous affair of sunlit rooms and period vaulted ceilings that hark back to the golden days of the movies. Owned by Laurence Olivier in the Thirties, it has its own cinema, plus five bedrooms and five bathrooms (a lower bath-to-bed ratio is absolute social death in such a wealthy enclave). Of an evening, Brand can recline amid the scent of oleander trees on a candlelit balcony, with its own outside bar offering stunning views of the twinkling city below. As well as an estimated £15 million in the bank, he became the proud owner of the white-painted Los Angeles pad earlier this month. So how does this fit in with his ranting rallying cry on Newsnight last week for a ‘socialist egalitarian’ revolution, an end to ‘massive economic disparity’ and belief that ‘profit is a filthy word’? One suspects that last assertion, however, might come as something of a surprise to the ‘high- net-worth individuals’ that Brand is currently trying to charm into investing in his new film. After all, as well as offering the potential for big returns on their stakes in the movie, Brand’s company is also promising, I have learned, that most unsocialist of sweeteners — massive tax breaks of up to 60 per cent — for those willing to put up their cash.” Still, at least he’s willing to support others less fortunate. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-2483929/Russell-Brands-unsocialist-15m-business-empire.html#ixzz3Kqo0m8qq Just hope he doesn’t have a few too many bevvies and leave a voicemail message for an elderly family member of one of the women…. The Tourists \| December 5, 2014 at 1:47 am \| Reply This will be near where Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie live/d in a big gorgeous glass fronted house. We were over there a couple of years ago and spotted Brad and Angelina out in their drive. Before we could stop gawping they had invited us in for a few refreshments…. well, it was a very hot day 😀 Russell the coke head having a revolution down in rehab !!! As long as we live in a capitalist system, we live in a world of corruption and hypocrisy, other political and economic systems have not fared much better either, not everyone on the planet can sit beneath an oleander tree whether they have the money or not, whether we have this political system or some other. We could have a fairer system that does put a roof over everyones head, clothes on their back, food in their belly and money for a few luxuries, but there is always going to be inequality in where people are housed and how idyllic their life can be because of hurricanes, earthquakes etc.or the job they are expected to undertake. I don’t think someone showing their face as a guest on a popular chat show should be paid astronomical amounts while nurses in the health service find their funding cut for treating the sick and their pay increases a fraction of those from the celebrity or ruling class. I am detracting from the fact that those that are in a position to have a voice, usually speak more for themselves than for anyone else and benefit more than the ‘charitable cases’ they purport to help. There should be no need for homelessness or charitable cases, everyone should have a free dwelling place, putting an end to land and property acquisiton. Russell Brand doesn’t like speaking for himself at all it seems – correction, he doesn’t like speaking OF himself in relation to his wealth. Perhaps he could negotiate with the landlords and buy the Estate himself and give the tenants there a fair rent, if he feels so strongly about it. …but putting his money where his mouth is might not be a good investment, and might involve sacrificing some of his wealth… Who do you know that has not profitted from property investment? The chancellors know where their bread is buttered and help the wealthy acquire more wealth through profitable acquisitions, that is who Osborne has reduced stamp duty for, not the general public who would still find it difficult to get onto the property ladder. All designed to give the property market a boost for those that want to buy or those that want to turn their assets into cash and sell the properties that may be past their sell by date to some unsuspecting buyer, while reducing revenue for the treasury with favourable stamp duty. First quantative easing and fiddled house pricing to keep the profiteers from defaulting on any property loans they may have aquired – now reduced stamp duty. While the poor have increased costs in rent, bedroom tax, council tax etc. Yes they should all put their money where their mouths are. ps but it is still creating multiple property acquisitions for those that can afford it giving them power over their tenants. Paul Smyth \| December 3, 2014 at 3:32 pm \| Reply Ems \| December 3, 2014 at 3:40 pm \| Reply Just showed the poster only to my 10 year old and said “what do you think of this poster?’. He said “It’s wrong because it is saying all homeless people are alcoholics and drug addicts.” Enough said. Brilliant article. The DWP are beggers – that means don`t give beggers nothing like signing something.!!! Begging DWP Sanctions. Derrick Harriott – I’m Your Puppet DWP Theme Tune !! the rulers – let my people go Mr. Reckless \| December 3, 2014 at 5:14 pm \| Reply Put the politics aside there is enough hypocrisy to deal with – SNP is WP/workfare funded by the Scottish government? Street begging in the community is stigmatised, being forced to beg at the food bank in the name of community is glorified – hypocrisy. see your point, sooner have money used for prevention rather than cure… sooner have money used for prevention rather than cure… Not in the health service where money is wasted on useless preventative proceedures and nothing in the pot for emergencies when preventions have failed. An organisation (which we call a ‘provider’) will: find you your work placement(s) of up to 30 hours per week for up 26 weeks, and provide up to 10 hours of supported job search each week, over a period of up to 30 weeks. FOR PROFIT HUMAN Trafficking within the UK, from the DWP/JCP to WORKFARE PROVIDER-Learn Direct Scotland to PLACE OF LABOUR. Over 9000 of the homeless are ex-servicemen and women, and account for over 10% of rough sleepers. Initially sucked into the governments funnel of ‘see the world’ and ‘learn a trade’ as economic no hopers, then discharged into civvy life with little or no rehabilitation, having experienced god knows what. The charities are wrong to assume homeless are in the main substance abusers. Some are, but this masks the underlying despair, depression of our fellow humans. Hot food, hot drinks, a few quid -and a chat goes a long way. Special interest subdivisions of the homeless should be avoided as it encourages the politics of the deserving and undeserving poor. Already this can be found in social housing where ex-servicemen and women are supposedly given priority, thank them for their service but civvy life is civvy life and the same rules apply to all. brace yourself 60% of cuts still to come! You're in the Army Now :( \| December 4, 2014 at 11:01 am \| Reply Bollocks Dave! If you can fix a push-bike you can fix a car, and if you can fix a car you can fix a fighter jet equipped with a Samsung radar system. Yeah, I watch the TV ads…. 😀 …………….and MAXIMUS can fix your medical repot so that you will lead the life of a war torn veteran existing on absolutely fuck all………….. Dave \| December 3, 2014 at 10:12 pm \| Reply Agree Reckless, just highlighting how the rich, aristocracy and cabinet are content for the fodder that they send to kill brown people for their mercenary adventures, to rot in the gutter. “THE ONLY ADVENTURE A SOLDIER WILL SEE, IS THE INSIDE OF A BODY BAG” absolutely right Dave, cannon fodder!!!! …………….and regarding Prince Harry’s adventures in the military hiding behind a brigade of Gurkha’s, he is to the army what foot and mouth disease is to mouthwash………….. “Absolutely fuck all” You will never see a politicians offspring near a theatre of battle, they would be on the end of a walky talky saying, tally ho chaps……… So if you fancy being killed, don’t waste your time training to be a human target, just become a benefit claimant and let the state take your life, just as they are doing today……………… “YOU CAN STAMP AS MANY MEDALS AS YOU WANT, IT’S NOT WHAT YOU CARRY ON YOUR CHEST OR MANTLEPIECE THAT COUNTS, IT’S THE HORROR OF WHAT REALLY HAPPENED, BURNING AWAY INSIDE YOU” “MAXIMUS WILL NOW BE EXPECTED TO STEAL THE BENEFITS FROM OUR FORGOTTEN, LIMBLESS,MENTALLY TORTURED HEROES” …………….but see what ATOS did; Daily Mail online 1 June 2013 A record number of wounded war veterans have been denied disability benefits in the past year after undergoing tests carried out by the Government’s controversial assessment company. Hundreds of injured ex-soldiers are being declared fit for work by Atos Healthcare in spite of physical and mental injuries they suffered in the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. Last night, the Royal British Legion (RBL) announced a 72 per cent annual rise in former soldiers having their applications to receive Employment Support Allowance (ESA) turned down. Several hundred wounded personnel were denied the benefit on the basis of physical examinations conducted by Atos, according to the RBL. The company is contracted by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to assess benefits claimants’ capability to work. In one case, Lance Corporal Mark Dryden, 35 – a former member of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers who, after an explosion in Iraq, lost his right arm and the full use of his left – was asked by Atos assessors if he was left or right-handed. He is now taking his case against the DWP to a benefits tribunal. That case, and others, have led to accusations that Atos Healthcare is under intense pressure to produce assessments that enable the Government to reject benefits claims. Servicemen suffering from the mental scars of combat also complain that they have been turned down for disability benefits. Many injured troops have also described having to undergo demeaning physical tests by the firm. hugosmum70 \| December 3, 2014 at 11:05 pm \| Reply staggered at the number of replies to this. will read more tomorrow as i cant keep eyes open right now . need my bed. (sounds terribly selfish i know when you think of those poor devils on the streets with nowhere to lay their heads. )…… i lived in Bedford for a few years… came back to york shire 17yrs ago., there was one homeless charity down there that ill never forget. cant remember its name but it seemed that it was only homeless youngsters mainly that it helped. and one of the rules they had to agree to before they were given a room at their hostel was that they attended THEIR church every Sunday.was a evangelical one. i went a few times myself. something badly wrong there though i,and others,outside their clique, couldn’t put our fingers on what it was. but what hostel makes that kind of rule anyway? tony \| December 4, 2014 at 6:14 am \| Reply its up to me if I want to give a rough sleeper money and its up to them what they spend it on. Nobody else’s business. Pension60 \| December 4, 2014 at 1:48 pm \| Reply The homeless rough sleepers exist in a nation that does not feed its starving, risen 70 per cent as they are since 2010, nor provide growing social housing, but tax the poor out of a roof over their head and bread on the table. We have high streets full of empty shops and empty flats above them, where councils put posters in the shop windows with fake customers in a fake business. And we have huge numbers of empty terrace streets, all boarded up, costing councils money in security. So I despair about The Greens not putting up on billboards throughout England and Wales that they would save lives with a majority governnemtn in 2015, by their unique policy of ending all this cruel ever reducing and lost benefits regime, whilst raising national debt on benefits admin by the billions: – universal and automatic Citizen Income, non-withdrawable to the level of the basic tax allowance. – Full State Pension to all citizens, irregardless of National Insurance contribution / credit history, mostly lost due to benefit rule changes and early retirement in lieu of redundancy under the massive austerity job losses. The Greens offer tens of millions the end of the threat to their lives from starvaton and hypothermia. So why are not these new and unique policies more widely told by The Greens, please? Because they are all in it together – The Progressive Masturbation Syndicate. overburdenddonkey, Waiting on the Bonnie Rebellion. Becoming disillusioned with the radical road to independence, for the radicals have marched the Scots into a progressive cul-de-sac. the passion for indyscot remains unabated imv stronger than ever…but there is little anyone can do atm….except do what we need to do in prep for the 2015ge…one could argue that the snp masterfully put us in this position, but imo 45/55 is too slim a ‘victory’ for that…cast your mind back, we were all suffering campaign fatigue, this whole campaign has been grueling…. cheated not defeated…we are the change…. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyJmDcQf-qU The Battle Of Prestonpans 1745 – Music And Song Of The Campaign 🙂 we’ll get there… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0u019DvYjY4 74mins the most beautiful version of the the bold fenian men, i have ever heard… 🙂 “WHO WILL TAKE No.1 SLOT FOR CHRISTMAS” Will it be the Prison Service or the DWP?. Each department is pushing for the highest suicide rates on our run up to the festive time of goodwill to all men, though both seem unaware of this fact…………… That’s right. murder of the people is the only agenda they follow. Pressure is starting to build from a totally new outsider, the Probation Service who took their first trophy’s only recently. Strangely, each department vehemently denies their involvement, but you can’t kid, a kidder, as the saying goes. My money is still on the DWP. With the help of the Freedom of Information Commissioner and the Judiciary and Police, all firmly in their pockets, coroners will be working overtime to manage , “A BLIP”, as Grayling eloquently described it…………… “THE DWP NEED MORE TIME TO CONCOCT A REPLY TO ONE OF DUNCAN SMITH’S LIES” From: J Roberts In a House of Commons debate (1/9/14) the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Iain Duncan Smith stated: “By 2015-16, the out-of-work benefit bill will fall back to pre-recession levels, down to 2.3% of GDP. It peaked under the last Government at nearly 3% of GDP.” http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa… 1. Please provide a list of all benefits that make up the out-of-work benefit bill. 2. For each benefit, please provide the actual amount spent on it when total spending on out-of-work benefits amounted to nearly 3% of GDP. 3. For each benefit, please provide the projected amounts of spending that make up the figure of 2.3% of GDP that Mr Duncan Smith referred to. J Roberts https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/out_of_work_benefit_bill_almost#outgoing-405191 “THE FOLLOWING MATERIAL HAS BEEN REDACTED (HIDDEN) FROM THE DWP/ MAXIMUS CONTRACT” …………….SIMPLY PUT, THE EXPECTATION OF SUICIDES AND DEATHS WILL SPIRAL OUT OF CONTROL, BUT WE DON’T WANT THE PUBLIC TO BE AWARE………………………………………. FOIA Exemption applied Any names or other personally identifiable information. FOIA exemption Section 40 applies as it violates the 4.1 Supplier proposal, privacy rights of the individuals. 9.2 Key Personnel 2.4 Security Management – FOIA exemption Section 43(2) applies, commercial Annex B Security interests would be prejudiced if disclosed 4.1 Supplier Proposal FOIA exemption Section 43(2) applies, details of proposed resource information and internal processes constitute confidential commercial information, commercial interests would be prejudiced if disclosed 4.2 Commercially Sensitive interests would be prejudiced if disclosed. 4.4 Third Party Contracts 6.1 Mobilisation and Transition FOIA exemption Section 43 (2) applies detailed Plans – Paragraph 8.1, Annex 1 Mobilisation Plan, Annex 2 Resource Plan, detail within commercial interests would be prejudiced if disclosed. Annex 3 Planned Innovations, Annex 4 Volume Plans, Annex 5 Recruitment Plans 7.1 Charges and Invoicing – FOIA exemption Section 43(2) applies, financial and Annex 1 and Annex 4 – costing information constitutes confidential commercial Payment Model. information, commercial interests would be prejudiced if disclosed. 18 Information Technology FOIA exemption Section 43 (2) applies commercial Services – Annex 3 Commodity Service List ALL IN ALL, THE RECIPE FOR THE BIGGEST CULL OF DISABLED PEOPLE SINCE THE HOLOCAUST……………………. “DWP INDEPENDENT EXPERTS, MY ARSE” The DWP consulted closely with an advisory group of independent experts in health, social care and disability throughout the design of the criteria, to ensure that they are clear and that they allow priority in the benefit to be focused on those who need it most. From the outset the Department tasked the advisory group to work in conjunction with the Department to design a consistent, transparent and fair assessment. The group was not asked to design an assessment that would provide savings; they were asked to help us design a robust assessment that would ensure the benefit is targeted on those who face the greatest barriers to participating in society. 13. UnumProvident is actively engaged with the Government, policy-makers and large employers to share best practice and to see where our systems and approaches might be applied more widely. We are currently working with the Department of Work and Pensions on this, and have had discussions with officials in HM Treasury and the Prime Minister’s office. We have met with officials to help better understand the nature of the IB casebook, and to discuss how our commercial experience and expertise might be more widely applied. In addition, we will shortly be supporting the National Employment Panel in its work on the New Deal for Disabled People through a secondment of one of our senior managers. 22. It is UnumProvident’s experience that most disabled people are capable of some work. We would contend that this is the case even where those people are already in receipt of incapacity benefit. What is key is that the individual has an expectation of a return to work. In this respect, the terminology and eligibility criteria for claiming incapacity benefit are particularly unhelpful. First, the very term “Incapacity Benefit” suggests that it is a benefit that is paid to those who are incapable of work. This is both derogatory and obstructive. In fact, most disabled people are capable of some work, in some capacity or other, so why label them as being “incapable”? 25. UnumProvident would propose that IB should be retained for those disabled people who are genuinely incapable of undertaking any work whatsoever. The remainder should be transferred to a form of Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) which is sufficiently flexible to recognise that they have limited capacity to work. JSA claimants are required to look for work, and indeed are supported in that process by JCP. This simple administrative move sets the expectation of a return to work both for the individual and also for potential employers ……………………….AMERICAN PRIVATE HEALTH INSURERS UNUM ADVISING THE DWP……………………. “PROFITS BEFORE PEOPLE, IGNORE ALL THE DEATHS”………. Dillinger – Cup A Tea Call on the Scottish government to bust DWP sanctions in Scotland £4£ utilising the Scottish welfare fund. £57.35 JSA – no assets, no income and the JCP – PCS union death kapos think a Santa Sanction is hilarious. Misconduct in public office. GEOFF REYNOLDS \| December 5, 2014 at 12:09 am \| Reply What a fucking country we live in! “The only country that releases information that not many pensioners died of cold nearly a year ago” ……………..the reason that this has been in the media is just a sad excuse for the impending rise in hpothermia related deaths that are to come in the following cold spell over winter………….. If heating or eating was a problem for pensioners a few years ago, then it will be more severe now, given that bills have rocketed and food prices gone through the roof. What dirty trick will the government do to our pensioners next? They have been filling the papers with shit about how well off pensioners are nowadays. This signals an attack on their wellbeing, they are itching to push them into the cemetery faster…………………….. Our pensioners are some of the worst treat in the EU, in fact there was a documentary on Swedish tv highlighting how we pay our retired persons peanuts. The norm is usually around 30,000, thirty thousand old people will die, and for what? Meanwhile we are shafted by the energy companies who refuse to reduce bills even though wholesale prices have dropped……….. Even the regulators have a conflict of interest, their members paid for by the very companies they are supposed to regulate. WHAT A CUSHTY SET UP………………………………. Proud to be British?. you must be fucking joking!!! To all the Scottish 45+ political groups there is a mandate, time to step out of the social justice echo chamber and call the Scottish parliament to action. No use babbling about consensus, equality and glass ceilings while Scotland’s daughters and sons are being slaughtered. The SNP have the political power leverage wield it or lose it! damo \| December 5, 2014 at 1:36 pm \| Reply russel brand grew up in a council flat to a single mother he later became a heroin addict ,he,s had his fair share of shit like the rest of us but unlike most celebrities at least he,s giving back with support like him or loath him he is a least doing something I don’t see anything comeing from the politicals ,lol Ricky Gervais \| December 5, 2014 at 2:00 pm \| Reply If Russell Brand has genuinely boot-strapped himself from the gutter and isn’t just another middle-class kid who has found a niche 😀 then you have to give him his dues. He could easily still be sat in a council flat on the dole, and where would his media profile be then? He would be reduced to posting on the Void to make his voice heard maybe using BLOCK CAPITALS to get his message out a bit louder. He is in a no-win situation! Anyway, if the ‘left’ is reduced to attacking Russell Brand as if he is some evil entity a la IDS and his dwp sanctioning operative its a sad day. How many benefit claimants has Russell Brand rendered destitute, tipped over the edge into suicide. Who gives a flying fuck if he has a few bob in the bank – didn’t stop him wearing a ripped T-shirt to the Parliamentary Committee meeting. And what about that non-entity Richard Bacon, who is also moving to LA, it’s not like he ever mentions it 😀 And don’t even mention that tosser Nicky Campbell 😀 Sometimes people use gutter tactics to climb out of the gutter, like social climbing, sexual favours etc., but who am I to judge? That’s right, Russell Brand became a heroin addict because he feels very strongly about things – nothing to do with being an idiot. Comparing him to people who also have a few bob/million in the bank and who don’t “speak out” in support is similarly idiotic. With the money he has he could probably buy the estate and GIVE it to the residents. Problem solved but that would involve action which is often expensive, and talk is cheap. Messiah complex? Perhaps. Talent? Not a trace. His new book apparently advises people to not pay their mortgages and he thinks profit is a dirty word. Where do the profits of his book go? PS – And why would anyone care whether he wears a ripped T-shirt or not, whether to the Parliamentary Committee meaning or to attend Buckingham Palace – where he will probably get an OBE some day, just like all the other talentless non-entities who are currently called celebrities? Just because he grew up in a council estate doesn’t excuse his hypocrisy now that he is rich. Fascinating that all that is left is political consumption and parody, that is what Russell Brand has maybe inadvertently exposed. damo \| December 6, 2014 at 12:36 pm \| Reply my god…the bitterness,lol..good on russel brand..good to him ,he,s got millions in the bank …good..well done he,s made it ..he by using his talents and intelligence climbed out of heroin addiction got away from poor street ..fantastic ..if you have grown up on poor street than that’s what you want..to get away from there…that’s what we all want to get away from poverty and hard ship..at least he is giving back ..well done that man well done Russell xxxxx. guy fawkes \| December 7, 2014 at 11:04 pm \| Reply You should read the lyrics to the song “hungry years”, not all that glitters is gold, but trying to alleviate or eradicate poverty for everyone not just yourself is more worthwhile, so we should applaud the fact that he is speaking out about the injustices in life, even though as I stated earlier, either directly or indirectly it could be more beneficial for him to do so, than for us, with this shower of charlatans in power or with any of the others waiting to claim the crown either. Chris \| December 19, 2014 at 2:58 am \| Reply Because, the truth is funny. Pingback: Begging Is A Lifestyle Choice Says Leeds Councillor As Homelessness Charities Launch The Nastiest Campaign Yet \| the void Rob Smith homeless soon and very ill \| August 25, 2015 at 11:27 pm \| Reply Rob Smith homeless soon and very ill http://www.gofundme.com/mcthe4 Bill \| December 1, 2015 at 11:56 am \| Reply I heard from Slovakia homeless people a drink numbs the cold on a freezing day on the streets and what else hope have they got seriously? At least it provides fleeting comfort If there was more services for detox etc then maybe they would save done people and furthermore if the problem was tackled before it gets so bad then there would be less problems overall Nienna \| December 23, 2015 at 10:57 pm \| Reply Disgusting. Just through instinct I’ve always given directly to the homeless. victim \| January 8, 2016 at 5:24 am \| Reply snuff being filmed of off the system homeless. also being used for illegal clinical trials. There even filming them dying before they get them to court at p-q units south Wales favourites abuse them call them I’ll then kill me make money from footage too. We’ll done conservatives. none cult running nhs and feds hostels you name the hate crime scum they sent videos to my news feed of others they have killed to threaten me….murderers visual an ties get them out … Leave a Reply to sdbast Cancel reply	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line844
__label__cc	0.736259	0.263741	The Joker On The Sofa Binging So You Don't Have To Joker on the Sofa Reviews Grouch on the Couch “Reviews” Futurama Fridays Doctor Who Seasons 11 & 12 Firefly Fridays: The Complete Series The 100 Greatest Television Episodes of All Time Futurama Fridays – S3E3 “A Tale of Two Santas” Robot Santa returns, bringing sacks of holiday pain and suffering. It’s like Christmas with extended family, except with robots. The Professor (Billy West) sends Fry (West), Bender (John DiMaggio), and Leela (Katey Sagal) to Neptune in order to deliver a sack of children’s letters to Santa (begging for mercy). On Neptune, the crew are met by Neptunians who are short and elfish due to all of the malnutrition under Robot Santa’s (DiMaggio) rule. They’re also out of work because Robot Santa finds everyone naughty, so the toy factory went under. The crew heads to Robot Santa’s death fortress, sneaking in and attempting to destroy Robot Santa with a logical paradox. A Gingerbread house is either food or shelter, not both. Unfortunately, Robot Santa is immune to logic and chases them with a missile launcher. They escape to the ship and try to take off, but Santa grabs the ship and holds it in place. However, the engines melt the ice around Santa and he is trapped in the ice when Leela shuts off the engines. The Neptunians rejoice and return to making toys while singing and Bender is chosen, reluctantly, to be the new Santa. Let’s not question how this worked. Using Santa’s sleigh to head to Earth, Bender tries to deliver presents to families, but most of them either attack him or try to kill themselves. He runs into Kwanzaa-Bot (Coolio) who can’t help, as he has to give out the traditional Kwanzaa book What the Hell is Kwanzaa? Bender returns to Planet Express and is instinctively attacked by the Professor. Bender decides to quit and drops all of his toys into the sewer, which results in Smitty and Url (West and DiMaggio) arresting him. Bender is put on trial and sentenced to death for Santa’s Slayings. Fun fact: The Chanukah Zombie is the Wandering Jew’s brother. Bender is put on death row while the Crew heads to Neptune to try and bring the real Robot Santa back. Unfortunately, global warming has melted much of the ice and he escapes. The Crew flees, but Santa stows away on the ship. The crew, all dressed up like Santa Claus, try to claim that they are Santa (except Zoidberg, who shows up as “his friend Jesus”), but Mayor Poopenmeyer (David Herman) doesn’t believe them (except for Zoidberg). The countdown on Bender’s execution reaches 0, but, before Bender is killed by a giant magnet, the real Santa breaks in. Robot Santa reveals that he wants Bender’s help to do his Xmas work. Bender agrees and goes on a rampage with Robot Santa. Hiding at Planet Express, Fry mentions that fear brings everyone together the same way that joy does, so it’s still Xmas. At the end of the night, Santa gives Bender an empty box, saying “Oh, it might appear empty but the message is clear: Play Santa again and I’ll kill you next year!” The whip’s not for the robo-reindeer. END SUMMARY I know some people complained that John Goodman didn’t return to play Robot Santa in this episode, but I think John DiMaggio did such a good job that I almost didn’t notice the switch. I also like how they expanded on the Robot Santa mythos, particularly showing us the Neptunians who, unlike Elzar or any of the others in the series, are only a few feet tall due to malnutrition. They’re also constantly demonstrating fairly overused stereotypical gay behavior that, and this is the joke, Fry somehow manages to miss. This didn’t age as well as most of the series, but they’re nowhere near as bad as some other shows back in 2001.I also like that we get to watch a perfect representation of how messed up Robot Santa’s logic is: Mobsters beating up a shopkeeper for protection money. Very naughty! Shopkeepers not paying their protection money. Exactly as naughty! Interestingly, in the commentary, Matt Groening and David X. Cohen mention that Fox told them not to do a second Robot Santa Xmas story after getting multiple complaints over the airing of the first one. Not giving a sh*t what Fox said, they made this one anyway, but were forced to premiere it at comic panels since Fox wouldn’t air it like a normal episode. In the same discussion, Matt Groening says that he generally hates doing Christmas episodes, something that shocked me, since the first episode of The Simpsons was a Christmas special. Maybe he only likes his own. Never did a Kwanzaa special, though… The final act for this episode is one of the better ones in the show. It’s even got a ticking clock in the form of Mayor Poopenmeyer’s random number generator counting down to Bender’s execution. I thought it was funny that the generator actually can pick any integer, positive or negative, and can pick the same one over again, and yet it gets to 0 in 10 selections. Technically we never see a three digit number, so it’s possible that it only goes between positive and negative one hundred, but that’s still 1 in 199 on each pick, so it could have taken an incredibly long time. FAVORITE JOKE The “I’m Spartacus” scene with all of the crew dressed as Santa is a decent joke, but the real winner is Zoidberg coming in dressed as Jesus. It just gets kicked up to 11 by the fact that the Mayor actually buys it, going so far as to say “How dare you lie in front of Jesus?!” When Robot Santa comes in to attack the group, the Mayor begs Jesus to attack Santa, only for Zoidberg to say “I help those who help themselves!” I refuse to make a Jesus Christacean joke. I refuse. I think this joke works on 3 different levels. First, it’s just funny that rather than dress up like Santa, Zoidberg chooses to dress up as the other main figure of Christmas. The fact that he’s so enthusiastic about it only makes it funnier. Second, a big part of the Xmas holiday episodes is that, in the future, they have literally taken the Christ out of Christmas. This is Zoidberg directly putting it back in. Third, I think it’s hilarious that Zoidberg, whose entire species is composed of Jewish stereotypes, decides to appear as the central figure to Christianity. Well, that’s it for this week. See you next week, meatbags. PREVIOUS – Episode 34: Parasites Lost NEXT – Episode 36: The Luck of the Fryrish If you want to check out some more by the Joker on the Sofa, check out the 100 Greatest TV Episodes of All Time, Collection of TV Episodes, Collection of Movie Reviews, or the Joker on the Sofa Reviews. If you enjoy these, please, like, share, tell your friends, like the Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/JokerOnTheSofa/), follow on Twitter @JokerOnTheSofa, and just generally give me a little bump. I’m not getting paid, but I like to get feedback. MAKE ME FAMOUS: jokeronthesofa I'm not giving my information to a machine. Nice try, Zuckerberg. View all posts by jokeronthesofa Posted on March 22, 2019 August 1, 2019 Author jokeronthesofaCategories Futurama FridaysTags A Tale of Two Santas, Billy West, Coolio, David Herman, Futurama, Futurama Fridays, Futurama Season 3, John DiMaggio, Katey Sagal 3 thoughts on “Futurama Fridays – S3E3 “A Tale of Two Santas”” Pingback: Futurama Fridays – S3E4 “The Luck of the Fryrish” – The Joker On The Sofa Pingback: Futurama Fridays – S3E2 “Parasites Lost” – The Joker On The Sofa jokeronthesofa says: Reblogged this on The Joker On The Sofa. 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__label__cc	0.734319	0.265681	What is Paganism? Most pagans practise a historic and emergent spirituality that honours the Earth and recognises the interdependent relationship of all living things. This can find expression through the solar and lunar cycles and festivals recognising the changing seasons and acknowledging the way these can reflect and help inform our own lives. What do Pagans follow? Many pagans revere Gods and Goddesses found in pre-Christian and classical mythology and recognise the divine in multiple guises. Others experience the divine in a single form. Some identify with particular expressions within Paganism, such as Witches, Wiccans, Druids, Heathens or forms of Shamanism, others with ancient Celtic or indigenous beliefs. Some practice forms of magic[k] based upon ancient grimoires or text books. Others adopt a postmodern approach and ‘mix and match’ divergent ideas. It can sound complicated but the easiest thing to do is to talk to someone for yourself! Why is Paganism growing? Paganism seems to appeal to those who sense an enchantment within the earth and reminds of our place in the universe and its multiple expressions liberates us from the constraints of dogmatic religion. Paganism is [broadly!] ecological, egalitarian and libertine. How many Pagans are there in the UK? Paganism is thought to be the fastest growing ‘religion’ in the UK and there are probably more pagans in this country now than at any time since the Romans. Historian Professor Ronald Hutton, a leading authority on British paganism, suggests there could be as many as a quarter of a million practising pagans.	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line846
__label__wiki	0.621645	0.621645	The partitioning of rainfall by a banana canopy in St Lucia, Windward Islands The partitioning of rainfall into interception, throughfall, and stem flow in a representative stand of banana was studied between 28 May 1994 and 10 September 1994 m St Lucia, Windward Islands. Both throughfall and stemflow were highly correlated with rainfall amount, and comprised an average 80 and 10% of incident rainfall, respectively. Ten per cent of rainfall was intercepted and presumably lost to the atmosphere as evaporation. Although the proportion of rain passing through the canopy was relatively constant, its spatial distribution changed with time as canopy architecture changed with time and age of the crop. The soil surface below the canopy was never wetted uniformly but measurements of soil moisture content at 30 cm depth, using a neutron probe, showed no consistent variation with spatial location. There was a steady increase in soil moisture at this depth throughout the period during which 7 23 mm of rain fell. Keywords: Banana; Rainfall; Throughfall; Stemflow; St Lucia	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line848
__label__cc	0.571723	0.428277	SCIENTIFIC-THEORETICAL PROBLEMS OF ASSESSMENT OF INTER-COUNTRY INTEGRATION IN E-GOVERNMENT ENVIRONMENT Rasim M. Alguliyev , Gulnara Ch. Nabibayova secretary@iit.ab.az, gnabibayova@gmail.com This paper studies various integration indicators of countries proposed by researchers and experts in a number of scientific works in order to study the inter-country integration processes. Following indicators are offered to solve issues related to determining the integration degree of one country to another in the e-government environment: the volume of information flows between countries’ national domains on the Internet, the number of international meetings of representatives of state organizations and the number of international agreements signed between countries. Problem solution methods consisting of development of a decision support system using data warehouse technology and OLAP are demonstrated. Their brief characteristics are presented (pp.36-43). Keywords:inter-country integration, integration indicators of countries, e-government, decision support system, OLAP, data warehouse, weight coefficients. DOI : 10.25045/jpis.v08.i1.05 Makhov A.E., Petrovskaya L.I., Smolkin V.M. The Great Russian encyclopedic dictionary. Moscow: The Great Russian Encyclopedia. 2003 Chernov Zh.B. Analysis of scientific approaches to the economic nature of the cluster / / Internet-journal “Naukovedenie”, 6 (25), 2014, pp. 1–10. Chelyadinsky A. The concept of integration in the international relations: theoretical aspect. Journal of International Law and International Relations, 2009, No. 1, pp. 29–32. Prakash A., HartJ. A.Indicators of economic integration / Global Governance 6, 2000, pp.95–114. Arribas I., Perez F., Tortosa-Ausina E. Measuring globalization of international trade: Theory and evidence. World development, 2009, vol.37, no 1, pp.127-145. De Lombaerde P., Dorrucci E., Genna G., F. Mongelli P. Composite indexes and systems of indicators of regional integration // The Regional Integration Manual. Routledge / Warwick studies in globalization, Routledge, 2011, pp.323–346. System of Indicators of Eurasian Integration of the EDB 2009, Almaty: RUAN, 2010,160 p. Nabibayova G.Cj. Development of an information and analytical decision supporting system in the field of foreign policy // Information Society Problems, 2010, No2, pp. 62–72. Alguliev R.M., Nabibayova G.Ch. On the conceptual foundations of the development of an information and analytical decision supporting system in the field of foreign policy // AzTU, Scientific works, 2009, No1, pp.3–5. Nabibayova G.Ch. Application of OLAP-technologies in decision support systems in the sphere of foreign policy // Information Technologies, 2012, No2, pp. 73–76. https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Contract Volkov I., Galakhov I. Architecture of the modern information-analytical system. “Director of IP”, No. 3, 2002. Nabibayova G.Ch. Exploring the possibility of using decision support systems in the e-government environment // Information Technology Problems, 2015, No2, pp. 88–95.	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line850
__label__cc	0.682586	0.317414	J.S. Fields Author & Scientist Review: Ascension: A Tangled Axon Novel by Jacqueline Koyanagi Genre: science fiction – space opera Pairings: f/f/f Queer Representation: cis lesbian Rating: five stars All Alana has ever wanted is to be an engineer on a real live spaceship. A crippling, chronic illness for which she can barely afford medication, as well as her family’s poverty (and the general lack of ship engineer jobs), has kept her from achieving her dream. When the intoxicating Tangled Axon comes to her repair yard–dripping seduction like THE SHIP WHO SANG–Alana takes a chance and stows away, hoping that the crew won’t find her before they’re too far from her planet to make a return trip. But the crew have their own plans, including kidnapping/coercing Alana’s sister to save a dying crew member. Alana must find her place on the ship, save her sister and the crew she increasingly grows to love, all while trying to keep herself from succumbing to Mel’s Disease. Noting how well the catch-line ‘lesbians in space’ sells books, I’m really surprised there aren’t more excellent lesbian space operas like this in the world. ASCENSION is evenly paced, and filled with wonder and action and all the right kinds of emotions. It’s the Star Wars we all wanted, but will never get because Hollywood would implode if someone suggested black women leads (and heaven forbid one of them be struggling with a chronic condition). The elements of magic blend seamlessly with the tech, the secondary characters are well developed, and it has multiple layers of relationships. It is the quintessential space opera, but with enough lesfic elements and shoot-em-up moments to keep any reader happy. There are a number of strong relationships in the book. Central to the story is Alana’s relationship with her sister, Nova (the ‘Jedi’ of the book), who is presented as a pretentious asshole with a fierce protective streak. The journey of the two sisters finding each other rang very true to sibling dynamics, and was immediately a hook for me. The second strong relationship was between Alana and Tev (the love interest), which was exactly the kind of slow burn I love in a book. The relationship develops slowly (but not so slow you want to throw the book into your window), and the eventual coming together of the characters is sweet but passionate. Tertiary relationships, between Alana and the other crew members, are engaging and do not in any way detract from the main two relationship plot threads. Every interaction pairing was intuitive and rewarding. Like any space opera, this one pulls from a number of familiar elements. Readers will find Tangled Axon reminiscent of THE SHIP WHO SANG, or, if you’re a younger reader, the ship from THE LONG WAY TO A SMALL, ANGRY PLANET. Star Wars parallels saturate the narrative, from the Jedi-like sister (seriously, we aren’t the fugitives you’re looking for. Look! I have a tail!) to the ‘just-on-the-wrong-side-of-the-law’ semi-fugitives, to the scruffy pilot. ASCENSION blends these elements into a comfortable, familiar yet exciting narrative with far more diversity and marginalized voices than the mainstream book/cinema has managed to ever produce (Black Panther aside, cause that was awesome). The engineer of the Tangled Axon is a wolf-man. Not a werewolf. A wolf-man. He has some type of wolf soul. I’m still sort of unclear on this but every time he was on page, I could only think about the ‘dinosaur souls in buff men’ book series by Nina Bangs. Full disclosure- they’re not gay at all but they’re…an experience. Yup. Anyone in the mood for excellent space opera can find ASCENSION: A TANGLED AXON NOVEL here in ebook. The book is out of print (ARGH!), so if you want a paper copy, you’ll have to cough up $30 to get it used. Filed Under: book review Tagged With: lesbian, poly, sci fi, space opera Review: Dalí by E. M. Hamill Genre: science fiction (space opera) Pairings: nonbinary/female, nonbinary/male Queer Representation: gender fluid, third gender, trans masculine, trans feminine, agender Warnings: violence against enbies (may be triggering for some) Dalí, a human, third gender changling, used to be a highly regarded diplomat. That all changed when their husband, wife, and unborn child were murdered. Adrift in suicidal thoughts, Dalí gets into one too many fights and stumbles across an interplanetary conspiracy to sell other third gender changelings to the highest bidder. Dalí agrees to help rescue their fellows, but the conspiracy is much deeper than they feared, and making it out alive isn’t exactly a high priority. A very space opera-y space opera, Dalí gives a look at a pseudo-dystopian future in which being born nonbinary is common (that’s not the dystopian part, clearly), but factions from Earth would prefer to see people ‘go back’ to just male and female. Add in a mess of aliens and Dalí’s proclivities for sexual encounters and you get an intense book filled with intrigue, sex, betrayal, and a host of uncomfortable parallels to our modern society. Although I found some of the scenes too brutal at times (I see and experience plenty of enby discrimination in day-to-day life, so I don’t always care for it in my books), the book was very well written and the pacing, especially in the second half, excellent. I was hooked after Dalí began to befriend a ‘pirate lord,’ and I got to see more of their personality come forward, instead of the (understandable) gut reactions we got in the first half of the book. This book was recommended to me so many times that I waited to purchase a print copy, instead of getting an ARC from Ninestar (also my publisher). It was well worth the purchase and while I didn’t necessarily connect with Dalí on an enby level (we’re just different flavors of enby), the struggles they faced were all too real, and the conflicts, while set in space, were very 2018. It’s fantastic that stories like this are getting published, and that enby readers have more and more opportunities to see themselves in fiction. Much like with THE SEEDS OF DISSOLUTION, it was nice to see a variety enby types, from true gender fluid, to agender and third gender, to transmasculine and transfeminine. This representation, too, is key, in helping to educate readers that nonbinary doesn’t mean just one thing. A solid, well-paced plot, strong writing, and a memorable main protagonist made this book a very satisfying read. Lovers of gritty books, such as TRANS LIBERTY RIOT BRIGADE, will find this book especially valuable, as will lovers of queer space opera. You can buy Dalí in paperback here and ebook here. Read the review for the sequel PEACEMAKER here. Filed Under: book review Tagged With: agender, bisexual, gender fluid, mental health, nonbinary, poly, reviews, sci fi, space opera, trans Review: The Seeds of Dissolution by William C. Tracy Genre: science fantasy Pairings: m/m/f Queer Representation: bisexual, gender fluid, nonbinary, agender, third gender Warnings: none–but so many enbies you might have to fan yourself After watching his parents die in a freak storm as a child, Sam’s anxiety has kept him from leaving his house. When another inexplicable force of nature drags him out of his house, across space, and into the Nether–a place outside our universe–Sam must learn how to live with his anxiety amongst aliens while also discovering the magic that lives inside himself. At it’s most basic, yes, this is a ‘white boy goes on a journey’ story. But it is so much more than that. At 400 pages, this is a high fantasy story (science fantasy, mind) with multiple POVs, a well-defined magic system (music!), and a relatable, flawed MC. The world is rich and lush, well described but never ad nauseum, the characters well rounded, and the species distinct and colorful. Tension builds steadily throughout, the ending is satisfying, and narration is easy to read. Bonus – the cover art and interior illustrations are gorgeous. I was also really pleased that Sam (our MC) does not get over his mental illness, but instead, learns coping mechanism throughout the story that help him interact more with his friends. Even at the end Sam is still gripped by his anxiety, but is able to do his part to save the day. It’s rare to find books that do not treat mental illness as something to get over, but rather, allow for it to simply be a part of a character. The main relationship is a polyamorous one, between Sam and Inas (male) and his twin sister Enos. Sam is on-page bisexual (an argument could be made for pansexual, as one line notes Sam is interested in the twins for their personalities, not their forms). He is not closeted at the start, and as his interests unfold there is no mental turmoil about being attracted to another male, or being attracted to two people at once. This was all very refreshing, and it was nice to see not only aliens being fine with canon queerness, but an actual human being okay with it, too. Enbies. Enbies everywhere I want to do a special callout to the gender representation in this book. It seems ridiculous that this is so rare in SFF, as any time you deal with new species there should never be an inherent assumption of a gender binary. And yet, SFF, especially science fiction, is rife with the strict male/female dynamic. Tracy presents species with genders of all variants, from agender, to third gender, to straight up uncategorized nonbinary, to a gender fluid main character (and no one, no one, freaking cares that they have to pronoun check every so often for this character!). None of the POV characters were outside the binary, but the world was so rich with enby characters I didn’t even mind. It felt nice, for once, to be ‘included’ in a SFF narrative without being the reason for the narrative existing, if that makes sense. Sometimes the most useful way to show your support for a group of people is to make them everyday players, and this book does just that. The joy of self publishing This book is a great example of why self-publishing can be a wonderful thing. Books like this, which walk right between science fiction and fantasy, which have a YA-aged protagonist mixed with much older POV characters, and which have a high word count (book is right at 400 pages), can be a very hard sell to agents and publishers. SEEDS is exceptionally well written, avoids the pitfalls I see with many self-pubbed books (lack of editing, unattractive cover art, lack of act structure and/or through line) and delivers a quality story. The interior art, as well, is a hallmark of Tracy’s stories and really adds the finishing touch to this novel. Overall, this book should appeal to readers across science fiction and fantasy, as well as YA and adult readers. Queer readers, especially those outside the gender binary, will feel right at home in the Nether, and there is plenty of ‘standard’ fantasy fare to keep general readers interested. I’m very much looking forward to the next installment! You can buy THE SEEDS OF DISSOLUTION in print here and ebook here. Filed Under: book review Tagged With: agender, bisexual, fantasy, gay, gender fluid, mental health, nonbinary, poly, reviews, sci fi Review: The Mirror Empire by Kameron Hurley Genre: epic fantasy Pairings: f/f, f/m, m/m, poly, references made to various enby pairings as well Queer Representation: lesbian, gay, gender fluid, transgender, bisexual, intersex (sort of) Warnings: rape, cannibalism, a ridiculous amount of death Rating: 3.75 stars. Is that a thing? It should be a thing On the eve of a recurring catastrophic event known to extinguish nations and reshape continents, a troubled orphan evades death and slavery to uncover her own bloody past. There’s more to the back blurb, but the above is the A plot line, and the one with the most depth, IMO. As with most modern epic fantasy, we are exposed to a staggering number of POVs. While I delighted in every moment of the worldbuilding in this book, especially in the queer representation, the volume of characters and their (general) lack of significant growth had this book feeling more like the wanderings of George R.R. Martin than the dynamic head hopping of the Mistborn books (well the first three, anyway). So let’s start with what I loved. Queer Representation I had no idea how to even process the start of this book. Queer characters are everywhere. In fact, I’m not certain anyone is straight in this book. Lilia, our orphan girl from the blurb, has two romantic arcs with women. Roh, a minor POV character, has relations with men. There’s an assassin, another minor POV character, who is an interesting variety of intersex in which his sex actually changes by season. Some countries have five genders (assertive male, passive male, assertive female, passive female, other, although these aren’t the titles they’re given), and people are allowed to pick which fits them best. Some people are flat out gender fluid, some have ambiguous genitalia (I think? There’s some vagueness here). Queer relationships are onscreen everywhere, and no one thinks its weird at all. How refreshing. The concept of the mirrors and alternate dimensions is pretty standard across portal fantasy, but this takes the genre into high fantasy and wow, does it do it well. The viciousness of the landscape, the colors of the sky, the hopelessness of some of the people, the rage of others, it all blends perfectly into a world you could drown in. I was engaged as well by how smoothly the author transformed standard fantasy tropes on their head. The saturation of females over males in the narrative, especially in the backdrop characters, the casual in-world rapes and power struggles, the sort of casualness of it all, the this is just how it is, served as a poignant reminder of how ridiculous epic fantasy often is. By turning the gender ratios around, Hurley manages to make an effective example why gender ratios matter, especially with background characters. Where were all the men in these worlds? Don’t know, don’t care, this isn’t their story. Don’t like it? Maybe you should look at why that is. With all that praise out of the way, let’s get to issues. At it’s most basic level, the characters developed. They grew up, they learned, they met new people and engaged in battles and magic and whatnot. At a more interpersonal level, we never spent enough time with any one character, never got enough real internal monologue or motivation from any one character, to really see substantive growth. The only character I ever got emotionally attached to was a minor POV character–Zezili’s husband–and his entire purpose in the narrative appeared to be titilation and social commentary. He was the only character with real emotions though. Even Lilia, our primary protagonist, failed to really engage throughout the book. Her early chapters are a reasonable hook, but the middle of the book has so much, so much POV shift that not only is it hard to keep track of who is who, but it’s hard to stay connected to any character long enough for a POV chapter of them to come back around. Names, Places, Things Reading this book reminded me of the first time I picked up an Anne McCaffery Pern book. I didn’t know where to start so I just grabbed one and started reading. There were so many words I didn’t know, like klah, and I thought I’d never sort everything out. I did though, by about halfway through the book. Mirror Empire has to be, what, five times as long as that first McCaffery novel I read, and by the end of it there were still words I didn’t know the meaning of, and character names I had to go…wait, who is this again? There’s a glossary at the back, which includes a dramatis personae, but I hated going back to it every fourth word. There was just too much in terms of names for me to keep straight. I’d probably have been fine if I took notes, but I hate taking notes. In general, this book really scratched my ‘epic fantasy’ itch for the year, and I’ve got no complaints as far as queer rep goes. I wish I could have connected with one of the primary protagonists more. Of the main three–orphan girl Lilia, ruthless killer and domestic rapist Zezili, and Ahkio, the dead kai’s brother–Lilia was the most interesting. Her later chapters moved her into the same sort of hard emotion of Zezili though, and I lost interest. Zezili herself seemed human only when thinking of her husband (which is all sort of messed up, since she kept him basically as a sex slave), and Ahkio I never cared for. Lovers of large cast epic fantasy, dark epic fantasy, and anything even remotely similar to Game of Thrones, will enjoy Mirror Empire. The book is a lot darker than the epic fantasy written by Sanderson, however, so those wanting cleaner, lighter epic fantasy should probably pass. You can buy THE MIRROR EMPIRE in paperback here and ebook here. Filed Under: book review Tagged With: bisexual, fantasy, gay, gender fluid, lesbian, poly, trans Review: Moonshine by Jasmine Gower Genre: fantasy (unclassifiable – semi historical, semi urban) Pairings: m/m (but one is a fairy), nods to f/f in-world and a decent dance scene Queer Representation: disability, gender fluidity, trans issues, pansexuality, aromantic, asexual Another book from the #DVsquad and #DVpit! Woohoo! I’m delighted that I got a chance to review an ARC. As with CITY OF BRASS, this was an enchanting fantasy with a deep connection to its time period. Daisy is a Modern Girl in a sort of post-apocalyptic version of the Roaring Twenties, where faeries and ogres and magic all exist. Not a magician herself, Daisy has inherited some trinkets from her grandmother that are imbued with magic–not enough to cause trouble, but enough to keep soot off her clothes and hide her personage when needed. She takes a job as a clerical worker at an (unbeknownst to her) magical mana factory (all very underground, you see, because in this Prohibition, it’s magic juice that’s outlawed) and looks forward to a very average life. But working for a magical speakeasy is anything but safe, and Daisy soon finds herself the target of a hit, as well as in charge of an exiled faerie her boss may have accidentally freed. Good thing Grandma’s blood magic trinkets are still around! The strong sense of setting was my favorite part of this book. Every image evokes a sense of yearning at an era those from the USA often romanticize, but it is if we are viewing this history through a distorted lens. There are speakeasies, but they deal in magic mana. There are hit people, but they have cannons that block magical ability. There are all the same horrible social stratifications, but here they revolve around magic users, both human and other. The plot is a bit slow to get started, which is the only real negative of this book. At first I assumed the story arc would involve something with the underground mana business, but about halfway through the book it becomes clear that cleanup of the boss’ mess (releasing the faerie) is the primary arc. With the strength of the characters (which the author carries well) and the setting, I think the narrative could have handled something heavier than ‘return faerie to his dimension’ plot, but I was not unhappy with it. I think I just wanted more, and was upset to so quickly leave this world. The writing was strong and even, and Daisy’s voice was easy to connect with. Her desires and goals resonated quickly with me, and I also appreciated the unique voices of the secondary cast. There was a great deal of queer diversity in the book as well, spanning gender fluidity, pansexuality, ace and aro characters, etc. MOONSHINE is a quirky, often surprising take on the Prohibition Era of the USA, drenched in fresh fantasy elements and strong characterization. It deserves a place on every fantasy-lover’s bookshelf, and is a strong addition to the #DVsquad archive. You can preorder MOONSHINE in digital here and paperback here. Filed Under: book review Tagged With: aromantic, asexual, disability, fantasy, gender fluid, poly, trans NEWEST BOOK RELEASE Review: Heathen, vol 2, by Natasha Alterici and Rachel Deering This review is for the second volume in a comic series. To read the review for volume 1, click here. Genre: fantasy - … [Read More...] This review is for the first volume in a comic series. To read the review for volume 2, click here (will post one … [Read More...] Get My Blog Posts Via Email Other J.S. Fields Sites 17th Shard Writing Group Reading Excuses Facebook Page Copyright ©2016 · J.S. Fields	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line851
__label__wiki	0.543855	0.543855	KEARA MURPHY Comedian, Writer & Bon Vivant… Keara has hosted and toasted several Burns’ Suppers in Scotland, London and America for 20 years! TWICE CHOSEN FOR RADIO 4 “PICK OF THE WEEK” BBC Radio Scotland Series on Robert Burns’ Secrets: Episode 1: The Secret Sex Life of Robert Burns Episode 2: The Secret Tax Life of Robert Burns Episode 3: The Secret Rock ‘n’ Roll Life of Robert Burns Episode 4: The Death and Resurrection of Robert Burns THE BARD AND I With Robert Burns’ statue at the Burns’ Birthplace Museum in Alloway, Scotland I have loved Robert Burns ever since I was a wee lassie. My siblings and I were brought down to Alloway, when we were very little, by our father – and, later, our Uncle Billy – who has a home there – to explore Burns’ Cottage and The Burns’ National Heritage Park – now the Robert Burns’ Birthplace Museum. We were all given a bit of pocket money and my brothers and sisters spent theirs wisely on Knickerbocker-Glories and Seven-Up. And I blew mine on a large book of poetry. My siblings have proper jobs now whilst I stay at home and read aloud to the mice. So, I do feel I can relate pretty closely to Robert Burns, for the life of the pauper poet, it seems, is not that much different from the life of the jobbing comic. “Keara offers an emotive and personal alternative to a traditional Burns’ crass tribute act. Her 20 minute set was packed with discussion, jokes and a little poetry. She was well received by our crowd of all ages, who enjoyed the intelligent Burns’ banter. She is a literary star in the making” Eric Roberts, Friday Fix – Voodoo Rooms The Scotland on Sunday article relating to my play, The Secret Sex Life of Robert Burns Today, I am proud to be a professional Burns’ Speaker, host, broadcaster and author of three plays about our National Bard, Mice and Women, which is a modern day feminist take on the poem, To A Mouse; The Secret Sex Life of Robert Burns, which was presented to a full house at The Netherbow Theatre, The Scottish Sorytelling Centre, Edinburgh; and The Bard and I, which is all about my relationship with Robert Burns, the experiences I have had searching for him, which included my travels throughout Scotland, Central Europe, England and the West Coast of America. I specialise in The Response on Behalf of the Lassies – or The Lassies Reply, or, as it is called these days, The Toast To The Laddies, as well as The Immortal Memory speech and can deliver the Address to a Haggis with vigoIr and gusto – along with recitations of To A Mouse, On Turning Up Her Nest With The Plough (with some modern day references) and (for the lassies) To A Mountain Daisy – which is quite beautiful. “Keara brings a warmth and enthusiasm with her, not to mention a deep knowledge and passion for Robert Burns.” Graham Blaikie Scottish Licensed Trade Association Here are some events I am have been involved with in the past and some new updates and events coming up including some reviews and a video of me in action. “It was a pleasure to hear Keara Murphy recite Burns at The Friday Fix’s Comedy Burns Night in January. Her clarity and passion made for an intelligent, earthy and robust reading.” Burns Festival 2019 24th January – Interview with Jenni Murray on BBC Radio 4 Women’s Hour discussing Robert Burns’ Sex Life. 27th January – A Walk from St Giles to The Toolbooth Tavern discussing Robert Burns’ life in Edinburgh, visiting a range of interesting places he visited and the stories they inspired. Events Details here: Robert Burns: Naughty, Radical, Scandalous! Press for this event: The Edinburgh Guide Several Burns Suppers in Scotland, London, Central Europe and America. The Death and Resurrection of Robert Burns Was broadcast on 25th January 2017 Keara Murphy explores the strange afterlife of Robert Burns who was not allowed to rest peacefully in his grave for long and whose afterlife was more eventful than you might think. Phrenologists, spiritualists and worthy admirers all wanted a piece of the post-mortem Burns – sometimes literally. He was disinterred twice, including his skull being taken for a midnight walk to a plasterer’s workshop in the cause of phrenology. Dr Megan Coyer of Glasgow University explains all, Professor David Price of Edinburgh University examines the plaster cast of the skull with us and poet Stuart Paterson contemplates the afterlife of Scotland’s bard with some verse of his own. Investigating Burn’s alleged afterlife in 1850s Yorkshire, People’s Historian Dan Gray introduces us to the Keighley Spiritualists and the terrible poems they claimed they’d channelled from Rabbie himself. Had he really taken up temperance and lost his Scots tongue in Yorkshire? Clearly you can’t keep a good poet down – because as a séance favourite he pops up all over the place. Join Keara to find out more about Burns beyond the grave. The Secret Rock ‘n’ Roll Life of Robert Burns A Burns Portrait for a Modern Age (Photographer and Special Effects: Keara Murphy.) This brand new documentary focused on the celebrity lifestyle of Robert Burns. How did he know he was famous? How did he behave once he had become famous? How did he capitalise on his fame? What kind of ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll behaviour did he get up to on tour? Did he smash up hotel rooms? Did he run his horse and cart into the swimming pool? Did he throw his Bible out of the hotel room window? And how did he treat – or mistreat – the ladies he met on his travels? Did he behave himself or was he a very naughty boy? And, if so, did he get away with it all? All will be revealed on 25th January 2017, only on BBC Radio Scotland. Check the BBC Radio Scotland schedule for more details. Presented by me, with some fabulous contributors (more on that story later) and produced by the fabulous Dr. Louise Yeoman. The Secret Tax Life of Robert Burns Interviewing maritime historian, Dr Eric Graham, in The Custom House, Leith in order to explore the poet’s job as an Excise-man This brand new documentary focused on the finances of Robert Burns. Why could he not make a living as a poet? Why did he struggle to make ends meet on the farm? Why did he at one point, desperately, almost run away to Jamaica to drive the Slave Plantations? And why, why oh why, even when he was earning good money at the Excise in Dumfries, was he in fear of ending up in the Debtor’s Prison? What on earth was he spending his money on? All was revealed on the 21st January 2016 on BBC Radio Scotland. I will update you when they decide to air a repeat. Astonishingly, as I attend Burns Suppers as a speaker, some of the best known Burns’ speakers are now quoting great lines from this – and my other documentary, The Secret Sex Life of Robert Burns. Some are quoting me to me not realising it is me! Ha! It is not unusual for me to rewrite my speech at the table as others are now quoting me from the podium with material taken from my website and radio appearances and incorporating it into their speeches. Whilst it can be a little awkward, I prefer to see it as high praise indeed. Pouring over Robert Burns’ finances at The National Library of Scotland with Dr Ralph McLean, historian and Burns’ expert. (Adapted for stage and performed at The Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh, to a sold-out crowd in January 2016) From left to right: Trish Mullen, Martin Haddow, Jennifer Walker, Keara Murphy, Heather Haddow – photographer: Douglas Timmins The Secret Tax Life of Robert Burns was the second part of a three-part series on the ‘Secret Life of Robert Burns’ The first instalment was The Secret Sex Life of Robert Burns, which was a brand new documentary about Robert Burns and his notorious reputation as a womaniser. This show aired on Burns’ Day 25th January 2015 on BBC Radio Scotland and was picked up for a BBC Radio 4 “Pick of the Week” by Jackie Kay, Scotland’s Maker – National Poet for Scotland. My producer is the amazing Dr Louise Yeoman from BBC Radio Scotland – along with a range of other contributors including Professor Robert Crawford, author of The Bard; Chris Waddell from Burns Birthplace Museum; Historian, Dr Katie Barclay; and curator of The Georgian House, Dr Sheonagh Martin – along with readings and songs from some of Scotland’s best known actors. I have now adapted this show for a LIVE drama-documentary which was performed at The Scottish Storytelling Centre on the 21st January 2016. This show sold out and was featured in a full-page article in The Scotland on Sunday newspaper. This is a show filled with stories, music, comedy, drama, tragedy – and a right good old sing-a-long. – Oh, and a wee bit of sex! Produced by our female-led company, Blue Eyed lassie, and this show is now in talks with regards to touring opportunities. The Scotland on Sunday article can be found here: Keara talks to Scotland on Sunday about Burns’ Women Photographer: Robert Pereira Hind Keara Murphy: Mice & Women I wrote and performed my one woman comedy play called, Mice & Women, which enjoyed outings to The Big Burns Supper Festival in Dumfries in January 2014 and finally at The Alloway Burns Festival in 2015 – with trips to the Glasgow Comedy Festival and The Leith Festival in between. This play is a modern feminist parallel on the Robert Burns poem To A Mouse taking in the themes of the original parallel, Steinbeck’s novella, Of Mice And Men. The play takes in the themes of crushing loneliness, intense isolation and the need for companionship – as in Steinbeck’s novella. But my show also involves Scrabble and chicken wings and Snickers Bars. And the main difference between my show and the novella is that my show is a comedy. In Alloway, this play was part of a double-bill I gladly shared with folk-legend, Dougie MacLean, author of Scotland’s unofficial National Anthem, Caledonia! – That was certainly a Burns’ Night to remember! “Electric stage-presence; a genuine delight!” ThreeWeeks “A great character actress whose comic creations go beyond the one-dimensional sketches, they live! – And make you laugh and cry!” Radio 4 ‘Pick Of The Week’ Jackie Kay, Scotland’s Maker – National Poet for Scotland “Intelligent Burns banter” “Passionate, enthusiastic and deeply knowledgeable about Scottish Licence Trade Association Toasting The Response on Behalf of The Lassies at The Corn Exchange, Edinburgh – alongside Karen Dunbar and Des Clarke in aid of St Columba’s Hospice Karen Dunbar, James Martin (Still Game) Keara Murphy, Des Clarke and Carrie, Skerryvore Band Lead-vocalist. A wee clip of me in action… Filmed by Sabine Claus from Creative Editor at The Mercat, Edinburgh With all the gang at The Mercat “I have had the pleasure of working with Keara on many occasions. She is a very funny, engaging and experienced comedian who can raise an electric atmosphere with virtually every audience. “When we were looking for After Dinner Speakers for our hugely successful Burns’ Nights, we looked no further than Keara. Presenting The Reply on Behalf of The Lassies and The Address to a Haggis, we were all entertained by Keara’s wonderful wit and practiced prose. “She then led a massive audience sing-song at the end of the evening involving some of Rabbie’s finest works, finishing with Auld Lang Syne! “Keara is a polished, versatile performer and a fun woman to have around – A Femme Extraordinaire! – Especially on Burns’ Night.” Chris Reid, Henricks Bar, Edinburgh “I have booked Keara many times over the years for a variety of events and she never disappoints. She has done Burns’ Night for me on many, many occasions and she always brings a warmth and enthusiasm with her, along with a deep and passionate knowledge for Robert Burns. Keara’s Response on Behalf of the Lassies is informative, funny, cheeky and above all loyal to The Bard. She also does a mean Address to a Haggis making it well understood and very funny – with added mime and gesture for those of us not as adept at Scots as Keara is. One of the finest addresses I have ever seen” Chairman of The Scottish Licensed Trade Association “Dare to be honest and fear no labour.” Robert Burns Member of the Robert Burns World Federation Start a Blog at WordPress.com..	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line854
__label__wiki	0.940181	0.940181	Lockdown continues, life remains affected in IOK on 75th day British govt urged to take note of Indian atrocities in IOK Labour MP presents petition in UK Parliament on IOK situation London, October 18 (KMS): Member of UK Parliament from Labour Party, Kate Green, presented a petition in the Parliament about the situation in occupied Kashmir. The petition presented by Kate Green on behalf of Trafford residents expressed serious concern over the prevailing grim situation in occupied Kashmir. “More than 1500 residents are calling on this House to urge the UK government to use its international standing to encourage India and Pakistan to engage in constructive and sustained dialogue to bring about a peaceful and just solution that is in accordance with the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” she said in the House before presenting the petition.	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line861
__label__wiki	0.599746	0.599746	29 Jersey Shore Lifeguards Test Positive For COVID After Social Gatherings By Andrew Magnotta @710WOR Jul 27, 2020 More than two dozen lifeguards from two different Jersey Shore towns have tested positive for the coronavirus following social gatherings. Officials say the lifeguards are from the Long Beach Island towns Harvey Cedars and Surf City. LBI health officials alerted the towns to the cluster of new cases on Thursday. The lifeguards are being quarantined until they are cleared by doctors to return to work. The lifeguards had apparently attended two social gatherings earlier this month. Harvey Cedars officials said 17 lifeguards from the township had attended a party in Surf City. Another 12 lifeguards from Surf City had also tested positive. Officials from Harvey Cedars their beaches have enough staff to remain open "fully staffed with all safety protocols in place." Surf City said its beaches will remain staffed from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with potential adjustments "day to day to ensure the safety of all patrons and guards." As of Sunday, there were 505 new confirmed coronavirus cases in New Jersey, the largest single-day increase since June 10, but still lower than the peak of the pandemic in the Garden State.	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line867
__label__cc	0.595288	0.404712	KissTheMovies Movies, TV, Games Disney Capsule Heroes Capsule The early nineties were this place of exceptional and experimental games. There was this new type of immersion taking place where the games industry were trying to make games feel […] The early nineties were this place of exceptional and experimental games. There was this new type of immersion taking place where the games industry were trying to make games feel 3D and from your point of view. This was the future of gaming for kids like me and our minds were blown. Before Wolfenstein 3D (1992), we were playing the terrible Prince of Persia (1989) or games I fondly remember like Commander Keen (1990). To get the games running required a basic understanding of programming. But when Wolfenstein 3D booted up for the first time it felt like you were this character. Like you were shooting and being shot at. It was the first time I can recall having some form of gaming adrenaline. The drawbacks of Wolfenstein 3D were not even understood until Doom (1993) came out and gave us a fluid shooter in a complex and realized world. Doom was the game that became a showcase for how cool gaming could be. It was shared among everyone. At the time businesses were transitioning to computers in the workspace and Doom became popular in this space too. So Doom was getting a lot of attention. With that came a lot of bad press all throughout the news, which only gave it more popularity. It was a weird time when parents were trying to navigate whether or not the game was detrimental to their child’s health. For me, I was allowed to play it. It was always over at a friends place I played it and loved it. I can still remember playing on those big clunky keyboards, back before you played with a mouse. And the smell of the old CRT monitor with its eventual yellow glow. Doom is being talked about again for a few reasons. Firstly, the reboot in 2016 proved to be a massive success and its sequel is releasing later on in the year. Sure the reboot was good, yet I’m still not quite into it like I was the original. Luckily for me, the original Doom, Doom II, and even Doom 3 became available for purchase on PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One. After playing Doom (1993) again on the PlayStation 4, I find it still immerses me back into the Hellscape I came to love. The narrative finds you by the amazing world-building along with the classic enemy archetypes in this groundbreaking first-person shooter. The story of how Doom came to be is rather interesting and I highly recommend the book Masters of Doom by David Kushner. Not only is it an interesting look behind video games it’s a fantastic drama between the two men who shaped the video game industry. The book is currently being adapted into a television show, so more on that as it happens. For now, forget Pong and play Doom. Robert Ring Posted on July 31, 2019 0 By Robert Ring Game Review Posted in Game Review Tagged #Doom, DOS, FPS, Game Review, Masters of Doom, Nineties, Nintendo Switch, PS4, Wolfenstein, Xbox Follow me at kissthemovies.com There I talk about MOVIES, TV, and GAMES! Next Post Aladdin (2019) Previous Post The Lion, the Mouse and the Remake DVD Boxset Film Knowledge Television Review	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line869
__label__cc	0.584159	0.415841	Sports Betting Site Reviews BET 365 REVIEW Betvictor Review Full Details Sign up Bonus, Current Promotions, Extras & Features. Betfair Review Full Details Sign up Bonus, Current Promotions,Extras & Features. Ladbrokes Review Full Details Sign up Bonus Latest Betting Tips & Predictions Cricket Betting Tips and Match Prediction Football Betting Tips and Match Prediction EPL 2019-20 TABLE English Premier League Fixtures 2019-20 FIFA Womens’s World Cup Bangladesh Tour of India, 2019 West Indies Tour of India 2019 South Africa Tour of India, 2019 India Tour of West Indies 2019 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 Fixtures ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2020 Fixtures The Ashes 2019: England vs Australia Test Series The Ashes 2019 Fixture Women’s Ashes 2019 – ODI Fixtures Women’s Ashes 2019 –Only Test Women’s Ashes 2019 – T20s WC 2019 Live Score Updates World Cup Points Table mt st catherine grenada hike BET OF THE DAY : India vs Bangladesh 1st T20 Match Cricket Betting Tips and Prediction – India vs Bangladesh 1st T20 India vs Bangladesh 1st T20 Preview,Team News,Live Stream & TV Channel Info-Bangladesh Tour of India 2019 BET OF THE DAY Premier League 2019 : Aston Villa Vs Liverpool Home > Football > The Mt. This wonderful hike takes you to hidden corners of rural Grenada where you will be hiking through spices plantations, such as clove, nutmeg, old spice amongst others. Other articles where Mount Saint Catherine is discussed: Grenada: Relief: The highest point is Mount St. Catherine (2,757 feet [840 metres]) in the northern part of the interior. We're both outdoor people, and wanted to get in some good hiking while we're there...this is one of the reasons we chose Grenada. View Mount Saint Catherine Image Gallery - 11 Images. --Bob Dylan, Routes Page Type: Mountain/Rock Lat/Lon: 12.17573°N / 61.67022°W: Activities: Hiking, Mountaineering, Sport Climbing, Mixed, Canyoneering This is the tallest peak on the island of Grenada in the southern Caribbean Sea. Following are some of our popular hikes. Reference to any specific service or trade mark is not controlled by Sedo nor does it constitute or imply its association, endorsement or recommendation. The landscape is scenic, with fairly deep steep-sided valleys and about 10,000 acres (4,000 hectares) of forest. My guidebook says we must hire a guide to do this hike, is this true? If you need help identifying your provider, visit Mount Saint Catherine is an extensively weathered stratovolcano and the highest mountain on the Caribbean island of Grenada.Its summit in St. Mark's, Victoria is one of the highlights of the Mount St. Catherine Forest Reserve.. Preparing to climb Mt St Catherine for his 80th birthday on 15 October; Telfor Bedeau, described as Grenada’s Indiana Jones, and the country’s greatest hiker in a 2013 National Geographic Traveller news article, hopes that his ageing body will permit him to complete one last hike of Grenada’s highest peak, Mt St Catherine. service provider for further assistance. The mud was pretty annoying – any time the trail descended or ascended we would inevitably slip onto our butts, and when the trail was flat the mud collected in large shoe-sucking pools. The trail is rated as moderate and is primarily used for hiking and nature trips. Hiking in Grenada provides an ideal opportunity to experience the island's lush green rainforest, rolling peaks and valleys. If you owned this domain, contact your domain registration This is the tallest peak on the island of Grenada in the southern Caribbean Sea. "You'll find out once you've reached the top, you're on the bottom." Aconcagua mountain itself has many routes, photos, and trip reports as children. © 2006-2020 SummitPost.org. The trail is rated as moderate and is primarily used for hiking and nature trips. (4), Photo Album of the Hike to the top of Mount Saint Catherine, Mount Saint Catherine Traverse Route-Paraclete to Victoria, Hiking, Mountaineering, Sport Climbing, Mixed, Canyoneering. The same that goes for … All Rights Reserved. It's a very wet and muddy hike, but there are great views from the top when it's not covered in clouds. St. Catherine. Answer 1 of 2: We are heading to the Rex Resort in Grenda on Saturday March 12th. This webpage was generated by the domain owner using Sedo Domain Parking. https://www.tucowsdomains.com/. Moses sunrise hike. Aconcagua mountain page is a child of the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits.' Children refers to the set of objects that logically fall under a given object. The trail is often quite muddy and overgrown, so prepare for a great adventure. This domain has expired. I wasn't sure if it would be a dirt trail, rocky, wet or what. This is a cheaper option, but they all leave late in the evening. The For example, the We caught glimpses through the clouds of Mt St Catherine and kept pushing on until, at 11:45am we punched through the trees and reached the summit. We are hoping to do some hiking while there, and specifically to hike Mt. St. Catherine, our highest peak or a trek to the Upper Concord waterfall, just name it and leave the rest to us. St Catherine’s is the highest mountain in Grenada with 840 meters above the sea level. We're both outdoor people, and wanted to get in some good hiking while we're there...this is one of the reasons we chose Grenada. Hike to the top of Grenada -- Mount St. Catherine set at 2,760 ft (840 m) above sea level. (11), Climber's Log Entries It's a very wet and muddy hike, but there are great views from the top when it's not covered in clouds. Mt St Catherine On Sunday March 11, I attempted Mt St Catherine for the first time, not really knowing what to expect apart from there being a huge "ball" at the top. Whether its a hike to Mt. Getting From Sharm El-Sheikh To Mount Sinai / St. Catherine. (1), Comments This off-the-beaten-path hike to the summit of a wintertime ski destination is one of the most rewarding climbs along the southern wall of Snoqualmie Pass. Answer 1 of 8: We are heading to the Rex Resort on Saturday March 12th, for a one week stay, our first time in Grenada. Answer 1 of 8: We are heading to the Rex Resort on Saturday March 12th, for a one week stay, our first time in Grenada. Mount Catherine, of course! St. Catherine massif is the youngest of the five volcanoes on the island. Or you can join one of the many organized tours that go to St. Catherine to do the Mt. Its summit in St. Mark's, Victoria is one of the highlights of the Mount St. Catherine Forest Reserve. Mt. The roughly 5 hours hike to the island's highest point is strenuous, so it requires physical fitness. Disclaimer: Sedo maintains no relationship with third party advertisers. Mount Saint Catherine is an extensively weathered stratovolcano and the highest mountain on the Caribbean island of Grenada. Googling told me it was 539 metres tall and the tallest peak on the Chaguaramas Peninsula. Mount Saint Catherine is a 5.3 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Saint Andrew, Saint Andrew, Grenada. For example, theAconcagua mountain page has the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits' asparents and is a parent itself to many routes, photos, and Trip Reports. Mount Saint Catherine is a 5.3 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Saint Andrew, Saint Andrew, Grenada. (1), Images The trailhead for Mount Catherine is reached via FR-9070, a gateway to some of the less-traveled and better-kept secrets of … Parents refers to a larger category under which an object falls. Kinsa Stick Thermometer, Grillaholics Grill Basket For Grilling Vegetables, Bedroom Wardrobe Design Catalogue With Dressing Table, "simple Bookkeeping Proposal", Carrot Colour Images, Low Carb Marinara, Gmx Support Email, 2008 Ktm 690 Enduro Problems, Squash Casserole With Ricotta Cheese, FIFA Womens's World Cup ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2020 Fixtures ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2020 fixtures Premier League Betting Tips & Predictions Premier League Odds and Predictions Premier League Relegation Odds Pro Kabaddi League 2019 Fixture Women's Ashes 2019 – ODI Women's Ashes 2019 – T20s Powered by \| Theme: AccessPress Mag	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line878
__label__cc	0.698938	0.301062	Top 5 dating tips uk Dating a Mormon: Tips for Non-Mormons March 31, 2016 July 31, 2020 Marriage Ministry Christian Resources Missionary Dating Singles Missionary position pics tumblr (Spokane/USA) Missionary Dating: On a Mission to Get Him Saved Mission Christian Dating Mormon Missionaries & Dating Before Missions Are you seeking sex without any obligations? CLICK HERE - registration is totally free! This page lists a number of web site links with descriptions of various resources that deal with finances within marriage. You can find the dates of his speaking engagements or marriage conferences in his website. There are also marriage resources you can find on his website. Marriage Ministry A Guidebook http: A Guidebook by noted pastors, authors, and seminar leaders Bo Prosser and Charles Qualls provides a ready help for ministers who provide premarital counseling, perform wedding ceremonies, and generally care for married couples and their families. Full of information and ideas that encourage conversation, communication, and interaction, this book will help ministers respond to the many needs of couples in the church. Marriage Missions International http: I knew the counsel—no steady dating in your teens. But I thought we were the exception to the rule. I am a senior in high school, and I am a recovering steady dater. One date turned into two, two became three, and before I knew it, we were a couple. I started liking him more and more, and I wanted to spend all my time with him. It started off so magical, almost like a movie—we got along great, understood each other, and never fought. On this topic, the negative pull on the believing boyfriend or girlfriend down slippery slopes is typically what gets highlighted in the argument against dating outside the faith. Maurizio Pallu had been a missionary in Nigeria for three years. According to the Italian bishops’ publication, Avvenire, the kidnappers may be local criminals whose aim would be to obtain a ransom in exchange for the priest. While the Islamist terror group Boko Haram is active in Nigeria’s northern region, the priest was kidnapped from the south. Authorities are investigating the incident. Maurizio Pallu, and is praying for him. Pallu is 63 and a native of Florence. As a member of the Neocatechumenal Way, he was a lay missionary for 11 years in various countries. In , he entered the Redemptoris Mater Seminary in Rome. After serving as a chaplain in two parishes in Rome, he was sent to Holland, where he was a pastor in the diocese of Haarlem. Flat Broke and Considering Missionary Work? I remember when I was around 10, everytime I find myself alone at home, I would go to my room, lock the door and pray to God. I remember crying out to Him during my prayer time. Fill out this form and a missionary will contact you to schedule a visit. You may also call us toll free at The second article gave you the heads up on the pros and cons of the female on top female superior position. This article is going to expand your horizons on the missionary position, by giving you detailed information on the benefits and disadvantages of this position. Her legs can be in a number of positions while engaged in the missionary position. For example, she may be flat on her back with her legs down on the bed; she may have her legs pulled toward her chest; or she may have her legs straight up. In that case, her partner would likely hold onto her thighs while he entered her. This position got the unfortunate? We are here to tell you that it can be exciting for both partners. Keep reading to find out more! In the missionary position, the man is on top, but the woman does not just lie there waiting for it to be over. Of course, this requires some flexibility. We want to save the best for last, so here are the cons first. This means that she may feel squished when he is on top of her. So, rather than going in and out, try to line your pubic bone with her clitoris. Dating, Relationship and Other Advice for LDS Teens, Young Single Adults, and anyone else who could use a little help since from someone who cares enough to give it to you straight. This is column is just one guy’s opinion, and while he does his best to keep what he thinks, says and writes in-line with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, “Dear Bro Jo” is not an LDS Church website. And Sister Jo thinks you should know that he’s sometimes wrong, and often way too opinionated for his own good. Mission’s best % FREE Christian dating site. Meet thousands of Christian singles in Mission with Mingle2’s free Christian personal ads and chat rooms. Our network of Christian men and women in Mission is the perfect place to make Christian friends or find a Christian boyfriend or girlfriend in Mission. Join the hundreds of single Texas Christians already online finding love and friendship. Share this article Share Despite being one of the more popular positions, ‘doggy style’ can lead to the unsuspecting man hitting a woman’s pelvic bone, causing it to potentially snap. An unsuspecting man could hit a woman’s pelvic bone, causing it to potentially snap. According to Tracey Cox, if a couple were having sex on a hard floor, the man could accidentally pull out and thrust hard against a hard floor ‘Woman on top’: They noted that doggy style sex and missionary could cause equally serious penile fracture, while the woman being on top was the least dangerous. A penile fracture occurs when the appendage is subject to a sharp, blunt force trauma, which can occur during vigorous intercourse or masturbation. Since , 1, cases have been recorded worldwide – roughly 16 instances per year, the Telegraph previously reported. Researchers noted that in 50 per cent of cases, a gruesome cracking sound can be heard. Four in five male victims lost their erection. Those who have already been traumatised from breaking their penis are often left with erectile dysfunction problems and a lifetime of painful sex. Earlier this year, MailOnline reported on a man from southern China who was left in agony after breaking his penis during sex with his wife. Doctors found that his penis was at an odd angle and was in a swollen shape that made it look like an eggplant. Home Missionary Christian Singles Being a missionary do not mean that you can not date other Christian singles. Christian dating sites You know who you like. You might even have a mental list of the kind of person you would prefer to have as a significant other in your life. Singles seeking Missionary dating find a great way to meet others from the comfort of their computer, tablet, or phone. Dating online becomes so easy when you have thousands of potential prospect that you can search, send, and receive messages with a single click. See results Things to Do on a Date First, let’s clear up one piece of confusion. Just because Mormons avoid some activities does not mean they’re no fun to be with. Once you hang out with a group of LDS people of any age, you may find them to be as fun and funny as anyone else you’ve met, but also very considerate, caring, supportive of each other, and accepting of others. What do Mormons do for fun? It’s not unusual to find them dancing on weekend nights. Music and dancing have long been popular with church members, and if you’re in an area that has Mormon chapels nearby, you are likely to find regular dances held usually in the cultural hall of the chapel for teens, young adults, and single adults older than Music at the dances can be either from a live band or a DJ, and there will usually be some sort of snacks or refreshments available. The dances are free, there’s no alcohol, and as is consistent with church policy people are asked to avoid suggestive dance moves and to dress modestly. Mormons also love to go to movies, play sports several well-known professional athletes are LDS, including former NFL quarterback Ty Detmer and major baseball player Jeff Kent , play jokes on each other, go camping, do service projects, swim at the beach, snow ski, picnic, you name it. Education is emphasized in the church, so you might find your LDS friends interested in politics, business, finance, good books and other things that draw their interest. Many LDS guys and girls will want to marry in a Mormon temple. So Mormon singles of all ages will view prospective dates with the question as to whether they could marry that person. Mormon guys will often want to put off serious dating as in, getting engaged and marrying until they have completed a two-year mission, and possibly until they’ve finished college. They’ll certainly date before then, but if an LDS guy or girl has his or her heart set on serving a mission, they will not want anything to prevent them from doing that. Right “What oftentimes happens is someone would meet someone here in America and then would have to choose between two scenarios: But we hope to be able to offer this resource so that they don’t have to make that decision,” he said. Claire added that while Christians are serving overseas to make the world a better place, his organization wants “to empower them to stay there,” instead of returning home because they’re lonely or want to find their soul mate. You might be there for five to eight years before you really know the local language well enough to really converse and build a meaningful community. For a lot of missionaries it’s difficult, in general, to have close connections. And for singles it’s doubly hard, because they also don’t have a spouse to rely on and get support from,” St. 1. It’s a lot of lying down with some sex thrown in. If he’s feeling lazy, missionary is a godsend. It boils sex down to its essence: some thrusting. The Intersection of Disparate Longings Zach Bradley December 1 We were crying so hard that strangers in the airport were crying too. It was borderline wailing. I was saying goodbye to the girl I knew I would marry someday. We were certain of it, not simply because of the engagement ring I had given her just days before, but also because of the affirmation from God and others that this was the right step to take. But I had also committed myself to a term as a missionary. That meant I would have to live out my engagement on a separate continent. That meant I would have to fulfill my ministry apart from my most significant relationship. That meant I would have to remain faithful, and trust that she would too. So many times I hear the sentiment, “Why does no one ask me out? Fear You gals are lucky in your fear. The bottom line is that our pride and our dignity are on the line in either case. So make a bit more of an effort to date and open up a time for us. This also means that you should avoid “missionary dating,” which is dating a non-believer in the hopes that you can convert him or her. Your intentions may be noble, but the relationships rarely work out. Teen Online Dating Sites. Top Exam Study Tips for Christian . I don’t know that culture. I do know that I heard of this seminary that doesn’t want you listening to certain kinds of music, and that seminary that doesn’t want you to use a certain spiritual gift, this other seminary is big on a theological position that I don’t like, and a friend of mine was either suspended or expelled for looking at pornography at a different one, and by the way who are you going to witness to when you’re there. If I agreed with the priorities of these schools, I would have gone there. So until the ice is broken with someone who embraced those limitations that I had no use for, I’m going to think maybe she’s coming from those same positions, and since women like to “fix” men, maybe she’s going to try and get me to embrace those positions or limits. Throw in missionary, and I’m wondering if she’s going to try and drag me and shame me into doing something that I haven’t felt the call to do. And these suspicions would be in the back of my head because I haven’t been to seminary or Bible college, so I don’t know first hand what it is like to maintain and grow my identity in a restrictive environment like that. Whether you know exactly which type of lady you want to spend time with or you need some help figuring it out, we can match you up with hot babes that will make your dreams come true. We have women that span the whole range of fantasies and possibilities, from redheads to brunettes and blondes. One thing that makes us stand out from the rest, besides having some of the most beautiful women in the Dallas area, is that we always put you, the client, first. We want you to be happy with our services and to have an outstanding time every time you use one of our escorts. At times like these, it might be awfully tempting to try “missionary dating”, dating a non-Catholic with hopes to convert them. There’s not really anything wrong with the idea of being a missionary. The app allows users to swipe in four different directions to select whether they love, hate, like, or dislike a person, activity or concept. Hater These are the options you’re presented when you swipe through items to like, love, hate, or dislike. Hater launched in beta in December, and the creators told HuffPost that about 10, people are using the app before its official roll out. In the name of journalism, we checked it out too. After a few swipes, you can get the general feel for how things work. The most fun part of Hater is definitely swiping through the offerings of items you either hate or like. Hater A user’s “Loves” list on their profile. Another interesting feature of Hater is that the app attempts to do the heavy-lifting of initial messaging for you. The app offers a creative ice-breaker for you, in the form of Mad Libs-style sentences that you can fill in with your own silly responses. A former banker who shifted gears from finance to comedy, Alper says Hater was born as a sketch idea, but told The Huffington Post that after doing some research, he started to think maybe it could actually work as a real app. The Ultimate LDS Wedding Checklist Clip the Tip? Point/Counterpoint on Male Circumcision Verizon Partners Hawaiian Electric to Boost Solar Energy Use Previous postMichael Bublé says he’s done making music: “I’m retiring from the business” Next postFrequently Asked Questions 10 Best PUA Books to Boost Your Dating Game There is an excessive amount of traffic coming from your Region. Single Swingers – singles dating clubs – singles ads – singles women . really free dating sites Canadian Norwegian Business Association DeutschΕλληνικάNorskEnglishEesti keelPolskiDanskFrançaisPortuguês日本語NederlandsSuomiČeštinaItalianoTürkçeEspañolالعربيةMagyarSvenskaLëtzebuergesch中文(简体)	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line884
__label__wiki	0.758175	0.758175	Share this Story: Sims: No play for George Bray hockey kids, for whom even early restrictions were game ending This section is Presented by London Knights This section was produced by the editorial department. The client was not given the opportunity to put restrictions on the content or review it prior to publication. Sims: No play for George Bray hockey kids, for whom even early restrictions were game ending Jane Sims Murray Howard runs the George Bray Sports Association (Free Press file photo) Murray Howard was one of the few hockey people who didn’t worry too much this week about the health unit orders that set everybody’s hair on fire in the local sports and recreation world. Howard’s having enough of a time figuring out what to do with himself. For the last 45 years, his annual routine was to close up his cottage at summer’s end and start back into the George Bray Sports Association’s hockey season. Sims: No play for George Bray hockey kids, for whom even early restrictions were game ending Back to video “I’ve had 45 seasons doing it and I haven’t had a fall such as this one,” he said. For now, the 245 kids in the organization are sidelined because of COVID-19. The health restrictions and protocols in place are too difficult to navigate for a league of children and youth with learning, emotional or social disabilities. The George Bray hockey program is a feel-good story about making Canada’s game accessible to everyone. Howard is the organization’s president and one of those heart-and-soul hockey people who make the program hum. The goal is to instil a love of the game and a sense of belonging. It costs just $180 to play a season. The organization loans out full equipment to players so families don’t have to absorb the cost. But, since the pandemic began, there’s been no George Bray hockey. Their one event this weekend – and it could be their only event – is a drive-through photo pick-up at their home rink, Kinsmen Arena, for families to collect their hockey pictures taken last season. The hubbub this week over the Middlesex-London Health Unit’s Section 22 order didn’t change anything for George Bray. Mid-week, medical officer of health Chris Mackie pointed to an 80-person outbreak in Hamilton stemming from a sweaty spin class as a reason to put new restrictions on sports and recreation activities. Concerned it might happen here, he announced that indoor activities would be limited to 10 people, including an instructor or coach. Chris Mackie, medical officer of health for London and Middlesex County, said during a virtual news conference Friday that he’s easing some restrictions announced Wednesday that will allow more people to take part in hockey and soccer practices and fitness classes. The Middlesex-London Health Unit held a virtual town hall in the afternoon with sports officials to explain the new rules that come into effect Saturday. Derek Ruttan/The London Free Press) After considerable push back, the order was adjusted to 12 people for fitness classes plus an instructor. Hockey rinks can have 25 participants, separated at each end for practices and no body contact in games. I understand the health unit wanting to get the barn door closed before the horse goes galloping away. But, as a hockey mom to a competitive player back on the ice after considerable efforts by the rink and the hockey association to keep everyone safe, I shared the community’s frustrations. Lots of folks, hockey and beyond, were upset. Friday’s hour-long virtual town hall with health unit docs still had 321 questions in the queue to be answered when it ended. None of this helps the George Bray kids. Mountains are moved to get them to play. They’d be uneasy getting dressed in the parking lot. Their parents can’t be restricted from the rink. At least 65 volunteers, “skate mates”, work one-on-one, encouraging and coaxing players. Every player has different needs, fitness levels and medical backgrounds. Face masks would limit communication with players who find it hard to focus. Just 25 people on the ice would be impossible. “It’s very hard for people to understand,” Howard said, “Because of the way our program is so hands-on, so reassuring, that we spend most of our days trying to pass on confidence for these kids enough to take the next step to come out on the ice, or to try the skill or drill we want them to do.” It’s difficult for the league to adjust on the fly to changes in public health orders. There’s still hope for some George Bray hockey. Howard said the city of London “has been amazing” and has reserved their Saturday morning ice until January, should they be able to return. Howard is assessing the situation month by month. In the meantime, the rest of the local hockey world needs to be vigilant in the battle to shut out this virus by abiding by public health orders, washing hands, wearing masks and keeping their distance. That’s the only way to get everyone back on the ice. And we’ll all be winners for it. jsims@postmedia.com twitter.com/JaneatLFPress	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line888
__label__wiki	0.69618	0.69618	It's Time to Eliminate Your Facebook News Feed Image via Gizmodo Ah 2017, the year fake news took over our timelines, and the attendant hand-wringing took over our lives. It’s not as if we needed more things to disturb us on Facebook—we’ve been FOMO-gnashing our teeth to dust for a decade, after all. As this year comes to a close, I encourage you to gird yourself for the certain onslaught to come. Take two seconds and install News Feed Eradicator for Facebook, a Chrome extension that does exactly what it says, and in so doing, will preserve the teensy shred of sanity you have left. When you log in to Facebook after installing News Feed Eradicator, you see, well, nothing. Like a warm bath. You’ve got access to your messages, notifications and groups; you can see whose birthday it is in case you want to get in there and “HBD” with the masses, but there’s no news feed. No pics from the Boxing Day party you weren’t invited to, no exhausted-but-happy childhood friend holding her new baby in a hospital gown, no political rage posts, no…I can’t even think of another example of what you might find in your news feed because it’s been so long since I’ve actually seen mine. Is it extreme to totally eradicate your feed? Perhaps. Are you going to encounter the same BS on Twitter and Instagram? Definitely. Is your news feed still intact when you log in on mobile? Oh yes. But you can reduce the likelihood of seeing stuff there that makes you nuts by following accounts that actually make you happy. My suggestions? Try UPS Dogs—and Lifehacker, of course. Editor-in-Chief, Lifehacker JackRabbitSlim323 It’s Time to Live a Private and Personal Life By Eliminating All Social Media Because You Individually Are Not All That Important and No One Really Cares What You Just Ate or Where You Went on Vacation Especially That One Girl From High School Who Got Hot in College and You Casually Check Up On Her but You Realize You’re Not Missing Much as Everyone’s Opinion Is Crap and the Pictures of Their Babies and Cats Are Annoying and You Only Use Facebook at This Point to Watch New Episodes of Dragon Ball Super and to Laugh at a Couple of Sports Memes and If Something Is Viral Like a Certain Rocket That People in Southern California Thought Was the Fourth Horseman of the Apocalypse You’ll Get an Accurate Assessment of What the Lights in the Sky Were on the Nightly News or a Tech Blog You Normally Visit.	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line891
__label__wiki	0.506774	0.506774	Lighthouse Names John Olson Director of Focus Discovery SEATTLE, Wash. (June 16, 2015) – Lighthouse, a leader in technology-enabled ediscovery services and consulting, today announced that John Olson has been promoted to director of Focus Discovery. In this new role, Olson will lead a team of former review attorneys and data analysis experts to create and execute the most efficient analysis, review, and categorization protocols for any given matter. Prior to Focus Discovery, Olson was the director of Hosted Solutions, where he led and managed a team of review database project managers. While under his leadership, the Hosted Solutions team successfully met case needs, drove cost reduction, and enhanced review consistency for their clients. Before joining Lighthouse, Olson was a staff attorney in the e-Discovery Analysis and Technology Group at K&L Gates, where he advised clients and co-counsel on ediscovery issues and strategy with particular focus on privilege issues. He handled ediscovery in a wide variety of matters including complex litigation, government and internal investigations, and corporate mergers. In this role he also acted as the project management liaison between clients, counsel, review attorneys, vendors, and technical support staff, coordinating and supervising all technical aspects of ediscovery. Before moving to Seattle, Olson practiced law in both New York City and Boston, much of it involving discovery and motion practice in document intensive litigation as it evolved into ediscovery. “John is a creative and talented industry leader, and he holds more than 20 years of experience in the discovery industry,” said Beau Holt, vice president of Service Delivery, Lighthouse. “Utilizing his deep technical knowledge and clear subject matter expertise relating to document review best practices, John has carried Focus Discovery from an idea to a fully-functional service offering, outlined the workflows, and driven the launch of Lighthouse’s latest service. We at Lighthouse are thrilled to have someone like John in place to guide Focus Discovery.” By consulting and strategically deploying proprietary Lighthouse processes using a technology guided approach, Olson and the Focus Discovery team will work to meet client goals of data reduction, prioritization, and determination. Olson will work to ensure that his team supports clients by navigating various stages of ediscovery, including pre-review analytics, the predictive coding process, conceptual analysis, privilege review categorization, and privilege log creation. About Lighthouse Lighthouse guides clients through every aspect of ediscovery, from the simplest projects to the most complex, risky matters. Our experienced, dedicated client teams deliver with high velocity, unparalleled quality, and a pragmatic focus on lowering overall ediscovery costs. We develop highly innovative applications built on leading third-party technology, making it more effective and easier to use, and we custom-engineer solutions to specific client requirements. Our client-aligned approach has enabled us to form long-term relationships with many of the world’s leading corporations and top law firms who rely on Lighthouse to meet all of their ediscovery needs. For more information, visit www.lighthouseglobal.com	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line892
__label__cc	0.551122	0.448878	Kol D’Mama Daka The Still Small Voice of the Soul The still small voice of the soul survives. Is relentless, is resilient. It overcomes cynicism, sarcasm, musts, shoulds, fast, next, noise, and above all, fear. The still small voice of the soul: IS, lives and exists in spite of us. Is always there looking for an opening, a crack in the armor, a moment of silence, It waits patiently for an opportunity to show up. It shows up in the most unexpected forms. It shows up in dreams. It shows up in stress and illness. It shows up in a book. It shows up in surprising emotions in front of random comments. It shows up in nature. It shows up with a stranger that asks a naive question that comes with no expectation of an answer. The still small voice wants to be heard, it desires to be acknowledged. When we hear the still small voice of the soul, we say: wow, it is so good to hear you! And the still small voice of the soul always responds: it is so good to be heard. The still small voice of the soul doesn’t need much to show up. It needs a stage. It needs a stage where everybody is an actor of the same human drama, a drama that demands authenticity, honesty and humility. On that stage, everybody is a teacher and a student at the same time; on that stage what is, what comes up, it is not crushed neither exaggerated. What is, it’s honored and respected without judgment. When people decide to be on that stage, it becomes a platform for a different type of dialogue, where everybody activates their still small voice of the soul and the play-write that is mutually created is the human tapestry of what IS now, in truth at the present moment. On that stage the actors decide to leave the landscape of judgment and knowing, and to share the wisdom of deep listening and embrace in trust. On that stage, miracles can happen. On that stage the still small voice of the soul, shows up first with timidity waiting to be insulted with an interpretation or a recommendation or anything that will be like a punch in the belly of vulnerability….but when that doesn’t happen, it smiles and talks happily and with gratitude to have found a loving ear. When that interaction ends, silence is needed. We need silence to honor the truths of the souls present, to honor the holy ground of existence mutually shared. In that moment we are like Jacob when he woke up from the dream of the ladder, and he saw the angels coming up and down and said: Certainly God was here and I…. I didn’t know it. Rabbi Marcelo Bronstein	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line900
__label__wiki	0.607884	0.607884	Home › Associated Press Support Linkybird Quantas and Japan Airlines to form joint business to drive tourism recovery easyJet holidays announces four new routes for summer 2021 Hawaiian Airlines’ First Corporate Kuleana Report Outlines Environmental, Social and Governance Achievements Hainan Airlines is awarded 5-Star Rating for tenth consecutive year KLM retains five-star APEX status SUPERJET International: New SVP Commercial on-board Lockheed Martin Awarded F-16 Depot Sustainment Program Dassault Aviation Rolls Out Falcon 6X, New Standard in Long-Range, Ultra Widebody Segment Ryanair Orders 75 More Boeing 737 MAX Jets Archives Select Month December 2020 November 2020 April 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 September 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 Categories Select Category Aerospace (207) Space (88) Space agency (29) Air Transport and cargo (688) Airline (678) Aviation careers (1) Business Aviation (1) Cargo (9) Corporate (3) Aviation Organizations (141) AIAA (1) CAA (1) DLR (1) EASA (31) Eurocontrol (10) FAA (9) Flight Safety Foundation (4) IATA (18) ICAO (25) JAA TO (1) National authorities (1) NBAA (21) Pegasus (1) Unions (2) Aviationpedia (35) A (4) B (1) C (1) D (1) E (1) F (1) G (1) I (1) J (2) L (3) M (1) N (2) P (1) Q (1) R (3) S (5) T (2) U (1) W (2) business aviation (54) Charter (3) FBO (2) Finance (11) Fractional Aviation (4) General Aviation (5) Private Aviation (21) Editor (525) Auto (34) Aviation network (12) Defense (17) From LinkedIN (7) Green (15) Ideas (8) Wikidot (4) Media (55) News (355) Science (4) Social media (36) Software (16) Technology (24) Training (4) Video (5) Watches (2) Global media project (26) Linkybird Network (22) Manufacturer (824) Aircraft (225) Airframe (44) Avionics (59) Cars (25) Engines (106) Helicopter (116) Interior (2) Military (45) Parts (5) Sea (6) Space (13) Turbo-propeller (2) MRO (34) Airframe repair (30) Engine Repair (9) Nautique (4) Blog Utilities Main contact and social media presence: Twitter – @fernandobgraca Facebook page – @linkybird Instagram – linkybird.aero editor@linkybird.com Follow LinkyBird on WordPress.com Tag: Associated Press Bugatti makes the 100th Chiron Fuel consumption, l/100km: 35.2 in urban areas / 15.2 in extra urban areas / 22.5 combined; combined CO2 emissions g/km: 516; efficiency 100th vehicle goes to a customer in the Middle East Chiron production is running at full speed Bugatti President Stephan Winkelmann: “The Chiron is a highly individualized masterpiece of automobile craftsmanship.” Bugatti… Read More › Texas Teen Repeats to Become First 2x Winner of Raytheon MATHCOUNTS® National Competition Texas team crowned top state Mathlete® squad For the first time in the competition’s 35-year history, a teen Mathlete® won the Raytheon MATHCOUNTS National Championship for the second year in a row. Luke Robitaille, a 14-year-old homeschooled eighth grader from Euless, Texas, is the 2018 Raytheon MATHCOUNTS National Champion, following an intense, elite competition at… Read More › American Airlines Announces Changes to Emotional Support Animal Policy American Airlines announced changes to its emotional support animal policy. In the latest episode of Tell Me Why, American’s vodcast series for team members that shares the “why” behind the decisions we make, Albert Rizzi, founder and chief executive officer of My Blind Spot, Inc., talks about working with Suzanne Boda, American’s Senior Vice President,… Read More › American to Introduce Routes to the Caribbean and Hawaii and Make Winter Schedule Changes to Atlantic and Pacific Routes American Airlines customers will have new options to escape the cold with more seasonal and year-round flights to the Caribbean and Hawaii starting this winter. An overview of these new flights is as follows: From ORD: Daily winter seasonal service to HNL and four new routes to the Caribbean: AUA, GCM, NAS, PLS From MIA:… Read More › Norwegian double daily flights from Dublin to New York take off Increase of 66,000 seats on popular Dublin to New York Stewart route Day trip shopping in New York now possible thanks to earlier departure from Dublin Commencing today Norwegian now offers a double daily service to New York Stewart International from Dublin providing passengers with greater choice and flexibility at an affordable price. With fares… Read More › Canada Certifies Increased Gross Weight for S-92 Helicopters Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company (NYSE: LMT), announced today Canadian certification for the expanded gross weight capability option for new S-92® helicopters. The option increases the maximum take-off weight from 26,500 to 27,700 pounds, allowing operators to carry an additional 1,200 pounds of payload. This capability was first certified by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration… Read More › RUAG first in Europe to complete 2020 FANS 1/A+ avionics compliance modification on Dassault Falcon RUAG Aviation has successfully upgraded a Dassault Falcon F2000 to comply with the FANS 1/A+ requirements of the aviation regulatory mandates for 2020. The first modification of this kind completed in Europe, the FANS 1/A+ avionics upgrade was achieved ahead of the compliance deadline. The integration of the avionics upgrade was carried out at RUAG… Read More › AIAA Foundation Daedalus 88 Scholarship To Promote Student Projects and Commemorate Historic Flight The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) today announces that President-Elect John Langford has made a generous donation of $250,000 to fund an annual $10,000 AIAA Foundation Daedalus 88 Undergraduate Scholarship. “John has set a high standard for others to follow in our community,” said Dan Dumbacher, AIAA executive director and AIAA Foundation president…. Read More › ABACE2018 Signals Blue Skies for Business Aviation, in Asia and Beyond Contact: Dan Hubbard, 202-783-9360, dhubbard@nbaa.org Shanghai, China, April 19, 2018 – As the Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (ABACE) concluded its third and final day, organizers said that on several levels the show underscored the promising future for business aviation in the Asian region. “This year’s ABACE, held under bright, clear skies and in new facilities,… Read More › Thales Alenia Space achieves a major milestone by introducing FabLabs in the technological innovation process From Digital Transformation to New Space approach To permit innovation continuous growth in the heart of its strategy and in the straightway of its Digital Transformation and Industry 4.0, Thales Alenia Space is now implementing a FabLab approach to match the industrial disruption in space industry. A FabLab is a digital incubator, accessible to all… Read More › Boeing Delivers First 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter Launch customer GE Capital Aviation Services takes delivery of first-in-service 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF) • Next-Generation 737 converted freighter is here Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced the delivery of the first 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF). The first customer is GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) and the freighter will be operated by West Atlantic… Read More › Gulfstream G500 demonstrates readiness and reliability with eight new City-Pair records Feat Confirms Aircraft’s High-Speed Performance Gulfstream Aerospace Corp.’s all-new G500 demonstrated both its maturity and reliability by establishing eight new city-pair speed records across continents. The G500 completed the flights as part of a customer-focused world tour. “We have the confidence to take the fully outfitted G500 test aircraft directly to customers around the world… Read More › Royal Jordanian awards exclusive component pool contract to Spairliners for its Embraer fleet Spairliners will supply Royal Jordanian’s fleet from its component pool and logistic hub in Paris, France, as well as its central spare parts warehouse in Munich, Germany. The contracted services include streamlined supply chain management, pool access, repair management and tailored logistics services for Line Replaceable Units of Royal Jordanian’s E175 and E195 fleet. Royal… Read More › NBAA Welcomes Introduction of Long-Term House FAA Reauthorization Bill The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) welcomes the introduction of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (H.R. 4), House legislation authorizing funding and programs for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through 2023. “We welcome this bipartisan legislation,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “The fact that it’s a bipartisan bill increases its chances for… Read More › Lockheed Martin Provides Commonwealth of Australia with Space Situational Awareness System iSpace Enables Proactive Management of Space Events With space becoming an increasingly congested and contested domain, the Commonwealth of Australia has chosen Lockheed Martin’s (NYSE: LMT) iSpace – intelligent Space – system to help with their Space Situational Awareness capability needs. Lockheed Martin is providing the Commonwealth of Australia with an iSpace Space Situational Awareness… Read More › Three new Embraers for KLM Cityhopper KLM Cityhopper (KLC) will add three new Embraers to its fleet during the coming weeks. The first – an E175+, registration PH-EXW – touched down at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol yesterday evening. Saturday will see the arrival of another E175+ (PH-EXX), with the third new Embraer, an E190 (PH-EXY), arriving a week later, on 24 March…. Read More › ANA Collaborates with VR Creators to Present New VR Travel Experiences: Beyond Tokyo ANA HOLDINGS INC(ANA HD) is proud to announce the launch of a new virtual reality travel experience, Beyond Tokyo, in honor of the annual “Hachiko” Day on April 8th. Beyond Tokyo is created by ANA HD in collaboration with US-Japan venture and corporate innovation firm World Innovation Lab (WiL), and The Soap Collective, a San… Read More › Norway’s Widerøe Receives World’s First Embraer E190-E2 Jet Embraer and Widerøe, Scandinavia’s largest regional airline, celebrated the delivery of the manufacturer’s first production E190-E2 today at a ceremony at Embraer’s facility in São José dos Campos. The Norwegian airline will start flying the new aircraft on domestic routes later this month. The E190-E2 is the first of three new-generation aircraft seating from 80… Read More › PC-24 Super Versatile Jet to Authorized Pilatus Center Western Aircraft Delivered. The Authorized Pilatus Sales and Service Center Western Aircraft, a Greenwich AeroGroup Company, took delivery of the first PC-24 Super Versatile Jet to the Pilatus dealer network. In a ceremony at Pilatus Business Aircraft Ltd’s facility in Broomfield, Colorado, Western Aircraft, an Authorized Pilatus Sales and Service Center since 1996, took delivery of PC-24 serial… Read More › Pilatus Appoints Cutter Aviation as Authorized Sales and Service Center for Southwestern United States. Cutter Aviation joins the award-winning Pilatus network to provide sales and service for the PC-12 and PC-24 Super Versatile Jet in the Southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Colorado region. As part of Pilatus Aircraft Ltd’s continuous efforts to remain the top-ranked service network in business aviation, the company announced that Cutter Aviation will… Read More ›	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line905
__label__wiki	0.861016	0.861016	Home » Archive » 104 » Geoffrey Wheatcroft Biography, Britain, Reference Geoffrey Wheatcroft Masterly Performance Not Drowning Just Waving A Severe Antidote for Francophilia Nowt so Queer as Folks The Dictionary of National Biography 1971–1980 By Lord Blake and C S Nicholls (edd) Oxford University Press 1008pp £60 order from our bookshop THE OBITUARIST WORKS by two contrary principles: De mortuis nil nisi bunkum, and Voltaire’s saying that to the living we owe respect but to the dead we owe nothing but the truth. The former applies the more strongly the mo re recent is a subject’s death (though you might not know it sometimes from that Times speciality, the obitchery). The day after a man has died there are other considerations than historical truth. His widow’s grief will not be best assuaged by an accurate list of his meanness, treachery, heavy drinking and adultery. The second, Voltairean maxim applies to the long dead. Writing about Nelson or Parnell we can and should be objective about their ‘private’ lives which became all too public. As the DNB was first assembled, noble product of Victorian energy and optimism, most of its subjects were historical figures in the full sense. Treatment of them might be qualified by the conventions of the day, but not by piety. It was when the Dictionary embarked on its supplementary, decennial volumes for the twentieth century that a problem arose. How to write about the recently deceased in a reference book which will be consulted for ever after: with bluntness, or evasion, or periphrasis? The editors have produced this latest catalogue of national worthies (not all so worthy) who died in the 1970s with commendable speed. Some of those here died scarcely more than six ago, and yet this is the book in which they will be looked up in future by enquirers after the truth and the whole truth. Let me be less abstract. Until recently the subject that dared not speak its name was homosexuality. I think that the first subject of whom this was made clear was Norman Douglas (o b. 1952), and then in an elegant phrase: ‘an ardent lover of both sexes.’ Now the barriers are down and the inhibitions are gone, and it is up to the authors of individual notices whether or not they say that their subject was a bit of an old pouf, or words to that effect. Some do, some do not. For example: when Philip Hope-Wallace died, I and another who was devoted to him, Mr Alan Watkins, wrote affectionate informal obituaries which both mentioned his homosexuality. His eulogy in church was delivered by Mr Paul Johnson who naturally did not allude to the subject there, who reproached Mr Watkins and myself for having done so in print, who here writes Philip’s notice, and who once again treats his sexuality with a complete ignoral (as George Brown would have said). Which is right? I am inclined to think that Mr Johnson’s reticence is as misguided in the DNB as it was proper in church. Others are less reticent; Mr William Douglas-Home on Terence Rattigan, for example, or Mr Michael Denison on Noel Coward. Mr Donald Mitchell on Benjamin Britten prefers the oblique approach, though unambiguously: Britten and Pears ‘made their life together from 1937 onwards, an exemplary personal relationship … ‘ And Mr Gerard Irvine on Tom Driberg comes straight out with it, a career of homosexual seduction starting at the age of twelve. For Tom’s fellow rough-trader James Pope-Hennessy, on the other hand, we revert to obliquity. He was murdered, Mr James Lees-Milne tells us, ‘by some ruffianly associates of the unscrupulous youths with whom he chose to consort.’ Pl ease, daddy, what’s ‘consort’? And irritating obscurity can be hetero also. In one of the ludicrous notices contributed by Edward Heath he says that Uffa Fox’s ‘traits were often attractive but sometimes lacking in taste’, and refers to the ‘well known and unpleasant complications in his domestic life.’ What complications, you bloody fool? They aren’t well known to me. But enough of this sordidity. The question is more general than sex. Should a DNB essayist be a friend of his subject? In any case, should he attempt ruthless even-handedness? Should he be in any degree counsel for the defence, or devil’s advocate? Of course, in a book such as this it is too much to hope that those two glorious mountebanks Montgomery and Mountbatten should be taken at anything less than their own estimation, and they are not (though Mr Ziegler does concede that ‘Mountbatten was not markedly successful as a wartime destroyer captain. In surprisingly few months at sea he almost capsized in high seas, collided with another destroyer, and was mined once, torpedoed twice, and finally sunk by enemy aircraft … the consensus of professional opinion is that he lacked “sea-sense”, the quality that ensures a ship is doing the right thing in the right place at the right time.’) Nor are these two very different charlatans, Barbara Hepworth and Graham Sutherland. The editor, Lord Blake, equally makes as good a case for Anthony Eden as he can in an excellent notice (containing one small and uncharacteristic slip: he appears to think that the Rifle Brigade and the King’s Royal Rifle Corps are, or were, the same thing rather than sister but separate regiments). But Mr Max Hastings shows that it is possible to combine decorum with harsh objectivity. Slessor ‘must share responsibility with his generation of airmen for the lamentable shortcomings of the RAF in close support of ground and naval forces and low-level bombing techniques.’ Ireland shows the problem in sharp form. The Ulster Unionist leader Brookeborough is done over good and proper – rightly in my view – by Mr P J Buckland, clearly no admirer: ‘a lazy man of limited ability’, he was a bigoted protestant who ‘helped perpetuate the long-standing and ultimately fatal divide in Northern Ireland … by refusing to support those liberal Unionists who sought accommodation with the Catholics. ‘ Turn then to de Valera. His memoralist is Lord Longford, already the author of an official biography which Mr A J P Taylor has called ‘appropriately evasive on many awkward topics.’ This notice stops a little short of unalloyed and honeyed praise, but it is still an encomium from which one would hardly guess that de Valera, though of course a far cleverer and subtler man, was Brookeborough’s antipole, who did quite as much harm to Ireland, and who was surely one of the least successful politicians of the century in terms of what he hoped for and what he achieved. But then, in the circumstances, the editors have got what they might reasonably have expected. So with Mr Montgomery Hyde on Goddard the last great hanging judge – to say that ‘he was neither cruel nor vindictive’ and that his conduct of the trial of Craig and Bentley was ‘impeccable’ is arguable, at the least – and with the notice of Maurice Dobb. Dobb was a Cambridge economics don, a Marxist and lifelong Communist. He is generally supposed to have played a part in the Soviet cell at Cambridge which was adorned by Blunt, Burgess and Maclean, but this topic is not touched upon in his essay by Professor E J Hobsbawm, himself today about the only serious intellectual figure which the British Communist party can count among its membership. The right choice? When all that is said, the DNB remains a wonderful book. In general and in small ways the decennial volumes have been improving steadily and this is one of the best of the last half dozen. Several of the essays are gems: Mr Mitchell on Britten, Mr Richard Griffiths on Mosley and Mr Anthony Howard on Crossman, to take a random trio from a large choice. One of the masterpieces of the volume is Mr John Grigg on the Duke of Windsor. He does not dwell on the physiological facts widely held to be the secret of Miss Simpson’s ‘attraction, so far as it can be defined’, for the Prince-King-Duke, but leaves us with a vivid impression of the man. By contrast Mr Giles St Aubyn on the Duke of Gloucester does not do justice to that remarkable gentleman’s characteristics. Mr John Lehmann is apparently unaware that Cyril Connolly plagiarised the aphorism (which has never had me howling with laughter anyway) about the thin man inside the fat man. And I still wish I knew if it is true that Sir Charles Clore did time for fraud. Home » Archive » 104 » Geoffrey Wheatcroft top	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line908
__label__wiki	0.929419	0.929419	Difference between revisions of "Pokémon Live! (partially found professional recording footage of musical; 2000-2001)" Rno (talk \| contribs) <li>Ekidsinternet ecenter homepage got taken down sometime after: <b>June 2, 12:17 PM, 2002</b></li> </ul></font> == Ekidsinternet Pokémon Contest == eKIDSinternet also held a Pokémon contest<ref> [http://web.archive.org/web/20010123230200/http://www.ekidsinternet.com/ecenters/pokemon/contest/contestform.html Contest form given to winners of Pokémon contest] Retrieved 6 Jan '17 Archived 23 Jan '01</ref>sometime during January, 2001. The first contest involved listening to 5 songs from Pokémon Live, and naming all of them correctly. The prize was a Nintendo 64. There was another contest, which involved finding Pikachu, inside a 6 month free trial disk of Ekidsinternet given away during the shows. The main Pokémon ecenter<ref> [http://web.archive.org/web/20010206231025/http:/www.ekidsinternet.com/ecenters/pokemon Ekidsinternet Pokémon ecenter] Retrieved 6 Jan '17 Archived 06 Feb '01</ref>had an Adobe Flash “movie” playing, but is no longer viewable. Fortunately, anyone who scans the website with HTML can see that the developer typed what was said in that Flash “movie”. Here is the text, extracted from the Pokémon ecenter website, before it was removed sometime after February 6, 2001: <br><font size="2">CONTEST play Name that Pokemon Tune We bet you've heard all the cool original songs from PokemonLive. Now it's time to test your ear… Name all 5 Pokemon Tunes to enter a special drawing sponsored by eKIDSinternet.com. the presenter of PokemonLive! Grand Prize a brand new Ninetendo 64! Plus loads of runner-up prizes! It's easy! Listen to each selection and click on the name of the song. Answer all five correctly to enter the drawing. The drawing takes place on January 23, 2001. So play to enter. You may be the lucky winner of a Nintendo 64. But remember, you gotta enter to win! Hey! Want another chance to win a Nintendo 64! Here's how…Order an eKIDSinternet disk now and enter a whole new sweepstakes. Pikachu's hiding" only on eKIDSinternet and only you can find him when you get your disk for a 6 month free trial. But remember, you gotta order an eKIDSinternet disk now to enter. To play: 1.Click the play button and listen to the song. 2.Click on the correct title of the song. 3.Continue until you have answered all 5 correctly. 4.Enter your first name, e-mail address and city on the form, and submit entry. Good Luck! FIRST NAME: E-MAIL: CITY:</font> Photo of the show's original cast. Status: Partially Found Pokémon Live! was a live-action musical based on Nintendo's popular Pokémon franchise. Touring the United States from September 2000 to January 2001, the show was approximately 90 minutes long and was produced by Radio City Entertainment, 4Kids, and Nintendo. A professionally-recorded version of the musical was shot at one of the Chicago shows, and was planned for release on TV and home video. However, these plans fell through, and no full recordings of the US show have surfaced, outside of bootlegs. 1 Plot and Production 3 Dubai Show 4 Sound Equipment 5 Appearance/Removal Dates of Websites/Advertisements 6 Ekidsinternet Pokémon Contest Plot and Production The play begins with Ash, Misty, and Brock setting out for a Pokémon Gym, in response to a challenge from a mysterious Gym Leader. The challenge stipulates that anyone who can defeat the Gym Leader's Pokémon in a battle will win a special "diamond badge". Afterwards, it is revealed that the challenge was set up by Team Rocket leader Giovanni, who has created a powerful Pokémon named MechaMew2, and intends to use it for world domination.[1] The musical used live action actors for both characters and Pokémon, albeit with some exceptions for string-controlled characters. A DVD release was alluded to in promotional material, such as a page on the Pokémon website from the time, but was presumably abandoned around the same time the show's planned UK tour had to be cancelled due to "unforeseen circumstances".[2][3] After the show ended in 2001, it was largely forgotten by the general public. However, interest in Pokémon Live was revived in April of 2016, when popular YouTuber Chadtronic created a video on the topic entitled "THE MYSTERY OF POKEMON LIVE". The video contained comments from the musical's production stage manager, Chris Mitchell, who had previously uploaded a bootleg recording of the Chicago show in a series of 7 parts. Mitchell cited lack of interest and monetary concerns as the reason for the show's failure, claiming that "[the] Pokemon craze was not as big in 2000 as it was in 1999."[4] He also confirmed that a high-definition multi-camera version was shot but never released for unknown reasons, and that it was currently lost in the archives of the respective rightsholders. Reportedly, Mitchell himself has repeatedly tried to obtain a copy of the professional recording, but has been unsuccessful. Chadtronic ended the video by starting the hashtag #FindPokemonLive, and encouraging anyone with information to contact him. The search did bring forth some new information, such as a promotional video in which Brock's actor mentions the DVD release, as well as the script for the musical.[5][6] However, it was ultimately unsuccessful in its goal of finding the professional recording, and interest died back down after a few months. Chris Mitchell's recording of the show. Chadtronic's video on the subject. A "making of" video for the musical. Dubai Show While the U.S show remains elusive, in October of 2016, a professional recording of Pokémon Live actually did surface - albeit, from the Dubai performance of the show. The video was uploaded by MiG Ayesa, the actor of Ash for this particular performance, and was uploaded to YouTube as a response to the popularity of the Pokémon GO app. The performance appears to be significantly different from the American production, with lower production values and a shorter runtime of 50 minutes. In addition, multiple music numbers and even entire characters have been removed, such as Professor Oak, and Delia (Ash's mother). Still, the video gives a decent representation of what the US recording may have looked like, and provides new hope that it may surface some time in the near future. The Dubai performance of the musical. The second newsletter from Electro-Voice, "Speaking of EV Volume 1 No 2"".[7] has on the last page a section, where they list all (or a couple) of the sound equipment used for some of the most popular U.S or Europe tours. One of the tours listed was none other than "Pokémon Live" 16 X-Line XVLS full range speaker cabinets 8 SX300 speaker enclosures 4 EV Xi1082 speaker enclosures 2 EV S40 speaker enclosures 1 EV MTH2 speaker enclosure 2 EV MTH2/64 speaker enclosures 1 EV MTH2/94 speaker enclosure 4 EV MTL4 speaker enclosures 2 EV DMC 2181A speaker processors 14 Telex BP325 intercom beltpacks 1 Telex MCE 325 intercom station 1 Klark Teknik 7204 delay plus EQ 4 Klark Teknik DN360 stereo equalizers 1 Klark Teknik DN60 analyzer EV Appearance/Removal Dates of Websites/Advertisements Here, I have listed when each of the official "Pokémon Live" websites opened and closed. All of this couldn't have been possible without the Wayback Machine. I know this isn't any help, but I'm trying my best to find ANYTHING about this show. First mentioned on Pokémon website[8]sometime between: May 27, 8:43 AM - June 13, 10:06 AM, 2000 First appearing on Radiocity page[9]sometime between: May 27, 8:43 AM - June 13, 10:06 AM, 2000 eKIDSinternet ecenter homepage[10]sometime between: August 18, 6:11 AM – October 8, 10:44 AM, 2000 First Wayback Machine record of Diamondbadge.com redirecting to Radiocity is on: November 9, 4:09 AM, 2000 Diamondbadge stopped redirecting to Radiocity sometime before: April 5, 9:42 PM, 2001 Radiocity page got taken down sometime between: December 7, 9:10 PM, 2000 – April 5, 9:42 PM, 2001 Pokémon site took it down sometime between: June 2, 12:17 PM – August 5, 3:33 PM, 2002 Ekidsinternet ecenter homepage got taken down sometime after: June 2, 12:17 PM, 2002 Ekidsinternet Pokémon Contest eKIDSinternet also held a Pokémon contest[11]sometime during January, 2001. The first contest involved listening to 5 songs from Pokémon Live, and naming all of them correctly. The prize was a Nintendo 64. There was another contest, which involved finding Pikachu, inside a 6 month free trial disk of Ekidsinternet given away during the shows. The main Pokémon ecenter[12]had an Adobe Flash “movie” playing, but is no longer viewable. Fortunately, anyone who scans the website with HTML can see that the developer typed what was said in that Flash “movie”. Here is the text, extracted from the Pokémon ecenter website, before it was removed sometime after February 6, 2001: CONTEST play Name that Pokemon Tune We bet you've heard all the cool original songs from PokemonLive. Now it's time to test your ear… Name all 5 Pokemon Tunes to enter a special drawing sponsored by eKIDSinternet.com. the presenter of PokemonLive! Grand Prize a brand new Ninetendo 64! Plus loads of runner-up prizes! It's easy! Listen to each selection and click on the name of the song. Answer all five correctly to enter the drawing. The drawing takes place on January 23, 2001. So play to enter. You may be the lucky winner of a Nintendo 64. But remember, you gotta enter to win! Hey! Want another chance to win a Nintendo 64! Here's how…Order an eKIDSinternet disk now and enter a whole new sweepstakes. Pikachu's hiding" only on eKIDSinternet and only you can find him when you get your disk for a 6 month free trial. But remember, you gotta order an eKIDSinternet disk now to enter. To play: 1.Click the play button and listen to the song. 2.Click on the correct title of the song. 3.Continue until you have answered all 5 correctly. 4.Enter your first name, e-mail address and city on the form, and submit entry. Good Luck! FIRST NAME: E-MAIL: CITY: ↑ Wikipedia page for Pokémon Live! Retrieved 31 Dec '16. ↑ Archive of the official Pokémon website mentioning a home video release Retrieved 31 Dec '16. Archived 19 Oct '01. ↑ News article on the UK tour's cancellation Retrieved 31 Dec '16. Archived 04 Jan '03. ↑ Chadtronic's "THE MYSTERY OF POKEMON LIVE", containing many comments from Chris Mitchell Retrieved 31 Dec '16. ↑ Behind-the-scenes video where the DVD release is mentioned Retrieved 31 Dec '16. ↑ Script for the musical Retrieved 31 Dec '16. ↑ Full Speaking of EV Volume 1 No 2 newsletter Retrieved 6 Jan '17 ↑ Official Pokémon Live Website Retrieved 6 Jan '17 Archived 09 Nov '00 ↑ Radiocity website Retrieved 06 Jan '17 Archived 07 Dec '00 ↑ Ekidsinternet ecenter homepage Retrieved 6 Jan '17 Archived 05 Dec '00 ↑ Contest form given to winners of Pokémon contest Retrieved 6 Jan '17 Archived 23 Jan '01 ↑ Ekidsinternet Pokémon ecenter Retrieved 6 Jan '17 Archived 06 Feb '01 Retrieved from "https://lostmediawiki.com/index.php?title=Pokémon_Live!_(partially_found_professional_recording_footage_of_musical;_2000-2001)&oldid=35447"	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line912
__label__cc	0.71681	0.28319	"Prenatal Sex Determination is an Offence Anybody asking for it" - shall be Prosecuted - Male Infertility Treatment Female Infertility Treatment IUI Treatment ICSI Treatment IVF Centers Male Infertility Faqs Female Infertility Faqs IVF Faqs ICSI Faqs Get Free IVF Consultation City Name Bangalore Hyderabad Pune Mumbai Belgaum Hubli Mysore Home / Blog / IVF Cost In India IVF Cost In India Get Low Cost IVF Treatment in India Starting @ Rs. 69,000/-* (Excluding Medicine & Freezing) Note: “Low Cost IVF Treatment in India” doesn't charge any thing for its Services & suggestions to its patients and all our services are Compeletly FREE and Transparent. T&C Apply* What is the IVF Treatment Cost in India - 2021? "IVF Cost in India or IVF Treatment Cost in Bangalore" these are most searched terms when some one wants to go through with the IVF Treatment in Bangalore. 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About Low Cost IVF “Low Cost IVF Treatment in India” is the Fastest Growing Low Cost IVF Centres Chain, With a Team of Experienced Healthcare Experts, Researchers, Social Scientists, Psychologists and Reproductive Health-care Technicians and with a collective experience of more than a decade into Providing Low Cost & affordable Fertility / IVF Treatment in India for Indian and International Patients. info@lowcostivftreatment.com For Free Consultation Book Free IVF Consultation About Us \| Blogs \| Privacy Policy \| Terms & Conditions \| Contact Us © Copyright 2018. All Rights Reserved. \| Designed & Marketed by : Meditwitt	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line913
__label__cc	0.713691	0.286309	Food Inspirations Made In Punjab is an endeavour to take you through time and experience the grandeur of the Sikh Kingdom, while exploring and reviving the rich culinary history of the State. “Punjab” in Persian means (The Land of) Five Rivers and thus the menu at Made In Punjab covers the rich agricultural regions surrounding the rivers Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas and Sutlej from the erstwhile Princely State, while artistically capturing each of them in the brands logo as well. The cuisine of the erstwhile Kingdom has not just infused the influence of the various invasions , primarily Turkish and Iranian, but has also produced generations of Khaansaama’s and cooks who, over the centuries, have perfected the art and laid the benchmarks for today’s North West Frontier cuisine. Punjab’s most famous export, the “Tikkas” are famous and widely reproduced across India, while being equally admired throughout many countries in the West. Gurgaon \| Mumbai \| Noida Massive Restaurants Pvt. Ltd \| Careers \| Terms of Use	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line915
__label__cc	0.628126	0.371874	Andrea F Flohn Since 2017, co-founders Leah Barron and Amy Pinder have been orchestrating the Inclusion Festival as a means to promote awareness about accessibility at festivals and other live music events, as well as to support the non-profit organization, Accessible Festivals, founded by Austin Whitney and Oren Shani in 2014. And while the Inclusion team had hoped to make a return to Mountain Sky for their third annual festival this summer, it was decided near the end of May that the festival would need to be a virtual event. Despite this turn of events, the co-founders have worked tirelessly for the past few months in order to bring accessibility to the livestream format. Which is why Inclusion has partnered with AccessiBe, a leader in web compliance, which offers features that are currently available on the Inclusion Festival website. Visitors to the site have the ability to view content based on their specific needs; utilizing features such as a screen-reader and highlighting tool. The site also features an Access Center where viewers can ask and answer questions on the message board throughout the livestream. The Access Center also features a Social Story, which according to Amy Pinder, is, “traditionally used as a learning tool for students with autism and other differences”, and one she believes will help give viewers a better understanding of what to expect from a livestream or festival experience. Start Making Sense at the 2019 Inclusion fest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5pBIxFPHv8 This past week, I had the pleasure of speaking with Amy to discuss all of the exciting changes that have been made to Inclusion for its virtual debut: AF: Do you think because the festival will now be online, that it is even more inclusive for artists fans? AP: I think that in a way, it is because people can tune in from a lot more places and they can experience all of the wonderful things that a festival and a live concert has to offer. Of course, you can’t replicate the live festival experience, but I’m a speech-language therapist; I work with individuals with autism and other developmental differences and sometimes there’s a lot of anxiety around trying something new. So, as it turns out, this is a way to be exposed to something new in a really comfortable place-your own home; and perhaps like dipping a toe in the water of trying it in real life. AF: Did you guys end up adding any artists to the original lineup for Inclusion Fest? AP: Yeah, it’s a mix of both. We have a mix of artists who were going to participate in-person, and artists that became new targets and new considerations once we made the pivot to virtual. AF: Was there anybody in particular who reached out to you? AP: Artist-wise we had a lot of applications, yes, a lot of people have reached out to us. In particular, Everyone Orchestra was someone we were targeting before and after the pivot to online, and we’re really excited about that partnership. Matt Butler has been a pleasure to work with. Leah one who organizes the music and has begun to develop a relationship with him. [Matt’s] project, in general, is in the spirit of inclusion by including artists from many different bands and bringing them together for something new. So, we’re excited that Matt was excited about it too! AF: What are some of your expectations for Inclusion Online? AP: Going into our first year, we don’t have very specific expectations. We expect to bring a joyful experience to those who choose tune in, we expect to model best practices in online accessibility so that other promotors and producers can see what’s possible when you think about accessibility in the core of your planning for an event, and we hope that people learn about what we’re doing and follow us and look for opportunities online and in-person, when it’s safe to return. We also hope they’ll learn more about our non-profit organization, Accessible Festivals, which is dedicated to making music and recreation accessible in many different ways. This festival’s donations will support the growth of the non-profit organization, Accessible Festivals. AF: Well I’m pumped, and I’ll definitely be tuning in myself! AP: Me too! That’s another big difference for us. Normally we’re running around Inclusion Festival Weekend orchestrating a festival, and so we’re really excited to have a watch party outside with a few close friends that have really supported us, so we’re gonna be tuning in too. Inclusion Festival Online begins at 5 p.m. [EST] on Friday, August 21 and will continue through the weekend. The livestream will be available on various platforms including CashorTrade Streams, Facebook, and InclusionFestival.com. All of the donations from the festival will go toward the non-profit organization, Accessible Festivals. FRIDAY SCHEDULE 5:00pm-5:30p Opening Ceremony Flame the Band Storytime with Hayley Jane: The Boy with Big Feelings 5:30pm-6:00p Be Patient, Be Present, Be Joyful with Ryan Stanley Anna Oh 6:00pm-6:30pm Bollywood Dance for EVERYONE with Gaitrie Devi Miss Cantaloupe 6:30pm-7:00pm A Conversation with EmiSunshine PanSong 7:00pm-7:30pm A Conversation about The Power of Music with Matt Butler (Everyone Orchestra), Pete Kozak & Macheis Wind 7:30pm-8:00pm “Stand by Me” Performed by True Colors Magic for ALL with Captain Swirly 8:00pm-8:30pm Mother Nature’s Child Juggling for ALL with Benjamin Berry 8:30pm-9:00pm Tash Neal (The London Souls) Enjoy Every Moment 9:00pm-9:30pm Hayley Jane The Story of Accessible Festivals Zach Gill (ALO) 9:30pm-10:00pm TIKYRA Blake Mobley 10:00pm-10:30pm Matt Bartlett (Skunkmello) The Ace of Cups 10:30pm-11:00pm Expansion Project Swift Technique- Inclusion Festival 2019 Archives 5:00pm-5:30pm Improvisational Yoga Flow with Taraleigh Weathers Music with Corey Feldman (Cousin Earth) 5:30pm-6:00pm “Stand by Me” Performed by True Colors The Ben and J Show: A Conversation about Inclusion 6:00pm-6:30pm Michael Korins The Movement of Joy with Naila Ansari How to Hang a Hammock with ENO 6:30pm-7:00pm The Merry Rockers- Inclusion Festival 2018 Archives A Tour of Special Skoolie Autism is LOVE Workshop with Sam Huber 7:00pm-7:30pm Storytime with Hayley Jane: The Girl Who Thought in Pictures A Conversation with Temple Grandin Playing for Change 7:30pm-8:00pm Hoop Yoga Stretch with Benjamin Berry 8:00pm-8:30pm Mike Miz A Conversation with Sam Huber 8:30pm-9:00pm Grateful Drumming Workshop with Joe Ciarvella Reef the Lost Cauze 9:00pm-9:30pm Everyone Orchestra with Al Schnier (moe.), Aron Magner (The Disco Biscuits), James Casey & Jennifer Hartswick (Trey Anastasio Band), Brandon “Taz” Niederauer, Bridget Law, Weedie Braimah, and Kai Eckhardt (Garaj Mahal) The Story of Accessible Festivals Paul Hoffman with Holly Bowling, Lindsay Lou and Jay Cobb Anderson 9:30pm-10:00pm Karina Rykman Jammin’ in Mr. Jim’s Studio A.J. Croix 10:00pm-10:30pm Cousin Earth John the Martyr 10:30pm-11:00pm Start Making Sense- Inclusion Festival 2019 Archives OJAS 4:00pm-4:30pm Macheis Wind A Conversation with Austin Whitney 4:30pm-5:00pm Brainwave Education with OJAS “Stand by Me” Performed by True Colors Storytime with Julia Cook: Uniquely Wired 5:00pm-5:30pm Chair Yoga with Tatiana Santa Lucia Found Poetry Workshop with Donnie Welch 5:30pm-6:00pm A Tour of Kathy Jeanne Millinery Madison Gerish and The Schooley Mountain Band The Inclusion Alphabet with Kathryn Jenkins Fun with Mandalas with Brink Ross 6:00pm-6:30pm A Conversation with Sabeerah Najee Dylan Garcia The Beauty of Diversity- Contributions from Bosnia 6:30pm-7:00pm Faye Adinda Sound Healing with Katie Emmitt 7:00pm-7:30pm A Conversation with Lauren Melissa Songs about Inclusion with Brady Rymer 7:30pm-8:00pm Russel James Dee Maple Band- Inclusion Festival 2018 Archives 8:00pm-8:30pm James Casey (Trey Anastasio Band) Peck and Penn (Elliott Peck of Midnight North) 8:30pm-9:00pm “Lean on Me” Performed by Playing for Change Especially Everyone Ensemble Closing Ceremony Be sure to check out Inclusion Fest online this weekend! Drop us a line at lmnandr@gmail.com with your live music news, festival preview, interviews, concert memory, or of course a live music review! Also be sure to check out the search feature in the upper right hand corner- search for your favorite band, venue, festival, event, or genre. You’ll be surprised what you find. Amy Pinder Leah Barron Previous articleNew Park Brewing hosts Beau Sasser Trio August 14 2020 Next articleConcert Memory: The Wailers Uprising Tour Philly Jam Scene: Striking while the iron is hot! An interview with Muskrat Flats Philly Jam Scene: Striking while the iron is hot! An...	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line924
__label__cc	0.602137	0.397863	Air Canada drops midday Toronto flight Construction & Landscape Upfront Both Sides of the Wall September 1, 2017 July 13, 2020 Gord Delamont Equal parts function and flair, a husband-and-wife reno firm puts homeowner education at the forefront Photo: John Dias and Stefanie Coleman-Dias STEFANIE COLEMAN-DIAS knows homeowners care—a lot—about the bling: the finishes, fixtures and furnishings that make a home pretty. But from her perspective, equally important are the things you don’t see. “The things behind the walls, like insulation and air seals, have a huge impact on indoor air quality, operating costs and home comfort,” she says. As co-owner of Coleman-Dias3 Construction Inc., her goal when working with clients is to bring both interior design and building science into one conversation. It’s also the driving philosophy behind the company’s tagline, ‘Pretty Smart Homes’, summing up a conviction to meld design, science and craftsmanship in every renovation project the company undertakes. Coleman-Dias worked in the fashion industry as a women’s clothing buyer before she and husband, John Dias, started the residential renovation business in 2005. They had moved to St. Thomas to be closer to family after their son, Alex, was born (the cubed symbol in the company moniker refers to the three family members). “As design-build renovation contractors, one of our goals is to raise the bar for professionalism in the residential renovation industry” — Stefanie Coleman-Dias With a background in construction, Dias handles the onsite work and all it entails. Coleman-Dias looks after everything that leads up to it—working with clients on the design and decision phases, right up to the start of the physical project work. “The first thing I did was take courses to get my residential air system design technician designation,” says Coleman-Dias. “I was really interested in energy efficiency and took courses to be certified as an energy advisor, and we continue to take training to stay current with technology and keep our finger on the pulse of what is happening in the industry. “We have won awards for our design work, but we also focus on the functionality of floor plans and practical considerations,” she continues. “For example, for aging in-place.” With little in the way of legal and regulatory requirements to guide homeowners, hiring a renovation contractor can be a daunting challenge for many, says Coleman-Dias. “There are zero barriers to become a renovator, and every renovator has different skills sets and does things differently.” And on the flip side, homeowners themselves are often unprepared for what a renovation entails. “You are always going to have to deal with dust, and usually there are a few surprises, often from previous renovations, like buried electrical junctions.” After encountering a number of homeowners with stories of terrible experiences with past renovations, she and Dias realized it would be helpful for clients to be prepared and to have realistic expectations before the work started. “We’ve developed a series of videos that address various topics, like how to hire a professional, and having a master plan for your renovation project,” says Coleman-Dias. “As design-build renovation contractors, one of our goals is to raise the bar for professionalism in the residential renovation industry. I’m very involved in the London and St. Thomas homebuilders associations, and I currently sit as second vice president of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association. We think that homeowner education is important, and we hope that these videos will help.” Kym Wolfe ← Passion Play Brand Personality → London Inc. Realty London Inc. Weekly Tweets by LdnIncMag	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line931
__label__wiki	0.691878	0.691878	Radiology News MRI can be safely... MRI can be safely performed in patients with pacemakers and ICDs: Study By Dr. Kamal Kant Kohli Published On 2020-10-23T19:20:52+05:30 \| Updated On 23 Oct 2020 1:50 PM GMT OAK BROOK - MRI examinations can be performed safely in patients with non-MR compatible cardiac devices, including those who are pacemaker-dependent or have abandoned leads, according to a study published in Radiology: Cardiothoracic Imaging. Millions of people around the world rely on implanted cardiac devices like pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) to help control abnormal heart rhythms. MRIs are discouraged or prohibited in many of these people over fears that the powerful magnet of the scanner will heat the metal in the devices, potentially damaging heart tissue and harming the devices. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has identified a subset of implanted cardiac devices as MR conditional, meaning they pose no known hazard under specified conditions. Pacemakers or ICDs that have not met the criteria are considered non-MR conditional. In these patients, clinicians are forced to choose between removing a necessary cardiac device or getting an alternate and potentially less-effective imaging test. "While all devices implanted in patients today are MRI compatible, millions of people worldwide, including many young people, have older devices considered not compatible," said study lead author Sanjaya K. Gupta, M.D., from Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute in Kansas City, Missouri. "It's unfair to tell these people that they can't get an MRI for the rest of their lives." Prior research has demonstrated the safety of performing MRI exams in patients with non-MR conditional devices. However, those studies did not account for pacemaker-dependent ICD patients, or patients whose hearts won't function if the defibrillator is removed or stops working. Other groups not accounted for in previous studies include patients undergoing chest and cardiac MRI exams and patients with abandoned or fractured leads, or wires that connect the device to the heart. To develop a more comprehensive picture of risk, Dr. Gupta and colleagues established the Patient Registry of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Non-Approved Devices (PROMeNADe). They enrolled more than 500 participants who had undergone a total of 608 MRI exams, including 61 cardiac MRI exams. Participants included people from groups not accounted for in previous research. Patients had their devices checked before and after each MRI and had their vital signs monitored closely by a nurse during their time in the scanner. Devices were turned to the asynchronous mode in pacemaker-dependent patients before they went in the scanner. ICD patients had tachycardia therapies disabled during the MRI. The results demonstrated that MRI exams--including chest MRI exams--can be performed safely in pacemaker-dependent ICD patients and in patients with non-MR conditional devices or abandoned leads. "There were no adverse events," Dr. Gupta said. "The protocol worked amazingly well. We had no issues with any of the patients and no harm to the devices." The registry is now the largest series of MRI scans that has ever been put together in patients with pacemaker-dependent ICDs. It is also the second largest in patients with abandoned or fractured leads and the third largest in non-compatible devices. Results from a survey of the physicians who had referred the patients for MRI underscored the importance of the exams. According to responses from 150 physicians, MRI results changed the suspected diagnosis 25% of the time and changed suspected prognosis in 26% of participants, with planned medical or surgical treatment being changed 42% of the time. "We're hopeful that our work will add support to expand the FDA's indications for devices that are considered MRI-compatible," Dr. Gupta said. The study was inspired, in part, by the case of a patient with a brain tumor who was unable to get sorely needed MRI examinations because her pacemaker was not MR conditional. Without MRI results to precisely localize the tumor, the patient had to undergo several risky surgeries. "A lot of work went into this study but it's worth it when you consider all the lives impacted," Dr. Gupta said. "I feel like it makes a difference to a lot of people." Radiology: Cardiothoracic Imaging Magnetic resonance imaging MRI Cardiac devices Pacemaker Source : Radiology: Cardiothoracic Imaging Dr. Kamal Kant Kohli Dr Kamal Kant Kohli-MBBS, DTCD- a chest specialist with more than 30 years of practice and a flair for writing clinical articles, Dr Kamal Kant Kohli joined Medical Dialogues as an Editor-in-Chief for the Speciality Medical Dialogues section. Besides writing articles, as an editor, he proofreads and verifies all the medical content published on Medical Dialogues including those coming from journals, studies,medical conferences,guidelines etc. Before Joining Medical Dialogues, he has served at important positions in the medical industry in India including as the Hony. Secretary of the Delhi Medical Association as well as the chairman of Anti-Quackery Committee in Delhi and worked with other Medical Councils in India. Email: editorial@medicaldialogues.in. Contact no. 011-43720751	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line934
__label__cc	0.719412	0.280588	Hilarity. Passion. Truth. Mary Felkins » When God Sends the Carpathia. God Knows That, Too. The Problem With Beautifully Rounded Grapes. When God Sends the Carpathia. He reached down from on high and took hold of me; He drew me out of deep waters…He brought me out into a spacious place; He rescued me because He delighted in me. Psalm 18:16, 19 When the British passenger liner, the RMS Titanic, set out to sea on April 10, 1912, it was both her maiden voyage and her last. Following the collision with an iceberg in the North Atlantic Ocean, it’s estimated that over 1500 passengers and crew perished, while only around 700 survived. Historically, the sinking of the Titanic was the greatest maritime disaster. Who knew the luxury liner wouldn’t make it across the ocean to her destination? Outside God’s omniscience, no one. As each rivet was being welded or hammered in place, God knew the ship’s fate. He knew there’d be a shoulder-shrug response to iceberg warnings, an insufficient number of lifeboats for the number of passengers aboard and that officers would launch many of them half-filled, adding to the fatalities. Constructed with 2000, 1-inch thick, rolled steel and iron hull plates, welded together with over 3 million steel and iron rivets weighing 1200 tons, she suffered an unrecoverable breach in her starboard side. And, inevitably, the ‘unsinkable’ Titanic did, indeed, sink, gurgling down into the depths of the ocean. Split into two halves, her scattered remains still sleep on the ocean floor. At the word ‘Titanic’, I feel a little clutch inside my chest. And it isn’t the result of dreamy images of Leonardo DiCaprio, either. I think ‘disaster, death, and fatal ending’. The Titanic represents a ship I don’t want to board. If any of those passengers or crew had been given a heads up that they might perish, I daresay not a one would have insisted on boarding the floating death trap, tickets clutched in their fists. But they didn’t know. So they boarded the thing, hearts filled with hope, excited for adventure, whether swathed in first-class luxury or cramped into limited, third-class spaces on lower decks. I’ve experienced situations where, unbeknownst to me, the ‘ship’ I’d boarded was going down. And so have others… Failed marriages. At the altar, who knew it’d fall apart? Crumbled congregations. At its planting, who knew a haughty legalism would splinter its members? Business ventures steeped in dishonesty. At the contract signing, who knew it was a bad match-up? A fatal car wreck. Slipping behind the wheel, who knew the driver wouldn’t make it to his destination? An addiction. Experiencing that first delicious high, who knew the habit would eventually take the user’s life? All of these ‘Titanics’ promised something but didn’t deliver. A ship of dreams that sank to a watery grave. Less than two hours after the historic sinking, the RMS Carpathia arrived at the site and rescued the lone survivors, (an estimated 710). [bctt tweet=”In a similar way, God knows when I’ve boarded a Titanic of my own, ” username=”MaryAFelkins”] stepped unaware into danger or made a foolish or impulsive decision that was headed for an iceberg. In His omniscience, a heart filled with compassion, God has reached down and rescued me, sending a Divine Carpathia to draw me out of deep waters. And never when doing so would hinder proper discipline, shaping me into useful material for the Silversmith. How about you? When has God saved you from what turned out to be the ‘Titanic’? When has He drawn you out of deep waters? Dawn Kinzer says: After a divorce, I fell head over heals for a Christian man. Gave him my heart, and I thought I had his. We talked about marriage, etc. Then he started to pull away, and then he physically moved away for several years before returning. In the meantime, he decided to marry another woman who had been pursuing him while we were dating. I was heartbroken. But, now can look back and see that marrying him would have been a huge mistake for many reasons. I would have been miserable. God truly saved me from a relationship that wasn’t right for me. And now I’m married to a man who is a wonderful husband – best friend and partner. Mary Felkins says: Dawn, I so love this Carpathia story! Thankful God used His omniscience in your favor. And imagine your present husband without you! And the beautiful grandchildren! Thanks for sharing. Enjoy my article, “I Pray You Catch What I Have”, in the fall issue of Refresh Bible Study Magazine To receive Mary's Musings story-style devos and quarterly newsletter via email, subscribe here Join the Most Recent Members of My Community Follow MaryFelkins.com on WordPress.com Follow Mary on Twitter If You Give a Man A Blanket… December 11, 2020 Because of COVID: Giving Thanks November 20, 2020 Do You See What I See? November 13, 2020 All rights reserved. no part of this site may be reproduced without permission. website design by kikadesign.	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line940
__label__wiki	0.61855	0.61855	Home » Artists » Frank Swift Chase Frank Swift Chase Information and Inventory Frank Swift Chase In my earlier years of collecting, the only traditional landscape artist from the Woodstock group that I knew much about was John Carlson. But an exhibition of Frank Swift Chase’s work in 1985 at Vose Gallery in Boston helped change that. I was visiting this venerable establishment of Boston blue blood, and America’s oldest gallery, when I was overwhelmed by a 40" x 50" autumn landscape by Chase (literally overwhelmed because it was hanging in a very tight stairwell and I couldn’t get more than two feet from it). I found it very exciting… and very big. As I viewed the show I appreciated the close connection between John Carlson and Frank Swift Chase. In comparing the palette of these two landscape artists, an article in the Woodstock Times referred to “Carlson’s Scandinavian brooding” and “Chase’s joy in color and paint.” Chase was a physical, joyful lover of nature and the outdoors, with an occasional boxing or wrestling match thrown in. By 1985, about twenty years into collecting, I had become a “stealthy collector,” trying to perfect the art of sneaking the newest acquisition past the wife, into the house, and surviving. No amount of stealth was going to work this time, so as I maneuvered the monster out of my van, I tried telling my wife that Chevy Chase is Frank’s great-nephew—“how cool is that?” It did not deflect her wrath, even though it is true. Some years later, a second example, a juicy little snowscape from Spanierman Gallery, stealthily worked its way into our collection. Frank Swift Chase Gallery	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line942
__label__wiki	0.846576	0.846576	The McKendree Review McKendree University's student-run newspaper Local/Campus News Campus Advertisements Letters from the Editors 2013-14: Vol. 92, Iss. 3, Articles, National News, NEW McK Review Issues, News by McK Review 2014-02-288:06 AM 2014-02-28 Snowmaggeddon: Deadly Winter Storms Blast the South & Northeast BY CHRSTYNA PHILLIPS Hundreds of thousands of homes, schools and businesses were without power in Georgia and the Carolinas as a fierce winter storm cut an icy strip across much of the South, bringing traffic to a complete standstill and stranding both students and travelers. The massive storm threatened to knock out power for hundreds of thousands across the South before turning its sights on the Northeast. More than 100 million Americans were under some form of a winter storm warning, watch, or advisory. More than 4,000 commercial flights were cancelled, and another 2,000 scheduled flights were scrubbed. At least 12 deaths across the South have been reported as a result of this horrific weather. The constant freezing rain, ice, and sleet have been devastating. Snow has been falling in parts of North Carolina, triggering major traffic jams on freeways around Durham and Raleigh, and along Interstate 95 to the east. McK Review We are the official, student-run newspaper of McKendree University. McKendree Home Page Subscribe to The McKendree Review Contribute to YOUR Student Newspaper The McKendree Review is always eager for more writers and photographers to contribute to our student newspaper. Interested in joining the Review Crew? Email us at mckreview@mckendree.edu Eisenmayer 208 701 College Rd. Lebanon, IL 62254 Email: mckreview@mckendree.edu	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line943
__label__wiki	0.633421	0.633421	Commitment to Equity Find a Solar Professional Guides & Factsheets Solar Focus Member Accounts MDV-SEIA American Solar Energy Society (ASES) Established in 1954, the nonprofit American Solar Energy Society (ASES) is the nation's leading association of solar professionals & advocates. Our mission is to inspire an era of energy innovation and speed the transition to a sustainable energy economy. We advance education, research and policy. ASES is the U.S. section of the International Solar Energy Society. We advance fundamental research in nuclear and particle physics to gain a deeper understanding of matter, energy, space, and time; apply photon sciences and nanomaterials research to energy challenges of critical importance to the nation; and perform cross-disciplinary research on climate change, sustainable energy, and Earth’s ecosystems. Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency DSIRE is the most comprehensive source of information on incentives and policies that support renewables and energy efficiency in the United States. Established in 1995, DSIRE is currently operated by the N.C. Solar Center at N.C. State University, with support from the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Inc. DSIRE is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. General Assembly of Delaware The Delaware General Assembly is the legislature of the U.S. state of Delaware. It is a bicameral legislature composed of the Delaware Senate with 21 Senators and the Delaware House of Representatives with 41 Representatives. The General Assembly is Maryland's legislative body and directly represents the electorate. The state has 47 districts represented by 47 Senators and 141 Delegates. General Assembly of Virginia The Virginia General Assembly is the legislative body of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the oldest continuous law-making body in the New World, established on July 30, 1619. The General Assembly is a bicameral body consisting of a lower house, the Virginia House of Delegates, with 100 members, and an upper house, the Senate of Virginia, with 40 members. Combined together, the General Assembly consists of 140 elected representatives from an equal number of constituent districts across the commonwealth. GW Solar Institute on Vimeo The GW Solar Institute identifies, creates, and shares pragmatic solutions to the public policy barriers preventing the adoption and scale of solar energy. At the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), we focus on creative answers to today's energy challenges. From fundamental science and energy analysis to validating new products for the commercial market, NREL researchers are dedicated to transforming the way the world uses energy. North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is the “gold standard” for PV and Solar Heating Installation and PV Technical Sales Certification. Raising industry standards and promoting consumer confidence, NABCEP offers certification and certificate programs to renewable energy professionals throughout North America. The NABCEP is the most respected, well-established, and widely recognized certification organization for North American solar professionals in the field of renewable energy. NABCEP was founded with the mission to support and work with the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries, professionals and stakeholders to develop and implement quality credentialing certification programs for practitioners. Oak Ridge National Laboratory is a multiprogram science and technology laboratory managed for the U.S Department of Energy by UT-Battelle, LLC. Scientists and engineers at ORNL conduct basic and applied research and development to create scientific knowledge and technological solutions that strengthen the nation's leadership in key areas of science; increase the availability of clean, abundant energy; restore and protect the environment; and contribute to national security. ORNL also performs other work for the Department of Energy, including isotope production, information management, and technical program management, and provides research and technical assistance to other organizations. The laboratory is a program of DOE's Oak Ridge Field Office. Rates of Solar Across the sunny South, people are increasingly turning to homegrown, affordable rooftop solar power to meet their energy needs. Some utilities are designing thoughtful programs and policies that encourage rooftop solar investments. Others are finding ways to undermine, and, in some cases, completely put the brakes on solar’s emergence as a feasible, cost-effective choice for customers. Find out if your utility is a maker or braker when it comes to giving you access to clean, affordable solar energy. For more than 60 years, Sandia has delivered essential science and technology to resolve the nation's most challenging security issues. Sandia National Laboratories is operated and managed by Sandia Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corporation. Sandia Corporation operates Sandia National Laboratories as a contractor for the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and supports numerous federal, state, and local government agencies, companies, and organizations. As a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC), Sandia may perform work for industry responding to certain types of federal government solicitations. The solicitation must allow FFRDC participation and meet the requirements of Sandia's management and operating contract with DOE/NNSA. A strong science, technology, and engineering foundation enables Sandia's mission through a capable research staff working at the forefront of innovation, collaborative research with universities and companies, and discretionary research projects with significant potential impact. Smart Electric Power Association (SEPA) The Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to working with electric power stakeholders through the most pressing issues affecting the growth and utilization of smart energy. We are a trusted platform for education, research, standards, and collaboration to help utilities, customers, and other players deploy and integrate solar, storage, demand response and other distributed energy resources. Through educational activities, working groups, peer-to-peer opportunities and advisory services, SEPA engages interested parties in facilitating necessary information exchange and knowledge transfer to offer the highest amount of value for our membership and partner organizations. Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) As the national trade association in the U.S., the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) is the power behind solar energy. Our member companies research, manufacture, distribute, finance, and build solar projects domestically and abroad. Solar United Neighbors Solar United Neighbors is the only organization in the country dedicated to representing the needs and interests of solar owners and supporters. We’ve been helping people go solar, join together, and fight for their energy rights since 2007. We are a 501(c)3 non-profit. Sustainable Energy in America Factbook The Sustainable Energy in America Factbook – produced for the Business Council for Sustainable Energy by Bloomberg New Energy Finance, provides up-to-date, accurate market information about the broad range of industries — energy efficiency, natural gas and renewable energy— that are contributing to the country’s move towards cleaner energy production and more efficient energy usage. The Solar Foundation The Solar Foundation is an independent national 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to demonstrate the global benefits of solar energy through research and education. Founded in 1977 and based in Washington, DC, we are increasing the widespread adoption of solar energy and transforming the marketplace through our coordinated public education & outreach efforts, high-level data collection, and innovative research. The mission of the Energy Department is to ensure America’s security and prosperity by addressing its energy, environmental and nuclear challenges through transformative science and technology solutions. U.S. Energy Information Administration The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) collects, analyzes, and disseminates independent and impartial energy information to promote sound policymaking, efficient markets, and public understanding of energy and its interaction with the economy and the environment. U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC, is an independent agency that regulates the interstate transmission of natural gas, oil, and electricity. FERC also regulates natural gas and hydropower projects. Assist consumers in obtaining economically efficient, safe, reliable, and secure energy services at a reasonable cost through appropriate regulatory and market means, and collaborative efforts. U.S. Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) accelerates development and facilitates deployment of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies and market-based solutions that strengthen U.S. energy security, environmental quality, and economic vitality. Understand Solar We believe that one of the greatest obstacles to the adoption of solar is lack of awareness. As solar power reaches grid parity in the United States–the point at solar energy becomes as cheap or cheaper than power from other sources–the only thing standing in the way of full-scale adoption will be knowing what the options are. Our goal is to help bridge the gap for homeowners with information, news, and how-to’s on going solar. Vote Solar Since 2002, Vote Solar has been working to make solar affordable and accessible to more Americans. We work at the state level all across the country to support the policies and programs needed to repower our grid with clean energy. Vote Solar’s approach to advocacy combines deep technical and policy expertise with public education and mobilization. We build both the fact-based case and the political will needed to accelerate solar progress. Washington D.C. Council As the central and chief policy-making body for the District of Columbia, the Council’s mission is to provide strong, innovative and effective leadership for the benefit of residents across the city. The Council’s central role as a legislative body is to make laws. However, its responsibilities also include oversight of multiple agencies, commissions, boards and other instruments of District government. Washington D.C. Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard The RPS Portal is a convenient and secure way to become a certified renewable energy generator serving the District. Through the RPS Portal, users can submit and track their RPS application and stay informed about the District’s progress towards a sustainable future. Maryland Policy & Regulatory Webinar Slides The webinar will examine the state's COVID-19 response reopening plan, major legislative themes, and key developments at the PSC. MDV-SEIA Advanced Inverter Workshop The workshop will provide background education to local solar, storage and other DER industry staff on maximizing the use of advanced inverter functions (both autonomous and utility controlled) at present and under the new IEEE 1547-2018 standard being deployed nationally in 2022, to meet the District of Columbia's aggressive new statutory solar carve-outs and overall clean energy mandates. MDV-SEIA Virginia Clean Economy Act Webinar Slides The Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA) will bring about many changes in the solar and clean energy industry. MDV-SEIA hosted a webinar to discuss what the VCEA means for businesses and residents in Virginia. Topics covered include: Renewable Portfolio Standard; Deficiency Payments; Distributed Generation Solar; Battery Storage; Ratemaking & SCC Oversight; Low Income Provisions. Solar for Under-Resourced Communities This webinar presented the key findings and recommendations from a new report, Solar with Justice: Strategies for Powering Up Under-Resourced Communities and Growing an Inclusive Solar Economy. This report was produced by a team from the Clean Energy States Alliance, the Jackson State University Department of Urban & Regional Planning, the Partnership for Southern Equity, PaulosAnalysis, the University of Michigan School for Environment & Sustainability, The Nathan Cummings Foundation, and The Solutions Project. SolSmart Workshop: Best Practices for Solar PV Permitting and Inspection - Session 1 Session 1 talks about simplified solar PV permitting guidelines and ways to improve permit review for small solar systems. Session 2 continues to discuss simplified solar PV permitting guidelines and ways to improve permit review for small solar systems. Webinar Video, Maycroft Apartments: A Low-Income Solar+Storage Resiliency Center in DC Clean Energy Group hosted a webinar on a new resilient power project in the District of Columbia. In April 2019, Maycroft Apartments became the first resiliency center in the District of Columbia fully powered by solar+storage. With a rooftop community solar array and a battery storage system, the residents of Jubilee Housing’s Maycroft Apartments will have access to an on-site resiliency center and community space in the event of a power outage. The Resiliency Center powered by Pepco at the affordable housing complex can be powered for up to three days, providing residents with refrigeration for food and medication, lighting, outlets for charging cell phones and other devices, and a television. Assessing the Benefits of Distributed Solar in Virginia Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public... ( In the Fall of 2019, the Maryland-DC-Delaware-Virginia Solar Energy Industries Association (MDV-SEIA) asked the Center for Urban and Regional Analysis (CURA) at Virginia Commonwealth University to evaluate the impacts of the potential purchase, installation, and maintenance of 2,500 MW of new distributed solar photovoltaic (PV) generation capacity in Virginia, addressing the following specific outcomes: • The estimated contributions to the Virginia economy, including direct, indirect, and induced impacts; • The potential impacts on consumer electricity rates; and • The anticipated reductions in greenhouse gases (i.e., carbon dioxide) and other air pollution emissions This report summarizes the findings of the study, organized into three different sections. Section 2 uses an input/output economic model to detail the economic benefits generated by the distributed solar industry in Virginia, both in its current state and with the proposed addition of 2,500 MW of new generation capacity. Section 3 summarizes recent research on the electric grid’s capacity to support distributed solar, the “value” of distributed solar energy to electric utilities, and the impact that increased distributed solar generation could have on retail electricity rates. Finally, Section 4 quantifies the amount of electricity that would be produced by the proposed new distributed solar capacity and the resulting reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) and air pollution emissions. Mangum Economics LLC, The Economic Contribution of Utility Scale Solar Development to Virginia This report provides an analysis of the development of utility scale solar energy in Virginia, the factors driving that development, and what it means for host localities within the state. Mangum Economics revealed large scale solar projects in Virginia provide a greater net fiscal benefit to counties than several other land uses. Agricultural and residential development typically bring with them the need for more schools and emergency services capacity to accommodate population growth, for example, that end up costing counties money rather than netting counties money. MDV-SEIA and SEIA Energy Storage Rulemaking As part of the implementation of the Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA), the SCC welcomed comments today as it considers rulemaking on energy storage targets. MDV-SEIA was among the industry organizations submitting comments (See here). “Passing the Virginia Clean Economy Act set our state on a path to an affordable, pollution-free energy future,” said MDV-SEIA’s Executive Director David Murray. “Now, to bring that bright future to reality, we have to get the rules right. We appreciate the opportunity to work with stakeholders and regulators to establish meaningful targets and define parameters that will ensure the intent of the VCEA is fulfilled.” “Energy storage is a critical component of a reliable clean energy grid. Defining storage targets that complement Virginia’s strong clean energy policies will be the foundation for that reliability and allow us to deploy a storage in a way that provides the greatest benefits and savings for the Commonwealth,” said MDV-SEIA’s Virginia Policy and Development Manager Rachel Smucker. MDV-SEIA Guide for Homeowners Associations on Solar Installations in Virginia The Maryland, DC, and Virginia Solar Energy Industries Association (MDV-SEIA) has recently received numerous inquiries from Virginia HOAs asking us to assist with the writing of solar installation guidelines for their covenants. We have also had requests for assistance from individual home owners whose HOAs were prohibiting their proposed solar arrays. This document is intended to provide MDV-SEIA’s position on the matter, assist HOAs with compliance with the law, and provide general guidelines for what could be considered reasonable restrictions for solar array installations. MDV-SEIA NABCEP Certification Form As a result of House Bill 414 from the 2020 Virginia legislative session, homeowners may now provide documentation by an independent solar panel design specialist certified by NABCEP to show that a restriction deemed by the HOA is not reasonable. This form is intended as a fillable template that solar installers can populate and that a NABCEP professional can review and sign without having to “reinvent the wheel” every time the situation arises. This will streamline the process and is intended to minimize the burdens on the NABCEP reviewer (and thus decrease cost). The form should also provide a credible, formal vehicle for the documentation to ensure approvability by the HOA. MDV-SEIA Overview on Maryland RPS and Land Use A product of good public policy and market growth, Maryland currently supports 165 solar energy companies and employs 5,429 solar workers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national average compensation for solar installers is $18.87 per hour. In 2016, Maryland added 1,160 new solar jobs, a 27% increase from the previous year. Beyond creating jobs and uplifting the local economy, investing in solar demonstrates a community’s commitment to sustainability and presents the opportunity for savings. Solar can also protect communities from rising energy costs and provides an opportunity for homeowners to boost their property values. Businesses can lock in low electricity prices for decades by investing in a solar array. Rubin Group Public Session – 10/30/2017 On June 19, the process of soliciting input regarding Virginia solar programs and policies began with a public meeting held at Virginia Commonwealth University. More than 80 members of the public participated in that conversation. They, and others, were invited to participate in subsequent subgroup meetings which took place leading up to a public session to be held October 30, 2017 in the Patrick Henry Building in Richmond. Based on conversations within those groups, the topics for conversation on October, 30 will cover the areas described in this document. It should not be construed that consensus has been reached or that any of these areas are final recommendations of the Rubin Solar Collaborative Workgroup. Each of these topic areas are provided in advance for discussion purposes only. A Guide to Building a Career in Clean Energy Stephen Lacey, host and producer of "The Energy Gang" and "The Interchange" podcasts, released this guide on LinkedIn for individuals looking to transition to clean energy jobs. A Guide to Green Careers Renewability. Sustainability. Efficiency. These three words describe the engine that will drive the economic growth in the near future and for decades to come. As the world’s economy goes, so goes its jobs market. This guidebook has been created to help readers better understand exactly what lies ahead for job seekers in a renewable, sustainable and more efficient world. If you are interested in finding a career where you can make a difference while making a living, this guidebook is for you. A Maryland Consumer's Guide to Solar Clean Energy for Low-Income Communities Accelerator (CELICA) Toolkit This toolkit provides an overview of tools, resources, and models for developing low-income energy efficiency and renewable energy programs based on work in the U.S. Department of Energy’s CELICA, part of the Better Buildings Initiative Accelerators. This toolkit provides materials to help program administrators reduce energy burden for low-income communities by enhancing and expanding upon work funded through utility, state, or federal programs. These materials are the product CELICA’s 2-year partnership with over 30 stakeholders from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors and does not provide Energy Department-funded program guidance. Climate Change & Colleges Humans played a big role in the changes to the earth’s climate over the last century, and scientists predict catastrophic problems if climate change goes unchecked. America is the second largest contributor to carbon dioxide in the world but accounts for only 4.4% of the global population, which means people in the U.S. can make great strides in the fight against climate change with the right tools, information, and resources. College is a great place to start, and there are many opportunities for involvement as a student. See what climate change experts have to say on the matter and learn more about the different ways you can get involved on campus and beyond. DCRA 2018 Solar Permitting Guidelines Solar in DC has shifted significantly towards commercial installations over the last two years. Because of this shift, DCRA has published an updated Solar Permitting Guidelines. This valuable resource and guide will assist homeowners, developers and the solar industry in understanding DCRA's and related agency's solar permitting processes (including Pepco and Solar Renewable Energy Credits). The new edition of the guide includes updates about the permitting process at DCRA, which has made the shift from paper plans to pure electronic permitting. Diversity Best Practices Guide for the Solar Industry SEIA believes that by having a more diverse workforce, the solar industry and your organizations will be enhanced through broadened recruitment pools, increased retention and a more engaged, productive and fulfilled workforce. Diversity is not a discrete issue area to be handled by the H.R. department, but is instead an active initiative that should permeate all major aspects of the organization. This guide is designed to assist solar companies with the practical application and implementation of diversity initiatives. EnergySage Buyer's Guide: Solar Batteries When you install a solar battery alongside a solar panel system, you can store extra solar electricity produced by your panels for later use after the sun goes down. Solar batteries provide numerous benefits and can lead to increased energy savings, especially for property owners in areas that experience time-variant electricity pricing or unfavorable solar compensation from the grid. Browse solar batteries from top manufacturers on the EnergySage Buyer’s Guide EnergySage Buyer's Guide: Solar Inverters Solar inverters are an essential component in any residential, commercial, or utility-scale solar energy system. Use this guide to compare solar inverter options and understand which products are best for your installation. EnergySage Buyer's Guide: Solar Panels Use this guide to compare solar panel options and understand which products are best for your installation. Estimating the Health Benefits per-Kilowatt Hour of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy EPA has developed a set of values that help state and local government policymakers and other stakeholders estimate the outdoor air quality-related public health benefits of investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy (EE/RE). These monetized values were developed using methods consistent with those EPA uses for health benefits analyses at the federal level. To learn more about the health effects included in the benefits per kilowatt hour (BPK) calculations, please see the technical report. Homeowners Association Solar Action Guide Everyone should have the right to go solar on their property. Some states enshrine that right with solar access laws, which prohibit local governments and homeowners’ associations (HOAs) from preventing homeowners from going solar. Unfortunately, not every state has these laws; even in some that do, HOAs may still have outdated policies that block homeowners’ solar access and propagate solar myths about aesthetics and property values. Solar United Neightbors' guide can help you overcome HOA objections to your solar installation and to provide practical advice to make your HOA solar-friendly. How Owning a Solar System Impacts My Home Value: A Guide to Valuing Residential Solar Energy Systems A guide to various approaches in determining the value of residential solar systems. Low-Income Solar Policy Guide The Low-Income Solar Policy Guide was originally developed and launched in 2016 by nonprofits GRID Alternatives, Vote Solar, and the Center for Social Inclusion, to help drive the proposal and adoption of new low-income solar policies and programs, both as stand-alone efforts and as part of broader renewable energy programs. GRID Alternatives and Vote Solar are current contributing partners to the Guide. It is meant to be a tool for policymakers, community leaders and others who are working on solar access at the federal, state and local level.their development of new on-site solar projects. Principles of Equitable Policy Design for Energy Storage (2019) In December 2018, the Union of Concerned Scientists convened a diverse group of stakeholders to discuss the equitable deployment of energy storage. The group—which included environmental justice and grassroots organizations, policy experts, industry, labor, consumer advocates, faith groups, and renewable energy advocates—collectively developed a set of consensus principles for equitable storage deployment. The principles—which have been signed by 26 participating organizations—are intended to help state policymakers promote energy storage, address the needs of disadvantaged communities, and avoid inadvertent harm. The stakeholders grappled with the following questions: - How can storage be deployed to reduce emissions and improve air quality? - How can storage make communities and residents more resilient to disasters and power outages? - How can storage promote local economic development and job growth? - How can storage help accelerate greater levels of renewable energy on the grid? - How can storage help reduce electricity bills? - How can policymakers ensure that communities have a seat at the table? Solar + Storage Brief 2019: A Guide for Local Governments This guide outlines: Benefits of solar and energy storage for the electric grid and local governments; • Uses of solar and energy storage by local governments; • How to understand the feasibility and economics of storage within a community; • Key elements to include in requests for proposals (RFPs) involving energy storage; and • Resources for communi es interested in implemen ng solar and energy storage. Solar with Justice Under-resourced communities face a disproportionate share of societal burdens and lack access to many of the benefits other communities enjoy. Participation in the solar economy can help ease these burdens and provide low-and middle-income households with economic relief. This report, “Solar with Justice: Strategies for Powering Up Under-Resourced Communities and Growing an Inclusive Solar Market,” aims to accelerate the implementation of solar in under-resourced communities in ways that provide meaningful, long-lasting benefits to those communities. The recommendations in the report set a path forward for increasing solar deployments that result in significant economic, equity, and environmental improvements. SolSmart Issue Brief: Solar & Electrification, a Beneficial Partnership Policies that encourage solar development and policies that encourage electrification can be complementary: low-cost solar power can help make electrification more cost-effective, and electrifying more services can help make solar installations more valuable. Electrification policies also open the door to discussions with the local electric utility regarding how utilities can better support communities’ solar power aspirations. This guide explains how communities can collaborate with their utilities on programs that produce complementary benefits for solar and electrification policies. State Pollinator-Friendly Solar Initiatives Pollinators play a critical role in the production of food and seeds. Approximately one quarter of agricultural production in the United States depends upon pollinators, predominately bees. Since 2006, bee tracking has recorded declines of 30 percent annually. Numerous species of native bees may already be extinct or at risk of extinction. Loss of habitat is one reason the number of pollinators has decreased. Many states have incentives or other programs designed to promote the deployment of solar photovoltaics (PV) to meet climate or clean energy goals. But where fields are cleared for large solar PV projects, it can be at the expense of pollinators, which depend on vegetation for habitat and food. Solar and pollinators, however, need not be at odds. Seven states – Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, South Carolina, and Vermont – have enacted legislation to promote pollinator-friendly solar development. A new white paper by the Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA) provides an overview of these state efforts and offers suggestions for what other states can do to promote solar while also creating or preserving healthy habitats for pollinators. The Solar Automated Permit Processing (SolarAPP) Campaign The Solar Automated Permit Processing (SolarAPP) Campaign will create a low-cost, seamless process for rooftop solar and solar+storage installations, while enhancing safety and reliability. This will make solar energy more affordable and accessible for homeowners and businesses. Toolbox for Renewable Energy Project Development This website examines six key issues that have important implications for developing on-site solar projects. Each topic area offers a brief summary of the issue, identifies key resources, and addresses major questions and hurdles key sustainability experts have identified as information gaps or obstacles in their development of new on-site solar projects. Search GoClear Show all files \| Size: 649 KB 5th Jun 2020 Assessing the Benefits of Distributed Solar in Virginia Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, Center for Urban and Regional Analysis \| Size: 934 KB 5th Jun 2020 The Economic Contribution of Utility Scale Solar Development in Virginia Mangum Economics, LLC \| Size: 763 KB 26th Mar 2020 VCEA Webinar Slides \| Size: 8 MB 1st Apr 2020 CRI Smart Inverter Fundamentals Presentation \| Size: 2 MB 26th Nov 2019 Powering-a-Brighter-Future-VA-2019 \| Size: 19 MB 6th Feb 2019 2018 Maryland Factsheet \| Size: 3 MB 9th Mar 2018 SolarJobsCensus2017 \| Size: 1 MB 5th Jul 2017 Solar Foundation VA Jobs Factsheet 2017 \| Size: 984 KB 5th Jul 2017 Solar Foundation DE Jobs Factsheet 2017 \| Size: 1 MB 5th Jul 2017 Solar Foundation MD Jobs Factsheet 2017 \| Size: 345 KB 5th Jul 2017 Solar Foundation DC Jobs Factsheet 2017 \| Size: 367 KB 5th Jul 2017 2016 Census Economic Impacts \| Size: 505 KB 5th Jul 2017 US Solar Market Insight 2016 \| Size: 10 MB 5th Jul 2017 State of the Electric Utility Survey 2017 \| Size: 4 MB 5th Jul 2017 Solar Grid Parity in a Low Oil Price Era \| Size: 144 KB 8th Feb 2017 Solar Power Rocks_Rooftop State Rankings_Infographic_2017 \| Size: 5 MB 8th Feb 2017 SolarFoundation_National Solar Jobs Census_FullReport_2016 \| Size: 3 MB 8th Feb 2017 SolarFoundation_National Solar Jobs Census_Infographic_2016 \| Size: 2 MB 7th Feb 2017 Multi_State Ranking for Corporate Clean Energy Procurement_Report_2017 \| Size: 7 MB 7th Feb 2017 SEIA_Solar Means Business_Infographic_2016S \| Size: 2 MB 7th Feb 2017 SEIA_SolarMeansBusiness_Report2016_Final \| Size: 585 KB 7th Feb 2017 SEIA_ITC Extension Job Creation_Factsheet_2016 \| Size: 11 MB 7th Feb 2017 SolarFoundation_SolarJobsCensus_FullReport_2015 \| Size: 365 KB 7th Feb 2017 SolarFoundation_StateSolarJobsCensus_Report_VA_2015 \| Size: 305 KB 7th Feb 2017 SolarFoundation_StateSolarJobsCensus_Report_MD_2015 \| Size: 278 KB 7th Feb 2017 SolarFoundation_StateSolarJobsCensus_Report_DE_2015 \| Size: 287 KB 7th Feb 2017 SolarFoundation_StateSolarJobsCensus_Report_DC_2015 \| Size: 2 MB 7th Feb 2017 Solar Foundation_Study on Solar in Maryland Schools_Report_2015 \| Size: 547 KB 7th Feb 2017 Solar Foundation_StepsToASuccessfulSolarRFP_Report_2015 \| Size: 556 KB 7th Feb 2017 SEIA_Solar Fact Sheet_Infographic_VA_2016 \| Size: 762 KB 7th Feb 2017 SEIA_Solar Fact Sheet_Infographic_MD_2016.pdf \| Size: 730 KB 7th Feb 2017 SEIA_Solar Fact Sheet_Infographic_DE_2016.pdf \| Size: 558 KB 7th Feb 2017 SEIA_Solar Fact Sheet_Infographic_DC_2016.pdf \| Size: 4 MB 7th Feb 2017 Solar Foundation_National Solar Jobs Census_Report_2015 \| Size: 19 MB 7th Feb 2017 Solar Foundation_National Solar Census_Factsheet_2015 \| Size: 9 MB 7th Feb 2017 DOE_Renewable Energy Data Book_Report_2016 \| Size: 7 MB 7th Feb 2017 NREL_Shared Solar- Current Landscape, Market Potential, and the Impact of Federal Securities Regulation_Report_2015 \| Size: 8 MB 7th Feb 2017 Capital E_Achieving Urban Resilience_Full Report_ DC_2016 \| Size: 3 MB 7th Feb 2017 DOE_US Energy and Jobs Report_Report_2017 \| Size: 4 MB 7th Feb 2017 EPA - Community Solar in Landfills Full Report \| Size: 2 MB 24th Jun 2015 AEE Competitiveness of Renewable Energy and EE in US Markets \| Size: 1 MB 17th Jun 2015 Solar Policy Brief: Community Solar, Best Practices for Utilities in the South \| Size: 16 MB 20th May 2015 MIT Future of Solar Energy Study 2015 \| Size: 2 MB 14th May 2015 NREL - Treatment of Solar Generation in Electric Utility Resource Planning \| Size: 4 MB 14th May 2015 Technology Roadmap - Solar PV 2014 version \| Size: 2 MB 14th May 2015 Morgan Stanley Solar Power & Energy Storage Blue Paper - Policy Factors v. Improving Economics July 29 2014 \| Size: 1 MB 6th May 2015 Maryland Faces of Solar - 2012 \| Size: 255 KB 6th May 2015 SOLAR ENERGY MARKET LEVELS AND TRENDS - Maryland, DC, Virginia Jan 2011 \| Size: 237 KB 1st May 2015 Solar Power to the People- The Rise of Rooftop Solar Among The Middle Class \| Size: 3 MB 1st May 2015 Solar Means Business 2013 \| Size: 3 MB 1st May 2015 SEIA SHC Roadmap-Final-9.30 \| Size: 260 KB 1st May 2015 ABCS-11_1page \| Size: 5 MB 1st May 2015 2013 National Census - Job Results Full Report from GTM \| Size: 4 MB 1st May 2015 US SMI Q2 2014 Full Report \| Size: 3 MB 1st May 2015 GTM_Research_Solar_Executive_Briefing_-_Q2_2014 \| Size: 3 MB 1st May 2015 Maryland Solar Jobs Census 2014 \| Size: 2 MB 1st May 2015 utilitydive_seu_2015_survey of 400 utility executives \| Size: 1 MB 1st May 2015 Solar-Fundamentals-Volume-1 \| Size: 7 MB 7th Feb 2017 Shared Solar - Current Landscape, Market Potential, and the Impact of Federal Securities Regulation \| Size: 2 MB 7th Feb 2017 ITC - Alternatives to Anticipated 2017 Step-Down \| Size: 1 MB 7th Feb 2017 Importance of State Level Policies \| Size: 1,008 KB 7th Feb 2017 Feasibility Study for Commercial Sector Solarize Program - Final Next »Page 1 of « Prev Regional Solar Industry News ■ Join ■ Blog ■ Resources ■ Board Solar Flare keeps you up-to-date on solar events, news, and issues at the local and national levels.	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line945
__label__wiki	0.516849	0.516849	Chat filipina singles c2c 220 1 dating advice for man Dating tiv show tlc 31-Mar-2020 23:46 / 299 comments / 102 views Eric Clapton: A Life in 12 Bars (Showtime) This deeply personal documentary gets intimate with the legendary (and legendarily complex) musician. (Showtime) Executive produced by Stephen Colbert, this animated series about you know who promises to “follow the tru-ish misadventures of the 45th President of the United States, Donald J. (BET) Guest stars for the second season of the series, which stars Anika Noni Rose and centers on the goings-on at a prestigious Black college, include Antwan “Big Boi” Patton Sr., Sheryl Lee Ralph, and Jasmine Guy.There, the team will investigate the 2004 murder of 28-year-old Carrie Singer, who was found beaten and half-naked in a field.(Netflix) Having moved from Crackle to its new home on Netflix, Jerry Seinfeld’s popular web series will reportedly feature guests like Dave Chappelle, Tom Hanks, and Kate Mc Kinnon for its tenth season. Discovery crew forced to get creative in their next efforts to survive opposing and unprecedented forces and return home.” (HBO) Premiering on what would have been Bowie’s 71st birthday, this documentary will follow the glam-rock god through his final projects and his creative process as well as his battle with liver cancer.Four episodes will air over consecutive Friday nights and cover topics like dating white baes, sex, New York living, which borough has the best pizza and (appropriately, given the network) Cocoa Khaleesis.Guest stars include Uzo Aduba, Tituss Burgess, Jon Stewart, Sarah Jessica Parker and more. Morgan’s cyberpunk noir novel, this series is set 300 years in the future and covers everything from murder and love to sex and betrayal.We find detective Eva Thornblad (Moa Gammel) returning to her old job in Stockholm, where she attempts to put the past behind her. (ID) The network has partnered with novelist James Patterson on this endeavor. Free dating sex sites aiken Dirty no user webcam big boobed women uk dating Live cam sex me and strangers Hotchatdirect com reqests speed dating danville illinois... dating anchorage... gaurav khanna yami gautam dating... best online dating for spanish singles invalide dating Free cybersex chat no sign ups no email required and no fee	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line946
__label__cc	0.609962	0.390038	Dungeons & Dragons Online Platinum Server: ---Select server---ArgonnessenCannithDevourerGhallandaKeeperKhyberOrienSarlonaThelanis ---Select amount--- 1mn Platinum 2mn Platinum 5mn Platinum 10mn Platinum 20mn Platinum Select currency: AUDCADCNYDKKEURGBPHKDJPYKRWNOKUSD Dungeons & Dragons Online Platinum Price History On this page you'll see a listing of providers from which you can buy DDO Platinum. This overview not only includes the Dungeons & Dragons Online Platinum prices of every shop, but also a customer rating. Shops listed as trusted sellers have a proven track record and are usually safe to buy from. Our DDO Platinum list has been last updated on January 17, 2021. The next update is scheduled for January 19, 2021. As of January 18, 2021 the median price for 5mn is $172.15. Currently there are 7 Dungeons & Dragons Online Platinum prices in our database. About DDO Platinum Dungeons & Dragons Online (DDO) is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) developed by Turbine, Inc. The game is adapted from Dungeons & Dragons series. The game sets in the world of Eberron and centers around character advancement and challenging dungeon combats. Players choose and develop a character based on some of the D&D races. They can socialize, group together for future quests and battle in the world of DDO. The story of the game starts (after character creation) with the player being shipwrecked on Korthos Island. The player can choose from 13 playable classes that is open to all 8 races namely Humans, Elves, Dwarves, Halflings, Warforged, Drow, Half Elf, and Half Orc. Dungeons & Dragons Online Platinum is the currency in Dungeons and Dragons Online. There are many ways to earn DDO platinum. It can be gained through the sale of items or found on dungeon runs and most quests have monetary reward when finished. In DDO, there is no need for camping to farm loots from respawned mobs as kills are only required by the party. Loot is generated and divided up automatically whenever you open a treasure chest. DDO Platinum is used to buy gears and skill points to become more powerful. However, in DDO there is a restriction to the items you may use, if you are low level you cannot wear certain items. Buying virtual currency by Real Money Trading is against Turbine's policy but often players are willing to do that especially when they have limited time and want to level up faster.	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line948
__label__cc	0.740757	0.259243	Modern Borefare Better than a six demon bag What’s Modern Borefare? kentuckyjayheadstone With a Jolt, My Mind Awakens…Chapter Ninety-Four: Flamethrowers, Construction Equipment, Samurai Swords and Disco vs. Snakes…Guess Who Wins…! Stop. Stop your life and go to YouTube. Turn off “The Walking Dead”, “House of Cards”, “Big Bang Theory”, “Outlander”, “True Blood”…just shut it all down and go to YouTube. I have something you need to see: Your expectations, whatever they may be, are going to be Blue Oyster Cult-face melted. This movie is the Mad Max of Snakebite Cinema. Plotline: A mass of snakes attack the partygoers at a new apartment building. Sounds B-Movie, right? Like Dean Cain and Kari Wuhrer should be right in the thick of the monster, right? No way, brother. This movie’s different. WAYYYYY different. Up there’s your protagonist. He’s introduced in the film via a magic box that reveals his entire body covered in venomous slitherers, including a fanged friend that our temporary hero has concealed in this throat. Jeezus H. Crackers. A closer look at the guru. He’s mildly humorous, a guy I call a “Stakeout” hybrid: looks like Richard Dreyfuss, and a dub like a root beer-garglin’ Emilio Estevez. Anywho, he has a slobberknocker with a big bad boa constrictor and disappears from the movie, squinty-eyed and coarse of frame, real Clint Eastwood-like. What splatters this flick in the goriest smears of unique is its wanton, jaw-dropping, scream-inducing brutality. You know that statement that plays in the credits of animal movies, like “The Adventures of Milo and Otis” and “Free Willy” – No animals were harmed during the making of this movie. Wellllllll, this is NOT one o’ those family-friendly crowdpleasers. This movie utilizes thousands of snakes and not a SINGLE snake stunt serpent. Those snakes being crushed by construction equipment – real. Those snakes being hacked to pieces by shovels and picks – real. Those snakes being charbroiled by flamethrowers – real. You are also treated to a loonnngggg sequence of a pack of mongooses being unleashed on the snakes. This sequence is lengthy beyond merely moving along the plot. This movie had been kept in the archives, the swamplands of the archives, for many years until a grindhouse devotee found an uncut product and nailed it to YT. It’s the stuff of parties. Invite your friends and drink yourselves to a stupor, doin’ shots whenever a snake loses a head or writhes & whirls after being severed in two pieces. We’re all doomed beyond a Happy Meal, anyway, so indulge this crap and never again squash a garter snake. Hey, Peter…GRINDHOUSE. Oh, f*ck off, yah baah-stid. ← Friday Night Flix: Big Ass Spider Trailer Park: Powers → Who is writing this?! 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__label__cc	0.511581	0.488419	Licensing & Inspections Pay for it Apply for it Report it Latest News What's On You are here: Home / About The Council / Meetings, agenda, minutes Notice of Key Decisions Your County Councillors In this section you can access a wide range of information and documents relating to the council’s decision making processes, find out about forthcoming Council meetings and decisions and obtain details for your local political representatives. Information regarding Council, Executive and committee meetings. You can find the agendas, minutes of previous meetings, as well as officer reports discussed at previous meetings. Information is also provided on dates of future meetings, and issues that will be discussed in future. Details of this council’s MPs, MEPs, councillors , county councillors and Mayor. People living or working in the Borough may attend a meeting of the Council, the Executive, the Scrutiny board, a committee or a panel to speak on a matter that is due to be discussed. Details on how to make a deputation. You can access and sign current ePetitions submitted to this Council, as well as accessing information on ePetitions that have already been completed. It is also possible to subscribe to updates in order to receive information via e-mail regarding particular issues and committee meetings. The Council is committed to being open and transparent in the way it conducts its decision making, You are welcome to report the proceedings of any meeting held in public by using social media, recording or filming. A copy of our policy can be found here. Contact details for the council representatives on outside bodies and forums that are independent from the council. Information regarding the decisions taken by Executive, committees, etc, as well as officer delegated decisions taken by council officers. To view documents in pdf format you will require the free Adobe Acrobat Reader software. Councillors, Council and Democracy, Elections and Voting, Meetings and Decisions, Corporate Governance and Standards, Data Protection, Freedom of Information, Strategies, policies and plans, Financial Information, Citizen of Honour Awards How to claim, Change to your existing claim, Information for working age people, Information for pensioners, Information for landlords, Report a fraud, Forms, Appeals, Overpayments, Extra Help Bereavement and Advice, Registering a Death, Legal and financial matters, Funerals and Burials, Cemeteries, Portchester Crematorium Fareham Economy, Doing Business with the Council, Business Rates Abandoned Vehicles, Beaches & Foreshore, Enforcement, Fly Tipping, Litter & Dog Fouling, Graffiti & Flyposting, Grounds Maintenance, Public Conveniences, Street Cleaning, Street Furniture, Vandalism Paying your Council Tax, Discounts and exemptions, How is my Council Tax calculated, Have your circumstances changed? What is Community Funding, How do I Apply, Projects we've helped Consultations, E-panel, Comments, compliments and complaints, CATs, Young People, Deputations at meetings, Petitions, Social Media Existing Council Tenants, Looking for a Home, Homelessness, Housing Strategies and Policies, Help to Stay in Your Home, Landlords, Energy Efficiency & Improving Your Home, Estates Current Vacancies, Continue Job Application, Working at the council, Applying for a job, Equality and Inclusion, Receiving regular job updates, Apprenticeships at Fareham Borough Council Sport and Fitness, Parks and Open Spaces, What's On, Tourism, Discover Fareham, Ferneham Hall, Community Centres, Westbury Manor Museum Air quality, Contaminated land, Environmental pollution and nuisance, Food safety, Health and safety at work, Licensing, Noise nuisance, Pest control, Dog control Parking in Fareham Town Centre, Parking for disabled people, Pay a penalty notice, Parking permits, Parking reports, Real time car park availability, Parking strategies, Traffic Management Planning & Building Control Applications and advice, Planning Enforcement, Building Control, Fareham Borough Local Plan, Major Regeneration Sites, New Community North of Fareham, Conservation, Coast Protection and Flooding, Trees Report it, CCTV, Anti-social behaviour, Vandalism and criminal damage, Keeping safe, Domestic violence, How safe is Fareham, Emergency planning, Community Safety Recycling, Refuse, Bulky Waste Collections, Garden Waste and Composting, Commercial Waste View Fareham Fareham Borough Council, Civic Offices, Civic Way, Hampshire, PO16 7AZ Tel: +44 (0) 1329 236100 \| Mobile Text/Photo: 07876 131415 \| Fax: +44 (0) 1329 821770 Use of Cookies \| Disclaimer \| Privacy Statement	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line951
__label__wiki	0.933216	0.933216	Published: Saturday, 02 January 2021 20:23 Former Roscommon Senior Footballer Donie Shine has been forced to retire from Gaelic Football due to injury. Clann nan Gael have this evening confirmed the news. Shine helped his club to county titles in 2015 & 2018 and kicked the winning score for Roscommon In the 2010 Connacht Final. Shine rose to prominence in 2006 as part of Roscommon’s All-Ireland minor football victory after a final replay against Kerry before winning Connacht U21 and senior medals four years later for the county. Donie made 72 appearances for Roscommon scoring a brilliant 4-243 along the journey and was involved in the senior setup until 2016. Roscommon GAA Clann na nGael Donie Shine LISTEN: Roscommon footballer talks about her experience with Covid-19 Joanne Cregg (27) is a Roscommon & Michael Glaveys footballer but she is also a Junior Doctor at University Hospital Galway. Joanne was speaking to Tommy about the current situation in the hospital and her own experience when she contracted Covid-19. MidWest… Mayo All-star goalkeeper David Clarke confirmed his retirement from Inter-county football after 20 years of service to the county. He made a total of 133 appearances for the Mayo Senior team. He made his league debut in 2002 against Kildare and made the first… LISTEN: Mayo GAA Chairman Liam Moffatt on the Sunday Sports Show The CCC of the Mayo County Board will meet tomorrow night to discuss and plan towards the restart of games. The GAA released it’s roadmap on Friday for the return of action. From tomorrow dedicated GAA walking tracks may be used for recreational use in groups…	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line952
__label__cc	0.692524	0.307476	It’s been just a little over two weeks since my last update, so let’s see where we are! A number of our projects are centered around trying to improve start-up time. Start-up can mean a lot of things, so we’re focused specifically on cold start-up on the Windows 10 2018 reference device when the machine is at rest. If you want to improve something, the first thing to do is measure it. There are lots of ways to measure start-up time, and one of the ways we’ve been starting to measure is by doing frame recording analysis. This is when we capture display output from a testing device, and then analyze the videos. This animated GIF shows eight videos. The four on the left are Firefox Nightly, and the four on the right are Google Chrome (71.0.3578.98). The videos are aligned so that both browsers are started at the same time. The four on the left are Firefox Nightly, and the four on the right are Google Chrome (71.0.3578.98) Some immediate observations: Firefox Nightly is consistently faster to reach first paint (that’s the big white window) Firefox Nightly is consistently faster to draw its toolbar and browser UI Google Chrome is faster at painting its initial content This last bullet is where the team will be focusing its efforts – we want to have the initial content painted and settled much sooner than we currently do. Document Splitting Foundations (In-Progress by Doug Thayer) After some pretty significant refactorings to work better with APZ, Doug posted a new stack of patches late last week which will sit upon the already large stack of patches that have already landed. There are still a number of reviews pending on the main stack, but this work appears to be getting pretty close to conclusion, as the patches are in the final review and polish stage. After this, once retained display lists are enabled in the parent process, and an API is introduced to WebRender to generate frames for multiple documents in a single transaction, we can start thinking about enabling document splitting by default. Warm-up Service (In-Progress by Doug Thayer) A Heartbeat survey went out a week or so back to get some user feedback about a service that would speed up the launching of Firefox at the cost of adding some boot time to Windows. The responses we’ve gotten back have been quite varied, but can be generally bucketed into three (unsurprising) groups: Users who say they do not want to make this trade Users who say they would love to make this trade Users who don’t care at all about this trade Each group is sufficiently large to warrant further exploration. Our next step is to build a version of this service that we can turn on and off with a pref and test either in a lab and/or out in the wild with a SHIELD study. Startup Cache Telemetry (In-Progress by Doug Thayer) We do a number of things to try to improve real and perceived start-up time. One of those things is to cache things that we calculate at runtime during start-up to the disk, so that for subsequent start-ups, we don’t have to do those calculations again. There are a number of mechanisms that use this technique, and Doug is currently adding some Telemetry to see how they’re behaving in the wild. We want to measure cache hits and misses, so that we know how healthy our cache system is out in the wild. If we get signals back that our start-up caches are missing more than we expect, this will highlight an important area for us to focus on. Smoother Tab Animations (In-Progress by Felipe Gomes) UX has gotten back to us with valuable feedback on the current implementation, and Felipe is going through it and trying to find the simplest way forward to address their concerns. Having been available (though disabled by default) on Nightly, we’ve discovered one bug where the tab strip can become unresponsive to mouse events. Felipe is currently working on this. Lazy Hidden Window (In-Progress by Felipe Gomes) Under the hood, Firefox’s front-end has a notion of a “hidden window”. This mysterious hidden window was originally introduced long long ago1 for MacOS, where it’s possible to close all windows yet keep the application running. Since then, it’s been (ab)used for Linux and Windows as well, as a safe-ish place to do various operations that require a window (since that window will always be around, and not go away until shutdown). That window opens pretty early during start-up, and Felipe found an old patch that was written, and then abandoned to make its construction lazier. Felipe thinks we can still make this idea work, and has noted that in our internal benchmarks, this shaves off a few percentage points on our start-up tests Activity Stream seems to depend on the hidden window early enough that we think we’re going to have to find an alternative there, but once we do, we should get a bit of a win on start-up time. Browser Adjustment Project (In-Progress by Gijs Kruitbosch) Gijs updated the patch so that the adjustment causes the main thread to skip every other VSync rather than swithing us to 30fps globally2. We passed the patch off to Denis Palmeiro, who has a sophisticated set-up that allows him to measure a pageload benchmark using frame recording. Unfortunately, the results we got back suggested that the new approach regressed visual page load time significantly in the majority of cases. We’re in the midst of using the same testing rig to test the original global 30fps patch to get a sense of the magnitude of any improvements we could get here. Denis is also graciously measuring the newer patch to see if it has any positive benefits towards power consumption. Better about:newtab Preloading (In-Progress by Gijs Kruitbosch) By default, users see about:newtab / a.k.a Activity Stream when they open new tabs. One of the perceived performance optimizations we’ve done for many years now is to preload the next about:newtab in the background so that the next time that the user opens a tab, the about:newtab is all ready to roll. This is a perceived performance optimization where we’re moving work around rather than doing less work. Right now, we preload a tab almost immediately after the first tab is opened in a window. That means that the first opened tab is never preloaded, but the second one is. This is for historical reasons, but we think we can do better. Gijs is working on making it so that we choose a better time to preload the tab – namely, when we’ve found an idle pocket of time where the user doesn’t appear to be doing anything. This should also mean that the first new tab that gets opened might also be preloaded, assuming that enough idle time was made available to trigger the preload. And if there wasn’t any idle time, that’s also good news – we never got in the users way by preloading when it’s clear they were busy doing something else Experiments with the Process Priority Manager (In-Progress by Mike Conley) The Process Priority Manager has been enabled on Nightly for a few weeks now. Except for a (now fixed) issue where audio playing in background tabs would drop samples periodically, it’s been all quiet for regression reports. The next step is to file a bug to run an experiment on Beta to see how this work impacts page load time. Enable the separate Activity Stream content process by default (Stalled by Mike Conley) This work is temporarily stalled while I work on other things, so there’s not too much to report here. Grab bag of notable performance work Makoto Kato got rid of some more sync IPC Gijs Kruitbosch made it so that we don’t preload about:newtab’s for browser windows that have just been restored Doug Thayer made it so that we paint less when restoring sessions with pinned tabs Check out that commit date – 2003! ↩ The idea here being that we can then continue to composite scrolling and video at 60fps, but main thread paints will only be updated at 30fps ↩ This entry was posted in Firefox, Mozilla and tagged performance on February 25, 2019 by Mike. Well, here I am again – apologizing about a late update. Lots of stuff has been going on performance-wise in the Firefox code-base, and I’ll just be covering a small section of it here. You might also notice that I changed the title of the blog series from “Firefox Performance Update” to “Firefox Front-end Performance Update”, to reflect that the things the Firefox Front-end Performance team is doing to keep Firefox speedy (though I’ll still add a grab-bag of other performance related work at the end). So what are we waiting for? What’s been going on? Migrate consumers to the new Places Observer system (Paused by Doug Thayer) Doug was working on this later in 2018, and successfully ported a good chunk of our bookmarks code to use the new batched Places Observer system. There’s still a long-tail of other call sites that need to be updated to the new system, but Doug has shifted focus from this to other things in the meantime. Document Splitting (In-Progress by Doug Thayer) With WebRender becoming an ever-closer reality to our general user population, Doug has been focusing on “Document Splitting”, which makes WebRender more efficient by splitting updates that occur in the browser UI from updates that occur in the content area. This has been a pretty long-haul task, but Doug has been plugging away, and landed a significant chunk of the infrastructure for this. At this time, Doug is working with kats to make Document Splitting integrate nicely with Async-Pan-Zooming (APZ). The current plan is for Document Splitting to land disabled by default, since it’s blocked by parent-process retained display lists (which still have a few bugs to shake out). Doug is investigating the practicalities of having a service run during Windows start-up to preload various files that Firefox will need when started. Doug’s prototype shows that this can save us something like 1 second of net start-up time, at least on the reference hardware. We’re still researching this at multiple levels, and haven’t yet determined if this is a thing that we’d eventually want to ship. Stay tuned. After much ado, simplification, and review back-and-forth, the initial set of new tab animations have landed in Nightly. You can enable them by setting browser.tabs.newanimations to true in about:config and then restarting the browser. These new animations run entirely on the compositor, instead of painting at each refresh driver tick, so they should be smoother than the current animations that we ship. There are still some cases that need new animations, and Felipe is waiting on UX for those. Overhauling about:performance (V1 Completed by Florian Quèze) The new about:performance shipped late last year, and now shows both energy as well as memory usage of your tabs and add-ons. The current iteration allows you to close the tabs that are hogging your resources. Current plans should allow users to pause JavaScript execution in busy background tabs as well. Gijs has landed some patches in Nightly (which have recently uplifted to Beta, and are only enabled on early Betas), which lowers the default frame rate of Firefox from 60fps to 30fps on devices that are considered “low-end”1. This has been on Nightly for a while, but as our Nightly population tends to skew to more powerful hardware, we expect not a lot of users have experienced the impact there. At least one user has noticed the lowered frame rate on Beta, and this has highlighted that our CPU sampling code doesn’t take dynamic changes to clock speed into account. While the lowered frame rate seemed to have a positive impact on page load time in the lab on our “low-end” reference hardware, we’re having a much harder time measuring any appreciable improvement in CI. We have scheduled an experiment to see if improvements are detectable via our Telemetry system on Beta. We need to be prepared that this particular adjustment will either not have the desired page load improvement, or will result in a poorer quality of experience that is not worth any page load improvement. If that’s the case, we still have a few ideas to try, including: Lowering the refresh driver tick, rather than the global frame rate. This would mean things like scrolling and videos would still render at 60fps, but painting the UI and web content would occur at a lower frequency. Use the hardware vsync again (switching to 30fps turns hardware vsync off), but just paint every other time. This is to test whether or not software vsync results in worse page load times than hardware vsync. Avoiding spurious about:blank loads in the parent process (Completed by Gijs Kruitbosch) Gijs short-circuited a bunch of places where we were needlessly creating about:blank documents that we were just going to throw away (see this bug and dependencies). There are still a long tail of cases where we still do this in some cases, but they’re not the common cases, and we’ve decided to apply effort for other initiatives in the meantime. This was originally Doug Thayer’s project, but I’ve taken it on while Doug focuses on the epic mountain that is WebRender Document Splitting. If you recall, the goal of this project is to lower the process priority for tabs that are only sitting in the background. This means that if you have tabs in the background that are attempting to use system resources (running JavaScript for example), those tabs will have less priority at the operating system level than tabs that are in the foreground. This should make it harder for background tabs to cause foreground tabs to be starved of processing resources. After clearing a few final blockers, we enabled the Process Priority Manager by default last week. We also filed a bug to keep background tabs at a higher priority if they’re playing audio and video, and the fix for that just landed in Nightly today. So if you’re on Windows on Nightly, and you’re curious about this, you can observe the behaviour by opening up the Windows Task Manager, switching to the “Details” tab, and watching the “Base priority” reading on your firefox.exe processes as you switch tabs. Cheaper tabs in titlebar (Completed by Mike Conley) After an epic round of review (thanks, Dao!), the patches to move our tabs-in-titlebar logic out of JS and into CSS landed late last year. Along with simplifying our code, and hammering out at least one pretty nasty layout bug, this also had the benefit of reducing the number of synchronous reflows caused when opening new windows to zero. This project is done! Enable the separate Activity Stream content process by default (In-Progress by Mike Conley There’s one known bug remaining that’s preventing us from letting the privileged content process from being enabled by default. Thankfully, the cause is understood, and a fix is being worked on. Unfortunately, this is one of those bugs where the proper solution involves refactoring a bit of old crufty stuff, so it’s taking longer than I’d like. Still, if all goes well, this bug should be closed out soon, and we can see about letting the privileged content process ride the trains. This is an informal list of things that I’ve seen land in the tree lately that I believe will have a positive performance impact for our users. Have you seen something that you’d like to nominate for a future list? Submit the bug here! Also, keep in mind that some of these landed months ago and already shipped to release. That’s what I get for taking so long to write a blog post. Back in October, Gabriel Luong landed a set of patches that greatly improved the time to open DevTools panels. Web developers rejoice! Check out these public dashboards for more information on DevTools performance. Sotaro Ikeda made it so that, with WebRender enabled, we do less frame invalidation with slow animations. This is great for energy usage! Joel Maher made it so that Talos jobs can be retriggered from Treeherder so that they produce profiles! This means no re-pushing if you need to diagnose a Talos regression. That’s great news! Gabriele Svelto made it so that the minidump analyzer, which runs after a crash has occurred to produce stack dumps for crash pings, runs with much lower process priority. This means that the CPU is being hogged less after a crash, when you’re likely to want to get right back to what you were doing. Paolo Amadini got rid of a whole layer of DOM between the primary UI and the <browser> elements for each tab, resulting in some nice perf wins! A pleasant side-effect from the ongoing de-XBL work! Mathieu Leplatre moved a bunch of client-side off of the main-thread to a Worker. This should help keep the main thread free and clear to process user events and keep the browser responsive. Dan Holbert made layout calculations faster in certain situations, which resulted in some nice wins! Jed Davis made it so that we preallocate the next content process off of the main thread. This is great for responsiveness, and helps set the stage for more off-main-thread process launchings. Makoto Kato made spellchecking in web content asynchronous! This means we get to drop another sync IPC message, which is good for everybody. Olli Pettay made it so that we don’t tick the refresh driver for a page as often when we’re still loading it. That should have a nice impact on page load performance! Randall Jesup made it so that setTimeout’s run with very low priority during page load. This also should have a nice impact on page load performance! For now, “low-end” means a machine with 2 or fewer cores, and a clock speed of 1.8Ghz or slower ↩ This entry was posted in Firefox, Mozilla and tagged firefox, performance on February 6, 2019 by Mike.	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line954
__label__wiki	0.993548	0.993548	Man In Critical Condition After Shooting In South MinneapolisA man is fighting for his life Monday morning following a shooting in south Minneapolis. 'Lena Waithe Brings A Truthful Voice For Black Women & Black People': Yolonda Ross On Season 3 Of Showtime's 'The Chi'The actor discusses the importance of showcasing the stories of Black women and what to expect the rest of the season on "The Chi." 'It's The Full Expression Of What It Means To Be A Woman': Jonica T. Gibbs & Sophina Brown On BET's 'Twenties'The star's of BET's new hit comedy explain why this show resonates with people and the importance of friendship in your 20's. 'This Show Is About Pursuing Your Dreams With Your Chosen Family': Christina Elmore & Gabrielle Graham On BET's 'Twenties'The stars of the new BET series discuss best advice for people in their 20's and what this show says about friendship. 'We Need To Have Diverse Stories': Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine On Showtime's 'The Chi'The star of "The Chi" on Showtime discusses the many layers of his character Ronnie Davis and why this show is so important today with the conversations happening nationally about racial injustice. 'We Take On Huge Social Issues': Curtiss Cook On Showtime's 'The Chi'The actor discusses season three of "The Chi" on Showtime and why this show so relevant to the conversation about racial injustice. 'Lena Waithe Taught Us How To Stand In Our Truth': Birgundi Baker On Showtime's 'The Chi'The actor shares what fans can expect on season three of the series and what it means to be a Black actor who tells Black stories. 'You See The Complexity Of The Black Man In Today's Era': Curtiss Cook On 'The Chi', Steven SpielbergCook discusses season two of "The Chi" on Showtime and what it has been like working with Steven Spielberg on "West Side Story." Lena Waithe & Common Discuss 'The Chi'Emmy Winner Lena Waithe and Academy Award & Grammy winner Common discuss their new show "The Chi." WCCO Weather Watcher 9:00 AMWCCO Mid-Morning 12:00 PMWCCO 4 News at Noon 12:30 PMThe Bold and the Beautiful U.S. Capitol Stormed From CBSNews National Guard troops being vetted as they arrive to guard CapitolSecurity officials are concerned about an insider attack or other threat from service members involved in securing the inauguration. New museum honors African American musicians who "paved the way"The National Museum of African American Music has more than 1,600 artifacts and memorabilia to help tell the story of Black trailblazers and innovators. Biden plans executive action on immigration, but warns of delay on billThe president-elect told Latino leaders that his immigration bill may not pass during his first 100 days in office, citing the pandemic and Senate impeachment trial. Kamala Harris' Alpha Kappa Alpha line sisters talk about early years of the future vice presidentVice President-elect Kamala Harris has never been shy about sharing her love for her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Three of her line sisters joined "CBS The Morning: Saturday" co-host Michelle Miller at Howard University to talk about the early days of the future vice president of the United States. Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. as nation reckons with racial injusticeCBS News political contributor Antjuan Seawright joins CBSN to discuss the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., 53 years after his assassination, as the nation continues to reckon with racial injustice. Washington, D.C. security tightens ahead of Biden's InaugurationSecurity is on high alert in Washington, D.C. and at state capitol buildings across the U.S. ahead of Wednesday's presidential inauguration. CBS News correspondent Nikole Killion reports from the White House, and CBS News senior investigative correspondent Catherine Herridge joins CBSN's Lana Zak with more details about the security cues officials are getting from intelligence bulletins. National Guard troops securing Washington ahead of Biden's inaugurationThousands of National Guard troops have arrived in Washington, D.C. amid concerns of more potential violence in the days leading up to President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration. Congress is investigating the security failures surrounding the assault on the U.S. Capitol, as more details come to light. CBS News' Debra Alfarone joins ""CBSN AM"" with the latest. CBS News Poll: Majority of Americans are bracing for more political violenceOur latest CBS News poll shows that a majority of Americans see democracy under threat and expect political violence to increase in the U.S. over the next few years. CBS news elections and surveys director Anthony Salvanto joined CBSN to discuss what the latest poll shows about politics and the pandemic. Jailed Russian opposition leader calls on supporters to "resist"Putin's No. 1 foe, detained in Moscow after poisoning, says he's "seen a lot of mockery of justice," but calls his sudden appearance before a judge "the highest degree of lawlessness." First look inside new museum that celebrates impact and influence of African Americans on musicAnthony Mason gets a look inside the new National Museum of African American Music in Nashville for the first time. The museum is a celebration of African Americans' contributions to and influence across the musical landscape, and with new historical context, rewriting their role in the American soundtrack. Mason talks to Grammy winners H.E.R. and Darius Rucker about their own influences and the impact they hope this museum will have.	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line960
__label__cc	0.703127	0.296873	Home Death Metal Cadaver: Release Lyric Video For “Let Me Burn”, Edder & Bile Out... Cadaver: Release Lyric Video For “Let Me Burn”, Edder & Bile Out Now! Back with a vengeance and hell-bent on destruction, Norwegian death metallers, CADAVER, are back in business and ready to reign. Today, Edder & Bile, the first full length from this band’s new incarnation of Anders Odden’s original, extreme metal vision, is unleashed unto the world via Nuclear Blast Records. In celebration, the band offer fans the lyric video for “Let Me Burn”. Anders Odden comments, “‘Let Me Burn’ came to me at night, after one of our intense studio days in January 2019. I just got the opening riff and it led me out on this path that became the song. It was raining in North Hollywood that night and the whole feel of doom and gloom was shining through. I had with me a recording of my fireplace in Norway and knew this would make an awesome ending to the album. The song is about how we all will end up as ashes no matter who we are and what we do. It’s a nihilistic theme that means even more to me now after facing death with my cancer battle. When I was close to dying this winter, I always thought of having this song played super loud at my funeral with all the people having to read the lyrics during the ceremony. As I am not quite dead yet. I use it to tell you I cheated death, for now. Let Me Burn. I have no fear!” Watch the lyric video for “Let Me Burn” here: Previous articleThe Night Flight Orchestra: spread first Christmas vibes with ‘Paper Moon’! Next articleAzarath Premiere New Song & Music Video “Beyond the Gates of Burning Ghats”	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line963
__label__wiki	0.847085	0.847085	2020-2021 Season Starts September 8th! Register Now to Join the Fun!! Keeping Our Students Safe & Healthy Studio Photo Tour Classes & Programs Our Classes & Programs Learn About Our Recreational Classes 2020-2021 Recreational Class Schedule Competition Classes Ellie Wood Ellie was a competition dancer on Metro Dance Centers’ top competition lines for 12 years. She has taken classes at world renowned studios in Los Angeles and New York. She has both danced and assisted for well-known chorographer Michael Schwandt and has taken classes from Nikki Snelson, Mandy Moore, Kim McSwain and many other top teachers in the nation. She was a part of the University of St Thomas Dance Team where she won four national championship titles in the jazz and hip hop divisions. She is also a former head coach for the Mounds View Viewette danceline. Ellie’s innovative choreography has won many top awards regionally and nationally . Ellie graduated from the University of St Thomas with a degree in Community Health Education and is planning to further her education with a master’s degree in Public Health. Ellie is excited to see the talent Metro’s dancers have to offer this year and is excited to share her passion of dance with them. When not dancing, you can find Ellie hanging with family, friends and her bunnies. Danielle Twohy Cara Anderson Luann Burger Drew Geck Julie Holscher Julie Morris Erin Olsen Laura O'Steen Anna Roehr Heather Rome Tina Wallum Danica Whitney Natalie Wilson Offering both recreational and competitive dancing in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, and lyrical styles for students of all ages. Metro Dance Center 1057 W. Hwy. 96 Shoreview, MN 55126 Mondays 4:15-9:15 pm Tuesdays 9:15 am-12:00 pm Tuesdays 3:45-9:30 pm Wednesdays 11:15 am-2:00 pm Wednesdays 4:15-9:00 pm Thursdays 3:45-9:30 pm Fridays 4:45-7:30 pm Saturdays 8:15 am-1:45 pm © 2021 Metro Dance Center. All Rights Reserved \| Admin	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line964
__label__cc	0.734917	0.265083	Morning Lads Hope all smiling. MB finds himself in Jedah, Saudi Arabia, as he writes to you this fine sunny Saudi morning, having flown over (or very close to) the holy city of Mecca yesterday on the flight from Riyadh. The chief air hostess/steward made some special announcements on account of our route and asked Allah to accept all our good deeds. Of which there are many. MB felt the power as we flew over ground zero and passed onwards in direction of Jeddah. Another one to tick off from the bucket list lads. Allah u Akbar. Great reaction to the new blog format lads. Interesting to see, as I can on the stats section, in what country people are reading it, as a map of the world opens up and gives me a head count country by country, day by day. Something to log on to lads to give me break from Fb! Some pics from Jeddah Old Town: Lots of Mosques. The Call To Prayer is deafening! Many of the buildings are dilapidated but with people living inside. Some buildings starting to undergo refurbishment Typical Old Town street scene Locals play dominoes on carpet on the street Carpet sellers abound, along with fabric sellers/tailors who make Arab dresses. And lots of barbers. Young lad says “Howya” to MB. Sitting with Syrian friend as I write, who is on his Facebook page chatting to friends back in Damascus. They are reporting huge explosions around the city as they chat with him. God help the helpless people. Myself and my pal are drinking coffee in Jeddah while innocents get blown to bits in Damascus and we get live commentary, more or less, while we sip the ‘Americanos with milk on the side’. Some world. Some crack. My pal just stated that one of the lads in Damascus has just described the noise as like ‘Apocalypse Now‘ as the bombardment is so intense and deafening. That guy is in a house close to the Presidential area. But he has no clue where exactly the explosions are happening. Getting worse by the day with tens of thousands fleeing to country to wherever they can. Whole towns and villages now disappeared into piles of rubble with more than 40,000 people killed. Estimated presently that there are more than 700,000 houses destroyed, and the count rises each day. The Israeli army reported yesterday that the Free Syrian Army (FSA) now control almost all border crossings along the 800km border. So can not be long now one would think before the end comes. All my Syrian pals tell me that if they had-anti aircraft missiles the whole war would end very quickly as the planes are the Governments main weapon against the people. And presently the FSA has no solution to the plane problem. The Brits are on the ground it seems, as the following report from Al Arabiya tells us: As British Prime Minister David Cameron prepares to use the Royal Air Force (RAF) in Syria to put an end to the massacres the Syrian regime is committing throughout the country, British Special Forces are training rebels to assassinate the Syrian president and his commanders, the London Daily Star reported. UK government sources told the newspaper that British assassination squads are in Syria to train rebels on how to target President Bashar al-Assad and his warlords. Some troops hailing from Britain Special Air Service (SAS), Special Boat Section (SBS) and the Airborne Infantry of the British Army (Paras) are also in the country to teach Anti-Assad fighters techniques on the accurate use of weapons and explosives against Assad regime forces, the sources said. http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/11/12/249245.html Also lots of theories amongst Syrians that the present situation is engineered by USA/Brits/Israelis. Don’t agree with any of them. But the provision of the anti-aircraft missiles is a decision that the US could make to bring matters to a conclusion it would appear. Its not exactly clear why they do not provide. Possibly afraid of the missiles future use elsewhere when the present troubles pass. Meanwhile the civilian population are cannon fodder. HX Holiday Suggestion MB would like to give you a holiday suggestion lads. Especially if you like clicking your camera or would like to learn more about your camera so you could become mega shooter like MB and other legends in da game. Take one week break in Dubai in March. Beautiful blue skies assured every day as you tour the fab sites on offer and get in a few Photo Workshops at Gulf Photo Plus (GPP). Having taken part in that event in last few years I can give it a very high recommendation. Workshops for all levels from complete beginners to lads who think the know lots like MB (but really know diddly squat!). What is GPP2013? GPP2013 will take place from March 1 – 8 and promises to be another amazing photo-fest. We’re bringing the world’s best photographers and instructors to Dubai to share their knowledge and experience with the Middle East and Africa’s professional and amateur photography community. Save the date, book your leave and start finding creative ways to convince your partner and/or boss to get out to Dubai or take the week off for a fun and inspirational photography festival like no other! To get a taste of what it’s all about, check out last year’s schedule here. http://www.gulfphotoplus.com/gpp/2013?pk_campaign=GPP2012_ESHOT_NOV_13_PRE&pk_kwd=ESHOT Go to GPP lads and you may be able to take serious shots like this beauty from legendary shooter MB Breaking the sex laws Was bit surprised during the week lads to read that there is proposal in UAE not to deport dastardly criminals who get jail sentences for having sex outside marriage and such like. In the past these (normally Western) no-gooders would get deportation back to their home countries at end of jail term where they would be free to continue their Godless ways. Not sure why this new relaxation is being proposed lads but as we all know when you give a sinner an inch he will usually try to take a mile. It becomes harder and harder each day lads for the good citizens of the Middle East to promote virtue and prevent vice, when the rulers are now starting to relax the reasonable rules of the past. No good can come of it lads. You will see more and more Tracy’s from Tyneside walking around our Shopping Malls dressed like harlots displaying flesh that is strictly speaking ‘haram’ and their will be more and more breaches of ‘honour’ and general behaviour that gives the middle finger to ‘modesty’. Remember where you heard it first lads. Suggested law change (what a joke): “The most important recommendation is to make the deportation order optional and not compulsory anymore in crimes related to sex and honour, such as consensual sex, public indecency, breach of modesty and honour, and others. However, deportation remains compulsory in major crimes such as rape and molestation. http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/crime/make-deportation-optional-in-sex-crimes-1.1103947?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Newsletter&utm_campaign=&utm_term=%26260501 UAE Nuclear Power Plant The Americans have absolutely no problem with Arab countries having state of the art Nuclear Industries lads. As long as they buy all the high tech gadgets from the good old US of A. The mega stupid Iranians tried to do this without sticking to the rules and are paying the high price, mashallah. The UAE will now plough on lads with a Nuclear generating plant from Disneyland with Micky & Mini Mouse logos all over the boundary walls. Allah u Akbar (again!) http://www.zawya.com/story/US_technology_to_be_used_in_UAE_nuclear_plant-GN_13112012_141132/?lok=210034121113&&zawyaemailmarketing The Grand Mufti Have you heard of the Grand Mufti lads? Well, he is main man who can make rulings about da Islam, and issue Fatwas and such like. Presently he is none too happy with Foreign Media Agents – and MB received query during week from Saudi Crosser if communicating with MB would be breach of the rule. Assured him/her not lads, as MB is at this stage part and parcel of the Saudi scene and in absolutely no way can MB be considered ‘foreign’. It is probably true to say that MB has become more Arabic than the Arabs themselves. Allah u Akbar (for the 3rd time today). And chaos & strife is the last thing on MBs mind lads I assure you. Working in the construction industry each week gives me more chaos & strife than I can handle. Who wants more of that for God sake. From the Grand Mufti himself lads: Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti has issued a religious edict prohibiting contact and cooperation with foreign media outlets seeking to “spread chaos and strife in Muslim lands.” He urged people instead to address their concerns through writing directly to responsible authorities. Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh told worshipers during a Friday sermon held in a mosque in the capital Riyadh that people should not contact foreign media outlets to “divulge the country’s secrets or address various matters” because these outlets “are only concerned with dividing people and striking the unity of the nation.” Where a Mufti might hang out lads Saudi Crosser Contribution Received some complimentary words from one of our Saudi Crossers last week lads saying how much he enjoys the Friday read. He has even gone one step further lads and put pen to paper for us to give us insight into da whole Saudi situation at present for da natives. His piece is quite long, as MB seems to have awakened a Saudi Shakespeare within. The piece is quite long and I may break it into 50% this week and same next (that’s another 50% next week Cla – to save you doing the calculation). Anyway lads MB is very grateful for the contribution from XXX as I will refer to him/her as don’t want him/her falling foul of recent fatwas and such like and getting good whipping after da Friday prayers next week. Dear Mike You are so persuasive but you will have to tolerate my English then 🙂 OK today is Sunday and after drinking my daily dosage of coffee I decided to email you about what I feel personally about my country. I really don’t know from where to start? There is a common perception among 90% of Saudis that we are waiting for something that 100% is going to happen but no one can tell you what is it exactingly!! Something related to the murky issue of succession particularly with the obvious aging of Saudi Royalty. Some Saudis say that Saudi Arabia is a monarchy dance on the tune of Western Kafers ….Mummmm. I wasn’t plan to talk politically so you can ignore the previous paragraph :). If you are surprising that why we may not touch these simple issues try to stay in your fancy room for 6 months without knowing what is it all about let alone try our fancy Saudi jail. Anyway, during my last visit to my SA I was so desperate when I saw the organization of disorganization. For example the disrespect of traffic signals by careless drivers is a widespread practice in SA now a days without any response from police. Police inaction in cases of offense or minor crime, specially against non Saudi, like assaulting foreigner workers or house maids, is encouraging those bad guys to do more. If you survey the satisfaction levels of Saudis, you will be surprised that most of them will be not happy with the current situation. This shouldn’t be the case with a country that considered the world’s largest net oil exporter. I am not talking politically here but as Saudis living inside Saudi Arabia we are suffering from many difficulties. The first of these is planning deficit- in particular we as a nation don’t think about our future . We just eat and enjoy the current pleasure without any thinking of how to keep our country going and improved, especially in the law and legislation. for example the gender segregation debate that still exist is a sign for a society that is stuck in the 19th century. We still heavily rely on expatriates? When you look at some specialist job areas the 99 per cent is dominated by expatriates. We are some time move backward for example I work in the health sector, where the equality is endangered and the right of any resident to gain a free health access has disappeared. not to mention the famous case of Hamza Kashgari who faces charge of blasphemy after two or three tweets about prophet Mohammad peace be upon him. It is like that the Saudi society hide behind being the original of Islam and the title of ‘Custodians of the Holy Mosques’ yet our actions and behaviour are far from Islamic. I feel that If it wasn’t for the fact that Saudi Arabia sit on a large part of the world’s oil our country would remain mired in the past whether we liked it or not. The be continued……… DH – The Reluctant Emigrant Greetings to DH and ta for another issue of her Reluctant Emigrant Blog. http://thereluctantemigrant.wordpress.com/ Ciao/Adios TC lads. Have nice weekend. Be good. Da follically challenged MB composin more brilliance. Haha lads! Category: Irish man in the Middle East, Jeddah, Middle East Life, Syria Tagged: Welcome to the new media world of the blogosphere lads. Where word gurus hang out and waffle merrily about waffley topics. Promise you lads, will remain humble and modest, and continue to welcome contributions from wretches of whatever creed. This is my commitment to you lads and I am man of my word. New to this higher tech world lads so still trying to get to grips with designing the layout and stuff. So stick with me for few weeks and we should have da blog looking all masterful and majestic. Inshallah. Might have to be little more careful with the content now that the HX is open to the entire world and searchable on Google. Not kidding lads. The HX & Google are now together. Like lovers. Living together in mutually beneficial harmony. Hopefully the legal authorities in all the regional countries, where MB could possible get arrested, fully understand the meaning of the word ‘irony’. And have GSOH. Or MB could end up tied to pole in middle of some village square with shirt ripped off and sorely in need of some creams and oils of the healing variety, after 100 of the best across his back. Inshallah this misfortune will not befall me lads and I will remain in the full of my health. The HX blog breaks all the rules of blogging lads. All the most successful blogs are single topic. And this attracts a dedicated following. So the experts say. But will not change the format lads. I like the cross-selection of weekly topics. And hopefully some topic grabs the interest of readers, even when many other topics do not. And that’s the way it’s staying. Ok lads. Welcome again to da ‘new look’ HX blog. Remain steadfast. Crossers abu! Reaction to last week’s HX Was only awesome lads. Cla was on immediately. Almost before I pressed ‘send’, thanking me for providing da business opportunity in Nigeria and is actively pursuing at da mo. We wish him & his associates in Lagos & Abuja all the best. May their ship arrive in port very soon. Cla was also drooling about MBs pics from Nepal lads, and to stop Cla getting all sad and possible suffering bout of bed-wetting, I hereby give you all another of the savage pic albums: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.4820629962458.192462.1497695183&type=1&l=b811019b88 Want to thank Cla for the following links re young lady from HX (almost) who is making name for herself in the hockey world (the non-Canadian variety). And needless to say lads she has Crosser connection. Brother GB is a Crosser member of long standing. Thanks Cla: http://www.limerickleader.ie/news/local/limerick-girl-uses-her-camogie-skills-to-become-youtube-sensation-1-4440588 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-0TXMVPwaE&sns=em RQ was concerned about the mossie that was bothering me last week lads. Suggesting garlic and tea tree oil as eco solutions. As promised lads, I gave the mossie every chance. Opened the door and offered him escape to the outside world. But sadly for him lads, was tad institutionalised, and just couldn’t bring himself to fly out that open door. Another attack on MB following night resulted in bite sores on back of MBs hand upon waking following morning. And that was it lads. Final straw. Short time later Mossie was located – and mashed. Khalas! Received a most intriguing email from Crosser SW from Connecticut USA lads. A female Crosser who is not personally known to MB but we have mutual past connection. Unknown to MB, SW has managed to hook herself an Irishman. And lo and behold lads, didn’t she only land herself a real prize fish in none other that Crosser PM, who has oft contributed to the HX, and is old pal of many years of MB. A warm fatherly feeling came over me upon hearing the news lads, as realised that we had our first instance on Crossers coming together in amorous manner. Potentially breeding and producing new generation of Crossers. Inshallah. Anyway lads, back to the intriguing email. MB immediately zoomed in on the attention grabbing line at start of email – “I am in the death business“. Sat bolt upright in my seat lads, as did not really know where this email was going to take me. Turns out lads, upon digestion of the mail, that SW is editor of ‘Connecticut Cemetery News‘ monthly newsletter. Yes lads, something we never in our wildest dreams would have thought of back in Ireland – a cemetery newsletter. E gad! Had read of the newsletter, November edition that SW passed on, and saw that the cemeteries in USA are run by private companies as profitable business. People are just dieing to get into that business I guess lads! (sorry SW – you must be sick of sad jokes like that). And obviously lads that’s why all the cemeteries in USA look like the golf greens in Augusta, perfect lines, 0.3 on the stimpmeter! You certainly learn something new every days lads as the old saying goes. And this was certainly a new one on MB. Anyway lads SW wanted permission to use MB’s piece of last week on the Hindu Cremations in Nepal in her December edition. An honour indeed lads. And of course lads, permission granted. Who knows what the future holds. Will forward you all the Dec issue when it hits the stands. RK was on pointing out that he had provided MB with Wikipedia link to last weeks featured Russian artist, but MB was just too stupid to recognise the link and never included the reference. So big apology to RK, and for those who may be interested herewith: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivan_Aivazovsky And RK gives us new pic this week. From some Russian painter from the republic of Tatarstan: This picture is about Tamerlan (MB note – some warlord I gather) and his tradition to create hills from the dead skulls to intimidate enemies. It’s dedicated to Conquers – of all times past, present and future. MJ & ML ML back safe & sound from Nepal. MJ presently in some Buddhist village (I think) with 2 more weeks to go. More From Nepal A few tales worth telling you lads, that MB brings you from his recent trip: Hindu Holy Men – Sadhus Came across some Hindu Holy Men in the P temple grounds and they immediately catch the eye. With colourful dress, unclean appearance, matted unwashed hair and smiling faces its hard to miss them. They generally depend on donations from tourists and the general public to survive and do not possess worldly goods. They do not take female partners at any stage in their life. Was informed by seemingly knowledgeable guide that their penis’ are “mutilated” at young age, maybe at age 7 or 8. Just to ensure that the they are “of no use to a woman” in the future, in case they might think of straying from their vocation. That’s as the guide explained it to me lads. So I’m sure its true. Am attaching pic that I took of 3 of them sitting contentedly, as they watch the cremations across the holy river. Much like fans enjoying cricket match in the balmy afternoon sunshine. Must admit lads am bit mystified by the empty coke bottle behind Sadhu Nr 1. Is he hiding it? Sort of goes against the ethos lads, wouldn’t y’all say. The Sadhu in most of the public temples make themselves available for pics for the tourists and expect some financial donation. They need to eat lads so no harm there. But some Ali Baba types get in on the act by dressing up as Sadhu and try to cash in on the act. Let us call these lads the ‘Unmutilated Sadhus’. Gave 5 dollars to two Sadhu who approached me in that temple. Even thought I did not take any pic of them they made it clear they were not happy with the five, and asked me for ten. As did not speak Nepalese asked the guide to tell them to beat it real quick. Assume those characters were of the unmutilated type. And because of incidents like this, even some Nepalese consider the Sadhu a bit of a nuisance. Sad. There is famous festival every February at the P Temple near Kathmandu airport when some 40,000 Sadhus from India & Nepal gather. Various rituals are performed throughout the day and night and am told its incredible spectacle. Many different sects of Sadhu have different practices that they offer as sacrifice to the Gods. Was told of one group who never sit down, and spend their entire lives in standing position. Including their sleeping hours. Seemingly they perform the difficult task of sleeping in the standing position by strapping themselves to something like a small tree and then rest their heads and arms over some out-hanging horizontal branch to sleep. Others have various strange diet, only eating same limited food throughout their entire lives. The pic of the 3 lads above is interesting alone. Mind boggling to think of 40,000 of them together. Volunteering in Nepal Now a big tourist industry in its own right lads. Many people travel to Nepal to do volunteer work with kids, or homeless, or handicapped or whatever. Many will mix their holiday with some volunteering time. There are many (mostly NGO) organisations available to assist. But you need to be careful. The groups who will benefit from your efforts normally provide internal transport within Nepal, food and accommodation while you are working. But some others are charging a fee to the volunteer or the volunteer must pay for some of the basic necessities. Some tourist companies operating in Nepal may donate some of their income to local charities, even some of the mountain trekking companies. Durbar Square, World Heritage site at Bhaktapur If any of you are interested you can check out some of the following: www.keepnepal.org – places volunteers with various local NGOs www.butterflyfoundation.org – admin & childcare at orphanage in Pokhara www.cennepal.org.np – child care in orphanage in Kathmandu http://www.globalvolunteernetwork.org.nepal – health, education, childcare, social development Loads more listed on Lonely Planet if you want to look up. The Living Godess – Kumari Devi They have a living Goddess in Nepal lads. Truly. A real live living Goddess. She is originally selected on basis of 32 very strict physical characteristics which include her eye colour, shape of her teeth, and sound of her voice. This selection takes place at aged 4 or 5 approx. If more than one girl is selected then all will go into darkened room and men with frightening masks will dance and scream in the same room. The girl who remains calmest is considered the winner and the reincarnation of the Hindu God Durga. She must come from a Nepalese ethnic group called Newari who are renowned gold and silversmiths. She lives in a building called the Kumari Bahal (next to the world heritage site of Durbar Square near Kathmandu) with her family, and will only go outside into the wider world for 5 or 6 ceremonies each year. It is not allowed to take photos of the Kumari but she appears daily (almost) at an ornate window facing the square, when I think pics may be possible. Got there too late unfortunately on the day I visited so never got a photo opp. In the future perhaps. That’s the Kumari in the middle lads On the occasion of her first period in puberty the girl will no longer be considered the Kumari and a new Goddess will be chosen. She will be given generous dowry and sent on her way. It is considered unlucky to marry an ex Kumari according to the literature. But MB is wondering lads, about sending letter to Sheikh Mo to suggest possible marriage for one of his sons or grandsons to an ex living Goddess. The mind truly boggles lads when you try to imagine the coming together of the royal seed with the egg of the Goddess. A truly super being or even new super species may develop. Will be interesting to see what answer I get back from Sheik Mos office lads. Keep you posted. Sheikh Mo From the man himself lads. From SM Fb page earlier this week on the occasion of the 41st anniversary of the founding of the UAE: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum A very special occasion is approaching us after a few weeks. The 41st National Day of the UAE. As we get closer to this important day. I would like to share some thoughts and ideas under the banner of Spirit of the Union. First, I say to the youth of our beloved nation, the story of UAE is not limited to 41 years only, our history stretches back 1000s of years. Read about Umm Alnar civilization that goes back to more than 2000 BC, Jalfar in the 4th century & the remains in Jumeirah from the Umayyad era. Read about the stories of heroism of our people while facing the foreign invasions in the past few centuries. Knowing our history is a key part of the Spirit that ties us together. The great stories of our people will continue well into the future. The blood continues to flow. On all sides. Bashar has said he will live & die in Syria. Reminds us of very similar Gadaffi comment in Libya few weeks before he died. In Libya. Was traveling with Syrian acquaintance during the week when he phone rang. Call from Homs in Syria. His brother just got shot in fighting. Lucky for brother bullet hit him in the arm. Entered and exited through muscle tissue. No danger to his life. But few inches in another direction and my pals reaction might have been much different. Such is life for Syrians at present. Many Syrians living and working in Saudi Arabia, where I am presently based. In last few weeks all renewal of Saudi visas for Syrian nationals was cancelled. Many working here must get new visa every 3 months so must renew at that stage. Now no longer possible. Thinking is possible security risk I imagine, even though all Syrians I know would be very anti Syrian Government and very pro Saudi efforts to remove him. But ordinary people are often just pawns in bigger games. Number of my work colleagues now unable to return to Saudi for this reason, and may end up having their jobs terminated. And will then be unable to send home few dollars to help their families. Eye Do Be careful where you poke that stick ladies. It could have far-reaching results: Manama: A young Saudi woman was forced to marry her cousin after she caused him to lose one of his eyes when they were children. Saudi news site Sabq said that the young man never had any cosmetic surgery after his cousin accidentally poked his eye with a broom. When he grew up and wanted to get married, he could not find a woman who would take him as a husband. http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/saudi-arabia/woman-forced-to-marry-cousin-after-poking-his-eye-1.1097939 Eid Slaughter in UAE – 15,584 That was the count of the Eid religious slaughter of the goats, sheep, camels and others lads. Was also very many killed at unofficial sites. Remember telling you all that I came across one such unofficial site last year down a small side street. One of the pics on the second link looks bit like what I experienced. http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/environment/15-584-animals-slaughtered-in-dubai-for-eid-1.1097736 http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/community-reports/makeshift-slaughter-points-1.1098178 HX Music Hope you enjoyed the Sting song from last week lads. This weeks recommendation comes from the Chieftains, who were backing Sting last week. Great bit of fun! Chieftains & Friends http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQaJq-COBhc&feature=related Dubai Cars Have previously mentioned that Dubai is car crazy zone. The high & mighty love their top of the range models, and showing them off on the tourists strips at the weekend. There is vast amount of speed cameras which control the acceleration. But not this guy on Dubai’s main drag – the Sheikh Zayed Road: 271Km/Hr http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/drivers-clock-271km-h-on-shaikh-zayed-road-1.1097266?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Newsletter&utm_campaign=&utm_term=%26259073 Thanks to DH for her efforts each week and for giving MB kick to set up real Blog. This week she is Trick or Treating: http://thereluctantemigrant.wordpress.com/2012/11/04/trick-or-treat/ Slan Lads Ok lads. That’s it for another week. If your in Middle East enjoy today/tomorrow off, and if elsewhere enjoy the coming weekend. TC. Category: Irish man in the Middle East, Middle East Life, Music, Nepal, reluctant Immigrant, Syria Tagged: Scaling The Peaks Namaste lads. Tai-pai-lai kas-to-chha? (Hello lads. How are you? – in Nepalese) Hope all healthy. Plagued at present by a single mosquito who seems to love me lots. Is sharing my room but keeps himself to himself during daylight. I can hear him buzzing around my head at various times after lights out and I see and feel the evidence of his love every morning as the bite marks get all itchy & red. He seems to have the gift of invisibility when it suits him and I do not really have an easy solution. Will try to leave the door open today for a while and inshallah he disappears from my zone to find new friend. Otherwise I will be forced into drastic action. Resulting in the death of the mossie. And if I was Hindu or Buddhist lads I would not consider the above final solution for the mossie. Which brings me nicely to my main story of this week – my trip of last weekend. Mentioned to y’all two weeks back that I was heading to mountains & temples. And so I did lad. Off I headed with the camera & lenses to Kathmandu, Nepal. Amongst the peaceful tolerant Hindus & Buddhists. As good luck would have it lads, the BBC had feature on World News channel on Nepal. Problem there at present of locals catching cholera from drinking dirty water from streams. So stuck religiously to bottled water during the trip lads. The last thing you need when you are scaling the high peaks lads is a bad dose of cholera. Also stuck to boiled or fried foods to avoid diarrhea and it worked. And double socks for the long hikes. Another MB trick to note lads for your own future use. There are many thousands of Nepalese working in Middle East and all I have met in recent years are extremely polite happy smiley people. Am pleased to report that the description generally applies to the entire home population. But huge poverty problem. It is reckoned that some 7M of total population of 30M do no have sufficient food for their daily existence. I witnessed very large numbers of people begging during the day, and sleeping rough on the streets at night. Saw groups of 4 and 5 children huddled together under blankets on the footpaths after dark getting ready for an uncomfortable night on the hard paving. The electricity to public lighting gets cut off every evening as darkness descends. Suddenly, even in the capital Kathmandu, you are walking in pitch black streets which quickly go silent and only the howling of hungry dogs and replies from other hungry dogs breaks the dark night quiet. Didn’t haggle with the locals when buying stuff, generally. Hadn’t the heart. Except for few taxi drivers who were taking the mick with the Western tourist MB. Nepal Women The women work harder that the men. Or so it seemed to me. Even in the mountain area of Nagarkot that I trekked through for a day, approx 90% of the lifting of crops and other loads was being done by the women. And very old women in many cases. Carrying heavy loads on their heads or by ropes on their backs. As I said earlier lads huge poverty and large percentage of the rural population (and even the urban population) living in very poor decrepit accommodation. But amazing to see how clean and stunning the women managed to look at all times with their multi-coloured clothes spotless throughout the day, even when working in the fields. Was surprised to see and immediately recognise potato plants growing in the mountains as local villagers formed shelves on the mountain and hill slopes to create horizontal terraces that would allow potatoes to be grown. Men & women working together with picks & shovels clearing the ground, setting and picking the crop. Some of the crop for eating and some for sale to provide an income. Rice also growing in many locations. Politically speaking the country is a disaster. The politicians have been fighting for 5 years about trying to make a constitution and make laws. But still no success. Someone told me they have 601 Ministers. Meanwhile the people live in one of the poorest countries in the world. Someone told me 10th poorest but not sure if this stat is correct. Traffic in Kathmandu – a disaster. And creator of huge pollution. Many locals working in the city wear dust masks for protection. The problem is the combination of car fumes and dust rising from streets that have no paving in many places so dust constantly rising. Seems that in approx 2001 when the king was killed by his son (along with a number of other members of the Royal family) there were only a very small number of cars in the entire Kathmandu valley, but now there are tens of thousands, going as fast as they can along very narrow streets, more designed for rickshaws and motorbikes than cars. Petrol is very expensive bearing in mind the income levels. Approx 1.45 euro per liter I was told. So the car of choice, over 90% of all cars from what I could see, is the 800cc Suzuki Marutti. Very fuel efficient. And huge numbers of motorbikes and scooters. Was informed that 3 people per day get killed in motorbike/scooter accidents. Mainly Buddhist (originally from Tibet) & Hindu (originally from India). Many of the temples permit both religions to worship together. The main Buddhist feature you will see are the prayer wheels which you spin while chanting a mantra. God will then forgive your sins. The Hindus have 3.5 Million Gods according to a Guide who showed me around a particular temple. But some are more famous and prominent than the others and some of the temples are dedicated to the more important Gods. The Hindus believe in reincarnation which happens again and again until you reach Nirvana. If you die from a snake bite you will immediately reach Nirvana as the snake is a sacred animal/serpent. Hindus also revere the cow. My guide told me that the general prison sentence for murdering a man is 7 to 8 years with 50% time off for good behaviour. If you kill a cow in Nepal you will receive 20 years. The holy Bagmati river flows through Kathmandu. As revered by Hindus in Nepal as the Ganges by Hindus in India. And next to a temple area, very close to the airport, is where the Cremation of dead bodies takes place on a small polluted stretch of the Bagmati. I made photo album of the cremations. Which in another country and culture might be insensitive and disrespectful. But because the Hindu believe in reincarnation, the funeral cremations are (generally) a happy occasion as all are aware that the dead person will shortly be reincarnated in another form. It is not uncommon to see Hindus laughing and smiling at a funeral. It is consider a time of joy. As a tourist you are asked to give the family respect by keeping your distance and not to intrude on their privacy. I, like most others, moved to the other side of the river and took the photos with my zoom lens. I had seen this on YouTube before I went on my trip but to see the whole ceremony live was a really great experience. There are 2 parts to the funeral ceremony. When the dead body arrives (normally by Government ambulance) it is taken to the purification area. This involves dressing the body in orange robes plus a few other rituals. But the main event of the purification involves taking the body to the edge of the river and dipping the feet in the water. At this stage Hindus believe that the soul has not yet left the body but the body is now purified. Two months back it was noticed during the purification that the body was still breathing. And obviously still alive. Body was immediately rushed to the ambulance and taken back to the local hospital. The second part of the ceremony is the cremation. This involves a number of new rituals including pouring water on the head or mouth, marching around the body three times plus a few others. The critical element of this stage is the placing of fire in the mouth of the body. This is done, from what I could see, by stuffing some straw into the mouth of the body, and possibly use of oil, and then setting fire to the straw. At this instant the soul is considered to leave the body and the body is now officially dead. Unfortunately, in the last year, two bodies awoke, or came out of coma, when they reached the ‘fire in the mouth’ stage. As I said above once the fire is lighting the Hindus consider the body as dead. So in the two referred instances, or whenever this might happen, it is considered that an evil spirit is trying to awaken the body. The family and cremation professionals will then use heavy bamboo poles to ‘quieten’ the body, as my Guide described the procedure. As in – they beat the body as hard as they can on the head and elsewhere to ensure it stays on the fire and to ensure that the evil spirit does not succeed. I took the opportunity on first morning lads to take large chunky slice of Yak cheese with the breakfast. I immediately felt the surge of protective power eminating from said Yak product and it would appear lads, that in the nobel Yak, we have worthy competition for our beloved Middle East Camel. Who could ever have dreamed such a thing lads? If you suggested such an idea to me two weeks ago I would have laughed in your Kaffir face and asked some local Mullah to organise 50 lashes across your back for your insolence. But not any more lads. I would now be buying sooth-a-cream for you and begging your forgiveness. Momos are considered the national dish and are yummy. Little parcels of meat or veg wrapped in a light cover, like dumplings at home. Maybe even served with icecream if that’s to your liking. Lots of Indian type foods, but loads of restaurants in Kathmandu and you can basically get any food you want. Themel is the main tourist area in the city, so loads of shops and bars for your delectation. Trekking shops like you never saw in your life, as KTM is the starting point for most trekkers and mountaineers heading for the peaks. If you are connected to me on Facebook lads you will already have seen the photo albums I have posted up after the trip. Giving you all link to my trekking album which gives good idea of the rural scenery around the Nagarkot area. Think you can also look at the other albums when you log on – if you wish. Did not get to the Himilaya/Everest area but managed to take photos of the sun rising over the Himilayas from a viewing tower in Nagarkot, many many kilometers away (another of the pic albums). http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.4799640237728.192006.1497695183&type=1&l=8d9639c378 Spent approx 5 hours trekking through mountain terrain and ended up in small village as dusk was approaching. No taxis in the village so jumped on a bus to get me to village that actually had taxis. Bus packed to capacity, so jumped on the roof along with many others, feet dangling over the edge and great vantage point for more pics! Very memorable journey. So can give you all a very big recommend/yes for Nepal. Interesting fascinating place. Not really a place for a family holiday though When you go there its all action and/or sightseeing, so a reasonable level of fitness is necessary. They also have big adventure area for white water rafting, paragliding, bungi jumping, and other stuff near the border with Tibet, if you want to give the trekking and temples a miss. Big thanks to PS, Nepalese Crosser who gave me great advice before I traveled, and to MJ & LM who were great traveling companions on my first two days over there. Hope you both get back safe & sound in due course. Both now new members of the Crosser brigade. Am often asked out these parts if we have our own language in Ireland. Yes non-Irish Crossers – indeed we do. And to let you hear the sound of the Irish (Gaelic) language I give you Mr Sting singing traditional Irish song with the legendary Chieftains providing the music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auSa0YfkxFE And received email little while back from Jade Dillon informing MB that she will shortly post up some more original songs on YouTube so will pass on to you all when I receive. Hope you all enjoyed her 2 great pieces of 2 weeks back. HX Art (yes Cla – art!) Received a few emails from Ruskie Crosser RK during the week, who grew up in Tatarstan in Russia before moving to Khazakstan in his teenage years. Anyway lads RK sent me on his favourite Paintings – by some Ruskie artist that I never heard of who is famous for his paintings of the sea. I am attaching RKs best known painting by his favourite artist. The name of the artist appears in Russian script in all the emails sent to me lads so I can not give you the artist’s name in a real language. Let me know what you all think. HX Book Recommendation Just finished a book called Three Cups Of Tea. About an American who got lost in the northern tribal area of Pakistan after failed attempt on K2. Went on to build many schools in the villages and ensure that many young girls got an education. Great read and great lessons for the great & the good. Told you few weeks back lads that a developer in Dubai will now build a larger version of the Taj Mahal than the original version in India. He will use it as hotel & wedding venue. Will be huge success I think. Now some Indian politician is bleating on that it should not proceed. Donkey! http://www.emirates247.com/news/emirates/no-one-can-scare-us-taj-arabia-will-be-built-2012-10-29-1.480602———-New Nikon Camera Quite a few Crossers into photography. If you are serious enthusiast you will normally chose Canon or Nikon. Nikon have new DSLR on the market which might be of interest to some.http://www.zawya.com/story/Nikon_launches_smallest_FXFormat_camera_in_UAE-GN_19102012_031020/?lok=210003121019&&zawyaemailmarketing MB is not slow to pass on business opportunities to you all lads when they arise. I have decided to pass on the following offer due to pressure of work but might be of interest to Cla and others. Email received by MB during the week: I am very pleased and happy that contact with you, my name is Dee Kufo, I got your contact from your country and on the basis of the information provided to me which assured me of your opportunities I decided to make you as a beneficiary of $ 10 million, as well as 80 kg of alluvial gold dust in storage here, Fidelity House in Ghana. the Fund belongs to Gen Hisham Ikhtiar who was killed by the rebels during this Revolution. I want you to be the next of kin of that person (Gen Hisham Ikhtiar), he did not have a family again, they where all killed in Syria, revolution, and if we succeed in having money and gold, we divide equally. I work in a company where gold and money, we have their gold and money, I wanted you to have your cooperation in this businss proposal. Now I’ve got all the relevant documents concerning the Fund and Gold Dust but the only thing that I require from you is your honest cooperation and sincerity Lite this is true, I need the following vital information below (1) your full name (2) your full contact address (3) your age/country you come from. NB I will need this information to work on the document, we want to change you to the nearest relatives ofGen Hisham Ikhtiar. I assure you that once this is done, the transmission is in your care and gold will be sent for sale under your supervision. If you are interested, please kindly get back to me as soon as possible. Waiting to hear from you as soon as possible. Kufo Dee kufodee@hotmail.com We just won’t tolerate this kind of carry-on lads. And be warned if any of you are thinking of coming out to visit MB and expecting him to engage in kissing or cuddling of any kind:Dubai: A student admitted in court on Monday that she cuddled and kissed with her lover consensually at his flat nearly 20 times after he promised to marry her. Prosecutors have accused the Pakistani student and her Indian lover, both aged 24, with hugging and kissing consensually without being married. “Yes it’s true. We hugged and kissed several times but that was after he promised to marry me,” the student claimed when she entered a guilty plea before the Dubai Misdemeanor Court. The Indian, who works in customer services, entered a guilty plea as well but denied that he promised to marry the woman. http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/crime/facebook-friends-in-sex-trial-1.1095478—————- Thanks to DH for continuing to include us all in her weekly blog list. Unlike MB, DH is real writer with big future. Keep up the good work DH. Always enjoy your stuff. http://thereluctantemigrant.wordpress.com/2012/10/31/rolling-in-the-deep/ Namaste lads (Goodbye lads) Ma a-li a-li Ne-pa-li boll-chhu (I only speak a little Nepalese). So will leave it at that for this week lads. TC all. Category: Middle East Life, Nepal Tagged:	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line965
__label__wiki	0.992954	0.992954	Make Me Famous Make Me Famous Biography Make Me Famous was a Ukrainian metalcore band formed in 2009 and was based in the city of Donetsk. They were founded by lead guitarist and co-vocalist Denis Shaforostov, who gained popularity through his YouTube channel "above92". He then recruited bassist Sergei Hohlov to create original music. These two then recruited Igor Yastrebov on guitar because Shaforostov sought to use 3–4 songs written completely by Yastrebov and Shaforostov's previous band that they played in together. Soon after, Serj Kravchenko, the former vocalist of Pictures Inside Me, joined the band on lead vocals. Jace Thomas was later recruited to play drums, respectively. In early 2011, the band released their first EP entitled Keep This in Your Music Player. The EP features the songs "Make It Precious", "I Am A Traitor. No One Does Care" and "Once You Killed a Cow, You Gotta Make a Burger", all of which were included on the band's debut record. The three songs were not re-recorded for the debut album, instead the exact versions on this EP were included onto the album. Drummer Jace Thomas was kicked out of the band in 2011 because he allegedly leaked instrumentals of the band's music. He was replaced by former Rose Funeral drummer Dusty Boles. In 2013 the band broke up due to difficulties between Shaforostov and the rest of the band. Make Me Famous were dropped from Sumerian and the band held one final tour without Shaforostov before disestablishing. The remaining members then formed Oceans Red while Shaforostov formed the band Down & Dirty. Make Me Famous MP3 Statics Make Me Famous mp3 Make Me Famous albums post-hardcore electronic metalcore screamo hardcore Make Me Famous images Make Me Famous instagram who is Make Me Famous? Make Me Famous Photos & Images Make Me Famous on Social Media Popular Make Me Famous MP3s Popular Make Me Famous Albums Make Me Famous Similar Artist Woe, Is Me	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line966
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__label__cc	0.645191	0.354809	Windwakerguy430 Windwakerguy430 The Black Death RP Windwakerguy430 posted on Jun 30, 2016 at 04:12PM In the Country of Edrain, the towns and land was swept with chaos and destruction. People were filled with hatred and selfishness, attacking and harming others so that they may help themselves. In retaliation to their hateful lifestyle, the Ancient Ones, a race of immortal beings who pass judgement across the world, had decided to bring a deadly disease known as The Black Death, a plague that brought forth monsters. Animals were turned into nightmarish creatures, the dead were brought back to life in many shapes and sizes, and those greedy enough to only care for themselves were turned into demons, witches, or other such monsters. Humanity was left to fend for themselves, damning the Ancient Ones and living to protect themselves. However, a band of hunters have plotted to move across the country of Edrain to help those who need it. They only help in order to aid those who need it, and do so selflessly, in hopes of pleasing the Ancient Ones so that they may bring an end to the curse on Edrain. Monsters - Each monster is different, and brute force isn’t the only way to defeat them. Strategy and teamwork will also be needed Cerberus Spawns - Black dogs with red eyes with an eternal hunger that not even human flesh can satisfy, yet still pursue humans due to their hunger driving them mad. Winged Demons - Humans that have done the worst deeds imaginable, turning their human form into that of a hideous demon that wishes for nothing but the blood of humans. Deserted - Long forgotten corpses that have grown hateful for their abandonment, with their eyes on the palm of their hands, as their head has become nothing more than one large mouth. Witches - A witch's appearance depends on their past human self. If they were kind and selfless, they have the appearance of a beautiful woman, but a hateful and greedy witch is ugly and murderous. Silent Sea - The corpse of a whale long left to rot at the bottom of the sea, now brought back as a vengeful spirit to destroy the ships that pass through it’s ocean. Berserker - Common criminals and murderers who have been imprisoned in their own mind, unable to grasp human sanity, and have been turned into mad warriors with a lust for fighting. Gargoyles - Once the stone guardians of large cities, they have been brought to life by the Black Death, and have become the destruction of once mighty towns and the deaths of hundreds. Flesh Taker - Massive skeletons that have been created from the many bones of their victims. Some are still incomplete, lacking the right amount of bones to complete their massive bodies. Lich - An undead warlock that have returned as vengeful spirits for their wrongful death. They bring death and destruction, as their bodies carry the Black Death and their magic is as strong as that of an Ancient One. Corrupted - Zombie like townsfolk that have been corrupted and are in the early stages of turning. They have already become violent and murderous, and no hope remains for them. Classes - Hunters come in many different classes, each with different pros and cons Mercenary - Better with larger blades and has stronger defense. Not as respected by townsfolk Soldier - Best with firearms and has quicker attacks. Not very fast or agile Traveller - Easier to get discounts in shops and can earn better. Not the best fighter Thief - More stealthy than others, much faster and quicker dodges. Low defense Bandit - powerful attacks and can wield heavy weapons. The slowest Hunter. Hated by townsfolk Hunter - Can climb better and is better at using firearms. Has low defense Alchemist - Can heal himself and is more powerful against magic. Terrible with weapons Psychopath - Casts long lasting fire damage and can take more damage. Weak with weapons Priest - Heals others within a group and is better at shielding himself. Does not fight at all Do not kill anyone’s character without permission Do not create overpowered and flawless characters Do not make problems vanish with the snap of a finger Do not steal other characters ideas If you have an idea, feel free to ask last edited on May 20, 2018 at 04:38AM Windwakerguy430 13264 balas Showing Replies 2951-3000 of 13264 hampir setahun yang lalu -Universe_COLA- said… Wiezen moped up the stairs at almost the pace of a sloth, and about time he had reached the top step, he had stripped out of his shoes, socks, pants, shirt and vest, everything except his underwear. When he got to the room, he opened the door, went in and closed it behind him before walking sluggishly over to the hot tub room and closing the door behind him before falling face first into the water, drifting down to the bottom where kept himself. He felt like seeing how long he could hold his breath. Back in the room that was now Weiss and Emma's, the jar of cookies that had been left for them was now empty along with the plates of food that had been brought to them, which were stacked up on the table neatly. Now, the two siblings laid sleeping with their backs to one another, but cuddled close to each other in a protective way at the same time, Weiss holding a knife loosely in his hand as he slept, while Emma held a fork that was about to fall from her grasp as he arm hung off the side of the bed and she drooled slightly in her sleep. hampir setahun yang lalu Jade_23 said… Helga smiled at the sight of the two siblings, setting down each box besides the one who it belonged to. For Emma, it was a pink box that contained brown boots along with a purple cloak, a pink scarf, and a small stuffed animal. For Wiess, there was a blue box with black leather boots, a brown cloak, a navy scarf, and a small bouncy ball for entertainment. She labeled both of their names on the boxes, then wrote hers in tiny letters for them to know it was from her and for them. "Happy Christmas". She stood up and gently placed a kiss on each human, stroking their hair so softly that neither of them noticed her presence. The witch removes the knife and fork from their hands quietly for safety, and after a while, she stood up from the bed and walked out the door. Helga slowly made her way upstairs as she held the ring on her finger tightly, lowering her ears a bit at the thought of this night. She curled a lock of her brownish, strawberry blonde hair behind her ear as she gently placed her hand on the handle, opening the door that lead her into the room she shared with her family. She walked into the room, removing her new clothing and throwing it back into the bag, then walked around the room with only her underclothes. She released a sigh as she reached for her sheet dress, looking around a bit and smiling at the sight of her children sleeping peacefully. Her eyes squinted in confusion when she noticed Wiezen's clothing on the floor, but not Wiezen himself. She perked her ears at the sound of popping bubbles and running water from the bathroom, quickly dropping her dress and following the noise and opening the door, only to encounter Wiezen's back to her and his face toward the water in the tub. She gasped and quickly grabbed his back, pulling him up the surface and moving his hair away from his face. Helga: Wiezen!!! What on earth are you doing!? "Just floatin' here..." Wiezen said in barely above a whisper. He blinked for a moment, almost in confusion. "Seeing...how long I could breath underwater?" He says as more of a question than an actual answer in a sluggish voice, his ears still drooping, but perked a tiny bit at the sound of alarm in her voice. "Why? What's wrong?" He asked in a manner that sounded nearly lazyish but serious, though his voice was still low. "Has somethin' happened?" He says as he straightened himself a little to where he leaned back against the edge of the tub, looking at her only a little with pale blue eyes. Helga: ..No.. I just came in here and thought you had drowned yourself or something.. I don't know.. I was just.. Worried.. But the kids are fine. Wiess and Emma ate well by the looks of it. And no, I shall not be eating them after stuffing them with cookies... lowers her ears and rolls her eyes at the irony ..Anyways.. slightly perks her ears I'm gonna join you if you don't mind. Even if you do mind, I'm joining you. Yeah, I'm breaking the rules, deal with it. You're my husband therefore I can do whatever I want. strips herself out of her bra and thong And to think I bought some sexy underwear for nothing. dips her leg into the tub and sinks herself on the other side ..Would you like to talk about it? Last time you said I never ask you how you're feeling. So now I'm doing that. Talk to me. ties her long hair into a messy bun as she releases a sigh "If I were to answer and say no, you'd keep pushing me to talk. And yes, I did say that last time. So I'll tell you. I feel sick, tired, useless, sad, angry, sort of depressed and almost unbelievably unstable all at the same time and wish that I had just let the animal instinct stay in control for the rest of the night, because obviously that would've been a better option and you wouldn't have gotten poisoned. I don't think tonight went as planned because I wasn't able to sniff out some stupid poison. Then again...when does anything go right? Also I wish that I WAS trying to drown myself. Turns out, I can hold my breath for a long...long...long time. No worries there though." Wiezen said flat out, sinking down into the water a bit. "Sorry for making you buy sexy underwear that makes your ass look more glorious than it already is." He said, sinking a little further. "Yeah, I noticed. Are we done?" He sunk down until only his eyes and hair were visible. Helga: Not quite. And don't worry, that underwear can be useful some other time I guess. Helga dips her arms into the water, grabbing Wiezen's left foot and using her thigh as a table, where she puts his foot above it, gently and skillfully massaging it with her soft hands; soon scrubbing it with a nearby sponge and moving on to the next foot, cracking a few tense bones of his. She kisses the thumb on his right foot, letting it sink back down in the water as she leans forward and swims toward her fiancé, sitting herself on his hips and setting a soft hand on his chest, whispering in a soft, quiet voice as she rests her chin on his shoulder. Helga: My poor, adorable, little Wiezen! Your quest offers you no rest. No happiness, only confusion and sadness. strokes his hair gently with her nails Useless? I think you're the complete opposite, my love. You are the love of my life and it kills me to see you like this. Let your wife keep you company, do not push her away like you have before. You need someone. And I am that someone. kisses his forehead as she gently scrubs behind his ear I love you, remember? I love you no matter what happens. You are my Wiezen. My strong, loyal, and handsome Wiezen! So devilishly handsome! You deserve no pain you are feeling. We're supernatural creatures, things never go right for us. And if they don't go right, then go left. Why is my handsome Wiezen letting some stupid poison haunt you? I'm okay, and so are you. I'm alive. And I feel fantastic. Tonight was amazing, no matter what you say, you hear me? I had the best time of my life. So stop yer complainin', ye li-ul "were-leprechaun". Ah'm here to heal ye, I will. grins with a low chuckle How can I help? "That...was almost funny." Wiezen gave a shrug. "I would say something along of lines of how I'm feeling like: "Let me die and rot in this hot tub" to answer that, but I don't think that's going to happen." He says. "And yes...it is stupid because if I was still more warlock than I am whatever the hell I am now, then I don't know if I would have been able to do anything and there could have been a chance that you could've died. I don't know. I guess I just don't like the fact that there's a "maybe" involved." He sighed and laid his head against hers for a moment, closing his eyes. He sniffed at her neck a few times before placing a kiss there. "And that's something that I don't like to think about. And no...I'm not okay, I feel like shit. I'm sorry...I'll be a little more on edge next time if that's what it takes..." He rested his head on her shoulder. "And...you still smell...so damn good." He adds while sniffing at her again, his ears perking a little more before lowering again. Helga: heh.. I really suck at jokes, don't I? ....kisses his ear You're okay. I know you are. You know why? Because you're here. With me. With your children. With everyone that loves you. Unlike last time where you hunted to get rid of this, that time you weren't okay. ...But now.. I think you're doing alright. ..My scent? I didn't even bother to spray anything on. It's my natural scent. You smell like wood and fire. That's a sexy smell, you know? ...Will some depressed sex my wonderful Wiezen? perks her ears slightly I'm sure you remember how well I do underwater. It's surprising, actually. The witch expands a small grin as she slides herself off her fiancé, sinking further down into the tub and dipping her face into the water in between Wiezen's legs, disappearing from his sight for a moment. Unexpectedly, the witch clamps her warm mouth down on his shaft, enduring it whole as she wraps her tongue around it and bobbed her head back and forth a few times as she held herself below the water for a while. Wiezen hadn't expected her to remind him of the first time that they had ever had sex together, and at that, his ears perked a bit. But as she sunk down further into the water, a slight shiver came over him. He let out a brief gasp as he felt her lips wrap around his shaft, and he began to moan when she started to bring the feeling of pleasure back to his mind and body. He could feel the wild wanting to claw out again, but he forced it back down as his hands slid under the surface of the water, his fingers sliding through her hair. "G-gods...Helga..." He moaned her name quietly, loving the warmth of her mouth and the slickness of her tongue. Helga remained underwater for a couple more seconds before she released him and rose up from the surface of the water, inhaling for air while combing her long bangs behind her ears. She narrowed her eyes as she pierced them into Wiezen's, expanding a small, mischievous and teasing smirk. Helga: Pardon. I forgot that this side of us is in time out as you stated earlier. I'll be leaving now since, you know, we're done here as you asked just a moment ago. If you need anything you know I'll be right around the corner. stands up from the tub as she reaches for a towel Wiezen's eyes sharpened when they met with hers. "Correction," he breathed out. "That was pertaining to the more animal side of me. That side's on time out. That's not me at the moment not is it?" He smirked and pushed himself up out of the water before smacking her on the butt, using his free hand to slide his fingers inside of her as she reached for a towel, his thumb grazing across her clitoris repeatedly. "Come now love, leaving so soon? I haven't even gotten a chance to tell you how much I love you." He pushed his fingers further inside while his thumb began to come more in contact with her clit. "Stay a while, we've got plenty of time." He grinned. Helga's pale cheeks reddened as she released a sudden loud moan of the unexpected move, leaning forward and biting on Wiezen's shoulder to prevent her from screaming and waking up the children. She lifts an eyebrow as she moans into his ear softly and clutches his back with her sharp nails. Helga: I don't.. Nnnghh.. I don't know.. grins ..You did call me a complainer and a "Hansel & Gretel" witch, so I'm not that sure if you even deserve the satisfaction of my ecstasy. B-Besides.. You've been the alpha for too long.. Windwakerguy430 commented… Why is it that everytime I come back, there's so much steamy Penulisan going on? hampir setahun yang lalu Jade_23 commented… Because at the end of a shitty hari sex fixes it. (Or at least in this story it does, that's usually how we all end the night.) xD hampir setahun yang lalu ........ Fair enough hampir setahun yang lalu -Universe_COLA- commented… xD that just about sums it up hampir setahun yang lalu hampir setahun yang lalu Windwakerguy430 said… Enricho: (Hugged her a little tighter, refusing to let go, as the kiss deepened) "You've called me a dog and a werewolf...and grumpy. So even is even. Right now, the Alpha's sleeping on thin ice, and I'd like him to stay that way." Wiezen says with a grin. "So right now its just plain ol me, a Beta for fun perhaps. I don't deserve your ecstasy, then you I'm not sure you deserve the pleasure." He pulled her back a little and licked his tongue across her lips. "And you've been trying to be the dominance for far to long. We'll take turns this time." He lowered himself back down to where he could actually sit in the tub and shoved his fave between her thighs. He licked his tongue over the juices that had began to flow out of her before moving his thumbs aside from the sensitivity of her clitoris and replacing it with his suckling lips, letting his tongue ravish across the area as he kept her standing with her legs spread just enough. He began to thrust his fingers in and out of her slowly, but kept his tongue lashing out in fast flickering motions. Macross knew now what she had to do in the moment that she was there in his arms. She had to do something about the Capital...anything that she could. But for now...she wouldn't let those worries bother her as she kissed him more. Enricho: (Pulls away slowly from her lips, only to immediately press his lips against her neck) Helga's eyes became thin slits as she hissed at Wiezen, her tongue now becoming forked. Scales emerge on the side of her neck, and her body glows for a moment as her hidden tattoos appear with all unique symbols and lines on her thighs. Helga: N-No.. she speaks with a soft moan as she held on to the towel handle, her voice suddenly changing tone I s-said.. growls quietly I said that tonight, you are not alpha.. Or beta.. Or omega.. I am. And you may refer to me as Mistress Helga or else you shall pay the consequences. grins You've been in power for too long. tightens the grip off her thighs around his neck, wrapping them around so that she has complete control of him as she unexpectedly flips him out of the tub and onto the floor with a skillful jump, landing on the same position where now she was sitting on his face. After a few moments of thrusting her own body back and forth, she slides down and settles herself above Wiezen, riding him slowly as her slitted eyes remained glued down on him in watch for any tricks. She smirks as the water in the tub seemed to form into thick shackles that held Wiezen's arms behind his head, and she elevates a lit candle from nearby, pouring the hot wax from a tall height onto his bare chest. Wiezen snarled at the feeling of hot wax against his skin, but couldn't help letting out a moan as she rode him. "Fine fine, I-I'll let you have your way tonight. But if it comes out, h-he's--" He moaned once more. "It's your problem. But DO NOT let me leave this room if that happens--oh gods..." He could feel himself starting to throb inside of her, wanting more. He let her take control to see if he could hold it back...the instinct. To make himself learn to keep it at bay because if he didn't...He closed his eyes for a moment to focus on the pleasure, on the movements of her hips. Macross shivered slightly, letting out a light trembling sigh at the touch of his lips against her neck. She nibbled on his shoulder softly, affectionately before kissing her way up his neck and back to his lips. Enricho: (Keeps his arms wrapped around her, kissing her lovingly) Helga grinned down at Wiezen as she poured the last of the hot wax on his chest while she continued to ride him slowly and skillfully. The scales on her neck settle down, and the tattoos on her thighs disappear. Helga leaned downward, placing a deep kiss on his lips, then shoving three of her fingers inside his mouth with a smirk, swirling them around smoothly against his tongue. Helga: Oh please, I can control any side of y-you. releases a soft moan while she kisses his abdomen gently* Mmm, oh yes! You look so controlled and so obedient, it's adorable! Good boy, very good boy! raises his upper body with her magic to place another passionate kiss, releasing him after a while and licking his tongue and cheek. She lowers her mouth to the crook of his neck and nibbles there, nuzzling with her nose until she actually sinks her soft fangs in him. She releases her fangs and drags them down his chest and abdomen, pulling out of him and sinking her warm mouth back on his whole rod, swirling her tongue throughly and slowly Wiezen's eyes flickered at the word "control", but he couldn't help but let out another moan as he found his now throbbing rod back into the warmth of her mouth. "H-Helga..." He moaned once more in a slight pant. Claws had begun to grow from the tips of his fingers, but came to a stop and pushed themselves back down while he fought against his inner animal's lust. "Gods yes..." He began to slowly move his hips, thrusting himself further into mouth, feeling the sensation of her constricting throat around him. "S-so good!" He moaned a little louder than before. Macross bit his lip softly and tugged very gently as she pulled away before her lips went back to his, kissing him deeper, pouring her passion through him. Her hands trailed across his chest slowly, and she found herself climbing on top of him in a straddle, keeping their lips locked. Helga surprisingly had no gag reflex, she just endured the further push of his rod into her warm mouth with a muffled moan. She perked her ears slightly at the sound of her name, lifting her glowing emerald eyes at him while making another red candle elevate from the shelf and pouring it right on his neck. Her left arm slowly slid down his chest, leaving a deep, bloody scratch with her nails. Helga: Ah ah ah.. That's MISTRESS Helga for you.. blushes a deep red as she feels a liquid trickle down her tight throat, seemingly grinning through her stuffed mouth Aww, so soon? I expected more from you, my Wiezen.. Hehehe.. Wiezen went still for a moment after he couldn't help but release a little of his load. "And you'll get more....a lot more, Mistress Helga." When he looked at her, the blue of his eyes were beginning to fill with the dark autumn orange like liquid filling a glass as he sat himself up straight. He pulled his wrists apart, the chains of water falling to the floor. "Honeeeey, I'm awake..." He growled lustfully, a smirk coming to his face as he made a swift and skilled movement, ending with the position being flipped and him being on top, his knees on either side of her face. His rod throbbed inside of her mouth before it seemed to enlarge a bit as he pushed down forcefully. He let out a snarl of a moan. "Oh....fuck!." He grinned down at her, the change in demeanor present now. "This is gonna be fun! We're just gettin' started!" He began to thrust hard and fast, moaning her name, the sensation of her tongue and constricting throat being more than just satisfaction. Helga tried to hiss when she was pinned on the bottom, but her words just ended in muffles as she gagged quietly while her glowing eyes remained glued to Wiezen's, squirming a bit. Helga: ..You again.. So you couldn't resist yourself, huh? ..I-I'm not quite sure.. Of which side of yours I prefer.. But I'll take both anytime.. Hush it! Our children are in the other room and if you so happen to wake them up with your screams I'll make sure to stick something down that th-throat of yours! ..And you're not leaving this roooom.. Wiezen thrust a few more times letting out a moan before he came to a stop for a moment. "Whoops, yeah, the kids...you're right about that. I'm just enjoying myself." His ears twitched. "Eh? And Why not? I mean I know you want me all to yourself and all but it's not like anyone else is gonna get any." He said as he began to thrust slower, staring down at he for a moment. His eyes flickered. "O-oooh, that's right. Because I told you not to let me. Well, f-forget I said that." He panted a little as he gradually began to pick up the speed of his thrusting before pulling himself from her mouth. He moved down to where he could sink his teeth into her neck before nibbling his way down to her breasts, pushing them together before taking her nipples into his mouth, his teeth grazing across them repeatedly. "Forget that I said it." His hand snaked down between her legs and he squeezed her clitoris between his index finger and thumb hard. Helga gasped for air as soon as he pulled out, panting heavily as she wiped her perfectly plump lips with her sleeve. She shivered for a moment as she felt Wiezen hand lower, then immediately released a loud shriek of ecstasy while covering her mouth. The witch squirms a bit and unexpectedly crawls away from her fiancé to a corner to take a moment, inhaling deep breaths as she fixed her hair while her legs quivered. "Nah ah ah, shhhh, our children are in the other room and if you so happen to wake them up with your screams I'll make sure to stick something back down that throat of yours!" Wiezen said with a grin, loving the way her legs were trembling, before going over and whispering in her ear. "Oh come on, "I expected more from you", my Helga. Or shall I say, Mistress Helga. No breaks for you." He grinned, throwing her words back at her as his arm wrapped around her hips from behind and he pulled her to her feet, leaning her into the corner, his other hands grabbing her nipple and twisting it a little. He spread her quivering legs and shoved his rod deep inside of her, letting out a moan before he started thrusting slow, but hard, picking up the speed for only a few seconds before he would switch between paces continuously. Helga released another loud moan before sinking her teeth on his shoulder to prevent her from being heard. She slightly lowered her ears and panted heavily in his ear while tightening the grip of her arms around him. She gently kissed his neck with quivering lips and spoke in a hot, panting breath. Helga: ..B-Best.. Date.. Ever... nnnghhh.. (Feel free to skip to the next day. xD) Enricho: (Caresses her body as he kisses her, not wanting to pull away, as he feels his hands slip up her shirt) (To the next day it is! xP) Wiezen woke up the next morning in the corner of the hot tub room still with Helga in his arms. Or rather, he hadn't went to sleep at all, just rested his eyes as he listened to the calming sound of her breathing and the relaxing feeling of her heartbeat. After she had "fallen asleep", he had planned on going out and slaughtering the entire restaurant that they had been to. But surprisingly, he didn't. And though the thought had crossed his mind numerous times, he kept himself under control and remained with his lover, her words floating through his mind gracefully every now and then. ..B-Best.. Date.. Ever... A soft smile played at his lips and he placed a kiss on her head, keeping his arms wrapped around her and using his body heat to keep her comfortably warm. Macross blushed a little as he felt his hands on her bare skin. She kept her lips against his, not wanting to let him out of her grasp even momentarily. Helga snored quietly while she snuggled within her fiancé's arms, twitching her ears slightly as she felt the kiss on her forehead. She slowly opened her eyes, blinking numerous times in confusion as she twitched her ears and nose repeatedly. The witch yawns quietly in his chest, furrowing her eyebrows slightly and raising her head at Wiezen, speaking with a drowsy voice and a confused, tired face. Helga: ..W-what? ..heyyyyy.. you didn't share the.. yawns power.. You turned into that werewolf.. That wasn't fair.. wrinkles her nose in the attempt of being mad, but only ends up yawning again and blinking away the sand in her eyes ..Good Morrow... Enricho: (Pulled away from her lips momentarily as he looked into her eyes) My love for you is beyond that of which anyone else could, Macross (He keeps his hands underneath her shirt, slowly lifting it up) "I'm not a werewolf!" Wiezen said, wrinkling his nose before chuckling and placing a soft kiss to her lips. "Good morning love. Or shall I still refer to you as "Mistress Helga." He smiled. "And it was totally fair. I warned you that if you brought out that side then you were gonna have to deal with him right?" He yawned himself, his eyes, which had returned to their clear blue, tired and a bit dreary. "You look so peaceful when you're sleeping. I didn't mean to make you faint either...but I guess it looks like it paid off, seeing that you look like you've gotten plenty of sleep." He said as he moved a few strands of hair from her face and tucked them behind her ear. "Not only that, but I think I've found away to have a little more control over the instinct...thank you." Macross removed her shirt slowly before tracing her fingers across his chest. "And I'll cherish your love and repay you with the deep passion I hold for you from the bottom of my heart..." She kissed him softly. "To the flesh and bone that holds me together..." She kissed him once more. "To my very soul...I love you Enricho...and I will never stop doing so...what I feel for you is an endless river that has become much more. A waterfall...and from there...an ocean." Enricho: Then it's only fair if I give you the same amount of love (Unbuttons his shirt as he pulls it off) Helga: ..More control? It only took for me to suck the soul out of you, huh? That other side of you knows all my weak spots, and it's annoying since you can easily make me turn myself in in less than a second. And Helga is fine. Mistress Helga is satisfied. And you totally are a werewoooooolf... she sniffed in the air, wincing at her breath. She suddenly stood her nude body from Wiezen's, immediately releasing an unexpected moan as she fell on her knees while her legs quivered again. She slightly growled and stood up once more in a funny way, making her way around the room to wash her mouth before anything. I'm hoping you didn't leave the room while I was out. Or else you're going to be in biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiig trouble. ties her messy hair back into a bun And not the good kind. No sex for a week if you killed anyone or anything while I dozed off. ...Oh, and I hope I was able to get rid of that sadness you were feeling last night with a nice session that involved my perfectly round ass. Wiezen smirked a little at the sound of her moan, and laughed a bit as he watched the way she walked. "It looks like your legs should tell you that I didn't go anywhere." He teased. "So no, I didn't kill anyone. I stayed here and watched you sleep. Hell, I didn't even go to sleep myself." He said, smiling a little. But then he smirked. "Remembering the sound of your moans kept me calm and collected. Besides, I don't think that it would be good for you to go so long without sex, you'd drive yourself mad, especially after last night's event." He laughs. "But on a serious note, as said, no. I felt a few urges to go on a killing spree, but I stayed under control. Actually, now that I think about it, I don't even feel the urge anymore." He stretched before getting to his feet. He went and washed out his mouth as well. Macross kissed his now bare chest as he removed his shirt, helping him do so before going up and nibbling on his neck a little. Enricho: (Moans softly with enjoyment, as he caresses her body with passion) Helps growled with a small blush as she tried to hide her embarrassment. Helga:Whatever. There's more where that came from anyways. places a kiss on his cheek I wouldn't leave you so unsatisfied anyways. My ass belongs to you only. Property of Mr. Wiezen. "So I take it that I didn't leave you unsatisfied either, since I pleased Mistress Helga with satisfaction. That being said, I think you already have a good idea of what belongs to you, off limits to everyone else. Property of the Ms..." Wiezen paused for a moment. "MRS...Helga," He corrected with a small grin. But then he sat down, putting his hand to his head for a moment, yawning. "Sheesh..." Claws grew from his fingers and he used them to scratch through his hair for a moment before they retracted it back into his fingertips. "I think I'm going to take your last name. Quartz. Wiezen Quartz." He chuckled to himself tiredly. Macross blushed at the sound of his moan, but smiled softly before sticking out her tongue a little and sliding it up his neck and into his mouth as she kissed him passionately, moaning against his lips a little. Enricho: (Kisses her passionately, as he reached down to unbuckle the belt of his pants) Helga: Property of Mrs. Helga indeed. So tell that Lilith of yours to fuck off. Pardon, I'm not jealous, I'm just saying. rinses her mouth off and wipes her lips her her arm, wrapping herself in a towel for her to head outside Hmm, taking the last name of my father, huh? Just be careful when you introduce yourself then. The last name "Quartz" isn't really appreciated. My parents were one of the first few warlocks and witches handmade by the Ancient Ones, making them very powerful... And that's a very... Very long time to cause mischief and chaos with that last name. leans forward and kisses her husband deeply, releasing him and nibbling down his neck Yummy. Wiezen shrugged. "Well considering that even the name I'm known by now is considered a curse in itself, I'd say we both have a bit of bad blood. Well that, and I don't even know my last name. I'll have to ask the old timer about that stuff." He shrugged once more. "So for now, I'm goin' with "Quartz". Seems reasonable enough don't ya think?" He smiled. "And besides, I'm sure its not THAT bad. Though I would like you to be there when I find out just what the hell my other half is...well, THIS half--" He held up his arm, fur sprouting from it for a moment before sinking back down and disappearing. Macross placed her hands on his as she kept their lips locked, rubbing her fingers across his before moving his hands away. She pulled up for a moment, a spark ignited in her eyes as she grinned a little. "Please love, let me. I have something very special for you tonight." She blushed a bit more before placing a kiss on his forehead, then a smaller one on his nose, moving lower to place another deep and passionate on to his lips before she began to travel down further. Her soft lips kissed at his chest, moving lower to his abdomen, and then to his pants, where she then tugged them off as she sat there between his legs. "Something very...special." (I'll save you the trouble this time and do the honors of skipping to the morning xD) By the time the sun had risen, Macross was no where to be found. There was a fire burning near where they had been, that was now dying out, but the food that was above it in a metal container had been kept warm for her lover to enjoy. Carved into the grass beside where they were had been laying was a message. It read: Wait For Me. I Shall Return, My Love. Enricho: (Woke up slowly, only to see that Macross was gone. Upon reading the message, he got up and began to dress himself with a sigh) Helga blinked at the man in front of her, slightly furrowing her eyes as she thought to herself. Not that bad? Hahaha... Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahhahaahhhahahahahahhaahhahhahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahhahahahahahah....!!! The witch shook her head and blinked again, narrowing her eyes at the fur on his arm before it disappeared. Helga: ...Well.. Whatever you are, I don't care. You're still my werewolf. My one and only little Wiezen. scratches him behind his ears as she gazes into his eyes for a moment, remembering the scene of her grooming little Wiezen and holding the injured close to her. She expands a small smile, leaning forward once more and placing a small kiss on his nose You're adorable, you know that? Very cute and very handsome with that grumpy face of yours. (.. You know......... This is just too happy...... Let's change that, shall we :D) Gaspar: (Walks into town, carrying his book of the Land Mover in his hand) Azlul may be dead, but my goal is still strong. The Land Mover shall be revived, no matter what complications there are. Azlul's death was just a minor bump on the road to my goal. I will make sure to find the child of the witch, the sacrifice. I won't fail in my mission. ;-; hampir setahun yang lalu (Well, there's that, and we're getting closer to the 100th page. What the hell are we gonna do for that? DEAT--I mean CELEBRATIIIIIIION! ) "Well that may be so, but it sorta sucks not knowing to be honest. I'm like that freak in at the end of the woods looking for an apple or somethin'." Wiezen wrinkled his noes. "And I'm not grumpy, my face isn't grumpy! Hmph!" He crossed his arms and turned the other way. "You're the grumpy one!" He pouted slightly, his ears perking. "Me and Jr. are happy with our grumpy faces then!" A few moments later, the fire that kept the food warm died out completely in the light of the rising sun. Minutes began to pass, and Macross hadn't return. But as a few hours ticked by, the gate to the mountains opened, and she made her way back to the sight where they would build their home with a hood pulled over her face, limping, but using the horse that she had with her to make it seem as if she weren't. Enricho: Macross, where have you been. I haven't moved since. I was worried for your safety..... And what's with the hood? Are you alright? Rosemary: (Watches her siblings carefully, waiting for Helga and Weizen to return) Gaspar: (His eyes are glued onto Rosemary, as he watches her from the window) Well, ain't that fucking creepy XD hampir setahun yang lalu Getting a little Herbert from Family Guy vibe xD hampir setahun yang lalu Helga kissed his ear before she giggled at Wiezen, snorting a bit. Her laughter suddenly came to an abrupt stop as she perked her ears and narrowed her eyes for a moment, sniffing the air and turning around to the door of the bathroom. Her eyes became thin slits as she suddenly disappeared from the bathroom and reappeared in the living room to check on her children. (As soon as Helga walked into the room, Rosemary was not to be seen) Wiezen eyes had sharpened as well at the same moment that Helga's had become slits, but he opened the door to the hot tub room and blinked for a moment as he realized something. "I know you sensed something as well but...uuh...Helga...you're still naked. I think we're going to need clothes for this." He began to laugh before becoming serious again, giving a sniff at the air for a moment. "Something smells disgusting..." And then his eyes widened slightly. "Helga...where's Rosemary?" He asked slowly as he noticed that her scent had become absent. Macross lifted her head very slightly, but not enough to reveal her face. Instead, she gave a nod. "Have you eaten the breakfast I had prepared for you, love?" She asked gently, leaning against the horse a little more to keep herself standing up straight. Though she ran her hand through its mane to make it seem as if she were just admiring it from under her hood. The witch widened her eyes as she counted each child, realizing the eldest one wasn't in sight. Helga ignored Wiezen as she began to panic and quickly scurried into the room with her towel, throwing the sheets aside and calling out Rosemary's name as her eyes began to twitch. She grabbed her triplets and looked around for a moment, inhaling a few deep breaths and scouting the area. Helga; Rosemary?! Rosemary!! Rose, where are you little one?! This isn't the time to be playing your human games!!! Windwakerguy430 Kelab Berkaitan Mainkan peranan rawak Elsa the Snow Queen Miles "Tails" Prower pelangi, rainbow Dash Rarity the Unicorn	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line979
__label__wiki	0.554035	0.554035	Where Caring Is A Family Tradition Edward and Cecelia Loskot Obituaries/ Print This Obituary Edward A. Loskot, age 92, and Cecelia E. Loskot, age 88, of Winneconne, both died at Mercy Medical Center in Oshkosh; Eddie on January 3, 2021, and Ceil on January 6, 2021. Eddie was born July 29, 1928, in Marathon, Wisconsin to the late Jerome and Pauline (Meyer) Loskot. He served his country during the Korean War in the 9th Regiment of the 2nd Infantry Division as a Corporal in the U.S. Army. Eddie earned the Bronze Star because of his duty as a jeep driver transporting important Army personnel, usually under enemy fire and at times on nearly impassable treacherous roads. Ceil was born February 2, 1932, in Marathon to the late Thomas and Clara (Weilock) Stencil. On September 1, 1952, Eddie and Ceil were married at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Marathon. After they were married, they moved to Milwaukee, the St. Francis area, for work. During the ‘60s, they owned and operated Ed and Ceil’s Tap in Milwaukee. After that they worked various manufacturing jobs. In 1980, Eddie and Ceil moved to Waupaca and they both worked as custodians for the Amherst School District. They moved to Winneconne in 2018. Eddie’s hobbies included woodworking, playing the piano and accordion, and he enjoyed Ceil’s homemade bakery, as much as she would allow. Ceil was a hard worker who enjoyed doing crafts, sewing, and baking. Eddie and Ceil are survived by their children, Sandy (Dennis) Troppman, of Milwaukee; Sue (Gary) Bjornstad, of Oak Creek; Tom (Chandarose) Loskot, of Winneconne; grandchildren, Craig (Katie) Troppman, Kevin Troppman, Lisa (Jason) Morgan, Amy (Adnan) Plavulj, Deion Loskot (Emily), Dylan Loskot; great-grandchildren, Jacob and Jack Troppman, Caden and Brynn Morgan, Kira and Maci Plavulj. Eddie is also survived by a sister, Elaine (Louie) Thibault. Ceil is also survived by a brother and a sister, LaVern (Joanie) Stencil, Marcella Kettell. Along with his parents, Edward was also preceded in death by a brother, a sister-in-law, and sister, Jerry and Barbara Loskot, Diane Heitkemper; and a son-in-law, Mike Barna. Along with her parents, Cecelia was also preceded in death by a brother-in-law, Tony Kettell; and a son-in-law, Mike Barna. Cremation has taken place and a funeral Mass will be held at a later date, with interment at the Central Wisconsin Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in King, Wisconsin. Mueller Funeral Home-Winneconne is assisting the family with arrangements. The family wishes to thank everyone who has expressed their condolences, and the staffs of Mercy Medical Center and Evergreen at Home for their quality of care provided to Eddie and Ceil. If you wish please submit online condolences to muellerfh.net. Philip Morgan wrote on January 14, 2021 Life can be tough, heaven is a much better place. I have been praying for you and your family. God’s love and grace are always with you, sorry for your loss. Jim Kirk wrote on January 13, 2021 Tom, my sympathy goes out to you, and the rest of your family. I am truly sorry for your loss. Linda (Mullins) Knauf wrote on January 13, 2021 My deepest sympathy to Sandy, Sue, and Tom, from the Mullins family. I was talking Jeri Wadzinski today and she told me of this sad news. I have fond memories of Ed and Ceil as they always seemed to have a great time when we were at Tom and Clara’s when we were young. I’m so sorry for your loss. Linda (Mullins) Knauf Barb Bentzen wrote on January 12, 2021 I am so fortunate to have crossed paths with Ed and Ceil when I worked at the Amherst Elementary School. I considered them my friends and always enjoyed the many conversations we had. They were so friendly and were always willing to help when needed. My heart goes out to Ed and Ceil’s family. Kathleen Nicholson wrote on January 11, 2021 Ed and Ceil were both special people to us at the Amherst Schools. They took such pride in the care of our buildings and both became my friends when I taught there. Dawn Krueger wrote on January 11, 2021 To my friend Sandy and her sister Sue You have my deepest sympathy for the loss of your parents. I know there with each other, hoping you find comfort in knowing that there dancing in "HEAVEN " and in loving hands with our Lord. DAWN KRUEGER DAVID WESLEY Robert Faux wrote on January 11, 2021 Ed and Ceil were my neighbors. Ceil brought over homemade soup often. They sure did like to polka. Aaron & Amy Tuomi Family wrote on January 10, 2021 Our hearts go out to all of you during this difficult time. Such a great couple who built a solid foundation to create an amazing family. Hold those memories close. Love, hugs and prayers. Duke Tuomi & Janet Pagel wrote on January 10, 2021 Please accept our sincere sympathy in the death of Ed and Ceil. They were a wonderful couple and will be sadly missed by all who knew them. God's blessings to their family and friends. May your suffering be eased ad you remembet the good times in their lives. Rochelle woiak family wrote on January 10, 2021 Ed and ceil were wonderful people. They loved to polka!! We saw them polkaing at the corn roast one year. They had followed the band there. They will be missed by everyone who knew them. David & Patricia Grant wrote on January 10, 2021 Our sincerest condolences at this very rough time. Ryan Tuomi and family wrote on January 10, 2021 Deepest sympathies, they really were so nice and wonderful. Ed was so easy to talk to and Ceil and I liked to polka together. They are in our hearts. Tom and Karen Morgan ash wrote on January 10, 2021 Ed and ceil we are the most adorable couple I’ve ever known. Ed always had a smile on his face. They were so happy together. And Ceil was such a fashionable lady. She was so excited telling me about her dancing her polka dancing that she loved. She ran to her purse to get out the picture of her dancing that was in the newspaper, she was so proud. I will hold them both in my heart and I will miss seeing them at all the parties. They are both together in heaven. We screen all comments out of consideration for the families and friends of the departed. © 2021 Mueller Funeral Home. Website by Thundera Multimedia	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line982
__label__cc	0.614717	0.385283	Islamic Creeed- Creed and Quran Inimitability- Lesson (13-36): The Basic Factors of Assignment- Fitrah -5- Al-Fitrah is in accord with the Divine Assignment Arabic Source Creed and Quran Miraculousness In the Name of Allah, The Most Gracious, Most Merciful Fitrah -Divine Assignment agreement: Dear brother, this is the 13th lesson of the series Aqeedah and Inimitability of the Quran. In the previous meetings we tackled the topic of Al-Fitrah and man's reality before getting acquainted with Allah the Almighty, but this meeting we are in dire need to discuss, in details, a relevant issue to the one of Al-Fitrah. It is about the amazing harmony between the Divine Method and Al-Fitrah. What happens if man follows the Divine Method? What happens if he doesn't? Is there an agreement or a contrast between the two (Al-Fitrah and the Divine Method)? 1- Allah's rulings are in harmony with the human nature: Dear brother, I used to give the following example: By pouring clay on a three dimension map, we will get a 100% compatible mould of the map. Similarly, man's nature is 100% in accord with Allah's Method. Thus, when you apply Allah's Orders and Prohibitions, you will feel at peace with yourself, but if you do not, you will be in hardship. 2- Applying Allah's Orders brings tranquility and peace to the soul: When you reconcile with Allah by applying His Method, actually you reconcile with yourself at the same time. By Allah, dear brother, the one who follows Allah's Path will get peace of mind, tranquility, serenity, settlement, content, triumph over one's ownself and the rest, which will be enough for the population of an entire country if it is divided among them. The proof is in the following Ayah: ﴾Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.﴿ [Ar-Ra'd, 28] You will find rest, because you do what Allah orders you, such as being honest. Also, when you are chaste, you avoid looking at forbidden things of people, and when you lower your gaze from looking at a woman who isn't your wife, you will be triumphant over your ownself. These actions mean that you have a good will and will control your lusts instead of being a slave for them. When you say the truth even if it is bitter, you overcome your ownself and you rejoice your dignity. Hence, you will be superior as long as you follow Allah's Method. 3- Man is molded to love his own safety, happiness and superiority: By the way, you, as a human being, are molded to be keen on your safety, happiness and superiority. Scholars listed more than ten reasons according to which Yusuf, the Prophet, peace be upon him, could have responded to the temptation of Aziz's wife. Some of them are his youth, estrangement, celibacy and being tempted by his mistress, who would have been keen on keeping his secret, and thus accepting her temptation might have been justified. However, he said, "I seek refuge with Allah", and because of this honorable stance, his position from a slave to a king. Whoever fulfills his lust with a woman who tempts him will hit rock bottom, and morally speaking he will be done. What exalts this Noble Prophet, peace be upon him, to the highest ranks? His chastity does. 4- Al-Fitrah inclines towards goodness: Al-Fitrah likes chastity, honesty, faithfulness, benevolence and mercy. Hence, you will unconsciously admire whoever shows mercy to other people, whoever is honest with them and whoever scarifies things for Allah's Sake. In fact what you like to see in people is in accord with your Fitrah. By Allah dear brother, had Al-Fitrah not been an essential part of man, no one would have repented. Without Al-Fitrah man would have said, when he sins, "What sin have I committed? Because of Al-Fitrah, even the most morally deviated person, knows that he is deviated, so sometimes he is in pain, in remorse and in tears. You should know that your exalted Fitrah is the best help Allah has given you. Therefore, when you sin, you will be in remorse due to the fact that your Fitrah is in accord with Allah's Method. You might know a man who occupies a law social position, he is poor, his food and clothes are poor and he lives in a hut-like house, yet he is upright, his head is held up high, he is lofty and optimistic and he has trust in Allah the Almighty. On the other hand, you might meet a rich man who owns millions, yet he is despicable and he despises his ownself. 5- The difference between respecting the self and degrading it: Dear brother, we have two terms, "self-respecting" and "self-degrading". If someone has the best looking, occupies the most powerful position and has the biggest wealth, but he is stamped with betrayal, dishonesty, cheating, hypocrisy and he earns money from blackmailing and scaring people, this person, and the like of him, are defeated from within. Unlike this man, whoever is honest and faithful, he doesn't betray, he doesn't lie and he is not hypocrite, will feel the dignity of perfection and uprightness, though he might be obscure and one of the common people. In this respect consider the Prophetic supplication, which goes as follows: ((…He whom You protect shall never be humiliated and he whom You make enemy shall never be exalted….)) [Abu Dawood, by Al-Hasan Ibn Ali] 6- Being a perfectionist is Fitrah and perfection is part of man's nature: You should know beyond doubt that you are programmed, tuned, molded and originally have an inclination towards perfection. Being a perfectionist doesn't mean that you are perfect, for your perfection is one thing (this is your Fitrah), and to be perfect is another (this is part of your character). All people, with no exceptions, have a natural propensity to strive for perfection, but this doesn't mean that they are perfect. As for the believers, who are connected with the Almighty Allah and who are upright on His Path, they are perfect. This indicates an outstanding harmony between man's nature and the tiniest details of Shari'ah. Accordingly, we say to whoever obeys the Almighty Allah, "You are reconciled with yourself." Sometimes you meet a person who shows generosity, chastity and dignity, and to this person I say, "You are a real king". ((Umm Salamah said, "when I met Uthman ibn Talha (He as in charge of looking after the Ka'bah, but did not embrace Islam until the Opening of Makkah). 'Were are you going, Bint Zad ar Rakib?' he asked. 'I am going to my husband in Al-Madinah.' 'And isn't there anyone going with you?' 'No, by Allah, except Allah and my little boy here.' 'By Allah,' he vowed, 'I will not leave you until you reach Medina.' [He did not even look at her.] He then took the reins of my camel and led us on our way. By Allah, I have never met an Arab more generous and noble than he. Whenever we reached a resting-place, he would make my camel kneel down, wait until I had dismounted and then lead the camel to a tree and tether it. Then he would go and rest in the shade of a different tree to me. When we had rested, he would get the camel ready again and then lead us on our way. This he did every day until we reached Al-Madinah.")) The history will never overlook his stance, for he is a lofty man. Dear brother, again, you should know for certain that you have a natural propensity to strive for perfection that is Divinely ordained upon you, so if you do something that makes you perfect, you will find yourself, you will reconcile with her and you will have tranquility that is enough for an entire country. 7- Happiness and success can be achieved by applying the principles of Al-Fitrah: Harmony occurs when your actions are in accord with your Fitrah; when you are honest with people, when you fulfill your covenant and when you are merciful to people, you implement what Allah orders you: ((Be merciful to those on earth so that Allah will be Merciful to you in the heavens.)) You will have indescribable feelings; you might call it inspiration, tranquility, serenity, mercy, content, pleasure or satisfaction. Hence, it is a combined feeling of satisfaction, content, tranquility, serenity, cohesiveness and self-esteem. Moreover, you hold your head up high, because you followed Allah's Path, and at the same time you reconcile with yourself. This is how harmony manifests. Dear brother, is there anyone who is not seeking happiness? In fact happiness is gained when you obey Allah, when you implement the principles of your Fitrah and when you reconcile with Allah. Furthermore, when you reconcile with Allah, you are unconsciously reconciling with yourself and vice versa, because the Method of Allah and your characteristics are completely identical. This is the first part of the subject matter of our lesson. 8- Dignity can be achieved by applying the principles of Al-Fitrah: The second part of this topic is about the consequences of acting upon Allah's Method. When you apply the Divine Method, none can do harm to you due to the dignity you are granted through obeying Allah. The Almighty Allah says: ﴾For those who have done good is the best (reward, i.e. Paradise) and even more (i.e. having the honour of glancing at the Countenance of Allah Ìá ÌáÇáå) Neither darkness nor dust nor any humiliating disgrace shall cover their faces.﴿ [Yunus, 26] I can give you a lot of examples: You might like to be an employee, a writer, a correspondent, a telephone operator, head of a department, a deputy minister, a millionaire or a man in debt, so regardless of your job, you should be esteemed, generous and merciful, and you should trust in the Almighty Allah. Harmony means that the believer reconciles with himself and this is why he is described that he is happy, he has a strong personality, he has self-respect and he is humble. Moreover, for Allah's Sake, the believer does not pay attention to the criticism of blamers. This is the harmony I mean. 9- Psychological diseases are the outcome of deviating from the principles of Fitrah: Whatever disharmony (Allah forbid) between Al-Fitrah and the Divine Method will end up in self-destruction, imbalance, self-despising, compunction, melancholy, depression, harsh reactions and unwise actions. All these consequences result from the disharmony with Al-Fitrah. I seek refuge with Allah, people who build their victory on the wreck of people, who collect their wealth by impoverishing sh3er, who become powerful at the expense of other's weakness and who humiliate people for the sake of their own glory, are the most miserable ones at all, because they are imbalanced, they are always cautious, they are afraid of the unknown, their reactions are harsh and they don't have wisdom. There are thousands of examples of those people. The one who is in harmony with his Fitrah is lenient, easy going, leads a simple life, talks nicely, never loses his temper and is patient, whereas the one who is causelessly violent, is someone who is restless from within, who is confused and who has fear of the unknown. There is a hotel in Germany where the following note is I hanged on top of every bed in it, "If you are sleepless tonight, it is because of the many sins you have committed, for our mattresses are comfortable". When man is on the Straight Path he always says, "I went in deep sleep the minute I hit the pillow". He sleeps well, because he is sinless, he never takes any money that doesn't belong to him, he never oppresses anyone, he never lies to people, he never dissembles people, he never causes the destruction of any household, he never blackmails people and he never scares them. Unlike this believer, whoever builds his victory on the wreck of people, he feels distressed the minute he hits the pillow. Also, he becomes in hardship and unease, he can't breathe and he doesn't feel well. During the day, such man is busy with his job, but at night all his sins and mistakes are there in his mind making him worried and distressed. Sometimes these worries c narrow the arteries causing high blood pressure and thickness in the walls of the vessels due to the accumulated fats. The hardship and pain one feels upon going to sleep are the results of a physical problem in the arteries, and the results of having a lot of sins, for the sinner starts holding himself accountable and his Fitrah starts torturing him, so what is going on in this case? Actually, when man goes against the principles of his Fitrah and the Divine Method and when he wrongs people, blackmails them, expropriates someone's house, takes his partners' company and denies his employee's rights ( by accusing him of doing something wrong and firing him thereupon without compensating him. Let Alone, he denies his rights accusing him of betrayal, while other employees are watching silently because they fear him), he will have worries about the unknown, he will have fears without apparent reasons, he becomes unbelievably harsh and his reactions are very cruel. All these things are caused by the imbalance, the deep crack, self-despising, qualm and melancholy the sinner suffers from. Believe me dear brother, most psychological diseases are the outcome of opposing Al-Fitrah. Hysteria is a psychological disease which we have studied at the university in psychology and mental health. In our daily life, when we say someone has a hysterical attack, we mean that he becomes insane, but scientifically, hysteria refers to palsy that happens due to psychosocial reasons, not physical ones. Real stories about deviation from the Straight Path: The first story: In Britain, a patient who had a pretty young woman asked a doctor to come to his house. When the doctor got there, he betrayed the patient's trust and abused that young woman, sexually. As a result, his hand (the one he used in harassment) was paralyzed. As a doctor whose job is humanitarian, he was supposed to treat the patient, but instead he responded to the young woman's temptation, and he did a shameful action that caused him deep remorse and consequently his hand was paralyzed. In this case we can say that the paralyzed hand is the outcome of psychological reasons, not physical ones, and it can be cured if the doctor does a heroic deed that will make him forget all about the betrayal he committed. The second story: A brother from a neighboring country of ours told me that a man sent his son to the store in north Beirut at 2.00 AM, but this child was run over by a speeding car and died immediately. There were no traffic police at 2. AM, so that accident was considered as "hit and run", and the driver was free of any responsibilities, but the driver couldn't sleep at the first night (following the accident), and the same goes for twenty nights. He went to a psychiatrist who told him that his condition was the result of compunction that was caused by running over a young child and fleeing out of fear of responsibility. The psychiatrist said to him, "The only cure for your condition is to send blood money to the family of this child, and you should be generous so that you can sleep again." By Allah dear brother, unless you watch yourself, your ownself will torture you whenever you wrong sh3er, take the rights of sh3er or divorce your wife unjustly. By Allah, the most idiot man is the one who underestimates soul-searching, for it brings to him painful anguish. A questionnaire was given to 100 husbands asking them one question, "Why don't you cheat on your wife?" The answers were taken and classified ethically. The least ethical ones said, "I can't, because she is with me at work", but other exalted answers were as follows, "I can't handle qualms because adultery is a major sin". The most exalted answers were, "I don't like betrayal". Some results of being psychologically balanced: Dear brother, when man becomes imbalanced he resorts to cling to a corrupted belief which justifies his own corruption and sets him free of responsibilities and consequences. Accordingly, the person, who is selling bad quality commodities to Muslims, bad food or milk that is mixed with water, given he is not educated, and he lives in a village where people are not educated as well, will become gleeful upon listening to the following Hadith which he hears in a religious session he attends: ((My intercession is assured for the sinners of my nation)) [At-Tirmizi, by Anas] He mistakenly feels secured, and he clings to this Hadith which is sound, but its interpretation is incorrect. Intercession is a delicate issue that needs to be discussed in details, but some people naively misunderstand it. Allah says: ﴾Is, then one against whom the Word of punishment justified (equal to the one who avoids evil). Will you (O Muhammad, peace be upon him) rescue him who is in the Fire?﴿ [Az-Zumar, 19] ((Abu Hurairah narrated: when the following Ayah was revealed: ﴾And warn your tribe (O Muhammad, peace be upon him) of near kindred. ﴿[Ash-Shu'ara, 214], The Prophet, peace be upon him, asked Quraish to gather, so after they gathered before him he, peace be upon him, addressed them both in general and in specific terms: "O Banu Ka'b Ibn Lu'ayy! Save yourselves from the Fire! O Banu Murrah Ibn Ka'b! Save yourselves from the Fire! O Banu Abdu Shams! Save Yourselves from the Fire! O Banu 'Abdu Manaf! Save yourselves from the Fire! Banu Hashim! Save yourselves from the Fire! O Banu 'Abdu'l-Muttalib! Save yourselves from the Fire! O Fatima, daughter of Muhammad! Save yourselves from the Fire! I cannot do anything to protect you from the punishment of Allah, but there are ties of kinship between us that I will recognize and uphold.)) [Muslim] In another Hadith, the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: ((And whoever is slowed down by his actions, will not be hastened forward by his lineage.)) [Muslim, by Abu Hurairah] The one, who reauthord this Hadith before people in the Masjid, is not knowledgeable enough, and he doesn't know how to interpret it to the listeners, so he deludes people by saying that all people are included in the Prophet's intercession, and that they will be forgiven even if they sin. Accordingly, the one who cheats people clings to this Hadith and likes that religious session; better yet he will convey it to another 100 men saying to them, "Have you heard what this scholar said?" What a great religion we have!" This is because the misinterpretation of the Hadith justifies his corruption. Whoever opposes his Fitrah will cling to every weak text, every wrong concept, every poor interpretation, every deviated opinion and every wrong Fatwa in order to be at ease. I used to say that man tends to believe incorrect ideas without looking for any evidence that might refute them. Assume that someone bought a car, but his friends who intended to buy a car too changed his mind. Two days later a rumor that there would be a law which reduce the custom duty on vehicles to 50 %, went viral, and according to which the owner will pay only 100.000 Liras instead of 200.000 Liras. In this case, the one who bought a car will not believe the rumor saying, "It is not true. We have been told that million times before, but nothing happened." He says that because disbelieving the rumor gives him comfort, whereas the one who didn't buy a car will say, "This is not a lie, because the country is in need of this. I am sure that this is not a rumor but a true law". None of the two men sought an evidence to support his claims, but the first man got upset about the news, and he defended himself by denying the rumor, whereas the second one was comfortable with the news, and thus he clung to it. Much in the same line, a corrupted immoral person clings to every weak religious concept even if it not sound simply because it pleases him. The one who drinks wine reads the following Ayah: ﴾Intoxicants (all kinds of alcoholic drinks), gambling, Al-Ansab, and Al-Azlam (arrows for seeking luck or decision) are an abomination of Shaitan's (Satan) handiwork. So avoid (strictly all) that (abomination) in order that you may be successful. ﴿ [Al-Ma'idah', 90] Then he says, "Well, Allah doesn't say wine is Haram, but He says, 'So avoid (strictly all) that (abomination)'. This is a guiding order, so give me one Ayah that says wine is Haram"? Such a man turns into a scholar, because he reads Allah's Words: ﴾So avoid (strictly all) that (abomination)﴿ He is pleased with the idea that wine is not Haram. Similarly, the man who eats usury says, "Allah forbids only the usury that is doubled and multiplied." He uses the following Ayah as a proof of his claims: ﴾O you who believe! Eat not Riba (usury) doubled and multiplied﴿ [Aal-'Imran, 130] He says, "I take only 5 % (of the original capital)." When man deviates from the Right Path and becomes imbalanced, and his deviation is disclosed in front of himself, he tries to regain his balance by clinging to a bizarre opinion, a weak fatwa, a personal interpretation and a corrupted concept. I would like you to be attention to this fact: I am against any public debate between an atheist and a Muslim, because the atheist will give false proofs about the non-existence of Allah. Therefore, the one who likes to be an atheist will cling to those proofs and will never listen to the proofs of the Muslim which refute the atheist's claims. Millions are listening to falsehood, which is a big problem, so never get into a debate even if you are more convincing that the other person, because those who tend to like atheism will take the other person's proofs as solid facts. The first manifestation of being imbalanced is to cling to a corrupted belief. Slandering As-Saliheen (pious people): In addition to going against his Fitrah, the man who is not upright accuses pious people of being upright too, and this is called slandering pious people. Once I asked a student, "Show me your homework" to which he answered, "We didn't do the homework." Then I asked him, "How many students are you?" Actually it was only him, but he said "we" to justify his laziness. The psychiatrist listens to very funny excuses from those who committed sins and mistakes. For instance, someone says, "Had not it been permissible for the woman to show her beauty, Allah would have never asked us to lower our gaze." This man means that since Allah asks us to lower our gaze, the woman is allowed to show her beauty publically without hijab. This is a new (ironic) Fiqh, and according to it someone's wife can wear indecent clothes and show her beauty to people, because men should lower their gaze, and so they won't see her beauty. Concerning the man who loves money, he says, "The Almighty Allah has ordained Zakat upon us, in order to become rich." He means that we stop performing this act of worship if we are poor!!! O Allah, the one who opposes Allah's Method invents eccentric thoughts. A man told me once, "An-Nasb (cheating) is ordained in the Quran." I said, "What are you talking about?" He said, the Almighty Allah says, "So when you have finished (from your occupation), then stand up for Allah's worship (i.e. stand up for prayer)."[Ash-Sharh, 7]." He thought that Insab (stand up) is Insub (cheat) Notice, dear brother, how far man can go with his thoughts when he opposes his Fitrah and Allah's Method. The first thing he does is clinging to corrupted beliefs, refutable rulings, weird Fatawa and poor religious opinions. The second thing, the morally and religiously deviated man does is slandering pious people. No matter how well-known, how exalted in the Sight of Allah, how sincere, how devoted or how humble the pious person is, the deviated person will say, "You don't know anything. He (the pious person) shows this goodness, but he has a hidden agenda." He goes questioning everything. Believe me, such a person, who has doubts about every one and who doesn't believe an upright person or a man who fears Allah, is a devil himself. The proof is in the following Ayah: ﴾But the chiefs of those who disbelieved among his people said: "He is no more than a human being like you, he seeks to make himself superior to you.﴿ [Al-Mu'minun, 24] They questioned the Da'wah of the Noble Prophet, peace be upon him, and they accused him of seeking superiority to people. I would like to repeat what I said earlier, the first thing the deviated man does is slandering pious people, and the second thing is clinging to corrupted beliefs. The perfect solution for imbalance: Is there an effective solution for imbalance? Absolutely, there is. It is repentance. If you realize the mistakes you have committed and repent to Allah, you will be an upright person. There are three solutions; one of them is the right solution which pleases Allah. It is to go back to the Right Path, accept it, repent to Allah and turn back to Him. Only then, the imbalance you suffer from will be fixed, your blues will go away, you won't need any psychiatrist to cure your condition, you will be relieved from all your doubts and your feeling of destruction will vanish because of repentance and reconciliation with Allah. However, if you insist on questioning every person and doubting goodness, then you are far from uprightness. The purification of the animal:(Tazkiyahtul Thabeehah): Dear brother, let us move to the scientific topic, and today's topic is about the purification of the animal by having the blood drained completely. 1- Cutting off the animal's head is forbidden for profound wisdom: The Prophet, peace be upon him, ordered us to purify the slaughtered animal, by having the blood drained completely.. Therefore, he, peace be upon him, forbade us from removing its head, and he ordered us to cut only the jugular vein and keep the head connected to the body. Do you know why we should do this? No one knew, and most butchers hang the animal from its legs and cut off the head entirely. No one in the Prophetic era knew the wisdom behind such a Prophetic order, and no one after 100, 200, or 1400 years will know why we are ordered to do so. However, you should believe that the Prophetic guidance is not his personal opinion, it is not an expertise he acquired nor is it the outcome of his environment, of his era or of his culture, but rather it is a Divine Inspiration that is revealed to him. 2- The scientific explanation for not removing the head of the animal: Why did the Prophet, peace be upon him, tell us not to cut off the head of the animal, and to cut its jugular vein only? The scientific explanation is the following: The heart is the noblest organ in the body, and if it stops beating, man will die. Thus, because of the vital nature of it, Allah installed a spontaneous electrical conducting system in the heart that orders the heart to beat, and it works separately from the general system of the body. The heart resembles a hospital in which an open heart operation is taking place. In such an operation, the patient's heart is forced to stop while his blood is connected to the ventricular assist device (VAD) in order to operate on his heart. Following the operation, the surgeon shock the heart to restore a normal rhythm and the blood goes back again to flow in the body normally. Hospitals use emergency power outlets to power life support systems and monitoring equipment if the electrical power abruptly stops, and this procedure is performed to prevent the death of the patient under the surgery. When the human heart stops, man dies, so Allah the Almighty has provided the heart with three backup systems in order to keep it pumping. They are the original spontaneous electrical one and two backup systems which work in case the original one fails. These three systems generate 80 beats per minute, but if someone climbs the stairs, or lifts weights, he will need 180 beats. Hence, the heart rate ranges from the minimum (80 beats) to the maximum one (180 beats) per minute, but let me ask you this question: How does the heart rates its maximum? The exceptional pulse mechanism in the human being: There is a complicated mechanism in the human being that I should explain, and then I will move to the scientific topic. If man walks in an orchard and he sees a serpent, what will happen? The image of the serpent will be printed on his retina, but the latter doesn't interpret the image, so it transmits the image to the brain in order to interpret it. The brain, in its turn, knows the danger of a serpent due to the facts it has collected about snakes either by studying or by hearing stories about snakes and serpents. Thus, all these resources help the human being comprehend the concept of "the serpent". The brain is the king of the nervous system and when man is in grave danger, the brain is alerted and it orders the pituitary gland to take action. The pituitary gland is the queen of all human glands, and although it weighs only half gram, it does nine different functions without which man's life will be unbearable hell. The order of the brain is given to the adrenal gland. What does the adrenal gland do when one faces danger? It gives its first order to the heart to raise its rate from 80 to 180 beats per minute, it gives another order to the lungs to expand, it gives a third order to the liver to release extra sugar which reaches 200, while in the normal situation it is only 90. Also, it gives the fourth order to have the thrombosis released, and it gives the fifth order to the arteries to narrow its lumen, and so the frightened person turns pale. Do you know why? That is because the arteries are narrower (in order to save more blood for the sake of the muscles), and the hormone of clotting is released. I repeat again, when someone is terrified, the heart rate increases, the lungs expand and all the above mentioned orders take place in seconds. The exceptional pulse mechanism in the animal: The animal has the same system and mechanism that of the human being. If we cut off the sheep's head entirely, we will disturb the exceptional situation that increases the heart beats, whereas by keeping the head attached to the body, this exceptional situation is ready to take place. When we slaughter the animal (keeping the head attached to the body), the heart rate increases to 180 forcing the blood out of the animal's body, which won't happen if we entirely cut off the head, for 80 beats will force out only quarter the amount of the blood, given the blood is a good medium for germs, bacteria and diseases. Hence, the animal body can never be purified (Tazkiyah) unless the entire blood is forced out of the body, and this is done by keeping the head attached to the body after slaughtering the animal. Who teaches the Prophet, peace be upon him, that? ﴾It is only an Inspiration that is inspired.﴿ [An-Najm, 4] This way of slaughtering the animal is one of the proofs of the Prophethood of Muhammad, peace be upon him. A friend of mine was assigned by the Syrian government to buy meat from a far country. When he demanded that the animals should be slaughtered like the abovementioned way, they raised the prices, explaining that by saying, "The cow has eight kilograms of blood and upon slaughtering it that way, we will lose the heavy blood and the cow's weight will lose 8 kilograms, so you have to pay for the lost weight." I would like repeat: The Prophet, peace be upon him, ordered us not to cut off the animal head entirely in order to force out all its blood. It is only an Inspiration that is inspired: Hence, he is the Messenger of Allah, and so he didn't deduce this guidance from his culture or from the findings of that era, and it wasn't a work of his own: Praise be to Allah, the Lord of Creations Translated by: Noura Sharabi Revised by: Kawthar Hajj-Saleh	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line984
__label__cc	0.684836	0.315164	Homepage \| Scientific Content \| Isolate Antibody-Secreting CHO Cells for Single-Cell Cloning with the WOLF Isolate Antibody-Secreting CHO Cells for Single-Cell Cloning with the WOLF The therapeutic antibody discovery and development process can last over 10 years before reaching the commercial manufacturing stage. Therefore, it is critical to make every element of this process efficient. Transitioning from the discovery phase to pre-clinical characterization and manufacturing requires the development of a stable, high-producing monoclonal cell line. Isolating a single, antibody-producing clone can be time-consuming with traditional techniques such as limiting dilution, which can leave 41%-77% of wells empty and only 25%-43% of remaining wells yielding on-target single-cell colonies1. Cell printers can improve upon the low dispensing efficiency however, they still lack the ability to select for live, protein-producing target cells. Fluorescence-activated cell sorters, such as the WOLF®, allow for the selection of single cells based on scatter and fluorescent tags that indicate protein or specific antibody secretion and viability. The N1 Single Cell Dispenser can then deposit single cells into 96- or 384-well plates with higher than 90% efficiency2. The low pressure of the system (< 2 psi) ensures gentle sorting and does not disturb the secretory activity of the cells. With a small, 2-cubic-foot form factor, the WOLF can easily fit into a biosafety cabinet to provide a sterile workspace. The disposable cartridge and fluidics are also sterile and ensure a workflow completely free of cell contamination. This sterile workflow and the ability to select for high-producing cells are what make this a powerful tool to improve the efficiency of stable cell line generation in CDMOs (Contract Development and Manufacturing Organizations), like JOINN Biologics. JOINN Biologics provides a complete range of services, from early custom development to clinical manufacturing. Their JOINN Laboratories group focuses on the early development phase of biological therapeutics, including manufacturing cell line development. Their commitment to state-of-the-art technology platforms, coupled with CHO-based host cell systems, includes utilizing the WOLF to sort cells that are actively producing the recombinant antibody-of-interest, as demonstrated below. To simulate varying levels of transfection efficiency and evaluate the WOLF’s accuracy in detecting antibody-secreting cells, varying amounts of stably transfected CHO cells were mixed with wild-type. The transfected cells, which produce a recombinant human IgG antibody, were titrated at total concentrations of 100%, 50%, 20%, and 10%. All centrifugations, incubations, and media steps were kept at 4oC to minimize changes in secretory activity. Cells were centrifuged at 350 x g for 5 minutes, washed once, and resuspended at 1×105 cells/mL in media. Cells were incubated in the dark with PE-anti-human IgG for 20 minutes and washed twice with media. SytoxGreen was added at 2 drops/mL and incubated in the dark for 15 minutes. Cells negative for SytoxGreen and positive for PE-anti-human IgG were sorted at 4°C, using ice-cold media as sheath (Figure 2), and dispensed into 96-well plates with room temperature media. One plate was sorted and dispensed for each concentration and analyzed for outgrowth with the CloneSelect™ Imager. Wells with outgrowth were analyzed for Protein A binding with the Octet® Red96e. The WOLF was able to detect IgG+ cells for each concentration mix (Figure 3A, left) and yielded similar levels of single-cell antibody-producing colonies, despite the varying initial concentrations. On average, 70% of the cell outgrowth on each plate was from a single antibody-producing cell (Figure 3A, right). This on-target outgrowth is significantly higher than the average 43% (2.6% CV) seen in previous studies for a 0.5 cell/well limiting dilution with a very robust CHO cell line. The CV for outgrowth of single-cell producing clones was 7.2% across all four plates and the Octet Red96e confirmed titers of 15 to 80mg/L for each of the single-cell clones (Figure 3B). The WOLF accurately detects and sorts antibody-secreting cells at target populations as low at 10% with maximum monoclonal outgrowth and titer levels. This methodology can expedite development of high-producing, clonal stable cell lines from novel transfections in the antibody production process. The WOLF’s fluorescence-activated cell sorting capabilities, gentle pressure, and sterile fluidics make it a powerful tool to accelerate therapeutic antibody workflows. Krasny, A. & Morachis, J. M. (2019). WOLF Exceeds Limiting Dilution Cell Cloning Efficiency. Retrieved from https://nanocellect.com/scientific-content/ Krasny, A., Chen, H., Daniells, W., Bozek, E., Leary, B., Alaynick, W., & Morachis, J. M. (2019). Single-Cell Cloning for Cell Line Development. Retrieved from https://nanocellect.com/scientific-content/	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line986
__label__wiki	0.523619	0.523619	nick does hockey A rollicking journey into a very foreign sport. You are here: Home / 2016 / Archives for June 2016 An important announcement June 21, 2016 by Nicko Place Leave a Comment Melbourne, Tuesday, June 21 (AP): The Braves Hockey Club and management for Nick Place were pleased to announce today that they have agreed to terms for the upcoming 2016-17 Ice Hockey Victoria summer season. ‘We think it’s a great deal for everybody,’ said Braves President Liam Patrick. ‘If Place pays his fees in full and on time, buys a new jersey, drives himself to trainings and games, doesn’t open his mouth in the changerooms, and doesn’t get in anybody’s way, we might let him play very limited fifth line minutes for the Cherokees in Division 3.’ Place managing to stay vertical in a previous summer. Pic: Luke Milkman Place’s manager, Nick Place, said: ‘I, I mean my client is thrilled that the Braves have agreed to let me, I mean him, don the famous black and yellow for the forthcoming season. I think there’s definitely a role for older, wise veterans in today’s hockey world. When I think of Jaromir Jág-‘ He was then cut off by President Patrick, who whispered: ‘Stick to the agreed script or it’s over.’ President Patrick told reporters, ‘There had been some hope-I mean thought that Nick might consider retirement at the age of 67 but, trooper that he is, and photos of me that he has, he’ll be allowed to go around this summer. What I need the hockey world, especially the Braves family, to understand is that legally we can’t stop him. If he pays his fees, there’s nothing I can do. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.’ The news of Place’s resigning was greeted with universal joy across the league with opposition teams admitting to being rapt with the development. ‘Place’s son, Will – AKA Kittens – AKA Big Cat – would be a huge offensive threat under most circumstances,’ said one coach. ‘So the fact he’ll be totally hamstrung by having to put up with his dad’s ineffectual skating and passing on the left wing should cut his point production in half at least, and is a boon for all of us.’ Cherokees coach Georgia Carson was not available for comment. Friends say she was enjoying a quiet night yesterday evening when she received a txt that appeared to horrify her. ‘They promised! They promised he was gone! They told me it was over!’ she screamed before storming out of the house to a nearby speakeasy bar. She has not been seen since. Place left immediately after the press conference, telling reporters he was heading to a secret training camp to prepare for September’s action. However, Braves officials confirmed he actually just went to work. Filed Under: Ice hockey Tagged With: Big Cat Place, braves, Braves hockey club, Georgia Carson, Liam Patrick, nick place When my hockey linemate, Big Cat Place, was a boy, he played footy for a while, like most Victorian kids who are marched down to the local oval by footy-made fathers (guilty). He was roughly 12 when he decided the sport wasn’t for him, and announced before a routine mid-winter game that it would be his last for the Kew Comets. The coach tried to discuss it, but clearly hadn’t spent much time with Big Cat, because then, like now, once that kid’s mind’s made up, that’s it. In the end, the coach shrugged, said fair enough and arranged for Big Cat to be chaired off the ground by his teammates, as though he’d played 300 games, instead of about 20. Which was a nice touch. Hello elite women’s footy. Goodbye noses. Pic: Getty One of the kids chairing him off was a girl, whose name, I think, was Megan – it’s a while ago and I’ve had no real reason to remember, until now. She was a gun footballer. In a team of ambitious boys, some of whom were the drilled and burdened with expectation sons of Hawthorn’s Eighties premiership players, she stood out. She was slight, with her blonde hair in a ponytail, but she ran and ran and ran. Megan went in and got hard balls, emerged with them, dished it off and was somehow then a downfield option. She was a midfielder who could play inside or outside, racking up dozens of possessions every week and was quiet, unassuming and humble in the rooms. She could play tall, tackle, do it all. Megan was a runaway Best & Fairest for the team in Big Cat’s Under 12s year and probably went on to win it again in his farewell season. Again, I’m not sure of this but I have a feeling she might have won the overall league’s Best & Fairest too. Female footballer Tayla Harris displays a flawless kicking technique. Pic: Getty I can remember feeling desperately sorry for Megan. Because I knew and she probably knew that she only had a couple more years of footy to enjoy before it would be over for her. Standing on the boundary, clutching takeaway coffees, the freezing-our-arses-off parents would sigh that she couldn’t graduate to elite AFL levels like the better boys hoped to. Back then, a decade ago, the options for a girl wanting to play into her teens weren’t great. There were female leagues but they had a certain air about them, almost underground, more roller-derby demographic than eastern suburbs parklands; not particularly welcoming to a 15-year-old schoolgirl. Change has been slow but in recent years, I’ve noticed Fitzroy has an all-women’s team running around on the Brunswick Street oval, and now the whole thing is set to go up another notch.So, of course, I thought of Megan yesterday when the AFL announced the eight teams to start an official women’s league under the AFL banner. If only she’d been born a few years later. While she would only be 23 or so now, potentially in her playing prime, I’d be surprised if she’s managed to stay motivated for the years when it looked like her footy dream ran into a dead end. Georgia Carson flying, for the Melbourne Ice. One of the things I’ve really loved about playing hockey has been the unisex nature of it. My team, the Cherokees, is coached by a member of the Australian women’s team, the feisty Georgia Carson (Note to coach: ‘feisty’ is a compliment), and features several women. I can honestly say that mid-game, it makes zero difference whether you’re chasing a puck or battling for it against a female or male opponent. In fact, in five seasons, I have yet to be part of an Ice Hockey Victoria-sanctioned team that has been all-male, which I like. I prefer teams where potential dick-swinging testosterone is dissipated by some feminine controlled aggression. Sure, we’re playing Division 3 – a lower level and firmly non-checking – but several of the women I’ve played and trained with have kicked on to higher divisions. At least two of the women who took up the sport around the same time I did have played in the AIHL’s women’s competition. Sometimes at Wednesday night training, we’d scrimmage and the coaches would join in, allowing Shona Powell, captain of Melbourne Ice women’s, and Australia, to effortlessly dominate. Likewise, in boxing training, one of my favourite gyms was Mischa Merz’s Boxing Central. I’ve written about Mischa before; a journo mate who fell in love with the allegedly sweet science and ended up winning an Australian welterweight title, as well as international belts. Her gym is perfectly balanced between encouraging men and women to work on their skills and fitness, without some of the rampant testosterone that can dominate other dank sweaty rooms full of heavy bags scattered around a square ring. The Vixens’ Geva Mentor. She rocks. I covered a lot of women’s sport in my time as a newspaper reporter. In tennis, especially on grasscourts, I found women’s matches more engaging because they didn’t hit the ball quite so hard (this was pre-Serena). Tennis is better with more strategy required than just two lanky giants seeing who can land the most 200 kmh serves. I was lucky enough to cover most of Steffi Graf’s career and her mix of power, balance, skill and strategy was breathtaking. (Then again, so is Federer’s, so I guess I just love the artists, whatever their sex.) Any idiot who thinks women can’t ‘bring it’ to sport hasn’t watched Australia’s women’s field hockey team in action. Again, I covered that team for a while as they were en route to winning Olympic gold, and holy crap they played hard. A few weeks ago, I went to a Melbourne Vixens netball game and was dazzled by the speed of the passing and the amount of physicality in what’s supposed to be a non-contact sport. The Vixens’ full back Geva Mentor, who is basically a female Alex Rance – one of my favourite Tigers – was magnificent, prowling and yelling encouragement to the team up the court and ensuring the opposition forwards earned every touch, as much as you can in a sport that seems to heavily discriminate against the defenders. So, the point of this blog? Just to say that an official pathway for women to play football is well overdue and that I’m proud that hockey is way ahead of the AFL on this one. Women playing sport, either against one another or against/with men where possible, like non-checking hockey, is good for the world, good for everybody involved. Now we just need Richmond to be given a license next year so I can have a team to barrack for. Filed Under: Ice hockey Tagged With: AFL, Georgia Carson, geva mentor, kew comets, Shona Green, shona green-powell, shona powell, vixens, women's sport Nicko Place Nicko Place in a rare off-ice moment. Nickdoestwitter @MicWink I thought Roberts was out of town? 1 week ago @CherylCritchley Amazing 🙌 1 week ago @leachitup Ah, man. I was hoping for humorous 'BrisVirus' references. 1 week ago RT @DanAmira: Can’t believe the creators of the monster have lost control of the monster, is there any precedent for this in books or film 1 week ago @SaintFrankly When the President is leading the riot, it probably makes the Homeland Security and National Guard ho… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… 1 week ago Follow nick does hockey on WordPress.com Nickdoeshockey	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line998
__label__wiki	0.84479	0.84479	Utah’s Donovan Mitchell with shot of night to force OT with Spurs By Kurt HelinMar 24, 2018, 11:09 AM EDT One of the factors to consider in the Rookie of the Year race: clutch plays. Down three with less than 10 seconds to go Friday night, the Utah Jazz put the ball in the hands of their rookie playmaker Donovan Mitchell — and he made the play, draining a three to force overtime. It’s an impressive play. In the clutch this season (last five minutes of a game, within five points), Mitchell has averaged 3.2 shots per contest (by far the most of any rookie) and has a true shooting percentage of 51 percent. Philadelphia’s Ben Simmons, the other front-runner in the ROY race, averages less than a shot per game in those clutch situations (0.8) and has a true shooting percentage of 66.7 percent. Mitchell made the big shot, but the Spurs made plenty too, had 45 points on the night from LaMarcus Aldridge, and got the win.	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line1002
__label__wiki	0.653067	0.653067	Indian dating leicester Matchmaking Mayor Successful matchmaking mayor watch online N.Y.C. May Limit Entry to Parks to Prevent Crowds The Matchmaking Mayor Matchmakers find modern fans in the digital age ‘Dating Sunday’: Matchmaking sites report spike in new profiles Bumble Dating App VS Proven Matchmaking – Meet 5 Girls in 1 DAY Who needs online dating when you can get a free matchmaker? Lauren Kay, founder of The Dating Ring, is offering successful, young professionals an alternative to the anonymity and impersonality of sites like OKCupid and Match. Since last month’s soft launch, Kay has nearly members simply from word of mouth. And she’s already got her first match. From the moment I met her, she could understand the person I would be interested in. It was one of Kay’s first set-ups: dinner and drinks in Chelsea followed by an Upright Citizens Brigade show. 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For instance, the percentage of women unmarried at age 23 rose from 25 percent of women born in the s to 81 percent of women born in the s. Looking for Love? See where to watch The Matchmaker on Available to watch free online (Tubi). plus minus icon Mayor of the Sunset Strip Poster. Rate It. love. Back to Business. Delve into the world of medical technology! Experience high-tech products, meet world market leaders, hidden champions and start-ups or visit the top-class forums and conferences. In recent months, its central importance for the healthcare system has become more visible in the public eye due to the corona pandemic: the Intensive Care Unit. Patients who are in a critical condition due to illness, injury or surgery are cared for here by numerous high-tech devices. In addition, more digital solutions are being introduced. The Israel Export Institute has been a part of it for the last couple of years. Adrienne Cutway , Web Editor. The problem, records show, was that Al stood her up. I cannot believe this is the type of service that you would provide, let alone charge for. Mayor Bill de Blasio said he would release details on Friday on a plan to Some teachers’ unions push to delay in-person learning, and more colleges go online only. had urged people to “keep a healthy distance from others while watching” and Opinion: We Need to Talk About ‘Indian Matchmaking‘. Watch the trailer. During a weekend trip to the mountains, Mary finds herself at the now run-down lodge where she spent the holidays with her family growing up. She becomes determined to restore the building to its former glory. When the girl he likes goes missing, Jake enlists the help of his grandpa and Grandpa’s former special ops buddies. Missie three years later: being a single mother after her husband Willie was shot during a poker scuffle, move back east near her parents, Clark and Marty. 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During the coronavirus crisis, the Los Angeles Times is making some temporary changes to our print sections. The prime-time TV grid is on hiatus in print but available online here: latimes. California Cooking With Jessica Holmes This new episode shows viewers how to make restaurant-style pizza at home. Then Martha Stewart participates remotely to discuss quarantine, cooking and cocktails with Holmes. N p. Inside Politics Coronavirus: Sen. Bill Cassidy R-La. Panel: Dr. Ashish Jha; Dr. Coronavirus: Dr. He will kick off this czech – find a slovak village organizes a delegation. Surprise guest mayor, and his. That s annual matchmaking mayor, last couple had been announced that garaba exclusively? Slovakian town trying to straighten out, running time, and miles was much as one main goal: open mic safe are somewhat offended. The mayor of rotterdam aboutaleb eennl ipisg successful water dating app ui psd download economy matchmaking mayor keep kathleen o’toole as police chief? Matchmaking Mayor. Subscribe €6 However, there is a persistent problem bothering the mayor. On you can also watch a documentary Beauty Exchange by Erika Hnikova. Trailer Your Online Documentary Cinema. Justin Bourque — who is serving a life sentence with no chance of parole for 75 years for his shooting rampage in Moncton, N. Melissa Fazzina, who runs the site, said many of the inmates are just looking for friendships and she hopes the connections can help make them better people. Fazzina said she started the site a few years ago after seeing sites in the United States and realized there was nothing similar in Canada. Bourque, who is serving his sentence at the Atlantic Institution in Renous, N. While the site is internet-based, inmates in Canadian jails and prisons have no Internet access. Anyone wishing to correspond with the inmates have to write and mail letters directly to the prison where they are being held. He pled guilty to the charges and was sentenced to life in prison with no eligibility for parole for 75 years, the harshest sentence in Canada since the last executions in In it made news for posting the profile of Luka Rocco Magnotta, the convicted killer whose grisly crimes made headlines around the world. Fazzina said she wants to help the inmates and give them hope through her service, but she also thinks about the victims. Maybe that makes us feel better. Maybe by corresponding with people on the outside it can help them become better people. The site aims to hook up lonesome convicts with potential companions on the outside. Canadian Inmates Connect. The Millionaire Matchmaker In Chicago Professional dating: Canadian singles who share your goals Find “The One” with High-End Matchmaking Services in NYC Matchmaking Discussion Thread New Matchmaking System, Bug Fixes, and More Using skype for online dating Are ‘swipe left’ dating apps bad for our mental health? 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__label__cc	0.739665	0.260335	Blue Maximum for the Blue Max Posted by Dr. William Russo in actors & their roles, crime & punishment, film reviews, games people play, Hollywood History, movie history, movies, myth & legend, political intrigue and tagged with George Peppard, James Mason, The Blue Max, Ursula Andress February 25, 2020 DATELINE: Chess in the Sky Real Stars Fly High! We missed this little forgotten gem back in 1966, and today it is just a delicious extravaganza from the over-the-top studio system on its last legs. It is another faux epic but it is as big as the sky. Clocking in at nearly three hours, The Blue Max was an important war movie for the Vietnam era. It told the story of chivalry in Germany during World War I. There, a common infantryman rises to air corps—and is ambitious enough to rival Von Richtofen. The film has the benefit of George Peppard as his most unpleasant rogue antihero. However, the picture does not take off for forty minutes. That’s when James Mason and Ursula Andress take to the air as a German general of some sort and his countess wife. Suddenly the movie comes alive. And Mason and Andress steal every scene they’re in. Elegant, aristocratic, and disdainful, you could not have two more delightful actors to change the pace of a war movie. When Mason calls Peppard as “common as dirt” and a hero for the masses, you have the new era of movies entering on a biplane that could only shoot down King Kong in the movies. There are long stretches of dog fights between Peppard and British planes, which are spectacular, but we can’t help but think this is nasty combat and is meant to kill the other pilot, not merely shoot him down. It dampens the undercurrent of a fun war. A large cast also displays ugly hand-to-hand combat with bayonets, interspersed with Jeremy Kemp and Peppard’s rivalry over their extra-marital interest in Kemp’s auntie Ursula. Scenes of glorious air flight are contrasted with uninspired ground troop massacres. We know that the chess match between Mason and Andress will result in Peppard having his Blue Max match his blue eyes at any cost, but he will end up the patsy of the villains. It’s worth watching two great film stars (Mason and Andress) in full throttle. ← More Lunacy: Whitey, UFOs, and MK-Ultra Titanic’s Forgotten Movie! →	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line1014
__label__cc	0.732066	0.267934	Paper On Unexpected Horizons 1220 words - 5 pages Wow! I love going deep sea fishing on our boat. I was excited when my dad hadasked me if I wanted to go this weekend. We departed that Saturday morning after almosta week of sheer anticipation, our destination, Port Canaveral, home of of some of the bestfishing on the east coast of Florida.The sea is a very dangerous place when riled by a storm, even a mild one, so wealways made sure the day would be at least close to perfect before we ventured out intothe blue darkness of the open sea. My dad and I had seen the destruction careless boaterscould get themselves into, and we did our best to avoid it. That Saturday, though, lookedas if it were a perfect offshore fishing day. The sky was cl ...view middle of the document... We ended up fishing for about four morehours and landed an incredible number of large fish, and we wanted more. The three of usscanned the surface for more action, and found nothing of interest but what looked like astorm cloud moving towards us at an unknown velocity about fifteen miles north of us, sowe decided to start heading in towards shore. About half an hour later and about seventeen miles out, still not enough to see land, we realized that the storm had actually beenmoving toward us, almost intercepting our course toward the port. Without any doubtwe'd pass it before it crossed our path, we proceeded onward in the same direction.'Damn, I'd hate to get stuck in that storm', we said to each other as we watchedthe lightning and complete darkness of it as it overtook about a five mile radius of oceansurface. But as we watched this awesome sight from a short, but safe distance, werealized that it was moving a lot faster than we were. From that point on our confidencelevel started diminishing and our fears of the ocean started escalating, we weren't going toget by this storm. My dad punched the 200 horsepower motor and our hearts andadrenaline were pumping incredibly. Soon the storm had yet engulfed us in it's fury andrage. The light turned to utter blackness, the sunshine turned to pelting rain and a lightshow courtesy of the lightning bolts flashing at least every five seconds, the one to twofoot swells had turned into an entourage of seven to eight foot white caps which our boatwas incapable of handling, and more importantly, our confidence from a good day offishing had turned into a handful of desperate pleas for help. The rain had been so harshand plentiful that I could barely look up to see what ... Literary Analysis - Hills like White Elephants - WR 303 - Literary Analysis 1555 words - 7 pages 1 Madison Evans Jake Sauvageau WR 303 Literary Analysis 8/30/18 Ernest Hemingway’s Hills like White Elephants The short story Hills like White Elephants by Ernest Hemingway is a story about a man and woman who are sitting at a bar at a small train station somewhere in Spain. They seem to be having a heated conversation about a mysterious “operation”. The author never explicitly says what the issue is between the man and woman, but it can be An Analysis of Walter Freeman, Father of the Lobotomy - NKU HNR 151H - Essay 1433 words - 6 pages 1 Brandell Hannah Brandell Prof. Tamara O’Callaghan ENG151H-007 5 May 2017 Walter Freeman and the Invention of the Lobotomy In Steely Library’s digital archives, one of the postcards from the Gilliam family collection is entitled Western Kentucky Asylum for the Insane, Hopkinsville, KY. 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__label__wiki	0.662321	0.662321	City Council debates special-use permit for parking lot First Ward Alderperson Carolyn Morris reads a letter out loud during DeKalb’s City Council meeting on Monday, July 13th. Kierra Frazier, News Editor DeKALB – An ordinance to establish a 20-space parking lot at 1030 E. Locust St. passed on first reading at Monday’s City Council meeting after much discussion and debate. Nehring Electrical Works Co., 813 E. Locust St., requested a special-use permit to establish the 20-space parking lot. The company’s building is 300 feet from the requested lot, but Scott Dillion, senior vice president of operations, said the business needs additional parking due to company growth. More specifically, the company has limited space for the outside storage of electrical wire spools as well as employee or guest parking, according to the Jan. 11 City Council agenda. DeKalb resident Damien Wilford lives near the potential 20-space parking lot and said he’s concerned that the issue of multiple semi-trucks visiting the lot and noise occurring in the middle of the night will continue if Nehring is granted the permit. “The spools that they wrap the wires in, they’re moving those at 12 to 2 o’clock in the morning,” Wilford said. “I have called a couple of times over there to stress our displeasement about it and then we ended up calling the police about it and they had come out, but it’s still persisting, it’s still going on.” The city issued a permit in the summer to Nehring to allow temporary storage of electric wire spools on the lot, according to the agenda. Nehring plans to pave and stripe the lot and reserve it for employee parking, and it won’t be used for truck parking or staging. City Manager Bill Nicklas said many neighbors expressed concern following the Planning and Zoning meeting Jan. 6, but plans for the parking lot have been in discussion for months. “[Nehring] is going to have to help with the policing; they know it,” Nicklas said. “They’re going to have to talk to their employees who are visually doing whatever they have to do to find a place to park to get into their shift before it starts.” Mayor Jerry Smith said the concerns raised by residents is a separate issue and shouldn’t be tied into Nehring’s application to build a parking lot. “In terms of that parking lot, it’s an improvement in the property,” Smith said. Wilford said he’s also concerned about having potential semi-trucks in the neighborhood with children playing at Kishwaukee Kiwanis Park, 1103 Lincoln Highway, nearby. Dillion said Nehring is adamant about not using the parking lot for semi-trucks. “As far as the parking lots are concerned, the main purpose is to alleviate on-street parking, and that’s what it should do and it should help the neighborhood in general,” Dillion said. A second reading on the ordinance to approve the 20-space parking lot will take place at the next City Council meeting at 6 p.m. Jan. 25. at the DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St., or via Zoom provided on weekly City Council agendas. Panelists answer questions on US Capitol attack County cases rise to 7,469 4 additional students test positive for COVID-19, 2 students recover Pritzker moves Region 1 to Tier 2 COVID-19 restrictions 5 additional students test positive for COVID-19 3 additional students test positive for COVID-19, 1 student recovers Smith addresses COVID-19, social justice in State of the City	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line1019
__label__wiki	0.612795	0.612795	EMF (Overview) Biological Effects Electro Hypersensitivity (EHS) EHS Test EHS Test (English) EHS Test (Español) EHS Test (Português) EHS Test (Deutsch) EHS Test (Français) EMF Reports Protection from Wireless Devices Protection for Heavy Users Multiple Protection DIRTY POWER FILTER 2 IN 1 Usage Suggestions Products Calculator Business to Government (B2G) IGEF HomeYael Stein Posts tagged: Yael Stein Electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS, microwave syndrome) – Review of mechanisms Electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS, microwave syndrome) – Review of mechanisms Dr. Yael Stein Pain Clinic, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel Electromagnetic Radiation Clinic, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel Dr. Iris Udasin EOHSI Clinical Center, Rutgers University- School of Public Health, NJ, USA Electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS), known in the past as “Microwave syndrome”, is a clinical syndrome characterized by the presence of a wide spectrum of non-specific multiple organ symptoms, typically including central nervous system symptoms, that occur following the patient’s acute or chronic exposure to electromagnetic fields in the environment or in occupational settings. Numerous studies have shown biological effects at the cellular level of electromagnetic fields (EMF) at magnetic (ELF) and radio-frequency (RF) frequencies in extremely low intensities. Many of the mechanisms described for Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) apply with modification to EHS. Repeated exposures result in sensitization and consequent enhancement of response. Many hypersensitive patients appear to have impaired detoxification systems that become overloaded by excessive oxidative stress. EMF can induce changes in calcium signaling cascades, significant activation of free radical processes and overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in living cells as well as altered neurological and cognitive functions and disruption of the blood-brain barrier. Magnetite crystals absorbed from combustion air pollution could have an important role in brain effects of EMF. Autonomic nervous system effects of EMF could also be expressed as symptoms in the cardiovascular system. Other common effects of EMF include effects on skin, microvasculature, immune and hematologic systems. It is concluded that the mechanisms underlying the symptoms of EHS are biologically plausible and that many organic physiologic responses occur following EMF exposure. Patients can have neurologic, neuro-hormonal and neuro-psychiatric symptoms following exposure to EMF as a consequence of neural damage and over-sensitized neural responses. More relevant diagnostic tests for EHS should be developed. Exposure limits should be lowered to safeguard against biologic effects of EMF. Spread of local and global wireless networks should be decreased, and safer wired networks should be used instead of wireless, to protect susceptible members of the public. Public places should be made accessible for electrohypersensitive individuals. Electromagnetic fields, EMF, Electrosmog, EHS, Electrohypersensitivity, Electrical sensitivity, Microwave syndrome, Environmental sensitivities, Bioeffects, Human, Mechanisms, Cell phones, Microwaves, Radiofrequency, RF, ELF, Apoptosis, Public health, Precautionary principle. Read the full paper Read Full Paper Learn everything You NEED to KNOW about EMF Subscription Acceptance I agree to subscribe to NOXTAK's Newsletter* I agree to NOXTAK's Terms of Agreement & Privacy Policy* Stay Safe #STAYHOME +1 (888) 500 8699 / (650) 999 6861 Available also by TEXT Message or WhatsApp Also you can send us an Email to: More info – info@noxtak.com Orders – sales@noxtak.com 2555 NW 102nd Ave Unit 112, Miami, FL 33172 Working days from Monday to Friday Visit Us By Appointment ONLY NOXTAK, SPIRO and their respective logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of NOXTAK, Corp. in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. © 2020 NOXTAK, Corp. All rights reserved. The statements on this website have not been evaluated by the FDA. NOXTAK® products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line1022
__label__cc	0.655271	0.344729	Trump threatens to tax European auto imports WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump kept up pressure on trading partners on Saturday, threatening European automakers with a tax on imports if the European Union retaliates against his plan to slap tariffs on aluminum and steel. Trump’s tweet suggested he is refusing to yield to U.S. business interests and foreign trading partners alarmed at the prospect of a trade war that rattled financial markets this week. “If the E.U. wants to further increase their already massive tariffs and barriers on U.S. companies doing business there, we will simply apply a Tax on their Cars which freely pour into the U.S.,” Trump wrote on Twitter.“They make it impossible for our cars (and more) to sell there. Big trade imbalance!” The United States imposes a 2.5-percent tariff on cars assembled in Europe and a 25-percent tariff on European-built vans and pickup trucks. Europe imposes a 10-percent tariff on U.S.-built cars. Trump criticized Europe in remarks at a fundraiser, according to video posted online Saturday, and suggested they would not increase tariffs. “The European Union: brutal. They’ve been brutal to us,” Trump said at a Florida fundraiser.“They’ve banded together in order to beat the United States in trade.” Trump did not respond to questions about tariffs or other topics upon returning to the White House Saturday. In a speech Friday night at Harvard University, European Commissioner for Competition Margrethe Vestager said the EU will respond to the tariffs“to defend European industry, and the world trading system,” according to a copy of her remarks. She called the Trump action“one-sided protectionist measures, which hurt, not just jobs, but the whole system of rules that makes our global economy work.” German automakers Volkswagen AG, Daimler AG and BMW AG build vehicles at plants in the United States. BMW employs more than 9,000 workers in South Carolina and is one of the state’s largest employers. FILE PHOTO: Cars for export stand in a parking area at a shipping terminal in the harbour of the northern German town of Bremerhaven, late October 8, 2012. REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer The United States accounts for about 15 percent of worldwide Mercedes-Benz and BMW brand sales, while it accounts for 5 percent of VW brand sales and 12 percent of Audi sales. The United States had a $22.3 billion automotive vehicle and parts trade deficit with Germany in 2017 and a $7 billion deficit with the United Kingdom, according to U.S. government data. Last year, Germany’s automotive trade association said“the United States would be shooting itself in the foot by imposing tariffs or other trade barriers.” Trump’s threat comes amid mounting transatlantic tension on trade. On Thursday, Trump said the United States would apply duties of 25 percent on imported steel and 10 percent on aluminum to protect domestic producers. Major automakers say the move will hike the cost of cars and trucks. The next day, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker told German television that“We will put tariffs on Harley-Davidson (motorcycles), on bourbon and on blue jeans – Levis.” Canada also has said it will retaliate for any tariffs on steel and aluminum. Trump had tweeted on Friday that trade wars are good and“easy to win,” roiling U.S. financial markets. In January 2017, Trump warned German car companies he would impose a border tax of 35 percent on vehicles imported to the U.S. market. Reporting by Mike Stone and David Shepardson; Editing by Nick Zieminski and Daniel Wallis http://feeds.reuters.com/~r/reuters/businessNews/~3/XG6LSuX-iKk/trump-threatens-to-tax-european-auto-imports-idUSKCN1GF0QJ As its wealth fund goes green, Norway’s firms struggle to keep up As NAFTA weighs, Trump’s tariffs drive new U.S. auto concerns	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line1024
__label__cc	0.572926	0.427074	Americans 4 COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY STUDY: 1 IN 3 AMERICANS ARE GUN OWNERS Quote5 years ago News2A, agency, americans, background checks, columbia university, defense, enthusiasts, firearm, firearms, government, gun, gun control, gun owners, guns, handgun, laws, legislation, list, new york, new york state, news, nra, ny, ny shooters, nyfirearms, NYFirearms.com, nyshooters, nysrpa, pistol, politics, second amendment, shooters, shooting, statistics, survey A recently released Columbia University study shows that 1 in 3 Americans are gun owners. The study was conducted by assistant professor of epidemiology Bindu Kalesan and included an examination of “gun ownership information gathered from study subjects aged 18 years old and above from all 50 US states, including the District of Columbia in October 2013.” According to Tech Times, the study found that 1 in 3 Americans own guns and that the “percentage of gun owners are highly varied depending on the state.” For example, the study found that the lowest gun ownership rate in any state was in Delaware at “5.2 percent.” The highest was in Alaska at “61.7 percent.” Divided by regions, Rhode Island had lowest gun ownership in the Northeast at “5.8 percent,” Ohio had the Midwest’s lowest rate at “19.6 percent” and California had the West’s lowest at “20 percent.” The West’s highest was Alaska at “61.7 percent,” the Midwest’s highest was North Dakota at “47.9 percent,” and the Northeast’s highest was Vermont at “28.8 percent.” The South’s leader was Arkansas at “57.9 percent.” The study found that most gun owners were white males age 55 and above. “The majority of these gun owners were married.” The Columbia study presents a conundrum for gun controllers who have, for years, been claiming that rising gun sales, soaring concealed carry applications, and record breaking background check figures all indicated gun ownership was shrinking. For example, a 2014 General Social Survey study claimed that approximately 1 in 5 Americans owned a gun and that the number was diminishing. None of the pollsters inclined toward gun control seem to take into account that Americans often refuse to admit owning a gun for fear of being included on a government, or government-agency, list. SOURCE :: Breitbart Why Your Vote For President Matters This Year 8 years ago Articlesamerica, americans, appointed, ballot, barack obama, buckeye firearms, buckeye firearms association, candidates, carter, cold war, concealed carry, democracy, democrat, election, firearms rights, generational election, justice, laws, mitt romney, national, Obama, politics, polls, president, presidential election, reagan, reciprocity, republican, rights, romney, second amendment, supreme court, supreme court justices, united states, Vote, voting [By Jim Irvine via Buckeye Firearms Association] On November 6, 2012 Americans will go to the polls to vote for the next President of the United States of America. Either Barack Obama or Mitt Romney will win this contest. It has become cliché, but this really is the most important election in our lifetime. In the last few years, gun owners have celebrated two of the most important Second Amendment rulings the in our nation’s history. Heller v D.C. and McDonald v City of Chicago have set the stage for national reciprocity and the elimination of discriminatory “may issue” concealed carry laws. But we can lose it all and more in the blink of an eye. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia and Anthony Kennedy, both Reagan appointees are 76 years old. Ruth Bader Ginsburg is 79. Stephen Breyer is 74.Clarence Thomas is 64 and Samuel Alito is 62. Losing one vote in a 5-4 ruling means losing your rights. The next President will almost surely appoint one or more justices. Obama’s appointments Sotomayor and Kagan are openly hostile toward your rights, which are hanging by a single vote. The last time our nation faces such a “generational election” was 32 years ago. In 1980 we had high fuel prices, economic uncertainty, dashed hopes for the future and problems in the middle east, including assaults on our embassies (which are American soil) where American’s died. Sound familiar? We would decide to continue with the failed policies, weak leadership and appeasement foreign policy of President Jimmy Carter, or the bold, strong, “America is special” vision of Ronald Reagan. We chose Reagan, returned America to greatness, ended the cold war, and ushered in a period of prosperity that lasted nearly 30 years. Other elections that set the course of our nation not just for years, but for decades, were the election of Dwight Eisenhower after WWII, and Abraham Lincoln. This year is another such vital election for our country. While there are other candidates on the ballot, they cannot and will not win. Either Romney or Obama will win this election. A vote for anyone else is throwing your vote away. I have voted for third party candidates. I have voted in primaries for candidates that have already dropped out of the race. I understand voting for the “best” candidate rather than one the big parties are pushing. There are times this is a great idea. But now is not that time. Votes for Ross Perot enabled Bill Clinton to defeat George H.W. Bush in 1992. Votes for Ralph Nader enabled George W. Bush to defeat Al Gore in 2000. This year’s election is too critical to help the worst candidate win because you think the other candidate is “not good enough.” Failure to vote, or voting for other candidates, will result in supporting the wrong candidate. Supreme Court Justices are appointed for life. This election will shape your firearms rights not just for a few years, but most likely for the next 20-30 years, and possibly longer. Cast your vote like your rights depend on it, because they do. Jim Irvine is the Buckeye Firearms Association Chairman, and winner of the NRA-ILA’s 2011 “Jay M. Littlefield Volunteer of the Year Award.” The Kalashnikov Rifle 10 years ago Articlesak, ak-47, ak47, allstar tactical, americans, arsenal inc, assault weapons ban, bulgarian, century international arms, chinese, cold war, egyptian, enthusiasts, firearm, firearms, gun, guns, hungarian, kalashnikov, korean war, krebs customs, mikhail, mikhail kalashnikov, new york, new york state, norinco, ny, nyfirearms, NYFirearms.com, polish, polytech, post-ban, preban, redstick, rifle, romania, rugged, russia, second amendment, shooting, small arms, soviet russia, tactical, wasr, wasr-10, yugoslavian Without a doubt, you can not think of modern military small arms and not have the image of an AK-47 come to mind. For years, and still to this day, the AK was seen as a ‘commie gun’ or the rifle of terrorists and the proverbial ‘bad guy’. But, today in America you are just as likely to see and AK pattern rifle on the range as you are the American counterpart the AR.Watch movie online The Transporter Refueled (2015) The AK quickly earned its way into the history books by becoming the most prolific small arm ever produced. There are several reasons for this that go beyond its simple, reliable and legendary rugged design, such as the use of the rights to produce AK’s as a diplomatic tool during the Cold War era. Perhaps this use of the AK by then Soviet Russia is why we have such an association with it being the weapon of the enemy, considering every foe America has faced since the Korean War was armed with some variant of the AK design I suppose this would be accurate. The times have changed though, and with the collapse of the Soviet Union the American market has been flooded with various copies, some licensed, some not, of Mikhail’s original design – and Americans have been buying them. In the years following the Vietnam War the AK was a novelty item and was limited to very few Class III versions, mainly Type-56 Chinese rifles that found their way from Vietnam. Oddly enough, actual Russian made AK’s were some of the last to make it to the American market. The Chinese were the initial venture capitalists to offer their versions. Companies like Polytech and Norinco introduced various models of the Type-56 to an eager market for many years up until the import ban of 89’ and the assault weapons ban of 1994 that banned both companies. It is important to note that there was a lot of controversy regarding the illegal importation of military arms during the Polytech and Norinco import years. The Chinese AK’s are still considered some of the finest AK’s ever offered to American consumers and are worth many times their initial back page of gun magazine prices of $175.00. Unfortunately, though the market has opened up it also opened up to some AK’s of a lesser quality in the Post-Ban era. Everyone has heard horror stories of the quality of the WASR warhorse – some of which is earned but most of which is blown out of proportion. Most of the quality concerns of today’s AK’s are mainly an issue of importers such as Century International Arms (who seems to have no concerns over quality or end user safety when assembling their rifles). Most of today’s AK’s are imported into the states as a parts kit – that is that the receiver is cut and disassembled and reassembled on a new receiver sometimes using barrels and trunnions from different rifles. There in lies the biggest issue. Most AK’s based off of the AKM pattern feature a barrel that is pinned into the receiver and trunnion by two pins. Over use wear begins to develop and the holes in the trunnions will open-up more as well as wear of the barrel itself. This of course leads to wider groups and is translated as Minute of Milk Jug by the gun-pros. So what is the best AK to get you may ask – your mileage may vary, but I have found the newly imported, and new production, Saiga rifles to be quit affordable and amazingly accurate compared to parts guns. In addition to being new, Saigas are also produced by the Izhmash company where Kalashnikov and his son continue to work as weapon designers. There are companies that sell converted, or modified, Saigas as well – such as Arsenal Inc. in Las Vegas, NV, Kreb’s Customs and Redstick to name a few. There are many that swear by the quality of Bulgarian AK’s and will argue till they are red in the face that milled receivers are inherently better and more accurate – that is not the case and it is important to note that the original design of the AK was to be used on a stamped receiver. The only thing a milled AK has over a stamped AK is weight to be honest. So in the end with some many choices, like Romanian, Yugoslavian, Egyptian, Russian, Chinese, Bulgarian, Polish, Hungarian and American home grown, what’s best for you will be a matter of your own intended use and personal likes and dislikes – but know that when it comes to choosing an AK, there is no wrong choice. Americans buy 12 Billion rounds of ammo in the past year 11 years ago Main12 billion, american, americans, ammo, ammunition, billions, factories, hoarding, stores, united states, usa In a typical year Americans buy between 7 and 10 billion rounds of ammunition. In the past year they have bought 12 billion rounds. It’s no secret that ammo is flying off store shelves faster than factories can produce it but it’s nice to see a number put on the hoarding. That equals about 150 rounds of ammunition bought by every gun owner in the United States or about 47 rounds of ammunition for every privately owned firearm in the United States. Not very much when you put it into that perspective. Join and Save $10! AAR (1) Produts (2) Hi everyone its me Jennifer, how are you all? Pistol permit card For Sale WTB ammo For Sale/Trade CCI Large Pistol Magnum Primers: $50.00 per box of 1000 NYS bill to ban bulletproof vests NRA-ILA: NRA Dumps New York to Reincorporate in Texas, Announces New Strategic Plan NRA-ILA: Florida Alert! Gun Bills Filed in Florida - SO FAR NRA-ILA: Arkansas: Senate Will Consider Stand Your Ground Legislation Next Week CCI large magnum pistol primer SHOT Show Week, Website Upgrade, Excitement Ahead Mag Deals, Zastava ZPAPM70 $989, GP Stribog $729, Springfield Saint Victor $1149 NRA-ILA: Montana: House Passes Permitless Carry Legislation Legal to own pistol grip folding stock not attached to gun NRA-ILA: North Carolina: Your Input Needed for Hunting Regulations firearmsnew yorknyfirearmsgunsnyNYFirearms.comgunshootingsecond amendmentnew york statefirearmenthusiastsshootershandgundefensepoliticsny shooterslawssafetynrapistolprotectionnysrpariflenyshooterslegislationtacticalar-15ar15newsban2AtrainingskillscarryammoammunitionconcealedNY SAFE ActMDTSpermitallstar tacticalreviewSAFE Actchris fry Gun Control Bill Defeated in Senate Committee On Monday, March 28, the Senate Codes Committee voted along party lines to defeat a mandatory storage bill that would have forced gun owners to lock up their firearms, thereby rendering those firearms useless in self-defense situations. S.04291, sponsored by state Senator Liz Krueger (D-28), would have imposed felony penalties for failing to keep guns […] Cuomo bans non-essential state travel to N. Carolina Albany, N.Y. – Following the enactment of a controversial law in North Carolina, Governor Andrew Cuomo has banned all non-essential state travel to North Carolina. The law in question bans individuals from using restrooms that do not match the gender indicated on their birth certificates. Opponents argue the measure discriminates against members of the LGBT […] 2016 © NY Firearms, An Outdoor WS Inc Property. Privacy Policy	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line1026
__label__cc	0.606671	0.393329	NZICESCAPES IMAGES gallery \| prints « back to thumbnails Moonrise over Mount Tasman and Aoraki Mount Cook, Westland Tai Poutini National Park, West Coast, UNESCO World Heritage Area, New Zealand Print ID: 09739 Print Size: 1200mm x 423mm Limited Edition of 25 prints Price: NZ$3,500 Petr Hlavacek Gallery Petr Hlavacek Gallery is a purpose build destination gallery space on 5.5 acres property in a quiet, secluded, rural setting, outside of the small village of Whataroa on the West Coast of the Southern Alps in New Zealand. Surrounded by native trees with ample of privacy, outdoor sitting and a small boardwalk, there are some spectacular rural and mountain views of the Southern Alps to be enjoyed, as well. There is good sized carpark at the gallery for its easy access. Images of untouched New Zealand landscapes and more, the South Island, West Coast of the Southern Alps, glaciers with its ice is our speciality. Over 14,000 high res image files ready for licensing and your instant download from our website with a current total of over 80,000 images in our archives. License images directly from our website but we always welcome you contacting our studio so we can discuss your needs in person. For more info on licensing image(s), please visit our STOCK page – INFO. Mega Files Special projects require images with highest resolution possible. In our library, we call these image files - MEGA FILES. Images with minimum native resolution - NO INTERPOLATION - of 50MPx, very often over 100MPx image file resolution. - a selection of published work South Island in particular is an absolute heaven for any landscape photographer, offering such a remarkable diversity on so small piece of land, which is unparalleled on our planet. In our photographic adventures, we want to concentrate on the best and most dramatic locations New Zealand offers. From photography perspective - we will focus on creating images in these special locations that stand out from the crowd. Appreciating differences in light, creating strong compositions, utilizing photographic techniques and visions will help you to create powerful images and form your own unique style and vision in photography. Petr Hlavacek Whataroa 7857 P: +64 (0) 753 4199 info@nzicescapes.com About Petr Hlavacek Petr Hlavacek is a renowned New Zealand landscapes photographer, published worldwide by prestiguous leading magazine and other publishers. With his partner Kristina, Petr is based on the West Coast of the Southern Alps in the Glacier Country in New Zealand, in the small village of Whataroa, just around the corner from Franz Josef Glacier. Read more... Petr's statement Photo Workshops and Tours in New Zealand What to see in Oparara Valley near Karamea Whanganui Inlet on West Coast of New Zealand Photographing famous waterfalls Every work of art has its necessity; find out your very own. Ask yourself if you would do it if nobody would ever see it, if you would never be compensated for it, if nobody ever wanted it. If you come to a clear 'yes' in spite of it, then go ahead and don't doubt it anymore. - Ernst Haas All images Copyright © 2018 Petr Hlavacek. Unauthorized usage of the images and content of this website is strictly prohibited. NZICESCAPES IMAGES and Petr Hlavacek Gallery is privileged to be based in one of the most spectacular parts of the world, in the small village of Whataroa, in the Glacier Country on the West Coast of the Southern Alps in New Zealand. Powered by Wordpress and Photoshelter. Website by NZICESCAPES IMAGES Become our Facebook Fan	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line1027
__label__wiki	0.958193	0.958193	Indonesia Plane Carrying 62 People Goes Missing On Domestic Flight By Odishatv Bureau On Jan 9, 2021 - 5:56 PM Pic Credit: Evening Standard Jakarta: A Sriwijaya Air passenger jet carrying 62 people lost contact with air traffic controllers after taking off from Indonesia’s capital on Saturday on a domestic flight, officials said. A Sriwijaya Air plane lost contact after taking off from Indonesia's Jakarta en route to Pontianak, West Kalimantan province. Sriwijaya Air said in a statement, it is still gathering more detailed information regarding the flight before it can make any statement: Reuters — OTV (@otvnews) January 9, 2021 Kamala Harris To Be Sworn In As US Vice President By Justice Sonia Sotomayor Joe Biden Ropes In 20 Indian-Americans In His Administration, 17 At Key WH Positions Indonesian Transportation Ministry spokesperson Adita Irawati said the Boeing 737-500 took off from Jakarta at about 1:56 pm and lost contact with the control tower at 2:40 pm. A statement released by the airline said the plane was on an estimated 90-minute flight from Jakarta to Pontianak, the capital of West Kalimantan province on Indonesia’s Borneo island. There were 56 passengers and six crew members onboard. Irawati said in a statement that a search and rescue operation was underway in coordination with the National Search and Rescue Agency and the National Transportation Safety Committee. A plane flying from Jakarta to Pontianak would spend most of the flight over the Java Sea. There was still no sign of the missing plane as night fell. Indonesia, the world’s largest archipelago nation, with more than 260 million people, has been plagued by transportation accidents on land, sea and air because of overcrowding on ferries, aging infrastructure and poorly enforced safety standards. Indonesia Flight Goes MissingSriwijaya Air passenger jet Paapa: An Edge Of The Seat Thriller By Tarang Plus Is A Must Watch Odisha: Duplicate Sauce Making Unit Busted In Jajpur Norway Probes 23 Elderly Patients’ Death After Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccination Biden Appoints Indian-American Sameera Fazili As Deputy Director Of US Economic… ‘Fryums’ Not Comparable With Old Traditional…	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line1030
__label__wiki	0.777458	0.777458	More fisherfolk withdraw writ of kalikasan petition to protect West Philippine Sea Mike Navallo, ABS-CBN News Posted at Aug 14 2019 05:28 PM MANILA – Eighteen more fishermen have opted to withdraw a writ of kalikasan petition before the Supreme Court, based on a filing by their counsel the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) on Wednesday. In its submission to the high court, the IBP said its lawyers were able to talk to 2 more fisherfolk from Zambales and 1 from Puerto Princesa, Palawan in person, while they managed to contact 14 other fishermen from Pag-asa Island through the Facebook Messenger app. All 17 plus another fisherman signified their intent to withdraw the petition, which sought to compel government agencies to protect marine life in the West Philippine Sea by enforcing Philippine laws. In total, all 3 of the petitioners from Zambales, 22 from Palawan and the IBP itself have chosen to withdraw the petition for the protection of the country's exclusive economic zone in the disputed South China Sea. There were 41 petitioners named in the plea but the rest, according to IBP lawyers, were not able to sign the verification page. Fishermen claim deception vs IBP in SC plea for West PH Sea protection The IBP’s writ of kalikasan petition, a novel approach to addressing the alleged destruction of the environment in the West Philippine Sea by Chinese-flagged vessels, began to fall apart when Solicitor General Jose Calida told High Court magistrates during oral arguments on July 9 that his office had obtained affidavits from 19 of the petitioners disavowing the petition. He accused the IBP of deceiving its clients. Calida: Parties agree to dismiss SC plea to protect West PH Sea marine environment Despite objections from the IBP lawyers and collaborating counsel Chel Diokno about the Solicitor General's alleged breach of legal ethics in communicating with the opposing party’s clients without the knowledge of their lawyers, the Court allowed Calida to submit the affidavits and required the IBP to coordinate with its clients on how to proceed with the case. On July 19, the IBP filed a motion withdrawing the case on its behalf and on behalf of 7 fisherfolk. It also asked the high court to allow its lawyers to withdraw as counsel for the remaining 20 petitioners. Not satisfied with the motion, the Supreme Court required the IBP to exert more efforts to reach their clients, provide proof that the 20 remaining petitioners actually knew about the contents of the petition and justify why the Court should allow the IBP to withdraw and leave the remaining petitioners unrepresented. The IBP, in its filing Wednesday, attached letters from 18 of the 20 remaining petitioners. Zambales-based petitioners Rolando Labandelo and Nilo Labrador both wrote the IBP: “Pakiurong n'yo ang kaso namin Abogado vs. DENR (Please withdraw our case Abogado vs. DENR),” in a letter dated Aug. 4 attached to IBP’s filing. Meanwhile, 15 Palawan-based petitioners signed a letter dated Aug. 5 saying “[s]umasang-ayon kami sa pag-atras ng kaso namin (Abogado vs. DENR) [We agree to withdraw our case (Abogado vs. DENR)].” Another Palawan-based petitioner, Ricardo Natural, added his signature to the July 15 letter signed by 6 of his co-petitioners withdrawing the SC case, which had earlier been submitted by the IBP to the high tribunal. The IBP asked the high court to allow its withdrawal as counsel for petitioners despite not being able to reach the 2 remaining petitioners. It also asked the court to give it until Friday, Aug. 16, to submit the letter from the officers of the Kalayaan Palawan Farmers and Fisherfolk Association and an affidavit from former IBP Zambales president Josefina Ela Bueno detailing the circumstances surrounding the filing of the petition. The IBP had maintained during oral arguments that its lawyers in the Zambales and Palawan chapters were the ones in direct contact with the petitioners, but Associate Justice Marvic Leonen told IBP’s lawyers present during the oral arguments that it was their responsibility to talk to all their clients and show them the petition. Calida had earlier claimed the parties have agreed to dismiss the petition right after the July 9 oral arguments. But the IBP first consulted its clients before it filed any motion in court. Two Palawan fishermen told ABS-CBN News last month it was the Philippine Navy who approached them to execute affidavits and statements denying any knowledge about the petition, contrary to Calida’s claim during the oral arguments that it was the fishermen who approached the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. The SC has been silent so far on the IBP’s claim of breach of legal ethics against the OSG and respondent government agencies. IBP, Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Supreme Court, writ of kalikasan, fishermen, West Philippine Sea Read More: IBP Integrated Bar of the Philippines Supreme Court writ of kalikasan fishermen West Philippine Sea	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line1033
__label__wiki	0.949974	0.949974	Coronavirus: Why Putin's situation is becoming increasingly precarious A confirmed infection at the top of government deals a blow to the leader's attempts to portray the situation as under control. Diana Magnay Moscow correspondent @DiMagnaySky Friday 1 May 2020 04:56, UK Image: Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting via a video link amid the coronavirus pandemic Long a global outlier in terms of numbers, now even Russia's Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has tested positive for COVID-19. According to the TASS news agency, he informed Vladimir Putin of his coronavirus test results during a video conference. "The government will continue to work as usual," he said. Why are Russia's COVID-19 numbers so low? "I plan to be in active contact by phone and video on all major issues. As the interim, I propose the candidacy of [First Deputy Prime Minister] Andrei Removich Belousov." It comes as the number of cases in Russia passes the grim milestone of 100,000. In the virus's global rankings, the largest country on earth is now the eighth most infected, with more cases than China and Iran. But it still ranks low in terms of mortality, with just over 1,000 deaths. Given the Kremlin's reputation for mendacity, it requires some faith to take that death toll at face value. More from Covid-19 Australian Open stars will not be given 'special treatment' as 72 now in quarantine COVID-19: Partygoers claimed they had not heard of the pandemic - as police reveal breaches over the weekend COVID-19: Teachers, shop workers and police could be prioritised in next phase of vaccine rollout COVID-19: 24-hour vaccination sites to be piloted in London before end of January COVID-19: China confirms economic bounce-back with 2.3% GDP growth COVID-19: Everyone arriving in UK must now self-isolate as travel corridors close That would point to a remarkable efficacy both of testing and treatment that anecdotal evidence from inside Russian hospitals, especially in the regions outside Moscow, would suggest is not the case. Take the city of Ufa, 840 miles east of Moscow. Medics from the main hospital there made a video appeal to Mr Putin this week demanding a full investigation into how their hospital was able to become a regional ground zero for COVID-19. They say they believe the local authorities knew in March they had a problem but that they failed to act on lab test results. "We do not believe the data from labs controlled by the (regional) authorities," they say. :: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker On 6 April their hospital was put under a two-week quarantine. Medical staff were sealed in with what they say was insufficient protective gear and nowhere to sleep, with many of them continuing to work when sick. It is a similar story in other Russian regions. Hospital departments or entire hospitals shut down to prevent the virus from escaping, with those inside terrified they are trapped in a human incubator. "We are all mothers, we want to leave here alive," say a group of patients in a video plea from a hospital in the northern Komi republic. Another video from the main infectious diseases clinic in the southern city of Maykop shows the dire state of infection control in some Russian regions. Pots brimming with faeces sit beneath hospital beds, waiting to be emptied. There is no toilet seat in the bathroom. The bed linen does not look clean. Image: Russian Prime minister Mikhail Mishustin, who has tested positive for COVID-19 "The floor is from Stalin's time. It hasn't been washed since then," says a voice from behind the camera. It is a very different picture from the glossy new units Moscow's Mayor Sergey Sobyanin flashes on his Twitter feed. Moscow has scrambled to increase its hospital bed capacity, currently at around 20,000, with 7,000 more in the offing as the virus continues to spread despite more than a month in lockdown. It is still the epicentre of the outbreak but your chances of high-quality medical care are undoubtedly best in the capital. But even here, the clamour for PPE is loud. Exhausted hospital staff are in desperate need of reinforcements. First year medical students are being drafted in to help and there are suggestions it is not voluntary. "We all have a choice, it's not compulsory, though for the older students it's hard for them to refuse," says one first year student from Moscow's Sechenov University. A sixth-year student from the same university put it more bluntly, saying: "We were told by the heads that we're not forced to work in the red zone, but I don't know how it'll be in reality. You can't refuse this." Mr Putin told the nation on Wednesday that the peak was yet to come and that the traditional May holiday period would all be under lockdown. It's not the terminology he uses, he still prefers to call these "non-working days", as though he doesn't want to be seen to be the one inflicting a tough self-isolation regime on his people. But a positive result for COVID-19 at the very top of government deals a blow to Mr Putin's attempts to portray the situation as under control. He has already had to postpone two projects he holds dear - a vote on constitutional amendments which would have paved the way for him to stay as president beyond 2024, and the 75th anniversary of the Soviet defeat over Nazi Germany, which should have taken place on 9 May. The catastrophic collapse in the oil price too is eating away at Russia's rainy day reserves and will leave him in an increasingly precarious situation economically. For a while during this pandemic, Mr Putin was sitting pretty. That time is over.	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line1036
__label__wiki	0.980472	0.980472	'We're starving': U.S.-bound migrant caravan hunkers down after Guatemala crackdown All federal prisons in the United States have been placed on lockdown, with officials aiming to quell any potential violence that could arise behind bars as law enforcement prepares for potentially violent protests across the country in the run-up to President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration on Wednesday. The lockdown at more than 120 federal Bureau of Prisons facilities took effect at 12 a.m. Saturday, according to an email to employees from the president of the union representing federal correctional officers. “In light of current events occurring around the country, and out of an abundance of caution, the decision has been made to secure all institutions,” the Bureau of Prisons said in a statement. Federal prisons on lockdown ahead of Biden inauguration Washington, D.C. fortifies security ahead of Biden inauguration NASA's deep space exploration rocket built by Boeing briefly ignited all four engines of its behemoth core stage for the first time on Saturday, cutting short a crucial test to advance a years-delayed U.S. government program to return humans to the moon in the next few years. Mounted in a test facility at NASA's Stennis Space Center in Mississippi, the Space Launch System's (SLS) 212-foot tall core stage roared to life at 4:27 p.m. local time (2227 GMT) for just over a minute — well short of the roughly four minutes engineers needed to stay on track for the rocket's first launch in November this year. "Today was a good day," NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine said at a press conference after the test, adding "we got lots of data that we're going to be able to sort through" to determine if a do-over is needed and whether a November 2021 debut launch date is still possible. Watch NASA's historic Moon mission rocket test at 4PM ET (update: cut short) Moon rocket test firing aborted after engine shutdown A man who did prison time for aggravated stalking and has convictions for domestic violence and violating a restraining order has an 18-year-old girl he has kidnapped at gunpoint, Pembroke Pines police said. West Palm Beach resident Jaddier Sanchez, 37, took the mother and father of Nicole Martinez at gunpoint as well as Martinez when Martinez's parents came back to their Pines home around 12:30 a.m. Sunday. Two Capitol rioters claim an officer told them "It's your house now" as hundreds stormed the Capitol on January 6. Bobby Bauer and a relative were identified as among those who breached the US Capitol after an unknown caller tipped the FBI's National Threat Operations Center. Bauer told authorities an officer "grabbed his hand, shook it, and said, 'It's your house now." Capitol rioters taking selfies leave digital trail of 140,000 images under FBI investigation The Florida data scientist who claims she was fired by the health department for refusing to alter COVID-19 data said she'll turn herself into police after a warrant was issued for her arrest Rebekah Jones, the Florida data scientist, last year fired by the Department of Health, said Saturday she would turn herself in to authorities Sunday after they last week issued a warrant for her arrest. Jones, who worked on the state's COVID-19 dashboard, was fired in May after she said she refused to alter data related to the COVID-19 pandemic in the state. Florida authorities in December executed a warrant on her property, seizing computers, phones, and external storage drives after she continued to publish Florida's COVID-19 data through her own dashboard. USPS mailboxes in NJ to be removed temporarily as safey precaution WPVI – Philadelphia Trump news - President wants ‘military’ sendoff as top Democrat says ex-staff cannot salvage reputations President Donald Trump reportedly wants a 'military-style' sendoff from Joint Base Andrews before he flies to Palm Beach on the morning of his last day in office. Republican Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell has reportedly told colleagues to vote with their conscience during Mr Trump's impending impeachment trial. In doing so, Mr McConnell effectively allowed members of his party to vote to convict the US president, who is likely to face trial after Joe Biden assumes the presidency next week.	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line1037
__label__cc	0.678871	0.321129	Private Barbizon Tour Tucked away on the edge of the vast Fontainebleau Forest, the charming village of Barbizon is a retreat adopted since the 19th century by landscape painters and well-to-do city-dwellers alike. Among the most famous were Jean-Francois Millet, Camille Corot and Theodore Rousseau. Interested in a private tour? Get tour pricing Some of the painters of the Barbizon school paved the way to Impressionism, many of whose adherents repeatedly returned to the Fontainebleau area for inspiration. Famous writers like George Sands and literary figures such as the Goncourt brothers were not long in following their footsteps. Our private Barbizon France tour is usually paired with either a private tour of the château and park of Fontainebleau or the nearby Château de Courances (weekends only), built in pure Louis XIII style, and graced with a park designed by André Le Nôtre. Also consider pairing it with Nicolas Fouquet’s Château Vaux le Vicomte in near-by Maincy. Interested In Our Private Barbizon France tour? Our private Barbizon France tours visits the Barbizon School Museum and its annex, Rousseau’s home and atelier. It finishes with a stop for coffee at the White Horse Inn in Chailly-en-Bieres, where impressionists Renoir, Monet and Sisley used to quarter. For Sisley devotees, a visit to the nearby village of Moret-sur-Loing, his last home, is also an option. “Shahin, Just a quick note to let you know how much we enjoyed the tour of the Loire Valley [Custom Loire Valley Day Tour from Paris of 2 chateaux and 1 wine estate]. Let me start by saying the best part of the trip was meeting you and listening and learning about the history of France and specifically Chenonceaux. Your comments and guidance throughout the day made the experience far more than just a sight-seeing trip. Lunch was great and so were Amboise and the wine tasting. I can’t thank you enough for putting this tour together for us, we will enjoy the memories for years to come. Stephen Kelly – San Francisco, CA For more information or to schedule a tour, please contact us at our US Number – (631) 600-1120 questions? As history buffs, we’re always in favor of a little research. Visit our page of FAQs now to get prepared. Please fill out our contact form with your exact requirements. You can also call our US number: (631) 600-1120 We reply to queries within 24 hours Paris Luxury Tours LLC \| 279 Stephen Hands Path, East Hampton, New York 11937 Copyright 2020 Paris Luxury Tours LLC. All Rights Reserved. Terms & Conditions \| Privacy Policy BBB A+ ratings since 2011 updated every day Private Paris Tours Day Tours From Paris Normandy Tours France Wine Tours Private France Tours France World War Tours Paris Travel Guide Blog Full Day Private Tours Your price is determined by the number of persons in your party, as follows: 1 - 3 Persons: $1125 US Our price includes our provision of our guide and an upscale vehicle for the number of hours required, plus fuel, tolls and parking fees. Snacks, drinks, meals, gratuities, and entry/tasting fees at places that charge them are not included in our tour fee.	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line1045
__label__cc	0.711043	0.288957	visit FANNING Pacific C.A.R.E. Missions to see a special aerial view of the far North point side of Fanning Island watch the following production by Cameron Petersen: APRIL 2016 WESTERDAM VISITS FANNING ISLAND But…. APRIL 2015 STATENDAM VISITS FANNING ISLAND Feb 2015 Statendam sailing Posted on April 12, 2016 by Rich The April arrival of the MS Westerdam to Hawaii before it sailed to Fanning Island was a true blessing to so many people, including Rich Smith the director of Pacific CARE Missions. The purposes of helping the many passengers of the Holland America ships that would be sailing to Fanning and hopefully be delivering and donating school, medical and personal items to the residents of Fanning, happened in many ways. While the ship was in Hilo, a small group of 5 passengers, pre arranged a tour of the volcano with Rich in the hope to know more about Fanning Island. They heard so much from the driver (Rich), who also passed around many photo albums of Fanning Island that Rich had taken since 2003. There was even an opportunity to play a DVD info video about Fanning in the rented Van while traveling on the highway back to the ship. This opportunity to help these passengers could have many benefits as they would be helping to get the word out to others on the ship. The funds for the “volcano tour with Rich” would be used to support the efforts and materials for Fanning Island. As with any mission, food is key and there was a great snack break at the turnaround point of volcano national park. They also so wanted to do a run to Wal Mart to buy some last minute supplies to donate to Fanning when they visit there (hopefully). It was determined later that the ship did not get to call on Fanning due to weather and large swells. The next day, Rich of PCM set up an information table on the Kona Pier and there were so many opportunities to meet with the ship passengers during their visit to Kona before sailing away to Fanning in the evening. Even the ship lecturers were able to share their info and get some news from Rich, especially that there is now the possibility that an aircraft will be flying to Fanning from Christmas Island on a charter type basis. It was also learned that the ship provided information and collection receptacles for the passengers donations. Let’s hope it is not what it looks like! New updates below from the passengers, are after the ship left Hawaii: Update #1: news from a passenger 4/13/16 Rich, Hi, just to advise that we arrived off Fanning Island this morning. The weather unfortunately was not good, heavy rain squalls scheduled for the whole of the day and the swell not good either. As we approached the atoll you could see all, the next minute nothing. The skipper decided on erring on the side of caution and sailed on. I can imagine the disappointment from the Fanning population as they must have been gearing up for this for ages. A disappointment from our perspective as well. Hi again, hope you are well. At sea now for 4 days, 2 to go before we reach Roratonga in the Cook Islands. My understanding is that the donations meant for Fanning Island will now be handed to the Red Cross for distribution there. So although they would have been a good cause for Fanning, some good will come of it being handed to the Red Cross, rather than lost in the melee in San Diego. Take care, keep up the good work and hope our paths will cross one day. Just to let you know we missed Fanning Island due to bad weather!!!!! We also missed Rarotonga today but the ship was able to offload all the donations for Fanning to the Red Cross who said they’d endeavor to get some of it over to Fanning. We were not able to safely tender in to Rarotonga this morning, but a tender took in the donated supplies to the Red Cross people in Rarotonga. We also had to offload passenger with a medical emergency, but other than those two tenders, no one was allowed off the ship. The Captain advised us that the Red Cross told him that some of our donated supplies would be used in and around the islands of Rarotonga to those in need, and that they would “endeavor to get some of the supplies we donated to Fanning Island.” That’s all I know. But I can confirm that all of our donated supplies left our ship on a tender in to Rarotonga this morning. Everyone was extremely disappointed that we couldn’t get to Fanning Island. Lots of sad faces that day. Filed under: General \| « APRIL 2015 STATENDAM VISITS FANNING ISLAND to see a special aerial view of the far North point side of Fanning Island watch the following production by Cameron Petersen: » Julia Anderson, on April 17, 2016 at 9:29 am said: I am saddened that the passengers did not get to debark at Fanning Island. My mother and I took the cruise in October 2011 and it was such an enriching experience. It is good to learn that a plane flies there now with provisions. Such wonderful, sharing people. I hope to go again one day. Colette Haevens, on December 8, 2016 at 1:14 pm said: In 2007, when I was visiting Fanning Island, I learned that a ship from Australia would come once a month with supplies, it seemed like it was a very primitive culture at that time eg: Health care of any sort. They were hoping at the time to encourage Nurses, Doctors, Dentists and Teachers to visit Fanning Island. It pleases me the Island has advanced from the visit of Cruise Ships, and other’s have come to the support of Fanning Islanders survival needs. I am concerned with today’s tsunami 2016 Dec 8 warning for Hawaii Islands and if the Quake effected Fanning Island. Rich, on December 8, 2016 at 8:50 pm said: Probabably won’t know for a bit as it just recently happened. Hawaii was ok. FANNING ISLAND: History FANNING Island: Info CD HOLLAND AMERICA helping Fanning PACIFIC ISLAND AID Project CURE Samoa 2015 Mission Samoa Medical Missions VIDEO Samoa Medical Missions WEBSITE SAMOA TSUNAMI: Vavau Shipping Cargo to Line islands	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line1057
__label__cc	0.635835	0.364165	We believe the evidence and research demonstrates that Post Traumatic Stress is not a disorder but rather an injury that can heal. Each week we share stories of former sufferers creating a life after PTS: a new normal of their deciding, free of trauma and PTSD and professionals using some of the best evidence based techniques to help them do it. ⚖️ The show is intended to provide encouragement for the listener but is for entertainment purposes only and NOT a substitute for proper treatment. Please seek help from a qualified mental health provider. Life After PTSD 2021 Life After PTSD Life After PTSD #122 The Trauma Students Who Are The First In Their Family To Go To College Can Face (ft. Gabrielle Jackson) In this episode we welcome Gabrielle Jackson, a Howard University student who was the first in her family to go to college. Whereas college isn't an option in some families, it's everything but an option in others and when first generation college students leave home to pursue higher education, they often do so without the support structures of college-oriented families that help keep them motivated toward the finish line. Out of a realization of her own struggles and traumatic experiences when she left home for school, Gabrielle saw a need to create a support system for these students and now her organization is thriving. To donate to HBCU visit https://hbcuimprint.com 😴 Special thanks to our sponsor for this episode: the Philip Stein Company. For better sleep try Philip Stein's many sleep bracelets and watches featuring Natural Frequency Technology to help you get better rest. Take 10% off your order at https://www.philipstein.com, use promo code "PTSD10". We believe the evidence and research demonstrates that Post Traumatic Stress is not a disorder but rather an injury that can heal (see https://lifeafterptsd.org/research). Each week we tell stories of clients who are creating a new normal of their deciding, free of trauma and PTSD, and the counselors, therapists and coaches using evidence based memory re-consolidation techniques to help them do it. #121 The Shooting At Columbine High School Cost Him His Sister, Friends And Nearly His Own Life (ft. Craig Scott) In this episode we welcome Craig Scott, the brother of Rachel Joy Scott, one of 12 students and 1 teacher murdered at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado on April 20, 1999 in the first prominent mass school shooting that rocked our country. Out of respect for any that may be triggered by this sensitive content, we would like to issue a warning in advance that Craig shares his account of that fateful day, a chilling account of horrifying events that forever changed his life and the life of so many others. Hear how Craig has created a new normal spreading kindness and compassion to the world and how his sister's life and message lives on through his work. To connect with Craig's work, visit: https://value-up.org 📖 The Journals Of Rachel Scott: A Journey Of Faith At Columbine High (Amazon): https://amzn.to/3bqYhQG 📖 Rachel's Tears: The Spiritual Journey Of Columbine Martyr Rachel Scott (Amazon): https://amzn.to/38vlcZq #120 A Special Forces Warrior Got Relief From His PTSD And Made It His Mission To Pay It Forward (ft. Brian Anderson) In this episode we welcome Brian Anderson, who retired from the United States Army after 14 years of service as both a journalist and a Green Beret. Brian served 33 months in combat zones and earned 3 bronze stars, one with Valor, for his actions deployed as a Green Beret. As a citizen-Soldier, Brian started to identify the gaps in services for many of our Veterans returning home and as a BSW student at Saint Leo University, he helped form the Pasco County Stand Down. In 2014, Brian attended the inaugural Post 9/11 Stanford Ignite, at Stanford University through the Graduate School of Business and subsequently developed a plan with partner Janel Norton to open up The Veterans Alternative in November 2014. Brian serves on several boards including the Veterans Transition Task Force, a think-tank for updating military to civilian Transition through legislation and collaboration. To connect with Veteran's Alternative, visit: https://veteransalternative.org #119 He Was Part Of The Team That First Named PTSD; Now He's Advocating That "Disorder" Should Be Called "Injury" (ft. Dr. Frank Ochberg) In this episode we welcome Dr. Frank Ochberg, a founding board member of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies and recipient of their highest honor, the Lifetime Achievement Award. He edited the first text on treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and served on the committee that essentially defined PTSD. In an article dated September 19, 2012, titled: “AN INJURY, NOT A DISORDER: post-traumatic stress disorder has been an accepted diagnosis since 1980. It’s time for clinicians to adopt a new name- Post traumatic stress injury - that is more accurate, hopeful and honorable," Ochberg advocated that the former mainstream view that PTSD is a disorder is inaccurate. "PTSI is a better term than PTSD. It is accurate. It does justice to the condition. It is preferred by those who contend with the condition. The APA [American Psychiatric Association] would bring credit to itself and respect to its patients by adopting this improvement in diagnostic terminology." We were privileged to have this living room style conversation with Dr. Ochberg, who shares that his advocacy is in no way to minimize the significance of PTS rather to offer broader support to those who suffer from this operation injury (as it's referred to in some other nations already) of war, violence and human cruelty. As Ochberg learned from many sufferers, "the concept of an injury, rather than a disorder, does justice to their experience. Once they were whole. Then they were shattered. When their counselors, employers, friends and loved ones behaved as though they were survivors of injuries, with lingering wounds, they could heal. When they felt like mental patients and were treated as persons with pre-existing weakness, they could not heal." (original article citation: https://dartcenter.org/content/injury-not-disorder-0) ©2020 Life After PTSD™ We believe the evidence and research demonstrates that Post Traumatic Stress is not a disorder but rather an injury that can heal (see https://bit.ly/3oYxcbZ & https://bit.ly/3ns4xKW). Each week we tell stories of clients who are creating a new normal of their deciding, free of trauma and PTSD, and the counselors, therapists and coaches using evidence based memory re-consolidation techniques to help them do it. ⚖️ The show is intended to provide encouragement for the listener but is not a substitute for proper treatment. Please seek help from a qualified mental health provider. #118 Why The Majority Of Sexual Assault And Abuse Goes Unreported (ft. Paula Navarro) In this episode we welcome Paula Navarro, a marriage and family therapist, to discuss the reasons why the vast majority of rape, sexual assault and sexual abuse goes unreported. From the perspective of many outsiders this is perplexing but the mindset of the victim with assistance from culture often comes very much into play. #117 Shame And Trauma: When Your Body Makes You A Sexual Stumbling Block (ft. Linda Kay Klein) In this episode we welcome Linda Kay Klein, founder and president of the nonprofit, Break Free Together, dedicated to helping people release shame and claim their whole selves. After 15 years of research on religious trauma around sex and gender, she documented her work in the award-winning book, Pure: Inside the Evangelical Movement that Shamed a Generation of Young Women and How I Broke Free. Her work has been featured by CBS, NBC, NPR (her interview with Fresh Air’s Terry Gross was named one of the top ten of the year), and over 150 other outlets, and she has presented a TEDx. She joins us to talk about the after effects of guilt, shame and fear many have experienced from the purity culture movement found in some church circles that teaches strongly a message of abstinence above all before marriage. 📖 Get Linda's book, PURE: Inside the Evangelical Movement That Shamed a Generation of Young Women and How I Broke Free, here: https://amzn.to/2Ko92Yt 📖 OR listen to the audiobook with a 30 day trial from Audible, which includes a book you get to keep!: http://www.audibletrial.com/lifeafterptsd/ 😴 Special thanks to our sponsor for this episode: the Philip Stein Company. For better sleep try Philip Stein's many sleep bracelets and watches featuring Natural Frequency Technology to help you get better rest. Take 10% off your order at https://www.philipstein.com, use promo code "PTSD10" We believe the evidence and research demonstrates that Post Traumatic Stress is not a disorder but rather an injury that can heal (see https://bit.ly/3oYxcbZ). Each week we tell stories of clients who are creating a new normal of their deciding, free of trauma and PTSD, and the counselors, therapists and coaches using evidence based memory re-consolidation techniques to help them do it. © Life After PTSD Top Podcasts In Mental Health The Mindvalley Podcast with Vishen Lakhiani Mindvalley Sandeep Maheshwari Yours Positively -Tamil Self Improvement & Mental Wellness Podcast Poonguzhali Daily Meditation Podcast Mary Meckley Sweating The Small Stuff Cameron Boozarjomehri Nobody Told Me! Nuggets Jan Black & Laura Owens Sh00tTheMessengers Chuck and Red Not Your Teacher Podcast Not Your Teacher Meditation Podcast Roy Coughlan The Greatest Show of All-Time with Clint Arthur Clint Arthur	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line1061
__label__wiki	0.777518	0.777518	Popcast The Popcast is hosted by Jon Caramanica, a pop music critic for The New York Times. It covers the latest in popular music criticism, trends and news. Publié le vendredi 09 décembre 2016 à 19:40 par popcast@nytimes.com (NYTimes.com Podmaster) Tags : contemporary music This week, The New York Times music team reflects on albums that defined 2016. Rockstar Violinist Podcast Rockstar Violinist is the Electric Violin Shop po… Rockstar Violinist is the Electric Violin Shop podcast, hosted by Matt Bell and featuring interviews with the most creative and noteworthy electric strings performing and recording artists. Jazz Boulevard Syndicated Weekly 2-hour Radio Show & Podcast JAZZ BOULEVARD is a weekly award-winning 2-hour syndicated radio show produced in jazzy Montreal, Canada. Programs are broadcast on stations via syndication partners: in Canada (NCRA); in Romania (JAZZFM); in the USA (Global Community Radio); in New Zealand (FreeFM.org.nz). On-air since 2004, each week host Moz Taylor mixes up a blend of the best jazz (the latest releases to classic tracks) with Roots Blues, Acid Jazz, and World Music. For information, playlists, archived broadcasts and more, visit the show's website: www.jazzboulevard.ca Follow us on Twitter @JazzBoulevard Bird Attack Punk Rock Radio Established in 2012 and broadcasting out of Jacks… Established in 2012 and broadcasting out of Jacksonville Beach, Florida, Bird Attack Punk Rock Radio was founded by Garrett Wadford based on an absolute unwavering love for punk rock - Fast, Loud, Shredding, Melodic, Skate punk to be exact. "I consider the genre I love to be more of an underground group of bands that deserve to get more exposure. Now don’t get me wrong, I love Pennywise, Lagwagon, Strung Out (and other similar bands) with a passion, but the new music that really gets me fired up as of late, has a hint of metal to it, which brings an extra level of AMP! to the table." "I have always loved performing in some way shape or form, whether it has been on stage playing or behind the mic, focused on the voice only approach, so I decided to bring the music I was passionate about to the airwaves or internet-waves, as it has now morphed to a podcast." We are bringing new school punk mixed with the best older punk from as far back as 15 years, mixing it up with roughly 20 songs, throwing in a prank call, adding a dash of comedy and slamming the door shut with an insane interview from some of the best names in punk rock! These interviews range from different members of bands from across the spectrum; Pennywise to Lagwagon, Belvedere to Forus, Dutch Nuggets to Counterpunch. We are really turning up the quality this year. Finally, the podcast is professionally produced, so whether you are playing it in your headphones or cranking it at your house or in your car, you are going to love the quality! Snacky Tunes Every Sunday, Snacky Tunes co-hosts Darin and Greg Bresnitz--brothers since birth, dance music DJ partners, dim sum lovers and whiskey aficionados--explore and celebrate the cultural convergence of music and food. Tune in as they stir up conversation with the world's top gastronomic talents, while also plugging in the amps for the best of this generation's up-and-coming musicians. Preying Lizard Music's Road Rash Blues Show Give it a listen! The finest Blues, Rock, Soul and anything else that takes my fancy. Sit back, put your feet up and join me for the ride of your life and lots of fun on the way. Thrift Store Vinyl Hour No day is final without some vinyl! Weekly visits to the Thrift Store including lots of music straight from the shelves. Come in & sit a spell!	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line1062
__label__wiki	0.507726	0.507726	The Strategic Incentives for Violent Extremism Foreign jihadists fighting in Northern Mali. By Magharebia. By politicalviolenceataglance By Barbara F. Walter On February 18th, the Obama administration will hold a Summit on Countering Violent Extremism. The summit is designed to address the growing problem of religious extremism, especially in the Middle East. Since 2011, radical Islamist groups have flourished in the civil wars in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya. The al Nusra Front had no real presence in Syria until civil war broke out in 2011. The same is true of ISIS. In fact, since 2007, the number of violent Islamist groups in the Middle East and Africa has significantly increased and has spread to include most of North Africa, the DRC, Tanzania, Kenya and South Sudan. Currently, the administration has no clear strategy for dealing with this problem. Experts in the Pentagon, State Department and intelligence agencies have admitted that they do not understand why these extremist groups have emerged at this time or why they have flourished. According to Major General Michael Nagata, commander of American Special Operations forces in the Middle East, “We do not understand the movement [ISIS], and until we do, we are not going to defeat it.” Key to an effective counter-strategy is the ability to identify when, where and how extremism helps groups mobilize local support and gain external financing. To do this one must first identify the three strategic incentives rebel groups face to adopt an extreme ideology. First, adopting an extremist ideology can give rebel organizations a recruiting advantage. The ideological extreme is where individuals are more likely to be willing to fight and die for a cause making them easier to recruit as soldiers. Second, adopting an extremist ideology can serve as a credible commitment to a set of principles that make the group appear more trustworthy than the competition. Fundamentalist Islam is a way for rebel organizations to credibly promise to remain true to their ideals and not “sell out” once in power. Even moderate citizens might be willing to support Islamists if they believe they will be less corrupt once in office. Third, adopting an extremist ideology helps rebel organizations positively differentiate themselves from competing rebel groups. Extreme ideology creates what could be considered a “market niche” for a rebel group, causing a particular population to remain loyal regardless of what other groups do. Few potential recruits motivated by a desire to protect Islam will be excited about joining the second most Islamic group, just like few ethnic nationalists will eagerly sign up for the third most patriotic organization. Not all civil wars, however, are likely to create equally hospitable conditions for the success of extremist groups. This is why radical Islam thrives in some contexts but not others. Extremist groups are more likely to form and prosper in three types of conflict environments: (1) countries with ethnically or religiously polarized societies, (2) countries with a history of bad governance and corruption, and (3) countries with civil wars with multiple competing rebel groups. These countries are already divided along ethnic or sectarian lines and their citizens are keen for credible commitments to better behavior after years of bad government. It’s also where rebel groups have incentives to differentiate themselves from similar looking factions. All of these conditions currently exist in the Middle East. So what should the U.S. do to counter extremism? First and foremost , eliminate the underlying conditions that favor its success. Challenging the values of an extremist group head on is likely to be counterproductive. A “war on ISIS” will have no more success than our “war on al-Qaida” has had. A better strategy is to provide hard evidence to local populations that the radical groups that hope to represent them are not as honorable as they try to appear: they will not rule as fairly and benevolently as they claim. Outsiders can also help moderate groups devise their own costly signals that they are trustworthy and have an attractive and credible product that they will deliver should they come to power. Enhancing the credibility of these moderate groups should help recruit the support of those citizens whose beliefs are more aligned with them and undercut the support of extremists. Moderate groups will also require more practical, material assistance to compete effectively with extremist groups that draw funding from wealthy like-minded donors from abroad. General Nagata was right that we will not be able to stop ISIS or any of the extremist groups that have emerged in the Middle East until we understand why they are succeeding in this context. They are succeeding because the Middle East is home to some of the most corrupt, ineffective and exclusionary governments in the world and their populations are looking for new, more trustworthy leaders. The key to countering extremists will be to help moderate groups communicate their ability and desire to govern more effectively than past incumbents while providing evidence that extremists will not. Countering Violent Extremism politicalviolenceataglance thejoshuagenerationministries says: Interesting post! Thanks for sharing! Lorenzo from Oz says: “They are succeeding because the Middle East is home to some of the most corrupt, ineffective and exclusionary governments in the world and their populations are looking for new, more trustworthy leaders” That does not seem to explain Boko Haram very well. Thoughtful ideas but I’m troubled by the incongruence between the 3 main points of the argument. Point 1 suggests that extremist ideology allows groups to filter in only the most ardent and loyal supporters -presumably at the expense of a wider base -this to me sounds like ‘quality over quantity’. It’s debatable whether that’s even preferable but for the sake of the argument I’ll accept that at face value. What’s troubling for me is that Point 2 immediately goes on to suggest that the very same ideology that allows extremists to filter out moderates also is what attracts moderates to them. So which is it? Perhaps the case of the rise in support for Hamas amongst disgruntled former PLO sympathizing Palestinians in Gaza is suggestive of point 2. But I’m not entirely convinced it was the extremist or the Islamic elements that appealed to them -it was the anti-PLO vote in essence. Moreover, if extremists are more trustworthy and credible then I would imagine the head chopping, civilian killing, and general aggressiveness of these groups are taken very seriously by the wider (more moderate) public and if thats the case then is corruption really the only factor that matters in the minds of a potential pool of recruits or sympathizers? I doubt it. And then in Point 3 the argument comes full circle back to extremist ideology’s appeal to only a narrow -‘niche’ -base of support. The puzzle for me is, if points 1 and 3 are correct, then how do these extremist groups achieve what point 2 claims it does (to widen their base of support)? Some final questions that ran through my head: how do we define, identify, or measure ‘extremism’? Is it a categorical attribute -a group is either extremist or not -or can the concept be placed on a spectrum/scale? Is there a good proxy for it? If so, would the number of civilians targeted by a group serve as a good proxy measure of its level of extremism? (but that would be addressing a whole different literature) How bout a criteria based on a groups adoption of a religious ideology? (if that’s our only criteria then its tautological and uninteresting -religiously divided societies giving rise to religiously divided groups). Can groups fall in and out of these categories (I’m thinking the example of the PLO)? I suspect operationalizing the concept of ‘extremism’ is not without its major hurdles. I didn’t think there was much utility to the concept of ‘extremism’ in the civil war lit. before i read the post but this post has got me thinking otherwise -at any rate trying to test this empirically would be interesting. Niro says: Cyrus: The way I saw Point 1 and 2 work intuitively was: Point 1 would refer to the ability to gain human resources and fighters, Point 2 would come into effect after a certain point. Once extremist ideology allows you to amass loyal and determined fighters/core supporters, you are now a credible competitor to the state, perhaps a corrupt and weakened state as Walter mentioned in the blog post. Perhaps stretching the firm analogy further (perhaps too far) Extremist ideology gets you employees through Point 1 while it gets you customers through Point 2. Pingback: Radical Islam and Its Effect on Decision Making \| The Orator Pingback: The Strategic Incentives for Violent Extremism « Don Haider-Markel allyshiarheta88 says: Thank you for this inspiring article. The subject of ISIS and what would be an effective strategy to confront the current situation has been a much-discussed topic among my friends and within past courses. I recently graduated with a degree in International Peace and Conflict Resolution, and difficult topics such as this are my forte. I do not believe in fighting violence with violence, nor do I believe that sitting back idly is a choice to be made. As was stated, you must understand that whom you are up against, and we do NOT understand ISIS enough to effectively end Extremist violence in the region. Our tactics currently are simply spawning more violence, adding fuel to the extremists’ cause. Interesting, for in my field a conflict assessment is the first step towards conflict transformation and/or resolution, yet I find that lacking in this situation. We have instead been myopic and reactive, and as has been learned from many conflicts around the world, such movements have consequences unforseen and typically worse than the initial unrest. I follow your blog avidly, and look forward to posts to come. Pingback: Denver Dialogues: Encouraging Conversation Among Academics and Policymakers \| Political Violence @ a Glance The Future of Conflict in Mining Guest post by Anouk Rigterink and Kristen DeCaires Gall On June 17, 2019, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s… Do Realists Need to Check Their Idealism? By Deborah Avant for Denver Dialogues. In this series we often focus on what academic studies can tell… Unrest in America: An Interview with Barbara Walter Riots in the nation’s capital were a wake-up call to many Americans who never envisioned an insurrection following… Trump’s Cabinet and Bringing Civil-Military Relations Back In By Lionel Beehner, Peter White, and Michael Kenwick. Trump’s tapping of high-ranking generals for positions traditionally allocated to civilians… As Governments Dither on COVID-19, Jihadists and Gang Leaders Step In Guest post by Gregoire Phillips We live in a strange time. Through a combination of online, radio, and… What’s Going On in Zambia? By Dawn Brancati. By less than 3 percent of the vote, President Edgar Lungu of the Patriotic Front… Trends in Militarized Policing: New Data and Puzzles	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line1065
__label__wiki	0.679241	0.679241	Love Bites is an American television series originally planned for the 2010–11 television season on the NBC network that eventually aired as a summer replacement series. It premiered in its… A Pondemonium Christmas Second Chance Charlie Thishour-longdramaticcomedyintroducestheadventuresofCharlieSinclair,a28yearoldlifelongunderachiever,whoworkswithherguardianangelSpencertogivepeoplesecondchancesattheirgreatestregretsinlife.Inthispilotepisode,Charlietravelsbacktothe1990stogiveherhighschoolbestfriend,Mally,nowanuninspiredbarmaid,asecondchanceatrockstardom.IfonlyMallyHadn’tbeencaughtshopliftingallthoseyearsago…WrittenbyDavidLawrence Clue is an American five-part mystery television miniseries based on the Parker Brothers board game of the same name, which aired on The Hub from November 14, 2011 to November… Genre: Crime, Mystery No habrÃ¡ paz para los malvados Madrid, the beginning of the century. 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Dräger Equipment, Wise Food Storage Company and the United States Gold Bureau are sponsors of… The True Story of the Wonderful Wizard of Oz This iconic American story was written in 1900 by L Frank Baum, a Chicago businessman, journalist, chicken breeder, actor, boutique owner, Hollywood movie director and lifelong fan of all things… A wealthy Iranian family struggles to contain a teenager’s growing sexual rebellion and her brother’s newfound conservatism. The life of an orphan is changed by the providential intervention of a mysterious benefactor. A Noble Lie: Oklahoma City 1995 A Noble Lie is the culmination of years of research and documentation conducted by independent journalists, scholars, and ordinary citizens. Often risking their personal safety and sanity, they have gathered… X-Men, still grieving over the death of Phoenix (Jean Grey), are investigating a case of a missing mutant girl in Northern Japan. This leads them to a mysterious virus that… Genre: Action, Action & Adventure, Animation, Sci-Fi, Sci-Fi & Fantasy Fish Town La Ciudad de las Estrellas, a tiny town in the South American jungle, is home to an understaffed, understocked medical clinic where three idealistic doctors come looking for change. Suburban Gangster Whatwilla9yearoldsociopathdoforSelinaGomeztickets? Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Short Endgame is a Canadian drama television series that premiered on the Showcase Television network on Monday, March 14, 2011. The series is developed and produced by Thunderbird Films. The series… Genre: Action & Adventure, Crime, Drama South Beach Tow is an American truTV reality television series that portrays dramatized reenactments of the day-to-day business of Tremont Towing. Although the program is fictionalized, Tremont Towing is a… Genre: Documentary, Drama, Reality-TV Call of the Wildman Call of the Wildman is an American reality television series that airs on the Animal Planet network. The third season of the series is currently airing. The show follows the… Driven by the fact that there are few things more dangerous than a prisoner who has just escaped, and tired of following protocol and resorting to outdated methods of law… Genre: Action & Adventure, Crime, Drama, Thriller Pan Am is an American period drama television series created by writer Jack Orman. Named for the iconic Pan American World Airways, the series features the pilots and stewardesses of… Genre: Drama, History, Romance Happily Divorced is an American sitcom created by Fran Drescher and Peter Marc Jacobson. Inspired by their experiences, the series, which became TV Land’s third original scripted series following Hot… Fiona Wallice is a therapist with little patience for her patients. Tired of hearing about people’s problems for fifty long minutes, she devises a new treatment, the three-minute video chat…. King is a Canadian police drama which premiered April 17, 2011 on Showcase. The series stars Amy Price-Francis as Jessica King, a veteran police officer who gets promoted to head… Shower the Baby, Muzzle the Boy PhaedraandApollodealwiththeconsequencesofacaseofmistakenidentityShereéismovingonupbyoverseeingtheconstructionofanewhouse.PetergetsawarningfromCynthia’sbabydaddyabouttheimportanceofgettingalongwithyourin-laws.NeNedealswithheryoungestson,Brent’sadjustmenttolivingintwohomesafterherseparationfromGregg.Meanwhile,Kimthrowsawedding-sizebabyshowerforKroy,buttheshowergamesarealittlemoretestosterone-driventhanKimhadplanned!WrittenbyAnonymous	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line1069
__label__cc	0.703029	0.296971	Serum Globulins "Serum Globulins" is a descriptor in the National Library of Medicine's controlled vocabulary thesaurus, MeSH (Medical Subject Headings). Descriptors are arranged in a hierarchical structure, which enables searching at various levels of specificity. All blood proteins except albumin ( = SERUM ALBUMIN, which is not a globulin) and FIBRINOGEN (which is not in the serum). The serum globulins are subdivided into ALPHA-GLOBULINS; BETA-GLOBULINS; and GAMMA-GLOBULINS on the basis of their electrophoretic mobilities. (From Dorland, 28th ed) Globulins, Serum Pseudoglobulins Euglobulins Below are MeSH descriptors whose meaning is more general than "Serum Globulins". Below are MeSH descriptors whose meaning is related to "Serum Globulins". Blood Proteins Acute-Phase Proteins Anion Exchange Protein 1, Erythrocyte Ankyrins beta 2-Glycoprotein I Blood Coagulation Factors Cholesterol Ester Transfer Proteins Glycophorin Hemocyanin Immunoproteins Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Protein S Retinol-Binding Proteins, Plasma Serum Albumin Somatomedins Spectrin Thyroxine-Binding Proteins Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha Vitronectin Globulins Fetal Globulins Lactoglobulins Below are MeSH descriptors whose meaning is more specific than "Serum Globulins". Alpha-Globulins Beta-Globulins Macroglobulins Transcobalamins This graph shows the total number of publications written about "Serum Globulins" by people in this website by year, and whether "Serum Globulins" was a major or minor topic of these publications. Below are the most recent publications written about "Serum Globulins" by people in Profiles.	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line1073
__label__cc	0.741976	0.258024	Adopted!! Pending Adoptions Where is your shelter? We are made up of a group of very dedicated volunteers. All of our dogs are cared for in foster homes and most of our volunteers give their time to Prairie Sky Dog Rescue while maintaining full-time employment. Prairie Sky Dog Rescue does not have a public shelter facility but the majority of our foster homes are in the Regina and Weyburn areas. More Frequently Asked Questions Why Adopt? What do our fees include? Can I get a tax receipt for donations? What is the best way to make a donation? Dedicated to Rescue Prairie Sky Dog Rescue Inc. is a registered non-profit organization based in southern Saskatchewan, Canada. We focus on training, re-homing, and providing dogs with the opportunity of a life. Prairie Sky Dog Rescue Regina , SK © 2021 Prairie Sky Dog Rescue - All rights reserved. Squareflo.com	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line1075
__label__cc	0.502212	0.497788	Culture - Home Homepage Carousel WATCH: VP Leni Robredo on Why She Wants to Keep International Relations Strain-Free Jacque De Borja Vice President Leni Robredo shared some of her thoughts given the tirades of President Rodrigo Duterte gave against the United States, European Union, and the United Nations, who criticize his war against drugs. There is concern from Robredo’s side, but she said that she hopes and prays everything turns out for the better. After all, the Philippines (no matter how strong) can’t stand on its own—we do still need the support of the international community. She also stressed how important good relations are to us. So far, she said that the ones who have promised to support the Philippines from the very beginning still continue to do so, and in fact are very excited to collaborate and work with us. And quite frankly, that is really good to hear. When she says she’s praying it doesn’t get worse—we stand right there with her. [Inquirer.net] Photo courtesy of Inquirer.net Follow Preen on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, and Viber President Rodrigo Duterte Vice President Leni Robredo WATCH: The First Trailer of ‘Jackie’ Played by Natalie Portman Beauty - Home Beauty Feature Get to Know the Makeup Line You Can Swim In Olivia Estrada	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0075.json.gz/line1076

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