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__label__cc	0.574889	0.425111	Titlemax Payment Options » This federal government loan forgiveness system has refused 99% of borrowers up to now 投稿日 : 2020年7月9日最終更新日時 : 2020年7月9日投稿者 : サイトデフォルトカテゴリー : Titlemax Payment Options Published: Sept 23, 2018 8:55 a.m. ET Just 96 folks are contained in the very first cohort of borrowers of people provider Loan Forgiveness program JillianBerman Up to now, approximately 99percent of prepared applications for forgiveness under a federal government program targeted at assisting general general public servants handle their student-loan that is federal debt their applications rejected. At the time of June 30 of the 12 months, about 28,000 borrowers submitted 33,300 applications to possess their loans discharged underneath the Public provider Loan Forgiveness system, an effort launched in 2007 that enables borrowers who operate in certain kinds of public solution to own their federal figuratively speaking cleaned away after decade of repayments. Wednesday of the roughly 29,000 applications processed so far, 96 borrowers have had about $5.52 million in debt discharged under the program, according to a government report released. Associated with approximately 29,000 applications prepared thus far, 96 borrowers have experienced about $5.52 million with debt released beneath the program. Specialists expect the sheer number of authorized applications to go up considerably within the coming years. If the program launched in 2007, there clearly was small promotion or quality around it. What’s more, most of the payment programs that borrowers may use when they like to be eligible for a the scheduled system weren’t yet available then. It’s likely few servants that are public advantageous asset of it straight away and would currently be eligible for forgiveness. Fall 2017 ended up being the https://www.titlemax.us very first time borrowers could connect with have their loans released underneath the system. Nevertheless the rate that is high of highlights the difficulties of this program. Numerous whom watch PSLF closely have now been worried for a long time that its mix that is complicated of would allow it to be problematic for borrowers to get into. There’s also probably a big cohort of borrowers who thought they’d find a way to claim forgiveness underneath the system — and maybe organized their jobs and economic life around it — but weren’t conscious of or had been confused by its numerous needs, making them ineligible. Follow this link for more information on Public Service Loan Forgiveness Significantly more than 70percent of this borrowers whoever applications had been rejected didn’t meet at least one of several eligibility demands for the system, in line with the government’s report. To be eligible for that loan release under PSLF, a debtor should have Direct Loans — a specific sort of federal student loan — be into the proper payment system (most of the government’s payment programs don’t be eligible for PSLF), and work with the proper kind of task, which include federal government work and work at particular kinds of nonprofits. Borrowers should also make at the least 120 on-time monthly payments — or 10 years’ worth — on the figuratively speaking to meet the requirements to own them forgiven. Borrowers should also make at the very least 120 on-time monthly payments — or 10 years’ worth — to their figuratively speaking to meet the requirements to own them forgiven. There are a variety of explanations why a debtor that has the type that is correct of, work and payment plan may have a payment maybe not qualify. Including, when borrowers put a lot more than their needed month-to-month repayment towards their loan, usually the deadline with regards to their following payment is much more than four weeks later on than if they overpaid. It is referred to as paid-ahead status. Any re re payments borrowers make while they’re compensated ahead don’t be eligible for a PSLF. “It’s apparent that a wide array of individuals which couldn’t meet with the demands failed to recognize that they weren’t fulfilling what’s needed, ” said Clare McCann, the deputy manager for degree policy within the think tank New America’s training policy system. “The complexities when you look at the program’s design imply that you will find likely to be many people whom think they’re eligible for PSLF and they’re perhaps perhaps not. ” Betsy Mayotte, who regularly works together with borrowers while the president regarding the Institute of scholar Loan Advisors, said she ended up beingn’t astonished by the number that is relatively low of authorized, considering that we’re still during the early phases of borrowers also becoming qualified to receive forgiveness and therefore numerous regarding the qualifying repayment programs weren’t available whenever PSLF first established. But Mayotte said she’s additionally concerned with the big share of rejections. “If you had expected me personally yesterday to anticipate the amount of rejected applications they received i’dn’t have come near that quantity, ” she said. “That’s troubling, that simply suggests that most of us in the market have actually much more strive to do interacting in regards to the guidelines of PSLF. ” in line with the national federal government report, 28,624 applications had been refused. Debtor advocates have actually reported for many years that the federal government additionally the servicers it employs to handle its education loan profile have actuallyn’t done adequate to offer details about this program. In many cases, including in legal actions, borrowers have actually alleged that servicers offered them flat down incorrect information regarding PSLF. Officials said they’re reaching out to borrowers who may be eligible for a short-term expansion of pslf launched previously this season aimed to aid borrowers. Besides the a lot more than 70% of applications rejected because borrowers had been ineligible, another 28% regarding the applications for forgiveness had been refused simply because they had been incomplete, in accordance with the federal federal government. Officials recommended these borrowers to submit complete applications. To possess loans forgiven under PSLF means it became available and worked in public service for 10 years straight that you enrolled in the program when. To own loans forgiven already under PSLF means which you signed up for this program bsinceically the moment it became available and worked in public places service for ten years right, a member of family rarity, McCann noted. We don’t know anything in regards to the borrowers whoever applications happen authorized for forgiveness from the federal federal government information, except the common level of debt forgiven — about $57,500 — a sign numerous likely had the kinds of big student-loan balances indicative of a graduate degree. McCann said she’s positive that the promotion surrounding this program in modern times, the increased availability of qualified payment programs additionally the bigger amount of borrowers with qualifying loans will temper the amount of refused applications in the future years. Nevertheless, Natalia Abrams, the director that is executive of Debt Crisis, an advocacy company that conducts month-to-month webinars to greatly help borrowers comprehend PSLF, said she frequently encounters relatively savvy borrowers — sometimes with higher level degrees — whom think they’re following a program’s needs, but really aren’t. “These are individuals who think they’ve dotted each of their ‘i’s or crossed their ‘t’s she stated. Abrams suggests that borrowers looking to steer clear of the shock of rejection after a decade in public solution file a jobs official official Certification Form each year. These kinds, which borrowers fill out with the aid of their boss and send down with their servicer for approval, would be the best way for borrowers to learn how close these are generally to using their loans forgiven beneath the system. “That’s the finest thing people may do now, ” she said. ← Next thing: Material and methods Their face reddened since that he characterized the methods by which their daddy belittles him as well as undermines him running a business. →	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line0
__label__wiki	0.55337	0.55337	Is Brian Jean the right choice for Wildrose leader? With the Alberta election underway, newly minted Wildrose leader Brian Jean has already began to come under heavy scrutiny. I think we're about to see how much "pretty and female former TV personality" blunted Wildrose criticism over the past few years. I heard the first rumblings about it last week, literally within 72 hours of the March 28th election where he took the reigns. In a phone conversation, my mother was telling me about a problem both she and her brother had been sharing when they "attended" the Red Deer leadership forum ["attended" meant in this sense that forum was attended by one and watched streaming by the other, and I'm not allowed to tell you which did which. -ed]. I hadn't paid it much attention, I knew that both of them had decided to vote for Drew Barnes and just dismissed it as a bit of the trash talking people always do of the guy they have consciously and intentionally voted against. They didn't like how he presented himself in his address, his answers to a couple of questions, his demeanor towards the other candidates, etc. It's really boilerplate stuff, I had some of the same things to say about Danielle Smith on October 17 2009, and I wouldn't necessarily put too much faith in them. [Then again, when you saw them in Smith it was a prelude of times to come, wasn't it? -ed] Additionally, Kurn is gung-ho to vote Wildrose and keep sodomy out of his children's schools, but he was tempered by the news that Brian Jean donated to Jim Prentice's leadership campaign and also a few comments where Jean didn't go very far in criticizing the Premier he once closely worked with in a federal cabinet. Further comments and more specific issues with Jean was given on Twitter Tuesday by Spruce Grove's Trevor (Trevor? I seem to remember his name being Travis) Norris: @LeighPatrick @FACLC He used his son's illness and death to promote himself during WRPldr. Need I say more? — TNorrisSG (@TNorrisYEG) April 8, 2015 The election pronouncement is part of a rough week for the new Wildrose leader. On Monday controversy developed when Fort McMurray-Athabasca MP David Yurdiga distanced himself from Jean after it was implied that a combination federal PC/Wildrose sign-making party was an endorsement of the new leader. While there have been no explicit statements to date, in 2012 the Prime Minister permitted his MPs to campaign for any party (read: PC or Wildrose) in the Alberta election they wished to but that explicitly the federal Conservative party would not permit any MPs to claim the federal party preferred either of its provincial counterparts. One can assume in 2015 a similar situation will arise. In other words, there's little to believe that Yurdiga is in danger of facing any Conservative Party of Canada sanctions for his sign making event, even if he did publicly state he supported Jean. That makes the "no this wasn't an endorsement" move all the more interesting, since it seems to reflect that Yurdiga was concerned about the external politics of being seen supporting Jean -- that is to say that he feared supporting Brian Jean would risk his own reelection possibly later this year. Say what you will about politicians, but when they make this sort of a decision it's worth considering they know something about the candidate and/or the pulse of the electorate. [Then again, Danielle Smith... -ed] Jean has also promised a leadership where he brings up the issue that cost Ed Stelmach the Premiership (to Wildrose's benefit): "reforming the oil patch" by bringing in more and vaster and longer-term government controls. It's definitely not clear where he thinks the votes are going to come in from such a scheme.† Alienating the natural Wildrose constituency (people of all socioeconomic strata who make money from Alberta producing and selling oil-related products) by promising short- to medium-term uncertainty doesn't seem to be a wise political move. Are that many potential Wildrose voters in Didsbury concerned with what seems to be purely local issues stemming from the oilsands and how Fort McMurray is staffed and populated? Enough to get over the obvious degree of "ick" they're going to experience being asked to support massive government intrusion in the private sector? Even if they buy Jean's spin that we already interfere in the economy, so why not interfere in the economy even more as long as we think we're doing so "smarter"? John Galt? Murray Rothbard? Who?? † You might find yourself thinking "well, maybe his plan is a good idea". Pace Kim Campbell, elections aren't the time for candidates to have ideas, that's where political bloggers come in. More critically, Jean is talking openly about Wildrose forming government, which means if he wants to flout this scheme it means he intends for it to bring in more votes than it loses. The controversy continues with the announcement during the election kick-off where Brian Jean would require Wildrose MLAs sign a contract vowing not to defect to another party. Critics pretty quickly lept on how silly and untenable such a deal was, how it was at odds with a Westminster Parliamentary System, and how it reflects an unfortunate top-down managerial style. Jean said if the Wildrose forms the government it would introduce legislation to prohibit any member of the legislature from crossing the floor to join another party. He said he has taken steps to make sure that only one person can sign the papers of Wildrose candidates. If there's any Wildrose consolation, it's that Drew Barnes was facing astroturf objections to his robocalling fiasco. Labels: #ableg #ableg\| White, Discussion 2015 Alberta Election: The best candidate in each ... Lall in proceedings AN OPEN LETTER TO THOSE WANTING TAX HIKES IN ALBERTA Rachel Notley should be in the kitchen (if she wan... Wildlose @Albertaardvark The story of Shernell Pierre, Devon Hugh Saunders,... My Chinese jersey wasn't a very good counter-fit #sadmediapoofter Highlighted Norwailing Zero (Left) Wing Guerrilla Radio Drones Media conceal evidence of extreme leftist bias Heropsychodreamer It's not "Islamophobia" when the derka derkas real... Christina H. Sommers on powerful left-wing censors... Wildrose is the only Alberta political party that ... Under no circumstances should CAUS succeed getting... The final #LoseAllHonourforConnor update of the se... Liberal Doctors Tell Medical Lies Far-left Metro Calgary is an enemy of liberty. 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__label__wiki	0.781117	0.781117	Follow @pkafka Recent Posts by Peter Kafka Universal Music Taps Talenthouse to Help Music Acts Find Free Help (and Publicity) on Facebook July 21, 2011 at 7:45 am PT Facebook has 750 million users. Some of whom are willing to work for their favorite celebrities for free. That’s the pitch behind Talenthouse, a start-up designed to leverage the social network’s ever-expanding user base to help celebrities and brands run “social crowdsourcing competitions.” The idea is that artists like Lady Gaga can use the service to find bloggers who will document her tour, or someone to design T-shirts, etc. But the real point of the competitions is the competitions themselves, which are supposed to become mini-“American Idol”s: They’re meant to drive exposure for the celebrities — and advertisers that back them — on Facebook. Two-year-old Talenthouse has been signing up a steady stream of celebrities to use its platform, and today it is bringing in another slug of them, via a deal with Universal Music Group. The world’s largest music label has agreed to provide more than 100 of its artists for Talenthouse campaigns in a revenue-sharing deal. Universal can’t compel any artists to use Talenthouse, so this doesn’t mean the service will get access to the likes of Jay-Z or U2. But it at least gets the chance to pitch them on the idea. The fact that the start-up has already worked with Universal star Lady Gaga won’t hurt. Tagged with: Facebook, Lady Gaga, Talenthouse Twitter Asks You How You Use Twitter While You Watch TV, While You’re Watching TV and Using Twitter (Almost) No One Is Reading Your Tweets Happy Holidays! Facebook Stuffs More Ads in Its Stockings. Music-Discovery Service ExFM Pulls the Plug Netflix Doesn’t Have the Market Cornered on Binge TV: Zombies + Walter White Help AMC Win the Fall VOD War I’m a giant vat of creative juices. — David Pogue on why he’s joining Yahoo	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line4
__label__wiki	0.513886	0.513886	In what way is astrology congruent with the paradigm shift we are currently undergoing? The philosopher of science Thomas Kuhn suggested that paradigm shifts occur in science when too much anomalous data accrues that cannot be accounted for under existing assumptions, theoretical models, and hypotheses. The anomalous data amassed over the twentieth century in various scientific disciplines was of such magnitude that the fundamental assumptions of classical science had been comprehensively undermined. Bell‘s theorem of nonlocality; the great contributions to quantum mechanics from Bohr, Heisenberg, and Schrodinger; Einstein‘s theories of relativity; the sciences of complexity and chaos; Lovelock‘s Gaia Hypothesis; and the mounting evidence of ecological damage and impending environmental catastrophe have all suggested that the metaphysical assumptions of the Newtonian-Cartesian paradigm and the value system underneath its auspices are in need of fundamental change and revisioning. Previous revolutions in worldview share a common bond with the current epistemological and ontological upheaval: revolutions of this magnitude do not occur overnight but only are integrated into societies through slow, successive stages of acceptance. However, the crucial difference with the current deconstruction of worldview is that it is occurring from the inside out. Whereas previous world turnings have occurred when an unsuspecting band of marginal, disenfranchised but brilliant outsiders–Christ’s apostles, the early scientists–challenged and clashed with the authority of its day, this current revolution is occurring by way of the cultural authorities and institution themselves. Science is deconstructing its own assumptions through its own methodology. The building blocks of the Newtonian-Cartesian paradigm are being taken away by its own proponents bit by bit to allow for something new that transcends but includes the models of classical science. The edifices of the Enlightenment and classical science–linear, solid, firm, and right-angled–are being removed for the structures of the new paradigm–organic, dynamic, fluid, shape shifting, and ambiguous. More specifically, the metaphysical assumptions of Classical science, namely, that matter is primary, subjectivity and objectivity are radically split, the universe is completely contingent and mechanistic in character are being replaced with new ultimate assumptions with how the ways “are” and how the way things “work”: consciousness is primary to matter, subjectivity and objective realities may be causally linked and fundamentally two sides of one dimension, and that the universe is purposive, creative, and emergent. As historians of astrology are quick to point out, astrology was not conclusively discredited by science but dismissed out-of-hand due to a complete disagreement on metaphysical foundations. The circular metaphysical “peg” of astrology didn’t fit into the square metaphysical “hole” of science and thus was stripped of any legitimacy it once attained. The assumptions of the emerging new paradigm are much more congruent with the philosophical and methodological assumptions of astrology. If consciousness is indeed primary (or at least in relationship to matter and not a byproduct of the brain) it is much more comfortable to see human beings and planets as resting upon, or an external manifestation of, consciousness or awareness. If one assumes that the observer dependence and nonlocality of the quantum level is applicable to the macroscopic plane of reality, then the immense physical distances between earth and the other planets of the solar system isn’t an issue that negates astrological suppositions. Finally, if the universe is an ensouled, purposive, and creative flux of energy then one’s subjectivity and life enfoldment can be seen as isomorphic and congruent with the larger dynamics of the universe-at-large. It is this “seeing through” by way of scientific methodology that has allowed a complete, yet continuing, deconstruction and transformation of old frameworks and assumptions that is opening a visionary porthole into the deep structures of consciousness and the universe. These deep structures1–ambiguous, animated, evolving, protean, and congruent with the astrological conception of the universe–may never be observable. However, the intuition of mystics, philosophers, and theologians that some ground of being that pulses the radical diversity of the universe into being may just now be in the process of being scaffolded by the new sciences. Last updated on February 18, 2017 at 1:42 pm. Word Count: 647 Astrology Club » Astrology » What Is Astrology? » In what way is astrology congruent with the paradigm shift we are currently undergoing? Astrology In Today’s World How long has astrology been in existence? The History of Astrology Chronology Of History And Astrology: 1700 To 2000 ce Who Invented Astrology? Is There Scientific Research On Astrology? What Can Astrology Do For You Is All Astrology The Same? The Branches of Western Astrology How Does Astrology Work? Why Astrology Works If astrology works, in what ways does it effect me? How Is It Possible To Tell One’s Future By Looking At The Stars? Fate & Free-will In Astrology Good and Evil in Astrology Can An Astrologer Predict A Person’s Death? Astrology And Computers: A Blessing Or A Curse? The Ethics Of Astrology Life Choises And Astrology Thoughts About the Nature of Astrology Do You Believe In Astrology? Arguments Of Astronomy Against Astrology Afraid of Astrology? Does Astrology Conflict With My Free Will? Why Everyone Should Study Astrology	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line10
__label__cc	0.660237	0.339763	INTERVIEW WITH A SHEEPLE HOW TO DESTROY AMERICA Liberal Indy? Judicial Tyranny; Why Your Vote REALLY Doesn't Count IF IT AIN'T BROKE, FIX IT 'TIL IT IS Election 2006 Postmortem Here at Benandbawb’sblog we managed to track down and corner an average American Sheeple in his native habitat, the shopping mall. In the interest of taking the pulse of the country, we conducted a short interview to see what the man in the street is thinking. Our conclusion is that he isn’t. BBB: The whole point of this blog has been to illustrate the evils of the 2-Party Oligarchy. Basically, both the Republicans and the Democrats are nothing more than different rooms in the same whorehouse. S: My side good! Other side baaaaaad! BBB: But both sides have been ridden with scandals, dirty deals, broken campaign promises, shady practices and pork projects. Both sides lie like a rug. S: My side tell truth always. Other side lie! Baaaaaaad! BBB: It would seem you are playing right into the hands of the power mongers. That’s right where they want us. Have you ever considered a Third Party to break the deadlock of corruption and give us a chance at real change? S: (Pause for long blank stare): Um, throwing vote away! Cannot be on winner’s side! Man on TV say so. BBB: The programming seems to be working quite well. Um, OK. Shall we address some other issues. One of the few mandates actually given to the Federal Government by the Constitution is to secure our borders. Instead, they let in millions of illegal aliens and do very little to stop them or to punish those who employ them illegally. S: They are just here to do the jobs Americans can’t or won’t do. Essential to American economy. Man on TV say so. BBB: According to the LA Times, only 2% of illegals are picking crops while 29% are on welfare. Forty percent of all workers in LA County are illegals getting paid cash under the table and contribute zero taxes. Over two thirds of the births in that county are illegals on Medi-Cal, paid for by the taxpayers. Ninety five percent of murder warrants in LA are for illegals, 75% of the people on the most-wanted list are illegals, and half of the gang members are from south of the border. The cost of illegal immigration to the U.S. taxpayer by 1997 (Professor Donald Huddle, Rice University) was $70 billion. S: Racist! Xenophobe! Bigot! Nazi! BBB: Er, yeah. How about education then? Judged against scores of students from other industrialized nations, American students do very poorly indeed. Our colleges have begun teaching what used to be high school level subjects. Some people point out that the purpose of the American educational system is more to produce good worker drones who do not question authority, than to educate or teach independent thinking and critical reasoning. S: Professor spout Party Line. Koko repeat Party Line back. Koko get banana. Mmmmm, banana goooood. BBB: So you found your university education useful, then? S: Me have Liberal Arts Degree, $80,000 in student loans, and JOB! You want fries with that? BBB: Uh, how about current events? What item in today’s news do you find to be of the most concern? S: Brad and Angelina fighting over living room décor! How terrible! Boo-hoo! Such tragedy! Woman on TV say so. BBB: On the subject of economics….. S: ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ BBB: OK, never mind economics. The Second Amendment is near and dear to us here at BBB. What do you say to the fact that when England and Australia enacted draconian gun control laws, their violent crime rates skyrocketed? Or how about Washington, D.C. having the strictest gun control laws, yet the highest crime rates in the country? Conversely, where states have enabled ordinary citizens to carry concealed weapons, crime rates drop. S: Guns baaaaaad! Guns hurt people! Guns not needed in modern age! Man on TV say so! BBB: If they are unnecessary, how come “Men on TV” like celebrities and politicians have swarms of armed bodyguards? S: (Jaw goes slack, eyes glaze over, emits streamer of drool.) BBB: Maybe we’ll get back to that later. The Middle East is a hotbed of crisis and has been for years. We’ll try to keep this simple. Can you name three Middle Eastern countries? S: Iraq. (Long pause). Europe. (Very long pause, triumphantly) Guantanamo! BBB: Super. How about neutral politics, no parties involved. What do you see as the role of government in our country? S: Government gooood. Government my friend. Government give treats. Government take care of me and all my earthly needs from cradle to grave. Goooood. Woman on TV say so. BBB: Where do you suppose all that money comes from to take care of you from womb to the tomb? S: Simple. Government take from you, give to me. Goooood. Man on TV say so. BBB: How about security issues, like terrorism? What do you think of the Patriot Act and law enforcement abuses and judges who have to answer to no authority giving government more and unlimited power to skate around all Constitutional safeguards and restraints in place to keep them in check? S: Government good! Government protect me from everything. I not worry. They look out for me. Government always know best. They not abuse power. Man on TV say so. BBB: So the likes of Hitler’s Nazi Germany murdering 21 million civilians, Stalin’s Soviet Union killing 20 million citizens, Mao’s sixty million….. S: Stop talk! Must go! New episode of Survivor on tonight! Must see TV. Man on TV say so. BBB: (Heavy sigh.) Bye-bye. Enjoy the Kool-Aid! I know in the opinion of many of today's products of our so-called education system, of which a recent study found only 20% of high school grads could find the Pacific Ocean on a map, only redneck hicks from Fly-Over country still read the Bible. Other early writings, such as Herodotus' Greek history and Caesar's Gaelic Wars, of which maybe 8-10 original copies exist, are regarded by modern "experts" as the gospel truth. But the New Testament, which the ancients found important enough to make 5,000 Greek, 10,000 Latin and 9,300 other copies of, is just superstitious hogwash. Yet some of us rubes in the hinterlands still read it. I was recently struck when perusing Genesis 11:1-8, the story of the Tower of Babel. When God wanted to dismantle that whole civilization and keep them from doing great things, all he had to do was scatter them and give them all different languages and ways. Fast forward to modern America. I came across some information given in a speech by former Colorado Governor Dick Lamm at an immigration overpopulation conference he spoke at in Washington, D.C. His last point includes mention of a book by Victor Hansen Davis entitled Mexifornia, which explains how unchecked illegal immigration is destroying California already and spreading to other border states rapidly and will eventually destroy the American Dream nationwide. So without further ado, here are Governor Lamm's steps guaranteed to destroy this country. All quotes are his. "First, to destroy America, turn America into a bilingual or multi-lingual and bicultural country." Second: "Invent 'multiculturism' and encourage immigrants to maintain their culture. I would make it an article of belief that all cultures are equal. That there are no cultural differences. I would make it an article of faith that Black and Hispanic dropout rates are due soley to prejudice and discrimination by the majority. Every other explanation is out of bounds." Third: "We could make the United States an 'Hispanic Quebec' without much effort.....I would encourage all immigrants to keep their own language and culture. I would replace the melting pot metaphor with the salad bowl metaphor. It is important to ensure that we have various cultural subgroups living in America enforcing their differences rather than, as Americans, emphasizing their similarities." "Fourth, I would make our fastest growing demographic group the least educated. I would add a second underclass, unassimilated, undereducated, and antagonistic to our population. I would have this second underclass have a 50% dropout rate from high school." Fifth: "...get big foundations and business to give these efforts lots of money. I would invest in ethnic identity, and I would establish the cult of 'Victimology'. I would get all minorities to think that their lack of success was the fault of the majority. I would start a grievance industry blaming all minority failure on the majority population." "My sixth plan for America's downfall would include dual citizenship, and promote divided loyalties. I would celebrate diversity over unity. I would stress differences rather than similarities. Diverse people worldwide are mostly engaged in hating eachother; that is, when they are not killing eachother. A diverse, peaceful or stable society is against most historical precedent...'E. Pluribus Unum'; from many, one. In that historical reality, if we put the emphasis on the 'pluribus' instead of the 'unum', we will balkanize America as surely as Kosovo." Seventh: "I would place all subjects off limits; make it taboo to talk about anything against the cult of 'diversity'. I would find words similar to 'heretic' in the 16th century that stopped discussion and paralyzed thinking. Words like 'racist' and 'xenophobe' halt discussion and debate." "Lastly, I would censor Victor Hanson Davis's book Mexifornia. His book is dangerous. It exposes the plan to destroy America. If you feel America deserves to be destroyed, don't read that book." Posted by Bawb at 11:07 AM No comments: I grew up watching Indiana Jones films, so I was excited to see that they are beginning work on a fourth installment. It has been said that they are going to use old-fashioned stunt work and camera tricks instead of computer-generated special effects, so that the film will have the same “feel” as the first three. I like the sound of that, but I’m worried that they might ruin the franchise anyway. You see, Indiana Jones director Steven Spielberg has become increasingly liberal. I think there’s something in the water in Hollywood (and Capital Hill) that makes you more of a liberal loony, the longer you’re there. When Spielberg released "E.T." on DVD he went back and digitally removed all those nasty, evil guns from the film. Now the federal agents that chase E.T. and Elliot are toting innocuous things like walkie-talkies, rather than guns. (By the way, Janet Reno has been toiling away in the studio for the last several years trying to do the same thing to the tapes of the Waco non-assault, digitally replacing agents' sub-machineguns with teddy bears, teargas canisters with cans of “chicken and stars” soup and replacing tanks with large, Seuss-looking “tickle-machines.” But I digress.) Spielberg also recently released his much-heralded film “Munich” in which the Israeli agents sent to kill the terrorists who murdered the Israeli Olympics team are portrayed as being no better than the terrorists they dispatch. As I said, he’s been getting loonier and loonier. So I thought I’d help Spielberg out and give him some ideas on how he could make the fourth Indiana Jones film more compatible with his liberal world view. I present(with apologies to David Letterman): Ben’s Top 10 Ways Spielberg Can Liberalize Indiana Jones 4 10) Indy gets disemboweled by an Arab swordsman while struggling with the mandatory trigger-lock and bio-metric identifier on his pistol. 9) Short-Round insists on being called “Vertically Challenged.” 8) After jumping from a flying airplane in an inflatable raft, rather than landing on a snow-cushioned slope, Indy splatters into bare rock due to global warming. 7) Indy realizes that there are no such thing as “Good Guys” and “Bad Guys,” only cultural misunderstanding. Indy lays down his arms and tells the Nazis that he means them no harm. (In return, they torture him with a red-hot poker and shoot him in the head.) 6) When Indy finds himself in a fight, he “redeploys” himself in the opposite direction, just as fast as his legs will carry him. 5) Indy ditches his leather jacket in favor of a “Meat Is Murder” tie-dyed tee-shirt. 4) Indy and Sallah do it. 3) Instead of fighting the Nazis, Indy attempts to teach that little monkey sign language so he can ask it how to heal our Earth. 2) When government agents ask Indy to capture a religious artifact before the Nazis do, Indy refuses, explaining that there is a “wall of separation” between church and state. And the number one way Spielberg can liberalize Indiana Jones 4 is… UP TO YOU. Post your suggestions below. Posted by Ben at 10:36 PM 6 comments: "Those who vote decide nothing. Those who count the votes decide everything." Joeseph Stalin I thought we had enough troubles as it was. A two-party oligarchy that does everything to screw with ballot access laws to keep Third Parties down and non-viable. A "mainstream" media that's about as impartial and unbiased as Joseph Goebbels. Massive voter fraud that never gets punished. Illegals voting. Touch Screen voting machines with no paper trail wide open to skilled hackers. The City of Chicago. And now our beloved judiciary, aka The Men in Black, is getting into the game as well. Here in Montana, there were six citizen initiaives and Constitutional amendmnets on the ballot for "we the people" to vote on, right there in black and white. Constitutional Initiative 98 provided for much greater power for the people to recall (read fire) incompetent, out-of-control, or legislating-from-the-bench judges. Constitutional Initiative 97 provided for a cap to the state increasing tax appropriations. And Initiative 154 was in response to the disgusting Supreme Court Kelo Decision and would have put limits on government takings of private lands. The votes for these citizen initiatives were never even tallied. You see, judges ruled them "unconstitutional" before they could even be voted on. It was too late to reprint the ballots, however. So the initiatives stayed there on the ballots for the citizens to see what might have been, except for judicial tyranny. Modern judges, which, in case you haven't noticed, bear more resemblence to Moe, Larry and Curly than to wise King Solomon, usually at least wait until after the citizens pass an initiative or amendment before they over-rule it and spit in our faces. Now they aren't even going to allow us the facade of voting for them. An old friend of mine once told me there were three "boxes" when it comes to changing things; the soap box, the ballot box, and the cartridge box. I am starting to think of him as my wise old friend, now. Well, the Libertarians did alright here in Montana, too, garnering over 10,300 votes in the hotly contested Senate race between (D) Jon "I Have a Flattop Haircut So You'll Think I'm Conservative" Testor and incumbent (R) Conrad "Look How Much Pork I Brought Home" Burns. Yes, I voted for Mike Fellows (L). But recent experiences working for the Federal Government have set me to a-wondering. Even if we could get a Third Party with some brains and common sense and the Founding Fathers' intent in power, is it too late to ever significantly change the fat, bloated, inefficient, wasteful, asinine, self-perpetuating labyrinthine bureaucracy our government has become? I won't even go into BATF abuses or the Patriot Act or the Army general who had 3 helicopters and two twin-engined executive planes at his personal disposal or even how in our vaunted Welfare System only 10 cents on the dollar goes to the recipients and the rest is gobbled up by the bureaucracy. I'll stick to some minor things in a minor agency I am personally familiar with. Out here in the hinterlands of "Fly-Over Country", those who still follow the Forest Circus old motto, "Caring for the Land and Serving the People", are stretched increasingly thin on an ever-smaller budget. For instance, I know of someone (who shall remain nameless) who is currently attempting to clean, care for and maintain some 17 campgrounds, 10 fishing accesses, 6 picnic areas, 6 rental cabins, dozens and dozens of "dispersed campsites", and hundreds of road and trails signs, spread out over 3 Montana counties (and counties are pretty big out here...check the mileage from Wilsall to Cooke City, MT, all inside Park County) all by himself. Obviously a slacker, the powers-that-be cut his budget by 30% for Fiscal Year 07. Those in the Supervisors' Office, also known as the Ministry of Truth, want to lay off this last lone ranger for the winter and just close down everything he takes care of to the public. Who cares about the citizen and taxpayer, anyway? We got papers to shuffle and mandates to create and mandatory Civil Rights training to come up with. I am NOT saying, however, that the Forest Circus needs more of your hard-earned tax dollars. I am saying that they need to spend what they have wisely and efficiently, but from personal experience I expect that to happen immediately after a pig flies past my window. In a recent article, a retired FS whistle-blower pointed out that 85% of the $$$$ allotted to care for our National Forests never gets out of Washington, D.C. Of the remainder that trickles down, each National Forest's Supervisors' Office (which generally employs more people than all of the Ranger Districts and field staffs combined) automatically takes another 25% off the top for "administrative costs". Which leaves very little at the bottom of the totem pole to hire somebody to clean the toilet and pick up the garbage and paint the picnic tables in your favorite campground. A recent clever budget-cutting measure enacted did away with the CSEP program. This program provided summer jobs for retired folks who did a great deal of good, hard on-the-ground work for the public and got paid a pittance. So the powers-that-be cleverly shit-canned the lowest paid personnel who did the most work. We just can't find any deadwood to cut in all the office-dwelling bureaucrats, you know. I recall a recent audit of the Circus by the Government Accounting Office. They were literally millions of dollars, and numerous vehicles, and a twin-engined aircraft unaccounted for. This kind of fraud, abuse and waste obviously could not be tolerated, and with these vast amounts of funds involved the culprits must be at the bottom of the pay scale. Government inspectors really cracked down. The only example I am personally aware of in the big shake down was a guy who almost got fired for "using government property for personal gain". He took a beautiful landscape picture that got published in a magazine. Someone going over the photo with an electron microscope spotted part of a government canoe in the photo. Well, they spanked him but good, and that took care of the problem. Last I knew, though, the aircraft is still MIA. I could go on and on and make this column approximately the length of War and Peace but blogs are designed for modern Americans with really short attention spans. Just let me point out that the Forest Circus is just a teensy weeny tiny little fragment of the US Department of Aggravation (which employs 11 people for every farmer and rancher in the United States), which in itself is just a teensy weeny tiny little fragment of the Fed Gov as a whole. I recently read an article about the Department of Homeland Security unable to account for about $80 million, but government investigators decided it was not worth vigorously pursuing such a small amount of money. That's just running the government here at home.Now toss in the billions each year we give in hand-outs to piss-ant Third World Hellhole nations who hate our guts. You're beginning to get the picture of what a huge, bloated, uncontrollable monstrosity our Federal government truly is. Can anything stop or even slow down such a juggernaut? Even a Third Party rise to power? Is this the government our Founding Fathers intended? Does anyone even believe the government serves the people anymore? More importantly, does the American public even give a rat's ass anymore? Oh never mind, I gotta run to the store and get a 12-pack and some smokes before Survivor comes on. Here in Iowa, Republican Jim Nussle lost to Democrat Chet Culver by over 85,000 votes in the governor’s race. Libertarian candidate Kevin Litten received about 5,000 votes, which means each person who voted Libertarian could have voted for Nussle 16 times each and Nussle would have still lost. I would imagine that margins like that were pretty common across the country. So I don’t want to hear any Republicans whining that the Libertarians split their vote and cost them the election. The Republicans were perfectly able to lose this one themselves. But why? Of course the elephant in the room is the war in Iraq. But we were in Iraq in 2004 and Iowa went to Bush, the Republicans retained their majorities in Congress, and South Dakota even gave Senate Democrat Leader Tom Daschle his walking papers. So what changed since ‘04? Answer: The Republicans alienated their base. Back then the paleo-conservatives and libertarians in the party had plenty of bones to pick with the elected Republicans, most notably the fact that they were spending money like whores in a crack house. But in ‘04 many of us were willing to give Bush the benefit of the doubt on Iraq and give the Republicans one last chance to put their house in order. They did not. If there was one moment when I slapped my forehead and realized that the Republican Party had completely abandoned its guiding principles, it was shortly before Hurricane Katrina hit. I remember driving home from work and hearing President Bush on the radio hailing the new waste-ridden monstrosity of a transportation bill he had just signed. This was the one with 6,371 pork projects tacked onto it, including the now infamous “Bridge to Nowhere” in Alaska. Bush said it was a good bill that would provide jobs. D’oh! The conservative response to this is, “How many jobs would have been created if those billions of dollars had been retained by those who earned it, to buy manufactured goods from retailers or to save and invest?“ I had to wonder if it was F.D.R. or L.B.J. that I was hearing, but no, it was G.W.B. To add insult to injury, after Katrina struck, Bush said they would spend “whatever it took” to rebuild the Gulf Coast. This was the straw that broke the elephant’s back. Fiscal restraint, states’ rights, the 10th Amendment, and limited government all were gone from the Republican lexicon. During the primaries heading into ‘06, the RNC actively slit the throats of conservative candidates in favor of moderates that they felt were more “electable.” (If you think being a moderate made you “electable” during this election, go talk to Iowa’s own incumbent wet-noodle-Republican Jim Leach, if you can find the Wendy’s that he’s working at now.) It was obvious that the RNC had been co-opted by neo-conservatives who didn’t care a whit about any constitutional or ideological issue. They only cared about one thing: consolidating their power. And now that power is gone. It appears I picked a good year to come over to the Libertarian Party, the Republican boat seems to be sinking. They may have to throw some ballast overboard. I suggest they start with a few neo-cons.	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line14
__label__wiki	0.887979	0.887979	Swiss Super League Attendance Map, 2006-’07 season. Filed under: Switzerland — admin @ 7:19 pm In Switzerland, attendance is up, for the 2007-’08 season. Last season (which this map depicts), the Swiss Super League averaged 9,763 per game. This season, the average, after half the season, is 11,063. Back-to-back champions FC Zurich boast the highest percentage increase, with a 34% rise in gate figures (from 10,871 to 14,594). The Swiss Super League has 10 teams in it. [The clubs in the league, this season, happen to be numbers 1 through 10, on this attendance map.] The last place finisher each season is relegated to the second level, which is called the Challenge League. The ninth-place finisher in the Super League must play a playoff, with the second-place finisher in the Challenge League. At the present time, FC Basel have a 6-point lead in the Super League, over FC Zurich, and BSC Young Boys. FC Aarau are in 4th, and newly promoted FC Xamax are 5th. FC Sankt Gallen are in danger of being relegated. They are in last, four points below the safety zone. Sankt Gallen is a rather large club to be playing in the second tier, so it should be interesting to see how the table ends up. {See the Swiss Super League Table, here.} Currently leading the Challenge League is the southern Swiss club AC Bellinzona. As you might surmise from their name, the club is in the Italian section of this multi-lingual nation. Italian clubs like to loan out players to this club, particularly AS Roma. {Click here, for the Swiss Challenge League Table.} Bellinzona only lead the league by 2 points, though. FC Wil, FC Wohlen, FC Winterthur, and the Liechtenstein-based FC Vaduz are all in touching distance. As my cut-off point for this map was 1,000 avg. gate, 3 of these 5 clubs didn’t make the map… FC Wohlen (989 avg. gate) are due east of Aarau. FC Wil (975 avg. gate) are just west of Sankt Gallen. FC Vaduz (904 avg.gate) are southeast of Sankt Gallen. {Click here to see where Liechtenstein is.} {Here is Wikipedia’s entry on FC Vaduz.} Switzerland is joint-hosting, with Austria, Euro 2008. (The actual name of the competition, which no one uses, is the 2008 UEFA European Football Championship). Basel, Bern, Zurich, and Geneva will be the Swiss host cities. *{Click here for UEFA’s website, on Euro 2008. And/Or click here, for Wikipedia’s entry on Euro 2008 (there’s a good map, here)}. {Swiss Super League website {translated}: (axposuperleague[dot]ch).} This map was made in connection with The Home of Football/ Fussball-blog von Frau B. website (http://fraub.ch). {For the text-only, translated version, click here.} My Swiss attendance map was first posted on http://fussballblog.espace.ch {Click here, for a translated version of the site.} And a huge Thanks to Herr C. …Grasshopper-supporter, and West Bromwich Albion fan, for the opportunity to be in Swiss cyberspace. SELECT FROM wp_comments WHERE comment_approved = '1' AND comment_post_ID = 846 ORDER BY comment_date_gmt ASC	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line16
__label__cc	0.678803	0.321197	Mindeli Art Prints Mindeli was born in 1976 in the town of Tbillisi, a republic of Georgia, Russia. As a child, she first began drawing in the studio of her father, a renowned artist and designer. It was there that she found her skills and her interests in this study flourished. The cultural turmoil of her homeland influenced her greatly and she began to truly understand the meaning of expression through drawing and painting. In 1992, Mindeli enrolled in the Tbillisi State Academy of Fine Arts where she studied art history and fine art. The presence of other creative minds encouraged her desire to express herself further. The art world had finally embraced her and she yearned for cultural stimulus to liberate her talent. She graduate in 1997 and moved to America to further her horizons. Her new-found freedom of expression and her love of nature have been melded together to create her intricate floral designs. Mindeli looks forward to exploring her artistic talents and developing new and exciting images. She plans someday to return to her homeland to pay her respects to the environment from whence her gift originated. Paperwhites I Del Sol I Lago Gardi 1 Arabesque I Stately Palm II Day Lily I Paperwhites II White Tulips I White Tulips II Jour d'Ete 1 Del Sol III Del Sol V Del Sol IX Del Sol X Del Sol XI	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line24
__label__cc	0.725036	0.274964	Making sense of sacrifice: Sensory experience in Greco-Roman cult Fig. 33: East Greek black figure hydria (the “Ricci hydria”) (525-500 B.C.E., now in the Villa Giulia, Rome). Van Straten 1995, fig. 122. Fig. 34: Attic black figure pyxis (c. 530 B.C.E., now in the Akademisches Kunstmuseum, Bonn). Van Straten 1995, fig. 120. Title Making sense of sacrifice: Sensory experience in Greco-Roman cult Author Weddle, Candace Cherie Author email candaceweddle@gmail.com; weddle@usc.edu Degree program Art History School College of Letters, Arts and Sciences Advisor (committee chair) Pollini, John Advisor (committee member) Yasin, Ann Marie Bitel, Lisa Abstract Performing a sacrifice was one of the most sensorially full actions undertaken in the Greco-Roman world. The production and control of the correct movements, scents and sounds were prerequisites for summoning, communicating with and propitiating deities. Sacrifice was also ubiquitous, occurring on an almost continual basis as a range of sacrificial activities were celebrated publicly and privately in a variety of locations in urban areas. Cultivating a multi-sensory understanding of the full range of sensory elements that accompanied ancient cult rites – visual and auditory cues, things smelled, tasted and touched - provides a platform for achieving a more thorough knowledge of the meanings of the rites.; This dissertation examines the archaeological, literary and epigraphical evidence for the role of the senses in Greek and Roman sacrifice in order to analyze the social and ritual importance of the senses, the impact of sacrificial rituals within ancient urban spaces, and the sensory experience of the ancient worshiper. Given the ephemeral nature of much of the evidence for sensory elements of worship, as well as the subjectivity inherent in representations of sensory experience in literature and art, this dissertation argues for the necessity of crossing disciplinary boundaries in order to appreciate the sensory impact of ancient sacrifice. Therefore, in addition to utilizing traditional historical and art historical approaches, methodological tools from the field of anthropology and evidence from studies in the animal behavioral sciences and consumer sciences are employed. For example, I suggest that greater understanding of the experience of ancient sacrifice may be acquired through an autoethnographic investigation of modern religious sacrifice. To that end, I analyze my experience of the slaughter of large numbers of bovines during the Islamic Kurban Bayram sacrifices in Istanbul to make suggestions concerning certain elements of the sensory experience of ancient blood sacrifice. I focus not only on the sensory experience of humans participating in (or within range of) sacrifices, but also on that of the animal victims. Given the immense ritual importance of the behavior of sacrificial animals in antiquity, I suggest that it is possible to identify some sensory aspects of the sacrificial process that may have been intentionally manipulated in order to control the reactions of the victims as far as possible.; Particular attention is paid to mundane aspects of the process of sacrifice not often addressed in ancient literary sources or represented in art that would have resulted in notable sensory impacts on areas surrounding urban temples, for example the removal of sacrificial refuse. I conclude not only that these elements of sacrifice formed an important part of the sensory experience of Greco-Roman cult, but also that their effects were more far-reaching – in terms both of how great an area they affected and how long they lasted – than has previously been recognized. Using fresh interdisciplinary approaches to well-known examples of texts and images, this dissertation employs a more visceral approach to the study of the sensory experience of ancient sacrifice than is possible when considering textual and archaeological evidence alone. Keyword archaeology; autoethnography; cult; Greece; religion; Rome; sacrifice; senses Geographic subject (city or populated place) Rome Geographic subject (country) Italy; Greece Coverage date circa -0600/0600 Coverage era Greco Roman Rights Weddle, Candace Cherie Filename etd-Weddle-4363 Archival file uscthesesreloadpub_Volume48/etd-Weddle-4363.pdf Full text 240 Fig. 33: East Greek black figure hydria (the “Ricci hydria”) (525-500 B.C.E., now in the Villa Giulia, Rome). Van Straten 1995, fig. 122. Fig. 34: Attic black figure pyxis (c. 530 B.C.E., now in the Akademisches Kunstmuseum, Bonn). Van Straten 1995, fig. 120. Making sense of sacrifice: Sensory experience in...	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line35
__label__cc	0.596224	0.403776	And the dead shall walk the earth: Zombies and the politics of death Yes, white voodoo-style zombies were never truly socially dead, and their black counterparts remain in their state of exception, but zombiism in these texts often played with issues of miscegenation and corruption in ways that actually provided a space for contemplating life outside the binaries of black and white and American and foreign. Moreover, often those using zombies were, in their own ways, social outcasts trying to claim some power from dominant systems. That they were ultimately shut down does not erase their attempt. Romero- and video game-style zombies are where the desire for the in-between becomes even more visible. In making over some zombies as sympathetic, these zombies are rescued from social death, but these rescued zombies never come to inhabit the position of non-zombie living humans. They therefore are able to occupy a position both inside and outside, and for some—the socially dead or the outcast, for instance—the fantasy of that kind of transformation, although it is never complete, may be enticing and somewhat empowering: it shows that one does not have to be fully beholden to dominant systems to be humanized and to be seen. This is why to be the living dead or the dead living is an act of rebellion, whether that means choosing to become a zombie, choosing a zombie paramour, or simply, in the face of zombies, choosing to defy gender and racial norms. It not only allows one access to both the inside and outside of dominant systems, but it necessarily renders visible the Title And the dead shall walk the earth: Zombies and the politics of death Author Kee, Chera Dezarae Author email ckee@usc.edu; ckee211@gmail.com Degree program Cinema-Television (Cinema Critical Studies) School School of Cinematic Arts Advisor (committee chair) Marez, Curtis Advisor (committee member) Kinder, Marsha Hoskins, Janet Abstract In October 2009, five pale, blood-stained teenagers sat on a curb in Newhall, California. They were not crime victims nor movie extras. Rather, these teens were “zombies,” waiting to participate in a Zombie Walk. These events, where groups of people dressed as zombies lumber through the streets, have been happening globally since 2001 and entice up to several thousand participants for each walk. Zombies are familiar characters in comic books, video games, television and film, but with thousands of people dressing as zombies and taking to the streets, it becomes clear that the kinds of work zombies do in U.S. culture provides insight into how we approach death, try to diffuse its potency, and use it to make political interventions into everyday life. Zombies are critical repositories of social fears and desires related to capitalist wage slavery, race, gender, and the political power of the masses, and as such, they demonstrate how representations and performances of death, in widely different forms, have served remarkably consistent functions in the United States throughout the past two centuries.; This project seeks to show that the zombie, as a creature of both/and—both slave and master, both living and dead, both black and white—is often positioned as that which invades the normative space of the living, a space that is generally conceived of in terms of whiteness, patriarchy, and heterosexuality. In forcing those who exist in this space to face a being who can encompasses both their ideals and that which their society rejects, the zombie can be used to try to support heteronormative ideals and the status quo while also undercutting those same ideals—often within the same text.; Chapter one provides a survey of zombie scholarship and describes the history of the figure in U.S. popular culture. Chapter two places zombies in their historical context, considering their ties to Vodou belief and U.S-Haitian relations. Examining travelogues, magazine articles, and official documents about Haiti circulating in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the zombie is identified as one in a long line of figures used in debates surrounding dependent territories, self-rule, and the limits of U.S. democracy. Early film zombies thus come to symbolize the paradoxes of capitalist democracy in the United States and as such, offer a potentially liberating imaginative escape from dominant systems. However, this idealistic feature of zombies is restricted by racism in early zombie films.; Chapter three considers how the zombie state in film is marked by race and gender, arguing that while the zombie can be terrifying, it also presents a fantasy of escape from white, heteronormative patriarchy. This fantasy state is often racialized, positioning blackness as more attractive than normative whiteness, and female characters frequently offer a point of identification with it. Many zombie films are therefore sites for staging conflicts over non-heteronormative desires, both promoting and punishing the transgressive and non-normative, often within the same text.; The fourth chapter considers the connection between the spectator’s relationship to images of death in 19th century presentations, like phantasmagoria shows and séances, to that same relationship in contemporary zombie video games. Arguing that certain visual technologies can encourage a sort of doubling of consciousness that empowers spectators/players, this chapter maintains that this empowerment, when placed in the context of representations of the dead-come-back-to life, allows spectators/players to enact desires that show death not as final, but as something that can be transcended, which ultimately robs the zombie of some of its inherent political potential.; The fifth chapter examines Zombie Walks. These events present a contemporary example of death being introduced into the world of the living to unsettle assumptions of how public space should be used. Public performances of zombiness disrupt the normative capitalist expectations of the spaces in which “zombies” walk while simultaneously allowing walkers to reject Western beauty ideals by dressing up as rotting, ugly corpses. In this way, zombie walkers offer an important example of the contemporary carnivalesque.; The final chapter of this project illustrates that while the zombie can stand as something that is both comforting and threatening, in either guise, it carries with it the potential of another way of imagining human society, and as such, it can represent the aspirations of any who feel that they are made over as slaves, cannibals, the infected, or the abject by their society’s standards. Thus, often, in the form of the zombie, death is not only made attractive in U.S. popular culture, it is made politically useful as well. Keyword zombies in film; zombie video games; Zombie Walks; voodoo in film; U.S./Haiti relations; race in film; gender in film; phantasmagoria; spiritualist phenomena; zombies and the carnivalesque Rights Kee, Chera Dezarae Filename etd-Kee-4414 Archival file uscthesesreloadpub_Volume51/etd-Kee-4414.pdf Full text 379 Yes, white voodoo-style zombies were never truly socially dead, and their black counterparts remain in their state of exception, but zombiism in these texts often played with issues of miscegenation and corruption in ways that actually provided a space for contemplating life outside the binaries of black and white and American and foreign. Moreover, often those using zombies were, in their own ways, social outcasts trying to claim some power from dominant systems. That they were ultimately shut down does not erase their attempt. Romero- and video game-style zombies are where the desire for the in-between becomes even more visible. In making over some zombies as sympathetic, these zombies are rescued from social death, but these rescued zombies never come to inhabit the position of non-zombie living humans. They therefore are able to occupy a position both inside and outside, and for some—the socially dead or the outcast, for instance—the fantasy of that kind of transformation, although it is never complete, may be enticing and somewhat empowering: it shows that one does not have to be fully beholden to dominant systems to be humanized and to be seen. This is why to be the living dead or the dead living is an act of rebellion, whether that means choosing to become a zombie, choosing a zombie paramour, or simply, in the face of zombies, choosing to defy gender and racial norms. It not only allows one access to both the inside and outside of dominant systems, but it necessarily renders visible the And the dead shall walk the earth: Zombies and the...	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line36
__label__wiki	0.700973	0.700973	Category: Libraries & Demo The magician 1926 games Written by Kigajin on 06.12.2020 - Libraries & Demo The Magician ( film) The Magician is a horror film directed by Rex Ingram about a magician's efforts to acquire the blood of a maiden for his experiments to create life. It was adapted by Ingram from the novel The Magician by W. Somerset Maugham. It stars Alice Terry (the director's wife), Paul Directed by: Rex Ingram. Learn how to make some tricks in this unique game! Use your mouse to point and click causing a chain of actions and reactions that will unlock another trick. - The Magician Free Online Game. Learn how to make some tricks in this unique game! Use your mouse to point and click causing a chain of actions and reactions that will unlock another trick%(K). Directed by Rex Ingram. With Alice Terry, Paul Wegener, Firmin Gémier, Iván Petrovich. A magician/alchemist, seeking to create life, finds that he needs the. 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__label__wiki	0.585361	0.585361	CDHRVTA > Blog > News > Despite improvements, up to 1.3 million people in Somalia face acute food security Crisis Despite improvements, up to 1.3 million people in Somalia face acute food security Crisis February 3, 2020 Newsadmin Source: Famine Early Warning System Network, Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit Sustained large-scale humanitarian assistance is currently preventing more severe outcomes. Deterioration in the food security situation is expected between April and June 2020. More than 960 000 children likely to be acutely malnourished February 3, 2020, Mogadishu/Washington – Despite above-average national cereal crop production and improved livestock production following a largely favorable Deyr (October-December) rainy season, up to 1.3 million people across Somalia are expected to face food consumption gaps or depletion of assets indicative of Crisis (IPC Phase 3)1 or worse outcomes through mid-2020. In addition, nearly 963 000 children under the age of five are likely to be acutely malnourished through December 2020. Sustained and large-scale humanitarian assistance is currently preventing more severe outcomes in many areas. However, deterioration is expected in the food security situation between April and June 2020 in some areas where food and income sources are not expected to be sufficient to meet minimum kilocalorie requirements. Thus far, Desert Locust damages to pasture is limited and localized to central regions, as average to above average rainfall regenerated pasture and browse in most areas. Similarly, Desert Locust damages to the 2019 Deyr harvest are localized and limited to late-planted crops (milking stage). The risk of Desert Locust damages to both pasture and crops remains high and critical throughout 2020 given the ever-expanding areas affected, continued hatching and formation of hoppers and swarms. These findings reflect the outcome of the 2019 post-Deyr seasonal food security and nutrition assessment conducted across Somalia during November and December 2019. The assessment and the subsequent analyses was jointly led by the Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit for Somalia (FSNAU, a project managed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) and the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET, a project funded by USAID) with the active participation of Government institutions, UN and NGO partners. Prior to the start of the Deyr 2019 season, many poor households in northern and central Somalia were still recovering from the loss of food and income source during the severe 2016/2017 drought and the 2018/2019 drought. In addition, at least 2.6 million people in Somalia have been displaced due to conflict, drought, floods, or similar factors. Food insecurity remained elevated in late 2019 due to floods that occurred during the Deyr season, which disrupted livelihood activities, caused large-scale population displacement, and resulted in significant crop losses in riverine livelihood zones. The 2019 Deyr rains began earlier than normal between mid-September and early October, expanding to cover most parts of the country between mid-October and early December. Overall rainfall performance in terms of amount and distribution ranged from average to 400 percent above average in southern Somalia and most of central and northern Somalia. However, excessive rainfall in October and November resulted in extreme river floods as well as flash floods, which affected 570,000 people and caused crop damage in riverine livelihood zones along the Shabelle and Juba rivers. However, favorable rainfall in rain-fed agropastoral areas has contributed to a significant increase in crop production and livestock productivity in these areas. 2019 Deyr season cereal production in southern Somalia is estimated at 113 800 tons, including 9 100 tons of off-season harvests expected in late March/early April. The total cereal harvest in southern Somalia is the largest Deyr harvest since 2016 and 16 percent higher than the long-term average for 1995-2018. Nearly three-quarters (73%) of the 2019 Deyr cereal production comes from sorghum in agropastoral livelihood zones, while the rest (27%) consists of maize, which is mainly cultivated in riverine livelihood zones. River floods and lack of farm inputs have contributed to lower maize production in riverine livelihood zones during the 2019 Deyr season. In the northwest, where favorable Karan rains in August and September improved production prospects, the 2019 Gu/Karan cereal production is estimated at 33 800 tons, which is still 19 percent below the 2010-2018 average. Pasture, browse and water availability have improved greatly across the country. Current resources are expected to support and sustain livestock needs until the start of the Gu rains in April. In northern and central pastoral areas, where significant livestock loss occurred during the 2016/2017 drought, the availability of saleable animals has continued to gradually improve. However, many poor households are still unable to meet their minimum food needs without selling their animals to the point of endangering the sustainability of their herds and their livelihoods. Milk availability and access to milk have improved food access for a majority of pastoral households. Livestock-to-cereal terms of trade remain generally favorable, providing pastoralists with more than one bag (50kg) of cereals for the sale of one goat. Further improvements in the terms of trade are expected as market supply from the current Deyr harvest increases and places downward pressure on local cereal prices, and as livestock prices improve due to the anticipated, seasonal increase in demand in the lead up to and during the Ramadan and Hajj festivities between May and August. Provision of emergency food assistance has continued between July and December 2019, reaching an average of 1.7 to 2 million every month according to data obtained from the Somalia Food Security Cluster. Sustained large-scale food assistance is likely preventing more severe food security outcomes in many areas. In the presence of assistance through March 2020, most of rural Somalia is classified as Stressed (IPC Phase 2). However, Addun Pastoral of central Somalia is in Crisis (IPC Phase 3) given poor households’ persistently low livestock holdings and little access to humanitarian assistance to mitigate food gaps. Currently, an estimated 2.6 million people across Somalia remain internally displaced and highly impoverished. Deyr assessment results indicate that the 11 major Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) settlements are in Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or Stressed (IPC Phase 2) in the presence of humanitarian assistance. In most urban areas, food security outcomes are Stressed (IPC Phase 2) or Minimal (IPC Phase 1). However, households in urban areas in Burao (Toghdeer) and Kismayo (Lower Juba) regions are facing food consumption gaps and are classified as Crisis (IPC Phase 3), driven by high cost of living and limited income-earning opportunities. In the presence of humanitarian assistance, approximately 1.1 million people are currently facing Crisis or worse (IPC Phase 3 or higher) outcomes through March 2020. An additional 2.9 million people are Stressed (IPC Phase 2), bringing the total number of people experiencing acute food insecurity to 4 million. The consensus climate forecast released in late January by the Greater Horn of Africa Climate Outlook Forum (GHACOF54) indicates a greater likelihood of normal to above-normal rainfall performance across most of Somalia during the March to May 2019 Gu rainfall season. The rains are expected to improve pasture and water availability, crop cultivation, livestock production and reproduction, and access to agricultural employment. However, heavy rainfall could cause flooding and disruption to agricultural activities and trade flows in riverine and low-lying areas. In the far northwestern part of the country, where below average rainfall is expected, Gu season crop cultivation and livestock production and reproduction could be negatively affected. Between April and June, food security is expected to deteriorate in some parts of northern and central Somalia, with Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes expected in Guban Pastoral, East Golis Pastoral livelihood zones of Sanaag region, and Addun and Hawd Pastoral of central Somalia, as poor households with limited livestock are expected to be unable to fully meet their minimum food requirements on their own. This does not factor the potential impact of food assistance as information on planned and funded food and cash assistance through June 2020 was not available at the time of the analysis. Food security is also expected to worsen among IDPs with Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes expected across most of the main IDP settlements as significant proportions of IDP households are unable to meet their minimum food needs without external assistance. In summary, 1.3 million people across Somalia are expected to face Crisis or worse (IPC Phase 3 or higher) outcomes between April and June without sustained humanitarian assistance. An additional 2.8 million people are expected to be Stressed (IPC Phase 2), bringing the total number of people facing acute food insecurity to 4.1 million. Humanitarian assistance must be sustained through June 2020 to prevent Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or Emergency (IPC Phase 4) outcomes for 1.3 million people. Livelihoods support is also required for people that are Stressed or worse (IPC Phase 2 or higher). High levels of acute malnutrition persist across many parts of Somalia, according to results from 48 separate nutrition surveys conducted by FSNAU and partners in November and December 2019. Contributing factors include high morbidity, low immunization and vitamin-A supplementation, and poor care practices and food insecurity. At the national level, the median prevalence of Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) in the 2019 Deyr was found to be 13.1 percent indicating a sustained Serious phase compared to 2029 Deyr (12.6.%). Morbidity remains high and vitamin A supplementation and measles vaccination remain well below the recommended SPHERE standard in most of the population groups that have high levels of acute malnutrition. Urgent treatment and nutrition support are required for approximately 963 000 children under the age of five years (total acute malnutrition burden), who will likely face acute malnutrition through December 2020, including 162 000 who are likely to be severely malnourished. Integrated interventions should be provided to support recovery and prevent deterioration in the nutrition situation. Thus far, Desert Locust damages to pasture has been limited and localized (central regions) due to the positive impact of average to above average rainfall in improving pasture and browse across most parts of the country. Similarly, Desert Locust damages to the 2019 crop harvest has also been localized and limited to late-planted crops (milking stage) as most of the crops were planted on time or early, with farmers taking advantage of timely and favorable rainfall conditions. The latest report from FAO indicates that locusts will increase further as a new generation of breeding starts. In northeast Somalia, hopper bands are present, and swarms are laying eggs where hatching and further hopper band formation are imminent. Other swarms have been reported in southern Somalia, near the border with Kenya. Therefore, the risk of Desert Locust damage to both pasture and crops remains high and critical throughout 2020 and requires continued close monitoring and urgent scaling up of control measures given the ever-expanding areas affected, continued hatching and formation of hoppers and swarms. The foregoing analyses did not consider significant damage of Desert Locust to pasture and crops, significant flooding, or poor rainfall performance during the 2020 Gu season as a most likely scenario. However, under scenarios in which the forthcoming April to June Gu rains perform poorly, river and flash floods cause significant damage to crop cultivation, or the ongoing Desert Locust outbreak causes significant damage to pasture and crop cultivation, the food security situation across Somalia could become worse than indicated above. Areas and Populations of Concern Population groups classified as Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse require interventions aimed at reducing food consumption gaps, eradicating acute malnutrition, saving lives, and protecting and saving livelihoods. The following are considered areas of concern and are in need of urgent nutrition and health support interventions. They currently have or are projected to have a Critical GAM prevalence, indicated by a weight-for-height z-score of 15-29.9% or by a Mid-Upper Arm Circumference below 125 mm of ≥10%: Hiraan Riverine Pump Irrigation, Hiraan Southern Agropastoral, Hiraan Southern Inland Pastoral, Riverine Gravity Irrigation of Middle and Lower Shabelle, Bay Sorghum High Potential Agropastoral, Bay Low Potential Agropastoral, Southern Inland Pastoral of Elberde district in Bakool, Juba Riverine (Pump & Gravity) Irrigation, Bosasso IDPs, Garowe IDPs, Galkacyo IDPs, Beletweyne IDPs and Urban, Baidoa IDPs, and Mogadishu IDPs. FSNAU and FEWS NET will continue to monitor conditions and outcomes and report on the situation. All information will be made available through www.fsnau.org and www.fews.net. For more information, please contact: Alberto TrilloBarca, Communications Officer, FAO Somalia, Tel: + 252 619 154 103/+254 768 055 361, Email: Alberto.TrilloBarca@fao.org or Mike Bennett, Communications Director, Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET), Email: fews.media@fews.net. ← Brazil: Possible Evidence Tampering in Police Killings UN agencies raise alarm in the Central Sahel where millions face hunger →	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line42
__label__cc	0.502228	0.497772	The Changeling Canary Wharf In 1988 work began on the Canary Wharf Development. The intention was to create an outlying extension of the City of London. Taking advantage of the area’s designation as an enterprise zone, Canary Wharf was to be exclusively a business district. Since then, the imperatives of development have altered. No longer is it enough just to crowd together blocks of offices. Questions are being asked as the nature of modern development changes. One Canada Square Captivated by Colour (detail) – Camille Walala What kind of atmosphere does the development have? Are there open spaces and greenery to encourage wellbeing? Is the development encouraging nature – or art? And does it attract visitors and sightseers – and residents? Moreover, what about the remnants of the West India Docks? This dock complex started London on the way to becoming the greatest port in the world in less than a century. This tour explores the flagship development in the regeneration of London’s redundant Dockland area. Art and nature, retail and residential – all have become a part of the mix. The changing requirements of modern development are making a changeling of Canary Wharf. Once One Canada Square raised its shining steel presence over the East End as a beacon of the future. Now Canary Wharf is changing to match the demands that very future is making. The story of the West India Docks features on my tour To Blackwall and Beyond You’ll find more East End Charnowalks by clicking HERE. Details – The Changeling Canary Wharf MEET: At the exit for West India Dock Road, Westferry DLR Station Finish: at the Museum of London, Docklands, by West India Quay DLR Station Pictures © 2020 David Charnick	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line44
__label__cc	0.630936	0.369064	Level set methods: An overview and some recent results, (2001) by S Osher, R Fedkiw Venue: Journal of Computational Physics A Multiphase Level Set Framework for Image Segmentation Using the Mumford and Shah Model by Luminita A. Vese, Tony F. Chan - INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COMPUTER VISION , 2002 "... We propose a new multiphase level set framework for image segmentation using the Mumford and Shah model, for piecewise constant and piecewise smooth optimal approximations. The proposed method is also a generalization of an active contour model without edges based 2-phase segmentation, developed by ..." We propose a new multiphase level set framework for image segmentation using the Mumford and Shah model, for piecewise constant and piecewise smooth optimal approximations. The proposed method is also a generalization of an active contour model without edges based 2-phase segmentation, developed by the authors earlier in T. Chan and L. Vese (1999. In Scale-Space'99, M. Nilsen et al. (Eds.), LNCS, vol. 1682, pp. 141--151) and T. Chan and L. Vese (2001. IEEE-IP, 10(2):266--277). The multiphase level set formulation is new and of interest on its own: by construction, it automatically avoids the problems of vacuum and overlap; it needs only log n level set functions for n phases in the piecewise constant case; it can represent boundaries with complex topologies, including triple junctions; in the piecewise smooth case, only two level set functions formally suffice to represent any partition, based on The Four-Color Theorem. Finally, we validate the proposed models by numerical results for signal and image denoising and segmentation, implemented using the Osher and Sethian level set method. A Hybrid Particle Level Set Method for Improved Interface Capturing by Douglas Enright, Ronald Fedkiw, Joel Ferziger, Ian Mitchell - J. Comput. Phys , 2002 "... In this paper, we propose a new numerical method for improving the mass conservation properties of the level set method when the interface is passively advected in a flow field. Our method uses Lagrangian marker particles to rebuild the level set in regions which are under-resolved. This is ofte ..." In this paper, we propose a new numerical method for improving the mass conservation properties of the level set method when the interface is passively advected in a flow field. Our method uses Lagrangian marker particles to rebuild the level set in regions which are under-resolved. This is often the case for flows undergoing stretching and tearing. The overall method maintains a smooth geometrical description of the interface and the implementation simplicity characteristic of the level set method. Our method compares favorably with volume of fluid methods in the conservation of mass and purely Lagrangian schemes for interface resolution. The method is presented in three spatial dimensions. ...ication of level set methods to a wide variety of problems including fluid mechanics, combustion, computer vision, and materials science is discussed in the recent review articles by Osher and Fedkiw =-=[20]-=- and Sethian [34] as well as the recent books of Osher and Fedkiw [21] and Sethian [33]. The great success of level set methods (and other Eulerian methods) can be attributed to the role of curvature ... Filling Holes In Complex Surfaces Using Volumetric Diffusion by Steve Marschner, James Davis, Matt Garr, Marc Levoy , 2001 "... We address the problem of building watertight 3D models from surfaces that contain holes---for example, sets of range scans that observe most but not all of a surface. We specifically address situations in which the holes are too geometrically and topologically complex to fill using triangulation al ..." We address the problem of building watertight 3D models from surfaces that contain holes---for example, sets of range scans that observe most but not all of a surface. We specifically address situations in which the holes are too geometrically and topologically complex to fill using triangulation algorithms. Our solution begins by constructing a signed distance function, the zero set of which defines the surface. Initially, this function is defined only in the vicinity of observed surfaces. We then apply a diffusion process to extend this function through the volume until its zero set bridges whatever holes may be present. If additional information is available, such as known-empty regions of space inferred from the lines of sight to a 3D scanner, it can be incorporated into the diffusion process. Our algorithm is simple to implement, is guaranteed to produce manifold non-interpenetrating surfaces, and is efficient to run on large datasets because computation is limited to areas near holes. By showing results for complex range scans, we demonstrate that our algorithm produces hole-free surfaces that are plausible, visually acceptable, and usually close to the intended geometry. Fast surface reconstruction using the level set method by Hong-kai Zhao, Stanley Oshery, Ronald Fedkiwz - In VLSM ’01: Proceedings of the IEEE Workshop on Variational and Level Set Methods , 2001 "... In this paper we describe new formulations and develop fast algorithms for implicit surface reconstruction based on variational and partial differential equation (PDE) methods. In particular we use the level set method and fast sweeping and tagging methods to reconstruct surfaces from scattered data ..." In this paper we describe new formulations and develop fast algorithms for implicit surface reconstruction based on variational and partial differential equation (PDE) methods. In particular we use the level set method and fast sweeping and tagging methods to reconstruct surfaces from scattered data set. The data set might consist of points, curves and/or surface patches. A weighted minimal surface-like model is constructed and its variational level set formulation is implemented with optimal efficiency. The reconstructed surface is smoother than piecewise linear and has a natural scaling in the regularization that allows varying flexibility according to the local sampling density. As is usual with the level set method we can handle complicated topology and deformations, as well as noisy or highly non-uniform data sets easily. The method is based on a simple rectangular grid, although adaptive and triangular grids are also possible. Some consequences, such as hole filling capability, are demonstrated, as well as the viability and convergence of our new fast tagging algorithm. ... Sethian in [23] to capture moving interfaces and has been used quite successfully in moving interface and free boundary problems as well as in image processing, image segmentation and elsewhere. See =-=[22]-=- for a comprehensive review. Two key steps for the level set method are: (1) Embed the surface: we represent a surface?as the zero isocontour of a scalar (level set) function(x), i.e.?=fx:(x)=0g. Geom... Ordered Upwind Methods for Static Hamilton-Jacobi Equations: Theory and Algorithms by James A. Sethian, Alexander Vladimirsky , 2003 "... We develop a family of fast methods for approximating the solutions to a wide class of static Hamilton–Jacobi PDEs; these fast methods include both semi-Lagrangian and fully Eulerian versions. Numerical solutions to these problems are typically obtained by solving large systems of coupled nonlinear ..." We develop a family of fast methods for approximating the solutions to a wide class of static Hamilton–Jacobi PDEs; these fast methods include both semi-Lagrangian and fully Eulerian versions. Numerical solutions to these problems are typically obtained by solving large systems of coupled nonlinear discretized equations. Our techniques, which we refer to as “Ordered Upwind Methods” (OUMs), use partial information about the characteristic directions to decouple these nonlinear systems, greatly reducing the computational labor. Our techniques are considered in the context of control-theoretic and front-propagation problems. We begin by discussing existing OUMs, focusing on those designed for isotropic problems. We then introduce a new class of OUMs which decouple systems for general (anisotropic) problems. We prove convergence of one such scheme to the viscosity solution of the corresponding Hamilton–Jacobi PDE. Next, we introduce a set of finite-differences methods based on an analysis of the role played by anisotropy in the context of front propagation and optimal trajectory problems. The performance of the methods is analyzed, and computational experiments are performed using test problems from computational geometry and seismology. Fast Sweeping Algorithms for a Class of Hamilton-Jacobi Equations by Yen-hsi Richard Tsai, Li-tien Cheng, Stanley Osher, Hong-kai Zhao - SIAM Journal on Numerical Analysis , 2003 "... We derive a Godunov-type numerical flux for the class of strictly convex, homogeneous Hamiltonians that includes H(p, q) = � ap 2 + bq 2 − 2cpq, c 2 < ab. We combine our Godunov numerical fluxes with simple Gauss-Seidel type iterations for solving the corresponding Hamilton-Jacobi Equations. Th ..." We derive a Godunov-type numerical flux for the class of strictly convex, homogeneous Hamiltonians that includes H(p, q) = � ap 2 + bq 2 − 2cpq, c 2 < ab. We combine our Godunov numerical fluxes with simple Gauss-Seidel type iterations for solving the corresponding Hamilton-Jacobi Equations. The resulting algorithm is fast since it does not require a sorting strategy as found, e.g., in the fast marching method. In addition, it provides a way to compute solutions to a class of HJ equations for which the conventional fast marching method is not applicable. Our experiments indicate convergence after a few iterations, even in rather difficult cases. 1 ...on Hamilton-Jacobi equations have a rich pool of applications, ranging from those of optimal control theory, geometrical optics, to essentially any problem that needs the (weighted) distance function =-=[13]-=-. Examples include crystal growth, ray tracing, etching, robotic motion planning , and computer vision. Solutions of these types of equations usually develop singularities in their derivatives, and th... Level set surface editing operators by Ken Museth, Alan H. Barr - SIGGRAPH , 2002 "... Figure 1: Surfaces edited with level set operators. Left: A damaged Greek bust model is repaired with a new nose, chin and sharpened hair. Right: A new model is constructed from models of a griffin and dragon (small figures), producing a two-headed, winged dragon. We present a level set framework fo ..." Figure 1: Surfaces edited with level set operators. Left: A damaged Greek bust model is repaired with a new nose, chin and sharpened hair. Right: A new model is constructed from models of a griffin and dragon (small figures), producing a two-headed, winged dragon. We present a level set framework for implementing editing oper-ators for surfaces. Level set models are deformable implicit sur-faces where the deformation of the surface is controlled by a speed function in the level set partial differential equation. In this paper we define a collection of speed functions that produce a set of sur-face editing operators. The speed functions describe the velocity at each point on the evolving surface in the direction of the sur-face normal. All of the information needed to deform a surface is encapsulated in the speed function, providing a simple, unified computational framework. The user combines pre-defined building blocks to create the desired speed function. The surface editing op-erators are quickly computed and may be applied both regionally and globally. The level set framework offers several advantages. 1) By construction, self-intersection cannot occur, which guarantees the generation of physically-realizable, simple, closed surfaces. 2) Level set models easily change topological genus, and 3) are free of the edge connectivity and mesh quality problems associated with mesh models. We present five examples of surface editing opera-tors: blending, smoothing, sharpening, openings/closings and em-bossing. We demonstrate their effectiveness on several scanned ob-jects and scan-converted models. Rapid and Accurate Computation of the Distance Function Using Grids by Yen-hsi Richard Tsai - J. Comput. Phys , 2002 "... We present two fast and simple algorithms for approximating the distance function for given isolated points on uniform grids. The algorithms are then generalized to compute the distance to piecewise linear objects. By incorporating the geometry of Huygens ’ principle in the reverse order with the cl ..." We present two fast and simple algorithms for approximating the distance function for given isolated points on uniform grids. The algorithms are then generalized to compute the distance to piecewise linear objects. By incorporating the geometry of Huygens ’ principle in the reverse order with the classical viscosity solution theory for the eikonal equation \|∇u\|=1, the algorithms become almost purely algebraic and yield very accurate approximations. The generalized closest point formulation used in the second algorithm provides a framework for further extension to compute the distance accurately to smooth geometric objects on different grid geometries, without the construction of the Voronoi diagrams. This method provides a fast and simple translator of data commonly given in computational geometry to the volumetric representation used in level set methods. c ○ 2002 Elsevier Science (USA) 1. ...efined to be the smallest Euclidean distance of x to the points in K . Fast and accurate computation of the distance function is an important step in many applications. For example, level set methods =-=[14]-=- rely heavily on it to represent an interface, and in particular to keep the level set function well behaved during time evolution. In the surface interpolation model of [28], a surface interpolating ... Level set based shape prior segmentation by Tony Chan - In Proc. CVPR’05 , 2005 "... We propose a level set based variational approach that incorporates shape priors into Chan-Vese’s model [3] for the shape prior segmentation problem. In our model, besides the level set function for segmentation, as in Cremers’ work [5], we introduce another labelling level set function to indicate ..." We propose a level set based variational approach that incorporates shape priors into Chan-Vese’s model [3] for the shape prior segmentation problem. In our model, besides the level set function for segmentation, as in Cremers’ work [5], we introduce another labelling level set function to indicate the regions on which the prior shape should be compared. Our model can segment an object, whose shape is similar to the given prior shape, from a background where there are several objects. Moreover, we provide a proof for a fast solution principle, which was mentioned [7] and similar to the one proposed in [19], for minimizing Chan-Vese’s segmentation model without length term. We extend the principle to the minimization of our prescribed functionals. 1. ...tion: À Ü � � � x�0 � x�0, and �� is a parameter that describes how large the length of the boundaries is permitted, since the term Ê ª �ÖÀ � � just represents the length of zero level set of � ( see =-=[14]-=- ). In [5], Cremers et al. adopted Paragios et al.’s method [16] to represent a shape. Let � be the level set function for segmentation, and � be the one embedding a given shape. Both are signed dista... Approximation with Active B-spline Curves and Surfaces by Helmut Pottmann, Stefan Leopoldseder, Michael Hofer , 2002 "... An active contour model for parametric curve and surface approximation is presented. The active curve or surface adapts to the model shape to be approximated in an optimization algorithm. The quasi-Newton optimization procedure in each iteration step minimizes a quadratic function which is built up ..." An active contour model for parametric curve and surface approximation is presented. The active curve or surface adapts to the model shape to be approximated in an optimization algorithm. The quasi-Newton optimization procedure in each iteration step minimizes a quadratic function which is built up with help of local quadratic approximants of the squared distance function of the model shape and an internal energy which has a smoothing and regularization effect. The approach completely avoids the parametrization problem. We also show how to use a similar strategy for the solution of variational problems for curves on surfaces. Examples are the geodesic path connecting two points on a surface and interpolating or approximating spline curves on surfaces. Finally we indicate how the latter topic leads to the variational design of smooth motions which interpolate or approximate given positions. 1. ...contour of the signed distance function as the reconstructed implicit surface [1, 4]. The formulation of active contour models via level sets goes back to Osher and Sethian [42]. The level set method =-=[41, 53]-=- has been successfully applied to the solution of a variety of problems, e.g. for segmentation and analysis of medical images [36]. There are also several extensions to surfaces. An application to the...	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line47
__label__wiki	0.81365	0.81365	Gorillaz share statement on systemic racism: “White supremacy must end” Gorillaz have shared a statement on systematic racism. The Damon Albarn-fronted project, comprised of members 2-D, Murdoc, Noodle, and Russel, shared the statement addressing systematic racism via Instagram, in response to the death of George Floyd. “Gorillaz are enraged at the death of George Floyd and many before him at the hands of systemic racism and police brutality,” the statement read. “It’s time to be the change and play an active part in the fight for justice and equality.” George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man from Minnesota, was killed by a white police officer, Derek Chauvin, on Monday 25th May. Footage of the arrest shows Chauvin kneeling on Floyd’s neck for nine minutes, ignoring him as he repeatedly pleads, “I can’t breathe”. See the full statement from Gorillaz below. Earlier this month, Jay-Z issued a statement calling on politicans to bring those responsible for the death of George Floyd to justice. Gorillaz are enraged at the death of George Floyd and many before him at the hands of systemic racism and police brutality. It’s time to be the change and play an active part in the fight for justice and equality. ⁣ ⁣ White supremacy must end. ⁣ ⁣ Black Lives Matter.⁣ ⁣ Listen. Learn. Take action.⁣ ⁣ More to follow.⁣ ⁣ #bethechange #blacklivesmatter A post shared by Gorillaz (@gorillaz) on Jun 3, 2020 at 2:34am PDT Electronic artists and fans are among the hundreds to have donated to organisations and funds in aid of protesters in Minneapolis and black community initiatives following the killing of George Floyd. Below, you will find some links to organisations/fundraisers you can donate to: The George Floyd Memorial Fund: https://www.gofundme.com/f/georgefloyd Black Visions Collective (BLVC): https://www.blackvisionsmn.org/ #JusticeforFloyd: https://act.colorofchange.org/sign/justiceforfloyd_george_floyd_minneapolis The Minnesota Freedom Fund: https://minnesotafreedomfund.org/donate Black Lives Matter: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ms_blm_homepage_2019 Reclaim the Block: https://secure.everyaction.com/zae4prEeKESHBy0MKXTIcQ2	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line48
__label__cc	0.601005	0.398995	People & Planet: Biodiversity Loss and Wildlife May 18, 2020 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm « People & Planet: Planetary Health [Virtual Event] Probable Meets Possible: Bio-inspired futures rooted in the right now » This People & Planet conversation brings together experts including Grace Ge Gabriel, Regional Director — Asia, International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW); Dominic Travis, of the Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota; John Vidal, international journalist and former environment editor at the Guardian; and moderator Todd Reubold, Associate Director, IonE and Publisher, Ensia, to discuss the intersection of biodiversity loss, the global wildlife trade and the emergence of infectious diseases. The discussion will tackle questions such as: What do we know about the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic? Where are the global hot spots for future outbreaks? What role does the wildlife trade — both legal and illegal — play in the spread of infectious diseases? What can be done to prepare for or prevent the next COVID-19 crisis? RSVP here via Eventbrite to reserve your ticket and access the Zoom link! I registered to attend this event. When will I get the Zoom link? You will be notified when the digital link is added to your ticket. You can access the Zoom link by going to your ticket on Eventbrite (Menu: Tickets. Then, click on your ticket for this event). There is a button for “View Links” on your ticket page. This will bring you to another page with instructions, the webinar at the bottom of the page, and the Zoom link. Will I be able to call in to the webinar? We will be offering the option to join the webinar over the phone. Please contact ioneevents@umn.edu for further details. How can I contact the organizer with any questions? Please contact Events Manager, Kimberly Long (longx296@umn.edu). http://environment.umn.edu/people-planet-conversation-series	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line52
__label__wiki	0.803076	0.803076	Poverty, protest and sport: poaching in the East Midlands c.1820-1900 Muge, Rosemary (2018) Poverty, protest and sport: poaching in the East Midlands c.1820-1900. PhD thesis, University of Nottingham. PDF (Thesis - as examined) - Requires a PDF viewer such as GSview, Xpdf or Adobe Acrobat Reader In the East Midlands counties of Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire levels of poaching equalled or exceeded those in many counties which are thought of as prime poaching areas.Using principally Criminal Registers, Game Laws Returns to Parliament, and local newspapers of the period, this study shows that people poached from three motives: because they were poor; because poaching was a sport; and as a protest. Day and night poachers,including night poaching gangs frequently involved in affrays, pursued their activities undeterred by the efforts at prevention of the landowners, police and courts. Poaching here was predominantly for ground game and declined in the last quarter of the century, but continued to be a source of anger and frustration for game preservers and the authorities to the end of this period. The poaching war in these counties, waged in an area with large aristocratic estates but where extreme game preservation was viewed critically, was not perceived as impacting on law and order in general. This was unlike Lancashire, where the activities of poachers were regarded as being a threat to the fabric of society. The causes of these differences between the East Midlands and Lancashire were rooted in police practice, attitudes to game preservation, and differences in gentry sport and hunting. Beckett, John Gaunt, Richard Nineteenth century poaching; east midlands; social history D History - General and Old World > DA Great Britain S Agriculture > SK Hunting sports UK Campuses > Faculty of Arts > School of History Muge, Rosemary	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line54
__label__wiki	0.839224	0.839224	Press Review April 8, 2005 Murphy’s Law Strikes Pulitzer Again By Mark Ames Browse author Email If there are any doubts left whether or not the Pulitzer Prize is as fundamentally corrupt and wrong-minded as the Oscars, then the recent awarding to Kim Murphy, the Los Angeles Times' correspondent here in Moscow, makes it painfully obvious. To see why, start with the LA Times' comic description of why "Bigfoot" Murphy, as she is known by her colleagues, won the Pulitzer: "The veteran reporter's stories were driven, according to the Times' nomination, by a 'restless curiosity' that took her from the resurgent jazz clubs of Moscow ('Did Stalin have a boogie soul?' she wondered) to the oil boomtown of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk (a place, she wrote, that 'Russia wears like a holstered gun on its eastern hip')." So in her best and most restlessly curious moments, Murphy boldly visited Moscow's few jazz clubs--that is, clubs that play 100-year-old American music. And she came away from that experience by firing off a Pulitzer-pleasing zinger about Stalin's "boogie soul," a question as profoundly funny as anything ever quipped on The King of Queens--if that show ever decided to make light of Stalin's holocaust, that is. As you'll see, "Bigfoot" Murphy has a history of, shall we say, showing us that Holocausters are people too. The oddest thing about the LA Times' article congratulating its Pulitzer-winning staffers is that it's just factually wrong. In the first place, Murphy used her holstered-gun metaphor to describe the shape of Sakhalin Island, and not the city Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. Not that the analogy makes any more sense when applied to Sakhalin. In purely representational terms, Sakhalin looks nothing at all like a holstered gun--for one thing, there's no gun handle, just a long turd-shaped island. If Murphy had a grasp of real metaphor, she would have written, "Russia wears Sakhalin like a wet turd that it can't shake from its ass because it's too drunk to wipe properly." If that wouldn't qualify as "eloquent," then at least she could have opted for accuracy and written that Sakhalin is a place that "Russia wears like a holstered gun whose handle was mysteriously removed for the sake of my eloquent metaphor." Murphy is to be commended for covering all of the big Russia stories of the last year, effected with all of the safe centrism expected of an "objective" American journalist. Indeed "Bigfoot" Murphy may go down in local legend as the most prolific American correspondent ever to work the Moscow beat. While nearly all writers, particularly talented writers, tend to suffer through every article, always missing deadline and skipping entire assignments in a screeching sweat-bath of whiny mental anguish, Murphy is an editor's dream. She moves the chains, three yards and a cloud of dirt, every time. Her editor at the LA Times, Marjorie Miller, said as much: "She is so incredibly dogged and so good at what she does and has what I always think of as news in her blood," Miller told colleagues at an evening reception. "She just knows where to go and how to get there ahead of everyone else." If Chechens take hostages, she's there to cover the story. If there's no terror for a few weeks, she's at the jazz clubs waxing poetically about Stalin's wacky dance moves. She can even forge something as seemingly banal as weather into an article, as demonstrated in her January 14th, 2005 piece, "Hot and Bothered, Russians' Patience Melts With the Snow." In it, she quotes several Russians complaining about the weather. What a scoop! Russians complaining about weather! Yup, she's got news in her blood all right. Separated at stable? Popular TV horse Mr. Ed... ...and prolific media whore Kim Murphy? Pages: Previous 1 2 Next Browse author Email Mark Ames at editor@exile.ru. Film Review: Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay : Mother Russia Wins Again : A ringside seat at the first-ever Mrs. World pageant in Russia! 13 Scary Scenarios : Why 2008 is going to be the scariest year ever! Eleven Years of Threats: The eXile's Incredible Journey : In a nation terrorized by its own government, one newspaper dared to fart in its face	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line57
__label__cc	0.651194	0.348806	Creative catamorphisms The bag of programming tricks that has served us so well for the last 50 years is the wrong way to think going forward and must be thrown out. Last week, Guy Steele came in and did a guest lecture "The Future is Parallel: What's a Programmer to Do?" for my advanced symbolic class (6.945). It's a really excellent talk; such an excellent talk that I had seen the slides for prior to the talk. However hearing Guy Steele talk about it in person really helped set things in context for me. One of the central points of the talk is the call for more creative catamorphisms. Well, what is a creative catamorphism? To answer this question, we first have to understand what a catamorphism is. The functional programming crowd is well familiar with a few relatively banal examples of the catamorphism, namely the left fold and the right fold. One way to think about folds is simply a "level of abstraction" above a loop one might write in an imperative language. Another way to think of the fold is replacing the type constructor for the list (the cons or : operation) with another function, as seen in Cale Gibbard's excellent diagrams: The point of the catamorphism is that this doesn't need to apply just to lists; in fact, we can run a catamorphism on any recursive data structure! Just make a function for each constructor in the type, with the appropriate arity (so a ternary tree would require functions that take three arguments, and so forth), and let her rip! This is vitally important because the old left and right fold are the "wrong way to think"; by the very nature of their structure they require you to evaluate sequentially. But set things up in a binary tree, and you can evaluate all the subtrees first before combining them at the end. So what is a creative catamorphism? It's when the original recursive data structure doesn't map cleanly on to the atoms that your computation wants to deal with. The example Guy Steele discusses in his talk is the time honored task of breaking a string into its words. A string is merely a list of characters, which only lets us handle it character by character (traditional sequential), or a naive transformation into a binary tree, which only gives us efficient bisection (parallelizable). The trouble with naive bisection is that it might split in the middle of the word, so our combining function has to account for this case. How to deal with this is left as an exercise for the reader (or you can go read the slides.) In fact, this was the critical moment when I understood the global reasoning behind what Edward Kmett was talking about when he gave his (in my opinion pretty crazy) talk on "A Parallel Parsing Trifecta: Iteratees, Parsec, and Monoids". The goal of this code is to massively parallelize parsing by splitting up the input document into chunks and then recombining them with the parsing function. He has to deal with the same problems that showed up in the toy example in Steele's talk, and he pulls out all sorts of tricks to get things pumping. I will admit, the work is complicated, and at times, it feels like overkill. But it's a brave new parallel world, and it's time we fully explore the designs and implications of it. With any luck, we will be able to write parallel programs as naturally we can write sequential programs, but it's a long way getting there. Update (2013-05-21). Oleg writes in to tell me that there is actually a name for these types of tricks: an almost homomorphism. It is not surprising to see that the work described in the Skepara project collaborated with Guy Steele and the Fortress project; it is well worth checking out for a calculational approach for deriving these catamorphisms. Haskell, Programming One Response to “Creative catamorphisms” Edward Kmett says: Guy gave a similar talk at NEPLS a while back, which is what actually kickstarted my thinking about monoidal parsing. Up until that point I’d been using monoids and groups to define traversals over distributed data structures, but the records there were much larger than the single characters involved in parsing problems. ;)	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line73
__label__wiki	0.724053	0.724053	Facebook ... Face Recognition Woes Facebook is in the news yet again, this time for having to face a class action lawsuit for allegedly gathering biometric information without users' explicit consent, via facial recognition technology. What Facial Recognition Technology? A facial recognition technology feature in Facebook’s platform suggests who might be present in uploaded photos, based on an existing database of faces, and uses "tag suggestions" technology. The feature works by trying to detect any faces in an uploaded photo, standardises and aligns those faces for size and direction, then, for each face, Facebook computes a face signature which is a mathematical representation of the face in that photo. Finally, the face signatures are run through a stored database of user face templates to look for similar matches What’s The Problem? The problem in legal terms is that the software allegedly gathers (and presumably stores) biometric information about individuals i.e. makes and stores face templates of them, without them giving their explicit consent for it to do so. This sounds as though it may breach Illinois state law - this is the state from which the class of people in the lawsuit question is made up. The court order is reported to apply to Facebook users in Illinois for whom Facebook created and stored a face template after 7 June 2011. What Are The Chances? Although Facebook reportedly intends to fight the case and believes that it has no merit, the fact that the judge, James Donato, has ruled to certify a class of Facebook users, and has said that Facebook could be expecting billions in statutory damages, does not appear to bode well for Facebook. Not Available Here Privacy regulations mean that the facial recognition and tagging feature is not available in Europe or Canada, and can be turned off in settings for US users. Facebook also said back in December 2017 that users would be notified if a picture of them was uploaded by someone else, even if they hadn't been tagged in it. Hearing In A Crowd Technology Developed By Google Just as Facebook appears to be in trouble over voice technology, Google has announced that its research team has just developed technology that can recognise individual voices in a crowd, just as a human can. The tech giant has made a demonstration video for the technology. The video shows how, with lots of people talking at once in a room, a user can select a particular face and hear the soundtrack of just that person. Users of this technology can also select the context of a conversation, and only references to that conversation are played, even if more than one person in the room is discussing that subject matter. The AI technology behind the feature was developed using data collated from 100,000 videos of lectures and training videos on YouTube. With GDPR on the way, the case against Facebook's voice recognition technology is another reminder of how businesses need to get to grips with the sometimes complicated area of consent. Video images and face templates of individual faces are also likely to qualify as personal data that consent for collection and storage will be needed for under GDPR. Privacy, as well as security, is a right that is getting even greater protection in law. The technology from Google that can recognise individual voices, and can follow individual conversations in crowds could unlock valuable business opportunities in e.g. improving the function and scope of hearing aids, or improving video conferencing tools by enabling them to take place in the middle of an office space rather than only in a separate, soundproofed meeting room (provided other visual distractions are minimised). It seems that new technology is beginning to be developed to help tackle age-old human challenges. GDPR: Don’t Get Caught Out By Your Logfiles Martin Lewis Fights Facebook In Court WhatsApp Raises Age To 16 For GDPR Half of UK Manufacturers Hit By Cyber Attacks New Google ‘Chat’ SMS Message Replacement Rollout ... Russia Suspected of Hacking Campaign UK Launched Major Cyber Attack Against ISIS Phishing Attack Simulator : Microsoft Goodies Google, The Law and Your 'Right To Be Forgotten' Facebook Notifies People Affected By Scandal Digital Number Plates 1 In 10 Fooled By Social Engineering Attacks Killer Bot Boycott Apple Claims 100% Renewable Energy At All Data Cen... Wearable Tech Could Help Solve Murder Half Of Households Have Broadband Problems Robots Not Coming For Your Job Just Yet, Says Report Apple Hire’s Google’s AI Chief To Help Boost Siri UK Universities Are Cryptojacking Targets	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line76
__label__wiki	0.558758	0.558758	Posts Tagged Women of Color By Tiffany Diane Tso • 2 years ago Moving Forward: Wrapping Up A Roundtable On Asian American Feminism Over dinner one night, a group of New York-based Asian organizers, activists and scholars gathered to discuss the questions: “Is Asian American Feminism necessary?” and “Am I part of Asian American Feminism?” By Amanda R. Matos • 2 years ago Supreme Court Case Threatens Unions and Women of Color On Monday, the Supreme Court heard arguments for Janus v. AFSCME, a case that could disrupt the financial sustainability of union organizing in at least 22 states. On Monday, the Supreme Court heard arguments for Janus v. AFSCME, a case that could disrupt the financial sustainability of union organizing in at least 22 statesRead More By Nia Evans • 3 years ago Dear Betsy DeVos: Fighting for Survivors of Sexual Violence Is a Racial Justice Fight For the past few months, I’ve seen several articles — almost exclusively written by white women — arguing that we shouldn’t enforce Title IX protections for survivors of sexual assault because the authors believe Black men are more likely to be accused. The narrative has been picked up by numerous media outlets and used by Education Secretary Betsy DeVos to strip protections for survivors. The idea that survivors’ rights are a threat to Black men leaves a bad taste in my mouth. For the past few months, I’ve seen several articles — almost exclusively written by white women — arguing that we shouldn’t enforce Title IX protections for survivors of sexual assault because the authors ... By Barbara Sostaita • 3 years ago Five Gloria Anzaldúa Quotes to Inspire Your Resistance Gloria Anzaldúa, feminist, queer, disabled, Chicana writer and activist, would’ve turned 75 today. By Brianna Suslovic • 3 years ago Police Officer Comforts White Woman by Saying “We Only Kill Black People” Dashcam footage released last week shows a Georgia police officer telling a passenger during a traffic stop that cops “only shoot black people.” The video isn’t just a bad joke caught on camera. It reveals layers of historical and present police violence against black people – often in the name of making white women feel safe. Dashcam footage released last week shows a Georgia police officer telling a passenger during a traffic stop that cops “only shoot black people.” The video isn’t just a bad joke caught on camera. ... New Webseries Is the Intersectional Handmaid’s Tale We’ve Been Waiting For Have a minute to spare? Looking for a new Instagram account to follow? One that also happens to be a webseries? @MENACEseries has you covered. By tierney • 3 years ago We Need to Fix Racism in Our Institutions, Not Black Hair This month, we witnessed several instances in which black students were punished for wearing natural or black hairstyles to school. A Boston charter school gave multiple detentions to 15-year-old twin sisters who came to school with box braids, arguing that their hair extensions broke the school’s dress code. As punishment, the twins were pulled from their sports teams and banned from prom. In Florida, 17-year-old Jenesis Johnson was called to the assistant principal’s office and told that her afro was “extreme,” “faddish” and “needed to be fixed.” This month, we witnessed several instances in which black students were punished for wearing natural or black hairstyles to school. A Boston charter school gave multiple detentions to 15-year-old ... By Senti Sojwal • 3 years ago The Feministing Five: Fatimah Asghar Brown Girls is the web series everyone’s been talking about.	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line88
__label__cc	0.540458	0.459542	The Age of Imperial Wars: From Regional War, “Regime Change” to Global Warfare 2015 has become a year of living dangerously. Wars are spreading across the globe. Wars are escalating as new countries are bombed and the old are ravaged with ever greater intensity. Countries, where relatively peaceful changes had taken place through recent elections, are now on the verge of civil wars. These are wars without victors, but plenty of losers; wars that don’t end; wars where imperial occupations are faced with prolonged resistance. There are never-ending torrents of war refugees flooding across borders. Desperate people are detained, degraded and criminalized for being the survivors and victims of imperial invasions. Now major nuclear powers face off in Europe and Asia: NATO versus Russia, US-Japan versus China. Will these streams of blood and wars converge into one radiated wilderness drained of its precious life blood? Living Dangerously: The Rising Tide of Violent Conflicts There is no question that wars and military threats have replaced diplomacy, negotiations and democratic elections as the principal means of resolving political conflicts. Throughout the present year (2015) wars have spread across borders and escalated in intensity. The NATO allies, US, Turkey and the EU have openly attacked Syria with air strikes and ground troops. There are plans to occupy the northern sector of that ravaged country, creating what the Erdogan regime dubs a ‘buffer zone’ cleansed of its people and villages. Under the pretext of ‘fighting ISIS’, the Turkish government is bombing Kurds (civilians and resistance fighters) and their Syrian allies. On Syria’s southern border, US Special Forces have accelerated and expanded operations from their bases in Jordan on behalf of the mercenary terrorists – funded by the monarchist Gulf States. Over 4 million Syrians have fled their homes as refugees and over 200,000 have been killed since the US-EU-Turkey-Saudi-sponsored war against the secular Syrian government was launched four years ago. Dozens of terrorist, mercenary and sectarian groups have carved up Syria into rival fiefdoms, pillaged its economic and cultural resources and reduced the economy by over ninety percent. The US-EU-Turkish military intervention extends the war into Iraq, Lebanon and…. Turkey – attacking secular governments, ethnic minority groups and secular civil society. The feudal, monarchist Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have invaded Yemen with tanks, launching air strikes against a country without any air defenses. Major cities and towns are devastated. Saudi ground troops and armored carriers are killing and wounding thousands – mostly civilians. The brutal Saudi air and sea blockade of Yemen’s ports have led to a humanitarian crisis, as ten million Yemenis face starvation deliberately imposed by a grotesque and obscenely rich monarchy. The Yemeni resistance fighters, driven out of the major cities, are preparing for prolonged guerrilla warfare against the Saudi monsters and their puppets. Their resistance has already spread across the frontiers of the absolutist Saudi dictatorship. The brutal Israeli occupation troops, in collaboration with armed ‘settler’ colonists, have accelerated their violent seizure of Palestinian lands. They have stepped up the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians, Bedouins, Druze and Christian inhabitants replacing their communities with racist ‘Jews-only’ colonial settlements. Daily assaults against the huge ‘concentration camps’ of Gaza accompany an armed blockade of land, air and water, preventing the reconstruction of the tens of thousands of homes, schools, hospital, factories and infrastructure, destroyed by last year’s Israeli blitzkrieg. Israel’s continued annexation and ethnic cleansing of Palestinian territory precludes any diplomatic process; colonial wars have been and continue to be Israel’s policy of choice in dealing with its Arab neighbors and captive populations. Africa’s wars, resulting from earlier US-EU interventions, continue to ravage-the Continent. Somalia, Sudan, Kenya, Libya are riven by bloody conflicts between US-EU backed regimes and armed Islamic and nationalist resistance movements. Throughout North and Sub-Sahara Africa, US-EU backed regimes have provoked armed upheavals in Libya, Nigeria (Boko Harem), Egypt (ISIS, Moslem Brotherhood et al), Chad, Niger, South Sudan, Somalia and elsewhere. Imperial client Egyptian and Ethiopian dictators rule with iron fists – financed and armed by their EU and US sponsors. Imperial wars rage throughout the Middle East and South Asia. Hundreds of experienced Baathist Iraqi military officers, who had been expelled or jailed and tortured by the US Occupation army, have now made common cause with Islamist fighters to form ISIS and effectively occupy a third of Iraq and a strategic swath of Syria. There are daily bombings in Baghdad undermining its US client. Strategic advances by ISIS are forcing the US to resume and escalate its direct combat role The US-Baghdad retreat and the defeat of the US-trained Iraqi military in the face of the Baathist-Islamist offensive is the opening salvo of a long-term, large-scale war in Iraq and Syria. The Turkish air-war against the Kurds in Iraq will escalate the war in Northern Iraq and extend it into southeast Turkey. Closer to ‘home’, the EU-US-backed coup (‘regime change’) in Kiev and the attempt to impose dictatorial-pro-West oligarchic rule in Ukraine have detonated a prolonged civil-national war devastating the country and pitting NATO’s proxies against Russian-backed allies in the Donbas. US, England, Poland and other NATO powers are deeply committed to pushing war right up to Russia’s borders. There is a new Cold War, with the imposition of wide-ranging US-EU economic sanctions against Russia and the organizing of major NATO military exercises on Russia’s doorsteps. It is no surprise that these provocations are met with a major counter-response – the Russian military build-up. The NATO power grab in Ukraine, which first led to a local ethnic war, now escalates to a global confrontation and may move toward a nuclear confrontation as Russia absorbs hundreds of thousands of refugees from the slaughter in Ukraine. The US puppet regime in Afghanistan has faced a major advance of the Taliban in all regions, including the capital, Kabul. The Afghan war is intensifying and the US-backed Kabul regime is in retreat. US troops can scarcely advance beyond their bunkers. As the Taliban military advances, its leaders demand total surrender of the Kabul puppets and the withdrawal of US troops. The US response will be a prolonged escalation of war. Pakistan, bristling with US arms, faces a major conflict along its borders with India and permanent war in its semi-autonomous Northwest frontier states with Islamist and ethnic Pashtu guerrilla movements backed by mass regional political parties. These parties exercise de facto control over the Northwest region providing sanctuary and arms for Taliban militants operating in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Armed ethno-religious conflicts persist in western China, Myanmar and northern India. There are large-scale popular resistance movements in the militant northeast Thailand opposed to the current military-monarchist dictatorship in Bangkok. In the 21st century, in South and Southeast Asia, as in the rest of the world, war and armed conflicts have become central in resolving ethnic, social, tribal and regional differences with central states: diplomacy and democratic elections have been rendered obsolete and inefficient. Latin America – On the Verge Burgeoning violent extra-parliamentary right-wing movements, intent on overthrowing or ‘impeaching’ elected center-left Latin American governments face major confrontations with the state and its mass supporters. In Ecuador, Venezuela and Brazil, US-backed opposition groups are engaged in violent demonstrations, directed toward ousting the elected regimes. In the case of Ecuador, ‘popular sectors’, including some indigenous leaders and sectors of the trade union movement, have called for an ‘uprising’ to oust President Correa. They seem oblivious of the fact that the hard-right oligarchs who now control key offices in the three principal cities (Guayaquil, Quito and Cuenca) will be the real beneficiaries of their ‘uprisings’. The resurgent Right envisions violent ‘regime change’ as the first step toward ‘wiping the slate clean’ of a decade of social reforms, independent regional organizations and independent foreign policies. ‘Civil war’ may be too strong a word for the situation in Latin America at this time – but this is the direction which the US-backed opposition is heading. Faced with the mess and difficulty of dislodging incumbent regimes via elections, the US and its local proxies have opted for the choreography of street violence, sabotage, martial law and coups – to be followed by sanitized elections – with US-vetted candidates. War and violence run rampant through Mexico and most of Central America. A US-backed military coup ousted the popularly elected, independent President Zelaya in Honduras. The ensuing US-proxy regime has murdered and jailed hundreds of pro-democracy dissidents and driven thousands to flee the violence. The 1990’s US-brokered ‘Peace Accords’ in El Salvador and Guatemala effectively blocked any agrarian reform and income redistribution that might have led to the rebuilding of their civil societies. This has led to over two decades of mass disaffection, the rise of armed ‘gangs’ numbering over 100,000 members and an average of six to ten thousand homicides a year with El Salvador becoming the ‘murder capital of the hemisphere’ on a per capita basis. The annual murder toll under the US-brokered ‘Peace Accords’ now exceeds those killed each year during the civil war. The real ‘carnage capital’ of the hemisphere is Mexico. Over 100,000 people have been murdered during the decade-long, US-backed ‘war on drugs’ – a war which has become a state-sponsored war on the Mexican people. The internal war has allowed the Mexican government to privatize and sell the crown jewels of the national economy – the petroleum industry. While thousands of Mexicans are terrorized and slaughtered, the US and EU oil companies are curiously shielded from the drug lords. The same Mexican government, its police, officials and military, who collaborate with the drug lords in dividing up the billions of drug dollars, protect foreign oil companies and their executives. After all, narco-dollars are laundered by banks in New York, Miami, Los Angeles and London to help fuel the speculation! From Regional to Nuclear Wars Regional and local wars spread under the shadow of a looming world war. The US moves its arms, planes, bases and operations to the Russian and Chinese borders. Never have so many US troops and war planes been placed in so many strategic locations, often less than an hour drive from major Russian cities. Not even during the height of the Cold War, did the US impose so many economic sanctions against Russian enterprises. In Asia, Washington is organizing major trade, military and diplomatic treaties designed to exclude and undermine China’s growth as a trade competitor. It is engaged in provocative activities comparable to the boycott and blockade of Japan which led to the Second World War in Asia. Open ‘warfare by proxy’ in Ukraine is perhaps the first salvo of the Third World War in Europe. The US-EU-sponsored coup in Kiev has led to the annexation of Western Ukraine. In response to the threat of violence toward the ethnic Russian majority in Crimea and the loss of its strategic naval base on the Black Sea, Russia annexed Crimea. In the lead-up to the Second World War, Germany annexed Austria. In a similar manner the US-EU installed a puppet regime in Kiev by violent putsch as its own initial steps toward major power grabs in Central Asia. The military build-up includes the placement of major, forward offensive military bases in Poland. Warsaw’s newly elected hard-right regime of President Andrzej Duda has demanded that Poland become NATO’s central military base of operation and the front line in a war against Russia. Wars and More Wars and the Never-ending Torrents of Refugees The US and EU imperial wars have devastated the lives and livelihoods of scores of millions of people in South Asia, North and Sub-Sahara Africa, Central America, Mexico, the Balkans and now Ukraine. Four million Syrian refugees have joined millions of Afghan, Pakistani, Iraqi, Yemeni, Somali, Libyan, Palestinian and Sudanese refugees fleeing US-EU bombs, drones and proxy mercenaries ravaging their countries. Millions of war refugees escape toward safety in Western Europe, joining the millions of economic refugees who have fled free market destitution in Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Bulgaria, Romania, Poland, the Balkans and other EU satellites. Panic among the civilian population of Western Europe sets in as hundreds of thousands cross the Mediterranean, the Aegean and the Balkans. Droves of refugees perish each day. Tens of thousands crowd detention centers. Local labor markets are saturated. Social services are overwhelmed. The US builds walls and detention camps for the millions trying to escape the harsh consequences of imperial-centered free markets in Mexico, narco-terror and the fraudulent ‘peace accord’-induced violence in Central America. As Western wars advance, the desperate refugees multiply. The poor and destitute clamber at the gates of the imperial heartland crying: ‘Your bombs and your destruction of our homelands have driven us here, now you must deal with us in your homeland’. Fomenting class war between the refugees and ‘natives’ of the imperial West – may not be on the agenda . . . for now, but the future for ‘civil’ society in Europe and the US is bleak. Meanwhile, more and even bigger wars are on the horizon and additional millions of civilians will be uprooted and face the choice of starving, fleeing with their families or fighting the empire. The ranks of seasoned and infuriated resistance fighters are swelling in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Yemen, Ukraine and elsewhere. The US and EU are becoming armed fortresses. US police deal with the marginalized citizenry as an occupying army, assaulting African-Americans, immigrants and dissidents – while looting poor communities . . . and protecting the rich… War is everywhere and expanding: No continent or region, big or small, is free from the contagion of war. Imperial wars have spawn local wars . . . igniting mass flights in a never-ending cycle. There are no real diplomatic success stories! There are no enduring, viable peace accords! Some pundits may protest this analysis: They point to the recent US – Cuba rapprochement as a ‘success’. They conveniently forget that the US is still subverting Cuba’s biggest trading partner, Venezuela; that Washington’s major regional proxies are demanding regime change among Cuba’s allies in Ecuador, Brazil and Bolivia and that Washington is increasingly threatening Cuba’s alternative markets in Russia and China. The vision of the US flag flapping in the breeze outside its embassy in Havana does little to cover Washington’s iron fist threatening Cuba’s allies. Others cite the US – Iran peace accord as a major ‘success’. They ignore that the US is backing the bloody Saudi invasion of neighboring Yemen and the massacre of Shiite communities; that the US has provided Israel with a road map detailing Iran’s entire defense system and that the US and EU are bombing Iran’s Syrian ally without mercy. As for the US – Cuba and Iranian agreements– are they enduring and strategic or just tactical imperial moves preparing for even greater assaults? The war epidemic is not receding. War refugees are still fleeing; they have no homes or communities left. Disorder and destruction are increasing, not decreasing; there is no rebuilding the shattered societies, not in Gaza, not in Fallujah, not in the Donbas, not in Guerrero, not in Aleppo. Europe feels the tremors of a major conflagration. Americans still believe that the two oceans will protect them. They are told that placing NATO missiles on Russia’s borders and stationing warships off China’s shores and building electrified walls and laying barbed wire along the Rio Grande will protect them. Such is their faith in their political leaders and propagandists. What a packet of lies! Inter-continental missiles can ‘rain down’ on New York, Washington and Los Angeles. It is time to wake up! It is time to stop the US – EU headlong race to World War III! Where to start? Libya has been irrevocably destroyed; it is too late there! Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan are aflame. We are being plunged deeper into war while being told we are withdrawing! Ukraine sucks in more guns and more troops! Can we really have peace with Iran if we cannot control our own government as it dances to the Israelis tune? And Israel insists on war – our waging war for them! As the Israeli war criminal General and Prime Minister Ariel Sharon once told some worried American Zionists: “Trouble with the US? We lead them by the nose…!” Just look at the terrified families fleeing carnage in the Middle East or Mexico. When will we cut our losses and shake off the bonds of these war makers – foreign and domestic? Author: Prof. James Petras Copyright © Prof. James Petras, Global Research, 2015 Ending America’s Forever Wars There was a time, almost two decades ago, when America was not at war throughout the greater Middle East. Events in November 2020 boosted the hope that such a time might return sooner rather than later. That was when Trump installed a group of officials in the defense department who are apparently more responsive to his decision to wind down U.S. forever wars. He appointed Chris Miller as secretary of defense. He also named Col. Douglas Macgregor, Kash Patel and Ezra Cohen to high-level positions. Macgregor’s appointment stands out, because of his history of outspoken opposition to America’s military adventures ... The Geopolitics of American Global Decline: Washington vs China in the 21st Century For even the greatest of empires, geography is often destiny. You wouldn’t know it in Washington, though. America’s political, national security, and foreign policy elites continue to ignore the basics of geopolitics that have shaped the fate of world empires for the past 500 years. Consequently, they have missed the significance of the rapid global changes in Eurasia that are in the process of undermining the grand strategy for world dominion that Washington has pursued these past seven decades. A glance at what passes for insider “wisdom” in Washington these days reveals a worldview of stunning insularity. Take Harvard political scientist ... Islamic State Top Dog from Kosovo Returns to Europe with 400 Jihadis What could possibly go wrong? Refugees welcome! Not to allow these enemy combatants to return would be “Islamophobic”! “Disguised as refugees and able to cross borders without being identified: ISIS general who blew up a hostage with a rocket and decapitated another prisoner is ‘back in Europe with 400 soldiers’ after fleeing Syria,” by Julian Robinson, MailOnline, December 29, 2016: An ISIS general once pictured decapitating a prisoner is back in Europe with up to 400 of his most trusted soldiers after fleeing the war zone in Syria, it has been claimed. Ex-NATO soldier Lavdrim Muhaxheri and his men are among thousands who ... UN Anti-Nazi Resolution 10 Year Anniversary: Syria, Israel and North Korea Support It, US Adamantly Opposes It Throughout the past decade, the UN General Assembly Third Committee has adopted the resolution: “Combating Glorification of Nazism, neo-Nazism and other practices that contribute to fueling contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.”Every year the resolution is adopted by an overwhelming majority of UN member states, while the European Union, which, as the battleground of Nazism should have supported the resolution, merely abstains, and their fence-straddling raises disturbing questions about their actual tendencies. Japan’s abstention raises equally disturbing questions. The United States has consistently, and shockingly, opposed this resolution.The resolution is sponsored by the Russian Federation, which ... U.S. Special Operations Forces Deploy to 138 Nations, 70% of the World’s Countries They could be found on the outskirts of Sirte, Libya, supporting local militia fighters, and in Mukalla, Yemen, backing troops from the United Arab Emirates. At Saakow, a remote outpost in southern Somalia, they assisted local commandos in killing several members of the terror group al-Shabab. Around the cities of Jarabulus and Al-Rai in northern Syria, they partnered with both Turkish soldiers and Syrian militias, while also embedding with Kurdish YPG fighters and the Syrian Democratic Forces. Across the border in Iraq, still others joined the fight to liberate the city of Mosul. And in Afghanistan, they assisted indigenous forces in various missions, just as they have ... Why Vladimir Putin Deserves a Nobel Peace Prize For many years, and despite all evidence to the contrary, the Western media has forwarded the inane idea that Vladimir Putin ranks in the same club with some of history's most loathsome creatures, up to and including Hitler.The reality is that the Russian leader has done more to promote the cause of global peace and security than any other Western leader in recent times. That explains why he is the object of such intense scorn.Putin's rise as a statesman of the first magnitude began, oddly enough, with the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 on the United States. Since that day, ... A Letter From the Greek American Community on the Cyprus Talks On the eve of the Conference on Cyprus, we feel compelled to express our views on the Cyprus negotiations on behalf of the Hellenic American Leadership Council (HALC), the International Coordinating Committee Justice for Cyprus (PSEKA), the Federation of Cypriot American Organizations (FCAO), the American Hellenic Institute (AHI), the American Hellenic Council (AHC), the Hellenic Federation of New Jersey, and the Coordinated Effort of Hellenes (CEH). Our community has worked with successive US Administrations on behalf of a workable and lasting solution on Cyprus. In 2004, when we warned that the flawed Annan Plan was headed in the wrong direction, ... Amnesty International Publishes a Fabricated Report on Mass Executions in Syria On Monday, February 8 (2016), the human rights organization Amnesty International published a 48-page report accusing the Syrian government of mass executions and tortures in Saydnaya prison. According to the watchdog, between September 2011 and December 2015, an estimated 5,000 and 13,000 people were extrajudicially executed. The methods used by the report to count the alleged ‘victims’ is quite contradictory. Amnesty International admits it had little direct evidence for its claims. Instead, the report was based on conjectures and the words of former prison detainees and commentators who are linked to the Syrian opposition and have lived outside the country for ... Are We Headed for a Turkish-American Breakup? Turkish-US relations have faced many serious stress tests over the past 50 years. The catalyst in overcoming those crises was making strategic considerations, which always underlined the dependence of the two NATO allies on each other, regardless of their differences.These strategic considerations appear to be weakening now, as the regional priorities of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s Turkey and the United States no longer overlap, and in many cases conflict with each other.That is certainly the case in Syria, where the two countries are at odds over Washington’s alliance with Syrian Kurdish groups against the Islamic State (IS). Ankara insists these groups are ... Why Venezuela’s People are Suffering INTRODUCTIONThe case that will be documented here is that Venezuela’s people are suffering from a tragic national situation which actually cannot be reversed by anything that’s within the power of Venezuela’s Government to do or to block. In order to understand this very unfortunate reality (if one wants to understand it), one must first understand the relevant parts of the broader situation in the world that affects Venezuela. What’s dooming the country isn’t merely a local situation, but instead is global and environmental. It also is economic, pertaining to the role that Venezuela is playing in the global economy. But ... Kosovo: What Everyone (Really) Needs to Know Preface Kosovo is today one of the most disputed territories in Europe and a real Balkan powder keg which can explode again at any time. It is a province within the Republic of Serbia, recognized as such by both Serbia’s constitution and the Resolution 1244 by the Security Council of the United Nations (the UNSC Resolution 1244, June 10th, 1999). However, Kosovo parliament with a clear Albanian majority proclaimed the independence of Kosovo (without a referendum) in February 2008 that was recognized by the majority of the Western countries followed by their puppet clients all over the world (in reality, today ... Don’t Romanticise the Kemalist Legacy! The political situation in Turkey is clearly dramatic, but it is also equally complicated. Turkish President Erdogan has succeeded in securing levels of power unique in the nation′s history. But is this situation really unique? No – for 15 years, the father of the nation Ataturk ruled alone over the early Republic, which was a one-party nation at the time. Only his untimely death in 1938 deprived him of that power.Up to that point, Ataturk alone ruled over every conceivable dimension of domestic and foreign policy. Even clothing and music were tailored to his ideas. The aim was the creation ... Mass Exodus from Muslim Kosovo into Europe: Did US Play a Role in Creating the Crisis? Editor: Little did I know when I posted a short news story about the ‘invasion of Hungary’ last evening that the situation in Kosovo has become untenable and a mass exodus was so advanced. ‘Pungentpeppers’ has again pulled many threads together to give us the big picture of what is happening in Eastern Europe. Is the US responsible? An Austrian political leader says so! Mass exodus from Muslim Kosovo into Europe ~150,000 or more Kosovars on the move since summer ~Hungarian Police catch 1,000 Kosovars daily – a small fraction of the total ~Hungarian mayor calls for fence as Kosovars overwhelm village ~Austrian politician blames ... Independent” Kosovo: Gangland Spills Savagery Worldwide The Western power centers use the “Republic of Kosovo” as a testing ground for working out the ways to create a quasi-state that could be defined as an abnormal criminal case of global scope. The final goal is reshaping the whole of South East Europe. (www.strategic-culture.org) The states below the «first echelon» are subject to the formula «back to slavery and barbarity». This is a model of authoritative outside governance entailing devastation of natural environment, extraction of resources and creation of disastrous economy and ‘stillborn» state structures along with extreme pauperization of population. And this is not all. Control over vast ... Media Literacy 101: Kosovo and Libya The media never merely report the news. They manipulate and distort the news. They want to tell you what and how to think. Pursuant to this role, they routinely rewrite history. A striking instance of media rewriting of history is in the reporting on Kosovo. In the AP article “US Prosecutor to Probe Kosovo Organ Trafficking”, it is reported that the alleged atrocity occurred “during Kosovo’s war for independence from Serbia” in 1999. Everyone remembers that war as one to prevent genocide and ethnic cleansing, that it was “a humanitarian intervention”. But here it is now characterized and defined as a ... Countering NATO Propaganda on Russia: NATO Intervention in Afghanistan, Kosovo, Libya, Ukraine Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV, Part VA follow-up of Professor Vladimir Kozin’s comments on NATO’s Fact Sheet about relations with Russia published in December 2014. The topics to be covered in this part:NATO’s operation in Afghanistan was a failure;The NATO-led mission in Afghanistan failed to stop the Afghan drugs trade;NATO’s operation over Libya was illegitimate;NATO’s operation over Kosovo was illegitimate;The cases of Kosovo and Crimea are identical;Russia’s annexation of Crimea was justified;The Ukrainian authorities are illegitimate.NATO’s operation in Afghanistan was a failureNATO claim: NATO took over the command of the UN-mandated International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan ... Nationalism, Ideology, and the Formation of the Nation-States Among the Yugoslavs A map of the wanted territories of the Balkan states in 1915There are many talks about nationalism among the peoples from the former Yugoslavia during the last three decades what is quite understandable taking into consideration the post-Cold War conflicts and atrocities, as a continuation of WWII crimes based on certain political ideologies,[i] committed on the territory of ex-Yugoslavia.Historia est magistra vitaeI want to argue that there is a direct link between contemporary nationalism(s) among the Yugoslavs and their national ideologies, which are developed in the previous decades and even centuries. What happened with the Yugoslavs from 1991 to 1999 ... The Middle East on the Waves of Chaos For some time the criminal activities of the terrorist organization “Islamic State” (ISIS) seemed to have faded into the shadows. It seemed that this organization in the near future will be broken tie with due to the “heroic” American bombing. However, the ISIS like a fabulous hydra, who immediately has a new head grown in place of a severed one, revived and made further impressive gains.The capture of ancient Palmyra in Syria and the important city Ramadi, the main city of the Sunni province Anbar, located by the way just 100 kilometres far from Baghdad, made the world’s media and ... America’s “Junkyard Dogs”: Operation “Storm” in 1995 A great explanation from an excellent analyst of what happened in Serbia 20 years ago, and why the Ukraine feels like Deja Vu ‘Operation Storm’ in August 1995, when Croatia overran the Serb-inhabited territory of Krajina, was the biggest single instance of ethnic cleansing in the Yugoslav Wars, Because the attack was backed by the US, however, it was never treated as a crime. Between August 4 and August 7, up to 2,000 people were killed and over 220,000 driven from their homes by the Croatian army. No “invaders,” these Serbs had lived in the Krajina – their word for borderlands – for centuries. The ... Westphalian Foundations of Modern International Relations, Global Politics and Global Security What is global politics? It is when a white man sends a black man 20.000 km. far away from home to kill a yellow man, while at home this white man is living on the land occupied from a red man From 1989 onward, as a consequence of the dissolution of the bipolar world in global politics, Security Studies as an academic discipline re-born again its political importance. From the very traditional point of view, it was only the national-state to be considered as the reference object of the security issue that was usually to be obtained by military power[1] and diplomatic ... What is a Politics? Libya: Ten Things about Gaddafi They don’t want You to Know US Meddling in Foreign Elections: A CIA Tradition since 1948 US, UK and Anglosphere: Human Rights Abuses and War Crimes Trash Magna Carta 800th Anniversary Pseudo-Democracy, Reparations, and Actual Democracy Orwell at the UN: Obama Re-Defines Democracy as a Country that Supports U.S. Policy	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line91
__label__wiki	0.549672	0.549672	Home Join FAQ Login What is HubGarden? Can I be paid for publishing articles on hubs? How do I submit an article to a hub? How do most hubs start? Who can start a hub? How do I request payment? How do I become an editor? How do I change my Pen Name? How do I include a link? What are inactive hubs? How do I insert a YouTube clip? How do I create categories? How do the hub color settings work? What are category types, levels, and divisions? What are Question Articles? What are Awards? What are Writer Messages? What is the best way to host a competition? What are Prolific Awards? What are Milestone Awards? What are Wiki articles? How do I add a map and location to an article? HubGarden is a network of websites (hubs) covering various topics on which writers are paid to publish articles. Each hub is run by a team of editors headed by a chief editor. As well as contributing articles to hubs, anyone can start their own hub on any topic, become a chief editor, and encourage other writers to submit articles. *Please note that Hubgarden is now closed to new articles and writers. Unfortunately as ad rates declined it was no longer viable to continue running. Many thanks to everyone who contributed over the years. [ back to the top ] Yes you can be paid for sharing your articles. Payment is in proportion to the number of people who read your articles. The CPM (payment for 1000 readers) varies for each hub. Check on a hub's details page for its writer CPM. Some hubs also offer paid awards, with many guaranteed for articles with a minimum length and number of images. To see which hubs are offering guaranteed awards click on the Top Hubs link at the top of this page. You can view your account balance on by clicking on "My Account". Click on the share link on the hub's homepage. You will have to login before this link is visible and some hubs require an application first (to apply click on the "Write for Us" link on the hub's home page). Be sure to read the hub's FAQ to see what kind of articles a chief editor is looking for. There is no guarantee that an article will be published, so if in doubt ask a question on the hub's forum. Most hubs are started by a single writer who is also the editor and chief editor. The very beginning is a precarious time in the life of a hub, and the majority don't make it. It takes time and commitment to publish a large enough number of useful articles and arrange enough links for a hub to start attracting a decent number of readers - usually around 6 to 12 months. However once a hub is attracting a large readership it will start attracting other writers, and eventually other editors until the hub becomes largely self-sustaining. From here the hub can flourish and grow with the chief editor providing direction and oversight. One of the main benefits of HubGarden is the large number of active writers who are looking to contribute to interesting hubs. Anyone can start a hub and become a chief editor. Once you've had 10 articles published on Hubgarden, you are welcome to email support@hubgarden.com with your proposed Hub idea and name. Each hub starts on a subdomain of hubgarden.com, such as kidscraft.hubgarden.com. Once a hub has more than 50 articles and 500 recent readers it is placed on its own dedicated domain along with some funding for the pool. If you'd like to become a successful chief editor make sure you read the Chief Editor FAQ. To request payment first enter your payment information on your settings page. Payments are made using PayPal, however Australian residents can also opt to be paid by bank transfer. On the first of each month if your balance is over $50 (or 50 GBP) an account is created and placed on your Accounts page. To request payment of a monthly account click on the "details" link, and then "request payment". Payment is then made on the 1st of the following month as long as the invoice is submitted on or before the 10th. This delay is to allow for the time it takes to receive payments from advertisers. For instance your January account would be created and placed on your accounts page on the 1st of February. If you requested payment before the 10th of Feb payment would be made on the 1st working day of March. If the invoice was submitted after the 10th of Feb, payment would be made on the 1st of April. If your balance is less than $50 on the 1st of the month, then it will be carried over to the following month. Writers are invited to become an editor by the chief editor of a hub, usually from amongst the more established contributors. To change any of your basic settings including email address and pen name click go to your profile on one of the hubs and click on "settings". To include a link in the text of your article use the following format: [LINK www.thelinkurl.com The Link Text] "The Link Text" will become the link that points to www.thelinkurl.com. Inactive hubs are those which have had less than 8 articles published in the last month, or 4 articles published in the last week. Inactive hubs which are on their own domain name (rather than xxx.hubgarden.com) are eligible to be taken over by a new chief editor. If you would like to take over an inactive hub please email support-at-hubgarden.com or leave a message on the HubGarden forum. Writers applying for a chief editor position should have already published at least 10 articles on other hubs. It's possible to see which hubs are active (or not) on the HubGarden homepage. The format is [YOUTUBE XXXXXXXXXX] Replace XXXXXXXXXX with the video ID, usually something like 62cQ1oTELgg. You can get this ID from the URL when viewing the video on YouTube, or from the embed link. This also works for Vimeo - ie [VIMEO XXXXXXXX] Any line in an article that starts with a "#" will be considered a category. #Adventure Playgrounds #Swimming Pools If the category does not exist it will be created automatically for that hub when the article is published. It's possible to change many of the default color settings for your hub. The colors are specified in 6 digit hexadecimal code. They are a combination of numbers (0-9)and digits (a-f). It's not necessary to understand the codes to use them, just copy hex color codes from the many charts on the web. If in doubt google "hex color chart". This is a simple one, and here is one that is a little more detailed. Here is another. Note that some charts display a # at the start of the codes. The hash is not required - just copy the numbers and letters. If you want to understand how hex codes work, this page has a good explanation. The default color scheme settings are: Color1: 0099ff Color3: eeeeee Color4: 999999 Type: Groups categories together by type in the category list. For instance you may want to group locations together, and then list the other categories. Level: Categories of different levels can be combined into sub categories. The category of the highest level is listed first. For example: /sydney/walks/. However you don't want /sydney/melbourne/ so you would make all locations the same level. Division: Advanced users only - may do your head in. In the category list above each article, if there is a category of a higher division than the others then it will be combined with the others into sub categories (if they are of a different level). For instance if an article is in "Sydney", "Walks", and "Parks" then above it you most likely want listed: /sydney/ /sydney/walks/ /sydney/parks/ rather that just /walks/ /parks/ Making "Sydney" division 2, and leaving the others as division 1, will achieve this. Note that you also have to make sure "Sydney" is a different level to "Walks" and "Parks" for this to work. Divisions are used as well as levels in this case as a single article my have a number of different location tags - for instance the city "Sydney" and the state "New South Wales". Having a division allows you to determine which location is given precedence in being used to produce the sub category. For instance you probably want /sydney/walks/ not /new-south-wales/walks/. Any article published with a question mark at the end of the title is automatically a "Question Article". This applies to every hub. Question articles are formatted differently with the comments listed in a "Top Answers" section directly under the main content of the article. In addition payment works slightly differently as well. The author of the question receives 1/3 CPM, the top answer receives 1/3 CPM, the second answer receives 2/9 CPM, and the 3rd answer receives 1/9 CPM. This reflects the contribution of the answer authors, and is meant to encourage writers to answer the questions of other writers. To post a new question you need at least 10 Karma points. You can earn Karma points by posting answers to questions (4 points for 1st answer, 3 points for 2nd, 2 points thereafter), or voting (1 point) for the best answer to a given question - 1 karma point for each. In addition a karma point is awarded each time one of your answers receives a vote. Once you have 200 Karma points you can then use them to feature one of your articles (either a question or regular article). Featured articles are promoted at the top right on each article page and in the email newsletter. Featured articles attract many extra readers increasing your writer payments. New questions have their own section of the email newsletter "New Questions" which is meant to encourage readers to submit their own answers. Once a question has 3 answers it is considered "answered" and then goes out in the newsletter as a regular article. The actual text of a question should elaborate on the question and not contain an answer. It's fine for writers to submit answers to their own questions - even encouraged. However they should be submitted as actual answers rather than in the body of the question article. If the author also answers the question they'll receive both the author CPM and the appropriate answer CPM (if in the top 3). It's not possible to vote for your own answer. The text of question articles can be very short (one sentence even), however for the moment they should contain at least one image so that thumbnails are available. Editors are encouraged to ask writers to use the #Question category tag. Awards are allocated by editors to articles which reach a certain level of quality. Each hub can have a different criteria for allocating awards so it's best to consult the different FAQs. All hubs can allocate gold, silver, and bronze awards. Chief editors set the value of each award. When an award is given the pool of the hub must be greater than the value of the award. Question awards are slightly different to awards given to regular articles. 1/3 of the value of the award is given to the question author straight away. After 2 weeks the top 3 answers for the question will then also be given awards. 1/3 of the value to the 1st answer, 2/9 to the 2nd, and 1/9 to the 3rd. This is done automatically - the editor is not required to do anything. Writer Messages are sent from hub chiefs to writers via email. They are separate to the hub forum and are a more effective way to reach writers as many will not be subscribed to the forum. To send a writer message click on "My Hubs" and then the appropriate "Messages" link. Messages are sent by a script once every hour on the hour - and you can edit them / correct typos before they're sent out. Writers are able to unsubscribe from these messages so don't send too many, however I'd encourage all chiefs to use them as a way to bring old writers back to the hub. They can be great for posting messages about competitions, special award periods, or milestones such as reaching 10,000 readers a month. Competitions are a great way to add a little fun to a hub, drum up some more articles, keep writers active, and encourage old ones to return. This is the suggested way to host a competition on a hub. Chiefs are of course welcome to come up with their own methods. 1) Decide on a topic for the competition. For instance on RecipeYum we could have "Recipes which include Bananas". 2) Optionally make up a fun name for the competition such as "Going Bananas" or "Bananarama". 3) Make up a category for the competition. With the above example this could just be "Bananas" but it could also be specific to the competition such as "Banana Competition" or the competition title such as "Bananarama". 4) If making up special competition categories be sure to make them into a separate category type so they are all grouped together. 5) To enter an article into the competition the writer must include the category tag in the article. For instance #Bananarama. 6) Decide how you'll judge the winner. Will you pick it, or will it be the article with the most likes, or the most readers? Will there be one winner, or a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd? 7) What will the winner receive? A gold award or something else? 8) When will the competition start and end? Any other conditions such as article length or number of images? 9) Post the competition details in the "Writer Message 1" field so that every writer will see them when they're creating a new article. 10) Post to your hub forum. 11) Send a writer message to all your writers including all the competition details. 12) Finally - remember to make sure you award the winner and let everyone know via a post on the forum and another writer message. This will encourage more writers to take part in the next competition. Prolific awards are given to writers who publish a certain number of articles in a given calendar month on hubs which offer them. So for instance a writer may be given a $10 prolific award for every 10 articles they publish in any given month on the RecipeYum hub. It's up to each hub's chief editor to set the value of the prolific awards, and how many articles are required to earn them. Some hubs may not offer any prolific awards. To check view each hub's details page. If the prolific value or increment is set to 0, then that hub does not offer prolific awards. The order of prolific awards are: 1) Bronze 2) Silver 3) Gold 4) Platinum 5) Emerald 6) Diamond 7) Kryptonite 8) Sapphire 9) Ruby 10) Pearl Milestone awards are given to writers who publish a certain number of articles on a given hub. So for instance a writer may be given a $20 milestone award for every 50 articles they publish on the RecipeYum hub. It's up to each hub's chief editor to set the value of the milestone awards, and how many articles are required to earn them. Some hubs may not offer any milestone awards. To check view each hub's details page. If the milestone value or increment is set to 0, then that hub does not offer milestone awards. The order of milestone awards are: 0) Citizen 1) Respected Citizen 2) Councillor 3) Town Mayor 4) City Mayor 5) Senator 6) Vice President 7) President 8) Emperor 9) Galactic Emperor 10) Omnipresent Overlord Referrals are when an existing writer brings a new writer to HubGarden. By referring someone you'll be awarded a $1 CPM on all their page views as long as they are active. For someone to be registered as being referred by you they need to enter your email address using the "referral" link on their account page. This needs to be done before they have published any articles. Once a writer has published an article it is not possible to register a referrer even if you really did refer them. Allowing this would make it too easy to game the system. It's not possible to change referrers once one has been registered. The idea of wiki articles is to allow a number of writers to contribute to the same article, and to be rewarded according to their contribution. This is useful for factual type articles where a number of people may have useful information to contribute. For instance an article which profiles the suburb of Paddington in Sydney may have any number of contributors who can add separate pieces of information. One writer may contribute a paragraph on the history of Paddington, while another may contribute a paragraph on the kinds of restaurants in the area. In this way different writers can draw on their expertise to put together a more comprehensive article than they could alone. It's also useful in cases where articles need to be regularly updated, or to allow writers to correct mistakes as they find them. To edit an existing wiki article click on the "Edit This Article" link at the top of the page. This will copy the existing article and place it in your account. Once you've finished with your edits notify the editor and leave a comment with a short summary of the changes you've made. 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If you would like to do this leave a message on the HG forum. To allocate a map to your article use the !Map command followed by an address, all on one line. !Map 96 Gipps Street, Drummoyne, New South Wales, Australia Update your article and the map should appear underneath the article display. If the map is incorrect update again a couple of times (sometimes it takes a few tries for Google to figure it out). If that fails try changing the address slightly, making sure that it includes the state and country as formatted above. If a regular address just won't work you can use Latitude and Longitude in the format: !Map Latitude, Longitude Don't forget the comma. To get the Lat and Long for a particular place on a map you can use the old Google maps. Hopefully the new version will be updated to include this feature soon. Google maps is here: http://maps.google.com or (.com.au for the Oz version). At the bottom right click on the question mark and then "Return to classic Google maps". Navigate to the spot you want and then right-click on it. A menu will pop up. Choose "What's here". Then the Lat and Long will appear in the search box at the top of the page. Cut and paste into your article and you're good to go. For the moment only one map can be included in each article. Copyright 2012,2013 On Topic Media PTY LTD. ABN 18113479226.	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line93
__label__wiki	0.621087	0.621087	Canada - Full Moon 51 - 12/11/00 Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven (a.k.a. Levez Vos Skinny Fists Comme Antennas To Heaven) is Godspeed You Black Emperor!'s (GYBE) second long-player. Yes, l-o-o-o-ng player, right. A double album holding close to 90 minutes of music. Massive is an understatement. GYBE create epic operas for a new world. Or telling horror tales of disasters to come. Last year's Slow Riot For New Zero Kanada E.P. was a stunning piece of work. Their first album, F# A# Infinity, was interesting, but the EP showed brilliance. Therefor I was pretty excited when putting on these vinyl discs. The Canadian 9-some create soundscapes beyond most other "rock" bands. As always we're talking almost entirely instrumental music, except some spoken word pieces here and there. They're monumental and minimalistic at the same time, blasting off with strings and horns and guitars, mixed with field recordings and samples. From the quietly opening tunes of the title track they switch back and forth from a calm ocean to cascading waves of musical "water". They make noise, they swirl and spin, they push and pull, they whisper and roar, they stand still and move. Through phases of former and future lives. Each side of the LP has got its own theme: Side 1 is called Storm, 2 is Static, 3 is Sleep, and 4 is Antennas To Heaven. It's hard to define the various parts on Lift Your Skinny... as "songs", but they do have titles. Odd (and long!) titles like Cancer Towers On Holy Road Hi-Way, Terrible Canyons Of Static, World Police And Friendly Fire, She Dreamt She Was A Bulldozer, She Dreamt She Was Alone In An Empty Field, and Attention...Mon Ami...Fa-Lala-Lala-La-La. Not to mention Edgyswingsetacid or Deathkamp Drone. Put the lights out, turn up the music, and lay back. You'll be taken places that you've never been. As the inner sleeve liner notes states: "...more awkward pirouettes in the general direction of hope and joy..." Apocalypse Now! Copyright © 2000 Håvard Oppøyen You may also want to check out our Godspeed You Black Emperor! article/review: Slow Riot For New Zero Kanada E.P..	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line118
__label__wiki	0.948662	0.948662	Aug. 13, 2020, 10:10 p.m. EDT U.S. seizes virtual currency accounts that allegedly funded militant groups Bitcoin USD (BTCUSD) Facebook Inc. Cl A (FB) WASHINGTON — The Justice Department said Thursday that it has seized millions of dollars from cryptocurrency accounts that militant groups, including al-Qaida and the Islamic State, relied on to finance their organizations and violent plots. Law enforcement officials said the groups used the accounts to solicit donations, including by trying to raise money from the sale of fraudulent personal protective equipment for the coronavirus pandemic. Officials described it as the largest-ever seizure of virtual currency funds related to terrorism. It’s also part of a broader Justice Department goal of disrupting the financing of extremist organizations, including those designated as foreign terror groups. Cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin /zigman2/quotes/31322028/realtime BTCUSD -0.67% are favored for illicit transactions because they are perceived as hard to trace, and one of the groups singled out Thursday explicitly encouraged donations by telling potential contributors that the money trail would be difficult for law enforcement to untangle, the department said. The legal action, which included undercover law enforcement work and a forfeiture complaint filed in Washington’s federal court, is meant to deprive the organizations of funds needed to buy weapons and develop fighters, Assistant Attorney General John Demers said in a conference call with reporters announcing the case. “This action shows that law enforcement remains a step ahead of them,” said Demers, the department’s top national security official. The department said it has confiscated about $2 million so far, in addition to more than 300 cryptocurrency accounts, four websites and four Facebook /zigman2/quotes/205064656/composite FB +2.44% pages related to the schemes. The seized funds are expected to be turned over to a fund for victims of terrorist attacks, officials said. One prong of the U.S. investigation targeted the military wing of Hamas, known as the al-Qassam Brigades, which last year began a public fundraising campaign through social media to solicit Bitcoin donations while reassuring potential donors that such contributions would be untraceable and used for violence, officials said. It also posted on websites instructions for how to anonymously make donations. Law enforcement officials ultimately seized more than 150 cryptocurrency accounts that they say laundered funds to and from accounts operated by the al-Qassam Brigades. Also Thursday, prosecutors unsealed criminal charges against two Turkish individuals accused of acting as money launderers related to the cryptocurrency. “Without funding, you cannot have these operations conducted,” said Michael Sherwin, the acting U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia. “The focus here was a very proactive effort to target these organizations in a very wide-scale manner.” The department also identified a scheme that officials say was shepherded by an Islamic State associate who officials say manages certain hacking operations for the group. Prosecutors say the man, identified as Murat Cakar, registered a website in Turkey to sell face masks and other protective gear to help prevent COVID-19. The masks were produced by a Turkish company and not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration despite being advertised as such. The Justice Department said it seized that site as well as four related pages used for the scheme and for Islamic State funding. Another scheme by al-Qaida and affiliates sought to raise funds through Bitcoin for attacks even as the groups purported to act as charities, according to the court documents. Last month, an undercover agent for Homeland Security Investigations, part of the Department of Homeland Security, messaged the administrator of one supposed charity seeking to make donations. The administrator replied that he hoped for the destruction of the United States, and shared a Bitcoin wallet address for the purpose of receiving funds. “Bullets and bombs is all affordable, but the drone stuff, its very hard to unless u have like anti aircraft stuff which is like millions of dollars,” the administrator wrote, according to court documents. “Here they shoot it with a ground to air missile … its possible to hit them but hard. Or a 23mm machine gun. U know those big guns attached to a car.” The investigation involved officials from multiple agencies, including the FBI, the Internal Revenue Service and HSI. /zigman2/quotes/31322028/realtime Add to watchlist BTCUSD Bitcoin USD US : CoinDesk -234.58 -0.67% Volume: 0.00 Add to watchlist FB Facebook Inc. Cl A	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line120
__label__wiki	0.764786	0.764786	War Between Worlds NC-17 for M/M Javrin San'rik'el had lost track of how many times the sun had risen over the makeshift raft he'd cobbled together from the wreckage of his master's starship. His half-finished Jedi training had helped to keep him alive, despite his having lost most of his survival gear to the unfamiliar ocean. The only survival equipment he'd recovered was the hat and sunglasses to protect him from the sun, and the filter canteen to make fresh water out of salt water. Aside from those his primary concern had been to preserve his lightsaber and his master's, not that his master needed the weapon any long but it was Javrin's responsibility to return it to the Council and report what had happened. Of course, Javrin had no idea how he was going to do that since he was stranded in the middle of an ocean on a world he did not know. He was sure he didn't know it because the stars in the night sky were completely unfamiliar. If he could figure out where he was, he might be able to devise a way home since finding what he needed was something Javrin had always found very easy. His musing was distracted by a life presence moving near the boat, focusing on it he recognized it as one of the medium sized game fish that often traveled near the surface in this ocean. Extending his mind outward, he used the Force to lift the fish upward and onto the raft. Part of him worried that this might be Dark Side use of the force, but then the more practical part of him pointed out that this was merely part of the circle of life and that there had been no anger or other negative emotion involved. The philosophical issue resolved, Javrin focused his mind on accelerating the molecules of the metal plate he used for cooking so that it began to glow red-hot as he cleaned the fish. This was one of those times when his youth spent growing up in a harbor town with an active fishing community proved useful, since most city folk couldn't gut and clean a fish to save their lives. He chuckled briefly at the irony of that statement just before he noticed a shape on the horizon moving closer at a reasonably fast pace. His breath quickened as he realized that it must be a ship, and that could mean rescue from this never-ending ocean of blue with its not-infrequent storms. As it came closer he stood carefully, holding onto the makeshift mast and waved his hat in the air hoping to be seen. "What're you doing out in the middle of the ocean, boy?" The captain of the super-freighter asked the strangely dressed blue-grey furred young tom curiously. The boy couldn't be more than thirteen or fourteen at most, and was dressed in unfamiliar brown robes. The burly grey and white tom wasn't usually this suspicious of shipwreck victims, but there was something here that didn't seem right. For one thing, the boy's robes barely seemed wet, as if he'd just arrived and yet the look in his eyes was what the captain was used to seeing in victims who'd spent weeks or longer on the open ocean. ("My transport crashed.") He explained, as he indicated with one hand something crashing into the ocean. He didn't understand the strange feline's language, but it seemed logical to explain how he ended up in the middle of the ocean. Picking up language by mind-reading was difficult at best, and he certainly wasn't at his most calm and contemplative right now. He was also very grateful that he was wearing the feline form from his mother's side, as opposed to the large canine form that was his father's legacy to him. Being a Ti-Can had its advantages, but the sometimes involuntary shapeshift wasn't one of them. Fortunately, his mother had been a Blue Cat from the semi-tropical region of his homeworld, while his father had been Malwolf from the sub arctic regions. The warm weather and humidity had kept him solidly fixed in feline form since he arrived and with his rescuers being feline, this was a good thing. "Crashed, huh?" The captain nodded, reading the pantomime even though he couldn't understand the boy's language. That was odd in itself since the captain knew enough of almost a dozen languages to deal with port masters on both sides of the ocean. "How long ago?" He asked, tracing an arc across the sky, hoping that would be self-explanatory. "Many days." Javrin explained haltingly, hoping he wasn't butchering the language totally. "Quick study at languages, huh?" The captain smiled. "Good thing to be if you're going to travel. Well, I don't know where you were going but my ship is headed for MegaKat City. Maybe somebody there can help you get home. In the meantime, Conroy, my first officer, will show you to quarters and a hot meal." "Thank you." Javrin said, adding a polite bow. He had only understood part of what had been said, but he'd definitely understood the room and food part. Both sounded wonderful, and drove all thoughts of just what to do next out of his head. "You're welcome." The captain smiled back, and turned to head for the bridge as his lanky tan and white first officer took their rescue below deck. "Smythers." He yelled to the comm officer, as he entered the super-freighter's bridge. "Radio ahead to MegaKat City, and ask them to have someone from Kitten Services meet us. Our rescue can't be more than fifteen and I doubt he's that. Need someone to take responsibility for him, that city is no place to leave a kit unsupervised." "Yes, sir." The calico female nodded crisply. "Any idea where he's from, sir?" "Not a clue, Smythers." The captain shook his head as he computed course adjustments to get them back on schedule. "And that's very strange, I can usually place foreigners right away." "Aye, sir." She nodded. << ---- Eight years later ---- >> "Sure, Dr. Sinian, I can take your car to the mechanic for you." Javrin said eagerly, as always. He never minded running errands for the doctor, and this was no different. "Who do you take it to?" "Take it out to Megacat Salvage and Garage." She said from under an artifact. "Callie recommends them highly. You'll probably have to leave it overnight." She added. "Let me give you money for the cab back." "No need, Doctor." The steel blue-grey grad student said with a grin. "I'll just put my scooter in the trunk, and ride back." "If you like." She chuckled, and slid her keys across the floor to him. "If you can get back in time, I'd like you to take the discussion section for Basic Archaeology today. It'll be good teaching experience for you." "I will be, and thank you Doctor." He grinned, as he grabbed the keys and ran out to the car. "To have half his energy." Abi chuckled, as she turned her attention back to the passage that was stubbornly defying translation. "Yes, Dr. Sinian asked me to bring her car to you to have it looked at." Javrin explained to the large burly tabby who'd identified himself as Chance Furlong. "There's some serious lifter noise in the engine, the steering needs alignment and spark plugs need adjustment." He said easily. "The timing is slightly off on the firing." "You a mechanic?" Chance asked curiously. "Strictly amateur." Javrin chuckled, as he watched a smaller tom approach the car. This would have to be Jake, the partner that Chance had mentioned. "All the Doctor said was that it's noisy and seems to be using more gas than usual." "That'd be the way a non-mechanic would see it." Jake chuckled. "We probably can't get to it 'til tomorrow; you got a way back to town?" "Scooter in the trunk." He grinned and got out of the car, handing Chance the keys though his attention was more on Jake. "It's not fancy or fast, but it gets from point A to point B." He chuckled. "And I can park it in a closet." "Given the parking downtown that's a definite plus." Chance commented as he watched the athletic tom expertly unfold the lightweight scooter. "Well, the Doctor will probably call you tomorrow about the car." Javrin smiled. "I've got to get back, got a class to teach." He chuckled. "Nice meeting you, Chance, Jake." He grinned and drove away the scooter picking up speed steadily. "Okay, who was that?" Jake asked curiously, as he watched the scooter go faster than he would've thought it capable of. "Javrin Rikel, Dr Sinian's research assistant." Chance explained with a grin. "And you think he's cute." He added matter-of-factly. "Well, he is." Jake grinned back. "And smart too, from what little I heard." "Well, you know where to find him." The burly tabby teased playfully. "Hey, Javrin." Jake's tone was low and easy as he leaned against the wall near where the blue-grey tom was working on a translation. "Jake Clawson, right?" Javrin said casually, as he finished the paragraph he was working on. "Something I can do for you?" He asked politely, wondering why Dr. Sinian's mechanic would be stopping by the museum to see him. "Yes," his smiled brightened a bit. "I was wondering if you were free for dinner." "If you don't mind waiting." Javrin said apologetically, as he cleaned up what he was working on. "I'm due at Kendo shortly, but I'll be done there about seven." He said as he quickly packed his backpack. "I really do lose track of time working on a translation." He admitted sheepishly. That raised an eyebrow and a bit of a grin. "Will anyone object if I if I tag along and watch?" "As long as you're quiet and stay out of the way, I don't think so." Javrin said easily as he shouldered his bag. "Tonight is just workout and sparring. If it was an instruction or kata night, I would have to ask my Sensei first." "I can do that," Jake smiled easily and fell into step with the lithe tom that was probably about his age. "Watching can be as good as practice on occasion." He added, though he kept the rest of the thought that it would be an excellent couple of hours of watching that beautiful body work at peak performance. Javrin blushed light under his blue-grey fur, having inadvertently picked up a hint of what Jake was really going to be watching. Sometimes it was very irritating being only half-trained, and reading people had been his strong talent to start. He stopped at a large storage closet near the back entrance to the museum and pulled his scooter out of it. "Like I said, no parking problems." He grinned as he rolled the scooter-trying-to-be-a-motorcycle out of the museum. "You definitely have a talent for machines," Jake nodded approvingly and settled behind Javrin as the lithe kat revved the engine. "It's what I could afford when I was an undergrad." He chuckled, as they headed across town. "I've just been upgrading it piecemeal since then. Better engine here, better tires there." He chuckled. "You make do with what's available." "I've very familiar with that concept," Jake chuckled and settled in to enjoy an unexpected chunk of time to get a good physical feel for the guy he was asking out. The hard muscle and warmth against his chest and under his arms only heightened his appreciation for the tom he already found appealing. "With all those spare parts around your business, I bet you are." Javrin chuckled back, as he deftly weaved in and out of MegaKat City rush hour traffic. He seemed to have a knack for knowing where spaces would open up, almost before they did, something that didn't escape Jake's notice or curiosity. "Here we are." Javrin said as they pulled into the underground parking space of one of the city's innumerable high-rises. "Dojo is on the tenth floor." He said as he pulled up to a caged in storage area, and unlocked it with a key. "Sensei's sister's husband owns the building." He added by way of explanation. "So how long have you been studying?" Jake asked for idle conversation. "Eight years with Sensei Shimonara." He said easily, before locking the cage behind him. "Four years with my first Sensei." He added quietly, not quite managing to mask the pain he still felt at the loss of his Master. Eight years and he still couldn't achieve any detachment from the emotions, which made him wonder if maybe the Council had been right and he had been too old to begin training. "You started about eighteen?" He asked curiously after a bit of quick math in his head. "What got you interested?" "My first Sensei bailed me out of trouble with the law." Javrin explained quietly. "He said I had great potential and offered me a better way if I studied hard and stayed out of trouble. At first it just seemed like a better deal than jail." "I bet," he chuckled softly and relaxed against the lift's wall. "After a while it was something that just seemed to fit." He added with a soft smile. "Yes, it did." Javrin nodded. "And my first Sensei was the father I never had." He smiled fondly, focusing on the good times. "If you don't mind my saying so, you seem overly talented for what you do." He commented, hoping to change the subject from himself as he worked on calming his mind for sparring. "I know," Jake nodded with a half-hearted shrug. "Politics got involved. Kind of got me stuck where I am." "Ah, politics." Javrin chuckled softly, though sympathetic. "The mirror image of common sense, as Doctor Sinian puts it." "Yeah. Not that I haven't thought about doing something else anyway, but I really don't mind the work I do." He shook his head with a bemused smile. "It may not be all I can be, but it's easy work and gives me plenty of time to keep up on my other interests." "I'm sure it does." Javrin nodded. "And as long as you know what you're capable of, that's really all that matters." He said as the door opened on the tenth floor. The younger tom led the way to a set of double doors which opened onto a large room where about a dozen kats, both male and female, where already sparring. Some were working with wooden swords while others were sparring with actual swords. "Wait here." Javrin said politely, indicating benches around the edge of the room. "I have to go check in with Sensei." He smiled, and headed across the room while Jake complied obediently. A short while later, Javrin came back in dressed in a white karate uniform. Noticeable was the black belt with two red marks that Javrin was wearing. A slightly larger black and white tom wearing the same uniform only with a belt with three red marks followed onto the floor. His immaculately cared for sword was as sharp as any of Razor's blades and held with the natural grip of a lifetime in his hands. A few minutes later, an older graying black tom wearing the same uniform but with six marks walked onto the practice floor, and all activity stopped as though switch had been flipped. All the kats on the sparring floor turned and bowed to the older kat with great respect before lining up into precise rows. Showing no signs of age, the Sensei lead them in a very demanding set of warm-up and conditioning exercises before the group broke into sparring pairs. As Jake watched, it became apparent that this was Javrin's natural element. His movements were fluid and graceful, and his opponent was hard pressed to match him even though he appeared to outrank him. What was also evident was that Javrin's focus had narrowed to the width of the blade, without losing awareness of his surroundings. Several times the Sensei picked an item from the room and threw it at Javrin, only to have the blue-grey tom either parry the object or dodge it. It was magic to watch. A display that literally took his breath away. Jake knew how to fight. He was damn good at it, and made no bones about it. He could take almost any opponent he met and very few of them were a challenge. But in this room he knew he'd be hard pressed to win against several of the students, Javrin definitely included. It was an interesting feeling; to know that if trouble started his civilian companion could more than handle himself. To watch Javrin move in him element touched every nerve in Jake's body with a mixture of pleasure, awe and comfort that relaxed him as much as it turned him on. The highly intense sparring went on for about an hour, with the occasional synchronized switching of opponents. And then there was the sound of a small gong, and the class smoothly moved back into straight rows and performed a series of cool-down exercises before heading out through the same door that Javrin had gone through to change in the first place. About fifteen minutes later, the students began wandering out, now in street clothes by ones and twos. Javrin came out talking quietly with his Sensei who was now dressed in an Enforcer uniform with precinct Captain insignia. Javrin bowed respectfully to his Sensei before heading over to Jake. "Hope you didn't get bored." The freshly showered, and still slightly damp, tom grinned as he reached Jake. "Not in the least," he smiled back and stood with more grace than he thought he'd manage given how much his mind was not on the present. "It's something else to watch." "That's what I thought the first time I watched my first Sensei and his partner spar." Javrin smiled, as he began to relax from his combat focus into the present. As if seeing him for the first time, he began to appreciate the attractive tom who had invited him to dinner. "Quite an eye-opener too," Jake chuckled and followed Javrin as the scooter was collected and they got back on the lift. "It's been ages since I've been in a room with that many people I'd be leery of getting into a fight with." "Advanced martial arts classes are like that." Javrin grinned as they reached the parking garage. "That was Sensei's best students, and a number of them have law enforcement or military backgrounds." "Given his job, I'm seriously not surprised." He nodded. "Swords aren't my thing, but I can appreciate having a mentor like that." "He's very good." Javrin nodded, and then chuckled. "He's tried to recruit me and a few of the others who aren't in law enforcement a couple of times. I'm flattered, but I have reservations about the person he takes orders from." He said simply, as they left the underground parking garage and paused at the edge of the street. "Yeah, I know." Jake muttered darkly. "He'd be a top-notch Commander if he didn't have so much of an ego involved in micromanaging. But if he's still got it now, it'll never get beaten out of him. At least his current successor is likely to be better." He added with a bit of honest fondness for the younger Feral. "That seems to be the general consensus, among the Enforcers in class." Javrin nodded. "Sensei is quite guarded in commenting on the Commander." He said simply. "Was there somewhere in particular we were going?" He asked casually. "That depends on whether or not you prefer to dance or have quiet conversation." Jake all but purred into his ear. "Perhaps conversation would be better." Javrin replied shyly. "Dance I know nothing about." He admitted sheepishly. "All right. How about Mickey's?" he smiled easily. "Its nearby and good food without too much rowdiness." "Sounds good." Javrin nodded. "Just tell me where to turn, I don't happen to know where it is even though I've probably driven past it plenty of times." He chuckled. "I don't go out very often." He admitted. "This I'm used to." Jake chuckled and easily directed them to the bar and grill. "Chance may drive, but I know where to go." "I usually make sure I know where I'm going ahead of time." Javrin smiled, as he parked in one of the motorcycle spots. "But then, I usually travel alone." "That may be changing," he purred softly. "And I bet you'd be good at dancing. You definitely have the natural grace for it." "Thank you." Javrin blushed lightly at the compliment, before setting the security system as they walked away from the scooter. "You're probably very good yourself." He replied somewhat clumsily, and feeling quite self-conscious. "I like to think so," he smiled at the tom about his size and cautiously slid an arm around Javrin's waist. "So what do you do in your spare time? "Working as Dr Sinian's assistant, along with my graduate studies keeps me fairly well occupied." Javrin chuckled as he forced himself to relax after starting involuntarily at the unexpected contact. "Kendo and tinkering on the scooter are my hobbies. Well, that and keeping up with what's going on with the space program, when there actually is something there to keep up with." "Would you rather I didn't?" Jake asked softly, indicating his arm as they waited to be seated. "No." Javrin shook his head. "You just surprised me, that's all." He added quietly. He carefully suppressed his embarrassment at being surprised, since he should've been aware of the movement well before contact occurred. It wasn't as if Jake had been trying to be sneaky about it even. Jake nodded and smiled slightly as the waitress returned and motioned them to follow her to a fairly private back booth and set their menus down. "Would you like anything to drink, sirs?" She asked politely. "Milk," Jake nodded to her and sat down, giving Javrin the opportunity to select what side of the booth he wanted to it in. "Milk as well please." Javrin said as he considered for a brief moment. Part of him wanted to be closer to the door, and the other part wanted to be able to watch the door. "Two milks it is," she smiled at them and slipped away. After a brief hesitation he chose the side that let him watch the door. "Nice choice, Jake." He said looking around at the decor and clientele as he sat down next to Jake. "Thanks," he smiled and took the opportunity to scoot a little closer. "Any idea what you'd like?" He asked, leaving it open to whether he meant the menu or more in general. "So many choices." Javrin nodded, leaving it open as to whether he was talking about the menu or more generally. "And not a lot of experience." He admitted thoughtfully. The menu itself was choices enough, as he usually cooked his own meals at home. Many of these things sounded good, but moderation and self-control was important. "Guess I shouldn't have done all those tune-ups for Dr Sinian myself." He grinned playfully. "Nah, you didn't do any damage." Jake grinned at him. "That was M.O.W. damage, and an easy fix." "Yeah, but if I hadn't done it myself Dr. Sinian would've had me bring the car in sooner." He smirked. "I have to admit, that would have been a bonus." He rumbled softly and lightly nuzzled Javrin's neck. "But my first Sensei believed very strongly that if you can do something yourself, you should." He smiled and leaned into the contact. "But then again, Dr Sinian never mentioned how attractive a mechanic she had." "I'm not sure she'd notice." Jake chuckled low in his throat and straitened a bit as the waitress came with their milks. "Have you decided what you would like?" She asked politely. "The large chef salad with ranch dressing on the side." Javrin said easily. "And a side order of french-fries." He said going with what was basically what he'd fix at home, not counting the french-fries. He could feel the surprise in Jake's body at his choice, but the cinnamon tom didn't contest the choice. "Surf and turf," Jake told her and the waitress smiled, nodded and left them in peace again. "Surprised you, huh?" Javrin asked with a curious grin. "Well, yeah." He chuckled a bit. "A salad lover isn't something I would have guessed." "Only after Kendo." He grinned. "Lunch was heavy on the meat side. Just part of my workout routine. 'Sides, salad leaves more room for dessert and I liked the look of the dessert list." "Mmmm, and here I was hoping you'd be desert," Jake chuckled softly and ran his tongue along Javrin's jaw. "No rule against two courses of dessert." Javrin murmured back quietly, as he reached up one hand to ran a finger along Jake's jaw line. The gesture wasn't as fluid as his normal movements, even a little uncertain. Still it found approval as Jake leaned forward slightly to brush their mouths together very lightly. "You can say no." Jake rumbled through a tight throat. "No obligations, no pressure." "I know." Javrin said quietly as his jaw was kissed down to his neck and across his shoulder. "This is just unfamiliar territory." He admitted quietly. "It's been a while." "Then I'll take it as gently as you wish," he breathed in the gray tom's ear. "Dinner is going to be interesting." He added with a chuckle. "Assuming we actually manage to notice it." Javrin chuckled, as he relaxed and let himself take in Jake with all his senses. It had been years since he'd been this close with anyone, and there was something different about Jake. The grey tom was hard pressed to say how he knew or why, but he just knew there was something fundamentally right about Jake. It was like the one mercenary his Master had introduced him to, who had insisted he was no hero and yet his actions said otherwise. "And I know you will." He said with a quiet confidence and found his mouth claimed by a soft, hungry one that while gentle was almost all consuming. It broke only when plates were set in front of them silently and the waitress slipped away again. "You're very good at that." Javrin smiled playfully, clearly having enjoyed the kiss. "I get a lot of practice with a certain tabby." He chuckled and kissed him quickly again. "Care to eat so we can go further than kissing?" He murmured hotly. "Lucky tabby." Javrin smirked, and then picked up his fork. "The management would probably get upset if we went too far right here." He chuckled softly, though it was pretty clear that kissing was about as far as he wanted to go in public. "Yeah, I'm sure they would," Jake chuckled and went to work on the grilled fish on his plate. "Though not nearly as far as Chance'll push it sometimes." He let a slight shiver pass through him. "What that kat can do to you fully dressed is criminal." Javrin wasn't quite sure what to make of that, though his imagination made him blush slightly before he got it under control. He began to wonder if he was intruding on an established couple, even if Jake had been the one to ask him out. It was certainly something he shouldn't be doing in that case, but he wasn't sure quite how to ask without offending. "Are the two of you a couple?" He asked hesitantly after several quite forkfuls of salad. "We're partners," Jake said easy with a light shake of his head. "Friends with extras. Neither of us are much on the idea of settling down anytime soon. You're not going to get into the middle of anything unpleasant." "Good." Javrin nodded, and relaxed noticeably. "I didn't think so, but I needed to be sure." He explained quietly, before getting more serious about dinner. "Valid question," Jake nodded and relaxed himself, though it was more to actually taste the excellent meal in front of him instead of imagining what it was going to be like to have the incredible body next to him in bed and all his. It took what little training Javrin had had to keep control and not tense up under the mixture of apprehension and excitement that were running through him. Excitement at the thought of what 'dessert' would entail, and apprehension at the same thoughts. His bedroom experience was a solid mix of wonderful and awful and he had to wonder which this would be even as he knew what he imagined it would be. The emotions and sensations he was picking up from Jake only heightened the excitement. It was very clear that the cinnamon tom was out for mutual pleasure, it all but radiated off him. And the way he kissed and touched ... it was as much about pleasuring as well as being pleasured. "So what do you hope to go into after you graduate?" Jake asked with a casualness that concealed just how badly he wanted to deal with the stiffness between his legs. "Probably take the Assistant Director position I've been filling as a grad student." He smiled, wishing that he could tell Jake his real dream, to return home. And yet, he was apprehensive about returning to the world he'd left as a child. He wasn't sure how the Council would treat him; after all it was only his Master's stubbornness that had gotten him admitted to training to begin with. And now he was over twenty and still barely half-trained ... he worried how they might react. "Dr. Sinian really does need someone in that job full time, and with some of the excavations under way currently there'll be some fascinating exhibits in the next three to five years." "Sounds like you found your niche," he smiled warmly as the fish disappeared and he began on the beef. "Do you go on the excavations very often?" "Sometimes." Javrin nodded, picking up a few fries. "Depends on what else is going on, and whether Dr Sinian is on an excavation. We really can't have both of us out at the same time." He chuckled. "There just aren't enough of us with the organizational discipline to keep things running." "And as I remember, she loves being out on a dig." Jake chuckled. "I think she'd prefer if she never had to stay at the museum." "Except that there are things that she has to do." Javrin grinned. "She is much better at university politics than I am, and the museums donors much prefer to speak with her directly. So she can't be on digs quite as often as she'd like, however, she'd rather run the museum herself than have to report to someone else." "I can so relate to that one," Jake rolled his eyes. "There is something to be said for being your own boss." "Perhaps." Javrin nodded. "I have no complaints about my boss though." He chuckled softly. "Yeah, but your boss is nice," he snickered. "And kinda cute in an older shekat sort of way." "And not everyone's boss is so nice." Javrin nodded. "Guess I just got lucky." "Yeah, not everybody does. There are worse things out there, but a good boss does make life a lot easier." "Even if she does have a knack for attracting trouble." Javrin shook his head. "We not only need security to keep trouble out, but to keep our exhibits from breaking free periodically." "A facet to the job I don't think they get told before taking it." Jake couldn't help but snicker. "Or you'd never be able to afford them." "According to Dr Sinian, they're pretty expensive anyway." Javrin said easily. "You can't get anyone to be a security guard without paying extra currently. Not that I blame them, since you never know where some nutcase like the PastMaster is going to turn up." "Especially not in a place like that," he nodded. "You've probably got all sorts of his stuff he'll want back sooner or mater." "Either him or some more mundane crook just looking to make a buck on the black market." He shook his head. "As hard as it is to believe there are private collectors who will pay top dollar for artifacts of that nature. And the big money types who really run the city have blocked any attempt to restrict trafficking in archaeological finds." He added with a disgusted tone. "Pieces of history being lost into hidden private collections just so some rich kat can pad his or her ego." "Nothing new to that," Jake rolled his eyes. "It's not like making it illegal would actually change anything. Money negates all laws." "At least if it was illegal there'd be some small chance of recovering things." He shook his head. "Of course, it's an open secret that the Ferals have one of the largest private collections around." "What else would one of the richest families in the area have?" He shrugged, though his tone was bitter and more than a little hateful. "Sore subject, I see." Javrin murmured, ducking his head sheepishly. "Didn't realize you had a history with them." He added apologetically. "We were Enforcer before Feral booted us to the Yard." He explained quietly and as simply as he could. "Ah, another case of the Commander's inability to manage people with real talent." Javrin replied quietly, and then cut himself off before asking what the military was doing running a salvage yard. "I can see where you'd be pissed at him." "Only time I've been seriously tempted to kill someone personally," Jake muttered. "It didn't do a lot to me, but it nearly broke Chance." Javrin was tempted to say that he doubted it would've kept the tabby down for long, but without explaining things he didn't want to yet, he had nothing to back that. "It looks like you did a good job of pulling him through it." The blue-grey tom said approvingly. "Yeah," he smiled softly. "He's really worked to see this as for the best, or at least not the end of the world. Took some convincing, and he still gets bitter more often than I like." "A good friend can pull you through almost anything." Javrin nodded, though it had the feeling of rote repetition with any real emotion. "It's a lot harder alone." He added in a quiet and somewhat distant voice. "Just about everything is," Jake nodded quietly, and then nuzzled his companion lightly. "How about getting to a less depressing topic? We both seem to have plenty of pain to go around." "A very good idea." Javrin chuckled lightly. "I don't think either of us was looking for group therapy session this evening." He grinned playfully. "So what do you do with your spare time? Aside from picking up archaeologists?" He grinned. "I fix the Deputy Mayor's car, see what I can create out of the 'junk' in the yard, play with Chance, keep up in Aeronautics, Electronics, Middle Ages History, Mechanics, Physics, Space Flight ... and a dozen other subjects." He grinned lustfully. "Definitely play with Chance." "Middle Ages History?" Javrin blinked in surprise. "Any particular part of the Middle Ages?" He asked curiously, clearly a bit surprised. "Queen Callista's reign and the times before and after." He smiled slightly and scrambled for an explanation other than the truth. "Fascinating period." Javrin nodded. "A brief period of civility in a very long period of chaos. Though she had the misfortune of ruling during one of the PastMaster's active times." "Yeah, and her descendant gets to rule in another." Jake shook his head. "Talk about an unpleasant job." "It's fascinating that the two are so similar in appearance, based on paintings from the period." Javrin said thoughtfully. "The odds against it are overwhelming. The only good thing is that, historically speaking, the PastMaster's active periods never last for more than thirty or forty years before something shuts him back down." "Which means we only have twenty-five to thirty-five more years to go," Jake chuckled ruefully. "Unless we get really lucky." "Well, I think he may push his luck one time too many taking on the SWAT Kats." Javrin said simply. "Sooner or later one of his plans will backfire on him big time." "Or one of the other Omegas will get ticked off at him and do it for us." He chuckled darkly. "Possibly, but they seem to take turns picking on the city." Javrin shook his head. "It's like they have a schedule for whose turn it is. Gee, can't invade on Thursday 'cause Dark Kat already has the day booked." He snickered sarcastically and made Jake laughed heartily. "Oh, gods, I could actually see that. Scary thought, really." "Would explain why they always seem to be rushing things." Javrin chuckled darkly. "Nothing sucks like having your Master Plan run over by someone else's. Especially if they're contradictory in some fundamental way, aside from the basic fact that they all want to be the psychopath in charge." "Which only leaves the question: If one wins, what do the others do?" "Probably try to take down the one who won." Javrin shrugged. "It's king-of-the-hill for psychos." "True," he nodded thoughtfully. "Some sort of bizarre code among Omegas. Don't interfere unless they've actually won or something." "Except when Dark Kat gets it in his head to do it," Jake shivered involuntarily. "He's managed it. The really freaky part? It really was Feral that saved the day that time." "It was?" Javrin asked curiously. "What little was reported was a bit vague. And the Mayor made it sound like the SWAT Kats did. Of course, I think the Mayor finds the SWAT Kats a useful foil to any ambitions the Ferals may have to replacing him." He said thoughtfully. "Even Ann Gora only reports bits and pieces," Jake shook his head. "You meet all sorts of interesting people as one of the best, and most honest, mechanics in the city." He chuckled low in his throat. "You'd be amazed what we get told by the folks who were there." "Probably as interesting as some of the things I hear in class." Javrin. "Just enough Enforcers who can't avoid talking 'shop' in the locker room. Plus I hear interesting things at the high society openings the museum holds every so often." He chuckled. "Amazing the amount of wheeling and dealing that goes on under the guise of a social event." "Makes sense, otherwise they'd have to spend resources countering each other instead of just undermining the city." Javrin nodded. "About as close as evil gets to 'working together'." "I'm pretty sure it's where almost all of it happens," Jake shook his head. "It's where the people with money get together after all." "Only the easy stuff I think, the stuff where they don't need gangs of lawyers and reams of fine print." Javrin chuckled. "And only between the ones who are on good terms with each other. Synder Pumadin and Anton Feral barely talk to each other at social events at all; they only do business in business settings." He said simply. "The tension when they're within arms' length of each other is quite amazing." "Okay so they're the exception." He smirked. "It's not like they're people I'd want to know anyway." "Actually, they were more of an example." Javrin chuckled. "But I have to agree, having met them is quite as much as I want to know of them." He shook his head. "However, since they're two of the Museum's larger donors I have to be polite to them." "At least you don't have to like them," he chuckled and shook his head. "I have to admit I'm not at all sorry they don't come to the Yard for their vehicle work." "As long as I'm polite, it doesn't matter what I'm thinking about them." Javrin smirked. "And I can't see any of that crowd letting anyone see them or their vehicles near a salvage yard." He shook his head. "They're so worried about their image." "And Miss Briggs is the only one we'd do house calls for, but she doesn't worry about it." "She's amazingly down-to-earth for the level of politics she's in." Javrin nodded. "Dr. Sinian and she have been friends for some time, though I think they tempt fate by having dinner together." He chuckled. "Given the trouble that one of them alone attracts." "Not to mention the field day that the press could make of it," Jake snickered. "But, damn, that it a hot thought." Javrin blinked. "That wasn't what I meant." He stammered apologetically, and blushed noticeably. He'd certainly never meant to imply a romantic connection between his boss and the Deputy Mayor. To the best of his knowledge they were just friends who got together to have dinner occasionally. "Yeah, I know." He smiled. "I'm just in that kind of mood." "Oh, of course." he nodded, as he calmed down and felt the blush recede. "It's just that I didn't want to be contributing to a rumor that already exists." He explained. "Of course, anyone who knows them knows that they're solidly monogamous with their careers." He snickered. "Oh, gods, no kidding." Jake laughed easily. "Not that Callie isn't a hell of a flirt, but it's just in fun," he purred and leaned against Javrin. "But I prefer guys." "I think I noticed that." Javrin purred back, reaching one hand up to gently brush Jake's cheek and found one finger encircled by a tongue and then drawn into Jake's mouth while the cinnamon tom pressed closer. Javrin moved his finger out of the way as he moved to claim Jake's mouth in a passionate, if inexperienced, kiss that quickly got even more intense that the first one. "I think we should get out of here before they call the cops," Jake rumbled deep in his chest. "I want to touch that fur of yours." "Good idea." Javrin agreed easily. "Your place or mine?" "Yours," he chuckled and let his hands linger before Javrin got up. "Mine has a good chance of a very sexy tabby showing up and wanting in." "And as attractive as he is." Javrin smiled. "I don't know that I'm ready for a threesome tonight." He said, only half-succeeding in being nonchalant about the prospect. "And I don't want to share tonight," Jake rumbled and pulled Javrin close before walking to the small cashiers stand near the entrance/exit to pay for their meal. Jake drew Javrin after the small apartment's door was locked and kissed him gently. "Would you like this a low and gentle first time exploration, or hot and heavy action?" He asked in all seriousness. "Slow and gentle would be better." Javrin replied softly, as he led the way into the medium sized living room that was full of pillows of varying sizes, colors and shapes which seemed to replace the usual couches and chairs one normally found. Jake simply smiled and drew him down into the pillow collection for a kiss even more heated than before. "That I can definitely do." Jake purred. "I thought so." Javrin rumbled back, as he let Jake take the lead. He figured his experience would show less that way, and besides he was curious to see what Jake considered slow and gentle. It began with just those kisses; slow and passionate with gentle hands that explored without any real attempt to remove their clothing. Javrin lets his own hands explore similarly, though they were less sure in their movements than Jake's. It was not something that seemed to bother the cinnamon tom. "It is your timing, Javrin." Jake purred against his neck, his arousal clear against the younger tom's body as well as in his nose. "I will go no further than you tell, or show, me to." Javrin thought about it for a short while, and realized just how far out of his depth he was. He sighed quietly, and then claimed another kiss. "I was hoping you could show me what it can be like when it's good between two toms." Javrin asked softly. "My last experience isn't something I want to repeat." He murmured. "And I trust you." He said with far more certainty than anything else he'd said as Jake looked down at him. "All right," he finally accepted with a soft sound and another kiss. "Ready to show a little fur?" "That far I can certainly handle." He grinned playfully up at the older tom, as he moved to take his shirt off and found the motions mirrored as perfectly as their different clothing would allow to show off well-groomed cinnamon fur covering a tightly muscled body that saw as many workouts in combat as in the gym or training grounds. "You are a very handsome kat," Jake purred as he kissed his way down the lean, well-muscled chest covered by dense, soft grey fur. "You saw a lot of combat, didn't you?" Javrin commented as he admired the lean, cinnamon kat. "And you're very handsome yourself." He rumbled, as he reached one had down to gently caress one of Jake's ears. "You could say that," he admitted quietly and worked his way down to one of the dark gray nipples that peaked out from Javrin's soft fur. Javrin's purr deepened at the attention, and he shuddered lightly in anticipation of the touch and gentle tongue that swirled around the soft skin until it was a hard pebble in Jake's mouth and lavished with even more attention. He shuddered and moaned softly and tried to touch Jake's shoulders and ears with a matching gentleness as the cinnamon tom worked his way lower until the kisses were halted by Javrin's belt. "May I?" He purred softly, looking up from just over the gray tom's crotch with a hunger that was undeniable, and just as tightly held in check. While he could barely nod, it was enough for Jake to open the younger tom's belt and pants and work them down, kissing along Javrin's thighs and calves as he moved. With the fit gray body on display under him Jake smiled and stood to give his playmate a good view of his own body being revealed. "You will be a delight to enjoy," Jake rumbled as he lowered himself for another heated kiss, this time complete with the pleasurable friction of two naked bodies rubbing together. "Mmmm, you are very handsome." He didn't know what else to say. His hands moved along Jake's flanks, unsure of what to do but enjoying the touch all the same. Jake broke it off and kissed his way back down the downy-soft chest until he could ghost a breath over the half-erect cock. He turned his attention to the balls in his hand, working one, then the other with his mouth and tongue until Javrin squirmed with pleasure and arousal was the only scent in Jake's nose. Only then did he move up Javrin's body again, rumbling when the hard length of flesh that tasted of the essence he'd been smelling for hours slid into his mouth and down his throat with practiced ease. His rumble increased and worked up to his throat as he went down on Javrin, intent on bringing him off as quickly and intensely as he could. It wasn't a difficult feat, or one that took long. Jake murred and began to hum as the body under him tightened and the sounds of pleasure shifted to whimpers of the same. Even when Javrin's self-control slipped and he started to thrust into Jake's mouth, Jake took it easily and worked the cock with his throat and tongue mercilessly until Javrin roared and threw his head back with the first heavy spurt of come that shot down Jake's throat. All through the whimpers and cries of raw pleasure Jake continued to suckle and lick and fondle until Javrin was well and truly spent. Only then did he let him slide from his mouth and slid up the panting tom's body for a heated kiss. "Oh wow." Javrin rumbled, recovering quickly. "You are incredible." He added, claiming another kiss as he hands resumed exploring Jake's body, clearly feeling a little more confident. "I'm just getting started," he chuckled and reached down to gently encourage Javrin to hardness again. "Think you're up for something a little more advanced?" "Most likely." He rumbled excitedly. He gasped as Jake stretched out and rubbed their cocks against each other, then lifted himself upright to straddle his playmate. He looked down at the gray tom with a smile and reached back to guide Javrin's cock against his ass, then into it with a single slide and moan of pleasure. Javrin squeezed his eyes closed, overwhelmed by the intensity of pleasure in that tight heat for a moment. When he opened them Jake's expression matched the ecstasy Javrin felt from him. Without even thinking about it, Jake was making an erotic display of slowly moving up and down the hard length deep inside him. It took what little control Javrin had left to keep from coming almost immediately from intensity of the display, as well as from the sensation of being engulfed in Jake's body. Slowly Javrin began to move in rhythm with the cinnamon tom so that he was thrusting up as Jake was moving down. "Oh, yeah," Jake rumbled as he brought his muzzle down a bit to watch Javrin's face. "Touch me, handsome." Javrin reached his hands up and began to gently explore Jake's chest and abs, spending more time rubbing and caressing the lean tom's nipples through his soft fur. The expression on Javrin's face was a mixture of ecstasy and surprise, probably surprise that things could feel as good as they did. Jake's breath hitched before he moaned deeply and gently guided one of Javrin's hands to curl around his cock to stroke it. The instruction was taken easily and Jake shuddered again and his head fell back. "Come with me," he whispered as his body tightened around Javrin's and the first powerful spurt of pearly come arched from him to splatter across Javrin's chest. Letting go of what little control he had left, Javrin shot his seed deep into Jake's body with the first powerful spurt. Even as the spasms shot his seed into Jake, he continued stroking Jake's cock until the cinnamon tom's last drop was drained and they were both panting and spent. "So," Jake smiled and slid forward to lie next to Javrin and drew him into a loose embrace and kiss. "A good reintroduction to guys?" "Good would be an understatement." Javrin murmured with a slightly loopy grin. "Incredible would be more like it." "Aw, we'll see if that assessment holds after you've had a little attention from others." He chuckled and nuzzled his playmate. "But I'm glad you enjoyed it. Sex is supposed to be good for everybody." "You certainly make sure that's true." he grinned and nuzzled Jake back. "Hey buddy!" Jake called out to his partner as he came inside to check their workload after parking his motorcycle. "Morning, Jake!" Chance's voice boomed from underneath the SUV he was working on. "So did you have as much fun as I managed?" He ginned and reached down to cop a feel before moving to the work list. "You managed fun, huh?" Chance teased playfully. "He's not all seriousness then I guess." He snickered. "As for my fun, well we only had her neighbors complaining about the noise a few times." "Only a few?" Jake laughed easily. "You must be slipping." "That was just after we got to her place." he smirked. "We started the evening at really wild party a friend of hers was holding. And I do mean wild." "Sounds like you didn't miss me," he grinned at him. "I think mine would have been permanently freaked if you'd joined us." "Of course, I missed you." Chance grinned back. "You and her would've been a perfect evening." He rumbled lustily. "Your friend wasn't interested in a threesome, huh?" He asked with a curious wink. "Did you ask?" He chuckled. "It came up," Jake shook his head with a slightly bemused expression. "But more my assessment that you are not the best choice for a first time." He leaned back against a tool bench. "That was a seriously weird moment considering how hot he was all through dinner." "His first time?" Chance blinked in surprise. "Odd he didn't seem quite that innocent, usually it shows." "Innocent he is not," he grumbled. "As he put it, it'd been a very long time, and the guy wasn't nice. No one, girl or guy, had ever even tried to make him feel good. That showed." Jake sighed a bit. "Which makes it even more amazing he invited me home, really." "Sounds like he had a bad run of losers." Chance shook his head sympathetically. "Which is a shame since he seems like a nice guy, if overly serious." He added with a teasing wink. "Sounds like he'd gotten far enough from the last jerk to try again, or something." "Oh, he looses that seriousness when the clothes come off," Jake chuckled easily. "I think he'll find you interesting when he's a little more sure of himself. You are not beginner's material, you know." "Depends on the beginner," Chance smirked playfully. "But beginner's with bad previous experiences, probably not. I'm just a little too enthusiastic." He grinned broadly. "He's definitely cute though. Like you, only in a different color. You don't see too many of that blue-grey shade around." "No you don't, and he looks very good with pearls all down his chest." He rumbled and turned to get a pair over coveralls so he could help with the workload. "Damn that's a hot thought." Chance rumbled lustily, as he turned back to focusing on a stubborn bolt. "Think you'll be seeing him again?" He asked curiously. "This weekend," he chuckled and flicked his tail invitingly. "And there are much hotter thoughts I could tell you." "Keep that up and we won't get any work done." Chance rumbled playfully as he stopped working on the bolt to watch his partner and caught and even more provocative sway of his hips. "And maybe I'd rather be very well laid by an experienced tom right now." Jake licked his whiskers and looked over his shoulder invitingly. "The day is young, you know." "Well, I think I can handle that request." The burly tabby rumbled, as he got out from under the vehicle he was repairing. "So, shall we take it inside?" He purred deeply, as he came up close behind his partner. Yes," he murred and pressed back against the powerful chest before heading towards their living quarters. "So, Javrin," Abi Sinian smiled at her aid as he ate a quick lunch break. "Am I imagining things, or do you have something going on with Jake Clawson?" He blushed lightly, at the unexpected comment, since he hadn't figured anyone had noticed. "I've been seeing him for awhile, yes." He admitted quietly, and there was a slightly bemused grin on his face. "And he's been treating you well?" She smiled a little more warmly. "Yes, he has." he grinned. "He's too much a good Kat not to." He added with sincere affection. "Good," she relaxed a bit. "Think it's anything serious? I've heard he's very tight with his partner." "They're not monogamous." Javrin said simply. "I guess it's just best friends who play together." He added thoughtfully. "As for serious, I don't know. I like him a great deal, but it's only been a month." He said softly. "Guess it comes down to, I'm not sure I'd know serious until it ran me over. Jake's the first person I've dated for this long." "I have noticed that," she nodded and walked over to squeeze his shoulder. "It's good for you to get out a bit. If you want to talk about something, I'm available." She added almost maternally. "Thanks, Dr. Sinian." he smiled appreciatively. "Nice thing is, he's someone I can actually talk to. He's probably about the smartest Kat I've ever known." "So I've noticed," she nodded easily. "It's odd that he's doing mechanic's work with all he could do well at." "That's what I thought." Javrin agreed. "I think it's connected to him and Chance getting booted from the Enforcers, but it's a sensitive subject so I don't push." "Mmmm, yes," she agreed and continued into the workspace. "I can't imagine that went over well for either of them." "No it didn't." He nodded, as he finished his lunch. "But I think the city lost as much in that fit of mismanagement as they did." He grumbled quietly. "It wasn't the first time, and it's unlikely to be the last," she shook her head with a sigh. "Just look how he handles the SWAT Kats. They are the best thing that's happened to this city in years." "His response to SWAT looks like unrestrained territorial behavior, pretty much." He said thoughtfully. "They're inescapable proof that his Enforcers can't handle everything, no matter what he claims." The grey tom added quietly. "And there's more than a few of his officers who think he ought to be finding a way to make SWAT official, instead of harassing them." "I'm not surprised," she nodded a bit. "I bet quite a few of them think those two are former Enforcers anyway. Or they are official, just not officially." Abi added with a bit of a chuckle. "It'd hardly be the first black project that was in the public eye before it was admitted to." "I suppose that could be true, but it seems a strange way of doing things." He shook his head. "They do good for the city, what would be lost by admitting they are official, if they in fact are?" He asked curiously. It was questions like these that reminded Abi that her assistant wasn't native to MegaKat City even if he had no discernible accent. "Politics work in strange ways," she shook her head. "Black projects have their own laws too. There are a lot of reasons, very few make much sense to me." "Ah, politics." Javrin nodded sagely. "That seems to be the root of many problems." He snickered quietly. "Unfortunately, no one's figured out how to get rid of them," she chuckled in reply. "How's the translation going?" "Pretty good actually." The grey tom smiled. "The real trick was realizing that that odd recurring character was how they indicated a space between two words. Turns a run-on string of gibberish into something much easier to translate." He chuckled. "Well, assuming my hypothesis about it being a 'space' is correct." "If it works, use it." Abi chuckled and turned her attention to her own work. The last of the robot troopers fell to mini-rockets from Razor's Glovatrix, leaving the battered and scorched Kat surrounded by piles of scrap metal in every direction. Most of the scrap was from the robots the enemy had thrown at them after the TurboKat had been shot down by the swarm of drone fighters, but some of it was from the TurboKat itself. As he looked around, Razor could find no evidence of the large armored mothership that had dispensed all this destruction, but more importantly there was no sign of his burly partner, T-Bone. He drew in a deep breath to try and calm down a bit, then clicked the Glovatrix's comm. "T-Bone? You out there?" All that answered him was static, singularly uninformative static. The only good thing was that he knew that the Enforcers were tied up dealing with a more mundane crisis on the far side of the city. He and T-Bone had been responding to that crisis when the black armored mothership had appeared out of a crackle of blue energy and opened fire on them. On an instinctive level, it had felt very much like an ambush. Not that it had mattered, or would it have been the first time. He shivered to work some of the tension from his body and set the Glovatrix to track its companion. The negative lock created a rock in his gut. T-Bone's Glovatrix was either destroyed, or out of range already, which meant the tabby was on that mothership. It barely mattered if it was his idea or he was captured, that was a very bad thing. As Razor considered the battlefield, he noticed a strange insignia that appeared on all of the robots. It seemed familiar though he couldn't place it at first, and then he realized where he'd seen it before. Part of the insignia appeared on an engraved crest that adorned the highly decorative box sitting so prominently on the mantle of Javrin's apartment. The box that called to him in the way unique pieces of working technology tended to. "Well," he rumbled and broke off a piece of metal with the insignia. It gave him something to focus on what he needed to do instead of the increasing level of panic in his gut. "Let's see what you know about that little box." He muttered as a plan began to form that gave away the fewest number of details as possible while still getting what he needed while he made as much of a systematic search of the battlefield as he could for his partner's body or evidence it wasn't here. Javrin's latest, largely unsuccessful, attempt to meditate was interrupted by a heavy knock on the door. Despite the extra emotion and urgency behind it, he had no doubts it was Jake. Still dressed in his martial arts uniform, Javrin forced an outward calm on himself as he opened the door. "Jake, come on in." He said opening the door all the way. "Is something wrong?" He asked, focusing on Jake's problems instead of his own and found the kat's physical condition a very good place to start. Despite a clear effort to clean himself up, not all the singed fur or battered muscles could be hidden. "Have you caught the news?" Jake asked quietly. "The giant armored craft attacking the city?" Javrin murmured quietly. "No need for the news, I saw it." He shuddered. "News is still sketchy on what happened, since the news crews were tied up at the PumaDyne R&D facility. Seems Dark Kat chose the same time to attack PumaDyne, as the armored craft did to attack the city." "Well, the cleanup crews have started dumping things at the Yard already, and that second attack had this insignia all over the remains." He showed him the piece of metal and it's insignia. "Interesting design." Javrin muttered non-committally, though he was curious why Jake was asking him. It seemed strange that he'd be running his own investigation. "Looks like a military insignia, probably like finding the MegaKat City flag on all the Enforcer uniforms." "Yes," Jake nodded, then paused for a moment to see if Javrin would be any more forthcoming. "It also matches something you own." He pointed out and walked to the mantle to pick up the ornate box that had always been there and tapped the engraving. His hand, however, stopped short of the box as though a short-range force field surrounded the box and kept it on the mantle. It was enough to make him very curious what was in it and where it, and it's owner, were really from. "Yes, there are some elements in common between the two designs." Javrin allowed uneasily. "This isn't just idle curiosity, is it?" He asked bluntly. "What's really going on, Jake? I may not understand everything about city politics, but I'm sure the salvage yard does not normally run investigations." "No, we don't." Jake split his focus between the force field surrounded box and his new boyfriend, torn about what to address first. "But I'm still loyal to this city no matter how badly it's treated me." His face hardened a bit as he shifted to face Javrin directly. "Which means that I'll turn in a collaborator as fast as anyone still in uniform. I'm giving you a chance to explain first." "Collaborator?" Javrin shook his head sadly, and sat down on a pile of pillows. "The insignia's are different for a reason. They represent two sides of a very bitter conflict. A conflict I haven't been involved with in over eight years." "Well it's here now," Jake said more gently. "And anything you can tell us is going to be useful." "They won't be back." Javrin said quietly. "That was just a raid. They were after something specific, and obviously they got it. The energy and difficulty involved in getting here makes invasion costly and occupation an administrative nightmare. And to be honest, there's nothing here that would be worth the cost of that kind of operation." He said quietly, and then something clicked. "But I think they do have a collaborator here, and he was here long before I was if the stories I've heard are true." By then Jake wasn't listening though. He couldn't stop the sick tremble that hit him harder than anything in the battle or even after it. "Where are they from?" He demanded with what was nearly as snarl. "Without more information I can't be sure exactly which planet, but their territory is in the Draconis arm of the Paracelsus galaxy." He said quietly, reflexively edging away from Jake. "And I know that your astronomers haven't identified Paracelsus yet." He added softly, fear beginning to show in his eyes. "And you?" He stepped forward to close the distance again, though it wasn't meant as the intimidation factor it was coming across as. "I can't find Paracelsus from here either, but I was never trained as an astronomer or astrogator back home." Javrin admitted miserably, as he started to curl up in a corner. He'd thought Jake was different, but he was turning out like everyone else Javrin had ever let close. Another step and Jake found himself rebuffed by an invisible field around the gray tom. He took a couple breaths to try to settle down. "Are you sure?" He asked much more softly, though he was no less desperate for an answer. "Those ... what they got was my partner." "Chance?" Javrin blinked in surprise and got a nod in reply. "Jake, honestly, just how good a pilot is he?" He asked quietly, thinking he might have an idea what was going on. "Unnaturally good," he admitted without exaggerating. "He can make a jet do things physics won't." "Not unnatural, just using rules of nature you aren't familiar with." Javrin said quietly as the box flew across the room and landed in his hand and Jake's eyes went a bit wide. "I don't have the training to be sure, but I'm guessing he was a Force-sensitive pilot. It's not an uncommon combination back home." "Which is where he's headed now." Jake's gut ran cold. "That would be my guess." Javrin nodded. "Probably to the stronghold of one of the Sith Lords. I'm guessing that Dark Kat set things up on this end." "Which means the only clue to where I have to go will be with him." Jake nodded grimly. "And probably the only real chance at a ship too." "Actually, what you need is probably near where you were ambushed." Javrin said, as he looked at the box as if trying to make some important decision. "To move something as big as a behemoth, it would have to be. And it won't be movable for several days at least." "Okay ..." Jake looked at him and quickly decided that he needed Javrin's help a lot more than he needed to keep a secret that the gray tom had already apparently figured out. "What is 'it'?" "It's a Tesseract Field Generator." Javrin said simply. "It creates the bridge between 'here' and 'there', and it's powered by an antimatter generator. If I had to guess, I'd say it's probably on board a shuttle in a bunker below ground. A shuttle would be small enough for the TFG to move here without a receiving station." "Which still means breaking into a DK base, but not as bad," he paused to consider Javrin. "Any idea how to operate one of those things, or how to get a shuttle back here?" "I know the general principle, assuming they haven't changed the design in the last decade." Javrin sighed. "I was even a decent slipstream pilot. As for how to move the shuttle, it flies. Probably a bit over-responsive if you're not used to anti-grav craft. Problem is, the TFG needs two or three local days before it's safe to move after it's used in bridge mode." "Move as in locally, or move as in taking it threw its own bridge?" He worked up as many scenarios as he could. "Move as in either." Javrin said firmly. "Move it before it's fully discharged and you risk the tesseract field leaking into the local surroundings. You could end up with some very distorted local topography at least in the short term." He shook his head and Jake grimaced. "Things like walking out of your bedroom and finding yourself in Commander Feral's office, for example." "And just after it's discharged it'll probably be out of here." Jake grumbled unhappily. "This is so not going to be fun." He ran a hand threw his hair and paced slowly as he worked over the very few options he had. Javrin was silent for a brief moment before finally coming to a decision. "Assuming you'll trust me, I can help you with this. I might be an archaeologist now, but I was trained as a warrior first." He offered uncertainly. "And I'm even a decent thief, if such skills should be needed." He smirked. The words took Jake off guard, even before their content sunk in. He blinked at Javrin a couple times, and nodded. "Thank you." He accepted the offer without any real hesitation. "I'm not sure which will be of more use, but short of taking the base, it's going to be a very unpleasant couple days in there." "Fighting the Sith is always unpleasant." Javrin said simply. "But there are few options as far as getting from 'here' to 'there'. Trust me, I've been considering them for the last eight years." He shook his head. "Problem is that even if I had full technical specs on a TFG, the technology of this world won't support building one for at least another century, probably longer." He said as he opened the box, revealing two shiny metal rods about nine inches long. Both had the appearance of being carved and it was clear they were polished and cleaned often, if not daily. "The first sword you trained with." Jake barely had to guess and was far to wound up to care how he knew what the objects were without even having a name for them. "Which still brings us back to getting the one that is here now, or pray that you are very wrong about the technology level available to me." "My Master's lightsaber, and the one he made for me." Javrin nodded. "As for getting the shuttle that is here...we would first need to find the entrance to where it is being kept. How long has it been since you were attacked by the behemoth?" He asked thoughtfully. Jake glanced at his watch and began to feel the weight of the hours of battle and searching. "Nine hours." "So we've got at least thirty-nine hours before the shuttle can be moved. If Dark Kat thinks that no one knows about the TFG, he may not be guarding it all that carefully." Javrin said thoughtfully, trying to remember how his Master had planned such things. "After all, there are probably only three people on the planet who know that a TFG was involved and he doesn't know about two of them." He smiled. "And whatever security whoever sent it here has for it," Jake added and rubbed his temples. "Not that either means a lot with DK. Getting into his base is always the easy part. It's finding it and getting out alive that's the trick." "Finding it won't be hard." Javrin said thoughtfully. "It's having to hold the shuttle until we can safely move it that will be." The grey tom said quietly. "And you look like you could use a hot shower, a meal and some sleep." The younger Kat said seriously. "You know something about finding this door I don't?" Jake looked at him curiously as he tried to think how it could possibly be easy to find one of Dark Kat's bases. "Pain killers would be a plus too." "It's related to how I do this." He said as a quartet of pillows floated up from the floor on the far side of the room and began spinning in a precise pinwheel pattern to his friend's deepening frown. "How strong do you need the painkillers to be?" Javrin asked casually, as he considered potential sources and received another blank look for it. "Over the counter's fine," Jake chuckled after a bit and tried to stretch abused and stiff muscles. "I just took a beating in that fight." "Those I've got." Javrin smiled. "Those followed by a hot shower should help relax that stiffness." He added. "Be back with the painkillers in a moment." The grey tom said as he ducked into the back room. Jake shook his head in bemusement and followed much more slowly while he considered what he now knew about his boyfriend. He had to admit; confessing to be a likely Omega class warrior was a hell of a show of trust. And as much as it rankled to sleep and all the rest that Javrin insisted on, it was a good idea. It wasn't as if he had much he could do without a little more help from the gray tom. His instincts had never led him wrong about whether or not to trust someone, and he wasn't going to go against them now, no matter how much he hated the idea. He just hoped that Javrin had a way to help him sleep in that bag of tricks. "Here you go." The grey tom said as he handed Jake a glass of water and four tablets. "Normal dose is two, but I know four is safe and works better for serious muscle pain." "Thanks," he downed with without bothering with the water, but after the pills were gone, his throat informed him that the water would be good anyway and for once he didn't argue with it. "You're welcome, now for the hot shower." Javrin smiled. "And I know you know where that is." He smirked. "I wouldn't mind an extra set of hands for my back," Jake smiled back even as he walked to the backroom, and for once, sex really was not on his mind. "I'm not surprised." Javrin agreed easily, as he followed Jake into the bathroom. "You move like you really took a beating." He added sympathetically. "Worst one I can remember outside of a bar fight I started way back before collage." He turned on the water to nearly it's hottest and stripped down painfully to reveal that the previously visible and carefully cleaned scorched fur were not the only burns he'd suffered, only the ones he'd taken much care with. "And back before I had any kind of combat training." The movements left little doubt in Javrin's mind that Jake was likely black and blue under his fur already, a condition that would get worse in the next couple days. He was even more disturbed that under the rain of water, a few trickles of red among the cinnamon strands marked wounds that movement and hot water reopened. Trickles that Jake didn't seem the least bit concerned about as he closed his eyes and tried to relax his objecting body so the heat could do its job. "It's a good thing we have time." Javrin said quietly, as he helped gently clean the burns and wounds that Jake hadn't tended previously. What he knew of first aid said that Jake needed more down time then he'd probably give himself. The kat could probably use a good doctor, but that was even less likely to happen. "Thanks," Jake murmured as his eyes began to slip closed in a mixture of relief at the lessening pain and appreciation of the gentle touch of his companion. It wasn't quite like having Chance mother-hen him, but it was enough to make him realize just how much he appreciated, and desired, someone that cared enough to take care of him despite his occasionally suicidal risks for the city. "You're welcome." The grey tom said quietly, clearly more than happy to take care of Jake. "Lets get you dried off." He directed gently, shifting the shower to a gentle rush of warm air jets while he used hands and a soft towel to carefully work the water out of Jake's fur. He wasn't sure whether he could be grateful or concerned that Jake was being very compliant. "I don't suppose you know how to put me to sleep in that bag of tricks?" Jake's voice was low and a little slurred. "No, but I have some prescription grade sleep aids that'll do the trick." Javrin chuckled quietly, wishing that he was half the medic his Master had been. "But let's get you lying down first." "That'll do," he accepted in a completely out of character willingness to be drugged. A small part of him that was still capable of thinking wondered why he was so trusting, especially with Chance missing. It wasn't something that lasted long after Javrin helped him into the soft bed and gave him something liquid to swallow. Javrin gently pulled some warm blankets over Jake, and settled into the 'protectors' vigil' mode that he'd done often on the streets when he was young. Even before his Master had taken him in, he'd been the one to look after others when they were hurt or sick. He tried to enter the calm state of meditative watchfulness that he'd been taught but his mind refused to be quiet. He had no reservations about helping Jake, though helping Jake meant returning home and returning home meant facing the Council. The grey tom was very uneasy about facing them and reporting his Master's death. But the fact was that their best course of action to find Chance was to speak with the Council, since the Council had far greater resources especially when there was one of the Sith involved. The Sith, even thinking about them, unnerved Javrin more than he like to admit. His last fight against them had ended with his Master dead, and him stranded on an alien world. What he hadn't told Jake and what worried him the most was that either Dark Kat was one of the Sith, or that his ally among them had left behind a Dark Force warrior to protect the Generator. Javrin sighed, he knew that he should be controlling his fear and not the other way around. But that was a lesson he hadn't yet mastered when his Master died, and it was difficult to learn on his own. Javrin much preferred battles against outside enemies, because he knew how to fight those. Slowly he moved into the movements of one of the more difficult Kendo katas, hoping that stringent demands of the form would help clear his mind. Jake groaned as his abused body objected to straddling his motorcycle despite the top-grade painkillers in his system. Javrin got on behind Jake, holding onto the bike so as to not put any unnecessary demands on Jake's injured body. He had packed a number of things he expected to need into a small backpack before they headed out. It could well be a long time before they got back. The trip out to the salvage yard was in silence and gave much less indication of Jake's condition if you weren't right behind him and could feel the way his breath caught periodically on a sharp turn. Javrin could also feel the increased tension, and sense of purpose, that came to Jake as they neared his home and pulled into the huge chunk of real-estate and the extensive pile of broken machines that had been dumped while he'd been gone. Javrin's quick eyes spotted pieces of the TurboKat in the salvage yard wreckage along with pieces of the destroyed Sith robots. But he didn't need his eyes to know the robots were there, as the Dark Force that had briefly been imbued in them was a presence he could feel in the Force. He blinked as he realized that the dark signature wasn't the only one there. The bits of the TurboKat, and pieces that were less identifiable, resonated deeply with the Force. Not dark, but not exactly light either. Force bent towards a manipulative purpose that had little innate nature beyond what had rubbed off after years spent with an intensely good kat. "That explains a lot." Javrin murmured quietly, mostly to himself. SWAT being a team of force-sensitives, even if untrained and unaware, explained why they succeeded against staggering odds. It also added an element of additional risk to going up against the Sith; they would be far too eager to get their hands on technologically oriented force-sensitive. "Explains what?" Jake glanced over his shoulder after he cut the engine on his bike. "Explains why SWAT was so successful." Javrin smiled as they got off the bike and headed inside. "A Force-sensitive combat team, even without training, has a powerful ally." He chuckled. "Force-sensitive?" Jake frowned at him and opened the door to the waiting room. "You're going to have to explain this better at some point soon." He added after a glance at the answering machine and noted that there were no messages with a mixture of relief and regret. "Agreed, but it's not a simple topic so probably better to explain it when we have more time." Javrin nodded, as he followed Jake inside and was led towards the back and a hidden room with an equally hidden hatch that led to a ladder down. All of it protected by Jake's handiwork, something Javrin found both fascinating and a little disturbing. The level of paranoia it represented was not healthy. Perhaps not healthy, but given the unfathomable attitude of Commander Feral, it was both necessary and understandable. It reminded Javrin of worlds where being discovered as a Jedi was quite hazardous to ones health. He blinked a couple times as eyes adjusted to the dimmer light of what could only been described as a hanger, vehicle R&D lab, commander center and training zone all wrapped into one. They were immediately drawn to the huge hole where he was sure the TurboKat normally sat. "Come on," Jake motioned to him to follow the lean tom into the depths of the base. Javrin followed in silence, amazed that two Kats even Force-sensitive ones, had mention to construct a facility of this magnitude without anyone being aware of it. Of course, it was possible that the hanger had already been here, though that begged the question of who would put an underground hanger under a salvage yard. Or a salvage yard on top of an underground base. His attention was then drawn to Jake, and the heavy security on the room they were about to enter. The door didn't even have to open fully before he realized why. This was their armory. One look around reinforced Javrin's belief that Feral had been a fool to lose this kind of talent. But such foolishness was hardly unique, as leaders more interested in hierarchy than results seemed to be a feature of the universe; even the Jedi had their share of them. "Take anything you think might be useful," Jake instructed quietly as he began collecting his choice of gear, a much more potent selection than he normally used, but still lightweight. "Body armor is in that locker," he waved in the generally direction of a closed set of metal doors. "Thank you, but I don't use armor." He said simply, as he quickly changed from MegaKat City Street clothes to the robes he had brought with him. Brown in color and lightweight in material they seemed to be designed for maximum speed and agility in combat. The statement earned him a displeased look, but no actual argument as Jake pulled out what looked like a nearly-normal SWAT uniform, though it was a bit more stiff where the body didn't bend. "Are you going to use anything but that energy-sword?" He asked evenly as he suited up. "To be honest, I've never actually used anything else." He admitted a little sheepishly. "You ... it's enough to go into a high-tech fight we're facing?" Razor asked, more concerned than disbelieving. "Jedi knights have been going into battle for millennia with nothing more." Javrin nodded. "And we've been a high-tech society for most of that." He explained. "If you had a combat simulator, I could show you what I mean." "We do," he nodded, but turned to dig a slender bracer from the equipment on packed shelves instead. "Just humor me?" He offered it. "Comm, tracking, a small personal shield, cutting laser and a few other tools." "Very well." Javrin nodded easily, putting the bracer on under the sleeve of his robes. "Though a cutting laser is very redundant. There are few materials that a lightsaber will not cut." He smiled in quiet amusement. "I didn't build it knowing those things existed," Razor pointed out, then pulled Javrin close and kissed him with all the fear in him turned to fire. "I've lost one partner today, Javrin." He murmured and rested his forehead against Javrin's. "Don't make it two." "Sorry, I was trying, unsuccessfully, to lighten the mood." He admitted softly. "And I do understand. The last mission I was on, I lost my Master, who was family, teacher and best friend all in one." He said softly, putting his arms around Razor. "Sorry," he tried to chuckle. "Humor isn't my best subject. Can you fly a helicopter?" "Not mine either, as I just demonstrated." Javrin shook his head. "And I've yet to find something I can't fly. It all comes quite naturally, though back home the helicopter is something you only find in an aviation museum." "There's a jet too," Razor chuckled and guided him into the hallway again. "The HoverKat, Thunder Tuck and Cyclotrons too for that matter. I just figured the ChopKat would be the best choice. It's easiest to send home." "A reasonable choice then." Javrin nodded. "It has taken some getting used to, having technology I grew up with be non-existent and tech I'm used to seeing in museums be commonplace." He smiled weakly. "I know," Razor nodded. "Try getting dropped into the Middle Ages, or the time of the dinosaurs." He added with a bit of a smirk and led the way to the helicopter that was all sharp angles and SWAT Kat design. "I can fly, I was just wondering if you were any good at it, since you mentioned being a pilot back home." "I'm acceptable, though I have little experience." Javrin admitted and climbed in the passenger side of the chopper. "I'm better with starships." "Afraid those are in very short supply around here." Razor sighed as he ran the pre-flight check and powered up the ChopKat. "I know, I've been looking for one for eight years." Javrin agreed easily. "Almost got myself admitted to a psych ward when I walked into the airport and asked where the shuttle to the starport left from." Razor couldn't help but snicker as the roof opened above them and they lifted off. "I can only imagine. Not a normal question around here." "It was an educational few months to say the least." Javrin said thoughtfully. "Kind of like the last month or so." He smiled fondly at Razor. "But not as much fun." "Thanks," he reached one hand over to squeeze Javrin's lightly. "How close can you get us to that door before I land?" "Depends, I won't really know till we're fairly close to the battlefield. And I might not get us the door necessarily. It could just as easily be an air vent or some other access point." He explained. "That'd be better, actually." He chuckled softly as they swept over the terrain towards the warehouse district that was still smoldering. Javrin closed his eyes and began to reach out with his other senses, looking for the traces of Darkness that would mark the shuttle's location. It was difficult, but finding what could not be seen was something he'd done instinctively without training. Suddenly he had a flash of blood and bone in large quantities. "Look for a meat packaging facility." He instructed quietly. Razor nodded and brought up a map of the city. Three locations flashed at them. "Start with the closest one to the battle, or another?" "Closest one to where we are now." Javrin said easily and Razor nodded again before swinging them to one side and landing in the parking lot outside an abandoned plant. "Open search or can you lead the way?" "There's an access hatch in the basement." Javrin explained as he got out. "They needed it to get to the communications relay on the roof." "All right," he stepped out of the ChopKat to study the building before moving in as the helicopter took off. The building was four stories high and seemed reasonably undamaged by the fighting, which is more than could be said for several of its neighbors. Inside it was what it appeared to be, a meat packing plant though it was currently idle. Through rows of hanging carcasses, a door labeled 'basement' could be seen. The entire situation was enough to give Razor the creeps, but he glanced at Javrin for place the gray tom and checked the door to see if he'd have to pick or disarm it. It locked, and closer examination determined that the normal keylock had been replaced by a thumbprint scanner concealed in what appeared to be a non-functional light switch next to the door. "Great," Razor muttered to himself and made quick work of bypassing the security system to open the door and made a quick visual scan beyond it for targets before motioning Javrin to follow him. Javrin nodded and followed Jake down the dark, confining stairs into the basement. As they reached the bottom, he had a sudden sense of something dark and malevolent waiting below. "Watchdog." He whispered softly to Jake. "Big one." He added as the reached the base of the stairs in darkened basement. Razor nodded and flicked his visor to infrared and prepped a trank dart for it in his Glovatrix. The signature on infrared looked very familiar, assuming you accepted a creepling that was about Jake's height with Chance's burly build. And the malevolent red eyes that glowed in the dark were a new touch as well. It all added up to a new critter, one that got a trank dart square in the chest with enough drugs to drop a dinosaur. "Dark Force manipulated." Javrin commented after taking a look at the strange creature collapsed on the floor. "Probably a gift from the Sith Lord." He added before looking around carefully. "Access hatch is in the boiler room. That way." He said pointing toward the far door. "You are going to have to tell me how you do that." Razor shook his head in a bit of frustrated amusement as he headed where Javrin indicated, careful for more guards and traps along the way. "When we're not pressed for time." Javrin nodded as he followed Razor through the door, once the cinnamon tom had bypassed another security system. Inside was the boiler room which seemed normal enough, except that it wasn't uncomfortably hot, the way one would expect a boiler room to be. "Door to the hanger is here." The grey tom told Razor quietly, indicating a plate on the side of the boiler. Another security system, this one handled with more care for the heat, and the plate slid aside to show them a passage leading downward into the darkness. Razor took a breath and moved forward, careful for traps in the darkness that even his visor HUD might have trouble finding. The passage opened into a large reinforced concrete bunker contained a large, bulky looking craft about the size of four large tour busses, which was connected by a large number of cables and hoses to the walls of the bunker. There was a constant throbbing hum that sounded like a large engine idling which filled the room. Before Razor had fully taken in the room and ship, a turret dropped down from the underside of the shuttle and opened fire. In an instant, Javrin was in front of Razor deflecting the bright green blaster bolts with the glowing gold energy blade of his lightsaber. The SWAT Kat didn't think, he rolled and fired a mini-missile dead on target. The mini-missile impacted and exploded on an invisible shield that seemed to surround the shuttle. "They've put the particle shields up." Javrin explained. "You'll need an energy weapon or a projectile moving slower than most slugthrowers." "Fine," he muttered and dove out of the way of another series of blasts, trying to make it as easy on Javrin to protect them while still doing his best not to need protecting as a small crossbow snapped into form from his Glovatrix and was fired. A fraction of a second after it lodged in the side of the turret, both exploded from the charge in the bolt. "Nice." Javrin smiled as he switched off the lightsaber. "I think that was an automated defense system. Entry hatch is there." He said pointed to a door on the side of the ship just beyond the smoking turret and followed Razor in. "Nice work yourself," Razor nodded in fresh appreciation of how combat-capable his companion was. "The TFG will be back near the engine compartment." Javrin said quietly, as they entered the ship. "Which should be that way." The grey tom added as they moved through the ship, that while high-tech beyond anything Razor had see, looked like it had been in service for decades. "Can you tell how long we'll have to hold this thing before we can move it?" "Once we get to the Generator I'll be able to tell." Javrin nodded as they climbed up a ladder to the next deck. "Hopefully not too long." "Yeah," he nodded and followed the tom who had a clue about this place that made the inventor in Razor drool with the prospects of getting his paws on it with some time to look around. "Should be in here." Javrin said as he paused at a door, before opening it slowly to reveal a large piece of very complicated, high tech machinery sitting in the middle of the room with wire, cables and hoses coming out of it. "This is the TFG." The grey tom said as in walked up to the control console. "Looks like it should stabilize in about half an hour. Maybe we ought to go forward and check the command deck." "We need to clear the entire shuttle," Razor nodded. "Can you pull up a schematic of it from here?" "Yep." Javrin nodded, as he quickly brought up a 3D holographic schematic of the shuttle, about half of which was cargo hold and engine compartment. "From the command deck, the internal sensors will let us see if there's anyone on board." "Even better," he nodded and committed the schematic to memory. "Any reason not to take the direct route?" "We should go around the cargo hold, but otherwise I think the direct route works." Javrin nodded. "Good thing is, looks like she's fully fueled and in good working order." "Good," he nodded sharply. "Let's go." Chance's cell might have looked like a jail cell back home, but the manacles he was wearing definitely weren't. Though lighter than they looked, he knew from experience that they became binders at the touch of a button on any remote that most of the guards seemed to have. They also sent excruciating waves of pain searing through him if he got within a foot of the bars to his cell. Though no guards were currently visible, the array of security cameras made it quite clear that he was being closely watched. A couple of hours after his last examination by the ship's doctor, an insectoid about his height who reminded him uncomfortably of one of the cikata, the door to the cell block opened and a Coyote Kantin came in carrying a covered tray. He placed it on a shelf in the middle of the bars of the cell and it slid through the force field and then floated over to land on a shelf that slid out of the wall near the bunk. As the cover retracted Chance could see a large mug, a plate with something he didn't recognize but which smelled quite edible, and silverware. "Meal time, Stripes." The guard said loudly enough to make sure Chance would've heard him, even if asleep. As much as he liked the idea of being as difficult as possible, his stomach had other ideas at this point and he sat up on the bunk with only a little grumbling to eat what he was offered while he tried his best not to think about what could be in it besides food. "Don't worry, it ain't poisoned." The Coyote laughed easily. "Or drugged for that matter. Our employer wants you alive, and she's not one you cross, unless you have a death wish." "Sounds like the guys I've made a career of trouncing." The tabby almost smirked. As bad as this situation was, it was so far from as bad as he'd been in it was almost laughable. At least he was still on the same planet, same dimension, same time ... all that fun stuff that made it hell for Razor to find him wasn't a factor. "I doubt you've ever met anyone like her." He chuckled. "Your homeworld showed no signs of Sith presence." "And that's supposed to scare me?" Chance snorted. "There's always something nastier out there than what you've met." "Pretty much true." He nodded. "And no, I don't expect it to scare you. Your psych profile says you're way too stubborn to be scared by mere words." "So what's she want me for?" He asked almost casually between bites. "And does 'she' have a name." "Her name is Darth Keira, and as for what she wants you for, well I've been trying to figure that out myself." The Coyote said, leaning casually against a wall. "She went to a lot of expense and trouble, hiring one of the top hunter outfits in four galaxies to grab you from the far side of known space. And she paid that local contact, Dark Kat, pretty well for his help as well." That raised both Chance's eyebrow and his hatred on several levels all at once. "Well, it seems she has some respect for what she's after at least." He actually chuckled, more than a little amused by the amount of effort that had been described, even if he didn't believe most of it was true. "Assuming you got the right Kat, of course." "Oh, we did." The Coyote chuckled. "Compared your DNA to the sample Dark Kat provided before we left the battlefield. We don't make that kind of mistake." "If you trusted Dark Krud, you can," he smirked. "And if you don't know what else could go wrong, I'm not about to tell you." "Well, physical profile and the fact that you're the SWAT pilot also matches our the information that Keira provided on the target." Coyote shrugged. "And of course, other things can go wrong. We handle them. As for trusting Dark Kat, well he's got no reason to double-cross us. We're not interested in his territory, and he can't get to ours." Despite the words, Chance couldn't help the small, knowing smile that crossed his face. This Kantin was a real talker, and even more clueless than most. "As if he needed a reason to cross you." He chuckled softly. He couldn't help but be grateful he really was the target. It left Jake free and unaccounted for. A common mistake with a common result. "I take it weirdness isn't the norm where you're from?" Chance continued conversationally. "Weirdness is all relative." Coyote chuckled. "Heck, the drive system that got us to your world and back is just about solid weirdness. Most scientists can't even agree why it works. But after watching starfighters engaging in dogfights with witches on dragonback, not much seems seriously weird." "Who won?" Chance cocked his head, more than a little amused that he'd done that. "The witches, but it was a close fight." Coyote shook his head. "Idiot general forgot that the witches could cloud the pilots' minds. Even the best pilot can't fight effectively when he can't trust his senses." "Idiot generals are what usually loose battles," he chuckled a bit. "Best reason out there not to follow one." "That's why I'm a freelancer." The Coyote agreed with a grin. "It pays well, and I only have a very short chain of command to deal with." "So what's this Sith everybody's skittish about?" Chance asked in honest curiosity. "Aside from being highly skilled warriors, they command a power known as the 'Force' and there's not a lot of limits on what they can do with it." The mercenary explained. "Toss enemies around a room with a gesture, control minds and throw bolts of deadly lightning are just a few of their tricks. The lightsabers are nothing to sneer at either, they can deflect weapon fire or slice an enemy clean in half." "Nothing new there," he nodded thoughtfully; even if some was, it didn't sound all that unusual. "Nasty, but not that unusual." "They don't really come across properly in description." Coyote shrugged. "But your local fellow, Dark Kat, is a rank amateur when compared to one of the Sith." "He's neither a warrior or a mage-critter," he pointed out and leaned back. "But I agree with the amateur part when it comes to plotting." "No, he seems more like an inventor trying to play conqueror." Coyote chuckled. "And I doubt he'd know what to do with that city if he ever actually managed to gain control of it." "Probably not," he nodded. "So do you have a name, Coyote?" "Spartan." He said easily, figuring it was harmless enough. "How about you, Stripes?" "Chance," he replied with a very curious look. "You have a psych profile and not my name?" "I never actually saw the profile, but our data thief did." Spartan chuckled. "He told me you wouldn't believe the truth about the situation and that you were too stubborn to be scared." "I've been in worse," he shrugged. "And I'm still around." "I'm not surprised, since there's a lot of things worse than a jail cell where people have a vested interest in keeping you alive." Spartan grinned. "Jail cells were they don't care, for starters. I've seen a few of those." "Yeah, there are those," he nodded and relaxed on the bunk so he could watch Spartan. "And there's being stuck in another time or parallel dimension ... or getting turned into a frog." "So that's why there's Frog DNA in your profile." Spartan chuckled. "Now that is weird. And I've met a few planets that are as bad as a parallel dimension, and a few that seem to be another time." He shook his head. "Hephaestus 240 comes to mind. The planet has a permanent case of the Middle Ages, or at least the fantasy version. It's got knight, castles, dragons and all the rest. They also believe that anything more technological than basic mechanical devices is evil." "I know some folks who would love it," he chuckled a bit. "The difference with a whacked out planet is it's a hell of a lot easier to get off of it. You try getting home when you weren't the one who created the portal to a time before intelligent life. Then the time he dragged us to the future to fix his mess. Getting to watch yourself die before it happened was weird," he chuckled and shook his head. "Then there was Mutilor. He was actually kinda fun, even if it was seriously freaking everyone out when he stole our water. And the Amazon chick with tech Razor hadn't made work yet. Then there was that gadget that made all technology stop working. That was so not fun. Drove Razor nuts. At least it wasn't at the same time as the giant scorpions or volcano god showed up. Or when we were stuck in that alternate dimension where we were the bad guys or when Zed attacked." He grinned at the Coyote. "Yeah, that would be a bear." Spartan nodded, a touch surprised anyone had survived that much. "Think I'll stick with the marauding Ancient War Machines we have around here." "I hope you get the choice," he half smirked and winked. "That kind of thing tends to find me. That was just the highlights of our second year." "Considering you managed to attract Darth Keira's attention, I believe it." Spartan shook his head and tried not to think about what this creature was to have such a life and still be living it. That assumed, of course, that he was being told the truth. He'd worked with mercs long enough to know that most of them loved to spin a good yarn about their missions, hell he'd done it himself occasionally. But then again, it was a big universe and anything was possible. But still, he did not envy the feline ending up on the wrong end of Darth Keira's attentions. "So," Razor leaned back in the cockpit and watched foreign stars rush by in a brilliant display that on another occasion he'd be fascinated in. "What will they do with me?" "What will who do with you?" Javrin asked curiously, as he relaxed during real-space flight time. He'd forgotten how tiring slip-piloting could get, and this route was rarely used, so it was difficult. "Your friends," he inclined his head at the robes the Jedi were wearing. "You've got a war going. What happens to a Force sensitive who has no intention of joining their side?" "Actually, there are a lot of Force sensitives who aren't on either side." Javrin said simply. "Especially people who never discovered the talent until they were too old to begin the training. Both sides try to identify talented individuals when they're very young, but there's just too much space to cover." "Not a very effective way to wage a war," he frowned, uncertain whether they were really that weird, or if they just didn't like to tell the trainees the truth. "It's complicated." Javrin said quietly. "And the war isn't your typical war. Neither side can really win, because the whole has to remain in balance. Neither Light or Dark truly dominates for long. But the training really doesn't take well as people get older, they have to much to unlearn to manipulate the Force well." Razor cocked his head and regarded the tom in the pilot's seat for a long time. "No, that is not your typical war." He agreed and bit his lip to keep from added that it was categorically the most stupid thing he had ever heard of doing. "And of course, there are your typical wars occurring in the same area." Javrin shook his head. "The Jedi and the Sith aren't the government in most places, so you have the usual territorial fights to contend with." "Politics may get bigger, but rarely any better." He sighed. "So are your friends really likely to help?" "I believe so." Javrin nodded. "What the Sith are up to needs to be investigated in any case, which is as good an excuse for a rescue as any." He said easily. "Which is a good thing since it's a big universe to find one Kat in." Razor nodded and fiddled with his hands, uneasy about this now that he had time to think, and think of everything that could go wrong. Especially the possibility that he'd have to choose between his partner and the Kat trying to help him. It wasn't a pleasant thought after watching Javrin in combat. Javrin stared out into space, trying to let the streaming stars relax him as they used to when he was younger. He'd forgotten how complicated politics at home were. He just hoped there hadn't been some destabilizing political shift back home, and that the Council would be willing to help. "How could Chance be worth all this money and effort?" Razor asked in the silence. "How could anyone out here even know about us?" "I'm guessing Dark Kat managed to make contact with one of the Sith." Javrin hazarded carefully. "Probably by accident since I hear he's something of an experimenter." "That he is," Razor nodded reluctantly. "And he's not afraid of anything," he shook his head and stared at the viewscreen again. "How long before we get to where we're going?" "Another three streams till we reach Republic space, and then probably another Stream to reach Coruscant." Javrin estimated. "Time is hard to say precisely, since how long streaming takes is factor of how often the path is used, combined with the skill and experience of the slip-pilot. But probably not more than a couple days." "Is there a library database or something in this thing so I can read up on your universe?" He asked quietly, aching at how long that was. "Should be something." Javrin nodded, and walked over to the console. "Of course, the computer doesn't speak your language. Give me a few hours to teach it." He said, and then sat down in front of the computer while Razor settled nearby to watch ... and listen. "Thanks," he smiled at Javrin and tried to relax and catch as much of the language as he could manage. Thirty-six hours later, Javrin slid the shuttle into orbit around the Republic capital of Coruscant. He'd forgotten just how busy Coruscant was, with all the ships of varying sizes and designs coming and going. Not to mention all the atmospheric craft and the transport pods moving people between the ground and ships not designed for atmospheric entry. To an outsider the strangest thing was the planet itself, for Coruscant was a world-city, a single metropolis encompassing the entire planet. The only green space on Coruscant was in special parks and preserves. "Coruscant Control to mini-freighter Askalon, please state your destination." A voice came over the radio, startling Javrin out of his reverie. "Control, this is Padawan Javrin San'rik'el requesting clearance to Jedi Academy landing field." He said calmly, hiding how nervous using his title and real name made him. "Please stand by while we clear with Academy field." The female voice replied in a very business like manner. After a few nerve racking minutes she came back on the line. "Askalon you are cleared for traffic pathway Obsidian Gamma fifteen to Academy field beacon epsilon-two-zero." "Oh-Gee-One-Five to epsilon-two-zero, confirmed. Thank you, control." Javrin said as he closed the comm-link and guided the shuttle into the appropriate pattern among all the other air and space traffic. "It'll be about an hour till we set down." He said over his shoulder to Razor, who had clearly just woken up from a nap at the computer consol and was still blinking himself fully awake. "You might want to rifle through the ships stores for something more 'civilian'. No one wears masks on Coruscant." He explained simply. The cinnamon tom nodded and stood with a stretch and yawn. "The entire outfit too weird, or just the mask?" He asked as he pulled his helmet and mask off. Javrin considered briefly. "Without the mask, it just looks a uniform from some military operation." He said easily. "Should be fine." "Which it is," Jake nodded and walked up to him to claim a brief, light kiss. "Just for reference, it's Jake without the mask." He paused, tracing his thumb along Javrin's cheek. "I'm going to grab a quick shower. You might want to do the same when I get back." "Probably not a bad idea." Javrin nodded. "It's been a long few days." "You should cut down on any concealed weapons you might normally carry." Javrin suggested, as he adjusted his robes for about the sixth time. "Carrying a single weapon openly is okay, but concealed weapons aren't." He explained, as he clipped his lightsaber to his belt. It was impossible to miss how nervous the grey tom was at they prepared to disembark from the shuttle. "My Glovatrix acceptable?" He held up his left arm even as he began to comply by slipping a significant pile of blades and blasters and things from his uniform. "Should be fine. It's just concealed stuff they have issues with." He chuckled. "And it's rare for them not to spot them. Really rare." He paused. "Ready?" "If you are," Jake smiled slightly and tipped Javrin's chin up for a light kiss. "And remember a little something from my life. They only have the power over you that you grant them. You have a home without them now." "It's not about them, as much as it is about Kenjin, my Master." He said quietly. "He did so much for me, I just want to make him proud. To prove that he was right." He said as he thumbed the access hatch release. "He trained me, when the Council said I was too old. He might've been on the Council, if it wasn't for me." "He wouldn't want them to cow you," Jake said softly as he took in the broad open landing field in the middle of towering buildings. A quick look revealed that their landing pad was in fact floating in the sky. "You're a good person, he would be proud of that." "Thanks, Jake." Javrin smiled, giving the lean tom a quick kiss as they descended the ramp. "I just never expected to be back here, not really." He said as two lanky Dalmatian guards met them at the bottom of the landing ramp. "Padawan, the Council requests your presence in the Council chamber." One guard said politely, with a slight amount of deference. "Thank you, Custo." Javrin replied with a polite nod of his head. "I remember where the Council chamber is, assuming it hasn't moved in the last ten years." "It hasn't." The guard nodded, skilled eyes giving Jake a once over before he nodded to his companion and the two moved away. "That went well." Javrin sighed slightly in relief, as he walked casually across the open field toward a tall tan and white building with an architectural style that combined modern efficiency with elements that were clearly ancient. "Good," he smiled and pushed both his instinctive assessment of everything around them and his own unease at being so far out of his depth without his partner to the back of his mind. "I'm glad we cleaned up first." "Coruscant is a place that is very much about appearances." Javrin nodded, as they passed a number of individuals of different species. They were all dressed in the same kind of robes as Javrin, just differing in their shades of cream and brown. "Not surprising as it's the capital of the Republic, and is not only the political center but the center of banking and commerce as well." "In that it has many things in common with MegaKat City," he nodded, keeping a curious eye on everything and everyone while trying to avoid being rude about his curiosity. "I guess some things never change." "Only it is much larger than MegaKat City." Javrin chuckled. "And has less of an underclass, since the politicians find the idea of having such a 'problem' on the jewel of the Republic something of an embarrassment." He shook his head, as they entered the large, wide open halls of the main Academy building. "But then again, it lacks some of the 'interesting' places that an underclass creates. Or at least I think it does, no place like 'Moradians' for example." He smiled. "Now that's missing something," he cracked a grin back and resisted the urge to take Javrin's hand. "Something's just not right about a city without a bad part of town." "The danger of utopia." Javrin shook his head, he said as a pair of wiry, twin martens wearing the same brown robes as Javrin passed them. "Somehow when you remove the 'bad' part of town, you remove part of the spirit. I was always grateful that my master didn't choose to live here. But then again, I was born on the 'wrong' side of town." He chuckled quietly as they entered a large room with a wide window that looked out across the 'city' were air vehicles of all descriptions zipped between parts of the city hovering at different levels. On some of the large platforms, bright shiny starships could be seen arriving and departing. "While I go speak to the Council, you'll have to wait here." He said apologetically. "When they say they want to see me, that's what they mean and no more." He wasn't surprised at the tension that rippled across Jake's frame, or the protective displeasure and increased distrust clearly visible on his face. "All right," Jake consented quickly, knowing instinctively that this was not a battle to even try to fight. "Don't let them push you around, okay? At least not for me. I don't need their help." "Jake, space is big and if we want to find Chance soon, we do need their help." He said quietly. "Their intel at any rate. The Jedi have better intelligence on the Sith than anyone, it could mean the difference between a search that takes days and one that takes years." "You're going to have to trust me on this." He insisted gently, trying to explain a combination of knowledge and fears he barely understood. "The help would be very useful, but it's not worth a compromise." He gave in and brushed Javrin's cheek. "It's not worth you." "You're not going to lose me." Javrin said quietly. "The worst that might happen is I get removed from the order. Though once the immediate crisis is past they might want me here for awhile." He added thoughtfully. "We'll have to see." He said, leaning forward to claim a gentle kiss. "I'll be back as soon as I can." "I'll be here." Jake promised and stepped away so Javrin could compose himself before going to meet the Council. With a brief warm smile, Javrin stepped away and headed down the hall. He was less than sanguine about this meeting, but it was one he'd known would happen as soon as he returned home. Jake tried not to pace as he watched Javrin disappear, then gave in and let the motion wear some of his agitation away. Everything about what was happening gnawed at him. The fact that it was Chance that was taken, leaving his city unprotected for at least weeks, having to deal with this group calling themselves Jedi, the politics of a religious war that defined itself as unwinnable, the world-city. Especially the world-city. That gnawed at him more than he believed possible. It was as inherently wrong as any Omega. City kat that he was, this kind of city was far too all encompassing. From the air, MegaKat City was still lush and green and surrounded by the same. The waters were wide and blue and went far out of sight. From space, the world was brown, green and blue. This glittering city-world twisted his gut in away nothing else could. Trying to distract himself from that train of thought, and avoid looking out the grand windows, landed his gaze on a lanky Tiger dressed much as Javrin did looking at him curiously. Caught looking the young Tiger blushed noticeably and turned away briefly. After a moment to compose himself, and stop blushing, he looked back to see if the unusual Custos was still looking at him. At least he assumed that the warrior was a Custos since all the force sensitive warriors at the Academy who weren't Jedi were. "Hi," Jake moved a few steps closer. "I'm Jake." He introduced himself awkwardly in the local language, looking for anything to deal with but his own thoughts and the view. "Hello." The youth nodded. "My name is Tabrin. I apologize for staring, but you're unlike any Custos I've seen in my time here." He explained, rambling a little. "It's okay, I've been staring at just about everybody," Jake chuckled weakly, hoping he was translating correctly. "I don't think I'm a Custos though." "Oh, you're not?" Tabrin blinked. "My mistake." He blushed lightly. "I can see you're Force-sensitive, you're not a Jedi and you're clearly a warrior. Custos just seemed logical." He explained. "Master Vodonai is right, I have to stop trying to fit everything into nice, neat classifications." He chuckled. "So what brings you to the Academy then, if you don't mind my asking?" He asked politely. "Javrin said they could help find my partner," he motioned towards the Council chambers with a jerk of his chin. "Before the Sith breaks him." "The Sith?" Tabrin shuddered. "Yes, the Council would be the ones to ask. The Sith are a darkness that we must guard against at all times. They believe in no morality save that of power." "I've heard the lecture," he nodded and shifted a bit. "What are you up here for?" "Actually, I just came up for the view." He admitted. "Master Vodonai was needed in Council, and said I could spend the time as I wished." He said easily. "And there were no views like this back home." He said gesturing out at the grand window. "No, not for me either," Jake avoided looking out the windows. "It's a very unique thing to see." "They say it is one city from pole to pole, but that isn't exactly true." He said easily. "There is both land and sea not covered by city. Preserved for use as farmland, and for their vital role oxygen production." He said simply. "But the ocean floor communities are amazing, especially the ones in the Torus Trench." He added, and then chuckled. "I'm beginning to sound like a tour guide, probably because I spend most of my free time seeing the unique places." "It hardly looks that way from space." Jake shivered slightly in memory of that mixture of fascination and distress of seeing a world without real life, his gaze drawn to the cityscape again. "No, it doesn't." He nodded. "The hover-cities cover everything, the farms rely on a network of sunlight-projectors to survive since the real sunlight doesn't reach the surface. The oceans are even more dependent on the artificial sunlight." "I expect so," he forcefully shoved the entire subject into the part of his brain that housed ideas not to think about. "The idea disturbs you, doesn't it?" He said quietly. "That's one way to put it, yes," he nodded. "Thinking that everything we see is dependent on banks of fusion generators is something I find disturbing as well. Machines can, and do, fail." He said quietly. "I prefer the real sunlit oceans of home." "I'd prefer to see it for a reason other than asking for help from a group I know nothing about." Jake shrugged. "It's not a way to like a place." Tabrin blinked in surprise. "You know nothing about the Jedi?" He asked, rather astounded. "You must be from far outside the Republic then, but surely a Jedi must have brought you here." He stated, though it was also part question. "A Jedi in training, " he nodded and moved around a bit to find something new to look at that wasn't window and tried not to think about what was happening with Javrin too much. "Not that the title means any more than Sith does there." "Very far away." He nodded. "But the core of the Jedi is the responsibility of power. The power to do good, uphold justice and protect the weak." He explained. "But I suppose that might sound a bit rehearsed." The Tiger admitted. "It's true though, the Jedi Knights are respected throughout the Republic as a force for justice and good." "And I have a background that speaks ill of any organization with power," he shrugged. "Good people rarely seem to stay that way when they start to get authority. Maybe Jedi are the exception. Maybe they aren't. I just want my partner back and to get back home while we still have a home to go back to." "Corruption is always a danger." Tabrin nodded. "The lure of the Dark Side is strong, but it is usually the inexperienced who fall to it." He said quietly. "The Masters know the danger too well, to succumb." He added, clearly believing that strongly. "Is your partner force-sensitive?" He asked quietly. "So I'm told," he nodded. "Something else we don't have back home." "The Force is everywhere." Tabrin said, curious at the idea of it not being somewhere. "Apparently your world hasn't discovered it yet. The Sith will take advantage of that sensitivity, and try to tempt your partner to the Dark Side." He cautioned quietly. "They're a lot more likely to kill him trying," Jake sighed with a shake of his head at how damn honorable that kat was. "Or if they'd taken us both to have a bartering chip. We've met our evil versions. It's not happening." He kept to himself that if it came down to it, he'd stay with his partner, evil or not. "I hope you are right." Tabrin nodded, carefully hiding his reaction to what he thought he'd sensed from the cinnamon tom. Loyalty was a good thing, but once someone went to the Dark Side, they would never return it. Like everything else good and wholesome in the universe it became merely a tool to further their ends. "If you'll excuse me, I should get some work done on my study of political trends in the outer rim." He said excusing himself, as he turned to leave. The young Padawan felt a sudden need to meditate, due to the strong negativity he felt from Jake. He was just grateful it was dislike and distress rather than true hatred. He nodded, though the Tiger hardly needed his permission to leave. He'd made excuses like that enough times to realize when someone was making a polite escape. Jake could hardly blame him either. He knew he must be unpleasant to be around right now. It left him to pacing again, though. Which was not the best way to calm down by a long shot, but it was the best he had. It also left the blue Mouse watching the sky from a place across the large room to deal with his agitation if she wanted to stay. She sighed mentally and stood with the grace of a dancer to walk over to the pacing feline a good two heads taller. "You would benefit from calming down, Jake." She told him gently, privately amused at the way he skitted back a couple steps on an instinctive retreat from a recognized and unknown danger before locking eyes with her in a more direct assessment. It would never cease to amaze and amuse her to how predatory races, even big ones, tended to treat her small Mouse form as one of their own kind. She let him do his assessment and smiled faintly when he very clearly looked away and had his eyes lowered when he returned his focus to her. "I am Yamari." "Easier said than done," he muttered quietly, his body language and tone making his words a complaint rather than a challenge of her advice. "It can be," she inclined her head in acknowledgement of the difficulty of relaxing in his situation. "Perhaps if you would sit with me?" Jake paused, uncertainty in his body language before he nodded. He followed her to a relaxed sitting position on the floor and watched as her outer Master's robes were set aside to reveal the soft creams that fit her rounded body for all they were unisex. "Tell me about your partner," she smiled and spoke softly in his language. Javrin walked tiredly through the halls back to the observation lounge. Two hours of questions from the Council had left him rather drained. The Council's questions about his 'relationship' with Jake had reminded him that Padawans were supposed to avoid such involvements since it could be disruptive to what little control they had. Of course, it was a lot too late for that lesson, about two months too late. As he started around the corner, he recognized the other person in the room with Jake instinctively as one of the Masters and froze, not wanting to interrupt whatever she was doing. He'd never seen anyone dance with a lightsaber, but the Masters' all had their own ways of doing things. Apparently the way of the blue Mouse was dancing. However it had begun, it was easy to tell it had improved Jake's mood considerably from two hours before. The tom was watching with the same kind of rapt fascination as he usually watched Javrin, though with less sexual desire. Maybe the Master was doing this to dispel the temperament that had built up in Jake over the past few days. If she was sensitive, it would be quite disturbing, and Jake had no idea how to shield his mind past the natural way he hid things and thought. When her brilliant blue 'saber, a color very close to her fur, finally disappeared with the end of the dance the sudden sound of Jake's clapping startled both Jedi, though neither showed it. "I see your companion has returned," Yamari smiled at Jake and bowed gracefully as any appreciated performer on stage might. "Hurrr?" Jake blinked, then found Javrin standing at the edge of the room and smiled at him. "Thank you," he stood and spoke softly to the smaller Mouse with a great deal of respect. "It was a pleasure to have a truly appreciate audience again," She inclined her head slightly and slipped into her outer robes. "Master, I apologize if I interrupted." Javrin said politely as he walked up, with the short bow Padawans used to acknowledge the Masters. He was still on edge after his grilling by the council, despite a concerted effort to regain some measure of calm. "You did not, Padawan San'rik'el," she informed him easily before walking away to give the pair a little privacy. "You weren't bored while I was gone, I hope." Javrin asked with a playful wink that belied the fatigue underneath it. "No," he chuckled slightly and brushed his fingers along Javrin's jaw as he cupped the gray tom's cheek. "Though I suspect that I gave a Padawan a serious headache. You look like you could use a nap, though." "I wouldn't be surprised if you did. Most Padawans are still learning how to block out other people's thoughts." He smiled weakly. "And you've been thinking loudly the last few days. And you're right about that nap." He chuckled. "After this, defending my thesis at the University should be a piece of cake." "I bet," he nodded. "So are they going to help us?" "Yes, they're working on determining the identity of the Sith Lord responsible." Javrin nodded. "There was some discussion of why Chance. Several of the Council thinking that one of the Sith may be looking for a quick way to acquire more Dark Force pilots, and cloning Chance would be quick." "Would that work?" Jake frowned and guided them to the lift, intent on getting him to a real bed for a few hours. "Theoretically." Javrin nodded. "Force ability does run in families, so there appears to be a genetic component. That also means that they might try breeding him with a genetically compatible female." He explained as they walked. "Cloning is never a sure thing, but the possibility is strong enough to worry the council." "And your fate?" He asked quietly when the lift doors closed, giving them a sense of real privacy. "Well, I'm not in any trouble." He chuckled weakly, leaning against Jake slightly. "Beyond that, they're still considering the situation." He shrugged. "There's no real precedent for a Padawan turning up after eight years without Master or training." "I just worry they'll kill you," Jake murmured into Javrin's soft hair. "It solves their problem quite neatly." "That's not the Jedi way." Javrin shook his head. "There's no evidence I've gone to the Dark Side, even if I'm not really up to speed on the meditative and philosophical side of things. And I haven't broken any major rules." "I hope you're right," he sighed and tried to believe it. "They'd have to give you a new Master for the rest of your training." "That's the problem." Javrin nodded. "There's so much I'd have to unlearn because of eight years trying to self-train. And there's the matter of finding a Master who doesn't have a Padawan currently. It's strictly a one-to-one relationship." Jake closed his eyes briefly and pushed thoughts of the logical answer to that problem from his mind. "How long are we likely to have to wait for them to make their decisions about us?" "It's a matter of determining which Sith Lord it is, and collating the available intel on that person." Javrin said simply. "We should find out who were dealing with in a day or so. At that point the Council will decide what the appropriate resources for the mission are." "And hopefully include us in that mission," he murmured as the lift doors opened into one of the huge, airy main halls. "And that Chance holds together long enough for us to get there." "He will." Javrin said confidently. "And they will. I kind of pointed out that we'd probably include ourselves one way or the other." He chuckled weakly, as he paused. "They assigned us quarters here at the Academy, unless you'd rather sleep back on the ship." He offered, clearly okay with either choice. "True enough," Jake relaxed a bit as they found a small sitting alcove off the hall. "Which is going to be nicer?" "The Academy ones, since they put us in guest quarters." He smiled. "Actual water bath and shower." He grinned at Jake's shiver of raw, completely out of the blue arousal. "I hope they shield those quarters too." He rumbled with a wicked grin. "We both need a little stress relief." "Shielded primarily by distance from the Padawan quarters." He chuckled, as he turned to lead the way. "Accidental pick-up is fairly short range, maybe 10 or 20 meters. Beyond that, it's deliberate mind-reading only." "Well, we're just have to hope the shower is far enough from the hall to avoid rattling anyone's calm." Jake winked, though he held back from the affectionate nuzzle and hug he would have given back home. "If they're in the guest quarter area, they're probably full knights at least." Javrin chuckled and turned to claim a quick kiss from Jake, not caring who saw or felt what it did to his lover. Javrin's rest lasted much longer than Jake's willingness to stay in the bed, which left the kat to find something to entertain himself. There was plenty, and the computer-like console in their quarters quite cooperative in suggesting things to do. The gardens looked appealing, but the opportunity to see full Jedi working out was too much to pass up. He made a quick note for Javrin and headed out, dressed in what he had, though the rich black, red and blue uniform made him feel a bit self-conscious walking threw the halls full of people in creams and grays. In one of the wide open areas of the Academy, one of the Jedi Knights was sparring with a trio of spherical hovering orbs that zipped about and fired bolts of blue energy at him. The deep reddish-brown Wolf leapt and dodged the bolts agilely, and the few he didn't dodge he deflected with his bright red lightsaber. The fluidity and grace of the exhibition was made more impressive by the fact that he was doing it while wearing a helmet that obviously blocked sight and probably blocked or impaired hearing as well. It caught Jake's breath; the grace and skill the display represented gave him a good perspective just how much of a beginner Javrin was. As the demonstration ended, the group of Masters and students broke up and went in different directions. The Wolf put his lightsaber away, and took off the helmet as he left the courtyard. "I'm guessing you were impressed." He said with wry smile, as he reached where Jake was still standing, watching him. "It was impressive," he said simply, though he felt the heat in his cheeks. "You could learn to do it." The Wolf said easily. "It's not easy, but you've got the potential." He added, watching to see Jake's response as the surprise wore off and his words were considered by a sharp mind too used to adapting and strangeness not to fall in with the new rules he was being presented with. "So that's not a Jedi-only skill?" Jake cocked his head a bit in honest interest and a bit of surprise. "It's a force-sensitive only skill." The Wolf smiled. "And you appear to have tapped into your abilities already, at least on an instinctive level." He explained. "I'm Jedi Knight Vintakrin D'talrishan, however most people call me Vince or Vinnie." He shook his head in amusement. "Jake Clawson," he responded, warming up to this idea considerably. "What do you prefer to be called?" "Vince is preferable." He shook his head. "There's really only one Vinnie is my family's history, and he was a very colorful personality." He grinned. "Jake? So you'd be Padawan Javrin's companion then?" He asked, though it was really just for confirmation. "Yes," he nodded and shifted into a relaxed but ready stance without thinking. "Why don't we find a more private location?" He suggested, and began leading the way without any concerns about whether or not Jake would follow him. "It's best to start this training without too many outside distractions." "It usually is with any kind of combat skill." Jake agreed with a light chuckle. "But even more so, when one of the big things to learn, is how to focus on the non-physical senses." Vince nodded. "I bet that's a tough one for most," Jake nodded, absently wondering if it was any different from how he 'talked' to machines. "It is." The Wolf nodded, as they entered a smaller practice room. "And the older the student the more difficult, normally." He added as he closed the doors. "And from what I've seen, I'm one of the oldest around," he actually chuckled and took in the simple room completely devoid of anything but the central practice circle painted on the floor. "Very true, but then most students start here around five." He said easily. "The very basic level of this training is that you are learning to sense the energy flow that connects everything on a very basic level. Different cultures have different words for it, we call it the Force." Jake nodded; it wasn't far off from various theories that made sense to him based on his experience, even if his education denied it. "I've done something like that with machines most of my life, but not with everything." "Really?" Vince said curiously. "Master Kastoris also works with machines. Does the most amazing things with them really. Most Jedi can only lift, move and manipulate machines on the large scale, Kastoris does things on the very small scale. Sometimes it seems as though he talks to them." He said in quiet amazement. "But the idea behind blindfighting is that you let go of your physical senses and let the Force guide you. Though Jedi practice it primarily with the lightsaber, the theory applies to ranged weapons as well." Jake nodded, then chuckled. "If he's anything like me, he does talk to them, and they talk back after a fashion." He considered the Wolf thoughtfully. "If this the kind of training that starts with weapons?" "If you'd like I could introduce you to him later." Vince offered, as he walked over to a wall panel and retrieved a lightsaber that looked like it had seen a lot of use and a small sphere. "Yes, it does start with weapons." He said handing Jake the lightsaber. "You might want to take a few practice swings just to get a feel for it." The lean tom nodded. "I would like that. I haven't actually met anyone who does what I do." He admitted and relaxed into a loose combat stance that was better suited for weaponless or staff combat. He shifted a bit, picking up from the weapon itself, even dormant, how it was used to being handled. He took a breath and let the tension go against before the blue 'saber flicked to life and held his attention in a similar fascination as he'd held for watching it in use. There had been nothing in his life to prepare him for feeling this weapon in his hand: the instant connection and sense of purpose and protection that flowed from it. "Wow," Jake whispered, his eyes still a bit wide as he processed the concept of a weapon who's purpose was protection more than destruction. "Yes, a lightsaber's first purpose is defense." Vince nodded approvingly. "Remembering that makes the training easier, since you should never be focusing on attack but on defense. Let go and let the Force flow between you and blade and let it guide you." He explained calmly. "A properly wielded saber can deflect any attack, and is only blocked by either another lightsaber or a force field." Jake nodded, though the language and concepts were difficult to figure out without any real idea of how. Still unsure if what he was doing was what the Wolf meant, he focus on how he understood the object in his hand that was different from how he knew other people understood object and followed the trail from there. The room, the emptiness, held only three things for him: his 'saber, Vince's 'saber and the orb the Wolf was still holding. Then the walls and floor finished the box and he pulled back a bit as he began to trace the computer network and other machines that spread out from there. "Now this is where the exercise gets challenging." The Wolf said as the orb began to hum. "When I release the orb, your task is to deflect the bolts it will fire at you. It's on low intensity to start so while it can't injure you, it will sting seriously." He said as he stepped back and tossed the ball into the air. Swiftly it began dodging about, and then after a few passes it fired a small bolt of bright blue energy. Jake nearly yelped in surprise as his hand flicked the lightsaber's blade in the way, complying with the desire not to be hit and his weapon's understanding without him being part of the loop. It was enough to break the connection for a moment long enough to give the orb a hit. A snarl from deep in Jake chest lashed out with the self-preservation instinct that came very close to turning the orb into fried circuits. "Calm, Jake." Vince reminded the startled kat gently. "Anger will cloud your connection with the Force. You're doing good though, just return to the connection you made." He added encouragingly as Jake settled more quickly than he'd expected. "Okay," Jake murmured and let go after a reluctant moment for the exercise to begin again. Vince watched the mixture of formal training in several combat styles and a lot of field experience struggle against the intuitive reactions and trust in the Force needed for the exercise. The kat had potential, he had no doubt of that even this quickly, but the self-trained life he led would severely hamper his eventual limits. The strange way he contacted and perceived the Force would not help in that either, though it did produce amazing results when he trusted the item he was taking guidance from. "Very well done, Jake." Vince said with honest approval, when he thought Jake had enough for one lesson from the way the kat was breathing and sweating. "For someone who's never used a lightsaber before, you're a natural." He said as the remote returned to his hand and shut down. "A real shame we didn't find you when you were younger." "Fate had other plans for me," he chuckled slightly and wiped his forehead with a sleeve. "Besides, there's a world that wouldn't be around any more if you had." "Looks like Fate decided to get you a few Force lessons at least." Vince chuckled. "Assuming you'd be interested in doing this again, while you're here." He offered easily. "Definitely," Jake nodded easily and surrendered the lightsaber as his breathing evened out. "It's not like I have anything else to do until we have a target." "After dinner, perhaps." He offered as he put the equipment away. "Sounds good to me," he actually smiled at the Knight. "When would that be for you?" "About five hours from now." He said. "Seven to be exact, though I'm not usually. But we can meet here about eight if that works for you." "Sure," he nodded, remembering that artistically concealed clocks were scattered about most of the Temple that he'd already seen. Six more hours was a lot of time to nose around too. "I'll talk to Master Kastoris and see when he has time to see you." He added, as he opened the door of the practice room and they walked out. "I'm sure he'll be interested in talking to another Force-sensitive who talks to machines." "It would be interesting," Jake nodded before they went separate ways in the huge practice room. Jake was sprawled on his stomach, breathing in the smell of earth and grass as one hand lazily played in a small brook that graced one of the numerous gardens he'd found. It was almost enough to make him forget he wasn't back in his kittenhood back yard when a chirping beep brought his head up to look at a green and gold robot that remained him a lot of round-top trashcan. "Master Kastoris?" He took a moment to place the name among the dozens he'd heard today. "Oh, right. Sure. Lead the way." The robot led him through the Academy to a workshop/laboratory that was out on a far wing. Inside the lab looked like rather like Jake's, with numerous projects at various stages of completion and lots of spare parts. There were two more of the round top robots apparently monitoring projects and a wiry dark brown ferret in Jedi robes moving around the room in what seemed a downright hyperactive speed compared to the rest of the Academy. Unlike most Jedi robes his seemed to have an unbelievable number of pockets, which contained tools, parts and something Jake guessed was edible. "Yes." The Ferret said over his should when Jake's guide chirped for attention. "Ah, welcome Jake." He smiled at Jake. "I'm Jedi Master Kastoris, but Kastor will do. Vinnie tells me you talk to machines through the Force." He said jumping right to the point. "So I've gathered," he nodded and watched the projects as much as the Jedi he was talking to. "Very uncommon gift, my boy." He chuckled as he 'told' a sensor unit to adjust its bandwidth. "Force-gifted inventors are often overlooked, simply acknowledged as rather eccentric geniuses." "Probably because only a few of the eccentric geniuses are like us," Jake chuckled lightly. "I've only met one that might have been, but he couldn't talk or hear. He could do some amazing things that made me think he might have, at one point." "And some of them can only talk or hear to machines, so we don't see them." Kastor nodded, and then looked at Jake more seriously even as Jake puzzled the meaning of his words out. "You're the same Jake that Javrin told the Council about, right?" He asked simply. "Yes," he nodded as it occurred to him that these people were used to being about to tell gifted people on sight. "He spoke very highly of you." The Master said, easily working with his hands and holding a conversation. "Did he seem happy with his life, back on your world?" He asked with genuine interest. "I think so, even before we got together," he nodded, thinking back to the shy but smiling tom from a few months before. "That's good." The Ferret nodded. "I wouldn't want him going back, if he was going to be unhappy." Jake nodded slightly, not quite sure what to think of that statement as it was filed away to go over later. "Like me, you're prone to getting wrapped up in a new device, I see." Kastor chuckled, noticing where most of Jake's attention was. "It's not like I have very long to pick up as much as I can," he admitted, meaning both on technology and about his gift. "That's hard to predict." Kastor said a bit cryptically. "But then predicting the future is an uncertain talent at best. So difficult to tell probable future from possible future, and there's always the possibility that the prediction itself alters the probabilities." He shook his head, even as he picked up from Jake's confusion that the tom had meant something very different from literally looking into the future. "Either I have very little time, or the rest of my life for lack of a home to return to," he shrugged quietly as he leaned back against a sturdy table, trying not to show how much the second possibility hurt. "I'm going to stick with assuming the first." "Well, I guess it depends on what you mean by a little." He shook his head. "I'm quite sure you're going home though." "If this lasts a month," he shrugged, living the rest unsaid but easily known. "But going home isn't the same as being able to stay." He added quietly. "Even if it takes years here, I'd go back, just on the small chance something survived." "It won't take years." Kastor said reassuringly. "But it also probably won't be the day after you find your partner." Jake nodded, not taking the statement with the same credence as someone who knew Jedi, but not dismissing it completely either. For a moment, there was silence as Jake worked out how to ask what he hadn't found out on his own yet. "Kastor ... what's so attractive about the Dark Side?" He asked a little clumsily, trying to understand what the risk to Chance actually was. "It's an easy way to power, because it doesn't demand as much self-control or discipline." Kastor explained, trying to be careful not to preach. "This makes it attractive to those who seek power, but also to those who need power, or think they do." "To protect something they care about?" He asked, trying to work his brain around the concept of using a talent for good somehow being evil. Hazardous to your health, sure, but so was being a hero and that was simply what they were. "Yes." He nodded. "The danger is that the dark side can twist things, especially if fear or anger are your guiding emotions. Anger can give you access to greater strength than you have normally, but at the cost of control so there may be harm done that wasn't intended but happens. And then that anger can begin seem like a normal way of doing things. The extra power can be addictive." Jake nodded slowly. That much he understood. Not in the same context or with the same apparent dangers, but the he did understand it. And Chance had a temper to start with. If his practice with Vince was any indication, these people's definition of 'anger' fell under what he'd always considered survival reflexes. It was not a good combination. Of course, they'd both been this way all their lives and through a hell of a lot of shit and not had trouble. "Not good." Jake murmured to himself, as much as assessment of himself as his partner. "When one first realizes the power is there, is when the danger is the greatest." Kastor nodded. "That unsteady ground before self-control is learned. Javrin has similar concerns because he missed most of his training." "You have no idea," Jake murmured as it settled in just how easily it would be for half-decent manipulator to have Chance all the way there before he even realized what was going on, if he ever really did. "Javrin's not at much risk," he shook his head. "He may not have all the training, but what he got he took to heart in a big way. But if this Sith is half as good a manipulator as the average politician, Chance isn't that likely to even notice he has power to use when he's using it. Everything we've been through will tell him it's not real." "That is why Intelligence is working as quickly as possible on finding where your partner is." Kastor nodded. "We have lost enough inexperienced Jedi to recognize the risks. And it's also a matter of not wanting to have to deal an army of force-sensitive pilot clones led by your very talented partner." He admitted. "Our interests aren't totally selfless here." "Frankly, I prefer it that way." Jake shook his head with a strangely amused chuckle. "I don't like things I can't understand." "More comfortable with enlightened self-interest?" Kastor asked with an amused smile. "It's something that makes sense," Jake shrugged with an easy acceptance. "People who claim they are just doing something because they should ... it rarely sits right. I'm sure a few are out there, but I haven't met anyone who's met one I know about." "We have a few idealists who do claim that they do things just because it's the right thing to do." Kastor nodded. "Javrin's Master was one of them, and a great loss as well." He said quietly, and it seemed that the loss was perhaps not just to the order but to the Ferret personally. "Yeah, I've got a partner like that." He smiled faintly and tried not to think of the loss he was facing. "But he really loves being the hero. Doing the right thing is just a common by-product of it." "It does seem to be." Kastor nodded, thinking that there was no real point to arguing the difference. Jake's opinion was the product of years of living in a particular place and time, and all the Jedi Master was likely to accomplish by arguing was to put Jake on the defensive, a result he do not want. "The universe does seem to benefit from them, regardless." "That it does," he agreed easily and smiled a little distantly. "The world could use more of them like him. It'd be a better place for it." "Very true, but its really something someone is or isn't." Kastor said easily. "Besides, if heroes were common it would cheapen them I think. It's partly the rarity that makes them so special." "It's part of the definition, I think." Jake chuckled a bit. "When heroes are common, the standards just get higher and higher to be considered one." "Applies to being exceptional at almost anything, as everyone improves it gets harder to be exceptional." Kastor nodded. "And that much harder to be exceptional," Jake added quietly. "So many never see their full potential because they aren't noticed among the throngs. Something you probably face more than I can even imagine." He chuckled sheepishly. "I still think of MegaKat City's millions as far too many." "Well, we have significantly more resources as well but you're right that much potential is lost." He nodded. "Not to change the subject, but have you eaten dinner yet? It's about that time." He chuckled. "I don't think I've gotten to lunch yet." He managed sheepishly, responding more to his past than the current situation. "I probably should get something before another workout with Vince." "Definitely a good idea." He nodded. "And Vince will come looking for me, if I don't go get something to eat." He chuckled. "Something about my needing to not neglect little things like eating." "Sounds like what Chance likes to tease me about." Jake smirked and turned to leave. "Sounds like you have as much of a mother hen as I do." "A former Padawan of mine." Kastor chuckled as he gave a few last instructions to the droids before heading out. "He got into the habit of pulling me out of the workshop for meals every so often." "And we wouldn't have it any other way," Jake grinned at the Ferret. "Not that they'll ever find out from us." "Of course not." The Ferret chuckled back and felt Jake relax a little more about him. "Who doesn't enjoy a little attention now and then." The cell door opened and the Coyote walked in carrying a package that he slid through the bars to Chance's side. "We'll be arriving shortly. This is a change of clothes for you. Sancresti Redoubt is far to warm for those coveralls." He explained. "Average temperature is about 85, and during the summer it gets a lot warmer." "About like home," the tabby nodded and accepted the shorts and flower patterned short sleeve shirt. "How hot is 'a lot warmer'?" "115 to 125." He said after a moments' thought. "There are places where it gets to 140, but nobody lives there but a few research scientists in specially constructed bunkers." "Toasty," he nodded and wrinkled his nose and quickly changed clothes. "We're landing in one of the less oppressive zones. Ocean breezes and white sand beaches, so today's high of 95 won't seem quite so hot." The Merc shook his head. "Very much like home," Chance chuckled a bit and leaned against the wall. "I take it I won't be staying on the ship much longer." "No, this is your destination." The Merc said simply. "You'll be meeting Darth Keira today." "Planning on saying goodbye to Her Nuisance too." "I doubt it, but keep up the attitude." The Coyote chuckled softly. "Just remember, Sith are sneaky bastards. If they can't scare you, they'll try and corrupt you." "Corrupt?" He raised an eyebrow, his thoughts more towards the genetic mutation end of things. "They have a way of offering you things, things they know you'll really want." The Coyote said quietly. "And it looks like a really good deal at first, but what they're doing is slowly getting you to think like they do. Turning good Kats into people like say, Dark Kat, is something they specialize in." "That's just seriously screwed up," he rolled his eyes. "She'll be lucky if Jake doesn't find her if that happens." "It's why I'm glad that I can't feel this 'Force' thing." The Merc chuckled. "Neither side of the conflict is interested in me. Except as a blaster-for-hire." "Sounds like you lucked out." Chance chuckled a bit. "Not that I have a clue what it's about anyway." He rolled his eyes. "They want me to use it, they'll have to explain what it is first." "Not necessarily." The Coyote shook his head. "I watched the tapes of you and your partner taking on our drones. You may not be doing it consciously, but you use the Force to take your piloting to levels a non-Force user can't touch." He said, clearly being very on the level. "I'm still just a dumb pilot," he shrugged, not really getting what was so special about it. "Jake's the one who actually makes stuff." "Dumb pilot?" The Coyote shook his head. "I've yet to meet any good pilot who qualified as 'dumb', and you certainly don't." He said seriously. "You just happen to have a galactic-level genius for a partner." That made the tabby laugh. "Sweet Bastet, he'd self-combust he if heard that one." "Yeah, the profile worked up on him suggested as much." The Merc chuckled. "He'd be cute as hell though." Chance chuckled. "It gives this great shade to his fur." "I can imagine." The Coyote grinned, as he flipped through a few of the mental images he had from the surveillance team's workup on the pair. He blinked, as he caught a change in the pitch of the ship's engines. "We're about to set down." He said quietly, as he turned to go check on the rest of his team. "Right," Chance muttered softly and settled in to wait for the Sith everyone was so afraid of. A short while later the Coyote and his team, a group of very military looking canines came in accompanied by the doctor and a large dark green lizard morph in black robes. The lizard pushed a button on the small remote he held and the bracelets that Chance was wearing on wrists and ankles returned to handcuff and shackle mode. "Bring him out." The lizard ordered imperiously. A wiry, athletic fox in dark camo gear turned off the cell force field letting the Coyote go in. "Time to go." He said, indicating the cell door. The tabby nodded and complied, knowing that this wasn't the right moment to try anything. On a lot of levels, it was like when they'd been captured by the Enforcers after meeting their screwed up versions. The lizard led the way out of the ship and onto the beach followed by the doctor, and then the mercenaries who were escorting Chance. It was the first view that got Chance's attention; the ocean was a copper red and there were two suns in the sky. "That's different," he murmured with a curious glance around that didn't break the slow progress his shackles allowed him. "I wouldn't reccomend swimming." A red Wolf walking next to him murmured. "That red is from a bacteria that'll have you 'drunk' for a week if it gets in your system." "Sounds like fun," he chuckled just as quietly. Ahead of them Chance could see a bunch of tents that would've looked right at home on any of the beaches near MegaKat City. A large black and gold sun umbrella shaded a lounge chair where a female figure could be seen reclining. A powerful figure that was probably a Lion from the mane was standing to one side of the chair waving a large fan. "Master, I've brought the pilot you required." The lizard announced as the procession stopped ten paces from the lounge chair. "Excellent, Apprentice." A sultry female voice replied, as the figure in the lounge chair stood with graceful movements. As she came out of the shade she was revealed as a jet black panther who stood a good eight feet tall. The black and gold two-piece bikini she was wearing only served to accentuate her exceptional figure. And though her movements were as graceful and fluid as an exotic dancer, there was something in them that hinted at something much more dangerous. "So this is the pilot that Karsoris thought would fill my needs. We'll see." She purred as she looked Chance over appraisingly, her eyes having all the subtlety of a strip search and got the same apprizing gaze right back. Only from the tabby there was a mixture of dismissal right along with the acceptance of her powerful effect on his libido. And something even more surprising to her. Amusement. Keira had seen many reactions in her time, but that was not one of them. The Pantheress was not amused, but she was too cool to let it show. "Bravado as well, not unexpected in a pilot." She rumbled in amusement, and snapped her fingers. "You know what to do." She said dismissively to the two burly Lions who appeared at her summons. Without speaking the two Lions led the tabby away to a concealed entrance in the nearby jungle, while Keira considered her next move. "Hay," Jake smiled to see Javrin up and doing simple stretching exercises that were probably a good idea for him to join in, given the workout the Wolf had put him through. "Feeling better?" "Yeah." Javrin smiled at Jake. "I'd forgotten how tiring slip-piloting is, and then to have the Council session on top of it was just too much. Hope you weren't bored while I was sleeping like the dead." "Not at all." He chuckled and settled into his own cool-down stretches. "I had an interesting chat with Master Kastoris and a couple serious workouts with a lightsaber and a very nasty little training orb courtesy of Knight D'talrishan. The gardens are nice and the computer network quite cooperative." "So Vinnie's giving you lightsaber lessons." Javrin grinned. "I'm not surprised, and that nasty little orb is what I learned from too. Jedi have been using it for as long as anyone can remember." He chuckled. "I should've known you and Master Kastoris would end up talking. He's technical expert of the Council. He was the only one who was really familiar with the concept of the TFG." "I can't say I'm too surprised," he chuckled. "Though I am a bit surprised that he doesn't have our ship's TFG directed by now. I know it's not going to stay intact any longer than required when it's not needed any more." He cocked his head at Javrin. "Master Kastoris seemed to be of the opinion that you'd be returning to Aristal with us. He wanted to know if you were happy there." "The only life I know is there." Javrin said quietly. "As crazy and chaotic as MegaKat City gets, its home. 'Sides, I don't know that I could deal with watching you leaving, knowing I probably wouldn't see you again." He admitted softly. "Master Kastoris was my Master's teacher, and my strongest supporter in the Council." Jake paused and looked at him uncertainly. "Just how old are you?" "Twenty-two, a couple of months ago. Why?" He asked curiously. "You coulda corrected me when I mentioned thirty," he shook his head with a chuckle. "So you were barely a teenager when you crashed." "I got by early on by not correcting people, it's a hard habit to break." He chuckled. "I was fourteen when I arrived, and spent what seemed like a lifetime floating in the middle of the ocean." "Well, it'd kinda appropriate to tell your boyfriend your actual birthday," he reached over to caress Javrin's cheek. "We could have celebrated a little." "My birthday fell between dates one and two." Javrin chuckled. "When I wasn't entirely sure there'd be a date two." He admitted sheepishly, leaning into the touch. "Mmm, probably for the best," he murmured and leaned forward for a kiss. "I don't usually date people that much younger than I am." "That's the sort of thing that taught me to never volunteer my age." Javrin whispered quietly, before claiming the kiss. The amount of freedom the Sith gave him was starting to actually get on Chance's nerves by mid-morning. He'd explored his quarters, finer and more comfortable than anywhere he'd ever stayed, the variety of clothing she offered. The food was good. The buildings, or carved living spaces really, were cool, varied and mostly open to him. He'd even found the boarders to his turf, all well out into the jungle and along the beaches, and further into the copper-red water than he cared to venture. The only real limit was the collar the Lions had fitted him after removing his shackles. It was a lot more comfortable, but it was also a lot more effective at making him stop when he did something that wasn't permitted. Near the western border was a large rock face that that jutted up to tower above the very large jungle trees. Chance could a petite figure examining the rock face closely, completely wrapped up her study. He also spotted the glint of sunlight reflecting off a collar that looked much like the one he was wearing. The other thing he spotted was a spotted lion-sized canine approaching her unnoticed, its motions clearly that of a hunting predator. "Hay!" He yelled at her, moving even before he'd fully processed the scene. "Move it girl!" She hadn't seemed to hear him, and then he recognized the absolute focus on something ... it was like Jake when he really got focused on a project. The world could go by and he might not notice. Which left this to him to deal with and he shifted the angle of his approach a bit to give him an angle on the predator, still yelling, though now with the intent to inform the beast that he wasn't sneaking up anymore. The predator turned to look at the noise approaching him, and decided it needed to deal with this competitor first. Teeth bared it charged at the approaching tabby. Chance skidded to a stop in the sand and instantly assessed both his opponent, which was going to be one hell of a fight, and a something to throw at that shekat to get her the hell out of the area. A dirt clod provided the second, and a lunge, curl and throw sent it right for her head as he leapt up to avoid the charge. "Hey, who did that?" The shekat demanded looking around for the person who'd pelted her with dirt. "Oh, my." She said spotting the predator, and then she did something that Chance had seen one too many non-combatants do one first faced with danger: she froze. "Ah fuck." He muttered before his full attention was taken up the predator's last minute swipe ripped open the side of his shirt without actually catching flesh. The frustrated predator turned and crouched, watching the tabby with wary, but hungry eyes as Chance crouched himself and settled in for the fight of his life. He suddenly remembered something that the merc had said about the sea water and started working the animal towards the shoreline where he could hopefully get it good and drunk. There was only the barest of advanced warning before the canine sprang leaping straight at Chance, intent on sinking its large teeth into his neck only to find his target had ducked and rolled under him to come to his feet with his shirt in his hands and a grim expression. It wasn't long enough to think, much less for the beast to turn around, and Chance was on it's back with his shirt twisted around it's neck in a tightening garrote. The predator became frantic in its attempt to dislodge the creature from its back. It rolled across the ground trying to scrape Chance off its back, eventually rolling into a large pile of boulders. In the end Chance's determination to stay on last a little longer than its determination to stay conscious and the creature eventually lay still with Chance's shirt still wrapped around its neck. "Oh my!" The petite shekat exclaimed as she came rushing over. "Are you okay?" She asked looking him over. "I'll help you to medical." She offered, though it was clear that she was unfamiliar with the kind of combat damage Chance had from all the rolling and bouncing across the terrain and all but being squished by a seven hundred pound predator. "Just move," the tabby all but grabbed her and headed back towards the complex at as much of a run as his battered body would oblige him with. "That thing won't stay down for long." "It's not dead?" She asked, keeping up with him. "Not likely." He said after a breath into his aching lungs. "Let me show you to medical." She offered, once they were inside the building and Chance stopped them to catch his breath and make a quick internal assessment of his injuries and their severity. He nodded and pushed himself from the wall to follow her before his body began to stiffen up and really start to feel what had happened to it. She didn't know much about medicine or first aid, but she knew where everything was and he was grateful for that much. He was grateful too that he'd taken and cared for enough beatings and battle damage to have a decent idea who to do with the supplies. At least the few he recognized. As much as a painkiller sounded great, he wasn't about to play hit and miss when he couldn't even read the name, much less any directions. So he stuck with cleaning the blood and dirt from his fur with the cloth and sink there. "Does it hurt?" She asked looking at the medicine bottles. "There's a couple things for pain here." She added reading one of the bottles carefully. "Not much, but it'll be hell in the morning." He told her with the kind of straightforward acceptance of someone who'd been through it several times and expected to face it several more. "Mostly bruising." "This one is good for muscle pains and soft tissue damage." She said, obviously reading the bottle. "That'd help wouldn't it?" The young shekat offered. "Says take one for every 50 kilos of body weight." "Yap, that's what it is." He turned to accept the pill bottle from her to regard it in a fair amount of annoyance. "Pity I don't know what I kilo is, much less how many I am." "You're about one fifteen." She said confidently after giving him a professionally appraising look. "Which would be take two, or probably three cause you're really beat up." He considered her, then the bottle, and finally decided that if he was going to be drugged this way, so be it and quickly swallowed two pills before stuffing the bottle in his pocket for later. If they were anything like the ones back home, he'd need them a few more times before his body stopped bitching at him for it. "Thanks," he offered her, uncertain about a lot of things but not willing to be impolite if it really was what it looked like. "Actually, I should be thanking you." She smiled a bit sheepishly. " For saving me from my own obliviousness. Father said curiosity would be the death of me, and he was almost right." "Given that thing," he motioned to her collar, "our host is more responsible than you. That's a hell of a critter to miss coming across the boarder and poor security that let it get so close." "I'm sure somebody will be in trouble for it." She said easily. "Our host has a low tolerance for failure, or so I've heard." "Except her own, no doubt." He actually chuckled, though he filed her response under 'highly suspicious behavior' for her story. "If she's anything like the others of her kind I know." "Probably." She agreed. "Not that I've really run into anybody like her before." "You're lucky," he told her quietly and rolled his shoulders with a wince before heading out of the small medical room. "I think the word is sheltered." She sighed, following him. "Which is safe, but rather boring." "You don't have the instincts for much more exciting," he pointed out as gently as he could without mincing the point as he headed for his quarters here. "Learn to like boring. It'll keep people alive." "Like I have that option." She groused. "Being one of Keira's hostages isn't exactly safe." "Except for the wildlife or getting way too drunk on the ocean, I haven't found much to be worried about." "As long as my father doesn't disobey Keira." She sighed. "And I know he'll have to eventually." "So enjoy what you have," he advised her simply. "Maybe you'll get out before then." "Maybe." She sighed. "I just remember what one philosopher said, 'The gilded cage remains a cage'." She shrugged, and then looked at Chance curiously. "So who's good behavior are you guaranteeing?" "Nobody's," he shrugged, paused at the door to his room. "She wants something else from me." "Doesn't she always." She chuckled. "It's no coincidence that she keeps all those buff guys around." She shook her head. "It'll be a cold day in hell before that happens voluntarily." He muttered darkly and clicked the door open, really not in a mood to deal with anyone for a while. "Well, I'll see you around." She said and then realized something. "You know I never introduced myself. I'm Carly, and you are?" She asked curiously, though polite. "Chance," he supplied before going into his room. Looking for Jake for lunch led Javrin to one of the small practice rooms where the tom was engaged in a strange kind of sparring with a low-grade combat droid. Though he seemed to be simply circling it, Javrin could sense the Force being manipulated. It was this unusual manipulation that had the attention of a mixed group of eight Masters, Knights and Padawans watching the strange match. A brief look at the force manipulation didn't really tell Javrin anything but it did give him a headache. Knowing better than to interrupt a sparing match he put himself out the edge of the practice circle and watched as Jake avoided the droid. He'd seen Razor fight often enough to realize that whatever he was doing, defeating the droid physically wasn't the point. Javrin still wasn't sure what was the purpose of the match was when the droid crackled and sparked, then shut down and Jake breathed a sigh of relief and shifted his focus from the Force to the world in general. He inclined his head in thanks to Master Kastoris, then smiled at Javrin. "I haven't a clue how you did that." Javrin admitted with a smile as he walked up to Jake. "But it was impressive all the same." "Thanks," the lean tom wiped his brow. "Lunch time already?" "Yes, thankfully." Javrin nodded. "Did you want to grab a quick shower before we head to the meal hall?" "If you don't mind," he nodded and headed for the locker room. "It's not easy work." "Force exercises never are." Javrin said as he followed Jake. "Heavy workout for mind and body." "That should become easy enough to be practical with some work," he chuckled and turned one of the sonic showers on, still finding it rather strange to 'shower' dressed. "We can take a shower more to your liking later." Javrin purred suggestively and felt the spike it sent through Jake's body. "That trick will be useful against those mechanical things Dark Kat likes to come up with." "And the next time the Metallikats show up." Jake chuckled and turned the shower off. "And I am definitely ready for lunch." "You think they'll show up again?" Javrin asked curiously, as they headed for the meal hall. "It's almost a given," he shrugged in displeasure. "They're programming is still intact. They just need new bodies." "Would someone be foolish enough to give them new bodies?" Javrin asked, clearly baffled by the idea of giving the two psychopaths new bodies. "It's happened three times already, I don't see any reason it wouldn't happen again." "Some droids just have to be wiped." Javrin said simply. "And those two definitely qualify." "They aren't droids, Javrin," he said softly as they entered the dinning hall. "They're the minds of two mob bosses that got transferred into robot bodies. They're people." "Really? I didn't know that." Javrin admitted, as they got in the food line. "Then what do you do with them?" He asked curiously. "Put them back in prison," he shrugged, though none of his words settled well. "Kill if I have to." "Would the MegaKat City system recognize them as being 'people'?" He wondered aloud. "I don't know." Jade admitted. "The last time they were captured they were put in the evidence lockup. But that was only their heads and I don't think anybody really knew they weren't just robots then." "Well, I guess that's just something to deal with when we get home." Javrin said easily and then shook his head in amusement. "So how'd this round of meetings go?" Jake asked as they found a seat. "More like a round of tests." He shook his head. "And it was very demanding. They haven't said, but I think they're trying to determine if my skills are advanced enough for the trials. Which is strange 'cause I'm not sure they are." "If you can pass, you won't need a Master, and they'll have a full Jedi to keep an eye on me." He pointed out quietly. "You might not be as far from what they're looking for than you think." "Perhaps not." Javrin nodded. "I just don't feel ready. I had barely four years of training; most have a decade or more. But the Masters wouldn't promote me, if I wasn't ready." He said, mostly trying to convince himself. Jake reached over and squeezed Javrin's hand. "No, they wouldn't. They don't want you to go out there not ready to face the darkness." He stopped himself from any of the other displays that came to mind and simply held his hand. "And you've been on your own for eight years. He trained you well for the little time he was with you." "Being a street kitten helped." Javrin chuckled softly. "Amazing the survival skills you pick up when all you have is yourself." "And yet you didn't go back to the street when you hit MKC at fourteen." Jake pointed out. "You went to school and are making a very respectable future for yourself. It's not what many could manage." "That wasn't easy." Javrin shook his head. "Had to convince a judge that I was really sixteen so he'd let me be emancipated. But I didn't get away from streets right away...there are only so many ways a fourteen year old can make enough money to support himself." He admitted softly. "I know," Jake lifted a hand to brush his cheek gently. "What you do to survive is nothing to be ashamed of. You made it out. You used your smarts and your training to make something of yourself that the world would be a little poorer without." "Thanks, Jake." Javrin smiled gratefully. "I always worry about people finding out, even if I don't have an actual record. You're actually the first person I've told." He said with an affectionate smile and leaned into Jake's touch, much less conscious of those around them than Jake was. "Thank you," he murmured and rested his forehead against Javrin's. "We're going to make this work. It's all there is to it." "And Feral thought the SWAT Kats gave him a headache." The blue-grey tom chuckled. "One thing my Master's teaching taught me is that stopping evil isn't something you just leave to law enforcement." He grinned mischievously. "I knew there was another reason I liked you," he chuckled softly. "We might actually make some headway with you helping." "Especially if we take some tech home." Javrin grinned. "Imagine how much you could improve the next TurboKat." "That is almost beyond description." He chuckled with a shake of his head and took a bite from the food that tasted good for all it was largely unrecognizable to him. "Even without any examples, it's kind of boggling." "That's right, you haven't really had a look at the fighters here, have you?" Javrin grinned even as Jake's breath caught. "Though I bet you could improve them." "Now that's just a given," Jake smirked a bit. "Probably only a handful of people in the entire Republic that could fly one though." "That I wouldn't bet on." Javrin chuckled. "The Republic is a very big place, lots of worlds. Even if there's only one Chance-grade pilot per planet, that's still quite a few." "I can actually build something not even he could fly," Jake chuckled a bit sheepishly. "That's what happened to the first jet I made. I could handle it, but no pilot could." "Well, that would reduce the number pilots capable of it." Javrin grinned. "A few Jedi Knights and Masters I expect." "And it'd be so pilot specific it wouldn't be funny." He chuckled self consciously "I've had to scrap so many plans because no one could handle them it's not even funny. It'd be nice to see some of the really advanced designs see reality." He added much more softly. "But it's generations between pilots of Chance's caliber. There may never be one that could handle some of what's designed." "It's generations when you've only got one world." He agreed. "You'd have the big corporations fighting to get you to work for them." He grinned. "You'd be dangerous with the backing of multi-stellar corporation." That raised Jake's eyebrow. "They don't know me, do they?" He murmured as it hit him he wasn't blacklisted out here. At least not yet. "No, but I'm sure they'll want to." Javrin smiled over Jake's uncertainty. "Especially Sienar Systems." "I'm rather hoping not to have that much free time," he sighed. "Chance probably doesn't have much time." "I was thinking after we get Chance back." Javrin suggested. "We'll probably have some time before we go back. Though if he gets into one of the new starfighters, we may have to bring one along to get him to go home." He chuckled. "Javrin ... more than a few weeks and there won't be a city to go back to." Jake reminded him quietly. "Remember, Dark Kat knows that SWAT is out of commission, and he probably knows we're both gone." "Well, we might have to kick his tail when we get home." Javrin nodded. "Like you guys haven't done that without my help." "I know," he swallowed. "It's a matter of how many good kats die in the meantime. He wants to decimate the Enforcers even more than he wants to take over the city. The city might never really recover from a blow like that. At least not in any form I'd want to see it in." "Jake, there's nothing to be done about it now." Javrin said gently, reaching up one hand to touch Jake's cheek gently. "We do the best we can. Maybe the psychopaths will fall to fighting among themselves over who gets the city." He suggested wryly. "We can hope," he leaned into the contact, then forward to claim a lingering kiss to ground him in the present. "And we'll deal with it." He promised himself as much as anyone. "And that Sith is going to regret katnapping my partner." "Most definitely." Javrin agreed easily, then shook his head. "I'm going to have to come up with one hell of an explanation for disappearing without warning." He said thoughtfully. "Dr Synian gets very agitated when students disappear." "Just tell her got caught up in a SWAT Kats adventure," he chuckled. "It's the truth after all." "And it's not like that sort of thing doesn't happen to museum personnel." Javrin chuckled. "She's certainly had her share." "Mmm, yes she has." Jake actually blushed. "Now that's interesting." Javrin teased lightly. "Interested in my boss?" He asked with playful curiosity. "Not much," his blush deepened. "But stuff happens out there, you know." "I'll bet it does." Javrin snickered playfully as Jake's blush deepened even more. "How are you feeling?" The buff Black Lion asked Chance politely as the tabby soaked in the hot tub, letting the hot water soothe aching muscles. "You did well defeating a narthos without weapons." He said in honest admiration. "Sore as hell, but not bad for having that critter roll on top of me." He chuckled a bit and glanced up at the male. "You were fortunate to avoid the teeth and claws." He nodded. "From what we have heard, it seems that narthos slipped through during a brief interruption in boundary screen." He explained, dropping to floor laying on his stomach. "But because narthos are quite stealthy the technician who repaired the breach, was unaware that the creature got through." "Have they all been tracked down now?" He asked simply. "There was only the one." He said easily. "The breach was only open briefly, and narthos males are solitary hunters who stake large territories." He explained. "I'm Terasin." He said by way of introduction. "Chance," the tabby responded, though he doubted he needed to tell the Lion that. "Looks like you're here on your own." He motioned at the intertwining ropes of silver and a reddish bronze material that composed the Lion's collar. "I don't know how things are on your world, but here there are far worse places to be then the entourage of a powerful Warlord." He said simply. "Many males compete for such positions." "Not my kind of gig." Chance chuckled, though it wasn't directed at the Lion. "I'm the kind that takes the Warlords down." "Very different worlds." The Lion nodded. "Though not all call themselves Warlords, and some are more powerful than others. But it is just the natural order of things for females to rule." He said simply. "Yeah, that's different," he nodded and tried to wrap his brain around what things would be like in that kind of world and shuddered a bit at a few of the mental images. "Had one gal that thought that, but she was really out there." He shook his head. "So you guys like it with her?" "She can be demanding and moody." He admitted. "But she is also a good provider and protector. None of the other warlords dare to make war on her, so we know our kin are safe." He said easily. "But she is also ruthless to her enemies and to those who threaten what is hers." "And willing to go to a lot of trouble to get what she wants," he added with a nod. "You have a clue what she wants a pilot for?" "No, but she doesn't discuss strategy with us." He admitted. "Only with the robed outsiders." And then looked at Chance thoughtfully. "We had thought she'd brought you here for kittens." He said simply. "That is what she talked about." "Great," he muttered darkly, his ears flat against his skull for a bit longer than was really good news. "She better not be expecting cooperation for it." The look the Lion gave him was one of distinct confusion. "It is not an honor to be chosen to be the sire of powerful warlord's kittens where you come from?" He asked curiously. "No, there is no honor in being a sire." He shook his head, his voice a low rumble. "It's a crime to katnap someone, to hold them against their will. Rape is almost as serious a crime as murder. I wasn't asked to come, you know," he tapped his collar. "I'm not about to forgive that." "I wondered about the wisdom of going into another culture." The Lion said thoughtfully. "But here it is common for a warlord to take a highly desired male from another warlord." He explained, accepting Chance's anger but clearly not understanding it. "No one is free here, are they?" He asked more quietly. "Warlords rule. Lesser warlords follow greater warlords, and everyone follows some warlord." He said simply, clearly seeing it as the natural order of things. And it was a very good description of a feudal system of government. "Some warlords are better to their people than others." "Well, this one's about to get rattled," Chance told him just as simply. "She's crossed somebody she'll loose to with this." "She has survived many challenges, this will be no different." He said simply, though clearly something was disturbing him. "I guess we'll just see," he shrugged. "The possibility doesn't sit well, does it?" "It would mean looking for a new warlord, who needs males." He said simply. "Or going back to more difficult lives, and the danger of invasion by another warlord when we are without protection." "I guess that's the down side of being dependent on someone else," Chance said quietly, a bit sympathetic. "You don't know if they'll do something that takes your world out from under you." "No you don't." He said quietly. "But no gain is without risks." He said as he stood slowly. "I know you may not want the attention, but you do make an attractive addition to our company." He said quietly, before walking away clearly lost in thought. The tabby watched him go and shook his head. "Your attention I don't mind so much. Just hers." He said softly, not really intending to be heard. "So what do you think of paradise island?" The White Lion asked as he sat down near the edge of the hot tub. He sounded younger than the other Lion, and there was a distinct note of sarcasm in his voice. Like Chance he was wearing a high tech color. "Jackson LongClaw." He said by way of introduction. "Gilded cage that's going to get rattled," the tabby looked up and took this Lion's measure. "So what got you 'volunteered' to join this lovely harem?" He asked with a matching sarcasm. "The latest golden boy of Sienar Systems Fighter Design division." He grinned. "Keira's got me designing a new space fighter for her. I hang out here in my time off. The guys are good company, even if I don't buy into their culture." That raised an eyebrow. "What's she got on you that you'll design a weapon for her?" "I'm not interested in dying, that's what." He shook his head. "And with her, dying means you got off easy." "Basic terrorist," the tabby rolled his eyes. "Gods, as if there weren't enough of those nut-jobs in my life already." "Nah, actually she's planning on conquering this world and then using as a base for further expansion." He chuckled. "She'd be less dangerous if she was just a terrorist." Chance flicked a confused look at the White Lion. "I think whatever they did to make language work didn't translate that right. You just described a basic terrorist." "At least in my understanding, terrorists don't want to rule worlds, build empires and expand societies. They just want to spread fear and chaos." The White Lion clarified. "Maybe we just define terrorists differently." "I think so," the tabby considered thoughtfully. "They're all classified as Omegas back home, and they're the trouble I take down. Most of them want to take over, though." "Ah, our terrorists are usually just interested in tearing down society for one reason or another." He chuckled. "What's an Omega, by the way?" "They're criminals that have powers or things that make them much more dangerous than normal people." He worked through the salient points for now. "Most want to either take over or blow everything up, but some just want money one way or another. Time mages, super-tech users, a variety of geniuses that mutate everything in sight, animated giant mummies and volcanoes. They're all different, they just have a basic immunity to standard law enforcement in common." "Well, I think we've got all of those in the Republic, and then some. But there's hundreds of worlds involved so that's to be expected." He said. "Except maybe the volcano, since I've never heard of a natural disaster with terrorist behavior. But the Sith would qualify since they definitely have powers that normal people don't. "He explained. "Well, the volcano came to life and decided to march through downtown," Chance shook his head. "It was one of the weirder ones." He admitted. "So what can a Sith do that's so dangerous?" "Well, mind control for starters." He said easily. "Though that doesn't work quite as well if you're stubborn and know its a Sith you're dealing with. The ability to manipulate objects with simple force of will. I've seen Keira casually move starfighters with a gesture." He shook his head. "I've heard that that can put to more damaging uses but I've never actually seen it. And supposedly the more powerful ones can throw bolts of highly destructive lightning, but I haven't seen that either. Problem is a lot of the info on the Sith is cloud in myth and legend, so you have to try and sort fact from fiction." "And with individuals, what one can do another might not." Chance nodded, more familiar with the concept than anyone had a right to be. "Stubborn I've got down," he chuckled with a bit of a smirk. "She'd hardly be the first critter I've taken down that could do special effects either. At least once this stupid thing comes off." He tapped his collar. "Anything's possible." The White Lion nodded. "Though I've been trying to find a way to bypass these collars for six months with no luck. Don't know who designed these for her, but he or she was very, very good." "No one is as good as my partner," he chuckled dangerously. "He's the one she pissed off taking me, and he's coming. It won't be long before things start to go boom." "Does your partner know which planet you're on?" He asked curiously. "We're in kind of an out of the way part of this galaxy." "We've crossed time and alternate realities," Chance shook his head. "Space is nothing. He's coming." He said with the calm certainty of someone who knew the truth in his very soul. "Any possibility of hitching a ride when he gets here?" Jackson asked with a wise-ass grin, though the question was serious. "Unlike the locals, I'm not enamored of our gilded cage." "I don't see why not." The tabby shrugged. "I don't know what the available destinations will be, but I doubt he'd turn down someone who wanted to leave." "Hey, I'll settle for a destination of 'not here'." The Lion chuckled. "And if your partner is half as attractive as you, I'll have traveled in worse company." He smirked playfully. "I'm handsome, he's cute." Chance winked. "And sexy as hell." "Cute is something this place could use some of." Jackson said wistfully. "We're just brimming at the seems with buff and handsome, courtesy of Keira's obsession." He shook his head. "She has no appreciation for the value of cute." "Yeah, I noticed." He nodded with a sigh of his own. "Big and buff is nice, but I like'm small and cute. Of course, being partnered with it for ten years has kind of prejudiced me to it too." He chuckled. "My ex is small and cute too." Jackson sighed. "Unfortunately, he went and got married to a fem who's not into sharing." "That's just not right," he shook his head. "I can see not wanting to share with just anybody, but not sharing with someone who also cares about him? It's just not right." "Some people are just very solidly into monogamy." Jackson shook his head. "Not something I really get, but it seems common enough." "They should stick to each other," Chance said even as he tried to comprehend it being common. "But I guess that's how it goes sometimes, hu?" "Pretty much." He shrugged. "My ex was always kind of monogamous, so I never worried. Didn't take into account his folks' desire for grandpups." He sighed. "My mistake." "Yeah, family can do quite a number on you," he nodded. "Not sure if I'm happy or not to not have to worry about it." "Haven't had much to do with my folks since I bailed the Academy to be a designer and inventor." He shook his head. "My folks were, to say the least, a bit disappointed." "Yeah, I bet." He nodded. "Nothing like going against their wishes to tick them off." "Please be seated." The statuesque Borzoi female sitting behind the large wooden desk indicated two chairs as Jake and Javrin entered her office. "I'm Jedi Knight Tasha Sergenski, and the Council asked me to brief you on what we've discovered so far, regarding your Sith attacker." "Thank you." Javrin nodded politely and sat down in one of the wooden chairs that faced the Knight. "Excellent," Jake nodded and took the other chair, looking forward to having some forward momentum back again. "We traced the medallion you brought back to one Keira'tana Shinowara." She began. "She's the strongest of the warlords on Sancresti Redoubt, with ambitions to ruling the planet. What's interesting is that while she is indeed a darksider, she appears to be self-taught with no actual connections to the Sith. This doesn't make her any less dangerous however." She cautioned. "About a quarter of the planet is currently under her control and indications are that she's revered by her people." "But the medallion includes the Sith crest, why would she use it if she isn't one?" Javrin asked curiously. "That's one of the reason the Council has decided to said in a covert strike team, Padawan." Tasha explained. "Historical records in that sector are sketchy prior to five hundred years ago, but stories suggest that there may have been a Sith fortress on Sancresti during the height of Sith power." "So she might be using what she found, or she may have made connections with them since she started training." Jake nodded, as much to himself as here. "When do we leave?" "Or there might be the spirit of long-dead Sith Lord guiding her." Tasha cautioned. "We've seen that happen before. In any case your mission is not to confront her directly. This is a rescue and intel mission." She said firmly. "Master Li-quan Tran will be in charge of the mission, and there is a briefing scheduled for seven tomorrow morning in briefing room 27. You'll receive the rest of your mission details then." She finished. "Any further questions?" "No ma'am." Javrin answered politely, thinking that it would be better to ask questions during the briefing. Jake considered her for a moment, then inclined his head. "No, ma'am." "Very good." She nodded. "Dismissed." Javrin nodded, stood and left the room with Jake at his side. "Not exactly what I expected them to find." He said quietly, once they were down the hall out of earshot. "What were you expecting?" He looked over curiously. "I was expecting it to be an actual Sith Lord." Javrin said simply. "Not a self-styled one." "Oh," he nodded. "I guess it makes sense to me. Everybody that messes with us is the self-styled kind of megalomaniac." "True, but around here we have an organization that recruits, trains and promotes megalomaniacs." He chuckled quietly. "And I thought MKC was screwed up," Jake shook his head with a bemused sound. "So how much do you have left to your day?" "Just an exam after dinner with Master Kastoris." He said after a moment's thought. "Then grab a meal, and I'll see you in our quarters?" Jake rumbled softly with more than a little promise of pleasures to come. "Sounds good to me." Javrin purred back, as they headed for the meal hall. "Are you sure about this, Master?" The dark robed lizard asked Keira worriedly as they walked through the quiet halls of the fortress complex. "We have lost many in vitality, it is far too untested." "He's too stubborn and paranoid." The Panther growled in annoyance. "It will take too long in the real world to get him where I need him. Virtuality gives me the control over reality that I need." She explained. "The temper and the anger are there, I just need to be able to push the right buttons." "It could permanently damage or kill him." The lizard cautioned. "Like it did the engineer." "The tabby is far stronger than the engineer." She shook her head. "And I need pilots soon, not in years." "Yes, Master." The lizard bowed. "I'll have him transferred at once. We should be ready in a few hours." "Excellent, Apprentice." Keira nodded. "It will work this time." "Yes, Master." The lizard nodded, not entirely convinced as he walked away. "Gambling again, my Apprentice?" A hollow shadowy voice asked, as a spectral figure appeared next to Keira. "Your luck has not been good, thus far." "A necessary risk, my Master." Keira replied subserviently. "We don't have a lot of time." "Less than you think." The shadowy figured nodded, and then disappeared leaving Keira alone with her thoughts. "I'm not sure that's possible." Keira muttered, and strode purposefully toward the control room of her virtual universe machine. Already in the room when Jake and Javrin arrived was Tasha, Vince and another Knight that neither of them had met, as well as a wiry trio of Lynx Custos. "Morning Jake, Javrin." Vince smiled as the Knights walked over. "I know you've met Tasha, so let me introduce Jedi Knight Myles Sunbright." He nodded indicating the lanky greyhound knight. "A pleasure." The Knight said politely. "I wouldn't disturb the Lynxes." He whispered to Jake and Javrin. "They seem to be concentrating on being the strong silent types." He chuckled wryly. "If everyone will have a seat, we can get started." An authoritative voice said suddenly from the front of the room. Standing on a table in front was a small raccoon, wearing the robes of a Jedi Master. "For those of you who haven't met me, I'm Master Li-quan Tran." Jake nodded and moved to sit next to Javrin and Vince without a thought to how he was falling into this chain of command so easily from his Enforcer training. "Thank you." He said, as the lights dimmed and a computer display was project on the front screen. "Our mission is two-fold; first objective is to obtain intel on the activities and background of the darksider calling herself Darth Keira; secondary objective is to retrieve a captured force-sensitive pilot by the name of Chance Furlong." He explained displaying first a picture of the regal but still very predatory Pantheress in black robes, and then a picture of Chance working on the engine block of a truck at the garage. From the tilted angle of the shot, it looked like the camera had probably been palmed by the photographer at the time. "The tabby will probably not be wearing those overalls or working on a primitive land vehicle, so remember face and stripe pattern." He added, pausing before chuckling lightly at his own light humor. "Sancresti Redoubt is a hot world orbiting a binary star, so be prepared for glaring sun and temperatures around 100 or so. Recon satellite intel indicates that Keira is using an underground fortress as her center of operations, here." He said displaying a map of the planet that slowly zoomed into an area on the western side of the largest of the planet's eight continents. "There is a good possibility that this fortress is leftover from the last Sith War, so be on the look out for the usual traps." "Any indication what she is doing to ensure he is still there?" Jake asked politely in the break. "Our inside intel is limited at this time." The diminutive Master acknowledged. "However sensors detect what appears to be an electronic boundary around the fortress grounds. It seems likely that she may be using some sort of control collar. There is little evidence of organized patrols, but then the people of that region revere her, and will likely protect her position without being told to." "So we have to avoid any contact with the locals then?" One of the Lynxes asked curiously. "Yes, since we can't discount that she may be communicating with them telepathically." The raccoon nodded. "From what we know about her, she has most of the abilities one would expect of a thoroughly trained knight. There is also the unconfirmed report of her using force lightning, so we have to be on our guard." "How debilitating will this collar be to him when we find him?" Jake asked quietly. No one present was surprised that his focus was on his partner and not much else. "Depends on the design." Vince answered, being the technical person in the group. "Some cause pain, some induce unconsciousness, and I've even heard of the occasional kind that explodes if you cross a certain line." He explained. "It's a technology that's heavily research by both sides of the law, since it's used in correctional facilities as well as in slave camps." "Any way to tell what this one does before it does it?" Jake focused on the Knight. "Aside from Chance being able to tell me." "Only by examining it." Vince shook his head. "Though usually the explosive ones are larger, but you can't count on that. They're tricky to disarm too, so we really want to get a hold of one of the control boxes." "I can take care of that much." Jake set his jaw, ready for contention that his Force-gift wasn't controlled enough for that yet. "Just be careful, Jake." Vince cautioned gently. "You don't want one of those zaps of yours being conducted into your partner." "We will make a point of capturing a control box." The raccoon said calmly. "It is likely that one or more guards will have one, so that should not be difficult." Jake nodded to the Master, though no one present doubted that he'd deal with the collar himself if he thought he needed to. "We'll be using a stealth equipped light freighter that's been equipped for combat." The Master continued. "That will allow us to land close to the base perimeter, and go in on foot from there. The heavy jungle surrounding the fortress is home to a number of large predators, so remember your lessons on controlling non-sentients." He detailed. "We embark in two hours." Jake swallowed and nodded, the edginess about him settling as he mentally prepared for the mission. "So how are you guys feeling about this, first mission and all?" Myles asked Jake and Javrin, making light conversation. "It's not really first mission for either of us." Javrin said easily. "Especially not for him." He chuckled at his boyfriend. "He's probably seen as many missions as any of you." "First real time Chance hasn't been here," Jake admitted quietly. "But this isn't that different from a lot of what we've handled." "Don't worry, we'll get him back." Vince said, with easy confidence. "Has everybody eaten breakfast?" He asked casually, since it was still early. "We have," Jake answered for Javrin without thinking. "Good." Vince grinned, as the others nodded agreement. "Don't want anyone going on a mission on an empty stomach." "We should all probably go pack." Myles suggested gently. "And those who don't spend much time in jungles should probably visit the supply section for appropriate clothing and gear." "That would be us," Jake chuckled a bit and guided Javrin out of the room. "We left home without enough changes of clothes." Javrin chuckled as they walked. "Actually, I think we forgot to pack anything." He grinned. "It's not like we could bring much sneaking into that base," Jake reminded him. "How long a flight is this one going to be?" "Probably a few days." Javrin hazarded. "It's on the outer rim somewhere." "Not worth wearing the uniform on board then," Jake nodded as they worked their way to supply. "Probably not." Javrin agreed. "Good thing it's only the nine of us. Those light freighters aren't exactly the roomiest things ever built." He chuckled and found himself drawn into a hard, hungry kiss right in the hallway as Jake tried to placate his fears. "Not much privacy either, I expect." He said after letting Javrin go, his nerves almost on visible display. "Sorry," he whispered as he leaned his head against Javrin's. "For what?" Javrin asked quietly and got a soft chuckle for it. "For being a mess." Jake's voice was a bit shaky. "I know I must be a bear to be around right now." "It's not so bad." Javrin smiled and kissed Jake gently on the cheek. "And I kind of expected it. I'd be worried if you weren't, considering how important Chance is to you." "And I just don't work in groups," he let out a breath and tried to settle himself enough to be presentable. "It's almost the hardest part of this. I don't ... I just don't know how to work with that many people." "It's weird that they're sending so many." Javrin said thoughtfully. "Someone is more worried than their letting on." He wondered aloud. "Maybe we'll break up into smaller teams once we get there. There's a lot of ground to cover." "Just know, whatever team I'm with, we're going to Chance." He said softly, meaning more than just his focus. "I don't know how, but I can find him." "Maybe we can manage to grab Vince and make it the three of us." Javrin suggested. "I know they're not gonna let the two of us take off on our own." He chuckled and got nuzzled for it. "I bet they already know that I'm headed for Chance as soon as I have land to move on. It'd be poor planning not to assign someone to tag along." "And they know damn well, that I'll be right behind you." Javrin chuckled. "I just figure Vince is a good choice, 'cause you seem to get along with him." "Yeah, I do." He nodded and let a breath out. "Let's get those supplies." "Ah crap!" Chance's sleep was broken by the sound of a distant, but large explosion that shook his bed slightly and loosened dust from the ceiling, sending him to his feet and scrambling for clothing before his brain had even begun to really click on line. He also thought he could hear the sound of a klaxon going off, but it was very faint as he rushed out the door and headed for the disturbance. Out in the hallway, it was easier to hear which way the klaxon was coming from. Another distant rumble caused the lights to flicker and dim, before they went out. After a brief moment, red emergency lights came illuminating the hallway dimly. It was all so familiar it was easy to forget he was a prisoner on an alien planet as he made quick work of the dim halls. As he got closer to the klaxon the red light became hazy with a mixture of smoke and haze. He could hear a pitched sound which sounded like the blasters the robots that had attacked MegaKat City had used, and then he heard a far more familiar sound; the sound of mini-missiles launching from a Glovatrix. "Knew you'd find me," the tabby smirked and worked his way towards the battle, his heart pounding in his chest even as he reminded himself he was unarmed. As he turned a corner, he saw that the hallway widened at the far end becoming double-wide as it reached what appeared to be a storeroom, judging from the boxes he could see. There was the high-pitched scream of a blaster, followed by small form in SWAT colors flying backwards into a stack of boxes, which crumbled and collapsed. That was the end of thought as Chance bolted foreword to the collapsed boxes and started to tear through them, seeking his partner without getting hit himself. Just before Chance entered the storeroom, a thick transparent door slammed across the hallway cutting him off and leaving the pile of boxes mere yards away but still out of reach. "What the fuck?" He snarled even as he felt for an edge or anything he could use to pry it open. There was an edge, but it resisted his efforts at brute force without striating. Then he remembered passing what looked like a janitor's closet, and a toolbox in there and he twisted around to go for a bit of serious leverage. When Chance got back he could see a foursome of armored Mastiffs standing around the boxes. One of them reached into the pile and pulled out a limp, unconscious figure and tossed it over his shoulder. "Great. He's out." The one Mastiff grumbled. "How we gonna question him?" He said as they started walked toward a door on the far side of the storeroom from Chance. "Just poke him with the shock stick a couple of times." A darker marked Mastiff chuckled darkly making a crudely suggestive gesture with what looked to be a high-tech police nightstick. "That always works." He chuckled. "I don't know he don't look so good." The first one commented. "Might kill him." "And this is a problem how?" The second one said. "It's not like we have to question him." Chance felt the rage flair hot inside him, a familiar warmth that eased thought and fear into action he rarely remembered much of afterwards. Flashes of the next few moments burned into his brain though. The shock on the Mastiffs faces as he exploded onto the scene. The crack of a neck being crushed as he dealt with the one holding his partner and claimed what was his. The snarl of another Mastiff that came after him to a certain fate that wasn't remembered. The feel of Razor's limp body against his chest as he bolted after the fourth Mastiff fell. He knew it was really bad before his feet stopped in the medical room he'd gotten his painkillers from. Even without looking he knew this wasn't just unconscious. Jake was too cool, too limp ... and the smell. That smell of burnt fur and flesh would stay with him forever. Chance groaned past the tears and blood he could taste through his receding sleep. The bed was familiar. Not of the nightmare of the last week, but from when life made sense. When life was worth it. "Hey, Tiger." The calico said, gently from next to Chance. "Having that nightmare again?" He asked quietly, one hand on Chance's shoulder, as he lay on one side facing his old friend. "Nightmare?" He looked up over his shoulder without really moving and finally placed the where and who he was with. "Well, maybe not a nightmare exactly." Erik said quietly, in light of the approaching dawn. "You've been reliving Jake's death in your dreams for the last two weeks." He said sympathetically. "Not surprising, given how close you two were." Chance started at him dumbfounded. "He's not dead." He shook his head stubbornly, not knowing why he was so sure of it, only that he was. "I wish that was true, Tiger." Erik said gently. "But we were both at the funeral." "He's not dead," the tabby snarled, his tears and tone sounding more like a denial than the truth he felt in his soul. "Tiger." Erik said gently, putting his arms around the tabby. "I know you don't want to believe it." He said sympathetically. "But he wouldn't want you stop living 'cause he died. You can't begin to heal, until you can accept that he's gone." "Erik, cut the psychobabble." Chance muttered, though he didn't resist the embrace and let his head hang down. "What happened?" "Dark Kat happened." Erik said quietly. "I don't know all the details but he got his hands on nuke material. Tried to blackmail the city into surrendering, again. You and Jake found out where the bomb was hidden and went after it." He said quietly. "Then Dark Kat attacked the city in one of those flying fortresses of his. Jake took one of your Cyclotrons to go disarm the bomb, while you went after the fortress." He sighed. "Jake got the first bomb, but while he was on his way back to rejoin you, a second bomb that no one had known about went off." He paused. "The high-tech boys called it an enhanced EMP bomb, but whatever the case, it wiped out 95% of electronics across the city and about 20 miles out. According to Enforcer who saw it, the shockwave slammed the cyclotron into a bridge abutment." He paused quietly. "But it wasn't the crash that killed him, it was Nightside, some Omega assassin who'd teamed up with Dark Kat. Caught him while he freeing himself from the wrecked bike." "And the Omegas?" Chance asked quietly, numb inside despite the part of him that was screaming how wrong this was. How it wouldn't have gone down like that. Like this. "You took down the flying fortress. Everybody saw it crash into the bay. I don't know whether Dark Kat was on-board or not. The Enforcers have the crash site cordoned off, and they've had divers there since it went down." He explained gently, though it was clear that it was a question he was used to answering. "From what I've heard, when you headed back to Jake something fired from the ground ripped through the TurboKat. You said it was like Turmoil's ray, only it actually ripped things as well as scrambling your senses." He said, remembering Chance's description. "Felina had a squad in the area. She got you and Jake to Serenity. They were able to patch you up, but there wasn't anything they could do for Jake. He lived about long enough for you to come around and say good-bye." That was the first, and only, thing the tabby could really believe. It was very much something Jake would manage. This time he didn't fight the tears or grief that washed over him in a numbing wave as he curled back up and tried to comprehend being T-Bone without Razor. Erik just held Chance close and let him cry. It was the first time that the tabby had actually accepted the loss enough to cry, and grieve. It was a good sign for the long run. Chance knelt by the fresh grave, his vision too blurry to read the inscription past his partner's name. He couldn't take reading the dates, and the words below, some meaningful phrase he was sure, was a lump in his throat as he started to break down again. He knew he should be humiliated by sobbing like a little kitten and clinging to the gravestone like some kind of security blanket, but he couldn't make himself care. It hurt too much to care. It was still sinking in how much of his world was defined by Jake's presence in it. How much of his life now had to be redefined by something other than the absence of his partner. And the almost comforting knowledge that he had no real desire to do so. "How perfectly delicious." A sneering female voice with a strangely familiar accent commented. A statuesque female in black leather and a long black leather coat could be see lounging against a large headstone in the distance. "Your partner, your jet, your city and now it appears your sanity. Ilyana will be pleased." She chuckled maliciously. "Nightside." Erik murmured in surprise. The name spun Chance around and to his feet, his claws leaving three long gashes in Jake's headstone. He barely saw the person as the rage rushed up inside him, no longer held back by a lack of focus. He saw a kill and rushed forward across the uneven grown and headstones without a thought for tactics. All he wanted to rip her apart with his bare claws. Nightside expected this and grabbed a black metal pole from the ground swiftly, leaping backwards as she did so. "Think you can take me?" She sneered disdainfully at the charging tabby and the mindless fury he represented. "Come on, then." All Chance did was snarl as the distance closed and it became a fight of skill and agility against rage and mass. If he'd bothered to think, Chance would have realized that it was one of the dumbest things he'd ever tried. He was in no state to think, though, and the rushing power that came with embracing of his rage only served to fuel his state. That rage fueled not only strength but speed as well, and the fight became one of endurance and attrition. She was good, very good, but she was used to being able to take down opponents with a few precise and deadly strikes of her staff, or at range with her rifle. The preternatural rage fueling the tabby allowed him to ignore the pain that her staff strikes caused, and made his strikes that much more painful when they connected. Something that happened far too often and far too deeply for her confidence. The fight ranged across the graveyard with Nightside generally in retreat until fatigue and injury caused her to miss her footing on a gravestone and fall on her back, her staff clattering out of reach. She didn't even have long enough to curse, much less reach for the weapon before Chance was on her, fags and claws and unnatural strength tore into her body as an enraged tiger might. By the time he calmed enough to remember to breath and look around all that was left of Nightside were bits of flesh, cloth and shattered bones. Not even her head had survived in one piece. "Erik?" He eventually called out. "Oh wow, Tiger." Erik said, clearly stunned by what he'd seen as he caught up with the wide ranging fight. "Guess Felina had the right idea when she asked you to head Hunter Squad." He said looking in stunned amazement at the destruction his old friend had wrought. It only sort of registered that Erik had mentioned something else he didn't remember. It was starting not to surprise him. "You'd better call them." He said quietly without moving from the middle of the blood and guts he'd created of a shekat. "Murder's still a crime." He added as he started to feel sick at what he'd done. At what Jake would think of him for it. "Not in this case, Chance." Erik said quietly. "Nightside was never going to make it to trial, and everyone knew that. Her bomb killed at least a dozen Enforcers when their choppers went down, she crippled Commander Feral, and she killed Razor." He said softly. "You weren't the only one out for blood, Tiger. Not by a long shot." "I promised him," he whispered, his eyes closing against the tears that were threatening. "I promised I wouldn't become a real vigilante. That Feral wouldn't be right." "Chance, one slip doesn't make you a vigilante." Erik said quietly, putting his arms around Chance. "Tiger, you've obviously got a lot of anger to deal with, so why not put it to good use?" He suggested gently. "Take Felina up on her offer, and the take the Omegas down for good." He encouraged. "With her support and the tech Jake left behind, you could finally put an end to it." He said softly. "I think he'd approve of that." "He'd want me to not get my fool hide killed," he murmured and leaned into the contact, absently surprised that anyone but Jake would be willing to touch him when he was this messy. "Why not," he sighed. "It's all I'm really good for anyway." "You were a good officer before Uly Feral booted you." Erik reassured his old friend. "That hasn't changed, you've just gotten stronger. Personally, I think you've got a good shot at the second-in-command position." He grinned. "But lets get you cleaned up." He said, helping Chance stand. "You've made quite the mess of yourself." The comments left him a bit bewildered, but he wasn't in a state to care either. "Somebody needs to tell them what happened," he motioned to the gore. "We'll get you cleaned up, then we can tell them." Erik said simply and urged the tabby to stand and come with him. "It's not like this is going anywhere." "No ..." he admitted, though he was still torn between what he knew he should do and the sense his friend made. When it came down to it, Chance did what he'd always done when he was lost. He followed the person he trusted and let Erik lead him to the car. "Come on, Tiger." Erik encouraged gently as they entered his apartment. "Let's get you cleaned up." He said, gently steering Chance toward the bathroom. As out of control and destructive as the big tom had been in the graveyard, he was now as submissive as a kitten and allowed his lifelong friend to guide him, help him get his blood-soaked clothing off and turned on the water till it was hot. As strong and alive as he'd been in the fight, Chance was now completely drained, even more than usual. "In you go, Tiger." Erik said gently guiding Chance into the shower, and his fur thoroughly wetted as he stood in the spray without really moving, only soaking in the warmth as most of the blood ran from his fur and down the drain. "Want me to do your back?" He offered gently, careful not to presume too much on a role that had probably been Jake's. The question earned him a blank look for a moment, then hesitation as the question was processed. Erik was almost ready to leave the tabby to clean himself up when Chance's voice stopped him. "Yeah," the tabby murmured. "Come in." Erik stepped in behind Chance, picked up the shampoo and began working it slowly but thoroughly into his old friend's fur starting at his broad shoulders and working his way down. His touch was cleansing with a light kneading of the tabby's back to help him relax. In all the years he'd known Chance, he couldn't remember him seeming quite so lost. That in and of itself was a testament to just how central Jake had been to Chance's life. Deep inside, Chance still couldn't believe his partner was really dead. He could barely believe what he'd just seen himself do. But the hands on his back were comforting. The touch of a friend he'd known much longer, but not as well, as the tom he spent his adult life with. It felt almost right in a warped way. Someone that would be home for him when he came back from a fight. He couldn't do it alone, he'd known that his whole life, but there were few friends left in his life. Maybe Erik could never be his partner, but he could be a gentle touch and warm bed after another hard day. Erik gently turned Chance so he could rinse out the shampoo he'd just massaged in. As he worked the shampoo out, he hoped that Chance would take Felina's offer. It might not be SWAT, but it was still a way for him to be the good kat he always wanted to be and to protect the city against the Omegas. The calico had to admit to himself that it was partially a selfish wish, because he didn't want Chance going solo against those threats. And deep in his heart, he didn't think Chance would be able to ignore an attack on the city, even without Jake. Or worse, Chance might be more reckless solo. Erik shuddered slightly inside thinking of that possibility, and even more, just how likely it was. The tabby was always at his worse when he didn't have someone to come home to. Someone he cared enough about to be careful for. It was a hell of a roll to fill, especially after who had been there before. He was startled into freezing when he felt Chance's mouth against his. The calico let the kiss go on for a little while, before gently breaking it. "Let's get the front of you clean, Tiger." He said gently. It wasn't that he wasn't attracted to Chance, hell it was well established that he was and under just about any other circumstances he'd jump at the opening. But he knew his friend was on autopilot, and he didn't want to take advantage of that. He'd accept filling the roll Jake had to a point, but he couldn't and wouldn't take Jake's place. Assuming that was even possible, which was an assumption Erik didn't consider likely. "I'll get it." Erik said getting up from the couch where he and Chance had been hanging out after the long day. With the city still in the process of rebuilding the electronic infrastructure there still wasn't a lot to do in the evening. Basic electricity had been restored, but extras like television transmitters were still under repair. A few radio stations had been restored, mostly in case they were needed for emergency announcements. "Hello, Commander." Chance heard Erik say, just out of sight at the front door. "Is Chance around?" The tabby heard Felina ask, in a voice that sounded fairly exhausted. "Yeah, he's here. Come on in." Erik said closing the door. "Hello, Chance." Felina said, as she followed Erik into the living room. She did look a bit tired which meant, if she were anything like her uncle, that she was downright exhausted. She was still in uniform too; only it was the full Commander uniform that Chance was used to seeing on Ulysses Feral. "Good job on Nightside." She said with a smile. "Maybe a little overkill, but she had it coming. Just wish I'd been there for it." "I'm glad you weren't," the tabby said softly, only just managing to look up at her. "I probably would have killed anything that moved right then." "Have a seat, Felina." Erik offered. "Thanks, Eric." The tall shekat said easily. "I know this may be a bad time to ask, but have you thought about my offer?" She asked Chance politely and waited as his blank and panicked look passed after a moment. "Hunter Squad?" He asked uncertainly. "Yes, I left the paper work here for you." She said looking around. "I know where it is." Erik nodded, and went into the bedroom. "Callie and I decided that we have to get more aggressive about the Omega problem." Felina said quietly. "Fifteen years of reacting, instead of acting have brought us to this." She gestured out the living room window where only a small fraction of the lights that should've be visible could be seen. "Too many good kats have died. It's time for us to go after them. Hence, Hunter Squad." She said firmly. "Next to my uncle, you have the most experience fighting Omegas. I know you're not big on authority, but I'd like you to be in charge of the Squad." She asked quietly. "I donno," he admitted with a soft sound. "I'll fight for you, for the city," he continued before she could say anything, "but I don't know about leading anyone." He glanced up. "It's not really what I did." "I can respect that." She nodded understandingly. "I just wasn't sure how you'd feel about following someone else's orders." "Not great," he shrugged. "But I'm not about to be responsible for others when I can't even control myself." "Well, the person I've got in mind shouldn't get to you quite as bad as my uncle used to." She said with a smile. "Lieutenant Commander Silverblaze, you might remember him better as Havok." "Yeah, I remember him," he actually chuckled softly. "Had a real talent for pushing things right up to the point of getting booted, but not quite. Still like that?" "Pretty much." She shook her head. "The rank has calmed him down a little, but he still gave my uncle headaches right up till he retired." She chuckled lightly, half of it being the bizarre concept of Ulysses Feral actually retiring. He hadn't wanted to, but retiring was more dignified than being removed by the medical officer. "He's a good squad leader." "If he'll take somebody who's got no business on active duty, I'll go." Chance shook his head, still a bit disturbed by the idea that no one seemed to care what he'd done. "Chance, you went overboard on an Omega who'd killed your partner." Felina said quietly. "You're not the first officer to do that, maybe the first to be strong enough to take an Omega solo, but nobody who's ever had a real partner, would blame you." She said firmly. "But the number of people who are willing and capable of taking on Omegas, isn't huge. The city is vulnerable now, we need every fighter we can get." She said simply. He nodded even as he looked at her, dead serious. "Commander," he stressed the rank, "I didn't go off on the person I know killed my partner. I went off based on a name she never confirmed was hers from a story I heard of what happened." He ran a hand through his hair in distress. "It could have been anyone standing there for all I knew. I got lucky this time. But I don't remember any of the last three weeks. It could be anyone next time." He said softly. "I'll fight on your squad, Commander, as long as you understand just how screwed up my head is right now." "We're all screwed up right now, Chance." Felina said quietly. "City in a shambles, at least a third of the force should be on grievance time, but we need them more than ever." She said quietly. "We're keeping an eye on everyone right now. Check in with Havok, when you're ready." She said standing. "My uncle wouldn't agree with me, but I'm glad to have you back." "Understood, Ma'am." He straightened, old training kicking in at the odd moment but uncertain without being in uniform himself. "And Chance, she did take credit for killing Jake and for shooting down the TurboKat." Erik reminded his old friend quietly. "If she wasn't NightBlade, she wanted you to think she was." The tabby glanced at him, then nodded in acceptance of the details on what was largely a blur. "What shift is he on?" He asked Felina. "He's on Delta shift currently, though you can usually catch him at the Tower near the end of Gamma, and the beginning of Alpha." She said after a moments thought. "Beta shift he teaches fundamentals of flight at the Academy." "You reworked the shifts on me," Chance muttered slightly. "The new ones detailed somewhere in that paperwork?" "Yes, they are." She nodded. "And they aren't new, we just haven't needed them in a long time." She shook her head. "Their war-footing shifts, six hour shifts to keep troops fresh. Midnight to six, six to noon, noon to six, six to midnight." "Gotcha," he nodded and rubbed his face. It had been a seriously long day and was only getting longer. "I'll catch him at the Academy in the morning." He said quietly as he worked out when and where would be easiest to track him down. "Sounds good, and good to have you back." She said, extending one hand. "See you in uniform." "Yes, Ma'am." He accepted the handshake, though his wasn't nearly as sure as hers. "Well, good evening Chance, Erik." She said, as she left, with Erik letting her out. "Good night, Felina." Erik said easily, as he closed the door. "For what its worth Tiger, I think you're doing the right thing." "It's better than sitting here and slowly going crazy," the tabby nodded with a wide yawn. "It's going to be an early morning too." He added and got up from the couch. "Doing nothing probably would drive you crazy Tiger." Erik nodded. "You've never been one to let the world happen around you." "Whether or not it was a good idea." He sort of chuckled and turned towards the bedroom. "I'm gonna try and get some sleep before I have to get up and hunt down my new CO." Javrin shuddered under the intensity of Jake's emotions as he was pushed against a bulkhead and kissed with more fire and need than he'd ever felt before from his lover. It was almost out of control as Jake's hands moved along his body even as he rubbed against Javrin's body, unheeding of the clothing they both wore. The grey tom didn't mind the attention, but he was feeling more than a little self-conscious since they hadn't made it to anywhere private this time. Giving in to the passion of the moment, he began running his hands over Jake's body while carefully avoiding removing any clothes. It was a strange combination to feel from Jake; the raw, demanding need fueled by something other than desire. He could feel the fear at its core, the loss so intense it made Jake want to cry. Even the distant knowledge that Jake knew this wasn't right and couldn't do anything about it. He wasn't sure what to make of it all, but knew that the best thing was to just get Jake off as soon as possible since that seem to calm him, at least for awhile. Gently he shifted his tactics to rub and caress Jake in all the sensitive places that would bring him to orgasm, while he still had his clothes on. He felt the lean tom groan into his mouth as his touch began to work on him, the shudder and increased force against his body as Jake sought the release that would cool his body and mind for a while. Suddenly Jake broke their kiss and pressed his clenched teeth against Javrin's shoulder. He clutched his lover against his body tightly as he came with a groan and trembling body. Javrin held Jake close as the lean tom panted and came down from his orgasm, mentally and physically. A very small sound caused him to look up, and he blushed brightly beneath his fur when he realized that Tasha and one of the Custos had walked in on two of them. "I believe we're needed on the command deck." Tasha stammered, trying to ignore what she'd seen as she dragged the much less inhibited Lynx back toward command with her. She couldn't deny that they were attractive felines, but she really, really shouldn't be having thoughts like that about one of the Padawans. "Gods, I'm sorry." Jake whispered, as embarrassed as his lover but too sated to actually react much. "It's okay, Jake." Javrin said gently, as he worked on settling his rather unsettled mind. "But I think we just embarrassed Tasha, and probably gave Rynce ideas." He chuckled weakly. "Normally, I'd think that was a good thing," he chuckled weakly and nuzzled him. "Right now ... I just don't know what's wrong with me." "I really don't know Jake." Javrin said honestly. "Though it felt like some of that was coming from someone other than you." He admitted, more than a little concerned. "I think you should talk to Master Tran." And then he spotted the time. "And I'm supposed to be relieving Vince at piloting." "Go let him wonder around for a while," Jake smiled slightly and gave him a gentle, chaste kiss. "Unless you want to duck into a room for a quick blowjob to deal with what I started." "Maybe later, Jake." Javrin grinned, and kissed him playfully. "It's a great way to work off the tension from piloting." He smirked. "Anytime, lover." Jake claimed a last kiss before they separated; Javrin to the cockpit and Jake to the sonic showers. "We need to talk." Master Tran told Jake firmly, with an expression that brooked no argument. "In private." He said, dismissing the rest of the team from the small forward cabin. "You have been having some difficulties, since the mission began." He commented to Jake, once the others had left and the uneasy feline was paying full attention to him. "Do you know why?" He asked, though it was clear that he wasn't seeking information but was in fact wondering if Jake knew something that he had discovered. "No," he glanced away, embarrass by what had been happening, and even more that he'd embarrassed Javrin by his lack of self-control. "I don't know how, but you have a mental link with your partner." He said gently. "And that is causing you to receive emotional bursts from him, when he experiences very strong emotions. These bursts are enhancing any feelings you already have...so you're feeling of loss at his absence becomes a fear of loss." He explained without reproach. "So you feel a need to keep what you do have." The lean tom nodded. It was an accurate description of what was going on to be sure. "That's how we can find each other so effectively," he almost stated, his gaze still down and submissive. "Yes, it would facilitate location greatly." The Raccoon nodded. "It's nothing to be ashamed of." He said gently. "You have no experience or training in controlling what is happening, and if I read the pulses correctly they are very strong." He said quietly. "Even a trained Jedi would have difficulty dealing with them." "He's in a lot of trouble then," Jake whispered as he translated the impulses he could identify from when he felt out of control. "Grieving, suicidal, so much rage ..." he shuddered. "Someone is dying." "Something you should remember." Master Tran said gently. "Not all these things are necessarily real. The Sith have always been good at manipulating perceptions. They may be holding him in an illusion, trying to goad him to the dark side." He said quietly. "Would you say your partner has a temper that could be prodded into serious anger, rage even?" "Yeah, he does." He nodded slightly. "He's got a good heart, but he's not hard to anger either. With illusions ... it wouldn't be hard, honestly. He's not difficult to understand." "Then that is probably what they are doing." He said gently. "But it also means that we have no time to waste. It is much easier to get addicted to rage, then to give it up." He said simply. "I know," Jake shivered. "He'll probably take some serious TLC to get his head back on right." He sighed. "And we are not heading into a situation that's going to make it easy either." "Is there some situation aside from his current predicament that I should know about?" Tran asked, a little concerned. "And we have treated rage addiction before, it happens to Custos occasionally." "The two of us are pretty much all that stands between our homeworld and being concurred by an Omega, our version of the Sith." He said quietly and leaned against a bulkhead with his eyes closed. "Since the most powerful of them was in on the plan to capture Chance and probably knows I'm gone too since that shuttle we came in disappeared from his base, he's not going to waste any time. If we don't get back quickly, we won't have a home to go back to." "I understand." Tran nodded simply. "Unfortunately, there is only so much we can do to speed things up." He said gently, and then paused for a moment. "What can be done, will be." Jake looked at him seriously, then nodded and smiled slightly. "Thank you." "You're welcome, Jake." The Raccoon said, with a gentle smile. "And thank you, for what you did for our Padawan." Vince had spent the first thirty-six hours of the trip trying to decide how to bring up the subject that Master Kastoris had asked him to discuss with Jake. It was important and Vince could understand why the Master had asked him to do it, but it was still a very sensitive subject and there was really no good way to discuss it. In the end he waited until Master Tran and Javrin were on the command deck handling flight operations, to track the lean cinnamon tom down. "Jake, you got a moment?" He asked politely. Normally, it would be an unnecessary question given that none of them really had anything to do, if they weren't piloting, but Jake had been extremely distracted since the trip started. "Yeah, sure." He looked over his shoulder from the prime star-watching spot of one of the main turrets before swinging up to out of it to join the Wolf on the deck. "Oh, no need to get down." Vince smiled. "The turrets do give a good view." He said easily. "Jake, have you given any thought to what you'll do if your home isn't there when you get back?" He asked gently, clearly bothered by the idea of a world being lost so thoroughly. Jake stared at him for a while, his expression going foreboding and hurt. "Depends a lot on what happens to Javrin," he started quietly, his gaze distant. "But it'll involve finding something to do with ourselves in your known space." "I don't know your partner, but I can see two options easy enough." He said, trying to be reassuring. "You've got the ability and the training to be a Custos, especially if Javrin gets promoted which I think likely." He started, answering two questions at once. "And from what I hear, you could probably make it as an inventor, designer or both. Probably even do it freelance, if you wanted to." "Yeah, that and we really could do anything we set our minds to," he nodded. "And there's what we've done our entire lives. You've got enough trouble to keep us busy for a long time." "That's certainly true." Vince nodded. "There's certainly never a shortage of work in the mercenary or private shipping industries." He nodded, then looked at Jake curiously when the feline chuckled with a shake of his head. "Nobody clued you in on what we did back home, did they?" "Javrin said you were in law enforcement, and freelance because of a local military commander who had issues with talented people." Vince said simply. "We didn't get into details. But Master Kastoris says you are probably one of the most talented inventor-designers in the Republic." "I am on Aristal," he nodded without a bit of doubt or conceit about it. "And he was being nice about the description," he chuckled a bit. "SWAT Kats aren't mercs, we don't fight for pay. We were real vigilantes. Good guys, but really outside the law." He glanced out the turret for a bit. "We did what we did to protect our city. To keep our oaths. If the city doesn't exist ... I don't know. It's all we've ever been." He rambled a bit, trying to think even as he was talking and trying to deal with the intense sense of loss and failure just thinking about it caused. Eventually he stilled, staring at the stars streaming by. "Chance is a fighter pilot. Maybe we'll find a new home to protect. Maybe it's not possible. We'll probably end up going wherever we're needed where he can fly as a good kat. There's a lot more out here for me than him, for all he'll probably adjust better." "Just remember to give yourselves time to adjust, if it comes to that." Vince said sympathetically. "And the universe can always use good people, and it seems like it's becoming more true." He added quietly. "That one's pretty universal." He sighed and closed his eyes briefly. "A lot depends on Chance and Javrin, really. I've got a lot more options than either of them." "Inventive geniuses usually do." Vince nodded. "Just remember you're not alone." He said supportively and got a weak smile for it. "I kinda doubt this chat was your idea either." "Not entirely, no." Vince admitted. "Mostly Master Kastoris' idea. He was worried that you weren't thinking beyond." He said quietly. "Well, Javrin was worried, it came up during the exams." "I'm trying to focus on it not being necessary." Jake said quietly. "Things are bad enough without inviting the universe to make it worse." "A logical approach." Vince nodded approvingly. "After all, our thoughts do make the universe." He said easily. "Or at least they influence the shape of it." "Sometimes more literally than others," Jake managed to chuckle at memories of what he managed in various vehicles and weapons. "Basic Force lesson." Vince chuckled. "Convincing the universe that there's no reason that starfighter shouldn't float across the lawn to where you want it." He grinned, vastly simplifying the art of levitating things that your mind screamed you couldn't move. "Or my specialty; convincing the universe that there is no reason that said starfighter can't have a cargo bay capable of holding several of the same class of starfighter." He smirked. "I don't make things float, but I do make them hold several hundred times what they should be able to." "I'm not even going to try and think about that one too hard." Vince shook his head. "But it'd have to involve constructing tesseracts without realizing it. Internal pocket dimensions." He shook his head. "You realize you really revolutionize the cargo industry with that. Or make a killing in the smuggling market." He chuckled. "Or what I usually use it for, self defense." He held up his arm with the Glovatrix. "Only trick is that I have to build it. It never works the same if they just use plans, for all those are good." "Yeah, sounds like unconscious tesseracting alright." Vince nodded. "Master Kastoris knew someone a few decades ago who did that, only he did it with houses. He was homebuilder who managed walk-in closets in the damndest places. Hid an entire biochemical lab in a broom closet." "I've managed that too," Jake snickered. "Bit I'm much better with machines and equipment. The more personal, the better the results are." "That was true for him as well, his best works were for the home he built for himself. The outside was one bedroom apartment, the inside was a mansion with all the luxuries." He chuckled. "Including swimming pool and tennis court. Unfortunately, the tesseract collapsed when he died. They found bits of the mansion appearing over a hundred mile radius." "Mmm, well, I haven't died that I know of, but I've had plenty of them blown up without anything too weird happening." "Well, he did have a lot of mass compressed into a very small space." Vince chuckled. "I suspect it required a lot more maintenance that say a few stacked starfighter." "Not if you listened to the TK," Jake snickered. "But any girl is high maintenance. Especially one you have to count on for your life, and has 'died' for you a few times." "Given my inexperience with both females and starfighter, I'll take your word for it." Vince grinned. "I can see where the 'died' part could get you some backtalk though." Jake paused, looking at him seriously for long enough that the Jedi began to wonder if he'd said something very wrong. "That's almost to much to think about really," he finally murmured. "The TurboKat as a starfighter." "Oh, she wasn't?" Vince blinked in surprise. "My mistake. The way Javrin talked, I got the impression you'd gotten a few generations ahead of your planet and built the first starfighter." "Oh, she was generations ahead alright. She could go into space with difficulty for low orbital battles, make it to the moon and back if you were willing to spend the time on a trip to see nothing, but she wasn't a starfighter by any stretch." He said softly. "You're talking about a world that barely has practical satellite technology and has yet to put anything into space and get it back in one piece." "Somehow, I see that changing now that you've had a look at actual starships up close." Vince smiled. "Just remember to get a good long look at the slipstream core if you plan to built FTL ships." "Already did," he chuckled. "I had three days of total boredom while Javrin piloted us to this chunk of space." "I should've known." Vince grinned. "Just don't stick a slipstream core inside one of your spaces that are bigger than they look." The Wolf cautioned. "As you've seen, tesseracts and slipstream interact in an interesting way and that's under specially controlled situations." "And that advice assumes I actually remember I do things weird," Jake shook his head. "Which is more of a trick than doing it most of the time. It's as natural to me as breathing." "A few times ending up in the wrong galaxy might help." Vince snickered, teasing, and got a tongue stuck out at him. "Slipstream drives are temperamental on their good days. There's a line in the basic textbook on slipstream mechanics: Slipstream isn't the best way to go faster than light, it's just the only way." "Oh, now you just don't say things like that around the psycho-engineer." Jake's eyes lit up and glittered at the challenge in the first real sign of what he was normally like since Vince had met him. "Find another way and you'll have every university from Coruscant to the Capella arm lined up trying to get you to teach there." He snickered. "Assuming they could get past all the multi-stellar companies wanting to buy the rights to produce the new drive." "Assuming anyone but someone like me could build the thing." Jake chuckled, though there was a note of sadness too. "The down side of things. I can only build prototypes of things that'll never see production." "Who knows." Vince shook his head. "Maybe somewhere in the Republic is someone who can translate your prototypes for production use." "Maybe," he consented, long past the point where he doubted that anything was truly impossible, even someone who could make his impossible creations common. "It'll make for a hell of a power shift to whoever has them." "New inventions usually do that at least for awhile." Vince nodded. "Then the other side catches up and it starts all over again. Over the long run, the universe stays in balance. Sometimes it just doesn't happen fast enough for us mortals." "And sometimes it happens far, far too fast." He said softly. The street was dark; it wasn't the best part of town and it was far too late for anyone sane to be out and about, much less looking for a bar and playmate. But this was where Chance felt at home too. It was only a few weeks, but it was worlds away from anywhere he'd have been with Jake, and that made it comfortable. He'd also point out that he was about as far from 'sane' as anyone had a right to be and still walk the streets. Yet even here, where the value of a kat's life was minimal, many recognized him as the Omega-killer of Hunter Squad. He didn't even object when even his official call-name started to shift to 'Killer'. And in this part of town, bars tended to open later, if they ever closed. Sure enough, a loud rowdy bar presented itself without too much searching. The clientele was distinctly lower-class and bit rough around the edges, but that suited the tabby's mood. So did the muscular black and white tom that would have made a good wrestling match for the tabby if he'd been an Enforcer, or if Chance had been in a mood for something other than getting nicely buzzed and fuck something very much like the offering at the bar senseless. He licked his whiskers and moved in, jostling the regulars with the best of them and accepted the bear laced with catnip that was about all that was offered as he appraised the black and white a few seats down. The appraising look he got back from the black and white was pretty clear indication that his interest was returned, though Chance wasn't the only kat in the place who was interested. It was obvious that the black and white planned to go home with someone, but he just hadn't made up his mind yet. It was all the reason tabby needed to move in. "So what's your name, handsome?" Her rumbled as he stepped just inside the other tom's space. "Rick." He said easily. "You'd be Chance Furlong, the Enforcer's top hunter." He smirked. "What brings a star to the wrong side of town?" He asked in mixture of curiosity and playful invitation. "Looking for something that's not likely on the right side of town," he returned the smirk and leaned forward, sure he'd read the tom right. "Company that likes things a bit rough and has the endurance to make my time worth it." "Sounds like the evening I'm looking for." Rick rumbled deeply and felt Chance's hand run up his chest with a possessiveness that was unmistakable. "Good, cause unless they're stupid, I'm off for the weekend." He grinned and moved his hand lower, across Rick's abs and up his side. "Sounds very good." Rick rumbled, leaning into the touch while running one large hand along Chance's chest and found his mouth claimed by a hungry one that left nothing of the tabby's intentions or authority in doubt. "Then let's get to someplace a little more fun to play in." "Sounds good to me." Rick rumbled in agreement. "Your place or mine?" "Mine," the tabby told him without hesitation and moved to guide his night's entertainment to the door. "There you are, Rick." A deep voice rumbled, annoyed. "Leave you alone for a second and you'll follow anyone home." The muscular orange and black tabby, a good six inches taller than Chance, growled possessively. "What part of 'just one night' don't you get, Malken?" Rick shook his head, reflexively retreating to put Chance between him and the orange and black. "The part where he is smart and avoids getting the tar beat out of him apparently." Chance snorted, not even blinking at Rick's submission to his protection. The entire city did that after all. Malken turned his attention to Chance, and it was pretty clear from his movements that he was hopped up on something. "I think you're the one who better butt out." He growled low. "Unless you want a world of hurt." "Right," he snorted and moved in for a first hard strike before the fight was actually declared. After taking out Omegas with his pare hands, slamming this kat into the wall with a fist to the chest was pathetically easy. "Try me." Malken was tougher than he looked, and he hit harder too. He was up quickly, and threw a solid punch that only connected with Chance's shoulder because Malken was quite intoxicated. "Don't even think you're gonna one punch me." He growled aggressively. "That's fine," he grinned as the excitement of a serious fight started to work him into a good mood with the adrenaline and power it promised. "Definitely fine," Chance licked his lips and sank into the combat crouch not many survived seeing directed at them before connecting with a solid blow to the bigger kat's face. There was something to be said for Malken's intoxicated state, as he kind of naturally rolled with Chance's punch. After a moment on the floor, he staggered aggressively to his feet and charged at the much better trained tabby with a roar reminiscent of both an outraged bull and a drunken tiger. It was also left him less than the most observant opponent, and he all but ran right into Chance's full power kick to the chest that made the entire bar echo with the crunch of bones. There was a kind of stunned silence in the bar as the large orange and black hit the floor with a thud, and didn't move, though he did appear to breathing, if painfully. "Oh wow." Rick muttered in stunned amazement. "That was incredible." The black and white rumbled appreciatively. "Might want to call an ambulance for him," Chance called back to the bartender and pulled Rick close to walk out. "That was seriously intense." Rick rumbled, his arousal heavily evident in his scent. "Is everything with you that intense?" He asked curiously as they stepped into the night air for the walk to the tabby's car. "Yap," he rumbled and nuzzled Rick's neck with a light nip. "Good." Rick rumbled excitedly and accepted the passenger side seat Chance offered him and all but melted at the demanding kiss he got before the door closed and Chance got in his side to drive. "Very good." He murmured as the engine rumbled to life. "It's going to be a fun night," the tabby grinned at him and pulled out into the street to head home. Rick took in the upper middle class apartment with a glance as Chance closed and locked the door after entering first. What really struck him, besides the rather grizzly trophies from each Omega Chance had taken down and the most kick-tail entertainment center Rick had ever seen, was that the place was seriously under-personalized. Lived in, definitely, but not a hell of a lot there said anything about the tom living there that hadn't been in the news in the past few weeks. "Awesome entertainment system." Rick said, a bit enviously. "And they really let you take trophies." He said noting the Omega trophies. "Intense decorating style." "I never asked," the tabby chuckled low in his throat and grabbed Rick to slam him against the door and press him there with his own mass. "I don't ask anyone's permission anymore." He rumbled in his ear even as Rick felt a claw slice the ass of his jeans open and the sound of a zipper coming undone. "Why would you?" Rick murmured breathlessly, his arousal saturating his scent and soaking his fur. "Strength means you can do what you want, take what you desire." "And right now, what I want is screwing you senseless." Chance growled and closed his jaws around Rick's scruff before driving into the tom's unprepared ass with a single, powerful thrust. "Oh, yeah!" Rick moaned excitedly as the pain of the sudden penetration shot through his body. It was the most intense opening he'd had in weeks. "Fuck me, Chance. Fuck me hard." In response the big tom behind him grabbed both his wrists and pinned them to the door along with his body and thrust even harder, his sharp teeth an undeniable control on his scruff as Rick was taken as hard as anyone had in his life and the tabby's growls promised so much more to come before the weekend was out. The sheer intensity of it was more than he could take, and he shot his seed inside his pants, while his ass clenched and released around the invading cock, milking it as it pounded into him relentlessly. Pleasure bordering on ecstasy reduced Rick's voice to moans and groans of satisfaction mixed with enjoyable pain. Rick almost whimpered when his scruff was pulled tighter and the body behind him tightened with ever increasing force before Chance roared his completion and flooded Rick's ass with his seed. "Oh, you are mine tonight." The tabby rumbled hotly and pulled Rick away from the door even as he pulled out of the tom's body. "I'm going to ruin you for anyone else." He promised lustfully. "Promises, promises." Rick grinned, loopily, as he slowly came down from the high of the opening fuck. "But definitely the best I've had in a long time." He rumbled encouragingly and found himself silenced by a kiss as demanding and consuming as the fucking was. It wasn't anything he resisted as he was hauled to the bedroom and pushed over the edge to be taken again as soon as Chance pulled his jeans out of the way. The only resistance Rick put up was trying to grip Chance's cock with his ass muscles and hold the punishing spear of flesh inside him longer on each stroke. Other that he just dug his fingers into the bed with each powerful stroke that brought him closer to another orgasm. "Hold." Rynce said quietly, from the lead position. "We're at the force field boundary." He said, indicating the humming sound and shimmering curtain in front of them. "We'll need to locate one of the generator pods and disable it." "This is my job," Jake broke from his surprisingly compliant behavior since landing and made a beeline through the foliage. "Cover him." Rynce said to one of the other Custos, who quickly followed Jake to one of the generator pods. Without hesitation, Jake quickly opened a hidden panel and made a couple tweaks and cut wires, and the field shut down. "They won't know it's down." "That's a good thing." The Lynx nodded. "Keep any auto defenses from hassling us." He said noting the gap in the barrier. "This way," Jake motioned to him and headed through the jungle, homing in on his partner's distress with a confidence and acceptance that it was trustworthy that he'd never dared have. Javrin came up quickly behind Jake, as the rest of the group formed in behind, silently keeping watch around for opposition. It was opposition that never materialized, and then they were at a secured door on one side of the plateau that overlooked the red-bronze ocean close by. Another panel came off, more wires messed with and the Glovatrix was hooked in. Then the door was open and Jake off again, trusting his companions to keep up, though he wasn't counting on them to spot the security ahead of him either. Jake spotted a fair bit of security that seemed both advanced and ancient, but more importantly was disarmed. There seemed to be more security designed to keep people in, than out. Overall there was a distinct arrogance to things that was faintly annoying. "A Sith outpost to be sure." Tran commented quietly. "Though the current owner is not taking advantage of the available defenses." "Movement ahead." Tasha noted suddenly, as shadows on the wall of the intersection ahead indicated two large individuals approaching the intersection. Jake nodded and let the Jedi move ahead. For all he didn't doubt he could take whatever it was, he'd rather save his energy for dealing with his partner and whatever was causing the emotional rollercoaster of the last week without pissing off the Jedi with him. The movement turned out to be a pair of male Lions dressed in lightweight clothing, neither of whom was at all combat trained or inclined as evidenced by their freezing at the sight of the group of warriors. Tasha quickly stepped up to the pair. "Either of you seen a tabby around here?" She asked in a very no-nonsense tone with her lightsaber visible at her belt. "And where?" The pair looked at each other and then at the group in front of them. "Lower level." The one said quietly. "Virtualizer room." "Thank you." She said simply. "I suggest the two of you make yourselves scarce." "Yes, ma'am." The pair said taking off at a run. "Pleasure slaves." The Borzoi shook her head. "Pretty, but not good for much. Look for stairs down." She said to Jake who'd been leading the search. "There's probably an elevator, but we shouldn't use it." "Stars are faster anyway," he spread his fingers on the wall and focused, trying something new. Trying to see if he could literally make the walls talk to him. Or at least the wiring inside them. The walls didn't talk so much as whisper ,and there was a dark cold feeling to them as well. "This way," he nodded after a moment and took off again, still taking reasonable care for traps and people as his heart began to pump faster. "Something remains of the Sith in this place." Tran said quietly as they located a set of downward stairs, and descended to the lower level. "It's in the walls even," Jake added to her and let the Jedi lead the way down the stairs and fell further back in the group as they entered the lower level and a group of darksiders came rushing around the near corner. The battle was an odd contrast between the precise, flowing martial style of the Jedi, the more close-quarters commando style of the Custos and the impassioned, almost berserk aggression of the darksiders. The darksiders were wielding what appeared to be metal swords, and yet they were able to parry the deadly energy blades of the lightsabers. Master Tran held back, a look of stern concentration on his face as the Force flowed around and through him. If any took the time to look in the Force, they could see a bright shell of Force energy emanating from him and surrounding the battlefield, repelling a dark crackling energy that battered at its edges. Javrin stood next to the Master, holding off any darksider who got close enough. The first one who managed got the surprise of the battle as Jake entered the fray to entangle him with two bolos from his Glovatrix and lost his sword to the cinnamon tom. Then it was business as usual as the darksiders fought and gradually lost, and Javrin and Jake protecting Master Tran by holding attackers off until one of the others could finish them. "You do that good," Jake commented with a smile for Javrin as they assessed the aftermath. "Eight years of practice had to be good for something." Javrin grinned. "Don't think I've ever seen anyone looking quite as surprised as the one you took down with the bolos did." The blue-grey tom smiled. "Ten years of using almost all non-lethals has to be good for something," Jake grinned back at him. "You both fought well." Master Tran said approvingly, as he relaxed from his defensive position. "There is definitely as Sith spirit still active here." He added, before turning to Jake. "We should keep moving. Which way?" Jake paused for a moment, then nodded and motioned them to follow as he took off down one hall. The group followed closely, staying watchful for any further attacks as they followed Jake deeper into the fortress. The remaining guards weren't Force trained and fled at the sight of ignited lightsabers, leaving an open route to the door that Jake was sure Chance was on the other side of. The door was thick, reinforced metal as was the wall it was in. The lock was of an unusual design and looked very complex, but not half as complex as the alien machinery Jake could feel humming and pulsing in the chamber beyond. "Cut it," the lean tom growled, his heart pounding like never before. "He's hooked into something in there." Master Tran nodded and ignited his lightsaber, as he began slowly cutting through the thick metal, he realized that it was reinforced by Sith alchemy and was going to be time consuming. But the lock was likely to be no easier, since it looked to be part of the original fortress. He saw Jake move foreword, apparently no happier at the speed cutting was going, and kneel in front of the lock to insert a small spike from his Glovatrix as the Force coalesced around him to focus in much the same way as it had at the security fence. However, unlike like the fence, the lock remained stubbornly locked and Jake could feel a dark presence inside the electronics defying him and taunting him. "Careful Jake." Javrin said quietly. "There's something distinctly 'wrong' about that lock." He cautioned, having felt that dark emanations. "You have no idea," the tom said quietly and stepped back with a frustrated growl. "Dark Kat times ten, and he's still active." "One of the more annoying Sith habits." Tasha commented, as Master Tran continued to slowly cut the door. "They refuse to let death keep them from causing trouble." "So how do you get rid of one?" Jake asked, his armed crossed as he glared at the door in annoyance and forced himself to be patient. "Usually takes a Jedi of equal strength, or multiple Jedi acting in concert." Vince said quietly. "It's a difficult task at best, because of the strength of will and in the Force that's required to defy death. These spirits are why we generally stay clear of Sith ruins, a Sith Lord can lure even a dedicated knight away from the light, if he or she is not very careful." "That is why so many of you are here now?" He asked, though he was fairly sure of the answer. "Yes." Tasha nodded. "Jedi missions aren't usually this large, but where there's a chance of a Sith wraith, we go in heavy." She explained, watching for trouble while the Master worked. "Keira's taking of a Sith title and abilities suggested that she'd either found a large Sith library intact, a Sith holocron, or a Sith wraith. The first two would be trouble enough, the third possibility warranted extra firepower." "A good idea," he nodded slightly. "I'm sure it's the last. Something here is very much 'alive' and fighting us." "I agree, as does Master Tran." She nodded at the Raccoon who was getting close to finishing with the door. "It's got us all a bit on edge. This much darkness is uncomfortable." She said quietly. "Yeah, it's not fun," he agreed quietly even as he caught a whiff of intense male musk from the other side of the door and shivered as his self control was sorely pushed from all sides. "Though it makes Dark Kat's fortress seem like a cakewalk in comparison." "Unless this Dark Kat was a Sith Lord, his fortress is a cakewalk by comparison." Tasha nodded, as Master Tran finished and stepped away. The Master motioned everyone to position themselves to the sides of the door, just in case. A gesture from the raccoon pushed the door open and revealed a dark room lit only by an intricate web of light beams that held a very battered looking naked tabby who was breathing heavy, and judging from the rock hard erection and the heavy male musk in the air was trapped in some sort of sexual illusion. "Careful of the light web." Vince said as the group entered the room. "We don't want anyone else getting sucked into that virtual reality." It was under debate whether Jake heard him. At the first sight of his partner and the kat was in the room, skirting around the light web to the darkness beyond it and up a flight of stairs to where the controls where hidden. Javrin followed quickly, thinking Jake should have someone to watch his back, in case the darksiders were not entirely gone. "Everyone stay watchful." Master Tran directed as he walked the outer perimeter, carefully examining the tendrils of darkness that were interwoven with the light strands. "Tasha, get ready. He will need a medic once the web is deactivated." "Yes, Master." Tasha nodded, sheathing her 'saber and unslung the advanced medic pack she carried. The controls were to as complex a computer system as Jake had ever seen, his own designs included. One monitor indicated massive amounts of data being transferred to and from Chance, along with infusions of drugs, fluids and a concentrated nutrient mixture. He took a deep breath and touched his hands to the controls without pressing any and began the work of integrating and understanding this device enough to shut it down; or to know he'd have to simply pull his partner out by force. The system was actively uncooperative, rerouting activities around him and pushing back when he tried to push in. Even understanding it was difficult, as the system seemed designed to conceal parts of its operation. As annoying as the system was, and as dark and cold as it felt, it was impossible to ignore the brilliance behind the design. It was a brilliance that triggered a destructive hatred deep inside Jake he didn't even realize was there, much less the ego that fueled it. In the time it took him to realize the first emotion the control center had faced his full destructive potential and shattered in a shower of sparks and fire. "Shit." Jake's eyes went wide for a fraction of a second as he realized what he'd done and he spun on heal to charge down the stairs to his partner, not at all sure what would be there. Downstairs was carefully controlled chaos with Vince and Master Tran shielding the rest of the group from exploding energy supplies and projectors while Tasha began checking Chance out to see how he was doing. "We need to get him back to the ship." Tasha said calmly, not liking what she could see both with her own trained senses and with the portable diagnostic equipment. "And he's definitely not up to walking on his own, and probably won't be for at least a day, probably more." "Right." Rynce nodded, as the Custos set to constructing the collapsible stretcher they'd brought. One of the other Custos handed Tasha a large, warm looking blanket that she wrapped the tabby up in as Jake came to a skidding stop next to his partner. Though he tried not to get in the way, Jake couldn't stand to not touch his partner, to claim, and may give, a little reassurance that they were both still alive and would be getting out of this mess like they had every other. "Shu, relax." He murmured with a touch when Chance tried to move against the Custos' putting him on the stretcher. "We're getting out." The tabby mumbled something, neither particularly conscious nor coherent, and let the Lynx move him. "You can ask questions, Jake." Tasha said gently as she tended the battered tabby gently. "I'm quite capable of answering while working. His condition is serious, but not critical." She said after about an hour of Jake watching her working intently, with a need for questions very clear in his mood and face. "Can you tell if his mind is intact?" He asked quietly, addressing the core of his fears first. "Intact, yes." She nodded. "But he's going to be very disoriented when he comes around." She began as he came up and moved around to the other side of the bed Chance was laying on so he could touch his partner without being in the way. "I'm sensing a lot of uncontrolled anger and rage, and he's been using that anger and rage to tap his Force abilities." She cautioned. "There's a very strong possibility that he's become rage-addicted." "As long as Chance is still in there, the rest can be dealt with," he almost smiled as he brushed his fingers along the tabby's face. "We've dealt with worse with a lot less help." "He's still in there." She nodded and smiled to herself that Jake had finally accepted them as something more than a necessity to get his partner back. "The Sith were trying to corrupt him, which means that destroying him was something they were careful to avoid." She shook her head. "Just understand that he probably has no idea that he's been anywhere but the real world. The illusions are very complete, drawing on his own knowledge and perceptions to maintain their realism." "We'll just have to see what they did to him after he wakes up," he murmured. "Though I've got a pretty good idea of the basics probably where." "It's also going to be at least a week before he's physically up to traveling." She cautioned. "And I'll be very surprised if he's up to walking before we arrive on Coruscant." "Just don't tell him that," Jake managed a weak smile for her. "He's more stubborn than I am about defying docs." "I won't have to." She smiled softly at the light touch and how much it calmed both of the toms to be in physical contact without either being aware of it or why it happened. "His body will. I can't be completely sure without more comprehensive tests than I have equipment for here, but I'm fairly certain that the simulation had him existing at an accelerated rate. The week he's been missing may have been months for him." "It's almost a requirement," Jake actually chuckled, but it wasn't in mirth. "Nothing could break him in a week. At least not as much as you're talking about." "I'm sure they figured that out fairly quickly." She nodded. "Even with the confusion and rage, there's still a very stubborn personality in there." She smiled softly. "Which means he should rehabilitate well." "He's a good kat too." Jake smiled down at his partner and brushed unkempt sandy hair gently with his fingers. "He has a temper, but he's not the kind that enjoys it." "Rehabilitation will be helping him to remember that." She said gently. "And I expect he'll have an easier time remembering himself with you around." She added with smile. "I hope so," he nodded, though his attention was on Chance. "How long are we talking about, before he's safe to be loose in combat again?" "That's a very individual thing." She said honestly. "A week at least, though very few recover so fast. He's strong willed so two wouldn't be unreasonable. But some have taken months, and others never feel comfortable in combat again." She admitted softly. "Part of the rehabilitation is that he has to understand that there is a problem. That can be the most difficult step, as with any addiction." "Yes," he murmured, and brushed Chance's hair from his face. "Will it affect his ability to fly outside of combat?" He asked very quietly. "No, it shouldn't affect his ability to fly at all." She said confidently. "The problem is that he will tend to respond with inappropriate amounts of anger and aggression in any situation where anger or aggression occur. People who annoy him will tend to get hit, often without warning." "So pretty much what he was like before, without the grumbling so I could stop him." Jake nodded, more relaxed now that at least Chance would be able to fly. "It's probably a good thing we'll be somewhere that most people can dodge that punch." "He'll also tend to hit harder than he might have otherwise." She warned. "And he's had a fair bit of practice in using the Force to enhance his strength, when he's angry." She explained. "But yes, it is a good thing." "Something that'll be useful, once he's in control of it," Jake said simply. "And he will. He can't stand to let something else control him." "A useful trait in a situation like this." She nodded, fully aware that it was a trait they shared. "Anger controlled can be useful tool." She admitted. Jake went from sound asleep next to his partner to wide-awake in a heartbeat as the naked tabby began to move. For a disoriented moment he thought they were back home and he'd had just fallen sleep in his clothes again. Just the idea, as fleeting as it was, was enough to turn him on and respond to the arousal behind him, holding him, breathing against his neck as in a decade of memories that may well have belonged to another kat they were so far removed from reality right now. Still, it was his partner holding him, wanting him, and it felt better than any orgasm could right at that moment. He knew he should remind him that he was supposed to be taking it easy. That there was a ship full of Jedi just outside the door that would get a head full of their play. That Javrin was sleeping not three feet away on a second bunk. Then Chance sleepily got his hands under Jake's shirt and all thoughts vanished but to get undressed as quickly as he could so those hands could roam over his entire body. He moaned, already mostly hard when the nipping kisses along his neck began and he shuddered. After two weeks and with no lube, he knew it was going to sting and he couldn't make himself care as their morning ritual began to play itself out. It was a last vestige of a normal life as he knew it and he embraced it fully. In another heartbeat, that all changed. Lovers' hands grabbed him and pushed his to his stomach with far more force than was even remotely required as their light blanket slid to the floor. Chance's feral growl, a sound familiar from other circumstances, echoed in his ears as his scruff was taken forcefully, nearly tight enough to choke him and his legs were forced apart while he was too startled to cooperate. The panic settled in when it registered that there wasn't going to be any prep. That this wasn't his partner. Chance wasn't like this. This was what the Sith had made of him. "No!" Jake cried out, desperate to get through before either of them got hurt. Even though he struggled, he knew that once he'd been pinned like this the tabby didn't need enhanced strength to keep him there. "Chance, don't." The tabby's arms and legs were abruptly restrained by invisible hands, which while gentle were strong and unrelenting in holding him back. "Chance!" Javrin's mind-voice lanced through the storms of rage of aggression seeking the true-Chance somewhere within. "See who you are hurting." He projected, forcing Chance to see the fear and desperation in Jake and hoping that it would trigger enough response in the core personality that mind control wouldn't be necessary. It had an effect all right, but not the one anyone was hoping for. Jake's scruff was released and the lean tom instantly started to squirm his way our from under Chance's hands. The hate and pain filled snarl that echoed through the room next caught the full fury of a mind ready to snap as Chance tried to lunge and rip the person apart who'd put such a thought in his head about his dead partner. "Chance!" Jake's voice rivaled his partner's in volume as he stopped trying to get free and used the shift in Chance's body weight to twist to his back under the tabby and grab his face in both hands. "Chance. Open your eyes. I am alive. I am here." He said with as much authority as he could muster. Everyone in the room all but held their breath as blind rage and grief intense enough to kill warred with the order and presence of the one whose loss had created it. "I'm here," Jake repeated more soothingly, caressing the tabby's face with his thumbs and holding his attention. "I'm always going to be here for you." He promised softly and felt the tension begin to melt away even before Tasha released her hold on Chance's body and the tabby sank down to the bed, exhausted and nearly unconscious. "That's right," Jake murmured with a gentle kiss. "Rest. There'll be time to play later." Chance mumbled something apologetic to the affirmative as he sank to his side so he didn't crush the smaller tom and was out cold in moments. Jake wasn't nearly so lucky. He was very much wide-awake and trying to process what had just happened before he got sick, all while he tried to remember where he could get sick without making a mess. "C'mon, Jake." Javrin said gently, putting his arm around Jake's shoulders and easing the naked tom out of the bed. "Bathroom is this way." He added quietly, quickly guiding Jake to the safe and more private place to be sick. "Tasha will look after Chance." He added reassuringly, as Tasha got Chance tucked back into bed. "Thanks," he managed to mumble and held himself together until the door was closed behind him. He was only superficially aware that Javrin held his shoulders as he threw up more stomach juices than food and began to shake for real as the reality of what had just happened started to sink in. Javrin wasn't sure what to say, so he worked on helping Jake clean himself up while keeping at least one hand on him at all times. The one thing Javrin was sure about was that touch was very important to Jake, and probably now more than ever. "Did you want to lie down?" He asked gently when Jake seemed to be past any danger of throwing up again. It took him a long time to answer, his jaw working to say what he was still trying to form the words for. "Dressed, with you." He finally managed. "Okay." Javrin agreed easily, still holding Jake as they walked into the room and Jake made very short work of getting dress again, an uneasy look at the sleeping tabby and another a Tasha. Still, he didn't object when Javrin guided him to the second bunk and gently pulled him down and held him close under the blanket. "How long will he be like that?" Jake asked no one in particular as he tried to push the events out of his mind. "I don't know, Jake." Javrin said quietly. "Once he integrates the fact that you're really alive back into reality, you shouldn't have to worry. No one expected that they'd have him believing that you were dead." "I did," he murmured, his body trembling. "It's the only thing that'd make him break in less than years." "He'll get better." Javrin murmured reassuringly, as he held Jake close. "Even if we can't do anything on board, the healers at the Temple will be able to help him." "Can they make it go away?" Jake asked softly, his eyes closing briefly with the comfort of Javrin's scent in his nose before they snapped open with the warning that no one could be trusted that much. "Make what go away?" Javrin asked quietly, thinking there were at least a couple of things Jake could be referring to. "What just happened," he shuddered. "What turned him into ... what happened to him." "With time, maybe." Javrin said quietly, not really sure what the Healers could or would do. "But a lot of the healing is going to be Chance taking control of himself again. Organic memory isn't like a computer, you can't just erase the sectors that are bad." He felt Jake nodded against his chest as the lean tom tried to accept living with the last half hour and still be as supportive as Chance needed him to be. Jake walked next to Javrin from the Jedi transport after it set down on Coruscant. Despite that their physical contact was very light, barely fingers touching as they passed by each other, no one there missed how Jake leaned on Javrin for support psychically. Even those who didn't want to pry could feel how badly the mission had scared Jake's mind. The Kat still didn't know how to shield well and he all but broadcast his state despite Javrin's attempts to minimize it. Those who knew of Jake from his previous visit looked a little closer when he didn't follow his partner's sleeping form to the Healers. Most looked away and tried to mind their own business when he pressed a little closer to Javrin, unsettled by the way he reacted to anyone looking at him. "You want to go straight to quarters?" Javrin asked quietly as they walked. "Get out of sight for awhile?" He suggested. "Probably be best for everyone," he nodded, his voice low and shaky. "I'm unsettling everybody out here." "Because you're unsettled." Javrin said sympathetically. "And with good reason. I'd suggest you learn how to shield, at least the basics, but you need to be able to calm your mind to do it. That may take a while." "I need to learn a lot of things," he murmured as they made short work of the distance to their guest quarters without running, for all Jake really did feel like running and hiding from the eyes watching him, seeing far more of him than he wanted. "And if it means being calm first, I have to learn that too." He sighed. "It doesn't come that naturally, you know." "I forget that." Javrin admitted sheepishly. "Calm was something that was easy for me, because my father, before he died, was big believer in the power of calm, cool intellect. For all my Jedi training, I still can't match the glacial calm that he came by naturally." He said quietly. "But you're right, can't build a house without the tools." He smiled as they entered their guest quarters and found himself wrapped in a trembling Jake as soon as the door shut with its illusion of privacy. "I'm scared." Jake whispered, his face buried against Javrin's neck as the last of his self-control that had held him together when there was no privacy for three days unraveled completely with a low sob. Javrin gently led Jake to the bed so they could sit down and held him close as the cinnamon tom curled up against him. "I'd be surprised if you weren't." He said very gently. "Chance is a very big part of your life, and now he's not what you're used to, what you depend on." He said understandingly. "But he will be again." He added reassuringly. "The real question is whether or not we'll have a home to return to when that happens." Jake shuddered. "One concern at a time, Jake." Javrin said gently. "You won't go home without him, and he can't leave until he can control himself again." He said quietly. "Focus on the present, the future will be, what it will be." "I know," he murmured, more resigned than accepting it. "I've just spent my life changing the future, sometimes literally. Wait and see isn't how we do things." "Jake, have you really slept since that incident?" He asked gently, knowing that sleep deprivation would only make things worse and not wanting to get into a conversation about the future and possibilities. "I haven't really slept since he disappeared," he murmured. "That just made it worse." "I'm not a big one for drugs, but you might want to consider a sleep aid for a night or two." Javrin said gently and felt the tom tense for a moment before he relaxed into acceptance again. "Being overtired makes everything more difficult." "Promise to stay till I wake up?" He asked quietly, the difficulty in trusting anyone to that level too easy to read in his voice even without feeling it directly. "Of course, Jake." Javrin nodded and nuzzled him reassuringly. "And maybe when you're more rested I can try and teach you something about calming your mind." He smiled gently. "I think you could really use it right now." "No argument there," he murmured and let his eyes close, though sleep was well beyond him without help. "Think about a threesome with Chance too, when he's better." "That's easy." Javrin chuckled lightly. "I've thought about that more than once since we started dating. Did you want a hot shower before bed to help relax you, or would you rather skip right to the sleep part?" Javrin asked gently. "I think just sleep," he murmured after a moment and snuggled a little closer. "Shower in the morning." "Okay, I'm going to in the bathroom and get the sleep meds." Javrin said, as he stood up from the bed. "I'll be right back." "All right," the lean tom murmured, his gaze following Javrin until he disappeared. By the time the grey tom returned, they both knew it was Jake testing his own self control, and that he felt he'd won. One small victory that gave him strength for the next test. "Here you go." Javrin handed Jake a glass of water and two pills. "These are a little stronger than normal, but I thought that maybe a night of deep sleep without dreaming, might be just what you need." "It would certainly be welcome," he smiled slightly and regarded the pills for a moment before going through with it and swallowing them dry, then took most of the water for hydration. With a soft sound he shifted and made quick, if slightly uncoordinated, work of getting most of his clothing off. His underwear stayed on though, a testament to how much those few moments of fear still affected him. Javrin helped Jake get nestled in under the covers, and lay next to him, waiting and watching while his boyfriend finally got the sleep that he desperately needed. Chance drifted into a new dream, one that he liked less than when he'd had Jake in his arms like last time. But it wasn't hurting either, which was an improvement, and no one was restraining him either. Another plus. A soft bed, clean, comfortable clothes and good smells ... food smells. He licked his lips before he even opened his eyes and worked his way to a sitting position to take a look at what reality looked like this time and took in a room that looked and felt very much like a private room in a hospital, if the hospital was the equivalent of five-star hotel. The colors were soft, muted pastels mixed to be calming and soothing. His bed was far softer and more comfortable that a hospital bed, hell, it was nicer than his bed at home. Sitting in a padded chair near the door was a tall golden and black Borzoi female wearing brown and white robes. "Feeling up to a meal, Chance?" She asked politely, watching him discretely. Her movements as she stood were not those of a nurse, but more those of a trained warrior. It was an intriguing mix to the tabby. "Always," he grinned at her, putting up his habitual bravado to cover his uncertainty. "You have a name, gorgeous?" "Tasha Sergenski." She said easily as she rolled the meal tray over to him. It definitely did not look or smell like hospital food. He blinked couple times, then grinned at the steak and baked potato, heavy on the sour cream and cheese. "All right," he grinned a little wider and dug in with relish. "So where is here this time?" "You're in the infirmary of the Jedi Temple on Coruscant." She said simply. "Though I can appreciate why you'd be skeptical." "You cook better than any of the other spots," he chuckled. "Care to fill me in on the current version of my last few weeks?" "Actually, it's only been a little more than a week." She said calmly. "You were abducted from your homeworld during a darksider raid and transported to a world on the edge of the Republic known as Sancresti Redoubt. We don't have all the details, but most of the remaining time you spent trapped in a virtual reality net." She explained. "And Jake?" He asked, feigning near-indifference poorly. "Your partner is fine." She said easily and got a raised eyebrow and the first warning flicker in the Force that his anger was about to show. "He's finally getting some long overdue sleep. I expect he'll be over once he's awake." "Jake ... not ..." He hit the answer even before he finished his statement and guilt squished his burgeoning rage. "He's with Javrin?" He asked almost submissively and picked at the food he didn't have much of an appetite for anymore. "Yes. He wouldn't sleep unless Javrin promised to stay in the room till he woke up." She explained easily. "Yeah, I bet." He murmured, mostly to himself. "I bet a pretty good tranqu was required too, even if he hasn't slept in over a week." "Prescription sleep aids were required." She nodded. "The Doc wasn't happy about it, but Jake wasn't going to sleep without them. At least he was willing to take them." "Testament to how badly he knew he needed the rest," Chance sighed softly and gave up on trying to eat. "Any idea how long he'll be out?" "Not exactly." She admitted. "It's really up to his body, now that his mind is sleeping and not forcing it to keep going. I'd say at least twelve hours, maybe as much as twenty-four." He nodded slightly, accepting is as quite likely. "And how long am I stuck here?" "Depends on how long it takes for you to recover from the damage done by the virtual world." She said, simplifying something fairly complicated. "Physically, you'll probably be up and around in three or four days." She said and then paused. "The psychological damage will probably take longer to heal." Chance winced as he was remained of just what he could do. "Yeah, I bet." He muttered quietly, words not really meant for Tasha. "So what are you guys getting out of helping us?" He asked. "Javrin is one of our own." She smiled. "And we needed intel on Keira's operation, so combining a rescue mission with the intel mission was not a big deal." That caught, and held, his attention. "So what are you, that's he's one of you?" "We're an order known as the Jedi." She said simply. "Depending on who you ask we're anything from a force for justice and peace in the Republic to a bunch of do-gooder busybodies who stick our noses in places that don't concern us." She chuckled lightly. "The truth is that we try to be the former, but being far from perfect we also end up being the latter." It cracked a grin on the tabby's face, and the first actual sense of approval from him. "That sounds so familiar." He shook his head with a chuckle. "No wonder Jake fell for him so hard." "And why Javrin fell for him as well." She nodded with fond smile. "And why both of them have been worried about you." "And if I know Jake at all, he started being worried sick about getting home while it's still there as soon as he got his hand on me." He chuckled, but it was a strange mirth; the amusement of a warrior who'd seen and done too much to take bad news any other way least it break him completely. He sighed and lay back down in bed to close his eyes, suddenly exhausted and wanting little more than to escape reality and the insanity it had become for a while. Jake murmured sleepily and stretched in place with a big yawn and feeling calm and normal for the first time in far too long. "Good stuff," he mumbled with a loopy grin and looked down at Javrin, who was looking back with a smile. "Morning." "Good morning." Javrin smiled warmly. "Sleep well?" "Seriously," Jake murmured and shifted to lay against him for an affectionate nuzzle and hug. "That's good. You seriously needed it." Javrin smiled, as he nuzzled Jake back. "Chance is awake too, in case you were interested." He added, clearly engaging in some light teasing and stopped Jake from the kiss his was about to go for. "Good," he grinned for real and hugged Javrin tightly, kissing him on the side of his neck in thanks. "How's he doing?" "Well, he seems to be accepting that this is really reality, though Tasha thinks that he's still waiting for something to prove it before he fully accepts it." Javrin said, going on what the knight had reported. "Her guess, and I agree, is that he's probably waiting till he sees you." "Touches, more likely," he nodded and gave Javrin a quick kiss before he got out of bed. "I know it's what I'd be going on after something like that. Come shower ... a quick one," he added with a grin. "Can you do a quick shower?" Javrin teased playfully as he followed Jake. "When there's someone else around?" He smirked, since he enjoyed playing in the shower as much as Jake did. "I think so," he chuckled and stripped, his tail uncharacteristically tucked down between his legs. "When I have a good reason too." "Well, I'd say this probably counts." Javrin smiled, stripping quickly as Jake turned the water on and got the temperature set. He decided better of saying anything about Jake's uncharacteristic modesty for the time being. After what had happened with Chance, it wasn't all that surprising. "Yes it does," he turned and caught Javrin's hand to pull him under the hot spray for a heated kiss that was as much about a simple affirmation of life as it was for desire. Javrin's response was to pull Jake close and continue the kiss while his hands gently caressed his boyfriend's back. He welcomed the moan and returned caresses as Jake began to unwind. "Gods, I've missed this," he whispered into Javrin's rich grey fur while his fingers made small furrows for the water to run in. "Makes two of us." Javrin agreed softly, grateful that Jake was starting to unwind. He'd been worried that the last two weeks might just push Jake over the edge before they were able to pull things together, especially with the incident with Chance. The healing for both of them was far from over, but at least Jake wanted that normalness back enough it was what he chose when he wasn't thinking too much. Another kiss claimed his mouth and Javrin willingly surrendered to the slowly riding pleasures of touch and gentle desire that had been so absent from their lives since leaving Aristal. He moaned softly as Jake slid a hand between them to gently caress his velvety balls and sheath. Javrin moaned softly in response, as his hands slowly caressed their way down Jake's back to the curve of his ass and felt the lean tom's pleasure at the touch and willingness for more, even as it brought back a nasty memory of what had almost happened that was shoved down ruthlessly. "Want in there?" Jake offered with a rumble. "If you want it." Javrin rumbled heatedly, teasing a little but leaving no doubt as to interest. His stiff cock left little doubt about it either. "Remember how to prep?" He breathed in his ear hotly and gave his cock a squeeze before reaching back for a small tube. "Hasn't been that long." Javrin chuckled quietly and felt Jake draw his body away a bit. "Any position you'd prefer?" He asked gently, giving Jake as much control of the situation as possible. Without a verbal answer, Jake relaxed with his arms against the side of the shower and spread his legs a bit with his tail up and looked over his shoulder at Javrin with hunger in his eyes. Taking the tube of lube, Javrin liberally slicked up his cock, and then put more on one finger and gently pressed it against the furless pucker of Jake's ass, until his finger worked its way in to Jake's moans and soft sounds of pleasure at the welcomed intrusion. Gently, he worked that finger back forth letting his lover get used to its presence before working a second lubed finger in. He felt through his fingers as well as saw the shudder that passed through Jake's body as he moaned and arched back into the contact, eager for the familiar pleasure to come. "Oh, yeah," Jake rumbled and squeezed down lightly around Javrin's fingers. Slowly, Javrin removed his fingers and placed head of his cock against the well-prepped opening and pushed it in slowly until he was inside Jake up to the first barb hairs. "Been too long." He rumbled heatedly, as he paused to let Jake get used to the presence and felt the lean tom press back, taking him in more fully. "Oh, yeah," Jake moaned. "Godda let you top more often. I forget you don't get any without me." "It's not like I complain." Javrin rumbled, as he pushed in to the sheath, and then began thrusting, slow at first, but gradually building in tempo at his lover's encouragement. "Mmm, no, you don't." Jake agreed and arched back in pleasure, his body squeezing Javrin's gently in rhythm with the thrusts that made his cock achingly hard. "Oh, yeah. Fill me up." He groaned deeply. "Oh, yeah." Javrin rumbled, and reached around to gently stroke Jake's cock as his thrusts increased in urgency. The jolt of pleasure that shot through Jake's body echoed right into his without warning. Suddenly, he roared as he began shooting his seed deep into Jake and felt him clamp down around him as Jake seed sprayed against the shower wall. "Ohhh, kats, I needed that." Jake mumbled as he relaxed against his arms, coming down from an orgasm that was only part of what settled him so much. "I think we both did." Javrin murmured as he slowly withdrew his cock and rested with his arms around Jake while they both began to relax for real. "Just to let you know, he's a little wound up at the moment." Tasha said quietly when she met Jake and Javrin outside Chance's room. "And I'm guessing its something the two of you were up to a little while ago, since there was activity on the link he shares with Jake, as he was getting wound up." "I'll take care of it," Jake promised, even as he flushed a bit at forgetting about that facet of things. "I'll go in with him." Javrin told Tasha simply. "Very good." Tasha nodded. "I'll be out here, in case you require assistance." She said, settling into a chair next to the door. Good," Jake nodded and opened the door to his partner's room and suppressed a shot of uneasiness with uncharacteristic ruthlessness. "Hay, buddy." Jake smiled at his partner as the door closed behind him and Javrin, leaving Tasha outside. "Hay," Chance's smile suddenly became very real as part of him finally relaxed. "Where have you been hiding?" He half-demanded with a grin. "Looking for you," Jake grinned, his tone teasing as he sat down on the bed before leaning foreword for a light kiss that ended up confirming every word of Tasha's warning about how riled up the tabby was. "Mmm, feels like you could use a little relaxation." He rumbled and reached down under the blankets to rubbed the tabby's full erection. "Ohh, yeah." He groaned and thrust his hips up into the contact. "You ...." Jake cut him off with a kiss and slid down the bed, pulling the blanket, and then Chance's loose pants, down as he went. He nuzzled the full erection, licking it to the tabby's shivers and moans before he took it easily into his mouth and down his throat. "Oh, gods," Chance moaned and caught Jake's head in his hands as his hips thrust up into the hot, wet pleasure. He managed to keep it loose enough to let the kat do what he was good at, but it was hard to miss the controlling nature of his grip either. Still, Jake accepted it, even to Javrin's senses, as Chance was quickly worked to an orgasm that left him panting and weak in bed. "Better?" Jake grinned up at him after licking him clean. "Yeah," he grinned down loopily as Jake pulled his pants back up and accepted being pulled alongside his partner for an affectionate nuzzle and a real breath of relief. "I was beginning to believe you really were dead," Chance admitted painfully. "I know," Jake murmured and nuzzled him, relaxing into the embrace more than he expected he could. "Feel up to trying to learn calm now?" Javrin offered the afternoon after Jake and Chance had spent most of the day in each other's arms, reassuring themselves that reality was as it should be. He figured things were about as settled as they were going to get, at least until they got home. "It wouldn't hurt," he nodded, liking the idea more and more. "Calm is mostly an exercise in controlling what goes on in your own mind." Javrin said, as he sat down on the floor in their quarters in a classic lotus position. "Ordering a space that is inherently disorderly, to quote my Master." "That I can believe," Jake chuckled slightly and copied Javrin's position with less grace. "Part of that ordering is learning to accept the flow of events in the universe. Most anxiety comes from trying to change things that one can't." He said trying to remember everything he'd been taught, most of which he didn't think about anymore. "Ocean waves are a good metaphor for the events of life, and most people experience anxiety because they constantly paddle against the waves, trying to stay where they were." He said simply. "Calm comes in accepting the change, and floating with the waves." He said quietly. "Or for the more dynamic it's like surfing, you still go with the waves but are a little more active about it." He said, and then chuckled. "I bet it's painfully obvious that I've never taught anyone before." "I guessed as much," he chuckled softly and tried to relax. "I like the surfing analogy." "My homeworld is 85% water, so most of my analogies involves water, boats or fishing." He chuckled. "But the real trick to calm is in letting the things you can't use go. No surfer can use all the waves in the ocean, and it doesn't help to worry about the ones you don't." He explained. "But the first step in calm is quieting your mind, quieting all the noise and activity that fills it normally. Different Masters teach different ways, but my father taught me what he called the 'ripple in the pond'. You create a single moment of quiet in your mind, and that becomes the stone that creates the ripple. You then let the ripples of quiet spread outward, pushing away the noise and confusion. Behind the ripple is left the still water of calm." Jake considered that. The theory made sense, but applying it to his own mind left him at a loss. Finally he looked up at Javrin. "Define 'calm'." He asked in complete seriousness. "Quiet is usually the best definition, though highly ordered works better for some people." Javrin said after thinking a bit. "Calm could also be compared to a machine working exactly the way it's supposed to." "Quiet," Jake murmured, thinking back though his life for when he felt that way. "Peaceful?" "Yes, peaceful is also commonly associated with calm." Javrin nodded encouragingly. "Another technique for achieving calm is to take an image of a place that makes you feel at peace and relaxed and overlay it over all the noise and chaos in your mind. "It's a start," he said quietly and closed his eyes to let his mind drift back to the various streams and ponds he'd relaxed by in his life and smiled softly. Javrin kept his reaction to the incredible stillness that spread through Jake's mind so quickly to himself. The tom did know how to do this, he just considered it an incredibly guilty pleasure he rarely indulged in. "That's very good, Jake." Javrin said quietly. "That calm is the first step to learning how to use the Force consciously, in addition to the unconscious way you do naturally." He said encouragingly, letting Jake know that it was okay, not anything to feel guilty for. "So how do you think like this?" He asked, sounding almost sleepy as his mind relaxed from it's naturally hectic pace. "Using the Force isn't about thinking." Javrin explained. "It's about instinct, and about trusting the Force. Thinking too much actually gets in the way of using the Force." He said simply. "For example, do you actually think through the 'how' of how some of your really incredible inventions work? Or do you just do them?" Jake opened his mouth to say of course he thought about it, then stilled as he realized that when it came to real details on the special parts, it was just rough sketches and built. "I just build them," he answered, a little surprised. "That's very much the way the Force works. Best when you let the Force guide you, even if you don't realize it." Javrin nodded. "For example, lightsaber combat works best when your mind is calm, and you trust the Force to guide your blade. According to the personal journals of some of the greatest Masters, they could go through an entire combat without consciously thinking about it." He explained. "Most of us have to think a little more than that, but that's the ideal." He said. Jake processed that slowly. "I think I can relate to that," he nodded. "When things are really flowing, we don't have to think about the fight, we just go through it." "Exactly." Javrin nodded. "Chance probably flies much the same way, it's not anything he thinks about he just does." The blue-grey tom said easily. "On the good days at least, or when he's dealing with a completely new craft, like when I first gave him a TurboKat." "Everyone has off days." Javrin said easily. "My slip-piloting on the way here was a good example." He chuckled. That raised an eyebrow as Jake opened still tranquil amber eyes on him. "When did you mess that up?" "It shouldn't have been as tiring as it was." Javrin shook his head. "But I was trying too hard, and not flying the stream on instinct like I should've. Back when I did it regularly, I could've shaved a day or two off the trip out." "Given you were eight years out of practice, getting us where you wanted was an accomplishment." Jake pointed out easily. "That is not a simple skill from what I saw of it." "It's easy for some people, and impossible for others." He nodded. "There are even a few races who can't, and at least one who won't." He chuckled lightly. "Of course I don't blame the H'tari for refusing to do it. H'tari slip-pilots routinely end up in the most unexpected places, including the occasional accidental time travel." "Sounds like one might be a relative." Jake rolled his eyes, his mind a bit active but still calm overall. "So I could actually work better like this?" He asked, both curious and a bit disbelieving. "Quite possibly." Javrin nodded. "Though you might not always get what you were aiming for. The Force doesn't always give you what you want, but it usually gives you what you need." He smiled and got an amused chuckle for it. "Half the time I'm not sure what I'm building till it's finished anyway." Jake grinned and shifted into a more comfortable position. "I'll take what I need over what I want any day." "Telekinesis is the talent where you really have to stop thinking though." Javrin chuckled. "Accepting that you just think something the size of starfighter into the air can be difficult. I know it was for me." Jake cocked his head, about to say something when he snarled and lunged to his feet, his mind a hurricane of rage that he shoved out of the way to focus on finding his partner as fast as he could. Chance walked through the grand halls of the Jedi Temple, alternately amazed and unsettled by the huge place that made cathedrals look like ramshackle sheds. Everything was so bright and airy and there was an incredible sense of self-assured safety about the place and people. This was there world, and nothing would intrude upon it. It was both comforting, and a bit galling. The looks he got, however, those where irritating. Superior looks. Scrawny creatures that thought they were better than him. But one, a Mouse of all things, seemed to look right through him like he wasn't even there. It was just too much to stomach and he lunged with a snarl of pure rage. The blue female Mouse sidestepped the lunge with ease such as to make it appear that she'd hardly bothered moving, leaving Chance to encounter one of the very solid walls. She contemplated simply restraining the enraged feline telekinetically, before realizing that he didn't need to be merely stopped, he really needed to be beaten in a way he'd understand. He ricocheted off the wall, taking a couple backwards steps before he zeroed in on her again, oblivious to the fact that she had stopped all others from interfering, and closed with her, trying to get close enough to get his claws on her. This time she let him get so close he taste it, before vaulting effortlessly over him and out of his reach once again. She had no intention of laying a hand on him; she was simply going to let him charge himself into exhaustion. She was very certain that he needed the demonstration that all the rage he could summon would avail him nothing. Her intentions shifted in an instant as the Darkness erupted inside him, granting him at least as much speed as she had, and reflexes sharp enough to make dodging a risk, even for her. With a moment to spare before his next strike Master Yamari relaxed into the Force and committed her defense to the Light. "Oh, fuck." Jake's terrified voice greeted the sounds of battle and the palatable feel of the two sides at work. "What's wrong, Jake?" Javrin asked, as he kept close behind Jake. He could feel a conflict that shouldn't be going on within the Academy grounds, but it seemed Jake had more info on it. "Chance ... the Sith won." He whispered deep in his throat as they caught a glimpse of the battle between the enraged tabby and the blue Mouse who blocked or sidestepped his every attack. "It's just a setback, Jake." Javrin said gently. "It's to be expected with rage addiction, a few steps forward a couple back. This fight should actually help, since Master Yamari can beat him, without actually hurting him." He commented quietly, as the blue Mouse gracefully blocked an attack, and then gracefully sidestepped the follow-up strike. "This ... this ... is what rage addiction does?" Jake shuddered as he watched something he could barely comprehend. "It causes irrational behavior, yes." Javrin nodded. "His natural reactions have been shifted toward anger-driven ones. Something that he might not have noticed before becomes annoying, something annoying becomes enraging." The grey tom explained. "This is why we can't rush returning home. Can you imagine him encountering Commander Feral as he is now?" Javrin suggested softly. "A little too well," he nodded and took a deep breath as he forced himself to watch, and accept, both sides of the fight and what they could do. "He's capable of being an Omega like that." "Yes, and a very dangerous one if he managed to tap any other Force abilities unconsciously." Javrin said quietly. "Possibly worse than Dark Kat." "I'm beginning to really not want to know." Jake shook his head slightly, seriously unnerved as he comprehended just how outclassed they were in the big picture. It made him ache for the simplicity of just a city to defend and nothing much worse than Dark Kat to face. Life would never be that simple again. He and Chance had both unlocked something that couldn't be ignored, something that took any possibility of 'just going home' and having life be normal again away. "I wish it had stayed simple too." Javrin said gently. "Nothing more to worry about then what would chase my boss home from the latest dig, and whether my boyfriend would get himself killed saving the world." He said softly. "I'm too stubborn to die," he chuckled a bit, trying not to think about what he was watching and why he wasn't in the middle of it already. It was only after he saw the way a couple Jedi looked at him with a hint of worry that he realized that it wasn't the reassurance it was before. "I didn't mean it that way." "I know what you meant." Javrin said reassuringly. "Doesn't help the worrying part any, especially back when I wasn't supposed to know." He chuckled quietly. "And I would have not reacted well if you'd shown any sign of knowing," Jake shook his head and drew Javrin close. Chance's head abruptly snapped around to lock onto the pair and a feral snarl echoed in the hall as his rage found a new target and a fresh source of power: jealously. "Chance!" Jake's eyes went wide even as he ordered the kat to stop without effect. Javrin wasn't the true combat master that the Mouse was, so he resorted to put a strong telekinetic wall between himself and Chance, to give Jake time to calm the tabby down. It was something the lean tom was not going about in the safest manner as he move forward, closer to the furious kat. "Chance, calm down." Jake put all his authority behind his words and reached out to add the reinforcement of his touch to the order. He met invisible resistant for a moment, then found himself with an armful of enraged kat trying to get to Javrin. He gritted his teeth and focused on what he's learned about them in the last two weeks to force the tabby to submit to his authority and calm down as he always had. It earned him an irate growl, but he could feel the shift in Chance's body that marked acceptance of a disliked order. "I'm here, Chance." Jake said more softly as rage began to give way to panting. "I'm never going to leave you." "Perhaps it would be best if you are not standing there for a time." Master Yamari told Javrin quietly as they both watched the unusual dynamics of the pair play out. "Meditation would be of benefit." "Yes, Master." Javrin nodded obediently, and turned to head back to his quarters. "Jake" He thought carefully to the cinnamon tom. "I'm going back to quarters. My presence is just agitating Chance right now." He finished, as he turned a corner out of sight. "Understood." Jake's much less skilled reply came back with a warm mental hug of both appreciation for his disappearance and apology that it was such a good idea. Then Jake turned his full attention to his partner. "Let's get you back to your video games." He suggested and urged the tom to come with him to the quarters they were assigned. "Right," he mumbled, still quite disoriented but willing to go with his partner's very reasonable-sounding idea. "You wanted to see me, Master Kastoris?" Javrin asked as he entered the small, private garden that served as the Master's meditation area. "Yes, Javrin." He nodded. "The Council just finished reviewing the reports from your mission to Sancresti Redoubt. According to the Master Tran and Knight Sergenski you acquitted yourself very well." "Thank you, Master." Javrin blushed at little at the praise. "In fact, the Council has decided to accept the mission as your final trial, when considered in conjunction with your interviews with the members of the Council." "It has?" Javrin blinked at the very unexpected decision. The Council was certainly allowed to do that, but Javrin worried that it hadn't been enough. "Yes." Kastoris smiled. "Despite not having a Master for most of the years you were a Padawan, you have stayed true to the Code and your skill with the lightsaber makes you competitive with Knights who have been in the order as long as you have." He grinned. "Which is appropriate, since the Council has decided to bestow on you the rank of Jedi Knight. Congratulations, Javrin. Your Master would be proud." "Thank you, Master." "With that rank comes what may be a difficult assignment." Kastoris cautioned. "You still intend to return with Jake and Chance at such time as they return home?" "Yes, Master." Javrin said certainly. "It's been my home for eight years now. I feel more at home there, then anywhere I've been since my parents died." "The Council's concern is that, since Jake and Chance are Force-sensitive the ability may be beginning to emerge there." He explained. "The Council needs someone to monitor the situation. That will be your job." "Of course, Master." He said, thinking that that wasn't that difficult really. "The other consideration is that should either Jake or Chance have kits, they will likely be sensitive as well." The Master continued. "You will need to keep an eye for any who may be candidates for training." "I could not train more than one, Master." Javrin objected softly. "It is only a week from there to here." Kastorin noted. "Should this come to pass, contact us for further instructions." "So primarily I'm to watch and report back." Javrin asked, wanting to make sure what he was supposed to do. "Yes, and stay in touch." Kastoris grinned. "We'd like to hear from you, more than every eight years." "Of course, Master." Javrin grinned back. "Will the Council be constructing other ships with TFG capability?" "Discretely, but yes." Kastoris nodded. "For the time being, we don't see a need to bring the Senate in on matters. This new world is completely outside Republic space or even the Rim." "Understood, Master." Javrin nodded. "Is there anything else?" "Yes, one more lesson before you leave." He said simply. "Assuming that your Master did not teach you how to construct your own lightsaber?" "No, he didn't Master." "Then I will, and if Jake should ask, you may show him how." He smiled. "He'll probably figure it out on his own anyway, but it would hurt him to actually know." He chuckled, amazed at how capable the cinnamon tom was at building things without entirely knowing how he got the results he did. "Understood, Master. When are lessons to begin?" "Tomorrow is soon enough. I suspect Jake would like to have you back now." He chuckled, thinking how like a teenager Javrin was in many ways, especially where dating was concerned. "You may go." "Yes, he probably would." Javrin grinned, and turned to leave. "Thank you, Master." "Hay Jackson," Chance grinned at the White Lion standing behind his partner. Hew as still a bit loopy from all he'd been through but coherent again and feeling much better. "Good to see they got you out too." "They didn't, you did." He smiled warmly even as Jake turned in his chair to see who had snuck in and blinked a couple times at the translucent White Lion standing there. "Umm, Chance ... who is this guy?" Jake asked cautiously, still more than a bit paranoid by the whole lesson on Sith ghosts. "One of the other prisoners, an aerospace engineer like you." The tabby answered his partner by habit before looking at Jackson again. "How'd I get you out?" "You said I could grab a ride when your friends came." Jackson smiled. "So I did. I apologize for not pointing out that I was already dead, but honestly I just wanted out of that place." He explained, a bit sheepishly. "Already dead?" Both toms repeated in unison; one in confusion, one completely freaked. "Yeah, Keira wanted more than I was willing to give her." He sighed. "So she put me in the virtualizer. It didn't quite work as planned, and my spirit and body had a parting of the ways. Unfortunately, there's just no easy way out of that fortress for a ghost, and I knew I wasn't up to tackling that Sith head on." He shook his head. "I'd learned that much before I bailed from the Academy." "So you had to sneak out with a live mind?" Jake half guessed, still very much on edge, though his partner's acceptance did a lot to calm him down. "I needed cover." He nodded. "Kind of like hiding a message on a sub-frequency. It gets missed in the noise of the main transmission." He explained. "Actually, I meant to explain but Keira lost her patience with him before I could." "Somehow, I'm not surprised," Jake chuckled and ruffled the thick fur on Chance's chest. "He's got the thickest skull ever known." "Hay!" The tabby in question objected, though it was almost playful. Almost. "You know I love the way you are," Jake murmured soothingly and shifted to kiss his partner, willing the tabby to calm down before he found out what it felt like to get slugged by him hyped-up. "Mmm, yeah," he smiled and caught Jake's head for another kiss that wasn't resisted at all. "So what now?" Jake asked as he relaxed his head against Chance's chest, more concerned about the very real tabby that was getting possessive of him than the non-corporeal creature behind him. "Not sure exactly." Jackson shook his head. "Go talk to one of the Masters I guess. Fortunately, pretty much everyone around here is sensitive enough to see me." He chuckled. "But I wanted to thank you for getting me out of there." He smiled at the tabby. "I know it's not much, but your being there did rescue one person." He grinned, though the tone was quite serious. "I'll leave you two alone now." He smirked playfully as he disappeared into the ceiling and Chance's full attention focused on his partner with a demanding kiss. "Chance ..." Jake pulled away a bit, trying to keep how badly freaked he still was under wraps. "Not now." The tabby frowned, clearly unhappy, but his grip loosened and he stroked Jake's cheek with a thumb. "Sorry, buddy." He mumbled as it sunk in why Jake was so tense and fought down the intense self-loathing it brought to realize he was capable of that, much less against his partner. "Gods, I'm sorry buddy. I ...." "You weren't in control of yourself," Jake murmured and turned his head to kiss Chance's palm and brought his hand up to keep it there. "I know. It's not something you'd ever do if you knew what was happening. I'm just ... not quite there yet." "And I'm not quite myself yet." The tabby finished for him. "Not enough not to be afraid of." He brushed his thumb over Jake's mouth when he began to object. "Jake, I'm not so completely self-absorbed that I haven't noticed." He paused, then sighed. "Hell, Jake. I couldn't blame you if you never wanted to be alone around me again." "I know," he murmured and closed his eyes briefly. "You're still my partner, Chance. We'll make it though this like we have everything else." "Yeah," Chance smiled slightly. "Yeah, we will." Jake murmured in the intoxicating pleasure of having Chance back and completely himself at the controls of an agile, powerful aircraft. It no longer mattered, for these few hours, that they were stuck in a different galaxy among strange people with strange customs and beliefs that had all but destroyed them both. "There's the park," he pointed out the floated chunk of several hundred acres of green grass, carefully sculpted rolling hills, a scattering of trees and groups of trees. What caught Jake's attention was the large pool fed by a small waterfall and he guided Chance to it without even thinking he was. When the small craft set down, Javrin was the first one ready, as he was the only one not actively involved in guiding their wild canon tag adventure that was sure to bring many complains and neither of them could care about it. He waited and followed Jake out and sat down by the large pool that reminded him of his first home, a home he hadn't seen in almost a dozen years. Not that he really wanted to go back, since it just reminded him of the parents he'd lost very young. "You found a good spot," Jake smiled at him as he put out a blanket and handed out plates so Chance wouldn't start to eat without them. "I had a little help." Javrin chuckled. "Tasha gets stir-crazy if she's cooped up too long. Something about needing space to run in." He said thoughtfully. "It's a Borzoi thing apparently." "I know Cheetah's get like that," Jake chuckled and snagged some of the fried bird, creamy potato salad and one of the slices of desert from the basket before Chance got to it all. "Grab what you can. He's insatiable." He grinned at his partner. "The food's good." Chance countered with a grin. "And you've got some work to do. That thing is hot for a transport." "Well, it's technically a military drop craft." Javrin grinned as he helped himself to bit of everything. He didn't usually eat large amounts of anything, just some of everything offered. "Designed to get below enemy sensors before they notice something came down. So it's all engine and control systems." "And she flies sweet." Chance grinned around a big bite of fried meat. "Oh, kats, does she fly sweet." "You'll have better when I'm done rebuilding the TK." Jake promised with a grin. "Sienar Systems builds the best." Javrin grinned. "Most of the major developments in starfighter technology come from them, along with the top of the line civilian craft. Of course they're limited by only having access to garden-variety geniuses." He smirked at Jake. "Not super-geniuses." "Ah," Jake blushed and ducked his head. "Now that we can use more of." Chance licked his lips and grinned. "He is so cute when he blushes." "Very true." Javrin grinned playfully. "The blush goes well with his fur." He added appreciatively. "Okay, so you two have something in common," Jake mumbled, his cheeks burning. "Yeah, we both are seriously hooked on you." Chance smiled, something in his voice making the statement a very serious one despite the teasing words. He reached out to gently brush Jake's cheek. "You're where we're at." It took Javrin a moment, and some measure of telepathic sensitivity to realize what Chance meant. "Very true." He nodded with a warm smile as Jake's color deepened. "Basically what I told Master Kastoris the other day." "You really are coming back with us?" Jake looked at him with a smile even as he shifted a little closer to Chance without thinking. "Yes, I am." Javrin nodded. "I've spent a lot of time lately thinking about it, and for all its problems, MegaKat City is the closest thing to 'home' I've had since my folks died. And I really don't like how I feel when I think about watching as you guys leave." He admitted quietly. "Only a masochist would set himself up for that much pain." "Or someone who has another reason to stay," Jake said softly. "But I'm glad you aren't staying here. I'd miss you." "I'd have to have a pretty big reason to stay." Javrin said simply. "And I don't, and I'd miss you too, a lot." He added quietly. "You know, I'm glad you aren't a pilot." Chance shook his head after a bite of the fried bird. "Or I might think you're trying to be more than his boyfriend." "I prefer to fight with my feet on the ground." Javrin chuckled; deciding to leave unsaid the fact that he was a pilot. Even if he wasn't as good as Chance he really didn't want to create the perception of competition. "Besides, who'd handle Abi's paperwork?" He added with a wise-ass smirk. "I don't even want to know," Jake snickered. "Probably her again." "Sure as hell won't be me." Chance puffed up his chest again. "Oh, gods, only if she wants it to look like your room." Jake snickered and shot Javrin a reminding look that this was meant to be a 'make friends' outing when Chance was actually in a good mood. "Exactly, you fly and I do paperwork." Javrin grinned at the tabby. "Better for everyone that way. 'Sides, I don't think anybody but you can handle the stuff Jake builds." "Especially after we get back," the tabby rumbled eagerly and pulled Jake close for a near insistent nuzzle that wasn't resisted, but wasn't quite returned either. "You have that much right." Jake grinned despite being a bit uncomfortable and uncertain about how this was working. "Yeah, antigrav will give you a whole new range of maneuverability to play with." Javrin smirked. "And the inertial compensators will let you pull significantly more G's." "No more blacking out for you," Chance teased his partner. "We are going to be so unstoppable." "At least we'll have the tech edge for a few years." Jake chuckled slightly. "I should hope more than a few." Javrin chuckled. "I haven't seen anything that indicates that anybody on Aristal is even close to a working antigrav unit. Should we throw a starfighter in the cargo bay, so you have it to study at home?" He asked Jake, his tone mostly teasing but partly serious. "If you can get away with it," Jake all but lit up with a grin. "And at least two Omegas have them, and Blackie had a partial system, but nothing like what you've got here." "Now you've done it," Chance laughed easily and shook his head. "He'll be no good for conversation or playing for days now." "But just think of what you'll have when he's done." Javrin smirked at Chance. "That flyer there is nothing compared to a military spec starfighter." He chuckled. "And I think I can swing it." He said, fairly confident that the Council would back the request. If for no other reason than to avoid having it vanish anyway. "Yeah, yeah, but you have no idea what it's like living with him like this." He made a general motion towards his partner, who was clearly absorbed in other things than their conversation. "He forgets to come out of the lab, and you have to go check on him every so often and make sure he does things like eat?" Javrin asked with a knowing grin. "Eat, sleep ... remember that there is life outside his shop," the tabby rolled his eyes. "He's impossible to distract." "Abi says that about me when I get my nose buried in a translation." Javrin chuckled. "Bastet save me," Chance groaned, though it was in good humor. "I have two of you now?" "If you want to." Javrin winked, teasing playfully. "I don't think Jake'll object." The tabby blinked a couple times as his brain made sure he'd actually heard what he thought he'd heard. "You're into that?" He asked a bit uncertainly with a glance at Jake as if he could discern where this had come from from his distracted partner. "Not with just anyone." Javrin clarified, wishing Jake was paying attention. "And you're far from being just anyone." He smiled. Chance regarded them both for a while, then focused a bit more on Javrin. "Jake's idea, or yours?" He asked, really just curious. "Jake asked me to think about it, but it wasn't a new idea." Javrin smiled. "You're too attractive for me to not at least have that fantasy once in a while." "A fantasy is quite a bit different than reality a lot of the time," he cautioned gently, remembering Jake's assessment of Javrin's sexual experience and the likely extent of how far Jake would have taken it in a few months. "But you'd be welcome to play with us." "I know it is." Javrin nodded. "But I trust Jake's judgment. He wouldn't ask if he didn't think I could handle it." He said simply, but the level of trust it implied went much deeper. "And thank you , I'm sure it'll make Jake happy." He added, and it was clear that making Jake happy was very important to him. "No, no he wouldn't," Chance nodded as he considered his partner. "Think we should get his attention back to the real world?" "Any suggestions on how?" Javrin asked curiously. "You've got more experience than I do." "Well, how pissy are they about fooling around out here?" He grinned devilishly. "We're far enough inland to avoid being scene." Javrin chuckled. "Well, you know what water does to him." He grinned impishly. "Oh yeah," Chance's grin turned absolutely wicked as he got halfway up. "I take him in, you get ready to kiss the squawking away?" "I can do that." Javrin grinned playfully, as he stood up gracefully and made his way to the water's edge. Chance waited until he was close, then went for a rushing roll that tumbled him, and the kat in his arms, right into the pond. Jake's squawk of outraged surprise and confusion came out over the splashing, then the gurgle as he got a mouthful of water. Javrin waited until Jake had surfaced to claim a playful, yet passionate kiss. He'd never have pulled something like this on his own, but it sure seemed like a fun idea when Chance suggested it. He felt the startled tension in Jake's body, the conflicting desires of returning the kiss and demanding what was going on. Then Chance surfaced behind Jake to nibble on his neck and everything become crystal clear. Without any more hesitation Jake pulled Javrin against him and returned the ravaging kiss and wondering hands. "Told you I'd think about it." Javrin whispered playfully, as his hands caressed Jake's body through his clothes. "Yes, you did." Jake shuddered at the gentle, teasing touch of his boyfriend and the much bolder and no less loving touch of his partner. "And you two know you've got me." He moaned as Chance kissed his neck, his words only half finished but easy to discern. "Yes," the tabby murmured and rubbed his full jeans against Jake's rump. "I was thinking of a reverse Jake sandwich while we do." "I'm game." Javrin grinned, glad that he'd surfed the 'net for pictures and stories. He always preferred to have some idea what was going on, especially when he was a complete novice at something. "Ohh, the tabby is getting experimental on me," Jake grinned and shamelessly rubbed back as his shirt was quickly removed despite the way it wanted to stick to his body. "And this waterfall just happened to be nearby to get things moving." Javrin smirked, as he playfully undid Jake's pants and lightly fondled the already hard tom while Chance's hands moved over Jake's chest, teasing his nipples and indulging all the touch-hunger they both had built up despite having other partners. The blue-grey tom then claim another passionate kiss as one hand gently fondled Jake's already hard cock. It didn't take long before Jake had gotten him undressed. Chance had tossed his clothes to the shore at some point before the tabby claimed a surprisingly gentle kiss from Javrin and closed a hand around the grey tom's cock to pump it a few times while Jake worked on Javrin's balls. "Mmm, or maybe something simpler." Chance grinned and urged Javrin into shallow enough water that he could sit without drowning the tabby who nuzzled his groin. "Ohh, that works," Javrin moaned and leaned back into the shallow water as his cock was taken all the way down Chance's throat. "It means you can watch me." Jake rumbled hotly as he slid a hand under the tabby's tail to check if he was ready and murred at the low moan his fingers received. He didn't waste any more time and pressed into his partner's body with a heated growl of pleasure, his eyes locked on Javrin's pleasure as the rhythm built with their pleasure. Javrin shuddered first, his body pushed to its limit quickly by the skill and desire of both his partners. He felt Chance's arms come up to support him as he came hard, his seed shooting down the tabby's throat. He was still panting when he felt a shockwave of pleasure from Chance and opened his eyes to see Jake's open-mouthed pleasure and feel the moaning against his groin as Jake stroked Chance's cock to come in unison. Chance's grip on him slowly loosened as his breath shortened and Jake's thrusts became more erratic. Then it exploded with Chance's roar as his body clamed down around his partner's to draw the last moment of control from Jake. The water under them turned a creamy white as each kat surrendered to the moment. Slowly they separated and moved up to collapse in the shallow, lapping water next to Javrin. "That was fun," Chance grinned at the pair. "Sometimes reality is better than the fantasy." Javrin grinned, still feeling a little loopy. "This certainly was." "Good," Chance smiled a little more warmly as he made the effort to begin to let Javrin into his heart and the small circle of people he truly cared about. "Maybe you'd stay in our room tonight?" He offered with a gentle kiss even as Jake nuzzled along Javrin's shoulder to steal one for himself from each tom. "I'd love to." Javrin replied with a smile, and a gentle kiss in return. "Then why don't you entertain him," Chance grinned and gave him a gentle push against Jake, "while I dry off." "He wants a real bed." Jake snickered and claimed a heated kiss. "Damn straight," the tabby laughed and got up. "Water turns him on, but I like a nice soft bed." "So you think we can drag him out of that workshop long enough to get him on the ship without having him take it apart again?" Chance smirked at the shorter tom next to him as they walked through the halls that had become familiar over too many weeks of having his head put back together. "Well, we could literally drag him." Javrin snickered to the burly tabby. "Between the two of us we've got enough leverage." "Oh, yeah," he laughed easily. "But that assumes none of his new toys object to him being dragged off." "That's what Master Kastoris is for." Javrin chuckled. "He talks to stuff the same way Jake does. Might not be as strong on the inventing end, but he's very good at commanding stuff." "Ohh, any chance we can katnap him to get Jake out of the shop on a regular basis?" The tabby grinned eagerly. "I think the Council will object if we try to walk off with a Council member." Javrin chuckled. "Still it'd be fun to watch the fireworks the first time he caught one of Feral's anti-SWAT Kats rants on TV." The blue-grey tom snickered. "Oh?" He grinned, a rush of fire spiking his heart rate at the idea of the Commander getting seriously hurt. "Oh, just longest lecture on the stupidity of his way of doing things that Feral's ever had." Javrin chuckled. "From someone he couldn't ignore or order out of his office. Feral'd be lucky if he didn't find himself resigning at the end of the day." The lean tom smirked. "Feral's no match for a Jedi Master, not even on his best day." "I doubt he's a match for you." Hew smirked, though he meant the words. "If I was trying to kill him probably not." Javrin murmured as he blushed brightly at the compliment for a little while, before he got enough control to force the blush to retreat. "You're almost as cute as Jake when you blush too," he chuckled and ghosted a finger down Javrin's neck. "You've got a talent for making both of us blush too." Javrin grinned with a tiny shiver of excitement. Playing with Chance was still new enough that it excited him more than it should, kind of like the first few weeks with Jake. The two had such different ways of playing too, for all they were both gentle and saw to his pleasure as well as their own. "Hay, the muscle has to be good at something to put you geniuses off balance." He smirked. "I heard that!" Jake called out to them from where he was sitting cross-legged on the floor and literally up to his ears in a disassembled something. "Time to eat already?" He asked as he started to unwind and stand up. "Yap," Chance grinned at him and all but hauled him out of the pile with a bear hug. "But they finally let me go today." "Let you ..." Jake's eyes went wide as he stopped his playful struggling. "We get to go home?" "Whenever you're ready." Javrin nodded. "Master Leona thought it would be soon, so I've been prepping the ship the last few days." He smiled. "Now!" Jake rumbled even as he kissed Chance with all the passion he had, proud beyond words of the recovery. "So anything in here than needs to get lugged along?" Chance rumbled, his breath quickened by the attention and intensity he saw in his arms. "No," Jake shook his head and got his feet under him when he was set down. "You got everything packed from our quarters?" "Yap." Chance nodded easily and kissed him back, much more lightly. "Let's get the hell out of this place." "Then we better get moving before the universe comes up with something else." Javrin chuckled lightly, only about half joking and got a pair of matching looks that understood the statement a little too well. "Any idea on an ETA to Aristal?" Jake asked as they dropped into the utterly barren real space between galaxies. He tried not to be too edgy about it and put even more pressure on the only slipstream pilot they had, but it wasn't easy for him to be cooped up with so little he could really do. "Difficult to say." Javrin admitted, as he deactivated the slip-piloting console. "Time in slipstream travel is largely a factor of pilot skill and experience, as well as the amount and frequency of travel on the route. And using TFG-slipstream just complicates estimates." He shook his head. "Probably six to ten days from Coruscant to Aristal. Not bad for crossing half the universe." "No, it's not." Jake admitted, reluctant about being hyped up that long about being so near and so far. "Right now, you look like you could stand a break and some TLC." He said softly and knelt next to the chair to nuzzle him. "How about giving me a shot now." Chance grinned at them from where he was leaning against the bulkhead. "You know I can do it." "I wouldn't be surprised." Javrin grinned as he got out of the pilot's station and had it clamed by an eager tabby while Jake settled into the background to be out of the way. "The theory is fairly simple; the pilot simply chooses from diverging pathways as they occur. According to most theorists choosing the pathway usually means it's the right one, as long as you're not overthinking the decision. The only reliable way to pilot the slipstream is to trust your instincts, and don't let the speed and number of pathways intimidate you." "Nothing intimidates me," Chance grinned at him and relaxed completely into the pilot's chain. "That much is true." Jake chuckled and watched in fascination as Javrin showed him the simple controls and they dropped into the slipstream again under his pilot's guidance. He couldn't help but smile at how this both relaxed and energized his partner. Javrin had to admit that the tabby did seem to have the gift for piloting the slipstream, though confidence in one's abilities was half the battle in successful slipstream piloting. "Your destination is Dragus Proxima in Reticulum Galaxy." He explained, standing to one side of the pilot's station. "It helps to have an idea where you're going before entering the stream." "I'm going home." Chance told him evenly and simply. "I know where it is." He added, not even questioning that it was impossible for him to know. "Come on, Javrin." Jake smiled warmly and slid his arm around the other tom. "Let's get you a meal and rest. We're in good hands." "There's a very good reason for the indirect route." Javrin said quietly once they had left the bridge. "A direct course would pass through a galactic core, and that's just a bad idea." "Trust Chance," Jake kissed his cheek. "No one is better at what he does, and that's getting his ship through things in one piece." "Sorry, I've just heard the story of Suliman's Glory one time too many." Javrin shook his head. "A ship that tried to slipstream through the heart of the Draconis Galaxy, and got caught by a black hole. When they finally pulled free of the event horizon, a thousand years had passed." "Javrin," Jake stopped and stepped ahead to face him and tipped his face up. "I understand. But either trust Chance with a shift, or go take him out of the cockpit. Don't worry. It doesn't help." "No it doesn't." Javrin admitted. "It just disturbed me when he brushed off the navigation instruction I tried to give him. And if I didn't trust him, I wouldn't have left the bridge." he pointed out as he kissed Jake on the cheek. "But as the person with the most space experience, I feel somewhat responsible for getting us home safely." "He didn't brush you off," Jake smiled at him gently. "That's just Chance in the pilot's seat. He heard you, and he paid attention. He's just got this macho-kat thing going on the outside." "Ah, yes the macho-kat thing." Javrin chuckled and shook his head. "I do tend to misinterpret that one, always have actually." He admitted sheepishly as Jake drew him close into a gentle hug. "Now lets get you fed and rested, and maybe a little wound down," he winked, "so you can take a shift after him." "You think he'll willing give up the pilot's station?" Javrin grinned playfully. "Though actually he probably will. First time slip-piloting is always exhausting, no matter how talented you are." "And I can offer him an alternative he won't want to turn down." Jake chuckled and guided Javrin to the galley. "Satellite count correct," Jake softly counted off his personal checklist as they approached Aristal's blue and brown orb. He was paying nearly as much attention to trying to keep control of the near-panic level terror that gripped him as the readouts. "Katsat-3 made it into operation." He added with a slight smile. "Transmission level is good. Encoding unchanged. We've been gone for a hundred and thirty two days, just shy of three months." "Switching to stealth mode." Javrin said from the command station. "Stealth fully operational, visual cloak engaged. We are now completely invisible to detection. Where do we want to land?" "Well, we still have a city in the right place," Jake said with a real breath of relief. "And it looks right too, minus MegaKat Towers, again." He chuckled nervously. "Head for the Yard. If it's still intact, it's our base of operations." "You want to take her in, Chance?" Javrin offered. "You know I do." The tabby grinned broadly and efficiently swapped places with Javrin. "Enforcer bands sound normal." Jake added as they swept over the city. "And the Yard is as we left it. Logging into the security system now." He commented, his heart pounding in his throat as everything that could have happened in the three months they'd been gone ran through his head. "Setting her down out back," Chance reported to Jake without really thinking about it as they began to synch up as they usually did when co-piloting. "System intact," Jake's voice began to tremble in relief, his body not far behind in surrendering to the release of tension and fear that had build up over far too long. "Hanger is unbreached." He added as information came in far too slowly. "We're as safe as it can be to check on foot." Javrin sank into the soothing calm of pre-battle meditation as he unclipped his lightsaber without igniting it as the ship settled in the dusty ground. He could feel relief at being home in both of them, and the cautious paranoia that was very well warranted with their lives. "Let's go," Jake took charge without thinking. They picked up a Glovatrix each and surveyed the familiar terrain of the home, searching for anything out of place before they moved forward to enter the building and begin a formal search. Javrin nodded quietly and followed the two of them out of the ship. He could feel Jake reach out, touching the base he'd done so much conversion and work in with a conscious intent he hadn't known was possible when he'd last seen the place. He saw in Chance the knowledge, a moment before he caught it, that the area was clear according to Jake. He knew without asking that there would still be an inch-by-inch inspection of the Yard, home and Hanger and followed them through their home to learn it as they assured themselves it was still theirs. Het Level is None Slash Level is Slash Smut Level is Low Herm Level is None Written November 22, 2004 by Rauhnee Ranshanka and Todd McCall Setting: Star Wars (Furry), SWAT Kats Primary Races: Feline, Kat Contents: Furry. Slash (M/M). Admittance Story, Alternate Universe, Crossover, DarkFic, Non-Con (M on M), Rape Recovery, Romance (Teen), Sci-Fi, Sex (First Time), Sex (Kinky), Sex (Public), Sex (Rough), Slavery (Legal), Violence Pairings: Jake Clawson/Chance Furlong, Jake Clawson/Javrin San'rik'el Blurb: All healing must begin somewhere. Sometimes it is by being hurt. Sometimes it is by following your instincts and opening yourself up to it. For Javrin, stranded on a world far from home and alone, it is by facing the demons he holds inside. 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__label__wiki	0.636068	0.636068	Books and Videos about Future Search Future Search – 3rd Edition – An Action Guide to Finding Common Ground in Organizations & Communities by Marvin Weisbord and Sandra Janoff. Bestseller – over 35,000+ copies sold The latest edition of the definitive book on a change method proven effective in most of the world’s cultures. Thoroughly revised and updated, with nine new chapters. Provides a wealth of tools, handouts, and practical aids. Berrett-Koehler 2010. list price: $29.95 Lead More, Control Less – 8 Advanced Leadership Skills That Overturn Convention, by Marvin Weisbord and Sandra Janoff Can you really be a more effective leader if you give up trying to change or control people? Using examples and case studies, Weisbord and Janoff show leaders how they can share responsibility, defuse group conflicts, enable everyone to get the big picture, and more. Berrett-Koehler 2015. $19.95 Don’t Just Do Something, Stand There – Ten Principles for Leading Meetings That Matter, by Marvin Weisbord and Sandra Janoff Rather than trying to change people, why not try to change the conditions in which they interact? A presentation of often contrarian insights into how to design meetings that actually accomplish something. Berrett-Koehler 2007.List price: $20.95 Discovering Common Ground – How Future Search Conferences Bring People Together to Achieve Breakthrough Innovation, Empowerment, Shared Vision, and Collaborative Action by Marvin Weisbord and 35 international co-authors. Do you want to take a whole systems, stakeholder engagement approach to strategic planning? Case studies showing theory in action from around the world. A definitive book on the underlying theory, research, and practical applications providing general guidelines for successful conferences. Berrett-Koehler, 1993. List price: $28.95 Productive Workplaces: Dignity, Meaning, and Community in the 21st Century, 3rd Edition, 25 Year Anniversary, by Marvin Weisbord Strategy and Business 2012 Organizational Culture Book of the Year! This third edition of the classic resource is smart, well-written and well-researched, thoughtful, somewhat provocative, and a one-of-a-kind review of the integration of economics, technology, and people. It covers such topics as: the work on self as integral to organizational change; the revision of Lewinian concepts for a new era; and the history behind “getting everybody improving whole systems” as a response to fast change and increasing diversity. Wiley 2012. List Price $75.00. e-book $69.00 Future Search in School District Change : Connection, Community, and Results Case studies from members of the Future Search Network, 2005 Edited by Rita Schweitz and Kim Martens Here are sixteen compelling case studies that illustrate the power of Future Search to create lasting, whole system change. Future Search in School District Change chronicles ways in which educational institutions have used broad-based stakeholder involvement to improve education. These experiences, by individual authors, will help those tasked with improving education by offering ideas that have proven successful. Discovering Community – A Future Search as a Springboard for Action in Santa Cruz County A 30 minute Blue Sky Productions video documenting a Future Search on affordable housing conducted by Sandra Janoff and Marvin Weisbord in Santa Cruz, California. Includes 18 month follow-up. The Children of Southern Sudan A 30 minute Blue Sky Productions video documenting UNICEF-sponsored Future Searches with Sudanese children and adults to address the crisis of losing a generation of children to the turmoil of a brutal civil war, led by Sandra Janoff. Seizing Salford’s Moment: Connecting People with Opportunities An 8 minute video documenting a Future Search held in Salford, UK, that brought community leaders and citizens together to address inequities and link people to opportunities for work. Future Search in Action A 12 minute Blue Sky Productions video showing Future Search applications in the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors. You see the leaders who sponsored Future Searches talk about their experience in Whole Foods, Haworth, Inc, INOVA Healthcare, Topeka Pet Foods, Roxbury community Health Services, Ko’olau Loa, Hawaii and Advanta financial services. In October, 2017 Sandra Janoff presented a brief talk to answer the question “What do we do when we don’t know what to do?”. In this video, Sandra describes the challenges of keeping a group focused on the Future and Common Ground to discover what they want to accomplish together. Learn how practicing the 4 Principles of Future Search can create the conditions that move people to cooperate. ( 22 min). Interview with Marvin and Sandra A 3 minute interview with Marvin Weisbord and Sandra Janoff, founders of Future Search Network, whose members practice one of the first and most successful participative methods for whole system interactive planning and organizational development. G8 Youth Summit in Norther Ireland, UK Over 100 young people, in interactive dialogue and discovery, created a communique to the G20 world leaders who were meeting in the same location one month later. Very inspiring. Our next generation really cares, wants its voice heard and has a profound message for us. (6 min) Interview with Sandra Janoff Sandra Janoff, co-developer of Future Search Methodology, talks to Dr. Hüseyin Özdemir (oezpa Institute) about Future Search, Tavistock, Eric Trist, Future Search Network and Marvin Weisbord. (22 min) Future Search Principles in Animation A very clever and engaging animation that shows the dynamics of a participative meeting and the principles of Future Search. (3 min). Sandra Janoff, interviewed in Budapest, Hungary, tells about Future Search through a number of examples of what communities and business have accomplished. (8 min) Making Every Child Matter, Bolton, UK Bolton, in north-west England, ran a Future Search on Making Every Child Matter. Children, some still in primary school, attended the meeting and worked with energy and commitment equal to the adults. Watch this 3 1/2 minute video if you wonder whether to bring young people into your meeting. It’s a testament to our teenagers. (Notice the faces of the young people as they arrive, and then… their engagement over the 3 days.) Click here for the blog that students started in the meeting and continued after. Marv Weisbord presents his Learning Curve, first published in Productive Workplaces, 1987. He shows how OD strategies for effective organizations have evolved over the last 100+ years. An incredible journey from Experts Solving Problems to Everybody Improving Whole Systems. This is a video keynote for the Asia OD Network. (28 min). Sandra Janoff is interviewed at the OD Network. She, Marvin Weisbord and Future Search Network had just been awarded the Sharing the Wealth Award, given in honor of Kathie Dannemiller, a seminal thinker in the field of organizational change. Sandra talks about Future Search Network, its mission and accomplishments.	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line125
__label__cc	0.548676	0.451324	Managing a Future Search – A Leadership Workshop Click here to accept our gift of two case studies – IKEA, and the Federal Aviation Administration story. You’ll want to attend the Future Search workshops if you’re intrigued by these high impact, real life applications of Future Search. More than 5,000 people have attended this workshop since 1991. They have come from Africa, Asia, Australia, Canada, the Caribbean, Europe, India, South America and the United States. People from every sector, public and private, have gone on to stimulate positive social, technological and economic cooperation around the globe. The workshop goal is to give participants the tools, insights and support to manage successful Future Searches. AGENDA: Workshop agenda includes: Theory, history and dynamics of Future Search. Conditions for success. Conference planning and implementation. Output and follow-up. Facilitation skills and techniques. World-wide applications and strategies. Workshop participants will learn: How to manage a meeting in which the target of change is a whole system’s capability for action now and in the future. Key issues in matching conference task and stakeholders. A theory and practice of facilitating large, diverse groups. How to keep critical choices in the hands of participants. How freeing yourself from diagnosing and fixing enables diverse groups to come together faster. Basic principles and techniques that can be used to design many other meetings. The workshop is built around a simulated Future Search, planned by the participants as part of the learning design. The whole group then has a basis for a shared experience with the techniques for building community, developing a mutual world view, creating desired futures, finding common ground, expanding the range of choices, and moving into action. Included are interactive sessions on theory, history, planning, facilitation and follow-up. TUITION: SAVE up to $700! Register EARLY for discounts! The tuition fee of $1,690.00 includes workshop materials, a copy of the book, “Future Search: Getting the Whole System in the Room for Vision, Commitment and Action“, lunch and breaks. Workshop Training at Reduced Fees: If you are planning a Future Search in your community, want training in the methods and cannot afford workshop costs, you may qualify for reduced tuition if you work full-time for a 501-(C)3 non-profit or a public agency. Broad Applications Future Search can be used to: Create a shared vision and practical action plans among diverse parties. Devise a plan and gain commitment to implement a vision or strategy that already exists. Initiate rapid action on complex issues where no coordinating structure or shared vision exists People have applied Future Search in every sector in many cultures. Examples include affordable housing in Santa Cruz, CA, economic development among the Inuit people of North America, AIDS in Bangladesh, more effective business planning in Brazil, business mergers in Germany, sustainable communities in England, strengthening democratic practices in South Africa, regional planning in Indonesia, and education reform across the United States. Future Search Network has hundreds of examples worldwide. Four key principles underlie the Future Search design: Getting the “whole system” in the room. Exploring the same global context (“whole elephant”) as a backdrop for local action. Focusing on the future and common ground rather than conflicts and problems. Inviting self-management and personal responsibility for action during and after the conference. These principles, rather than any techniques, account for the widespread success of Future Search. You will learn in depth how they function to help people make better communities and organizations. You also will learn techniques that, taken together, put these principles into action, including self-organizing action groups and the critical interplay between small group tasks and whole conference dialogue.	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line126
__label__wiki	0.806339	0.806339	@thebeast Updates 18287 Blog Categories all music news LOMBARDO TALKS SLAYER RETIREMENT LOMBARDO TALKS SLAYER RETIREMENT Wednesday September 18 2019, 6:12 AM During an appearance on the latest installment of Dean Delray 's "Let There Be Talk" podcast, ex- SLAYER drummer Dave Lombardo confirmed that he has had no contact with his former bandmates in the six years since his latest departure from the group. "No, there's been no communication," he said (hear audio below). Asked if he believes that SLAYER will truly play its last-ever show in November at the Forum in Los Angeles, Lombardo said: "Apparently, from what I hear. Tom [ Araya , SLAYER bassists/vocalist] has been wanting to retire when I was in the band — he wanted to stop. He had the neck issues. He's been wanting to retire for a long time now. So now that he's got it, I'm happy for him, and I hope he gets what he wants out of life and his future." The 54-year-old musician, who splits his time between crossover pioneers SUICIDAL TENDENCIES , horror-punk icons MISFITS and hardcore supergroup DEAD CROSS , was effectively fired from SLAYER after sitting out the group's Australian tour in February/March 2013 due to a contract dispute with the other bandmembers. He has since been replaced by Paul Bostaph , who was previously SLAYER 's drummer from 1992 until 2001. Shortly after his dismissal, Lombardo said that he discovered that 90 percent of SLAYER 's tour income was being deducted as expenses, including fees to management, costing the band millions and leaving them with about 10 percent to split four ways. While he and Araya hired auditors to figure out what had happened, Lombardo said he was never allowed to see any of the information obtained. A few years ago, SLAYER guitarist Kerry King said that "when Dave was in [the band] this last time, I figured I'd be on the stage with him until one of us fell off the stage, dead. Things change. He got some bad advice and listened to some bad advice, gave us an ultimatum ten days before we went to Australia [to do the Soundwave festival tour]. And I said, 'I can't have this over my head.' And I feel bad for Dave to this day; I really feel bad for him because he shot himself in the foot. Maybe he thought he had the upper hand, but you ain't gonna get me." Via Blabbermouth Reviews - Interviews - Promo - Radio Play Contact zach@metaldevastationradio.com Post-Metal Act HAVEN Signs To Argonauta Records! New... ...and Oceans Release New Single, "Vigilance and... Hatefulmurder - Interviewed By Unrated Magazine! Nergal from Behemoth Debuts 'Ain't Much Loving'... Serpentine Seed from Spiritual Bloodshed by Triumvir... New Music: PUTRID OFFAL Necrotic Mutilation [live at... PIMMIT HILLS: The Sleeping Shaman Premieres "Lost... L.A. GUNS Singer PHIL LEWIS Slams GENE SIMMONS Over... © Metal Devastation Radio 2021	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line128
__label__wiki	0.640472	0.640472	MIGRAHACK JOURNALISM FELLOWSHIPS TALKS & TUTORIALS In the Shadows of the Slaughterhouse Abbie Swanson Full Article 9 minutes read by abbie-swanson Many immigrants are being drawn to small Midwestern towns by jobs at meatpacking plants that have relocated from big cities. The newcomers have become integral to the country’s food chain, yet invisible to most Americans. Harvest Public Media reporters Abbie Fentress Swanson and Peggy Lowe explored the changes in two rural communities: Noel, Mo., and Garden City, Kan. Their stories show the challenges that immigrant families face – hunger, lack of affordable housing and below-par educational services. But they also reveal hope – the children of slaughterhouse workers are imagining a bright future, and many long-time residents are lending help. The series was widely broadcast by local radio stations and national NPR shows, including All Things Considered and Latino USA. View the proyect Abbie’s Story Behind the Story My “Immigration in the Heartland” project is a multimedia series called “In the Shadows of the Slaughterhouse.” I filed these stories with my Harvest Public Media colleague and co-IJJ fellow, Peggy Lowe. The highlights of our series are three 5:30 radio features with accompanying web text that are focused on immigrant children of meatpacking workers living in Noel, Mo., and Garden City, Kan. Also included in the series are: an interactive digital map showing that the largest meatpacking plants in the US are in rural areas, a group of portraits of immigrant children sharing their dreams for life beyond the slaughterhouse, and an audio slideshow revealing how the town of Noel has changed because of a changing Tyson workforce. At an elementary school in Noel, Mo. Photo by Abbie Swanson. My part of the series was set in the tiny remote town of Noel, population 1,832, which is thriving because of a Tyson Foods poultry plant. Most of the 1,600 workers at the Noel complex are immigrants and refugees from the Pacific Islands, Central America and Africa. The small, rural nature of this town was both a blessing and a curse while I was reporting the story. Noel was a good place to cover because it gets little media attention. Yet poverty looms large in this town. Between 80 and 90 percent of the school children get free and reduced school meals. But since Tyson offers decent wages for rural Missouri that start at $9.05 an hour, and the company donates tens of thousands of dollars to area schools and food banks, Noel is, in many ways, a company town. That made lining up people to speak candidly about Tyson’s role in the community difficult. After I requested a plant tour, Tyson contacted all the principals in Noel’s schools to let them know the nature of my story and that I would be coming. Some of the administrators I spoke to agreed to talk to me only because Tyson had sanctioned my visit. I was unsure how to reach plant workers and their families since Noel is too small to have a community center or refugee resettlement office that might help connect me with people to talk to. Churches declined to help because of past immigration raids. I ended up finding plant workers, their children, local business owners and residents to interview by spending four days on the ground in Noel — in laundromats, restaurants, markets and on soccer fields. Ultimately the challenges I came up against while reporting this story really informed our series. We learned that small, rural towns where meatpacking plants are based don’t always have the services needed for new populations of immigrants and refugees and their children. So far, the reactions to our series have been mixed. While Tyson did not seem phased by any of our stories, one Noel school administrator was concerned that I didn’t accurately represent the huge amount of work each of the school’s teachers are doing to support immigrant students. Another principal sent an email saying, “Thank you for taking your time and for sharing the stories of our young people.” Several long-time Noel residents wrote and called to say they didn’t understand why the Somali community felt unwelcome in town. “I even make biscuits and gravy without pork for them at Thanksgiving,” said the owner of Kathy’s Kountry Kitchen, a diner where Somalis had told me they felt unwelcome. (Inside this diner, servers wear t-shirts saying “I got caught eating at the KKK.”) Another resident said, “I have watched as Noel has changed over the years and I must say that it has been a challenge. I will tell you that Tyson Foods has not been as willing to support the area as they may let on.” I’m curious to learn what the other reactions to our series will be. Will the in-depth look at Noel children move social service providers to do more work in this town? Will Tyson donate more money to the Noel schools that are building a safety net for children of plant workers? Will the “KKK” t-shirts inside Kathy’s Kountry Kitchen continue to be sold? Will anyone start tracking this largely invisible population of immigrant and refugee children of meatpacking workers across rural America? Since our beat at Harvest Public Media is very focused on agriculture and food production, I’m not sure we ever would have turned to reporting on immigrant children of slaughterhouse workers had we not been accepted as IJJ fellows. I’m so glad IJJ gave us the opportunity to do this series, and that my editors Donna Vestal at Harvest Public Media and Janet Saidi at KBIA Radio whole-heartedly supported the project and provided invaluable shaping of our stories. The IJJ conference also provided great background on the issues we touched on. I found Martha Mendoza, Dan Kowalski and Phuong Ly to be particularly good resources throughout the reporting process. The IJJ Facebook group also kept me up to date on the twists and turns of our immigration policies. Peggy’s Story Behind the Story Our IJJ fellowship reporting was a mix of data, discovery and checking in on the dreams of some of the newest Americans. When Abbie Fentress Swanson, my Harvest Public Media colleague and another “Immigration in the Heartland” Fellow, began our reporting we knew we were focusing on a frontier, figuratively and literally. There’s just not much reporting on immigrants in rural America, especially where we trekked out on the deserted plains of southwest Kansas or the tiny towns of Missouri’s Ozark Mountains. As we further focused on the children of those immigrants and refugees who work in the Midwest’s meatpacking industry, we honestly didn’t know what to expect. Who are they? Why are they here? Are the kids alright? We both took our respective trips – I drove six hours southwest from my home in Kansas City to Garden City, Kan., where the dusty, flat prairie is home to many cattle feedlots and, of course, the food factories needed to turn the animals into beef. I figured that Garden City might be a reflection of that geography – a conservative cowtown, uncompromising in its Old West past. I was surprised when I found a town that had embraced its new citizens when they first began arriving more than 30 years ago, so proud of their cultural crossroads their city’s logo reflected it with a multi-colored yucca plant and a motto “The World Grows Here.” My on-the-ground reporting revealed a model (rarely replicated) of how Midwestern meatpacking towns should respond to the immigrant influx. I was glad for the first-person knowledge gleaned over four days spent in Garden City. But when I returned home and began to seek the background of statistics for our stories, we came up short. Because when we started looking for national numbers on the kids we were profiling for our series, there were none. Abbie and I tried at least two dozen sources, hoping to find some kind of statistical tracking of the children of immigrant workers in the U.S. meatpacking plants. I contacted all my sources and Abbie made dozens of calls — to federal agencies, researchers, advocacy groups and unions — only to be told at each turn that those kids aren’t counted. “That was really surprising to me both because of the sheer number of these children — we’re estimating that thousands of kids have parents working in meatpacking plants across the country — and because these immigrant and refugee children are living in remote, rural parts of the country where access to services is limited,” Abbie said. So that became part of our story – we were reporting on a diverse population invisible to most Americans. And that lead to our series title: “In the Shadows of the Slaughterhouse.” The IJJ fellowship conference helped us shape this story, too, especially the information offered by investigative reporters Martha Mendoza and Dianne Solis. We would not have known the many sources for data – or for us, the many places these kids are not tracked – had we not have been offered their expertise. I also liked learning about the trends in immigration reporting, as we tried to find unique stories not yet told. As for other journalists doing this work, I would suggest really embedding yourself for as long as possible in the community you are profiling. Talk to advocates, school districts, city leaders. Go where people congregate – for me, that was a Vietnamese restaurant in Garden City, a meeting of school district officials at the local high school, and a “newcomers” class at the elementary school. That kind of reporting was invaluable for us. Response from listeners and readers has been positive, with many offering similarities to “The Jungle,” as it portrayed the immigrant workers in the then-urban slaughterhouses. One reader told us: “I’m especially happy about the focus on the children as well as the differences among the workers — not all are Hispanic, there’s resentment towards newcomers, and the overall toll packinghouse toil takes on workers.” Abbie covers agribusiness for Harvest Public Media and is based at KBIA Radio in Columbia, Missouri. Previously, she reported on arts and culture for WNYC Radio in New York. Her work has won awards from the Online News Association, the Associated Press and the Garden State Journalists Association. Reporting fellowships have taken Abbie to Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, India, Germany, the Czech Republic and Belgium to cover the World Cup, the Muslim Brotherhood’s use of social media, and sex workers overturning a law that criminalized being gay. She’s filed stories for the New York Times, the Patriot Ledger, KALW Public Radio, PRI’s The World and Virginia Quarterly Review. 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Most programmers... “Geografía del dolor,” la colaboración no termina después de vivir un Migrahack Use Moovly to make a data animation Talleres digitales de Migrahack: IJJ ofrece clases gratuitas de visualización de datos by claudia_nunez Taller básico de mapeo de datos para periodistas America (1) analyzing immigration (1) animaciones de datos (2) award (1) caravana digital (1) chicago (1) children (1) conectivity (1) Cornfields (1) data (1) data animation (1) digital (1) diversity (1) Farming (2) fellowship (1) government data (1) health care (1) health coverage (1) heartland (1) houses (1) Immigrants (3) individual immigrant (1) La Espiga (1) law (1) mapping (2) maps (1) mayan immigrants (1) merchandise (1) Mexican Dreamers (1) mexicans (2) Migrant Health (1) migrants (3) migration (1) mobile app (1) México (2) Nightingale Camp (1) residents (1) Retained (1) shelters (1) storytelling (1) US (1) victims (1) violence (1) worhshop (1) youth (1) Get highlights of the most important news delivered to your email inbox Haga que sus datos cobren vida con animación © 2017 Migrahack All Rights Reserved.	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line130
__label__cc	0.703466	0.296534	my last words lyrics meaning Keep reading (and rapping!) Here are the full lyrics to "Last Christmas" according to Lyrics Freak: Last Christmas, I gave you my heart Take a look at Dolly Parton's hit song "Jolene" and the deeper meaning behind the song lyrics, as explored in Netflix's new eight-part 2019 anthology 'Heartstrings.' tags: dying-last-words. 2 users explained Better Together meaning. My son Daniel took his own life five weeks ago on 12/04/10. My Chemical Romance song meanings and interpretations with user discussion. George Michael was found dead on Christmas Day, 2016.DP/AAD/STAR MAX/IPx/AP The lyrics. So are we. He was born 4/13/74. Find more of Luke Combs lyrics. My presence on this earth is not needed any longer And if anything, I hope this makes you stronger You're the best friend that I ever had It's such a shame I had to make you so very sad But just remember that you meant everything to me And to my heart, you're the only one that held the key Now it's time to go, I'm running out of space to write In Famous Last Words, Gerard sings "I am not afraid to keep on living. Comment and share your favourite lyrics. Now with a library of over 300,000 user-submitted interpretations, if you want a song interpreted, Lyric Interpretations is the place to be. I always thought the song was about Elton's brother, going to heaven, but didn't really understand the lyrics. Original lyrics of Better Together song by Luke Combs. Should I fall out of love, my fire in the light To chase a feather in the wind Within the glow that weaves a cloak of delight There moves a thread that has no end For many hours and days that pass ever soon The tides have caused the flame to dim At last the arm is straight, the hand to the loom Is this to end or just begin? Mom mom helped name my only son Daniel. I been walkin' with my face turned to the sun Weight on my shoulders, bullet in my gun Oh, I got eyes in the back of my head just in case I have to run I do what I can when I can while I can for my people Like âDo I have anything to lose? As a divorced man who only deals with my child a few days a week, I thought it was a fitting ending to a memory that will forever be imbedded with me. General CommentI know that the song is about leaving a country you love dearly to fight a war, but my (now ex-) boyfriend sand this to me the last time I saw him, after we had broken up, and it broke my heart. I heard it this weekend as a finale to my six year old Daughter's first dance recital. The very last lyrics are the final words Tubman uttered when she died in 1913: "I go to prepare a place for you." so you donât miss a â¦ Those were her last words.â â Poile Sengupta, Inga. So weâve broken down a couple of fan-favorite songs and revealed some history lesson gems hidden in the lyrics. This life will be gone one day to the Creator who gave it.â â Lailah Gifty Akita, Pearls of Wisdom: Great mind. I know them by heart now tho!! Watch official video, print or download text in PDF. Ahmber from Love, Hi In my eyes, the Famous Last Words would not be the last words a person would say, but simply "I love you." I am not afraid to walk this world alone." This is in my opinion, is a wonderful paen to a Father and child's relationship. Interested in the deeper meanings of My Chemical Romance songs? My pain and grief is so new. So I understand the whole song is about a country, but it has another special meaning to me, too. Exploring the meanings of songs since 2003. Which refers to that he is not afraid to keep on living because the patient has died. 0 likes. Facts About Factory Farm, Can Humans Get Chlamydia From Sheep, Dove Bar Soap Walmart, Do Sponges Have Brains?, Is Dunkirk On Netflix 2020, How To Become A Surgical Technologist, Checklist For Development, Yerkes Future Foundation Website, Sennheiser Hd 300 Review, Sony A6500 Hdmi Output Specs, Reverb Safe Shipping Review, Miele Compact C1 Turbo Team Powerline, Local Appliance Parts Store's, Disney Castle Silhouette Drawing, my last words lyrics meaning 2020	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line134
__label__cc	0.732209	0.267791	Sensory quotes Birut L’Introduction L’Implémentation CMSC’s Présent et futur Multisensory neuroscience Putin, Trump, Trutin or Pump? \| A Complete Multisensory Illusion of Collusion Visual 02 Taste/Scent This project is a customized multi-sensory composition (CMSC) composed of unique sensory outputs. These include various visuals (1), an edible scent (2 & 4) & sounds (3) inspired by the mysterious relationship between Putin & Trump. The initial inspiration for this multisensory project was the yanny or laurel clip that was circulated. “Yanny or Laurel” is an auditory illusion of a re-recording of a vocabulary word plus added background sounds, also mixed into the recording, which became popular in May 2018. I listened to the sound clip on various devices having varying sound qualities & was able to hear both yanni & laurel. Like many people, I shared this clip with friends, colleagues & family members. The video clip (below) generally describes the variability in the results that I was able to observe with a variety of people I knew. Being both a scientist & multisensory artist, I realized that this phenomenon also occurred with other types of sensory inputs. There are also optical, organoleptic, gustatory & textural illusions, that could be perceived in different ways, depending on demography, age, gender, background etc… The main purpose of this project is to (1) compose/formulate a variety of closely linked sensory outputs that can be perceived in different ways & (2) combine all of them into one cohesive sensory expression or customized multi-sensory composition (CMSC), having a distinctive theme. There are two main visuals or optical illusions, inspired by the recent relationship between Donald Trump & Vladimir Putin. Regardless of the political affiliation, one has to wonder how this relationship works, how it will transform the future & why something is starting to stink. Besides personal motivations, is Trump working in the best interest of the United States of America or for Russia? The first visual is a comparative picture composed of two visuals that can be manipulated from left to right. Is it Trump or Putin, or is it Trutin or Pump? Various sensorial elements from both of the main characters of this project have been alternated. The third visual is a literary representation of the first set of visuals. What does one see? Trump, Putin, Trutin, Pump or something else? “The Kiss of Death” is perhaps the most famous image that appears in Berlin’s East Side Gallery–a nearly mile-long mile stretch of the Berlin Wall. This served as my main inspiration for what I call “The Kiss of Collusion”. It is not an optical illusion, but serves as an additional visual for this CMSC. Original artwork is 83″ x 55″. This visual inspired me to create a longer portion of the Berlin wall (visual 05). This 20,000 x 5000 pixel visual is composed of 255 layers that represents the mysterious relationship between Vladimir Putin & Donald Trump & the Russian collusion investigation being conducted by Robert Mueller. It is set at the east-side gallery in Berlin, 6:06:06 PM, 14th of October, 2018. Most of the characters (visible & hidden) are either involved or linked to the Russia-Trump collusion scandal. The various layers reveal themselves (when magnified & looked at from different angles). Layers not directly related to the main theme have been added to spice up the story. These are mostly based on geopolitics, Berlin, electronica, personal & funny elements (such as Trump mini-me & waldo). Other notable mentions include a prelude to an upcoming project based on Kim Jong-un, a kiss between Mikhail Gorbachev and East German President Honecker, several references to Brett Kavanaugh & some optical illusions. The artwork on the wall is based on or actual famous art from the east-side gallery. It has been used as a canvas that has been mutated. The 255 layers are composed of original creations, modified & original pics. By paying attention to the details, the “Berlin Wall of Collusion” tells the story of the Russian collusion investigation. Two small portion of the artwork has been magnified (below) to showcase the level of detail. The pic below showcases James Comey & has graffiti of Adolf Trump, Adolf Putin, Donald Trump & various other layers. The centerpiece of the Berlin wall of collusion utilizes a famous portion of some original artwork from the east-side galleries as a canvas. Many of the key people involved in the Russia corruption investigation can be identified. The aroma volatiles responsible for the distinctive odour & taste of onions & garlic are very similar. As such, when they are combined at specific ratios, it is sometimes very difficult to pick out one odour over the other. While there are many other examples of this flavour/smell duality that exist (such as citrus fruits), I have decided to experiment with two much more powerful & penetrating smells & tastes. An actual edible fragrance (F25022) was created to represent the unique & mysterious relationship between Putin & Trump. It is described as being “sharp, incendiary, irritating, reactive, stinging, sulfury & harmonious”. Versatile in food as well as a statement perfume. As shown in the table below, the volatile aroma components of garlic & onion essential oils have similarities (coloured chemicals), but like the they also are distinctively different on based on their chemical makeup. They of course have different proportions of identical compounds, but onion oil also contains many more types of volatiles. Yet, when combined together & with other ingredients, a savoury & disgustingly masculine edible fragrance inspires penetrating confusion. Similarly to the the auditory illusion, there are two main sensory cues & some delicate background cues. Sound experiments were conducted to (1) create auditory illusions using various sound samples. These were blended into a full sound composition (2) resulting in more complex auditory illusions that can be interpreted in different ways & ultimately (3) enhance the other sensory outputs for this project. 1\| Auditory illusions 2\| Soundscape Laurel\|Yanny Hear both Yanny and Laurel with this online tool Scent\|Taste The chemistry of garlic The chemistry of onions The Chemical Weapons of Onions and Garlic Why I can never eat onions or garlic again 8 Tips to Get Rid of Garlic and Onion Breath Effect of garlic, onion, and their combination on the quality and sensory characteristics of irradiated raw ground beef Onion, Garlic and Chives (Allium spp.) Putin\|Trump Understanding The Trump-Putin Bromance Trump and Putin: A Love Story Key public opinion findings on Trump, Putin and the countries they lead Donald Trump is Vladimir Putin How Donald Trump Answers A Question Donald Trump’s Funniest Insults and Comebacks A full multisensory project composed of visuals, audio, flavour & an edible scent. It was initially inspired by the whole laurel/yanni phenomena, which is considered an auditory illusion. Similar to this, the purpose of the project was to create arrangements of sounds, a scent, flavour & visuals that could also be perceived in different ways. The main theme is the mysterious relationship between Vladimir Putin & Donald Trump as well as the Russian collusion investigation being conducted by Robert Mueller. Art (309) Artificial Intelligence (50) Augmented + virtual reality (238) Branding (325) Communication (90) Customized Multi-Sensory Compositions (147) Education (115) Emotions (365) Entertainment (424) Experiential (136) Flavour (133) Haptic (56) Health (314) Interesting (573) Marketing (373) Memory (270) Montreal (5) Multisensory (1266) Multisensory Projects (43) Multisensory Services (9) Neuroscience (70) Pheromones (89) Scientific (267) Smell (1289) Sound (665) Synaesthesia (72) Taste (399) Technology (412) Touch/Feel/Texture (526) Trendy (291) Uncategorized (1) Visual (1054) Random Sensory Quotes New Orleans is unlike any city in America. Its cultural diversity is woven into the food, the music, the architecture – even the local superstitions. It’s a sensory experience on all levels and there’s a story lurking around every corner. — Ruta Sepetys Autism sensory struggles: the peripheral nerve system \| Big Think 20/01/2021 Pop-Tarts’ Newest Flavor Is Pink Lemonade with different designs \| WXYZ 20/01/2021 CES 2021: New Kohler bathtub brings forest bathing to your bathroom with scent, fog, and mood lighting \| TechRepublic 19/01/2021 Immerse yourself in a digital art sauna at teamLab Reconnect in Roppongi \| Timeout Tokyo 18/01/2021 Large-scale global study to investigate links between Covid and cognitive decline \| The Washington Post 18/01/2021 Applications of Virtual Reality in Medicine \| News-medical.net 18/01/2021 6G could be the world’s first teleportation tech \| Light Reading 18/01/2021 Danish and Chinese tongues taste broccoli and chocolate differently \| University of Copenhagen 18/01/2021 How are Smell and Memory Connected? \| News-Medical.net 15/01/2021 Sex Differences and Smell \| News-Medical.net 15/01/2021 © 2021 msensory.	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line137
__label__cc	0.739643	0.260357	Welcome to Ve - THEME Various versions have evolved over the years, sometimes by accident, sometimes on purpose Ve - Multipurpose HTML Site Template With BEST Unsplash Images It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at. Days at Work Why Choose Us and Our Template Contrary to popular belief, Lorem Ipsum is not simply random text. It has roots in a piece of classical Latin literature from 45 BC, making it over 2000 years old. Richard McClintock, a Latin professor at Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia, looked up one of the more obscure Latin words, consectetur, from a Lorem Ipsum passage, and going through the cites. Minimal Markup All the Lorem Ipsum generators Many desktop publishing Notice: There are many variations of passages of Lorem Ipsum available, but the majority have suffered alteration in some form. Predefined HTML-Elements Watch our video tutorial Contrary to popular belief, Lorem Ipsum is not simply random text. It has roots in a piece of classical Latin literature from 45 BC More Best Features Lightweight & SEO Ultra Responsive 8k+ Lines of Code 270 Coffee Cups We Lve Our Partners Contrary to popular belief, Lorem Ipsum is not simply random text. It has roots in a piece of classical Latin literature from 45 BC, making it over 2000 years old. Richard McClintock, a Latin professor at Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia. first.last@example.com Follow us in social © Copyright 2015-2017 Valery Timofeev. All Rights Reserved	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line138
__label__wiki	0.996249	0.996249	Last Updated: Thursday, 1 January, 2004, 04:14 GMT Warning of 'flaws' in NI inquiry By Dominic Casciani BBC News Online at the National Archives 1972 saw civil rights marches in Northern Ireland Ministers were warned before its publication that the original Bloody Sunday inquiry's findings fell short of the expected standard. Documents from 1973 reveal the then Northern Ireland Secretary wanted the event "buried as quickly as possible". But he was warned the inquiry into the 1972 shootings was sufficiently flawed to encourage critics. The second Bloody Sunday inquiry is continuing. Lord Widgery, the then Lord Chief Justice of England, was asked by Prime Minister Edward Heath to investigate the 13 shootings by the Parachute Regiment at a 1972 civil rights march in Londonderry. I think those who are out to show that Britain and her army were much in the wrong will be able to mount an attack Lord Grey of Naunton Weeks before it was due to be made public, Lord Grey of Naunton, the Queen's representative in Northern Ireland and its last governor, asked to speak urgently with Northern Ireland Secretary William Whitelaw. "With respect to the very eminent Lord Chief Justice, I do not think the report is as clear crisp and comprehensive as the report of the Scarman Tribunal," he said in a letter to the minister. "I think those who are out to show that Britain and her army and 1 Para [the unit whose soldiers fired] in particular were much in the wrong will be able to mount an attack." In 1969, London had forced the Unionist-controlled Stormont government to accept the investigation by the Scarman Tribunal into the growing violence. After two years, it published a detailed report into controversial incidents, including shootings and the behaviour of the security forces. Inconsistencies listed But according to the documents released at the National Archives, Lord Grey felt the Widgery inquiry did not come up to that standard. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland felt that it was important that the memory of 'Bloody Sunday' should be buried as quickly as possible Whitehall document, March 1973 In particular, he criticised Lord Widgery for taking soldiers entirely at their word on the evidence before him. Lord Grey told William Whitelaw that the tone and conclusion of the Widgery report would only encourage complaints that some of the soldiers had lied, principally over their reports that the IRA had opened fire. His letter listed case-by-case inconsistencies in the evidence and contradictions between Widgery's overall conclusions and his finding on each death. In the report, Lord Widgery found no proof that those shot had been handling weapons; but he also said there would have been no deaths had the banned civil rights march not gone ahead. While he questioned the judgement of some soldiers, he largely vindicated their actions, having no doubt they had been fired upon. Concerns in Whitehall William Whitelaw appears to have taken some of these concerns on board in meetings he had in London with other ministers and army officials. To suggest that Lord Widgery, of all men, would be browbeaten into finding conclusions which he did not think were genuine is malicious and it is completely unjustified Sir Edward Heath Heath denies pressuring judge Weeks before publication, a civil servant records him urging the Ministry of Defence to pay compensation to at least some of the dead. "The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland felt that it was important that the memory of 'Bloody Sunday' should be buried as quickly as possible," wrote the official. "In the current climate this was a strong argument for settling the seven cases rather than fighting them." In another meeting, the minister warned "the army may be under-estimating the risks of adverse publicity" and were taking "too rosy a view" of the outcome. The Widgery report was published on 19 April 1973. Revealing its details to Parliament, Prime Minister Sir Edward Heath said: "All shades of opinion sincerely concerned with the truth must feel indebted to him for his objective and painstaking analysis of events." But it was sparked a furious protest from families who spent the next 20 years campaigning for a fresh inquiry. In his 2003 evidence to the new inquiry, the former prime minister denied having pressured Lord Widgery into exonerating the soldiers. 22 Jan 03 \| Northern Ireland Heath warned over Bloody Sunday Paras 01 Jan 03 \| UK News RELATED BBCi LINKS: On this Day: Bloody Sunday Bloody Sunday Inquiry News Front Page \| Africa \| Americas \| Asia-Pacific \| Europe \| Middle East \| South Asia UK \| Business \| Entertainment \| Science/Nature \| Technology \| Health Have Your Say \| In Pictures \| Week at a Glance \| Country Profiles \| In Depth \| Programmes	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line146
__label__wiki	0.604551	0.604551	TheoryLab American Cancer Society-funded scientists discuss critical questions in cancer research American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer American Cancer Society Relay For Life Hope Lodge @ACSNews (Media relations) @AmericanCancer @ACS_Research @RelayForLife @acsglobal @CoachesvsCancer Researchers and Experts https://www.instagram.com/AmericanCancerSociety/ American Cancer Society app for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/more-birthdays/id339079926?mt=8 American Cancer Society YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/amercancersociety American Cancer Society LinkedIn page: http://www.linkedin.com/company/american-cancer-society Most Recent Releases Alice Pomponio Named Managing Director of American Cancer Society's BrightEdge The American Cancer Society today announced that life sciences industry leader Alice Pomponio has been named managing director of BrightEdge, the ACS philanthropic impact fund that invests in... Report Shows Alcohol Consumption Linked to a Considerable Portion of Cancer Incidence and Mortality in All States A new study finds that alcohol consumption accounts for a considerable portion of cancer incidence and mortality in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The article, which appears in Cancer... Cancer-Related Suicide Declined in the U.S. During the Past Two Decades Despite increases in overall suicide rates in the United States during the past two decades, cancer-related suicides declined by 2.8% per year, according to a new study by the American Cancer...	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line149
__label__wiki	0.601662	0.601662	Light and Shadow: Jeanne Mackin Six Essays Blue he is, in his sea; so is nature; blue he is, as a sapphire, in his extreme distance; so is nature; blue he is, in the misty shadows and hollows – John Ruskin THE BLUE WE SEE in the Madonna’s robes, in the wings of Cimabue’s angels, in that ultramarine that speaks of depth in water and the heavens, once all came from the same distant source. Oltramarino means beyond the seas and once referred to many things: spices, cloth, glassware. Eventually ultramarine came to refer to the blue color made by finely grinding a semi-precious stone. The finest lapis lazuli came from Afghanistan from a place called Sar-e-sang, the Place of the Stone. When you look at an old painting luminous with that particular blue, you are looking at jewels and history and foreign lands. My husband, a handsome middle-aged man who still had the air of a renegade, of someone who might as easily pull away on a Harley as in a Volvo, came home from Switzerland wearing ultramarine suede shoes. He’d been gone half a year, exhibiting in Germany, in Italy and Switzerland, those countries that still romanced the airplane and artists who use them as paintbrushes, as did my husband, making of the sky a canvas. He looked tired and harassed, as do those who come through customs carrying large portfolios and small crates. Half a year. I waited for the sense of stranger to creep into my perception. Those shoes would not allow me the distance with which I wished to experiment. Half a year, an ocean, many borders between us, yet those barriers were thin as the air over our heads. When he saw me and waved, they vanished completely. He is of blue; his preference, his art, his spirit are made of ground jewels, the color of angel wings, of height and depth. Wherever chiaroscuro enters, colour must lose some of its brilliancy. There is no shade in a rainbow, nor in an opal, nor in a piece of mother-of-pearl – John Ruskin LIGHT CAN BE SLOWED DOWN and made to reconsider its own path, its desire for velocity. When light passes through glass, it slows and makes a detour we call refraction. Refraction is matter’s way of saying, “Let’s rethink this.” Shine light through a diamond and it slows its speed by almost half because of the density of the crystal. If you lived inside a diamond, you would be twenty-five when your peers were fifty; you would live twice as long, and twice as slowly. A water droplet, perhaps the opposite of diamond’s hardness, is also a prism. That thanksgiving it was warm and humid, so after dinner we went outside. A triple rainbow hung over the forest. A double happens once in a while, but in the sky that day after the storm three nestled inside each other, and we looked, knowing we would never see such a thing again. The rarity of it locked us into silence; we grappled with the event the way medieval people contended with comets or halos around the moon. Wonder and fear refract our direction, bend it into new paths. The wonder takes hold of us and says “I have caught you.” The fear says “I am going to change you whether you wish it or not. From now on, up will be down, and inside will be outside.” But wonder cannot last. Colors fade, especially in a rainbow. After matter emerged from chaos, the first miracle was the creation of light, and with light came time. When the triple rainbow began to fade, we came to ourselves slowly and with confusion. We went indoors carrying new desires with us and I wished I had seen the triple rainbow when I was a child, not a grown up. I think somehow things would have been different. I cleared the table of our dirtied dishes and glasses and the vase of yellow garden mums. Nature is always mysterious and secret in her use of means; and art is always likest her when it is most inexplicable. – John Ruskin FRANCIUM HAS A HALF-LIFE of twenty-two minutes and a melting point so low this metal would be liquid at room temperature. It is an element of dream time. At any moment less than thirty grams of francium exist on earth; it is measured not in cupfuls but in atoms trapped in laser beams in a magnetic field, floating like snow flakes in the glow of a street light, casting shadows larger than themselves. We will live our lives without ever seeing this metal, without experiencing its catastrophically brief existence. There was a boy once, like that. By accident, though there may be no such thing, we sat next to each other in a Boston pub, listening to revolutionary songs of a different country. He had black hair and white skin, the coloring you often find in people who recite Yeats from memory. We drank brown beer and drew codes in the sawdust floor with the toes of our boots. He was with his friends, I with mine, yet we knew we were together. His arm slowly curled around my waist, under my coat, where no one could see it, but I could feel it. We hadn’t spoken a word to each other yet we belonged to each other. This is not a true story, you see. It is a story of unstable elements, of rare metals and all that we cannot see of existence, all that cannot be imitated. It is a story of solitude. The door opens. A cold wind blows snowflakes into the pub, and the codes in the sawdust of the floor are wiped away by the draft. We shiver and leave behind the dream time. His arm snakes back into its private Eden leaving behind this memory of a boy and that knowledge of rarity, of immeasurability. The memory lasts longer than the moment and that is how we know we are, and have been. We measure such moments by atoms of the unexpected, not cupfuls of what is known. We exist in a single moment surrounded by before and after. Under the direct yellow light of a descending sun . . . pure white and pure blue are both impossible – John Ruskin WHEN THE SUN DESCENDS, our humanity is optional; our goodness flees to animal history. Day is not night, and dark is not light. Twilight obscures, while light illuminates, and under cover we change who we are. Sunset begins the masked festival of anonymity, when nature overcomes all the encumbrances of civilization, of education. Shadows elongate till the children playing on the pebble beach cast darker outlines of alien origin. White pebbles turn grey and purple; the wild chicory flowers lose their blue and flee to burnt lavender. As the children play outside, inside wives dance into the shadows with other women’s husbands. Frank Sinatra croons them to the moon. The children, enticed by the music, leave the pebbled beach and the fireflies and creep to the clubhouse windows to spy on this secret interior. The summer-hot world is divided into two camps, that of children and that of grown ups, and both camps on this summer evening are reverting to wildness, to those disremembered spaces formed in early history around campfires, inside caves. Music and stories make the night bearable. The grown ups fox trot and whisper. Outside, the children press sticky faces to mosquito stained windows as lightning flashes in the distance. The teenagers who are just learning the ritual of courting dances and hormone bravado splash into the water to play daredevil: the lightning invades the sky, banging and flashing overhead, ambushing the lake. The last child to leave the water, just before the lightning hits it for the first time, is the hero of the evening. The younger children, impressed, resort to punching and pinching each other till the very youngest cries. But no adult comes running. They are fox trotting and two stepping and whispering on their way to a private moon. . . . . the angels’ wings burn with transparent crimson and purple and amber. John Ruskin IN JAPAN, PURPLE IS A SACRED COLOR, the color of victory, the color of the cloth used to wrap sacred objects. The author of the 8th century The Tale of Genji called herself Lady Murasaki – Lady Purple. In the west the Victorians chose subdued purple as a color of mourning. Perhaps death and victory are the same thing. In my grandmother’s bedroom a black shawl embroidered with purple pansies hung over her ogee mirror. She loved purple flowers above all other colors, and filled the house with vases of lilacs in the spring. The aroma of lilac still brings me back to that mysterious bedroom I was allowed to visit only once, the bedroom of a woman who had outlived generations and some of her own children. The furniture was heavy and dark wood, their veneers crackled with age. When my grandmother began to die they carried her down from that room and placed her in a hospital bed set up in what had been the dining room. I was eight, and the process of leaving life terrified me. We sat in a row of chairs, watching and waiting, hours and days of watching and waiting, and I thought of that mysterious room upstairs, the room now emptied of its greatest secret. She seemed willing to go, not at all afraid. Or perhaps after so many years of being mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, she had learned to hide the fear from little ones. After she died and even the hospital bed was emptied of her, the house filled with the scent of lilacs. This happened in March, before the lilacs bloom. In the Mass card that commemorates her death, angels kneel over a tomb and their wings are white with purple at the tips. It is at first better, and finally, more pleasing, for human minds to contemplate things as they are, than as they are not. – John Ruskin WHAT IS MOST UNKNOWN in our world is the ocean. How do we contemplate the unseeable, that heavy and murky darkness, the weight and depth of those alien environments? The deepest part of the Pacific Ocean, the part never measured, barely imagined, is the Mariana Trench, seven miles below seagulls and boats, six miles below the depth to which submarines dive, four miles deeper than the watery grave of the Titanic. It is a stratum of ocean completely unknown to us, a womb where life must survive pitch blackness, salt, near-freezing temperature and a pressure of eight tons per square inch. But there is life there. Life is. In a spring and summer twilight, color, before it mutes and darkens, glows brighter as the defiant sun grasps for more time. Is this our central metaphor, more time, please? Time and life use the same verb: they pass. They are wasted or well used, celebrated or mourned. Grief glows brighter at twilight, when memory invades. Memory illuminates the shadows and varies the color of all other emotions. Every day at twilight my elderly father told the same story. Something about the pure white light of a Florida sunset reminded him of a day sixty years before, when he and other boy soldiers clambered over the sides of a boat and stormed a beach in the South Pacific. There were so many bodies we stepped on them, he said each time. We couldn’t see the sand. Otherwise, my father, as mysterious to me as the deepest part of the ocean, never spoke of the three years he spent on Saipan except once when we were watching one of those John Wayne World War II hero movies. My father said: It wasn’t like that. JEANNE MACKIN is the author of seven novels and has published short fiction and creative nonfiction in journals and periodicals including American Letters and Commentary and SNReview. She was the recipient of a creative writing fellowship from the American Antiquarian Society and is an award-winning journalist. She has taught English at Ithaca College and creative writing in the MFA Program at Goddard Collage in Vermont and Port Townsend, Washington. Jeanne Mackin's latest book A Lady of Good Family, the story of the early landscape architect Beatrix Farrand and her relationship with her niece Edith Wharton is available online at this link: http://www.amazon.com/Lady-Good-Family-Novelebook/dp/B00OQRL57U/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=1-1&qid=1433293389 Tim Keane: Two Poems after Robert Corless Untitled painting by Robert Corless are those inky dendrites colluding with tender nettle? is the daubed, swampy pool-tide opposed with itself, drained while it fills the space, and cresting while it recedes? are the besotted strokes and the entangled cords, coupling in the moment's enclosed whoosh, threading their own back-pedaling motion, and is it a barnacled trestle, is it a brush-map of future flight patterns? is it the outlawed, black-patterned encrusted flower and the trick of ebony, wearing fine, melted red and blue residuum at this arrested opening, then a thrust, leaping south into the ensuing black reversal? is it a spring-ploy set in grim winter, circular and whole, then collapsing, angled, at sin's synchronous cue, to arc, spin, halt, turn, fondle and scrum, is it a coal-go, and an oil-streaked downdraft and a whirligig blotch that stains and darkens another turnabout? Manor Tree, Eddie Johnson 1964 The Manor Tree after Eddie Johnson Black thorny spindles spoil the cold grey pitch, and spindly and taut lines bind one frozen branch to another. A squall coats a skewed-V and the splayed trunk resembles the exhausted legs of a shadowed nude, a bark of pale torso, skin swathed in hoarfrost, sated, prone, in a sheeted bed of snow, snug, drowsy, under a capacious billow. Is it a compromised view on a dozing lover? Or the capsized profile of a startled hare, hunkered, breathing desperate breaths? Sleep to be sure, a light snore, by the manor tree, as the squall’s gauze settles down, or settles in, and on, to no-one, no-thing, and then to what? Then end of gray, the end of black in winter's gradual, blinding white erasure. Tim Keane is the author of the poetry collection Alphabets of Elsewhere (Cinnamon Press). His award-winning writing has appeared in Modern Painters, Shenandoah, Denver Quarterly, Alaska Quarterly Review, The Reader (UK) and numerous other publications. He teaches writing and European literature at BMCC, CUNY, in lower Manhattan. web site: www.timkeane.com The poem Bolero and the Corless painting first appeared in Sleepingfish in 2013 and are reprinted here with the permission of the author, Tim Keane	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line154
__label__cc	0.565269	0.434731	Subject: Re: Patton Quotes Date: Tue, 08 Feb 2000 03:14:11 -0500 On Mon, 07 Feb 2000 21:13:44 EST, I wrote: > > [Omitted at author's request] > Big chance at what? I'm fairly sure you're not going to > correct even the most egregious errors. Speaking of egregious errors: there's a doozy in the first quotation in the ``Descriptions of Young Earth'' section: Patton is off by six orders of magnitude, as anyone can plainly see: : "It has been estimated that seventy volcanoes the size of Mexico's : Paricutin producing 0.001 cubic mile of water per year for 4.5 : billion years of earth's history could account for the 315 cubic : miles of water in the oceans today. There are now approximately 600 : active volcanoes and about 10,000 dormant ones. Six hundred : volcanoes comparable to Paricutin could account for the present : oceans in approximately 0.5 billion years." 2-4-6-8 / Tiptoe, sneak, and infiltrate / Cha cha cha.	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line156
__label__wiki	0.931242	0.931242	A struggling Warren spends 30 minutes on the press bus readsonthego \| February 16, 2020 \| News \| No Comments When Sen. Elizabeth Warren hopped on her press bus in Las Vegas Saturday, the national reporters who had covered her for months were nowhere to be seen. Instead, there were just five network embeds — a sign of how much her political stature has suddenly fallen after a disappointing showing in Iowa and New Hampshire. Warren, whose campaign is now stressing the long game and touting their investments in the Super Tuesday states and beyond, spent more than 30 minutes taking wide-ranging questions from the embedded reporters who have covered her presidential race every single day for the last eight months. Warren, who speaks with reporters in a media availability after almost every one of her campaign events, has started speaking with journalists in more candid settings as she’s dipped in the polls — and even jumped on her press bus in New Hampshire, with a larger group of reporters covering her. Here’s what the senator had to say about various issues involving her campaign: On Bloomberg running for president Even before Michael Bloomberg launched his presidential campaign, Warren made clear she believes billionaires should be paying a wealth tax, which would help fund proposals such as universal child care and free tuition at public universities. With Bloomberg in the race, Warren has taken every opportunity she’s had to slam him for “buying” the presidential election. When asked about whether she believes people connect with her comments on Bloomberg, Warren responded: “I think people do connect with them. … The notion that Michael Bloomberg claims the financial 2008 crisis on restrictions on banks so they couldn’t discriminate more against black and brown communities is truly outrageous. And anyone who thinks that should not be a candidate for President.” She was referencing comments Bloomberg made at a Georgetown University forum in 2008 at the height of the housing crisis in 2008 where he said getting rid of “redlining,” the biased housing practice that stopped banks from providing mortgages in low-income, largely minority neighborhoods, was to blame for the collapse. On her campaign changing their ad buys Warren’s campaign this month shifted ad money among upcoming states. They cut more than $750,000 in South Carolina, rearranged money in Nevada, added to Maine and added money toward African American outreach in South Carolina, according to a Warren campaign aide. Along with the changes in ads, the campaign has also been sending emails since the Iowa caucus pushing deadlines for fundraising — a tactic the Warren campaign hadn’t used until now. When CNN asked Warren on the campaign bus about the changes and whether it’s a sign her campaign is struggling, Warren responded: “No. They’re just figuring out where they want to spend their money to reach people in the most effective ways. In fact I think they’re increasing overall ad buy.” When pressed about the fundraising emails from her campaign, Warren said: “We’ve got two billionaires in this race. And, uh, what is it, three more people on the debate stage who immediately after New Hampshire headed off to suck up some more money from millionaires and billionaires. Wall Street money is pouring into the Democratic primary. So yeah, I tell my supporters we’re doing this grassroots and we need everybody to see what we are up against. It’s not that people haven’t been helpful, they’ve been enormously helpful. We raised $6 million after Iowa. We asked people to set a $7 million goal going forward before Nevada, raised a million dollars on the first day. And I’m very, very grateful for that.” On whether she’d place a moratorium on deportations Warren, who had previously said she was open to placing a moratorium on deportations, said Saturday she was open to halting deportations in the first 100 days of her presidency. “I’m committed to in the first 100 days, stop all deportations until we get a chance to review them again,” she said. “And if this is, if these deportations that are on the table, the proposed ones, are not consistent with my policies, which means we don’t scoop up family members, people who place no threat. People who are part of our communities, then they’re not deported, they won’t be deported. I want to put a complete halt until we can get that done.” Trump’s allies part of a tangled web 4 takeaways from the Georgia Senate debate Starship’s delivery robots now serve Purdue University From Link Builder to Email Marketer	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line164
__label__cc	0.638587	0.361413	The Cost of Political Connections The lead article in Volume 22, Issue 3 of the Review of Finance is The Cost of Political Connections by Marianne Bertrand, Francis Kramarz, Antoinette Schoar, and David Thesmar. This paper shows that CEOs with a background in politics don’t shut down potentially underperforming plants, and open plants that they might not have otherwise, to boost employment in the run-up to a local election. This helps politicians in their re-election campaigns – but the firm gets no benefit from politicians in return. Thus, political connections can be costly to firms, in contrast to existing wisdom that they are beneficial. A New Twist on a Long-Standing Question Connections between politicians and businesses can lead to major conflicts of interest or instances of favoritism. Perhaps the best known political connection is Donald Trump being sole or principal owner of around 500 businesses (collectively known as the Trump Organization), which may affect the decisions that he takes as President. But political connections can extend far beyond a politician owning a business himself. A politician, or a politician’s relative or close friend, might be a large minority shareholder in a business or a top officer (e.g. CEO, president, vice-president, chairman, or secretary) in a business even without having a large ownership stake. For example, former Indonesian President Suarto was connected to Bimantara and Citra Lamtoro Groups through his children, and Nusamba, Salim, and Barito Pacific Groups through his longtime allies Bob Hasan, Liem Sioe Liong, and Prjogo Pangestu, respectively. Existing research generally shows that political connections are of significant value to firms, because political leaders grant favors to the connected firms. In a famous paper, Fisman (2001) shows that firms closely connected to Suarto suffered significant stock price declines when there were rumors about his ill-health. In another famous paper, Faccio (2006) finds that when a large shareholder or top officer enters politics, the firm’s stock price rises significantly – and the rise is particularly strong if elected prime minister. Similarly, politically connected firms enjoy higher profits. But Marianne, Francis, Antoinette, and David note that the relationship needn’t be only one-way. In addition to politicians taking decisions to help politically-connected firms, politically-connected firms may take decisions to help politicians – at the expense of firm value. For example, they may fail to shut down plants, or open up new plants, even if not economically justified, to boost employment and help a politician in his re-election campaign. Politically Connected Firms Create More Jobs … The authors identify politically-connected firms as ones in which the CEO was previously a cabinet member, i.e. served as a close advisor to a government minister. They focus on France, because it’s common to move from politics to business. 11% of the firms (representing 63% of the assets) listed on the French stock market in the 1990s were controlled by politicians. They also focus on local (rather than national) elections since firms’ employment decisions have a large effect on the local economy, and can potentially swing a local election, but a small effect on the national economy. Marianne, Francis, Antoinette, and David first confirm that, in France, local employment does increase the chances that a local politician is re-elected. So, do politically-connected firms try to exploit this relationship by boosting employment in the run-up to a local election? They do. They’re less likely to fire workers and close plants, and more likely to hire workers and open plants, than unconnected firms. (The authors do this comparison to unconnected firms to control for local economic conditions which may drive hiring and firing behavior). These effects are particularly strong for close elections, where the firm’s decisions might be particularly pivotal for the politicians’ re-election prospects. … But Suffer Worse Performance What do these results mean? The authors’ hypothesis is that, outside of election years, firms take decisions that maximize firm value. Thus, the different behavior that we see in election years reduces firm value – the firm doesn’t close down plants or fire workers that it otherwise might, and opens plants and hires workers that it otherwise wouldn’t. But a potential alternative explanation is that, outside of election years, CEOs are generally lazy and don’t bother to take the effort to open new plants and hire workers – even though doing so would improve firm value. The re-election campaign spurs CEOs to overcome their laziness and (correctly) open new plants and hire workers, increasing firm value. A second alternative explanation is that, outside of election years, CEOs are generally short-termist and shut down plants or fail to open new ones due to a focus on short-term profits. The re-election campaign deters short-termist shut-downs and spurs desirable plant openings, again increasing firm value. The “lazy CEOs” explanation seems unlikely, because closing down plants and firing workers arguably requires even more effort than opening plants and hiring workers. These are tough decisions to take, and will be met with strong resistance (for example, by trade unions). However, we can test these explanations in the data. The authors find that firms with politically-connected CEOs have 1-2% lower return-on-assets (ROA) than unconnected firms. Similarly, a firm moving from an unconnected to a connected CEO has an ROA that’s 2.2% lower than a firm moving from one unconnected CEO to another unconnected CEO. In return for doing favors to local politicians, do politically-connected firms benefit? Surprisingly, the authors find that they don’t. They study subsidies and local taxes, which are decisions controlled by local politicians. Connected firms don’t enjoy higher subsidies or lower local taxes in election years. While the authors don’t have data on government contracts, they do have data on sales and find that connected firms’ don’t enjoy higher sales either, which might suggest preferential access to government contracts. The lower ROA of connected firms is also inconsistent with them benefiting in return. Politically-connected CEOs seem to be doing local politicians a favor with no corresponding benefit, harming their firms overall as a result. Category: Latest News Managing Editors’ Blog ← Introduction of Page Limits Labor Representation in Governance as an Insurance Mechanism →	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line166
__label__wiki	0.57237	0.57237	ROBERT WILLIAMS BUCHANAN (1841 - 1901) The Fleshly School Controversy Buchanan and the Press Buchanan and the Law The Critical Response Harriett Jay ROBERT BUCHANAN’S LETTERS TO CHATTO & WINDUS 4. 1893 - 1894. 96. Letter to Andrew Chatto. 3rd January, 1893. TELEPHONE No 7442. MERKLAND, 25, MARESFIELD GARDENS, SOUTH HAMPSTEAD. Jan. 3. 1893 Dear Mr Chatto, I return the list, having deleted several presentation copies. No work of mine ever goes to the Athenæum or National Observer with my consent, & I particularly request you not to send a copy to Mr Clement Shorter. I want 12 early copies for myself, to-morrow. They will be used chiefly for press purposes, & will cover several places not in your list. Please see that no actual publication takes place before Monday next, as by this time my sheets have arrived in New York & I am wiring that next Monday is the day of publication here. Use your own discretion as to Mr Barnett Smith and the Times—only please see that any early copies you send do not reach before the ones I shall despatch on receipt of your parcel—which I hope to have in good time to-morrow, Tuesday. I saw the displayed advt in Spectator & Athenæum only last week. Please repeat it; also in Academy. Truly yours Robert Buchanan. Andrew Chatto Esq. [Collection page no. 139. Printed letterhead. This letter refers to The Wandering Jew. Clement King Shorter was the editor of the Illustrated London News.] 97. Letter to Andrew Chatto from Harriett Jay. 18th January, 1893. 25 Maresfield Gardens 18 Jan. 93. Dear Mr. Chatto Mr. Buchanan would be much obliged if you would kindly send him on twenty copies of the “Wandering Jew” Not written on letterheaded paper. ’Chgd’ is written, diagonally, in another hand, in the top left-hand corner. The text is struck through by a vertical line.] 98. Letter to Andrew Chatto. 31st January [1893]. Here is the note– It is to follow the poem, in not too small type—in fact, the same type as text, with a fly- leaf marked “Author’s Note” between. — Ill bring round the corrected book to-morrow—also advt. matter– Meantime, the printer has better be setting up this, & send me a proof, so that I can return it by Monday morning Robt Buchanan. The “Author’s Note” was for the second edition of The Wandering Jew (available here) which Chatto & Windus printed almost immediately after a controversy developed around the book following Richard Le Gallienne’s review in The Daily Chronicle. The question, “Is Christianity Played Out?” was debated in the letters column of The Daily Chronicle, and in churches, throughout January 1893, and is dealt with in this section of the site.] 99. Letter to Chatto & Windus. 2nd February [1893]. Feb. 2. I return the adv. with quotations most necessary marked. I also send revise of same for printer. Please insert in the Daily Telegraph of Saturday, leader page, the advertisement marked with the full note of Second Edition. It will be more effective there than anything else. Messrs Chatto & Windus. Printed letterhead.] 100. Letter to Andrew Chatto. 9th February [1893]. If the 2nd Edn. is ready, please send me a few copies at once– I hope you’ll keep up the advertising– There is a very brief but excellent notice in the World which you might use bodily, omitting only the reference to the novels. The Berlin Tageblatt has a fine review, & others have appeared in Paris & the continent generally. A. Chatto Esq. ‘at once’ is double-underlined.] 101. Andrew Chatto’s notes regarding two Buchanan novels. 16th March, 1893. ‘Come live with me & be my love’ April 30. 91 Offered Mr Robt Buchanan £180 for the book rights for a term of years (term not mentioned) of his new 2 vol. story to appear in The Illustrated London News to be subtitled “Woman & the Man” He declined it as he said he had a better offer for it in this form and also an offer of payment of a royalty in advance on the sale of 12000 copies in a single volume form. A Chatto May 13. Mr Buchanan says the story will not appear in the Illustrated News until Oct. and is to consist of about 65,000 words only—the length of Heir of Lynne—offered £180 for all remaining book rights. June 4. 91. Mr. Buchanan said he has sold the story of 80,000 words intended for the summer no of The Illustd to Mr Heinemann for £250 advanced on a/c of 15 per cent royalty. Receiving also royalty on American & Continental Edns. Offered £180 for all remg rights of Story to be comenced in Il. N. Oct. & completed in Dec. entitled “Come Live with me & be my Love” to be published for 12. or 15. payable on receipt of complete story. Mr. Buchanan would accept this offer only on condition of immediate payment before completion of story, which offer C & W. could not agree to. 16 Mar ’93 Mr Buchanan asked for an approximate offer for a 2 vol story to be entitled “Man & the Woman”—I would not make any offer before seeing slips or ms —— I did not see how any offer of ours could be for more than £180 which we had offered for ‘Come With Me’ and ‘Woman and the Man This was placed earlier in the collection, in the 1891 section, presumably due to the first date mentioned. It seems to make more sense to place it here, due to the last date mentioned. ‘Come live with me & be my love’ is written in pencil in the top right-hand corner. ‘2 vol.’ inserted between ‘of his new’ and ‘story’. ‘Woman & the Man’ double-underlined. ‘Colonial’ crossed out and ‘Continental written above, after ‘royalty on American &’. ‘payable’ triple-underlined. Come Live With Me And Be My Love (a novelisation of Buchanan’s play, Squire Kate, which was only produced in America) was published in New York by Lovell, Coryell & Co. and in London by William Heinemann in the summer of 1892. Woman and the Man was published by Chatto & Windus in the autumn of 1893. However, this novel had previously been published in America by the Cassell Publishing Co. in 1891, with the title The Wedding Ring. It had also been serialised in various provincial newspapers, including The Bristol Mercury and Daily Post from January 10th to March 28th, 1891.] 102. Letter to Andrew Chatto. 23rd June [1893]. S. Hampstead N.W. Please dont think me careless or thoughtless, but I’ve been very ill & dreadfully worried. I’m doing the new matter now, & you shall have it directly. Faithfully yours Despite the success of The Wandering Jew, Buchanan seems to have sunk into depression later in the year. One reason could have been the ending of his collaboration with G. R. Sims (and thus the loss of a regular source of income), which concluded with the comparative failure of the two month run of The Black Domino, which closed on 27th May. Also in May, his contribution to the ‘My First Book’ feature of Jerome K. Jerome’s magazine, The Idler, contained this advice to young writers: “In Literature, as in all things, manners and costume are most important; the hall-mark of contemporary success is perfect Respectability. It is not respectable to be too candid on any subject, religious, moral, or political. It is very respectable to say, or imply, that this country is the best of all possible countries, that War is a noble institution, that the Protestant Religion is grandly liberal, and that social evils are only diversified forms of social good. Above all, to be respectable, one must have ‘beautiful ideas.’” And in a letter written in August to Dr. Stodart Walker (quoted by Henry Murray in Chapter 26 of Harriett Jay’s biography) Buchanan wrote: “It has been a damnable year for me in every way, and at times I’ve felt quite helpless. ’Tis all very well for me to croak anathemas on the dismal folk, but I’m a dismal, despairing, self-tormenting creature myself and as for the joy of life, my share of it is a flickering candle. Friday next is my birthday. I shall keep it in the coal cellar, a sheet round me, and ashes on my head. Why the deuce was I ever born?” Presumably, the ‘new matter’ refers to the novel Woman and the Man, which is the only work Chatto & Windus were preparing to publish at this time. Although it calls for speculation, another reason for Buchanan being ‘dreadfully worried’, could possibly be that he was concealing its previous publication as The Wedding Ring.] 103. Letter to Andrew Chatto from Harriett Jay. [July, 1893]. Dear Mr. Chatto, Mr. Buchanan desires me to say that the “Wedding Ring” was published serially in Tillotsons syndicate but he does not know in which of the papers it appeared Yours very truly Harriett Jay. ‘Wrote Tillotson July 17 ’93’ is written in another hand (presumably Andrew Chatto’s) and circled, in the top left-hand corner. The first in a series of Harriett Jay letters, this one is dated due to Chatto’s note.] 104. Letter to Andrew Chatto from Harriett Jay. Undated. [1893]. Mr. Buchanan desires me to say he would feel much obliged by yr. forwarding to him 6 copies of 2nd Edition of the “Wandering Jew” also copies of the following works by him The Shadow of the Sword New Abelard Annan Water Foxglove Manor The Master of the Mine God & the Man White Rose & Red Collected Poems The text of the first page is struck through with a diagonal line. Although undated, the mention of the second edition of The Wandering Jew would indicate this was written after February, 1893.] 105. Letter to Andrew Chatto from Harriett Jay. Undated. [1893] I ought to have written before to thank you for the books. When you have the 6/- editions of the “Queen of Connaught” & “Dark Colleen” I should be glad of a copy of each as I want to put them in my library along with the set of Mr. Buchanans novels which you were kind enough to send me. [Collection page no. 149.] 106. Letter to Andrew Chatto from Harriett Jay. Undated. [August, 1893] Thank you very much for the books – but I wanted Mr. Buchanans “Collected Poems” – not his “Selected Poems” Are you not going to have any more of the 6/- editions of mine? I shouldn’t bother you so only I am getting a set of Mr. Buchanans & my works specially bound & I did not think the 2/- editions good enough. May I trouble you to send me the Collected Poems? [Collection page no. 150 and 151. ’RB Aug 3’ is written, diagonally, in another hand, in the top left-hand corner. ‘Poems’ inserted above, after ‘Collected’. ‘not’ double-underlined.] 107. Telegram to Andrew Chatto. 27th September, 1893. Chatto 214 Piccy Posting proofs Title already used am altering it Telegram handed in at ‘Finchley Rd’. This item precedes Item 93 (the telegram about the proofs for The Wandering Jew), however the postmark is clear and it should be placed here. These proofs are presumably for Buchanan’s novel, Woman and the Man, which Chatto & Windus published in November, 1893. The title change could refer to the fact that the novel had originally been published in America, and as a newspaper serial in Britain, as The Wedding Ring. However, it is more likely that it refers to the dramatisation of the novel, which had been performed once, at a matinée at the Criterion Theatre on 19th December, 1889, with the title, Man and the Woman.] 108. Letter to Andrew Chatto from Harriett Jay. Undated. [October, 1893]. Parade House Mr. Buchanan has been confined to his room for the past ten days with bronchitis. He hopes to be in town the end of the week when he will call Dated October, 1893 due to the next item.] 109. Letter to Andrew Chatto. 20th October [1893]. Since I saw you I have been down with bronchitis, & unable to stir save to crawl up & see my Doctor in Town. I am a little better, & trust to be in Town again on Tuesday. Meantime, all my work & all my arrangements have been standing still—among other things, your agreement. This accursed weather! Yours always A. Chatto Esq Another date (possibly ‘30’) crossed out after ‘Oct’.] 110. Draft title page of Woman and the Man. Undated. [1893]. Woman & the Man. [The rest is in another hand] ‘By Robert Buchanan author of “God and the Man,” “The Shadow of the Sword,” etc. In Two vols vol. I. [Sideways on the right.] & also a Colonial Title — for 1 vol Ed. Only the title and subtitle are in Buchanan’s hand, the rest is a rough mock-up of the page with the usual items, presumably written by Andrew Chatto, including the note about the Colonial edition. Between Buchanan’s credits and the volume information, there is a small word, or initials, enclosed in a circle, which probably refers to the customary illustration or logo. It makes sense to alter the position of these two items so that they precede, rather than follow Harriett Jay’s letter below.] 111. Prefatory Note to Woman and the Man. Undated. [1893]. Prefatory Note. The right of dramatising this story is reserved. A play on the subject has been written, and performed once for copyright ‘Woman and the Man’ is written, diagonally, in another hand, in the top left-hand corner. Prefatory Note is double-underlined. A word has been crossed out before ‘dramatising’. ‘represented’ is crossed out and ‘performed’ written above. ‘publicly’ is crossed out before ‘for copyright’.] 112. Letter to Andrew Chatto from Harriett Jay. Undated. [December, 1893]. Could you please send Mr. Buchanan four copies of his story “Woman & the Man” – ‘4 Sent decbr 14’ is written, diagonally, in another hand, in the top left-hand corner.] 113. Letter to Chatto & Windus. 5th March, 1894. Excuse this— I am unable to write very coherently. . N.W. March 5. I am too ill to see you as I had hoped to do after hearing your message thro’ Mr Murray, but I have asked Miss Jay to bring you this & to explain my feeling concerning your treatment of me over Rachel Dene. I am sure there must be some mistake, & that you would never act so cruelly & inconsiderately. But I see in 2 newspaper paragraphs that Mr Buchanan “has just completed a new novel” &c. &c., all pointing to the fact that an old and inferior book of mine, printed in a penny newspaper 10 years ago, is being foisted on the public as a mature & recent work. I have told you again & again that my sole object in repurchasing the tale, as I did was to avoid publishing an inferior work. This is the more disastrous to me now, as I had hoped to have ready very shortly a strong and mature 3 vol. story, & to take up the thread of power I left after God & the Man. But you absolutely make me despair, & if you persist in issuing this book, at this moment, I will never write another story, & I will say so to the public, when I explain, as I shall do, all the facts of the case. I gave you Rachel Dene simply as a security for a small loan—it is always security for that. I wrote to you asking you to hold it over for a little time, & now without a word of warning, I find the book announced by you as a new story just completed by Mr Buchanan. If I were well enough to get out, I would bring you the money, but I am too ill, & I have not the amount at my banker’s. I, however, make this last appeal to you, not to do me this unexpected & fatal injury, at a moment when I am sick & helpless. Messrs Chatto & Windus ‘Excuse this’ etc. written diagonally, in Buchanan’s hand, in the top left-hand corner. Opposite, above the address, in another hand (presumably Andrew Chatto’s) is written: ‘Told Miss Jay we would keep back the novel for a fortnight longer.’ ‘/94’ is written, in another hand, after ‘March 5.’ ‘had’ inserted between ‘as I’ and ‘hoped to have’. ‘cannot get it’ crossed out before ‘have not the amount’. ‘Mr. Murray’ is presumably Henry Murray, who was living at 25 Maresfield Gardens at the time. Rachel Dene: a story of Deepdale was serialised in Bow Bells Weekly in October, 1888.] 114. Letter to Andrew Chatto. 25th April, 1894. S. Hampstead April 25. 1894 Dear Chatto, You are under a misconception about My first Book, as I never part with the book rights of magne articles, & I have another use for this one. You cannot therefore republish it in your volume. I have reading the proofs of Red & White Heather as fast as possible, but I find many blunders. [On reverse, in Andrew Chatto’s hand.] Ap 26. 94 Mr Burgin showed me copy of Mr. Jeromes letter of Nov 7. 93 to Mr. Buchanan offering him the same rate as accepted by Kipling, Doyle and others for My First Book to include right of republication in book form, but not preventing Mr. Buchanan’s using it in other form for abt £25. Mr. Burgin wrote to Mr. Buchanan asking him to write to me directly and admitting the right of the Idler to sell me the volume. ‘been’ presumably omitted before ‘reading the proofs’. The series of articles entitled ‘My First Book’ were published in Jerome K. Jerome’s magazine, The Idler. Buchanan’s contribution was published in the May 1893 edition. Chatto & Windus published the articles in 1894 as My First Book, and it did include Buchanan’s article, which is available here. Red and White Heather: North Country tales and ballads (a selection of Buchanan’s short stories) was published by Chatto & Windus in June 1894.] 115. Telegram to Andrew Chatto. 25th April, 1894. Wait for proofs until tomorrow important buchanan Telegram handed in at ‘St Martins le Grand’.] 116. Letter to Chatto and Windus. 12th May [1894]. Post me the proofs of Rachel Dene so far as set up at once, & oblige I have only seen a few sheets as you know. ‘printed’ crossed out and ‘set up’ written above.] 117. Letter to Andrew Chatto. 18th May, 1894. TELEGRAPHIC ADDRESS “LYRISTES, LONDON” TELEPHONE 33173 PRINCE OF WALES CLUB. COVENTRY STREET. W. The last proof of R. & W. Heather will be posted to-night. Will you kindly let me have by Bearer in one parcel a copy of Complete Poetical Works City of Dream & of God & the Man & the Shadow of the Sword? On letterheaded paper. The telegraphic address and phone no. printed diagonally in the top left-hand corner. ‘Sent & chgd. May 27’ written, in another hand, in top left-hand corner and a vertical line is drawn through the text. Two words are crossed out after ‘R. & W. Heather’. ‘in one parcel’ is inserted between ‘Bearer’ and ‘a copy of’.] 118. Memorandum regarding The Charlatan and Rachel Dene. 3rd August, 1894. Memorandum of agreement made this 3rd day of August 1894 between Robert Buchanan Esq on the one part and Messrs Chatto & Windus on the other part Mr R. Buchanan agrees to sell M. C&W agree to purchase for the sum of £120 payable by bill for £100 due - and the balance in cash, a new story of about 80,000 wds entitled The Charlatan. Mr R. B reserving all dramatic rights and until the 1st of Jan 1895 the right of serial publication, but not after that date, when C&W. are to be at liberty to publish the story in book form. It is further agreed that Mr. Buchanans story “Rachel Dene” the publication of which Messrs C&W have delayed at Mr R Bs request may now be published as soon as Messrs C&W think fit. This is presumably written by Andrew Chatto. The first part is on a separate piece of paper, torn off after the text. Three words are crossed out between ‘payable’ and ‘by bill’. ‘publishing the story’ is crossed out between ‘the right of’ and ‘serial publication’. ‘C&W shall be at’ is crossed out between ‘agreed that’ and ‘Mr. Buchanans story’. Buchanan had written The Charlatan for Herbert Beerbohm-Tree and the play had a three month run at the Haymarket Theatre, opening on 18th January, 1894. The novelisation, by Buchanan and Henry Murray, was published by Chatto & Windus in January, 1895. On 12th June, 1894, a receiving order had been made against Buchanan, starting the process which ended in his bankruptcy.] 119. Letter to Andrew Chatto. 9th August, 1894. Aug. 9. 1894 You are not using me either kindly or justly in the matter of Rachel Dene. You already announce it for publication in Septbr., although you promised to give me an opportunity of getting a friend to buy it back. You may retort that I gave you permission to publish in the agreement of the Charlatan. That is so; but you know very well that I gave that permission under pressure of need for the money. You are legally entitled to do as you please, but I am morally entitled to let the public know the facts, – & I mean to do so. They are as follows: 1. You held Rachel Dene as a security for a loan of £120, and you knew well that I regarded R. D. as a work likely to injure my reputation 2. Under pressure of misfortune, I let you have The Charlatan for the same miserable amt you gave for Rachel Dene, & I wanted the money so badly that I was compelled to sign the rider allowing you to issue R. D. A publisher is a man of business, but he should also be capable of good feeling towards an author’s reputation. Your attitude appears to be one of complete indifference, I regret to say. Instead of trying to help an author out of a temporary difficulty, you hardly give him breathing-space, before you fling his least-considered work at the public. It is right that the public should be made aware of the scant consideration authors receive from those who traffic in their ‘brains’. If I can refund you the sums paid for the Charlatan & Rachel Dene, will you cancel the contracts for the same, & so save me the annoyance of a public explanation? I can see no other way, if you decline to study my wishes. R. B. ‘RB 10 Aug. 94’ written, in another hand, in the top left-hand corner. ‘2’ written (by Buchanan) at top centre of second page. ‘temporary’ inserted between ‘out of a’ and ‘difficulty’. The initials signing the postscript are combined, one above the other. This letter was written the day after Buchanan’s second meeting with the Official Receiver.] 120. Letter to Chatto and Windus. 11th August [1894]. Augt 11th. Dr Sirs, When I signed the agreement you distinctly said that I could buy back Rachel Dene within a month, yet within a day you announce it for publication ‘as a new novel by R. B.’ All I want the public to know is how authors are treated by publishers under certain circumstances, & how little consideration is shown to them. I have nothing to conceal whatever, but the public shall know my own opinion of the book in question & my anxiety to withdraw it from publication. I should not have said a word if you had given me a reasonable time to get it back. ‘RB. Aug 14. ’94’ written, in another hand, in the top left-hand corner. A word is crossed out after ‘shall know’. A word is crossed out and ‘had’ written above between ‘if you’ and ‘given me’.] 121. Title page of Rachel Dene. Undated. Rachel Dene: a Yorkshire Story. 2 vols. This appears to be in Buchanan’s hand. It is undated and unconnected to any letter, and occurs a little later in the collection. However, since Chatto & Windus published Rachel Dene in October, 1894, I have placed it here.] 122. Official Notice of Buchanan’s application for discharge of bankruptcy. 1st November, 1894. In the High Court of Justice. IN BANKRUPTCY. SUMMARY CASE. No. 767 of 1894. RE ROBERT BUCHANAN, of No. 25, Maresfield Gardens, South Hampstead, in the County of Middlesex, Author. TAKE NOTICE that the above-named Bankrupt has applied to the Court for his discharge, and that the Court has fixed the TWENTY-NINTH day of NOVEMBER, 1894, at ELEVEN o’clock in the Forenoon, at the Court sitting in Bankruptcy, at Bankruptcy Buildings, Carey Street, London W.C., for hearing the application. Dated this 1st day of November, 1894. G. WREFORD, Senior Official Receiver, Bankruptcy Buildings, Carey Street, This is only a partial transcript of the page giving the relevant part. It is followed by notes about the bankruptcy law which continue on the reverse (available here: page 1, page 2). Newspaper reports relating to Buchanan’s bankruptcy are available in the Buchanan and the Law section of the site. In the report in The Times (30th November, 1894 - p.3) regarding the discharge hearing, the verdict was given as follows: “MR. REGISTRAR GIFFARD, in giving judgment, said it appeared that the debtor had been able to earn £1,500 a year in the past by his writings, and there was no reason why he should not do so in the future. He was a man of great ability and versatility, and his works were very popular, and it was only reasonable that some provision should be made for the creditors. The offences alleged by the Official Receiver had not been displaced, and the order of the Court would be that the debtor be discharged subject to his setting aside one half of his income over and above £900 per annum until the unsecured creditors had received dividends amounting to 7s. 6d. in the pound, the debtor to file accounts annually of his receipts.”] 123. Letter to Chatto and Windus. 7th December, 1894. Herewith I return the proofs of The Charlatan. In view of the fact that Mr Henry Murray has been of large assistance to me, both on the play & story, have you any objection to putting his name with mine on the title-page? Otherwise, the matter is sure to be mentioned, perhaps unpleasantly. Moreover, Murray will be able to help the book with the press, having influence on several newspapers, whereas I, as you are aware, am not a favourite. It is will be better in every way, I feel assured, to acknowledge his part of the labour in a definitive manner. Trusting that you will see no objection to this I am The first page is written on black-edged notepaper. Buchanan’s mother died on 5th November, 1894. ‘RB Dec 10’ written, in another hand, in the top left-hand corner. Three words are crossed out before ‘having influence’. ‘this’ is crossed out and ‘to’ written above, after ‘no objection’. Buchanan was very close to his mother and her death hit him particularly hard. It also occurred just a few months after his bankruptcy, so it’s safe to say that this was one of the darkest periods in his life. There are a couple of corrections in the letter, and one uncorrected error, ‘It is will be better in every way’, and there are a number of ink blots on the first page, which perhaps reflect his state of mind. For more information about Henry Murray’s connection to Buchanan, there are several extracts from his memoir, A Stepson of Fortune, on this site (including the full story of the immediate cause of Buchanan’s bankruptcy, A Society Butterfly).] The Chatto & Windus Letters - continued Robert Buchanan’s Letters to Chatto & Windus - contents	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line167
__label__wiki	0.971172	0.971172	Home Festivals & Events Award Ceremonies BRIT Awards 2016: Justin Bieber and Coldplay confirmed BRIT Awards 2016: Justin Bieber and Coldplay confirmed Following the earlier announcement of Adele’s return to the stage, BRIT Awards organisers have now confirmed the latest in the lineup, with both Justin Bieber and Coldplay set to perform at next year’s ceremony. Set to grace London’s O2 Arena on 24th February, the appointment of both Bieber and Coldplay marks an incredible few months for both acts. The latter are currently riding high with their latest record A Head Full of Dreams, whilst the former has seen a swathe of new Beliebers join the camp after the phenomenal success of his recent Purpose LP. It’s also likely that Justin will fend off X Factor-winner Louisa Johnson to nip his first ever UK Christmas No.1 single. Of the announcement, BRITs Chairman Max Lousada said: “The BRITs are excited to welcome two of the biggest acts in the world right now to next year’s awards – Coldplay, who are undoubtedly one of our greatest music success stories, and pop sensation Justin Bieber, who will be coming to London for his first ever BRITs performance. Next year’s awards is shaping up to be a fantastic night of British and international music.” Stay locked to us as we continue to bring you more BRIT Awards updates as and when they happen. Previous article’16 for 2016: Ones To Watch’ – Sinead Harnett Next articleAudio: Lion Babe – ‘Where Do We Go’ (The Remixes) Listen: Coldplay share two new songs ‘Orphans’ and ‘Arabesque’ Watch Calvin Harris’ BRIT Awards medley, ft Dua Lipa, Sam Smith and Rag’n’Bone Man P!nk to perform at 2019 BRIT Awards; wins Outstanding Contribution Little Mix announced for BRIT Awards 2019 performance Here’s all the 2019 BRIT Awards nominees Sam Fender wins BRITs 2019 Critics’ Choice Award	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line171
__label__cc	0.674069	0.325931	CELEBRATION IS AN EXPRESSION OF GRATITUDE. We nurture a spirit of celebration by creating beautiful environments and memorable experiences that express our clients hospitality and joie de vivre. Our comprehesive approach leaves no element of the event unpolished. Our team’s incredible work ethic and commitment to client experience gives you the freedom to fully delight in the celebration, through both the process of planning and the experience of the celebration. With a passion for hospitality and client service, and an uncanny ability to source and build the right team for any event, Stefanie’s goal is to curate the perfect mix of visuals, experiences, personalities, and resources to match her clients’ needs. Stefanie’s inquisitive nature and passion for exploration – places, ideas, visual arts and culture bring a unique perspective to her work, and she’s ready for brunch, anytime. Stefanie’s extensive international experience and compassionate approach puts her clients’ minds at ease. Her thoughtful insight combined with tailored vision leads to consistently creative and personal results. In recent years, Stefanie’s personal interest and long-time passion for cross-cultural communication has proven invaluable for events, projects, and venues seeking her expertise in Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, France, Italy, and the United Arab Emirates. Our work is featured in print and online. National print features include Martha Stewart Weddings, Southern Living Weddings, Southern Weddings, and The Knot’s 2015 Best Destination Wedding of the Year. Online features include Style Me Pretty, Claire Pettibone, Once Wed, Snippet & Ink among many others. You can also find our work on past covers of Southern Weddings, Magnolia Rouge, and Destination I Do. CURRENTLY INSPIRED by see more daily inspiration Twitter Pinterest Instagram Facebook get in touch \| hello@stefaniemiles.com \| studio by appointment All content © 2010+ Stefanie Miles Events, LLC. All rights reserved. Policies Site by Aeolidia	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line174
__label__cc	0.513848	0.486152	After a couple of years playing together Derby-based math rock trio a-tota-so are about to deliver their debut LP. In a first piece for Storge Kate Haresnape says the record is more than worth your time. Featuring members of Alright the Captain and Cheap Jazz, a-tota-so formed in 2016 after the hiatus of both bands. Their self-titled debut consists of nine tracks that were recorded over the winter at Nice Weather for Airstrikes Studios and Snug Recording Co. The album was partly funded by a recent IndieGogo campaign due to their equipment being stolen whilst on tour with Chiyoda Ku and thanks to the generosity of those who helped crowdfund the band, fans of instrumental math rock are in for a treat. The album effortlessly alternates between driving grooves and airy, atmospheric passages. This is most strongly on display with the opener Black Market Broccoli, which culminates in a tremolo-picked crescendo that abruptly falls away to firm post rock territory. The album has a gritty side too, often highlighted for effect by the cleaner, mathier, or more post rocky riffs. Double Deaf is a great example of this, where the main riff grooves like more recent Swans efforts and sounds all the more ferocious upon its return after the sudden change to a cleaner, mathy sound underpinned by the urgency of the rhythm section. The musicianship on show is tight, both in the technical sense (double handed tapping, seamless transitions from one time signature to another, etc) and in the sense that the band have a great interplay among themselves. Being a three piece, each instrument has to hold its own – they do, and then some. The bass and the guitar play off each other to create a wider sound one moment, then lock into the same riff like glue the next, supported by tight drumming that adds a sense of urgency to each track. This is evidently the result of a lot of time spent playing together, time which has paid dividends; a-tota-so are a well refined unit. Acer by a-tota-so All in all this is a great first release. There’s a fair amount of variation both in the album’s overall sound and within the tracks themselves, and there’s nothing that sounds quite like it within the math rock genre. Each track is joyful in its own way, whether from the outset or as a crescendo in the midst of a more dreamy or grungy song. Definitely an album to pick up and give a listen (or two), a-tota-so are one to watch within the Derby music scene. The self-titled album from a-tota-so is released on 17 September and you can find their previous releases on Bandcamp. Find a-tota-so: on Instagram. Words by Kate Haresnape. Image by IC Things. ← Previous Previous post: Dubrek All-Dayer – live review Next → Next post: Oobleck: Green Light debut EP review	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line177
__label__wiki	0.516855	0.516855	Walid Shoebat Former Muslim Brotherhood Member Now Peace Activist Articles and Press Releases Evidence: The Story of Walid Shoebat. It Really Checks Out. Comments from Walid Shoebat Obamas’ Wahhabist Fundraising Empire Innocence of Muslims Palestinian Justice CNN Smear Campaign The CNN Hatchet Job CNN Reporter Drew Griffin is a Proven Liar ⇒ NavigateAbout Me – Articles and Press Releases – Evidence: The Story of Walid Shoebat. It Really Checks Out. – Comments from Walid Shoebat Important Information – Obamas’ Wahhabist Fundraising Empire – Innocence of Muslims – Huma Abedin – Palestinian Justice – CNN Smear Campaign – – The CNN Hatchet Job – – I Confess – – CNN Reporter Drew Griffin is a Proven Liar Donate Contact You are here: Home › Featured › General › Canadian Government Mandates Employers Sign An Oath Of Loyalty In Support Of Homosexuality, Abortion, And Transgenderism Or Else Lose Funding Canadian Government Mandates Employers Sign An Oath Of Loyalty In Support Of Homosexuality, Abortion, And Transgenderism Or Else Lose Funding By Andrew Bieszad on December 19, 2017 in Featured, General Canadian PM Justin Trudeau is driving Canada into hell at full speed. Under Trudeau, Canada has declared that Christians who believe in the Biblical definition of marriage are unfit to be parents, passed a law mandating up to two years in prison for criticizing transgenderism, declared that the way to end poverty is to murder poor children, legalized bestiality, and is giving millions of dollars to the LGBT for “reparations” as well as to Muslim terrorists. Canada has taken a further stem into the abyss as it has now mandated that all employers must sign a statement that they support homosexuality, abortion, and transgenderism. If they do not sign it, they will lose all government funding for student summer job grants: The Liberal government of Justin Trudeau will ban any employer from receiving summer job grants for students if the employer doesn’t first sign an “attestation” that they agree with abortion and transgender “rights.” The new criteria were sent to all MPs and will be made public when the Canada Summer Jobs Program officially opens December 19, 2017. In order to receive federal Canada job grants, employers must attest that: both the job and the organization’s core mandate respect individual human rights in Canada, including the values underlying the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms as well as other rights. These include reproductive rights and the right to be free from discrimination on the basis of sex, religion, race, national or ethnic origin, colour, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression. Conservative MP Brad Trost was first to publicly raise the alarm in a twitter and Facebook video in which he denounces the Liberals for discrimination. “In practical terms, this means you have to be with the Liberal Party position on abortion, gay marriage, transgendered rights, all sorts of legislation in the House of Commons, otherwise you will be an ineligible employer for this program,” Trost said. “That’s wrong, that’s discrimination.” Canadians “are allowed to have different political beliefs than the government of the day and they shouldn’t have their funding be cut off because they disagree with the government,” he added. “The second problem with this is it automatically excludes all faith-based organizations that are traditional on their values of human life and sexual morality. That includes millions and millions of Canadians,” Trost said. The Liberal move has also been denounced by Campaign Life Coalition, which has launched a petition. Jack Fonseca, senior political strategist for Campaign Life Coalition, excoriated the Trudeau Liberals for their blatant anti-Christian bias. “This is a jaw-dropping act of discrimination against faith-based employers and non-profits. Although the Trudeau Liberals have signaled many times they have special contempt for Christians, this new policy requires a massive negative reaction from all faith-based communities in Canada – Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, etc,” he told LifeSiteNews. “More and more, Justin Trudeau is transforming the Liberal Party into a hate group against Christians. Just recently, the Liberals were scared off from his plan of eliminating the law that protected Church worship services from disruption. Now this. It’s abundantly clear the Trudeau Liberals hate Christians,” he added. Non-profit groups, small businesses, and public sector employers can apply for funding through Canada Summer Jobs program to create jobs for students from 15 to 30 years of age. Formerly, it was up to individual MPs to assess and approve funding applications from groups in their ridings. But Trudeau Liberals already decreed last year no Liberal MP could approve Canada Summer Job funding for pro-life groups. Moreover, Liberal Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour Patty Hajdu said at the time through spokesman Matt Pascuzzo that she would change the program to make sure no pro-life group would be approved in the future. “We have been unequivocal in our support for a woman’s fundamental right to choose,” Pascuzzo said then. Alliance for Life Ontario and the Canadian Center for Bioethical Reform were among pro-life groups cut off from Canada Student Job funding in 2017. Pro-family leaders have warned Christians will face increasing economic and political pressure to conform to the pro-abortion, pro-homosexual ideology, including the possibility of having to sign on to a declaration supporting human “rights,” such as abortion and homosexuality. Fonseca echoed this. “This is no minor tweak to a federal program. This is a ground-breaking first step on the inevitable path to raw totalitarianism and open persecution with the sanction of the state,” he told LifeSiteNews. “Once the government implements this unconstitutional, anti-Christian policy, the next thing will be that the private sector will take it as permission to do the same thing,” Fonseca warned. “Perhaps first with supplier contracts. But eventually, private sector employees will be required to sign such a declaration which essentially, is a way of getting Christians to disavow their beliefs.” (source) There is a saying that with some variation goes “When the students are ready, the teacher will appear.” Christians are advised to watch for the rise of the antichrist, but in order for such a rise to take place, there must be a social order that supports such a rise. This obviously includes laws, but more important than laws necessitates a certain attitude cultivated among the people, for all law is a reflection of those who are bound by it. Hence is also the reason why the antichrist, while spoken of as a person, is also as much a system of beliefs espoused by the people which are then translated and codified into cultural beliefs, practices, and eventually law. The way for such a system to rise would be through the rejection of Christ and followed by the embrace of the natural state of corruption that man fell into. Christ said that in the days before His return, so they will be as they were in the days of Noah. Noah was the only man found righteous before God and so he and his family were saved while the rest of the Earth perished, after which God promised never again to destroy the world by flood. When Christ returns for the second time it will not be as the first, having come as a baby in innocence and meekness and offering mercy, but this time with the full glory of a majestic king, robed in light and with the sword of justice. As St. John the Baptist prophesized, he would come with His winnowing fork in hand prepared to pronounce judgment that has been promised in scripture. Homosexuality is a heinous sin which Sacred Scripture notes cries out to Heaven for vengeance, and this is supported by Sacred Tradition, as we have written about many times. Given this information, it is only natural that the acceptance of this sin would have to play an important role in ushering in such a rise of evil. As the Bible notes, there is the prophecy of the “mark of the beast” by which men would not be able to engage in commerce without it, and since economy always precedes politics, the Bible indicates clearly that economic change would be necessary to bring about political change. In this case, it would be the institutionalization of sin on an economic level that would lead to the institutionalization of sin on a political and legal level. The most effective way to change the economics of a people would be to interfere in their culture, for culture is the basis through which value or a lack of value is determined for a society, which then translates into exchange between people, or the foundation of economics. Culturally speaking, the formerly “Christian” world is a heathen cesspool. In recent times, these nations have made themselves the champions of homosexuality, promoting it around the world as a veritable official policy. But it is not just the fault of “the government,” because governments are reflections of the people they govern. It is an open fact now that in merely a few decades homosexuality has become accepted to such a point that the statistical majority are in support of it, and that to oppose homosexuality is to violate a social taboo that in the best cases will get a man ostracized by his peers, and in places such as Canada could result in jail time. While it is clear that in this example Canada’s actions are going to usher in the antichrist and that the issue applies solely to government-funded student jobs, the fact is that it is yet another step that is part of the process of setting a precedent for the economic institutionalization of sin stemming from the culture. It is a serious matter when a government such as Canada makes a mandate to all people telling them they must sign a statement saying the support a particular sinful action, and that disagreement means being limited in or stripped of taking part in societal affairs. What is to say that, should this measure persist, that the government would not decide that in the future, any business who does not sign a form in support of the LGBT will not just lose government funding, but will not be able to conduct business at all? If such a statement could be extended to business, why limit it to just business? Since Trudeau has promised to make Canada an ‘inclusive’ place, by which he means that sin must be exhalted as public policy, that anybody who holds views critical to this could be barred from social or medical services of a public or private nature, or could have assets confiscated, or at some point would not be able to engage in any sort of transactions at all, effectively being reduced to complete homelessness? Given the rate of progression from what we have seen, how in a mere 30 years (from 1987 with the writing of the Gay Manifesto) homosexuality has gone from being something seen as odd or repulsive to something that must be defended and anybody who criticizes it at all can be relegated to the state of a social pariah, what is to say of what will happen in another 5 or 10 years, let alone 30? Such a system could be implemented in any nation. It does not have to include the LGBT per se, but could integrate any social idea that is intrinsically opposed to and acceptance of it would mean the rejection of the social reign of Christ the King, and then tying it to the economic system. There are many ideas that are socially popular today which would work, but it is that homosexuality is recognized by the Bible as such a heinous sin with such serious effects that it is difficult to imagine it would not play a major role. There is a negro spiritual called “this lonesome valley,” which speaks of the lonely road that a man must travel upon to reach Heaven, and as the song notes, “Jesus walked this lonesome valley, He had to walk it by Himself.” This is what Catholics would call the via dolorosa, or the way of sorrows, named after the literal road that Christ walked to His crucifixion. Just as once upon a time to be called a “Christian” was to become rejected by one’s peers and face social ostracism and persecution up to one’s own death, so as the world having rejected Christ and returning to paganism once again reviving the forms of ostracism from the days of old. Certainly no man wants to rejected by his peers, let alone lose all that he has and even be put to death because of his faith. But if Christ is who He says He is, and He most certainly is, then what does one have in comparison to the promise He has made? It is easy to say this, but will a man believe this when he is starving, homeless, and cold, being left without help and mocked by the society around him? Will he be able to endure under the pressure from his own mind, let alone that which his family, his wife, or other people who say they love him would place upon him to abandon his faith that his miserable worldly situation might be “fixed”? Will he still say that it is worth it as he feels the weakness in his bones, the festering sores on his hands, the blisters on his feet, the hunger in his belly, and confusion from lack of sleep and a decent meal? Will the smell of a little fresh food and a warm place to sleep for just one night compel him to apostasy? This is the lonesome valley that lays before us. It is lonely, and one must walk it for himself, just as Christ did for our sake. But there is hope, because while the valley leads to death, as Psalm 23 states one must fear no evil, for God is with us, and at the end there lays the resurrection. CHRISTIANS ARE BEING TORTURED AND MURDERED AS WE SPEAK. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO GIVE A DONATION THAT WILL HELP OUR RESCUE TEAM OUR TIME ONLINE RUNS SHORT. SHOEBAT.COM FACES DAILY HARASSMENT BY FACEBOOK AND EACH TIME IT IS A DIFFERENT EXCUSE. IT IS BEST TO REACH US BY EITHER GOING DIRECTLY TO SHOEBAT.COM OR THROUGH OUR NEWSLETTER. 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__label__wiki	0.830612	0.830612	Total Badgers Illinois hands Badgers women 10th loss in 12 Big Ten basketball games \| Wisconsin Badgers Women’s basketball CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Alex Wittinger is methodically working her way up the all-time scoring list for the Illinois women’s basketball team. And she made a big jump Sunday when she scored 24 points to lead the Illini to a 78-68 victory over the University of Wisconsin at the State Farm Center. Wittinger, a 6-foot-1 senior, scored 16 of her points in the third quarter as the Illini (10-14, 2-11 Big Ten Conference) took command and went on to snap their nine-game losing streak. “We tried a lot of different things on Wittinger,” UW coach Jonathan Tsipis said. “She’s a very, very good player, somebody who’s an All-Big Ten caliber kid. But it was a game of H-O-R-S-E for awhile. She got a lot of easy rhythm jumpers and she does a good job. She’s a really good player, but we’ve got to be able to step up and at least make her shoot a contested shot every time or not let her get the ball in such easy places.” The 24 points were the most for Wittinger in a conference game this season and moved her up two spots to No. 10 on the Illini’s career scoring list with 1,522 points. She also grabbed 12 rebounds and blocked three shots. Senior Marsha Howard, coming off her career-high 30-point effort against Michigan last Sunday, scored 19 points to lead the Badgers (11-13, 2-10). Freshman Imani Lewis had 16 points before fouling out late in the fourth quarter. “We’ve got to have some more production from our perimeter kids,” Tsipis said. “We’ve got to have people help Imani and Marsha. They go for 35 and 14 (rebounds) and then collectively the rest of the group doesn’t even go for that, as far as scoring the basketball.” The Badgers led by as many as six points in the second quarter and trailed just 42-40 at halftime. They led briefly at 52-51 before a layup by Wittinger put Illinois ahead to stay midway through the third period. One of the big factors in the game was rebounding. The Badgers had a 27-16 advantage on the boards in the first half, but the Illini turned that around with a 25-11 advantage in the second half. “It’s amazing when you outrebound them by 11 in the first half,” Tsipis said. “It’s not only rebounds, but rebounds when the shot clock is really deep. It gets them another possession and it gives the home team a huge boost. It gets the crowd back into it and you have to guard for 45 to 60 seconds.” The Badgers were without redshirt freshman Alex Luehring, who didn’t make the trip because of illness. min fg-a ft-a rb pf a to pts Karlis 34 3-7 1-4 5 1 4 3 9 Howard 39 5-16 9-13 7 4 1 2 19 Lewis 22 8-12 0-0 7 5 0 2 16 Van Leeu. 29 2-4 0-3 3 1 7 0 4 Beverley 36 5-12 1-1 3 1 1 0 11 Gilreath 18 2-6 0-0 3 1 1 2 6 Mathiason 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 Laszewski 19 1-4 1-2 7 2 0 0 3 Bragg 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 Crowley 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 Totals 26-61 12-23 38 16 15 10 68 Wittinger 31 11-16 2-2 12 4 1 2 24 Andrews 26 3-8 3-4 6 3 0 1 12 Beasley 35 6-14 3-3 4 0 9 1 16 Rice 25 2-6 0-0 2 4 2 0 4 Joens 8 0-0 0-0 0 2 1 0 0 Ephraim 15 0-1 0-0 4 2 0 0 0 Robins 6 1-1 0-0 1 1 1 0 3 Scott 26 3-12 1-2 4 1 0 0 10 Biazek 9 2-4 0-0 1 1 0 0 4 Kilpatrik. 5 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 Shewan 14 1-4 3-3 2 3 3 2 5 Totals 29-66 12-14 41 21 17 9 78 Team totals include rebounds and turnovers Wisconsin 21 19 19 9 — 68 Illinois 23 18 25 11— 78 3-pointers — W 4-13 (Karlis 2-3, Gilreath 2-6, Lewis 0-1, Van Leeuwen 0-1, Beverley 0-2), I 8-24 (Andrews 3-7, Scott 3-8, Robins 1-1, Beasley 1-3, Shewan 0-2, Rice 0-3). Blocks — W 4 (Karlis 2, Laszewski 2), I 6 (Wittinger 3, Scott 2, Andrews 1). Steals — W 3 (Howard 2, Karlis 1), I 4 (Rice 1, Scott 1, Shewan 1, Wittinger 1). Field goal percentage — W .426, I .439. Free throw percentage — W .522, I .750. Att. — 1,844. Badgers earn slew of WCHA Season Honors · The Badger Herald Imani Lewis leads Wisconsin Badgers women’s basketball team to win over Penn State in Big Ten tournament \| Wisconsin Badgers Women’s basketball Badgers’ Iverson, Thomas, put the team before themselves \| Wisconsin Badgers’ Sean Dhooghe named Big Ten’s first star of the week \| Wisconsin Badgers Hockey Badgers defeat St. Cloud State to advance to WCHA Final Faceoff · The Badger Herald More in Wisconsin Badgers In what has currently been a really distinctive season for the College of Wisconsin... INDIANAPOLIS — Imani Lewis was not missing for determination as the College of Wisconsin women’s... MADISON — The discussion went on for almost a minute. Was it area 5208... An additional time objective and four points in two games in opposition to Michigan... Badgers women’s hockey team sweeps Minnesota State \| Wisconsin Badgers Hockey Wisconsin Badgers women’s hockey team falls out of top spot in national rankings \| Wisconsin Badgers Hockey Total Badgers is an independent site and is not affiliated with the NCAA or the Wisconsin Badgers Discount Wisconsin Badgers Basketball Lower Level Tickets, Upper Level Seating, Club Seats, and Parking for their 2018-19 College Basketball Games at Capital City Tickets with Promo Code – Press Release Wisconsin athletics: UW releases safety review findings; 1993 football team to be honored Catching up on this week’s new offers Emily Clark’s goal lifts Wisconsin Badgers past Lindenwood in women’s hockey season opener \| College Hockey	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line187
__label__wiki	0.75575	0.75575	The new BMW 6 Series: Three Body Styles Rejuvenated and Ready to Take on the Competition Woodcliff Lake, N.J. - December 10 , 2014 6 :00pm ES T/ 3 :00pm PS T … Through three generations, the BMW 6 Series has defined that unique blend of style and elegance with the performance and handling that one would expect of The Ultimate Driving MachineTM. For the 2015 model year the third-generation of BMW 6 Series receives a range of enhancements that refine the character that is unique to the 6 Series. Now offered in three distinct body styles – traditional two-door Coupe, open-air Convertible and unique four-door Gran Coupe – all three are again offered with a choice of BMW TwinPower Turbo engines, the 315 horsepower inline-six in the 640i models and the 445 horsepower V8 in the 650i models. Sitting at the top of the 6 Series range, in terms power and performance, is the BMW M6 with its 560 horsepower M TwinPower Turbo V8, again available in all three body styles. The 2015 BMW 6 Series will make its world debut at the North American International Auto Show and arrives in US showrooms in the first quarter of 2015. Sports performance and luxury – a combination rich in tradition. The new BMW 6 Series model range follows in a BMW tradition of legendary dream cars which now stretches back more than 75 years. Presented in 1937, the BMW 327 Sports Coupe was the most exclusive model in the company’s line-up at the time. Then came the BMW 503 Coupe and BMW 507 Roadster, which were powered by the car world’s first aluminum eight-cylinder engine and continue as 1950s style icons to this day. Later on, the BMW 2800 CS of 1968 pulled back the curtain on an era of luxury cars which took a whole new approach to combining sports performance and luxury. The BMW 3.0 CS, BMW 3.0 CSi and BMW 3.0 CSL followed in the tire tracks of the 2800 CS. Designed for action in motor sport, the legendary BMW 3.0 CSL enjoyed several years of dominance on the racing stage. On the road, meanwhile, the CS in any form represented a beacon of style and an expression of unparalleled driving pleasure. Since 1976 these unmistakable characteristics have been grouped together in the BMW line-up under the model designation “6”. The first-generation BMW 6 Series shone not only for its driving dynamics, but also its comfort and state-of-the-art safety technology. Its successor, unveiled in 2003, complemented its dynamic appearance with a wealth of innovations. The debut of the BMW 6 Series Convertible in 2004 brought a unique blend of advanced technology, driving pleasure in an exclusive sports car and open-top enjoyment. One model series, three different characters. The latest generation of the BMW 6 Series takes the dynamics, aesthetics, luxury and innovation offered by the model series to new heights. The BMW 6 Series Convertible, Coupe and Gran Coupe provide customers with a choice of three distinctive characters, the introduction of the brand’s first ever four-door Coupe giving the BMW 6 Series’ popularity fresh momentum. Nearly one in two newly registered BMW 6 Series cars is now a Gran Coupe. Worldwide, approximately 80,000 units of the current-generation BMW 6 Series have been sold since the market launch of the Convertible in March 2011. The new BMW 6 Series Convertible is all about exclusive open-top driving enjoyment, comprising serene ride comfort and engaging performance attributes in equal measure. A key element of the four-seater’s charisma is the transition between the body and the interior, which has been designed to evoke the character of a boat deck – as is typical of BMW Convertibles – when the roof is down. The sophisticated fabric soft-top of the 6 Series Convertible stands out with its unique “fin” architecture, complete with a glass rear window that opens separately, and offers all-season usability and unrivalled acoustic comfort. The new BMW 6 Series Coupe embodies the classical character of an exclusive sports tourer. Its two-door body exudes an athletic and elegant aesthetic while its modern interior ambience is designed to immerse four people in complete luxury. The latest round of design and powertrain upgrades lends to the Coupe’s muscular appearance and sporting potential. The BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe conjures up a new balance of dynamic excellence, elegance and luxury. The latest addition to the BMW 6 Series range blends the sporting performance and aesthetics of a coupe with the extended functionality of a four-door. Its distinctive proportions and longer wheelbase accentuate the exterior’s irresistible radiance. The interior of the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe delivers luxurious long-distance comfort for the driver and passengers in four full-size seats and offers a third seat in the rear that is suitable for shorter journeys. Detail refinements showcase both the elegance of the body design and the exclusive ambience of the interior. More powerful, sportier, sharper: BMW kidney grille and front apron. All the models in the new BMW 6 Series line-up stand out with an adeptly modified design that exudes powerful sports performance and, at the same time, emphasizes the exclusive elegance of these luxury cars. The BMW kidney grille – standing prominently, as ever – is now even more eye-catching. The number of bars in the kidney grille has been reduced from 10 to nine, and the larger openings are an indication of the amount of cooling air required by the powerful engines. The new contours of the kidney grille bars (in aluminum matt on the 650i variants and black on 640i models) underline the forward-surging stance of the grille. The new front apron, whose lower air intake is now a single stylistic unit that accentuates the 6 Series’ width, radiates sports performance and solidity. The front foglamps, which are positioned at the far outer edges of the front end, consist of three adjacent LED units and now feature a decorative surround. This trim element is chrome on the new BMW 6 Series Convertible and comes in high-gloss black for the new 6 Series Coupe and Gran Coupe. The standard Adaptive Full-LED headlights on the new BMW 6 Series line-up include a newly developed, sophisticated design for the light sources. This has brought about a new interpretation of the signature BMW look created by the twin round headlights. The low beam light is emitted from the two upper reflectors, the high beam light from the two lower reflectors. The indicators are now integrated into the accent strip cutting across the top of the headlight units. Profile: aerodynamically optimized exterior mirrors, newly desi gned model badge for the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe. Like the modified design of the front apron, newly styled exterior mirrors also contribute to the optimized aerodynamics of the models in the new BMW 6 Series, while the side indicators are now integrated into the exterior mirrors in the form of slim horizontal light strips. The standalone proportions of the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe and the exclusive elegance of its lines are emphasized even more clearly by a new design for the side window surrounds at the trailing edge of the rear doors. There, a graphic element bearing “Gran Coupe” lettering guides the eye to the “counter-swing” at the foot of the C-pillar, known as the Hofmeister kink. On the new BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe this element is made from black painted aluminum and bears raised, embossed lettering. Rear apron strongly emphasises the cars’ width. On all models in the BMW 6 Series, flared wheel arches and horizontal lines across the rear emphasize the cars’ wide track and resultant surefooted handling. This effect is further enhanced by a chrome strip in the bumper trim. The rear apron of the six-cylinder models also features larger surrounds for the tailpipe embellishers, whose diameter has been increased from 80 to 90 millimeters. Elsewhere, newly designed 20-inch multi-spoke wheels are now available. The range of exterior paintwork finishes includes the new color shades Jatoba metallic, Cashmere Silver metallic, Glacier Silver metallic, Mediterranean Blue metallic and Melbourne Red metallic. Luxurious interior ambience, new surfaces, optional bi-color leather trim. The signature interior design for the new BMW 6 Series is dominated by the driver-focused cockpit, a front passenger area enveloped by sweeping surfaces and a seamless connection between the front seats and rear compartment – all of which makes it a recipe for exclusive comfort in a luxurious ambience. In the new BMW 6 Series models, the high-gloss black surfaces of the center console around the controls for the audio system and air conditioning form a harmonious and elegant unit with the black-panel displays of the automatic climate control system. The slim, precise chrome surround of the iDrive operating system’s freestanding Control Display and the frameless design of its glass cover create a contemporary and sophisticated feel. The use of LEDs for the illumination of the footwells, door exits and glove compartment provides an even distribution of light. Customers can specify either Dakota or Nappa leather with extended features, which is now also available for the new BMW 6 Series models in the bi-colour variants Ivory White/Black and Cognac/Black. Fineline Brown wood trim has been added to the selection of optional interior trims. Black Accent Package, M Sport Edition and BMW Individual: Bespoke luxury, aesthetics and driving pleasure. The new BMW 6 Series offers a unique form of driving pleasure regardless of the body variant or engine. As well as the eight-speed Steptronic sport automatic transmission and LED headlights, all models include BMW’s latest navigation system, heated and electrically adjustable seats for the driver and front passenger (including memory function), two-zone automatic climate control with extended features, an electrically adjustable sports leather steering wheel with multifunction buttons, dynamic cruise control (with braking function), electrically adjustable and heated exterior mirrors and a hands-free facility with USB audio interface. The standard lightweight integral seats for the driver and front passenger come with an integrated belt system, whose optimized retractor mechanism uses electric assistance to enhance comfort. The comfort seats, which are standard on 650i models and optional on 640i models, are also available with the “active” function and active seat ventilation. Both the Dakota and Nappa leather upholsteries in the new BMW 6 Series Convertible are treated with SunReflective technology, which reduces the degree to which the surfaces are heated by the sun’s rays. The BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe can also be ordered with heated rear seats. Premiere for Black Accent Package. The new Black Accent Package highlights the 6 Series’ sporting aura through the specification of a BMW kidney grille with high-gloss black bars, BMW Individual High-gloss Shadow Line trim, likewise high-gloss black tailpipe tips and 19-inch bi-color light-alloy wheels in exclusive multi-spoke design. The interior features a new Cognac/Black bi-color Nappa leather highlighted by Fineline Brown fine wood. Driving dynamics and exclusivity: M Sport Edition and BMW Individual features. The new M Sport Edition can be specified for the new BMW 6 Series. It combines the content of the Executive Package and the traditional M Sport package, to offer outstanding value. The M Sport Edition blends sporty features such as 20-inch M wheels, M sport steering wheel and M aerodynamic exterior treatment with the luxury of a leather dashboard, ventilated front seats, contrast stitching and soft-close doors. The BMW Individual options offered for the new BMW 6 Series models satisfy the wish of some customers to maximize exclusivity and infuse the exterior and interior of the car with their personal style. The BMW Individual paintwork finishes, special paintwork finishes and matt paintwork finishes stand out with their exceptional richness and color effects. The Frozen Brilliant White matt shade – a new addition to the BMW Individual range – gives the body surfaces the appearance of being covered in an even layer of ice and, in so doing, showcases the muscular contours of the new BMW 6 Series models to particular effect. The 20-inch, forged BMW Individual light-alloy wheels in V-spoke design also play their part in achieving a striking appearance. BMW Individual Full Merino Leather upholstery, with carefully selected and meticulously prepared materials taking center stage, helps create an exclusive interior design. The leather used for the seats, door panel trim, center console, armrests and door pulls has a natural open-pored structure; the soft and breathable surfaces are elegant to the eye and offer excellent comfort. Exquisite materials and meticulous handcraftsmanship are defining features of the interior appointments from BMW Individual. The range also includes a BMW Individual headliner in Alcantara for the BMW 6 Series Coupe and Gran Coupe, illuminated door sill finishers with BMW Individual lettering, BMW Individual interior trim strips and a BMW Individual wood inlay for the leather steering wheel. More personalized requests from customers can also be met, extending all the way to one-off creations conjured entirely by BMW Individual. Options for bespoke driving pleasure and comfort. Customers can also dip into the list of high-quality optional extras to further enhance levels of driving pleasure and comfort in the new BMW 6 Series models. These include Soft Close Doors and a wind deflector for the 6 Series Convertible which reduces turbulence when driving with the roof down. Electrically operated sunblinds can be ordered for the rear window of the new BMW 6 Series Coupe and 6 Series Gran Coupe, and for the rear side windows of the four-door model. The iDrive operating system’s touchpad controller has a touch-sensitive surface for inputting characters. Customers can bring further variety to the range of in-car entertainment, not to mention maximize their listening pleasure, by specifying options such as the Harman Kardon HiFi system and the Bang & Olufsen high-end surround-sound system. The driving experience: TwinPower Turbo technology, sport exhaust and a range of options to enhance the driving experience. Abundant power development, impressive refinement and exemplary efficiency are attributes shared by both engines available for the new BMW 6 Series. The range consists of a V8 producing 445 hp and a 315 hp inline six-cylinder. Both enjoy the benefits of the BMW TwinPower Turbo technology developed under the BMW EfficientDynamics banner, all meet the EU6 exhaust emissions standard and all link up with an eight-speed Steptronic sport transmission. As an alternative to sending their engine power to the rear wheels – as is customary for BMW cars – all new BMW 6 Series model variants can also be specified with the BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system. The variable distribution of drive between the front and rear wheels not only optimizes traction and directional stability in all weather and road conditions, it can also enhance cornering dynamics and acceleration. BMW xDrive further improves the 0 to 60 mph performance of all the 6 Series models. The best figures here are recorded by the V8 BMW 650i xDrive Coupe and BMW 650i xDrive Gran Coupe, which both complete the sprint in 4.3 seconds (preliminary). Standard sports exhaust system for an emotion-rich sound. The engines powering the new BMW 6 Series models are designed to deliver captivating performance, as a new addition to the range of standard equipment is not afraid to emphasize. The BMW 640i models are now equipped with a sports exhaust system, which provides an emotionally dramatic soundtrack to their engines’ instantaneous and sustained wave of power. The system features a switchable exhaust valve, whose position can be adjusted using the Driving Experience Control switch. In SPORT and SPORT+ modes, the valve opens to reduce exhaust backpressure and generates a dramatic aural response. The engine management system allows further acoustic optimizations, including dynamic load-reversal damping. Sporting performance, optimized efficiency. BMW TwinPower Turbo technology helps the engines to develop their power instantaneously, gives them a vivacious appetite for revs and imbues them with impressive efficiency. The extensive array of BMW EfficientDynamics technology and the cars’ optimized aerodynamic properties also contribute to a further reduction in fuel consumption and emissions. For example, all BMW 640i models are all powered by an inline six-cylinder engine burning 0.2 liters less fuel per 100 kilometers than their direct predecessors (based on EU test cycle). The eight-speed Steptronic sport transmission also plays a role in the powertrain’s outstanding effectiveness thanks to its excellent internal efficiency, while its impressive fast-shifting ability sharpens the sporting characteristics of the new BMW 6 Series models. As well as gearshift paddles on the steering wheel, the eight-speed Steptronic sport transmission also comes with a Launch Control function, which enables the driver to power away from the line with maximum dynamic force. Cutting-edge suspension systems enhance dynamics and comfort. State-of-the-art suspension technology honed even more precisely to each individual model strikes a fine balance between dynamic potency and comfort. And customers can specify sophisticated options to complement this technology: Dynamic Damper Control adapts its responses electronically to the situation at hand, and the Adaptive Drive system – which includes Active Roll Stabilization – further enhances the driving qualities of the new BMW 6 Series models. In addition to controlling the amount of speed-dependent steering assistance generated and regulating the steering angle of the front wheels, Integral Active Steering also adjusts the steering angle of the rear wheels. This helps to reduce the amount of steering effort required, provides excellent agility in dynamic driving situations, ensures comfortable and assured responses when changing lanes and navigating through corners, and reduces the car’s turning circle. BMW ConnectedDrive: Intelligent connectivity for the ultimate in driving pleasure. The progressive nature of the BMW 6 Series is also reflected in its diverse range of standard and optional driver assistance systems and mobility services from BMW ConnectedDrive, which are aimed at optimizing convenience, safety and the use of infotainment functions. When it comes to the intelligent link-up of the driver, car and outside world, all new BMW 6 Series models play stand-out roles in their respective market segments. All new BMW 6 Series come standard with on-board navigation system with touchpd controller, enhanced Bluetooth and USB interface. An embedded SIM card enables use of the stand enhanced BMW eCall system and BMW TeleServices, as well as data transfer for other functions, such as ConnectedDrive Services and Advanced Real Time Traffic Information for the navigation system. Important information exactly where you want it: BMW Head-Up Display. One of the highlights of the range of BMW ConnectedDrive driver assistance systems is the BMW Head-Up Display, which projects relevant driving information onto the windshield using a full spectrum of color. As well as vehicle speed, 3D graphics also show Check Control messages, navigation information – including lane recommendations and speed limits – and further information supplied by the driver assistance systems in the driver’s direct field of view. When required, telephone contact lists and entertainment information can also be displayed. The multifunction instrument display also contributes to the full-blooded driving pleasure laid on by the new BMW 6 Series. This variant of the cockpit display takes its cues from the mode selected using the Driving Dynamics Control switch, the graphics and colors of the displays indicating clearly which of the COMFORT, ECO PRO and SPORT settings has been engaged. Speed Limit Info and the Lane Departure Warning system are also designed to promote assured driving. Meanwhile, the Park Distance Control, rear view camera and Surround View options help to provide a better overview of the area around the car and the road ahead. The optional Parking Assistant helps the driver to identify and drive into parallel parking spaces. Driving enjoyment and safety in darkness are enhanced by the standard Adaptive LED Headlights and the available BMW Night Vision system with pedestrian and animal recognition. Active Cruise Control Stop & Go + Active Driving Assistant use intelligent connectivity to optimize safety. Among the other innovative technologies on the options list is the Active Cruise Control Stop & Go + Active Driving Assistant safety package. This camera and radar-based driver assistance system includes the Active Cruise Control system with Stop & Go function, the Lane Departure Warning system and a Pedestrian and Collision Warning system with Braking function. This system detects standing vehicles and vehicles travelling ahead and also, at speeds up to 37 mph, pedestrians who are on a potential collision course with the car. Visual and audible warnings are given if a hazardous situation is detected, and at the same time the brake system is primed in order to reduce the stopping distance. If the driver fails to react to the warning, the brakes are automatically engaged, if necessary applying maximum deceleration. ConnectedDrive Services for greater convenience and mobile office functions. An embedded SIM card in the BMW 6 Series models opens up new scope for mobile communications and the use of online services inside the car. ConnectedDrive Services take the levels of convenience and variety offered in the areas of onboard office applications, navigation capability and in-car information to unrivalled heights – thanks to innovative services such as the remote functions and the BMW Online portal. One feature unmatched by the new BMW 6 Series’ rivals is the Concierge Service from BMW ConnectedDrive. This option offers the driver a personal information service which – using a mobile phone connection – can be contacted via the iDrive menu around the clock, at the touch of a button and at no additional cost. The staff at the call center can take care of hotel reservations, for example, look up flight information, seek out addresses of after-hours pharmacies or ATM machines and provide information on points of interest. Telephone numbers and addresses for the navigation system can be sent directly from the call center to the car and then transferred by the driver at the touch of a button into their navigation system. Many other BMW ConnectedDrive services can be installed at any time using apps, via a smartphone or the embedded SIM card. Among other things, these apps support web radio functions, social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, and the BMW ConnectedDrive range of online entertainment features, which offer access to more than 24 million music tracks and thousands of audio books. This flexible apps concept makes it possible to incorporate not just applications developed by the BMW Group but also “BMW Apps ready” applications from other providers. The New BMW M6 Coupe, M6 Convertible and M6 Gran Coupe The pinnacle of luxury and performance.. Wider range of standard equipment, including Adaptive Full LED headlights. Cutting-edge tech-style interior with new Central Information Display and center console in black panel design. Through subtle enhancements, the newly enhanced BMW M6 Coupe, BMW M6 Gran Coupe, and new BMW M6 Convertible allow BMW M GmbH to reinforce its legendary leadership position in the ultra-high-performance luxury segment. The outgoing models had already set new benchmarks with the flawless balance of power, efficiency, agility, comfort and luxury that is typical of M models. And now the new BMW M6 Coupe, Convertible and Gran Coupe are poised to write the next chapter in this success story, fueled by enhancements to rock-solid performers. Powerful, sporty appearance. The enhanced BMW M6 Coupe, BMW M6 Convertible and BMW M6 Gran Coupe announce their high-performance credentials before even turning a wheel thanks to an athletic and dynamic appearance. New, standard Adaptive LED headlights make the intentions immediately clear – the M‑specific double-bar kidney grille and eye-catching front apron with large air intakes see to that. The powerfully sculpted front wing mirrors with hallmark M gills (with integrated side indicators), the side skirts and the forged 19-inch M light-alloy wheels (BMW M6 Gran Coupe features forged 20-inch M light-alloy wheels) only add to this impression. The sporting looks of the new BMW M6 Coupe, BMW M6 Convertible and BMW M6 Gran Coupe are rounded off by a rear apron with integrated diffuser insert, two sets of M-specific twin tailpipes and the M6 logo on the trunk lid. Another unique M feature is the ultra-lightweight contoured carbon fiber roof of the BMW M6 Coupe and new BMW M6 Gran Coupe, which also helps to lower the cars’ center of gravity. The sporty and luxurious high-performance essence of BMW M also shines through the interior of the new BMW M6 Coupe, BMW M6 Convertible and BMW M6 Gran Coupe. Key elements here are the M leather steering wheel featuring shift paddles for the M Double Clutch Transmission with Drivelogic and M Drive, along with the distinctive M gearshift lever, special M instrument cluster, enhanced-style iDrive screen, center console in black panel look and an M-specific Head-Up Display. Setting the seal on the unique Merino full-leather interior appointments with contrast stitching are the electrically adjustable M multifunction seats, illuminated M door sill finishers with M6 logo, and an M driver’s footrest. Monstrous performance and excellent efficiency. The exceptional performance and efficiency of the new BMW M6 Coupe, BMW M6 Convertible and BMW M6 Gran Coupe are made possible by the remarkable 4.4-liter M turbocharged V8 engine. This high-tech engine features innovative M TwinPower Turbo technology – consisting of a pair of twin scroll turbochargers feeding a patented cross-bank exhaust manifold, High Precision Direct Injection, Double-VANOS variable cam-timing system, andValvetronic high-rev throttle-less intake technology. These systems work in harmony to reinforce the customary M driving attributes, such as linear control, instantaneous responses, an appetite for revs, consistent power delivery, and familiar M acoustic feedback. At the same time, the M turbocharged engine is relatively efficient, making for excellent fuel efficiency in everyday circumstances. The 4.4-liter M turbocharged V8 engine develops 560 hp between 6,000 and 7,000 rpm in the new BMW M6 Coupe, BMW M6 Convertible and BMW M6 Gran Coupe, and its peak torque of (500 lb-ft) is available across a broad rev band (1,500 – 5,750 rpm). Its excellent power delivery allows the new BMW M6 Coupe to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h / 62 mph in 4.2 seconds (BMW M6 Convertible 4.3 sec., BMW M6 Gran Coupe 4.2 sec.), in preliminary testing. The top speed of the new BMW M triumvirate is electrically limited to (155 mph). The new BMW M6 models transfer the engine’s power to the rear wheels via a 7-speed M Double Clutch Transmission (M DCT) with Drivelogic. M DCT upshifts with no interruption in the flow of power and features the Low Speed Assistant, enabling low speed functionality (up to 9 mph) when signaled by the driver with a light touch of the accelerator. The driver can also choose to take control manually using the paddles on the steering wheel. The standard Active M Differential is an extremely important feature in the cars’ athletic ability. It proactively splits the engine’s power between the rear wheels according to the driving situation, driver inputs, and the conditions of the road, thus improving power delivery during exit from a corner. Likewise, during off-power scenarios, the Active M Differential may proactively decouple the rear axles for maximum stability while cornering and braking. M Carbon Ceramic Brakes may be specified as an option for the new BMW M6 Coupe, BMW M6 Convertible and BMW M6 Gran Coupe. Exclusive appearance and innovative options. The updated BMW M6 Coupe, BMW M6 Convertible and BMW M6 Gran Coupe leave the factory with an extensive and unique range of equipment fitted as standard. New features include Jatoba Brown metallic paint, Aragon Brown Full Merino Leather upholstery and stylistic accents in classy black chrome. Customers can also decide to give their car an even more personal touch with items from the BMW Individual range. This brings into play multiple choices of BMW Individual paint finishes, upholsteries, and interior trims. M6 customers will also find the innovative driver assistance systems and mobility services from BMW ConnectedDrive at their disposal. Drivers with more ambitious sporting inclinations are sure to love the color BMW Head‑Up Display with M-specific layout, including speedometer, tachometer, gear position, and shift lights. Likewise developed for driving enthusiasts are the BMW M Laptimer app designed to help a driver analyze his or her skills in a closed course environment, and the GoPro app, which operates a GoPro action camera mounted somewhere in or on the vehicle. You are here: Home \\ Extras \\ Press Releases	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line188
__label__wiki	0.97143	0.97143	Jayden Cangro Jayden Cangro was a happy loving 2 year old boy! He had a beautiful loving family. Jayden lived in Taylorsville, Utah. When Jayden was at home with his mom’s boyfriend while she worked, Jayden was thrown 9 feet and died from his injuries. Reports say Jayden would not stop crying and didnt want to go to bed. An autopsy showed the toddler died of head trauma, and a medical examiner said there were bruises on the child's back, buttocks, chest, abdomen and face. He also had several broken ribs. From Deseret News archives: Man pleads guilty in death of ex-girlfriend's 2-year-old Plea agreement gives him 0 to 5 years behind bars Published: Sunday, Oct. 14, 2007 12:22 a.m. MDT By Linda Thomson, Deseret News Carly Moore remembered that when she bid her 2-year-old son goodbye as she left for work the last time she saw him alive, Jayden Cangro didn't want her to leave. "The next time I saw him he was lying on a bed in the hospital," Moore told 3rd District Judge Stephen Henriod Friday. "I am haunted by the memory of holding my dead son wrapped in a blanket in a hospital room. I didn't want to let him go. From the archies "The next time I saw him was in his casket, and he didn't look like himself; there was too much makeup to cover up the massive bruises on his face." Moore's ex-boyfriend, Phillip Justin Guymon, 30, on Friday pleaded guilty to beating the little boy and smashing him into a wall on July 31, 2006. An autopsy showed the toddler died of head trauma, and a medical examiner said there were bruises on the child's back, buttocks, chest, abdomen and face. He also had several broken ribs. Guymon had been baby-sitting Jayden and his 6-year-old sister but apparently grew enraged by Jayden's crying and reluctance to go to bed. Guymon told police several different stories about how the boy got hurt. Guymon was charged with second-degree felony child abuse homicide and pleaded guilty to that charge, but through a complex plea agreement was sentenced for a third-degree felony, which is zero to five years behind bars. "There's no way you can replace the life of a child," Henriod said. "I'm going to make the strongest possible recommendation I can make (to the board of pardons) that you serve every single day of your sentence." Guymon made no statement in court other than briefly answering the judge's questions. But Jayden's mother had a great deal to say. "Phillip had a bad temper, and he took it out on a beautiful baby boy," Moore said, weeping. "Nothing will ever be enough justice for my sweet little boy." She said she thinks of her lost child every day and sleeps with half of Jayden's favorite blanket. "The other half was buried with him." Nanci Thamert, Moore's mother and Jayden's grandmother, glared at Guymon as she recounted the pain her family has endured. "This shouldn't have happened — you're a monster," she told Guymon, with sorrow and outrage in her voice. Thamert said Guymon could have taken a deep breath and just walked away if he could not deal with a crying child. He also could have called her or Moore to come and take charge of Jayden and his terrified sister. "What a big man you are, Phillip," Thamert jeered, peering intently at Guymon, who was staring at the floor. "You aren't looking at me, but I'm looking at you. There's a place in hell for people like you." Earlier in Henriod's court, another man received two prison terms of up to 15 years each for drug crimes. Thamert said she understood legal complications made a plea bargain the best way to go in Guymon's case, and it did produce a conviction. But to her, Guymon's sentence seems pathetically light for killing a toddler. "Five years for a death," Thamert said. "I just think kids don't have any rights." Birth: May 18, 2004 Death: Jul. 31, 2006 He is survived by his mommy Carly, 'sissy' Taylor, father James, Nana, Poppy, Uncle Rees, Aunt Brandy, Grandma Carol and all family and close friends. He came down and touched all of our hearts in such a way it will last forever. From Salt Lake Tribune:A police statement says Phillip J. Guymon admitted to lifting a toddler and throwing him across the room. The boy, 2-year-old Jaden Cangro, died Monday night from his injuries. Police aren't sure Guymon is telling them the entire truth about what happened to the boy, but they gathered sufficient evidence to book Guymon into the Salt Lake County jail on Tuesday without bail. Detectives "are really digging into this and seeing what he said and what the physical evidence says," said Murray police spokesman Kenny Bass. Jaden lived with his 5-year-old sister, their mother and Guymon, her boyfriend, in a house in the 1200 West block of Eagle Nest Drive (6110 South) in Taylorsville. Guymon was caring for the children Monday while their mother was at work, police said. A police statement filed with the jail says Guymon told investigators the boy was crying and Guymon placed him in a crib or bed. Guymon shut the door then opened it again sometime later, the statement says. He yelled at Jaden and the boy fell out of the bed, according to the statement. Then Guymon claims, according to the statement, he picked up Jaden and threw him. Police said Jaden landed about nine feet from the crib. But police aren't certain that's what happened. Bass said the statement filed with jail recounts one of multiple statements made by Guymon. "Some were true and some were not," Bass said. The state medical examiner took Jaden's body on Tuesday and Bass said detectives are waiting for autopsy results to learn whether the trauma to Jaden is consistent with Guymon's statements. Guymon called 911 about 7 p.m. The dispatcher reported to police the child was not breathing, Bass said. A helicopter flew Jaden to Primary Children's Medical Center, but there was a discrepancy Tuesday about whether he died at the hospital or en route. Bass said police had no previous reports of child abuse at Jaden's home. Guymon has convictions in Utah district courts for misdemeanor drug possession Salt Lake City Cemetery Created by: Anonymous Record added: Aug 05, 2006 Find A Grave Memorial# 15154722	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line194
__label__cc	0.567438	0.432562	AboutCurrently selected Diocesan-Archives Diocesan ArchivesCurrently selected Diocese > About > Diocesan Archives Diocese of Greensburg Archives The Diocese of Greensburg Archives collects and preserves the historic and executive records and artifacts of the four-county diocese which was established in 1951. The collections of the Archives include the personal and public papers of the previous diocesan bishops, parish histories, historical photographs, records of diocesan offices and a variety of historic media on various multimedia formats. The overall mission and purpose of the Greensburg Diocesan Archives is to collect, preserve, and make available those historic documents and artifacts that compose the historic Catholic patrimony of this region. It's the determination of the archives staff to fuel the future endeavors of this diocese with the record of its past achievements and undertakings. For a list of former churches of the Diocese of Greensburg and their successor parishes, visit our Former Churches Directory. 723 E. Pittsburgh Street Email: archives@dioceseofgreensburg.org	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line195
__label__wiki	0.952219	0.952219	Crown won't seek dangerous offender status for Gordon Stuckless Published Tuesday, December 15, 2015 TORONTO -- The lawyer for the man at the heart of the Maple Leaf Gardens sex abuse scandal says prosecutors have decided not to seek a dangerous offender designation for his client. Ari Goldkind says the Crown has also chosen not to pursue long-term offender status for Gordon Stuckless, who pleaded guilty last year to 100 charges related to the sexual abuse of 18 boys decades ago. Stuckless was later found guilty of two additional charges of gross indecency linked to two of the 18 victims. His case is currently in its sentencing phase. Crown lawyers had previously indicated they wanted him labelled a dangerous offender, which would allow an indefinite sentence. A long-term offender designation, meanwhile, can result in supervision of up to 10 years in the community after incarceration. Goldkind has said the dangerous offender label is unwarranted, particularly since his client has abided by the law since his previous convictions and voluntarily undergoes chemical castration. This fall, a court-ordered psychiatric assessment found Stuckless did not meet the criteria for dangerous offender status, while recognizing that the court could reach a different conclusion. Stuckless also pleaded guilty in 1997 for sex assaults on 24 boys while he was an usher at Toronto's Maple Leaf Gardens between 1969 and 1988. He was sentenced to two years less a day in that case, but that was later increased to five years. He was paroled in 2001 after serving two-thirds of his sentence. TORONTO -- Snowbirds hoping to skip the line in Canada by flying to Florida for COVID-19 vaccines now face a tougher set of rules aimed at snuffing vaccine tourism. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Tuesday that anyone who owns property in Florida and lives there at least part-time will qualify for the vaccine, but travellers who aren’t state residents will no longer be eligible. Source WASHINGTON -- U.S. President Joe Biden returned the United States to the worldwide fight to slow global warming in one of his first official acts Wednesday and immediately launched a series of climate-friendly efforts that would transform how Americans drive and get their power. Source B.C. man wanted in connection with Manitoba murder arrested after months on the run RCMP say a man wanted in connection with a murder investigation in Winnipeg and a kidnapping and assault probe in Surrey, B.C., has been arrested after months on the run. Mounties say Dyllan Petrin was picked up Tuesday after police learned he had been hiding out in Vancouver. Source ST. JOHN'S, N.L. -- A massive snow sculpture on a St. John's lawn depicting former United States president Donald Trump drowning in a sea of blue drew visitors all day on Wednesday. The sculpture depicts Trump with his arms up, mouth open and hair aflutter, while his signature red tie floats out before him on the blue-painted snow. Source	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line196
__label__wiki	0.995695	0.995695	[saturday, march 31, 2012] show: all posts \| rants & reviews \| interviews \| ratings \| video Interview: "Bones" Creator Hart Hanson The showrunner chats about today's renewal, the future of "The Finder" and more! Interview: "Fairly Legal" Star Sarah Shahi The drama continues its second season on Friday nights at 9:00/8:00c on USA. Live at the Paley Festival: ABC's "Modern Family" Check out our recap of the final night of The 29th Annual Paley Festival. Live at the Paley Festival: AMC's "Mad Men" Check out our recap of night 12 of The 29th Annual Paley Festival. Live at the Paley Festival: CBS's "Two and a Half Men" Interview: "Smash" Executive Producer David Marshall Grant The "Brothers & Sisters" alum chats about what's on tap for the NBC drama, airing Mondays at 10:00/9:00c. Live at the Paley Festival: ABC's "Revenge" Check out our recap of day 10 of The 29th Annual Paley Festival. Live at the Paley Festival: The CW's "The Vampire Diaries" Check out our recap of night nine of The 29th Annual Paley Festival. Live at the Paley Festival: ABC's "Castle" Check out our recap of night eight of The 29th Annual Paley Festival. Interview: "Shameless" Executive Producer John Wells The prolific writer/director chats about his Showtime series as well as TNT's "Southland." Live at the Paley Festival: FOX's "Bones" Check out our recap of night seven of The 29th Annual Paley Festival. Live at the Paley Festival: FX's "Sons of Anarchy" Check out our recap of night six of The 29th Annual Paley Festival. Live at the Hollywood Radio & Television Society's "Newsmaker Luncheon Series: Cable Programming Summit" Check out our recap of the event, featuring Michael Wright, Joel Stillerman, David Janollari, Kate Juergens and Carmi Zlotnik. Live at the Paley Festival: NBC's "Parks & Recreation" Check out our recap of night five of The 29th Annual Paley Festival. Live at the Paley Festival: FOX's "New Girl" Check out our recap of night four of The 29th Annual Paley Festival. Live at the Paley Festival: ABC's "Once Upon a Time" Check out our recap of day three of The 29th Annual Paley Festival. Live at the Paley Festival: NBC's "Community" Check out our recap of night two of The 29th Annual Paley Festival. Live at the Paley Festival: FX's "American Horror Story" Check out our recap of night one of The 29th Annual Paley Festival. Interview: "Once Upon a Time" Co-Creators Edward Kitsis & Adam Horowitz The minds behind the freshman hit chat about this week's episode and beyond. Interview: "Psych" Creator Steve Franks The USA series resumes its sixth season tonight at 10:00/9:00c. Interview: "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" Executive Producer Don McGill The writer/producer chats about the additions of Ted Danson and Elisabeth Shue, tonight's episode and more! Interview: "Revenge" Co-Stars Josh Bowman, Gabriel Mann & Nick Wechsler The actors - along with executive producer Marty Bowen and director Sanford Bookstaver - react to tonight's shocking episode. Interview: "The Vampire Diaries" Co-Stars Ian Somerhalder, Candice Accola, Joseph Morgan & Zach Roerig The quartet preview tonight's installment - and beyond - of the hit CW drama. Interview: "One Tree Hill" Creator Mark Schwahn The show's mastermind chats about what's in store for its swan song. Interview: "Gossip Girl" Executive Producer Josh Safran The writer/producer teases tonight's 100th episode and beyond. Interview: "Spartacus: Vengeance" Creator Steven S. DeKnight Starz's flagship drama kicks off its second season tonight at 10:00/9:00c. Interview: "Alcatraz" Co-Stars Jorge Garcia & Sarah Jones Plus: executive producer Jack Bender on the new drama, premiering tonight on FOX. Interview: "It's a Brad, Brad World" Star Brad Goreski "The Rachel Zoe Project" alumnus kicks off his own series tonight at 10:00/9:00c on Bravo. Interview: "Burn Notice" Creator Matt Nix The always entertaining showrunner teases tonight's Renny Harlin-directed season finale. Interview: "Dexter" Executive Producer Scott Buck The showrunner chats about tonight's installment and teases what's on tap going forward. Interview: "I Hate My Teenage Daughter" Creators Sherry Bilsing-Graham & Ellen Kreamer The comedy, starring Jaime Pressly and Katie Finneran, premieres tonight after "The X Factor" on FOX. Interview: "Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood" Stars Tori Spelling & Dean McDermott The veteran reality series returns for its sixth season tonight at 10:00/9:00c on Oxygen. Interview: "Covert Affairs" Creators Matt Corman & Chris Ord The duo look back at - and tease what's ahead on - their hit USA drama, which continues tonight at 10:00/9:00c. Live at the Hollywood Radio & Television Society's "Newsmaker Luncheon Series: A Conversation with Leslie Moonves" The CBS Corporation President & CEO talks Netflix, Charlie Sheen and more from the TV landscape. Interview: "Revenge" Creator Mike Kelley The Emily VanCamp-led drama continues its freshman run tonight at 10:00/9:00c on ABC. Interview: "Suburgatory" Creator Emily Kapnek The hit comedy, starring Jeremy Sisto and Jane Levy, continues tonight at 8:30/7:30c on ABC. Interview: "Body of Proof" Creator Christopher Murphey The Dana Delany-led drama continues Tuesday nights at 10:00/9:00c on ABC. Interview: "The Vampire Diaries" Executive Producer Julie Plec The CW's hit drama airs its fall finale tonight at 8:00/7:00c. Interview: WE tv SVP of Original Production & Development John Miller The executive stops by to chat about "Braxton Family Values," which returns tonight at 9:00/8:00c. Interview: "Parenthood" Executive Producer Jason Katims The NBC drama's showrunner chats about what's in store for the Braverman clan. Interview: "Castle" Creator Andrew W. Marlowe The show's mastermind chats about what's transpired and what's ahead on the ABC drama. Interview: "A Gifted Man" Executive Producer Neal Baer The Patrick Wilson-led drama continues with a new episode tonight at 8:00/7:00c on CBS. Interview: "Once Upon a Time" Co-Stars Ginnifer Goodwin, Josh Dallas & Lana Parrilla Plus: Raphael Sbarge and executive producer Steven Pearlman on the new ABC drama, premiering Sunday. Interview: "Hart of Dixie" Creator Leila Gerstein Plus: co-stars Cress Williams, Scott Porter, Jamie King and Wilson Bethel chat about their new CW series. Live at the Hollywood Radio & Television Society's "Newsmaker Luncheon Series: The Network Chiefs" Check out our recap of Tuesday's event featuring the entertainment presidents of ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC and The CW. Interview: "Ringer" Co-Creator Eric Charmelo & Executive Producer Pam Veasey The minds behind the Sarah Michelle Gellar-led drama chat about tonight's shocking episode. Interview: "Fringe" Co-Star John Noble The FOX drama continues its fourth season tonight at 9:00/8:00c. Interview: "The Good Wife" Creators Robert & Michelle King The CBS drama kicks off its third season this Sunday at 9:00/8:00c. Interview: "Supernatural's" Sera Gamble & Robert Singer The executive producers tease the new season, premiering tonight at 9:00/8:00c on The CW. Interview: "Nikita's" Craig Silverstein & Shane West The CW drama kicks off its second season this Friday at 8:00/7:00c. next page of results >> most recent interviews \| view all posts Interview: "The Chris Downey Podcast" Host Chris Downey The "Leverage" co-creator chats about his unique podcasting adventure, plus the future of his former TNT series. Interview: "103 Ways to Get Into TV (By 102 Who Did, Plus Me)" Author Jim McKairnes The former CBS executive chats about his new book, about how to come to Los Angeles and succeed in the television business. Interview: "Once Upon a Time" Co-Stars Josh Dallas & Robert Carlyle Plus: Jennifer Morrison, Lana Parrilla and Steve Pearlman talk season two of the ABC drama. Interview: "Once Upon a Time" Co-Stars Ginnifer Goodwin & Jennifer Morrison Plus: Colin O'Donoghue, Josh Dallas, Lana Parrilla and Robert Carlyle talk season two of the ABC drama. Interview: Head of MTV Programming David Janollari The Viacom-owned network chief talks everything from "Underemployed" to "Teen Wolf" to "Jersey Shore." Check out our chat about tonight's season premiere of Showtime's flagship drama. Interview: "NCIS" Executive Producer Gary Glasberg The CBS mainstay kicks off its landmark 10th season tonight at 8:00/7:00c. Interview: "Bones" Executive Producers Hart Hanson & Stephen Nathan Season eight of the FOX drama kicks off tonight at 8:00/7:00c. Interview: "Hell on Wheels" Executive Producer John Shiban The Anson Mount-led drama continues Sunday nights at 9:00/8:00c on AMC. Interview: "America's Next Top Model" Creative Consultant Johnny Wujek The CW's reality franchise now airs Friday nights at 8:00/7:00c on the network. Interview: "Grimm" Co-Creators David Greenwalt & Jim Kouf The showrunners chat about the show's second season, airing Monday nights at 10:00/9:00c on NBC. Interview: "Boss" Creator Farhad Safinia The Starz drama kicks off its second season tonight at 9:00/8:00c. Interview: "Necessary Roughness" Co-Stars Callie Thorne, Marc Blucas & Mehcad Brooks Plus: executive producer Kevin Dowling on the new season, airing Wednesdays at 10:00/9:00c on USA. Interview: "Falling Skies" Executive Producer Remi Aubuchon TNT's hit drama returns with a two-hour premiere this Sunday at 9:00/8:00c. Interview: "The Choice" & "So You Think You Can Dance" Host Cat Deeley The ever-busy Brit is also behind Yahoo!'s online series "In The Dressing Room." more interviews >>	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line202
__label__cc	0.5569	0.4431	Posted on December 20, 2011 by thejerseychaser Kim Jong Il’s son an NBA fan The world was shocked at the new of North Korean leader Kim Jon Il’s sudden death of a heart attack. The White House said Monday it is too early to tell whether the leader’s death opens the door for better relations with the U.S. Not much is known about the new leader, Kim Jon Il’s son Kim Jong-un. In fact, only one picture exsisted of Kim Jong-un until 2010, but according to a childhood friend the new leader of the DPRK is a big NBA fan. Joao Micaelo revealed to CNN that growing up the future dictator loved playing basektball, playing basketball videos on PlayStation and was a big fan of Michael Jordan. “The whole world for him was just basketball all the time,” Micaelo told CNN. Good thing the five-month NBA lock out was resolved before the leader of the 8th nuclear weapons country came into power. But fear not NBA fans, according to Micaelo, “I can just say what I know, when he was 16, he was a good guy, so I don’t think he would do something bad.” Posted in NBA and tagged Kim Jong Il, Kim Jung-un, NBA, North Korea. Bookmark the permalink. Video Jersey Chaser of the Month LA Lakers Green Bay Packers MLB Cleveland Cavaliers Cincinnati Bengals NFL NY Jets Jenn Sterger Chicago Blackhawks Dallas Cowboys LeBron lockout San Antonio Spurs Tony Parker Olympics Tim Tebow Minnesota Vikings Detroit Red Wings Tom Brady Pittsburgh Steelers Chicago Bulls Bio jersey chasing Brent Barry World Cup Denver Broncos Lamar Odom NCAA football Khloe Kardashian Kim Kardashian Miami Heat Kris Humphries Super Bowl Eva Longoria Soccer NBA Michael Vick Jay Cutler New England Patriots Detroit Tigers Tiger Woods NHL NCAA Basketball Chicago Bears Erin Barry Reggie Bush Alexander Ovechkin Brett Favre	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line204
__label__cc	0.666871	0.333129	Importance of Wholeness I reflect on Andy's notes and Frode's tools. They are all fascinating and hold important insight. Andy's note tool has remarkable similarity to the fed wiki. He presents hyperlinked short pages that create a type of line-up. There are elements that are nicely interactive, but it starts to feel clumsy when the lineup is long. I most appreciated, though, his thoughts within this tool as they mirror conversations that I have had with Ward that underpin our partnership together – he as a tool maker and me as a tool user. While Andy talks about a 'thinking tool' (a reference that I just read but cannot now easily find as his tool lacks a search function but a reference I was able to find in a wiki page that I had forgotten I had written: More than a Delusion), Frode has created new writing and reading tools with wonderful functionality, based on Text as Symbols. I sense that this distinction between thinking, writing and reading tools is important. My experience is that the wiki is first and foremost a thinking tool – one that helps a creator to make meaning of Emergent Ideas. From a vortex of unknowing, these ideas appear. The environment of the wiki challenges the creator to make those ideas whole, a word, a paragraph, a page, at a time. From there, given a Guiding Intention, those concepts develop a harmonic resonance that allows patterns to emerge – fractal patterns of meaning – forming increasingly higher abstractions of wholeness. In the last few weeks, as my work with educators accelerates, we have been focusing on the wiki as a reading tool for others. We have written a guide to a new learning framework that we have developed to introduce the experience of agile-based learning to educators. This wiki not only provides online interactive exploration but we are also seeking new ways to easily publish the content in a printable format. Wiki as a Creating Tool I sense that our success in fulfilling the promise of the wiki will be based on others appreciating not only the primary three dimensions of the wiki – a thinking, writing, and reading tool – but also new dimensions that are emerging, as a discovery and a publishing tool. Imagine, for a moment where, through dynamic data visualization, the wiki helps us discover surprise that emerges from complex systems that leads to insight that forms into new patterns of understanding, understanding that develops into a comprehensive body of meaning that can not only be interactively explored but published into a printable page. Quickly. The wiki as an integrated 'creating tool'. Now, that would be interesting. I think about this possibility after noticing how, because of the inherent nature of the wiki, much of a comprehensive 120 page DIG guide was built in just a few days, one that included the creation of a new pattern language to support this new learning framework. Now, that was remarkable.	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line209
__label__wiki	0.892954	0.892954	True Detective is better than ever By Julien Rodger What separates the new season of True Detective from the first two is the central case of the season is the most compelling of the three. Season 1’s strengths were the character development of Cohle and Hart, atmospheric directing of the show, or dense literary allusions if that’s your thing, but the trail of the Yellow King was a somewhat hazy sequence of paperwork, clues and witnesses. Season 2 literally lost the plot. If one defends the season as I have it’s typically with character moments or cinematography and its allusions are perhaps even denser, but keeping track of the case they were solving was the TV equivalent of beating the hoverboard level of Battletoads on SNES. In Season 3 the mystery of two children disappearing complete with the grieving father in shock is emotionally engaging, as is understanding what happened in Wayne’s life in 1980 and 1990 that even the 75 year old present version is struggling to remember. His wife writing a book about the case in the past and whether her literary ambition had a cost is another question to unravel. At the same the season is about love between Wayne’s relationship with his wife who he meets in 1980 and is dead by present day, Wayne’s love for his own children along with the pain of the father who lost his in 1980 in Tom Purcell, and the unique bond between partners in Wayne and Roland. Mahershala Ali is remarkably believable as a 75 year old with dementia, paranoid father in 1990 and war damaged loner in 1980. Wayne’s past as a long-range reconnaissance patrol in Vietnam shows up in the intensity he delves into the case and how he withholds his emotions such as anger or frustration. When he meets his future wife one can tell by his body reactions how he already feels about her. Stephen Dorff is also superb as his more down to earth partner, especially in the 3rd episode when his version of events to the investigators in 1990 dictates much of the episode. Carmen Ejogo brings an air of mystery and untrustworthiness to her character, and Scoot McNairy plays the part of the father breaking down in shame over losing his kids and being weak excellently. By returning to its Season 1 roots but upping the mystery ante, True Detective arguably has the best mix of plot, character and directing it has had to date. Visit the forum for more discussion	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line211
__label__cc	0.724216	0.275784	US Army Arabic Language Education The best Arabic language education in the entire world is at the US Army Defense Language Institute, located in Monterey California. People work hard to get the chance to attend the DLS School, and they come from all over. Most of the students are from the United States Military, and they are trained to be skilled translators and linguists for a wide variety of federal agencies, military or government applications. Some of the linguists that are trained at the DLS school work with allies or nations that are friendly to the USA. Learning Arabic is a job not for the timid. It takes an excellent student to attempt to learn Arabic, it is considered a level 6 language, and only the most gifted DLS students are allowed to try. It takes a special kind of student to attempt it and only a select few emerge successful after an intense sixty-three week course of study. Students study hard, and have up to two hours of homework a night. The instructors have taught for decades, and they are experts, and they treat students with respect, assistance and concern. The selection process is rigorous, but even so about one in three students, or thirty percent, do not make it and are dis-enrolled. The student work hard, and take home Walkman type sound recordings to practice on their own time. It is a school that is very serious, student work after school, and even on weekends during their time there. Students listen to recordings they make in class, and read media published in the language they are studying. The US Army has maintained the DLS school for nearly 60 years, and learning a language is only part of the process. Students learn to speak, write and recognize the language. They work to become fluent, and conversational use of the language that they are studying is a vital part of what they accomplish. Arabic is just one of the languages taught at the Defense Language Institute, but as such it is a category Six language. There are other languages that are simple and easier, but along with Russian, Arabic is one of the most difficult as a category six skill language. Are you interested in an exciting career in the Military? See if you qualify. Click Here Now! One of the best issues that the DLS uses is that the instructors are where ever possible Native speakers. This gives the DLS Language institute an advantage that many other schools don?t have. Filed Under: Education, Updates Grant J. Mcduffie says I am very interested in how to get in this 63 week school to speak Arab. I am active duty Army. I would possibly be interested in reenlisting for this school, I have a 110 GT score exactly, would I be eligible at all? Thank you. elias aldaoud says i am Elias aldoud from Jordan middle east ,i was wondering if you need some one to teach Arabic sir? my country of residence now is jordan. fatima says I have master in arabic littererature but I haven”t citizenship yet,I have a green card Hassan says A highly qualified Arabic teacher Mohammad Abufarah says Arabic is my native language, and I’m very interesting in teaching it within the US Military. I’m wondering how I can be able to do,Do I need any kind of certification? Mr Hassan HAMMA says Dear Sir,Madam, Mr Hamma has already had his BA equivalent from WES New USA. At 21 years of age, he lived in France for two years to French and English in the University of Grenoble. After graduating with a BA in Arabic literature from the second University in casablanca, Morocco,he has received a German Language Certificate from the Geothe institute in Morocco. Now,he is a highly,qualified and experienced teacher,he is fluent in Arabic,French,English and German. He enjoys teaching students in a French school in Casablanca-Morocco. He is interested in joining a school to teach Arabic . Would you mind reading my CV please. Hassan HAMMA Born in Casablanca	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line214
__label__wiki	0.696257	0.696257	National University of Maynooth (NUIM) Accessibility advice for the proposed office fit out for an Irish Disability Organisation Accessibility appraisal of Limerick City Council’s City Hall Accessible Information Policy and Plan for University College Cork Accessible signage and wayfinding review at a large Irish hospital Arts and Disability Networking Initiative in Cork. Dublin Institute of Technology – Buildings Office Limerick County Council Limerick Institute of Technology Accessibility Policy and Action Plan OPW Dublin Castle Wexford County Council Wicklow Mountain National Park You are here: Home » Projects » Access Advice / Access Policy / Action Plans » Arts and Disability Networking Initiative in Cork. Access advice and access auditing services as part of the Arts and Disability Networking Initiative in Cork Arts and Disability Networking Cork is an innovative model, which aims to increase local capacity in the area of arts and disability. It involves a creative partnership between the Arts Council of Ireland, Arts and Disability Ireland and Cork City Council in association with the arts and disability sectors in Cork city. It offers training and support to personnel from venues and arts organisations as well as individual artists as a means of extending the scope of arts and disability practices, and promotes the presentation of high quality professional arts and disability work in local venues. O’Herlihy Access Consultancy was engaged by Arts and Disability Ireland in 2012 to provide access advice and access auditing services for four Arts venues in Cork. These venues included The Cork Opera House, The Everyman Theatre, The Firkin Crane and The Triskel Arts Centre. The services provided by O’Herlihy Access Consultancy included a detailed briefing with staff and management of the venues, access audits assessing the building, services and how the organisation makes information accessible and follow up presentations on accessible service delivery.	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line216
__label__cc	0.644386	0.355614	Moving and living in Spain for UK Nationals The process of becoming resident in Spain has been simplified as much as possible, and it now involves less paperwork and time. However it is strongly advisable that new residents complete all the required procedures when registering, opening a bank account, obtaining medical cover and registering cars and driving licences. This is likely to save them an enormous amount of time and trouble when dealing with other aspects of the bureaucracy. Please see the sections on these topics for full information. Entry and residence requirements Taking up residence in spain We advise that all residents obtain a residence card even if it is not obligatory for them, as it is easier to carry than a passport, and simplifies many of the other administration procedures for new residents. However, the information below shows who is legally required to hold a residence card. Who doesn’t need to obtain a residence card? UK nationals who are Employees, Self-employed, Students. EU national dependants of an EU or Spanish national or pensioners who have worked in Spain and receive their pension from the Spanish Social Security system no longer need to hold a residence card, and can live in Spain with a valid passport. (Dependants who are non-EU nationals still require a residence card.) Who must obtain a residence card? Pensioners who have retired to Spain, people of independent means and non-EU national dependants of an EU or Spanish national, are still required to apply for a residence card. They must apply for one of the following two types of card: Temporary residence card: intended stay of more than three months but less than one year. Ordinary residence card: intended stay of more than one year with a maximum validity of five years and renewable. How to apply for a residence card All those who wish to apply should submit the application form, available from the nearest Oficina de Extranjeros, to the local Provincial Police Station (Comisaría de Policía) or Foreigner’s Office (Oficina de Extranjeros). In Madrid this is at C/General Pardiñas 90, along with three passport size photographs, their passport and a photocopy of the original. The issue of a card is at the discretion of the Spanish authorities. Further information is available from the Spanish Ministry of the Interior, Tel: 900 150 000. You can also download an application form here Residents should ensure their passport is valid and shows next-of-kin details on the back page. They should keep their family informed of their address in Spain at all times. Using the Services of a ‘Gestor’ Many people – including Spanish nationals – find that using the services of a ‘Gestor’ is the best way to cope with paperwork. The ‘Gestor’ is not a lawyer as such but will produce the final result with minimum stress, usually for a reasonable fee. New residents can do most of the work themselves, but if they have little time, do not speak fluent Spanish, or are confused by the Spanish administration system, the ‘Gestor’ can be useful. However, ‘Gestores’ do not produce immediate results and residents should always obtain an estimate of costs before engaging their services. It is not uncommon for the ‘Gestor’ to require a down payment to cover the whole fee. Gestorías can be found in the Páginas Amarillas Non-residents: Visitors can open a bank account with a non-resident certificate, which they can get from the local Spanish police office (in Madrid, this is at the Brigada Provincial de Documentacion, c/Los Madrazos 9), by presenting their passport and a copy of the original and completing the application form. Visitors must close these accounts if they become resident. Residents: UK nationals resident in Spain can open a bank account with a residence card. If they do not have a residence card (see Entry and Residence Requirements), UK nationals can open a bank account with their passport and an NIE (Foreigner Identification number). How to obtain an NIE (Foreigner Identification No.) Residents can apply for an NIE at the local Police Station (Comisaría de Policía, in Madrid at c/General Pardiñas 90). They need to take their passport and a photocopy of the original, and fill in the application form. They must be prepared to prove they are in Spain legally, and show why they want an NIE. Alternatively their representative can go to the police station, with the documents to show why they want an NIE, or they can go to the Spanish Consulate in the UK. Transfer of capital There is generally no restriction on the import of capital into Spain, but it is advisable to keep records showing that the funds were transferred from abroad and not derived from income earned in Spain. Residents should check with their bank in case any special formalities are necessary. Transfers of Capital from Spain are governed by Spanish Foreign Exchange Regulations. Residents in Spain are allowed to take out up to 6,010.12 Euros in cash per trip before having to make a Customs Declaration. They may also bring that amount into Spain without having to declare it. Anything above that should be declared on Form B1, available on entry into Spain. Britiain has a double taxation agreement with Spain, to ensure people do not pay tax on the same income in both countries. However, taxation is a complex issue, and advice should be sought. The Spanish Finance Ministry publishes a book in English called ‘Taxation Regulations for Foreigners’. Further info: www.aeat.es Residents, including retired people, are liable to pay tax on income earned in Spain or from property held in Spain. This includes Property or Real Estate Tax, Wealth and Capital Gains Tax, VAT (IVA), Inheritance Tax, and local municipal charges. Medical cover and treatment in spain Residents in Spain should ensure they are covered by private insurance if Spanish Social Security does not cover them. Long-term residents Long-term residents in Spain who are not pensioners, employed persons or officially resident do not qualify for Spanish State health care or NHS treatment in England. UK nationals living in Spain are not entitled to health care in Spain at UK expense. Using an old UK-issued E111 to obtain Spanish health care (which is charged to the NHS) is fraud. They have no right to health care in the UK either, as they are not ordinarily resident there. However, they would receive emergency NHS health care in the UK, in the same way as those persons who are officially registered as resident in Spain may receive emergency healthcare in England while on a visit there. People in employment UK nationals working in Spain should be affiliated to the Spanish Social Security system and are covered by Spanish National Health care for which the employer will deduct social security contribution’s from the employee’s pay packet, usually on a monthly basis. Proof of such payments are shown on the pay slip. A social security number card should be obtained from the local Tesorer?a de Seguridad Social (in Madrid at c/Astros 5 y 7, Tel: 91 503 80 00). This should then be presented at the local medical centre (ambulatorio) along with the correct form, which will entitle the card holder to receive a medical card (tarjeta sanitaria) for ordinary health treatment. A list of medical centres in Madrid is available from the Provinicial Madrid Health Service (Instituto Madrile?o de la Salud), c/ Sagasta 6. Medicines are free if prescribed to treat work-related accidents or illness, otherwise patients pay 40% of the cost. The self-employed should first obtain an NIE (foreigner identification number) from the police (although we advise obtaining a residence card is easier and more useful) and the Alta Fiscal from the Head Tax Office (Hacienda). They should take these two documents to the nearest office of the Tesorer?a de Seguridad Social and ask for the Alta de Aut?nomo and the Inscripci?n en la Seguridad Social. They will receive a social security number card, which will entitle them to the tarjeta sanitaria (health card) from their nearest ambulatorio (medical centre), and full medical cover. The minimum social security contribution for medical cover is 208,18 Euros p/m. (25% less for those under 30, or women over 45). Working temporarily for a uk employer Anyone who works in Spain for up to a year is entitled to form E128, if the DSS or the Social Security Agency in Northern Ireland, confirm that they and their employer continue to pay UK national insurance contributions. Those employed on a temporary posting, and any dependants who accompany them, are entitled to treatment for ANY condition during the posting, using an E128. However, if they visit a third EU country, they are only entitled to emergency treatment and will need a UK-issued E111. If the job unexpectedly lasts longer than 12 months, and the appropriate insurance authorities in Spain agree, employees may remain under the UK scheme for a further period of not more than 12 months. UK nationals who are studying in Spain as an integral part of a recognised UK course are entitled to form E128 for up to two years. They, and any dependants who accompany them, are then entitled to treatment for ANY condition for the period of their course. They should apply to the National Insurance Contributions Office, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Tel: 0845 915 4811. If the studies are not a compulsory part of a UK course, students are covered by an E128 for up to 12 months. However, if they know in advance that a course will last longer than a year, they are not entitled to an E128. A student who is undertaking work in Spain that specifically relates to their studies is entitled to form E128 for up to two years. UK pensioners settling in spain UK pensioners (anyone receiving an Old Age Pension or a disability pension) who live in Spain will be entitled to receive free medical treatment under the same conditions as Spanish State Pensioners. The UK pays Spain an annual lump sum per pensioner to cover their health costs. To establish entitlement they must obtain form E121 from the DSS in the UK. To register a UK-issued form E121 they should go to the local INSS office – Oficina del Instituto Nacional de Seguridad Social (the main office in Madrid is c/Padre Damián 4-6, Tel: 91 568 83 00) with their E121, application for a residence card and their passport. The INSS will issue a ‘tarjeta de afiliación’ and assign the pensioner to an outpatients clinic (ambulatorio) and INSALUD doctor. They must apply for a residence card before they can register their E121. Prescribed medicines are free for pensioners and their dependents. Those who settle in Spain after early retirement, i.e. before the normal UK pensionable age (60 for women, 65 for men), should consult their local DSS office about their medical cover, possibly under form E106, before travelling. Ill or deteriorating health is costly, and the Spanish Health services do not cover the wide range of assistance pensioners may be used to in the UK. All EU citizens may expect the same social services as any Spanish citizen under the same conditions, subject to local waiting lists and financial contributions. However, they should bear in mind that such things as meals on wheels, day care centres and nursing homes, which are the responsibility of local, regional and municipal authorities, vary from district to district, may be scarce and welfare staff will not usually speak English. British citizens who have been in Spain for a long time may be admitted to Spanish State homes, but places are very limited even for Spanish pensioners, and there are no British Government or other officially subsidised places. Copies of the Guía Directorio de Centros para Personas Mayores (Directory of Nursing Homes) are available by writing to: IMSERSO, Departamento de Publicaciones, Avda de la Ilustración s/n, c/v Ginzo de Línea, 28029 Madrid. Tel: 91 363 88 88, Fax: 91 363 88 80, www.seg-social.es. More specific information can be obtained by contacting the Consejería de Trabajo y Asuntos Sociales or its equivalent in the area where the pensioner lives. Private residential homes, which provide various levels of treatment, from purely residential facilities to full-time nursing care and medical assistance, are expensive – probably no less than ?1000 per month, and staff will usually only speak Spanish. However, there are some British run homes, mainly on the Costa Blanca. It is advisable to take out private insurance, which will cover medical and dental treatment and even repatriation to the UK. People of independent means People of independent means should be entitled to healthcare on production of their residence card. The Tesorería de Seguridad Social should issue a social security number card with which they can obtain a tarjeta sanitaria (health card) from their local ambulatorio (medical centre). Returning to the UK Some UK nationals who have been living abroad for a prolonged period choose to go back to live in the UK. It is important that those in need of long-term care make, or have made for them, arrangements for care before returning to the UK. Entitlement to long-term care services also depends on being ordinarily resident in the UK (previous payment of income tax or NI contributions does not count). Local health or social services in the UK will need persuading that someone who may be completely unknown to them has any right to scarce local resources. Finding work in Spain There is a high level of unemployment in Spain, and it is often difficult for foreigners to find work. There is often temporary and seasonal work available e.g. in bars, mainly in holiday areas. Work can also usually be found as an English Teacher in one of the many language schools, although the better jobs will go to those with a qualification such as TEFL. A good knowledge of Spanish is normally essential for most long-term jobs. Job centres in the UK have details of vacancies throughout the EU, supplied to them through the EURES network, which supports free movement of workers within Europe. As well as UK job centres, EURES can be contacted through Job Centres in Spain (Oficinas de Empleo). For more information visit http://europa.eu.int/jobs/eures, or call 0114 259 6190. Employees may wish to seek legal advice before signing any contract for work. Companies with over fifty employees will normally have a trade union representative who can advise on basic rights and recommend a labour lawyer. Those looking for work are expected to support themselves while doing so. Unemployment benefit may be transferable to Spain for a limited period. Spanish benefits are not usually payable to non-Spanish nationals. Further information: INEM (National Employment Office). INEM: c/ Espartinas 10. 28001 Madrid. Tel: 91 576 89 02 Those who take up self-employment will need to apply for the necessary documentation. Information is available from PYME (the office for small and medium enterprises). The Ventanilla ?nica Service which helps those wishing to set up business may be helpful. Prospective self-employees can also ask for the Enterprise Creation Support Service (Servicio de Apoyo a la Creaci?n de Empresas) at their nearest Oficina de Empleo (Job Centre). The British Consulate-General in Madrid and the British Consulates in other cities are not equipped to provide an employment service and cannot reply to enquiries about openings for employment, enter into detailed correspondence or make arrangements in connection with paid or unpaid work. Nor can they intervene in disputes over employment, contracts etc. PYME : c/ Castelló 117. 28006 Madrid. Tel: 900 190 092. www.ipyme.org INEM: c/ Espartinas 10. 28001 Madrid. Tel: 91 576 89 02. www.inem.es Education is obligatory for all children aged 6-16 if the parents are legally resident in Spain, and is free from pre-school to 18 years. However as pre-school is not obligatory, not all children can gain a place. The availability of places depends on the area of Spain and demand for them. The British Council has details of schools in Spain which offer an English-type education. Most are members of the National Association of British Schools in Spain, which organises periodic inspections by British inspectors, in collaboration with the British Council. Paseo General Mart?nez Campos 31 Tel.: 91 337 35 66/ 00 www.britishcouncil.es Spanish british associations, clubs and expatriate organisations BRITISH EMBASSY CHURCH OF ST. GEORGE c/ Núñez de Balboa 43 Email: stgeorgemadrid@telefonica.net Sunday service: 8.30am, 10am and 11.15am COMMUNITY CHURCH OF MADRID Rev C. Bingman C/ Viña 3 Tel: 91 571 21 36/ 655 03 18 57 Sunday service: 11am Dr. D. Dixon C/ Hernández de Tejada 4 Sunday service: 11am & 7pm MADRID PRESBYTERIAN MINISTRIES Rev. J. Campbell MPM@MadridPres.org MOUNTAINVIEW INTERNATIONAL CHURCH R Richard Wallace c/ Playa de Sangenjo 26 28230 (Las Rozas) MADRID Email:richard@mountainview-church.com www.mountainview-church.com Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church The English-speaking Parish of Madrid Calle Dracena, 23 E-mail: olm@ourladyofmercy.info web site:http://ourladyofmercy.info/ C/ Balmés 3 Sociable English speaking field hockey team playing in the Madrid first division. . Enquiries to Mark – Tel: 91 541 12 00 FOOTBALL CLUB BRITÁNICO Long established English speaking team playing in the Local Spanish league. New players always welcome. Enquiries to Stewart Gibb – Tel: 91 742 2998 MADRID HASH HOUSE HARRIERS Cross-country runs & social gatherings. THE MADRID CRICKET CLUB Enquiries to Tom Fryer. Tel: 605 18 73 36 www.crickeintmadrid.com MADRID ULTIMATE FRISBEE Enquiries to Nico – Tel: 651 11 33 67 SOCIALBRITISH HISPANIC CULTURAL FOUNDATION Cultural and social events. Enquiries to Mrs P. Arriete – Tel: 91 345 63 44BRITISH LADIES ASSOCIATION Monthly meetings and social activities throughout the year. Enquiries to Shelia Jones – CAMBRIDGE CLUB Ex-university members, social activities. Enquiries to Sydney Perera – INTERNATIONAL NEWCOMERS CLUB Provides information about community activities and Services. More information: www.incmadrid.com MADRID PLAYERS English speaking amateur Theatre Group New members welcome. Tel: 91 326 24 39 www.madridplayers.org MOTHER & TODDLER’S CLUB Weekly meetings in St. George’s Church Hall ST. GEORGE’S GUILD International interdenominational group holding meetings. Enquiries to Mrs. Milton – C/ Juan Bravo, 40 bis International Community Mental Health Association C/Juan Bravo 7 Provides mental health services to English-speaking community in Madrid. THE BROADSHEET English-speaking community publication An unofficial network of welfare groups and small charities can help expatriates facing difficulties. Some are British orientated, but in all cases limited resources restrict the assistance they can provide and none would be able to offer long-term care or financial support. AGE CONCERN ENGLAND Astral House SW16 4ER Tel: 020 8765 7200/ 0800 00 99 66 BRITISH BENEVOLENT FUND (Madrid area only) Contact British Consulate-General, Madrid for details. FEDERACIÓN AGE CONCERN ESPAÑA 07180 Santa Ponsa MALLORCA Email:federation@ageconcern-espana.org Information Source: http://www.spanishhabitat.com Moving to Turkey Before You Travel during the Coronavirus-COVID-19 Pandemic How Air Travel May Change Forever After Coronavirus You should be searching for hidden spy cameras in… Buy a Home in Italy for Just One Dollar Best Places To Retire In 2018 Categories: Countries, Europe, Moving, Spain, Spanish, Travel Tags: Tags: centre, form, insurance, office, Spain, treatment, UK Nationals Previous Post: Top Attractions in Turkey Next Post: Hokkaido-Japan	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line218
__label__wiki	0.579	0.579	Boko Haram Current News Nigerian Army Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad Ali: 5 things people are saying about brave Nigerian soldier killed by Boko Haram http://www.africaeagle.com/2016/11/lieutenant-colonel-muhammad-ali-5.html Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad Abu Ali, was the Commanding Officer of 272 Task Force Tank Battalion. Abu died at about 10.00pm on Friday when suspected insurgents attacked the 119 Battalion Nigerian army location at Mallam Fatori, northern Borno state. He left behind a wife and children. Here are 5 things Nigerians are talking about him: 1. Abu Ali, was ‘intelligent’ lieutenant-colonel who ‘doesn’t brag’ but was Boko Haram nightmare in Borno 2. Muhammed Abu Ali, one of the son of Colonel Abu Ali, who was governor of Bauchi state from August 1990 to January 1992 during the military regime of Ibrahim Babangida. 3. Ali led one of the army’s fiercest-ever battles with Boko Haram, in February 2015, culminating in the recapture of Baga town in Borno state. 4. The deceased was granted accelerated promotion from rank of major to lieutenant-colonel in September 2015, for his courageous performance in a series of the army’s engagements with Boko Haram. 5. A senior army official who spoke with newsmen on Sunday, November 6th, 2016 said Ali was close to leaving Mallam Fatori, where he was killed ahead of an army raid on Sambisa Forest. Boko Haram, Current News, Nigerian Army Nigerian Army 8512744007427447639	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line220
__label__cc	0.675643	0.324357	A MAN IN THE HOUSE IS A QUEER ART PROJECT FEATURING MALE NUDES, ATHLETES, BODYBUILDERS, ACTORS, PHYSIQUE MODELS, ARTISTS, HUNKS AND BEEFCAKE MARIA CALLAS AND PIERO PASOLINI Maria Callas and Piero Pasolini. Skorpios, Greece. 1969. Photographer unknown. Labels: Gay Directors, Handsome, Hunks, Maria Callas, Piero Pasolini, Shirtless, Superstars, Tough Guys Since April of 2012, A MAN IN THE HOUSE has been presenting carefully curated and enhanced images of handsome and beautiful men. A MAN IN THE HOUSE also features paintings and photographs by many fine artists; all image captures from other websites are credited to their original sources whenever possible. PHYSIQUE MODELS Male nudes photographed by the gay men whose pioneering photography studios (1940 - 1970) substantially increased awareness of queer culture and hastened the advent of the Gay Liberation movement. Email A MAN IN THE HOUSE Unless otherwise noted, all images on this website are owned by their credited original sources. Permission is required to reproduce any material on this website, or to link to it from other sites. ALEXANDER DREYMON AND MATT SMITH IN CHRISTOPHER AND HIS KIND ROCK PAMPLIN IN PLAYGIRL ON THE FROTH OF A WAVE JOHN GIBSON IN PLAYGIRL MAGAZINE NFL PLAYER JIM BROWN IN 1974 BEL HOMME PAINTINGS ON A MAN IN THE HOUSE BOB MIZER FOUNDATION THE KINSEY INSTITUTE MEN IN THE MOVIES The images below link to story-boarded sequences of entire movies photographed between 2012 and 2015 with a tripod-mounted camera while screening DVDs. 2001: A SPACE ODESSEY BRIDESHEAD REVISITED DEATH IN VENICE 5 AGAINST THE HOUSE ANDY WARHOL'S FLESH FLYING DOWN TO RIO HIS KIND OF WOMAN I, CLAUDIUS LILLITH SADIE McKEE THAT MAN: PETER BERLIN ANDY WARHOL'S TRASH MORE OF WILL HOLUB'S MOVIE FRAMEGRAB PHOTOGRAPHS ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES ANDY WARHOL'S BLOOD FOR DRACULA APT PUPIL BIG HOUSE USA BILLY BUDD BILLY'S HOLLYWOOD SCREEN KISS BULLFIGHTER AND THE LADY CALLAS FOREVER CARNIVAL STORY CAT WOMEN OF THE MOON CHRISTOPHER AND HIS KIND COCO CHANEL & IGOR STRAVINSKY DAMN YANKEES! DAVID'S BIRTHDAY EASTERN PROMISES FELLINI SATYRICON FLESH GORDON HARD EIGHT HENRY & JUNE HOMICIDAL I AM NUMBER FOUR JOSHUA TREE 1951: A PORTRAIT OF JAMES DEAN KENNETH WILLIAMS: FANTABULOSA! KISS ME DEADLY LAST YEAR AT MARIENBAD LOVE VALOUR COMPASSION MISSILE TO THE MOON NICHOLAS AND ALEXANDRA RAGE AT DAWN RETURN OF THE GLADIATOR ROBOT MONSTER RYAN'S DAUGHTER SHOCK CORRIDOR SON OF FURY STAR WARS: A NEW HOPE STAR WARS: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK STEAM: THE TURKISH BATH STRAIGHT-JACKET THE 7TH VOYAGE OF SINBAD THE AMAZING SPIDER MAN THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES THE BLOB THE BOURNE LEGACY THE CONFORMIST THE COWBOY AND THE LADY THE CRAWLING EYE THE EDDY DUCHIN STORY THE FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE THE IDOL MAKER THE JEWEL IN THE CROWN THE LAST WAVE THE NAKED PREY THE NEW ADVENTURES OF TARZAN THE NIGHT PORTER THE PALM BEACH STORY THE RASPBERRY REICH THE VELVET VAMPIRE THE WEDDING NIGHT THE WORLD'S GREATEST ATHLETE TOO BIG TO FAIL TORCH SONG TRILOGY WITHNAIL AND I WRITTEN ON THE WIND YES NURSE! NO NURSE! 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Forster (7) Edith Wharton (7) Ewan McGregor (7) Frank DeMarco (7) George Folsey (7) Irving Rapper (7) Ismail Merchant (7) James Contner (7) James Ivory (7) James Wilby (7) Julianne Moore (7) Julie Andrews (7) Justin Bond (7) Lynn Redgrave (7) Mariangela Melato (7) Maurice (7) Movies of the 1970s (7) Now Voyager (7) Paul Dawson (7) Rupert Graves (7) Shortbus (7) Sook-Yin Lee (7) The Age of Innocence (7) The Birds (7) The Pillow Book (7) Tom Ford (7) Alex Pettyfer (6) Anthony Nicholls (6) Arthur Lonergan (6) Barbet Schroeder (6) Bruce Finlayson (6) Dolores del Rio (6) Dominic Savage (6) Edward Albee (6) Eve Arden (6) Fisher Stevens (6) Forbidden Planet (6) Fred M. 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__label__cc	0.741768	0.258232	Severe Thunderstorm Risk Categories When there is a risk for thunderstorms or severe storms, we usually categorize those risks on a 5-tier system, such as the one below... When we forecast a risk for GENERAL thunderstorms, no severe storms are expected, but some storms may produce frequent lightning, some flooding, winds up to 40mph, or small hail. A MARGINAL risk includes a threat for isolated severe storms. These severe storms don't last more than an hour and are limited in coverage and intensity. Winds with the strongest storms are typically 40 to 60mph, hail may be as large as quarters, and the tornado threat is low. During a SLIGHT risk, scattered severe storms are forecast. These severe storms are short-lived and not widespread. The strongest storms often produce damaging winds, hail up to the size of hen eggs, and may produce tornadoes. An ENHANCED risk for severe storms means there will be numerous severe storms that are more persistent and widespread. Some storms may be intense. There will be several reports of damaging winds, large hail, and up to a few tornadoes may be confirmed. A MODERATE risk for severe storms means severe storms are likely. Severe storms will be long-lived, widespread, and intense. Damaging winds are likely with the strongest storms. Hail is often large and destructive. The strong storms will be rotating and may produce strong tornadoes. A HIGH risk for severe storms means that a severe weather or tornado outbreak is likely. Severe storms will be widespread and intense. A derecho - a long-lived complex of storms producing damaging winds - is possible. Hail will be large and may be very large. Tornadoes that develop may be strong or violent.	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line229
__label__cc	0.612489	0.387511	BicyclePotential.org An Analysis of the Huge Unnoticed Potential Increased Bicycle Density has in Accelerating Rural Growth in India. Below are some comments on the concept by some eminent economists/ public policy thinkers. "...I read your email note on importance of bicycle for rural productivity and growth. I am in agreement with your thrust. I congratulate you on this line of thinking." -Dr. S. C. Jha, Member, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister. "Nice idea..... I'll read the whole report." -Mr. S. M. Krishna, Foriegn Minister, India and Former Chief Minister, Karnataka. "Many thanks for your email and the report on the need for increase in bicycle density in rural India to alleviate poverty. I shall definitely tell this to my colleagues and discuss with them your report." - Dr. Pinaki Chakraborty, Senior Fellow, National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP) "...As an idea to combat rural poverty this could be one of the weapons.....the hinterland still stays same, without road, without electricity, without communication. Your pet bicycle will play wonders there." -Dr. P. R. Jena, Senior Economist, National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP) "Gaurav, Great idea!" -Mr. Gurcharan Das, Noted Columnist and Chairman, Center for Civil Society "I have shipped over one hundred and twenty two thousand bicycles to thirty developing world countries. I have seen first hand the dramatic impact. IF you can get twenty percent of the working age walking adults on to a bicycle there is a cumulative effect which exponentially lifts the Commerce ( economy) of a town." -David Schweidenback, President, Pedals for Progress, An American NGO involved in providing used donated bicycles to developing countries. Click Here to download a copy of the concept report 'Bicycle for Development'. Click Here to know more about the quantitative experiments done on hundreds of households in Africa and Asia to guage the effect of a bicycle over the family income. Indian Government's Direct Cash Transfer Scheme coupled with biometric identification may finally reduce the relative purchase price for the Indian poor and may help them in a way suggested at this website, or in the related concept note. -Februaury 2013 Chief Minister of Indian state of Punjab, Prakash Singh Badal, writes to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to provide subsidy to people living Below Poverty Line (BPL) for bicycle purchase. Production starts for Sustainable Bamboo Bikes in Ghana. It will be interesting to know the end price. -Jan 2011 Explored the economics and suitability of bamboo bicycles. Contacted experts around the world. A bamboo bicycle, as per resources at IIT Delhi, can cost about 60% of normal bicycle in India, at the same time having sufficient durability under normal operating conditions. Keeping a close eye on the project by 'The Earth Institute, Columbia University' in Ghana, where mass production of such bicycles is being planned. -September 2009 * BJP includes in its manifesto giving free bicycles to school going girl students from BPL families. Such schemes are already in place in some states, and the party promises it for the whole nation. -April 03, 2009 * Gave copies of the concept report to Mr. Arun Jaitley of thduring his election campaigning. - Mid March * Gave a slide presentation to Centre for Civil Society, a leading NGO in the field of public policy research, at New Delhi. The biggest challenge identified as developing a model that makes reduction of bicycle price practically feasible for the govt. - March 05, 2009 * Personally met and gave copies of the concept report to Mr. S. M. Krishna, former chief minister, Karnataka. He appreciated the concept and promised to look deeper into the subject and forward his recommendations to the govt. - February 2009 * Sent copies of the report through email to about 150 intellectuals of the country, including people in Planning Commission, Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council, National Institute for Public Finance and Policy, Finance Ministry, Rural Development Ministry, NGOs and various political parties. Many of them replied appreciating the concept and the initiative. -January 2009 Get the Posts by Email: Remain Updated! Gaurav Singhal An engineer by education, a teacher by profession and a lazy planner by habit. Searching for out-of-the-box solutions for poverty alleviation and human rights problems. Related Websites: www.no2ragging.org www.bicyclepotential.org Visitor Location Subscribe to Google Reader	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line231
__label__wiki	0.94148	0.94148	Showing posts with label g akash. Show all posts World Cup: All Indians Knocked Out Grandmaster and former national champion B. Adhiban bowed out of the chess World Cup after losing his second game on the trot against higher-ranked Hikaru Nakamura of United States in the third round in Tromso. (Left Photo B Adhiban) Overall, Peter Svidler, Evgeny Tomashevsky, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, Boris Gelfand and Gata Kamsky guaranteed their places in the fourth stage. Julio Granda Zuniga levelled the score by defeating Anish Giri to play the tiebreaks on August 19. Alexander Grischuk played the longest game of the round against Le Quang Liem and managed to level the score after 154 moves and 6.5 hours. Ten matches will be decided by tiebreaks. As regards the Indian challenge, losing the first game as white, Adhiban started the day in a must-win situation but his aspirations suffered setbacks as Nakamura scored another chance-less victory against the Indian. Adhiban was the best-performing Indian in the event as compatriots G. Akash and Parimarjan Negi had crashed out in the first round itself against Fabiano Caruana of Italy and Yuri Kryvoruchko of Ukraine. Krishnan Sasikiran found his nemesis in Sergey Karjakin of Russia in the second round of the 128-player knockout event. World No. 2 Levon Aronian knocked out by... World number two Levon Aronian of Armenia was sent packing too as he could not win in the return game against Evgeny Tomashevski of Russia and lost the two-games mini-match by 0.5-1.5 margin. ...Evgeny Tomashevski of Russia Russian Alexander Grischuk however rose from his ashes to square it up against Le Quang Liem of Vietnam. It was a dead-drawn endgame on board which on another day was no problem for Liem. Great fighting spirit: Alexander Grischuk However, the pressure got to the Vietnamese as he squandered away the chance to be in last 16 and will have to now battle it out in the rapid tiebreaker. Apart from victories by Grischuk and Nakamura, the day provided just one more decisive game and veteran Peruvian Grandmaster Julio Granda Zuniga benefitted at the expense of Dutchman Anish Giri. Fighting for Peru: Julio Granada Zuniga Incidentally, Anish had won the first game so this one too goes to the tie-break stage. Adhiban went for the King’s Indian defence against Nakamura but the American just went for an equal variation that involved trading of queens early in the opening. Seeking a victory desperately, Adhiban felt the heat and his attempts to complicate did not come good. Nakamura spotted an opportunity to sacrifice an exchange that sealed the fate of the game effectively and the American notched the victory in 40 moves. Adhiban got $16,000 after his ouster out of which 20 per cent will be paid to FIDE as part of the regulations. The Indian had beaten Evgeny Alekseev of Russia in the first round and Alexander Fier of Brazil in the second. (All photos by Anastasiya Karlovich) Results round 3 game 1: Levon Aronian (Arm) lost to Evgeny Tomashevsky (Rus) 0.5-1.5; Vladimir Malakhov (Rus) drew with Fabiano Caruana (Ita) 1-1, goes to tiebreak; Vloadimir Kramnik (Rus) drew with Alexander Areshchenko (Ukr) 1-1, goes to tiebreak; Le Quang Liem (Vie) v/s Alexander Grischuk (Rus) 1-1, goes to tiebreak; Sergey Karjakin (Ukr) drew with Pavel Eljanov (Ukr) 1-1, goes to tiebreak; B Adhiban (Ind) lost to Hikaru Nakamura (Usa) 0-2; Boris Gelfand (Isr) beat Alexander Moiseenko (Ukr) 1.5-0.5; Jon Ludvig Hammer (Nor) lost to Gata Kamsky (Usa) 0.5-1.5; S Mamedyarov (Aze) drew with Wei Yi (Chn) 1-1; M Vachier-Lagrave (Fra) beat Leinier Dominguez Perez (Cub) 1.5-0.5; Daniil Dubov (Rus) drew with Anton Korobov (Ukr) 1-1, goes to tiebreak; Dmitry Andreikin (Rus) drew with Aleksey Dreev (Rus) 1-1, goes to tiebreak; Peter Svidler (Rus) beat Teimour Radjabov (Aze) 1.5-0.5; Vassily Ivanchuk (Ukr) drew with Yuri Kryvoruchko (Ukr) 1-1, goes to tiebreak; Julio Granda Zuniga (Per) v/s Anish Giri (Ned) 1-1, goes to tiebreak; Nikita Vitiugov (Rus) drew with Alexander Morozevich (Rus) 1-1, goes to tiebreak. World Chess Cup R1.2: Akash Exits Caruana and Akash - Young talents India's Parimarjan Negi let slip a position of strength and lost to Ukraine’s Yuri Kryvoruchko in the second game of the chess World Cup in Tromso. The shocking loss with white pieces means that Negi will have to now battle it out in the tie-break games of shorter duration as the final score after the two-game mini-match stands tied at 1-1. G. Akash made his exit from the 128-player event with a memorable game wherein he held world No. 3 Caruana to a creditable draw with black pieces. Having lost the first game of the match, the draw only helped Akash to gain some rating but this is one result he will cherish for a long time. B. Adhiban played out his second draw with Evgeny Alekseev of Russia while K. Sasikiran achieved the same result against Constantin Lupulescu of Romania. Negi was pretty unlucky not to progress to the round of 64. Kryvoruchko went for the Sicilian Dragon but his hopes of a combat in complications evaporated as Negi got slightly better position without much ado. Kryvoruchko had to part with a pawn also and it was smooth sailing for the Indian till disaster struck on move 42. Negi followed a mistake with a blunder and the fate of the game was soon sealed. Sasikiran allowed the Nimzo Indian defence but could not force an advantage in the late middle game. Lupulescu, to his credit, handled the middle game well enough to remain in hunt for the next round. Adhiban had slightly better prospects against former Russian champion Alekseev but to make progress was not easy for the Indian. Alekseev equalised towards the end and just repeated moves to force a draw. In other important results, the world’s highest ranked woman Judit Polgar of Hungary was ousted by Isan Ortiz Suarez of Spain while defending champion Peter Svidler of Russia was shocked by women’s world champion Anna Ushenina. Just as on day one there were plenty of fireworks on the second day of the FIDE World Cup in Tromsø. Thirteen players won their matches with a 2-0 score (not counting Alexander Moiseenko, whose opponent could not come to Tromsø). While some victories with impressive results could be expected from top players such as Aronian, Kramnik, Grischuk, Nakamura and Dominguez, there were also a few 2-0 results produced by players with ratings lower than their opponents. Russian GM Daniil Dubov managed to outplay experienced and higher rated Ukrainian GM Sergey Fedorchuk. American GM Ray Robson didn’t leave any chances for Ukrainian GM Andrei Volokitin by winning 2-0. One of the most surprising results for those who compare the ratings of opponents happened in the Nepomniachtchi-Wei match. The youngest participant of the event, Chinese GM Yi Wei (a nominee of FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov), defeated Russian GM Ian Nepomniachtchi 1.5-0.5. The participants of the upcoming Women’s World Championship match Hou Yifan and Anna Ushenina are doing well so far. Anna Ushenina defeated Peter Svidler in his favorite Gruenfeld and Hou Yifan drew the second game against Alexei Shirov. The reigning and former Women’s World Champions will proceed to the playoff stage on Tuesday. Judit Polgar, the strongest female player in the history of chess, lost out on a number of winning chances, drew against Cuban GM Isan Reynaldo Ortiz and lost the match. A total of 28 matches were undecided after two games at the classical time control and 56 players will continue to fight at 3 p.m. local time on August 13. Russian GM Alexander Morozevich lost his first game, but managed to equalize. Rising star from Russia GM Daniil Dubov defeated GM Sergey Fedorchuk 2-0 as well. GM Michael Adams made a second draw against Wan Yunguo of China. The strongest Chinese GM Wang Hao outplayed his compatriot Liu Qingnan. An unexpectedly quick elimination for Ukrainian GM Andrei Volokitin. Ukrainian GM Vassily Ivanchuk outplayed Polish IM Jan-Krzysztof Duda, who upset him with a draw the day before. The FIDE World Cup is a knockout which starts with 128 players and runs from August 10 to September 3rd. The top two players will qualify for the next FIDE Candidates Tournament which will take place in March 2014 and determine the challenger for the World Championship match in 2014. The time control for each two-game match is 90 minutes for the first 40 moves followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game, with an increment of 30 seconds per move starting from move one. If the score is equal there are two rapid chess tiebreak games, played at a rate of 25 minutes for each player with an increment of 10 seconds per move. If the score is still equal then two accelerated games will be played, with a time control of 10 min + 10 sec. If the score is still equal two more games will be played at 5 min + 3 sec. If the winner is still not determined then a final Armageddon game with 5 minutes for White and 4 minutes for Black, with a 3 sec increment after move 60, will be played. In this game Black has draw odds (i.e. he wins if the game is drawn). World Chess Cup R1: Negi Wins World’s second youngest ever Grandmaster Parimarjan Negi of India outplayed higher-ranked Yuri Kryvoruchko of Ukraine in the first round of the World Chess Cup which began here. Fresh from some strong performances including a recent victory in the Politiken Cup with a whopping 9/10 score, Negi proved that his warm up tactics before the World Cup were perfect as Kryvoruchko proved no match. It turned out to be a mixed day for the Indians in the first round of this knockout event as B Adhiban held higher ranked Grandmaster Evegny Alekseev to a draw while Krishnan Sasikiran drew easily as black against Romanian Grandmaster Constantin Lupulescu. Indian champion G Akash, however, lost his first game of the two-game mini-match against Fabiano Caruana of Italy. Akash now needs a victory in the return game to stay in the hunt in the 128-players event. Negi was the star of the day as he almost effortlessly outplayed Kryvoruchko in all departments of the game. Playing the black side of a Sicilian Scheveningen, Negi used a new idea that unsettled the Ukrainian early and showed precise technique to go one up. Kryvoruchko now faces a daunting task to make a comeback as he has to win with black pieces. Adhiban employed the Sicilian Taimanov and was happy to get the Fianchetto variation on board. Soon as the middle game arrived, Alekseev went for a direct attack on the king side only to realise soon that it was not intimidating enough. Adhiban could have pressed for more but given his maiden appearance in the World Cup, a draw with black against much higher ranked Alekseev was a good result. Apart from the Indians, the first day witnessed the top seeds win apart from a few surprises. The round started late due to a security check. A minute's silence was also observed in memory of Russian GM Kurnosov who passed away, at the age of 28, in a tragic road accident recently. GM Alexander Morozevich lost to Canadian GM Bator Sambuev in the biggest upset of the day. GM Ray Robson beat the higher rated GM Andrey Volokitin. GM Gata Kamsky and GM Michael Adams drew against Chinese players Lou Yiping and Wan Yunguo respectively. Former Women’s World Champion Hou Yifan drew with GM Alexey Shirov, but reigning Women's World Champion Anna Ushenina lost to defending champion Peter Svidler. Four women are taking part in the FIDE World Cup in Tromso: Judit Polgar, Hou Yifan, Anna Ushenina and Deysi Cori. Judit Polgar also lost to GM Reynaldo Suarez Ortiz in a big upset. The first games of the opening round started in Tromso after Commissioner for Business, Culture and Sports of Tromso Municipality, Mr. Jonas Stein, made the first symbolic move in the Aronian-Markov game. (PTI and Agencies) The FIDE World Cup is a knockout, starting with 128 players. Two games are played between each pair of players. The rate of play is 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game, with an increment of 30 seconds per move, starting from move one. If the score is equal there are two rapid chess tiebreak games (25 min + 10 sec), then, if the score is still tied, two accelerated games (10 min + 10 sec). If the score is still tied two blitz games will be played at 5 min + 3 sec, and if there is still no decision a final Armageddon game with 5 minutes for White and 4 minutes for Black, with a 3 sec increment after move 60, will be played. In this game Black has draw odds (i.e. he wins if the game is drawn). The winner and the runner-up of the World Cup 2013 will qualify for the Candidates Tournament of the next World Championship cycle. India Sweeps Commonwealth Chess Port Elizabeth, South Africa: Grandmaster and former world junior champion Abhijeet Gupta won the Commonwealth Chess Championship after settling for a draw with Indian national title-holder G. Akash in the 11th and final round that concluded here at the Boardwalk. (Photo: Officials and players at the venue) Putting a solid performance right through the tournament, Gupta scored nine points out of a possible eleven and had the best tiebreak score to win the gold medal in the championship that also incorporated the South African International open. Expectedly it was a clean sweep of medals as veteran Grandmaster Dibyendu Barua got the silver medal and Grandmaster M.R. Lalith Babu won the bronze. Among women, Soumya Swaminathan won the silver medal, while national women’s champion Mary Ann Gomes won the bronze. The gold in this category went to International Master Jovanka Houska of England. The Indians also swept the junior section with G. Akash winning the gold, Sahaj Grover getting silver and Rakesh Kulkarni securing the bronze medal. Kulkarni also won the South African open blitz championship. (PTI)	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line233
__label__cc	0.517762	0.482238	Although the work has been cast in a strictly scientific shape, the Author has sought to communicate his 0.5mg opinions and information in an easy and familiar style of writing, as free as possible from unnecessary technicalities. The bunion constitutes an exceedingly vulnerable spot on the foot; this ill-used and ill-nourished tissue is a predilected spot for chilblains, which, on this place, form at a temperature considerably above the No treatment of either of these evils (ingrown nail or bunion) can be of avail, unless we procure without a foot cover which will allow the great toe a position approaching as nearly as possible to the normal one; outwards, like the thumb of the hand, though now-a-days we rarely The hackneyed remedy of the shoemaker, of nailing to the last, on the spot corresponding to the bunion, thick rounded pieces of sole leather, hereby producing in the leather of the shoe a hollow to receive the bunion, may in some instances afford temporary relief; but, if the old vicious form of the shoe is retained, the pressure from above the bunion will continue, and nothing will be gained but more space for the lateral deviation of the joint. Many causes, however, cannot be said either to depress or stimulate solely; they exert a peculiar action, which is not to be thus explained: dosage. I use either barley or oatmeal or boiled water as a diluent, according In conclusion, I will but mention condensed milk as an emergency infant food during travel or temporary illness of the mother (buy). Hectic "cialis" is a disease which continues for a length of time; and so may ague. Viscosity of naphthenic and paraffinic spray oils in relation to phytotoxicity and Sigatoka disease Pharmacology and toxicology of carbon generic Toxicity of topically applied fats and oils. Factors contributing to ovine phosphatic Utilization of unextracted soybeans by broiler tamsulosin on diets with infra red cooked and extruded Growth and proteinase production in Pseudomonas spp. If great obstruction take place in any of online the veins, dropsy must be the consequence. He denies its significance in such other affections as chronic heart disease and severe forms of aufemia: hair. So in scurvy, the whole mass of blood, as well as of the solids, is affected; so that these are general diseases in another sense; or, 0.5 perhaps, we ought rather to say, they are universal diseases; those being properly shall next speak, therefore, are rather universal diseases; and perhaps the distinction I have drawn between general and universal, Again, there is another set of diseases which may themselves be local; but which produce effects so universal, that if they have really a local seat, it is at one spot in one patient, and at another spot in another patient. The effort at expression may, and, often does, stimulate muscular contraction; the muscular contraction does lessen the calibre, and as the cavity closes upon itself the placenta is for forced into the vagina. Loss - the author had previously presented in another little volume,"A Uniform System of Accounts for Hospitals and Public Institutions," a scheme of classification of expenditures which in his judgment should be generally adopted, and the figures presented in the"Annual" indicate that gratifying progress has been made in securing the adoption of the scheme in England. Those who wish to present papers before the Section must advise brief abstracts of their papers before pictures the first of June. Isoboldine, a feeding inhibitor, and cocculolidine, an insecticide in cnn the leaves of Cocculus The inorganic bromide content of foodstuffs due to soil treatment with fumigants. Micro-meteorological studies of coffee berry "ikea" disease. Influence of population level and trap spacing on capture of tobacco hor-worm moths in blacklight Endogenous diurnal rhythm of pupation in a A possible marker for europcan corn borer Techniques of marking insects with micronized fluorescent dust with especial emphasis on marking millions prezzo of Lygus hesperus for dispersal studies. Drug - membrane components of Avena coleoptiles. The bones of the upper extremity and are not affected to so great a degree as the bones of the lower extremity. He grew up respectful of, but disliking uk the father; he always took exception to the latter's violent attacks of anger. Laboratory tests with dichlorvos applied as a wheat protectant against rice weevils (together). Eddy,"We learn in side Chrisian science how to be perfect, even as the Father in p. A little gas is allowed to escape into the atmosphere, so as to drive off the atmospheric air in the bottle: cost. It is interesting to note that in these patients two The history of an unusually severe case of the disease in which the rays seemed to have almost a specific influence is cited below: and general weakness, sixteen months before; enlargement of "dutasteride" thyroid gradually increasing in extent noted two months later; shortness of breath pronounced; generalized sweating; patient lost forty-five pounds in weight in less Operation was deemed inadvisable on account of the patient's poor general condition, and Rontgen treatment advised. Studies on the removal of protein from tobacco mosaic virus after inoculation of tobacco leaves (cheap). When the paroxysms come on the patient has an expression, of intense out prominently, and over the surface of the bladder are fiakes of pus and small blood clots: mg. On the other hand, when used actual solution of radium bromide, it has a constructive, tonic, metabolic, and vitalizing effect upon Much has been said about the use of radium in the treatment of cancer, but comparatively effects little in this country concerning its therapeutic value, in the an actual solution of radium bromide in infinitesimal proportions. A man fifty-five years in old, whom I had been treating for more than three months for an affection of the kidneys, with hypertrophy of the heart, had upon several occasionssuffered from paroxysmsof uraemic dyspnoea, when he ceased to eat, refused every kind of food and drink, and fell into astateof general prostration.	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line236
__label__wiki	0.515531	0.515531	Bally, Points.com sign deal LAS VEGAS, Nevada – (PRESS RELEASE) -- Bally Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: BYI) announced today a strategic partnership with Points International Ltd. (Toronto: PTS) (OTC Bulletin Board: PTSEF) -- owner and operator of Points.com, the world's leading reward-management portal -- that introduces the Points.com portal and Points.com Business Solutions products to the evolving reward programs available throughout the gaming industry. Designed to appeal to both casinos and their patrons, the partnership expands the Bally Casino Management Systems (CMS(R)) and Bally Power Bonusing(TM) product portfolios. Casino patrons, through membership in Points.com, will enjoy vast opportunities for reward management, including redemption into the world's largest and most successful reward programs currently participating on Points.com. The flexibility and utility that Points.com brings to these members makes the currencies earned at Bally-powered reward programs even more valuable. In addition, casino reward programs powered by Bally Technologies can now easily integrate individual casino-branded versions of the industry-leading Points.com Business Solutions products, giving them increased potential for enhancing revenues and customer loyalty. "The power of player's club points as a tool to reward players and increase revenue is well known in the gaming industry and this agreement with Points International will allow us to add innovative new features to our already-strong suite of Bally Power Bonusing products," said Paul Lofgren, Executive Vice President of Business Development for Bally. "The gaming industry is a tremendous market and one we're eager to explore," said Rob MacLean, CEO of Points International Ltd. "Bally Technologies, the clear leader in gaming systems technology, is the ideal partner with whom to begin this exploration." Recognized as the industry systems leader with more than 345,000 machines and 652 casino, bingo, Class II, central determination and lottery locations worldwide -- including more than 174 locations currently running Bally eTICKET(TM) on more than 200,000 slot machines -- the Bally Technologies systems product line offers slot machine cash monitoring, table management, cashless, accounting, security, maintenance, marketing, promotional and bonusing capabilities, enabling operators to accurately analyze performance and accountability while providing an enhanced level of customer service. With a history dating back to 1932, Las Vegas-based Bally Technologies designs, manufactures, operates and distributes advanced gaming devices, systems and technology solutions worldwide. Bally's product line includes reel-spinning slot machines, video slots, wide-area progressives and Class II, lottery and central determination games and platforms. As the world's No. 1 gaming systems company, Bally also offers an array of casino management, slot accounting, bonusing, cashless and table management solutions. The Company also owns and operates Rainbow Casino in Vicksburg, Miss.	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line240
__label__wiki	0.546128	0.546128	Over the last couple years, some very cool stuff has been happening at the old Berkeley Church in Toronto, long converted from its original purpose as a house of worship to an event hall. My only experience was the totally insane show the Yeah Yeah Yeahs played there during the Film Festival last year and between being pummeled by the rest of the crowd and having Karen O scream in my face, I can confirm it’s a lovely room. A room that, for the last few Springs, has also played host to the tapings of the Beautiful Noise television series. It’s a live performance show along the lines of Austin City Limits and has featured the likes of Feist, Voxtrot, Neko Case and Sloan, amongst many others… and if you’ve never seen or even heard of the show, it’s because it’s been broadcast exclusively on the RAVEHD high-def television network in the States (if you live in the States and subscribe to RAVEHD and have seen the show, disregard that last sentence). That is, until recently. There were some open invites for studio audiences during the tapings of season two last Spring and this past Fall, SUN-TV began broadcasting the show locally on regular cable at 7PM on Saturdays – this I discovered whilst channel surfing one evening and just happened upon the Kathleen Edwards show. That’s all well and good, you’re saying, but surely I’m not just going to sit here and play commercial for a television show, right? Right. Season three begins taping next week, and if you thought the lineups for past seasons were impressive, check this out. March 31 – My Morning Jacket April 1 – Jim White / Sarah Slean April 2 – Kaki King / Jon Langford / Dr Dog April 3 – The Constantines / Ted Leo & The Pharmacists April 4 – The Black Angels / The Donnas April 5 – Islands / Stars April 6 – Thriving Ivory / People In Planes April 7 – British Sea Power / Yo La Tengo And to answer your first question, no, the artists are not playing any other shows while they’re in town for this. And to answer your second question, yes you can attend… but not easily. There’s not going to be a general public open invite this time but the producers have given me a number of guest list spots for each performance to give away to you, gentle reader, but I’ve been instructed to not make it easy. Hence the conditions of this contest, which some might call fiendishly clever in its intricacies. If said people had an incredibly low standard for fiendish cleverness. It will work as follows: Leave me a comment below with your correct email in the “email” field – spam-proofed is fine – and list off, in order, the tapings you would like to attend. For each of the multiple-artists shows, you must answer the following: if this were an ultimate fighting-type celebrity grudge match rather than a concert taping, which of the performers that night would triumph and why. Be descriptive. If you want in for the My Morning Jacket taping (which I imagine many of you will), tell me what contemporary artist would be able to best the boys from Kentucky in a mixed martial arts competition. If you want to see People In Planes, well I don’t really know boo about them so just say so. Everyone deserves a bye. I have two pairs of passes to give away for each show, so winners will be selected randomly from all qualifying entrants (the conditions above are for my and everyone else’s amusement) and each awarded their first available choice until all spots are spoken for. You can only win once. Does that make sense? Note that save for the MMJ taping, which has doors at 8:15PM and show at 9, all shows have doors at 6:30PM and the first performer at 7, second at 9 (or 7, 8 and 9 for the three-fer). So if you’re going to throw your hat in the ring, make sure you can get there – Queen E and Berkeley (Parliament) – on time. Lollygaggers will not be admitted. The contest will be open until 5PM on Thursday, March 27. UPDATE: Contest closed early. Will explain tomorrow. Winners being notified now. Check out some footage from past seasons of Beautiful Noise at their YouTube channel. MP3: Jim White – “Crash Into The Sun” MP3: Kaki King – “Pull Me Out Alive” MP3: Jon Langford (with the Waco Brothers) – “How Fast The Time” MP3: Dr. Dog – “The Girl” MP3: The Constantines – “Hard Feelings” MP3: Ted Leo & The Pharmacists – “The Sons Of Cain” MP3: The Black Angels – “Young Men Dead” MP3: The Donnas – “Don’t Wait Up For Me” MP3: People In Planes – “Pretty Buildings” MP3: British Sea Power – “Waving Flags” MP3: Yo La Tengo – “Pass The Hatchet, I Think I’m Goodkind” Pitchfork interviews Michael Stipe of R.E.M., NPR also has an interview and Spin offers an excerpt of their forthcoming cover story on the band. Accelerate arrives next Tuesday and they play the Molson Amphitheatre June 8. And you can stream the whole thing right now. Stream: R.E.M. / Accelerate Sample another track from DeVotchKa’s new one A Mad And Faithful Telling. The National Post has an interview with frontman Nick Urata. MP3: DeVotchKa – “Transliterator” Feist talks to ET Canada about her puppet-powered new video. And look for her to play Dolly to Bry Webb’s Kenny on a cover of “Islands In The Stream” coming out on a 7″ single April 1. More details at Chart. Billy Bragg, via a New York Times op-ed, challenges social networks to start paying royalties to artists who stream their music on their sites. Commentary (and links to more commentary) on Bragg’s piece at Coolfer. Billy’s new one Mr Love & Justice is out April 8 and he plays Harbourfront Centre on June 17. Jennifer Radway says: Would love to see MMJ. Hmmm, dunno about martial arts but I bet the Lucero boys could beat them in a drunken bar brawl. That would be Tennessee over Kentucky. Frank, on April 4 the afternoon slot will be taken by Joel and Bill Plaskett. Although I’ve already RSVP-ed for the MMJ show, I haven’t yet heard back so I’ll enter your contest here as well. March 31 – MMJ – A contemporary artist that could best MMJ in mixed martial arts eh? Peelander Z are by far the most limber and acrobatic, so while MMJ could stand and deliver solid body shots (they move a bit slow in Kentucky), perhaps in harmony as the Lay Low guitar duel would suggest, I think Peelander would be ninja-like and quick like cats when it comes to manoeuvring. MMJ would win based on the soundtrack to the fight, and they’d outnumber the Peelanders too. I’m not good and describing imaginary fights. Adam K. says: I’d like to see the Constantines/Ted Leo show, please. For who would win in an ultimate fighting grudge match between the two… well, it would pretty much be a draw. Here we have possibly the two most hardest working bands in music today, I’m betting they could throw it down in the ring something fierce. If I had to choose one to win, I suppose the Constantines, due to Dallas’ moustache. That thing is a stone-cold killer. I don’t know if Sarah Slean would be much of a brawler, although like her good friend Hawksley Workman she may be both a lover AND a fighter. So I imagine a scenario where Sarah talks to Jim and explains why a grudge match would solve nothing, then when he least expects it, Sarah would shout "APRIL FOOLS!" and nail him with an uppercut. Ted Leo would break out some tough crowd-thrashing moves he learned in the ’80s DC hardcore scene, and even though he and the Rx would be outnumbered by the gang from Guelph, they would be ultimately too hardcore to overcome for Bry and the boys (although I’m sure that Cons drummer Doug can throw down with the best of them). Nick Diamonds would start off with a few futile left jabs and then resort to confusing Stars with some leftover freestyle raps from Th’ Corn Gangg. Alas, Torquil and Amy would break out their "celebration guns" and scare their Montreal brethren into submission. There would be no "soft revolution" from Stars in this match; their revolution would be hard as a rock. Monday morning says: March 31 – MMJ. I need to see them square against the Drive-By Truckers!!! But DBT would probably win… April 7 – BSP/YLT. BSP outnumber YLT, but YLT will win. Expreience… jason bentley says: Aaaaaaaaaaand in this corner, Islands! Three words: Islands. Are. Forever. Aaaaaaaaaaand in this corner, Stars! The band that couldn’t fight their way out of a wet record label! (wait for it…) Aaaaaaaaaaand the winner, by TKO, Iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiislands! superchunk090@hotmail.com Tomo says: Islands definitely do have the edge here. Islands would come out swinging hard, and would easily take out Torquil as he’d ask to be taken away from this riot. Amy though will stand tall but once The Arm comes out, the Islands will walk away victorious! BSP vs. YLT would be a close battle, but due to the young age of BSP they will have more fight in them, plus it is champions league season right now and the brits have a few soccer teams left, so we know the country is full of a very strong competitive spirit. British Sea Power vs. Yo La Tengo – BSP vs. YLT. Both sound like delicious sandwiches, although I’d personally opt for the YLT myself (with bacon) Islands vs. Stars – Islands would win, mainly due to their secret weapon (Jim Guthrie in a white jumpsuit) anupa says: MMA eh? Well it would be pretty awesome to see My Morning Jacket face off in a mixed martial arts showdown against the Black Keys. Just before they start to sprawl and brawl they’d pick up their guitars instead and it would be time to SOUND CLASH. It wouldn’t be fair, five versus two and all. Gavin W says: Would love to see MMJ! tough one, lets use some Toronto artist to do the dead.. HAyden, slick, quiet, and under rated in the octagon. A skilled tactitioner of the choke hold from any position on the mat. Less we forget "bass Song" he has a mean swing, and could possible knock them out! Josh L says: Alright, here goes. March 31st: I’m literally dying to see MMJ. But what I’d like to see even more would be a triple-threat explosive battle of former allies, pitting Jim James (Backed by his road-worn band of southern highway misfits) against BOTH M. Ward (accompanied to the ring by his lovely & enchanting valet / manager Zooey) AND Conor Oberst (accompanied by nobody, of course). The three contrasting fighting styles would make for a hell of a match, but one has to believe that even despite the possible disadvantage of being far more stoned than his opponents, James would outlast both through sheer grit. April 3rd: All 5 Constantines surround Ted Leo, exchanging menacing glares. Crafty and experienced, all are armed with concealed weapons (mostly lead pipes) despited having been checked by the referee. They move in unison, much like the Jets or Sharks, adorned in matching leather jackets emblazoned with "Young Lions," as circle their prey. Leo is unaffected though, his resolve strong, and simple sits cross-legged in non-violent protest. He then proceeds to Blog about the ordeal in painstakingly rational detail, and the Cons are rendered defenseless to his logic and down-to-earth demeanor. They lay down their weapons and agree to fight side by side for the greater good. Would definitely like to see in my fav. order MMJ, Islands / Stars, British Sea Power / Yo La Tengo, The Constantines / Ted Leo & The Pharmacists. (it appears everyone else is just naming 1 band but your post indicates we can select multiple….so i did) As for the great battles listed above I would have MMJ face off against The National in their MMA fight. This would be done best in tag-team format whereby Jim James and Matt Berninger could start the fight, trading punches and fierce kicks, only to pass it off to the drummers (Patrick Hallahan would have the upper hand here). Once they had cycled through the respective band members the two heavyweights would get back in the ring together, Matt would begin to sing softly and Jim James would grab him, through him into the guillotine choke and MMJ would win by submission. As for the others (in less descriptive fashion)Islands would take out Stars (probably via some type of choke hold), Yo la tengo would beat BSP (via a well planted arm bar) and The Constantines would deliver a brutal 1st round knock out to Ted Leo. Book it! The crowd is thirsty for blood, and Fanta Orange. But since no Fanta Orange is available…they’ll take blood. And there will be some. Blood, I mean. The fighters enter the caged area awkwardly, warily. On one side: The Constantines — trim and lanky, yet ready for throat-punching. On the other: Ted Leo + Pharmacists, equally lanky, equally trim, yet beardier and hairier. Except, of course, for Mr. Leo himself, his head recently shorn for maximum non-grab-ability. There are gruff, shy introductions. And then the horror begins. You have to give Ted Leo + Pharmacists credit — for a time, the three of them hold their own, despite being older and fewer. But then — and not without sheepishness at their flagrant impoliteness — The Constantines, as one, launch devastating suplexes. And while their adversaries lie stunned, the apologetic kicking begins. When it’s over, the crowd is sated, The Constantines are uncomfortable, and Ted Leo and The Pharmacists are really uncomfortable. Physically. Graham Perry says: In order: Constantines/Ted Leo Ted would win the battle after cleverly pulling out a bottle of Jameson’s and deciding the match with a drinking contest British Sea Power/Yo La Tengo BSP would start fucking with Atoms and Yo La would concede: ‘You Can Have it All’ Easy match as soon as MMJ showed up in their satiny pre-fight robes the others would flee Steve McGill says: This is clearly a cut and set match, Islands have violin bows and many many Asian members, who while known for performing jumping jacks while playing the violin in their co-ordinated outfits could no doubt turn that spunk into some raging kung-fu, besides Nicholas Thorburn used to go by Nick Diamonds, and that’s a name that could bring the smack down to anyone. The reason this is such a threat to Stars is because while a very lovable bunch the combination of flying violin bows, jumping jacks, and co-ordinated outfits would no doubt quickly overwhelm the band. Torquil would probably miss the fight while sitting in the bar observing the matter, and Amy wouldn’t stand much of a chance without any serious back up. Islands definitely take it. Steve McGill the_truth_about_life@hotmail.com I’d like to see MMJ. so here goes… squaring off in the octagon: Jim James vs. Dan Bejar each reluctantly cornered by their bandmates. the first round is spent in a long and uneventful square-off as each man sizes the other up. second round begins and so does the action. Bejar yelps as James finally pounces and administers a smelly headlock. desperate to release himself from the hold, Bejar resorts to a much-feared arcane defense and blurts out, "flesh to stone! flesh to stone!" as James stands frozen and keeled over in the center of the ring, Bejar sits on a stool in his corner, nurses a beer and plays a glockenspiel while the seconds tick down from the clock. the third round passes in the same fashion, with Bejar leaving his stool in the final 20 seconds to slap James’ stony face repeatedly. Dan Bejar wins on points. as the referee lifts his arm in the air to declare victory, Bejar points at the frozen James and exclaims, "a statue is stone that rejects its own pulse!" and the crowd erupts (except for the ones who’ve been talking endlessly at the arena’s bar since the fight started). My Morning Jacket: The martial arts, karate-chop hoedown, would be against the Black Crowes, and inside the Maxim office Jim James would Lay Low and begin a Wordless Chorus. Two Tones Tony would let the Knot Come Loose while plucking his bass. Patrick Hallahan, What A Wonderful Man, is going to lay the Low Down and Strangulation! from his kickstool like a Steamengine. If All Else Fails remember Evelyn Is Not Real and Bo Koster, The Bear, will come By My Car with Butch Cassidy (Nashville to Kentucky) to drop the X-Mas Curtain. And then, since the War Begun, Carl Broemel, Heartbreakin Man, Easy Mourning Rebel, will come and bring the Old September Blues and we will have One Big Holiday as My Morning Jacket sends the Black Crowes with a Thorn in Their Pride right out the door! I’d love to see Islands and Stars! April 5th – Islands vs. Stars: Well to start off, members of Islands outnumbers Stars. So already, Stars are at a disadvantage. But we must not count out the power and energy of Torquil Campbell on stage – he means business. And of course if Amy Millan was to get her hands on any form of alcohol, everyone should fear for their lives. Nick Diamonds/Thornburn can easily take out Campbell though – case and point: Islands at SXSW (http://stereogum.com/archiv…) If you watch the video for "Where There’s A Will, There’s A Whalebone" he chokes rapper, Subtitle! Nick’s crazy and is not afraid to use drumsticks as a weapon. But just as Alex Chow takes out Evan Cranley with his violin…Amy gets angry (because Chow’s attacking her boyfriend) and throws flowers (that are always on their stage) at everyone! So in a shocking turn of events, Amy fights everyone off…except for Nick, who comes from behind as she is celebrating with her whisky and chokes her with the same drumsticks he took Campbell out with. Tragic, yet exciting! So to conclude, Islands win! Pick me, pick me, pick me! Constantines/Ted Leo Ted is a smart man: He would suggest the grudge match be carried out in an arm wrestling contest. Ted’s superior arm-wrestling skills have already been chronicled, and they are OVER THE TOP. The Constantines (and the other Pharmacists, for that matter) would be no match for Ted. The only band that could take on the mighty MMJ would be the feisty, crotchety CSN and, of course, Y. Especially Y. Yo La Tengo could most likely take on ‘the Power’ since they probably really like rock ‘n’ roll. Stars are huge and bright, and islands are lonely and solitary. And Jim White could swing a guitar or two at Sarah Slean, perched on her bench. Ralph Baldo says: I’d love to attend the Saturday April 5th date w/ Islands and Stars! I’d be the most obvious choice because.. just because! SO PLEASE choose me! Yo La Tengo is not afraid of British Sea Power and would beat their asses. Michelle Mester says: THE DONNAS!!! I would have the Donnas battle each other in a mud wrestling extravaganza to see which Donna would reign supreme. There can only be on Highlander so there can only be one Donna! JAB should win the Yo La Tengo passes for his last entry… Dave Sole says: I’d like to attend the MMJ followed by Kaki King & Dr. Dog. My Morning Jacket would be tough in a fight but Jim James doesn’t look as tough with his shorter hair. Denton, Texas band Slobberbone would give MMJ a good bar brawl as would. Robert Randolph and his Family Band including cousins Marcus and Danyel look like they could kick some serious ass. Soulive’s brother combo of Alan and Neal Evans would be tough as well. Let’s just hope MMJ wouldn’t show up to the fight in their Hawaiian outfits and wigs which they wore last September during their set at the Austin City Limits Festival. British Sea Power v. Yo La Tengo When he loses a highly publicized virtual boxing match to ex-champ Yo La Tengo, reigning heavyweight titleholder British Sea Power retaliates by challenging the Greatest Band In The Universe to a nationally televised, 10-round exhibition bout. To the surprise of his son and friends, Yo La Tengo agrees to come out of retirement and face an opponent who’s faster, stronger and thirty years his junior. With the odds stacked firmly against him, Yo La Tengo takes on BSP in what will become the greatest fight in boxing history, a hard-hitting, action-packed battle of the ages. Islands vs. Stars This can be seen as Darwin v. Gallileo, the Galapagos v. the Milky Way. What a battle….at least, that is the billing. In the end, Stars’ mathematical formulaic dismantling of Islands’ abstract and rope-a-dope style will result in a victory by decision. I can’t wait for the rematch. Islands versus Stars Islands have an advantage number-wise here (especially if they draft Busdriver and their secret Cadence Weapon), but Amy’s solo career would lead me to believe she’s seen her fair share of barroom brawls. Plus, they’d probably set themselves on fire as an intimidation tactic. It’d be a close match, but Islands are forever, and Stars would be left up in their bedroom after that war. Hawker says: 1. Cons/Ted Leo 2-MMJ 3-Black Angels/ Donnas 4-British/ Yo La 5- King/ Langford/ Dog While I have a feeling that both the Cons and Leo boys would get along famously, should they be forced into a cage match in a primetime event on Pitchfork’s new tv channel this is how it would go. Leo and Bry start things off with Leo Giving Webb a Beat down (hey, he seems like a lover. He starts picking on Steve Lambke, calling him nerd, crushing his glasses, etc., causing Steve to run out of the building. The rest of the band jumps in for a 3 on 3 brawl with Doug chewing off Chris Wilson’s leg. Canty takes out Kidman, leaving only Dallas and Leo left. Dallas, decked out in a sequined costume he made just for the occasion, humbly admits he’d rather be drinking and convinces Leo to join him for a brew. Leo agrees and as soon as Dallas turns his back to exit the ring, Leo knocks him unconscious with his own bass. He stands the winner until Steve re-enters the building, having received extensive anti-bullying training from a mysterious man named Drillbit Taylor. Steve puts on a clinic, leaving Leo bloody and defeated. Steve accepts his defeat on the condition he record a b-side re-imaging of The Osmond’s "I’m A Little Bit Country." Leo, of course, has to sing the Marie parts. I would throw the little know group White Gold in on this. watch this and see if you can recognize who White Gold really is… Islands/Stars!!! Islands may have strength in numbers, but Amy Millan+whiskey+killer cleavage would outmatch those skinny boys easily. Torq and the rest of Stars would watch, shake their heads sadly while murmuring "we warned you", and then write an achingly beautiful song about the ugly trouncing. Cameron / ProdigyBoy says: I would love to see the Baroness herself, Sarah Slean, square off against Jim White on April 1st. Sarah’s a poet, photographer, composer, song-writer, painter, student, film maker, fashion model, actress and lets not forget a mixed marital arts fighter. I can only imagine when she went on hiatus into the wood and again to venture into Paris it was to work on her deadly crafts. She has been scorned by a couple of men and now she is telling them to Get Home. Jim is best to watch out for this Black Widow as she has already taken down Martin Tielli. If Jim wants to stand up or take it to the ground, Sarah will hammer down on him like her and to the amusement of the crowd will do it while in C major. She’s played cards with Judas and been coached by both the camps of Science and Religion. Come on Jim, let’s get it on! ^Cameron/ProdigyBoy correction, doesn’t look like my spam-proofed email address displayed. cameronb(AT)gmail(DOT)com April 2nd – for Jon Boy Langford and Dr. Dog! As for who would win…..I give it to Jon hands down. He would do his Fox River kicks, and helicopter guitar moves and ward off all attackers. If the physical doesn’t work, he could destroy anyone with his wit, intelligence and good looks!!! Then fry ’em all in his Electric Waco Chair! Dr. Dog – they’re just a bunch of happy, nice, funny guys and just don’t stand a chance!!! I’m pretty sure that MMJ could take on all comers, but for some reason, my first instinct was the Kings of Leon. I don’t know about there skills in martial arts, but I have a feeling that this band of brothers would have no problem fighting dirty. However, they might be to worried about messing up there hair. April 5th: Islands vs. Stars. Islands… easy. Those mofos are crazy. They had Subtitle in a drum mallet choke hold at SXSW, imagine what they would do with Torquil. Just look out for Amy. March 31: I think the Flaming Lips may have a chance against MMJ. If the Lips bring all of their large costumed characters, they could probably take on MMJ and their big costumed bear from Okonokos! They may look happy, but I think they could stand a chance based on sheer volume. Stars/Islands. It’s a toss-up. Two bands with French-Canadian roots… ANYTHING GOES. I may have to give it to the Stars based on the possibility of any Broken Social Scene interference. (shoot I forgot to say this part) hmm Stars and Islands.. I’d definitely say Stars; imagine all the possibilities when Amy Milan is drunk. Graham Robertson says: In this very hypothetical situation where hypothetically Islands and Stars would want to duke it out with one another, I’d have to put my money down for the Islands. Why you ask? Well, I’ll tell you (I thought you’d never ask!) Nick Diamonds. When he’s got that white paint on his face… well… would you want to fight him? Didn’t think so. -Grahamalaladingdong MMJ please!!! MMJ is brock lesner, and lionne Ritchie is Frank Mir…..everyone thinks that the big man is stronger, but the submission abilities, and tenure in the octagon (not to mention his ability to dance on the celling) frank pulls out a fairly quick victory…JIm puts up a good fight, but several more years, and albums (please), will get jim and co where they need to be in octagon… John McGown says: I would love to see My Morning Jacket! I personally don’t know if Jim James and co would ever engage in an MMA fight…I think he’d just sweet talk his way out of it and then jam with whoever was trying to take him on. However, I think the singer from the Sunparlour Players could get up in Jim’s face because he looks so much like him and people always tell him that. Jim would be confused, thinking he’s looking into a mirror and let his guard down eventually leading to his demise. I hope I get to see this band live. Kasia Swica says: *********** British Sea Power vs. Yo La Tango********************************* Ladies and gentlemen, tonight’s main event is sure to be one for the books. In this corner, British Sea Power come out with Flags Waving. But No Need to Cry Toronto, looks like Yo La Tengo’s Kaplan is Mr. Tough. Let’s see whether either group can transfer their musical talent into raw martial-arts-meets-melee-style tactics for tonights: Indie Celebrity Death Match Although the charming accents of BSP may suggest a passive demeanor, the boys from across the pond stay true to their name. It looks like the more experienced Yo La boys hold some old school moves, but ultimately they lack the vigor and power of Brighton’s favourite export, so ding!ding!ding! TKO for British Sea Power! Thank you for tuning into tonight’s match! First choice: As for the fight scenario… seems pretty obvious in both the first two cases. BSP/YLT While YLT have the edge in experience and gristled road-weariness, BSP have the edge in crazy! It’s the same idea as The Joker vs Batman… though Batman has strength and cunning on his side, as well as years of training – the Joker always gives him a run for his money by UNDER-thinking him… BSP have broken arms falling out of trees collecting branches, if that doesn’t mean they can win a scrap with YLT by sheer wiles I don’t know WHAT does… WINNER: British Sea Power Someone took the Lips, who I thought might have a chance, so I’m going to have to say: MMJ vs hippies everywhere. The jam-band thing that they’ve been looped in with due to some of their prog leanings has put them on some odd bills… so the fight, in this case, is clearly to escape the jam-rock ghetto… and to do so, they will need to climb over some hippies. Using their full sonic arsenal, and confounding their opponents with GIANT riffs and walls of sound – it would be a VERY quick, VERY awesome battle – with MMJ handily besting all hippies (as can be seen by their inclusion on this list – they MUST have escaped the jam-band ghetto to get here… meaning hippies everywhere had to fall… it’s the circle of life)! WINNER: MMJ – no contest! Stars/Islands This one seems like a bit of a BSP crazy-fight again (on the Islands side of things) – BUT – as cute and lovable as Stars are… they also have a TON of friends. With their whole involvement in the BSS collective and shared band members (and shared stages) – they would not have to enter this fight alone… if Islands got an early upper hand, the BSS collective would certainly come out to back up our fighting Stars, handing them the proverbial chair (in WWF parlance) to get the leg up needed to win the fight. (Besides, Stars could always do the supernova thing… GAME OVER!) WINNER: Stars (but this one was close!) Thanks for this contest… very weird… very fun [smirk]. Aaron Dietrich says: Yo La Tengo vs. British Sea Power Yo La Tengo is not a afraid of them and will kick their ass! ’nuff said WINNER: Yo La Tengo! 1. MMJ vs Pinback If anyone could kung fu the reverb it’d be rob crow. Plus Rob does have a profane secret weapon that could very well defeat Jim’s acting talent. while the rest of mmj have pinback well outnumbered pinback is a machine and it’d battle to a draw. 2. BSP vs YLT um, james mcnew?! really, would any of them noodle armed bspers have anything for him? plus that man must have mad skills to add to the size. just a quick listen of something like blue line swinger will let you know georgia could pummel all comers. now ira would instantly get his ass kicked but sacrifices must be made in such tourneys. My Morning Jacket Well I have a hard time picturing anyone from MMJ fighting, except for maybe Patrick Hallahan. Seriously, he beats the crap out of the drums so I’m guessing he would be just as aggresive in the ring. As for Jim James, I think he might have SOME fight in him, judging from "By My Car" (You said Evan is coming over again; And I said, if he does, I’ll kick his head in). SO, if JJ got angry enough I think he could do some damage – and maybe he’d enlist Patrick as backup. As for who would make him angry enough to do so… lets just say that the Evan he refers to is Evan Dando. And even though Evan Dando has a bit of a mean streak to him, I can only imagine that those long loose limbs of his wouldn’t produce much of a fight against a roundhouse by JJ and a beat-down by Patrick Hallahan. My Morning Jacket – MMJ are bad ass, so they challenge all Jam Bands on the festival circuit to a fight where the losers get haircuts, and of course MMJ dominates in this battle. Yo La Tengo/British Sea Power – Yo La Tengo named an album PAINFUL, and pain is what they’ll bring to British Sea Power. James McNew is a big fella and he could single-handedly bring down British Sea Power. Josh A. says: My Morning Jacket – I know for an absolute fact that MMJ would make putty out of any challenger, and for this fact alone, I’d love to see them fight Nickelback. Each member on each member. Krueger getting choked out hard and Jim James ignoring the tap-out. Morbid? C’mon, it’s Krueger. Kaki King / Jon Langford / Dr Dog – Not sure who Jon Langford is, but for the sake of me winning these tickets, I’ll just say: lead singer of Dr. Dog off the top rope with a flying elbow drop, while Kaki King chews the turn-buckle George the Animal Steele-like. British Sea Power / Yo La Tengo – Tough time here. I’m picturing at least two members of one band dressed up like the Bushwhackers, while the other band are disguised as WWII English Naval vets. hmmm Islands / Stars – Hard core bitchslap fest. Split decision. The Constantines / Ted Leo & The Pharmacists – Not sure. can I have the tickets though? Mike W says: 1) MMJ – No matter how many ringers/members Broken Social Scene brought in, they would not be able to take down the Southern boys. 2) Islands/Stars – Stars would seduce Islands into a sex coma with their dreamy pop, then take ’em down. Might not be fair, but thems the breaks. 3) Constantines/Ted Leo – Constantines, no doubt. Something tells me Ted’s pen is mightier than his fist. egin Kongoli says: oh god. i hope this still works! only request stars/islands. PLEASE!! ekongoli@gmail.com SxSW XXI IV – Sound & Vision → ← CONTEST – Owen @ The El Mocambo / Why? @ The Silver Dollar – March 27, 2008	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line242
__label__wiki	0.861638	0.861638	110 Pct tow operation Our 110th Community Affairs Officer David Saponieri drove around our area making note of vehicles with out of state license plates. He said he spotted numerous vehicles with out of state plates but they all matched the vehicles with the exception of one car parked on 57th Avenue. That vehicle was "booted". Although the heavy duty tow truck was on site, they were unable to tow any illegally parked trucks because the lot where they are towed was full. However, three trucks were booted. In addition, 8 summonses were issued in our area. More vehicles would have been booted but some of the booting equipment was broken. PO Saponieri said he will make another request for a tow operation but it may take 30 to 45 days before it will return to the 110th Precinct. While working with our three precincts it's clear the NYPD does not have enough heavy duty tow trucks nor do they have the room to tow trucks or vehicles. Hopefully someone will come up with a solution. PO Saponieri spoke about the double shooting that occurred early Sunday morning on Queens Boulevard at 56th Avenue. One individual was shot in the foot and the other was shot in the thigh. The investigation is ongoing. We want to thank PO Saponieri for all the hard work he has been doing for us. Thank you!! Roe Daraio, President COMET Civic Association www.cometcivic.com	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line244
__label__wiki	0.890376	0.890376	‘Hilda’ Season 2, The Final ‘Sabrina,’ And ‘MANK’ Top Our Netflix Picks In December by Erik Amaya Netflix offers a bevy of presents this December with two shows based on comic books, a holiday edition of The Movies That Made Us and a new David Fincher film! It all starts on December 1st with The Holiday Movies That Made Us, a look at films like Elf and The Nightmare Before Christmas with the same irrevenant tone as The Toys That Made Us. Then, on December 4th, MANK premieres on the service after a short theatrical run. The new David Fincher film chronicles the days of screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz as he aids Orson Welles in completing Citizen Kane. That may not sound like genre material, but the mythology surrounding old Hollywood sure feels fantastical almost 100 years on. And speaking of the fantastical, Hilda returns for a second season on December 16th. The gentlest comic-book-to-TV-show adaptation looks to add some great conflict as Hilda (Bella Ramsey) faces a genuine antagonist. But if you prefer your shows to have a more Sanatic edge, Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina rounds out the year with its final set of episodes. Of course, these are just our picks for what to watch in December. Take a look at the full list of eveything coming to the service — and pay particular note to everying leaving next month — to find your new holiday tradition. ARASHI’s Diary – Voyage – ep 18-20 — NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY Twenty years after their debut, join the beloved members of Arashi on a new journey as they showcase their lives, talents and gifts to the world. Debuting 12/1/20 🎁 Angela’s Christmas Wish — NETFLIX FILM A determined Angela makes a wish to reunite her family in time for Christmas, then launches a plan to find her way from Ireland to Australia. 🎁 The Holiday Movies That Made Us — NETFLIX ORIGINAL Unwrap the real stories behind these iconic Christmas blockbusters, thanks to insider interviews and behind-the-scenes peeks. Natalie Palamides: Nate – A One Man Show — NETFLIX COMEDY SPECIAL Meet Nate – Your stereotypical masculine man just trying to be better. Executive produced by Amy Poehler and directed by Philip Burgers, Natalie Palamides: Nate – One Man Show follows an alpha male, portrayed by Natalie Palamides, learning to express emotion and understand the rules of consent. Alien Worlds — NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY Applying the laws of life on Earth to the rest of the galaxy, this series blends science fact and fiction to imagine alien life on other planets. Ari Eldjárn: Pardon My Icelandic — NETFLIX COMEDY SPECIAL In this upbeat English-language special, comedian Ari Eldjárn pokes fun at Nordic rivalries, Hollywood’s take on Thor, the whims of toddlers and more. Fierce — NETFLIX FILM A gifted young singer becomes an instant sensation on a popular talent show. But her real goal is earning the love of her father, a member of the jury. Hazel Brugger: Tropical — NETFLIX COMEDY SPECIAL In this stand-up special, comedian Hazel Brugger offers her breezy takes on unruly geese, chatty gynecologists, German bank loans and more. Break — NETFLIX FILM After a serious accident, Lucie tries to rediscover herself as a dancer and meets Vincent, a talented b-boy battling his own insecurities. 🎁 Chico Bon Bon and the Very Berry Holiday — NETFLIX FAMILY The Fix-It Force makes a plan to hit every home as fast as they can, delivering Blunderberry Cakes before the town awakes to avoid a holiday disaster. 🎁 Just Another Christmas (Tudo Bem No Natal Que Vem) — NETFLIX FILM Stuck in a time loop where it’s forever Christmas, a family man who hates the holiday starts to learn valuable lessons about what’s important in life. Bhaag Beanie Bhaag — NETFLIX ORIGINAL Beanie has always done what’s asked of her — until she decides to run from her very comfortable life and pursue a career in stand-up comedy. As she navigates the demands of everyone from her concerned parents to her proposal-popping boyfriend, this is Beanie’s journey to carve out the life she wants for herself amidst the chaos. Big Mouth: Season 4 — NETFLIX ORIGINAL On the brink of eighth grade, the friends contend with summer camp torments, shady alter egos, new make-out frontiers and Tito the Anxiety Mosquito. Bombay Rose — NETFLIX FILM Amidst the bustle of a magnetic and multifaceted city, the budding love between two dreamers is tested by duty and religious divides. 🎁 Captain Underpants Mega Blissmas — NETFLIX FAMILY Christmas gets weird — really weird — after George and Harold go back in time to change up a few of their beloved holiday’s traditions. 🎁 Christmas Crossfire (Wir Können Nicht Anders) — NETFLIX FILM A man foils an attempted murder, then flees the crew of would-be killers along with their intended target as a woman he’s just met tries to find him. 🎁 The Great British Baking Show: Holidays: Season 3 — NETFLIX ORIGINAL Cake pops, canapes, favorite contestants from seasons past and the “Derry Girls” cast bring Yuletide joy to the tent. But will Paul be naughty or nice? Leyla Everlasting — NETFLIX FILM A resilient housewife, her husband and their marriage therapist become mired in a toxic love triangle and a plot to obtain an antique manuscript. MANK — NETFLIX FILM 1930s Hollywood is reevaluated through the eyes of scathing wit and alcoholic screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz as he races to finish Citizen Kane. Pokémon Journeys: The Series: Part 3 — NETFLIX FAMILY Ash and his Pokémon battle in the World Coronation Series while he and Goh continue their research with Professor Cerise, meeting Pokémon everywhere. Selena: The Series — NETFLIX ORIGINAL A coming-of-age story following Selena as she chases her dreams, and the heart-wrenching and life-changing sacrifices she and her family make as they navigate the highs and lows of success, loss, love, and music. Detention — NETFLIX ORIGINAL A tormented student uncovers unsettling secrets at her remote high school as betrayal and a paranormal encounter upend her life. 🎁 Mighty Express: A Mighty Christmas — NETFLIX FAMILY The Mighty Express welcomes a new train and speeds into a snowstorm to deliver Santa’s presents and save Christmas for all the kids in Tracksville. Emicida: AmarElo – É Tudo Para Ontem — NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY Between scenes from his concert in São Paulo’s Theatro Municipal, rapper and activist Emicida celebrates the rich legacy of Black Brazilian culture. Lovestruck in the City — NETFLIX ORIGINAL Heart stolen by a free-spirited woman after a beachside romance, a passionate architect sets out to reunite with her on the streets of Seoul. Mr. Iglesias: Part 3 — NETFLIX ORIGINAL As he begins a new relationship, Gabe pushes his students to face their fears, dream big and believe in themselves — lessons he tries to take to heart. Spirit Riding Free: Ride Along Adventure — NETFLIX FAMILY Join Lucky and her friends on a mission to save Maricela’s beloved mare, Mystery, from greedy horse thieves who’ve taken her captive with a wild herd. 🎁 Super Monsters: Santa’s Super Monster Helpers — NETFLIX FAMILY When Santa needs serious help prepping all of his presents, the Super Monsters lend a hand — and some monster magic — to get every gift out on time! 🎁 Ashley Garcia: Genius in Love: Christmas — NETFLIX FAMILY It’s the most wonderful time of the year… until Ashley has visions of a not-so-festive future dancing in her head on Christmas Eve. 🎁 The Big Show Show: Christmas — NETFLIX FAMILY Ho, ho, nooo! After an injury forces the Big Show to cease all Santa duties, Cassy steps up as Mrs. Claus to keep the Christmas spirit alive. Rose Island (L’Incredibile storia dell’Isola Delle Rose) — NETFLIX FILM An idealistic engineer builds his own island off the coast of Italy and declares it a nation, drawing the attention of the world — and the government. The Surgeon’s Cut — NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY The Surgeon’s Cut profiles four ground-breaking surgeons from around the world, each with a visionary approach to their craft. Viewers will follow along as they perform innovative operations and procedures, and reveal personal insight into their journey into medicine, providing a unique window into the world of surgery. Through the individual stories of these experts, the series explores how our understanding of the human body is constantly being reinvented by new discoveries and techniques. Specialty areas featured include fetal medicine, neurosurgery, transplant surgery and cardiology. Debuting 12/10/20 Alice in Borderland — NETFLIX ORIGINAL A video-game-obsessed young man finds himself in a strange version of Tokyo where he and other visitors must compete in deadly games to survive. 🎁 A Trash Truck Christmas — NETFLIX FAMILY When Santa crash-lands in the junkyard on Christmas Eve, Hank, Trash Truck and their animal friends all have a hand in rescuing the holiday for everyone. Canvas — NETFLIX FILM A grieving grandfather struggling to reclaim his passion for painting after suffering a loss finds the inspiration to create again. Giving Voice — NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY Students from across the US audition for a spot in the August Wilson Monologue Competition, culminating in a riveting final round on a Broadway stage. The Mess You Leave Behind (El desorden que dejas) — NETFLIX ORIGINAL A teacher starts her job at a high school but is haunted by a suspicious death that occurred there weeks before… and begins fearing for her own life. The Prom — NETFLIX FILM A group of down-on-their-luck Broadway stars shake up life in small-town Indiana as they rally behind a teen fighting to bring her girlfriend to prom. 🎁 A California Christmas — NETFLIX FILM With his carefree lifestyle on the line, a wealthy charmer poses as a ranch hand to get a hardworking farmer to sell her family’s land before Christmas. Hilda: Season 2 — NETFLIX FAMILY As Hilda explores new places and hidden spaces around Trolberg, her love of adventure and a growing streak of independence could lead her into trouble. Tiny Pretty Things — NETFLIX ORIGINAL When an attack brings down the star student at an elite ballet school, her replacement enters a world of lies, betrayal — and cutthroat competition. Song Exploder: Volume 2— NETFLIX ORIGINAL Based on the acclaimed podcast of the same name, and from host Hrishikesh Hirway and Oscar®-winning filmmaker Morgan Neville, each episode of Song Exploder features some of the world’s greatest musicians as they reveal how they brought one of their songs to life. The series weaves together in-depth interviews, archival footage, and raw recordings as each artist breaks down their song, layer by layer, sharing intimate insight into the personal inspiration behind the music and lyrics. Featured artists in Volume 2 include: Dua Lipa, the Grammy and BRIT Award-winning singer and songwriter delves into the personal struggles and musical influences that went into the making of her hit song “Love Again” from her second studio album, Future Nostalgia. The Killers, the Multi-Platinum band break down “When You Were Young,” the deeply personal song that felt like a turning point for the band. Nine Inch Nails, Oscar, Grammy and Emmy-winning composer and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Trent Reznor discusses powerfully haunting song “Hurt,” the final track on NIN’s second studio album, The Downward Spiral. Natalia Lafourcade, the Grammy and 14-time Latin Grammy-winning singer and songwriter, explains how she channeled her history and homeland of Veracruz, Mexico, to create the hit song “Hasta La Raíz.” Anitta: Made In Honorio — NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY In this intimate documentary, Brazilian pop queen Anitta opens up about fame, family and her fierce work ethic, revealing the woman behind the hits. BREAK IT ALL: The History of Rock in Latin America — NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY Through interviews, archival footage and many music hits, this series tells the history of rock ‘n’ roll and youth culture throughout Latin America. 🎁 How To Ruin Christmas: The Wedding — NETFLIX ORIGINAL Prodigal daughter Tumi goes home for the holidays and manages to ruin her sister’s wedding plans. Now she must make things right before it’s too late. Lee Daniels’ The Butler (2013) The Ripper — NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY Investigators and witnesses recall how a modern-day Jack the Ripper terrorized the north of England during the late 1970s. Run On — NETFLIX ORIGINAL Veering off course from his preset path, a track star follows his own pace and heart for the first time after a film translator steps into his life. Vir Das: Outside In – The Lockdown Special — NETFLIX ORIGINAL Stage banter takes on a different — deeper — meaning as the comedian performs online shows to homebound viewers worldwide from his Mumbai residence. 🎁 Home for Christmas: Season 2 — NETFLIX ORIGINAL When love rings your doorbell, are you ready? Follow Johanne through another December as she continues her pursuit for eternal, warm and real love. When her family and the world around her fall apart, how can she still believe in real and bottomless love? Does it even exist and will she find the one true love for Christmas this year? Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom — NETFLIX FILM Tensions rise when the trailblazing Mother of the Blues and her band gather at a Chicago recording studio in 1927. Adapted from August Wilson’s play. Sweet Home — NETFLIX ORIGINAL As savage monsters inflict terror and threaten humanity, a troubled teen with inner demons emerges as his neighbors’ best bet for survival. London Hughes: To Catch a D*ck — NETFLIX COMEDY SPECIAL London is confused. She’s awesome, successful, attractive, and has no gag reflex and yet … somehow, incredibly single … how on earth has that happened?! In this hilariously provocative, empowering show, London will explore the complete mystery of why the world is full of desirable, brilliant but single women – who definitely don’t need a man but wouldn’t mind the option. Rhyme Time Town Singalongs — NETFLIX FAMILY Sing along with the Rhyme Time Town friends as they use their imaginations and flex their problem-solving skills with snackable, snap-worthy songs. The Midnight Sky — NETFLIX FILM This post-apocalyptic tale follows Augustine (George Clooney), a lonely scientist in the Arctic, as he races to stop Sully (Felicity Jones) and her fellow astronauts from returning home to a mysterious global catastrophe. Clooney directs the adaptation of Lily Brooks-Dalton’s acclaimed novel Good Morning, Midnight, co-starring David Oyelowo, Kyle Chandler, Demián Bichir and Tiffany Boone. Your Name Engraved Herein — NETFLIX FILM Set in the backdrop of 1987 where martial law just ended in Taiwan, two male students fell in love against the expectations of society. Bridgerton — NETFLIX ORIGINAL From Shondaland and Creator Chris Van Dusen, Bridgerton follows Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dyvenor), the eldest daughter of the powerful Bridgerton family as she makes her debut onto Regency London’s competitive marriage market. Hoping to follow in her parent’s footsteps and find a match sparked by true love, Daphne’s prospects initially seem to be unrivaled. But as her older brother begins to rule out her potential suitors, the high society scandal sheet written by the mysterious Lady Whistledown casts aspersions on Daphne. Enter the highly desirable and rebellious Duke of Hastings (Regé-Jean Page), committed bachelor and the catch of the season for the debutantes’ mamas. Despite proclaiming that they want nothing the other has to offer, their attraction is undeniable and sparks fly as they find themselves engaged in an increasing battle of wits while navigating society’s expectations for their future. Bridgerton is a romantic, scandalous, and quick-witted series that celebrates the timelessness of enduring friendships, families finding their way, and the search for a love that conquers all. The series also stars Golda Rosheuvel, Jonathan Bailey, Luke Newton, Claudia Jessie, Nicola Coughlan, Ruby Barker, Sabrina Bartlett, Ruth Gemmell, Adjoa Andoh, Polly Walker, Bessie Carter and Harriet Cains and Julie Andrews as the voice of Lady Whistledown. The series is inspired by Julia Quinn’s novels. Asphalt Burning (Børning 3) — NETFLIX FILM When the brakes slam on his wedding, Roy accepts a challenge from a new foe to race for his runaway bride at the iconic Nürburgring track in Germany. DNA — NETFLIX FILM The death of a woman’s larger-than-life grandfather brings her cantankerous family together and forces the 35-year-old to confront her tumultuous life. Fast & Furious Spy Racers: Season 3: Sahara — NETFLIX FAMILY With Ms. Nowhere and Gary MIA in the Sahara, Echo leads the Spy Racers on a mission to take down enemies from the past. Go! Go! Cory Carson: Season 3 — NETFLIX FAMILY It’s another season following animated kid car, Cory Carson, as he goes on adventures with his family and friends in Bumperton Hills. The Magic School Bus Rides Again In the Zone — NETFLIX FAMILY It’s the longest New Years Eve ever as Ms. Frizzle and class travel back in time — hour by hour — to save their beloved bus! Cops and Robbers — NETFLIX FILM This animated short film is based on a spoken word poetry video created in response to the May 5, 2020, murder of Ahmaud Arbery. Best Leftovers Ever! — NETFLIX ORIGINAL The kings & queens of leftover cooking will take leftover dishes on an epic journey across two rounds. Each half-hour after party, our home cooks will compete in the ultimate food makeover, finding ways to give old leftovers new life, all in the hopes of winning a $10,000 prize! Join host Jackie Tohn and judges David So and Rosemary Shrager as they watch our contestants transform leftovers into delicious creations. Equinox — NETFLIX ORIGINAL In 1999, young Astrid saw a bus full of students disappear. In 2019, Astrid tries to solve this mystery, only to discover she ends up changing the past. Transformers: War For Cybertron Trilogy: Chapter 2: Earthrise — NETFLIX ANIME While Optimus Prime and the Autobots search for answers in deep space, they meet their creators who prove to be a greater foe than the Decepticons. Best of Stand-Up 2020 — NETFLIX COMEDY SPECIAL This compilation features the funniest jokes from comedians in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand that have launched specials in 2020. Chilling Adventures of Sabrina: Part 4 — NETFLIX ORIGINAL Chilling Adventures of Sabrina re-imagines the origin and adventures of Sabrina the Teenage Witch as a dark coming-of-age story that traffics in horror, the occult and, of course, witchcraft. Over the course of Part 4’s eight episodes, The Eldritch Terrors will descend upon Greendale. The coven must fight each terrifying threat one-by-one (The Weird, The Returned, The Darkness to name a few), all leading up to…The Void, which is the End of All Things. As the witches wage war, with the help of The Fright Club, Nick begins to slowly earn his way back into Sabrina’s heart, but will it be too late? Leaving 12/1/20 Heartbreakers (2001) Cabin Fever (2016) Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch (2018) The Rum Diary (2011) Berlin, I Love You (2019) The Art of the Steal (2013) Sin senos sí hay paraíso: Seasons 1-3 Leaving 12/10/20 Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2 (2018) Hart of Dixie: Seasons 1-4 The Little Hours (2017) The West Wing: Seasons 1-7 Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) Fifty (2015) Lawless (2012) The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016) Dexter: Seasons 1-8 Hell on Wheels: Seasons 1-5 Nurse Jackie: Seasons 1-7 Airplane! (1980) Baby Mama (2008) Back to the Future Part II (1989) Back to the Future Part III (1990) Bad Teacher (2011) Barbershop (2002) Cape Fear (1991) Casper (1995) Charlie St. Cloud (2010) Coneheads (1993) Definitely, Maybe (2008) Dennis the Menace (1993) Drugs, Inc.: Season 6 The Dukes of Hazzard (2005) For Love or Money (1993) Frida (2002) Gossip Girl: Seasons 1-6 Grand Hotel: Seasons 1-3 The Inbetweeners: Seasons 1-3 Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008) Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) The Interview (2014) Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004) Nacho Libre (2006) Not Another Teen Movie (2001) Octonauts: Seasons 1-3 The Office: Seasons 1-9 Pride & Prejudice (2005) Session 9 (2001) Splice (2009) Starsky & Hutch (2004) Superman Returns (2006) The Town (2010) Troy (2004) WarGames (1983) November 24, 2020 November 24, 2020 Erik Amaya 344 Views Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, David Fincher, Hilda, MANK, Netflix, The Movie That Made Us ← Review: Plunge Headfirst Into The Icy Waters Of Dread With ‘Sea Of Sorrows’ #1 Mission To The Moon: ‘Doctor Doom’ #9 Previewed → Erik Amaya Host of Tread Perilously and a Film/TV Writer at Comicon.com and Rotten Tomatoes. A former staff writer at CBR and Bleeding Cool, and a contributing writer at Fanbase Press and Monkeys Fighting Robots. Voice of Puppet Tommy on The Room Responds. A seeker of the Seastone Chair and the owner of a Legion Flight Ring. Sorted into Gryffindor, which came as some surprise. What Kind Of Story Is Avengers: Endgame? July 3, 2019 Benjamin Hall 0 #CarrieOnForever Hashtag Remembers Carrie Fisher’s Death One Year Later December 27, 2017 Christine Marie Attardo 0 Stranger Things, Handmaid’s Tale & Westworld Receive Emmy Outstanding Drama Nominations July 12, 2018 Erik Amaya 0	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line246
__label__cc	0.713708	0.286292	Outraged Protest Tours - The Tourism Package for Leftists Who Hate Israel The Gaza flotilla and the flytilla may have been failures, but they were also missed opportunities for Israel. It's no secret that a portion of Israel's tourist trade comes from "Protest Tourism." From philosophy students and poetry PhD's who want a chance to visit the Holy Land, throw some rocks at a soldier and have their pictures taken with AK-47 wielding terrorists. And it's time that the Israeli tourist industry took their business seriously. Rather than profiling them and giving them the heave ho at the airport, why not develop special tourism packages catering to their needs. Happily one company, Outraged Protest Tours is already on it. By the first quarter of 2012, Outraged Protest Tours expects to be able to offer angry entitled brats a choice of three tour packages in Israel. 1. The Rachel Corrie You're angry at your parents. You're angry at the world. You're still angry at Bush. One time you saw a PBS documentary on Gaza and you said, "Man, are those people angry. But in a really deep and spiritual way." Pack your hemp sandals, your 259 dollar sunglasses and get ready to fill your Flickr account with photos of underprivileged children. Take off from San Francisco International Airport in a remodeled Tupolev Tu-114 aircraft that smells like gasoline and cow manure. As your body tries to decide whether it should pass out from the fumes or throw up from the turbulence, you will relish knowing that you have left behind your comfortable life and are experiencing the agony of being in the Third World. Your ticket price of 3000 dollars will be a small price to pay for the insights from this experience that you will be able to share on Tumblr. You land at Ben Gurion airport, after three hours going through customs, where you will be encouraged to yell "Power to the People" slogans at officials who will pretend not to understand what you are saying. If you cannot think of any slogans to yell, a booklet of slogans handwritten by a committee that includes Noam Chomsky, Tony Kushner and Norman Finkelstein (19.95) will be provided for you. Accommodations will be provided inside a half-collapsed house with an Israeli bulldozer outside. With six to a room, your job will be to prevent the bulldozer from knocking over the house. At unpredictable times during the night, the bulldozer will start up, and then you will be expected to run out of the house, screaming and waving your hands, while shouting political slogans at it. The bulldozer will then usually stop. If it does not, you will be expected to lie in the mud while contemplating the geopolitics of the whole thing. If anyone asks you to leave and go to a bar with them for a pint because the world is ending, you will know this to be a trick. As bars are against Islam. Sometimes during the night, men will come through the tunnels in the house, carrying mortar rounds and IED's. You will be given 15 minutes to pose for pictures with them. These will look really good on your Facebook and your friends who just went skiing or to build homes in Africa will be really jealous. After three days of this ($4999) while drinking stale water and eating old pita ($215.44) you will be able to say that you participated in the revolutionary struggle against Zionism and for weapons smuggling tunnels. You may even get a PhD thesis out of this, or at least a foreign correspondent post with Time magazine, which means you will be able to do this sort of thing full time. And even get paid for it. 2. The Alice Walker You are a very deep person. People tell you this all the time, even when you don't prompt them. Often you wish that you had been born earlier so that you could have participated in the great protest movements of the past. You write outraged poems about many things which to your shame occasionally rhyme a little too well. Deep in your deep self, you hate Israel, Coca Cola, Nuclear Power, Country Music, McDonalds, Organized Religion, People Who Don't Recycle and Republicans in no particular order. If you are English, then you hate these things too, but not as much as Tony Blair and the Daily Mail. You leave on a boat from somewhere. Probably Mexico. Maybe Turkey. It's still too early to tell. The boat will not be very good. It will lack a toilet. You will have to use a bucket. Occasionally you will also have to row. If the boat springs a leak, you will also have to use the bucket to bail. (Bucket is complimentary, additional buckets are $49.95) On this cruise ($12,000) you will rub shoulders with mildly famous authors like Alice Walker and Henning Mankell, and fight with them over bucket privileges. If you are not abducted by Somali pirates, you should be approaching the coast of Gaza in 6-8 weeks. Possibly more if you took a wrong turn around Australia or Atlantis. If your captain is not excessively stoned, he will be successfully run the boat aground on the Gaza coast. You will be given one hour to pose for photographs with authentic Hamas terrorists ($300.00) and even hold their weapons (additional $75.00). If you do not yet have a Keffiyah, one will be provided for you, ($39.95). After this time you will be arrested by the authorities for illegal entry. You will be given 15 min to be photographed struggling with them in heroic poses. If your poses are not heroic, this is your own damn fault. In prison ($7,000.00) you will receive access to a computer so that you can document your struggle in full detail. If you do not have a Twitter account, one will be provided for you ($9.25). You will be given a chance to pose for photos in prison. Be sure to grip the bars tightly and put on your best defiant look that will impress committed activists back home ($81.00). After an hour in prison you will be driven to the airport, where you will be given another 15 minutes to protest your deportation and confer with journalists. Then you will be put on a plane and sent home to whatever suburb you came from. Your boat will be sunk to the bottom of the ocean or used to transport the next group of protest tourists, depending on how badly it smells. 3. The Edward Said You are a mature thinker. Not only do you know the difference between the International Secretariat of the Fourth Communist International and the International Committee of the Fourth Communist International, but you also know why both are wrong, and you are right. Israel is despised both as a tool of the capitalist fascist colonialist vanguard and because it is a bridge with the workers and peasants of the Islamic world who are the best hope for bringing down the system. The first class fight ($40,000) arrives on schedule, after a brief hijacking. As befitting your intellectual stature, the hijackers allow you to draw up their political program for them. It should be no less than 100 pages and should incorporate as many references to People of Color, Dialectical Materialism and the Military-Industrial Complex as you can fit in. 10 minutes before landing the hijackers will be disarmed, but this will not affect you in any way as you are an intellectual and above the fray. Nor will you be expected to participate in any of the fisticuffs. On the ground, you will begin with a tour of Israeli left-wing NGO's who will ask you to help fund their work of bringing down the Zionist state, ($2,500,000) and then driven to help local Arab Muslims bring in the olive harvest. Their olives are located on an Israeli farmer's land. You will be encouraged to help vandalize his farm equipment and vineyards. Eventually you will discover there are no actual olives. But symbolic olives will be provided ($4.00 each) to hold up. Next you will be taken to the separation wall. You will be provided with stones to throw at Israeli soldiers (20 dollars each) and while you will be too far away to actually hit them, the photo will look brilliant on the cover of Newsweek. A can of spray paint ($195.00) will also be provided for you to draw pictures or slogans on the wall. In the unlikely case that a deep intellectual like you cannot think of a slogan, something about "Apartheid" will do. Following this you will participate in a seminar at Birzeit University on the Arab Spring. Study up carefully, many of Birzeit's faculty are graduates of Patrice Lumumba University in Moscow and are up on all their Marxism-Leninism. President Abbas, another graduate, may stop by and consult with you on his updated thesis of how to run a fake terrorist state entirely on foreign aid. Finally you will be driven to Amos Oz's house, where the cranky writer will expostulate at length on Israel's immoral occupation, how much he hates the settlers and how much his bladder hurts ($599.95). The latter topic will occupy most of your session. You will then receive a copy of Oz's latest book ($39.95) and he will waddle off to the bathroom, while you head back to the airport. While waiting in the airport lounge, you may be able to turn your thoughts into an essay for The New Yorker. Be sure to tell David Remnick that Aisha sends her best and that he's welcome to visit her again anytime. Outraged Protest Tours has put together an impressive tour package to cater to the leftist of all stripes and categories. Its ingenuity shows that just because people hate a country but are still obsessed with visiting it, doesn't mean that a tourism package can't be developed for them. Tags: Satire Capitalist Tool 20/7/11 Sounds nice. People will be signing up by the hundreds :) I retract an earlier posting of mine about Pat Condell being the better in irony, this column of yours is great. Some enterprising reader might thank you for the business idea! Jack Dauphin 20/7/11 Tone down the satire, find yourself an Arab partner to front for you, and you have a working business plan. I can already see your classified ad in the back pages of Harper's, Counterpunch, The Nation, Mother Jones, et al. "Accommodations will be provided inside a half-collapsed house with an Israeli bulldozer outside. With six to a room, your job will be to prevent the bulldozer from knocking over the house. At unpredictable times during the night, the bulldozer will start up, and then you will be expected to run out of the house, screaming and waving your hands, while shouting political slogans at it. The bulldozer will then usually stop. If it does not, you will be expected to lie in the mud while contemplating the geopolitics of the whole thing." That is just gold :) Mike_W dave s 20/7/11 On a wet Wednesday morning this really made me smile. Congtatulations. Rita 20/7/11 :) :) And here is some music for the Alice Walker tourists: ;) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXFN2hZTSfs&feature=player_embedded#at=134 Barry 20/7/11 Just when I thought that I'd read your best you come out with something even better. This was satire at its best. How about selling this as a task on Alan Sugar's/Donald Trump's "The Apprentice" Or better still get financial backers on "the Dragon's Den" UK on and Canadian TV TBS 20/7/11 Oh, Daniel. How could you forget to mention Western terror groupies' encountering Arabs as the perceived "other" (Edward Said Tour) and confronting this "rejection of the 'other'" within their wicked Western souls by screaming "Zionism is raaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaacism" at Israeli security staff. Good piece. I must say it occurred to me awhile ago that genuine thrillseekers/adrenalin junkies might like to stay in Sderot for few weeks. IF you know anyone there you might advise them to fix up a bomb shelter with extra towels and put an ad on Craigslist. Actually,m Daniel, get yourself to Hasbro and propose a board game/computer game!! Totally doable!! dont forget to include the Rachel Corrie pancake breakfast into the itinerary. Gary 20/7/11 I admit this is funny and laughing at the anti-Israel crowd is both easy and well deserved. However, I can't help feeling that the whole "Western civilization has been taken over by leftist idiots" thing is not going to end well. I guess laughing as the world goes up in flames is as good a thing to do as cry but sometimes thinking back to what we were, and comparing it to what we are, makes me sad. I would like to think that satire can expose the absurdity of the enemy and also avert despair Linda Rivera 20/7/11 Daniel, that was hilarious! Thanks for the laugh! I;ll bet the Israeli TP for LWHI are suffering a great loss in revenue at the moment whilst the lefties divert their energies into helping the emergency famine in Africa, feebly attempting to divert the aid from Al Shabbab to the people who need it &. and protecting the people from the militia who are stealing the children for rape and training them up to kill. Actually the game computer game has been done. kate b Here you go, UN approved anti-Israel game for brainwashed teens, kate b: http://cifwatch.com/2010/10/29/eu-funded-israeli-ngo-launches-anti-israel-video-game-in-an-apparent-attempt-to-capture-the-teen-demonization-market/ That looks like a terrible game. I hope they keep wasting their money in the same way. It's just begging for a remake involving rockets and terrorists dressing up in burqas. Kufar Dawg 21/7/11 Why do the lieberal scumbags who support the islamonazi palesimians have nothing to say about the exportation of TEN THOUSAND rocket and mortar rounds, unilaterally from the Gaza Shite into Israel over the last 8 years? Why do the lieberal scumbags who support islamonazism have nothing to say about the legalized enslavement of kuffars/infidels being practiced by muslimes in Mauritania and the Sudan right now? 2sloe 21/7/11 DG, thank you for the heart medicine. That magazine cover : ACTIVIST SLACKER WEAR, alone, is priceless. "Supporting Terrorism Makes you Seem Deep" hahaha... and "Keep your manicure while fighting the forces of Zionism", too hilarious. Truly clueless people, all around. Why don't these goofballs go and protest about Al Shabab not allowing aid to Somalians? Oh, I know why, because Al-Shabab would shoot them on sight! Where is the flotilla for the starving Muslims of Somalia? Where!? jzsnake 22/7/11 First time on your site. I will return. Send this to Caroline Glick for Latma. YOu never know... Keli Ata 24/7/11 Speaking of Latma... There We Con the World video made turned Flotilla II a flop. I loved Latma's follow up video "The Audacity of Dopes Presents Guns! Guns! Guns!" When I left the left and turned right I found new friends who sounded right to me. Even though I miss the friendships of my leftist days,since their complete disorientation to what is right and real and true has totally left them, I feel rightly justified when I read satire like this. I left the left and turned right I'll support the starving kuffars of Ethiopia -- or any place else for that matter -- before I spend dime one helping out muslo-nazis of any stripe. HermitLion 30/7/11 This piece was so brilliant, I just had to read it out loud to a friend. We both enjoyed it very much. Our satirical styles are quite the same, which is probably why an egomaniac like myself finds it so utterly wonderful :) Lisa G in NZ 27/3/12 Daniel, this was GREAT... but I bet: not funny to our leftist friends, no, not funny at all... excellent... and very funny Daniel! I'll preach to the choir and add our leftist friends won't find this funny at all, nope, not funny... waaah waaah waaaaaaaah A Land Without History Lynching Herman Cain Friday Afternoon Roundup - Obama Wins the Budget B... A Clash of Histories A New Deal for America Debunking 6 Myths About Anders Breivik Anders Behring Breivik and the High Cost of Muslim... Healing Norway Friday Afternoon Roundup - Every Man a Trillionaire Edge of the Spending New Frontier Outraged Protest Tours - The Tourism Package for L... The End of Afghanistan Is Obama Our Gorbachev? No Red Lines for the Left Friday Afternoon Roundup - Sometimes the Bear Gets... The Permanent Muslim Civil War The Warsaw Ghetto with an Internet Cafe Maskophobia, Murderphobia and Bombphobia A Disparity in Power is Not a Disparity in Morals Government of Sociopaths Friday Afternoon Roundup - Hell Has a New Resident... China's Second Great Leap Forward The Jewish Vote The Last Refuge of Liberty Why Do We Still Celebrate the 4th of July? Cowboys vs Superheroes Friday Afternoon Roundup - Put Some Teeth In It	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line249
__label__cc	0.619865	0.380135	THE GIACONDA DINING ROOM If it feels right Just drive for the light Denmark Street in W1 is London town’s very own Tin Pan Alley. When Saturday comes long-haired kids with rock star dreams and Dads whose dreams died long ago press their noses up against the windows of the guitar shops while somebody, somewhere is always playing Stairway To Heaven. Short but fascinating it’s a must-visit for any lover of modern popular music. It’s now, somewhat incongruously, home to a dinky little bistro from Australian chef Paul Merrony. But first a drink. In olden times, well twenty-plus years ago, HS was a hard-working rep for Penguin and this was his ‘patch’. One of the places he went to drown his sorrows was The Phoenix Artist Club just off the Charing Cross Road. Of course this being London it has plenty of history: Noel Coward made his stage debut upstairs in the theatre. It’s one of those places, like say The Cork and Bottle, that unless you’re actually going there you would never go there. If that makes any sense (probably not). Anyway, it’s a convenient place to meet for a drink and it’s blissfully free of tourists or annoying twenty-somethings, although worryingly HS informs me that it’s becoming so hip you might spot Kate Moss having a pint of lager there…whoever she is. After a pleasant glass of White Rioja we went in search of The Giaconda Dining Room. I use the word ‘search’ advisedly. On the first sashay down Denmark Street we missed the restaurant completely. Only after carefully retracing our steps did we find it. Mind you, it is tiny, more akin to something you might find in France or Spain than London. The latter which seems to have given up the small scale, in the centre, at least. Mr Merrony also appears to have brought all his fans from Sydney with him - the majority of diners sounded Antipodean. Not a problem – I can learn to forgive and forget (the last drubbing we got in The Ashes). The menu is what one probably calls Modern European with specific biases towards the Latin although the odd English dish or component creeps in there. So to start we were somewhere in France chowing down on a lovely de-boned trotter which was flattened and the skin crisped to a thing of beauty. Underneath was a fatty, messy and, goddamit, unctuous layer of the trotter flesh. Lurking under all this porcine loveliness was some egg mayonnaise and some of those leaves that look like they came out of a bag. Neither of the latter two items were needed but I suppose their presence was indicative of the kitchen’s generosity and its inclination to please the punter. Homemade Foie Gras au Torchon was predictably lovely and rich as only FG can be but there was also a nice little gelee that was by no means the lesser partner. HS stayed En France for “Grill of the Day” which was announced as Bavette although having just cooked such a cut I didn’t recognise it as such – this one being a small fist of meat rather than the flatter shape of the Bavette. But who knows, it won’t be the first time I’ve been wrong about something. Probably about the fifth. HS would have been more than happy with just his steak but again the kitchen wanted to add something more, this time in the form of a sliced tomato. Ok, but hardly essential. The Beef was accurately cooked and although not the finest piece of beef I’ve ever tasted was some way from being the worst. The chips divided us like Tom and Rudy Jordache. HS thought they were good - though tellingly we didn’t finish them off - whereas I found them a bit mealy in texture and not crisp enough. Their taste reminded me, for some reason, of a chippy which may have been down to the cooking medium (dripping ?). I really lucked out with my Pork Chop. The big lump of pork (not me) had been cooked medium and although the fat could have been crisped up a bit more still delivered the requisite porky hit. Even better though was a beautifully judged Risotto Milanese on which the Pork Chop sat. Rich, creamy and morerish with just the right amount of bite to the rice, it had both of us battling it out to get yet another mouthful in. Impressive stuff. Of course, after this little lot we could never give the desserts the attention they probably deserved. My Iced Nougat was good although the Raspberries that surrounded it were the star for me. HS’s Apple Compote with Whipped Cream Walnuts was a nice enough combination but perhaps something more seasonal like gooseberries would have been more interesting and apt. In any case, the criticisms we had had were pretty minor in view of the fact we just had a very good time. Everything is attractively priced, especially given the location, the Wine List had a good mix – it’s always nice to see bottles of Txacoli and Bierzo - at reasonable prices and service from a French lass working by herself was friendly and generally on the ball. Quite unlike the impression its name may convey there’s nothing remotely enigmatic about The Giaconda Dining Room: it’s just an honest and enjoyable place to have a meal in Central London. We’d go back – which is really all you need to know. Labels: Denmark Street, Giaconda Dining Room, LONDON, Paul Merrony CHISOU: "NOT TOO BAD AT ALL" SUSHI IN THE WEST END MIEN TAY: NEW OLD SCHOOL ON THE KINGSLAND ROAD BACK IN THE KITCHEN AGAIN THE ROCK & SOLE PLAICE DINE WITH DOS HERMANOS 2008 - UPDATE ARK FISH RESTAURANT QUO VADIS REDUXING THE REDUX BOOK MY GLOBE (UK EDITION) BEEF: THE UNTOLD STORY OF HOW MILK, MEAT AND MUSCL...	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line251
__label__wiki	0.531656	0.531656	short stories interactive word games Corbitt Nesta Responsibility and Corruption on Elm Avenue Maybelle said she wouldn't be coming with me to the library. I asked why, and she said she could get all the short stories she wanted off the Internet. Saved walking all the way to the library, and putting up with my chatter on the way there, and on the way back. Maybelle is very direct like that, always has been. "But, Maybelle, we've been walking to the library every Monday for the last fifty years!" She said, "Why don't you get Internet? We can send each other emails." So I had to get Internet. I called the local high school. They said they'd send me a good student to tell me all about computers and such. Diabolical thing, this Internet. Makes you lose old friends, forces you to learn newfangled ideas, even if you're too old. But Maybelle said you have to be modern; otherwise, you're dead. Your synapses start clogging up, getting lost, disappearing. You end up like Nancy next door. Perky little Nancy, prom queen sixty two years ago. Now she's wandering around Elm Avenue in her nightgown and spitting at the postman. The kid came the next day. Tall skinny black kid, by the name of Arsenius, said his consultation would cost me. I said, "All right. As long as I get Internet." "You need a computer, then you need to get hooked up," he said. "Let's buy a computer and get hooked up, then." "How much you want to spend ?" "Whatever it takes." "How many rams you want?" I wasn't going to show him my ignorance, so I said, "Whatever it takes." "Let's go to the mall. You got a car?" "In the garage." When I opened the garage door, he gasped. Daddy's car is still there, a '57 Chevy. I never drive it. Walk everywhere. I said, "Let's walk. It's only a mile or so." He said, "Let's drive. Don't want you fainting on me in this heat." "Young man, I don't faint, never have. We're walking." I'm used to going everywhere on foot. And about once every six months, Maybelle and I walk to the mall. It's not far. She stocks up on perfumed candles, and I buy crackerjacks for the great-grandchildren's visits, then we go to the Applebee's and have lunch. Nancy used to come with us, but not anymore. "I get paid by the hour," he said. "Walking will cost you a lot more. Also, you feel like carrying a computer a mile or so? 'Cause I'm not." I could tell he was dying to drive that car. Daddy would have said, no seventeen year old punk driving my car. No way. But Daddy's been dead twenty years, and this child was trembling inside, just jelly-like, wanting to drive that car. I figured I'd get more consultation out of him if I let him. Arsenius got into the driver's seat. He looked excited, but a little intimidated. "There's plenty of gas." "I know, I gassed up a few years ago." He jumped out, grabbed a rag from the rag bin and started cleaning the windshield. "Is wasted time costing me?" I asked. "I'll give you a small discount," he said. Arsenius drove like he was piloting Apollo One. His big pink knuckles tight on the steering wheel, he sank low in his seat, checked all the parameters, as he called the buttons, revved up the motor, and backed very slowly out of the garage.. all with a little secret smile on his face. Captain Arsenius, off to Mars in his '57 Chevy. "What store we going to?" "Media World, they got the best prices." I knew that place. Bought a new tv there a few years ago. Nancy was my consultant back then. She said, get a big one, never can tell when you'll get macular degeneration. It was an infernal place, lights popping on and off, rock music on one side, fifty tv sets on the other, all on different stations, kids in blue shirts rushing around with gadgets in their hands. Associates, they called them. Media World was the same as back then, only now there was a big computer section. And Arsenius seemed to know all the 'associates'. "How many rams you want?" Arsenius shouted over the din. "What's a ram?" "How much info you want. How many bytes." "Bites? " "Little bits of info." "Look, I just want Internet." Nancy would have said get the big one, get the most. You never know when your teeth'll start falling out. "The most," I said. Arsenius approved. You could tell from the twinkle in his eyes. He called the cute little associate over. She looked to be about twelve years old and had green beads in her dyed orange hair. Arsenius announced he wanted the most rams. Only he didn't say 'the most rams'. He ran through lots of letters and numbers, all in one breath. The associate looked very impressed. Ten minutes later I was at the cashier's, writing a check for an unbelievable amount of money, the same amount I paid for an entire antique bedroom set thirty years ago. Daddy would not have approved, but after all, he's dead, and I don't want to lose my friend Maybelle. Internet is the future, she said, and of course, we all want a future. Even when you're eighty years old. Several blue clad associates loaded up the Chevy with the computer, mouse, hard disk, a cd burner, software and other incomprehensible things. Arsenius said he would explain later. We drove home, slowly, so as not to joggle the computer, he said. Actually, Arsenius could not stand the thought of getting out of that car. He was like a five year old with a slurpy, taking one slow lick at a time, to make it last. Arsenius unloaded the Chevy, dropped all the boxes on the kitchen table, said he had homework and would be back the next day. By the next day, I had it all figured out. "You give me free consultation and Internet lessons for as long as it takes. 'Til I can send emails to anybody," I said. He was sitting at the kitchen table, his huge hands draped over the computer, his big brown eyes roaming over all the gadgets spread out there. "In exchange for?" "You can drive the Chevy for four hours every Saturday night." "Cool, man!" His eyebrows shot up, his smile stretched in a second all the way across his face. His ears wiggled from being displaced. Then he shut down his enthusiasm. The kid was no fool. "You pay for gas," he said, looking very business-like. "And you drive me to the supermarket. One hour, anytime, every Saturday." "Done." We shook hands over the computer, and Arsenius started plugging things into other things. It took him quite a while to explain rams and bytes and Mac and Windows and Bill Gates. It was interesting and all, but I said after a week, "When are you going to teach me how to send an email?" "All in good time," he said. Now where did a kid who went to Dumm Dumm High, as Maybelle calls our local high school, get a phrase like that, 'all in good time'? Maybe Arsenius read books? "Do you read books, Arsenius?" "When I have time." Arsenius, it turns out, didn't have much time. In bits and pieces, over the next months, I gathered what Arsenius's life was like. He was the eldest of five kids from three different fathers. His own father was long gone, his mother was only thirty-four years old and on welfare. They lived in subsidized housing in the worst part of town. His mother was often sick. What her illness was, Arsenius didn't say, but I could guess. He had a Saturday morning job. He kept up with his homework. He read books on Sundays after church, and after taking his brothers and sisters to the park to play, and after organizing his mother's medicines for the week. "What're you reading now?" "Conrad." "Which one?" "Nostromo." "What's it about?" Any other kid would have told me the plot. Arsenius said, "Responsibility. Corruption." He didn't waste words. Or time. Except when he was teaching me computers. It took us two weeks to get down to doing email. Responsibility and corruption. The question in my mind now was, was it a good idea to give him my car four hours a week? Would he buy his mom drugs in my car? Would he visit the local whore house in my car? Would he drag race my car? Should I ask? I decided to try and trust him. He was a smart kid doing his best; he deserved a little trust. Maybelle didn't agree. That first Saturday, he showed up in the afternoon, and we went to the supermarket. He did his family's shopping while I did mine. Without asking, he dropped car soap, car wax, Windex, two chamois, car oil, and car perfume into my shopping cart. "What's this?" "Can't have your Daddy's car driving 'round town dirty." The kid could read me like a book. He carted my groceries into the kitchen and said, "Why don't you practice on Windows while I wash the car?" He had a change of clothes in his satchel. I admit I had a little peek inside. There was a freshly washed pair of blue jeans, a white tee shirt, and a grey hooded sweat shirt. All ironed and sweet smelling . I could hear the water running in the driveway. After a quarter of an hour, I had a quick look. Arsenius was drying the wheels with the chamois. The Chevy had not looked that good for at least twenty years. He opened the kitchen screen door and said he was finished. I said, "You can use the downstairs bathroom to change." His eyes flitted to the satchel on the table, then to me. He smiled. Ten minutes later he reappeared from the bathroom, looking so clean and fresh and young and innocent, I wanted to hug him. And I wanted to tell him about young black men's lives today. I read Time Magazine every week, and I know. Gang murders, drugs, jail, disease, an early death, that was what was waiting for him, unless he was careful. But it was obvious he was going courting. And he wouldn't have listened to an old white lady anyway. "Now you be careful with my car. No more than 50 miles per hour. You be back here in four hours, no longer. Hang the keys on that hook. I'll be in bed by then." "OK." That 'ok' grated a bit. Forty years ago, anybody under twenty speaking to any lady over forty would have said 'Yes, ma'am'. But it didn't matter. Arsenius was happy; he literally bounced to the car, he was so ecstatic. He waved backhanded on his way down the driveway, driving slowly, ever so slowly. I heard the garage door open again, exactly four hours later. One week later, I sent my first email to Maybelle. I wrote: "HAH! You're not the only one with email! Your friend, Helen." She wrote back, "Good. You've saved at least two million synapses this week. Sign up for the gardening newsletter at www.mygardening.org. It's groovy." Groovy? It took Arsenius another two weeks to teach me the World Wide Web. That's what www stands for. I signed up for the gardening newsletter, which meant I was getting two emails a day, one from Maybelle and one from gardening. So I signed up for more newsletters, one on cooking, one on horoscopes, one on taxes, one on old age, one on cancer. I never read the one on cancer, too depressing, but it did count. And I signed up for the water skiing newsletter. I was a water skiing champion back in the fifties, you know. That made eight emails a day, which took most of the morning to read thoroughly. Maybelle, even when she was a youngster, always had to be first, of course. She was the first to get married, the first to have children, the first to buy a house, the first to be widowed, the first to try Internet. But she wasn't a water skiing champion. And she wasn't getting eight emails a day, for sure. Arsenius said I was getting really good at signing up for things. However, Maybelle was the first to send emails with pictures, which really miffed me. Always out there in front, that's Maybelle. She sent me three pictures of her prize gardenias. They were clear so you could see the morning dew on their creamy white petals. Arsenius said you had to have a digital camera to send pictures, or a scanner, which was cheaper. We went to Media World and bought a digital camera. Arsenius said it would take a while to learn to use a digital camera. And then how to download and upload, which sounded vaguely racy. I said, "OK." Arsenius and I spent the next month clicking away at everything...all the flowers in my garden, spiders, snakes, ladybugs, and at the supermarket, square pumpkins and weird shaped eggplants and Ruth Ann, the cashier, and of course every angle of the Chevy. Then Arsenius took pictures of me, and I took pictures of him. We uploaded and downloaded, and I sent Maybelle a picture a day. She was impressed and started asking my advice on cutting and pasting and fancy framing for her digital pics. I was ever so accommodating and explained all the fine points on the phone, every night after the news. That's when Arsenius asked if he could email a few of his "portraits", as he called the pictures I had taken of him, to his new girlfriend, Lavinia. Mind you, Lavinia used dime store perfume. I could smell it in the car. It was a heavy, musky scent forty year old prostitutes might use. I knew right away Lavinia was not the right girl for Arsenius, but kept my mouth shut. Until he started receiving pictures of Lavinia. He showed them to me, proudly. This girl/woman was his first girlfriend, you could tell; he had been too busy with his school, his family, his work to go seriously courting before. But now he had a car. My car. My suspicions proved to be entirely correct. Within days, Arsenius started talking about buying a color printer. Media World delivered a color printer. Then three pictures of Lavinia appeared on my desktop, and were duly printed, five copies each. In the first, she was dancing in a bar and there were older white men leering at her in the background. In the second, she'd got herself up as a gypsy for Halloween. Gold jewelry hung from her ears, her neck, her arms, her hands, her ankles and all of her toes. There was a come-hither glint in her sultry eyes. In the third, Lavinia was curled up on a sofa, surrounded by five or six big black kids, all in sweatshirts, hood up, huge jeans and giant laceless tennis shoes. Not one of them wasn't sporting nose and ear rings, and numerous gold chains. "Lavinia must have a good job to buy herself all that jewelry," I said, trying to sound positive. "She don't work." "Doesn't," I said. It just popped out. "So she's still in school?" I continued. That Lavinia was a student seemed unlikely, since she looked to be at least twenty-five. " No, she stay at home. She look after her mom. Her mom sick." " Oh," I said. I almost said, "stays, looks, IS sick", but stopped just in time. I could tell from his face he was just waiting for me to say those words. "You were going to say," stays, looks, IS sick," weren't you?" Arsenius said, his voice low and tentative. "Yes, I was, Arsenius. And I'll tell you why." "Tell me," he said, a sarcastic smirk on his face. "You're better than this, Arsenius. You speak good English, why pretend you don't? You read Conrad. You're college material. Don't ruin it all now, just because of a girl." "I ain't ruining nothing. Lavinia Jones my girlfriend." He stood up to go. I grabbed his arm. He twisted away from me, but didn't move from beside the computer. "And let me tell you what's going to happen next, young man," I said. "Your girlfriend Lavinia will get pregnant. On purpose, because you're a good catch. You're educated, smart, good-looking. She'll refuse to have an abortion. You'll be taking care of her and her family and yours for the rest of your life. Or maybe not. Maybe, you'll get tired and decide to be one of the hordes of black men ignoring their children, and feeling guilty. Responsibility and corruption. You'll be a druggie or a drunk within five years. Just like....." "Just like my father," he said, and he spit on my kitchen floor. "You ain't even read Nostromo," he screamed. He turned and ran out the back door, slamming the screen door in my face. Nobody, and I mean nobody, slams my own screen door in my face. In a second, my face turned hot as the hinges of hell. "Nostromo has nothing to do with it!" I screamed at his retreating back. He didn't turn around. "You're fired, Arsenius! Don't come back here. Ever again." That Sunday morning I found "Racest Bitch!!!" scrawled all over my garage door, in red, orange and black. Arsenius wasn't the culprit. His spelling was better than that. Maybelle said Arsenius' future brothers-in-law must miss my Chevy. Maybelle isn't often wrong. A week passed. There was no word from Arsenius. I decided to phone him the next Monday, not to apologize, just to make contact. On the Sunday morning, Maybelle phoned. "Look at page two in the morning paper." I ran out to the mailbox and grabbed the paper, opened it to page two and saw the article. "Brawl at Elm and Oak Intersection ". My street! Not fifty yards from my house. And I hadn't heard a thing. "Saturday night at 11PM," the article read, "an anonymous caller reported a brawl at the intersection of Elm and Oak. The police arrived three minutes later and after a short pursuit, arrested one Harley Jones, 21, of Meadow Housing Project. Other participants fled and were not apprehended. Police found Arsenius Jackson, 17, at the scene, unconscious and bleeding profusely. He was taken to Riverview Hospital Emergency Room." Maybelle and I skipped church that morning and walked to the hospital. Arsenius was in intensive care. He had been beaten mercilessly, his head pounded on the pavement several times. The doctors said there was hope, but not much. His mother was not there. Lavinia was not there. Maybelle said, "Well, we've done our duty. Let's get brunch in that new cafŽ down the street." I said "Maybelle, you get brunch. I'm staying here." I stayed with him that night, but he never woke up. Arsenius died the next day. His sisters and brothers were at the funeral, and a few kids from his class. The high school secretary came along with Arsenius' English teacher, Miss Anthus. The cute Media World associate came. Ruth Ann, the cashier, came, too. And so did Maybelle. Lavinia wasn't there. A few days after the funeral, I sold the Chevy to Nancy's son for a hundred dollars. I didn't care; I just wanted it out of the garage. Then, I donated the computer and digital camera to the high school. Maybelle called a few days later and asked me if I'd like to walk to the library with her. I told her maybe next week. I told her I was feeling pretty old and useless that day. Responsibility and Corruption on Elm Avenue' originally appeared in Eclectica Magazine's July/August 2005 issue. If you liked this story, please share it with others: - Printable Version - iPhone App - Teaching Materials - Mark This Story Read - More Stories By This Author - View Comments by Elizabeth Baines Then one year she started falling ... - Length: 5 pages - Age Rating: PG - Genre: Fiction My Beloved Edith by Tom Gillespie An old man, his memory failing, searches for the grave of his lost love. The Backward Fall by Jason Helmandollar How do you catch someone who is falling into their own mind? Copyright © East of the Web and contributors 2018. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line252
__label__wiki	0.85274	0.85274	What is GIYM? GIYM Sites GIYM is a UK tennis charity, which has the purpose of introducing primary school aged children to tennis. The majority of the children who participate in our programmes come from inner city and deprived areas throughout the UK and are those who might not otherwise receive an opportunity to play tennis without our funding. GIYM's objectives in particular targeting children of 5 - 8 years of age is to enable them to develop their social, physical and cognitive skills in a healthy, sporting environment. We believe that children benefit from an active lifestyle and that one way to achieve this is through involvement with sport, which in our case means “tennis”. GIYM will help fund programmes for qualified tennis coaches to run curriculum time school programmes and afterschool programmes. We will also assist our programmes with purchasing mini tennis equipment. How will children benefit? “Through ‘Give It Your Max’ the children have benefitted from increased levels of concentration, co-ordination and fitness. It has also made a positive impact on the children’s behaviour during the school day”. Year 3 teacher at Camelot Primary School in Peckham. “Getting more racquets into the hands of young children at an early age and giving them the opportunity to have coaching in a fun environment can only be a good thing for the game. Charities like GIYM help find young talented players who would otherwise not have had the opportunity to pick up a tennis racquet. Anyone of these children might be future tennis champions.” Virginia Wade OBE, former Wimbledon ladies singles champion and ‘Give It Your Max’ Patron. The prime purpose of ‘Give it your Max’ is to improve the lives of young people, who would not normally have the opportunity of playing tennis. Welcomed over 100,000 children into the scheme since 2005 Launched programmes in primary schools in over twenty areas nationwide – from as far north as Aberdeen to as far south as Exmouth A number of children coached through GIYM are now playing competitive county level tennis A five year joint partnership with the Tennis Foundation aimed at young people with disabilities Virginia Wade OBE, former Wimbledon ladies singles champion and ‘Give It Your Max’ Patron: "Getting more racquets into the hands of young children at an early age and giving them the opportunity to have coaching in a fun environment can only be a good thing for the game. Charities like GIYM do find young talented players who would otherwise not have had the opportunity to pick up a tennis racquet. Any one of these children might be future tennis champions." Sir Trevor McDonald: "We may never be able to change the world but we can at least try to assist in making it a better place. Give It Your Max and its partners may never produce a winner of Wimbledon or the US Open, but we can take the glory of playing the game to a wider community. Little by little we can begin to make the difference" Tim Henman, former British Tennis No.1 and ‘Give It Your Max’ Patron: "The Tennis Ball is a fantastic event for fantastic charities. I’ve worked closely with Give It Your Max and the work they do is really helping to enhance the life of so many children. The money raised from this year’s Tennis Ball will help them to grow their programme to even more areas across the UK." Mike Stotesbury, Founder of GIYM: "Further benefit has been seen in areas where there is a youth gang culture where ‘Give It Your Max’ has given children a practical alternative and shown a new and positive approach to life. In addition to the social and educational benefits ‘Give It Your Max’ has started to impact on youth tennis. Eight year old Rachel Barnett from Reading, who was introduced to the game by ‘Give It Your Max’, is now considered to be one of the best in the country in her age group and there are a number of players with excellent potential in all the Centres." Give it Your Max (GIYM) was set up in memory of Max Stotesbury who died aged 18 in a car accident. He was a keen tennis player and a qualified PTR tennis coach who assisted at the Wimbledon Junior Tennis Initiative (WJTI) in his spare time. The charity pays for qualified coaches to introduce tennis to primary age school children in state schools. Clinics are held within the schools and at clubs and other venues during after school hours and in the holidays. Copyright © 2020 Clever Business Websites. All Rights Reserved. \| Site Map \| Privacy Policy \| GIYM Safeguarding Policy	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line261
__label__wiki	0.683541	0.683541	You are here: Home / Nursery Operations / Putting wind in your sales Putting wind in your sales By Denise Ruttan — Posted April 1, 2016 Point-of-sale systems can help retailers improve their customer relationships, sales and overall business practices. Brenda Powell rings up a transaction on her point-of-sale system for customer Miriam Edell at Garland Nursery in Corvallis. Photo by Denise Ruttan Brenda Powell clicks through a spreadsheet on her computer screen as she rings up a sale of sphagnum moss for a regular customer at Garland Nursery in Corvallis. It’s the tail end of winter but staffers are preparing for the busy growing season ahead. Powell knows her customer’s name and story by heart. Her point-of-sale system, on the other hand, knows exactly what her customer has bought at this time last year. All she must do is enter her customer’s loyalty program number. The system can also tell Powell how much spaghnum moss sold last year, how much is in stock now, and gross profit percentages and margins. It just takes a quick search for “sphagnum moss.” The nursery has used Epicor inventory management software since 2001. Gone are the days of painstakingly tracking each plant in handwriting and ringing up transactions with registers. The software system has modernized those processes. It handles inventory, credit card processing and back-office accounting — all at the click of a button or the swipe of a handheld barcode scanner. Everything, that is, except payroll. “It has more capability than we have the capacity to use,” Powell said. “We’re plant people and retail people, and not necessarily technology people.” The system was originally designed for hardware stores but the nursery has customized it. Settling on this system took quite a bit of research and investment. “We looked at three different systems, had presentations from two of those companies and weighed all the things it could do,” Powell said. “This system had a way of converting the data from our old system to the new system — one of its biggest selling factors. We felt it was way more customizable than the others.” In the time since, Powell has seen some return on investment in terms of eliminating redundancies. “I’ve gotten a lot of people who call saying, ‘I bought this plant but I don’t know what kind it is.’ Before, we just said, ‘We don’t know how to tell,’ but with this system, you can look it up,” Powell said. “I had one customer who called me up and said I bought this really pretty lily, I think I bought it in July, but I can’t remember what it was.’ I found it in the system. She asked if I had more in stock and came in to buy some. It does help with sales.” Customization and functionality are key Many different point-of-sale systems are available for nurseries and garden centers. They range in expense, intuitiveness, capability, customizability and scope. But if the people who know plants better than software can get past the technical learning curve and initial expense, these systems have improved the bottom line for many nurseries. One of those systems is SBI Software, developed by Small Business Innovations Inc. in Portland. The software was developed specifically for growers and garden centers. “I would say we’re one of the very few software companies that serves growers exclusively,” said Eric Evans, marketing director. “One of our founders ran a nursery in New Jersey for six years, so he has a unique perspective as both a software developer and a grower. He knew what he wanted for his business, so he started building software for it.” SBI’s system is designed to interconnect with, and be inclusive of, every stage of development for a grower, from seeds to shipping, forecasting and budgeting. Also setting it apart from competitors, SBI has several models of PCI-compliant, chip card-enabled swipe machines available for purchase. It can also process credit cards “in the cloud.” The system additionally features customizable pricing promotions such as “buy and get,” “spend and get,” “mix and match” and more, as well as customizable loyalty programs. The software can automatically generate discounts, gift cards or certificates, vouchers or rebates, among other items. Other features include the capability of importing and converting data from whatever bookkeeping system the garden center was previously using, plus comprehensive reports and 24/7 technical support. Argos Software is another company that largely serves wholesale nurseries and growers. Its ABECAS Insight Farm and Ranch Software offers tools for full operations and accounting management for larger and more complex farm operations. Its main feature is called “activity based costing.” For example, an operation can calculate exactly how much labor each employee spends and which equipment they use. “Our company provides software modules designed for wholesale growers. They may use it for production management, inventory management and business operations, including accounting and payroll, depending on their needs,” said Pauline Carre Montgomery, marketing manager. When the company first starts working with a grower, the software developer learns all it can about the operation to decide which modules would be best suited for the business. It also offers 10–15 days of on-site training when the system is installed. Upgrading for the long haul Wholesale and retail nurseries are embracing this technology. But many businesses have long-standing histories in the areas they serve — histories that predate the development of any software systems. Al’s Garden Center, for example, began in 1948 as Al’s Fruit Stand, first housed in a used chicken coop along Highway 99E in Woodburn. Since those days, technology has improved rapidly and the garden center chainlet with three locations has adapted. Al’s uses Phoenix Business Solutions as its point-of-sale solution, said Mark Bigej, Al’s co-owner and chief operating officer. The garden center first installed it in 2005 and completed an upgrade in 2014. “The current system is definitely reliable. Downtime is minimal and we have built in a back-up server so our cash registers are rarely down,” Bigej said. “Speed and ease of use in the checkout process is good. Reporting is much improved in the latest update, although I have seen better, more user-friendly reporting in other software.” The system features fully integrated accounting software, so the garden center’s inventory is managed through the system from purchase order creation to receiving and selling the product to a customer, to paying vendors for products. “As long as everything is done correctly, you running inventory is perfect,” Bigej said. “The challenge becomes having the right process in place to ensure everything is done correctly. That is a constant challenge for us, but one we are getting better at. It is much more thorough than our previous systems.” The point-of-sale system also has the capability to process credit cards, but the garden center has chosen, for security reasons among others, to keep credit card processing separate. Another challenge came in installing and implementing the system, which Bigej said was an enormous and labor-intensive undertaking. He recommended taking your time and making sure you are happy with the system that you choose, because you will likely be in it for the long haul. Overall, however, the system has made business more efficient. “With any system, the real return on investment comes from improved business practices,” Bigej said. “Our system was designed by CPAs, so it does not allow for shortcuts, which helps carry true numbers all the way through the system into the accounting portion of the software. This forces you to look at and fix weaknesses in your business practices, which in turn saves money in some places and allows you to make more money in others.” Steep learning curve for newbies While many nurseries have operated the same point-of-sale system for many years, Cloud Mountain Farm Center in Everson, Washington, has just begun using a new system. Cloud Mountain is a nonprofit community farm and education center dedicated to providing hands-on learning opportunities to new and experienced farmers, as well as home gardeners. These educational experiences are integrated with the management and operation of the 45-acre farm and retail nursery. Prior to obtaining a point-of-sale system, the retail operation used a cash register and manually entered everything into QuickBooks, nursery administrator Terry Maczuga said. To process credit cards, they had used an Evalon/Costco merchant terminal and a Square-like mobile credit card swipe for events and its farmers market. Inventory management was handled through twice-annual manual counts of inventory product. They used a database for tracking values, but inventory counts were only accurate right after inventory was done, Maczuga said. “This took too many labor hours entering data into QuickBooks, plus manually counting only gave us a twice-a-year snapshot,” Maczuga said. “There was no tracking of most plants or detail through QuickBooks.” The biggest challenge the nursery faced was that it propagates and grows most of its own material, or employs contract growers, so the nursery needed a system that they could use to track up-potting events as well as bought material. They needed to be able to track more efficiently the nursery’s non-inventory fruit and vegetable sales with more detail, including organic sales versus conventional, a step necessary for organic certification, Maczuga said. Lastly, they lastly wanted to find a system that would easily report to QuickBooks for sales and inventory valuation and allow them to keep tracking nonprofit, education and grant projects in QuickBooks. After about six months of research, the farm center invested in NCR Counterpoint. Factoring into their decision, they considered local support, cost, inventory management and the ability to create and edit orders before delivery for a restaurant or caterer customer. The nursery softly launched the system at the end of the season in fall of last year, after sales slowed down. “It has taken three months to even figure out many of the features we could use and how to use them, and there are still many things we don’t know and can’t quite figure out to make it work smoothly,” Maczuga said. “Training of staff so far has actually helped us figure out how to make it work. We opened for the 2016 season on February 1 and will find out more about what we need to know as the season progresses.” The experience of shopping for a system has been a difficult one, partly because of the technical learning curve involved, Maczuga said. But he foresees the investment will pay off in the long run. “Because we run the retail side with a very small staff, plus our interns, who are new every year, it will free staff from data entry and inventory management. These hours are valuable time better spent in intern education and customer service,” Maczuga said. Download a PDF of this article Filed Under: Nursery Operations Tagged With: Business, Digger, Digger magazine, Retail Nurseries About Denise Ruttan Denise Ruttan is a gardener, photographer and writer who reports on food, agriculture, technology and legal topics.	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line264
__label__cc	0.668541	0.331459	DNA Of Hinduism Symbols & Customs Puja & Bhakti Deities, Philosophers & Bhakts Travel & Teertha Ancient Wisdom Via Stories Shri Krishna & Shrimad Bhagavad Gita Sri Ram & RamCharitra Manas Samundra Manthan during journey of life The mythological episode of Samundra Mandhan (Ksheera Sagara Manthan or Sagar Manthan) or Churning of ocean is mentioned in Bhagavata Purana, in the Mahabharata and in the Vishnu Purana. The story is about churning of ocean by Devas and Asuras in search of Amrita or nectar of immortality. Tales of in Vedas, Puranas and other Hindu religious books have always tried to teach man some profound principles in life symbolically. This story gives us a good description of how our nature works. Every human being is influenced by positive and negative tendencies. Effective balancing of the positive & negative tendencies and harmonizing both these energies attain salvation and true bliss in this lifetime. When milk is churned, butter becomes separated from the milk. In the material world, one achieves positions and wealth during the life journey. But those who aspire for bliss initially get Halahala (Poison, sufferings) and if they conquer it and further are not swayed away by powers, wealth & successes, get ultimate bliss. In spiritual journey, butter is sattva and mental brilliance or pure intelligence. As by heating process at medium or low temperature, butter converts into Ghee, likewise by practice of austerities like deep meditation, self-control & discipline and other spiritual practices, the practitioner experiences supernormal vision and bliss. The episode symbolically explains various stages of elevation of Human Being – Primitive stage of elevation is where impulses whether positive or negative, are generated in mind due to desires and the person oscillates according to impulses. Such persons lack decision making. Materialistic stage of elevation is represented by Mount Mandara. At this stage, the person takes the decisions by using the available intelligence and gathered information. Such persons take decisions based on profit and loss and achieve material successes. Spiritualistic stage of elevation is signified by Kurma. As Kurma withdraws all himself into shell, the persons need to withdraw from senses & thoughts, without being affected by attraction like Mohini, sufferings like Halahala & pleasures like getting gems, and reside in Atman to attain ultimate goal of moksha. The mythological episode and the spiritual concept are explained as under: The mythological episode: Rishi Durvasa while visiting Indraloka, gave a special garland of fortune to Indra, the deity of Vedic times. Indra placed the garland on the trunk of his elephant. The elephant threw the garland on ground over which Rishi Durvasa got enraged and cursed Indra and all devas to get deprived of their all strength, energy, and fortune. Consequently, devas were defeated by Asuras, led by Bali and gained control over entire universe. The Devas approached Bhagwan Vishnu for help who suggested them for Samundra Manthan and to corroborate with the Asuras to extract nectar. Both agreed for it with condition to distribute the extracted things equally. To churn the ocean, Mount Mandara was used as the churning rod and Vasuki, serpent on Shiva's neck, became the churning rope. As the churning got underway, the huge mountain, having no support, started to sink into the ocean. Seeing this, Bhagwan Vishnu acted immediately and took the form of the giant-sized, divine Tortoise or the Kurma Avatara. Plunging deep into the ocean, He bore the colossal mountain on His back. On advice of Bhagwan Vishnu, Devas pulled from the side of tail of Vasuki and Asuras from his head side. As a result, the Asuras were poisoned by fumes emitted by Vasuki. Despite this, the Devas and the Asuras pulled back and forth on the snake's body alternately, causing the mountain to rotate, which in turn churned the ocean. In the process, churning of ocean released both lethal poison as well as gems. Nobody accepted lethal poison called as Halahala. Then the Devas approached Shiva for protection. Shiva consumed the poison to protect the three worlds but it burned the throat of shiva. As a result, his throat turned blue and was hence called Neelakantha. Subsequently, four kinds of gems emerged viz. celestial body (Moon), celestial beings (Lakshmi; Apsrasa-Menaka, Rambha, Punjisthala etc; Dhanvantari-divine Ayurvedic Doctor; Sura or Varuni-the goddess of wine), supernatural animals (Ucchaishravas-flying horse with seven heads; Kamadhenu-wish fulfilling cow; Airavata-white elephant with five heads) & plants (Kalpvriksha-wish granting tree, Parijata-divine tree) and precious jewels (Kasthubha). Finally, Dhanvantari (the divine physician) appeared with the vessel of Amrita in his skillful hands Both Devas and Asuras fought for Amrita (nectar). As per the promise made by Bhagwan Vishnu with Devas to get them Amrita, he took the form of Mohini, a beautiful damsel, and enticed the asuras to let her distribute the nectar among them all, on the condition that they would never question any of her actions. Totally taken in by her beauty, the asuras readily agreed to her conditions. Mohini asked the Devas to be seated in a row and started distributing the Amrita to them first. Rahu, one of the Asura, disguised himself as Deva and drank Amrita. Surya and moon devas informed Mohini about it. Furious, Vishnu lifted his Sudarshana Chakra (discus) and cut off Rahu's head. However, some of the nectar had managed to get down his throat and he did not die: from that day, his head was called Rahu and his body Ketu, which both later became planets. By the time Mohini was done with her task, there was not even a drop of nectar left in the pitcher. The Spiritual concept The episode symbolically represents the forces working within human beings. What is Ocean - Mind is a place where the information gathered, perceptions, thoughts, and emotions play on it like the waves of the ocean. Mind can be equated to Samsara as whatever is gathered or perceived through five senses, is assimilated in the mind and the entire film of this world (past or present) is that only. Nothing is beyond the mind. Who are Devas & The Asuras – Every human being experiences positive and negative tendencies. The positive tendencies are Devas and negative tendencies are Asuras. Positive tendencies are truthfulness, purity & uprightness, simplicity, generosity, self-restraint (for sex, money, Food, Praise, temper etc.), service & devotion, fairness, contentment, acceptance of others, forgiveness, guilelessness, austerity, courage, discipline, austerity, detachment etc. Negative tendencies are Kama Vasana (Lust for sex), Krodha (Anger), Lobha (Greed), Moha (attachment), Mada (over pride), Madsara (Jealousy), Ahankara (Arrogance, Egoism), Amanavta (Cruelty, Violence – word, action, thought), Anyaaya (Injustice), Adamber (Hypocrisy), Swartha (selfishness), and Delusion etc. Why Collaboration (of Devtas & Devas) – The left side of the brain is responsible for controlling the right side of the body. It also performs tasks that have to do with logic, such as in science and mathematics. On the other hand, the right hemisphere coordinates the left side of the body, and performs tasks that have do with creativity and the arts. It is clear, unless both sides of brain collaborate; the person cannot achieve optimum success. Who is Serpent Vasuki – It represents desire or goals. What is Mount Mandara – The Mandara Mountain represents the steadiness and concentration within mind like the mountain. What is Kurma or Tortoise – Concentration of mind is achieved, when the person withdraws from senses, thoughts and resides in Atman like Tortoise which withdraws himself into the shell. How the churning process works - It is the process through which human life is tested. For innumerable desires, positive and negative tendencies play their roles to achieve the desires or goals which consequently bring the moments of pleasure and pain, physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual struggles in life. Who is Mohini - Mohini symbolizes the delusion of the mind, arising out of pride and ego. What is Halahala and Amrita – Halahala and Amrita represent sufferings and bliss respectively. The story of Lord Shiva consuming the Halahala poison educates us on how we should deal with this inner turmoil with courage, discipline, austerity, detachment and total commitment to leading a life of asceticism. Shiva also teaches us how to hold the poison of our inner selves only at a surface level, without letting the same get into our system or our mind, thereby affecting our entire life. Symbolically, what are Gems and jewels (elephant, various jewels, Parijat, Chandra, Apsaras, Gandharva, Varun, Laxmi etc.) – In material journey, Dharma, Artha, Kama & Moksha are important. Elephant represent Dharma, Various jewels & Parijat represent Artha, Chandra, Apsaras, Gandharva & Varun represents Kama and Laxmi joins Dharma, Artha and Kama. In spiritual journey, these represent powers (siddhis) which develop during the journey. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samudra_manthan https://www.hinduwebsite.com/churning.asp https://www.dollsofindia.com/library/samudra_manthan/	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line267
__label__wiki	0.915677	0.915677	Fishbowl Appoints Dev Ganesan as CEO Successful Executive to Lead Fishbowl's Expansion With Big Data and Loyalty Analytics Solutions for the Restaurant Industry October 21, 2014 08:00 ET \| Source: Fishbowl ALEXANDRIA, Va., Oct. 21, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fishbowl, the restaurant industry's digital marketing leader, today named Dev Ganesan as Chief Executive Officer (CEO). A seasoned technology executive with a track record of success building companies in the digital, mobile, customer relationship management (CRM), and analytics industries, Ganesan will be responsible for driving Fishbowl's next phase of growth with its big data and analytics solutions. Current CEO, Scott Shaw, will take on the new role of Chief Innovation Officer (CIO). "On the heels of our successful launch of Loyalty AnalyticsTM and the growing industry demand for data-driven marketing, the time was right to introduce a new CEO, and Dev is the perfect fit," said Shaw. "Dev's entrepreneurial drive and track record of growing scalable technology and services businesses, for both private and publically-held companies, is impressive. Given his exceptional record of operational and financial success, we've no doubt that Dev will accelerate Fishbowl's growth." Most recently, Ganesan served as CEO of Aptara, where he led its significant expansion and evolution from a technology vendor to a digital and mobile solutions partner that led the publishing industry's transition from print to the digital age. Under Dev's leadership, Aptara doubled its EBITDA, tripled its value in the last three years, and was recently acquired. "I am thrilled to be joining Fishbowl at such a pivotal time in the restaurant and digital marketing industries," said Ganesan. "Fishbowl's Loyalty Analytics and guest acquisition solutions are giving restaurants business insights they've never had − actionable information that's increasing sales. I look forward to taking the company to its next level of financial success as the restaurant industry's trusted technology partner." Prior to Aptara, Ganesan was the CEO of Intelliworks and TRADOS, both venture-backed software companies. Ganesan was also the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Advanced Communications Systems, a professional services firm, where he led seven acquisitions and the company's IPO. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Xurmo Technologies, a Big Data Analytics company, and C2 Technologies, an eLearning company. Ganesan received the SmartCEO Future 50 award in 2014 and 2013, and was recognized as a Washington Tech Titan in 2013. About Fishbowl Fishbowl helps restaurants drive predictable sales growth through its guest-centric marketing platform of integrated software and services. The company serves over 50,000 restaurants with benchmarked solutions and best practices that address the key business challenges of guest acquisition, engagement, and analytics. Fishbowl manages the industry's largest guest database with over 130 million opt-in members and has strategic partnerships with OpenTable, Coca-Cola Food Service, the National Restaurant Association, and the State Restaurant Associations. The company integrates its software with key third parties, including POS manufacturers. Contact the company at www.fishbowl.com or 1-800-836-2818. Janet Hall jhall@fishbowl.com (703) 836-3421, x234 Ray Yeung / Nancy Zakhary Brainerd Communicators yeung@braincomm.com / nancy@braincomm.com More articles issued by Fishbowl Alexandria, Virginia, UNITED STATES http://Fishbowl.com Fishbowl Logo SOFTWARE MANAGEMENT CHANGES	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line269
__label__wiki	0.695588	0.695588	Randy Jackson's Wife Erika Files for Divorce After 18 Years of Marriage: Report Thread: Randy Jackson's Wife Erika Files for Divorce After 18 Years of Marriage: Report fgg Voted out of marriage. Former American Idol judge Randy Jackson is reportedly splitting up with his wife Erika after 18 years of marriage. TMZ reported Friday, Sept. 26, that Erika filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. According to the site, Jackson's wife is requesting full custody of their 17-year-old son Jordan, as well as spousal support. Erika also requested he pay her legal fees. Randy and Erika (formerly Riker) married in 1995. The two are parents to daughter Zoe, 19, and son Jordan. Randy is also dad to his daughter Taylor, whom he shares with his first wife Elizabeth. Us Weekly caught up with Jackson this past Sunday, Sept. 21, at the 8th Annual Clinton Global Citizen Awards in NYC, where he shared the advice he would give to his younger self. "Be passionate about everything you do," he said. "And really learn in life to want what you need. I think we all want a lot of things, but it always comes down to what do we actually need? I’m trying to get better in wanting what I need. Because the need will help me get through the want just as another fulfillment." The Grammy-winning producer's sudden split comes several weeks after he sold his estate in Tarzana, Calif., for $1.9 million. Jackson is best known for sitting on the judges' panel of American Idol for 12 consecutive seasons. In 2013, he announced he was leaving the competition series. He later revealed he was going to return in January as a mentor instead. Read more: Randy Jackson's Wife Erika Files for Divorce: Report - Us Weekly pic of them at the link. can't post pics because my computer's broken and i'm stupid Cuba Gooding Jr.'s Wife Sara Kapfer Files For Divorce After 20 Years of Marriage By Catty in forum Latest Gossip Last Post: April 23rd, 2014, 12:10 PM Dennis Quaid's Wife Files for Divorce: Report By fgg in forum Latest Gossip Stevie Wonder Files for Divorce from Wife of 11 Years Tony Danza files for divorce after 24 years of marriage By sluce in forum Latest Gossip Enough! After 14 tempestuous years, Marco Pierre White's wife finally files divorce By TheMoog in forum Gossip Archive Last Post: June 17th, 2007, 08:07 AM	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line272
__label__wiki	0.861567	0.861567	Title: Kushinagar Subject: Gautama Buddha, Vaishali (ancient city), Culture of Uttar Pradesh, National Highway 28B (India), List of Buddhist temples Collection: Ancient Indian Cities, Archaeological Monuments in Uttar Pradesh, Buddhist Holy Sites, Buddhist Pilgrimages, Buddhist Sites in Uttar Pradesh, Cities and Towns in Kushinagar District, Stupas in India This article is about a town. For the information related to district : Kushinagar District Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh • District Magistrate Lokesh M IST (UTC+5:30) .in.nic.kushinagarwww Kushinagar (Hindi: कुशीनगर, Urdu: کُشی نگر‎ , Kusinagar or Kusinara ) is a town and a Nagar Panchayat in Kushinagar district of Indian state of Uttar Pradesh located around NH-28, being 52 km east to Gorakhpur city. It is an important Buddhist pilgrimage site, where Buddhists believe Gautama Buddha attained Parinirvana after his death.[1] Nearest towns to Kushinagar are Kasia, Hata, Padrauna, Deoria and Fazilnagar. Demographics 1 Visits by the Buddha to Kushinagar 3 Parinirvana Temple 4 Initiatives by the District Administration 5 Institutions in Kushinagar 6 Governmental Institutes 6.1 Other Institutes 6.2 Medical institutions and hospitals in Kushinagar 7 Important places to visit 8 As of 2011 India census, Kushinagar had a population of 17,983[2] with 2454 households. Males constitute 52% (9408 Men) of the population and females 48% (8575 Women). Kushinagar has an average literacy rate of 74%, almost equal to the national average of 74%: male literacy is 86%, and female literacy is 61%. In Kushinagar, 11% of the population is under 10 years of age. Ancient Indian (Bharata) cities and Places(Title and location names are in English.) In ancient times, it was known as Kushavati (Jatakas). It finds mention in epic Ramayan as the city of Kusha the son of Ram, the famous king of Ayodhya. Kushinagar was a celebrated center of the Malla kingdom of ancient India. Later, it would be known as Kushinara, one of the most important four holy sites for Buddhists. At this location, near the Hiranyavati River, Gautama Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana (or 'Final Nirvana') after falling ill from eating a meal of a species of mushroom. Many of the ruined stupas and viharas here date back to 3rd century BCE - 5th century CE when prosperity was at its peak. The Mauryan emperor Ashoka is known to have contributed to significant construction at this site. Prior to its rediscovery in the 19th century, there was a silence of more than half a millennium at Kasia. Due to violent invasions, Kushinagar lost its vitality and eventually was neglected. Visits by the Buddha to Kushinagar During the time of the Buddha, Kushinagar was the capital of the Mallas, and the scene of the Buddha's last breath before Mahaparinirvana. It was twenty-five yojanas from Rajagaha (DA.ii.609; acc. to Fa Hsien, p. 40, it was twenty-four yojanas from Kapilavatthu) and lay on the high road from Alaka to Rájagaha, the road taken by Bávarí's disciples (SN.v.1012). At that time it was a small city, "a branch-township with wattle-and-daub houses in the midst of the jungle," and Ananda was, at first, disappointed that the Buddha should have chosen it for his Parinibbana. But the Buddha, by preaching the Maha-Sudassana Sutta, pointed out to him that in ancient times it had been Kusavati, the royal city of Maha-Sudassana (D.ii.146). It is said that the Buddha had three reasons for coming to Kusinárá to die: Because it was the proper venue for the preaching of the Mahá-Sudassana Sutta; Because Subhadda would visit him there and, after listening to his sermon, would develop meditation and become an arahant while the Buddha was still alive; and Because the brahman Doha would be there, after the Buddha's death, to solve the problem of the distribution of his relics (UdA.402f; DA.ii.573f6). Between Kusinara and Pava, three gavutas (c. 15 km (9.3 mi)) away (DA.ii.573) - from where the Buddha came to Kusinára on his last journey from Rajagaha, stopping at various places - lay the stream of Kakuttha on the banks of which was the Ambavana; beyond that was the Hiraññavati river, and near the city, in a south-westerly direction, lay the Upavattana, the Sala-grove of the Mallas, which the Buddha made his last resting-place (UdA.238; DA.ii.572f). After Mahaparinirvana the body was carried into the city by the southern gate and out of the city by the eastern gate; to the east of the city was Makutabandhana, the shrine of the Mallas, and there the body was cremated. For seven days those assembled at the ceremony held a festival in honour of the relics (D.ii.160f). Pilgrimage to Buddha's The Four Main Sites Four Additional Sites Sankassa Sravasti Devadaha Kapilavastu Kesaria Kosambi Pataliputra Later Sites Ajanta Caves Barabar Caves Bharhut Lalitgiri Pandavleni Caves Piprahwa Udayagiri Vikramaśīla Kusinara became one of the four holy places declared by the Buddha (in the Mahaparinibbana Sutta (ii. 140) ) to be fit places of pilgrimage for the pious, the other three being Kapilavatthu (near Lumbini), Buddhagaya (Bodh Gaya), and Isipatana (Sarnath) (D.ii.140). Buddha's cremation stupa, Kushinagar. Mention is made of other visits paid to Kusinárá by the Buddha, prior to Mahaparinirvana. Thus, once he went there from Ápana and having spent some time at Kusinárá, proceeded to Átumá. The Mallas of Kusinárá were always great admirers of the Buddha, even though not all of them were his followers, and on the occasion of this visit they decided that any inhabitant of Kusinárá who failed to go and meet the Buddha and escort him to the city, would be fined five hundred. It was on this occasion that Roja the Mallan was converted and gave to the Buddha and the monks a supply of green vegetables and pastries (Vin.i.247f). During some of these visits the Buddha stayed in a wood called Baliharana, and there he preached two of the Kusinárá Suttas (A.i.274f; v.79f) and the "Kinti" Sutta (M.ii.238f). A third Kusinárá Sutta he preached while staying at Upavattana. (A.ii.79; for another discourse to some noisy monks at Upavattana, see Ud.iv.2). According to a late tradition, one-eighth of the Buddha's relics were deposited in a cairn in Kusinárá and honoured by the Mallas (D.ii.167; Bu.xxviii.3). In Xuanzang's (Hiouen Thsang's) time, there still existed towers and Sarighárámas erected to mark the spots connected with the Buddha's last days and obsequies at Kusinárá. According to his account (Beal. op. cit.li. lii. n) Kusinárá was nineteen yojanas from Vesáli. A copper plate belonging to the thúpa erected at the site of the Buddha's death has recently been discovered (CAGI.i.714). Parinirvana Temple The Parinirvana Temple with the Parinirvana Stupa, Kushinagar The remains of the Parinirvana Stupa and Parinirvana Temple, when rediscovered, were covered in a 40 foot high mound of bricks surrounded by a dense thorny forest. After E. Buchanan, an officer of the East India Company, arrived in Kasia in the course of his survey-work; H. H. Wilson, in 1854, made the suggestion that ancient Kushinagar and Kasia were the same. Work resumed around 1861–1862 when Alexander Cunningham, the founder of the Archaeological Survey of India suggested the site to be that of Gautama Buddha's decease. A British officer named Mr. A. C. L. Carlleyle followed suit. Excavations began in the early twentieth century under J. Ph. Vogel.[3] He conducted archaeological campaigns in 1904–5, 1905–6 and 1906–7, uncovering a wealth of Buddhist materials. Although no decisive evidence was found to prove Cunningham’s supposition that the site known at Māthā kūār kā Koṭ was Kushinārā, a series of monastic seals with the Sanskrit legend mahāparinirvāne cāturdiśo bhikṣusaṃghaḥ were taken to show that by the late Gupta period the site was understood to be that of the Buddha's final passing. Stupa ruins in Kushinagar. Buddha Relic Distribution Site Later Buddhists Five Aggregates Non-self Dependent Origination Buddhist Paths to liberation Perfections Aids to Enlightenment Nirvāṇa Theravāda Mahāyāna Vajrayāna Buddhism portal Initiatives by the District Administration 1. In 2012 the Buddha Relic Distribution Site has been added as a new pilgrim spot on the Kushinagar Tourist Map. The site is located in Village Anirudhawa, at a walking distance from the main Mahaparinirvana Temple and 50 meters, right behind the Thai Temple. 2. The same year the Buddha Ghat was constructed on the banks of the river Hiranyavati—Buddha was cremated on its bank—right behind the Ramabhar Stupa. 3. The same year work also started on The Buddha's Last Meal site at Pavanagar, village Satheeau, Fazilnagar, about 20 km before Kushinagar while approaching from Bihar. This is the spot where as per the Mahaparinirvana Suttra, Chunda the goldsmith offered Sukar-maddava, eating which the lord became sick. 4. In 2012 work also started at the Kakuttha River, Buddha took his last bath in this river. This is on the Main National Highway 28 at a bridge while approaching Kushinagar from Bihar after the Buddha's Last Meal site. 5. Pampor Stupa. In April 2013 a new Buddhist site was excavated at Village Pampor. The excavation revealed the remains of an old Buddhist Stupa. Rahul Sanskrityan the legendary Buddhist scholar from India is said to have identified Pampor as the famed Pava Kingdom of ancient India. Some decorated bricks were discovered from the site which has been handed over to the local museum at Kushinagar. Institutions in Kushinagar Kushinagar has made a lot of progress in education in recent times. Since last decade - dozens of private and governmental institutes have been launched at this little town. Here is a list of all educational institutes at Kushinagar: Governmental Institutes Buddha Post Graduate College, Kushinagar Buddha Intermediate College, Kushinagar Saraswati Shishu Mandir, Kasia, Kushinagar Rahul Public School, Kushinagar Buddha Central Academy, Kasia, Kushinagar Swargiya Foolmati Devi Kushinagar Public School, Kushinagar Linh-Son Buddhist Intermediate College, Kushinagar Gyanlok College for Government Services, Kushinagar Nav Jeevan Mission School, Kasia, Kushinagar. Medical institutions and hospitals in Kushinagar There are two governmental and several private hospitals and clinics available at Kushinagar and Kasia. The popular ones are: Governmental Aayurvedic Hospital, Mahaparinirvana Temple road Buddha National Hospital, NH 28 Government Hospital, Kasia al-Shifa Medical College, Kasia Vartika Medical Center, Kasia Important places to visit Buddha Parinirvana; near the Mahaparinirvana Temple Mahaparinirvana Temple and Stupas Linh Son Temple Ramkola Satiansuiya Temple Govt. Buddha Museum Kushinagar: The significance of the holy place Kushinagar inspired several countries and organisations to put-up their religious and cultural edifices and Kushinagar gradually ushered into a spot of global attraction. The proposal was mooted by department of Culture, Goverment of U.P. to found a museum for preserving the archaeological wealth from the region and the present building came in to existence in 1992–93. Remnants from the Mesolithic period to the collectibles of later period are displayed here. The museum reveals the art, culture and historical facts of ancient India. The nucleus of the collection represents sculpture, terracotta, architectural remains, bronzes, clay seals, thankas and coins. Among the sculptures the museum has a good collection of Mathura and Gandhara schools of art. A large number of artifacts are on display in four galleries. Besides Buddha artifacts, some Hindu and Jain antiquities are also on view. The stucco statue of Lord Buddha in the meditation posture is a superb specimen. It represents the zenith of Gandhara school of art. The beautifully decorated votive stupas and bricks are also on view. The museum is at the developing stage and efforts are being made to collect the artifacts from different places and institutions. In this series recently museum acquired a large number of valuable antiquities from Rahul Sankrityayan Sansthan and District administratation Kushinagar. Surya Mandir Turkpatti, Kushinagar A Literary History of Deoria & Kushinagar by Prof.(Dr.) M.A. Lari Azad (USM 1998 Ghaziabad) ^ W. Owen Cole, Peggy Morgan Six Religions in the Twenty-First Century 2000 - Page 204 "Kushinara. Here, near modern Kasia in Uttar Pradesh, is the site of the Buddha's death. A temple commemorates the Buddha's final ..." ^ Census of India: Population Finder, http://censusindia.gov.in/PopulationFinder/View_Village_Population.aspx?pcaid=1249&category=N.P. ^ J. Ph. Vogel, “Some Buddhist Monasteries in Ancient India,” Journal of the Ceylon branch of the Royal Asiatic Society 1 (1950): pp. 27-32 Official Photo Gallery of Kushinagar (Kushinagar) in the Dictionary of Pali Proper NamesKusinaraEntry on Photos of Kushinagar ruins and stupas Photos of Kushinagar Kushinagar Travel Guide Kushinagar Photo Gallery, Temples At Kushinagar Suddhodana (father) Maya (mother) Mahapajapati Gotami (adoptive mother) Rahula (son) Not-self Defilements Enlightenment (Awakening) Thusness Patimokkha Four Divine Abidings Sympathetic joy Enlightenment Qualities Bases of Power Jhāna/Dhyāna Mindfulness of Breathing Serenity meditation Insight meditation Types of Buddha Private Buddha Stream-enterer Once-returner Non-returner Novice monk Novice nun Lay follower Maha Kassapa Mahakaccana Mahapajapati Gotami Atisha Pali Canon Basic points unifying Theravada and Mahayana Fourteen unanswerable questions Dharmacakra Monastic robe Liturgical languages Higher Knowledge Iddhi (Psychic powers) Siddhi (Psychic powers) Buddhist Brāhmans Cities and towns in Kushinagar district Ramkola Sewarhi Bhimnagar Panchsheel Nagar Prabuddhanagar Gorakhpur division topics Awadh Sohagi Barwa Sanctuary Mythology, history Nawab of Awadh Rivers, dams, lakes Ghaghara West Rapti Languages, people Standard Hindi NH 28B NH 233B Lok Sabha constituencies Kushi Nagar Villages in Deoria district Villages in Gorakhpur district Villages in Maharajganj district People from Deoria People from Gorakhpur People from Kushinagar People from Maharajganj Articles containing Hindi-language text Articles containing Urdu-language text Ancient Indian cities Buddhist holy sites Stupas in India Archaeological monuments in Uttar Pradesh Buddhist sites in Uttar Pradesh Kushinagar district Deoria district, Gorakhpur district, Maharajganj district, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar Gorakhpur district Maharajganj district, Kushinagar district, Deoria district, Uttar Pradesh, Azamgarh district Vaishali (ancient city) Gautama Buddha, Buddhism, Bihar, Vaishali district, Tirhut Division Culture of Uttar Pradesh Lucknow, Varanasi, Agra, Taj Mahal, Uttar Pradesh National Highway 28B (India) Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, India, Chhapra, Kushinagar List of Buddhist temples Buddhism, India, Mahamevnawa Buddhist Monastery, Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line274
__label__cc	0.710019	0.289981	Boundary improvements "There isn't anything here that I can use" from the hedge laying expert We wanted to improve the security and safety of the boundary with Lower Road so that it was comparable with the rest of the field, using natural materials and in the process further enhance the field, to continue the theme "one we can be proud to look at, and one that people of all ages can enjoy (safely)" Comment or Volunteer! Phase 1 is completed! The initial work of clearing, levelling and re-seeding has now been done, and we can now enjoy the beautifully open vista that has been created. Thank you to all of you that have given us posative comments and encouragement. To those of you that had questions, concerns or complaints, we would welcome you coming to us first, either by phone or e-mail or by coming to one of our monthly meetings. (click to contact us). Better looking, better security, better safety Where the field joins onto Lower Road the hedging has been allowed to do it's own thing, so is rather neglected and to be frank - not very pretty. Also, the poor state of the hedge does not show the the land is owned and cared for by the Community so we have invested in some smart new fencing and now that is up we can clear the many years of debris, rubbish, barbed wire and bits of car that have all left been behind in preperation for "laying" the hedge. These pictures show the story so far: metal posts, bits of broken car . . . some of the barbed wire that won't hurt children anymore The clearing process: From the our Chairman, (and also in the April Newletter) The need for remedial action along the edge of the field which abuts the road was highlighted to me fairly recently when an area of the field required tarmac around the new basketball hoop. The contractor that turned up was unhappy about having to transport the tarmac in wheelbarrows across the field and showed me an easy route onto the field, from the road where within 2 minutes their lorry could be driven onto the field. Mindful that this would be Christmas come early for the travelling community, the contractor’s request was refused. When the tarmac work was completed, I took the time to inspect the field/road boundary. What I found was alarming and I have listed the key points below: No barrier, no security 1. Although it looked like a barrier, the existing hedge, fence, tree-line in fact offered little or no security to the Glebe field. 2. The peerless fencing, installed a few years ago, had been repeatedly vandalised and was ineffective as a barrier for children using the field. Healthand safety hazards - too dangerous to be ignored 3. Within the strip, there was an abundance of barbed wire, (every child's favourite toy), a collapsed concrete structure with space enough for a child to crawl into/under it, (more fun), and enough rusty old metal, broken glass and old car parts to injure any inquisitive child lucky enough to have survived the first two hazards. 4. Several of the trees and bushes were dead or rotten, and many had fallen onto others. There was a lot of sideways growth and all the taller trees had grown into each other causing more die back and decay. 5. Ivy had grown into many of the trees which spoils their appearance and makes them susceptible to increased danger of collapse in winter winds. All in all, the roadside boundary was in a very poor condition. It was not providing a secure barrier and contained many half hidden dangers. I took these findings to Committee and it was agreed that major work was required. Professional advice was obtained and we were advised that our original idea of laying the existing trees to form a secure hedge was not viable because of the age and state of the existing trees/scrub. This meant that more radical and extensive work was needed. The scale of the task is such that, even at the clearing stage, it has required many volunteers working for long periods. Our thanks are due to these community minded people giving hours of their time for free to help us achieve our aims, which are to:- 1. Provide a secure, childproof fence on the boundary of our communal property; 2. Remove the damaged peerless fencing and dispose of it; 3. Remove all rubbish, barbed wire, concrete structures broken glass and metal; 4. Cut out all rotten, sideways growing or entwined growth and most of the self seeded scrub; 5. Strip the ivy from the remaining affected trees to reveal their shape and structure; 6. Dig soak aways to take water from road or provide a working ditch; 7. Remove all stumps and level the ground; add new topsoil as required and seed with grass; 8. Augment the existing trees that are worth saving with new trees and shrubs to improve the appearance and the biodiversity, planting these as "islands" rather than a linier hedge; 9. Thereby to provide some attractive screening while leaving the area open and visible enough to prevent vandalism and a recurrence of the massive drug problem that we had in this very area a few years ago, so great care will be taken to provide an excellent visage when the works are completed. Does anyone remember this? We found these remains of some kind of structure when we were clearing the ditch. Does anyone remember what is was - or what it was for? A sentry box perhaps from when there was a military presence? Or some other kind of shelter? Or do you know what happened to it to reduce it to a heap of rubble? Send your thoughts to us here Before the project is completed, it is likely that things will look worse before they look better. In particular, the area may resemble a building site while soak-aways are put in and the low parts are being raised ready for the top soil to be spread over it. Please be patient while this is being done and do keep a careful eye on any toddlers using the play area during this time. Most of the reaction we have had to the work so far has been positive but some constructive criticism has been received. The Committee has taken note of all suggestions and where appropriate modified its plans. As always, it is impossible to please all of the people all of the time and in answer to some of the points made we would say: the original planting was intended as a barrier, not as screen though over time it had grown, into a screen in the summer at least; the new planting will provide some screening but, for the reasons cited above, the Committee believes that some visibility is more important for the good of the whole community; b. the trees were not significant for any important wildlife; even so, the clearing work should be complete before any birds nest in it. There is ample wildlife cover in the other boundaries to the Glebe and the adjacent areas, and once complete there will be more diversity of habitat than previously existed; Other projects (summary page) Bus shelter	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line276
__label__cc	0.706365	0.293635	What's To Come Discussions about trends and things in the future by Andy Huckaba Amazed by 3-D Printing By Andy Huckaba in trends, Uncategorized Many years ago I had the opportunity to visit a university that had a 3-D “rapid prototype” printers. The concept was to take CAD drawings, send the instructions to the device and create a 3-D image by laying down layers of material. They would take a broken part or tool, create a CAD drawing of it, then feed the information to the controller to enable it to be rendered. It was a slow process, but it had the potential to allow for a number of things including the re-creation of hard-to-get and impossible-to-get machine parts, the refabrication of critical tools and dies, and the exact replication of 3-D items. Fast forward to now. 3-D printing technology abounds with new applications for the technology surfacing every day. Now, if you want custom insoles for your shoes, that technology is there. If the International Space Station needs to replace a broken part, a 3-D printer onboard can create it. Want a pizza – now? Print it! They are even boasting that a house can be 3-D printed and built in 24-48 hours. See this link Kansas Teen uses 3-D printer to make hand for boy A 16 year old high school kid in the region created a 3-D printed prosthetic arm for a family friends kid who was born without fingers on one hand. It works! Article Link. What a great story! Now the promise of building replacement organs at a cellular level is near reality. Printing eyes, bone, livers, kidneys and more is very nearly here. Article: How 3D Printers are Cranking Eyes, Bones and Blood Vessels Article: A new way to print cells could make it easier to 3D print organs I think it is revolutionary and it is changing the way we think about many things. It has the potential to completely change the distribution model for the secondary parts industries. No longer will they need to have warehouses full of parts. What might this do to the shipping and transit industry? How will this further compress time-frames? How could it change the field of healthcare and medicine? Keep your eyes on this trend. It will be a big one and could likely change all aspects of our lives. Anxious to hear your thoughts too! © 2008 Wordpress Themes Demo	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line280
__label__wiki	0.79293	0.79293	Land grabs and human rights violations exposed in Liberia ahead of global development summit Liberia To Investigate Logging Of Rainforests A report by the non-governmental organization Global Witness says more than 60 percent of the West African nation's rainforests have been granted to logging companies in the past six years. The group has found evidence of fraud and misconduct within Liberia's logging sector. Notorious Malaysian Company Surfaces in Liberia A comprehensive investigation by this paper has unearthed that a notorious Malaysian logging company (Samling) has surfaced in Liberia as a business partner to a Liberian logging company Atlantic Resources.Atlantic Resources is owned by Mr. Liberian forests to be flattened by secret logging contracts A quarter of Liberia’s total landmass has been granted to logging companies in just two years, following an explosion in the use of secretive and often illegal logging permits, Liberia: Several Recommendations Advanced for Good Redd Policy Several civil society groups and local community from across nine counties have called on the Government of Liberia (GOL) to institute a REDD program that would ensure the provision of community benefits such as funding for development initiatives. Liberia's hasty forest sell-off risks more conflict Liberia: Sustainable Forest Management A Huge Oil Palm Plantation Puts African Rainforest at Risk Industrial palm oil production is coming to Africa, its ancestral home. The world’s most productive oil seed has been a boon to Asian economies, but the looming arrival of large-scale plantations in Africa is raising fears that some of the same issues plaguing Malaysia, Indonesia, and other leading producers — deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity loss, conflicts with local people, and poor working conditions — could befall one of the world’s most destitute regions. By Barcoding Trees, Liberia Looks to Save its Rainforests Nearly two-thirds of West Africa’s remaining rainforests are in the small but troubled nation of Liberia. That is a small miracle. A decade ago, Liberia’s forests were being stripped bare by warlords to fund a vicious 14-year civil war that left 150,000 dead. In 2003, the United Nations belatedly imposed an embargo on Liberian “logs of war.” Revenues crashed and, coincidentally or not, the war swiftly came to an end. Liberia deal seeks to save West Africa’s forests Liberia has signed a deal with the European Union promising to crack down on illegal logging on its territory, home to more than half of West Africa’s rainforests, a group linked to the accord said.	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line282
__label__cc	0.74715	0.25285	Home > Vulture News > Walmart’s ‘Low Price’ Sets Off DVD Discount Tug-O-War Walmart’s ‘Low Price’ Sets Off DVD Discount Tug-O-War November 11th, 2009 Bryan Dowling Leave a comment Go to comments Studios like Warner Bros. and 20th Century Fox, which have been waging a futile effort against Redbox in their hopes to stave off declining profits from sales of DVDs, now have Walmart to thank for setting off a DVD price war. The retail giant may have shelved its old slogan, “Always Low Prices” in 2007, but that hasn’t changed its approach to business. Walmart announced plans last Thursday to sell upcoming new releases including Terminator Salvation, Angels & Demons and Julie & Julia for only $10 when ordered online. Target responded by pricing their online DVD selection at $10 and upped the ante, adding two more movies, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and Star Trek to the list. By the time Amazon joined the fray, also reducing their DVD prices to $10 and Walmart retalliated by dropping the price to $9.98, it had already become a play-by-play re-enactment of a recent book pricing war between all the same players. It’s the kind of tug-o-war Walmart excels at. New Trailer For ‘Date Night’ With Steve Carell & Tina Fey Michael Moore’s ‘Capitalism’ Deemed A Bad Investment for Liberty Media	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line284
__label__wiki	0.750312	0.750312	Showing 10 articles from January 11, 2021. Classifieds 1.13.21 New regions defined by the new COVID-19 phase recovery plan New statewide recovery plan put into place Governor Jay Inslee announced a new COVID-19 phased recovery plan last week called "Healthy Washington - Roadmap to Recovery." This began on January 11, and reset every county into Phase 1. According to this new plan, retail occupancy remains at 25%. It also allows for limited live entertainment and fitness center activities. "No one was untouched by the effects of the pandemic in 2020; many have and continue to suffer through no fault of their own," said Inslee during a press conference on Tuesday, January 5. "We aren't out of this yet, but we are close to turning the corner on COVID-19 and this third wave of infection." This new plan is laid out in hopes that it will avoid overwhelming the state's health care systems. The new recovery system aims to safely ease some restrictions while ensuring care for Washingtonians and encouraging economic recovery. State defines the next vaccine group On Wednesday, January 6, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) released the definitions of the next phase of COVID-19 vaccinations. The next group, Phase 1B, is broken up into Tiers. The state is not ready to move into vaccinating Phase 1B since they are still finishing up vaccinating 1A. Phase 1B include: Phase 1B1 (Tier 1) All people 70 years and older People 50 years and older who live in multigenerational households Photo from Toledo's Walk in the Park Facebook page - Participants enjoyed the sunshine during Toledo's Walk in the Park in September of 2017. This year expect to see face coverings and social distancing during the event. Esther Borte Walk in the Park is happening in February The 5th Annual Esther Borte Walk In the Park is coming to Toledo in February, this one is a bit different than the rest. The participants will still participate in the 5K walk, run, or roll. They just get to do it at their leisure. The participants choose the date, time, and route of their race. You can track your race using the app of your choice, just take a screenshot and email it to walkintheparktoledo@gmail.com. Looking for a new career: Start by volunteering for wastewater treatment training The City of Winlock is looking for volunteers who are interested in training in the water and sewer department. This will be the fifth year offering this training, former Mayor Lonnie Dowell started this program the first year and the program has continued under former Mayor Donald Bradshaw and Mayor Brandon Svenson. Over the years, volunteers who have graduated from the program are: Sue Parker who is now a licensed water and sewer operator. Heather Luurs has graduated and passed the program but she has not taken her certification. Jessie Weimer has graduated and has passed his water and wastewater certificate. James Agren will graduate in April of 2021. This training will open up opportunities to work in this field. Wages in this field range from $35,000 per year up to $100,000 per year. You will be getting training in water distribution and wastewater. Photo by George Kunke - Les and Lynne Goodwin have decided to retire after 39 years in the floral and gift shop business. Nancy Germeaux (right) worked at Flowers by Lynne for 28 years. After 39 years: Raymond business icon closes its doors Flowers by Lynne, an established business in Raymond for nearly four decades, closed its doors on New Year's Eve 2020. Owners Lynne and Les Goodwin put Flowers by Lynne on the market a couple of years ago and now want to enjoy their retirement. Lynne said that it was not a very difficult decision for them to sell the building and retire. "We had thought about it for a while as Les and I are both at the age of retirement," she told the Herald. Lynne talked about what originally inspired her to go into business in the first place. In December of 1981, when the country was suffering from high-interest rates and a poor business market, Lynne and her husband, Les, rolled the dice, and the gamble paid off. WIAA Revises Season 1: High School sports could start February 1 SOUTH BEND - As long as Washington is safe enough from COVID-19 to compete in sports, the tentative date to start practices for the local sports of football, volleyball, girls and boys soccer and Willapa Harbor Tri-District Cross Country is February 1. In all, it will include a total of eight local sports. Last Wednesday, Evergreen state schools were given the go ahead by the the WIAA Executive Board, which voted to amend its season schedule, while moving traditional fall sports to WIAA Season 1. The WIAA will review Seasons 2 and 3 at its January 19 meeting. "I think the WIAA's decision to move fall sports to Season 1 is the right move," Raymond HS Athletic Director Mike Tully told the Herald Friday afternoon. "It makes sense when you look at what is allowed in the governor's new reopening plan. January 13, 2021 Willapa Harbor Herald and Pacific County Press January 13, 2021 Lewis County News	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line285
__label__wiki	0.635578	0.635578	Webinar – Is Virginia the New California? A Review of Recent Virginia Legislation Changing the Landscape for Employers in 2020 (PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS A COMPLEMENTARY WEBINAR) Time: 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Durarion: 1 hour 30 minutes (SHRM credit approved for 1.5 hours. HRCI credit pending. ) We know that everyone has been slammed with COVID-19 issues for the last couple of months. Meanwhile, new Virginia legislation has passed that will drastically alter the status quo for employers in Virginia. Long considered an employer-friendly state, as of July 1, 2020 Virginia is changing that by redefining the employment landscape. Join attorneys, Kristina H. Vaquera and Milena Radovic, from Jackson Lewis P.C.’s Norfolk office for a complimentary webinar that will examine these new laws, explain the risks employers now face, and provide strategies and best practices to prepare for the changes to come, including: Virginia’s new wage theft law creates—for the first time—a private right of action for employees to sue their employers for unpaid wages, with treble damages and possible attorneys’ fees. Three new independent contractor misclassification laws create a presumption that workers should be classified as employees. Several employment laws that took effect in 2019 impose new obligations on Virginia employers, including granting employees access to personnel records, restrictions on confidentiality in cases of sexual assault, and new pay disclosure laws. The Virginia Values Act expands the scope of the Virginia Human Rights Act (VHRA) to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, but also fundamentally changes the legal rights and remedies available to employees under the VHRA and greatly increases the costs and risks of litigation for employers. The whistleblower law creates an immediate private right of action for employees who are retaliated against for complaining to a supervisor, among other protected activities. The restrictive covenant law prohibits employers from entering into and enforcing a restrictive covenant against employees who earn less than the average weekly wage in Virginia.	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line286
__label__wiki	0.568913	0.568913	You are at:Home»News»Dance 0 Southbank Centre plans Winter Tea Dance to combat loneliness December 15, 2020 The Southbank Centre is hosting a digital concert on 18 December that aims to combat loneliness. The Winter Tea Dance… 0 Greek National Opera launches TV channel November 17, 2020 Greek National Opera (GNO) has launched its own online TV station: GNO TV. The channel will show opera, ballet and… 0 National Ballet of Canada cancel’s season, launches workshops for kids November 10, 2020 The National Ballet of Canada (NBC) is launching a new online programme for children and young people. NBC has said… 0 Ballet West Scotland closed after grooming scandal August 25, 2020 Ballet West Scotland has closed with immediate effect. The school’s vice principal, Jonathan Barton, has been accused of grooming teenage… 0 Cameron Mackintosh lays of staff August 18, 2020 Cameron Mackintosh has made more than 850 of his staff redundant. Two of the West End producer’s companies – Cameron… 0 COVID-19 hits Russian ballet August 11, 2020 Artists at the Bolshoi Theatre and Mariinsky Theatre have been quarantined due to positive COVID-19 tests. The story – only… 0 Watch Cinderella Games online July 14, 2020 Cinderella Games – a film inspired by Christopher Wheeldon’s Cinderella – will have its online premiere tonight (14 July). It… 0 Queensland Ballet’s Ballet Beat Drop Challenge July 7, 2020 Queensland Ballet is running an online dance competition that fuses ballet and hip hip. The Ballet Beat Drop Challenge asks… 0 Order a takeaway dance show from Norrdans April 19, 2020 Norrdans – the contemporary dance company based in Sweden – has come up with perhaps the most personal response to… 0 Sadler’s Wells steps up its Digital Stage March 24, 2020 Sadler’s Wells is boosting the number of shows it will offer on its Digital Stage. The move comes as the…	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line290
__label__cc	0.715722	0.284278	Boyle Family to Break New Ground With virtually nothing left to prove at The Invitational Shootout, John Boyle continues to break new ground with the recent announcement that he will be partnering with his son Jack Boyle for the 2012 event. Jack will be the third generation representative at The Shootout, joining his grandfather, father and uncle to play in the world’s most prestigious two-person golf scramble. Jack Boyle, who is a top-ranked player for Lemont High School, will be joining his father John, a 1999 Invitational Shootout Champion and a 2010 winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award. John Boyle has played the last two tournaments with his father John Boyle Sr. The elder Boyle could be paired with another son, Mike Boyle, for the 2012 event. “I’m really looking forward to not only playing The Shootout with my son Jack, but exposing him to the intense pressure of this spectacular tournament” said John Boyle. “He’s never felt anything close to the tension that he’ll be feeling on the first tee at The Shootout. It will be great to share this moment with our entire family.” Filed Under: 2012 Tagged With: 2012, Jack Boyle, John Boyle, John Boyle Sr., Mike Boyle Boyles Look to Make Invitational Shootout History When he arrives at the first tee on June 5th, John Boyle will be making his 13th appearance in The Invitational Shootout. Only three players have competed in more Shootouts then John Boyle and none will be more meaningful than this year for the 1999 Invitational Shootout Champion. “This year my dad and I will be partners and we’re really looking forward to making a run at John Moirano’s Legend’s title” said Boyle. “My victory in 1999 with Tom Scanlon was quite an accomplishment, but this year, Dad and I will re-write the record books by becoming the first Father/Son team to bring home a trophy.” Filed Under: 2010 Tagged With: John Boyle, John Boyle Sr., John Moirano, Tom Scalon	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line291
__label__wiki	0.920789	0.920789	Builders run short of supplies as UK port holdups raise Brexit concerns By Hanna December 7, 2020 December 7, 2020 Builders are running short of everything from power tools and screws to timber and roof tiles as the gridlock at UK ports holds up crucial deliveries and sets off alarm bells in the run-up to Brexit. The UK’s ports have been grappling with a surge in freight volumes at a time when their ability to process it all is hindered by coronavirus restrictions. Since September, the country’s biggest container port, Felixstowe, has been handling about 30% more goods than usual, with businesses rushing to replenish stock after the end of lockdowns and building stockpiles before the end of the Brexit transition period. High street chains have already reported shortages of essential goods such as washing machines and fridges, and also toys, as they struggle to get shipments through the Suffolk port. The fallout from the congestion, which has spread to other major ports including Southampton and London Gateway, is being felt in a number of industries. John Newcomb, the chief executive of the Builders Merchants Federation, said the ports were becoming a “major issue” for its members. They have enjoyed bumper sales as locked-down Britons renovated their homes but were experiencing availability problems because they “can’t get materials in quicker”. The squeeze was also pushing up the price of goods. “There appears to be an increasing issue getting products through ports,” Newcomb said. “Rather than taking a maximum of one week to unload, it is taking up to four.” Timber is of particular concern (the price is up between 20% and 40% because of supply problems in Scandinavia) but there is also a diminishing supply of roof tiles, screws, fixings, tools and white goods such as washing machines and fridges, he said. In recent weeks the congestion at Felixstowe as well as other ports has encouraged vessels to “cut and run” – either partially unloading or skipping UK calls altogether and dumping cargo at Rotterdam, Antwerp and Zeebrugge instead, said Mirko Woitzik, an analyst at the supply chain risk advisory firm Resilience360. Some carriers are discussing not calling at Felixstowe until February because of fears it will remain clogged, he said. The shortage of building materials had so far been felt by the retail chains that supply jobbing builders but Newcomb said that, with the situation unlikely to be resolved for several months, it would also become a problem for big contractors. The BMF has raised the issue with the government as the high level of demand has prevented the building trade from stockpiling in the run-up to Brexit. The coronavirus pandemic has destroyed the equilibrium that usually exists in the maritime supply chain. Robert Keen, the director general of the British International Freight Association, said that over a 10-week period logistics firms went from having no work to a situation where almost no ships were idle. These extremes had led to a “breakdown of the conveyor belt of ships and containers, and the return flow of empty containers”, which was a major cause of congestion, he said. The resurgent demand has resulted in a fight for space on the container ships that ply the shipping routes from low-cost manufacturing hubs, such as China, to big consumer markets including the US and Europe. UK businesses are reporting stratospheric increases in shipping costs, which are likely to add to the pressure on prices in the new year. Simon Midwood, the managing director of the family-run building materials supplier Timco, said its shipping costs had increased by more than 300%. That extra cost was pushing up cost prices by between 3% and 17%. With port delays already causing shortages of popular toy sets such as Barbie, the retailer The Entertainer said it was facing soaring import costs from China, up from $1,000 six weeks ago to more than $6,000. Gary Grant, the chain’s co-founder, said that could mean higher prices for shoppers in 2021 as retailers struggled to absorb rising costs. The situation was compounded by uncertainty surrounding the import taxes that will apply after Brexit, he added. Last month the Guardian revealed that 11,000 containers of government-procured PPE were part of the problem at Felixstowe. That backlog has been reduced to about 4,000 and should be cleared by Christmas. The port said it expected the increase in container volumes to last into January but was “working hard to minimise the impact on daily operations and to maintain vital supply chains”. FT hires Thomas as a business columnist IoT News – IoT connectivity disruptors’ platform strategies present a challenge for MNOs	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line292
__label__wiki	0.501829	0.501829	The Fundamental Flaw With X-Men Movies Jay Tablante June 16, 2019 Much has been said about how the latest and probably the last outing of the X-Men franchise under FOX is going down in flames (pun intended). Various articles have pointed out its bad timing and politics. The movie was pushed down several dates to slide it past potential competitors and reportedly to give chance to upcoming franchises. The latter apparently is a unwritten practice within the industry to ascertain some creators’ loyalty to a production company in the hopes of potential future revenues through their upcoming movies. As an avid X-Men fan in the comics back in the day, it was disappointing to see last movie under FOX end on such a sour note, but such commercial and critical failure didn’t come as a surprise for me. It was apparent and exacerbated for every sequel, prequel and spin-off they made. Lack of Vision There has also been lots of consolation talk about how FOX ushered in superhero genres to the general audiences and their credit, the first X-Men movie established the comic book genre’s foot hold within mainstream acceptance. Fanboys like me got my hopes up that finally comic book movies have come to stay at least for awhile. After that though, it left a bitter sweet aftertaste. As the next sequels came out, I can’t help but feel some sort of disconnect between the movies. Character development was sorely lacking, and you don’t feel as invested in them to even care what’s going to happen next. Casting was a mixed bag especially for the supporting roles, and there was no love for keeping a large story arc. The writers involved obviously have no care for the source material. Every movie was treated like a standalone then if it made money, they would find a way of writing some sort of se/pre quel and made sense out of it along the way. Obviously, they banked on Wolverine’s backstory and Hugh Jackman’s popularity. Even though Wolverine’s origins is quite intriguing to flesh out, the spin-offs were again made to milk us for our fanboy money at the expense of the character. They did attempt to rectify it though with Logan which I liked personally. Too bad it took them more than 10 years to realize that and had to be at the last installment too. There is also the X-Men: Apocalypse (dis)continuity where Jean’s Phoenix powers were unleashed with the blessing of Professor X to decimate Apocalypse. Then at the start Dark Phoenix, that entire plot was turned into a gaping hole. By this time, the clashing philosophies of Professor X and Magneto over mutant survival had no evolution anymore and suffers an existential crisis. They just kept on beating a dead horse hoping it would resurrect some interest back with the audience. The X-Men franchise under FOX had no long term vision sad to say, and we as fans threw out hard-earned money just to see characters go awry. Movie-Making, The Comic Book way Marvel studios straddles on the unique vantage of being a movie outfit whose roots are from comics. As such, they approach story telling on a more long-reaching arc rather than making one-offs with a bit of a hook for a possible sequel. The latter of which is FOX is guilty of doing, and it has rather worked for them in the past. But comic book adaptations can’t be treated the same way. It is one thing to tell story on a sprint, another as a marathon plotting in multiple threads. I don’t really keep strong opinions against any of the property, but I sure hope the X-Men gets a good retelling under the MCU. I would gladly wait quite some time for that if I have to. Spread the Love Around Posted in Reviews, Pop CultureTagged Comics, Marvel, X-Men Model Portfolio: Dinny Model Portfolio: Emilia	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line295
__label__wiki	0.994812	0.994812	After LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi benched by BJP New Delhi, Mar 27, 2019 : The BJP dropped its former president Murli Manohar Joshi as its candidate from Kanpur for the Lok Sabha polls and swapped constituencies of Maneka Gandhi and her son Varun Gandhi as the party announced candidates for 39 more seats on Tuesday, News 18 reported. Courtesy: Malayala Manorama- Daily Joshi (85) joins the list of veterans, including L K Advani, Shanta Kumar, B C Khanduri and Kalraj Mishra, who have been denied the ticket by the BJP, apparently on the ground of their age and grooming younger leaders in their place. The BJP had conveyed to Joshi that it will not field him in the polls. In a statement to CNN-News18, Joshi said he was asked by party general secretary Ramlal to not contest the elections. In the 2014 election, Joshi had vacated his Varanasi seat for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and then won Kanpur by a record margin, securing 57% of the votes. Joshi, a former union minister, has also not been included in the list of campaigners in Uttar Pradesh. The BJP repeated Union minister Manoj Sinha from Ghazipur, his ministerial colleague Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti from Fatehpur and its Uttar Pradesh president Mahendra Nath Pandey from Chandauli. UP government ministers Rita Bahuguna Joshi and Satyadev Pachauri have been fielded from prestigious Allahabad and Kanpur seats respectively. Its general secretary Arun Singh told reporters that the party has announced 29 candidates from UP and 10 from West Bengal. The BJP has so far announced its 349 nominees for the elections to the 543-member Lok Sabha. Actor-turned-politician Jaya Prada was fielded from Rampur only hours after she joined the party and will take on her bitter rival Azam Khan, the Samajwadi Party candidate, in the general elections. The list also put to rest the speculation over the fate of Varun Gandhi, who was seen to be not in the good books of the party’s leadership. It is believed that Maneka Gandhi had asked the party leadership to field her son from Pilibhit, from where she has won a number of times and which is seen a relatively safe seat for her family. Varun Gandhi had won from there once in 2009 and will now contest from there while his mother will fight from Sultanpur, which he had won in 2014. National Commission for Scheduled Castes Chairman Ram Shankar Katheria, who had won from Agra in 2014, has been fielded from Etawah, replacing Ashok Kumar Doharey. The party has fielded its farmers’ wing chief Virendra Singh ’Mast’ from Ballia, replacing Bharat Singh. Mast had won from Bhadohi in 2014. Its Scheduled Castes’ wing head Vinod Sonkar has been renominated from Kaushambi. The BJP had won 28 of the 29 seats for which it announced its candidates on Tuesday. Names of seven incumbents did not figure on the list. However, two of them, Allahabad MP Shyama Charan Gupta and Bahraich MP Savitri Bai Phule, had quit the party. In West Bengal, the party has given the ticket to Humayon Kabir, who had quit the Trinamool Congress last year, from Murshidabad.	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line304
__label__wiki	0.699487	0.699487	Something to Muse About We cover Movies, TV, Books, Comics, Conventions and Anything Else that tickles our fancy! We lean towards horror and supernatural. Ape Con Creation Cons Fan Expo Canada Sac Cons American Horror Midnight Texas Laurell K Hamilton Sherrilyn Kenyon Shadowhunters S03E05 "Stronger Than Heaven" Recap Lilian pretends to be a friend of Ragnor Fell in order to gain Magnus' trust. She is searching for help in performing magic to make someone fall out of love. Magnus claims he can do this but recommends against it, saying that it's better to fall in love. She claims that it's for a former lover that's a soldier needing to stay focused on the task at hand. He gives her the elixir and says that it requires a sliver of her soul to be put into it an hour before it is administered as she is the supposed object of affection. Jace tells Clary he's planning of going to the City of Bones for treatment from the Silent Brothers, as they have a history of helping Shadowhunters with mental health issues. She is concerned that if they can't help him that he is risking losing it all, including being a Shadowhunter. She wants to talk to Angels to ask for help with the situation, as she remains determined to help him no matter how difficult it may seem. Alec asks Magnus if he can move in to his place. Magnus thinks it's a good idea for the future, saying they've only been dating for two months and that their relationship will change once they move in together. He says that one thing he's learned after being alive so long is to take your time in a relationship. Simon has one of his gigs cancelled and doesn't know who sabotaged him by pretending to be his manager. Jace decides to help him to keep busy and also because Simon is important to Clary. Izzy agrees to go on a date with the doctor and Clary encourages her to do so since having a few hours off from the investigation could be good for her well-being. Clary confides in Luke about Jace dying in the battle against Valentine and using the wish from Raziel to bring him back. She is distraught at having to lie to everyone she loves and now Jace is struggling with something that she can't seem to help him with. She asks Luke to help her contact Cleophas in an effort to contact the angels for help. Lilith summons a demon to go after Clary and retrieve a sliver of her soul. Jace tells Simon that none of the werewolves from Luke's pack were the ones to cancel his gig. However, he becomes suspicious of his new place and how perfectly it seems to suit Simon's interests. He decides to snoop through Kyle's room and discovers a wolfsbane plant. When Kyle comes back and confronts them for going through his room, Jace forces him to admit that he's a werewolf. Kyle admits he's part of Praetor Lupus, a secret werewolf organisation that act as guardians. They only intervene in special downworlder cases. Kyle was sent in to assist the investigation into the blast Simon sent out. Simon is hurt at being betrayed and the fact that Kyle cancelled his gig. He is upset at being lied to yet again and says he is leaving. Alec snoops through a box he had seen Magnus rifling through and discovers a photo of Magnus with an old lover, seemingly from the 1800s. Clary and Luke visit Cleophas at a remote home in the woods and she finds out she has been unable to contact the angels. She is able to give Clary advice on how to contact Ithuriel herself since she has shown tremendous power and his blood already runs through her veins. Summoning an angel won't be without risks but it's up to Clary to decide if she wants to take it, which she decides to do in order to try to help Jace. Izzy enjoys her date but has to take off when her amulet bracelet begins to glow. She follows the lead and encounters the demon in the alleyway that Lilith had conjured. When she tries to kill it by cutting it in half, they instead re-form into two that she still struggles to fight but still manages to kill. Lilith senses their demise and flies out, intent on getting the job done herself. Her date finds her in the alleyway and insists that she come to the hospital to get stitches on the cut on her forehead (which she was able to cover for by breaking her heel and pretending she tripped and fell). Cleophus instructs Clary on how to summon Ithuriel. After the first steps are taken, Cleophus and Luke must leave Clary alone to complete the ritual or they risk being severely injured or even killed by any angels that may appear to her. Jace tracks Simon down and advises him to accept Kyle's help since it's the best option he has at the moment. Alec admits to snooping through Magnus' things, though Magnus already knew, and apologises for doing so. Magnus accepts his apology and tells him about George, who he says has been dead for over a century. He says that the rest of the items in the box aren't what belonged to George except for that one photograph. The other mementos are each from a loved one he outlived. Magnus is immortal which means that he is destined to outlive the ones he loves and he wants to be able to cherish the moments he does have with the ones he loves. Alec is more understanding after he gets all of the context, though the revelations are intense for him to process. Clary successfully summons Ithuriel, who knows she's there because of Jace. She asks if Jace is struggling now because of her resurrecting him. He tells her that's not the reason but returning from death has left him vulnerable against a greater threat than they realise. He goes on to say that a great evil has arrived in the realm of the mundane who is the master of the Owl. But just as he's about to say its name, he is killed by Lilith. As Clary wakes to see the winged demonic creature flying over her, Lilith steals a sliver of her soul before flying away. Clary passes out and wakes in the cabin with Luke and Cleopha watching over her. Simon agrees to let Kyle help him but only under the condition that he can continue to live his life, including performing at the gig that Kyle tried to cancel from him. Jace visits Alec and tells him he will be going to get treatment for his mental health at the Silent City. Alec says he wants to come with him but Jace tells him this is a fight he has to face alone. He later meets up with Kyle and Simon at the bar where Simon performs his gig. While there, Lilith spikes Jace's drink with the elixir concocted to strip Jace of all the love he has ever felt for Clary. After he drinks from it, he goes back into his subservient trance. Shadowhunters airs on Tuesdays on Freeform at 8/7c. Labels: Alberto Rosende Alisha Wainwright Dominic Sherwood Emeraude Toubia Freeform Harry Shum Jr. Isaiah Mustafa Katherine McNamara Matthew Daddario Shadowhunters twitter facebook google youtube <div align="center"><a href="http://www.museled.com" title="MuseLed Blog"><img src="http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r40/suepafly/c97edcdd-5ada-4fec-b2f1-67d3b26c3c25.jpg" alt="MuseLed Blog" style="border:none;" /></a></div> iZombie S04E09 "Mac-Liv-Moore" Recap Méndez Prepares For Andra Chansen Duel Into The Badlands S03E02 "Moon Rises, Raven Seeks"... Killing Eve S01E04 "Sorry Baby" Recap Méndez, Margaret, and Renaida Among Names To Compe... Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. S05E19 "Option Two... Mimi Werner Thrilled To Be In Andra Chansen (Melod... 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Shadowhunters S03E04 "Thy Soul Instructed" Recap iZombie S04E06 "My Really Fair Lady" Recap Killing Eve S01E01 "Nice Face" Recap Oscar Zia Releases New Single "Kyss Mig i Slo-mo" Nano Returns With New Single "Love Harder" Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. S05E16 "Inside Voi... Gotham S04E17 "Mandatory Brunch Meeting" Recap Krypton S01E03 "The Rankless Initiative" Recap Black Lightning S01E11 "Black Jesus: the Book of C... Shadowhunters S03E03 "What Lies Beneath" Recap Renaida's Underdog Success in Melodifestivalen Melodifestivalen 2018 Top 28: #23 “Livet på en pin... ► October ( 164 ) ► July ( 125 ) Jenevia Kagawa Darcy Suepafly Our Next Stop High Quality Templates Copyright © 2013 Something to Muse About and Blogger Templates - Anime OST.	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line320
__label__cc	0.568594	0.431406	OtherMetabolism and Enzymology Inhibition of Plant Protoporphyrinogen Oxidase by the Herbicide Acifluorfen-Methyl Debra A. Witkowski, Blaik P. Halling Debra A. Witkowski Blaik P. Halling Published August 1989. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1104/pp.90.4.1239 © 1989 American Society of Plant Biologists The effect of acifluorfen-methyl on tetrapyrrole synthesis in greening chloroplasts of Cucumis sativus was examined. Formation of Mg-proto-porphyrin IX from δ-aminolevulinate was reduced 98% by 10 micromolar acifluorfen-methyl. Conversion of protoporphyrin IX to Mg-protoporphyrin IX was unaffected, but protoporphyrin IX synthesis from δ-aminolevulinate was blocked, indicating a site of inhibition prior to the Mg-chelatase. The enzymic oxidation of protoporphyrinogen IX to protoporphyrin IX was highly sensitive to acifluorfen-methyl, indicating that the site of action of the herbicide is the protoporphyrinogen oxidase. (© 1989 FMC Corporation. All rights reserved.) Thank you for your interest in spreading the word on Plant Physiology. You are going to email the following Inhibition of Plant Protoporphyrinogen Oxidase by the Herbicide Acifluorfen-Methyl Message Subject (Your Name) has sent you a message from Plant Physiology Message Body (Your Name) thought you would like to see the Plant Physiology web site. Plant Physiology Aug 1989, 90 (4) 1239-1242; DOI: 10.1104/pp.90.4.1239 Distribution of Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex Activities between Chloroplasts and Mitochondria from Leaves of Different Species Identification of Posttranslationally Modified 18-Kilodalton Protein from Rice as Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor 5A Regulation of Maize Leaf Nitrate Reductase Activity Involves Both Gene Expression and Protein Phosphorylation Show more Metabolism and Enzymology	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line323
__label__cc	0.555553	0.444447	Political Wrinkles > Political Forums > Law & Order Utah Quietly Seeking ‘Emergency Relief’ To Halt Existing LGBT Adoptions Law & Order Discuss Utah Quietly Seeking ‘Emergency Relief’ To Halt Existing LGBT Adoptions at the Political Forums; While the eyes of Utah (and much of the nation) are on the 10th Circuit Court, which will hear oral ... foundit66 While the eyes of Utah (and much of the nation) are on the 10th Circuit Court, which will hear oral arguments tomorrow on whether to uphold a lower court’s decision to strike the state’s ban on same-sex marriage, Utah Republican Attorney General Sean Reyes has quietly filed a Petition For Emergency Extraordinary Relief with the Utah Supreme Court to allow the state to halt adoptions by LGBT parents already in motion. After district court judge Robert Shelby struck down Amendment 3, the 2004 Utah law which banned same-sex marriage and civil unions, dozens of newly-wed couples immediately began filing for adoption. Some couples sought to adopt new children, while others filed to adopt the biological children of their spouses they are already raising (Utah law currently prohibits 2nd parent adoption by anyone not married to their partner). The suit, filed by the Attorney General on behalf of the Utah Department of Health and the Office of Vital Records and Statistics, is seeking to overturn the rulings of multiple judges in Utah who signed the orders allowing the adoption proceedings to begin prior to the United States Supreme Court granting a stay on Judge Shelby’s ruling. The Emergency Petition gives the adoptive parents only three days to respond, an extraordinarily limited amount of time for these parents to find an attorney, prepare their arguments/briefs, and file with the court. Not to mention the nightmare of court and legal costs that can pile up on these parents who just finished paying adoption costs. Utah’s filing with the court adds insult to injury for the parents, claiming that if the Utah Supreme Court does not overturn the adoptions, they themselves will be harmed “as they may wrongly rely upon an illegally-issued birth certificate for other benefits or protections not provided by Utah law.” Utah goes on to ask that the adoptions remain on permanent hold until the State’s appeal of Judge Shelby’s ruling is concluded. Assuming the 10th Circuit Court follows the precedent of multiple other judicial bodies around the country, and upholds the ruling in favor of marriage equality, that means the hold on the adoptions would remain in effect as Utah inevitably appeals all the way to SCOTUS. Equality Utah shared this story of one of the couples on their Facebook page: Kimberly and Amber Leary started a family together in November of 2012. In an attempt to provide a safe, stable, nurturing family life for their daughter, as well as a legal framework under the law, Kimberly Leary began adoption proceedings so her daughter would not be a legal stranger to her under Utah law. Kimberly and Amber were legally married in Utah during the 16-day window last year. A judge approved their adoption and today the couple went to the Office of Vital Records and presented the judge’s order to receive a new birth certificate for the baby. Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes, deliberately instructed the director at the Office of Vital Records to disobey the judge’s order and withhold the birth certificate from Kimberly and Amber Leary, in effect, halting their adoption of their daughter. Kimberly Leary “We are only asking for the state to comply with the court’s order to issue an amended birth certificate in our adoption case. To us, this is about creating a safe, and stable home for our daughter and making sure she has the kind of loving, nurturing environment that will allow her to thrive and succeed.” Brandie Balken of Equality Utah, “This is unheard of and very disappointing. The state is asking the Utah Supreme Court to tell them they don’t have to follow the orders of judges who have granted adoptions. Enabling all children to become a part of permanent, lifelong families should be a defining goal of our state.” Meanwhile, Utah’s case against marriage equality tomorrow will rely almost exclusively on the thoroughly debunked study by Mark Regnerus, as they argue that same-sex couples shouldn’t be allowed to get married because children need to be protected from them. Breaking: Utah Quietly Seeking ‘Emergency Relief’ To Halt Existing LGBT Adoptions \| The New Civil Rights Movement This is ridiculous. Studies show gay parents are just as good as straight parents. The only real impact is in quantity of parents (i.e. 2 parents is better than 1) and even then 2 gay parents are just as good as two straight parents. Inevitably, such efforts simply deprive orphans of potential homes. It's not like you've got a 10-year old kid who could have gone to a straight home but a gay couple interfered. We have an excess of orphans (as compared to adoptive parents) and thus such measures will inevitably only lead to more orphans not being adopted. “Labor is prior to, and independent of, capital. Capital is only the fruit of labor, and could never have existed if labor had not first existed. Labor is the superior of capital, and deserves much the higher consideration.” ~Abraham Lincoln adoptions, existing, halt, lgbt, quietly, relief’, seeking, utah, ‘emergency	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line324
__label__cc	0.621393	0.378607	# - A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - WXYZ Early Order Discounts On Sale Items Bobble Heads (109) Capsule Figs / Gashapon (278) Crane Prize Figures (10) Doll Figures (62) Mini Figures (93) Miniture Figures (14) Model Kits (301) PVC Figure (146) Trading Figures (550) Urban Vinyl Figs (195) Cold Cast (5) Die-Cast / Metal (47) Polystone (51) PVC Statues (8775) Resin Statues (518) Artbooks (388) Manga Sets (3) Novel (402) Shitajiki / Pencilboards (39) Stationary Sets (1246) Blu-Ray (1111) DVD (Anime) (3602) Live Action (362) Plush Dolls (2536) Keychains / Mascots Keychains (2992) Mascot Fasteners (184) Phone Straps (1339) Bag/Pouch (1255) Boxers (21) Hats & Caps (1494) Pins & Buttons (1103) Towel (172) Wallets (1155) Wristbands (738) Art Print (13) Book Ends (4) Calendars (81) Chop Sticks (14) Collectible Game (343) Cups & Mugs (609) Everything Else (3714) Game Prize Goods (3) Gift Certificate (1) Japanese Snacks (247) Lighter (16) Music CDs (156) Trading Card Games (10) Wall Scrolls (639) • Action Figures (2) • Bag/Pouch (2) • Blu-Ray (4) • Clock (2) • Everything Else (51) • Hats & Caps (4) • Keychains (12) • Manga (22) • Patches (4) • Phone Straps (6) • Pillows (7) • Pins & Buttons (14) • Plush Dolls (5) • PVC Statues (8) • Stationary Sets (13) • Stickers (4) • Wallets (3) • Wristbands (7) • <$10 • $11 - $25 • $26 - $50 • $51 - $100 • $101 - $200 • $200 + P3 Point Range • < 100 • 101 - 250 • 251 - 500 • 501 - 1000 • 1001 - 2500 • 2500+ PowerAnime is committed to the highest standard of authenticity and stands behind every product we sell in our shop as officially licensed merchandise. Strictly no bootlegs! Main >> Other >> Everything Else >> Tokyo Ghoul The end of Power Anime. Thank you, and good bye! As of January 1st, 2016, Power Anime will no longer be in the business of merchandise retail as Reggie, owner and operator, has chosen to close the doors for good. This not only includes this website, but also any 3rd party marketplace venue including Amazon and eBay as well as any convention appearances as Power Anime. After 14 years pioneering ecommerce with this custom built website and personally representing my passion for anime and the Japanese culture through numerous physical store iterations and convention appearances, I can't thank all my supporters enough for helping me realize my childhood dream and make a living off of what I love. My website will no longer be used for new customers, but will still stay up for existing customers as the login will grant access to the members section. Products can no longer be purchased as I have deactivated the checkout process. For anyone who still has pre-orders with me, please log into the website and leave a comment at the bottom of the order details so we can may proper arrangements for fulfillment or a refund. Like any great anime, our store's finale was spectaclular! If felt good to jump back into the retail swing with customers once again, for the final time, strolled through my entire warehouse and found some amazing deals, lost treasures, and big smiles. I can't really put into words everything I feel, everything I remember, everything that molded me to this moment. It was my mission to bring the Japanese culture to the curious youth through the lens of anime as I had done and in doing so, I not only showed this gateway to thought to the childhood's of my customers, but PowerAnime itself became an icon of childhood as claimed by some of my most adoring fans. The adventures of Power Anime now live in its fans. Keep believing, and it will live forever! If there's any advice that I'd give after this experience, it'd be: Do what you love, or die trying! It's worth it! My life: The Next Season 'So.... where am I going,' you ask. Well, I've taken up a position with Bandai America Inc as a Brand Manager, Anime Import Collectibles. You can connect with me on my personal Facebook https://www.facebook.com/reggie.griffin.39, and my twitter https://twitter.com/BandaiReggie. Take care, and I'll see you soon at a convention in your area. Go to Bandai's booth, and ask for 'The Keep'. PowerAnime4Life, Reggie 'The Keep' Griffin :: Login Oh, god! I lost my password!!! Phone: 1 (310) 721 - 9379 Email: reggie[at]PowerAnime.com Power Points Program (P3) PowerAnime Store Policy Affilates FAQ PowerAnime.com - A Flavor of Japan & Everything Cool™ ©2021 www.PowerAnime.com. All rights reserved.	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line325
__label__wiki	0.517042	0.517042	NYS Boards Corporate Entities Professional Misconduct Enforcement Information for Other Occupations Professional Assistance Program NYSED / OP / Enforcement / Enforcement Actions / October 2013 Summaries of Regents Actions on Professional Misconduct and Discipline Terms under which this information is provided. - Architecture - Dentistry - Massage Therapy - Nursing - Pharmacy - Podiatry - Psychology - Public Accountancy - Social Work - Michael Augustus Cosentino, Bayside, NY Profession: Architect; Lic. No. 029282; Cal. No. 26703 Regents Action Date: October 22, 2013 Action: Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 2 year stayed suspension, 3 years probation to terminate at 2 years upon full payment of fine, $2,500 fine. Summary: Licensee did not contest charges of failing to meet the professional standard of care when he originally filed a project, in that it was incorrectly filed as an alteration instead of as a new building; incorrect zoning assumptions were made; and the self-certification did not have parking, front setback, floor area ratio and height requirements properly established. MA Cosentino Architect PC, 42-12 Francis Lewis Blvd., Bayside, NY 11361 Profession: Architecture; Cal. No. 26704 Summary: Respondent did not contest charges of failing to meet the professional standard of care when it originally filed a project in that it was incorrectly filed as an alteration instead of as a new building; incorrect zoning assumptions were made; and the self-certification did not have parking, front setback, floor area ratio and height requirements established. Arshjot Singh Ahuja, New York, NY Profession: Dentist; Lic. No. 054247; Cal. No. 26532 Action: Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 3 month actual suspension, 21 month stayed suspension, 2 years probation, $7,500 fine. Summary: Licensee did not contest charges of ordering excessive treatment not warranted by the condition of a patient; and of falsely certifying that he performed four quadrants of periodontal scaling and root planing, when he performed limited scaling and root planing, and falsely certifying the cost of the procedures performed on the patient. Taiji Ueda, New York, NY Action: Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 1 year stayed suspension, 1 year probation, $1,500 fine. Summary: Licensee did not contest the charge of advertising or soliciting not in the public interest. Joelle Vacanti, Elma, NY Profession: Massage Therapist; Lic. No. 021984; Cal. No. 26753 Action: Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: Indefinite actual suspension until fit to practice, upon termination of suspension, 2 years probation to commence upon return to practice, $500 fine. Summary: Licensee admitted to the charge of having been convicted of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the 4th Degree. Renel Denise Baker, Liverpoool, NY Profession: Licensed Practical Nurse; Lic. No. 292837; Cal. No. 26775 Action: Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 2 year stayed suspension, 2 years probation, $500 fine. Summary: Licensee admitted to the charge of having been convicted of Criminal Mischief in the 2nd Degree. Ruthann R. Barge, Farnham, NY Action: Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 1 month actual suspension, 11 month stayed suspension, 1 year probation, $250 fine. Summary: Licensee did not contest charges of having committed medication administration errors and having failed to accurately maintain records. Evelyn Veitch Chin, Baldwin, NY Profession: Licensed Practical Nurse, Registered Professional Nurse; Lic. Nos. 232282, 653686; Cal. Nos. 26798, 26799 Summary: Licensee admitted to the charge of having been convicted of Petit Larceny, a class A misdemeanor. Cheryl Ann Coelho, Ogdensburg, NY Profession: Registered Professional Nurse; Lic. No. 483413; Cal. No. 26723 Action: Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 1 year stayed suspension, 1 year probation, $500 fine. Summary: Licensee admitted to charges of having committed medication and records errors. Edward C. Eason, Pattersonville, NY Summary: Licensee did not contest the charge of having been convicted of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance. Kasie L. Fabiano, Saugerties, NY Profession: Licensed Practical Nurse, Lic. No. 297319; Cal. No. 26659 Summary: Licensee did not contest the charge of having been convicted of Driving While Intoxicated. Marco A. Gonzalez a/k/a Marco Gonzalez, New York, NY Action: Found guilty of professional misconduct; Penalty: 2 year suspension, execution of last year stayed, probation 2 years to commence upon return to practice. Summary: Licensee was charged with having been convicted by plea of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a class A misdemeanor. Albert R. Lovell a/k/a Albert Lovell, Yonkers, NY and Ardsley, NY Action: Found guilty of professional misconduct; Penalty: $2,500 fine, 2 year suspension, execution of suspension stayed, probation 2 years. Summary: Licensee was charged with having been convicted of Attempted Falsifying Business Records in the 1st Degree. Patricia A. Masucci, Webster, NY Summary: Licensee admitted to the charge of having been convicted of Driving While Intoxicated. Virginia Marie Prewitt, South Plymouth, NY Summary: Licensee did not contest the charge of having been convicted of Falsifying Business Records: Making False Entry in the 2nd Degree. Marianne Puglisi, West Babylon, NY Action: Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 1 month actual suspension, 23 month stayed suspension, 2 years probation to commence upon return to practice. Summary: Licensee did not contest charges of administering a drug, Haldol, to a patient without a physician's order and of failing to note the administration of a drug, Haldol, to a patient in her medical record. Jessica St. Felix, Brentwood, NY Summary: Licensee did not contest charge of failing to administer the blood thinning medication Pradaxa to a patient as ordered. Erick St. Louis, Riverhead, NY Action: Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 6 month actual suspension, 18 month stayed suspension, 2 years probation. Summary: Licensee admitted to charges of having been convicted of Unlawful Release of Regulated Waste in the 2nd Degree), a class E felony, and of Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle, an unclassified misdemeanor, in 2008 and again in 2012. Annelise Spinelli a/k/a Annelise Sievertsen Prahach, Wappingers Falls, NY Action: Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: Indefinite actual suspension until fit to practice, upon termination of suspension, 2 years probation, $500 fine payable within 30 days. Summary: Licensee admitted to charges of writing and attempting to fill a fraudulent prescription. Jeanette Thompson, Bronx, NY Action: Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 2 month actual suspension, 22 month stayed suspension, 24 months probation to commence upon return to practice. Summary: Licensee admitted to the charge of having been convicted of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 7th Degree, a misdemeanor. Luis B. Valenzuela, Fishkill, NY Action: Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: Indefinite actual suspension for no less than 1 month and until fit to practice, upon termination of suspension, 2 years probation. Summary: Licensee admitted to the charge of having been convicted of Burglary in the 3rd Degree, a felony. John D. Clackler, Plattsburgh, NY Profession: Pharmacist; Lic. No. 035706; Cal. No. 26596 Summary: Licensee admitted to the charge of failing to properly supervise a pharmacy. Mark Robert Tetreault, Saratoga Springs, NY Summary: Licensee admitted to charges of having been convicted of Petit Larceny, Attempted Criminal Diversion of Prescription Medication in the 3rd Degree, and Criminal Possession of Controlled Substances in the 7th Degree). Fred Goldberg, Suffern, NY Profession: Podiatrist; Lic. No. 002584; Cal. No. 26747 Summary: Licensee admitted to the charge of treating a patient in a non-sterile environment by rendering said treatment to a patient while said patient remained in his car. Debora Soler Munczek, New York, NY Profession: Psychologist; Lic. No. 012924; Cal. No. 26774 Action: Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 1 month actual suspension, 11 month stayed suspension, 12 months probation. Summary: Licensee did not contest the charge of revealing information and professional conclusions concerning a patient, obtained during her psychological evaluation of the patient, to the patient's college after the patient had withdrawn his consent for her to do so. Public Accountancy Isidor Hefter, Woodmere, NY Profession: Certified Public Accountant; Lic. No. 055409; Cal. No. 26460 Summary: Licensee admitted to charges of having been convicted of Failing to File Personal Income Tax Returns. Lawrence A. Stoler, Allendale, NJ Action: Application to surrender license granted. Summary: Licensee could not successfully defend against the charge of having failed to timely submit a written report to the State Education Department of receipt of written notice of a disciplinary penalty upon him relating to the practice of public accountancy issued by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Courtney Renee Epps a/k/a Courtney R. Epps a/k/a Courtney Epps, New Rochelle, NY Profession: Licensed Master Social Worker; Lic. No. 069277; Cal. No. 26300 Action: Found guilty of professional misconduct; Penalty: $500 fine, indefinite suspension for not less than 1 month and until alcohol abuse-free and until fit to practice, probation 2 years to commence upon return to practice. Summary: Licensee was charged with having been convicted twice of Driving While Intoxicated. JoAnn N. Most a/k/a Joanne N. Most, New City, NY Profession: Licensed Clinical Social Worker; Lic. No. 040833; Cal. No. 26778 Action: Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 12 month actual suspension, 12 month stayed suspension, 2 years probation. Summary: Licensee admitted to the charge of having been convicted of Health Care Fraud, a felony. Danielle Marie Russo, Brooklyn, NY Action: Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: Indefinite actual suspension for not less than 1 month and until evaluation and successful participation in any necessary treatment and until fit to practice, upon termination of suspension, 2 years probation to commence if and when return to practice. Summary: Licensee admitted to the charge of stealing a physician’s prescription pad and writing a prescription for her personal use. For further information: dplsdsu@nysed.gov Laws & Regulations \| About OP \| Contact \| Forms \| Q&A \| IFB & RFP \| Site Feedback University of the State of New York - New York State Education Department Contact NYSED \| Index A - Z \| Terms of Use \| Accessibility	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line326
__label__cc	0.690776	0.309224	Kathleen May Botkin, 71, Lebo: Aug. 18, 1949 – Sept. 23, 2020 September 29, 2020 Wayne White LEBO, Kan. – Kathleen May “Blondie” Botkin, 71, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020 at Stormont-Vail Hospital, Topeka, Kan. She was born Aug. 18, 1949, in Osage City, Kan., the daughter of Fred and Lillian Wyrick Criqui. She spent the first years of childhood in Melvern, Kan., before her family moved to Lebo, Kan., during her early teen years. Kathleen was joined in marriage to David Ray Botkin Sr., Dec. 17, 1966, at Lebo Baptist Church, where she and her husband were lifelong members. When Kathy was younger she worked at IBP, Emporia, Kan., and had worked at the Wolf Creek Nuclear Power Plant. She was later employed as a supervisor at White Glove Cleaning for 10 years. In 2006, she opened B&B Cleaning. After a few years she sold the company and retired. Kathleen was a devoted wife, mom, grandma and great-grandma. She will live on in the hearts and memories of her loving husband, David Ray Botkin Sr., of their home; sons, David Ray Botkin Jr. and wife, Shirley, of Sevierville, Tenn., and Travis Lee Botkin and wife, Dawn, Lebo; sisters, Donna (Tony) O’Clair, Lebo, and Rose Mary (Steve) Criqui, Burlington, Kan.; brothers, Rodney (Bev) Criqui, Lebo, and Larry Criqui, Ottawa; four grandchildren, Chase Ray Botkin, Ashley Nicole Lauderdale and husband, Jessie, Alex Taylor Botkin and wife, Kallee, and Chelsea Danelle Botkin; six great-grandchildren, Kasper Ownby, Noah Ownby, Cayden Ownby, Jaxxon Botkin, Zaria Chandler and Aamerie Collins; and numerous extended family and countless dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Kate Wilson. Kathleen’s wishes were to be cremated and the family will have a private service at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lebo Baptist Church and sent in care of Jones VanArsdale Funeral Home, Box 43, Lebo, KS 66856. Condolences can be left at vanarsdalefs.com. Posted in: Obituaries	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line327
__label__wiki	0.75164	0.75164	Troops Gun Down 82 Bandits In Katsina, Zamfara Forests -DHQ Abel Ogwu on November 25, 2020 at 5:00 pm No fewer than 67 bandits have been killed and several others injured in a series of airstrikes in Katsina State. The Coordinator Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche, who disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, said the operation was executed by the Air Component of Operation Hadarin Daji at Birnin Kogo Forest. He also confirmed the killing of about 15 armed bandits at Ajjah Forest in Zamfara State, adding that both airstrikes were carried out on November 23. “No fewer than 67 bandits, armed with very high calibre weapons, including Anti-Aircraft (AA) Guns, have been neutralised and several others injured in air interdiction missions executed by the Air Component of Operation HADARIN DAJI at Birnin Kogo Forest in Katsina State,” the statement partly read. “In the same vein, about 15 armed bandits were eliminated in airstrikes conducted by the Air Component at Ajjah Forest in Zamfara State. “Both airstrikes were carried out yesterday, 23 November 2020, sequel to credible Human Intelligence (HUMINT) reports as well as aerial surveillance missions that led to the identification of the two forest hideouts, which housed scores of the armed bandits along with hundreds of rustled cattle.” Enenche explained that the “Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jets and helicopter gunships dispatched by the Air Component to attack the two locations took turns in engaging the target areas, scoring accurate hits on the caves, which are used by the armed bandits to shield themselves from airstrikes.” Meanwhile, the Military High Command has commended “the troops and other security agencies operating in the northwest zone for their professionalism,” urging them to remain resolute in order to eradicate all armed bandits. The Command also called on members of the public within the affected areas to promptly report any persons with suspicious injuries to the nearest security or law enforcement agency post. DHQKatsina StateMajor General John EnencheNigerian air force (NAF) President Buhari Rejects Ecological Fund Bill Football Legend Diego Maradona Is Dead	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line338
__label__cc	0.511537	0.488463	Life Is Strange Before The Storm Episode 2: Brave New World Review Developer: Deck Nine Release Date: 10/19/17 Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, Windows PC ESRB/PEGI: M/PEGI 16 MSRP: $16.99 USD (season pass) By Jose Gonzalez / DicloniusGames As the bond between Chloe and Rachel deepens, the plot thickens and reveals more towards Rachel’s backstory and what may lead her down the path of no return. Life Is Strange Episode 2 starts off after the events of episode one and the fire that both Chloe and Rachel caused, thus causing a chain reaction of events that starts Chloe’s path of rebellion with her eventual stepfather David and her continued isolation towards her mother, along with her association with Frank. While we see more of the obvious places in Arcadia Bay, we get to flesh out more of the junkyard that becomes Chloe and Rachel’s special spot, and while it looks different from the original Life Is Strange, it contains its nitpicks here and there that make it stand out from the original. We even get an insight into Frank’s character a bit and see he does try and stay friendly to Chloe a little bit unless it comes to business. Frank comes off as your typical pretend badass hiding behind his insecurities, but at times, he can be cool. The only other new characters brought to the table and the only other new location we get to see is Rachel’s house and her parents. Her parents are the typical suburbanites living in the upper middle class who get by just fine. We get to unravel more of Rachel’s character as she plans something major with Chloe towards the end of the episode, and it proves that either she’s rubbing off on Chloe or Chloe is rubbing off on Rachel. Either way, they’re influencing one another. Gameplay hasn’t changed a bit, and that’s pretty much a good thing for this episode. As we unveil more of what will eventually happen to Rachel, we get to see some different backtalk opportunities with Chloe. For example, in a conversation with Principal Wells in his office, you get the opportunity to influence the conversation your way. As noted in my previous review, paying attention to dialogue is key as one mistake can prove to be costly as you attempt to sway conversations your way. While the backtalk system is a bit better in this episode, again, it feels like you have to do all the persuading and get three or four answers correct while the person you’re arguing with only needs one and that feels a little bit unbalanced (but also satisfying when Chloe uses her infamous attitude to get her way). There isn’t much else to say in the gameplay department, as there aren’t any noticeable changes outside of the optional graffiti tags. Overall, episode 2 does little to change the formula from episode 1... but that’s not bad, either. It builds upon the developing relationship between Rachel and Chloe as well as developing the backstories of both David and Frank, and we even see the security guard who David replaced as a small nod. The only nitpicks come from the somewhat unbalanced backtalk system in this episode, as it seems you’re doing more of the work than the characters you argue with when the opportunity arises. The pacing seemed a tad slow as well (but not extremely slow). Great character and story development between Rachel & Chloe +6 Fun but also cool choices for the optional graffiti +2.5 Great use of familiar & new environments like Blackwell & the junkyard as well as Rachel’s home +2 Backtalk feels a bit uneven and unfair at times -1 Minor pacing issues halt the major happenings of the episode -1 FINAL SCORE: 8.5	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line346
__label__wiki	0.688482	0.688482	"Varied Celluloid is dedicated to bringing you the very best in genre cinema, Asian film, and cult movies! No genre is off limits!" MST3K: Gamera vs. Barugon ByJoshSamford Mystery Science Theater 3000: Gamera vs. Barugon (1991) Director: Jef Maynard Writers: Joel Hodgson, Trace Beaulieu and Kevin Murphy Starring: Joel Hodgson, Trace Beaulieu and Kevin Murphy The Plot: Joel Robinson and his robotic friends Crow and Tom Servo are stuck in outer space aboard the Satellite of Love where they are forced, by the evil Dr. Forrester, to watch very bad movies. The crew try to make the most of the flicks that presented to them by continually cracking jokes while the movies play on for the audience at home. After the events of the previous film Gamera, the giant turtle of the same name escapes from his missile and heads back towards earth where he soon feasts upon an electrical plant. Meanwhile, we watch as some mafioso types head out into the jungle in order to find a particular “oval” which could be worth a fortune to them. However, this is no regular “oval”, it is in fact the ancient monster Barugon! When the creature finally hatches all hope for mankind will rest on the massive shell of Gamera the giant monster! Continuing on through the epic “MST3K vs. Gamera box set from Shout Factory, the second film in the series marks another triumphant return to form for the MST3K cast. In one of the most divergent films in the Gamera series, and one of the few not directed by Gamera icon Noriaki Yuasa (this film was directed by Shigeo Tanaka), Joel and company find a lot of fun to be had at the expense of our most beloved tortoise. With Gamera vs. Barugon the quality of the riffing seems to find a steady increase over the original episode and the movie itself seems to work even better due mainly to it seeming to be a slightly “lesser” Gamera movie. While I won’t go out and speak for the hardcore Kaiju fans who know everything there is to know about these movies, a lack of Gamera or any of his typical traits might lead this one to holding a rather strange torch within the lineage of these movies. However, that ultimately leads to a very entertaining episode of Mystery Science Theater that features some fun host segments and plenty of referencing towards the original Gamera episode reviewed previously. Veteran director Shigeo Tanaka, who was better known than Yuasa and who was given a larger budget than the original film, took on the Gamera series in this second entry. Although I know little about the director myself, I will applaud some of his work here and say he definitely steps up to the plate with his film and creates an even more visually creative space for Gamera and Barugon to run around in. The first major divergence from the previous Gamera is obviously first and foremost the fact that this film is in color while the original was in black and white. Still, Tanaka does a lot more than throw a little bit of color onto the palette. There are a number of impressive shots throughout the movie and at nearly all moments we are consumed by a rather epic vision, which seems suitable for a movie about two giant monsters fighting one another. Right from the start we’re introduced to Gamera as he heads back toward earth, directly picking up where the previous film left off and we watch as begins a quick tirade of destruction. Tanaka seems to promise us a rather grand and destruction filled sequel as we watch on with Gamera shooting his flames in a much more directly visual presentation of the giant turtle creature than what had been seen previously. However, in an epic bait and switch move Tanaka introduces us to Gamera but then sets him on the sidelines for almost the entire duration of the movie. Afterward our story focuses primarily on Barugon and the intense destruction that this monster looks to devastate the world with. Barugon, by his design, is actually quite similar to Gamera himself. Both walk on all fours and have a very distinctive “animal” look in opposition to other Kaiju beasts such as the famed Godzilla who was much more anthropomorphic. Their differences of course come primarily in their superpowers, which are both quite epic. Gamera of course has the ability to absorb and spit fire, as well as fly by sucking his head/legs inside of his shell and firing rockets from the holes. In the case of Barugon, his power was created as an exact opposition to Gamera’s famous fire breathing antics. Barugon is a monster who has two main powers. The first, and most ridiculous, is that he can somehow shoot forth a rainbow out of his backside which is somehow a destructive force to anything it touches. Secondly, he shoots a projectile tongue-like weapon from his mouth, similar to one of Ridley Scott’s Alien, only this tongue of his shoots forth an ice storm that freezes anything in his way. So, it becomes easy to see what the producers were really hoping for with this one. You take two polar opposites and set them up against one another in the most gargantuan battle of giant rubber-suited monsters that this world has ever seen! Unfortunately, by sidelining Gamera for nearly the entire movie it really hurts audience members who had grown attached to the beast throughout the course of the previous movie. The distinct lack of Gamera is certainly a big issue with this movie. The lack of children, for whom Gamera is always a friend to, is also another lacking element. Some however might count that as a positive. One can only hope that while our cameras here were steadily watching Barugon for almost the entire duration of this film, in some alternate dimension there was another Gamera movie being made where our giant turtle friend was then coerced into his climactic showdown with Barugon by a very simple Japanese boy. Unfortunately, one can only guess at what the original contents of this film were as this version, distributed by Sandy Frank, is missing roughly 14 minutes worth of additional footage. While its doubtful that there’s much more additional Gamera footage in the original cut, the spliced together feel of Gamera vs. Barugon shows a lack of affection from the distributors. Apparently the film was originally picked up by American International Pictures and originally featured a different English dub soundtrack, but this version became less available as the Sandy Frank version took over as the most popular amongst television studios who were looking to buy up cheap content. The AIP print also exorcized the additional 14 minutes worth of footage but one wonders if the dubbing could have at least been better on that print because the one we’re stuck with here is pretty awful even for Kaiju fare. There’s really not a whole lot to say. This is a weaker Gamera film but is an incredibly entertaining piece of Mystery Science Theater 3000. The riffing is top notch and the guys rarely relent as they continually point out the campy atmosphere of the movie. A lot of fun is had and this marks another impressive addition to the excellent MST3K vs. Gamera box set. It gets a four out of five! 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__label__wiki	0.616464	0.616464	Which NBA teams will be most active before the trade deadline? by Promoted Posts on February 4, 2019 in Promoted It is that time of the NBA season when teams become either buyers or sellers. The buyers see a need for new players to improve their chances of making the Association’s playoffs and a run at the NBA Finals. The sellers are those teams ready to give up on all hope of making the postseason and are in need of getting contracts off their books. NBA fans are debating which teams will meet in the NBA Finals 2020. Basketball bettors can visit Betenemy for the latest offers, promos, and bet bonuses before wagering on the playoffs. The NBA trade deadline is Thursday, February 6th and these teams are expected to be quite active before the end of the day. Detroit Pistons –Sellers The Detroit Pistons have no shot at making the NBA Finals although there is still a glimmer of hope for a postseason place. That glimmer is fading fast. The Pistons have a win percentage of .340 after 50 games and are expected to crash even further with the loss of forward Blake Griffin (overrated) to injury. His injury and the team’s poor record means the Pistons will sell and miss out on the playoffs with a view to re-building. It may not be the worst idea but fans won’t like sitting through more awful basketball. Andre Drummond, Derrick Rose, and Markief Morris could all help a playoff contender. Then again, they couldn’t help the Piston to more wins than 17 after 50 games. Miami Heat – Buyers Don’t sleep on the Miami Heat. The team sits tied for third place in the Eastern Conference with the Boston Celtics. Just eight games separate Miami from the first-place Milwaukee Bucks. The Heat are in the mix and could improve significantly enough to challenge for the Eastern Conference title in the playoffs. According to NBA GM insiders, the challenge Heat president Pat Riley has is convincing another team to trade away a star for an aging player with a high salary. Due to salary cap restrictions, Miami is not in a position to take on a sizeable contract this month. New York Knicks – Sellers How can the New York Knicks be this consistently bad? The Knicks are awful once more despite drafting one of the biggest college stars of last year in RJ Barrett. In an attempt to improve, however, the Knicks will sell anyone or anything that isn’t nailed down at Madison Square Garden. Although the exception is Barrett, who is going nowhere and is the player New York is building around. The Knicks aging veterans will be ushered out of the exit as soon as possible. The sad and unfortunate part about the Knicks selling off their players, is the return will be low. For starters, the Knicks signed players few other teams wanted in the first place. Secondly, those unwanted NBA players have played pitifully, so no one wants them at the trade deadline. It is a cycle of awful basketball at the Garden and it starts at the top. ← Interesting Tidbits on National Signing Day, Basketball, and Is Auburn Good at Everything? Which NBA players will be moved before the trade deadline? →	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line364
__label__cc	0.53528	0.46472	Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council, Inc. Chief Elected Officials Board Southwest Minnesota Workforce Development Board Staff & Locations Disability Resources & Services Know Before You Go Labor Market Information & Infographics Career Advising Resources Regional Community Resources Hire Students / Candidates Home/Services/Youth and Young Adults Youth and Young AdultsLime Valley2020-09-24T07:55:32-05:00 The Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council’s young adult division works with employers and educators to assist students with career exploration, career awareness, career preparation, and skills training that align with the needs of local employers. This is accomplished through a series of work-based learning activities, career focused events and workplace experiences. Providing students with opportunities to experience “real-life” workplaces and employees outside of the classroom is important for their career preparation and for building a pipeline of future Southwest Minnesota skilled workers. Young Adult Team Our Young Adult Team is committed to helping youth ages 16-24 residing in our 14 county service area (Big Stone, Chippewa, Cottonwood, Jackson, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Rock, Swift, and Yellow Medicine counties) prepare for the workforce of Southwest Minnesota. Services include: employment and training programs for young adults looking to obtain employment, maintain employment, and/or advance in their career pathway by means of secondary school completion, entering a post-secondary education program (short-term/long-term), apprenticeship, work experience, or on-the-job training. As a school-to-career intermediary organization, the PIC can serve as a single point of contact for employers to work with the region’s schools, colleges, and disconnected youth. Youth Services Forms Youth Program Application (PDF) Misc. Forms SW MN PIC Data Privacy/EEO Policy (PDF) Youth Services Referral Form – High School (PDF) Youth Services Referral Form – Other (PDF) Work Experience Resuming during COVID-19 (PDF) Youth Work Experience COVID-19 Waiver (PDF) Youth and Young Adult Team Flyer (PDF) Any student residing in our fourteen county service area that is 14-21 years old who meet established guidelines may be considered for services. Applications are available for download on this page, from local school counselors, teachers, county family service agencies, and probation officers, or by contacting your local CareerForce location. Workforce innovation & opportunity act (WIOA) WIOA Youth Eligibility The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) provides out-of-school youth between the ages of 16 and 24 and in-school youth between the ages of 14 and 21 with year-round employment and training services. Under this law passed in 2014, WIOA youth services emphasize services to out-of-school and disconnected youth, high school dropout recovery and attainment of recognized postsecondary credentials. Out-of-school youth under WIOA is a person between the ages of 16 and 24 who is not attending ANY school and is one or more of the following: a school dropout; a youth who is within age of compulsory school attendance in Minnesota but has not attended for at least the most recent complete school year calendar quarter; a youth with a high school diploma or equivalent who is low income and is basic skills deficient or is an English language learner; an offender; a homeless, runaway or foster youth; a pregnant or parenting youth; a youth with a disability; or a low-income individual who requires additional assistance to enter or complete an educational program or to secure and hold employment. Minnesota youth program (MYP) MYP Youth Eligibility The Minnesota Youth Program serves low-income and at-risk youth ages 14 to 24 who lack academic and “applied skills” considered critical for current and future workplace needs. For more information contact your local WorkForce Center. Youth Intervention Program The project goal is to help students explore career options and develop plans for transition from high school to post-secondary training and/or competitive employment. In addition, PIC staff will provide youth with information about education and training requirements for careers in high-growth, in-demand occupations; and offer comprehensive, integrated training, job readiness/placement services, and support services. Individual services include career awareness, discussions and information on non-traditional employment options and identification of career pathways, work-based learning, career preparation, self-advocacy, work-readiness skills training, career placement, and individualized wraparound or support services. Group services include career awareness, career exploration, and information on opportunities for enrollment in comprehensive transition or post-secondary educational programs, including admission processes and support resources, work-readiness skills training, career placement, self-advocacy instruction. Large group events include Breaking Traditions and LifeSkills. Outreach to School addresses a strategy for delivering effective education planning, career counseling and labor market information to the region’s youth and families. The Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council staff work with students in local schools to assist with career awareness, career exploration, career preparation, and career placement. By providing this access, students are able to discuss with career specialists the development of an employment and training plan related to their intended career path, receive assistance with testing preparation, college and job applications and financial aid assistance. Outreach to Schools services encourages youth to pursue education leading to high pay high demand, or sustainable careers focusing on career pathways, and provides greater access to services than most schools alone can provide. The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) provides out-of-school youth between the ages of 16 and 24 and in-school youth between the ages of 14 and 21 with year-round employment and training services. Under this law passed in 2014, WIOA youth services emphasize services to out-of-school and disconnected youth, high school dropout recovery and attainment of recognized postsecondary credentials. The Minnesota Youth Program (MYP) serves low-income and at-risk youth ages 14 to 24 who lack academic and “applied skills” considered critical for current and future workplace needs. MYP benefits youth by providing immediate earnings from structured, well-supervised work experiences; Work readiness and life skills to foster good work habits and self-sufficiency; Career pathways to in-demand occupations; Opportunities to earn academic or service learning credit; Increased self-esteem, as well as citizenship, parenting and leadership skills. Youth at Work offers comprehensive training to young adults ages 16-24, who are under-represented in the CareerForce, economically disadvantaged, and/or have at least one at-risk characteristic. Youth at Work services benefit youth through work based learning, career pathways, and skill acquisition. For more information or learn more about our upcoming Career Pathway courses, click here. The YST@DLI program develops partnerships between schools and employers at a local level, to provide students with classroom instruction, safety training and work based learning opportunities in industries such as advanced manufacturing, agriculture, automotive, health care and information technology. For more information about how your school or business can participate, contact: Eriann Faris 202 North 1st Street, Suite 100 Montevideo, MN 56265 318 9th Street, P.O. Box 816 and Program Provider © Copyright SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA PRIVATE INDUSTRY COUNCIL \| Privacy Policy \| Site Map LinkedInInstagramFacebook	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line368
__label__cc	0.502143	0.497857	Okay, the biggest hoopla on the industry's lips as of Monday morning was of course the release of the ~MICHELIN GUIDE'S~ ratings for San Francisco, which is scheduled to hit bookstores this Wednesday, 10/4 (check out the release event in the starlet). To recap, here are the ratings: the only three-star establishment is French Laundry, while Michael Mina, Aqua, Manresa (go 408!), and Cyrus (hurrah!) all got two stars. Now, for the one-stars in San Francisco: Fleur de Lys, Rubicon, Bushi-Tei, Quince, Range, Acquarello, La Folie, Masa's, Ritz-Carlton Dining Room, Gary Danko, and Fifth Floor. Other one-stars elsewhere in the area: Chez Panisse (Berkeley), Sushi-Ran (Sausalito), Chez TJ (Mountain View), Auberge du Soleil (Rutherford), Bistro Jeanty (Yountville), Bouchon (Yountville), La Toque (Rutherford), Terra (St. Helena), Dry Creek Kitchen (Healdsburg), Farmhouse Inn & Restaurant (Forestville), and K & L Bistro (Sebastopol). My two cents: I'm really bummed the Ritz didn't get at least two stars, or Gary Danko—the cuisine and experience at both of those restaurants is mighty special. Some are expressing the same sentiment about Chez Panisse. And I really would have liked to see Aziza, Ame (too new?), Coi (also too new?), and Jardinière in there. While I'm very very very happy for Range, many are left asking why no Zuni, or A16, or Incanto? Delfina? Kokkari? And even though Slanted Door didn't earn a star, its popularity certainly won't be affected. Since it was the first release of the SF issue, it was definitely full of surprises, and omissions, for many of us local diners. "Discuss amongst yourselves." Here's another whose cooking rates some stars in my book: ~SCOTT HOWARD~, one of the tastier places to eat around town, is celebrating their one-year anniversary. In honor of the occasion, a $31 prix-fixe menu will be offered Mon-Sat from 5:30pm-6:30pm, starting now until the end of the year. Gang, lemme tell ya, this meal will be one of the best deals in town! The special menu will highlight some Howard hits over the year, like the carrot soup, smoked trout with truffled egg salad, and pork shoulder with corn puree. As if the new menu with lower prices and bigger portions wasn't enough of a deal already. (And it is: mains like lamb loin or halibut are only $22.) Happy Birthday! Some changes at another one of my faves, ~KOKKARI~: Jim Wimborough, the Chef de Cuisine, will be now working at Kokkari's sister restaurant, Evvia in Palo Alto, as Chef de Cuisine for the next six months or so, under the supervision of ~ERIK COSSELMON~, who will now be overseeing both kitchens and probably working down there 1-2 days a week. By the end of the year, Wimborough is being groomed to move into Evvia's Executive Chef position. In the meantime, taking Wimborough's place on the line at Kokkari will be Mario Ortega from Monterey, who was an Executive Sous Chef at Scala's for five years. So the name change from Joey & Eddy's Seafood to ~PESCHERIA~ isn't the only change at Joseph Manzare's new seafood restaurant in Noe Valley: intended opening Chef Robert Leva left before the restaurant even opened. Manzare says, "He is a really talented guy, but wasn't an exact fit for what I saw for the food here." Manzare took an exhaustive tour of the seaside towns of Northern Italy, and has his eye on some simple and fresh seafood presentations. Manzare is currently holding it down—he also has a buddy, Andy Renggli, coming out from NYC next week to join him at the stoves for a bit. Renggli is Swiss trained, and the son of the famed Seppi Renggli, from the Four Seasons in New York and James Beard's fave chef. 1708 Church St., at 29th St., 415-647-3200. Fans of ~SEAN CROWLEY~ (present company included) will be surprised to hear he is leaving Aqua after three-and-a-half years there as the Wine Director and Sommelier. His last day on the floor will be next Friday the 13th—while he doesn't have anything definitive lined up, he is interviewing at a few places (not restaurants—he wants to change things up a bit). It ends up Crowley was a competitive skater as a kid, but the extended time on the floor has been really hard on his hip—he hopes to travel a bit and take some time off. He is leaving on good terms, and will continue to work with Laurent Manrique, Charles Condy, and Emmanuel Kemiji on their wine project, ACVS (pronounced ah-cous). Go enjoy some Mai Tais, Sean! Union Square's ~E&O TRADING COMPANY~ has experienced a chef switcheroo: Sharyl Seim (formerly of Kuleto's) was hired as the Executive Chef at E&O Trading Company (Maui, Honolulu, San Jose, Larkspur and SF locations) in February, and as of last week has been replaced with Morgan Jacobsen, who was hired as a six-month consultant. Lots of changes with the La Suite project on the Embarcadero, which is opening tomorrow, October 3. First it was Opium, then it was Tantra, then Lotus, and now it is ~SUTRA~, as in the Kama, baby. (I am sure there were some other names that were considered as well). The opening date was also pushed back four times (this is not entirely a new thing in the industry). But another change-up is that Chef Mike Yakura, who was wooed over from Le Colonial from Jocelyn Bulow's Maktub Group (Chez Papa, Baraka, Chez Maman, Couleur Café), won't be involved with Sutra past the New Year. Taking over for Yakura will be Yo Matsuzaki, a sous from the nearby Ozumo. Matsuzaki was working doubles all week, doing tastings for Sutra's new menu and working shifts at Ozumo—lucky for him his last day at Ozumo was Saturday. I took a look at the space last night, and most traces of the brasserie are long gone. The vibe is definitely loungey, with many pieces and lighting designed to cast a soft glow and an Asian-exotique style that's sexy and textured. 100 Brannan St., at Embarcadero. Instead, you'll find Yakura over at ~AURA~, the former Chez Maman in Bernal Heights—the sign will be going up this week for those of you in Bernal who went in expecting a hamburger but discovered satays and spring rolls instead. Yakura is a partner in the space along with Olivier Setian (the front manager) and Jocelyn Bulow. I already mentioned this project a while ago, but here are more definitive details: AURA's concept is basically a French-Asian bistro; Yakura will be giving everyday Asian dishes a twist, like portobello wontons stuffed with shiitake mushroom duxelles, served with a spicy roasted pepper dipping sauce ($6), and monkfish and calamari clay pot with sweet onions, Fresno chilies, and lemongrass-ginger caramel sauce ($15). Some bright Hawaiian-style dishes will also make their way on the menu, like steamed Kahlua pork wrapped in banana leaf with glass noodles and shiitake mushrooms ($13). Yakura plans to rotate the menu each month, and he wants to push the flavor profile past the ubiquitous tuna tartare with some flavored oil. The new interior from John Michaud of Find in Hayes Valley, who is also the designer behind the Sutra project, has put in charcoal slate tile, and an amber fabric wall with black piping that mimics a shoji screen style. The boxy space will feature a number of square elements, and a glowing atmosphere from all the amber touches. 803 Cortland, at Ellsworth, 415-824-2674. Come October, Kelly's Mission Rock will be transformed into ~THE BAYOU~, a Cajun and Creole restaurant and jazz lounge from a new management team, 40 Green Acres. The space is getting a petite facelift, with new floors, furniture, and a fresh paintjob. The team is Deborah Theodule of Crescent City Catering (she also owned the restaurant Craves in Willow Glen) and Glenn Ladet. Theodule is known for her authentic Cajun and Creole cooking—her family is from New Orleans, and her husband is Creole, so she says her cooking is a mix of those two styles. She makes everything from scratch and uses only fresh ingredients; she says, "My food really has that home-cooked taste that touches people in the soul." Sounds good to me. The grand opening is slated for October 21, and will then be open for lunch during the week (11:30am-3pm) and dinner Mon-Thu (5pm-9pm) and Fri-Sat (5pm-10pm). After dinner service wraps up, the dance floor will be opened up for R&B, jazz, and some oldies. Theodule intends for the restaurant to be attractive for a mature and upscale crowd, since there aren't a ton of places for folks in their 40s and 50s to dine and enjoy some entertainment in the city. But with her gumbo and jambalaya, I suspect some 30-somethings will be making their way over as well. 817 China Basin St. at Illinois St., 415-626-5335. Nearby Dogpatch continues to blow up: a new El Salvadorean and Mexican place has opened called ~THE NEW SPOT~ in the former Arturo's space. This first-time venture is from Gilbert Cab, who is cooking up home-style dishes from his native Yucatan like cochinita pibil, plus pupusas, and even burritos (served on a plate, not taqueria-style in foil). The most expensive item on the menu is $8.75. Word. (No beer is offered, at the moment.) Open Mon-Sat 7am-7pm, 632 20th St. at 3rd St., 415-558-0556. Just up the hill, ~LINGBA LOUNGE~ has reportedly done some remodeling—they have replaced the overhead planter boxes with lattice and some striking wicker flower chandeliers, the bar is shorter, and there are now some booths in the bar area. The wine list has been expanded, but the menu remains the same. 1469 18th St. Okay, North Beach shenanigans report. Since La Felce has closed, some Irish construction workers who were freshening up the building decided to throw up a sign for ~SHAG~, a restaurant and bar. After some uproar from the locals, the name was taken down. Hilarious. 1570 Stockton St. BBQ alert: a Tablehopper reader inquired about a new place opening up on Geary at 2nd Avenue—I took a walk over this weekend to check it out and even before I could see it I could smell it. ~ROADSIDE BBQ~ is a casual eatery serving up all kinds of meat, like baby back ribs, Texas brisket that's smoked for over 15 hours, smoked chicken, and Memphis pulled pork sandwiches. There are also stuffed potatoes, hand-cut fries, made-from-scratch pecan pie, and other things to make you fat. The décor is Americana roadside stop (yes, it jives with the name) and will be an easy spot to hit after one too many at Rohan and Alpha, which are each just barely a block away. Open daily 11:30am-10pm. 3751 Geary Blvd. at 2nd Ave., 415-221-7427. Okay, you coffee phreeks: ~RITUAL COFFEE ROASTERS~ in the Mission has switched over from Stumptown coffee to their own roast. (As if the café didn't smell amazing enough already.) Ritual's plan was to roast their own beans from the beginning, but they just weren't totally ready when they opened, so they had the beans shipped from Stumptown in the interim. Jeremy, one of the owners, is apprenticing with the Stumptown roaster, learning how to roast and source beans to perfection. So not only is an espresso from Ritual extra-delicious, but now it's going to be extra-fresh to boot. Super. 1026 Valencia St., 415-641-1024. And fans of the fabulous ~PHILZ COFFEE~ will soon be able to get a cup in SOMA, their third location in the City. Philz should be opening in a couple months into a new building at the corner of 4th St. and Berry. The address is 900 4th St. or 201 Berry, depending upon which door you walk through. There is also potentially a location in Oakland in the works—all I can say is buckle up. Small delay with the second ~SELLERS MARKETS~ location (595 Market St.)—it's looking more like October 30, and not October 2 as originally hoped. And ~WEIRD FISH~ (2193 Mission St. at 18th St.) in the Mission should be opening in a couple weeks, for those of you tracking that one. And the restaurant formerly known as Cozmo's Corner Grill (what, you thought I was gonna say Prince?) is reopening this Friday as ~CIRCA~. It will be open seven nights a week for dinner, from 5:30pm-11:00pm (last seating is at 10pm). The bar is open nightly until 2am. 2001 Chestnut St. at Fillmore St., 415-351-0175. « September 26, 2006 \| October 10, 2006 »	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line369
__label__cc	0.654198	0.345802	TriCounty Sustainability Alliance Sustainable Jersey hub for Burlington, Camden and Gloucester Counties Tapped – March 15th and March 16th March 4, 2016 / TriCSA / 0 Comments We have two showings of this award winning documentary movie which explores the health and environmental dangers of plastic water bottles with a searing, in-depth look at the toxic chemicals used to make the plastic, the exploitation of water sources, and the devastating health impact of water bottle consumption. Participate in a taste test and discussion following movie. March 15th at 6:30 – 8:30pm at the Mount Laurel Library located at 100 Walt Whitman Ave, Mt Laurel NJ 08054. The movie is free but we’d like you to register. March 16th at 6:30-8:30pm at the Monroe Township Library located at 713 Marsha Ave, Williamstown NJ 08094. The movie is free but we’d like you to register. Local Solutions to Global Challenges – March 10 Sustainable Sips – March 31, 2016 © 2021 TriCounty Sustainability Alliance	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line371
__label__wiki	0.659349	0.659349	Weak gravitational lensing Matthias Bartelmann and Matteo Maturi (2017), Scholarpedia, 12(1):32440. doi:10.4249/scholarpedia.32440 revision #186553 [link to/cite this article] Curator: Matthias Bartelmann Matteo Maturi Emilio E. Falco Olivier Minazzoli Prof. Matthias Bartelmann, Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany Dr. Matteo Maturi, Heidelberg University, Heideleberg, Germany According to the theory of general relativity, masses deflect light in a way similar to convex glass lenses. This gravitational lensing effect is astigmatic, giving rise to image distortions. These distortions allow to quantify cosmic structures statistically on a broad range of scales, and to map the spatial distribution of dark and visible matter. We summarise the theory of weak gravitational lensing and review applications to galaxies, galaxy clusters and larger-scale structures in the Universe. 1 Brief historical outline of gravitational lensing 1.1 Newton and Soldner 1.2 Einstein's two deflection angles 1.3 Mandl and Zwicky 2 Deflection angle and lensing potential 2.1 Index of refraction and Fermat's principle 2.2 The Born approximation 2.3 The lensing potential 3 Magnification and distortion 3.1 The convergence 3.2 Geometrical sensitivity of gravitational lensing 3.3 Linearised lens mapping and Jacobi matrix 3.4 Shear and magnification 3.5 Image distortion 4 Ellipticity measurement 4.1 Local averages and angular resolution 4.2 Measurement process 5 Extended lenses 5.1 Generalisation of the lensing potential 5.2 Deflection angle, convergence and shear 6 Cosmological weak gravitational lensing 6.1 Limber's approximation 6.2 Convergence power spectrum 6.3 Measurement principle 6.4 Gravitational lensing of the Cosmic Microwave Background 7 Weak gravitational lensing by galaxies and galaxy clusters 7.1 Weak lensing of galaxies by galaxies 7.2 Cluster masses and mass-to-light ratios 7.3 Lensing and X-ray emission 7.4 Cluster density profiles 7.5 Cluster detection 8 Weak gravitational lensing by large-scale structures 8.1 Expectations and measurements 8.2 Systematics 8.3 Perspectives 8.4 Cosmic magnification 8.5 Gravitational lensing of the CMB Brief historical outline of gravitational lensing Newton and Soldner As early as in 1704, Sir Isaac Newton had surmised that light might be deflected by gravity. In his book "Opticks: or, a treatise of the reflections, refractions, inflections and colours of light", he collected a whole list of questions in an appendix, the first of which was: "Do not Bodies act upon Light at a distance, and by their action bend its Rays; and is not this action (caeteris paribus) strongest at the least distance?" (Newton 1704) In Newtonian physics, however, this question cannot even be confidently addressed. Light can be considered as a stream of particles, the photons, which however have no rest mass. In the view of special relativity, photons acquire inertia by their motion, and this inertia contributes to their mass. However, if they could be at rest, no inertia and thus no mass would remain. But gravity should not be able to act on something without mass, or should it? On the other hand, in Newtonian physics, the trajectory of a small test body around a large mass does not at all depend on the mass of the test body. As Galileo had noticed already, all bodies fall equally rapidly, provided that no forces besides gravity act upon them. If one imagines a light particle with even a tiny mass, its motion e.g. around the Sun would be calculable without problems. If this mass would be halved, the trajectory would remain the same. And what happened if its mass was progressively reduced until it finally completely disappeared? The astronomer Johann Georg von Soldner was fully aware of this difficulty when he wrote his article "On the deflection of a light ray from its straight motion by the attraction of a heavenly body which it passes closely" for the Astronomical Almanac for the year 1804. Assuming that a mass could (and should) be assigned to the (then hypothetical) particles of light, he calculated by what amount such light rays would be deflected that, as seen from the Earth, would just graze the Solar rim. Almost apologetically, he wrote: "Hopefully nobody will find it questionable that I treat a light ray perfectly as a heavy body. For that light rays have all the absolute properties of matter is seen by the phenomenon of aberration, which is possible only by light rays being indeed material. – And besides, nothing can be conceived that exists and acts on our senses without having the properties of matter." (Soldner 1804, originally in German, our translation). Einstein's two deflection angles In Einstein's perception of the essence of gravity, however, this problem does not even exist. Einstein's theory of general relativity no longer interprets gravity as a force in the Newtonian sense, but explains the effects of gravity on the motion of bodies by the curvature of space-time caused by the presence of matter or energy. In the framework of an unfinished version of the theory of general relativity, Einstein calculated the deflection of light at the rim of the Sun for the first time in 1911. He found: "A light ray passing the Sun would accordingly suffer a deflection of the magnitude $4\cdot10^{-6} = 0.83$ arc seconds." (Einstein 1911) This was exactly the same value that Johann Georg von Soldner had found by his calculation within Newtonian physics. The second time, in 1916, Einstein arrived at the conclusion: "A light ray passing the Sun thus experiences a deflection of 1.7 arc seconds." (Einstein 1916) (originally in German, our translation). His value had plainly doubled, and for a good reason: Only within the final theory of general relativity did Einstein find that he needed to account for temporal as well as spatial curvature of space-time by gravity, and this caused precisely twice the amount of light deflection to occur. This value of 1.7 arc seconds, twice as large as expected from the Newtonian calculation, was confirmed shortly thereafter by observations. During a total Solar eclipse on May 29, 1919, two British expeditions succeeded in measuring the angle by which such stars appeared pushed away from the Sun which happened to be close to the Sun at the moment of the eclipse and became momentarily visible while the Sun was obscured. In November 1919, the authors Dyson, Eddington and Davidson reported: "Thus the results of the expeditions to Sobral and Principe can leave little doubt that a deflection of light takes place in the neighbourhood of the Sun and that it is of the amount demanded by Einstein's general theory of relativity, as attributable to the sun's gravitational field." (Eddington 1919) On October 9, 1919, Einstein himself had reported in a brief note: "According to a telegram addressed to the signatory by Prof. Lorentz, the English expedition under Eddington, sent out to observe the Solar eclipse of May 29, has observed the deflection of light at the rim of the Sun required by the general theory of relativity. The value provisionally deduced so far falls between 0.9 and 1.8 arc seconds. The theory demands 1.7 arc seconds." (Einstein 1919, originally in German, our translation) Mandl and Zwicky Even though, for Einstein himself, the deflection of light at the rim of the Sun marked a confirmation of his theory of general relativity, he was sure that this effect would hardly ever gain astrophysical relevance, not to speak of an even more practical importance. When the Czech engineer Rudi W. Mandl visited Einstein in Princeton in 1936 and asked him to calculate the gravitational lensing effect of a star on a more distant star, Einstein finally consented to publish a note on this phenomenon (Einstein 1936), which he however believed to be unobservable. Indirectly also stimulated by Mandl, the Swiss-American astronomer Fritz Zwicky, however, voiced the idea in 1937 that entire clusters of galaxies could act as gravitational lenses (Zwicky 1937). Only four years earlier, Zwicky had found the first indication of dark matter by observations of the Coma galaxy cluster (Zwicky 1933). Nonetheless, it took until 1979 for the first gravitational lens to be found (Walsh et al. 1979). This lens is a galaxy embedded into a group of galaxies whose gravitational-lensing effect turns a bright, approximately point-like, very distant object, a so-called quasi-stellar object or QSO, into two images. Deflection angle and lensing potential Index of refraction and Fermat's principle There are multiple ways at gravitational lensing which agree in the limit which is commonly applied. In by far the most astrophysical applications, the Newtonian gravitational potential $\Phi$ is small, $\|\Phi\|/c^2 \ll 1$, and the lensing mass distribution moves slowly with respect to the cosmological rest frame. In a galaxy cluster, for example, $\|\Phi\|/c^2 \lesssim 10^{-5}$, and cosmic structures have typical peculiar velocities $v \lesssim 600\,\mathrm{km\,s^{-1}} \ll c$. The standard approach to gravitational lensing has been laid out in several reviews, lecture notes and a text book (e.g. Schneider et al. 1992, Bartelmann and Schneider 2001, Bartelmann 2010). Under such conditions, gravitational lensing can be described by a small perturbation of the locally Minkowskian space-time of an observer co-moving with the gravitational lens. The Minkowski metric of special relativity, expressed by its line element \[ \mathrm{d} s^2 = -c^2\mathrm{d} t^2+\mathrm{d}\vec x^{\,2}\;, \tag{1} \] is perturbed by the dimension-less Newtonian gravitational potential $\Phi/c^2$ as \[ \mathrm{d} s^2 = -c^2\left(1+\frac{2\Phi}{c^2}\right)\mathrm{d} t^2+ \left(1-\frac{2\Phi}{c^2}\right)\mathrm{d}\vec x^{\,2}\;. \tag{2} \] With the propagation condition for light, $\mathrm{d} s = 0$, this expression can be rearranged to find the effective light speed in a weak gravitational field, \[ c' = \left\vert\frac{\mathrm{d}\vec x}{\mathrm{d} t}\,\right\vert = c\left(1+\frac{2\Phi}{c^2}\right)\;, \tag{3} \] where $\Phi/c^2\ll 1$ was used in a first-order Taylor expansion. Introducing the index of refraction $n$ by the conventional definition $c' = c/n$, we see that a weak gravitational field has the effective index of refraction \[ n = \frac{c}{c'} = 1-\frac{2\Phi}{c^2}\;. \tag{4} \] Since the gravitational potential is negative if conventionally normalised such as to vanish at infinity, this index of refraction is larger than unity. We can now apply Fermat's principle, which asserts that a light ray follows that path between two fixed points $A$ and $B$ along which its optical path $\tau$ is extremal, \[ \delta\tau = \delta\int_A^B\frac{c}{n}\,\mathrm{d} t = 0\;. \tag{5} \] The variation of $\tau$ with respect to the light path leads directly to the deflection angle \[ \hat{\vec\alpha} = -\frac{2}{c^2}\int\vec\nabla_\perp\Phi\,\mathrm{d}\lambda\;, \tag{6} \] which is the gradient of the dimension-less Newtonian potential perpendicular to the light ray, integrated along the light ray and multiplied by two. This factor of two comes from the fact that the perturbed Minkowski metric has equal perturbations in both its temporal and spatial components, as mentioned above in the context of Einstein's two calculations. The Born approximation The integral over the actual light path is complicated to carry out. However, since typical deflection angles are on the order of arc seconds or smaller, the integration path can be approximated by a straight line, just as in the Born approximation familiar from quantum mechanics. Then, assuming a point mass $M$ at the origin of a coordinate system and a light ray propagating parallel to the $z$ axis and passing the point mass at an impact parameter $b$, the deflection angle according to (6) is \[ \hat\alpha = -\frac{2}{c^2}\frac{\partial}{\partial b} \int_{-\infty}^\infty\mathrm{d} z\,\frac{GM}{\sqrt{b^2+z^2}} = \frac{4GM}{bc^2} = \frac{2R_\mathrm{S}}{b}\;, \tag{7} \] where $R_\mathrm{S}=2GM/c^2$ is the Schwarzschild radius of the lensing point mass. For the Sun, with its mass of $M = 2\cdot10^{33}\,\mathrm{g}$, the Schwarzschild radius is $R_{\mathrm{S}\odot} \approx 3\,\mathrm{km}$, hence the deflection angle at the Solar radius $R_\odot = 7\cdot10^5\,\mathrm{km}$ is \[ \hat\alpha_\odot \approx \frac{6}{7\cdot10^5} \approx 8.6\cdot10^{-6} \approx 1.7''\;. \tag{8} \] This is Einstein's famous result, tested and verified by Dyson, Eddington and Davidson in 1919. The lensing potential If the lensing mass distribution is thin compared to the overall extent of the lens system, the light path from the observer to the source can be approximated by straight lines from the observer to the lens and from there on to the source which enclose the deflection angle. This is called the thin-lens approximation. It is appropriate for the description of isolated lenses such as galaxy clusters, but inadequate for extended lenses such as the large-scale structures of the Universe. We shall proceed with the thin-lens approximation for now and later generalise the results to extended mass distributions. Figure 1: Sketch of a gravitational-lens system (adapted from Narayan and Bartelmann 1999): The optical axis runs from the observer O through the centre of the lens. The angle between the source S and the optical axis is $\beta$, the angle between the image I and the optical axis is $\theta$. The light ray towards the image is bent by the deflection angle $\hat\alpha$, measured at the lens. The reduced deflection angle $\alpha$ is measured at the observer. Tracing a light ray back from the observer to the source, the lens or ray-tracing equation can then simply be found from the intercepts of the light ray relative to the (arbitrary) optical axis at the distances of the lens and the source from the observer, $D_\mathrm{L}$ and $D_\mathrm{S}$, respectively. Let the angles between the optical axis and the image, and between the optical axis and the source on the observer's sky be $\vec\theta$ and $\vec\beta$, respectively. These angles are vectors because they have a direction as well as a magnitude. Then, \[ D_\mathrm{S}\vec\beta = D_\mathrm{S}\vec\theta-D_\mathrm{LS}\hat{\vec\alpha}\;, \tag{9} \] with $D_\mathrm{LS}$ being the distance between the lens and the source (cf. Fig. ). This equation may look trivial, but it is not. It only holds because even in the curved space-time of the Universe, distances can be introduced in such a way that the intercept theorem familiar from Euclidean geometry continues to hold. These are the angular-diameter distances. Dividing by $D_\mathrm{S}$ and introducing the reduced deflection angle \[ \vec\alpha := \frac{D_\mathrm{LS}}{D_\mathrm{S}}\,\hat{\vec\alpha} \tag{10} \] leads to the lens or ray-tracing equation in its simplest form, \[ \vec\beta = \vec\theta-\vec\alpha\;. \tag{11} \] With Eq. (6), the reduced deflection angle can be written as a gradient, \[ \vec\alpha = \vec\nabla_\perp\left[ \frac{2}{c^2}\frac{D_\mathrm{LS}}{D_\mathrm{S}}\int\Phi\,\mathrm{d} z \right]\;. \tag{12} \] It is convenient to introduce the quantities describing gravitational lensing, such as the reduced deflection angle or the lensing potential, as functions on the sky, i.e. as functions of the angular position $\vec\theta$ on the celestial sphere. Then, gradients need to be taken with respect to angles rather than perpendicular distances. The perpendicular gradient $\vec\nabla_\perp$ occurring in (6) and (12) is then replaced by the gradient $\vec\nabla_\theta$ with respect to the angle $\vec\theta$ according to \[ \vec\nabla_\perp = D_\mathrm{L}^{-1}\vec\nabla_\theta\;. \tag{13} \] The distance $D_\mathrm{L}$ from the observer to the lens appears here because, in the small-angle approximation, the perpendicular separation from the line-of-sight is $D_\mathrm{L}\vec\theta$. Thus, (12) turns into \[ \vec\alpha = \vec\nabla_\theta\psi\quad\mbox{with}\quad \psi := \frac{2}{c^2} \frac{D_\mathrm{LS}}{D_\mathrm{L}D_\mathrm{S}}\int\Phi\,\mathrm{d} z\;. \tag{14} \] The quantity $\psi$ defined here is called the lensing potential. In by far the most situations of astrophysical interest, the lensing potential incorporates all imaging properties of a gravitational lens. For a point-mass lens, we have seen in (7) that the deflection angle $\hat\alpha$ is proportional to the inverse impact parameter, $b^{-1}$. Converting $b$ to the angle $\theta$ by $b = D_\mathrm{L}\theta$ and the deflection angle $\hat\alpha$ to the reduced deflection angle $\alpha$, we find \[ \alpha = \frac{\partial\psi}{\partial\theta} \quad\mbox{with}\quad \psi = \frac{4GM}{c^2} \frac{D_\mathrm{LS}}{D_\mathrm{L}D_\mathrm{S}} \ln\left\vert\theta\right\vert\;, \tag{15} \] showing that the lensing potential of a point-mass lens at the coordinate origin is proportional to the logarithm of the angular radius. Magnification and distortion Taking the divergence of $\vec\alpha$ leads to the Laplacian of $\psi$, \[ \vec\nabla_\theta\cdot\vec\alpha = \vec\nabla_\theta^2\psi = \frac{2}{c^2} \frac{D_\mathrm{L}D_\mathrm{LS}}{D_\mathrm{S}} \int\vec\nabla_\perp^2\Phi\,\mathrm{d} z\;, \tag{16} \] where we have replaced the Laplacian $\vec\nabla_\theta^2$ with respect to the angle $\vec\theta$ by the perpendicular Laplacian $\vec\nabla_\perp^2$ with respect to physical coordinates. If we could replace the perpendicular by the complete Laplacian, \[ \vec\nabla^2 = \vec\nabla_\perp^2+\frac{\partial^2}{\partial z^2}\;, \tag{17} \] we could insert Poisson's equation \[ \vec\nabla^2\Phi = 4\pi G\rho \tag{18} \] into (16). We can indeed do so if the gradient of the potential $\Phi$ along the line-of-sight, taken at the beginning and at the end of the line-of-sight, can be neglected, \[ \int\frac{\partial^2\Phi}{\partial z^2}\,\mathrm{d} z = \left.\frac{\partial\Phi}{\partial z}\right\vert_\mathrm{end~points} = 0\;. \tag{19} \] This is indeed excellently satisfied in all situations where the extent of the lensing mass distribution is small compared to the cosmological distances $D_\mathrm{L}$, $D_\mathrm{LS}$ and $D_\mathrm{S}$ characterising the geometry of the lens system. We thus substitute the complete, three-dimensional Laplacian for the two-dimensional, perpendicular Laplacian in (16) and use Poisson's equation to write \[ \vec\nabla_\theta^2\psi = \frac{8\pi G}{c^2}\frac{D_\mathrm{L}D_\mathrm{LS}}{D_\mathrm{S}}\,\Sigma\;, \tag{20} \] where the surface mass density \[ \Sigma := \int\rho\,\mathrm{d} z \tag{21} \] is defined as the line-of-sight projection of the three-dimensional mass density $\rho$. The prefactor \[ \frac{4\pi G}{c^2}\frac{D_\mathrm{L}D_\mathrm{LS}}{D_\mathrm{S}} =: \Sigma_\mathrm{cr}^{-1} \tag{22} \] has the dimension of an inverse surface-mass density, $\mathrm{cm^2\,g^{-1}}$. The quantity $\Sigma_\mathrm{cr}$ is called critical surface mass density. With these definitions, \[ \vec\nabla_\theta^2\psi = 2\,\frac{\Sigma}{\Sigma_\mathrm{cr}} =: 2\kappa\;, \tag{23} \] where we introduced the dimension-less surface-mass density or convergence $\kappa$. From here on, we shall drop the subscript $\theta$ on the gradient, understanding that $\vec\nabla$ is the gradient $\vec\nabla_\theta$ with respect to $\vec\theta$. Geometrical sensitivity of gravitational lensing The Poisson equation (23) shows that the source of the lensing potential $\psi$ is twice the dimension-less convergence or surface-mass density $\kappa$, i.e. the surface-mass density $\Sigma$ of the lens divided by its critical surface mass density $\Sigma_\mathrm{cr}$. A mass distribution with a fixed surface-mass density $\Sigma$ can thus be a more or less efficient gravitational lens, depending on the overall extent of the lens system composed of observer, source, and lens, and depending on where the lens is located along the line-of-sight. Lensing is most efficient where the critical surface-mass density $\Sigma_\mathrm{cr}$ is minimal, or where the expression in (22) is maximal. In Euclidean space, this would be half-way between the observer and the source. In the curved space-time of our Universe, the location of maximal lensing sensitivity is somewhat closer in redshift to the observer. The geometrical sensitivity of gravitational lensing is one of the main characteristics turning lensing into a powerful tool for cosmology. Linearised lens mapping and Jacobi matrix In terms of the lensing potential $\psi$, the lens equation (11) is \[ \vec\beta = \vec\theta-\vec\nabla\psi\;. \tag{24} \] Imagine now a source substantially smaller than any typical scale of variation in the deflection angle. Let $\delta\vec\beta$ the angular separation of a point on an outer source contour from the centre of the source. Then, the corresponding angular distance of the image point can be approximated by a first-order Taylor expansion of the lens equation (24), \[ \delta\vec\beta \approx \mathcal{A}\,\delta\vec\theta\;, \tag{25} \] where $\mathcal{A}$ is the Jacobian matrix of the lens mapping. It has the components \[ \mathcal{A}_{ij} = \frac{\partial\beta_i}{\partial\theta_j} = \delta_{ij}-\psi_{ij}\;, \tag{26} \] where the potential derivatives are to be taken at the centre of the lensed image. Here, we have introduced the common short-hand notation \[ \psi_{ij} := \frac{\partial^2\psi}{\partial\theta_i\partial\theta_j} \tag{27} \] for the second partial derivatives of $\psi$. Equations (25) and (26) are interesting expressions. First, (25) states that the Jacobi matrix $\mathcal{A}$ maps small distances $\delta\vec\theta$ in an image back to small distances $\delta\vec\beta$ in the source. This is the foundation of by far the most applications of weak gravitational lensing in astrophysics and cosmology. Equation (26) shows that, in the absence of the lensing potential, the lens mapping is simply the identity. In the presence of a lens, the local properties of the lens mapping are determined by the curvature of the lensing potential $\psi$, expressed by the matrix of second derivatives of $\psi$, or the Hessian matrix of the potential. Second derivatives of gravitational potentials are tidal forces. Locally, deformations by the lens mapping are thus determined by the gravitational tidal forces caused by the lens. Shear and magnification For the physical interpretation of the Jacobi matrix $\mathcal{A}$, it is convenient and instructive to split $\mathcal{A}$ into an isotropic and an anisotropic, trace-free part by taking the trace, \[ \mathrm{tr}\mathcal{A} = 2-\vec\nabla^2\psi = 2(1-\kappa)\;, \tag{28} \] and subtracting it from $\mathcal{A}$ by means of the unit matrix $\mathcal{I}$ to obtain the shear matrix \[ \Gamma := -\left( \mathcal{A}-\frac{1}{2}\left(\mathrm{tr}\mathcal{A}\right)\mathcal{I} \right) \tag{29} \] which has the components \[ \Gamma_{11} =: \gamma_1 = \frac{1}{2}\left(\psi_{11}-\psi_{22}\right)\;,\quad \Gamma_{22} = -\gamma_1\;,\quad \Gamma_{12} = \Gamma_{21} =: \gamma_2 = \psi_{12}\;. \tag{30} \] These manipulations leave the Jacobi matrix in the form \[ \mathcal{A} = (1-\kappa)\mathcal{I}-\Gamma = \left(\begin{array}{cc} 1-\kappa-\gamma_1 & -\gamma_2\\-\gamma_2 & 1-\kappa+\gamma_1 \end{array}\right)\;. \tag{31} \] The linearised lens equation (25) tells us the inverse of what we typically want to know from weak gravitational lensing. Since we observe images but cannot access the sources, we need to infer the separation $\delta\vec\theta$ of image points from the image centre. If the Jacobi matrix $\mathcal{A}$ has a non-vanishing determinant, it can be inverted, allowing us to write \[ \delta\vec\theta = \mathcal{A}^{-1}\delta\vec\beta\;. \tag{32} \] The inverse Jacobi matrix determines how sources are mapped on images. In weak gravitational lensing, the Jacobi determinant \[ \det\mathcal{A} = (1-\kappa)^2-\gamma^2 \tag{33} \] with \[ \gamma^2 := \gamma_1^2+\gamma_2^2 \tag{34} \] is near unity because the absolute values of the convergence $\kappa$ and the shear $\gamma$ are both small compared to unity. Points in the lens where $\det\mathcal{A} = 0$ are called critical points. They play no role in weak gravitational lensing but are centrally important for strong lensing. Thus, we can always assume in weak gravitational lensing that the linear lens mapping is invertible. The inverse of the Jacobi matrix is \[ \mathcal{A}^{-1} = \frac{1}{\det\mathcal{A}} \left(\begin{array}{cc} 1-\kappa+\gamma_1 & \gamma_2\\ \gamma_2 & 1-\kappa-\gamma_1 \end{array}\right)\;. \tag{35} \] The prefactor in this expression indicates that the solid angle spanned by the image is changed compared to the solid angle covered by the source by the magnification factor \[ \mu = \frac{1}{\det\mathcal{A}} = \frac{1}{(1-\kappa)^2-\gamma^2} \approx 1+2\kappa\;, \tag{36} \] where the final approximation is a first-order Taylor expansion. Thus, in weak lensing, the magnification of an image is essentially (i.e. to first Taylor order) determined by the convergence $\kappa$, not by the shear. Image distortion Figure 2: Illustration of gravitational-lensing effects on small sources: The top row shows the effects of both components of the shear on a circular source. The middle and bottom rows illustrate effects of higher order, quantified by the so-called flexion components $\mathcal{F}$ and $\mathcal{G}$, which are linear combinations of third potential derivatives. $\mathcal{F}$ flexion leads to a centroid shift while $\mathcal{G}$ flexion causes a triangular deformation. The eigenvalues of the inverse Jacobi matrix $\mathcal{A}^{-1}$ are \[ \lambda_\pm = \frac{1-\kappa\pm\gamma}{\det\mathcal{A}} = \frac{1}{1-\kappa\mp\gamma}\;. \tag{37} \] A hypothetical circular source is deformed by weak gravitational lensing to become an ellipse whose semi-major and semi-minor axes, called $a$ and $b$, respectively, are proportional to the eigenvalues $\lambda_\pm$. By its common definition, the ellipticity $\varepsilon$ of such an image is \[ \varepsilon := \frac{a-b}{a+b} = \frac{\lambda_+-\lambda_-}{\lambda_++\lambda_-} = \frac{\gamma}{1-\kappa}\;. \tag{38} \] Since the source size prior to lensing is typically inaccessible to observation, the magnification of an image relative to the source cannot directly be measured. The ellipticity $\varepsilon$ and the orientation of elliptically distorted images are thus the only information supplied by weak lensing in the vast majority of cases. Equation (38) shows that the ellipticity is determined by the so-called reduced shear \[ g = \frac{\gamma}{1-\kappa} \tag{39} \] rather than by the shear itself. If $\kappa\ll 1$ which can most often be assumed in cases of weak lensing, $\varepsilon=g\approx\gamma$. The effects of both shear components on a circular source are illustrated in Fig. Figure 2 together with higher-order distortions. Ellipticity measurement Local averages and angular resolution The sources typically used in observations of weak gravitational lensing are of course not circular, but intrinsically elliptical. In lowest-order approximation, the intrinsic source ellipticity $\varepsilon_\mathrm{S}$ and the ellipticity caused by lensing add. Then, \[ \varepsilon \approx g+\varepsilon_\mathrm{S}\;. \tag{40} \] One of the most essential assumptions in the interpretation of weak gravitational lensing is that the intrinsic ellipticities approach zero when averaged over sufficiently large samples, $\langle\varepsilon_\mathrm{S}\rangle \approx 0$. Fortunately, the sky is studded with so many faint, distant galaxies that averages over many of them can be taken on angular scales small compared to the typical scales which the shear and the convergence of the lens vary on. On deep images taken with ground-based telescopes (at an $r$-band magnitude of $\sim25$), $n\approx 10$ galaxies are found per square arc minute, and $n\approx 30-50$ is reached on images taken in space. The standard deviation of the intrinsic ellipticity is measured to be $\sigma_\varepsilon \approx 0.2$ per source. Averaging over $N$ faint galaxy images, the scatter of the intrinsic ellipticity is reduced to \[ \Delta\left\langle\varepsilon_\mathrm{S}\right\rangle \approx \frac{\sigma_\varepsilon}{\sqrt{N}}\;, \tag{41} \] and the angular resolution $\Delta\theta$ of this measurement is limited by \[ N = \pi\Delta\theta^2n \quad\mbox{or}\quad \Delta\theta = \left(\frac{N}{\pi n}\right)^{1/2}\;. \tag{42} \] For $N=10$, we find $\Delta\langle\varepsilon_\mathrm{S}\rangle\approx0.06$ and $\Delta\theta\approx1'$, assuming $n\approx10$ source galaxies per square arc minute. It is of paramount importance for weak gravitational lensing to verify that intrinsic source ellipticities do indeed average to zero, or otherwise to quantify the degree to which they do not. Measurement process There are essentially two general approaches to the measurement of image ellipticities. Both of them build upon the measured surface brightness $I(\vec\theta\,)$ of an image. In the forward modelling approach, models for the surface brightness of elliptical sources are fit to the image, allowing to read off the model ellipticity once the best fit has been found. In the other, model-free approach, the quadrupole moments $Q_{ij}$ of the surface brightness are measured, \[ Q_{ij} = \int\mathrm{d}^2\theta\,I(\vec\theta\,)\theta_i\theta_j\;,\quad i,j = 1,2\;. \tag{43} \] From them, the two components of the ellipticity are \[ \varepsilon_1 = \frac{Q_{11}-Q_{22}}{2N_Q}\;,\quad \varepsilon_2 = \frac{Q_{12}}{N_Q}\;,\quad N_Q := \frac{1}{2}\mathrm{tr}Q+\sqrt{\det Q}\;. \tag{44} \] Both methods have their advantages and disadvantages. The forward-modelling approach needs to assume a surface-brightness distribution which may or may not reflect the image properties well. Biases in the inferred ellipticities are possible and likely if the model is not well adapted to the image. The measurement of the surface-brightness moments is hampered by the fact that the formally infinite integral in (43) will pick up intensity fluctuations surrounding the typically faint and small image. To control this noise contribution, a weight function needs to be introduced in (43), effectively limiting the domain of the integral. The inevitable effects of the weight function on the ellipticity measurement need to be corrected afterwards. Alternatively, denoising procedures can be applied to the images. On the whole, measuring the ellipticities of distant source galaxies accurately is very difficult. Distortions caused by weak lensing are on the order of up to $\sim10$ per cent, i.e. the difference of the semi-axes of typical images is only a few per cent of their sum. Ellipticities thus have to be measured either by model fitting or by measuring the quadrupole moments of the surface-brightness distribution from faint, small, pixellised images distorted by weak lensing at the per cent level. Substantial complications arise because these faint galaxy images are irregular and distorted prior to lensing. Moreover, they are being observed through optical systems with their own small, but numerous and subtle imperfections and physical limitations. Even if small, these imperfections typically imprint noise and systematics on the measured ellipticities which also have to be carefully corrected. In particular, the point-spread function of the telescope optics needs to be carefully determined in order to quantify any distortions caused by the optical system itself. Usually, the point-spread function is estimated from the images of stars in the observed field. In the course of these developments, algorithms were described and implemented for measuring the weak shear signal from large data fields. The Shear Testing Programme (STEP) was launched to test and improve the accuracy of shear measurements from weakly distorted images of distant galaxies in the presence of several perturbing effects. On the whole, ellipticity measurements must still be considered an art which is under ongoing development (Bridle et al. 2010). For the purposes of this review, we cannot go into any detail of this complicated and demanding measurement process. Suffice it to say that it belongs to the most fascinating developments in extragalactic astrophysics and cosmology since the turn of the century that highly reliable and significant measurements of weak gravitational lensing by galaxies, galaxy clusters as well as by large-scale structures have routinely become possible. Extended lenses Generalisation of the lensing potential So far, we have assumed that the lens is geometrically small compared to the overall scale of the lens system. Since this is clearly not appropriate for gravitational lensing by the large-scale structures in our Universe, we need to generalise the results derived so far to the case of extended lenses. To achieve this, it suffices to pull the distance factors in the definition of the lensing potential in (14) under the line-of-sight integral. Before we can meaningfully do so, however, we need to clarify the concept of a distance in cosmology. In the curved and expanding space-time of our Universe, distances are no longer uniquely defined. Depending on the measurement procedure intended, distances typically turn out to be vastly different. For gravitational lensing, the appropriate distance measure is defined such that the ratio between the physical size of a small object and its angular extent equals its distance, which is the relation familiar from static Euclidean space. The distance defined this way is called angular-diameter distance. Since our Universe is expanding, spatial separations between any two points grow in time in a way quantified by the so-called scale factor $a$. Commonly, the scale factor is normalised to unity at the present cosmic epoch. It is then convenient to introduce so-called comoving distances, which are distances defined on a spatial hypersurface constructed at the present time. Measurements have shown that, even though our Universe has a finite space-time curvature, its spatial curvature cannot be distinguished from zero within the measurement uncertainty. In other words, our Universe turns out to be well described as spatially flat. Let now $\chi$ be the comoving angular-diameter distance in a spatially flat space-time, then the lensing potential of an extended lens acting on a source at distance $\chi_\mathrm{S}$ is \[ \psi(\vec\theta\,) = \frac{2}{c^2}\int_0^{\chi_\mathrm{S}}\mathrm{d}\chi\, \frac{\chi_\mathrm{S}-\chi}{\chi_\mathrm{S}\chi}\, \Phi(\chi\vec\theta,\chi)\;. \tag{45} \] Note the similarity to the expression for the lensing potential of a thin lens in (14): the distance prefactor is replaced according to \[ \frac{D_\mathrm{LS}}{D_\mathrm{L}D_\mathrm{S}} \to \frac{\chi_\mathrm{S}-\chi}{\chi_\mathrm{S}\chi} \tag{46} \] and pulled under the integral, the line-of-sight integration is being performed over $\mathrm{d}\chi$, and the Newtonian potential is taken at the position $\chi\vec\theta$ perpendicular and $\chi$ parallel to the line-of-sight. Deflection angle, convergence and shear The remaining quantities, in particular the reduced deflection angle $\vec\alpha$, the convergence $\kappa$ and the shear $\gamma$, can now be derived from $\psi$ in the usual manner, \[ \vec\alpha = \vec\nabla\psi\;,\quad \kappa = \frac{1}{2}\vec\nabla^2\psi\;,\quad \gamma_1 = \frac{1}{2}\left(\psi_{11}-\psi_{22}\right)\;,\quad \gamma_2 = \psi_{12}\;, \tag{47} \] where all derivatives are to be taken with respect to the angular position $\vec\theta$, as introduced before. In particular, the convergence to be assigned to an extended lens is \[ \kappa = \frac{4\pi G}{c^2}\int_0^{\chi_\mathrm{S}}\mathrm{d}\chi\, \frac{\chi(\chi_\mathrm{S}-\chi)}{\chi_\mathrm{S}}\, a^2\rho(\chi)\;, \tag{48} \] where Poisson's equation was used again after replacing the Laplacian with respect to perpendicular coordinates by the full Laplacian. The squared scale factor $a^2$ takes into account that we are using comoving angular-diameter distances. Expression (48) shows that the convergence is a geometrically weighted line-of-sight integral over the mass density $\rho$. It is important to note, however, that $\rho$ is the fluctuation of the mass density about its cosmological mean value $\bar\rho$ and not the entire mass density. This is because the bending of light by the mean mass density is already incorporated into the distance measure $\chi$. The convergence $\kappa$ from (48) thus describes the lensing effects of matter inhomogeneities in an otherwise homogeneous mean universe. Introducing the dimension-less density contrast $\delta$ as the density fluctuation about the mean relative to the mean, the density $\rho$ to be inserted into (48) is $\rho = \bar\rho\delta$. In terms of conventional cosmological parameters, the mean matter density is \[ \bar\rho = \frac{3H_0^2}{8\pi G}\Omega_\mathrm{m0}a^{-3} = \bar\rho_0\,a^{-3}\;, \tag{49} \] where $H_0$ is the Hubble constant quantifying the present expansion rate of the universe, and $\Omega_\mathrm{m0}$ is the dimension-less matter-density parameter. Inserting (49) into (48) gives the expression \[ \kappa = \frac{3}{2}\frac{H_0^2}{c^2}\Omega_\mathrm{m0} \int_0^{\chi_\mathrm{S}}\mathrm{d}\chi\, \frac{\chi(\chi_\mathrm{S}-\chi)}{\chi_\mathrm{S}}\, \frac{\delta(\chi)}{a} \tag{50} \] for the convergence $\kappa$ of an extended lens. It is called effective convergence because it corresponds to the convergence of a thin lens whose effects are equivalent to those caused by the actual extended matter distribution. Cosmological weak gravitational lensing Limber's approximation The lensing effects by the cosmic large-scale structures along one particular line-of-sight cannot be predicted because the actual matter distribution in any direction is unknown. What can be predicted, however, is the degree to which lensing quantities such as the lensing potential, the deflection angle, the convergence and the shear are correlated with each other. To give just one example, this means that, if some image distortion by lensing is measured in one particular direction, the image distortion measured in a nearby direction should be similar. The smaller the angle is chosen between the two directions, the more similar the distortions are expected to be, and if the angle becomes large, the distortions should become independent. This expected behaviour is quantified by an angular correlation function. Let $x(\vec\theta\,)$ be a quantity measured on the sky, its angular correlation functions is \[ \xi_x(\varphi) := \left\langle x(\vec\theta\,)x(\vec\theta+\vec\varphi\,) \right\rangle\;. \tag{51} \] The average indicated by the angular brackets is quite involved: It combines an average over all positions $\vec\theta$ with an average over all orientations of the separation vector $\vec\varphi$ on the sky. The concept behind assuming that the angular correlation function depends only on the absolute value of $\varphi$ but not on its orientation is the statistical isotropy of the cosmic large-scale structures: On average, these structures should not identify an orientation on the sky. In many applications, it is convenient to Fourier-transform the correlation function $\xi(\varphi)$ to obtain the so-called angular power spectrum, \[ C(l) = \int\mathrm{d}^2\varphi\,\xi(\varphi)\,\mathrm{e}^{-\mathrm{i}\vec l\cdot\vec\varphi}\;. \tag{52} \] Here, $\vec l$ is the two-dimensional wave vector conjugate to the angular separation $\vec\varphi$. Quite often, the weak-lensing power spectra are calculated by means of Limber's approximation. It asserts that, if the quantity $x(\vec\theta\,)$ defined in two dimensions is a projection \[ x(\vec\theta\,) = \int_0^{\chi_\mathrm{S}} \mathrm{d}\chi\,w(\chi)\,y(\chi\vec\theta,\chi) \tag{53} \] of a quantity $y(\vec r)$ defined in three dimensions with a weight function $w(\chi)$, then the angular power spectrum of $x$ is given by \[ C_x(l) = \int_0^{\chi_\mathrm{S}} \mathrm{d}\chi\,\frac{w^2(\chi)}{\chi^2}\,P_y\left(\frac{l}{\chi}\right)\;, \tag{54} \] where $P_y(k)$ is the power spectrum of $y$, taken at the three-dimensional wave number $k = l/\chi$. The condition for Limber's approximation to be applicable is that $y$ must vary on length scales much smaller than the typical length scale of the weight function $w$. Convergence power spectrum Equation (50) shows that the effective convergence is a projection of the density contrast $\delta$ with the weight function \[ w(\chi) = \frac{3}{2}\frac{H_0^2}{c^2}\Omega_\mathrm{m0} \frac{\chi(\chi_\mathrm{S}-\chi)}{a\chi_\mathrm{S}}\;. \tag{55} \] The power spectrum of the convergence $C_\kappa(l)$ is thus determined by a weighted line-of-sight integral over the power spectrum $P_\delta(k)$ of the density contrast. To further clarify the physical interpretation of cosmological weak gravitational lensing, we write the power spectrum $P_\delta$ in a different way, motivated as follows. As long as the density contrast is small, $\delta\ll1$, it can be shown to increase with time in proportion to a time-dependent linear growth factor $D_+(a)$. Being quadratic in the density contrast, the power spectrum thus grows like $P_\delta\propto D_+^2$ on sufficiently large scales whose wave number $k$ is sufficiently small. On such scales, the power spectrum $P_\delta$ keeps its initial shape. On small scales, this shape is changed by non-linear effects on the evolution of the density contrast. Notwithstanding this non-linear complication, we write the power spectrum $P_\delta$ as a slowly varying shape function $\mathcal{P}$ times an amplitude. Conventionally, this amplitude is called $\sigma_8^2$ and set at the present epoch. In terms of the power spectrum linearly extrapolated to the present time, $\sigma_8$ is defined by \[ \sigma_8^2 = \int_0^\infty \frac{k^2\mathrm{d}k}{2\pi^2}\,P_\delta(k)W_8^2(k)\;, \tag{56} \] where $W_8(k)$ is a filter function suppressing all modes smaller than $8\,h^{-1}\,\mathrm{Mpc}$. Setting the linear growth factor $D_+$ to unity at present, the density-fluctuation power spectrum can then be written as \[ P_\delta(k) = \sigma_8^2\,D_+^2(a)\,\mathcal{P}(k)\;. \tag{57} \] With this expression for $P_\delta(k)$, the convergence power spectrum is given by \[ C_\kappa(l) = \frac{9}{4}\left(\frac{H_0}{c}\right)^4 \Omega_\mathrm{m0}^2\sigma_8^2 \int_0^{\chi_\mathrm{S}}\mathrm{d}\chi\left[ \frac{D_+(a)}{a} \frac{\chi(\chi_\mathrm{S}-\chi)}{\chi_\mathrm{S}} \right]^2\mathcal{P}\left(\frac{l}{\chi}\right)\;. \tag{58} \] This equation is cosmologically very important. First, the convergence power spectrum $C_\kappa(l)$ can be measured in a way to be described shortly. Second, the shape of the convergence power spectrum depends on the shape $\mathcal{P}$ of the power spectrum $P_\delta$ for the density contrast, which can thus be inferred from measurements as well. Third, the amplitude of the convergence power spectrum is directly proportional to the squared matter-density parameter times the amplitude of the power spectrum, $\Omega_\mathrm{m0}^2\sigma_8^2$. Fourth, the weight function appearing in square brackets under the integral in (58) contains the linear growth factor $D_+(a)$ of the density contrast, which opens a way towards probing the evolution of cosmic structures with time. Figure 3: The angular correlation function of the effective convergence is shown for three source redshifts, as a function of the angular separation. The prefactor $\Omega_\mathrm{m0}^2\sigma_8^2$ is characteristic and has an intuitive meaning as well. The density parameter $\Omega_\mathrm{m0}$ quantifies the mean matter density in the universe, while the parameter $\sigma_8$ quantifies how strongly this matter is clumped. Gravitational lensing alone cannot distinguish between a low density of strongly clumped matter and a high density of weakly clumped matter. Measurement principle The convergence $\kappa$ alone can only be accessed through the magnification, as (36) shows. Measuring the magnification is possible, but difficult. Routinely, cosmological weak lensing is quantified by the shear $\gamma$. A simple consideration shows however that shear and convergence have identical power spectra. To see this, we transform the defining equations for $\kappa$ and $\gamma$ into Fourier space, where they read \[ 2\hat\kappa = -l^2\hat\psi\;,\quad 2\hat\gamma_1 = -\left(l_1^2-l_2^2\right)\hat\psi\;,\quad \hat\gamma_2 = -l_1l_2\hat\psi\;, \tag{59} \] with the hats denoting the Fourier transform. Now, \[ 4\left\vert\hat\gamma\right\vert^2 = \left[\left(l_1^2-l_2^2\right)^2+4l_1^2l_2^2\right] \left\vert\hat\psi\right\vert^2 = \left(l_1^2+l_2^2\right)^2\left\vert\hat\psi\right\vert^2 = 4\left\vert\hat\kappa\right\vert^2\;, \tag{60} \] showing that the shear power spectrum is also given by (58), $C_\gamma=C_\kappa$. Thus, the power spectrum or, equivalently, the correlation function of the weak distortions of distant galaxy images imprinted by cosmological weak lensing needs to be measured. This can be achieved as described in the subsection "Measurement process" above. Gravitational lensing of the Cosmic Microwave Background The most distant source of electromagnetic radiation we can observe in our Universe is the so-called Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB). It was emitted when the cosmic radiation temperature fell to approximately $3000\,\mathrm{K}$ and allowed the cosmic plasma to recombine for the first time in cosmic history, approximately $400,000$ years after the Big Bang. As neutral atoms were formed, the free charges disappeared, and the cosmic matter became essentially transparent. From then on, the electromagnetic heat radiation left over from the Big Bang could propagate freely through the Universe. The CMB is cosmologically highly important because, prior to its emission, energy-density fluctuations were imprinted on it by the cosmic structures that had already begun forming. We can observe these primordial energy-density fluctuations as tiny fluctuations of the CMB temperature around its mean. The mean CMB temperature today was measured by the COBE satellite to be $2.726\,\mathrm{K}$, and the relative temperature fluctuations are of order $10^{-5}$. Precise measurements of these fluctuations by the COBE, WMAP and Planck satellites as well as by several balloon-borne and ground-based experiments have turned into the major information source on the physical state of the early Universe. However, with the CMB photons having been released about $400,000$ years after the Big Bang, they had to travel through the Universe for almost 14 billion years before they reached our detectors. Doing so, they passed the growing network of cosmic structures and experienced their weak gravitational lensing effects. The photons of the CMB could not propagate along straight lines (or unperturbed null geodesics), but along weakly perturbed paths. What we observe is thus not the CMB itself, but an image of it slightly distorted by gravitational lensing (Lewis and Challinor 2006) Gravitational lensing of the CMB is weak and confined to angular scales of approximately 10 arc minutes and less. It can be thought of as a diffusion process slightly blurring the CMB on such angular scales. Fortunately, however, the effects of gravitational lensing on the CMB can be statistically quantified from the data itself, and thus be removed. The essential reason for this correction to be possible is best seen thinking of a Fourier decomposition of the temperature fluctuation on the CMB. From the origin of these temperature fluctuations, their Fourier modes are independent, i.e. there is intrinsically no correlation between any two CMB temperature-fluctuation Fourier modes with different wave vectors. Through its focusing effect, however, gravitational lensing slightly changes the wave numbers of lensed Fourier modes. Gravitational lensing thus mixes temperature-fluctuation Fourier modes of different wave vectors and thus causes them to be correlated. In the data of the Planck satellite, the weak cosmological lensing effects on the CMB could be measured directly for the first time (Planck Collaboration 2016). The amplitude and the shape of the lensing correlation function inferred from the CMB provide additional strong confirmation for the cosmological standard model. Weak gravitational lensing by galaxies and galaxy clusters Weak lensing of galaxies by galaxies Less distant galaxies can act as weak gravitational lenses on more distant galaxies. Through their gravitational shear, the lensing galaxies imprint a weak tangential distortion pattern on the images of the lensed galaxies in their close neighbourhood (Brainerd et al. 1996). This weak shear signal is superposed on the intrinsic ellipticities and irregularities of the background-galaxy images and thus requires statistical techniques for its identification and extraction. (See Treu (2010) for a review on strong lensing by galaxies.) Foreground and background galaxies can tentatively be separated according to their apparent brightness. Galaxy-galaxy lensing, as the effect is called, can constrain the potential depth and size of the dark-matter haloes inhabited by the lensing galaxies. First measurements in 1996 found potential depths and halo radii typical for massive galaxies. The statistical signal extraction can be improved by a thorough maximum-likelihood analysis, taking the distance distributions of lensing foreground and lensed background galaxies into account. The galaxy-galaxy lensing signal of galaxies embedded in galaxy clusters could also be detected; it revealed that cluster galaxies are smaller than galaxies outside clusters, with their radius shrinking with the density of the environment. Galaxy-galaxy lensing also reveals that the dark-matter haloes around the lensing galaxies are flattened (Hoekstra et al. 2004). Combinations of weak gravitational lensing of galaxies by galaxies with measurements of optical brightness and stellar velocities in galaxies have been used to infer that the dark-matter distribution surrounding galaxies falls off rather steeply towards the outskirts of the dark galaxy haloes. Measurements of galaxy-galaxy lensing in wide-field surveys such as the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, the Las Campanas Redshift Survey or the Canada-France-Hawaii Legacy Survey confirm that bright galaxies have projected density profiles falling with radius $r$ approximately like $r^{-1}$, are characterised by stellar orbital velocities of approximately $v_\mathrm{c}=(150-240)\,\mathrm{km\,s^{-1}}$, are hosted by dark-matter haloes of typically $(2.7-11)\times10^{11}\,h^{-1}\,M_\odot$ and have mass-to-light ratios between $M/L\simeq120\,h\,M_\odot/L_\odot$ in blue and $\simeq170\,h\,M_\odot/L_\odot$ in red light. The overall dark-matter halo masses range between $(5-10)\times10^{11}\,h^{-1}\,M_\odot$, the mass-to-light ratio increases gently with luminosity and the mass-to-light ratios of bright spiral galaxies are approximately half those of elliptical galaxies. The masses quoted in this context are typically the total (virial) masses of haloes with parameterised density profiles adapted to the measured lensing signal. Weak gravitational lensing by galaxies has also been used to study how dark matter and galaxies are correlated on large scales. The correlation function could be measured to separations reaching $10\,h^{-1}\,\mathrm{Mpc}$. It shows a typical correlation length of $r_0\simeq(5.4\pm0.7)\,h^{-1}\,\mathrm{Mpc}$ and falls of with distance with a approximate power law with exponent $1.79\pm0.05$. The density contrast in the galaxy distribution may either follow the density contrast in the dark matter, or increase slightly with scale. These results are generally in good agreement with theoretical expectations, except that the mass-to-light ratio found in simulations is typically somewhat too high. Satellite galaxies orbiting the lensing galaxies could be physically aligned with their hosts by the gravitational tidal field and thus mimic a weak galaxy-galaxy lensing signal. On the relevant scales, this possible contamination is probably less than $15\,\%$. The availability of huge surveys with sufficient depth and image quality for weak-lensing studies has opened new applications also for galaxy-galaxy lensing. Exciting examples of more detailed studies enabled this way are the measurement of mean masses of dark-matter haloes hosting Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN), which found that radio-loud AGN reside in host haloes which are typically $\approx20$ times more massive than for radio-quiet AGN. Moreover, the combination of galaxy-galaxy lensing with galaxy correlations has been used to specify the mean mass-to-light ratio of the galaxies and to break degeneracies between cosmological parameters. Cluster masses and mass-to-light ratios As described above, galaxy clusters imprint a coherent weak distortion pattern onto the many faint and distant galaxies in their background. Since those distant galaxies reach number densities of $\simeq40$ per square arc minute in typical images taken with large ground-based telescopes, typical galaxy clusters thus cover of order $10^3$ background galaxies. As shown above, shear and convergence are both related through the scalar lensing potential. Knowing the shear thus allows the scaled surface-mass density to be reconstructed. Cluster convergence maps can be obtained by convolving the measured shear signal with a simple kernel, opening the way to systematic, parameter-free, two-dimensional cluster studies. An immediate application of this technique to the cluster MS 1224 revealed a surprisingly high mass-to-light ratio of $\simeq800\,h\,M_\odot/L_\odot$, about four times the typical cluster value. Weaknesses in this convolution algorithm mainly due to the non-locality of the convolution were identified and could be removed. Another, purely local cluster reconstruction method has been proposed based on an entropy-regularised maximum-likelihood approach. This method allows the straightforward extension of the reconstruction algorithm to include all observable quantities provided by galaxy clusters. These inversion techniques for the matter distribution in galaxy-cluster lenses have by now been applied to numerous objects (von der Linden et al. 2014, Applegate et al. 2014, Meneghetti et al. 2016). For most of them, the mass-to-light ratios turned out to be $M/L\simeq(250-300)\,h\,M_\odot/L_\odot$ in blue and $M/L\simeq(150-200)\,h\,M_\odot/L_\odot$ in red light, respectively. Similar to weak lensing by galaxies, the masses quoted here are typically derived from parameterised density profiles adapted to the measured lensing signal and integrated to a fixed radius of order $1\,h^{-1}\,\mathrm{Mpc}$. Statistically combining the weak-lensing signal of galaxy groups, the mass range in which mass-to-light ratios can be probed could be extended towards lower masses. For galaxy groups with masses around $(10^{13}-10^{14})\,M_\odot$, values of $M/L=(185\pm28)\,h^{-1}\,M_\odot/L_\odot$ in blue and $M/L\simeq250\,h^{-1}\,M_\odot/L_\odot$ in red spectral ranges have been obtained. By a similar statistical analysis of gravitational lensing together with the optical light distribution, the mass-to-light ratio of the central brightest galaxies in galaxy clusters was found to be $M/L\simeq360\,h\,M_\odot/L_\odot$. Mass and light generally appear well correlated in weakly lensing clusters. Contradicting claims from individual objects could not be confirmed. A very peculiar case is the galaxy cluster Abell~2744, whose galaxies and dark matter are displaced from the X-ray emission; see Fig. Figure 4. Figure 4: Mass map of the galaxy cluster Abell~2744 (sometimes called ``Pandora's box), reconstructed from the weak-lensing signal (Merten et al. 2011). At least two, maybe three galaxy clusters have collided here. The colour bar encodes the convergence $\kappa$. Lensing and X-ray emission Comparing the surface-brightness distribution of the X-rays emitted by the hot intracluster medium with the surface-density contours obtained from weak lensing, interesting phenomena are uncovered. While the X-ray surface brightness follows the matter density in many clusters, instructive deviations have been discovered. Generally, deviations between the morphologies of the surface-mass density and the X-ray surface brightness are attributed to dynamical processes going on in galaxy clusters which are merging with other clusters or are otherwise out of equilibrium. In merging clusters, the X-ray gas is typically found lagging behind the dark matter, as expected for hot gas embedded into collision-less dark-matter halos. A particularly interesting case is the cluster 1E~0657$-$558, called the bullet cluster, whose X-ray emission appears in between two galaxy concentrations and dark-matter distributions recovered from weak lensing. The morphology of the bullet cluster suggests that two clusters have lost their gas by friction while passing each other in the course of a merger. Other clusters showing similar morphology have since been found. If the hypothetical dark-matter particles interacted with each other, such a separation between gas and dark matter would be suppressed. Thus, from gas lagging behind the dark matter in merging clusters, and from small dark-matter core radii, limits could be obtained for the self-interaction cross section of the dark-matter particles, typically finding values $\lesssim(0.1-1)\,\mathrm{cm^2\,g^{-1}}$, comparable to values derived from strong gravitational lensing by clusters. Apart from gravitational lensing, masses of galaxy clusters can be estimated from the X-ray emission and the kinematics of the cluster galaxies. Although different mass estimates agree well in some clusters, substantial discrepancies are often found and interpreted as signalling dynamical processes in unrelaxed cluster cores or systematics in the data interpretation. Signs of dynamical activity are often seen in massive galaxy clusters, while less massive, cooler clusters seem to be closer to equilibrium (Mahdavi et al. 2013, Smith et al. 2016). Even though galaxy clusters are the population of cosmic objects forming last in cosmic history, spectacular examples of massive, distant clusters have been found. The weak-lensing signals of many distant clusters have been measured, typically confirming the presence of well-developed, massive and compact clusters at that epoch, but also frequently indicating violent dynamical activity in cluster cores (Clowe et al. 2007, Jee et al. 2014). Cluster density profiles Figure 5: Radial mass profiles of the galaxy cluster Abell~2261, obtained from gravitational lensing and from different types of data (Coe et al. 2012). The radial matter-density profile in galaxy clusters is fundamentally important for cosmology because numerical simulations routinely show that a near-universal density profile is expected, \[ \rho(x) = \frac{\rho_\mathrm{s}}{x(1+x)^2}\;,\quad x := \frac{r}{r_\mathrm{s}}\;. \tag{61} \] It is called NFW profile after Navarro, Frenk and White who first described it. While first studies found that cluster mass-density profiles could be well fit by an isothermal profile (falling off in projection with radius $r$ as $r^{-1}$) or equally well by NFW and isothermal profiles, the NFW profile became preferred as the data quality improved (Umetsu et al. 2014). In addition to its density parameter $\rho_\mathrm{s}$, the NFW profile is characterised by a scale radius $r_\mathrm{s}$. Simulations find that the ratio between the overall (virial) radius and the scale radius, called concentration, is gently decreasing with mass. While cluster profiles derived from weak gravitational lensing alone tend to have somewhat larger scale radii than expected, possibly reflecting deviations from spherical symmetry, scale radii well in the expected range are typically derived from data of high quality analysed with sophisticated methods. An exciting step beyond determining density profiles is the measurement of the subhalo mass function in the Coma galaxy cluster. The large-scale matter distribution in front of and behind galaxy clusters is projected onto them and can affect weak-lensing mass determinations. Estimates based on simulations and analytic calculations indicate that cluster mass estimates from weak gravitational lensing can be changed at the level of up to 40 per cent, and that uncertainties of the total mass estimates can be approximately doubled by projection. Cluster density profiles, however, should only be weakly affected. Cluster detection Several detections of clusters with very high mass-to-light ratios have been claimed and raised the question whether cluster-sized dark-matter halos may exist which are so inefficient in producing stellar or X-ray emission that they are invisible to anything but gravitational lensing. The most prominent cases discussed of potentially dark clusters so far, however, did not outlast later re-analyses of the data or analyses of new data. Weak gravitational lensing also provides a powerful way to detect galaxy clusters regardless of their directly observable signatures. Methods developed for this purpose use weighted integrals over circular apertures of the gravitational shear signal tangentially oriented with respect to the aperture centre. Numerical simulations show that these methods are highly efficient in finding suitably massive matter concentrations if parameters and weight functions are optimally chosen to carefully balance the completeness against the frequency of spurious detections. Substantial samples of galaxy clusters have been routinely detected and confirmed by this technique. Their statistical analysis is likely to provide important information on the origin and evolution of non-linear cosmic structures in the near future. Sufficiently numerous and well-defined cluster samples may well be the most sensitive probe into a possible time dependence of the enigmatic dark energy supposed to drive our Universe apart in an accelerated fashion (Kilbinger 2015). Galaxy clusters are embedded into a network of filamentary structures which may be traced by direct mapping or with linear filtering techniques similar to those developed for halo detection, albeit with generally low signal-to-noise ratio (Colberg et al. 2005). Weak gravitational lensing by large-scale structures Expectations and measurements Weak gravitational lensing by large-scale structures, or cosmological weak lensing, is a rich and rapidly developing field which is covered in detail by several dedicated reviews. We summarise the most important aspects here and refer the interested reader to those reviews for further detail. Early studies used analytic calculations to show that the standard deviation of image ellipticities induced by cosmological weak lensing were of order a few per cent on arc-minute angular scales. A first attempt at measuring this tiny signal placed an upper limit in agreement with theoretical expectations. Since weak cosmological lensing depends sensitively on the non-linear evolution of the large-scale structures, numerical simulations are required for precisely estimating the expected amplitude of the signal and the shape of the ellipticity correlation function. The cosmological potential of large weak-lensing surveys was quickly pointed out, emphasising the possibility of measuring in particular the matter density parameter $\Omega_\mathrm{m0}$ and the amplitude $\sigma_8$ of the dark-matter power spectrum. The first detections of cosmological weak lensing were announced around the turn of the century. Given the enormous difficulty of the measurement and the different telescopes, cameras, and analysis techniques used, the agreement between these results and their compatibility with theoretical expectations was surprising and encouraging at the same time. Assuming a spatially flat cosmological model, the cosmological parameters $\Omega_\mathrm{m0}$ and $\sigma_8$ were derived from measurements of the cosmic-shear correlation function. Since these parameters are degenerate, higher than two-point statistics are needed for constraining them separately. Enormous effort was subsequently devoted to calibrating weak-lensing measurements, to designing optimal cosmic-shear estimators and studying their noise properties, and to shaping theoretical expectations. Numerous weak-lensing surveys have meanwhile been conducted, and cosmological parameters derived from them. Values obtained for the matter-fluctuation amplitude $\sigma_8$ at fixed $\Omega_\mathrm{m0} = 0.3$ tend to agree within the error bars, but the scatter is still substantial: They fall into the range $0.65-1.06$, with much of the uncertainty due to remaining systematics in the data analysis. Dedicated weak-lensing surveys of increasing portions of the sky have been concluded with remarkable success, are ongoing or being planned, with the solid angles covered by the surveys increasing in steps of a factor of ten. The Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope Lensing Survey (CFHTLens) has covered 154 square degrees; see Figure 6 and Figure 7 for selected results (Heymans et al. 2012). The Kilo-Degree Survey and the Dark-Energy Survey are overing 1500 and 5000 square degrees, respectively (De Jong et al. 2013, Dark Energy Survey Collaboration 2016). The Large Synoptic Survey Telescope and the Euclid satellite are planned to cover approximately 15000 square degrees (Laureijs et al. 2012). Besides mapping dark matter and determining cosmological parameters, a primary goal of these surveys is to constrain the growth of cosmological structures and thereby the nature of the dark energy. Future wide-field radio surveys will also offer exciting possibilities for cosmological applications of weak gravitational lensing (Brown et al. 2015). Figure 7: Constraints on two cosmological parameters, the normalisation parameter $\sigma_8$ and the matter-density parameter $\Omega_\mathrm{m0}$, obtained from cosmic-shear correlation functions measured in the CFHTLens survey (Heymans et al. 2013). The pink area in the panel shows how the constraints tighten once ``tomographic information on the three-dimensional source distribution is taken into account. The bottom panel shows how lensing constraints combined with constraints from other types of measurement narrow down the region allowed for the two parameters. Figure 8: Map of matter distribution in one of the CFHTLens fields, reconstructed from weak gravitational lensing (van Waerbeke et al. 2013). The white dots mark positions of local galaxy concentrations. Numerical simulations show that the Born approximation is valid to a very high degree. As shown above, the gravitational lensing effects even by widely extended lenses can be summarised by a scalar potential. Thus, weak lensing can only cause such distortion patterns which can be described by derivatives of a scalar potential. This motivates the decomposition of distortion patterns in gradient and curl contributions, termed $E$ and $B$ modes in analogy to electrodynamics. Significant $B$ modes in the data are interpreted as remainders of undetected or incompletely removed systematics. More or less significant $B$ modes have been found in almost all weak-lensing surveys. Meticulous studies revealed that they originated from various effects, among them incomplete correction of astigmatism in the telescope optics, source clustering or finite-field effects. Once these reasons had been identified, methods were developed for removing the $B$ modes they caused. At least five important sources of systematic error plague weak-lensing measurements: astigmatism of the telescope optics, miscalibrated distortion measurements, insufficient knowledge of the non-linear density-fluctuation power spectrum, insufficient information on the distance distribution of the lensed galaxies, and intrinsic alignments of background sources. All these effects have been addressed in detail, and sophisticated techniques have been developed for removing them from the data or at least for quantifying them (Bridle et al. 2010, Troxel and Ishak 2015). By now, the largest sources of systematic error are probably the distances of the background sources, the non-linear evolution of the power spectrum and the influence of baryonic matter on the dark-matter distribution. The potentially harmful effect of intrinsic rather than lensing-induced galaxy alignments depends obviously on the depth of the survey. Deep surveys project galaxy images along light paths which are substantially longer than any large-scale structure correlation scale and thus suppress any spurious signal due to intrinsic alignments of physically neighbouring galaxies. In shallow surveys, however, intrinsic source alignments may substantially contaminate any weak-shear signal. The degree to which intrinsic alignments affect weak-lensing measurements is still a matter of lively debate in both theory and observation, and between both disciplines. Likewise, possibilities for removing the signal contamination due to intrinsic alignments are being discussed extensively. They advocate using approximate photometric distance information to remove physically close pairs of source galaxies from the analysis. Applications of this technique suggest that the effects of intrinsic alignments should be near the lower end of the theoretical predictions. Foreground galaxies are additionally aligned with the large-scale structures lensing the background galaxies, thus giving rise to an indirect alignment between galaxies at different redshifts. This further effect can substantially reduce the measured shear signal, leading to a likely underestimate of the $\sigma_8$ parameter by several per cent. Approximately since the turn of the century, cosmology has a standard model, most of whose parameters are now known at the per-cent level or better. To a large degree, this was enabled by the precise measurements of the temperature and polarisation fluctuations in the CMB, combined with surveys of the large-scale galaxy distribution and measurements of the cosmic expansion rate by means of type-Ia supernovae. What is the role of weak gravitational lensing in this context? Cosmological parameter constraints from the CMB alone suffer from degeneracies which can only be broken using additional information. By measuring the dark-matter density and the normalisation of its fluctuation amplitude directly, gravitational lensing adds constraints which substantially narrow the parameter ranges allowed by the CMB alone. Also, the exploitation of higher than two-point statistics helps in breaking degeneracies in the weak-lensing parameter estimates and in analysing deviations from the primordial Gaussian statistics that develop from non-linear structure growth. Perhaps the most exciting promise of weak gravitational lensing by large-scale structures derives from its potential to study the three-dimensional distribution of dark structures, originating from the distance dependence of the lensing observables. Although these observables measure the tidal field of the two-dimensional, projected matter distribution, selecting sources at multiple distances allows structures along the line-of-sight to be resolved. The distances to the source galaxies can be estimated with sufficient accuracy by photometric (rather than spectroscopic) methods. Such estimates can be used to group the source-galaxy population by distance shells and thus to extract three-dimensional information on the lensing matter distribution. Even poorly resolved three-dimensional information from weak gravitational lensing constrains the growth of cosmic structures along the line-of-sight from the distant and past universe until the present. Sufficiently precise measurements of weak lensing in wide fields on the sky should thus enable accurate constraints on the dynamics of the accelerated expansion of the Universe. This constitutes the strongest motivation for weak-lensing surveys on increasing areas and from space, and for getting remaining systematics under ever better control. A further exciting perspective for gravitational-lensing research is the possibility to test the theory of gravity itself (Laureijs et al. 2012, Chang et al. 2013, Brown et al. 2015). Cosmic magnification Gravitational lensing not only distorts the images of distant galaxies, but also magnifies them. As shown above to linear order, the power spectrum of the magnification is just four times the power spectrum of the gravitational shear, hence both magnification and shear contain the same amount of information. The gravitational shear, however, can much more easily be measured than the magnification because the ellipticities of distant galaxies average to zero while the intrinsic flux of any given source is generally unknown. Currently the most promising method for detecting gravitational magnification rests on the so-called magnification bias. If a population of distant sources is observed within a certain solid angle $\delta\Omega$ on the sky where the magnification is $\mu$, fainter sources become visible there. At the same time, their number density is reduced because the solid angle is enlarged by the magnification. The net effect depends on how many more sources the magnification lifts above the sensitivity threshold of the observation. If the number of visible sources increases more than linearly with the magnification, the dilution by the enlarged solid angle is outweighed and the magnification causes more sources to become visible. There is a class of intrinsically bright sources in the distant universe, the so-called quasi-stellar objects or QSOs, which appear more numerous on magnified areas of the sky. At the same time, the large-scale structures responsible for gravitational lensing contain more galaxies where the matter is more concentrated. This correlation of galaxies with the magnifying lenses, together with the increase of QSO number counts due to the lensing magnification, creates a measurable, apparent correlation between distant QSOs and foreground galaxies. Due to the non-linearity of the magnification in the convergence and the shear, accurate theoretical predictions for cosmic magnification are more difficult than for cosmic shear. Typical magnifications are of order 10 per cent for moderately distant sources. In addition to QSOs, certain populations of distant galaxies can also be used as sources. The existence of correlations between distant QSOs and foreground galaxies could quickly be established. It was considerably more difficult to determine accurate expected amplitudes and angular scales of these correlations and finally converge on results that could be understood theoretically, including systematic effects due to extinction by intervening dust and fluctuations in the correlation between the foreground galaxies and the gravitationally-lensing large-scale structures. The weakness of the signal and the interference of a variety of confusing effects required large surveys taken in several photometric bands to unambiguously detect cosmic magnification and to extract cosmological information from it, but the information gain is expected to be substantial (Ménard and Bartelmann 2002, Alsing et al. 2015). Gravitational lensing of the CMB The effects of gravitational lensing on the CMB are rich in detail. Pioneering studies showed that the CMB is expected to be measurably lensed by cosmic structures in a way which resembles a diffusion process and builds up small-scale structure at the same time. As mentioned above, gravitational lensing of the CMB can be identified by the coupling lensing creates between different Fourier modes of the temperature-fluctuation pattern in the CMB (Lewis and Challinor 2006). Figure 9: Sky map of the gravitational-lensing potential reconstructed from the CMB temperature fluctuations as measured by the Planck satellite (Planck Collaboration, 2015). Accurate constraints of cosmological parameters from well-resolved CMB temperature fluctuations are possible only if the weak gravitational lensing effects can be quantified and corrected. At the same time, the gravitational lensing signal contained in the CMB itself can be used to break parameter degeneracies in the purely primordial CMB data. After indirect evidence had been found for gravitational lensing of the CMB, the direct and unambiguous detection of cosmological weak lensing in the CMB data was among the most fascinating results of the Planck satellite mission (Planck Collaboration 2014, 2016). Gravitational lensing has two major advantages that turn it into one of the most versatile, contemporary cosmological tools: its foundation in the theory of gravity is reasonably straightforward, and it is sensitive to matter (and energy) inhomogeneities regardless of their internal physical state. Under the assumptions that gravitational lenses are weak, move slowly with respect to the cosmological rest frame, and are much smaller than cosmological length scales, the effects of gravitational lensing are entirely captured by a two-dimensional effective lensing potential. The Hessian matrix of this potential defines the local imaging properties of gravitational lenses. 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Gravitational lensing by large-scale structure Astron. Astrophys. 571: A17. doi:10.1051/0004-6361/201321543. Sponsored by: Dr. Olivier Minazzoli, Centre Scientifique de Monaco and Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur (ARTEMIS), Nice, France Reviewed by: Dr. Emilio E. Falco, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics - Harvard University, Cambridge, United States of America Reviewed by: Prof. Peter Schneider, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany Retrieved from "http://www.scholarpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Weak_gravitational_lensing&oldid=186553" Space-time and gravitation Relativistic Astrophysics Experimental Tests of Gravitation "Weak gravitational lensing" by Matthias Bartelmann and Matteo Maturi is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. Permissions beyond the scope of this license are described in the Terms of Use	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line376
__label__wiki	0.664694	0.664694	Ciência Rural Cienc. Rural vol.47 no.2 Santa Maria 2017 Epub Nov 28, 2016 https://doi.org/10.1590/0103-8478cr20150767 Stability in chromosome number and DNA content in synthetic tetraploids of Lolium multiflorum after two generations of selection Estabilidade no número cromossômico e no conteúdo de DNA em tetraploides sintéticos de Lolium multiflorum após duas gerações de seleção Roselaine Cristina Pereira1 Natália de Souza Santos1 Fernanda de Oliveira Bustamante1 Andrea Mittelmann2 Vânia Helena Techio1 * 1Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Lavras (UFLA), 37200-000, Lavras, MG, Brasil. 2Embrapa Gado de Leite, Embrapa Clima Temperado, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brasil. Chromosome doubling of Italian ryegrass genotypes ( Lolium multiflorum Lam.) adapted to the brazilian edaphoclimatic conditions is an important strategy used by breeders and aims to obtain more vigorous genotypes with better forage quality and disease resistance. The effectiveness of chromosome doubling can be measured by genetic stability and fertility rates of plants over generations. However, a common problem in the polyploidization process is the regeneration of mixoploid plants that have impaired fertility and genetic stability. The objective of this study was to verify if progenies of recently tetraploidized plants remain stable regarding DNA content and chromosome number, over two generations. Progenies of L. multiflorum plants artificially tetraploidized with colchicine treatment were evaluated. Chromosome counting and estimates of the DNA content were used to evaluate the genetic stability. The percentage of tetraploid plants (4X) increased over generations (18%, 34% and 91% in cycle 0, 1 and 2, respectively). All progenies identified as tetraploid by flow citometry showed variation in chromosome number (mixoploidy), but produced viable seeds. Results showed that stabilization in chromosome number and DNA content in tetraploidized plant progenies requires time and that the success of this procedure depends on a continuous and accurate screening and selection. Key words: chromosomal duplication; mixoploidy; Italian ryegrass; plant breeding A duplicação cromossômica de genótipos de azevém anual ( Lolium multiflorum Lam.) adaptados às condições edafoclimáticas brasileira é uma estratégia importante usada pelos melhoristas e visa a obtenção de genótipos mais vigorosos com melhor qualidade de forragem e resistência a doenças. A eficiência da duplicação cromossômica pode ser medida pela estabilidade genética e taxas de fertilidade das plantas ao longo das gerações. No entanto, um dos problemas comumente encontrados no processo de poliploidização é a regeneração de plantas mixoploides que apresentam comprometimento na fertilidade e instabilidade genética. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar se progênies oriundas de plantas tetraploidizadas recentemente se mantêm estáveis quanto ao conteúdo de DNA e ao número cromossômico, ao longo de duas gerações. Foram avaliadas progênies de plantas de L. multiflorum tetraploidizadas artificialmente com tratamento de colchicina. A estabilidade genética foi avaliada por meio de contagens cromossômicas e estimativa da quantidade de DNA. A porcentagem de plantas tetraploides (4X) aumentou ao longo das gerações (18%, 34% e 91% no ciclo de 0, 1 e 2, respectivamente). Todas as progênies identificadas como tetraploides por meio de citometria de fluxo apresentaram variação no número cromossômico (mixoploidia), entretanto, produziram sementes viáveis. Os resultados demonstraram que a estabilização no número cromossômico e no conteúdo de DNA em progênies de plantas tetraploidizadas requer tempo e que o sucesso desse procedimento depende de um contínuo e rigoroso monitoramento e seleção. Palavras-chave: duplicação cromossômica; mixoploidia; azevém; melhoramento genético Poliplodization is an important strategy used in forage breeding programs, because it may increase the expression of agronomic traits of interest, restore fertility of intra- and interspecific hybrids, and, in some cases, permit the exploration of genetic variability in apomictic species by duplicating sexual plants and equaling the ploidy to allow the accomplishment of crossings and obtaining fertile offspring (PEREIRA et al., 2001; NAIR, 2004; BARBOSA et al., 2007; CAMPOS et al., 2009; ISHIGAKI et al., 2009; SIMIONI & VALLE, 2009; PEREIRA et al., 2014; TIMBÓ et al., 2014). In Brazil, polyploid genotypes have already been obtained in several forage species and hybrids such as: Brachiaria brizantha , Brachiaria decumbens , Brachiaria ruziziensis and hybrids between B. decumbens , B. brizantha and B. ruziziensis (PINHEIRO et al., 2000; SIMIONI & VALLE 2009; TIMBÓ et al., 2014), triploid hybrids of P ennisetum glaucum x Pennisetum purpureum (BARBOSA et al., 2007; CAMPOS et al., 2009) and Lolium multiflorum (PEREIRA et al., 2014). The ploidy and chromosome number of synthetic polyploid of Brachiaria , Lolium and Pennisetum were identified by flow cytometry and chromosome counts, and the fertility was verified by pollen grain viability (CAMPOS et al., 2009; TIMBÓ et al., 2014; PEREIRA et al., 2014; PAULA et al., 2014). Polyploid plants were incorporated into breeding programs. However, in order to be successfully used in crossings, these plants have to be and remain fertile and stable over generations. In various studies on induced polyploidy, the regeneration of mixoploid plants has been reported as a major problem, since the genetic stability of these partial polyploids is unknown. Another aspect to be considered, and usually neglected, is the delayed effect of colchicine (LUCKETT, 1989), the main polyploidization agent used in grasses, which can lead to chromosomal losses and rearrangements with strong impacts on fertility (LUCKETT, 1989). All together, these factors can difficult the maintenance and use of these plants in breeding due to genetic and phenotypic instability. Thus, we have to plan a long-term, systematic monitoring of tetraploidized plants and their progenies. This procedure can provide the breeders information about plants that effectively remained polyploid and prevent the use of plants that were not tetraploidizeds in crossings. Thus, this study analyzed the stability of DNA content and chromosome number in progenies of recently tetraploidized plants of L. multiflorum over two generations. These two parameters, used in combination, provide a reliable reference to confirm chromosome duplication, determining if the genetic material has undergone post-polyploidization undesirable changes, which affect genomic/chromosome stability of plants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The access LOL 161 from the Ryegrass Active Germplasm Bank of Embrapa Gado de Leite (Embrapa Dairy Cattle - Brazilian Research Institution, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais State, Brazil) was used in this study. To induce chromosome doubling, diploid seedlings (2n=2x=14) were immersed for 24 hours in two antimitotic solution concentrations (treatment 1: 0.1% colchicine with 1% dimethyl sulfoxide - DMSO; treatment 2: 0.25% colchicine with 1% dimethyl sulfoxide - DMSO) as described by PEREIRA et al. (2014). Ploidy of plants was validated by assessing the DNA content by flow cytometry and chromosome counting. Tetraploid plants obtained, called Cycle 0 plants, were grown in a greenhouse and their fertility was checked by pollen and seed production, as described by PEREIRA et al. (2014). Seeds of Cycle 0 plants were collected and sown to obtain Cycle 1 plants. The progenies of these plants were called Cycle 2 plants. DNA content determination was the parameter used to screen and select ploidy in both cycles. Flow cytometry was employed to determine the DNA content, according to the protocol of DOLEZEL et al. (1997) modified by PEREIRA et al. (2014). For each sample, 10,000 nuclei were analyzed using a logarithmic scale. Analysis was performed using FACS Calibur cytometer (Becton Dickinson), the histograms were constructed with the Cell Quest software and used WinMDI 2.8 software for ploidy determination. The chromosome number was determined by evaluating meristematic cells from root tips pretreated with ice water (0°C) for 24 hours and fixed in Carnoy (ethanol: acetic acid 3: 1). Slides were prepared by squash technique and stained with 3% Giemsa for 5 minutes. The frequency of tetraploid plants in each generation was calculated. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: In the generations after chromosome duplication induction it was possible to recover tetraploidized plants at different frequencies (Table 1). In cycle 1, the progenies derived from each plant of the cycle 0 were individualized. Thus, a sample of each e progenies were evaluate and only those with DNA content (about 12pg) consistent with the chromosome duplication were selected. Table 1 Number of seedlings treated with colchicine, number of surviving and tetraploid plants in cycle 0 and number of plants obtained, evaluated and tetraploids of cycles 1 and 2. 1Number of plants surviving plants. 2 Number of 4x plants - Plants identified and evaluated in flow cytometry as tetraploid (4X). 3Plants obtained from seeds of the tetraploid plants of the cycle 0. In cycle 0, among the 192 seedlings exposed to induction of chromosome doubling, 114 plants were obtained, 82 from the treatment with 0.1% colchicine + 1% DMSO and 32 from the treatment with 0.25% colchicine + 1% DMSO. Of the plants of this cycle, about 18% had DNA content (12.05pg) and chromosome number consistent with the tetraploid condition (2n=4x=28) (Table 1). Treatment with 0.25% colchicine+1% DMSO was more efficient, as it resulted in seven tetraploid plants, comprising about 22%, compared to the treatment with 0.1% colchicine + 1% DMSO, whose frequency was 17% (PEREIRA et al., 2014). The 21 tetraploid plants obtained in cycle 0 showed normal development, flowered and produced seeds. These seeds were sown and produced 164 plants of cycle 1 (81 plants from the treatment with 0.1% colchicine + 1% DMSO and 83 from the treatment with 0.25% colchicine + 1% DMSO), of which 96 plants were evaluated. In this evaluation, 34% of the plants showed the tetraploid state (Table 1), indicating that despite of the selection made in cycle 0, based on DNA content and chromosome number, non-duplicated and mixoploid plants reoccurred after one generation. Cycle 1 exceded by 16% the number of tetraploid plants in relation to the initial cycle (Cycle 0). Seeds of the 33 tetraploid plants obtained in cycle 1 produced 118 plants in cycle 2, among which, 92% were identified as tetraploid by flow cytometry (Table 1). These data showed an increase of 74% and 58% in relation to cycles 0 and 1, respectively. This was largely due to the selection strategy used in this generation, consisting of eliminating all the progeny, even though only a few plants were not tetraploid, according to DNA quantification. After two generations of selection, about 92% of tetraploid plants were observed. The chromosome number of all plants identified as tetraploids in cycle 0 validated the information obtained by flow cytometry. However, chromosome counts of the plants in the cycles 1 and 2, previously characterized as tetraploid by flow cytometry, suggested the occurrence of mixoploidy, because the progenies showed chromosome number ranging from 14 to 28 chromosomes in cells of the same root. Plants identified as tetraploids by DNA quantification and even those confirmed later as mixoploid, through chromosome counting, were isolated and showed viable seed production. Results demonstrated that polyploidy induction requires time and careful screening and selection until the plants acquire stability in chromosome number. This indicated the need for monitoring polyploids over generations, in order to ensure greater safety before commercial use and incorporation into breeding programs. In addition, this monitoring is important to check for reversion to the original diploid condition, as well to detect mixoploidy and related problems to fertility and agronomic behavior of the individuals. This corroborated the results obtained by NAIR (2004) in artificially tetraploidized L. perenne plants. This author has evaluated two generations of synthetic polyploids of this species originating from the treatment of seedlings with colchicine. In the first and second generations, 25% and 43% of plants were tetraploids, respectively. Therefore, there was a 18 percent points increase in the percentage of polyploids in the subsequent generation. In this study, we recovered more tetraploid plants than NAIR (2004), respectively, 34% and 92% of tetraploid individuals in the first and second generations. In B. ruziziensis , Timbó et al. (2014) obtained eight polyploid plants from a total of 1,200 seedlings treated with 0.1% colchicine/2h and 3h, which produced viable pollen. These plants were incorporated into the B. ruziziensis breeding program conducted by Embrapa Gado de Leite, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais State, and were intercrossed and produced progenies with pollen viability higher than 90% (PAULA et al., 2014). In this study with Brachiaria , the authors observed that the fertility of tetraploid progenies, analyzed by pollen viability, was higher than the initial generation, indicating a possible higher stability over generations. Results obtained in two generations of L. multiflorum showed a tendency for the maintenance of stability in terms of DNA content and viable seed production for plants recently poliploidized by PEREIRA et al. (2014). Besides that, the production of viable seeds in mixoploid plants may be an indication that the variation in chromosome number does not impair plant fertility; and therefore, does not prevent the use of these plants in breeding. One of the factors that may contribute to the occurrence of mixoploid plants is the time of exposure to antimitotic substances. In Pennisetum , ABREU et al. (2006) observed that prolonged exposure to antimitotic drugs generated a greater number of cells with changes in the chromosome number. Except for the cycle 0, chromosome counts have not confirmed the results obtained by flow cytometry, in both effectively tetraploidized and mixoploid plants, evidencing that the cytogenetic analysis is still the most reliable technique to access the results of polyploidization processes. In this sense, after polyploidization process, it is necessary to monitor the synthetic polyploids for subsequent generations to verify the chromosomal and phenotypic stability and the possible delayed effects of colchicine (LUCKETT, 1989; CASTRO et al., 2003). In addition, such analysis can show if the variation in chromosome number impairs fertility and stability of plants in the field, which is undesirable from a commercial point of view and for breeding purposes. 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Accessed: May 27, 2015. doi:10.1590/S1516-35982014000300004 [ Links ] 1CR-2015-0767.R3 Received: May 27, 2015; Accepted: August 15, 2016; Revised: November 09, 2016 E-mail: vhtechio@gmail.com. *Corresponding author. Universidade Federal de Santa Maria Centro de Ciências Rurais 97105-900 Santa Maria RS Brazil cienciarural@mail.ufsm.br	cc/2021-04/en_middle_0094.json.gz/line377

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