This weekend I'm pleased to run a guest post from author Kaitlin Bevis! (We writers of Persephone/Hades love-story retellings have to stick together, you know.) She's got a new book out in her Daughters of Zeus series: Aphrodite.
And by the way, wow, do I love that cover art. Gorgeous.
So without further ado, here is Kaitlin, on the delectable topic of Adonis.
I'm Kaitlin Bevis, author of the Daughters of Zeus series. My most recent book, Aphrodite, featured many characters you'd be familiar with from Molly's Chrysomelia Stories. One of which was Adonis.
Adonis is a fascinating character in Greek Mythology. So it's not surprising that both Molly Ringle and I feature Adonis heavily in our Greek Mythology retellings.
What surprised me were the similarities.
Adonis was inbred to the extreme. His line starts with Galatia (as in Pygmalion's statue) and continues to his mother Myrrha, who managed to piss Aphrodite off by not worshiping her enough. Aphrodite cursed Myrrha by giving Myrrha the hots for her father. Myrrha tricked her father and seduced him with the help of her nanny (seriously, don't ask for details).
Her dad freaked out, and tried to have her killed, but Myrrha fled and was turned into a Myrrh tree by some sympathetic gods. Why the gods were so convinced life as a tree was preferable to death is a mystery for another day. Anyway, nine months later, Adonis popped up beneath the tree either by way of an arrow, boar's tusks, or tree labor with helpful nymphs. Aphrodite immediately fell for the infant, possibly thanks to Cupid.
She handed Adonis off to Persephone for safekeeping, but Persephone ended up falling in love with him too. The women went to Zeus so he could settle the dispute, and Zeus declared that Adonis spend four months wherever he want, four months with Aphrodite, and four months with Persephone every year.
Most myths agree that Adonis spent eight months with Aphrodite, but some (mostly Shakespeare) contend that he was ambivalent to her attentions, preferring the joy of hunting and killing things to the company of the goddess who got his mother turned into a tree.
One day, while hunting, he was gutted by a wild boar that was possibly sent by Ares out of jealousy, or by Artemis for revenge for Aphrodite getting one of her worshipers killed, or by Apollo for sheer randomness. Aphrodite cradled Adonis in her lap as he died and flowers (anemone to be precise) sprang up where his body rested. His blood is also believed to turn the Adonis River red every year.
The people who lived in the region of the Adonis River celebrated Adonis as a Dying and Rising God. They held a yearly funeral for Adonis when the river ran red and mourned, then the next day they celebrated his return to life and ascension to the heavens.
There were bits and pieces of the classic Adonis myth in both retellings, and we both took extensive liberties with the story. Naturally there were many differences and reversals between our Adonis's. My Aphrodite pined for an uninterested Adonis a la Shakespeare, Molly's Adonis pined for Aphrodite. My Adonis is always pushing those around him to the moral high ground. He has really strong views on what's right and fair, and, yeah, he's a bit of a stick in the mud. Molly's is the original party animal. But despite these major differences, their core personalities seemed really similar. Which is insane if you read the myths. Greek mythology didn't give us a lot to work with when it came to characterizing Adonis. He is very much the object of his myths, not a person.
Another crazy similarity is that we both came back to Adonis being restored after his death and took it one step further. My Adonis (major spoiler warning) comes back as Eros (Aphrodite is the one who turned him from demigod to god in my book, so it made sense to me to make him her "son"), and Molly's as Dionysus.
Now, our books were being written at the same time, so there's no chance we influenced each other. Kind of makes you wonder about the nature of inspiration. Where do these stories come from?
Did you read both books? What were your thoughts on the two Adonis's?
* Calling any particular myth original is problematic. Greek myths featured heavily in oral retellings and the stories evolved and changed over space and time. There are many contradictory details as the myths worked their way through the world. If you see a detail that conflicts with your recollection of the myth, it is likely you were exposed to a slightly different version.
Kaitlin Bevis spent her childhood curled up with a book and a pen. If the ending didn't agree with her, she rewrote it. Because she's always wanted to be a writer, she spent high school and college learning everything she could to achieve that goal. After graduating college with a BFA and Masters in English, Kaitlin went on to write The Daughters of Zeus series.
Visit Kaitlin at her website, and browse all her books at Goodreads. Ask for them anywhere your favorite books are sold!


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CERTUSS: Steaming across the Atlantic
Home / News / CERTUSS: Steaming across the Atlantic
CERTUSS America meets Rep. William F. Keller and Lieut. Governor Mike Stack at the Pennsylvania Main Capitol!
CERTUSS Germany is historically positioned in the heart of Europe. Whether talking of geography, economy or demographics, CERTUSS have their finger on the pulse of Europe, in Krefeld North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhine-Ruhr, the largest metropolitan region in Germany. Today, the Rhine-Ruhr accounts for roughly 15% of the GDP of the German economy, which would place it as the 3rd largest gross regional product of metropolitan area in the European Union and the 16th largest GDP in the world*.
CERTUSS UK was founded in Birmingham in 1989. Birmingham not only belongs to the "Blue Banana" (or Manchester – Milan Axis), but its wider metropolitan economy is the second-largest in the United Kingdom and its GVA is in continuous growth, in the services sector, but most importantly in the engineering and healthcare sectors, where key steam applications take place.
CERTUSS crossed the Atlantic Ocean first in 2014 grounding CERTUSS America in Philadelphia Pennsylvania – among other reasons, because Philadelphia belongs to the Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MD MSA metropolitan area (aka. Delaware Valley), one of the Top-10 US metropolitan areas by GDP*.
2017 marks a milestone in the history of CERTUSS: a family owned company gone global celebrates its 60th anniversary! Tradition meets innovation and the CERTUSS deeply rooted principles and standards of quality and ethical supply management conduct go global. The 60th anniversary celebration is the proof that only by such principles and standards a medium-sized company can grow and establish a name worldwide synonymous of high quality and reliability.
CERTUSS America has proudly been a resident of the CBEI Commercialization Center at the Philadelphia Navy Yard right from its establishment. Pennsylvania constitutes a strategic location along the East Coast Corridor and provides a perfect transportation infrastructure. Those, together with the great support provided by the State of Pennsylvania as well as local economic developers have been the main themes in the meeting of 01/26/2017 of Mr. Mathias Brauner, Managing Director of CERTUSS GmbH & Co.KG and sole stockholder of CERTUSS America and Mr. Holger Deimann, President of CERTUSS America, with Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania Mike Stack and Rep. William F. Keller, Democratic Chairman, Transportation Committee.
During the official visit of CERTUSS at the Pennsylvania Main Capitol in Harrisburg (PA), Mr. Brauner and Mr. Deimann had also the opportunity and the honor to meet with Mr. Matthew Franchak (Chief of Staff at Lieutenant Governor's Office), Mr. Lawrence M. Farnese Jr. (State Senator – 1st District), Mr. Sally M. Keaveney (Chief of Staff at State Senator's Office), Mr. Joseph D. Burke (Deputy Secretary for International Business Development) and Mr. Leigh L. Walter (Deputy Director for Legislative Affairs) both in the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.
In a world changing rapidly from both sides of the Atlantic, economically, politically and socially, voices of concern rise in both continents with regards to the economic and political stability and the future prospects within the European Community as well as between Europe and the States and their bilateral relations. In the discussions held, CERTUSS had the opportunity to express their gratitude to the State of Pennsylvania for the ongoing support and to ensure they will sustain all efforts contributing to the economical development and business growth, raising thus a stable voice of optimism with regards to stability, creation of employment and strengthening of the relations between the two countries.
Just a couple of days before the Company's first public event of the year, the participation at the AHR in Las Vegas Jan. 30. – Feb. 01., the official visit at the Pennsylvania Main Capitol has been the first event in a series to underline 60 years of quality, reliability, dedication and solemnity.
*Source: wikipedia
Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania Mike Stack with Mr. Mathias Brauner, sole stockholder of CERTUSS America and Mr. Holger Deimann, President of CERTUSS America
Rep. William F. Keller, Democratic Chairman, Transportation Committee with Mr. Brauner and Mr. Deimann during the visit of 01/26/2017 at the Pennsylvania Main Capitol

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Showcasing Chinese cinema – In the Mood For Love
By Adam Lowerson on	 12th March 2015 Film
In his latest Reel Music column Getintothis' Adam Scovell travels east to uncover one of China's beautiful cinematic treasures.
Only two films made in this current century made it into Sight & Sound's decadal best film poll in 2012. It caused some controversy in regards to the idea that, still, the dominant "canon" of white, European art-house films reigned in the critical consensus which, at least in the upper echelons of the poll, had changed very little since its inception in the 1950s. The first of these "noughties" films is David Lynch's Mulholland Drive (2001); a seminal oddball of a film by a director of unquestionable merit. The second, however, showcases one of the few pieces of cinema made in China to be critically recognised in the west; Wong Kar-Wai's beautifully hypnotic In The Mood For Love (2000).
It's worth noting for brevity what an achievement this was for the film. Unlike say the critical appreciation for Japanese cinema (that had grown since early festival appearances of the likes of Kurosawa and Mizoguchi in the 1950s and 60s), China's cinema has, until some very recent BFI programmed seasons, been absent from most critical evaluations of cinema as a whole. Outside of some martial-arts based films such as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) and House Of Flying Daggers (2004), the discussions have been fleeting. It adds to the allure and overall power of Wong's film which, as a cinematic object itself, has few peers.
The film focuses on the repression of two neighbours in a more affluent part of 1960s China, a bourgeois pair whose respective partners are hinted at having affairs with other people (and played marvellously by Tony Leung and Maggie Cheung). Through their quiet frustrations they form a friendship which, very clearly from the outset, desperately wants to evolve into something more. However, due to their emotional and sociological expectations, they are left as ghosts wandering around the streets and empty cafes searching for the fulfilment which is frustratingly right in front of them. In the director's work as a whole, this theme of loneliness whilst in a relationship is a key point and one that crops up again and again in films such as 2046 (2004) and Chungking Express (1994).
What sets apart In The Mood For Love from its cinematic peers is its absolute patience with its direction; in many ways the film could be directed by either of the two characters as it has their graceful poise and desire to not rush into anything. Compare this with whole reels of the more populist end of cinema at the time and its prerogative for a melancholic slowness is all the easier to appreciate. The camera gently glides around the streets and back allies where the potential for the affair fizzes and meanders from day-to-day. The slow-motion shots, for which the film is famed, take care to frame the lighting of the area perfectly, casting shadows, tints and hues over meticulous period designs.
Perhaps most interestingly is how Wong approaches the music for the film. Even with the emphasis on the visual splendour and skill of cinematographer, Christopher Doyle, the music provides the real key context for the emotional progression and regression of the relationship. Each scenario seems to be loosely book-ended with a repeated waltz motif that was actually composed for an earlier Chinese film, Yujemi (1991). This waltz often accompanies the slow motion of the characters' journeys to and from their meeting places as if they are effervescent; floating in the fantasy of their potential coming together but never quite solidifying. Most famously though is the string of popular tracks that litter the film, often taken from Nat King Cole's Spanish albums. From Aquellos Ojos Verdes to Quizás, Quizás, Quizás, the lyrics play around with the viewer's perception of the relationship; sometimes by providing commentary on it, other times by making it as confusing for the viewer as it is for the couple.
At the core of In The Mood For Love is an unrequited longing. The idea of a happy ending in a love story is one that generally undermines the complexities of the emotion and Wong's film addresses this issue beautifully. Not only are the characters at odds with their own social and moral code but, essentially, they are unaware as to their own purpose in each other's lives. To provide some context, this was the same year that produced love stories such as Meet The Parents and What Women Want; films where the complexities of relationships are easily resolved within 90 minutes. Everything that is thought and felt by the characters of those films is spoken, rendering their words meaningless. In The Mood For Love is built on the exact opposite premise as its characters cannot speak of their feelings at all, the gaps of silence between the words rumble with frustration.
Perhaps most strikingly, In The Mood For Love captures the isolation that feelings can create especially when communication is reduced to either small talk or no talk at all. In the age of decreased occasion for actual discussion and human contact, where words are seen on screens and heard through speakers, the film oddly speaks to the modern day restraint that we are naturally forced to conform to by the actual technology we use. The fact that Wong caught this aspect in a film made fifteen years ago and set over fifty years ago is a testament to its universality; the melancholic truth that loneliness is biting but can enrapture us even when accompanied by the people we care about.
In The Mood For Love screens at Cornerhouse in Manchester on March 14.
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Natural stone is very well-known due to many advantages: it is a sober, singular and unique (each stone is different), is long-lasting, which becomes into an excellent material to be used in outdoor cladding.
Marble, granite, limestone, slate or sandstone are ideal stones for façade cladding, tile roofs, walls or ceilings.
The stone located in cladding can present different finish: bush-hammered (with craters), honed (with a flat and honed surface), cut, slab-shaped (with slight irregular surface), polished (smooth surface), scraped (with totally smooth surface) or scraped (smooth but with very natural aspect).
At Explocan we offer the best natural stone of the market coming directly from our quarries. Also, we have qualified professional team in charge to always offering the best solution to our clients.


This easy healthy eating sweet potato harvest recipe is one of my favorites because despite my love for cheesecakes, brownies, and cookies, I am really trying to help my family eat healthier.
We challenged our kids to not eat sugar from now until the end of the year, with the exception of Christmas Eve and Christmas when we have traditional treats. My youngest, who is a huge treat lover, asked if we could go shopping for some healthy "treats". So I said yes, and we headed off to Sam's Club to stock up on some good-for-us stuff. He chose oranges and mandarins, and I chose sweet potatoes and sweet mini peppers. Both sweet without the sugar!
I love sweet potatoes, but after trying Paleo and Whole 30 with my sisters I can honestly say I was running out of ways to make them and keep them interesting and appealing!
I made this Sweet Potato Harvest with some of my favorite things, and some additional flavors, while keeping it healthy, easy, and delicious!
Mix all ingredients together in a 9 x 13-inch greased casserole pan.
Bake covered for 1 hour.
Bake an additional 15 minutes, or until tender and browned.
The black pepper, orange zest, and pecans add some additional flavor, and keep it Paleo approved. This makes this dish a great one for sticking with New Year's Resolutions and healthy eating!


Need more information about booking Home 324254 ?
Nestled on the borders of Normandy and the Pays de la Loire, this converted 100 year old farm building has been renovated to a high standard and offers excellent accommodation for between 2-6 guests.Set in a pretty courtyard at the end of a quiet lane (ideal as a central base for touring) you will find the peace and relaxation you deserve as you enjoy the panoramic views over the beautiful surrounding countryside. You can also enjoy the varied wildlife around the grounds, our developing gardens and nature trail.
The gite is accessed via an external staircase and has a large open plan living area with a fully equipped modern kitchen. There are 2 well decorated and airy loft bedrooms, one double and one twin. The 2 bedrooms are accessed from separate flights of stairs on either side of the gite. Also for extra beds one of the sofas converts to a double bed or we have folding beds which will fit into the bedrooms. The bright and cheerful bathroom has a shower, wc and washbasin. In the lounge we have a TV with English and French channels and DVD player(and a collection of DVDs). CD and Ipod players as well as books and games. We now have a wifi booster and there is a good signal in the gite and garden.We have a games room under the gite with a pool table, dart board, petanque and other entertainment for young and old. We now have two bicycles for male and female) There is also plenty of space to run around in our 5 acres of grounds or simply lounge with a book and a glass!. If you enjoy wildlife we have plenty to offer. Bats galore, little owls who nest in the roof of the gite and hunt during daylight hours, foxes, hares and deer as well as butterflies galore. In the daytime we are flown over by kestrels and buzzards. In summer we are visited by hoopoes and redstarts. We now have a new nature walk around the boundary of our property.
The Mayenne region is an easy drive from the ferry ports. If you would prefer to fly, Ryanair operate from East Midlands and Stansted to Dinard and Flybe operate from Exeter to Rennes during the summer. Car hire is available at both airports.As you will discover, there is plenty to see and do in the local area. The small market towns of Gorron and Ambrieres les Vallees are close by and you will find all your provisions in the supermarkets there.St Fraimbault is just around the corner and is known as the village of flowers. If you visit in the summer, you will soon understand why! The medieval town of Domfront is close by as is the beautiful spa town of Bagnoles de L'Orne. The department city, Mayenne is less than 20 minutes away and has an impressive chateau and museum as well as a number of local shops.Lassay les Chateaux is just a short drive and boasts a lovely old castle, a town rose garden and a delightful town centre with nice cafes. An hour and half away is the coast and Mont St Michel with its wonderful monastery and well worthy of a day out. The Normandy beaches are also only an hour and half from here.Lots of the local villages have fetes throughout the summer where you can mingle with the locals and enjoy the French way of life.
If you travel on Brittany Ferries we can obtain a 20% discount on ferry fares. Ask us for details.
We live on site and will be here to welcome you to the gite and will be available to assist if you should need it. We are happy to share our local knowledge for shopping, sight seeing or local wildlife etc.
This Gite has 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom and sleeps 6. It's been listed on Holiday Lettings since 13 Feb 2013. Located in Gorron, it has 14 reviews with an overall rating of 5. The average weekly rate is £289.
The Owner has a response rate of 100% and the property's calendar was last updated on 12 Sep 2018.
Wonderful hosts made this stay amazing. Quiet location with a pleasant stroll along country roads to two quaint villages. A lot of larger villages a short drive away. A great place to relax.
We recently stayed at La Godefrere for two weeks, 2 adults and 2 children, and it was absolutely perfect. The gite has absolutely everything you need and the owners Kate and Graham have paid great attention to detail with some of the little extras which make this place a gem. The location was great for us too, not too far to drive from Calais, surrounded by lovely countryside and fields of cows (which our 3 year old boy loved) and some wonderful places nearby to visit. We particularly liked Saint-Suzanne, Fougeres and Mont-St.-Michel. We will definitely go back in the future and would highly recommend it!
I'll confess at the outset that I've known Graham & Kate for some years so I knew there would be a warm welcome to their gite for my friend & I. He hadn't met Graham & Kate before our visit but was very impressed wth the warmth of their welcome. The great thing with the gite is that we had our independence but could still spend time with them both - sometimes in the kitchen & sometimes over the pool table. The gite is extremely well equipped & our hosts asked us to let them know of anything which might enhace the gite for future visitors. We couldnt think of anything else as everything you might need is there. The view from my bedroom took in the land within & beyond the property & the only sign of any other life is a tip of a church steeple in the far distance. At the front of the gite is a lovely courtyard where we would watch Kate & (to a lesser extent Graham!) toiling in the area adjoining their farmhouse. If you are thinking of visiting just go for it. It's such a peaceful area with some good places to visit nearby. In these times of austerity it's also great value as you can keep costs down by cooking in the well equipped kitchen & drinking great local wine & beer at a fraction of the prices in pubs & restaurants at home. You will leave not only with fond memories of the gite, the nature surrounding it & a sense of relaxation but probably having made new friends too. Go for it!
You can get in touch with Graham (the owner) through the contact form on this page.
Send Graham (the owner) an email through the contact form on this page. Alternatively, if there's a phone number on this page, you can call them.
How do I contact Graham (the owner)?
If you've already booked, go to Manage your holiday booking to view Graham the owner's contact details or send them a message.
Or send Graham (the owner) an enquiry through the Contact the owner/manager form if you'd like a quote or more info first.
When you pay online through the Book your stay form, a booking request is sent to Graham (the owner). You'll find out within 24 hours whether they've accepted - no money will leave your account before then.
You can also request a quote from Graham (the owner) through the contact form. The owner will email you the total cost for your dates and a link to book and pay online.
Use the Book your stay form to pay provisionally online. You can pay by credit/debit card or PayPal. Graham (the owner) will have 24 hours to accept the booking and no money will leave your account before then.
Why can't I call Graham (the owner) before booking?
You'll need to contact Graham (the owner) to do this. Send them a message in Manage your holiday booking or through the contact form on this page.
You can request to change the dates or number of people on your booking via the Manage your holiday booking page. To change your holiday dates use the Edit booking button. If you need to change the number of guests staying then send Graham (the owner) a message.
If Graham (the owner) agrees, they'll send you a revised quote outlining the changes. You can review and accept/decline this from the Manage your holiday booking page. You'll have 48 hours to take action before the revised quote expires.


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Seattle woman identified as passenger killed in Oroville bus shooting, suspect refuses to appear in court
The 43-year-old woman killed in the Oroville was shooting was Karin Dalton, who was sweet, patient and non confrontational according to her aunt Sandi Concepcion.
Author: Vicente Vera
Published: 10:18 AM PST February 4, 2022
Updated: 5:49 PM PST February 4, 2022
OROVILLE, Calif. — Law enforcement officials confirmed Friday morning 43-year-old Karin Dalton, of Seattle, was the woman killed in Wednesday's Greyhound bus shooting.
Asaahdi Coleman, 21, of Sacramento, allegedly opened fire on the Greyhound bus before being arrested by police at a nearby Walmart. Four others — including an 11-year-old girl, 25-year-old pregnant woman, 32-year-old man and 38-year-old man — were injured in the shooting.
Colmean was scheduled to appear in court Friday but refused. His arraignment is now scheduled for Wednesday morning.
"The Butte County Sheriff's Office sends sincere condolences to the family of Karin, and everyone affected by the tragic events that took place Wednesday evening," a sheriff's office spokesperson said on Friday.
According to Sandi Concepcion, the aunt of Dalton, she was headed to New Mexico for a visit with family when getting on a Greyhound bus in Spokane, Wash., Tuesday morning.
"It's taken us days to kind of figure out what happened, why it happened. It's senseless," Concepcion said. "Karin was kind and sweet and non confrontational. She was with her children 24/7."
Credit: Dalton Family
Karin Dalton
Concepcion said she found out her niece was gone when her great nephew got a phone call Wednesday that made him hysterical. Dalton was the biological daughter of Concepcion's oldest brother.
In a press conference Thursday, Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea said Coleman was not in legal possession of the gun based on prior charges. Officials said they recovered a dozen 9 mm bullet casings on the bus, which also had a bullet hole through the windshield.
Mike Ramsey, Butte County District Attorney, added during Thursday's press conference Coleman had a juvenile record and an active felony warrant for having a gun as a prohibited person.
"This particular individual in no way shape or form should have been in possession of a firearm. And as Mr. Ramsay noted, there is a previous history of this individual who is merely 21 engaged in this kind of conduct," Honea said at the press conference.
Greyhound bus shooting leaves woman dead, 11-year-old girl, pregnant woman wounded
Citrus Heights police release video detailing deadly shooting, local attorney reacts
Turlock man arrested twice in one week for possessing child pornography
WATCH MORE: Suspected Oroville shooter identified as Sacramento man


London heights international have successfully sold london luxury properties in over 20 different countries offering an exclusive service for lucrative vendors and purchasers.
London property interest increased 40% over the past year from asian investors.
Asian investors are using Brexit as an opportunity to swipe some bargains from London's property market, as interestingly the Brexit vote had the opposite effect on the mind frames of Asian investors than it had on the British. The Telegraph has reported that 'the number of Chinese buyer inquiries into UK property in the month after Britain voted to leave the European Union was 40% higher than average.' But why is this the case? The catalyst for this overwhelming interest in London's residential market is because of the decline in the pound's worth against the U.S dollar and the Chinese yuan.
Investors are also viewing London property as major venture opportunities as prospective competitors may have been put off by the circumstances of Brexit, meaning that residential developments could be easier to acquire. So, even though Brexit set off panic alarms for many, London is still the most favourable city in the world for investment and is showing no signs of discouraging Asian Ultra High Net Worth Individuals from advancing in residential property there.
The United Kingdom is the most in demand place to buy property in Europe and London has the most attractive residential market in the country. In fact, approximately 5% of the residential owners in the West End of London are Chinese investors and 5% are Hong Kong investors. There a few reasons why London is such an attractive location to invest in, one of which is because the city is full of renowned educational institutions that these investors wish to send their children to. Buying property so that their children can live and learn in London is a high priority for Asian investors.
Even post-Brexit, Asian investors remain confident in London's residential market and want to take advantage of unrivalled opportunities that they cannot find elsewhere. Luxury property, as well as the high level of education and timeless culture, attracts overseas investors and makes London investments second to none. By looking at the facts, it is clear to see that the UK's capital will not fail in being a prime location for Asian investment for the foreseeable future.


Our made to order and bespoke stones are available to purchase as extra-large slabs, which can then be cut to specific sizes for tiles, vanity tops, stair treads and other bespoke items. Please note that you must buy the entire slab and this may involve wastage if your bespoke item does not use all of the stone. For standard size tiles, see the Stock Stone Tiles & Flagstones section. If you require stone in thicker blocks for 3D carved items, please contact us.


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Лебеда́ () — род двудольных растений семейства . Включает более 247 видов, распространённых в умеренной и тропической зонах обоих полушарий. Наибольшее количество хозяйственно значимых видов происходит из западных и центральных штатов США и внутренних районов Австралии.

Название
Латинское название растения встречается ещё у Плиния. Согласно этимологическому словарю Фасмера, русское название, скорее всего, происходит от белой сыпи на листьях и родственно слову «лебедь» и  — «белый». Интересно также, что русское слово «» заимствовано из литовского названия лебеды «».

В синонимику рода входят два десятка названий.

Описание
Однолетние, многолетние травы, полукустарники или кустарники. Листья очередные (как исключение, самые нижние листья могут быть супротивными), с хорошо развитыми цельными листовыми пластинками.

Зачастую растения покрыты серебристыми волосками, отчего выглядят словно посыпанные мукой.

Цветки однополые, но находятся на одном растении (однодомные). Мужские цветки с 5-членным околоцветником, у женских околоцветник заменяют два свободных или сросшихся прицветника, которые охватывают столбик с двумя рыльцами.

Экология
Как правило, являются сорными растениями и встречаются по пустырям, берегам, оврагам и т. п.

Из двух с половиной десятков растущих в России видов лебеды самой распространённой является .

Лебеда чрезвычайно терпима к содержанию солей в почве.

Таксономия
, Sp. Pl.: 1052 (1753), nom. & typ. cons.

Синонимы

 , nom. illeg.

 , nom. illeg.
 , pro syn.
 , nom. inval.
 , nom. inval.

Виды

По информации базы данных POWO род включает 247 видов, некоторые из них:

Применение
Множество видов лебеды съедобны. Однако основной вид для потребления человеком — это , которая использовалась не только в голодные годы, но и повсеместно как растение для салатов.

…употребляемый почти всеми хлеб с лебедой, — с  и у некоторых с  лебеды, — хлеб чёрный, чернильной черноты, тяжёлый и горький; хлеб этот едят все — и дети, и беременные, и кормящие женщины, и больные. …Хлеб с лебедой нельзя есть один. Если наесться натощак одного хлеба, то вырвет. От кваса же, сделанного на муке с лебедой, люди шалеют.

Во второй половине лета и осенью медоносные пчёлы используют виды лебеды как пыльценос.

В искусстве
Лебеда стала одним из образов в лирике А. Ахматовой:
Когда б вы знали, из какого сора
Растут стихи, не ведая стыда!
Как жёлтый одуванчик у забора,
как лопухи и лебеда…
Исследованию образа в контексте фольклорных мотивов в творчестве поэта посвящены отдельные работы. Исследователь М. М. Адулян полагает, что образ связан с предвестием беды.

По свидетельству Л. К. Чуковской, своему первому сборнику «Вечер» (СПб.,1912) Ахматова собиралась дать название «Лебеда»:
«Вечер» я сначала хотела назвать «Лебеда», и тогда первым стихотворением было бы «Я на солнечном восходе // Про любовь пою, // На коленях в огороде // Лебеду полю». Но меня отговорили.

…Я сказала ей, что из стихов видно — она очень любит лебеду.

— Да, очень, очень, и крапиву, и лопухи. Это с детства. Когда я была маленькая, мы жили в Царском, в переулке, и там в канаве росли лопухи и лебеда. Я была маленькая, а они большие, широколистные, пахучие, нагретые солнцем, — я так их с тех пор люблю.
Не исключая «ретроспективную мистификацию» ахматовской версии об альтернативном названии, Л. Г. Кихней отмечает явственное авторское стремление «выстроить из заглавий книг некоторую символическую парадигму с общей "растительной" семантикой: Лебеда — Подорожник — Ива / Тростник».

Широко известна народная песня «Посею лебеду».

Примечания

Литература

Флора Евразии
Флора Северной Америки

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Weakened by problems with his health-care initiative, President Obama turned back to the economy last week to rebalance his presidency with a speech about income inequality. He said he would devote much of his remaining time in office to the issue, calling it the "defining challenge of our time." The bigger issue is how much he can or will do about it.
Income inequality has been growing for years, as wages and incomes for most Americans have stagnated. The problem has become even more acute amid the after-effects of the 2008 recession. So it's no surprise that the gap between rich and poor — or between the super-rich and everyone else — has become a ripe topic for political debate, even if it defies easy solutions.
Obama has talked about the issue before. His advisers can draw a direct line from his speech in Osawatomie, Kan., in December 2011 through the 2012 campaign, when he made middle-class concerns the centerpiece of his message against Mitt Romney. Jon Favreau, one of his former speechwriters, said in an e-mail that those same themes were part of his speech at the Democratic National Convention in 2004. But he has rarely been as direct or as pointed about the problem as he was at a community center in Southeast Washington last week.
Meanwhile, others have done as much, or more, to raise the issue's visibility. The Occupy movement that sprang up in the fall of 2011 put new language into the political lexicon— the 1 percent vs. the 99 percent — that continues to frame the debate. New York Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio made inequality the central plank in his "tale of two cities" campaign and was rewarded with a landslide victory last month. Pope Francis, in a recent papal exhortation, drew global attention to the issue as he decried an economic system that he said was built on exclusion and inequality.
Geoff Garin, a Democratic pollster, sees issues of economic insecurity and inequality as centrally important to voters, with appeal across party lines. People may not talk about income inequality per se, he said, but sentiment is widespread that something is fundamentally wrong with the way the benefits of the economic system are distributed.
How potent is the issue politically? Larry Bartels of Vanderbilt University, one of the nation's leading political scientists, looked at the 2012 election, which was fought over many of the themes and issues Obama highlighted again last week. Bartels concluded that the broad issue of inequality added 2 to 3 percentage points to Obama's share of the overall vote and about 1 point in the battleground states.
But his findings came with a caveat: Obama benefited less because of the specific economic policies he championed than because many voters saw Romney as an out-of-touch plutocrat. Romney's infamous comments that 47 percent of Americans feel "dependent on government" and will not take personal control of their own lives reinforced those perceptions of the Republican nominee. He came to personify the argument.
Bartels concluded that Obama did not have a decisive edge in terms of the policies designed to deal with inequality. In fact, he argued, on some of them Obama may have lost more votes than he won.
Some Democratic centrists are squeamish about a full-throated populist economic message. Even before Obama spoke Wednesday, a squabble had broken out among Democrats over the advisability of making it the centerpiece of the party's campaign in 2014 or 2016.
Writing in The Wall Street Journal, Jon Cowan and Jim Kessler, officials in the centrist Democratic group Third Way, said "nothing would be more disastrous" for the Democrats than to follow the path highlighted by de Blasio and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), who is the scourge of Wall Street and the financial community.
Warren and others on the left will not be slowed by such rhetorical warnings. Right now, they have the momentum in the debate. Warren countered Cowan and Kessler by writing to major banks to ask them to divulge their contributions to think tanks, a thinly veiled way of questioning the degree to which groups like Third Way depend on funding from the very sources she has attacked.
Garin, meanwhile, argued that the failure to hold banks more accountable for the collapse in 2008 remains perhaps "the biggest unscratched itch" in American politics. But as Obama's speech illustrated, the gap between the problem and the potential solutions available is almost as large as the gap between rich and poor. Narrowing that gap should be where the debate goes next.
This article originally appeared in The Washington Post.
Quiz: Which States Swear the Most?


4. that the school system utilizes activities to support parent and family engagement in the Title I programs.
13. provide such other reasonable support for Title I parental involvement activities as requested by parents.
a. At the beginning of each year, school system officials shall notify parents of students who are participating in Title I programs of the right to request certain information on the professional qualifications of the student's classroom teachers and paraprofessionals providing services to the child (see policy 7820, Personnel Files).
b. The principal or designee of a Title I school shall provide timely notice informing parents that their student has been assigned to or has been taught for at least four consecutive weeks by a teacher who does not meet applicable state certification or licensure requirements at the grade level or subject area in which the teacher has been assigned.
a. Each year, the principal or designee of a Title I school shall provide notice to parents of the school's written parent and family engagement policy, parents' right to be involved in their child's school, and opportunities for parents and family members to be involved in the school.
b. Each year, the principal or designee of a Title I school shall provide notice to parents of their right to request information regarding student participation in state-required assessments.
Wilson County Schools offers Parent Academy Sessions for Title I school families. The sessions cover a variety of topics such as homework tips, effective test taking strategies, setting rules for good behavior, understanding report cards and much more. Some sessions are presented in Spanish and others are only in English, but translators are available upon request. District Parent Academy events are held in various locations but all Title I schools are invited to participate. Childcare and snacks will be provided. See the schedules below.


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Postcards From… Park City
WASHINGTON SCHOOL HOUSE HOTEL
"Built in 1889, the Washington School House Hotel was initially designed as a local elementary school and operated until it was ultimately sold in 1936. The 12-room restored inn, fashioned with wood floors, crystal chandeliers, gilded mirrors, original artwork, and upholstered velvet wing chairs, is also replete with a heated outdoor lap pool and spa anchored by the official steel torch culled from the 2002 Winter Olympics."
"For hearty après ski bites served in a rustic setting in the Canyons Village, head to The Farm at Canyons Resort. The wood-paneled eatery serves up specialty cocktails and lunch and dinner selections from the Harvest soup with locally-sourced ingredients, to the broccoli casserole with wild mushrooms, and the buttermilk fried chicken sandwich with smoked bacon and roasted garlic aioli."
THE MONTAGE DEER VALLEY
"The Montage Deer Valley features ski-in/ski-out access to Deer Valley Resort, five restaurants, a 34,000-square-foot spa, and guestrooms and suites with gas fireplaces, private balconies, and sweeping views of the mountains or valley. The 154-room Craftsman-style property also offers a slew of outdoor activities from cross-country skiing and snowmobiling, to a new Montage to Moab program, a guided day trip tour of Moab National Park or Arches National Park. Guests depart the resort via private charter plane and have a choice of one of two excursions: an 18-mile mountain bike loop and lunch overlooking Arches National Park, or a hike along the red rocks of the Windows section trails followed by a gourmet picnic."
"At the Waldorf Astoria Park City, guestrooms are equipped with fireplaces, mirrored dressers, and upholstered velvet headboards. Guests can spend an afternoon in the spa with treatments such as the Lavender Zen with a lavender and eucalyptus body scrub followed by a massage with special rose profyr stones, or sign-up for a private ice-skating or speedskating lesson with Olympic hopeful and US National team member Patrick Meek."
HIGH WEST DISTILLERY & SALOON
"At High West Distillery & Saloon, take a tour (three tours offered daily), see a 250-gallon copper pot still, and learn about the small-batch mountain rocky whiskeys made in-house."
CANYONS RESORT SPA
"At Canyons Resort Spa, book the High Meadow hot stone therapy designed to relieve muscle tension, or the Ninety-Nine 90 anti-fatigue leg treatment using a cooling aromatic compress on lower legs to reduce inflammation and water retention."
If there's one place to catch the tail end of spring ski season this year, it's Park City, Utah. Founded in the late 1800s, the historic mining town located just 35 miles from Salt Lake City was once a hotbed for gold, lead, and silver. These days, the area is known for world-famous skiing and snowboarding (there's three resorts comprising more than 9,000 total skiable acres), the training grounds for the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team, and the site of the 2002 Winter Olympics. Now, thanks to a $50 million transformation project and improvements by Vail Resorts, Inc. connecting Park City Mountain Resort and Canyons Resort—complete with a new eight-passenger, high-speed gondola, two chairlifts, and a new restaurant—the area will be the largest ski area in the country.
But, apart from the obvious, there's much more to this picture-perfect ski town lined with storied brick buildings (64 are listed on the Historic National Register) than ski resorts and winter gear. Park City is home to the annual Sundance Film Festival, a crop of luxury resorts, art galleries, and a burgeoning culinary scene.
By Jennie Nunn
The Montage Deer Valley features ski-in/ski-out access to Deer Valley Resort, five restaurants, a 34,000-square-foot spa, and guestrooms and suites with gas fireplaces, private balconies, and sweeping views of the mountains or valley. The 154-room Craftsman-style property also offers a slew of outdoor activities from cross-country skiing and snowmobiling, to a new Montage to Moab program, a guided day trip tour of Moab National Park or Arches National Park. Guests depart the resort via private charter plane and have a choice of one of two excursions: an 18-mile mountain bike loop and lunch overlooking Arches National Park, or a hike along the red rocks of the Windows section trails followed by a gourmet picnic. Built in 1889, the Washington School House Hotel was initially designed as a local elementary school and operated until it was ultimately sold in 1936. The 12-room restored inn, fashioned with wood floors, crystal chandeliers, gilded mirrors, original artwork, and upholstered velvet wing chairs, is also replete with a heated outdoor lap pool and spa anchored by the official steel torch culled from the 2002 Winter Olympics. Going skiing? Forgo long lines and buy lift tickets on-site, and after, recharge with après drinks and snacks fireside in the ski lounge. Non-skiers can opt for guided fly fishing on the Provo River, or a yoga paddleboarding adventure inside a 10,000-year-old crater at the Homestead Resort. At the Waldorf Astoria Park City, guestrooms are equipped with fireplaces, mirrored dressers, and upholstered velvet headboards. Guests can spend an afternoon in the spa with treatments such as the Lavender Zen with a lavender and eucalyptus body scrub followed by a massage with special rose profyr stones, or sign-up for a private ice-skating or speedskating lesson with Olympic hopeful and US National team member Patrick Meek.
After a long day on the slopes or on the hiking trails, check-in for the ultimate relaxation at The Spa at Stein Eriksen Lodge complete with a sauna, steam room, a cold plunge pool, and jacuzzi for cold/hot circuit therapy. For sore legs, try the 50-minute Ski Boot relief with reflexology, or the Aprés Soak and Muscle Therapy with sage, peppermint, and wintergreen to soothe aching muscles. At Canyons Resort Spa, book the High Meadow hot stone therapy designed to relieve muscle tension, or the Ninety-Nine 90 anti-fatigue leg treatment using a cooling aromatic compress on lower legs to reduce inflammation and water retention.
Take a trip back in time with a visit to the Park City Museum. Situated on Main Street, the historic brick building houses a well-edited mix of artifacts from the mining days (think provisions such as canned soup and old telephones), to skiing paraphernalia spanning the decades from vintage Lange skis to a real-life gondola, and a portion of the 1960s Underground Ski Train, or "skier subway" used to transport skiers underground for two-and-a-half miles to the Thaynes Chair Lift. After, take a stroll down Main Street to boutiques such as Cake with a curated mix of clothing and accessories from cargo pants to silk blouses by Vince, Rag+Bone, and James Perse, or Flight for printed jumpsuits and select pieces by Novella Royale. Across the street, head to Rootd stocked with wares from blown-glass vessels, soy-based wax candles, a selection of design tomes, and linen pillows. Pretend to be an Olympian for a day at the Utah Olympic Park with facilities including a ski jump and the original sliding track used for the 2002 Olympics. Try the Comet bobsled, choose from two different zipline tours, or peruse two on-site museums with interactive ski exhibits, photos, maps, and artifacts. At the Kimball Art Center, check out works by local and national artists and current exhibits including Susan Cofer: Drawings from 1977-2006 highlighting the Georgia–based artist.
Headed up by Executive Chef and owner Briar Handly, newcomer Handle features handcrafted cocktails and farm fresh dishes such as the beet root salad with ricotta and Vermont maple syrup, and Idaho lamb with chestnut brown butter. The cozy space, designed by Melissa Gray, is outfitted with vintage botanical prints culled from old books, leather banquettes, ceramic-tiled bars, and industrial-style stools. For dessert, try the caramel pudding (served in a mason jar), or the stone fruit cobbler. Designed as a wink to Salzburg, Austria, with hand-carved Alpine-inspired wooden chairs, the Goldener Hirsch Restaurant is the ideal spot for a quiet dinner or après ski scene. Executive Chef Ryan Burnham meticulously prepares starters from fondue paired with green apple slices, red grapes, broccoli, and lemon potatoes, to a meat and cheese board layered with local cheeses and cured meats. Main courses range from the Maine diver scallops with celeriac chowder, to Wagyu beef bavette steak with creamed spinach and onion rings, and the Utah Steelhead trout paired with roasted fennel and quinoa. For hearty après ski bites served in a rustic setting in the Canyons Village, head to The Farm at Canyons Resort. The wood-paneled eatery serves up specialty cocktails and lunch and dinner selections from the Harvest soup with locally-sourced ingredients, to the broccoli casserole with wild mushrooms, and the buttermilk fried chicken sandwich with smoked bacon and roasted garlic aioli. At High West Distillery & Saloon, take a tour (three tours offered daily), see a 250-gallon copper pot still, and learn about the small-batch mountain rocky whiskeys made in-house. Or, recap the afternoon of skiing and snowboarding with locals over drinks such as the Ol' Smokey with high west campfire, meyer lemon, and toasted pecan simple syrup, and the Albino Manhattan with High West silver oak whiskey, Dolin Blanc, and Regan's orange bitters.
Pictured: The Washington School House
Photos Courtesy of The Washington School House


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TheWeek@ND Fac/Staff Edition (June 29)
For the Week of June 29
Multicultural Competencies & Hiring Game Changers
This is an integral part of our diversity and inclusion initiative that engages all staff in a learning environment to help foster a campus culture of inclusivity. Supervisors or hiring managers who have not yet participated in this training should register for an upcoming virtual workshop. Please register via endeavor.nd.edu.
Two-part series:
Multicultural Competencies: 8 to 10:30 a.m.
Hiring Game Changers: 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Tuesday, July 14; virtually
Thrive! Lunch Pairings
The Thrive! Ambassadors will offer another round of lunch pairings in July. Simply sign up by Monday, July 6, and Thrive! will randomly pair you with a lunch partner from another division. Given the current circumstances, you and your lunch partner may choose to schedule your meeting via web conference or by telephone. Please contact Jessica Schiller at jschill2@nd.edu or 631-7923 for more information.
OIT Training Classes
Office of Information Technologies technical training classes are free of charge and will be online until further notice.
∙ AiM Work Request Training, Monday, July 6; 10 to 11 a.m.
∙ Adobe Spark: Tell Your Story in Posts, Pages and Videos, Wednesday, July 8; 8:30 a.m. to noon
∙ Google Drive, Level I: Introduction to Drive, Wednesday, July 8; 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
∙ Spreadsheets, Level I: Introduction, Thursday, July 9; 8:30 a.m. to noon
∙ Photoshop CC, Level II: Basic Layers and Text, Thursday, July 9; 2 to 4:30 p.m.
To register for courses, go to endeavor.nd.edu. Questions or problems registering? Call 631-7227 or email OIT at training@nd.edu.
Staff Caregivers Support Group
This group is for staff members who are caring for an aging parent, a spouse or a child with special needs. The group can offer the opportunity to connect with others, share information and struggles and listen to how others deal with their situations. Contact Staff Chaplain Rev. Jim Bracke, C.S.C.
Thursday, July 2; noon to 1 p.m. via Zoom
Virtual Discussion: "Change Management Communities of Practice: All Change is Behavioral Change"
A condensed version of the book "Switch," by Chip and Dan Heath, will be shown followed by an open discussion. Topics include why it's so hard to make lasting changes, how the rational and emotional mind compete to impede a change effort and ways to overcome these obstacles.
Register by 5 p.m. Monday, June 29. After you register, a Calendar invitation will be sent to you with the Zoom meeting link.
Tuesday, June 30; 10 to 11 a.m. via Zoom
Mexico Virtual Lecture Series: "Partners for a Cure: Fighting Cancer in Mexico"
Registration is requested. Through collaboration with longtime Notre Dame partners Una Nueva Esperanza and UPAEP, ND's Harper Cancer Institute has conducted innovative and integrative research that confronts the complex challenges of cancer. Maria del Rocio Baños Lara of Una Nueva Esperanza, Sharon Stack and Thomas Merluzzi will share their current efforts and plans for future collaboration.
Tuesday, June 30; noon to 1:30 p.m. via Zoom
Seminar: "Creating Cultures of Belonging"
Part of "Called & Co-Responsible: Summer Seminars for Church Life Renewal," hosted by the McGrath Institute for Church Life and aimed at empowering pastoral leaders and scholars for the work of renewing the Church. Speakers include Colleen Moore, Jessica Brock and Madeline Infantine. Free; registration is required.
Tuesday, June 30; 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. via Zoom
Voice and Text Workshop (Part of the NDSF 2020)
Discover more about voicing Shakespeare's text for a modern audience from Stanton Davis, head of BFA performance at Northern Illinois University. YouTube link will be available via shakespeare.nd.edu.
Tuesday, June 30; 7 to 8 p.m. online via shakespeare.nd.edu
"Literature and Film in Lockdown" (Week 3 of the Kylemore Book Club)
The third live session includes Professor Barry McCrea, who will discuss a few scenes from the Alfred Hitchcock film "Rear Window." To prepare for the discussion, watch the film and McCrea's five-minute explainer videos on ThinkND. Register to participate in the Zoom session and LinkedIn discussion board.
Wednesday, July 1; 1 to 2 p.m. online
Panel Discussion: "The Intersection of Race, Ethnicity and Identity"
Join the Africa Graduate Club for a virtual panel discussing systemic racism and viable steps toward eliminating racial bias. Kindly register here to attend: https://bit.ly/AGCVirtualEvent.
Wednesday, July 1; 5:30 to 7 p.m. via Zoom
Google Chat Will Replace Hangouts
On Wednesday, July 1, Google Chat (chat.google.com) will replace Classic Hangouts as the preferred instant messaging service for all ND Google accounts. This is a result of Google's announcement to retire its Classic Hangouts service by the end of 2020. This is a rolling change and may take up to 24 hours to appear in your account. It does not affect the Google Meet video conferencing service.
Coming Soon: buyND+
buyND+ Procurement Services in partnership with the ND Innovates team will be introducing a new, simpler and more streamlined experience in the procurement process, from source-to-pay. All buyND users will receive newsletter updates on these exciting new changes coming in 2020!
Sakai Tip: Tips for Online Testing
This semester students continue to study remotely, often in their homes with differing levels of technology and internet connectivity. If you are using Sakai (or any website) to create assessments, take a moment to review our list of best practices to guarantee that students can focus on their work instead of technology issues.
Keep up to date on colleagues celebrating service anniversaries. Obituaries and memorial information may be found at In Memory. Please contact askHR at 631-5900 to submit obituary and memorial updates.


Become an NCSF Aquavit Connoisseur!
Price only $40.00! / All inclusive!
Chef Pelle's special NCSF "Aquavit Dinner" will include an assortment of Home Pickled Herrings as a special appetizer served with the Aquavit! "Fresh Cod Au Gratin with Shrimp & Dill" will be the main course.
Uf dah...what a wonderful gourmet "Scandinavian" summer dinner & event!


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Hugo Reading (Viewing) 2019: Best Dramatic Presentation, Long Form
I lucked out with this year's Long Form noms, as I had already watched all of them, and most of them were on my own ballot. I think this is only going to get more difficult in the coming years, with the ever-increasing numbers of SFF movies and (especially) television and streaming adaptations. (Which is why I maintain that the rules for BDP-Short Form should be changed to say that only one episode per series is allowed.)
By the way, if you haven't seen any of these films, there will be spoilers in this post. Just sayin'.
6) Avengers: Infinity War
This was the Big Superhero Showdown Marvel's been aiming towards for ten years, but when I saw it, it felt a bit....underwhelming. With so many characters tossed into the mix and so much to do, there wasn't time for any of them to make much of an impression, with the possible exception of Thor and Rocket. Also, if I'd been Chris Pratt, I would have been ticked off by the way my character was forced to wield the Starlord Stupid Stick, not once but twice. If Peter Quill had only killed Gamora in the beginning, like she asked him to do and he agreed, Thanos would never have found the Soul Stone. Of course, then we wouldn't have had a $2 billion-plus grossing movie.....
5) A Quiet Place
I liked this better, but it still had plot holes. It was better in the sense that I didn't start thinking about said plot holes while I was still watching it, so in that way it was a success. John Krasinski spins a credible, creepily atmospheric tale of a family living in silence, trying to survive an onslaught of alien invaders that hunt by sound. I enjoyed the performances of Emily Blunt and Millicent Simmonds, a Deaf actress cast in the role of Regan, whose cochlear implant proves crucial in figuring out a way to take the aliens down. Left as an exercise for the viewer is why a teenage girl could come up with this solution and not the world's militaries and think tanks (especially after seeing the huge ears on the aliens).
4) Sorry To Bother You
This trailer doesn't reveal the third-act twist, but let me say that the film takes a seriously surreal SF turn. It's also a biting satire of capitalism and corporate rapacity, with the protagonist Cassius Green using his "white voice" to succeed as a telemarketer. I'm happy that a weird little movie like this was able to make the Hugo ballot, even if I ended up liking others better.
3) Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
This just took the Ray Bradbury Award for Outstanding Dramatic Presentation at the Nebulas (and the Oscar for Best Animated Feature), so I think its chances are pretty good here. I liked it well enough, but I wasn't gosh-wow over it.
2) Black Panther
I was gosh-wow over this, however. This juggernaut rolled into the Academy Awards and came away with three, Marvel's first. Eric Killmonger is (so far) Marvel's best villain, because he was very much the hero of his own story; even though I didn't like what he was doing, I could see that he had a point. And Shuri and the Dora Milaje are just...everything.
1) Annihilation
I know this probably won't win, but I loved this movie. (Disclaimer: I haven't read the book.) This slowly unfolding, steadily escalating terror ride was beautiful and creepy and unsettling, and the ending reportedly gave the studio fits. Kudos to Alex Garland for keeping it, even though his film ended up under-promoted as a result. PZ Myers, an actual evolutionary biologist, also liked it, so it's not as wrong-headed in its science as some of the reviews on IMDB are claiming. Finally, there's a podcast discussing the film--Part 1 here.
Next up: Best Semiprozine


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Stevie Wonder >
Bestival Closes With Triumphant Headline Slot From Stevie Wonder
By Lew Irwin on 10 September 2012
Follow Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder Marvin Gaye Michael Jackson Beatles
Picture: Stevie Wonder 2012 Billboard Music Awards, held at MGM Grand Garden Arena - Press Room Las Vegas, Nevada - 20.05.12
Last night's Bestival set from Stevie Wonder was a master-class in how to deliver a festival headline set. It had been a triumphant festival overall, thanks in no small part to the sunshine. The 2012 festival season has been blighted in the UK by horrific downpours, with some festivals, such as Creamfields having to be abandoned altogether. No such sob-story for Bestival though; the punters were treated to a weekend of perfect weather and great musical acts to keep them happy and see out the season in style.
Wonder kicked off his headline slot with a cover of Marvin Gaye's 'How Sweet It Is (To Be Love By You) and peppered the rest of the set with other covers, such as Michael Jackson's 'The Way You Make Me Feel' and The Beatles' 'She Loves You.' Of course, a Stevie Wonder set would not be a Stevie Wonder set without some of his own classic and of those, he had plenty. The huge crowd gathered on the Isle of Wight to watch the soul legend were treated to 'Higher Ground,' 'Uptight,' 'Signed, Sealed and Delivered' and the super-schmaltzy 'I Just Called To Say I love You.' His daughter, Aisha Morris, also joined him onstage to sing 'Isn't She Lovely,' melting the hearts of everyone in attendance.
Possibly the highlight of his performance, though, was his decision to close the evening with a rendition of 'Happy Birthday.' It was followed by a spectacular fireworks display from behind the main stage, making last night's show a highlight of Bestival's history.
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Entertaining and uplifting, this Oscar-winning documentary tells the unknown story of the back-up singers who...


Do 당신 like Bindi's boyfriend Chandler?
The fans pick: I 사랑 Her!!!!She Rocks!!!!
who does Bindi Looke 더 많이 alike?
a poll 추가되었습니다: Do 당신 like Bindi's boyfriend Chandler?
a poll 추가되었습니다: Who's 더 많이 attractive?
a pop quiz question 추가되었습니다: Who partner with Bindi in Dancing With The Stars season 21 ?
a pop quiz question 추가되었습니다: Which season she will be in Dancing With the Stars ?
How old is Bindi's brother?
Can 당신 believe Bindi Sleeps with a snake!!


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Tourist attraction Sportscompetitive sports Entertainment Game Hotel House Food health Kids life News Finance Intelligent
"Falun Gong Disinformation Carrier" —Anti-Science, Inciting Violence and Racial Hatred
RHIDER NFT- Create Possible for Impossible
Can MERRILL intelligent AI trading system lead the encryption market in 2023?
Frequently slandering other countries——revealing the so-called "human rights organization"—— Safeguard Defenders
The 2020 dark net public chain ELS break out, may become the coin circle in the troubled world hero!
The preface:
The current global outbreak in 2020, leading to the world economic downturn, according to the latest report, the us stock market in two weeks four circuit breaker! Three major us index, ftse A50, gold, oil hit new lows. The "dollar drought" is sweeping the world, and the world economy is in crisis. At this particular moment, some people complain that this is the worst of times, while others are glad that this is the best of times. History will never repeat itself, but it is always strikingly similar.
In 2008, the financial crisis gave birth to the first digital currency
In January 2008, the financial crisis hit. The federal reserve, trying to prevent the housing bubble from bursting. The federal open market committee began to lower the federal funds rate (to 3.0%). Bush signs tax rebates in February as home sales continue to fall. Feb. 13: President bush signs a tax cut to help the struggling housing market. "August and November 2008 were the worst financial crises in global history.
On November 1, 2008, at this historic moment, a man who identified himself as satoshi nakamoto published a paper online called "bitcoin: a peer-to-peer electronic cash system," describing a new digital currency system: bitcoin. Bitcoin white paper born!
In the financial crisis of 2008, the performance of governments all over the world, making a world run on trust, has lost trust, and this is the perfect time for the release of bitcoin, so the white paper of bitcoin was published in 2008, the launch of bitcoin on January 3, 2009 is definitely not a coincidence, is a challenge to the existing financial system。
Bitcoin was born in the context of the financial crisis. It made people see the importance of a complete independent monetary system and put it into action. That's why it's great.
In 2020, another financial crisis, the emergence of the ELS public chain family is a mission, or a coincidence?
Telegram:https://t.me/Demonelves
Website:https://www.Demonelves.com/
ELS chain demon spirit, team building, a group of advocating truth, beauty, love, to seek harmony with the universe of the hacker team, they do not malicious damage, they are keen to exploration of science and technology, computer science research, is in the circle of hackers, Hack is undoubtedly has a positive meaning, the word break the false, evil, ugly, realize the wealth, freedom autonomous civil society relationship chain, one of the world civilization reconstruction project has been the completion of the group study.
ELS is the world's first truly built based on the block chain technology, focusing on the ecosystem of gaming services, the use of intelligent contract mechanism, and through the block chain technology of decentralization, traceability and information can not be tamper-proof, the construction of a common online and offline chip digital industry public chain for the gaming industry.
ELS adopts community autonomous management:
The dark web public chain ELS is similar to the block chain project like BTC, which can ignore the existence of the project team. There is no center, no centralized block chain ecosystem, and a free consensus society based on all people. ELS issued a total of 200 million, of which 14 million were issued by community autonomy, which was awarded to community autonomy contributors.
Team to ensure that developers can still make ELS after exit the dominant ecological still, the consensus of all participants for the healthy development of mechanism - a consensus autonomous decentralization vote system. When ELS chain to 7585962 block height, the system will automatically start the decentralization voting function, this is a kind of high resolution to participate in the mechanism of freedom. All participating ELS members can elect 19 super nodes through the decentralized voting consensus autonomous system every week. These 19 super nodes will act as the leader of ELS blockchain, maintain the healthy and stable development of ELS, and provide services for all ELS users.
This makes the whole ELS truly become a healthy, positive and completely autonomous consensus community, and the ELS can achieve unlimited development and sustainable development in the consensus of the whole people.
Public chain ELS wealth feast? Try... .
According to the development team's white paper, ELS comes from the dark web, with a total of 200 million ELS released, including 39 million from collision planet, 91 million from diamond planet, 51 million from pool planet, 14 million from community autonomy, and 5 million from candy drop.
And how to contact the planet, and I believe you like small make up a little don't understand, after further understanding, ELS is composed of five star tunnel of time and space, according to the main force, gravity, repulsive force, inertia, magnetic field, the microscopic energy data of five orderly operation of the tunnel of time and space, reasonable business logic innovation model and real ground cutting-edge technology, innovation make the top of the chain ELS ecological civilization. The idea is to really decentralize, humanize, drive the force and the wealth effect.
Is the value of public chain ELS expected in the future?
Combined with cables and understand the information, the white paper, ELS are initial value by diminishing collision engineering + smart program to perform the contract, collision planet 39 million, including the principle of collision issue, such as into a pyramid, in the tower ELS number involved in collisions are most, then for every layer, the number will reduce 1%, until the end of the collision issues, from bottom to top appreciation for how much space, can consult their collision decreasing engineering type:
There is also a deflation destruction mechanism of ELS, which also determines its value trend. ELS is issued as contract and seal for 91 million, which is destroyed every time the contract ends. According to the contract, when the destruction reaches the peak ratio, it will increase by 1%.
ELS male chain USES the game of raiders of the lost treasure to drain. With the increasing popularity of players in this game, the future eight ecology of ELS male chain will be enabled, and the successful creation and implementation of one by one into the real and virtual scene application. In summary, the future value of ELS common chain can be expected, we will try to wait for... .
Dark network hasn't released by the end of the time, open the registration, but community cable heat is good, according to they are now on the first plan, distribute to all community contributors dropped 5 million plan, small make up understanding as this is the first group of fans to welfare, anyway, not out of silver, small make up also apply for to get a drop, hope ELS chain road to the future more and more good, I also will continue to focus on the development of community.
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Wake Up! Sydney
509 Pitt Street, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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About Wake Up! Sydney
Wake Up Sydney Central is a modern base while visiting Sydney and is close to everything the area has to offer. It also offers free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour reception and luggage storage.
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Reviews for Wake Up! Sydney
Staff super welcoming and facilities pretty new! (in 195 reviews)
Perfect location and friendly staffs! (in 184 reviews)
So close to central station! (in 62 reviews)
Kitchen always busy and quite dirty (in 27 reviews)
Noisy at night (in 18 reviews)
"There are too many people, it's impossible to use the kitchen" (in 18 reviews)
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A double-deck bedroom is too cramped for 2 girls to stay. Towels are dusty a lot. cover sheets have never been changed during the 6-day-stay. And the streets are also dirty and stink near the hostel.
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Where is Wake Up! Sydney
Sydney Chinatown0.2 mi
Darling Harbour0.6 mi
Oxford Street0.6 mi
Hyde Park0.7 mi
Glebe Markets0.8 mi
Pitt Street Mall0.9 mi
Sydney Sydney Central Station0.1 mi
Sydney Sydney, Nsw0.1 mi
Sydney Blacktown18.9 mi
Sydney Strathfield7.1 mi
FAQs when booking at Wake Up! Sydney
Is pricing at Wake Up! Sydney comparable to 2 star hotels in Sydney?
There is a 34% difference in the average nightly rate of 2 stars hotels in Sydney and the average nightly rate at Wake Up! Sydney. The rate at Wake Up! Sydney is just $70/night and is considered a very good deal when staying in Sydney.
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The distance between the closest airport, Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, and Wake Up! Sydney is 4.3 mi and the expected drive time is about 0h 08m. Your drive time between the two can vary based on the time of day and traffic trends of the area.
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Rideshare apps and taxis remain a very common solution for Wake Up! Sydney guests. This is often the most cost-effective method of transportation when visiting Sydney.
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The best way to contact Wake Up! Sydney is by calling +61 292 887 888.
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The standard check-out time at Wake Up! Sydney is 10:00 AM. Guests can usually check-in from 12:00 PM. Special arrangements may be available if discussed with the front desk.
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Yes, there is a restaurant on-site at Wake Up! Sydney, Sydney. A bar is also available on-site.
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Yes, there are laundry services usually available at Wake Up! Sydney, Sydney.
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Wake Up! Sydney is a walkable distance (1.9 mi) from Sydney Opera House, Sydney.
Is Wake Up! Sydney close to Sydney Observatory?
Wake Up! Sydney is a good choice to stay at if you want to visit Sydney Observatory, which is 1.6 mi away.


Who the heck is Occam and what do he and his razor have to do with software design– oh… and creating software is a science, not an art – right?
There is much written about the varying levels of productivity of programmers. Research has shown that productivity differences between two programmers of nearly identical experience and education can easily vary by an order of magnitude (10x) and differences in debugging productivity can vary by a factor of 25x. The very productive ones write simple, elegant, easily understood code that accomplishes a lot with very little. These "Star" programmers "get it" in a way that most people can't even comprehend. That being said, there are things that Mere Mortals can do to elevate their own productivity levels to approach that of the Star. In part, the Star programmers accomplish more by doing less. This is at first counter-intuitive, but if you consider that if a programmer spends time writing unnecessary code, or has to continually refactor code because the design doesn't easily handle changing requirements they will have less time to produce the "needed" code and thus be less productive. The effectiveness of the top produces can be achieved in part by embodying the principles of Occam's Razor and doing less.
Modern interpretation is often quoted as "The simplest solution is almost always the best". The modern interpretation, however, misses the important point that "simplest" as meant by Occam means the "fewest assumptions". The principle is also often referred to as the Principle of Parsimony: "The use of the simplest or most frugal route of explanation available".
The statement "The lady down the street is a witch – she did it" is a very "simple", unambiguous statement that introduces very few entities, and provides a simple explanation – or so it first seems. Examined closely, the statement, is built on a few very large assumptions and Occam would not have approved. The statement illustrates Occam's notion of plurality and the unnecessary introduction of entities to support a conclusion. It assumes: 1) Witches exist 2) The lady is a witch 3) She did it 4) Her supposedly being a witch has something to do with whether or not she did it (whatever "it" might be). In truth, none of these elements are connected in any way to her purported guilt, but accepting them as support without questioning their veracity will likely lead to an incorrect conclusion – her guilt. History has shown us that many innocent people have been sentenced to horrible deaths based on such specious reasoning. When it comes to software design, are you sure your reasoning is not similarly flawed? Are you certain that everything you are doing is truly being done in support of the project objectives? Have you unnecessarily introduced elements thinking that they support your planned outcome, but when closely examined they are not?
Fortunately one of the advantages of Scrum and other Agile Methods used in software development is that we focus on the most important things first. Specifically, we concentrate less on the technology and more on delivering value to the end users. Estimates vary, but in general it is thought that 80% of the functionality built into software application is either never, or rarely used. Using Scrum and Agile methods ensure that we are constantly assessing and re-prioritizing features and functionality as we go. Often, as we approach the end of the project, we realize that much of what was originally on the list of requirements is no longer relevant, but because we have delivered the elements of highest value first, stakeholders are often satisfied earlier in the development. Often they will decide that many of the capabilities originally requested are no longer relevant. Good development methodology that focuses effort on delivering value goes a long way towards the principles espoused by Occam, but it's not enough.
where n is the number of items in the subset – 2 in our case because we are looking for the number of connections between any two dots, and r, which is the number of dots.
The complexity here is not in the dots, but the fact that each additional dot multiplies the number of lines that connect the dots. If you think of the entities in your software (classes, object instances, modules, components, databases, tables, etc…) you can easily see that the complexity of the system increases as the number of entities increases. But wait a minute… in software these things don't all connect to each other. You are probably right but the real question is "Are you sure?" Can you say with absolute certainty that a change in any one entity will not have an impact on any other entity? What happens if you have hundreds or even thousands of these entities – far more than any one person can realistically understand – are you still sure that you understand all of the interactions? What about the collective effect of all of these entities? Now what if the system is not well designed with an appropriate separation of concerns and is not self-documenting with well chosen class names thus causing the function of each of the entities to be less clear? The "what if's" could be added endlessly and they increase with the number of entities you add. These "What if''s" represent assumptions in Occam's view, and the more assumptions you have, the more complex your system and thus the higher the risk and the greater probability of failure.
My assertion is that "Assumptions are unknowns masquerading as knowns" and as such represent a hidden, and very real danger to the integrity of your system and the probability of success of your project. Assumptions are a necessary part of life. I assume that the sun will rise tomorrow; I assume that my Internet connection will work; I assume that milk will be available in the grocery store the next time I go shopping. Assumptions help us to bundle up the complexity of life into nice neat little packages that help us to manage the massive amounts of information we must deal with every minute of every day. Assumptions are very useful, but incorrect assumptions can have catastrophic effects. Clearly we can't test every single assumptions and this is where experience has no peer. Knowing which assumptions to test comes from a heuristic "been there done that" body of knowledge and there is no substitute for that experience.
So it's clear that complexity must be reduced and assumptions challenged – but how? This is where the art is involved. If you look at the field of architecture, you can find many strong parallels with the world of creating software. Both fields are very technical. In both fields simplicity and elegance and the facility with which humans interact with the result are key elements of success, and in both fields there are many ways and forms in which to deliver a solution – all of them satisfying the requirements. Some solutions, however, are clearly superior to others, and some are simply brilliant. In architecture, the results of the "art" are usually more evident and very clearly visible because they are on the exterior – and well – the seemingly gravity defying cantilevered design doesn't fall down. There is no less inspiration, intuition or vision in great software than there is in great architecture, but it is not so clearly evident. A great software solution is simple, elegant, enjoyable to use and it doesn't fall down. I believe it is no coincidence that the people who mastermind the designs in both fields are called architects, and in both fields, brilliant results require uniquely talented people. In some ways this notion is at odds with the Agile Approach as Agile focuses heavily on the team.
I have worked with several terrific architects over the years. They've had amazingly diverse education and work backgrounds. Perhaps the best I've worked with is a guy who did not have a computer science degree; in fact he didn't finish grade 11. One of the traits I noticed that was common to him and the rest of the talented architects I've worked is that they ruthlessly asked the question "Why". They questioned the key assumptions of the design, looking for conclusive justification for both its existence and its functions. A great architect and a great software architect will both have a solid reason for everything in the design. The Why for each element will be well reasoned, and can be simply explained. If the existence and function of an entity cannot be simply explained, then it is likely that much like the woman at the end of the street who is reasoned guilty based on the assumption that she is a witch, your design likely suffers from the "Plurality" admonished by Occam. Something I've noticed by constantly asking Why is that many requirements are expressed in terms of a solution, not the actual requirement. Asking Why can remove multiple layers of assumptions and take you to the real requirement which may be very different from what was originally stated. Entities with clear purposes for their existence tend to fit together well in large designs because the absence of duplication (plurality) contributes to a simpler and more elegant design – especially on the grand scale.
Clearly there is far more to good software design than simply using Occam's Razor, and not all teams can have a great architect. For that matter, not all teams can even have any architect, but everyone on the team should strive to think like a great architect and of everything in the design ask "Why". Like Occam, ruthlessly shave off the unnecessary entities and produce designs that are simple, elegant, easily explained and contain no assumptions.
A word of caution: Occam used the Razor to posit that "God's existence could not be deduced by reason alone." This was too much for Pope John XXII who excommunicated poor William. So temper your questioning with sound judgment so that you do not get excommunicated from the team.
I have to agree, the Why question is the most important question any software developer can ask. I always say that to software developers, and all I get is blank stares….go figure!
Amazing isn't it… As a manager, it is more work to lead a team that asks Why, but I believe you get better results. My next article (much delayed now) is about building teams and instilling a "Why" culture.
Ward, by trying to come up with an Agile way to figure out how to find a solution to a given set of requirements, he re-expressed Occam's Razor like a "modern poem".
Nicely put. I wish I'd thought of that.
It's interesting how Ward's parsimonious restatement of the objective causes the problem to be viewed from such a different perspective.
I was introduced to Occam's Razor on an episode of Star Trek: TNG. It intrigued me and learned more.
We came across a process problem at work recently; the process was complicated. We ignored it because we didn't have time to comply (ok call us bad) and we did something simpler. And it works just as well.
I thought I'd seen all of the TNG episodes, but I don't recall that one. I'll have to see if I can find it.
I've discovered over the years that many processes are defined in ways that are overly complex. Constantly asking "Why" helps to shave off the unnecessary. Your "call us bad…" approach seemed to accomplish that – congrats!


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