Over the last two weeks, three prospective professors have delivered guest lectures for the History Department, auditioning for a slot the department has open for a military historian. These lectures, known as "job talks," are a standard part of the academic hiring process and everyone from undergraduates to professors were invited to attend.
The first lecture, on January 22, was delivered by Dr. John McCallum, of the University of Chicago. Titled, "A Moral History of Violence in 'Unbombed America,' 1941-1945," it described how America's sense of morality coped with the carnage of total war, concentrating on the activities of the wartime press censors, and how wartime necessities interacted with hallowed American freedoms of speech and the press.
McCallum began with a discussion of Michael Walzer's Just and Unjust Wars: A Moral Argument with Historical Illustrations, a work drawing heavily on Catholic Just War theory written in response to Vietnam, which categorized WWII as a just war and Vietnam as anything but. He then moved on to a discussion of several writers, who, after seeing the battlefields, felt repulsed by civilian America and believed that its removal from suffering had led it to ruinous and immoral foreign adventures.
McCallum disagreed with their views on the state of innocence that the censors supposedly kept civilian America in. Despite having total control over information leaving the frontlines, military censors such as Waldo Drake happily allowed disturbing information to reach the public if they believed that the public were "realistic" enough to handle it. The Battle of Tarawa in 1943 saw American newspapers splattered with pictures of hundreds of dead marines on the beach. Often cited as an example of the censors' failure, McCallum argued that the censor's worry was the photos weren't graphic enough, as they wished to impress upon Americans that the fighting was only going to become worse as the war went on. The only topic completely forbidden to discuss was the execution of prisoners, for fear of provoking reprisals. The censors' control remained absolute, even shutting down the entire Associated Press after a reporter leaked news of the German surrender early.
He continued on with descriptions of how the Americans on the home front reacted to the press. Eager for news of the war, newspaper subscriptions increased by nine million while magazine circulation doubled. Americans believed themselves fully aware of the horrors of war, although they disagreed whether graphic images were needed or if numbers alone would suffice, and resolute in their desire for victory, with at most 30% of the country desiring a negotiated peace. Dr. McCallum believed that America went into Vietnam because it was desensitized to, rather than ignorant of, the costs of war. My Lai was nothing compared to the firebombing of entire cities.
The Pershing II missile was seen as an attempt to create a "first-strike" capacity to eliminate the Soviet Union before it could launch its own missiles, leading the Soviets to launch their invasion of Afghanistan and massive anti-nuclear protests to break out in the NATO nations. Many viewed President Reagan as intent on the destruction of the USSR, and believed the Pershing would bring nuclear armageddon to Europe. The "dual-track" strategy of deploying the Pershing II while simultaneously negotiating with the Soviets for its elimination was seen as hypocritical.
Despite their protests, the Pershing II was eventually deployed in 1983, in what Dr. Colbourn described as the hardest test of NATO's reliability and will to resist the Soviets while maintaining its democratic ideals. Ultimately, nuclear war was averted and the Pershing II and its Soviet counterpart, the SS-20, were banned in the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces treaty of 1987.
The final lecture was delivered Monday, January 28, 2019 by Dr. Ian Johnson, a postdoctoral fellow at Yale University. Entitled, "The Faustian Pact: Secret Soviet-German Military Cooperation in the Interwar Period," it described how interwar joint military research and training was essential in creating the conditions for the Second World War. No sooner had the ink dried on the Treaty of Versailles than the German military began planning to rebuild its strength and retake its lost territories from France and Poland. However, the treaty had greatly limited the size of its military and banned it from possessing modern weapons such as tanks and aircraft. To maintain its technological edge, the German military turned to an unlikely ally, fellow pariah state the USSR.
Keeping their plans secret from their own government, the German military set up a series of factories and research bases in the Soviet Union. Soldiers and scientists would resign their posts in Germany and travel to the Soviet Union as tourists, to research banned technologies in secret. In exchange for their help keeping the Germans' preparations for a new war secret, the Soviets would receive valuable factories and technological research. German and Soviet troops even trained together at the Lipetsk air base and the Kama tank school.
Dr. Johnson believes that without this cooperation, the German military would not have been able to carry out Hitler's plans, as they would have been technologically behind the Allied powers. He argues that the critical moment for stopping the Second World War was not at 1938 in Munich, but a decade earlier when Britain refused France's request to sanction Germany for its remilitarization.
After Hitler came to power, there was no need to continue developing weapons in secret, and the bases in Soviet Russia were closed. On the Russian side, participating in the joint military efforts was used as a sign of disloyalty, resulting in many losing their lives in the purges. The German military walked away with a respect for the power of totalitarianism and a hatred for Stalin's government. The stage had been set for the Second World War.
The "job talks" were well-received, sparking engagement and discussion among faculty and students. The history department hopes to fill the position in time for the selected candidate to begin teaching in the fall of 2019.


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Current location:Home > NG NEWS
At a crossroads: LNG ready to support energy policies in Europe
Vienna was the perfect location for the European Gas Conference, hosted by the Energy Council, which took place this week from 28th to 30th January. The city was regarded as an ideal fit as it lies close to the intersection of several major natural gas pipelines, such as the Trans Austria Gasleitung (TAG) which flows south west to Italy.
Day one of the conference focused on LNG, which is often regarded as a cross-over topic between the energy sector and the industrial gases industry. gasworld attended the conference to keep abreast of the dynamics influencing LNG supply and reflect on what the implications might be for industrial gases operators, engineering companies and equipment suppliers active in the sector.
Macro drivers of LNG growth
The forces driving LNG pricing and therefore its potential use in various applications such as fuelling ships or cars are much bigger than demand for the product its self. LNG demand is only a tiny fraction of pipeline gas demand which is mostly associated with electrical power production. The requirement for electrical power, and specifically the demand for clean power that is not produced from coal is a major contributor to the natural gas supply and demand balance.
Recent changes in European emissions legislation and CO2 trading and the introduction of the so-called UK 'carbon tax' have already driven the shift from coal to gas in the UK to a huge extent in the past decade. In Germany, the intent to stop burning lignite by the late 2030's will also change the structural supply of fossil fuels in Europe. These policy shifts are the step changes at a macro level that will have an influence on LNG pricing at a micro level underneath them.
Patrick Agar, Head of Gas at Lambert Energy Advisory in London, is familiar with the interplay between the micro and macro environment for LNG and gas. He says, "Having an eye on the broader energy context that LNG sits within, alongside narrower focus on LNG market details, can help us detect shifts in that market earlier. For example, recent nuclear, coal and renewables policy changes in Europe focussed on the power sector have had major knock-on implications for natural gas and consequently LNG demand, even though that was not their explicit aim."
Source: gasworld
On the role that industrial gases companies can play in the LNG value chain, he adds, "Any reduction in the cost of gas liquefaction to produce LNG would be welcome. When we consider the cost build-up of gas produced in the US, liquefied to LNG on the gulf coast, shipped to Europe and re-gasified and piped through the gas distribution grid, the liquefaction costs themselves can typically be between one quarter and one third of this total. Shaving a few percent off the energy costs and power requirements to operate a liquefaction facility can therefore help to control the landed cost materially. I would imagine that industrial gases engineering specialists in cryogenic processing, gas compression and expansion cycles are surely well placed to support this efficiency drive."
Off-grid LNG applications growing fast from a small base
The overwhelming majority of LNG, more than 95% in most countries, is re-vaporised and used within the natural gas distribution grid. The amount that is used for 'off-grid' applications such as fuel for cars, trucks or ships is small but growing quickly. Exactly how these off-grid applications will develop remains to be seen but consensus seems to be forming that the lion's share of the volume will be as a marine fuel.
Regulatory changes for shipping in Emissions Control Areas close to densely populated coastal regions are forcing operators to clean up their emissions by either using conventional bunker fuel with SO2 scrubbing and DeNOx SCR techniques or switching to cleaner burning fuels such as low sulphur heavy fuel oil or LNG. Some of the changes require equipment retrofits on board, some rely on the oil and gas industry to make and store different refined products.
The LNG option leans heavily towards the construction of modern ships with new gas turbine power systems. Despite the costs involved, the number of LNG powered ships under construction today is similar to the number sailing the world's oceans already. So, within the next two or three years we should see a doubling of the number of LNG powered ships in operation.
Source: Hamina
As a regular commuter on the Baltic ferries between Estonia and Finland and the CEO of Hamina LNG OY, an LNG terminal operator in Finland, Peter van Buuren is well placed to comment on the use of LNG in marine applications. He says that "the modern LNG gas turbine ferries operating between Tallin and Helsinki that I sail on are so much quieter and smoother than the older piston engine vessels where the engine noise and vibration could be heard and felt throughout the ship. This improved passenger experience will surely make LNG a particularly attractive option to power luxury cruise liners."
van Buuren continues, "Our Hamina LNG terminal in Finland can supply the marine sector, and other off grid applications such as industrial companies who are switching from burning heavy fuel oil to LNG as a cleaner alternative. We fill dedicated LNG road tankers or specially insulated ISO containers to transport the fuel to these inland customers where they store it as liquid until it is re- vapourised, as required according to their demand profile."
"Barges can also transport LNG to power plants located in coastal regions. Additionally, we have the option to use rail cars for inland distribution in the future. These off-grid applications are growing well, but most of the LNG that we receive is re-vapourised and fed to the local and national gas distribution grid – this will remain the core market for our LNG for the foreseeable future."
Next:The German LNG Terminal: Planning at an advanced stage
Previous:Details revealed about LNG Congress Russia 2019

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Q: Should I use a Worker Role or a Thread to reset the states of an entry in the database? I developed a WCF web service, one of the methods it has, creates a new entry in the database and also changes the state of an entry in a different table.
What I want to achieve is to reset that change of state after a hour has passed. Hear this example so you can understand what I'm trying to do:
A Device can detect changes which are reported as Events, so a Devices is related to various Events and an Event is related to only one Device. When a new Event is inserted into the database, the Device enters into an alert state, so the state column for that Device is changed to Alert, after 1 hour passes the state column for that Device must return to Normal.
I thought of creating a thread, but I'm new to WCF so I don't know if that consumes a lot of resources, so I thought of using a Worker Role, but that too stays running the whole time the service is up. At best I want to put any process that would handle this to sleep until a Device's state changes again, but again, I don't know if having a thread/worker role sleeping consumes a lot of resources.
How can I achieve this kind of behavior without using much resources?

A: Don't use a thread - if the application needs to shut down (deployment, fault, ...) the thread is lost and so is the work queued on it. Use a persistent timer service like the Windows Task Scheduler or a lib like Quartz.NET.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
package com.igitras.cbframework.descriptor;

import static java.util.stream.Collectors.toMap;

import com.fasterxml.jackson.databind.MappingIterator;
import com.fasterxml.jackson.dataformat.csv.CsvMapper;
import com.fasterxml.jackson.dataformat.csv.CsvSchema;
import org.springframework.core.io.ClassPathResource;
import org.springframework.util.Assert;

import java.io.IOException;
import java.util.stream.Stream;

/**
 * File Based Error getCode provider.
 *
 * @author mason
 */
public class FileBaseErrorDescriptorFactory extends AbstractErrorDescriptorFactory {

    private static final String[] DEFAULT_CONFIGS = {"/error_code.csv"};
    private String[] errorCodeResources = DEFAULT_CONFIGS;

    public FileBaseErrorDescriptorFactory() {
    }

    public FileBaseErrorDescriptorFactory(String[] errorCodeResources) {
        Assert.notNull(errorCodeResources, "Error Code configuration files must not be null.");
        this.errorCodeResources = errorCodeResources;
    }

    private static <T> Stream<T> loadObjectsFromCsv(Class<T> type, String resourceName) {
        try {
            CsvSchema schema = CsvSchema.emptySchema()
                    .withHeader();
            CsvMapper mapper = new CsvMapper();
            MappingIterator<T> readValues = mapper.readerFor(type)
                    .with(schema)
                    .readValues(new ClassPathResource(resourceName).getInputStream());
            return readValues.readAll()
                    .stream();
        } catch (IOException e) {
            return Stream.empty();
        }
    }

    @Override
    public void loadDescriptors() {
        errorDescriptorMap.putAll(Stream.of(errorCodeResources)
                .flatMap(resource -> loadObjectsFromCsv(GeneralErrorDescriptor.class, resource))
                .collect(toMap(GeneralErrorDescriptor::getIdentity, descriptor -> descriptor, (first, sec) -> sec)));
    }

    public FileBaseErrorDescriptorFactory setErrorCodeResources(String[] errorCodeResources) {
        this.errorCodeResources = errorCodeResources;
        return this;
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


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Enhanced Resolution Imager and Spectrograph
ERIS is part of a new generation of technology for ESO's Very Large Telescope (VLT) located at the Paranal Observatory in Chile. The Enhanced Resolution Imager and Spectrograph (ERIS) instrument combines a general-use infrared imager and integral field spectrograph with the world-class adaptive optics installed on the VLT's Unit Telescope 4 (Yepun).
The versatility of ERIS will lend itself to many fields of astronomical research and it aims to take the sharpest images obtained to date using a single 8-metre class telescope once operational. ERIS is expected to greatly contribute to probing of distant galaxies, the Galactic Centre, our Solar System and exoplanets.
"Seeing more objects at a finer image resolution with better image quality is the goal with ERIS," said Harald Kuntschner, ESO's project scientist for the ERIS instrument. "There will be significant gains made with instrument, particularly with the adaptive optics, spectral resolution and the near-infrared coverage."
The new, more sensitive technology of ERIS will succeed the successful NACO and SINFONI instruments, which have been used on the VLT since the early 2000s. ERIS is planned to work for 10 years following first light (ann13054).
ERIS-SPIFFER, Spectrograph
The spectrograph of ERIS, named ERIS-SPIFFIER, will be a refurbished version of SINFONI's SPIFFI (SPectrometer for Infrared Faint Field Imaging) instrument. The ERIS-SPIFFIER, as an integral field spectrograph, will work in much the same way as SPIFFI. Each pixel of the spectrograph will collect a full spectrum, which is the intensity of each wavelength measured by the instrument. The data collected is multidimensional and contains a lot of information for astronomers to analyse. This type of spectrograph allows astronomers to determine the relative position in space of each part of the target object. Combined with the infrared observing wavelength, this type of spectroscopy could for example allow astronomers to study the spin, structure, and content of high-redshift galaxies. A higher resolution grating on the spectrograph, used to split incoming light to capture a spectrum, works similarly to how a prism splits light into different colours.
"These spatial resolutions haven't happened before with an integral field spectrograph," said Kuntschner. "We're planning to get spatial resolutions at the limit of what an 8-metre class telescope can do with this technique."
ERIS-NIX, Infrared Imager
The imager on ERIS is the Near Infrared camera System (NIX), the next generation of infrared imager for the VLT. Astronomers will be able to use two main modes for the imager. One mode is direct imaging of astronomical objects. Another mode is coronagraphy, an observing technique that works by suppressing the direct light of a star. This technique on ERIS-NIX will allow astronomers to observe exoplanets and disks of gas and dust around young stars.
ERIS-NIX will be able to collect data in near-infrared between 3000 and 5000 nanometers, which are particularly difficult wavelengths to observe from the ground due to excess light interference from the sky. ERIS will be one of the few ground-based instruments with this wavelength coverage on an 8-metre class telescope and observing at these wavelengths will allow for a new and unique view of exoplanets and galaxies.
ERIS and the Adaptive Optics Facility
ERIS will be equipped with an adaptive optics module to work together with the Adaptive Optics Facility (AOF) installed in 2017 on Yepun (eso1724). Adaptive optics make real-time corrections for atmospheric turbulence that distorts starlight to allow for much sharper image quality, and are an important part of modern ground-based astronomical observations. The AOF capabilities in conjunction with the module will allow ERIS to capture the sharpest data possible with the instrument and cover more of the sky than earlier VLT instruments.
The authoritative technical specifications as offered for astronomical observations are available from the Science Operations page.
Location: Paranal Observatory
Telescope: Very Large Telescope, UT4
Focus: Cassegrain
Adaptive-optics-assisted imaging and integral field spectroscopy
Wavelength coverage:
Imager: 1–5 μm
Spectrograph: 1–2.5 μm
Spatial resolution: Adaptive optics
Spectral resolution: R ~4000; R ~8000 (planned)
First light: 2020 (planned)
Science goals:
Solar System science
Stellar disk science
Exoplanet studies
Initial Mass Function (IMF) determinations
Galactic Centre science
Centres of nearby galaxies
Medium to high redshift (z=0.4 to 2) galaxies
Images taken with the instrument: Link
Images of the instrument: Link
Videos of the instrument: Link
Press Releases with the instrument: Link
Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics, Germany (MPE-ERIS Web page)
INAF Arcetri Astrophysical Observatory, Italy
UKATC, United Kingdom
NOVA, Netherlands
ETH, Switzerland


Shaquille Richardson (CB) and Devin Smith (CB) did not dress against the Bills.
08/14/2014 Signed LS Luke Ingram .
08/13/2014 Signed RB Stephen Houston.
Practices will resume at the Steelers' South-Side facilities this week and for the remainder of the preseason.


text:
Home Reviews
Review "MASTERING THE PROCESS: FROM IDEA TO NOVEL" By Elizabeth George
Posted By: Administrator May 24, 2021
Although I am a fan of mysteries, I have a "short list" of those top authors that simply cannot be missed when one of their latest and greatest hits the shelves. On that list is the incomparable Elizabeth George and her thrilling series focusing on Inspector Lynley. She has forever gotten rave reviews from myself (along with all others who are lucky enough to never miss one of them). So, it was thrilling to learn this incredible author put together a nonfiction book now, offering all writers and readers out there a chance to learn how she does what she does.
From explaining her methods of research, outlining, and her actual writing process, Elizabeth goes into superb details that allowed me to learn just how an American author can so perfectly write British mysteries. Utilizing one of her own Lynley titles as an example ("Careless in Red" published in 2008), she shares everything from how her rough draft was written, to her own personal notes that have never been seen before, to photos, character assessments and how, exactly, she created those incredible plot twists in order to keep all of her fans guessing and coming back for more.
It's no surprise that this—much like Stephen King's "On Writing"—will be placed next to my own computer on my desk so that I can refer back to it as I attempt to write. The craft of writing fiction is highly difficult, but having someone to refer to like Elizabeth George in order to better understand outlining, attention to details, organization and more, is a true gift. Whether reader or writer, this is one title that provides an intimate look into the writing life and career of one of the absolute best who should appear on everyone's "short list." 5 Stars!
To listen to author interviews subscribe to Suspense Radio on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Amazon Music and other sites.
Be the first to comment on "Review "MASTERING THE PROCESS: FROM IDEA TO NOVEL" By Elizabeth George"


Take a Creative Journey to Destination CQ! Fun family activities for children of all ages.
Join us for a range of free family activities including performances, interactive workshops exploring "HOME" and the urban landscape around us. Use your imagination and come together to build your dream city in miniature.
Events include workshops from Can Do Academy, Wheelworks ArtCart, Northern Ireland Opera and Ulster University's 'Unique' shop, and a chance to try your hand at DJing with Bounce Culture.
Story-tellers, face-painters and magicians will be adding to this bumper day of creative experiences.
Take a creative journey with your family in The Cathedral Quarter. Click on the image below for a guide of what is in store.


Backyard, Backyard Birthday Party Ideas For Adults was posted March 6, 2019 at 2:38 pm by soulpower.info . More over Backyard Birthday Party Ideas For Adults has viewed by 371 visitor.
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It is imperative that you consider whether you may be entitled to post-separation support or alimony from your spouse since it may be vital to your ability to subsist throughout the divorce process and years to come. A divorce may cause you to be faced with unexpected financial hardships and career changes. Ensuring that you have a regular source of revenue to survive financially is extremely important.
Similarly, if your spouse is in the process of seeking PSS or alimony from you, it is important that you speak with a raleigh alimony attorney regarding your legal obligations to support him or her as well as any possible defenses to minimize or bar these claims. Judges have a significant amount of discretion in deciding whether to award PSS or alimony and in determining what the appropriate amount and duration of the award should be. If an court order issued against you ordering you to pay a specific amount, it could potentially affect your ability to pay your bills and maintain your accustomed lifestyle.
With that said, a spouse may be entitled to receive spousal support or post-separation support (PSS) if : (1) he or she is the dependent spouse; (2) the other spouse is the supporting spouse; (3) the dependent spouse has unmet needs; and (4) the supporting spouse has the ability to pay. PSS is a temporary form of alimony and is paid until a more permanent award of alimony is issued or some other act terminates the PSS obligation.
In deciding whether to award alimony, the court determines if he or she is dependent spouse and the other spouse is the supporting spouse as is the PSS determination. However, the court considers 16 different factors in determining whether an award of alimony is equitable.
PSS and alimony claims are subject to certain defenses such as martial misconduct which can serve to minimize or bar the claims respectively. It is imperative that you speak with a raleigh alimony attorney to help you consider whether you may be entitled to PSS or alimony from your spouse. It may be vital to your ability to subsist throughout the divorce process and during the years to come.


In honor of Fat Tuesday I'm celebrating with a big serving of warm banana bread pudding. I had a loaf of brioche bread that has been sitting around for a few days and some bananas that were starting to turn. The two seemed destined to come together to make a warm melt in your mouth dessert. Although, if you're counting calories, this isn't the dessert for you. It's rich with cream and eggs and caramelized bananas in a buttery rum syrup. All things in moderation, right!
To caramelize the bananas I assembled 3 bananas, 1/4 cup of brown sugar, 3 tablespoons butter and 3 tablespoons Rum.
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter and brown sugar, then stir in the Rum.
Bring to a boil, then add the banana slices and cook 3 – 4 minutes or until they are coated and begin to caramelize in the syrup.
Remove the bananas with a slotted spoon and set aside the remaining syrup.
The bread pudding ingredients include 8 cups of stale brioche bread, 6 eggs, 3/4 cup sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 1/2 cups each of heavy cream and half and half, 1 teaspoon vanilla and 3 tablespoons of Rum.
In a medium saucepan, heat the sugar, salt, heavy cream and half and half.
Stir in about a teaspoon vanilla.
Continue stirring the pot. Bring the mixture just to a boil, then remove from heat.
Prep a 9 X 9 inch baking pan. Run a pat of butter over the bottom and sides of the pan. Sprinkle some sugar or vanilla sugar on the bottom of the pan.
Add the bananas to the bread crumbs and gently stir them together.
Pour the bread cubes and bananas into the bottom of the pan, then pour the egg and cream mixture over top.
Spoon the reserved syrup over top of the bread and cream.
Heat an oven to 350 degrees and cook 35 – 45 minutes or until toothpick tested.
It comes out of the oven crisp on top with a warm banana flavored custard underneath.
I sprinkled some bittersweet chocolate on top for Joe!
To make the caramelized bananas, heat a medium saucepan and melt the butter and brown sugar. Stir in 3 tablespoons of Rum and bring to a boil. Add the sliced bananas and cook 3 – 4 minutes or until the bananas have caramelized in a thick syrup. Remove the bananas with a slotted spoon and set aside. Leave the remaining syrup for later.
To make the bread pudding, combine the sugar, salt, heavy cream and half and half in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the vanilla and rum and continue stirring. When the mixture reaches a low boil, remove the pan from the heat. Add 1 cup of the liquid mixture to the beaten eggs all the while whisking. Continue adding a cup at a time of the liquid until all the liquid has been incorporated.
Prep a 9 x 9 inch baking pan with butter over the bottom and sides of the pan. Sprinkle sugar or vanilla sugar on the bottom of the pan. Mix together the bananas and bread cubes and spoon into the baking pan. Pour the warm custard mixture over top of the bread cubes. Spoon the remaining syrup over top of the custard mixture.
Bake in a 350 degree oven for 35 – 45 minutes or until toothpick tested.
I love bread pudding! But never with bananas before. Will have to give this one a try. Yum!
I had not tried bananas before either, but found it works really well in bread pudding! Tasted like a warm banana custard.


Friday, Sept 4: Nancy Stohlman on the road with Pure Slush: New York City!
I will be reading from The Vixen Scream and Other Bible Stories and I will have copies for sale with me to sell and sign!
August 1–Nancy Stohlman On the Road with Pure Slush: Berlin!
The Monster Opera LIVE in Denver! Pre-sale begins Sept 15!


After a renter has posted a review, HomeAway's review system includes a 14-day window during which neither the property nor traveler reviews are disclosed. Once the 14 days are through, the reviews that have been submitted are published and the content of the reviews is locked.
After the MyVR support team has posted the review, HomeAway will approve or decline the response. Review approval from HomeAway can take 2+ weeks.


"Although we experienced a decrease in jobs and economic impact in 2015 and 2016, we continue to see that the oil and gas industry is essential to the livelihood of South Texas. With more than 100,000 jobs and $55 billion in economic output last year, the results of the UTSA study further illustrates the importance of the oil and gas industry to South Texans. The industry in South Texas brought much-needed infrastructure along with a sustainable source of income to the area. Sustained growth will further benefit the region through an increased tax base along with increased job and educational opportunities," said Omar Garcia, president and CEO of STEER.
The Study provides analysis for the 21-county study area as a whole, both the Eagle Ford Shale 15-county core area as a whole (Atascosa, Bee, DeWitt, Dimmit, Frio, Gonzales, Karnes, La Salle, Lavaca, Live Oak, McMullen, Maverick, Webb, Wilson, and Zavala) and the six adjacent counties as a whole (Bexar, Jim Wells, Nueces, San Patricio, Victoria, and Uvalde). The second phase of the Study includes breakouts for all 21 counties individually and compares interindustry relationships from 2010-2015. The comparison of different multipliers demonstrates how employment and production have been affected in the area.
Access the Full Study: "Economic Impact of the Eagle Ford Shale, Business Opportunities and the New Normal" here.


text:
By Madeleine Keck
'Play School' Celebrates NAIDOC Week With All-Indigenous Cast and New Aboriginal Doll
There's a new doll on the block.
Indigenous Australians have lower rates of life expectancy, health, and schooling and are significantly more likely to be incarcerated than non-Indigenous Australians. Leveraging the voice of underrepresented social groups is critical to reducing bigotry, bias, and racism. You can take action on these issues and more here.
Australian preschool television program Play School has this week broadcast an 'Acknowledgment to Country' special in honor of Indigenous culture — and it may just be the most noteworthy episode in the program's 53-year installment.
The episode coincides with NAIDOC Week, which commemorates the culture, history, and accomplishments of Australia's First People. Alongside an all-Indigenous cast for the first time, the episode saw the introduction of a new Indigenous doll named Kiya.
Kiya — who was introduced by hosts Miranda Tapsell, Luke Carroll, and Hunter-Page Lockhart — belongs to the Noongar people, who traditionally live in the south-west corner of Western Australia. She wears a dress which represents the connection between Noongar people and the ocean and is named after a standard Noongar greeting.
Kiya will become a regular cast member, joining beloved characters like Jemima, Humpty, Big Ted, and Little Ted.
Today is Kiya's first day at Play School!
The history making episode marks #NAIDOC2019 and will be the first time #PlaySchool will have a line up of all Indigenous presenters with a whole episode of Indigenous content, also a first for Play School!
Join us from 9am on ABC Kids. pic.twitter.com/snzDxJTAE1
— ABC Indigenous (@ABCIndigenous) July 7, 2019
Jessica Staines, an Aboriginal early childhood consultant and script advisor for the Play School episode, told Global Citizen the impact of a permanent Indigenous doll on the program should not be understated.
"It's important for all children to see themselves reflected in the world around them," she stated. "Having an Aboriginal toy cast member instills a sense of pride in young children's emerging identity."
Staines further explained the importance of representing just how multifaceted the broader Aboriginal community is.
"Kiya is not the first Aboriginal toy cast member on Play School and will be joining veteran Aboriginal male doll, Dan. Unlike Kiya, Dan doesn't have a specific mob or nation. I personally feel like this is similar to a lot of Aboriginal people who have been displaced from their communities," Staines explained. "It was important for Kiya to be different to Dan, allowing Play School to be reflective of the diverse identities of Aboriginal people."
Kiya wears a dress which represents the connection between Noongar people and the ocean. The painting on the fabric of her dress was designed by Menang Noongar artist, Kiya Watt — who was also the reason the doll was chosen to be Noongar. Source: ABC Kids
Beyond celebrating Indigenous culture, Tapsell — an actress and two time Logie Award Winner — told the Guardian that seeing Indigenous art like Kiya on television would enable future generations to "grow up and have a more advanced conversation around Australia's relationship with Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders."
"While I understand that art doesn't fix the bigger problems — it doesn't change policy, it doesn't change the law — if we're going to have an advanced conversation around Aboriginality, we need to use art to put a spotlight on having those bigger conversations. And that's what I believe Kiya will do," she said. "There's a huge gap in health and education, incarceration rates are through the roof, but there's not one way to tell an Aboriginal story."
Loving Play School this morning. It's been a while since the kids were young enough to watch regularly but we're all here this morning to meet Kiya. So wonderful to see this special episode and celebrate culture and NAIDOC Week. #Kiya#PlaySchool
— Amy Perry (@gorgeouspalaces) July 7, 2019
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders account for 27% of the nation's incarceration rate — despite representing just 2.8% of Australia's population. Indigenous Australians also have an employment rate of 47%, compared with 72% for non-Indigenous citizens.
Out of 151 people, there are just five Indigenous Australians in the current Australian parliament.
Related Stories Feb. 13, 2019 Barbie Gets More Inclusive With the Help of a 13-Year-Old Disability Advocate
The historic Play School episode, which also features a hip-hop cover of 'Hickory Dickiry Dock' by Australian musician Baker Boy, will be streamed the following two weekends of July on ABC KIDS and can be watched online here.
TopicsAustraliaIndigenous AustraliansAboriginal and Torres Strait IslanderNAIDOC WeekPlay School


Mail. Once upon a time, way back when, getting mail was exciting. As a child my sisters and I would compete for the opportunity to check the mailbox. We lived in what we called a condominium — I am not sure this phrase is even used any more — but it is basically a townhouse, if not somewhat smaller. The mailbox was located across the street in a cluster box unit. Getting hold of the key from my mom was like winning the lottery, or at least on the same level as scoring money for the ice cream truck. Sure, there was junk mail then, and of course bills, but receiving a card or handwritten letter would happen with a fair amount of regularity. Arriving at college, mail — letters from friends and family and care packages — also held a special magic. Even when I lived in Korea and Japan, before the internet and email really took off (dating myself again), I regularly composed and received long missives. Yet these days in the world of instant messaging via smart phones, email, Facebook, and a whole host of other social media sites that I have no clue about, waiting for the post has lost its significance, at least for the majority of Americans.
Not so for the American expat, especially those located in more out of the way places. First let me caveat all that I write here with the fact that I am a Foreign Service Officer and thus have access to Embassy mail; other expats generally have to rely on the local postal system. This means I actually have a U.S. address located at a State Department facility in Virginia. My mail goes to that facility where they then forward it on to our Embassies. Some overseas missions have the Diplomatic Post Office (DPO), which essentially establishes a branch of the U.S. Postal System at select diplomatic missions overseas. Here in Malawi we have the former, which is a little slower and has more restrictions than using the DPO.
These days of course I do the vast majority of my correspondence via the Internet, but when it comes to packages, well, "snail mail" it is. While folks in the U.S. are getting their packages within a few days, even same day, our mail takes just a wee bit longer, on average three weeks. At certain times of the year, for instance Christmas, it can take longer as our mail flies "space available." There are then no quick last minute online purchases. Last year we received notification in late October that packages should be ordered for receipt at the Virginia pouch facility by November 10, to ensure delivery before the holidays. When C's school emails on Monday that Thursday is book character day, there is no way to order something to arrive in time.
At a quarter to the appointed time, C and I began our drive to the Embassy. The late afternoon sun directly in my eyes; I felt giddy. There is always excitement surrounding an out-of-the-ordinary event. Once in the Embassy parking lot we saw many more of my colleagues' cars pulling in. I smiled and recalled a story a fellow book club member had shared when I lived in Jakarta. The woman and her husband had served in Yemen in the 70s. Naturally, foreign products were hard to come by, so when someone got word the cargo plane from France was landing, the news traveled fast. People stopped what they were doing, jumped into their cars, and drove down to the airfield to welcome the flight carrying wine and cheese and other goodies from Europe.
Our convergence on the mail room at Embassy Lilongwe in the Spring of 2018 cannot really compare to dozens of international diplomats flocking to the sand swept Sana'a airfield of the late 1970s. The latter holds a certain element of romance to me. And yet, the diplomats of today were likely no less desperate for their delivery as the diplomats of yesteryear; its all relative after all. Of course we have access to the internet and thus online shopping with our favorite retailers like Amazon and Walmart. But whether we rush to pick up a package of our kid's favorite cereal or hoof it to meet a plane with some much desired fromage, we are trying to have a little taste of home while soaking up the culture of afar. And that Friday the mail room and the area just outside had a festive feel. Coworkers and spouses gathered around catching up and laughing. For the children, it was as if we had organized a spontaneous play date – several clamoured into one of the mail carts, others ran impromptu races, they played on the gymnastic bars outside the gym. In the fading light as we awaited our names to be called so we could sign for and carry off our boxes, there was most certainly a sense of shared community and happy anticipation.
Oftentimes when I receive the "you've got mail" notification in my in-box I cannot even recall what I have ordered. Not so much because I purchase a lot but because I barely remember what I did the day before. Just kidding. It's more a function of never quite being sure which order made it into which pouch and plane. It's a bit like Christmas every time, sort of a secret Santa gift exchange with yourself. And while there can be a level of frustration marking time for the arrival of that one thing I really need (or convince myself I need), I must admit to an overall enjoyable level of satisfaction in the biding of time.
Waiting for the post for weeks does, I believe, teach patience. In a world of ever increasing desire for the instantaneous – and an ability to meet those expectations – it is almost refreshing to have to cool our heels in anticipation. Over time one finds there are many things one (and one's children) can do without. If I cannot order some seemingly needed item for the book character/international day/Star Wars themed event at C's school, then, well, it's not really that vital. We can in fact soldier on quite well without it. Little by little I order less, I find local substitutes, or my tastes change and I no longer crave those same favorites from home. Not that I stop ordering altogether mind you, I have a fairly strong, bordering on unhealthy, addiction to Amazon. I cannot quit just any time.
I miss composing and posting long letters. The stationery, the stamps, dropping them in a mailbox. Yet, I love that living overseas means mail still holds a wee bit of mystery – even if it's just wondering if the package contains the special diet cat food or chocolate Lucky Charms.
This entry was posted in Life in the Foreign Service and tagged Foreign Service, life abroad. Bookmark the permalink.


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text:
← I'm Back
Posted on April 17, 2019	by timggrover
Peleg Austin & wife Abiah Knapp Austin were my fifth great grandparents on my dad's side. They were grandparents to Lucinda Griffin, whose story will come later.
An Austin family history was written by Edith Austin Moore. She included a letter received in in 1929 from Lillian Manchester, which is the source for this story.
Peleg Austin was born in Vermont, the son of English parents. In the 1790s, he and his brother became the first white settlers in Franklin County, a wilderness area in upstate New York along the Quebec border. The Austin pioneers were "thrifty, hard-working men and women of character and beauty."
Abiah Knapp suffered teenage heartbreak, from which she never fully recovered. She loved a medical student named Wyman, described as "a bold and adventurous youth, could swear and shoot, and had no money but plenty of brains." Wyman asked Abiah's stern clergyman father to marry them, but he refused. The relationship ended.
Several years passed, and Abiah's parents feared she would become an old maid. Tired of their comments, one day she snapped that she would marry the first man who proposed. And that…was Peleg Austin.
Eight years older, Peleg was "uneducated and rough. But he had land, some money, was religious and upright, honest and a hard worker and quite dependable." Unfortunately for "the dainty little Abiah, cultured, refined and beautiful", Peleg was also "a man homely enough to stop a clock."
They married.
A few years later, they settled in the frontier several miles further west. "Wild Indians" would come daily to their home, sometimes entering and stealing any provisions they could find. Eventually, "the hardships and terrors of the wilderness was more than the delicate Abiah could stand." She never grew to love Peleg, and combined with her broken heart Abiah "became mentally unbalanced in a mild, harmless way." Three of her dozen children were born after this happened.
Abiah died at a daughter's home at age 86. Peleg, who also served in the War of 1812, died at 95. They were buried together at a cemetery in Moira, New York.
Although I sympathize with Abiah, this story leaves me wondering. What if the preacher Knapp would have been more lenient? Or Wyman, a bit less callow? What would have happened if Abiah hadn't made such a rash promise? Or if the unattractive backwoodsman Peleg had lacked the courage to propose?
Would I be here?


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Donald Williams
Donald Williams has served as a member of our board of directors since June 2016. Mr. Williams is currently a member of our board of directors a 35-year veteran of the public accounting industry who retired in 2014. Mr. Williams spent 18 years as a partner at Ernst & Young and the last seven years as a partner at Grant Thornton. Mr. Williams' career focused on private and public companies in the technology and life sciences sectors. During the last seven years at Grant Thornton, he served as the National Leader of Grant Thornton's Life Sciences Practice and the Managing Partner of the San Diego Office. He was the lead partner for both Ernst & Young and Grant Thornton on multiple initial public offerings; secondary offerings; private and public debt financings; as well as numerous mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Williams serves as a director of Alphatec Holdings, Inc., Impedimed Limited, Marina Biotech, Inc. and Proove Biosciences, Inc. Mr. Williams served on the board of directors and is past President and Chairman of the San Diego Venture Group and has served on the board of directors of various charitable organizations in the communities in which he has lived. Mr. Williams is a graduate of Southern Illinois University with a B.S. degree.
Chair of the Audit Committee


This has happened to me again, this time it's the Rockford files - and no way to remove it from the app!
Smart Recording website and General questions / Re: Setting series for a specific day - is it possible?
Current Issue is Arrested Development, all of course are repeats but at the moment being aired on abc1 and abc2 same week therefore resulting in double recording of same episode.
How do you vote? I vote yes.
When setting to record a Movie, it will force it to go to Series recording, meaning it is then in My Shows (filling it up with every movie ever recorded) and also results in multiple recordings, especially as 9 and GO! double airing movies almost weekly at the moment.
Can you change it so when you record a title of Movie: it will force an 'episode' record instead of 'series'?
Any update on this one Dan?
Two and a half men's on Go are not marked as repeats.
Ive got a 7100 and record a lot of shows and have never has the yellow icon.
IceTV EPG Content / Re: Repeat still recording?
Hi I checked on both iphone (i did a reset app) and the website and this show is still appearing.
with regards to the dongle, i repeatedly got the 'wirelss usb not found' message and the dongle was always hot.
ended up going to officeworks and spent $80 on a wireless ethernet adaptor to trick the toppy into thinking its plugged into a cat5 - and joy joy i have zero problems since.
IceTV EPG Content / Repeat still recording?
•The guide region you are using.
•The type of PVR or media center you are using.
•The show's title along with the date and time of the show.
Greys Anatomy on Monday at 1pm on 7TWO.
My question is: I have my favorite for this show set to record first runs only, and this is marked as a repeat so why is this showing in MY WEEK to record?
Apologies if I have not logged this in the correct place - this occurs both on website and iphone.
This is a bazillion times better and glad to have everyone back.


text:
"Big Data" Bundle From SAP Capitalizes on Power of Hadoop, Speed of In-Memory Computing
NEW YORK — SAP today announced integration of Apache Hadoop into real-time data warehousing environments with a new "big data" bundle and go-to-market strategy with Cloudera, Hitachi Data Systems, Hortonworks, HP and IBM. The offering is based on the flagship SAP HANA platform and combines the SAP Sybase IQ server, SAP Data Integrator software and SAP BusinessObjects business intelligence (BI) solutions. It provides a comprehensive data warehousing solution for real-time insights across massive data sets from various sources. The announcement was made at the O'Reilly Strata Conference + Hadoop World, being held October 23-25 as a co-located event in New York.
Where traditional databases once dominated enterprise data warehousing strategies, Hadoop is gaining traction among companies looking for an efficient and affordable way to store and process ever-increasing data volumes. However, companies struggle to integrate Hadoop with their business analytics environments and refined data warehousing practices. Together, the "big data" bundle from SAP and go-to-market partnerships with Hadoop vendors enable SAP to offer its customers a complete real-time data warehousing strategy that harnesses Hadoop's potential with the speed of in-memory computing and columnar databases.
Mitsui Knowledge Industry, experts in bioinformatics and genome analysis, have built a real-time analytic database that uses SAP HANA for complex, iterative algorithms against genome sequences preprocessed in Hadoop, reducing genome analysis from days to minutes. A global leader in measuring the digital world, comScore uses Hadoop to process terabytes of data each day. The company loads results into its enterprise data warehouse based on SAP Sybase IQ, which can then be analyzed by thousands of comScore customers using self-service tools.
"Our goal is to help organizations build a high-performance enterprise data warehouse that combines the power of real-time insights with Hadoop processing frameworks," said Steve Lucas, global executive vice president and general manager, Database & Technology, SAP. "With new 'big data' offerings delivering information at unprecedented speeds, customers can uncover and harness new measurable signals from any data source for critical business insights."
Bringing together the speed, scale, flexibility and affordability needed to fully tap the potential of "big data," SAP is offering the following Hadoop-integrated solutions in a single bundle, as well as individually:
SAP Sybase IQ, a columnar database and enterprise data warehouse database
SAP Data Integrator
SAP BusinessObjects BI suite
SAP enables customers to integrate Hadoop into their existing BI and data warehousing environments in multiple ways, giving customers the ability to tailor the integration to their needs. With SAP Data Integrator, organizations can read data from Hadoop Distributed File Systems (HDFS) or Hive databases, and load relevant data rapidly into SAP HANA or SAP Sybase IQ, helping ensure that BI users can continue to use their existing reporting and analytics tools. Furthermore, customers can federate queries across SAP Sybase IQ and Hadoop environments, or alternatively run MapReduce jobs across a SAP Sybase IQ MPP environment using built-in functionality. Lastly, SAP BusinessObjects BI users can query Hive environments giving business analysts the ability to directly explore Hadoop environments.
SAP Partners With Key Vendors Offering Hadoop Services and Support
To simplify the implementation of "big data" solutions that leverage the SAP real-time data platform and Hadoop, members of a "big data" partner council from SAP are collaborating on go-to-market initiatives and coordinated customer engagements. As leading providers of Hadoop data management software, systems, services and training, Cloudera, Hitachi Data Systems, Hortonworks, HP and IBM will enable SAP customers to quickly deploy "big data" solutions that combine in-memory computing and Hadoop. To read what supportive partners have to say, see "Quote Sheet: 'Big Data' Bundle from SAP."
Visit SAP at booth #64 on-site at the O'Reilly Strata Conference + Hadoop World and hear big data experts from SAP on Wednesday and Thursday. On Wednesday, Oct. 24, from 11:40 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. EDT, David Jonker will speak at the session "Tying the Knot between Hadoop and EDWs," to be held in the Nassau room (NY Hilton & Towers). On Thursday, Oct. 25, Irfan Khan will give a five-minute keynote from the main stage, "From Traditional Database to Big Data Platform." The session will be held at 9:45 a.m. EDT, during the full keynote session from 8:30 a.m. to 10:10 a.m. EDT, in the Grand Ballroom (NY Hilton & Towers).
For more information, visit the SAP Newsroom.
Samantha Finnegan, +1 (650) 276-9350, samantha.finnegan@sap.com, PDT
Jeff Neal, +1 (925) 236-5035, jeff.neal@sap.com, PDT
Cathrin von Osten, +49 (6227) 7-63908, cathrin.von.osten@sap.com, CET
SAP Press Office, +49 (6227) 7-46315, CET; +1 (610) 661-3200, EDT; press@sap.com
Tags: Apache Hadoop, big data, Cloudera, Hadoop, Hitachi Data Systems, Hortonworks, HP, IBM, in memory, Mitsui Knowledge Industry, Press Release, SAP BusinessObjects BI solutions, SAP BusinessObjects BI suite, SAP Data Integrator, SAP HANA, SAP Sybase IQ


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Events from the near and distant past often have a direct influence on circumstances and happenings which occur today or in the future. In 1992, 1 and 2 cent pieces were withdrawn from circulation. Since that infamous day, there has been a rapid decline in "common sense" in relation to many decisions made by both state and federal governments. The current decisions in relation to renewable energy generation and supply and emissions reduction are two cases in point. South Australia manically forged ahead with adopting renewable, intermittent energy with minimal storage capacity over reliable base load power and have sentenced SA consumers, both private and business, to the highest power prices in the world and an unreliable power network. Application of even a modicum of "common sense" would have highlighted the need to proceed with caution and make the transition a gradual one, which was inclusive of both sources of energy. With Australia only emitting 1.3% of carbon dioxide, measures to reduce our emissions are having a severe financial and social impact on Australia, which is extremely disproportionate given the negligible impact any reductions in our emissions would have. Some of the world's biggest emitters, America, China and India contribute up to 54% of emissions, and yet each of them have withdrawn from the Paris accord. Again, lacking "common sense", Australia's decision to continue to pursue this accord has to be questioned. Hopefully our politicians, will show some "common sense" and genuine consideration for everyday Australians, who are struggling with exorbitant power prices. IAN MACGOWAN Ceduna With local council elections coming this year it is interesting to note that even those who are not Australian citizens can vote if they have resided at an address within a particular council area for more than a month of more. This seems undemocratic. Residences desiring a vote should be encouraged to become Australian citizens first. Council elections should be consistent with state and federal regulations. Our politicians should be asked to ensure consistency. TOM DOLLING Port Lincoln The Charra Hall got a funding boost with a $30,000 grant from the federal government's Building Better Regions Fund. I can remember having the Uworra School concerts there when Dave Maskall was teaching .... many fond memories of the Charra Hall. Dianne Brilliant news! Anything that improves facilities in regions! Felicity The Ceduna Senior Citizen's Village is home home to adopted greyhound, Zeppo. What a great idea. They are very gentle pets after their racing days and are retrained. Win-win situation for all. A few more nursing homes should take this up...spread the word. Denise He is a good boy. Lovely dog. So gentle. Kim
https://nnimgt-a.akamaihd.net/transform/v1/crop/frm/32ui8UE6ZJbtvC4phXfSTtM/27b3b629-d86a-4740-8754-509627a1d893.jpg/r3_1_1198_676_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg
July 17 2018 - 8:55AM
Common sense needed
Events from the near and distant past often have a direct influence on circumstances and happenings which occur today or in the future.
In 1992, 1 and 2 cent pieces were withdrawn from circulation.
Since that infamous day, there has been a rapid decline in "common sense" in relation to many decisions made by both state and federal governments.
The current decisions in relation to renewable energy generation and supply and emissions reduction are two cases in point.
South Australia manically forged ahead with adopting renewable, intermittent energy with minimal storage capacity over reliable base load power and have sentenced SA consumers, both private and business, to the highest power prices in the world and an unreliable power network.
Application of even a modicum of "common sense" would have highlighted the need to proceed with caution and make the transition a gradual one, which was inclusive of both sources of energy.
With Australia only emitting 1.3% of carbon dioxide, measures to reduce our emissions are having a severe financial and social impact on Australia, which is extremely disproportionate given the negligible impact any reductions in our emissions would have.
Some of the world's biggest emitters, America, China and India contribute up to 54% of emissions, and yet each of them have withdrawn from the Paris accord.
Again, lacking "common sense", Australia's decision to continue to pursue this accord has to be questioned.
Hopefully our politicians, will show some "common sense" and genuine consideration for everyday Australians, who are struggling with exorbitant power prices.
IAN MACGOWAN
Ceduna
Only citizens should be able to vote
With local council elections coming this year it is interesting to note that even those who are not Australian citizens can vote if they have resided at an address within a particular council area for more than a month of more.
This seems undemocratic.
Residences desiring a vote should be encouraged to become Australian citizens first.
Council elections should be consistent with state and federal regulations.
Our politicians should be asked to ensure consistency.
TOM DOLLING
Port Lincoln
All submissions must include an address and contact number. (The address and phone number are not for publication.) Letters must carry the writer's name for publication.The editor reserves the right to edit letters and not to publish them.
The Charra Hall got a funding boost with a $30,000 grant from the federal government's Building Better Regions Fund.
I can remember having the Uworra School concerts there when Dave Maskall was teaching .... many fond memories of the Charra Hall.
Brilliant news! Anything that improves facilities in regions!
The Ceduna Senior Citizen's Village is home home to adopted greyhound, Zeppo.
What a great idea. They are very gentle pets after their racing days and are retrained. Win-win situation for all. A few more nursing homes should take this up...spread the word.
He is a good boy. Lovely dog. So gentle.
Enjoying NAIDOC Week together


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Non sono molte le notizie biografiche di questo alto prelato. Sappiamo per certo che appartenne alla nobile famiglia Bulcano (o Vulcani o Bulcani) di Sorrento, patrizi napoletani del Seggio (o Sedile) di Nido per parte paterna e che, visto che nelle fonti è indicato sempre come nipote di Francesco Renzio, è ipotizzabile che la madre fosse sorella di quest'ultimo, quindi originari della cittadina di Alife, nell'Alto Casertano, dove è probabile che Marino sia venuto alla luce.

Biografia
Dagli antichi documenti è ribadito che anch'egli, come lo zio, appartiene alla lista dei cardinali nipoti, come lo zio Francesco, parenti entrambi dell'arcivescovo Bartolomeo Prignano (futuro papa Urbano VI).
La notizia più antica che fa riferimento a questo cardinale risale al 1364. quando la regina Giovanna I di Napoli lo nomina dottore in utroque jure e, al contempo, gli conferisce l'altissima mansione di priore (o abate) della chiesa di San Nicola a Bari (molto cara alla Casa Reale angioina), annullando la nomina di un altro sacerdote, scelto dal Capitolo della Cattedrale barese.
Con tale incarico, che conserverà fino al 1395, Marino riuscì ad ottenere diversi privilegi e concessioni dalla casa regnante; anche l'arcivescovo Prignano, nei primi mesi del 1378 lo crema dapprima suo cappellano (come rilevasi dal codice 6330 della Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana) e, nell'estate dello stesso anno, suo cubicolario, insieme alla prestigiosa nomina di "suddiacono di Sua Santità". Siamo agli inizi del periodo tristemente noto come Scisma d'Occidente e anche nel capoluogo pugliese alcuni membri del clero iniziano a simpatizzare per l'antipapa Clemente VII: tra essi vi è anche il tesoriere della basilica nicoliana (seconda carica dopo il priore) che era un certo Gorello (o Guglielmo) e che subito il Vulcano cerca di far tornare all'obbedienza romana.

Marino Vulcano, definito nelle fonti "uomo serio e fattivo", profuse tutto l'impegno possibile per evitare lo scisma nel clero pugliese ed è anche per merito di tale solerzia che fu elevato alla porpora cardinalizia durante l'ultimo concistoro tenuto da papa Urbano VI nel castello di Nocera il 17 dicembre 1384. Tuttavia, egli poté ricevere l'investitura ufficiale solo diversi mesi dopo e, precisamente, il 20 novembre 1385, insieme al titolo diaconale di Santa Maria Nuova, durante il periodo in cui il papa, con tutta la corte, si trasferì temporaneamente a Genova per allontanarsi dal clima burrascoso del Regno di Napoli.

Marino, insieme alla sua famiglia, durante la fase acuta del conflitto tra Urbano VI e la Casa Reale napoletana, rimase tra i pochi fedeli che si schierarono apertamente a favore del Prignano, anche a rischio dell'esilio; ciò gli meritò una certa influenza alla corte pontificia della quale, tuttavia, egli non approfittò quasi mai, né favorì i suoi parenti con concessioni speciali o prerogative particolari.

Egli rivestì anche l'incarico di Camerlengo del Sacro Collegio, soprattutto nel periodo di sede vacante che ci fu nel 1389, a seguito della morte di papa Prignano, dirigendo tutta l'amministrazione pontificia e preparando il conclave da cui uscì eletto, con il nome di Bonifacio IX, il suo amico e cardinale napoletano Pietro (detto Perrino) Tomacelli. Quest'ultimo confermò la carica di Camerlengo al cardinale Vulcano e ciò fu segno di profonda stima in quanto, solitamente, ad ogni nuova elezione, tale ufficio era tra i primi ad essere assegnato ad un nuovo porporato: la sua fervida attività in questo incarico è largamente documentata dalla numerosa corrispondenza (specialmente dal 1389 al 1391) sottoscritta a suo nome e conservata presso l'Archivio Segreto Vaticano.
La sua competenza si mostrò subito davvero ammirevole, anche considerando che le rendite pontificie, a causa del coesistere di due papi, erano praticamente dimezzate, in un periodo in cui, inoltre, lo Stato della Chiesa con non poche difficoltà, era attanagliato da continue lotte tra papa e antipapa per la conquista dell'Italia centrale.
Papa Tomacelli, al fine di risanare le sfortunate finanze pontificie, in questo periodo abilitò più volte il cardinal Vulcano a requisire beni ecclesiastici e a contrarre debiti: le competenze del cardinale napoletano fecero sì che fosse incaricato di poteri straordinari per coordinare la gestione di tutti gli interessi riguardanti la Camera Apostolica.

Negli anni 1392 e 1393 lo troviamo con il papa a Perugia

E fu l'ultimo suo incarico importante: rientrato con il papa a Roma, l'8 agosto 1394 morì; fu sepolto nella chiesa di cui era titolare nella quale, ancora oggi, è possibile ammirare il suo splendido monumento funebre (la chiesa è oggi intitolata a Santa Francesca Romana).

Bibliografia
AA. VV., Dizionario Biografico degli Italiani, (pagg. 36-37) Roma 1972;
Francesco Babudri, Lo Scisma d'Occidente e i suoi riflessi sulla Chiesa di Brindisi in Archivio Storico Pugliese, Bari 1955;
Gaetano Cuomo, Il Cardinal Francesco Renzio: un alifano durante lo Scisma d'Occidente, inedito.

Collegamenti esterni

 Stemma di Marino Vulcano su Araldica Vaticana di Giovanni Sicari.
  Particolare del monumento funebre di Marino Vulcano nella Chiesa di Santa Francesca Romana in Roma (da The Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church, 14st century di Salvador Miranda).

Cardinali nominati da Urbano VI

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
The latest and greatest project news
Newsozy_usc@hotmail.com2015-06-29T23:01:13+00:00
Lessons in Movement
"I chose dance because my older sister did it, and I always wanted to do what she did. I started by taking a hip hop class and immediately fell in love. Dance gave [...]
By Alyssa Rodriguez|2022-01-27T20:34:45+00:00January 27th, 2022|Categories: PSLA|
Listen to This!
"In college, I majored in Japanese and worked on my school's radio show. While working on the show I learned how to manipulate my voice to create different sounds, and it was fun. [...]
By Alyssa Rodriguez|2022-01-06T21:18:41+00:00January 6th, 2022|Categories: PSLA|
Dancing into Someone New
"My mom was always a dancer at heart, so, when I was three, she enrolled me in dance classes. She also opened a dance studio when I was seven years old. Dancing was [...]
By Alyssa Rodriguez|2021-09-22T19:08:54+00:00September 22nd, 2021|Categories: PSLA|
Building Character One Touchdown at a Time
"You could say I was born into a sports home. My dad played college football at UC Davis, and my mom ran track and played soccer throughout high school. When I got to [...]
By Alyssa Rodriguez|2021-08-19T19:52:52+00:00August 19th, 2021|Categories: PSLA|
Biking through Culture
"Many years ago, I joined a local bike club. I participated in organized rides and local challenges with set routes and rest stops. However, I found myself wanting even more of a challenge; [...]
By Alyssa Rodriguez|2021-08-03T20:47:51+00:00August 3rd, 2021|Categories: PSLA|
Solving the Puzzle
"I became interested in computer science at 14 when I saw my best friend's older sister coding. She told me about her experience in the field and suggested I try it out. My [...]
By Alyssa Rodriguez|2021-07-16T17:06:35+00:00July 16th, 2021|Categories: PSLA|
admin on Flux Watch
Dario Pineda on Headphones Pro
Dario Pineda on White Speakers
Dario Pineda on Flux Watch


WASHINGTON, DC, December 28, 2011–A big year is in store for the wind power industry in 2012, both in the policy arena and out in the field. With the Production Tax Credit (PTC), wind power's key policy incentive, set to expire at the end of the year, industry members and advocates will be pushing for a PTC extension so that the industry can grow to nearly 100,000 jobs just four years from now. Meantime, developers will be busy getting wind farms built and online by year's end.
Yesterday the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) looked back at the year in wind power for 2011. Now it's time to take a look ahead at the trends that promise to define 2012 and beyond.
1 – Boom phase of the notorious boom-bust cycle. Anyone who has followed the industry for a period of time is familiar with the up-down nature of the wind industry's growth pattern, caused by Congress's short-term extensions of the PTC. While the PTC has been around since the 1990s, Congress has extended it mostly in one- and two-year increments and even has allowed the credit to expire on occasion. The result is a boom and bust pattern that is difficult for businesses to plan around. Congress has yet to act on an extension to the PTC, which is set to expire at the end of 2012. Under-construction numbers are up; 8,400 MW were counted at the end of the third quarter in 2011. Expect them to continue to surge as 2012 gets underway.
2 – Appropriately, WINDPOWER heads to the Southeast. The Wind power industry has been quietly establishing a presence in the Southeast for some time—particularly in the form of manufacturing plants. Today at least 74 manufacturing plants in the region serve the wind power industry. Also, utilities in Alabama and Louisiana recently signed contracts for wind power, and projects are under development in North Carolina and Florida. It should come as no surprise, therefore, that for the first time, the WINDPOWER 2012 Conference & Exhibition, the largest annual wind energy event in the world, will take place in Atlanta, Ga., June 3-6, 2012. The event, considered the industry's annual town square and marketplace, bustled with activity last year in Anaheim, Calif., drawing 16,000 people.
3 – Cost of fuel holds steady for wind power: zero. In 2012 utilities will continue to embrace the price-locking benefit of wind power by signing long-term power contracts for the affordable energy source. That's because unlike the volatile prices of fossil fuels, wind power's fuel cost is fixed: zero. The fuel cost was zero last year, and it's guaranteed to stay at zero in 2012 as well. And wind power chalks up big zeros in other key areas: zero water use, zero air emissions, and zero water pollution.
4 – Congress takes action quickly and wind power generates more jobs. Congress ended the year without extending the PTC, but it can still act. If Congress extends it quickly in 2012—and a strong bipartisan contingent of members of Congress and business leaders are pushing for an extension—the industry will continue to add jobs and foster economic activity. A new study released this month finds that with stable tax policy the wind industry can grow to nearly 100,000 American jobs in the next four years. Included in those numbers: the wind manufacturing sector would grow by one third, to 46,000 American manufacturing jobs. Such job additions will keep the wind sector on track toward supporting the 500,000 jobs by 2030 projected in a report by the U.S. Department of Energy during the George W. Bush administration.
5 – Congress fails to take action, raises taxes on wind and kills 37,000 jobs. The recently released report from Navigant Consulting also found that if Congress allows the PTC to expire, jobs in the wind industry will be cut in half, meaning a loss of 37,000 American jobs and a one-third cut to American wind manufacturing jobs, while private investment in the industry would drop by nearly two thirds.


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« North Carolina Eugenics victims finally getting heard, Planned Parenthood connection censored out !
Elaine Riddick's (from Maafa21) tearful plea @ NC Eugenics Board hearing while media ignores Planned Parenthood's eugenics roots »
Planned Parenthood's arrested crooks, let's trust them with our TAX DOLLARS !
In July of 2013 a Planned Parenthood staff accountant plead guilty to stealing $102,7333 between August 2012 and March 2013.
The Erie County District Attorney's Office says 44-year-old Melissa Kwoka admits to forging checks from Planned Parenthood of Western New York to herself and her husband.
The DA's Office says Kwoka has three previous convictions for theft offenses.
She pleaded guilty to second-degree grand larceny in connection to this case and could face a maximum prison term of five to 15 years behind bars when sentenced in November.
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In Roanoke, VA. the media is reporting that in spite of the fact that Planned Parenthood board knew of a Roanoke director's recent arrest, he has NOT been fired…these are the people Planned Parenthood wants us to TRUST with millions and perhaps Billions of TAX DOLLARS when the rest of us are hard working citizens….
The Story continues: Planned Parenthood's Board of Directors was aware of the arrest of its Roanoke director, according to board chairman Dr. Britton Taylor.
Taylor says the board was told about the petit larceny charges against David Nova by the organization's CEO Walter Klausmeier. Taylor says that notification was prior to our reporting the charges.Nova was at work at the Planned Parenthood Roanoke office on Peters Creek Road
When asked if Nova could be fired, Taylor referred us to Klausmeier. Klausmeier has not returned our calls to his office and home or responded to an email.
Court records show Nova is serving weekends in the Roanoke County Jail for stealing wine from a Brambleton Avenue Kroger in January.
Planned Parenthood official BUSTED for theft: J…, posted with vodpod
Planned Parenthood official gets jailed on charges of stealing wine from Roanoke Co. store
An executive for Planned Parenthood has been ordered to serve three weekends in jail on charges of stealing wine from a Roanoke County grocery store.
David Nova, vice president of Planned Parenthood Health Systems in Roanoke, was charged earlier this year with three counts of petit larceny. The charges stem from bottles of wine Nova took through a self-checkout line at the Cave Spring Kroger. The incidents occurred on two separate dates in January, according to online court records.
As part of an agreement reached in Roanoke County General District Court last week, Nova was not convicted. The case was continued for a year, with the understanding the charges will be dismissed after Nova completes his jail time and avoids further charges.
"This was an intensely personal matter for David that was not at all related to his work" for Planned Parenthood, said Nova's attorney, John Lichtenstein.
WSLS reported it this way
David Nova, Vice President of Planned Parenthood Health Systems, Inc., was ordered by a judge last week to serve three weekends in the Roanoke County Jail.
Nova is accused of stealing wine from a Kroger on BrambletonAve. on two separate dates in January. Nova was arrested in May on three counts of petit larceny.
The jail confirms Nova reported there last weekend.
If Nova serves his time and stays on good behavior, the misdemeanor charges will be dropped in 12 months.
State Police tell us the trooper working the case was told he did not need to report for Nova's court date last week.
Nova, who has repeatedly done interviews with WSLS in the past, did not return our calls.
Nova is known for defending Planned Parenthood after undercover investigations of Planned Parenthood centers helping alleged sex traffickers obtain abortions for minor girls, were uncovered by Live Action.
As Life News reported:
On January 11, Live Action conducted an undercover investigation of the Charlottesville, Virginia Planned Parenthood clinic. The undercover reporter posed as a man who ran an international child sex ring and inquired about getting sexual health services for the girls he manages that were as young as 14. The investigation was to test whether Planned Parenthood would promptly report the suspected sex ring to law enforcement.
On February 4, David Nova, vice president for Planned Parenthood Health Systems Inc, told the News Virginian that "police were notified after the man left." http://www2.newsvirginian.com/news/2011/feb/04/anti-abortion-group-releases-more-va-videos-ar-820956/
"The employees on these edited tapes in Roanoke and Charlottesville acted professionally in their interactions with the fake patient," Nova said in a released statement. "In both cases, they promptly reported the incidents to their supervisors."
David Nova, vice president for Planned Parenthood Health Systems Inc., said workers in the Albemarle and Roanoke offices did their jobs and acted appropriately. He said in both cases, police were notified after the man left.
REALLY????????? WHOSE BEEN CAUGHT NOW DAVID ????????
Planned Parenthood exec accused of misappropriating thousands in donations for personal use not fired !
Newschannel 3 obtained a management letter presented to the board of directors at Planned Parenthood of Southwest Michigan after an audit by Flegal and Tibbitts CPAs in May of 2010. The letter outlined several key problems.
"Bank statements in some instances were accumulated (by the director of finance Rene Davis) for (up to six months) before they were reconciled."
PP, posted with vodpod
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Planned Parenthood CEO arrested for Shop Lifting, made over 100 Grand
In Rhode Island ABC 6 News Reporter Robert Goulston has the story of a local Rhode Island Planned Parenthood CEO caught shoplifting at the Warwick Mall. Planned Parenthood of Rhode Island President and CEO Miriam Inocencio was caught by police stealing a shirt from Macy's several weeks ago. Now reaction from those that know and work with Inocencio.
•	R.I.: Planned Parenthood of Rhode Island President and CEO Miriam Inocencio resigns after she was caught by police stealing a shirt from Macy's
Only on ABC 6: Head of RI Planned Parenthood Stepping Down Months After Shoplifting Incident
Warwick Police arrested the 59-year old in the spring after they say she stole an $89 Liz Claiborne blouse. The case was pleaded out in court and Planned Parenthood's CEO Miriam Inocencio reimbursed the store as part of the agreement.
Inocencio says she gave her voluntary resignation a couple of weeks ago, and that she is proud of what she accomplished during her 13 years as the director of the non-profit organization.
UPDATE II: Susan Yolen, a spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood of Connecticut, confirmed to me that Inocencio has resigned. She attributed the change to how "the market is changing," and how "it's difficult to be in a small Planned Parenthood fending for itself."
Yolen says there is no relation between Inocencio's resignation and how, as reported in May by Channel 6, she faced a shoplifting charge. The station said she was 59 and had been running PPRI for 13 years. "It's not really about Miriam Inocencio," Yolen says. "It's about the world of health-care."
Asked about the financial condition of PPRI, Yolen says, "I really can't say." She declined to comment on how Inocencio's resignation came about and whether she was encouraged to resign.
Read more: http://thephoenix.com/blogs/notfornothing/archive/2008/08/05/change-afoot-at-planned-parenthood-of-rhode-island.aspx#ixzz0wUWHWtkP
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Ex Planned Parenthood Temp employee found guilty of murder
A jury in New York has convicted Natavia Lowery of beating to death her boss, Linda Stein, a celebrity real estate agent and former manager of the Ramones.
The New York Post said the jury announced its guilty verdict Tuesday after four hours of deliberations. Lowery is a former temp employee of Planned Parenthood.
Natavia Lowery Confession
Lowery stole "thousands of dollars" from Planned Parenthood, where she temped before working for Stein, in a racket that involved buying items on a corporate credit card and then returning them for cash, Assistant District Attorney Joan Illuzzi said.
The scam, which prosecutors discovered after going through receipts confiscated from Lowery, also prevented her from landing full-time employment with Planned Parenthood, whose directors could testify in the trial.
"Her skills and attitude weren't ones that they thought were appropriate for permanent work," Illuzzi told Justice Richard Carruthers.
READ FULL STORY HERE: Former "temporary" Planned Parenthood Employee to stand trial for murder
Also Read: The Planned Parenthood Taxpayer Scam: Six Digit Salaries paid for by me and you !
Many reasons to defund Planned Parenthood: eugenics, racism, abortion, audits, misappropriation of funds, Medicaid billing practices, hiding sexual predators
This entry was posted on June 24, 2011 at 2:37 pm and is filed under Abortion, Abortion Clinic Worders, Planned Parenthood Employee, Planned Parenthood employee arrested, pro-choice, Pro-choice law breakers with tags arrest, David Nova, Fraud, Jail, larceny, Melissa Kwoka, Miriam Inocencio, murder, Natavia Lowery, Planned Parenthood, Planned Parenthood of Southwest Michigan, Rene Davis, Rhode Island Planned Parenthood, Roanoke, shoplifting, stealing, Walter Klausmeier.	You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
5 Responses to "Planned Parenthood's arrested crooks, let's trust them with our TAX DOLLARS !"
Several abortion clinics workers arrested in PA, – abortionist surrenders medical license! Nationwide trend? « Saynsumthn's Blog Says:
[…] executive for Planned Parenthood has been ordered to serve three weekends in jail on charges of stealing wine […]
Epidemic: Abortionists and Abortion clinic workers breaking the law and getting arrested! « Saynsumthn's Blog Says:
Planned Parenthood employee pleads guilty to stealing from the abortion giant | Saynsumthn's Blog Says:
[…] more Planned Parenthood's arrested crooks, let's trust them with our TAX DOLLARS […]
Planned Parenthood accountant who plead guilty to second degree steals again | Saynsumthn's Blog Says:
[…] More Planned Parenthood crooks and Pro-choice Lawbreakers here: […]
Planned Parenthood board member admits she once stole money and left kids alone | Saynsumthn's Blog Says:
[…] And read: Planned Parenthood's arrested crooks, let's trust them with our TAX DOLLARS ! […]


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Ashley Walters
Ashley Walters, also known by his stage name Asher D, is an English rapper, songwriter and actor best known for his star role as Ricky in Bullet Boy (2004), his lead role as Dushane in Top Boy, and his role as Antoine in Get Rich or Die Tryin' (2005). He has also appeared in prominent British TV shows such as Grange Hill, The Bill, Holby City, Doctor Who and Silent Witness.2015 BBC's police programme Cuffs
DOCTOR WHO · S7, E11
Journey To The Centre Of The TARDIS
The TARDIS has crashed, Clara is lost inside, and The Doctor has just 30 minutes before his ship explodes.


This huge Store More Metal Garage is perfect for storing all of your larger garden items. The largest of our Olympian range, this really is a fantastic space.
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Flextight rentals are $50/hour and are available between 10am-5pm Monday-Friday.


Books written by great Masters are not mere recordings. You can say they are literally the transfer of their consciousness into their works. A simple man writes for communicating a certain piece or knowledge or information but an adept transfers their knowledge or information as it is even though they may be writing with their hands.
What gets recorded is the subtle property of that information. It not necessarily is transferred into the reader but is transferred in the subtle form of the writing or recordings or print, whatever the medium looks to be. The transfer only happens in subtlety when another subtle form becomes receptive to it which lie in the writings. The receptive subtle form of the reader depends on his/her level of awareness of consciousness and his/her keenness and intention of 'knowing'. The gross form of the reader is the eyes that read it, the brain that interprets it and the mind that gives sense to it. Just like the mind's giving meaning to it depends on level of intelligence and acceptance of the subject, the subtle consciousness in the form of awareness and the level of consciousness, purity, intention, absorbs the nectar of the writings into one's consciousness. Here, no brain work or mind work is involved for the transfer just happens. That's the secret of why great adepts or Siddhas preferred to write. It was for both reasons - for a curious mind, it supplied knowledge and for a seeking mind, it shared wisdom and for the very few it transferred whatever the adept had intended to.
Baba, thus, even with a book in hand never reads them. As He often mentions, He just reads the first few pages, probably to check content or to know the consciousness of the writer and then it is just transferred into His gyanamaya kosha.
When i once asked Ishan bhaiya a certain book, he handed me another book but never encouraged me to read 'anyone's book' but to read from original sources. For example, a book or scripture can have various authors, all of whom have written it the way they interpreted or in simple words, according to their level of consciousness. So, instead of tapping into someone else's consciousness, it is better to read the original text by meditating on them. One good reason Baba says "You be the book and you be the reader".
The risk with learning (knowledge) was the misinterpretations that could happen due to wrong intention or ignorance or ego. There is no such risk with wisdom transferred into consciousness because if there is no pure intention, pure love, pure devotion, pure seeking with the reading in awareness nothing much happens. That's why many great masters preferred flowery language and poetry that satisfied the logic entertaining minds with intelligent, witty, and wisdom but with seeking minds, it transferred something more profound and deep for spiritual growth. But, again, it was not that they preferred to complicate language and twist words as it seems, but it was something that flowed out of them at very high state of consciousness, like the sacred book Tirumandiram, for example. It contains 3000 verses of Siddha Tirumoolar, who was always absorbed in samadhi, but just once a year came out of his samadhi and wrote one verse. He lived for 3000+ years and that is why 3000 verses! The entire book looks like a book of poetry and is very complicated to understand with even an intelligent mind. Each verse in reality contains everything that the great Siddha contemplated upon in that year, in just one verse! This was written at such high exalted state of consciousness that one has to raise one's vibrations to atleast a certain level to even get close to understanding it. But then, these are their mystical ways of sharing as well as protecting the secrets of the Universe. There are innumerable such masters who walked on earth and wrote or talked in coded or mystical ways. Jesus Christ also was one of them. What He talked was hardly interpreted to it's fullest meaning. Similarly many saints spoke but there were multiple interpretations and that was due to the different level of consciousness of every soul that read it. Surprisingly, all interpretations seemed intelligible.
That is why it is encouraged that ancient scriptures not be read or studied but meditated upon. By meditating on the words, one is reading with a sense of total awareness, with eyes doing the reading, mind visualizing what is read and awareness is totally still. The reading thus becomes nothing less than a meditative process, a sadhna. Choosing the right kind of books and right kind of text becomes thus very important because one can literally transfer anything into oneself this way, even negative stuff. Hence, special attention to be given to what you truly want. Remember, by meditating on reading, you actually are also manifesting what you are engrossed with - for that is becoming part of your consciousness. So, choose wise. Books, when read, work on the superficial mind stimulating entertainment or getting information or knowledge.
A deeper mind still reads deeper into a hidden meaning behind the text that appears symbolic to something more profound. Even deeper is the energy that this information carries. Seekers focus on this part - the energy part.
Like if someone is reading the Bhagwad Gita, one may be amused or entertained at the battle of Kurukshetra, with Lord Krishna who the center of it all with the secondary important role of Arjuna, and other two important aspects of the story revolving around the two teams - Kauravas and Pandavas. For a casual mind, this is purely a story and is as entertaining as the story of a Hero or Savior. To a devotional mind, the focus is on the awe of listening to Lord Krishna, who is none other than God, hence listening to God's action and divine words. The devotional minds benefits more than the casual reader for he has an interesting story and also the opportunity to listening to an incarnation of the Almighty. A deeper contemplating mind will also read the symbolic expression behind it all and intuitively know what lies hidden in the guise of a story. He will see that Kurukshetra represents nothing but the mind which is like the battlefield between the Pandavas and Kauravas, who represent the - good and evil thoughts, the constant struggle of the mind between good and evil thoughts. Arjuna, being the intellect and Krishna being one's inner voice or conscience that is guiding Arjuna (intellect) that decides and chooses from right or wrong. The intellect is confused and logic and acts on intelligence and in moments of utter confusion takes refuge in Krishna, representing one's conscience. Such a contemplative reader even gains more because he is enjoying a story, drinking the nectar of devotion, and also wisely learning the real meaning of it all and how to use this in his own life as the real solutions offered by the holy scripture. But a seeker or an aspirant who works even more deeper on the subtler aspect will gain the most because more than everything lies the powerful energy contained in the text that is the most subtlest form of the gross text and gross story. When the aspirant reads it in total awareness or meditativeness he is transferring the wealth of consciousness of the scripture into his, at the same time enjoying the story, understanding its hidden meanings, and also practicing devotion. Now, this is my interpretation of what i read and thus just my personal opinion, because i am not an validated to comment on any scriptures but i intend to bring the core part of meditating on texts.
To continue, many great Masters coded these with a deliberate intention, sure had valid reasons for the same. When i say Masters, it is not just the Masters of a different era but many great Masters of yester-years and also few great Masters of the current time, who are still in their physical bodies! It is obvious that it cannot be decoded by intellect or any other way other than their grace or their intent on who should reach the text and who should be able to 'read' them. So it is foolish to even attempt anything without first having a pure intention or contemplating on why that information is needed or what is the purpose of using that wisdom. Pure intention cannot be learnt or worked at, rather it is directly a certain level of evolved consciousness. But certainly pure intention can be practiced through daily acts of life that automatically keeps raising the level of consciousness till the time one can effortlessly 'be' in pure intention. With this, meditating on text needs no effort, just your attention or interest and the rest just happens, without even having to know how. There are shaktipats that have happened with reading, mystical experiences with reading, divine guidance with reading, the whole secrets of life and existence transferred into people with reading, and must more that can happen with reading - but not the casual reading, but the right way of reading that is the key. All this happens when you meditate on the books you read than read the books you read. It is my personal experience that reading certain books of even today's age Siddha Masters have given me profound experiences including experiences of shaktipat and an actual and very quick manifestation of being in the places written in that book.
It also included strange, mystical yet real experiences that might be too hard for the evidence-seeking minds to believe. Later i realized that these are very deliberate attempt of the Masters to lock energies in certain parts of the book in subtle form which when read with a certain level of awareness automatically gave you what they intended to give you. It's like a treasure-hunt game because there are treasures hidden at certain places. The routes and mysteries of the game keep you glued and various hints help you reach the treasures at certain locations and yet a few can be missed. It all depends on how you play the game. Similarly, it all depends on how you read something. Masters know of ways to keep you glued with interest in the book to arrive at certain places where only your level of keenness, sincerity, intentions and a certain level of awareness unlocks certain mysteries and grace and give you what was intended to be given to seekers. Like treasures are the rewards for your intelligence in the game, same way, spiritual treasures are the rewards for the pure intentions and sincerity in your seeking in the writings. Thus, a simple shift in the way you read can bring some very powerful shifts into your consciousness without which the book is no different from the book adorning the shelf or even the book wrapped in a holy cloth of worship.
So, hope these insights help you, whenever you wish to read something. Never attempt to read anything just because you read this article, but follow your inner voice. If you are hoping to take suggestion from me or someone on which are the books mentioned here, don't even think of it for then it defeats the very purpose of why this article was written. My preferences and likes or experiences may not necessarily have to be the same for you and what is good for your ultimate good and of utmost importance to your life may not have a fraction to do anything with me or my interests. Trust your intuition and of course, what you desire truly, your intuition will guide you to that book, or even more if the grace of a Master wishes to reach you, it will reach you through even this form. What you choose to read or meditate upon is entirely your choice. Exercise your power of choice by verifying what is your intention behind reading something.
Finally, a word of caution with the books you choose. Know carefully what you seek. There are millions of books out there. One attracts those ones according to what one's intentions are. So, a satvik desire or pure intention will bring you only the genuine and true ones into your hands. You will be guided to them or they will simply reach your hands. But, all this can be an utter disappointment for those who wish to eagerly read into something to quickly get something out of it or even with the intention of this.
Reading requires patience, interest, meditativeness, reverence for the author. Pick up the book with respect, handle it with respect, and keep it with respect. Treat it as the divine manifestation. Offer gratitude to the sources that brings you the information - like paper, ink, publisher, or whatever brings the bhaav in you. Before reading whisper a prayer to the author or connect mentally with the pure intention of receiving it directly from their consciousness - through the book in your hands. Pray that it helps you for yours and other's ultimate good. All this need not be rigid and like a rule, but rather use your own emotions and all this can happen in even 20 seconds, provided you are in that space of emotion and awareness. Read every bit in total awareness and be engrossed in what you read and at the same time remain meditative as you read, visualizing the contents of the book. To begin with these are far more than enough. Later as you start experiencing it's subtle qualities and experiences, it would give you deeper connections and rest will improve as and how your intentions and desires remain.
These sound simple but are very profound secrets about acquiring wisdom or sadhna with texts but I worry not about anything as am sure that if even this article is not read with right intention it would just seem to be an article. Those who 'need' it will understand it and make use of it, which is why this was intended to be shared. Happy reading!