This game is almost as rare as the Elvis Presley portrait paint set (found HERE!). Less than half a dozen in good shape are known to have survived since 1957.
Elvis was handed his copy while backstage at the Sports Arena in Philadelphia, on April 5th of 1957.
Cool box design for sure!
Above we see a full-page ad for the Game, it includes the order-slip.
To the right we get a bit less quantity for a bit more quality (the order-slip is missing), but I wanted to share this anyway because of it's rareness.
This page is scanned from the book Elvis Collectibles (2nd edition). And even though this book is from 1987, it was already valued at a staggering $800.
Fantastic piece of memorabilia. I can only dream of getting one of these super rare pieces.
It's one of those Elvis products that you only see in books.
Thanks for showing the box open.
Thanks, Jim. As the old saying goes: nothing beats an open box!
Great topics. Looking forward to the Japanese topic. Keep up the good work my friend.
Never seen this beauty before.
think it's a excellent made modern made piece in vintage style …?
Whatever the case, it's a kool piece and deserves a place in this topic.
The poster was part of the original topic you compiled.
I've updated this article with the scan from the book.
That book btw, is loaded with info and pics (mostly b/w and of minor quality) dealing with all sorts of rare EPE and RCA memorabilia. I should have thought about that book much earlier. It really holds a wealth of information.
Yes, I do remember sending you the Penneys poster, Bob. But the rumour about it being an original one (or not) dates from the time after we'd split up… By the way, what book are you referring to in your comment? There are so many books dedicated to Elvis memorabilia…? It must be one I'm not familiar with, having discovered the Penneys posters myself, sold at various auctions on the internet earlier this year?
Weirdly enough there is not much info about this book on the web, so I've scanned the cover and placed it in the lower left corner of this topic for you to see.
It has 400 pages, 1st edition was in 1983, this 2nd edition is from 1987.
I just noticed the $ pricetag, so I guess I must have brought it home from one of the US-trips.
One of the most beautiful things about this book is that it does not hold any of the trash memorabilia that was produced in the last 20 years or so.
Ger – Here's a update on the game's value. The Elvis Presley Game appeared at Heritage Auctions' Elvis Memorial Signature Auction in August 2012.
I think the biggest EPE 50's items are this game, the paint by numbers set, the doll (my least favorite), and the sneakers. Especially if you have them in their box. Happy hunting!
Don't overlook the 1956 EPE wristwatch ( with or without the little box it came in).
My grandma had this board game! When she moved from her house to an apartment she gave away a lot of things including this game. Did not realize it was so rare/valuable!
I have inherited an Elvis Board Game in great condition.


text:
Prem wanted some of his assets to be donated for public interest
Late statesman General Prem Tinsulanonda had indicated that he planned to donate some of his assets to the public, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said on Monday.
"Not long before passing, Prem had his close aide inform me that the former Privy Council president wished to donate some of his assets for public interest," Wissanu said.
However, he said, no concrete decision has been made yet, adding that Prem's passing was a loss for the country and the region, as he had done a lot of good work, especially in the security sector.
Prem, one of Thailand's most influential political figures for over four decades who served as Army commander, prime minister and adviser to the Palace, died at age 98 on Sunday.
Prem TinsulanondaPrivy CouncildeathThailandPrem wanted
Military trucks on standby at 11 Bangkok districts to transport commuters
Constitutional Court chief orders probe into 'leak' of witness' statement
Public wants governor to crack down on corruption in BMA procurement: poll
Mother wants hospital in Pathum Thani to take responsibility for death of baby
'Speeding' motorcycle rider plunges 6 metres down hole on Thonburi road

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
getvar() {
    local v="$1"
    /usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Print :$v" info.plist
}

# stuff in info.plist
export alfred_workflow_bundleid=$( getvar "bundleid" )
export alfred_workflow_version=$( getvar "version" )
export alfred_workflow_name=$( getvar "name" )

export INTERVAL_FIND=$( getvar "variables:INTERVAL_FIND" )
export INTERVAL_MDFIND=$( getvar "variables:INTERVAL_MDFIND" )
export INTERVAL_LOCATE=$( getvar "variables:INTERVAL_LOCATE" )

# workflow data and cache directories
export alfred_workflow_data="${HOME}/Library/Application Support/Alfred 3/Workflow Data/${alfred_workflow_bundleid}"
export alfred_workflow_cache="${HOME}/Library/Caches/com.runningwithcrayons.Alfred-3/Workflow Data/${alfred_workflow_bundleid}"

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


This is a story all about how...the Fresh Prince of Bel Air married his true love on December 31, 1997. We're throwing it all the way back to the '90s, when Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith got hitched in an ultra-romantic (and secretive) New Year's Eve wedding.
The couple met when Jada auditioned for the part of Will's girlfriend on The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. Despite Jada not landing the part, the two went on to date for a couple of years until the actor popped the question in November 1997. At the time, Jada told People that things got serious fast: "One day we got engaged, and the next day we found out we were pregnant."
In what People described as "the most lavish and secretive celebrity wedding of the year," the Smiths went full out glamorous to surprise and delight their guests.
He may be "west Philadelphia born and raised," but when it came to picking a venue for the future Mr. & Mrs. Smith's nuptials, the bride-to-be got hometown rights. The couple selected the Cloisters, a medieval-style mansion near Baltimore, where Jada grew up, for the big day. The couple's wedding planner David Weinschel told People, "Jada wanted it simple but elegant." That being said, it still took eight decorators 10 hours to get the venue up to the couple's standards.
Secrecy was the name of the game for the big day; the soon-to-be-Smiths didn't want any media leaks. No invitations were sent—guests were told to arrive at their hotel in Baltimore and then were given an envelope with directions to hand to their limo drivers.
As for fashion, Jada opted for a long-sleeved, high-necked, champagne-colored, velvet Badgley Mischka gown. The groom wore a matching Badgley Mischka suit. This was the decade of couple's coordination (Posh and Becks, Britney and Justin, we're looking at you) and Will and Jada were masters of the game.
Oh, and what about the tunes at the former half of DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince's nuptials, you ask? Will's '90s chart topper, "Gettin' Jiggy With It," crowded the dance floor, naturally.
The couple capped the night off with a sweet New Year's Eve midnight kiss and what looks like a Polaroid selfie, which Jada recently shared on Twitter.
Twenty-one years later, the Smiths, who are parents to Willow and Jaden and Will's son Trey (from a previous marriage), are opening up about the ups and downs of spending half of their lives together and even their relationship's rocky start.
Jada, according to USA Today, said she never wanted to get married or have a wedding but felt the pressure to do so after getting pregnant with Jaden. (She was three months pregnant at the time of their New Year's Eve nuptials.) "I was so upset that I had to have a wedding," she recalled. "I was so pissed. I went crying down the freakin' aisle getting married."
Their new rules include defining their relationship as less of a marriage and more of a partnership. In July, Will revealed on TIDAL's Rap Radar podcast that they "don't even say we're married anymore."
"We refer to ourselves as life partners, where you get into that space where you realize you are literally with somebody for the rest of your life," Will said. "There's no deal breakers. There's nothing she could do—ever. Nothing would break our relationship. She has my support till death, and it feels so good to get to that space."
We love the wisdom that comes with 20-plus years of marriage.


text:
LOVE ISLAND TONIGHT: TUESDAY 24 JANUARY 2023
KAI COOLS THINGS OFF WITH ANNA-MAY
As the evening gets underway, Kai asks Anna-May if they can chat as there is something he wants to get off his chest, Anna-May asks him: "Where's your head at?"
Kai responds: "If I'm going to be completely honest with myself as hard as it is, I think I do get on better with Tanyel a little bit more and there's a bit more of a spark there." Anna-May responds: "I feel like we don't have much flirt, it's a lot of serious chat."
The conversation continues as Kai says: "I think sometimes you've just got to go with your gut with these things." Anna-May adds: "Don't worry I feel the same way and I feel like me and you, we get along more as friends, I do have a laugh with you and we can have fun but it's more in a friend way."
But with Tanyel having coupled with Ron, will she consider rekindling with Kai?
ZARA TURNS HER ATTENTION TO SHAQ
In the morning, Zara heads over to Shaq as it seems she may not just have eyes for Tom. Zara says: "I'll be real with you, Tom is obviously ticking pretty much every box for me but it's early still, I haven't even spoken to you properly, it would be nice to explore."
The conversation is briefly interrupted as Tanya approaches them to give Shaq a cup of tea but soon continues as Shaq says: "On the outside you would be someone that I would go for so I do want to explore that to see the vibes."
Shaq and Zara talk about both being from London as he says: "You're from London too, you just get it."
Zara adds: "Same with you, we are from the same area, that's the thing, that would just work instantly." Keen to make his intentions clear, Shaq is honest with Tanya about how he plans to get to know Zara. With another girl now in the picture, will this be make or break for Shaq and Tanya?
ISLANDERS TAKE ON THE SPACE RAUNCH CHALLENGE
It's time for the Islanders to go to another galaxy as they face their latest challenge, 'Space Raunch'. The girls each wear some sassy cosmic spacesuits and appear from a giant silver rocket Anna-May teases: "Right boys who's ready for a big bang?"
Today's challenge requires each of the girls to leap out of the rocket and spin around on a pole before selecting a boy to kiss. Among the challengers, Jessie picks Will as they share their first kiss.
Zara decides to pick Tom as they share a kiss during the challenge, who does Shaq lock lips with? The boys then have to decide who wins the title of sexiest space girl. Time will tell who takes top prize.
THE VILLA IS ROCKED BY A TEXT
The Islanders receive a text that shocks the Villa, as everyone gathers around the fire pit what's in store next?
Love Island continues tonight at 9pm on ITV2.


text:
Maria Sander (Dinslaken, Alemania, 30 de octubre de 1924-12 de enero de 1999) fue una atleta alemana, especializada en la prueba de 4 x 100 m en la que llegó a ser subcampeona olímpica en 1952.

Carrera deportiva

En los JJ. OO. de Helsinki 1952 ganó la medalla de plata en los relevos de 4 x 100 metros, con un tiempo de 45.9 segundos, llegando a meta tras Estados Unidos y por delante de Reino Unido, siendo sus compañeras de equipo: Ursula Knab, Helga Klein y Marga Petersen. Además ganó la medalla de bronce en los 80 metros vallas.

Referencias

Atletas de Alemania
Medallistas olímpicos de plata de atletismo
Alemanas del siglo XX
Velocistas
Medallistas olímpicos de plata de Alemania
Atletas femeninas

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
MakerBot's technology of the future grapples with its rocky past
Brian Heater	@bheater / 2 years
Seated in a chair a few feet away, you still have to strain to hear Nadav Goshen speak. He's quiet, but thoughtful. And, from the looks of it, slightly nervous. It's clear that the serial executive isn't used to the spotlight as he sits down for his first interview since being appointed the CEO of one-time 3D printing savior MakerBot back in January.
Goshen has a small stack of papers sitting on a table beside him, should he need to consult any notes. He never actually looks over, however. After months of behind the scenes meetings, he's got the company's new line down, pat. His voice rarely raises above a whisper during our conversation, but he speaks thoughtfully and pragmatically. He speaks of a company that's humbled. One that has learned from its mistakes.
After a few minutes, it's impossible to miss the stark contrast with Bre Pettis, the mutton-chopped, co-founder whose bespectacled face became as synonymous with the company as any mascot or logo. He was a one-man manifestation of the MakerBot spirit, and by extension the desktop 3D printer revolution.
He held a Replicator printer aloft on the October 2012 cover of Wired, flanked by the bright orange words "This Machine Will Change the World." He yucked it up with Stephen Colbert on Comedy Central, before sending a 3D printed bust of the blustery faux right wing talk show host into space. It was all very 2011.
MakerBot opened up storefronts in strategic locations across the country, announced ambitious plans to begin manufacturing 3D printers in the US and opened up a sprawling office space high up in a downtown Brooklyn office space overlooking a huge swath of lower Manhattan. The stores were quietly shuttered and manufacturing moved to Shenzhen, "where things should be manufactured," one employee off-handedly remarks.
The office remains. And we've lucked out, having chosen what feels like the first real day of spring in New York City. The view is stunning with the sun streaming through the lower Manhattan skyscrapers, and Goshen is quietly chipper for a man who three months before was tasked with what must feel like the weight of the 3D printing world. He brushes off the suggestion that he inherited a difficult position. "No," he answers softly, but defiantly. "MakerBot is in a great state."
Goshen highlights the moves the company has made over the last several months. In September of last year, then-CEO Jonathan Jaglom unveiled the Replicator+ and Replicator Mini+. But the new printers were only a piece of the conversation, pointing to a larger cultural shift for the company, a move away from attempting to predict or control the conversation.
"We were under the assumption of trying to aim for growth patterns," says Goshen. "Trying to aim for a specific time and place where everything will meet and I think this trying to pinpoint a point in time and space is not healthy. Much more healthy is to look at customer needs, grow with the market."
Build platform
MakerBot's humble beginnings were precisely what made the company the perfect poster child for the desktop 3D printing movement. The team was an off-shoot of sorts from RepRap, a project founded in 2005 by University of Bath professor Adrian Bowyer, with the goal of creating a self-replicating machine – or at the very least, one that could build a majority of its own parts.
In 2007, Pettis and fellow makers Zach Smith and Adam Mayer holed up in New York City makerspace NYC Resistor and set out to build their own machine based on RepRap's open-source schematics, fueled by, the way Pettis tells it, ramen, caffeine and a $25,000 laser cutter members of the space had chipped in to buy. Bowyer was an early-stage backer, helping to fund the creation of the company's earliest kit.
More than one press outlet noted the parallels between it and early Silicon Valley success stories like Apple, and Pettis seemingly, was happy to fill the role of Steve Jobs. A former middle school art teacher and employee of Jim Henson's Creature Shop, he spoke with the unabashed confidence of a man ready to change the world.
"We're out to fuel the next industrial revolution," Pettis told the crew of Print The Legend, a Netflix documentary that charted the beginnings of MakerBot and desktop 3D printing, "by putting the power to manufacture things in your hands." That statement wasn't an outlier.
It seems like a million years ago now, but the sentiment is indicative of an overall feeling in the tech community toward 3D printing. We were in the midst of a third industrial revolution. 3D printing was about to change everything, and MakerBot was smack dab in the eye of that storm.
Believing the hype
Over the next couple of years, MakerBot's growth was downright explosive. The company expanded its staff from 40 employees to around 600-plus by its own account. It added several new printer configurations to its line, along with a turntable-style 3D scanner and an online store, aimed at selling premium prints alongside the company's longtime free Thingiverse database. The unveilings took on the air of small scale Apple keynotes, complete with new products hidden beneath black cloths.
In 2013, industrial 3D printing heavy weight Stratasys purchased MakerBot at the height of its powers and hype cycle for $403 million. It was a healthy sum for a company that, less than half a decade before, was selling wooden kits built in a local makerspace. In 2015, Pettis left the company he'd helped found, taking his Bold Machines workshop with him.
Pettis and Stratasys both declined to be interviewed for the piece, though the latter offered up comment from CEO Ilan Levin,
In addition to Stratasys' commitment to the ongoing development of the professional rapid prototyping segment, we believe that there is strategic value in capturing entry-level users within the desktop segment where we can provide differentiated value.
We remain confident in the long-term opportunity in the desktop segment, and will continue to invest in products that serve the entry-level professional and education markets. We believe MakerBot maintains the leading desktop brand, with the most developed software ecosystem within the industry.
To many, 2015 felt like the beginning of the end for MakerBot – and, perhaps, desktop 3D printing as a whole. The company underwent a massive contraction shuttering its flagship store and laying off 100 employees, a massive chunk of the company's overall staff. Citing expenses and the industry "volatility," MakerBot closed down its massive 175,000 square foot Brooklyn manufacturing facility less than a year after its much ballyhooed grand opening.
3D printing's promise of hyperlocalized manufacturing and a third industrial revolution would have to take a backseat to the affordability of Chinese labor. And the fallout hasn't stopped. This February, the company announced that it would be laying off one-third of its staff, leaving the current number at around 100. Things have proven equally volatile up top. Goshen is the third person to fill out the CEO role since Pettis's exit.
With four years under his belt, Engineering VP Dave Veisz is a downright veteran. "It feels like I've been in this role for five years or so," he says with a laugh about the 13 months he's spent in his current position. "With the hype on the way up, too, there was always constant change," he adds. "The people that have been here for three to five years are used to almost like a new company every six months, every year."
Goshen hardly mentions the consumer space during our conversation, unless prompted to do so. Like the executive himself, the company is dramatically different from the one that graced the covers of mainstream tech publications half a decade ago. Changing the world is a bit further down the list of the company's goals.
"I don't think that right now there is a consumer 3D printing successful product offering," Goshen admits. The company's current strengths are primarily in education — making potential professional users comfortable with 3D printing techniques. "This is not exactly 3D printing hardware as it was before," Goshen tells me. "It's looking at the customer needs and trying to figure and to address that wider need."
MakerBot certainly isn't alone in that thinking. 3D Systems, one of Stratasys's chief competitors, has exited the space altogether. "I don't think the consumer business is real, because there's no use for it," the company's CEO Vyomesh Joshi told TechCrunch in an interview late last year. "I have no interest right now in going after the consumer business. You buy the printer and you're using it once a year. That's not exciting to me."
Veisz admits that part of the issue around MakerBot's inability to transform industry hype into widespread adoption is the technology's failure to live up to mainstream needs. "You expect to buy that and not have to call up customer service. Plug it in and go. The technology, everywhere from the software workflow to the hardware, has to work seamlessly. You have to have really high percentage print success. It has to be easy to use for the general public."
Of course, rumors of the death of desktop 3D printing have been greatly exaggerated. Over the last few years, the conversation in the tech press has shifted seemingly overnight from talk of a consumer manufacturing revolution to a space obliterated by its own hype. For many pundits, 3D printing has become the ultimate tech cautionary tale, used to warn against overhyping technologies like virtual reality.
The fact is, the 3D printing market continues to grow – albeit at a much more modest pace than many extremely bullish pundits initially speculated. The target audience, however, has shifted dramatically. A company spokesperson noted during our conversation that consumers/hobbyists only existed as the primary market for the company early on, while it was still selling wooden kits. By the time the Replicator arrived on the scene in 2012, consumers were no longer its key driver.
Two pillars
There was still a demand for the company's product, but as MakerBot's offerings morphed into more mainstream products, interest from outside the hobbyist space overtook that initial core. The company's new model marks a shift away from that initial consumer focus. It's an implicit acknowledgement that the category simply didn't shake out as quickly as the company had expected/hoped.
"The 3D printing industry is fascinating," says Goshen. "There are so many possibilities that can come out of this, and we know that it will change people's lives. It will eventually change the way we design products, we teach at schools, and many other things. We were under the assumption of trying to aim for growth patterns, and trying to aim for a specific time and place where everything will meet and I think this trying to pinpoint a point in time and space is not healthy."
The executive refuses to make predictions for the growth of the consumer space. He remains bullish about its future growth, but addresses it like some distant possibility. It's a marked change from the company's early maverick approach, and perhaps more in line with the larger corporate framework in which the company currently exists.
The desktop 3D printing market has matured since those early post-RepRap Wild West days. And for MakerBot, maturity as a company means catering to markets where the need has already been clearly defined, rather than attempting to define a new category.
"Trying to predict need is very hard," says Goshen. "The question is, 'How you get it with a wider reach?' I think the way to do that is to learn to the customer needs, not speculating on it. That's the difference. I don't know what the actual needs are, but by growing with the market and by providing the right threshold and adding to it more and more, that's the right way to go."
Education is currently the largest play for the company. The company has found success getting its printers into the hands of K-12 educators as a piece of a larger STEM curriculum. The professional category, too, has proven something of a surprise hit, as more companies opt for the affordability and portability of a desktop printer for rapid prototyping over their Xerox machine-sized brethren designed by the likes of Stratasys and 3D Systems.
"We have a very strong offering for the education market," says Goshen. "We have a reliable, easy‑to‑use product, and we also solved trying to increase the content and curriculum that is available to that space. This is not exactly 3D printing hardware as it was before. It's looking at the customer needs and trying to figure and to address that wider need. For professionals we have the hardware which helps to prototype, but also CAD to print."
The company laid out its newfound mission statement at an event at its Brooklyn offices in September – its first major product reveal in some time. MakerBot launched two printers, but for once, the news out of the event wasn't the hardware. It was a flag planted in the ground by then-CEO Jonathan Jaglom (who held the role for roughly a year and a half), acknowledging that the dream of consumer 3D printing was just that: a dream.
"We have gone through a cultural shift here at MakerBot over the past year, where listening and understanding the needs of our customers are cornerstones of our company," Jaglom said in a statement tied to the news. "As a result, we've gained an in-depth understanding of the wider needs of professionals and educators that has informed our product development process."
"We always talk about the story of wanting to replace a knob on my oven. Everyone tells that story," explains Tony Buser, an engineer who helps run MakerBot's Thingiverse database. "Up until now, communities like Thingiverse are really generating all of that content, but I'm hoping, in the future more companies start releasing…Whirlpool releasing replacement parts for their dishwashers. I think that will help, as well."
Buser is still hopeful for a future where desktop 3D printing is the norm. The ability to print up broken oven knobs and other specific proprietary parts is often floated as the answer to the inevitable question of why a normal consumer would want – let alone need – a 3D printer in the home. And while Thingiverse has transformed into, essentially, a massively useful Wikipedia of 3D printable objects, the reality of ubiquitous at-home 3D printing on demand doesn't seem any closer than it did when MakerBot was founded nearly a decade ago.
And while accuracy and usability have come a long way since those days, machines like the Replicator still have a long way to go before they're anywhere near the plug and play operability most consumers expect from home appliances. "People just expect a household object or most like office printers we make, just to work with minimal, minimal intervention. You expect to buy a 3D printer for an office and have it work like your Xerox copier. At the home it's even more so. You expect to buy that and not have to call up customer service."
The failure for a true consumer market to materialize has significantly truncated the potential short-term desktop 3D market. In 2012, the company also engendered significant ill will with the maker community when it announced that it would no longer be sharing its hardware and GUI designs, marking a break from the open-source spirit of the RepRap project on which the company was built.
At the time, cofounder Zach Smith also exited MakerBot, stating "I do not support any move that restricts the open nature of the MakerBot hardware, electronics, software, firmware, or other open projects." The company was also hit with claims of IP theft surrounding its open-source Thingiverse community. For many makers, this was all a bridge too far, causing the MakerBot name to fall out of favor with a hobbyist community that helped foster their growth.
And while there's still a modestly growing market for desktop 3D printers, MakerBot's dominance has been shattered by a new crop of super cheap devices, produced by companies like XYZ. The Taiwanese manufacturer has dominated unit sales in the space over the past couple of years with multiple machines priced at under $300 – a fraction of the cost of MakerBot's $1,200 Replicator Mini. Granted, those machines are far less sophisticated, but it's an undeniably appealing price tag for those looking to dip their toes in the water.
The manufacturer has also begun making an aggressive push into the education sector that has proven an essential pillar of MakerBot's current business model. But MakerBot's approach is once again not dissimilar to Apple, insisting that a more premium experience for students is worth the considerably higher cost of entry.
"If you go to a market, and you bring an immature and unreliable product, you will risk potentially losing the confidence of that market," Goshen explains. He's careful not to mention any specific competitor by name, though XYZ is currently the industry's 800 pound gorilla. "That's a risk in any industry. Some players in the whatever industry are less sensitive into that. We are very sensitive not to overflow the market, not to oversell and set expectations, which are not met."
For MakerBot, that means limiting the size and scope of its product line as the company adjusts to life after the implosion of the 3D printing hype cycle. It means curbing the industry's expectations and its own and settling in for, it hopes, the long haul through careful, measured steps forward.
Printing the future
MakerBot, predictably, still believes that 3D printing will change the world. It's just no longer interested in projecting the goal posts for when such a revolution occur. The new MakerBot is less flashy and more conventionally corporate than the company that came before it, a byproduct of by acquired by a more industrial-focused parent company and natural ebbing of the 3D printing hype cycle.
Stratasys has thus far made good on its promise of keeping MakerBot operating as its own entity, though the lines have been blurred somewhat between the two brands over the past couple of years. For one thing, executives have bounced back and forth between the two, like Jenny Lawton, who moved from interim MakerBot CEO to Stratasys EVP.
But Goshen says he believes that MakerBot still has value for its industrial printing parent. "I don't think there are regrets about the purchase," he explains. "I think we are fully aligned with Stratasys. There is very good communication between me and [Stratasys CEO Levin] and I think we operate very aligned. As I said, MakerBot has its own unique approach, has its own combination of the brand, go to market and the solutions and things."
Goshen adds that in its current form, the company benefits from a combination of Stratasys's resources and what he calls "the MakerBot DNA." What precisely the latter means in the wake of seismic shifts to the company and industry has yet to be determined. It's an unenviable position. The company that tasked itself with helping to build the future finds itself in the midst of one it couldn't anticipate.
I don't think that right now there is a consumer 3D printing successful product offering.
In spite of everything, however, what the company does have is a solid foundation of desktop 3D printing hardware and software, along with IP and other resources from its parent company. And in spite all that has happened, there's still some cachet to the MakerBot brand among the professionals and educators it now targets.
The next step of MakerBot's evolution will be a waiting game, as the company works to garner good will among a new generation of builders and designers weaned on its products in the education sector, much like Apple's K-12 play before it. Through continued and measured tweaks to its platform, perhaps will be much closer to an ideal mainstream product by the time those students graduate.
"We are a leader in this industry," Goshen remains confident, but still understated. "We are the market leaders. We are, I would say, the largest in that industry. We don't need to surprise you. You need to understand the growth and understand what is the next level."
It's a marked difference from the MakerBot that graced magazine covers promising to change the world. It's reflected fully and clearly in the quiet speech of the company's new CEO. The new MakerBot is taking a wait and see approach with regards to future. And hopefully the future will wait for it.


I can't tell you how proud I am when I see the buzz on my news feed at this time of year from people talking about their new fitness routines and reaching their goals. Yeah OK so it might be a little harder to park than normal at your gym but it really is wonderful to see so many people making a change.
For me it's about spicing up my workouts right now as sometimes it can get a little mundane. I especially love mixing up my cardio because lets face it, cardio is boring. There's just no sugar coating that! So below are my top 5 cardio fail safe options for every day workouts. Sometimes I'll mix it up by doing 10 mins of each of 15 mins of 2 just so it doesn't really drag out!
Every gym has them and unless your gym is real fancy the view won't be all that stimulating and the process will 9 times out of 10 be quite arduous. You can spice things up a bit throwing in some HIIT Sprints or an incline here and there. But the important thing is to ensure you bare the load of your body weight so whatever you do, don't hold on.
Probably my least favourite of the bunch but a great cardio workout none the less. I like to take it leisurely for a minute and then HIIT sprint for 30 seconds, sometimes if I'm training with my PT he likes to whack the resistance up, which often leaves me unable to walk for the next few days.
This is my absolute favourite type of cardio, I mean who doesn't want to hit things and lose weight for doing so?! I'm yet to go it alone on the bag but I love throwing a punch or 10 at my PT. Sometimes, just somtimes I like to image its someone else standing there with the pads.
But beside the enjoyment boxing is a great high intensity full body workout which incorporates both endurance and cardio, I never fail to leave the gym in a bad mood after this kind of session.
I like to make full use of both whether its 10 minutes on each or a blast on one followed by a quick 5 minutes on the other. Make sure you keep your heels glued down whilst on the stepper and you'll enjoy a glute workout as well. The two combined leave me questioning my sanity hah!
The beauty of skipping? It can be done just about anywhere which is great for travelling or those days when you don't have enough time to hit the gym. Just 15-20minutes of skipping can burn considerable calories whilst also toning muscle.
I just love the fact it fits in my suitcase!
What cardio will you be doing tonight?


text:
module Church
using Distributions

export value, resample, gc_church, background_sampler, n_samples, pdf, RV, @lift, Det, nocond

#Types
type NoCond
end
const nocond = NoCond()
type NoSampler
end
abstract RV
const nosampler = NoSampler()
type Sample{V, S<:Union(NoSampler, Function)} <: RV
    det::Any
    dist::Distribution
    value::V
    logp::Float64
    deps::Vector
    sampler::S
end
type Det{F, T <: Tuple} <: RV
    f::F
    args::T
    deps::Vector
end
type GetIndex{S, T <: Tuple} <: RV
    struct::S
    args::T
    deps::Vector
    #Value only used in GC phase.
    value::Any
end
WRV = Union(WeakRef, RV)

#Store declared samples/branches
const samples = Array(Union(Sample, WeakRef), 0)
const dets = Array(Union(Det, WeakRef), 0)
const getindexes = Array(Union(GetIndex, WeakRef), 0)
const conditions = Array(Union(Sample, WeakRef), 0)

#Show functions
import Base.show
show(io::IO, s::RV) = print(io, "RV(", value(s), ")")

#Constructors
fallback_sampler(d::Distribution, v) = rand(d)
import Distributions.sample
sample(det, cond::NoCond, sampler::Union(NoSampler, Function)) = begin
    dist = value(det)
    val = rand(dist)
    lp = logp(dist, val)
    s = Sample(det, dist, val, lp, Array(WRV, 0), sampler)
    push!(samples, s)
    add_dep(s, det)
    s
end
sample(det, val, sampler::Union(NoSampler, Function)) = begin
    dist = value(det)
    lp = logp(dist, val)
    s = Sample(det, dist, val, lp, Array(WRV, 0), sampler)
    push!(conditions, s)
    add_dep(s, det)
    s
end
Det(f, args) = begin
    d = Det(f, args, Array(WRV, 0))
    push!(dets, d)
    add_dep(d, f)
    for arg in args
        add_dep(d, arg)
    end
    d
end

GetIndex(struct, args...) = begin
    g = GetIndex(struct, args, Array(WRV, 0), nothing)
    push!(getindexes, g)
    add_dep(g, struct[map(value, args)...])
    for arg in args
        add_dep(g, arg)
    end
    g
end
#Allow indexing into multidimensional samples.
getindex(s::Sample, args...) = Det((s_, args_...) -> s_[args_...], tuple(s, args...))

#Lifting functions.
a(i::Int) = symbol("a$i")
type_a(i::Int, b::Bool) =
    b ? :($(a(i))::RV) : a(i)
lift(f::Symbol, issdg::Vector{Bool}) =
    Expr(:(=), Expr(:call, f, {type_a(i,  issdg[i]) for i = 1:length(issdg)}...),
               Expr(:call, :(Church.Det), f, Expr(:tuple, map(a, 1:length(issdg))...)))
lift_gi(typ, issdg::Vector{Bool}) =
    Expr(:(=), Expr(:call, :getindex, :(s::$typ),{type_a(i,  issdg[i]) for i = 1:length(issdg)}...),
               Expr(:call, :GetIndex, :s, map(a, 1:length(issdg))...))
lift(f, n::Int, inner_func::Function) = begin
    defs = Expr[]
    for nsamps in n:(-1):1
        for c in combinations(1:n, nsamps)
            issdg = fill(false, n)
            for i in c
                issdg[i] = true
            end
            push!(defs, inner_func(f, issdg))
        end
    end
    Expr(:block, defs...)
end
macro lift_gi(typ, n)
    esc(lift(typ, n, lift_gi))
end
macro lift(f, n)
    esc(quote
        if Main == Base.function_module($f)
            $(lift(f, n, lift))
        else
            eval(parse(string("import ", Base.function_module($f), ".", $f)))
            $(lift(f, n, lift))
        end
    end)
end

add_dep(s::RV, arg::RV) =
    if !in(s, arg.deps)
        push!(arg.deps, s)
    end
add_dep(s::RV, arg) = nothing

#Get the value of an expression.
value(s::Sample) = s.value
value(det::Det) =
    value(det.f)(map(value, det.args)...)
value(g::GetIndex) = begin
    #Should stop previous arg from being dependent.
    res = g.struct[map(value, g.args)...]
    #Add g as a dependent of struct [arg]
    add_dep(g, res)
    value(res)
end
value(s) = s

#Don't care whether cdf or pdf is needed.
logp(d::ContinuousDistribution, x) = logpdf(d, x)
logp(d::DiscreteDistribution, x) = logpdf(d, x)

#Find dependents
deps_inner(_, s::Sample, deps::Vector{Sample}) = begin
    if !in(s, deps)
        push!(deps, s)
    end
    nothing
end
deps_inner(_, s::Det, deps::Vector{Sample}) =
    deps_recurse(s, deps)
deps_inner(origin, s::GetIndex, deps::Vector{Sample}) =
    if in(origin, s.args) || (origin == s.struct[map(value, s.args)...])
        deps_recurse(s, deps)
    end
deps_recurse(s, deps::Vector{Sample}) = begin
    for dep in s.deps
        deps_inner(s, dep, deps)
    end
    nothing
end

#Remove redundant dependents.
remove_deps(origin::RV) =
    filter!(x -> isdependent(origin, x), origin.deps)
remove_deps(as::Vector) = begin
    for a in as
        remove_deps(a)
    end
    nothing
end

#Propose, accept/reject.
resample_inner(s::Sample) = begin
    old_val  = s.value
    deps = Sample[]
    deps_recurse(s, deps)
    (s.value, old_logp, new_logp) = propose(s.dist, old_val, s.sampler)
    old_logp += length(deps) == 0 ? 0. : mapreduce(dep->dep.logp, +, deps)
    new_dists = map(s -> value(s.det), deps)
    new_logps = map((d, s) -> logp(d, s.value), new_dists, deps)
    new_logp += length(new_logps) == 0 ? 0. : sum(new_logps)
    if !(exp(new_logp - old_logp) > rand())
        #Reject change
        s.value = old_val
    else
        #Accept changes
        for i = 1:length(deps)
            deps[i].dist = new_dists[i]
            deps[i].logp = new_logps[i]
        end
    end
    nothing
end
propose(d::Distribution, _, s::NoSampler) =
    (rand(d), 0., 0.)
propose(d::Distribution, old_val, s::Function) = begin
    prop_dist_forward = s(d, old_val)
    prop_val = rand(prop_dist_forward)
    prop_dist_backward = s(d, prop_val)
    (prop_val,
     logp(d, old_val )-logp(prop_dist_backward, old_val ),
     logp(d, prop_val)-logp(prop_dist_forward , prop_val))
end
resample() =
    if length(samples) != 0
        index = rand(1:length(samples))
        resample_inner(samples[index])
    end
resample(iter::Int) =
    for i = 1:iter
        resample()
    end

#Run sampling + garbage collection in background.
background_sampler(gc=true) =
    @async while true
        tic()
        resample()
        sleep(1E-6)
        if gc && rand() < toq()
            gc_church()
        end
    end

#Define distributions.
for dist in {:MvNormal, :MvTDist, filter!(isleaftype, subtypes(Distribution))...}
    ssym = match(r"[a-zA-Z]+", string(dist)).match
    tsym = symbol(ssym)
    fsym = symbol(lowercase(ssym))
    eval(quote
        $fsym(args...; condition=nocond, sampler=nosampler) = begin
            det = any(issdg, args) ? Det($tsym, args) : $tsym(args...)
            sample(det, condition, sampler)
        end
    end)
    eval(parse("export $(string(fsym))"))
end
issdg(x::RV) = true
issdg(x) = false

#Overload operators.
for op in [+, -, *, /, \, .*, ./, .\]
    op(a::RV, b::RV) = Det(op, (a, b))
    op(a::RV, b) = Det(op, (a, b))
    op(a, b::RV) = Det(op, (a, b))
    op(a::RV) = Det(op, (a,))
end
include("gc.jl")
include("datastructures.jl")
end


Timbuktu's Koro Trouser features a well crafted stretch fabric delivering a high level of comfort with a great fit. The fabric also doubles up as water resistant for added performance. This is complimented with the elasticated waist.
Styling details include the exposed stitch details and shaping to the knees, the subtle contrast embroidered logo to the left thigh and the flecked chord zip pulls.
Two zipped side pockets, a zipped side leg pocket and a Velcro back pocket have all been added for enhanced storage options.
Overall delivering a well crafted take on the classic walking trouser.
Sizing: Inside leg length is described as "regular" which is 32 inches or 81cm.


text:
Q: R package for zip code & other geodata from IP addresses? I have a list of about 200,000 IP addresses. I would like to link these to geographic location and get any other data that an IP address can give as well.
The best I've found so far is a service provided by infochimps:
http://www.infochimps.com/datasets/digital-element-ip-intelligence-demographics
There's also an R package for infochimps. But infochimps requires you to pay and for 200,000 IP addresses this could get expensive.
Is there any R package that can do something like this?
Thank you

A: Try using the RDSTK package, which provides an R interface to the Data Science Toolkit API. Here is a presentation by the author of the package, that should help you get started.
From Xu Wang's comments (moved here to increase future findability):
For reference purposes: To install that package, one must install RCurl and rjson. Before installing RCurl, on Ubuntu I had to install two packages: sudo apt-get install curl libcurl4-gnutls-dev The function that I needed was ip2coordinates, which accepts an IP address as input

A: The function IPtoXY (http://thebiobucket.blogspot.com/2011/12/function-to-collect-geographic.html) uses the same API but does not need additional packages..
Edit, 26th of Sept:
Thanks to @Peter M I became aware that my function mentioned above was not working anymore - here is the edited version which should work (also the link above was updated..):
# Purpose: Get geographic coordinates for a given IP-address
# Author: Kay Cichini
# Date: 2011-12-18
# Output: A string holding longitude and latitude with format "X;Y"

IPtoXY <- function(x) {
   URL_IP <- paste("http://www.datasciencetoolkit.org//ip2coordinates/",
                   x, sep = "")

   api_return <- readLines(URL_IP, warn = F)
   lon1 <- api_return[grep("longitude", api_return)]
   lon <- gsub("[^[:digit:].]", "", lon1)
   lat1 <- api_return[grep("latitude", api_return)]
   lat <- gsub("[^[:digit:].]", "", lat1)
   return(paste(lat, lon, sep = ";"))
}

# Example:
> IPtoXY("74.88.200.52")
[1] "40.951301574707;73.78759765625"

A: The function from: http://thebiobucket.blogspot.com/2011/12/function-to-collect-geographic.html , does not work.
But the idea still does, so this should do:
iplocation <- function(ip=""){
  response    <- readLines(paste("http://www.datasciencetoolkit.org//ip2coordinates/",ip,sep=""))
  success     <- !any(grepl("null",response))

  ip <- grep("[[:digit:]]*\\.[[:digit:]]*\\.[[:digit:]]*\\.[[:digit:]]*",response,value=T)
    match <- regexpr("[[:digit:]]*\\.[[:digit:]]*\\.[[:digit:]]*\\.[[:digit:]]*",ip)
    ip <- substr(ip,match,as.integer(attributes(match)[1])+match-1)
  if(success==T){
    extract <- function(label,response){
            text <- grep(label,response,value=T)
            match <- regexpr(paste('"',label,'"',": ",sep=""),text)
            text <- substr(text,match+as.integer(attributes(match)[1]),nchar(text))
            if(grepl("[[:digit:]]",text)){
                    text <- substr(text,1,nchar(text)-2)
            }else{
                    text <- substr(text,2,nchar(text)-2)
                }
            if( regexpr('"',text)!= -1){
                text<-substr(text,2,nchar(text))
            }
            print(text)
            text
        }
  }
  RESULT <- list()
  RESULT$success     <- success
  RESULT$ip          <- ip
  if(success==T){
    RESULT$latitude    <- as.numeric(extract("latitude",response))
    RESULT$longitude   <- as.numeric(extract("longitude",response))
    RESULT$country     <- extract("country_name",response)
    RESULT$locality    <- extract("locality",response)
    RESULT$postalcode  <- extract("postal_code",response)
    RESULT$region      <- extract("region",response)
    RESULT$countrycode <- extract("country_code3",response)
  }
  RESULT
}

iplocation()

A: I recently came across ipinfo.io for looking up IP addresses. I just used RCurl library to handle these:
R> library(RCurl)
R> getURL("http://ipinfo.io/74.125.227.224")
[1] "{\n  \"ip\": \"74.125.227.224\",\n  \"hostname\": \"dfw06s38-in-f0.1e100.net\",\n  \"city\": \"Mountain View\",\n  \"region\": \"California\",\n  \"country\": \"US\",\n  \"loc\": \"37.4192,-122.0574\",\n  \"org\": \"AS15169 Google Inc.\",\n  \"postal\": \"94043\"\n}"

The requests can be modified if interested in just postal code for example:
R> getURL("http://ipinfo.io/74.125.227.224/postal")
[1] "94043\n"

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Lately I've started to notice that Lola may be staging a coup – taking out the Mommybeast who currently holds all of the power. It began with the little things, first the dropping of my Mommybeast tittle to the disparaging Human. Then refusing to go potty when directed, Lola would instead wait until her bladder was near to bursting and then force Human to race to the door to open it just in the nick of time. Heart beating wildly, Human was left breathless and confused.
Almost imperceptible at first, Lola's smirk began to grow with each event.
The food revolution started next. No longer satisfied with her portion sizes, Lola would wait until Human REM sleep was in full effect before heaving her innards with wild abandon. Nothing wakes Human from sleep faster than the sound of a retching bulldog. Each time it happened, Human would race across a dark house to procure a slice of cheese – dairy is known to calm a canine belly in upheaval. Human would return to the bedroom in triumph, only to be met by a sarcastic Lola demanding to know what took so long.
Now sleep-deprived, Human was weak and ineffective at preventing catastrophe.
The final blow came when Lola took one of the few joys Human had left. Netflix.
This will be what haunts Human until her dying day, something Lola planned on as a way to retain her power. It isn't good enough to grab the power, if you can't manage to hold onto it – a lesson Lola obviously learned from watching crime shows on Netflix.
We are having similar escapades with our puppy Lily … can hold out for ages when outside, and then pee the floor with excitement when I make to take her outside, Kind of defeating the purpose!!!
What did she change it to and from we want to know.
She turned on a show about serial killers, which normally I love to watch but which left me feeling like it was a warning.
I do sense that Tucker is in on this coup, and his strategy seems to be undermining my mental health by lying directly in-the-way, and then, when told to move, going forward to EXACTLY the next place I was going to be, so he can be in-the-way twice.
Tucker and Lola must be communicating somehow!
It is definitely her, I concede!
She wants to be the boss!
She was watching a show about serial killers… I think it was a message.
Lola is indeed the boss!
It definitely feels that way!
Be very careful, the dogs are planning an overthrow across the world!
I'm never really sure who's in charge here.
That sounds like psychological warfare!
Haha yeah I think you're right!
Yep! That's where I am!


text:
Jessica Watkins to be the 1st Black woman to serve at the International Space Station
Published April 26, 2022 at 4:06 PM CDT
ROB SCHMITZ, HOST:
NASA and SpaceX are set to send the next round of astronauts to the International Space Station tomorrow from the Kennedy Space Center. One member of the mission is NASA's astronaut, Jessica Watkins, who will become the first Black woman on a long-duration space mission. WMFE's Brendan Byrne reports she's only the fifth Black woman to travel to space, a fact NASA wants to change.
BRENDAN BYRNE, BYLINE: Jessica Watkins is humble about her soon-to-be-record-breaking flight. The 33-year-old geologist from Colorado joined the astronaut corps in 2017. She's part of NASA's Crew-4 mission, a six-month journey to the space station.
JESSICA WATKINS: I think it really is just a tribute to the legacy of the Black women astronauts that have come before me, as well as to the exciting future ahead.
BYRNE: That legacy took a long time to develop. Early on, astronauts were far from diverse, says NASA Administrator Bill Nelson.
BILL NELSON: In the old days, when we first started flying in space, they were all military test pilots. They were usually white males of only a certain height.
BYRNE: The astronauts that flew in the 1960s during NASA's Mercury, Gemini and Apollo missions that landed on the moon were all white men. When the space shuttle program was developed in the 1970s, women and people of color were encouraged to apply to the astronaut corps, but it would take decades to see the first Black woman launch to space.
UNIDENTIFIED PERSON: Two, one - solid rocket ignition and lift off; lift off of Endeavour on America's 50th space shuttle flight.
BYRNE: NASA's Mae Jemison launched on the shuttle Endeavour in 1992. After that, just two more Black women would fly on shuttle missions - Stephanie Wilson and Joan Higginbotham.
SIAN PROCTOR: It is frustrating.
BYRNE: Sian Proctor became the fourth Black woman to fly to space and the first to pilot a spacecraft on a commercial mission with SpaceX. She spent three days in orbit last year, which was more than a decade after the last Black woman astronaut flew to space.
PROCTOR: When you don't have people of color, women of color in particular up there doing science, paving the way, showing that it is possible, then you're not inspiring that section of the population to dream that as a career for themselves.
BYRNE: NASA understands the importance of representation. Its astronaut corps is now the most diverse it has ever been, but there's still work to be done. For its next lunar program, what it calls Artemis, NASA promises to land the first woman and first person of color on the moon this decade. Again, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson.
NELSON: We want to see that all people of all backgrounds have the opportunity to participate in the space program.
BYRNE: For Proctor, it's a large responsibility to be that role model and inspire those who look like her to enter a field in which so few Black women have been before.
PROCTOR: I kept thinking how, you know, I really want to be successful so that other women of color will follow behind me.
BYRNE: Ahead of her flight, that responsibility is not lost on Jessica Watkins, either.
WATKINS: For me, growing up, it was important to me to have role models in roles that I aspire to be in, contributing in ways I aspired to contribute. So to the extent that I'm able to do that, I'm honored and grateful for the opportunity to return the favor.
BYRNE: And it might not be her only chance to return that favor. NASA selected Watkins to train for those next lunar missions so she can continue her trailblazing ways and leave footprints on the moon for others to follow.
For NPR News, I'm Brendan Byrne in Orlando. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.


Can someone please tell me where the month of June went? I like blinked my eyes and it was June 1st, then I blinked again and it is the end of the month. I guess technically next week is the last week of June, but seriously… where has the month gone? Yesterday I was watching Paw Patrol again… My life revolves around watching Paw Patrol or Mickey Mouse Club House if I'm watching TV which really isn't much these days, but anyway they were talking about SCUBA diving. Remember, Paw Patrol is a Nick Jr. TV program revolved around a team of dogs saving people. I have no idea what episode it was if you want to look it up so I guess you're just out of luck there. Sorry! There has been a lot of buzz on Facebook this week about our Safari Hunt happening this weekend. Make sure you come participate or at least come down and join us because it's a load of fun with lots of great prizes to be had! Now it is time for this weeks photos.
167 – 6.15.2016 – Camp night, camp night! Giving students an opportunity to try out this sport we all love!
168 – 6.16.2016 – The Animal Introductions have been made. Now it's time to get to the Safari Hunt and find them!!!
169 – 6.17.2016 – With it as hot as it has been, hang out in the cool and stay well hydrated!
170 – 6.18.2016 – Go Chiefs! We're Chiefs fans around here!!
171 – 6.19.2016 – Happy Father's Day! Hope you're enjoying the weather and spending time with the father in your life!
172 – 6.20.2016 – Who is ready to go Kayaking?
173 – 6.21.2016 – Repeat Offender! Let's quit monkeying around and go Safari Hunting!


You can count on WestJet when it comes to last minute flights from Whitehorse to Punta Cana. We have flights to 100 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe, including Punta Cana International Airport, so you'll never have a problem getting where you need be, when you need to be there. We're committed to providing our guests with the best possible experiences, with safe, affordable and friendly travel. Take a look at our range of last minute flights today.
Made up of "balnearios," or seaside resort towns, Punta Cana is one of the most popular vacation destinations anywhere in the Dominican Republic. The district of Old San Juan draws history buffs from near and far, its 500-year-old cobbled streets leading the way to historic sites like the Cathedral of San Juan Bautista, home to the remains of infamous Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León. Golfers are also made to feel right at home thanks to the region's 12 professional-class courses — one of which was designed by golfing legend Jack Nicklaus.
Get last minute flights from WestJet and before you know it, you'll be in a truly shimmering and genial part of Dominican Republic. No matter the reason for your travel, you can rely on WestJet to get you from Whitehorse to Punta Cana so that you can enjoy Punta Espada golf course, The Basilica Catholic Monument and Dr Fish Ocean Spa.


I am writing this blog from Albania, a country which was ruled by one of the harshest Communist regimes anywhere, the country which prided itself to be the first to define itself as an atheist state in its constitution. In 1967 it issued a decree closing down all places of worship, of whatever religion, and prohibiting all religious practices, even in private.
Earlier this year 38 martyrs of this era were beatified; the last one to suffer martyrdom was killed in 1974 because he baptised a newborn. The Catholics were those who suffered most, but all believers, whether Muslim or Christian Orthodox, suffered persecution.
For most of us, persecution is something that belongs to the past, we associate it mostly with the Roman Empire. Yet, according to Vatican journalist John Allen in his book The Global War on Christians, ours is the time when persecution is claiming more victims than ever. The biggest number of victims of religious persecution in the world today are Christians. Allen quotes reliable sources that estimate that as many as 100,000 Christians are killed each year because of their religion.
Let us think of the Christians in the Middle East, the place where Christianity was born: they were around 20% of the population a century ago, now they are down to no more than 3-4%.
Then there is another, more subtle kind of persecution, that which takes place in liberal countries, and which includes no shedding of blood, no imprisonment. It takes the form of a strong prejudice against any type of religious belief, so that believers often end up considered as less equal than others, and suffer for their faith. In practice to be a believer is looked at as being linked to something no longer relevant, and all believers are by definition intolerant.
In more countries, new laws that purport to ensure there is no discrimination end up discriminating against people who hold religious beliefs, especially as regards employment laws in institutions having an ethos based on religious faith.
It is good to remember those who are still persecuted for the sake of righteousness in our own times. When it is our turn to suffer for our beliefs, let us remember those who suffer much more than us, and consider ourselves blessed for sharing the same fate as Jesus himself.
Read more about the Albanian martyrs here.
And below, you may view a short video about the martyrs of Albania.


Base, Cut, Dust, Lean, Mono, Soft and Uni.
Moki is a display expert – with a wide range of languages covered, the family offers a style for every purpose. You are a SciFi movie director and are looking for an alternative to the inevitable Eurostile? You just found one!


Buyers have the opportunity to get a 3.7% VA Assumable Mortgage Loan for this property. Call for Details! I cannot even describe this absolutely beautiful home. This log home sits on 2 acres and has 300 feet river frontage on the Little Wolf River. It has a 300 sq. ft. gazebo. It has large above ground heated pool. It has a 3 tier deck with a deck half around the pool. It is private and very peaceful. It has a 3 car detached garage. It has more room that you can imagine. There is a 40,000 BTU gas fireplace in the great room/living room. There is a 40,000 BTU gas fireplace in the master bedroom.
There is a 20,000 BTU gas fireplace in the family room plus a wood burning fireplace. Also in the family room is a whole wall of storage shelves and cabinets. You also have your own office space. The master bedroom is breathless along with patio doors out to the deck, a large bathroom complete with a spa tub and separate shower and a spacious walk-in closet. Then you travel on over to the Great Room / Living Room where there is another 40,000 BTU Gas Fireplace which then flows over to the dining area and extra large kitchen along with a large snack bar giving you the complete open concept. Your view looking out to the river from the living room/great room is amazing. You can sit on your deck in the morning with your coffee and just breath in the fresh air and watch the water flow by on the river.
There is a 200 amp service. There is a 1,000 gallon and a 500 gallon lp tank that is owned by the sellers and will stay with the property.
There is a possible extra 10 acres of land for sale. Call for details on that!
Otherwise, you will just have to come and take a look for yourself. I have seen nothing like this ever before. You will love it the moment you drive in the driveway.
Once you see this home, you will not turn back.
Located on the Little Wolf River with 300' of river frontage.
More space than you can imagine!
Very private and peaceful along with a heated pool and a 300 sq.ft. gazebo and a 3 tier deck!
I cannot describe this property the proper way! You will need to come and see it for yourself!
This spacious room has a 20,000 BTU Gas Fireplace along with a Wood Burning Fireplace. The one whole side wall has shelves galore and storage cabinets.
The Great Room looks out to the River. There is a handcrafted bar and stools that are negotiable. You cannot imagine this room until you see it.
The dining area creates an open concept with the kitchen, living room/great room. Very Spacious!
This spacious kitchen has it all and the appliances will stay. There is also a large snack bar.
Also has a wash tub and cupboards for storage.
This huge, massive bedroom features patio doors looking out to the river along with a master bathroom complete with a spa tub and walk in shower and a large walk-in closet.


text:
VannDigital » Channels » News » Here's How Nicolas Cage Went Through $150 Million In 7 Years...
Here's How Nicolas Cage Went Through $150 Million In 7 Years...
One thing is for sure: you can't take your fortune with you when you die. So who can be mad at Oscar-winning actor Nicolas Cage for blowing nearly all of his $150M fortune on trinkets, toys and things that made him happy? Known for his superior acting in Face/Off, National Treasure, and Gone in Sixty Seconds, Cage, 54, has reportedly watched his fortune downsize in seven years.
According to Rolling Out Magazine, Cage once owned 15 homes: waterfront home in Newport Beach, California ($25M); countryside estate in Newport, Rhode Island ($15.7M); an abode in Las Vegas ($8.5M); the infamous LaLaurie mansion in New Orleans ($3.45M); a chalet in Aspen, Colorado and homes in San Francisco, New York and Venice Beach.
The Long Beach, California native's nine-foot tall pyramid-shaped tombstone in New Orleans is engraved with "Omni Ab Uno," Latin for "Everything From One."
He also reportedly had a fetish for exotic animals, owning two albino king cobras ($270); a pet octopus ($150K); a shark; a crocodile and purchased at an auction a seven-million-year-old Tarbosaurus skull ($276K), which he later had to return because it turned out to be stolen from the Mongolian government.
Cage's collection of cars extended to 1971 Lamborghini Miura SVJ ($450K) and he spent $150K on Action Comics #1, which marks the very first appearance of Superman. It reportedly was sold for $2,161,000. He also reportedly owned Detective Comics #38, which introduced Batman's sidekick, Robin.


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Mike Evans ruled out with knee injury as Bucs lead 23-10 at halftime
Posted by Charean Williams on January 3, 2021, 2:36 PM EST
The Buccaneers have ruled out receiver Mike Evans with a knee injury. The team surely hopes he can somehow return next week for the wild-card playoff game.
Evans' left knee buckled as the ground gave way underneath his foot with 20 seconds left in the first quarter. He left a skid mark as he tried to reach back for a pass behind him in the end zone.
Evans went over 1,000 yards for the seventh consecutive season, an NFL record, on the play before his injury. He finished with three catches for 46 yards.
Antonio Brown has picked up the slack with four catches for 63 yards and a touchdown.
The Bucs lead 23-10 at halftime, having scored on all five possessions.
Tom Brady has completed 14 of 24 passes for 202 yards and two touchdowns. He had scoring passes of 29 yards to Chris Godwin and 25 yards for Brown.
The Falcons have 145 yards as Matt Ryan has completed 13 of 19 passes for 118 yards. Calvin Ridley has four catches for 29 yards.
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1 responses to "Mike Evans ruled out with knee injury as Bucs lead 23-10 at halftime"
zonedout100 says:
I'm not a doctor but that injury looked ugly and I would be shocked if he were to play next week. They shouldn't need him to beat the WFT though.


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Home>Tarot>Pride Tarot
SKU: tarot-PRD78 Category: Tarot
Pride Tarot is a collaborative 78-card tarot deck inspired by Pridefest and the achievements of the LGBTQ+ movement. U.S. Games Systems created this deck to show its support for the LGBTQ+ community, and to showcase the creative talents of LGBTQ+ members and allies. Pride Tarot features 45 diverse artists from around the globe who share their poignant and powerful stories.
Pride Tarot follows the structure of Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot, with some cards portraying real-life heroes, role models and personal experiences. Included with the deck is a 192-page illustrated guidebook with card descriptions, artists' bios, and instructions for a Parade Card Spread. The deck includes an extra Pride Flag Rainbow card, which can also be used for a six-card reading.
6 × 3.5 in
The Herbal Tarot
This vibrantly colored deck is designed to integrate the healing properties of traditional herbs with the esoteric symbolism of tarot. Herbal Tarot follows the general assignments of the Rider-Waite deck, but each card is assigned an individual medicinal herb based upon intuition, astrological and energetic values. A different herb is pictured and identified on each card. The deck was drawn by artist Candice Cantin under the direction of herbalist Michael Tierra. According to the creators, "The Herbal Tarot is a tool for studying the psycho-physical energy of herbs. Herbs, when joined with the tarot, can provide a symbolic material manifestation to accompany a specific divination. This will encourage communication with the subconscious for which the tarot cards are especially powerful."
Vision Quest Tarot
With powerfully clear and accessible symbolism, Vision Quest Tarot allows us to recognize archetypal images. The visionary symbols contain both the spirit of traditional tarot as well as that of tribal shaman and the spirit of the ancient medicine wheel. Through this soothing imagery, we discover new aspects of our subconscious and learn to understand its messages. Vision Quest Tarot reveals ways of dealing with life's challenges more creatively and with more insight. In the Minor Arcana, Arrows and Wands represent Fire. Jars and Bowls represent Water. Feathers and Birds represent Air. Vegetables and Flowers represent Earth. Includes 108-page booklet.
Osho Zen Tarot
The lavishly illustrated tarot deck aids in achieving enlightenment through meditation. Osho Zen Tarot departs from traditional tarot in that it is not intended to be used for making predictions. Instead, it focuses on awareness of the present moment. It is a system based on the wisdom of Zen, which helps us examine outer events in order to gain greater clarity on what is happening inside of us. Its vibrant images help you tune into your sensitivity, intuition, compassion, creativity, receptivity, and individuality. The 79-card deck includes a Master card, which symbolizes the ultimate transcendence of the separate, individual ego in enlightenment. The set includes an illustrated 176-page guidebook. For each card Osho provides a commentary on the imagery as well as insight into its meaning. The book also offers several card spreads and a Glossary of Symbols.
The Archeon Tarot
Artist Timothy Lantz has skillfully woven together intriguing elements from mythology and mysticism to create a hauntingly beautiful tarot deck. Those who explore the Archeon Tarot will find layers of meaning in the card's mystical symbolism and dream imagery. This deck offers unique perspectives and a contemporary appeal.


Only five lawsuits remain from the families of passengers who died in the Comair Flight 5191 crash at Blue Grass Airport in 2006.
Three cases were settled in 24 hours as of Thursday morning, said airline spokeswoman Kate Marx.
She said negotiations with plaintiffs continue.
The remaining liability claims are scheduled for trial Monday in U.S. District Court in Lexington. Comair has said that it hopes to settle with the families and avoid a trial.


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Haj Subsidy Ban and Secular Character of Constitution
For long, the Indian state has practiced the unconstitutional sin of opting for Haj subsidy to continue. For long, India has suffered from the undue burden of religious subsidy to a particular community. For long, people have voiced opinions on the politics of favoritism and appeasement. To prevent these voices from going unheard, the Supreme Court finally heard the agonizing soul of India against state generosity for Muslim pilgrims and ruled that it should be phased out in 10 years.
Ban on Haj Subsidy
The nation witnessed the glory of constitutional pride on 16th January 2017 when Union minister for minority affairs, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, announced that Haj subsidy had been withdrawn as part of a policy to 'empower minorities without appeasement'.
The decision to ban Haj subsidy was celebrated as a rite of piousness by the Central Government of India to implement constitutional obligations. All people, irrespective of their religious affiliation, welcomed the move. Surprisingly, even leaders from the minority community supported it. It was indeed a moment of pride when the nation united over the matter. However, such harmony was only short-lived as debates and arguments were soon to follow.
The Resulting Communal Debate
Shortly after the ban, the discussions turned argumentative and confrontational. Many raised questions. "Why only Haj? End subsidies for all pilgrims", remarked Swaminathan S. Anklesaria Aiyar, a renowned and consulting editor of The Economic Times. Both electronic and print media began to discuss and dispute the reasoning behind the withdrawal of Haj subsidy.
The questions that arise are- Why has Haj subsidy ban sparked off debate along communal lines? What has pricked the conscience of media so as to argue in favor of ending subsidies for all pilgrims?
A Secular Constitution and Politicization of Subsidies
Politicians may have a different course of opinions over the definition of 'appeasement'. Leaders may have a different parameter to dilute facts to suit their electoral goals. But the Constitution of India is concrete and crystal-clear. It states that 'secularism' is the foundation of patriotic beliefs. It is the bedrock of our nationalistic spirit. The Preamble to the Constitution states: "WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to secure to all its citizen's JUSTICE, LIBERTY, EQUALITY, and FRATERNITY."
Undeniably, secularism is implicit in the entire soul of constitutional framework. The guarantee of equality in Article 14; the promise of non-discrimination in Articles 15 and 16; protection from religious taxes and religious instruction in state-funded institutions set in Articles 27 and 28; the permission of educational institutions of choice to linguistic and religious minorities in Articles 29 and 30; the promise of equal ballots devoid of sectional preferences in Article 325…and so on testify India's commitment to secular values.
Regrettably, no party in the country can claim to have sacredly followed constitutional obligations in the true sense of their character and spirit. Politics of opportunism has been the norm rather than an exception. Whether it is by the central or state government, disregard of the secular ethos of the Constitution has been a constant practice.
The religious subsidies provided by political parties as well as states are too many to be listed. The Congress government started Mere Buzurg Mere Teerth scheme in 2014 while BJP government in Gujarat had already subsidized Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims in 2001. Pilgrim subsidies in Karnataka, Assam, and Rajasthan do exist in one form or the other. Tamil Nadu, ruled by neither Congress nor BJP, has subsidies for Hindu pilgrims to Mansarovar and Christian pilgrims to Jerusalem, and so on.
Such subsidies would have been struck down as a violation of the Constitution in countries like the US or France. The courts in those countries take care to separate the state from religious activity, even though the US has a strong Christian lobby.
The problem is that in India there is no principle adherence to separation of the state and religion. The Constituent Assembly (Legislative) had passed an explicit resolution on the separation of religion from politics as far back as April 3, 1948, but no successive governments made sincere efforts to attain that pious objective.
In a secular state, religion is expected to be a purely personal and private matter that is not supposed to have anything to do with the governance of the country. The Supreme Court had observed in the Bommai case that if religion is not separated from politics, the religion of the ruling party tends to become the state religion. This seems to be transforming into reality.
Had the State reflected constitutional obligations into practice by according equal treatment to all religions, the voice for ending all religious subsidies would not have been raised. Had the true meaning of secularism as reflected in the Constitution of India not been misread to serve the political purpose, the accusation of 'minority/majority appeasement' would not have existed.
India's constitution gloriously serves the country's diverse and plural society to solidify cohesiveness of national purpose. Unfortunately, at times, bias by the State hurts the dignity of constitutional spirit and character. This needs to be remedied with a realization by political parties of the value of constitutional obligation and public trust that's bestowed on them.
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