In last post I introduce how to create an asynchronous class to capture the frame by cv::VideoCapture, today I would show you how to create an asynchronous algorithm which could be called a lot of times without re-spawn any new thread.
async_to_gray_algo is a small class which convert the image from bgr channels to gray image in another thread. If you have use any thread pool library before, all of them are using similar logic under the hood, but with more generic, flexible api.
//race condition in the main thread.
After we initialize the thread, all we need to do is call it by the process api whenever we need to convert image from bgr channels to gray image.
If we do not need this class anymore, we can and should stop it in the destructor, always followed the rule of RAII when you can is a best practices to keep your codes clean, robust and (much)easier to maintain(let the machine do the jobs of book keeping for humans).
What is spurious wake up?
That means the condition_variable may wake up even no notification(notify_one or notify_all) happened. This is one of the reason why we should not wait without a condition(Another reason lost wake up).
Do we have a better way to reuse the thread?
Yes, we have. The easiest solution is create a generic thread pool, you can check the codes of a simple thread pool at here. I would show you how to use it in the future.
Better way to pass the variable between different thread?
As you see, the way I communicate between main thread and the other thread are awkward, it will be a hell to maintain the source codes like that when your program become bigger and bigger. Fortunately, we have better way to pass the variable between different thread with the help of Qt5, by their signal and slot mechanism.Not to mention, Qt5 can help us make the codes much more easy to maintain.
The source codes of async_opencv_video_capture could find on github.
If you need someone to help you develop computer vision/Qt apps, please contact me on upwork.
Today I would like to introduce how to create an asynchronous videoCapture by opencv and standard library of c++. Captured video from HD video, especially the HD video from internet could be a time consuming task, it is not a good idea to waste the cpu cycle to wait the frame arrive, in order to speed up our app, or keep the gui alive, we better put the video capture part into another thread.
With the helps of thread facilities added since c++11, make the videoCapture of opencv support cross platform asynchronous read operation become a simple task, let us have a simple example.
The listeners_ is a vector which stores the std::function<cv::Mat> to be called in the infinite loop if the frame readed by the videoCapture was not empty. The users must handle the exceptions thrown by those functors by themselves else the app will crash.
We must stop and join the thread in the destructor, else the thread may never end and cause the app freeze.
By default, async_opencv_video_capture use std::mutex, it is more efficient but may cause dead lock if you called the api of async_opencv_video_capture in the listeners. If you want to avoid dead lock this issue, use std::recursive_mutex to replace std::mutex.
If you were like me, tried to build mxnet 1.3.1 on windows, you may suffer a lot of pains since mxnet do not have decent support on windows, apparently the developers of mxnet do not perform enough tests(maybe none) on windows before they release the stable version. Despite of all of the troubles mxnet brought, it is still a nice tool of deep learning, that is why I am still prefer to work with it.
I believe one of the best way to make the open source project become better is contribute something back to it, that is why I would like to write down how to build mxnet 1.3.1 on windows step by step.
Do not do this unless you are asking for trouble, please check the details on stackoverflow and issue 14343.
b. Compile openBLAS as the instruction shown here. Do not install Anaconda and miniconda together, just pick one of them. If you do not know where is your vcvars64.bat on your pc, I suggest you use Everything to find the path.
c. Copy the files(cblas.h, f77blas.h) from the generated folder into the build folder.
This branch fix some type mismatch errors.
"const mshadow::Tensor<mshadow::gpu, 1, unsigned int>" exists).
cpp_package to do the inference task, you should be safe to comment out the codes.
Open your cmake and select msvc with 64bits.
1. Do not use anything related to intel MKL.
"Check failed: MXNDArrayWaitToRead(blob_ptr_->handle_) == 0 (-1 vs. 0)"
If you do not need cuda, uncheck following options, USE_CUDA and USE_CUDNN. After that, click Configure->uncheck BUILD_TESTING->click Configure->click generate.
b. Navigate to the project "mxnet"
c. Right click your mouse, select "Properties"
If you do not know where are they, use Everything to find the path.
f. Navigate to the project "ALL_Build"
g.Right click your mouse, click build.
Now we can build mxnet with cpp_package, let us go to cmake again and change some settings.
a. (Optional)Change your install path, else you may not be able to install(ex : change to C:/Users/yyyy/programs/Qt/3rdLibs/mxnet/build_gpu_1_3_1_temp/install).
b. Make sure you have set the PATH of python, if you are building 32/64bits version of mxnet, you need python of 32/64bits, else you wouldn't be able to generate op.h. I suggest you use Rapid environment to manage your path on windows.
If your vc complain it cannot find the python exe, reopen your vc.
d. Remove the example projects since they will hinder the build process, those projects are alexnet, charRNN, googleNet, inception_bn, lenet, lenet_with_mxdataiter, mlp, mlp_cpu, mlp_gpu, resnset.
the windows(the path in the Path), let us assume that path call global_path.
We only need to copy flangrti.dll, flang.dll, ompstub.dll into global_dll in order to generate op.h, because another dll already exist in the PATH. Again, please use Everything to find the path.
i. Your mxnet need to link to Link to flangmain.lib, flangrti.lib, flang.lib, ompstub.lib again since generate clear them.
j. Navigate to the project "ALL_Build"
k. Right click your mouse, click build.
l. Navigate to the project "INSTALL"
m. Right click your mouse, click build.
The op.h generated by this solution, there are two parameters lack type declaration, you need to add them by yourself.
a. Someday they can put more love into windows and cpp_package. Windows still dominate market of desktop/laptop and cpp_package is a much better choice than python if you want to do edge deployment.
b. Adopt a commit system like opencv(whenever you commit your codes, opencv build it on every single platforms they support), this could prevent a log of bugs, the later you adopt, the more cost you need to pay for cross-platform.
In this post, I will show you how to build an age gender classification application with the infrastructures I created in the last post. Almost everything are same as before, except the part of parsing the NDArray in the forward function.
Before we dive into the source codes, let us have some examples. The images are predicted by two networks and concatenate, left side predicted by light model, right side predicted by heavy model based on resnet50.
The results do not looks bad for both of the models if we don't know their ages :), let us use the model to predict the ages of famous person, like trumps(with resnet50).
Unfortunately, results of age classification are not that good under different angles and expressions, this is because age classification from an image is very difficult, even human cannot accurately predict ages of persons by looking at a single image.
Except of these part, everything are the same as before.
It is a pain to maintain similar codes with minor difference, in order to alleviate the prices of maintenance, I create a generic predictor as a template class with three policies, implement the face recognition and age/gender classification with this generic predictor.
Please check github if you want to know the implementation details.
Gender prediction works very well, unfortunately age predictions is far from ideal. If we could obtain huge data set, which contain the face of the same person with different range of ages, expression, angles and the number of races are not super imbalance, accuracy of age accuracy may improve very much, but a huge data set like this is very hard to collect.
The source codes could find on github.
In this post I will show you how to implement an industrial level, portable face recognition application with a small, reuseable example, without relying on any commercial library(except of Qt5, unless the module I use in this example support LGPL license).
Before deep learning become main stream technology in computer vision fields, 2D face recognition only works well under strict environments, this make it an impractical technology.
Thanks to the contributions of open source communities like dlib, opencv and mxnet, today, high accuracy 2D face recognition is not a difficult problem anymore.
Before we start, let us see an interesting example(video_00).
Although different angles and expressions affect the confidence value a lot, but in most of the time the algorithm still able to find out the most similar faces from 25 faces.
The flow of face recognition on github are composed by 4 critical steps.
Face detector of dlib perform very well, you can check the results on their post.
If you want to know the details, please study the example provided by dlib, if you want to know more options, please study the excellent post of Learn Opencv.
We can treat face alignment as a data normalization skills develop for face recognition, usually you would align the faces before training your model, and align the faces when predict, this could help you obtain higher accuracy.
With dlib, face alignment become very simple. Just a few lines of codes.
This section will need to load the model from mxnet, unlike dlib or opencv, the c++ api of mxnet is more complicated, if you do not know how to load the model of mxnet yet, I recommend you study this post.
This section is the most complicated part, because it contains three main points.
1. Extract the features of faces.
the format expected by the mxnet model.
In order to load the model which support variable batch size, all we need to do is add one more argument to the argument list.
//if "data" throw exception, try another key, like "data0"
//all we need is the new key "data1"
There are two things you must know before we dive into the source codes.
1. To avoid memory reallocation, we must allocate memory for the largest possible batch size and reuse that same memory when batch size is smaller.
Find the most similar face is really easy, all we need to do is compare the features stored in the array one by one and return the one with the highest confidence.
In today's post, I show you the most critical parts of face recognize with opencv, dlib and mxnet. I believe this is a great starting point if you want to build a high quality face recognition app by c++.
Real world applications are much more complicated than this small example since they always need to support more features and required to be efficient, but no matter how complex they are, the main flow of the 2D face recognition are almost the same as this post show you.


text:
The Bama Gamblers - Trouble (Live at Terminal West)
A rock n' roll outfit, born in Alabama
The Bama Gamblers, a rock n' roll outfit from Auburn, Alabama, realized their potential and on-stage chemistry almost immediately upon forming in 2010. Their classic, Southern sound quickly gained them a solid fan base in Auburn University's fraternity houses where they covered classics and current music from their favorite bands: The Allman Brothers, Led Zeppelin, and the Black Crowes. The band continued to travel, grow, and make new fans all over the Southeast, gaining more momentum with each performance. To date, they have had the pleasure of sharing the stage with similar acts such as Marcus King Band, Moon Taxi, Shooter Jennings, Whiskey Myers, Brent Cobb, Chris Knight, American Aquarium, The Dirty Guv'nahs, North Mississippi All-Stars, Bart Crow, Benjy Davis Project, Casey Donahew Band, Johnathan Tyler and the Northern Lights, Adam Hood, and The Vegabonds. The Bama Gamblers released their much anticipated debut album "Iron Mountain" in the spring of 2014. The band continued to play shows of all varieties in support of the record. Fast forward to 2017, the band took a hiatus to focus on family and other musical endeavors. Throughout the break, each member has continued to write and record new material with various bands/artists along with accumulating new unreleased material. 2020, the band is back together with a refreshed outlook and new material looking to be released this fall! Watch out for new dates and new tunes for 2020!
bamagamblers@gmail.com
©2020 by The Bama Gamblers. Proudly created with Wix.com

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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*Note: Please ensure that you have selected the right size. Clothes bought online are non refundable. Its advise that base on your size take one or two size smaller. example: if you wear a size "L" take a size "S".


text:
'
' Enhanced Permissions Provider for DotNetNuke® - http://www.oliverhine.com
' Copyright (c) 2009-2014
' by Oliver Hine
'

Imports DotNetNuke.Entities.Modules
Imports DotNetNuke.Entities.Tabs
Imports DotNetNuke.Services.FileSystem
Imports DotNetNuke.Security.Permissions

Namespace OliverHine.Provider.EnhancedPermissions

    Partial Class Implementation
        Inherits PermissionProvider

#Region "Constants"

        'Filesystem Permission Codes
        Private Const AdminFolderPermissionCode As String = "WRITE"
        Private Const AddFolderPermissionCode As String = "ADD"
        Private Const CopyFolderPermissionCode As String = "COPY"
        Private Const BrowseFolderPermissionKey As String = "BROWSE"
        Private Const DeleteFolderPermissionCode As String = "DELETE"
        Private Const ManageFolderPermissionCode As String = "MANAGE"
        Private Const ViewFolderPermissionCode As String = "READ"

        'Module Permission Codes
        Private Const AdminModulePermissionCode As String = "EDIT"
        Private Const ContentModulePermissionCode As String = "CONTENT"
        Private Const DeleteModulePermissionCode As String = "DELETE"
        Private Const ExportModulePermissionCode As String = "EXPORT"
        Private Const ImportModulePermissionCode As String = "IMPORT"
        Private Const ManageModulePermissionCode As String = "MANAGE"
        Private Const ViewModulePermissionCode As String = "VIEW"

        'Page Permission Codes
        Private Const AddPagePermissionCode As String = "ADD"
        Private Const AdminPagePermissionCode As String = "EDIT"
        Private Const ContentPagePermissionCode As String = "CONTENT"
        Private Const CopyPagePermissionCode As String = "COPY"
        Private Const DeletePagePermissionCode As String = "DELETE"
        Private Const ExportPagePermissionCode As String = "EXPORT"
        Private Const ImportPagePermissionCode As String = "IMPORT"
        Private Const ManagePagePermissionCode As String = "MANAGE"
        Private Const NavigatePagePermissionCode As String = "NAV"
        Private Const ViewPagePermissionCode As String = "VIEW"

#End Region

#Region "Public Properties"
        Public Overrides ReadOnly Property LocalResourceFile() As String
            Get
                Return IO.Path.Combine(Config.GetProviderPath("permissions"), "App_LocalResources\EnhancedPermissionProvider.resx")
            End Get
        End Property
#End Region

#Region "FolderPermission Methods"

        Public Overrides Function CanAdminFolder(ByVal folder As FolderInfo) As Boolean
            If folder Is Nothing Then
                Return False
            End If
            Return PortalSecurity.IsInRoles(folder.FolderPermissions.ToString(AdminFolderPermissionCode))
        End Function

        Public Overrides Function CanAddFolder(ByVal folder As FolderInfo) As Boolean
            Return PortalSecurity.IsInRoles(folder.FolderPermissions.ToString(AddFolderPermissionCode))
        End Function

#If DNN7 Then
        Public Overrides Function CanBrowseFolder(ByVal folder As FolderInfo) As Boolean
            If folder Is Nothing Then
                Return False
            End If
            Return (PortalSecurity.IsInRoles(folder.FolderPermissions.ToString(BrowseFolderPermissionKey)) OrElse PortalSecurity.IsInRoles(folder.FolderPermissions.ToString(ViewFolderPermissionCode))) AndAlso Not PortalSecurity.IsDenied(folder.FolderPermissions.ToString(BrowseFolderPermissionKey))
        End Function
#End If

        Public Overrides Function CanCopyFolder(ByVal folder As FolderInfo) As Boolean
            Return PortalSecurity.IsInRoles(folder.FolderPermissions.ToString(CopyFolderPermissionCode))
        End Function

        Public Overrides Function CanDeleteFolder(ByVal folder As FolderInfo) As Boolean
            Return PortalSecurity.IsInRoles(folder.FolderPermissions.ToString(DeleteFolderPermissionCode))
        End Function

        Public Overrides Function CanManageFolder(ByVal folder As FolderInfo) As Boolean
            Return PortalSecurity.IsInRoles(folder.FolderPermissions.ToString(ManageFolderPermissionCode))
        End Function

        Public Overrides Function CanViewFolder(ByVal folder As FolderInfo) As Boolean
            Return PortalSecurity.IsInRoles(folder.FolderPermissions.ToString(ViewFolderPermissionCode))
        End Function

#End Region

#Region "ModulePermission Methods"

        Public Overrides Function CanAdminModule(ByVal objModule As ModuleInfo) As Boolean
            Return PortalSecurity.IsInRoles(objModule.ModulePermissions.ToString(AdminModulePermissionCode))
        End Function

        Public Overrides Function CanDeleteModule(ByVal objModule As ModuleInfo) As Boolean
            Return PortalSecurity.IsInRoles(objModule.ModulePermissions.ToString(DeleteModulePermissionCode))
        End Function

        Public Overrides Function CanEditModuleContent(ByVal objModule As ModuleInfo) As Boolean
            Return PortalSecurity.IsInRoles(objModule.ModulePermissions.ToString(ContentModulePermissionCode))
        End Function

        Public Overrides Function CanExportModule(ByVal objModule As ModuleInfo) As Boolean
            Return PortalSecurity.IsInRoles(objModule.ModulePermissions.ToString(ExportModulePermissionCode))
        End Function

        Public Overrides Function CanImportModule(ByVal objModule As ModuleInfo) As Boolean
            Return PortalSecurity.IsInRoles(objModule.ModulePermissions.ToString(ImportModulePermissionCode))
        End Function

        Public Overrides Function CanManageModule(ByVal objModule As ModuleInfo) As Boolean
            Return PortalSecurity.IsInRoles(objModule.ModulePermissions.ToString(ManageModulePermissionCode))
        End Function

        Public Overrides Function CanViewModule(ByVal objModule As ModuleInfo) As Boolean
            Return objModule.InheritViewPermissions OrElse PortalSecurity.IsInRoles(objModule.ModulePermissions.ToString(ViewModulePermissionCode))
        End Function

#End Region

#Region "TabPermission Methods"

        Public Overrides Function CanAddContentToPage(ByVal objTab As TabInfo) As Boolean
            Return PortalSecurity.IsInRoles(objTab.TabPermissions.ToString(ContentPagePermissionCode))
        End Function

        Public Overrides Function CanAddPage(ByVal objTab As TabInfo) As Boolean
            Return PortalSecurity.IsInRoles(objTab.TabPermissions.ToString(AddPagePermissionCode))
        End Function

        Public Overrides Function CanAdminPage(ByVal objTab As TabInfo) As Boolean
            Return PortalSecurity.IsInRoles(objTab.TabPermissions.ToString(AdminPagePermissionCode))
        End Function

        Public Overrides Function CanCopyPage(ByVal objTab As TabInfo) As Boolean
            Return PortalSecurity.IsInRoles(objTab.TabPermissions.ToString(CopyPagePermissionCode))
        End Function

        Public Overrides Function CanDeletePage(ByVal objTab As TabInfo) As Boolean
            Return PortalSecurity.IsInRoles(objTab.TabPermissions.ToString(DeletePagePermissionCode))
        End Function

        Public Overrides Function CanExportPage(ByVal objTab As TabInfo) As Boolean
            Return PortalSecurity.IsInRoles(objTab.TabPermissions.ToString(ExportPagePermissionCode))
        End Function

        Public Overrides Function CanImportPage(ByVal objTab As TabInfo) As Boolean
            Return PortalSecurity.IsInRoles(objTab.TabPermissions.ToString(ImportPagePermissionCode))
        End Function

        Public Overrides Function CanManagePage(ByVal objTab As TabInfo) As Boolean
            Return PortalSecurity.IsInRoles(objTab.TabPermissions.ToString(ManagePagePermissionCode))
        End Function

        Public Overrides Function CanNavigateToPage(ByVal objTab As TabInfo) As Boolean
            Return PortalSecurity.IsInRoles(objTab.TabPermissions.ToString(NavigatePagePermissionCode))
        End Function

        Public Overrides Function CanViewPage(ByVal objTab As TabInfo) As Boolean
            Return PortalSecurity.IsInRoles(objTab.TabPermissions.ToString(ViewPagePermissionCode))
        End Function
#End Region

    End Class

End Namespace

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
PlayStation 4 Rumoured, Codename "Orbis"
Peter Chapman 28/03/12 113 Comments
Kotaku has taken a moment out from its usual stream of semi-titillating photos of cosplayers, Japanese niche cultural trends and fashion advice to leak some information about the next generation of PlayStation hardware.
The information comes from an unnamed source so we'll just lay it out here and let you decide how much you trust the source Kotaku clearly does.
It will be called "Orbis", at least as a working title. This is backed up by the SCE subdomain orbis.scedev.net being a thing. This is the portal that developers use to access resources for development. vita.scedev.net and ngp.scedev.net both work, as does the PS3 equivalent but the PS4 version of that address goes nowhere.
It has an AMD x64 CPU and an AMD Southern Islands GPU making it roughly as powerful as some of the high end gaming PCs due out this year. AMD CPU is something that has been rumoured before and given the company's possible involvement there, also supplying a GPU isn't too much of a stretch.
Orbis will be out next year. Apparently it's due in the holiday season of 2013. No word on whether this is worldwide or just in the US and Japan, as with the PlayStation 3's 2006 launch. It won't be backward compatible with PS3 games though, so you'll have to clear some extra space under the TV because you're going to want to keep your PS3 around.
There are some extremely disturbing rumours that there will be a restrictive DRM system in place which requires you to lock a newly purchased game (Blu-ray) to your PSN account, which will allow you to copy the whole thing to your hard disk but will also render any subsequent trade in practically useless. The idea seems to be that pre-owned purchasers will basically get a gimped version of the game like a trial which prompts them to pay a further fee to unlock the full thing.
There's also warning that playing offline will not be an option to circumvent this DRM. Like some heavily criticised PC games recently, there could be plans to require a PSN connection before a game disc will work at all. Can't see that being any sort of issue given the PSN's history of maintenance, launch day server woes and periods of downtime…
As always, whether you choose to trust these rumours is up to you, nothing is certain until Sony takes to a stage somewhere and announces it. It's interesting to speculate though, how believable do you think this batch of rumours is?
Source: Kotaku
Tags: Orbis, PlayStation 4
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Gran Turismo 7 and God of War: Ragnarok are coming to PS4 as well as PS5
Borderlands 3 cross-play update is being blocked on PlayStation consoles
Sony can charge publishers for cross-play compensation, Epic Games reveal in court
hazelam	 28/03/12, 16:34
if this drm and what ms are rumoured to be using turn out to be true, and sometimes the rumours do, then this is likely to be the last generation i buy a games console.
well maybe i'll buy another after the greed caused crash brings us an industry that knows its place, and more importantly its customers rights.
yogdog	 28/03/12, 16:55
Me too Hazelam, me too. I'll stick with my PS3/PS2/PS1/Xbox 360/PC etc. People will get sick of all this eventually, and it'll all come crashing down hopefully.
Forrest_01	 28/03/12, 17:03
I say we start a resistance movement now!!
Or is that perhaps overreacting a touch?
Nope, not at all Forrest! :D
Nocure-fd	 29/03/12, 08:41
Agreed Hazelam. I do love my gaming, but I have to draw the line somewhere.
wonkey-willy	 28/03/12, 16:34
could someone please delete my first comment its got my entire photobucket albums thanks i'll be off now….
nofi	 28/03/12, 16:38
Hmm. ;)
The Lone Steven	 28/03/12, 16:45
What do you know Nofi? *gets Nofi a Pasty and beer*
I don't even want to believe it.. *upgrades PC*
Taylor Made	 28/03/12, 16:41
I know it wont be called ps4 due to that Japanese Superstition about the number 4 so am intrigued
aerobes	 28/03/12, 22:23
Since it's a worldwide machine, maybe it'd still bear the number. Or just be named something different in Japan.
I wonder if it'll be ps1 backward compatible?
Zephyre	 28/03/12, 16:48
And forgo the chance to sell those games to you again?
Thats a fair point, what was I thinking!
Personally, i think someone's just been smoking a bit too much can-orbis.
Forrest, you've just won the comment of the week award :)
Ha – Awesome… What do i win? :D
enroene	 29/03/12, 07:42
gazzagb	 28/03/12, 17:15
Some of these features here seem quite possible unfortunately. If Sony totally restrict everything while MS keep their console functionality similar to what it is now, I honestly can't see many people except hardcore fanboys sticking with Sony.
David Carlson	 28/03/12, 17:19
orbis non sufficit
Broonba	 28/03/12, 17:41
I'll just sit here on the fence until sony does the announcement themselves.


Spectacular photography, a wedding ceremony to remember, and beautiful locations are what you get when you book a wedding at the Eldorado Canyon Ghost Town. It is one of the most popular locations for beautiful weddings and incredible photography. Set in the midst of nature with a backdrop of mountains and desert, this secluded location creates an ambiance of romance and bliss for your big day. The Ghost Town is filled with vintage structures and artifacts, perfect for your first photos as a married couple. Pose in front of the rustic fence or in the bed of an antique vintage truck. Dan Weddings.


text:
Two Maitland residents are in a stand off with Maitland City Council over a proposed cycleway they say impedes upon their properties. Terry Bourke and Rodney Watt, both of Cessnock Road, say there has been no transfer of ownership on a patch of land at the front of each of their properties that council is trying to clear for a bike path. Council has acknowledged there is a "property matter associated with the project", but says whilst the issue is still unresolved, they were not in a position to make any further comment. Both men say council has previously pointed to a government gazette notice back in 1969 saying that there were plans to acquire the land off the owners. But that change of ownership never happened, the men claim. "The resumption was never completed," Mr Bourke said. "There was no money paid." Mr Bourke said the notice period under the Limitation Act had since passed, meaning council would need to give another notice of acquisition to take ownership of the land. Mr Bourke said he still pays rates on the stretch, while Mr Watt said he did when he first bought the property but no longer does. Both men said they had received multiple valuations of their properties, and all of them had included the patches of land in question. Mr Bourke has established a vegetation buffer on the land to protect his house from road noise and weather, which he said council was trying to clear earlier this week for the cycleway. He even took the step of standing in front of council machinery when workers turned up on Monday. "My house impinges the area, they said they can build a fence in front of my property, but if they want to do the cycleway properly, they've got to take the lot." Mr Bourke said when he first bought the property in 1977, he was led to believe that if council did ever need the land, they would pay to move his house further down the property. But when he approached council recently about this, he claims they said there was no record of it. "They're being absolute bullies," he said. "If they want that land they should resume it under the current legislation." For Mr Watt, he is concerned about an aerated wastewater treatment system he has installed. He said Australian standards require him to have a spray area of 200 metres squared, which he won't have if council take the patch of land off him. "If I have to move the hose, it will cause ponding and rising damp and mould in my house," he said. "They haven't answered my questions. We're at a bit of a standstill. I just don't know their intentions."
https://nnimgt-a.akamaihd.net/transform/v1/crop/frm/H4rQr3kwJCDkT9nukzGYK/e2849f0e-4838-4684-aeca-1114bbd0ea1a.jpg/r2_357_5181_3283_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg
May 30 2019 - 5:00PM
Cessnock Road residents in standoff with Maitland City council over cycleway
Sage Swinton
STOUSH: Cessnock Road resident Terry Bourke claims that land Maitland Council is trying to bulldoze for a cycleway belongs to him. Picture: Simone De Peak
Two Maitland residents are in a stand off with Maitland City Council over a proposed cycleway they say impedes upon their properties.
Terry Bourke and Rodney Watt, both of Cessnock Road, say there has been no transfer of ownership on a patch of land at the front of each of their properties that council is trying to clear for a bike path.
Council has acknowledged there is a "property matter associated with the project", but says whilst the issue is still unresolved, they were not in a position to make any further comment.
Both men say council has previously pointed to a government gazette notice back in 1969 saying that there were plans to acquire the land off the owners.
But that change of ownership never happened, the men claim.
"The resumption was never completed," Mr Bourke said. "There was no money paid."
Related: Pedestrian and cycleway bridge complete
Mr Bourke said the notice period under the Limitation Act had since passed, meaning council would need to give another notice of acquisition to take ownership of the land.
Mr Bourke said he still pays rates on the stretch, while Mr Watt said he did when he first bought the property but no longer does.
Both men said they had received multiple valuations of their properties, and all of them had included the patches of land in question.
Mr Bourke has established a vegetation buffer on the land to protect his house from road noise and weather, which he said council was trying to clear earlier this week for the cycleway.
He even took the step of standing in front of council machinery when workers turned up on Monday.
"My house impinges the area, they said they can build a fence in front of my property, but if they want to do the cycleway properly, they've got to take the lot."
Mr Bourke said when he first bought the property in 1977, he was led to believe that if council did ever need the land, they would pay to move his house further down the property.
But when he approached council recently about this, he claims they said there was no record of it.
"They're being absolute bullies," he said. "If they want that land they should resume it under the current legislation."
For Mr Watt, he is concerned about an aerated wastewater treatment system he has installed. He said Australian standards require him to have a spray area of 200 metres squared, which he won't have if council take the patch of land off him.
"If I have to move the hose, it will cause ponding and rising damp and mould in my house," he said.
"They haven't answered my questions. We're at a bit of a standstill. I just don't know their intentions."


text:
Ires Reit: the facts behind Ireland's biggest landlord
Despite restrictions Ires Reit increased rents by up to 12% in its Dublin properties this year
Mon, Aug 8, 2016, 12:41 Updated: Mon, Aug 8, 2016, 12:46
Fiona Reddan
Ires Reit owns and lets 102 apartments at The Marker in Dublin's docklands. Photograph: Cyril Byrne / The Irish Times
With a portfolio of almost 2,300 apartments and a reach right across the city of Dublin, Ires Reit has emerged as Ireland's largest non-Government landlord.
The trust For years Ireland's biggest private landlord was possibly someone owning hundreds of apartments and bed-sits in the Rathmines area. Now it's an Irish listed property investment company. Since the introduction of legislation a few years ago allowing for the pooling of properties into so-called real estate investment trusts (reits), Ires has emerged as the country's largest non-Government landlord.
Listed on the Irish Stock Exchange, Ires is backed by Canadian property investment group Capreit, with 30 employees in Dublin managing its portfolio.
Ires Reit launched in 2014, and has built up a portfolio of 2,288 apartments across Dublin, with an annual rent roll of about €40 million.
What it owns Entering the market in 2014, Ires took advantage of the sale of large apartment blocks across the city by vendors such as Nama and the banks, to quickly build up a hefty portfolio of apartments. Its portfolio stretches from Priorsgate in Tallaght where it owns 102 out of 198 apartments in the complex, to The Marker on Dublin's docklands, where it owns 84 out of 105 apartments, and South Central, Rockbrook in Sandyford, south Dublin, where it owns 189 out of 224 apartments.
Property investment group Ires Reit targets 2017 rent rises
Kennedy Wilson Europe sees Brexit opportunities for Dublin
But its reach probably won't stop there. In its most recent financial results, Ires said that it has capacity to spend some €150 million on further acquisitions – or developments. Indeed Ires has already started building a further 68 apartments at Beacon South Quarter in south Dublin, to be called The Maple, while at nearby Rockbrook, Ires says a further 450 apartments can be built. In the absence of significant new developments across the capital, Ires is likely to be a significant player – but only in the rental market.
It is not the only significant landlord Ires Reit is not the only professional investor actively acquiring large numbers of Dublin apartments. US fund Kennedy Wilson for example, owns more than 700 apartments in the capital, including the 210-apartment Alliance Building, part of the Gasworks in Dublin 4, as well as 423 apartments in Clancy Quay, while Hibernia Reit has 213 apartments at Wyckham Point in Dundrum, south Dublin. Property funds including Ires are estimated to account for about 6 per cent of the rental market in Dublin.
The success of Ires has come at a time when more Irish people are renting homes. This shift – as well as the much-publicised shortage of rental properties – has helped Ires achieve almost 100 per cent occupancy rates.
How have rent restrictions hit Earlier this year new legislation allowed rent increases only every two years (up from every year). Already, this is helping tenants in properties owned by Ires Reit – in the first six months of 2016, for example, less than 10 per cent of its properties were eligible for rent increases, compared with 50 per cent in 2015.
However, it does not mean that rent increases are off the table.
High turnover rates equals higher rents With high turnover rates – about 12 per cent of apartments turned over in the first six months of 2016 – Ires Reit is free to push up rents each time it agrees a new rental contract. And it managed to secure "strong rental growth" in these renewals so far this year.
As the table shows, in the first six months Ires Reit secured rental hikes of 12 per cent at its properties in The Marker and Bessboro in Terenure, and 9 per cent at Beacon South Quarter in Sandyford. On an annual basis, rents have soared by as much as 16 per cent at The Marker, up from €2,283 in June 2015 to €2,638 in June 2016. Such increases can set a level in certain areas, which other landlords may then aspire to.
Kennedy Wilson
Irish Stock Exchange
Capreit
Hibernia HMDC
Ires Reit
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Dell OptiPlex 9010 desktop in great shape. It is a fast powerful business class computer. It's not a gamer, but with a Windows Experience Index score of 5.8 it will be smooth in lighter games like Simms and Minecraft. Plenty of power and RAM if you like lots of windows open.
I have three of these.


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Q: Q-Exponential Sum Identity We define the "standard" q-exponential as follows
$$ e_q(x) = 1 + \frac{1}{1} x+ \frac{1}{(1+q)} x^2 + \frac{1}{(1+q)(1+q+q^2)}x^3 ...  =$$
$$ \sum_{i = 0}^{\infty} \left[ (1-q)^ix^i \prod_{j=1}^{i} \frac{1}{(1-q^j)} \right]$$
What I'm interested in studying is $e_q(x + y)$ inspired by the fact that
$$ e^{(x+y)} = e^{x} e^{y} $$
Is there a known "q-analog" of multiplication this way? What sort of identites exist of
$$ e_q(x+y) ?$$

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Spanish sources claim Roma have asked Real Madrid for defender Nacho Fernandez.
Barcelona defender Gerard Pique's apparent dig at Real Madrid is best to be ignored, according to centre-back Nacho.
Real Madrid defender Nacho says the players are united with coach Rafael Benitez.
MUNICH, GERMANY - AUGUST 05: Nacho of Real Madrid clears the ball under the pressure of David Alaba of FC Bayern Muenchen during the Audi Cup 2015 Final between FC Bayern Muenchen and Real Madrid at Allianz Arena on August 5, 2015 in Munich, Germany.


NightPro is a cloud-based event management solution that provides businesses venue and table management, customer relationship management (CRM) and reporting and analytics functionalities. The solution caters to nightclubs, lounges, hotels, bars and more.
NightPro helps users to operate and manage multiple venues and keep track of customers and reservations. The solution includes an event dashboard that allows users to create and edit events and compare performance to past events. Users can integrate NightPro with existing websites to display real-time ticket availability to customers.
NightPro helps owners and managers to organize promoters, sub-promoters, servers, hosts and staff and monitor their performance. It also offers mobile applications for iOS and Android devices for remote usage.
Services are offered on a monthly subscription basis that includes support via online live chat. Native mobile apps are also available for iOS and Android.


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Q: Jinja2 templates using Django template tags I'm using Jinja2 on a new project, but would like to use the django-socialregistration app, which relies on Django template tags. Jinja2 doesn't play nicely with template tags, so I'm wondering if there's a quick workaround?
Template tags:
{% load facebook_tags %}
{% facebook_button %}
{% facebook_js %}
This previous question addresses the same topic for Mako, but I'm having trouble adapting it to work with Jinja2. The following is my attempt at an adaptation (non-working):
{% from django.template import Template, Context %}
{% tpl = "{% load facebook_tags %}{% facebook_button %}{% facebook_js %}" %}
${Template(tpl).render(Context(dict_=dict(request=request)))}

Any advice? I'm new to inlining, so don't know if the above is even close.

A: Should the last line not just be:
{% Template(tpl).render(Context(dict=dict(request=request))) %}


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If Samsung solely launched a curved observe telephone, might you care that there wasn't a flat-screenedmodel of it?


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DALLAS, Aug. 6, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Azure Midstream Energy, LLC ("Azure"), a leading midstream natural gas gathering and processing company based in Dallas, Texas, and the 100% owner of the general partner of Azure Midstream Partners, LP (the "Partnership") (NYSE: AZUR), today announced the contribution of the equity interests of Azure ETG, LLC ("ETG or the drop down").
Consideration for the ETG contribution is comprised of $80 million in cash and an additional 255,319 common units in the Partnership. Approximately $80 million in cash proceeds from the contribution will be used to reduce indebtedness and creates financial flexibility to fund future development opportunities at Azure.
This transaction continues Azure's strategy of increasing financial flexibility and creating access to additional liquidity that will increase the strength of the Azure family of companies. In January 2015, Azure committed to reducing indebtedness by $195 million to $250 million. With the drop down of ETG, Azure will have met its 2015 debt reduction target and will gain access to additional liquidity to support its business development efforts across its platform.
The drop of ETG to the Partnership increases scale and operating flexibility that enhances the value of Azure's ownership. Azure continues to be incentivized to enhance the Partnership's growth through future accretive dropdowns and cash flow from its new limited partner unit ownership, as well as its 90% ownership in the incentive distribution rights, and 100% ownership of the general partner interests.
"The drop down of ETG supports Azure's strategy of growing the Partnership through accretive transactions for both our private and Partnership companies. Our creative approach to the drop down and proactive funding provided a great win-win solution for our entire stakeholder base, stated I.J. "Chip" Berthelot, II, Chief Executive Officer of Azure Midstream Energy.
Mr. Berthelot further added "The unique geographical footprint of ETG presents many additional opportunities to the Partnership; including dry gas gathering in the prolific Shelby Trough region of the Haynesville Shale, and provides Azure Midstream Energy with the necessary flexibility to continue our development plans over the coming quarters."
The ETG system was part of Azure's Center system and includes approximately 250 miles of gathering pipelines, three owned treating plants, 10 MMcf/d of processing capacity and four interconnections with major interstate pipelines providing 1.75 Bcf per day of access to downstream markets. A total of 336,000 gross acres in the Haynesville Shale and Bossier Shale formations are dedicated to ETG under 23 long-term producer contracts.


Egyptian Premier League outfit Pyramids FC have completed the signing of Burkinabe winger Eric Traore from Misr El-Makkasa and the player will join in the upcoming January window.
Despite interest from Cairo giants Al Ahly and Zamalek, Pyramids managed to clinch the signing of Traore to reinforce their already stacked team in January.
The 22-year-old winger had joined El-Makkasa from Aswan in July 2016. Traore featured for the Fayoum-based club in 14 games in all competitions this season, where he scored five goals and assisted other three in the first half of the season.
The move was confirmed by Pyramids owner and head of Saudi General Sports Authority Turki Al-Sheikh who posted the player's picture holding the contract on his Facebook page.
Traore will be Pyramids second signing this winter after they announced the signing of Egyptian striker Amr Marei from Tunisian club Étoile Sportive du Sahel.


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Ukulele Underground Forums > Ukulele Boards > Uke Talk > 2012 Northern California Uke Festival!
View Full Version : 2012 Northern California Uke Festival!
This is an Awesome ukulele festival with very talented local Performers, several Vendors and good Food!
I'm so glad that Kamaka, KoAloha, Sonny D and Kala Ukulele's will be there this year!
I love this festival. I got to perform there in 2011 with my ukulele class, the Kapilakiko Hawaiian Music Workshop Band, and I'll be perfoming with my ukulele class again this year. It was great talking to all the vendors there last year -- they're all really nice people. Be sure to buy stuff from Smiley at the Ukulele Source booth and Pudgy at the El Cerrito Music Works booth, and from all the other vendors there, and be sure to thank them all for supporting this ukulele festival. Great local luthiers, too. Mike DaSilva (Berkeley) and Tony Graziano (Santa Cruz) were both there last year. And Chris Kamaka was there with his band (playing my ukulele instructor's stand-up bass). Have a great time!
I will be there! I am really looking forward to it.
I'll be there also. The location is so much better as compared to years past! Last year I just hung out on the grass, played ukulele with friends, and walked around and looked at the vendors.
Kamaka had their ukuleles out last year and it seemed like they were for sale, but I wasn't looking to buy from them so I am not positive.
Any way we can have a UU meet up there? It would be nice to meet some UU friends!
I'll be there with some folks from the San Jose Ukulele Club. One of our members is also in the Kalipani Strings group and does a mean hula!
Kamaka had some ukuleles for sale last year. I think Kamaka is there partly because Chris plays there, and I think the Kamaka family was friendly with the people who started the festival. (Kamaka also raffles off one of its ukuleles to a performer.) KoAloha wasn't a sponsor last year.
Anyone connected with the festival know if (or how many) tickets will be available at the door? I just noticed the deadline passed for advanced sales and I was hoping to attend.
There's too much going on that one day. The Reno/Tahoe Festival, Daniel Ho and Jason Arimoto are playing a show in San Jose, and the NorCal Ukefest all going on at the same time. I was bummed that I missed out on tickets to see Daniel and Jason, canceled my rooms in Reno, and missed out on the advanced sales for NorCal. I'm a mess!
My daughter and I went last year around 10am and bought tickets at the door.
There seemed to be plenty of tickets for sale and wasn't a big deal.
canceled my rooms in Reno, I'm a mess!
Bummer Goy, was looking forward to seeing you there. Been a while. I'm teaching a worksop on Friday and Saturday as well as performing on both the festival stage and the celebrity showroom on Saturday night. Too bad the timing worked out such that it gets in the way of attending the NorCal festival. I haven't been there for a few years now. The Reno fest ends at noon on Sunday but there is too much pavement between Reno and the bay area to make the NorCal fest.
We just got a confirmation from Stacy from the festival that we have a vendor spot! Uke Company will be there with a few of our best t-shirt designs! Come and say aloha. Our booth is #29 and if you mention Ukulele Underground I'll give you a free Uke Company sticker!
Well, right now the weather forecast says rain....which would make it hard on vendors and impossible to jam and mingle out on the grass. However, we'll see as it gets closer. Hopefully, the rain will avoid us (as it often does).
I need to sell umbrellas. heh.
I don't have any inside information, but there were tickets at the door last year. The festival did sell out last year (I think sometime around noon) so it might be a good idea to get there early. I believe the number of tickets is determined by the number of seats is the venue. It may be possible to get into the vendor area without a ticket. I don't remember.
Today, the 10-day forecast at weather.com indicates it's going to be unsettled on Saturday but sunny on Sunday. The performances are indoors and the vendors are under an overhang, but wet weather would definitely inhibit outdoor jamming and playing.
Just found out I can go! Hopefully there won't be a problem getting tickets at the door. Hope to meet some of you there.
The performances are held in the Auditorium (Bldg #1300) and the vendors will under the overhangs of that area as well as in the Grand Court (like last year? and hopefully decent weather). I believe there are enough overhangs to congregate and play if it does rain (not heavily) . . . And no, there is no fee (best of my knowledge) to access the vendor areas. Get there early before the program starts to procure your tickets. They were available last year and sold out before Noon (maybe earlier).
I am the middle aged, wearing a UU shirt (hoodie if it's cold), playing poorly (if I finish my uke), abnormally-tall-and-large-for-being-Japanese guy. My name is Gary. Please stop me and say "hi".
I'll be there. I don't have any UU attire, so maybe I'll find someone who does and just stick close to 'em.:D Last year I was hanging out on the grass near the food booths, jamming with friends old and new. I expect that I'll be doing the same this year, but with more layers of clothing! (It was sunny and beautiful last year.) If it looks like rain on Sunday, I'll leave the custom tenor at home and bring the plywood Islander!
Weather is saying sun and clouds for Sunday! Wish there was a way to connect with UU'ers there. Any ideas how we could do it?
At the Wine Country festival some of us connected by stickers and shirts and then as others introduced themselves we all just kind of introduced ourselves around. A semi-organized meet up would be cool though.
Too, bad there isn't a UU button or Pin we could wear.
I'll be wearing a black polo shirt with a Kapaklakiko I Ke Aloha (http://www.kapalakiko.org/Kapalakiko/Home.html)logo on it (see below), and I'll be at the Kapalakiko booth from 11:00 to about noon. I'll be the middle-aged guy with salt-and-pepper (more salt than pepper, these days) hair that's too long because my haircutter has injured his hand. I'll be performing with the Kapalakiko Hawaiian Music Workshop Band from 1:15 to 1:25, and (weather-permitting) Saichi will be conducting a workshop for his students on the lawn in the afternoon. I'll look out for UUers, but please stop by and say "hi." Gary, are you bringing your Yoshi-lele?
I'm going to try. Tonight it'll get it's first coat of Tru Oil, so it depends on how many coats I can work in before Sunday.
Well, I have no idea what I am going to wear, I think a black "Mighty Uke" shirt but I will look for others with UU regalia!
You can see what I look like from my YouTube videos and I'll wear my San Jose Ukulele Club t-shirt if the weather is nice. I'll wear a name badge that says "UUer" on it if that will help.
I'll be there early tomorrow 10:00 at the latest! I'll be the 13 year old boy with the nice guy shirt, fedora, and Kanile'a tenor ukulele. Stop by, say hi, and if you bring your uke, let's jam!
The festival was great! I played with about 50 others in the Kapalakiko Workshop Band. My wife said we were pretty good. Uncle Saichi had a workshop after our performance but I couldn't stay.
I so wish I could have taken a trip up north for this, sounds like a good one. Hopefully this will be in my plans next year!
Come up for the Wine Country Uke Festival in early September! Uke people and wine!!
Oh I would LOVE to, but realistically I don't think I could afford lodging in those parts, at least not without planning and reserving way ahead of time (and life is too unpredictable for me to do that right now). Haven't ruled it out though, I'm keeping on the lookout for a good deal. My trouble is I'd rather spend what pennies I have on just about anything but hotels since I'm only there to sleep :) So hey, if you have any insider tips - send them my way, please!
Last year my wife booked rooms in Fairfield. It was much cheaper and about a 20 minute drive from Napa. Basically she looked up places on Hwy 80 that were near Hwy 29.
I had a great time at the festival! Thank to all who stopped by our booth. I hope you're enjoying the free stickers I gave out.
It was nice meeting you and the family. My son LOVES the stickers. They're currently on the passenger window, next to his car seat. I hear "Look Papa." every day as he points to it, and then does his version of "air guitar."
Fantastic Josh! send me a picture if you can and I'll post it on my site.


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Michael Kozak supported protests by professionals in Venezuela
Michael Kozak, acting Undersecretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs of the U.S. Department of State, supported this Friday the multiple demonstrations and protests of different professional sectors in Venezuela.
"The long-suffering people of Venezuela protest and demand change day after day. Last week, doctors, nurses and teachers marched. This week: lawyers and engineers. Despite threats and oppression, everyone is marching for a better future," Kozak said through his personal Twitter account.
General Procurator Hernandez: "The Treasury Department did not grant any new authorization to the Central Bank of Venezuela"
OAS: "More than 6 million Venezuelans will have left Venezuela by the end of 2020"
Health, education and public sector professionals have been actively demonstrating for months against Nicolás Maduro's regime for the devaluation of salaries, the lack of payments, the deterioration of the institutions in which they work and the lack of access to a dignified life.
Kozak concluded in his message that: "The disaster of Maduro must end".
Congresswoman Solórzano: "Carabobo is one of the states where human rights have been violated the most".
U.S. Congress will create a Venezuelan caucus thanks to the work of the Embassy headed by Carlos Vecchio
U.S. Virtual Embassy Condemns Kidnapping of Venezuelan Congressman Ismael Leon
The AN invites you to commemorate the struggle for democracy this January 23rd throughout Venezuela January 22, 2020
Guaidó from Belgium: "The support of the world will be fundamental in the fight for Venezuela"
First Lady: "The memory of Addy Valero will remain an example of firmness and struggle"
Commissioner Prado announces the launch of the digital platform for the Single Registry of Victims
Political leaders express their condolences on the regrettable death of MP Addy Valero


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From what I'm hearing, most Christians I connect with are voting against you, because they are disillusioned and because you appear to be chopping and changing your beliefs to get votes, with regards to things like marriage. Why should we vote for you?
They are gay if they are born gay… You don't decide at some later stage in life to be one thing or the other.
SEXUALITY – PREDETERMINED OR CHOICE?
[A]n influence is not the same as a cause. Genes and hormones may predispose a person to one sexuality rather than another. But that's all. Predisposition and determination are two different things.
Thankfully, the experience of human endeavour tells us that who we are need not be determined by a biological accident. Yes, our genes influence our behaviour. But this does not determine who we are. We are not the slaves of our biology and possess a formidable capacity to make our own world and on a good day to even choose who we want to be.
To say what 'is', as David Hume famously observed, is not the same as declaring what 'ought to be'. The Christian worldview is unaffected either way on the innateness or otherwise of sexual orientation.
Kevin, if you call yourself a Christian, why don't you believe the words of Jesus in the Bible?
Well, mate, if I was going to have that view, the Bible also says that slavery is a natural condition.
Now, while I wouldn't be surprised to hear this guff reproduced on an ABC discussion board, it is startling to hear this kind of wild error from a man who has spent some years learning Greek in order to better understand the Gospel of Luke. If you are in any doubt about the abysmal ignorance and misrepresentation involved in claiming the bible promotes slavery, I suggest you read this brief and helpful response.
I think it is essential that someone of faith understand that while faith is a splendid thing in private life it can often be quite a misleading guide in public life.
You've got to accept that there are all sorts of private views which can be passionately held but in a pluralist democracy such as ours the idea that you could somehow make those private views mandatory is bizarre, just bizarre.
But his comments seemed awfully close to affirming the oft-made claim that religious belief has no place in public sphere or in the formulation of policy.
Any picture of happy human life that 'works' is necessarily informed by deep-seated beliefs about the purpose of human life.
Let's take marriage and divorce as a case study. Is it possible to craft laws that we all agree 'work' apart from particular worldview commitments? I don't believe so. Your views of what is right will be based on what you think the purpose of marriage is. If you think marriage is mainly for the rearing of children to benefit the whole society, then you will make divorce very difficult. If you think the purpose of marriage is more primarily for the happiness and emotional fulfilment of the adults who enter it, you will make divorce much easier. the former view is grounded in a view of human flourishing and well-being in which the family is more important than the individual, as in the traditions of Confucianism, Judaism and Christianity. The latter approach is a more individualistic view of human nature based on the Enlightenment's understanding of things. The divorce laws you think 'work' will depend on prior beliefs about what it means to be happy and fully human. There is no objective, universal consensus about what that is.
Efforts to craft a public square from which religious conversation is absent, no matter how thoughtfully worked out, will always in the end say to those of organised religion that they alone, unlike everybody else, must enter public dialogue only after leaving behind that part of themselves that they may consider most vital.


First of all, the historical information given in this book is fascinating and told in a way that makes you always want for more to be said on the subject. (I usually skip these parts in other books). There are things about the Virgin Queen's court and the queen herself that are not generally known and are fascinating to discover even when they are outrageous and unbelievably sad.
Now this book is about a romance between a married couple.I believe and have found in the past that this is a kind of romance that is deeper and more difficult to handle for the author than the kind that leads to the altar. That is why I was so amazed by this book. The romance satisfied me and more.
The heroine of the book is trying to do her best to keep her husband satisfied and successful at court, even if the effort literally kills her. Things change, however, when her husband starts to fall in love with her and she with him.
I loved the romance between the two characters, it was so tender and so real and of course the fact that they were married made it even more romantic. Especially the scene where they are flirting with the help of the language of food..... I have never read about a couple quite like them.
I recommend this book very highly as a christian book, as a historical novel and as a beautiful romance and I have become a great fan of the author, Mrs. Siri Mitchell.
I read this one earlier in the year, and I really loved it! I'm currently reading another book by Siri Mitchell called She Walks in Beauty!


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November 24, 2021 November 24, 2021 Roxanne Barnes
• A state court judge ruled that the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) inflicted cruel and unusual punishment on people held at San Quentin State Prison, ruling that "because [CDCR] did not reduce the population as recommended, it effectively consigned hundreds of [incarcerated persons] to unwarranted, unnecessary, solitary confinement." Juan Moreno Haines, an incarcerated […]
October 28, 2021 October 28, 2021 Roxanne Barnes
• An ACLU press release condemns the use of solitary confinement in ICE detention, citing a recently published report from the Department of Homeland Security on the lack of oversight and transparency for isolation policies in ICE facilities nationwide. The ACLU outlines how ICE frequently fails to document its use of solitary, and fails to follow […]
• A Kaiser Health News report co-published with NPR details the trauma that survivors of solitary confinement carry with them years after their imprisonment. Pamela Winn, founder of nonprofit RestoreHER, which fights against mass-incarceration, describes her lasting mental health effects from spending eight months in solitary confinement. Her time in solitary continues to make it difficult […]
October 6, 2021 October 6, 2021 Roxanne Barnes
• On September 30th, the Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC) claimed that it will end the use of disciplinary segregation as punishment in prisons after determining that most individuals moved to solitary were there for nonviolent offenses, reports the Seattle Times. Although in the DOC Secretary's statement she justified the policy change saying, "the science […]
Seven Days in Solitary [9/1/21]
September 5, 2021 September 5, 2021 Roxanne Barnes
• The New York Times reports that federal officials announced the temporary closure of the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC), a federal jail in Lower Manhattan. They have described it as part of an effort to improve conditions at the jail, which have been dangerous for years, but only received widespread attention in 2019 after the suicide […]
August 25, 2021 August 24, 2021 Roxanne Barnes
• An opinion piece in USA Today reports that low rates of vaccination among prison staff nationally are driving COVID outbreaks in prisons. The authors of the piece work with the UCLA Law COVID Behind Bars Data Project, which found that fewer than half of prison staff had been vaccinated, despite the fact that the […]
July 27, 2021 July 27, 2021 Roxanne Barnes
• Corrections departments across the country have found ways to circumvent recent anti-solitary confinement legislation by simply renaming the cages that people are held in, the Progressive reports. Unlock the Box director Jessica Sandoval described how it was common for facilities to trade new names in for "solitary confinement," like "special management unit" or "special housing […]
A Month in Solitary [5/3/21]
May 3, 2021 May 8, 2021 Annalena Wolcke
• Brian Nelson spent 23 years of his 28-year sentence in solitary confinement, many of them in the notorious Tamms supermax state prison in Illinois, which has since been closed. After his release, Nelson dedicated himself to advocating for the rights of people in prison through his work with the Uptown People's Law Center in […]
December 28, 2020 Valerie Kiebala
• USA Today published an opinion piece by solitary survivors Johnny Perez, Jack Morris, and Pamela Winn, all of whom now advocate for the rights of incarcerated people. All three recounted their own experiences being trapped in prison for the holidays. Perez, the director of the U.S. Prisons Program at the National Religious Campaign Against Torture, […]
• The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that a second wave of the coronavirus is hitting Pennsylvania prisons and jails, despite a statewide lockdown in March, keeping people locked in their cells for over 23 hours a day. Claire Shubik-Richards, the executive director of the Pennsylvania Prison Society said, "What we're seeing is a full-blown resurgence of […]
September 24, 2020 September 23, 2020 Valerie Kiebala
• According to My Twin Tiers, five people held at the Allegheny County Jail filed a lawsuit through the Abolitionist Law Center (ALC) and the Pennsylvania Institutional Law Project, claiming that the conditions at the facility violate their rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act and the 14th Amendment. The ALC conducted a survey of people […]


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Grow Our Movement
For every Jewish teen, anywhere and everywhere
We love AZA and BBG, and we want to share our fraternity and sorority (and all its benefits) with Jewish teens around the world. Through our one-of-a-kind experiences and rich traditions, Alephs and BBGs develop a strong Jewish identity, are passionate about making the world a better place for future generations, and are ready to lead. It's not about numbers, it's about enriching as many lives as possible. Let's build a future where someone's Bar or Bat Mitzvah is the beginning of their Jewish life, not the end.
We're a member-first movement, and growing it starts with each of us. Membership is an ongoing effort; as we say "see you later" to seniors, we're saying "welcome" to younger members. Membership isn't about getting someone in the door, it's about the experience they have when they find themselves here. When someone becomes a member of AZA or BBG, we want them to be active in their chapter, attend regional gatherings, and experience BBYO on an International level.
MRIHA
MRIHA, BBYO's relationship-driven recruitment model, is the secret sauce that has year-after-year grown AZA and BBG's membership worldwide. As members, we're all responsible for recruitment because we all know someone Jewish that's not in BBYO (yet!). MRIHA stands for Meet, Record, Invite, Host, Ask. The process will take your prospect from introduction to induction.
Meet Them
Throughout the year, we meet (or know of) Jewish teens through events, school, social media, sports, camp, family, and beyond. These Jewish teens who are not yet in BBYO are just waiting to be asked. Most teens are not a part of BBYO because no one has ever thought to invite them.
To do this right, the names can't live only in our heads. When we work as a team, we can record a smart, long list of teens to bring closer to our Movement.
Every Jewish teen who is not a part of BBYO yet should be on a prospect list. A prospect list is a shared online document (i.e., Google Docs) where information about prospects is stored and managed. When your chapter gets together, you should always be looking at your prospect lists to keep them up to date.
A good prospect list will help you build a strong relationship so making any ask is easy. Knowledge is power and understanding a prospect's interests, current involvement, who they are friends with, and basic information goes a long way.
MRIHA doesn't just apply to recruiting members. Explore some of the different types of lists we make to grow our Movement:
Membership Prospect ListSummer Prospect ListIC Prospect ListConvention Prospect ListEvent Prospect List
If you're not having fun while prospecting, you're doing it wrong. Make the process of prospecting fun by ordering food, blasting music, putting something on TV, or going somewhere fun with your chapter.
Once you have your list, it's time to send out some invitations.
Invite Them to an Event
So many teens miss out on BBYO experiences because they are simply never invited to come. With our excellent prospect lists, we can strategically invite prospects to upcoming events to give them a taste of BBYO and learn about the perks of membership.
Strong calendaring drives healthy recruitment. It's important that calendars are planned well in advance so there are plenty of opportunities that cater to everyone's interests.
Calendar TemplatesStrategic CalendaringCalendar Checklist
It's not enough to get them in the door. How they are hosted during an event will make or break their want to return.
Be a Great Host
It's on us to make sure every prospective member has a great time. We can make sure they have a ride, give a special gift during the event, or assign an experienced member to look out for them. The goal for any prospect is to create a desire for continued involvement. If no one talks to them or pays attention to them at the event they were invited to, they probably won't want to come back.
A good prospect list will make hosting easier because you already know a little about them!
MRIHA is an ongoing cycle. Typically, we repeat the invite and host phase a few times before making the ask. It's important to build the relationship so the ask comes naturally.
Make the Ask
This is when it gets really fun. Once a prospect member is interested in what AZA and BBG has to offer, you get to give them the greatest gift of all: membership.
Leveraging AZA and BBG traditions like AIT/MIT classes, big and little brother/sister pairings, bid cards, inductions, conventions, and international experiences are all surefire ways to amplify your ask. More than anything, being direct and expressing to any teen that this is a community that will support them, embrace them, and from which they can do great things is what is most compelling. Everyone wants to belong to something bigger than themselves. You can make that possible for every Jewish teen.
This button below will be pretty important when it's time to make the ask to join AZA or BBG.
But wait, what if the person I'm asking to join has some pretty legitimate reasons for not wanting to sign up? They have basketball practice every day after school, their parents don't see the value, or maybe it's too much money. Learn how to combat these common roadblocks to registering. It's a good idea to have these in your back pocket when making the ask.
Combat Roadblocks
Once they are a member, MRIHA doesn't stop. We continue to use this model for prospecting members to make asks about attending local events, conventions, summer programs, IC, and more.
The MIT/AIT Curriculum: AZA & BBG's New Member Experience
The New Member Experience is meant to make the newest members of your chapter feel valued and a part of our community. AITs (Alephs in Training) and MITs (Members in Training) should be nurtured and educated from their first introduction into AZA and BBG all the way through their Induction Ceremony at the end of a new member experience.
The MIT/AIT Curriculum is a set of tools to teach new members the lasting traditions, history, and rituals of our Orders. The MIT/AIT Curriculum is split into seven modules, each with its own theme, activities, and resources. There are also links to external tools to help strengthen the educational experience and expand the new members' knowledge of AZA and BBG. We are confident that you will find the process of building this experience fun and rewarding.
Session 1: Our History
Getting to Know Our Roots
Access Session
Session 2: The Structure
What Are We Made Of?
Session 3: Campaigns
Session 4: Leadership
Getting Involved in AZA & BBG
Session 5: Growing Our Movement
Finding a Home in BBYO
Session 6: Program Excellence
The Best Experiences for Any Jewish Teen
Session 7: Ritual & Tradition
Keeping Members Involved
The strength of our Movement strong starts with our members. That means we have to provide meaningful engagement opportunities for every type of member in every grade level.
As members rise, their role in AZA and BBG often shifts toward being an experience facilitator or provider instead of a participant. They are planning programs, encouraging younger members to run for board, or inspiring their chapter.
One way to keep all members engaged is through a Big-Little program. Creating big and little brother/sister/sibling relationships is one of many ways to engage upperclassmen in unique programs that offer opportunities to build relationships with a new class of Alephs or BBGs. These relationships create a family lineage that can be carried year after year and strengthens the bonds between individual members and the chapter overall.
Learn how to set up a big-little program in your chapter to keep members involved.
The Big-Little Experience
Upperclassmen can be a difficult audience to keep involved. Some may be burnt out or begin to take on other interests in high school. For keeping these members engaged, your chapter can provide exclusive upperclassmen-only opportunities. Experiences could include barbecues, college tours, retreat weekends, swag, appreciation nights, and more. It's important that we create intentional moments to celebrate upperclassmen just as we would a new class of MITs or AITs to ensure they, too, keep coming back.
Celebrating Our Seniors
Welcoming New Communities
One of the fastest ways to grow our Movement is by starting new chapters. We start new chapters to expand to new areas, target specific populations (e.g., Summer camp alumni or Russian-speaking Jews), and offer more leadership opportunities when a chapter has reached a certain size.
Starting a chapter is one of the greatest legacies any member can have.
Plan Ahead 📆
There are important dates to keep in mind when prioritizing growing our Movement. These dates include hands-on training opportunities, Movement mobilization moments, registration dates, and relevant programs that tie to membership.
Explore the Calendar
Celebrate Wins 🎉
By helping grow our Movement, you may be eligible for the highly esteemed AZA and BBG International Awards listed below.
Tree of Life Recruitment Award
The Tree of Life Recruitment Award is an honor given to those Alephs in good standing who have played a significant and lasting part in growing the Aleph Zadik Aleph. Their efforts have contributed to the strengthening of our Order's future. Tree of Life Award recipients leave a legacy in their chapters, councils, regions and countries as they welcome a new generation to love, cherish, and preserve the traditions of the Aleph Zadik Aleph and BBYO.
Eternal Light Recruitment Award
The B'nai B'rith Girls' Eternal Light Recruitment Award is an honor given to B'nai B'rith Girls in good standing who played a significant and lasting part in growing the B'nai B'rith Girls. Their efforts have contributed to the strengthening of our Order's future. Eternal Light Award recipients leave a legacy in their chapters, councils, regions, and countries as they welcome a new generation to love, cherish and preserve the traditions of the B'nai B'rith Girls and BBYO.
Featured Membership Tools
Want to keep learning? Explore more in the Toolbox!
Celebration and Hosting Ideas
Check out ideas on how to host and celebrate your community, no matter the occasion.
BBYO's Growth Framework
Understand BBYO's overarching strategy to activate a pipeline for membership growth.
Rush Program Ideas
Looking for an easy way to plan a Rush experience? Look no further! Use this resource for plug and play programs that are quick and easy to plan.
Get to Know BBYO | Episode 1: Our History
Get to know the history of AZA & BBG, the principles of our Movement, and the values that BBYO stand for.
How to Host
Every member counts and it's important to show how much we value each one—new, returning, long-standing, and prospective member. Utilize these tips to make everyone feel great at events.
Combatting Roadblocks: How to Handle a "No"
When making an ask, it's absolutely necessary to understand and be prepared for the most common objections.
Rush Experience Calendars
Looking for an easy way to plan a Rush experience? Look no further! Use this resource to build your ideal rush calendar!
Virtual Hosting Guide
Learn how to host your friends online (spoiler alert: it can be done well and you can have fun doing it, too).
Spirit of BBG: Identity, Identity
Learn the "Identity, Identity" cheer for your next spirit circle.


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Boone Reborn: Rediscovering life at 85
At 85, T Boone Pickens has discovered a powerful source of energy: His own. He's got a new love, a new natural gas empire and a continuing mission to change the world. All he needs now is time
By Christopher Helman
Published: Sep 1, 2014 06:45:37 AM IST
Updated: Aug 25, 2014 01:58:26 PM IST
Image: Michael Thad Carter
High flyers: T Boone Pickens (with his Papillon, Murdock) aboard his Gulfstream G550. "If you can get your dog to like your girlfriend," he says, "you'll keep your girlfriend"
Aboard his Gulfstream G550, T Boone Pick- ens—legendary trader, corporate raider, energy visionary and billion-dollar philanthropist—slides off his shoes and reaches down to grab his feet.
He's got a surprise in store. Pulling his legs up onto the thick leather seat, he tucks himself into lotus position, as if getting ready to meditate. It's proof that he's still got it: Physical strength, stamina, ability. A future.
"He's the most flexible man I've ever known," Pickens's wife, Toni Brinker, says with a wry smile. The two were married on Valentine's Day in the chapel next to the opulent lodge on his 68,000-acre ranch northeast of Amarillo in the Texas panhandle. It's the fifth marriage for Pickens and the fourth for Brinker, who is 20 years his junior. The two have known each other for a decade; Pickens was friends with her late husband, Norman Brinker, the restaurateur who founded the Chili's chain. What sealed the deal for Pickens is that Toni enjoys travelling with him, is keenly engaged with the events of the day and always looks great everywhere she goes (especially with that enormous new diamond on her finger).
It was only two years ago that Pickens got divorced from his previous wife, Madeleine. And just a year ago that Pickens had "Toni" embroidered on the headrest of the seat next to his on his plane. Pickens's beloved Papillon, Murdock, takes turns sitting in their laps. "If you can get your dog to like your girlfriend," he says, "you'll keep your girlfriend."
Putting Toni's name on the seat was another form of commitment for Pickens. After all, rather than settle in for a plush retirement, he lives on that Gulfstream, logging 500 hours a year jetting around the country to give speeches and interviews about the miracle of the American oil-and-gas boom, the importance of weaning the country from foreign oil and the no-brainer of powering cars and trucks with cheap natural gas instead of expensive gasoline and diesel. He's the largest shareholder in publicly traded Clean Energy Fuels, which is building out a network of natural gas fuelling stations. Retirement? "That's not me," Pickens says.
Besides, he's had too much fun reinventing himself over the years. In the 1980s, Pickens was the original corporate raider ("I prefer the term 'shareholder activist,'" he says), famously going after the likes of Gulf Oil and Unocal. During the next decade, he lost control of his Mesa Petroleum by getting overleveraged in natural gas. By the 2000s, he re-emerged as a hedge fund manager—and not only made his first billion after the age of 70, but also turned it into $4 billion. Then in 2008, deep into his fifth decade of investing, he literally tilted at windmills, launching his ambitious Pickens Plan to build $2 billion worth of wind energy projects. The recession, paired with the shale drilling boom, gutted both energy prices and Pickens's fortune. "My timing hasn't been perfect," he admits. "I've lost two billion, given away one and I've got one left."
"He's the most flexible man I've ever met," says Pickens's wife, Toni
After he fell off The Forbes 400 list of the wealthiest Americans last year, he tweeted to his more than 110,000 followers: "Don't worry. At $950 million, I'm doing fine. Funny, my $1 billion charitable giving exceeds my net worth." The quip was retweeted nearly 3,000 times.
"Some people are most brilliant when they don't know what's coming," says long-time friend Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys. "Boone has as high a tolerance for ambiguity as anyone I've ever met."
The reason is pretty simple, Pickens says. "I know I can make it all back—if I have enough time."
At 85, Boone Pickens knows he's mortal. He figures he's got another 10 years left—if he's lucky. A fitness fanatic since the 1970s, he's also made damn sure that he's going to be remembered long after he's gone. The $1 billion he's given away has gone to dozens of institutions. And he's not exactly shy if they want to name a building after him. The biggest recipient of his largesse has been his alma mater, Oklahoma State University (OSU), where, in 1951, he earned his degree in geology. Among the $500 million he's designated to OSU is $165 million for the athletics department. His name is now on the football stadium as well as the school of geology.
Pickens has also given more than $150 million to hospitals and medical centres, including $11 million to the University of Texas Center for Brain Health in 2006. After he made that gift, I convinced him that if he was going to donate so much money, he should at least get his brain scanned. The subsequent MRI showed that part of the secret to Pickens's success might be that his brain is about 30 years younger than he is. As he told me then: "I'd rather surround myself with sharp young minds than play golf and gin rummy all day."
Some of his donations are more personal than others. The day after he got an experimental eye injection at Johns Hopkins Medical Center in Baltimore to treat macular degeneration (which claimed his father's eyesight), the hospital held a lunch to honour Pickens's $20 million bequest to the clinic. After doctors and administrators took turns saying nice things about him, Pickens said: "My dad would say, 'Where'd all these liars come from?' My mom would say, 'They should have gone on a little more.' " He added: "It's fun to make it. It's almost as much fun to give it away."
To arrest the progress of the condition, Pickens flies to Johns Hopkins once a month for an ex- perimental treatment that involves injections into the centre of his eyeball. Has he gotten used to it? "Well, what if I kick you in the shins today and do it again a month from now. Do you think you'd have gotten used to it?" But the treatment appears to be helping. His doctor, Neil Bressler, believes "this could cure macular degeneration."
Whatever pain Pickens endures to preserve his vision is nothing compared to what he felt in January 2013, when his 21-year-old grandson Ty died from an overdose of heroin and Xanax that were given to him by a college drug dealer. At Ty's burial, out on his ranch, Pickens was more depressed than any time since he gave up liquor in 2000. "I almost had a drink of Scotch when I lost my grandson," he admits. "Almost." He says that if there is any "silver lining" at all in Ty's death, it's that it unified his 11 grandchildren into a kind of generational coalition, determined not to let such a thing happen again.
Image: Thomas Roberts
Panhandle paradise: Mesa Vista, Pickens's 68,000-acre Texas ranch, has waterfalls, man-made lakes, an airstrip and the small chapel where Toni and he got married
Out on his Mesa Vista ranch, Pickens proved how good his eye- sight still is by driving his Cadillac Escalade at high speed over wind- ing gravel roads. "You scared?" he asks. "I'm not blind yet."
We stop for a tour of the mod- est house he grew up in—relocated from Holdenville, Oklahoma, 300 miles away. Bringing it to the ranch and restoring it was the idea of Pickens's previous wife. They even transplanted old chunks of sidewalk with young Boone's hand- and footprints from 1939.
"Ask him where he hid the money," says Pickens's handler, Jay Rosser, as we walk around. Pickens then shows me a spot in his bedroom closet where he had stashed $286 from his paper route under the floorboards—until, when he was 13, his mom made him take it to the bank. "I've always loved making money," he says. "And since that first paper route, I've never been broke."
Not that Pickens hasn't had a few scares. "He's a true role model for those of us entering the fourth quarter," says Jerry Jones. "By the time you start the fourth quarter of a game, you're banged up. Not pretty anymore. He entered his in one of the down times, in a serious depression. And he went from being broke to making several billion."
Part of Pickens's secret is that he tries not to look back too often. "I don't dwell on the past," he says. "I have too much to look forward to."
Among the things Pickens looks forward to is a revolution in the use of natural gas to power cars and trucks. He aims to profit on it with Clean Energy Fuels. The nine-year-old publicly traded company has built the nation's biggest network of stations to fill up cars and trucks with both compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG). Clean Energy boasts of 200 locations across 43 states, many installed at Pilot/Flying J truck stops. It pumped the gasoline equivalent of 200 million gallons last year, filling up 26,000 vehicles per day. Make total sense: For about $2.60, you can get the same amount of energy as you would from $4 of gasoline or diesel. Pickens became a proselytiser for natural gas vehicles (NGVs) more than 20 years ago, back when Mesa was one of the nation's biggest independent gas producers, and he desperately needed to goose demand for the product. In 1997, he gave his close lieutenant Andrew Littlefair $3 million to launch what became Clean Energy Fuels.
The business is finally approach- ing critical mass. Today, 60 percent of the 8,000 new trash trucks sold each year are made to run on CNG, up from 3 percent in 2008. Pickens can almost taste the coming boom in NGVs now that heavy-duty truck makers like Navistar and Volvo are finally introducing big 13-litre and 14-litre LNG-fuelled engines that are powerful enough to haul big trailers down the interstate. There's no doubt in Pickens's mind that the company is in a position to make hefty profits. "I know I have to wait for the payoff there. But the gun is loaded and ready to go. All we've been waiting for is the 12-litre engine."
The cowboy way: "He's a true role model to those of us entering the fourth quarter," says long-time friend Jerry Jones
Last October, I accompanied Pickens to the Securing America's Future Energy conference in Washington, DC. He spoke on a panel with General Motors's then CEO Daniel Akerson and Waste Management CEO David Steiner. Akerson seized the occasion to announce the launch of a new Chevy Impala that can run on both CNG and gasoline. Steiner said in four years, Waste Management has transformed its fleet of 20,000 trash trucks from all-diesel to 80 percent natural gas. He said he has heard just one complaint about CNG trucks: They're so quiet that people can't hear them coming down the street as a reminder to put the trash out.
Pickens was gleeful. Here, at last, was validation from some of the world's most important companies of what he had been prophesying for years. Think what the long-term impact could be for America's energy balance.
After the event in Washington and another eye treatment in Baltimore, the Boone Pickens air caravan headed to Pittsburgh. He had agreed to speak at a fundraiser for Stan Saylor, the Pennsylvania State House majority whip who is working to get more state funds to subsidise the purchase of natural gas vehicles, especially trucks.
As we sat in the horrendous Pittsburgh traffic, Pickens spotted the Gulf Oil building that he used to visit during his raid on the company 30 years ago. The city has deteriorated since then, the steel mills rusted away. But Pittsburgh, he believes, could rise again, thanks to the giant shale-gas field lying thousands of feet below.
"The Marcellus is probably the biggest gas field in the world," Pickens told the small crowd at the fundraiser. "Your state was first in oil, in 1858 at Titusville. And coal, too. And now you have more natural gas than you can imagine."
The challenge for Pittsburgh, Pickens said later on the plane: "You can't get them to think big enough—they've been down too long."
So what's the secret? How can we all last as long as Boone Pickens? Back in Dallas, he challenges me to find out by working out with him. At 6 am, his driver picks me up. We head to his mansion in the posh Preston Hollow neighbourhood. Through the darkened house and up the stairs is Pickens's home gym. "It's the cheapest insurance," he says. Already at that hour, Pickens has been on the phone to headquarters and has CNBC on the flat-screen. His personal trainer of 23 years is there too, checking his blood pressure as Pickens gets an early morning update from his traders on the phone. I do a triple take as CNBC puts Pickens's face up on the screen and touts an interview with him that afternoon. After the trainer checks Pickens's pulse rate, we get down to it: A mile on the treadmill. Fifty sit-ups. Two sets of 20 squats while wearing a 60-pound weight vest. A couple of sets of 150-pound pull-downs. I manage to match him, but just barely.
Standing on the treadmill, Pickens looks over at me. "Is it clear to you yet that I'm trying to change the world?"
Yes, sir, it is. It sure is.
(This story appears in the 05 September, 2014 issue of Forbes India. To visit our Archives, click here.)
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Petition Public use of Santa Margarita Trails has been SAVED!
Public use of Santa Margarita Trails has been SAVED!
After 4+ years of staying vigilant and going public we have managed to save our trails! The Santa Margarita River trail system is now in Escrow with the Wildlands Conservancy and a public easement for non-motorized use will be placed on the deed at time of sale!!!
The Santa Margarita River Valley trail system has been created and maintained for over 25 years by the Fallbrook Trails Council. Currently Fallbrook Public Utilities District (FPUD) water district owns the land and has allowed non-motorized public trail use including Equestrian use on this property. FPUD is in the process of selling this land, we would like the current public use maintained throughout this sale and any future sales. To this end, we the undersigned petitioners request that FPUD record a legal easement on the deed to provide for non-motorized public trail use including equestrians, throughout the river valley property. We also request that this is recorded as floating trail easement on the Deed immediately so there is no question or negotiation as to the trail use.


Whether you're honing your skills or leading your expertly trained team of commandos into open combat against The Predator, Junior Paintball is an absolute blast for everyone involved, fully supervised and completely safe!
Paintballing at BPF's award-winning Yorkshire paintball venue really is the crème-de-la-crème of paintball. Statistically the safest multi-activity venue in the UK, our 100% unblemished safety record is second to none.
"All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy". Have fun as a team and keep your team's morale high with a day out at BPF. Paintball, archery, tomahawks, rifle shooting & much more - we've got it all.
There's no better way to celebrate your last few days of freedom than to storm an Afghan fort with your crew, guns blazing. Mix in some smoke grenades, rapid-fire paintball guns, and a bunny outfit, and you're all set for the best party ever!
"Those that play together stay together." Need we say more? We have hosted the sporting world elite over the years for various football, rugby and cricket teams we've even had the likes of MANCHESTER UNITED visit!
Use tactics and teamwork and lead your team to victory across our many battlefields, storm a heavily fortified fortress, rush to the black hawk helicopter or infiltrate a quiet village.....but beware of THE PREDATOR!


Inshore lifeboat launched at 1313 to small 5 mtr Dayboat, out of fuel and partially aground in the Swale near Grovehurst Jetty, 2 persons on board. ILB on scene at 1329, casualty craft towed clear of mud and towed to Queenborough harbour, where it was secured at 1430, handed over to Sheppey CRT. ILB returned to station at 1442. SW 5/6.


Keep Calm Let New England Handle It Football T Shirt comes on a Navy 100% cotton tshirt. Keep Calm Let New England Handle It Football T Shirt is available in a number of styles and sizes. This Football tshirt ships via USPS.