I've had an on-again-off-again relationship with someone for most of my adult life. I have loved this person all the while, perhaps either too much or simply not enough. It's a secret that only my husband and maybe one or two others know.
You see, this person exists only in my head and in the words etched in these notebooks. A character floating, prancing, sometimes taunting, the space within my head. A figment of my imagination, a shadow perhaps. Never tangible. Never real. Though, at times gathering enough … energy? strength? force? grit? … to leave goosebumps on my arm like a mist or take my breath away like a puff of smoke.
Today, this character fully formed in my mind and leapt into reality like a flash of lightning, beautiful and scary all at once. Taken aback at the dawning, I gasped and erupted with questions.
We had a conversation, the two of us; one that left me feeling my love finally reflected back after all this time. And it made me giddy.
Perhaps I've simply gone off the deep end. No matter, I kind of like it here.
Don't let her (him?!) go. The deep end sounds like a good place to be.


Our dollar is weak and falling further and SME retailers – indeed, all Australian retailers who import goods for sale – are hurting. Peter McRae, a leading Customs Broker specialising in SME importing, predicts that the hurt will increase in future too, as tax and importing reforms that are designed to protect Australian retailers will also pack a punch to the most exposed: SMEs.
SME retailers who import goods for sale are under threat on so many fronts. Their operating costs are critically high with the fallen Aussie dollar, and in a moment I'll break down exactly how. But there's no sign of an easing either. Ironically, the tax and importing reforms under consideration at present are designed to protect. But the pink elephant is that they won't always protect those who I would say are at high risk – independent retailers offering the market something unique and different, and already struggling under the pressure of local competition. Here's why.
Today the USD exchange rate is sitting at 0.7378. Six months ago it was 0.7773 and a year ago it was 0.938. We're looking down the barrel at 0.60 by December 2016.
The value of the goods is calculated on the day the stock departs from overseas – which provides uncertainty for small importers (SME retailers). The lower the Aussie dollar equates to a higher value of goods which flows onto higher import duty, GST and an Import Processing Charge [IPC].
Prices have increased because shipping costs are quoted in USD.
These are charged in Australia when the goods arrive – but more than often these charges are determined and quoted in USD – again they will increase.
If this is happening across the board to any retailer importing their stock from an overseas supplier, why do I say that independents and SMEs are the worst affected? It's a hunch, but I'll suggest that it comes down to less wriggle room in their profitability, due to that fine balance between margin, profit and competition. They can't just increase their prices to meet the added cost, or they will lose customers. So margin suffers. They also can't negotiate lower costs with suppliers to recoup lost margin because their buying power isn't strong enough.
What is the outlook? A retail landscape with less colour, less originality, less quirk and raw style. The landscape will suffer the loss of independents the longer the dollar plummets.
BUT, there is a but.
Under current importing laws, independents and SMEs also have some opportunities. With smart importing advice they can find ways to save where their bigger competitors can't. And it is not entirely dependent on the dollar.
Importing small quantities of stock for samples, or special ranges can keep imports under Australia's current [and generous] $1000 tax-free threshold. This saves threefold: no duty charges, no GST and no Import Processing Charge [IPC] on the goods. Small players who are very close to their stock might make three or four orders in close succession, via separate shipments, effectively drip-feeding their stores with stock to save 5% duty, 10% GST and an IPC of between $40.20 – $73 on each occasion. That's smart importing.
If an enterprise has a GST turnover (gross income minus GST) of $75 000 or less they are not required to register for GST. They don't pay it and they don't charge it. So, being very small can cost less and it can reflect in slightly lesser price tags on goods. Of course if their imports are still over $1000 then they must pay GST on their import, which I should then refer back to my first point.
3. Negotiate Australian port charges with your supplier before the cargo departs.
This is not advice for small operators alone. It is an issue across the board. International suppliers have pre-existing deals with preferred freighters which, if not negotiated before the stock leaves the factory, can cost the importer significantly. (This month we saved one client $2200 one port costs for one shipment alone).
Small enterprises who employ smart importing behavior, such as outlined above, are the greatest retail benefactors of Australia's high tax-free threshold. To put things into perspective, the threshold in competing countries is far lower: $0 in the US, $20 in Canada and £15 the UK.
But the wider retail landscape is under threat from the same tax-free threshold that benefits its SME subset. With it, consumers can shop globally and not incur the same charges that retailers are factoring into Australian prices in store.
Assistant commissioner Josh Frydenberg remarked in June that the number of international mail parcels imported between 2006-07 and 2010-11 doubled to more than 48 million. Since then the number had nearly doubled again. The fastest growth had been in imports under the $1000 threshold. One can safely assume the bulk of these are international purchases by individual consumers, shipping via the postal system, not SME retailers as a rule.
And this is what has led to proposed policy changes to lower the tax free threshold for Australian importing.
Reducing the tax-free threshold is viable on world standards. It has been lobbied for by many big retailers. It will level the playing field and ensure that individuals buying internationally pay the same taxes and fees that Australian retailers pay and pass onto the consumer already.
The losers in the system are SME retailers. Because it takes away the advantages they currently enjoy, as I explained earlier. There will be considerably less flexibility for them to manage imports under the threshold. Therefore less opportunity for smaller retailers to sample new ranges at an affordable cost (without duty, GST and importing charges) and less opportunity to drip-feed an indie store with ranges month by month, shipped as separate small orders.
If the threshold lowers to its minimum under the proposal, importers could face import duty, GST and IPC on items with a value as low as $14USD, and this does not include the fact that a parcel may be held in the mail system for up to 14 days before being released.
And this brings us to the other major change on the horizon for Australian retail: proposed GST reform.
Affecting all retailers again, including SMEs, importers will all pay more GST after the reform. We face a reality where each and every import increases by at least 5% duty and 15% GST, plus the IPC.
There will be additional pressure for food and drink importers who under the proposal will go from paying 0% GST to 15% on most food and drink (which is currently exempted as GST-free food) they may be reclassified and divided further into a bracket known as GST-free – FRESH food. But what's the definition of fresh food?
Similarly for jewellers importing precious metals, which are currently exempt, or medical and disability suppliers importing exempt medical and wellbeing products.
The list of possible changes to exemptions is extensive and still under negotiation, so this is all speculative, but my offering here is a realistic read on what information customs brokers have available at present.
This is the dawning of a new economic age and, specifically, a new retail age. Yes, it is born of necessity, but many parts of the picture have not yet been fully painted, or broadly understood.
It is time to clearly understand the situation, the changes proposed and their far-reaching effects. What is good for one is not good for all, as we all know, so it is my belief that SMEs need brace for change that, for them in particular, is not entirely promising.


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Cocaine addiction vaccine a step closer
September 9, 2016 Srijita a, addiction, closer, cocaine, Step, vaccine
Brazilian researchers working to develop a vaccine against cocaine addiction have begun test trials on animals.
The vaccine has been under development for more than two years, one of the lead researchers, Xinhua news agency reported on Wednesday citing local media.
"We are developing a molecule to stimulate the production of antibodies by the immune system against cocaine," said Professor Angelo de Fatima, of the Organic Chemistry department at the Federal University of Minas Gerais, at Belo Horizonte, in the state of Minas Gerais, in Brazil.
"These antibodies bind to the cocaine, preventing it from reaching the brain and reducing the drug's euphoric effects, which is what will lead users to lose interest in its use," said de Fatima.
Similar research is being done in the US, but with what could be a decisive difference, said the researcher.
"Our molecule is different from the American one. Ours does not have the protein part," said de Fatima, who declined to provide further information since the Brazil team's molecule "has yet to be patented".
According to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, cocaine use in Brazil is four times higher than the world average.
["source-timesofindia"]
Are you a gym-braggie?
Playing video games, tennis may enhance memory

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Rock City Orchestra - Odyssey
Rock City Orchestra
ID: aec.cdb5637453298.2
Odyssey CD Baby
Review Text Debut of the Rock City Orchestra on the Market Square Entertainment (MSE) label. The Rock City Orchestra (RCO) is a new, exciting, and innovative group with a new and exciting sound called Caribbean Soul! This sound takes the best of the Caribbean and merges it with R&B. The merger is accompanied with exciting vocals, an in the pocket rhythm section, a powerhouse horn section, and tasty percussions. From track one, Josephine to the last track, Socamerica, the Orchestra takes the listener on an Odyssey of sound that is unique to the music world. John Harley, trumpeter, arranger, writer, and producer, leads the Orchestra. Keith 'Designer' Prescott and Tony Petty are extraordinary on lead vocals. John Harley hails from Rock City-- St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. At an early age John was heavily involved in R&B music, including playing private parties and stage shows. He began playing professionally at age 14 with a local group of teenage musicians, The Parliaments, who quickly rose to prominence in the late sixties and early seventies. The seed for mixing calypso and R&B germinated within John in this early period when the group opened for such mainland acts as The Chi-Lites, Kool & The Gang, and The Stylistics. After graduating high school in 1972, John joined the Virgin Islands' most prominent and internationally known band, 'Milo and the Kings.' His first record date occurred in 1973, with Milo on the album 'Milo and The Kings Today' which quickly climbed to the top of the Caribbean charts in New York City. He toured the United States and Caribbean extensively with Milo, and was a member of the group in 1974 when they won the covenant award for the best brass band in Trinidad & Tobago. John enrolled at Howard University as a music education major and percussion minor in 1978, on a grant from Virgin Islands Council of the Arts. He toured with the University's Drama department production of 'Black Images,' primarily as their drummer. He also played drums and recorded for 'Spliff,' Washington D.C.'s most prominent reggae group, which did numerous club, stage, and television dates. In addition to Spliff, John worked the Washington-Baltimore metropolitan area with Jazz recording artist Doug Carne. In 1994 John co-founded Jiro Productions in New York City, a company dedicated to the development of young, up and coming Caribbean artists. He also started Market Square Entertainment, LLC in 2003, a company dedicated to the production of his own compositions as well as the development of other artists. Some more of his latest work can be heard on the upcoming Bambu Station Studio's single, 'Let it Out Dub,' on Mt. NEBO Records. Keith 'Designer' Prescott is an exceptional vocalist from Trinidad and Tobago who has the ability to deliver island rhythms in a R&B fashion with his silky-soul voice. On stage, Designer has worked with some of the top names in the music industry including Queen Latifah, Naughty by Nature, Beenie Man, the late Dennis Brown, Lady Saw, Bounty Killer, Ralph MacDonald, Tom Scott, Jake Holmes; Veterans like Swallow, Beckett, Arrow, Carlene Davis and the late greats: Eric Gale and Richard Tee to name a few. He has recently appeared on avant-garde jazz artist, Don Byron's latest album. According to him, being on different sides of the stage has taught him professionalism and the importance of time. Always a popular act on major tour packages, Designer has also carried his own shows to London, France and Canada (the Montreal jazz Festival and Toronto Caribana). Other show venues range from nightclubs to college campuses across the US as well as music festivals in the Caribbean and South America. Talented Washington, D.C. performer Tony Petty was born to sing. His mother was a local nightclub singer and at the tender age of 15 he soon found himself performing professionally. Tony has performed at many metropolitan area events for very diverse audiences. He has performed on many local artists recording projects and


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A choice between ideas in coroner's election
Kitsap Sun editorial board
Our View columns are the consensus opinion of the Kitsap Sun's editorial board, written by the editor. The 2018 board is David Nelson, editor; Jim Campbell, opinion editor emeritus, and community members Allen Banks, Lanell Borelli, Redge Campbell, Shelley Kneip, Paul Nash and Peggy Templeton.
Do your research on the Nov. 6 election and read other editorial board commentaries at our online election guide.
Typically an election comes down to a voter's evaluation of each candidate's personal qualifications, experience, record and policy ideas — and occasionally the attacks launched on the opponent. Each of those criteria are important in every race — except maybe the mud-slinging — but this year's election to replace Kitsap County Coroner Greg Sandstrom can be viewed much differently.
That is to say that our board views the match-up between Russ Reuther and Jeff Wallis as a referendum on an idea as much as the evaluation of either candidate. The idea to debate is whether the county should continue to function with an elected coroner, as it has since inception, or hire a medical examiner, a professional forensic pathologist which would replace the coroner's elected position and put the department under the direct purview of three county commissioners. Reuther, currently the chief deputy coroner and endorsed by Sandstrom, prefers the former; Wallis, a firefighter/paramedic with Central Kitsap, part-time deputy coroner and past candidate for this job, champions the latter.
We should point out that a change to a professional medical examiner would not happen immediately if Wallis is elected. He's only promised to pursue the idea, which would require votes by county commissioners and voters, with the forecast that it would essentially put him out of a job. Right now the coroner contracts with a forensic pathologist to conduct autopsies, under Wallis's concept the commissioners would hire a forensic pathologist to become a county employee, act as the medical examiner in death investigations and lead the coroner's office.
The difference in cost between the two concepts is negligible, and the comparisons with existing medical examiner arrangements are inexact. King, Clark and Spokane counties all work that way, but with populations that are considerably larger than Kitsap. State law allows a medical examiner system for counties greater than 250,000 — so we're just over the threshold to consider the idea. Notably, Reuther told our board he can see a time when Kitsap should go this route; we're just not there yet based on population. Wallis's opinion is that we should get started right away.
An elected coroner is directly accountable to voters, and in that vein Sandstrom has demonstrated considerable community outreach during his tenure. He's a public official and has treated his role with concern for community involvement, in addition to leading the day to day work of death investigations and issuing death certificates, managing a $1.3 million budget and personally notifying families in certain cases. It's certainly believable that such tasks are more than just doing the forensics of death investigations, and that's a large part of Reuther's assertion that he's the right person to keep a respected office moving forward smoothly. After all, as one of our board member's noted, if something's not broke then why try to fix it?
On the other hand, there are no professional requirements or medical standards necessary to become the coroner — we have seen past candidates in Kitsap with zero experience specific to the job, which could be a potential problem if an election year failed to draw interest from candidates with experience (which both of these men have with the office). Most members of our board agreed that it's worth asking if a medically trained professional would improve the services overall, since under Wallis's estimates a new system could enhance the office's training budget and eventually lead to contracts with surrounding counties that would bring in revenue. The question is whether this is the right time in terms of Kitsap's growth of population.
So your vote isn't necessarily to draw a distinction between Reuther and Wallis as individuals. Listen to their comments on how a complete revamp of the coroner's office could work instead, and judge for yourself whether the time is right to consider what would be a major overhaul. The office of the coroner does an important job that touches everyone's family eventually, so it's good to understand how those professionals are managed and hired.
Also in Our View:How to chose a county auditor
Also in Our View:How many times will South Kitsap ask for a high school?


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Alticorpus pectinatum est un poisson appartenant à la famille des Cichlidae.

Notes et références

Liens externes

Cichlidae
Perciformes (nom scientifique)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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Firefighting, News
Albany (NY) Firefighters Forced to Bail Out in Two-Alarm Fire
Two Albany (NY) firefighters were compelled to bail out to escape deteriorating conditions during a two-alarm fire last week, according to a report.
Sidewinder Photography reported that on November 18, 2020, at 9:21 p.m., the City of Albany's Fire Department was dispatched for a reported structure fire at 123 Livingston Avenue building M. The rescue squad arrived on scene and declared the signal 30 for a working structure fire.
Firefighters immediately grabbed their equipment and made their way to the apartment and made entry to conduct a primary search of the building. Truck 2 immediately made entry to the parking lot and quickly set up to go into roof operations. Engine 2 grabbed the nearest fire hydrant at the entranceway into the apartment complex and established a water supply but was receiving very low water pressure.
While firefighters from the Rescue Squad were conducting a primary search of the second floor of the building, conditions inside the structure rapidly changed and fire was rolling over the heads of the firefighters on the second floor. Crews inside the first floor of the building were experiencing water issues and were not able to knock down the fire. With the fire rapidly extending in to the neighboring apartment and shooting into the night sky, command immediately requested the second alarm to be transmitted.
The two firefighters inside the second-floor apartment declared a Mayday and immediately headed towards the rear of the building and bailed out of the second-story windows. As firefighters were struggling to get enough water pressure to knock down the fire, command was notified by the firefighters that bailed out the window that they were outside the structure and needed EMS to the rear of the building.
Firefighters began to knock down the heavy fire on the second floor and the first floor as an additional hydrant was secured nearby. Mohawk ambulance service began to immediately treat the injured firefighter; one member was transported to Albany Medical Center for his injuries. Two civilians also sustained injuries from the fire.
Firefighters were able to bring the fire under control in about 35 minutes. Images from Sidewinder Photography showed the damage to two firefighters helmets and air cylinders during the flashover.
RELATED FIREFIGHTER TRAINING
Bailout: A Technique We Need to Know But Hope We Never Have to Use
Training Days: The Head-First Ladder Slide
Training Minutes: Low Bailout Prop
The Importance of Bailout Training
THE HEADFIRST LADDER SLIDE: THREE METHODS
firefighter bailout
firefighter injured
flashover
Sidewinder Photography


The Chronicles of Carly - A go-getter chronicling her life for other go-getters.
Finding a lump in your breast can easily be one of the most stomach-dropping, heart-wrenching 10 seconds in your life. And I promise you, I am not being dramatic here. It is amazing how a bit of breast tissue can rapidly shift your mind to worse case scenarios.
Chances are, if you found your way onto my blog, you are a go-getting woman. And do you know what every go-getting woman needs? A community of fellow go-getters. I have compiled a list of my favourite blogs plus some of my favourite articles.
Welcome to the Go-Getting Gal interview series. Each month I will interview go-getting women from all walks of life and ask them to share their experiences; the good and the bad. Grab a notepad and get ready, these incredible women are about to drop some serious wisdom.
Welcome to another Go-Getting Gal interview. Sally Obermeder is the ULTIMATE go-getting woman and I am so so so freaking excited to share her with you today in this interview. From breaking into the Australian media industry, surviving & thriving from adversity and growing a 7-figure business with sister and best friend, Maha, this interview has EVERYTHING! So pour yourself a cup of tea (or in the name of SWIISH, blitz yourself a green smoothie), settle in and get your notepad ready.
It should come as no secret that I am a MASSIVE fan of any go-getting gal killing it in their field. But anyone originally from Brisbane holds a special place in my heart. That is precisely why I was so excited to be invited to Alex Ward's No Flirting show as part of Brisbane Comedy Festival.
Gyms aren't for me. So why do I keep buying memberships?


If you are renting a room or an apartment while you are staying here in Singapore, chances are that your landlord has a list of things that you should avoid doing while you decorate your living spaces. One that is noteworthy will be the rather common rule of not drilling or doing anything major to the walls, which at times may include drilling or nailing to hang artworks, tiling or installing wallpaper. It may seem rather unfair especially when styling the house and room is a way to feel like a home to you, on top of the fact that you can make good use of the vertical height for storage by getting shelves or cabinet installed.
However, there are ways and means that you can bend that rule and spruce up your rented space. How? Well, a standing bookshelf or display shelf, that's how!
If you like the idea and would like to know how you can style your shelf like an interior stylist, we have got some easy tips and tricks that can help you achieve that without breaking into a sweat. Read on!
First and foremost, you probably would not want to have your shelf looking like you have all the things in the world placed right there as if you are having a sale of items. Minimising unwanted clutter at sight is key to help create the look of a curated display shelf. Hence, if you have small knick-knacks that you like to place on the shelf, pop them all in pretty trinket boxes that can complement your shelf displays. Things like lighter, keys, keychains and bookmarks are some examples of the bibs and bobs to pop in.
If the trinkets are items that you will like to display, group them together with a tray and add in a lovely reed diffuser to the grouping. Not only are you providing the items a platform to get more attention, but you are also adding interesting elements to your shelf display. Plus, the reed diffuser can give your space a lovely scent that you can enjoy too.
Also, remember that what you want to achieve is to have a collection of items that showcases a series of different heights and visual tactility. Keep the goal in mind to add texture and not to overcrowd the tray with objects too. It can be rather tempting to put everything nice on a tray for sure, so if one tray does not work for you, try adding another. Simply allocate them at different spots of your shelf that is aesthetically pleasing to you.
The reason probably why you are reading this article in the first place. A clever solution to place artwork or mirror that you adore, without causing damage to the walls. There are several ways to go around this. If your artwork can fit in between the shelves like tabletop photo frames, you can try placing the behind decorative pieces or a series of smaller frames to act as a backdrop.
If your shelf is at bar table height, try leaning the large artwork or mirror against the wall. Then layer the front with some of your favourite decorative items. Easy!
If you do not have any artwork at hand but have some beautiful wrapping paper that can cover the backing of the shelf, make a gorgeous backdrop for your items by lining them at the back of the shelf!
Whether you have a large book collection or have a series of hardcover books that you need to find space for, use them to our benefit right here. Have a few of the books standing and some laying flat and act as a platform to elevate some decorative pieces that you have for your display. If it is a bookshelf that you are sprucing up, all the more you should give this trick a go to prevent your shelf looking like one that was awkwardly plucked out of a public library shelf unit.
After you are done with the placing of things and moving things around, take a step back and see if the display shelf looks well-balanced visually, without one side looking more filled than the other. If it is, try adding a tabletop plant ( real or faux, you decide!) and take a look again. Swap things around till you are happy with how it looks.
Adding plants to your display shelf is pretty much like applying mascara to your lashes for a make-up look or adding garnish to your dish. They can give your display shelf a fuller look without looking cold and boring, so never skip them! Faux plants are easily available and really affordable these days, so save the day with them should the maintenance of live plans be too much for you to bear.


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Home » Review » Movie » Mood Indigo
By Dustin Jansick @DJansick on July 14, 2014
Breathtaking imagery and heaps of whimsical charm, but is often exhausting at the same time.
No filmmaker could pull off adapting Boris Vian's "unfilmable" novel better than the inventive Michel Gondry. Before the opening titles finish Gondry demonstrates his trademark whimsy and wacky production style; a chef receives ingredients through a television set, sunlight creates guitar strings, an assembly line of people rapidly finishing sentences on typewriters passing by on conveyor belts, and a doorbell that turns into a spider-like creature. You'll be in for a long film if the opening sequence doesn't fascinate you. Mood Indigo is an ambitious visual feast with more flair than underlying substance, ultimately becoming overwhelming by the end.
Colin (Romain Duris) is a wealthy inventor who lives in an extravagant Parisian apartment with his chef/lawyer/mentor Nicolas (Omar Sy). He cheerfully shows off his latest invention called a pianocktail, a piano that translates musical notes into a different cocktail flavors. But Colin's mood quickly changes upon realizing the one thing missing from his life is love. Suddenly he decides his solitude is absolutely dreadful and demands to fall in love. So he sets out to accomplish just that.
At a dinner party, Colin instantly falls in love with a "girl like a Duke Ellington tune" named Chloe, played by the dashing Audrey Tautou. After wooing her by dancing the biglemoi, a jazzy dance in which the dancer's legs stretch to impossible proportions, Colin decides to take her hand in marriage. But shortly after they do, Chloe begins to have fainting spells caused by a flower growing inside her lungs.
The amount of creative visual flair found in Mood Indigo is second to none. Gondry creates a fantasy dream world where underground forests exist along with a pair of shoes that have a mind of their own and shadows that can chase after you. One of the most memorable scenes is when the couple happily float above Paris in a cloud ride operated by a large crane (a literal expression of the phrase 'floating on a cloud'). Gondry also shows off his technical skills. In an impressive honeymoon sequence, he implements a split-screen to divide the same shot where it's raining on one side and sunny on the other. The contrast between the weather signifies change as the second half of Mood Indigo gets a little dark. Well, dark for a Gondry film anyways. Gloom visually settles in when the color of everything fades to monochrome and walls literally shrink to close in on characters.
While it's a pleasure to marvel at these visuals, they eventually grow tiresome by the end of the two-hour film (note: Gondry did re-edit the film for the US release which cuts out about 30 minutes). That's because almost every scene has something animating, morphing, or twitching. It simply becomes overstimulating. Also, the stop-motion animation adds charm and visual flair but rarely offers meaningful substance to the scene.
The biggest issue with Mood Indigo is not being able to balance the wildly imaginative cinematography with meaningful storytelling. Sometimes the film is weird just to be weird—a feat that Gondry has mastered — resulting in more fluff than essential moments. It's hard to put all the blame on Gondry (he did adapt the story from a highly experimental novel), but none of the emotional notes were felt between the two leads despite solid performances from both. Mood Indigo has breathtaking imagery and heaps of whimsical charm, but is often exhausting at the same time.
Mood Indigo Movie review
If you, like millions of others, plan on heading into Dawn of the Planet of the Apes this weekend ready to gobble up yet another action-heavy summer mega movie, expect to get way more than


I am talking about some of the women who have inspired me.
Today's awesome woman is Ada Lovelace. You may know her as Lord Byron's only legitimate heir. She referred to herself as an analyst and metaphysician. She worked on the development of the world's first mechanical difference engine (which we know now as a 'computer'). There have been many books and articles written about the Countess of Lovelace, and I encourage you to look some of them up. Here is an article about her from the San Diego Computer Center.
Much of Lovelace's success may be attributed to her mother, who insisted Ada receive an education most girls would not have received (some argue this drive was to encourage the girl to be as different from her poet father as possible). Needless to say, in the early 19th century, "hard" sciences like mathematics and physics weren't incredibly popular (compared to, say, botany or astronomy). But Ada excelled at mathematics, and so her mother encouraged her to follow that talent. Of course, women were not expected to participate in intellectual pursuits; in fact, many people figured that women were *incapable* of any sort of strenuous intellectual exercise. Meanwhile Ada Lovelace was writing the first computer program.
It's true that most of the women on this list will be the sort of women who buck and transcend gender expectations, and Ada Lovelace is no exception. Unfortunately, her work was not recognized as being seminal to the development of modern computer science, and even now because she worked closely with Charles Babbage (the de facto "inventor" of the modern difference engine).
Regardless, learning of Lovelace's contribution to modern mathematics and computer science in the 1980s blew my mind. I studied her writings, wished I had the sort of mind that fully comprehended the sort of abstract thinking that mathematics required, and began to wonder about things. One of the things I thought about was the fact that Lovelace benefitted from being a woman of peerage – her mother could afford her education. I thought about all the women who weren't even able to get a basic education at that time. All the women who weren't even taught to read. And of the women who *were* taught to read, whose families could afford education, how most of them were chastised – and worse – for expressing an opinion or, in fact, for wanting to learn more. In fact, one of Lovelace's tutors – Mary Somerville – was a noted science writer, and she herself was an anomaly in the sciences because of her gender.
Those of us who are fans of the steampunk genre picture Ada Lovelace as the inventor of a steam-powered flying machine – as a child, she dreamed of flying and dreaming, for Ada Lovelace, meant drafting and planning and experiments.
It made me appreciate the opportunities I have had, the opportunities my mother and grandmothers had, and the opportunities my great-grandmothers had. It made me wonder how many other women had, quite literally, *changed the world*. This was also around the same time I started thinking about the relationship between art and mathematics, a subject which intrigues me to this day. Some of my favourite writers and musicians are also mathematicians.
At any rate. Ada Lovelace. One of the women who changed the world. Think about her as you read this on your computer.
I have a PhD in Nuclear Engineering (plasma physics). My parents – both university graduates – met at the U. of Illinois. My maternal grandparents ditto. I followed women like Ada Lovelace into the sciences; but, as my daughter says, the example of women in our family has been nothing short of extraordinary for their times. My children grew up knowing this – it is a built-in expectation that they will have access to and take advantage of the educational opportunities offered them, and our daughter has had great examples, and is surviving a very tough college. The groundbreakers made it possible for me.
Not everyone has to be into the sciences – but, if they have the ability and the interest, they should be able to try.
I would love to read more about plasma physics! And I'm not even pulling your leg – plasma is fascinating and all I know about it is that it doesn't always act like you'd expect it to!


On the sunny side of the tourist village Stella Maris, hidden between palms, pines and other Mediterranean vegetation, lie in total 175 lovely apartments higher middle class with their own parking place, terraces and grill place in the garden, capacity from 3 till 4 persons. All the apartments are modern designed following the EU standards and equipped with SAT-TV-LCD, phone, air conditioning, Internet (extra chargeable). There is also an outdoor swimming pool, children's pool (both with sea water) and sun beds with umbrellas (limited number is free of charge).
Further, in the tourist village Stella Maris there are a supermarket, minimarket, sport center, water sports, wellness center with fitness studio, tennis courts, beach volley and minigolf, discotheque, restaurants, pastry shops, animation center, bistro, bar, children's playgrounds, souvenir shops, hairdresser and beauty salon. The well maintained pebble, rocky and paved beach is approximately 100 meters distant.
The Apartments SOL STELLA MARIS (Umag) *** are an ideal accommodation for middle demanding guests, who wish to get a decent lodging and not spend too much money (middle quality service at a good price).
Living room with 1 sofa, SAT-TV-LCD and telephone, completely equipped kitchen with refrigerator, one separate bedroom with 2 beds, bathroom / WC with showercab, passage and terrace, situated on the park or sea side. The apartment is integrally air conditioned. The size of the apartment is approximately 30 m2 (terrace included).
Living room with 1 double sofa, SAT-TV-LCD and telephone, completely equipped kitchen with refrigerator, one separate bedroom with 2 beds, bathroom / WC with showercab, passage and terrace, situated on the park or sea side. The apartment is integrally air conditioned. The size of the apartment is approximately 35 m2 (terrace included).


Thanks very much to Charli McCord of La Dolce Vita Ranch for bringing an assortment of animals, including a baby miniature donkey, for students in all grade levels to see and interact with. The students loved it!
Thanks very much to Charli McCord of La @[100002373101597:2048:Dolce Vita Ranch] for bringing an assortment of animals, including a baby miniature donkey, for students in all grade levels to see and interact with. The students loved it!


text:
Joaquin Phoenix Doesn't Care What Fans Think of His Joker
Joaquin Phoenix is currently preparing for his role as the Clown Prince of Crime in Todd Phillips' Joker and says that he "couldn't care less" about what anyone thinks of him tackling the part. The movie marks the first time that Phoenix is starring in a comic book film, and the actor is prepared to deliver a character study as opposed to a full-blown superhero movie. With that being said, taking on the role of the Joker is a big deal and comes with some extra baggage.
In a new interview, Joaquin Phoenix spoke about his method of preparing for a role, noting that he doesn't like to promote projects while trying to get into character for another movie. However, that's exactly what Phoenix has to do right now as he promotes The Sisters Brothers, which opens in September. The actor says that it's "ideal" to work on one project at a time, but in the end, he doesn't really care, and doesn't care about the pressure of taking on the Joker role. He had this to say.
"I couldn't care less. I don't really think that much about what people think. Who cares, who cares? My approach to every movie is the same. What I'm interested in is the filmmaker and the idea of the character."
While Joaquin Phoenix doesn't really care about what people think of his Joker role, he didn't care to discuss the project further. But, Phoenix did shed some light on what attracts him to certain projects and roles, and it has more to do with something being different for the actor. In the end, Phoenix brings it back to talking about why he was attracted to the Joker movie, or any of his other projects, in the first place. He had this to say.
"If there's something that feels unique, then I don't really care what genre it is, what budget it is. Those things aren't important. What gets my interest is examining people. Some of it is really f*cking simple. It's chemistry, it's like what you look for in a lover. You know it when it happens."
Joaquin Phoenix often pushes his acting skills and gets deep into the characters that he's playing. So, one can imagine that Phoenix might be struggling a little bit to get fully into the Clown Prince of Crime while he's out promoting another project. The Joker movie is expected to begin filming this fall, which is also when The Sisters Brothers hits theaters, so Phoenix will continue to pull some double duty for the time being.
Heath Ledger and Jack Nicholson's portrayals of the Joker have made comic book movie history and their shadows still loom large over the iconic villain. Joaquin Phoenix will be approaching the character from his own unique way for Joker, so it will be interesting to see how his vision of the character is accepted when the film is released. The interview with Phoenix was conducted by Indie Wire.
Topics: Joker
Oscar Isaac Talks Leia's Return in Star Wars 9, Shooting Without Carrie Fisher
Machete Kills in Space Is Still Coming Says Danny Trejo
Dracula: Prince of Darkness Gets Fully Loaded 4K Collector's Edition in December
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Both the Roku Premiere and the Roku Premiere plus 4K are considered as the least priced HDR and 4K streamers ever. For many of the 4K TVs sold this year, these players are the most compatible as well, since they will be able to render the desired picture quality at affordable rates.
Roku has always been revamping its lineup. In 2016, it overhauled the software and then again in 2017, it refreshed the Roku Express device. Finally, the Ultra with HD-ready features entered the market along with the Express's HDR-compatibility.
The latest version of the Roku OS is 9, which is also available on the Premiere and Roku 4K Premiere+. Stream outstanding picture quality easily and affordably with the new Roku devices. The players come with an easy-to-use remote that contains quick-launch buttons to some of the most popular channels. Batteries for the remote are also in the packaging. All you have to do is connect the player and then sync it to the remote and start streaming. With the introduction of both these mid-level 4K HDR streamers, Roku just made a triumphant return.
A low-priced 4K streamer, the device is compatible with HD and 4K HDR. Costing just $39.99, the player consists of a powerful quad-core processor that is compatible with the 802.11 (b/g/n) wireless. In addition to the remote and battery accessories, the device also comes with a high-speed premium HDMI cable. The player's small form factor ensures that it stays out of sight. Setting up the player takes only a few minutes and as usual, requires you to have an account on the Roku.com/link. If you already possess an account, you just have to enter your login details on the premiere's interface itself and follow the relevant setup screens. Roku has also retained its inimitable search functionality through this model.
Providing the best return on investment and value for money, the Roku Premiere plus 4K comes with a high-speed quad-core processor, a slick body that has a small profile and an intuitive feature-rich interface. Additionally, this Walmart-exclusive device provides 4K HDR support for just $49.99. It is barely noticeable in your entertainment center, just about a quarter of the size of its 2016-predecessor. The Premiere+ remote consists of simple navigation keys and a microphone for searching content with your voice. You can even control your TV's volume with its help. With a minimalist interface, it wins the prize for the most convenient streamer for years to come.
Another noteworthy device from the Roku is the Ultra costing just $99.99. This is also one of Roku's most powerful, feature-packed streamer that virtually fulfills all your entertainment needs. Offering both Ethernet 10/100 and 802.11ac dual-band wireless, the device displays impeccable and smooth connectivity. The remote has gaming buttons, volume buttons, quick-launch buttons, and a headphone jack that lets you listen to your programming privately. This fall, the Roku device is also bundled with JBL headphones at $39.95. For continuity of this offer, users are requested to check the manufacturer's website before buying.
For inquiries pertaining to setup and installation of the new Roku Premiere and the Roku Premiere plus 4k, call our Roku com support team@ +1-877-230-9420.


text:
4 Life-Changing Tech You Thought Movies Made Up (That Are Already In Development)
Dale John Wong
At this year's Global Entrepreneurship Community (GEC) Summit, Dr. Michio Kaku—world-renown theoretical physicist and futurist—was on hand to deliver a brief but insightful talk on future technologies and their potential impact on the way we conduct our business.
With a Ph.D. from UC Berkeley and an impressive list of published papers and books under his belt, Dr. Michio Kaku wowed the audience with his extensive knowledge and expertise on emerging tech and their real-world applications.
Among the glut of potential game-changers (smart lenses, artificial intelligence, and lab-grown body parts), there were a few in particular that stood out and got us giddy with nerdy excitement:
1. 3D Without 3D Glasses
Most of us will have experienced 3D in some capacity, be it through movies, video games, or other forms of entertainment.
It all plays out simply enough: put on a pair of specially designed glasses, get in front of the screen, and enjoy the moving images as they get too close for comfort.
One problem though—3D glasses. They're often uncomfortable, inconvenient and sometimes, expensive. And thus 3D was confined to the cinema and specially-purposed screens.
But now consider the possibility of 3D without the glasses going mainstream.
While we can't fully explain the science behind it all, we can safely tell you that there have been advancements in the creation of glasses-free 3D screens, such as here and here.
Of course, there's also the Nintendo 3DS, that can display stereoscopic 3D effects without glasses.
How cool would this be:
Imagine a world where 3D images and videos have escaped the confines of the screen and are now interactive, surrounding the user with a visual experience that he/she can manipulate.
The applications for such a technology would be endless—the fields of medicine, architecture, and engineering would all benefit, and would make problem-solving such a breeze.
We've seen this before in movies, and we could very well see it in real life.
Image Credit: Giphy
2. Intelligent Paper
For centuries, the use of paper was the standard by which all civilisations were measured. It was the information medium of choice, and was the best mode of distant communication. That is, until screens and the internet popped along to say hi.
Today, paper is seeing its usefulness diminish at an astonishing rate. There's also that whole "going-green" thing, too.
But what if in the future we'd all go back to using paper?
Unlikely? Not quite.
The big leaps mankind has made in technology over the years could now lead us to the creation of intelligent paper: a type of display with a paper-like feel that can be handled just like regular paper (think of the magic newspapers from Harry Potter).
Such a material could even be more useful when paired with connective capabilities; phones as slim as calling cards, portable foldable TVs, books with self-updating content. Check out this article to get a better picture of what could be.
Image Credit: NewsAndTech.com
While the practicality of some of these uses may prove questionable, there have already been strides to make such a technology more readily accessible to the public.
Imagine a wallpaper being able to change its pattern and colours to suit the fancy of the homeowner, with the capability to download designs off the internet as and when desired. Oh, and how about using it to watch TV?
Couple such a wallpaper with capacitive touch features and you might even be able to create your own displayable art or graffiti designs, or even make phone calls by dialling numbers right off the wall.
3. Custom-Made Everything
3D printing has seen a major spike in popularity thanks to concerted efforts to make the technology more attainable and easily understood. To date, we have seen resins, polymers, metals, and other materials fashioned into firearms, prosthetic limbs, complex precision tools, and even giant bricks used in the construction of buildings.
They're even 3D-printing food.
To put it simply, there is almost nothing that we cannot create. The ability to design and print nearly anything we want has giant implications for the way retail will be carried out in the future; there will be nothing that we can't buy and more than enough options to choose from.
Image Credit: Not Impossible/Project Daniel
Homes with ergonomic furniture customised to suit the needs of its occupants will be a reality, as will the ability to shop without the fear of not having the right size or colour in stock.
In the medical field, customised prosthetics will always fit the wearer and surgical procedures will be made easier than ever before.
4. Real-Life Transformers.
The autonomous car—with the ability to direct, drive and park itself—is already yesterday's headline.
With the constant chatter of self-driving vehicles being adopted en masse by companies such as Uber, along with concerted efforts by companies like Tesla and Google to bring them to market, this is one future technology that we can experience today.
Yes, access to one of these cars is still limited to those with heftier wallets, but so rapidly emerging is the technology behind these cars that it'll only be a matter of time before we're all heavily dependent on our self-driving Myvis to bring us through traffic each morning.
But aside from merely being fully in control of driving and parking, what else can we expect from these machines? Intelligence.
Equipping these cars with A.I. would naturally come as the next step, Dr. Michio Kaku explained. "You'll be able to argue with it on which direction it should take," he said. "Your car will become a robot."
After a hard day's work, you walk out to the parking lot and tap a button on your digital wristwatch. Beep. Within five minutes, your self-driving Perodua turns the corner and stops right where you are. You get in.
During the ride home, the A.I. figures that you're spent from writing reports all day and proceeds to turn down the temperature and turn up your favourite chill-out playlist. "Would you fancy an ice-cream?" it asks.
You nod in response, and within minutes of a short detour you pull up outside the nearest Inside Scoop, happy to grab a double-serving of cempedak before realising how your car cared enough to take you out for dessert, and is now about to send you safely home.
The future is an exciting place where nothing conceived is out of reach. While most of these technologies may seem far-fetched and outlandish, the fact remains that no matter what we think, they're coming; and we'd best be prepared for them.
After all, everybody said we'd never fly, that computers were impractical, and that the internet would never be a real thing. And yet here you are, reading this on the internet.
We Can't Take Our Eyes Off Ogawa's New Ad—And That's The Point
Tags: gec2017innovationmichio kakutechnology


Russell Crowe is in talks to join Universal's monster universe as classic literary characters Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
If a deal is made, Crowe would appear as the tormented doctor who changes into a murderous madman in The Mummy before potentially starring in his own film.
Mummy is already shooting in London with Tom, Sofia Boutella, Annabelle Wallis and Jake Johnson.
It's important to note that Crowe is in early talks and that any potential deal could fall apart, which has happened before for this role. Universal was in talks with Tom Hardy and that fell apart. It was then in talks with Javier Bardem, but that too went nowhere.
The storyline is set in the modern day with Tom playing a special forces soldier (or former soldier), according to sources. Wallis, one of the stars of British gangster show Peaky Blinders, will play a scientist while Boutella, who had a breakout role in Kingsman: The Secret Service, will take on the titular role. Jake Johnson is playing a member of the military.
The script calls for the appearance of Henry Jekyll, who is best known to horror aficionados as the doctor who invents a serum that allows himself to be turned into a depraved and hideous man known as Mr. Hyde. The two first appeared in the novella The Strange Tale of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, written by Robert Louis Stevenson, who also authored Treasure Island.
Universal already is developing movies ranging from The Bride of Frankenstein to The Creature From the Black Lagoon that would join The Mummy in this shared universe. Hyde also would be part of that universe.
Alex Kurtzman is directing The Mummy and producing with Chris Morgan and Sean Daniel.


Does anyone know of a third party application that would put iTunes in a kiosk like mode? I am going to be having a party where I want to let people have access to browse and play playlists but I do want them to be able to delete or modify the master Library or any of the playlists either on purpose or by mistake.
Does anyone have any recommendations for me?
I am currently looking at a network like program to use on my iMac to look at my jukebox (an older PowerMac G4 specifically used for the purpose of iTunes) but because I have 112 Days/10 Hours/20 Minutes/13 Seconds worth of music this would bog down the network and would be awfully slow.
Any advice in short notice would be greatly appreciated!
Try http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/29983. Just did a quick search and it sounds like it could do what you want.
That does not do quite what I am looking for.
I would like the user to be able have complete access to browsing the playlists but now allowed to alter them, move the songs around, or delete files.
This to me seems like an easy thing Apple could add to the interface and by the adding a button to "lock" access to these features and you would need an Admin password to unlock it.
Could something like this be easily created with a third party add on?
I know for parties...it would be nice to lock up iTunes in a full screen mode where songs can't be editted, but if you double click to play a song it is automatically added to the button of a playlist, like a request of sorts.


text:
World News, Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War
Michael Kohr
April–June 1995
"Confession of a Soldier" is a series of promotional short stories published prior to the release of Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War through its official Japanese website. The stories are comprised of eight diary entries by Belkan soldier Michael Kohr who recounts his experience in the Belkan War and his run-ins with the Galm Team.
This page hosts an English translation of the original Japanese text using a combination of an Electrosphere.info translation, online translations,[1] and other minor fixes.
April 13, 1995 Weather: Fair
Five days have gone by since I arrived on the battlefield. It's been five months already since I enlisted and started this journal, and I'm still not used to writing it. After all that intense training, I'm finally here! To lay down my body—for peace and Fatherland—it's just all so wonderful! It's supposed to be April, but the mornings near the border are cold as they ever were. It was freezing at 6 o'clock roll call this morning, but the sky was a clear blue. The mission of the unit I belong to, the Belkan Army 8th Armored Division, 3rd Infantry Unit "Tollwut Hund" (it means mad dog!), is mainly defense, and to master the enemy on land.
Everyone agrees that the Tollwut Hund company are the most competent, bravest, toughest guys in the Belkan military. And even among us is our leader, Captain Erhardt. He's the mighty man who, with just three men and their Panzerfäusten, made a nighttime surprise attack against an Ustio tank force and obliterated them. He's usually a very gentle, talkative man, who's always quietly telling us stories about the son he left behind in his hometown.
Whenever he talks about him, he gets a warm, friendly look in his eye. Yet, once he's on the battlefield, they become the cold eyes of the tiger hunting his prey. His look is so sharp it could pierce iron plating, and even his voice when he calls out makes you shrink back.
April 13 1995 Captain Erhardt
Quiet chatter. Like always, I had dinner by the side of the tent together with my comrades, surrounded by warmth. Tonight's main dish was grilled chicken and boiled potatoes. Rations, of course. I was a bit obstinate at first, but you know, fact is, they grow on you once you get used to them. Maybe I'm just a bit closer to being a real soldier.
Our rations are the staple foods, coffee, cigarettes, and caramel for dessert: 10 items all totaled. A full course in the middle of the battlefield will wash a day's tiredness and tension away.
April 13 1995 Dinner scenery
I'm reminded of camping as a child, eating dinner surrounded by warmth with my comrades under the starry heavens, and I get a nostalgic feeling. Night has fallen, and it's still chilly outside. In another 30 minutes it'll be bed time. Tomorrow our company is headed to reinforce the defense of Route 171, a major highway in Southern Belka.
April 15, 1995 Weather: Clear
As we approached our destination at Route 171, great plumes of black smoke robbed my sight. The countryside was smothered with the smell of gasoline and the fragrance of gunpowder. "The smell of the battlefield gets me going more than my mom's own cooking," a sniper called "Cowboy" murmured, stroking his G3 with his tar-covered fingers.
Some hours before we made it to our destination, a group of Ustio aircraft raided the Belkan forces in the area around Route 171, and dealt a devastating blow to the units stationed there. At present, we are hidden in the middle of the woods some 50 km away, unable to approach our destination at Area D27 to relieve the defense. When we got here, there were soldiers, young ones who'd returned from the front, soldiers who were supposed to relieve the defense just like us, soldiers being carried away to the medical tent, howling, radio messages with no answer...
Intense images crossing so quickly in front of me. First time I laid eyes on the sight, a fierce nausea assaulted me, my face sheet white, and before I knew it, I'd fallen to my knees on the spot.
The face of the captain who'd come back from the front was covered in soot, and even though the glint in his eye was all I caught, it shined with anger like a red moon in the night sky. He grabbed me by the rough of the neck and screamed at me to tend to the wounded soldiers.
I hastily wrapped bandages with my unaccustomed hands, carried off wounded on stretchers to the helos, helped my comrades drink on their cots, and with sunset near, we completed setting up camp.
Right now I'm wiped out, my hands covered in blisters from three hours of continuing to dig trenches, my throat raw and swollen up in pain, and even my appetite has disappeared.
April 15 1995 Route 171
Tonight I thought I'd stay by myself. The use of light and fire has been restricted to avoid a repeat surprise attack by Ustio. A guy from my unit named Franz brought over chocolate when I sat down on my cot to drink my hot coffee.
Franz, who'd styled his hair in a mohawk before we left for Route 171, talked with me about his anger at Ustio, and his desires for revenge. The subject drifted, and in the end we laughed at all the usual bullshit.
During our regular conversation, Captain Erhardt clapped his hand on my shoulder and said, "Don't be so shocked at all this. Learn to overcome the situation." He also told me that "a powerful force to retake Route 171 has already been organized, and headed to the front."
As I write this, a fierce anger and hatred for Ustio wells up within me.
"These are the assholes who came tails wagging to the major powers for their own country's profit, brought down the international community on us, and menaced their neighbors,"
"These are the assholes who are resisting the times,"
"These are the assholes who've sent their best friends to their deaths,"
I'll never forgive such dirty bastards.
From time to time I'll hear the sound of an Ustio reconnaissance plane in the skies above, and my frustration and anger will grow even more.
We'll beat Ustio. Count on it.
See also: Offensive Campaign No. 4101
April 27, 1995 Weather: Sunny
Where do I even start writing?
I don't even remember the last few days in much detail in the first place. Have my eardrums been ruptured? Even the clamour sounds so far, far away.
On April 24, 1995, I experienced my first real battle, inside the Futuro Canal in southern Belka. Immediately after the order cancelling the Route 171 operation came down, we were redeployed to the naval station at the Futuro Canal. I think it was afternoon.
Tremendous alarms sounded inside the port. I was taking a break on the wharf at the time, idly watching the tide roll away. The battlefield was a different world—a serene deception which was broken in an instant by that terrific klaxon. Fear and anxiety pierced my very bones. That was my first sensation.
A frenetic atmosphere covered the facility. Soon we'd gone to general quarters, and when we'd done it, a moment of silence.
What broke the silence were the piercing sounds of jets and machine gun fire and, as if in response, continuous explosions.
My memory gets hazy from here.
The color of blood and flames. Rising black smoke. Rosenberg scared to death, firing his heavy machine gun at random. The emptiness in dead soldiers' eyes. Sounds of impacts. Explosions, splashes, cries, screams, angry shouts...
In the midst of this storm, I ran around carrying 10mm ammunition. I think that's right.
A bullet whipped past my helmet from a fighter's strafing run and nearly ripped me to shreds. If I said I wasn't scared I'd be lying my ass off, but all the same, I wanted to get on a heavy machine gun and knock down that damn fighter with my own two hands. I felt an inexpressible excitement. How long the battle went on, I do not know. Before I knew it, the sounds of explosions from the fighters had disappeared, and the only sounds echoing in the port were groans and cries. A fighter with one wing painted red soared far overhead where I stood.
He seemed to be taking it easy, as if to mock us.
April 27 1995 Futuro Canal
I'm alive.
They say there was a large-scale air battle near the border a few days before the battle. Two enemy planes entered B7R and took one of our military's ace units head on, or something. It seems the enemy aircraft were knocked down by our aces, and quickly ran back to base. That's the story.
The prospects for restoring the facilities aren't good. The enemy could strike at any time. I don't know what mission we'll take, or even if we'll remain here. I only know one thing right now, and that's that I'm on a battlefield.
May 14, 1995 Weather: Sunny
The invasion of the Belkan homeland by the Ustio-Osean Federation coalition begins. Our forces at the Futuro Canal have been dispersed after the last attack. The Tollwut Hund company has also left the naval station, and we are now concealed in the vicinity of the river. As we retreated, we managed to scrape together two 50 caliber heavy machine guns, a 40 mm grenade launcher, a light armored vehicle, and a number of RPGs, as well as each of our standard gear.
Frankly, this equipment is a bad joke.
The enemies who robbed us of the canal are now sending in personnel and assault vehicles from their ships with the intent of taking the Belkan homeland by storm with their numbers and mobility. I'll worry about my mom back at home if they should advance into the mainland. There's been a lot of operational redeployments, and we can't even receive letters.
The personnel of the Tollwut Hund company are made of eight: our commander Captain Erhardt, the captain's right hand man Lieutenant Meyer, Corporal "Smile" Piper, former pro football player Corporal Berger, Private "Cowboy" Schneider, Private Rosenberg who runs a women's underwear shop out of his home, Private Franz who's the same age as me, and me, Private First Class Kohr.
We're hiding in the desert after abandoning the Futuro Canal, but so long as we have no official operational orders from headquarters after our retreat, we're stalled here in the middle of the sand. Franz has made contact with HQ over the radio, but the guys up top can't decide on their next move after our unexpected defeat at Futuro. "In the meantime, conceal yourself at the mouth of the river, and fire on coalition forces coming up the river"? Is the brass kidding? If we laid traps for enemies navigating up the river in warships, fighters from the carrier would fly out here and burn us alive, and that'd be about all we could do.
Captain Erhardt told us, "There's no need to obey stupid orders," and forbade us from firing whatsoever.
We found the perfect cave to hide temporarily in the desert hills. We monitor coalition forces landing from our base here and maintain regular contact with headquarters.
Anyway, we've gotta get out of here soon.
We don't have enough food and supplies.
A shame, because the number of enemies coming up the river has been increasing by the day.
Why is it that headquarters sends no aircraft?
If we made an all out attack with all our forces again...
Suppressing my desire to shoot something, today I once again watch the enemy through my scope.
May 18, 1995 Weather: Rain
It was an ordinary day on the battlefield, salting my fried egg at breakfast, when I was roused by the sound of the Pavehawk's rotors. Until I saw that black helo approaching at low altitude, being on this battlefield was joyless. Quite a bit had already passed since we requested relief over the radio. I'd even thought headquarters had forsaken us. I didn't want to just die of starvation, and I didn't feel like there was any point in being here.
The work of the helo crew that saved us was prompt; they gave an impression of being true pros at their job.
The longer a helo remains stationary in the sky, the easier it is for an enemy to attack it. The longer their rescue takes, the longer they have to remain stationary. If, in that moment ,a surface-to-air missile targets them, it's the end of the line. GAME OVER.
One of the relief crew gave out chocolate bars, and that nostalgic taste was sweetness enough to make me remember that I'm still alive. Overcome by an indescribable joy, I embraced all my comrades when we arrived on the base's helipad late that night.
Only Captain Erhardt did not break his hard expression. He had a conversation with a superior officer waiting for our arrival.
Phew, now I can sleep at ease. I'm gonna take a shower, eat roast beef to my heart's content, drink a gallon of milk, tuck into bed, and when I wake up tomorrow morning I'll write a letter to my mom.
That's what was going through my head.
When we arrived at the helipad and I saw the expression Erhardt had walking away from his conversation with his superior, I had a bad feeling.
No, I already had some idea inside the Pavehawk.
"About 5 hours from now at 0600, the Tollwut Hund company will join Operation Brandfleck and head directly for Tauberg in accordance with orders issued from headquarters. Our movement to the destination will be by helo, and we will link up with the Belkan 8th Armored Division immediately on arrival. We will meet up at heliport D-2 at 0530, 30 minutes before operations commence. You are at leave to use the period until 0530 for your own ends. As for a description of the Doris AFB facilities..."
When I arrived on the battlefield, I believed that what awaited us at the end of the war was victory.
Only, now I'm thinking I don't want the end of my personal war to be a meeting with my own death.
But that's all I can seem to think about.
There's no way I can say anything like that to my comrades, but I think the truth is surely that they're thinking the same things right now.
I want to come back alive.
I just want to come back alive.
That's the only feeling on the battlefield right now.
Tauberg.
A place I rode to in my dad's car to hunt deer when I was a kid.
Entering the forest as the sun was beginning to rise, I take a breath and walk on.
I continue downwind without a word, hiding behind the deer, who is sensitive to sound and the smell of humans.
I was ten the first time I pulled my rifle's trigger.
The taste of the hot chocolate I drank with my dad sitting on an old decaying tree was extraordinary.
When the military facilities in Tauberg were constructed, my dad participated in the movement against it.
It was in Tauberg I learned from my father the art of living with nature, sometimes forcing it to yield, and overcoming it.
Ten years have passed since then, and I now once again return to Tauberg.
My dad is no longer by my side, and even the targets I aim at through my scope have changed.
We deployed to Excalibur by helo, and I was just amazed at this installation's modern equipment.
Excalibur appears to pierce the heavens in this place where at night you can hear wolves howl on the other side of the fence. This landscape is some kind of strange.
Operation Brandfleck is some kinda operation to lead the main enemy force into firing range of Excalibur to utilize its chemical laser's power of annihilation to the utmost, and destroy the enemy in one fell swoop. We're ready.
I've already had the experience of being a marksman here for ten years.
After that, I'm just waiting for the enemy to enter the net.
See also: Operation Judgment
May 30, 1995 Weather: Cloudy
The trap is one of the oldest ways of hunting, netting results for comparatively little effort.
This efficient method is used even today to exterminate pests like mice and cockroaches.
On May 23rd, in a dawn covered by a thick fog, Operation Brandfleck began on the initiative of Operational Headquarters.
The main goal of the operation was to lure the enemy mercenary unit "Galm Team" into Excalibur's firing range and annihilate them all at once.
There were rumors going around that the Allied Forces mercenary unit known as Galm Team was pretty formidable, and even command HQ was starting to earnestly pursue its destruction.
I only found out that the "plane with one red wing" I saw at Futuro was a fighter belonging to this unit after Excalibur fell.
Tauberg's sword was destroyed by the red winged plane and a fighter seemingly accompanying it, and it was split viciously asunder with a thunderous rumble. The fall of Excalibur was a sight not unlike that of a nightmarish medieval painting.
Threading the laser network and penetrating to the center of the base, Galm Team showered all the missiles they had brought with them over Tauberg.
I was assigned to operate Corporal Berger's self-propelled anti aircraft gun, and I participated in the battle from the woods in the vicinity of Excalibur. Some hours after the operation commenced, the enemy fighter squadrons arrived, and the corporal quickly opened fire.
He was quite excited, expending bullets while continuously screaming obscenities. Some minutes after battle commenced, a small AGM[note 1] struck the ground 70 feet away from our SPAAG.[note 2] Corporal Berger not appearing to notice this, I shouted "VT fuze!",[note 3] jumped from the cabin, and hid in the treads for a moment, while he continued to fire into the sky.
I haven't experienced any other explosion that tremendous up close.
The trees shivered, the SPAAG[note 2] was tossed inches off the ground, and the blast tore my cheeks and ears.
I don't remember anything after that.
When I returned to consciousness, it took some time for me to figure out if I was alive or dead.
Some further hours passed from when I realized I seemed to be alive to when I figured I had to do something. The obvious action was to stand up: to first send thoughts throughout my body, to command my arms to "move," to instruct my legs to "bend," and to slowly begin moving, eyes closed.
I was in the midst of the silence of the forest, with a sensation that a profound amount of time had passed.
May 30 1995 Tauberg hills
Dusk had already set on Tauberg when I found Corporal Berger's dead body.
The parts of what was until a few hours ago "Corporal Berger" were scattered in all directions, and it was impossible to find them all.
Dragging my shrapnel-pierced leg, I slowly began to walk over toward the very center of the base.
As I finally neared the center, there were the corpses of dead soldiers, mountains of rubble, token combat medics walking around, and the smell of gasoline. There was not a single lovely thing.
I ignored the medic calling in a raised voice "are you alright?" and continue walking. I see a tattoo of an audacious skeleton grasping a peace sign on the arm of a soldier on a stretcher.
When I flipped the covering sheets, it was Rosenberg, now a complete mess.
I got a blanket from a medic, and took a seat on top of the rubble.
Perhaps it was an officer, a bald man come from the rear to confirm the situation, whose mouth formed a loose smile as he passed beside me. In grotesquely high spirits, he patted the shoulders of those soldiers lucky enough to survive, and tossed around words of encouragement worth less than shit.
He's a guy who doesn't come to the front for fear of his life. No, he's a clever guy, who happens to have the ability to avoid bad timing and bad places.
I immediately picked him out as seeming to be that type of man.
It's obvious this country won't stop the war.
Perhaps "the trick to overcoming the situation" means the practice of eliminating your natural feelings of humanity, lies and falsehoods, and selfishly surviving. My friends are dead, my immediate family is in danger, and I, having devoted my life to honor and pride and all that shit, can do nothing. That's because I don't believe in this war anymore.
June 19, 1995 Weather: Sunny
War hatches from the egg of patriotism.
All the friends I met on the battlefield, and from whom I became separated, loved Belka.
"Sacrifice all for the sake of the country"
Slogans like that flooded the streets before the start of the war.
We who were born unto Belka were patriots from the moment we came into this world.
In our earliest memories we were electrified by the speeches of politicians, and for military parades we would line up early in the morning.
We forgot not our gratitude even as we ate our meager daily meals, and when the snow melted, and spring came, we kissed the national flower time and time again.
We didn't stop to think why it was we loved the Fatherland.
My father, my father's father, and his father as well: they all loved this country we call Belka, and in that we took great pride. Countries whose ideals differed from Belka's were the enemy, and it was their destiny to be laid waste. You might call this a chauvinistic mindset, but this was how so much of the Fatherland thought.
I too loved Belkan land from a young age, its trees, its water, I took pride in it all.
I was convinced that this land was the center of the world, that it was everything.
Upon the Belkan Fatherland which had taken my heart fell quietly the nuclear demon.
The fissure between the politicians and the military is final. No, even within the military, we have surely been accelerating towards a state of division and lawlessness.
Those who wish to continue the war on its current path, those who wish to push forward with a quick reconstruction in the postwar era, those who lay down their weapons and desert, and those who are ruled by their own self-interest.
The battlefield and heartland alike had fallen into anarchy.
There are rumors that even the ones who pressed the button were our brothers.
They say that there were several nuclear explosions at the same time. I'd heard the rumors that the military had been developing a small type of nuclear weapon called the "radioactive detonator" over the years. The radioactive detonator is extremely powerful yet quite small, outwardly seeming to resemble an ordinary hand grenade. Its blast radius can be adjusted in increments of 100 yards, and it can be detonated by simply moving a slide-type trigger on the upper part of the detonator.
I bet the wicked are in love with this kind of weapon.
In the midst of the confusion between rumor and truth, I couldn't get in touch with my mother as I usually do. Even as our idiot military leaders try and continue the war, even though politicians benefit and profit from the war, this war is ending.
The outcome is decided.
Belka lost.
I have no respect or sense of hope for our country or politicians anymore.
There's no way I could hate my country, but a country is an inorganic thing after all.
I couldn't see how history and tradition had become bound with chauvinistic politics. No, it's that I tried not to see it.
Having seen life and death before my own eyes, now I can see something, even if ever so indistinctly.
Totalitarian ideals lead sometimes to horror.
I've found pride and truth in the fact that I am Michael Kohr, and now I want to bring an end to the war.
A ceasefire with the allied nations and Belka's disarmament are beginning.
The war has ended in point of fact, and the faces of the soldiers are brightening bit by bit.
There are those who rouse young soldiers and call for sneak attacks and guerrilla warfare but there are none who will lend them an ear.
A few days ago, an old soldier named Kurzlinger made trouble. It's said he tried to intimidate young soldiers—my own subordinates—into guerrilla warfare. It seems he encouraged them with a gun to their heads.
Just as Kurzlinger was about to pull the trigger, some soldiers came around to stop it somehow.
Kurzlinger was violent, and naturally hated by even his subordinates. In fact it seems he also had many enemies.
Early the next morning, Kurzlinger's corpse was found in his underwear, tied to a drum can.
Unsurprised at the sight, some more scrupulous soldiers ultimately buried his body in the woods.
The systems and principles which we've had up to now are gone.
The war is over, and when we go back to being civilians, it'll be like we're all in parallel.
There are also some guys who, after returning home, plan on returning the favor of being disgraced on the battlefield with interest with a bullet.
Hatred is an eternal flame kept lit by those who bear those feelings.
"Trying to seem as inconspicuous as possible on the battlefield means to remain concealed, drawing only thin breaths." Maybe it's a dumb thing to say, but maybe you'll remember it when when someday the shells rain again.
June 19 1995 En route to Anfang
A notice has been issued that remaining units are to surrender to the Allied Forces immediately.
Maybe I'm not taking things seriously enough, but when I think about the state of things, it's only natural. That's that.
I'm trying not to think about my mom, or about Captain Erhardt, who's still missing.
I don't give a damn how the Allied Forces rule will go either.
I imagine things can only get better from here on out.
Even after arriving at Anfang and surrendering, I'll have to endure confinement by the Allied Forces a little while.
But just a little more patience. The Allied Forces are human too. Wouldn't do to be unreasonable or anything.
I survived, and the war is over.
Anfang.
I've never been here before, but I'll remember this place my whole life.
↑ AGM: Anti-ground missile.
↑ 2.0 2.1 SPAAG: Self-propelled anti-aircraft gun.
↑ VT: Variable time.
↑ Confession of a Soldier. Encyclopaedia Strangereal. Retrieved on 11 March 2019.
Retrieved from "https://acecombat.fandom.com/wiki/Confession_of_a_Soldier?oldid=246703"


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Q: Enable fade animation on ng-show but disable animation on hide So, I want the animation to only apply when ng-show is true. I'm having a hard time trying to disable a "fade out" effect. In jQuery this is simply $.hide and not $.fadeOut. How do I achieve this in Angular?
http://jsfiddle.net/7twjd3an/2/
CSS
.fadeIn {
  -webkit-transition:all linear 0.25s;
  transition:all linear 0.25s;
}

.fadeIn.ng-hide {
  opacity:0;
}

.fadeIn.ng-show {
    opacity: 1;
}

A: You can add different transitions for .ng-show and .ng-hide
Adding the following to .ng-hide would remove the transition styles when you hide the element while retaining the existing transition styles when you show the element:
.ng-hide {
    opacity: 0;
    transition: none 0;
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


A black man who was angry over recent police shootings decided to the best way to avenge their deaths was to shoot white people at random.
This case happened Thursday morning, before the Black Lives Matter murderer went on a shooting spree to "kill white people."
A man accused of shooting indiscriminately at passing cars and police on a Tennessee highway told investigators he was angry about police violence against African Americans, authorities said Friday.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said in a news release that initial conversations with the suspect, 37-year-old Lakeem Keon Scott, revealed that he was troubled by incidents across the U.S.
Scott, who is black, was wounded in the shootout with police, remains hospitalized and has not yet been charged. All those shot were white, police confirmed.
The announcement comes just hours after 12 officers were shot at a Black Lives Matter protest in Dallas by a man who police say declared he was angry about police shootings of black men and wanted to exterminate whites. Five of the officers died.
The shooting spree in Tennessee began around 2:20 a.m. Thursday.
The Bureau of Investigation alleges that Scott � armed with an assault rifle, a pistol and a large amount of ammunition � fired shots through the window of the Days Inn on Volunteer Parkway in Bristol.
The front desk clerk, Deborah Watts, was struck and injured. Days Inn owner Kiran Patel said he awoke to the sound of gunfire. He said that when his wife called the front desk to see what happened, Watts answered and said she'd been shot. She remains in the hospital in serious but stable condition, authorities said.
The gunman then turned his fire to cars passing on the highway, investigators said.
Newspaper carrier Jennifer Rooney, a 44-year-old mother of two, was killed when a bullet struck her as she on her way to pick up papers for the morning delivery. The Bristol Herald-Courier reported that her car careened over a median and crashed through a chain link fence.
Where did he get the idea the way to avenge an Asian police officer shooting a black man was to shoot random whites? Where'd he get the idea the way to avenge the shooting of a child molesting, domestic abusing, drug dealing, bloods gang-banger and dead beat dad who threatened a homeless person with a gun was to shoot random white people?


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Police name driver who died in Earl Shilton after anniversary night out
He was behind the wheel of a Rover Metro
Sam DimmerDigital Development Editor
Wood Street in Earl Shilton (Image: Sam Dimmer)
The driver who died in a collision in Earl Shilton after an anniversary night out has been named by police.
Ronald James, 32, was in a green Rover Metro when it collided with a bollard in Wood Street, in the centre of the village .
Mr James, from Nuneaton, was pronounced dead at the scene.
A police spokesperson said: "Around ten minutes before the incident we were called to a car park in the street following a report of criminal damage to a green Rover Metro.
"When officers arrived the Metro had already left the scene.
"Following enquiries, two men aged 19 and 32, have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and released pending further investigation.
"A short time after the initial incident the Metro returned to the area and collided with a street bollard resulting in the death of the driver."
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Police say they are keen to speak to anyone who saw the collision, or the vehicle involved beforehand.
Mr James's brother had previously told Leicestershire Live : "It looks like died instantly.
"It's awful. He and his partner were out celebrating on what should have been a happy night and it ends like this.
"He has a 14-year-old step-son and I have to explain to my four kids that their uncle is gone."
If you were in the area of Wood Street or Leicester Road and saw the car between 10.50pm and 11pm call 101, quoting incident 699 of 17 November.
Leicestershire Police