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It's official: Alitalia deal falls through
Doubts on the deal always focused on whether the agreement would ultimately benefit Air Malta's employees and the country
Last updated on 9 January 2017, 8:11am
by Miriam Dalli
Air Malta went through a massive restructuring imposed by the EU after the government saved it from bankruptcy in 2010 with a €52 million loan
The plug has been pulled on talks between Air Malta and Alitalia for the sale of 49% of the national airline's share to the Italian airline, with informed sources confirming to MaltaToday that the deal has fallen through.
Speculation that the Maltese government was very close to terminating the Memorandum of Understanding signed in April 2016 has been going on for months, with Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis repeatedly insisting that nothing was cast in stone and alternatives would be considered if the Alitalia deal was not advantageous.
Doubts on the deal always focused on whether the agreement would ultimately benefit Air Malta's employees and the country.
"The government has repeatedly stated that no deal will be signed unless it is beneficial to the airline, tourism industry and the Maltese economy at large," Zammit Lewis told MaltaToday on Saturday, when reached for a comment.
The minister went on to add that the best option which the government sees for Air Malta still remains "a strategic partnership" with another bigger airline.
Air Malta was hoping that Alitalia, a subsidiary of Etihad, would acquire a stake in the ailing airline in a bid to remain afloat after a massive €260 million restructuring package negotiated under strict EU state aid rules.
But Etihad Airways, hit by slowing growth, announced a few weeks ago that it would be eliminating jobs across several units whilst undertaking organisational reviews and restructuring to reduce costs and improve productivity and revenue.
International media reported that the Gulf airline also planned on firing James Hogan as its CEO, over his failed spree of acquisitions in Europe.
Hogan sought to expand Etihad's presence in Europe, buying a 29% stake in Air Berlin in 2011, and then Air Serbia in 2013 and finally the stake in Alitalia three months later. Hogan would later express his disappointment over Italy's failure to meet a number of conditions that had been set out in the partnership.
The long-term investment programme to take equity stakes in these airlines proved to be loss-making for Etihad, after the acquisitions failed to turn a profit. Etihad lost €2.5 billion on these investments, €477 million alone with Air Berlin as of 2015.
Eithad is now performing a volte-face on its European expansion, with supervisory board chairman Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh leading the roll-back, with plans to sell European holdings.
Speculation has been mounting on a possible Etihad withdrawal from Alitalia: in 2014, Etihad invested €560 million in the Italian airline and pledged to return it to profit by 2017 by slashing costs, turning Rome into an intercontinental hub and adding more lucrative long-haul connections.
But the positive figures failed to transpire and Alitalia – which in 2015 registered a net loss of €199 million – has now chased, and secured, a two-month breather from its creditors on the condition that it agrees an overhaul plan with its stakeholders in two months. Job redundancies are expected.
Despite the Maltese government's denial, Alitalia's president Luca Cordero di Montezemolo had hinted in May that Air Malta would potentially be used as a feeder airline – a move which would definitely go against the government's vision for Air Malta.
Alitalia's acquisition would have also definitely meant downsizing human resources at Air Malta – a move which the Maltese government opposed strongly.
Zammit Lewis told MaltaToday that, until any announcements are made, "the airline will continue taking the important commercial decisions to ensure its long-term sustainability".
Last month, Air Malta's board of directors moved to axe two routes – Frankfurt and Manchester – that they insisted were performing weakly. Instead, Air Malta will be increasing frequencies next summer to Munich, Amsterdam, Brussels, Vienna, Zurich, Rome, Catania, Lyon, Palermo, Prague and Moscow. Air Malta also plans to double daily flights in peak summer to Munich, Rome and Catania.
The national airline – whose first flights were in 1974 with scheduled services to London, Birmingham, Manchester, Rome, Frankfurt, Paris and Tripoli – continues to face stiff competition from low cost airlines, especially Ryaniar, which is close to taking the majority market share of the incoming passenger market.
For the Maltese government, the key to solve Air Malta's financial woes and compete in an ever-highly challenging market, is for the airline to join a strategic partner.
Air Malta went through a massive restructuring imposed by the EU after the government saved it from bankruptcy in 2010 with a €52 million loan. Two years later, the EU approved €130 million in State aid on condition that the airline was restructured. Under Peter Davies, roped in by the then Nationalist government to effect the necessary changes being demanded by the European Union, Air Malta almost halved its workforce, reduced the number of jets in operation and cut capacity.
During the summer months, it was revealed that Air Malta was €66 million in the red. At the end of the 2015 financial year, Air Malta lost €4.2 million, after losing €16.9 million the previous year. In 2012, the first year of the restructuring plan, the airline suffered €38.5 million in losses.
Miriam Dalli joined MaltaToday.com.mt in 2010 becoming assistant editor f...
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I am traveling home after dropping my oldest at college for his junior year, with my daughter already situated and starting her sophomore year. My youngest, a rising senior in high school, is sitting a row ahead of me and to the right. It seems like miles and miles away even though it can't be more than 10 feet (airplanes today have tight seating!). My heart is sad, but at the same time, I am beyond grateful that I had the opportunity to raise these three amazing human beings. Being a Mom is so hard, rewarding, humbling and emotional. In fact, most times I feel like a complete lunatic with all the erratic emotions that come along with motherhood.
To say I am excited for all three of my children would be an understatement – I am over the moon! Two of them are at universities and the youngest is six months away from finding out where he will be starting the next leg on his educational journey. Despite these amazing milestones in life, I still find myself feeling melancholy and lost.
When my three children were born, I was married to a man I thought I would spend the rest of my life with. Unfortunately, we both have the disease of addiction and, like a lot of relationships with addicts, the marriage ended 14 years ago when my children were very young. They were just 7, 6 and 4 years old and needed me, so I was there for them. My number one priority was getting them to the finish line: graduation from high school without any major calamities along the way.
As any mother or guardian knows, high school years are trying times and the journey was challenging to say the least. Any or all my three of my children could have the disease of addiction but I won't know – or better yet they won't know – until they know. Yes, there is the option to get genetic testing but I believe it's something's that needs to happen organically.
All three of my children have experimented with alcohol, but are they addicts? I don't know and to be completely honest, I don't want to be the judge. Judging whether someone as an addict is not my job, even if we're talking about my own children. I'll leave that call up to the individuals and the doctors.
Either way, raising children today where drugs and alcohol are so prevalent made my job as single mom that much harder! This was my choice and I take full responsibility. I have first-hand experience in learning what alcohol and drugs can do to a family, so I did everything power to ensure that the traits and characteristics I experienced in my childhood didn't happen to my children. In the end, my children/young adults refer to me as a "Helicopter Mom" … I'll take it!
While going through hard times when my children were younger, I found myself wishing the time away. I wanted to be in the future rather than live through tough and uncomfortable situations. I remember saying, "I just can't wait till they are all launched and on their way." Well, here I am. They are 6 months away from being "launched" and I don't wish to be in the future anymore. In fact, I want time to slow down. I want them to need me again!
Fortunately, or unfortunately, the job I did raising these children resulted in me having strong, independent individuals that need their Mom to bounce ideas off but they no longer need me daily to hold their hand and show them the way… because I did that. I was there. I was present for them and I can honestly and humbly say I am a good Mom who did the very best I could, given the circumstances, and I wouldn't change a thing.
As I mentioned before, being a Mom is a hard and challenging role and one that I will never say I regretted.
To all those Moms out there feeling the way I am, know you are not alone! The back-to-school commercials do not bring up excitement like they did when my children were young. Instead, they now evoke nostalgia and hope that time would just slow down a little.
Enjoy your time. Don't wish it away. The present moment is exactly where you're supposed to be – even when you want to just run away.
Stress – We all feel it! Stress is defined as a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances.
We all can feel the effects of stress and I am no exception. When I'm stressed, it presents itself as pain in my shoulders and back. It's a nagging, persistent and, at times, debilitating. I want it to go away but how do I fix it?
When drinking was a daily part of my life, a nice glass of wine or a cold drink was the perfect remedy for my aches and pains. But after a while, I came to the realization that that remedy did more damage than good. Alcohol and my body make up do not mix well. The drink may have eliminated my stress but unfortunately, my DNA made me feel a lack of control. One drink was never enough and that one drink would turn into multiple drinks or bottles of wine. The drinking only exacerbated my stress and created larger problems! The stress now was self-afflicted.
My shoulders and neck pain became depression and self-doubt; a physical ailment became an emotional one. Now, I was not only in physical pain but my emotions were running on overload. Most of those emotions were negative, which in turn made me unhappy and unproductive. All I could do was wallow in self-pity.
How did I get out of it?
For one I realized that the answer to relive my stress was NOT to pick up a drink.
· Take time to meditate. There are many different online tools and apps that I like that help me meditate. Right now, I turn to the app "Insight timer" as a tool for my meditation. It is free and has many different guided meditations, as well as a timer if you just want to sit quietly.
Bottom line is that drinking is not the only solution to major stressors in life and most of the time, it leads to significant problems. So take some time to try the tools I suggested and remember that feelings are not facts!


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Home Clean Energy clean fuelled Hydrogen Japan new research news Science and technology seekers thoughts ST Water Splitting Hydrogen and Oxygen from the Water - A Breakthrough discovery to make Clean Energy
Splitting Hydrogen and Oxygen from the Water - A Breakthrough discovery to make Clean Energy
Clean Energy, clean fuelled, Hydrogen, Japan, new research, news, Science and technology, seekers thoughts, ST, Water,
The clean energy is the need of the hour. The climate change and emission of green house gases at larger scale has out the human lives at risk. Energy is needed for human growth, but without switching it to cleaner sources, humans can't expect to live at all in next centuries.
In Japan, scientists have successfully split water into hydrogen and oxygen using light and meticulously designed catalysts, and they did so at the maximum efficiency meaning there were almost no less and undesired side reactions.
This latest breakthrough in solar hydrogen production makes the likelihood of scalable, economically viable hydrogen production more than likely, paving the way for humanity to make the switch to clean energy.
Understanding the process of Hydrogen Production
Water splitting using catalysts and sunlight – called "photo-catalysis" has been a promising method of achieving solar hydrogen production for decades.
However, most previous attempts only yielded an external quantum efficiency of less than about 50% representing the difficulty in efficient catalyst design for real-world use.
The catalyst needed to be designed better so every absorbed photon from the light source is used to make hydrogen. The key to improving efficiency was the strategic placement of the co-catalysis and preventing defects in the semiconductor.
Hydrogen is the first and the lightest element in the periodic table in Chemistry. Do you know that it mainly occurs in the gaseous state?
It is an insipid element that does not have taste, color, and odor but is highly flammable. Its chemical symbol is H and the atomic number is 1. Its atomic weight is 100797g/mol. It was recognized as a unique gas by Robert Boyle in 1671, who dissolved iron in diluted hydrochloric acid.
There are three isotopes of hydrogen having the same atomic number but different atomic masses: protium, deuterium, and tritium.
Why hydrogen is so important?
It widely accepted knowledge that the universe, upon its creation, and even now, is mainly composed of hydrogen. This light gas is so common, yet important it is to our universe and how many great uses it can have in the technological application.
Our own sun, as well as trillions of other stars in the universe, fuses hydrogen into helium to produce energy.
Its energy is known on Earth as light and heat. However, when the sun runs out of hydrogen, it moves on to heavier elements, each occasion of fusion resulting in a new element every time.
It is strongly believed that organic material could have come from the dead star's matter when it was dispersed into space. If this is true humans are built of stardust.
Also Read -The dying glaciers will be the end of humanity?
Hydrogen plays a very significant role in the birth of stars around nebulae. Vast clouds of hydrogen are needed for stars to be born. Eventually, the hydrogen begins heating up and igniting due to a chain reaction from the collision of atoms. Since there is no gravitational force acting upon the nebulae, it is very likely to take millions of years for the stars to complete the form in the void of space. However, it is amazing to think that our sun was born in the same manner.
The invention of the vehicle that occupies hydrogen fuel has been phenomenal in developing a clean source of energy. Hydrogen can be used to power vehicles and leave behind no trace of pollution. In fact, if you ever drive a car that is powered by hydrogen, the only by-product of fuelled expense is water. Despite the advantages, most cars powered by hydrogen do not accelerate quickly nor reach high speeds.
Also Read - Hydrogen- the fuel of the future
Water is composed of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom, but what you probably dint know about water is its violent creation. Hydrogen and oxygen in the same environment create water in an explosive reaction. The atoms release large amounts of energy to bind into water molecules. The same kind of reaction is used to propel the Atlas rocket.
What is the function of hydrogen in the human body?
Hydrogen is the first element of the periodic table. The most important function of hydrogen in the human body is to keep you hydrated. Water is made up of hydrogen and oxygen and is observed by the cells of the body. Therefore, it is a crucial element that is used not in our body but also as fuel, in military weapons, etc.
So how scientists split water into hydrogen?
Broke through new frontiers in power production by using aluminum-doped strontium titanate as a photocatalyst, whose properties have been extensively studied and there the best understood.
They choose co-catalysts rhodium for hydrogen with chromium oxide, and cobalt-oxide for oxygen, by fine-tuning them to engage in only desired reactions. This method made it possible for the reaction to have no recombination losses.
How the new findings would be helpful to the world?
It might open the doors to achieve scalable and economically viable solar hydrogen production. Their design strategies succeeded in reducing defects that lead to near-perfect efficiency, and knowledge obtained will be applied to other materials with intense visible light absorption. More work is still needed before we can run our cars on hydrogen because this study focused on the use of ultraviolet light and abundant visible light from the sun remained unused. However, this great breakthrough has made that possibility no longer too good to be true.
However, in theory, just a matter of time. Hopefully, it will encourage scientists, researchers, and engineers to engage in this field, bringing the use of solar hydrogen power that much closer.
Reference – materials provided by Shinshu University
Tsuyoshi Takata, Junzhe Jiang, Yoshihisa Sakata, Mamiko Nakabayashi, Naoya Shibata, Vikas Nandal, Kazuhiko Seki, Takashi Hisatomi, Kazunari Domen. Photocatalytic water splitting with a quantum efficiency of almost unity.
Click here to get a June's Edition
Tags # Clean Energy # clean fuelled # Hydrogen # Japan # new research # news # Science and technology # seekers thoughts # ST # Water
Labels: Clean Energy, clean fuelled, Hydrogen, Japan, new research, news, Science and technology, seekers thoughts, ST, Water

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Chapter 24 ist der Titel eines Musikstücks des Albums The Piper at the Gates of Dawn der britischen Band Pink Floyd.

Komposition
Syd Barrett komponierte die Musik und lieh sich Textpassagen aus der englischsprachigen Übersetzung des Kapitels 24 des chinesischen Weisheits- und Orakelbuchs I Ging, welche Cary F. Baynes 1950, nach Vorlage der Übersetzung von Richard Wilhelm aus dem Chinesischen, veröffentlicht hat.

Belege

Pink-Floyd-Lied
Lied 1967
Rocksong
Syd Barrett

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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Are you bringing home a baby soon? Congratulations! Here are some ideas and tips from DealDash on what you should do before the newborn arrives.
If you are a soon to be a parent you will find that your mind is on a lot of things. Bringing home a newborn takes a lot of work so here are some things to take care of before bringing home your newest bundle of joy.
First of all, you are going to need to have the baby's room set up. You need to make a choice as to whether or not you will have your newborn sleep in their room or in your bedroom. You may find out that having them sleep in the same room with you for a while would be more convenient but of course, the choice is all up to you.
If you are in the market for new furniture for your new baby's room, DealDash can help. There are often cribs and changing tables up for auction on DealDash. This will save you money and time, since DealDash will deliver right to your home, for no extra charge!
You will also want to have a list of telephone numbers that you will need. This is so you don't have to spend a great deal of time looking for phone numbers. You will need phone numbers like your chosen pediatrician and the local hospital in case of emergencies. Having a list like this can be very helpful in case of an emergency. Make one today.
You will also want to have some things ready for you and your spouse as well. You will want to have things like nursing gowns and music or books on tape for you or your spouse to listen to while spending time with your newborn. You need to make sure you have everything you need to make taking care of your child as simple as possible.
Having a comfy chair to nurse or give a bottle is a must. It's also very helpful to have a table next to the chair. On this table, you can have a drink, your book or e-reader, a snack, or whatever else you need when you are feeding the baby. DealDash has comfy chairs! Check DealDash first before buying elsewhere.
This is really the beginning of the things you will need to do before bringing your newborn home. You need to do plenty of preparation in advance, This is so that you will be able to have a seamless as possible transition in bringing your new baby home. You will be so very happy that you took the time to be prepared.
Thanks so much for reading this DealDash article on bringing your new baby home. Don't forget to check back every day for new articles here. Also read our sister blog, DealDash Tips. We love to hear from our readers, just leave a comment down below.
Do you need nursery items for baby? Go check DealDash for cribs and furniture. DealDash has all of the home items that you need. Visit DealDash now to see how much you can save. Have a great time on DealDash and happy bidding everyone!
This entry was posted in Kids and Parenting and tagged babies, baby, changing table, child, children, crib, Deal Dash, DealDash, DealDash Auction, dealdash auctions, dealdash.com, nursery, parenting, parents on July 8, 2018 by .
Babies are so cute and sweet, but they tend to cry a lot. Here are some tips from DealDash to try to figure out what's bothering your baby.
If you are a new mother (or father) your baby crying can be a very confusing thing. You should remember that all babies cry as it is their way of communicating with the world. Here are some reasons why your baby's crying and what you can do to help them feel better again, from DealDash.
One of the most common reasons that a baby is because they're hungry. There's a simple solution to take care of this kind of crying. All you need to do is feed your baby, and as they get full they will soon calm down and stop crying. This is the first line of defense when it comes to why your baby is crying.
And other big reason why babies cry is because they're uncomfortable about something. Perhaps they're too hot or too cold? Maybe they needed a diaper change? You want to make sure to check their diaper to make sure that they don't need it changed.
Remember that healthcare professionals generally recommend that your baby has one more layer of clothing than you do. For example, if you're wearing just a t-shirt then your baby might need a t-shirt and an undershirt or a t-shirt and a sweatshirt.
Sometimes babies will start crying if they need a nap. They can simply be overly tired and need you to comfort them by rocking them for example. Taking the time to help them come down to be able to take a nap will definitely help them to stop crying.
There are quite a few things that can scare a baby. They are new to this world and don't understand loud noises like the vacuum or a truck outside. They also can be afraid of new people, animals, and even the dark. These types of cries just need a little comforting from Mom or Dad.
As you can see there are many reasons why babies cry. You just need to take the time to determine what is going wrong and help your baby be comfortable once again.
Thanks so much for reading this DealDash article on calming a crying baby. Don't forget to check back every day for new articles here. Also read our sister blog, DealDash Tips. We love to hear from our readers, just leave a comment down below.
Do you need new baby items? Go check DealDash for nursery and baby items. DealDash has all of the things that you need for your baby's room. Visit DealDash now to see how much you can save. Have a great time on DealDash and happy bidding everyone!
This entry was posted in Kids and Parenting and tagged babies, baby, crib, Deal Dash, DealDash, DealDash Auction, dealdash auctions, dealdash.com, family, kid, kids, nightlight, nursery, parent, parenting on June 9, 2018 by .
DealDash Kids: Don't Hire a Bad Babysitter!
There are both good and babysitters out there. Read this article from DealDash to tell how to separate the good from the not-so-good.
Babysitters are an important part of a family's life. But what happens if you think you have hired a bad babysitter? Here are some signs that maybe it's time to find someone else to watch your kids. Now, these are mildly bad traits. If you have a babysitter that you like but they have one or two of these bad traits, you might want to consider talking to them first to see if you can find a solution together. Read on for more information from DealDash.
If your babysitter is frequently not on time you may have hired a bad babysitter. You need to hire someone that is going to be punctual so you can get to doing your plans on time. If they are always late there really is no point in having them as a babysitter is there?
This trait can be very annoying, but it's also easy to resolve if you and the babysitter can find a solution. One such solution might be to send them a reminder text an hour before they are scheduled, or a quick phone call a half hour before. You might think that you shouldn't have to do this as their employer, but if your children love this particular babysitter you might want to try this compromise.
If your child is unhappy about the babysitter coming you may need to look for a new babysitter. Of course, your child might just be sad that you're leaving. However, it's possible that the babysitter may not be very nice. Talk to your child and see why they do not like when the babysitter is coming so you know if you need to take action and get rid of them or maybe just a little extra transition time might be needed when you leave for the evening.
If your babysitter doesn't want to tell you what they and your child have been up to while you have been gone that is not a good sign. This could be a sign that your babysitter is ignoring your child, possibly spending too much time on their phone while they should be watching and playing with your little ones. You want your babysitter to be open about what activities that your child has done with them so you can feel safe leaving them in their care.
Are They Following the Rules?
These are just a few of the points that you should consider when trying to figure out if you have hired a bad babysitter. If you feel that you have indeed hired a bad babysitter you need to get rid of them and look for a new babysitter right away. If you are unsure, then just have a talk with them and see if they have any suggestions on how to improve the relationship.
Thanks so much for reading this DealDash article on babysitters. Don't forget to check back every day for new articles here. Also read our sister blog, DealDash Tips. We love to hear from our readers, just leave a comment down below.
Do you need kid and baby items for your children? Go check DealDash for children's items and toys. DealDash has all of the baby things that you need. Visit DealDash now to see how much you can save. Have a great time on DealDash and happy bidding everyone!
This entry was posted in Kids and Parenting and tagged babies, baby, babysitter, babysitting, crib, Deal Dash, DealDash, DealDash Auction, dealdash auctions, dealdash.com, family, home, kid, kids, nursery, toys on May 16, 2018 by .
A car seat is the most important piece of baby equipment that you will need if you will be using a car. Here are some tips to pick the optimal car seat, from DealDash.
Are you are going to have a baby? One of the most important accessories that you will need to get is, of course, a car seat. But how do you pick out the best car seat for your baby? Here are some of the car seats available that you can select from for the new addition to your family. Read on for more information from DealDash.
One type of car seat that you'll run into is a car seat that can only be used by infants. This type of car seat will come with a base that can be detached and will have a higher limit for height and weight. There will also be slots for the harness that will help you to be able to change the car seat from a rear facing seat to a front facing seat. You'll also find that there are handles on the sides of car seat that can be folded when your child is in the car and will make it easier to carry your baby when they're not in the car. Some people also refer to this type of car seat as a "baby bucket". This type of seat is very convenient for the new parents.
The next type of car seat that you'll run into is a car seat that is convertible. Aptly named the convertible car seat. You might find that may not be appropriate for some newborns. If you have a newborn that is smaller than the weight limit listed on this seat you will need to buy a seat with a lower weight limit. You may find that the hospital where you deliver you baby rents these.
The convertible car seat can be used as a car seat that faces the rear for most all newborns. In addition, it converts to a front facing car seat once the baby weighs over 20-25 pounds. Of course, you will want to check your particular car seat to see the weight limits. There are notches in this car seat that you should thread the seat belt through to make sure that your child is secure in this type of car seat. This type of seat can last through the baby stage all the way to preschooler. You would be wise to invest in the best convertible car seat that your budget allows because it will be used for many years.
Another type of car seat that you'll run into is a booster seat. You'll find the booster seats come in a wide variety of different types. You'll find that even some booster seats are built right into some cars and vans. Booster seats should be used when sure baby gets to a certain size and weight. They are definitely for when your baby gets older, as in preschool age. You will want to check your own state's laws on the height and weight that is recommended for a booster seat.
Now you have a good idea as far as what types of car seats are out there. You will have a much easier time finding the best car seat for your baby. You want to educate yourself as much as possible so you find the perfect car seat for your child so that they will be comfortable and safe riding in your car. DealDash offers a few different types of car seats that were mentioned in this article. You will want to go check them out and decide what's best for your child.
Thanks so much for reading this DealDash article on car seats. Don't forget to check back every day for new articles here. Also read our sister blog, DealDash Tips. We love to hear from our readers. Leave a comment below and let us know What you'd like to read about.
Do you need baby items? Go check DealDash for car seats and booster seats. DealDash has all of the baby things that you need. Visit DealDash now to see how much you can save. Have a great time on DealDash and happy bidding everyone! This sponsored DealDash blog article was written by Dawn E, a mother of 3 who loves DealDash. Dawn was compensated for writing this article. This blog is written by real DealDash customers. The opinions and advice shared here represent our customers' views and not those of the company. Read even more on DealDashTips.com, or on her own blog, DawnBlogtopus.
This entry was posted in Kids and Parenting and tagged babies, baby, baby seat, booster seat, car seat, child, children, Deal Dash, DealDash, DealDash Auction, dealdash auctions, dealdash.com, family, kid, kids, parent, parenting on May 11, 2018 by .
DealDash Kids: Baby Bath Time!
When it comes to baby bath time you need to follow these tips to make things go smoothly. Read on for some tips from DealDash for washing the baby.
When it comes to bathing your baby things can be quite difficult especially if you're a new parent. You need to make sure that you have everything in close range so you can grab things quickly and you need to also be able to pay close attention to your child. Here are a few things that you will require when it is bath time for your baby, from DealDash.
You'll need to get soap and shampoo that are made for bathing a baby. You do not want to use adult shampoo or soap on a baby. You need to make sure that all of the soap and shampoo that you buy for bathing your baby is formulated for use specifically for babies. The shampoo and babies are meant to be tear-free, just in case you accidentally get it in your baby's eyes.
You also want to make sure you get sponges and washcloths that you can use during bath time. If you can find bamboo fabric washcloths these are the most gentle for baby's skin. Using these will be a fast and simple way to get your baby clean. You always want to remember to wash out the sponges and washcloths that you use after bathtime. You want to make sure you do not have to deal with any mildew or bacteria forming on them.
Getting a baby bathtub is a smart move especially if you're a new parent. Many of them come with a built-in seat and also often come with slip protection. This is so you do not have to worry about your baby slipping while you're bathing them. Trust me, once you have soaped up the baby they will become quite slippery. If you want to keep the baby occupied while you're bathing them you could also get some toys that they can play with. Things like rubber ducks and colorful animals are a great way to keep the baby occupied while you are bathing them.
After bathing, you will, of course, need a dry towel to dry your baby off. Again, I suggest bamboo fabric if you can find it. I personally prefer the type of baby towel that has a built-in hood for drying their hair.
Once you are done bathing and drying your child you'll be ready to apply powder and lotion if you so choose.
Bathing a newborn can seem intimidating. However, if you take the time to prepare you'll see that the entire process will go a whole lot more smoothly. Follow these tips from DealDash and see how much easier bathing your baby can be.
Thanks so much for reading this DealDash article on bathing a baby. Don't forget to check back every day for new articles here. Also read our sister blog, DealDash Tips. We love to hear from our readers.
Do ou need baby supples? Go check DealDash for lots of baby items. DealDash has toys as well. Visit DealDash now to see how much you can save. Have a great time on DealDash and happy bidding everyone!
This entry was posted in Kids and Parenting and tagged babies, baby, child, children, Deal Dash, DealDash, DealDash Auction, dealdash auctions, dealdash.com, home, house, kids on April 18, 2018 by .


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Meridian Arranges $48M Loan for N.J. Multifamily Buy
By Cathy Cunningham	October 7, 2016 12:11 pm
The Avalon at Freehold. Courtesy: Meridian Capital Group.
Capital One Multifamily Finance has provided $47.8 million in financing to Eagle Rock Properties for the acquisition of the Avalon at Freehold, a multifamily property in Freehold, N.J., Commercial Observer can first report.
Meridian Capital Group arranged the seven-year Freddie Mac loan, which features a fixed-rate of 3.44 percent, and full-term interest only payments. Abe Hirsch and Akiva Friend, of the brokerage's New York office, led the negotiations."It was a pleasure working with Eagle Rock in their acquisition of Avalon at Freehold," said Hirsch. "Based on our experience with Eagle Rock and their tremendous track record in the multifamily real estate industry, we expect this asset to perform very well as they execute their value-add business plan."
SEE ALSO: US Bank Lends $135M on The Capstone at Port Imperial in West New York, NJ
The Avalon at Freehold is a 296-unit apartment community located at 100 Lambert Way. The property includes a swimming pool, a fitness center, a yoga studio and a playground. Equity real estate investment trust AvalonBay Communities was the complex's previous owner, and was represented in the sale by BlueGate Partners, according to company website information.
"We've worked with Eagle Rock Properties before and were happy to once again leverage our Agency relationships to find them a financing package that met their needs," said Grace Huebscher, President of Capital One Multifamily Finance. "Avalon at Freehold is a high-occupancy, institutional property, and we look forward to seeing it flourish under its new owners."
Eagle Rock currently has a portfolio of approximately 6,000 multifamily apartments across New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. The investment and property management firm completed the acquisition through its Multifamily Property Fund II, which targets Class B multifamily assets in the Northeast.
"We are excited to further expand our footprint in New Jersey. Avalon at Freehold, together with Presidential Place in Lebanon, New Jersey, gives us two high-quality assets in strong markets," said Jim Hausman, Eagle Rock's Portfolio Manager, in prepared remarks. "Execution is essential and we would like to thank Meridian, AvalonBay, Capital One, Freddie Mac, BlueGate Partners, the attorneys and local officials for their hard work and commitment to getting the deal closed."
Officials at AvalonBay Communities and BlueGate Partners did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Keywords: 100 Lambert Way, Abe Hirsch, Akiva Friend, Avalon at Freehold, BlueGate Partners, Eagle Rock Properties, Freddie Mac, Meridian Capital Group
By Emily Fu
Finance · Refinance
White Oak Real Estate Capital Refis Murray Hill Resi Building With $53M Loan
Aaron Jungreis Talks Rosewood Expansion Plans, Greystone Partnership
By Andrew Coen


text:
Q: Create covariance matrix from correlation table with both positively and negatively correlated values I have a correlation table with both positively and negatively correlated values:
cor.table <- matrix(rep(c(-0.1, 0.1), each=1250),50,50)
diag(cor.table) <- 1

I would like to create a covariance matrix from this using:
cov.mat<-cor2cov(cor.table,c(rep(20,50)))

However I get the following error:
Error in cor2cov(cor.table, c(rep(100, 50))) :
  The object 'cor.mat' should be either a symmetric or a triangular matrix

How can I create a symmetric correlation matrix where values are either positively (0.1) or negatively (-0.1) correlated?

A: set.seed(1)
cor.table <- matrix(sample(c(0.1,-0.1),50^2,replace=TRUE),50,50)

> isSymmetric(cor.table)
[1] FALSE

ind <- lower.tri(cor.table)
cor.table[ind] <- t(cor.table)[ind]
diag(cor.table) <- 1

> isSymmetric(cor.table)
[1] TRUE

Your problem was you did not create a symmetric matrix. It should work now.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Welcome to Moraine, Wisconsin. Home of Story Fischer's market, The Wild Clover, and the Country Delight Farm. Tourists flock to the area for apple cider, caramel apples, Story's honey products and the Country Delight Farm's corn maze.
There is also a new resident moving to town. Dyanna Crane has moved in next door to Story and Hunter. She seems nice enough but when the neighbors find out she is a witch and the rest of her coven arrives to work their magic to protect Dyanna's new home from evil spirits things start to spiral out of control. Police Chief Johnny Jay shows up to shut the ritual down and send the witches on their way not knowing they just happen to be camping out at the Country Delight Farm. In the morning one of the witches is found dead in the corn maze. Evil is definitely lurking and Story is ready to comb through all the clues to catch the killer.
I was totally Beewitched by this story.
There was so much going on. In addition to the witch invasion Story's mom is getting married and is a total Bridezilla. She has kept Story out of any of the planning. Her other daughter, Holly, is her wedding planner and Story's only job is show up at the wedding and wear the hideous dress her mother has picked out for the bridesmaids. While this truly has hurt Story's feeling she has enough on her plate to keep her busy. Business at the store has been good. Her mother has been to busy with wedding plans to create her usual havoc there. Then there all these witches in town. Even one named Tabitha. Both Hunter and Johnny Jay tell Story to keep her nose out of the investigation but she just can't and she does have a way of getting information out of people.
Hannah Reed has written a wonderful story. The fact that this fictional town is almost in my backyard just sweetens the mystery. References to actual places always makes me smile. The characters could be my neighbors. Even P.P. Patty. Oh my word, she was so over the top in this story. My stomach hurt from laughing so hard. You will not believe what she does!!
You cannot go wrong with any of her stories. She is the Queen Bee of Cozy Mysteries!!!!
Find out all about Hannah Reed on her webpage here.
My first time hearing of this author's work but it sounds good! Thanks for the share!


text:
Home / March 2019
Access to Knowledge, Freedom of expression, Privacy
Meet the Advisory Council for the first Open Call of Indela
Today we present the Advisory Council and International Observer in digital rights that will support the review and selection process of the first Open Call for projects of Indela.
The experts that will make up this panel have extensive experience at a regional level on issues related to the exercise of digital rights in Latin America, such as regulation of telecommunications, defense of human rights, and research on Internet policies, among others.
Adriana Labardini is a lawyer of Escuela Libre de Derecho in Mexico City, with a master's degree (LLM) from Columbia University in New York. For four and a half years she was Commissioner at the Federal Institute of Telecommunications (IFT), she has an extensive experience defending privacy and initiatives for inclusion & accessibility and for innovation at the regulatory agenda.
Currently, collaborates with Rhizomatica as Board member, promoting community networks and founder of Conectadas a network of women in the ICT industries working for gender equality in Mexico.
Carlos Cortés is researcher on internet policy law degree from Los Andes University, Colombia, Master Studies in 'Communications and Media Governance' at the London School of Economics. Cortés has advised international cooperation organizations, was Twitter's Public Policy manager for Latin America and founded the think-tank Linterna Verde, a consultancy on internet and society issues.
Paulina Gutiérrez is an international human rights lawyer, focused on privacy, intellectual property and the Inter American Human Rights System and an Internet activist. She worked for twelve years working on human rights policy research, human rights violations legal advisory, freedom of expression and gender issues. Former Digital Rights Programme Officer at ARTICLE19 Mexico and Central America Office, where she developed the digital rights agenda. Currently, member of BENETECH's Human Rights Program Advisory Board.
Ramiro Álvarez Ugarte holds a LLM degree at Columbia Law School, currently he is an Associate Professor of Constitutional Law at the University of Buenos Aires and of Law and Social Change at the University of Palermo in Argentina. He has worked as lawyer at the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights and at the Association for Civil Rights in Argentina.
Besides the four experts that are part of the panel, Guilherme Canela will participate as International Observer.
Guilherme is an Adviser for UNESCO in Communication and Information for Mercosur, Chile and Andean countries and regional coordinator of the Initiative for the Promotion of Democracy and Freedom of Expression in judicial systems in Latin America. He is also Secretary to the Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Committee of the Memory of the World Programme. He has a B.A. in International Relations from the University of Brasília (UnB) and a Master's Degree on Political Science from the University of São Paulo.
Visit our website and learn how to participate in our first Open Call, follow us on Facebook y Twitter.
Everything you need to know about the first open call for Indela
With the goal of strengthening the digital rights ecosystem in the region, the Initiative for Digital Rights in Latin America (Indela) today launches its first open call to select projects for 2019. Under the strategic leadership of Fundación Avina, Luminate and Open Society Foundations, and with the support of Ford Foundation and the International Development Research Center (IDRC), Indela will invest US $1.5 million between 2019 and 2021.
Through financing, technical assistance and training, Indela seeks to support projects dedicated to the freedom of expression, privacy, and access to information, with a focus on public campaigns, applied research, and advocacy and litigation, on both national and regional scales.
The open call starts today, February 27, and runs through March 31, 2019. Digital rights organizations based in any Latin American country are eligible to participate for funding up to a maximum US $75,000. To begin the process, enter here.
All project proposals will be evaluated by the Organizing Committee, which is made up of representatives from Fundación Avina, Luminate and Open Society Foundations, with input from a panel of digital rights experts. We'll list the participants soon!
In the event that two or more organizations apply in partnership, only one organization will receive funding, and will be responsible for the distribution of funds to its partners.
To learn more about Indela, visit our website y follow us on Facebook y Twitter.
Announcing the projects selected for Indela's first Open Call
Indela seeks to strengthen digital rights in Latin America
Why we created the Initiative for Digital Rights in Latin America
© 2019 Indela Privacy policyFAQs


Sad news for Philadelphia Orchestra fans: the company has been forced to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy this month.
After a vote taken by the 55-member board of directors, all were for the bankruptcy except for the five members who are currently musicians. According to John Koen, a cellist and board member, "It's very devastating." It listed $46 million in liabilities and $31 million in revenue. In cases like these where the debtor opts for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, they will remain in charge of the business operations but are subject to the directives of a bankruptcy court during the reorganization process.
The orchestra came to notoriety under the leadership of Eugene Ormandy from 1936 to 1980; since then it has joined the ranks of the five most accomplished orchestras in the country. These include the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Cleveland Orchestra.
Need help filing for Chapter 11? Contact us to get help from a San Antonio bankruptcy lawyer.


Custom Stainless Steel sinks, cabinets and over shelf designs are another specialty of ours. Making food prep areas the most sanitary and easy to clean service for your food preparation. Used by over thousands of restaurants, hotel and churches in BC alone. Top Quality at All times with Brugman Food Equipment. Contact us for details & pricing on this model as well as others pieces that are high in demand. Brugman is: Design, Build, Supply & Customer Service! 604-460-6000 or sales@brugman.ca Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm our Chef Shop is open to the public!


Whatever your measurement parameter, Acceleration, Velocity, Displacement, Force, Torque, Acoustic, you will find a supplier here that will provide all your sensors and the associated cables and connectors.
DJB Instruments is a design and manufacturing company that has been supplying top quality pressure and vibration measuring equipment for nearly 40 years - specialising in vibration sensor technology. The company's main focus is to manufacture piezo-electric accelerometers, dynamic pressure transducers and analogue signal processing instrumentation for the testing and measurement of acoustics and vibration. We supply engineers working mainly in the following sectors: engineering manufacturing, energy (including nuclear and geo-thermal), aerospace, aviation and automotive. The company is based in Mildenhall, Suffolk in the UK and provides a full service: consultation, design, manufacturing, assembly, calibration and supply. We give you precise pressure and vibration measuring instruments precisely how you want them.
PCB Piezotronics is a global leader in the design and manufacture of sensors for the measurement of force, torque, load, strain, pressure, acoustics, shock, vibration and acceleration. The company also specialises in industrial vibration monitoring instrumentation for continuous vibration monitoring, predictive maintenance and 24/7 machinery protection.
The backbone of the company is its mission statement: Total Customer Satisfaction. This mission is not only supported by products that offer great value for money, but also by an unconditional warranty. See www.pcb.com for the PCB Piezotronics No Risk Policy statement.
Applied Measurements offer a comprehensive selection of transducers based on strain gauge technology to measure load, force, weight, pressure, differential pressure, torque, displacement and position along with a full complement of associated display, acquisition and signal conditioning instrumentation. Bespoke and tailor-made transducers are a particular speciality; we can either modify an existing design to meet your needs or design a 1-off sensor to your exact specification. Please contact us to discuss your requirements in detail.
With over 20 years experience in the vibration test and monitoring field, CentraTEQ Ltd have the experience and knowledge to understand your application and provide the right solution at the right price, whatever your sensor needs. From Industrial sensors for Preventative Maintenance, to test and measurement solutions, we can provide everything you need, even if it requires different suppliers, use us to simplify your purchase loop and we can provide the advice and experience, so you get everything on one go.
Wilcoxon Research is the world's leading manufacturer of accelerometers, vibration sensors, and accessories for industrial condition monitoring applications. Wilcoxon's sensors are essential to predictive maintenance programs that save money, reduce downtime, and improve safety in plants worldwide.
For over 40 years, Wilcoxon Research has been manufacturing vibration instrumentation with TLC-Total Lower Cost of Ownership. When you factor in our world-class service and support, over 98% on time delivery, industry-leading product quality and reliability, and competitive pricing, you will see how using Wilcoxon sensors affects your bottom line.
Wilcoxon offers a large selection of sensors and sensor accessories. Top exit, side exit, integral cable, explosion proof housings and intrinsically safe vibration sensors are available. Whatever your application, Wilcoxon's wide array of sensors is designed for reliable measurements in even the harshest plant environment. The quality of Wilcoxon sensors is the standard by which all other vibration sensors are measured.


text:
50 Cent Claims Trump Campaign Offered Him $1M For Support After Alleging Lil Wayne Accepted Cash Deal
The Trump campaign was willing to pay a pretty penny for 50 Cent's support, the rapper alleged on 'The View' -- and claimed that Lil Wayne took the deal.
Samantha Wilson
November 18, 2020 4:15PM EST
50 Cent doubled down on his claim that Lil Wayne was paid off by the Trump campaign during his November 18 appearance on The View, claiming that he was offered money to support the president, as well. "I think the timing of it — for me, they offered $500,000 and went up to $1 million to attend the inauguration," the rapper, 45, said. "In Wayne's case, they were looking for people to publicly support [Donald Trump] in different ways."
More Related News:
Ivanka Trump's Former BFF Claims Donald Fat-Shamed Her When She Hung Out With His Daughter
Barack Obama Reveals How Upset Michelle Was That Trump Convinced 40% of GOP He Wasn't Born In America
Trump & 'Javanka' Skewered With 'Empire State Of Mind' Parody On Colbert: 'Screw You From New York'
The For Life star believes that Trump asking for his support was "absolutely" an attempt by the Trump campaign to gain the Black male vote before the November 2020 presidential election, doubling down on what he said on The Breakfast Club the day prior: "[Trump] was needing it for the same reasons you see now," Fiddy told Charlamagne Tha God. "He participated with different artists for the Black vote. And I'm going, 'nah, I ain't gonna put myself in that position.' Cause I don't know what I'd have to do to recover from that."
50 Cent and President Donald Trump (AP)
He got a small taste of what that would've been like when he seemingly endorsed Trump on Instagram prior to the election by bashing Joe Biden's tax plans. He quickly recanted and clarified that he was voting for Biden after massive backlash from fans — and his ex-girlfriend, Chelsea Handler. Chelsea told 50 Cent that he used to be her "favorite ex," and would sleep with him again if he'd denounce Trump. He immediately tweeted, "F**k Donald Trump, I never liked him."
Wayne shocked his fans by posing for a photo with Trump, which he posted to Twitter on October 29. He touted Trump's "Platinum Plan," which would allegedly provide $500 billion in capital to Black communities. Wayne was roundly skewered after sending the tweet. Some fans speculated that it was the reason he and girlfriend Denise Bidot split. His daughter, Reginae Carter, publicly supported Biden.
Lil Wayne (AP)
And Fiddy joked that Wayne should get Trump to bail him out of jail when he was pressed with federal firearm charges. HollywoodLife has reached out to the Trump campaign and Lil Wayne's rep for comment on this story, but did not hear back as of press time.
Related: Tyre Nichols: 5 Things To Know About Him & His Death After Memphis Police Encounter


text:
Q: VSCode: Stop selecting the white space when tabbing a shortcut In IntelliJ when you tab on a shortcut, the space after the shortcut is not selected but when you do that in VSCode it is, how can I change it?

A: I solved it, go to settings and turn off "Editor: Insert Spaces"


text:
//Copyright © 2014 Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC. See License.txt.

using System;
using System.ComponentModel.Composition;

using Sce.Atf;
using Sce.Atf.Dom;
using Sce.Atf.Applications;
using Sce.Atf.Adaptation;

namespace DomPropertyEditorSample
{
    ///
    /// Creates rootnode and one child of type Orc.
    [Export(typeof(IInitializable))]
    [PartCreationPolicy(CreationPolicy.Shared)]
    public class Editor : IInitializable
    {

        #region IInitializable Members

        ///
        /// Finish MEF intialization for the component by creating DomNode tree for application data.
        void IInitializable.Initialize()
        {
            m_mainform.Shown += (sender, e) =>
                {
                    // create root node.
                    var rootNode = new DomNode(Schema.gameType.Type, Schema.gameRootElement);
                    rootNode.SetAttribute(Schema.gameType.nameAttribute, "Game");

                    // create Orc game object and add it to rootNode.
                    var orc1 = CreateOrc("Orc1");
                    rootNode.GetChildList(Schema.gameType.gameObjectChild).Add(orc1);

                    // add a child Orc.
                    var orcChildList = orc1.GetChildList(Schema.orcType.orcChild);
                    orcChildList.Add(CreateOrc("Child Orc1"));

                    var orc2 = CreateOrc("Orc2");
                    rootNode.GetChildList(Schema.gameType.gameObjectChild).Add(orc2);

                    rootNode.InitializeExtensions();

                    // set active context and select orc object.
                    m_contextRegistry.ActiveContext = rootNode;

                    var selectionContext = rootNode.Cast<ISelectionContext>();
                    selectionContext.Set(new AdaptablePath<object>(orc1.GetPath()));
                };
        }

        #endregion

        ///
        /// Helper method to create instance of orcType.
        private static DomNode CreateOrc(string name = "Orc")
        {
            var orc = new DomNode(Schema.orcType.Type);
            orc.SetAttribute(Schema.orcType.nameAttribute, name);
            orc.SetAttribute(Schema.orcType.TextureRevDateAttribute, DateTime.Now);
            orc.SetAttribute(Schema.orcType.resourceFolderAttribute,System.Windows.Forms.Application.StartupPath);
            orc.SetAttribute(Schema.orcType.skinColorAttribute, System.Drawing.Color.DarkGray.ToArgb());
            orc.SetAttribute(Schema.orcType.healthAttribute, 80);
            var armorList = orc.GetChildList(Schema.orcType.armorChild);

            armorList.Add(CreateArmor("Iron breast plate",20,300));

            var clubList = orc.GetChildList(Schema.orcType.clubChild);
            clubList.Add(CreateClub("Iron club",true, 20, 30));

            return orc;
        }

        private static DomNode CreateArmor(string name, int defense, int price)
        {
            var armor = new DomNode(Schema.armorType.Type);
            armor.SetAttribute(Schema.armorType.nameAttribute, name);
            armor.SetAttribute(Schema.armorType.defenseAttribute, defense);
            armor.SetAttribute(Schema.armorType.priceAttribute, price);
            return armor;
        }

        private static DomNode CreateClub(string name, bool hasSpikes, int damage, float weight)
        {
            var club = new DomNode(Schema.clubType.Type);

            club.SetAttribute(Schema.clubType.nameAttribute, name);
            club.SetAttribute(Schema.clubType.spikesAttribute, hasSpikes);
            club.SetAttribute(Schema.clubType.DamageAttribute, damage);
            club.SetAttribute(Schema.clubType.wieghtAttribute, weight);
            return club;
        }

        [Import(AllowDefault = false)]
        private MainForm m_mainform = null; //initialize to null to avoid incorrect compiler warning

        [Import(AllowDefault = false)]
        private IContextRegistry m_contextRegistry = null; //initialize to null to avoid incorrect compiler warning
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


This category groups our most popular Nativity sets from the Holy Land. These beautiful indoor manger scenes are all hand carved from Holy Land olive wood in biblical Bethlehem. Each lovely set comes with our gift card and a certificate of authenticity.


Our Web site contains links to other non-Smith & Byford Ltd Web pages. Although we try to link only to Web sites that share our concern for customer information privacy, we cannot be held responsible for their content or their specific privacy practices.
Where specific information is collected, at the users consent, which may contain sensitive information such as your e-mail address, postal address or telephone number, Smith & Byford Ltd will take all commercially reasonable steps to establish a secure connection with your Web browser. You can help us to maintain the accuracy of your information by notifying Smith & Byford Ltd of any change to your postal address, phone number or e-mail address.
Where non specific information is collected from our visitors, via the usage of cookies, javatrac or other third party data acquisition software, Smith & Byford Ltd will maintain all endeavors to ensure that the said data remains solely within the realm of Smith & Byford without exception.
We have no control over third party content and information which can be accessed using our website (www.smithandbyford.com). We do not examine or edit the use to which you or others put this service or the nature of the content or information being accessed, and are excluded from all liability of any kind arising from such content or information. Your dealings with any third parties, in particular advertisers and/or merchants, via our website, and any terms, conditions, warranties or representations with such third parties, are solely between you and such third party.
Under no circumstances will Smith & Byford Ltd be liable to any person or business entity for any direct, indirect, special, incidental, consequential or other damages based on any use of this website or any other website to which the Smith & Byford Ltd website is linked, including, without limitation, any lost profits, business interruption, or loss of programs or information, even if Smith & Byford Ltd has been specifically advised of the possibility of such damages.
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text:
Wildlife Partners Renews SCI Corporate Support
Partner News, Press Release Jun 18, 2020
Safari Club International is pleased to announce Wildlife Partners, LLC, innovators in combining conservation with unique investment strategies, has renewed their National Partnership.
"Wildlife Partners embodies the mission of SCI," said Chip Hunnicutt, Director of Marketing and Communications. "Always on the forefront of discovering new and better ways to bolster the conservation of exotic species make them a perfect partner for SCI. Their hands-on wildlife management techniques are an inspiration and their dedication to hunter advocacy, education and conservation is in keeping with the SCI worldwide mission."
"Wildlife Partners takes a unique approach to conservation by creating investment capital to acquire, breed and disperse exotic wildlife species from all over the world," said Brian Gilroy, who with his brother Chris founded Wildlife Partners. " When the goal is to preserve and save species from extinction, giving them a monetary value has shown to be the most successful plan to achieve that goal."
Wildlife Partners LLC, operations have resulted in over $40,000,000 in sales of non-native wildlife since 2016. Wildlife Partners is playing a crucial role in the preservation and growth of populations of more than 70 species, 16 of which are critically endangered or extinct in their native ranges.
Inside SCI, Press Release, State
Senator Dan Laughlin Named 2019 SCI State Legislator of the Year
Inside SCI, Press Release
SCI Partners with The High Road With Keith Warren
Wildlife Partners LLC Signs SCI Sponsorship


The Closed Loop Stabilizer kits include a beam sampler and closed-loop control system that stabilize the output power of Synrad's water-cooled 48-1 and 48-2 lasers. Performance of the system is typically ±2%. They are factory installed, and power to the kit is provided through a wall plug transformer delivering 24VDC.
A beam-splitter internal to the sampler diverts 8% of the output beam to a diffuser and thermo-pile detector. The thermo-pile detector signal is amplified within the sampling enclosure to a 1 to 12V signal level. A remotely located controller generates a variable duty cycle 5 kHz signal to maintain a constant average power of the laser. On a custom basis, the control frequency can be raised to 20 kHz for less optical ripple.
The power "set point" can be adjusted on the uc-2000 to provide a laser output between approximately 20% and 80% of full power. This 20% window on either side of the range allows the UC-2000 to maintain full dynamic power regulation. Within the dynamic response time of the system, the UC-2000 can be gated from an external low-frequency signal source. Servo settling time (to 90% of final value) is approximately 2 msec.
To purchase the Closed Loop Stabilization Kit, please contact a Synrad Sales Manager.


Thank you so much for helping us find our new home. You made a situation that could be and would be stressful a lot more fun and pleasurable.
Thanks so much for taking time away from your family to help us find a house in less than 30 days.
Thanks for your hard work and dedication. You are appreciated.


text:
Dhritarastra's Miserly Situation
Verse: Srimad Bhagavatam 1.13.24
Speaker: HH Bhaktivikasa Swami
tasyapi tava deho 'yam
krpanasya jijivisoh
paraity anicchato jirno
jaraya vasasi iva
TRANSLATION: Despite your unwillingness to die and your desire to live even at the cost of honor and prestige, your miserly body will certainly dwindle and deteriorate like an old garment.
PURPORT: The words krpanasya jijivisoh are significant. There are two classes of men. One is called the krpana, and the other is called the brahmana. The krpana, or the miserly man, has no estimation of his material body, but the brahmana has a true estimation of himself and the material body. The krpana, having a wrong estimation of his material body, wants to enjoy sense gratification with his utmost strength, and even in old age he wants to become a young man by medical treatment or otherwise. Dhrtarastra is addressed herein as a krpana because without any estimation of his material body he wants to live at any cost. Vidura is trying to open his eyes to see that he cannot live more than his term and that he must prepare for death. Since death is inevitable, why should he accept such a humiliating position for living? It is better to take the right path, even at the risk of death. Human life is meant for finishing all kinds of miseries of material existence, and life should be so regulated that one can achieve the desired goal. Dhrtarastra, due to his wrong conception of life, had already spoiled eighty percent of his achieved energy, so it behooved him to utilize the remaining days of his miserly life for the ultimate good.
Such a life is called miserly because one cannot properly utilize the assets of the human form of life. Only by good luck does such a miserly man meet a self-realized soul like Vidura and by his instruction gets rid of the nescience of material existence.
(invocatory prayers)
Vedic culture is based on learning, sastra, especically these three major
literatures: Srimad Bhagavatam, Mahabharata and Ramayana. And a common pastime within the Vedic culture is to discuss topics of sastra, discuss about the different characters depicted in sastra. . . not who are depicted in sastra, whose actual activities are recorded in sastra. So the most wonderful prominent person in sastra is Krsna Himself, who takes many forms, displays His pastimes. Discussing them, "srnu sukhadam subhadam bhavasaram" discussing the activities of Krsna in His various incarnations is very pleasing and auspicious within this displeasing and inauspicious material world.
And discussing all these personalities. . . Dhrtarastra is also a great personality. His greatness may not be fully in the right direction; he's definitely a great personality. He's intimately connected with Krsna's pastimes. So discussing about the character of these different persons, especially Dhrtarastra, Karna also, it's very interesting. It's difficult to actually place them, Dhrtarastra, is he a good guy or a bad guy, in modern parlance. Is he on the right side or the wrong side? Karna had so many good qualities but then he was avowedly on the wrong side, even when he came to know just before the battle, that actually you should be with the Pandavas, you should be the head of them. But was it a good quality? He said, "No, my friendship is already there with Duryodhana." So it's a good quality placed in the wrong person. So is it good or bad that he supported Duryodhana? All these intricate questions come up.
Is Dhrtarastra good or bad? He knows Krsna is the Supreme Lord, he accepts, he has great respect for Krsna, he doesn't have any bad feelings towards Krsna. But at the same time his full attachment is not for Krsna. He's more attached to Duryodhana which is his great misfortune because Duryodhana, the first part of his name is "dur" which means difficult or bad, which is good for a ksatriya, he's difficult to fight with. Sometimes he's called Suyodhana, which means he's a good fighter. But he's a difficult personality.
So by attachment to Duryodhana, Dhrtarastra, even though advised by Krsna, not only by Krsna, so many from the very beginning. Vidura's coming at the end of Dhrtarastra's life saying now "I gave you good advice all throughout your life, you avoided it, you didn't take it. You accepted it was right but due to "hrdaya daurbalyam" weakness of heart". . . he himself admitted "I know what you are saying is right, but due to weakness of heart, attachment, I know it's wrong but I cannot follow your advice." He got good advice from Vidura, all the greatest advisors in the universe, Vidura, one mahajana; Bhismadeva, another mahajana; constantly advising him. And he would agree, "Yes, yes, what you are saying is right, I will do as you say." And then Duryodhana would come with Sakuni and Karna and Duhsasana and all the gang and turn him around and he would do the wrong thing. Again and again knowing what was right, he did the wrong thing. But still his inclination was towards dharma, towards doing that which is correct. In his heart that inclination was there but due to bad association he did the wrong thing.
So by discussing all these activities, especially in Mahabharat–it's very complex and intricate–and life is like that, life is complex and intricate.
We find that even those who are dedicated to the right cause, their life becomes very complex and intricate just due to the nature of this material world. The Pandavas were dedicated to doing the right thing; even they wouldn't adopt foul means to achieve the right goal, unless Krsna told them to. Even at the time of the gambling match, they were, especially Bhima, immediately ready to crush the Kauravas. Bhima said "Just give me permission and I'll immediately smash this Duryodhana and turn him into powder right on the spot." But Yudhisthira restrained him, "No, no, we have to do what is right, we have given our word." Even though they were being cheated, but still we have given our word. They were fully dedicated to dharma, which is often translated as righteousness.
The ksatriyas were dedicated to dharma. They could remain ksatriyas as long as they were dedicated to dharma, to righteousness. When the ksatriyas simply became bhoga-vilasis, taking up their position just to exploit the citizens, then the ksatriya race came to an end all over the world. But as long as they acted, "naranam ca naradhipam", "We are here in our post by the grace of God and we shall execute it in His service." As long as they thought like that they remained strong. Because they knew that our strength.
… . .
Of course in Niti Sastra it also advises that the kings should keep spies and. . . raja-niti, it's not so straightforward like a brahmana, they have to adopt different means, politics. But the basic understanding is that we have to act not for our own self-aggrandizement, not for our own sense gratification, but we're here as servants, to serve the people and serve the Supreme Lord by helping them to execute their activities in the service of the Lord. Helping by force, if necessary. If you're not executing your duty, then the ksatriyas duty is to enforce: "Perform your duty."
So they understood that "dharmo raksati raksitah", those who protect dharma will be protected by dharma. They were very much aware of this principle and would hear constanty from the brahmanas. They had to hear from the brahmanas because life is so complex, in any situation what to do, because dharma gives, rules of sastra "You should do this, you should do that". Often rules of dharma conflict with each other and therefore they have to approach the brahmanas and the brahmanas will give direction: "In this situation, you should do this." They understand what is the ultimate principle so, in any situation if there are two conflicting dharmas, they can give what is the highest dharma, what should one actually do in this situation.
In Caitanya Mahaprabhu's lila we find Vallabha Bhatta, he was always trying to find some fault in Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His devotees. So he came one day to Caitanya Mahaprabhu and said that "Actually you are all chanting Hare Krsna, this is very wrong, you shouldn't do this. It's against dharma.
Because Krsna, He is the Supreme Lord, He's Purusa, and all the jivas are like prakrti so it's just like wife and husband. And the rule of dharma is that one should never say the husband's name. So you're doing very wrong, always chanting Hare Krsna."
So Caitanya Mahaprabhu said "That's true what you're saying, but there's a higher rule of dharma also, that the wife has to follow the order of the husband. . ." it's not very popular to say these things these days, but it is what's stated in sastra. . . "Krsna's own injunction in sastra is that we should always chant His name. We have to follow, this is dharma, we have to chant His name."
So always like this, there is some conflicting. . . the whole Mahabharat is full of conflicting dharma, what is the right thing to do in any circumstance. What is right and what is wrong. So this can be ultimately understood in terms of what is satisfying to Krsna, one of whose names is Dharma. He's Dharma-setu, He is the bridge of Dharma. He is the upholder of Dharma, and all these worldly dharmas are meant ultimately to help us live in this world so that we can come to the actual standard of dharma which is to satisfy Krsna.
dharmah svanusthitah pumsam visvaksena-kathasu yah notpadayed yadi ratim srama eva hi kevalam
One may be following dharma very nicely, but if one doesn't have a taste for hearing about Krsna, if one is not interested in serving Krsna, then at best his activities are a waste of time. Usually it's worse than that. Just like Jarasandha was strictly following all the rules of dharma, except one, which was he didn't like Krsna. Even he was serving Visnu in the form of salagrama-sila, but when Lord Visnu personally came in front of he thought "I don't like you." So he followed all the rules except the main rule.
The ksatriyas upheld dharma. Dhrtarastra was also from a great lineage, the same lineage as Pandu. But there was rift because of Dhrtarastra's improper partiality to his own sons. He knew what is right and what is wrong, he knew it wasn't right to be partial to his own sons, but he gave the excuse again and again when he was advised, especially by Vidura. . . Vidura was his great well-wisher because throughout his life Vidura spoke the truth to him.
Mostly people do not like to hear the truth, the bitter truth. In this material world the truth is bitter. Actually the truth is very sweet. The truth is Krsna, Krsna is very sweet, but the facts of this world are very bitter because we want to enjoy this material world and the fact is there is no enjoyment here, and as much as we try to enjoy, that much we have to suffer.
Generally people don't like to hear this. They like to hear the tidings of happiness in this material world. Vidura was a real sadhu because he advised his brother, his half-brother Dhrtarastra, in such a manner that he could actually be benefitted. He didn't advise him in a manner in which he could be superficially benefitted. That's why Duryodhana never liked Vidura. He was always very insulting to Vidura. He said "He's always acting against our interest. Why do you listen, Father, why do you listen to the advice of Vidura, he's on the side of the enemy." Actually Vidura wasn't on the side of the enemy because Vidura didn't see any enemies. He didn't even think of Duryodhana as an enemy. But he was dedicated to the welfare of all. He saw that the welfare of all lies in following dharma. And the Pandavas are the very embodiments of dharma, whereas Duryodhana is the embodiment of vidharma, anti-dharma, or adharma, non-dharma. Duryodhana is a manifestation of the personality of Kali. He's a pretty nasty kind of fellow.
Vidura wasn't against anyone, even Duryodhana, but Duryodhana saw it like that, because he saw "My self-interest is in dominating and enjoying the kingdom. Sakuni, Karna, these are my friends, they also don't like the Pandavas, they're with me, we're all allies." Even among the demons, there is friendship, self-serving friendship. Kamsa also did the same thing, he made friendship, allies. "We're all allied together and together we shall kill all the supporters of the demigods and enjoy the planet."
But of course if they had succeeded in their endeavour then they would have fought among themselves. Because a demon, he may make friends with others, but it's self-serving friendship, that we are good friends because we have a common enemy. And when there's no common enemy then we ourselves become enemies. Because a demon is never satisfied, he always wants to see I'm on top, "isvaro ham" I shall be the ruler, "aham bhogi" You don't enjoy, I shall enjoy. This is the attitude of the demons.
Duryodhana was thinking that Vidura is acting against our interest, he's an enemy, he's partial. Vidura wasn't partial. Superficially he was partial towards the Pandavas, but we can see from his instructions here that he is actually the true well-wisher of Dhrtarastra by giving him this advice. Now there's no Duryodhana to give bad advice. At this point Duryodhana has perished, struck by the club of Bhima. As Vidura was pointing out to Dhrtarastra "You're living in this palace at the mercy of Bhima, who has killed all your sons, except one. All of your sons by Gandhari are killed and you're living at his mercy. This is not proper, this is humiliating.
Dhrtarastra, throughout his life, was in a humiliating situation for a ksatriya. He was phsyically very strong, so strong that he wanted to crush Bhima who had the strength of hundreds of thousands of elephants. But Dhrtarastra, even in his old age, had the strength to crush him. Krsna saved Bhima, as usual. Very physically strong, mentally not strong, spiritually not strong, but ksatriya body.
But he's in a humiliating situation because he's blind. A blind person always has to be led here and there by the hand. He couldn't be the king.
The desire was there to be the king, but he couldn't so throughout his whole life he was in a humiliating situation. Noone exacerbated that, they didn't insulted him. Everyone gave him respect and called him King. But actually he couldn't be the king. It is the law of sastra a blind man cannot be the king, because how can he fight? He has to fight, he has to protect. How can he fight if he's blind?
Throughout life he was in a humiliating situation, but Vidura is pointing that "You are in a more humiliating situation. You are sitting here eating, just like a dog." He was so kind to Dhrtarastra that he called him like a dog. So this is not very complimentary. In any country of the world, if you someone calls you a dog, it's considered an insult. "Just like a dog you are eating the scraps of food left over by Bhimasena." He specifically mentions Bhimasena. "And even if you weren't, then just to remain at home all these days attached to home comforts, then you can't. . . anyway you're blind from birth, you can't digest properly, your teeth are falling out and you can't hear properly and you are still attached to home. This is pathetic. You come in a good dynasty, you're supposed to dedicate your life for the highest cause, but you are still trying to enjoy sense gratification. You couldn't properly enjoy sense gratification all your life. Now you have no strength.
You couldn't see properly at any time, you can't taste properly, you can't digest properly, you can't hear properly, what are you trying to enjoy? You are such a fool." He told him directly.
This time his words had effect. Throughout his life Dhrtarastra was hearing these words, with an intermission of 36 years while Vidura was out. And he came back and the same thing he said that he had been saying all his life.
"You're simply a fool, you're a krpana, you're a rascal. Why don't you accept what is the proper advice?" But he couldn't due to "karpanya-doso", due to being a miser. He had the karpanya-dosa, the fault of miserliness.
Miserliness means very narrow way of seeing, not seeing the broad picture, not seeing that I am eternal spirit soul, I'm meant for serving Krsna, I'm meant for acting in a manner that is beneficial to myself and others in terms of eternality. But due to miserliness, narrow vision, he could only think what is beneficial to me now in terms of this body.
But Vidura is pointing out. . . this body. Imagine. Poking him in his ribs.
"You're attached to this body, it's going to die soon. You are not going to be in that body. Why are you attached to that body, smelly body. Don't be a fool." He is telling him straightforwardly very mercifully. People don't like to hear. We should hear. It's going to drop down dead soon.
What was the cause of all of the battle, so much distress again and again?
Sanjaya also told Dhrtarastra every day of the battle. Sanjaya was narrating it to Dhrtarastra. Dhrtarasta was saying "Oh, now Bhisma has fallen, Drona has fallen, Karna has fallen, Salya has fallen", one after another and he would be lamenting "Oh, Abhimanyu has fallen, I'm so sorry to hear, this young boy." And again and again Sanjaya would say "That's your fault, why you are lamenting now? This is caused because you allowed this gambling match to take place, because you allowed your son to insult the Pandavas, to plot against them. It's all your fault, Don't be sorry now." Again and again and again, "It's your fault." Very harsh but true.
Dhrarastra, at the end of life, what did he have to do but lament, but still he's trying to enjoy. He himself was the cause of so much distress and still he's thinking "Anyway, what to do? I will sit here and eat something and listen to some music and live here." Still trying to enjoy, so much attached to enjoyment, trying to enjoy this material situation. Just see how strong is maya. There's nothing left for him to enjoy physically, socially, he's humiliated. Still he is thinking "Let me try to enjoy this world".
Prabhupada explained that everyone is so much attached to his material situation that if you take the worm out of stool, he won't think "Thank you very much." He'll think "Why are you doing? It's my stool, I live here. It is my home, it's my right. I can live here all my life, it's very nice stool, tastes very nice, the best stool. What are you doing?" Organise a protest immediately. He's attached. Everyone is attached. We are all attached to our own stool. We are all attached to our body, a bag of stool.
"Today is my birthday!" (laughter) I told to my Temple President when I was 20 years old. "Oh, How many years old is your bag of stool?" he said. Very kindly cut my illusion. But still we are attached to our bags of stool. Very nice bag. But even the bag, at age 20, it might look a little bit nice, but as it gets older it doesn't even look nice. But still we try, put some colour in the hair, or if there's no hair, go to some quack who will tell you that you can rub this oil on and get some new hair. And then put on lipstick and makeup and so many different things. Do yoga, stay young.
Vitaman E tablets. Stay young, enjoy.
It's all going to be finished soon. Dhrtarastra is being advised, we are all being advised. It's not going to last long. Whatever we think we have got is not going to last long, whatever we're attached to. Prabhupada writes that even a sannyasi can be attached to his waterpot. Material attachments, we can be attached to our dhotis, our underwear. That story is there, Ramanujacarya. All his big renounced sannyasis, and Ramanuja arranged for all their kaupinas to be stolen. They were all upset, "Who stole our kaupinas?" It's only a piece of cloth. They were all upset.
We all have our attachments. When are we going to give them up? We are all ageing Dhrtarastras. Dhrtarastra knew Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He knew what is right. But he had no strength to do. He was so weak he couldn't even think what is the right thing to do. He was just simply living in the palace and he didn't think that I should get out of here, this is the place of my attachment, I should go away, cut my attachments. He didn't even think till Vidura came. And Vidura knew that it's not just a matter of telling Dhrtarastra, "Well, why don't you just go to the forest?"
He had to cut, cut, his attachments with strong words.
kota nidra yao maya-pisacira kole
How long are we going to go on maintaining and nourishing our attachments, pouring water on the material attachments? We do it all the time, nourishing the plant of attachment that strangles the bhakti-lata, the creeper of devotion, that cannot grow properly if we have material attachments. We cannot be attached to Krsna if we are attached to "krsnetara", everything that's conceived of, of not having a relationship with Krsna. There's nothing but Krsna, but we think of something separate from Krsna. "I'll just have a little enjoyment on the side, we are thinking. But that little enjoyment, Prabhupada said, if we are attached to even eating one sweetball, then we have to come back to this material world to eat it.
How is it possible to get rid of all these attachments. . . ? For most people, it's advised that to give up our attachments we should also cultivate them. That sounds contradictory, but if one is prematurely trying to cut all attachments, then it may be that he will become more attached. If one prematurely tries to renounce everything, "Now I'll give up all my attachments," then usually what happens is they try for a short time and then again fall into more degradation. So generally it's advised that one should recognize the attachments and live with them in a manner that the attachments can gradually be cut.
That means to adopt grhastha-asrama in which recognizing attachments are there but at the same time cultivating detachment, especially this means following the rules and regulations of devotional life and especially hear from sadhus, whose only duty, as Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarsavati Thakur said, the only duty of sadhus is to cut the attachments by their sharp words, unpleasant words. Actually it should be pleasant, but because we are thinking this material world is pleasant, when we hear it's not pleasant, it seems unpleasant to us. It actually should be very pleasant to hear, but we are taking pleasure in that which is unpleasant, not having information of or attachment to that which is our self-interest. We are apasvartha-parayana, attached to that which is contradictory to our real self-interest. We should go on hearing, hear Bhagavatam. In Bhagavatam there are so many unpleasant informations. It should be pleasant, but if we consider, it's very unpleasant to hear:
ato grha-ksetra-sutapta-vittair
janasya moho 'yam aham mameti
We are tied up in this material world, the hard knot in the heart, hrdaya-granthi. Tied up by the concept of I me and mine considered in terms of home, family, wife, children, friends. Dhrtarastra is an example. So many examples. Prabhupada said there was only one Dhrtarastra, now in every home there are at least a few of them, so many Dhrtarastras in the sense of being materially attached, but they're not so fortunate as Dhrtarastra that they know who is Krsna. They didn't have association with Krsna, they're not interested in Krsna. They are not fortunate that they have Vidura to come and tell them why are you so attached, give it up, come to Krsna. So devotees' duty is to be Vidura, not Dhrtarastra. Duty of devotees is to take the role of Vidura. He's also grhastha, but he wasn't bewildered as a Dhrtarastra. The devotees have the duty to go door to door, house to house and tell people "Why are you so attached, get out of this home, surrender to Krsna." Not a very easy task. You might even get arrested for trying.
Of course, we can give these books door to door. Extraordinary books, not ordinary books. Prabhupada wanted that in these books the Sanskrit will be inside, devanagari script. Why? To show this is original sastra, it's not an ordinary book. We tell people this is a nice book and they'll open up the book and find I am Dhrtarastra, I'm attached to this material world.
Every devotee should follow in the footsteps of Vidura. . . time up, please finish. All right. Let us all finish our material attachments, it's easy to say. It's easy to sit here and say give up material attachments. But unless I say it how am I going to give up my own material attachments? So let us at least cultivate giving up material attachments. Cultivate means some practical activity has to be there, not, for instance in indulging in "apasvartha": watching TV, listening to karmi music, even dovetailing our Krsna consciousness with material things. There are so many things, that's another subject. Anyway, time is up. Time is up for Dhrtarastra, it's now or never. It's up for us to. We don't have much time. So Hare Krsna. (Haribols, applause).
I'm looking for YSHSD, asking him if I can take a question or two. He signed this YSHSD, means Hari Sauri Prabhu. Well, if he's gone then he can't tell me off for going overtime. So if there's any question I can take, if anyone wants. All right, can we get the mike to the lady in the back.
Mataji: Maharaja, I would like to express my feelings when I hear you talking that we are all attached to our bag of stool. I just feel like going to the Ganga and drowning, committing suicide. I'm sorry but I wanted to express this. Every morning when I take a shower and prepare myself to come here to the temple, I put tilaka on my body and what I'm thinking is I'm decorating my body because it is a temple. Because I heard, it is not my own concoction, I heard from my Guru Maharaja or Srila Prabhupada. So I just want to express that for me it's such a contradiction, my body. . . .
Maharaja: Your body is fully engaged in Krsna service, so it's fully spiritual. It's not a bag of stool. (cheers, applause) I'm speaking for my own self-purification. Sorry if I offended anyone. My body is simply full of stool. When I said we I should have said I. Sorry.
Mataji 2: Maharaja, what is the source of hrdaya-daurbalyam, and how to overcome it.
Maharaja: The source of hrdaya-daurbalyam–the source of everything inauspicious–is forgetfulness of Krsna. Actually we should have hrdaya-sabalyam, full of strength. So to overcome it, well, that Krsna tells in Bhagavad Gita that by getting knowledge we get strength:
jahi satrum maha-baho
We can get strength by understanding what is our actual situation. By knowledge we get strength. By sat-sanga, and by. . . . sat-sanga means the sadhus will give the knowledge what is correct and by their personal example you'll get the inspiration to overcome weakness of heart.
Hare Krsna. Srimad Bhagavatam ki jai! His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada ki jai! Hare Krsna.


text:
Q: Flexible resize for position: absolute and its left? HTML

                    Contact designer

JQuery
var _sidebar = $('.des-sidebar');
    var top = _sidebar.offset().top - parseFloat(_sidebar.css('marginTop').replace(/auto/,0));

    $(window).scroll(function(){
          var y = $(window).scrollTop();

           if(y >= top){
                _sidebar.addClass('fixed');
           }
           else{
                _sidebar.removeClass('fixed');
           }
    });

in the des-main area, the different images will be larger or smaller depending on the uploads. So the css for the des-sidebar-wrapper's left should follow according to the des-main width. Is there a way for changing the left accordingly? Left: auto will only move sidebar to the left side at 0. So if you change the image width to 200px, the sidebar will overlap with image.
Help appreciated!
Here is jsfiddle: http://jsfiddle.net/kittymeow/YyLMa/

A: This functionality handles based on your image width,
Try this,
JsFiddle
var _sidebar = $('img');
var position = _sidebar.width();
$( ".des-sidebar-wrapper" ).offset({ left: position+_sidebar.offset().left});

    $(window).scroll(function(){
          var y = $(window).scrollTop();

           if(y >= top){
                _sidebar.addClass('fixed');
           }
           else{
                _sidebar.removeClass('fixed');
           }
    });


text:
require 'rails_helper'

RSpec.describe 'Comments API', type: :request do
  # Initialize the test data
  let!(:customer) { create(:customer) }
  let!(:ticket) { create(:ticket, user: customer) }
  let!(:comments) { create_list(:comment, 20, ticket: ticket, user: customer) }
  let(:id) { comments.first.id }

  # Authenticate
  before { sign_in customer }

  # Test suite for GET /comments
  describe 'GET /comments' do
    before { get '/api/v1/comments' }

    it 'returns all comments' do
      expect(json).not_to be_empty
      expect(json['comments'].size).to eq(20)
    end

    it 'returns status code 200' do
      expect(response).to have_http_status(200)
    end
  end

  # Test suite for GET /comments/:id
  describe 'GET /comments/:id' do
    before { get "/api/v1/comments/#{id}" }

    context 'when comment exists' do
      it 'returns status code 200' do
        expect(response).to have_http_status(200)
      end

      it 'returns the comment' do
        expect(json['comment']['id']).to eq(id)
      end
    end

    context 'when comment does not exist' do
      let(:id) { 0 }

      it 'returns status code 404' do
        expect(response).to have_http_status(404)
      end

      it 'returns a not found message' do
        expect(response.body).to match(/Couldn't find Comment/)
      end
    end
  end

  # Test suite for POST /comments
  describe 'POST /comments' do
    let(:valid_attributes) do
      { comment: { content: 'Visit Narnia', ticket_id: ticket.id } }
    end

    context 'when request attributes are valid' do
      before do
        post '/api/v1/comments', params: valid_attributes
      end

      it 'returns status code 201' do
        expect(response).to have_http_status(201)
      end
    end

    context 'when an invalid request' do
      before { post '/api/v1/comments', params: { comment: { content: '' } } }

      it 'returns status code 422' do
        expect(response).to have_http_status(422)
      end

      it 'returns a failure message' do
        expect(json['errors']['content'].first).to match(/can't be blank/)
      end
    end
  end

  # Test suite for PUT /comments/:id
  describe 'PUT /comments/:id' do
    let(:valid_attributes) do
      { comment: { content: 'Mozart', ticket_id: ticket.id } }
    end

    before do
      put "/api/v1/comments/#{id}",
          params: valid_attributes
    end

    context 'when comment exists' do
      it 'returns status code 200' do
        expect(response).to have_http_status(200)
      end

      it 'updates the comment' do
        expect(json['comment']['content']).to match(/Mozart/)
      end
    end

    context 'when the comment does not exist' do
      let(:id) { 0 }

      it 'returns status code 404' do
        expect(response).to have_http_status(404)
      end

      it 'returns a not found message' do
        expect(response.body).to match(/Couldn't find Comment/)
      end
    end
  end

  # Test suite for DELETE /comments/:id
  describe 'DELETE /comments/:id' do
    before { delete "/api/v1/comments/#{id}" }

    it 'returns status code 204' do
      expect(response).to have_http_status(204)
    end
  end
end