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Victoria Falls is the largest waterfall around making it one of the world's "Seven Natural Wonders"! Victoria Falls is one of the highest, widest and most powerful waterfall, especially in the winter months when the river is full! In the 1800's Victoria Falls was described by the nearby Kololo as 'Mosi-oa-Tunya'which means "the Smoke that Thunders"- illustrating the powerful forces of Victoria Falls!
David Livingstone is believed to be the first explorer to have discovered Victoria Falls; in 1860 he spread the word about his travels to Victoria Falls. With so much enthusiasm and passion about Victoria Falls the area became a popular tourist attraction (especially on the Zimbabwean side). Today, Victoria Falls is a still a popular holiday destination for honeymooners, families and couples…
Victoria Falls has been called "the greatest known curtain of falling water" - and it is a truly spectacular site to see. Victoria Falls borders on Zambia and Zimbabwe, and can be viewed from vast distances from both sides. Columns of spray can be felt from miles away as 546 million cubic meters of water per minute plummet over the edge (at the height of the flood season) over a width of nearly 2 km (1708 m) into a deep gorge - over 100 meters below. The spray flowing above the falls at Victoria Falls can sometimes be seen over 5 km away!
Victoria Falls thunders over the wide basalt cliff, and transform the Zambezi River from a wide placid river to a ferocious torrent cutting through a series of dramatic gorges. Another sheer wall of basalt faces Victoria Falls, and rises to the same height. This creates a virtual 'rain forest' as the mist gathers to drench the surrounding trees and vegetation. On the Zimbabwe side of Victoria Falls lies a protected National Park that is home to the lushest vegetation as well as numerous safari animals, such as: elephants, buffalos, giraffes, zebras and antelope as well as many crocodiles and hippos living in the upstream areas of the Zambezi River. This Zimbabwean National Park is located 23.4 km in the north western part of Zimbabwe and covers a large part of the Zambezi River. This part of Victoria Falls is found in the Zambezi National Park and is characterised by a flourishing rainforest with palms, liana vines and magnificent trees.
Along the edge of the Victoria Falls forest is a path, which provides an inspiring vantage point, for those who brave the tremendous spray. Another impressive view is from across the Knife Edge Bridge, where visitors can see the main part of Victoria Falls, as well as the Eastern Cataract and the Boiling Pot - where the Zambezi River turns and heads down the Batoka Gorge. Other vantage points include the Falls Bridge and the Lookout Tree, both of which provide amazing panoramic scenes across Victoria Falls. Most travellers, after viewing Victoria Falls from both sides, love the Zimbabwean side of Victoria Falls more – they all say the views are more spectacular and the forest is more vibrant!
Of the many things to see and do in this beautiful area, we recommend the following activities: white water rafting, bungee jumping, canoeing, abseiling, river boarding, horseback riding, tandem kayaking, micro lighting, jet boating, river safaris and elephant back rides. There are many hikes and casual walks around Victoria Falls, where visitors can appreciate the scenery and culture of this beautiful region.
The Victoria Falls Museum, and the Mosi O Tunya National Park are worth seeing - who can forget the local craft markets - where the curios are locally made and crafted with meticulous artistry. Victoria Falls has the most beautiful weather all year round, with most days containing 8 hours of sunshine! During summer (November to March) the weather can become unpredictable; the rainy months bring the most water to the falls making Victoria Falls even more magnificent. Victoria Falls has the least amount of water flow in November and the most around July and the weather is the best over the early months in the year!
Victoria Falls-gorge
David Livingstone-statue
Victoria Falls- aerial view
The Zambezi River
Elephant back ride
Canoeing Safari
High wire activities
Victoria Falls, 1000 Years Old Baobab Tree
Victoria Falls, Elephant Back Safari
Victoria Falls, Canoeing
Victoria Falls, Zambezi River
Victoria Falls, Microlight over the Falls
Victoria Falls, Gorge
Victoria Falls, Falls Tour
Victoria Falls, Rainforest
Victoria Falls, Bridge
Victoria Falls, Tourists
Victoria Falls, Gorge Swing
Victoria Falls, Main Falls
The Victoria Falls, in Full Flood
Victoria Falls Tour
Luangwa National Park, Zambia
Lake Kariba And Matusadona National Park, Zimbabwe
Serra Cafema, Namibia, Namibia
Damaraland, Namibia, Namibia
North Island, Seychelles, Seychelles


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THE PARTHENON IN PRINT
The Parthenon
Weekend Watch
Conference USA Tournament
MU Report
Marshall welcomes prospective students for Green and White Day
Sarah Ingram, Reporter|April 16, 2018
Families from far and wide visited Marshall University to check out campus life and make decisions about where they want to attend college in the near future during Green and White Day Monday.
Green and White Day is all about learning about what Marshall has to offer, according to Ella Curry, the associate director of admissions for recruiting events and initiatives.
"Choosing a college or university is one of the most important decisions a person makes," Curry said. "Green and White Day is a great way for prospective students to learn about Marshall and begin to picture themselves as Marshall students."
Visiting families began the day by browsing some of the services provided by Marshall in the Memorial Student Center. The attendees then moved to the Joan C. Edwards Playhouse where they heard speeches from Matt Jarvis, SGA president, as well as Brandi Jacobs-Jones, the senior vice president of operations, and Cedric Gathings, the vice president of student affairs. The families also heard from speakers to gain information about admissions and financial aid.
After all the speeches, families were able to visit their prospective colleges to meet professors and current students.
Madison Hower, a senior in high school who plans to study computer information technology at Marshall next year, visited from Columbus, Ohio, to get a better view of what campus is really like.
"I really liked getting to talk to people in the science department," Hower said. "We got to talk to the professors for the program I'm interested in, and it was just really nice."
After the meet and greets, guests were given free range. The families had time to enjoy a meal from Harless Dining Hall or the Student Center and go on tours of the campus if they wanted, including visiting residence halls to get a glimpse of what it is like to live on campus.
Matthew Groves, a senior broadcasting major, helps with Green and White Day by doing campus tours and answering questions from visitors.
"I hope that they get the opportunity to see what a wonderful place Marshall really is," Groves said. "Marshall is definitely somewhere that I consider to be my home away from home, and I hope they get the opportunity to do the same."
Sarah Ingram can be contacted at [email protected]
Education strikes challenge political norms, emblematic of working-class consciousness
Hardin appears in court for probation revocation hearing
Marshall campus receiving major makeover over summer
Youth voter participation, political awareness on rise
Despite the traditional stereotype that young people are normally not interested or involved in politics, in recent years, young people across the cou...
Marshall Collegiate Recovery Community aims to educate, support students
Student's blog promotes having fun with fast-food
Dementia Friendly Huntington makes connection between dementia, businesses
'Marshall on the Rise' theme at State of the University in D.C.
Local creators pushing cinematic boundaries
Unprecedented 9/11, terrorism course challenges popular narratives
The student news site of Marshall University

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


This is a dance that... is an integral part of me.
I vaguely remember the first time. I don't remember the song, I just remember our surprise at what had happened. We were in our kitchen, which is comfortable for cooking but it's not a big space for dancing. We weren't wearing the right clothes, didn't have the right speakers, and our kids were around, but suddenly we just started dancing and the rest of the world disappeared, and it was just the two of us. Now we do this almost every day.
The songs we dance to change. When one of us is in the kitchen and a song comes on that clicks, we turn up the volume and the other person comes out from wherever they are in the house. It's like a signal: 'Stop what you're doing right now and come and dance with me'.
When I think about the dance and I'm not dancing it (now, here, or in the office etc.) I have a craving for it. And when I'm in it, I'm immersed, and I don't want it to end. When I dance it, physically I see Tilly, and non-physically I see love. For me, the dance doesn't have a smell. It's more of a touch sensation, it's the feeling of her skin. And I agree, we do kiss a lot, it's that taste.
I've always enjoyed dancing, I was never a wallflower, but if I have a regret looking back it's that I didn't dance more. When we dance together I'm thankful for that opportunity. I feel lucky that I found this, that we found this, when we did.


BREAKING: The country music world is devastated today. Troy Gentry, one-half of the famous country music duo Montgomery Gentry, was killed Friday in a helicopter crash in Medford, New Jersey. He was only 50 years old.
A second person was also reportedly killed in the crash. However, Eddie Montgomery was not on the helicopter when it crashed.
An upcoming Montgomery Gentry concert was cancelled in light of the tragic news.


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Asylum Reviews: Inside [Xbox One].
Playdead's Inside is an absolute masterpiece in gaming and I cannot fault it in any way. It's not often that a game truly grips me to the point that I want to keep playing it through to completion as soon as I possibly can.
We got Inside on Thursday, and by the Friday both of us had already 100% completed the story, as well as finding all of the secrets - therefore netting all of the achievements - and then found the alternate ending, too. Oh, and we then went on to watch a friend play it (so our cumulative third playthrough within 24 hours of getting the game), and have been watching people play it on YouTube, as well.
It's that good, honestly.
Now, I don't want to spoil anything, so I won't go into too much detail, but the game is fantastic. The visuals, whilst still mostly monochromatic, now have the odd pop of colour here and there, and the lighting is spectacular. Playdead really know what they're doing with their games: first Limbo and it's eerie atmosphere, with completely black and white, very simple visuals making some puzzles a struggle due to the limited scope of what is visible on screen, to Inside, where the visuals have been cranked up a gear, but still retains the ambience and further adding more threat to the game, making this one of the most panic-inducing games I've played in a while.
The familiar logic based puzzles make a return, with some seemingly impossible sections of the game actually very simple to execute, once you've wasted 20 minutes trying to work it out. From smashing your little submarine through doors, to using mind-control to open out of reach doors, the game really makes you think outside of the box at times, as well as sometimes confusing you, after you overthink a simple puzzle causing it to take much longer than it should have.
Everything you do in Inside has a worrying sense of foreboding, with a tiny little glimpse of relief dotted throughout. The creepy water girl is chasing you, and you get out of the water - phew - only for you to plunge back into the depths minutes later, and as the water encloses around your nameless character, the panic sets in again.
Oh no, I'm in the water again.
Despite these moments of terror, the game does a fantastic job of keeping you invested - and not wanting to turn it off in fear - and almost forcing you to continue playing. Why does the girl keep trying to kill me? Who is she? Where am I? What is going on here? All of these questions, and more, are swirling through your head while you play, and as with Limbo, most of these questions go unanswered come the end of the game.
Leaving these questions open to interpretation is part of what makes Playdead's games so good. The general consensus of Limbo's ending was that the boy was dead. This was not only referenced and evident throughout the game itself, but its title. The boy being in Limbo, before passing on to the afterlife, etc.
Inside really leaves you thinking at the end. Leaves you thinking a few things actually, namely: "What the actual fuck?" "Oh my God, that was amazing" and "So what did it all mean?".
Co-creator of the game, Arnt Jensen, tries to make the games impossible to decipher. He admitted that fans got scarily close to figuring out the whole story behind Limbo, which actually disappointed him a little - he'd wanted it to remain unknown, at least for a longer time.
With Inside, I believe he has remedied this, and achieved his goal. The underlying ideas are there, which you can pluck out: government, mind-control, biological experimentation, etc. but you can't really piece these things together, at least not in a way that makes you go "Ahhh, now I know exactly what it was all about!".
It's a clever ploy though, leaving everything up to the player's imagination, and it's something that I would say gives the game massive replayability, beyond the fact that the game is amazing in the first place. You play again, hoping to decipher more of the puzzle, and then again, and you watch other people play it. You recommend it to friends, and actively watch them play, seeing the cogs turn in their brain as they try to make sense of it all.
It's a fun, puzzling and enjoyable adventure from start to finish, and I genuinely cannot praise it enough. And for a game that I can safely say that I can't figure out, it's not a negative (like the damn dummy finger in the Resi 7 demo!), it's something that actually makes the game more interesting, and makes you more intent on finding out the truth.
All in all, we both agreed that this game is a straight 10/10 and we genuinely hope that Playdead keep making games like this for a long time, as they are that amazing.
What did you think of Inside?
Labels: Asylum Reviews
Asylum Reviews: Lego Star Wars - The Force Awakens...
Entries to the Asylum: Tuesday 28th June - Sunday ...
Asylum Reviews: Lost Sea [Xbox One].
Asylum Reviews: The Technomancer [Xbox One].
Microsoft E3 2016 Announcements


This blog is intended to assist someone who has been appointed as an executor of someone else's estate. For an overview of deceased estates, see our previous blog Deceased Estates – what do you need to do?
An executor is the person named in the deceased testator's Will as the person they want to be in charge of dealing with their estate after their death. Executors are responsible for ensuring the debts of the deceased have been paid and that any remaining assets are distributed in accordance with the deceased's wishes (i.e. as set out in their Will).
Executors owe fiduciary duties to administer the deceased's estate. This is taken very seriously by the courts, and executors have in the past been found personally liable to compensate beneficiaries where assets have been improperly distributed. It is therefore important that executors are properly informed and guided when acting on behalf of the estate. Most executors do this with the assistance of a specialised probate lawyer.
After the testator's death, the first step for executors is to locate a valid Will. This can be a difficult process if it has not been previously discussed with the testator. It is therefore important for you, or someone you know who is making a Will, to have a conversation with your executors about their appointment and where the Will is located.
Executors must also apply for a death certificate confirming the death of the testator. This is necessary when applying for a grant of probate, and is also required to be sighted by most organisations (such as banks and insurance providers). Obtaining a death certificate is therefore crucial to allow your executors to begin dealing with your estate. This is often done with the assistance of the funeral directors.
Your executors must next apply to the Victorian Supreme Court for the grant of probate. Probate verifies that a Will is valid and can be acted upon. Without probate, the executor does not have authority to administer the estate, meaning they cannot transfer any assets or cash out of the estate to beneficiaries. Executors make an application by fulfilling the process requirements, including advertising on the Supreme Court website and completing the application forms and procedures. This is usually done with the assistance of a probate lawyer.
Once probate has been granted, and the relevant administration timeframes adhered to, the estate can be distributed. Executors must collect and value all of the deceased's assets and address their liabilities, such as paying off outstanding debts and arranging tax returns. Executors must also obtain access to superannuation and bank accounts, and call in any insurances held by the deceased. This process applies to assets and liabilities both within and outside Victoria. After this process is completed, distributions can be made to beneficiaries in accordance with the instructions under the deceased's last Will.
Whether you are an executor of a will or are seeking help to plan your own estate, we can assist you to follow the required legal processes. Do not hesitate to contact us on 9890 3321 to arrange an appointment with one of our lawyers.


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Back to home > Formalities & procedures > Type of goods > Food & feed
Food contact material are materials and articles intended to come into contact, directly or indirectly, with foodstuffs.
Food contact materials include not only packaging and packing, but also containers and kitchen utensils (cutlery, dishes), machines and materials used in production, storage or transport, as well as bottle nipples and pacifiers for babies.
They may be manufactured from various materials such as plastics, ceramics, paper and cardboard as well as metals and alloys.
Obligations and controls
The constitution of food contact materials must follow specific rules to limit the transfer of substances originating from the materials to the food products in order to prevent contamination (principle of inertia) except for active materials. Food contact materials must also be manufactured in accordance with good manufacturing practices defined by regulation.
Food contact materials must not be hazardous to human health, modify the composition or the food products or lead to an alteration of their organoleptic characteristics, i.e. their taste, odor, appearance, color or food texture.
Food contact materials are also subject to a traceability and labeling obligation. On the other hand, the obligation of a declaration of compliance is limited to materials regulated by specific measures.
These specific measures have been set at the European level for the following materials:
materials and articles made of plastic
materials and articles made of recycled plastic
active and intelligent materials and articles
materials and articles made of ceramics
materials and articles made of regenerated cellulose file
limitation on the use of certain epoxy derivatives
limitation on N-nitrosamines and N-nitrosatable substances in elastomer or rubber
In addition to European laws, there are national laws of other Member States, political resolutions and declarations of the Council of Europe, as well as standards and guidelines.
Controls of food contact materials, based on risk analysis, are carried out in Luxembourg by the Food Safety Unit. These controls are carried out at Luxembourg manufacturers, distributors and users. At the same time, controls are also carried out at importation.
The importation of materials and articles in polyamide plastic and melamine material from China and Hong Kong is subject to reinforced control. Importers must provide notice of importation to the Food Safety Unit at least two business days before the expected date and time of arrival. At the time of importation, the following documents must be available:
the import declaration required by regulation
a laboratory report indicating the total of primary aromatic amides for the materials and articles in polyamide
a laboratory report indicating the formaldehyde content for materials and articles in melamine
The exportation of food contact materials may require beforehand a free sale certificate or at the time of export a health certificate if the destination country so requires.
An export health certificate, required by many third countries on importation, must include the national requirements of the destination country.
In some countries a free sale certificate, i.e. a document certifying that the products are sold or may be freely sold in Luxembourg, is sufficient.
The following procedure described on the Guichet.lu website is used to request a certificate:
request of a health or free sale certificate for the export of food of non-animal origin or food contact materials.
These materials are controlled by the Food Safety Unit.
Regulation EC/1935/2004 on materials and articles intended to come into contact with food
Regulation EC/2023/2006 on good manufacturing practice for materials and articles intended to come into contact with food
Regulation EU/10/2011 on plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with food
Regulation EU/284/2011 laying down specific conditions and detailed procedures for the import of polyamide and melamine plastic kitchenware originating in or consigned from the People's Republic of China and Hong Kong
Directive 93/11/EEC concerning the release of the N-nitrosamines and N- nitrosatable substances from elastomer or rubber teats and soothers
Food contact materials on the food safety portal [FR]
Food contact materials database on the website of the European Commission
Council of Europe's policy statements concerning materials and articles intended to come into contact with foodstuffs
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)
Food contact materials on the website of the European Commission
BfR recommendations on food contact material
The European Reference Laboratory for food contact materials


The 60s was a great decade for autombiles not only because I grew up during that era but because they were cool and practical. Automobiles of the 60s were made for cruisin'. You could pile in all your buddies and collect 50 cents from each of them and because gas at that time was around 30 cents a gallon, you could cruise half the night. You make a run to the hangout then to the pizza joint and down Main Street USA making your stops and verbal jibes at all the people you know. You peeled rubber to show off (except if you had a Corvair.) I had a buddy who had a Corvair and I can't remember if ever that car peeled rubber and it was a standard which should have made it easier. I characterized the Corvair as one of the worst cars of the 60s although it was very popular at the time. Remember the little Metropolitan car? Did anybody own one? (Don't remember it? I finally have a picture. Check it out near the bottom.) This 1961 Nash Metropolitan belongs to Steve and Cathy Robertson of Lebanon, Ohio They named the car "Metilda") Also you will notice that the most popular cars of the fifties were prevalent during the 60s and I have included a few of the most popular ones that were being driven during the 60s.
If anybody still has their old car from this era please email me webmaster@the60sofficialsite.com and I will include its picture on the site. Any memories of 60s cruising or a special car leave a comment in the Guestbook.
Do you remember the old Pontiac Service Sign?


Hong Kong Society of Cosmetic Chemists (HKSCC) is delighted to be the host of the 14th Asian Societies of Cosmetic Scientists (ASCS) Conference in June 2019 in Hong Kong. "Bridging the beauty intelligence of East and West", theme of the 14th ASCS Conference, highlight the ever greater flux of innovations born from cross disciplines and nations. As the first of its kind in Greater China, this conference promises to be a wonderful experience for all participants and stakeholders.


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Argentina Heritage Tours ... From Joy Katzen-Guthrie
Central and South America's Largest Jewish Community, as well as the second largest Jewish community in the Americas, Argentina's Jews number some 200,000. From the first secret Jews who escaped the Inquisitions of Portugal and Spain in the late 16th century, to greater numbers of Jewish immigrants who settled Argentina in the 19th and 20th centuries in order to build agricultural communities, settle the cities, or take refuge from Eastern European persecution and the Holocaust — both Ashkenazi and Sephardi Jews have maintained a colorful and diverse Jewish presence in Argentina.
WON'T YOU JOIN ME in visiting the vibrant Jewish Community of Argentina? We will experience the splendid Argentine culture and Jewish communities, synagogues, museums, folk arts & dance, spectacular landscape of the country north and south. I will personally escort your tour with stories of Argentine and South American Jewry, as we travel together to magnificent Buenos Aires, enjoy Shabbat with the Jewish agricultural settlements of Entre Rios Province, and view the breathtaking and astonishing Iguazu Falls from both Argentina and Brazil. Remain on a 5-day optional extension and you'll experience the Magnificent Andes Mountain Region of Salta, known as Argentina's Cradle of Folklore.
Our next tour will be scheduled shortly. Contact us to be notified of a future tour.
Click to View the December 2009 Issue of Joy's Net Gazette
Click to View Joy's October 2009 Heritage Tours E-Newsletter
Sinagoga de la Congregación Israelita Argentina, "Libertad Synagogue,"
Buenos Aires • Photo ©2007
Subject to Official License
Basavilbaso Synagogue, Entre Rios Province
Photo ©2009 All Rights Reserved • Used by Permission
Gran Templo Paso Synagogue, Buenos Aires
Photo ©2008, Subject to Official License
Templo de la Sociedad Unión Israelita Sefaradí Or Torah Synagogue
Photo ©2007 by w:es:Usuario:Barcex Subject to Official License
Click to access Joy's extensive collection of Jewish Argentina Resources
Click to read Joy's overview of Jewish Argentina History
While Buenos Aires is home to the largest single Jewish community in Argentina (some 90% of Argentina's Jews), Jewish agricultural settlements and farms still dot the countryside, notably in the provinces of Entre Rios and Santa Fe, as well as communities such as Rosario, Cordoba, Concordia, La Plata, and Mar del Plata. In fact, it was farmers who comprised most of the first Jewish settlers in 19th century Argentina. In a second wave over the century to follow, many would move to the cities to take positions as peddlers, merchants, and traders. A third wave has made a central contribution to Argentina's culture as professional musicians and composers, writers, performers, artists, and filmmakers, as well as businessmen and women. An estimated 70 congregations serve Buenos Aires. Orthodox congregations make up the largest number in the city, with conservative and progressive (reform) congregations increasing. The Jewish Theological Seminary branch in Buenos Aires, which opened in 1962, ordained its first woman rabbi 30 years later in 1992.
Argentina's Jewish community has seen a great many challenges in recent years, notably the terror incited by the military dictatorship of 1976 to 1983, the bombing of the Israeli Embassy and Jewish Community Center in the early nineties, as well as recent desecration of Jewish monuments. The economic decline of the late nineties to the present has been a great hardship to many. More than a third of the Jewish community has emigrated in recent years to Israel, the United States, and Europe. Nevertheless, a vibrant cultural and educational life remains in Argentina's Jewish community.
It is said that the proportion of Jewish organizations to Jewish inhabitants in Buenos Aires is greater than that of any other city on the planet. While approximately 70 Jewish learning institutions boasted an approximately 60% enrollment among Jews in the entire country until the late nineties, some 40 Jewish schools continue to serve today, with enrollment figures still high, even with economic conditions preventing many from private study. The community is assisted by aid from Jewish humanitarian organizations, missions, and programs worldwide in addition to the Delegacion de Asociaciones Israelitas Argentinas (DAIA), founded in 1939 to protect Jewish rights, and the AMIA, a central cultural organization providing health and human services to the Buenos Aires Jewish community. Hebrew, Ladino, Yiddish, and Spanish publications have served this community since the 19th century, with an astonishing number of successful Jewish Argentine writers.
AND KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR ...
CHINA ... I continue to assist in the planning of private or group tours to China and am happy to help you create an itinerary for yourself, your family, or your group to travel when it is perfect for you. I do not have any planned visits to China myself at this time, but hope to return to see much more of the country with a small group visiting the northern and southern Silk Roads. Please e-mail me at joyfulnoise@earthlink.net if you have an interest in this kind of visit to China or if I may assist you in creating a personalized tour.
I wish you many happy, healthy travels and a year of insight and beauty.
Joy Katzen-Guthrie is Owner/Operator, Creator, and Web Master of this site.
All site content except where noted otherwise ©1999-2016 Katzen and Guthrie Associates, Inc.
Contact Joy Katzen-Guthrie • Katzen and Guthrie Associates, Inc. • 727-785-4568 (Tampa Bay Area) • joyfulnoise@earthlink.net


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Q: What is the value of the string @""? I'm writing an iPhone application that uses a lot of editable text fields. I've been learning a lot about UITextFields and NSStrings by reading various references online, but there are some details that still elude me. When a user puts in an incorrect value for one of my text fields, I throw up an error message and put the text field back to the way it was before their input. For empty text fields, I've been doing this:
theTextField.text = @"";

Is this the best way to do this? I just came up with the idea myself, I don't know if there are any problems with it (other than the fact that it seems to work just fine so far).
Also, does @"" have the same value as a "nil" string? In other words, if I set a string to @"" and then call this:
if (myString) {...}

will the statement return true or false?
One last thing. When an NSString is initialized using this:
NSString *myString = [[NSString alloc] init];

what is that string's Length value?

A: The important thing to understand here is that an NSString with no characters in it, such as @"" or [[NSString alloc] init] is still a valid object. All the consequences that Nick has stated follow from that.
In Objective-C, any valid object will be "True" in a boolean context;* nil is the only false object value.
Since these strings are valid objects, they do have a length, but because they contain no characters, the length is 0.
There are no problems with assigning an empty string object @"" to another string pointer, such as the text of your text field. Since the string with no characters is still a valid NSString object, this is exactly the same as assigning a string which does happen to have characters.

*Unlike so-called "scripting" languages like Python or Perl, where an empty string or collection evaluates to boolean false.

A: Using
theTextField.text = @"";

is absolutely ok. There should be no problems at all.
if (@"")

will evaluate to true. @"" is not the same as nil.
The length of
NSString *myString = [[NSString alloc] init];

is 0.

A: This is not an answer to the question, but may be the answer to what you're trying to do.
If you're wondering whether you have to write if(str && str.length) to cover both nil and empty strings, you don't. You may use just if(str.length), since, in Objective-C, unknown messages to nil will return nil (so [a.b.c.d.e.f doStuff] will be nil if any of those values in the chain is nil). There is thus scarce need for specific nullity checks, unless what you want is precisely to determine nullity.

A: Check NSString's + string.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


The lifestyle of a digital nomad has become increasingly popular and appealing to people of all ages. If you're considering becoming a digital nomad, it's important to remember that it is not nearly as easy as many people make it seem. If you want to make remote work your full-time career, you need to be strategic about how you make it happen. With careful planning and hard work, you can position your skills in a way that allows you to become a digital nomad. Follow these tips in order to become a digital nomad.
Before you embark on your life as a digital nomad, you need to make sure your finances and focus are not being drained by unnecessary obligations at home. If you're renting a residence or have a mortgage to pay, consider getting rid of these expenses. Rent out your home and end your lease so you do not have to pay money on somewhere you aren't living. If you have monthly payments for a car, pay it off or sell it before you begin traveling (unless you're planning on driving everywhere you need to go). The less monthly concerns you have, the easier a digital nomadic life will be.
Before becoming a digital nomad, take the time to identify what experience and skills you can offer clients. Hone your skills and make a portfolio that you can use to show potential customers. You'll need to be able to clearly convey what you can offer and figure out the type of work you can do while traveling.
If you want to succeed as a digital nomad, start gathering clients and work before you begin your adventure. If you want to genuinely thrive, consider working on developing clients and work as a digital nomad while still working another job. That way, you can have a secure stream of income as soon as you begin traveling.
In order to continue succeeding as a digital nomad, you need to continue developing your existing skills and working on new ones. You'll keep your career interesting and your mind sharp.
To be a full-time digital nomad, you'll need to have a solid idea of how much income you earn each month and what type of lifestyle you'd like to have. Do you want to stay in one area the majority of the time and simply work from home? Do you want to travel for set months of the year or live in different exotic locations for extended periods of time? Make a plan for your lifestyle so you can determine what kind of and how much work you need to do.
When's the Best Time of Year to Book a Vacation?


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# couch-provider

Provide methods to interface with couchdb and your server application.

Upload documents, attachments, retrieve, modify and delete functions are provided.

**If you don't want to store attachments in the couchdb server you can provide a 'datapath' in the configuration.
The attachments will be store in that location on your server.**

This package is implemented using [bluebird](https://github.com/petkaantonov/bluebird) Promises

----
	npm install couch-provider
----

## Usage

### Standalone usage, codename is always optional, if not provided it will use the 'default' name in your configuration
----
	//Multiple db configuration, namespace is optional, you can add multiple namespaces by providing an array
	var couchdbconfig = {
		"default" : "db1",
		"db1" : {
			"hostname": "http://localhost:5984",
			"database": "users1",
			"datapath": "/some/path/in/server"
		},
		"db2" : {
			"hostname": "http://yourdomain.com",
			"database": "users2"
		}
	}

	//Single db configuration, namespace is optional
	//var couchdbconfig = {
	//	"hostname": "http://localhost:5984",
	//	"database": "users1"
	//}

	var couchProvider = require('couch-provider').couchProvider;
	couchProvider.setConfiguration(confexample);

	var url = couchProvider.getCouchDBServer(codename);

---

#### Create the DB
---

    return couchProvider.createDB("users1")
    .then(function(res){
        console.log(res);
    });

---

#### Upload a document
---

	var docs = [{
		"someinfo" : "someotherinfo"
	}];

	return couchProvider.uploadDocuments(docs, codename)
    .then(function(res){
        var docids = _.pluck(res, "id");//Underscore library https://underscorejs.org/
    });
---

#### Fetch documents
---

	return Promise.map(docids, function(docid){
        return couchProvider.getDocument(docid, codename);
    })
    .then(function(doc){
        console.log(doc);
    });
---

#### Add attachment
---
    var filename = path.join(__dirname, "README.md");
    var stream = fs.createReadStream(filename);

    return Promise.map(docids, function(docid){
        return couchProvider.getDocument(docid, codename)
        .then(function(doc){
            return couchProvider.addDocumentAttachment(doc, 'name/in/database.txt', stream, codename);
        });
    });
---

#### Get attachment
---

	return couchProvider.getDocument(docid, codename)
    .then(function(doc){
        return couchProvider.getDocumentAttachment(doc, 'name/in/database.txt', codename);
    })
    .then(function(res){
    	//res is a buffer with the file content
        console.log(res.toString());
    });

---

#### Get attachment stream
---

	return couchProvider.getDocument(docid, codename)
    .then(function(doc){
		var stream = couchProvider.getDocumentStreamAttachment(doc, 'name/in/database.txt', codename);

		//Do something with the stream, write, pipe somewhere, etc.
    });
---

#### Delete attachment
---
	return Promise.map(docids, function(docid){
        return couchProvider.getDocument(docid, codename)
        .then(function(doc){
            return couchProvider.deleteAttachment(doc, "testname/README.md", codename);
        })
        .then(function(res){
            console.log(res);
        });
    });
---

#### Delete document
---
    return Promise.map(docids, function(docid){
        return couchProvider.getDocument(docid, codename)
        .then(function(doc){
            return couchProvider.deleteDocument(doc, codename);
        })
        .then(function(res){
            console.log("Document deleted", res);
        });
    });
---

#### Get view from db
---
	couchProvider.getView('_design/user/_view/info')
	.then(function(data){
		console.log(data);//Array of documents
	});
---

###This package can be used as an Hapi plugin.

---
	/*
	*	To use as an Hapi plugin, the methods will be available to your server application as server.methods.yourserverapp.*
	*	@server Hapi server object
	*	@couchdbconfig  couchdb configuration object with multiple databases, optionally use only one database
	*   @namespace      Optional namespace. The methods will be added to the Hapi server. For this example,
	*					the methods will be made available as server.methods.yourserverapp.*
	*					By default the namespace is couchprovider
	*/
	var plugin = {};
    plugin.register = require('couch-provider');
    plugin.options = couchdbconfig;
----

#### How to use couch-provider if used as an Hapi plugin, add a namespace to the configuration

----
	//Multiple db configuration, namespace is optional, you can add multiple namespaces by providing an array
	var couchdbconfig = {
		"default" : "db1",
		"db1" : {
			"hostname": "http://localhost:5984",
			"database": "users1",
			"datapath": "/some/path/in/server"
		},
		"db2" : {
			"hostname": "http://yourdomain.com",
			"database": "users2"
		},
		"namespace": "yourserverapp"
	}

	var server = new Hapi.Server();

	var plugins = [];

    var plugin = {};
	plugin.register = require('couch-provider');
	plugin.options = couchdbconfig;
	plugins.push(plugin);

    server.register(plugins, function(err){
        if (err) {
            throw err; // something bad happened loading the plugin
        }
    });

    server.start(function () {
        console.log("The server has started");
    });
---

##### getCouchDBServer(codename)

Returns the uri of couchdb ex. 'http://localhost:5984/users1'

----
	//yourserverapp is the namespace in the configuration. The namespace is used to add methods to the server. Check Hapi doc for more //information on server methods https://hapijs.com/tutorials/server-methods

	var uri = server.methods.yourserverapp.getCouchDBServer(codename);

----

##### uploadDocuments(docs, codename)

Add a new document, the parameter docs can be either an array of json objects or a single object

----

	server.methods.yourserverapp.uploadDocuments(docs)
	.then(function(res){
		console.log(res); //result of the couchdb operation
	});

----

##### getDocument(id, codename)

Get a document from the db given an id

----

	server.methods.yourserverapp.getDocument(id)
	.then(function(res){
		console.log(res); //document
	});

----

##### deleteDocument(doc, codename)

Delete the document from couchdb, the object doc is needed since deletion requires the document id and the revision number.

----

	server.methods.yourserverapp.deleteDocument(doc)
	.then(function(res){
		console.log(res); //result of the operation
	});

----

##### deleteDocumentAttachment(doc, name, codename)

Delete the document attachment from couchdb or filesystem, the object doc is needed since deletion requires the document id and the revision number.

----

	server.methods.yourserverapp.deleteDocument(doc)
	.then(function(res){
		console.log(res); //result of the operation
	});

----

##### addDocumentAttachment(doc, name, stream, codename)

Add the attachment to the document or filesystem. The stream parameter must implement 'pipe' method. See 'stream' documentation in node.js[nodejs.org].
name is a string and it is the name of the attachment

----

	server.methods.yourserverapp.addDocumentAttachment(doc, name, stream)
	.then(function(res){
		console.log(res); //result of the operation
	});

----

##### getDocumentStreamAttachment(doc, name, codename)

Returns the stream of an attachment. Example of a request, reply in Hapi
----
	function getAttachment = function(request, reply){

		var docid = request.params.id;//If your Hapi handler method uses the doc id as parameter
		var attachmentname = request.params.name;//If the name of the attachment is passed as a parameter

		server.methods.yourserverapp.getDocument(docid)
		.then(function(doc){
			reply(server.methods.yourserverapp.getDocumentStreamAttachment(doc, attachmentname));
		})
		.catch(function(e){
			rep(Boom.wrap(e));
		});
	}
----

#####  getDocumentAttachment(doc, name, codename)

Get the attachment data

----
	server.methods.yourserverapp.getDocumentAttachment(doc, attachmentname)
	.then(function(data){
		console.log(data);//This is a buffer
	});
----

##### getView(view, codename)

The view parameter is the path to the couchdb view ex. '_design/user/_view/info'.

----
	server.methods.yourserverapp.getView('_design/user/_view/info')
	.then(function(data){
		console.log(data);
	});
----

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


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text:
COVID-19 case confirmed in pope's Vatican residence
FILE PHOTO: A priest is silhouetted along Via della Conciliazione street, near to the Vatican City, at the first weekly general audience led by Pope Francis, open to the public for first time since the global outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Rome, Italy, Sept. 2, 2020. REUTERS/Remo Casilli
A man living in the same Vatican residence as Pope Francis has tested positive for COVID-19 and gone into isolation, the Vatican said on Saturday.
The man, who was not identified and did not have symptoms of the illness, left the Santa Marta residence and went into isolation along with others with whom he had had direct contact, a statement said.
Someone else living in the residence – which has about 130 rooms and suites – tested positive for the coronavirus when the pandemic hit Italy in March.
Pope Francis, who had part of one lung removed during an illness when he was a young man in his native Argentina, is tested regularly for COVID-19.
He had a normal schedule on Saturday, receiving three people in separate private audiences and addressing a large group of Italian police.
The Vatican, a tiny city-state surrounded by Rome, has been only lightly affected by the coronavirus, with about two dozen confirmed cases in total.
Three Vatican residents who tested positive recently have recovered, Saturday's statement added.
Four members of the Swiss Guard, the elite and colourfully dressed corps that protects the pope, tested positive for COVID-19 last week.
People more important than the economy, pope says about COVID-19 crisis
Pope says coronavirus vaccine must be shared worldwide
Pope appears to give thumbs down to Trump's Mideast peace plan
Pope denounces 'rigidity' in faith as he warns of Christian decline


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It is vital that Fire, Safety and Security Systems are tested and examined to confirm they are working and therefore protecting people. Fire Alarms must be serviced regularly, as well as Call-Points, Emergency Lighting, Suppression and other Firefighting Equipment. If all of these are serviced regularly then your Fire Risk Assessment will be clear with no problems!
Our 'Facility Assist' service lets you pass the worry of remembering service dates, losing records and arranging services to us. We can record, monitor service dates and remind you of due dates approaching. We safely store copies of your records so if you ever lose them we can email you a copies, and lastly we can arrange the servicing for you – taking the pressure away from you!


text:
import numpy as np
import os, sys
import glob
import mbly_obj_pb2
import mbly_lane_pb2
# import mbly_ref_pb2
import cv2
from LidarTransforms import R_to_c_from_l

def T_from_mbly_to_lidar(pts, T, R):
    """ Transforms the mobileye output into the lidar's FoR.
        TODO: Add save these values to params
    """
    # R = np.eye(3)
    # pts[:, 0] += 0.762
    # pts[:, 1] += 0.0381
    # pts[:, 2] += -0.9252
    c_pts = pts.copy()
    c_pts[:, :3] += np.tile(T, (pts.shape[0], 1))
    pts_wrt_lidar = np.dot(R, c_pts[:,:3].T).T
    return pts_wrt_lidar

def projectPoints(mbly_data, args, T, R):
    """ Projects mobileye points into the camera's frame
        Args: mbly_data, the output from loadMblyWindow
              args, the output from parse_args
    """
    params = args['params']
    cam_num = args['cam_num']
    cam = params['cam'][cam_num]

    # Move points to the lidar FoR
    pts_wrt_lidar = T_from_mbly_to_lidar(mbly_data, T, R)

    # Move the points to the cam FoR
    pts_wrt_cam = pts_wrt_lidar +\
      cam['displacement_from_l_to_c_in_lidar_frame']
    pts_wrt_cam = np.dot(R_to_c_from_l(cam), pts_wrt_cam.transpose())

    # Project the points into the camera space
    (pix, J) = cv2.projectPoints(pts_wrt_cam.transpose(),
        np.array([0.0, 0.0, 0.0]), np.array([0.0, 0.0, 0.0]),
        cam['KK'], cam['distort'])
    pix = pix.transpose()
    pix = np.around(pix[:, 0, :])
    pix = pix.astype(np.int32)

    mbly_data_projected = np.hstack((mbly_data, pix.transpose()))
    return mbly_data_projected

class Pb_container(object):
    obj_dict = {'type': mbly_obj_pb2, 'message': 'Objects', 'elem':'object'}
    lane_dict = {'type': mbly_lane_pb2, 'message': 'Lanes', 'elem':'lane'}
    # ref_dict = {'type': mbly_ref_pb2, 'message': 'Ref_pts', 'elem':'ref_pt'}

    def get_pb_dict(self, proto_file_name):
        if '.objproto' in proto_file_name:
            return Pb_container.obj_dict
        elif '.lanesproto' in proto_file_name:
            return Pb_container.lane_dict
        # elif '.refproto' in proto_file_name:
        #     return Pb_container.ref_dict

    def __init__(self, proto_file_name):
        if proto_file_name is None:
            return

        self.proto_file_name = proto_file_name

        self.dict = self.get_pb_dict(proto_file_name)

        type = self.dict['type']
        elem = self.dict['elem']
        message = self.dict['message']

        # Create a generic pb_datum
        # If type = obj -> pb_datum = mbly_obj_pb2.Objects()
        pb_datum = getattr(type, message)()
        with open(self.proto_file_name) as f:
            pb_datum.ParseFromString(f.read())
        # Create a list of all items in the pb_datum
        # If type = obj -> datum = [x for x in pb_datum.Objects().object]
        datum = [x for x in getattr(pb_datum, elem)]

        self.times = set([o.timestamp for o in datum])
        # Times must be sorted for fast lookup
        self.times = np.array(sorted(self.times))

        # Create a mapping from time to objects
        self.datum = {}
        for o in datum:
            if o.timestamp not in self.datum:
                self.datum[o.timestamp] = [o]
            else:
                self.datum[o.timestamp].append(o)

class MblyLoader(object):
    def __init__(self, params):
        obj_proto = params['mbly_obj']
        lane_proto = params['mbly_lanes']
        # ref_proto = params['mbly_ref_pts']
        self.objs = Pb_container(obj_proto)
        self.lanes = Pb_container(lane_proto)
        # self.refs = Pb_container(ref_proto)

    def loadObj(self, microsec_since_epoch):
        return self.loadMblyWindow(microsec_since_epoch, pb_type='objs')

    def loadLane(self, microsec_since_epoch):
        return self.loadMblyWindow(microsec_since_epoch, pb_type='lanes')

    # def loadRef(self, microsec_since_epoch):
    #     return self.loadMblyWindow(microsec_since_epoch, pb_type='refs')

    def loadMblyWindow(self, microsec_since_epoch, pb_type):
        """
        Loads the output of the MobilEye sensor closest to
        microseconds_since_epoch
        pb_type must match an pb_container object belonging to self
        """
        container = getattr(self, pb_type)
        idx = np.searchsorted(container.times, microsec_since_epoch * 1000L,
                              side='right')
        objs = container.datum[container.times[idx]]
        return objs

if __name__ == "__main__":
    loader = MblyLoader(sys.argv[1], sys.argv[2], sys.argv[3])
    print loader.loadObj(loader.objs.times[100] / 1000L)[0]
    print loader.loadLane(loader.objs.times[100] / 1000L)[0]
    for t in loader.obj.times:
        print loader.loadObj(t / 1000L)[0]


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text:
from flask.ext.wtf import Form
from wtforms import StringField, TextAreaField, BooleanField, SelectField,\
    SubmitField
from wtforms.ext.sqlalchemy.fields import QuerySelectField
from wtforms.validators import Required, Length, Email, Regexp
from wtforms import ValidationError
from ..models import Inventory, Post, Project, Task, Result
import os
from .ansible_utils import project_path

class InventoryForm(Form):
    name = StringField('Inventory Name', validators=[Length(0, 64)])
    description = StringField('Description', validators=[Length(0, 64)])
    tags = StringField('Tags', validators=[Length(0, 64)])
    file = StringField('Inventory File', validators=[Length(0, 64)])
    variables = TextAreaField('Variables')
    submit = SubmitField('Submit')
    reset = SubmitField('Reset')

class ProjectForm(Form):
    files=project_path('project')
    name = StringField('Project Name', validators=[Length(0, 64)])
    description = StringField('Description', validators=[Length(0, 64)])
    tags = StringField('Tags', validators=[Length(0, 64)])
    projectdir = SelectField('Projects', choices=[(file,file) for file in files])
    submit = SubmitField('Submit')
    reset = SubmitField('Reset')

class TaskForm(Form):
    inventories = Inventory.query.all()
    projects = Project.query.all()
    files=[]
    temp=os.listdir("/home/davis/Documents/Network-automation")
    for file in temp:
        if file.endswith(".yml"):
            files.append(file)
    name = StringField('Name', validators=[Length(0, 64)])
    description = StringField('Description', validators=[Length(0, 64)])
    tags = StringField('factfile', validators=[Length(0, 64)])
    playbook = SelectField('Playbook', choices=[(file,file) for file in files])
    project = QuerySelectField(get_label='name',query_factory=lambda : Project.query.all())
    # project = SelectField('Project', choices=[(pro.name,pro.name) for pro in projects])
    inventory = QuerySelectField(get_label='name',query_factory=lambda : Inventory.query.all())
    # inventory = SelectField('Inventory', choices=[(inv.name,inv.name) for inv in inventories])
    credential = QuerySelectField(get_label='name',query_factory=lambda : Inventory.query.all())
    credential = SelectField('Credentials', choices=[(inv.name,inv.name) for inv in inventories])
    submit = SubmitField('Submit')
    Run = SubmitField('Run')


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text:
Disney Epic Mickey
The ink crowd.
Review by	Dan Whitehead, Contributor
Reinvigorating the most widely recognised pop culture icon in the world is no mean feat. That Disney has chosen to reintroduce Mickey Mouse to the world through videogames rather than movies or TV should feel like a welcome validation of our beloved medium, but I can't shake the suspicion that it's also the safest route to take.
If it works, Disney looks innovative and forward thinking, and Mickey Mouse becomes a vibrant, active character again, not just a face on a t-shirt. But if it doesn't work, games are still distant enough from movies and TV that the result can be swept under the rug as a failed experiment. Certainly, Disney Epic Mickey has apparently benefited from the most laissez-faire use of the Mickey brand that Disney has endorsed.
It's curious, then, that so much of Epic Mickey feels overly familiar and not particularly memorable. This is a game that has arrived on the back a year of hype, promising the ultimate Disney game, the most important third-party Wii game, the most radical reinvention of Mickey that fans have ever seen.
Two vintage cartoons can be unlocked by collecting film reels.
As Flavor Flav so sagely advised us, don't believe the hype. What you actually get is the Mickey you expect in a 3D platformer that feels very much like it belongs in 1999. That's not really a criticism, since some of the best examples of the genre hail from that era, but it sits awkwardly with the bold claims of innovation made on the game's behalf.
At its best, Epic Mickey plays like a Disneyfied spin on Banjo Kazooie, offering multiple pathways through an interconnected world. At its lowest points, as you scramble around uninspiring environments hunting for items, you might as well be playing Gex: Enter the Gecko.
The story is that Mickey is lured into an alternate world where unloved and forgotten Disney characters and concepts reside. Oswald the Lucky Rabbit is the bitter ruler of this place, an early Walt creation who predates Mickey and was swiftly abandoned once the mouse began his inexorable ascent to celebrity.
Oswald has turned his world into a bitter reflection of Mickey's domain, with miserable echoes of Disneyland locations and animatronic copies of Mickey's pals. Forlorn sepia cows mope about, trying to make the best of their depressed landscape, now made even worse by the invasion of the Phantom Blot, a destructive inky force unleashed by Mickey's clumsiness.
Mickey's already had some good games. Time for someone to make an effort on behalf of the Looney Tunes, I reckon.
Control is much as you'd expect, given the genre. The nunchuk controls movement, the A button is for all your double-jumping needs, while a shake triggers a spin attack. Pointing the remote allows you to use the triggers on both controllers to direct a stream of either paint or thinner into the game world.
It's this mechanism that drives most of the environmental puzzles, as you're able to erase objects from existence or paint them back again. When the game bothers to play around with this concept, the results are memorable and clever. Wiping away the floor so that an obstacle drops into the abyss, before painting it back to cross safely, is one example of the options the paint and thinner system opens up. It's a shame that such moments are relatively rare though. For the most part, you're painting in obvious platforms to reach the next area, or simply filling in blanks in the game world because you can.
At all times, your decorating efforts are hampered by a fairly wretched camera – another throwback to the late-nineties genre staples, though this time not quite as welcome. Mickey has an irritating habit of squirting his magic goo all over his shoes, rather than the ground in front of him where you're aiming, and there's a lot of carefully inching towards deadly drops until the game relents and agrees that, yes, Mickey can now see what's in front of him and fill that ghostly platform.
The camera also blights the more perilous platforming sections, struggling to keep pace as you climb and drop, and it's an absolute pain during combat. Enemies can be destroyed or befriended, depending on whether you use thinner or paint on them, but that's only if you can keep them in view. There's a clunky lock-on system, but the camera still leaves you exposed in close quarters. Mickey often vanishes from the screen completely, or you're left staring at a corner, hoping you're not about to fall into a hole and die.
Buy Disney Epic Mickey from Amazon [?]
Read the Eurogamer.net reviews policy
More about Disney Epic Mickey
Disney Epic Mickey Review
Dan Whitehead
Dan has been writing for Eurogamer since 2006 and specialises in RPGs, shooters and games for children. His bestest game ever is Julian Gollop's Chaos.


text:
HUMANITIES: This passage is adapted from the article "Finding Philosophy" by Colin McGinn (©2003 by Prospect). Descartes (line 63) refers to René Descartes (1596–1650), a French mathematician, philosopher, and scientist.
I have been an academic philosopher for the past 30 years. I came from an academically disinclined background in the northeast of England, my relatives being mainly coalminers and other manual workers. I was the first in my family to attend university, and indeed had no thought of it until age 17, when a teacher mentioned it at school. My father had become a successful builder, so we were not materially deprived, and it was expected that I would become some sort of technical worker. The idea that I might one day become a professional philosopher was inconceivable in those days, to me and everyone else. I was simply not living in a place where that kind of thing ever happened; it was far likelier—though still not at all likely—that I would become a pop star (I played drums in a rock band).
(4) The paperback British edition of my memoir The Making of a Philosopher has a photograph on the cover of a man sitting on a bench, placed in a grey and listless landscape. He is overlooking the sea on a misty grim day, and the atmosphere is bleak and melancholy. The man, hunched up, immobile, coiled almost, has a pensive posture, as if frozen in thought. This picture is based on a story I tell in the book about sitting on a bench in Blackpool, aged 18, pondering the metaphysical question of how objects relate to their properties. Is an object just the sum total of its properties, a mere coalescence of general features, or does it somehow lie behind its properties, supporting them, a solid peg on which they happen to hang? When I look at an object do I really see the object itself, or just the appearance its properties offer to me? I remember the feeling of fixation that came over me when I thought about these questions—a kind of floating fascination, a still perplexity.
(1) When I look back on this period in my late teens, I recall the harnessing of undirected mental energy by intellectual pursuits. Up until then, my mental energy had gone into things like reading Melody Maker, which contained fairly serious articles about pop musicians; I always knew the top 20 off by heart, and studied the articles about drummers intensely, hoping to improve my own technique. I suspect that this kind of swashing mental energy is fairly typical of boys that age. School doesn't seem to connect with it, and it goes off in search of some object of interest, often trivial, sometimes destructive. In my case, it was philosophy that seized that energy and converted it into a passion—though one that took several years to form fully. It is a delicate and fastidious energy that I am speaking of, despite its power, and it will only be satisfied by certain employments, which of course vary from person to person. I had had a similar passion for chemistry when I was ten, and for butterflies and lizards before that. (2) How to harness such passions to formal education remains a great and unresolved problem.
It was—of course—a teacher who tapped into my formless and fizzing mental energy. Mr Marsh, teacher of divinity, brimmingly Christian, a man with very active eyebrows and sharp enunciation, in love with scholarship (oh, how he relished that word)—it was he who first brought out my inner philosopher. From him I heard of Descartes, locked up in his room, wondering whether anything could really be known beyond his own existence. But what I mainly got from the enthusiastic Mr Marsh was the desire to study. His own passion for study shone through, and he managed to make it seem, if not glamorous, then at least exhilarating—when done the right way and in the right spirit. Pencils and stationery were made to seem like shiny tools, and the pleasure of making one's mark on a blank sheet of paper hymned. Choosing a good spot to study was emphasised. Above all, I learned a very valuable lesson, one that had hitherto escaped me: make notes. Thinking and writing should be indissoluble activities, the hand ministering to the thought, the thought shaped by the hand. Today, if I find myself without pen and paper and thoughts start to arrive, my fingers begin to twitch and I long for those implements of cogitation. (3 and 5) With such rudimentary tools you can perform the miracle of turning an invisible thought into a concrete mark, bringing the ethereal interior into the public external world, refining it into something precious and permanent. The physical pleasure of writing, which I find survives in the use of a computer, is something worth dwelling on in matters of education.
The passage is best described as being told from the point of view of a philosopher who is:
discussing metaphysical questions that have troubled philosophers since the time of Descartes.
presenting in chronological order the key events in his thirty-year professional career.
reflecting on his own early, developing interest in philosophy and in scholarship generally.
advising professional educators on how to get more students to study philosophy.
Based on the passage, which of the following was most likely the first to engage the author's passionate interest?
The main purpose of the last paragraph is to:
reveal the enduring impact of Mr. Marsh's lessons on the author.
acknowledge that the author came to doubt some of Mr. Marsh's teachings.
describe a typical class as taught by Mr. Marsh.
present a biographical sketch of Mr. Marsh.
The passage indicates that the man in the book-cover photograph represents:
Descartes, wondering what could be known.
Marsh, deep in scholarly thought.
the author at age seventeen, thinking about enrolling in college.
the author at age eighteen, contemplating a philosophical issue.
The author mentions Melody Maker, the top 20, and articles about musicians primarily to suggest that his:
early interest in music has remained with him to the present.
time spent playing music should instead have been spent reading.
fascination with pop music and musicians gave focus to his life for a time.
commitment to study enabled him to perfect his drumming technique.
In the third paragraph (BOLDED 1), the author most nearly characterizes the energy he refers to as:
potent yet difficult to channel in a constructive way.
powerful and typically leading to destructive results.
delicate and inevitably wasted in trivial undertakings.
gentle yet capable of uniting people who have different interests.
Viewed in the context of the passage, the statement BOLDED 2 is most likely intended to suggest that:
schools should require students to take philosophy courses.
students can become passionate when learning about science in school.
schools need to keep searching for ways to tap into students' deeply held interests.
students should resolve to take school courses that interest them.
The author calls pen and paper "rudimentary tools" (BOLDED 3) as part of his argument that:
the use of computers has made the use of pen and paper obsolete.
students should become skilled with pen and paper before moving on to better tools.
while writing with pen and paper can be pleasant, it can also be physically painful.
although seemingly simple, pen and paper allow people to perform great feats.
In the context of the passage, lines BOLDED 4 are best described as presenting images of:
gloom, tension, and fascination.
anger, bitterness, and betrayal.
stillness, peacefulness, and relaxation.
frustration, surprise, and satisfaction.
Which of the following does NOT reasonably describe the transition the author presents in lines BOLDED 5?
Precious to commonplace
Fleeting to permanent
Invisible to visible
Private to public
NATURAL SCIENCE: This passage is adapted from Consider the Eel by Richard Schweid (©2002 by Richard Schweid).
The known facts, as they are pretty much universally accepted among biologists and naturalists today, are that all the eels in all the rivers of eastern North America and the Caribbean countries, and all the eels in all the rivers of eastern and western Europe, are born in the same area of the Sargasso Sea, a huge area within the Atlantic Ocean, between Bermuda and the Azores, the surface of which is frequently covered with sargassum seaweed. In fact, the word "Sargasso" comes from the Portuguese sargaço, meaning seaweed. The sea is about 2,000 miles long and 1,000 miles wide, set off from the surrounding waters of the Atlantic by strong currents. It includes the area known in (2) popular legend as the Bermuda Triangle.
Eels hatch in the Sargasso as larvae and are carried by the ocean currents to either Europe or the United States, a journey that can cover thousands of miles and take years. Where they end up depends on which of two similar species they belong to. Those that are Anguilla anguilla invariably wind up in European rivers, and those that enter North American rivers always belong to the species Anguilla rostrata. The first person to find eel larvae in the Sargasso Sea was Danish researcher Johannes Schmidt, who published his findings in 1924, after spending 18 years hauling nets in search of eels.
The larvae of both species are shaped like small oval leaves and are called leptocephali. Each leptocephalus begins to assume the form of a tiny eel, called an elver or glass eel, when it gets close to the coasts of either Europe or the Americas. By the time it reaches brackish water, where fresh and salt water mix, it is thin and transparent, hardly bigger than a hair, with a pair of eyes like black dots at one end.
(1) From the estuaries and mouths of rivers, the tiny eels frequently continue upstream, particularly the females, who sometimes go great distances inland. American eels have been found as far up the Mississippi River system as the rivers of Iowa. They keep going upriver until something tells them they've reached home, and then they stop. Whatever it is that signals to eels that they are home is definitive—they settle in and live there for as long as 20 years, growing up to a yard long before beginning their journey back to the Sargasso Sea. Scientists determine an eel's age using a microscope to (3) read the growth rings of its otolith—a small, hard calcium deposit at the base of its skull.
In preparation for the return journey to the Sargasso, sexually mature female eels feed voraciously and change color from the muddy-yellow/green of adult eels, often called yellow eels, to a darker green on top and snow-white on their bellies. At this stage, they are called silver eels. They swim downriver in the fall, on the first leg of their journey to the Sargasso, and when they reach estuarine waters, they rest, completing their final transformation as silver eels. They will have eaten heavily and will be about 28 percent body fat. They will never eat again, and their digestive systems will atrophy. Their pupils will expand and turn blue. They will need a new kind of sight adapted to the depths of the sea, where there is little light. They will also have to go through a drastic adjustment, via osmosis, in their blood chemistry, to prepare for the tremendous change in water pressure, going from some 14 pounds of freshwater pressure per inch of their bodies to over a ton of ocean pressure per inch. Once they are back in the Sargasso Sea, the females produce eggs for the males to fertilize, and then the adults die.
At least that is what today's marine biologists and naturalists tell us, although adult eels have never been seen swimming, reproducing, or dying in the Sargasso. In fact, live adult eels have never been seen there at all. The only two adult eels ever reported in the Sargasso Sea were dead, found in the stomachs of other fish. The eel's migration back to its birthplace and what it actually does when it gets there are assumed to take place far below the water's surface and, as of the year 2001, were still completely unobserved. However, the eel larvae—the leptocephali that Schmidt found in the Sargasso—were so small that it was certain they had been born recently, and nearby. Such small larvae have never been seen elsewhere, and while eels have never been observed reproducing in the Sargasso, they have never been seen doing so anyplace else either. Scientists believe the larvae hatch out of eggs at a depth of 100–300 yards and rise slowly toward the light at the sea's surface.
One of the main ideas established by the passage is that:
researchers have nearly exhausted their resources after spending decades investigating the Sargasso Sea.
significant gaps still remain in researchers' understanding of the life cycle of eels.
eels live their entire lives in the Sargasso Sea, but no one has ever seen them there.
female eels turn into silver eels toward the end of their lives.
Learning about which of the following had the largest impact on scientists' current understanding of where eels breed?
The direction in which ocean currents carry eel larvae
The relationship of the yellow eel stage to the silver eel stage
Schmidt's discovery of eel larvae in the Sargasso Sea
The adult eels found in the stomachs of other fish
The main purpose of the fourth paragraph (BOLDED 1) is to describe the:
eels' transition from freshwater to the ocean.
method of determining the age of eels.
complexity of the Mississippi River system.
river stage of the eel life cycle.
The passage states that the Sargasso Sea is set off from the rest of the Atlantic Ocean by:
the Azores.
several Caribbean countries.
powerful winds.
strong currents.
The passage notes that the Sargasso Sea includes:
the eastern North American shore.
the Bermuda Triangle.
certain coastal estuaries.
the mouth of the Mississippi River.
As it is used in BOLDED 2, the word popular most nearly means:
well liked.
commonly known.
scientifically accepted.
most admired.
As it is used in BOLDED 3, the word read most nearly means to:
learn from print.
observe.
think about.
predict.
The passage indicates that female eels' pupils expand and turn blue because the eels:
must adapt to see in an environment with much less light than they are used to.
are about to undergo a change in their blood chemistry.
no longer need to be able to recognize food sources since they have stopped eating.
need to be able to recognize the male eels that will fertilize their eggs.
The passage most strongly emphasizes that the process of osmosis is necessary for the eels' transition from:
shallower to deeper water.
feeding to nonfeeding.
immature to mature form.
elver to yellow eel.
According to the passage, which of the following characteristics of the eel larvae found by Schmidt provided the best evidence that the larvae were hatched in the Sargasso Sea?
SOCIAL SCIENCE: This passage is adapted from Great Waters: An Atlantic Passage by Deborah Cramer (2001).
Questions: http://bit.ly/2kdHNmT
The Sargasso Sea is a part of the northern Atlantic Ocean.
As the Cramer idles through the Sargasso Sea, waiting for the wind to rise, the sea is flat and empty. Nothing demarcates or dives the smooth expanse of water dissolving into the horizon. This vast, unroughened surface, this breath of uniform sea, deceives. But for a few lonely oceanic islands, the unperturbed surface offers no hint of the grand and sweeping energies hidden below.
Only one thousand miles offshore, the Cramer has already sailed through some of Atlantic's deepest waters. Contrary to what one might guess, Atlantic's deepest waters, like those in other oceans, are along her edges. As we continue east, toward the middle of the sea, the bottom rises. The unmarked plains of the abyss, here flattened by layers of sediment, give way to rising foothills and then to mountains. The first maps of Atlantic seafloor noted, albeit crudely, this rise. Early efforts to plumb Atlantic's depths proved outrageously inaccurate: one naval officer paid out eight miles (thirteen kilometers) of hemp rope from a drifting ship and concluded the sea had no bottom. Eventually, sailors more or les successfully calculated depth by heaving overboard cannonballs tied to bailing twine. When they hit bottom, the sailors measured and snipped the twin and then moved on, leaving a trail of lead strong out across the seafloor. These crude soundings, forming the basis of the first map of Atlantic's basin, published in 1854, identified a prominent rise halfway between Europe and America.
For many years no one could explain why the basin of Atlantic, unlike a bowl, deepened at its edges and shoaled in its center. People assumed that this "Middle Ground" "Telegraphy Plateau," or "Dolphin Rise," as it was variously called, was an ancient and drowned land bridge, or a lost continent, but sailors repairing transatlantic telegraph cable unknowingly produced evidence to prove otherwise. Wrestling with the broken cable, they accidentally twisted off a piece of the "plateau" and dredged up a twenty-one-pound (ten-kilogram) chunk of dense black volcanic rock. It was some of the youngest, freshest rock on earth, and it was torn not from a piece of continent sunk beneath the waves, but from the very foundation of the sea.
Today, highly sophisticated sound waves bring the bring the hazy images of those early soundings into sharp focus, revealing that one of the largest and most salient geographic features on the planet lies on the floor of the ocean. Hidden beneath the waves is an immense submerged mountain range, the backbone of the sea. More extensive, rugged, and imposing than the Andes, Rockies, or Himalayas, it covers almost as much of earth's surface as the dry land of continents. Winding like the seam of a baseball, it circles the planet in a long, sinuous path, running the entire length of Atlantic, slashing the basin neatly in two. Its mountains are stark and black as the sea itself, lit only at their peaks by a thin, patchy covering of white, the skeletal remains of tiny microscopic animals that once lived at the surface. Peaks as high as Mount St. Helens sit in a watery world of blackness, more than a mile below the surface, beyond the reach of light, beyond the sight of sailors.
A great valley, eclipsing any comparable feature on dry land, runs through these mountains. Arizona's Grand Canyon, one of earth's most spectacular places extends for about 280 miles (450 kilometers). A lesser known canyon of similar depth but considerably greater length lies hidden in the mountains of the ridge. Although offset in many places by breaks in the mountains, the rift valley, as the canyon is called, extends the length of the Atlantic for 11,000 miles (17,700) kilometers). Here in this bleak and forbidding place, where the water is almost freezing, subterranean fires have lifted mounds of fresh lava onto the seafloor. Scientists visiting the rift valley for the first time named the volcanic hills in this otherworldly setting after distant, lifeless planets.
Yet, what had seemed so foreign to scientists is an integral part of earth's very being, for at the ridge our own planet gives birth. The floor of the rift valley is torn; from the gashes has sprung the seafloor underlying all of Atlantic. Here the youngest, newest pieces are made. Earth is still cooling form her tumultuous birth four and a half billion years ago. Heat, leaking from the molten core and from radioactive decay deep inside the planet, rises toward earth's surface, powering the volcanoes that deliver the ridge to the sea.
The author's attitude toward the main subject of the passage can best be described as:
awe and fascination.
disbelief and cynicism.
amusement and nostalgia.
boredom and indifference.
The passage makes clear that "Middle Ground," "Telegraph Plateau," and "Dolphin Rise" were names that people gave to what was actually:
an island in Atlantic.
a transatlantic cable.
and ancient and drowned land bridge.
the immense mountain range in Atlantic's basin.
In the first paragraph, the author describes the stillness of the Sargasso Sea as the Cramer passes through it primarily to emphasize that the stillness:
won't last long, for the sea will become rough when the wind rises.
makes it easy for a passenger on the Cramer to spot oceanic islands that break the water's surface.
is in dramatic contrast to the power of what exists on and under the seafloor far below.
makes it seem as if the Cramer's wake is diving the unbroken expanse of water into two.
The passage states that compared to Arizona's Grand Canyon, the canyon that lies within the mountains in Atlantic's basin is considerably:
deeper.
older.
wider.
longer.
The main purpose of the information in lines 71-76 (highlighted) is to:
describe in detail scientists' expectation for their first trip to the rift valley.
characterize the rift valley as an alien, seemingly barren place.
provide statistics about several geographic properties of the rift valley.
list the names that scientists gave to the volcanic hills in the rift valley.
One of the main purposes of the last paragraph is to state that the:
gashes in the rift valley continue to increase in width.
seafloor of Atlantic has cooled.
entire Atlantic seafloor has issued from the gashes in the rift valley.
volcanoes on Earth's dry land have created the newest, youngest pieces of Atlantic seafloor.
The author most strongly implies that people commonly assume the deepest waters of an ocean are:
about one thousand miles offshore.
at the middle of the ocean.
dotted with islands.
located in trenches.
As it is used in line 19, the phrase paid out most nearly means:
dispensed.
ascertained.
compensated.
According to the passage, the mountain range in Atlantic's basin covers nearly the same amount of Earth's surface as does:
Mount St. Helens.
the Himalayas.
the Pacific Ocean.
the dry land of continents.
According to the passage, the white cover on the peaks of the mounts in Atlantic's basin is:
skeletal remains of microscopic animals.
thin layers of sedimentary volcanic ash.
patches of ice.
salt deposits.


text:
Useful Jenkins
Karen Kozak - Violin, Viola, Vocals
Pat Forsyth - Guitar, Vocals
Nick Spielman - Electric Bass
Chuck Boeke - Mandolin, Vocals
Olivia Quintanilla - Cello
Useful Jenkins is a contemporary acoustic band with a bluegrass foundation. They use their grass-roots to readily tap into other genres such as folk, funk, rock, and hip hop. Their music generates emotion and sends a message to a wide range of listeners, giving them an eclectic group of followers from all walks of life. Useful Jenkins thrives on energy; they flourish in the moment and have an unmatched resonance with the crowd. The band is made up of an acoustic guitar, mandolin, violin, cello, and electric bass. 3-part vocal harmonies accompany the wall of stringed instruments, leaving listeners with a strong, clean, and unique sound.
Formed as a 5 piece band in 2007, Useful Jenkins remained under-the-radar during their first few years performing. Open mics and campfire jams were their source of inspiration, which allowed them to form a strong and intimate bond between band members and fans alike. As their message grew, so did the network of friends who supported their direction. In February of 2009, the band released their first full-length album "Fast Eddie" which was the catalyst for their initial and continued success in the Midwest Festival Scene. Their second album, "Festival Express," was released in September of 2012. It provided a more dynamic sound by capturing the raw bluegrass elements from the first album, and combining them with bowed string and brass instrumentation. In April of 2015 Useful Jenkins released their third full-length album, "Forward Motion," which was a statement of how the band continues to move and grow.
"Some nights at First Avenue simply stand out from the rest; yesterday's Useful Jenkins show certainly did... What really stood out for me was the overall vibe of the show. I have rarely seen fans showing such a wide range of styles, fashions and ages at one show clearly there to have a good time.."
- Markus Akre, twincitiesmedia.net
HIGLIGHTS
Main stage @ Yonder Mountain's Harvest Fest in Ozark, AR (2013)
Sold out show @ The Cabooze in Minneapolis, MN with Wookiefoot (2013)
750+ tickets headlining The Cabooze (2014)
1250+ tickets co-headlining First Avenue Main Room with Horseshoes and Hand Grenades, double album release party (2015)
Multiple headlining performances with Allie Kral of YMSB (2014 - 2016)
3 full-length albums spanning almost a decade of live performances (2009, 2012, 2015)
Staple at Harmony Park Music Garden in Geneva, MN. Average crowd attendance between 1,500 and 2,000 during Revival and Shangri-La performances (2012 - 2016)
HARMONY PARK PHOTO HIGHLIGHTS
Shangri-La 2013
Forward Motion, April 2015
"Forward Motion" is exactly that… a statement of movement and growth. Like everything in transformation, Useful Jenkins continued to modify their sound by changing the fifth member from cello to violin. Vocal harmonies drastically improved, while the long, warm bow tones shifted to brighter, more playful phrasing. The introduction of counter melodies challenged the bands musicality and resulted in more intricate song structure. The overall production quality on "Forward Motion" is also, without question, the highest in comparison to the previous two albums.
Today Useful Jenkins is a traveling six piece. In July, 2015 the band reincorporated the cello but kept it in addition to the violin. The long, warm tones of the cello are able to coexist with the melodic counter tones of the violin, blending the strongest attributes displayed on both "Festival Express" and "Forward Motion." Once they discovered how complimentary the guitar-cello and mandolin-violin relationships were, they used it to their advantage and haven't looked back since. Useful Jenkins is currently working on their fourth full length album.
Festival Express, September 2012
"Festival Express" marks the recorded introduction of bowed instruments to Useful Jenkins. At this time the fifth member was a cellist, and a small brass section was added to accentuate certain tracks. These additions allowed the band to grow dynamically and hone their sound. Many of the songs on "Festival Express" have become staples for the band and strike home for listeners. There was a sense of discovery in the air, and it shines through in the album.
Fast Eddie, February 2009
"Fast Eddie" is a perfect glimpse into the roots of Useful Jenkins. There's a heavy bluegrass influence that's a bit rough around the edges. While the instrumentation has changed a bit since 2009, the songs are catchy and the message is strong. "Fast Eddie" acted as the catalyst needed to push the band into the midwest festival scene, where they continue to flourish today.
HIGH RES POSTER ADMAT
J. Wayne
jwbookingandmanagement@gmail.com
Benjamin Karon - 10th Man Management
ben@10thmanco.com


Based on the adage of "The greater the challenge, the greater the reward", the Hood Mountain Vertical Challenge is one tough trail run. Kicking off Scena Performance's 2016 Vertical Challenge Series, this course will push you a calf-busting 3,000 ft. through Hood Mountain Regional Park as you charge directly to the top of Hood Mountain. The first 4.5 miles of this 9 mile course cover a steep and technical grade, testing your limits before a rollicking ride back down.


text:
Will Smith Admits to Once Contemplating Killing His Father to Avenge Mom
By @tinocochinoradio, @theeserinaperez Nov 4, 2021
Will Smith is dropping his memoir on November 9th and he's really opening up about his relationship with his dad. The memoir will even share he once contemplated killing his father to avenge his mother.
Smith goes into detail very early on the complicated relationship with his father saying "My father was violent, but he was also at every game, play and recital. He was an alcoholic, but he was sober at every premiere of every one of my movies. He listened to every record. He visited every studio. The same intense perfectionism that terrorized his family put food on the table every night of my life."
The book continues to explain how Smith saw his father once punch his mother so hard she spit out blood, and because he didn't stand up to his dad then, Smith told himself oneway he was avenge his mother and not be a coward.
Years later when Smith was taking care of his dad, who at the time was fighting cancer he had a brief moment at the top of the stairs where he found himself thinking, "I could shove him down, and easily get away with it. As the decades of pain, anger and resentment coursed then receded, I shook my head and proceeded to wheel Daddio to the bathroom."
The book sounds like Will is getting really vulnerable with us.


text:
Home Sports If the Braves want to win it all, they'll need Austin Riley's...
If the Braves want to win it all, they'll need Austin Riley's thunderous bat and cannon arm locked and loaded
The young Braves slugger speaks on the team's new look on the mound, the late Hank Aaron's legacy, and his fresh approach to hunting down opposing pitchers' fastballs.
Austin Riley is always on the go. Show the gifted Atlanta Braves third baseman/outfielder an open four-hour window on the schedule and he'll find a golf course or some dense woods for a bit of hunting. In fact, when we caught up with the 23-year-old star in the making for this interview, he was on the road, driving home from a Texas trip.
But the dawn of a new Major League Baseball season is upon us. No time for tracking turkeys right now. "I was in Dallas," says Riley, with just a touch of Mississippi twang. "My hitting guy is there. Came down and saw him for a couple of days before I head to Florida [for spring training]."
The Los Angeles Dodgers, an apex predator on the MLB food chain, eliminated Atlanta on their way to a World Series title a season ago. L.A.'s only gotten better. Riley's National League East-winning Braves must do the same to keep pace. Below, the young slugger speaks on the team's new look on the mound, the late Hank Aaron's legacy, and his fresh approach to hunting down opposing pitchers' fastballs.
You all were so close to the promised land last year. How does it feel to finally get back out there and give it another shot?
It's exciting. For me, I've got more of a sense of urgency, getting my prep work done. Like you said, the way it ended last year kind of leaves a sour taste in your mouth. I'm excited for spring. Looks like we're going to have a full season—hopefully. I'm pumped. A lot of guys have a sense of urgency and are ready to get to work and handle some business.
What kind of mental and physical toll has the past year taken on you?
I think the biggest thing of going into an unknown season like last year, you just try to [see] it like it is a 162 [-game season] because that's all you know. That's kind of the way we took it. Not having fans wasn't ideal. I'm hopeful that we'll have fans this year. They kinda spark that adrenaline rush and keep you in the game, especially as you get deep into the season. I think the biggest thing going forward is to just prepare for 162. I think that's all you can do, and I think that's all we know how to do.
Unfortunately, the early 2021 news hasn't been great surrounding the Braves, with so many franchise legends passing away. Did you have a relationship with Phil Niekro, Don Sutton, or Hank Aaron?
Yeah, I met them all. It's a terrible thing. You hate to see that many [former players] go. I got a signed ball from Phil Niekro, which was cool. Topps did a deal where me and Hank were on the same baseball card. We both signed it. Just to be able to see your name next to a guy like Hank Aaron on a baseball card is something I'll be able to talk about for the rest of my life. The impact that he had, not only on the Braves but the world in general, is unreal. He's a guy that you try to model yourself after. Inside and out, I think he had a great heart. And obviously, what he did on the baseball field was unbelievable.
You play in the outfield and third base. If Braves manager Brian Snitker said that you could choose your position, which would you go with?
If he were to ask, I'd probably stick to my roots and go with third base, just because I've been there my whole career just about. That's my home position. I feel comfortable there. Working with [third base coach Ron] Washington is unbelievable. If you ask me, he's the best of the best. I just feel comfortable there. I'm not saying I don't feel comfortable in left field—I do. But [third] is all I've known my whole life, growing up and playing the infield.
Another Braves legend, Chipper Jones, is going to play a more integral role with the club this season as a hitting consultant. How do you envision him helping your game?
I've been thinking about how I'm going to approach this. For me, personally, I think I'm going to ask him more about the mental side of the game. The in-game planning. How do I attack certain pitchers? When he wasn't feeling good that day, what helped him through? That kind of aspect of the game is the thought process I have with him coming on board.
Where do you want to see your game improve?
Consistently, I want to be a tougher out at the plate. Putting up more consistent at-bats is what I'm shooting for. The same with my defense. Just being more consistent. I think that's the name of the game and I think that's an area I need to improve. On a daily basis, just be more consistent. [I want to be] more trustworthy of my manager and coaches for putting me in the lineup and they know I'm going to give them a professional at-bat.
The L.A. Dodgers and St. Louis Cardinals have only gotten better. Do you think the Braves are good enough to put up a fight in the National League?
Absolutely. I think adding the two arms (Charlie Morton, Drew Smyly) that we did are going to help us be even better. And, hopefully, we'll have [rehabbing pitcher] Mike Soroka back out there. I think our lineup is pretty stacked up and down to compete every day with the best of the best. I have no doubt in mind that we'll be able to compete.
What do you like most about Atlanta?
I don't make it up there anymore a whole lot, but I like Lake Lanier. I love that little area. You just get out on the water. I get out there whenever I get the chance. And obviously, the golf courses are not bad at all either, when we get some down time to get out there and swing it a little bit.
Do you play a lot of golf?
I play quite a bit of golf, when I can. And during the offseason, I hunt. I deer hunt and duck hunt. Those are my two go-to's whenever I'm not playing baseball.
Myrydd Wells
Minor Braves to Major miracles: The magic of following Minor League Baseball


1.5mm expandable gold tone fashion bangle bracelet with a peach tassel, ornate gold tone leaf charm and 10.5mm opal color crystal charm. The bangle diameter expands from 64mm to 79mm. Fashion jewelry contains base metal.


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Is that it? This series hit in 2007?
I don't know if this is all of them, but the first post has them as the rocknsock ones, I think.
Ah yes, the official AAA-line that basically bootlegged a "game" called Ultimate Clash (by Maple Toys). A game I own since 2002.
So it's basically a Fatal 4 Way version of Karate Fighters?


Hourly telephone consultation to discuss integration needs. This service is also used to review database requests.
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