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Meralco taps spot market for electricity requirement
The Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) has started sourcing from the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) the supply withheld by SMC Global Power Holdings Corp. (SMCGP) which was the subject of the recent 60-day Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) issued by the Court of Appeals (CA).
In a press briefing on Wednesday, Meralco officials said the utility firm has received the notice of cessation from the power generation arm of conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC), covering the 670megawatts (MW) power supply agreement (PSA) with South Premiere Power Corporation (SPPC), a unit of SMCGP.
Currently, the utility firm is sourcing the supply covered by the PSA from WESM.
"Based on the notice that SPPC sent Meralco yesterday they will stop accepting nominations from Meralco beginning midnight today. Beginning earlier this morning, Merlaco started sourcing from the spot market," said Meralco economics utility head Lawrence Fernandez.
He said the price of power purchased by Meralco from SPPC under the PSA stood at around P4.3per kwh and accounted for around 12 percent of Meralco supply for last month.
"For spot market price, we don't have prices yet today but based on IEMOP [Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines] reports from Monday and Tuesday, it ranges from P7 to 9 per kwh."
Meralco officials could not yet categorically say if power rates will go up soon as a result of its decision to source supply from WESM. However, WESM prices are now higher than the rates of SPPC.
"We might see prices remain where they were last two days, but again, we need to see what the supply situation will be for the next couple of weeks. At the same time, we need to anticipate what the other 90 percent of Meralco supply sources, how they will move, before we can say the overall gen cost will be for January," Fernandez said.
In the last two days, WESM prices reached P7 to P9 per kWh. Electricity spot market prices were affected by the yellow alert notice issued by the grid operator for the past few days.
"We still have around two weeks remaining for the supply month and we also don't know the trend of spot market prices will be for the coming days. The last two days–when WESM prices reached P7 to 9 per kwh– those were days when NGCP [National Grid Corporation of the Philippines] declared a yellow alert on the Luzon grid. Hopefully today, with the cancellation of yellow alert, prices will be lower," Fernandez said.
Based on Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) records of Meralco billings for November, the 670MW SPPC PSA accounted for 13.4 percent of Meralco supply and priced at P4.2455 per kWh while average WESM price for the same period stood at P8.47 per kWh.
Meralco, meanwhile, is negotiating with other generation companies to secure the 670 MW supply and shield its customers against volatile and potentially higher WESM prices.
"Our priority is to ensure continuity of stable, reliable, and adequate supply for all our customers. We are exhausting all efforts to mitigate any impact of these developments on our customers' electric bills," the company said.
Fernandez said Meralco is currently evaluating two offers from generators but could not yet finalize a deal. "We're evaluating two offers. One from GNPower and other one is from Ilijan. They have different rate structures so we need to evaluate them together, to see what's the best that will lead to the lowest cost."
It can be recalled that the SMCGP and Meralco filed a joint petition for a temporary rate hike–which was rejected by the ERC, despite proving to be the least costly for power consumers.
Thereafter, the Court of Appeals (CA) issued a Notice of Resolution and a TRO enjoining the ERC and Meralco from implementing the ERC order denying the joint petition filed by SPPC and Meralco for temporary relief for a 60-day period.
The other day, SMCGP announced it would cease to supply power to Meralco effective December 7. The cessation of supply, covered by the resolution and the TRO, is immediately executory.
ERC Chairperson Monalisa Dimalanta said her office has yet to receive a formal notice from Meralco on the cessation of 670MW supply.
"It is not It is not yet clear at this point if SPPC served a notice of PSA termination or merely a suspension of supply considering that the case before the CA filed by SPPC involving the said PSA is still for final resolution," the ERC chief said in a statement.
Her office, she added, awaits action by the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) after the matter was referred to OSG for undertaking appropriate legal remedy.
Dimalanta said the cessation of supply from a bilateral contract or PSA does not excuse distribution utilities "to supply electricity in the least cost manner to its captive market…" under Section 29 of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act.
She also pointed out that the termination of the SPPC PSA were discussed extensively within the commission "as it noted the manifestation filed by Meralco on the day it received the notice of termination from SPPC on August 4, 2022."
Generation fees
Meanwhile, the ERC has moved to address complaints related to pass-through charges in the PSAs.
Dimalanta said the agency sent letters to private utilities or electric cooperatives and their respective PSA counterparties for the substantiation of the generation charges. "This batch comprises of 63 letters which the ERC prioritized based on written complaints filed in the Commission or received through the DOE and the Office of the President," said the ERC chief.
She said a probe has been launched on the accuracy and reasonableness of the generation rates being passed on by the distribution utilities to its consumers. The probe aims to confirm whether the charges pass-on to consumers are only eligible costs and there are no hidden or extra ordinary charges.
"In the course of ERC's monitoring of monthly submissions from PUs/ECs of their generation charges, we have identified the need to conduct a more through validation of the passed-on or pass through charges under certain PSAs," said Dimalanta.
The validation requires submission of, among others, documents to support the detailed calculation of fuel charges that account for a significant portion of the increases in electricity rates since January.
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The Senate leader, Ahmed Lawan, has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to take his time to study the electoral bill sent to him for assent by the National Assembly.
Mr Buhari has declined assent to the electoral bill thrice, citing "drafting issue".
There have calls for the president to sign the key bill ahead of general elections next year.
Mr Buhari's main challenger in the polls, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, on Thursday urged the president to sign the bill if he truly wants the election to be free and fair.
The bill makes the use of card readers mandatory for the polls, providing the potential for curbing fraud.
The National Assembly sent another version to the president early November after working on the observations he made.
Former president of the Nigerian Bar Association, Olisa Agbakoba, had also asked Mr Buhari to assent to the latest version of the bill sent to him.
Speaking with State House correspondents on Friday, the Senate leader, Mr Lawan, said the fact that the bill has been sent back three times shows that " the president is willing to sign the bill provided it meets certain conditions that will make our electoral processes better and more sane".
Mr Lawan said the president was studying the bill and he should not be expected to just sign without studying it.
"This is a sign that he is really interested in what we sent back to him. It is for him and his advisers to read through line by line and see how best the electoral process can be enhanced.
"So, I don't think we have run out of time, in fact I think we should encourage the president and those helping him to complete going through the bill before he signs. What is the problem?
"And I will advise, even though I am not one of his advisers, that he goes through what has been sent to him line by line, understand whatever his advisers will tell him and of what we have sent will make the elections in 2019 better, then he signs.
"But if he discovers some provisions that will bring contradictions and controversies, he can withhold assent. I'm not advocating that he withholds assent but if he does, that is his right.
"I want to tell you that the APC caucus in the National Assembly stands with Mr. President on this," he said.
Mr Lawan also said President Muhammadu Buhari has signed more bills than previous presidents in the country.
"Previous government of President Jonathan didn't sign much, they kept most of the bills sent by the National Assembly.
"So I want to give kudos to the president for ensuring that he looks into the bills before signing. Some he said he won't sign because of this or that provisions which are either contradictory constitutionally or maybe it will cause more harm than good, so therefore the National Assembly should look into it again," he said.
The Senate leader also said if Mr Buhari fails to sign the new electoral bill, the country can still use 2006 Electoral Act as amended which was used in 2015 "for an election that was adjudged to be free, fair and an improved process".
On whether the National Assembly has taken care of the issues raised by Mr Buhari in the latest bill sent to him, Mr Lawan simply said "I think we have taken into consideration the observations made by Mr. President and the comment".


HMT Lord Wakefield (Skr/Lt.(retired) Henry Edward Dodd, RD, RNR) was sunk by German aircraft off Omaha Beach, Normandy France.
HMS Unsparing (Lt. A.D. Piper, DSC and 2 bars, RNR) departed Portsmouth for Gibraltar. She was escorted until 2217/12 by HMS Lord Wakefield (Skr.Lt. H.L. Lang, DSC, RD, RNR).
For the daily positions of HMS Unsparing during this passage see the map below.


Weddings at Ardtalla are unique and special occasions. Almost anything is possible; the options being as wide as your imagination.
Ardtalla is always let on an exclusive use basis so you can choose for your day to be as relaxed or as formal as you wish. Weddings for up to sixty guests can be held in the house or larger parties in a marquee on the lawn in front of the house.
Ardtalla holds a licence for civil ceremonies to be held in the galleried hall, in the drawing room or in the garden. The walled garden provides a spectacular backdrop for wedding photographs.
The minimum stay for weddings is two nights allowing you and your house party to relax, enjoy each other's company and take part in activities such as fishing, archery or clay pigeon shooting.


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Jim Gordon – The Man Rock & Roll Forgot
A sad tale of a brilliant Grammy Award winning musician who worked with some of the greatest songwriters ever.
Although Jim Gordon does not have the name recognition of a top rock star, from the early '60s through the dawn of the '80s, he was there. He'd had beautiful women and jet-setted between London and Los Angeles, he partied like a rock star. Through hundreds of recording sessions that spawned dozens of Top 10 hits, his work as one of the most in-demand session drummers of the era spills through a stunning array of albums.
But unfortunately, this is a sad tale of a brilliant Grammy Award-winning musician who worked with some of the greatest songwriters ever, who played and added his magic to such classics as "Layla", (he also co-wrote the piano refrain), as well as George Harrison's three-album set and finest moment, All Things Must Pass.
Jim Gordon was known as a solidly reliable professional session drummer, who could command as much as triple the usual rate paid to session musicians.
He began his career in 1963, at the age of seventeen, backing the hit-making Everly Brothers, and went on to become one of the most sought-after recording session drummers in Los Angeles, (he was the protégé of legendary studio drummer Hal Blaine, who played on over 35 U.S. #1 hits).
John Lennon, George Harrison, The Everly Brothers, Frank Zappa, Leon Russell, Traffic, Gordon Lightfoot, Seals & Crofts, Jackson Browne, Joan Baez, Bread – Gordon laid down the beat for all of them, playing in myriad styles.
At the height of his career, Gordon was reportedly so busy as a studio musician that he would fly back to Los Angeles from Las Vegas every day to do two or three recording sessions, and then return in time to play the evening show at Caesars Palace.
During 1969 and 1970, Gordon toured as part of the backing band for the group Delaney & Bonnie, which at the time included Eric Clapton. Clapton subsequently took over the group's rhythm section. When out on the road, Gordon became something of a liability, the exposure to vast quantities of drink and drugs brought out an extremely troubling side to his personality: at best ambitious and manipulative, at worst violent.
Gordon's personality disorder was a major factor in the demise of Derek and the Dominos. More seriously, in 1983, it led to Gordon's conviction for murder. On June 3, 1983, Gordon drove to the Hollywood home of his 72-year-old mother, Osa, attacked her with a hammer and then fatally stabbed her. He has been in prison ever since.
A diagnosed schizophrenic, it was not until his trial in 1984 that he was properly diagnosed. Due to the fact that his attorney was unable to use the insanity defence after a change in California law. Gordon was sentenced to sixteen years-to-life in prison in 1984.
Today, with but a dim possibility for parole, Jim Gordon is the man rock & roll forgot. Except, perhaps, for one brief moment on Feb. 24, 1993, when, along with Eric Clapton, he was awarded the rock songwriting Grammy for "Layla."
So next time you hear John Lennon's "Imagine", Stephen Bishops "On and On", Glen Campbell's "Wichita Lineman" or Steely Dans "Rikki Don't Lose That Number", listen carefully to the beat of one of the greatest drummers of all time.
Interesting story. Thanks.
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


The buying motive is an important aspect of buyer's psychology like those of knowledge, attitude, intention, or the image. It is a feeling, emotion or an instinct which creates a strong desire to buy or purchase an article or a service. It is an influence or a consideration that provides an impulse to buy or induce an action to possess and use in satisfaction. It is a need fulfilling activity that converts need into want leading to its satisfaction for to end the tumult or tension pervading in black-box.
Like human desires or wants, the buying motives are many. We have listed some twenty important buying motives on illustrative basis. Man and woman are a big bundle of desires and, hence, motives. Some of these are hidden or covert and unexplained That is why, even the psychologists of repute have not been able to understand the human mine in its totality. Only they know that humans react in a particular way to reflexes. However, al reflexes are not unfolded.
All buying motives are of not equal importance. They are capable of being dialoged on a scale preference. Mr. Abraham Maslow's ranking work; here. According to him, the motives can be arranged to physiological, Safety, Social, ego and self-actualisation. Physiological needs are necessary to maintain health and normal well-being Safety needs are the desires for provide secured environment and protection to life and living Social needs include feelings of belonging, friendship, love, affection and concern for others Ego needs are purely individual needs including self-esteem, personal reputation and status Fulfillment of esteem needs give individual a feeling of personal worth and self-confidence Self-actualisation needs relate to the desire to attain one's own full potential in life and work These lead to life-time unique achievements. That is, the order of ranking given is followed under normal circumstances.
Buying motives need not be same for all the people. The buying motives differ from person to person because, they differ in heredity environment in which they live, level of education, training and experience leaving aside income for the sake of argument. As a result, they have different angles or perspectives of thinking -hereby varying buying motives operate. Mr. Copycat may buy a car as a handicapped person while Mr. True-lies may buy to show of his riches. Mr. Munna-bhai may be enters a particular shop because of the vicinity while Mr. Lai Singh because of its imposing face-lift.
Intensity of buying motives differ widely from individual to individual even in case of the same buying motive. Thus, everyone, on an averagegdoes in for life-insurance these days as a safety measure. Thus, Mr. Pyarelal may take a policy of Rs. 50,000 while Mr. Popatlal may take of Rs. 20,00,000. For Mr. Pyarelal, his policy has much higher psychological value than Mr. Popatlal because, value of money is less for Popatlal. In terms of vanity, it is the lowest in case of Pyarelal while highest in case of Popatlal.
Whenever a person decides of buy, his buying decision is hardly the result of only one single buying motive. They work in union to force him to decide to buy. When Mr. Clean wants to buy a fully automatic front-load washing machine his motives are both product and patronage, and rational and emotional. That is, he may buy because of economy, convenience, as a status symbol, attractive make or even colour or other special features like 'taking' washing machine. Thus, it is a mix of these that makes him to buy a particular product or service.
Though buying motives are purely individualistic as he is the decider, buyer, user, or the enjoyed, the decision to buy is not ultimately done on his own thinking. Man is a social and rational animal and so is a woman. When Mr. Eversmiling is to pay for the car for his family, it is the motives of all members of family, children, home ministry, judiciary, peers, even a household servant, neighbours and relatives do have their say and he has to respect their feelings or urges. Thus, it his is not purely individualistic motive system that works.
Buying motives do not remain same. With the advancement technology, life-styles, economic prosperity, the value system, these undergo a change. What is important is that one who does not change or adjust according to the piece of technology and value system, he will be 'odd man' and has to be out. Thus, our grand father believed in a philosophy "simple living and high thinking" or "spend less than what you earn".
"Honesty is the best policy". "Work hard, do not go in for easy money". By the time my father ruled the roost, these values were Shaken. "High thinking and high living"; "Earn more spend more". Honesty is not always the best policy". "When opportunity comes make easy money". When I am ruling the roost these values have again changed. "Simple thinking high living"; Spend more than what you earn". Honesty is the worst policy". "Always go in for easy money". When my son comes to power, his perceptions will be totally different. If they are different, one should not blame aim. It is because, when every one is stark naked, and you are the only person wearing inner-wears, you are an odd man. Todays, and tomorrows philosophy of life is life is, "short timed", to enjoy the life, you have to beg, borrow or steal, or you will be behind the rat race.


Break is scheduled for December 29th 7:30 PM EST.
If you are unable to watch live, all break videos will be uploaded to our Youtube Channel once we are done broadcasting each night.
Click HERE for our How To Video on how to get involved in our breaks.
If you would like a spot please claim it by either posting in this thread or PMing either SlapStick or Geoff. Spots will be assigned on a first come, first serve basis.
PayPal is the primary method of payment and your address MUST be confirmed. Please send the payment to cloutsnchara@gmail.com and put C&C #5569 along with your USERNAME. If you have sent the payment please let me know via PM or post in this thread as it will be easier to keep track of. If you would like your package Shipped with TRACKING, please email us at cloutsnchara@gmail.com, put TRACKING in the title and be sure to include your username in the request. If you opt to ship without tracking we are not liable for any lost packages. If you do not have paypal, we can also take email money transfer (notify us before you send the EMT) and Visa/Mastercard. To pay by Credit Card you must call the store at 519-954-8278 and we can run the card manually with you over the phone.
Nobody will get shutout in any of our breaks! If you go hitless in a break, we will send you a Free card out of inventory. Selection process will be completely random but it will be autographed, numbered, Game Used or a Rookie/Insert!


If you've ever had a toothache, you probably won't forget it. Although small, your teeth serve a grand purpose (allowing you to chew and speak properly), and when they're bothered, the discomfort that your teeth can generate packs quite a wallop. In fact, over 25% of adults in America admit to having taken time off work to care for a sensitive or bothersome toothache. A toothache, however, is not a dental condition itself, but rather a symptom of a number of different dental issues. To help you determine the source behind your aching tooth, we explain some of the most common causes behind tooth sensitivity.
Tooth decay is one of the most common causes of tooth sensitivity, although the decay itself does not cause discomfort. The layer of tooth directly under the enamel, called dentin, contains tiny tubules in its surface that carry sensory information to the bundle of nerves at the center of your tooth. When acid erosion and tooth decay weaken your enamel, the dentin becomes exposed and bacteria and food debris can irritate it, causing extreme discomfort and tooth sensitivity.
Gum disease is another common toothache cause, and its reason is similar to that of tooth decay. Instead of exposing your tooth's dentin, though, gum disease causes your gum tissue to separate and pull away from your teeth. The part of your tooth under your gums is called the root, and when your gums recede, these roots become exposed and are subject to irritation.
Sinus infection may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a toothache. The sinuses, however, are located on either side of your nose region. When they swell (due to infection), they press against the nearby upper jawbone and the teeth that it supports, causing pressure sensitivity that closely resembles a dental-related toothache.


For 40 years, Dolores Gray was a star of Broadway, London's West End and cabaret. Among her Broadway credits, she starred in Two on the Aisle, Destry Rides Again, and 42nd Street. In London, she appeared in Annie Get Your Gun, Gypsy, and Follies.
Here she performs a number from from Destry, two versions of "You Can't Get a Man With A Gun" from Annie Get Your Gun, a number from Oklahoma! and music by Rodgers, Porter ang Gershwin. She is supported, among others, by Donald O'Connor and Jack Cassidy and the Bell Telephone Hour Orchestra conducted by Donald Voorhees. 48 min. Color/B&W, Region 0: Playable everywhere.
- with Dolores Gray as Frenchy (original Broadway cast); Marc Breaux as Gyp Watson (original Broadway cast), Art Lund as Kent (current Broadway cast at the time of this performance); choreography by Michael Kidd.


Happiness. Science has shown that getting the body working seems to make kids happier.
Health. Activity leads to better health. With the increasing epidemic of childhood obesity and diabetes, it is important for kids to establish healthy habits when they are young. One of the best ways to do this is for adults to encourage kids to participate in active play.
Imagination. Active play helps to increase imagination in children. With all the electronic play these days, kids need more opportunities to use their imaginations. Encourage imagination through active play.
Social Interaction. Most children would likely agree that active play is more fun with more than one person. Social skills improve as children spend time playing together and learning to get along. Active play helps children learn to cooperate, take turns, share, and think creatively.
Nerf guns. I admit I was adamantly against my kids having any sort of toy guns when they were tiny. However, I have now given in to Nerf guns, which are safer and more fun than most others out there. My kids have so much fun collecting Nerf guns and having an arsenal to choose from when they battle with their friends and each other. Nerf guns are a great active toy for boys of all ages and can be used indoors or outdoors. They can be used in a group or by one boy on his own. There are a wide variety of accessories available as well to make playing with Nerf guns even more fun. Don't forget to provide your boy with protective eyewear (and make sure he uses it).
Fishing pole. A fishing pole is a bit different from the other active toys on this list. It is great for an active boy, even though it doesn't necessarily provide the same type of experience. Kids can get out in nature and enjoy the beauty and serenity while learning how to fish. Fishing makes a great weekend outing and can be combined with hiking for some extra exercise. For me, fishing has also provided me a great bonding experience with my children. Be sure to choose fishing gear made specifically for kids. There are fishing pole options for kids, decorated with characters kids love.
Action camera. Kids love being able to document their lives through video, and active boys love adventure. Combine the two through an action camera. This type of camera can be attached to a bike, scooter, or skateboard to record all your boy's excitement as he plays. Some cameras are also waterproof. The videos and photos can be uploaded to a phone or computer (depending on the camera) so your boy can save his adventure memories.
Bike. A bike is a fantastic choice for energetic boys. Not only does it give boys a chance to use their energy, but it also gives them some independence. I love that my boys can ride their bikes to their friends' houses so I don't have to drive them! Riding a bike is a skill that boys can use for the rest of their lives and will help keep them active. Be sure to provide your boy with a quality, well-fitting helmet and make sure he wears it every time he rides!
Laser tag guns. After taking my boys and their friends to a laser tag center several times to play, they asked if laser tag was something we could play at home. I was a bit skeptical, but after doing some research we decided they were worth a try. These guns work well inside and outside. We bought four guns so the kids can form two teams or just play one on one. I love that these guns don't require bullets and can be used no matter the weather. My younger boys love playing laser tag with these guns, and my teenage son and his friends enjoy them as well.
Water guns. There's nothing like a good old water fight to cool off on a hot summer day. Boys enjoy filling up a water gun and unleashing on their friends. It's good, clean fun that keeps them moving and using up their endless amounts of energy. The possibilities for fun with water guns are endless. They can be used outside or in a pool. Kids can form teams and play games or shoot at targets (pool floats make fun targets).
Basketball, Baseball, Football, Soccer Ball, or Frisbee. Boys can enjoy throwing a ball or frisbee with a friend or engaging in a full-fledged game. These items can be used in a backyard, a park, or a schoolyard. Getting a group of kids together for a fun ball game or frisbee golf gives everyone some exercise and helps them learn to play as a team.
Do yourself and your active boy a favor by giving him toys that will keep up with his activity level. By helping him embrace an active lifestyle now, you also give him the gift of good health and positive habits for the future. You might be surprised at how much you enjoy using these toys with him!
Author Bio: Susan Hart is Editor-in-Chief for Mommy High Five. She has written and edited professionally for a variety of websites, magazines, and publishing companies. Susan is the proud mother of 4 musical children, and she enjoys reading, gardening, and watching the NBA in her free time.
Budsies, custom stuffed animals made from kids' artwork make the perfect gift for kids of any age! Order yours today!


The last thing Maisie Martin thought she'd be doing this summer is entering a beauty pageant. Not when she's spent most of her life hiding her body from everyone.
Not when her Dad is AWOL for Christmas and her best friend starts going out with the boy she's always loved. But Maisie's got something to prove. And she's not going to let anything or anyone – including herself – hold her back.
Maisie goes to a lot of effort to hide her body from others. When everyone else is swimming on the beach, she's on the sand wearing jeans. Maisie avoids the summer beauty pageant because she doesn't feel like she'd get in, despite being very keen to be involved. She's a kind, compassionate girl who has to learn to love herself, and above all else, she needs to learn that she is worth loving. Just because someone is a certain body size doesn't mean they don't deserve their happy ending.
The novel takes place over one summer holiday. Maisie Martin accompanies her mum and her glamorous childhood best friend Anna to the beach, where she's forced to face her unrequited crush on Seb. Unfortunately, Maisie's dad can't come on holiday because he has to work, but over the course of the novel her dad grows more and more distant and her parents are fighting and Maisie wonders if there's more to his absence than he's saying.
What I Like About Me is written in diary form, so the book allows for Maisie's voice to really shine through the pages. She's sassy and intelligent, but also really considerate. She wants to love and be loved, and she has always wanted that with the gorgeous Seb. But when Seb and Anna start dating, Maisie forms a bond with an unlikely friend — Beamer.
Maisie has poor self-esteem, particularly when she's around her sister Eva. Her sister has always been a high achiever and popular, and thin, and Maisie's confidence slips whenever she's around her. When Maisie applies to be in the local beauty pageant and is accepted, she must learn to love the body she has and to stop comparing herself to others. She's beautiful — inside and out.
One of the strengths of this book is how well Jenna has captured the glorious Australian summer and the teenage experience. Reading it, you can remember how it feels to hang out with your friends by the beach, but readers will also relate to how nervous and worried you got as a teenager whenever you had a crush on someone else and you weren't sure if they felt the same way.
Young YA readers will love this book, and there's plenty of teen romance in these pages to satisfy young fans of romance. The most important relationship, however, is the one that Maisie has with herself.
How has your love of romance fiction evolved or changed since your teenage years?
I've been a sucker for romance ever since I was a kid. Even when I was 8 and reading The Baby-Sitter's Club, my fave stories were ALWAYS the ones where one of the girls had a crush or went on a date. That never changed as a teen and has carried on through to adulthood – if anything, I've embraced my love of romance more and spend more time reading it! It's my comfort reading and happy place.
Alongside writing your novel, you also have years of experience writing short-form pieces for outlets such as Girlfriend and Buzzfeed, and now many more through your freelancing career. What do you like about short-form writing, but also novel writing? How do the two compare?
I like writing about a variety of things, and sharing my thoughts and feelings on topics that are interesting me at any given moment. With short-form writing, it's great to have an idea and quickly be able turn it around so you can see it published and immediately get feedback on it. Novel-writing is obviously a much bigger and much, much longer process. It's a lot more work overall but it's incredibly rewarding and satisfying. To have people contacting me about how much they love What I Like About Me, after years of hard work, means the world to me.
What I Like About Me explores many important messages and topics – self-esteem, body positivity, bullying, relationships etc. But it's also about Maisie learning to love herself. How important do you think it is for a teenager to reflect on what they like about themselves? Is this something you wish you could tell your younger self, given the chance?
When I was a teen and even as an adult, every time I looked in the mirror, I'd automatically see the things I didn't like about myself. I really wanted to challenge that all-too-natural instinct and make people stop and consider what they actually do like about themselves. I think girls in particular are socialised to minimise their accomplishments and strengths, when really we should be recognising and celebrating what makes us ALL great. I always say you should treat yourself like you treat your best friend – you point out all their good points and don't criticise them, so you should love yourself like that as well. You deserve nothing less.
And finally, is there anything you can tell us about what you're working on right now (either novel or freelance writing)?
I'm freelancing for a lot of publications – like the Sydney Morning Herald, Junkee, GOAT, Flicks and even BuzzFeed! It's a lot of fun to be writing for different audiences and on a range of topics. In terms of novel-writing, I am working on a follow-up – I can't say too much, but it is another YA rom-com standalone. It's hopefully going to be a lot of fun!


text:
'We've no idea when we'll be back'
David McNeill
いつ帰れるか見当もつかない
David McNeill in Iitate, Fukushima Prefecture
Sleepy, idyllic and dangerously irradiated, Iitate is preparing to evacuate. The junior high school is closed, its children bused every day to nearby towns. Tractors sit idle and weeds poke through rice and cabbage in the fields. Half-empty shelves greet customers at the A-Coop supermarket. By the end of this month, this mountainous farming village of 7,000 people, recently voted one of Japan's most beautiful places, will join the Ukrainian ghost town of Pripyat in the planet's short list of nuclear casualties.
"We've no idea when we can come back," says Katsuzo Shoji, who farms rice and cabbages and keeps a small herd of cattle about 2 km from Iitate's village office. Mr. Shoji (75) went from shock to rage, then despair when the government told him he would have to destroy his vegetables, kill his six cows and move with his wife Fumi (73) to an apartment, probably in Koriyama City, about 20 km away. "We've heard five, maybe 10 years but some say that's far too optimistic," he says, crying. "Maybe I'll be able to come home to die."
Iitate has been living on borrowed time since the March 11 earthquake and tsunami knocked out the cooling systems of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, about 40 km away. Though outside the 30km government exclusion zone set up around the plant, the village's mountainous topography meant radiation spewing from its crippled reactors lingered, poisoning crops and water. The young, the wealthy, mothers and pregnant women began leaving for Tokyo or elsewhere. The rest gathered every day in the village office for information, and prayed against the inevitable.
Last month the central government finally ordered the remaining citizens to leave after the International Atomic Energy Agency and other observers warned that safe radiation limits for cesium and other toxins had been exceeded. "We've been told to quit our jobs and move out by the end of the month," says Miyoko Nakamura (59), who works as a clerk in the village office. She is near retirement and says she'll manage. "A lot of people have no idea what to do. They're just hoping everything will be ok somehow."
Villagers snort at the initial compensation of one million yen (8,670 Euro/7577 pounds) offered by Tokyo Electric Power Co (Tepco), operator of the ruined Fukushima plant. Farmers will be given another 350,000 yen in moving expenses this month. After that, there are no more concrete promises. "Money is the biggest question people have," explains Takashi Hamasaka, an official from Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) seconded to the village to assist evacuation. "They want the government to pay more."
"If it was just a tsunami or earthquake we would pay, but the nuclear problem was made by Tepco so the situation is so difficult."
Among his government's tasks is finding homes for 700 family pets that will be left behind. Thousands of pigs and over 8,000 of the region's famous, prized "wagyu" beef cattle, worth up to a million yen a head, will be slaughtered if they can't be relocated. Apartments in towns outside the irradiated zone must be found for locals, who are being kept alive on supplies shipped into the village office; bottled water, masks, and nappies for bedridden elderly lie in boxes around the hall. Locals arrive in light vans to pick up the supplies and glance at the Geiger counter across the road, which hovers at around 3.15 microsieverts per hour.
Tepco officials, led by executive vice president Norio Tsuzumi, came to the village hall over a week ago to apologise. Pictures from the visit show the officials, in identical utility suits, bowing deeply before 1000 mostly stony-faced locals. "Give us back our beautiful village," one demanded. Some say the disaster is too big for any company to manage, even one as powerful as Japan's largest utility. "At least they can raise electricity prices, says Mr. Shoji. "What can we do except wait for our homes back."
Local restaurants have already shut. Many display signs of a smiling cartoon cow, symbol of Iitate beef, now too irradiated to sell. The one supermarket, a crucial lifeline to many elderly customers, still operates -- at least for now. A notice on the window lists the names of NPOs willing to look after abandoned pets. "We're waiting to see what happens; some older people are not leaving and they need us," says manager Toshiyuki Matsuda. "They would have to shop 20 km away if we weren't here."
A woman in the car park outside bundles her shopping into a small pickup truck. "I'm old, I've been here all my life – where would I go," she asks. "I'm going to stay and if the supermarket closes I'll go elsewhere." What will the government do to holdouts? METI official Mr. Hamasaka shrugs his shoulders. "It's a good question. We don't have any power to force them to go." Faced with a similar problem closer to the stricken power plant, the government last month made the 20km zone around it a no-go area. Evacuees who return there now face arrest and fines. Hundreds of thousands of farm animals are being slaughtered.
Farmers here claim their produce is safe to eat but the country has become hysterical about the Fukushima contamination. Many have heard stories of bullying against children evacuated from the village, sometimes hundreds of miles away, a painful echo of the decades-long discrimination that dogged survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, A-bombed by US planes in 1945. "I've heard that other kids shout 'baikin' (vermin) at them," says Mr. Shoji's granddaughter Hiroko (22).
Like many in the area, Mr. Shoji, whose family has been farming this land since the 1880s, is too old to become embroiled in a protracted legal battle with Tepco or the government. "All we can do is bow our heads and heed the order," he says as his wife, granddaughter and eldest son Hidekatsu look sadly on. He has been told that he will be taken care of but fears that compensation offers will dwindle once the media spotlight shines elsewhere.
The bitterest irony of the crisis that has destroyed their lives, he says, is that this rural area, 250km from Tokyo, sees not a single watt of the electricity produced by Tepco's Fukushima plant. "All the power is sent to the city. We had nothing to do with this problem but we will have to somehow bear the burden."
David McNeill writes for The Independent, The Irish Times and The Chronicle of Higher Education. He is an Asia-Pacific Journal coordinator.


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The Solar Mason Jar Insert with silver lid is a great way to have a unique outdoor light. The set comes with 1 led light with a lid that will fit on a mason jar. Each solar lid contains one AAA rechargeable battery, which will last for 6 to 10 hours when fully charged (8 hour¡¯s charging). Comes with an on/off switch to conserve battery life when not in use. If left on the lights will turn off when the sun comes up and turn on when it gets dark again. The possible places can use these lights is endless and would also make a great unique gift idea as a house warming gift or to bring to a BBQ as a thoughtful gift. With this solar Mason jar lid you can quickly start creating beautiful solar garden lighting, solar pathway lighting, or setting the perfect summer ambiance on your patio.
This solar Mason jar lid fits into most standard glass mason jars. Simply open the jar and close the lid - instant Mason jar light!


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Ricochet Lost Worlds
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The following application statistics are based on the analysis of web server requests. All data comes from Tor web server logs which are provided in a stripped-down version of Apache's "combined" log format without IP addresses, log times, HTTP parameters, referers, and user agent strings.
This graph shows absolute numbers of requests to Tor's web servers related to Tor Browser. Initial downloads and signature downloads are requests made by the user to download a Tor Browser executable or a corresponding signature file from the Tor website. Update pings and update requests are requests made by Tor Browser to check whether a newer version is available or to download a newer version.


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Билла и Боксу () — волжско-булгарские вельможи X века, братья, переселившиеся вместе со своими дружинами в Венгрию и получившие во владение крепость Пешт. Известие о Билле и Боксу содержится в Gesta Hungarorum Анонима (XIII в.). Имя Боксу имеет также венгеризированный вариант написания Бакш.

Известие Анонима
Вождь же Такшонь со всеми сановниками Венгрии силой и миром каждый день своей жизни удерживал все права своего королевства. Прослышав о его благости, к нему стекались многие гости из различных народностей. Так, из земли Булар пришли некоторые благороднейшие господа с весьма многими измаильтянами, имена которых были Билла и Бакш. Вождь пожаловал им земли в различных местностях венгров, а кроме того, замок, который называется Пешт, уступил им навечно. Билла же и брат его Бакш, от потомства которых происходит Этей, держа совет, уступили для службы этому замку две трети народа, приведенного с собой, третью же часть оставили их потомкам.Название Булар (Bular), упоминаемое в этом отрывке, большинством интерпретаторов и переводчиков Gesta Hungarorum связывает с Булгаром, столицей Волжской Булгарии. Венгерский тюрколог Иштван Вашари отмечает специфическую чувашскую фонетику, отразившуюся в этом варианте названия Булгара.

Упоминаемый хронистом Этей (Ethey) — по всей видимости, современник Анонима. Возведение его рода к Билле и Боксу связано со стремлением знатных венгерских родов XIII в. укрепить свои права на землевладение, доказав, что они восходят ещё к эпохе обретения родины.

По сообщению Анонима, «в то же время и из той же страны», откуда происходили Билла и Боксу, в Венгрию переселился военачальник Хетен (Heten), который также получил немалые владения. Существует традиция возводить к его имени название венгерского города Хетеньедьхаза (Hetényegyháza).

Исторический контекст
По мнению специалиста по средневековой истории венгров М. К. Юрасова, переселение группы волжских булгар в Венгрию могло быть прямо связано с разорением Булгарии русским князем Святославом Игоревичем в 60-е гг. X в., после чего некоторые жители решили отправиться в более спокойные области. Предполагается, что после разорения некоторые булгарские роды присоединились к Святославу и отправились вместе с ним на Балканы, на войну с Иоанном Цимисхием. После поражения в 971 году от армии ромеев венгры, состоявшие в войске Святослава, вернулись на родину. «Этим вполне могли воспользоваться пришедшие с киевским князем знатные булгары, оставившие своего неудачливого полководца и попросившие Такшоня разрешения поселиться в его владениях», — заключает исследователь. Он же доказывает со ссылкой на венгерских историков, что 29 известных венгерских топонимов, содержащих в свом составе элемент болгар в различных модификациях, свидетельствуют о поселении в данной местности именно волжских булгар, поскольку дунайские булгары были известны в средневековой венгерской традиции под другим именем (нандор).

Продолжение контактов между Волжской Булгарией и Венгрией
В целом известие о Билле и Боксу рассматривается как примечательный случай ранних контактов между Венгрией и Волжской Булгарией. В более позднее время путь из Волжской Булгарии в Венгрию пролегал через Суздаль, Киев и землю печенегов. В частности, предполагается, что этим маршрутом пользовался арабский путешественник Абу Хамид аль-Гарнати, который в 1150 году прибыл в Венгрию из Волжской Булгарии. Первым венгерским путешественником в Волжской Булгарию, имя которого нам известно, является монах Юлиан.

Примечания

Волжская Булгария

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Contact: This is not an OACHC event.
Health Services Advisory Group (HSAG) invites you to attend this upcoming National Learning and Action Network (LAN) webinar event on type 2 diabetes treatment options, designed to be patient-centered. Selecting the right treatment options for type 2 diabetes has never been more promising, or as complicated, as it is today. With all of the current classes of diabetes medications, how does a clinician-patient team decide on the most appropriate medications along the course of a person's disease process, many of whom also have cardiovascular disease, heart failure, or chronic kidney disease? Join us to learn the latest type 2 diabetes consensus recommendations and decision-trees to help seniors and their care teams decide how to maximize care quality while mitigating risk and treatment burden.


Yes, the famous rock is almost to LACMA — it arrives on Saturday, March 10 between 2:00 AM and 6:00 AM — so make a plan soon to catch it along the way. The massive rock, which weighs 340 tons is being called a "ROCK STAR" is being transported at night to it's new home at LACMA, where it will be featured in artist Michael Heizer's Levitated Mass.
Here is the route map, so you can try to visit it where it stops for photographs (and many families are making this pilgrimage). Here is an LA Observed article about the rock's progress for the rest of this week (including street closings).
Watch this video on the start of the journey and make haste! Once the Rock reaches LACMA, it goes incognito again until late spring!
You can follow the rock's TWITTER FEED. And upload your photos to FLICKER.


Check out our current selection of Michael Vick Philadelphia Eagles jerseys below. Home, away, authentic, throwback and replica jerseys available. S, M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL sizes with youth and women's styles in stock.
Life is all about second chances, and Michael Vick is making the most of his. Vick was a college football star with Virginia Tech, putting up huge numbers and finishing third in Heisman Trophy voting as a freshman. His world class ability got the notice of the Atlanta Falcons and they selected the young quarterback first overall in the 2001 NFL Draft.
Like most quarterbacks, Vick was not an immediate superstar in the NFL. He was used sparingly in his first season, putting up mediocre numbers. However, it was readily apparent that Vick had the skill set needed to be a starting NFL quarterback. All he needed was a little seasoning in order to become the star the Falcons had bet on when they selected him first overall.
Over the next several seasons he improved rapidly, though an injury in 2003 proved a setback. His stats didn't always reflect his performance on the field. Vick's ability to throw or run depending on the situation made him a double threat on every snap, and his ability to scramble and turn a potential loss into a big gain made him a nightmare to defend.
Things started to fall off the rails for Vick in 2006. That season he was criticized for showing his middle finger to Atlanta fans. That only scratched the surface of his self destruction. In 2007, Vick pleaded guilty to charges stemming from a dog fighting ring investigation. Vick went to prison, was suspended indefinitely by the NFL, and was forced to declare bankruptcy as his personal debts mounted.
The Atlanta Falcons washed their hands of Vick, but in August of 2009 he got his second chance, signing with the Philadelphia Eagles as a back-up to Donovan McNabb. Vick saw action sparingly that season, but had flashes of brilliance in the rare games he got into.
2010 was another stepping stone in Vick's climb back to greatness. After McNabb was traded to the Washington Redskins, Kevin Kolb was named the Eagles' new starter by head coach Andy Reid. However, Vick made the coach change his mind, playing brilliantly every shot he got, and earning the starting position.
Since then Vick has been setting the league on fire, including one amazing game where he threw for four touchdowns and rushed for two more. An injury to his ribs set him back briefly, but he returned after a brief hiatus and showed no ill effects from his injury. Now he is in the conversation to be the NFL's MVP this year, and leads the league in Pro Bowl voting.
Fans and media have apparently forgiven Vick his past transgressions and seem to be willing to give this supremely talented athlete another shot. With his rapid rise to superstardom in 2010 it is little wonder that Michael Vick Eagles jerseys are flying off the shelves in Philadelphia and around the country.


Xavier ORMANCEY began his career in 1988 in the L'OREAL Group as a perfumer.
In 1991 he joined CHANEL PERFUME & BEAUTY where he successively held the positions of Laboratory Manager in the perfume creation studio on the Sophia-Antipolis Site in France.
And Director of the Cosmetics Research Center.
In 2011 he joined the YVES ROCHER Group as the Director of Research & Development, above an organization of 170 employees.
Since 2016 he was based at the Californian American Cosmetics Company, Counter Brands LLC as the Director of Product Development.


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Call of Duty Vanguard Alpha PS4 vs. PS5 Version Proves Both Consoles Play It Fine
Call of Duty Vanguard is undergoing an Alpha test on the PlayStation consoles. This Alpha test gives an early indication of the generational difference.
Sledgehammer Games is holding an Alpha for Call of Duty Vanguard. This Alpha test appears to feature a rather limited map and player number so it is not going to be the final indication of the console's performance and quality, but that's what we have so far.
All three consoles appear to use a reconstruction technique to render at a higher resolution. While we don't have an estimate of the resolution, it should be around 1080p on the PS4 and 4K on the PS4 Pro and PS5. The difference will depend on the implementation of the dynamic resolution and its upper and lower limits.
As for the frame rate, the good thing is that you will get 60 FPS on either of the consoles. So if you own just a PS4, you will get 60 FPS at a lower resolution, and while on the PS4 Pro, the resolution will be slightly higher with 60 FPS.
As for the PS5, there are additional benefits like ray-tracing (if supported), improved resolutions, shadows, and other visual effects. It also renders at a higher resolution than the PS4 and PS4 Pro.
The bottom line is that if you own a last-generation console and play Call of Duty casually, you are fine with sticking with it to play the latest game.
New PS5 Model Is Quieter But With Some Minor Drawbacks
Digimon Survive Has Resurfaced, Rating Gives Hope To Fans
COD Modern Warfare II Reportedly Planned For A Reveal This Summer
Salal Awan January 13, 2022
Call of Duty Vanguard Update 1.07 Adds a New Shipment Map
Greg Martin November 17, 2021
Call of Duty Vanguard Has a 120 FPS Bug On XSX and PS5; Here's a Potential Fix
Salal Awan November 15, 2021
Call of Duty: Vanguard Review – Champion of the FPS Hill
Muhammad Ali Bari November 11, 2021


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La piula d'esperons de Sharpe (Macronyx sharpei) és un ocell de la família dels motacíl·lids (Motacillidae).

Hàbitat i distribució
Habita praderies en zones de muntanya de l'oest i centre de Kenya.

Referències

Sharpe


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'Self-Portrait of a Dutiful Daughter' Movie Review – is a rare feminine entry in the Romanian New Wave
Self-Portrait of a Dutiful Daughter
Written by Ana Lungu
Directed by Ana Lungu
Romania, 2015
Cristiana (played by Elena Popa) is thirty years old. She has been brought up in a "proper", bourgeois Romanian family. She is a PhD student of Earthquake Engineering and divides her time between her married lover, her newly-owned apartment which her parents have recently moved out and into which she now wants to bring a dog, and engaging in endless quasi-philosophical conversations with her close friends, Alex and Michelle. Her professor likes to give lengthy monologues on earthquake statistics, which she listens to duly. In her eagerly awaited rendezvous, her statuesque lover Dan (Emilian Oprea) likes to comment on the masculinity of her name and reserves the right to define "beautiful" in their relationship. Finally living by herself, she rebelliously wants a dog while her father forbids it. Facing opposition, prohibitions and directives for living her life from men in almost every part of her life, Cristiana wades through life unenthusiastically, somehow less involved in it herself than everyone else is. In a typically Romanian New Wave style, screenwriter and director Ana Lungu paints a humorously bleak picture of conformity with minimalistic plot and performances, offering no grand gestures or shocking denouements.
Simone de Beauvoir's autobiographical novel, Memories of a Dutiful Daughter, seems to be an obvious source of inspiration for the title of the film. However, there are some other similarities, too: a few years after the Second Sex, de Beauvoir has written about her Catholic upbringing and how until her twenties, she was making herself into "a dutiful daughter" to make her parents feel like good parents, and especially her mother, a good mother and therefore a proper woman. Firmly grounded in scientific thought, Lungu's Cristiane escapes Catholicism with her family, but battles the bourgeois notions of "proper" and the traditional role of a woman in society, her mother often offering completely sensible comments at family dinners which seem to be passionately ignored and disparaged by all other members of her family, including Cristiana's father. Cristiana seems to faintly realise how her being a woman, and a young-adult woman dependent on her family at that, almost completely obliterate (but are also in a way inseparable from) the social privileges of an educated, wealthy background. However, the irresistible charms of conformism seem to prevent her from doing something about it for the most part, again somehow reflecting de Beauvoir's idea of women as accomplices to their oppression, drowning in the cosiness of passivity, escaping the anxiety of existence; and in less-abstract terms, de Beauvoir's path to her own emancipation from a bourgeois family and being half-thrilled by the prospect of working to make a living.
The Romanian New Wave has been mostly comprised of male authors, and as fine as their films often are, it's nice to see an example of a woman's subjectivity on film as well, and a well-crafted one at that. However, it is worth noting that although premiering in the feminist programme section of this year's Rotterdam film festival, Lungu's film seems less consciously feminist (feminism, after all, having always been a better fit to western than eastern European art production) than simply presenting a specific, perhaps generational experience of young adults half-avoiding, half-being-denied independence, an experience that is very possibly not termed "universal" simply on the basis that it isn't male. Luckily, if the word on the street (or a recent analysis by the European Audiovisual Observatory) is to be trusted, more of the kind are to follow in the next few years.


The Story you are about to read is written with great knowledge by a man who has had a journey home; after over 20 years of service and two conflicts, where he thanks God every day for being allowed to return to Arizona. The narrative is supported by reality here on the Border of which many of us who live here can attest to. Those of us, who are involved in the Cattle Business in Southeastern Arizona, live much of what the author describes on a daily basis. We also remain frustrated by the lack of response by the Federal Government, in bringing the lawlessness under control and protecting our Nation. Protecting us from the crimes perpetrated on a daily basis that cover the spectrum of Drugs, Human Trafficking and abuse of Humanity. It is a big business and one that is controlled by very dark powers only interested in financial gain without any concerns of Morality or regard of Human life.
Enjoy this well written narrative, clearly understanding that the story line is based on many events that have occurred along the U.S./Mexico Border. Events that must be addressed now; if we are to remain a proud Republic, a Country of Laws and retain our Freedoms.


The last board meeting of SEBI made two very far reaching changes for liquid funds. For long, liquid funds have been the preferring parking place for corporates to keep money for the short term. Not only were liquid funds secured and tax effective, but the returns were at least 2-3% higher than bank deposits. So, what has changed?
To a large extent, the liquid funds managed to operate riskless in the market for two reasons. The liquid funds were backed by a portfolio of assets where were very short term assets like call money, CPs, CDs etc. Secondly, the liquid funds did not have to make a provision for MTM losses if the tenure of the bond was less than 60 days. Only for paper above 60 days maturity, the liquid funds were required to provide MTM provisioning. It was here that most liquid funds saw a huge opportunity. Good quality companies were raising funds through the commercial paper (CP) route. That was not the problem. The real problem was that the issuers of CPs were actually deploying these CP funds in long term infrastructure and realty projects. This created a huge risk of mismatch between liabilities and assets. In fact, that is where the entire crisis erupted. Financial companies raised hundreds of crores from liquid funds flush with cash. When they became due, they were just rolled over and it almost looked foolproof.
The IL&FS fiasco created a mini crisis for liquid funds in particular and NBFCs in general. Money markets became tight as lenders were just not willing to take on the risk at lower yields. SEBI was more interested in protecting investors. SEBI has, therefore, reduced the mandatory MTM provisioning period from 60 days to 30 days. Since MTM is a tough task to follow, most fund managers are now expected to reduce the average maturity of the fund lower and bring it closer to where MTM would not be required. The only challenge is that as you shorten the maturity of your fund holdings, you are forsaking on yield. In fact, conservative estimates are putting the total damage to yield of liquid funds at around 15 bps. That is a big difference for institutional investors. In addition, the gap between the fair value and stated value has also been compressed substantially.
One of the major objections that SEBI had on the liquid funds issue was that the small investors were subsidizing the large institutional and corporate investors. The 60 day leeway from MTM was actually working against the small investors. SEBI is right in the sense that corporates should know their risks and assume risks accordingly. If the outflows are any barometer, liquid funds may end up becoming leaner and meaner!
Suddenly the FII buying appears to be back with a vengeance. In fact, since the third week of October, the FIIs have infused close to $3 billion into Indian equities. That is a sharp infusion in a short period of time. What exactly is driving the spurt in FII flows. Let us look at 3 reasons why the FIIs are back!
FIIs love stability and had been keen on the current political dispensation continuing at the centre. That looked like a fait accompli till the Congress turned the tables in 3 state elections. However, the narrative has changed substantially in favor of the ruling NDA now. The Pulwama attack managed to unite Indians like never before. But, what really mattered was the follow up action. In less than 2 weeks, the Indian Air Force had struck at the core of the terrorist camps in POK. But the bigger victory that India gained from the episode was diplomatic. Even the traditional allies of Pakistan like the US, China and the Islamic Middle East did not say a word in favor of Pakistan. It was this fear of isolation that forced Pakistan to take the high moral ground and send the captured Indian pilot back. In the entire exercise, Modi scored a moral and, perhaps, political win. The decisiveness was shown, the diplomatic phones were worked and South Asia avoided the prospects of a dangerous war between two nuclear nations. That sagacity should work in favor of NDA.
If FIIs liked the way Indian politics is shaping, they find reasons to rejoice on the economic front too. Inflation has remained low and the manufacturing sector is seeing a smart revival. The twin challenges of the Indian rupee and oil prices appear to have a semblance of stability now. FIIs are also impressed by the fact that the overall revenue growth of Indian corporates and the pressure in the last quarter was more due to pressure on the bottom line. That is not likely to be the scenario in this year.
The TINA factor is all about there being no alternative. That may be a tad presumptuous, but FIIs are beginning to see the logic. Even at annual growth rate of just 7% this year, India remains the only large economy to show double digit nominal growth. Unlike other economies which tend to be cyclical, India is naturally de-risked. India does not have the commodity dependence of Latin America or the China dependence of South East Asian economies. India has the advantage of a huge and growing domestic market, which should be able to absorb most of the global shocks. The TINA factors, perhaps, best explain why FIIs are swarming into India. If favorable politics combines with favorable economics, FIIs may be laughing all the way to their banks. For that we have to wait for elections!
The NCLT had already received flak in the Binani Cements for having allowed Ultratech to come in later. NCLT deals should strictly prevent any negotiated between promoters and potential buyers. That defeats the purpose of NCLT, which is based on transparency. If parties are allowed to cut deals outside the purview of NCLT, it is likely to largely undermine the entire process. The Ruias deserve to lose control of Essar Steel as they have over the years raised billions of dollars from banks and capital markets and defaulted on them. That surely leaves a lot to be desired!


The "Hammer of God v3" is a fully mechanical Box Mod powered by 4 18650 batteries (Parallel & Series).
Thanks to this particularity, both Volt (8.4V instead of 4.2V) and the Ampere (60A / 70A *) and the duration (+/- 5000mAh *) are doubled.
The HOG v3 is a great box because it allows you to have at the same time the power of two batteries in series and the convenience of a Parallel circuit.
Being totally mechanical, however, it does not have electronic protections, therefore it is strictly recommended for users with experience.
What changes compared to previous versions?
The HOG v3 is undoubtedly the most ergonomic of the series, with a design that despite the size and heaviness of the Mod, still manages to give it an unexpected manageability. The battery compartment door is now totally removable and has been improved to be even more solid and practical for use.


Extra-solar planetary transits (where the planet is passing across the star in our line of site) involves taking photometry data for several hours during the transit to detect the slight reduction in brightness of the star (increase in magnitude). This page will present the results of these studies.
red curve is from published ingress and egress times and depth of transit.


As we reported in our MWC18 blog, Samsung's flagship Galaxy S9 and S9+ smartphones were officially unveiled in Barcelona on Feb 25, 2018 at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2018 pre-event. Our procurement team managed to get one Galaxy S9+ (Model: SM-G965F/DS, 64GB) in our hands early for a quick teardown. Our teardown experts did an amazing job in separating the phones into pieces so quickly, so we have the chance to share with you our early findings of what's inside the Samsung flagship Galaxy S9+.
We will continue to update this blog as we identify additional parts in the phone. Check back regularly for updates.
Our Galaxy S9+ model includes Samsung's own Application Processor Exynos 9810. The Application Processor module is a Package-on-Package (PoP) with Samsung's own 6GB LPDDR4X SDRAM K3UH6H60AM-AGCJ. We were hoping to see the rumored DDR5, but this version of the phone still includes the LPDDR4X.
The Exynos 9810 is fabbed in Samsung's 2nd generation 10nm FinFET process 10nm LPP. According to Samsung, the 10LPP process technology allows up to 10% higher performance or 15% lower power consumption compared to its first generation 10nm LPE (Low Power Early).
TechInsights has already analyzed the Samsung 10LPE process technology found inside the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 and Samsung Exynos 8895 APs. We have published a few competitive technical analysis reports such as Digital Functional Analysis Report (DFAR), Advanced CMOS Essentials (ACE), and Transistor Characterization Report. We will also analyze the Samsung 10LPP process in a few report formats.
We have decapped the Samsung Exynos 9810 AP PoP and gotten the images of the AP/Modem die with a die mark S5E9810A02. The die size (seal) is 10.37 mm x 11.47 mm = 118.94 mm2, a slight bigger than the previous Exynos 8895 AP/Modem die S5E8895A01's seal die size 10.50 mm x 9.87 mm = 103.64 mm2.
The overall die size (from die seals) increased by 15%. This is expected because the 10LPP technology is a performance boost compared to 10LPE, and offers no area scaling. With an increased feature set (such as higher performance CPUs, higher speed baseband processing), we would expect an increase in die size. We will have to wait until the Exynos APU is implemented in 8LPP or 7LPP process technologies to see the next shrink.
This introduces a new look for the Exynos family, with the new version of its main custom CPU, a quad-core Exynos M3. This main CPU is larger than the 8895 Exynos M2 CPU. We also see a larger, more efficient quad-core ARM Cortex-A55, instead of the smaller A53.
The ARM Mali G72 MP18 GPU uses 18 cores, instead of 20 like in the 8895.
We have decapped the Qualcomm-based Samsung Galaxy S9+ SM-G965U and can take a look into the latest updates to the Snapdragon flagship AP. Despite the heavy marketing of AI features, both the Snapdragon 845 and Exynos 9810 are software-based machine-learning solutions based on an SDKs, distributing workload to the CPU, GPU, or DSP based on requirements. Thus, as with the Exynos 9810, the main thrust for increased functionality is through increased CPU performance, with significant increases in area compared to Snapdragon 835, as well and increased customization of the ARM-based cores.
Both the Qualcomm and Samsung APs integrate similar class modems, both increased to the Cat. 18 download speed classification. Thus, as with the Samsung Exynos 9810 vs. the 8895, the Snapdragon 845 represents also an increased die size over the last generation 835, with a 30% increase in die size.
The Snapdragon 845 is overall 25% smaller than the Samsung 9810, for ostensibly the same specs and thus represents a lower cost solution. This fits the same trend as from the previous generation Samsung Galaxy S8. We noted a difference in memory usage as a key part of the difference AP die size difference. The functional block level analyses are in progress and we'll see if this continues on the same pattern.
The Galaxy S9+ includes a new RF Transceiver, Samsung's Shannon 965. The Shannon 965 works with the LTE Cat.18 modem integrated in the Exynos 9810 to implement the 1.2Gbps download (peak) and 200Mbps upload (peak).
We now have the die photos of the Samsung Shannon 965 RF Transceiver, showing the die marking S5M9650X01. The die size (seal) is 5.96mm x 5.92mm = 35.28 mm2, slightly larger than the previous Shannon 955 RF Transceiver in the Galaxy S8.
Shannon 560, this is a new PMIC we have not seen before. For your reference, we saw a Shannon 555 PMIC in the Galaxy S8/S8+.
Samsung claimed at MWC 2018 it had "completely re-imagined the camera" and built a phone around it. The Galaxy S9/S9+ design philosophy was to develop a camera system that can adapt to its environment, similarly to the human eye, and radically slow down time.
Today we can share our initial teardown images and have confirmed the iris scanner chip is new (compared to the S5K5E6YV used in the Note 7 and Galaxy S8). We are excited to analyze Samsung's new 3-stack ISOCELL Fast 2L3 and we'll be publishing updates as our labs capture more camera details. We also expect to purchase phones from other regions and confirm whether Samsung will continue to dual-source the main camera chip.
Galaxy S-series camera innovations recently disclosed by Samsung have contributed to the S9+ capturing top ranking in DxO Mark's mobile camera performance scoring system . Samsung is not first to market with variable mechanical apertures or 3-layer stacked image sensors, however the integration of both elements in the S-series is a bold move to differentiate from other flagship phones. Subscribers to our ChipSelect IS service can look forward to Device Essentials projects on the new 3-layer stacked imager and new iris scanner chips. We have yet to confirm a dual-sourcing strategy for the wide-angle rear-facing camera, but we expect to find and report on a Sony 3-layer variant.
Sony led the evolution to 3-layer stacked imagers for smartphones beginning with its ISSCC 2017 paper in February 2017, followed by a product launch in April 2017 and more details coming in its IEDM 2017 paper [2,3]. Sony's first effort, which included a 1 Gbit DRAM, was in use in the Sony Xperia XZs which offered 6 s of slo-mo video based on 0.18 s of real time capture at 960 fps. Our analysis revealed a three-vendor solution for the IMX400: a Sony image sensor chip, a custom DRAM chip (including image sensor row control block) from Micron-Elpida and an image signal processor from TSMC.
Samsung recently announced its 3-die stacked ISOCELL imager at the pre-MWC 2018 Galaxy S9 event and with a formal press release for the Fast 2L3 following on Monday, February 26 . The S9 wide-angle camera system, which integrates a 2 Gbit LPDDR4 DRAM, offers similar slo-mo video functionality with 0.2 s of video expanded to 6 s of slo-mo captured at 960 fps. Samsung promotes the memory buffer as beneficial to still photography mode where higher speed readout can reduce motion artifacts and facilitate multi-frame noise reduction.
The wide-angle camera module uses Samsung's Fast 2L3, its third-generation 12 MP, 1.4 µm pixel pitch Dual Pixel ISOCELL sensor. The imager uses a Bayer RGB col-sm-12 col-lgor filter array, has die markings of S5K2L3SX and a die size of: 5.88 mm x 7.68 mm (45.2 mm2). Overall, that's a wider die than the S5K2L1 and S5K2L2, so we're anxious for our labs to produce die photos of the underlying die. The surface artifacts of through silicon vias (TSVs) are visible, and our cross-section work in progress will soon show the details of the 3-layer stack.
The S9+ telephoto camera chip is a recycle of Samsung's 12 MP, 1.0 µm pixel pitch S5K3M3SM from the Galaxy S8. It's a two-die stacked imager with masked PDAF pixels, Bayer RGB col-sm-12 col-lgor filter array and die size of 4.21 mm x 5.61 mm (23.6 mm2).
The S9's iris scanner is packaged in a 6.1 mm x 5.2 mm x 5.1 mm thick module. The monochrome, two-die stacked S5K5F1SX chip has a 6 MP resolution and 1.0 µm pixel pitch. This is a substantial upgrade from the up from the 5 MP resolution, 1.12 µm pixel pitch conventional back-illuminated sensor used in the Note 7/Galaxy S8. The S5K5F1SX die size is 3.11 mm x 3.78 mm (11.8 mm2).
The Galaxy S9's front-facing camera chip is a recycle of the Samsung S5K3H1SX we first saw in the Galaxy S8. It's a two-die stacked imager with 8 MP resolution, 1.22 µm pixel pitch and a die size of 3.83 mm x 8.00 mm (30.6 mm2).
We've just torn down a US-sourced Galaxy S9+, model SM-G965U, and as expected we learned Samsung is continuing its dual-sourcing strategy for the Galaxy S-series wide-angle camera chip. The IMX345 die size is 5.86 mm x 7.80 mm (45.7 mm2). The die dimensions are comparable to the sister Samsung S5K2L3SX chip and of course we're busy uncovering the details of both solutions, including the two other die stacked below these top image sensor chips. That's it for now - we wanted to share this fresh news and we'll be updating our IS subscribers with cross-sectional work in progress as it becomes available.
Shannon 735. We have seen it in many Samsung smartphones, such as Galaxy S8, S7, etc.
Samsung KLUCG2K1EA-B0C1, likely a 64GB UFS module.
We have confirmed that the main wireless combo SoC die inside the above Samsung Electro-Mechanics module is Broadcom BCM43570, the same 802.11ac/Bluetooth 5.0 die we saw in the Galaxy S8.
Our decap has confirmed that the NFC controller is Samsung S3NRN82. We also found a Samsung Secure Element (SE) die S3FV9RRP in the NFC module. For your information, the same SE socket in the Galaxy S8 was from STMicroelectronics.
We found a Broadcom BCM47752 GNSS receiver with integrated sensor hub.
A side note: we had been hoping to find Broadcom's BCM47755 - which supports two frequencies (L1+L5), compared to the legacy chip's L1 – but the Samsung Galaxy S9+ does not include this part. We will continue our hunting. According to Broadcom, the BCM47755 can achieve lane-level accuracy outdoors and much higher resistance to multipath and reflected signals in urban scenarios, as well as higher immunity to interference and jamming.
There is a new Broadcom (AFEM-9090) Front-End Module which looks to support both the high- and mid-cellular bands. This means there was a design win change from the Samsung Galaxy S8 SM-G955F in that Qorvo is no longer supporting any cellular bands in the "F" model of the new Samsung S9+. We will have to see if this is true in the Qualcomm S9+, or if this design change is across all variants for the new Galaxy S9 product line.
STMicroelectronics has won the MEMS Accelerometer & Gyroscope (LSM6DSL inertial module) and pressure sensor (LPS22HB) sockets, same design-wins as we saw in the previous Galaxy S8/S8+ phones.
On the main board we found two Knowles MEMS microphones, and a third Knowles MEMS microphone on the USB-C flex board. We noted on the USB-C flex board the markings "EUR" and "KOR" suggesting there is a different flex assembly for other Galaxy S9 models for other regions.
This makes sense since this particular substrate assembly has many of the cellular antenna contacts. We did not find the same pronounced markings on last years Galaxy S8 models.
AKM wins the 3-axis electronic compass socket again. It is the same AK09916 as we saw in the Galaxy S8.
Biometric identification is a very important feature of today's smartphones. The Samsung Galaxy S9+ combines face recognition, iris scan, and fingerprint sensor. We decapped the module to further explore the fingerprint sensor, and to our surprise we found that Taiwan's Egis Technology has won the fingerprint sensor socket. This means a socket loss for Synaptics which had been the fingerprint sensor supplier of Samsung's flagship Galaxy S series phones from the S5 to the S8.
As a side note, there are mainly 3 kinds of fingerprint sensor solutions for smartphones: capacitive fingerprint sensor, ultrasound, and optical.
The most popular one is the capacitive fingerprint sensor. For example, Apple's TMDR92 used in the iPhone 5S, 6, and SE, TMFK67 used in the iPhone 6s, iPhone 7 fingerprint sensor, Fingerprint Cards FPC1155, Goodix GF5118M. These are all capacitive fingerprint sensors.
The second one is the ultrasound solution. For example, Qualcomm Snapdragon Sense ID.
The third one is the optical fingerprint sensor solution targeting the full screen smartphones. With smartphones trending toward larger screens with higher screen-to-body ratios, a fingerprint sensor located on the front will definitely affect that ratio.
We have recently purchased the Vivo X20 Plus UD smartphone, the world's first in-display fingerprint sensor phone based on Synaptics' optical fingerprint sensor, and we are analysing it now. As we are expecting to see more design wins in this year's Android phones, we are unsure at this time why Samsung did not select the Synaptics optical fingerprint sensor in the Galaxy S9+.
Before the Android world's facial recognition and ultrasound fingerprint sensor solutions mature, in-display optical fingerprint sensor solutions seem to be the best option for full screen smartphones to compare to Apple's Face ID. At MWC18, Vivo revealed its APEX™ FullView™ concept smartphone, featuring world's first half-screen in-display fingerprint sensor.
It looks that the fingerprint sensor market will continue to see innovations, and we are looking forward to seeing new products in this area.


Many variations of the Pacific Street Traverse.
Most start with the Dragons Neck Traverse V0 on the left side, making delicate moves right past undercling to jugs.
High Pacific Street Traverse V3-5 Do dragons neck but continue to the corner, at the corner pull onto sloping lip at right (I like to dyno it) do moves with few feet to reach a good hold on lip and geet feet right into leaning crack. A powerful slap to a rounded jug leads to fun moves on the positively cut lip continue around the final arete and top out or step off near Pinscar Crack.
Left most side of Pacific Street Wall.
Tough feet on the High Pacific Street Traverse.


Note * : Price will vary based on the car segment.
Vacuuming of floor area & boot/dicky.
All the floor mats are scrubbed and cleaned with water.
Leather seats are cleaned with the Taski TR101 chemical and fabric-seats* are cleaned by vacuuming.
All the door panels/trims are scrubbed with micro fiber cloth and cleaned with the Taski R2 chemical.
Waxing and polishing of the entire dashboard.
Undertaken if the material can be cleaned and does not retain moisture. Odour is removed with the Taski R5 air freshner on completion.
V K Motors is an on-demand car care marketplace, currently serving more than 15000 customers in Lucknow city.
Copyright @ V K Motors 2018. All Rights Reserved. Powered by Anch Technologies.


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how did i get here?
"Johnny Goudie is the Marc Maron of Austin music. The veteran singer/guitarist – best known for fronting early Nineties pop band Mr. Rocket Baby and, later, his major-label rock act, Goudie – stepped up to the microphone with a new intention in 2011 and launched the How Did I Get Here? podcast. Now 840-some episodes in, the hourlong, twice-weekly interview show gives the host a platform to really connect with his Austin music guests, not just on what's happening in their careers, but also in the shared experience of music appreciation – and that's where he truly shines." -The Austin Chronicle 2019
Episode 235: Mike Flanigin
happy new year everyone! i hope you had a safe and wonderful new years eve. i did. i played in houston with SKYROCKET! we helped a guy propose to his lady. i quit smoking... that totally sucks! i'm on my third day and i'm really starting to freak out. i hate it. i played last night and it was all i could think about. i know it gets easier, but this totally sucks.
my guest for episode 235 is hammond B-3 organ master, mike flanigin. mike has had an incredible 2013. this year he played with jimmie vaughan at eric clapton's crossroads festival, he played with zz top at the montreaux jazz festival, he played with billy gibbons on his birthday in new york a couple of weeks ago along with will lee and anton fig of the david letterman band. his band, dupree, put out an album, nuestro camino that has garnered critical praise. his duo/trio shows at the continental club gallery are legendary and a "who's who" of special guests. to top it all off, mike flanigin is a really nice guy and and great hang. i hope you enjoy getting to know him as much as i did.
ciao! -jg
This entry was posted on Friday, January 3rd, 2014 at 3:46 pm	and is filed under music, talk, jazz, americana, rock, producer, pop culture, Blues, lounge, bass, austin music, podcast, multi-instrumentalist, guitar, studio, american music, duo, keyboards, R & B, music fan, europe, songwriter, honky-tonk, composer, night club, comedy writer, rock and roll, hammond b-3, organ. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
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Dodgers 2013 Rookie Class: Where Are They Now
by Arthur Cribbs 05/18/2018, 7:29 AM
Since the 2018 season has not been so forgiving for the Dodgers, let's reminisce on the good old days. It was just five years ago when the then-struggling Dodgers depended heavily on rookies Yasiel Puig and Hyun-Jin Ryu to bring the momentum and lead their playoff run. While these rookies played important roles, they weren't the only Dodgers to make their Major League debuts that year.
Hyun-Jin Ryu
Leading Up to the Majors: The Dodgers have a history of having Korean-born players on their roster with players such as Chan-ho Park, Jae-weong Seo and Hee-seop Choi, so it comes to no one's surprise when they signed left-handed pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu to a six-year, $36 million deal.
Ryu had a successful career in Korea, pitching for the Hanwha Eagles since he was 19-years-old. In seven seasons in his native country, Ryu had a 98-52 record with a 2.80 ERA.
Debut: April 2, 2013
At 26-years-old, Ryu made his debut against the San Francisco Giants at Dodgers Stadium. This was only the second game of the season and the Dodgers took home the loss against their hated rivals. Although he lost the game, Ryu pitched well in his debut, throwing 6.1 innings, allowing three runs (one earned) and striking out five.
Where Is He Now: Ryu probably had his best season in 2013 posting a 14-8 record with a 3.00 ERA. He had 30 starts that year, a feat he has not reached since due to several injuries. He is 3-0 with a 2.12 ERA this year but is on the disabled list dealing with a left groin strain.
Matt Magill
Leading Up to the Majors: Growing up in Simi Valley, California, right-handed pitcher Matt Magill was drafted by the Dodgers in 2008. As a 31st round pick, Magill worked his way up to the Major Leagues, spending about a year in each minor league level.
Debut: April 27, 2013
Matt Magill made his debut at Dodgers Stadium facing the Milwaukee Brewers. The Dodgers lost that game despite a quality start from Magill. He went 6.2 innings, allowing two runs, while striking out seven.
Where Is He Now: After a stellar debut, Magill struggled with the Dodgers was eventually traded to the Cincinnati Reds for outfielder Chris Heisey.
This year Magill pitching out of the bullpen for the Minnesota Twins. He has been superb this year, posting a 0.84 ERA through 10.2 innings pitched.
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Leading Up to the Majors: On June 28, 2012, the Dodgers shocked the world signing this unknown guy named Yasiel Puig to a seven-year, $42 million contract. Despite the mystery to Puig, he had a solid track record from his playing days in Cuba. In two seasons playing for the Elefantes de Cienfuegos as a teenager, Puig hit .311 with 23 home runs.
Debut: June 3, 2013
Called up from double-A, Puig made his debut against the San Diego Padres at Chavez Ravine. He singled in his first at-bat and wound up going 2-4 that game. While his offense was impressive, Puig's play of the game came with his arm. He ended the game throwing a bullet to first base, throwing out base runner Chris Denorfia to end the game.
You cannot mention Puig's debut without mentioning his magical rookie year. He hit .443 with eight home runs through his first 27 games. He finished the season with a .319 average with 19 home runs, and wound up second in Rookie of the Year voting that year.
Where Is He Now: Puig's career has been a rollercoaster ride since his debut in 2013. He has reached highest of highs, being named an all star in his second season to the lowest of lows, being demoted to the minor leagues in 2016.
This rollercoaster ride has continued again in 2018. He started off slow batting .193 without hitting a homerun before injuring his hip and ankle. Since returning from his injury, he is batting .292 with three home runs in only eight games. For the season he is batting .214 through 43 games.
Chris Withrow
Leading Up to the Majors: The Dodgers selected Chris Withrow in the first round of the 2007 Draft. Taken ahead of players such as Giancarlo Stanton, Josh Donaldson and Corey Kluber, the Dodgers had high expectations for Withrow. Drafted as a starter, Withrow eventually became a reliever.
Debut: June 12, 2013
Chris Withrow's debut was somewhat forgettable. He allowed a run and three hits in 0.2 innings, earning a blown save.
Although he struggled in his debut, Withrow pitched well his rookie season, with a 2.60 ERA out of the bullpen.
Where Is He Now: The Dodgers traded Withrow along with Juan Uribe to the Atlanta Braves in 2015. Withrow was injured at the time of the trade, recovering from Tommy John surgery but pitched for Atlanta in 2016.
He wound up with the Royals in 2017 but dealt with injuries, which prevented him from seeing action on the field. He is currently a free agent.
Jose Dominguez
Leading Up to the Majors: The Dodgers signed pitcher Jose Dominguez out of the Dominican Republic as a 16-year-old. He matriculated through the minor leagues and impressed the organization with his ability to reach triple digits on the radar gun.
Dominguez pitched out of the bullpen in his debut, playing against the Philadelphia Phillies at Dodgers Stadium. He pitched one scoreless inning and struck out one batter in his outing.
He pitched well his rookie year, posting a 2.16 ERA in 8.1 innings.
Where Is He Now: Similar to Withrow, Dominguez dealt with some injuries and ended up being traded. The Dodgers traded him to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for Joel Peralta and Adam Liberatore. He then bounced around, playing for the Padres and Giants organizations. Dominguez currently plays for the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican Baseball League.
Onelki Garcia
Leading Up to the Majors: Yasiel Puig was not the only Dodger rookie from Cuba in 2013. Left-handed pitcher Onelki Garcia also came from the island, but joined the Dodgers in a different fashion from Puig. Garcia posted a 12-11 record with a 4.53 ERA, playing three seasons as a teenager for the Indios de Guantanamo in Cuba.
He defected to the United States and ended up being drafted in the third round of the 2012 Draft.
Debut: September 11, 2013
Garcia pitched out of the bullpen at Chavez Ravine in his debut against the Diamondbacks. He did not throw a strike in his debut, walking Adam Eaton on four pitches.
Garcia had an ERA of 13.50 with the Dodgers that year but only his appearances were limited. He allowed two runs in 1.1 innings in 2013.
Where Is He Now: After dealing with injuries, the Dodgers released Garcia in 2014 and he was claimed by the Chicago White Sox. He bounced around, playing in the Mexican League and then going to the Kansas City Royals in 2017.
He now pitched for the Chunichi Dragons in Japan, where he is 4-1 with a 1.79 ERA as a starting pitcher.
Nick Buss
Leading Up to the Majors: Drafted twice by the Dodgers in both 2006 and 2008, Nick 'Chili' Buss spent six years in the minors. He played 650 minor league games before receiving a call up and batting .285 with 54 home runs.
Like every other Dodger that year, Nick Buss made his debut at Dodgers Stadium. The Dodgers got blown out by the Giants that game 19-3. Nick Buss played left field that game and earned his first hit against Tim Lincecum.
Where Is He Now: The Dodgers designated Buss for assignment in 2014 and he was picked up by the Oakland Athletics. He bounced around the league, playing for five organizations after the Dodgers.
He currently plays for the Twins organization and is batting .244 with a home run in triple-A.
Analysis: There is nothing better than seeing a guy finally getting a taste at the big leagues. Five years ago, six players experienced that sweet feeling with the Dodgers. Although only Ryu and Puig are the only players that remain in the Dodgers organization, all of those players will remember their rookie seasons for the rest of their lives.
[button color="red" size="big" alignment="center" rel="follow" openin="samewindow" url="https://www.dodgersnation.com/bats-come-alive-to-end-losing-streak-bh0796/2018/05/17/"]Dodgers: Bats Come Alive to End Losing Streak[/button]
Written by Arthur Cribbs
Arthur Cribbs is a journalism student at Howard University in Washington, D.C. He is a lifelong Dodgers fan and when he is not at school, he resides in Los Angeles.


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The utilization of optics as well as accessories has surpassed the initial expectations of most rifles. This has made them efficient in ways that their designers never envisioned. Sadly, most are not inclusive of the AK.
One firm wishes to alter this with Picatinny rails (neat topcover). Many sufficient side-mount rail selections are available, obviously accessible to AK platform. Also, it is a developing section of the aftermarket for AK. However, nothing really matches a flattop rail as far as flexibility is concerned.
Texas Weapon Systems has a task that is fascinating, with their Dog Leg Rail. Similar to the Beryl rail, it makes use of the back sight block as a one of a couple of mounting points, even though for simple fixing, it substitutes the back sight leaf.
The rail rides the length of a custom dust cover's top, inside a mounting bracket which locks into the back sight mount. In addition, the dust cover consists of a couple of tabs that face inwards to instantly self-center as well as sustain zero.


The Duomo is undoubtedly the most remarkable sight in Florence. Architecture lovers can't even hide their excitement about the amazing cathedral. Millions of people visit Florence only to take a photo of the brilliant construction. The magnificent dome witnesses the beauty of the Italian Renaissance, and the design was signed by Filippo Brunelleschi. The Gothic structure only contributes to the brilliance of the cathedral. It was constructed in honor of Santa Maria del Fiore.
The Baptisery of St. John is located right in front of the cathedral, and it's an important part of the Italian puzzle. Many would agree that the baptisery is actually the oldest religious site in Florence. The city doesn't offer much information about its origins, but Italians claim believe it was built on the remains of a Roman temple. Historical records from 897 describe it as a minor basilica. Later in 1128, the baptisery was consacred as the Baptisery of Florence, and is considered the oldest religious monument in the city. It was the religious spot for Catholics in Florence until the end of the 19th century. It's interesting to note that the baptisery still offers the same service on the first Sunday of each month. Italians can baptize their children in the Baptisery of St. John only if they make a request on time.
The awesome structure is built in honor of the city's patron saint. It's octagonal plan and octagonal lantern are put together in the most artistic way ever possible. The outside is designed in a typical Florentine Romanesque manner. The most interesting part of the construction are the three large doors. The eastern doors lead to the grand Duomo.
The main highlight of the tour is the climbing into the magnificient Cuppola of Brunelleschi where the guide will explain all you need to know about the construction details, architecture and not only. The Florence Duomo and Cuppola Tour offers you an unique bird-eye panoramic view over the city that you will enjoy for sure.
Also, tourists can enter the cathedral for free. The wait lines are too long, but everyone gets the opportunity to enter the magnificent cathedral. The administration does efforts to increase the number of groups in order to reduce the wait time. Tour guides are also an option, and visitors can reach every part of the Duomo.
Visiting one of the largest cathedrals in the world takes plenty of time, and visitors can't miss any of its main spots. Tour guides take tourists to the crypt, and many get the chance to climb up the cupola. The Bell Tower is the spot you don't want to miss, including the trip to the top. The tour also includes a visit of the Museum of the Duomo, where visitors can admire the work of Donatello and Michelangelo.
The visits are always planned, and always include a combination of the most important spots within the cathedral. Visitors first hit the archaeological digs in the Crypt, walking all the way to the cupola. The Bell Tower is the next spot, leading to the Baptisery and its decorative doors.
The impressive highlight is definitely the Circular Room of statues leading to the Rooftop Terraces. The view from the terrace is more than spectacular, and it's the goal of many visitors. Of course, visitors can enjoy the breath-taking view only by climbing the 463 steps to the top of the Dome. A single visit to the top can give you a full view of Florence, Fiesole and the nice mountains beyond. It's a perspective-changing experience and an absolute 'must' when it comes to visiting the religious sight in Florence.
Up to 20 people can fit into a single visiting group. The ticket price includes a live tour guide, earphones, admission fee and tickets for all the sights.
The gigantic structure is a proof of the amazing artwork in Italy. Architectural giants could never reach this incredible height if it wasn't for the magnificent work of artists. The Duomo is here to witness for all the changes that took place in Florence. Time can't change its beauty, making it even more attractive to anyone who is willing to live their dream. Nothing could beat the power of the Duomo, and the amazing view it offers. It's the sacred bliss that fills our eyes, chest and spirit. It's the synonym for peace and freedom. Blessed are the architects who put together such a magnificent structure, offering us the opportunity to enjoy Florence in one breath. People across the world come to visit the Duomo, trying to catch a grip with the immortality of its spirit.
Arnolfo di Cambio was the first to start the construction of the cathedral in thee 13th century. Filippo Brunelleschi built the dome in the 15th century. Visitors can spot the statues of both architects outside the cathedral.
The church was consecrated right after the dome was set in place. The front part of the church wasn't completed until the 19th century. The exterior of the church is decorated with a marvelous combination of pink, white and green marble. The interior is stark, offering cooler conditions in summer. Most visitors are attracted by the mosaic pavements. Paolo Uccello designed the clock above the entrance in 1443. Do you know that it still works? Art experts recognize the amazing work of Giorgio Vasari. His frescoes of the Last Judgment (1572-9) are the most remarkable artwork in the cathedral. Vasari designed the frescoes, and Frederico Zuccari finished the painting by 1579.
Comfortable walking shoes are highly recommended due to this typology of activity as a walking tour and also due to the stairs required to climb in order to arrive on the top of Brunelleschi Cuppola.