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The Tattoo
December 7, 2010 at 8:53 pm	(Aruna, Bewitchments, Cal, Enchantments, Flick, Fulfilments, Grissecon, Introspection, Long, Orien, Pell, Saltrock, Seel, Unneah, Wraiths, youcantseeus)
Title: The Tattoo
Author: youcantseeus
Contact info: youcantseeus12@gmail.com
Beta: Oshun
Spoilers: For books 1-4.
Characters: Flick, Seel, Pell, Cal, Orien
Disclaimer: The following story is a work of fan fiction based on the Wraeththu series by Storm Constantine. I am not the original creator of the Wraeththu universe nor do I own most of the characters and locations contained in this story.
Summary: Flick attempts to make a statement with a tattoo. Seel is not pleased.
Sometimes, I could read Seel like a book.
For example, when Colt and Stringer came over and proudly showed us that they'd gotten rough tattoos of one another's names across their arms, I knew that Seel was fuming. He may have smiled and made light comments through gritted teeth, but I knew that later that night I'd be the one who would have to listen to him ranting about how foolish it was to have somehar else's name on your arm forever and how it echoed human possessiveness and human love.
As it turned out, Pell and Cal got to hear him rant as well. Seel barely waited until Colt and Stringer were out the door before he started in.
"Could you believe that?" he asked the room as I started washing the dinner dishes. "I knew that letting that har charge for tattoos was a bad idea. Now we have hara making stupid decisions."
Cal looked up from where he was sharing breath with Pell. They were always hanging all over one another. I was surprised that it didn't bother Seel more, given how he felt about Cal, but he seemed determined to show that he was above caring. "What are you going to do, oh mighty Seel?" Cal asked in a playful voice. "Ban tattoos?"
"Of course not," Seel said, throwing himself into a chair across from Cal. "I just would have thought that Colt and Stringer would have a little more sense. It's not like they've just gone through althaia. They're old enough to behave seriously."
"Maybe that's why they did it," I said.
Everyhar looked at me. "Well," I said, quickly, "Colt and Stringer have been together a long time. They seem pretty solid." I was receiving a patented Seel glare. Seel was very good at glaring. "Maybe they feel secure enough about their – their feelings," I had almost used to word "love" which would have been a huge mistake, "that they think they'll last."
The glare was only getting worse. "It's sort of sweet in a way," I babbled on. "I mean, for some people."
Not for Seel, obviously. "It is not sweet, it's disturbing," he said and then he pointed at Pell and Cal. "And I better not catch you two down there getting matching tattoos anytime soon."
Pell made a face. "No way," he said. "Did you see those tattoos? They were hideous."
I rolled my eyes as I dried a plate with a dishtowel. Of course Pell's main objection would be aesthetic.
"You can get them magically removed, you know," Cal said to Pell.
"But it leaves a scar," Seel put in.
Seel continued brooding long after Pell and Cal had gone to bed.
"Matching tattoos," he muttered. "Can you imagine feeling so sick about somehar that you'd want his name tattooed on your body?"
I finished wiping down the counters. "No," I said. "I can't."
The Wind that Broke the Door
October 25, 2009 at 10:18 pm	(Abuse, Aruna, Astarth, Bewitchments, Challenge, Chantress, Enchantments, Fallsend, Fulfilments, Harling, Introspection, Major OC, Romance)
by Chantress
Author's Email: chevron6@gmail.com
Rating: R (non-explicit aruna and descriptions of past abuse)
Spoilers: The Fulfillments of Fate and Desire
Characters: Astarth, Flounah, and various cameos
Summary: A look into Astarth's mind and later life after the end of Fulfillments. Sometimes, the more things stay the same, the more they change.
Disclaimer: The concept of Wraeththu and all characters and situations pertaining thereto are the property of Storm Constantine, who has very graciously allowed her fans to play with them; no money is being made from this story, and no copyright infringement is intended or should be implied.
Author's Note: My first Wraeththu fic. (Eeek!) I've only read the original trilogy and about a third of The Wraiths of Will and Pleasure, so bear with me if I inadvertently commit canon murder because of my ignorance of something that happens later on in the series. Arsche and Roz appear courtesy of my good friend Mr. Powell, just because. 😉
Chapter One: Preparations
"I thought I'd never have to do this again," I complained to my reflection as I finished applying my makeup.
Damn Quince. Of all the nights he could have decided to get fed up with everything and leave, he had to pick this one. Fallsend was packed with foreign hara (mostly from Jaddayoth, but a good number from as far away as Megalithica), and most of them seemed to have descended upon Piristil. They were mostly here for the tour, of course, followed by a late supper and a rehashing of the delectable horror of having been in the very room where the inimitable Panthera had been chained, but there were always some who'd pay the extra few spinners for a night with a genuine Piristil kanene. (Not that there were that many of us left from the old days, but most hara only cared about the brand name, so to speak, so who was I to miss out on an opportunity to profit from this?) With twelve kanene currently living in the musenda (not including myself), plus four alternates who could be called in at a moment's notice, there were usually more than enough to fill the demand, even on busy nights—until now, that is.
I sighed and scowled, blotting away a bit of excess lipstick. Quince, who I'd been relying on to entertain whichever of the Gelaming showed up that evening for the yearly audit, was probably halfway to Jaddayoth by now, fueled as he was by alcohol and self-righteous indignation; Semiru was due to deliver his pearl any day now; Yasmeen had broken his leg the day before and was staying in the House of Healing for the rest of the week; Roz was having one of his "episodes"; Ezhno was visiting relatives in Jasminia and wouldn't be back for another two months, at least; it was Flounah's utterly sacrosanct night off; and there was no telling where the hell Kelis had wandered off to this time. So with only nine kanene and a full house, I was going to have to pick up the slack.
"Woolgathering, Astarth?"
I spun around. Flounah was standing at the door, watching me with folded arms—not quite inside my room, just far enough to be mildly insulting without giving me any real reason to object.
"How does it feel to be one of us again?" he continued, then narrowed his eyes and added in an all-too-audible undertone, "Not that you ever weren't, of course."
"Shouldn't you be packing?" I said, pointedly turning my back on him again.
"I have a month; my things aren't likely to run off before then, you know—unlike yours. Speaking of which, Ezhno hid your favorite earrings under that utterly tacky stuffed dragon of his. There's probably a bunch more of your things in his room, too, but that's where he usually stashes your jewelry. I'll just put these here, shall I?"
He set the earrings down on my dressing table; the gold and rubies glittered up at me invitingly. I stroked them, sighing with regret, then put them back in their place of honor in the top tier of my jewelry box. I wouldn't be able to wear them again unless I got my ears re-pierced, and I dreaded the pain.
Ah, what price beauty? my hostling's voice whispered mockingly in my head—a ghost from the past I'd thought long-banished. I gritted my teeth against it. I can't remember, I thought desperately. Not now. Not like this.


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The Kermit Gosnell Case: Why This is About So Much More Than Abortion
April 14, 2013 By Emily McClements
I didn't want to write this post, and yet, as I was sitting on my couch last night watching a documentary and reading article after article, tears streaming down my face, I couldn't stop at that. I couldn't just move on, and go on writing here about things that seem so trivial in light of this horror.
It's a loaded story, I know, and that's why I didn't want to write about it. The thoughts swirl through my head, but I never feel like they come out quite right on the page. And yet, my fingers started typing almost without my control, I couldn't not write. I couldn't not say the things on my heart and in my mind.
I couldn't stay silent on this one. My stomach turns and my heart breaks for the babies. The precious little ones who were violently denied their right to live. And while that part of the story is definitely important, this is about so much more than just abortion.
Whether you're pro-choice or pro-life, it doesn't matter – what happened at the Women's Medical Society, 3801 Lancaster, Philadelphia cannot be ignored. In fact, I think it's more important for those who are pro-choice to be outraged by this story and demand changes.
Those of us who are pro-life believe that abortion is killing a baby, and that babies feel pain, and that mothers are scarred, sometimes emotionally, sometimes physically, for life, and that many women who've had abortions can never carry a baby to term again, and that women die from abortions. We know these things, and that's why we have been, and always will be, outraged and heart-broken by the act of abortion.
But to the pro-choice defenders – the one's who claim women's bodies and women's rights – how can what happened to these women at this clinic be okay? Why wouldn't those who believe in a woman's right to choose to have an abortion, also expect that those who perform the abortion treat her and her body with dignity and respect?
Why shouldn't a woman be able to chose to have a procedure done at a clinic that has been inspected by the state, that is safe, and clean, and where the employees are trained medical professionals? Why would a woman choose to be yelled at, stripped of her clothing, tied down forcibly, and not listened to when she decides that she has changed her mind? Where is her choice to not choose an abortion? Or at least to choose not to have an abortion at a place where she doesn't feel safe?
And what about her choice later on in life? What if she chooses to have a baby at another time, but can't because of long term effects of her abortion?
How is what took place at the Women's Medical Society in any way, shape, or form upholding and honoring of a woman's right and a woman's body and a woman's choice? How can those who cry that women's rights are at the center of the abortion issue not be outraged by the treatment of those same women in that horrendous place?
But it goes beyond women's rights too, what about race and class? What about civil rights? That white women were treated in a different and cleaner room than minority women. Where is the outrage?!
I thought the reason that we made abortion legal was so that atrocities like this wouldn't happen. So there would be government regulations and oversight. So that women would be protected, not preyed upon.
So I urge you, if you are pro-choice, please grab ahold of this story and help bring to light the flagrant violation of these women's rights. Yes, babies were killed at the Women's Medical Society, but women also died, or were permanently affected by the procedures done to them. And countless others were robbed of their dignity and respect by a man who profited greatly from their circumstances.
Does a woman only have the right to chose an abortion, and then she surrenders all her other rights for clean, safe, fair and humane treatment? Please speak out for all of the rights of women and their bodies, not just some of them.
And those of us who are pro-life, we will cry out in outrage for the babies. The ones who cannot speak for themselves. And maybe together, we can work to protect our women and children from these kinds of heinous acts and their cruel perpetrators.
From the Report to the Grand Jury:
"We think the reason no one acted is because the women in question were poor and of color, because the victims were infants without identities, and because the subject was the political football of abortion." (Page 13)
We must not stay silent. We must act.
"Give justice to the poor and the orphan; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute. Rescue the poor and helpless; deliver them from the grasp of evil people." Psalm 82:3-4
If you are so inclined, I found, and signed, this non-partisan petition to President Obama and would encourage you to also.
14 CommentsFiled Under: Family & Children, Impact Your World Tagged With: abortion, baby, family, in the news, women's rights
Guest Post: Walking with Her Through the Darkness {Helping a Friend with Postpartum Depression} 5 Standard Newborn Procedures You Choose to Avoid {Green in 365: Baby & Child Care} Why We Chose to Have a Homebirth 6 Tips for Surviving the Newborn Stage — Part 1
Proud of you for saying something Emmy, and putting it quite nicely I might add
Thank you Sari! I appreciate that! Hope you and your sweet little man are doing well!
Liz K says
Thank You! You captured perfectly how I felt after reading several articles on this horrific story. I wanted to say something on Facebook but didn't know how to express myself in a way that could reach my friends on both the debate. Instead, I posted a link to your article!
Thanks for sharing, Liz! I appreciate it!
[email protected]rtaoldlife says
I believe the grand jury got it right. This kind of thing happens because, even though abortion is a legal procedure, many women cannot get access to safe, affordable ones. If more women could get the health care of all kinds that they need, I believe there would be far fewer abortions.
I really appreciate your approach on this topic. I almost didn't read the post because I've come to believe that anyone who feels the need to vocalize an opinion on this emotional, divisive topic probably can't say anything to bridge the gap between themselves and those on the other side. I'm glad I did. I think women on both sides of the issue have deep regard for the value of life, which you articulate clearly here. (I am not so sure about many men.) That's our common ground, and I wish more of us could stand on it together.
Thank you so much for your comment Rita – you are absolutely right, the value of life is at the core of this story/issue. Wouldn't it be an amazing thing if people on both sides of the issue could stand together so that these horros would not be perpetrated against women or babies!
A great response to this issue – this is not just about being pro-life or pro-choice, it's about respecting the full dignity of the person and no matter the side you take someones dignity was not being respected.
'Becca says
I agree! I am pro-choice and appalled at the way the news from this clinic has been handled by many people on both sides. Yes, absolutely, supporting women's right to choose includes supporting their right to change their minds and to be treated safely and kindly throughout whichever procedures they choose.
Also, though, the fact that this clinic was so horrifying does not mean that all abortion clinics in Pennsylvania need to be subjected to new rules that have nothing to do with safety. I live in PA, so I've been following the story pretty closely. Gosnell's clinic was flagrantly violating many laws that existed at the time and dodging the oversight it should have had. What the state needs to correct is the unevenness of its concern for medical facilities that serve middle-class white women vs. those that serve the inner city. This is no reason why every woman seeking abortion in PA should have to have a transvaginal ultrasound. Unfortunately, Gov. Corbett and others are jumping on the Gosnell case as an opportunity to shut down clinics and sell medical equipment and discourage abortion by making it harder to get–rather than by making it easier to have and raise a child.
Years ago I stopped donating to all pro-choice organizations except the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice because I felt that they were too often taking the stance, "Women's most important right is being able to have an abortion," while ignoring every possibility that specific procedures for abortion might be risky, that some women might choose differently if fully informed about embryonic development, or that women might sometimes WANT to make a different choice but feel pressured to choose abortion.
It's a difficult topic. Thanks, Emily, for addressing it so intelligently.
Hi 'Becca, Thanks so much for your comment! It's interesting to hear from someone who is more local to the case. From my reading and understanding, the clinic was not inspected by anyone from the health or state departments from 1993 on, due to a PA law stating they would not inspect any clinics unless they received a complaint, which numerous complaints were filed against the clinic over the years. And this was the policy for all abortion clinics, so I don't understand how Gosnell was dodging the oversight – it seems to me that the government failed the women and children of the clinic by not providing the necessary inspections and oversight of a medical facility.
And I definitely agree with you that this case really has nothing to do with women being required to receive transvaginal ultrasounds, it is about providing safe and proper care as long as abortions are legal in this country, and right now they are, whether those of us on pro-life side wants to admit it or not. And I really like the way you that you put it – we should be discouraging abortion by making it easier to have and raise a child, not just by limiting access to them without offering pre- and post-natal support. As well as the point that the pro-choice side usually places too much emphasis on the choice to get an abortion part. And I am realizing that the pro-life side often places too much emphasis on the life of the baby part, instead of being pro-all life, including the life of the mother. I think those of us on both sides of this issue have more common ground that we realize we most of what we see of this "debate" are people holding picket signs and screaming at each other from opposite sides of the street. Maybe this case will help us learn that we can work together for the betterment of the lives of women and their babies!
Yes, the government failed the citizens by failing to investigate when complaints HAD been received. I have not heard of a law that prevents inspections unless there's a complaint. With a little research, I found this article indicating that there were no routine inspections for 15 years due to a decision by the governor's office–there was no law against them. In any case, of course that's horrible, deciding that a medical facility of any kind can go totally uninspected!! But as far as Gosnell dodging oversight, it sounds like he and his employees put a lot of pressure on patients and their families to keep quiet about what was going on there, and that may have reduced complaints.
Yes, sometimes pro-life activism takes an unfortunate tone of being all about saving babies while ignoring the fact that each of those babies is attached to a person with her own life! Pregnancy can be very draining, and childbirth has serious risks, so it's crucial to acknowledge that continuing a pregnancy has a major impact on a woman and her family. (It also has an impact on the environment and the taxpayers, which I think also needs to be acknowledged.)
When I was in college, Pennsylvania passed a new law requiring women to wait 24 hours for an abortion and to be given a booklet to read in the meantime. My campus pro-choice group obtained a copy of this booklet. We found that it was quite well-balanced, presenting an accurate description of embryonic/fetal development and lists of the physical and emotional risks of both abortion and childbirth. I think that type of educational approach is much better than screaming outside a clinic OR denying that abortion can have any negative effects.
Indeed, there's a lot of common ground for those of us who believe that both women and babies deserve to be healthy, loved, and supported.
Oh, you're right 'Becca, I misspoke – I didn't mean a law, but yes, a purposeful decision made by government not to inspect clinics. How people in government thought was okay is beyond me!? But, I also didn't realize that the clinic put pressure on patients not to complain. That would make sense though since it does seem like that's kind of a missing piece to the puzzle – why when there were so many patients of the clinic, didn't someone say something? Which is just another really sad part of this story, that women we're treated so poorly and didn't even feel like they could stand up for themselves after the fact. Sigh. The whole thing just really makes my heart so sad
Heather Anderson says
Well said! You may not have wanted to write about this but I am so glad you did. Like you, I am pro-life and cry over the killing of the unborn. But I also appreciate your entreaties to those who are pro-choice. You were both articulate and compassionate in treating a very difficult subject.
Mandi @ Life Your Way says
Emily, I am so proud of you for this post. It is so well researched and written, and I think you spoke your mind and heart beautifully. Thank you!
I agree this is about more than civil rights. While it did take place in a poor, prodominantly colored city it is not about the color of your skin. Sometimes I am not sure if we expose the truth or help fight whatever battle will make it stop. But when we do we are just placing a bandaid over the problem. It is murder it is about killing God's creation and standing up for the one's who can not defend themselves no matter the class, color or sex.
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They didn't mean to, but they're wrong. Let us explain why your RWD sports-coupe is going to serve you perfectly fine in the winter, despite what other people may say.
You've just left high school, and are now in that strange period of life in which for some reason, you're being called an adult despite the nagging feeling that you're still twelve-years-old. Naturally, when it comes time to buy your first car, your inner twelve year-old mocks more pedestrian choices, opting for something wild and irresponsible. While your parents envision a beige 10 year old Toyota on the driveway, you envision a fire-breathing V8 powered, RWD, middle-finger to the world.
Now, in 2016 the former point is simply common sense. Whether it be AWD, FWD or the dreaded RWD, if you try to make it through snow on all season tires, you're asking for trouble. The economy all-season rubber that came on your Subaru Impreza was designed to produce low rolling resistance for better fuel economy, reasonable grip in wet and dry conditions, and acceptable ride quality. It wasn't designed to march through six inches of snow with authority. On that note, anything from a V8 Mustang to a Subaru WRX STI is going to have trouble in the winter without the right tires.
You're leaving work groggy eyed and sleep deprived, and there's a fluffy inch of snow on the ground. You turnout of the driveway in your Scion FRS, give it a bit too much gas and the rear of the car swings outwards. You, the adept driving enthusiast, barely flinch as you counter-steer and gently add enough throttle to ease the car out of what appeared to be a deliberate, graceful drift. Your coworker Billy however, couldn't care less about driving, and he follows you in his 2003 Crown Vic borrowed from his ex-cop father-in-law. He sees your "jap-crap" sports car sliding around, and attempts to assert his dominance by putting all 272ft-lbs of American torque down to the ground. The rear of the Crown Vic steps out of line, Billy panics and slams on the brakes, and before you even notice his headlights in your rearview, he's spun around and landed in a ditch on the opposite side of the road. Billy then grows up, to tell his kids about how horrible RWD cars are in the winter.
Spinning the rear wheels and sliding around a corner is no more dangerous than spinning the front tires and understeering into the opposite lane. That's not to say that RWD cars don't understeer in the winter; they certainly do. However I highlight a RWD car's tendency for power-on oversteer because most people consider understeer to be manageable. On the contrary, too many people confuse oversteer with losing control of your car.
Winter driving a RWD car is not a death-defying task, but you need to understand how to catch oversteer through counter-steering, and you need to have good throttle control. Manage these two things, and you'll be fine.
My point is this: because the drivetrain of a RWD car puts the differential, most of the transmission, and often times much of the engine behind the front axle, they tend to be more rear-weight biased than FWD cars. Due to their drivetrain layout, they also tend to be heavier to start with than FWD. The result is that both FWD and RWD put roughly about the same amount of weight over their drive wheels. That being said, my 99′ Miata puts down less weight over its drive wheels than any car mentioned above, and I'm yet to have an iota of trouble in the snow. Once again – throttle control.
Yeah, well good luck getting through that with your FWD Corolla. My point is not that RWD is the superior winter drivetrain – it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that an AWD car spinning all four wheels is better than just a RWD spinning just two in the snow. Likewise, FWD allows drivers to point power in the direction they want to go, which can be useful for trudging through deep snow.
However, as a driving enthusiast, RWD and its associated power-on oversteer is seriously fun. Then, when the morning comes and you need to commute through several inches of snow, your RWD car will be utterly, completely fine. Just buy the right tires. Did I mention that you should buy winter tires? Buy winter tires.
If you're shopping for a RWD car, I beg you, do not let this notion that RWD is horrible in the winter deter you. It isn't.
DO purchase a set of winter tires.
DO slow down and use caution when driving on snowy roads.
DON'T put your hazards on and crawl along at 2 km/h in white-knuckled terror. It's snow; fluffy, white frozen moisture that you can ball up and throw at people. Driving is still driving, just with a little more caution.
DO take the time to learn counter-steering and throttle control when winter driving a RWD car.
DON'T ignore the previous suggestion and proclaim to the world how horrible RWD cars are in the winter just because you refuse to learn how to drive them.


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Captain Chris Gerbrandt was born in Ottawa, Ontario. He attended high school in CFB Petawawa, Ontario.
Captain Chris Gerbrandt was a member of 2642 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps in Petawawa, from 1983 to 1987. He retired from cadets at the rank of CWO to enroll in the Canadian Armed Forces in February of 1987. As a member of the CF, Captain Gerbrandt was employed as both a Marine Engineer and Combat Engineer before leaving the CF to pursue higher education.
Captain Gerbrandt enrolled in Mount Royal College, Calgary and completed his diploma in Child and Youth Care in 1991. While attending college he worked with 1292 Lord Strathcona Horse (RC) cadet corps in Calgary , before transferring to the Primary reserve with 14 Svc Bn. Captain Gerbrandt served as a Mobile Support Equipment Operator with 14 Svc Bn until 1997.
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Captain Gerbrandt worked for the Province of Alberta as a Sheriff and is married to Kimberly, he has two sons one of which is a member of his cadet corps. They reside in Medicine Hat.
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text:
Richard Hylton
--Show all items-- Exhibitions & ProjectsPublicationsWriting
Decolonising the Curriculum - Art Monthly
Decolonising the Curriculum
Frank Bowling's forthcoming major retrospective at Tate Britain has been a long time coming. So long in fact, visitors to it will be able to 'experience' what Tate describes as 'the entirety of Bowling's 60-year career'. As 'one of Britain's most visionary painters' who 'went on to study at the Royal College of Art alongside David Hockney and RB Kitaj and who 'became the first Black artist nominated as a Royal Academician', Bowling has finally been recognised by the upper echelons of Britain's art establishment. Like Rasheed Araeen's retrospective in 2017-18, organised by the Van Abbemuseum, Eindoven before touring to the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead (as well as MAMCO, Geneva and Garage Museum of Contemporary Art, Moscow) that charted Araeen's 60-year career (Interview AM413), Bowling's retrospective characterises recent institutional attempts at slowly inserting black artists into British art history. It is difficult to overstate the significance of these exhibitions. Both Bowling and Araeen are in their 80s. Furthermore, these shows also mark a break from posthumous recognition bestowed on artists such as Ronald Moody, Aubrey Williams, Anwar Jalal Shemza and Donald Rodney. Accompanying the display of substantial bodies of work spanning several decades are equally substantial monographs on Bowling and Araeen respectively, which include essays by a coterie of curators, critics and art historians. These exhibitions and monographs reflect the museum sector's continuing attempts to diversify the canon. But is academia's instrumental contribution to these exhibitions evidence of a move towards expansive and pluralised notions of art history? In any number of retrospective exhibitions staged in Britain over the past few years, including those on Hannah Höch, Eva Hesse, Thomas Ruff, Käthe Kollwitz and more recently Joan Jonas, Anni Albers and Franz West, academics often play key roles, be it as curators, writers or advisors. Often testament to their sustained and prolonged academic inquiry, it follows that these artists figure prominently in course offerings on modern and contemporary art. Given that postwar black artists have been largely excised from dominant art history narratives, is the academy suitably equipped to follow the museum sector in diversifying its curriculum or does its role in historical revisionism mask prevailing racial and cultural hierarchies within art history? This article considers the racial and cultural politics of academe in Britain today. It argues that while feminist-based theories, for example, have played an instrumental role in challenging notions of the canon, conversely post-colonial discourse in its many forms, though equally important, remain largely marginalised if non-existent across course offerings of many art history departments in Britain. Concepts of difference and pluralism are more widely reflected in the 21stcentury Britain not least by universities eager to project themselves as tolerant and inclusive environments. However, from their curricula to employment practices, academe remains largely impervious and resistant to change. Is this a consequence of an unspoken white privilege which continues to pervade and dominate the field of art history?
In 2000, as part of a presentation for my MA in History of Art, I explored the politics of black artists in British art. Ruminating on why Bowling had and continued to be frozen out of mainstream narratives of British art, I showed Who's Afraid of Barney Newman, 1968. From Bowling's now widely acclaimed map paintings series. The paintings represented an amalgamation of ideas pertaining to abstraction and representation, culture and identity, as well as being a witty homage to the revered US painter Barnett Newman. Comprising shimmering green and red sections, intersected by a luminous yellow crevice, reminiscent of Newman's 'zip' affect, a faint but discernible white outline of the map of Guyana, Bowling's country of birth, reinforced the interplay between representation and abstraction. This confluence of narratives and entry points to Bowling's work were, so I thought, sufficient to spark and sustain a productive discussion in an art history context. However, at the end of my presentation, and possibly as a means of igniting a discussion amongst the student group, an art history lecturer ventured the opinion that Britain was awash with painters working in studios waiting to be discovered. Although a fleeting, if not flippant comment, that would not find its way into print, the lecturer's observation did represent for me, a certain hostility within art history teaching, towards asserting that the art world is a racially structured space. This personal experience took place within what could be considered a relatively liberal and progressive art history department. Nevertheless, it embodied in microcosm, the formidable challenges and obstacles within art history. For the record, in 2000, at the age of 65, Bowling was not 'waiting to be discovered'. His exemplary practice and the high regard in which he was held was reflected in many important exhibitions of Bowling in the UK and the US, which belied his systematic exclusion for the mainstream art world. In the intervening years, Bowling's stock has risen significantly within the museum arena. However, art history teaches us nothing if despite a plethora of awards, exhibitions and critical attention we are offered only a selective view of history. Tate's foregrounding of Bowling's time working alongside Hockney and RB Kitaj is a case in point. Scouring through Tate: A History from 1998 by Frances Spalding there is not one mention of Bowling. Following Lubaina Himid being heralded as the oldest practitioner to win the coveted Turner Prize, the BBC glibly commented that 'Himid made her name in the 1980s as one of the leaders of the British black arts movement – both painting and curating exhibitions of similarly overlooked artists'. Where Bowling is now seamlessly positioned as part of post war British art, Himid's recognition was framed by a casual acknowledgement about 'similarly overlooked artists'. These seemingly different forms of historical recovery nullify rather than address the incalculable damage systematic art world exclusions have had and continue to have on individual practitioners and wider narratives of art history.
Excerpt Art Monthly May 2019 No.426
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© Copyright Richard Hylton 2013 - 2019


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Should elites be held responsible for their bodyguards?
Habib Battah· Jul 17, 2015
The Daily Star reported today that a bodyguard associated with prominent banker Antoun Sehnaoui stabbed a man to death in a "road rage" incident. But with the victim stabbed some 15 times after being kicked around the street as seen in multiple cell phone videos, it might be more appropriate to call this act a barbarian homicide on par with what so horrifies us about the violence of groups like ISIS.
Of course when there is no beard involved, the story is told a bit differently. Initial reports and blog posts did not even mention Sehnaoui's name at all, using curiously vague terms like "powerful banker" instead. Both LBC and MTV do not mention Sehnaoui's name in their reports, neither did The Daily Star in its first article on the topic, though it was included in a subsequent piece.
MTV coverage:
LBC coverage:
To its credit, LBC also noted with an onscreen graphic that the police failed to intervene despite repeated calls by the victim's wife:
Yet this apparent fear of naming Sehanoui, who is the head of SGBL Bank–one of Lebanon's largest– may be due to the fact that he has actually threatened legal action against anyone using his name "slanderously" in association with the crime in a statement issued by his lawyer. In the statement Sehnaoui, claims he supports full justice for the victim– Georges Al Rif, a father of four–and that this case was an "isolated incident."
But was this really an isolated incident and to what extent should Sehnaoui be held accountable for the armed and very dangerous men on his payroll? In fact, this is not the first time we read about the alleged brutal violence of Sehnaoui's bodyguards in the news.
Many will remember the shootout that occurred in a nightclub in 2010 when Sehnaoui's bodyguards were summoned before a court for their possible involvement in firing a hail of bullets that wounded another businessman. According to OTV, some 100 bullets were fired and several eyewitnesses claim the violence was perpetuated by the Sehnaoui bodyguards:
Meanwhile a Twitter user alerted me to yet another incident of a fatal shooting where Sehnaoui's bodyguards are also claimed to be involved, according to at least one report. But I could not find any news articles on that one. Can anyone verify this?
At any rate, are all of these coincidences or "isolated incidents" as Mr. Sehnaoui claims? How probable is it that his bodyguards would be implicated in at least two extremely violent crimes and yet he claims to support justice? What happened to the those who shot up the nightclub? Did they remain employed by Sehnaoui even after the armed violence?
Sehanoui is not alone. I watched and filmed firsthand as a bodyguard associated with MP Nadim Gemayel raced his car into a crowd of protestors, severely injuring one. The event happened right in front of a police station:
The Gemayel bodyguards had previously beaten activists savagely and threatened them with machine guns when they activists demanded they remove their cars that were blocking a street leading to their offices. Gemayel offered numerous varying testimonies on the case when interviewed in the media, even claiming the young feminist activists threw rocks and sticks at his vehicle, an outlandish story not supported by any of the video evidence, which he later backed off of. Still was justice ever served? What happened to those bodyguards?
In yet another case earlier this year a woman was reportedly beaten by bodyguards associated with interior minister Nouhad Machnouk. The women, who turned out to be a lawyer is now suing. But will she make any progress and will the minister be held accountable in any way?
The Lebanese people have long been plagued by the violent savagery of elites and their bodyguards, who not only helped destroy the country during the war years but continue to cause havoc today, blocking streets, intimidating or physically assaulting civilians and then threatening those who speak up or even mention their names in association with the crimes they commit. Media outlets perpetuate the impunity by remaining silent or propagating falsehoods in their favor, often because the news outlets are owned by the politician or his associates. And to top it off, police–also fearful– often stand by and do absolutely nothing. Fortunately today technology is changing this total grip on power as people can now document and broadcast these events in ways never previously imagined. Hopefully this progression of citizen empowerment will eventually continue to the courts and legal system.
One item worth debating: Should elites also be held accountable for the men who carry deadly weapons in their name? Perhaps bodyguards would be less monstrous if their bosses could actually go to jail for the violence they regularly commit.
Tonight, some have planned to march to Mr. Sehnaoui's mansion demanding justice. Others have started a crowd-funding campaign to help the family pay for the legal case. And the hashtag #JusticeforGeorges is starting to go viral on social media, along with dozens of news stories. Step by step, people are starting to chip away at once untouchable elite power that endangers their lives and those of their children. It is sad that Georges and many others have had to pay the ultimate price so that society can begin to question those who rule this country with impunity.
InternetPublic ServicesRule of Law
Get in touch with your MPs now
UPDATE: A crowd of police have deployed to protect Mr. Sehnaoui's mansion from family and friends of the victims. One woman shouted out: "Where were the police yesterday when Georges was stabbed in the street?"
UPDATE 2 (18/7/15): The crowd-funding campaign to raise money for Georges' family has already exceeded its goal and raised over $15,000 in just one day:
UPDATE 3 (18/7/15): The news site Naharnet is expanding the list of alleged past crimes by the bodyguard who killed Georges as well as other bodyguards supposedly working for the same banker. In addition to the 2010 nightclub shooting, they have compiled a list from various news organizations which includes:
-The reported shooting death of a man at a motorcycle shop in 2012 (mentioned briefly above) in Saad Bouchrieh
-The reported beating and cutting off of an ear of a sports instructor in 2012 and intimidation of a female student at Zahrat el-Ishan school in Ashrafieh
-The reported beating of a valet parking attendant in 2009 at Sofitel hotel in Ashrafieh
You can read the full roundup here. If anyone can confirm or deny of these events please feel free to share in the comments below.


text:
Q: In General You Could Do Something? Person A: After listening to a video clip, do you comment with "I like it" or "I liked it"?
Person B: The present tense is probably better. In general, though, you can use either.
Can I use "could" in place of "can" here? I mean, do we use "could" with "in general" or "generally", if we want to show doubt or sound tentative?

A:
In general, though, you can use either.

In general, though, you could use either.

Both of these are perfectly valid and natural-sounding. A fluent speaker might well use either sentence. The meaning is essentially identical. "Can"  focuses more on possibility, and "could" more on an expectation that something might occur, but in this usage that difference is not significant.
The comment in another answer that

It doesn't make sense to use "generally" with "could" because "could" relates to a specific choice.

is in my view not correct. The word "could" does not relate any more to a specific choice than "can does" and "could" may be used to describe a general possibility, and mayn be used together with "generally".
See "Could," "can," and "would" from the Learner's Dictionary.

A:
Can I use "could" in place of "can" here? I mean, do we use "could"
with "in general" or "generally", if we want to show doubt or sound
tentative?

It doesn't make sense to use "generally" with "could" because "could" relates to a specific choice.  General and the specific are antonyms.
Therefore use "can".

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


This week on LASER, a super-sized cast discusses Semiconductor design/processing, Google robots and the DARPA robotics Challenge, a proposed form of space-based propulsion called e-sails, and the extension of the ISS mission until at least 2020!
2:00 we do some extended introductions this week, since we realized we haven't ever properly given background information.
10:15 discussion of radiation hardness and radiation sensitivity regarding defense contract work.
18:30 whats the main problem with lead-free solder?
28:30 Chase threatens a lawsuit against Boston Dynamics for stealing all their designs from his nightmares.
32:00 Atlas looks like a Max Headroom robot.
35:30 are our current AI systems good enough?
36:00 are our sensors good enough to have a real autonomous robot? no robotic skin!
42:30 *** I think so, but its neutral radially, so there are areas of positive and areas of negative charge, but the sum across an entire circle around the sun might be neutral.
51:50 the ISS mission has been extended to 202 instead of crashing it into the ocean in 2016!!!
57:20 we attempt (poorly) to explain the Lagrange points again!
60:15 What got cut off is "planetary Resources" and Deep Space Industries, who are wanting to mine asteroids and refine ore in space!!!
61:00 NASA would also like to stop launching rockets, and instead hire companies to get to low earth orbit, and then they would do the far space exploration from there.
66:30 lots of cross-talk about a moon base!
Stay tuned after the show for some foreshadowing, when @ 71:27 Alex plans to get a burrito that would later give him food poisoning.
Tagged with DARPA, google, ISS, NASA, packaging, robots, sail, semiconductors, solder, space.


Kyuuketsuki ni Natta Kimi wa Eien no Ai wo Hajimeru (吸血鬼になったキミは永遠の愛をはじめる, You Who Became a Vampire Begin an Eternal Love) is a light novel series written by Mizuki Nomura, the author who also wrote the Book Girl series and the Hikaru ga Chikyuu ni Itakoro... series. The illustrations are done by Miho Takeoka who illustrated both series mentioned above. The series is complete with 5 volumes.
In May of his first year in High School Harada Utaya became a something that's not a human being. He gained inhuman athletic abilities and was unable to continue play his beloved basketball. He changed schools and there he met a beautiful - Virgin Mary-like senior named Harushina Ayane who asked him to be her "lover" Dracula in a play?!
September 28, 2014 - Page created.
September 28, 2014 - Volume 1 Foreword and Prologue added.
September 29, 2014 - Volume 1 Chapter 1 added.
January 8, 2015 - Volume 1 Chapter 2 added.
This is a hosted project. The chapters will be added here by the translating group after 24 hours after publishing it on the translator's (Heart Crusade Scans) website.
Chapter 2 - I Didn't Say the Dating Declaration Because I Wanted!
Chapter 5 – Chasing After, Passing By.
Chapter 7 – The Love Is for the Heart, the Heart Is for the Love.
Top Stars' Eve Conference ~Whom to Spent the Christmas Eve With?
Part 2 – The Kids Saw Us!
This page was last edited on 2 October 2015, at 15:20.


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THE CARROLL COX SHOW
NEWS AND COMMENTARY
NO PICKUP TODAY
New trucks sit in baseyard - unused - until they can be fixed, returned or replaced
June 1, 2011: Some of us are familiar with trash cans building up after a holiday or a big party. Some unfortunate residents of Oahu will get a little more acquainted with their trash today because their trashman didn't come. Why? Because his truck doesn't work.
Unfortunately approximately 5,000 trash cans didn't get picked up the day after Memorial Day. The delay was caused by the lack of working, automated trash trucks normally used to pick up trash in their area. The trucks are dispatched out of the Middle Street Base Yard, and yesterday, at least nine drivers could not pick up trash because they did not have trucks available for today.
A day late - overflowing bins wait for pickup
Some of the drivers told The Carroll Cox Show that the delays were caused by the large number of trucks out of service that have not been repaired. They are sitting idle at the Middle Street or Halawa Yards. The workers estimate that approximately thirty side, rear and front loading trash trucks are inoperable. In the meantime, City officials are dragging their feet to get us answers to questions we raised about eight new trash trucks that were brought in from Minnesota and left to sit in the maintenance yard at Halawa. Procurement documents we recovered from the City and County of Honolulu show that the cost to aquire the eight trucks was $1,908,153.63. The drivers told us they are not using the trucks because the cab of the truck does not have enough room for a full bulky item crew and driver, and that it was a safety concern.
Trash is finally picked up - one date later
In an unrelated incident involving the City and County of Honolulu's trash pickup: at least nine automated trucks were driven to the Mililani Mortuary to pay homage to a retired city worker's spouse. This was done while trash cans in their district were waiting at curbside for pickup.
Three of nine trash trucks seen leaving Mililani Cemetery on 5/31/11
>>>RETURN TO CARROLL'S HOME PAGE >>>


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A Ministry of Health committee, the 'Inland Water Survey Committee' recommended that work on the underground water could be best undertaken by the Geological Survey. A new Water Department was established by the Survey in 1936 and in response to the Ministry's representation, the county system of data collection was abandoned and replaced with one based on the one-inch geological maps. During the war and into the 1950s these were produced as part of the Wartime pamphlet series however in 1964 after the Water Resources Act of 1973 a formal series was started that published the results of the collection of data about wells and aquifers. They were usually issued under the title: 'Records of wells in the area of of new series one inch (geological)…'. The series ran from 1964-1970 when with a bit of overlap they were superceded by the Well Inventory Series Metric Units Institute of Geological Sciences.


text:
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Here's the very last video from Europe!
I'm sad that my Europe posts have finally come to an end 😭 I can't wait until the next adventure!
Here's another video from Europe! I have one more video left to edit & post. I'll try to get to it by the end of the week. I'm going to be busy over the next couple of days, so I'm glad to finally check these videos off my To-Do List.
Goodbye humid & hot weather of Greece!
& alas, my Europe posts finally come to an end 😭 It only took over a month to finally get to this post, but this is it! I wanted to update while I was on vacation so that my posts would be fresh in mind & trip tips/suggestions would be updated after what I had experienced each day.
Hopefully the next time I'm on a long, international vacation, I'll have great internet service to upload my photos in a timely manner.
The last thing we did in Greece was enjoy genuine Greek food, look at souvenir shops, & go for a swim!
Before swimming, we had lunch at Plakiotissa which I listed in my Greek Eats list here.
We spent most of the day here at the lake, which was great because it was nice not having to do a lot of walking or having some place to hurry to. We got to just relax & enjoy swimming since it was our last day & because it was so hot out.
I'm surely going to miss the gelato out here.
After the lake, the rest of the day was spent going through souvenir shops. & I grabbed ice cream during our time looking through the souvenir shops. The heat never let up during our days here in Greece!
On the way to dinner, we witnessed the beautiful sunset over Athens.
The very last thing we did was have Greek food for dinner. Although Greece was quite an experience, I was definitely ready to head home!
The third day in Greece was spent taking a quick flight to Santorini from Athens!
I think we arrived sooner than expected because, by the time we landed in Santorini, nothing was open, buses were barely passing through, & Perissa Black Sand Beach was dreadfully empty. Restaurants & shops weren't even open yet.
Because we arrived so early, we were able to get a great spot right in front of the water.
After Perissa Black Sand Beach, we finally headed to Oia!
The views were absolutely beautiful, but we did not like the fact that it was so hot out. I wanted to check out so many of the little shops around Oia, but I couldn't handle the sun beaming down my back.
We wanted to walk around more, but the heat was draining so much energy out of me.
After taking some photos, walking around, & checking out the views, we walked to our dinner spot that had a gorgeous view of the sunset which I listed here.
After dinner, we headed back towards the bus station. It took a while to get back to the bus station because of how crowded it was. Once we finally got back to the bus station, we took a taxi to to head back to the airport.
The Santorini airport was the worst airport experience I've ever had. It was overcrowded & so unorganized. It also didn't help that the airport is so small. Like I've mentioned in my previous Europe posts, it must be a European thing that crowd control just doesn't exist. There were no airport employees organizing lines for gates or asking people to form a single file line. It was basically just a free for all to push who can get to the front faster. It was absolutely ridiculous & horrible. I almost want to not recommend ever coming to Santorini. I think one visit here was enough for me. Once we finally left, I felt relieved to be out of there.
Our first full day in Greece was spent going to all of the tourist spots! But first, we grabbed coffee which I listed in my Greece Eats post here.
The Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus Tour pick up location was near the Olympic Stadium. We took a glance at it really quick before leaving to go on our tour.
Once we got on the tour bus, we sat on the top because we wanted to check out the views.
Once we got to the Acropolis, there was a huge line! We couldn't buy our tickets online even though there was an option to, it just wasn't allowing us. Not sure why.
We were also able to check out Areopagus Hill which gives you a beautiful view of Athens from above.
It was closed off (I think due to construction), but at least we were able to catch a glimpse of this spot.
We went up the Propylaea which was FILLED with a bunch of people, so I tried not to capture the madness.
Jeremiah really wanted to see the Parthenon. It was really nice to see in person, but there was a ton of construction everywhere.
After walking to the Parthenon, we made our way to the Erechtheion.
& our last stop at the Acropolis was The Temple of Rome & Augustus.
We went back towards the ticket center & got a drink because it was so hot out.
Since the tour ticket we bought gave us access to other tourist sites, we decided to make use of it since we had so much time.
We walked to the Ancient Agora of Athens from the Acropolis.
We also checked out the Stoa of Attalos which had a little museum inside.
The museum had some artifacts, but we didn't stay too long because we wanted to eat lunch.
We had lunch at Μαίανδρος Εστιατόριο which I listed here.
After lunch, we walked through some souvenir shops/vendors.
& went on the Hop-On-Hop-Off Tour Bus to our next destination.
Our tour ticket also gave us access to the Temple of Olympian Zeus.
Our last stop was the Olympic Stadium. We caught a glimpse of it in the morning, but we were able to see it up close this time. Our tour ticket didn't cover this, so we just took photos of it from the outside.
We took it easy on our first day in Greece because of how humid it was. Italy was nothing compared to how humid Greece was. We took the time to relax and settle in because we knew we had a very full day ahead of us!
We had dinner at The Champions, which I listed here.


text:
Duolingo - Learn Spanish, French and more
Über Duolingo - Learn Spanish, French and more
Duolingo is Apple's iPhone App of the Year!Duolingo is the world's most popular way to learn languages with over 170 million users. 23 languages to choose from. Super fun and free — Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Irish, Dutch, Danish, Swedish, Turkish, Norwegian, Polish, Hebrew, Esperanto, Vietnamese, Ukrainian, Welsh, Greek, Hungarian, Romanian, and Swahili. Oh, and English too."Far and away the best language-learning app." —The Wall Street Journal"Duolingo may hold the secret to the future of education." —TIME MagazinePC Magazine Editors' Choice for Language Learning: "Among iPhone apps for learning or practicing a language, you can't beat Duolingo.""The most productive means of procrastination I've ever discovered. The short lesson blocks are painless and peppy, and reaching the next level (and then the level after that) becomes addictive." —SlateDuolingo is changing the way people learn languages.With Duolingo, you learn a language for free. You have fun while you learn, leveling up and competing with friends.Yeah, it's pretty sweet. - Now you can redo completed lessons without losing any health!- A bunch of bug fixes and performance improvements.- We're hiring iOS devs! Help us bring free language education to the world: duolingo.com/jobs


There are many activities and entertainment going on for the 2 days bazaar. Various aspiring music artistes namely Djezna's Stalker, The Soundtrack, Joanne and Julia, Destination: Uptown, Isaac Ho and the local jazz quartet, SKAZZ Band are going to perform there too.
Alright! Here I have more good news for you. The first lucky 800 shoppers will get to walk away with special goodie bags consisting of homemade skincare products, cosmetics, accessories and more. So early birds get the worm.
Anyone here is crazy about Korean skincare or anything about Korean? DocLab, the latest skincare brand originated from Korea specializing in face ampoules will be making its debut in the Malaysian at Markets 16. Listen!!! 3,000 free face ampoules will be given away to the public during the two-day event.
OOTDians! You are going to love this, when you are at the Markets by Jaya One this weekend don't forget upload a photo of your outfit of the day with the hashtags #Markets16, #MarketsOOTD and #theschoolmy on your Instagram. Because there is a #OOTD contest and you stand a chance to win one unit of 1OTT satellite TV device worth approximately RM450.
Alright! Look out for food trucks and stalls for their special homemade desserts, pies, gourmet burgers to non-Halal food. There are 25 food vendors. It's going to be a weekend of fun, music, shopping, food and artsy vibes under one roof.
I will be there on Sunday. You?


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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


LOTS OF DETAILS, SO WE HAVE PREPARED A HANDY GUIDE TO REGISTRATION !
This entry was tagged agricultural business, agriculture, ATV, chainsaws, farm bookkeeping, farming connect, Lantra, LANTRA AWARDS, pesticides, YFC, Young Farmer, Young Farmers Club. Bookmark the permalink.
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Escrito por Clube de Línguas e 11F/11F1.
On October 31, as is tradition, the AEA celebrated Halloween, challenging students' creativity. The classroom doors were dressed in rigor, with motifs allusive to the date, giving a colorful and artistic touch to the corridors. It was very difficult for the jury to choose a winner.
The selection fell on 9A (room 41) and 6A (room 9), whose work exceeded any expectation in horror and fantasy. The happy prize winners shall enjoy a tasty brunch at the school's pedagogical restaurant.
On that day, the 11F/F1 students, possessed with demons and dressed up in terrifying costumes, walked around the school, transcending to the dead world, provided some terror and excitement and played short and frightening scenes in some classrooms. This class was also responsible for the welcoming of a group of young people with special needs with whom they interacted, took photos, sang a few songs and offered some poisoned cookies to the whole school community.
The organizing team would like to thank all the students for their commitment, and most especially Classes 11F/F1 (Curso de Animador Sociocultural e Controlo de Qualidade Alimentar), 12D1 (Curso Científico Humanístico de Artes). Special thanks to Edições ASA, to the Special Needs Education Teachers and to the Centro de Atividades Ocupacionais [CAO] of Centro Paroquial Rainha Santa Mafalda for their cooperation and participation. They surely gave us a hand making this a memorable day. Take a look ….


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Q: IP Switch between 2 domain controllers I have several domain controllers in my domain and I need to switch the IP between 2 of them ( one with Windows Server 2k8 R2 and one with Windows Server 2k12 R2 )
I did the following steps until now:
netdom computername xxx.contoso.com /add:xxy.contoso.com
netdom computername xxx.contoso.com /makeprimary:xxy.contoso.com
netdom comnputername xxx.contoso.com /verify

After this i rebooted the DC and deleted the old name.
netdom computername xxy.contoso.com /remove:xxx.contoso.com

After that I made the changes on the second DC:
netdom computername yyy.contoso.com /add:xxx.contoso.com
netdom computername yyy.contoso.com /makeprimary:xxx.contoso.com
netdom comnputername yyy.contoso.com /verify

Basically the same steps to switch ip's between them. The problem is now that both of them have name resolution problems. When i perform dcdiag /fix it recognizes the old name on both of them ( NOTE: both servers are virtual and i switched their IP's before starting the renaming operation ) and same problem in ADUC ( i can see xxx.contoso.com and xxy.contoso.com ) but when i connect to them both their hostnames are the corect ones that i changed.
Any advices on some troubleshooting ?
Thank you.

A: All you needed to do was change the IP and register DNS, use a 3rd IP as an intermediary
ipconfig /registerdns

since you've already changed IPs, go in DNS, the A Records for your two servers and then rerun the above command.


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Braves need to decide on Mike Minor
The deadline for tendering contract offers to arbitration eligible players is approaching on December 2nd, and that means the Braves are in a bit of a pickle with pitcher Mike Minor. The AJC recently featured an article here on the subject: http://www.myajc.com/news/sports/baseball/braves-face-tuesday-deadline-on-arb-eligible-mike-/npYMc/
My take is very simple, I wouldn't tender an offer to him. Under no circumstances am I making any offers to a guy who can't even throw off a mound before his THIRD arbitration hearing, when I've had numerous chances to offer him a real contract before. The Braves obviously don't trust him. He's been hurt over and over, and he's only had one great season when you look at 2013. The rest of the time? He's a replacable player on average.
So with that in mind, and I've never been shy about my disdain for pundits who kept telling me Mike was some great piece in the Braves arsenal, I'd get rid of him. Finally. Cut the cord and end this so we can start anew with the multitude of pitchers we have in the minor leagues. I don't need to pay Mike Minor close to $5M to MAYBE pitch. What I need is a guy who is actually healthy now and we know will eat some innings in this throwaway season of 2016, with the hopes of a possible upside. Minor's not that guy.
We're also getting close to winter meetings, so stay tuned! It should be an interesting offseason as we head into December.
Posted by Ben the CPA at 3:07 PM No comments:
Is Shelby Miller on the Trading Block?
I feel like I'm doing more writing in the offseason than I did in the regular season. After all, rumors are more fun than concrete losses. Anyway, is Shelby Miller on the trading block? Yes and no. From what I gather the Braves are not actively shopping Shelby in the same way they were shopping Simmons as an example. For Simmons, they were looking at refilling the pitching ranks and getting value for a guy that they saw as a declining offensive asset.
Shelby is another story. He's an extremely valuable starter, and as such the Braves were only extending offers with extremely valuable position players. That's why AJ Pollack's name from the Diamondbacks came up. However, the Dbacks don't want to part with Pollack so the deal didn't go anywhere. That hasn't stopped other teams from asking.
So is Shelby a tradable asset? Sure, in the sense that anybody else is tradable. But the Braves are restocking pitching so while he's not as untouchable as Freddie Freeman, he's certainly not going to go cheap or for prospects either. He's affordable and effective, and he does the one thing the Braves need most right now: Pitch well and pitch deep into games. Now, if they find him some run support that would probably have won an extra 10 games at least last season.
Miller started 33 games last year with 205 innings pitched, a 3.02 ERA, a 1.25 WHIP, and a .238 opp batting average. That's awesome, and yet he only had 6 wins all season. I'm not crazy enough to tell you wins matter like the really old school crowd. I wish they did, because in the prior days of baseball we didn't get this specialized, people weren't blowing their arms out left and right, and guys actually pitched complete games regularly. Wins mattered a bit more back then. Now? They are completely useless. If people reference wins, I just move on with the conversation.
So what players would make sense in a Shelby deal? The names you'd likely hear would seem to be untouchable on the other side. I'd make the deal for a guy like Buster Posey as an example, but I doubt the Giants want to trade him. What about a guy like Todd Frazier to play 3B and a prospect? That's the kind of deal I would expect. It would have to be highly prized talent to part with one of the better pitchers in the league right now.
But at the end of the day, I think the Braves recognize his value, and I think other teams would be too leery of trading an everyday player for a pitcher to make the value match up.
Coppolella Needs to Man up or Shut up
As I mentioned before in my article about trading Freddie Freeman, and why it was stupid, the Braves came out today and said specifically that they aren't trading Freddie Freeman. Here's the piece by USA Today: http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2015/11/17/braves-andrelton-simmons-trade-tanking-freddie-freeman/75963388/
To quote that piece, here's John Coppolella:
I cannot make it any more clear: We are not trading Freddie Freeman. We are not. I'd give my right arm before we trade Freddie Freeman. It is not happening.
I'm not sure how he could be more clear, but also in that same piece he tells fans that he's not running for office.
I know it's hard for our fans, but I'm not running for office. We are doing what I believe is what's best in for the long-term interest of the Braves. I'll trust our scouts and analytics. I'm getting so tired of this. If guys want to take shots, or (degrade) us, fine. But let's let it play out for a few years before we start branding our pitchforks and torches. I feel in my heart this is the best for the Braves.
The quotes are from a frustrated man who is getting tired of the fans and media questioning his methods. They are also the quotes of a younger GM who is not really prepared to deal with the backlash that comes with making tough decisions.
Newsflash to Coppy, you're in one of the most high-profile positions in the South. You are the GM of the one team that seems to unite states that typically hate each other over football, but rally together en masse under your banner. And you expect the trades where you dump salary and well-known well-loved players to be what? Met with applause? A hearty slap on the back and a high-five? Get real. You made the tough calls, and you get the credit if you're right. But you also get to own the decisions when you screw up, and in many cases that's what got your predecessor Frank Wren fired. You're supposed to be the mature individual in the organization, not the whiny child wondering why people are being so mean to you.
In short, man up. Own your decisions and stop worrying about what the media asks or the fans say. If you think it's the best for the organization, you patiently say that for months and months until people are so sick of the rote answers they stop asking. You DON'T feed them petulant crap lines about being tired of people taking shots or that you're not a politician. Be the leader that past GMs have been. Stand there, answer the questions, and cut the crap.
Posted by Ben the CPA at 11:38 AM No comments:
Trading Freddie Freeman makes no sense
There's a lot of rumors swirling about Freddie Freeman and Julio Teheran. I won't get into the Julio piece because I think other teams watched Julio struggle last season and trading him now would be stupid for simply one reason: his value is too low to bother with it. The Braves want to stockpile pitching so dumping a lower-value guy makes little sense.
But the Freddie trade idea? That makes even less sense than the Julio trade. Freddie Freeman is coming off a wrist injury, so you can understand why the Braves get nervous about having him on the books for the next 6 years at $118M. Wrists and hand injuries are some of the worst that baseball players can get at a position, because it keeps you sidelined while you are otherwise 100% healthy. It's maddening, and it hurts on every swing. However, even in over 200 less plate appearances last season, Freddie still posted 18 homers, slugged .471, and had 56 walks. His OPS was over .840, which is great for a slugger in this league now, and puts him among the best hitters in the game. IF he had the chance to play all 162 games, I think his numbers would have been even better than his 2013 campaign, the best of his career so far.
The Braves have no potential offensive firepower except at a couple of positions. Freddie is one of them. There's nothing they can get for Freddie offensively that would make sense to trade him, which only leaves the idea of trading him for a front-line Ace starter. Under no circumstances do I see the Braves trading Freddie Freeman for prospects only. Mainly because he's not like Simmons, who is the defensive mastermind but an offensive dud. In this day and age, teams pay for 2 things: Offense production, and top-line pitching. Freddie is one of those, and to get value he would have to be traded for the other.
But why in the world would the Braves trade for pitching and subsequently take the only feared stick out of their lineup? You can have all the pitching in the world, but if you can't score, you're doomed. Reference 2014 for the Braves. That team was 5th overall in ERA, and hovered around #1 in the majors for a long time. If you are in the top 10 in ERA in the majors, you're more likely to make the playoffs than not, but the Braves were part of 4 teams in 2014 that didn't make the playoffs in that top ten of ERA. The Braves, the Padres, the Mets, and the Mariners. Why? 29th, 30th, 22nd, and 19th in runs respectively. They couldn't score at all. And the Braves got WORSE this year in scoring.
So no, I wouldn't trade Freeman for pitching. I wouldn't even trade him for another 3 offensive players of better than average talent. Because it just doesn't make sense to do it that way right now. Freddie is one of the few actual ANSWERS this team has, and trading that away from magic beans would be a blow to the fanbase and the ticket holders. Because there's only one reason to trade Freddie for prospects, and that's to shed his $118M salary. If the Braves do that, they are spitting in the face of their supporters. Shedding payroll with the face of the Franchise would be like the Marlins trading Giancarlo Stanton for magic beans. That's something the Marlins do because they are a terribly run franchise with a madman miser for an owner.
It's not something the Braves do right after John Schuerholz just promised the fans we'd never see a season like 2015 again.
Posted by Ben the CPA at 8:52 AM No comments:
Braves trade Andrelton Simmons
Yes, I know. We have the sads that Simba will be leaving the Braves for two LA Angels prospects and Erick Aybar who will take over the SS role. The prospects are Sean Newcomb and Chris Ellis who are reported the top two pitchers in the Angels system. Now, if you're looking for huge splash return for Simba? You didn't get that and you're pissed. If you're looking for a solid GM move that likely helps the WOEFUL pitching staff last year? You got a lot of help there.
Here's the thing. I loved watching Simmons play defense. He was the best defensive SS I've seen since I saw Ozzie Smith. But the problem that you will all remember if you take off the rose-colored glasses is that Simmons just couldn't provide much help hitting the ball. His OPS over the last two years was .617 and .660, and if you don't know that's freaking awful. Now, most SS's don't hit the ball well, so average offense is expected, but Simmons is probably mid-tier at best in the MLB when it comes to production.
Now, Aybar who will be replacing him isn't much better offensively, and he's slightly older, and he's nowhere near as spectacular with the glove. Obviously, he's a worse player than Simmons or they wouldn't have tossed in top prospects with the trade. Aybar is a lesser player, but he's a passable SS with good enough defense and he hasn't been any worse with the bat than Simmons. So, in my mind you're losing Simmons defense highlight reel, but it's a wash in the offensive department and you're getting more pitching for the future.
What about the pitchers? Sean Newcomb is a 22 year old 6'5" left-handed pitcher out of Massachusetts. He's a big boy who pitched his way into AA ball in the span of 2 years. The Scouting report on Newcomb is that he has a great fastball that starts in the low 90s and can get up to the high 90s on effort pitches. He has good stamina and can maintain velocity well as he goes later into games. Solid mechanics, and he's 245 pounds with apparently some ability to continue to add weight and strength to his game. That could be huge to have a power pitching lefty in the Braves arsenal.
Chris Ellis is a 23 year old 6'4" righty out of Alabama. Another tall guy with a gun. Like Newcomb he's got the 90s fastball velocity, but he lacks the control. That's something that Roger will have to work on with Ellis if he gets up to the majors quickly, but he's also playing in just AA ball right now. They'll both have to spend some time at AAA Gwinnett before they really get a chance to see time at the MLB level. I'm not sure we'll see them in 2016 at the last year of the Ted, but I'm certain we will see at least one of them in 2017 in the new ballpark, if not both.
Braves resign AJ Pierzynski
Small update tonight on the offseason front. According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, the Braves signed AJ Pierzynski to a 1 year deal worth $3M. $1M of that will be in a signing bonus, $2M in salary, and $1M more incentives which I can only assume are based on amount of games played in the season.
Last season at the age of 38, AJ managed to play as the primary starting catcher in 113 games, with 407 ABs, 24 doubles, 9 homers, and 49 RBIs. He was one of the better sluggers on the team with a .430 slugging percentage, and he was the top hitter on the team in terms of batting average with a .300 average on the season.
In fact, AJ actually had a better year than catchers like Yadier Molina, Miguel Montero, and Jonathon Lucroy. And Lucroy is a guy I think the Braves are targeting as a possibility in the offseason. The fact AJ was doing all this at the age of 38 in the NL where he has to actually play the position? That's insane.
I think it's a great bargain for the Braves, regardless of his production going into next season. At the very least, the Braves need a veteran catcher to work with the staff. No, I don't expect him to slug .400+ and .700+ OPS at age 39. I think there will be some falloff. But in today's market of big money contracts going to very average talent, spending $3M on a solid catcher that can improve young pitching and teach them the progressions? That's big value for this team.
In Memory of Tommy Hanson
I didn't know Tommy Hanson any more than running into him once in an elevator after a Braves game. I was wearing my Braves jersey and hat still, as I'd dropped a friend and sat in traffic forever. It was 2 hours after the game was over, and I think he was shocked to see anybody still in gear at my building, where he lived at the time.
I didn't recognize him at all when he walked on in all his 6 foot plus lanky red-headed form, in street clothes with 2 Budweiser tallboys in a grocery bag filled with ice. Mostly, I don't recognize any sports figures out of uniform because I'm just not that in tune with what they would look like as normal people, and not people I see on the TV all the time.
He took a look at me, and asked me how I was doing. I said fine, and that I was happy the Braves won that night. He wasn't pitching at the time. Then I remarked how pissed off I was about the Phillies continuing to win and spoiling our fun. This was 2011 so we were destined to finish in 2nd place behind those hot Phillies who won over 100 games.
He laughed heartily at my Phillies comment, and said, "Man I feel that." I thought he was a nice guy and I left the elevator wishing him a good night. It was 10 steps to my apartment when everything clicked. That I'd just commented on hating the Phillies with Tommy Hanson. I laughed to myself and went to bed, wishing I'd had something cooler to say.
That was my lone experience with the man, and he's gone today. I'm sad for that because he was such a promising young talent that obviously had some demons that got in the way. No young talent should be snuffed out before their 30th birthday, but whatever happened in Tommy's life whether it was self-inflicted or just a medical problem, I wish he had continued to get a chance to follow his dream of pitching in the majors. I worry about his family not only having lost one son, but his brother as well earlier in the decade.
While it's just a stupid one story about a chance meeting in the elevator, I felt today would be the day to post it. I remember Tommy today, and I hope he's found happiness and peace wherever he is now, and that his family can recover from their pain and wounds someday without falling into despair.
Braves Offseason Schedule
Several people have already asked me what the offseason will look like for the Braves, so I figured I'd make a short post for people to let them know what the calendar looks like.
November 6th is the qualifying offer deadline for free agents, but the Braves don't have anyone that qualifies this season for that number. Instead, the Braves free agents will be AJ Pierzynski, Peter Moylan, Ross Detwiler, and Edwin Jackson. I expect they will make an offer to AJ, and maybe Moylan. I'm not sure on Jackson or Detwiler.
On November 7th, Free agents can sign with any team as the negotiation period is over.
November 9th starts the 3 days GM meetings where talks get going on players. You'll see some media reports come out about thoughts on moves but very little actual action.
November 20th, you'll see the teams set their 40 man rosters for the Rule 5 draft. The Rule 5 draft is a way during the winter meetings for other teams to go after prospects that have been stockpiled in another organizations minor league system. The downside to doing this is that you have to play the drafted guy on your 25 man MLB roster for the entire season, and you can't option or demote him. So, it's a gamble if you want to make a minor league move. However, guys like Jose Bautista and Jason Grilli were both Rule 5 picks. So it does have some upside.
More on the rule 5 draft here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_5_draft
December 7-10 is Winter Meetings. That's where you will start seeing the big moves if any. Many trades and signings will happen during this period of time, so that's when you want to be updating your Twitter feed if you care. I expect the Braves to be VERY active this year as they shore up their new roster and their expanded payroll.
January 15th, players and teams file arbitration figures. Braves only have one big arbitration player, and that's Shelby Miller, who will likely beat the hell out of the Braves no matter what he asks. So I expect the Braves to make an offer rather than go that route, and see if they can't work out a longer term deal. They also have Mike Minor who won at arbitration last season, but I'm unsure if they will even give Mike an offer to play next season and keep him on the team given his injuries. If they do, he'll have to go to arbitration again.
February is arbitration hearings.
And I'll keep you updated as we go along with analysis and payroll figures once we're past winter meetings. Enjoy the holidays!
If you want all the dates and details you can find them here: http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on-baseball/25361512/-16-mlb-offseason-free-agency-winter-meetings-and-other-important-dates


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The average Aussie investor earned $5,356 in 2021
Natascha Kwiet-Evans
Posted: 6 January 2022 2:51 pm
Australian investors are making a small fortune through the stock market, according to new research by Finder.
A survey of 366 investors found 3 in 4 (75%) received a positive return over the past 12 months, with an impressive average growth of 20.4%.
That's an annual return of $5,356 based on the size of the average investor's portfolio today ($31,613), according to Finder's Consumer Sentiment Tracker.
For comparison's sake, the S&P/ASX 200 Index posted a calendar year gain of 13% in 2021, or 17% including the value of dividends paid.
Finder research shows more than 1 in 3 Aussies (37%) are investing in the stock market, with millennials (46%) and generation Z (42%) the most likely to do so.
Kylie Purcell, share trading expert at Finder, said investing is a smart way to earn money while interest rates are low.
"With savings rates at record lows, Australians have been quick to adapt by putting some of their money into shares, which can deliver higher returns.
"The 2020 market crash was a game changer for Australians, with thousands of people a day signing up to online brokers for the first time."
Purcell said investing used to be a complex concept for many Australians.
"Now we're seeing more and more people who are keen to get involved and build their wealth.
"Online platforms and apps like eToro and Superhero have made it super easy for everyone to jump in. They're intuitive to use – but watch out for brokerage and subscription fees.
"Some platforms also charge an inactivity fee if you're not regularly trading, so it's worth comparing your options before getting started."
Purcell said many Aussies' investment strategies were paying off.
"The average person surveyed is beating the broader Australian market which has risen just 9.8% in the past 12 months.
"You don't need to be rich to get involved – there are also micro-investing apps that let you invest your spare change.
"It's a good idea to ensure your investment is diversified. Instead of betting all your chips on one or two companies, spread it out to reduce your risk."
Finder's research found those who received an increase in income this year reported a higher overall return (30.6%).
Want to trade Australian and global stocks without paying a fortune in brokerage fees? Compare share trading platforms at Finder.
Why has the Brainchip (BRN) share price surged?
Today's ASX top stocks: BrainChip Holdings (BRN ↑18.8%), Universal Store Holdings (UNI ↑6.8%)
5 lessons traders can learn from the world of sport
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Why has the Rio Tinto share price stumbled today?


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Q: How to initialize array of custom class objects? It sounds easy but i've been trying to do it for quite sometime, I want to initialize my custom class object array using curly braces
Here is the failed example:
class:
class Tranforminfo{
        int left;
        int top;
        int right;
        int bottom;
        float rorate;

        public Tranforminfo(int left, int top, int right, int bottom, float rorate) {
            this.left = left;
            this.top = top;
            this.right = right;
            this.bottom = bottom;
            this.rorate = rorate;
        }
    }

Usage: (not correct)
// attempt 1
Tranforminfo somedamn = new Tranforminfo[]{(1,2,3,4,5),(6,4,3,5,6)};

// attempt 2
Tranforminfo somedamn = new Tranforminfo[]{{1,2,3,4,5},{6,4,3,5,6}};

// attempt 3
Tranforminfo somedamn = new Tranforminfo[]((1,2,3,4,5),(6,4,3,5,6));

No luck so far help appreciated , i am coding in android(JAVA)

A: Transforminfo[] somedamn = {new Transforminfo(1,2,3,4,5), new Transforminfo(1,2,3,4,5)};

Transforminfo[] is creating a link to an Array of Transforminfo and with the {...} you create the actual Array (a special java syntax and actually the shortest one)
What you did was: You created a link to a Transforminfo Object and tried to set this link to an Array Object

A: There is some ways to do it:
Transforminfo[] somedamn =
    new Transforminfo[] { new Transforminfo(1,2,3,4,5),
                          new Transforminfo(6,4,3,5,6) };
Transforminfo[] somedamn =
    { new Transforminfo(1,2,3,4,5), new Transforminfo(6,4,3,5,6) };

First you create Transforminfo array link, then add new Transforminfo elements into.
It's like Integer []array = {1, 2, 3}, but you have to use constructor to create Transforminfo elements.
One more example to understand array of object creating. All way is equal.
String array[] = { new String("str1"), new String("str2") };
String[] array = { new String("str1"), new String("str2") };
String array[] = new String[] { new String("str1"), new String("str2") };
String[] array = new String[] { new String("str1"), new String("str2") };


On September 21st, as part of the International Day of Peace, HI Canada and HI hostels around the world are joining together to show how our hostels create a more tolerant and peaceful world.
In support of the United Nations International Day of Peace, observed annually on September 21st, Hostelling International has launched the Sleep for Peace campaign. As part of this awareness program, participating hostels across the country will organize activities to promote the role that travelling plays in contributing to world peace and cultural understanding.
Like previous years, HI Canada will be donating $1 from every overnight stay booked at participating hostels to the Youth Travel Foundation for the Sleep for Peace grant, which explores themes of peace and travel.
HI Montreal, HI Regina, HI Edmonton and HI Calgary are all participating. HI Montreal is organizing a special peace quiz and welcoming a blogger, while HI Edmonton is hosting a Sleep for Peace BBQ and HI Calgary is planning a movie night (with free popcorn). You'll also be able to write peace messages on postcards sent to the United Nations.


10 Governors Are Fighting Back Against Family Separation – Newsmakers Live!
Ten Republican and Democratic governors have announced measures to withhold resources for border security and federal immigration efforts. These moves add to the mounting criticism of the Trump administration's policy that separates children from parents who are prosecuted for entering the United States without authorization.
Governors of eight of those states—Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Virginia, and Rhode Island—announced this week that they will recall or withhold National Guard troops from the border the United States shares with Mexico. Those troops had been sent there earlier this year in response to President Donald Trump's request that states deploy National Guard troops to the border in order to support the Department of Homeland Security in stemming unauthorized crossings.
The governors' announcements represent a strong rebuke to the zero-tolerance policy enacted last month by Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen. The policy classifies children as "unaccompanied minors" whose parents have been charged with the crime of illegal entry. As Mother Jones' Noah Lanard reported, the children, now separated from their parents, have been transferred to the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Refugee Settlement at a rate of about 65 children per day.
The governors represent both sides of the aisle. In Maryland, Republican Governor Larry Hogan and Virginia's Democratic Governor Ralph Northam each recalled the small number of National Guard troops they had sent to assist with border patrol efforts. Gov. Northam pulled back four National Guard soldiers and one helicopter from Arizona, while Gov. Hogan ordered a similar-sized crew back from New Mexico. North Carolina's Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper recalled three National Guard troops stationed at the border.
On Tuesday, Delaware Gov. John Carney (D) said he had received a request on Tuesday to send troops to the border, but had declined in light of the Trump administration's policies.
Connecticut, New York, and Rhode Island have not been called upon to send National Guard troops to assist in border patrol efforts, but their announcements serve as a public condemnation of the Trump administration's policy. Of the eight state executives who withheld their troops, half of them—Baker, Hogan, Cuomo, and Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo (D)—are up for reelection this year.