text:
THE OTHER THREE-QUARTERS: THE´PANDEMIC IS STILL GATHERING PACE IN MOST OF THE WORLD / THE ECONOMIST
| Etiquetas: COVID-19, Latin America Economic And Political, World Economic And Political
The other three-quarters
The pandemic is still gathering pace in most of the world
But there is lots that countries can do to curb it
HOW TO PREVENT new surges in cases? How to reopen businesses in an era of social distancing? How to revive prone economies?
These are the questions preoccupying most of the rich world, where covid-19's first wave, at least, is mercifully ebbing.
But elsewhere the pandemic remains far from any crest. Brazil is adding around 25,000 new confirmed cases a day, more than the United States. Russia and India are not far behind, with 8,000 or so apiece. All told, poorer countries account for some three-quarters of the 100,000 or so new cases detected around the world each day.
These numbers are alarming, especially because they are grave underestimates. Poorer countries tend to conduct fewer tests than richer ones, so even more infections and deaths are going uncounted in them. Random testing in the Pakistani city of Lahore suggests that the official count is catching only one case in 25. Many governments are reluctant to advertise how rapidly the virus is advancing on their watch.
Russia initially claimed that barely 600 Muscovites died of the disease in April, but the number of deaths in the city in excess of the average for the month was three times that. And some countries are too chaotic and violent to have much of a government. This week the UN sounded the alarm about Yemen, where the coronavirus seems to be rampaging across territory contested by the country's two warring governments.
In the most worrying countries, many live hand-to-mouth. Their governments tend not to have much money, either. That has prompted the authorities to relax the restrictions they put in place to slow the spread of the disease, to save their citizens from ruin. India, for instance, ended its lockdown on June 1st, just as the number of daily infections hit a new record.
Mexico has declared that it will open for tourism on June 8th. And non-essential businesses have been allowed to reopen in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil's second-largest city.
When outbreaks are big enough to overwhelm health-care systems, deaths soar, since even cases that might respond to treatment become deadly. Poor countries have fewer hospitals and doctors and less of the necessary kit, from ventilators to disposable gloves and gowns. This can lead to horrifying scenes like those witnessed in Guayaquil, Ecuador, in April, when coffins ran out and bodies were abandoned in the streets.
Even poor countries can still do much to avoid such an outcome. As many have discovered, long-lasting lockdowns, ordered from on high, tend to be both hard to enforce and to come at a calamitous cost to the economy and to people's overall health. But basic public-health campaigns, ideally in the hands of village councils, primary health-care clinics and so on, can promote practices like washing hands, wearing face-masks and social distancing.
They can organise isolation for those with symptoms and press for amenities like clean water.
Even in places where it is hard to empty the streets altogether, governments can ban big gatherings in confined spaces, be it sports stadiums or churches. And—cold comfort—once it becomes clear in any given country how deadly an uncontrolled outbreak is, the instinct for self-preservation will prompt people to isolate themselves, slowing covid-19's progress.
Richer countries can do much to help. Some stricken places will need donations of simple supplies like testing kits and protective gear. Others will need debt relief, to free money to fight the disease. Humanitarian aid for war-torn countries and the refugees they create is even more urgent than usual.
Better yet, the governments backing opposing sides in civil wars in places like Afghanistan and Yemen could urge their proxies to declare temporary truces, to bring a modicum of help to afflicted regions. Coronavirus outbreaks are deadly enough without the added misery of guns and bombs.
DEUTSCHE BANK´S TIES TO DONALD TRUMP / THE FINANCIAL TIMES OP EDITORIAL
| Etiquetas: Deutsche Bank, Donald Trump
Deutsche Bank's ties to Donald Trump
The US president defends his biggest creditor, but the relationship is under fresh scrutiny
Tom Braithwaite
© Ingram Pinn/Financial Times
Donald Trump's relationship with Deutsche Bank has lasted longer than any of his marriages and is cloaked in more secrecy.
Now the US Supreme Court is considering whether to shed light on the links between the American president and Germany's largest bank. Manhattan prosecutors and Washington lawmakers want tax and financial records related to Mr Trump, his family and businesses. Mr Trump has sued to block them.
When the justices rule in the next few weeks, there will be understandable interest in the window this might provide into Mr Trump's finances. Americans are still waiting to see the president's tax returns, years after he promised to make them public.
In the absence of hard data, speculation swirls: is Mr Trump really a billionaire? Are his business dealings above board?
But if the Supreme Court orders Deutsche to produce the vast array of documents demanded by Congress — spanning records of the bank's credit and reputational risk committees, to files on Mr Trump "related to any domestic or international transfer of funds in the amount of $10,000 or more" — it would also provide more insight into Deutsche itself. What risks did it take on? And after years in which there was reckless trading, allegations of false accounting and inept management, has it really changed?
Most global banks are preparing for a credit crash to follow the coronavirus pandemic. In its quarterly results last month, JPMorgan Chase took a whopping $8bn provision for future losses on bad loans, six times higher than in the same period last year and higher than any other quarter in the bank's history. At Deutsche, however, the equivalent figure was just €506m with no sort of record: only the bank's eighth highest provision since Lehman Brothers collapsed.
To justify this thin cushion, Deutsche had to change the way it estimated future losses — switching from a short-term view focused on the current economic disaster to a three-year forecast incorporating a V-shaped recovery.
It is not just the rosy forecast. Deutsche says it will fare better than rivals thanks to its relatively conservative balance sheet, with fewer credit-card customers and plenty of solid German companies. Any time Deutsche takes small provisions, remember that the bank paid $55m to settle US allegations that it issued false accounts during the last crisis by underestimating potential losses.
And any time it boasts of responsible lending, remember Donald Trump. Deutsche backed Mr Trump in 1998 despite his history of defaults, and continued to finance his companies even after 2008 when he refused to pay back a loan and sued the bank.
Today, Mr Trump's empire is reeling from the impact of coronavirus. His golf courses in Scotland remain closed by government order. The Trump Hotel in Hawaii is deprived of tourists after the state imposed a 14-day quarantine on arrivals. Even resorts that have reopened, such as in Los Angeles and Miami, face a hard slog to tempt back customers. This has only compounded festering problems.
While Mr Trump's election brought a new stream of income from sympathetic trade associations, Republican lobby groups and secret service accommodation, the net effect has been negative. Pleading for relief on local taxes, Trump representatives have noted that occupancy rates are lower than those of nearby competitors, such is the "negative connotation that is associated with the brand".
The Trump Organization went cap in hand to Deutsche asking for forbearance on some loan payments. Nonetheless, people close to Deutsche say they have not lost money on loans to Mr Trump.
Past squabbles forgotten, Mr Trump defends his biggest creditor as "badly written about and maligned". "That was the Rolls-Royce bank! That was Germany you were dealing with! That was the strongest, the biggest, that was one of the great banks of the world! They were the AAA standard!" he said last year.
We do not know how this tempestuous relationship affects Deutsche Bank's standing in the US.
On a day-to-day basis, it continues to be regarded by the Federal Reserve as a badly managed lender with weak money-laundering controls. But somehow the bank has escaped serious sanctions over offences that it has admitted.
Three years ago it accepted guilt over a "mirror trading" scheme, which allowed clients to move $10bn from Russia while circumventing anti-money laundering rules. It seemed an open-and-shut case for the US Department of Justice, which has levied swingeing fines on other foreign banks for illegal cross-border transactions. Investigators interviewed Deutsche staff in a criminal probe. Then: nothing.
One theory is that the justice department is busy bundling together charges, including over Deutsche's role in the €200bn Danske Bank money-laundering scandal, into one mega-settlement. If so, that augurs ill for the bank's beleaguered shareholders, who might face another large fine.
A more convincing scenario is that a department where the president has steadily increased his grip is unlikely to punish his main creditor, especially over any Russian offences. In that view, Deutsche Bank's unfathomable loyalty to Mr Trump is finally paying off.
TOO MUCH CROSS TALK. TOO LITTLE CREATIVITY. HOW TO FIX THE WORST PARTS OF A VIRTUAL MEETING. / KELLOGG INSIGHT
| Etiquetas: Zoom
Too Much Cross Talk. Too Little Creativity. How to Fix the Worst Parts of a Virtual Meeting.
Six tools from an unlikely place—improv comedy—to use on your next Zoom call.
By Robyn L. Scott
A few years ago, we kicked off a management course on using creativity as a business tool in an unusual way: instead of hearing a standard lecture, students were led through a workshop on improvisation by a pair of actors.
The goal was not just to have fun. Rather, it was to build a toolset that students could use to find inspiration in the ordinary and camaraderie among team members—and ultimately to pave the way toward risk-taking and innovative thinking in their business pursuits.
We mention this because, now that most business leaders are involved in back-to-back virtual meetings, many of them feel that something is missing: that feeling of inspiration, the desire to take risks or innovate, their connection to each other. In short, virtual meetings often suffer from a lack of improvisation and natural "collisions," or unplanned, high-energy encounters with others.
This shouldn't come as a surprise. Research suggests that people interacting online are more task-focused, or more likely to get down to business.
But this doesn't need to be the case. With a little effort, there are ways to bring spontaneity, cohesion, and even fun into virtual gatherings—whether we are presenting data to the CEO, leading a discussion, or just looking to connect with colleagues.
As a social-organizational psychologist (Thompson) and an improvisor, actor, and communications coach (Scott), we have teamed up to offer six "devices" borrowed from the world of improv that allow business leaders to inject this needed element into virtual meetings.
Here, we describe them—and why they can be so effective.
1. Cueing
One of the most awkward aspects of virtual meetings is conversational turn-taking.
In a physical face-to-face meeting, people primarily rely on a combination of nonverbal cues, including bodily and facial movements, and paralinguistic vocal cues such as throat-clearing, to know when to interject. When people communicate virtually, many of these important cues are missing, which can be disorienting.
In face-to-face meetings, there is often an exchange of pleasantries, or a "politeness ritual," before the facilitator launches into the meeting's substance... This ritualized pleasantry is harder to replicate in virtual meetings.
This can lead to "virtual logorrhea"—people talking way too long—or people interrupting each other. In either case, the result is that others either opt out of the conversation or become passive.
This conversational awkwardness can be overcome through cueing, which is related to a key principle of improv: "one voice at a time." In cueing, signals are established to keep the conversation moving from one person to another in an orderly way. For virtual meetings, specific pictures, sounds, or words can function like a baton being passed among participants.
For example, Marla, the facilitator of a weekly 10-person virtual meeting, realized that turn-taking remained a struggle, so she decided to create a cue.
Earlier, she had assigned a fun, personal theme, "Favorite Vacations," to the meeting, and each week a different team member would kick things off by sharing pictures from a destination and telling a memorable story. It made for a nice high-energy start to the virtual gathering.
In one meeting, when team members were starting to lose focus, she asked people to pause and reset by free-associating a word based on that week's theme: a trip to Paris. Each member typed into the chat box a word that became their "cue." From that point on, when someone spoke, they had to conclude their statement with their word: "beret" for Larry, "Riviera" for Nell, and "croissant" for Fatima.
Using the cues like CB handles, Marla turned her group into a set of truckers in a convoy.
When Larry finished, saying "beret," Marla said, "Thank you, beret. Croissant?" Picking up on her cue, Fatima shared her insights, closing with her "handle" and sending the cue back to Marla.
With those cues in place to signal turn-taking, the group spoke more concisely, paid better attention, and had fun.
2. Beats
On the improv stage, actors play "the beats of a scene." Practically, what this means is that every effective scene needs a clear beginning, middle, and end.
So why should we expect effective virtual meetings to be any different?
In face-to-face meetings, there is often an exchange of pleasantries, or a "politeness ritual," before the facilitator launches into the meeting's substance. While on the surface these rituals seem to serve no purpose, they are the glue that binds the members together.
This ritualized pleasantry is harder to replicate in virtual meetings, however, with people joining in haphazardly and the one-at-a-time audio restrictions of meeting applications.
So leaders can impose an improv device to separate the "beats of a meeting," keeping meetings on track while creating space for humor and creativity.
For example, as a warm-up to a virtual group coaching session, the facilitator can introduce the rapid-fire three-line improv game, "Set, Twist, Fix."
In "Set, Twist, Fix," participants are placed into a sequence and the first person announces a setting such as, "We're at the beach." The next person states a problem that could occur there: "We're getting sunburns." The next provides a solution: "Let's apply sunscreen." The fourth person wraps it up by saying, "And, scene!" The game is repeated until everyone has had a turn playing the roles of "Setter," "Twister," "Fixer," and the director who closes the scene.
The game prepares people to be present and to focus on the task at hand by "playing the scene they're in." It also encourages people to be concise, solution oriented, and playful.
The structure of the game has the added bonus of getting the whole team used to creating internal boundaries: it prevents people from introducing problems before a new idea has even been fully introduced, and it allows people to more deeply consider an issue before getting into "fix it" mode.
3. Object work
When team members don't share the same physical environment, they have to contend with the loss of mutual connection associated with "same-time/different-place."
In improv, actors commonly use a device—mime—in order to create a shared reality on the spot. They virtually create something out of nothing by miming most of the objects and ideas in their scenes. This "object work," as it is known, can also be very useful in virtual meetings, allowing members of the virtual team to enter each other's environments, thereby building empathy and increasing perspective-taking.
For example, you may have one team member bring a large, heavy, beautifully wrapped imaginary box with a huge red bow and a present inside to your virtual meeting. Naturally, there is no box, bow, or present, but by carrying the imaginary box in—arms flexed and outstretched—and carefully setting it on the table for all to see and admire, it offers the rest of the group the opportunity to invent and share what they think is in the box, essentially innovating in the absence of actual objects.
During virtual meetings, team members need to work doubly hard to ensure that their own intentions are made clear. This can be achieved in part by sharing agendas and talking points with others in advance.
This object work doesn't have to be imaginary, either. Team members can be prop comics! For example, virtual meeting participants can be challenged to combine a bit of "show and tell" into a storytelling activity.
In one instance, a member showed the group an object and described it—a lovely hair comb she kept by her monitor to freshen up before video calls. Each team member affirmed the object, then offered a different use for it. Comments ranged from "Cool comb. It could be a tiny ladder for a spider," to "Thanks for telling us about your comb. It could also be a fake mustache," to "I really like your comb. It could also be a diving board for a chipmunk."
Another perk: object work offers an opportunity for people to reveal a part of themselves that they otherwise might not feel comfortable sharing. While some people have good internal boundaries and know how to bring their whole, authentic selves to each aspect of their lives, others have a very difficult time integrating who they are at home and who they are at work.
4. Patterns
The human brain is hardwired to look for, and lock onto, patterns. Improv actors use this to their advantage, with the devices of pattern-finding and pattern-breaking being key to the success of many scenes.
Virtual teams can do the same by incorporating patterns into their agenda.
For instance, a team of software developers meets virtually every Friday to present status updates to their director, Colleen. A pattern of reporting has organically developed over time: Terry kicks off with high-level findings, Will breaks down the coding errors they have discovered as he screen-shares a graph, and Tom closes by discussing how the bugs were fixed.
In essence, it harkens back to the "Set, Twist, Fix" exercise described earlier: provide a setup, insert a turning point, and present a resolution.
The consistency of this reporting pattern reduces stress for all parties involved. It provides predictability in the midst of uncertainty, and increases everyone's focus, as the presenters know their batting order and Colleen can process new data through a familiar format.
And to make sure Colleen doesn't get bored, the team will occasionally break the engrained pattern: either by switching presentation roles or tossing in an unexpected element like a video. This curve ball keeps everyone on their toes and turns data dumps into engaging conversations.
5. Intentions
Improv, by definition, tosses away the script and asks its actors to respond in the moment to the intentions of their fellow actors, all while making their own intentions for the scene clear.
For example, suppose that the intent of one scene actor is to "scold" their scene partner. To communicate this intent, their vocal tone would drop, their shoulders hunch, their eyebrows furrow, and their mouth droop into a frown. If their intent was to "encourage", they would lighten their voice, straighten their posture, lift their eyebrows, and crack a smile.
Communicating intention is a particular challenge for virtual teams. Indeed, virtual team members are susceptible to "irony poisoning," which means they are often more confused and less able to tell, for example, whether someone is being sarcastic or sincere. This makes virtual teams more likely to misunderstand, misinterpret, and assume negative intentions than face-to-face teams. This, combined with online disinhibition effects, can lead people in virtual teams to lash out in ways that they might not do in person.
During virtual meetings, team members need to work doubly hard to ensure that their own intentions are made clear. This can be achieved in part by sharing agendas and talking points with others in advance of meetings.
Before each meeting, virtual team members should also ask themselves: Is my message to inspire or to inform? To share or to prove? To welcome or to introduce? A keen focus on their own intentions will help everyone stay on point.
Just don't put so much effort into accurately communicating your own message that you fail to glean what others are communicating. One CEO we know confessed that she spends most of the virtual meeting looking at her own image. This is not because she is a narcissist, but because she wants to ensure she is communicating positive body language in a time of radical downsizing and furloughing.
So yes, share your own talking points—but also pay attention to everyone else's.
6. Runners
Improv actors bring continuity and connection to unrelated scenes by linking them together using an underlying theme: a device known as a "runner."
Virtual team meetings can create runners too.
In a recent virtual meeting, a team was discussing how to create both a live online version and a recorded version of a course. In the absence of any shared visuals, confusion was mounting about just which of the two courses was being discussed.
One member of the team then took an improv risk by referring to the live version as "LOL" for "live-online." The group laughed, and then later in the meeting, "LOL" reemerged and served as an important clarifying tie-back to the earlier conversation.
LOL became the meeting's runner—not because people were laughing out loud, but because it was memorable and livened up dull material. When people typed replies in the chat box, they used the laughing emojis 😆 😂 🤣. When people were sent to retrieve examples from other projects, their screen share started with a LOL gif.
One group in the meeting changed their virtual backgrounds to the stage at a comedy Open Mic night. It turned what could have been a tedious discussion into a chance to bond while getting the job done.
Runners help people stay connected to the content and make meetings more of a shared experience. They also remind us that even though we take what we do seriously, we don't need to take ourselves seriously.
Virtual team leaders feel pressure to hit the ground running. But most of the managers we have spoken to are preoccupied with their "technical skills": knowing where the chat function is or how to set up a virtual white board.
To be sure, technical skills are important, but the real challenge for effective virtual meetings is about building the human connection. By adopting the improv devices we have outlined here, the virtual team leader can hold effective, productive, and rewarding meetings.
"Croissant."
THE LAW OF SUPPLY AND DEMAND ISN´T FAIR / THE NEW YORK TIMES
| Etiquetas: Coronavirus, Economics
Economic View
The Law of Supply and Demand Isn't Fair
In a crisis, consumers think it is outrageous to jack up prices of essential items, yet that social norm predictably leads to shortages.
By Richard Thaler
A Walmart during the early stages of the U.S. coronavirus outbreak in March.Credit...Al Bello/Getty Images
For an economist, one of the most jarring sights during the early weeks of the coronavirus crisis in the United States was the spectacle of bare shelves in sections of the supermarket.
There was no toilet paper or hand sanitizer. Pasta, flour and even yeast could be hard to find in the early weeks of social distancing, as many people decided to take up baking. Of far greater concern, hospitals could not buy enough of the masks, gowns and ventilators required to safely treat Covid-19 patients.
What happened to the laws of supply and demand? Why didn't prices rise enough to clear the market, as economic models predict?
A paper that I wrote with my friends Daniel Kahneman, a psychologist, and Jack Knetsch, an economist, explored this problem. We found that the answer may be summed up with a single word, one you won't find in the standard supply-and-demand models: fairness. Basically, it just isn't socially acceptable to raise prices in an emergency.
We asked people questions about the actions of hypothetical firms. For example: "A hardware store has been selling snow shovels for $15. The morning after a blizzard the store raises the price of snow shovels to $20."
Fully 82 percent of our respondents judged this to be unfair. The respondents were Canadians, known for their politeness, but the general findings have now been replicated and confirmed in studies around the world.
Most companies implicitly understand that abiding by the social norms of fairness should be part of their business model. In the current crisis, large retail chains have responded to the shortages of toilet paper not by raising the price but by limiting the amount each customer can buy. And Amazon and eBay prohibited what was viewed as price gouging on their sites.
We have seen similar behavior after hurricanes. As soon as a storm ends, there is typically enormous demand for goods like bottled water and plywood. Big retailers like Home Depot and Walmart anticipate this, sending trucks loaded with supplies to regions just outside the danger zone, ready to be deployed. Then, when it is safe, the stores provide water for free and sell the plywood at the list price or lower.
At the same time, some "entrepreneurs" are likely to behave differently. They see a disaster as an opportunity and so will fill up trucks with plywood near their homes, drive to the storm site and sell their goods for whatever price they can get.
It is not that large retailers are intrinsically more ethical than the entrepreneurs; it is simply that they have different time horizons. The large companies are playing a long game, and by behaving "fairly" they are hoping to retain customer loyalty after the emergency. The entrepreneurs are just interested in a quick buck.
Fairness norms help explain the breakdown of supply chains of medical equipment in the coronavirus crisis. Hospitals normally use buying associations that make long-term deals with wholesalers to provide essential supplies. The wholesalers generally want to preserve these relationships and realize that now would not be a good time to raise prices. Often, they are contractually obligated to supply items at prices negotiated before a spike in demand.
Hospital contracts for N95 masks, like this one hanging in a car, created problems in the supply chain.Credit...Demetrius Freeman for The New York Times
One current example is the N95 face mask. At the onset of the pandemic, hospitals had long-term contracts to buy them for about 35 cents each, an executive at a New York hospital told me. When the need for the masks surged, these suppliers were not allowed to raise the price, even if inclined to do so.
But others along the supply chain could make big profits by diverting masks to anyone willing to pay top dollar. That left hospitals in a bind. As the coronavirus spread in New York, the executive's hospital searched frantically for masks, eventually paying an overseas supplier $6 each, for hundreds of thousands of them, when the regular stock was desperately short.
When anyone tries to reap big profits in an emergency like this, it can look ugly. Consider the case of two brothers who began buying hand sanitizer, masks and other scarce commodities on March 1, the day of the first announcement of a Covid-19 death in the United States. After they sold some of their merchandise at big markups on Amazon and eBay, these outlets cut them off. Eventually, after considerable adverse publicity, the brothers decided to donate their supplies.
Notice that the brothers were making markets more "efficient," by buying low and selling high. If instead of arbitraging coronavirus supplies they had sold shares of airline and hotel companies and bought shares of Netflix and Zoom, they would simply have been considered smart traders. But while smart trading may be fine for investments, it is not considered fair when it involves essential goods during a pandemic.
One can argue that this social norm is harmful in that it prevents markets from doing their magic. For example, Tyler Cowen, the George Mason University economist, has said he wishes it were OK to raise prices for coronavirus essentials.
"Higher prices discourage panic buying and increase the chance that the people who truly need particular goods and services have a greater chance of getting them," he wrote.
But which people "truly need" N95 masks? What is the right allocation of masks among well-endowed research hospitals, poorly funded municipal facilities, nursing homes and food processing plants? Supply and demand would tell us that the masks should simply go to the buyer who was willing and able to pay the most for them. But fairness tells us this can't be the only consideration.
As a practical matter for businesses, big and small, that want to keep operating for the long haul, it makes good sense to obey the law of fairness. If the next shortage is meat and a store owner realizes that there is only one package of pork chops left, it would be unwise sell it at auction to the highest bidder.
Richard H. Thaler is a professor of economics and behavioral science at the Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago.
RUSSIA´S CHOICE: ITS BUFFER ZONE OR ITS ECONOMY / GEOPOLITICAL FUTURES
| Etiquetas: Economics, Gasprom, Geopolitics, Oil and Energy, Russia
Russia's Choice: Its Buffer Zone or Its Economy
By: Ekaterina Zolotova
Low natural gas prices are straining Russia's gas diplomacy. In the Netherlands, the European Union's largest gas hub, prices are down to $52 per thousand cubic meters, which is a third what they were a year ago. However, for countries like Russia whose economies depend on energy exports and that employ fixed-price contracts, persistently low prices – a product of fluctuating oil prices, growing liquefied natural gas consumption, a dearth of storage facilities and plummeting demand due to the coronavirus pandemic – are pressuring energy companies to revise prices downward.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko recently said that his country pays $127 for Russian gas, while Europe pays less than $70. Armenian officials have also called on Russia to reduce prices. Even Kyrgyzstan, which does not consume much gas, asked Russia to adjust due to the difficult economic situation caused by the pandemic.
This puts Moscow in a tough spot. On the one hand, it needs stable and higher prices to keep its own economy afloat at this difficult time. On the other hand, it needs to satisfy the allied republics that make up its buffer zone and are part of its ambitious economic integration project, the Eurasian Economic Unión.
The formation of a single gas market is an important strategic step forward for the post-Soviet countries that constitute the EEU. Gas is a basic resource for most of them. For example, at 62 percent, it is the largest source of energy consumed in Belarus. It is 55 percent of the energy consumed in Armenia, and 53 percent in Russia.
But there are only two counties in the bloc that produce gas: Russia – by far the largest supplier – and Kazakhstan. The other three member states, Armenia, Belarus and Kyrgyzstan, do not produce gas domestically, and thus not only do they depend on foreign supplies – they depend on Russian supplies.
In a single gas market, the general formula for the formation of a gas tariff within the EEU would need to be implemented, and a system of free gas flow among members would be created. Most important, import-dependent countries would be able to buy gas at a lower price. At the moment, Russia's average gas price is $55. Belarus, however, pays $127, and Armenia and Kyrgyzstan pay $165, according to their contracts for 2020. Even Kazakhstan is considering purchasing Russian gas for domestic consumption and exporting its own gas to China.
Moscow understands that it needs to ensure that EEU membership provides economic benefits to its members. And Russia itself benefits from the union – a common energy market would likely cement and strengthen Russia's near-monopoly position as an energy supplier to its closest partners, but even more fundamentally, the EEU restores to Russia much of the regional influence that it has lost since the Soviet Union's collapse.
But from Moscow's perspective, the other EEU member states should be satisfied with stable access to Russian gas, whereas Russia's partners want preferential prices as well. (In fact, they argue the price they pay for Russian gas should be similar to what Russian domestic consumers pay.)
Sooner or later, Russia will have to make some concessions and unify gas tariffs within the bloc. And Moscow admits as much: The country's long-term energy strategy indicates that it plans to align prices, but only by 2025. This has not yet been agreed among the EEU countries; Russia will discuss projects and sign joint statements, but it has abstained from making tangible proposals on price regulation until the rest of the union accepts deeper integration (for instance, a single budget and tax system, according to comments made by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday).
And on the subject of EEU integration, the lynchpin for Russia is Belarus. Minsk for years has balanced between Russia and the West, and Belarusian attempts to diversify its oil supplies have upset the Kremlin. If Belarus starts to think about greater market diversification and deeper cooperation with the West at the expense of ties with Russia and the EEU, the Kremlin risks losing the buffer zone that separates NATO troops in Poland from Russia's borders. In addition, with construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline to Germany delayed, Belarus remains an important hub for the transit of Russian gas to Western Europe and Kaliningrad.
This is why Russia is in no hurry to offer lower gas prices until Belarus agrees to closer integration. The Kremlin said the price will be determined after the development of roadmaps toward implementation of the Russia-Belarus Union State. Until the Kremlin gets what it wants from Minsk, it will not accelerate moves toward a common gas market or provide more favorable conditions to other EEU countries, lest Belarus demand similar conditions.
Russia's need to strengthen and solidify its influence in post-Soviet countries is not always consistent with state-owned company Gazprom's pursuit of profits. Gazprom is Russia's largest gas supply company and has a monopoly on gas exports. The Kremlin wants to ensure the stability of Gazprom and expand the firm's trading operations and projects. And Belarus, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan are important customers and/or links in the distribution network for Gazprom.
But Gazprom wants to be equally profitable selling gas at home and in the EEU, especially as the economy is shrinking. After Rosneft, Gazprom is the second-largest contributor to Russia's budget. In 2018, its tax payments reached 2.7 trillion rubles ($37 billion), which was almost 15 percent of the budget's total tax revenue.
Because of the drop in demand resulting from the pandemic-induced economic slowdown and a relatively mild winter, Gazprom's revenue and tax payments may shrink. At such low prices, delivering gas to the domestic market is more profitable than exporting it, because it avoids transit fees and related costs.
Though Gazprom is protected by take-or-pay clauses and fixed-price contracts, it ideally wants an export price close to $100 per thousand cubic meters. Current prices are significantly lower than Gazprom's profitability point, which starts from $63 through Nord Stream 1, the cheapest route.
And there is another reason Russia does not want to move ahead with the establishment of a single gas market just yet. Doing so would entail setting common gas tariffs in the EEU. This would likely lead to lower prices for Armenia and Belarus but higher prices in the Russian market. A sudden, significant hike in domestic gas prices in a country where 53 percent of the energy consumed comes from gas, the economy is slowing and companies are struggling to stay afloat would lead to significant social dissatisfaction.
The Kremlin thought that it would have more time before 2025 to adapt internal gas prices to the external environment and create the basis for further integration within the EEU. But the economic slowdown and uncertainty is forcing Russia to work with a shorter timeline. Russia has some external circumstances working in its favor.
For instance, Belarus may temper its demands for gas price reductions once its Astravets nuclear power plant comes online. The plant, which was built by a Russian contractor and with Russian credit, is expected to significantly reduce Belarus' gas consumption.
For its part, Kyrgyzstan uses alternative energy sources such as coal and oil and thus can afford to be patient. Armenia has no cheaper sources of gas than Russia; Iranian gas is much more expensive, at $220. Altogether, Russia believes it can delay the discussion on gas tariffs to a more favorable time, but the economic fallout from the pandemic may force the Kremlin to make strategic choices earlier than it had expected.
At the very least, it will have to walk a thin line between its strategic needs and the needs of its economy.
GOLD: LOOK OUT BELOW / SEEKING ALPHA
| Etiquetas: Gold, Investment Strategies
Gold: Look Out Below
by: Equity Management Academy
- Gold is becoming a currency, separating itself from the US dollar. The stock market also broke away from Main Street.
- Now the market is having a problem making higher highs, right where the VC PMI is telling you to expect sellers to come into the market.
I- t is a question of leadership, whether the gold mining shares are catching up to the price of gold or are they leading the way to a new bull market.
- Gold appears to be consolidating in the area of $1,700 to $1,800. If gold can't reach new highs, it indicates that the buying pressure is weak and there will be pressure to the downside.
We use the proprietary Variable Changing Price Momentum Indicator (VC PMI) to analyze markets.
The VC PMI is based on artificial intelligence and an advanced algorithm. It can be used to trade stocks, ETFs, futures or options. We specialize in the precious metals and the E-mini, looking for day, swing and long-term trades.
Gold: Weekly Data and Triggers
The weekly trend momentum of $1,727 is bullish.
The weekly VC PMI of $1,736 is bullish.
A close below $1,736 stop negates this bullishness to neutral.
If long, take profits $1,772-$1,791.
The weekly trend momentum is bullish. The weekly VC PMI of $1,736 is also bullish because the market closed above that. A close below $1,736 stop negates this bullishness, so that is the first level of protection you can use. If the market comes down below $1,736, it would activate a weekly bearish price momentum.
The market is trading around $1,745, which is an area of resistance. It did not reach the weekly target of $1,772. Take profits at $1,772 to $1,791, if you are long. It is still in the bullish bias until that $1,772 is activated.
The market closing above the 9-day moving average of $1,727 means that the trend is bullish. A close below that level would negate that bullish trend. The Sell 1 level is $1,772 to the Sell 2 level of $1,791.
If the market closes below $1,736, it negates the bullishness to neutral. Another close below activates the Buy 1 level of $1,717 to the Buy 2 of $1,681.
Gold: Monthly Data and Triggers
The monthly trend momentum of $1,587 is bullish.
The monthly VC PMI of $1,741 is bullish.
The monthly trend momentum of $1,587 is bullish. This is the 9-month moving average. The monthly VC PMI or average price is $1,741, which is bullish. You can use $1,741 as a stop level.
If the market closes below $1,741, it would negate the bullishness to neutral. If you are long, begin to take profits at the monthly Sell 1 level of $1,799 to the Sell 2 level of $1,846.
Gold: Annual Data and Triggers
We published an annual report in September, when the market was at about $1,505. The report said that the Sell 1 level for the year is at $1,655 and the Sell 2 is at $1,803. We completed the initial target of $1,655 on February 21, 2020.
The market then met resistance. At that level, supply or sellers began to come into the market.
Around March 9 the market reached $1,694 and then the coronavirus hit and gold dropped to $1,454 based on the August contract.
In late March, buying came into the market on the basis of tight physical supplies. The spread between the spot and paper market spread, with a premium of about $80 for the spot market.
Gold then started its trend to trading as a currency. It almost reached the Sell 2 target of $1,803 reaching $1,788. The artificial intelligence of the VC PMI tells you that the higher a price goes, the higher the probability that supplies or sellers will come into the market.
The Sell 1 monthly target of $1,799 fits right into the monthly target of $1,803. When the monthly and annual targets align, it is a very powerful sign that the market will revert to the mean from that level.
Even if the market breaks into the higher levels, it is very likely to reach a ceiling right above those levels. You do not want to buy at those high levels, since you are likely to be buying into an overbought market. The best time to enter the market long is when the market is trading at an extreme below the mean, such as at $1,465 on March 20 after gold collapsed.
The VC PMI is contrarian, so when the market collapses, it advises to buy. When the market races up, it advises to sell. Now the market is having a problem making higher highs, right where the VC PMI is telling you to expect sellers to come into the market.
Gold is becoming a currency, separating itself from the US dollar. The stock market also broke away from the US dollar.
It made a bottom at about the same time as gold. It is almost as if the market discounted any economic damage from the coronavirus very early.
The GDX (VanEck Vectors Gold Miners ETF) is up 53, while the gold market is down and most gold mining shares are trading higher. This is a bit of an anomaly.
It is a question of leadership, whether the gold mining shares are catching up to the price of gold or are they leading the way to a new bull market. This will happen in metals, where the paper market is the leading indicator depending on the availability of physical gold.
The paper market and physical market appear to have become disconnected, which is why the physical market went up about $80 over the futures because people could not get physical gold on the physical market. For a long time, institutions have sold short on the paper market, driving the physical price down and then they have closed out the short selling and made billions. They can no longer do that as demand for physical gold has greatly increased.
The stock market also appears to have been separated from the real economy. Even as the economy has collapsed, stocks have risen back to almost where they were before the pandemic.
Main Street is reeling and is in a depression, yet stocks are trading as if nothing has changed.
Even the protests and looting triggered by the horrible George Floyd incident have not caused the stock market to fall significantly. We have a pandemic on top of a broken system, yet the stock market continues to go up.
Stock prices do not appear to be correlated with the true state of the economy. Earnings reports are going to show declines of 50% or 60%, which should cause stocks to fall precipitously.
When investors realize the true state of the economy, money will flow into the precious metals.
That is why we are bullish on precious metals long term.
Gold appears to be consolidating in the area of $1,700 to $1,800. If gold can't reach new highs, it indicates that the buying pressure is weak and there will be pressure to the downside. If we get down below $1,736, it will activate new short triggers. If you have profits, take them or protect them.
We use the 15-minute close for the daily, weekly, monthly or annual data to execute the signals.
Silver is very much in the same area as gold, making a high of $18.95. It completed the weekly Sell 1 target of $18.86. Gold and silver are trading in areas where it is likely that sellers or supply will come into the market.
THE OTHER THREE-QUARTERS: THE´PANDEMIC IS STILL GA...
DEUTSCHE BANK´S TIES TO DONALD TRUMP / THE FINANCI...
TOO MUCH CROSS TALK. TOO LITTLE CREATIVITY. HOW TO...
THE LAW OF SUPPLY AND DEMAND ISN´T FAIR / THE NEW ...
RUSSIA´S CHOICE: ITS BUFFER ZONE OR ITS ECONOMY / ...


text:
This-CeraVe-Moisturizing-Cream-Placates-Even-the-Most-Severe-Dryness-and-Itching-According-to-Amazon-Reviews-GettyImages-1269676904
This CeraVe Moisturizing Cream Placates Even the Most Severe Dry Skin, According to Amazon Reviews
There's a reason you keep seeing CeraVe Moisturizing Cream at the top of the retailer's bestseller charts.
By Mika Robinson November 26, 2021
When you break down CeraVe's name, it's no wonder the skin-care brand has so many people singing its praises. "Cera" stands for ceramides (lipids in the skin barrier that help lock in moisture) and "Ve" is short for MultiVesicular Emulsion (MVE) Technology, a means for releasing moisturizing ingredients over the course of 24 hours. That multilayered approach to fighting dry skin has proven to be a hit — just browse the bestselling beauty products on Amazon at any given moment, and you're sure to see a few CeraVe picks. One product that currently holds a top spot, specifically the #1 bestselling body cream ranking, is CeraVe Moisturizing Body and Face Moisturizer (Buy It, $19, amazon.com).
The moisturizer is designed for face and body use, so you can slather it on head-to-toe to avoid experiencing a single inch of dry skin. Those aforementioned ceramides and MVE Technology are both incorporated into the formula, meaning it's designed for long-lasting moisturization. (Related: Amazon Customers Swear CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion Is Unbeatable)
The CeraVe cream pairs those moisturizing ingredients with a hydrating all-star: hyaluronic acid. If you're unfamiliar, the popular skincare ingredient is a sugar found naturally in the human body. It's a humectant, meaning it draws moisture to skin's surface. In other words, together, hyaluronic acid and ceramides can draw moisture into the skin and then lock it there — music to your skin barrier's ears.
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream for Face and Body
Buy It: CeraVe Moisturizing Cream Body and Face Moisturizer, $19, amazon.com
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream Body and Face Moisturizer is the opposite of an under-the-radar pick. It's garnered over 67K reviews on Amazon, and the consensus seems to be that it's the cure for dry, problematic skin. Aside from the fragrance-free moisturizer's dryness-fighting benefits, Amazon shoppers note that the non-greasy texture makes this product even more appealing: for example, one Amazon shopper says "the moisturizer resembles a very thick whipping cream. But soaks right into the skin." (Related: The Absolute Best Moisturizers for Dry Skin, According to Dermatologists)
And if your dry skin comes with a side of itchiness (which isn't uncommon), CeraVe deep moisturizer is a must, at least according to one reviewer. "I was suffering from itchy legs, a horrid wintertime problem, I mean a month of this was just too much," they write. "This stuff healed my dry skin in two days! I haven't itched since." (Related: How to Prevent Dull, Dry Skin In Winter)
Whether your skin becomes dry seasonally or all year round, the CeraVe moisturizing cream for face and body has a solid reputation as a solution. After all, if you can't trust brutally honest Amazon reviewers, who can you trust?
Pinterest Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Q: Python local variable modified but isn't shown at the end a = 'file'
b = 'file'
c = 4
d = 4
e = 5
f = 6

def sim(a,b,c,d,e,f):
    s = 0
    if( a == b):
        s+=1
        print(s)
    if( c==d ):
        s+=1
        print(s)
    if (e == d):
        s+=1
        print(s)
    score = s/3
    return score

>>> sim(a,b,c,d,e,f)

Output for the above is:
1
2
0

This means although s is updated at first if clauses, when it is accessed in score variable, it has the old value of s, which is 0. Can someone please explain how to correct this? Why doesn't the correct value of s is not shown to score variable

A: The 0 that is being printed isn't the value of s.  What is being printed is the return value of the function.  Python 2 uses integer division by default, so you are printing the value of s/3, which is 0.
It is printing the return value of the function because you are working on the shell.  If you were running this as a separate program, it would not be printed.
Your case is very similar to this:
>>> def f(x):
    return x / 3

>>> f(2)
0

You can see, the value returned by the function is being printed.  Also, dividing 2 by 3 gives 0 with integer division.

A: In python 2.x, if you try to divide two ints with /, it will actually find the floor of the two numbers (2/3=0). If you want normal division, one of the numbers should be a float. In your program, for example, you can quickly and easily fix this by writing /3.0 instead of /3.
In python 3.x, / always means normal division and // is integer division/floor.

A: You're doing integer division, which will round down.
Try 2/float(3)

A: You're using python 2, which, when one integer is divided by another then integer division is done. 2 / 3 is equal to 0 as 2 == (3 * 0) + 2. To perform true division try:
score = s / 3.

The . forces the 3 to be parsed as a float. If not dividing by a literal use float.
numbers = range(10)
average = sum(numbers) / float(len(numbers))

Or, to force true division throughout the file do:
from __future__ import division
# The above must be the very first line of file, as it is not a true import, but a
# directive to the compiler.

s = 2
score = s / 3

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Behind the Scenes: Billy Porter Talks About Returning to the Philadelphia Theatre Company and Where He Finds His Inspiration
Tony and Grammy Winner Billy Porter is coming to the Philadelphia Theatre Company as part of their Theatre Masters Series on March 23, 2015. Porter has had an amazing career as a composer, actor, playwright and director. Porter stars in the Broadway production of Kinky Boots as Lola, for which he received a Tony Award. In addition, he directed The Colored Museum at the Huntington Theatre in Boston, which just opened this month. Porter was last at the Philadelphia Theatre Company in 2007 for Being Alive, a show that he conceived and directed.
In addition, Porter can be heard on several recordings, including his most recent album, Billy's Back on Broadway. I had the opportunity to speak with Mr. Porter about his career, coming back to Philadelphia and his hometown, Pittsburgh, and what he is looking forward to in the next few months.
Kelli Curtin: How did you become interested in theatre?
Billy Porter: When I was in Middle School in Pittsburgh, I attended an afterschool program. This was an attempt to make friends, and this was during the second desegregation attempt of schools in Pittsburgh. I went to an all-black school until I was in sixth grade. I always knew I could sing, but I busted out of my comfort zone during this after school program, and that is when I was "bit by the theatre bug" as they say.
Kelli Curtin: How does it feel to come back to the Philadelphia Theatre Company after directing Being Alive in 2007? What can audiences expect when coming to see you in the Theatre Masters Series?
Billy Porter: I have not been back to PTC since Being Alive. I am excited to return to this theatre and it is thrilling to come back to this space to see what they have done with it since I was there in 2007.
In any kind of "masters series" I really don't know what is going to happen. The reality of it is that it is a live interview, so I answer any question they ask of me.
Kelli Curtin: You are returning to your hometown of Pittsburgh this August to play Lola in Kinky Boots. How does it feel to be returning to Pittsburgh to play this Tony-Award winning role?
Billy Porter: It is exciting to get a chance to go home and share with the community where I grew up what I have been able to achieve. It also is a chance for people in Pittsburgh who are unable to get to New York City to come see the fruits of my labor.
Kelli Curtin: You are very inspirational, in your work and career, but also on social media. Where do you find your inspiration?
Billy Porter: Mainly from my mother. She has cerebral palsy, and I have watched her body give up on her. However, every day she gets out of bed and fully shows up for life. I am lucky if I would have half her courage that she shows every day.
I also give that advice I place on social media for myself. I want to encourage others and generate confidence and love. But I really do this because I do not have to wait for outside energies to validate me.
Kelli Curtin: You have had a very successful career. What are the things you are most proud of? What are you looking forward to doing in the future?
Billy Porter: There are so many things to be proud of, I strive to live in the moment and be present. Recently, the things I am proud of are playing Belize in Angels in America (fifteen years ago, no one would even consider me for this) and definitely Lola. I was told in the past that who I was would not work. I stood out because I was different. Life is easy when who you are is what is popular – being that person is easy. However, when what you are is not popular that is hard. I chose to live in the moment and be present.
I have so much going on in my career and that is a good thing! I would say that I am definitely looking forward to returning to Kinky Boots. Currently I am directing George C. Wolfe's The Colored Museum [at The Huntington Theatre Company,] which is so thrilling. I was introduced to this play when I was in high school and it changed my life. Wolfe is such an inspiration. Also, I have a PBS special ["Broadway & Soul,"] which airs April 3rd. I have a lot going on that I am proud of.
Kelli Curtin: What advice do you have for young people who want to be an actor?
Billy Porter: Respect your form and respect your Art. Society views Art as extracurricular and a lot of people do not take it seriously. People pursuing a career in the Arts need to remember that they need to dedicate their life to it. The thing is that there are these reality show competitions and it makes it look like you stand in line and perform and then there is a career at the end of it, but the reality is that being an actor is a lifelong process.
Also, to live life as an artist you must respect yourself and your creativity as well as have training. However, training comes in different forms, and everyone has to find the training that fits their personality. Lastly, show ingenuity.
Kelli Curtin: Why, in your opinion, is live theatre important?
Billy Porter: Live theatre is a living breathing experience, it is so specific to the moment. Every time the audience sits down and the lights dim they are seeing something else no one has seen before. Live theatre is such a gift and there is nothing else like seeing something live. When people go to the movies it is exactly the same, people can re-watch a movie over and over, and they will see exactly the same thing. In the theatre no performance in 100% the same – there is nothing like live theatre.
Billy Porter will be at the Philadelphia Theatre Company as part of their Theatre Masters Series on March 23, 2015. For more information and tickets please visit their website at philatheatreco.org or by phone at 215-985-0420.
Photo 1 courtesy of Philadelphia Theatre Company
Photo 2 courtesy of billyporter.com
Kelli Curtin is editor and writer for theatresensation.com. In addition, she is a contributor for the online sites broadwayworld.com and Fig Lancaster. Kelli is excited to share her passion about theatre and the Arts with her readers. Kelli can be found on twitter @theatrescribe and on Facebook/theatresensation.


text:
byJoel Mathis
'Defund the police' is dead
Illustrated | iStock
"Defund the police" is dead in the Democratic Party, at least for now. The party isn't going to let itself get beat on the crime issue.
That much should be clear from events in recent days. President Biden on Wednesday announced that state and local governments will be allowed to use their billions of dollars in COVID relief money to bolster their police departments — hiring new officers, paying for overtime, and buying gunshot detection systems to quickly detect and respond to acts of violence — part of a broader effort to address a rising wave of violent crime in the nation's big cities.
"We're taking on the bad actors doing bad and dangerous things to our communities and to our country," Biden told reporters.
Crime is a local issue, and it is affecting party politics at the local level, too. Eric Adams, a former police captain who has told New Yorkers that "the prerequisite for prosperity is public safety," appears to be leading in that city's Democratic primary election. The voters, it appears, are speaking out in favor of their own safety.
"Defund the police" is — at best — a confusing, complicated label for a diverse set of ideas: Some advocates truly do want to radically pare back police departments, while others simply want to reshape and reimagine policing so that armed agents of the state aren't required to handle situations better left to, say, mental health professionals. As a slogan, though, "defund" is easily demagogued, particularly when violence legitimately is a growing concern.
But Democrats don't seem in a rush to revert to the habits that produced the now-controversial 1994 crime bill and its resulting wave of mass incarceration. While announcing police funding on Wednesday, Biden also said COVID relief funds can be used to pay for substance abuse and mental health services, as well as summer jobs programs, in a bid to "resolve issues before they escalate into crimes."
And funding police doesn't necessarily mean relaxing efforts to reform police departments. Public safety and accountability shouldn't be at odds with each other. The key, as Jonathan Chait points out today in New York magazine, is "to change the conversation from the quantity of policing to the quality." The police aren't going anywhere. Instead, Democrats will be challenged to make them better.


Need to substitute for the yogurt (yoghurt) called for in your recipe? Need a yogurt substitute? Check our chart for alternatives to yogurt (yoghurt).
Here are the top 10 health benefits of Greek yogurt. 1. improves Digestive Health. One of the main benefits of Greek yogurt is the probiotics it contains.
This healthy mayonnaise substitute will improve the nutritional value of your diet as well as lower your fat and calorie intake.


text:
Canon UK Showcases Cinema EOS Range at Broadcast Video Expo 2015 With Hands-on Live Shoot in London: 24 -26 Feb.2015
Canon EOS C100 Mark II
The following video presents Introducing the Canon Cinema EOS C100 Mark II.
Peter Yabsley from Canon Europe's Professional Imaging team talks through the latest edition to our Cinema EOS range – the C100 Mark II
Canon to showcase Cinema EOS range at BVE 2015 with hands-on live shoot
United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, 13 February 2015 – Canon will be showcasing its industry leading Cinema EOS range at BVE 2015 (Stand G12), giving visitors the chance of a hands-on demonstration in a live shooting set up.
Following a highly successful demonstration at BVE 2014, Canon will once again be recreating a live shooting environment allowing visitors to experience the company's iconic Cinema EOS range, including the C100 MKII and C500 camera models.
Visitors to the Canon stand will be greeted with an immersive experience that also features Canon's 4K monitor, cine servo and cine prime lenses as well as a DSLR counter for testing Canon's range of DSLR cameras.
Austin Freshwater, Director, Professional Imaging at Canon UK and Ireland, said: "The broadcast industry is evolving constantly and our aim is to ensure that visitors get a real life feel for Canon's latest innovations. We will exhibit Canon's rich heritage in lens technology whilst looking to the future with 4K by allowing videographers the opportunity to get hands-on with our offering."
Taking place on 24th-26th February at ExCeL London, BVE (Broadcast Video Expo) is Europe's premier broadcast and production technology event, showcasing technologies and services for the production, management and broadcast of audio visual content.
Visit Canon at BVE on Stand G12.
Image extracted from video below.
The following video presents Canon C500 and the 4K Workflow:
Join Oscar nominee and Director of Photography for Saturday Night Live Alex Buono on his "The Art of Visual Storytelling Tour" where he teaches cinematographers how to create dynamic and impactful films. Take his tips and concepts into the real-world and apply them to your films, whether through Cinema EOS cameras or DSLRs.
In this episode, understand Alex's two reasons for shooting documentaries and "Saturday Night Live" in 4K and the 4K workflow.
alex buono austin freshwater brian morrow canon c100 mark ii canon c500 canon cinema eos canon eos c100 mark ii canon eos c500 eos c100 mark ii peter yabsley
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 Review @ Neocamera
New Canon EOS M3 Mirrorless Compact System Camera: Product Video
Canon U.S.A. at PhotoPlus Expo 2014: Displays Include Cinema EOS C100 Mark...
Canon: New, Second-Generation EOS C100 Mark II Digital Video Camera
Canon Cinema EOS C300/C300 PL
Canon's New Cinema EOS System


Equipped with 2-4pcs StarFire1024 industrial heads, YOTTA's YD-T1804SG digital textile printer delivers stunning direct to garment and direct to textile printing with high speed. With print width of 1.8m, it can fully meet the requirements of textile printing industry.
Fast infrared ink curing technology, printing and drying linkage control system. Independent drying system optional.
YOTTA digital printers use integral steel frame structure which delivers stronger structure stability, no deformation during use after temper treatment.
YD-T1804SG textile printer can be used for many purposes. It can direct print onto garment, fabrics, advertising cloth, etc.
YD-T1804SG uses special textile ink which is environmental and non-polluted, meeting the National Environmental Requirement Standard, is an ideal solution to replace traditional printing equipment.


Ink Magazine is a student run publication focused on music, arts, culture, and fashion. As a graphic designer at the Student Media Center, I had the opportunity to work with a team of designers to art direct and design layouts for multiple issues of Ink. Shown here are a few spreads I designed for INK Volume 9, Issue 2.


text:
Q: How to remove 'A_' from all header using Import-excel Powershell Please find below data I have, I need to remove A_ value in all header in my csv file , I am trying multiple ways but no luck.
CSV Sheet
Here is the code , but It's not worked for me:
$CSVpath="C:\test1.csv"
$gevalue = Get-Content $CSVpath
For($i=0 ; $i -le 4 ; $i++){
$a=((Get-Content $CSVpath)[0] -split(','))[$i]
$b= $a -replace 'A_' , ''
$temp =$gevalue;
$temp[0] = $temp[0].replace($temp[$i],$b);
Set-Content -Path $CSVpath -Value $temp;
}

Note: This data is only in CSV file and also, I also tried powershell using import-csv.

A: If you really just want to remove all occurences of A_ in the header line you can use the following snippet:
$CSVpath = "C:\test1.csv"
$Content = Get-Content $CSVpath
$Content[0] = $Content[0] -replace 'A_'
$Content | Set-Content -Path $CSVpath


According to the BHO, solventless, live pitch and solidified THCa waves we've seen in the course of recent years, cannabis concentrates are unmistakably staying put. Dabbers who aren't willing to convey a pelican and light wherever they run are in an ideal situation with a spot pen while voyaging. Most vape pens are intended to make expending focuses in a hurry simple. Be that as it may, some are superior to others. It's additionally significant that the best vape pens rely upon your own needs. In the event that you keep the terps on deck, you'll need something that will make the best of your oil. In case you're a spending purchaser, you'll need something more reasonable yet compelling. We've accumulated a rundown of some the current year's best vape pen contributions. Their experts are weighed against their cons to enable you to locate the best vape pens particularly for you.
Puffco brought us one of the principal premium vape pens for cannabis concentrates years back. Indeed, many websites have positioned it as the best vape pen under numerous circumstances. From that point forward, a few organizations have imitated their unique plan while they moved their concentration onto their unfathomably enhanced Puffco Plus model. They thought of each grievance vape pen clients had and tended to them. There are no pastes holding together bars enclosed by modest metal wires. The Plus' fired chamber enables you to appreciate the full kind of your concentrates while blowing enormous billows of obvious vapor.
Stars: This is a standout amongst other vape pens ever for a few reasons. The Puffco Plus gives the at-home involvement in your pocket. Indeed, the Puffco conveys a smooth hit reliably with less space for mistake. There are two different ways to utilize it: sesh mode or a similar you would with some other vape pen. Sesh mode permits you to endure tremendous shots, practically identical to a real touch. In the event that you have a craving for spreading it out or relaxing, you can hold the conservative for a little dosage at any given moment.
It's to a great degree easy to understand. Once there's a thin dull layer of oil left on the artistic chamber, you can Q-tip it up. Do this each time and the kind of each one of your spots will be as crisp as the first. Subsequent to getting back home from multi-day of utilizing the PuffcoPlus you can warm it up for a couple of moments and run a liquor doused Q-tip through it for an intensive cleaning.
Our most loved part is the shoot joined to the mouthpiece which goes about as a carb top, device and sprinkles monitor across the board.
Cons: Get hot after ceaseless utilize however just to the hands, not the lips. Battery passes on after a couple of employment however it energizes inside 30 minutes.
Why We Like It: The greatest billows of vapor we could discover with no trade-off to the kind of superb concentrates.
Another participant for the extraordinary Vape pen as compared to other vape pens, the LinxVapor bring quality vaporization at sensible costs. They have a few alternatives for cannabis focuses and also a convenient vaporizer for dry herbs. The Linx Hypnos Zero is their offering to think specialists and a standout amongst other vape pens we've gone over. It is a vape pen made to mirror the experience of a low-temperature touch. The vapor way is developed with zero filaments, plastics or paints. There are likewise four temperature settings to flip through.
Masters: Short and smooth plan make it a standout amongst the most versatile vaporizer for cannabis focus available. Making sense of how to utilize it is straightforward. There are no curls in the Linx Hypnos Zero. Rather than applying your oils specifically onto a hot wire, you have a clay plate for a more pleasant ordeal. The Linx Hypnos Zero gradually cooks your oils so you get the opportunity to appreciate the flavors without the essence of metals or roasting. A few hits in your live gum will even now be light in shading. No oil gets squandered, you can vaporize it until there is sufficient only to Q-tip up.
Q-tipping after each utilization like you would on a quartz nail is the most ideal approach to have each pack tasting tantamount to the last. When you return home following days utilize, warm the chamber up for a couple of moments and clean within with an isopropyl-drenched Q-tip. You should likewise hit the mouthpiece with a drenched Q-tip to keep things perfect and helpful.
Cons: Hard to get a major puff even on the most astounding of four settings. You may need to take four to five hits as opposed to one to two on an all the more intense vaporizer. Moreover, in the event that you overpack it, oil will probably stop up the five wind current openings straightforwardly over the earthenware chamber. After some time the oil buildup will expand on the glass mouthpiece and you'll feel it on your lip on the off chance that you don't perfect it.
Why We Like It: One of the best vape pens of 2017 with regards to protecting flavor and oil.
Rokin makes attractive, productive vape pens for accumulates at a reasonable cost. The Rokin Nitro show has three temperature settings and it accompanies two double quartz atomizers for solid tasty hits. The R logo and the name "Nitro" influences this pen to feel like a race auto in your grasp. The Nitro likewise comes in a few a la mode hues like matte dark, rose gold and the sky is the limit from there. Moreover, Rokin is one of the main organizations offering an atomizer membership. You can get an arrangement of three atomizers for just $24.00 transported to you once every one to a half year relying upon your inclination.
Professionals: Great for individuals simply getting into concentrates that would prefer not to manage an apparatus, burn and carb top. It's reasonable and contains no plastics, filaments or paste. The quartz atomizer's chamber dives deep so you can pack extensive sums with no sticky oils spilling out. Since it's made with metal segments, you can warm the strings with a lighter or light when oils begin to develop there and wipe it with a paper towel. Assembling your pen back will feel in the same class as new.
Cons: The double curl atomizer doesn't convey the kind of your concentrates and in addition a portion of alternate choices on our rundown.
Why We Like It: Sleek and effective with to a great degree reasonable substitution atomizers.


text:
CYOS: A Choose-Your-Own Literary Adventure
If you could curate your own series of authors and thinkers to come to Seattle, who would you choose and why?
Besides starting up your own local reading series, the closest you can get to a literary-style Choose Your Own Adventure is probably SAL's Create Your Own Series, in which you can pick any four of our events to attend, crossing over series and selecting who you think is the best of the best. Maybe you want a more affordable way to go to multiple SAL events, or maybe you don't want to have to decide between poetry, prose, or any of our special events.
Below, the SAL staff act as mini-curators and share with you their own selections for CYOS—in other words, who they're most excited to see this season.
Nichole Coates, WITS Program Associate
Roxane Gay: I can name at least three separate times over the last few weeks where a friend has asked me with a great deal of excitement, "Did you know that Roxane Gay is coming to Seattle?!" Why yes, dear friend, I did. I've read several of Roxane Gay's articles over the past couple years. After finishing Bad Feminist last week, I'm even more excited to see her speak. Reading her essays is like having a deep conversation with a close friend, where the discussion volleys from abstract analyses of the intersections of culture, gender, race and class, to the intimate ways these forces play out in your life and the world around you.
Helen Oyeyemi: Helen Oyeyemi's stories feel like fairy tales, fantastical with an eerie hint of familiarity. Her writing is dreamy and quick on its feet, lyrical only long enough to let a moment shine before flitting to the next one. It's certainly easy to get lost in the worlds she creates, and I'll be excited to see he take to the stage in April!
First Loves with Sherman Alexie: In idle moments, I will reserve a few books at my local library. Then I will reserve a few more books. And then a few more… and some more… and more. Weeks later, I will arrive at the library only to be dumbfounded by the massive number of books that have arrived for me to check out. During my last trip to the library, I was thrilled to find Re: Jane by Patricia Park, Adam by Ariel Schrag, and The Heart is a Muscle the Size of your Fist by Sunil Yapa peeking out between all the other titles I had put on hold. Sorry, other library books, but you'll have to wait.
Emily Nussbaum: I'm always excited to see when Emily Nussbaum has written a review of one of my favorite shows, because her writing is always so sharp and insightful. She has extra sensitive antennae for picking up on thematic nuances and cultural influences, and I know that after reading one of her reviews, I'll be able to watch a series with a new critical lens…which totally justifies my next Netflix binge. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to watch Bojack Horseman and Lady Dynamite for the umpteenth time.
Alicia Craven, WITS Program Director
Emily Nussbaum: This Pulitzer Prize-winning New Yorker TV critic is one of the top 5 people I'd want to come to an imaginary celebrity dinner party. She writes with wit, incisive insight, and treats TV with the seriousness of the highest art. She shines light on how what we watch both reflects and shapes our world.
Roxane Gay: I want to read her take on everything. She employs social media for good, has re-defined the term "feminism," and I can't wait to hear her talk about writing the new Marvel comics series "World of Wakanda" in collaboration with Ta-Nehisi Coates and Yona Harvey.
First Loves with Sherman Alexie: It's not only exciting to hear Sherman Alexie, but to learn about the new writers and creatives folks he's championing. These will all be new writers to me, and I'm so eager to read their work and get to hear them onstage.
Bryan Stevenson: Stevenson's Just Mercy should be mandatory reading for everyone, and especially any person running for public office in this election year. I think and hope that as a country, we will look back on our current system of mass-incarceration with shame and horror, and Stevenson's work is helping to propel that trajectory of change.
Ruth Dickey, SAL Executive Director
Roxane Gay: I got to hear Roxane speak at AWP and am so intrigued to hear what she has been thinking about. I'm even more excited that Ijeoma Oluo will host the Q&A!
Ellen Bass: Not only an amazing poet, but also an amazing healer—I've admired her work for years and am so excited to hear her poems in her voice.
Helen Oyeyemi: I heard an interview with her on NPR and have been smitten ever since.
A Tiny Sense of Accomplishment with Sherman Alexie, Jess Walter, and Karen Russell: One of my great sadnesses is that Karen Russell came to SAL before I did, so I am over the moon that she will return for this live taping of Jess Walter and Sherman Alexie's beloved podcast. I have embarrassed myself by gushing to both Jess and Sherman about how much I love their work, and look forward to completing the trilogy by gushing to Karen as well.
Christina Gould, Patron Services Manager
Bryan Stevenson: The author of Just Mercy and the founder of the Equal Justice Initiative is, in my mind, a modern day saint walking amongst us mortals. His life's work of championing the poor, incarcerated, and condemned is inspirational and humbling. His tenor that "we all need mercy, we all need justice and perhaps we all need some measure of unmerited grace" is a guiding light. What an honor to have him on SAL's roster. This will be an evening to remember.
Bryan Cranston: [Editor's note: sorry, folks, this one happened last Sunday! But keep a look out for a wrap-up post on Sonder.] I would never describe myself as a "groupie," but I have certainly been acting like one since the beginning of SAL's negotiating with Cranston's agent to bring him to our stage. Walter White, one of TV's greatest leading men on our stage! ("Greatest meaning biggest. Not necessarily good." Cranston's own wry words.) Such an intelligent, brilliant actor, together with Sherman Alexie? I can hardly contain myself.
Roxane Gay: An Untamed State, Gay's debut novel, a psychological thriller that centers on a Haitian woman's struggle to survive a brutal kidnapping upon a return visit to her native land, is riveting from beginning to end. The sexual and spiritual violence was difficult to push through, yet it was gripping and, thankfully, hopeful by the end. Reading the novel led me to the Internet to find out more about the author, which led me to her Bad Feminist Manifesto in the Guardian, which is going to lead me to her lecture. This sharp, honest, frank cultural critic, professor, and author without question will be funny, serious, thought-provoking, and stimulating.
Ross Gay: I love titles and I am especially attracted to the title of Ross Gay's most recent work, Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude, a collection described as "a messy, juicy collection about his life as a community orchardist […] full of manure, mulberry-stained purple bird poop, dirty clothes, and hangovers, but also the pleasure of bare feet, of pruning a peach tree, of feeding a neighbor." He sees the garden as lyric space; time slows down. It is an endless opportunity to look at things that are always changing. Sensory fullness. Always witnessing process. He talks about how working in a garden has opened up new possibilities in his poetry. I am not a poet, but I am a gardener. I want to hear (and meet) this man!
Rebecca Hoogs, SAL Associate Director & Season Curator
Rachel Zucker: Because as a mother of a 3-year old, I'm very interested in her writings about motherhood and art and feminism.
Ben Fountain: Because I LOVED Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk, and I've heard that he's an amazing speaker.
Bryan Stevenson: Because I just read Just Mercy, and I want to continue to learn from Mr. Stevenson.
First Loves with Sherman Alexie: Because I am so excited to feature debut novelists, and to do so through the reading lens of Sherman Alexie!
Leanne Skooglund, Development Director
Bryan Stevenson: Because his work with the Equal Justice Initiative is heroic and Just Mercy has forever changed the way I think about race and poverty in this country.
Alice Notley: Because I wouldn't want to miss the chance to hear firsthand one of the greatest poets of our times.
Marina Abramović [sold out]: Because it will be fascinating to hear the thoughts and ideas of a woman with such a courageously original creative mind.
A Tiny Sense of Accomplishment with Sherman Alexie, Jess Walter, and Karen Russell: Because this is a "three-fer" (and more!) with some of my favorite authors.
Alison Stagner, SAL Events Coordinator & Sonder Editor
Timothy Egan: It's no secret that I loved Egan's latest, The Immortal Irishman, and I'm especially interested in his mysterious SAL lecture after its title has just been released: "The Time Traveller's Tale: an accidental historian and Northwest native looks at how we got from there to here."
Helen Macdonald: Once, outside of York, England, I stumbled across an incredible thing after a somewhat thistle-fraught walk through the fields—a full-blown flying show at a bird of prey centre. We watched falcons, hawks, owls, eagles, and even a curmudgeonly vulture fly from their perches into the air, then back to the falconer's gloved fist. Ever since, I've been fascinated by these strange, intense animals. I probably don't have the guts to work in an aviary (too many talons), but luckily, I got to relive that same sense of wonder through Helen Macdonald as she trains, and in many ways, transforms into her hawk Mabel in H is for Hawk. Add in her New York Times column On Nature, which examines the various ways humans relate to the natural world, and her talk is bound to open my eyes in the same way that bird of prey centre did.
Nick Offerman [sold out]: Because I want this man to teach me how to build a canoe paddle.
Carl Phillips: As someone from St. Louis, MO, I'm used to some blank stares when I tell West Coast people what city I'm from. But at least a lot of great poets have lived in St. Louis: T.S. Eliot, Marianne Moore, Howard Nemerov, Robert Wrigley, Sara Teasdale, Maya Angelou, Naomi Shihab Nye. Carl Phillips is no exception. Here's an excerpt from "Foliage," from his latest—
Cage inside a cage inside a whispering so deep that–
And then just the two of us. And you calling it
vulnerability. And me calling it rumor passing
through suspicion's fingers – ashweed, flickering
halo of the boy I might really have been once, tiger
lilies beneath a storm blowing into then out of
character, then back again, as if seasonal, summer
now, now fall.
To find out more about SAL's Create Your Own Series or purchase a subscription, click here.
Posted in 2016/17 SeasonLiterary Arts SeriesPoetry SeriesSAL AuthorsSAL PresentsSherman Alexie Loves SeriesSpecial EventsWomen You Need to Know
Book Bingo: An Illustrated Board
In 2016/17 Season
Friday Roundup
Gotta Catch 'Em All: SAL Season Poster Contest
Book Club Spotlight: North & West Seattle


text:
Persian Leopards Make a Comeback in Afghanistan
Sustainability made stylish
Alex Davies adavies47
© WCS Afghanistan Program
Considering that the vast majority of news reports that come out of Afghanistan have to do with war, terrorism and poverty, it's remarkable that the country has made repeated, encouraging appearances on TreeHugger.
In 2009, Afghanistan opened its first national park. In 2010 it expanded its list of protected species. Now, there's more good news for the mountainous nation's wildlife: a Persian leopard, long thought to have been driven from the area, was photographed by a camera trap in Afghanistan's central highlands.
The camera traps, used by Wildlife Conservation Society scientists and Afghan rangers in the Hindu Kush highlands, also documented lynxes, wild cats, wolves, red foxes and stone martens. That means that something of a functioning ecosystem is back in place: the area can support enough animals like ibexes to support apex predators like the Persian leopard.
But the presence of one species adds a giant grain of salt to the good news: man. Specifically, poachers. Peter Zahler, Deputy Director of WCS's Asia Program, said:
We are thrilled by these images and the story of survival that they tell, but we were sobered by the fact that the cameras also took photographs of local people walking past with guns. Poaching is still a very real threat, and WCS is committed to helping the Afghan government and local communities protect these rare and beautiful animals.
Follow Alex on Twitter
A camera trap in Afghanistan's central highlands photographed a Persian leopard, thought to have disappeared from the region.


text:
2014 Car Gallery
2nd Annual Car Show. April 12, 10am-2pm. Kensington Town Hall
September 15, 2019 : Check back for details
Kensington Car Show Scheduled for April 3, 2016
Kensington, Maryland: The Kensington Car Show is scheduled for Sunday, April 3, 2016 at 3794 Howard Avenue in Kensington, Maryland from 10am-4pm. Dozens of automobiles and motorcycles will be on display, alongside delicious food vendors, live music, a monster truck exhibition and children's activities. Several classes will be accepted, from classic cars of yesterday to custom and sport cars of today. The public is invited to attend. A rain date is scheduled on April 10th in the same location if the weather is inclement.
Automobile enthusiasts can register their cars online until April 1st or onsite at the show. A minimum donation of $20 per car is required for registration with proceeds going toward the Yellow Ribbon Fund. Trophies and awards will be given for Best-in-Show and the Top 25 Cars and Motorcycles.
The Yellow Ribbon Fund, the Kensington Car Show's 2016 designated charity has been called one of the best small charities in the National Capital Region. They provide support to injured service members and their families, while they're at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Fort Belvoir Community Hospital, and after they return to their hometowns.
"A love of cars, family friendly fun and a chance to raise money to support America's heroes through the Yellow Ribbon Fund motivated us to host our third annual event. We hope that Maryland, Virginia and DC car enthusiasts will come out to enjoy the spring weather and family fun." said Shawn Elliott, Kensington Car Show organizer.
The car show is presented by Lake Liberty, Kensington Service Center and Bruno's Classic Muscle. Those businesses are owned by Maryland entrepreneur, Mario Bruno. The Kensington Car show was inspired to share his love of cars with his community.
"I've been a "car-guy" since I was 12 years old and an automotive business owner in the area for 20 years. Presenting the Kensington Car Show is a natural fit. It allows me the opportunity to say thank you to the community for supporting my dreams and I get to enjoy looking at some remarkable cars and bikes." said Mario Bruno.
Several area businesses are supporting the event as sponsors: ADC Autobody, Beltway Movers, Blackwood of DC, Building Hope, Blue Dog Boarding & Daycare, CapMac The Capital of Macaroni, Carmen's Italian Ice & Café, Donut King café & deli, Edward Jones Investments, Ewing Oil, Frankly Pizza, Gala Artisan Jewelry & Gifts, GoFish, Digital Health Strategies, KHS, Kensington Park, Kensington Row Book Shop, Lafayette Credit Union, LMS Local Machine Service, Metropolitan Shuttle, PlanIt World Public Relations, Parts Authority - Auto Parts Super Store, Radial Tire Company, R&B Steel Fabrications, RW Restaurant, The Cantalupo Law Group and the Town of Kensington.
MEDIA INFORMATION: Media interested in attending can receive press passes on request. For additional information, images, or interview requests, contact Shawn Elliott at kensingtoncarshow@gmail.com or call 301.370.2812. or call the show publicist for a media kit, Andrea Ball, 301.335.2715.


Last year at Baselworld Citizen announced the development of a new highly accurate Eco-Drive caliber the 0100. This calibre commemorated the 100th year anniversary of Citizen and was rated at an amazing ±1 second annually without adjustment from any external source. The prototype watch was presented as a pocket watch in a sapphire crystal case that surrounded a simple white dial. The dial had markers at 12, 3, 6 and 9 o'clock that were shaped like quartz crystals and the end of the seconds hand also has a crystal shaped design.
More details about the original prototype, the technology used in the caliber 0100 movement, and the history of Citizens high accuracy quartz watches can be found here - Citizen Calibre 0100 - ±1 Second Annual Accuracy.
When announced last year Citizen stated that the 0100 movement was a prototype and that "While the Cal.0100 will not be available for sale to the public, the accuracy and technology inside the movement will be introduced in future models, set to launch in 2019." Excitingly at Baselworld this year Citizen has announced that, not just technology developed for the prototype but, watches utilizing the 0100 movement will be coming to market this year.
There will be three limited editions released that will employ the 0100 movement and they will be released under "The CITIZEN" branding in the Japanese market. Within their home market the range of models under the brand of "The CITIZEN" is recognized to be the top end of Citizens range and includes Eco-Drive as well as traditional high accuracy quartz models.
The first of the 0100 based watches announced is the AQ6010-06A, a white gold cased model with an ivory dial. The dial and crown reflect the quartz crystal shape that was utilized in the prototype model last year. Visible through a sapphire crystal case back the striped finish of the black, discolouration- and corrosion-resistant ruthenium plates of the calibre 0100 can be seen. This model will be a limited edition with 100 units produced.
The other two models in the range are provided in Super Titanium that utilizes Citizens proprietary Duratect α surface hardening technology. This Duratect α treatment is applied to the case and bracelet and provides an alloy coating with a Vickers hardness rating of more than 2,000Hv. By comparison stainless steel has a rating of approximately 200Hv. The AQ6021-51E is provided with a black dial while the AQ6020-53X has a mother-of-pearl dial. Both models are limited editions with the AQ6021-51E having 500 units and the the AQ6020-53X limited to 200 units worldwide.
It is fantastic to see companies pushing the limits as to what is able to be achieved in technology as the accuracy of quartz movements has not really improved since the late 70's and early 80's when ±5 seconds per year movements were available in standard commercial models. It will be interesting to see if this technology is expanded even further to more models in the Citizen range in the future.


I'm not very happy with game retailers and companies right now. It's unfortunate that being a gamer often comes with its share of technical problems, and poor customer service or support.
I was vaguely considering purchasing Assassin's Creed 2 once the price drops. I found the first game was almost very good... the open world felt very different and had a lot of potential. I liked being able to run freely across rooftops, and once I stopped wishing for a new-generation version of Thief, and just accepted it wasn't really about being stealthy, I had some fun with it. But, like many people, the repetitive missions spoilt the experience for me. I gather the second game at least made some effort to listen to the criticisms, though, so I have some hopes for it.
Most of the time, I want games to challenge me. That can involve many different things. A lot of my favourites have heavy action and/or themes, and can have be tensed up and on the edge of my seat. I also enjoy more mentally challenging games, including puzzle-solving, or mastering complicated game mechanics or item management.
I find these things enjoyable, but I wouldn't call them relaxing. I wonder sometimes if a game can be truly relaxing. I have a very broad definition of what I will call a game, but I think some interactivity is required. And as soon as there is interactivity there will be consequences for actions, even if that's on an extremely basic level.
If I want a really soothing experience I'm probably not usually going to look to gaming. But, games can still calm me somewhat. I'm sure this is a very individual thing -- one person's relaxing is another person's slow and boring, after all.
This Saturday at 8:30PM is Earth Hour, so my lights, consoles and computers will be staying off. It's a very small sacrifice. When it comes to the scale of anthropogenic climate change I think this must have a rather small direct effect in the scheme of things. But it is also a valuable symbol, and I consider that important. It's unfortunate that raising awareness remains such an important part of this issue.
The power use involved in gaming is something I think about fairly often. The number of consoles and gadgets I use has increased over time. Recently I've started turning non-essential things off at the wall when I'm not using them, but I still wonder about the impact of spending so much time on electronic entertainment.
There are far worse things I could be doing -- I don't own a car, and it's extremely unusual for me to utilise air travel. But that doesn't mean my own habits are not worth thinking about.
I've been feeling very enthusiastic about gaming recently. I just started this blog, there are some exciting releases on the horizon, and I've been having some fun experiences.
Then Steam had Final Fantasy XI on sale for $US9.99, and in a moment of morbid curiosity I decided to give it a spin for the 30-day trial. If I wanted to sap away some of my gaming enthusiasm this was a really good way to go about it.
After several hours of patch downloads, and an unnecessarily convoluted sign up procedure, I finally managed to create a character and set foot in the game world of Vana'diel.
The first obvious thing about FFXI is that the keyboard setup is non-standard. It took several minutes to work out how to move around, interact, and access the menu to change the damn keyboard setup (it's under the '-' key, followed by an arrow sideways to access another menu). Not a very welcoming beginning.
The guys from Game Taco Podcast were kind enough to give me a link on their blogroll. After two episodes I think they are really starting to click, and they have conducted some interesting interviews. I look forward to hearing their future discussions.
Coelacanth: Lessons from Doom is an interesting look at game design with less representational graphics, and how it may actually serve gameplay.
For any current World of Warcraft players, the Daedalus project is looking for survey participants. They are "trying to find out what our behaviors in WoW reveal about who we are in RL."


This Polish pottery Condiment Dish is made in Boleslawiec, Poland. Manufacturer item number H3722E. It is 1" high and measures 6½" by 3¼". The capacity of this Condiment Dish is 4 oz (brimful) and it weights 0.4 lbs. It is part of the Spring Flowers Collection. The suggested retail price is $18.00 but you can save 50% by buying it today for $9.00.


RICHMOND, Va. — For years, The Flats at Ginter Park community has been plagued with issues. Now, the company that owns the property is being forced to sell.
Sources told CBS 6 Problem Solvers that a vast majority of Cedar Grove's properties are now in receivership.
A judge appointed another company to take on the responsibility of selling the apartments, which means Cedar Grove will not get any money from the sale.
Tuesday, the CBS 6 Problem Solvers were invited into the homes of several families who live in the Hawthorne Hall Apartments on Chamberlayne Avenue - one of the few complexes Cedar Grove still controls.
"There are roaches in my refrigerator, I had to throw away so much food. I lost everything, my sofa, dishes I had to throw away almost everything," Miranda Bartley, who moved into the complex in December, said.
The CBS 6 Problem Solvers also sat down with a woman who moved to Hawthorne Hall after her apartment was condemned at The Flats.
"I was always under the impression that this was a better property," the woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said.
However, she believed her apartment at Hawthorne Hall was just as bad – if not worse - than the unit that was condemned at The Flats.
"I traded no hot water for pests, that's not an even exchange, as a matter of fact, I think I would rather be dealing with no hot water than to be dealing with stuff crawling," he said.
And roaches are not the only problem – because of a plumbing issue, her bathtub became filled with feces.
"It came from upstairs and from the lines being clogged, but we have no emergency maintenance or anything," she explained.
Multiple tenants told CBS 6 their refrigerators, beds, and bathroom are infested with roaches.
The CBS 6 Problem Solvers have reached out to management but have not yet heard back.


Lavage is indicated even when morphine hasbeen injected. Each is a prima facie principle, is equal to all the others, and may overrideothers in different situations, but all remain important in considering execution ofdecision (Beauchamp and Childress 2001; Deigh 2001).
Patients with knee osteoar-thritis were divided into five groups over a trial period lasting twenty-fourmonths. The proper study ofany polyphenol in potentially slowing or preventing anydisease of aging is methodologically challenging and alsoexpensive (long time frames are needed and it is diffi cultto control for many other positive and negative lifestylerisk factors). Numericalmeasures serve to describe observations objectively and order Keppra from canada further, to allow the data to beanalyzed statistically. Inpatients undergoing revision TKA, a synovial leukocyte count greater than 1700/µl had asensitivity of 94% and a specificity of 88%. Journalof Deaf Studies and Deaf Education, 17, 483–498. Where lower dosesdo not induce these cellular or biochemical changestoxicity is not induced or expected.
Some familymembers may not understand your child's special dietaryneeds, and it may be necessary to take food with you whenyou visit, or invite them to sample a gluten-free meal. Meniere's attacks order Keppra from canada however, usuallysubside within 8 hours, whereas residual symptoms con-tinue for days to weeks in vestibular neuritis. Aclassification of antiarrhythmic actions reassessed after adecade of new drugs.
In particular,the loss of central vision and loss of visual acuity can irre-versibly result in loss of reading, facial recognition, anddriving (Ehrlich et al., 2008).
If experiments are carried out that confirmthese effects, the measure will have construct validity with respect to this aspect of thetheory.
Before adding omega-3s to your treatment plan, it is important totalk it over with your physician.