We made it to lucky number 13! How are you Trucking Nation? Hopefully you're excited for warmer weather and the latest Trucking Nation Podcast with your overly-peppy hostess - Misty Noel. All brought to you by TruckLogics.com. For all the new listeners, I would like to welcome you and I'm so glad your joining me today for an exciting new podcast. I have a lot to talk about, so I won't keep you waiting. Hit that play button and enjoy the show!
I read a lot of news - joys of a podcaster - and came across some very interesting articles about trucking companies using the Uber Model. Color me intrigued. Before I did the research, I was talking with some friends about the idea and it was a mixed bag on whether or not it would work. So I did some digging and actually the Uber Model could be a major game changer for local shipping. One company in particular, Cargomatic, has implemented this model and I'm really interested into seeing how they grow and expand.
Prime Inc. is the Trucking Nation Company of the Week! They have adapted to the new technical age we have found ourselves in by integrating the latest technology available for their drivers. Prime Inc. also takes great pride in providing the best and safest equipment for their drivers. I'm a big fan of their band - The Brothers Roberson - and the song Why I Do This. Check out the video, it's amazing.
Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association is the Trucking Nation Association of the Week! There are a lot of great things that can be said about his association. They fight for the rights of truckers and provide more benefits than you could ever imagine.
Put lemons in your water to give it some flavor and to help detox your system. If you cut up a lemon and put into your water bottle, or water jug, you will be amazed at how great you feel. A glass of lemon water in the morning is a great start to the day. Lemon water is just a great way to jazz up boring old water and it has tons of health benefits. Read about them here - The Natural Wellness Benefits of Lemons.
Get a good morning stretch in before you head out on the road. Stretching is a great way to wake you up in the morning and helps decrease muscle tension that can build up from sitting for hours on end. And it's perfect all you truckers that can be a tiny bit grumpy in the mornings.
Slowly cut out fatty and fried foods from your diet. If you are finding it hard to transition to healthier food, don't worry it's not something that can be rushed. Start with eating healthier snack options, and then switch out fried foods for colorful wraps and salads. Creating a simple goal, like no fried food, is a perfect way to start.
Have you ever considered having a pet with you on the road? If you are out on the road alone all the time it can get a bit lonely and not a lot of people can really relate to your job problems. You need someone to talk to and get out that stress that has been building up during that 5 hour traffic jam, right? Having a pet with you on the road is great for your health, and not just mental health. They are great motivators to get you out and walking around, and you feel safer knowing your best friend is always with you. Dogs and cats make great travel companions and their are amazing pets in shelters all over the country that need a good home. I know there is a lucky dog just waiting for the chance to see the country with you and enjoy the fresh air.
Thank you so much for joining me this week. I love talking about all the positive things going on in the Trucking Industry. I have a big interview for next week's show, so be sure to come back for a visit. Remember my dearest Trucking Nation, you get what you give in this world, so try to be kind and enjoy the ride. I will talk to you soon - Misty Noel.


The Ultrasport foldable exercise bike is the best-selling folding exercise bike in the UK today. With thousands of sales on Amazon and a very impressive four and a half star rating from over 1500 buyers, this seems to be a very popular model.
Stay at home while you tone with the Bike Box Hands Free Compact Exercise Bike.
What makes this bike different is just how small and compact it is, making it easy to store, attractive and convenient, unlike most bikes which take up a lot of space in your home.
Dimensions: 142cm (H) x 45cm (L) x cm 36 (W).
Made by a brand with a reputation for building the best folding exercise bikes and the best-selling models, this Ultrasport exercise bike comes with some very good customer feedback. When compared to models of a similar price there is no denying that this model wins hands down in terms of features and overall quality. So, lets take a look at the features and specifications.
In total there are eight levels of resistance which is a good range for a folding model. Most noteworthy is the fact that there are a few customer reviews stating that the resistance offered is fairly light. With this been a folding exercise bike the resistance offered is never going to be too testing. If you are looking for a very tough workout then a spin bike would be more suitable to your needs.
The seat and handlebars are an important consideration when buying any exercise bike. Ultrasport have come up with a novel solution in terms of providing a comfortable exercise bike by adding a backrest to this model. This provides added support and puts less strain on the back. If you have back trouble then this might be the best model for you. In addition the seat is adjustable from a height of 78 cm to 86 cm.
Featuring adjustable pedal straps it is easy to get a firm footing with this model. Consequently this generally leads to a far more comfortable workout, which in turn leads to a longer workout and more calories burned.
The LCD display for this Ultrasport exercise bike is basic in design and at the same time easy to navigate through the functions. In total there are five readouts given and these are speed, time, distance, calories and pulse. As you can see from the image below the pulse sensors are built-in to the handlebars and give a fairly accurate readout via the LCD display.
As always the maximum user weight is a good indicator of a well-built and sturdy exercise bike. The Ultrasport exercise bike has a maximum user weight of 100 kg, which is a very respectable amount. Due to the wide-set legs on this model it is said to be very sturdy, which is always a good thing.
I've had it for about a month and I'm actually quite happy with it.
It really is pretty sturdy, I wouldn't have thought it possible on a folding model.
The intensity dial seems to work well, and I find the amount of resistance well-balanced. It's also almost completely quiet.
Everything about the exercise bike is fine except for it not being possible to lower the seat sufficiently to enable my wife, who is 5 feet 1 inch in height, to operate the pedals. So, use of the machine is limited to me whereas the intention was for both of us to use it.
For those looking for extra comfort when exercising there is the option to buy the model with a backrest. However, this does cost a little bit more but definitely worth it.
The Ultrasport foldable exercise bike is best suited to beginners as advanced users will require a harder workout. However, this is a very good exercise bike, if not the best foldable exercise bike UK customers can buy. If you are looking for an affordable and compact model with some good features this is well worth taking a look at.


The value of telemedicine is undeniable. What's less clear is how to bring connected care to your healthcare organization.
The market has been flooded with solution providers that promise to be the answer to all your telemedicine technology questions. The problem is, no two hospitals have the exact same UC environment or EMR systems, so there's no such thing as a one-size-fits-all solution. Fortunately, we have some smart people who can help.
The specialists include individuals who have helped dozens of healthcare organizations deploy widely-adopted telemedicine solutions as well as Microsoft MVPs that can help you make the most of your Skype for Business and Office 365 investments.
After the initial conversation, we'll make sure you're teamed up with the experts that can help you design a telemedicine solution that works for you.
Helped Baptist Health connect clinical specialists to 10 school-based health centers and 2 primary care sites.
Microsoft Certified Master and Skype for Business MVP Microsoft Solutions Architect Polycom.
Complete the form below to request a personal, Telemedicine design Consultation.


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'60s Folk Icon Donovan Releases Unheard Songs Featuring Legendary Guitarist Nils Lofgren
Amy Young March 15, 2021 7:00AM
Two legends, new songs. Donovan Discs 2020/Carl Schultz
Folk singer Donovan recently took to Twitter to drop a bit of intriguing news — the kind of dispatch that makes fans more than a little dizzy.
The legendary Scottish performer announced that he had unearthed some rare songs that he had recorded years ago with Nils Lofgren, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, member of Bruce Springsteen's E-Street Band, and longtime Valley resident.
In this case, "years ago" means approximately 50. It's been five decades since these two seminal talents joined forces in the studio to cut a sprinkling of beautiful tracks that meld Donovan's angelic, fluttery vocals with Lofgren's guitar work.
Donovan fondly recalls working with Lofgren.
"When we met, I realized Nils was like me: a one-off guitar player, with his piece of fabric nailed to his Telecaster — a road gypsy boy," he says
Donovan specifically mentioned the song "Still Waters" in his Twitter announcement. The tune is inviting from the jump as the singer's voice quickly pulls you in for the ride. The guitar twists down its own path, which lets it shine at strategic points throughout the tune. Other times, the vocals and music intertwine, creating a sonic braid.
"Still Waters" is included on his recently released album, Lunarian, a tribute to his "wife and muse," Linda.
"These are nine of my songs selected from many, many more that I have written for Linda Lawrence over our relationship of 55 years," Donovan says. The two celebrated 50 years of marriage in 2020. "Each song on Lunarian," he adds, "highlights the journey of Linda throughout her life, including the release of her new book, Luna Love." (Pictures from her book can be seen in the video for "Still Waters.")
Like Donovan, Lofgren also cherishes the music and the memories the two artists shared, and tells Phoenix New Times how the session came together.
"I grew up in the '60s," Lofgren says. "I played classical accordion. I started listening to The Stones and The Beatles. I discovered the British Invasion, which included Donovan, who is still a hero of mine. I also got into Motown, Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, and Little Richard, and all of it inspired me. When I was 17, I hit the road as a young rock musician with my band Grin and ultimately went out to Los Angeles."
When Lofgren got to L.A., he called his friend Neil Young.
"Neil turned us on to David Briggs, his producer. He became my mentor and kind of a big brother who produced all my Grin records," Lofgren says.
Briggs happened to be close friends with comedian Murray Roman, who was good friends with Donovan. Donovan came to L.A. to do some recording sessions with the famous producer Mickie Most, and they requested that Three Dog Night come and back Donovan in the studio.
Briggs got the gig to engineer the sessions, and it turned out that Three Dog Night needed a fill-in guitarist.
"I don't know how the hell David pulled it off," Lofgren says, "but they let me fill in on guitar." He says it was a "stunning revelation" when he found out about the opportunity. "All of a sudden, I was heading into Hollywood with David to record with Donovan and Three Dog Night."
Lofgren says the session was magical.
"Donovan was in the booth alone — where he sang and played acoustic guitar — so our sound wouldn't bleed into his parts. We could see him clearly, and he could see us. He played us these new songs he had written, and we learned them. We made our little chord charts and started recording. It was sensational music. It felt great. Having my best friend, David, there was amazing — and he was the only reason I was there. Everyone got along well, and we had a great time."
Lofgren recalls that scheduling obligations pulled Three Dog Night away from the project at one point.
"David came up with the brilliant call to let Grin take over after we lost the Three Dog Night guys, and we carried on and kept making great music with Donovan."
They never got to do live shows together, but Donovan recalls giving Lofgren a valuable tip.
"I think it was I that told him to try the guitar through the Hammond Leslie cabinet for 'Mistaken Eternity.' I'd discovered this 'underwater' sound effect for a vocal I did on the song "'Hurdy Gurdy Man.'" ("Mistaken Eternity" is another track from those way-back sessions that also appears on Lunarian.)
Though neither artist recalls how the tapes from these sessions got shelved, they both are delighted that some of the tracks are now out there.
"It is a great chapter in my life," Lofgren says, "and I'm so glad that some of the music is being shared again."
Fifty years later, both Donovan and Lofgren are still as prolific as ever.
In addition to his mid-February release of Lunarian, Donovan is using the pandemic lockdown to teach others.
"The freeze on performing live music has led us to work from home," he says. "I have a songwriting tutorial coming up to share some secrets that show how to prepare for songs to appear."
Pre-pandemic, Lofgren, released Blue With Lou, a full-length album co-produced with his wife, Amy, that features six songs he recorded with Lou Reed. Like many performers, he had plans to tour in the upcoming year with both Neil Young and Crazy Horse and the E Street Band.
When he isn't doing those large-scale tours, he also digs doing intimate acoustic shows.
"I do those with a local musician named Greg Varlotta. We usually go to England once a year and also play in town once in a while," he says.
Not hitting the road in the name of rock has not been an easy pill for the veteran rocker to swallow.
"I have a great life with my fabulous wife, Amy, our dogs, and our son is just down the road, but not touring gave me a deep, dark blues that I didn't plan on."
The tumultuous political climate also weighed on him heavily. Now, though, with the election over, he sees some light pushing through the universal gloom.
"I'm hopeful at some point I'll get to go and sing and play again," Lofgren says. "Rather than waiting to live, however, I'm going to challenge myself to start writing this year."
To find out about Donovan's projects, visit donovan.ie. For Lofgren information, head to nilslofgren.com.
Amy Young is an arts and culture writer who also spends time curating arts-related exhibits and events, and playing drums in local bands French Girls and Sturdy Ladies.
Contact: Amy Young
Phoenix's Best Concerts This Weekend: Gucci Mane, El Ten Eleven, Mikey Lion
Stefan Pruett Tribute Concert
By Amy Young
Phoenix Rock Lottery Is Returning in February – Here's What We Know

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Deaf Seahawk Derrick Coleman Responds to Hearing Impaired 9-Year-Old's Letter
"Even though we wear hearing aids we can still accomplish our goals and dreams!" he tells her
Derrick Coleman hasn't even played in the Super Bowl yet, but he's already proved he'll be the game's Most Inspirational Player.
His biggest fan? A 9-year-old New Jersey girl who penned the sweetest letter ever to the Seattle Seahawks fullback. She was reacting to the recently released Duracell commercial chronicling the odyssey that led him to become the first deaf offensive player in the history of the NFL.
His story particularly touched the hearing impaired community, and prompted a moving note from little Riley Kovalcik, who struggles with hearing issues along with her identical twin sister, Erin, reports New York's Daily News.
Wrote Riley: "Dear (my [sic] insperation) Derrick Coleman. I know how you feel. I also have hearing aids. Just try your best. I have [sic] faif in you," Riley wrote in the handwritten note, which also mentioned the two things the pair have in "comen": they both wear two hearing aids and they both love sports.
Riley's father, Jake Kovalcik, shared the letter via Twitter Tuesday, and included Coleman's Twitter handle in the Tweet to make sure he saw it.
Coleman did, and by the next day the former UCLA player, 23, crafted his own touching handwritten response, which he passed along to Riley via Twitter.
"Really was great hearing from a friend I have so much in common with," Coleman wrote. "I want you to know that I always try my best in everything I do and have faith in you and your twin sister too."
RELATED: Deaf Seattle Seahawks Player Derrick Coleman Inspires Hearing Impaired Girl
"Even though we wear hearing aids we can still accomplish our goals and dreams!" he added, and included an invitation for Riley and her family to get together and "play some sports or games" if they are ever in the Seattle area.
Coleman's response stunned and touched the Kovalcik family, who make it clear they will be rooting for him on Super Bowl Sunday.
"i'm running out of words to express my gratitude for all of this," Riley's dad wrote on Twitter. "Derrick is just an amazing person #hero."


There was a "gross failure" in the treatment of a teenager who died from a rare infection, a coroner has ruled.
And a hospital has apologised over its care of Daniel Elton, 18.
Daniel's father, Julian Elton, 56, said his son would "still be alive today" if he had received the care and attention he so "desperately needed and deserved".
Doctors said they were baffled by Daniel's symptoms after he contracted a heart infection, his inquest heard.
And Derbyshire assistant coroner Louise Pinder said Daniel was never seen by a cardiologist who may have been able to diagnose and treat the infective endocarditis with antibiotics or surgery.
The hearing was told it was thought the teenager, of Castle Gresley, contracted the condition after receiving dental treatment in Swadlincote in April 2015.
Despite medical treatment by 12 doctors, his condition only worsened. One doctor said he would often wake up in the night wondering if they could have spotted the signs before it was too late.
Despite being lifted off his bed and into a wheelchair due to not being able to stand, he was discharged from Burton's Queen Hospital on November 6.
Miss Pinder said: "During the admission to hospital on November 5 and 6, 2015, there was a gross failure to provide medical attention for Daniel who was clearly in a dependant position, given the fact that he was critically unwell as demonstrated by the abnormal findings on observation and the Early Warning Score Tool.
"His condition was known or should have been known to the medical staff and the fact that no action was taken amounts to a gross failure.
"However, there is no clear and direct causal connection between the failure to take action and Daniel's death.
"If Daniel had been diagnosed with endocarditis on either the 5 or 6 November 2015, then even with optimal treatment, Daniel is likely to have died.
"In simple terms, it was too late by the time he was admitted to hospital."
Daniel was found dead at home on November 7.
However, Miss Pinder said Daniel's condition was a "difficult clinical diagnosis to make as the clinical features were non-specific".
The inquest heard how Daniel was only formally reviewed by a doctor once during his final admission to hospital, despite being critically ill on the evening of November 5.
He was said to be very unwell, very pale and was leaning on the bedside table during his last visit to hospital.
Miss Pinder said clinical staff failed to "robustly question the decisions made by those who had come before them and who were more senior than them" before he was wrongly discharged.
Miss Pinder, returned a narrative conclusion on October 19 explaining that Daniel died as a result of natural causes due to the acute endocarditis.
She recognised that the "symptoms with which Daniel presented throughout his last illness and which were attributed incorrectly to and mimicked symptoms associated with abdominal pathology, were in fact associated with fatal endocarditis".
Mis Pinder said a cardiologist noted that had Daniel's endocarditis been diagnosed in May or June 2015, he would have been treated with antibiotics and his death would probably have been prevented.
The inquest heard how none of the clinicians who saw Daniel were aware that he had undergone dental treatment prior to the onset of his symptoms and this tragically could have been crucial information that may have prompted the team to consider other causes for his condition.
Dr Magnus Harrison, medical director at University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust, said: "It is clear that the care Daniel should have received in the hours before his tragic death was not to the standards that we set ourselves and that our patients and their families rightly expect.
"Daniel suffered from an incredibly rare condition called subacute bacterial endocarditis, an infection that causes damage to the heart, which had most likely been picked up following dental surgery and is extremely difficult to diagnose.
"The Trust would like to apologise to Daniel's family for the way in which Daniel was discharged the day before his death. We have since made a number of changes to the way we discharge patients. Our thoughts and condolences are with Daniel's family at this difficult time."
Daniel's father, Julian Elton, 56, of Castle Gresley, spoke of his heartbreak in a statement heard after the inquest.
He said: "Through the inquest this week we have heard admissions from every doctor who failed to diagnose Daniel's illness over the last seven months of his life.
"Every doctor admitted that they were looking in the wrong place.
"If Daniel had been their own child, would they have done more?
"He was doing a plastering course and even through his seven months of illness he attended college for most of it until he couldn't take anymore pain.
"He achieved his third and final certificate and he never saw it because it came after his death. He shouldn't be dead."


Further work in progress – Life after NEWI!!
Start of a new year but as well as starting new work from scratch, I thought it would be a good idea to move some existing work along to reach its next stage, free machine and hand embroidery.
I had the inspiration for my Daisy Textile Art from my photographs that I'd taken in a beautiful garden we had visited during the 'Open Gardens' Event in Llangernyw, North Wales during the summer of 2014.
I lied the idea of combining both photographs together to be my starting point of my artwork. I firstly drew the design using pencil onto a 'prepared' vintage 100% cotton sheet. (fabric had been rinsed in a sodawash solution, so the dyes will develop). I then added my first layers of colour, by painting thickened 'Procion MX' dyes onto the sheet, similar to painting with watercolours or thin acrylics or fabric paint. I use dye, as I find it has beautiful translucent colour that when 'layered' with other colours where needed, make new shades or depth of colour. I also find that using dyes on fabric when set does not stiffen the fabric, unlike fabric paint (which sits on the top of the fabric), so they make the fabric much more suitable for further embellishment.
This final stage of painting has taken a long time to do, as I have been working on other pieces of work in between. I am now in the process of setting the dyes by heat. As I haven't got a steamer to do this, I usually let the fabric dry after it has been standing for 24 hours or more between plastic sheets, then steam iron the work for 5 minutes. I then will rinse the fabric in cold water removing extra dye.
I'll show you further progress once I've started the free machine and hand embroidery.


4-room apartment 75 m2, on the ground floor, south facing position. Spacious and bright, comfortable and beautiful furnishings: living/dining room with TV (flat screen). Exit to the terrace. 1 room with 1 french bed (1 x 160 cm, length 190 cm). 1 room with 1 x 1 bunk beds (90 cm, length 190 cm), 1 french bed (1 x 140 cm, length 190 cm). 1 room with 1 french bed (1 x 140 cm, length 190 cm). Exit to the terrace. Open kitchen (oven, dishwasher, 3 ceramic glass hob hotplates, microwave, freezer). Shower, sep. WC. Gas heating. Facilities: washing machine, dryer. Internet (WiFi, free). Garage space n G1. Please note: suitable for families. Smoke alarm.
Quiberon: Beautiful residence "Le Domaine de Fort Neuf", 3 storeys, built in 2015. In the district of Port Haliguen, in the resort 2 km from the centre of Quiberon, in a sunny position, 50 m from the sea, 80 m from the beach, south facing position. Private: terrace, garden furniture, parking. Shop 2 km, railway station "de Quiberon" 2 km, sandy beach "Cale et plage de Port Neuf" 80 m, thermal baths "Thalassothérapie de Quiberon" 1 km. Golf course (18 hole) 23 km, surf school 17 km, sailing school 500 m. Nearby attractions: La Thalassothérapie de Quiberon 2 km, La côte sauvage de Quiberon 3 km, Les alignements de Carnac 19 km, Auray 25 km, Vannes 50 km, Lorient 65 km.
Emplacement au calme. Vélo à disposition très pratique. Bel endroit.


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Tag: New Video
Karabas Barabas Release Music Video For Politically Pointed "That 70's Song (NPR Tiny Desk Contest 2018)"
March 15, 2018 Theresa Patrick
Psychedelic Alt-Rock trio KARABAS BARABAS have released a retro, live video for their single, "That 70s Song," off of their December 2017 released Sex with the Devil. "Over a year has passed since the 2017 tiny desk contest, and while last years submission "Casino Tears" was a response to the Dakota access pipeline, we now live in a nation where its legal for…
News"The 70s Song", Alternative Rock, Cassette Release Party, Electric Sensei, Karabas Barabas, Music Video, New Video, NPR Tiny Desk Contest 2018, Rock Music, Rosegold, Sex with the Devil, St. Patrick's Day, The ListenersLeave a comment
A DARKER COLOR BRIGHT Releases Dark Re-Interpretation of Americana Classic "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" with Visually Unsettling Official Music Video
February 19, 2018 Theresa Patrick
Dark Electronic Pop act A DARKER COLOR BRIGHT(ADCB) has taken on the iconic Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg classic "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and re-imagined it as a melancholy instrumental, made even more so with black and white imagery of human destruction and carnage. War, poverty, and nuclear terror fill the screen in frightening and heartbreaking reminders of moments in history, all of which directly…
News"Somewhere Over the Rainbow", A Darker Color Bright, ADCB, Harold Arlen, Instrumental Music, New Music, New Video, Yip HarburgLeave a comment
SAVAGE MESSIAH Release New Video For "Eat Your Heart Out" – WATCH HERE
SAVAGE MESSIAH Release New Video For "Eat Your Heart Out" – WATCH HERE Band Announces UK Headlining Tour British heavy metal act, SAVAGE MESSIAH, just released a new video for their song "Eat Your Heart Out", taken from the recently released album "Hands Of Fate"! Frontman David Silver comments, "When we were asked if we wanted to produce a 'live' video as our next project,…
NewsEat Your Heart Out, New Video, news, SAVAGE MESSIAHLeave a comment
In Loving Memory Release Official Music Video for "Nomad"
December 12, 2017 Theresa Patrick
In Loving Memory has released the official music video for their single, "Nomad," off of their 2017 EP, Introspective. Originally premiered on Alternative Press, "Nomad" is dedicated to lead singer Naveed Stone's parents and the sacrifices that they made immigrating from Bangladesh to create a better life for their children. "A big part of why I want to be a…
NewsIn Loving Memory, Introspective, Music Video, Naveed Stone, New VideoLeave a comment
Australian Act, Stand Atlantic (Rude Records) Unveil "Sidewinder" Music Video
August 29, 2017 Shawn Wiseman
NEW SIDEWINDER EP DUE OUT 9/15 VIA RUDE RECORDS PRE-ORDERS AVAILABLE NOW "The trio have created an EP that's assured, accessible, and properly brilliant." – Rock Sound "They're going to take on the world with their brazenly honest lyrics and snappy hooks-and if their staying power can be measured by the length of time their songs get stuck in your head, prepare…
NewsNew Video, Sidewinder, Stand AtlanticLeave a comment
Trivium Release New Song "The Sin and the Sentence" — LISTEN!
August 2, 2017 Shawn Wiseman
TRIVIUM SHARE NEW TRACK "THE SIN AND THE SENTENCE" STREAMING NOW WITH OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO EUROPEAN TOUR GETS UNDERWAY AUGUST 2 NEW ALBUM ARRIVING FALL 2017 WATCH "THE SIN AND THE SENTENCE" OFFICIAL VIDEO Trivium have returned with a new track titled, "The Sin and the Sentence," the first new music from the group since their celebrated 2015 LP, SILENCE IN THE SNOW. "The…
NewsNew Music, New Video, news, TriviumLeave a comment
The Wild! Debut "Livin' Free" Music Video via Altpress
July 8, 2017 Shawn Wiseman
WATCH THE "LIVIN' FREE" MUSIC VIDEO VIA ALTPRESS HERE THE WILD! DEBUT "LIVIN' FREE" MUSIC VIDEO EXCLUSIVELY VIA ALTERNATIVE PRESS MAGAZINE BAND SUPPORTING ADRENALINE MOB THIS SUMMER NEW LP WILD AT HEART OUT NOW! July 7, 2017 — Canadian wild boys THE WILD! have debut another wild and crazy music video for their track "Livin' Free" off their new LP today exclusively via Alternative Press…
NewsNew Music, New Video, The WildLeave a comment
Post/Doom Metal Group LOVIATAR Reveal "Nascent (Stygian Wyrm Part I)" Lyric Video
Watch Here New Self-Titled Album out July 28, 2017 via Prosthetic Records | Pre-Order Here Canadian post-rock/doom four-piece LOVIATAR (pronounced low-vye-ah-tar) have posted a lyric video taken from their self-titled debut full-length, out worldwide on July 28, 2017 via Prosthetic Records. The track, "Nascent", is the first of their three-part "Stygian Wyrm" opus and can be viewed here: http://teamrock.com/feature/2017-06-23/enter-the-immersive-world-of-doom-voyagers-loviatar The band comments on the track, "'Nascent' is the…
NewsDoom Metal, Loviatar, Music Video, Nascent, New Music, New Video, newsLeave a comment
VYCES Premiere Video For Their Single "Nocturnal" Featuring Carla Harvey of Butcher Babies Today
VYCES Premiere Video For Their Single "Nocturnal" Featuring Carla Harvey of Butcher Babies Today on Bravewords.com; Additional Tour Dates Added Independent Heavy Active Rock Band VYCES premiered the video for their latest single "Nocturnal"featuring Carla Harvey of Butch Babies on Bravewords.com today! "Nocturnal" was released to all digital media outlets on June 6th and will be on their next EP titled 'Angels'due out Fall of 2017. The debut…
NewsNew Music, New release, New Video, news, VycesLeave a comment
HATEBREED RELEASE "SEVEN ENEMIES" VIDEO
BAND RETURNS TO VANS WARPED TOUR THIS SUMMER ALSO ENGAGES IN PLAYSTATION™MUSIC METAL KINGDOM SPOTIFY PLAYLIST TAKEOVER Hatebreed are kicking down the door of Summer 2017. The band has issued the video for the thunderous anthem "Seven Enemies" from last year's critically acclaimed The Concrete Confessional. Watch it here. The band has also joined the 2017 edition of the annual Vans Warped Tour. Hatebreed will remain…
NewsHatebreed, New Video, news, Seven Enemies, vans warped tour 2017, Warped Tour 2017Leave a comment


On Monday, the 18th of March 2019 Worldpay and FIS announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement, with FIS acquiring Worldpay through a combination of cash and shares that values the latter at an EV of close to $43bn. At a value of $112 per share, the acquisition represents a 13% premium to Worldpay's undisturbed share price. The combined company will have combined pro-forma revenues of $12.3bn and is set to become the global leader in payments technology.
Worldpay is an American payment processing provider with global operations that is headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. The company specializes in providing digital payment solutions for merchants in 146 countries around the world and processes more than 40bn transactions annually. Worldpay was formerly known as Vantiv, whose origins can be traced to the 1971 formation of the Midwest Payments Systems (MPS) by Fifth Third Bank. The transition from Vantiv to Worldpay came through the 2018acquisition of UK payment processing provider Worldpay Group Plc (previously known as RBS WorldPay) for $10.4bn. Prior to the Vantiv acquisition and shift to the US, WorldPay Group plc had been spun out of the Royal Bank of Scotland in the context of its government bailout during the 2008 financial crisis.
For FY2018, Worldpay's GAAP net revenue increased by 85% to $3.93bn compared to $2.12bn in Vantiv Inc.'s prior year. Had the acquisition of Worldpay Group closed on January 1, 2017, net revenue would have increased by 10% on a pro forma basis. Net income per diluted share decreased to $0.04 as compared to $0.80 in FY2017. The reduction in GAAP earnings was driven primarily by transition, acquisition and integration costs and amortization incurred in relation to the acquisition of Worldpay.
FIS is an American provider of financial services technology with global operations that is based in Jacksonville, Florida. The firm additionally provides consulting and outsourcing solutions, serving clients within both retail and investment banking.
The company was founded in 1968 as Systematics Inc., which was later acquired by ALLTEL Information Services. Following ALLTEL's acquisition by insurance company Fidelity National Financial in 2003, it was renamed Fidelity Information Services (FIS). The firm subsequently grew through a string of acquisitions, including the $1.8bn acquisition of Certegy Inc. in 2006 and the $2.94bn acquisition of Metavante Corporation in 2009. Most recently, FIS acquired information technology firm SunGard for a total consideration of $9.1bn in 2015.
In FY2018 FIS's GAAP revenue decreased 2.8% to $8.42bn from $8.67bn in FY2017. Operating income increased to $1.46bn from $1.43bn in the prior year, while operating income margin grew by 80bps to 17.3%. FIS generated a net income of $846m for the year. Earnings per diluted share amounted to $2.55, representing a decrease of 32% YoY. The decrease in revenues was driven by an 8.2% drop in GAAP revenue in its Global Financial Solutions business and a 15% drop in revenue in its Corporate business. The decrease in revenue in both business lines is attributable to divestitures.
The electronic payment industry has undergone an incredible metamorphosis over the last two decades. It started off as a rather unimpressive operating branch of the banking industry, but thanks to the impact of technology it has now become one of the most attractive expressions of the fintech revolution.
The industry is divided into three main components of the value chain. The first segment is merchant acquirer processing, which consists of all the services involved in debit and credit card transactions, recognition, and elaboration. Worldpay is a dominant player in this segment and competes with the likes of Bank of America Merchant Services, Chase Paymentech Solutions, Elavon Inc. (subsidiary of U.S. Bancorp), First Data Corporation, Global Payments and Total System Services. This segment is being particularly impacted by the advent of new large fintech players such as PayPal, Google, Apple, Alibaba (Alipay), Square, Stripe and Adyen that are increasingly taking over the merchant aspect of electronic transactions by using the new medium of online payment.
The second, and central segment, is the Payment network that serves as the infrastructure connecting transactions and ensuring they clear their respective institutions. In this section, there are fewer and more dominant players such as Visa, Mastercard and, to a lesser extent, American Express, that are present globally. Additionally, domestic players such as UnionPay, a Chinese state-controlled provider, dominate individual regions in near-monopolistic nature.
The last segment is called Issuer Card Processing, which consists of authorizing transactions received from the payment networks and ensuring that each transaction is appropriately cleared and settled from the originating card account. The main competitors are Fidelity National Information Services (before acquisition), First Data Corporation and Fiserv, Total System Services, and Visa Debit Processing Service. It is worth noting that many clients of the previous segment are large commercial banks that have developed in-house solutions for the first and the third step. The payment network sector is relatively stable, but the other two segments of the value chain are sprawling with M&A activity. One of the main reasons driving this consolidation is extreme market fragmentation, as the industry remains divided among major banks with in-house solutions, big tech players, and banking divestitures. Unlike the first two competitors, the entrance of banking divestitures into the market was largely a result of the financial crisis and its aftermath. For example, part of the Royal Bank of Scotland's government bailout was divesting its payment processor into a separate company, which would eventually become Worldpay. The result is a growth of M&A volume from $16bn in 2015 to an impressive $85bn so far in 2019, according to Dealogic data. This extreme M&A growth has been spurred on by large transactions, such as the Fiserv and First Data $39bn merger announced in January, the £9.3bn acquisition of Worldpay by Vantiv in 2017, and finally the $2.2bn acquisition of Izettle by Paypal. These acquisitions, completed in large part by dominant industry players, have pressured the industry into a consolidatory trend.
Additionally, an interesting note can be made regarding the industry's valuation multiples. Rather than reflecting a modest multiple in line with financial institution averages, the payment industry boasts an average EV/EBITDA multiple of 16.5x—a number far more reflective of high-growth industries like technology than a financial provider. In spite of these stellar valuations and overvalued market prices, dominant players are still pursuing sizeable and profitable targets for consolidation. However, these higher prices are driving incentives for buyers to obtain lower premiums in blockbuster deals, as can be seen with the low 13% premium on the Worldpay acquisition.
Fidelity National Information Services and Worldpay have agreed to a mixed stock and cash transaction which values the latter at $43bn, including $7.7bn net debt. Worldpay's shareholder will be given 0.9287 FIS shares plus $11 in exchange for each of their shares. This implies a $112 share price for Worldpay, which represents a 13% premium over the $98.7 close on the previous Friday. The ownership structure of the combined company will be composed of 53% of FIS shareholders and the remaining 47% by Worldpay shareholders.
In an environment of frantic M&A activity, culminating with the $22bn takeover of First Data in January, Fintech companies are scrambling not to fall behind. As such, FIS's acquisition of WorldPay is a vital move to survive in the face of greater competition. With this deal, FIS seeks to achieve greater scale and scope, both of which are necessary to revitalize its slowing growth. After the deal is completed, the combined entity will be one of the largest players in the payments industry, trailing only behind Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, and American Express.
Scale is crucial in the payments sector because of the challenge posed by fast-growing tech companies such as Ayden NV and Square Inc, which are offering ever-cheaper payments. By eliminating duplicate operations, FIS expects the combination to slash costs by $400m within three years and thus be able to offer more competitive prices. Scale also has important implications for customer data collection. Through the Worldpay deal, FIS will gain access to 40bn transactions in 146 countries that Worldpay processes every year. Larger pools of data are essential to several of FIS's segments including its Fraud, Risk Management and Compliance Solutions.
Moreover, the Worldpay deal allows FIS to broaden its scope and tap into the high-growth payments sector. With this acquisition, FIS will enhance its acquirement and payment offerings and provide a wider array of services to its clients. The two companies plan to use their complementary solutions and services to develop "the broadest suite of financial services in the industry". Moreover, FIS and Worldpay expect to cross-sell services to each other's clients and thus generate an additional $500m in revenue. This cross-selling, in addition to other positives, will allow for significant value creation in the combined company. In addition to approximately $700m in total EBITDA synergies over the next three years, organic revenue growth is expected to be between 6% and 9% through 2021. The combined company will boast pro forma 2018 annual revenue of $12.3bn and adjusted EBITDA of $4.9bn, with strong cash flows to match. In this sense the broadening of FIS's offerings allows it to not only strengthen its market position, but also its financial bearings.
Finally, the deal is expected to enhance Worldpay's global presence. FIS's strong relationships with banks in India, Brazil and Southeast Asia provide an opportunity for Worldpay to expand in these fast-growing markets and reach end-clients it would not otherwise be able to.
Following the announcement on March 18th, Worldpay shares jumped 9.8% to $108.38 at 1:39 p.m. in New York: an impressive surge given the deal's lacklustre 13% premium. This surge likely reflects shareholders' enthusiasm about the lofty multiples of the deal, as Worldpay is trading at about 21 times its 12-month trailing EBITDA.
On the other hand, Fidelity National fell 0.7% to $108.08 after the announcement. Nonetheless, this is a small drop for the expensive nature of the acquisition. Investors' optimism can be explained by FIS's solid financial position and by its management's proven track record in delivering and even exceeding synergy targets. In addition, the CEO of FIS declared that the deal would lead to modest EPS accretion by 2020, which should come as a relief to the more anxious investors.
Share prices of several European groups rose in expectation of more deals. One of the strongest risers was French Group Worldline, which increased by about 3%.
Credit Suisse advised Worldpay on the transaction whereas Goldman Sachs and Centerview Partners advised Fidelity National Information Services. Worldpay and FIS received legal advice from Skadden, Arps, Slate and Meagher & Flom LLP, and Wilkie Farr & Gallagher, respectively.


text:
Posted inNunavut News
Chesterfield comedian heads to the big stage in Ottawa
by Michele LeTourneau March 16, 2018
Seven comedians faced off March 11 in Iqaluit for the chance to travel – all expenses paid – to Ottawa to perform at the Alterna Savings Crackup Comedy Festival Finale later this month.
The seven comedians who vied for a spot to perform in Ottawa later this month pose together after the Alterna Savings Crackup Comedy Festival Iqaluit competition March 11 at the Frobisher Inn. From left: Angnakuluk Friesen, Wade Thorhaug, Bibi Bilodeau, Aaron Watson, Bugsy, winner Igupttaq Autut and Samasuni Fortin.
photo courtesy Alterna Savings Crackup Comedy Festival
After each had their turn to make the crowd at the Frobisher Inn crack up, four judges – including famed Canadian comedian Mary Walsh – narrowed the field to three. The crowd of 200 then cheered for each, with the loudest cheering reserved for Igupttaq Autut.
He says it could have been any of the seven in the group, which included Bibi Bilodeau, Wade Thorhaug, Angnakuluk Friesen, Bugsy, Aaron Watson and Samasuni Fortin.
"I just feel really lucky to be nominated by the crowd," said Autut.
Originally of Chesterfield Inlet, Autut came by his comedic skills the hard way, with the toughest crowd, giving presentations as part of his day job as Qikiqtaaluk training and development specialist with Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs.
"It's important to have that connection with people you're presenting to. I've always added flavour to the serious business," Autut said.
He recalls being a terrible, terrible presenter when he first started.
"The first time I presented to 80 people. I thought, 'Oh my God, they're never going to let me work again.' I was at a mining camp then," said Autut.
"For some reason they let me try again, I practiced a little bit more, and did a little bit better."
Igupttaq Autut, centre, wins the crowd's popular vote at the Alterna Savings Crackup Comedy Festival Iqaluit competition March 11 at the Frobisher Inn, with fellow comedian Samasuni Fortin, left, and Crackup president John Helmkay.
He admits there are times he says something in his work presentation, "and … not one person laughed."
To hone his skills, the self-taught Autut watched a lot of internet videos and read about public speaking. He's always enjoyed comedy, with Eddie Murphy at the top of his list, plus Don Burnstick and Russell Peters.
"Anything comedy, really," he said.
Autut says the Frobisher Inn's Stephen Sullivan brought comedy to Iqaluit, and when Autut was in the audience, he thought: "I can do that." He'd get home and think about what he would have done on the stage.
He's since performed three times.
"I'm a (published) writer, storytelling about my grandpa and my dad, hunting and fishing, living out on the land. A lot of that comes back in the comedy. I exaggerate what happened. I take from my growing up in Chesterfield," said Autut.
"I've been very lucky to be around family and friends who enjoy my material."
In Ottawa, Autut will perform with Tony Quinn, Adrienne Fish, Derek Edwards, Rachelle Elie and two winners from the Ottawa competitions. He plans on bringing down a taste of Chesterfield, "because that's my thing," and a bit of Nunavut.
Since the big win March 11, strangers are stopping him on the street with their own suggestions for what he should include in his Ottawa performance.
"Through comedy you can bring a lot of stuff," he said.
But, still, he loves his work training.
"I'm a big believer in bringing education, and the training involved, to my fellow Inuit. That's how it started – presenting to Inuit, enhancing their skills in the workforce. When I was presenting, I didn't want to present something they would forget. I was presenting something that was funny, something they could connect with," said Autut, adding he felt he needed to come in with a different strategy.
"I quickly saw I couldn't just be the formal guy with big words. I'm Igupttaq from Chesterfield and let's get you guys trained."
He's excited about the trip to Ottawa.
"But after the show, I was thinking, 'Okay, what have you gotten yourself into.' I'm just a boy from Chesterfield. I looked at the site … I'm happy, but at the same time I'm nervous, because these are some high-calibre names," said Autut.
"But it's fun to have people come out. I enjoy laughter. I enjoy getting people to laugh."
And, the cherry on top? His three-year-old daughter thinks he's the best comedian in the world.
Tagged: #Nunavut News
Alo says:
way to go pete


Kansas State Wildcats vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders, Big 12 Conference game. The Red Raiders are looking for another victory against the Wildcats after winning against them a couple of weeks ago. The Red Raiders had an impeccable start to the season, eleven solid victories against difficult opponents. The Wildcats have a positive record in the conference as the Red Raiders, only four losses in the regular season, but if they lose another conference game they will not be in the top five of the Big 12.
Kansas State Wildcats: Revenge at home.
The Wildcats this season have a record of fourteen victories and only four defeats, in the conference the record is 4-2 in third place. The regular season opened with six victories at home, two winning streak more than four wins each. The last 2 games were victories, one on the road against Oklahoma 74-61 and another at home against TCU 65-55. At home the record is positive with eight wins and only one defeat, 2-1 in the last three games. 2-7-0 in the ATS at home.
At home the Wildcats are scoring an average of 62.8 points per game, 22.62 FG Points, 61.3% free throw shots and 6.88 three pointers per game. The defense at home has been weak allowing up to 57.1 points, 21.50 FG Points with 7.88 three pointers.
The best players in the conference are Barry Brown with 18.5 points per game, Dean Wade with 12.7 points, Stokes with 9.0, Sneed 8.5 and Mawien 7.7 points. The Wildcats are number one in the nation as the team that allows more points in the conference games.
Texas Tech Red Raiders: Another easy game.
The Red Raiders so far are second in the conference with fifteen victories and three overall losses, 4-2 in the conference. The only problem for the Red Raiders is that the last two games have been defeats, one at home against ISU 68-64 and another on the road against Baylor 73-62. Against the Wildcats they won this month, in the first week 63-57 at home. On the road the Red Raiders have only three games in the regular season, two wins and one loss against Baylor recently.
On the road the Red Raiders are scoring up to 64.0 points per game, 22 FG Points, 75% free throw shots, 5.00 three pointers and 10.33 assits. The defense is poor in three games, 64.7 points per game, 21.67 FG points and 7.67 three pointers.
Jarret Culver leads the Red Raiders in the conference with 17.2 points per game, Davide Moretti 13.2 points, Mooney with 11.2 points, Owens 7.3 points and Francis with 6.8 points. The Red Raiders are third in the national ranking of percentages in free throw shots.
My Free Pick & Prediction for Kansas State Wildcats vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders 01/22/2019 is: take the Kansas State Wildcats -1.5 (Point Spread).


Already nine games into the season and the Jets are only playing divisional opponent number two tonight in Tampa Bay.
The Jets dispatched the Carolina Hurricanes earlier on October 22nd with a 5-3 comeback victory in the first game against a team from their own Southeast Division.
Now they will see how they stack up against the powerhouse offense of Steven Stamkos, Vincent Lecavalier, and Martin St. Louis in Tampa.
The Lightning have a .500 record so far this season, highlighted by winning three of their last four.
Head coach Guy Boucher's club started the season off very rough, going 1-3-2 before winning three straight from October 20th to 25th.
Their last tilt was a 5-3 loss to the Nashville Predators.
The Jets, meanwhile, will have a quandry to who will start in net. All likelihood will be Ondrej Pavelec as Chris Mason, who replaced Pavelec in the Philadelphia game Thursday night, left that game with a groin problem.
Nik Antropov and Alexander Burmistrov co-lead the Jets in points with nine apiece - the only two Jets who are point-per-game players thus far this season.
Both have three goals and six assists.
Add to that Burmistrov is a club best +3 this season.
Game time is 6 PM CT and is available on CBC's Hockey Night In Canada.


text:
Q: How to dynamically store information about HTML elements? Should I use a data structure, like a Dictionary of data objects, keyed on element ID, or simply attach 'data-' attributes with the required data to the elements? The number of properties needed to be stored for each element is only one or two.
Is there already a Dictionary object for JavaScript somewhere (or maybe TypeScript), or even better, an in memory database type structure I can use to manage multiple data structures together?

A: If you need to store only a couple of values I would use data- attributes - or jQuery data accessors.
Any object in JavaScript is a dictionary, and you can 'type' them in TypeScript easily:
interface DictionaryOfStrings {
  [key: string]: string;
}

var a: DictionaryOfStrings;

a["first"] = "first value";
a["second"] = "second value";

for (var key in a) {
  console.log("Value of '" + key + "' is '" + a[key] + "'");
}

A: Any reason you can't use a simple data-binding framework like Knockoutjs for this?  This is what I'd do in this case.
(This is my answer, not comment, even though phrased as a question, moderators)

A: If you do need a dictionary structure in JS, Linq.js has one you may be able to use or adapt. TS definition files are available at Definitely Typed:
interface Dictionary {
    Add(key, value): void;
    Get(key): any;
    Set(key, value): bool;
    Contains(key): bool;
    Clear(): void;
    Remove(key): void;
    Count(): number;
    ToEnumerable(): Enumerable;
}

Whether you need something like this, or can rely on data- parameters, is going to come down to the detailed needs of your app, and personal choice.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


One of my passions is self-care. The thing about self-care is that most of us "know" we need it, but we do not always know how to do it. This year I am focusing on my holistic self-care. I am trying to intentionally incorporate caring for myself in physical, spiritual, emotional, and relational ways. Here are a few ideas that have helped me in 2016.
1. Bora Bora Fireballs: Don't let the name scare you off. This is my favorite new recipe of 2016. These meatballs are a gluten-free, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free meal that taste amazing. What is especially great about this meal is how many you make at once and then can eat throughout the week. But be warned you may go through them faster than you think. Large batch cooking saves time later in the week (and gives you more space for other self-care practices).
2. Brené Brown's COURAGEworks Living Brave Semester: Brené Brown holds a special place in my life. I connect with her work due to her authentic voice and strong research background. Going through her virtual classroom has lead to multiple personal shifts. Read how this class has impacted my re-evaluation of my values.
3. Diamonds by JohnnySwim: In December I attended JohnnySwim's Holiday show (and I am already hoping they come back to Nashville next December). A few of their songs resonate with me, but this song is one of my new favorites. I love the resilience pouring from this song: "We are the brave. We are the chosen ones. We are the diamonds, rising up out the dust." Listen to Diamonds and let me know what you think. We're the light when the day is done.
4. Sacred Space: The Prayer Book 2016 - Sacred Space is a book of daily readings that include six prayers, a Scripture reading, and a brief reflection. One thing I love about this book is the way these prayers and reflections often point towards connecting to Jesus through emotional experiences. In my spiritual practice of self-care, I am constantly searching for resources that are able to connect both mentally and emotionally in deepening my faith. This book continues to be a treasure.
5. Nayyirah Waheed's poetry: I cannot describe her work and art better than she can. So here are a few of my favorite poems.
What are some of your favorite things in your life? What practices or items are bringing you joy? Do you have any highlights from February?


text:
Digging up old stuff in hot places
broken things and dead people's rubbish
Tag Archives: Turkey
Gin boat diplomacy
His excellency, the British ambassador, lends a hand making industrial quantities of double strength gin and tonic so we can all fall over by dinner time
I'm enjoying a wholesome breakfast here at the dig house of coffee, paracetamol and Buckingham Palace mint chocolates. I managed to sleep for almost ten hours, waking to find I'd only managed to put half my pyjamas on, and that half was inside out. The British ambassador to Turkey has come to stay and oh my, he can drink. He arrived on Thursday and brought one car (armoured landrover) full of body guards and another car full of alcohol. It took all of us to carry it in – fifty cans of export larger, twenty-four bottles of French wine, two bottles of Johnny Walker Red, twelve litres of Gordon's London Dry Gin and thirty-six litres of tonic water. It's good to know you can rely on Her Majesty's Diplomatic Service for this sort of thing. The dig director expressed his doubts that we could drink it all in the remaining week, but you never know what you can achieve until you try. I think I might have sorted out the gin surplus last night.
At stupid o'clock we brush the trench by moonlight
The ambassador had the site tour yesterday, prompting the entire local military police force to turn out with their M-16s, making the short walk to the loo highly intimidating and none too private. I brushed up my last remaining dead person and persuaded my workmen to stop playing Rihanna on their mobile phones. Sir David did a very good job of appearing to be interested in my mudbrick walls but I supposed that's why the diplomatic service pays him the big bucks. He wished me luck in working out what's going on (my trench is a bit complicated at the moment) and asked me why I have an enormous lump on my head.
I have an enormous lump on my head because a big wooden pole fell on my face on Wednesday. I was having a little power nap in the site tent during tea break when the wind got under the canvas and knocked the tent pole down, the end of which landed smack on my forehead. As ways of getting woken up go, it's easily in the same league as when I fell asleep with my phone under my ear last week, or the time my mum told me to put my life jacket on because the ship was sinking. "Are you all right?" asked D in a shocked voice. "No" I said, trying to sort truth from fiction and sleepiness from mild concussion, "I'm not sure, but I think something just hit me on the head." One more failure in my efforts to get through an excavation season without a major head injury.
The end is nigh: work starts on Operation Z. This will be our last trench at the site as we have run out of letters
This entry was posted in Ancient Near East, archaeology, Diplomatic service, Diyarbakir, gin and tonic, Kurdistan, middle east, travel, Turkey and tagged alcohol, archaeology, British ambassador to Turkey, diplomacy, drunkeness, gin, head injury, HMDS, Turkey on August 23, 2013 by surfacefind.
Caves, frogs, unwanted dead
Wading up the Tigris Tunnel following a german
Last Friday, at the risk of not learning from my mistakes, I went on a trip to the mountains in search of some Assyrian rock inscriptions. Some of you may recall that last time I went looking for Assyrian rock inscriptions we nearly had to be rescued by the Iraqi army (https://oldstuffinhotplaces.wordpress.com/05/26/wild-goat-chasing/) which is not really the way I like my day off to end. This time was better; there was a cave, a tunnel and a river to play in and no survival situations with their associated acrimony and recriminations. My enjoyment was in no way diminished by the rock inscriptions themselves being rubbish.
D points out that there is absolutely nothing to see
Selfish dead git
In terms of excavation things have been a bit slow but are finally picking up. An annoying hold up early in the week was my discovery that someone had thoughtlessly buried half a dozen dead people in the southern half of my trench. There are some situations in which finding dead people is splendid, like when you're looking for a cemetery, and yet others, like this one, in which it's a total pain in the arse. These later (probably Medieval) burials are cut down into the Neo-Assyrian building I'm trying to excavate, meaning that not only are they taking hours of fiddly excavating and recording to clear, but they're leaving unsightly person-shaped holes in my pretty Assyrian walls. J over in Operation W has unwanted visitors of a different kind. He has a huge pithos embedded in the room he's excavating which every morning he finds filled with tiny frogs. These have to be rescued and deported to the nearby irrigation swamp before they die in the sun and become a jar full of dreadful, mouldering frog corpses.
Yesterday's crop of tiny frogs. Having been stuck in there all night, none of them seem to be talking to each other any more
In other news, it's been a dire sporting week for me here. I got dumped out of the excavation ping pong tournament in the first round (I've never played ping pong before, I thought it would be easier) and then getting beaten for the first time ever in a sprint race up the city mound (by a 17 year old army cadet). I have resolved to be more selective in who I challenge to scratch races now that I'm in my thirties, and to accept fewer cigarettes from the workmen. At least England are doing well in the cricket, which I'm now able to listen to on the radio having found a way round the school server's veto on all the world's joys, including Test Match Special.
This entry was posted in Ancient Near East, animals, archaeology, Diyarbakir, Kurdistan, middle east, travel, Turkey, Uncategorized and tagged archaeology, burials, frogs, human remains, neo-assyrians, ping pong, test match special, TMS, Trigris tunnel, Turkey on August 16, 2013 by surfacefind.
Şeker Bayramı (sugar holiday)
On top of the high mound the Germans make plans
6am this morning found me sitting in the dig house listening to BBC 6 Music (which the Turkish education ministry server will let me access as the station name does not contain the dangerous word 'radio'). I am attempting to write up an area of the site which someone else dug up six years ago, discovering more or less nothing. The big red circle on the geo-physics in fact turned out to be where the farmer drives his tractor round and round during threshing; a salutary lesson to all those who put too much faith in machines that go ping.
The chain gang giving me attitude
The reason I'm not on site today sweating away over my own expanse of nothing is that today is Şeker Bayramı; the holiday at the end of Ramadan when every man, woman and child in Turkey attempts to eat their body-weight in refined sugar. In furtherance of this noble goal, yesterday we bought our workmen thirty kilos of assorted revoltingly sugary brightly coloured sweets to share between them. They are currently sleeping off their biggest meal of the year.
The enormous gluttony all around us is sadly contrasted by our own state. Our cook and kitchen staff have all gone home to cook obscenely large quantities of oily Turkish food for other people and left us to fend for ourselves in the deserted school building for the next three days. I've already faced the horrors of the school's basement kitchen(/dungeon/bacterial laboratory) having unwisely volunteered to help wash up from breakfast. There's an all-pervading smell of rancid dairy substances and the cupboards are full of flies and dirty kittens. I bitterly regret not bringing my usual back-up supplies of beef jerky and instant noodles. I'm so hungry.
A group of academics attempting to feed themselves
Things on site are also a bit grim. All I want is architecture and all I find is pits, big ugly pointless pits; if I was interested in those I would have become a prehistorian. The tedium has been somewhat relieved by my trench assistant who is the seventeen year old son of the British ambassador. On Tuesday we had a dirty joke-off, which I was pretty confident about having played on many rugby teams, but it turns out that rugby humour simply doesn't have the depth and variety current in English boy's boarding schools. We have our little japes – one day he said he'd found an important artefact and when I put my hand out he deposited a large white maggot in it. I threw this forcefully at his head, sadly missing his face and instead it adhered itself to the brim of his hat. He obligingly provided further entertainment by drinking some of the workmen's water and being spectacularly sick for two days. Oh what laughs we have.
I'm going to drag myself upstairs and lie on my bed and think about bacon sandwiches for an hour.
Turkish word of the week: it appears at the bottom of all the many school notices and means 'they will be punished'.
This entry was posted in Ancient Near East, Diyarbakir, Food, Kurdistan, middle east, travel, Turkey, Uncategorized and tagged ancient near east, archaeology, bayram, BBC 6 Music, dirty jokes, neo-assyria, sugar, Turkey on August 8, 2013 by surfacefind.
I find myself inexplicably in the executive lounge at Birmingham airport. I hide in the corner in my cheap clothes and dirty trainers
Here I am once more in the baking southeast of Turkey sweating my poor life away in a room full of hot laptops and fans. It's actually my ten year anniversary on this project which makes me feel unspeakably old. This wasn't particularly helped today by my workmen, who during tea break broached the traditional second topic of international conversation after we had exhausted 'what football team do you support' (Arsenal, which didn't go down at all well).
"You are married?" enquired Hussein. Having been asked this on a regular basis and being familiar with the response I considered lying. I used to pretend to be married to a character from a TV programme or film; this prevents any hesitation and aids the consistency of an on-going lie as you already know all the information required. In the early 2000s I was mostly married to Dr Carter from ER ('his name's John, he works in a hospital, he has brown hair'), and in the late 2000s I was mostly married to Spiderman ('his name's Peter, he's a newspaper photographer, he lives in New York'). I was once married to Professor Snape from Harry Potter ('his name is Severus, he's a teacher at a school, he has black hair') but I became aware that Harry Potter has quite good circulation in the Middle East and the name was too recognisable.
Being old and increasingly confused I decided to stick to the truth this time.
"No," I said "I am not married." This statement was received with a great deal of concerned murmuring.
"How old are you?" asked Hussein gravely.
"Otuz iki" I said, "Thirty-two".
There were various cries of dismay. Hussein shook his head sadly. "You are very old" he said.
breaking ground on day one at the little known hour of 5am
I'm two days into excavation at Operation Y, a name that implies a level of existential enquiry which would make any archaeologist uncomfortable. I'm still going through the extremely boring process of watching the workmen remove the plough zone which leaves me absolutely nothing to do except watch men shovel soil for eight hours a day. Today I dropped any pretence of working and brought a hilariously out of date book about the Plantagenet kings to read (Richard the Lion Heart, alas, 'fell victim' to homosexuality). This only slightly helped the main struggle of the day which is the struggle for consciousness. The day here starts with breakfast at 4am to allow us to start work when the sun comes up. Unfortunately, in UK time this is exactly the same time I usually go to bed (2am), leaving me with huge lifestyle-based jet lag. With little to occupy myself it's a constant battle against the urge to hide behind the spoil heap and having a sleep, which is generally considered bad form when you're supposed to be supervising seventeen workmen digging up a Neo-Assyrian city wall.
I'm trying to ignore some ominous beginnings. I've been assigned Room 13 in the deserted school building we're living in, it's only day three and I've already accepted a cigarette from the workmen, and I saw a crane eat a frog. On top of this, all websites of any interest, including this blog, are inaccessible on the school server, which reports that the site has been blocked by the Turkish Education Ministry due to its inappropriate content. I've got tomorrow off to sort myself out.
Unlucky for some: school room thirteen, in which some kind of mammal has defecated just inside the door
This entry was posted in Ancient Near East, animals, archaeology, Diyarbakir, Kurdistan, middle east, travel, Turkey, Uncategorized and tagged ancient near east, archaeology, excavation, marriage, neo-assyrians, Turkey on August 1, 2013 by surfacefind.
The world according to Woolley
I've been giving the blog a bit of a rest, firstly because I haven't been digging, but mostly because I've been trying to avoid going back to my parents' because I don't really like it there. I've spent the last week or so in a cabin in the woods in southern Sweden where I woke up shouting twice and ate a lot of fish. The week before that I spent drunk in a 13th Century priory on the Somerset coast, taking remarkably long baths and drinking tea with this horse:
The horse at the bottom of the garden, who had a lot of free time and an interesting perspective on the dissolution of the monasteries
Delightful though all this has been, this itinerary has adversely affected my access to reliable internet.
My one vaguely archaeological activity has been reading 'Dead Towns and Living Men'; a book written in 1918 by the young Leonard Woolley while he was a prisoner of The Turk (he never specifies which one) having been caught spying (like all respectable archaeologists https://oldstuffinhotplaces.wordpress.com/2012/12/02/finding-a-good-man/) during the Great War. The book isn't so much about the archaeology as the hilarious local shenanigans (deadly tribal warfare) that went on in the background. In this, it's very much like Digging Up Old Stuff in Hot Places, except with better grammar and a huge amount of racism.
Woolley and his chum Lawrence of Arabia totally pulling off a bit of Edwardian sports casual
Things were certainly a bit different back when Britain had an empire and archaeologists wore pith helmets in a non-ironic way. Over the last month or so the project I'm about to go and work for in Turkey has been hanging on and on for our permit to be signed in Ankara. Woolley's standard approach to any such bureaucratic difficulty was to take out his revolver and threaten to shoot the official in question (an approach which I understand is now frowned upon by the British Museum). The universal success of this tactic seems to have hinged partly on Woolley's supreme confidence that no oriental would dare to shoot an English gentleman and partly on the supreme inefficiency of the Ottoman Empire at shooting people who deserved it. These barriers apparently did not extend to the German railway engineers across the valley, who could be shot with impunity.
'Dead Towns and Living Men' is also punctuated with Woolley's insightful descriptions of the various peoples he worked with, which consist of a series of sweeping derogatory statements covering the Egyptians, Sudanese, Italians, Bulgarians, Arabs, Kurds, Turks and Germans. Woolley describes the Egyptians as being unable to understand the concept of truth. The Germans are basically evil. He tells several lengthy anecdotes about the 'child-like simplicity' of the Sudanese, including one in which he explains to a Sudanese workman how there was nothing disrespectful at all about a British officer addressing him as 'Sambo'. The N-word occurs. Despite describing the Kurds as thieves, drunks, atheists, money-grabbers and undergraduates, he seems to like them best as they are also sportsmen.
I will leave you with this short extract showing Woolley's diplomatic skills, in which he attempts to talk the local Kurdish sheikhs out of attacking the French garrison, and thereby disrupting his digging of unimaginably large holes in ancient Carchemish:
"Tell me, oh sheikhs, for whom do you do this thing?"
"For the Turks."
"I serve the British Museum, and work for archaeology, which is knowledge. Which is greater, the British Museum or the empire of the Turks?"
"W'Allah, the British Museum!" replied the sheikhs.
"And which is greater, liberty or knowledge?"
"Knowledge is greater."
"Therefore my work must go on and yours must stop."
I sometimes wonder if Leonard Woolley wasn't just a massive liar.
In other news, I've managed to bruise both my shins on a helicopter, and hit my head on an aeroplane in unrelated incidents. It's late July, there's a heat-wave in England, I'm booking my flights to the 45°C oven of south-eastern Turkey, and grandma has made me mittens. Thanks gran.
Winter is coming (eventually I guess). Elderly Swedish women are unstoppable knitting machines.
This entry was posted in Ancient Near East, animals, archaeology, Egypt, Kurdistan, middle east, museums, Uncategorized and tagged archaeology, british museum, Carchemish, Leonard Woolley, sweden, Turkey, woodspring priory on July 16, 2013 by surfacefind.
Suffering in Belgium
What?? What do you want from me?
I'm currently in the thrilling metropolis of Brussels but instead of doing what comes naturally – eating chocolate and waffles and drinking beer out of silly little glasses – I'm doing my familial duty. My brother, in collaboration with his wife I believe, succeeded in producing a second baby in the autumn which I've so far managed to avoid meeting through constraints of time, poverty and enthusiasm about children. I find that identifying conversational topics of mutual interest is a challenge with the under-threes; I'm not really comfortable with kids until they're about, say, twenty-eight or twenty-nine.
Things got off to an unpromising start. I spent a night in London on the way down, where I went drinking with the department of Egypt and Sudan from the British Museum which is always a recipe for messy endings. I then watched a woman in the uniform of the Household Cavalry sing the theme to Skyfall to her horse (later I was unsure if this really happened, but have since been assured that it did), saw the queen, ate a kebab and slept (for about forty minutes) on a friend's floor before getting the 6:50am Eurostar. I tried to use the journey to catch up on some sleep but only succeeded in waking up miserable and hungover in three different countries in the same morning.
Retreat beating on Horseguard's Parade; so much better on four pints, I wonder if that's how the queen copes?
Against expectations, my brother has generated two children who look and behave almost precisely like all other human children, although like almost all other human parents he can't be convinced they don't possess special traits and abilities worthy of constant comment. I've spent most of the weekend trying to change the subject and not to use too many swear words. I was unsuccessful in both these efforts, my only achievement being to give myself a headache by gritting my teeth for three days.
I brought a miniature tent from Cairo. If only it could be properly sound-proofed. And locked.
Back in the land of archaeology, my summer digging plans in Turkey are becoming increasingly jeopardised by all the protests. Demanding basic political rights is all very well but no one thinks of the foreign freelance archaeologists whose livelihoods are threatened as a result. The Egyptian revolution left me stuck for two weeks freezing my arse off in a one-star Cairo hotel ordering in from Subway, running out of DVDs and watching the tanks go round and round and who needs that again? Fortunately I've been offered eight weeks work digging a big hole in the middle of London instead if Turkey gets silly, which has the advantages of better access to sushi, pubs and West End theatre than is available in Turkish Kurdistan.
This entry was posted in animals, archaeology, brussels, children, Egypt, tents, Uncategorized and tagged archaeology, beating the retreat, belgium, brussels, children, the queen, Turkey on June 18, 2013 by surfacefind.
Ending at Ur March 28, 2017
Meeting the meat March 2, 2017
Back from the beyond February 10, 2017
Volume 2: Dangerous pursuits September 27, 2016
Volume 1: Lost context September 19, 2016


text:
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Cause in my case this ain't working

A: If you are using the querystring (which you are) then data arrives to PHP in the $_GET array not the $_POST array
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text:
Molecular cloning and characterization of a novel starvation inducible MAP kinase gene in rice
Shih Feng Fu, Wuan Pin Lin, Shin Lon Ho, Wan Chi Chou, Dinq Ding Huang, Su May Yu, Hao Jen Huang
Signaling pathways, specifically mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades, have been implicated in the regulation of stress and developmental signals in plants. Here, we report the characterization of a rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. TN-67) MAPK gene, OsMAPK3, isolated by screening a sugar-starved treated rice cell cDNA library. The OsMAPK3 gene was abundantly expressed in mature leaves and panicles of 3-month-old plants, but poorly in young leaves. Its developmental regulation was suggested by the fact that OsMAPK3 mRNA levels changed during leaf differentiation and root development. Furthermore, the amount of this transcript increased markedly in sugar-starved or mannose-fed cells.
Plant Physiology and Biochemistry
Published - 2003 Mar 1
Dive into the research topics of 'Molecular cloning and characterization of a novel starvation inducible MAP kinase gene in rice'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.
Oryza Medicine & Life Sciences 100%
Molecular Cloning Medicine & Life Sciences 97%
mitogen-activated protein kinase Agriculture & Biology 90%
Starvation Medicine & Life Sciences 90%
starvation Agriculture & Biology 75%
molecular cloning Agriculture & Biology 63%
Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases Medicine & Life Sciences 55%
Fu, S. F., Lin, W. P., Ho, S. L., Chou, W. C., Huang, D. D., Yu, S. M., & Huang, H. J. (2003). Molecular cloning and characterization of a novel starvation inducible MAP kinase gene in rice. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, 41(3), 207-213. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0981-9428(03)00012-3
Fu, Shih Feng ; Lin, Wuan Pin ; Ho, Shin Lon et al. / Molecular cloning and characterization of a novel starvation inducible MAP kinase gene in rice. In: Plant Physiology and Biochemistry. 2003 ; Vol. 41, No. 3. pp. 207-213.
@article{f9bdb8cc13364b4aae3e93b7c4da9921,
title = "Molecular cloning and characterization of a novel starvation inducible MAP kinase gene in rice",
abstract = "Signaling pathways, specifically mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades, have been implicated in the regulation of stress and developmental signals in plants. Here, we report the characterization of a rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. TN-67) MAPK gene, OsMAPK3, isolated by screening a sugar-starved treated rice cell cDNA library. The OsMAPK3 gene was abundantly expressed in mature leaves and panicles of 3-month-old plants, but poorly in young leaves. Its developmental regulation was suggested by the fact that OsMAPK3 mRNA levels changed during leaf differentiation and root development. Furthermore, the amount of this transcript increased markedly in sugar-starved or mannose-fed cells.",
author = "Fu, {Shih Feng} and Lin, {Wuan Pin} and Ho, {Shin Lon} and Chou, {Wan Chi} and Huang, {Dinq Ding} and Yu, {Su May} and Huang, {Hao Jen}",
note = "Funding Information: We are deeply grateful to Professor Toshio Murashige for critical reading of the manuscript. This work was supported by the grant from National Science Council (NSC 89-2311-B-006-005) of the Republic of China.",
journal = "Plant Physiology and Biochemistry",
publisher = "Elsevier Masson SAS",
Fu, SF, Lin, WP, Ho, SL, Chou, WC, Huang, DD, Yu, SM & Huang, HJ 2003, 'Molecular cloning and characterization of a novel starvation inducible MAP kinase gene in rice', Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, vol. 41, no. 3, pp. 207-213. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0981-9428(03)00012-3
Molecular cloning and characterization of a novel starvation inducible MAP kinase gene in rice. / Fu, Shih Feng; Lin, Wuan Pin; Ho, Shin Lon et al.
In: Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Vol. 41, No. 3, 01.03.2003, p. 207-213.
T1 - Molecular cloning and characterization of a novel starvation inducible MAP kinase gene in rice
AU - Fu, Shih Feng
AU - Lin, Wuan Pin
AU - Ho, Shin Lon
AU - Chou, Wan Chi
AU - Huang, Dinq Ding
AU - Yu, Su May
AU - Huang, Hao Jen
N1 - Funding Information: We are deeply grateful to Professor Toshio Murashige for critical reading of the manuscript. This work was supported by the grant from National Science Council (NSC 89-2311-B-006-005) of the Republic of China.
N2 - Signaling pathways, specifically mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades, have been implicated in the regulation of stress and developmental signals in plants. Here, we report the characterization of a rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. TN-67) MAPK gene, OsMAPK3, isolated by screening a sugar-starved treated rice cell cDNA library. The OsMAPK3 gene was abundantly expressed in mature leaves and panicles of 3-month-old plants, but poorly in young leaves. Its developmental regulation was suggested by the fact that OsMAPK3 mRNA levels changed during leaf differentiation and root development. Furthermore, the amount of this transcript increased markedly in sugar-starved or mannose-fed cells.
AB - Signaling pathways, specifically mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades, have been implicated in the regulation of stress and developmental signals in plants. Here, we report the characterization of a rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. TN-67) MAPK gene, OsMAPK3, isolated by screening a sugar-starved treated rice cell cDNA library. The OsMAPK3 gene was abundantly expressed in mature leaves and panicles of 3-month-old plants, but poorly in young leaves. Its developmental regulation was suggested by the fact that OsMAPK3 mRNA levels changed during leaf differentiation and root development. Furthermore, the amount of this transcript increased markedly in sugar-starved or mannose-fed cells.
JO - Plant Physiology and Biochemistry
JF - Plant Physiology and Biochemistry
Fu SF, Lin WP, Ho SL, Chou WC, Huang DD, Yu SM et al. Molecular cloning and characterization of a novel starvation inducible MAP kinase gene in rice. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry. 2003 Mar 1;41(3):207-213. doi: 10.1016/S0981-9428(03)00012-3


Pangea Farm, Bainbridge, NY (1995-1996), The Kirkland Art Center, Clinton, NY (1995), The Upper Catskill Community Council of the Arts (UCCCA) Performance Series at the Anderson Theater, Oneonta, NY (1994), Austin Arts Center, Trinity College, Hartford, CT (1994).
Intercity Festival (Florence, Italy, 1988) and Falkirk Cultural Center (San Rafael, CA, 1986) as part of "EX (centric) Lady Travelers".
PAPER FLOOR: an experiment in pre-conscious imagery, language, and the physical act of writing.
The Performing Garage (NYC, 1980), and on tour (1980-1981) at The American Center (Paris), The Mickery (Amsterdam), The Drill Hall (London), Chapter Center for the Arts (Cardiff), Centro Humorside (Florence), Teatro Chiostri (Milan), Centroom Voor Experimentel Teater (Antwerp), Nieuwe Workshop (Brussels), and The World Gathering of Holocaust Survivors (Jerusalem).
Mother Courage and Her Children by Bertolt Brecht, The Performing Garage (1975-1977), and in India through a Rockefeller Foundation Grant (1976).
The Tooth of Crime by Sam Shepard, The Performing Garage, and on tour (1974-1975) at the Venice Biennale, Edinburgh Festival, The Mickery (Amsterdam), The Helsinki Festival, Schützenhaus Theater (Zürich), and extensive tours of the USA including the American Dance Festival (CT).


Juchitán de las mujeres is the result of ten years of work, countless trips to the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, and a long familiarity with the inhabitants of the region. Graciela Iturbide took her time, and this deliberate slowness is a vital element of a poetics opposed to the quest for the "decisive moment." None of the juchitecos in these photographs appears by chance: each one of them – Doña Guadalupe, like the others– has been carefully prepared.
Born in 1942 in Mexico City, Mexico. Lives in Mexico City, Mexico.
Graciela Iturbide is recognized as one of Mexico's foremost living artists. She studied cinematography, with a focus on screenwriting, and then specialized in photography at the Centro Universitario de Estudios Cinematográficos of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. There, her teacher was Manuel Álvarez Bravo, who would later invite her to work as his assistant. In 2008, she received the Hasselblad Award. Recent solo exhibitions include The Goat's Dance at the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles (2008) and retrospectives of her work at the Fundación Mapfre (2009) and Tate Modern (2013).


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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


I've been stuck lately by the breadth of needs and gifts of this community. We all bring so many different things to the table. Over the past few weeks I've witnessed or heard about such an amazing variety of ways that you all are caring for the needs of each other and the needs of the church. When people hurt, we need comfort and to be comforters. When people hunger, we need food and we need cooks and grocery shoppers. When people gather for worship on Sunday morning, so many people give of their time to make sure everything is ready—music, lessons, food, bulletins, a cleared parking lot, sound, etc. One of the realities of my life is that when people out in public find out I'm a pastor they often mention where they go to church, that they're planning to go back to church, or give me a reason why they haven't been lately. I try to convey to them that being part of a church family is really important but avoid the kinds of guilt motivation. I say this to be clear, I'm not trying to lay on blame for missing last week or provide guilt motivation to keep you coming, but WE are all missed when we're absent from the body.
One of the central aspects of following Christ is living together as a community. Community can be hard but it can also carry us through situations and moments in life that we otherwise wouldn't be able to handle. The pictures of Jesus we have in the New Testament show him spending time with his disciples. There were definitely times when Jesus was alone for various reasons, but the majority of what we learn about Christ's witness is lived with others. As we continue in a series on 1 Corinthians, one of the crucial issues is how to live together.
I am eager to witness and be a part of what we can do together this year. Already in 2011 I've seen so many positive signs of our congregational family looking after each other. I hope you'll look for opportunities to reach out to each other—both in seeking and offering help, wisdom, discernment, and mentoring. Community is much more than the clichés. It is our calling as Christ's body and his Church. God works through the unique mix of people here at Crossroads. If you have an idea of how you can further participate in the body, if you are looking for some opportunities to serve, or if you have a need that the body can help you with—please let me know.


So you have been introduced to Katriona and all her gorgeousness, now I'd love for you to meet the cutiest of the patootiest: Joe. John did a great job of capturing Joe and the guys getting ready. Most grooms aren't so comfy with a photographer all up in their business while getting ready for one of the most tense days of their lives but Joe was just cool as a cucumber. Yeah...that's how he rolls. ;-) Seeeee.....boys worry about their little cabooses too! It's not just us!


The EC Finals will be starting soon with the #3 seed Bruins facing off against the #5 seed Lightning. In today's NHL where the #7 Philadelphia Flyers played the #8 Montreal Canadiens in the EC Finals last season, having lower seeds square off for the right to represent the Conference in the Stanley Cups is not unusual. This is the 3rd straight Eastern Conference Finals without a #1 or #2 seed.
Both the Bruins and Lightning come into this series on hot streaks as each is coming off of a sweep. The Lightning swept the #1 Washington Capitals and the Bruins did the same to the #2 Flyers. The Lightning have won their last 7 playoff games and the Bruins 5. It should be quite a battle.
Tampa's head coach Guy Boucher is in his first season as an NHL head coach. He guided the Bolts to a 46-25-11 regular season record. He also led them back from a 3 games to 1 deficit in the 1st round of the playoffs against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Bruins head coach Claude Julien is in his 4th season with the team. He guided them to the Northeast Division title this season as he did in 2008-09. He has also had stints as head coach with the Canadiens and New Jersey Devils. This is his time in the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Bruins have no top sniper but a number of different offensive weapons in their arsenal. They had four 20-goal scorers during the season led by Milan Lucic with 30. They had a total of 12 players who scored at least 10 goals. Besides Lucic, forwards David Krejci, Nathan Horton, and Brad Marchand are the most dangerous. Center Patrice Bergeron may miss some time due to a concussion in the Flyers series. He is the team leader in playoff points so far. The team's power-play has been dreadful so far in the post-season. It will need to improve.
The Lightning is much more top heavy in scoring than the Bruins. Center Steven Stamkos had 45 goals and 91 points during the regular season and Marty St. Louis 31 goals and 99 points. No one else had more than 54. In the playoffs, it has been a different story for the Bolts as several other players have emerged like wingers Sean Bergenheim with 7 goals, Steve Downie, and Teddy Purcell. Center Vinny Lecavalier has seemed rejuvenated as well and is having a strong post-season.
The Lightning's defense could be their vulnerable spot. They have some solid veterans in Mattias Ohlund, Pavel Kubina, and Eric Brewer. They also have a rising star in Victor Hedman. But on many nights it seemed they relied on their goaltending to bail them out. So far in the playoffs it has but against a balanced offense like the Bruins', it could be a problem.
The Bruins have one of the best defensemen in the league in Zdeno Chara. He is a huge brick wall in front of the net. Along with veterans Dennis Seidenberg, Andrew Ference, and Tomas Kaberle, this is one of the better defensive corps in the league.
It was a brilliant move by the Lightning to acquire Dwayne Roloson on January 1, 2011. He went 18-12 after arriving in Tampa and has been phenomenal in the playoffs with a 2.01 goals-against-average and a .941 save percentage.
Boston's netminder Tim Thomas won the Vezina Trophy as the league's top goalie in 2008-09 and may win it again this season. He had a 2.00 goals-against-average and a .938 save percentage during the regular season. He has been just as good in the playoffs. He is an elite goaltender.
St. Louis, Lecavalier, and Kubina all won a Stanley Cup in 2004 as members of the Lighting.
Bruins Mark Recchi has won 2 Cups (Pittsburgh '91 and Carolina '06) and Shawn Thornton has won one (Anaheim '07).


text:
Dino Hotić (; born 26 July 1995) is a professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Belgian First Division A club Cercle Brugge. Born in Slovenia, he represents the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team.

Hotić started his professional career at Maribor, who loaned him to Veržej in 2013 and to Krško in 2016. In 2020, he joined Cercle Brugge.

A former Slovenian youth international, Hotić made his senior international debut for Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2019.

Club career

Early career
Hotić started playing football at local club Domžale and later at Bravo, before joining Maribor's youth academy in 2011.

In July 2013, he was sent on a season-long loan to Veržej. In January 2016, he was loaned to Krško until the end of season.

Cercle Brugge
In January 2020, Hotić was transferred to Belgian outfit Cercle Brugge for an undisclosed fee, reported to be around €1.2 million. He made his official debut for the team on 19 January against Antwerp. On 8 February, he scored his first goal for Cercle Brugge in a triumph over Mechelen.

International career
Despite representing Slovenia at all youth levels, Hotić decided to play for Bosnia and Herzegovina at senior level as his parents are of Bosnian descent from Ključ.

In October 2019, his request to change sports citizenship from Slovenian to Bosnian was approved by FIFA. Later that month, he received his first senior call-up, for the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying matches against Italy and Liechtenstein. He debuted against the latter on 18 November.

Career statistics

Club

International

Honours
Maribor
Slovenian PrvaLiga: 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2016–17, 2018–19
Slovenian Cup: 2011–12, 2012–13
Slovenian Supercup: 2012, 2013, 2014

References

External links

1995 births
Living people
Footballers from Ljubljana
Slovenian people of Bosnia and Herzegovina descent
Citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina through descent
Slovenian footballers
Slovenia youth international footballers
Slovenia under-21 international footballers
Slovenian expatriate footballers
Bosnia and Herzegovina footballers
Bosnia and Herzegovina international footballers
Bosnia and Herzegovina expatriate footballers
Association football midfielders
NK Maribor players
NK Krško players
Cercle Brugge K.S.V. players
Slovenian PrvaLiga players
Slovenian Second League players
Belgian Pro League players
Expatriate footballers in Belgium
Slovenian expatriate sportspeople in Belgium
Bosnia and Herzegovina expatriate sportspeople in Belgium

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia