text:
Free 'Come From Away' Concert at the Lincoln Memorial Will Commemorate 9/11
The company is stopping in D.C. for a free concert before continuing its performances on Broadway
By Ana Álvarez Bríñez • Published September 10, 2021 • Updated on September 10, 2021 at 8:00 am
Members of the "Come From Away" company will perform a one-night concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on Sept. 10 to mark 20 years since 9/11.
"Come From Away: Concert at the Lincoln Memorial" is a one-hour and 40-minute performance. The concert will start at 6 p.m and no tickets will be required to attend.
"We are thrilled to be returning to Washington, D.C., working with our friends at Ford's Theatre," producer Sue Frost said. "Ford's Theatre was instrumental in the development of 'Come From Away', so it is fitting that the team is together again to share this story in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of 9/11."
The musical tells the true story of 7,000 passengers that got stranded on Sept. 11 of 2001 and were welcomed by members of the small town of Newfoundland.
Get D.C. area news, weather forecasts and lifestyle content to your inbox. Signup for NBC Washington newsletters.
It's set to be the first time "Come From Away" music is performed since March 2020.
The musical is making a stop in D.C. before heading to Broadway to resume performances on Sept. 21.
Lincoln MemorialThings to Do DCWashington DCCONCERT


text:
What Learning Can Learn From Machine Learning
Arizona State University Announces Effort To Educate 100 Million Students Worldwide
Biden Administration Makes Available Funds For Students' Basic Needs
MLB Axes Rays' First-Of-Its-Kind Dual City Proposal With Montreal
Focus On Student Outcomes, Not How Federal Funds Are Spent
For Colleges, Prioritization Must Be Priority #1
University Of Hawaii Receives Record Gift From Mark Zuckerberg, Priscilla Chan
Handshake Takes Aim At LinkedIn With $200 Million Fundraise
Djokovic Owns Mysterious Danish Firm Researching Covid-19 Treatment
Nov 19, 2021, 08:29am EST |
Surge In International Demand And More Women At Business Schools
Matt Symonds
Co-Founder Fortuna Admissions & CentreCourt MBA Festival; The S of QS
International candidate volume to the world's leading business schools has doubled from 28% in 2019 ... [+] to 57% in 2021 (Photo by Brooks Kraft LLC/Corbis via Getty Images)
Corbis via Getty Images
After a rush of pandemic-driven applications to business school last year you might have expected a rebounding economy to put a dent in demand for an MBA or Specialized Masters. But with campuses reopening and travel restrictions lifting, the appeal of taking one or two years to enhance your personal and professional skill set, build a strong and supportive network and orient your career in a meaningful and rewarding direction continues to gain ground.
A report published this week by The Graduate Management Admission Council™ (GMAC™), a global association of leading graduate business schools shows the enduring appeal of investing in a graduate management education. GMAC's 2021 Application Trends Survey, found that the volume of applications for graduate business school programs in the last 12 months has grown a further 0.4% on the high levels of demand the previous year. The analysis of global demand shows that two in five (41%) graduate business programs received more applications in 2021 compared with 2020, with a surge in the international market.
It appears that more candidates are looking for alternative career options, and combined with the impact of COVID on the economy and the introduction of more flexible admission policies, candidates have turned to business school to build a brighter future.
GMAC's 23rd annual survey indicates that the surge in demand for graduate business education is not a passing fad but has staying power beyond 2020. I spoke with Nalisha Patel, GMAC's Regional Director - Europe to understand the key trends.
Growth in international candidates
One significant trend that the survey identified compared to 2020 was that more programs reported growth in applications from international candidates. "As pandemic-promoted restrictions on travel and protectionist measures begin to unwind," Patel explains, "we are encouraged to see international students rebounding to study abroad again."
Kentucky State University Is In Financial Peril
Legal Experts On Pearson V. Chegg And Why It Could Be A Huge Deal
How To Land A Spot At One Of These Tuition-Free Medical Schools
The change in application volumes from international candidates shows an increase of 4.1% compared to a decline of 3.8% from domestic candidates. More programs in the U.S., UK and the rest of Europe reported decline in applications from domestic candidates when compared across regions. For business schools, Patel reports that this promotes a much more inclusive campus. "The increase in international students undoubtedly brings a positive influence on students, business schools and campus life as we see an increase in diversity in the classroom once again."
The contrast in international and domestic demand is strongly tied to full-time MBA programs amongst leading business schools, where international candidate volume has doubled from 28% in 2019 to 57% in 2021. Twice as many US programs ranked in the top 50 according to the US News & World Report reported an increase in applications from international candidates (73%), while programs ranked 51-100 by The Financial Times also reported significant growth in applications from international candidates (58%).
More women heading to business school
In a year when The Wharton School surpassed the historic milestone of 50% women in the MBA Class of 2023, the GMAC Application Trends Survey also captured the increase in demand from women for full-time MBA programs.
Over half of full-time one-year (52%) and two-year (56%) MBA programs reported an increase in applications from women in 2021. By contrast, programs such as the part-time MBA, executive MBA, and online MBA programs ― those geared toward the needs of working professionals ― saw their share in those reporting application growth among women at the lowest level since 2017.
"Studies show that gender diversity in the classroom and at work improves productivity, innovation ... [+] and decision-making, and the better we get at closing the gap, the better the outcome for business and society at large." Nalisha Patel, GMAC Europe Director - Europe
Nalisha Patel stresses how important the increase towards gender parity is for women in business. "It provides them with a competitive advantage and the confidence to take the lead at work and launch successful businesses of their own. Studies show that gender diversity in the classroom and at work improves productivity, innovation and decision-making, and the better we get at closing the gap, the better the outcome for business and society at large."
In addition, it seems women are more interested on refocusing and reshaping their career trajectories than men following the pandemic. Three in five (60%) full-time two-year MBA programs reported an increase in applications from female candidates compared to two in five (43%) programs reporting growth from male candidates. In comparison, a much smaller share of online MBA programs (42%) reported growth in applications from female candidates, indicating women's preference to return to in-person, full time learning. Patel says "it is really encouraging to see that more women are applying to business school, especially to in-person, full-time MBA programs. We've all benefited from being able to balance remote work and home life during the pandemic, together with the time to assess what is important to us, and this may have contributed to women, and indeed other groups, having more confidence to pursue Graduate Management Education."
In the U.S., underrepresented minorities (URM) reported a similar desire to study on campus. More full-time two-year MBA programs reported growth in URM applications in 2021 (56%) compared to pre-pandemic 2019 (37%) or the online program (30%). among them, female URM candidates demonstrated an impressive 22 percent increase between 2019 (38%) to 2021 (60%) in their share of applications for full-time two-year MBA programs.
Despite this being a step forward in equality within business, Patel warns "while the numbers are encouraging and heading in the right direction, there is still a lot more to do. GMAC's own research on diversity found that women are still underrepresented globally in graduate management education, a phenomenon particularly apparent in Europe with only 38% of graduate business degree holders being women, notably lower than the global average of 45%.". Improving access for underrepresented groups is a key focus for Patel in her new leadership role at GMAC.
What does this mean for the future of graduate management education ?
As it turns out, the pandemic was not all bad news. Before COVID hit, the number of applications for GME programs hit a three-year low. Yet, now more than ever, candidates are looking to widen their skillset, knowledge and understanding of business and are turning to business schools to help them do so. Global and domestic demand for graduate management education is showing no signs of slowing down. However, as Patel notes, there is always more that can be done. "Domestic candidates pose a significant challenge for business schools in the region and they need to not lose sight on business talent from their own backyard and leave them unmatched."

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Infographic: World Wealth Report 2016
Date icon	June 23, 2016
The World Wealth Report 2016 from Capgemini has built a strong and lasting reputation as the industry benchmark for tracking High Net Worth Individuals (HNWIs) at a global, regional and country level. The report includes insights from the Global HNW Insights Survey, capturing feedback from more than 5,200 HNWIs. Explore the infographic for a summary […]
The World Wealth Report 2016 from Capgemini has built a strong and lasting reputation as the industry benchmark for tracking High Net Worth Individuals (HNWIs) at a global, regional and country level. The report includes insights from the Global HNW Insights Survey, capturing feedback from more than 5,200 HNWIs.
Explore the infographic for a summary of 2016 Report findings or dive deep in to the report by visiting our interactive website at www.worldwealthreport.com.
wwr_2016_infographic.jpg
File size: 680.99 KB	File type: JPEG image
World wealth
State of the World's Wealth


The moral of the story is that one who looks upon Christ will be saved from spiritual death, not "don't complain or God will kill you."
In Numbers 21:5-9, God teaches the Children of Israel an important lesson not only about obedience, but about the future atonement of Jesus Christ.
The moral of the story is that one who looks upon Christ will be saved from spiritual death, not "don't complain or God will kill you." The snake on the pole is a representation of Christ and the atonement. Those that simply looked at it were saved from physical death. Those that look upon and accept Christ are saved from spiritual death. What is amazing is that there were people who simply wouldn't look at it, despite how easy it would have been to do so. They simply refused to believe.
Moses lifts up the bronze serpent to the Israelites.
God doesn't like to hear whining and ingratitude so he sends out a bunch of snakes to kill the people. When the people had enough of the snakes, they ask Moses to tell God to quit it. God decides Moses is persuasive and tells Moses to put a snake a pole and tell the people to look at the pole and they won't die. So, the pole is built, the people look at it and they don't die. The moral of the story? Don't whine or God will send in the snakes.
Latter-day Saints do not believe in a "part-time racist," "psychopathic schizophrenic" god. Some Latter-day Saints do indeed believe that God has more than one wife, and some do not. There is no official Church position on this subject. Latter-day Saints are not "asked to believe" in a racist, polygamous or "psychopathic schizophrenic" god. Such hyperbole obscures and mocks the true nature of the God that we believe in. The sarcastic version of the story offered by the critic robs it of any coherent meaning.
The critic uses a variety of passages from the scriptures to portray God as capricious and uncaring. If the Children of Israel "whine," God will "send in the snakes." God is "psychopathic" and "schizophrenic." He completely misses the point of and the significance of the scriptural events described.
Author Richard Abanes in his critical book One Nation Under Gods claims that Dallin Oaks told Mormons in 1995 "that so-called Christianity sees God as an entirely different kind of being." He cites Dallin H. Oaks, "Apostasy and Restoration ," Ensign, May 1995, 84. However, Elder Oaks made no such claim.
The received language of the Bible remained, but the so-called "hidden meanings" of scriptural words were now explained in the vocabulary of a philosophy alien to their origins.
Elder Oaks does not deny the label of Christian to others who differ with us, or think that we do not also have many points in common.
In common with the rest of Christianity, we believe in a Godhead of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Like other Christians, we believe in a heaven or paradise and a hell following mortal life, but to us that two-part division of the righteous and the wicked is merely temporary, while the spirits of the dead await their resurrections and final judgments.
It is the reality of these glorious possibilities that causes us to proclaim our message of restored Christianity to all people, even to good practicing Christians with other beliefs.
Other councils followed, and from their decisions and the writings of churchmen and philosophers there came a synthesis of Greek philosophy and Christian doctrine in which the orthodox Christians of that day lost the fulness of truth about the nature of God and the Godhead. The consequences persist in the various creeds of Christianity, which declare a Godhead of only one being and which describe that single being or God as "incomprehensible" and "without body, parts, or passions." One of the distinguishing features of the doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is its rejection of all of these postbiblical creeds (italics added).
↑ Jeffery R. Holland, "The Cost—and Blessings—of Discipleship," April 2014 General Conference.


text:
A blossoming partnership...
Lewis Travis and Bradley Johnson have been the two enforcers in Tony Mowbray's midfield all season in the league
Lewis Travis and Bradley Johnson have been Tony Mowbray's go-to partnership throughout the Championship campaign so far.
The pairing have been the midfield double act for Mowbray in each of the first five Championship outings this term.
One's only 21 whilst the other is 32, but the understanding between the pair is growing as each game passes, with the duo offering solid protection in front of a back five that have kept three successive clean sheets.
"We train day in, day out, and I think a lot just think you turn up and play on a matchday, but a lot of work goes on behind the scenes to develop a partnership and develop an understanding," Travis told iFollow Rovers when asked about his link up with Johnson.
"He is so calm on the ball, can pick the ball up anywhere and pass it. We've been speaking about me dropping deeper and Johnno moving into the opposition box because he has a great header on him and a brilliant shot.
"He can add goals to the team.
"We speak about who sits and who goes in the lead up to games. He's a talker and a fighter who always wants to win, and that really rubs off on everyone in the team.
"He's competitive, as all the lads are. It's good to have other players like myself who are just as desperate to win."
There may be over a decade in age between the two, and Travis is aiming to take on board everything Johnson knows in a bid to add it to his own game.
"Having someone like him alongside me allows me to pick up bits from him and learn," the youngster added.
"With me being young, there's plenty to learn still. I'm not going to kid anyone, I know I'm not the finished article.
"He's been there and done it and has bags of experience that I can learn off.
"Playing week in, week out is good for my confidence. If I can keep doing what I've been doing then it's my shirt to lose."
Lewis Travis
Bradley Johnson
Mowbray irritated by player unavailability
The injury list continues to grow for Tony Mowbray and Rovers, and the boss admits he's tearing his hair out with a number of big names on the sidelines.
Mowbray thrilled with excellent victory
Tony Mowbray was a happy man after seeing his side return to winning ways with a superb display against in form Queens Park Rangers at Ewood Park.
Travis: Good progress on my Rovers return
Lewis Travis is happy with how things are going as he begins to step up his rehabilitation, and is hopeful to be back in action for the festive period.
As you were
Tony Mowbray says there are no fresh injury concerns heading into this weekend's clash at Derby County.


View of the dead Sea from Masada. This was the last stand of the Jews during the Bar Kochba revolt of 135.
Herod the great fortified Masada and created a luxurious palace for himself.
These are frescoes preserved from the first century.
This circular structure was part of the palace.
Part of the elaborate bath system.
The caldarium which heated the water from below.
This entry was posted in Travel and tagged Holy Land, Israel, Masada on December 16, 2016 by frjfkauffmann.


With a wireless guitar system, rock out without tripping on your guitar cables! A wide variety of performers choose to have a wireless guitar system to have great freedom of movement, whether on stage or in the comfort of their home. GH Music stocks a series made by Shure, ensuring quality and reliability. With versatile compatibilityn and easy frequency selection, a wireless guitar system from GH Music is unparalleled in value for money.


It's all grown up. Almost.
Renowned for its anvil-tough construction and smooth performance, the CRF100F features a quiet, powerful and quick-starting air-cooled 4-stroke engine and 5-speed gearbox that makes shifting child's play while developing riding confidence. Its long-legged suspension really soaks up the bumps to deliver just the right combination of lively performance and easy handling. Get ready for long days – and years – of off-road riding enjoyment.
Used by riders of all levels of experience to sharpen their abilities, the powerful but unruffled CRF100F remains the best-selling off-road bike of all time. For 2011 it is updated with new Honda Racing inspired colours and graphics, based on the CRF450R design. As well as new stripes, the CRF100F also gets a new black handlebar and new Power Red seat leather. The rear fender shape has been updated and the fender and side covers are now white, in line with the latest CRF450R.
Thanks to its renowned 99cc four-stroke engine and a manual clutch with smooth, progressive action-just right for mastering the knack of clutch starts and manual shifting-the CRF100F has long stood as the iconic machine for introducing beginners to the joy of riding. Yet this incredibly versatile little machine has also been put to effective use for helping world-class racers to hone their riding skills. With such wide-ranging credentials, the little CRF100F stands tall as one of the most popular off-road bikes in the history of the sport.
Perfect size. Perfect performance. Perfect bike. The CRF100F from Honda.
If you're looking for a flawless off-roader, look no further. Because the CRF100F has the perfect size and the perfect amount of power for a wide range of riders. The 99cc engine, Pro-Link® suspension and smooth-shifting five-speed transmission help build confidence and skill on the trail. While the low weight and seat height make it both easy to handle and fun to ride. And then there's the legendary Honda reliability — the CRF100F is virtually trouble—free, so your outdoor adventures go uninterrupted.
All parents need to consider their youngsters' age, size, ability and maturity before allowing them to ride. Obtain a copy of "Off-Road Safety Tips" from your local Honda Dealer.
Honda's 99cc hassle-free four-stroke engine is central to what makes this bike so fun. It's tough. It's dependable. And it keeps the fun going 'til the sun goes down.
The CRF100F is the starting point for so many new riders, thanks to its manageable size and power. But before you kick it into gear, you should make sure you know the bike, know yourself, and know the sport.
Honda's CRFs have a reputation for toughness. And it all starts with our lightweight steel frame. It's geometrically shaped for proper weight distribution, while delivering the power off-roading demands.
Easy Manual Clutch – Honda's heavy-duty clutch is smooth-shifting and durable, while the CRF100F's five-speed transmission provides optimal gearing for any trail.
Sturdy Steel Frame – The steel frame is fatigue-resistant, delivering years of dependable service. And it's built tough to handle the dings and stresses of off-road use.
Bulletproof Powerplant – A proven four-stroke engine. The valve-guide, valve-stem-seal and piston-ring design minimizes oil consumption, while the closed crankcase vent system safeguards against engine oil contamination.
Pro-Link® Rear Suspension – Progressive linkage connects a single shock to the swingarm. It delivers an ideal combination of spring and damping rates over a wide range of riding conditions with a heavy-duty Showa® rear shock.
Easy Kickstarting – With a CRF100F, there's never any hunting for neutral when you have to start up—you can start it in any gear.


A new detached house designed to match its neighbours in its use of stone and tiles, but not in its form.
The distinctive curved roof maximises the internal space, and the wall of glass to the open plan living room capitalises on the splendid views to the south.
The house is innovative structurally and environmentally: prefabricated engineered timber infills the primary steel frame, a ground source heat pump provides space heating, and a heat recovery ventilation system uses the stale exhaust air to heat the incoming fresh air.
The house has a very small carbon footprint.


text:
A Woman Who Started Smoking at Age 11 Went on to Fight Three Throat Cancer Battles; Understanding Smoking and its Affect on Cancer Risk
Abigail Seaberg
Smoking and Throat Cancer
Sue Mountain began smoking at the age of 11. She has since battled throat cancer three times, but it wasn't until after her most recent diagnosis that she decided to quit smoking altogether.
Throat cancer is a type of head and neck cancer where cancerous cells begin in the throat, voice box or tonsils. It is an HPV-related cancer. One of the the easiest ways to reduce the risk of your children developing the disease is to make sure they get the HPV vaccine, particularly between ages 9 and 12.
Smoking is linked to multiple kinds of cancers, including throat cancer, and it can also effect cancer survival. One of our experts says that, "we know that there is a causal relationship between smoking and both incidents of cancer and the chance of dying from cancer."
Sue Mountain began smoking at the age of 11. Unfortunately, a seemingly innocent attempt to fit in with her peers ended up likely being the cause of her three battles with throat cancer. Now, she's sharing her story in an effort to educate others about smoking and its link to cancer.
For Mountain, smoking became an addiction. She would use her dinner money to buy five cigarettes instead of having lunch and would sometimes even take one of her mother's and hope she didn't notice.
"At the age of 11, you never think you're going to end up addicted, or how smoking is going to damage your life," she wrote in a first-person piece for Metro. "It was the thing to do back then in the 70s and when I joined senior school, you were the odd one out if you didn't smoke."
Her peers and her family smoked, so Mountain didn't see anything wrong with it. And it wasn't until the 90s that she started considering the health risks. She even switched to menthol cigarettes at that point, thinking they were healthier, when, in reality, they are not.
Then, her father developed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) which left him unable to walk on his own and function without a breathing apparatus.
"I knew I needed to stop but I just couldn't," Mountain wrote. "[My father] was a businessman and to see such a strong man deteriorate like that, it was horrendous."
Then, in 2010, her own health battles began after noticing a persistent dry throat and lost voice. These conditions continued, and she finally went to get her symptoms checked out in 2012.
"I honestly didn't think it was anything serious, so when I got diagnosed with early-stage laryngeal cancer, I was devastated," she wrote.
That was when she underwent laser treatment and gave up smoking for the first time. But about three months after she received the "all clear" from her doctors, Mountain picked up smoking again.
"I just needed something to help me get through a tough time," she wrote. "I smoked on the sly, hiding it from my three daughters as I knew they would be really upset that I had started again. Unfortunately, they found out and I promised to stop, but I didn't."
Since she had already overcame her first battle with the disease, she thought it wouldn't happen again. Unfortunately, she was mistaken. She kept having issues with her throat and voice again and discovered that her cancer had returned in 2015. She then underwent more laser treatment and got another all clear but that still didn't get her to stop smoking.
"It had taken control of me; it was the first thing I thought about when I woke up and it got to the stage where I didn't see the point in stopping," she wrote. "The only time I did was for the two days before my consultant appointments. As soon as I'd seen him, I would start smoking again."
She was hit with a third diagnosis in 2017, but it was at stage 2 and more aggressive this time. But, eventually, she found the strength to really quit after countless attempts.
"In the end, it was my best friend who brought it home that if I didn't end my addiction, I might not be around for my daughters or my grandchildren," Mountain wrote. "She got through to me and I made the decision there and then."
She quit right before starting five days of radiotherapy for four weeks, but her recovery wasn't easy and her voice will never be the same.
"I couldn't eat, couldn't drink, I had a tube down my throat for three months. I was so weak all I could do was lie on the sofa," she wrote. "I now talk a different way. My speech has changed – my vocal cords are all scarred now. This has become normal for me."
Thankfully, she's cancer-free today, but she still thinks about all the harm that smoking has caused her family and her.
"Looking back, I wish I had never started and I especially feel guilty about smoking in front of my children and the worry they went through with my illness," she wrote. "Even after cancer, I am one of the lucky ones to still be here. But I know the heartbreak that smoking can cause. I don't want my grandchildren to go through what I went through and I think that view is shared by many people who have smoked."
Her advice to smokers is simple: "Stop."
"Don't wait until you get to the point where you can't walk up the stairs anymore, or get told you have cancer," she wrote. "Get help. Use quitting aids. Ask your stop smoking service or doctor. You can absolutely do it."
Understanding Throat Cancer
Throat cancer is a type of head and neck cancer where cancerous cells begin in the throat, voice box or tonsils. Some of the main risk factors for this disease include smoking, drinking alcohol, a diet lacking in fruits or vegetables, acid reflux disease and the human papillomavirus (HPV). So, one of the easiest ways to decrease your chances of developing the disease is to get the HPV vaccine
RELATED: Breaking: HPV Vaccine Not Recommended For Adults Over 26, Per New American Cancer Society Guidelines
The American Cancer Society recommends that boys and girls get the HPV vaccine between ages 9 and 12. The organization also stresses that teens and young adults through age 26 who are not already vaccinated should get the HPV vaccine as soon as possible. Dr. Jessica Geiger, a medical oncologist at Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center, explains the link between throat cancer and HPV in a previous interview with SurvivorNet.
Get the Facts: What Do We Know About HPV-Linked Throat Cancer?
"There are no screening guidelines to screen for throat cancer, unlike cervical cancer with pap smears. And there are no standard tests to determine if you harbor the (HPV) virus," she said. "However, there is no concern that you're going to spread this cancer to your partner or to anyone else, because at this point your partner has already been exposed to the virus and likely cleared it."
Advice for Quitting Smoking
Another way to decrease your risk of developing throat cancer, as well as other types of cancer, is to quit smoking.
"We know that there is a causal relationship between smoking and both incidents of cancer and the chance of dying from cancer," Dr. Andrea Tufano-Sugarman of NYU Langone Health previously told SurvivorNet. "And there are very few things in science that have a cause and effect relationship, but this is one of them, which is very powerful."
That being said, we have seen a concerning development in smoking rates in recent years. In fact, a recent report revealed that annual cigarette sales went up for the first time in 20 years in 2020. This is an issue because, as we've said before, smoking is linked to multiple kinds of cancers, like throat cancer, but it can also effect cancer survival.
Dr. Tufano-Sugarman often counsels cancer patients who are trying to quit smoking, which, she says, is similar to counseling other smokers.
RELATED: Quitting Smoking Early Pays Off: New Research Finds that Smokers Who Quit By 45 Reduce Their Excess Lung Cancer Risk by 87%; Tips For Quitting
When Dr. Tufano-Sugarman works with people with cancer, counseling is often paired with nicotine replacement therapy. She typically prescribes a daily nicotine patch to manage withdrawal symptoms, as well as a fast-acting option to curb cravings like a nicotine gum, inhaler, or spray.
Her main message for people trying to quit smoking is that the process is not always linear.
"There's going to be slip-ups and relapses," she said. "But above all, it's never too late to stop."
Strategies for Managing Tobacco Cravings:
Nicotine replacement therapy. As Dr. Tufano-Sugarman discussed, nicotine replacement therapy is one of the main tools that smokers have at their disposal. Long-acting therapies like nicotine patches can be paired with short acting therapies (including nicotine gum, lozenges, nasal spray, and inhalers) to cope with intense cravings. More research will be needed to gauge the effectiveness of other smoking substitutes like e-cigarettes and vapes.
Steer clear of triggers. Cravings can be provoked by situations that you are used to having tobacco in. It can help to familiarize yourself with these environments and make plans for how you can manage them without tobacco or how you can avoid them completely.
Wait. If you feel yourself on the brink of giving in to a tobacco craving, delay smoking for 10 minutes and do something else to distract yourself. Move to a no-smoking area to make it less convenient for you to smoke. Cravings can often subside if given time.
Chew something. Whether it's gum, candy, or vegetables, chew something that will occupy your mouth as you resist your cravings.
Don't give in to the "just one more" mentality. Smoking once just leads to smoking again. Be careful not to convince yourself that you can satisfy a tobacco craving and then quit after that.
Exercise more. Boosting your physical activity can distract you from tobacco cravings and also make them less intense. Exercise can mean a lot of different things—even short periods of physical activity can help tobacco cravings go away.
Try relaxation techniques. Finding new ways of dealing with stress can be an important part of quitting smoking. Techniques like deep-breathing, yoga, visualization, muscle relaxation, and massage can open new doors for the way you relate to stress and smoking.
Reach out for support. Establishing strong support systems is essential both for people battling cancer and people battling tobacco addiction. Calling a friend or family member to talk on the phone or go for a walk can help remind you that you're not in this alone.
Research other resources. The Mayo Clinic recommends a free telephone line—800-QUIT-NOW (800-784-8669)—for support and counseling. Additionally, there are online support groups for smokers trying to quit, and blogs where people write about how they manage the same challenges you are facing.
Remind yourself why you want to quit. Whether your goal is to feel better, get healthier, save money, or prepare for cancer treatment, it can help to write down or speak aloud the reason you decided to quit in the first place.
Contributing: Joe Kerwin
A Woman's 'Toothache' Was Dismissed by Doctors, Now She had Stage Four Sinus Cancer
'Alaskan Bush People' Star Bear Brown Ties the Knot With Bride Raiven Adams
11-Year-Old Boy Will Finally Spend Christmas Home After Two Years of Treatment for Leukemia
Remembering 'The Odd Couple' Star, Two-Time Cancer Survivor Jack Klugman Who Died 8 Years Ago at Age 90
Pancreatic Cancer Rates are Rising In Women Aged 15 to 34; How To Spot Symptoms Early
An X-Ray Following a Car Accident Leads to a Radio Journalist's Lung Cancer Diagnosis
11-Year-Old Texas Boy Will Finally Spend Christmas At Home After Two Years of Treatment for Leukemia; His Parents Adopted Him at Age 2 with Cancer
Remembering 'The Odd Couple' Star, Two-Time Cancer Survivor Jack Klugman Who Died at Age 90; The Actor's History of Smoking-Related Cancer
Pancreatic Cancer Rates are Rising In Women Aged 15 to 34, According to New Research; How To Recognize Symptoms
Thankful Minnesota Journalist Totals Her Car, Then Learns She Has Lung Cancer: 'I'm Just Trying to Be Brave…And Really Grateful'


I probably didn't earn the right to say "finally". I mean, he was born two days before his due date. But, the reality is, I had so much false labor that tricked me into thinking he'd be a couple weeks early like Ira AND the final month of pregnancy felt more like a year...hence, the "finally".
Soren Devin was born at 12:30AM on April 27th. He weighed 7 lbs, 13 oz and was 20.5 inches at birth. Birth was uncomplicated (birth story coming!) and he is healthy and thriving. For that we are so thankful and feel very blessed.
He was so familiar to me right when he came out. The resounding theme is that he looks like Ira, which we definitely agree with, but see glimpses of Henrik, especially in his darker hair/coloring. He's only 5 days old, so I'm not making any blanket statements, but so far he's been content and our most chill newborn of the three.
It's still sinking in that we have three sons to shepherd in this complicated world and the weight of that is very present. But joy is present too. So much joy in these three boys!
Brothers are adjusting really well. Henrik loves him and has been super excited to be around him and hold him. Ira pretends to be excited for awhile with Henrik but loses interest a lot faster. We're easing into life with Devin off work and trying to all enjoy this beautiful spring weather together.
My recovery, both physically and mentally, has gotten so much easier with each baby so I feel glad to be doing this for the third time and not the first.
During labor, birth and the first hour of recovery I felt a lot of heaviness. I think mostly the pain and fatigue really messed with me, but when I looked over at Devin holding Soren for the first time I felt this wave of relief and joy and thought "wow, this baby has no idea how lucky he is to have the dad he does". Somehow this moment settled me and seemed lift the heaviness I was feeling.
So much enthusiasm from the older brothers!
Look at these precious, handsome boys! Thank you Jesus!
So thankful you have that behind you!
This whole post is one huge Praise! Love these 3 boys!!
Oh man! I'm so thankful he's here and I can't wait to get to know this little man. Rejoicing with your sweet family!!!!
Oh this is so great. I absolutely love the one of you showing him to the boys for the first time. Love Devin's smile in the background and you look so happy (and young too. :) Love you all and can't wait to introduce Soren to Cal!


MACATE Group, Corppration ("MACATE") operates the PHOTOLENZER.com website and service (the "Website"). MACATE is sometimes hereinafter referred to as "we" or "us." PLEASE READ THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE USING THE WEBSITE. This is a legal agreement between MACATE and you, the individual or entity using or accessing the Website. BY USING OR ACCESSING THE WEBSITE, OR CLICKING "ACCEPT"OR "I AGREE BELOW,"YOU ARE CONFIRMING YOUR UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE OF THE FOLLOWING TERMS AND CONDITIONS. IF YOU DO NOT ACCEPT THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS, DO NOT USE THE WEBSITE.
2. Product Orders. All orders placed through the Website are subject to MACATE's acceptance, which is in its sole and absolute discretion. Without limitation, this means that MACATE may refuse to accept or may cancel any order, whether or not the order has been confirmed, for any or no reason, in its sole and absolute discretion, and without liability to you or any third party. If your credit card has already been charged for an order that is subsequently cancelled, MACATE shall issue a credit to your credit card account.
5. Use of the Website. The Website design and all text, graphics, information, content, and other material displayed on or that can be downloaded from the Website are either the property of, or used with permission by, MACATE and are protected by copyright, trademark and other laws and may not be used except as permitted in these Terms and Conditions or with the prior written permission of the owner of such material. You may not modify the information or materials located on the Website in any way or reproduce or publicly display, perform, or distribute or otherwise use any such materials for any public or commercial purpose. Any unauthorized use of any such information or materials may violate copyright laws, trademark laws, laws of privacy and publicity, and other laws and regulations. No portion or element of the Website or its content may be copied or retransmitted via any means. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account information and password and for restricting access to such information and to your computer. You agree to accept responsibility for all activities that occur under your account or password.
6. Copyrights. The copyright in all content is and remains owned by MACATE. Except as may be otherwise indicated in specific documents within the Website, you are authorized to view, play, print and download documents, audio and video found on the Website for personal, informational, and non-commercial purposes only. You may not modify any of the information and you may not copy, distribute, transmit, display, perform, reproduce, publish, license, create derivative works from, transfer or sell any content. Except as authorized under the law relating to copyright, you may not reuse any content without first obtaining the written consent of MACATE. For purposes of these terms, the use of any such material on any other website or networked computer environment is prohibited. You will not remove any copyright, trademark or other proprietary notices from material found on the Website. In the event you download software (including but not limited to screensavers, icons, videos and wallpapers) from the Website, the software, including any files, images incorporated in or generated by the software, and data accompanying the software (the "Software") are licensed to you by MACATE. MACATE does not transfer title to the Software to you. You may own the medium on which the Software is recorded, but MACATE retains full and complete title to the Software, and all intellectual property rights therein. You may not redistribute, sell, decompile, reverse engineer, disassemble, or otherwise reduce the Software to a human-readable form.
7. Trademarks. Certain trademarks, trade names, service marks and logos used or displayed on the Website are registered and unregistered trademarks, trade names and service marks of MACATE and/or our affiliates. Other trademarks, trade names and service marks used or displayed on the Website are the registered and unregistered trademarks, trade names and service marks of their respective owners. Nothing contained on the Website grants or should be construed as granting, by implication, estoppel, or otherwise, any license or right to use any trademarks, trade names, service marks or logos displayed on the Website without our written permission or the written permission of such third party owner. You may not use, copy, reproduce, republish, upload, post, transmit, distribute, or modify MACATE trademarks in any way, including in advertising or publicity pertaining to distribution of materials on the Website, without MACATE's prior written consent. The use of MACATE trademarks on any other website or network computer environment, for example the storage or reproduction of (a part of) the Website in any external internet site or the creation of links, hypertext, links or deep links between the Website and any other internet site, is prohibited without the express written consent of MACATE.
11.2 We do not guarantee the accuracy, integrity or quality of User Communications, and cannot assure that harmful, inaccurate, deceptive, offensive, threatening, defamatory, unlawful or otherwise objectionable User Communications will not appear on the Website. You acknowledge that by providing you with the ability to access and view User Communications on the Website, MACATE is merely acting as a passive conduit for such distribution and is not undertaking any obligation or liability relating to any User Communications or activities of users on the Website. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, you acknowledge and agree that the information, materials and opinions expressed or included in any User Communications are not necessarily those of MACATE or its affiliated or related entities or content providers. We will have no liability related to the content of any such User Communications, whether or not arising under the laws of copyright, libel, privacy, obscenity, or otherwise. MACATE does not, and you agree that MACATE has no obligation to, monitor or review any User Communications. We shall have no obligation to use, return, review, or respond to any User Communications.
11.3 Notwithstanding the foregoing, you acknowledge and agree that MACATE has the absolute right to monitor User Communications posted to the Website in its sole discretion. In addition, MACATE reserves the right to alter, edit, refuse to post or remove any such User Communications, in whole or in part, for any reason or for no reason, and to disclose such User Communications and the circumstances surrounding their transmission to any third party.
11.4 You agree that you shall immediately notify MACATE in writing of any objectionable content appearing on the Website. MACATE will make good-faith efforts to investigate allegations that any User Communications violate these Terms and Conditions but (a) makes no warranty to you that it will edit, remove, or continue to permit the display of any specific User Communications, whether or not subject to such allegations, and (b) will have no liability whatsoever for editing, removing, or continuing to permit the display of any User Communications whatsoever.
11.5 Any use of any content on the Website, including, without limitation, User Communications will be at your own risk. WITHOUT LIMITING THE GENERALITY OF THE FOREGOING, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT MACATE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY USER GENERATED CONTENT THAT PURPORTS TO GIVE MEDICAL ADVICE OR ADVICE REGARDING PERSONAL, GROUP OR CORPORATE SAFETY AND SECURITY, FITNESS TRAINING, EXERCISE, OR DIET. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF YOUR PHYSICIAN OR OTHER QUALIFIED HEALTH PROVIDER WITH ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE REGARDING A MEDICAL CONDITION OR A PHYSICAL FITNESS PROGRAM.
12.3 WE DISCLAIM ANY AND ALL LIABILITY FOR THE ACTS, OMISSIONS AND CONDUCT OF ANY USERS OR OTHER THIRD PARTIES IN CONNECTION WITH OR RELATED TO YOUR USE OF THE WEBSITE. YOU ASSUME TOTAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR USE OF THE WEBSITE AND ANY LINKED SITES. YOUR SOLE REMEDY AGAINST MACATE OR ITS AFFILIATES FOR DISSATISFACTION WITH THE WEBSITE OR ANY CONTENT IS TO STOP USING THE WEBSITE OR ANY SUCH CONTENT. THIS LIMITATION OF RELIEF IS A PART OF THE BARGAIN BETWEEN THE PARTIES.
13.2 IN THE EVENT OF ANY PROBLEM WITH THE WEBSITE OR ANY CONTENT, YOU AGREE THAT YOUR SOLE REMEDY IS TO CEASE USING THE WEBSITE. IN THE EVENT OF ANY PROBLEM WITH THE PRODUCTS OR SERVICES THAT YOU HAVE PURCHASED ON OR THROUGH THE WEBSITE, YOU AGREE THAT YOUR SOLE REMEDY, IF ANY, IS FROM THE MANUFACTURER OF SUCH PRODUCTS OR SUPPLIER OF SUCH SERVICES, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUCH MANUFACTURER'S OR SUPPLIER'S WARRANTY, OR TO SEEK A RETURN AND REFUND FOR SUCH PRODUCT OR SERVICES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RETURNS AND REFUNDS POLICIES ( see Return Policy) POSTED ON THE WEBSITE.
14. Indemnification. You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless MACATE, its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, agents, licensors and suppliers from and against all claims, losses, expenses, damages and costs, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees and paraprofessional fees, arising from or relating in any way to your use of the Website.
17. Choice of Law; Jurisdiction. These Terms and Conditions supersede any other agreement between you and us to the extent necessary to resolve any inconsistency or ambiguity between them. These Terms and Conditions will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Florida, without giving effect to any principles of conflicts of laws and not by the 1980 U.N. Convention on contracts for the international sale of goods. You agree that you will not assert any objection to the court's personal jurisdiction over you, or to the convenience of the forum. A printed version of these Terms and Conditions shall be admissible in judicial and administrative proceedings based upon or relating to these Terms and Conditions to the same extent and subject to the same conditions as other business documents and records originally generated and maintained in printed form. Except where prohibited, you agree that any and all disputes, claims and legal proceedings directly or indirectly arising out of or relating to the Website (including but not limited to the purchase of MACATE products) shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, and exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Miami-Dade County, Florida. Any cause of action or claim you may have with respect to the Website (including but not limited to the purchase of MACATE products) must be commenced within one (1) year after the claim or cause of action arises. By using the Website, you agree to receive electronic communications from MACATE. You agree that any notice, agreement, disclosure or other communication that MACATE sends you electronically will satisfy any legal communication requirements, including that such communications be in writing. MACATE's failure to insist upon or enforce strict performance of any provision of these Terms and Conditions shall not be construed as a waiver of any provision or right. Neither the course of conduct between the parties nor trade practice shall act to modify any of these Terms and Conditions. MACATE may assign its rights and duties under this Agreement to any party at any time without notice to you.


Aston Martin and Quintessence Yachts are celebrating the upcoming launch of the new AM37 powerboat by showcasing its innovative design during the prestigious Milan Design Week, Salone del Mobile.
Goldfinch will unveil its new grand piano, designed precisely to perfectly fit the dimensions of a superyacht, at Northrop & Johnson's display at the 2016 Palm Beach International Boat Show, March 17 to 20.
In a world preview, Breguet unveils its pre-Basel highlight for 2016, a Classique timepiece adorned with one of the most poetic complications in watchmaking: the moon phase.
On the occasion of Baselworld 2016, Thomas Mercer further expands its range of precision chronometers by moving away from the ocean to bring its signature values of accuracy and aesthetics into home interiors.
Celestyal Cruises today announced it has completed the installation of 43 new balconies on the Celestyal Crystal: 26 new balconies were added to cabins on Deck 6 and 17 new balconies were added to cabins on Deck 7. Eight of the ship's existing balconies were refurbished and extended.


anxiety – Who is Shenise G?
I've got to get through this. Lately, I'm finding myself frustrated with every part of my life.
With Dance, I can't seem to stop judging and comparing myself to the people around me. I feel like a stand out because of my age and race…My insecurities are affecting my confidence and my attitude. I just want to be successful so badly that I'm pressuring myself and expecting too much too soon. I'm feeling stressed instead of having fun expressing myself.
I really need to relax.


looking what i can find here. . .
i'm a person who likes to talk alot. anything that is under the sun. i get along well with most people i know. a straightfroward person, who like to be treated the same. is very giving and kind but can be as bad as she can when provoked.
watching movies, reading books/novels and travelling are the things i love to do whenever i find time.
he must be smart and also likes to talk alot. a down to earth guy who likes to go camping, hiking and other adventures in life and would gladly do it with me.
ynzkie hasn't asked any friends to write a recommendation yet.


text:
Top Headlines | À la une
RMC Alumni Association / October 24, 2007
RMC to Retire Basketball Jersey #22
By WJO
Four time Tommy Smart winner – 22909 Kevin Dulude (RMC '04) widely considered one of the greatest OUA / CIS basketball players ever will be honoured by RMC at a ceremony on Friday, 9 November as part of the opening of the 2007/08 OUA basketball season.
The ceremony itself will take place at approx 1950hrs – the pre-game warmup for the game will be interrupted for 5-10 minutes in order to honour the former RMC – All Canadian, then the teams will conclude their warmup and the game will start as per normal. An informal social event will take place following the game for family & friends of RMC basketball. It will take place in one of the rooms at the KMCSC.
Arguably the best varsity athlete at RMC in its 131 year history, Dulude holds the two most significant Ontario University Athletics basketball records – all time scoring and all time rebounding. His 2092 "career" points scored are 355 more then second place, Kevin Stienstra (Brock 2001-06), and at the other end of the floor – his 1165 career rebounds sits him 157 ahead of ironically the same Kevin Stienstra who finished up at 1008.
Individual records aside Dulude brought a level of competitiveness to the RMC varsity sports scene seldom seen since the college was realigned in the early 1970s with what was formerly known as the OUAA and is now the OUA. In his graduation year, the Men's basketball team ended the regular season with 14 wins and only eight losses. That accomplishment earned the basketball Paladins a berth in the play-offs, losing a sudden death game to York 56-43.
To put the Kevin Dulude presence in more perspective – the men's basketball team are a combined one win and 43 regular season losses since he left RMC.
Kevin Dulude was a versatile power forward. He often reminded us of a power running back similar in style to an Emmet Smith formerly of the Dallas Cowboys. Which likely goes back to his number one sport during high school – tackle football.
The versatile, sharp-shooting Dulude made his name stepping up his play in critical situations as his career stats will testify at both ends of the court. He was at his best performance in the closer games.
Kevin appeared to possess an uncanny and unparalleled ability to anticipate and react to the strategies and moves of his opponents. Allowing him to intercept passes and create turnovers. All this is due in no small measure to the extra time he spent practicing and working out, consistently on his own during the off season. Rolande and I often observed him on the way to the "gym" during the dog days of summer. Much later, the same day – we would be walking past the basketball floor and sure enough there he was by himself practicing.
Statistics aside, Dulude was perhaps best known as a fierce competitor and outstanding team leader.
The fact that RMC has seen fit to honour him is indeed significant. Former teammates, former varsity athletes, friends of RMC basketball and the entire Ex cadet community are invited to attend the ceremony which will take place just 10 minutes or so before tip off time – of the 2007-08 OUA basketball opener against the University of Guelph, 9 November. 8PM is the scheduled start time for the game.
For those unable to attend but would like to send "well wishes" to Kevin Dulude may do so by contacting [email protected]
Deaths | deces
What's Happening At RMC | Que se passe-t-il au CMR?
Jim Gerhart
Tremendous, Kevin, and congratulations on your accomplishments and their recognition!
I only saw one of your games (vs. Queens) and was impressed with both the caliber and intensity of your play. I was a guard on the Varsity Basketball team from 1973-75. My first year on the team was RMC's last year in the QUAA. We finished with a 12-6 record and made the playoffs, losing to Loyola (now part of Concordia) in the semi-finals. I think that was probably the last RMC basketball team to make the playoffs prior to your arrival. The next year we moved to the OUAA, and didn't win a league game for the next two years, so I understand the magnitude of what you and your team accomplished.
As I recall, one of my teammates on the 1973 team, Rod Capern, made the QUAA all-star team. I believe you played with one of his sons. Then one of my teammates on the 1975 team, Tony Tasker, was either an all-star or honourable mention in the OUAA. I know what tremendous players they were, but clearly their accomplishments pale in comparison to yours.
You have been given a gift, not just as an athlete, but in leadership ability and the training you have received at RMC. Always remember, of those who much is given, much is expected. Never forget to give back freely of your gifts to others. Personally, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to go on to coach youth basketball for twelve years and found it highly rewarding.
I wish you all the best with your career and your future!
TDV,


Middlemarch: The Series is a brand new comedy/drama LGBTQ+ web series adaptation of George Eliot's Middlemarch.
Middlemarch: The Series is a romantic web series following a group of students at Lowick College in the fictional town of Middlemarch, Connecticut. Based on George Eliot's Victorian novel, the web series is a modern, gender-bent take on the classic in a vlog-style.
The series was produced by a small group of Yale students over the course of the 2016-2017 academic year. It was produced by a one-person crew and a $1,000 budget. The series was created, written, directed, shot, and edited by Rebecca Shoptaw. Shoptaw also happens to be the director behind a number of award-winning short films, such as Sonnet 23 and Infinite Rose. The series stars Mia Fowler as Dot Brooke. Recently finished, the series is now airing on Youtube.
Shoptaw explains she created the series due to her "desire to get more positive LGBTQ representation on screen." She then found that by gender-bending a number of characters, she could create a cast of LGBTQ+ characters who are both lovable and deeply ordinary. The characters in Middlemarch set out to change the world, and then have to figure out how to live in it. Ultimately, it's a coming-of-age story in which the characters need to find out who they are and what they want.
Make sure to follow their Tumblr, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news and updates on Middlemarch.


text:
Home/Tech/Uber to pay $9m in sex-assault report settlement
Uber to pay $9m in sex-assault report settlement
Current AffairsDecember 3, 2021
bbc– Uber is to pay $9m (£6.8m) to settle a complaint over its sexual-assault and harassment reporting in California.
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) had told Uber to hand over information about assault and harassments – but it did not do so.
At the time, Uber had argued it would be a "shocking violation of privacy" for victims.
The payment – reduced from an initial $59m fine – will help fund passenger-safety promotion, CPUC said.
The settlement between Uber, CPUC, and the Rape Abuse and Incest National Network (Rainn) brings to an end a dispute lasting almost two years, over whether Uber should hand over records about reported incidents involving its drivers.
Uber had argued that disclosing such records publicly could be traumatic for those who had been assaulted and might discourage reports in the future – particularly because CPUC was asking for the names of all "witnesses" – which would include those attacked.
Rainn had raised similar concerns about whether the California officials would be able to treat the sensitive information with appropriate care.
Why is it so hard to find a minicab?
US sues Uber for overcharging disabled people
But the CPUC said it only needed the information "under seal" – meaning the details of each individual case would be kept secret. It suggested Uber's response was an "effort to frustrate commission oversight".
In December 2020, a year on, CPUC initially fined Uber $59m (£44.5m) for refusing to comply.
But following Uber's appeal, it agreed this week's settlement of $9m, as a result of which:
$5m will be spent on "victims of violence and sexual violence", preferably those who were passengers
$4m will be spent on addressing violence in the "passenger carrier industry"
Uber will pay an extra $150,000 to the California state general fund
Uber will also provide reports to California officials from now on, using "unique identifiers", rather than names, to protect the identities of individuals. It will also build an "opt-in" process for "survivors" who want to provide more information about what happened to state officials.
In a statement, Uber said it was "glad the full commission has adopted this agreement", adding: "Most importantly, we can move forward with a solution that preserves the privacy and agency of survivors."
CPUC said the reduction of the planned $59m fine was, in part, down to months of negotiations where "all parties gain advantages and give concessions".
The ride-hailing app had been under pressure to disclose details about its safety record, and first published its US-based safety report in December 2019, with a promise to release a further report every two years.
The 2021 edition has not yet been published. But the first report showed that Uber had nearly 6,000 reports of sexual assault in 2017 and 2018 – a number the company pointed out was a tiny fraction of the more than two billion rides it provided in that time.
It is not the only such company facing such issues.
Lyft, another ride-hailing app popular in the US, reported more than 4,000 incidents of sexual assaults between 2017 and 2019 in its first safety report published earlier this year.
disclosing settlement
Iran- and China-backed phishers try to hook the Trump and Biden campaigns
Businessman wins 'right to be forgotten on Google
Tesla wins key ruling in legal battle against former employee
Console options without disc drives could be GameStops final death knell
EU tries to shield 2019 election from fake news


text:
'She gave her young life while protecting our community' | Sacramento Police Officer killed in line of duty
Tara O'Sullivan, 26, died at UC Davis Medical Center after being shot by a gunman in north Sacramento.
Author: Staff, ABC10, Associated Press
Updated: 9:24 PM PDT June 20, 2019
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — 4:45 p.m. Thursday update:
Sacramento police are allowing residents in the evacuation area back into their homes.
Sacramento police are mourning the loss of one of their own, a first for the department in over 20 years.
Officer Tara O'Sullivan, 26, died at UC Davis Medical Center hours after a gunman opened fire on her and other officers, Deputy Chief Dave Peletta said during a news conference.
Adel Sambrano Ramos, the man who allegedly shot and killed O'Sullivan, was taken into custody shortly before 2 a.m. Thursday, police officials confirmed. The shooter came out of the home in which he was holed up and surrendered following hours of negotiations, police said. It's unclear what happened during the negotiations that lead to the suspect's arrest.
Timeline: Shooting of slain Sacramento Police Officer Tara O'Sullivan
An outpouring of support for fallen officer Tara O'Sullivan
Who was Sacramento Police Officer Tara O'Sullivan?
Sacramento Police Officer shot and killed responding to domestic disturbance; shooter in custody following standoff
Who was Officer William C. Bean Jr., the last Sacramento Police Officer killed in the line of duty?
Around 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 19, several officers were on a domestic disturbance call along the 200 block of Redwood Avenue in north Sacramento. O'Sullivan was helping a woman collect her belongings and leave a home when she was shot, Sacramento Police Sgt. Vance Chandler said.
The woman O'Sullivan was helping was not hurt. The relationship between her and the gunman wasn't immediately known.
O'Sullivan was in a backyard and officers couldn't reach her because the gunman kept firing, Chandler said.
"Our officers maintained cover in safe positions until we were able to get an armored vehicle in the area," Chandler said.
PHOTOS | Sacramento Police Officer shot and killed investigating domestic disturbance
A law enforcement officer mans a barricade near a home that authorities have surrounded where an armed suspect has taken refuge after shooting a Sacramento police officer, Wednesday, June 19, 2019, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
A woman watches as law enforcement officers surround a home where a gunman has taken refuge after shooting a Sacramento police officer, Wednesday, June 19, 2019, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
A man and woman watch as law enforcement officers surround a home where a gunman has taken refuge after shooting a Sacramento police officer, Wednesday, June 19, 2019, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
A Sacramento Police vehicle passes a roadblock near a home that authorities have surrounded where an armed suspect has taken refuge after shooting a Sacramento police officer, Wednesday, June 19, 2019, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
A law enforcement officer climbs into a tactical vehicle during a standoff with an armed suspect who has taken refuge after shooting a Sacramento police officer, Wednesday, June 19, 2019, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
Sacramento County Sheriff's Department deputies talk, Wednesday, June 19, 2019, on Grove Avenue in Sacramento, Calif., where an armed subject fired on police officers. (Daniel Kim/The Sacramento Bee via AP)
Sacramento police officers respond to a shooting on Redwood Avenue in the Noralto neighborhood, Wednesday, June 19, 2019, in Sacramento, Calif. (Paul Kitagaki Jr./The Sacramento Bee via AP)
A Sacramento Police officer puts up crime scene tape near a home that authorities have surrounded where a gunman has taken refuge after shooting a Sacramento police officer, Wednesday, June 19, 2019, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
A Sacramento Police officer responds to the shooting of a fellow officer in Sacramento, Calif., Wednesday, June 19, 2019. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
Sacramento Police officers respond to a home that authorities have surrounded where a gunman has taken refuge after shooting a Sacramento police officer, Wednesday, June 19, 2019, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
About 50 minutes after she was shot, an armored vehicle showed up and took O'Sullivan to UC Davis Medical Center where she later died after surgery.
Deputy Chief Peletta said O'Sullivan was partnered with a training officer when she was shot just before 6 p.m. She worked with the department's administrative staff from January to July 2018 before joining the Sacramento Police Academy. She graduated from the academy in December 2018.
WATCH MORE: Sacramento Police give update on shooting of Officer Tara O'Sullivan in North Sacramento


text:
is a soccer simulation game, developed by Affect and published by Yojigen, which was released exclusively in Japan in 1994. It features teams from the Japanese high schools. These teams are located on the islands in addition to the mainland.

Two sequels were spawned: Zenkoku Kōkō Soccer 2 and Zenkoku Kōkō Soccer Senshuken '96.

References
 Zenkoku Kōkō Soccer at GameFAQs
 全国高校サッカー at superfamicom.jp
 Zenkoku Kōkō Soccer at superfamicom.org

See also
 All Japan High School Soccer Tournament

1994 video games
Affect (company) games
Yojigen games
High school association football video games
Japan-exclusive video games
Super Nintendo Entertainment System games
Super Nintendo Entertainment System-only games
Video games developed in Japan
Video games set in Japan
Multiplayer and single-player video games

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


TEKTON architekten was one of the winners of the first round of the Who Cares competition. As a result from this, TEKTON has started a collaboration with Data Science Amsterdam to put the acquired knowledge into practice. The goal is to develop an application that offers patients support in order for them to live at home for as long as possible. Patients that would normally require care for simple tasks, can now do these tasks themselves and are made more independent in this way.


text:
Ossessioni. Tre racconti e una riflessione è un'antologia che raccoglie tre racconti ed un breve saggio dello scrittore e drammaturgo tedesco Patrick Süskind.

Trama

L'assillo della profondità (Der Zwang zur Tiefe, 1976)
Una giovane pittrice è ossessionata da una critica negativa, che la definisce di scarsa profondità. La sua opera e la sua vita comincerà a ruotare completamente intorno alla ricerca della profondità.

Una sfida (Ein Kampf, 1985)
Nei Giardini del Lussemburgo si svolge una partita scacchistica fra un vecchio maestro dall'aria umile e dimessa ed un giovane sconosciuto, di bella presenza e dotato di un'alterigia affabulante, che avvince il solito crocchio di spettatori, abituati a veder vincere il maestro. Tutti i presenti, vagheggiando una rivalsa a loro stessi mai riuscita, iniziano a seguire la partita favoreggiando in cuor loro il giovane sconosciuto perfino quando dalle sue mosse sconsiderate si intuisce chiaramente una desolante assenza di talento ed esperienza scacchistica. A nulla vale ovviamente la caparbia perseveranza degli astanti nel voler vedere il giovane per quello che non è: giunto infatti al termine del vicolo cieco in cui da solo si era infilato coi suoi grossolani errori, abbatte sdegnosamente il proprio re in segno di resa e abbandona la scena. Delusi, gli spettatori si rassegnano all'ennesima vittoria del maestro, che, riflettendo, si rende conto di aver consentito che la partita durasse così a lungo solo perché egli stesso era rimasto abbagliato dalla smisurata autoconsiderazione che promanava il suo giovane avversario per il suo aspetto esteriore e per il suo linguaggio corporeo; infine confessa a sé stesso di aver sperato in una sconfitta che lo liberasse finalmente dall'invidia degli altri e dalla sua segregazione nel ruolo di "eterno vincitore".

Il testamento di Maître Mussard (Das Vermächtnis des Maître Mussard), 1986
"[...] il mondo, ti dico, è una conchiglia che si chiude senza pietà".

Il Maestro Orefice Jean-Jacques Mussard, illuminatosi intellettualmente nei salotti più importanti di Parigi, ed ora ritiratosi dalla sua attività, scrive testamento quasi paralizzato nel letto nella sua dimora di Passy. Il testamento in realtà altro non è che la rivelazione che egli fa a un futuro e sconosciuto lettore riguardo ad una scopertà sconvolgente ottenuta dopo anni di studi e di ricerche. Si tratta di un terribile e ineluttabile fenomeno di "conchilizzazione" della realtà fisica: vale a dire un processo di pietrificazione a forma di conchiglia cui tutto il mondo, l'universo, e persino l'uomo sarebbero sottoposti senza possibilità di scampo. Non soltanto il sottosuolo della terra sarebbe ormai quasi del tutto corroso da conchiglie, ma anche gli uomini che invecchiano possono avvertire su di sé l'effetto della conchilizzazione che Mussard individuerebbe ad esempio nell'irrigidimento del proprio corpo in decadenza per via del passare naturale degli anni. Ma al di là delle sue ricerche scientifiche, conclude ormai in procinto di morire, lui stesso è stato testimone di una meravigliosa e terribile visione in giardino poco prima di ammalarsi: una grande conchiglia, elevatasi a vera e propria entità metafisica, che con le sue valve immense avvolge il mondo.

Amnesia in litteris (Amnesie in litteries)

Edizioni

Raccolte di racconti di autori tedeschi
Romanzi scacchistici
Opere di Patrick Süskind


I decided to find out. So I wrote to Lili at her home in Zagreb and asked if she would share a few of her food photography secrets with us.
Lili Basic, food photographer, Zagreb, Croatia.
What is your earliest memory of photography?
My interest in photography started when I was about 14 or 15 years old and I got my first camera as a gift from my parents (no smartphones at that time!). It was nothing fancy but it was pink and it was a camera so I was the happiest girl. At that time I wasn't interested in learning anything technical about photography; I simply enjoyed taking pictures.
You were born in Dubrovnik and lived in Scotland, Kazakhstan, Turkey, and Switzerland before returning to Croatia and settling in Zagreb. Do you find that photographing an unknown city is a good way to get to know its character?
Oh definitely! I enjoy discovering new places with a camera in my hands. Because of it, I pay more attention to details and especially those areas that are not very touristy — the hidden alleys, narrow streets, and corners where you discover the true charm and character of the city. Having said that, sometimes it's also nice to just walk around the new place without a camera, taking in the moment and not carrying heavy gear all the time.
What do you hope your photos say to others?
The most important thing for me is that my photos evoke emotions in viewers and that they tell a story. When somebody writes to me to say that my photo touched them in some way or made them remember a special moment — a smell or taste from their childhood or something like that — it makes me emotional every single time. And that is the main reason why I love photography so much.
When did you start doing professional photography?
In my mid 30s. All the time before that, I felt like something was missing in my life. Photography is so much more than a job to me, it's the way I express myself and how I process a lot of my emotions and life challenges; it's how I see and experience the world around me. I am forever grateful that I managed to get the courage I needed to start learning photography, building my business, and pursuing my dreams.
What drew you to food photography?
In 2014 I started taking my photography more seriously, learning and practicing every single day. I lived in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan. It was winter at the time, and the winters there are very harsh and very, very cold — like -45 Celsius cold! So obviously, during the winter months you spend a lot of time inside. That meant that my usual subjects like travel, architecture, nature, etc. were all impossible to shoot; I had to come up with something interesting I could shoot at home. And that's how I discovered the world of food photography and fell in love straight away!
You use only natural light. Why?
Light is what makes the photo beautiful and sometimes exceptional, and it helps in storytelling, too. I adore natural light, the play of light and shadows, the contrast it creates. For those learning to shoot food in natural light, I advise you to study the light in the area where you shoot — how it changes during the day, when it gets warmer and colder, when you get direct sunlight and when it's softer light. The best light for food photography is the soft, diffused light we get on an overcast day; the worst is direct harsh sunlight. It's best to have only one light source, such as a window, and to place your subject so that the light comes from the side ('sidelight') or from behind ('backlight'). Avoid placing the subject with light coming from the front, as that will result in a flat image with no contrast, and that is not visually pleasing.
You took your photography to the next level with the online Photography Institute. What are some of the lessons you learned there?
The Photography Institute gave me a great starting point in my photography journey. They taught me the technical side and some basic principles. For instance there's the 'rule of thirds.' Imagine breaking an image down into thirds (both horizontally and vertically) so that there are 9 parts. If we place our subject in the intersections or along the lines, the photo becomes more balanced without becoming static, enabling the viewer to interact with it more naturally. I also learned about negative space, the area around the main subject in a photo. Negative space defines and emphasizes the main subject, drawing our eyes to it. It gives our eyes somewhere to rest and prevents an image from appearing too cluttered.
Are there bad photography habits that people should let go of?
For one thing, over-editing a photo (it's good to know when to stop!).
How do you know when you've taken a truly outstanding shot?
Well, that definitely doesn't happen on every shoot, especially for a perfectionist like myself. But honestly, you just feel it. I get really excited like a little kid when I feel that everything is working so well together: light, subject, colors, textures, shapes, composition — and that's when I know I'm getting 'the shot'!
I'll probably never produce masterpiece food photos like Lili's, but she's given me a lot to think about and play around with in my own work. To enjoy more of her mouthwatering images visit Lili's Instagram page and her Traveling Oven website.
And for those of my readers who enjoy photographing food, I'd love to hear your best tips and secrets of success. Of course, your disaster stories are always welcome as well!
Hmmm. The word sounded familiar from my Spanish classes. A greeting, perhaps? I couldn't quite put my finger on the meaning … It wasn't until our rental car was wedged firmly between two stone walls at a bend in the ever-skinnier back lanes that it came to me. "Narrow!" I exclaimed. But of course by then it was too late to avoid disaster.
But Rich is made of sterner stuff. He kept inching forward and back, under the amused gaze of every able-bodied resident of the village, until eventually, with considerable shrieking of metal and loss of paint, he worked the car free. We took another route gingerly back to the plaza, and there, beside the men's bench, we noticed a very large sign advising everyone to park there and walk.
We now take such signs very seriously. In fact, we've made it one of our goals in life never to drive in Europe again if we can help it.
In my Seville neighborhood, the streets were designed for pedestrians and horses, not cars. Delivery trucks and tourists in rented SUVs have taken a lot chunks out of the walls trying to squeeze through.
This is not a commentary on the difficulty of negotiating European roads and traffic. Oh sure, they can be a bit daunting, but hey, Rich and I are both hardened veterans of Boston's back streets, New York City at rush hour, and those desolate Arizona highways where UFOs are so frequently spotted. I grew up in California's car culture, in an area with very limited public transit, and cars really were the only practical way to get around. I bought into the belief that driving long distances is a uniquely American style of independence; it's practically patriotic (as our gas companies and car manufacturers will be the first to tell you).
But now that I live in Spain, with excellent rail service to all of Europe and beyond, I'm delighted to abandon the "freedom of the road" in favor of the luxury of stress-free travel. I no longer wrestle with maps, panic when the GPS cuts out, or engage in heated discussions about why we missed our turn. I don't need to try to figure out the meaning of road signs, comply with Byzantine parking restrictions, or fret about dings and scratches. Instead, I sit in civilized comfort with my coffee, Kindle, and relaxed travel companion, enjoying the scenery and chatting with fellow passengers.
Rich likes to pass the time playing with his food. Try doing this while driving a car — or come to think of it, don't!
Incredibly, many of my fellow Americans do not share my sentiments on the subject of trains, and 27 million of them will be renting cars this year during visits to Europe. Even our closest friends and relatives seem surprised we don't think this is a sound idea. We often have to work very hard to dissuade them from renting a car at the Seville airport, driving it into our neighborhood in the center of town (a nightmare of Biblical proportions), seeking a parking place for upwards of a couple of hours, and finally giving up and driving to the city outskirts to deposit the car at a large parking garage, where it will remain for the duration of their stay.
Another firmly embedded belief is that cars are somehow faster and more efficient than trains. In fact, if you're traveling between European cities —from London to Paris, say, or Amsterdam to Brussels — you'll find railways are not only quicker than driving, they're often quicker than flying. Last September, when Rich and I took the high-speed Eurostar from London to Paris via the Chunnel, we shaved nine minutes off the time it would have taken by plane; not much, I'll admit, but still, that was nine more minutes in Paris — and nine minutes we didn't have to spend in a dreary airport lounge.
Another great thing about trains is that they connect to other forms of public transit such as ferries and buses, meaning there's virtually no part of Europe you can't reach. So how do you figure out what is the fastest way to get from Point A to Point B in unfamiliar countries? Rich starts his transportation research with an app called Rome2rio. You type in the city of origin and your destination, and it lets you know the time and cost of various transit configurations involving trains, buses, ferries, cars, and planes. Rich then consults the DB Navigator app for fuller details about stations, timetables, and where the train stops along the way, in case we want to consider an interesting detour or link up with a ferry port.
Don't get me wrong; sometimes a car is the best option for getting where you need to go in Europe or anywhere else. But next time you're sorting out transportation, before you automatically Google car rental agencies, take a moment to look at trains — and the ferries and other forms of transit they connect with. Railways make the journey far more interesting, offer a different kind of freedom, and remind us that travel is, at its best, a way to transcend our ordinary lives, experience the world more vividly, and recapture the rapture of being alive we may have felt in our younger years. As author Dave Matthes put it, "I've always felt that distant train whistles heard in the dead of night are the universe's way of letting us know the best days are neither ahead nor behind us...they're happening right now, cradled in the palms of our hands." Let's not allow them to slip through our fingers.
When it comes to packing, I'm convinced that less is more. Just taking essential clothing, shoes, and electronics pretty much fills my little roll-aboard bag, leaving scant room for bulky extras like headlamps and bed sheets. However, I will admit that Rich and I always tuck in a few small items that might not be strictly mandatory but add a little extra comfort, hominess, and ease to our lives.
Dragging around tons of excess baggage isn't much fun. This photo was taken at the end of a six-day luggage-free journey to France, when we brought nothing but a few essentials tucked in our pockets. On most trips, I travel with more creature comforts.
For instance, we always carry our silliest wedding photos in a small folding cloth frame. Over the years this precious object has become festooned with good luck charms and religious medals from every corner of the world and serves as a reminder never to take ourselves too seriously.
In my younger years, travel slippers were on my "optional" list, but I've now reclassified them as a must for overnight plane rides and downtime on the road. After a long day of hiking about, I appreciate a warm, cozy place to rest and so do my feet.
Rich originally packed gloves only for arctic destinations, but now he's discovered wearing them makes it far easier to lug heavy bags, including groceries, so they've become staples.
And at this point, Rich insists I add duct tape to the list. We often have trips without emergencies (yes we do!) but now that it's sold in handy, pocket-sized packets, it's easy to take duct tape with us everywhere. Beware of cheap knock-offs! Last Thanksgiving in Seville, we staged a wind-up chicken race in our apartment's hallway, marking the goal lines with ultra-cheap pseudo-duct tape. When the thrilling event was over and all the victory dances were done, we expected to simply peel off the tape and move on with our lives. Not so! The tape shredded and stuck, leaving gooey red stains on the marble floor, requiring hours of scraping and scrubbing. Lesson learned!
Like many people these days, Rich and I are attempting to avoid wasteful, single-use plastics whenever possible, so I always slip one or two ultra-light cloth tote bags in a zip compartment of my shoulder bag. That way I don't have to choose between feeling guilty about getting a plastic bag at the store or juggling groceries in my arms all the way back to the Airbnb. To avoid the need for disposable plastic cutlery, we acquired some lovely lightweight wooden forks and spoons last time we ate at Wagamama in Gatwick Airport.
Of course, there are times when plastics are the only sensible solution. For instance, we always pack a handful of zip-lock bags for everything from food storage to transporting socks that somehow didn't dry in time for our departure from the hotel. And to waterproof our suitcases on rainy days, Rich carries a couple of large garbage bags, which can be secured over our bags with (you guessed it) duct tape.
While we rely on Google maps for local navigation, we always carry an old-fashioned paper map showing railway lines and ferry service in the region we're visiting. Without it, I could easily overlook interesting detours and connections ("Hey, there's a ferry to Albania from here!") that give our journeys that extra bit of zing. And I always carry old-school paper business cards with my email and web address. These days most people we meet simply photograph the card, but we occasionally find ourselves in areas so remote that (gasp!) not everyone carries a smartphone.
I'm fairly sure this brandy-maker we hung out with in rural Romania doesn't have a smartphone. But he really knows his way around a still.
Your list of underrated extras is probably quite different from ours, and we'd love to hear what you find essential to happiness on the road. Don't get me wrong; I'm not looking for excess stuff to clutter my travel life; as the Spanish proverb says, "On a long journey, even a straw weighs heavy." But I am always willing to give a warm welcome to small objects that, as Marie Kondo so famously put it, "spark joy." Because isn't that what travel is really all about?
RURAL ROMANIA: IS IT SAFE?


text:
import configparser
import os
import traceback

from searches.courierkill import CourierkillSearch
from searches.multikill import MultikillSearch
from searches.smoke import SmokeSearch
from searches.teamfight import TeamwipeSearch, TeamfightSearch
from searches.ultimates.blackhole import BlackholeSearch
from searches.ultimates.chrono import ChronoSearch
from searches.ultimates.rp import RpSearch

config = configparser.ConfigParser()
config.read('config.ini')

REPLAY_FOLDER = os.path.normpath(config.get('settings', 'REPLAY_FOLDER'))
PARSER_FOLDER = os.path.normpath(config.get('settings', 'PARSER_FOLDER'))
try:
    MAX_DOWNLOAD_THREADS = min(int(config.get('settings', 'MAX_PARALLEL_DOWNLOADS')), 5)
except configparser.NoOptionError:
    MAX_DOWNLOAD_THREADS = 5

ALLOWABLE_SEARCHES = {"smoketimings": SmokeSearch, "courierkills": CourierkillSearch, "multikills": MultikillSearch,
                      "teamfights": TeamfightSearch, "teamwipes": TeamwipeSearch,
                      #"neutraldenies": NeutraldenySearch,
                      "chronos": ChronoSearch, "blackholes": BlackholeSearch, "rps": RpSearch}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Heather Smith Books In Order
Baygirl (2013) Hardcover Paperback Kindle
The Agony of Bun O'Keefe (2017) Hardcover Paperback Kindle
Ebb and Flow (2018) Hardcover Paperback Kindle
Chicken Girl (2019) Hardcover Paperback Kindle
Barry Squires, Full Tilt (2020) Hardcover Paperback Kindle
Publication Order of Picture Books
Angus All Aglow (2018) Hardcover Paperback Kindle
A Plan for Pops (2019) Hardcover Paperback Kindle
The Phone Booth in Mr. Hirota's Garden (2019) Hardcover Paperback Kindle
Heather Smith is a writer originally from Newfoundland. She spent a lot of her young life wrestling with words. She was a reluctant reader and struggled with pronouncing words and speaking too. She was not able to pronounce certain words, but Heather put a special effort into knowing many alternate words. She became like a thesaurus, swapping words she could not pronounce with words that she could.
Even though Heather had a rough start with words, that difficulty turned into a strong relationship and a love of writing. Heather enjoys now grabbing words tight with both hands and finding a voice to put them to the page instead of avoiding them. She currently lives in Waterloo in Ontario with her three children and husband. Smith says that her roots and time spent on the east coast inspire a lot of what she writes.
Heather Smith is the author of Baygirl, her but novel published by Orca Book Publishers in 2013. It was described by Quill and Quire as balanced and well-written. It also was nominated for the 2015 White Pine Award for an Honour Book. Her second novel is called The Agony of Bun O'Keefe and was published in 2017 by Penguin Random House Canada. She has two children's books in the work, including Ebb & Flow, a verse novel for children in the middle grades. The second is a picture book that is titled Angus All Aglow.
In Baygirl, Kit is the main character. She's moved from her old city to a new one, but unfortunately, nothing has changed in the process. Kit's old life was really bad, and now it's getting to the point where it's far worse. This is because Kit's father struggles with alcoholism. Not only is he a drunk, but her mother enables it and cannot find it within herself to stand up for herself or them. So the problem goes on and on with no solutions.
They grew up in a fishing village in Newfoundland where everyone makes their living off of the sea. This picturesque village should be the perfect place for a teenager to grow up, but having an alcoholic for a father means that life there is anything but ideal. His disease and dependence on alcohol make day after day not only unpredictable but intolerable too. He is a bad drunk and when he has alcohol in his system he breaks things, yells, and swears.
When a moratorium on cod fishing for two years means that her father is now out of a job, and from there the tension between him and the rest of the family grows. Kit's father has never provided them with a particularly good life, but being fired means that she has to leave behind her mentor and best friend Nan and leave Parson's Bay behind forever.
Her family leaves the community in the village because they need to find work. So the entire family moves to the city to live with their Uncle Iggy. He is a widower who is not the most adjusted person, and they are out of the frying pan into the fire. The problems continue and Kit can't even afford new clothes, so she goes to school looking shabby.
Even though Kit is in a completely new school in a new city, her problems are still the same. The scenery may change, but it seems like Kit's father is never going to ditch the booze completely. When her father starts drinking even more and shows up drunk to his wife's work (getting her fired from even that part-time job), things go from bad to worse. Kit does find solace in a friendship with the British neighbor next door named Reginald.
Even though Kit is immediately labeled as a 'baygirl' when she moves to her school and has problems fitting in with the other kids her age, it all begins to slowly turn around. When she meets a boy named Elliot and he shows interest in her, it's then that all of her misery and suffering becomes clear.
Elliot is sweet and when he becomes her boyfriend he makes an effort to write her poetry, and she starts to see beyond her immediate problems– and how much of a trust issue she really has. Even though her father can't seem to put down the bottle, her uncle is slowly getting out of depression, and things do seem like they are starting to improve. But will Kit be able to have a normal life, or will her father's problems overshadow everything? Pick up Baygirl to find out.
The Agony of Bun O'Keefe is the second book written by Heather Smith. This is the story of a fourteen-year-old girl who runs away from her home to go to the city. Her mother weighs 300 pounds and is a hoarder who tells her to get out of the house one day– so she does. Bun has no idea when her birthday is, but she suspects that she shares it with Elvis. Her mother lights a candle for Elvis's birthday and that becomes her birthday too.
This story is set in Newfoundland in the eighties. Bun has never menstruated because of how malnourished she is. Her foods include saltines, canned sausage, Cherry Coke, and cheese wrapped in plastic. She is invisible to her mother, who has not even celebrated Christmas since her father left. Bun doesn't go to school and has very few social skills.
When she goes to the city, a street musician takes her in. He lives with an interesting group of people, including a drag queen with a sad background, a dishwasher at the hotel who dreams of being a chef, a school girl who is trying to reinvent her image, and a man that Bun is instructed to avoid.
Bun learns a lot more about her roommates and has new experiences that expand her world. Bun eventually finds the family that she never had in this group of misfit toys, and together they navigate what it means to be human and navigate the emotions of what we have been through and what we go through today. They even help her be more social and in them, she finds the support she has always wanted. Check out this touching novel for yourself to see how the story unfolds!
Book Series In Order » Authors » Heather Smith


text:
by Shane McGlaun — Thursday, August 03, 2017, 08:07 AM EDT
Microsoft Rolls Out Windows 10 Preview With Tobii Eye Tracking Control And Enhancements To Edge
Microsoft has announced a new feature for Windows 10 that is designed to make the operating system easier to control for people with disabilities; that feature is called Eye Control. The idea for the feature started way back in 2014 as a challenge from a former NFL player, Steve Gleason, who suffers from a neuromuscular disease called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Gleason challenged Microsoft employees during the 2014 hackathon, the company's first, to build a system that would allow for people with his condition and other similar conditions to better control technology to enrich their lives.
A team at the hackathon took that challenge calling itself "Ability Eye Gaze." The team went on to win the grand prize at the hackathon and Microsoft liked the idea so much that it formed a new Microsoft Research team to understand the potential for the eye tracking tech. That new teamed worked with Gleason's non-profit called Team Gleason and Evergreen ALSA, which is an organization for supporting people with the condition and their families.
Fast-forward to this year's hackathon at Microsoft, and CEO Satya Nadella has announced that Windows 10 is getting integrated eye-tracking support dubbed Eye Control and that the feature is directly linked to the 2014 grand prize winning hack. Eye Control allows users with disabilities to control an onscreen mouse, keyboard, and text-to-speech experience using only their eyes. The eyes are often the only body part not affected by ALS.
To use Eye Control, the consumer does need a compatible eye tracker system, such as the Tobii 4C. When that Tobii eye tracking tech is combined with Microsoft's new Eye Control, the user is able to accomplish things with their eyes that were previously only accomplishable with a mouse and keyboard. Microsoft says that for now Eye Control is in beta and those wanting early access for testing and feedback have to sign up for the Windows Insider program.
"There was this great vibe at One Week, it was like summer camp for innovative ideas rather than work. It was exciting to be challenged to follow our passions and think creatively with so many talented people from across the company," said Jon Campbell, a member of the Ability Eye Gaze team back in 2014. "While not all ideas are winners, the thing that makes the hackathon great is that other ideas we kicked around had real potential – like eye tracking technology to help people with ALS and how Windows can bring it to more people."
The Alienware 17 R4 2017 gaming laptop we reviewed in June is fitted with Tobii eye tracking tech, so check out that review for details on eye tracking in use.
Along with Eye Control, the latest Windows 10 Fall Creators Update Insider Preview also brings enhancements to Edge with a more modern look for the browser frame. That modernized look is inspired by the Microsoft Fluent Design System. The software giant used Acrylic material for "...depth and transparency to the tab bar and other controls." The button animations are also promised to be "more responsive and delightful."
One of the big updates has to do with the address bar. When the address bar isn't in focus and the user is clicking or dragging text, the address bar remains under the cursor. Before the text would shift as the user entered "http://" and that would make it hard to edit the URL. Fixes for things like image copying, closing tabs in full screen mode, and tab ordering are also part of the Edge update.
Tags: Microsoft, Tobii, eye tracking, Windows 10, (nasdaq:msft)


text:
in: Articles incorporating text from Wikipedia, United States military badges
Enlisted Expeditionary Warfare Specialist
Santa Rita, Guam (Dec. 15, 2006)- Rear Adm. Donald Bullard, Commander, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC), displays the Expeditionary Warfare pin, the Navy's new warfare device, given to Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Carl Hurtt, assigned to Mobile Security Squadron Seven (MSS-7), during a ceremony on board U.S. Naval Base Guam. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Edward N. Vasquez (RELEASED).
The EXW qualification (referred to as Enlisted Expeditionary Warfare Specialist) is a warfare qualification awarded to enlisted United States Navy personnel, and select United States Coast Guard personnel temporarily assigned to the U.S. Navy, who satisfactorily complete the required qualification course and pass a qualification board hearing. The program was approved July 31, 2006 by then-Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael Mullen.
The qualification was developed to provide a chance for enlisted sailors in the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command community (naval personnel serving in a maritime security or maritime combat related role) to earn a warfare qualification. Core qualification skills will include weapons qualification and maintenance, marksmanship, land navigation, field communications, and expeditionary camp deployment. The very first awardee was Master-at-Arms 2nd Class (EXW/SW) Carl P. Hurt Jr of Mobile Security Squadron Seven based out of Guam.
There are currently no plans to offer an officer version of the qualification.
1 Types of Expeditionary Warfare Specialist Qualification Platforms
2 Breast insignia
Types of Expeditionary Warfare Specialist Qualification Platforms[]
Naval Special Warfare Groups, Naval Special Warfare Units; SEAL Teams; Security Squadrons
Breast insignia[]
The design of the new pin encompasses the essence of enlisted expeditionary Sailors, presenting the bow and superstructure of a Sea Ark 34' patrol boat from Inshore Boat Units superimposed upon a crossed cutlass and M16A1 rifle. The waves represent the Navy's heritage, the cutlass represents the enlisted force, the M16A1 represents an NECC mission area and the boat, another NECC mission area. The background is the traditional waves of the Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist badge.
List of United States Navy enlisted warfare designations
Badges of the United States Navy
Uniforms of the United States Navy
Military badges of the United States
Naval Coastal Warfare
Mobile Inshore Undersea Warfare Unit
Maritime Expeditionary Security Force
Expeditionary warfare
Navy Expeditionary Combat Command
United States military badges
2 Charles E. Grant