Today, on Good Friday, we meditate on John's account of the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ. The word "Passion" of course comes from the Latin, and it can mean a couple of different things.
In Latin the word "passion" can mean suffering. And of course our Lord suffers as a result of his being tortured and executed. Everyone who lived in first-century Jerusalem knew that crucifixion was appallingly painful and humiliating and that the Romans purposefully designed this method of execution to maximize pain and humiliation. This was so well known that John's gospel barely even speaks of it.
The Latin word "passion" is also the root of our word "passive" because to suffer something is to undergo it; it is to have something inflicted on you. But in John's telling of Jesus's arrest, trial, and eventual death Jesus is anything but passive. Quite to the contrary, from beginning to end, Jesus is active. He is in fact completely in charge of all that is to happen to him. According to John, while Jesus is in pain, he is not in distress. Jesus is in command.
Our first clue to this truth is provided right at the beginning of the Passion narrative. In the previous chapter, we read what has led up to the crucifixion. Judas Iscariot, accompanied by perhaps hundreds of armed soldiers, confronted Jesus in the garden. But all their show of force is just that: a show. They don't overpower Jesus and indeed they can't overpower him. John says, "Jesus, knowing all that was to befall him, came forward" to meet the soldiers. Knowing all that was to befall him. Jesus knows exactly what is to happen. And the soldiers don't take him; he comes forward on his own.
Like so much else in this story, at this moment Jesus fulfills his own words. For in John chapter 13 and again in chapter 14 he tells his disciples in advance about what is happening right now. Then he said, "I tell you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I Am." Well, now everything he told them would happen is happening, and now we know that he is the great I Am. All this has been under his control from the beginning.
Jesus is in command of this situation because he is the king who is in command of every situation. If he does not want to go with the soldiers he doesn't have to. But he does. Because his hour has finally come, and he knows all that is to happen.
Fr. Warren spoke to us on Sunday about the difference between divine power and earthly powers. We see right away in John's Passion narrative how sharp this difference is. Jesus has divine power because he is one with the Father and he does the Father's will, even though it means suffering and death. And in doing so he exposes how vain and weak earthly powers really are.
Is there any truly effective human power in this story?
How about the soldiers with their weapons? All Jesus has to do is to do is admit who he is, and they are all flattened.
How about Pontius Pilate? He's the governor of the whole region, backed up by the immense power of the mighty Roman empire. Yet the one phrase John uses to describe Pilate's state of mind is "he was the more afraid." Pontius Pilate—the governor—is afraid. His threat against Jesus is a flimsy veil for his fearful evasion and indecisiveness, it's just so much bullying and posturing, and Jesus sees right through it. "Do you not know," Pilate asks Jesus, "that I have power to release you, and power to crucify you?" But the power to punish or acquit enjoyed by Pilate he enjoys not because of any strength of his own or because of the strength of the empire but because of God's power. Jesus says, "You would have no power over me unless it had been given you from above." So even the power of the governor is exposed as dependent and derivative from divine power. This explains why John says Jesus "went out, bearing his own cross." Pilate in the end is unable even to compel the final actions of our Lord's life on earth. The Lord goes out on his own power to meet his mortal end.
How about the soldiers that actually do the bloody deed? They probably think that by casting lots for Jesus's tunic they are just idling away the time and claiming their just reward of the spoils of their victim, his garments and his tunic. But even this grim amusement of casting lots at the foot of the cross is not of their own doing. This happens John says so that the Scripture may be fulfilled. He says the same of the soldier who pierced his side. They don't do these things because they have power but because the word of God has power, and that word must be fulfilled. So even Jesus's own executioners are following a script that they have not written for themselves.
And this is the main point it seems to me of John's version of events. He tells us "He who saw it has borne witness—his testimony is true, and he knows that he tells the truth—that you also may believe." John asserts that he saw all these things as they happened, and he is testifying to the truth of what he saw. And why does he testify to these things? Any eyewitness could have recounted what went on. Anyone who was there could have reported what Pilate said, how the soldiers gambled for the tunic, or how Jesus saw to it that his mother would be looked after once he was gone. John's intent is much bigger than merely reporting the facts.
Incredibly, at this moment, John actually turns away from his story and speaks to you. "He who saw it has borne witness that you also may believe." Who is he talking to all of a sudden? That "you" is you. That "you" is me. John is talking to us now, to anyone who is reading his Gospel.
Because he doesn't want us to just know what happened. He wants us to know what it means. He wants us to know that Jesus is the same God as the great I Am who revealed himself to Moses and who now reveals himself on the cross. He wants us to know that Jesus was and is in complete control of the entire universe because he is its maker and king.
John wants us to believe that compared to the kingly power of God all human power is utterly ridiculous. The true power is not to be found in treachery or weapons of war or in empire or even in religious authority. The true power in this universe is the power of Christ. And that power is never more evident than when all human powers—the power of force, of political rule, of religious institutions—when all human powers conspire together to crush him.
Normally death is the loss of control. We lose control of our environment as we decline, and in the end we lose control even of our own bodies. But we have seen that Jesus is not a reluctant or unwitting victim. He remains in control all the way to the end. "He bowed his head and gave up his spirit," means that he gave up his life, not that it was taken away from him.
In fact Jesus has said this very thing before. This too he has already told his disciples, in advance. It is the same John who also testifies to Jesus having said, "No one takes my life from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down." No one takes my life from me. I am not passive. I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to do so.
Jesus does not lay down his life for his ethical teaching, as marvelous as that is.
He does not die for a political cause or crusade.
He does not die for a theology or a theory about God.
He dies for his friends. So he does it for us. For the human beings that he loves. Jesus is not a helpless victim; he is a triumphant lover who loves his friends right to the end.
Because love is his power and his motivation.
Love is the power that confounds all earthly powers. It shows them to be fraudulent and bankrupt. And earthly powers are fraudulent and bankrupt because for all their assembled might, for all their seeming solidity, they are still subject to death. The betrayer is betrayed. Empires crumble. Every human being, no matter how rich or mighty they might be, everyone goes to the grave.
Jesus Christ loves his friends so much that he will do whatever it takes to rescue them from this fate. But there is only one way. Jesus submits to this crushing universal logic of death so he can break its back.
The love of Christ is the one power stronger even than death, but to wield that power Jesus has to die. Only Christ—by virtue of his perfect love for his friends—only Christ has power over life and death.
For the same Jesus who says "I lay my life down of my own accord…and I have power to lay it down" also says "I lay it down that I may take it again…and I have power to take it again." Amen.


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Teenager's body found hanging in north Kashmir
Kupwara: Body of an 18-year-old boy was on Thursday evening found hanging in Shumriyal of North Kashmir's Kupwara district, official sources said.
They told GNS that one Saqib Ahmad Khan, son of Wafadar Khan was shifted to SDH Kupwara after being found hanging from the ceiling at his home. The doctors on assessing the boy declared him as brought dead on arrival, they said.
Confirming the death of the boy, a police official told GNS that they have lodged a case into the matter for due investigations.
Notably, the fresh incident has come in less than two days after a 25-year-old youth was found hanging at his home in Gutlipora Haihama area of the district. (GNS)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Basnayake Nilame of G'muwa temple arrested; Double-murder at Kotte Rajamahaviharaya:
Police investigating Tuesday's double-murder at the Kotte Rajamahaviharaya have arrested the Basnayake Nilame of a temple in the Galigamuwa police area.
The Maharagama police arrested the suspect in the early hours of yesterday. A senior police official told The Island that the suspect, under interrogation, had admitted his involvement in the killing of Ven. Pitigala Jinasiri thera (81) and Ven. Boralesgamuwe Gunaratne (61) at 10.00 p.m. Tuesday night.
Investigators said that the identity of the other person allegedly involved in the killings was known. They identified the wanted person as a former Buddhist monk now living in the Embilipitiya police area.
Asked whether the police had been able to establish a motive, sources said that a dispute over a land at Embilipitiya led to the killings. Subsequently, the suspect had claimed that he was looking for a sword made of gold studded with gems. According to him, the two monks had to be killed as they identified him as he was searching for the sword.
The police identified the suspect as 26-year-old employee of an insurance firm serving a temple at Palugolla, Galgamuwa as Basnayake Nilame.
The suspect admitted that he knew both monks as he frequently visited the temple.
The police said that the two suspects had entered the temple at about 10.00 p.m. separately and the person now in custody had even asked for a glass of water from Ven. Gunaratne. While they had been talking, the former monk had knifed Ven. Jinasiri, who was in the toilet. Hearing Ven. Jinasiri's cries, Ven. Gunaratne had tried to rush towards the toilet only to be grabbed by the Basnayake Nilame before his associate knifed him.
The police said that Ven. Jinasiri had succumbed to his injuries in the toilet, while the other died on his way to Kalubowila hospital.
The police were quick to track down the Basnayake Nilame, who had planned the raid on the temple, thanks to a resident who took down the number of the suspect's vehicle.
According to the police, both suspects had fled the scene in the same vehicle, though the accomplice got down at Boralesgamuwa. The police had established the identity of the owner of the vehicle with the help of the Motor Traffic Department leading to a raid in the early hours of yesterday. "When we surrounded the suspect's house, he was fast asleep. He denied any knowledge of the crime, though under interrogation he revealed how they planned the raid."
The police said that the suspect was planning to leave for Ampara to meet his fiancé in the morning. The police also recovered the getaway vehicle.
Courtesy: The Island


Sold for $429,000 at 2017 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach.
The Mercedes-Benz 300 Series, commonly known as the 'Adenauer' due to its association with German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer, was an exclusive and superbly engineered machine. The standard 300 was followed by the uprated 300 S, which was followed by the fuel-injected 300 Sc in 1955. Production of the Sc was very limited and just 98 coupes and 102 open cars were built by the craftsmen at Mercedes-Benz's Sindelfingen coachworks. They were well appointed with leather upholstery, wooden interior trim, and hand-formed panels.
This Mercedes-Benz 300 Sc Coupe left the factory finished in Silver Metallic (DB 180), with a black leather interior. It was first owned by J. Paul Getty. In the early 1960s, the car was purchased actor Joseph Sirola. The car would remain with Mr. Sirola for more than five decades. During that time, he drove the car to 28 installments of the Frank Sinatra Celebrity Invitational golf event near Palm Springs, California.
This coupe has never been restored and currently displays less than 75,000 miles on its odometer. The engine is a 2996cc SOHC inline 6-cylinder unit fitted with Bosch Mechanical Fuel Injection and develops 175 horsepower. There is a four-speed manual gearbox and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes.
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SC's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Similar sales to the $450,631 range.


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Gary Neville: 'Established elite don't want the new boys'
Articles / Leadership/ Salford City
Adam Rooney signed from SPL runners-up Aberdeen this week
Written by Simon Austin — July 26, 2018
SALFORD CITY co-owner Gary Neville has defended the club's spending, saying there is an "established elite" that "don't want the new boys to come along".
In the last couple of weeks the National League side have signed Danny Lloyd from League One Peterborough and Adam Rooney from last season's SPL runners-up Aberdeen.
This prompted Accrington owner Andy Holt to tweet: "Who's place in the Football League is @GNev2 going to steal with this piss take."
Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson later revealed he had competed with Salford for a signing but "they blew us away with money".
In an in-depth interview with the club's in-house media team, Neville said: "It's annoying to think there's this established elite that don't want the new boys to come along. Football can't stand still.
"Manchester City and Chelsea would never have happened if there was a cap on salaries or transfers. We'd never have seen Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool challenged and we'd have seen the same winners of the Premier League every single season, as happens in other countries.
"Do we want that? No, I think we want emerging stories and emerging teams. We recognise that speed saves money, If you do get bogged down in the league for four, five seasons, it costs more in the long run. We're very clear about that and quite clinical.
"The Accrington Stanley owner was suggesting franchise football - the idea that you're stealing positions of clubs in the Football League. The football pyramid in this country is one of the great things.
"Teams can go from the very bottom to the very top. When you think of Wimbledon going up all those years ago with the investment that went into the club, it was seen as a fairytale.
"When you think of Jack Walker and the great work he did at Blackburn, investing in his local community and his local town, he was lauded for it and rightly so."
Along with brother Phil, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt, Neville owns 50% of Salford City. Singaporean businessman Peter Lim owns the other 50%.
Neville said he and his former Manchester United team-mates have matched Lim's investment at the club since taking over in the summer of 2014. Now they are about to embark on their fifth season as owners.
READ MORE: Lloyd signs for Salford
Neville added: "Jack Walker smashed transfer records and people said 'where is all this money coming from?'
"It was coming from the pockets of a gentleman who wanted to invest into his local football club and that's what we've done for the last four seasons along with our co-owner and we've match-funded him. I can't see why people would have a problem with it.
"We could sit at home, or on television, do what we're doing and extract from the game. We're putting money back into the game. We've set up an academy, a women's team, we've built a new stadium, we've had three promotions. We're proud of what we've achieved."
LeadershipSalford City


A home equity line of credit is a secured loan whereby the borrower's home serves as collateral. Borrowers are allowed to draw on their discretion once the financial institution establishes a maximum balance.
Before choosing a HELOC, it is important to ask lenders whether the loan comes with a fixed or variable interest rate. Most financial institutions offer a fixed interest rate. Inquire about the frequency of rate adjustments, the current value and index used, and the amount of margin. You can ask about the repayment and draw period and the floor and interest rate cap. There are also fees to consider, including closing costs, upfront charges, and application and appraisal fees. The repayment terms are another factor to consider. Ask whether you will be making fully amortizing, interest-only, or principal and interest payments during the draw period. When it is over, can you refinance and is renewal possible? Ask whether you have to make a balloon payment.
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On this episode, we suspend the historical timeline to analyze the Smith-Entheogen theory along with host of Psilly Rabbits Podcast, Cody Noconi.
Official site for the show. Video clips, show ideas, and ticketing information.
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text:
► [BUG] Road choose signal displays incorrect info
[BUG] Road choose signal displays incorrect info
Started by Matthew, August 20, 2019, 04:39:25 AM
August 20, 2019, 04:39:25 AM Last Edit: August 27, 2019, 01:13:50 PM by Matthew
1. Open an existing or new map in pak128.Britain-Ex
2. Build a road stop.
3. Build a road choose sign on the way next to the stop and click on it until it is at the correct orientation for vehicles entering the stop.
4. Click on the road choose sign and examine the info window. It will state the opposite direction to the actual direction in which it takes effect.
I initially thought that the bug was caused by the fact that was I playing with left-hand drive and left-hand signals. But it seems to persist through all combinations of left-hand and right-hand drive and signalling.
This is playing with the latest (2019-08-18) 64-bit nightly on Windows 7. The bug has been present for several months at least.
If my meaning is not clear, then you can examine the layout here (note that it is right-hand drive, right-hand signals):
Vehicles are travelling between two 'bus stations'. At the left-hand station (Parish Hall), the carriages are queued up and are not using the empty stops. The choose sign is not working - as expected, because we can see that it's facing the wrong way. At the right-hand station (Cemetery), the carriages are entering different stops. The choose sign is working - as expected, because it's facing the right way.
Now look at the choose sign info windows:
The left-hand choose-sign info-window says it is for vehicles travelling south. But the vehicles follow the graphics, not the info-window.
The right-hand choose-sign info-window says it is for vehicles travelling west. But the vehicles follow the graphics, not the info-window.
(Signature being tested) If you enjoy playing Simutrans, then you might also enjoy watching Japan Railway Journal
Available in English and simplified Chinese
如果您喜欢玩Simutrans的话,那么说不定就想看《日本铁路之旅》(英语也有简体中文字幕)。


Bailiffs & Problems With Bailiffs? Read This.
Chased By Bailiffs? Looking For Confidential Debt Help?
There are a lot of people in the UK dealing with pressures from bailiffs to repay a debt, here are some of the more common issues people with bailiffs' are facing.
2 What Should I do if a Bailiff tries to enter my property?
5 Do Bailiffs Work Weekends?
6 Do Bailiffs Have To Give You Notice?
7 Can I pay a bailiff without granting entry?
(2) The IVA (Individual Voluntary Arrangement) – a more formal agreement between yourself, an insolvency practitioner and your creditors to arrange more manageable repayments.
Both of these debt solutions can help you with dealing with bailiff actions.
What Should I do if a Bailiff tries to enter my property?
This question is answered at the following page where there is extensive information in relation to stopping bailiffs, see this page for more information.
If you wish to prevent the entry of your property from a Bailiff, ensure all entrance points are closed and locked, do not invite them onto the property and if they are insistent ask them to produce a warrant for you to look at.
Bailiffs also cannot place their foot in the doorway to prevent the door from closing – this is not allowed (common question).
Bailiffs' cannot take a washing machine.
Table & enough chairs for everyone living in the property to be able to have a seat.
Any medication, medical equipment and anything you may need to take care of a child or the elderly.
The general rules around bailiffs is that they should be visiting between 9am to 6pm daily except Sundays, bank holidays, and Christmas day & good Friday.
Do Bailiffs Have To Give You Notice?
The short answer here is yes. The court will issue them with documentation known as a "warrant of control" and in order to visit a property they will also need a "court order", and they are supposed to provide you with a "notice of enforcement" before visiting your property, they should be asked to produce evidence of a court order if they visit your property.
Notice must be provided prior to a visit.
Can I pay a bailiff without granting entry?
Absolutely. If you have cash to pay a bailiff you can easily pay them on your doorstep if you have the money without granting them entry to your property, this is perfectly acceptable in all cases we are aware of.


During the 2008 election we were continually told that Barack Obama's religion didn't matter, that we shouldn't care about his association with the radical Rev. Jeremiah Wright nor should we be concerned with any of his other associations. Now the media is up in arms because a small poll suggests that around 20 percent of the public believes he is Muslim.
We are supposed to believe Obama is a Christian because Obama says he is but he consistently lies.
He said Obamacare would lower premiums and the deficits. He said he brought the economy back from the brink when it was the first half of TARP that was passed by George W. Bush that saved the economy. He said that he inherited a $1.4 trillion deficit when it was less than half that and when he and the Democrats voted for all the deficit spending and wanted more.
It is certainly not Christian — to lie, to blame your predecessor for things he wasn't responsible for nor to take credit for things that you are not responsible for. It is not Christian to make more people dependent on government nor is it Christian to spend, tax and borrow the United States into oblivion, destroying opportunities for future generations.
I believe that Obama is fairly non-religious. He seems to worship massive government control and spending.
It is extremely important that the media report facts. They continually report what Obama says instead of what he does. Whether or not he is or is not a Muslim or a Christian is subjective and unable to prove. If something cannot be proved objectively it should be reported as opinion, not fact.


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Z mrtvého domu je opera o třech dějstvích od Leoše Janáčka, jenž je současně autorem libreta, které vytvořil překladem a úpravou stejnojmenného románu Fjodora Michajloviče Dostojevského z roku 1862. Je to také Janáčkova poslední opera; premiéru měla 12. dubna 1930 v Národním divadle v Brně, dva roky po autorově smrti.

Okolnosti vzniku

Janáček na opeře začal pracovat v únoru 1927 a dokončil ji 8. června 1928, a zřejmě si byl vědom, že je to jeho poslední opera. Proto se rozhodl porušit svůj zvyk vytvářet své postavy podle své múzy Kamily Stösslové, ačkoli téma osamělosti a odloučení poslední opery je možno zřetelně chápat jako reakci na její lhostejnost k jeho citům.

V opeře se objevuje pouze jedna ženská postava a děj je umístěn do sibiřské věznice, kterou představuje velký sbor namísto několika výrazných postav. Dílo prakticky nemá hlavní děj jako celek, ale jednotlivé postavy líčí své životní příběhy, a ve druhém dějství se objevuje "hra ve hře".

Janáček operu Z mrtvého domu před svou smrtí dokončil. Jeho žáci Břetislav Bakala a Osvald Chlubna však usoudili, že orchestrace zůstala nedokončena, a tak "vyplnili" rozsáhlé části partitury a závěr opery upravili tak, aby vyzněl optimističtěji. Další zásahy do textu pak udělal Ota Zítek, když změnil některé části textu nebo sled událostí. O několik desítek let později se stále více prosazovala původní verze, tak jak ji Janáček zamýšlel, a ta se také nakonec vžila. Nicméně některá provedení jsou dosud uváděna v novější podobě, kde konec příběhu vyznívá méně chmurně.

Opera vyžaduje velké obsazení orchestru, včetně řetězů coby perkusního nástroje k navození zvuku věznice. Janáček také použil celé nebo zkrácené texty písně vězňů z Dostojevského.

Aranžmá opery ve formě suity dirigenta Františka Jílka byla provedena Brněnskou státní filharmonií.

Osoby

Nahrávky
Supraphon DV 6164-5: Beno Blachut, Helena Tattermuschová, Jaroslav Horáček, Václav Bednář, Jaroslav Stříška, Hanuš Thein, Viktor Kočí, Jindřich Jindrák, Milan Karpíšek, Přemysl Kočí, Orchestr a sbor Národního divadla v Praze, Bohumil Gregor (1965)

Supraphon 1116 2941-2: Richard Novák, Milada Jirglová, Vilém Přibyl, Ivo Žídek, Jindřich Jindrák, Antonín Votava, Jaroslav Horáček, Beno Blachut, Karel Berman, Miroslav Frydlewicz, Karel Průša, Jaroslav Stříška, Milan Karpíšek, Pražský filharmonický sbor, Česká filharmonie, Václav Neumann (1979)

Decca 430 375-2: Dalibor Jedlička, Jaroslava Janská, Jiří Zahradníček, Ivo Žídek, Václav Zítek, Richard Novák, Antonín Švorc, Jaroslav Souček, Beno Blachut, Vladimír Krejčík, Zdeněk Švehla, Vídeňská filharmonie, Sir Charles Mackerras (1979)

Odkazy

Reference

Literatura

Externí odkazy

Opery Leoše Janáčka
Opery v češtině
Opery z roku 1930
Opery poprvé uvedené v Brně

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
package org.edx.mobile.view;

import android.os.Bundle;
import android.support.annotation.NonNull;
import android.support.v4.widget.DrawerLayout;
import android.support.v7.widget.Toolbar;
import android.view.Gravity;
import android.view.Menu;
import android.view.MenuInflater;
import android.view.MenuItem;
import android.view.View;
import android.widget.ProgressBar;
import android.widget.TextView;

import com.google.inject.Inject;
import com.joanzapata.iconify.Icon;
import com.joanzapata.iconify.IconDrawable;
import com.joanzapata.iconify.fonts.FontAwesomeIcons;

import org.edx.mobile.R;
import org.edx.mobile.base.BaseFragmentActivity;
import org.edx.mobile.model.api.EnrolledCoursesResponse;
import org.edx.mobile.model.course.CourseComponent;
import org.edx.mobile.module.prefs.PrefManager;
import org.edx.mobile.services.CourseManager;
import org.edx.mobile.task.GetCourseStructureTask;
import org.edx.mobile.util.BrowserUtil;
import org.edx.mobile.view.common.MessageType;
import org.edx.mobile.view.common.TaskProcessCallback;
import org.edx.mobile.view.custom.popup.menu.PopupMenu;

import roboguice.inject.ContentView;
import roboguice.inject.InjectView;

/**
 *  A base class to handle some common task
 *  NOTE- in the layout file,  these should be defined
 *  1. offlineBar
 *  2. progress_spinner
 *  3. offline_mode_message
 */
@ContentView(R.layout.activity_course_base)
public abstract  class CourseBaseActivity  extends BaseFragmentActivity implements TaskProcessCallback{

    @InjectView(R.id.offline_bar)
    View offlineBar;

    @InjectView(R.id.last_accessed_bar)
    View lastAccessBar;

    @InjectView(R.id.loading_indicator)
    ProgressBar progressWheel;

    @Inject
    CourseManager courseManager;

    protected EnrolledCoursesResponse courseData;
    protected String courseComponentId;

    private GetCourseStructureTask getHierarchyTask;

    private boolean isDestroyed;

    protected abstract String getUrlForWebView();

    protected abstract void onLoadData();

    @Override
    protected void onCreate(Bundle arg0) {
        super.onCreate(arg0);
        setSupportActionBar((Toolbar) findViewById(R.id.toolbar));
        Bundle bundle = arg0;
        if ( bundle == null ) {
            if ( getIntent() != null )
                bundle = getIntent().getBundleExtra(Router.EXTRA_BUNDLE);
        }
        restore(bundle);

        blockDrawerFromOpening();
    }

    @Override
    protected void onResume() {
        super.onResume();
        invalidateOptionsMenu();
    }

    @Override
    protected void onDestroy() {
        super.onDestroy();
        if (getHierarchyTask != null) {
            getHierarchyTask.cancel(true);
            getHierarchyTask = null;
        }
        isDestroyed = true;
    }

    @Override
    public void onSaveInstanceState(Bundle outState) {
        super.onSaveInstanceState(outState);
        outState.putSerializable(Router.EXTRA_COURSE_DATA, courseData);
        outState.putString(Router.EXTRA_COURSE_COMPONENT_ID, courseComponentId);
    }

    protected void restore(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
        courseData = (EnrolledCoursesResponse) savedInstanceState.getSerializable(Router.EXTRA_COURSE_DATA);
        courseComponentId = savedInstanceState.getString(Router.EXTRA_COURSE_COMPONENT_ID);

        if (courseComponentId == null) {
            getHierarchyTask = new GetCourseStructureTask(this, courseData.getCourse().getId()) {
                @Override
                public void onSuccess(CourseComponent courseComponent) {
                    if (courseComponent != null) {
                        courseComponentId = courseComponent.getId();
                        // Only trigger the callback if the task has not been cancelled, and
                        // the Activity has not been destroyed. The task should be canceled
                        // in Activity destruction anyway, so the latter check is just a
                        // precaution.
                        if (getHierarchyTask != null && !isDestroyed) {
                            invalidateOptionsMenu();
                            onLoadData();
                            getHierarchyTask = null;
                        }
                    }
                }

                @Override
                public void onException(Exception ex) {
                    showInfoMessage(getString(R.string.no_connectivity));
                }
            };
            getHierarchyTask.setTaskProcessCallback(this);
            getHierarchyTask.setProgressDialog(progressWheel);
            getHierarchyTask.execute();
        }
    }

    @Override
    protected void onPostCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
        super.onPostCreate(savedInstanceState);
        // If the data is available then trigger the callback
        // after basic initialization
        if (courseComponentId != null) {
            onLoadData();
        }
    }

    @Override
    protected void onOnline() {
        offlineBar.setVisibility(View.GONE);
        hideOfflineMessage();
    }

    @Override
    protected void onOffline() {
        offlineBar.setVisibility(View.VISIBLE);
        hideLoadingProgress();
    }

    @Override
    public void onBackPressed() {
        super.onBackPressed();
        finish();
    }

    @Override
    protected boolean createOptionsMenu(Menu menu) {
        if (courseComponentId != null) {
            MenuInflater inflater = getMenuInflater();
            inflater.inflate(R.menu.course_detail, menu);
            menu.findItem(R.id.action_share_on_web).setIcon(
                    new IconDrawable(this, FontAwesomeIcons.fa_share_square_o)
                            .actionBarSize(this).colorRes(this, R.color.edx_white));
            Icon changeModeIcon = new PrefManager.UserPrefManager(this)
                    .isUserPrefVideoModel() ? FontAwesomeIcons.fa_list :
                    FontAwesomeIcons.fa_film;
            menu.findItem(R.id.action_change_mode).setIcon(
                    new IconDrawable(this, changeModeIcon)
                            .actionBarSize(this).colorRes(this, R.color.edx_white));
            return true;
        }
        return false;
    }

    @Override
    protected boolean handleOptionsItemSelected(final MenuItem item) {
        switch (item.getItemId()) {
            case R.id.action_share_on_web: {
                PopupMenu popup = new PopupMenu(this, findViewById(R.id.action_share_on_web),
                        Gravity.END, R.attr.edgePopupMenuStyle, R.style.edX_Widget_EdgePopupMenu);
                popup.getMenuInflater().inflate(R.menu.share_on_web, popup.getMenu());
                popup.setOnMenuItemClickListener(new PopupMenu.OnMenuItemClickListener() {
                    public boolean onMenuItemClick(MenuItem item) {
                        BrowserUtil.open(CourseBaseActivity.this, getUrlForWebView());
                        CourseComponent courseComponent = courseManager.getComponentById(
                                courseData.getCourse().getId(), courseComponentId);
                        environment.getSegment().trackOpenInBrowser(courseComponentId,
                                courseData.getCourse().getId(), courseComponent.isMultiDevice());
                        return true;
                    }
                });
                popup.show();
                return true;
            } case R.id.action_change_mode: {
                PopupMenu popup = new PopupMenu(this, findViewById(R.id.action_change_mode), Gravity.END);
                popup.getMenuInflater().inflate(R.menu.change_mode, popup.getMenu());
                final PrefManager.UserPrefManager userPrefManager = new PrefManager.UserPrefManager(this);
                final MenuItem videoOnlyItem = popup.getMenu().findItem(R.id.change_mode_video_only);
                MenuItem fullCourseItem = popup.getMenu().findItem(R.id.change_mode_full_mode);
                videoOnlyItem.setIcon(new IconDrawable(this, FontAwesomeIcons.fa_film)
                        .colorRes(this, R.color.course_mode));
                fullCourseItem.setIcon(new IconDrawable(this, FontAwesomeIcons.fa_list)
                        .colorRes(this, R.color.course_mode));
                // Setting checked states
                // Only calling setChecked(true) in the selected menu item, to avoid a bug
                // in the MenuItem implementation in the framework and appcompat library
                // which causes setChecked(false) to be evaluated to setChecked(true) in
                // the case where it is part of a group with checkable behavior set to
                // 'single'. It's reported as part of another issue in
                // http://b.android.com/178709
                if (userPrefManager.isUserPrefVideoModel()) {
                    videoOnlyItem.setChecked(true);
                } else {
                    fullCourseItem.setChecked(true);
                }
                popup.setOnMenuItemClickListener(new PopupMenu.OnMenuItemClickListener() {
                    public boolean onMenuItemClick(MenuItem popupMenuItem) {
                        boolean currentVideoMode = userPrefManager.isUserPrefVideoModel();
                        boolean selectedVideoMode = videoOnlyItem == popupMenuItem;
                        if (currentVideoMode != selectedVideoMode) {
                            userPrefManager.setUserPrefVideoModel(selectedVideoMode);
                            popupMenuItem.setChecked(true);
                            Icon filterIcon = selectedVideoMode ?
                                    FontAwesomeIcons.fa_list : FontAwesomeIcons.fa_film;
                            item.setIcon(
                                    new IconDrawable(CourseBaseActivity.this, filterIcon)
                                            .actionBarSize(CourseBaseActivity.this)
                                            .colorRes(CourseBaseActivity.this, R.color.edx_white));
                            modeChanged();
                            environment.getSegment().trackCourseOutlineMode(selectedVideoMode);
                        }
                        return true;
                    }
                });
                popup.show();
                return true;
            }
        }
        return false;
    }

    protected void modeChanged() {}

    /**
     * This function shows the offline mode message
     */
    private void showOfflineMessage(){
        if(offlineBar!=null){
            offlineBar.setVisibility(View.VISIBLE);
        }
    }

    /**
     * This function hides the offline mode message
     */
    private void hideOfflineMessage() {
        if(offlineBar!=null){
            offlineBar.setVisibility(View.GONE);
        }
    }

    /**
     * This function shows the loading progress wheel
     * Show progress wheel while loading the web page
     */
    private void showLoadingProgress(){
        if(progressWheel!=null){
            progressWheel.setVisibility(View.VISIBLE);
        }
    }

    /**
     * This function hides the loading progress wheel
     * Hide progress wheel after the web page completes loading
     */
    private void hideLoadingProgress(){
        if(progressWheel!=null){
            progressWheel.setVisibility(View.GONE);
        }
    }

    protected void hideLastAccessedView(View v) {
        try{
            lastAccessBar.setVisibility(View.GONE);
        }catch(Exception e){
            logger.error(e);
        }
    }

    protected void showLastAccessedView(View v, String title, View.OnClickListener listener) {
        lastAccessBar.setVisibility(View.VISIBLE);
        View lastAccessTextView = v == null ? findViewById(R.id.last_accessed_text) :
            v.findViewById(R.id.last_accessed_text);
        ((TextView)lastAccessTextView).setText(title);
        View detailButton = v == null ? findViewById(R.id.last_accessed_button) :
            v.findViewById(R.id.last_accessed_button);
        detailButton.setOnClickListener(listener);
    }

    /**
     * Call this function if you do not want to allow
     * opening/showing the drawer(Navigation Fragment) on swiping left to right
     */
    protected void blockDrawerFromOpening(){
        DrawerLayout drawerLayout = (DrawerLayout)
            findViewById(R.id.drawer_layout);
        if (drawerLayout != null) {
            drawerLayout.setDrawerLockMode(DrawerLayout.LOCK_MODE_LOCKED_CLOSED);
        }
    }

    /**
     * implements TaskProcessCallback
     */
    public void startProcess(){
        showLoadingProgress();
    }
    /**
     * implements TaskProcessCallback
     */
    public void finishProcess(){
        hideLoadingProgress();
    }

    public void onMessage(@NonNull MessageType messageType, @NonNull String message){
        showErrorMessage("", message);
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Q: Fetch specific data from Firestore in Flutter There is a database named userdetails of three columns name, email, and password. How can I fetch only name from Firebase Firestore? Please give an example.
I have stucked in that thing(fetching of specific data)

A: As far as I am aware, you can't do that with a server side query. A firebase query would return the DocumentSnapshot.
On the client side you would map that to what you need.
https://firebase.google.com/docs/firestore/query-data/get-data

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Mueller's still not done, but the Senate Intelligence Committee is preparing to wrap up its investigation.
Surprise! It hasn't uncovered any evidence of "collusion." NONE. ZERO. NADA. Keep in mind that this is coming from both Republicans and Democrats on the committee. It's totally bipartisan.
No blood contracts that we're aware of. Sorry Dems.


Quezon City holds the title as the biggest and wealthiest city in Metro Manila. Aside from its vast land area, a large youthful population, and growing economy, Quezon City is also steeped in history and legacy, as it was once the country's capital during the Commonwealth years. With its major arterial roads, sprawling parks and gardens, and famous entertainment and recreational hubs, it's little wonder that QC residents are proud of their city and heritage – and rarely want to live anywhere else.
Today, Quezon City is a colorful and busy blend of yesterday's grandeur and modern lifestyle.
And a new residential development is taking the best of this historical city to create a new, uncommon level of contemporary living.
The Residences at Commonwealth by Century is Century Properties' first vertical village in Quezon City.
This thoughtfully-crafted, mid-rise residential community is designed for a holistic lifestyle amidst the bustling Commonwealth neighborhood.
Its eight buildings are named after the Presidents and Vice-Presidents of the Philippine Commonwealth; each varies in height, from 11 to 22 floors, and features a distinct undulating facade, with sizable and airy balconies for the units.
Designed by the same team behind the incredible Azure Urban Resort Residences in Parañaque and Acqua Private Residences in Mandaluyong, Commonwealth by Century draws inspiration from the terrain of the land, maximizing the natural elements for optimal sunlight and natural ventilation.
Commonwealth by Century is a grand, uncommon urban living space that is accessible, secure, and suited for the best in contemporary living.
Located along Don Antonio Drive, the country's top schools and universities, shopping centers, churches, and major thoroughfares are all within reach. The development will also be within walking distance from the Don Antonio Station of the MRT Line 7, which began construction in 2017.
Twenty- four by seven security personnel, integrated closed-circuit cameras, and other state-of-the-art facilities provide the utmost privacy and security for residents and their guests.
Exclusive amenities are open for both individuals and families of all ages.
Babies and toddlers can enjoy play or naptime at the crèche (nursery) while kids can learn and socialize at the kindergarten. Teens can hone their talents at the arts and crafts and rock and roll studios.
Meanwhile, young adults can spend their boundless energy in the basketball court and dance studio while those in their prime can take leisurely walks around the great lawn or find their balance at the yoga garden.
These top-notch amenities are clustered within a gorgeous landscaped and waterscaped park, whose calm greens and soothing pools are a welcome escape for those caught up in the busyness of everyday life.
Awe-inspiring architecture inspired by the land. Uncommon amenities that build great communities. Security that keeps you and your loved ones safe and happy. Commonwealth by Century is a home for everyone who craves the best of life, in the heart of the beloved Quezon City.
For more information, call +63917 555 5274 or email [email protected]. Follow Century Properties on Facebook and Instagram.


Happy Birthday To Paper Moon!
Yay!!! My favorite LSS turns 3 this weekend and I am off to crop like there is no tomorrow – starting, um, tomorrow! LOL!
On a scrappy note, finishing up some stuff for a design team submission. I really love their products and from the bottom of my toes know I would make an excellent dt member! Send lots of dt luck dust my way!!!
Excuse the bad photo on this one.
OMG I love these LOs! When do you think you'll hear something? Good luck!!


text:
L pod whales off Monterey, California
by hansvedo | Feb 6, 2008 | Sightings |
By Alana Phillips
In the gloom of winter, many of us dream of heading to sunny California for some warmer weather. But for BC's southern resident killer whales, travelling all the way to California isn't just for fun – they're in search of food.
Last week, L pod was seen off Monterey Bay in central California. The sighting marks the sixth winter in a row that southern resident killer whales have been seen off California. Although it is not unusual for the whales to venture south in the winter in search of salmon, the presence of L-pod as far south as California has some marine biologists alarmed about the future of this endangered population, which numbers only 88 animals.
"Stocks of chinook salmon aren't likely to recover in Washington State," says Dr. Ken Balcomb, Director of the Center for Whale Research in Friday Harbour, Washington. "If salmon fisheries aren't closed and salmon habitat restored, these whales could end up spending more of their time in California, where salmon are more strongly protected".
Dr. Lance Barrett-Lennard is also concerned about the fate of southern resident killer whales. As Senior Marine Mammal Scientist at the Vancouver Aquarium and co-chair of the Killer Whale Recovery Team, he knows that chinook are crucial to the survival of resident killer whales. "California salmon stocks increased for a number of years but recently took a severe turn for the worse," he says. "If chinook salmon are becoming harder to find throughout the southern residents' range, they will need to spend more energy finding food. This means that they'll have less reserves available for reproduction and disease resistance – and that could have serious effects on the population."
Winter sightings of killer whales are vital to researchers to better understand the whales' movement and foraging patterns. You can help! If you see killer whales, or any other species of whales, dolphins or porpoises, let us know!


Released in 2012, 21 Jump Street is an American action comedy film directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. It was written by Michael Bacall and stars Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum.
Who is the girl in the limo?
Why say "it rhymes with Grape"?
Are Hanson and Penhall confirmed dead?


This week was the 25th anniversary of World AIDS Day. December 1st is the day committed to raise awareness of the global pandemic responsible for the lives of millions.
On this day, Medwiser was proud to release HATS–the HIV AIDS Test Screening software. This educational tool is one of the most advanced of its kind, employing artificial intelligence to let individuals know if they need to get tested.
Why is HATS is so important?
20% of people with HIV don't know they are infected and then unknowingly infect others. Making people aware and facilitating testing is crucial to stop this. Read more here.
There's no better way to tell us that you support our mission than to make a contribution to our nonprofit — and no better time than right now. If you've never donated online before, now is the time to do it. Contribute $10 now to show your support.
Help us reach 10,000 users. Share the link by email or on social media. Go to hats.medwiser.org to take it. It is quick and confidential.


The steroid injection is actually kicking in and I feel a little bit better; the edge is off the pain. I had a rough steroid flare-up but it guess it is worth it to get some relief. Hopefully this lasts me a little while yet. I wouldn't mind if it lasted until my surgery date.
It is funny how your mind can play tricks on the body though. I've been pretty sore as of late, and am completely convinced that I need surgery. Then, the steroid kicks in, and I think to myself "well, it's not that bad." Wouldn't it be great if steroid injections were permanent deals? If that was the case....no surgery for me!!!
We are going to be submitting pre-authorization to my insurance in 2 weeks time. My insurance company has been known to give problems to those who are in my situation (repeated surgeries and now needs a reconstruction). But, people have got it covered and I have proof that I have exhausted all conservative measures. Let's pray that I can get it covered because if they deny my case, I can't get my surgery done because it would cost $35,000 up front payment! eek.


I have 30+ years call center & management experience and I am certified Six Sigma Black Belt & Lean Sigma. I was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska--Cornhusker Fan by heart. I have lived in Aurora, Colorado for the past 23 years. I love reading, church and family gatherings as well as taking road trips with the family.


text:
Die Liste von Fantasyfilmen der 1930er Jahre gibt einen chronologischen Überblick über Kino- und abendfüllende TV-Produktionen, die im Zeitraum von 1930 bis 1939 in diesem Genre gedreht wurden. Bei der Nutzung ist zu beachten, dass ein Teil der aufgeführten Filme sich mit artverwandten Genres aus dem Bereich der Phantastik wie Horror und Science-Fiction überschneidet, aber auch Drama und Komödie. Die Liste erhebt keinen Anspruch auf Vollständigkeit und unterliegt einem laufenden Erweiterungsprozess.

1930

1931

1932

1933

1935

1936

1937

1939

!
Film in den 1930er Jahren
Fantasyfilme 1930er Jahre


text:
This $39 Stanley tumbler is the latest drinkware trend to blow up on TikTok
TikTok's latest obsession? This $39 insulated tumbler.
Kate Mendonca
·Shopping & Lifestyle Editor
This $39 Stanley tumbler is going viral on TikTok. Images via Tiktok/@perkinsonparkway, TiKtok/sammorgana.
In the world of mugs, thermoses and tumblers, few brands are as recognizable as Stanley. Their iconic designs have stood the test of time (the company has been around for more than 100 years!), and lately, they've become some of the most coveted TikTok-approved products.
In case you aren't active on the video-sharing app, let us break it down for you. Stanley's drinkware has surged in popularity lately, as searches for the "#stanleytumbler" have racked up more than 137 million views at the time of writing.
The Quencher tumbler specifically has won over audiences online, and it's been known to sell out quickly as of late. Luckily, it's back in stock — so you'll want to grab one before it's gone.
Stanley The Quencher H2.0 Flowstate Tumbler 0.88L
Stanley The Quencher H2.0 Flowstate Tumbler 0.88L. Image via Stanley.
$39 at Stanley
This tumbler has been making waves online as the latest piece of must-have drinkware — move over, Starbucks. Not only does it have a double-walled vacuum insulated body to keep your drinks icy-cold for up to 40 hours, it also has an ergonomically shaped handle that makes it easy to grab and go.
The tumbler comes in two sizes, 0.88L and 1.18L, which range in price from $39 to $52 CAD. Despite their large capacity, these tumblers have a narrow base that fits into most standard cup holders.
The brand's unique FlowState lid even has a rotating cover with three positions: a straw opening designed to resist splashes with a seal that holds the reusable straw in place, a drink opening, and a full-cover top.
While the Stanley website doesn't showcase customer reviews, you just have to look to TikTok for more information.
Content creator Chris Gerbig revealed that his wife has "12 of these," in his video detailing Stanley's rise to popularity.
Krystle Perkins, another TikTok user, also shared her top reasons for loving her tumbler, adding that she could "talk about this all day."
Among her reasons for loving the tumbler, Perkins listed its "very comfy" handle, and that it fits in car cup holders. She added that it keeps "ice cold for 12 hours, most of the time even longer," and that it's dishwasher safe.
While these tumblers are ideal for staying hydrated throughout the day, many shoppers have also made videos about using these Stanley tumblers to keep soft drinks and iced coffee cold too.
While it's essentially just an insulated bottle, shoppers agree that the Stanley Quencher tumbler lives up to the hype.
Its often selling out, so if you're on the hunt for a new water bottler or insulated thermos, it's worth picking this version up when you see it in stock.
Let us know what you think by commenting below and tweeting @YahooStyleCA! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
Is the 'Lucky Girl' wellness trend really as dangerous as everyone is saying?
The viral 'lucky girl syndrome' mindset, is the latest wellness practice to take TikTok by storm. The trend, which seems to be a hyper-intense version of the popular Manifesting practice that has taken off in the last couple of years is the belief that if you think good things happen to you they will. But not everyone is convinced. Many believe it can lead some into the realms of toxic positivity, where one avoids anything that could be negative including not facing up to, acknowledging or deali
"I scuppered my proposal FOUR times before my fiancé was finally able to pop the question"
A woman scuppered her own proposal FOUR times before her boyfriend was finally able to pop the question - without her ruining it. Frankie Clark, 27, kept spoiling the moment her partner, Andy, 39, was going to propose to her - by making jokes about him putting a ring on her finger. Frankie ruined the moment Andy, an inverting operations manager, was first going to get down on one knee when she swapped a day with him to hang out with some friends who were visiting from Ireland. When Andy made plans to pop the question on New Year's Eve, Frankie decided to head to bed early ahead of a singing gig she had the next day. She shot down ideas of him proposing after she came off stage the next day when she said it "would steal her thunder". On his fourth attempt, Andy was about to pull out the ring while the couple were taking self-timer photos on a walk, before Frankie jumped in joking "now would be a good time to propose." Andy finally surprised Frankie on his fifth attempt and asked her to be his wife during a beach walk on January 6, 2023, in Bamburgh, Northumberland. Frankie, a personal trainer and trainee therapist, from Morpeth, Northumberland, said: "I was always making back-handed jokes about him putting a ring on my finger. "I'd wiggle my finger him as he left for work. "I didn't realise I had ruined his proposals four times. "You can see in the photo on our walk on the fourth attempt he literally had his hand in his pocket on the ring. "I ruined it by saying: 'If you want to propose, now would be a really good time.' "On our walk when Andy did propose I'd joked again saying: 'Shall I bring the tripod and not cut my nails if you're going to propose?' "He snapped - so I felt really guilty and hit a nerve. "But he didn't want me ruining another proposal. "It was really special. "We went for fizz afterwards and he told me all the attempts I had inadvertently ruined." Andy said: "I was disappointed at first which quickly moved into hopelessness. "I kept thinking this is never going to happen. "I also asked myself if it was a sign it is not meant to be. "But I'm no quitter. "When I finally asked Frankie it felt really emotional. "I knew it was the right time as the sun came out, wind dropped and it was just Frankie and I." Frankie and Andy started dating in May 2022, after hitting it off as neighbours. "I could hear him shouting at the football above me and messaged and we became inseparable," Frankie said. Andy moved into Frankie's apartment in September 2022 and Frankie was so set on her man she wanted to make things official with an engagement. "We'd talked about it, but Andy didn't want to rush things as he had been married before and didn't want things to wrong," Frankie said. But after a bad day she had a ring designed at her local jewellers. "I had the Amethyst stones ordered and everything, but Andy felt the pressure and I had the stones sent back," she said. "Little did I know, two months later, he had the ring ordered. "I was still always making jokes like I'd make him a Sunday roast and say, 'marriage material'." Andy first tried to propose in December 2022 but had his plans ruined when Frankie asked to spend the day with some friends who had come to visit from Ireland. "We were going to have the day together, but some friends came back from Ireland," Frankie said. "Turns out he'd wanted to propose. "On New Year's Eve he wanted to propose and planned for us to watch the fireworks in London. "I said I wanted to go to bed early because I had a big singing gig the next day. "I remember waking up at midnight and he was sat there - all grumpy." Andy plucked up the courage to try again the next day after Frankie's gig until she told him about not wanting anything to take away from the moment. "I said something about not wanting my thunder stolen," she said. "A few days later we went on a dog walk, and I set my tripod up to take some photos. "I ruined it by saying 'if you want to propose, now would be a really good time.' "He had his hand on the ring." Finally, Andy asked Frankie to be his wife on January 6, 2023, on a blustery walk on the beach, but she nearly ruined that attempt too. "I'd been really annoying him in the morning teasing about a proposal," Frankie said. "But the sun came out as we were on the beach, and he turned to me all red-eyed and said: 'I love you and I can't imagine my life without you.' "He got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife. "I was like 'oh my god, it's happening.' "I asked him at the restaurant how long he'd wanted to propose for, and he said: 'Frankie you've ruined four proposals.' "But he knows it's typical me." The happily engaged couple plan to get married abroad in the next few years.
KSI opens up on going to therapy over 'childhood' in Real Life documentary
KSI opens up on going to therapy over 'childhood' in Real Life documentary on AmazonKSI: In Real Life, Amazon Prime Video
Toronto Zoo Snow Leopard Strikes a Pose in Wintry Setting
A snow leopard at the Toronto Zoo struck a peaceful pose in his enclosure on Thursday, January 26, after several inches of snow fell in the area.According to Environment Canada, parts of the city received between 11 and 22 cm (4.3 to 8.6 inches) of snow on Wednesday night.On Thursday, Ontario Provincial Police warned drivers to slow down on roads as snow cleanup efforts continued.This footage of nine-year-old Pemba was captured by Courtney Dunn, who said she recorded the video using cameras operated by Zoolife, a zoo streaming service, in the Toronto Zoo on Thursday morning.According to a Facebook live video posted by the zoo, Pemba arrived to the zoo from Calgary at the end of November 2021. Credit: Zoolife/Toronto Zoo via Storyful
TikTok loves these affordable pump-top jars for storing face moisturizer because it's cleaner and the product won't get under your nails
Drunk Elephant uses these types of jars, and you can too with this refillable one from Amazon.
Australian bombshells send two islanders home in dramatic double dumping
Six islanders found themselves at risk of being dumped.
'I'm my own psychologist': Sabalenka tames her inner tiger
A year ago, Aryna Sabalenka's serve was in pieces and she was having to scrape through fraught battles in Australia as her fragile emotions were laid painfully bare.The shaky serve that haunted her so badly 12 months ago has been rock-solid, broken just six times in Melbourne.
Government's bill for Boris Johnson's partygate legal advice rises to £222,000
A senior civil servant said the figure was not a limit and could rise again as the inquiry into whether Boris Johnson misled Parliament continues.
Julia Fox Goes Viral For Relatable Apartment Tour
Julia Fox posted an apartment tour on TikTok and peopleare loving how relatable it is.
Major updates announced for Mazda UK's top-selling SUV model
Staff set to train in the 'ancient art of Japanese hospitality'
Google Faces Antitrust Lawsuit for Alleged Digital Advertising Dominance
On January 24, the United States Justice Department, along with eight states, filed an antitrust suit against Google. 'Time' reports that the suit aims to smash the tech giant's alleged monopoly on the online advertising ecosystem.
Wild turkey terrorizing Minnesota neighborhood since 2021
A wild turkey has been terrorizing a mobile home park in Anoka County, Minnesota since 2021. Animal rescue officials say it cannot be relocated as it may continue its aggressive behaviour elsewhere.
Bradford Telegraph and Argus
Councillor slams lack of progress on 'surface of the moon' road
A senior Conservative has accused a council of "steadfastly doing nothing" to repair a road previously likened to the surface of the moon.


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All posts by Becca Pad
Books, Fine Arts Library
Experiencing Artists' Books
Image September 15, 2017 Becca Pad Leave a comment
Look closely and you will find the rare and unique collections at the UT Libraries.
One of the special collections at the Fine Arts Library is the FAL Artists' Publications Collection which includes artists' books — books created with the intention of being a work of art. Some artists use books to explore narrative or the relationship between images and text, while others challenge our understanding of what books are and how we read them through the manipulation of form.
"Fishbubbles" by Jill Timm.
The Fine Arts Library contains over 200 artists' books. Serving primarily as a teaching collection, the artists' books show different binding techniques, materials, sculptural forms and conceptual approaches, with the FAL holding titles by such recognizable artists as Damien Hirst, Richard Prince and Ed Ruscha. Some of the books in the collection push the boundaries of reading by engaging with other senses such as smell, touch and taste.
"Schengen's kit : rules and advices for survival of refugees at sea : content: instructions on a funeral body bag in a plastic envelope" by Christine Kermaire.
The opportunity to smell, touch, taste and hear the artists' books will be available on November 7th from 5:30-7:30 pm as part of the Experiencing Artists' Books event. This event is associated programming for the new Visual Arts Center (VAC) exhibition Fool's Romance / Books from Aeromoto curated by Allison Myers, Art History PhD candidate and 2016-2017 VAC Curatorial Fellow. Myers will lead a dialogue between local artists and bookmakers including Jason Urban, Artist and Studio Art Faculty, and Lindsay Starr from Cattywampus Press. After our dialogue, audience members will have the opportunity to engage with the unusual books in our collection.
"Scent" by Stephen Gan.
The Fool's Romance / Books from Aeromoto exhibition opens on September 22nd from 6-8pm. Come and explore over 300 artists' books from Aeromoto, a non-profit art library and community space based in Mexico City.
We hope to see you at the exhibition opening and the Experiencing Aritsts' Books event later this fall.
Events, Fine Arts Library, UT Poetry Center
Zine Fest Success with the Libraries
Link June 19, 2017 Becca Pad Leave a comment
Gina Bastone reps the Libraries at the first annual Lone Star Zine Fest.
The Fine Arts Library has a collection of over 500 zines focused on art, music, performance, as well as zines created by regional and local authors. Zines are typically described as self-published or DIY works that have limited editions. Zines are often made of 8 ½ by 11 sheets of paper folded in half and stapled together. Early zines emerged from science fiction fandom, though over time different social and counter-cultural movements adopted the medium as a way to disseminate information and share ideas. More recently, artists also adopted zines as a creative medium and method to distribute work outside mainstream channels within the art world. Many cities around the country and world, including our Texas neighbors in Houston and Dallas, have zine or independent publishing festivals.
Back in January, a group of Austin librarians and zine makers gathered to discuss the possibility of creating a new festival called Lone Star Zine Fest (LSZF). LSZF took place on June 11th at Cheer Up Charlies and was co-sponsored by UT Libraries, Sherwood Forest Library, Town Talk Library, and artist Josh Ronsen. The goal for this festival was to create a space for Austin's artists, poets, zinesters, and zine-lovers to come together as a community to celebrate and share work. LSZF had close to 30 exhibitors participate and over 375 attendees during the Sunday afternoon event.
Longhorns were well represented at LSZF as exhibitors and attendees. Several graduate students, undergraduate students and staff shared their zines or small presses. The UT Libraries also had a table where Gina Bastone, English Librarian, and I highlighted the Zine Collection at Fine Arts Library and UT Poetry Center at the Perry-Castañeda Library.
Gina and I also created a zine to use as an outreach tool that playfully describes the two complementary collections to readers. Members of the public along with UT students, faculty, and staff who stopped by our table expressed surprise to hear these two collections were present within the libraries. The library zine proved to be a fun outreach tool that we plan to continue using with our respective departments.
The UT Libraries 'Zine.
In addition to working with Gina to promote our collections, I also represented UTL on the planning committee for the festival. Serving as a co-sponsor of this event, shows Longhorns and Austinites alike the value UTL places on supporting creativity on campus and within our city. As the liaison to the Art and Art History department, it is important to me to help create spaces on campus and within the greater Austin community that celebrate makers and their creative output. One of my favorite moments of the day was an exchange with an Art History student. Upon checking in to exhibit at the festival, the student remarked that I am their librarian. The student expressed excitement that UTL helped put on an event like LSZF. This was one of the many positive remarks heard from Longhorns throughout the day, demonstrating the importance events like this have to our community.
Stop by the Fine Arts Library or UT Poetry Center to see new zines and chapbooks acquired at the festival.
Lone Star Zine Fest.
Gina Bastone talks with a visitor to Lone Star Zine Fest.
Attendees had the opportunity to create their own 'zine at the festival.
artchapbookindependent publishinglocal authorszines


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← Liz Tells Frank What Happened In the "House of Lies" Pilot
Liz Tells Frank What Happened In Some Stupid Katherine Heigl Movie →
Liz Tells Frank What Happened In "Hell Comes to Frogtown"
So I should have written this post sometime during 2011, as it was heavily requested during the last round of open calls for what I should tell you about. It didn't happen. You know why, Frank? I really didn't want to watch this movie! But I got called out, and god forbid I quaver at the feet of any challenge. Even the challenge of a 1987 post-apocalyptic pseudo-comedy starring Rowdy Roddy Piper.
Thus, here's this movie! The backstory: Apocalypse, of the nuclear kind. And there are dudes who make frog noises and they're not allowed to have guns? I'm guessing they're the titular frogs? I am mentally preparing myself for a great deal of literalness. Because, lest you think the title was some sort of fancypants metaphor thing, we establish right away that Rowdy Roddy Piper's character is named Sam Hell. I bet at some point, he comes to Frogtown!
But first, he's in jail, getting a bottle broken over his head for some sort of grievious offense against a dude's daughter — I'm guessing it's a SEXY offense? Oh, it totally is, because it's just been revealed that the guy's daughter is pregnant, which is a miracle in these barren apocalypse-y days, and is thus very interesting to the ladies of Med-Tech, some sort of government organization devoted to making more babies, because doing it naturally isn't working out so well. This is delivered with all the subtlety and wit that you'd expect from a movie about giant mutated frog people, just so we're clear.
Propaganda posters! World-building!
Because Roddy is some sort of super-sperm stud, Med-Tech claims him as government property (to the point where they put a crazy chastity-type belt on his junk), and asks him to go on a mission of impregnation — impregnation and also investigating some sort of kidnapping out near Frogtown. (I TOLD YOU FRANK! I TOLD YOU THIS MOVIE WAS ABOUT A GUY NAMED HELL GOING TO FROGTOWN!)
Roddy pitches a bit of a fit about riding around in the bright pink Med-Tech PT Cruiser, but reluctantly gets in with the main Med-Tech lady, a blonde chick in glasses known as Spangle, as well as a Tasha Yar-esque machine gun lady.
Frank, here is some banter from their road trip!
Spangle: "There's a war going on."
Hell: "Yeah? Where's the front?"
Spangle: "Don't you take anything seriously?"
Hell: "I used to take everything seriously. Then they blew it up."
I like the part where all the Med-Tech ladies are tough, badass and gun-toting. I don't like the part where none of them can act, but eh, what can you do?
Oh, now I get what the mission is, by the way! They're rescuing fertile women from the mutants of Frogtown and then Roddy has to knock them all up. GOOD MISSION. For some reason, though, Roddy's not into it and tries to make his getaway, forgetting that he's got a government-issue tracking device on his junk, which gets activated and I guess tases him or something? Who knows. The important thing is, Spangle has power over his junk. Oh, good.
Now they've made camp, and Spangle just strolled out of her tent wearing this:
And I just did this:
Roddy, not being one to ignore an obvous hint, pulls her down for makeouts, but she freaks and activates the penis-belt. Apparently to maximize potency she has to constantly cocktease him. It's her job. Man, it's a shame this movie wasn't made in the 30s; Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn could have totally rocked these roles.
And now the machine gun lady is seducing him! Oh, Spangle catches them and aborts their fun. Cocktease: The Movie!
There's more driving the next day, and Frank, I know you're thinking to yourself, it's been at least two minutes since a nubile young lady wanted to fuck Roddy Piper — but don't worry, this movie is looking out for you! On their way to Frogtown they get "a live one" — a fertile girl! Who the scientist lady ties up and injects with an aphrodisiac so that she's ready to party. (LET'S JUST LEAVE THAT ALONE LET'S NOT EVEN THINK TOO HARD ABOUT THIS FRANK FRANK I REALLY DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT OH MAN LET'S JUST LEAVE IT ALONE.)
Oh, but Roddy Piper's not in the mood to fuck the drugged captive on command! So then scientist lady, "trained in the art of seduction," takes off her clothes to inspire him. Which works — he then bangs the girl, who's totally okay with that the next morning. Of course.
If you don't think about the GIANT ENORMOUS CONSENT ISSUES HOLY SHIT FRANK LET'S SERIOUSLY NOT TALK ABOUT IT, it's kind of a nice scene between Spangle and Hell, but it's immediately counteracted by the next scene, where they prepare to break into Frogtown by pretending that Spangle is Roddy's slave, and he puts a collar on her and yanks her around a whole bunch, but look, let me focus on what I need to to get through this–
THEY'RE IN LOVE, FRANK.
Before they enter Frogtown, Roddy throws away her glasses and takes her hair down and tells her she looks nice. MOTHERFUCKER.
Because allow me to make this quick note about Rowdy Roddy Piper: He is not objectively good-looking. His body is kinda flabby. His hair is the worst. He is in every way nothing I find attractive. And yet — he is actually really charming on screen! When he isn't, you know, raping women. It's really confusing, Frank! Really, really confusing.
Anyway, to complete the cycle of literalness — we're in Frogtown now! It is a town full of people who are frog-mutants — AKA "greeners." At the Frogtown bar, Roddy meets an old prospector friend who's looking for uranium or something. I dunno. The point of this scene is the frog lady stripper doing sexy dancing; I'm really not sure what else we're supposed to be learn.
The part of me that likes the Muppets is kind of on board with the talking frogs. Just for the record. It almost distracts me from the part of the scene where Roddy Piper tries to sell Spangle for monies!
Oh no! Before he can seal the deal, this frog guy with an eyepatch steals her! And Roddy got knocked out! DRAMA. First, though, that frog stripper lady from before tries to fuck Sam Hell. It's kind of sad, actually, because he just shoves her off without even giving her a chance. SHE SEEMS REALLY NICE, RODDY, THROW HER A BONE!
Well, now Spangle is being prepared for frog-raping! Frog-raping starts off pretty Sapphic, just for the record.
Okay, it's just a lot of waving veils, but whatever.
Oh, now the scientist lady is being forced to dance for the main frog boss guy. More dialogue:
"Dance for me!"
"The only dance I'm going to do is dance on your grave!"
"Dance for me, or die!"
"Modern or ballet?"
This scene is kinda funny! Frank, I seriously don't understand this movie.
She's actually terrible at dancing, but the frog king guy's into it — not that it matters, with Roddy saving her. Hooray! Spangle doesn't get raped by a frog, Frank. That's what this movie has going for it. REMEMBER HOW THEY HUNTED DOWN A FERTILE WOMAN AND TIED HER UP AND THEN MADE RODDY FUCK HER WITH THE USE OF DRUGS? Apparently, I still do. Sigh.
Anyhoo, Spangle and Roddy free the fertile women from the frog king guy's harem, though the prospecter gets killed in the process, the machine gun lady lays down some cover fire, and the pink PT Cruiser filled with gals ready for knocking-up escapes.
And now there's a Mad Max-esque gunfight. (It is not particularly exciting. None of the action has been particularly exciting.) The PT Cruiser gets bombed! How sad. And Roddy has a big fight with the main frog guy on Vasquez Rock, I think? What matters is that he wins the fight. Everything's fine. In case that wasn't clear.
"I told you the plan would work!" says Spangle.
"Plan? That was a plot to murder me! I ought to kick your butt," Roddy replies.
"Oh, just try it, buster!"
And they kiss. Because, you know, that's how it works, when you put a bomb on a guy's junk and then cock-tease him for a while and then he drags you around by a collar around your neck and nearly lets you get raped by a frog dude.
More banter:
"You have to save yourself for fertiles!"
"I have enough."
"Oh no you don't."
And then he gives the machine gun lady a necklace for some reason. And then he's reminded of his mission to impregnate all the newly rescued harem girls. "A soldier's work is never done," he says, then drives their new ride (a camoflague jeep) out into the desert. AND THEY ALL LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER.
On the one hand, this wasn't as bad as Zardoz. It was even, at times, perversely charming, in a Troma Studios kind of way.
On the other hand, not being as bad as Zardoz — not saying much.
About Liz Shannon Miller
Liz Shannon Miller is a Los Angeles-based writer and editor, and has been talking about television on the Internet since the very beginnings of the Internet. She recently spent five years as TV Editor at Indiewire, and her work has also been published by the New York Times, Vulture, Variety, the AV Club, the Hollywood Reporter, IGN, The Verge, and Thought Catalog. She is also a produced playwright, a host of podcasts, and a repository of "X-Files" trivia.
View all posts by Liz Shannon Miller »
Posted on January 10, 2012, in All the Spoilers, Movies and tagged boobies, hell comes to frogtown, post-apocalyptic!, rowdy roddy piper, unnecessary rape. Bookmark the permalink.	4 Comments.
Jeff | January 10, 2012 at 8:10 pm
"And yet — he is actually really charming on screen!"
No one can resist the Hot Rod.
Liz Shannon Miller | January 11, 2012 at 4:39 pm
FACT. WEIRD, WEIRD FACT.
Laura Sheehan | January 11, 2012 at 12:44 pm
The only thing I want to know: what was Worf reacting to?? I'm deadly curious.
That's a really good question! I asked a guy who might have known and all we were able to determine is that it's from DS9. MYSTERY!


Radio 1's Big Weekend 2017 will take place in Hull, with Little Mix and Kings of Leon already confirmed.
The event will be held on the Bank Holiday weekend of May 27th and 28th at Burton Constable Hall, with grime artist Stormzy also confirmed.
The news is another boost for the East Yorkshire city as it begins its year as UK City of Culture.
Thousands are expected to attend.
Leader of Hull City Council, Stephen Brady said: "Radio 1's Big Weekend is a major highlight in the UK festival calendar and to have it coming to our region is really a testament to the fantastic work done by the 2017 team, Hull City Council and our partners in the East Riding."
Now in its 14th year, past Big Weekends have taken place in Exeter, Norwich and Derry/Londonderry and have included appearances from the likes of Coldplay, Muse, Foo Fighters and Taylor Swift.
Martin Green, director of Hull UK City of Culture 2017, said: "Bringing this major national event with some of the biggest names in the music industry is a massive coup for the city and confirms its growing international profile as the place to be."


What's the best retirement account for my situation? We explain Roth & Traditional IRAs, annuities and employer plans.
Repeat after us: "Retirement savings are for retirement." Again. "Retirement savings are for retirement."
Why this mantra? Simple: The best place to put your savings is in tax-advantaged accounts. As with all things IRS-related, you'll pay a penalty if you want to get your mitts on the moola before the golden age of retirement. So, once again: "Retirement savings are for retirement."
If your employer matches your contributions to the company's defined contribution plan -- e.g., 401(k) or 403(b) -- this should be the first place to devote every dollar that you can afford to lock away for the long term. Why? You're staring at free money, and you shouldn't just stare at free money -- you should take it.
Tax deduction: The money you contribute to the employer plan is not included in your income for tax purposes.
Tax deferral: You don't pay taxes until you retire. That leaves more of your money to grow through the years.
Automatic investment: The money is transferred directly from your paycheck to your account. No checks to write, no monthly reminders, no paper cuts to the tongue while sealing the envelope.
Thereafter, the limit will increase in $500 increments whenever the cumulative effects of inflation indicate such an increase is needed.
Again, the "catch-up" limit will subsequently increase in $500 increments whenever the cumulative effects of inflation indicate such an increase is needed.
Tax-free growth: While you won't get a tax deduction on contributions to a Roth IRA, you'll never have to pay taxes on the earnings when you begin withdrawals (assuming you follow the rules).
More control: If you open your account with a discount broker, you can purchase individual stocks, bonds, and any index investment offered through that broker. This is an advantage over the limited selection offered by most employer-sponsored plans.
No mandatory distributions: With employer-sponsored plans and traditional IRAs, you must begin withdrawing funds by April of the year following the year in which you reach age 70 1/2, even if you don't need the money. Not so with a Roth. If you don't need the money, it can keep growing on its merry, tax-free way.
The contribution limit for a Roth (and traditional IRA as well) is $5,500 for 2013 and 2014. Thereafter, the $5,000 maximum allowable contribution will be indexed to inflation in $500 increments.
We still like defined contribution plans (like 401(k)s and 403(b)s) for your retirement savings, even after you've reached the matching limit. The money that you contribute to the plan comes regularly out of your paycheck, without you having to do anything at all, and you're getting that tax deduction by contributing pre-tax money. Again, the contribution limits vary from plan to plan, but generally, the limits are $17,500 for 2013 and 2014, and an amount indexed to inflation after that.
However, the investment options in your plan might not be too great. If you're staring at a bunch of underperforming managed mutual funds as your only choices, you might want your money going to better accounts. Each month, our Rule Your Retirement service takes a detailed look at what qualifies as a "good" investment for the long term.
If your income level is too high for you to start or to continue contributing to a Roth IRA, you can nonetheless make a contribution to a traditional IRA. The annual contribution limits are the same as for the Roth, and those limits apply to total annual IRA contributions; in other words, you can't contribute $5,000 to a Roth and $5,000 to a traditional IRA (at least until contribution limits reach $10,000 a year).
A traditional IRA grows tax-deferred and is taxed as ordinary income upon withdrawal. Plus, contributions are tax-deductible if 1) your employer doesn't offer a retirement plan, or 2) your adjusted gross income is below a certain level. Those levels change every year, so check with the IRS. For 2013, for example, the limit is $59,000 (gradually phased out until $69,000) for single tax-filers or $95,000 (gradually phased out until $115,000) for married filers. The corresponding limits for 2014 are $60,000 and $70,000 for singles and $96,000 and $116,000 for joint filers.
After you've maxed out the tax-advantaged vehicles at your disposal, only then should you put your retirement savings dollars into taxable accounts. However, if you don't like the investment options available in your employer-provided plan, then you might move taxable investments up higher on this list, ahead of your unmatched defined contribution plan.
Have contributed the maximum to their defined-contribution plans and IRAs and desire further tax deferral on investment gains.
Prefer investing in mutual funds, as opposed to individual securities.
Will keep the annuity for at least 15 to 20 years.
Are in a 25% or higher income tax bracket today, but expect to be in a lower income tax bracket in retirement.
Don't need the annuity proceeds prior to age 59 1/2.
Are unconcerned that heirs must pay ordinary income taxes on any appreciation.
Desire a "guaranteed" income for life in retirement.
How much should go where?
If you've happened to catch any commercials for the big banks and brokerage firms, you may have noticed that "asset allocation" is a hot selling point. Each sepia-toned sales pitch claims that the firm knows that elusive formula that will put all of your dollars in the exact right place at the right time. A healthy percentage of those dollars will be allocated right in your planner's pocket.
We prefer a simpler way of thinking. Let's start with the conventional wisdom of yore: Typically, the rule of asset allocation was to subtract your age from 100, and devote that portion to stocks. Therefore, a 50-year-old would have 50% of her portfolio devoted to stocks. A 70-year-old should only have 30% devoted to stocks. Then people started living longer, and the number to subtract from became 110. Perhaps there is some broad-stroke sense to that, but in reality, retirees must determine an allocation that provides peace of mind while still generating the income and portfolio growth required for a long and healthy life.
Any money you need in the next year should be in cash.
Any money you need in the next two to five (or even seven to 10, depending on your risk tolerance) years should be in a safe fixed-income investment, such as certificates of deposit or bonds.
Any money you don't need in the next five to 10 years is a candidate for the stock market.
As you can tell, we love tax-advantaged retirement accounts. However, keep this in mind: Money that you are saving for retirement should be money that you definitely won't touch until your retirement. Sure, you can get money out of a 401(k) or IRA before your retirement age if you absolutely have to, but there's generally a penalty -- and some taxes to boot -- attached to doing so. Again, the best thing to do is to repeat after us: "Retirement savings are for retirement."
Now, on to Step 5: Take stock.


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Substation Engineering
Power System Analysis
Renewable Energy Solutions
Transmission Line
Pro Watts Inc. > Services We Offer > Substation Automation/Microgrid
Electric Power System Automation – Improving Reliability
Pro Watts has been providing high-performance Substation Automation Systems (SAS) solutions for over 15 years for the reliable control, protection, operation and monitoring of electricity substations.
Systems can support IEC 61850 process platform and multi-vendors IEDs integrated into a flexible distributed or centralized control platform with redundant substation communications and remote communications of choice to the Central Distribution Management System (DMS). Pro Watts has developed systems ranging from compact medium voltage systems to large sophisticated systems at high voltage with multi-user workstations, remote fault file access, hardwired & soft logic interlocks, remote diagnostics and enterprise connectivity compliant to the North American Electric Reliability Corporation Critical Infrastructure Protection (NERC CIP).
Pro Watts can offer a comprehensive range of Substation Automation System solutions for Generation, Transmission & distribution and industry.
The international IEC 61850 standard defines a framework for substation communications networks and systems. The standard consists of several parts ranging from the requirements on Protection & Control (P&C) and SAS to the details of a communication architecture.
A major difference between the other communication protocols applied in substation automation and IEC 61850 is that the latter is not only a communication protocol, but a whole framework for specifying, engineering and operating substation automation systems. The communication part covers the connection between the IEDs and the substation clients, for example, SCADA and gateways.
For the past 15 years Pro Watts provided IEC61850 based P&C and SAS solutions from simple substations to integrated system microgrid with multiple generation and distribution.
PLC/RTU
Any automation system implementation requires the use of a logical controller whether in the form of a dedicated PLC, a Remote Terminal Unit (RTU) or hardened industrial computers. Specifying the right technology system requires extensive experience taking in consideration many factors such amount and type of data points, interconnected passive devices such sensors or active devices such IEDs or VFDs, desired control and monitoring speed, available features such alarming, data archiving. Latest reaction to the pandemic requires more and more that operational and maintenance data becomes available not only at plant level but for those that are working from home or are mobile.
These advances in technology requires companies like Pro Watts to be at the front of technological development and not only making sure that data is available at anytime but is only accessible by the intended parties.
Pro Watts has delivered PLC and RTU based solutions from substation automation with a couple of IEDs and an RTU, to large and more complex industrial facilities.
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Anna says she's glad to be back at work. (Spectrum News 1/Ashley N. Brown)
Louisville salon worker with Down syndrome excited to return to work post-pandemic
By Ashley N. Brown Kentucky
PUBLISHED 5:00 PM ET Jun. 17, 2021 PUBLISHED 5:00 PM EDT Jun. 17, 2021
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Anna Gilbert, a 29-year-old hospitality associate at Pure Salon in Louisville, was born with Down syndrome and a contagious smile, as her coworkers describe. She joined the team in 2014.
Anna Gilbert has been working at Pure Salon in Louisville for seven years
She recently returned to work after a 14-month break that began at the start of the pandemic
Gilbert mentored students with down syndrome when she was not working
Kentucky is an Employment First State that supports individuals with disabilities obtain employment
She's just getting back into the routine of work after a 14-month break following mandates that forced the salon to shut its doors last spring.
"I missed all of my coworkers. They are really happy to see me. I'm part of the team," said Gilbert.
Gilbert considers the salon team family.
"It makes me want to cry when she says that. Our team would not be the same without Anna. Wednesdays are special days because we know Anna is going to be here and you cannot know Anna and not just smile from ear to ear when you see her," said Pure Salon owner Laura Watkins.
That's a mutual feeling for the salon customers who were used to Gilbert's presence.
"They have also gotten very familiar with Anna, and they look forward to seeing her, and I think they formed relationships with her as well, so when she wasn't here over the pandemic, they would ask about her," said Watkins.
Kristen Falcone, a career solutions specialist with Down Syndrome Louisville, is also happy about Gilbert's return to work.
Falcone said for people with disabilities, employment is more than just a job. It boosts independence and confidence.
"Anna wants to make her own money. Anna wants to make her own financial decisions. Anna is a grown woman with her own dreams, and working is part of that," said Falcone.
Falcone helps dozens of people with Down syndrome get jobs in the community.
Finding positions that fit her clients' skill sets can sometimes be a challenge.
She said businesses that partner with organizations like Down Syndrome Louisville to create customized employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities make the difference.
It's been almost a year since Kentucky recommitted to being an Employment First State and committed to supporting individuals with disabilities obtain competitive and integrated employment in the community.
The state first joined in 2018, and an executive order signed by Gov. Andy Beshear last year continues the pledge.
"Pure has been a wonderful place for Anna. They have been accommodating for any challenges that she may have, anything that we need to train her on specifically," said Falcone.
While her part-time job was on hold, Gilbert helped her mom at home, spent time with family and mentored full time.
"I'm a role model for people like me. I'm a mentor for them if they need some help," says Gilbert.
While she enjoys mentoring local high schoolers with Down syndrome, she still missed working at the shop.
Though it looks a little different than it did when she left last spring, Gilbert is happy to be cleaning shelves, doing laundry, watering plants and spreading joy around the salon again.
"My favorite part is meeting customers. I'm glad I'm back," said Gilbert.
Pure Salon was named Down Syndrome Louisville's Employer of the Year for valuing the contributions of Anna as an employee in 2016.