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New Year's Countdown, December 31
Prince wrote this track in the 1980s, but became a New Year's anthem, especially in the last few years of the century. Here it is for your enjoyment on this New Year's Eve.
T Minus 1
Mariah Carey, who started this countdown and appeared throughout it, wasn't the only one to write a perennial song that could be called their retirement plan. Somebody beat her to it by years, and that somebody was the late great artist forever known as Prince.
Even though it originally came out in the 1980s, you know the song, which is the title track from his album 1999. It seemed to get played every New Year's ever in the last two decades of the 20th Century, and got played to death in December of 1998, then throughout all of 1999. It still makes regular New Year's Eve comebacks, especially in years ending in 9.
Even nearly 40 years later and for all of its glorious 80s synth-pop sound, the song still holds up today, and I dare you to not find yourself moving to this one as you listen, whether it's full-on choreography on your feet or a bit of a chair dance. Happy New Year — it's already happened for some of you, of course — and here's to the next year of the 2020s being better than the first two!
Check out the previous post or go back to the beginning.
Author joncbastianPosted on December 31, 2021 November 26, 2021 Categories BlogTags 1999, Countdown, New Year, Prince, The Artist Formerly Known As1 Comment on New Year's Countdown, December 31
With New Year's Eve tomorrow, there's still time for one last bit of holiday weirdness — Mariah Carey meets Radiohead.
T-Minus 2
I know Christmas is over but I happened to run across one more very interesting variation on All I Want for Christmas Is You. No fancy visuals with this one. It's all about the words and music, with a mash-up of Mariah's hit and another unlikely hit of another decade that fits it surprisingly well.
Watch from the beginning, or see the previous post.
Author joncbastianPosted on December 30, 2021 November 26, 2021 Categories BlogTags All I Want for Christmas, Countdown, Creep, Mariah Carey, Mashup, RadioheadLeave a comment on New Year's Countdown, December 30
Countdown to 2022, presenting the band Discordia with El día de los inocentes.
Okay, it can be hard to continue a theme like «Navidad española» after Christmas is over, since that means "Spanish Christmas," although in a lot of the Hispanic world, the Christmas season runs up until January 6, known as Epiphany in English but as El día de los Reyes Magos in Spanish — the day of the Three Wise Kings.
And yes, in no tradition do they actually visit Bethlehem (or Belén) on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. They may have even seen the sign about eight months before they set off on their journey. That's right — Jesus was hardly a newborn infant when they showed up around the Winter Solstice and was probably actually born in the Spring, maybe in April. Well, relatively speaking. Since Passover (Last Supper, anyone?) also tended to be in April around the third decade of the second millennium, Jesus pulled the Shakespeare trick of being born and dying in the same month, although Shakespeare may have even managed to die on his birthday — no one knows that one for sure.
But that's the long way 'round of getting to the connection for this video. First, it's in Spanish, although it's not a Christmas carol. Second, it refers to another Hispanic tradition that was celebrated yesterday, December 28th, which is El día de los inocentes. This commemorates the day that Herod had all of the newborn males in Bethlehem killed, just to make sure that the new King of the Jews wouldn't make it to adulthood and cause any trouble. In a lot of the Spanish-speaking world, though, the day is celebrated with pranks and jokes, a lot like April Fool's in the English-speaking world.
This song is called El día de los inocentes and it's by the band Discordia, a now-defunct band from Brazil, although here they sing in Spanish. Either that, or I suddenly understand Portuguese! There are no subtitles, so enjoy song for its melody if you don't understand. If you do understand, then you'll see why the title of the song is totally apt, and how even though the band split up almost a decade ago, what they sing about is still relevant, as much in Brazil as in the U.S.
See the previous post or read the next.
Author joncbastianPosted on December 29, 2021 November 26, 2021 Categories BlogTags Brazil, Countdown, Discordia, El día de los inocentes, español, Pranks, Rock1 Comment on New Year's Countdown, December 29
As the Countdown to 2022 continues, here's a comedy number from the group Straight no Chaser.
Sure, it's after Christmas, but that doesn't mean it still can't be the "It's not Just Christmas" theme. I've covered Chanukah, Kwanzaa, and Diwali. Hell, even Festivus Now here's a song that combines all of them, all of the Christmas carols, and provides a reminder of the annual madness we've all just survived.
I give you the group Straight No Chaser, which in some ways echoes another group seen here several times, Out of the Blue Oxford, performing both Santa Baby and All I Want for Christmas Is You. Both started as college a cappella groups, but the British version stayed with the university as an organization with an ever-evolving cast while the American version struck out on their own. As they describe their evolution, they went "from an undergraduate singing group at Indiana University to a beloved Atlantic Records act with a devoted international fanbase."
Their first release was the holiday album Holiday Spirits from 2008. This song was the lead track from their 2009 holiday release Christmas Cheers.
Check out the previous post or the next, or start from the beginning.
Author joncbastianPosted on December 28, 2021 November 26, 2021 Categories BlogTags A capella, can can, Chanukah, comedy, Countdown, Diwali, Festivus, Kwanzaa, New Year, Out of the Blue, Straight No Chaser1 Comment on New Year's Countdown, December 28
New Year's Countdown: Happy birthday Marlene Dietrich, who here serenades David Bowie with the song Just a Gigolo.
On this day in 1901, Marlene Dietrich was born in Berlin and lived into her 90s, with a career that spanned from when she was 18 and performing in Berlin nightclubs to a long film career in Hollywood.
She was an icon, and made her last feature film in 1979, appearing opposite David Bowie, who was 32 at the time. Its American title is Just a Gigolo, and yes, that song does appear in the film and, although the film is set in post-WW I Berlin, the song is not anachronistic, since the story moves along far enough to have the Nazis starting to muck with things.
The original song, entitled Schöner Gigolo, armer Gigolo, took lyrics written in Austria in 1924 and set them to music in 1928. The English version was written in 1929. Incidentally, the original German-language version was a tango.
In this clip from the film — which was widely panned and which Bowie himself regretted making —Dietrich's character sings it to Bowie's after basically humiliating him in front of a roomful of fellow soldiers.
Incidentally, the film was supposed to be a black comedy. I'm guessing that people just didn't get the joke.
Watch from the beginning, see the previous post, or experience the next.
Author joncbastianPosted on December 27, 2021 November 26, 2021 Categories BlogTags 2022, comedy, Countdown, david bowie, Marlene Dietrich, New YearLeave a comment on New Year's Countdown, December 27
Happy Boxing Day. As 2022 approaches, here's Dropbick Murphy's very Irish ode to the season.
Christmas is over, but doing this countdown has been so much fun that I decided to reset the clock to bring us into New Year's and the first day of 2022, which is also the first year of the second decade of the 2000s. A lot of people don't get this and think that the 20s started in 2020, but time doesn't work that way. Otherwise, the day after December 31 would be January 0.
I think the confusion over when decades begin and end comes from how humans count their own ages. Yes, on the day someone turns 20, they are no longer a teen, but that's because we start counting at zero, and on their first birthday they turn one. Decades, centuries, and millennia all start on the first day of year one and you have to have all of the digits, so it runs 1 all the way to (1)0.
But forget that for the moment. Happy Boxing Day, everyone! This is more celebrated in the British Commonwealth than the U.S., but in honor of this most British of holidays I bring you the most Irish of bands, Dropkick Murphys, with The Season's Upon Us. The song may be a day late for Christmas, but it's probably a more honest depiction of how a lot of you celebrated yesterday. Plus it continues the Christmas Countdown theme of Funny Thursday. Enjoy!
Author joncbastianPosted on December 26, 2021 November 26, 2021 Categories BlogTags 2020, Boxing Day, comedy, Countdown, Dropkick Murphys, dysfunctional family, Irisih, New YearLeave a comment on New Year's Countdown, December 26
Author joncbastianPosted on December 25, 2021 December 24, 2021 Categories Sin categoríaTags 7-Eleven, Blue Laws, Chinese Food, Christmas, Kwik-E-Mart, last call, liquor sales, movies, Simpsons, SundayLeave a comment on Closing Day
Christmas Countdown, Christmas Is Here!
Merry Christmas with greetings from OK GO.
OK Go right to it. One of my favorite bands for oh so many reasons — start your education here — but they combine math and science and music and create amazing videos as well as give back to the community and they are (mostly) L.A. locals and I couldn't admire them more if I tried. So, with no further ado, here is their way pre-fame Christmas wish for you all on this Christmas Day.
Check out the previous post, or start the countdown to 2022!
Author joncbastianPosted on December 25, 2021 November 26, 2021 Categories BlogTags carol, Christmas, Christmas carol, Christmas Day, Countdown, December 25, Happy Christmas, Holidays, Merry Christmas, OK Go1 Comment on Christmas Countdown, Christmas Is Here!
Merry Christmas! Here's one more Out of the Blue Oxford video for you. Enjoy and go donate to them if you can.
The day is here, but whatever you do or don't celebrate, I hope that your end of 2021 will help wash away the bad times of the last two and lead to better things in 2022.
Meanwhile, here's another charity single from Out of the Blue Oxford from 2017 that's a lively medley of things. Support the group and the charitable work they do to help keep a children's hospice going, and happy holidays!
Author joncbastianPosted on December 25, 2021 December 24, 2021 Categories Sin categoríaTags A capella, Charity Single, Christmas, LGBTQ+, Medley, Out of the Blue, OxfordLeave a comment on Merry Christmas!
La tormenta navideña/The Christmas storm
Right in time for Christmas, a major winter storm (finally) rolls into L.A. Here's a bit of L.A.'s history with water from the sky.
Southern California — indeed, the whole state — has been on the dry side for a while now, which is why we've had so many big fires in the last few years. Everything dries out, then we hit a point, usually around late summer or early fall, when the Santa Ana winds kick up.
These are hot, dry winds that blow in from across the desert, so generally from the southeast. They can pick up a lot of speed as they roll down the mountains into the L.A. Basin as well as the various valleys around it — San Gabriel, San Fernando, Santa Clarita, and Simi, for example.
While these winds are blowing, humidity drops to practically nothing and all it takes is one spark to set off a firestorm — an untended campfire, a moron with a cigarette, a badly maintained utility transformer blowing up in the heat, or a lighting strike. And, of course, there's always the occasional insane arsonist thrown into the mix — people who should just be shot.
But, after a brief visit from rain for about a day early last week, we had a storm roll in late on Christmas Eve eve (i.e. December 23rd) that delivered everything and more that we were only promised with the previous storm, which turned out to be a disappointment. Around where I am, we only got about a half a day of light rain.
This time around, it's been coming down steadily, sometimes building up to windy and very wet, and it's still going. This phase is expected to continue to past midnight before breaking, then return on Friday and possibly continue into Saturday.
The only downsides, of course, are flooding, and for all of the sewer and drainage work the city has done since the 1930s, we still have areas that always wind up with standing water. Sure, it's not enough to reach the tops of first floors, but it can be enough to require a lot of sandbagging around ground-floor entrances and storefronts.
Still — better than it was before the city turned the L.A. River into a long concrete ditch that runs from the north end of the Valley all the way down to the sea at Long Beach. That's pretty much its original route, but the idea of lining it in concrete was so that it actually had a higher carrying capacity, the dirt banks wouldn't collapse and possibly block the river, and there were opportunities to make it wider and straighter than the original river to speed flow.
Never mind that they never made any provision for storing most of the water that flowed down the river into the ocean. L.A. was already doing a very good job of steal… buying its water from the Owens Valley up north and from the Colorado River, thanks to William Mulholland. See Chinatown for a very fictionalized version of the concept.
In addition to the concrete river, they also created a huge flood control basin in the middle of the San Fernando Valley that normally pretends to be an urban park, right next to a dam and reservoir. The impetus for this basin and the L.A. River project was a flood in 1938 that killed 144 people. I've seen pictures, and it wasn't pretty — plus the flooding was not limited to just the Valley or L.A.
The basin is actually a natural bowl within the Valley itself, including its lowest point. At the time of construction (1941), it was on the eastern edge of development in the Valley, just past all the aircraft plants that had sprung up in Van Nuys and the suburbs built to house their workers.
It's deceptive because it doesn't seem like it's lower than everything else when you drive in there, and has various parks and recreational areas, including Lake Balboa, and is home to several nature preserves. But when major flooding is expected, all roads in and out are closed at the top and the place has filled several times over the years, saving the rest of the Valley around it.
Still, we do get small floods everywhere, which is a reminder of something that might not be noticeable to casual observers. The floor of the Valley is not at all flat, though it might appear to be. For example, there's a natural high spot along the old river where it goes north to south near Coldwater Canyon and it's slightly downhill from there in both directions, toward North Hollywood to the East and Sherman Oaks and Van Nuys to the west.
Flooding tends to happen where that downhill flattens out at the bottom and even though it's not terribly steep, it has an effect. They've mitigated it somewhat in the last decade or so, but the main intersection in downtown NoHo, at Lankershim and Magnolia, used to flood curb to curb on all four corners and, when it was particularly wet, go higher than that.
I remember a number of rainy nights there where the storefronts were sandbagged and you'd still be sloshing through four inches of water up on the sidewalk. Since the curbs themselves were already so high, people could easily get soaked to the knees by trying to cross the street.
One additional problem, which was weirdly fascinating, was that the storm drains couldn't handle the capacity, so that at certain points instead of water flowing down them it would come shooting out in a strong backwash that was truly a sight to see.
Parts of NoHo still flood, particularly the parking and right lanes both ways on Magnolia, and there are more than a few intersections where experienced drivers know to slow down because they're flooded and will send flumes of water everywhere when some moron tries to blast through at 40 mph.
Another famous place to avoid when it's rainy is Sherman Way as it passes under the Van Nuys Airport. In order to facilitate building the runways, engineers decided to drop the street and build the runway above it. This created a fairly long tunnel that cars drive down into before coming back up on the other side.
On dry days, it's actually kind of fun, and people still honk their horns as they go through to hear the echo. On rainy days, though, long-time residents know to avoid the area, because the entire tunnel often winds up submerged, and that's not a place you want to drive your car into. Fortunately, they can usually block Sherman Way in time to reroute traffic, but there have been times when the tunnel has been slightly flooded — not enough for the water to hit the bottom of the overpass, but enough so that unsuspecting drivers won't realizing their driving into water that's too deep until it's too late.
Since the whole thing is a divided road, one you're on it, there's not really any opportunity to turn around and get back out. Fun times!
The most bizarre water behavior I've even seen in L.A., though, happened when I was living in West Hollywood (okay, L.A. County, not L.A. City) during a time when we had one of Southern California's historical great floods — like the one in 1938.
I have no idea what was going on in the Valley, but WeHo is located directly below a mountain ridge that separates it from the Valley, so the rain can go one of two ways — north and down or south and down. It's a 50/50 shot, really.
Top this off with there being a natural spring near the top of Laurel Canyon on the WeHo side that will gush out of the street when the groundwater goes up, plus not a lot of natural channels for the water to come all the way down other than the canyon passages that were carved through the mountains long ago.
The end result was that my street, which ran from Sunset Boulevard in the North to Santa Monica Boulevard in the south, about half a mile, was very steep, and the water pooled along Sunset, which created a natural barrier — except where it didn't, i.e., streets like mine.
I remember walking down to the lobby of our building with neighbors to marvel at what was happening. Our street had basically turned into rapids, with water streaming down it at a good rate of speed, and splashing up onto the curbs as well. Now, for some reason, it decided to get really funky right in front of our building.
I still don't know why, but the water had come over the curb and onto the parkway where it seemingly randomly gouged out the dirt in just one section of the parkway, fluming through and past it before returning to the downhill flow.
Oh — one note: In America, what we call a "parkway" is actually a narrow strip of grass or a section designed with planters and trees that comes between the roadway and the sidewalk. So it's generally not more than two or three feet wide, and mostly designed to create insulation between pedestrians, traffic, and parked cars.
I suppose that we could have gone whitewater rafting down the street that evening, but we decided not to. After all, we didn't have the rafts lying around!
Obviously, I'm writing this before Christmas to put up on Christmas Eve day, but it would certainly be nice to have actual winter weather like wind and rain for the holiday weekend. Sadly, L.A. rarely gets my one favorite kind of weather, which is a thunderstorm. They are few and far between and generally disappointing, with a few lighting bolts, some lame claps of thunder, and that's it.
And I've only ever known it to snow or hail twice in my life in L.A. that I can think of, both of which were very short-lived phenomena as well. Of course, actual snow would paralyze this city for as long as it stayed on the ground. On the other hand, I really don't have to drive anywhere right now.
So I won't dream of a White Christmas because that's impossible here, but I will hope for more rain (and snow in the mountains) because we need it. Happy holidays, everyone, no matter what you do (or don't) celebrate!
Author joncbastianPosted on December 24, 2021 December 23, 2021 Categories Sin categoríaTags Chinatown, Christmas Eve, flood, LA River, Los Angeles, monsoon, rain, snow, storm, weatherLeave a comment on La tormenta navideña/The Christmas storm


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Motherhood begins as soon as you see those two blue lines that say everything – you are pregnant – and in that moment, you feel the deepest, most commanding love you've ever known. This love drives you to do whatever is best for your child – to do whatever it takes.
Why is he kicking more than usual today?
How can I help my infant sleep through the night?
Why is my child licking everything in sight?
You've checked out all those mom forums but they don't have what you really want: instant access to the information and recommendations you want, in a positive and supportive community.
Available now in the iPhone App Store, SmartMom is a mobile app that allows new and experienced moms to exchange information, opinions and pictures of their little ones.
Why do we love SmartMom? So many reasons.
For one, it's fast. Because of their push notification setting options, SmartMom ensures every question is answered by notifying users of new questions. You can customize how often you want to be notified. On average, questions are answered in less than ten minutes, with about ten helpful responses in 24 hours. The fact that it is mobile means you are notified instantly when someone responds to you. No more sitting by the computer or compulsively checking your e-mail, just instant access to the information you need.
Another reason to join SmartMom: the community of moms involved. Never have I ever experienced such a positive and supportive environment. SmartMoms will agree that the small community of moms on this app is one that fosters positivity. SmartMom community managers ensure that the community stays this way through close monitoring of posts and comments.
Lastly, contests. When users "like" your answers, you receive points. SmartMom rewards its most active users with awesome prizes each month. Prizes of the past include a B.O.B. stroller and a $500 gift card to Old Navy.
Download the app today and tell all of your mommy friends about SmartMom! There's a whole community of SmartMoms with the answers you need!
*This post is sponsored by SmartMom.


About Atia Abawi, author of the 2019 Teen All Iowa Reads title, "A Land of Permanent Goodbyes."
Discussion Questions for "A Land of Permanent Goodbyes"
Discussion questions for the 2019 Teen All Iowa Reads selection, "A Land of Permanent Goodbyes" by Atia Abawi.
Reviews, interviews with Atia Abawi and other information about "A Land of Permanent Goodbyes."
Find out which Iowa libraries have copies of the Teen All Iowa Reads title to borrow, or find out how to request sets for discussion groups.


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The last - and best - Kinect game ever made: You should be playing Fru
By David Roberts 25 July 2016
A charming little platformer where you move your whole body to solve its puzzles
Play it if you like…
Puzzle games like Braid or Boxboy, and you don't mind breaking a sweat
Format: Xbox One
Price: $14.99 / £11.99
Release date: Out now
Poor, poor Kinect. You seemed like such a good idea at the time, with your Minority Report-inspired hand gesturing gameplay possibilities and your ability to recognize voice commands. Unfortunately, the reality of this science-fiction dream is far more depressing. Most Kinect games were crap, either hampered by poor implementation of the tech or hamstrung by the device's own limitations, and the few that got through were summarily ignored by the public. The Xbox One was going to be its time to shine, with enhanced specs and a system design that integrated it into the core Xbox experience. But faster than you can say "Xbox, go to Netflix… no, Netflix. NetFLIX. No, not Kalimba, GOD!", it was dropped, the Xbox One re-envisioned as a traditional games machine.
And it's a damn shame, because so many people are going to miss out on Fru; a delightful little puzzle platformer and quite possibly the best Kinect game ever made.
The core of Fru is unbelievably simple. You play as a little girl with a fox mask who is trying to make her way deeper into a mysterious temple, and you do this by positioning your body (your actual, human body) in front of the Kinect camera while using the controller to move the little girl on screen to the right. Your body, though, acts as a sort of portal to an alternate dimension, and this little girl can interact with both dimensions as if they were in the same space.
This opens up a ton of puzzling possibilities. In one level, you'll need to make a series of platforms appear for the girl to hop across - but certain platforms will only appear if you're standing in the right spot while others will similarly disappear when your body is covering them. This invariably leads to situations where you're (quite literally) bending over backwards to make invisible ledges appear in the right spots so you can hop across.
The moment I was completely sold on the concept was early on: there's a big gap in the middle of two tiny ledges when you're not standing there, and impassable wall when you are. What to do? My solution was to get down on my hands and knees and streeeeeeeeetch my arms out to my sides, effectively creating a bridge across this chasm. But there's also a special collectible above me - how do I possibly get that? I began poking my head up slowly, noticing that the little girl stayed still on the platform as I raised up. Using my noggin as a makeshift elevator, she was able to grab the collectible and then jump over to the other side.
Fru is filled with ingenious moments like that, whether it's busting your brain to properly figure out how solve its puzzles, or instantly knowing what to do but then figuring out how to make your body move into a position to make it work. And unlike other Kinect games, it doesn't try to shoehorn in voice commands or imprecise hand gestures; it's merely reading the presence of your body, and so the tech just melts away into the background (as long as your play area is unobstructed, of course, which might be difficult for those with tiny living rooms).
Fru isn't a long experience by any means, taking only a couple hours to see everything it has to offer (though there is an unlockable co-op mode - a prototype that the devs showed off at press events a couple years ago), but at under $15, that's all it needs to be. It's simply a delightful little puzzle game that uses the Kinect in all the ways we were promised - enriching the interactive experience by giving us something that couldn't be done without this oft-maligned piece of tech.
The Kinect may be dead by all accounts, but Fru is one hell of a send-off. If you've got one lying around and you've only been using it to pull up re-runs of MasterChef, show it some love, and pick up Fru. It's great.
You Should Be Playing celebrates innovative, unexpected games that belong on your radar, with a new game every Monday at 0900 PST / 1700 GMT. Follow @gamesradar on Twitter for updates.
David Roberts lives in Everett, WA with his wife and two kids. He once had to sell his full copy of EarthBound (complete with box and guide) to some dude in Austria for rent money. And no, he doesn't have an amiibo 'problem', thank you very much.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Lisa meddles in Lou's business and personal life with disastrous results. Lisa brings a "cursed" horse for Amy to treat. The beautiful Andalusian named Diva Girl has been returned to Lisa by multiple owners.


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Peru is 81.3% Roman Catholic, but during the second half of the twentieth century a concerted effort was made by some fundamental missionary agencies to evangelize Peru and establish indigenous churches. Peru now has a strong core of Bible-believing churches and Bible training centers.
Scroll down to see our missionaries in Peru.
Tim & Cheryl Chapman
Tim Chapman is the second son of Tom and Connie, EMU missionaries in Antofagasta, Chile. Though not born in Chile, Tim spent several years with his parents in Santiago, where he learned Spanish and something of the South American culture. He then returned to Greenville, SC, to study Social Studies Education at Bob Jones University. After graduating in 1998, Tim traveled with the Steve Pettit Evangelistic Team for three years. It was then that he met Cheryl, who was also a member of the team. Cheryl, too, was raised in a Christian home and attended BJU, majoring in Elementary Education and going on to earn a Master's in Counseling. After their marriage in 2001, Tim began classes at Calvary Baptist Theological Seminary, where he secured a Master's of Theology.
As a result of the Lord's leading, a love for evangelistic work, and two visits to Peru, Tim and Cheryl met with the Board of EMU in 2004 to express their desire to become missionaries to Peru in the area of evangelism. Since going to Peru in September 2006, they have attended and ministered in many of Lima's fundamental churches. During their first 8 years in Peru, Tim preached for numbers of evangelistic campaigns, camps, and conferences. They also directed several camps and retreats in Peru during that time. For the next two years, Tim served as interim pastor for the church in Lima they considered their home church, and Tim helped transition that church to a Peruvian pastor. As Tim and Cheryl served in this established church, the Lord gave them a new burden to leave the ministry of full-time evangelism to plant a new church in an urban part of central Lima. Iglesia Bautista Gracia was officially started in the spring of 2016 and is a growing, thriving ministry.
Tim and Cheryl have three children: Lauren, Micah, and Abigail.
If you would like to know more about the Chapmans and their ministry, contact the Home Office and request to receive their update letters.


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Picoazá is an urban parish in Portoviejo Canton, Manabí Province, Ecuador.  It is situated on the western side of the city of Portoviejo and has a population of nearly 19,000.

History
Archeological finds made in the area in 2008 suggest that Picoazá is the site of a pre-Columbian settlement. In 1907, the second archaeological expedition of Marshall Howard Saville involved the exploration of caves around Picoazá, and in particular the Cerro Jaboncilla and Cerro de Hojas sites, which are  away from Picoazá. They provided many important artefacts to Saville. Picoazá was itself the site of a Manteño chiefdom, according to early colonial sources, and contained quantities of characteristic Manteño pottery and large stone foundations. It was split into four major settlements, with the chief of the principal settlement overlord. The archeological site was declared a national cultural patrimony in 2009.

Tourism and demographics
This part of Manabí Province is known for its cuisine, fine beaches, and ceibo trees, which are unique to the region. Picoazá is also a commercial center, distributing agricultural products and consumer goods.

The average family income in Picoazá is about US$120 per month. The town has inadequate potable water, sewers, and telephone service.

Politics
An incident involving a fictitious write-in candidacy occurred in the town in 1967. A company ran a series of campaign-themed advertisements for a foot powder called Pulvapies. Some of the slogans used included "Vote for any candidate, but if you want well-being and hygiene, vote for Pulvapies", and "For Mayor: Honorable Pulvapies." The foot powder Pulvapies ended up receiving the most votes in the election.  A followup story from United Press International said: "Reports that Pulvapies had been elected mayor of the coastal town of Picoaza were not true. The election in the town was for municipal councilmen, not for mayor."; the problem had arisen from the nationwide distribution of distributing advertising flyers that were "the same size and color as the official ballots", and an estimated 10,000 had been turned in at ballot boxes in place of the ballots with multiple candidates, mostly in Quito and Guayaquil.

References

Populated places in Manabí Province
Parishes of Ecuador

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Workplace assessments are one of the key steps to improving ergonomics, especially when the goal is to prevent musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). However, it is our experience that many organizations assess for conditions which are not linked to causing MSDs. For an effective assessment of exposure to MSD risk factors, the bottom line is a need to identify and address the root causes to prevent employees from developing MSD injuries.
Fortunately, we know from research (NIOSH, 1997) that the three primary risk factors that cause MSDs are: high force, awkward posture, and long duration or high frequency. Increasing the combination or number of these risk factors increases the chance of employees developing discomfort, pain, and/or an MSD. The secondary risk factors that contribute to developing an MSD include soft tissue compression, low temperature, vibration, impact stress, and glove issues.
Through ongoing research, the threshold of exposure to each of these risk factors has been quantified for each joint of the body. As a result, valid quantitative MSD risk assessment tools are now available based on the dose-response relationship of these injuries.
This understanding of the research on thresholds, compiled by NIOSH and other organizations, provides a way to measure exposure to MSD risk factors and determine where exposures exceed an acceptable threshold, and it enables you to take proactive steps to reduce exposure before an MSD injury occurs.
Not only is this metric an early warning system, but it can also provide immediate feedback on the effectiveness of controls. So measuring the level of MSD risk enables tracking, combining, and reporting the results as both systems-based and operations-based measures.
For additional information and the studies backing this, check out Humantech's position statement on Physical Risk Factors for Musculoskeletal Disorders.


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  package main_test

  import (
    . "github.com/onsi/ginkgo"
    . "github.com/onsi/gomega"
    "github.com/onsi/gomega/gexec"
    "testing"
  )

  var manifestPath string
  var _ = BeforeSuite(func() {
    var err error

    manifestPath, err = gexec.Build("../manifest")
    Ω(err).ShouldNot(HaveOccurred())
  })

  var _ = AfterSuite(func() {
    gexec.CleanupBuildArtifacts()
  })

  func TestCi(t *testing.T) {
    RegisterFailHandler(Fail)
    RunSpecs(t, "Ci Suite")
  }

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Chelsea's annual Hometown Holiday weekend is a festive, fun-filled celebration that kicks off the holiday season. The activities start with Santa lighting the Christmas tree at Pierce Park on Friday night and ends with a holiday carol concert featuring singing groups from the churches of Chelsea on Sunday evening. There are events, activities and attractions all weekend including Santa's Workshop, Gingerbread House Decorating, the annual Light Parade, and many, many more.
Chelsea is decked out in holiday splendor to warm your hearts and get you in the holiday spirit. Browse the shops, sip hot chocolate, and enjoy the special events planned. Happy Holidays!
Haley Houtz & I are looking forward to playing this year's festival on July 11th at The Sylvan Stage location!


text:
Australia's Suncorp announces cloud partnership with Microsoft
India to hike insurance FDI limit to 74%
AmalaJohney
The Insurance (Amendment) Bill, 2021, which has been cleared by the Lok Sabha on 22 March, now requires Presidential nod to become a law.
The bill, which increases the maximum foreign investment allowed in an insurance firm from 49% to 74%, secured was passed by the Rajya Sabha on 18 March.
The government of India is set to raise foreign direct investment (FDI) in the insurance space from 49% to 74%.
The move, which will help private insurers get access to more foreign capital, was announced by Indian finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman during Union Budget 2021-22.
An increase in FDI is said to be the long-standing demand of the insurance industry in the country to liberalise the sector. It is also anticipated to bring in more technical expertise and innovation while helping improve the insurance penetration in the country.
The Insurance Act will be amended in this session to bring the new change into effect.
As per the current insurance law, capital infusion in an insurance joint venture requires all partners mandatorily to provide capital in proportion to their shareholding in the firm.
When a joint partner is unable to infuse sufficient capital as per the shareholding, the law restricts other partners from investing more capital, making it hard for insurers to grow their businesses.
In 2012, the government approved the increase of the FDI limit from 26% to 49%.
Meanwhile, Sitharaman also said that the government will privatise a General Insurance company as part of the consolidation the segment.
The name of the insurance company was not revealed.
At present, India's public sector insurance firms are New India Assurance, United India Insurance (UII), National Insurance Company (NIC) and Oriental Insurance Company (OIC)
The government also owns reinsurer General Insurance Corporation (GIC Re).
Additionally, finance minister said the government will start the initial public offering of the state-run insurer Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) during 2021-22.
Last September, a report by Moneycontrol said that the Indian government is planning to sell up to 25% of its stake in the LIC in one or more tranches.
The IPO was first announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during the 2020-21 budget.
"Listing of companies on stock exchanges disciplines the company and provides access to financial markets and unlocks its value. It also gives an opportunity for retail investors to participate in the wealth so created," she had said at the time.
Ethiopia Insurance Market Size by Segment (Life, General and Reinsurance), Trends, Competitive Landscape and Forecast, 2021-2025
Global Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) Deals in the Insurance Sector, Q2 2021 - Top Themes - Thematic Research
United Kingdom (UK) Financial Advice in Pensions 2021
Global Risk Report Quarterly Update - Q1 2021
Strategic Market Intelligence: General Insurance in Hong Kong - 2017
LIC Co., Ltd.
OIC, LLC
Oriental Insurance, Inc.
New India Assurance Co Ltd
National Insurance Corp Ltd


text:
Aleksandar Kolev (; born 8 December 1992) is a Belgian-Bulgarian footballer who plays as a forward for CSKA 1948 Sofia.

Career

Early career
Born in Plovdiv, Kolev began his career in the Levski Sofia youth academy. He moved to Belgium with his family when he was 15 years old and joined local side Dessel Sport.

Kolev made his first team debut for Dessel Sport in a 2–1 home win over K.S.V. Oudenaarde on 12 February 2011. One month later, he scored his first goal in a 2–2 away draw against Olsa Brakel.

After good seasons in Dessel, Kolev joined Belgian Second Division team ASV Geel. He made his debut for the team in a match against White Star Bruxelles

Botev Plovdiv

2014–15
On 4 August 2014, Kolev signed a contract with the Bulgarian team Botev Plovdiv. He made his debut five days later, when he came in as an 86-minute substitute at the dramatic 3–3 draw against Litex Lovech. Kolev was included at the starting lineup of the match for the Bulgarian Supercup against Ludogorets Razgrad. Unfortunately, he received a red card at the end of the first half.

Kolev scored his first goal for Botev on 23 September 2014, when he came on as a substitute and scored the third goal in a 4–0 away win against Lokomotiv Mezdra in the first round of the Bulgarian Cup. On 28 October Kolev scored again in the next round of the Bulgarian Cup tournament. He scored a late equaliser in the derby game against Lokomotiv Plovdiv.

On 8 November, Kolev scored the winning goal in a 2–1 away win over Litex Lovech.

Alex Kolev was seriously injured in the beginning of the away game with Slavia on 29 November. Soon after that it was confirmed that the injury will rule him out for six months.

On 23 May 2015, after a long absence due to an injury, Kolev was included is the squad for the 1–2 away defeat from Beroe Stara Zagora but remained an unused substitute. A week later he came on as a substitute in the final minutes of the last game of the season, 0–2 defeat from Lokomotiv Sofia.

2015–16
On 25 July 2015, Kolev missed a penalty in the first half of a 6–0 away defeat at Montana. In the following game, the local derby with Lokomotiv Plovdiv, he scored a nice goal after an assist by Mariyan Ognyanov.

On 9 August, Kolev scored the winning goal against Pirin Blagoevgrad. He was selected for the man of the match and his goal was chosen for the best goal of the round. Furthermore, Kolev won the award for the best player of the 4th round in A Grupa.

Nikolay Kostov, the manager of Botev Plovdiv, decided that Aleksandar Kolev is no longer needed by the club. On 3 February 2016, after playing in 33 official games and scoring 5 goals, Kolev was released on a free transfer.

Sandecja Nowy Sącz
Aleksandar Kolev was signed for free in the beginning of the 2017 summer transfer window  and made his debut for the club on 16 July 2017, in a goalless draw against Lech Poznań. His first goal for the club came in a 3–1 away win against Jagiellonia Białystok on 6 August 2017. He scored a decisive brace against Pogoń Szczecin on 27 August 2017, leading his team to victory in a 2–1 home win.

Stal Mielec
On 5 January 2021, Kolev signed for Stal Mielec on a contract until the end of the 2020–21 season. On 14 January 2022, he left the club by mutual consent.

International career
In August 2012, Kolev was called up for the Bulgarian U21 squad. He made his debut in a 1–1 friendly draw against Macedonia U21 on 14 November 2012.

In September 2013 Kolev scored during the 1–3 away defeat of the Bulgarian U21 team from Russia U21.

Kolev scored a goal for Bulgaria U21 in the 2–2 draw with Estonia U21 on 3 September 2014.

While Aleksandar Kolev was playing for Botev Plovdiv, he was included twice in the Bulgarian national football team but he did not participate in any official games.

Honours
Botev Plovdiv
Bulgarian Supercup Runner-up: 2014

Arka Gdynia
Polish Super Cup: 2018

Career statistics

References

External links

1992 births
Living people
Bulgarian footballers
K.F.C. Dessel Sport players
Botev Plovdiv players
PFC Beroe Stara Zagora players
Stal Mielec players
Sandecja Nowy Sącz players
Arka Gdynia players
Raków Częstochowa players
FC Kaisar players
FC CSKA 1948 Sofia players
First Professional Football League (Bulgaria) players
I liga players
Ekstraklasa players
Kazakhstan Premier League players
Bulgarian expatriate footballers
Expatriate footballers in Belgium
Expatriate footballers in Poland
Expatriate footballers in Kazakhstan
Bulgarian expatriate sportspeople in Belgium
Bulgarian expatriate sportspeople in Poland
Bulgarian expatriate sportspeople in Kazakhstan
Footballers from Sofia
Association football forwards


text:
Home/The Latest/Truth Project Soars Over HQ
Truth Project Soars Over HQ
Manjit Sing
An installation of paper cranes symbolizing residential school victims and survivors was unveiled at police headquarters on September 23.
Handmade by members of the Indigenous community, it is titled Debwewin, which is the Ojibway word for truth.
One of seven original Clans, the Crane represents wisdom and equal communication for all Anishinaabe.
"This project will serve to remind all those who enter our headquarters in the days to come of important historical truths and lived experiences that have gone ignored for far too long," Chief James Ramer said. "The cranes symbolize the children lost and the survivors of the residential school system. But so too do they represent the leadership and wisdom of the Indigenous community, the voices that, as a policing community, we must continue and learn from. In this, we have a long way to go."
Ramer vowed that the Service will continue to move forward on the path of reconciliation.
"Together, we mourn the many victims of residential schools and acknowledge its profound and ongoing impacts, including generational trauma and pain," he added. "Together, we look to the essential work done by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and especially those 'Calls to Action' related to justice. Together, we recognize that more than offering words alone, we must act. And do so with purpose and conviction to address systemic racism and to build stronger bonds of trust with Indigenous peoples. All such efforts are, after all, fundamental to our core values as police officers, to treat those we serve with empathy, respect, equity and dignity."
The event comes a week before the celebration of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day on September 30.
The day honours the children who never returned home and survivors of residential school as well as their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.
Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day intended to raise awareness of the individual, family and community inter-generational impacts of residential schools, and to promote the concept of "Every Child Matters."
The Orange Shirt is a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations.
"We will have the occasion to, as an entire country, commemorate the tragic history of residential schools," noted Ramer. "Until then, we have the opportunity to make a difference, to take inspiration from this installation and the many hands that brought it to fruition. We have the opportunity to learn, to reflect and to act. I will encourage all my fellow officers and our larger policing community to continue carrying out this vital work."
The Chief thanked everyone for bringing the project to life.
"Thank you for our dedication and service to your community and thank you all for your support this morning," he added.
Toronto Police Services Board Chair Jim Hart urged officers and community members viewing the installation to use that time as an opportunity to learn and reflect on the meaning of truth and reconciliation.
"While we cannot change the past, we can determine the path forward," he said. "This requires sincere reflection, deep introspection and continued dedication in a spirit of mutual respect, dialogue and honesty."
Constable Richard Warman, the Service's Aboriginal Liaison Officer, provided some background and reflections on the Orange Crane project.
"As the project evolved, it began to take on a life of its own," he said. "Each crane symbolizes either a survivor or child lost as a result of the Indian Residential School system either directly or inter-generationally. The Cranes are in flight and carrying their words, their prayers and their messages to the Creator. But if you look closely, a lot of them are returning to us on the ground towards mother earth. These are the voices of lost children and survivors carrying their stories, their words and dreams — their Debwewin for us to hear."
Frances Sanderson, the co-chair of the Service's Aboriginal Consultative Committee, said the project is beautiful.
"It warms my heart to see this project and the all the work that has been put into it," she said.
The Red Bear Singers from the Toronto Council Fire & Native Cultural Centre comprising Residential School survivors and inter-generational singers sang a welcome song to start the proceedings. They also performed an honour song for Toronto Police Constable Andrew Hong who was killed in the line of duty and York Regional Police Constable Travis Gillespie who died in a collision while on his way to work.
Paper cranes symbolizing victims and survivors of the residential school system handing in the atrium of police headquarters Photo: Martin Blake
Officers Honoured at National Memorial
Thousands Pay Tribute to Andrew Hong


A bottle o heich potency B-complex vitamin supplement pills.
A vitamin is an organic compoond an a vital nutrient that an organism requires in leemitit amoonts.
This page wis last eeditit on 2 Mey 2017, at 03:16.


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Americans approve of releasing oil from the strategic reserve, but will it lower gas prices?
Kathy Frankovic
Linley SandersSenior Data Journalist
Politics & current affairsBusiness & economy
April 06, 2022, 7:33 PM GMT+0
Last week, President Joe Biden announced the release of oil from the U.S. strategic reserve, in an attempt to help increase the nation's gasoline supply and reduce high gas prices. The latest Economist/YouGov poll indicates that the decision is quite popular. A majority of Americans, and more than a third of Republicans, approve. Democrats overwhelmingly support the decision, and more Independents approve of it than don't.
But will the release of oil reserves successfully lower prices at the gas pump? Maybe not. Only 27% of Americans believe this action will lower gas prices. That includes just 41% of people who approve of Biden's decision to release oil from the strategic reserves. Americans who disapprove of the oil release are much less likely (11%) to believe the action will lower gas prices. Democrats are more optimistic than Independents and Republicans that releasing oil from the strategic reserve will have its intended impact.
In addition to high gas prices, Biden faces broader challenges on the state of the economy. The health of the U.S. economy is often measured by either inflation and prices or by the share of Americans who are unemployed. This week, a majority of Americans (55%) say inflation is a bigger problem than unemployment, while just6% say unemployment is the bigger problem. Three in 10 Americans (31%) say both are equally important.
Half of Americans this week (51%) say that the economy is getting worse, a proportion that has remained steady in recent weeks. Three-quarters of Republicans (76%) say the economy is worsening, as do most Independents (58%). One-quarter of Democrats (24%) agree; more say the economy is about the same (32%) or improving (34%).
President Biden is still earning low marks when it comes to how he's handling the nation's jobs and economy: 42% of Americans approve, and 47% do not. Democrats are, again, much more likely than Republicans and Independents to approve of Biden's actions on the economy.
Biden's approval rating for his overall job performance also is underwater: 41% approve, while 50% do not.
— Carl Bialik and Taylor Orth contributed to this article
This poll was conducted on April 2 - 5, 2022, among 1,500 U.S. adult citizens. Explore more on the methodology and data for this Economist/YouGov poll
Image: Photo by Erik Mclean from Pexels
The Economist / YouGov polls
Most Americans say 2022 was a bad year for the U.S., but even more said so about 2020 and 2021
The Economy | Economist/YouGov Poll: November 26 - 29, 2022
More than one-third of Americans say they will spend less this holiday season
Republican voters think DeSantis would be more likely to beat Biden, but prefer Trump
More Americans approve of the investigation into Biden's document handling than Trump's
Joe Biden ideology
US stock market expectations
Joe Biden leadership strength


The internet has proved it's unique value - without it I wouldn't have met you two and wouldn't have had one of the best adventures in my life. Because of you two I have been able to share a special African experience with my best mates and met two more very special friends. I wanted to do this trip as having had my hip heart and stroke issues I was wondering how many more trips I could manage !! However I feel revitalised and am raring for more.
Saying " thank you" seems a bit of an understatement but thank you.
I also need to thank Lindi for her assistance and for seeing Mark she gave him real support and comfort.
The memories and experiences you have given me will brighten our wet dark winter and I hope it won't be too long before I see you both again.
Henk and Zulu Overland were the PERFECT tour operator for my trip to Namibia. Henk was not only willing to get a motorcycle to me in Namibia, he was also willing to create a custom, guided adventure for me that was designed to meet my exact wishes. It was perfect! In five short days Henk was able to provide me with an amazing overview of the country, epic riding, priceless wildlife viewing, and authentic, unique experiences that only he could orchestrate (i.e. staying at private homes within the communities we visited). All perfect. Not to mention that Henk is filled with enthusiasm and optimism. He is truly a pleasure to be around! Absolutely an experience of a lifetime.


AllThingsD staffers took to the airwaves this week to explain the mobile Emergency Alert System, Jeff Bezos's purchase of the Washington Post and other trending topics in tech.
Concerned About Cellphone Radiation? Here Are Some Options.
Some mobile phone cases claim to reduce radiation. But these aren't your $10-on-Amazon.com cellphone cases.
Walt Mossberg tests an Android smartphone from an upstart carrier that charges just $19 a month for unlimited data, voice and texts — with no contract.
Though it won't land in phones and tablets until next year, Broadcom's CEO said its small size and powerful features should allow the new chip to compete for a spot at the high end.
AT&T supports the new alerts on its older network, but not yet for devices running on its faster LTE system.


Definition : Formic acid (systematically called methanoic acid) is the simplest carboxylic acid. Its formula is HCOOH or CH2O2. It is an important intermediate in chemical synthesis and occurs naturally, most notably in the venom of bee and ant stings.
In nature, it is found in the stings and bites of many insects of the order Hymenoptera, mainly ants and is also present in stinging nettles. It is also a significant combustion product resulting from alternative fuelled vehicles burning methanol (and ethanol, if contaminated with water) when mixed with gasoline. Its name comes from the Latin word for ant, Formica, referring to its early isolation by the distillation of ant bodies. A chemical compound such as a salt from the neutralization of formic acid with a base, or an ester derived from formic acid, is referred to as Formate (or methanoate). The Formate ion has the formula HCOO�.


text:
Maureen Ryan
My mother never called me Mo. You can! Up to you.
I am Mo Ryan, former TV critic, current writer for hire, future ghost.
Category: go
Through the Looking Glass: A Lost Retrospective Podcast
Hello! I am very excited to share this with you. This fall, Tara Bennett and I co-hosted a Lost retrospective podcast for SyfyWire. The six-part podcast explored the show's impact, influence and legacy through a series of conversations with special guests. We'd love it if you checked out all six parts, but if I may be so bold, you're really going to want to hear the season finale.
As noted in Tara's story on the podcast's debut, guests include Melanie McFarland (Salon), Sarah Rodman (EW), Nikki Stafford (Finding Lost books), Lost transmedia innovators John Bernstein and David Daniels, Sky1's The Lost Initiative co-host (and Official Lost Magazine editor) Paul Terry.
In the fifth episode, we had a very enjoyable and illuminating chat with former Lost scribes Drew Goddard (The Good Place) and Elizabeth Sarnoff (Barry), who were so great, smart and honest.
The season finale features an in-depth, funny and thoughtful conversation with Lost executive producers and showrunners Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse. They offered a lot of insights, anecdotes and even some information I wasn't aware of, despite having written about and reported on the drama a lot back in the day. And toward the end, they may have gotten a bit salty about what Game of Thrones creator George R.R. Martin said about the Lost finale.
All six episodes of the podcast have now been posted, and I'm really proud of what Tara, Paul Terry and I created (the three of us collaborated on this project). Here's a direct link to the podcast if you use Apple for your podcast needs. And here's the full roster of links to Through the Looking Glass:
PocketCast
By the way, earlier this year, I did a Lost re-watch, something I'd wanted to do for a while. It was illuminating and refreshing to watch the show far away from the hubbub around it when it was on the air. I enjoyed a lot of that hubbub and I certainly contributed to it! But as a fan of television — especially genre television, character-driven stories and TV that plays with boundaries and expectations while aiming directly at the mainstream — it was a fascinating experience. Many of the thoughts that I had about the show filtered into the conversations that we had for Through the Looking Glass.
I can unreservedly say that working on this podcast and having these conversations has one of the most enjoyable experiences of my professional life. That's partly because I got to work with Tara and Paul (who co-wrote The Lost Encyclopedia and who are the best). It's also partly because whatever my expectations were for the conversations we pursued with our guests, the actual talks we had blew way post those hopes. Every person we talked to was far enough away from the show to have some perspective on why it had the impact it did — and on how it changed them as people and as artists. These folks were insightful, funny, entertaining, thoughtful and not averse to getting absolutely real. Seriously, this whole experience has been a blast.
If you give our podcast a shot, thank you! And before you go:
One last thing: If you like the podcast, check out some of my other work!
Posted on November 4, 2019 November 4, 2019 Categories back, go, had, Lost, to, we


Awesome! Thank you so much for posting this. Have you taken you QE yet? Did you pass?
Yep, about two years ago. Not the most fun summer. Hope you find it helpful!
Not a student at Vanderbilt, but this is super helpful!! Thanks for posting.


Luis Suàrez netted a hat-trick as Barcelona demolished a poor Real Madrid side to heap more misery on Julen Lopetegui.
Philippe Coutinho gave the hosts an early lead at the Nou Camp when he met Jordi Alba's cross and Luis Suàrez doubled the lead from the penalty spot after being fouled by Raphael Varane on the half-hour mark.
Madrid stepped it up for the first ten minutes of the second half, with Marcelo pulling one back for Lopetegui's side.
Benzema came close minutes later and Los Blancos struck the post in what would have levelled the game.
Despite this, Suàrez put the game to bed with two quick fire goals – the first being a delightful header from a wonderfully weighted Sergi Roberto cross.
'Rey Arthur' Arturo Vidal completed the rout from close range a few minutes from time.
Barcelona fans are quick to criticise Ernesto Valverde if their side aren't at their best, but when things go right tactically, Valverde deserves praise.
In this match, Valverde showed his tactical eye. Jordi Alba's role was crucial, Barca reacted to Madrid's early second half dominance with key substitutes, while Barca overloaded the middle allowing the likes of Roberto and co to thrive in the wing back roles.
In the first ten minutes of the second half, Real Madrid looked well on for at least a point. Marcelo pulled one back and Lopetegui's side had a plethora of other chances, as well as dominance on the ball. That was thanks to the change at half time to a 3-4-3, which Real Madrid fans may become accustomed to should Antonio Conte take the job when Lopetegui is inevitably sacked.
This change of shape confused Barcelona, but after a crash course of a ten minute period, Valverde acted.
He sent on Nelson Semedo and pushed Sergi Roberto to a right wing role, which allowed Barca to thrive. His other change at this point was Ousmané Dembele, who changed the game back in Barca's favour with his assists and overall play.
The whole tactics of the game are another issue, but in a very brief nutshell, Valverde should get much more praise than he has received.
*Disclaimer* When writing this, Julen Lopetegui is still officially the Real Madrid manager. The 'Comunicado Oficial' has not occurred, but it will, surely.
After the game, Real Madrid sit in 9th in La Liga. Before the fairly easy analysis of why Lopetegui should be sacked, which he should, it is needed to have a little sympathy for the man who gave up his country for a club, and now is on the eve of losing both.
The 52-year-old had the reigns of the biggest club in the world for just 14 games – winning six and losing six.
Lopetegui will argue the sale of Ronaldo had robbed his team of 40 goals. It did.
Nothing about his appointment felt right, and although you have to have sympathy for Lopetegui, the downfall of his career was written the second himself and the Spanish federations agreed to announce his appointment at Madrid on the eve of a World Cup that Spain entered as one of the favourites.
Florentino Perez worried that a poor tournament for Spain would have diminished the size of Real Madrid's coup, making the appointment out of paranoia and worry over the national team.
The blame can be shared, but for on the pitch matters exclusively, Lopetegui must be sacked.
'Flopetegui' will go down as one of the worst Real Madrid appointments in recent decades, but to sack him now means there is still plenty of time for the new boss to recover the form.
Despite that, the embarrassing loss at the Nou Camp means that the league title seems more of a dream than a potential reality.
All the headlines and buildup in Spain leading up to this one centred around not who was going to be on show in the classic fixture, but who was going to be absent.
Lionel Messi watched on from the stands, with an arousing smile on his face, while Madrid sulked in the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo, who they are missing greatly since his departure to Turin.
Barcelona showed that life can go on without Messi. Ousmané Dembele may not have the potential of the Argentinian legend, but he showed off the bench that he can mature into a key figure for the Blaugrana.
The worldwide viewing figures may suffer in the absence of the big two, but the entertainment will not: El Clásico is still the biggest fixture in club football.
Barcelona: ter Stegen 6; Roberto 8, Pique 7, Lenglet 6, Alba 9; Busquets 7, Rakitic 7, Arthur 8, Rafinha 7; Suarez 10, Coutinho 7.
Real Madrid: Courtois 3; Nacho 6, Ramos 5, Varane 4, Marcelo 7; Casemiro 7, Kroos 5, Modric 5; Bale 4, Benzema 5, Isco 5.


text:
Politics 399175381
As Election Day approaches, Trump and Minnesota supporters have hope in outcome
At a rally in Phoenix Saturday night, Trump sounded upbeat about the state, saying, "We can win Minnesota."
By Patrick Condon Star Tribune
October 30, 2016 — 7:56am
They are the hardest of the hard-core Donald Trump supporters in Minnesota, waving campaign signs and American flags atop a Minneapolis freeway pedestrian bridge against a bitter late-October wind as a stream of motorists below greet them with upturned middle fingers.
"Today is the first time in my life I've ever showed up for anything political like this at all," said Andrew Gillen, 38, an Eagan resident who joined about 40 fellow Trump supporters late last week. "But I'm just really, really fed up with the way things are going with this country."
The often crazy, always contentious presidential election of 2016 is speeding to a conclusion. For die-hard supporters of the unconventional Republican nominee, the closing days are marked by a mix of deepening skepticism toward Democrat Hillary Clinton's persistent lead in the polls and rising anxiety and anger about the chaos that they believe would ensue if she is elected.
"My whole way of life will change" if Clinton wins, said Gillen, a long-haired Merchant Marine sailor wearing a "USA" stocking cap and a camouflage jacket. "I would think twice about buying a house. I'll start saving a lot more of the money I make. I believe America will go into a Greece-like collapse."
Across the country, some of Trump's most fervent supporters are suggesting that they won't accept the results of the presidential election if Clinton wins, vowing protests and at times even expressing fears of a violent uprising. For months on the campaign trail, Trump has coarsely denounced Clinton as a criminal, mocking her as "Crooked Hillary" and stoking chants of "lock her up" from the crowds he draws. On Friday, he claimed that she is guilty of political corruption on a scale "never seen" before. Such constant, incendiary rhetoric, coupled with Trump's claim that the election could be rigged, has officials in both parties worried that many Trump voters won't tolerate defeat at the polls.
For weeks now, a loose group of Twin Cities-based Trump supporters has organized the overpass demonstrations on freeway footbridges across the metropolitan area. They've done so at their own initiative: Trump's New York City-based campaign has largely ignored Minnesota, where Democrats have a four-decade history of winning the state's 10 electoral votes.
John Locher, Associated Press
At a Phoenix rally on Saturday, Donald Trump said, "We can win Minnesota," after touching on the large premium increases on tap in the state's individual health insurance market.
But at a rally in Phoenix Saturday night, Trump sounded upbeat about the state, saying, "We can win Minnesota" after touching on the large health care premium increases in the state's individual market.
The Trump campaign might be giving Minnesota a fresh look, but it's unclear if that could mean a visit by the candidate himself or his running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence. Neither has publicly campaigned here yet, though Trump attended a private Minneapolis fundraiser in August.
Trump has raised $960,000 for his campaign from Minnesota donors, according to the campaign finance website OpenSecrets.org. That's dwarfed by Clinton's $4.5 million Minnesota total.
Clinton has maintained a small Minnesota staff, but there's little sign that Democrats see the state as in play.
The most recent Star Tribune Minnesota Poll, conducted Oct. 20-22, showed Clinton leading Trump here by 47 to 39 percent. Most recent national polls, and in a number of key swing states, have also shown Clinton ahead.
In the group gathered on the footbridge over Interstate 35W in northeast Minneapolis, there was no faith in polls.
"I don't believe the polls are accurate," said Paula Caliguire, 49, of St. Croix Beach. "No one has ever called me and asked me how I'm voting."
Caliguire, who works in sales, brought her 15-year-old daughter, Victoria. They laughed as another driver flipped them the bird.
"It doesn't even bother me," Victoria Caliguire said. Not all the hand signals were malicious — plenty of drivers flashed a thumbs-up, and at least some of the honks were likely supportive.
Paula Caliguire is unmoved by the prospect of the nation's first female president. "I despise her — I do," she said of Clinton. "She would not be my president. She might be president on paper, but she would not have my respect. I would be really scared."
Caliguire doesn't believe the recent sexual abuse and harassment allegations that a number of women have leveled at Trump. "It's all a little too convenient at this stage in the campaign," she said.
That idea, that the media has stacked the deck, is common among his most fervent backers. Asked about Trump's complaints that the election is rigged and his refusal to say whether he'd concede, most said they believe he was talking not about actual voter fraud but rather media bias (although several worried about ballot-box tampering).
"There's a lot of double standards out there," said Douglas Hildebrandt, a 27-year-old resident of the north metro who works in the medical device industry. "I just think a lot more attention is being paid to his allegations than what Hillary has been accused of."
Mike Gunderson, 52, a commercial lighting contractor from St. Paul, also thinks the power of the federal government has been brought to bear for Clinton. "The Department of Justice and the FBI did the country a disservice by not prosecuting her," he said. "I don't think there should be rules for her and another set for everyone else. WikiLeaks is exposing a lot of it."
Gunderson and a number of his fellow Trump fans frequently cited WikiLeaks and other alternative sources of information, including InfoWars.com and Project Veritas, two right-wing groups that traffic in conspiracy theories about the Clintons and other Democrats.
"We're moving in a direction where fewer and fewer people at the top are controlling everything about our lives and the information we get," said Dan Peterson, a 55-year-old plumber from Hopkins. "The corruption in the Hillary machine is just so vast."
On Friday, the FBI revealed it was looking into whether newly uncovered e-mails were relevant to its investigation of Clinton's use of a private e-mail server as secretary of state.
Though the crowd on the overpass leaned conservative, these were not Republican loyalists. Much of Minnesota's GOP establishment has at best kept Trump at arm's length, and many of his supporters interviewed said he is the first candidate for public office to truly inspire them.
"It's the first time in my adult life that I'm excited about an election," said Bob Anderson, 58, a Hastings dental technician. "The political system is rigged — Democrats and Republicans are the same. They fight on the floor of the Senate and then they go out for drinks together. Donald Trump is a rogue pro wrestler, and he's going to blow up the system."
What if Trump loses?
"It would be a major disappointment," said Rebecca Brannon, 25, a volunteer with the Trump campaign who has organized the overpass demonstrations. "But no matter what happens, we've started a movement. No matter what happens, Mr. Trump has inspired a lot of people to action."
Patrick Condon is the Star Tribune's Washington bureau chief. He was previously the paper's politics/government team leader, supervising a team of reporters who cover Minnesota politics in St. Paul and Washington. He has worked at the Star Tribune since 2014 after more than a decade as a reporter for the Associated Press.
patrick.condon@startribune.com 202-662-7452 PatrickTCondon
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Nearly two years ago, Hurricane María exposed the raw dysfunction of Puerto Rico, collapsing long-neglected infrastructure and leaving several thousand dead on Gov. Ricardo Rosselló's watch. Last week, two of his top former officials were arrested by the FBI on corruption charges.
The city received backlash from across the country for its decision.
Singing, chanting and lying on the ground in the road, hundreds of people demonstrated on Monday against the construction of a giant telescope on a mountaintop that some Native Hawaiians consider sacred.
The headquarters of the U.S. government's largest land agency will move from the nation's capital to western Colorado, a Republican senator said Monday, a high-profile component of the Trump administration's plan to reorganize management of the nation's natural resources.
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UConn mourns, returns to field
STORRS, Conn. � Connecticut�s football team got back to work Tuesday, holding their first practice since the stabbing death of player Jasper Howard.
�It�s definitely hard to move forward, with a loss like that,� linebacker Lawrence Wilson said. �But as his mom and his parents said to us, Jasper would want us to win. So I think the team will practice hard for him.�
Police said Howard, a junior cornerback, was fatally stabbed during a fight outside a university-sanctioned dance early Sunday. Nobody has been charged with the stabbing, and UConn police said Tuesday there were no new developments in the investigation.
Howard�s stepfather, Henry Williams, expressed gratitude for the outpouring of love and support the family has received from the Connecticut community.
�We have a lot of pain,� Williams said. �We still have hurt, but we can go on now feeling a little better because a lot of our questions have been answered. The captain of the state police told me, �The case will be solved,� and I believe him.�
Funeral services were tentatively set for Monday in Florida.
Police asked for the public�s help in gathering evidence, particularly from people who may have taken photos or videos of the fight. The violence broke out just after a fire alarm went off in a student union, forcing around 300 people to evacuate the building.
Hartford attorney Deron Freeman said he represents a man whose home has been searched in connection with the fight. The man, whom Freeman would not identify, and several others got into a fight �with about six� UConn football players.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. � Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin, who had been working under a memo of understanding, has signed a six-year, $14.25 million contract.
As agreed to when he was hired in November, Kiffin will earn $2 million in 2009, which includes pay for broadcasting responsibilities and endorsements.
His salary will gradually increase each season, topping out at $2.75 million for the 2014 season.
Should Kiffin be fired without cause, he will receive a buyout between $5 million and $7.5 million.


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Datis Kharrazian
PhD, DHSc, DC, MS, MMSc, FACN
Dr. Datis Kharrazian is an educator, researcher, and clinician who blends his scientific and clinical research together to develop effective concepts and applications to address complex health disorders that have been used by thousands of healthcare professionals throughout the world. He develops courses regularly for Apex Energetics™ sponsored seminars and is an esteemed member of their Scientific Advisory Board.
Dr. Kharrazian has taught functional medicine, clinical nutrition, laboratory analysis, and functional neurology, both nationally and internationally, to thousands of healthcare professionals. He has developed both graduate and postgraduate educational programs for several institutions and universities and is frequently invited to major scientific and professional conferences.
He is the author of the best-selling book, Why Do I Still Have Thyroid Symptoms? When My Lab Tests are Normal, which led to the development of the largest Facebook Hashimoto's thyroid community and the development of a nonprofit patient advocacy group to support thyroid patients from around the world. His second book, Why Isn't My Brain Working?, was also a best-selling book that received outstanding reviews from the international community.
Dr. Kharrazian is an Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Preventive Medicine at Loma Linda University School of Medicine and a faculty member for the Institute for Functional Medicine. As a researcher, Dr. Kharrazian earned a Doctor of Health Science (DHSc) degree and a PhD degree with concentrations in immunology and toxicology from the Department of Health Sciences at Nova Southeastern University. He completed his postdoctoral research training as a Research Fellow at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital. He also earned a Master of Medical Sciences (MMSc) degree in Clinical Investigation from Harvard Medical School.
He has published scientific papers in the fields of nutrition, autoimmunity, and toxicology, and is conducting research in autoimmune molecular mimicry and environmentally induced immune reactivity. In 2016, he was awarded Researcher of the Year by the International Association of Functional Neurology and Rehabilitation.
As a preventive medicine healthcare provider, Dr. Kharrazian earned a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree from Southern California University of Health Sciences and conducted postgraduate work in neurology and is a Diplomate of the American Chiropractic Board of Neurology. Dr. Kharrazian also earned a Master of Science (MS) degree in Human Nutrition from the University of Bridgeport. He is a Diplomate of the Board of Nutrition Specialists, a Diplomate of the American Clinical Board of Nutrition, a member of the American Society for Nutrition, and Fellow of the American College of Nutrition (FACN).
Dr. Kharrazian has a private practice for patients suffering from chronic conditions seeking non-pharmaceutical alternatives through diet, nutrition, and lifestyle applications.


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Since its inception in 2013, the LIMRA SRI Review has provided members with a one-stop source for comprehensive, unbiased research and education covering all aspects of the retirement industry.
For more than six decades, the Plan Sponsor Council of America has been surveying plan sponsors to glean trends in plan design, and to provide innovative insights to both plan sponsors and those who serve them.
Looking back on the past 5 years in the individual annuity market, a significant change has reshaped the landscape.
This quarterly survey collects pension sales activity data from nine Canadian companies.
Many research studies, including those conducted by the LIMRA Secure Retirement Institute, have shown that a large proportion of workers expect to work during retirement.
We recently spoke with LIMRA's new president and CEO, David Levenson, on his background, motivation, and vision as we move forward into 2019 under his new leadership.
The Secure Retirement Institute and other organizations spend a lot of resources educating people about the need to save and plan for retirement.
According to data on cybercrime from Accenture, the average financial services firm suffered 125 breaches in 2017, more than triple the rate observed in 2012.
Are Criminals Endangering the Customer Experience?
From the beginning, financial services companies have grappled with the challenge of creating a seamless customer experience, while also providing a level of security that protects both the company and the customer.
In today's busy world, it is important for advisors and firms to make the most of their initial connection and engagement with potential annuity buyers.
Understanding each other, particularly in the various contexts in which we interact, is essential to healthy and productive relationships.
LIMRA presents its 2019 predictions—six predictions for the industry based on the opinions of LIMRA's subject matter experts.
To truly improve Americans' retirement security, we need all providers—plan record keepers, asset managers, wealth managers, and annuity companies—to work together to develop simple, integrated solutions that enable customers to live comfortably in their golden years.
Everyone agrees, in general, that "technology is important"—but what does that mean for actual initiatives and dedication of resources?
One of the most significant steps to helping people achieve a secure retirement is getting them to start saving and start saving early.
Retirees are more confident about their retirement security when they have a formal retirement income plan and an annuity.
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Historicamente, o termo princípio de Tesla foi usado para descrever (entre outras coisas) certos processos reversíveis inventados por Nikola Tesla. No entanto, este termo não é mais de uso convencional. Foi desenvolvido durante a pesquisa de Tesla em correntes alternadas, onde a magnitude e a direção da corrente variavam ciclicamente.

Um processo reversível em engenharia é um processo ou operação dum sistema ou dispositivo de modo que uma corrente reversa em operação realize o inverso da função original. O princípio era que alguns sistemas poderiam ser revertidos e operados de maneira complementar. Durante uma demonstração da turbina de Tesla, os discos giraram e as máquinas presas ao eixo eram operadas pelo motor. Se a operação da turbina fosse revertida, os discos agiriam como uma bomba.

Nikola Tesla