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Thu, 10 Oct 2013 | Published in Film and DVD
The 51st New York Film Festival: 'Captain Phillips' Press Showing and Press Conference 9/17/13
By: Ralph Greco
Tom Hanks told me that the difficult thing about making his new movie Captain Phillips was looking for the balance between "procedure and behavior." Ok, he didn't tell just me, the affable Oscar winner told a crowded-to-the-Lincoln-Center-rafters press crowd at the 51st New York Film Festival after a screening of his startling new film. With seventy five percent of this movie's 60 shooting days shot on the 0pen water you can bet the filmmakers were trying damn hard to make sure their procedure and behavior perfectly replicated this harrowing true story that took place in 2009.
Though a lot of the onus of the film is on Hanks and newcomer Barkhad Abdi ,who was present at this press conference too, Paul Greengrass did remind us (he was at the press conference as well) that he was also proud of the fact that in the movie the audience does not "forget the crew in the events" as we get "a good sense of the crew moving together" through what can be seen as much as a story of Phillips and his Somali abductors as the crew of the boarded ship, the Navy crew in pursuit and the Navy Seals who race to put the situation into control before the life boat Phillips and his kidnappers are on make land…and an international incident.
"Acting is truth telling" as Greengrass said and with Hank's amazing acting skills he makes you forget who he really is and has you experience the horrific 'truth' of this film…as does Abdi who is way too scary for words, though the quietest guy on the press conference stage this day.
Hanks told a great story about what I felt was probably the best scene of the movie, well after the action is over (I won't spoil it for you) and how once again procedure and behavior came into play as real Navy personnel were used to actually act their everyday duties, again reaching for that truth Greengrass speaks of, and is all over this truly fantastic movie.
All I have to say is you need to get your buns out to see Captain Phillips when it opens on Oct.11th.
About Ralph Greco
View all articles by Ralph Greco


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Home Business Tims franchisees push back on company claims after licence renewal denial
Tims franchisees push back on company claims after licence renewal denial
TORONTO — A Tim Hortons franchisee who is being denied a licence renewal after the company accused him of violating food safety and operating-standards has passed most of such reviews,internal documents obtained by The Canadian Press indicate.
The documents show Mark Kuziora, who has been critical of Tim Hortons' operating practices and was involved in a class-action lawsuit against its parent company, failed only one review over three years to March 2018 and passed others with scores of between 70 and 95 per cent.
The Great White North Franchisee Association, which claims to represent at least half of Tim Hortons franchisees, said in a letter to the company defending Kuziora that the failures were caused by a change in requirements around the approval and purchase of small wares that they say was faced by "many other Tim Hortons store owners across the country."
GWNFA has been fighting Tim Hortons on behalf of Kuziora since April, when the association said Kuziora was told he wouldn't have the opportunity to renew his licence for one of the two Toronto locations he owns, when the licence expires on Aug. 31.
At the time, Tim Hortons did not offer a reason for the denial, but its president of Canadian operations, Sami Siddiqui, told the Globe and Mail that among other issues, Kuziora's restaurant has "a documented history of problems … including food-safety violations and not meeting a number of other Tim Hortons operating standards."
Siddiqui stood by his comments in an emailed statement Monday.
"Any decision to not approve a new restaurant agreement can sometimes result in strong emotions," Siddiqui said. "It is not something that we take lightly and is not something we usually address publicly. We firmly stand by our previous statements publicly and to Mr. Kuziora on this matter."
Kuziora has had a strained relationship with Tim Hortons, in part because he was involved in a class-action lawsuit last year that alleged RBI used money from a national advertising fund improperly.
The lawsuit accused RBI of funnelling nearly $700 million to be used for advertising, marketing and sales promotions to itself and TDL Group, a Tim Hortons subsidiary. At the time, RBI said it "vehemently" disagreed with and denied all the allegations.
GWNFA said Kuziora had been renegotiating with RBI for months, trusting that the negotiations were being done "in good faith," so when he was contacted in April and told the company would be in touch to discuss the transfer of the restaurant to a new owner, it was "out of the blue."
"We have to wonder if not renewing his licence has anything to do with his being a member of the board of GWNFA and having his name on the ad fund lawsuit," GWNFA said in a previous news release. "As far as we are concerned, this is nothing more than intimidation tactic."
At the time, Tim Hortons told The Canadian Press that Kuziora didn't have any renewal rights through his licence agreement for the restaurant and said, "we regularly onboard new restaurant owners and transition restaurants as part of our normal course of business activity."
The statements and Kuziora's licence denial riled up GWNFA, which has been sparring with the company over everything from cost-cutting measures to delays in supply deliveries to a $700-million renovation plan that they say will cost store owners $450,000 per restaurant.
In the wake of the unrest, the company's brand reputation rankings have plummeted and RBI president Alex Macedo has started doing damage control, criss-crossing the country to meet with thousands of franchisees in a bid to regain their trust.
Tara Deschamps, The Canadian Press
Mark Kuziora
Tim Hortons franchisee
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Stranger than Fiction is the fourth album by singer-songwriter, Ultra Nate. This album was released in the USA on April 24, 2001, on the label, Strictly Rhythm after already released in 2000 in Europe and Japan.

Overview
This is a concept album where each song is like the chapters of a novel. The album also expands beyond her House music repertoire, exploring disco, soul, jazz, folk, and pop rock. Includes the hit singles, "Desire", "Get It Up (The Feeling)" (both No. 1 club hits), "I Don't Understand It", and "Twisted". The Japanese import version of this album includes two bonus tracks, "Runaway" and a rendition of the Bee Gees hit, "How Deep Is Your Love".

Track listing

References

External links
Discogs: Stranger than Fiction

2001 albums
Ultra Naté albums
Pop rock albums by American artists
Tribal house albums
Concept albums

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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Random International presents the Debut of "BODY / LIGHT I", performances by New York Theatre Ballet
NYTB
Manhattan West Plaza
401-397 9th Ave, New York, NY 10001
Thursday, May 6, 2021 - 6:30pm
Friday, May 7, 2021 - 6:30pm
Saturday, May 8, 2021 - 6:30pm
Sunday, May 9, 2021 - 6:30pm
https://manhattanwestnyc.com/events/random-international-body-light/
Random International is set to illuminate Brookfield Properties' Manhattan West, an emerging NYC destination that will transform the new west side this year, with the debut of Body / Light I on May 6. The immersive art installation will take hold of Manhattan West's two-acre public plaza, across the street from the host location of Frieze New York 2021. Playing off ephemeral moments of light and raw movement, the immersive outdoor art installation will be the premier exhibit to take hold of Manhattan West, dazzling New Yorkers and Frieze attendees. This interactive installation will feature live music performances from Brooklyn-based musician Lester St Louis and intimate, improvisational dance from New York Theatre Ballet.
Presented by Arts Brookfield, Superblue and BMW, Body / Light I will bring the open-air plaza to life this May amidst Frieze New York's return to the city. Manhattan West's inaugural public art experience, the exhibition is part of Random International's Body / Light series, which draws inspiration from Pablo Picasso's famed 'light drawings' for LIFE magazine in 1949. Captured by Gjon Mili, the ephemeral experiments in self-creation explored the long exposure technique, allowing Picasso's sketches in light to hang suspended in air on still film. Seeking to reflect a shift in authorship from a single creator to collective and multi-disciplinary creation processes, Random International took inspiration from a year-long collaboration with BMW i and the precise, minimalist culture of their design group as well as the technologies enabling the electrification of mobility in order to develop this new body of work.
Random International's artists introduce the series through interactive outdoor installations, providing a platform and creation process that is instinctively and widely accessible to the public. Beginning May 6, Body / Light I viewers are invited to take part in the experiential exhibition by drawing with their bodies as their movements are temporarily traced in light. The emphasis is on the physicality of the shared experience of creation and the documentation of this process in all its rawness, imperfection, and beauty.
To echo and foster the improvisational spirit of the work, Body / Light I will be presented with a score performed live by composer and multi-instrumental musician Lester St. Louis, along with scheduled choreographic responses to the sculpture by three dancers from New York Theatre Ballet. These elements will enthrall passersby and visitors with alluring, powerful moments of light and music, dancing throughout the exhibition.
Body / Light I is on display in Manhattan West's public plaza for a limited engagement from 4:00pm – 9:00pm on Thursday, May 6 and Friday, May 7. On Saturday, May 8 and Sunday, May 9, interventions will take place from 1:00 to 9:00pm. Each day, three performances by New York Theatre Ballet dancers and musician Lester St. Louis will occur between 6:30 and 8:30pm. At all other times, there will be pre-recorded compositions by Lester St. Louis. Installation and performances are free to the public. For additional information, visit www.ManhattanWestNYC.com/events/random-international-body-light.
"The integration of immersive artworks and stellar curatorial experiences into our destinations is a key pillar for our development projects in New York and beyond," said Elysa Marden, Senior Vice President, Arts Brookfield for Brookfield Properties. "We are honored to partner with renowned artists on Body / Light I, Manhattan West's first foray into public contemporary art experiences. As the neighborhood comes to life, we look forward to establishing Manhattan West as a pivotal creative hub for neighbors, art enthusiasts and visitors. Manhattan West will be the canvas for New York's leading public works of art, cultural moments and theatrical presentations, such as Theatre for One in August, and much more in the seasons to come."
"We're thrilled to be partnering with Arts Brookfield and BMW to present Random International's new work Body/Light I at Manhattan West, with exceptional dance and music performances by local talents," said Kathleen Forde, Senior Curator, Superblue. "This collaboration encapsulates one of Superblue's core activities of bringing interactive, time-based and multidisciplinary artworks into the public space, and we're excited to pursue this partnership with more artist projects to come later this year."
Random International has incorporated dance and music into the presentation to create moments of exploration and introduce elements of humanness in order to inspire spontaneous, authentic participation from viewers. Brooklyn-based cellist and multi-instrumental musician, Lester St Louis's live performances will accompany the improvisational movement of three New York Theatre Ballet dancers each day. New York's most dynamic multifaceted neighborhood with over two acres of public greenspace, Manhattan West will emerge as one of the city's preeminent public platforms for theatrical entertainment and the arts. The anticipated opening of Body / Light I kicks off a series of programming by Arts Brookfield for the Manhattan West neighborhood.
ABOUT RANDOM INTERNATIONAL Art Group
RANDOM INTERNATIONAL run a collaborative studio for experimental practice within contemporary art. Founded in 2005 by Hannes Koch and Florian Ortkrass, today they work with larger teams of diverse and complementary talent out of studios in London and Berlin. Questioning aspects of identity and autonomy in the post-digital age, the group's work invites active participation. RANDOM INTERNATIONAL explores the human condition in an increasingly mechanized world through emotional yet physically intense experiences. The artists aim to prototype possible behavioral environments by experimenting with different notions of consciousness, perception, and instinct. For further information, visit www.Random-International.com.
ABOUT MANHATTAN WEST
Opening September 2021, Manhattan West is New York City's newest dynamic destination for food, culture, retail, hospitality and the modern workplace by Brookfield Properties. Spanning eight acres, Manhattan West is located in the center of Manhattan's new west side, steps away from Moynihan Hall, Madison Square Garden and The High Line, with seamless access to the theater district, entertainment district, Chelsea art galleries, Meatpacking District and more. Home to diverse world-class office space, Pendry Manhattan West Hotel, luxury residences at The Eugene, experiential retail amenities, and unparalleled culinary concepts surrounding a landscaped, two-acre public plaza enlivened with immersive art and entertainment programming by Arts Brookfield, Manhattan West incorporates the best of Brookfield's global placemaking portfolio to create a new district that has something for everyone. Visit www.ManhattanWestNYC.com for further information.
ABOUT ARTS BROOKFIELD
Arts Brookfield supports innovation in music, dance, theater, film, and visual art by pushing boundaries to create unique works of art and cultural experiences presented for free. Thriving for over three decades, the program gathers communities around creativity by animating Brookfield Properties' public spaces. Visit www.BrookfieldProperties.com/arts for further information.
ABOUT SUPERBLUE
Superblue is a groundbreaking new enterprise dedicated to supporting artists in realizing their most ambitious visions and engaging audiences with experiential art. Its network of artists encompasses the leading practitioners of experiential art, whose practices catalyze engagement with the most pressing issues of our time and generate new perspectives on our world. Through its experiential art centers, which are specifically designed for presenting large-scale, immersive art installations, Superblue provides artists with expanded opportunities to transport audiences to the new worlds they create. Superblue additionally acts as an advocate and agent for experiential artists by fostering opportunities for them to expand the reach of their work through collaborations with museums, collectors, visual and performing arts festivals, architects, municipalities, and place-makers. Superblue provides these partners with unparalleled expertise and support for the production, installation, and presentation of large-scale experiential works, through collaborative presentations, public and private commissions, and acquisitions. In the coming years, Superblue will open new experiential centers across the US and internationally and is developing augmented and virtual reality platforms for artists who are exploring our rapidly evolving relationship with the digital realm. Visit www.superblue.com for further information.
ABOUT BMW GROUP CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT
Why Culture? Why not! Culture is knowledge, a sanctuary of beauty and depth, of meaning and peace. An inspiring escape. Tranquil at best, even unsettling sometimes. As corporate citizen, the BMW Group takes social responsibility seriously, as part of which it has been involved in hundreds of cultural initiatives worldwide for half a century, both in the arts, music & sound, architecture as well as in design. As a long-term partner, creative freedom is key – and as essential for groundbreaking works as it is for major innovations within a business enterprise like ours. For further information, visit www.bmwgroup.com/culture and www.bmwgroup.com/overview.
ABOUT NEW YORK THEATRE BALLET
With its ever-expanding repertory, NYTB's cutting-edge programming brings fresh insight to classic revivals paired with the modern sensibilities of both established and up-and-coming choreographers. For over 40 years NYTB's diversity in repertory explores the past while boldly taking risks on the future.


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Q: Какой сервер выбрать (т.е. ПО)? Хочу без хостинга прикрутить к сайту (уже давно опубликованному) одну систему, которая работает пока на Denwer или Open Server.
Система полностью независима от сайта (файловой системой сайта и БД), она крутится на другом сервере.
Почитал рекомендации разрабов Denwer'a и OpenServer'a, они НАСТОЯТЕЛЬНО НЕ РЕКОМЕНДУЮТ своё ПО для выхода с ним на внешку, максимум для локалки.
Так какое ПО порекомендуют те, кто уже делал такую махинацию?

A: Купить хостинг с выделенным ip и запускать систему на нем с доступом по ip-адресу. В зависимости от сложности системы может подойти даже shared hosting.

Ой, вам же без хостинга надо. Ну тогда организовать связку необходимого ПО (Apache, MyQSL, PHP) на локальной машине, организовать DynDNS или купить выделенный IP и предоставлять данные с нее. Можно выделить отдельную машину, запустить на ней WAMP и расшарить доступ из сети. Я не думаю, что кому-то может понадобиться взламывать вас.

Сайт одного из крупнейшего университета Сибири, не вздумается ломать каким-нибудь недо-хакерам, завалившим сессию или точащим зуб на деканат ВУЗа? Сомневаюсь... Да и если что-то случиться с центральным сайтам или с серверами. Меня расстреляют при попытке выброситься из окна.

Хмм. В этом случае попытки взлома более, чем вероятны. Вашему сайту, думаю, придется протестировать на себе большую часть эксплойтов, появляющихся в сети. В этом случае я бы перенес сайт на какой-то российский хостинг с делегированием обязанностей по слежению за его работоспособностью, делал бы ежедневные бекапы и не добавлял на сайт сомнительные сервисы.
Если у вас есть хороший опыт в настройке apache, то ничто не мешает установить его на отдельную машину и вывести в сеть, минуя различные опасности готовых сборок.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


I have always loved to play with different tech tools. Especially when it comes to writing. When we are traveling I like to have the option to write where ever we have stopped, but usually that just doesn't work. I've tried carrying smaller laptops and keyboards on several trips, but the experience just doesn't work out.
Now I'm playing with a new combination. It's a Microsoft Universal Folding Keyboard, and a little stand to put my phone onto. The new version of Android actually has really good physical keyboard support, and with both Word and WordPress on the phone, it seems pretty seamless so far.
I'm using this to write this post, and the keyboard is surprisingly good. the big split down the middle is awkward, but you get used to it.
I like the fact that this folds up and I can slip it into my regular shoulder bag. It isn't much larger than a Moleskine notebook. That's a good size.
We've only got three weeks until our next vacation. I'll play with this some more, but I think it will be coming on the trip.


Give Riverside Nursery a call or come visit us in Clapton, and you can see the wonderful and fun learning environment we can provide for your baby, giving you time to return to work or study. We welcome children from as far as Hackney, Leyton and surrounding areas.
Is your baby ready to make some new friends?
Leaving your baby with someone else can be a very worrying time for any parent.
But with Riverside Nursery you can trust us to take the utmost care with your child, providing fresh food and catering for weaning, vegetarian and other special diets.
You can feel confident leaving your baby with us, with experienced staff chosen to make sure your baby is given the highest quality of care.
We keep our team consistent so that your baby can bond and feel confident with adults that they know.
We also make sure to follow your baby's routine by providing you with a daily diary.
We will keep you up to date with information such as nappies, food intake, sleep, developmental progress and any health or social aspects, so you're always kept in the loop.
In Clapton and nearby, including Hackney and Leyton.
For your baby to enjoy and crawl on.
Our range of toys, books and games to play with.
An important part of your child's growth.


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Swastika eyes
Short Story by: PetrMerka
Reads: 503 | Likes: 0 | Shelves: 0 | Comments: 2
Status: Finished | Genre: Humor | House: Booksie Classic
A short story for the insane world of the Anonymous republic.
Monica was a regular girl. A teenager with a beautiful anorectic body. She liked to watch herself in a mirror as she found herself very sensual. She didn't attend any school. According to her, it wasn't important. And when she needed money, she made it by prostituting herself. Her life was worriless. And she was mostly high and rambling through existence. She came from a broken home and lived with her mum who was a notorious alcoholic. Her father was a fuckster sitting in prison for a double murder and thought of Monica solely not as a daughter but as an object serving to gratify his lowest and foul instincts. She didn't blame him. That was what reality was like.
The weather was nice. People were rushing. The Sun was shining for them. They were worried about their very lifes. Due to stress, they grew grey and went nuts. Monica was standing on the street and waiting for a customer. She was young and thus had plenty. Some of her older colleagues had a hard time when it came to it. Those who got really old, transformed into the homeless and then, into beggars. Against their will, of course.
Andy was a naughty ned. Vandalism is what he perhaps liked the best. His grandpa took care of him. Andy's parents were shot by the police during a bank robbery. They commited it since both of them lost their jobs and the unemployment rates were around 20%. It was virtually unimaginable to find a new one. They scrimped and saved, as the government told them but you need something to stay alive. When they were absolutely desperate, they had no reason to hesitate. They made primitive paper dummy copies of guns and sailed to this impulse action even though they knew they weren't going to succeed.
So, this is how Andy lost his parents. A welfare worker passed him along to his closest relative to take charge of him. He was 98 and was about to decease. Once he did, Andy chekced his pulse and when he figured that he was really stiff, took a heavy hammer and beat the 3 golden teeth out of his grandfather's mouth. Then he visited a junk dealer and exchanged them for money.
I found Andy really sympathetic from the very beginning. He awakened a deep and sincere amorous emotion to him.
He took charge of me. We screwed like bunnies and then, he did crimes. It was so profitable that I didn't have to tart anymore. I just took drugs and thought about life. Existence itself seemed fine. But as you grow older, you lose ideals. Soon, I was going to turn 20. More and more often, I felt motherly instincts. I wanted to have a baby.
Andy agreed. As I never took contraception and always used a sheath while making love, I didn't have any problem with getting pregnant. A girl was born. Suprisingly enough, she was healthy, even mentally. Both of us were very happy. We named her Illumination.
I got tired of family life. Monica wasn't physically attractive anymore. She was 5 years older than me. At first, I just cheated on her. But then, I left her. She would have been an obstacle to my career anyway. I got interested in politics and joined the Injustice Party. Thanks to my perfect character qualities, I soon became its chairman.
Monica was back in the streets. She carried her child around in a plastic bag, shagged and was worried. That was not what life was supposed to look like. Illumination was constantly hungry. Now, she was crying and trying to catch her mum's attention in this unpleasant and irritating way. Monica crushed down her little head in a fit and threw the corpse in a dustbin. A bum found it there and, instead of calling the polcie, ate her. Hunger…, real hunger…, robs people of judgement.
Monica got married. Her husband was an eccentric poet who made millions of tantims with his writings.
Monica sat down to an arm chair to watch a telly and never stand up again. The poet hired a servant to take care of her.
Monica got fat and degenerated.
The poet called a famous painter to propose an united project. He'll make his woman available and the artist will remake her into a work of art.
Besides being the youngest Prime Minister to ever govern the Anonymous Republic, for some irrational reason Andy was extraordinarily interested in art. Accompanied by his bodyguard, he visited a gallery of its modern variant. There was an object that he found the most appealing. It was an obese woman with scarlet swastikas for pupils in her wide eyes. She was tied to a chair submerged in an aquarium full of alcohol; she resembled someone. He wasn't able to recall whom precisely, though.
Thanks to corruption, Andy was a rather wealthy man. He decided to buy the work. It costed unbelievable 200 million.
Andy wasn't mad, so he paid it from the state budget.
Submitted: April 18, 2013
© Copyright 2021 PetrMerka. All rights reserved.
Humor horror humor life society short story criticism culture short stories hyporbole
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Gave it an "I Like it" vote. Happy trails, Future J. Compost Heaply Sr.
Thu, April 18th, 2013 6:28am
PetrMerka
Thanks for the like :-) I appreciate it
Fri, May 10th, 2013 8:35am
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This page shows businesses on Marine Fresh Water Laboraties. Click on a business to bring up its details and a map showing its location.
Fawley Biofouling Services is an environmental consultancy company which offers advice in many fields including environmental regulations.
Map showing Marine Fresh Water Laboraties in Southampton.


Apart from churning hits on the dance floor for private and corporate events, Guy is one of UK's top ten, highly accomplished full time professional DJs.
His entertainment career began when he was 16 and was asked to bring his new record player to a friends birthday party. Since then his work has taken him from London and the UK, across Europe playing music at the top parties with guests lists to die for!
Recent events have included Dame Shirley Bassey's 70th birthday, hosted by Andrew Davis of Von Essen Hotels at Cliveden House and covered by OK! Magazine. The party was organized by Liz Brewer with help and advice throughout the planning stages from a specialist team including Stevens himself.
National Magazines (Harpers & Queen, Cosmopolitan, Country Living etc.) have used Stevens for "launch" parties and "after parties" for the past 6 years. These include the prestigious "Prima High Street Fashion Awards" and the in-house "Eagle Awards". Guy has worked beside guest presenters such as Jonathan Ross, Jo Brand, Alan Carr, Jenny Eclair, Jeff Banks and Michael McIntyre.
"…thank you so much for the large part you played in making the reception so special.
but he just made you want to dance" an accolade if ever I heard one!
"Thank you so much for helping to make the Marks & Spencer Conference such a success.
The music during the exhibition was perfect – good and atmospheric and well interspersed by your announcements!
The evening session was great – as usual! Everyone had a fantastic time…. Never seen so much dancing! Thank you.


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The Royal Order
The Royal Order of Scotland is one of the most historic Orders within Freemasonry and can trace its regal roots back 700 years to Robert the Bruce.
That royal connection originates with Robert the Bruce, who is said to have conferred knighthoods on a group of Freemasons who assisted him in his victory over the English at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. Those knights are recognised as the first members of the Royal Order of Scotland.
The Royal Order of Scotland is a global Order that initially spread throughout France, during the mid to late 18th Century before receding just as quickly, perhaps as a result of the persecution of Freemasons . However, by the middle of the 19th century it had a foundation to start to grow again.
The Order's oldest existing Provincial Grand Lodge was formed around this time in Sweden. In a masonic building in Stockholm, a Tower of Refreshment was uncovered that is used in awarding one of the two degrees of the Order and used as proof of the longstanding connection between Sweden and the Royal Order of Scotland.
Joining the Royal Order of Scotland
The Royal Order of Scotland draws its membership exclusively from within Freemasonry. To be considered for membership of the Royal Order of Scotland you will be recommended by two members of the Order who will have assessed your suitability to join before inviting you to apply.


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ZIP code 55733 Income Charts
This section shows the ZIP code 55733 Minnesota economy using the most recent economic analysis from the 2020 Census Bureau. Starting with Figure 1 which shows the median earnings per worker, 55733 shows it has a Median earnings of $54,563 which is more than all other zip codes in the local area. Comparing median earnings per worker to the United States average of $49,041, ZIP code 55733 is 11.3% larger. Also, measured against the state of Minnesota, median earnings per worker of $52,993, ZIP code 55733 is only about 3.0% larger.
In Figure 2 a more complete view of income is shown which aggregates income from all members in the household and it has a Median household income of $81,458 which is the largest of all zip codes in the greater ZIP code 55733 region. Comparing median household income to the United States average of $62,843, ZIP code 55733 is 29.6% larger. Also, measured against the state of Minnesota, median household income of $71,306, ZIP code 55733 is 14.2% larger.
The next section examines a variety of different income statistics for the ZIP code 55733 metropolitan area. In Figure 3 we see that it has the smallest proportion of earnings between $10,000 and $14,999 at 3.9% of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of earnings between $15,000 and $19,999 at 29.3% of the total. Third, it has the largest proportion of earnings between $20,000 and $49,999 at 30.9% of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has the largest proportion of earnings between $50,000 and $74,999 at 14.7% of the total and is ranked #1. In addition, it has the largest proportion of earnings between $75,000 and $99,999 at 6.8% of the total and is ranked #1.
Figure 5 has the Average number of hours worked in a typical work week during the year, it has a Avg Hours Worked of 38.8 which is the second most average hours of all the zip codes in the greater ZIP code 55733 region. The zip code with the highest average hours in the area is 55797 which depicts an average hours of 40.1 (only about 3.4% larger). Dividing median annual worker earnings by the average number of hours worked in a year in Figure 6 shows that it has a Avg Hrly Earnings of $27.04 which is the highest of all zip codes in the greater ZIP code 55733 region. Comparing average hourly earnings to the United States average of $24.31, ZIP code 55733 is 11.3% larger. Also, compared with the state of Minnesota, average hourly earnings of $26.61, ZIP code 55733 is only slightly larger.
Figure 7 examines the number of self employed people in the ZIP code 55733 metro area based on the number of people who reported any self employment income. 55733 depicts it has a Self Employed of 8.6% which is the third most people self employed of all other zip codes in the greater ZIP code 55733 region. The zip code with the highest percentage of people self employed in the area is 55810 which shows a percentage self employed of 9.1% (only about 5.6% larger).
Turning our attention to Figure 8, the median household income by age group, it has the largest proportion of median income-under 25 years at $108,926 of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the largest proportion of median income-25 to 44 years at $89,219 of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has one of the largest proportions of median income-45 to 64 years at $58,170 of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger zip code being 55797 with $63,750.
Figure 9 breaks down the source of income and 55733 has the smallest proportion of investment and retirement income at 6.2% of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of social security at 0.3% of the total.
The next chart (Figure 11) shows the percentage of households that had retirement income over the last 12 months and it has a With Retirement Income of 26.2% which is the second most households with retirement income of all the zip codes in the greater ZIP code 55733 region. The zip code with the highest households with retirement income in the area is 55797 which depicts a households with retirement income of 27.0% (only about 2.8% larger).
In the next chart, Figure 12, the median family income is shown for families broken down by racial group and it has the largest proportion of overall family income at $101,803 of the total and is ranked #1.
Figure 13 shows the cost of living and other consumer spending categories for a variety of cost components from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 55733 depicts it has the hightest cost of 117.2 for the cost of utilities category.
ZIP code 55733 Labor Force Charts
The next two charts look at very recent, monthly trended employment related performance using data estimated by economists at the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS tracks unemployment statistics for a large number of areas throughout the country on a month to month basis. However, not every location in the U.S. is tracked by the BLS so the chart will only show the closest location available (which may be the same location.) Figure 14 shows the monthly unemployment rate for the area as well as a comparison to the overall national economy measure for the United States. Note that in March to April 2020, the Covid 19 recession or great recession occurred and affects this metric. . It depicts that from February 2010 to before the disasterous COVID Pandemic the monthly unemployment rate went from 8.2% to 3.0% in February 2020. This represents a decrease in the monthly unemployment rate of 63.4%. Since that time, the monthly unemployment rate has gone to 4.1% This represents an increase in the monthly unemployment rate of 36.7%. In Figure 15 the monthly labor force participation which are people actively looking for work are also defined as unemployed but do not include people who have given up looking for work. . It shows that from February 2010 to before the Wuhan Coronavirus/COVID Pandemic the monthly labor force participation went from 45,837 to 45,911 in February 2020. This represents an increase in the monthly labor force participation of very little. Since that time, the monthly labor force participation has gone to 43,317 This represents a decrease in the monthly labor force participation of 5.7%.
The next two charts look at the annual unemployment rate/eligible for unemployment benefits and is based on the American Community survey. Figure 16 shows 55733 shows it has a Unemployment Rate of 0.9% which is the smallest in order of unemployment rate of all the other zip codes in the metro area. The zip code with the highest unemployment rate in the area is 55807 which shows a rate of 3.9% (approximately 4.4 times bigger). Figure 17 shows the labor force participation using the estimated percentage of people either working or actively looking for work. ZIP code 55733 depicts it has a Labor Force Participation of 70.3% which is the largest of all zip codes in the greater ZIP code 55733 region.
The Components of Employment Status graph in Figure 18 shows the composition of the labor force broken down by employed, unemployed, and not in the labor force (but 16 years of age or older). 55733 has the smallest proportion of employed at 0.9% of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of unemployed at 29.7% of the total.
The percentage of full-time workers are compared to the number of part-time workers in Figure 19. 55733 depicts full time employees approximately 3.7 times bigger as the part time employees.
The next employment related data item is shown in Figure 21 which is the percentage of families with only a single earner in the greater ZIP code 55733 area. 55733 shows it has a Single Earner Families of 20.2% which is less than most other zip codes in the greater region. The zip code with the highest families with a single earner in the area is 55797 which depicts a single earners rate of 31.9% (57.6% larger). The percentage of families with no one working is depicted in Figure 22. 55733 shows it has a Families with No One Working of 10.4% which is the smallest as measured by families with no one working of all the other zip codes in the area. The zip code with the highest families with no one working in the area is 55808 which depicts a families with no worker of 22.9% (about twice as large).
ZIP code 55733 Poverty Charts
The next section details economy analysis about poverty for residents of the ZIP code 55733 community. This performance can be enhanced by government programs such as economic opportunity zone to influence manufacturing, job growth, economic opportunity an hopefully lead to economic recovery after the recent Covid 19 recession. In Figure 23 the total number of people earning less than the poverty level are shown. 55733 shows it has a Total In Poverty of 77 which is the smallest in order of total people earning less than the poverty level of all the other zip codes in the greater region. The zip code with the highest total people earning less than the poverty level in the area is 55720 which depicts a total people earning less than the poverty level of 2,090 ( markedly bigger).
In Figure 24 the percentage of people earning less than the poverty level is shown and compared across the group of places. 55733 shows it has a Percent of Population In Poverty of 1.6% which is the smallest in order of percent of people earning less than the poverty level of all the other zip codes in the metro area. The zip code with the highest percent of people earning less than the poverty level in the area is 55808 which depicts a percent of people in poverty of 17.3% ( substantially bigger).
In Figure 25 people who are in poverty are broken out by age group. ZIP code 55733 has the largest proportion of person in poverty 12 to 17 years at 53% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the smallest proportion of person in poverty 18 to 34 years at 8% of the total. Third, it has the largest proportion of person in poverty 35 to 54 years at 39% of the total and is ranked #1.
The next chart, Figure 26, shows the percentage of people in poverty by racial group. ZIP code 55733 has the percentage of white poverty rate in the mid point range of other zip codes in the metro area at 44% of the total.
The next chart looks at the percentage of people in poverty based on their education level in Figure 28 marriage status. ZIP code 55733 has the smallest proportion of less than highschool in poverty at 1% of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of highschool graduate and in poverty at 2% of the total. Figure 29 looks at only those people who make less than the poverty level of income and breaks down there employment status. ZIP code 55733 has the largest proportion of people who are in poverty and unemployed at 61.0% of the total and is ranked #1. Additionally, Figure 30 looks at the percentage of people who receive some form of public assistance including general assistance, temporary assistance or food stamps (i.e. SNAP.) ZIP code 55733 shows it has a Public Assistance Percent of 2.4% which is the smallest when sorted by households with public assistance of all the other zip codes in the greater region. The zip code with the highest households with public assistance in the area is 55808 which depicts a households with public assistance of 21.8% ( substantially bigger).
Figure 31 shows the "Gini Index of Income Inequality" with a range from zero (perfect equality) to one (perfect inequality). ZIP code 55733 depicts it has a Gini Index of 32.6% which is the smallest in terms of the gini index of all the other zip codes in the metro area.
ZIP code 55733 Work Commute Charts
The following set of charts detail a variety of metrics that have economic impact, economic grow factors and economic development metrics in the ZIP code 55733 community and has an impact on other factors such as economic growth, population growth, economic recovery, job growth, etc.. Figure 32 shows a high level view of how the population commutes to work (including the percent of people who work from home.) ZIP code 55733 has the smallest proportion of people who take public transportation to work at 0% of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of people who bicycle or walk to work at 2% of the total. Figure 33 shows a more detailed view of how the population commutes to work for (for example to downtown ZIP code 55733 or elsewhere.) ZIP code 55733 has the largest proportion of people who drove alone at 88% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the smallest proportion of people who walked at 0% of the total. Third, it has the smallest proportion of people who work from home at 2% of the total.
In Figure 35 is shown a frequency distribution of the time that people leave for work. ZIP code 55733 has one of the largest proportions of people who leave for work between 12am to 5am at 8% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger zip code being 55797 with 9%. Second, it has the largest proportion of people who leave for work between 630 am to 7am at 22% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the largest proportion of people who leave for work between 9am to 10am at 3% of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has the smallest proportion of people who leave for work between 10am to 11am at 0% of the total. In addition, it has the smallest proportion of people who leave for work between 12noon to 4pm at 2% of the total.
The next graph in Figure 36 shows the average number of minutes that it takes for people to commute to work. ZIP code 55733 has the percentage of people with commute time of less than 5 minutesutes less than most other zip codes in the metropolitan area at 10% of the total. Second, it has less than most other zip codes in the greater region when ranked by people with commute time between 5 to 9 minutes at 9% of the total. Third, it has the largest proportion of people with commute time between 15 to 19 minutes at 25% of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has the largest proportion of people with commute time between 20 to 24 minutes at 11% of the total and is ranked #1. In addition, it has the smallest proportion of people with commute time between 35 to 39 minutes at 0% of the total.
The average commute time is shown in Figure 37. ZIP code 55733 depicts it has a Avg Commute Time of 26 which is the third most average commute time of all other zip codes in the greater ZIP code 55733 region. Figure 38 shows the difference between male versus female commuting time. ZIP code 55733 shows average commute time in minutes for men only about 5.4% larger as the average commute time in minutes for women. Figure 40 shows the total number of vehicles available for transportation and ZIP code 55733 has the smallest proportion of no vehicle available at 5% of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of 1 vehicle available at 35% of the total. Third, it has the largest proportion of 2 vehicles available at 35% of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has the largest proportion of 3 vehicles available at 19% of the total and is ranked #1. In addition, it has in the mid range of other zip codes in the greater region when ranked by 4 vehicles available at 7% of the total. Figure 41 shows the percentage of people who both work and live in the same city (town or place.) ZIP code 55733 shows it has a Work in city or place where live of 10% which is the smallest when sorted by people who both work and live in the same city of all the other zip codes in the local area. The zip code with the highest people who both work and live in the same city in the area is 55807 which depicts a people who both work and live in the same city of 75% ( markedly bigger). Comparing people who both work and live in the same city to the United States average of 42%, ZIP code 55733 is approximately a quarter the size. Also, in comparison with the state of Minnesota, people who both work and live in the same city of 34%, ZIP code 55733 is approximately a third the size.
ZIP code 55733 Jobs Charts
The next to charts break out the median earnings for major job categories for men and women. Figure 46 shows the median earnings of men for the job categories. ZIP code 55733 depicts it has the hightest median earnings of $90,714 for the management, business, and financial occupations group. Similarly, Figure 47 shows the median earnings of women for the job categories and ZIP code 55733 depicts it has the hightest median earnings of $53,750 for the earnings-healthcare practitioners and tech occupations grouping. The table in Figure 48, shows ZIP code 55733 employment data in terms of job categories and salary data.
ZIP code 55733 Self Employment Charts
Figure 49 shows economic activity in terms of the number of people who are self employed in incorporated local business by industry. ZIP code 55733 depicts it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 59% for the self employed management, business, science, and arts businesses classification.
Similar to the last chart is Figure 50 which shows the number of people who are self employed but in more detailed industry categories such as manufacturing, retail sales, residential real estate, commercial real estate, health care, exports/imports, and advanced industries, etc. ZIP code 55733 depicts it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 27% for the self employed in arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation and food services category.
In Figure 51 the average annual self employment/entrepreneur income is shown. ZIP code 55733 depicts it has a Self Employment Income of $24,158 which is less than most other zip codes in the local area. The zip code with the highest average annual self employment income in the area is 55720 which depicts an average annual self employment income of $37,017 (53.2% larger). Comparing average annual self employment income to the United States average of $39,154, ZIP code 55733 is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, compared with the state of Minnesota, average annual self employment income of $36,330, ZIP code 55733 is approximately three-fourths the size.
Figure 52 shows the difference between the number of self employed men and self employed women (i.e. entrepreneurs.) ZIP code 55733 indicates total number of self-employed men about 12.5% smaller as the total number of self-employed women.
Zip code 55733, Minnesota Economy Data
Work Commute
Figure 1: 55733, MN Median Earnings per Worker
Figure 2: 55733, MN Median Household Income
Figure 3: 55733, MN Earnings Distribution
Figure 4: Male vs. Female Median Earnings
Figure 5: 55733, MN Avg Hrs Worked in Week
Figure 6: 55733, MN Avg Hourly Earnings
Figure 7: People Self Employed in 55733, MN
Figure 8: 55733, MN Median Household Income By Age Group
Figure 9: 55733, MN Source of Income
Figure 11: Households with Retirement Income
Figure 12: Median Family Income By Race in 55733, MN
Figure 13: 55733, MN Cost of Living (100 = U.S. Average)
Figure 14: Monthly Unemployment Rate for Area Closest to 55733, MN Tracked by BLS
Figure 15: Quarterly Labor Force Participation for the Area Closest to 55733, MN Tracked by BLS
Figure 16: 55733, MN Annual Unemployment Rate
Figure 17: Annual Labor Force Participation
Figure 18: 55733, MN Components of Employment Status
Figure 19: Part Time vs. Full Time Employment
Figure 21: 55733, MN Families with a Single Earner
Figure 22: 55733, MN Families with No One Working
Figure 23: 55733, MN In Poverty
Figure 24: Percent of Population in Poverty
Figure 25: 55733, MN Poverty Break Out by Age Group
Figure 26: 55733, MN Poverty Break Out by Race
Figure 27: 55733, MN Poverty and Marriage Status
Figure 28: 55733, MN Poverty and Education Attainment Level
Figure 29: 55733, MN In Poverty and Working Status
Figure 30: 55733, MN Households with Public Assistance
Figure 31: 55733, MN Gini Index of Income Inequality
Figure 32: 55733, MN Mode of Transportation to Work
Figure 33: Detailed Mode of Transportation to Work
Figure 35: 55733, MN Time Leaving For Work
Figure 36: Time in Minutes Spent Commuting to Work
Figure 37: 55733, MN Average Commute Time in Minutes
Figure 38: 55733, MN Average Commute Time for Male vs. Female
Figure 39: 55733, MN Detailed breakout of age groups by means of transportation to work
Figure 40: 55733, MN Vehicles available
Figure 41: 55733, MN People who both Work and Live in the Same City
Figure 42: 55733, MN Median Annual Earngins by High Level Industry Groups
Figure 43: Men-Median Annual Earnings by High Level Industry Groups
Figure 44: Women-Median Annual Earnings by High Level Industry Groups
Figure 45: 55733, MN Median Annual Earnings by Job Category
Figure 46: Men-Median Annual Earnings by Job Category
Figure 47: Women-Median Annual Earnings by Job Category
Figure 48: Detailed Job Categories with Annual Earnings for 55733, MN
Figure 49: Number of Self Employed People by Industry in 55733, MN
Figure 50: 55733, MN Number of Self Employed People by Detailed Industry Grouping
Figure 51: 55733, MN Average Annual Self Employment Income
Figure 52: Total Self Employed Men and Women
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When starting our final projects in September 2011, none of us thought we would come this far. From the conception of each project and story, it has been a journey of up hill struggles, challenges and rewards. We have crossed continents, explored historic tensions within Europe and turned our lenses to stories throughout the UK.
Each project is successful in its own right, and together they highlight the diversity of work, techniques and approaches that has emerged from this graduating year of Press & Editorial photographers 2012.
The skills that we have gained throughout our degree are evident in the work exhibited today. Whilst traditional techniques and theories have shaped our work, our course prides itself at being at the forefront of photojournalism. Covering almost every platform from fine prints, books and multimedia, to iPad apps, websites and blogs, we have grown within the ever developing and changing landscape of press and editorial photography.
Almost every photographer of this graduating year has already been professionally involved in the industry, some working at Panos Pictures, Rex, NOOR, VII and Foto8 – whilst others have been part of editing teams on newspapers and magazines.
Through the University's own photo agency Cartel Photos, our work has been published throughout the UK across local and national press including The Independent, The Guardian, The Telegraph, BBC and The Falmouth Packet. This exhibition is an insight into our world and a platform for our futures.


text:
Trip from Shamsabad Farrukhabad to Rajnandgaon
State: Chattisgarh
The District Rajnandgaon came into existence on 26th Jan' 1973, by way of division of District Durg. The Rajnandgaon state was ruled by Somvanshis, Kalchuris and Marathas. The Rajnandgaon was originally named as Nandgram.
The Palaces in the town of Rajnandgaon reveals its own tale of the rulers, their society & culture and the splendid tradition during that time. The contribution of GajananMadhavMuktibodh, PadumlalPunnalalBakshi and Baldeo Prasad Mishra in the field of Hindi literature has a special mention.
The District Kawardha was latter bifurcated from the District on 1st July 1998.The District Rajnandgaon is in the central part of Chhattisgarh. The District headquarter Rajnandgaon is on the Mumbai - Howrah line of south eastern railways.
The National Highway 6 (Great Eastern Road) also passes through the town of Rajnandgaon. The nearest airport to the District is at Mana(Raipur), about 80 kms away
The best time to visit the destination is from October to February
Attraction in Rajnandgaon
Route Map from Shamsabad Farrukhabad to Rajnandgaon
Khajjiar
Ramgarh cantonment
Ratanpur
Jashpur Nagar
Pokhran
Rajgir
Chitkul


text:
Europe | Keep pedalling the tandem
The founding partnership behind this week's EU deal
Macron and Merkel defy those who had written off the Franco-German relationship
Jul 23rd 2020 | PARIS
"I'M NOT FRUSTRATED, I'm impatient," declared an evidently frustrated Emmanuel Macron in Germany earlier this year. The French president had put European integration at the heart of his election campaign in 2017. Yet even as covid-19 struck, European leaders were still unable to agree on much. France and Germany, two founding members that have guided the European Union for over six decades, were condemned, it seemed, to settle for incremental fixes. One commentator wrote of "the end of the Franco-German love-in". In The Economist last November, Mr Macron said Europe was "on the edge of a precipice".
In the early hours of July 21st, however, after four long days and nights, the 27 EU leaders agreed to a deal that, for once, deserved the term Mr Macron gave it: "historic". The agreement was officially shepherded by Charles Michel, president of the European Council, backed by Ursula von der Leyen, head of the European Commission. But ultimately it happened because the leaders of France and Germany managed—in a crisis—to settle their differences beforehand, then bring others along. "Exceptional events", said Germany's chancellor, Angela Merkel, "call for exceptional new measures."
The Franco-German tandem has driven most of Europe's advances. The Maastricht treaty in 1992, for instance, which led to the euro's creation, was masterminded by France's François Mitterrand and Germany's Helmut Kohl. Over the decades, even when leaders have not got on, strong cross-Rhine administrative links have endured. The point is not that France and Germany agree readily: they approach almost everything—from defence to debt—differently. But if they can agree, goes the theory, fellow Europeans should be able to as well.
This latest deal tested that principle to the limit. The "frugals"—Austria, Denmark, the Netherlands and Sweden, joined by Finland—dug in, insisting on less money for grants and more for their budget rebates. Tempers flared. At one point Mr Macron "banged his fist on the table", according to an aide, accusing Austria's Sebastian Kurz of having "a bad attitude" and the Netherlands of behaving as Britain used to. It was exactly the sort of lecturing from France that, when it acts alone, so irks others.
Yet this time, Mr Macron and Mrs Merkel led a double act. They devised a joint plan in May, steered talks à deux, even stormed out of a summit meeting together. After concessions, the frugals agreed to most of what they had rejected just months ago. "Macron held out his hand to Germany for a long time," says Tara Varma of the European Council on Foreign Relations. "What made the difference is that in the end Merkel took it."
This article appeared in the Europe section of the print edition under the headline "Back on the tandem"
Europe July 25th 2020
The EU's leaders have agreed on a €750bn covid-19 recovery package
After spreading covid-19, a huge European abattoir vows reforms
A seaside-villa scandal sparks huge protests in Bulgaria
A hotel developer in Athens obstructs the Acropolis
Spain's King Felipe is distancing himself from his father
Why the EU is becoming more like a Chekhov play
From the July 25th 2020 edition


text:
Cranborne Audio N22
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Put simply, N22 replaces 4 balanced XLR cables with 1 Cat 5 cable over distances of up to 100m.
Featuring our C.A.S.T. system, N22 distributes audio around studios or stages using affordable cabling by repurposing the internal copper wires of a Cat 5 cable to transport balanced analogue audio to and from other C.A.S.T. enabled products - such as another N22.
Advanced C.A.S.T. Breakout Box
Studios already built around a Cranborne Audio interface can simply connect N22's into their C.A.S.T. Input connectors and then audio plugged into N22's input will appear directly at interface's inputs ready recording. That same cat 5 C.A.S.T. connection also transmits a stereo monitor mix generated by the interface directly into N22's balanced XLR and 1/4" Jack outputs for monitoring or reamping.
WE HATE CABLE CLUTTER
Put simply, C.A.S.T. replaces 4 balanced XLR cables with 1 Cat 5 cable.
C.A.S.T (Cat 5 Analogue Signal Transport) repurposes the internal copper wiring of a shielded Cat 5 cable to transmit 4 channels of balanced analogue audio over distances of up to 100m.
We developed C.A.S.T. to enable us to provide the perfect platform for distributing audio around studios or stages whilst reducing cable clutter, improving sonic performance, reducing costs, and increasing the flexibility of any audio distribution setup.
We're using C.A.S.T. to transform messy cable spaghetti into neat, tidy, and inspiring works of cabling art.
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Connect N22 into 500R8's or 500ADAT's C.A.S.T. Input connectors and then mic/line sources connected to N22's inputs are sent directly to the interface's inputs ready for recording via C.A.S.T. Meanwhile, a stereo monitor mix generated by 500R8/500ADAT is carried down the same C.A.S.T. connection and directly into N22's dual ¼" jack and XLR line outputs.
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N22's bigger brother N22h features all of the same Cat 5 facilities as N22 but with a reference-quality, high-current headphone amp strapped across its outputs. Utilising the same design that can be found on our flagship 500R8, N22H's headphone amplifier is a crucial tool for engineers looking to really drive their headphones.
Connect N22 with a N22H and now you can use our C.A.S.T. system to deploy headphone amplification where it is needed on the end of a cat 5 cable.
Product Information: http://www.cranborne-audio.com/n22


text:
ACT, PASS Reach Agreement to Promote Multiple Events at Thompson Speedway
Aug 8, 2020 | ACT, Connecticut, PASS, Thompson, Touring Series News
Waterbury, VT and Naples, ME — The American-Canadian Tour (ACT) and the Pro All Stars Series (PASS) have reached an agreement with Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park to promote multiple events at the Thompson, CT oval track this season. The events will be the first held on the historic 5/8-mile speedway in 2020 after multiple postponements and cancellations due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic.
The first event ACT and PASS are hosting at Thompson Speedway has been set for Wednesday, September 2 and features a visit from the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. They will then promote the 58th annual World Series of Speedway Racing from Friday, October 9 through Sunday, October 11. The organizations are currently in talks with track ownership regarding the 2021 season and beyond.
Full division lines-ups, times, and pricing for both 2020 events will be announced next week. Attendance will be limited to 25% of capacity per Connecticut state mandate. ACT and PASS plan to offer advance ticket sales for the September 2 event beginning Monday, August 10.
In addition, ACT managing partner Cris Michaud and PASS owner Tom Mayberry are hosting an open practice at Thompson Speedway on Wednesday, August 19. The practice schedule will also be announced next week.
Thompson Speedway is the oldest asphalt auto racing facility in the United States. It opened its doors in 1940 and was long known as the "Indianapolis of the East". The agreement with ACT and PASS will ensure that the oval remains open for another season.
"We're excited about this opportunity," Michaud said. "The ACT Tour was part of the World Series the last five years, and we were always impressed with the facility and with the racing there. We're looking forward to working with the local teams and touring series that have made Thompson their home and putting on a great show for the fans."
"It's a remarkable race track," Mayberry added. "I spent a lot of nights on the backstretch with Don Hoenig watching the Modifieds and the local divisions. You can practically feel the history every time you're there. Being part of the Icebreaker for three years was one of the biggest stages PASS has ever raced on. We're glad to continue contributing to the legacy of such an important speedway."
For more information, contact the ACT at (802) 244-6963, media@acttour.com, or visit www.acttour.com or www.thompsonspeedway.com. You can also get updates on Facebook and Twitter at @ACTTour.


Genetic factors of the disease course after sepsis: a genome-wide study for 28 day mortality - Download this document for free, or read online. Document in PDF available to download.
Abstract: Sepsis is the dysregulated host response to an infection which leads to life-threatening organ dysfunction that varies by host genomic factors. We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) in 740 adult septic patients and focused on 28day mortality as outcome. Variants with suggestive evidence for an association (p≤10(-5)) were validated in two additional GWA studies (n=3470) and gene coding regions related to the variants were assessed in an independent exome sequencing study (n=74). In the discovery GWAS, we identified 243 autosomal variants which clustered in 14 loci (p≤10(-5)). The best association signal (rs117983287; p=8.16×10(-8)) was observed for a missense variant located at chromosome 9q21.2 in the VPS13A gene. VPS13A was further supported by additional GWAS (p=0.03) and sequencing data (p=0.04). Furthermore, CRISPLD2 (p=5.99×10(-6)) and a region on chromosome 13q21.33 (p=3.34×10(-7)) were supported by both our data and external biological evidence. We found 14 loci with suggestive evidence for an association with 28day mortality and found supportive, converging evidence for three of them in independent data sets. Elucidating the underlying biological mechanisms of VPS13A, CRISPLD2, and the chromosome 13 locus should be a focus of future research activities.
Publication status:In pressPeer Review status:Peer reviewedVersion:Publisher's versionDate of acceptance:2016-08-27Notes:Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).


My favorite game of all time is Nintendo's 1998 classic The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. This game tops a lot of people's lists. I've heard time and time again that I didn't put effort into picking it as my favorite game; that everyone loves that game. Sure I could talk about my love of King's Quest or Team Fortress Classic, but it still wouldn't change my answer. Nobody is debating that Ocarina of Time is a great game, that's pretty well agreed upon. What makes Ocarina of Time my favorite game of all time wasn't the great story and gameplay alone. What made it my favorite game is also because of what it was outside the game for me.


text:
File photo courtesy of © Can Stock Photo / haraldmuc
New sidewalk requirement could be a slippery slope at budget time
By Natalia VegaNovember 30, 2018 9:59am@NataliaV_News
The Municipality of Chatham-Kent might face a hefty bill this winter to keep sidewalks clear of snow and ice.
Due to changes made to the provincial government's Minimum Maintenance Standards Act, the responsibility to clear sidewalks of snow and ice within 48 hours after a winter storm has fallen on the municipality.
Pat Bruette, acting director of Public Works, said they are currently crunching numbers and working on a report to present to council. However, the coast to clear sidewalks could have a "substantial" effect on the budget.
"It has a budget impact that's for sure," he said.
Although a number was not provided, Bruette said the cost would be "quite large".
Changes to the Minimum Maintenance Standards were made in the spring. For the most part, Bruette said the municipality was already compliant with the changes, while others will have no financial hardship.
"Unfortunately, the sidewalk [change] appears like it's going to have a fairly significant financial application to it," he said.
In the meantime, property owners are asked to help by clearing snow off of sidewalks and salting slippery areas around their land. For now, this is a request but Bruette said there is a possibility of making it a requirement for property owners.
"That is an item we're looking at," he said. "There are quite a few municipalities in Ontario that currently hold the property owners responsible for sidewalk snow clearing."
The matter will go to council in December once the new council members are sworn in.


Villains for "Guardians of the Galaxy" revealed?
Obviously potential spoilers here. Den of Geek supposedly has the inside scoop for the upcoming Marvel Studios film "Guardians of the Galaxy". According to the site, Benicio Del Toro will be playing the Collector, Lee Pace will be playing Ronan the Accuser and Karen Gillian will be playing Nebula, the grand-daughter of Thanos in the comics.
Nothing has been officially confirmed at this point, but the film also stars Chris Pratt, Dave Bautista, Zoe Saldana, Michael Rooker, Ophelia Lovibond, Glenn Close and John C. Reilly.
Here's the full trailer for the upcoming film "Delivery Man".
The film stars Vince Vaughn, Cobie Smulders, Chris Pratt, Britt Robertson and Bobby Moynihan. This actually looks pretty good to me!
Here's the first trailer for "The Lego Movie".
The film features the voices of Chris Pratt, Will Ferrell, Elizabeth Banks, Will Arnett, Nick Offerman, Alison Brie, Liam Neeson and Morgan Freeman.
Del Toro not playing Thanos?
Here's another surprise. Benicio Del Toro reportedly is not playing Thanos in "Guardians of the Galaxy". Instead the latest reports have him playing the Collector, an immortal who collects powerful objects and beings, including trying to "collect" the Avengers in the comics. Hm, he seems like a pretty…silly villain from the outside looking in. But whoever he is playing he's joining the likes of Zoe Saldana, Chris Pratt, Dave Bautista, John C. Reilly and more.
"Guardians of the Galaxy" is already one of the more intriguing films on the horizon. It stars Chris Pratt as Star-Lord, Zoe Saldana as Gamora, Dave Bautista as Drax The Destroyer, Michael Rooker as Yondu, Lee Pace as an unspecified villain, Glenn Close and John C. Reilly. Now comes news that Benicio Del Toro is joining the cast in an unspecified lead role with options for future films in the Marvel cinematic universe. Who could he be playing? Rumors are circling that he could be Thanos. Or Dr. Strange. Who do you think he's playing?
John C. Reilly joining "Guardians of the Galaxy"?
John C. Reilly has done some more serious roles like "Chicago". But of course he's most well known for roles in movies like "Step Brothers" and "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby". Now reports are that Marvel is offering him a role in "Guardians of the Galaxy". Reportedly he would play Rhomann Dey, a middle man between SHIELD and the team. If he joins, he will star along with Chris Pratt, Dave Bautista and Zoe Saldana.
Zach Sobiech is a 18-year-old who has just months to live after finding that osteosarcoma–a rare form of bone cancer that he has battled since he was 14, spread and doctors said there is nothing more they can do. He sang a song called "Clouds", which if you haven't heard it, stop everything and watch it. It's incredibly touching and I doubt you'll have dry eyes after finishing it. You can also download the song here with proceeds going to the Zach Sobiech Osteosarcoma Fund. You can also make a donation at that page.
"Black Panther" picking up steam?
Good news for "Black Panther" fans. Earlier this year Morris Chestnut hinted that he was in the running for "Black Panther". Now a new name has emerged. Chadwick Boseman, star of "42", the baseball film about Jackie Robinson, which is proving to be very successful at the box office, is reportedly on the short list land the role. It wouldn't be as surprising as you think. Marvel took a gamble on Robert Downey Jr. for "Iron Man", cast Chris Hemsworth as "Thor" when all he was known for was being Kirk's dad on "Star Trek" and cast Chris Pratt from "Parks and Recreation" in "Guardians of the Galaxy". The fact that they are considering actors is very good news for fans.
Marvel's "Guardians of the Galaxy" is picking up the pace. James Gunn is directing. Chris Pratt ("Zero Dark Thirty") is Star-Lord, Zoe Saldana ("Star Trek Into Darkness") is playing Gamora and Dave Bautists is Drax the Destroyer. Now Lee Pace ("The Hobbit") is playing an unknown villain in the film. Thanos is sure to be one of the villains, but if Pace is not Thanos, who could he be? FirstShowing.net has a theory that he's playing a character known as The Collector.


text:
using org.javarosa.core.model.condition;
using org.javarosa.core.model.data;
using org.javarosa.core.model.data.helper;
using org.javarosa.core.model.instance;
using org.javarosa.core.util.externalizable;
using org.javarosa.xform.util;
using System;
using System.Collections;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.IO;
using System.Text;
namespace org.javarosa.xpath.expr{

public class XPathPathExpr : XPathExpression {
	public  const int INIT_CONTEXT_ROOT = 0;
	public  const int INIT_CONTEXT_RELATIVE = 1;
	public  const int INIT_CONTEXT_EXPR = 2;

	public int init_context;
	public XPathStep[] steps;

	//for INIT_CONTEXT_EXPR only
	public XPathFilterExpr filtExpr;

	public XPathPathExpr () { } //for deserialization

	public XPathPathExpr (int init_context, XPathStep[] steps) {
		this.init_context = init_context;
		this.steps = steps;
	}

	public XPathPathExpr (XPathFilterExpr filtExpr, XPathStep[] steps):
		this(INIT_CONTEXT_EXPR, steps) {
		this.filtExpr = filtExpr;
	}

	public TreeReference getReference () {
		return getReference(false);
	}

	/**
	 * translate an xpath path reference into a TreeReference
	 * TreeReferences only support a subset of true xpath paths; restrictions are:
	 *   simple child name tests 'child::name', '.', and '..' allowed only
	 *   no predicates
	 *   all '..' steps must come before anything else
	 */
	public TreeReference getReference (Boolean allowPredicates) {
		TreeReference ref_ = new TreeReference();
		Boolean parentsAllowed;

		switch (init_context) {
		case XPathPathExpr.INIT_CONTEXT_ROOT:
			ref_.setRefLevel(TreeReference.REF_ABSOLUTE);
			parentsAllowed = false;
			break;
		case XPathPathExpr.INIT_CONTEXT_RELATIVE:
			ref_.setRefLevel(0);
			parentsAllowed = true;
			break;
		default: throw new XPathUnsupportedException("filter expression");
		}

		for (int i = 0; i < steps.Length; i++) {
			XPathStep step = steps[i];

			if (!allowPredicates && step.predicates.Length > 0) {
				throw new XPathUnsupportedException("predicates");
			}

			if (step.axis == XPathStep.AXIS_SELF) {
				if (step.test != XPathStep.TEST_TYPE_NODE) {
					throw new XPathUnsupportedException("step other than 'child::name', '.', '..'");
				}
			} else if (step.axis == XPathStep.AXIS_PARENT) {
				if (!parentsAllowed || step.test != XPathStep.TEST_TYPE_NODE) {
					throw new XPathUnsupportedException("step other than 'child::name', '.', '..'");
				} else {
					ref_.incrementRefLevel();
				}
			} else if (step.axis == XPathStep.AXIS_ATTRIBUTE) {
				if (step.test == XPathStep.TEST_NAME) {
					ref_.add(step.name.ToString(), TreeReference.INDEX_ATTRIBUTE);
					parentsAllowed = false;
					//TODO: Can you step back from an attribute, or should this always be
					//the last step?
				} else {
					throw new XPathUnsupportedException("attribute step other than 'attribute::name");
				}
			}else if (step.axis == XPathStep.AXIS_CHILD) {
				if (step.test == XPathStep.TEST_NAME) {
					ref_.add(step.name.ToString(), TreeReference.INDEX_UNBOUND);
					parentsAllowed = false;
				} else if(step.test == XPathStep.TEST_NAME_WILDCARD) {
					ref_.add(TreeReference.NAME_WILDCARD, TreeReference.INDEX_UNBOUND);
					parentsAllowed = false;
				} else {
					throw new XPathUnsupportedException("step other than 'child::name', '.', '..'");
				}
			} else {
				throw new XPathUnsupportedException("step other than 'child::name', '.', '..'");
			}
		}

		return ref_;
	}

    public override object eval(FormInstance m, EvaluationContext evalContext)
    {
		TreeReference genericRef = getReference();
		if (genericRef.isAbsolute() && m.getTemplatePath(genericRef) == null) {
			throw new XPathTypeMismatchException("Node " + genericRef.toString() + " does not exist!");
		}

		TreeReference ref_ = genericRef.contextualize(evalContext.ContextRef);
		List<TreeReference> nodesetRefs = m.expandReference(ref_);

		//to fix conditions based on non-relevant data, filter the nodeset by relevancy
		for (int i = 0; i < nodesetRefs.Count; i++) {
			if (!m.resolveReference((TreeReference)nodesetRefs[i]).isRelevant()) {
				nodesetRefs.RemoveAt(i);
				i--;
			}
		}

		return new XPathNodeset(nodesetRefs, m, evalContext);
	}

//
//	boolean nodeset = forceNodeset;
//	if (!nodeset) {
//		//is this a nodeset? it is if the ref contains any unbound multiplicities AND the unbound nodes are repeatable
//		//the way i'm calculating this sucks; there has got to be an easier way to find out if a node is repeatable
//		TreeReference repeatTestRef = TreeReference.rootRef();
//		for (int i = 0; i < ref.size(); i++) {
//			repeatTestRef.add(ref.getName(i), ref.getMultiplicity(i));
//			if (ref.getMultiplicity(i) == TreeReference.INDEX_UNBOUND) {
//				if (m.getTemplate(repeatTestRef) != null) {
//					nodeset = true;
//					break;
//				}
//			}
//		}
//	}

	public static Object getRefValue (FormInstance model, EvaluationContext ec, TreeReference ref_) {
		if (ec.isConstraint && ref_.Equals(ec.ContextRef)) {
			//ITEMSET TODO: need to update this; for itemset/copy constraints, need to simulate a whole xml sub-tree here
			return unpackValue(ec.candidateValue);
		} else {
			TreeElement node = model.resolveReference(ref_);
			if (node == null) {
				//shouldn't happen -- only existent nodes should be in nodeset
				throw new XPathTypeMismatchException("Node " + ref_.toString() + " does not exist!");
			}

			return unpackValue(node.isRelevant() ? node.getValue() : null);
		}
	}

	public static Object unpackValue (IAnswerData val) {
		if (val == null) {
			return "";
		} else if (val is UncastData) {
			return val.Value;
		} else if (val is IntegerData) {
			return ( Double)(((int)val.Value));
		} else if (val is LongData) {
			return( Double)(((long)val.Value));
		} else if (val is DecimalData) {
			return val.Value;
		} else if (val is StringData) {
			return val.Value;
		} else if (val is SelectOneData) {
			return ((Selection)val.Value).Value;
		} else if (val is SelectMultiData) {
			return (new XFormAnswerDataSerializer()).serializeAnswerData(val);
		} else if (val is DateData) {
			return val.Value;
		} else if (val is BooleanData) {
			return val.Value;
		} else {
			Console.WriteLine("warning: unrecognized data type in xpath expr: " + val.GetType().Name);
			return val.Value; //is this a good idea?
		}
	}

	public String toString () {
		StringBuilder sb = new StringBuilder();

		sb.Append("{path-expr:");
		switch (init_context) {
		case INIT_CONTEXT_ROOT: sb.Append("abs"); break;
		case INIT_CONTEXT_RELATIVE: sb.Append("rel"); break;
		case INIT_CONTEXT_EXPR: sb.Append(filtExpr.toString()); break;
		}
		sb.Append(",{");
		for (int i = 0; i < steps.Length; i++) {
			sb.Append(steps[i].ToString());
			if (i < steps.Length - 1)
				sb.Append(",");
		}
		sb.Append("}}");

		return sb.ToString();
	}

	public Boolean equals (Object o) {
		if (o is XPathPathExpr) {
			XPathPathExpr x = (XPathPathExpr)o;

			//Shortcuts for easily comparable values
			if(init_context != x.init_context || steps.Length != x.steps.Length) {
				return false;
			}

			return ExtUtil.arrayEquals(steps, x.steps) && (init_context == INIT_CONTEXT_EXPR ? filtExpr.equals(x.filtExpr) : true);
		} else {
			return false;
		}
	}

	public void readExternal(BinaryReader in_, PrototypeFactory pf) {
		init_context = ExtUtil.readInt(in_);
		if (init_context == INIT_CONTEXT_EXPR) {
			filtExpr = (XPathFilterExpr)ExtUtil.read(in_, typeof(XPathFilterExpr), pf);
		}

		ArrayList v = (ArrayList)ExtUtil.read(in_, new ExtWrapList(typeof(XPathStep)), pf);
		steps = new XPathStep[v.Count];
		for (int i = 0; i < steps.Length; i++)
			steps[i] = (XPathStep)v[i];
	}

	public void writeExternal(BinaryWriter out_)  {
		ExtUtil.writeNumeric(out_, init_context);
		if (init_context == INIT_CONTEXT_EXPR) {
			ExtUtil.write(out_, filtExpr);
		}

		ArrayList v = new ArrayList();
		for (int i = 0; i < steps.Length; i++)
			v.Add(steps[i]);
		ExtUtil.write(out_, new ExtWrapList(v));
	}

	public static XPathPathExpr fromRef (TreeReference out_) {
		XPathPathExpr path = new XPathPathExpr();
		path.init_context = (out_.isAbsolute() ? INIT_CONTEXT_ROOT : INIT_CONTEXT_RELATIVE);
		path.steps = new XPathStep[out_.size()];
		for (int i = 0; i < path.steps.Length; i++) {
			if (out_.getName(i).Equals(TreeReference.NAME_WILDCARD)) {
				path.steps[i] = new XPathStep(XPathStep.AXIS_CHILD, XPathStep.TEST_NAME_WILDCARD);
			} else {
				path.steps[i] = new XPathStep(XPathStep.AXIS_CHILD, new XPathQName(out_.getName(i)));
			}
		}
		return path;
	}

	public Object pivot (FormInstance model, EvaluationContext evalContext, List<Object> pivots, Object sentinal) {
		TreeReference out_ = this.getReference();
		//Either concretely the sentinal, or "."
        if (out_.Equals(sentinal) || (out_.getRefLevel() == 0))
        {
			return sentinal;
		}
		else {
			return this.eval(model, evalContext);
		}
	}
}
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


I learned to paint as a child. I was confined to my bed for extended periods of time dealing with two bouts of Rheumatic Fever. My mother was at her wits end in her attempts to keep me mentally occupied while at the same time keeping me physically quiet. She bought me paints, pastels, and all sorts of art supplies. From that day on, I have never known a moment of boredom in my life.
I live and work in Bloomington, Minnesota. I have a home studio just outside my back door. I am a full time artist, making my living selling my artwork and teaching students how to paint. At the moment, I have approximately 40 private students. I also teach Watercolor at the Bloomington Art Center, the Minnetonka Art Center, and workshops throughout the Upper Midwest. I am actively involved in the Minneapolis art scene. I am a past President of the Minnesota Watercolor Society and have served both the Minnesota Watercolor Society and the Northstar Watercolor Society in a number of different capacities.
Over the years, I have gravitated to the Natural World. I have studied Horticulture and Landscape planning, worked in nurseries and florist shops and spent many hours digging in the garden. Nowadays, much of my time is spent trying to capture, up close and on paper, those things in the natural world that intrigue me the most. The repetition of simple organic patterns and shapes are reflected in my paintings from debris on the ground all the way up to the nests in the trees. What catches my fancy is sometimes a spring ephemeral, maybe a hardy weed in the cracks or even a feather dropped by a busy bird on its way to more important tasks. These simple objects are so easy to overlook in our daily bustle. I bring you up close to these treasures and ask you to take the time to enjoy them.
Watercolor is the perfect medium to capture the transient nature of my subjects. It can be spontaneous, high-energy and capricious. It is always delicate and responsive. It allows me to vent, to express, to emote... to start all over again.


There are approximately 936 weeks from the time a child is born until they grow up, graduate, and move on to whatever's next. But each week in the life of a child or teenager is unique. Kids are constantly changing. And yet, we believe there is immeasurable potential tucked away in these early years of a person's life. That's why the phrase, "it's just a phase" is so important.
How we can teach our children about Jesus through each phase?
This is why we are excited to announce our new Phase Wall, located in the Family Ministry Check-In area.
You'll find two things: Phase Summaries and Phase Guides.
Phase Summaries include a brief description of the phase, growth & developmental insights, simple techniques for influencing a kid's mind and heart, and a roadmap for discipleship.
Phase Guides are more like a book and go into more detail of each phase than the summaries. They share concise and interactive information that simplifies what parents need to know about each phase of a kids life and gives them the opportunity to discover more about their children— so they can make the most of every phase.
Each phase guide gives parents pointers on having conversations about sexual integrity, healthy habits, technology and faith that are appropriate for the given phase their children are in.
The Phase Summaries and Guides are a combination of personal experience, academic research, and gatherings of leaders and educational experts from across the child development spectrum. They were created in partnership with Parent Cue and designed to help you parent your child through every year.
Do you have questions about Phase?
If you would like to know more about or Phase, stop by the Phase Wall in the Family Ministry Check-In area at our next gathering and talk to our FM Team or you can email family@apexcommunity.org.


text:
NCAA Tournament, Weekend One Notes
I had to sacrifice any writing activities yesterday because it was the one day in the next 10 that looked decent enough to get outside and get some early spring yard work done. So apologies for being late with my NCAA tournament weekend one wrap up.
Something I think we can all agree on, whether your team won or lost, whether your brackets are shredded or pristine, is that was the god-damndest weekend in the history of the tournament! Upsets everywhere, fantastic finishes every day, some stellar individual performances, and the biggest shocker in the history of the game. That's a lot packed into four days.
If you read my predictions, you know my bracket was toast late Thursday night when Buffalo pulled off the first Holy Shit moment of the tournament, blowing out #4 seed Arizona. Funny how I, and a lot of other people, fell in love with the potential of all of Arizona's NBA caliber talent and ignored the big red flags that had been there all year: the team often failed to play hard and they generally had zero interest in defending anyone. But, like I said Thursday, given everything surrounding the UA program, there was a part of me that was absolutely fine losing my national champ on day one.
That was just a warmup for the real action Friday night. I was all set to go to bed around 11:00. I had had a late night Thursday watching games, was awoken early by my nephew, and spent about an hour at the St. Patrick's Day parade in the nasty cold to watch L march. I was kind of wiped out. I forget what game I was watching, but I could feel myself fading fast. I was just about to head to bed when I noticed UMBC had jumped out to a six-point lead on #1 Virginia early in the second half. I decided to watch that game until UVa inevitably took over.
Which meant I was up for another hour watching the biggest surprise in tournament history. The craziest thing about that game to me wasn't the final score, which was a first-class ass kicking and exactly the opposite of what you would have expected the score to be. No, bigger to me was how the Cavaliers utterly panicked with over 10:00 to play in the game. They started chucking threes without even looking inside or trying to move the ball. I have a long personal history of seeing high seeds taken down by low seeds who play the game of their life. And usually that sense of panic doesn't set in until around the 5:00 mark. But here came Virginia, forcing shots early in the shot clock like they thought they only had a couple of possessions left.
If there was any doubt that this was the biggest upset ever, that clinches it. This game was effectively over with roughly a quarter of it left to be played! Despite being extra tired Saturday morning, I was pleased I stayed up to watch the end. And, yes, I was texting friends with messages along the lines of "Thank goodness it wasn't KU!" Thanks for taking one for the rest of the power schools, Virginia!
Other observations:
* Glad Tom Izzo is taking some heat for Michigan State going out in a pathetic performance against Syracuse. There was no excuse for that. He had way too much talent to lose to that team. Which means next year, when he loses a bunch of pro talent but returns several solid players and brings in a deep recruiting class that lacks a Top 50 player, there will be all kinds of columns trashing this year's team when the Spartans are again fighting for a Big 10 title.
* Man, that UMBC – Kansas State game was brutal. K-State fans should make no apologies for advancing. But that was some terrible basketball for the first 37 minutes until K-State realized, "Hey, we are 800% better than these guys," and made enough plays to win.
* Loyola is fun to watch, especially in the last 10 seconds of their games.
* We were out eating and shoe shopping, so I missed the Carolina-A&M game. But good grief, Roy, what the hell was that? And where as that A&M team been all year?
* I picked Missouri to win their opening round game and then lose to Xavier. Naturally Florida State is the team that came out of that mini-tournament. Xavier utterly collapsed late in their round of 32 game. I'm still not sure how Florida State won that.
* I always thought if you complain about your draw and/or where the committee sends you, the Hoops Gods were supposed to punish you. So how the hell does Kentucky have the easiest path the Final Four of any traditional power? I'm not a biblically religious man, but this could be proof of Satan's existence and that Calipari sold his soul to him many years ago.
* I'm not a big conference love guy. Yet I do approve of the Big 12 getting four teams through to the second weekend. Not sure any of them have a great path to San Antonio, but everyone has a shot.
* Terrible break for Purdue, literally, with Isaac Haas breaking his elbow and likely being done for the tournament. With a healthy Haas, their battle with Texas Tech is fascinating. Without him, Tech really should pull that one out.
* I'm not sure which was more impressive: Clemson's absolute destruction of Auburn, or Auburn's absolute failure to show up for that game.
This year, more than any other, proves that the NCAA tournament is the most volatile playoff in any sport. With the current rules of the game, the rise of the 3-pointer, the longer time outs, and the one-and-done nature of the games, it takes a very narrow combination of elements to produce an upset. For folks like me that support a team that is almost always ranked highly, there is a crippling fear that arrives with March that your team will be the one who goes 1–35 from 3 while your opponent goes 12–20 and pulls the upset.
But that craziness is what makes the tournament so much fun to watch. Where's the fun in watching a bunch of Power 5 schools beat up on the mid-majors, then the top16 or so teams knocking out all the mid-tier teams from other power conferences?
Oh, I was pleased with KU's performance. Survive and advance is the only assignment for the weekend and they did that. More about them later.
Sunday Playlist
NCAA Tournament, KU Notes


text:
interface AngularFireService {
	(firebase: Firebase): AngularFire;
}

interface AngularFire {
	$add(value: any): void;
	$remove(key?: string): void;
	$save(key?: string): void;
	$child(key: string): AngularFire;
	$set(value: any): void;
	$getIndex(): string[];
	$on(eventType: string, callback: (dataSnapshot: IFirebaseDataSnapshot, prevChildName?: string) => void, cancelCallback?: ()=> void, context?: Object): (dataSnapshot: IFirebaseDataSnapshot, prevChildName?: string) => void;
	$off(eventType?: string, callback?: (dataSnapshot: IFirebaseDataSnapshot, prevChildName?: string) => void, cancelCallback?: ()=> void, context?: Object): (dataSnapshot: IFirebaseDataSnapshot, prevChildName?: string) => void;
	$bind($scope: ng.IScope, modelName: string): ng.IPromise<any>;
}

interface AngularFireObject {
    $priority: number;
}

interface AngularFireAuthService {
	(firebase: Firebase): AngularFireAuth;
}

interface AngularFireAuth {
	$getCurrentUser(): ng.IPromise<any>;
	$login(provider: string, options?: Object): ng.IPromise<any>;
	$logout(): void;
	$createUser(email: string, password: string, noLogin?: boolean): ng.IPromise<any>;
	$changePassword(email: string, oldPassword: string, newPassword: string): ng.IPromise<any>;
	$removeUser(email: string, password: string): ng.IPromise<any>;
	$sendPasswordResetEmail(email: string): ng.IPromise<any>;
}


If you're a fan of the 30 stocks that currently make up the Dow Jones Industrial Average, purchasing one share of five of the cheapest won't take much.
Hard as it may be to believe, decide to purchase one share of the following five stocks and you'll be able to do it all for less than 20 bucks—not including commissions. Prices are based on March 4, 2009 figures reported at 1:36 p.m. from Yahoo! Finance.
Alcoa (AA), $6.11 per share; Bank of America (BAC), $3.57; Citigroup (C), $1.17; General Electric (GE), $6.29; and General Motors (GM), $2.13, per share.
Decide to go for one share for those selling under 20 bucks and there were 12 that fell into that range yesterday.
Added to the ones just mentioned would be: American Express (AXP), $11.50; DuPont (DD), $18.02; Home Depot (HD), $18.90; Intel (INTC), $12.76; Microsoft (MSFT), $16.14; Pfizer (PFE) $12.28; and Disney (DIS), $16.83.
Want to purchase e a share of all the 30 stocks? That would cost you—based on yesterday's early afternoon prices and not including commissions–$858.58.
On the other end of the spectrum are the Dow's two most expensive stocks: IBM, selling yesterday for over $89 per share and Exxon Mobile (XOM). It was trading around $65 per share.
Okay. One share is hardly an investment but 100 shares is. While I am NOT suggesting you run out and purchase any of the companies I've mentioned, my point is that there are many attractive buys for those who believe in the companies represented in the DJIA. And for those who do their research to see if an investment in one might be appropriate for them.
So look around. You might find that your belief in a company— its future, balance sheet and the potential for making money over the long run— is stronger than your consumer confidence concerns.


Dean Karlan is the Frederic Esser Nemmers Distinguished Professor of Economics and Finance at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management and Co-Director of the Buffett Institute's Global Poverty Research Lab. He is the Founder of Innovations for Poverty Action, a non-profit organization dedicated to discovering and promoting solutions to global poverty problems, and working to scale-up successful ideas through implementation and dissemination to policymakers, practitioners, investors and donors. In 2015, he co-founded (with Elijah Goldberg) ImpactMatters, a nonprofit dedicated to producing impact audits, which assesses whether an organization uses and produces appropriate evidence of impact. His research focuses on microeconomic issues of poverty, typically employing experimental methodologies and behavioral economics insights to examine what works, what does not, and why in interventions in sustainable income generation for those in poverty, household and entrepreneurial finance, health behavior, and charitable giving. He works on issues for low-income households in both developing countries and the United States. Karlan is on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the M.I.T. Jameel Poverty Action Lab. As a social entrepreneur, he is co-founder of stickK.com, a website that uses lessons from behavioral economics to help people reach personal goals, such as weight loss and smoking cessation, through commitment contracts on corporate wellness platforms. In 2011, Karlan co-authored More Than Good Intentions: How a New Economics is Helping to Solve Global Poverty, and in 2016 he co-authored Failing in the Field. Karlan received a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, an Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Fellowship, and a Guggenheim Fellowship. He was awarded distinguished alumni awards from the University of Chicago Booth Graduate School of Business and the Duke University Talent Identification Program. Previously, Karlan was the Samuel C Park, Jr Professor of Economics at Yale University, and Assistant Professor of Economics at Princeton University. Karlan received a Ph.D. in Economics from M.I.T., an M.B.A. and an M.P.P. from the University of Chicago, and a B.A. in International Affairs from the University of Virginia.


Saturday 4th August at Stewart's car hire in Jesse place Dunoon we will be holding a charity car wash to raise funds to buy parts for the vehicles that volunteer Alan Stewart has been asked to fix when he visits Malawi with Smileawi in September. Alan has a huge task ahead of him but is meeting the challenge head on and has already collected £200 before a single car has been washed. Please come along anytime on Saturday between 10am and 4.30pm with your dirty cars.


Our curated playlist grows ever more brilliant!!! Today's offering is someone I am quite new to. I recently started an MA at Waterbear, and one of the patrons of this fabulous instutuion is Frank Turner, who sang us all a song at the official opening last summer. I thought he was great, and was a nice guy to talk to, and so I looked at his newest album and came across this track. At the time I had a lot going on in my life, and was actually quite worried about various circumstances and changes in the market. I had this one on my earphones whilst on a nice long run the following day, and it has to be said, felt pretty good after hearing it. I have always believed in the healing power of music, and can go back to seeing video's of Freddie Mercury conducting 250,000 people at the original Rock in Rio festival as proof that music can transcend all race, colour and creed issues to bring people together. To hear other people write songs that stike a chord with you is a beautiful thing, and so is this song. Enjoy!!!
Do please follow the playlist, and pop across your contributions and why you want them included. It's fun curating, but it's more fun to collaborate!!!