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Raceday on the Plateau
The sun continues to bathe the circuit a Le Castellet in a warm glow, the coloured stripes of the trackside run-off contrasting strongly with the sandy browns and muted greens of the surrounding scrubland. The weather has been kind to the Le Mans Series, and the photographers have been enthusing about "The Light", and are eagerly anticipating a sunset finish to the Paul Ricard 8 Hours. Sadly, their hopes may be dashed - or splashed - by the latest forecasts of rain later in the afternoon. If it happens, that will make for an interesting race, but less appealing photographs.
The Mansell Beechdean Ginetta Zytek was the first out as the full grid took part in the early-morning warm-up. Tommy was eager to get back out onto the circuit in the RML AD Group Lola and put behind him the disappointment of a less than satisfying qualifying session yesterday. By the standards of most people, fourth would have been a good enough result, but the Brazilian sets his bar high and nothing short of perfection will really do.
A single flying lap was all he'd get to reassure himself that the car's balance was restored, and then it was hand-over time. The RML routine is rigorously enforced, and warm-up is no exception. Three drivers, three pitstops and three driver-change simulations. Mike Newton was next into the car, completing an out-lap, a couple of flyers,and then returning to the pits. His stint included an interesting duel along the Mistral with Soheil Ayari in the #6 Oreca Matmut AIM LMP1, which demonstrated just how rapid the Lola HPD is along the straight. Despite a significant power advantage, the LMP1 car could only just out-drag the svelte LMP2 coupé, although was then able to carry greater speed through Signes and pull clear.
The only major incident of the twenty minute session occurred just as Andy Wallace took over in the #25, when Goueslard in the Larbre Competition Saleen S-R, the only runner in GT1 this weekend, was hit from behind as he entered the fast right-handed "Double Droite" and crashed heavily backwards into the tyre wall. Guaranteed a win simply by finishing, the team now has a hectic two hours as they attempt to complete a rebuild in time for the start. The #5 Beechdean Mansell Ginetta Zytek also had more of a warm-up than is strictly necessary, with a fuel leak causing a small fire while Nigel himself was in the cockpit.
The chequered flag flew at 08:40, with Audi fastest overall on 1:43.138, a second or so clear of the #4 Oreca Peugeot, and the #13 Rebellion Lola third. In LMP2, fastest time to the ASM Ginetta Zytek, with the #35 Pescarolo second, and the #41 Bruichladdich Ginetta Zytek third. Andy's final lap demoted the pole-setting Strakka HPD to sixth in class . . . but warm-up times are, in truth, completely meaningless. Here they are nevertheless:
Warm Up - LMP2 Times
o/a
Team Car Drivers
Quifel ASM Ginetta-Zytek 09S Amaral, Pla, Hughes
Oak Racing Pescarolo - Judd Hein, Moreau
Bruichladdich Ginetta-Zytek 09S Ojjeh, Greaves, Ebbesvik
Oak Racing Pescarolo - Judd Lahaye, Nicolet
RML AD Group Lola HPD Coupé Erdos, Newton, Wallace
Strakka Racing HPD ARX -01c Leventis, Watts, Kane
KSM Lola B08/47 Judd de Pourtales, Noda, Kennard
Racing Box Lola Coupé B09 Judd Geri, Piccini, Piccini
Race Performance Radical SR9 - Judd Frey, Meichtry, Dueck
Racing Box Lola Coupé B09 Cioci, Perazzini, Pirri
WR Salini WR-Zytek Salini, Salini, Gommendy
Boutsen Energy Formula Le Mans Kraihamer, de Crem, Delhez
DAMS Formula Le Mans Stirling, Hines, Piscopo
Hope PoleVision Formula Le Mans Beche, Pillon, Capillaire
Applewood Seven Formula Le Mans Toulemonde, Zollinger, Zampatti
Hope PoleVision Formula Le Mans Zacchia, Moro, Kaufmann
Pegasus Racing Courage-Oreca AER Schell, Metz, Da Rocha
DAMS Formula Le Mans Barlesi, Cicognani, Chalandon
JMB Racing Formula Le Mans Kutemann, Basso, Hartshorne
The drivers had only a few minutes after extracting themselves from their cars before the paddock began to fill with spectators seeking out posters, postcards and other memorabilia to take home as mementos of the first Paul Ricard 8 Hour race.
Mike, Tommy and Andy set up their pitch beside the RML tractor unit, with the Bruichladdich squad to their right, the Aston Martin LMP1 team to their left, and the Smoking Dog hospitality facility directly opposite. The current capacity on the spectator enclosures is 4000, and judging by the number of people milling around for the walkabout, and lining the grandstands, the attendance this weekend is close to that maximum.
AD Group has about forty guests attending the race this weekend, based at the "Dog". Using AD's own CCTV networking systems, they are able to watch the engineers and mechanics in the RML garage as they work on the car. The system also provides surveillance security for the team truck and a view of the pitlane, so that pitstops, refuelling and driver changes can be monitored. AD-designed on-board video recording systems also provide valuable data for the drivers as they prepare for a race, with every moment of practice and each driver stint recorded and available for detailed analysis after each session.
With the race scheduled to begin at 11:00 the grid started to fill up from 10:15. The #5 Beechdean Mansell was successfully repaired and duly took up its slot, but with half an hour to go, the Saleen was still being worked upon.
Coverage of the LMP2 race will be provided here "live", with postings added to the report as they happen, or within a few moments. Photos will be added subsequently, thanks to David Lord, Peter May and David Downes of Dailysportscar, who are providing additional photographic coverage this weekend.
Please note that the following account of the race was uploaded "live", as the events unfolded on track. As a result, most entries are in the present tense, although driver and team comments may have been added subsequently. This may lead to some tense inconsistencies, for which we apologise..
The grid started to clear of people with ten minutes to go, only select team engineers and managers remaining with their cars. There was a final flurry of activity, as some teams refitted race tyres that had been kept warm in the "ovens" prior to the start.
There was still no sign of the Saleen as the cars moved off the grid at exactly 11:00 for the parade lap.
Everyone moved off the grid cleanly behind the red Audi R8 pace car. There's an impressive sight on the circuit monitors of the whole field weaving from side to side, warming their tyres, headlights ablaze, as they made their way up the Mistral Straight towards the awesome Signes Curve.
The leaders round the final turn. The pace car pulls aside. Tommy is still back in the middle of Village as the leaders take that very slow final corner, and after a brief holding-back manoeuvre which almost had McNish stumbling in front of the Pug as they approached the line, the race was off. It was a mad scramble for space, but everyone got cleanly through the first few corners, but things changed suddenly as the leading Peugeot stumbled through the exit of Chicane. McNish in the lead R15 was baulked, and Mucke following closely in the 008 Aston was through to the lead.
In LMP2, Thomas Erdos is up to third after a strong start from Kane in the Strakka HPD, who leads the class from Pla in the #41, Lahaye having lost out on the first lap to Erdos.
There's pandemonium amid the Formula Le Mans cars as three come together, but only one, the #45, has to retire to the pits for attention. It would need a replacement floor section.
11:09. End of lap 2
Mucke leads overall from McNish, who is pushing hard from second. Sarrazin remains third in the Oreca Peugeot. Kane is easing clear in LMP2, but Erdos is quicker than Pla at the moment, and is all over the rear of the ASM Ginetta Zytek.
McNish passes Mucke for the lead in a daring out-braking move. The Saleen has joined the race, two laps down. Melo leads GT2 for AF Corse in the #96.
McNish has eased out a lead of more than two seconds. In LMP2, Kane has a similar advantage over Pla, with Erdos less than a second behind the Portuguese #40.The Oak Racing #24 has just lost fourth to Ebbesvik in the #41 Ginetta Zytek. Sixth is the first of the Racing Box Lolas, the #29, with the KSM Lola seventh.
Sarrazin has regained second from Mucke and is now narrowing the gap on McNish. The Aston is slipping back into the clutches of the Signature Aston, with Mailleux in the cockpit.
Jonny Kane's serene progress continues in the Strakka Racing HPD, and he has already established a class lead of nearly five seconds over Olivier Pla. Tommy remains in close contention, just over a second behind Pla, with the Bruichladdich car, #41, fourth, but only by a couple more seconds.
There's great excitement in the top five, however, where the 008 Aston, the two Rebellion cars and the #6 Oreca AIM are battling it out for third, fourth and fifth, until a clash renders the #6 Hors de Combat with a left rear puncture.
The #13 Rebellion Judd takes the Signature Aston for third. McNish, meanwhile, has eased out a lead of eight seconds. The LMP2 leaders are now a full minute behind the Scot, and on that last lap (the tenth) Erdos has closed right up on Pla. Just four-tenths separates them.
The #35 Oak Racing Pescarolo has pitted from sixth in class. Reason currently unknown, having started from the back of the grid. It's a 70 second stop so perhaps tyres?
Jonny Kane has moved tight onto the tail of the Beechdean Mansell Ginetta Zytek, with Nigel at the wheel. The gap is down to half a second. Olivier Pla can probably see this duel unfolding ahead of him, but has his mirrors full of red, white and blue RML Lola, so is probably otherwise occupied. The LMP2 leaders are well in among the tail-enders now, and the traffic is causing gaps to fluctuate wildly.
Tommy moves through to second in LMP2, gaining two seconds on lap thirteen to get the better of Pla through the traffic. The challenge to catch Kane appears almost insurmountable - the Strakka driver has a lead of more than 10 seconds. McNish has a similar lead in LMP1, while the gap in GT2 is mere tenths.
The #12 Rebellion Lola has developed a puncture or rear suspension problem and has dropped out of fifth, trailing smoke, The incident appeared to happen just before the pit entry, and Jani has had to complete a whole lap at slow speed. There have been several incidents like this, and Tommy Erdos has also radioed in to express concerns over possible low tyre pressures, although the team assures him that the telemetry looks fine. His lap times have not slowed and he has eased out nearly four seconds over Pla.
The Rebellion #12 finally limps into the pitlane. Kane continues to pester El Leone, with the Beechdean Mansell car a mere four or five tenths to the fore. Kane's lead has grown to twelve seconds.
In a bizarre situation, the Rebellion team has fitted new tyres to the #12 and sent the car out, only for it to become immediately very evident that the car has a suspension failure. Out at the sharp end, McNish's lead fluctuates with traffic, but is constant at somewhere between 8 and 12 seconds. He is now lapping the leading LMP2 runners, and has just passed Kane.
In traffic, Sarrazin laps Mansell, and allows Kane to close even more on the former F1 champion, although the #35 Oak Pescarolo, a lap down, is right in the mix as well and is trying to regain a lap.
Smoke and possibly oil trailing from the 008 Aston Martin, which is making a slow return to the pitlane. It appears to be a broken wheel rim.
Moreau in the #35 Oak Pescarolo unlaps himself on Mansell, and then Kane closes to less than a tenth of the Beechdean Ginetta Zytek. It's only a matter of time before the Strakka HPD moves up to 6th overall. Erdos gained five seconds on Kane on lap 24, and the gap has narrowed to 6.4 seconds.
Evidently the Mansell pride can still be dented, and he ups his game by two seconds to retake Moreau, who is about to be passed by the class leader. Erdos has visibly closed on Kane now, but everyone is having to duck and dive through the slower traffic, and a second gained can be easily lost.
Yet another left-rear suspension failure, this time in GT2, where the Spyker is crabbing smokily towards the pits. The circuit places enormous strains on this rear corner, with the high-speed Signes right-hander being largely responsible.
Jonny Kane finally gets ahead of Nigel Mansell to make the first split in the LMP1 ranks, but only because Mansell is one of the first to make a scheduled pitstop. Others are likely to follow suit and a spate of stops is likely to follow.
11:54 Pitstop. (Erdos remains in; fuel and tyres)
Tommy is the first LMP2 runner to make the scheduled stop. Pla moves through to second in LMP2. McNish pits a few moments later, and so too Sarrazin in the Peugeot. New tyres all round on the Audi, but problems for Oreca, and the Peugeot is left wanting two more wheels by the time McNish rejoins the race.
Hour 2 - 3 (12:00-13:00)
As the race enters its second hour, things are going from bad to worse for Oreca, and the car is back into the garage for work. The internal jacks may have failed? McNish is now the only car on the "lead lap".
In LMP2, Kane leads from fifth overall, but is yet to stop. The #24 Pescarolo is second, also still on its first stint, but a fuel-only stop for Olivier Pla has allowed the #40 ASM car to retain third. Tommy Erdos is now fourth, but having taken on tyres as well, is nearly 30 seconds down on the Ginetta Zytek. Fifth, pending pitstops, is the #41 Bruichladdich Ginetta Zytek, with the late-starting but speedy Guillaume Moreau sixth for Oak Racing i the #35.
Lahaye pits the #24 from second. That left Kane as the only LMP2 runner yet to pit, but the Strakka call came on the next lap. In a few minutes a clearer picture of the true state of the race should emerge. Judging by the length of stop (1:40) the Strakka stop was for fuel and tyres.
Audi's strategy and Oreca's misfortune has resulted in a 50 second lead for the Scotsman. Rebellion's woes continue, as the #12 is issued with a 3 minute stop-and-go, probably for releasing the car without checking for the structural failure.
Having elected not to change tyres, the ASM Ginetta Zytek has moved through into the class lead, heading Jonny Kane (who took tyres) by eighteen seconds, with Erdos third, a further eleven seconds behind the Strakka Racing HPD. The #41 is fourth. Across the spread of the LMP2 front-runners, the top six are consistently lapping with a second of each other, around the 1:51. The only exception is Kane in the Strakka HPD, who typically shaves a second off the others.
The #4 Oreca Peugeot rejoins, but in 35th position overall. The car has lost 18 minutes. Another to lose ground, although not so much, is the #5 Beechdean Mansell car. A 2:15 pitstop has dropped the car to 12th overall, right in the middle of the LMP2 field.
McNish leads overall by 63 seconds from Stephane Mucke in the 009 Aston Martin Lola, with the #13 Rebellion Lola third, a further 23 seconds behind. Olivier Pla leads LMP2 from 5th in the #40 ASM Ginetta Zytek, but loses that elevated status as Ayari sweeps by in the LMP1 Oreca Matmut AIM #6. Pla's laps are typically in the high 1:51s, whereas Kane is managing to set lap after lap in the forty-nines, and Erdos too is regularly quicker, hovering around the fifty mark. The wisdom of ASM's decision not to change tyres at that first pitstop - if only as a security measure - may yet be tested. With so many cars having suffered left-rear punctures and suspension failures, there's little doubt that the track here is very tough on tyres, especially on that rear corner.
McNish is consistently two second a lap quicker han anyone else, perhaps with the exception of the recovering Oreca Peugeot, although that has a mountain to climb before it begins to feature in this race once more. Pla's LMP2 class lead has slipped to just five seconds, so Kane is likely to catch, and pass, the #40 in the next couple of laps.
Kane has closed to within four seconds of Pla, and Tommy Erdos holds third by about twenty seconds. Nigel Mansell is starting to recover the ground lost through that lengthy pitstop, but is still twenty seconds behind the RML Lola.
It has taken an hour and a half, but the race finally seems to have settled down into a steady rhythm. There are individual battles throughout the field, like the one unfolding for the LMP2 lead, but in the main it's all steady stuff and easier to follow.
Jonny Kane takes back the lead in LMP2 as McNish completes his 53rd lap. Mucke pits from second overall, handing over the AM Lola 009 to Fernandez. The #13 Rebellion Lola was third, but has moved through to second following Mucke's pitstop.
Kane has already eased out an advantage of three seconds over Pla, and Erdos has narrowed the gap between second and third, but only by a few seconds. It still remains at more than half a minute. The positional threat from the mansell Ginetta Zytek has disappeared with another pitstop for the #5 car, which must be a little ahead of schedule. Nigel out, son Greg gets in.
Order in LMP2 is currently: Kane leading for Strakka from 6th overall. Olivier Pla is second, by six seconds, and Erdos third. Fourth place is the #41 Bruichladdich entry, with Lahaye fifth for Oak, and Racing Box Lola #29 sixth .Seventh, but behind the #5 Mansell chariot, is the #35 Oak, with the #30 Racing Box Lola 8th.
12:50 Pitstop. (Erdos remains in; fuel and windscreen clean only)
Tommy Erdos into the pitlane for his second scheduled pitstop. In an attempt to regain a little time, it's screen clean and refuel only, and Erdos is back out again in a matter of seconds.
McNish pits from the lead, and hops out of the Audi to swap places with Dindo Capello. Lahaye has moved through to third in LMP2 during Tommy's brief pitstop. The #29 Racing Box pits from 10th overall, fifth in LMP2.
The Oak Pescarolo #24 is issued with a stop-go penalty. Lahaye is in the cockpit, and presently running third. Olivier Pla pits from second. It's a full service this time, with fuel, tyres and driver-change to Amaral. Moments later the #24 comes in to pay its dues with a stop-go, although fails to come to a complete stop, but is waved on even so. The additional time lost coming through the pitlane may permit Tommy Erdos to regain third, despite the recent pitstop. Being a penalty visit, the #24 cannot visit the garage, although must nearly be due for a scheduled stop.
Tommy duly moves through to second, passing Amaral and Lahaye.
Hour 3- 4 (13:00-14:00)
A bad start to the third hour for the #27 Racing Performance Radical, with a 4 minute stop-go. No indication yet what the indiscretion might have been, but it must have been serious.
Jonny Kane pits from the LMP2 lead. The car has been 3:10 in the pitlane, in total, compared to 2:36 for RML, so appears to have had tyres, fuel and a driver change. As a result, Tommy closes to within 19 seconds of Danny Watts, now in the Strakka cockpit.
Lahaye makes his scheduled pitstop from fourth in class.
Out at the sharp end, McNish leads by a lap from Arian Fernandez in the 009, with Guy Smith third in the #13 Rebellion Lola, almost another lap clear of the Signature Plus Aston fourth. Fifth is the troubled #6 Oreca AIM, with Duval hoping to recover some of the ground lost through that earlier puncture.
Amaral was going slowly in the #40 ASM Ginetta Zytek, and was overtaken on track by a Formula Le Mans car, although he then regained pace.
Luke Hines, who had been leading the Formula Le Mans class in the #44 car, has had problems with his left rear silencer - yes, these FLM cars do have silencers! - and has had to pit for repairs. The #48 Hope PoleVision car inherits the class lead.
Danny Watts leads LMP2 by 33 seconds from Thomas Erdos, who heads Amaral by fifty seconds.
Greg Mansell is proving quicker than his father, and has been consistently setting new fastest sectors for the #5 Beechdean car. He overtakes Amaral and moves through to 8th overall, 80 seconds behind Tommy.
News of others in LMP2. The KSM Lola, now with Judd power, has continued to experience mechanical troubles, this time gearbox related. The car has spent much of the race (some 55 minutes in fact) in the garage, but is out and moving again now. The #27 Radical, as well as incurring a 4 minute stop-go, has also had issues, and is lying 39th overall, just ahead of the KSM machine.
Change for the lead in GT2, where Richard Lietz takes over from Raymond Narac as the two Porsches turn the Mistral into a drag strip. As they duck under the "bridge" at the end of the straight, the blue Felbermayr car snicks through to take the IMSA's place.
Strakka and Danny Watts into the pitlane for an unscheduled pitstop, and Tommy Erdos moves through into the lead of LMP2. The black and silver-blue HPD is drawn back into the garage, and starts to lose ground immediately. Erdos leads from 6th, and when Greg Mansell pits the #5 a couple of minutes later, that overall position looks more secure.
The #24 Oak is given another stop-go, once again for a single second, but this time for a known incident on-track involving contact with the unfortunate Saleen. The Pescarolo had been in third, so paying the price may allow the Bruichladdich Ginetta Zytek back through to third.
The Strakka Racing HPD returns to the track with Nick Leventis in the cockpit. He rejoins in 14th overall, 8th in class. It transpires that the "legality panel" at the back of the car had been displaced, and needed to be replaced - a situation that has affected many teams over recent years.
13:44 Pitstop. (Erdos out, Newton in; fuel, tyres and driver change)
A rapid driver change and pitstop from the RML crew gets the #25 out onto the track immediately ahead of Miguel Amaral. On cold tyres he may be unable to defend the lead, but on pace alone, they're usually fairly evenly matched. Mike wisely surrenders the position, but latches on to the tail of the #40.
Scheduled pitstop for the #41 from third. Karim Ojeh in the car at the moment. Nicolet in the #24 moves through to take the place.
Amaral pits from the lead of LMP2, and returns the position to Mike Newton, who's now up to speed in the RML Lola. After the enforced pitstop to replace the legality panel, Nick Leventis is running 15th overall, having just lost one place to the recovering Oreca Peugeot.
Amaral is still in the ASM garage as the race enters its fourth hour, but returns to the track after a five-minute stop. Mike Newton continues to lead LMP2, with the 24 Oak Racing Pescarolo Judd second, the sister #35 third, and Karim Ojeh fourth for Bruichladdich.
Pitstop for the #30 Racing Box Lola. The car had been sixth in LMP2. Giacomo Piccini takes over.
Newton's lead in LMP2 is roughly 100 seconds, with Hein third behind the #24 by another 35 seconds. Ojeh is a further 58 seconds adrift in fourth, with Perazzini fifth for Racing Box (#29) just ahead of Amaral in the #40 ASM Ginetta Zytek.
Nicolet pits the #24 Oak Racing Pescarolo from 8th overall, second in LMP2. Team-mate Richard Hein will move through to second.
It's the turn of the #35 Oak Racing car to pit from second now. Karim Ojeh (Bruichladdich #41) takes the place, with Nicolet and the #24 through again to third.
Pitstop time for Beechdean Mansell, with Greg Mansell completing an impressive stint that has re-established the car's credentials in LMP1, and it is now standing 6th in class, 6th overall.
In the race for outright honours, Audi continues to extend its lead; Capello retaining his seat in the cockpit. The R15 now heads the race by two full laps from the 009 Aston (just completed a pitstop) and the #13 Rebellion Lola third.
Mike's hold on the lead in LMP2 appears undiminished, and he remains just 20 seconds behind the sixth-placed Beechdean Mansell Ginetta Zytek. Second is the #41, with #24 third and #29 fourth. The gap between these two is just 0.4 seconds, and the pink and slate Oak Pescarolo looks set to gain a place before long.
Pitstop for the #42 Strakka Racing HPD, with Nick Leventis staying in for another stint. The Relentless-sponsored car had been running 15th overall, 8th in class.
14:45 Pitstop. (Newton stays in; fuel and windscreen clean only)
Pitstop for RML AD Group Lola, with Mike Newton heading in for fuel and a windscreen clean.
Scheduled pitstop for the Bruichladdich Ginetta Zytek, with Karim Ojeh getting fuel and tyres. It may take a few moments for the true order to become clear, as others are also preparing for pitstops.
The #40 is back into the pits for another routine pitstop. The lengthy unscheduled stop for the ASM car earlier in the race was for another displaced "legality panel" - a problem that used to plague the Lolas a few years back, but is less of a problem now that these triangular boxes behind the rear wheels are independent components, and can be refitted in a few seconds.
Positions in LMP1 as we come to the end of the fourth hour are: RML Lola leading by more than a lap from the #24 Oak Racing Pescarolo Judd, with the second Oak Pescarolo third. Tim Greaves is now at the wheel of the Bruichladdich Ginetta Zytek and holding fourth from Giacomo Piccini in the #30 Racing Box Lola. Nick Leventis is 6th in class, 13th overall, for Strakka.
Carrying on down the order, Warren Hughes has now taken over aboard the 40 ASM Ginetta Zytek, and is running a lap down on Leventis. The first of the FLM cars is 8th - although is this still technically LMP2? The next true LMP2 car is the #29 Racing Box Lola, 21st overall. The #36 Pegasus Racing Courage, 32nd overall, is technically 9th in class, and still running, albeit fifteen laps down on the class leader. The KSM Lola is still circulating, after losing 55 minutes with gearbox issues, but is nearly 30 laps adrift. Confirmation just through that the final LMP2 car to be accounted for is the #27 Racing Performance Radical, which has just retired from 39th overall.
Things have been fairly static in LMP2 for several minutes, but Guillaume Moreau has just upped the ante by posting a new fastest lap for the #35 Oak Racing Pescarolo, although he has around minute to recover if he's to catch Mike Newton.
Another car making up for lost time is the Strakka Racing HPD, which has eased through to fifth in class in the hands of Nick Leventis.
Further improvement from Moreau, who posts a new best of 1:50.361 in the #35, just before his ream-mate Nicolet heads for the #24's next pitstop. Moreau took 8 seconds out of Newton on that last lap.
The recovering Oreca Peugeot has passed Newton for 7th overall, and is now aiming for the Beechdean Mansell Ginetta Zytek. The gap rearwards, from Newton to Moreau, continues to shorten, and is now 64 seconds. Moreau has 45 seconds over Greaves, third for Bruichladdich. The #29 Racing Box Lola has electrical problems and officially retired.
15:42 Pitstop. (Newton out, Wallace in; fuel, tyres and driver change)
A smooth pitstop from RML, despite some congestion on the exit, and Andy Wallace makes his 2010 Le Mans Series debut. He emerges in fourth, but several others are pit, and the order may yet change again.
Pitstop for Nick Leventis, who hands over to Danny Watts while the team refuels, and then fresh tyres fitted.
Andy Wallace is 3 seconds behind Lahaye in the #24 Oak Racing Pescarolo. Moreau currently leads the class comfortable, but has yet to make his sixth pitstop.
Danny Watts sets a new fastest lap for the Strakka HPD, which is also a class improvement as well. 1:47.291 is typically five seconds quicker than anyone else in LMP2 currently on track.
Pitstop for Warren Hughes in the #40 ASM Quifel Ginetta Zytek. Routine and trouble-free pitstop, but may be enough for Watts to regain 13th overall.
Into the sixth hour, and a quick round-up on LMP2 positions: Guillaume Moreau aboard the #35 Oak Racing Pescarolo continues to lead the class by a minute from the similar #24 edition. Andy Wallace is third, roughly 20 seconds behind Lahaye, with Greaves fourth in the #41 Bruichladdich car. The flying Danny Watts is fifth, 62 seconds down but closing.
The race has entered another stable phase, certainly among the ranks of prototypes. McNish, back aboard the Audi R15, leads overall by four laps from the 009 Aston, which had seemed to be easing off, but may now have to pick up pace again as the #13 Rebellion Lola, with Boullion in the cockpit, has been setting new fastest laps, although the gap is still some two minutes.
Jamie Melo pulls over in the second-placed F430, and has evidently abandoned the car after a very strong run in GT2.
With a seventh pitstop for the #24 Oak Racing Pescarolo, Andy Wallace moves through into second place in the RML Lola. Despite only ten laps in practice, his times have soon dipped down into the fifty-twos or better. Moreau then also pits, on the next lap, from the class lead. It has been a significant advantage of some time, so no surprise that he retains the lead after a quick stop for fuel, but the gap back to Wallace has been cut to 21 seconds. Andy, however, also has a stop to make soon.
16:40 Pitstop. (Wallace stays in; fuel only)
Andy makes a faultless and very speedy pitstop from second, but loses ground even so. Danny Watts is up to third as a result. Greaves pits the Bruichladdich car two minutes later, and hands over to Ebbesvik. Wallace is one to benefit, restoring the #25 RML Lola to fourth in class.
Spin but resume for the #30 Racing Box Lola, currently running in a class seventh. Moreau continues to dominate on track, and leads by just over a minute from Lahaye, but fastest is Danny Watts, running light on fuel and pushing towards his next pitstop . . . which comes at 16:53. He dives down the short pitlane towards the Strakka garage from third place. Andy Wallace regains third as a result. All the leading group in LMP2 have now made six pitstops, with the exception of the #24 on seven, which visited the pits for a penalty stop-go, and the #40 ASM Ginetta, expected to make its next scheduled pitstop at any moment.
New fastest lap from Danny Watts, posting 1:46.590, which is current LMP1 pace. On the next lap, Olivier Pla does a new fastest lap for the #40 of 1:48.834. It's barely comparable in outright terms, but is indicative of the fact that the ambient temperature is dropping slightly, but the track remains warm.
As if to prove the theory, Moreau clocks 1:49.453 in the #35 Oak to post a new best for that car too.
Status report in LMP2: Moreau leads, currently 7th overall in the #35, from Lahaye in the #24 (9th overall) and Andy Wallace third, but under increasing threat from Danny Watts. The Strakka racer is consistently the quickest LMP2 driver on the circuit, and with only ten seconds between the two cars, it may be a matter of just a couple more laps before the two are nose-to-tail.
Watts eases through to take third on the exit of the Chicane, having closed rapidly on Andy's tail as they came through to begin their 193rd lap.
More fastest laps scattered through the LMP2 field, including another for Pla in the #40 (1:48.430), but there is now rain visible in the distance. The strengthening wind may keep that at bay, but the possibility of a shower before the end of this 8 hour marathon cannot be dismissed.
17:27 Pitstop. (Wallace out, Erdos in; fuel and driver change)
Andy heads down the pitlane from fourth place to hand the RML Lola back to Brazilian Thomas Erdos. The #24 is also into the pitlane for a scheduled pitstop,with new tyres. Others too will be scheduled for stops soon, although form suggests that the Strakka HPD can go longer between stops than the others.
Class leader Moreau into the pits for a driver change and fresh tyres. Hein takes over, but the gap back to Danny Watts was a significant two-minutes before the stop, so Hein may yet retain the lead, at least for the time being.
The Beechdean Mansell car into the garage, evidently with a problem. Greg Mansell had been running 7th overall.
Olivier Pla pulls off the track, and nearly takes another prototype with him, as the Quifel ASM Ginetta Zytek coasts to the edge of the track, apparently with steering issues.
Danny Watts has closed to within 25 seconds of the class lead, and is lapping four seconds a lap quicker.
Pitstop for the #41 Bruichladdich Ginetta Zytek from fourth in LMP2.
The gap between Watts and Hein is now down to 15 seconds. The gap back from Nicolet in third to Erdos in fourth is 55 seconds, but diminishing steadily.
A new fastest lap for the leading Audi, Capello posting 1:42.541 on lap 221.
Watts now within 2 seconds of Hein and the class lead. at 17:48 the lead changes hands as Watts cruises by along the main pit straight, although observers have noted that the legality panel is loose again.
Danny Watts into the pitlane for fuel and tyres, giving up a lead of thirteen seconds, but swiftly back out and back into the action. Hein regains the class lead, but Watts resumes in second, and promptly sets a new fastest first sector for the Strakka HPD.
Final Hour (18:00-19:00)
LMP2 roundup - Hein leads from Watts by 64 seconds, with Nicolet 20 seconds behind the Strakka Racing HPD, and then Thomas Erdos, a further 24 seconds behind the #24, but closing at a rate of three or four seconds ever lap.
Watts has a challenge to catch Hein, and still has 55 seconds to make up, but Erdos is hunting down Nicolet with relentless determination. He is slicing seconds off the difference with every lap he completes, and it's now down to less than 12 seconds. The Brazilian is chopping away in three second chunks.
18:16 Pitstop. (Erdos stays in; fuel)
Tommy closes the gap to a mere three seconds, but then has to make his final pitstop. It's a swift stop, despite being boxed in by the neighbouring Aston Martin 009, which has also pitted, but he's back out without incident.
The Watts-Hein gap is down to 35 seconds, but both have yet to make their final stops. There is also a question mark over how long Watts will be able to remain in the car, and an additional driver change at this late stage could mean the difference between one place and the next.
A second rapid stop for the 009 Aston Martin, which is currently running in second overall. The leader then pits, but has the luxury of a six-lap lead, with just over half an hour to go.
The class leader, Richard Hein, enters the pitlane for the last pitstop for the #24 Oak. Two minutes later and the #35 Oak Pescarolo stops as well. What effect this has on the order may take a couple of minutes to resolve. The #41 Bruichladdich Ginetta Zytek also stops from fifth.
Confirmation on screen that Danny Watts is now into the class lead . . . again! Does he have to make another stop, though? The Strakka HPD has done several full-hour stints this race, and Watts has backed off a little recently. Is he trying to conserve fuel? He has 31 seconds over Hein. Erdos is now running third, with 25 seconds over Nicolet in fourth, but almost a lap down on Hein.
A lap in the low forty-nines from Erdos secures his hold on third, but the mountain to second is too vast to be a realistic prospect in these last fifteen minutes of the race. Watts now leads by 34 seconds. The Strakka driver has eased back significantly, and is now lapping in the low fifty-twos, which is in some contrast to his earlier pace.
Eleven minutes to go and it starts to rain down the Mistral. It's heavy rain on one side of the track, but still relatively dry on the other.
The shower has eased, but the track is undeniably slippery, and cars have visibly eased back. Even so, Capello pits from the lead to fit wet weather tyres. It's an academic move, since the #7 Audi enjoys a lead of seven laps.
Watts leads LMP2 by 48 seconds. Hein second and heading Erdos by a similar margin, but 38 seconds back to Nicolet in fourth.
19:03 CHEQUERED FLAG
Dindo Capello, Allan McNish and the Audi R15 take an emphatic victory in the inaugural Paul Ricard 8 Hours, with second to the 009 Aston Martin Lola and third to the #13 Rebellion Lola.
Despite a near spin on his penultimate lap, and a very slow last lap, Danny Watts comes through to take a debut win for Strakka Racing in the Le Mans Series by 33.5 seconds. Oak Racing take second, in the shape of the #35 Pescarolo Judd, and third place goes to the RML AD Group Lola of Thomas Erdos, Mike Newton and Andy Wallace.
Race - LMP2 Result
Laps/Diff
33.492s
Le Mans Series 2010
Round 1, Paul Ricard
April 8th - 11th 2010
Race Start
Hour 2-3
Final Hour


text:
Here's why people in Denmark are happier than anyone else in the world
Sarah Kramer
The wedding of Danish Crown Princess Mary and Crown Prince Frederik.
Getty/Ian Waldie
Denmark, you've come a long way since Hamlet contemplated his existential despair with a skull.
According to the World Happiness Report by the United Nations, which released an update Wednesday, people living in the Scandinavian country are the happiest in the world.
Economics researchers from around the globe, including the famed Jeffrey Sachs, used indicators of what they call "life-satisfaction" to rank the happiness of 157 countries. (The US took 13th place.)
The authors are careful to note that happiness is highly subjective, but they used three different aspects to try to come to a general measure of the feeling: residents' evaluations of their situations, positive feelings about their lives (like joy and pride), and their negative ones (like anger and worry).
Such self-evaluations go far beyond simple economics, touching fulfillment in civic and family life.
So what makes Denmark so special?
Why is Denmark so much happier than other countries, you ask?
Flickr/vic xia
Source: World Happiness Report
First, Gross Domestic Product. Denmark doesn't have the highest per capita GDP in the world (that honor belongs to Luxembourg), but it's in the top 10, with a per capita income of almost $61,000 per year.
Fabian Bimmer/Reuters
Minimum wages in Denmark are around $20 per hour, and Danish unions mean strong workers' rights.
Source: US Embassy in Denmark
There's also a high degree of social support. Researchers gleaned this from answers to a Gallup poll, which asked Danes if they have a friend or family member to turn to in times of trouble.
Yes, this is the royal family, but you get the idea.
Torsten Laursen/Getty
The official website of the Danish government explains: "Money is not as important as social life here," according to Danish economics professor Christian Bjornskov.
Scanpix Denmark/Reuters
The report also analyzed whether respondents felt satisfied with the degree of freedom to make choices their lives.
Bob Strong/Reuters
"The great thing about Danish society is that it doesn't judge other people's lives," Bjornskov said.
You do you, Denmark.
Source: Government of Denmark
Life expectancy from birth factors in too: Danes live, on average, 80 years.
Source: OECD Better Life Index
Researchers measured generosity, asking participants if they'd donated to charity or volunteered in the last year.
According to the World Giving Index, 67% of Danes had helped a stranger in the last month, and 20% give to charities.
Danes also perceive their government as less corrupt. Denmark earned a "very clean" rating in 2015 on the Corruption Perception Index.
Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen.
Source: Transparency International
So quality of life in Denmark is high, social life is great, and their political sphere seems to be working. Plus, it's gorgeous.
Staff photographer/Reuters
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Williams County School District #8 would like to invite you to our next information session regarding our current proposed building projects and bond referendum. The district understands that making this information available to our community is vitally important. All district residents are encouraged to attend or view the session online. The presentation will be followed by a participant question and answer session. For those unable to attend, the meeting will be streamed on Facebook Live. Questions can be submitted via Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/WCSD8/ If you have any questions, please contact the District office at (701)572-6359 The next meetings will be held in the Missouri Ridge School cafeteria at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, April 8th.
REMINDER! Tonight is the Community Meeting to discuss the upcoming proposed building projects. The meeting will be at Missouri Ridge School at 6:30pm.
Williams County School District #8 would like to invite you to an information session regarding our current proposed building projects and bond referendum. The district understands that making this information available to our community is vitally important. All district residents are encouraged to attend or view the session online. The presentation will be followed by a participant question and answer session. For those unable to attend, the meeting will be streamed on Facebook Live. Questions can be submitted via Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/WCSD8/ If you have any questions, please contact the District office at (701)572-6359 All meetings will be held in the Missouri Ridge School cafeteria at 6:30 p.m. The First of the meetings will be on March 28th. Additional Community Meetings will be held on April 8th, April 25th and May 7th.
ALL DISTRICT #8 SCHOOLS WILL BE ON A TWO-HOUR DELAY on Monday, February 4th, 2019. Staff reports at 9:30am. Buses will be picking up students two-hours later than usual. Garden Valley and Round Prairie will begin at 10:20 and Missouri Ridge will begin at 10:05.
ALL DISTRICT #8 SCHOOLS WILL BE ON A TWO-HOUR DELAY on Monday, February 4th, 2019. Staff reports at 9:30am and Students will report at 10:00am.
District #8 Family! This is just a reminder about the Information and Question & Answer Session regarding the facility struggles and needs associated with our ever growing student enrollment. The Q&A Meeting is tomorrow night at 6:30pm in the cafeteria at Missouri Ridge School.
District #8 Family! This is just a reminder about the Information and Question & Answer Session regarding the facility struggles and needs associated with our ever growing student enrollment. The Q&A Meeting is this Thursday at 6:30pm in the cafeteria at Missouri Ridge School.
Kindergarten Registration starts Jan. 28th. Click here; https://5il.co/68o6 for registration forms.
Safety First! District 8 prides itself in putting the safety and welfare of our students first! On Saturday, January 7th bus drivers from WCSD8 went to school to be trained and re-certified in first aide and CPR.
Join us at Missouri Ridge tonight! We will have an Information and Question & Answer Session regarding the facility struggles and needs associated with our ever growing student enrollment. The Q&A Meeting is tonight at 6:30 in the cafeteria at Missouri Ridge School. We hope to see you there!
Hello District #8 Family! This is just a reminder about the Information and Question & Answer Session regarding the facility struggles and needs associated with our ever growing student enrollment. The Q&A Meeting is tomorrow night at 6:30 in the cafeteria at Missouri Ridge School. We hope to see you there!
Hello District #8 Family! This is just a reminder about the Information and Question & Answer Session regarding the facility struggles and needs associated with our every growing student enrollment. The Q&A Meeting is tonight at 6:30 in the cafeteria at Missouri Ridge School. We hope to see you there!
As a result of our large and unexpected increase in enrollment and the time constraints associated with it, we will have to make the following changes beginning on Monday, September 10th : - 4th & 5th Grade Class Changes The 5th Grade classes at Missouri Ridge have grown beyond reasonable capacity and we are going to have to split the two classes in to three classes. To accommodate this move, we will have to move a class of 4th graders to Garden Valley. Mrs. Herland will be the 4th Grade teacher at Garden Valley. Mrs. Wetzel will be the new 5th grade teacher at Missouri Ridge. Parents of students affected by the 4th and 5th grade class switches will be contacted directly. - School Start & End Times Start and end times at Garden Valley and Round Prairie will change to: 8:10am Start Time 3:05pm Dismissal Time If you have any questions regarding these changes, please contact your school's principal.
Grand Opening ceremony of Missouri Ridge, today at 4:00 - 4:30! Open House at all schools 4:30 - 7:30 pm.
All District 8 Buses are running at least a half hour late.
School starts August 20th! Check your mail this week for start times, teacher info, buses, and other school related information.
SCMS Taco John's Family Dinner Night Take the family out to dinner tomorrow, April 19th from 5pm to 7pm at Taco John's and help support the SCMS Student Council. Fifty-percent of the cost of your meal goes back to the school.
Snow Day Make-Up Days All District 8 Schools will make up one Snow Day on May 24th, 2018. Beginning on Tuesday, April 3, 2018... Garden Valley and Round Prairie will make up one Snow Day by adding an additional ten minutes (five additional minutes at the beginning and five additional minutes at the end of the school day.) Stony Creek will make up two Snow Days by adding an additional twenty minutes (ten additional minutes at the beginning and ten additional minutes at the end of the school day.) For further info, please contact you child's school.
Reminder! Parent & Teacher Conferences and our Annual Book Fair - Tomorrow, March 20th. All District 8 teachers will be at Garden Valley School to meet with parents from 4:00 to 7:00.
Tonight's board meeting (Monday March 5th) is postponed due to inclement weather. It is re-scheduled for Wednesday, March 7th at 7:30 pm.
DISTRICT 8 EARLY DISMISSAL DUE TO INCREASED INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS AND ROAD CONDITIONS ALL DISTRICT 8 SCHOOLS ARE CLOSING EARLY. ALL STUDENTS SHOULD BE OUT OF SCHOOL BY NOON. PLEASE MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO MEET YOUR CHILD AT SCHOOL OR AT THE BUS STOP.
District 8 Schools - Two Hour Delay for Monday, March 5th Due to inclement weather and poor road conditions, all District 8 Schools will be on a two hour delay, with school starting at 10:00am.
Tomorrow Night, come join the Stony Creek Middle School Student Council for Family Dinner Night at Taco John's. Fifty percent of your bill will be donated back to Stony Creek. That's tomorrow night, Thursday, February 22nd, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at Taco John's.
Science Fair is in full swing! Come on out to SCMS to view some of these awesome projects!
District 8 teachers are geared up and preparing to "Battle Boredom" with Bryan Harris at his student engagement workshop.
Stay connected with all District 8 Schools using the new District 8 App, available for download in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Williams County Public Schools provides equal opportunity in its programs, activities, and employment. If you cannot fully access the information on any web page of this site, please let us know the accessibility issue you are having by contacting Steve Guglich, Technology Director, at (701) 572-6359 or by e-mail at steven.guglich@k12.nd.us. We will try to provide the information to you in an alternate format and/or make the necessary improvements to make the information accessible. If you would like to file a formal grievance under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act or Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, you may contact our Section 504/Title II coordinator, Nerida Reichman, at 111 7th Avenue West, Williston, ND 58801, at (701) 572-6359, or by e-mail at nerida.reichman1@k12.nd.us.
Copyright © Williams County School District #8. All rights reserved.


text:
Q: Insert a variable into NSMutableArray Object I would like to add a predefined string to the object of an NSMutableArray.  I thought you would use %@, but apparently the code below does not execute well.  Thank You in advance
arrayData = [[NSMutableArray alloc]
               initWithObjects:@"%@ you look tired." name,
                               @"Why do you smell so bad?",
                               @"I have to go potty!",
                               @"%@ put your pants on!" name,
                               @"Mommy!",
                               @"Daddy!",
                               @"NOOOOOO!",
                               @"When are we going to get there?",
                               @"I HATE YOU!",
                               nil];

A: %@ is valid inside a stringWithFormat: call. Your code should look something like this:
arrayData = [[NSMutableArray alloc] initWithObjects:
                  [NSString stringWithFormat:@"%@ you look tired.", name],
                  @"Why do you smell so bad?",
                  @"I have to go potty!",
                  [NSString stringWithFormat:@"%@ put your pants on!", name],
                  @"Mommy!",
                  @"Daddy!",
                  @"NOOOOOO!",
                  @"When are we going to get there?",
                  @"I HATE YOU!",
                  nil];

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
The Effect of Variation on Throughput
By Hulda Viljoen| 2020-03-02T10:22:37+02:00	February 28th, 2020|Categories: Use Cases|Tags: mining, use case, variation|
Download this as a PDF
What is Variation?
Variation is the degree of the difference between an ideal and an actual situation. Variation in a system can result in budget overruns, late order deliveries, long queuing or waiting times, reduced throughput etc.
A simulation is a computer model that mimics the behaviour of a real system by representing operations of a real-world or planned system. The difference between a simulation and an everyday planning model, is that the simulation accounts for variation.
Consider the following example of a Mine feeding into a Plant. If both the Mine and Plant produce throughput at a constant rate of 1 000 tonnes/hour, the output of the system will be 1 000 tonnes/hour.
In reality, there is some variation in the processing capabilities of these entities. If the Mine is processing at a constant rate of 1 000 tonnes/hour, and the Plant is processing at a varying rate which is sometimes slower than that of the Mine, the total throughput will be slower. In addition, if the Plant is processing at a faster rate than the Mine, the total throughput cannot increase to higher than 1 000 tonnes/hour. Therefore, the throughput will always be lower than the deterministic model due to the presence of variation.
One way in which the effects of variation is often mitigated in real-world scenarios is by placing a buffer between two processes. For demonstration purposes, a buffer is also added to the simulation. By increasing the buffer capacity, overall throughput can be increased. This unfortunately only holds true up to a point whereafter the increased buffer capacity has a negligible effect.
Ideally, the variation can be captured through historical data. This can then be used as distribution inputs for the simulation model to produce accurate results.
Using the Model
The Model contains six instances (A-F) of the set-up described above with a description of each on the left. The throughput rate is measured on the right of the model.
The deterministic model (A) delivers a throughput rate of 1000 tonnes/hour. This result is the same even when a buffer is added (B). Since the processing rate of the Mine and Plant are matched exactly, the buffer never fills. Instance C shows the Mine operating at a varying rate and in instance D where both the Mine and Plant has variation in processing rate, the throughput is the lowest. By adding a buffer (E) as shown below, the throughput can be improved again as it somewhat mitigates the effect of variation.
Instance F, shown below, demonstrates the effect that a feedback loop can have when a variance is present.
Essentially, a large portion of the material has to pass twice through the Mine and the Plant, thereby compounding the effect of the variation.
Using the Experimental Model
The Experimental Model depicts a single instance of the set-up as described in instance E. An experimental set-up, under Scenarios, allows for the quick evaluation of the full effect of variation. The larger the variation, the lower the throughput. Varying buffer capacities are also tested in order to demonstrate the relative effect of the buffer. The effect of variance can essentially be mitigated through a buffer. However, the main aim should be to reduce variance as far as possible.
The results of the various scenarios can be visually compared under the Response Results tab. The first seven scenarios demonstrate the effect that variation has on the throughput. The next seven show the effect of an increasing buffer size.
Download the model
About the Author: Hulda Viljoen
Improving Cave Mine Production Performance through Rapid Simulation
Important Notice – COVID-19 Lockdown
Room and Pillar Mine Optimisation Model
Life of Mine Extension Feasibility Study of Mponeng Mine


A culinary offer that expresses with clarity the flavors of the Mexican modern cuisine.
Among the options of main dish stands out the beef rib cooked for 20 hours, served with mash of elote and steamed vegetables.
Famous for their breakfasts, particularly the conchas with nata.
The menu is made up of a mix of Mexican favorites (primarily) and European-influenced fusion dishes. Brunch is a viable option, as there are nice offerings of egg dishes and even pancakes.
The options that seek to emulate the pre-Hispanic cuisine make use of the concept of "exotic".
Downtown, the enfrijolada takes a new aspect. It is served in the shape of soup of mashed beans in metate and it comes garnished with jitomates, onion and soft cheese.
Simple gastronomy for the diners who thave a express life style and need something nice and quick.
There's the sopa de tortilla, a tortilla soup so creamy, tangy, and flavorful that you might just dream about it for months.
Its terrace, with one of best views of Roma, it is not their only spetial thing. Coctels include ingredients as purple basil, ginger, black pepper and avocado softened in horchata.


Get notified by email when the Yoshii Facial Towel, pink becomes available.
This Yoshii mini face towel features a smooth cotton weave on one side and a looped terrycloth pile on the other. The threads that compose this adorable towel are cultivated under low agricultural chemicals and are made using 100% hand-picked raw materials. It is highly water absorbent, fast drying, and environmentally friendly. We especially like that it's lightweight and folds-up small, so it's easy to pack along wherever the wind takes you.
Care: Machine wash in cold water with mild detergent; tumble dry on low, gentle cycle. Do not use bleach or harsh detergents and do not wash with items with zippers or buttons that can pull on the towel.


IAEP mailing list to cc so more people can benefit from it.
> you all. Feel free to delete if you don't like it.
> During my visit to India a long time friend asked me this question.
> development, collaboration, etc. are all parts of my research stream.
> will make a difference in the lives of communities there.
> change, but we still push for it. But that's another e-mail.
> support for this group comes from. I've met very few of you in person.
> the joy that is now in the lives of kids like Rahul and Manisha.
> an offshoot of what OLPC has done, still fail to address key issues.
> still no answer to the original problem. Nothing revolutionary there.
> Its just "Honey, I shrunk the laptop".
> 'no, it won't', then there is only one way to find out."
> hope you all earn lots of it.


text:
The Entrepreneur's Corner
Inventor Claims He Got Patent 20 Years After Filing... But Details Missing
Columnist Claims Anonymity Is Bad For Our Country
Wealth Is Defined By More Than Just Money
Yelp Adds A Tiny Bit Of Transparency... And Inches Away From Pay For Placement
House Bill Offers Tax Relief To Small Businesses
from the gimme-a-break dept
Wed, Mar 31st 2010 11:05am — Michael Ho
Continuing gov't efforts to try to boost the economy are creating some additional tax breaks for entrepreneurs and small businesses. Just last week, the Small Business and Infrastructure Jobs Tax Act passed in the House and is now on its way to the Senate -- though the progress of the bill will be held up until after the Easter break in Congress. But so far, this $14 billion piece of legislation (aka H R 4849) aims to help small companies with a few tax exemptions and deductions (as well as a bunch of other provisions). Here are some highlights:
100% exclusion for capital gains on qualifying small business stock acquired after Mar. 15, 2010 and before Jan. 1, 2011.
New limits to the penalty for failing to disclose certain reportable transactions. (avoid the Code Sec. 6707A penalty, folks!)
Higher tax deductions allowed for business start-up expenditures -- increased from $5,000 to $20,000. At the same time, the threshold amount for reducing the limit will be increased from $50,000 to $75,000.
The Senate is also expected to try to increase the exports from small businesses with incentives and to improve loan availability from the Small Business Administration. But we'll have to wait a bit to see what the actual law will be when it's passed.
Filed Under: bill, congress, sba, small business, taxes
Successful Businesses Focus On Innovating
Congress Extends Small Business Loan Breaks
What Can Small Businesses Anticipate With Health Care Reform On The Way? Well, That Depends...
How Can The Startup Visa Be Improved Upon?
Ridiculous: Yale Law Prof Argues That Because Some In Congress Want More Moderation, That Makes Twitter A State Actor
Parler Speedruns The Content Moderation Learning Curve; Goes From 'We Allow Everything' To 'We're The Good Censors' In Days
16:29 Administration Creates A Hack For A Entrepreneur's Immigration Visa (12)
11:01 Kickstarter Projects That Don't Meet Their Goal Are Not 'Failures'; They Help People Avoid Failures (42)
03:03 DC Seeks To 'Legalize' Uber... By Forcing It To Be Way More Expensive Than Cabs (47)
13:18 Real Scarcity Is An Important Part Of A Business Model; Artificial Scarcity Is A Terrible Business Model (69)
11:05 Congrats, US Government: You're Scaring Web Businesses Into Moving Out Of The US (200)
00:09 The World Of Open Textbooks Just Became A Little More Crowded -- And A Little More Open (13)
16:05 Content As Advertising: Making Advertising An Easter Egg For People To Hunt Down (15)
15:24 'When Stuff Is Free, We�re More Likely to Buy' (48)
22:04 Entrepreneur Magazine's History Of Suing Entrepreneurs For Using The Word Entrepreneur Gets More Attention (15)
15:50 Being Someone Else's Bitch, Being Your Own Bitch... Or Making Others Your Bitch (29)


text:
Revealed: Justin Bieber is an Alien
Published by Hemant Sanganee on May 22, 2012
More in Films:
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Nishant Singh Malkhani stepped behind the camera for LAC Dec 8, 2020
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A startling revelation for the fans of Justin Bieber…he is an Alien! Forthose who do not like the eenie meeni mo singer will surely have a galatime laughing about it. But the fact remains just the same.
Justin will be seen playing the character of an alien in an upcoming Sci-fiflick MEN IN BLACK 3 of Sony Picture's. The film having made in 3D will have afourth dimension been added to it by the very presence of the baby boyJustin.
The Indian fans of Bieber are sure to hit the theatres to catch a glimpse oftheir favorite singer who will be seen sitting on the surveillance board withmany other well-known celebs. Talking about which Director Barry Sonnenfeldsaid, "The challenge is getting celebrities that are famous, will give youpermission and won't be like, 'Who's that guy?' in ten years."
In previous movies of MIB, Steven Spielberg, Michael Jackson, George Lucas,Isaac Mizrahi and Martha Stewart have been among the names that have flashedacross the screen as being extraterrestrials.
However, will the cameo appearance of Bieber add to the twinkle of MIB 3will soon be revealed as the movie hits the Indian theatres on 25thMay.


text:
The Mysteries
Why Night of Mystery
POM 4/18: Lights! Camera! MURDER!!! Old Hollywood Style
Every month, we highlight a mystery description and pictures that someone has emailed us for a FREE party!!! Here is April's winner! Find out how to enter and win yourself here!
When you've got a bunch of twenty-something's with wild imaginations, adventurous spirits, and a good sense of humor…..it only makes sense to throw a murder mystery party. 90% of my guests had never done a murder mystery, but they all were naturals! I give a lot of credit to how well thought-out the character sheets and clues were. I've hosted a few parties like this, and this was by far the best. Months later, people are still talking about it!
I haven't stopped raving about my "Night of Mystery" party. Everything in my kit was so well thought-out, and made it so easy for me as the host. The characters were all fun and had a lot of material to work with, and weren't overly cheesy like I've experienced before. All the costume, food, and decoration tips were such a helpful added bonus. I was actually able to prep nearly the entire party myself, without spoiling anything. (It took some self-discipline, but the PDF really made it clear where the safe/spoiler moments were.) (I'd recommend getting somebody to help with the photographic evidence portion—- that's the only thing that was hard to avoid)
I loved the idea of having a Hollywood themed party……but I also love film noir, and so I adapted my party to take place in glamorous "Old Hollywood." The "Lights, Camera, Murder" kit worked perfectly— I didn't change any character names, clues, or character sheets.
I've got a background in graphic design, so it was fun to reinterpret the name tags, invitations, a variation of the "Page 6 Magazine", a food and cocktail menu, "who dunnit" cards, and the awards to match my theme. My guests loved this, and it totally made it a more immersive and unique experience.
My party took place during Oscars season, so I was able to find decorations easily! I went for a classy atmosphere, and bought a lot of black and gold things. A lot of New Year decorations worked well.
One of my favorite features was having a HUGE 40 foot red carpet ($20 from Party City) up the walkway to my house. I lined the carpet with gold stars I cut from poster paper glued to skewers I staked in the lawn, to create a "Walk of Fame." Guests' jaws dropped before they even came into the party! I also bought a cheap backdrop online that had paparazzi silhouettes, and hung it up next to my front door.
I bought a simple backdrop + some fun, giant balloons from Party City, and used it for a photo booth. It was my 23rd birthday, so I also splurged on some giant "23" balloons!
I also rented a few cocktail tables, which definitely made it feel classy! I wanted people to walk around and be totally engaged, so we only used chairs during the parts were we all gathered around to open envelopes.
Because there would be a lot of walking and talking all in character, I opted to do heavy appetizers instead of a formal dinner. Pinterest came to the rescue here! It was fun having so many toothpick treats! I also splurged and rented out a chocolate fountain for the evening…..it was a huge hit!
My dad wanted to be involved, so I assigned him to be bartender for the night. He welcomed and hosted guests during the cocktail hour, and was in character the whole time (he made up his own backstory!) He learned a few magic tricks to entertain guests, made drinks like "Pink Paparazzi" and "Murder in Manhattan")
I had 24 guests join the party. Not a single one (besides me) had ever done a murder mystery!!! They all had an amazing time, and totally owned their characters. Most had "scripted" roles, but I invited a few extra people, and just had them come up with their own backstories (we had a stunt double, a magician, an Italian mobster…!) This was a good sized group, and it worked because we used my entire house and backyard. It was fun to find people paired off in my side yard, or in the pantry, having clandestine meetings.
– I bought fake money online, and bought JUMBO sized because I thought it would be funny. It was pretty funny, but not very practical and hard for people to hold. I'd recommend just doing normal (or even slightly smaller) sized money.
– In my invitation, I noted that there would be a 45 minute "cocktail hour" before official game time at 5 p.m. This was great and gave time to guests to try out their characters and get in the mood. It also ensured that EVERYBODY was present when we officially kicked off the game with the opening of the envelope!
– For the awards at the end, I adapted them to sound more "Hollywood" like (Best Dressed = "Best Costume Design;" Drama Queen = "Outstanding Performance by Lead Actress"), and handed out mini Oscar statues.
– Everybody's favorite prop was the giant "crime scene board" my fiance made. It was hilarious and pointless, but a great decoration. We just printed out funny photos of all the guests, and pinned them onto a bulletin board to make it look like a detective movie. We added red yarn, maps, newspaper clippings, and whatever random things we could find.
– I don't know if this was a part of the kit, but before we made the "murder reveal," we went in a big circle and gave everybody 30 seconds on the mic to either share their conspiracy theories, or defend themselves. Easily the funniest part of the night!!! And it built suspense before we all filled out the Who Dunnit cards. Not everybody had a chance to talk to everybody else, so it helped to hear other people's leads before I made my own guess.
A LONG REVIEW, but I had so much fun with this and just had to share. Happy sleuthing to all of you!
Web Design by Zenman
Browse Mystery Themes:
Bachelorettes and Bullets
Cruising For Murder
Happily Never After
Ho Ho Homicide
Honky-Tonk Takedown
Horror At Homecoming
Killing For The Crown
Knight of Murder
Lights, Camera, Murder!
Million Dollar Mystery
Murder Among the Mateys
Murder at the Deadwood Saloon
Murder at the Juice Joint
Murder High Reunion
Murder In Margaritaland
Murder in Sin City
Murder of a Millionaire
Murder Off The Field
Murder Under The Big Top
Once Upon A Murder
Terror in a Toga
Terror In Transylvania
The Great Egg Escape
The Kappa Kappa Killer
Totally Rad 80s Prom Gone Bad
Trailer Park Tragedy


Welcome Dear Hearts of Compassion!
and discover love's true meaning. . .
is a bewitching bridge! It's a locked, ephemeral passageway that must be guarded and protected from those who would violate its purpose. Betrayal, corruption, and abuse must never be allowed to cross its span.
If you choose to continue, you must find the key. Nothing is more important to us than this shimmering structure. For you see, it's the only way in! No one can be admitted into the inner sanctum of Modern Masters without passing this way.
bestowed upon those who travel here.
A precious gift to forever see into the hearts of men.
At times, your heart is heavy, dear seeker. Many burdens accumulate as we progress through life—loss, and pain, and loneliness. Perhaps seeking reprieve, you've wandered into this chance for a new beginning. You've arrived, as we knew you would, to find others of your own kind. You've traveled far to find these kindred souls and like minds. Let this path become your reward!
In your search for true love, you've left no stone unturned. Wandering endlessly through the mazes and traps laid out by evil trolls and trickster gremlins, you've stumbled and fallen—too many times to count. You've been held hostage by ghastly imitators of compassion, kindness, and love. But if you've landed here, if this glittering Bridge is in sight, it means you've never given up, and it's not too late!
The things you seek are elusive. But there are ways to fulfill your heart's deepest desire. Wise teachers, other travelers who have gone before you, and unseen helpers line the borders of this winding road. Their lessons are here for the taking. Their shoulders are here to lean on. Their strength is here to share. Traveling this road not only heals the broken bits and pieces of our past, but this soul-voyage transforms all who pass this way.
A resplendent alternative society, born out of love, friendship, and truth, will be created by your kind—by those who have followed their hearts to the ends of the earth. You, and your fellow travelers who come to this bridge, who are willing to pay the price to find true love, will create the future humanity is meant to have. A future full of joy, peace, and unity.
sisters of an elite spiritual heritage. You will not find these people anywhere else but beyond these gates and over this Bridge to Mastery.
Won't you favor us with your determination to get things right?
and your indestructible faith in your fellow man.
Come walk this passageway with us.
destiny of love, light, and laughter!


This page Political philosophy is part of the politics series.
Political philosophy is the study of fundamental questions about the state, government, politics, liberty, justice, property, rights, law and the enforcement of a legal code by authority: what they are, why (or even if) they are needed, what makes a government legitimate, what rights and freedoms it should protect and why, what form it should take and why, what the law is, and what duties citizens owe to a legitimate government, if any, and when it may be legitimately overthrown—if ever. In a vernacular sense, the term "political philosophy" often refers to a general view, or specific ethic, belief or attitude, about politics that does not necessarily belong to the technical discipline of philosophy.
Three central concerns of political philosophy have been the political economy by which property rights are defined and access to capital is regulated, the demands of justice in distribution and punishment, and the rules of truth and evidence that determine judgments in the law.
Unless indicated otherwise, the text in this article is either based on Wikipedia article "Political philosophy" or another language Wikipedia page thereof used under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License; or on original research by Jahsonic and friends. See Art and Popular Culture's copyright notice.
This page was last modified 18:19, 10 January 2019.


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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Don, left, and Darla Daley of Royal Oak joined Weight Watchers, bought bicycles and have each lost a great amount of weight. He lost 68 pounds and she has lost 142. They initially could barely cycle down the block. Now they are up to 50 miles. Here, they ride along a bike path in Auburn Hills, Michigan, April 11, 2012.
Chances are, someone you know suffers from hypertension. Here are some WebMD tips for getting and keeping your blood pressure down.Read the full story on WebMD's website.


Llangua (Welsh: Llangiwa) is a village in Monmouthshire, south-east Wales, United Kingdom.
Llangua is located nine miles north-east of Abergavenny on the A465 road.
Nearby Pontrilas just inside Herefordshire on the Welsh Marches Line has a potential location of a re-opened station.
Llangua sits just inside the border with England on the Welsh bank of the River Monnow. The village has a parish church. Grosmont is one mile to the south-east.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Llangua.
This page was last edited on 8 December 2017, at 04:19 (UTC).


This weather data was last updated 2019-04-25 20:41:51.
Hong Kong weather is sub-tropical climate that means that you experience summers which are hot and humid and winters which are mostly dry. If you have spoken to a person from Hong Kong about the Hong Kong weather, the first thing they will tell you is that you never know what you will get. You may have torrential rain one minute just to have the sun come out in the next. Hong Kong is also known as one of the cities with the most extreme weather. Typhoons hit the city directly; there are thunderstorms, landslides, black rain and extreme heat. The other side of the coin is that the city of Hong Kong does get a lot of sunshine every year. There are four seasons in Hong Kong which can be described by specific, individual characteristics.
The springtime in Hong Kong weather is when you will see most of the rain accompanied by steamy humidity. The spring in Hong Kong goes from the month of March through May. This is the time of the year when Hong Kong weather can be the most unpredictable. You should not be fooled by the clear blue skies on top of the city because when you least expect it, the worse rainfall can hit the city. It is said by the people in Hong Kong that the best weather forecast that you can get is by looking out your window. The humidity is a known factor at the beginning of the season but by May, you feel the humidity hit you like a rock. If you are visiting the city during the spring, make sure that you bring a raincoat and shorts.
The summer in Hong Kong weather happens from the month of June to August. The humidity is extreme and the clear skies and the sun do not make matters easier. Wearing formal clothing in the summer in Hong Kong weather is just a bad idea. You will be drenched by the time the day is over. Typhoons and thunderstorms happen often in the city of Hong Kong during the summer. This time of the year is not the best to visit. If you need to go to Hong Kong during the summer, forget the long sleeves and just pack t-shirts and shorts.
If you are vacationing in the city of Hong Kong, then you could not do so at a better time than the fall. The months of September, October, November and even parts of December are what make up the fall in Hong Kong weather. The humidity drops and so do the temperatures. The skies remain bright so it is the perfect time for outdoor activities. There is less of a chance of unpredictable weather when you visit in the fall. One thing to know about the fall in Hong Kong is that the nights can in some cases get chilly, especially at the end of the season. The average temperature at this time of the year is 24 degrees Celsius or 75 Fahrenheit with little rain.
The winters in Hong Kong weather are much cooler than all three other seasons but that does not mean that you will experience extreme cold. The winter ranges from mid-December all the way through February. If you had to choose a time to visit Hong Kong between the summer and the winter, you would do well to do so in the winter. The colder Hong Kong weather means that you will need a sweater during the nighttime and a light jacket at night. There is no need to wear scarves or gloves although you may see the locals doing just that. The average temperature during the winter is 70 degrees Celsius or 63 Fahrenheit without much rain.
Living or visiting the city of Hong Kong during typhoon season (May through November) makes the possibility of experiencing a typhoon very real. You should always pay attention to the weather forecast or warnings from the Hong Kong observatory. If Hong Kong weather issues a number 8 signal, it may be too late to leave the city as flights are usually cancelled. If you are in the city when a typhoon is making its way, there are shelters that are available for the people of the city. Even if a tropical cyclone does not hit the city directly, most of the time they will pass close enough to cause some sort of damage and injuries.


text:
Carex oberrodensis är en halvgräsart som beskrevs av B.Walln. Carex oberrodensis ingår i släktet starrar, och familjen halvgräs. Inga underarter finns listade i Catalogue of Life.

Källor

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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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Home » PRESS RELEASES
600 E. Walnut Street
CONTACT: Jeff Pitts
Community Relations Specialist/Public Information Officer
Columbia Police Department
City of Columbia
policepio@CoMo.gov
Brittany Hilderbrand
Columbia Police investigate armed robbery in 800-900 block of Rollins Road on April 10
(COLUMBIA, MO) -
Columbia Police officers responded to the 900 block of Rollins Road in reference to a reported strong armed robbery that occurred at a residence in the 800 block of Rollins Road at approximately 12:50 a.m. on Friday, April 10. Upon arrival, the victim reported that three subjects demanded the clothing he was wearing and his valuables. One subject brandished a handgun at the victim.
It was also learned that during the robbery the victim was assaulted with the handgun. Officers observed injuries on the victim that were consistent with a hard object being used. The victim was able to flee the area and call 911.
While officers were speaking with the victim, a vehicle passed the location. The victim was able to quickly identify the driver as one of the suspects. Officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the vehicle fled at a high rate of speed. Officers terminated the pursuit after a short distance.
Officers then went to the residence in the 800 block of Rollins Road and made contact with two of the suspects at the residence where the crime occurred. Officers located some articles of clothing that the victim was wearing at the time of the robbery. The suspects were identified as Polly Diane Rymph Southwick, 17, of Columbia, and Devon D. Harmon, 17, of Columbia. Both were arrested for robbery in the 1st degree.
This is an ongoing investigation. There are no further details to provide at this time.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to please contact the Columbia Police Department at 573.874.7652 or CrimeStoppers at 573.875.TIPS (8477) to remain anonymous.
Case number 2020-003027
*Polly Diane Rymph Southwick- No photo was available at the time this press release was published.
Devon D. Harmon
City of Columbia Vision
Columbia is the best place for everyone to live, work, learn and play.
City of Columbia Mission
To serve the public through democratic, transparent and efficient government.


text:
How to Be Animal
A New History of What It Means to Be Human
By Melanie Challenger
Read by Hannah Curtis
Category: Science | Audiobooks
Mar 23, 2021 | ISBN 9780143134350
Mar 23, 2021 | 501 Minutes
Mar 23, 2021 | ISBN 9780593392911 | 501 Minutes
About How to Be Animal
"A remarkable combination of biology, genetics, zoology, evolutionary psychology and philosophy." —Richard Powers, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Overstory
"A brilliant, thought-provoking book." —Matt Haig, New York Times bestselling author of The Midnight Library
A wide-ranging take on why humans have a troubled relationship with being an animal, and why we need a better one
Human are the most inquisitive, emotional, imaginative, aggressive, and baffling animals on the planet. But we are also an animal that does not think it is an animal. How well do we really know ourselves?
How to Be Animal tells a remarkable story of what it means to be human and argues that at the heart of our existence is a profound struggle with being animal. We possess a psychology that seeks separation between humanity and the rest of nature, and we have invented grand ideologies to magnify this. As well as piecing together the mystery of how this mindset evolved, Challenger's book examines the wide-reaching ways in which it affects our lives, from our politics to the way we distance ourselves from other species. We travel from the origin of homo sapiens through the agrarian and industrial revolutions, the age of the internet, and on to the futures of AI and human-machine interface. Challenger examines how technology influences our sense of our own animal nature and our relationship with other species with whom we share this fragile planet.
That we are separated from our own animality is a delusion, according to Challenger. Blending nature writing, history, and moral philosophy, How to Be Animal is both a fascinating reappraisal of what it means to be human, and a robust defense of what it means to be an animal.
Listen to a sample from How to Be Animal
About Melanie Challenger
Melanie Challenger works as a researcher on the history of humanity and the natural world, and on environmental philosophy. She is the author of On Extinction: How We Became Estranged from Nature. She received a Darwin Now Award for her research among Canadian… More about Melanie Challenger
Mar 23, 2021 | 272 Pages | 5-1/2 x 8-1/4 | ISBN 9780143134350
Ebook | $10.99
Mar 23, 2021 | 272 Pages | ISBN 9780525506164
Published by Penguin Audio
Mar 23, 2021 | 501 Minutes | ISBN 9780593392911
David Abram
The Cosmic Serpent
Jeremy Narby
A Natural History of the Senses
Diane Ackerman
The Lives of a Cell
Nicholas Wade
The Descent of Man
Neil Shubin
Don't Sleep, There Are Snakes
Daniel L. Everett
"[How To Be Animal] is a remarkable combination of biology, genetics, zoology, evolutionary psychology and philosophy. And I think it's one of the better explorations and refutations of human exceptionalism that I've read. Challenger actually raises this suggestion that it may be our own discomfort and denial of our own animal nature that makes it so easy to denigrate our fellow citizens. I think that her reflections on the relations between humans and non-humans belong on the shelf next to people like Peter Singer and David Abraham." —Richard Powers, author of The Overstory
"[A] brilliant, thought-provoking book. It is so wise and so well researched and makes you realize that so much of where we go wrong as a species—socially, psychologically, environmentally—involves forgetting or trying to escape our nature." —Matt Haig, author of The Midnight Library, via Instagram
"As Challenger observes, 'our fear of being animal' may cause us 'to hammer out a more frightening world' . . . Challenger's book is a dizzyingly ambitious attempt to correct this destructive logic by examining its genesis. How to Be Animal induces the same kind of vertigo I experienced as a child while pondering where I was before I was born . . . . What [it] brings forth so beautifully is that impermanence is not a state confirmed by death. It's not that I exist until I'm dead, it's that my sense of an 'I' is never concrete but arrives continuously." —Charlotte Shane, Bookforum
"Challenger mounts a searching critique of our ingrained sense that we are not wholly animal . . . she argues that humans are essentially embodied creatures . . . showing how our minds are integrally connected with not only our brains but the rest of our bodies, our nervous systems and inner organs." —New York Review of Books
"This is a brilliant book that, like many brilliant books, explores what it means to be human. The difference here is that the author answers this by highlighting one central human dilemma: we are an animal in denial that we are actually an animal." —Observer
"[R]iveting . . . How to Be Animal and the exceptionalist model are useful starting points for thinking about the broad context in which the COVID-19 pandemic sits." —Psychology Today
"This is a provocative, incisive and worried book, carried off with no small degree of élan. It is multi-disciplinary, taking in ecology, philosophy, law, futurology, psychology, palaeontology and anthropology . . . One of the very best parts of this book is the manner in which Challenger conflates intellectual activities that can seem opposed . . . There are plenty of books I could recommend on each one of Challenger's topics, but this book skillfully braids all of them." —The Scotsman
"[A] winning rumination . . . Challenger convincingly demonstrates that 'the human form of consciousness and its capacity to deliver meaning' doesn't negate the natural world's 'spectacle of richness.' Impassioned and intelligent, this is a treatise with the possibility to change minds." —Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW
"[A] fascinating and cutting-edge meditation on humanity . . . humbling [and] timely . . . Every chapter is more riveting than the last, a truly remarkable read." —Booklist
"A searching examination of our intellectual divorce from the natural world . . . [Challenger] invites us to accept our animal nature and the responsibility toward the world that comes with it. A welcome, well-considered contribution to ecological thought." —Kirkus Reviews
"With this book, Melanie Challenger fearlessly plunges into the biggest question of our time: how can we rediscover our animal selves, before it is too late? How can we discover our true place in the wider world we are destroying? Each of us has to answer this question for ourselves. This book is a guide for you on the journey." —Paul Kingsnorth, author of The Wake
"Erudite, lyrical, delightfully troubling, and full of unexpected convergences. A wonderful exploration of the tensions that beset the human animal trying to find our way. I was entranced by this beautiful weave of history, biology, and philosophy." —David George Haskell, author of The Forest Unseen and The Songs of Trees
"What an interesting book! The recognition that we are animals should come less as a slap in the face than as a welcome reminder of the great resources that can come from paying attention to the ways we and our various cousins handle our journeys on this difficult but beautiful planet." —Bill McKibben, author of Falter: Has the Human Game Begun to Play Itself Out?
"Melanie Challenger's wonderful book teaches me this: our blazing continuity with the depth of time and the whole of life. It is a huge, complex and triumphant thing: challenging, but also celebratory, courageous, mournful and apprehensive. Her language is lovely: exact and lyrical and sparklingly full of suggestion and implication. It is a hymn to generosity. I know it will be something I will return to again and again." —Adam Nicolson, auhor of Sea Room
"Throughout our vexed shared history, animals have suffered from our insistence on comparing them to us, as if we were entirely separate organisms. Melanie Challenger's extraordinary, profound book turns the situation on its head. Perhaps only recently we how come to realise that this presumptive, if not arrogant hierarchy does not exist. Only by seeing ourselves as animals are we going to survive. How to be Animal is an utterly challenging, wholly essential book: it shows us how to be human." —Philip Hoare, author of The Whale
"How to Be Animal is the best critique of the myth of human exceptionalism I have read. Clearly and beautifully written, compellingly argued and packed with powerful and moving stories, it shows how the fact that we humans are animals has been denied and repressed, with profoundly damaging consequences for the way we live and for the planet. But this brilliant book is not only a critique. By showing that being human means being animal, it reveals how much joy in life we can gain if we recognize and accept the truth about ourselves. Read and digest this book, and you will not only be wiser but also happier." —John Gray, author of Feline Philosophy: Cats and the Meaning of Life
"In How to be Animal, Melanie Challenger offers a poetic and erudite meditation on the relationship of our species to the rest of the organic world, and especially to the species to which we are most closely related. Her compelling argument against human exceptionalism synthesizes the insights of scientists and philosophers from many times and places, and uses them, along with reflections on her own experiences, to analyze some of the most troublesome current political issues. She is particularly aware of the human desire for firm boundaries—between ourselves and other species, for example, or between our bodies and our minds–and she therefore stresses the elusiveness of such boundaries and the potentially devastating effects of our pursuit of them." —Harriet Rivto, Arthur J. Conner Professor of History, MIT
"Melanie Challenger's erudite book confronts the refusal to embrace our animal nature and wrestles with the delusion and fear that underlie that refusal. In a time when so much of 'the rest' is collapsing, deconstructing the myth of human specialness, and the ways it is implicated in nonhuman suffering and destruction, is urgent. Challenger shows us that our moral awakening is not only about changing how we treat the Earth, but also about transforming how we see ourselves." —Eileen Crist, author of Abundant Earth: Towards an Ecological Civilization
Get the latest updates about Melanie Challenger