I read those words in my morning devotional, words I've known since childhood, but words I need to hear often. Reminders are good and necessary.
I just finished reading The Prince Warriors and the Unseen Invasion, and the same truth became evident once again: that the ever-present God, who continues to work out His purpose in every situation, is always with His children.
Priscilla Shirer has ventured into the genre of fiction books, appealing to el ementary and middle school children. The first in the series, The Prince Warriors, introduced us to a group of children whose lives intersect at the Rec Center in their home town. They are different ages, different ethnic backgrounds, and different personalities. Their personal stories intertwine as they are called to the adventures in Ahoratos, a world somewhere in another dimension where good battles evil.
In Ahoratos, they meet Ruwach who dispenses wisdom from time-honored Scripture. He is the one who equips them with armor for battle.
The children encounter attacks from the creatures of the dark kingdom, and they learn how their armor operates, how it helps them fight and protects them from the enemy.
As the story continues, we see how each piece of armor issued to the young prince and princess warriors mirrors the armor of God as described in Ephesians 6.
The second book of the series, The Prince Warriors and the Unseen Invasion, highlights the shield of faith and the helmet of salvation. One of the girls is harassed by the enemy who tries to invade her thoughts and speak lies to her because she is not wearing her helmet.
"I AM always with you." Be reminded.
NOTE: I received a copy of the book The Prince Warriors and the Unseen Invasion, provided by B&H Publishing, for an honest review. The book was free. The words are my very own.
It's been a long time since I sat and read to my grandchildren. They are so grown up now that their legs would drag the floor if they sat in my lap. The memories are precious.
I did it often when they were young and living in the house next door. When they spent the night, bed time was not complete until we shared our ritual of reading. They picked the books usually, and as it is with children, the same ones surfaced regularly until we could almost quote them line by line.
As I began reading The Prince Warriors, I thought what a great book this would be to read with a young person.
Prisilla Shirer (with Gina Detwiler), acclaimed speaker and writer of Bible studies, surprised me with her first book of fiction, aimed at the middle-grade boy or girl. I was pulled into the story line as the lives of two brothers and two friends became intertwined in an adventure children only dream of having.
While the brothers are typical siblings, fighting their way into trouble with mom, their adventure teaches them they are not enemies of each other. They learn they must cooperate and work together if they are to be victorious over their common adversary.
The young people are brought together for a purpose. They learn from each other. They help each other. They begin to see they need each other.
The book teaches a lot of truth along the way without being preachy. It is a compelling story that draws the reader into the dangerous scrapes and rescues the four friends find themselves.
Ms. Shirer based the story on Ephesians 6:10 through 18 which describes the Armor of God. Having completed her Bible study by that topic this year, it was interesting to see her weave the pieces of armor into the kids' exploits. I could clearly see the message she was trying to convey.
If you have a child or grandchild in your family, or if you can borrow someone else's for a few afternoons this summer, read this book with them. You both will enjoy the story and camaraderie of a shared experience.
The Prince Warriors is the first in a trilogy (Unseen Invasion estimated to be released in October 2016). I recommend you get the book, plan your strategy to read it with someone, and follow the escapades of Evan, Xavier, Levi, and Brianna.
Buy this book for a child or share the reading of it with him or her. Spend your summer by investing in something eternal.
NOTE: I received a copy of the book The Prince Warriors, provided by B&H Publishing, for an honest review. The book was free. The words are my very own.
This week we celebrated with gladness.
The Armor of God Bible study concluded, many of us saying it was the best one yet. The ending of something so grand was a mixture of joy and melancholy moments.
The women and I have been gathering regularly for seven weeks, weathering snow, a tornado watch, rain, muddy yards that captured a couple of cars, and 80-degree-almost-record-temperatures. Typical Kentucky. And we persevered because we wanted to know the God who makes Himself known.
By the final week, the chatter among the women was loud and beautiful. We had bonded. It is one of the benefits of Bible study and the way our Father planned for us to have community, communion, and find common ground when we are all so very different.
As we looked deep into the Law of Love, we saw ourselves. We confessed our failures. We desired to do better and be stronger. We acknowledged that when we fall, we want to fall forward, at the feet of a merciful Savior.
We were made aware of our enemies strategies and how we can stand firm against him. We studied the armor, God's own strength provided to us, and we practiced putting it on.
We welded the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God, and we found it powerful.
Bible study brings us face to face with the very words of the God who made everything and is in control of everything, who saw us in our desperate need and provided a remedy, who loves us enough to show us Himself through words we can understand.
I don't want to forget what I've learned. I don't want to just check off another Bible study completed, blanks filled in and meetings concluded, the book put on a shelf and its teaching soon to be forgotten.
No. I don't want to forget. I want the Word planted deeply into my heart, my soul, my very being. I want it to grow and produce fruit fit for the Kingdom, making me useful and spiritually healthy.
One more Bible studied finished. One more day of my life done. How many are left to be lived abundantly, fiercely fighting the battle and standing firm when I've done all there is to do?
I want to finish well in the days I have left on this earth. I want to look more like Jesus every day. Though the process is painful, I want to submit to the chipping away of anything that does not look like my Savior.
That would be a life well-lived. A life to the the praise of His glory.
Flipping through a book awhile back I saw it in a picture, a plaque on the wall, and I recreated in a very rough art form.
It tells me what I already know. This is no easy road we travel. Acknowledge it. Make up my mind. This is how it is going to be. No one gets off without an injury, a disappointment, a struggle.
Ask anyone to tell you his story and you'll hear it. Family dysfunction affecting this generation and the next. Divorce that divides children between parents. Job loss that creates financial struggles that create arguments that create more stress. Health issues not easily diagnosed and even harder to treat. Death that steals a loved one before we said our last good-byes. The unthinkable event that changes a future.
Life happens to us. The question then is what are we going to do with it. Are we just to give in, to endure it in misery? Or is there a better way?
Wisdom says as a woman thinks in her heart, so is she. Science is proving this to be true.
Wisdom says to dwell on the true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
I can change my thought process and change my life. I can enjoy my journey even though life is hard.
The tough places along the way cause me to develop endurance, teach me compassion, tender my heart to be more understanding, help me love better, forgive quicker, and encourage more.
The final week of our Bible study focuses on the Helmet of Salvation. It is the protection of our minds that can change our thinking and let us live our lives in a positive victorious way.
Learning to think God's thoughts is the key. And that means we have to know what His thoughts are on any given subject. The only way to do that is to look in His Word.
It isn't enough to take someone else's word for it. We must read the Bible ourselves and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to us, to teach us so that we know – We Know! – what God says.
Don't allow someone else to tell you who you are. Don't believe that you have to measure up to an air-brushed standard. Don't let your past overshadow your future. Don't listen to the enemy of your soul whose native language is Lies.
God calls us chosen, holy, blameless, adopted, redeemed and forgiven in Christ. He lavishes us with grace and seals us with the Holy Spirit.
God offers life, a hope and a future, immeasurable blessings, personal relationship with Him, and an eternity in Heaven. Who wouldn't be glad about that?
I can choose to dwell on negative thoughts, the sadness, the darkness, the bleakness of the world. Or I can be thankful, count my blessings, remember all God's promises in Christ Jesus, receive the life He offers, and be joyful.
Life is tough. It will always be. Wear your helmet.
Finding myself more than halfway through a Bible study becomes melancholy experience for me.
There's lots of preparation for each and every week that takes a chunk of my time. But when I gather with a group of wonderful women who become sisters-in-Christ in the truest since of the word, and we talk about God, it is joy. Plain and simple.
Studying The Armor of God with Priscilla Shirer has been eye-opening to us as we have been awakened to our enemy's strategies, re-discovering how to fight well, and learning to put into practice what we already knew and what we are learning afresh.
This week's topic has been the shield of faith, learning that faith is active, moving where God is calling.
I will admit I have had my crises of faith. Those times when I questioned everything I was ever taught in the face of my present reality. Times when what I desperately prayed for didn't materialize. Times when I wondered if everything I believed was really true.
Often my focus was on me and my faith. Was it enough? Was it strong? Would it be sufficient to accomplish my purpose?
I am a dull learner sometimes, having to repeat the same lesson again. And this time I want to remember this lesson well.
Faith is about a mighty God, a dependable God, a strong and compassionate God. And let me say it in bold letters, A Faithful God.
When Jesus chided his followers because of their lack of faith, wasn't it because they were looking at circumstances and themselves rather than looking at Yahweh? The I Am. The Self-existent One. The Everlasting. The Alpha and Omega.
Oh my, when I look at the God of the Bible who accomplished amazing miracles and who died a selfless, humiliating death for my sake and to pay my unpayable debt of sin, I am filled with a strong faith in a strong God.
Faith is not about me. Not about how much or how little I have. Not whether I can talk myself into believing the impossible.
Faith is about a faithful God who can do more than I can imagine or think into reality. When I fix my eyes on Jesus, when I look toward the only Answer in a broken world of questions, when I see Him in the glory of the One and Only who rules and reigns even when all seems in chaos, then and only then am I filled with faith.
When this vision is before me and making itself at home in my heart, I will have an active faith. A faith that can move forward where God is calling to me.
I will hear Him say, "Walk this way." And I will go with Him.
Several years ago, a friend told me about unclaimed money and how to look for it. And guess what? I found some that had my name on it!
It wasn't a lot of money, not like a windfall inheritance from a long lost relative who remembered me in his will. But it was a nice surprise. It was like getting a check for free. Quite exciting.
redemption, forgiveness, riches of God's grace, included in Christ, marked by the seal of the Holy Spirit, God's incomparable great power for me, and on and on.
But if I forget about them or don't make the effort to access them or simply don't believe they are for me, then I am likely to walk in defeat rather than victory. I'll be the poorer for it.
I need a clear vision of God's spiritual blessings, the bounty of His goodness lavished on me as a follower of Jesus. He has given me so much and I need to open my eyes. I need to believe what He says. I need to receive it all. All!
Remember that free money I was talking about? It took some effort on my part to get it. I had to fill out forms and mail some things in before the check came to me.
It is the same in our relationship with our Savior. He takes us just as we are but does not plan on leaving us in that place.
He has given us everything we need, grace abundant, gifts galore, and He wants us to grow in Christ. He wants us to become disciples so we then can be a discipler, helping others grow.
Is it too much trouble for me to come to Him through prayer and Bible study to learn more and access His power? Will it require too much energy to gather with fellow believers so we can learn, encourage each other, and challenge one another like iron sharpens iron? Is it just too much out of my comfort zone to open up and share with a trusted Christian friend when I struggle and when I need prayer?
I don't think so. The gifts and blessings are there for the taking.
I need to reach out and take what is already mine. In Jesus Name.
Over ten years ago I wrote my first blog post in anticipation of starting a Bible study. It was the book of Ruth, one of my favorite stories in the Bible. I learned so much during the weeks we read in our study guides, looked up Scripture, and gathered weekly to talk as only us girls can.
Writing the blog was a way I hoped to connect with the women of the class. I made friends there, relationships I still cherish today.
God does things like that when we study His Word. He gives so much more than we expect, so much more than our efforts deserve.
Next week I begin a new Bible study. And I am just as excited about staring something new.
Since seeing War Room months ago, I've been drawn to the books and studies that have emerged from the movie experience. First it was Fervent by Priscilla Shirer. I loved the book and did a review about it.
Then I found Armor of God and determined this would be the next study I wanted to lead.
Theoden: I will not risk open war.
Aragorn: Open war is upon you, whether you would risk it or not.
The quote sums up life. There is a war between good and evil. We can ignore it, stick our heads in the sand, and pretend it does not exist or affect us. But the truth is this. War is upon us whether we risk facing it or not. The question is: What are we going to do?
We begin our study next week and the battle is before us. The armor has been provided by God Himself. It's His armor, tested and tried and found to be suitable and a perfect fit for me. For you.
What matters is whether you and I will take it up, put it on, and wield the sword?
As I dig into the Word of God, my deep desire is to know my Savoir more, to understand His heart, to hear His voice, and thus to follow Him wherever He goes. I pray that also for those who will study with me.
Over the next few weeks we will do our homework and then gather together to discuss truths that will begin to take root in our hearts and will begin to bear fruit in our lives. We will share our thoughts and reflect on what God is teaching us about fighting the good fight of faith.
It's the way we do life together. It's the way we grow. It's the way we become armed and dangerous women of God.
Expect to hear more about this later. It's gonna be good!


Acronis Backup Advanced 11.7/11.5: MS Exchange Database Backup Fails With "An Error Has Occurred in Extensible Storage Engine Api. Error Code: -1018; Description: 'Jet_Errreadverifyfailure, Checksum Error on a Database Page'"
MS Exchange database backup fails with "An error has occurred in Extensible Storage Engine API. Error code: -1018; Description: 'JET_errReadVerifyFailure, Checksum error on a database page'"
Installation of Acronis Product Fails with "...not a valid Win32 application"
Acronis Virtualization: Backup of Virtual Machine Fails with "Failed to open the virtual machine"
You set up e-mail notifications to Yahoo or to Outlook/Live/Hotmail in Windows version of Acronis True Image.
Sending e-mail notifications fails with error message "An unknown error has occurred" or "Authentication failed".
Installation has failed. Another installation is already in progress. Complete that installation before proceeding with this install.
There is already a different installation in progress - this could be any product, not necessarily Acronis.
Windows does not support multiple simultaneous installations.
Acronis product fails to back up a VMware virtual machine with "Creating a quiesced snapshot failed" or "An error occurred while quiescing the virtual machine"
Acronis Backup, Acronis Backup Cloud: backup fails with "CRC error" or "Failed to read the snapshot"
Acronis Backup & Recovery 10: Error in Logs "Failed to enumerate the WMI class object"


Season the boneless, skinless chicken breasts with the salt, pepper, and paprika.
Add the olive oil to the large skillet and heat over medium high heat. Add the chicken, smooth side down first, and brown for 3 minutes per side. Remove the chicken to a platter and cover.
To the same skillet, add the tomatoes, onion, eggplant, zucchini, yellow squash, chili peppers, green bell pepper, red bell pepper and garlic. Saute together for 5 minutes. Stir in the chicken broth, red wine vinegar, chopped basil, thyme, and marjoram.
Return the chicken, cut side down, to the skillet, and cover. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 20 minutes.
To serve, divide the vegetables among 6 plates and top each with a chicken breast and one tablespoon shredded Parmesan. Garnish with the basil sprigs.


Orange County's first luxury hotel exclusively for cats will be opening in Irvine this winter. Centrally located just two miles from John Wayne airport, Club Cat, an up-and-coming alternative to conventional boarding, will provide peace-of-mind to cat owners who travel for business or pleasure.
Martin's vision was also motivated by the misleading belief that cats are self-sufficient creatures. "Many people think cats are happy with just a bowl of food, some water, and a litter box, but research says otherwise," says Martin. A recent study conducted by scientists from Oregon State University reveals that cats are more like their canine counterparts than not, the majority preferring social interaction to food.
Fashioned after luxury hotels and resorts, Club Cat's unique accommodations are a departure from conventional boarding options for cats. Designed especially for felines, who are vertically inclined creatures, the suites are eight-feet tall and at least three and a half feet wide with enclosed balconies.
Martin, a freelance writer, combined her passion for literature and cats to create an upscale and spacious yet cozy and inviting feel. Suite names are "cat-punned" after some of her favorite novels – The Great Catsby (after F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby) and Romeow and Juliet (after Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet) to name a few.
For more information, visit www.clubcatusa.com or connect with Club Cat on Facebook and Instagram at @clubcatusa.


text:
package org.java10.plum.services.impl;

import org.java10.plum.errors.ApiException;
import org.java10.plum.models.domain.Category;
import org.java10.plum.models.param.AddParam;
import org.java10.plum.models.param.ModifyParam;
import org.java10.plum.models.response.RestCode;
import org.java10.plum.repositories.CategoryRepository;
import org.java10.plum.services.CategoryService;
import org.springframework.beans.factory.annotation.Autowired;
import org.springframework.data.domain.Sort;
import org.springframework.stereotype.Service;

import java.util.List;

/**
 * Created by Tate on 2017/3/6.
 */
@Service
public class CategoryServiceImpl implements CategoryService {

    @Autowired
    private CategoryRepository categoryRepository;

    @Override
    public Category addCategory(AddParam addParam) {
        Category category = new Category();
        category.setName(addParam.getName());
        return categoryRepository.save(category);
    }

    @Override
    public List<Category> getAll() {
        return categoryRepository.findAll(new Sort(Sort.Direction.DESC, "id"));
    }

    @Override
    public Category modifyCategory(ModifyParam modifyCategoryParam) {
        Category category = categoryRepository.findOne(modifyCategoryParam.getId());
        category.setName(modifyCategoryParam.getName());
        if (category==null) {
            throw new ApiException(RestCode.PARAMETERERROR.getCode(), RestCode.PARAMETERERROR.getMsg());
        }
        return categoryRepository.save(category);
    }

    @Override
    public void deleteCategory(Integer id) {
        categoryRepository.delete(id);
    }

    @Override
    public Category getCategory(Integer id) {
        return categoryRepository.getOne(id);
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Use this page to get the list and advertising rates for all Youth magazines in India. The page has complete list of all magazines from the category of Youth, that accept ads.
Topics are from areas of Education and entertainment, encompassing career, lifestyle stories, teen issues, counselling, celeb interviews, fashion, music, sports, blogs, science & technology, art, photos, contests, jokes, games, poems, posters and more.
Brands wanting to reach out to any of these segments should advertise in Youth Magazines.


To make a purchase through our online Car Body Parts store, select the Isuzu Oasis vehicle you own. Then, search by the Isuzu Oasis part names, to find a complete listing of Car Body Parts available for your Isuzu Oasis vehicle. All Car Body Parts parts described in detail as to what Isuzu year they will fit, and specific note of the Isuzu part.
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You will have no problem getting your Isuzu Oasis Car Body Parts shipped to Shadyside, Killona, Buffalo, Nevis and others.
A high quality, OE replacement bumper cover; With 2 years limited TrustBuilt warranty.
A high quality, OE replacement bumper cover; Backed by 1-year, unlimited-mileage warranty.
A high quality, OE replacement bumper cover; With 1-year limited TruckEFX warranty.


Simply elegant hand made faery pendant, she's a rather Tricky Fae!
A Tricky little fae design, captured forever in British Hallmarked Sterling Silver. This piece really is a work of art with incredible attention to detail. Created lovingly by hand, each faery has its own exciting personality bringing its essence to the wearer, which one will you choose?.
This little Fairy Tile is engraved with a state of the art micro-motor drill using the same kind of attachments your dentist uses to drill your teeth! Due to the nature of the design no two will ever be identical and anything is possible.
Chain: unless longer is requested this will come with a 16" chain.
Supplied in a beautiful Faery Kisses branded jewellery box made from recycled materials.
Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any special requests.
If you wish to supply your own Pixie to be turned into a piece I would love to fulfill your desire, message me for further information.


text:
Q: For a compact covering space, the fibres of the covering map are finite. I am stuck on the following exercise:

Let $Y$ be a compact topological space, and $p:\ Y\ \longrightarrow\ X$ a covering map. Show that for every $x\in X$ the fibre $p^{-1}(x)$ is finite.

Any help would be very welcome.

A: The space $X$ has a finite open cover $(U_i)_i$ of evenly covered neighborhoods. We can assume that the cover is minimal, that means none of these sets can be removed. The preimage of each $U_i$ is a disjoint union of open sets $\left(V_i^j\right)_{j\in J_i}$ each of which is mapped homeomorphically onto $U_i$. Since the $U_i$ cover $X$, the $V_i^j$ cover $Y$, so there must be a finite subcover.
By minimality of the cover of $X$, every $U_i$ has an element $x_i$ not contained in any other $U_j$. The finitely many $V_k^l$ cover $Y$, thus cover $p^{-1}(x_i)$. But this fiber is disjoint from any $V_k^l$ with $k\ne i$, so $p^{-1}(x_i)$ must be covered by sets $V_i^1,...,V_i^m$. Since each of them contains only one point of the fiber, it must be finite.
Now since the fibers of all points in $U_i$ have the same cardinality, we conclude that all fibers are finite.

A: Maybe these results will be helpful:
I'm assuming: Top space is Hausdorff, and singletons are closed in bottom space.
1)The fibers of a singleton are discrete.
2) If a singleton y in your space is closed; $U_y$ is a covering neighborhood of $y$,
with restricition homeomorphism $P_y: V_y \rightarrow U_y$ , then $P^{-y}$ is a closed
set. A closed subset of a compact Hausdorff space is compact.
3)The only compact discrete spaces are finite spaces.
Can you take it from here?

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
touching place ALL SAINTS, ST IVES, HUNTS
It has not always been St Ives; a Saxon hamlet called Slepe surrounded the site of the present church. A later priory of St Ivo to the east became a centre of pilgrimage, so the market was established there and the new settlement of St Ives grew up. Thus the parish church is on the outskirts of the present town (no longer sleepy), with a memorable setting on the N bank of the Ouse. It is a late medieval structure, finished off by a rather slender mid-15th c. tower in the Perp. style, whose spire had to be rebuilt in 1918 after an aircraft crashed into it.
When you step inside the door, the oldest thing in sight is a late Norman octagonal font with intersecting arches, but it is two other features of the interior, both due to Sir Ninian Comper, that stamp themselves on your memory.
His work here was kicked-started by the Revd A. S. Barnes, who paid for the screen and loft during his short incumbency (1891-3), the same decade in which Comper was also engaged on screens at Egmanton (ND Nov. 2006) and Cantley (ND July 2008). Here the integration of the organ case and rood group is managed well (though the original placing of the organist on the nave side of the loft rapidly proved unsatisfactory). Comper originally provided an 'English' high altar; now somewhat baroquised, that is now in the S (Sacred Heart) chapel.
Comper found that the late 15th c. building campaign had left stone brackets for statues on the piers of the nave and in 1897 he provided new statues in a rather fleshy style, clearly influenced by late medieval South German examples, SS Nicholas and Margaret; SS Mary Magdalene and Laurence; SS Stephen and Andrew; SS George and Agnes; SS Thomas of Canterbury and John Baptist. A real innovation this, at a time when it was rare for a parish church to have even one statue of a saint.
In medieval wills, people regularly commended their souls to Almighty God, to Our Lady Saint Mary, and to all the holy company of heaven. Do you?
Map reference TL310716
Simon Cotton

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Cancer treatment still follows a practically medieval method of cut, burn or poison. If the growth can't be cut out through surgery, it may be burnt away with radiation or poisoned by chemotherapy. As a result, cancer therapy remains a daunting diagnosis for patients and treatment options seem limited for a disease which causes one in six deaths globally.
Most drugs are made to target "bulk" cancer cells, but not the root cause: the cancer stem cell. Cancer stem cells, also known as "tumour-initiating cells", are the only cells in the tumour that can make a new tumour. New therapies that specifically target and eradicate these cancer stem cells are needed to prevent tumours growing and spreading, but for that there needs to be more clarity around the target.
The Trump administration's proposals on the annual budget, the efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), and restructuring of the tax system all point to a sad and even tragic conclusion.
"As far as the Chinese authorities are concerned, Donald Trump's rise to the presidency in the US and the chaos of Brexit in the UK are glaring examples of democratic failure,..."
The theft of an estimated 143 million Americans' personal details in a data breach of consumer-credit reporting agency Equifax and the Russian hack of the U.S.
The new atheists are a diverse bunch. Philosophers, scientists, "public intellectuals" such as Daniel Dennett, Richard Dawkins or Sam Harris cornered much of the non-fiction trade publishing market in the early 2000s writing about the intellectual and moral virtues of being atheist.
"El mejor del mundo." So declares a waiter at one of my favorite parilladas in Buenos Aires every time he serves a perfectly grilled steak. The excellence of Argentine beef, and of the Malbecs that accompany it, is very widely recognized.
Every working day, GPs in the UK diagnose almost 1,000 people with type 2 diabetes. It is one of the commonest and most expensive diseases.
I had my complete genome sequenced a few years ago – all six billion base pairs of it.
The claim that Eskimos have 50 words for snow may be apocryphal, but it neatly illustrates the truism that our vocabulary becomes more extensive and nuanced for phenomena we encounter frequently.
1. The Christian Science Monitor says that in 2016, US solar businesses employed 260,077 workers – up 25 percent from 2015.
There is growing evidence that inflammation – already known to be a cause of many whole-body diseases – is also involved in diseases of the brain, including psychiatric conditions like depression.
HAMDEN, CONNECTICUT – Stephen Bannon may be out, but don't breathe a sigh of relief. His exit poses a new, more fundamental danger for liberals worldwide.
Dementia is by no means an inevitable result of ageing. In fact, one in three dementia cases can be prevented, according to new findings published in The Lancet.
Research into how we can keep our brains healthy as we age has gained momentum in recent years.
Let's try you. Read the title above once, then cover it and write down word for word what you remember. Having difficulties? How well you do may be down to which country you live in.


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A widely known flavor of Tobacco and Caramel known by most and Apollo have done a great job of RY4. The tobacco flavor is perfectly complemented by the sweet caramel notes to give a delicious vape.
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I tried the RY4 juice and liked the flavor and vapor production.


text:
\section{Schwarzschild case}
In the Born approximation and for the Schwarzschild case, the scattering
amplitude is given as
\begin{equation}
S(\omega)=\int_{2M}^{\infty}dr~U(r)e^{2i\omega
r_{*}(r)}=\int_{2M}^{\infty}dr~\left[\frac{\ell(\ell+1)}{r^2}+
\frac{2M}{r^3}\right]\biggl({r\over 2M} - 1\biggr)^{4iM\omega}e^{2i\omega
r}
\end{equation}
with
\begin{equation}
r_{*}=r+ 2M \ln{\biggl({r\over 2M} - 1\biggr)},\quad r>2M
\end{equation}
and
\begin{equation}
\omega=\omega_R+i\omega_I,\quad \omega_R>0 \, ,
\end{equation}
where $\omega_R$ and $\omega_I$ denote the real and imaginary parts
of a QNM frequency, respectively. In particular, for $s=2,3$
we have to compute integrals of the form
\begin{equation}
I_s=\int_{2M}^{\infty}dr~r^{-s}\biggl({r\over 2M} - 1\biggr)^{4iM\omega}
e^{2i\omega
r}\propto\int_{0}^{\infty}dx~h(x)=\mathcal{I}_s,\quad
h(x)=\frac{x^{4iM\omega}}{(x+1)^s}~e^{4iM\omega x} \, ,
\end{equation}
where we made the substitution $x=(r/2M) - 1 $. Taking into account
that
\begin{equation}
|h(x)|\approx\left\{ \begin{array}{ll}
         x^{-4M\omega_I} & \mbox{as $x\to 0^{+}$},\\
         x^{-s-4M\omega_I}e^{-4M\omega_I x} & \mbox{as $x\to\infty$},\end{array}
         \right.,\quad s=2,3
\end{equation}
the integral $\mathcal{I}_s$ will exist if the imaginary part of
the quasi-normal mode frequency is restricted to the following range
\begin{equation}\label{conditio}
0\leq\omega_I<\frac{1}{4M}.
\end{equation}
For $\omega_I\in[0,1/(4M))$ the above integral can be computed
exactly in terms of Whittaker's functions and Gamma functions as
follows \cite{GRAD}
\begin{eqnarray}\label{amplitude_exact}
\mathcal{I}_s=C_1\Gamma\left(1+i\frac{\omega}{\kappa}\right)\Gamma\left(s-1-i\frac{\omega}{\kappa}\right)
M_{\frac{s}{2}+\frac{i\omega}{2\kappa},\frac{1-s}{2}+\frac{i\omega}{2\kappa}}\left(i\frac{\omega}{\kappa}\right)+
\\ \nonumber
C_2 \frac{\Gamma\left(1-s+i\frac{\omega}{\kappa}\right)
e^{-{i\omega \over 2\kappa}}}
{1+s-i\frac{\omega}{\kappa}}\left[\frac{i s}{
-s+i\frac{\omega}{\kappa}}
M_{\frac{s}{2}+\frac{i\omega}{2\kappa},\frac{1+s}{2}-\frac{i\omega}{2\kappa}}\left(i\frac{\omega}{\kappa}\right)+
C_3
M_{1+\frac{s}{2}+\frac{i\omega}{2\kappa},\frac{1+s}{2}-\frac{i\omega}{2\kappa}}\left(i\frac{\omega}{\kappa}\right)\right] \, ,
\end{eqnarray}
where
\[
C_1= -{i \kappa \over \omega \Gamma(s)} \biggl( {i \omega \over \kappa}
\biggr)^{{s\over2} - {i \omega \over 2\kappa} }
\quad
C_2= {\kappa \over \omega} \biggl( {-i \omega \over \kappa} \biggr) ^{{s\over 2} - {i \omega \over 2\kappa}},
\quad
C_3=\frac{\kappa(s+1)}{\omega }.
\]
Here, $\kappa=(4M)^{-1}$ is the surface gravity at the event
horizon and the Whittaker's function $M_{\mu,\nu}(z)$ is defined
as \cite{ABR}
\begin{equation}\label{whittaker}
M_{\mu,\nu}(z)=z^{\nu+1/2}e^{-z/2}\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}\frac{(\nu-\mu+1/2)_n}{n!(2\nu+1)_n}~z^n,\quad
(a)_n=\prod_{s=0}^{n-1}(a+s),\quad a\in\mathbb{C}.
\end{equation}
Note that the Whittaker function $M_{\mu,\nu}(z)$ is analytic
everywhere except at the points \cite{SLA}
\begin{equation}\label{condition}
2\nu=-1,-2,-3,\cdots \, ,
\end{equation}
where it has simple poles. Considering the Euler-Weierstrass
representation of the Gamma function
\begin{equation}
\Gamma(z)=\frac{e^{-\gamma
z}}{z}\prod\left(1+\frac{z}{n}\right)^{-1}~e^{z/n}
\end{equation}
(with $\gamma$ the Euler-Mascheroni constant) together with
(\ref{condition}) the poles of the amplitude $S(\omega)$ are
represented by the poles of the Gamma functions and of the
Whittaker's functions entering in (\ref{amplitude_exact}). These
poles have the general form,
\begin{equation}\label{QNMSCH}
\omega_n=-in\kappa,\quad\omega_n=in\kappa,
\end{equation}
where the presence of a factor $n$ instead of $n+1/2$ is due to
the Born approximation which holds for $n\gg 1$, i.e. for high
energies. Therefore, all these poles have to be disregarded by
virtue of the integrability condition (\ref{conditio}). Hence, the
conclusions drawn in \cite{paper,PAD,visser} concerning the large imaginary
parts of the QNM frequencies should be taken with some caution.
Note also that the QNMs come not only from the Gamma functions but also
from the Whittaker functions.

An alternative quick way to arrive at the same conclusion is to
observe that the integral $\mathcal{I}_s$ will pick up a
contribution only near the event horizon. In this case the problem
reduces to the computation of the integral
\begin{equation}\label{integrale}
\int_0^{\infty}dx~x^{i\frac{\omega}{\kappa}}e^{4iM\omega x}.
\end{equation}
The above integral belongs to the class of integrals FI II779 in
\cite{GRAD}
\begin{equation}\label{eq13}
\int_0^{\infty}dx~x^{\nu-1}e^{-\mu x}=\frac{\Gamma(\nu)}{\mu^\nu}
\end{equation}
under the integrability condition
\begin{equation}\label{cond1}
{\rm{Re}}(\mu)>0,\quad {\rm{Re}}(\nu)>0.
\end{equation}
It is not difficult to see that for the integral (\ref{integrale})
the condition (\ref{cond1}) requires that
\begin{equation}
0<\omega_I<\kappa.
\end{equation}
Since the integral (\ref{integrale}) exists if and only if
$\omega_{I}\in(0,\kappa)$ the Gamma function
$\Gamma(1+i\omega/\kappa)$ will not exhibit any pole for the
aforementioned range and the poles $\omega_n=in\kappa$ will lay
outside the range of validity of the method employed for the
search of the poles of the scattering amplitude. This means that
in the Born approximation the imaginary part of the quasi-normal
modes has to be restricted to the interval (\ref{condition}).

Before proceeding further we note that in physics one often introduces a
regularization method when an integral does not exist. The Fourier transform
of the Coulomb potential (equivalent to the Born approximation of Coulomb
scattering) is a typical example where one introduces a regulator of the
form $e^{-\mu r}$ in order to remedy the problem generated by the $1/r$
potential. In the present case, the integral (Eq. (\ref{eq13})) exists
over a certain range of the parameter $\nu$ and hence in principle no
regularization is required. Now if one decides nevertheless to perform
a regularization for the sake of finding poles (though there is no
physical justification for that), then one could write:
\begin{equation}
F = \lim_{a\to 0^+} \int_0^{\infty} t^{\nu -1} e^{-a/t} e^{-t} dt
= \lim_{a\to 0^+} 2 a^{\nu/2} K_{-\nu}(2\sqrt{a})),
\end{equation}
where using
$$
K_{\nu}(z) \propto {1 \over 2} \biggl (\Gamma(\nu) \biggl({z \over 2}
\biggr )^{-\nu}
 \biggl (1 + {z^2 \over 4(1 - \nu)} + \, ...\biggr ) +
\Gamma(-\nu) \biggl({z \over 2}\biggr )^{\nu} \, \biggl (1 + {z^2 \over 4(1 + \nu)}
+ \, ...\biggr ) \biggr )
$$
with $z \to 0 \wedge \nu \not\in$ {\bf Z} (positive and negative integers),
$F = \Gamma(\nu)$.
However, $\nu$ cannot be a positive or negative
integer and therefore this invalidates again the extraction of the
poles from the Gamma function above.
Thus, even if one tries a regularization one cannot determine the poles.
\section{Schwarzschild-de Sitter case}
According to \cite{paper} the tortoise coordinate and the scattering amplitude
for the Schwarzschild-de Sitter case will be given by
\begin{equation}
r_{*}=\frac{1}{2\kappa_{-}}\ln{\left|\frac{r}{r_{-}}-1\right|}-\frac{1}{2\kappa_{+}}\ln{\left|1-\frac{r}{r_{+}}\right|}
-\frac{1}{2}\left(\frac{1}{\kappa_{-}}-\frac{1}{\kappa_{+}}\right)\ln{\left|\frac{r}{r_{-}+r_{+}}+1\right|} \, ,
\end{equation}
where $r_{-}$ and $r_{+}$ are the event and cosmological horizons,
respectively, and $\kappa_{+}$ and $\kappa_{-}$ the corresponding surface
gravity terms. The scattering amplitude is now given as
\begin{equation}
S(\omega)=\int_{r_{-}}^{r_{+}}dr~U(r)
\left(\frac{r}{r_{-}}-1\right)^{i\frac{\omega}{\kappa_{-}}}\left(1-\frac{r}{r_{+}}\right)^{-i\frac{\omega}{\kappa_{+}}}
\left(\frac{r}{r_{-}+r_{+}}+1\right)^{i\omega\left(\frac{1}{\kappa_{+}}-\frac{1}{\kappa_{-}}\right)}
\end{equation}
with
\begin{equation}
U(r)=\frac{\ell(\ell+1)}{r^2}+\frac{2M}{r^3}-\frac{2}{3r^2_\Lambda} \, ,
\quad r_{\Lambda} = {1 \over \sqrt{\Lambda}}.
\end{equation}
By means of the transformation $u=(r-r_{-})/(r-r_{+})$ mapping the
event horizon to $0$ and the cosmological horizon to $1$ we can
reduce the computation of $S(\omega)$ to the computation of the
following integral
\begin{equation}
\mathcal{I}_s=\int_0^1 du F_s(u),\quad s=0,2,3 \, ,
\end{equation}
where
\begin{equation}
F_s(u)=\left\{
\begin{array}{ll}
          \frac{u^{i\frac{\omega}{\kappa_{-}}}(1-u)^{-i\frac{\omega}{\kappa_{+}}}}{(1-yu)^s(1-zu)^{i\omega\left(\frac{1}{\kappa_{+}}-\frac{1}{\kappa_{-}}\right)}} & \mbox{for $s=2,3$},\\
         \frac{u^{i\frac{\omega}{\kappa_{-}}}(1-u)^{-i\frac{\omega}{\kappa_{+}}}}{(1-zu)^{i\omega\left(\frac{1}{\kappa_{+}}-\frac{1}{\kappa_{-}}\right)}} & \mbox{for $s=0$} \end{array}
         \right.
\end{equation}
with
\begin{equation}\label{y,z}
y=\frac{r_{-}-r_{+}}{r_{-}},\quad
z=\frac{r_{-}-r_{+}}{r_{+}+2r_{-}}.
\end{equation}
Taking into account that
\begin{equation}
|F_{s}(u)|\approx\left\{
\begin{array}{ll}
         u^{-\frac{\omega_I}{\kappa_{-}}} & \mbox{as $u\to 0^{+}$}~\Longrightarrow~\omega_I<\kappa_{-},\\
         (1-u)^{\frac{\omega_I}{\kappa_{+}}} & \mbox{as $u\to 1^{-}$}~\Longrightarrow~\omega_I>-\kappa_{+},\end{array}
         \right.,\quad s=0,2,3
\end{equation}
it follows that the above integral exists if and only if the
imaginary part of the QNM frequency satisfies the condition
\begin{equation}\label{cond-Sds}
-\kappa_{+}<\omega_I<\kappa_{-}.
\end{equation}
Therefore, the poles of the scattering amplitude as computed in
\cite{paper}
\begin{equation}
\omega_n=in\kappa_{-},\quad\omega_n=-in\kappa_{+}\quad n\gg 1
\end{equation}
should be disregarded by  virtue of the integrability condition
(\ref{cond-Sds}).

In conclusion, we have shown that the limitation imposed by the requirement
of the existence of the scattering amplitude integral impedes the
deduction of the QNM frequencies using the Born approximation.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaArXiv


text:
The Fourth Plenum of the 15th CPC Central Committee
An important guideline concerning the reform and development of State-owned enterprises (SOEs) was adopted during the Fourth Plenary Session of the 15th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC).
The plenum, held from September 19 to 22, discussed and approved The Decision of the CPC Central Committee of Major Issues Concerning the Reform and Development of State-Owned Enterprises.
The plenum spoke highly of the important role of SOEs in promoting China's economic and social development and in consolidating the socialist system.
According to the plenum, it is vital to push forward the reform and development of these enterprises.
Given that the reform and development of SOEs are at a crucial juncture, it is timely and necessary for the plenum to concentrate on studying the SOE issue, thus securing an early solution to some deep-rooted contradictions and problems which have long impeded the healthy development of SOEs, according to the plenum.
The plenum mapped out the major targets of SOE reform and development through to the year of 2000 and the guiding principles that must be upheld.
It stressed that to fulfill this historic task and push the State-owned enterprises out of difficulties, it is imperative first to exert utmost efforts to realize the three-year targets set for these firms.
The plenum also decided to appoint Hu Jintao as Vice-Chairman of the Central Military Commission.
Meanwhile, the plenum decided to expel Xu Yunhong, an alternate member of CPC Central Committee, from the body.
The plenum examined and approved a report submitted by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection Concerning Xu, who was also a standing committee member of the CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee and secretary of the Ningbo City Party Committee.
The report said that Xu, at the request of his son, helped the business department of a Ningbo trust and investment company obtain permission for independent fund-raising. His son was given money and gifts in return, valued at more than 900,000 yuan.
With Xu's support and connivance, a manager of the company violated management regulations and his acts of embezzlement and bribery failed to be investigated and prosecuted timely, causing property losses worth 1.197 billion yuan.
Xu, again at the request of his son, ordered the Ningbo Daily to buy a building of the Huahong International Center, which was of poor quality. At the request of his wife, he helped a Ningbo firm obtain loans by abusing his power. The firm now is unable to repay its huge amount of loans.
The Central Discipline Inspection Commission ruled that Xu, as a senior Party official, repeatedly abused his power to obtain benefits for his family members, causing big economic losses to the Party and State, had a very bad political influence, and seriously violated the Party discipline.
As some of Xu's behaviors have violated the law, judicial departments will take on his case, the plenum said in a communique.
The plenum, with 189 members and 147 alternate members of the CPC Central Committee attending, was presided over by Premier Zhu Rongji. General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee. Jiang Zemin made an important speech during the plenum.


text:
R. G. Ziemer
The Ghost of Jamie McVay
Tag: AUTHORS
Frank Rutledge 1962 – 2019
Frank Rutledge
Frank Rutledge was the first writer I encountered when I ventured over to the Fox Valley looking for a writing group. I'll never forget the warm welcome he gave me to the Batavia Writers Group he'd been "facilitating" for a number of years at the library. From that first enthusiastic welcome until his last days, Frank was always the supportive friend every writer — ever person — should have. In the group critiques his intelligence and instinctive understanding of the craft made better writers of all who joined the sessions.
Frank steered me to the Waterline Writers reading series where he helped curate the poetry submissions, and he introduced me to the classy side of the local literary scene. Our shared love of the written word made every Sunday at Waterline something to anticipate with excitement. And then those summer nights in Geneva at Harmonious Howl, the open mic of music and poetry he led on the front patio of Graham's 418 Coffee Shop, will always be treasured memories. Even random Saturday mornings over coffee at Limestone Café in Batavia had their moments; I know a lot of writers went on from those discussions to more productive and positive week-ends. Frank did so much to enhance our lives and make us all so much better, even as his own real-life troubles wore him down.
Frank will be missed by all who knew and loved him. We must take solace from our memories, where the poet will live on multiplied through the community and beyond. Because his poetry outlives him, as literature outlives us all, and that is as it should be.
Frank's four books of poetry are available from Amazon:
Eat the Punch Line, This Joke is Over, (2016)
Clothed in August Skin, (2016)
Voice In a Whisper, (2017)
The Corner of Tuesday and Happenstance, (2018)
To really appreciate Frank's enthusiasm and love of the genre, look up his Waterline readings, which are available on You Tube and in the Waterline Writers Archive.
A sample: Frank Reading at Waterline Writers April 15, 2018
Frank's work was published in numerous journals and appeared in several issues of Foxtales, the literary journal of the Fox Valley Writing Group.
Efforts are under way to collect and edit the great body of Frank's unpublished works.
A web page produced by musical partner Dan Swigert:
Crop Circle Collective: A Collection of Frank's Work
Other tributes and Obituaries:
"Fox Valley Poet 'saw with his soul, inspired others to create'" by Harry Hitzeman (Daily Herald)
"Let Us Now Praise Famous Poets" by Rick Hollinger (Kane County Chronicle)
Author R.G. ZiemerPosted on February 9, 2019 March 14, 2020 Categories POETRYTags AUTHORS, COMMENTARYLeave a comment on Frank Rutledge 1962 – 2019
Shepherd and the Professor
I had the happy experience of hearing author Dan Klefstad last year when he read an excerpt from "Shepherd and The Professor" at Lit by the Bridge in Aurora, Illinois. I think even Dan has some trouble describing the book to would-be readers. But knowing him and his situation lends the book credibility. Dan lives in DeKalb, Illinois, home of Northern Illinois University, where he received his Master's Degree and has been host of the radio station's Morning Edition since 1997.
It's no coincidence that "Shepherd and the Professor" takes place at fictional Otto Kerner University in Northern Illinois. Nor is it any surprise that one of the main characters is a radio personality at the college station. But there are still plenty of surprises in store for readers.
Clever and funny – I guess one could say it's tragicomic — the book is presented as the manuscript of Susan Shepherd, gulf war veteran and community cop, a single mom forced into desperate circumstances. She's been shot on the job, taken advantage of by her peers, and faces suspension or worse; her daughter has taken up with a drug dealer; campus police are dealing with a school shooting controversy and scandal in the university administration. Her former lover, the "Professor", a convert to Islam, becomes entangled with her in the middle of the mess.
And that's not the half of it. To make matters more interesting, parts of Shepherd's story are narrated at times by the Professor, the reporter, and a possibly deranged student. Fast-paced, with short episodes and quick shifts of scene, it's a quick read without sacrificing depth of characterization and a plot of complex situations. There's a lot going on but it's not hard to follow. There are plenty of surprises along the way, in spite of the comfortable feeling as you get to know these stressed-out characters in a small Midwestern college town. For local readers, the setting will seem familiar. For any readers, the story will seem new and fresh.
Author R.G. ZiemerPosted on August 3, 2018 March 14, 2020 Categories UncategorizedTags AUTHORS, Book ReviewsLeave a comment on Shepherd and the Professor
Hot Off the Presses! Mary Farmer's "Pressed" a Cool Read
I was pleased to finally read straight through Mary Farmer's new novel, Pressed. It's been so much fun reading and critiquing the occasional chapter over the last year! As a member of a writing group (NWG), one can't help but feel some of the glow of satisfaction Mary must bask in after the completion of her book. And maybe a touch of pride that "one of our own" achieved her goal. Okay, and maybe even a little misplaced sense of accomplishment at having helped in some small way for Pressed to be a better book. Wishing Mary much success. I know her readers will love Pressed. Here is the review I wrote for Amazon, which is where you can buy the book:
Pressed by Marilyn Farmer is a fun book that will keep you turning pages as you follow main character Tank Lismore from the printing house parking lot all the way to the swan pond at the public park. Along that journey you will cheer for the young man to finally take action in his life. You'll want to see him gather up the courage to approach the object of his desire, the lovely Sloane, who graces the carpeted offices of company management. Tank meanwhile, dwells in the underworld of the printing presses where he is a capable worker. They will come together in the break room over a big diamond ring and a cell phone. Hilarity and danger ensue.
Tank Lismore is one of those characters you love to root for, in spite of his sometimes poor judgement, especially in matters of the heart. Much the same can be said about Sloane, who grows on us as we get to know her. Both of them are up against some of the more entertaining adversaries in contemporary fiction. Not the least of these is Tank's ne'er-do-well cousin Riley, who swears he's "got Tank's back", but… well, you'll find out. In addition to Riley, Tank faces savage bikers, bumbling goons and slick crooked lawyers – to say nothing of the police, including his own Uncle Al.
Farmer's fast-paced tale has humor and pathos and plenty of suspense. Is it a romantic comedy or a crime thriller? I say yes! But you should judge for yourself.
Author R.G. ZiemerPosted on February 28, 2018 March 14, 2020 Categories FICTIONTags AUTHORS, Book ReviewsLeave a comment on Hot Off the Presses! Mary Farmer's "Pressed" a Cool Read
Christine Sneed: "The Virginity of Famous Men"
The Virginity of Famous Men by Christine Sneed
I picked up this collection of stories from Christine Sneed the night she spoke to our writing group in Naperville back in September 2017. We had asked her to do a presentation for an hour at one of our regular weekly meetings. She proposed an outline for a talk "On Maintaining Momentum in Your Fiction." We thought it would have some value for many of the fiction writers in our group. Alas, some were disappointed, and several felt the talk to be somewhat condescending and elementary. I don't remember the word "momentum" being mentioned.
I grant it would be difficult for someone unfamiliar with the group to know what level of skill , what knowledge of literature the audience would bring. So perhaps Ms. Sneed can be forgiven for her compact high-school English lessons on character, conflict, plot and point of view.
Personally, I was interested in reading some genuine prize-winning literary fiction (as opposed to genre fiction, of which it turns out I am mostly guilty. Sneed's fiction has won numerous prizes and acknowledgements, she teaches writing, and she directs the MA/MFA program at Northwestern University. So I wanted to learn from her stories. By Sneed's own definition, literary fiction is character-driven fiction in which the character's interior life is described and explored in a way that leads to an insight about his/her place in the world. The stories in "The Virginity of Famous Men" fit that bill pretty well.
They are not plot driven and don't concern themselves so much with external conflicts. Take "Beach Vacation", in which a woman ends up vacationing with her teen-age son at a resort where she discovers she really doesn't like her kid very much. Well, rightly so, the kid's a jerk, end of story. In "The First Wife", that personage describes her marriage to a celebrity as it moves to its inevitable slow death. In "The Prettiest Girls" a Hollywood studio representative on location in Mexico falls for a pretty local girl and brings her back to L.A. We are no less surprised than the narrator when she eventually leaves him for another man. Very little actually happens in these stories. True, the characters DO things, but not BIG things that you would consider major scenes in the plot. Yet, I didn't feel much was happening on the interior, either. Except for the mother in Beach Vacation, characters didn't seem to learn anything – either about themselves or the world. But maybe I'm just missing it.
My favorite stories included "Five Rooms," which I thought clever and original and well-written. A bored and bitchy teen-age girl is farmed out as penance for some infraction to help out a blind neighbor. Through the girl's narration, which is strong and true, we discover that she isn't such a bad person after all, far from it; and she herself discovers her own depths of goodness and compassion.
I also liked "Roger Weber Would Like To Stay." Roger is the ghost of a dead pianist and onetime Romeo from an earlier era who haunts a single woman. She takes to him at first, but then he just starts to wear a little thin.
Another inventive story that benefits from a quirky situation and a colorful narrator is "Whatshisname." Josh has suffered brain damage that makes him prone to irrational behavior and occasional "pronoun dyslexia," according to his somewhat insensitive and lowclass girlfriend. Amusing things happen in the story – Josh wins the Lotto and comes up with some really stupid ways to spend the money for excellent causes — but it's mostly about their relationship.
All of these stories are nicely written, and as mentioned, many of them introduce quite imaginative characters and situations. But if you are used to genre fiction where shit happens or people do things, you might get bored. On the other hand, if you are into literary fiction, this book is full of it.
Author R.G. ZiemerPosted on October 28, 2017 March 14, 2020 Categories FICTIONTags AUTHORS, Book ReviewsLeave a comment on Christine Sneed: "The Virginity of Famous Men"
I won the award, but I couldn't take it home.
The Naperville Writers' Group awards the "Enwigger" each year to a member for Outstanding Contributions to the organization. This year I was honored to share the lovely object with likewise attractive Loretta Morris. In a fit of chivalry, I insisted that she take the award home to cherish — for the first six months, that is. I will claim the Enwigger for the last half of the year, until the next popular vote, when it will be bestowed on another deserving writer. Meanwhile, I enjoy the warmth and fuzziness of my peers' appreciation.
Last year I was recognized with "The Foot" Award, ostensibly for Most Improved Writer. Although also a prestigious honor, the Foot is not quite so pretty and shiny as the Enwigger. In fact, the Foot spent the previous year in an obscure corner of my library, where I could see it and enjoy its significance; but where the somewhat disturbing thing would be unlikely to invite awkward questions from visitors. Nevertheless, it's the thought that counts.
Author R.G. ZiemerPosted on April 6, 2017 March 14, 2020 Categories UncategorizedTags AUTHORS, COMMENTARY, WRITING GROUPSLeave a comment on I won the award, but I couldn't take it home.
R.G. Links
Iowa Summer Writing Festival
Naperville Writers Group
Poets & Patrons
Prairie Light Review
Waterline Writers
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#ghoststories
#YAfiction
R. G. Ziemer Blog at WordPress.com.


Found a site providing financial analytics & risk management tools, FinCalc, as introduced by its webmaster: "FinCalc provides you with the tools to build advanced financial functions under Excel. ...FinCalc covers bonds, money market, futures, options and interest rate derivatives."
Calendar with business holidays for the major financial centers.
Bond analytics: yield to maturity, duration, accrued interest; valuation functions and sensitivity measures; bond cash flows; forward price and repo rate.
Derivatives: valuation functions and sensitivity measures european and american options; exotic options.
Discount curve construction based on money market rates,short term futures and swap rates.
Interest rates derivatives: valuation and sensitivity for swaps,swaptions, caps & floors.
Credit derivatives: valuation and sensitivity for CDS.
Portfolio analytics: volatility, expected return, tracking error, value at risk, portfolio optimization on an absolute basis or relative to a benchmark.
User friendliness: meaningful function and parameter names; user's manual, numerous examples and applications.
Excel add-in and examples to download.
The author protects the macro code with password, unfortunately. Check http://homepage.hispeed.ch/FinCalc/Index.htm if interested.


Use the hashtag #LIMW on Twitter and you will be entered to win a $20 Amazon gift card! Bernard Books will be monitoring the hashtag and choosing a winner, so tweet as often as you'd like!
I didn't find an end date on this contest so I'll be tweeting daily till somebody tells me to stop. I'll probably knock it off by Christmas in any case.


I've been thinking about when artistic projects become practice-as-research, and the sense that there's a type of fiction going on with how artists working in the academy develop practice-as-research. And by fiction, I mean "something made, not something false".
An ab ovo project would be one that starts off as practice-as-research. Its participants understand it to be PaR from the get-go. Quintessential examples of ab ovo PaR projects would be nearly all PaR PhDs (certainly since about 2003/2004).
An ad hoc project would start as an art project and then get framed as practice-as-research at some stage (often after it has premièred or first been presented). This is akin to making an artistic work and then (later) calling it – or dressing it up as – research.
I'm going to suggest – and I wonder if this admission is a little dangerous – that as much as 90% of the work I do as an artist working in the academy would fall into the ad hoc PaR category.
I think though that there are quite distinct types of ad hoc-ness, and they each have important implications for artists working in the academy.
experienced-aware: artist is aware that ad hoc process of re-framing the art project as research will happen. It's a middle ground between ab ovo and ad hoc, but the experienced part means that the artist has experience of ab ovo PaR: they understand its pitfalls, contexts, framings, principles, maybe even the codes. It's the been-there-done-that version of ad hoc PaR.
experienced-unaware: project or art work is developed (and completed) without any awareness or sense that it will become research; or that there will be future work to do with its framing or reframing as practice-as-research. However, the person steering the project is aware of background (etc) of practice-as-research. Surprisingly common. Important too, because there's an argument that perhaps knowing something is research (or that it will be reframed as such) might get in the way of the art-making. Very dependent on individuals.
naïve-aware: artist knows it will be framed as research ad hoc, but is not aware of PaR from the inside-out. I suspect this is very common indeed and I've noticed it in institutions all over the UK. You have an artist in the University who is asked to "do research". The artist is told, "you're an artist, you can submit practice as a research output for the Research Excellence Framework", or "Your artistic work is REFable". The danger here is that it can lead to confusion: "But I was told I could do practice". In effect, institutions are wanting artists to understand an entire history (recent as it is), practices, and methods of PaR in order to frame their artistic practices as research. The success or failure of this scenario is often dependent on the type of practice the artist has.
naïve-unaware: the artist is naïve about practice-as-research and not aware that the project will later be framed as research. Difficult at best, an utter mess at worst.
For both naïve scenarios (aware or unaware that the project will be research), the general problem is the same: if the artist doesn't have a background or experiential understanding of the problems and possibilities of practice-as-research then how do they recognise what is going on in those terms?
I suspect that the rise of PhDs by portfolio or prior publication will grow or perhaps exacerbate the situations I've described as naïve-unaware and naïve-aware in PaR. A PhD by portfolio suits everyone, at least on the surface: student (who is usually/probably a staff member) gets the award, University gets the staff member with the PhD, but very little (if any) of the learning/development/apprenticeship and experiential understanding of — in this case — PaR principles, methods and methodologies occurs. I think it's different in the sciences when the principles (and terms and conditions) of the scientific method are deeply embedded in the school system (for example, I remember learning about null hypotheses as a 14yo). But I also understand the value of doing a PhD by prior publication, and also the pressure on academics working in higher education to be awarded a PhD (by any means possible).
In the next post, I'll give some examples of different projects I've been involved in that would fit into each of these five categories.


The Anglos in Quebec has decided to take the bull by the horns. They are all set to take the Coalition Avenir Québec plan of abolishing the school boards in Quebec to the Supreme Court. The English-speaking community has also got the support of the Parti Quebecois in this regard. The Parti Quebecois says that the CAQ plan would spell disaster and would only end up in legal battles.
VéroniqueHivon, the PQ Family critic, says that the CAQ plan is an open war against the Anglophone community. The Anglos is attached to the institutions. The Quebec English School Board Association (QESBA) also has echoed the same sentiment. They feel that the CAQ is looking to create havoc as the elections are nearing. They are looking to rake up the old issue once again.
The President of QESBA, Jennifer Maccarone, said that they will never give up the minority rights. There is no benefit that CAQ would get by abolishing the Quebec school boards. There should be no politics brought into the student community and classroom. This should be the topmost agenda for any provincial political party. She said that the entire English-speaking community has fought for their rights and will make sure that their voices are heard.


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Home/NEWS/I expect Ashanti Regional Minister to be sanctioned, not MCE – Security Analyst
I expect Ashanti Regional Minister to be sanctioned, not MCE – Security Analyst
A security analyst, Emmanuel Kotin, says he would be disappointed in the outcome of the report of the Committee that investigated the Ejura disturbances if no action is taken against the Ashanti Regional Minister, who requested military involvement in the area.
His comment comes after the three-member ministerial committee tasked to investigate the disturbances of Tuesday, June 29, 2021, presented its findings to the Interior Minister, Ambrose Dery on Tuesday, July 27, 2021.
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Portions of the report revealed a recommendation for the removal of the Municipal Chief Executive of the Ejura-Sekyedumase Assembly.
READ ALSO: Sack MCE, sanction soldier who led the operation on the ground – Ejura Committee recommends
This is even though the MCE has already withdrawn his nomination to be considered or retained for the position.
The Committee also recommended compensation for the families of the deceased and the injured, the transfer of the District Police Commander for Ejura-Sekyedumase, DSP Philip Hammond, and sanctions for the military officer who led the soldiers on the ground that day among others.
But the Security Analyst says he expects sanctions against the Regional Minister who admitted to dispatching the military.
"From the briefs I'm getting, even though the full report isn't out yet, it is the recommendation of the sacking of the MCE for Ejura, the transfer of the Police Commander, and the dismissal of the security personnel who led the operation."
Speaking on Eyewitness News, MMrKotin said the Municipal Chief Executive should not be the one to take the fall for something the Regional Minister did.
"It [Ejura committee's recommendation] is much ado about nothing. Why should you hang the MCE who did not call for military intervention in Ejura and not the Regional Minister who did such an illegal calling?. I was expecting the committee to come out with something that will bring forth the trust that the general public seems to be losing in the security services and secondly, the political tone the Ejura incident took, some of us were not looking for a political recommendation. Is the Regional Minister above the law?"
"He came before the committee and he was telling the committee he had the power under the National Security Act to call for reinforcement but if you look at the law, he has no power to do that" he noted.
The MCE, Mohammed Salisu Bamba, has already withdrawn his application for reappointment to the position after the July 29 incident, that led to the shooting of six persons, two of whom died from their injuries.
The committee was made up of Justice George Kingsley Koomson as the Chairman; a security analyst, Dr Vladimir Antwi-Danso, and the Executive Director of Penplusbytes, Juliet Adiema Amoah, presented its findings to the Interior Minister, Ambrose Dery on Tuesday, July 27, 2021.
The committee took testimonies from about 20 witnesses including journalists, police, and military officers, as well as political appointees in the jurisdiction of the incident, and family members of some victims.
It completed its work on July 9, 2021, after holding public hearings for two weeks.
Why the committee was set up?
The President, Nana Akufo-Addo, earlier in July 2021, directed the Interior Ministry to conduct a public inquiry following the killing of two people and the injuring of four others by soldiers during a protest against the killing of a social activist, Ibrahim Muhammed, popularly known as Kaaka Macho.
Kaaka died on Monday, June 28, 2021, after he was attacked by unknown assailants while returning home from an event he attended in the area.
Earlier reports suggested that Kaaka was killed because of his social activism, which some persons felt was making the government unpopular, but police reports suggest otherwise after three people including his brother were arrested and put before the court over the killing.
The Interior Ministry subsequently constituted a three-member committee chaired by Justice George Kingsley Koomson to probe the issue and make recommendations.
Other members of the committee were Dr Vladimir Antwi Danso and Juliet Amoah.
Marie Louis Simmons, a Principal State Attorney, was the secretary to the committee.
a security analyst Ejura Committee recommendations
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Manager Tony Pulis is delighted with a "great result" after West Brom beat Chelsea 3-0 at The Hawthorns.
Saido Berahino opened the scoring, before Cesc Fabregas was sent off, and the young striker Berahino later doubled the lead with a penalty before Chris Brunt grabbed a third.
The result means the Baggies will finish no lower than 13th in the Premier League this season.


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The Strokes Reportedly Finished Recording New Album
By Sarah Murphy
The Strokes seem to be hinting that a new album is not only in the works, but it's already recorded and in the mixing process.
Guitarist Nick Valensi appeared on New York radio station Q 104.3 recently and was asked about rumours that a new album from the band have been completed and is in the mixing stage.
"You heard that?" he replied. "Well, it must be true."
He was further prodded about when or if the album might be arriving, to which Valensi said, "When? I don't know. If? I would say, it's a strong likelihood."
The Strokes' last full-length album was 2013's Comedown Machine. They released an EP titled Future Present Past in 2016.
Earlier this year, the band performed a new song called "The Adults Are Talking" during a live show.
Stay tuned for any further updates on a potential new Strokes album.
Watch a clip of the Valensi interview below.
Nick / CRX was on Q104.3 Out of the Box ... turn audio on now and just take a listen to what he said about a potential new album 👀 #thestrokes ( video credit from Q104.3's Out of the Box on Facebook live )
A post shared by Julian Casablancas Fan (@juliancasablancass) on Sep 7, 2019 at 5:01am PDT
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Someone has died. What practical things do I need to do straight away?
Who do I need to tell about the death?
When someone dies, the first steps you need to take will depend on how and where they died.
Call the family doctor and nearest relative.
If the death was expected, for example due to a terminal illness, the doctor will give you a medical certificate showing the cause of death.
They'll also give you a formal notice saying they've signed the medical certificate and telling you how to register the death.
Once the doctor has issued the medical certificate, and when you feel ready to do so, you can call a funeral director who will move the body to a funeral home.
Call 999 immediately and ask for advice.
An unexpected death may need to be reported to a coroner. A coroner is a doctor or lawyer responsible for investigating unexpected deaths. They may call for a post-mortem or inquest to find out the cause of death. This may take some time, so the funeral may need to be delayed.
The hospital will usually issue a medical certificate and formal notice. They will support you with the next steps you need to take.
The body will usually be kept in the hospital mortuary until the funeral directors or relatives arrange a chapel of rest, or for the body to be taken home.
When someone dies, you must get in touch with certain organisations to let them know as soon as possible.
You'll need to return the driver's licence to the DVLA and the passport to HM Passport Office.
The person who died may have left funeral instructions in their will or a letter about their wishes.
If there aren't any clear wishes, the executor or nearest relative will usually decide if the body will be cremated or buried and what type of funeral will take place.
all necessary arrangements and paperwork.
There may be extra charges for third parties such as the crematorium, clergy and doctors. Funeral directors may ask for these fees to be paid upfront.
You don't have to use a funeral director if you don't want to – you can have a 'do-it-yourself' funeral.
DIY funerals can be less expensive, more environmentally friendly as well as more personal and intimate.
This type of funeral often takes place when someone makes their wishes clear before their death and plans for it themselves, as it can involve more advance planning.
Contact your local council if you want to arrange a funeral in your local cemetery or crematorium.
Arranging a funeral can not only be stressful - it can also be expensive. If you're paying for the funeral, think carefully about what you can afford.
money the person had in a bank or building society, although they don't have to release the money until probate (the legal process of distributing the money, property and possessions of the person who's died) is granted. If there's a delay, you may need to pay the costs in the meantime.
You may be able to get a Funeral Payment from the Social Fund if you're on a low income and meet the criteria.
There are strict rules about who can get help and how much you will receive. You must be claiming Pension Credit or certain other means-tested benefits, and had a close relationship with the person who died – for example, you may have been their partner.
If you don't qualify for a Funeral Payment - or it doesn't cover the full costs of the funeral - you may be able to get a Budgeting Loan from the Social Fund. These are interest-free loans of between £100 and £1500 that you repay from your benefits.
When someone dies there's often a lot to deal with – their paperwork, finances, legal issues, property, as well as coping with your own emotional reaction to their death.


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Fact-or-Fake Friday: Cell Phone Struggles
Here are three weird news items involving lost or misplaced cell phones. Well, kind of—two of them are honest-to-goodness true, and the third one we made up. Can you guess which one is the impostor? (The answer is at the end of the post.)
One day in October 2013, a farmer was going about his daily business in Chickasha, Oklahoma. While he was standing over a grain elevator full of 280,000 pounds of sorghum…he dropped his cell phone in. It sunk so far down he couldn't reach it. The grain was then shipped to a grain processing plant in another Oklahoma town, and from there it was sent via barge down the Mississippi River to Louisiana, where it set off for its final destination: Japan. In July 2014—nine months later—the farmer received a call (at home). A worker at a mill in Japan found the phone mixed in with two million bushels of sorghum. The battery was dead, but it was still in perfect working order. It was shipped back to Oklahoma, with hundreds of family photos still on the device.
A woman checked in to a Tampa, Florida, emergency room with complaints of severe stomach pain. The pain was so bad that she collapsed on the sidewalk outside the hospital, having walked two miles to the facility. When asked why she hadn't called an ambulance, the woman said that she would've, but couldn't find her phone. The patient was admitted with suspected appendicitis until an X-ray revealed the source of her stomach pain: she'd swallowed her smartphone. How did she do it? She claims to "have no idea" but is glad that her expensive iPhone was retrieved and that it still worked.
A man and his friend went to an amusement park in Pachuca, Mexico and visited the big cats enclosure. While observing a sleeping lion named Zeus, he dropped his phone right into the lion's lair. The man wasn't sure what to do, until his friend bet him that he couldn't jump into the enclosure and retrieve the phone without being detected by the lion or park staff. He took the bet, and he would've won…until the phone began to ring, which startled the lion, who mauled the man.
Want more fake facts? Then check out Uncle John's Fake Facts. (Really!)
Impossible Questions: Un-Magic Kingdom Edition
Impossible Questions: Musical Conundrum Edition
Once Again, It's Fact-or-Fake Friday!


Knee stretching should be done on a regular basis to maintain their mobility. Tightness can develop in cases of disuse, sedentary lifestyles, arthritis, and poor posture. While we can often function with reduced mobility, it is the pain associated with the muscle imbalances and joint dysfunction or irritation that brings people in to the physical therapist eventually. Stretching exercises as part of a regular exercise program can help prevent injuries and maintain painfree function.
Why Should we do Stretching for Knees?
What are the Muscles that Cross the Knee?
How can knee stretches prevent injury?
The knee acts as a large hinge joint as it becomes straighter. When collateral ligaments are looser as in the flexed position, a certain amount of rotation occurs of the tibia on the femur through the pull of the medial or lateral hamstrings. For optimal function of the knee we require a balance of the length of the muscles around it between flexors and extensors. We also need a balance in strength. When there is an imbalance it can predispose you to strains, ligament sprains, and joint wear.
Exercise is a necessary part of any treatment plan for arthritis. The type, intensity, and frequency of exercise you do will depend on the type of arthritis you have and the condition of your joints. As part of the inflammatory process the body lays down scar tissue. This scarring creates adhesions around the joints, pain, and dysfunction. Because of the pain, inactivity typically ensues leading to further stiffness and weakness. To break this cycle you need to see your family physician about methods to control the inflammation and your physical therapist to prescribe an exercise program appropriate for your needs.
Knee stretches ares especially beneficial for arthritic knees. Although you cannot reverse the damage that has been done to the cartilage you can reduce the pain due to capsular tightness and painful adhesions that are associated with arthritis.
By restoring mobility to the arthritic knee you help normalize the mechanics and reduce the wear and tear that accelerates the degenerative process. Dealing with osteoarthritis is a balancing act between exercise and rest. Exercise too much or too vigorously you can aggravate your pain; exercise too little, and weakening and instability results, worsening joint wear and tear.
If you suffer from arthritis of the knees be sure to have it evaluated by your physical therapist for an appropriate set of exercises to address stiffness, weakness, balance, and endurance.
There are several ways to stretch the hamstrings. The way I usually tell patients is in standing so as to minimize strain on the lower back.
The standing stretch is valid as an effective method of increasing hamstring flexibility, but depends on pelvic positioning. If you are able to maintain a straight lower back while performing this stretch it is significantly more effective.
To perform this stretch stand and face a chair or table.
For more hamstring stretches see the page on Stretching Hamstrings.
Kneel onto your right knee and place your left foot in front of you to assume the lunge position.
Long adductors can also be stretched in sitting. This stretch also includes hamstrings biasing the medial hamstrings, semimembranosus and semitendinosus.
Slowly work your legs apart as far as they will go.
Hold this and relax for a few seconds.
Most people will gain a benefit from 30 seconds.
The part of the calf that originates from above the knee is the gastrocnemius muscles. It crosses both the knee and the ankle joints.
The iliotibial band is a long thickening of the fascia on the outside of the thigh. It originates from the Ilium and inserts into the tibia. It receives muscular attachments at the hip and has slips into the patella so you can see how tightness in this structure could cause a whole slew of problems. Any good knee stretching program should include IT band stretches. For a more detailed discussion on the iliotibial band and more ways to stretch it see my page on The Iliotibial Band.
To stretch the right iliotibial band in standing, stand with your right side facing a wall or leaning on the back of a chair.
Joint position sense otherwise known as proprioception is important in sports and knee function in that it is a contributor to joint stability.
Results showed that a knee stretching program that included three static stretches of 30 second duration improved people's joint position sense. Knee stretching used in the study targeted the quadriceps, hamstring and adductors.
A study published in The Journal of Athletic Training analyzed the incidence of lower extremity strains in players of a Division 3 college football team over 1994-95.(5) The addition of a knee stretching program in 1995 resulted in significant reduction in strains that required minimum 1 day of play lost in 1995 over 1994.
2. Knapik JJ, Bauman CL, Jones BH, Harris JM, Vaughan L. Preseason strength and flexibility imbalances associated with athletic injuries in female collegiate athletes. Am J Sports Med. 1991;19:76-81.
3. Jonhagen S, Nemeth G, Eriksson E. Hamstring injuries in sprinters: the role of concentric and eccentric hamstring muscle strength and flexibility. Am J Sports Med. 1994;22:262-266.
4. Worrell TW, Perrin DH, Gansneder BM, Gieck JH. Comparison of isokinetic strength and flexibility measures between hamstring injured and noninjured athletes. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 1991;13:118-125.
5. KM Cross, MEd, ATC; TW Worrell, EdD, PT, ATC Effects of a Static Stretching Program on the Incidence of Lower Extremity Musculotendinous Strains knee stretching. Journal of Athletic Training 1999;34(1):11-14.


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One More Time: Here's Where To Get Debate 'Fact Checks'
By Mark Memmott
Published October 22, 2012 at 4:32 PM EDT
While President Obama and Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney are debating tonight in Boca Raton, Fla., the fact checkers at news outlets and independent organizations will again be busy.
So for those who want to know where to go for their truth squadding:
— Politifact.com will be tweeting away during the debate (@politifact) and rounding up the whoppers afterward on its website. It has already posted a report that rounds up its past fact-checking on things Romney and Obama has said about foreign policy (international issues are the focus of tonight's debate).
— FactCheck.org is also pretty fast about posting and plans to be busily tweeting (@factcheckdotorg).
— The New York Times and The Washington Post will be on the case.
NPR, which will be streaming and broadcasting starting at 9 p.m. ET, will follow the 90-minute debate with a discussion that includes fact check reports from our correspondents.
Also, NPR social media strategist Andy Carvin is, as always, on Twitter (@acarvin). He'll be watching the truth squads and following the "debate behind the debate" on The Back Channel.
Finally, we'll be live blogging during the debate and will look to flag claims that might bear some scrutiny. Then, we'll come back after the debate with a fresh post that rounds up the highlights — and lowlights? — from all those fact checkers.
Here's what we rounded up after the previous debates:
-- "Along With Sparks, Errors Fly In Second Debate."
-- "Biden, Ryan Bent The Truth At Times, Fact Checkers Say."
-- "Romney Goes On Offense, Pays For It In First Wave Of Fact Checks."
Mark Memmott
Mark Memmott is NPR's supervising senior editor for Standards & Practices. In that role, he's a resource for NPR's journalists – helping them raise the right questions as they do their work and uphold the organization's standards.
See stories by Mark Memmott