Omari and the People, Fiction or Fantasy?
At the time of this posting, the audiobook version of Omari and the People by Stephen Whitfield, which I narrate, has yet to be released. It will be coming out in a few days and both the author and I still struggle over the genre. That, in fact, is one of the things I love most about Stephen's genre-bending work, i.e. the question of Fiction or Fantasy is at play for the reader/listener at the heart of the story. However, at this point, I'm not absolutely certain but I think Stephen and I agree that Omari is Magical Realism, a branch of Fiction. Of course, some will disagree with that as well as whether Magical Realism is a branch of Fiction. I like the position taken by Bruce Holland Rogers on Writing-World.com. What is Magical Realism, Really? "Magical realism is not speculative and does not conduct thought experiments. Instead, it tells its stories from the perspective of people who live in our world and experience a different reality from the one we call objective… Magical realist fiction depicts the real world of people whose reality is different from ours… Magical realism leaves you with… the feeling that maybe this view is correct." It will be interesting to see in which genre Audible decides to place Omari and the People, the audiobook.


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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Crusade against Cambodian sex trade
women-and-war
Cambodia has become one of the world's hubs for human trafficking -a hell on earth where one survivor stands tall.
The residents of a foster home in the Kampong Chan province hold a celebration in honour of Somaly Mam – a woman who has saved each and every one of them from the horrors of incestuous families and prostitution.
"This is one of the girls who was sold into brothels and she was raped every day because her mother prostituted her," she told euronews.
The girls are prey to local beliefs and sex tourism – and the prostitution victims are getting younger.
"Today there are girls who are three years old, who are in brothels, three years old who were raped! In the Asian tradition, it's said that if you sleep with virgins, it gives youth, white skin, it gives luck. There is another belief that if you are HIV positive – if you have AIDS – and if you have sex with girls who are virgins, it cures AIDS. The hardest part for me is seeing customers who are foreigners, who are white, who are educated with little girls," she explained.
For more than 20 years, Somaly Mam has fought to give a second life to these victims. As the head of her association AFESIP, she is a leading figure in the fight against sex slavery in Southeast Asia. A hell from which she herself is a survivor.
Sold at the age of 12, she spent 10 years in Cambodian brothels. Rape, torture and humiliation are the painful experiences that drive her struggle forward.
She explained: "It takes five minutes to save a girl in the brothel. But after five minutes what do you do? You do everything so that they become, maybe not as normal as you, but to build their confidence and encourage them. It takes time, time, time. That's why I say that the scars on the outside, can be operated on. But for the scars on the inside, there's only love – there as patience, compassion. We are here to heal."
Sina Vann was rescued by Somaly from the sex industry that kept her prisoner for two years after she arrived from Vietnam at the age of 13. Heading the team of former victims who have joined AFESIP, Sina now offers help and advice to prostitutes.
In a brothel in Phnom Penh, they have found no other way to survive than in the red light district of the capital. All of them have spent their adolescence in the hands of traffickers and Sina knows all too well what they have been through.
She described her ordeal: "I've been shocked, I have a lot of scars a lot, she says she has scars too. Because I cannot get a lot of clients. I was just twelve, thirteen years old, so what I do with the clients – a lot of clients – I'm very hurt. If you cannot get 20 clients, you don't have food to eat. They come to hit you, shock you, fight you. They just make you scared. If you're scared, you do anything. I know all of them. I know how much they are hurt."
It is in one of AFESIP's rehabilitation and training centres that Sina found her zest for life. The work Somaly Mam does has helped thousands of girls like Sina escape the sex trade, which enslaves some 40,000 women and children in Cambodia.
Fighting against the industry is a dangerous game and in Somaly Mam's case, several attempts have been made to assassinate her.
But she remains resolute, asking the questions that need to be asked: "Who traffics women and infants? These are people with a lot of money. Who has a lot of money? The money that provides power. This is what should be looked at. There are things I can say and things I can not say. It is said in Cambodia that if you want to survive, you must be silent. If you are raped, beaten, you can not talk. If you want to survive – silence. I want to survive. Just for my life? I do not care. But you know, behind me, how many lives are there? "
Though Somaly admits there have been tough times, nothing could convince her to abandon those she calls her children.
She concluded: "Some time ago, there was no more money. Funds were cut. There was no more money at all. I said, you know, if I have to return to the brothels because I know of nothing else, to save my children I would do it. I would do it. I don't want them back in brothels. I don't want that." She wept as she continued: "It's too difficult for a child who is saved to return to a brothel. Even if she still manages to smile. It's too much. If I have to suffer for them, I will and I still do."
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Happy Easter, AGDC Dolls! April 4, 2010
Filed under: All Dolls,Doll Fun,Holiday,Maria Kit,Mia,Spring has Sprung! — Madeline@AGDC @ 8:47 PM
It was an early Sunday morning in April—Easter Sunday, to be exact—and Elsie and Kathleen were dressed and all ready for the celebration. "Good morning, my sisters!" Elsie's sweet voice rang out in a song. "It is Easter, and we must arise early!" Felicity rolled over in bed on the other side of the room. "Whhhyyyy???" she asked sleepily. "Because!" said Elsie. "The Lord has risen!" Felicity yawned, got up, woke her sisters up, and told them, "The Looord (yaawn) has risen (yawn)…" One by one the girls popped out of their beds and dressed in their Easter dresses.
The first girls to get dressed were Addy (FAQ: Q: Did it take a while to do Addy's hair? A: Yes, Yes it did.), Samantha, and Josefina. Addy was wearing her Christmas Dress, but today she would pretend it was a springtime dress. Josefina was wearing a spring flowers outfit and Samantha's dress was sewn by Madeline.
Kit leading the way, the girls trudged down the hall excitedly, anxious to see what the Easter Bunny had left them.
Kit was the first to notice two colorful Easter baskets just the size for an American Girl doll parked on the table. "Look at this!" she cried. "Look what Mr.Easter Bunny left for us!" *Madeline winking to herself in the background*. "Oh my goodness!" shouted Kit. There's candy and stickers in here!"
"And, oh, there's one of…of…. of ME!" Kit sighed dramatically. She was almost jumping up and down at the fact she was a sticker. "I have got to show Maria Kit this at our next playdate! She'll FLIP to see ourselves as a sticker!" Kit hugged the sticker pack close. But she wasn't the only one surprised.
Not only Kit, but Josefina, Felicity, and Addy also had stickers of themselves!!! Wow!!! It was incredible! All the dolls wanted a chance to see their sister as a sticker.
"Yall look!" cried Addy in her sweet southern accent. "There are not only stickeroos of us, but there is an envelopes and stationary kit, and also word stickers!" The dolls were fascinated as they munched down on mini chocolate rabbits.
This is what Madeline came out to. A bucket of chocolate eggs and candy, a movie called "A Little Princess", a book called "Amelia's Middle School Survival Guide", and a summer-time dress and knee socks.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. It was Maria Kit and Mia! Maria Kit and Kit were best friends, and Madeline's family knew Maria Kit and Mia's owner's family very well, so the dolls got to come over a lot. But it was still a great surprise! "What are you doing here?" Kit laughed, hugging her friends. "We couldn't miss Easter!" said Mia. "Well, come in," said Kit. "Your just in time. We are just about to read " The First Easter".
The girls gathered around. "Ok," began Elsie. "I am going to read you the story of the first Easter. Is everyone ready?" Everybody nodded. "yes."
"Once upon a time, over 2000 years ago, a baby named Jesus was born in a stable. Do you remember me telling you that story? Jesus was born in Bethlehem. His parents, Mary and Joseph, were visiting there because of the census, which was when Caesar Augustus wanted record of everybody and wanted them to be taxed. Mary was pregnat with the holy baby, which an angel told her to name Jesus. When they got to Bethlehem, there was no room in any of the inns. One man who owned a inn felt sorry for the ill and pregnat women and her husband and told them the only place they could stay was a smelly stable. Imagine…..the holy King of Kings who would die for us and rise again, the Prince of Peace, was born in a smelly, old, nasty stable with His only company some donkeys, sheeps, and shepherds."
"Jesus grew up like a regular boy and man and did many miracles. He was the only perfect one, and He never did anything wrong. Not even the teeniest little white lie or bad thought. He was perfect. Many people wanted to see Him and touch Him."
"One day, he rode into town on a donkey on what we now call "Palm Sunday." The reason it was called that is because the people took palm branches and waved them at Jesus. They called, "Hosannah! Hosannah is the King of Isreal!" Some men ripped the clothes off their backs and made a walkway for Jesus. But Jesus was sad because he knew that by the end of the week these same people would be calling out something very, very, different."
"One of Jesus's disciples, Judas, betrayed Him and helped the Roman soldiers arrest Him if they gave him money. So the soldiers gave Judas the money and he told them where Jesus was. Jesus knew that they would kill Him. But it was the plan to save the bad, sinful world, so Jesus knew He had to do it. They beat Jesus and put thorns on His head. You may think, "Oh, he must have done something really terrible!" But Jesus did nothing. Nothing at all. Pilot didn't think he did anything wrong either, but the people insisted so. So Pilot ordered the soldiers to beat Jesus more so the people would be happy. After, Pilot took Jesus and a cold-hearted, mean, scoundrel criminal who killed people and murdered and stole. That man's name was Barabas. Pilot told the people he would kill one of them. The mean criminal and muderer, or Jesus. The people said Barabas shoudl be let free, and they yelled "Crucify Him!" at Jesus. The people yelling "Crucify Him!" were the same people who earlier in the week were calling out "Hosannah!" So why were they now calling "Crucify Him?" Maybe they didn't want to be different. They didn't want to be made fun of. "If I stand up for Jesus," they thought, "Will I be crucified?" So they went with the crowd and thought of themselves. So Pilot, even though he didn't think anything was wrong with Jesus, he decided to go with what the crowd thought, too, and he ordered Jesus to be killed. Jesus died on the cross on what we now know as Good Friday. It was sad and horrific, but Jesus was saving the world and relieving them of their sins. Jesus was perfect. We are all sinners. Jesus, a perfect one, had to take all the sins of the world on Him and suffer so we wouldn't have to. When we sin today, all we have to do is ask God to forgive us, and He will."
"But Jesus didn't stay dead. Three days later, on the very first Easter, He came back to lie. Jesus is still alive and is all around us. We celebrate Easter because Jesus has saved us and then He did not stay dead, but He rose again. We can thank the Lord for saving us, and we can ask Him to come into our hearts. He will always be there for us, even if we can't see Him. That's what faith is."
"That's the end of the story!" Elsie said, shutting the book. The girls clapped and cheers. Elsie held up her hand. "Let us pray. Dear Jesus, thank you for this day. Thank you for dieing on the cross for our sins and suffering so we didn't have to. But you did not stay dead, for three days later you rose again. We thank you that we can put our trust in you and can say we are Christians. Please forgive us for everything that displeases you. Help us to live a life of faith, and help us to be more like you. In Jesus name we pray, Amen."
The girls clapped. "Time for the egg hunt at Julia and Hannah's house!" shouted Samantha! "Yay!" the AGDC dolls cheered. Felicity clapped. "Come on! Last one there is a rotten Easter Egg!"
THE END! 🙂 🙂 🙂
HAVE A HAPPY, HAPPY EASTER!
Happy Hanukkah! December 13, 2009
Filed under: Christmas or other Winter Activities,Doll Fun,Holiday,Kit,Maria Kit,Mia — Madeline@AGDC @ 5:52 PM
"Hi girls!!!" shouted Kit as she bursted through the door to the room of Madeline's friend, Meghan. It was also the very place her very best friend Kit Maria and her sister, Mia, lived. Mia greeted her with a "Hi, Kit!" and hug and Kit Maria greeted her best buddy an even bigger one. "I can't believe your here!" Said Kit Maria. "Yeah," agreed Mia. "We were so happy when Meghan said you were coming to celebrate Hanukkah with us!" Kit clapped her hands. "Yay, Hanukkah, Hanukkah! I LOVE Hanukkah……….um, what's Hanukkah?" The girls smiled. "Well," began Mia. "You know, Kit, we are not only Christians like you but also Jewish. Around the time before Christmas we celebrate a Jewish holiday called Hanukkah. It's about a miracle." Kit smiled. "Ooh, I like miracles!" Kit Maria laughed. "Uh-Hu, and there is so much fun stuff to do. Eat yummy traditional food, play games, light the menorah, and more! Soon, the humans will let us come down the stairs when every thing's ready. You wanna see our Christmas tree?" Kit nodded, excited that she had come on a special night.
The three girls walked over to the shimmering tree in the corner of the room. "Isn't it pretty!" Mia asked. "It so is!!! It's very big and pretty and festive." Kit Maria smiled. "I know, right?" Then there was a call from down the stairs. Mia grabbed one of Kit's hands and Kit Maria grabbed the other and they raced down the stairs. "It's time!"
The food wasn't quite ready, so the girls sat in a circle in a corner where they could show Kit their favorite Hanukkah toy and game. "THIS is a dreidal." Said Mia. "It's a toy you play at Hanukkah and I am the best at it." She joked. "I'm telling the truth. I've even beat all the humans in the house." Kit and Kit Maria 'OOOHHHed' and 'AAAAAAHHHHHed'. "How do you play it?" Kit asked. "Here, I will demonstrate." Mia held the stick on the top of the dreidal between her thumb and pointing finger, then spun it. It landed on the floor and spun, spun, spun, for what seemed like forever. Then, it stopped, landing on it's side. "What is that letter thing on the side?" Kit asked. She picked the dreidal up and saw that on every side there was a different one. Kit Maria was to explain. "That's Hey, Shin, Gimel, Nun." she said. "You see, Mia's dreidal landed on Gimel. You see, If we were playing the real game with gelt, she would get ALL." Kit smiled. "Cool!"
Mia got up and ran to a different room. "Don't worry about her." Kit Maria said. "She's just crying because she didn't beat her record." Then a "No I am not!" came from the room Mia had ran into. She came back out with two more dreidals and gave one to each of the other girls. "No, I was NOT Kit Maria, I was being NICE and getting you a Kit a dreidal so we could play together. So you better watch your mouth, sassy, or you will not have a HAPPY Hanukkah." (Then a "MIA! APOLOGIZE!" came from the room the humans were at.) Mia looked Kit Maria apologetically. "Ok, I'm sorry, Kit Maria." Kit Maria didn't look up from her dreidal, which was spinning like crazy by Kit's. "It's ok, Mia. Now join in!" Surprisingly, a new person had one the dreidal contest this year. It was Kit! As the dreidals spun, Mia and her sister's bumbed into each other and collapsed, while Kit's still spun. "Great job, Kit! Both other girls congratulated her.
Soon, it was time to eat. Kit looked at her plate reluctantly. "Um.." she mumbled, as Kit Maria and Mia gobbled down their Latkes in less than a second. Mia looked up. "Kit, are you not hungry?" Kit tried to talk, but Kit Maria interupted. "Oh, she has a rare case of 'I-don't-know-what-this-food-is-so-I-am-just-going-to-put-my-napkin-over-it-and-throw-it-away-and-pretend-I-ate-it-and-be-hungry-the-rest-of-the-night disease. Kit laughed at herself but stopped. "But I don't!!!! What even is this stuff?" Mia put her hand on Kit's shoulder. "This STUFF," she said. "Is the very best food ever." Kit shrugged. "I'm not feeling it." Kit Maria gasped. "But you have to TRY it, Kit. If you try it, you'll like it, but if you do not, you'll never like it." Mia agreed and said, "Here, we'll tell you what it is. See this stuff that looks like fried rice or something here on the right? Those are Potato Pancakes, we call then Latkes. You eat them with sour cream or apple sauce, or just plain." Kit took a bite. "Why, it's actually very good! What's this over here?" Kit Maria pointed. "Well that's just a roll and some chicken, but over here we have what's like a dessert. It's a Jewish traditional food called Kugel." Kit took a bite of it, and enjoyed her Hanukkah meal. Now she had a new list of favorite foods.
Kit picked up a bag of what looked like golden money. "What in the world is this?" She asked. Kit Maria took the bag from her. "This," she began, "Is Gelt. They are little golden coins we use for Hanukkah. But this is actually Chocolate Gelt, so it's edible. Just take the wrapper off before you eat it, LOL."
"Wow, can I have some?" asked Kit. "Sure," said Kit Maria. "And, you may also take your own bag of it home to share with your sisters. We have plenty." Kit smiled. "Wow, thanks!…..Mmm, it's good!" Mia smiled. "I'm glad you like it."
"Now, it's story time." Mia said, sitting down with a book. Kit and Kit Maria sat down around her. "OK, we will read about Hanukkah." She began. "Once there was a small group of Jews called the Maccabees. There was also a bad king called Antiocus. Antiocus wanted the Maccabees to pray to his gods but the Maccabees wanted to worship God as they pleased. They went away and hid in the hills. When the time came to come back, they were so upset. Their temple was in ruins! The bad king had let his soldiers use it as they pleased, and they destroyed it. The Maccabees worked hard to make their temple great again, but then their was a problem. There was not barely any oil. They needed the oil to make it a place of prayer. There was not even enough to light the menorah!!! But then, the miracle happened. God used the tiny bit of oil and it was used for 8 whole days and nights! It was a miracle! They praised God! It was amazing! Now, Hanukkah lasts for eight days, just like in the story. We still light a menorah with eight candles. We cook our Latkes with oil to help us remember, too!" Kit Maria and Kit clapped. "Wow," said Kit. "That's a great story. God used that oil and it was a miracle! It reminds me of a story Elsie told us once, about Jesus and the bread and the fish! He used it to feed over 5,000 men!" Mia smiled and put the book down. "Exactly. How about we go light the menorah now?"
An they did that. The menorah was very pretty and shimmered like he Christmas Tree. "We always do a special prayer when we light the menorah," said Kit Maria. "But how about we let Kit try?" Mia agreed. "Ok," Kit said. "Here I go. Dear Lord, thank you for this day and everything you've given us. Thank you we can come together and have special celebration for what you did. Thank you so much. Help us to remember to be more like you. We love you. In Jesus name, Amen." Everyone clapped, and they let Kit light the menorah. It was a very special time. The girls played with their dreidals more, and Kit Maria and her sister let Kit keep her own to share with her sisters. They ate some dessert, and it was a happy time. But soon, it was time for Kit to go home. "Bye!" she said, and hugged her best friends. "Bye!" they said back. "We hope you had a great time!"
From the car window, Kit stared back at the house. She had had so much fun and learned a lot. Then, she saw in one window, a menorah lit. And what were those figures behind it? Kit peered closer. It was Kit Maria and Mia! "Bye!" Kit could here faintly. She saw the wave of their hands. "Bye!"
THANK YOU FOR READING! COMMENT AND RATE, AND HAVE A HAPPY HANUKKAH!
Traveling Doll Mia- Part 2 October 25, 2009
Filed under: Doll Fun,Life Lessons,Mia,Molly — Madeline@AGDC @ 12:51 AM
Well, it's time to see what's happening with our friend Mia Moyer in Part 2 of "Traveling Doll Mia"!
Mia Moyer was sitting at the breakfast table just about ready to pour Cheerios, her favorite cereal. Mia was tired from all the action yesterday. She yawned deeply, content that she would be able to have a long nap today, after she ate and did her morning errands around the house. Mia layed her head down on the table. She was also content when assuring herself that the next two days would go by quickly, and then she would get to go home at last. Mia had met wonderful new friends in a lovely house, but she was not enjoying this traveling thing that her owner Ally had set up for her. "How would SHE feel if I sent her away to a stranger's house…" Mia muttered to herself. "Well…" she thought again. "I guess she wants me to have fun, that's all." Mia hardly noticed her cereal getting soggy when Molly, her new friend and leader of the AGDC dolls, burst into the room. "Mia!" she called. "What do you need?" Mia asked. "Mia," said Molly. "You need to get a sweater and skates on. I am going to take you to Thin Cruster Lake. You need to practice for your competition tomorrow!" Mia put down her spoon and gave Molly a hopeless look. Mia was usually and happy and bubbly and nice girl, but this trip wasn't working out for her, especially when her hostess thought up things that could never happen in a lifetime. "Molly," Mia said. "Face the facts, here. You CAN'T get me ready for the competition. This travel doll thing has cut me DAYS of practice off. If I went, which I can't, I wouldn't win at all, I'd be so bad." Molly put a hand on Mia's shoulder. "Mia, that's exactly WHY we are going. To practice. So you can follow your dream of skating. To get your confidence back! But not to win. Mia, as long as you try your best, you'll always be a winner, regardless of awards and prizes." Mia almost had tears in her eyes. That was so beautiful to Mia. "OK." she sniffed. "I'll go because you are so sweet to me. For you and God. That's why I'll go."
"MOLLY!!!!!!" Mia's yell rang out in all of Thin Cruster Way. Right there, ont he snow edge of the lake, was a horrible thing. It was a sign that showed Mia's picture and said, "MIA MOYER WILL BE STARRING IN THE LUCERENE GIRLS ICE ARENA COMPETITION! GET YOUR TICKETS NOW AND SEE THIS GIRL PREFORM!" Mia brought the sign over to Molly.
"LOOK AT IT! LOOK AT THIS HIDEOUS THING! DID YOU DO IT, MOLLY?" Mia raged. Her red hair seemed to catch fire. "IT SAYS THAT I WILL BE PREFORMING AT THE COMPETITION! IT SAYS, "BRAVO, MIA" WHICH MEANS PEOPLE WANT TO ME TO PREFORM THERE SO MUCH THAT THEY ARE ALREADY CHEERING FOR ME!!!!" Mia screamed. Molly told her to stop. "Calm down, Mia!" Molly said. "That's just one of Madeline's books. She probably left it here on accident. It says 'Bravo, Mia' because that's the title of the book. AND it's about the human-being Mia, not the doll. So chill out! Stop thinking about hot-dogs and more about cold-popsicles!" But Mia protested. "Buh..buh..but what about the thing that said I will be preforming at the-" Molly stopped her. "That was your imagination. See? It says, 'Laurence Yep.' That's the author, not gossip news. See? God is with us, so nothing will hurt us. It's fine. So show me your ice skating moves! I know you'll do good.
Move 1: Rotate and spin, strike a pose!
Move 2: Turn to the left right, take it back now yall!
Move 3: Upright turn, slide in a row!
Move 4: One foot you know, makes a pro. To be a pro, it's the way to go!
Move 5: A striking pose will know them on their toes!
Move 6: Lean back do a twister- "AHHHH!" Mia yelled. She had fallen. Failed. Ohhh, how this could get worse, to fall in front of- "Are you ok, Mia? Here, let me help you up." Molly's gentle voice and embrace surrounded Mia. What a great friend she had. "You think I am a good skater even though I fell on the easiest trick of all?" Mia asked. Molly smiled. "Of course. I used to think when I watched people on TV ice-skate, that falling is the test of a good skater. I thought people who failed were losers. But then, I fell. I was on a gymnastics competition show. It was me and this other girl on the balence beam. And I lost. Came with it a great conciquence. A broken arm. But then the other girl came to help me. She didn't care about winning. She wanted to help me, and she cared more about the loser finishing than herself winning. In fact, she helped me win first and claimed herself the last place. It changed my thoughts about winners and losers. The real winners are often the people in last place. It depends on what kind of sport you are." The girls sat down.
Mia's head felt turned around after Molly's lecture about good sportsmanship. Wow. What a life lesson could be hid in these tiny photo stories. "Molly," Mia said. "You are the real winner today. If you were to skate like an Olympic Champion or not be able to stand up straight on these skates, you'd be the one to win in my eyes." Molly smiled. "Well, we'll see who can really win a gold medal tomorrow at the competition. But you can't go unless you practice! So drink some water and let's see some more moves!!!
OTHER MIA STORIES AT YOUR LOCAL AGDC BLOG:
Traveling Doll Mia Part 1 — Now Available!
Traveling Doll Mia Part 3 — Coming Soon!
Traveling Doll Mia! Part 1 October 19, 2009
Filed under: All Dolls,Doll Fun,Mia,Molly,New Friends,Welcome! — Madeline@AGDC @ 11:56 PM
"And a one, two, spin.. and stop." Mia Moyer spun around twice on Thin Cruster lake. It was a cold day in winter, and Mia went out to ice skate. "I can't wait!" she said to herself. "In just two days I will get to be in the Lucerene Girls Ice Arena Competition! I HAVE to win best ice skater, or I will certainly die." Mia spun around and did a full jump. Nothing could stop her from winning! She just HAD to. Good sport or not, it would all pay off soon, right?
"Mia!" Mia stopped and saw her best friend, Marina, approaching her. "Yeah, Marina. What do you need?" Mia said. "First of all," Marina said sharply. "WHAT in the world so you thing your doing, out here in the cold, in your "skating outfit"? You gotta get a sweater on! And come inside, you don't need this ice-skating!" Mia felt hurt but nodded slowly. "but… your not wearing a sweater, either." Mia said quietly, her head bowed. Marina's expression did not change. "Well, so what? I am only out here to get YOU, for a mere minute! Now come on!" Mia could not argue. She knew Marina had some spiky approach on people, but it was worth it. At least to Mia. Marina was also the very best friend AFTER her preformance. It was Ok.
"Ok, Mia!" said Marina happily as they were inside Marina's house drinking Hot Chocolate. "I got you a little gift, just for you and your ice skating thing. I DO care about it, I just don't want you shivering out in the cold." Mia nodded. "Oh, your just great, Mary." But Mia hesitated to open it. It was something very fancy and crazy for sure. But it had to be from Marina's heart. So she opened it quickly.
It WAS something awfully crazy. It was a springing, colorful hairbow. "Marina….. I don't know what to say…. I mean, it's-" Marina cut Mia off. "I KNOW, right! You will TOTALLY wear it because it's the best gift you've ever had!" Mia bit her lip. "Marina, I already have my outfit planned for the competition. But look, I will wear it sometime, I promise. Pinkie." Mia smiled and felt more confident. "OK," Marina said. "I guess it wouldn't hurt if you don't wear it for the competition. I know! We can be rainbow girls for halloween! And we can wear the hairbows! And matching skirts And, And! And—– I'm not making any sense, am I?" Mia laughed. "Let's talk about this like, when it's actually OCTOBER! Ok, I will see ya later, Mary!"
Mia's plans were to get out of the skating outfit and cuddle up to some TV in pajamas, but NO. Her owner, Ally, had OTHER plans. Next thing she knew, Mia wound up in a travel book bag.
And then, Mia had a car-ride to… to…. A SLEEPOVER! Flashes of girls went by. Laughing and noises and lights filled Mia's long night. It must have been a birthday sleepover. But, the restless night was finally over and Mia found herself very tired, but she just couldn't fall asleep. OOhhhoooHHHHuuuuuHH…
Right before Mia's eyes closed for a while, she felt a dainty, light hand pat her head. She looked up. "Mary…I mean, Marina???" she asked drowsily. " The girl made a face. "No… my name is Eva Grace, I'm one of the dolls here. Welcome to AGDC, American Girl Doll Central. You must be Mia! You're the second one we've had, you know." Now it was Mia's turn to make a face. "I am…uh… not sure what those words stand for. I'm supposed to go straight home with my owner, Ally, when this is over, so please, ma'am, Miss Eva, don't let her forget me. " Eva Grace didn't tell Mia the truth about the young girl's stay, but she said simply, "Come and meet the girls. I know you'll like them."
"Ok, Mia," said Eva Grace. "These are, Kit with the blond hair and blue eyes; Josefina is the girl in the blue dress with braided hair; Elsie is the historical, fancy girl with the brunette curls; and at the end you have Samantha in the cute, sporty outfit.
"Right here we have these girls. The first african-american girl with the blue dress and necklace is Lulu; the girl with glasses and a pink dress is Molly; you'll see african-american Addy in the yellow easter dress. Now in the black and white outfit with red hair is Felicity.
Lastly but not leastly, Kathleen with the black bows and red curls; and Maggie, who's..um….has to be fixed up a little. You'll learn about Maggie's history…..later.
Mia was pleased with meeting new friends, but her dreams in her nap that day were filled with strange pictures and scenes, and when Mia woke up, she knew something was TERRIBLY, HORRIBLY, UNFORGETABLEY WRONG.
NO. This could not be happening. Mia sprung to the window and began kicking and screaming and yelling, tears running down her cheeks. "NO, ALLY!" Mia screamed. "HOW DID YOU FORGET ME!!! YOU DON'T LOVE ME ANYMORE, YOU FOGOT ME IN A STRANGE PLACE! PLEASE COME GET ME, ALLY! I'M SCARED!!!!!" This happening could be in a horror movie in the doll world, so Mia was in total freaking out. "AHHHHHHH! ALLLLY!"
Mia ran to a corner and began to cry. Then another girl came up to her. Mia just wished it would stop. "What's wrong?" asked the girl. Mia reconized her as Molly. "Oh, Molly, something terrible has happened. Ally forgot me!!! She doesn't love me anymore and wants to give me up! I want her to come get me and love me again!!! But she forgot me! She..she… I WANT TO GO HOME!!!" Mia let out a yelping cry. But Molly rubbed her back. She wanted to laugh at the silly incident, but she didn't want to make Mia feel bad. "It's ok, Mia. You are only staying for two days. That means you visit, you are going home soon. Your owner still loves you a lot. She wants you to have FUN, so don't cry! '-giggle-' Ok, you come dress in something cozy, and meet me in the living room and talk.
Mia chose a purple cozy outfit and joined Molly. "Molly… I have to tell you something!!!" Mia said. Molly looked concerned. "Tell me, then!" Mia let out a shaking breath. "Molly, something else is terrible. I have a really important thing, the Lucerene Girls Ice Arena Competition, and it's in TWO DAYS! I don't know what to do." Molly nodded. "And you WILL make it. We will do it. I will take you to Thin Cruster Lake tomorrow. But right now, let's get some dinner. I'm hungry, and I'm sure you are too!"
What are Mia and Molly eating for dinner? Can you guess?
Comment and Rate! PLEASE! Thank you!
Traveling Mia and Addy Go to the Mall August 31, 2009
Filed under: Addy,Doll Fun,Mia — Madeline@AGDC @ 11:55 PM
"HEY, MIA, WAKE UP" Mia was hiding in a cave in France away from soldiers who were trying to capture her. She has saved a slave girl from a palace who had been treated badly, and now the two were trying to escape to America. Tomorrow they would catch a plane and do just that, if nobody caught them. But now the slave girl named Annie was asking Mia over and over to wake up. "Mia, PLEASE wake up, PLEASE." Then Mia woke up, her eyes still adjusting. Was the blur in front of her Addy? Yes, it was. It was all a dream.
"Addy, whatever do you need? I am still sleeping!" Mia grumped. "Mia, you are a LATE sleeper. I finished breakfast two HOURS ago." Addy said. "I want to know if you will go to the mall with me. I am going to get my hair done and buy a new IPod. Want to join me?" Mia smiled. "OF COURSE! Hold it, I'll go get dressed. And bring my money. I want to buy myself a hair treatment too!=, and maybe an IPod!
Mia borrowed an outfit from Eva Grace and pulled her hair in two pigtails. "Ready!" she said. "Let's go to the hair place, the Apple store, and wherever next!" Mia was so exited to be going out with her friend to the mall. It was so exiting!!!
The first place they went was Mountain View Hair Salon. Mia got her hair washed. The woman at the sink washing her hair, Mrs. Kibwana, was very gentle. She made sure Mia's special braid stayed tucked and nice during the whole thing. It was so soothing. Soap going through her hair, and it being all washed out again with cool water. Ahhh….
After Mrs.Kibwana washed Mia's hair, she clipped the braid back and began rolling Mia's hair up in curlers. Mia stared at herself in the mirror. How weird she looked!!! 🙂
"Now dumplin'," Mrs.Kibwana said. "Keep them curlers in for a while or so, I'll be back to check on ya in a little bit." Mia smiled at Mrs.Kibwana's accent. She called Addy over and the two of them read their favorite magazines to pass time. Mia though she should enter herself for "Crazy Hair" contest. Oh, those curlers!
Finally, Mia got the chance to take the curlers out. "Oh, how beautiful I look! Look at my curls bounce! Look at them bounce as I spin! LoOk At My CuRlErS!" Mia couldn't believe it. The beautiful, red-headed, curly-haired girl in the mirror in front of her was MIA SLUSARSKI! HER!
Next, the girls went to the Apple Store. Boy, were there lots of people in line for that. But they finally got in. They got to check out cool laptops, IPods, and more. Mia and Addy both each picked out a new blue IPod Nano. But at the checkout counter, it was too much money! They decided to share one, each paying one half.
The girls listened to music together. It was soothing and relaxing. "Mia, we didn't get to do much today. Maybe I will take you again tomorrow" Addy said. Mia was thankful. "Only if you feel like it, Addy. You are so nice, you are my friend. I love you" 🙂
"I love you too," said Addy. 🙂
Traveling Doll Mia is Here! August 29, 2009
Filed under: Doll Fun,Mia,Welcome! — Madeline@AGDC @ 1:40 AM
Hey Guys! I haven't posted on here in forever (I mean, only ads,) but it's been a while since I have posted a photo story. I saw that people haven't visited my website lately, but it's back! Yay! Ok, here it goes:
It was a fun summer day when there was a knock on the door. "I'll get it!" said Addy, and rushed o the door.
"Oh, it looks like somebody left this box here," said Addy, puzzled. "I am going to take it inside and show some of the girls.
"MIA?" asked Addy. "Is that you in that box?" Addy remembered that she should have been expecting Mia, who was Kit Maria's sister.
Addy called her sisters Felicity and Eva Grace and they all pulled the box of Mia.
"Hey, peoples!" Said MIa, bursting out of the box. "Kit Maria had a blast here, and I am ready to have just as much fun!" The circle of friends laughed and told stories.
Well, Mia is so happy to be here! Thank you for reading. And PLEASE PLEASE comment!


text:
Update from Food Security, Livelihoods & HIV/AIDS Working Group
An AIDS orphan collects her food ration
A second meeting of the Food Security, Livelihoods & HIV/AIDS Working Group (WG), co-chaired by Rebecca Brown (AAH) and Laura Phelps (Oxfam), was held on Tuesday 20th April 2004. The premise for the WG, which first met in December 2003, was to fill a perceived gap and provide an ongoing forum for exchanging views, skills and knowledge about Food Security and Livelihoods in the context of HIV and AIDS1.
The meeting began with a summary by the co-chairs of the main points of the previous meeting, with introductions including Mick Matthews, Secretariat of the UK Consortium on Aids and International Development. New agency members to the group, Concern Worldwide, CAFOD and Tear Fund, gave short presentations on their agency experiences relating to HIV/AIDS, while SC UK presented on a guide to the many issues needing to be considered when carrying out assessments or planning interventions.
Describing Concern's approach to mainstreaming HIV/AIDS, Paul Rees- Thomas outlined a recent internal audit that found an awareness of HIV/AIDS policy within the organisation, progress in terms of personal awareness, e.g. development of a critical illness policy, with further work needed, and ongoing, on mainstreaming HIV/AIDS in programmes throughout the Concern network2.
Other areas considered relevant to the Working Group included:
A Livelihoods Policy based upon labour reduction approaches.
Consideration of proxy indicators as an aid in targeting vulnerability.
Exploring geographical and regional differences.
Community based approaches to managing severe malnutrition, may offer a potential entry point to communities of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).
Comparing emergency response models as a platform for medium to long-term responses.
Looking at local production initiatives since emergency feeding activities are ultimately not sustainable in the longer term.
Ann Smith described how CAFOD is a partnership-based organisation working primarily with and through field partners, with regional offices in Harare and Nairobi. There is a four person HIV Support Section although this is about to be restructured. HIV is now being mainstreamed into thinking in all aspects of CAFOD's work. Since 1994/95, CAFOD have consistently worked at incorporating HIV perspectives into emergency response. However, translating theory into practical implementation has been a slow process. There is still a discrepancy between what CAFOD are saying and what they are doing. Food distribution through home based care programmes has now reached the point where there is uncertainty as to the way forward while efforts are being made to account for HIV in livelihoods programming.
Tear Fund
HIV is Tear Fund's main strategic priority and is mainstreamed across the 4 pillars of the agency's strategy: disaster management, advocacy, community development and pro-poor economic empowerment. Amy Slorach described how this developed from an internal review and pressure from partners for Tear Fund. Demands from partners have included the need for a different type of food basket to address the needs of people living with HIV/AIDS, and the need for more sophisticated targeting of food baskets linked to household size. Ongoing questions for Tear Fund include how to integrate HIV/AIDS into food security and other programmes, how to address the issue of sustainability, and how to address the issues for partner organisations affected by HIV and AIDS. Tear Fund has engaged ACET consultancy to work with partners and a report will be produced shortly which will be shared with other agencies.
Save the Children UK
Michael O'Donnell presented some key points from a draft paper3, intended for both managers and technical staff working on either food security or HIV/AIDS and reproductive health. It focuses on the economic impact of AIDS, highlights the linkages between HIV/AIDS and reproductive health, and considers how to translate these linkages into programming.
The remainder of the meeting explored whether there is a need for a working group and, if so, what should be the focus of activity. Key points to emerge were:
Before undertaking external advocacy, the group should carry out some internal research to highlight commonalities amongst the agencies involved. Internal summaries of organisational strengths and weaknesses in terms of HIV/AIDS programming would be useful.
There is a need for the WG to focus on more specific fields of activities within the sector. Exploring a specific issue at each meeting was suggested as one way of maintaining focus.
The group could provide a forum to stimulate and engage in discussion about how we understand the problems and address solutions. Sharing the Working Group thinking with field partners would be valuable to get guidance on what the group should be considering.
Potential joint projects between agencies should be explored, and may simply mean defining pieces of work each is doing and comparing and sharing the results
The meeting concluded that there is a need to document the wealth of field experience, especially in high HIV prevalence areas, and use this to develop an advocacy or programming tool.
It was agreed that operating within the UK Consortium structure would facilitate the working group's activities. The next meeting is scheduled for July 20th, and will likely focus on terms of reference for working within the Consortium, identifying next steps and further sharing of agency experiences.
For further information, or to contribute ideas on what you think the group should be looking at, contact: Laura Phelps, email: lphelps@oxfam.org.uk or Rebecca Brown, email: r.brown@aahuk.org
Proceedings of the working group meetings can be viewed on the UK Consortium website, http://www.aidsconsortium.org.uk
1See Field Exchange 22, HIV/AIDS and Food Security, summary of meeting, p22-23
2Further suggestions from discussions: A Toolkit, Guide for NGOs managing HIV/AIDS in the workplace is produced by the UK Consortium and available from the website http://www.aidsconsortium.org.uk. Also Plan International suggested as a reference for mainstreaming HIV throughout organisations, see http://www.plan-international.org
3Presentation by Michael O'Donnell, SC UK based upon draft paper, Food Security, Livelihoods & HIV/AIDS: A Guide to the Linkages, Measurement & Programming Implications. Available from - Michael O'Donnell, email: m.o'donnell@savethechildren.org.uk
FEX: People in Aid (issue 22)
Concern team in Sudan Offa Team 2 in Ethiopia Course participants at Help Age International Course on Ageing in Africa, held in Februrary 2004, in Kenya SCN - Between...
FEX: HIV/AIDS and Food Security
Summary of meeting Child-headed households benefiting from a home based care project Action Against Hunger (AAH) and Oxfam GB hosted an inter-agency meeting in London on Food...
FEX: The Food Security and Livelihoods in Urban Settings Working Group
The Food Security and Livelihoods in Urban Settings Working Group of the Global Food Security Cluster (gFSC Working Group) is composed of approximately 20 organisations...
FEX: Evolution of a Crisis: a Save the Children UK perspective
By Mark Wright Mark Wright was the Save the Children Programme Officer for Southern Africa from November 2000 to November 2002. This article details Save the Children UK's...
FEX: Valid International Ltd.
Name Valid International Ltd. Email address office@validinternational.org Address Unit 4, Oxford Enterprise Centre, Standingford House, Oxford, OX4 1BA, UK. Year...
FEX: CAFOD
Name CAFOD Internet http://www.cafod.org.uk Address Romero Close, Stockwell Rd, London, SW9 9TY Director Julian Filochowski Telephone +44 207 733 7900 Overseas staff approx...
FEX: Introduction (Special Supplement 3)
Glossary AAH Action Against Hunger ACF Action Contre la Faim ACF-E ACF-Spain ALDEF Arid Lands Development Focus AREN Association pour la Revitalisation de l'Elevage...
There are two major themes running through this issue of Field Exchange. The first is a focus on Southern Africa and the programmatic challenges presented by HIV/AIDS and the...
FEX: HIV/AIDS and Food Crises: Next Steps for RENEWAL
There is some evidence and growing recognition that the spread of HIV/AIDS has increased the sensitivity of agrarian society, so that small shocks can precipitate crises for...
FEX: Global crisis – global action: an international effort to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS
Alarmed by the accelerating epidemic and its global impact, the United Nations General Assembly convened a special session on HIV/AIDS at the highest political level (UNGASS)....
FEX: Food Security, Nutrition and HIV/AIDS in Relief and Development
Meeting report1 Concern Worldwide UK recently convened a meeting in London on food security, nutrition and HIV/AIDS. The meeting was attended by senior officers from UK-based...
en-net: Nutrition & Health Advisor , New York, Concern Worldwide
Description: The nutrition & health advisor's prime responsibility is to ensure high quality technical support to Concern's nutrition and health work in emergency, transition...
FEX: References for Special Supplement 3
Beatrice, a beneficiary of the CRS seed voucher scheme in Burundi 1. Abdulai A., Barret, C., Hoddinott, J. (2004, June). Does food aid really have disincentive effects? new...
en-net: 15-820: Technical Surge Advisor- CMAM
15-820: Technical Surge Advisor- CMAM Country: Global Department: Nutrition and Food Security Essential Job Duties/Scope of Work: Title: Technical Surge...
FEX: Muslim Aid
Name Muslim Aid Director(s) Saif Ahmad CEO Address PO Box 3, London E1 1WP Year formed 1985 Telephone +44(0)20 7377 4200 Main office UK Fax +44(0)20 7377 4201 Overseas...
FEX: Africa Forum 2009 - An experience in adult learning
By Kara Greenblott Kara Greenblott lived and worked in Africa and Southeast Asia for 11 years managing a diverse range of humanitarian programmes. She has a Masters degree in...
15-820: Technical Surge Advisor- CMAM Country: Global Department: Nutrition and Food Security Essential Job Duties/Scope of Work: Title: Technical...
Livelihood activities in South Sudan 1. World Health Organisation (WHO), Management of Severe Malnutrition: A manual for physicians and other senior health workers. Geneva:...
FEX: Review of targeting methods in HIV programmes
By Josh Colston Josh Colston studies demography and public health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. In the past he has worked as lecturer in British...
FEX: HIV/Aids, livelihoods and food security
With increasing concerns regarding the impact of HIV/AIDS on people's livelihoods, there is growing need to reorientate agriculture, food and nutrition security programs to...
Article Type: News & Views
Update from Food Security, Livelihoods & HIV/AIDS Working Group. Field Exchange 22, July 2004. p17. www.ennonline.net/fex/22/update


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Q: How to write array of raw bytes to google cloud storage as binary file I'm making an AE app that algorithmically produces a raw binary file (mostly 16-bit bytes with some 32-bit header bytes) which is then downloaded by the user. I can produce this array and write it to a file in normal python using the following simple code:
import numpy as np
import array as arr

toy_data_to_write = arr.array('h', np.zeros(10, dtype=np.int16))
output_file = open('testFile.xyz', 'wb')
toy_data_to_write.tofile(output_file)

Obviously, this won't work in AE because writes are not allowed, so I tried to do something similar in the GCS:
import cloudstorage as gcs

self.response.headers['Content-Type'] = 'application/octet-stream'
self.response.headers['Content-Disposition'] = 'attachment; filename=testFile.xyz'
testfilename = '/' + 'xyz-app.appspot.com' + '/testfile'
gcs_file = gcs.open(testfilename,'w',content_type='application/octet-stream')
testdata = arr.array('h', np.zeros(10, dtype=np.int16))
gcs_file.write(testdata)
gcs_file.close()
gcs_file = gcs.open(testfilename)
self.response.write(gcs_file.read())
gcs_file.close()

This code gives me a TypeError, basically saying that write() expects a string and nothing else. Note that the array module's .tofile() function does not work with AE/GCS.
Is there any way for me to write a file like this? My understanding is that I can't somehow encode a string to be raw binary that will be written correctly (not ASCII or somesuch), so what I want may be impossible? :( Is the Blobstore any different? Also there's a similar(-sounding) question (here), but it's not at all what I'm trying to do.
It's worth mentioning that I don't really need to write the file -- I just need to be able to serve it back to the user, if that helps.

A: Use the array.tostring function:
gcs_file.write(testdata.tostring())

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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text:
Monday, Mar 7 2005
Schwarzenegger Announces Support for Legislation Addressing Health Snacks in Schools
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) on Sunday indicated support for legislation to "ban the sale of all junk food in the public schools" in California, the Sacramento Bee reports. Responding to a question from a fan at the Arnold Classic bodybuilding event in Columbus, Ohio, Schwarzenegger said vending machines in public schools should be filled with "good food and fresh vegetables" (Delsohn, Sacramento Bee , 3/7).
According to the Los Angeles Times , aides later "clarified" Schwarzenegger's comments, saying that the governor is working on legislation to substitute milk and juice for soft drinks in school vending machines and place more fruits and vegetables in vending machines (Nicholas, Los Angeles Times , 3/7).
Schwarzenegger Chief of Staff Pat Clarey said, "I wouldn't say we're going to ban all" junk food, adding, "We just are looking at additional bills that will deal with snack food at high schools. ... We're looking for healthy snacks" ( AP/Newark Star-Ledger , 3/7). Clarey said Schwarzenegger is working with "four or five groups of people" to draft legislation.
Schwarzenegger supports a bill (SB 965) by Sen. Martha Escutia (D-Whittier) that would ban soft drinks in high schools beginning in 2009. Former Gov. Gray Davis (D) in 2003 signed a bill banning most soda sales in elementary and middle schools.
Schwarzenegger also supports a bill (SB 281) by Sen. Abel Maldonado (R-Santa Maria) that would create a two-year test program to distribute fruits and vegetables to students at as many as 25 schools at no cost ( Sacramento Bee , 3/7).
In addition, the San Jose Mercury News reports that Schwarzenegger is working with food manufacturers and school officials to develop legislation to make nutritious snacks more widely available in schools (Marimow, San Jose Mercury News , 3/7).
Schwarzenegger aides said that "changing current practices would not be easy," the Times reports. Schools sometimes use vending machines as fundraising tools, and defining "junk food" could be difficult, an aide said.
Escutia said Schwarzenegger's comments were "fantastic news," adding, "The governor clearly understands the link between health and academic accomplishment" ( Los Angeles Times , 3/7).


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Lakers vs. Blazers Final Score: LeBron James can't end L.A.'s losing streak against Portland
The Lakers have now lost 16 games in a row against the Trail Blazers after dropping the purple and gold debut of LeBron James.
By Christian Rivas@RadRivas Oct 18, 2018, 10:19pm PDT
Share All sharing options for: Lakers vs. Blazers Final Score: LeBron James can't end L.A.'s losing streak against Portland
Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images
LeBron James couldn't put an end to the Los Angeles Lakers' four-year losing streak to the Portland Trail Blazers as the Lakers lost 128-119 at the Moda Center on Friday. The Lakers have now lost their last 16 games to the Trail Blazers.
James was the talking point going into Friday's game and he showed why, putting up a team-high 26 points to go along with 12 rebounds and 6 assists in a game-high 37 minutes. Unfortunately, his impressive stat line wasn't enough to get the Lakers a win in their regular season opener and James' purple and gold debut.
While James' supporting cast showed up, the Lakers had no answer for Portland's hot shooting guards, namely former No. 8 overall pick Nik Stauskas. Yes, you read that right.
Stauskas ended the night with 24 points on 63.6 percent shooting from the field, including 62.5 percent (5-of-8) from behind the arc. He accounted for 5 of the Blazers' 15 3-point attempts.
Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum also reminded the league why they're one of the most dangerous backcourts in the NBA, combining for 47 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists.
As expected, outside shooting is what separated the two teams in their first meeting. The Trail Blazers made 35 percent of their 37 total 3-point attempts, while the Lakers made just 7 of their 29 total attempts from deep.
Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram and James shot a combined 1-for-15 from behind the 3-point line. Josh Hart, who put up 20 points off the bench, led the Lakers with two 3-point makes on three attempts.
It was only the first game of the season, but all the of the concerns about the Lakers' shooting looked legitimate on Friday.
The Lakers will look to bounce back in their own building against a Houston Rockets team that was blown out in their home opener on Thursday when they host the Rockets on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
You can follow this author on Twitter at @RadRivas.


FOOD SNOB: springtime sandwich FTW!
Hey hey ... is it spring in your neck of the woods? While we are expecting a chilly, damp week this week, there are definitely signs ... trees are budding, grass is greening, bulbs are beginning to peek up and open, flowers are blooming! An early spring in Minnesota is always a welcome treat, as we frequently have cold temperatures (and sometimes snow!) well into the first week of May. Hooray!
It's entirely possible that the most exciting part of spring, for me, is the return of local, fresh produce. While we still aren't getting much locally grown, (other than some downright glorious, dark-green, Hulk-sized spinach,) one can pick up a bunch or two of California asparagus and dream of delicious things to come, right?
THIS SANDWICH. I forget where I originally got the idea for this sandwich, (maybe The Kitchn?), but I don't even care -- I don't really even like sandwiches all that much, and I can't get enough! Crusty, toasted bread, asparagus, hard-cooked egg ... what's not to like? I believe the original article suggested making this sandwich on a length of baguette, but I have been loving these mini-stirato that I have picked up from the co-op bakery ... they are just the right size and shape for hollowing-out, toasting, and stuffing full of springtime goodness.
P.S. This sandwich is yet another way for me to use up the vast quantity of pickled onions I canned last summer. Springtime sandwich FTW!
1. Assemble sandwich: spread one half of the toasted bread with mustard, drizzle the other half with olive oil. Stuff full of delicious ingredients. Squeeze on a little lemon.
I hear this sandwich keeps well, but, really ... why would you want to wait to eat something so delicious?
How have you been enjoying spring produce?
That sandwich looks divine! So happy it's finally spring in MN. This weekend isn't so beautiful, but I see leaves on the trees now, which is a sign of great things to come!


The main character of the series is Orson, the titular "spaceman," who was genetically engineered and bred by NASA for space exploration. But NASA collapsed and he never did end up going to space. Like so many others, he's stuck in a miserable, futile life on the flooded Earth.
Orson makes his living, if you can call it that, scavenging in the waters for junk to sell. He learns today that the government just devalued the dollar. Again.
Really interesting stuff, even if the premise isn't entirely what I'd expect from Azz and Risso. Looks great, as always with Risso.
The one-dollar first issue is actually a regular initiative of Vertigo's, I believe. They either put out a new number one for a dollar or reprint an old number one to get people into a trade, just like the first trade of a Vertigo series usually has more issues and costs less money than other trades.
That last page is his hallucination I take it?
Given the rise of txt spk irl, don't you find it oddly appropriate? I think it's quite telling that the most severe futurespeak seems to be coming from the younger characters. Just because he's come up with a not entirely original take on future language, doesn't mean Azzarello hasn't worked hard, either.
Also, what would you prefer?


text:
University of NottinghamHRLCEventsConferences and Workshops
Human Rights Law Centre
About HRLC
Short Courses and Training
Annual Student Conference
LLM Human Rights Law
Tackling Root Causes? EU Aid and Governance to Control Migration
On 7-8 November 2017, the Forced Migration Unit convened a workshop on Tackling Root Causes? EU Aid and Governance to Control Migration.
The workshop brought together scholars, non-governmental organisations, policy- and lawmakers to discuss the nexus between EU development policies and EU migration policies, and their broader legal and political implications. Workshop participants decided to form a network and collaborate to create the FMU Policy Brief Series.
During the workshop, discussions were centred around the EU's response to the European refugee 'crisis' and its increasingly intensified approach to the external dimensions of its migration policy, that has been particularly prevalent following the launch of the European Agenda on Migration in May 2015.
Dr Ana Aliverti Associate Professor, School of Law, University of Warwick
Dr Mohamed Abdelsalam Babiker Associate Professor of International Law, University of Khartoum
Dr Jean-Pierre Cassarino Researcher, Research Institute on the Contemporary Maghreb
Giulia Crescini Lawyer and Consultant, Association for Legal Studies on Immigration
Dr Daria Davitti Assistant Professor in Law and Head of the Forced Migration Unit, Human Rights Law Centre, University of Nottingham
Dr Alan Desmond Lecturer, School of Law, University of Leicester
Marlene Fries University of Nottingham
Sakhi Ghulam University of Nottingham
Dr Mariagiulia Giuffré Senior Lecturer in Law, Edge Hill University
Dr Nilima Gulrajani Senior Research Fellow, Overseas Development Institute
Muhammad al-Kashef Researcher, Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights.
Anna Knoll Head of the Migration Programme, European Centre for Development Policy Management
Judith Kopp, Pro-Asyl
Dr Annamaria La Chimia Associate Professor in Law and Humanitarian and Development Procurement Unit of the Public Procurement Research Group (PPRG)
Professor Dominic McGoldrick Professor of International Human Rights Law and Co-Director, Human Rights Law Centre, University of Nottingham
Dr Frank McNamara Policy Analyst, European Migration and Diversity Programme, European Policy Centre
Professor Stéphanie de Morloose Professor of International Development Cooperation, Faculty of Law and International Programmes at Austral University
Dr Amrei Müller Leverhulme Trust Early Career researcher at the Health & Human Rights Unit, School of Law, Queen's University Belfast
Loretta Napoleoni Journalist and Author
Dr Lutz Oette Senior Lecturer in Law, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London
Gabriele Restelli PhD Researcher, Global Development Institute, University of Manchester
Imogen Richmond-Bishop Communications and Development Manager, The AIRE Centre
Claire Seaward Migration Campaign Manager, Oxfam Europe
Dr Celine Tan Associate Professor, School of Law, University of Warwick
Marie Walter-Franke PhD Researcher, Freie Universität Berlin
Professor Nigel White Professor of Public International Law and Head of the School of Law, University of Nottingham
Elizabeth Willmington PhD Researcher, University of Cardiff
Laura Wills Researcher, Human Rights Law Centre, University of Nottingham
The Execution of Judgments of the European Court of Human Rights
On 28-29 September 2017, HRLC held an expert workshop on The Execution of European Court of Human Rights Judgementsorganised in partnership with the Department for the Execution of Judgments of the European Court of Human Rights.
The workshop discussed the difficulties that States and the Court face in ensuring the execution of ECtHR judgments. In particular, the focus was on judgments about the procedural obligation to investigate alleged violations of Articles 2 and 3.
Dr Ed Bates Associate Professor, School of Law, University of Leicester
Ayse Bingol Demir Legal Officer, Media Legal Defence Initiative
Sir Nicolas Bratza Former President of the European Court of Human Rights
Carla Buckley Research Fellow, Human Rights Law Centre, University of Nottingham
Olga Chernishova Head of Legal Division, Registry of the European Court of Human Rights, Council of Europe
Rosalind Comyn Legal and Policy Officer, Rights Watch UK
Leiry Cornejo Chavez Visiting Researcher at Pluricourts, Doctoral Research in Law, European University Institute
Professor Fiona De Londras Professor of Global Legal Studies, University of Birmingham
Professor Brice Dickson Professor of International and Comparative Law, Queen's University Belfast
Dr Kanstantsin Dzehtsiarou Senior Lecturer, School of Law and Social Justice, University of Liverpool
Joanna Evans Legal Director, European Human Rights Advocacy Centre, Middlesex University
Chris Flatt Deputy Director (Legacy), UK Northern Ireland Office
Professor David Harris Professor Emeritus and Co-Director, Human Rights Law Centre, University of Nottingham
Katherine Hill Committee Specialist, Joint Committee on Human Rights
Murray Hunt Director of the Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law, British Institute of International and Comparative Law
Dr Laurens Lavrysen Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Human Rights Centre, Ghent University
Paul Mahoney Former UK Judge on the European Court of Human Rights
Professor Alastair Mowbray Professor of Public Law, University of Nottingham
Pavlo Pushkar Head of Legal Division, Department for the Execution of Judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, Directorate General of Human Rights and the Rule of Law, Council of Europe
Sangeeta Shah Associate Professor in Law, University of Nottingham
Øyvind Stiansen Doctoral Research Fellow, Pluricourts, University of Oslo
Dr Stuart Wallace Lecturer in Law, Fellow and Director of Studies, Homerton College, University of Cambridge
Business, Human Rights and Security
On 26 and 27 January 2017, HRLC's Business, Trade and Human Rights Unit and the Nottingham International Law and Security Centre (NILSC) organised a conference on Business, Human Rights and Security.
The conference programme consisted of both keynote presentations and panel sessions and participants discussed the following:
Locating the authority of state and non-state actors in complex societal and business arrangements
The roles and responsibilities of MNCs and other business enterprises operating in weak governance states
The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and the state-business-security nexus
Business, human rights and the security nexus in the agricultural commodities sector
Access to remedy: a review of business, human rights & security complaints and grievance mechanisms
The Conference also included dissemination of the results of research funded by the NWO (Dutch Scientific Organisation) in which NILSC is engaged, together with the Dutch NGO Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations and the Indonesian NGO Inkrispena.
The research examines the role of private and state security actors in Indonesia, with case studies of the link between business, human rights and security in the palm oil and paper and pulp industries.
The United Nations Special Procedures System: An Expert Workshop
In November 2014, Professor Aoife Nolan and Professor Thérèse Murphy, Joint Heads of HRLC's Economic and Social Rights Unit, along with Dr Rosa Freedman ran an Expert Workshop on the UN Special Procedures System.
Special Procedures are part of the work of the Human Rights Council; they are independent human rights experts with either a thematic or country specific mandate to report and advise on human rights.
The Workshop considered the development and structure of the Special Procedures system and an array of topical issues. Sessions were held on:
Development and Structure of the Special Procedures System
Operationalisation of the Special Procedures
Engagement with States, the 'Politicisation' of Mandates, and the Impact of Ideological Tensions on the Special Procedures System
The event brought together current and former mandate holders, scholars and a variety of other professionals with experience in relation to Special Procedures work.
Proceedings from the Workshop formed the basis of a book.
View further information, including the Workshop programme
View the Executive Summary, including background information, an overview of the discussions and proposals for reform
Human Rights and Conscientious Objections - Theory and Practice
On Wednesday 5 November 2014 HRLC organised a one day conference on Human Rights and Conscientious Objections – Theory and Practice.
Presentations covered national, European and international perspectives on a range of current issues including:
The moral or philosophical basis for conscientious objections
Religiously based conscientious objections
Whether conscientious objections are protected as part of freedom of religion
The relationship between conscientious objection and civil disobedience
Conscientious objections to military service
Conscientious objections in a healthcare context
Whether conscientious objections should be recognised by legal systems and if so, how
Dr Yossi Nehushtan (Keele University): 'Civic Conscience, Selective Conscientious Objection and Lack of Choice'
Dr Kimberley Brownlee (Warwick University): 'The philosophical basis for recognising conscientious objections'
Dr Mary Neal (Strathclyde University) 'Conscience, Healthcare and Human Rights: issues raised by the Doogan litigation?'
Professor Peter Cumper (Leicester University) 'The public manifestation of religion/belief: the limits of conscience'
Professor Dominic McGoldrick (University of Nottingham) 'Recognising Conscientious Objections – Perspectives from the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights'
View the conference programme
Cooperation and the International Criminal Court: An Expert Workshop
From 18-19 September 2014, HRLC hosted an Expert Workshop on Cooperation and the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Participants included experts from academia, government and civil society as well as practitioners from the ICC Presidency, Registry, Chambers and Office of the Prosecutor.
The two-day event comprised seven panels, each of which addressed a specific topic pertaining to cooperation with the ICC:
The ICC Cooperation Regime
Non-Cooperation with the ICC
Cooperation and Witness-Related Issues
Cooperation and the Freezing of Assets
Cooperation and Issues at the National Level
Strengthening the ICC Cooperation Regime
Next Steps: The Cooperation and Judicial Assistance Database (CJAD)
The Workshop Final Report was made available publicly in February 2015.
hrlc@nottingham.ac.uk


text:
Free Yoga Workshop
Yoga for Pregnant Women
Surya Shakti for Children
New Year's Celebrations
Article/
Devi showers her grace on salem
On July 11 2011, in the presence of Sadhguru, the Bhoomi Pooja for the first full-fledged Bhairavi space outside the Isha Yoga Center was conducted in Salem.
ArticleJul 14, 2011
At 8 o' clock in the morning on July 11, in the presence of Sadhguru, the Bhoomi Pooja for the first full-fledged Bhairavi space outside the Isha Yoga Center was conducted in Salem. The Linga Bhairavi located on 1.5 acres of land on the Salem Omaloor Main Road, opposite the Salem Government Engineering College will be a blessing for the people of Salem. Devi, in all her grace and beauty will now be just a short drive away for Salemites.
Sadhguru was received with a traditional welcome to the sound of drums and chants. The foundation stone for this space was laid and the pre-consecration form of Bhairavi was established. Later on Sadhguru spoke about how the construction team expressed that they could complete the structure in 8 months, but Sadhguru joked that they should do it in 9 months because that would be more appropriate. He also mentioned that this was an important step in the growth of the whole of Salem city. He spoke about the upcoming Salem megaclass in September and said that with Devi in Salem, if thousands of people become meditative, there would be a tremendous revolution – a silent revolution – without any sound, noise or violence. At the end of the function, the participants received Prasadam blessed by Sadhguru. PGH also organized the distribution of free tree saplings.
One of the volunteers at the event shared his experience,
"I postponed my plan to come to the ashram to participate in the Shoonya program because Bhairavi and Sadhguru were coming to Salem. I could feel the vibrancy and energy of the place after the Devi was installed by Sadhguru. I am so happy that Devi has come to Salem. I would like to get my daughter's ears pierced and her vidyarambham in Salem itself instead of in Coimbatore. It is really wonderful to see everybody's enthusiasm and commitment to take care of Devi every day, whether they eat, sleep or not."
Get weekly updates on the latest blogs via newsletters right in your mailbox.
GraceLinga Bhairavi
Navratri Sadhana, 2021
Make the most of these nine nights of the Divine Feminine with a simple yet powerful spiritual process. Designed by Sadhguru, the 11-day guided Navratri Sadhana is being offered online for the first time (5 Oct to 15 Oct, 2021).
Navratri 2021 – Nine Nights of Devi
Learn all about the nine auspicious nights of Devi and how one can make the most of this time for one's wellbeing and spiritual growth.
15 Navratri Wishes
Here are 15 Navratri wishes to share with your loved ones on these nine auspicious nights of Devi.
1-2 Silex St, London SE1
london@ishafoundation.org


text:
CTA Opens 61st Season with 'Tarzan'
The king of the apes swings to Children's Theatre of Annapolis' stage in this adaptation of the Disney film.
ANNAPOLIS, Md.—Children's Theatre of Annapolis (CTA) is proud to open its 61st season with Tarzan, based on Disney's epic animated musical adventure and featuring music by rock legend, Phil Collins, including the Academy Award-winning "You'll Be in My Heart." The production runs from November 1 to 17, 2019, at CTA's theatre, located at 1661 Bay Head Road, Annapolis.
Washed up on the shores of West Africa, an infant boy is taken in and raised by gorillas who name him Tarzan. Apart from striving for acceptance from his ape father, Tarzan's life is mostly monkey business until a human expedition treks into his tribe's territory, and he encounters creatures like himself for the first time. Tarzan struggles to navigate a jungle, thick with emotion, as he discovers his animal upbringing clashing with his human instincts.
CTA's production features 28 local teenagers, who attend myriad middle and high schools, including Bates Middle, Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High, Magothy Middle, Severn River Middle, Severna Park Middle, Annapolis Area Christian, Annapolis High, Broadneck High, Kent Island High, Key School, North County High, Severna Park High and South River High, as well as home-schooled students.
The production is directed by Gerrad Alex Taylor, who also oversees all programing in The Studio at Chesapeake Shakespeare Company and teaches at University of Maryland, Baltimore County. He's joined by music director/conductor Emily L. Sergo, a CTA alumna who's also worked with Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre and Colonial Players of Annapolis, and choreographer Jason Kimmell, who also serves at CTA's theatre operations manager/education director. The trio last teamed up as the artistic staff for CTA's production of Shrek during the 2013-2014 season.
Tarzan runs from November 1 to 17, 2019, at CTA's facility located at 1661 Bay Head Road in Annapolis. Tickets, which are $15 adults and $12 seniors, military and kids 12 and under, and can be purchased online at CTA.ticketleap.com.
The cast and artistic staff of Tarzan are available for interviews. To schedule, email Kelsey Casselbury at ctapublicity@gmail.com. For more information about CTA, visit the website at www.childrenstheatreofannapolis.org.
Top: Liam O'Toole plays Tarzan and Zoë Argabright plays Jane Porter in CTA's production of Tarzan.
Bottom: Braden Andrew plays Porter in CTA's production of Tarzan.
Photos by Andrew Wilson


A'dal has asked you to slay Mechano-Lord Capacitus in the Mechanar of Tempest Keep.
The Mechanar employs my race's technology to create manacells, objects which provide great amounts of power.
I need you to eliminate Mechano-Lord Capacitus so that Kael'thas' forces cannot harvest that power.
You have done well, <name>. But more work remains to be done.
This page was last edited on 18 September 2018, at 16:26.


If you've recently enrolled in a school and been asked to create a myTeachable account, you may be wondering what exactly that means—and why some Teachable-powered schools require one while others don't. This guide will explain how to use a myTeachable account as a student.
myTeachable accounts are a way to make your user experience more simple and efficient. Before, students had to create a brand-new account every time they wanted to take a course on a different Teachable-powered school, which was frustrating and time-consuming (and confused password manager tools).
The solution to that problem is myTeachable accounts, which make it easy to enroll in any myTeachable-enabled school with just one or two clicks. If you already have a myTeachable account, that's all you'll need to continue on a myTeachable-enabled school: no new accounts necessary. You can enroll in as many courses as you like, and be able to access them all from your central dashboard at my.teachable.com.
Students are also able to securely store their credit/debit card information on myTeachable. This expedites the checkout process for courses on myTeachable-enabled schools as students will not have to reenter their card information.
If you're a student in several courses across multiple Teachable-powered schools, you may have noticed that some allow you to use your myTeachable account, while others require you to create a new account usable on their school only. This is the case because enabling myTeachable account logins for school users is up to the discretion of each individual school owner.
School owners can choose to enable myTeachable for their users at any time, so don't be surprised if you log in one day and are asked to continue with your myTeachable account (picture below) when previously it was not enabled on that school. As long as the school account and myTeachable account use the same email address, you should be automatically recognized.
Option A: Enroll as a new student on a myTeachable-enabled school. You'll automatically start out with a myTeachable account when you sign up for that school.
When you click Create a myTeachable Account, your previous account will be automatically converted into a myTeachable account, with no extra effort on your part.
NOTE: If you had already created a myTeachable account under a different email address, you can click I have an existing myTeachable Account to log in with that one.
Option C: Sign up for an account directly by going to my.teachable.com. Simply follow this link and you'll be taken straight to the page where you can sign up for an account.


text:
Q: Is the Comparison Lemma valid for Asymptotic solutions of the differential inequality? The comparison lemma (from Khalil's Nonlinear Systems book) is stated as follows:
Lemma 3.4
Consider the scalar differential equation
$$\dot{u} = f(t,u), \quad u(t_0) = u_0 $$
where $f(t,u)$ is continuous in $t$ and locally Lipschitz in $u$ for all $t \ge0$. Let $[t_0,T)$ be the maximimal interval of existence for the solution $u(t)$. Let $v(t)$ be a continuous function that satisfies the differential inequality
$$\dot{v}(t) \le f(t,v(t)), \quad v(t_0)\le u_0, \quad \forall t\in [t_0,T) $$
Then, $$ v(t) \le u(t), \quad \forall t\in [t_0,T).$$
Question
I have an inequality such as this, but $f(t,u)$ is nontrivial to solve analytically, but I believe I can obtain an asymptotic solution, say
$$ u(t) \sim \tilde{u}(t),\quad  t \rightarrow \infty.$$
For, say,  $T = \infty$, are there any existing theorems such that it possible to conclude that
$$ v(t) \le \tilde{u}(t), \quad \forall t\in [T_0,\infty),$$
for some $T_0$ sufficiently large?


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"Summer Days" is the aptly titled debut single from Los Angeles' The Reflections. It's bright, catchy and clean like the golden glow of the late afternoon sun. Their Facebook profile notes that "The Reflections were born when Darian Zahedi and Jon Safley began collaborating together earlier this year, often sending ideas back and forth while on the road with other projects. Along with bassist, Brady Wills they finished up an album's worth of songs." Their first album, Limerence, will follow in early 2013. Keep your eyes/ears open.
Follow The Reflections on Facebook.


text:
Q: ASP.NET Querystrings I got this code in order to build an url for the link using a querystring from the current page. The problem is.... It doens't work. Any suggestions?
<asp:hyperlink ID="link1" runat="server" NavigateUrl='<%@("Equipamentos.aspx?ID_Cliente=")+Request.QueryString    ("ID_Cliente").trim.tostring()%>'>Equipamentos</asp:HyperLink>

A: Gah, my eyes!  Try doing this in code behind instead:

link1.NavigateUrl = "Equipamentos.aspx?ID_Cliente=" & Request.QueryString("ID_Cliente").Trim().ToString()

You have to use "&" instead of "+" because this is VB.NET, not C#.

A: Your ASP.NET code should look like this:
<asp:HyperLink ID="link1" runat="server" NavigateUrl=''>Equipamentos</asp:HyperLink>

And then add this in code behind:
this.link1.NavigateUrl = string.Format("Equipamentos.aspx?ID_Cliente={0}", Request.QueryString["ID_Cliente"].Trim());

A: Try this instead :
<asp:hyperlink ID="link1" runat="server"
  NavigateUrl='<%= ("Equipamentos.aspx?ID_Cliente=")
  + Request.QueryString("ID_Cliente").Trim().ToString() %>'>
  Equipamentos</asp:HyperLink>

A: The
<%@ %>

tags are for directives, such as registering controls. You need a
<%= %>

tag, which is called a code evaluation block.
Something like
<%= (5+5).ToString() %>

is what you need - try your code in there.

A: You are not going to be able to set the NavigateUrl of the link in this way.  Try something like this:
<asp:hyperlink
    ID="link1"
    runat="server">Equipamentos</asp:HyperLink>

And then in your codebehing or a script tag do this:
link1.NavigateUrl = "Equipamentos.aspx?ID_Cliente="
    + Request.QueryString("ID_Cliente").Trim().ToString();

A: As I know you can't use "<%= %>" with server controls. So you can:
1. Leave it as a server control and follow Andrew Hare's (or similar) answer.
2. Use client control: "<a />" and "<%= %>" should work.


Pristine Properties is coming up with its new project Pristine East Winds at Wagholi on Nagar Road, Kharadi Annexe, Pune.
Pristine East Winds will offer 80 residential apartments in 4 blocks, coming up on stilt + 4 floors, with 1 BHK and 3 BHK configurations, available in sizes ranging from 648 sq.ft to 918 sq.ft.
Features and amenities include designer entrance gate, children's play area, senior citizen's sit outs, sand pit, herbal park, landscaped garden, multipurpose lawn, club house, jogging track, gymnasium, amphitheater, paved and landscaped pathway, power backup and rain water harvesting.
The total price of an apartments has been set at Rs.22 lakhs* onward.


Audience participation was an exciting element in Alex Lough's richly textured Sonic Activation performance piece at CVC. The new work, the culmination of a three month long effort, used breath, gesture and motion to create a changing sonic environment that audience members experienced and influenced by moving through the performance space. Members of Florida International University's Electro-Acoustic Ensemble layered in music and sounds from Lough's original scores, punctuating meditative passages with high energy phrases creating a 21st century symphonic structure. Congrats to Alex and FLEA!


I waited forever to read Six of Crows. I was so scared! I wasn't the biggest fan of the Grisha trilogy but all my friends seemed to love SoC. However, when I finally read the duology, I was so mad at myself for waiting so long. It was absolutely amazing and now I myself am a rabid fan.
So this book didn't have quite the same level of hype as the others... but I do know many, many devoted fans of Melina Marchetta. Thankfully, I adored Saving Francesca. And I'm no longer scared to read Marchetta's books now.
Sabaa Tahir rocks. I was tentatively expecting An Ember In The Ashes to be another sub-par, over-hyped dystopian let-down. It wasn't. This series is incredible and addicting.
I just finished this book yesterday and now I need Thunderhead! I wasn't expecting to like a series about death... but it was so good. I would definitely have never picked it up if there hadn't been sooo much hype. I'll have a review up soon.
These books have terrible covers and are about vampires (not my favorite). Yet this series has become one of my most beloved of all time. I'm glad for its enormous popularity.
This beautiful, heart-wrenching novel deserves all its praise. This is on my list of books that I think everyone should read. Everyone.
I grabbed this at the airport during a long layover. It was on the one of those "bestsellers" stands. I was hesitant - thinking it would be silly - but the book was the perfect mis of entertaining and nuanced.


By choosing to hang on to your corner of freedom in even the worst situations, you can process your world with the energy of appreciation and beauty, and create an opportunity to transcend your circumstances."
I love my freedom ~! But seems like when something happens in my life it brings me right back to God.. He is my stronghold and gives me such peace and loves me so much.
Love Dyer--he is such a smart man and I appreciate this quote.


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Kendrick Lamar has delivered national hits once again with the hip-hop soundtrack to "Black Panther." This album is not only for the highly anticipated Marvel film Black Panther but also the album and mood for the rest of Black History Month.
The album had people scrambling to download and finally listen to it when Lamar tweeted the iTunes link on Feb. 9. With artists like Future, Jorja Smith, The Weekend and other big names, this album is representative of black excellence at its finest.
With almost all of the songs either using African instruments or having African language spoken throughout the song, it lets fans know Lamar took his time and took this project seriously, making sure each sound and lyric gave a clear emotion so the listener could feel transported into the world of Wakanda.
It also makes the album a perfect soundtrack for the film Black Panther and the celebrated Black History Month, with so many great African-American musicians on the track list all bringing a different twist to a song. There are a number of songs for different scenarios and scenes in the movie that you can somewhat imagine being transported to while listening to each.
The opening track of the album is a song titled "Black Panther," which has a feel of being put in T'Challa's point-of-view, with heavy, dramatic drums and effects, as well as Lamar rapping, to get listeners into Black Panther's protagonist's head — but only for a little while, as the song comes in way too short at only 2 minutes.
Alongside "Paramedic," the other favorites, according to Twitter, are "All the Stars" with SZA and "X" with 2 Chainz and Saudi. Although it's obvious, the entire track list gets people not only dancing but also more excited than they already were for the film.
One twitter user, The Hood Oracle, says as much, "Y'all gonna have to mute me from now until March 1st all ima be talking about is Black Panther." And they aren't the only ones, with so many people around social media giving this album the recognition it deserves.
You can stream/buy the soundtrack everywhere and get yourself ready for the movie, which comes out this Friday.


text:
Court round-up: The latest from the region's courts
Including defendants from Fenton, Fegg Hayes, Bucknall, Stone, Trent Vale and Newcastle
Stoke-on-Trent Live
Here are the latest cases from Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court:
FENTON:
A 56-year-old man has appeared in court charged with sex offences.
Glynn Chesworth, of Stanier Street, Fenton, pleaded not guilty at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court to two charges of indecent assault and one of indecency with a child, dating back to the 1980s.
The case was adjourned for a trial which is scheduled to start on July 29. Chesworth was bailed.
FEGG HAYES:
Twenty-one-year-old Ashley Tunstall has pleaded not guilty to two charges of raping a child.
Tunstall, of Rivington Crescent, Fegg Hayes, is alleged to have committed the offences several years ago.
The case was adjourned for a trial at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court, which is scheduled to start on July 15. Tunstall was bailed.
Who's been up at court?
BUCKNALL:
Drink-driver Ben Mileham abused police officers after he crashed his girlfriend's car into a van.
Officers were called to a collision involving a Vauxhall Astra and a van at 4.20am on December 21.
They identified 29-year-old Mileham – who does not have a driving licence – as the driver of the Astra.
Prosecutor Sue Hayers said: "Officers said his speech was slurred and formed the opinion he was drunk. He roadside specimen was taken and he was arrested.
"He became difficult en route to the Northern Area Custody Facility. He was abusive and kicked out at officers, saying he hadn't had anything to drink."
Top stories on StokeonTrentLive
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Mileham, of Westfield Road, Bucknall, then calmed down and went on to give an alcohol reading of 79 micrograms in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.
He pleaded guilty to driving while over the alcohol limit, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence and driving without insurance.
Mileham told police he had argued with his girlfriend and driven off in her car. He was not represented by a solicitor in court, but said: "I apologise for my behaviour. I've come to realise I could've killed myself or someone else. It was stupid."
Magistrates fined Mileham £260 plus £135 court costs and a £30 victim surcharge. He has been disqualified from driving for 18 months.
Latest cases from the courts in North Staffordshire
Rapist spent nights iwith children
North Staffordshire paedophile jailed
Moment copper pepper sprays thug
Hammer-wielding man jailed after attack
A 31-year-old man has admitted a drug offence.
Jake Rigden, of East Close, Stone, pleaded guilty at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court to being concerned in the supply of the Class A drug cocaine.
The case was adjourned for a pre-sentence report to be prepared by the Probation Service. Rigden was bailed.
TRENT VALE:
Teenager Callum Lawton has denied assault and weapons charges.
The 19-year-old pleaded not guilty at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court to two charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
He also denies charges of having an offensive weapon and having a knife in a public place.
The case was adjourned for a trial to take place, which is scheduled to start on April 30. Lawton was bailed.
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NEWCASTLE:
A 27-year-old man has admitted burglary.
Kyle Brown, of Cresswell Avenue, Newcastle, pleaded guilty at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court to committing the offence on October 13 last year. He also admitted a charge of assault by beating on the same date.
The case was adjourned for a pre-sentence report to be prepared by the Probation Service. Brown was bailed.
CHEADLE:
Provisional licence holder Christopher Burnley crashed his dad's car into a telegraph pole and ran away from the scene.
Magistrates at North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard police were called to a report of a Toyota Yaris crashed into a telegraph pole in Threapwood, near Cheadle, on the morning of October 12.
When they located 30-year-old Burnley at a nearby house he admitted he had been driving - and had drunk beer before getting behind the wheel - but said he had also drunk vodka after the accident.
He later gave an alcohol reading of 60 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The limit is 35. Burnley said the car was his father's and admitted he only had a provisional driving licence.
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Burnley, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to driving while over the limit, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, driving without insurance and failing to stop following an accident.
Hayley Keegan, mitigating, said Burnley had an alcohol problem, but had since referred himself for counselling and help with his drinking. Magistrates adjourned sentence until February 6, to allow a pre-sentence report to be prepared.
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Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court
Fegg Hayes
Trent Vale
North Staffordshire Magistrates Court
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