In the hot summer heat, a young lady who had been on a day hike in the Arizona desert was reported missing. Search teams from Maricopa and Pinal counties were called out to find her.
The area in which she was lost was saturated with ground, horse, and air support. She had wandered for three days, lost in the desert. She also had hidden from the rescuers who were trying to save her.
What would cause a person to hide or flee from the very thing that could save her? The answer is terror!
Most of us have not experienced pure terror, so it is hard to comprehend people s avoiding aid that could save their lives. The reality is that a very large percentage of people who get lost do just that. It is a natural result of the mechanics of physical response to life-threatening situations.
There are four stages to one s initial response in a time of crisis, whether the crisis is real or just perceived.
Stage 1: Alarm a state of alertness as a result of stimulus. Anxiety appears as a natural reaction to what could happen.
b. Sweat glands close down.
d. Adrenaline starts to flow.
None of the above physical reactions to mental stress is beneficial when in a survival circumstance.
There are a lot of theories about priority of tasks to maximize your ability to survive. Some would argue that shelter is the most important, others, a source of water. These are both vital to sustain life.
Since each survival situation is different, it is almost impossible to list any one task that is first and most important except one. You have to save yourself from yourself!
Mental stress is directly tied to physical stress. Both will burn much needed energy reserves. Fear and anxiety are normal responses to a crisis.
Managing your body in an emergency is the key to survival. Failure to manage your body will directly affect your ability to exist in any environment for any amount of time.
Don t think because you re a specimen of manhood, bulging in brawn and mental capacity, that you re not vulnerable to terror and irrational behavior. If anxiety and fear are allowed to evolve on their natural course, it won t matter how strapping or intelligent you are. Search and rescue will more than likely find you and pry you off the tree you are hugging in hysteria if you are lucky!
How Do We Control Fear?
1. Understand your body s natural responses to crisis. Knowing the signs of the four stages of response will give you a comprehension of what your body is doing and will help you understand when to start managing your emotions.
2. Fear is mostly of the unknown, although there are things that are real and can threaten your ability to survive. Define what is real and what is created. Deal only with real threats.
Fear, unchecked, can lead to panic. If you fail to control panic, it will lead to pure terror. Recognize fear as a natural phenomenon, accept it and stop its progression.
3. A crisis is a good time to rely on spiritual faith.
4. As silly as it sounds, talk to yourself. Convince yourself that you are okay. Compliment yourself for the things you are doing right. Forgive yourself rapidly for the things that you do wrong and don t let them get you down. Talk your way through tasks to keep your mind busy.
5. Set realistic goals for yourself.
6. Understand that most survival situations are temporary and short term. Only 5 percent of all survival situations go longer than 72 hours.
7. It is crucial to think positively. To keep your mind and body at peak performance, you must stay up and mentally positive!
8. Know, and truly believe, that you are going to make it out of this situation, no matter what. Never waiver from that thought.
9. Train yourself beforehand. Knowledge will replace fear of the unknown. Understanding how to survive will give you confidence and a positive attitude.
There are two more human emotions that you need to control to save yourself from your self. Compared to controlling anxiety and fear, they should be easy to manage.
In 2000, a very successful businesswoman was reported as missing in the Superstition Mountains. After a day of searching in over 100-degree temps, a member of the search team noticed something move in his peripheral vision.
He hiked across a small canyon to a large bolder to find a woman hiding and covering her face. He asked what her name was; she would not tell him.
She was an important and prominent woman and was embarrassed that she had to be rescued. She was extremely dehydrated and could have died on that mountain Embarrassment is a foolish thing to die for!
In the summer of 2001, a father and his daughter decided to take a three-day hike. They planned to hike in and spend two nights in the wilderness together.
The third day came, and they ran out of water. The father lost his sense of direction and started hiking farther into the wilderness. They were found by a search helicopter and brought back to base camp.
As the father stepped out of the helicopter, he said, We were fine. We could have made it out. We were just out of water. The daughter said. Dad, you need to shut up. Pride kills if mismanaged.
Left by itself, the human body cannot survive in the outdoors. Our ability to think, adapt, and change our environment are the only reasons we even exist.
Letting anxiety progress on its natural course is a serious mistake. Thinking is critical to survival. Pride, embarrassment or any other attitude or emotion that keeps you from making logical decisions all need to be controlled. It s up to you, yourself, and you.
For more insights into survival, contact Mike Wallace at wallysfishing@yahoo.com.


text:
Tag Archives: Happy Anywhere
Blake Shelton's New Album Body Language is Available Now
Blake Shelton's new album Body Language is out now! This is Blake's 12th studio album, and while it's coming out on the heels of 2020, he says that this is not a "quarantine" album per say, "You know, I can't sit here and say that this album was created during the pandemic, because it dates back way…… MORE
Blake Shelton Announces New Album – Body Language – Out May 21st
As his song "Minimum Wage" climbs the chart, Blake Shelton announced that he's releasing his next album May 21st! Body Language is Blake's 12th studio album, and will feature, "Minimum Wage," his number-1 hit with Gwen Stefani, "Happy Anywhere" and 10 additional tracks. Blake shares, "We've been working on this album on and off for…… MORE
Blake Shelton Is Happy at Number-1
Congrats to Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani as their song "Happy Anywhere" tops the country radio charts this week. It's the happy couple's second trip to number-one, and Blake's 28th. It would be hard to find someone anywhere who hasn't heard this song with it now being streamed on-demand over 70 million times…and counting. Blake…… MORE
Blake Shelton & Gwen Stefani Release New Performance Video for "Happy Anywhere" [Watch]
Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani released a new performance video for their single, "Happy Anywhere." Penned by Ross Copperman, Josh Osborne and Matt Jenkins, "Happy Anywhere" is currently No. 4 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart after 18 weeks. "As I've said, 'Happy Anywhere' feels like the perfect song for right now," Blake said. "I'm…… MORE
Blake Shelton Has Recorded The Most Fun Song Of His Career
Blake Shelton is knocking on the door to the top of the country music charts once again. "Happy Anywhere" is trying to be the 28th chart-topper of his career, but it's already in the number-one spot for one category…the most fun song he's ever recorded! Blake says "You know 'Happy Anywhere' is…gotta be one of the…… MORE
Blake Shelton & Gwen Stefani Drop Creative New Lyric Video for "Happy Anywhere" [Watch]
Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani released a creative new lyric video for their single, "Happy Anywhere." Penned by Ross Copperman, Josh Osborne and Matt Jenkins, "Happy Anywhere" is currently Top 10 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. "As I've said, 'Happy Anywhere' feels like the perfect song for right now," Blake said. "I'm proud to…… MORE
Blake Shelton's "Happy Anywhere" Debuts in Top 20: "Thanks for Letting Me Do What I Love the Most—Sing Country Music"
Blake Shelton's new single, "Happy Anywhere," featuring Gwen Stefani, debuted at No. 20 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. Penned by Ross Copperman, Josh Osborne and Matt Jenkins, "Happy Anywhere" also skyrocketed to No. 1 on the iTunes all-genre chart after its release on July 24. Like his most recent multi-week No. 1 single, "Nobody…… MORE
Watch Blake Shelton & Gwen Stefani Spread the Love in New "Happy Anywhere" Video
Blake Shelton released a new video to accompany his brand-new single, "Happy Anywhere," which dropped on July 24. Like his most recent multi-week No. 1 single, "Nobody But You," which topped the charts in April/May 2020, "Happy Anywhere" features vocals from girlfriend Gwen Stefani. Penned by Ross Copperman, Josh Osborne and Matt Jenkins, "Happy Anywhere"…… MORE
Listen to Blake Shelton's Tender New Tune, "Happy Anywhere," Featuring Gwen Stefani
Blake Shelton released his new single, "Happy Anywhere," at midnight on July 24. Like his most recent multi-week No. 1 single, "Nobody But You," which topped the charts in April/May 2020, "Happy Anywhere" features vocals from girlfriend Gwen Stefani. Penned by Ross Copperman, Josh Osborne and Matt Jenkins, "Happy Anywhere" will impact country radio immediately…… MORE
Blake Shelton Announces New Single, "Happy Anywhere," Featuring Gwen Stefani
Blake Shelton will try to score his 28th No. 1 single with the release of "Happy Anywhere" on July 24. Like his most recent multi-week No. 1 single, "Nobody But You," which topped the charts in April/May 2020, "Happy Anywhere" features vocals from girlfriend Gwen Stefani. Penned by Ross Copperman, Josh Osborne and Matt Jenkins,…… MORE

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Hello, long time lurker first time poster here. Just want to share this software I found while searching for ultra minimalist irc client. It's from the developer of foobar2000 & Boom.
Create empty MonochromeConfig.xml in the same directory as the exe file or it will use %AppData%\Monochrome.
Welcome to the forum. A very good first post, cheers. Thank you for the tip about 'MonochromeConfig.xml'- long ago I briefly tested Monochrome and at that time I didn't consider it portable because I did not now that moving the XML file from AppData to program folder (or creating an empty one in program folder) would work. When I have time I may have another look at the program but currently I am overwhelmed with other tasks. Please do not hesitate to review portable programs here- some prolific good old posters are gone now (most likely- for good, unfortunately) and the forum lacks reviewers. I appreciate any efforts to contribute to the community so I am glad that you are no longer just a lurker but a poster too.


OOPS! Haven't posted in a while!
OK, so here are the updates: Crappy spider/skull prop into a ghoul finished! Jumping BLucky prop finished! 1/2 mine entrance finished! (those pallets are heavy!). Don't know if I'll get to finish the bottomless pit or not before the big H... Will try though.


The American missile strike that killed many civilians in a Pakistani border village is the latest in a series of failed attempts by the US intelligence and military to eliminate al-Qaeda's top two men.
The attack destroyed three houses in Bajaur agency near the Afghan border - with or without the knowledge of Islamabad.
It has strengthened the widely-held view in Pakistan that in their sheer desperation to hunt down Osama Bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri the Americans have decided not to care about collateral damage.
It's a marked departure from the policy of a few years ago when the fear of civilian deaths discouraged the Americans from bombing suspected Bin Laden hideouts in and around the tribal region.
And the new policy certainly means more trouble for Pakistan's military ruler, Gen Pervez Musharraf, who is already perceived by many to be surviving mainly on American life-support.
The first indication of trouble came when a couple of pro-government groups joined protest demonstrations to condemn the missile attack on the village of Damadola.
Countrywide rallies were as vociferous in their condemnation of the American action as they were of the failure of the Pakistani authorities to prevent it.
And, as expected, the criticism of Pakistan's military ruler was not restricted just to the single issue of Friday's missile attack.
He was accused of everything under the sun. In some cases there were also demands for him to step down.
Much of the fuel for this latest wave of protests was provided by the lack of official details, the friction the incident caused between the American and Pakistani authorities and the mystery that surrounds the place and the people that came under attack.
Although the Bajaur tribal agency doesn't have much history of al-Qaeda-linked activities, it has long been regarded as an area where pro-Taleban elements dominate local politics.
Hundreds of local tribesmen joined a force to fight a so-called jihad (holy war) to defend Afghanistan's Islamic status after the US-led military invasion in 2001.
Damadola first attracted the media's attention early last year when the Pakistani security forces raided the house of a firebrand cleric, Maulana Faqir Mohammed, and arrested an Uzbek militant hiding there.
This was the first clear indication that some local tribesmen may have links with foreign militants, possibly with al-Qaeda.
The missile attack raises new questions, both about US tactics and possible al-Qaeda related activity.
In fact, since the attack there have been some strange and contradictory reports emanating from the village.
The destroyed houses belonged to local jewellers, who had no history of taking part in religious or tribal politics.
Analysts of Pashtun (Pathan) society say such people are not land-owners and do not command the kind of status or respect to invite a militant leader of the stature of Ayman al-Zawahiri for dinner, as some reports have suggested.
Al-Qaeda watchers say there is a strong possibility that US intelligence made a serious mistake in trying to identify his hideout.
However, this still leaves unanswered questions about the al-Qaeda second-in-command's possible visits to this particular village, or Bajaur agency, in the past.
But the strangest developments surrounding the attack have been in the form of the death toll, which locals revised downwards from 18 to 13.
Eyewitnesses have confirmed that villagers initially dug 18 (at least one account says 20) graves to bury the dead.
Later on, bodies of only 13 people (eight men and five women) were brought for burial, and the rest of the empty graves were filled with mud.
The explanation given by some local tribesmen is that first they thought that all 20 occupants of the three houses had died, and so as many graves were prepared.
But later they discovered that some were not in the house at the time of the attack.
Rumours are now going round that at least five of the dead were probably foreigners, and their bodies were taken away by a group of people, before the arrival of the media.
If that's true, then no one knows who these people were, and whether they belonged to Zawahiri's band of operatives or were security personnel.
The controversy about the Pakistani authorities being aware of the attack has also not gone away.
Local Bajaur MP Maulana Haroonur Rasheed insists the Americans took Pakistani intelligence into their confidence before carrying out the missile attack.
But despite the controversy, and the street protests, most analysts are convinced that the crisis is not too big for President Musharraf to handle.
With nearly 70,000 Pakistani troops deployed to contain foreign militancy in the tribal region, his government's contribution to the so-called war on terror is too big for the Americans to ignore.
And the domestic opposition is not powerful or organised enough to launch an anti-Musharraf campaign on this single issue.
However, many believe the incident has brought to fore friction between Pakistani and US security agencies over the handling of al-Qaeda related operations in the highly sensitive tribal region.
Privately, US officials are believed to be trying to convince Pakistan that the utmost care will be taken in future to avoid civilian casualties.
But publicly they have not even admitted having carried out the attack, and are not expected to hand out any guarantees of better behaviour.
In such a situation, President Musharraf can only hope that the next American military strike from across the border results in the death of a key al-Qaeda figure, and not civilians.
Otherwise, the growing tide of domestic opposition might become quite difficult to control.


text:
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M.I.R.A.C.L.E. The Witnesses: Mission 2 - Fixer Upper
Moderator: Deciton_Reven
Re: M.I.R.A.C.L.E. The Witnesses: Mission 1- Test Drive
Safiya noted that they were quite the cast of characters. She did not wish to jump to conclusions, but she wasn't sure how they were going to all work together as a team, when they couldn't even introduce themselves cordially. Stranger still was the administrative assistant he came blundering into the room, leaving a trail of papers in her wake – she hoped they weren't important papers.
No sooner had she arrived, the man in charge, the commander finally entered the room and introduced himself to the group. Safiya was likewise confused by the twins, though it was interesting how diametrically opposed their countenances were from each other. The commander briefed them on their first mission – a Kaiju that persistently attacked a city's walls. Quite unusual in her experience, but it wasn't like it was something that she had studied extensively herself. After his spiel, the commander left the room. Great. They would have some tie
His exit was shortly almost simultaneously by the rest of the team. She hung back, not entirely interested in conversations, and immediately made her way to the hangar. She truly preferred the company of massive robots than people.
Once in the hangar, Safiya casually walked around each of the mecha, taking mental notes of their tech. Most of it she was familiar with, the weapons on the Rhet cost a pretty penny, she noted. She was particularly intrigued by the Selvan design and found herself staring up at it for moments while the other engineers continued their work in the background. She relished the relative peace, but it would be short-lived.
Location: 3 o'clock
Lexi quickened her pace. It had taken a bit longer than she would've liked, but she'd managed to locate one of the aids currently shuttling the pilots' belongings to their assigned quarters. After finding one of the standard issue pilot uniforms the Selvagran military had provided her and ducking into a restroom to slip it on, she had dumped the clothes she'd previously been wearing on the poor fellow before simply taking off. Now she was hastily making her way through the corridor connecting the base's main building to the hangar, trying to coax her arm into the other sleeve of the cropped uniform jacket she was now half-wearing. The file she had taken from the briefing room, which she had yet to read, was clenched firmly between her chattering teeth like some sort of crisped, buttery breakfast food. She had gone from 'freezing cold' to 'I can't feel my kidneys functioning cold', but she wouldn't have to put up with the chill for much longer.
As the woman entered the hangar, she finally managed to pull the jacket's sleeve onto her arm. Her eyes were set firmly on the floor in front of her, mindful of each step, as she ran through the sequence of events in her head one more time. She would check in with the maintenance worker. She would retrieve the ignition key. Then she would-
"Ah!" Lexi suddenly tried to exlaim, but it was really more of a muffled yelp, followed by an 'ow' and the sound of papers falling to the floor. For there, standing before her very eyes, was the female Sarajul pilot from earlier. Apparently admiring the Selvan's own mech, no less. She didn't have time to be staring blankly at strangers, though, and promptly moved to scoop up the paperwork she'd just dropped while mumbling an apology to nobody in particular.
BR Member
Currently Playing: Chaconne
Passing by his own room on the way down the pilots' hall, a thought crept into Everard's mind. A thought he immediately regretted having, but persistent and persuasive in nature. He stopped. Took a few steps back towards his door.
...Should he? It would burn a bridge he perhaps couldn't afford to burn, and they would definitely find out. He wasn't sure how, but he knew they would. And yet... this wasn't about them anymore. He was free now. They couldn't threaten to take anything away; they'd already pulled the trigger on that particular round of ammunition. He would do as he pleased.
And as he pleased Everard did. Hands trembling, rummaging through the luggage that had been delivered to his room, he happily constated that the box of office supplies he used to sketch out ideas for new additions to his mecha was there. Pencils, rulers… ah, there it was, craft knife.
If they wanted to cut him off, two could play at that game.
It was with a lighter head and more than a few uneven, straggling strands at the back of his head that Everard finally made his way to the hangar. The braided umbilical cord of his Obernian pride and heritage lay severed, its platinum blonde sheen topping a rubbage bin somewhere in the pilot's quarters.
Without a word to the others who were now congregated in the mecha area, the biologist took the lift up to his own machine's c***, climbed in, and began familiarizing himself with the handful of recently installed communications systems. He was thankful for the one-way visor that separated him from his now-coworkers: for the second time today, tears were rolling down his face.
Wizzquizz
Location: My house at a desk most likely
Currently Playing: Skyrim,Warframe, and League Of Lag
Eventually the team made their separate ways into their mechs. Engineers quickly moved equipment out of the way. The comms began to become live with Co Abigail's voice.
"Alright, Team looks like your readings are coming in clear. All mech systems are cleared and prepared to move to hangar doors."
With that the hangar began to fill with the roar of machinery as the mechs surged to life. The pilots made their ways to the large bay doors as they screeched open revealing a landscape peppered in white snow. The sun gleamed of landscape, making it surprisingly beautiful in it's own way.
"All mechs are cleared to scramble." Abigail's voice broke through again. With that the pilots began the march to their destination. The thudding of robotic footsteps and hum of the hydraulics moving them along was the only sound, only interrupted occasionally by directions from Mission Control and small banter between pilots. Each pilot was contemplating how the task at hand would go. Questioning their own and their teammates abilities.
After an awkward march the sight of the city's walls was relieving. The large red walls stood out among the white hills and grey buildings. The wall seemed armored and had large turrets along it. Small outlines of people could be seen moving along the wall. As they reached the walls they formed a light defensive formation. The people along the walls appeared to be a mixture of military and various reporters of different nations. If it wasn't clear before it was now. The world was watching, waiting to see how the team would work.
"Alright team, it should come into view at any moment. Brace yourselves and prepare ranged weaponry. I can't say how long you'll have before it reaches you all. Due to its readings it appears to be moving fast. Remember if you need it the turrets on the city are ready to take over. Good luck guys. I'll keep radio chatter to a minimum till the mission is over." After Abigail spoke, the hum of various weapons could be heard charging up. Even the city turrets roared to life. That was when they heard it.
Thump, Thump, Thump.
A hush fell over the group, shortly after a the kaiju crested a hill in the distance. It was lizard-like in appearance. It appeared to have dark brown armored plating along the top of its body. Its tan skin could be seen peeking out of various crevices in the armor. A top it's snout was a large horn leading back to a pair of bright blue eyes. The eyes darted around as it surveyed its environment. That fight was about to start, the was no going back now. The beast reared back before releasing a loud roar showing its maw full of jagged teeth. Then the beast lowered its head and charged forward. It's running was erratic as it zipped side to side, opposed to running straight. The creature's tail lashed around behind it leaving ditches in the ground and sending puffs of snow and dirt up into the air. It would be upon the pilots in mere seconds.
Last edited by Wizzquizz on Thu Jan 31, 2019 2:42 am, edited 1 time in total.
Deciton_Reven
Location: In a candy coated heart of darkness. (free hugs!)
((For prelaunch so people know what Mikan was doing, proper post coming later))
Mikan wasn't particularly happy with the meeting turned out. She felt as though her initiative to jump to the aid of others and confront aggressors may have stoked any tension and been misplaced. Anyone there could have just as easily been just as on guard as she was, besides not everyone had the same values as her, not even people from her nation, and it would be wrong to just dismiss them based on that. She'd have to apologize to the Sarajul man when next she had the chance.
Finally changed into her pilot gear she headed towards the hanger, to her Rankaku, a familiar piece of her home she hadn't been able to ride since arriving in this land of ice and snow. Surprisingly she felt he fit in rather well with his looks, though the warmth she felt looking at him was certainly contrast to the cold air. She saw Safiya and Lexi apparently chatting, offering no more than a wave, if they even noticed, then went on to do her own pre flight ritual.
She took the recorder out from her pocket and sat it on a cart nearby, pressing play before tilting her own head down and mouthing the words the other voices spoke. "On this day we pray for only one thing. Please allow us to protect those we serve and our fellow pilots. Should harm need to be done allow we who are prepared to accept it in the steed of others. We offer nothing more than our thanks and hope that it will be enough."
"Also make sure to double protect Mikan for us, she's already been through enough!" She quickly shot up to stop the recording as the one man added a line, cutting off another mid sentence. "Junbai, come on man this is supposed to be a gift fo-"
She blushed a little, but at least she knew better for next time. She climbed into her mech and hung her hat up on one of the higher levers, kissing a pair of fingers before placing them on the rim. Then the mech closed and stood ready for deployment.
When my eyes be rollin'
The haters get goin'
The seeds I'm sowin'
With a smile I'm flowin'
And if I be trollin'
Ya never be knowin'
'Cause when the haters get goin'
My eyes just start a-rollin'
Savvy, eh?
Location: Rising up to become the one they all fear.
Gender: Anime Girl
MGN Username: Savvy, eh?
Currently Playing: Savvy's Art Academy
((PRE-LAUNCH))
The beautiful white of Aleta's ink-formed wings seemed to have taken on hint of red as the bug flew down the halls, pinned to the chest of a furious monk. He was maintaining his composure, restricting himself to a brisk walk rather than the sprint he would have preferred, but Raza had not felt such righteous indignation, such furor, in a long time. For The Arbiter to be shown such disrespect as to be laboured upon without proper sanctification wasn't simply displeasing. It was unacceptable. Unacceptable.
But Raza was no fool. The ways of 'iiradat Alsahra did not extend far beyond the reaches of the desert, and he knew that not every man and woman of the world bore the same reverence as he and his kin for the beasts that shaped the earth, nor for the guardians that formed mankind's shield against the corrupted. Those that had performed the sacrilegious modification were blameless; engineers following orders. And the monk was not so naive as to think his chastising of the lieutenant would bear any immediate fruit. Military bureaucracy would see to that. No. With only a few hours until departure, Raza would have to take matters into his own hands. So he would.
The decorated Sarajul pilot sat, cross-legged, on a raised platform at eye level with The Arbiter. The din of ongoing preparation for the upcoming sortie filled the air below, while the sweet smell of burning incense rose in purple wisps to permeate the space above. Before him was the aberration, a camera module installed in a newly-drilled opening on The Arbiter's forehead. It hadn't taken long to find it, though Raza had spent the better part of an hour afterward scouring the rest of the mecha's surface and interior for any other invasions. Thankfully, he found none. That left the camera. Eyes and hands locked in silent prayer, he began the consecration.
Ten minutes of meditation followed. Noise faded. The scent of incense grew omnipresent.
And Raza moved. Brushes in hand he rose as one possessed, arm describing large, fluid arcs through the air, striking the enormous lens again, again and again, covering it in layers upon layers of thick sky blue paint. Plunging one brush into a bucket of white, and the other into black, his large arcs became increasingly calculated as he replicated the symbol that adorned the storm clouds at the base of his neck: the Eye of Aleta.
A final stroke. Raza stilled, and opened his eyes. This would do. For the time being, this would do. He dropped the brushes and placed his right hand in the center of the design. It would leave a white print.
"Through blindness may you see," he spoke with solemnity.
They were ready.
@SavvyEh
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—
not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
The talk with Safiya had been pretty intense. After gathering up the papers Lexi had dropped, it had consisted largely of slightly-too-long pauses as the two parties went back and forth. She had learned a lot, though. Safiya was an engineer, and... quiet. Not much else, actually. The ecologist had panicked when the subject of her own mech came up, and there were a few minutes where she just desperately tried to sound like she knew what she was talking about and not say anything damning. And frankly, she thought she had nailed it. Nevertheless, the hangar had started becoming a bit crowded after that, so she was glad for this reprieve.
"Pull!"
In the distance, a large object shot into the air. Under normal circumstances, this would likely be cause for alarm. But Alexandria was ready. She yanked on the controls of her mech with a forceful but precise movement. The weapon mounted on the outside of the machine rotated in accordance with its owner's instruction. Then, with an ear-splitting shunting sound, a composite slug burst from the end of its barrel and rocketed through the air. Both objects, projectile and target, hunter and prey, moved on a collision course. Like a cobra, the shell twisted toward its unsuspecting quarry. By the time the poor creature had detected its stalker's presence, it was already too late.
Which was just as well, because it went wide by several meters. The slug followed its arc to its inevitable conclusion before nestling comfortably in the hills in the distance.
Lexi released a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. With a sigh, she allowed her arms to slacken and wiped some sweat from her forehead. Actively operating a mech was surprisingly physical work, but it was nothing she couldn't handle. Her glasses were starting to fog up, though. She had taken them off and begun wiping them on the edge of her jacket when voice chirped over her communicator.
"Ooh, that was great, ma'am! Even closer than the last fifty-one!"
"T-thanks! I guess. I need it to be closer, though. Can you prepare to launch another one?" Alexandria requested, trying to remain cordial. She honestly wasn't sure how many more attempts she'd be able to coax out of the operator.
After a few seconds of silence, she heard a 'pop' and an obnoxious chewing noise. "Huuuh, I dunno, Miss Lexi. You've been at it for almost an hour now, you've used up several dozen practice shells, and we're almost out of pigeons. You just need to relax. You'll be fine, trust me! I've seen recruits that couldn't hit the broad side of those hills over there."
Alexandria had difficulty arguing. Not because she didn't disagree, but because she was afraid of getting on a training field operator's bad side on her very first day at the base. They would likely be seeing a lot of each other, after all. And anyway, he was being so supportive. She didn't want to push her luck. Suddenly, she heard a different voice over the communicator, one that sounded like the officer that had been accompanying the Commander before. Abigail, was it?
"Pilot Godotta, please promptly return with your mech to the hangar. The first field assignment will be commencing soon."
"Affirmative. On my way." Lexi grinned to herself a little as she said 'affirmative', then switched communication channels again. "Hey. Looks like I have to go now, anyway. Thanks for operating the equipment for me on such short notice."
"No problem, ma'am. You take it easy out there. In the meantime, I'll send Chuck to play fifty-two pickup." the voice on the other end replied. Then, the line went dead.
Alexandria adjusted her gloves and nervously chewed on her lower lip. That would have to do for a warm-up. It was time to go to work.
Last edited by Shrapnel on Thu Jan 31, 2019 1:44 pm, edited 1 time in total.
This cooperative post brought to you by the joint efforts of Shrapnel, Deciton_Reven, Semicolon, Kiki, Savvy, eh? and the wondrous Wizzquizz. Enjoy!
((Mid-travel banter))
Having mostly recovered his composure by the time the quintet marched out of the hangar doors, Everard finally had an opportunity to ask his fellow scientist for details about her weapons. "Oi, Alexandria. Are those tranquilizers of yours chemically based? Do they have to reach skin?" he asked, mentally slowing Rhetoric's large strides in order to stay synced with the rest of the group.
There were a few moments of silence before Lexi responded. "Yes. Aerosol based soporifics have proven too unreliable for general use against kaiju. But if blood runs through its veins, a fluid injection can knock it out. The dosage has to be specifically adjusted for each target, though. You might accidentally kill an especially small kaiju with an overdose, and with larger ones, inappropriate doses can have all kinds of unintended side-effects." She flipped through the relevant pages in the briefing file as her own mech trotted along on autopilot. "Hornitor... The tranquilizer rounds won't be able to penetrate the plating on its back. I'd need to get at its underside. That or get really lucky." The ecologist relaxed a bit as she spoke. Thinking about the kaiju in a theoretical framework helped to distract her from the fact that she'd soon be fighting it.
"What if you had a hole? Puncture wound?" came the reply, as the young biologist grasped the harpoon strung across his mecha's back and began attaching its end to the magnetic chain in his machine's left arm. "Slander here is designed to pierce through armor, I may be able to get you an opening."
"You named your weapons too? How fun! Maybe I'll do that as well." Lexi responded with a laugh. Then she realized that she should probably get to the point and cleared her throat before continuing. "Right, um, if the armor could be penetrated, that should work. I'm worried about Hornitor's behavior, though, for a couple of reasons. Judging from this description, our target will likely be very fast and not particularly large. It would need to be completely immobilized for me to be able to hit something the size of a puncture wound. And if it ignores us and goes straight for the wall, I'm not sure how we'll stop it." she postulated.
"Regardless of how it is brought to its knees, I would ask that you all refrain from dispatching the beast until The Arbiter is in position to provide an appropriate escort to the life beyond," interrupted a third voice.
"And if we are to discuss strategy, I would have your names. I am Raza Al-Amin. I dislike asking twice."
"Raza huh?" Mikan's proxy voice came on the line, a far more digitized version of the one from the room. "All right then. EMT Mikan Houtoro reporting. I specialize in close range combat, but my mech is equipped with long distance flak cannons too. If anyone sustains any personal injuries make sure to report them to me asap. I'm going to be responsible for patching you up in the event of an emergency."
"Also I know I probably came off as a little rude but I am really glad to have you on the team Raza. I've only got about 6 years of piloting experience, and very little of it is actually fighting Kaiju, so I'm going to rely on you if that's okay." Without the NVOX to modulate it the feed sounded especially hollow, but the face cam showed her with a dorky smile and a thumbs up.
Alexandria shrunk in her seat as Mikan spoke. If six years of active duty was supposed to be a modest amount of experience, what would they think if they found out she didn't even have six months' worth of training? She'd never even encountered a kaiju while in a mech before, much less fought one. She had been counting on her knowledge to carry her through this, but after today, she wasn't so sure that would be enough.
"Six years? That is respectable, Mikan." Raza's expectations for his team had been on a steady decline since the briefing room, so the revelation that – despite her attire – the one in the miniskirt was bringing some real experience to the table. "Trust that it is my duty to be relied upon. Your confidence is well-placed."
Interesting, interesting, Ev thought, subconsciously lifting Rhet's left arm to rub a non-existent chin. Perhaps it was the nervousness brought on by the oncoming fight, or maybe everyone felt more comfortable now that they were in their own secluded spaces, but the group was far more chattersome than before. He was relieved to hear Mikan apologize to the man he now knew as Raza; maybe she wasn't so hard to talk to.
"I believe I can immobilize it, or at least slow it down if I have some help." he said, continuing his conversation with Alexandria. "Are any of your machines built for the front lines? Vibrant can hold its ground in a pinch, but ideally I'd like to be up on the wall until I can get a clean harpoon shot in."
"The Arbiter brings judgement from near and far," Raza replied. "If your mecha are built to fight from a distance, I will engage the front."
"On that subject," he added after a brief pause, scanning the faces on the video feeds. "The Arbiter has seen many battles. As its pilot, I have slain seven. How many others have experienced combat?"
"Three," spoke Safiya, her presence nearly forgotten as the rest of the team communicated with each other. In truth, she had only been party to one killing of a Kaiju, while the other two were merely incapacitated temporarily. In her books, that was ideal, but she was not sure whether this Kaiju would go down as easily as the others. Had she felt it beneficial to their cause, she would have explained this distinction, but for the time being she kept it to herself.
"I can distract it with an explosive shot," she followed up, promptly.
"I've had several fights against other mecha in the past year, nearly one every week, but I'm afraid I've never fought a Kaiju." Everard chimed in, happy that everyone seemed to be getting along despite the day's rocky start and the fact that he had called their mechs rustbuckets earlier on. The group knew how to put their differences behind them when it came time for action, he supposed.
"If Raza and Safiya are distracting it, I'll provide suppressive fire and start slowing it down until it gets close enough to be harpooned. I can immobilize it from there."
With that, the graduate threw Slander at the top of the guard wall, crouched down as the weapon's claws latched into the structure, then leapt while the Premise winch did the rest. Perched as a gargoyle on his concrete cathedral, he surveyed their battlefield-to-be, Strawman's shafts keeping him snugly in place.
"Subject not yet in visual range, standing by."
"Got it," the Kaiyokese pilot confirmed. "I'll stay back and provide range support until it gets too close for my cannons then switch to melee. Be advised my total squad kills amount to two, individual kills zero. We generally divert Kaiju. I suppose if we're able to I'd like to keep those numbers."
With that she began to move to flank. It would allow her clean shots and the chance to intercept without catching allies in crossfire or needing to worry about being caught in it herself.
Good, good. Raza's team was coming together. They were green, but workable. The Obernian upstart had at least a basic sense for strategy. The Kaiyokese and Sarajul women had enough experience to provide relevant support. The Selvan- had yet to speak. Suspicious, Raza scanned the video communications screens. His eyes narrowed.
"Why is the Selvan biologist piloting the green mecha?"
"I-" Alexandria had been waiting quietly, hoping that nobody would notice if she didn't say anything else. Now, she struggled to find the words, any words, that would sufficiently answer the man's question without revealing herself to lack any field experience whatsoever. If such words existed, they eluded her. She tried not to let her anxiety show, now painfully aware of the video feeds thanks to Mikan.
"I... I-it's here!" The woman finally shouted over the communicator, and sounding entirely too happy about it. As the kaiju Hornitor's silhouette crested the horizon, she began moving into position toward one side of the wall. She brought her arms to bear, thankful that she had been spared having to deal with Raza's inquiry for the second time that day. If she did well enough here, maybe he wouldn't ask again.
And there it was, somehow they had devised a plan together as a team. It wasn't incredibly creative, but everyone had a practical role to play. Now all they had to do was pray that it all fell into place.
Moving into position, Safiya engaged her Sol Slinger and activated the flash mode. There was a loud "thunk" as the ammo chambers were swapped, and the explosive rounds were loaded. As a series of targeting rings and environmental indicators flashed on her screen around the approaching image of the Kaiju, Safiya took aim.
"Get ready" stated Safiya, in her usual unreadable demeanour. The mecha fired the explosive round from the Sol Slinger, a whistling sound whizzing in the air as it flew towards its target. All according to plan, the round would explode brilliantly in a shower of pyrotechnic sparks with a sonorous boom, right within the immediate vicinity of the Hornitor.
"Mikan, it was? Are you to tell me you're some sort of Kaiju sympathizer?"
Though the voice that came in over the radios was practiced, controlled, Everard couldn't hide his disgust from the video feed.
"That thing means to kill people. It will kill people, if we don't stop it. You think these little walls and guns are what deters it? No. You may have more field experience with the beasts than I, but don't fool yourself. Every attempt it has made was a scouting mission. A test. What good will relocation do when it can simply crawl its way back, ever more information of our abilities stored in its cursed mind, knowing what it needs to topple these walls once and for all?"
A horde of Thesis missiles flew from Rhetoric's shoulder - about half of the mecha's reserves - their pilot mentally guiding them to their target: the underside of Hornitor's left flank.
"We end this today."
Lexi grimaced as the Obernian rebuffed Mikan, and over such an innocuous statement. This guy wasn't just ambivalent toward kaiju, he actually seemed to harbor an intense malice toward them, to think that they were somehow evil. The ecologist had never known anybody to have that kind of attitude, not even back in Selvagran, where the beasts were especially dangerous. Surely, the young man must have been aware that his position on kaiju wasn't particularly popular, or even common, so why did he address Mikan with such assurance? Were the things he was saying supposed to be self-evident?
The Selvan shook her head. There wasn't time to debate natural philosophy right now. It wouldn't even matter if they weren't able to subdue the creature quickly. Her mech skidded to a stop, leaving sizable divots in the snow-topped soil as she finished moving into position, then she examined the battlefield. Safiya's Solar Plexus and Rhet, as the yet unnamed Obernian called his own mech, had already commenced their assault on Hornitor. Mikan and her Rankaku were currently approaching it from the flank, and- well, the Arbiter hadn't done anything in particular yet, but the creature was probably intimidated by it. Lexi certainly was.
With as much crap flying around as there was, something was bound to hit their target. Might as well add her own two cents. Lexi eased her mech's legs apart, lowering its stance, and placed one long arm on the ground for stability. The rail gun on its side raised toward the horizon with a mechanical whir. The woman noted the cluster of seemingly guided projectiles that Vibrant Rhetoric had launched and were now approaching Hornitor from its left.
Well that's, eh... Creative? She noted, trying not to think too hard about it. Even so, this gave her an opening. Taking careful aim, she directed her weapon's barrel to the kaiju's right. With the addition of Vibrant Rhetoric's missiles on the opposite side, and whatever Safiya's projectile was directly ahead, it would have nowhere to go. Cautious not to aim too close to Mikan's position, she fired a standard shell toward the approaching creature, hoping desperately that something would hit it. She likely wouldn't have time for another shot before it was upon them.
The dots connected. He wasn't a young ace at all. The Obernian was actually a spoiled kid with deep pockets. It wasn't even going to be worth it to try to rebutt him. Not only were his views not from a place of reason or logic, he was also wrong about her beliefs. He was arguing air, and it's name was Mikan. All she could do was shake her head and aim her Pepper Cannons at the head of Hornitor and aim a good shot. Hopefully taking out an eye would end it's mad charge, or at least ruin it's depth perception and make it unviable, if not force it to redirect to the problem and come for her.
That whistle was her cue, Safiya's distraction must have just been launched. Careful, aim and... she noticed something on her scans, someone had launched a missile salvo, she could guess who. She quickly stopped her plan.
"Hey." The voice came on the line. "Where was that salvo call out, I almost took out a chunk of those with my flak cannons." But soon she saw the missiles weren't aimed at the creature's head, but lower, towards a leg perhaps? She would have still been able to get a clear shot had she taken it. No point in it now, the creature was either going to be stopped where it was or continue to get closer to friendlies.
"Sorry couldn't take a clean shot, switching to melee and approaching. Please guys I need your call outs to know my lanes, I don't want to get friendly fired on and I'm not going to be able to talk well with busy hands." She was still a bit out from her target so she wouldn't interfere with any immediate plans, so she'd hope, and there should be time for her to stop if needed.
As expected. The engagement began with the furious string of ranged attacks characteristic of a team – and Raza used the word loosely – a team that had only the faintest outline of a strategy, and little resembling a plan. But the conversation on the way to the site had fulfilled its purpose; there was at least an attempt at coordination. He would make due.
The Arbiter crouched, a titanic sprinter in the snow readying itself to run. The Tuhma engines on its legs whirred to life, eager heat melting the snow on the frozen hill the desert guardian had been called to protect. In the moments remaining before the battle commenced in earnest, Raza recited the prayer he had spoken a thousand times before.
"'iiradat Alsahra, guide the hands of thy servant. Condone this violence free from malice, violence in the name of peace. By thy blades will I deliver justice, with thy hammer, judgment. It will be so."
A robotic voice came over the airwaves, calling for close-range engagement. This one knew her way around a battlefield.
"Confirming," responded Raza. "Preparing to engage in melee."
His eyes were locked on Hornitor, awaiting its response to the barrage of projectiles. When a defensive maneuver or well-placed explosion caused any part of it to lift, he would rush forward, arms down and thrusters active to collide with the beast and force it to its back.
The Kaiju's charge sharply turned as the brilliant display from Sol Slinger dazed the creature. Hornitor changed its course now running toward Serpentine Dreams, which would soon prove to be a mistake on its part.
A barrage of Thesis missiles connected with the beast. The Thesis missiles connecting with the armor atop it's head, while not appearing to hurt the beast much, the continued thrust from the missiles pushed Hornitor's head downward. To finally free itself the beast threw its head skyward. Then the blast connected, A standard shot from Lexi's rail gun. The beast lowered its head and let out a whimper and a cough as it shook its head. Then its eyes snapped up locking forward to the direction of Serpentine Dreams. The Kaiju reared back letting out a roar and preparing to charge.
This was the moment The Arbiter had been waiting for. An echoing pulse could be heard as the Tuhma engines pushed the mech into the beast. Hornitor distracted and raised on its hind legs didn't see the attack coming until it was too late. The large shield chakrams connected with the beast. Knocking it onto its side.
Hornitor flailed about quickly getting to its feet before lunging in the direction of Raza. Its Jaws snapping the air as the blinded beast desperately try to hit its assailant.
Lexi pumped her fist in silent celebration as not only her own, but every one else's attacks found their mark as well. Then she covered her mouth as Hornitor whimpered, hoping they hadn't hurt it too badly. Then she scanned the other pilots' video feeds to make sure nobody had seen her do either of those two things. Fortunately, they all looked quite preoccupied. As Raza's mech rushed into grappling range of the creature, the Selvan worked the controls to make her mech stand back up to its full height. Perhaps the kaiju was weak enough now that they'd be able to restrain it, but it certainly wasn't so weak that it wasn't able to retaliate against the Sarajul man's advance. With the two combatants grappling each other, taking a shot with her rail gun would be too risky, but this was a perfect opportunity for something else. The woman's mech rushed forward at her bidding, flanking Hornitor as it battled the Arbiter. Once she was far enough to the side that the mech wasn't between her and the creature, she raised one of her own machine's spindly arms. Remembering what Mikan had said, she spoke into her communicator.
"I'm going to try tethering it. Don't worry about avoiding the cable, just focus on Hornitor!" She instructed briefly. Then she took aim at the kaiju's plating and let fly the tether. Her hand hovered over the console, prepared to hit the release switch in case it hit anything other than its target.
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text:
JS=./js/tag-it.js
MINIFIED_OUTPUT=./js/tag-it.min.js

build:
	@echo
	@echo "Compiling JS..."
	@curl --progress-bar -f -d compilation_level=SIMPLE_OPTIMIZATIONS -d output_format=text -d output_info=compiled_code --data-urlencode "js_code@${JS}" https://closure-compiler.appspot.com/compile -o ${MINIFIED_OUTPUT}

gh-pages:
	@echo "Updating GitHub pages..."
	@if git checkout gh-pages -q; then \
		git merge master -Xtheirs && \
		git checkout master -q; \
	fi

.PHONY: gh-pages

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


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text:
Lifetime of Simpsons
The Third Would Have Worked Better as a Halloween Story: The Triptych Episodes Ranked
By Patrick D Gaertner on February 28, 2018 • ( Leave a comment )
So, yesterday things got a little frustrating, taking a genre of Simpsons episode that I don't particularly like and ranking them. But, it was kind of hard not to do it. Travel episodes are something that come up so frequently on the Simpsons that if I was ranking things it would be insane not to include them, even if they're generally not my favorite episode. I bring this all up because today we have another thing that largely falls into this category. Because today we're going to be talking about what I like to call the Triptych Episodes! I also see them called Trilogy Episodes, which is certainly less pretentious, but whatever. After the continued success of the Treehouse of Horror episodes the creators of the show clearly decided that that formula could be used to tell other types of stories, also out of canon. Just fun little vignettes that are light on continuity and compact episodes. And, some of them are really fun. Others are very strange and lazy. Unless I'm missing something incredibly obvious there's been ten of these episodes so far, which is the perfect number to rank. So, let's do this thing.
10. "Simpsons Christmas Stories"
Christmas is a topic that holds a lot of weight on the Simpsons. The entire series began with a Christmas special, and just about every season they take a stab at some sort of yule-tide story. So, it's a shame that I'm going to be talking about what it probably the worst Christmas episode of the whole bunch. Because this episode is rough! It's an episode that tells three distinct stories, but it doesn't follow the usual triptych formula. We don't have a frame story, and we don't even get title-cards for each segment. Instead we just keep sliding into different tales, at random, with no guidance. And the three stories are really weak. We have the Simpsons recreating the birth of Christ, a weird story where Grandpa and Mr. Burns dance with Santa Claus on a desert island, and a very dull segment where various townsfolk just dance around singing parodies of the Nutcracker Suite. None of them are particularly funny, none of them have any of the emotion that the Christmas episodes usually have, and it's just kind of a mess. Hell, it introduces the idea of a sibling for Abe that is then never mentioned again, and completely ignores the "Hellfish" episode's ideas of what Abe did in World War II. This episode is just the real bottom of the barrel, folks. But, we only have up to go.
"Simpsons Christmas Stories" was written by Don Payne and directed by Steven Dean Moore, 2005.
9. "The Wettest Stories Ever Told"
Man, poor Season 17. For whatever reason they decided to do two different triptych episodes, and they're both the worst episodes of that type. But, this one if at least a little bit better than "Simpson Christmas Stories." The segments in this episode really aren't anything special. They have some decent gags and they at least have some of the hallmarks of a real triptych episode. We have the family, stuck waiting for dinner at the Frying Dutchman, telling each other stories. I think the real problem with this episode is that they picked such a weird theme to go with. It's all about boats! And that's about it. We have the Simpsons on the Mayflower, Bart and the Elementary School boys recreating the Mutiny on the Bounty, and basically just a straight-forward parody of the Poseidon Adventure. It's just a weak theme. Every other one of these episodes has a pretty tight theme, and they usually have fun premises. But an episode just telling random stories about boats? Feels kind of half-assed. It's better than the Nutcracker though.
"The Wettest Stories Ever Told" was written by Jeff Westbrook and directed by Mike B Anderson, 2006.
8. "Four Great Women and a Manicure"
I think that the strongest thing that this episode has going for it is the premise. The segments themselves are fine, the fact that they cram a fourth story into the episode kind of makes everything a little too cramped and quick, but overall they're pretty decent. But, where the episode really grows on me is the idea that it's an episode where Marge and Lisa are spending the day together getting mani-pedi's while telling stories of amazing women throughout history. We get to see Selma as Queen Elizabeth I, Lisa as Snow White, Marge as Lady MacBeth, and Maggie as an Ayn Rand protagonist, and it's all just kind of fine. There's nothing great about the episode, but there's also nothing terrible about it. It's just a completely mediocre and average triptych episode, which is at least better than actively bad. So here it goes!
"Four Great Women and a Manicure" was written by Valentina Garza and directed by Raymond S Persi, 2009.
7. "Revenge is a Dish Best Served Tree Times"
Oh, look. The episode that inspired the title of this article. This episode is still from the period of these triptych episodes where their themes are a little too broad, leading to three stories that are completely different from each other. But, this one isn't that bad. It's all built around the idea that revenge isn't all it's cracked up to be, and the stories are being told to Homer in the attempt to calm him down after becoming infuriated with the Rich Texan. We get to see a rushed adaptation of the Count of Monte Cristo, a dreadful story about Milhouse attacking his bullies, and a really fun Batman parody with Bart. This is an episode where only one of the segments was really great, but it's nice to see at least one of them being successful.
"Revenge is a Dish Best Served Three Times" was written by Joel H Cohen and directed by Michael Polcino, 2007.
6. "Margical History Tour"
Okay, we've now reached a point on this list where there's a massive leap in quality. These last six episodes are actually all pretty fun. I don't know what happened after Season 15, and why the triptych episodes became something to fear, not look forward to, but there we are. This episode is all based around historical figures as Marge tries to desperately remember facts about them so that Bart, Lisa, and Milhouse can complete some assignments. And they're all pretty fun. We get to see Homer as a glutenous and philandering Henry the VIII, Lisa as an irritated Sacajawea who has to deal with Lenny and Carl as Louis and Clark, and a truncated adaptation of Amadeaus with Bart as Mozart and Lisa as Salieri. All of the stories work, and we get to see Marge holding court and telling us stories about history with a legitimate wrap-around segment. This is an episode that reminds us what these episodes could do, and it's the point in this list where things start turning for the positive.
"Margical History Tour" was written by Brian Kelley and directed by Mike B Anderson, 2004.
5. "Simpson Bible Stories"
This is an episode that I think ranked so high primarily based on nostalgia. "Simpson Bible Stories" used to play constantly in syndication when I was still watching the show every weekday evening. Because, really, it's an episode that isn't really great, but that I'm still fond of. It's all based around the various members of the Simpsons falling asleep during a particularly brutal Easter church service and dreaming about the Bible. I don't exactly keep it secret, but I'm not a huge fan of organized religion, and the Bible in particular, so it's not surprising that an entire episode that revels in Biblical lore has a weird effect on me, but it has some good gags. We see Homer and Marge as Adam and Eve, Milhouse and Lisa leading an Exodus from Egypt, Homer briefly as King Solomon, and Bart as a cocky King David. There's some solid gags and classic moments, I just can't deny that it's this high on the list primarily because of nostalgia.
"Simpsons Bible Stories" was written by Tim Long, Larry Doyle, and Matt Selman, and was directed by Nancy Kruse, 1999.
4. "Love, Springfield Style"
I remember being stunned when I first watched this episode during the project. By Season 19 it was clear that these triptych episodes had become far removed from the quality of the earlier seasons, and I started the episode with some reservations. But, against all logic, this episode is a lot of fun. It's all based on love stories that are told by the members of the family as they're trapped on a tunnel of love, forced to entertain themselves. And the stories are all really crazy. There's a great Bonnie and Clyde parody with Marge and Homer, a really fun Lady and the Tramp parody also with Marge and Homer, and a batshit crazy parody of Sid and Nancy with Nelson and Lisa. I love that they chose just to do movie parodies on this episode, and they're all really weird and funny. It's just a solid episode that shows how great triptych episodes could be.
"Love, Springfield Style" was written by Don Payne and directed by Raymond S Persi, 2008.
3. "Tales From the Public Domain"
These triptych episodes can often be a crap-shoot, tossing out three stories that may be tenuously related to each other and of rather dubious quality. But, sometimes you luck out and get some really fun stories with a solid concept. "Tales From the Public Domain" is exactly what it sounds like, three stories that are so engrained in society that no one owns them. So they're up for grabs! We get to see Homer as Odysseus, Lisa as Joan of Arc, and Bart as Hamelt. And it's all pretty solid. The Lisa story is probably the weakest of the bunch, but the Odyssey and Hamlet stories more than make up for it. The wrap-around is pretty simple, just Homer sitting around reading stories to the kids, but it all works really well. It's just a very efficient triptych episode.
"Tales from the Public Domain" was written by Andrew Kreisberg, Josh Lieb and Matt Warburton and directed by Mike B Anderson, 2002.
2. "Simpson Tall Tales"
Aw, yeah. Now we're talking. "Simpson Tall Tales" is a hell of an episode, and one that I love quite a bit. In fact, I had assumed it was going to be at the top of my list, until I realized that I had a dark horse candidate that I hadn't thought about until making this list. But, there's no denying that "Simpson Tall Tales" is a whole lot of fun. It has an incredibly solid wrap-around plot, with the family hitching a ride in the back of a train and getting regaled by a friendly hobo. We're then treated to two classic Americana tales, and a Mark Twain novel. We get to see Homer as Paul Bunyan, Lisa as "Connie" Appleseed, and Bart and Nelson as Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn. All of the segments are a lot of fun, they take full advantage of the weird world of American folk tales, and it's just a great episode. This episode shows what the triptychs are capable of if they're firing on all cylinders, and it's still the episode that I'll think about if I'm think of triptychs. However, there was another episode that I'd never even considered to be in this category, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized I couldn't keep it from the top spot.
"Simpson Tall Tales" was written by John Frink, Don Payne, and Bob Bendetson & Matt Selman, and was directed by Bob Anderson, 2001.
1. "Simpsons Spin-off Showcase"
I don't know why I'd never considered this episode in the same genre as the rest of these triptych episodes before, but once I started thinking about it I couldn't deny that it absolutely fits. We have three vignettes, all revolving around a central theme, being told to us by a frame-story. It has all the tenants, there's just something about it that makes it feel different than the rest of these episodes. And, it may be the fact that this episode is just so goddamn good it's just elevated above the other episodes. "Simpsons Spin-Off Showcase" is exactly what it sounds like, an episode with three different potential spin-offs of the Simpsons, as pitched to us by Troy McClure. We get to see Chief Wiggum and Principal Skinner as private-eyes in New Orleans, Moe and Grandpa in a wacky sitcom, and the entire Simpsons family (sans Lisa) in a tacky variety show. And it all works perfectly. This episode is hilarious, using the three vignettes to expertly skewer how weird the entire concept of spin-offs generally are. I've talked about this before during the project, but there had been a rumor for years that Fox wanted to spin-off a show called Springfield that would have just been about the various townsfolk. And I would have loved that, especially if it decided to do something similar to this episode, becomes a general parody of television culture and trends. But, that obviously never happened, and we just have episodes like this to show us what might have been.
"The Simpsons Spin-Off Showcase" was written by David S. Cohen, Dan Greaney, Steve Tompkins and Ken Keeler and directed by Neil Affleck, 1997.
There you have it! The ten triptych episodes ranked. And, I'll be honest, I'm pleasantly surprised with how positive I got to stay during this ranking. I feel like the fact that the most recent batch of triptych episodes (aside from "Love, Springfield Style) are so bad colored my opinions of the entire genre. I'd forgotten that they really had the potentials to be fun episodes, taking the wonderful formula of the Treehouse of Horror episodes and using them to tell different sorts of stories than could normally be told on the show. Some are far more successful than others, but I do have to appreciate the show's continued insistence to try these episodes, to use the formula to tell us something new.
Categories: Lifetime of Simpsons
Tagged as: Lifetime of Simpsons, Ranked, the Simpsons, Trilogy, Triptych, Wrap-Up
Still Welcome in North Dakota and Arizona: The Vacation Episodes Ranked
Those Were the Days: Flashback and Flashforward Episodes Ranked


Beautiful trees and bushes are allegedly chopped down by a tenant who insists that they were half-dead and demands money for clean-up.
Graduation Expediter to the Rescue!
A disability advocate is sued for allegedly breaking her promise to guarantee a young man's graduation from high school.
A woman insists that she traded her 'home refinancing' services in exchange for $3,000 from a married couple looking to sell their property.


text:
Q: Embedded struct Is it possible to inherit methods of a type without using embedded structs?
The first snippet of code is working code that embeds the Property struct in Node and I'm able to call node.GetString that's a method on Properties.  The thing I don't like about this is when I initialize Node I have(?) to initialize the Properties struct within it.  Is there a way around this?
package main

import "fmt"

type Properties map[string]interface{}

func (p Properties) GetString(key string) string {
    return p[key].(string)
}

type Nodes map[string]*Node

type Node struct {
    *Properties
}

func main() {
    allNodes := Nodes{"1": &Node{&Properties{"test": "foo"}}} // :'(
    singleNode := allNodes["1"]
    fmt.Println(singleNode.GetString("test"))
}

Ultimately, I would like to do something like the following.  Where Node is of type Properties and initializing does not require initializing a Property struct too.  The following code doesn't work but may be clear what my goal is.
package main

import "fmt"

type Properties map[string]interface{}

func (p Properties) GetString(key string) string {
    return p[key].(string)
}

type Nodes map[string]*Node

type Node Properties

func main() {
    allNodes := Nodes{"1": &Node{"test": "foo"}} // :)
    singleNode := allNodes["1"]
    fmt.Println(singleNode.GetString("test")) // :D
}

I'll be adding more structs that will use Properties's methods which is why I'm asking.  If I only had Node, I would just have methods for Node and be done.  But because I'll have more than Node I find it kind of redundant to add the same methods to all the structs that embed Properties
I guess more to the exact problem, I want to use Properties methods from Node without having to initialize Properties.

A: So you're running into an idiosyncrasy of Go here. Embedding is the only way in which methods of one struct can get "promoted" to appear to exist on another struct. While it feels intuitive that type Node Properties should expose the Properties methods on Node, that effect of that syntax is for Node to take on the memory layout of Properties but not any of its methods.
It doesn't explain why this design choice was made but the Go Spec is at least specific if dry. If you read it exactly as it appears, with no interpretation, it is very accurate:

The method set of an interface type is its interface. The method set of any other type T consists of all methods declared
  with receiver type T

GetString has a receiver of type Properties not Node, seriously, interpret the spec like you're an accountant with no imagination. With that said:

Further rules apply to structs containing anonymous fields, as described in the section on struct types.
...
A field or method f of an anonymous field in a struct x is called promoted if x.f is a legal selector that denotes that field or method f.
Promoted fields act like ordinary fields of a struct except that they
  cannot be used as field names in composite literals of the struct.
Given a struct type S and a type named T, promoted methods are
  included in the method set of the struct as follows:

*

*If S contains an anonymous field T, the method sets of S and *S both
  include promoted methods with receiver T. The method set of *S also
  includes promoted methods with receiver *T.

*If S contains an anonymous
  field *T, the method sets of S and *S both include promoted methods
  with receiver T or *T.

That line about composite literals is this thing that forces you to declare Properties inside every Node you create.
p.s. Hi Jeff!

A: The short answer to your last question is simply No.
There is a big difference between type declaration and embedding in golang, you can make your last example working by manually make a type conversion between Node and Properties:
package main

import "fmt"

type Properties map[string]interface{}

func (p Properties) GetString(key string) string {
    return p[key].(string)
}

type Nodes map[string]*Node

type Node Properties

func main() {
    allNodes := Nodes{"1": &Node{"test": "foo"}} // :)
    singleNode := allNodes["1"]
    fmt.Println(Properties(*singleNode).GetString("test")) // :D
}

But it's clearly that is not what you want, you want a struct embedding with a syntax of type aliasing, which is not possible in golang, I think that you should stuck with the your first approach and ignore the the fact the code is redundant and ugly .

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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text:
Jared Kushner headed to Texas to promote prison reform
Houston Marathon
US & World // Politics
Kevin Diaz May 10, 2018 Updated: May 11, 2018 3:50 p.m.
1of2Jared KushnerPhoto: Alex Brandon, STF
2of2Sen. John Cornyn speaking at the Greater Houston Partnership luncheon. (For the Chronicle/Gary Fountain, April 20, 2018)Photo: Gary Fountain, For the Chronicle / For the Chronicle
WASHINGTON – White House adviser Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law, will travel to Texas on Friday with Republican U.S. Senator John Cornyn, one of the chief sponsors of new prison reform legislation aimed at reducing recidivism and rehabilitating low-risk offenders.
A spokeswoman for Cornyn said Kushner will tour Seagoville Federal Correctional Institution outside Dallas. They will also receive briefings on the prison's community reentry program as well as their residential drug treatment program.
Mark Inch, Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, will also join for the visit.
The trip is part of the rollout of the First Step Act, bipartisan legislation modeled after successful reforms in Texas and other states to help ex-offenders reenter society.
COOLING CELL BLOCKS: Landmark suit could extend heat protections to thousands of inmates
The legislation mirrors previous corrections legislation sponsored by Cornyn that he said can reduce recidivism, save taxpayer dollars, and cut crime.
Prison reform has been a key priority for Kushner, who has become the face of a White House-backed bill now moving through the House despite internal GOP differences over sentencing reforms favored by Democrats but opposed by Trump. Cornyn, the No. 2 Republican in the Senate, is expected to be a key negotiator in moving the bill forward.
Details of the Texas trip have not yet been released by the White House.
Kevin Diaz is the Chronicle's Washington Bureau Chief, covering issues important to Texas from the White House to Capitol Hill. Follow him on twitter at @DiazChron and send him tips at Kevin.Diaz@chron.com
Kevin Diaz
Follow Kevin on:
DiazChron
Kevin Diaz came to the Houston Chronicle in February 2014 with more than a decade of experience covering Washington. Before that, he was the chief Washington correspondent for the Minneapolis Star Tribune, where he got his start in journalism in 1984 as a night cops reporter. During his tenure in Minneapolis, he won awards for his coverage of gang crime and city hall. He also taught public affairs reporting at the University of Minnesota, where he received his Master's. After a stint at the Washington (D.C.) City Paper, Kevin went back to the Star Tribune, where he won national awards for articles on globalization and immigration. He also covered the 9/11 terrorist attacks from Washington and New York. Born and raised in Italy, Kevin has reported from Italy, Brazil, Mexico, and Cuba, where he covered Jesse Ventura's 2002 trade mission. In 2003, he filed daily Iraq War dispatches for McClatchy Newspapers from the U.S. Central Command in Qatar. In 2006, he covered the presidential election standoff in Mexico. He also has covered Washington for the Anchorage Daily News and the Idaho Statesman.
Beto O'Rourke is running for president, reshaping the 2020 Democratic primary
Houston Democrat Lizzie Fletcher: Life in the center of the political crossfire
Texas landowner tells Congress she doesn't want a border wall in her back yard
UN: Most Sudan rebels and neighbors back Darfur peace hope


New Vision Gymnastics and MGK Productions have teamed up to host the second annual Legends of the Smokies Gymnastics Competition on Feb. 1-3 at Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort. This event is expected to bring in over 900 gymnasts and their families as well as judges and coaches from across the country.
New Vision team members, including several members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, who will be competing this weekend include the following: Alyssa Crisp, Chloe Breedlove, Alliyah Hunnicutt, Catherine Shannon, Kennedy Crawford, Talley Kinsland, Haize Moore, Eliza Tate, Ella Matheson, Sara Toineeta, Libby Lewis, Olivia Newkirk, Audrey Pressley, Addison Coker, Nikki Toineeta, Zoe Candiotti, Gracie Buck, Lillian Ostojic, Eliza Wahtera, Giovanna Williams, Charlotte Bumgarner, Savanna Bubenick, Alyssa Awtrey, Maggie Jamison, Claire Ball, Victoria Dugas, Annalise Wike, Abby Manshack, Laney Garner, Alyssa Shannon, Lillian Shannon, Emery Noffsinger, Lily Brinson, Kenna Conlin, Natalie Chockla, Ella Raby, Kinley Young, Lucee Wilson, Mia Krueger, Ila san Souci, Tinley Sunderhaus, Alexa Morales, Ella Brinson, Shawnee Kirkland, Naomi Feagin, Lucy Maney, Karleigh Nixon, Mackenzie Scranton, Sasha Widman, Sylva Widman, Jolie Davis, Zoey Passmore, Lydia Norman, Isabelle Mullen, Taylie Payne, Isabella Brant, Madison McCall, Lyndzie Hughes, Boston Stringer, Brandy Barlow.
For more information, visit: www.legendsofthesmokies.com or call (828) 342-4050 or the New Vision gym at (828) 524-1904.


HBSAT 2019 will be conducted in computer based mode.
The test will comprise of 100 questions each of 1 mark.
The question paper is divided into 5 sections namely, Data Sufficiency, Mathematics Ability, Communication & Business Aptitude, English, and Reasoning.
The duration of examination is 90 minutes.
The exam will be conducted in English.
There is no negative marking for incorrect responses.
Candidates can download the admit card only from the official website.
No admit cards will be sent via emails or posts.
Candidates must carry their admits cards along with a valid identity proof to the examination centers.


The kid was so excited by the family visit, he decided to pull up for the first time, to a standing position! Very exciting:) He pulled up from the floor by holding my leg (i was sitting on the couch with the laptop) to try and get to the laptop (which he's obsessed with by the way!). My mom and i were chatting and were both witnesses to this first. so much fun. on another note, husband was gone with my papaw to the store so he missed it. total bummer. especially sinces earlier in the week, there was another first we missed.
When we pick him up from daycare, they give us a form with timelines, showing his activities of the day. When he ate, peed, pooped, napped, drank from a cup, had snacks, etc. this day, i scanned the form quickly and the words "FED MYSELF" popped out at me!!! HUH!? We've been sitting puffs and banana chunks in front of him for weeks and he just smears and smashes. Sigh.
At home we test this. We pour puffs onto his high chair tray. he picks them up, shoving them in his mouth, as if he's been at it for months now. Duh mom and dad. of course i know how to do this... its old news. We exchange remarks of 'hate we missed that', 'can't believe we missed it', 'why'd he do it there and not here', and 'wow, i can't believe he's feeding himself'. The kid grins and throws his head back, displaying three puffs hes cramed in. husband looked concerned. he'll choke he exclaims. i calm him, letting him know, i've tested the puffs multiple ways. and yes, they do really dissolve, its next to impossible to choke on them (even when you try to), and i personally felt they were tasteless. The kid shoves in another one. He clearly likes them though. Or at least the act of eating them. He grins. He's cute.
"So how did drop off go?"
Its what i always have to ask during our usual morning phone call. Husband drops off the kid at daycare and we alternate picking up. I go into work too early to ever do a drop off. But since i don't get the experience, i want every. single. detail. was he tired? was he happy? what was he doing when you left? what did the staff say? were his other buddies there? I ask the same question everyday. I often wonder why husband doesn't just offer up this info. he always waits for me to ask. does he think one day, i just won't ask?
"Well, drop off was - different today. We had a first," he says.
"What do you mean? different? how?"
"He cried when i left him today. not just whimpering but real cry - crying. tears. sad face. reaching for me. the whole thing," he rambled, letting out a big sigh.
"WHAT? You have got to be kidding me! What happened? What was different? WHY?" I asked.
"I don't know. Nothing was different! It was our usual routine! I handed him over to Nancy, gave her the papers you asked me to, and then kissed him on the cheek, told him I loved him and waved bye bye. His lip came out, a sad look came over, so i grabbed him and snuggled him real tight, kissed him again. and promptly handed him back. I started to walk out while waving. he usually loves this part, where we do the wave bye bye routine. but NOT Today. The sad face came back, he was whimpering and when i kept walking away, he broke out into sobs and tears were flowing! He was reaching for me, his face got all red and sad, then he was pushing nancy away... thats how it was when i left," he finished, paused, then let out a big, sad sigh.
"He's probably sick of the place!" I suggested. "Monday he was there from 8am till 5:15, Yesterday from 6:30am till 5:15! WAY too long. those are just long days. AND when i picked him up, he was sweating! it was too hot in there. He's probably sick of the place and tired of being hot while there, sweating, trying to nap while burning up. AND he got his solid breakfast before his morning bottle, which i did not like, i want his bottle first, then foods!" I ranted. Another sigh - from me this time.
"What if he starts hating the place?" I ask. "It's not like he can tell us!"
"This week is unusual for us because of only one car. So maybe thats it. He's there longer than usual. We get the car back tomorrow. that should help. We'll get back into our routine, meaning less time there, more time at home," husband suggests.
"I guess," I pouted. "I hate that. I don't want him sad, but maybe its bound to happen. Tearful goodbyes. They just go with the territory I hear."
So yea, another first. But an unanticipated one. An unwanted first.
I'm very familiar with the saying when it rains it pours - usually in the negative aspect haha... but i guess it can flow in a positive way too. The kid had so many firsts this week, they just kept on coming! It was a nice week for him with husband on spring break and me home on a snow day and then recovering from an illness (the illness, definitely not nice, but an extra day at home with him) because he got extra time at home. He was only at daycare a half day tuesday and a half day friday!
Wednesday, I stayed home to try and allow myself to recover - i was feeling better but not up enough to make the trek into work. Husband came home for lunch and when he left, the kid waved bye bye!
Saturday, he finally stumbled right into a full fledge forward crawl, right over to the dog bed and a pile of magazines! By sunday afternoon, he was done practicing and was crawling from dining room to living room with ease.
"This is Elaina calling, from La Petite," the voice said.
"Oh, Hi. Is everything okay?" I ask.
"Yes yes. He's fine. But he had a bit of an accident with a poopy diaper. It got on his outfit. I checked his cubby and his bag but - he has no clothes. Plenty of socks. but no clothes."
Great. Naked child. At daycare. But he has socks on. Thank goodness we keep lots of extra socks in that bag. So critically important, right? Hmm. He'll only be there a half day. Its rather warm out. But i stop just short of telling her leave him naked, hes fine. Why? the idea of his naked body in the shared swings and bouncys and exersaucers. For some reason, his being clothed while using these shared toys seems so much more sanitary! I had flash of him naked, playing in the exersaucer, getting another kids drool on his naked chest. ugh. gross. i'm no germ freak but this is disgusting. at least if he's clothed there is a barrier. without that, i feel like it would just soak right into his little clean pours. again - ugh.
"I can put him in an outfit of Ryans. I'm sure his mommy won't care. And he has several extras," she suggests.
"That would be great," I agree. "Please let her know I'll wash it over the weekend and return it to him first thing on monday morning. Thanks so much."
"No Problem. I'm sure she won't mind." Whew.
Needless to say, when i packed up his stuff last night for daycare this week, i packed 4 extra outfits for him, plus ryans outfit washed and ready for return. I mean, who needs 4 pair of socks in there if theres no outfit to wear? duh.
Its a snow day here in PA. My work is closed so me and the kid are home watching the flakes fall, playing with blocks, and just laying around. me doing more laying than him. he's too curious, nosy, and active to stay put these days. he's been sleeping good and sleeping in till around 7:45am most days. this is a real blessing on the weekends! he's eating better too. last night he ate 2 full jars of green beans and rice then 1/3 jar of pears before bed. the kid puts the food away at dinner!
some of this stuff i make in my mini food processor and some we buy the jarred organic stuff. the jarred is what we send to daycare. much easier for them and us. then on the weekends, i bake him sweet potatoes, puree organic oatmeal, and he eats finger foods of soft avocado and organic bananas. we just started the soft finger foods - which he's starting to like. but we have to put them in his mouth. he doesn't get that he can. he just hoards the bits of food in his little fists. he has put a piece or two of banana in the mouth so he's getting there! here he is with his first teething biscuit. he liked the first one but won't eat them since! and he now just pounds the biscuit onto the tray of his highchair, bursting it into pieces, then smears it around. Fun huh?
these days, he just gets himself into the darndest places. part of the reason is because he doesn't crawl forward, only backwards, and lots of rolling. So when he sees something he wants, he goes for it, but not always in the most direct route!
Yes, he's pulling on a cord there - the phone cord, which No, i don't normally let him play with! in the midst of capturing a pic, he got to hold onto it for .01 of a second. he loves what he can't have - cords, remotes, house phone, cell phone, our food, our plates, restaurant menu, glasses, etc... !
He doesn't pull up on the furniture just yet because he can't seem to get a good hand grip. but if we stand him there, he balances and holds on for dear life!
his frustration with not being able to crawl forward is growing by the day so theres lots of groaning, grunting, and whining as he rocks on all fours. he's desperate to figure it out but just can't quite do it. so he'll finally push back, into his sitting position, which is a skill he's master. last night he was crying and when i went in his room to check, (midnight mind you) he was sitting in the very corner of his crib, as far in the corner as he could be, just crying his eyes out haha... because he'd lost his pacifier. i gave it back, laid him down, and he was back out.


text:
Jamie Oliver sells Australian restaurants amid administration
Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has handed control of his Australian restaurants to a franchisee as part of an administration process Credit: Dominic Lipinski/PA
Bradley Gerrard
Retail and Consumer industry
Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has handed the running of his Australian restaurants to another operator after his company there filed for administration.
Five sites - in Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide and Parramatta - have been sold to restaurant group Hallmark which will run the Jamie's Italian restaurants under a franchise agreement. A sixth site in Canberra has closed with immediate effect and will not be part of the agreement.
Sources close to the deal said the administration was simply a technicality which had to be entered into so that Hallmark could take control of the sites. But the move comes just months after the chef's UK-based Jamie's Italian had to enter into a company voluntary agreement (CVA) whereby 12 of its 37 sites were shut with the loss of approximately 450 jobs. The agreement also allowed it to reduce rents at other sites in a bid to keep trading.
No details about possible debts owed by the Australian company have been published by the Australian Securities & Investments Commission. But local reports suggest the business had been in discussions with advisers over a voluntary administration since late March.
puff: how Jamie Oliver's businesses ran into trouble
A spokesman for Jamie Oliver Restaurant Group said the company's international business was entirely franchised. He added the only reason the Mr Oliver's company had direct control in Australia was because the chef had to step in to save the business with his own money in 2016 when the former franchisee, Keystone Group, fell into administration.
Mr Oliver has been under growing scrutiny in the UK since the turn of the year when it emerged his Italian restaurant chain had been forced to seek a cash injection from its parent company after a trading slowdown hit profits.
In subsequent months, the CVA took effect and the chef had to enter into a similar agreement with his two Barbecoa restaurants. This resulted in its Piccadilly site closing down Mr Oliver buying up the lease on the original St Paul's site.
Jamie Oliver had to put his Barbecoa restaurants into administration earlier this year alongside his Jamie's Italian chain Credit: David M Bennett/Getty Images Europe
Jessica Walker, partner in the restructuring, bankruptcy and insolvency group at Mayer Brown, said the news came amid "widespread reports of the difficulties facing the troubled restaurant industry".
"Global restaurant chains, like Jamie Oliver's, are having to deal with rising costs, falling consumer confidence and changes in customer behaviour, which have forced many to turn to restructuring processes in order to manage these multifaceted challenges - in this instance selling of an arm of the brand through a formal restructuring process," she said.
Burger chain Byron, Strada and Prezzo are among the high street names to have slashed sites and struck reduced rent deals with landlords.


text:
ANZAC DAY 25 April, 2015
The band will again be playing an important role at this the 100 Anniversary Year of ANZAC's. The band has a long and proud history of honouring the memory of the brave men and women from Australia & New Zealand who have served their countries over many wars and conflicts.
This year, as the senior State Band, we will again be taking a lead role in the Scottish Act of Remembrance Parade that follows directly after the end of the Main March in George Street, Sydney around 12MD. As such, our Pipe Major - Adam Wishart will be the Senior Pipe Major for the Massed Bands contingent that will March to the Martin Place Cenotaph. A spearhead of Drum Majors will form part of the spectacle which d will be selected and under the command of our Drum Major - Clarrie Lemme. The Bass Drummer of NSW Police Pipe Band – Bronwyn Martin, has been appointed as the controlling/Senior Bass Drummer for this parade with Drum Sergeant Pete Kelly as a Leading Snare drummer.
The Massed Pipes and Drums will play the Lament 'Flowers of the Forest' with wreaths being laid in honour of Fallen and Departed Comrades.
The Band marching down George Street on an ANZAC Day in the 1950's


A person who has made a formal request. For example, a person who has asked for a loan from the bank, but has not yet been approved, is said to be an applicant for that loan.
In the last two years the highest applied for jobs at Kirklees Council are as follows (all salaries given are based on full time): Business support officers: 791 applicants for 51 jobs, salary PS17,072.
In addition, the new job openings-to-applicants ratio, which is new job openings divided by new job applicants, tends to fluctuate preceding movements in the active job openings-to-applicants ratio.
From dashboard, the applicants will be navigated to PhD Country Directory (PCD) and the system will make a search on the basis of CNIC or email address provided by the user.
Applicants shall have less than 50 per cent of the shares owned or controlled by foreign nationals/companies, if any, with or without management or control vested in foreign nationals or companies.
Is govt serious in issuing DTH licences?
In 2014, the highest number of applicants was registered by far in Germany (202 700 applicants, or 32% of total applicants), followed by Sweden (81 200, or 13%), Italy (64 600, or 10%), France (62 800, or 10%) and Hungary (42 800, or 7%).
In 2012, the highest number of applicants was registered in Germany (77,500 applicants, or 23% of the total), followed by France (60,600, or 18%), Sweden (43,900, or 13%), the United Kingdom (28,200, or 8%) and Belgium (28,100, or 8%).
The proportion of applicants declined by users of tenant scoring during the third quarter has dropped steadily, with the lowest number of declined applicants in the third quarter of 2012.
Activity has been especially weak for applicants under age 60.
Kirch, AAMC president, said the increase in applicants and enrollees shows "the interest in medicine runs very strong in our country.
Applicant, 42 years old, was riding a bicycle when he was struck by a taxi.
For Japanese applicants, writing self-promotional essays is a foreign concept.
The book explores current admissions policies and applications strategies, and suggests ways "to help both colleges and applicants to rediscover what college is really for.