Local legend at Paphos lays claim to a Column known as St Paul's Pillar upon which it is said that Paul was tied and given the forty lashes minus one by the Jews, in other words he was scourged with 39 lashes, according to the Judaic system.
There is no actual historical evidence for this claim and it is one of those historical legends which could be true, or could be false. However, we do have a reference to Paul being beaten and given the forty lashes minus one for a total of 5 times, according to the composition date of that letter which is believed to have been written sometime around 53-57 AD we could conclude that Paul is referring to this event and since Acts of the Apostles which concludes around the year AD 60 and was most likely written around 60-61 AD, mentions not the events written in 2 Corinthians 11: 24 in AD 53-57, we can conclude that the book of Acts does not contain everything that happened during this period but contains a brief or record of important events that took place. Thus, it is possible that the events Paul writes about 2 Corinthians 11: 24 may include the scourging event at Paphos?
The point being that he adds a photograph in the book of the two larger granite columns and labels them, "St Paul's Pillars". I wonder if they too are also connected?
"Agia Kyriaki Church", "Paphos, "Paphos Cyrpus", "St Paul at Paphos", "St Paul on Cyprus", "St Pauls Pillar", "The Apostles at Paphos"
Last night for some reason, I viewed some of Derren Brown's "fear and faith" on channel 4. Not one of the better channels on British television.
After watching a little bit, I found it of no real surprise to see him yet again manipulating undefined people with his mind games and tricks of the brain.
As is common and typical of modern atheists, I watched him play his game which begins in one area, wins over his audience, then moves towards the direction of Christianity, which if he is honest, is what his whole game is about demolishing.
Somehow, I think all his efforts are merely a support act to warm up his audience to get them ready for the headliner.
Don't forget Mr Brown, I've been in showbusiness for a long time. I know the ropes!
He moves onto his predictable thought or question, "Is God the ultimate placebo"?
Its not a question on his part, since he has already concluded his answer.
However, not content with verbally inviting a man to sell his soul to the devil, via an ancient "satanic rite", the British illusionist, mentalist and hypnotist thus attempted to emulate a "Religious conversion" with his atheist guinea pig.
He met with an atheist woman and gave her a 'religious conversion'? If that is the right term to use?
Whatever his game was, it was certainly not a 'religious conversion'. I say this by knowledge, history and experience that the true and accurate Christian evangelist need not use finger tapping motions or emotional games to win over a convert. He need only preach Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
It is true that many use games and tricks within so-called Christianity, but we know that there are always true and false ones in all, but the one who is faithful and relies upon the assistance of Grace need not use methods of men and workings of the devil to win people over.
He need only preach Jesus Christ, and Him crucified, under Pontius Pilate and who died, was buried and rose again on the third day.
I suppose this game he plays opens up the floodgates for the question of whether or not these people and others, inculding scientists and the media can use these games to manipulate the average human brain so much that they can even persuade a nation to believe that Darwin's theory is actually a fact?
Let us not forget that 'Brown and Dawkins' are familiar with each other.
Women bishops? Church of England votes no!
I guess there is room after all to believe that there are some Bible believing Christians still remaining within the Church of England.
But there are times when I doubt it.
After countless debates and attempts to reason with ministers within the Church of England and the Anglican Church, I never fail to see why the church of England or the Anglican Church so often attempts to modify its beliefs to fit with an ever changing and dying world.
Time and time again I have listened to sermons and ministers attempting to make the Biblical text fit with the idea that women can be bishops, leaders, pastors or whatever an organisation desires to call that ministry, within the body of Christ.
Not content with 'thinking' that the theory of evolution and Genesis can actually harmonise in some way with the Bible, many attempt to make feminism fit with the Bible also.
The mind boggles when I sit and listen to people attempting to make the Old Testament fit with Darwinism and New Testament fit with feminism.
Does the Bible not claim that God made them Adam and Eve?
Was it not Eve who was deceived?
Did Jesus not choose 12 men to be His Apostles?
I fail to see why so many so-called Christians attempt to argue their way out of this and more passages in an attempt to make the church fit with the dying world? Correction, I do understand. The evidence suggests that they are little more than Darwinian fairytale believers and liberal feminists who do not believe the Bible or history but favour the sad hopeless opinions and ideas of men over the Truth of God.
I don't know why they just don't admit that?
Well, it seems that there may well be a few that actually do? And if they hold fast to the Truth, God will abide with them and even if the world rejects them, and hates them, what of it.
The Gospel cannot be denied for the word of man.


text:
Q: Why does the MSI Setup ask for reboot on update? We receive the following message if we run an update of our software. The Setup was build with the WiX Toolset.
The setup contains a Windows service. The service is stopped from the setup before files are copied, but after this message. Final there is no reboot needed. Why does this message occur then? How can we prevent this?

Here the service declaration:
<Component Guid="xxx" Id="service">
    <File Id="Service.exe" Name="Service.exe" Source="C:\xxx\prunsrv.exe"/>
    <ServiceInstall Arguments=" foo" Description="xyz" DisplayName="foo Server" ErrorControl="normal" Id="service_install" Name="foo-server" Start="auto" Type="ownProcess"/>
    <ServiceControl Id="service_start" Name="foo-server" Remove="uninstall" Start="install" Stop="both"/>
</Component>

A: When it says "....files or services..." that's just a generic message. It doesn't mean your service is causing this.
Do the install while taking a verbose log, and look for things like 1603 messages that refer to in-use files and see if you can track the files down.
What often happens is that Windows checks and sees it will need to replace some files that are in use at that time. That's why it says "...choose to continue...". But when it gets to actually replace those files it finds they are no longer in use, so a reboot is not necessary. So it's a timing thing.
I'm wondering if you have suppressed the FilesInUse dialogs because it's common for Windows Installer to tell you what processes you need to stop to avoid a reboot. So it's almost as if you have suppressed FilesInUse dialogs, and so the InstallValidate detects some in-use files and gives you that generic messsage about reboots. However by the time it gets to replace those files, perhaps many minutes, they are no longer in use, so they can be replaced without a reboot.
Anyway, that FilesInUse comment is speculation without more information, but the reason the reboot doesn't happen is that the files were no longer in use when it was time to physically replace them.

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text:
Home Podcasts Learning How to See Christianity, Race, and Politics
Christianity, Race, and Politics
Listen on Your Platform
You can listen and subscribe to Learning How to See through Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you download podcasts.
On the second episode of this season, Brian is joined by Lisa Sharon Harper and Gigi Ross exploring the many ways colonialism has injected racism into Christianity, politics, and the culture we live in. Utilizing theology, research, and drawing heavily from Lisa's work in her latest book Fortune, this episode offers a gripping examination of slavery's lingering impact on the shadow of Christianity. Please be advised this episode discusses topics around sexual violence that may elicit difficult emotions and memories for some.
Note: This episode was recorded on March 10th, 2022, before the Supreme Court draft opinion potentially overturning Roe vs. Wade was leaked. Some elements of the conversation will reflect this.
Brian's new book, Do I Stay Christian? can be found here
Lisa's book, Fortune: How Race Broke My Family and The World and How to Repair It All can be found here.
Everyone who purchases a copy of Brian's new book Do I Stay Christian? from our online bookstore will be invited to participate in an exclusive Community Read-Along on Facebook! There will be discussion questions, prompts, and shared practices as we move through the book each week.
The Center for Action and Contemplation (CAC) is an educational nonprofit organization whose mission is to strengthen compassionate engagement in the world. When you purchase this or any other book from our online bookstore you help us to introduce seekers from around the world to the contemplative Christian path of transformation. (Everyone who purchases a copy of Do I Stay Christian? will receive a URL to join the discussion group via email.)
Stay up to date on the latest news and happenings from the Center for Action and Contemplation.
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Big Gipp is goin Full Force with Zagga… Rockin the Legendary Viper Room Stage this Weekend to his Hollywood Fans and His Star Studded Fam.
As the Web is reporting, it was definitely like a Reunion… Fellow Outkast Brother Cee-Lo Green even joined Zagga for the Goodie Mob Classic "Cell Therapy". But Lo was chillin in the crowd with Bishop Don Magic Juan, Edidon, DJ Don Juan, James Wade and of course you can't forget Super Producer Cavie… Responsible for a lot of Zagga's new Sound.
Congratulations to all the Good Peeps at VapeXhale.. Whose Cloud 2.0 Won Best New Product at the High Times Cannabis Cup 2013 in San Bernardino.
No joke, James Wade & I tried the VapeXhale… and it is by far the Most Superior Vaporizer Product available. Their HydraTube Delivery System is Def the Ideal when it comes to Clean & Easy Vaping… not to Mention the All Glass Heating Pathway. Truly One Of A Kind.
We have to give props where props is due.. so thanks to the VapeXhale folks for having a Vision of gettin y'all proper while keeping ur Health in Mind and of the Utmost Importance.
I'm pretty sure you all are going to be seeing Lots from VapeXhale… And there might even be a few tricks coming up James Wade & Snoop Dogg's Sleeves.
James Wade shows us how he likes to keep it Medicated & Motivated, by taking a hit o' dat VapeXhale Cloud Vaporizer at their High Times Cannabis Cup 2013 Demonstration Booth.
And it looks like we picked a good choice in product testing, cause the VapeXhale Cloud won Best New Product at the Cannabis Cup. WE got that Stroke of Luck Sun !!
VapeXhale's Red-Headed Hottie Demonstrates Why The Cloud Won Best Product at the 2013 Cannabis Cup !!
Honestly, Vaporizing is the only way to go if you're gonna partake in such Bomb Essence-ness… And The VapeXhale Cloud is Definitely the Next Step in Vaporizer Technology. Its Vapor Pathway is entirely made up of Glass, making it as Healthy as you can possibly get… along with their Hydratube Delivery System, It's gon be like Breathin in that Alpine Air Homey.
And with such Ambience, it's only right that James be puffin to his track "Gang of Marijuana" feat. Snoop Lion on the "Medicated & Motivated EP".
And You Know This … Man !!
If you haven't picked up that "Medicated & Motivated EP" yet… You're Def Missin' Out..
And in order to prove it… Snoop Dogg Tweeted out the Announcement of the Medicated & Motivated EP… Which features James Wade, Dae One, E.D.I. Mean, Dead Prez, Big Rube and More !!
Yeah… that means Snoop tweeted it out to his 10 and a Half Million Followers.. So if you haven't picked it up yet, the other 10.5 Million Will… so don't be the one person left out.
Bun B is Continuing his Legendary Game and filmed "Pimp Proud" his latest single with 2 Trill Ent. / 2 Trill West Recording Artist Max Priest in Downtown LA yesterday.
A portion of this video also filmed in Vegas, where they did a Hangover Parody, and even asked Yours Truly… Prophecy to play the Role of Ken Jong's Character, but sadly, I was in LA when they were filming that portion.
The LA Portion of this Video found it's way around Downtown LA and later ended up at a Cannabis Dispensary where they were joined by Khujo from Goodie MOB and Super Producer Cavie.
Bun B with Director James Wade Gettin Down And Derrty For "Pimp Proud"
Bun B and the 2 Trill Fam... Blazin Hott !!
Bun B and the 2 Trill Fam… Blazin Hott !!


How long does it take to get to Studententuin RXL from McDonald's, Haarlemmermeer by public transit?
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How long does it take to get to Studententuin RXL from Escape, Amsterdam by public transit?
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How long does it take to get to Studententuin RXL from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS), Haarlemmermeer by public transit?
How long does it take to get to Studententuin RXL from McDonald's, Haarlemmermeer by Bus?
How long does it take to get to Studententuin RXL from A4, Haarlemmermeer by Bus?
How long does it take to get to Studententuin RXL from Escape, Amsterdam by Bus?
How long does it take to get to Studententuin RXL from Starbucks, Haarlemmermeer by Bus?
How long does it take to get to Studententuin RXL from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS), Haarlemmermeer by Bus?
How long does it take to get to Studententuin RXL from McDonald's, Haarlemmermeer by Train?
How long does it take to get to Studententuin RXL from A4, Haarlemmermeer by Train?
How long does it take to get to Studententuin RXL from Escape, Amsterdam by Train?
How long does it take to get to Studententuin RXL from Starbucks, Haarlemmermeer by Train?
How long does it take to get to Studententuin RXL from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS), Haarlemmermeer by Train?
How long does it take to get to Studententuin RXL from Escape, Amsterdam by Metro?
How long does it take to get to Studententuin RXL from Pacific Parc, Amsterdam by Metro?
What are the closest stations to Studententuin RXL?
Diemen Station Diemen is 545 meters away, 8 min walk.
Diemen is 616 meters away, 9 min walk.
Diemen Diemen (Sniep) is 907 meters away, 13 min walk.
Diemen Landlust is 996 meters away, 14 min walk.
Which Metro lines stop near Studententuin RXL?
These Metro lines stop near Studententuin RXL: 53.
Which Train lines stop near Studententuin RXL?
These Train lines stop near Studententuin RXL: SPRINTER.
Which Bus lines stop near Studententuin RXL?
These Bus lines stop near Studententuin RXL: 44.
Looking for directions to Studententuin RXL in Diemen, Netherlands? Your journey just became much easier!
Download the Moovit App to find the fastest directions and to see the latest Bus, Train, Metro or Light Rail schedules to Studententuin RXL. Find updated times for all the routes that are available with real-time step-by-step directions from Studententuin RXL.
The Moovit App also shows you the closest stops and stations to your destination. Choose from a list of stops closest to Studententuin RXL: Diemen Station Diemen; Diemen; Diemen Diemen (Sniep); Diemen Landlust.
Pick Bus, Train, Metro or Light Rail options that you can take to get to Studententuin RXL. Here's a list of a few lines that pass near your destination - Metro: 53; Train: SPRINTER; Bus: 44.
Looking to plan your return trip from Studententuin RXL, but don't know the street address? You can select your destination from our online map and Moovit will find the best available routes to get you where you need to go!


text:
Trailer Trash
Film Forge
Mad Max Prequel For Charlize Theron's Furiosa In The Works
It took decades for Mad Max: Fury Road to get off the ground. But it appears as though director George Miller is ready to get a prequel made for one of the star characters from the 2015 action blockbuster. Reports have emerged in The Guardian that Charlize Theron's very own Furiosa will get her own movie. The origin story will reveal how she got to The Citadel to become a driver for Immortan Joe.
Many fans of the film and audience members saw her as the main protagonist and architect of the villain's ultimate demise. And those same people will be delighted at this news.
Set to be filmed in outback New South Wales, Australia in Broken Hill, the spin off/prequel will offer an insight into her backstory that will fill in many of the gaps from Fury Road.
Theron and Hardy Struggled With Chemistry For Fury Road
They might have looked like BFFs on the red carpet promoting the 2015 picture, but all was not well between shoots in Africa for stars Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy. Back in April E News explained that the Mad Max actor was exactly that. The tension going on between the characters wasn't limited on screen, but off it as well.
Australian director Miller said, "I'm not saying that they were seething right through, but the trajectory of the characters can't help but seep into the work."
"When they first meet each other, they're trying to kill each other. As the two characters come together out of necessity and rather reluctantly, they have to find a degree of trust. And to some extent that was the trajectory of their relationship as well."
Box Office Will Be Equally Excited As Fans About Prequel
Not only will Theron be glad that Hardy will be busy elsewhere, but cinemas up and down the country will be licking their lips at another installment of the Mad Max universe Miller has created. Winning Academy Awards for the brilliance of the production, it raked in a staggering $378m while maintaining a 97% rating with Rotten Tomatoes.
Many modern action films are usually one or the other and can come a dime a dozen. Yet the Mad Max franchise is as close to a sure thing for success as there is right now.
20 September 2016 September 20th, 2016
by Blake Hampton
Charlize Theron Talks Atomic Blonde 2 Plans Plus Fast and Furious Future
Atomic Blonde Reviews: Pure Adrenaline Rush For Action Junkies
Chris Hemsworth Endorses Charlize Theron As Next James Bond
Charlize Theron Admits 2005's Aeon Flux "F***ed It All Up"
© Trailer Addict, Inc


Brand Homes care for Adults with Learning Disabilities in the Staines area.
It is in one of these homes that a Care Assistant is required.
Duties are to help the three female and three male residents to achieve as much independence as they are able.
This includes preparing meals, housework, some personal hygiene, medication administration, attending appointments for Doctor and Dentist. Taking residents out for meals, cinema, pubs, clubs, swimming, bowling etc in our own minibus or public transport.
Supervision in all aspects of everyday life.
Click apply to send CV.


text:
KING ALFRED: A MAN
Dr Kelly invites the reader to travel with him on a journey from the birth of King Alfred, passing through his life and battles, and arriving at the mysteries surrounding his death and final resting place. This book is based on the author's personal journey across the locations that are associated with King Alfred, combining his on-the-ground experiences with information gained through research. This book aims to make it easier for people to know where these places are and to create a greater appreciation of them. Paul Kelly is a retired dentist and has a PhD from the University of Birmingham. He is now a keen amateur historian and lives in Dorset with his partner Danielle and a big black cat called Sidney. From the author: "I start at Alfred's reputed place of birth, which was Wantage, Oxfordshire. I continue to trace him across his military engagements with the Vikings, including at the famous battles at Ashdown and Ethandun (Edington), but also at less famous engagements such as at Reading, Exeter, Wilton, Basing and Wareham. I cover the "truce" with Guthrum, the Viking leader, and also the later engagements in Kent when the Vikings landed on the north and south coasts of that county. I trace him up the River Lea into Hertfordshire where he stopped the Vikings escaping by obstructing the river. Finally, I cover his burial locations in Winchester and I examine what there is to know about the current location of his remains. My research is based on a combination of written documents and my own journeys to explore the locations associated with King Alfred. This led me to try to find enigmatic locations such as Egbert's Stone and Iglea (both covered in the book), not to mention the important battle sites of Ashdown and Ethandun. I also look at Alfred's refuge at Athelney, on the Somerset Levels, and speculate as to where he might have been before he arrived there. I also spent some time trying to understand King Alfred's relationship with London and his expanding influence beyond Wessex."
The book, King Alfred: A Man on the Move, is available from Amazon
A more detailed list of the main places mentioned in the book appears below.
PlaBces explored (click links to find out more)
Wantage, Oxfordshire
According to Asser, King Alfred's "biographer", this is where the King was born.
Sutton Courtenay, Oxfordshire
There has been speculation that Alfred got married here.
Sherborne, Dorset
Two of Alfred's elder brothers who had been king before Alfred were interred at Sherborne. Asser was bishop here.
Steyning, West Sussex
Reported to be the initial resting place of Alfred's father, King Æthelwulf.
St Neot, Cornwall
According to Asser, Alfred visited this location to pray at this site, which in Alfred's time was the resting place of a St Guerrir.
Wareham, Dorset
Alfred engaged with the Vikings here in 876.
Engagement with Vikings in 876 and 893.
Englefield, Berkshire
An important battle location not far from Reading, and a precursor to the battle there.
An important Viking stronghold and the site of a battle between Alfred's troops and the Vikings in 871.
The Battle of Ashdown
An important battle. However, the location has not been established. Sites explored include White Horse Hill and Uffington Fort in Oxfordshire, the Berkshire/Oxfordshire downs, including Lowbury Hill, and areas near Streatley and Moulsford, including Kingstanding Hill and the nearby Ridgeway.
Basing (Basingstoke), Hampshire
An engagement with the Vikings in 871.
Battle of Meretun
An unknown location but Martin in Hampshire explored. Marden in Wiltshire is also a possibility.
Wimborne, Dorset
Alfred's elder king brother was interred here. After Alfred died, there was a dispute here between Alfred's son, King Edward the Elder, and the son of King Alfred's elder brother who seized Wimborne.
Wilton, Wiltshire
The site of Alfred's first battle as king.
Seized by the Vikings in 878 while Alfred may have been there. After the Battle of Edington it is probable that Chippenham was the location that Alfred's troops drove the Vikings back to and then held them under siege until they surrendered.
Athelney, Somerset
Where Alfred was hiding out prior to (or whilst preparing for) engagement with the Vikings, which took place later in 878 at the Battle of Edington.
Egbert's Stone
A location where troops supporting Alfred came together prior to the battle at Edington. The location is uncertain, but the following locations were explored: the Deverills in Wiltshire, Willoughby Hedge, the vicinity of the junction between Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire near Pen Selwood, King Alfred's Tower, Stourhead, and Kilmington Common.
Iglea
Where Alfred and his troops spent one night before engaging with the Vikings at the Battle of Edington. Another uncertain location, but the following were explored: Southleigh and Eastleigh Woods, including Robin Hood's Bower, near Sutton Veney, not far from Warminster; Cley Hill.
Battlesbury Hill
It has been suggested that Alfred's troops ascended here up to Salisbury plain in order to cross this to get to Edington
The Battle of Ethandun at Edington, Wiltshire
A famous and decisive battle. The specific location is unknown. Sites explored include: The village of Edington and nearby hills and combes, Bratton Camp and Bratton Down
Aller, Somerset
Notable as the location of a church where Alfred baptised Guthrum, the leader of the Vikings, after he defeated him at Edington.
Wedmore, Somerset
The location of the hospitality provided by Alfred to Guthrum after the latter had been baptised at Aller.
Engagement between Alfred and the Vikings in 884
Appledore, Kent
Alfred camped between two Viking forces that had landed in 892. It is recorded that one of these was at Appledore. Establishing where this was helps determine Alfred's position. Apart from Appledore, other sites explored were Kenardington, Portus Lemanis, and Castle Toll.
Milton Regis (Sittingbourne), Kent
This is where the other Viking camp was located.
Perhaps the site that Alfred used to locate himself between the two Viking forces that had landed in Kent. Bredgar and Stockbury are also explored as possible locations.
The River Lea
Approximately 20 miles north of London the Vikings built a fortress, but Alfred blocked in their boats. Areas explored include Hertford, Ware, Waltham Abbey, and the River Lea/Lee between these places.
In 886 Alfred had achieved power in London. Previously this location had been under the control of Mercia.
Winchester, Hampshire
Alfred was interred first at the Old Minster (no longer standing) and then eventually at Hyde Abbey, Winchester. However, the location of his bones has not been established.
Dorchester, Dorset.
Evidence from charters points to Alfred's presence here
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Record suggest that Alfred restored this town and he had a monastery built and appointed his daughter as abbess.
Old Wardour, Wiltshire
Alfred's presence is recorded in a document relating to a property dispute.
Locations of sea battles
Dean in Sussex
Where Asser first came into contact with King Alfred
Swinbeorg
Where Alfred was present at an assembly
The book is a Black Slash publication.
I Site.pro


A few weeks ago, Forty One Twenty headed out to the desert to test out some new toys. I decided to tag along and document the day of shooting, climbing and exploring the gorgeous terrain of Joshua Tree. Here are a few shots from our day!
Six months ago today, my photography business re-launched with a new and improved brand and web presence. That day in December was the culmination of months of hard work, brand "therapy", personal goal setting, strategy and development with B!G Deal Branding. It was, by far, the scariest venture and risk I've encountered in my career. However, I KNEW I'd chosen the best team to work with and the final product was exactly what I wanted. I've received so much positive feedback from the new brand and hearing exactly what I hoped to hear, which is that this new brand is totally ME. That was the most important aspect in this whole process was identifying who I am, who my ideal client is, etc. This journey is far from over, but I know that I have a strong platform to work from and a brand that will help me pursue my dreams and accomplish the goals I've set for myself. Thank you to all who encouraged me through the process and to the B!G Deal Team for an incredible journey in business, entrepreneurship and friendship. Cheers to six months and many many more!!
As I've said before, running a business on your own is not easy, but it's more than worth it for the people I meet and the places I visit. Some of you know that I recently traveled to Italy…here are a few snapshots from my trip! Full recap coming soon!
I will throw in a little work here and there and will be checking emails, but thank you in advance for your patience as I'm not sure how much internet connection I'll have while traveling. To all of my mom-to-be clients & friends, I'll be thinking of you and can't wait to meet your little ones as soon as I get back!!
It's been THREE years since I was laid off from being a project manager at Upper Deck. I loved my job in the "corporate world". At the time I was hired, it was my "dream job". The dream I'd worked so hard for in high school, college and graduate school. I loved my role in the company and had a passion for the industry I was in. I also loved photography. I loved the part time business I was building and couldn't wait to venture out to make it a full time career. But I was scared. Scared to fail. Scared to make that first step and quit my job. Little did I know, God had another plan for me and let it happen on its own. I remember that day vividly and my emotions were all over the place. I was sad, happy, confused, nervous, relieved. Honestly, that's still how I feel some days. Owning your own business is HARD. It's ALL on me. I'm the boss, manager, employee, CEO, CFO…you get the idea. But it's so WORTH IT. While difficult, photography has allowed me to experience things I never would have done in a corporate job. Yes, I work a lot of weekends and don't have a normal schedule, but I get to travel more, spend time with family, meet new people and document once-in-a-lifetime moments.
All this to say, I wouldn't change where I am at for anything. With the support and encouragement of family, friends and clients, this is right where I'm supposed to be. As this day passes each year, I'm reminded that I owe so much to all of you who have given me your praise, hugs, high-fives and even criticism. I'm so thankful for those who have brought me where I am today…more than you'll ever know. So…THANK YOU for being on this journey with me and the ride that is yet to come.
Oh the places you'll go…a giveaway!
Thank you again to ALL that participated!!! The comments below are so great and I LOVED reading all of your stories. It's so great to get to know you all a little more and I will surely have another contest like this in the future. THANK YOU!!!
Congratulations to Amanda Flisher and Kristin Brandt!!! Thanks to the help of my random number generator, Amanda (commenter #39) won the $25 Sprinkles Cupcakes Gift Card and Kristin (commenter #17) won a FREE mini session!!
Welcome! To those of you who are NEW to my blog…thanks for checking it out! Over the next several weeks I'll be posting images from the last few months of 2012 as well as recent 2013 sessions. A few personal posts will be mixed in as well as I love for my clients to get to know me better and vice versa. So let's get 2013 started off right with a little giveaway and conversation about one of my favorites things…TRAVEL!
Over the past few years, I've been able to travel to some amazing places. Some personal, some business…either way, I'm up for it! From Maui to Minnesota or Seattle to Spain, I'd love to shoot more weddings and fill up those passport pages. 🙂 On tap for 2013 so far? Sacramento, Tahoe, Mexico and Italy! If you have the travel bug like me, you've probably thought of your dream vacation or even the ideal location for your own destination wedding. Here's my challenge to you…well, not really a challenge since it should be pretty easy…tell me your dreamiest, most ideal destination wedding location. Think about it for a minute… A tropical locale with warm weather and cold drinks? A castle in the mountains of Europe? A rooftop ceremony in the city? You tell me! All you need to do is add a COMMENT to THIS blog post. Already married? No problem! Tell me your ideal spot for a vow renewal! THOSE THAT COMMENT ON THIS BLOG POST will be entered into a raffle for a FREE MINI SESSION to take place in February or March AND a $25 Sprinkles Cupcakes Gift Card. The drawing will be random, but don't spare any details in your comments…tell me where you'd love to go AND why! And someday maybe we can make that dream come true!!
1. Anyone can enter! Single, engaged, married…anyone!
2. Think of the ONE place you'd love to travel to for your DESTINATION WEDDING OR VOW RENEWAL. Be creative…do you want to get married at one of those hotels made of ice? Love it!
3. Share that destination in a COMMENT BELOW and tell me why you chose that particular location. PLEASE make sure to include your EMAIL address in your comment.
5. TWO winners will be randomly chosen next Wednesday, the 16th!
You may have noticed things have changed around here! After 3+ years of building my photography business, I decided it was time to take things to the next level. I wanted my brand to reflect more of who I am and the kind of work that makes me so excited to get up in the morning. I hired B!G DEAL BRANDING because I trust them. It's as simple as that. They are the BEST at what they do and I never had any doubts about their ability to guide me through this process. I felt having people on my team who really understood me was crucial to getting this right. We buckled down for four months, combing through the ins and outs of my business, my dreams and what makes me tick and out came this refreshing new identity that I couldn't be more proud to own.
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A perk of owning your own business is the ability to make your own schedule. This means working many weekends and sometimes holidays, but it also lends the opportunity to travel the world. And being able to shoot weddings abroad? That's something I can't wait to do more of! I've been lucky enough to shoot weddings in Hawaii, San Francisco, Seattle, Arizona, Minnesota and Spain. I'm excited to see what the future holds for destination weddings and personal travel as well. In the meantime, here are some photos of my favorite spots so far…Paris, Spain and Maui. See you soon!!


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Even if you sign in to your Xbox game with a gamertag, some games have a separate account sign-in when you play them. In some cases, you may be able to sign in successfully with your gamertag but not with the in-game account. Here are some solutions you can try so you can sign in.
You may not be able to use your in-game account if you lost connectivity while signing in to your game.
Select Settings and then select Network & Internet.
Make sure that the network you're connected to shows as Connected.
If your network does not show as Connected or if you're having connectivity problems, scroll to the bottom of the page and select Network and Sharing Center. From there, select Troubleshoot problems and follow the instructions.
A service fault means that although you have an online connection, the service that provides sign-in is unavailable. Check for service alerts at Xbox Live status, or see if there's an Xbox Live service alert at the top of this page. If there are any current service alerts, wait a while and then try again.
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Visit Windows 10 Games for a list of game titles. For a Microsoft published game, you can check for any game-specific information, as well as link to the community pages for known service faults or sign-in issues. For third-party games (not published by Microsoft), you'll find links to the publisher's support and community pages.
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Nepal is a country in a league of its own with breathtakingly beautiful scenery, a fascinating culture and friendly people. Meeting the villagers whilst trekking through this landlocked gem of a nation is one of its greatest pleasures. The route takes you via the Sherpa capital of Namche Bazaar through beautiful valleys, dense forests and across glacial rivers, enjoying tantalising glimpses of the mighty Everest before you reach your goal of Base Camp. There is also time built in to trek to the summit of Kalapatar, the famous Everest viewpoint, and wonder at views of highest mountain on the planet at sunrise. There is also time to explore the colourful and frenetic capital of Kathmandu.


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The F-35A Lightning II is a fifth-generation fighter combining advanced aerodynamics, survivability in high-threat environments and an enhanced ability to provide pilots and allied assets across operational domains with robust situational awareness.
The F-35 is the result of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program to develop a single-engine, stealthy, multi-role fighter to replace an aging fleet of mission-dedicated airframes: the F-16 Fighting Falcon and A-10 Thunderbolt II for the Air Force and the F/A-18 Hornet and AV-8B Harrier II for the Navy and Marine Corps.
Although separate airframe variants were designed to meet specific needs of the various military services, all F-35 variants are primarily designed to infiltrate contested airspace, accurately deliver guided and conventional munitions, and collect, process and disseminate real-time reconnaissance while maintaining robust air-to-air combat capability at speeds above Mach 1.
Military and budgetary benefits of international cooperation are well represented in the F-35 program. Partner nations including the U.S., U.K., Canada, Netherlands, Italy, Turkey, Denmark, Norway and Australia, are highly involved in the aircraft's ongoing development. The F-35 has also been sold to Israel, Japan and South Korea.
Use of a common weapons system among allies promotes an operational familiarity during coalition partner training and combat, while reducing the cost, time, training, manning and research and development of integrating dissimilar airframes of those allied nations.
The Royal Australian Air Force, has committed to obtaining 72 F-35A aircraft to form three operational squadrons at RAAF Base Williamtown and RAAF Base Tindal, and a training squadron at RAAF Base Williamtown. The RAAF is expected to take delivery of its first operational F-35As in December 2018.


Right in the heart of the Valley, our rustic café & outdoor patio is available to rent for team meetings, workshops, panel events, networking mixers, and more. Our kitchen offers delicious food & beverage options + plenty of tables & chairs are provided to accommodate small or large groups, making this an easy all-inclusive location to host your next company off-site or conference. We are located off the 101 freeway in the building that used to house the MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America). When word about MPAA's secret location got out, they decided to move. Lucky for us! We love the mosaics depicting scenes from famous movies that are scattered around the building.
They are really easy to work with and cooperative.


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Workers' Control and Revolution (page 1 of 2)
By Victor Wallis
Author's Note (12/98): This article originally appeared in Self-Management VI, 1 (Fall, 1978). Given the difficulty of obtaining that now-defunct journal, I welcome any opportunity to circulate the piece through other channels. I would be interested in extending my reflections on the topic and would welcome any comments. They may be addressed to me at 14 Park Avenue, Somerville, MA 02144
In the perpetual striving of the left to integrate long-range vision and immediate practice, the idea of workers' control [1] occupies a special place. On the one hand, its generalized application would satisfy one of the main requirements for a stateless society; on the other, the basic units and the specific measures, which it involves, are such that it can sometimes be put into practice within particular enterprises in an otherwise capitalist framework. In the first of these perspectives, workers' control has always been one of the most radical possible demands, indistinguishable in effect from the communist ideal, while from the second vantage-point it has appeared to be limited, innocuous, and easily cooptable.
How can a single demand appear at the same time so easy and so difficult, so harmless and so explosive? The contradiction lies of course in the system, which has given rise to the demand. Prior to capitalism, the idea of "workers' control of the production process" could not have been a demand; it was a simple fact of life (within the limits allowed by nature). Hence the apparent accessibility of workers' control, which at bottom reflects no more than the capacity of all humans to think as well as to do. In these terms, it should not be surprising that workers occasionally take over and run productive enterprises without necessarily having an explicit socialist consciousness or political strategy. The faculties they draw upon for such initiatives are not so much new as they are long suppressed--for the majority of the population.
It is the overcoming of this suppression, as old as capitalism, which constitutes the explosive side of workers' control. What workers' control points to is more than just a new way of organizing production; it is also the release of human creative energy on a vast scale. As such, it is inherently revolutionary. But at the same time, because of the very weight of what it must overcome, it appears correspondingly remote from day-to-day struggles. As a political rallying point, it has two specific drawbacks. First, its urgency in many situations is not likely to be as great as that of survival-demands; and second, its full application will remain limited as long as there are economic forces beyond the reach of the workers--whether within a given country or outside it.[2]
Concern with these dimensions is often seen as precluding an emphasis on workers' control, and as a result, the self-management impulse, despite its original naturalness, is consigned to utopia. Such a dismissal is altogether unjustified. The current growing interest in workers' control cannot be explained merely by its timeless qualities. Like Marx's critique of capitalism, it reflects a definite historical juncture. The countries with extreme physical privation are no longer the only ones in which the system's breakdown is manifest. The advanced capitalist regimes are likewise in question, even if not for the first time. A new feature of the current crisis is precisely a redefinition of the concept of basic needs. The "environment," after all, exists inside as well as outside the workplace, and the old distinction between survival needs (identified with wages) and other demands (self-determination, participation, and control) is increasingly losing its meaning. Linked to this is the fact that the fragmentation of the capitalist work process has reached a limit in the leading industrial sectors and is fast approaching it in clerical and sales operations.[3] As the reaction develops, there is no reason why it should stop half way. Finally, with the rightward evolution of the Chinese leadership (the last great foreign model), there has opened an increasing space on the left to reexamine long-held assumptions about revolutionary organization--assumptions which after all had gained their principal confirmation in countries with vastly different economic starting points from our own.[4]
But despite all such arguments for placing workers' control on the agenda, one may well remain skeptical as to the real possibilities it encompasses. The isolated self-managed enterprises are interesting, but by their very nature they require either a small scale of initial operations, or else a negotiated transfer, which would be beyond the reach of the workers in any major industry. A second possibility to consider would be some of the West European reform models. These seem to have stopped short of all but the most token worker input except in the Swedish case. In Sweden, the results are more impressive, extending to major changes in the work process, flexibility in scheduling, and even the beginnings of an input into production decisions.[5] However, this is still not control.
The changes in Sweden are important for showing the workers' capabilities and also for developing them further, but they do not amount to a decisive shift of power. Thus they still leave unanswered the question of what the actual autonomy of the workers would mean. As a third alternative, we might consider the practice of some of the existing post-capitalist societies, which have instituted one form, or another of elective principle at the factory level. The two main cases in point, where such measures have been directly introduced by the political leadership, are Yugoslavia and China. But in both cases the measures were subject to important checks all along,[6] and more recently have been counterbalanced by decisive reversions to earlier practices: market-oriented in the case of Yugoslavia; bureaucratic in the case of China. As a further counter-consideration, so far as workers' control is concerned, we should note that attention to such cases, particularly that of China, frequently encourages an attitude of postponing any consideration of workplace-reorganization until after the question of state power has been "settled." Like other aspects of a full socialist transformation, however, workers' control has a way of losing its priority if it is not built into the process from the beginning.
In sum, if we survey the available current examples of workers' participation in management, what we find falls very far short of control except in the most isolated cases, even where considerable social upheaval has intervened. It would seem, then, that while workers' control may perhaps not be impossible, it at least requires almost laboratory-controlled surroundings for its success.[7] There is one type of experience, however, which explodes such a view completely, and that is the experience of the revolutionary periods themselves. On the one hand, workers' control has gone further and deeper in such periods than at any other times, whether pre- or post-revolutionary. And on the other hand, far from being peculiar to this or that crisis, workers' control initiatives have arisen along with every revolutionary crisis that has yet occurred in industrialized or even partly industrialized countries.
Clearly, we are dealing with a phenomenon of universal force and appeal. And yet, without more than this initial recognition of it, we are tempted to ask whether the crises themselves don't constitute an environment just as artificial as the isolated small enterprise or the self-sufficient community. Such a view is contradicted, however, by two immediate considerations. First is simply the range of different settings and circumstances in which the initiatives arose. Without setting any across-the-board criteria as to the depth or thrust of the crises, a listing would have to include: Russia 1917-18, Germany 1918-19, Hungary 1919, Italy 1920, Spain 1936-39, Czechoslavakia 1945-47, Hungary and Poland 1956, Algeria 1962-65, China 1966-69, France and Czechoslovakia 1968, Chile 1970-73, and Portugal 1974-75. Second and more decisive is the fact that in no case did the radical initiative die a natural death. Although there may have been natural disadvantages (inexperience, excesses, or abuses), what killed the initiative in every case was not any loss of enthusiasm, but rather the threat or use of armed force. It is true that in many of the cases there were also divisions among the workers, but it was the military factor which invariably sealed the argument.
If we grant, then, that workers' control has shown itself to have a core of viability, it remains for us to ask what can be learned from all these experiences which might point toward its implementation under stable conditions. Focusing first on the Russian case and then on three cases directly pertinent to today's advanced capitalist democracies, we shall have to look for both positive and negative lessons in such matters as the capacities of the workers, the ripeness of the surrounding conditions, and the role of political leadership.
Proletariat and Dictatorship in Revolutionary Russia
The history of revolutionary workers' movements presents an inspiring but at the same time a sobering succession of rises and falls. Tremendous but short-lived outpourings of human potential are followed by longer periods of often-bitter repression. Indeed, the rule so far seems to be: the higher the hopes, the bloodier the repression.
The Russian case inescapably sets the terms for any comparative discussion. In its combination of hopes and disappointments, it was certainly a prototype, although it differs from its successors on our list in being the only case of a movement initiated under capitalism in which the capitalist state was decisively overthrown. In that sense, it represents the closest approach of any of them to a clear-cut workers' victory. Related to this point is the uniqueness of the Russian Revolution in being, despite the immensity of the country's peasant population, the only revolution yet to have triumphed on the basis of an industrial working class. This fact, combined with the forcefulness of Lenin's writings, has given the Bolshevik approach a historic influence on discussions of workers' control which is out of all proportion to the revolution's long-run attainments in that area.
In point of fact, the Bolshevik leadership, from the moment that it took power in October 1917, entered upon an irrevocable collision course with workers' self-management initiatives. For
Lenin himself, there may have been some misgivings; at least there is no question about his enthusiasm for workers' initiatives during the whole pre-October period.[8] But his position after October is unambiguous: "large-scale machine industry--which is precisely the material source, the productive source, the foundation of socialism--calls for absolute and strict unity of will.... But how can strict unity of will be ensured? By thousands subordinating their will to the will of one."[9]
Despite the unprecedented surge of factory takeovers which occurred throughout 1917, the
Bolshevik leadership looked upon such actions as at most an expression of revolt against the bourgeoisie. It did not treat them as being something which they could directly build upon in the course of a transition to socialism. Instead, going along with the emphasis on obedience, Lenin repeatedly urged a prominent managerial role for former capitalists. When the Bolsheviks adopted the slogan of workers' control, therefore, they made clear that they understood "control" in the limited European sense of "checking."[10] While the performance of the ex-capitalists was thus indeed to be "controlled," Lenin never spelled out what aspects of the production process the workers would be empowered to judge. What this meant in practice, however, is clearly suggested in his remarks about Taylorism, namely, that if a given method can quadruple productivity for the benefit of the capitalists, it can just as well do so for the benefit of the working class.[11]
In line with this approach, the Soviet government reacted with consistent disfavor to workers' managerial initiatives, even where the alternative was a factory-shutdown.[12] Lenin defended this overall position by referring to the urgency of the country's economic tasks and to the inexperience of the workers.[13] He did not consider the possibility of using the old managers just as consultants, but instead accepted the idea that they should retain prime authority. In defense of this stance, one can point out that many workers escaping the old discipline used their freedom of action for purely private or sectoral advantages;[14] however, the widespread heroism displayed by workers in the civil war suggests that if given a meaningful opportunity, they might well have acted differently. While critics of self-management are right in stressing the need for coordination, there is no reason for them to assume--particularly in periods of revolutionary mobilization--that it is incompatible with increased reliance on rank-and-file initiative. In any case, what was perhaps even more significant than the government's position was the peremptory manner in which the leadership imposed it, not through discussion with the workers but rather by means of threats.[15]
What was at issue, in effect, was an entire approach to the transitional process. The acceptance of Taylorist methods was just one component--albeit a central one--of Lenin's larger view of the Russian economy as still requiring full development of the capitalist production process even if under (presumed) working class leadership. Lenin referred to this contradictory stage as "state capitalism," which he saw as a necessary prerequisite to socialism.[16] Its essence was a continuous increase of economic concentration. As such, its opponents could easily be classified as petty bourgeois, even though in fact workers might just as well resist the associated rationalization of industry.
In any case, it was in the context of his state-capitalism argument that Lenin presented his most general response to the self-management-oriented critics of his policy. The essay in question,
"'Left Wing' Childishness and the Petty Bourgeois Mentality" (May 1918), makes important reading in relation to present-day discussion of workers' control and socialism. Lenin treats workers' self-management as being not only premature but even counterproductive to his overall strategy for reaching socialism by way of state capitalism. The either/or nature of his position is made explicit in the following exhortation: "our task is to study the state capitalism of the Germans, to spare no effort in copying it and not to shrink from adopting dictatorial methods to hasten the copying of it."[17] There can be little question as to which class would be the butt of such dictatorship at the factory level.
If the workers, however, are so ill equipped for self-management, how can their party be justified in taking state power? Lenin takes up this question of prematurity in general terms in the same essay, arguing convincingly against the kind of purism ("man in a muffler") which requires a perfect evenness in the development of all forces before any step forward can be taken.[18] It is strange that this properly dialectical response should accompany Lenin's totally undialectical exaltation of the priority of state capitalism. For while the latter approach could and did kill workers' self-management initiatives, the dialectical approach, with its recognition that people's faculties develop in conjunction with their responsibilities, prompts precisely the opposite suggestion: namely, if it was not too soon for the workers (through their parties) to seize state power, why was it too soon for them to start using it to transform production relations? Or, in other words, if Soviet industrialization was to differ from that of capitalist countries by being completed under a workers' government, why could it not also differ in the manner in which it was administered at the unit-level, i.e., within the factory?
What is at issue here is not in the nature of an "error" on Lenin's part. In terms of the immediate priority of defeating the counterrevolution, he was undeniably successful, although whether his approach was the only one possible is something that we may never know. Two things are certain, however. One is that the supposedly temporary restraints upon workers' initiatives were never removed; [19] the other is that the economic assumptions, which seemed to justify them were not peculiar to Lenin but were widely shared in his time, even among Marxists. Briefly put, the assumptions are (1) that growth is good, (2) that results are more important than processes, and (3) that capitalists get results.[20] Linked to them in Lenin's thinking was the more specific belief in the relative neutrality of capitalist management techniques (Taylorism) and, with it, the implicit conclusion that communists can play the capitalist game without getting drawn into it.
The irony of all this is that while Lenin's approach may have been necessary to prevent the immediate counterrevolution, it undoubtedly worked to facilitate the more long-term restoration of traditional hierarchical management practices. The negative lesson of the Soviet experience is therefore clear: socialist revolution will not lead directly to the establishment of workers' control unless the appropriate measures are incorporated into the process through all its stages. What the Russian workers accomplished in 1917 was of unparalleled importance in raising this possibility. If their efforts failed, it was not because of any inherent flaw in what they were striving for, but rather because of historical circumstances specific to the Russian case.
The circumstances in question all relate to Russia's position as pacesetter. First, as already suggested, the period itself was one in which the impressiveness of capitalism's productive attainments was still largely unquestioned. Secondly, the very economic backwardness, which made Russian society so explosive, also required that any revolutionary government place a premium upon growth. And third, the workers themselves operated under a series of specific disadvantages, the most decisive of which was the lack of sufficient tradition and organization to enable them to coordinate their self-management initiatives.
The Politics of Revolutionary Workers' Control: Three Cases
The Russian experience, while only the first of its kind, was also the one in which the anti-capitalist struggle came closest to success. We have already seen, though, how distant it still was from a genuine victory. The capitalists were politically and militarily defeated, but their conception of the workplace hierarchy survived--with decisive consequences for the overall development of Soviet society.
Looking at the subsequent experiences of Italy, Spain, and Chile, we can make almost exactly the opposite comment. The capitalist class in all three cases recovered its position in the most thoroughgoing and brutal form possible, via fascism. But the workers in each case made unprecedented advances which, taken together, go far toward mapping the place of workers' control in the transformations which still await the industrialized countries.
Italy, 1920.
The Italian factory occupations of September 1920 were in some ways more limited than their crisis-counterparts elsewhere. They lasted less than a month, during which time a liberal bourgeois government remained in place; and the immediate withdrawal of the workers was based on a compromise. There was no doubt on either side, however, that class and state power were at issue throughout.[21] This was the first instance of factory-seizures in a capitalist democracy, and it also gave rise for the first time to the idea that the workers could make the revolution not by bringing production to a halt (the general strike) but rather by taking charge of it themselves.
If the short-run scope of the episode remained limited, it was partly because the workers lacked a strategy for going beyond the factory-seizures and partly because of the reluctant patience of the capitalist class in waiting them out. The seizures themselves reflected an ad hoc decision. Although they climaxed more then a year of dramatic advances by the workers--including an election in which the Socialists emerged as the top vote-getting party--, the immediate occasion for them was a lockout.[22] The unity of the workers' direct response was not matched by any thoroughness or consensus in their prior planning. As for the capitalists, their patience at that moment was prompted not only by their unwillingness to destroy the factories but also by two contingent factors: on the one hand a cyclical downturn in the demand for their products,[23] and on the other, in the person of Giolitti, a shrewd political leadership at the national level.
These factors, however, served only to delay the more fundamental capitalist response. The full reaction began with the fascist takeover of 1922. The connection between Italy's "first" in the sphere of fascism and its "first" in the sphere of factory-seizures is by no means accidental. The actual experience of the factory-seizures constituted a trauma for the bourgeoisie.[24] Giolitti's temporizing strategy had proved to be a sufficient palliative in only one sense: it gave short-run results simply because the workers had no way of extending their leverage beyond the factories themselves. But Giolitti had had higher hopes than just winning the immediate battle; as he admitted in his memoirs, he had assumed--in a manner doubtless common to the class he represented--that if he simply let the occupation run its course, the workers would soon realize that they were incapable of managing production.[25] This comfortable assumption was shattered once and for all. The working class threat was clearly more profound than Giolitti had thought, and for the bourgeoisie this justified new methods of repression.[26]
Despite their brevity, the Italian factory occupations signaled a major step forward for the workers compared to the Russian experience. In Russia, for reasons already noted, the workers had displayed considerable disorganization and indiscipline, sometimes degenerating into outright corruption, all of which had provided the element of justification for Lenin's repressive approach. In the Italian factories, by contrast, "absenteeism among workers was negligible, discipline effective, combativity widely diffused."[27] Moreover, unlike the Russian situation, where worker-run factories had related to the market on a one-by-one basis, in Italy the workers set in motion the rudiments of a coordinated sales policy.[28] In general, then, the Italian workers gave important practical evidence to show that one-man rule in the factory is not necessarily the only alternative to chaos.
It may seem paradoxical that the workers' revolutionary self-discipline should have advanced more in a situation where they were remote from power than in one where they could think of themselves as a ruling class. Even at an immediate level, however, this is not necessarily implausible, for the Italian workers were encouraged in their self-discipline by two practical requirements: on the one hand, that of guarding against provocation in a setting where the factories were surrounded by hostile armed forces, and on the other, that of building up support in new sectors of the population.
But one must still look deeper in order to see what enabled the Italian workers to respond to these requirements in the appropriate way. Italy's political development is characterized by some unique combinations of features not found together elsewhere. At the broadest level, it combines the late-industrialization traits of Germany and Russia with some of the constitutionalist traits of Northern and Western Europe. While late industrialization gave a revolutionary thrust to the working class, the possibility of incorporating democratic demands into labor struggles made the unions less "economistic" than they were--for varying reasons--in the other industrializing countries.[29] As a result, there was less of a basis in Italy than elsewhere for the radical dichotomy between trade-union consciousness and class consciousness which at so many points shaped Lenin's thinking. More >>
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A cultured central midfielder, Ilkay Gündogan has only ever been held back through bad luck with injuries. This summer, though, the former Borussia Dortmund favourite should finally get to showcase his energy and slick passing on the world stage for Germany. bundesliga.com looks back on how the Manchester City player rose to prominence.
Gündogan is used to dealing with setbacks. Perhaps the first big one came as an eight-year-old, when he ended a brief association with Schalke. For the son of Turkish parents, who was brought up in Gelsenkirchen, realising that he would have to stop training with his hometown club hit him hard.
Growth problems meant that the youngster needed to take some time out of sport but – just like he would do as a professional – he dusted himself down and came back stronger. When he was 13, Schalke offered Gündogan another chance to link up with the Royal Blues, but the fear of suffering yet more disappointment caused him to reject the offer.
Two years later, however, he felt ready to see how far his talents could take him, and he accepted the chance to join Bochum's academy in 2005.
From there, Gündogan's progress was steady – albeit playing in a more advanced role than we have become accustomed to watching him in. He joined Nuremburg in February 2009 after scoring 10 goals for Bochum's under 19-side earlier that season as well as one in two matches for the reserve team.
Already a Germany under-19 international by that stage, the new signing was hailed by then-Nuremburg boss Michael Oenning as "a true number 10". The 18-year-old didn't have to wait long to be reassured that he had chosen his latest move well. Gündogan made his professional debut as a substitute on the final day of the 2008/09 season, and Nuremburg would go on to beat Energie Cottbus in a play-off to earn promotion to the Bundesliga.
Gündogan would not look back. He made his top-flight bow on the opening day of the following campaign against – of all teams – Schalke. Playing mostly in a wide role, he registered 22 appearances in his first Bundesliga season, and got his first league goal in a memorable 1-1 Bavarian derby draw with soon-to-be-champions Bayern Munich in February 2010.
Nuremburg finished third from bottom that year, but Gündogan was starting to show he was a man for the big occasion – scoring in the second leg of their relegation play-off win over Augsburg.
Nuremburg insisted their rising star was not for sale anyway, although goalkeeper Raphael Schäfer said the attacking midfielder was worth the €7 million that other clubs were reportedly willing to pay for him.
While Gündogan was honoured by the club's faith in him and flattered by Schäfer's assessment, he vowed not to have his head turned by the newfound attention.
"I have to work harder and possibly even increase the price," he told kicker. In any case, he was also in no rush to move on. "I have faith in my ability, and I think that I have the potential to go further if I can keep learning," he said.
With a wise head on young shoulders, Gündogan continued to impress on the pitch. He netted five times in 25 games in 2010/11, helping to lift his team to an impressive sixth-place finish. That was enough for Dortmund to make their move, and the Germany under-21 international joined the new Bundesliga champions in May 2011.
Star playmaker Nuri Sahin left Dortmund for Real Madrid that summer, and it was in black and yellow that Gündogan began developing into the dynamic central midfielder he is today.
The transition from playing at a club punching above its weight to one challenging for titles was naturally not without its difficulties, however, and in October Klopp felt compelled to take the new arrival out of the spotlight.
Gündogan earned his first cap for Germany that same month, however, and Klopp's careful nurturing paid off in the second half of the season. Eventually settling into the deeper role demanded of him at Dortmund, he won back his starting place in March, and scored an extra-time winner in a DFB Cup semi-final against Greuther Fürth.
He then netted his third league goal of the campaign in a crucial victory at Wolfsburg on Matchday 29, and would finish his first season at Dortmund as a league and cup winner.
Gündogan's second campaign would look similar on paper – three goals in 28 league appearances – but this time Dortmund could only finish fourth in the league.
It was still one of the most memorable years in the club's history, however, as Klopp's exciting and tireless team saw off the likes of Manchester City and Real Madrid to reach the 2012/13 UEFA Champions League final.
Gündogan, having adapted to Klopp's challenging, high-energy system, was central to it all. So much so, that in March 2013 BVB CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke had to address rumours that Barcelona wanted to sign the club's number eight.
"We won't sell Ilkay for any price in the world," Watzke told Bild.
Dortmund's metronome in the middle of the park played all 12 European games that season, and he was tasked with the responsibility of bringing them level in the final against Bayern at Wembley. Gündogan calmly slotted home his second-half penalty, but his team would lose out to a late Arjen Robben winner.
Perhaps it was at this point that Gündogan's luck began to desert him for a time. After starting on the opening day of the 2013/14 campaign, he suffered a back injury that would ultimately keep him out of action for 14 months.
"It was quite a long time where I didn't want to have surgery too early because surgery of the spine – for a footballer especially – is not easy, and of course it is dangerous," Gündogan told Sky Sports in 2016.
Thankfully Gündogan did – returning in October 2014 - although injury problems would continue to dog the playmaker for his final two years at Dortmund. He helped the club reach the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals in April 2016, but a month later he dislocated his knee in training.
Having missed the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Gündogan would also sit out UEFA EURO 2016. And following his move to Manchester City in June 2016, the 27-year-old suffered a further blow when he tore his anterior cruciate ligament that December.
Just like at the very start, however, Gündogan would bounce back. In August 2017, he returned to action once more and - having fought so hard to do so – he thoroughly deserves this summer's chance to represent Germany in a major tournament.


Your remote monitoring needs are important for you, your teams, and your organization.
Flood Warning Systems measuring high water level reports?
Did the temperature go too high in any of your vehicles?
Humidity dropped below your custom threshold?
Air quality at dangerously concerning levels?
Water flowmeter alerts when your organization is pumping too much water for your current water well levels?
Vacuums or Pumps go out of whack on 1 of your fleet vehicles, trucks, or trailers loaded with Industrial Equipment and Sensors?
Noise, sound, and decibel levels too high?
Need alerts when something's happening with your organization's remote assets?
You can get Text Message (a.k.a., SMS, a.k.a, Short Message Service) alerts for any Industrial IoT sensors you're monitoring with Tools.Valarm.net.
We've integrated Twilio with Tools.Valarm.net so your outbound sensor telemetry alerts can go to mobile devices like phones via text messages / SMS! You can also send alerts via e-mail when your remotely monitored assets do something you don't want to do. See this page for more info on setting up email alerts for Industrial IoT. We'll be talking about how to set up SMS text message alerts for your Industrial IoT applications in this article.
First off, log in to your Valarm Tools Cloud account at Tools.Valarm.net.
Then we'll set up your account info and link your Twilio account to Valarm Tools Cloud. Click your account name that's in the blue button in the top right part of the page. This blue account name button is highlighted with a red circle in the screenshot here.
Next click the view button for your currently selected Tools.Valarm.net account. You'll see the view button highlighted with a red ellipse in the bottom left part of the page in the screenshot. Yours will look similar to this. Click view and we're on to the next step!
Now we're on your Account View page and you can see that the Twilio Connect Integration is not enabled, yet. Let's fix that up and enable Twilio + Valarm Tools Cloud integration so you can send out your IIoT sensor alerts via SMS text message!
Click the Edit button in the bottom left of the Account View page. It's highlighted with a red circle in the screenshot. After you click that we'll authorize and link your Twilio account to Tools.Valarm.net.
We're ready to link and authorize Valarm Tools Cloud on Twilio.com! You can click the question mark (?) to learn more about this or any other Valarm feature. You're seeing an example of this in the screenshot.
Click the link next to Twilio Connect Integration. Then you can authorize and link Twilio and Valarm.
After that we'll set up the phone number you want to use for sending out your sensor text message SMS alerts.
When you click the link to integrate Twilio + Valarm Tools Cloud, you'll be taken to the twilio.com authentication page. It'll look like what you see in these screenshots.
You can log in to your existing Twilio account. Or you can set up a new Twilio account if you don't have one yet.
After you've logged in and authorized your Twilio account from the previous step, then you'll see a new, blue button appear that lets you choose your Twilio phone number.
Now that yourValarm Tools Cloud + Twilio authentication is complete, click the button to launch the window for assigning a Twilio phone number.
You can see this in the example screenshot where we've entered the area code 801 and there's a list of available phone numbers.
Choose the phone number you want using the button next to your favorite number. This is the phone number from which you and your teams will receive your Valarm Industrial IoT sensor alerts!
After you pick a Twilio phone number you'll get a confirmation message.
You can also log in to your Twilio dashboard and check what phone number(s) you've got.
There's an example of the Twilio dashboard in the screenshot here. In the screenshot you can see that the phone number we got on Tools.Valarm.net is configured and managed by Valarm Tools Cloud. Excellent!
We're ready to set up what Valarm sensor devices send SMS text message alerts. And for what thresholds you need text alerts!
Let's go to your Device Manager page on Tools.Valarm.net to configure when, where, and who will get your SMS text message alerts.
On the Device Manager page, click your Valarm sensor hub device with the sensors you need to set up for SMS Text Message Alerts.
Click Outbound Alerts under Configure Data Path, after you've clicked the name of the Valarm device you want to set up.
You'll see Outbound Alerts after you mouse over the Configure Data Path orange button, in the upper right part of the page. It's highlighted with a red circle in the screenshot here.
You're ready to Configure Threshold Responses for outbound IIoT sensor alerts!
Under the Configure Threshold Responses window you'll see numbered, clickable tabs where you can set up your different channels / alerts for a Valarm device.
In the screenshot here we've configured channel 3 to send SMS via Twilio alerts.
Fill out the fields appropriately for your organization's remote sensor monitoring application. Give your SMS text message alert a name, e.g., water levels, flood warning systems, or high temperature or low humidity.
Choose how many SMS text message alerts you want to send, e.g., send 3 text messages in order to be sure that the person on the other end is paying attention and getting alerted!
You can set an alert throttle for how often you'd like to send SMS text message alerts. For example, when the temperature is too high but you only want to send a text message every 60 seconds to be less spammy then you can set the alert rate throttle to 60 seconds.
Check the box for Send All Clear Message if you want an all clear SMS text message alert to be sent out after your sensor conditions have gone back into a safe threshold that you and your teams are ok with.
Under destination put in the phone number or numbers of the folks you need to automatically notify via text message when this alert threshold happens.
Pick your sensor you're using for your alert under Input channel, e.g., temperature, humidity, water levels, air quality.
Select your threshold comparator like greater than to set when your alerts will be sent out.
Then set your threshold value. In the example you see in the screenshot we've set up SMS text message alerts to be sent out when humidity > 70.
Last add notes that will be sent in the text message so that the receiver knows exactly what's going on with your organization's remote assets.
That's everything! Once you save your outbound SMS text message alerts then Valarm Tools Cloud will automatically send out text alerts when your threshold is hit.
You'll see some photos here of sample text messages I sent to other Valarmy team members using the configuration above. Once I breathed heavily on a Meteo weather sensor connected to a 3G GSM sensor hub, my bad breath / highly humid CO2 triggered text messages to Pawel and Lorenzo!
Note: You can also get e-mail alerts if that's better for your organization and your teams. Have a look at this page for step by step How To instructions on setting up email alerts with Valarm Tools Cloud.
Whether you're working with sensors made by Flowline, Alphasense, Campbell Scientific, Geokon, Eno Scientific, McCrometer, Doran, or any other hardware manufacturer, Tools.Valarm.net gives you effective alerting and early warning systems.
If you need your remote monitoring information on a web dashboard then have a look at our real-time dashboard webpages our customers use for their Industrial IoT and sensor telemetry deployments.
See our Customer Stories page for stories on how our clients use Valarm IIoT solutions across all industries, like natural resources, governments, agriculture, water usage, air quality, mining, oil and gas.
Please don't hesitate to contact us at info@valarm.net if you have any questions! Or you can give us a call at 1 (424) 442-0963.


Please note: This is a sponsored post. As always I have provided my honest opinion.
At the beginning of the month, I shared with you ways to live on a budget gluten free (click here to read that post). Walmart is an easy one-stop shop for us living in a small town offering some of the same gluten free products for several dollars below some of our local compeititors. Udi's Gluten Free is definitely one of our favorite brands available in the Walmart freezer section.
Bread goes quickly in our house of the boys. I like to find ways to make certain gluten free items go further. For example, french toast bakes are an easy way to get more out of a loaf of gluten free bread.
I am busy mom of 3 so this recipe is one of the many that looks more difficult than it is to make! I use Udi's gluten free country seeded bread and many other items normally found in my kitchen.
Remember not to tear all of the bread slices so you have some whole slices for the "cinnamon rolls". The cinnamon rolls can be a little easier when you use a rolling pin to flatten the bread, spread on butter, and then top with cinnamon/sugar mixture. Now roll it up and slice it into 3 "cinnamon rolls".
The taste of cinnamon rolls without the fuss of making them!
Combine eggs, milk and vanilla. Set aside.
Place torn bread (reserving 6 for top) on top of egg mixture.
Using 6 slices of bread, making "cinnamon rolls" by spread each piece of butter and sprinkle cinnamon/sugar. Roll. Then slice into 3 "cinnamon rolls". Continue with other 5 slices.
Put "cinnamon rolls" on top of torn bread. Sprinkle it all with more cinnamon/sugar. Then pour egg mixture over it all.
Bake for about 30 minutes or until completely cooked.
I hope you enjoy this gluten free cinnamon roll french toast bake! What are some of your favorite ways to stretch your grocery budget further?
Yes please! Wow, that sounds beyond amazing. I NEED to try this.
That looks amazing and so easy to do. It's great that there are so many gluten-free options out there so everybody can partake it the delishiousness!
This looks so yummy. I am always happy to get new gluten free recipes. This will make a great breakfast Sunday morning.
Wow, this sounds like a yummy breakfast idea! We are getting a little tired of our usuals (pancakes or bacon and eggs). May need to shake things up with this bake.
Breakfast is my family's favorite meal. It's always one that no one argues or grumbles about. I'm positive there'd be no grumbles if I made this French Toast Bake. It looks incredible!
Okay, now this is calling my name. I don't eat gluten free, but I figure if I could cut a little out…why not? This is definitely on our weekend menu.
Udi's products are so great. This looks like a delicious recipe!
Oh man this looks fantastic! I like that this recipe uses eggs and greek yogurt for extra protein too.
Yum! Now that looks mighty tasty! I would love to do this for breakfast, delicious!
While I dont have to eat Gluten Free, this still looks amazing. I love french toast and could eat it every morning for breakfast…and maybe dinner, too.
That looks simply delicious! I love that it's GF too. My husband is supposed to be going GF, so this might really get him kicked into gear on it!
I love this! It looks so delicious. We have been talking about going GF but I've been nervous about taking the first step! I wasn't sure I could give up my favorite foods! But it looks like I won't have to.
Wow this looks super tasty! I will have to try this recipe out!
Combining French toast and cinnamon rolls sounds perfect! I want this now LOL!
Oh that looks so good. I think I have a recipe that is similar.
This looks so yummy! Gluten free or not.. I've got to try this.
Amanda recently posted..Gluten Free Dinner Recipes with Horizon Organic Mac and Cheese!
These look yummy! So glad you shared. I think I'll try these.
This looks so yummy! What a perfect breakfast or treat that's gluten free!
This looks so delicious. I love making gluten free recipes for myself and my family since we have a lot of bowel issues.
My husband's favorite breakfast would be french toast and I don't make it nearly enough for him, so I'm going to try this…. it sounds like something he would love!
Love that this is gluten free! My kids are huge french toast eaters!
i love udi bread. I will have to try this out this week. looks amazing.
What a yummy breakfast idea. I must try this!
This recipe seriously sounds and looks so good! I want some right now! Thanks for sharing.
I need new idea for breakfast, this recipe looks so good and not to complicate to try. Thank you so much for sharing!


No matter how far you travel, how long your trip lasts, but if you have spent a lot and no great activities and adventures were linked with your trip until then your trip will be in vain only. On daily basis we hear people talking about traveling, many are planning their vacations with family, others are looking for a peaceful trip as a backpacker, but the only hurdle which makes them back off from the plan is budgeting.
There are many different companies who are offering great deals and packages for your trip planning, but when everything is finalized, whether there are multiple hidden charges which makes your total amount be the double or once you reach the destination you get to know about a or multiple services which are not part of your deal. So, in short, they show you what is not there to attract a large audience and make most out of their money.
But when it is about Dubai desert safari Tour Services there are no hidden charges, no false commitment, the team of professionals makes the most out of your trip no to earn a lot from you, but to make your trip memorable and exciting all in one.
Winter vacations are almost here, have you started your planning for a trip to Dubai, Desert Safari Dubai, some great exploration of the city of light? If not then do it now, as great deals and packages are available.
Before it gets late, simply visit our website and get great Desert Safari Deals Now!


According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisations 33.1% of global fisheries have been fished beyond sustainable limits due to overfishing and illegal fishing. To maintain fish stocks long-term, Lidl have developed buying policies to support the principles of sustainable fishing and fishing methods. We are committed to sourcing 100% of our own-brand permanent chilled and frozen fish products, as well as fish used as an ingredient in our products, from independently certified sustainable fisheries by the end of 2019 (MSC or recognised Irish FIP's for wild caught fish and ASC or GLOBAL G.A.P. Aquaculture Standard for farmed fish).
Our principles of responsible fish and seafood sourcing will ensure that the fish sold within our product ranges are sourced from the healthiest stocks possible using the least destructive fishing methods possible, with high regard for both environmental and social standards. As we would be unable to achieve this aim on our own, we work closely with our suppliers and the relevant national and international organisations to find solutions to promote sustainable fishing.
Already 80% of out wild caught chilled and frozen fish is certified to the MSC standard. The MSC is an independent, non-profit organisation established to address the problem of unsustainable fishing and safeguard seafood supplies for the future.
100% of Lidl's canned tuna is already responsibly sourced using either 'pole and line' fishing method; Fish Aggregation Devise (FAD)-free fishing practices or is MSC certified. We are also committed to sustainable packaging for our fish range including the recent move away from unrecyclable black plastic which will be hugely impactful. We have also recently joined the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI), a global cross-sectoral alliance committed to driving solutions to the problem of lost, abandoned and otherwise discarded fishing gear (also known as "ghost gear"), which account for about 10% of plastic pollution in the sea.
To learn more about our commitment to sustainable fish and seafood, download our Sustainable Sourcing of Fish and Seafood Policy.
The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Fisheries Standard is a science-based set of requirements for sustainable fishing.
The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certification programme and label recognises and rewards responsible aquaculture.
The GLOBAL G.A.P. Aquaculture Standard sets strict criteria for legal compliance, food safety, workers' occupational health, safety and welfare, animal welfare and environmental and ecological care across the entire aquaculture production chain.
The aim of the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI) is to improve health and productivity of marine ecosystems, protect marine animals from harm by extracting and dispose of marine litter, while providing tools for effective action against illegal unreported or unregulated fishing.
The Fishery Improvement Project (FIP) developed by Bord Iascaigh Mhara's (BIM) and the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP) provides a platform to improve the sustainability within a fishery and progress to certification under the MSC.


A common trend to commemorate the most special occasion in your life is by arranging a getaway wedding. Choose a great location and arrange the wedding ceremony and reception over there.
Australia – With a vast diversity and a charming rugged beauty, this can be a great place for your wedding and honeymoon.
Austria – Nothing is comparable to the classic beauty of the wonderfully decorated cities in Europe, or a wedding in the snowy weather.
Croatia – If history fascinates the bride and the groom, not anything is like a wedding in Croatia.
Cyprus – If you are thinking of the clear blue skies with a gentle turquoise colored ocean beach in your wedding setting, you are thinking of Cyprus.
France – When it comes to romance, France is the way to go. With a blend of sophistication, style and pure entertainment, it can be the best time for you and your guests.
Grenada – Beauty and simple charm is what you get in the Caribbean, a perfect location for a sweet memorable wedding and honeymoon.
Italy – Love, romance and art – these are the things you look forward to when you think of Italy, one of the best wedding locations you can opt for.
Malta – Situated as a bridge country between the East and the African continent, it boasts of the warm congenial climate and enriches the bride and groom with its elevating physical beauty and historical background.
South Africa – Apart from being interesting and beautiful, it is cost-friendly for weddings.
Thailand – Known for its Asiatic hospitality and spirituality, Thailand is an exotic wedding location to travel to.
Turkey – What sets Turkey apart is its sheer difference from others. Are you looking for some unique wedding setting? Then, go for Turkey.
Before you choose your wedding location, you need to decide what type of wedding you want. Would you like a big wedding or a small wedding? What type of setting do you and your partner prefer? What cultural and geographical beauty you enjoy? What is the budget of your wedding? How much easy is it to arrange a wedding over the particular country? Get the answers to all these questions in advance. It will ensure that all arrangements seem perfect at the beautiful destination wedding.


text:
package com.jeesuite.common.util;

import java.io.ByteArrayInputStream;
import java.io.ByteArrayOutputStream;
import java.io.IOException;
import java.util.zip.GZIPInputStream;
import java.util.zip.GZIPOutputStream;

public class GzipUtils {

	public static final String GZIP_ENCODE_UTF_8 = "UTF-8";

	public static final String GZIP_ENCODE_ISO_8859_1 = "ISO-8859-1";

	/**
	 * 字符串压缩为GZIP字节数组
	 *
	 * @param str
	 * @return
	 */
	public static byte[] compress(String str) {
		return compress(str, GZIP_ENCODE_UTF_8);
	}

	/**
	 * 字符串压缩为GZIP字节数组
	 *
	 * @param str
	 * @param encoding
	 * @return
	 */
	public static byte[] compress(String str, String encoding) {
		if (str == null || str.length() == 0) {
			return null;
		}
		ByteArrayOutputStream out = new ByteArrayOutputStream();
		GZIPOutputStream gzip;
		try {
			gzip = new GZIPOutputStream(out);
			gzip.write(str.getBytes(encoding));
			gzip.close();
		} catch (IOException e) {
		}
		return out.toByteArray();
	}

	/**
	 * GZIP解压缩
	 *
	 * @param bytes
	 * @return
	 */
	public static byte[] uncompress(byte[] bytes) {
		if (bytes == null || bytes.length == 0) {
			return null;
		}
		ByteArrayOutputStream out = new ByteArrayOutputStream();
		ByteArrayInputStream in = new ByteArrayInputStream(bytes);
		try {
			GZIPInputStream ungzip = new GZIPInputStream(in);
			byte[] buffer = new byte[256];
			int n;
			while ((n = ungzip.read(buffer)) >= 0) {
				out.write(buffer, 0, n);
			}
		} catch (IOException e) {
		}

		return out.toByteArray();
	}

	/**
	 *
	 * @param bytes
	 * @return
	 */
	public static String uncompressToString(byte[] bytes) {
		return uncompressToString(bytes, GZIP_ENCODE_UTF_8);
	}

	/**
	 *
	 * @param bytes
	 * @param encoding
	 * @return
	 */
	public static String uncompressToString(byte[] bytes, String encoding) {
		if (bytes == null || bytes.length == 0) {
			return null;
		}
		ByteArrayOutputStream out = new ByteArrayOutputStream();
		ByteArrayInputStream in = new ByteArrayInputStream(bytes);
		try {
			GZIPInputStream ungzip = new GZIPInputStream(in);
			byte[] buffer = new byte[256];
			int n;
			while ((n = ungzip.read(buffer)) >= 0) {
				out.write(buffer, 0, n);
			}
			return out.toString(encoding);
		} catch (IOException e) {
			e.printStackTrace();
		}
		return null;
	}
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub