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Put your SCSS bundle files here, importing variable sheets and each of the SCSS stylesheets.

Make sure to remove this readme in your actual module!

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


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Q: 'OpenExternalURLOptionsKey' is not a member type of 'UIApplication' Auth0 problem I have trouble with importing Auth0 into my project I'm using Cocoa pods and have installed Auth0 as one then I import the Auth0 library into my app delegate. This then needs you to import a function into your app delegate and when I do this I get the problem that OpenExternalURLOptionsKey' is not a member type of 'UIApplication' and I do not see the trouble here qua the Auth0 cocoa pods installation did work.
I've already tried reinstalling the cocoapod in the podfile and I do not see where the other problem lies so do not know where I should start problem-solving.
import UIKit
import CoreData
import Auth0

@UIApplicationMain
class AppDelegate: UIResponder, UIApplicationDelegate {

    var window: UIWindow?
    func application(_ application: UIApplication, didFinishLaunchingWithOptions launchOptions: [UIApplicationLaunchOptionsKey: Any]?) -> Bool {
        // Override point for customization after application launch.
        return true
    }

    func applicationWillResignActive(_ application: UIApplication) {
        // Sent when the application is about to move from active to inactive state. This can occur for certain types of temporary interruptions (such as an incoming phone call or SMS message) or when the user quits the application and it begins the transition to the background state.
        // Use this method to pause ongoing tasks, disable timers, and invalidate graphics rendering callbacks. Games should use this method to pause the game.
    }

    func applicationDidEnterBackground(_ application: UIApplication) {
        // Use this method to release shared resources, save user data, invalidate timers, and store enough application state information to restore your application to its current state in case it is terminated later.
        // If your application supports background execution, this method is called instead of applicationWillTerminate: when the user quits.
    }

    func applicationWillEnterForeground(_ application: UIApplication) {
        // Called as part of the transition from the background to the active state; here you can undo many of the changes made on entering the background.
    }

    func applicationDidBecomeActive(_ application: UIApplication) {
        // Restart any tasks that were paused (or not yet started) while the application was inactive. If the application was previously in the background, optionally refresh the user interface.
    }

    func applicationWillTerminate(_ application: UIApplication) {
        // Called when the application is about to terminate. Save data if appropriate. See also applicationDidEnterBackground:.
        // Saves changes in the application's managed object context before the application terminates.
        self.saveContext()
    }
    func application(_ app: UIApplication, open url: URL, options: [UIApplication.OpenExternalURLOptionsKey : Any]) -> Bool {
        return Auth0.resumeAuth(url, options: options)
    }

I'm trying to make a twitch sign in plausible in my app

A: Your delegate method is wrong. It's missing the empty dictionary for the default value of options parameter. Replace it with this one.
func application(_ app: UIApplication, open url: URL, options: [UIApplication.OpenURLOptionsKey : Any] = [:]) -> Bool {
    return Auth0.resumeAuth(url, options: options)
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


You got your simple Financial Industry Regulatory Authority ("FINRA") arbitration captions. You got your complicated ones.
The simple ones are usually something like In the Matter of Jane Doe vs. Fly By Night Brokerage.
(FINRA Arbitraion 09-06111; April 15, 2011).
Respondents Choy, Kinney, and Wo counter-claimed against Claimant Merrill Lynch and alleged various breaches and defamation, among other causes of action. In addition to damages, the Respondents each sought the expungement of this matter from their Forms U5 (the Uniform Termination Notice for Securities Industry Registration) concerning their termination from employment. Merrill Lynch generally denied the allegations and asserted various affirmative defenses.
Erin Choy (Respondent Carl Choy's wife) filed a Third-Party Statement of Claim against Merrill Lynch that alleged, among other causes of action, breach of account agreement; unfair and deceptive trade practices; and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Merrill Lynch generally denied the allegations and asserted various affimnative defenses.
$3,037,836.00 without pre-award interest on his promissory note; however, 7% per annum interest on said balance was ordered starting 2 weeks after the date of the Award's service until payment in full.
The "pend" shall be removed from Respondent Choy's account within two weeks of the date of service of the award.
Choy's motion for expungement is denied.
$1,608,506.00 without pre-award interest on his promissory note; however, 7% per annum interest on said balance was ordered starting 2 weeks after the date of the Award's service until payment in full.
The "pend" shall be removed from Respondent Kinney's account within two weeks of the date of service of the award.
will retain the $811,633.00 for his damage award caused by the wrongful temnination of his employment without cause.
The "pend" shall be removed from his account within two weeks of the date of service of the award.
MR. WO'S EMPLOYMENT WAS TERMINATED WITHOUT CAUSE BY MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED.
With respect to Erin Choy, the Panel denied her claim but ordered that the "pend" shall be removed from Carl Choy and Erin Choy's joint account within two weeks of the date of service of the award.
$193,311.00 on his indemnity claim.
interest on the amount of $713,311.00 at the rate of 7% per annum from two weeks after the date of service of the award until paid in full.
$570,000.00 on her unjust enrichment claim.
$107,395.00 on her indemnity claim.
interest on the amount of $677,395.00 at the rate of 7% per annum from two weeks after the date of service of the award until paid in full.
$139,000.00 on his unjust enrichment claim.
$57,277.00 on his indemnity claim.
interest on the amount of $504,889.04 at the annual rate of 7% from two weeks after the date of service of the award until paid in full.


MyToromont's Product Link feature combines satellite and internet technology to offer the ultimate equipment tracking and Preventative Maintenance scheduling.
Precision Planning. Receive daily updates on location and activity that will enable you to develop precise preventive maintenance plans and ensure long component life and machine uptime.
24/ 7 Tracking. With Product Link, your machine is simply never out of range – Product Link operates on a satellite system guaranteeing 100 per cent worldwide tracking capability.
Control your investments. Through timely and accurate reports on machine location, activity, health, and fuel utilization, you'll keep your investment under control – no matter where your equipment's working.


For over five decades, a large number of kids and grown-ups have relied on upon the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), to track the whereabouts of Santa Claus as he makes his Christmas Eve journey.
In 1955, a Sears Department store printed a number on a special notice put in a Colorado Springs daily paper that kids could call to get upgrades about Santa's area on Christmas Eve. Excited youngsters dialed the number ME 2-6681. The number was misprinted on the flyer and callers wound up dialing the Colorado Springs' Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) Center. Luckily, Colonel Harry Shoup, who was on duty that night, instructed his staff to give any callers with an update about Santa's "current travels". In 1958, NORAD supplanted CONAD and the convention proceeded.
Those intrigued have dependably possessed the capacity to track Santa Claus on Christmas Eve utilizing a mixed bag of routines. From the 1950s to 1996, Santa was followed by calling into the NORAD Santa Tracking hotline, daily newspaper updates, radio reports, and TV reports. Some climate reports even included Santa sightings. Starting in the late 1990s, the ability to track Santa via the Internet was launched.
When to Start Tracking Santa?
The NORAD Santa Tracking website is active from December 1 of every year until about mid-January although a static page invites visitors at any other time of the year to come back when the site is active. Until Santa's trip starts on Christmas Eve, a countdown clock tells guests when the Santa following will start. To keep visitors occupied during the wait, guests play around in different areas of the site, such as as exploring Santa's North Pole town, watching features, listening to Christmas music, and reading about Yuletide customs.
The official Santa tracking begins at 4am Mountain Standard Time (MST) when the NORAD Tracks Santa Operations Center.
Starting December 24, visitors will see a 3D globe of the earth which is set up to show Santa's global travels. The official NORAD tracker is now powered by Microsoft's Bing Maps. Google also recently launched its own Santa tracking using Google Maps and includes a view of Santa's dashboard and the technology he uses to navigate the globe.
According to NORAD, Santa visits the South Pacific first, then New Zealand and Australia. He then travels to Japan and the rest of Asia, across to Africa before moving on to Europe, Canada, the United States, Mexico and Central and South America.
Where Does an Oasis Get Its Water?


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Klopfgeist is een Nederlands muzieklabel dat zich richt op het uitbrengen van elektronische muziek. Het label is opgericht in 2008 in Leeuwarden. Sinds 2010 opereert het label naast Leeuwarden ook vanuit Berlijn. De focus van het label richt zich op de stromingen techhouse, minimal, progressive en house. Het label profileert zich echter ook als vernieuwend en grensoverschrijdend. het platenlabel werkt samen met lokale producers, die ook op het label uitgeven en dj's die zowel in binnen- als buitenland actief zijn.

Artiesten
Enkele artiesten die op Klopfgeist hebben uitgebracht zijn: Andreas Bergmann, Malbetrieb, Bar27, Julian Neumann, Neo Young, George Hefner, Robert Mertin, El-P, Immer, Navar, Détaché en Freak Strano.

Op Klopfgeist zijn o.a. remixen verschenen van: Darko Esser, Lauhaus, Remy en Taras van de Voorde.

Externe links
 Klopfgeist website
 Klopfgeist op Discogs

Nederlands platenlabel
House-platenlabel

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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Home » Uncategorized » Tamar Braxton's Net Worth: Husband, Age, Son, Siblings, & Movie
Tamar Braxton's Net Worth: Husband, Age, Son, Siblings, & Movie
Today, we are here to let you know about the former wife of estranged Vincent Herbert' wife, Tamar Braxton.
Tamar Braxton frequently finds herself in the limelight. She originates from a family that is in a business so she has never been to fame and fortune.
Tamar is a singer, songwriter, actress and a member of the girl band 'The Braxtons.' She has always a good voice and undoubted talent. Many people are eager to know about her net worth, salary, married life, and profession.
What is Tamar Braxton's Net Worth?
Tamar Braxton estimated net worth is $15 million.
Albums and Songs
Calling All Lover and Bluebird of Happiness
Read also: 10 Celebrities with Criminal Records
Movies and Televisions
Tamar Braxton Former Husband, Darrell 'Delite' Allamby
"God really saved me from myself, because I was with the wrong person, and when I was with the wrong person, it made me feel bad about who I was."
"And because of that, he used to beat me down, mentally and physically. It was just a really hard time for me."
Tamar Braxton Filed for Divorced from Vincent Herbert
"I filed for divorce because we work together, he's my baby's father, we're together each and every single day, we're attached at the hip. And it just got to be too much."
Tamar Braxton is 41 years old
Instagram and IG
"NOPE! Sorry! Not together but since the craziness the other day, we DID agree to create a better environment for my son!! Angry or not…it's about my SON!!"
"P.s. we also agreed not to speak on this anymore in public after this! My son can read and he's NOT dumb #2018goals #praymystrengthinthelord I've made LOTS of mistakes and I'm just trying to be a better person."
Tamar Braxton is an American singer, actress, and media personality. She is one of the talented stars in the glamorous industry.
Tamar has no doubt come a long way from her days as part of the short-lived R n B singing group, The Braxtons which was comprised of herself and her sisters.
She earns a tremendous amount of money from her music sales, acting and concerts.
Though after the group split up, Toni gains massive success, Tamar has to struggle to her own career off the ground.
Prior to the group broken up, Tamar along with her five sister formed girls band 'The Braxtons' an R&B singing group in 1989.
They released their first single Good Life in 1990. But the single did not the success and as a result, Arista Records canceled the deal signed with them.
The Braxton returned with a new album So Many Ways in 1996, which peaked at number 26 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart and number 83 on Billboard Hot 100.
After two years, Tamar left the group to pursue a solo career with DreamWorks Records. She released her first self-titled debut album Tamar in March 2000, featuring Missy Elliott, Amil, and Jermaine Dupri.
The album ranked at number 127 on Billboard 200 and number 42 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. However, the album was unsuccessful. The album contains four songs, Get None, Just Cuz, Let Him Go, and Get Mine.
In 2001, Tamar released her unreleased song Try Me appeared on the soundtrack album for the movie Kingdom Come.
Tamar released her second studio album Love and War in September 2013 through Epic Records. It is her first successful album by Braxton in 13 years. The album debuted at number two on Billboard 200 and sold 114,000 copies.
The album's lead single Love and War debuted at number 57 on Billboard Hot 100 and number 13 on Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.
She received two Grammy Award nominations at the 56th Grammy Awards for Best R&B Song and Best R&B Performance.
After the success of her fourth album, she released her third album Calling All Lover in 2015. The album peaked at No. 5 on Billboard 200 and 5 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, selling 43,000 units.
Her single If I Don't Know peaked at No. 18 on Hot R&B Songs and received a nomination for the Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards.
Her lead single Let Me Know featuring rapper Future debuted at 2 on Billboard Trending 140 less than an hour after it was officially released on SoundCloud.
Her fifth album Bluebird of Happiness released in 2017. She released four singles: My Man, Blind, The Makings of You, and, Wanna Love You Boy.
Besides her music career, she has been involved in others projects that have given a considerably bigger source of income. She has been in a number of different reality shows, TV dramas, and movies over the years.
She made her first appearances in the reality series Braxton Family Values in 2015 that airs on WE TV. The show stars are Toni, Tamar, Traci, Towanda, and Trina—plus their mother, Evelyn.
Then she appeared with her husband Vincent Herber in another reality series Tamar & Vince from 2012 to 2017. Tamar appeared as a contestant on the 21st season of Dancing with the Star.
She was also a co-host on the show 'The Real' from 2013 to 2016.
Braxton starred in the American sitcom as Jackie in season 3 and 4 on In The Cut in 2017. In October 2018, Tamar co-starred in the stage play Redemption of A Dogg with Snoop Dogg.
In the same time, she made her movie acting debut in the upcoming movie Gangland as Celia. She was happy to share her first picture and video of her new movie.
She posted a picture of her on Instagram, wearing a blue waitress outfit on flawless makeup and was sporting cornrows. She stated,
"I'm so happy, honored and BLESSED to be shooting my very FIRST movie! Omg, I'm having a BLAST."
Tamar as Celia in a movie, Gangland
The Love and War singer listed Calabasas mansion for $9.25 million on the market in 2018. Back in 2017, the mansion was listed but at $15 million.
Braxton's Calabasas Mansion
The 15,016 square foot Italianate-ish mansion sits on two gated the Estates at The Oaks enclave inside. The beautiful home has seven bedrooms, nine full and two half bathroom, 15 car subterranean garage and a poolside guesthouse.
Getting married is one of the beautiful moments in a person's life but it will turn into the nightmare if things don't go well and ends the relationship in divorce.
Only a few couples get the blessing with a sustaining marriage. However, choosing the right person is one of the toughest and we think, all of you agree with this.
Tamar's first husband Darrell 'Delite' Allamby
Tamar Braxton was married to her first husband, Darrell 'Delite' Allamby who is a music producer and songwriter. Tamar met Darrell while her ex-husband worked on her 2000 debut album's song Money Can't Buy Me Love and Once Again.
The couple relationship lasted for only two years and officially got divorced in 2003. In 2015, Tamar opened about up about her marriage with her former husband, Darrell.
She explained about her abusive relationship. The singer disclosed that man beat her down, mentally and physically.
She told Daily Mail,
Tama continued,
After a split from Darrell, Tamar remarried to a record producer and founder of Streamline Records, Vincent Herbert. The two met through her sister and began to date in 2003.
After dating each other for almost five years, finally, they tied the knot in 2008. The couple has a four-years-old, son Logan.
Tamar Braxton's second husband, Vincent Herbert
The reality star filed for a divorce from Herbert after nine of marriage in October 2017. She finally served him with the legal papers. On September 11, Braxton filed court docs in her divorce showing "proof of service."
According to Us Weekly, she filed for divorce because of allegations that Herbert impregnated another woman (allegations that he denied on the talk show).
Braxton said,
Tamar Braxton was born on 17 March 1977 in Severn, Maryland, United States of America. Her nationality is American and is of African-American.
She was born to Evelyn Braxton and Michael Conrad Braxton, pastor at the church. She stands 5 feet 7 inches tall and weight 75 kg.
he is the youngest among six children. She has five siblings: Toni Braxton, Traci Braxton, Trina Braxton, Michael Conrad Braxton Jr., and Towanda Braxton.
Talking about her education history, there is no any information relevant to her education such as high school, elementary school, and college.
Tamar is a celebrity who has to keep updating her activities with her fans. She is active all over the social media platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, Facebook.
She shared her pictures and videos on her private account. In the early January, she deleted her IG accounts after her fans thought that she was back with her ex-husband, Vincent Herbert. Before deleting her IG, She stated,
She added,
What will she do after divorce from estranged husband, Vincent Herbert? Share your opinion on the comment section below.
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


This is the first in an occasional series of articles and videos highlighting the people and culture of Appalachia.
Before he went to law school, Appalachian Mountain Advocates attorney Isak Howell was a reporter at The Roanoke Times. While there, he got together with two other reporters ? Mike Gangloff and Ralph Berrier Jr. ? to form the Black Twig Pickers, an old-time music trio.
Nearly twelve years later, the Twigs are still together, though the lineup has changed. The core trio includes Howell on guitar, Gangloff on fiddle and banjo and Nathan Bowles on banjo and percussion. Fiddler Sally Morgan often joins them in performances as does bass player Sam Linkous.
Old-time music exists everywhere, but Howell thinks the Appalachian region has done better at keeping the music alive. Gangloff and Howell both believe the geography of Appalachia infuses the music, though neither seem to think that the oft-noted isolation of the Appalachian people has much to do with that.
Gangloff has gotten into the habit of seeking out older players, such as fiddler Richard Bowman, to learn their songs ? though imitation is not the goal.
"I think we feel like we're creating something not just preserving something," said Howell. "We feel like we are making music, not playing someone else's music.
The Twigs have recorded about seven albums, including full-length collaborations with other artists.?The most recent releases were "Ironto Special" in 2010; "Glory in the Meeting House," a gospel collaboration with singer-guitarist Charlie Parr, also in 2010; and "Eastmont Syrup/Even to Win is to Fail," a split LP with songs from the Twigs, Parr and guitarist Glenn Jones, which was released in 2011.
Currently, they're working on several recording projects, including a?a 7-inch vinyl record of "Yellow Cat" backed with "You'll Never Miss Your Mama," which is coming out on the Thrill Jockey label in April.
For more about the Black Twig Pickers, check out the band's Facebook page and blacktwigpickers.org.
What did you think of the CNN commentary?


The Collective News contains updates for PPTA members. It is usually published fortnightly. Each branch secretary is emailed a copy.
This public version is available for delivery to your inbox by email if you want.


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The Project Partners Fan Club E-Shop
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Vendée Arctique – Les Sables d'Olonne: Heading north!
On Sunday 12th June, Alan Roura will take the start of his second race on board his IMOCA Hublot, the Vendée Arctique Les Sables d'Olonne. A 3,500 mile loop between the legendary Vendée Globe town and the Arctic Circle. A new, demanding course for a race with major issues, since it is a qualifier for the next Everest of the Seas.
A new meeting for Alan Roura, packed full of memories and objectives. Back in Les Sables d'Olonne almost a year and a half after going up the Vendée channel after his second solo round the world race, the Swiss sailor paces the pontoons of Port Olonna with a new outlook. That of those who know their boat is being watched and their performances will be scrutinised. After a gruelling warm-up during the Guyader Bermudes 1000 Race, the young skipper is well aware that this second confrontation will come with different ambitions. "I'm keen to apply the lessons I learned from my experience in Brest and to take things up a notch," he confided. "I'll have to find the right balance between performance to continue to gain experience, personal management on the long run, in a hostile environment, and managing the boat to validate this first qualifying stage for the Vendée Globe." For the race before the race has already begun, with a limited number of places at the start of the next edition and a raging selection process*. Facing his 24 contestants, on a difficult course that will take them up to Iceland in weather conditions that are likely to be unstable, Alan's challenge will be considerable. And multiple: "We must finish, as far ahead as possible!"
Speed runs to start
Until then, Alan will get back into the special atmosphere of race starts and continue to refine tunings on board his yellow and black IMOCA. Opening of the official race village and parade of the Vendée Globe 2020 skippers on Friday, speed runs tis Saturday, media meetings, organisation events and final tests at sea will give the pace to the last ten days of preparation before the start gun is fired.
* Skippers who want to take part in the Vendée Globe will be selected according to ranking based on the number of miles sailed in races.
** To qualify for the 2024 Vendée Globe, skippers must complete two of the following five races:
the Vendée Arctique Les Sables d'Olonne – 12th June 2022
the Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe – 6th November 2022
the Retour à la Base - November 2023
the Transat CIC - May 2024
the New York Vendée - July 2024
One of them must be validated before end of 2023 whereas the second must be run in 2024.
Photo © Jean-Louis Carli / IMOCA
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El 18.º Batallón de Ingenieros de la Luftwaffe (18. Luftwaffen-Pionier-Bataillon) fue una unidad de la Luftwaffe durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial.

Historia

Fue formado en diciembre de 1942 en Münsterlager con tres compañías y una columna. El 1 de noviembre de 1943 los componentes fueron absorbidos por el ejército y el batallón fue renombrado como 18.º Batallón de Ingenieros (L).

Servicios

 Bajo la 18.ª División de Campaña de la Fuerza Aérea.

Referencias

 Lexikon Der Wehrmacht - 18. Luftwaffen-Pionier-Bataillon
 WW2 - 18. Luftwaffen-Pionier-Bataillon

Luftwaffe (Wehrmacht)
Batallones de ingenieros de la Luftwaffe
Unidades militares alemanas de la Segunda Guerra Mundial


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e-Energy 2019
Experimental platform for measuring the impacts of different charging strategies on battery degradation
There is increasing interest in the integration of battery energy storage systems alongside rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) generation. While the cost of batteries continues to fall, they still remain expensive, so it is necessary to maximise the value they provide in order to justify the investment. Batteries are sensitive to the operating conditions that they are exposed to, and this significantly affects the batteries' usable lifetime. A charging strategy which aims to maximise the returned value of such a system must therefore take into account the potential impact of operation on battery degradation. In this work, we describe the design and operation of a small-scale experimental platform to test the impacts of several different battery charging algorithms side-by-side. By exposing multiple solar-plus-storage systems to the same operating conditions, it is possible to examine more closely the impacts that different factors have on battery lifetime. This in turn allows for a more accurate evaluation of the return on investment of solar PV-battery systems under different charging strategies and the development of algorithms that optimise their use.
Ying Ying Beh
David Ripper
Shyam Shiv Kumar
Hou Nam U
Hansani Weeratunge
Guillermo Narsilio
Saman Halgamuge
Julian de Hoog
Ramachandra Rao Kolluri
Rooftop solar photovoltaic power forecasting using characteristic generation profiles
Julian de Hoog, Ramachandra Rao Kolluri, et al.
AI modelling and time-series forecasting systems for trading energy flexibility in distribution grids
Bradley Eck, Francesco Fusco, et al.
Experimental evaluation of a data driven cooling optimization framework for HVAC control in commercial buildings
Arun Vishwanath, Yu Heng Hong, et al.
Microgrid design: A piecewise linear approach
Ramachandra Rao Kolluri, Julian de Hoog, et al.


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Dublin & Area
With over 1300 years of history, Dublin's got a lot to offer no matter your interests- great museums, fantastic shopping, historic buildings, a vibrant food scene and a lot of beautiful outdoor space
Dublin Castle was first built in 1204, though there may have been an early Gaelic Ring Fort on the site before then. See the impressive staterooms, chapel, paintings and antiques inside, or stroll outside in the gardens- a great spot for photos.
Did you know the creator of Dracula was born in Dublin? Visit Castle Dracula (just across the street from Bram Stoker's former home) for a unique, heart-thumping experience (contains strobe lights & smoke effects) and to see a copy of the original manuscript, old movie posters and more fascinating memorabilia.
Visit the Guinness Storehouse at St. James's Gate Brewery to learn about the history of the Black Stuff. See how it's made and have a taste at the end of your tour in the seventh-floor Gravity Bar with views over the city.
Petrol heads will love the National Transport Museum of Ireland in Howth, with displays of passenger, commercial, utility and military vehicles dating back to 1883.
Stroll, cycle or run through Phoenix Park- one of the largest green spaces in any European city. See the famous deer, the People's Garden, Ashtown Castle and Áras an Uachtaráin- home to Ireland's president.
Also in Phoenix Park, Dublin Zoo remains a highlight of any family trip to the city. Learn about the wildlife conservation efforts that are ongoing in Ireland and abroad.
Visit some of the city's iconic pubs, including O'Donoghues (home to The Dubliners), The Long Hall, The Stag's Head (where James Joyce drank), and Gravediggers by the historic Glasnevin Cemetery. For something different, check out The Virgin Mary and its non-alcoholic offerings.
Take a drive out to the Boyne Valley to see Newgrange and the surrounding Neolithic structures. The world-famous passage tomb was built in 3200BC (it's older than the Pyramids!)
Scroll down to browse holidays around Ireland
Scroll down to browse a selection of holidays to Dublin and the surrounding counties. The trips will be available to book as detailed or we can tailor make to suit your specific needs- simply get in touch.
Dublin- 3* Buswells Hotel
Dublin- 4* Brooks Hotel
Macreddin- 4* BrookLodge & Macreddin Village
We've got some great suggestions for tours, activities and days out in Dublin and the surrounding area. Save time and money by booking with us before you travel. Don't see what you're looking for? Get in touch and our travel managers will help you out.
Fast-track Easy Access Book of Kells Tour with Dublin Castle from €49
Avoid the crowds and explore Irish history in peace on this Book of Kells and Dublin Castle exterior tour. Visit the Trinity College Library, home to the famous Book of Kells. Afterward, enjoy a guided walking tour around Dublin Castle.
Celtic Boyne Valley Day Trip from Dublin from €50
Travel through mystical Celtic Ireland on this full-day bus tour from Dublin! With an expert guide, journey back in time to Boyne Valley, home of the ancient Loughcrew Celtic Tombs, the Hill Of Uishneacht, and the Hill of Tara
Dublin Highlights By Bike from €32
Explore Ireland's buzzing capital on two wheels on this Dublin bike tour. Take in top attractions and landmarks including College Green, Dublin Castle, Guinness Brewery, St Patrick's Cathedral and Temple Bar. Explore the Georgian streets around Parnell Square and Merrion Square, and gain insight into Dublin's rich history. Head off the tourist trail to hidden spots such as the Roe Distillery's windmill and Blessington Street Basin, then delve into the Grand Canal Dock area.
Wild Wicklow Tour including Glendalough from Dublin from €35
Soak up the majesty and myth of Ireland's Wicklow County on this full-day tour from Dublin. Aboard a comfortable coach, explore cultural and natural gems and lively pubs to the breathtaking Wicklow Mountain National Park and Glendalough's medieval monastic settlement.
Howth Peninsula Hiking Tour from €49
Trek the coastal paths of the Howth Peninsula on this hiking tour. Follow your experienced adventure guide along the cliffs and through the woodlands of this area, stopping at scenic overlooks and areas of spectacular natural beauty.
Jameson Distillery Guided Tour with Whiskey Tasting from €25
Enrich your knowledge of world-famous Irish whiskey on the new, guided tour of the Jameson Distillery Bow St. in Dublin. Learn the history of the iconic Irish brand as you explore the distillery and listen to commentary from your guide. The Bow St. Experience brings the stories of Jameson's innovations to life during a tasting tour. Discover the secrets behind the complex distillation process and conclude with a whiskey in the elegant distillery bar.


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Georgia Tech Tennis Travels To Alabama
THE FLATS – The Georgia Tech women's tennis team will be back in action Friday, Oct. 5 and Saturday, Oct. 6, when the Yellow Jackets play in the Roberta Alison Fall Classic hosted by the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Freshmen Megan Kurey, Natasha Prokhnevska and Kendal Woodard, along with sophomore Jasmine Minor will compete in the flighted tournament. Play on Friday will begin with doubles at 9 a.m. CT to be followed by two rounds of singles play. Saturday will also begin at 9 a.m. CT with two rounds of doubles and one round of singles. Competition will only be held on Sunday in case of inclement weather.
In addition to Tech and host Alabama, five SEC schools, three ACC schools and a pair of Big Ten schools will be among those competing.
"It's important for our players to get as much tournament play and as much match play in before the USTA/ITA Regionals in two weeks, which is really the marquee event in the fall for us," head coach Rodney Harmon said. "We then have the Illinois Invitational after that so we have two more really important events coming up before we have a big gap and then the spring season starts. We need to get as much play in as we can, as much competition as we can against the best players in the country so that we're prepared for the dual match season."
In Tech's first fall competition, Prokhnevska didn't lose a set in singles and finished the weekend with a 3-0 record. Woodard won her first two matches before falling in three sets in her weekend finale and Minor went 1-2 with a tough three-set victory. Kurey didn't play during the first weekend and Harmon is looking forward to having the freshman join the Tech lineup.
"I think Georgia State for us was an important event because it gave us an accurate picture of where each player was in their game at that time," Harmon said. "We've made adjustments in our individual lessons, in our team practices and in our fitness to account for some things that we saw at Georgia State. I think those things have really been helpful for us in all three areas. We're looking forward to seeing how we do at this tournament, and we'll make some adjustments going forward until we feel like we have the perfect setup."
Fans are encouraged to follow Georgia Tech women's tennis on Twitter, @GT_WTEN, and like the Yellow Jackets on Facebook, GTWomensTennis, for an inside look at the program.
–RamblinWreck.com–
January 17, 2020 Jackets Prepare for Pair of Matches Saturday
Georgia Tech women's tennis plays at Furman and against Presbyterian
Jackets Prepare for Pair of Matches Saturday
January 11, 2020 Jackets Sweep Kennesaw State in Doubleheader
Georgia Tech women's tennis captures pair of wins to open 2020
Jackets Sweep Kennesaw State in Doubleheader


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3 DeFi Use Cases That Sets It Apart From Traditional Finance
July 27, 2022 by Diana Ambolis
An emerging market called decentralized finance (DeFi) has the potential to completely transform the conventional finance industry. The main motivation behind the dispute between decentralized and traditional finance is the need for an open, transparent, and safe financial system, so it is not surprising that decentralized finance is gradually becoming a viable alternative to the
An emerging market called decentralized finance (DeFi) has the potential to completely transform the conventional finance industry. The main motivation behind the dispute between decentralized and traditional finance is the need for an open, transparent, and safe financial system, so it is not surprising that decentralized finance is gradually becoming a viable alternative to the current financial system.
Because it is a financial tool that is not subject to a governmental or regulatory authority, decentralized finance, a blockchain-based idea, has the potential to upend traditional finance. Since then, independent and decentralized financial systems have developed rapidly amid rising demands for data and privacy security.
Decentralized finance: what is it?
An open financial system is what is known as decentralised finance market that uses software developed on top of a public blockchain. It entails creating financial services and products on top of a blockchain to foster or accelerate the growth of an open financial system.
DeFi aims to disrupt the financial industry by serving as an alternative to previously acting as financial intermediates and centrally-governed entities like banks.
DeFi uses a collection of innovative, flexible technologies to provide users control. The new trend perfectly replaces the current financial system because it offers more functionality and lowers operational risks.
When 15 Ethereum-based initiatives banded together in 2018 to create an autonomous, safe, and open financial system, decentralized finance began to gain popularity as an alternative to the established financial system. MakerDao, Origin Protocol, and Paradigm were some of the DeFi movement's early supporters.
Hear @Rawson_Haverty shares a comprehensive overview of decentralized finance #DeFi & how it enables different financial protocols to happen with features that differ from traditional finance: https://t.co/S1l205hLoU #podcast
— Analyse Asia (@analyseasia) July 26, 2022
What Are the variations?
The argument between decentralized and traditional finance is raging. Three things separate the two most significantly.
In decentralized finance, a public blockchain serves as the source of trust, regulating all financial operations. Contrarily, public governance, which includes laws and authorized financial institutions, is the source of trust and manages all activities in conventional finance.
Decentralized finance is gaining popularity, partly because it is more open and transparent than conventional finance. Anyone with programming skills can participate in developing financial services and products on top of public blockchains because there are no entry restrictions.
Contrarily, the existing financial system is unlikely to adopt the new trend due to onerous entrance restrictions. The need for appropriate licenses and authorizations from regulators has stifled innovation regarding conventional financial systems.
Which Stands Out Between DeFi and Traditional Finance?
Due to its ability to do away with the current financial bureaucracy, which strains the current financial system, decentralized finance stands out as a viable alternative to traditional finance. When transacting in the global financial sector, customers can now fully control their assets and personal financial data thanks to the deployment of digital ledger technologies like Ripple's XRapid.
In light of the growing popularity of decentralized finance, using open source code and developer tools gives a special opportunity for developers to test out more financial instruments. Developers will have unrestricted access to work around the clock on improving financial instruments and solutions for the financial sector.
Thanks to decentralized finance, developers can create financial instruments that can operate digital assets without restrictions; everything from loans to assets used as collateral or debt obligations could eventually be tokenized. The availability and transparency of blockchain technologies can make it simple for computers and people to understand how loans are issued and repaid and how long they will last.
Use Cases for DeFi
Baking solutions
Because it may offer financial services without regard to location, decentralized finance threatens traditional finance. Many rural areas have had difficulty receiving traditional financing, leaving billions without access to financial services.
People in remote areas can now access financial services through their mobile devices since digital ledger technologies have been integrated into applications. DeFi claims to be successful, whereas conventional financing has failed because of this.
Dealing with world financial difficulties
Following the 2008 Financial Crisis, many banks failed, causing many people to lose their wealth. Many people are turning to developing technologies as a kind of protection because they are alarmed by the current international financial systems pose harm.
Decentralized finance is also proving to be a dependable technique for overcoming challenges connected to hyperinflation originating from currency manipulation or unanticipated devaluations, as is the case in China.
Avoiding Restrictions and Censorship
Decentralized money is becoming increasingly popular because it may allow people to overcome limitations or bans by authoritarian regimes. Many rules and specifications are attached to the traditional banking industry, which can occasionally make it challenging for people to conduct business across international borders.
People may send and receive money without worrying about prohibitions or restrictions thanks to the inclusion of blockchain technology in many financial products, including Ripple. Transactions can be carried out without concern about privacy abuses by governments because digital ledger technologies make it impossible for people to follow transactions.
Decentralized finance will continue to differ from traditional finance since it may offer unrestricted access to global financial services. Any solution that makes it easy to prevent unethical privacy intrusions from authorities stands to be successful in a world where individuals cherish their privacy.
Decentralized finance will remain popular due to the concept of creating censorship-resistant financial goods.
Ingenuity in Finance
The advancement of financial goods that were formerly the purview of sizable, licensed organizations is now being aided by decentralized finance, which has proven to be a dependable tool. Given the level of innovation surrounding digital ledger technologies, financial derivatives and futures and swaps products could soon become a reality.
A DeFi App
Numerous apps have already been created, even if decentralized finance is still in its early phases of development as a rival to the established financial system. Thanks to the apps, people are getting a taste of what the financial future might be like.
DAI is considered the most popular decentralized finance app, with 21,000 users. The app enables anyone to apply for loans by depositing Ethereum because it is the originator of the MakerDAO stablecoin. The app has no central administration.
Dharma is a different decentralized loan platform and finance software. Regardless of their credit standing, app users can lend and borrow Ethereum.
As opposed to the other two decentralized finance apps, Bancor Network enables users to trade cryptocurrencies directly with each other.
What are the difficulties?
Decentralized finance is no different from other good technologies because it could face obstacles preventing its implementation.
The issue of consumers being obliged to trust unregulated open-source technology is one of the main obstacles preventing decentralized finance from replacing established finance systems. Anyone with access to the source code for the decentralized finance system can compromise smart contracts, take all the keys, and cause significant financial losses for users.
The decentralized finance application's underlying technology is still undeveloped and unfriendly, and it will always be vulnerable to flaws that could harm the technology's image.
Also, read – Decentralized Finance And Cryptocurrency Banking – Future of finance world
Although digital ledger technology adoption in the world financial system is still in its infancy, its future potential is indisputable. In an era when worries about data and privacy security are on the rise, decentralized finance has the potential to completely transform the financial industry.
DeFi has enormous promise since it might give access to banking services to many people in places where traditional finance has failed. If decentralized finance replaces the current financial system, it must address several challenges related to scalability, security, liquidity, and laws.
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Arctognathus é um género extinto de Therapsida existente durante o Permiano. Era carnívoro e se alimentava de herbívoros terapsídeos.

Sinapsídeos
Espécies fósseis descritas em 1911


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The South Asia Channel: The Obama doctrine: Drones and just wars The Obama doctrine: Drones a...
The South Asia Channel
The Obama doctrine: Drones and just wars
Less than half of Americans approve of Obama's job as president. According to Gallup's most recent poll, his job approval rating is 49 percent. However, there is one area where President Obama gets high marks: drone warfare. In June the Pew Research Center reported that 62 percent of Americans approve of the President's use of ...
By Meg Braun
Less than half of Americans approve of Obama's job as president. According to Gallup's most recent poll, his job approval rating is 49 percent. However, there is one area where President Obama gets high marks: drone warfare. In June the Pew Research Center reported that 62 percent of Americans approve of the President's use of drone strikes.
Targeted killings by drones were first introduced under President Bush in 2002 when a Hellfire missile slammed into a Jeep in Yemen, killing Qaed Senyan al-Harithi, a key conspirator in the 2000 attack on the USS Cole. And yet it is President Obama who has consistently made headlines for authorizing hundreds of attacks in Pakistan, and recently dozens more in Yemen. According to a recent CNN article based on data compiled by the New America Foundation, President Obama has carried out six times more strike during his first term than Bush did during his entire eight years in office.
Less than half of Americans approve of Obama's job as president. According to Gallup's most recent poll, his job approval rating is 49 percent. However, there is one area where President Obama gets high marks: drone warfare. In June the Pew Research Center reported that 62 percent of Americans approve of the President's use of drone strikes.
On its face these numbers would seem to suggest that President Obama is the more aggressive commander-in-chief, that he is uniquely unencumbered by concerns for Pakistani sovereignty, a stronger proponent of drone warfare and disproportionately committed to killing al-Qaeda members. However, analyzing Obama's drone policy in isolation from larger geopolitical issues, obscures that which is truly radical about his foreign policy.
The rate of drone strikes was already increasing exponentially when Obama took office. He continued that trend and made the politically unpopular decision to give Afghanistan the resources he thought it deserved, while using drones to deny terrorists safe haven in Pakistan and targeting al-Qaeda and Taliban rank and file rather than just their commanders.
During his tenure, George W. Bush did not fail to use drones effectively; rather he was preoccupied with Saddam Hussein. From 2002 to 2008, the Bush administration devoted a preponderance of the United States' military assets, political capital and administrative attention to Iraq. In 2005, the Air Force had just two Predator drones monitoring the whole of Afghanistan, a country the size of Texas, to say nothing of resources in Pakistan. It was not until the summer of 2008, seven long years after 9/11, that they began to shift their focus back to al-Qaeda and the Taliban. From January to June 2008 U.S. troop levels in Afghanistan nearly doubled, going from 26,000 to 48,000.
At the same time, the Bush administration made a critical decision to stop requesting Pakistani authorization prior to each strike. With a new government taking over in Pakistan and a renewed sense of urgency brought about by a Presidency quickly coming to a close, the White House seized the opportunity to re-write the diplomatic rules of the Predator program. The impact was immediate. During the first half of 2008 Bush authorized a modest five drone strikes. In his last six months he approved 31. Had he served a third term, we can reasonably expect, based on this trend, he might have carried out 62 strikes a year, if not more. Obama's annual average is 75.
This shift was facilitated not just by domestic factors, but by a fundamental change in Pakistan. Just as Bush and the U.S. military were pivoting their attention back to Afghanistan, domestic security in Pakistan was deteriorating. In December of 2007 Benazir Bhutto, the former prime minister of Pakistan and then opposition party leader was assassinated in a combined sniper and suicide bomb attack. Bhutto's death was just one of many. Prior to 2007, there were less than ten suicide attacks a year, however, according to the Pakistan Institute for Peace, by 2009 there were 87 suicide attacks and 2,586 terrorist, insurgent and sectarian related incidents of terrorism. Afghanistan succumbing to a Taliban coup would be tragic, but in Pakistan, a country with over 100 nuclear warheads, it would be catastrophic. Thus domestic terrorism and political insecurity presumably made the Pakistanis more hospitable to drone strikes, while making intervention an American imperative.
From the outset of his presidency Obama identified Afghanistan as not only a just war, but a strategic necessity. Within a month of entering office, President Obama announced the deployment of 17,000 additional troops to Afghanistan and within a year he announced a surge of 30,000 more. Shortly after the reinforcements arrived, in September of 2010, the military launched a major offensive in Kandahar province. Drone strikes in Pakistan immediately skyrocketed from an average of 7 per month to 24 in September. This remains the deadliest month on drone record, with approximately 140 militants reported killed and zero reported civilian deaths.
This aggressive pursuit is a marked difference from Bush's Battle of Tora Bora, during which bin Laden and dozens of his followers escaped into Pakistan.
While Bush sought to decapitate the leadership ranks of al-Qaeda, Obama has sought to cut their legs out from under them, destroying the foot soldiers, rather than just the officers. According to data compiled by the New America Foundation, while a third of all strikes by President Bush killed a militant leader, under President Obama, that number has fallen to 13 percent and leaders account for only 2 percent of all total drone related fatalities.
However a war of militant attrition is not without advantages. Drone attacks based on patterns of activity rather than individual identity have decimated the ranks of low-level combatants, forcing would-be terrorists to look to their own survival rather than plotting the next attack. The omnipresent threat of a missile strike has restricted freedom of movement, impeded communication and destroyed dozens of training camps.
Under Obama drones have not only been a tactic to hunt terrorists leaders, they are also a tool for preventing spillover into Pakistan at a minimum cost of U.S. blood and treasure, and, despite some civilian casualties, with minimal disruption to the state of Pakistan.
Finally, there is also evidence to suggest that many of the attacks were designed to appease Pakistan, in that drones have pursued Taliban leaders who were more threatening to Pakistan than to the United States. In the first eight months of 2009 the United States carried out 32 drone strikes, 19 of which targeted Baitullah Mehsud, the leader of the Pakistani Taliban and alleged mastermind behind the assassination of Benazir Bhutto. Thus some portion of the increased targeting of the Taliban may simply reflect the costs of doing business.
What Obama deserves to be lauded for is not increasing drones strikes, but rather a willingness to give Afghanistan the attention and resources it deserved while confronting the spread of violence in Pakistan. Facts on the ground indicate that the drone program has been an operational success. Under Obama's watch drone strikes in Pakistan have killed 1,332 to 2,326 combatants and the number of monthly terrorist attacks in Pakistan has fallen by over 50 percent since the high in 2008.
The question is not whether the next administration, be it a Romney or Obama one, will continue to use drones. The question is whether drones have reached the limits of their tactical utility. The core of al-Qaeda is in disarray and drone firepower had begun to focus on regional affiliates in Yemen, Somalia and beyond. However, killing militants will not cure the world of terrorism, it can only help to restrain it. The solution lies in committing the diplomatic and financial resources to address the political and economic instability upon which Islamic extremism feeds. A truly courageous commander-in-chief must know when to prioritize statecraft over armed force.
Meg Braun is a Rhodes Scholar and MPhil candidate in International Relations at Oxford, where she is researching the evolution of U.S. drone policy.
Tags: Afghanistan, Al Qaeda, Barack Obama, National Security Agency, Pakistan, Politics, Taliban, Terrorism, U.S. 2012 Election, U.S. Foreign Policy
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The Taliban is gaining dangerous leverage by recruiting Tajiks, Turkmen, and Uzbeks.


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Islands Travel
Info about exotic destinations
The Shame of Beach Pollution
Posted by philip on March 3, 2020 in Uncategorized
Tons of litter on the beach: the images of shame. Waste on the beach has become a symbol of overconsumption. You can see in pictures the direct consequences of a hot day at the beach and this is disgusting! Such images are impressive and multiply in the general indifference. Tons of garbage accumulate on our beaches every day. There is no reason to be surprised that the ocean is dying from plastic pollution.
Garbage on the beach makes the coastal area repulsive. Exit sand, deckchairs, parasols and straw hats. The ingredients for a day at sea are very different. Cigarette butts, plastic and glass bottles, soda cans, single-use plastic bags … This is what is commonly found on our beaches. And not in small quantities! Waste on the beach is a shameful symbol of overconsumption.
For proof a video published on social networks last year showed the state of a North Sea beach in Blankenberge in Belgium, after a bit of a hot day, once all the tourists left: thousands of garbage sometimes deposited next to the full bins but often scattered on the beach. Taking measures against this kind of behavior is not obvious, if not conceivable, as people come on the beach to relax. And government officials want them to feel good. But in the meantime, while humans are enjoying the sun, the coastline doesn't have much fun.
Welcome to the sea of waste! The problem obviously does not only concern Europe. In Bali for example, Green Peace has been denouncing figures that are chilling in the back for a few years. On Kuta beach, in 2018, about 100 tonnes of debris were collected, between the waste thrown by tourists, attracted by surfing in the archipelago, and the debris washed up on the beach from the ocean.
The authorities employ 700 cleaners and 35 dumpster trucks for this every day. And to clarify this problem does not come from people living in Kuta and around the beach. This cleaning up requires a massive waste management effort coordinated by the local authorities. The city had to order new roll-off dumpsters just to cope with the increased demand for large junk collection.
And for good reason, you can see in pictures the diver Rich Horner literally swimming in plastic. The consequences are obviously not only visual, and it is no longer possible to ignore the environmental issues. People thus recently discovered off Corsica a new island entirely made of plastic. Marine species are particularly threatened by pollution. As for us humans, we now know that we eat the equivalent of a plastic credit card every week in our food. Polluting the beach therefore makes this situation even less manageable.
Removing plastic pollution on beaches is a big challenge. There are ideas, but they come from independent initiatives. WWF stated that the Mediterranean Sea is the most polluted in the world with 600,000 tonnes of plastic waste discharged per year.
In May 2019, a competition was held to collect waste in the Marseille coastal area. Kayakers and divers participated in the operation and managed to recover 1.2 tonnes of waste. On the Belgian side, we are also looking to coordinate. The Governor of East Flanders explained for example that he had invited the burgomasters of the coastal municipalities to coordinate on this subject. Among the measures proposed: fines for polluting tourists
Best Nature Spots in Indonesia
Posted by philip on April 24, 2018 in Indonesia
Mt Rinjani, or Gunung Rinjani, is the second highest volcano in Indonesia. Located in the North of the island Lombok, the top of the mountain forms a crater lake 1.2 miles above sea level, known as Segara Anak. Visitors can hike to the lake, which offers spectacular views of Bali and Sumbawa, and while there also visit the Aik Kalak hot springs situated on the crater rim. The trail takes two days to reach the crater, so it is a challenging trek and not recommended for the inexperienced, however it is an adventure that is greatly rewarding should you make it.
The lower elevation slopes are densely forested, with trees giving way to sparse and rugged volcanic rock further towards the crater. Fig trees are prevalent in the lower forests, as well as the Syzygium Jambu, an attractive shrub that bears edible fruit similar to guavas. A wide variety of fauna can also be seen, from the fairly common long-tailed grey macaque, to the rare ebony leaf monkey and rusa deer.
KomodoKomodo National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site situated within the Lesser Sunda Islands. It is made up of twenty nine islands, the largest three being Komodo, Padar, and Rinca. These islands are home to the majestic Komodo dragon, a threatened species of lizard that can reach up to ten feet in length and weigh up to 150 lbs. The park is also well know for having one of the world's richest marine environments, including whale sharks, manta rays, blue-ringed octopuses, and over two hundred species of coral. Because of this it is a haven for divers and snorkelers, who travel to the park by boat from the nearby towns of Labuan Bajo or Sape to experience the world famous coral reefs.
Lake Toba, in Sumatra, is the largest lake in Indonesia, and the largest volcanic lake in the world, covering an area of 660 square miles. An even smaller island, Samosir, lies within the lake and can be reached by boat or road bridge. The lake is a popular destination for tourists looking to get off the beaten track, relax and take in the beauty of the water and mountains. The main town visited is Parapat, and from here visitors can swim in the volcanically warmed lake, visit nearby Sipisopiso waterfall, or rent a motorbike to explore the island of Samosir.
Mount-BromoMount Bromo is one of the most visited attractions in East Java. The volcano sits in the middle of an immense plain named the Sea of Sand, and constantly emits white smoke from its crater, giving it an eery, other-worldly feel. The area surrounding the mountain is inhabited by the Tenggerese people, and plays a huge part in their culture, with sacrifices of fruit, vegetables and livestock being thrown into the crater during the Hindu festival of Yadnya Kasada.
The volcano itself, though beautiful, is largely barren, with rugged peaks and gravel plains, however the surrounding area of lower elevations and valleys are covered in forest. Here wild animals can be spotted, such as pigs, rusa deer, and leopard cats, as well as birds of prey. The mountain is easily climbed from the village of Cemoro Lawang, or alternatively locals offer jeep hire and guided horseback rides to the summit. One can also find the stunning Madakaripura waterfall in the foothills of Bromo, close to the village of Sapih, the waters of which are said to be an elixir of life.
Located off the island of New Guinea, Raja Ampat, or The Four Kings, is a group of over 1500 islands, shoals, and kays. The main attraction for visitors is the amazing biodiversity of marine life, which is the highest recorded on Earth according to Conservation International, and as such it is ranked one of the top ten locations for diving by many sources. Most tourists choose to stay in dive resorts or liveaboard boats that collect them from the nearby city of Sorong, but eco-friendly homestays are an alternative option for a genuine Indonesian experience.
The four main islands are Salawati, Waigeo, Misool, and Batanta, and aside from the marine landscape these islands offer an array of amazing scenery and natural attractions. The waterfall of Salawati is a must-see, or one could explore the caves of the islands by sea kayak.
Must Try Indonesian Food
Posted by philip on November 12, 2016 in Indonesia 1 Comment
Do you love Asian food? If you do, then you must have tried Chinese, Thai and other Asian cuisines – Indonesian food must be one of them! Indonesia is not just rich in culture, it's not only famous for Bali, but the goodness of their local and simple food can satisfy that hearty cravings. Here are some of the Indonesian Food you must try.
All the way from Padang, Sumatra, this dish is certainly known for its rich and spicy kick. Beef Rendang has similarities with beef curry. The only difference is that beef rending is not cooked in broth. One thing you can appreciate about this dish is that, yes, it takes forever to cook, but the tenderness of the beef is mouth-watering.
Indonesian Satay
Indonesian Satay is one unique staple. Started out as food sold by street vendors, Indonesian satay has become a very popular food all over Indonesia. A skewer is inserted in chunks of marinated meat, then, it is cooked over hot coals. This juicy dish is usually served with sweet peanut sauce poured on top of it together with rice cakes. This dish is highly addictive and there's no doubt about that.
Simay is originally a Chinese food. But through time, the dishes from china have circulated all over Asia. Each country has made their very own versions and Indonesia is no exception. There is something about this country and the use of peanuts. Siomay is Indonesia's dim sum version. It is steamed fish dumplings. It comes with egg, potato, cabbages and served with – you've guessed it – peanut sauce! If you really want to experience its authentic taste, the best place to buy siomay is from a bicycle vendor who tows a small cart with a steamer at the back of his bike. This is street food at its finest.
Nasi Rawon
Nasi Rawon is Indonesia's version of beef stew. Originated from East Java, this dish has a very bold and nutty flavor. It's color ranges from deep brown to black due to the keluak nut used in the dish. This yummy and hearty dish is best served on top of hot and steamy rice.
Sop Buntun or Oxtail Soup
The name of the dish says it all. Oxtail is the protein of this soup. It is believed that London invented this dish during the 17th century but Indonesians have a different version of it. Just like the other popular dishes in Indonesia, it is also a hearty soup. The protein is usually either broiled, barbecued or fried, then, a soup base is incorporated.
Sweet Martabak
Sweet Martabak is a popular dessert in Indonesia. It is actually their own version of pancake and crepe fused into one. Oddly enough, this is usually served only at the evenings. You can also choose different kinds of toppings, fillings and of course, peanuts.
This may sound odd but this dish is actually made of fish and tapioca. It is a specialty found in South Sumatra. Kapal selam is the most popular variety of pempek as it contains egg at the middle. Before pempek is served, it is first topped off with pulverized shrimp or shrimp powder with a dark dipping sauce called cuka – a mixture of chili, sugar and vinegar.
Nasi Uduk
Indonesia's national dish is Nasi Uduk. This meal's signature is that rice is cooked slowly in coconut milk. This is very similar to the Nasi Lemak in the neighboring countries of Indonesia, the difference is that nasi uduk is also served with tempe or soybean cake, shredded omelette, anchovies, fried chicken, fried onion topped with emping and sambal or also known as nut crackers. This dish usually served on lunchtime cannot do away with sambal.
Cha Am, Thailand
Posted by philip on July 15, 2015 in Thailand
Cha Am is by far the most popular beach of Petchaburi province. The beach itself is a clean white sand beach stretching over 7km long, and offers a variety of accommodations. Arrays of shops and recreations abound in the area: water scooter, horse riding, banana boating, golfing or even para-gliding.
The north and south end of the beach provides more quietness and are more suitable for leisurely pursuits such as sunbath, swimming or just observing the coastal environment and the locals' way of life. Compared to the crowded and brassy ambience of Pattaya, Cha Am offers an alternative of a peaceful and less touristy seaside resort ideal for a relaxing getaway.
Cha Am beach was established after Hua Hin had been taken up by the royalty and dignitary as the imperial resort. A group of aristocrats had pushed the clear-up of this sea-front mangrove forest to build a new seaside village in 1921. They built a route from the railway station to this beach, and another road along the beach.
A cart-path was cut behind the sea-front plots of land. The prince called the new village Sahakham Cha Am. Since that time the site has undergone several developments, including the establishment of modern roads and the opening up of new resorts as well as myriad of facilities to serve tourists. Nowadays, Cha Am ranks among one of the most frequented weekend resort towns.
Apart from the beautiful sand beach, there are many attractions around Cha Am and most of them are within short reach. Here are some of the points of interest you may like to stop by while you are in Cha Am.
Maruekkha-thayawan Palace
This palace was once a seaside summer palace of the royal family. Designed by an Italian architect during the reign of King Rama IV, it comprises of three two-storey wooden buildings adjointed to each other by elevated walkways. Today the palace is open for public viewing.
Hua Hin is a well-known seaside resort of Thailand and the oldest one of its kind. The beach extends about three kilometers southwards of the fishing village. It boasts a fine white sand, quality resort hotels, many water sports opportunities and boasts to be as popular as when it was first established.
Phra Nakhon Khiri Historical Park
Phra Nakhon Khiri Historical Park, or more locally known as Khao Wang, represents a fantastic mixture of traditional Thai, Chinese and Western architectural styles. Its construction was commissioned by King Rama VI for himself and royal guests. The park comprises of palaces, temples, royal halls and groups of building sprawling on Mahaisawan Hill.
Kaeng Krachan National Park
This park is the largest national park of Thailand. Visitors to Kaeng Krachan will find plenty of outdoor activities available here such as trekking along the mountain paths, visiting cliffs and rock formations, boating in Kaeng Krachan Reservoir and watching various species of birds.
Khao Luang
The cave is located at about 3 kilometers away from the township inside Khao Luang, and boasts a fine collection of magnificent stalagmites and stalactites which reflects the sun beams filtered through the ventilating hole at the top. In addition to the beautiful natural environment of the cave, there are also several Buddha images built by King Rama V.
Phra Ram Ratchaniwet (Ban Puen Palace)
The construction of this palace was commissioned by King Rama IV who conceived it to be his retreat in the monsoon season. It was modeled after the palace of Keiser Wilhelm in Germany and a German architect was ordered to design and overlook its construction. The final product is an impressive combination between the Baroque and Art Nouveau architectural styles.
Wat Kamphaeng Laeng
Wat Kamphaeng Laeng is the biggest and oldest historical site of the province and perhaps of the country since its historical relics suggest that Petchaburi was a great settlement from 12th-13th century. The dominant architectural style of this temple is influenced by the Khmer's style. The wall is made of laterite and there appears the Dvaravai stucco mouldings in patterns of Naga or serpent gripped in the mouth of dragon and the lotus petals on the capitals of columns.
Wat Yai Suwannaram
This well known temple houses a fine collection of mural paintings which can be dated back to Ayutthaya period. The ubosot enshrines the main stucco Buddha image in the posture of subduing mara and a cast figure of the former Supreme Patriarch Taeng-mo.
Wat Ko Kaeo Suttharam
This temple was built during the late Ayutthaya period and has a unique architectural style characteristic of its time. There are various mural paintings depicting ten previous lives of the Lord Buddha. The wooden panelled walls of its exterior-walls or Fa Prakon are regarded as the most beautiful in Thailand. Sala Kanparian, the pavillion, has a superbly-carved wooden pulpit by the river is called Sala Mahesuan.
Wat Phuttha Saiyat
Wat Phuttha Saiyat is more popularly known by the name Wat Phra Non by the local people. The temple houses one of the four largest statues of the reclining Buddha or Phra Phuttha Saiyat in Thailand. The statue is presently enshrined in Phra Wiharn (formerly laid outdoor) which contains inside many Dvaravati and U-thong Buddha images.
Wat Mahathat Worawihan
Wat Mahathat Worawihan was built according to the Buddhist precept by erecting a temple inthe middle of the town to enshrien Bhudda relics. The temple is believed to have been bulit 800 years ago and has in its collection a variety of historical and artistic artifacts.
The famous souvenirs of visitors to Cha Am are sweets which are mostly made of tanot (palm) sugar, flour, eggs and coconut cream, and handmade crafts made of seashells. Other souvenir iems include woman accessories and housewares made of hemp, products of palm sugar and a variety of processed fruits. Sweet shops can be found in abundance around Khao Wang, along Phetkasem Road and in the town center.
Cha Am is a paradise for dining because you'll find a cornucopia of restaurants serving both local food and seafood along the beach road. The dishes are prepared upon request and generally have reasonable prices. In addition, there are many food sellers who walk around selling fruits and skewerd meat balls or dried squids right up to your beach chair.
Golf has been a very popular outdoor pastime in Cha Am. There are several fine golf courses that they are usually very full most weekends, so reservation in advance is recommended. Many of the hotels run FOC shuttles and most clubs can arrange pickup and drop-off to any hotel. Visitors can request for more information from the hotel's information counter.
While most of the larger resorts will plan watersports activities for you upon request, you can make arrangements with small operators on the beach (for a significant savings). Most resorts forbid noisy jet skis, but the beaches are lined with young entrepreneurs renting them out for 500B ($12) per hour. Windsurfers and Hobie Cats are for rent at most resorts or with small outfits along the beach (starting at 300B/$7.30 and 600B/$15 per hr. respectively).
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Tshimologo Community Learning Centre – SALB Outreach Programme
South African Library for the Blind's Outreach Programme
On March 23rd, Patricia Magabie and Vuyokazi Mandongana for the South African Library for the Blind (SALB) visited the Tshimologo Community Learning Centre in, Thaba Nchu, Free State.
This formed part of the ongoing outreach programme run by the SALB to assist centre's for the blind and visually impaired with training and to educate them on the services that are available.
"We felt aligning this outreach programme to the Library Week was a good thing to do as we used the opportunity to emphasize the importance of reading and using the library" Said Vuyokazi.
"We delivered a presentation to a group of about 40 blind and visually impaired individuals". Tshimologo is a Community Learning Centre that provides Braille training to blind people, mostly those who lost their eyesight at a later stage in their lives. According to the principal of the centre Mr Julian Seotlela, the centre has been in existence since 2000 and they still struggle to get sponsors and their centre struggles with basic services like electricity.
He was therefore grateful with our visit and promised to take it upon himself to encourage his learners to enrol with SALB and encourage them to adopt the culture of reading.
The response received from the centre was very positive with about 25 people interested in signing up as members.
Update on the new Library Management System:
The teams from Universal Knowledge Software (UKS) and SALB are busy finalising the outstanding modules and the system should be up and running tentatively by end October 2018.
In the meantime the Circulation Staff continue to manually select books based on your reading interests.
We apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused you.
Please submit any inquiries to: audiolib@salb.org.za; braillelib@salb.org.za


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NEW - Nominate Your First Page for a Critique on the Blog
Grangemouth421
Joined: May 3rd, 2020, 5:44 pm
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Re: The Rainbow Revolution: Thriller/Conspiracy
Post by Grangemouth421 » May 3rd, 2020, 7:37 pm
The Rainbow Revolution
No. 1 Military Hospital Pretoria
The ICU sagged with the pregnancy of furtive death. One-Military is a proud sanctuary of healing; but for the seriously wounded soldier, this sombre corner is all too often the last stop before the mortuary terminus. As he followed the stiff-uniformed nurse that knowledge weighed heavily on Colonel Stander. He was sick to his stomach with apprehension,
The irony was inescapable. A military man, expensively trained in the struggle to take life. The medical woman dedicated to preserving it. War impartially fed both sides of the equation.
Her rubber-soled shoes squeaked on the mirror-polished floor at every footfall. His military heels clicked a metronomic pulse. Almost music with the rhythm of a requiem.
They turned a corner closing the distance to the private ward. In it, one of Stander's elite hung onto life by a thread. One Military boasted the best medical banned word money could buy. Equipment state of the art. To the men risking all in service to their country and paying a price, it offered a bastion of hope.
Coming up to the observation window a sad tableau presented. A tall man, kitted in bush khakis, with hands clamped on the wheelchair in front of him stared fixedly ahead. Equally still in the cocoon of the chair and similarly transfixed, a woman of regal bearing.
The nurse offered no introduction, smiled nervously, and retreated sheep-like, glad to be away. The army officer cleared his throat softly. The man before him turned slowly. The woman remained motionless.
catshields
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Re: NEW - Nominate Your First Page for a Critique on the Blog
Post by catshields » May 5th, 2020, 3:01 pm
Title: A MILLION WAYS TO MEASURE NORMAL
by Catherine Shields
Genre: Memoir
"Your daughter, Jessica, is profoundly retarded."
Some words you never expect to hear spoken aloud. Whispered words, accompanied by lowered eyes, and the nod of a head became nothing more than the practice of empathy projected, but not understood. Retarded. A doctor spoke those words. The year; 1988.
For twenty-four years, I struggled to navigate an often-unknown land, and solve the mystery of what awaited at the end of my passage.
Yesterday the defining moment of my journey manifested itself when I stood in Jessica's empty bedroom. Everything appeared the same as the day before. The same but different. An assortment of posters hung on the wall above her bed, most of the images, teenage boy bands. In one photo, the boys, arms linked, leaned forward and smiled. For a moment, I imagined they wanted to hear my thoughts. I whispered the words like a quiet secret. "We moved Jessica to a group home today."
Through the bedroom window, the sway of the palm trees captivated my attention.
Crack. The snap of a frond roused me from my reverie, and I returned to the posters, the ones she asked me to bring. My fingers trembled as I grabbed the edges. I wondered if my heart would crack into a million little pieces like the broken keepsakes she refused to throw away.
I dreaded this for so long.
Our twenty-eight-year-old daughter often followed me around the house and begged the same question.
rossbuckner
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Post by rossbuckner » May 7th, 2020, 4:21 pm
TITLE: After the Truth
GENRE: Domestic Mystery
AUTHOR: Ross Buckner
Prudence felt bad for wishing her father was dead when the gunshot popped like a firecracker from the room above. For a second, nothing moved in the Callison House study but the tiny flames in the fireplace that needed stoking. Hamilton Hissen's hand froze on the knot of the gold Hermes tie with a repeating pattern of raised H's he had been adjusting as he stood behind the old Callison desk, no longer reading from the paper quivering in his other hand.
Her twin brother, Jack, on the couch to her left, closed his eyes, took a calming breath and released the death grip he had on his legs. His hands moved to slide his long hair behind his ears, but they caught air. He'd cut his straight, shoulder length hair that morning. The razor burn was fresh on the parts of his face she hadn't seen since high school almost twenty years ago.
On the opposite couch, younger brother Raymond's arm rested on his round belly while his cocktail stayed pressed to his lips. His widened eyes moved side-to-side like a Kit-Cat clock in slow motion. His wife, Gerry, leaned forward from his side, took care to place her drink on a coaster and not the almost-priceless Elizabethan withdrawing table and planted her face in her hands.
Nathan, their long-time House Manager, replaced the fireplace poker he was about to use, placed his stubby hands behind him, backed into the wall and awaited his instructions. From whom? The man who gave them was upstairs. Alone.
Joined: May 9th, 2020, 10:47 am
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Post by HJC » May 9th, 2020, 11:03 am
THE GIRL CALLED KIT[/b
Kit is astonished when she discovers she has a sister living in New York and seeks to discover the past,
but terror gradually mounts as the ocean liner crosses the Atlantic and an onboard stalker tightens his control.
Southampton, 2019
Kit stamped her feet on the quayside to keep warm. 'Where the hell are you!' she muttered hugging her coat closer in the biting wind. She glanced for the umpteenth time at her mobile phone, but there was no message from her brother. In desperation she rang his number again and left an angry message.
The ship towered over her, making her diminutive figure seem even smaller as she tightly clutched the precious box to her chest. Its commonplace brown paper wrapping concealed its importance. Nobody would ever guess that her life was in that box, at least the foundation of it.
Kit's eye was drawn to a tall thin man nearby; he was slowly squatting up and down as though to sit on a chair, but there was no chair. Then he began skipping without a rope. She looked away thinking he must be an exercise fanatic.
The noisy loading of new cargo jostled for supremacy over the excited chatter of the hordes of cruise passengers who were about to board. Kit could almost smell their excitement.
Her view of the horizon was suddenly blocked by the exercise fanatic. She blinked as he pointed his mobile phone at her and took a photo. Then he broke into a run towards the ship, but not before she had been greeted with his creepy smile and rotten egg breath. A shudder travelled down her spine and the obnoxious smell of his breath lingered enough to bring an unpleasant taste to her mouth.
She swallowed the fear that rose in her throat. Kit did not relish this journey alone, even though being incarcerated with her brother wasn't a congenial option either. Where was he? Would he even come?
jessica.mcbrayer
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Post by jessica.mcbrayer » May 9th, 2020, 2:39 pm
First 250 Words
One of my Manolo Blahniks was the first thing through my private portal into my office. I was a secret shoe slut. Well, maybe it wasn't so much of a secret. We all have our vices.
I always got a rush when I came to work. This place had a lot of residual magik. The house I had renovated, the Witch House, was first built by a Puritan in the 1600's and is directly related to the Salem Witch Trials, nestled in Salem, Massachusetts. It had been owned by several witches throughout the generations. A way for all the magik folk to infuse the place with positive energy, hopefully eradicating all the bad juju. It had worked.
I had to do some considerable magik and pay a hefty price to get the property after it had been made into a museum. It was mine, though. It was a big f-you to the man that was part of the torture and murder of my fellow sisters in magik. The sad thing is that most of the real witches escaped. The zealots had twisted the townspeople into hysteria and had murdered innocent women in its wake in a sick bid to increase their properties all in the name of intolerance.
Now it was home to my supernatural matchmaker's agency. The second floor was occupied by my clerical staff and IT, a safe place for my gnome employees to work without prejudice. Gnomes are excellent with technology.
Nominated page by Jessi.Mcbrayer starting "Mathilda" - Undecided title in Paranormal Romance
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Post by aldernans » May 10th, 2020, 10:36 am
Most people hear about something tragic and say, "Oh, that's horrible." They go on about their business, and live their lives. I'm not most people. I don't just hear about tragedy. I feel it. My mama says I'm too empathetic, but my dad says I have the feelings of an angel. Empathy, angel, it all boils down to one thing – I'm cursed. I see things before they happen.
When I was six, a terrible thing happened, a swarm of bees attacked the neighborhood know-it-all, Tamara Stevens. My sister, Beauty, told me about the incident two hours after it happened. She said Tamara's white skin turned tomato red blowing up in pockets all over her face and body. She couldn't see. Beauty said, "Oh, it was horrible," but then, she went and stuffed her face with butter pecan ice cream. I knew exactly when it happened and I felt each one of the stings. My vision was blurry for a week after the incident and my skin still itches when I think about it. The details of the memory are as crisp as the lines in a coloring book.
Tamara was reciting a paragraph of Encyclopedia Brown to her four-year-old brother, as if he would remember who wore what during the Civil War. She wore pink and yellow faded almost white to match her skin. She looked deathly. Her mouth moved in o's and her teeth formed a lot of s's, but the thing that stayed with me wasn't her words. It was fear. The kind of fear that stays frozen inside you to keep you all winter on the outside. It's a second skin that never warms. Tamara lived several blocks down from me. It was her fear that made me see her and him – The Sandman, a vampire demon who took your eyes and soul?
SusanWriter
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First Page Mystery Book
Post by SusanWriter » May 21st, 2020, 5:10 pm
It was a small house, the living room neat but sparsely furnished, holding two lounge chairs, three big screen TVs, one dead body and seventeen cats. Not even breathing through my mouth made the stench bearable.
I stared at the body; milky eyes stared back as though they could see into my soul, while cats wound around my feet and used my jeans for a scratching post. One death-blotched hand clutched a business card; I could just out my Skylark Investigations logo through the blood splotches. I knew better than to touch it, much less try to tuck it somewhere out of sight where it couldn't bite me on the ass.
Just my luck. Dunwitty will have a field day with this, I thought as I pulled out my cell and speed-dialed the detective.
He picked up on the third ring and I made my first mistake. I took a breath so I could speak. The miasma of dead body and cat urine corkscrewed into my lungs. I spent the first minute of the call hacking up my lungs and listening to Dunwitty shout in my ear.
"Body," I finally managed to gasp. "Number one-twelve Seventeenth Street, near Pismo."
"One of yours, Skylark?" came the sarcastic reply.
Another breath and more coughing. My eyes watered and I stumbled toward the door, tripping over cats on my way.
"Fuck you, Dunwitty," I growled, "just get over here. Bring your CSU friends, we'll have a party."
"Don't touch anything," Dunwitty ordered, and hung up.
Post by jessica.mcbrayer » May 28th, 2020, 6:10 pm
First Page Query
The Devil's in the Details
Jessica McBrayer
One of my dark teal sling back Manolo Blahniks with crystal accents was the first thing through my private portal into my office. I was a secret shoe slut. Well, maybe it wasn't so much of a secret. We all have our vices.
I always got a rush when I went through the portal. It was like walking through a tornado without getting your hair messed up. My office had a lot of residual magik all by itself. The Witch House, so it was called locally, was first built by a Puritan in the 1600's and is directly related to the Salem Witch Trials, nestled in Salem, Massachusetts. It had been owned by several witches throughout the generations. A way for all the magik folk to infuse the place with positive energy, hopefully eradicating all the bad juju. It had worked.
I had to do some considerable magik and pay a hefty price to get the property after it had been made into a museum. It was mine, though. A big f-you to the man that was part of the torture and murder of my fellow sisters in magik. The sad thing is that most of the real witches escaped, having had premonitions about what was to come. The zealots had twisted the townspeople into hysteria and had murdered innocent women in its wake, in a sick bid to increase their properties all in the name of their intolerant teachings and ignorance.
Now it was home to my supernatural matchmaker's agency, Witchy Woman. It was two stories with the second-floor occupying by my clerical staff, IT, and accounting. It was a safe place for my gnome employees to work without prejudice. Gnomes are excellent with technology. One had single-handedly built my computer program containing a complicated algorithm that reflects my personal criteria and a healthy dose of my magik for choosing a match. When a supernatural applicant fills out the online profile, the computer gives me a few alternatives, in my region, in which to choose from.
magicbeet
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Post by magicbeet » June 9th, 2020, 7:11 pm
Title: The Secret of Wildsea
First 250 words:
"Move out of my way, darling," Tari commanded with a confident smile.
Shadows filled the rented room, but Tari stood by the window in a single ray of moonlight, looking like an angel. Her skin glowed softly and her blonde hair shimmered, appearing almost silver. Her heavenly beauty contrasted with the black leather that hugged her long legs and cinched her small waist.
Darvyn tore his eyes from the deep V of skin exposed by her vest. Her pose and command were unconvincing. Had he ever refused her before? He chanced a look at her eyes, pale grey eyes, usually reminiscent of warm rain-filled clouds. Now they shone like icicle-daggers in a winter forest.
The cold scared him, but he ignored it. He blinked, reminding himself that she had betrayed Wildsea, had betrayed him.
He had invited her to this room, a room where they'd shared long hours of passion. But not tonight. Tonight, he intended to learn the truth about the woman to whom he'd given his heart.
She hadn't confirmed or denied anything yet. He asked, "Who convinced you of this foolishness? Bring me to him, and together you and I will turn him over to the Council. You will be forgiven, but you must work with me."
"Move," she repeated.
In response to his stillness, she bent her elbow, resting her hand against her collarbone, a gesture that portrayed an almost childish innocence, but her eyes never left his. They held a sensual self-assurance
Joined: May 22nd, 2020, 12:11 am
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Post by NicoleS » June 9th, 2020, 11:45 pm
Last edited by NicoleS on July 26th, 2020, 7:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Joined: May 8th, 2020, 3:00 am
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First page Critique - Girl at Sea
Post by dcburtonjr » June 13th, 2020, 7:02 pm
For a first page critique.
Title - Girl at Sea
Willing to risk the sting of her husband's palm, Emily Perrit asked, "Jamie, are you sure you have to go?" as she stood with her husband at the door to the garage.
Jamie Perrit let out a deep sigh. "Emily, you ask that every time I have to go out of town."
"Can't somebody else go? You should be a vice-president and not have to go. You know I don't like to be here alone."
Jamie froze on the first step.
Emily tensed, arms tight across her chest, heart racing.
Jamie stepped back into the house. He grabbed her jaw with his free hand. "Emily," he said, full of disdain. "This is the last time we're having this conversation. I'm only thirty-nine. There's no way I can be a vice-president until I'm forty. It's one of Mr. Teng's rules." He gave her face a shake. "Don't make me punish you. You know I don't like to do that." He gave her a final squeeze and turned to the door.
Emily's body vibrated with the release. She breathed deep. Eyes on the floor, she nodded. It was an old argument which she never won. "When will you be back?"
"Late Friday."
"You told me Thursday. I got tickets for the symphony Friday night. We never go anymore."
"Don't whine, Emily. I don't like it. Get Rachel to go with you."
"She doesn't like classical music. You do."
"Emily!"
"Okay, okay."
He backed his BMW out of the garage. She thought he returned her wave then realized he only pushed the button to close the garage door.
https;//davidburtonwriting.com
Me_marino
Joined: February 27th, 2020, 4:25 pm
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1st Page Critique Request
Post by Me_marino » June 30th, 2020, 11:39 am
Title: The Footsteps Forged
She will find him.
With the innocence of a child and the blind faith of a prophet, the matter of her existence crossed the Gibbous moon. As a speck, it glinted off the lake's skin and along the tops of balding trees. Given the early morning hour, an individual happening to look up would question their inebriation or lack of sleep and convince themselves that this phenomenon, a streaming sparkle, was their imagination. And make it so.
Camouflaged by city's light pollution, it traveled on, unnoticed before swooning through a mountainous gap that directed the river like two hands threading a black silk ribbon. Familiar to the sloops, it hovered momentarily above chimneys billowing white smoke of cremated beech, oak, and maple logs, when — there. The streaking fleck found a screen-less window, up an inch from the sill. Space enough, it twisted and stirred vertical slats before settling in a chair, proving its arrival by swaying the rocker. Gently. To and fro creaking the wooden floor.
Between the alternating stripes of the moonlight's alternating stripes of light and dark, an undeniable existence took shape. Fresh eyes scanned over to the bed, lamp, end table, bureau, closet. New lungs sucked in lavender-sweetened air. The purple flower flopped in a vase. On a small table. Beside a mound of sheets and blanket.
Angelo Credente laid awake, fidgeting with the night and the fated day's arrival. He heard the vertical blinds clap. The chilly air stirred the room.
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Post by heidi wainer » July 6th, 2020, 1:40 pm
Title: Beyond the Rings of Imagination
Genre: Young Adult Space Opera
The stiff Kansas wind sliced through Shara's coat, carrying the sweet promise of spring along with the seeds of calamitous storms.
"Shara, you're as antsy as sheep among wolves," her mother, Kaitlyn, teased her. Together, they wove their way through clumps of students filling the plaza outside the biology building at Wrensforde University, where her mother taught.
Shara shook off the jibe. Most mornings she enjoyed their walk. Today each step reverberated with nervous anticipation.
"Today's acceptance day, isn't it?"
"I should get a message this morning." A fretful night flopping between hope and dread had wound Shara into a tightly coiled spring. Today, she'd discover if she'd gain access to the knowledge and resources of the world's foremost institution on exobiology. Admission into Rega's accelerated graduate program would mean finally be surrounded by students her own age. Perhaps, she'd even meet other scientists who graduated high school before puberty and dreamed of restoring the devastation travelers between planets sometimes left in their wake, like the dead trees and toxic lake that had once been Jacksfield Park.
Shara's wristcomm buzzed.
Time froze as a hologram of an administrator's face formed above her hand. If only hope and desire could influence the message's contents.
"Go ahead, open it." Her mother squeezed her hand.
With a trembling finger, she pressed the button. The hologram grew opaque. "Ms. Bransford, after careful consideration, we regret to inform you, we are unable to include you in this year's accelerated admission program."
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Post by arjaymg » July 10th, 2020, 5:30 pm
Title: Gravenhurst
Genre: Upper Middle-Grade fantasy
first chapter 213 words
The woman stood between two polished metal mirrors in the bottom of the castle's locked, stone-walled keep. She was growing impatient. Stretching her arms out from her sides, her fingertips grazed both mirrors. Sparks that glowed the ugly greenish color of rotting olives grew from both mirrors, combined into a rope of sparks, and snaked up until it exited at the top of the keep.
A tall razor-thin man, wearing a coat made of black feathers, stood on top of the keep with his arms reaching to the sky like he was going to catch a football. The snake of sparks formed a large ball between his hands and then, with lightning-like speed, shot into the sky.
Deep in the bowels of the keep, the woman began to laugh. Finally, she thought, my plan begins. Her smiling lips pulling back to reveal teeth that were half rotted but still sharp, still sharp after a thousand years. Finally.
3,640 miles away, the sparks snaked their way through the windows of a cheerful yellow, colonial-style home in Michigan and found mirrors into which it could hide and wait.
The home did not know it was under attack.
And the children, the poor children. They did not know the madness that would be wrought upon them.


Stefan Pleszczynski (born in Eastern Townships, Quebec) is a Canadian film and television director, film producer and screenwriter.
Pleszczynski's television credits include Da Vinci's Inquest, Intelligence, The Worst Witch, Weirdsister College, Sophie, 18 to Life, Flashpoint and the American-Canadian adaption of Being Human. He has been recently credit with directing the 19th episode in the ninth season of the show Supernatural. The episode was aired on 22 April 2014. The plot of this episode revolves around the supernatural entity - Vampires, which also happen to be the main entities in Pleszczynski's show Being Human.
Pleszczynski has also directed the television films Live Once, Die Twice (2006) starring Kellie Martin, Circle of Friends (2006) starring Julie Benz and A Life Interrupted (2007) starring Lea Thompson.
Prior to directing, Pleszczynski was a location manager on the films Squanto: A Warrior's Tale (1994) and Johnny Mnemonic (1995).
Pleszczynski is an alumnus of Concordia University and Simon Fraser University. He currently lives in Montreal and is married to screenwriter Bernadette Gogula. Gogula co-wrote with Pleszczynski, the 2004 French-language feature film L'espérance, Pleszczynski's first full-length film.


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John Scott-Railton
John Scott-Railton is a Senior Researcher at Citizen Lab (at The University of Toronto). His work focuses on technological threats in civil society, including targeted malware operations, cyber militias, and online disinformation. His greatest hits include a collaboration with colleague Bill Marczak that uncovered the first iPhone zero-day and remote jailbreak seen in the wild, as well as the use of Pegasus spyware to human rights defenders, journalists, and opposition figures in Mexico, the UAE, Canada, and Saudi Arabia. Other investigations with Citizen Lab colleagues include the first report of ISIS-led malware operations, and China's "Great Cannon," the Government of China's nation-scale DDoS attack. John has also investigated Russian and Iranian disinformation campaigns, and the manipulation of news aggregators such as Google News. John has been a fellow at Google Ideas and Jigsaw at Alphabet. He graduated with a University of Chicago and a Masters from the University of Michigan. He is completing a Ph.D. at UCLA. Previously he founded The Voices Projects, collaborative information feeds that bypassed internet shutdowns in Libya and Egypt. John's work has been covered by Time Magazine, BBC, CNN, The Washington Post, and the New York Times.
The Spies Hacking our Phones are Going Dark, and We're All in Trouble