Ellen White (1827-1915): "There came to the Saviour, as if in an answer to His prayer, one in the guise of an angel from heaven… One of the most powerful of the angels [Referring to Jesus], he says, has been banished from heaven…forsaken by God, and deserted by man" (DA, pp. 118, 119).
Ellen White: "He still appears as an angel of light" (DA, p. 124).
J. W. McGarvey (1829-1911): "He may possibly have appeared as an angel of light" (The Fourfold Gospel).
John Lightfoot (1602-1675): "By appearing to him in a visible shape and conversing with him and that in the form of angel of light…. As Eve was deceived by mistaking his person, supposing a good angel discoursed with her when it was bad, so the devil in like manner puts on the good angel here, clothed with light and feigned glory."(John Lightfoot's Commentary on the Gospels, Matthew 4:1-11, 1658).
Matthew Henry (1662-1714): "…if ever the Devil transformed himself into an angel of light, he did so now, and pretended to be a good genius, a guardian angel…he insinuates to our Saviour, that his Father had cast him off and left him to shift for himself…thy Father hath forsaken thee…" (Complete Commentary on the whole Bible, 1706).
George Whitefield (1714-1770): "…came to him as it should seem in a visible shape, and probably transformed into the appearance of an angel of light" (The Temptation of Christ).
Bennett James (1774-1862): "Yet Satan, transformed to an angel of light, could not tempt our Lord, to bow down and adore" (Lectures on the History of Jesus Christ, Vol. 1, p. 96, 1828).
Joseph Hall (1574-1656): "Even now is Satan transformed into an angel of Light; and will seem godly, for a mischief" (The Works of Joseph Hall, Vol. 2, p. 315, 1808).
Thomas Stephen: "… and then the Devil, assuming a visible shape as an angel of light, more directly an insidiously assaulted Him whilst He was beginning to feel the pangs of hunger" (A Gospel History of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ: or, a Life of the Man of Sorrows, p. 88, 1853).
Henry Ward Beecher (1813-1887): "He might well have risen upon the saviour's sight… as… "an angel of light"" (The Life of Jesus, The Christ, p. 126, 1871).
Note: It was only an assumption that Satan appeared as an angel of light. (See Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1: 13; Luke 4:1-13).
Ellen White (1827-1915): "When Jesus entered the wilderness… But the glory departed, and He was left to battle with temptation… His human nature shrank from the conflict that awaited Him. For forty days He fasted and prayed. Weak and emaciated from hunger, worn and haggard with mental agony, "His visage was so marred more than any man, and His form more than the sons of men" (DA, p.118).
Ellen White: "As soon as Christ entered the wilderness of temptation, his visage changed. The glory and splendor reflected from the throne of God which illuminated his countenance when the heavens opened before him, and the Father's voice acknowledged him as his Son in whom he was well pleased, was now gone" (Second Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, August 4, 1874).
Ellen White: "As soon as Christ entered the wilderness of temptation, his visage changed. The glory and splendor which were reflected from the throne of God and his countenance, when the heavens opened before him, and the Father's voice acknowledged him as his Son in whom he was well pleased, were now gone. The weight of the sins of the world was pressing his soul, and his countenance expressed unutterable sorrow, a depth of anguish that fallen man had never realized. He felt the overwhelming tide of woe that deluged the world" (2Red, p. 34, 35, 1877).
Ingraham J. H (1809-1860): "He [Jesus] stopped, and turned upon them a look so pale, and marred…The glory of his beauty had passed away, and the beaming splendour which shone from his countenance was wholly gone…The expression of unutterable sorrow that remained, pierced them to the heart…There must be none to help…and they [John and Lazarus] wondered most of all at the change in his countenance, which from being lustrous with celestial light, was now, said Lazarus, "Marred more than the sons of men"" (The Prince of the House of David, pp. 140, 141, 1855).
Ellen White (1827-1915): "And Christ was not to exercise divine power for His own benefit. He had come to bear trial as we must do, leaving us an example of faith and submission. Neither here nor at any subsequent time in His earthly life did He work a miracle in His own behalf. His wonderful works were all for the good of others" (DA, p. 119).
Ingraham J. H (1809-1860): "But I do not miracles to relieve my own sufferings. I came into this world to suffer" (The prince of the House of David, p. 201, 1855).
Ingraham J. H (1809-1860): ""So far as I can learn the character and power of Jesus, His power over disease is not for His own good, but for the benefit of the multitude. He uses His power to work miracles, to do good to others from love and compassion… "It is not mine to escape human infirmities by any power my Father hath bestowed upon me for the good of men"" (The prince of the House of David, p. 175, 1855).
Henry Kollock (1778-1819): "Besides, it is a beautiful trait in his life of the saviour, that he never wrought a miracle for himself… and where a miracle was required, for the relief of the unhappy, in no one instance did he withhold it. Bur never did he work one to save himself from those greifs and agonies of which he was full" (Sermons on Various Subjects in Four volumes, p. 112, 1822).
Ellen White (18287-1915): "The tempter can never compel us to do evil. He cannot control minds unless they are yielded to his control. The will must consent, faith must let go its hold upon Christ, before Satan can exercise his power upon us" (DA, p. 125, 1898).
Henry Blunt: "…he cannot compel the weakest follower of Jesus into smallest sin. He may entice you, beguile you, delude you, but compel, he cannot. He must have the consent of your own will, the aid of your own inclination, before he can succeed" (Lectures Upon the history of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, p. 63, 1843).
Thomas Stephen: "The Devil cannot force us to sin; he only suggests sinful acts to our minds, and leaves it to our own free-will to act according to his suggestions" (A Gospel History of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ: or, a Life of the Man of Sorrows, p. 90, 1853).
John Harris (1802-1856): "… it should be borne in mind, that in no instance in which Satan acquires dominion over the sinner does he obtain by force; the means which he employs are perfectly compatible with human freedom; so that the surrender of the sinner is voluntary, he sells himself to work iniquity" (The Great teacher, p. 243, 1835).
Ellen White (1827-1915): "After the foe had departed, Jesus fell exhausted to the earth, with the pallor of death upon His face…The angels now ministered to the Son of God as He lay like one dying. He was strengthened with food, comforted with the message of His Father's love and the assurance that all heaven triumphed in His victory" (DA, p. 131, 1898).
Thomas Brown (1778-1820): "When the tempter was gone, a number of good angels came and ministered unto Jesus, bringing him food and everything else he had need of" (The Self-explanatory History and Life of Our Blessed Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, p. 90, 1814).
Ellen White (1827-1915): "He not only became an exile from the heavenly courts, but for us took the risk of failure and eternal loss" (DA, p. 131).
Edward Griffin (1770-1837): "After wandering an exile from heaven for more than thirty years for our revolt…" (Sermons By The Late Rev. Edward Griffin, Vol. 2, p. 477, 1838).
Octavious Winslow (1808-1878): "Exile from His Father was no small element in the abasement of our adorable Redeemer – To leave the bosom of the Father…" (The Glory of the Redeemer, p. 71, 1844).
Ingraham J. H (1809-1860): "… when his exile to the desert would terminate…" (The Prince of the House of David, p. 137, 1855).
Talmage, T. De Witt (1832-1902): "The exile of heaven lieth down upon the straw; the first night out from the palaces of heaven, dressed in a wrapper of coarse linen" (From manger to Throne, p. 168, 1890 [first edition 1880]).
Ellen White (1827-1915): "But he does not appear as a hideous monster, with cloven feet and bat's wings" (DA, p.129).
Ellen White: "He was face to face not with a hideous monster, as is represented with bat's wings and cloven feet, but as a beautiful angel of light…"(16 MR, p. 181, 1990).
Walter Scott (1771-1832): "the fiends are painted as assisting them, portrayed in all modern horrors of the cloven- foot, or as the Germans term it, horse's foot, of bat-wings, saucer-eyes, locks like serpents, and tail like a dragon" (The Complete Works of Walter Scott, p. 1018, 1833).
Daniel Defoe (1660-1731): "… who cheated the ignorant world with a devil of their own making, set forth in terror, with bat's wings, horns, cloven foot, long tail, forked tongue, and the like" (History of the Devil, p. 176, 1854 [first published in 1726]).
George Sinclair (1654-1696): "… an Ancient Man came in his amber coloured hair hanging down upon his shoulders, his forehead high, and inclining to baldness…" (Satan's Invisible World Discovered, p. 39, 1685).
Note: By her own admission, her information about the Devil's appearance came from earlier paintings. Listen to the following statement: "As I have seen pictures representing Satan coming to Christ in the wilderness of temptation in the form of a hideous monster, I have thought, how little the artists knew of the Bible! Before his fall, Satan was, next to Christ, the highest angel in heaven" (RH, January 14, 1909).
While criticizing the artists for distorting the true identity of Satan on the one hand, she too, followed their footsteps in describing Satan as a hideous monster. Listen to this inspired description: "That brow which was once so noble, I particularly noticed. His forehead commenced from his eyes to recede. I saw that he had so long bent himself to evil that every good quality was debased, and every evil trait was developed. His eyes were cunning, sly, and showed great penetration. His frame was large, but the flesh hung loosely about his hands and face. As I beheld him, his chin was resting upon his left hand. He appeared to be in deep thought. A smile was upon his countenance, which made me tremble, it was so full of evil and satanic slyness. This smile is the one he wears just before he makes sure of his victim, and as he fastens the victim in his snare, this smile grows horrible" (EW, pp. 152, 153).
George Sinclair (1654-1696): "…and the Devil at this time appeared to them very terrible, with claws on his hands and feet, and with horns on his head, and a long tail behind" (Satan's Invisible World Discovered, p. 186, 1685).
Ellen White (1827-1915): "But since that time the Saviour's appearance had greatly changed. At His baptism they had seen His countenance transfigured in the light of heaven; now, pale, worn, and emaciated, He had been recognized only by the prophet John" (DA, p. 137).
Ingraham J. H (1809-1860): "He tuned his pale countenance upon me, and extended towards me his emaciated hands….worn to a skeleton, weak through suffering" (The Prince of the House of David, p.136, 1855).
Ellen White (1827-1915): "Jesus comes in poverty and humiliation" (DA, p. 138).
Ingraham J. H (1809-1860): "He comes in poverty and humility" (The prince of the House of David, p. 143, 1855).
Ingraham J. H (1818-1860): "… the true Son of the Highest, and is in reality to make His appearance ere long, in humiliation and poverty" (The Prince of the House of David, p. 74, 1855).
Ellen White (1827-1915): "Yet He is not the same. His countenance is changed. It bears the traces of his conflict in the wilderness, and a new expression of dignity and power gives evidence of His heavenly mission" (DA, p. 145).
Ingraham J. H (1818-1860): "He was pale, and wore an expression of gentile, uncomplaining suffering on His benign countenance. His calm, chastened, dignified aspect, the serene composure and peace of His looks, awed me…" (The Prince of the House of David, p. 138, 1855).
Ellen White (1827-1915): "Death had separated her from Joseph, who had shared her knowledge of the mystery of the birth of Jesus. Now there was no one to whom she could confide her hopes and fears" (DA, p. 145).
William Hanna (1808-1882): "She had none at Nazareth but Joseph to speak to; none but he who would have believed her had she spoken. Joseph now is dead, and she is left to nurse the swelling hope in her solitary breast" (The earliest years of our Lord's life on earth, p. 246, 1864).
Ellen White (1827-1915): "The parties were relatives of Joseph and Mary" (DA, p. 144).
Ellen White: "As a relative of the parties Mary had assisted in the arrangements for the feast" (DA, p. 146).
J. Sadler: "His mother being already there, her care concerning the feast, induces the opinion, that it was the marriage of some relation" (Sacred records of The History of Our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ, p. 55, 1835).
Louisa parry: "It was the marriage, probably, of some relation of the Virgin Mary; for she is spoken of as being there, as though she had been at home, one of the family party" (The young Christian's Sunday evening; or, Conversations on Scripture history, p. 104, 1837).
Ingraham J. H (1809-1855): "His mother and many of her kinsfolk were of the company, all going to a marriage of the cousin of the family" (The Prince of the House of David, p. 147, 1855).
Martin Luther (1483-1546): "His mother is present as the one arranging the wedding, the parties being apparently her poor relatives or neighbours" (Luther's sermon, Sermon for the Second Sunday after the Epiphany; John 2:1-11, 1525).
Joseph Hall (1574-1656): "It was in all likelihood some of their kindred, to whose nuptial feast they were invited so far" (The Works of Joseph Hall, Vol. 2, p. 323, 1808).
Samuel J. Andrews (1817-1906): "The mother of Jesus seems to have been intimate in the family where the wedding took place, from which it has been inferred that she was a relative of one of the parties" (The Life of Our Lord upon the Earth, p. 149, 1863).
Ellen White (1827-1915): "It was the custom of the times for marriage festivities to continue several days. On this occasion before the feast ended it was found that the supply of wine had failed" (DA, p. 145).
Albert Barnes (1798-1870): "A marriage feast among the Jews was commonly observed for seven or eight days. It is not probable that there would be a want of wine at the marriage itself, and it is possible therefore that Jesus came sometime during the marriage feast" (Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible, 1834).
Henry Ward Beecher (1813-1887): "… a Jewish wedding was seldom less than three days and usually of seven days' of duration, and was conducted with most joyful festivities…" (The Life of Jesus The Christ, p. 184, 1872).
F. W. Farrar (1831-1903): "Whether the marriage festival lasted for seven days, as was usual among those who could afford it, or only for one or two, as was the case among the poorer classes, we cannot tell" (Life of Christ, Vol. 1, p. 76, 1874).
Ellen White (1827-1915): "By attending this feast, Jesus honoured marriage as a divine institution" (DA, p. 151).
Ellen white: "he came to give to men the cup of blessing" (DA, p. 144).
Joseph Hall (1574-1656): "He, that made the first marriage in Paradise, bestows his first miracle upon a Galilean marriage. He, that was the author of matrimony and sanctified it, doth, by his holy presence, honour the semblance of his eternal union with his church" (The Works of Joseph Hall, Vol. 2, p. 323, 1808).
Ellen White (1827-1915): "He found pleasure in scenes of innocent happiness, and by His presence sanctioned the social gathering… We are not to renounce social communion. We should not seclude ourselves from others" (DA, pp. 151,152).
Ellen White: "Thus He showed His sympathy with men, and His desire to minister to their happiness" (DA, p. 144).
Ellen White (1827-1915): "Instead of secluding Himself in a hermit's cell in order to show His heavenly character, He labored earnestly for humanity" (DA, p. 86).
Cunningham Geikie (1824-1906): "Jesus came to spiritualize the humblest duties of life, and sanctify its simplest incidents, so as to ennoble it as a whole. Henceforth, pleasures and enjoyments were not to be shunned as unholy; religion was not to thrive on the mortification of every human instinct, and the preservation of every cheerful emotion" (Life and Words of Christ, vol.1, p. 475, 1879).
Henry Kollock (1778-1819): "His unsullied holiness was never mingled with misanthropy, but always blended with the gentlest condescension; and his religion permits us innocent enjoyment … He did not seclude himself in the retirement of a cloister, or the obscurity of a wilderness, but conversed freely and indifferently with all men: honouring their tables with his presence, complying with the innocent practices that custom authorized" (Sermons on various Subjects in Four Volumes, p. 144, 1822).
Ellen White (1827-1915): "She longed to have Him prove to the company that he was really honoured of God. She hoped there might be opportunity for Him to work a miracle before them" (DA, p. 145).
John Fleetwood: "She had doubtless, conceived he had the power of working miracles, and was therefore desirous that he would give proof of his ability in the presence of her friends, who were assembled at the marriage" (Life of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, p. 29. 1821).
J.W. Mc Garvey (1829-1911): "She practically requested him to work a miracle, nor is it strange that she should do this. Remembering the many early sayings about him which she treasured in her heart, the incident at his baptism etc., it would be reasonable for her to expect him to do something which would reveal the high purposes for which he had been born" (The Fourfold Gospel).
Jamieson (1802-1880): "Evidently expecting some display of His glory, and hinting that was His time" (Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, 1871).
Ellen White (1827-1915): "The gift of Christ to the marriage feast was a symbol. The water represented baptism into His death; the wine, the shedding of His blood for the sins of the world… At the first feast He attended with His disciples, Jesus gave them the cup that symbolized His work for their salvation…in the institution of that sacred rite by which His death was to be shown forth "till He come." 1 Corinthians 11:26. And the sorrow of the disciples at parting from their Lord was comforted with the promise of reunion, as He said, "I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom." Matthew 26:29. At the last supper He gave it again…The wine which Christ provided for the feast, and that which He gave to the disciples as a symbol of His own blood, was the pure juice of the grape" (DA, pp. 148, 149, 1898).
Robin Margret Jensen: "Tertullian (160-220 AD) regards the Cana miracle as a figure of baptism because it was then that Jesus publicly manifested his power by the element of water" (Living Water: Images, Symbols, and Setting of Early Christian baptism, p. 279, 1952).
Robin Margret Jensen: "Cyprian (200-258 AD), referring to the mixing of wine and water in the Eucharistic cup, interprets the water as representing God's people and the wine the blood of Christ" (Baptismal imagery in Early Christianity, p. 202, 1952).
T. Thompson: "Eucharist is represented as affecting a mysterious change in the elements by which they become the body and blood of Christ. Cyril (313-386 AD) of Jerusalem had already appealed to the miracle of Cana as affording a parallel to this change" (St. Ambrose on the mysteries, p. XXXVI, 1919).
William B. Pope (1822-1903): "It is this that our Lord's wisdom, which looks through the immediate occasion into the widest connexions of his truth, and contemplates in the individual circumstances of the present the last futurity which they prettify, addresses itself now. When He says, My hour is not yet come, he is thinking, we may presume, in His secret mind (we dare so boldly to penetrate the depths of His thoughts) of that time when all shall be fulfilled, which the wedding-feast at Cana, and the cheerful wine – the first gift of his saving power and kindness – symbolically foretold. That hour of His established kingdom, when the fruit of the grape shall be drunk new, is not yet come" (The Words of Our Lord Jesus, p. 65, 1855).
Jeremy Taylor (1613-1667): "He entered into the theatre of the world at a marriage feast, which he now first hallowed to a sacramental signification, and made it to become mysterious… and consign the sacrament by his blood, which he first gave in a secret representment,… by his presence, he also hallowed marriage and made it honourable" (The Life of Our Blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, pp. 121, 122, 1834).
Ellen White (1827-1915): "When at length they looked for Him, it was found that He had withdrawn so quietly as to be unnoticed even by His disciples" (DA, p.150).
Ingraham J. H (1809-1860): "…and the governor of the feast crying out, 'A prophet hath been among us, and we knew it not,' rose to approach and do honour to Jesus; but he had already conveyed himself out through the door, and sought the solitude of the garden" (The prince of the House of David, p. 150, 1855).
Note: John did not say that Jesus withdrew unnoticed, but that He went along with His family and the disciples (John 2:12).
Ellen White (1827-1915): "Many were unable to bring with them the sacrifices that were to be offered… For the convenience of these, animals were bought and sold in the outer court of the temple… Here all foreign money was exchanged for the coin of the sanctuary…The dealers demanded exorbitant prices for the animals sold" (DA, p. 154, 155).
Ingraham J. H (1809-1860): "…sat at their tables men whose business it was to change the foreign money…for Jerusalem and Roman coin which only the sellers of the cattle and sheep will receive for what they sell" (The Prince of the House of David, pp. 185, 1855).
B.W. Johnson (1833-1894): "The great crowds who came to Jerusalem at that time could not bring victims … Gentile money was the coin in circulation, and this was refused at the temple. These money brokers, agents of the priests, furnished Jewish coin at a heavy charge" (People's New Testament, 1891).
August Neander (1789-1850): "On visiting the temple, he found its worship disturbed by disorders which desecrated the holy place – a picture of general secularization of the Theocracy. For the convenience of the Jews from a distance who wished to offer sacrifices, booths had been erected in the Temple-court, in which everything necessary for the purpose was kept for sale, and money changers were also allowed to take their stand there" (Life of Jesus Christ in its Historical Connexion and historical Development, pp. 168, 169, 1848).
Ellen White (1827-1915): "There could be heard sharp bargaining… and angry disputation. So great was the confusion that the worshippers were disturbed, and the words addressed to the Most High were drowned in the uproar that invaded the temple" (DA, p. 155).
Thayer, Erastus William (1812-1902): "… coupled with the voices of traders and customers necessarily shouting out loudly the hagglings of trade. Amid the continuous babel of sounds, a devout and intelligent worship was impossible… The worship of mammon was silencing the worship of Jehovah" (Sketches from the life of Jesus, Historical and Doctrinal, p. 80, 1891).
August Neander (1789-1850): "The merchants and the brokers made everything subservient to their avarice, and their noisy huckstering was a great disturbance to the worship of the Temple" (Life of Jesus Christ in its Historical Connexion and historical Development, p. 169, 1848).


text:
Posted on December 15, 2005 by Andy Sternberg
President Almighty: DeLay "Innocent"
George W. Bush should have no concerns about his legacy with three years to go considering his self-identity as a chosen one, who's heckuva job henchmen can do no wrong in the eyes of God. FoxNews viewers no doubt let out a sigh of relief as Brit Hume reported:
Bush said that he is not confused about how he got into office.
"There's a difference between a personal relationship with an almighty and kind of this notion in some quarters of the world that some have God as directing policy out of the White House," Bush said.
"I think I was chosen by the American people and I knocked on their doors an awful lot in 2000 and 2004 … I do pray that I, to the best extent possible, that God's will shines through me as an individual, but I don't subscribe to that God picked me over somebody else," he said.
The Heretik has a lovely illustration to accompany the statement here.
Jim VanderHei of the Washington Post (who inadvertently implicated Hadley as the source of the Plame leak to the ignorant hosts of MSNBC's Hardball this week) expanded upon Bush's statement regarding the already-indicted-with-trial-date Tom DeLay:
President Bush said yesterday he is confident that former House majority leader Tom DeLay (R-Tex.) is innocent of money-laundering charges, as he offered strong support for several top Republicans who have been battered by investigations or by rumors of fading clout inside the White House.
Think Progress has more of the discussion — apparently Bush's declaration of DeLay's innocence came but a few seconds after he told Hume: "I want this trial to be conducted as fairly as possible. And the more politics that are in it, the less likely it?s going to be fair."
ReddHead at firedoglake wonders if the term "jury tampering" means anything to the president, then demands action from the press corps:
If the press doesn't collectively rise up in today's briefing and demand answers from Scott McClellan, then there is no hope at all for public accountability.
Not to mention, The Constitution's checks and balances as they were intended.
[file under: "You've Gotta be Kidding Me."]
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* Prices per room in USD per night, Standard room.
Immensity program of Huilo Huilo is designed for those who seek to experience the most out of their visit to the Reserve. It is the most complete program, including all meals, the best activities and outdoor excursions package, transportation for all guided activities and access to the spa.


I know this isn't cool to some people's standards of living, But i think drinking beer is alright. It's nothing crazy or bad, as long as you keep it low and moderate it.
Recently, a friend from Georgia sent me some craft beer over for me to try. He asked if I can pick up some Monkish beers and pliny the elder. I had no idea what they are and where I can find them. After spending some time researching and figuring out where I can get them, I find it pretty fun to go after these "hunts". The thought of lining up for beers and it gets instantly sold out never cross my mind until I look into it. I just never thought that people roll deep for beer like this.
After two weeks, I finally manage to grab some Monkish "Foggy Window" beer. As soon as I saw the post on Instagram, I floor my gas pedal to Torrance and line up for them. There were around 125 people ahead of me and about 200 people behind me. They were sold out not long after I bought them, A lot of people on Instagram from all over the country really want to drink these!
My first trade on Instagram. I sent a 4-pack of Foggy Window to some guy in New York. He sent 4 beers to me, but he's cool enough to send me an extra + candy!
Lined up at Monkish with Andy to fill 2 growlers and bought 2 Bombinate bottles. This was my first time lining up for beer. Andy wasn't please with it..


The Circle of Peacemakers team is presenting an opportunity today to learn the basic principles of NonViolent Communication from Terrie Lewine. Why is this happening at Circle of Hope, and why am I so excited to take part in it?
As I have begun to personally incorporate the principle of nonviolence into more areas of my life, I have learned how much deeper it goes than the omission of violence, but to an active course of action that builds peace and connection. During my recent Learning Tour with MCC to Zimbabwe and Zambia, I had the opportunity to listen and learn from some incredibly wise persons who practice non-violence in the face of very real threats and conflict. What I want to apply in my daily life is not that I need to travel far outside my geographic and cultural home in order to learn such lessons, but to be actively listening and learning whenever such opportunities and wise persons are before me.
I'm looking forward to listening to the methods being provided by Terrie Lewine, learning from her and the other attendees of this this training, and being open to more of these opportunities, whenever and wherever I find them. I'm hoping you'll make it if you can. If you can't, I'm sure you'll hear the lessons re-verbed through the whole church.
Bethany is the wearer of many hats, including Circle of Hope Operations Manager, Compassion Core Team leader, local food co-op volunteer, and intrepid home renovator.


The first time I went to California, I was not hitchhiking. I rode the Greyhound bus. I had just been kicked out of college at the beginning of my senior year, my old car had only taken me as far as Albany before breaking down, and I was not a happy traveler.
The trip took three days. The scenery grew more interesting. I felt pretty grubby by Rock Springs, Wyoming; I gave up the chance to buy lunch, walked up the main street to a barbershop full of lean tanned men in cowboy boots, and got a shampoo and a shave. Amazing how much better I felt!
The end of the line was midnight in the Tenderloin District of San Francisco. A fellow passenger remarked, "That's the end of the Grey Hound. No more Grey Hound for me!" Counting my small supply of money, I checked into a skid row hotel.
In the middle of the night, I awoke to my bed shaking, the overhead light swaying, screams in the shaftway from my neighbors. It was an earthquake! (a little one) Yes, I was in California for real.
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I own an old piece of luggage that is, at long last, the worse for wear.
It's lost that luggin' feeling.
For some 18 years it's been my sturdy companion around the globe, from Israel and India to Morocco and Madrid; Egypt and China to Turkey and Poland; Thailand and Lebanon to Japan — and beyond. It carried worlds of stuff, from my underwear to a Turkish hooka; from Syrian soaps to ham from Spain and pirated DVDs from Vietnam.
All the rugged mileage this road warrior has incurred has aged it like a pugilist pummeled into premature dotage. Not helping are airport baggage handlers who hurl one's precious parcels like sides of beef.
I've seen it. I actually watched through the ovoid plastic jet window a handler on the tarmac chuck my exact suitcase — mine — into the cargo hold like it was a sack of stinky refuse. It was almost heartbreaking.
My luggage — a 22-inch two-wheel roller made of thick nylon by the superb Pathfinder — is still functional. It's just outmoded, beaten and battered, like shoes that are broken-in to just-right comfort but are scabby and gangrenous. It isn't dead. But it is officially on Social Security.
Scarred and scuffed, it's a homely old comrade, chain-smoking, hard-drinking, occasionally finding itself in a barroom brawl. It has rolled around and seen the world, seen good times and bad, and, well, I'm out of clichés.
Strips of plastic peeled off the two beleaguered wheels a year ago and the zipper ripped off one of the front compartments that accommodates books, magazines and documents.
Without a quartet of spinning wheels, the bag is unwieldy, especially on streets and sidewalks. It can be frustratingly graceless, at once ratty and bratty.
I haven't used my new bag yet — I will next week when I return to Turkey — but I've taken my brother's slightly older version on a few journeys. So the model has been test-driven, with flying colors. It's a dynamo.
Recall my old bag is 22 inches long. The new one is 21 inches — total carry-on action if I choose. Samsonite offers a chart that says the 21-incher is the perfect size for a two-day trip, which means they're bonkers.
Whatever. I've got the packing thing down. Cram, condense, fold clothes into origami. Give me 20 minutes and I'm ready to roll.
And nowadays that means rolling on four well-greased spinners.


text:
Black Cat Ball raises $50,000+ for Hinsdale Humane Society
By Pioneer Press
Staff Report |
Costumed supporters came out 300 strong to raise funds for the Hinsdale Humane Society and have a ball on Oct. 30 at the Katherine Legge Memorial Lodge in Hinsdale.
The annual Black Cat Ball raised over $50,000 to aid homeless animals. All of the funds will go directly to the care of the animals in the shelter and the programs that support their welfare.
"It's always our goal to share information about our innovative programming, including pet therapy, humane education and of course, animal adoption," said Lori Halligan, Executive Director, HHS. "The compassionate attendees of Black Cat Ball all came out in impressive costumes, in support of that mission. We couldn't be more thrilled with the event and the funds raised."
"We worked hard over the past year to make sure guests would have an awesome Halloween Eve to remember," said Christie Cuthbert, Black Cat Ball Chairperson. "From the looks on everyone's costumed faces, I think we succeeded."
Guests took part in a photo opportunity "cat" walk as they entered via a stairway filled with lit jack o'lanterns carved by the Ambassadors and volunteers. Halloween-themed finger foods and cocktails were available and skeletons played piano. The Hinsdale band Paparockzzi also provided music.
Ambassadors who contributed to the successful party included: Christie Cuthbert, Irene Wood, Ali Rago, Kate Hunley, Molly Haunty, Katie Crotty, Mistie Lucht, Megan Hickman, Puja Gupta and Kate Szfarcyzk. Watch for the date of next year's ball and learn about upcoming holiday activities at www.hinsdalehumanesociety.org


Kansas — A Kenyan family living in the US is in pain after the father hit and killed their 18-month son while reversing his car on Monday.
Mr Mutuma's brother-in-law Ezra Kamencu Mingaine said the tragic incident has left the young family distraught.
He hurriedly picked the item, bid his wife Loise, who was tending to their young twins, and mother-in-law goodbye and quickly left the house, without realizing that Mishael had sneaked out of the house and followed him.
"It is so painful to the entire family and especially to the father to have crushed his own son. There is no way he could have seen the kid who was playing behind. The child had run unnoticed behind the vehicle as the father was reversing.
"The mother-in-law was in the kitchen while the wife was tending to the other twin children. It was so painful, nobody could be blamed for it," said Mr Mingaine by phone.
"If the child was not his, it would have been a terrible case. I have started educating members of the public on the need to ensure they know where their children are while driving away," Mr Mingaine said.


text:
Anne Dangar (1885-1951), peintre et céramiste d'origine australienne.
 John Dangar Dixon (1929-2015), dessinateur et scénariste de bande dessinée australien.
Patronyme australien

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
require "spec_helper.rb"

describe ModJS::Blueprint do

  describe "defaults" do

    before :each do
      suppress_output { @project = ModJS::Blueprint.new( { name: 'myapp' }, TMP_DIR) }
    end

    it 'should have a base_dir' do
      ModJS::base_dir.should == MODJS_ROOT
    end

    it 'should have the correct directories' do
      @project.directories.should == %w'application elements lib models modules plugins spec templates'
    end
  end

  describe 'project creation' do
    before :each do
      suppress_output do
        @project = ModJS::Blueprint.new( { name: 'myapp' }, TMP_DIR)
        @project.create
      end
    end

    after :each do
      FileUtils.rm_rf(TMP_DIR)
    end

    it 'should create the modjs directories' do
      File.exists?("#{TMP_DIR}/application").should be_true
      File.exists?("#{TMP_DIR}/elements").should be_true
      File.exists?("#{TMP_DIR}/lib").should be_true
      File.exists?("#{TMP_DIR}/models").should be_true
      File.exists?("#{TMP_DIR}/modules").should be_true
      File.exists?("#{TMP_DIR}/plugins").should be_true
      File.exists?("#{TMP_DIR}/spec").should be_true
      File.exists?("#{TMP_DIR}/templates").should be_true
    end

    it 'should create the blueprint file' do
      File.exists?("#{TMP_DIR}/myapp.blueprint").should be_true
    end

    it 'should create an application file in the build_dir' do
      File.exists?("#{TMP_DIR}/application/myapp.js").should be_true
    end

    it 'should copy the core library into the lib folder' do
      File.exists?("#{TMP_DIR}/lib/mod.js").should be_true
    end

    it 'should copy the jasmine tests into the spec folder' do
      File.exists?("#{TMP_DIR}/spec/application_spec.js").should be_true
      File.exists?("#{TMP_DIR}/spec/dom_spec.js").should be_true
      File.exists?("#{TMP_DIR}/spec/existence_spec.js").should be_true
      File.exists?("#{TMP_DIR}/spec/module_spec.js").should be_true
      File.exists?("#{TMP_DIR}/spec/jasmine").should be_true

      File.exists?("#{TMP_DIR}/spec/jasmine/jasmine-html.js").should be_true
      File.exists?("#{TMP_DIR}/spec/jasmine/jasmine.css").should be_true
      File.exists?("#{TMP_DIR}/spec/jasmine/jasmine.js").should be_true
      File.exists?("#{TMP_DIR}/spec/jasmine/jasmine_favicon.png").should be_true
      File.exists?("#{TMP_DIR}/spec/jasmine/MIT.LICENSE").should be_true
      File.exists?("#{TMP_DIR}/spec/jasmine/index.html").should be_true
    end
  end

  describe 'project update' do

    before :each do
      suppress_output do
        @project = ModJS::Blueprint.new( { name: 'myapp' }, TMP_DIR)
        @project.create
      end

      FileUtils.rm_rf "#{TMP_DIR}/myapp.blueprint"
      FileUtils.cp "#{FIXTURES}/update.blueprint", "#{TMP_DIR}/myapp.blueprint"
      FileUtils.cp "#{FIXTURES}/test.module.js", "#{TMP_DIR}/modules/test.module.js"
      FileUtils.cp "#{FIXTURES}/test2.module.js", "#{TMP_DIR}/modules/test2.module.js"

      suppress_output do
        @project.update
      end
    end

    after :each do
      FileUtils.rm_rf(TMP_DIR)
    end

    it 'should compile the application file' do
      File.exists?("#{TMP_DIR}/application/myapp.js").should be_true
    end

    it "should have moved the application file from the root folder" do
      File.exists?("#{TMP_DIR}/myapp.js").should_not be_true
    end

    it 'should compile the test module' do
      File.exists?("#{TMP_DIR}/application/test.js").should be_true
    end

  end

end

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


For the second time in three years, Nike Golf is transforming golf ball technology with another industry-first. Building on the success of the game-changing 20XI ball and RZN core technology, Nike Golf is unveiling its innovative Speedlock RZN core technology and adding four golf balls to the new RZN franchise – RZN Platinum, RZN Black, RZN Red and RZN White — designed to deliver more distance, better feeland a more consistent, stable ball flight than ever before.
Nike's proprietary Speedlock RZN core technology features an interlocking core design – the core's surface is similar to that of a waffle iron – that interconnects with the compression layer to form a tighter bond that helps promote better energy transfer through the layers at impact. Similar to how snow tires utilize aggressive treads to bond with a road surface, the Speedlock core's interlocking geometry helps eliminate the slipping that normally occurs between a traditional, smooth-surface core and the outer layer. When a core slides or slips on impact, the ball loses energy and as a result, speed and distance. Speedlock Technology helps to harness more energy between layers for faster ball speed, longer distance and more stability into the wind.
When the exploration into new technology began a little over a year ago, Nike Golf designers looked to the past to find inspiration for the future. They landed on the original Haskell ball, which emerged in the early 1900's as the first rubber core golf ball, consisting of elastic thread wound around a rubber core under extreme tension. The Haskell design helped make historically slower materials faster – and Nike Golf engineers began to explore what that could mean for a lighter, more modern RZN material in the core.
Several Nike Golf athletes, including Rory McIlroy and Paul Casey, have put the new ball into play in 2013.
A new spin-optimizedcoating on the outer surface of the ball helps grip the grooves for better control on wedge and iron shots. The coating, in addition to a softer cover and softer compression in the core, also helps provide improved sound and feel, especially on off-center shots.
I wonder if more information will come out to determine which is the right ball for me? Sounds like on pure comparison (not performance), the RZN Platinum is like Nike's version of ProV1, and the RZN Black is like a ProV1x.


text:
Agora 한국정치와 국제정치 문제
galenkp (75)in GEMS • 9 months ago
History is my thing, I just find it more interesting than the present I guess. I read a lot of historical stuff and am always adding to the list of things I need to know about. Whilst reading about it provides the facts though, there's nothing quite like living it through visiting those locations where things actually took place. So we travel when possible and do just that.
We headed over to Europe a little while ago and had tagged Austria as one of the places we wanted to go; Salzburg specifically. Whilst there we planned to visit the Eagle's Nest in the Bavarian Alps; The Kehlsteinhaus which is what I'll write about today.
The Eagle's Nest was a gift from the Nazi Party to Adolf Hitler on his 50th birthday back in 1939. It sits 1834 metres above the lovely town of Berchtesgaden in the Bavarian Alps. It too only 13 months to build and some 3,000 men toiled to complete it; Twelve of them died doing so as the work was so dangerous.
A narrow winding road climbs 800m to a car park, and the imposing 124m long tunnel entrance, which provides access to the elevator that goes up through the mountain into the Eagles Nest itself and once there one truly understands why they called it The Eagles Nest.
The Kehlsteinhaus is an imposing structure with a dark past (and an even darker owner) but is a wonderful place to visit. It offers amazing 360• views over the countryside, a cosy little restaurant and the ability to wander the rooms that some of the most notorious people in history also wandered. It leaves one with a feeling of having touched history.
One can feel the history of the place, it seems almost that the events that played out here have permeated into the very bones of the structure, and I certainly felt a brooding disquiet when walking around, especially inside.
We walked in the footsteps of people like Hitler, Himmler, Ava Braun, Martin Bormann, Joseph Goebbels and other high-ranking Nazi Party members and their diplomatic guests. Interestingly, Hitler himself was afraid of heights and so only visited several times however I imagine those times to have been big occasions, with many of his high-ranking officers in attendance. There was no doubt that if you lived in these parts you were a Nazi and all of the guests almost certainly also were.
Here's the knucklehead below, Adolf Hitler, talking with another Nazi chap, his aide (SS considering the silver and black patch at his collar) at the Eagle's Nest. A pity he didn't fall off the edge and to his death I suppose. src
Contrary to common belief Hitler didn't live here; When in the area he lived at the Berghof on the Obersalzberg above the town of Berchtesgaden.
For those who have travelled to this region you'll know how amazingly green everything is! I took this through the window of the vehicle as we were moving...It's lovely country, but the real views are up higher from The Kehlsteinhaus.
Here's the tunnel entrance. Imposing? I think so. Apparently there's a small road up also but tourists don't use it. Hitler distrusted the elevator so used the road though. We walked into the tunnel and down it's 124m length towards the elevator. You can see Faith in the image below on the inside of the walkway-tunnel.
Once you get through the tunnel it opens out into this domed room below with the elevator in it. I did a ninja-mission stealth-shot as I wasn't supposed to take any photo's so the shot isn't that good. That's the elevator at the far side, the only way up to the Eagles Nest other than the small service road. It felt odd knowing who else had stood in this room and rode the elevator - The mighty and powerful Nazi Party members.
There's no photos in the elevator I'm afraid. The inside of it was all polished metal, brass I think as it was gold. (Might have been gold for all I know!)
Once we reached the top the reason for choosing this location for the Eagle's Nest made perfect sense. The views are simply amazing.
It was quite cold up here, in fact it snowed the very next day, and one could feel the chill even on this sunny day. (Snow is not something I see much in Australia so it's a bit of a novelty for a boy from the bush!) This shot below shows the The Kehlsteinhaus which sort of hangs right on the side of the mountain.
Here's my girl risking life and limb for that perfect shot at the edge of the mountain. Well, maybe not perfect with my photography skills and the shit camera I had, but you get the idea. Talk about view!
This sign below, sits on the side of the building and states the elevation in metres. (1834m). Again, Faith does the modelling because I have a head like a robbers dog. (That means not a good looking one.)
This fireplace was given to Hitler by Benito Mussolini of Italy who was one of the Axis forces in league with Germany and Japan. It's huge and made of some sort of Carrara marble chiseled from somewhere in Italy. You'll note the three central stones are badly chipped...This happened after allied soldiers captured the Eagles Nest and began to chip off souvenirs. I would have done so too I think, then, not now.
This image shows how massive the fireplace really is. (Faith is 6' tall.)
The day we were there was a completely clear day fortunately however due to pollens or whatever in the air the shots didn't come out so clear. (Here's me blaming pollens instead of my shit photography skills).
I think even if it was snowing it would still have been beautiful though; The air was fresh and crisp and it felt like the top of the world.
Strolling around the Eagle's Nest, wandering the rooms and just standing there taking in the views made me think about what it must have been like for the Nazi Party members and diplomats back in a pre-WWII 1939 world, planning the war, thinking they were the masters of the world. I could imagine the banquets, (apparently many) and the important topics of the day being discussed...Then during the war when I assume the tone was more serious - I wonder how many plans were laid here, if their final solution was discussed up here.
I also thought about those 101st airborne paratroopers who captured The Kehlsteinhaus in 1945. For them the war was coming to an end after parachuting into Normandy prior to the D Day beach landings and fighting their way towards Germany.
It was captured in May 1945 by the 101st Airborne (there's contention as to which unit actually captured it) and was used by the allies until 1960 when it was handed back to the State of Bavaria.
To come here, to the tranquility of this place in the heart of Nazi territory, must have been surreal after what they had gone through. They were still at war but here I think the war would have seemed distant. The image below depicts members of Easy Company, 506th Infantry Regiment at the Eagle's Nest as featured in the HBO series Band of Brothers.
Here's the real Easy company back in 1945 at the Eagles Nest. (Above image from HBO and below from Department of Defence USA)
This place was designed by and created for one of the most brutal groups of people ever to walk the earth. The Nazi's, led by Adolf Hitler, created chaos and wreaked havoc across the entire world. No one was untouched by the Second World War and the world was irrevocably changed.
The Eagle's Nest played its part in that history however the location and building itself weren't evil as such. It was simply a place where evil gathered...And even then, I assume they didn't see themselves as such.
It was one of the things I wanted to tick off my list of done things and feel privileged to have done so. Going there was both exciting and a little sad...Exciting because I love history and living it in places I read about is an amazing opportunity; Sad because the people that gathered here brought misery to so many lives around the world, and for what? A misguided ideal? Who knows.
Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default - Tomorrow isn't promised.
Discord: galenkp#9209
This is a #showcase-sunday post, as initiated by #nonameslefttouse - Reworked from the original post.
#history #thoughts #war #travel #germany #life #eaglesnest #showcase-sunday
9 months ago in GEMS by galenkp (75)
+ czechglobalhosts
+ payroll
+ giuatt07
+ denmarkguy
+ cmplxty
+ blacklux
+ b00m
+ travel2019
+ smallsteps
+ cryptictruth
+ mysupport
+ farm-mom
+ zacknorman97
+ thebigsweed
+ syllem
+ themagus


Well perhaps not "hate" but they do concern me for a number of reasons.
It won't be long before the UK starts school again but I would bet even now there will be computers crunching Key Stage or end of year test results running them through algorithms to predict future performance in order to set target grades.
This worries me, does it you?
I am no expert in statistics but I assume that with enough data and analysis you could begin to predict what could happen in the future based on what has gone before. But – this is only a prediction, a percentage chance that something could or could not happen. Life or car insurance must be much the same with certain categories resulting in much higher premiums as they are more likely to have an accident than others. The difference being as, far as insurance goes, if the model is right the company makes a profit and if not a loss. With target grades the model outcome is quite different, you are setting a challenge, an expectation and the conditions for failure or success. This is not a profit or loss situation, it is life chances.
What I am interested in as a teacher is the psychological impact of target grades on the students as well as how it changes the teaching and learning landscape.
Here are my questions so far.
Having a target for anything suggests accountability. "Why did you not reach the target?" is accusatory and you are on the defensive straight away. Is this good for the teaching and learning environment and relationship?
Who decides, and how, on a suitable target?
Is prior performance a good predictor of future performance, can there be a linear gradient link between the two?
Do we understand and acknowledge the psychological effects of target setting and work to mitigate any negative aspects?
Are we clear and consistent in our use of the term "target grade". Are there sub categories for example "aspirational target grade" or "minimum target grade" that confuse?
What happens if you exceed a target grade before the allotted time period or assessment point?
How do we account for and what are the implications for exceeding or not reaching a target grade?
If we accept that progress is not linear when do we begin to concern ourselves about reaching a target grade?
Who's fault is it (or who gets blamed?) if a target grade is not achieved, is it the student, the teacher or whoever arrived at the target grade, or is it all three?
Boys and girls appear to react differently to target grades*. If this is the case why?
Do we ever ignore potential because of a set lower target grade?
Does setting targets based on a statistical model actually raise individual achievement?
Is everything needed to meet a target within the control of the teacher or the learner?
Is the time and effort spent assessing, recording and monitoring targets getting in the way of teaching? In short is it worth it?
It also occurs to me that those setting the target have a responsibility in terms of understanding the impact such an action has. I recognise that when students achieve or exceed a target we celebrate this and there are recognised systems in place to do so but where I am not so confident is in seeing similar systems for those who fail to reach a target grade.
If you feel like commenting on either the original interest topic or the questions please do so I would be glad to hear of your perspective, experience or view.


text:
Maria Anna van Anhalt-Dessau (Dessau, 14 september 1837 — Friedrichroda, 12 mei 1906) was de dochter van hertog Leopold IV Frederik van Anhalt en Frederika Louise Wilhelmina Amalia van Pruisen. In 1854 huwde ze met Frederik Karel van Pruisen.

Kinderen
 Maria Elisabeth Louise Frederika (1855-1888), gehuwd met prins Hendrik van Oranje-Nassau, later met prins Albert van Saksen-Altenburg
 Elisabeth Anne (1857-1895), gehuwd met groothertog Frederik August van Oldenburg
 Anne Victoria Charlotte Augusta Adelheid (1858-1858)
 Louise Margaretha Alexandra Victoria Agnes (1860-1917), gehuwd met Arthur van Connaught en Strathearn
 Joachim Karel Willem Frederik Leopold (1865-1931), gehuwd met Louise, dochter van Frederik van Sleeswijk-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenburg

Huis Anhalt-Dessau
Anhalt, M


text:
Update: AZ Cash Race
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 11th, 2020
AZ Cash Race: Spaceships beat Fighter Jets
Mark Kelly continues to outraise Martha McSally in crucial Senate Race
PHOENIX (February 11th, 2020) – The calendar just turned 2020 but already record sums of money are being raised in Arizona this cycle. A perennial red state that has produced such conservative icons as John McCain and Barry Goldwater is getting huge attention from deep-pocketed donors with no signs of slowing down.
"Arizona's history of inexpensive and predictable U.S. Senate elections seems to be over given the amount of money pouring in from across the country the last two years," said Mike Noble, chief of research and managing partner. "The race between Republican Sen. Martha McSally and Democratic challenger Mark Kelly could attract upwards of $200 million, including outside spending."
In the race to fill the final two years of John McCain's six-year term, FEC data shows former astronaut Kelly and fighter-pilot turned-Senator Martha McSally together pulled in more than $30 million over the course of 2019. To put this in perspective, now-Sens. McSally and Sinema raised a combined $38 million over the course of the entire 2018 race for Jeff Flake's old Senate seat. At this point in the 2018 cycle, Sinema — a prolific fundraiser herself — had just over $5 million cash on hand and McSally had yet to declare her candidacy. Now, Mark Kelly has more than $13 million on hand and McSally is closing in on $8 million.
These astronomical sums are enough to propel Kelly and McSally into the top 10 Senate candidates for this cycle. Kelly is #1 on that list — putting him above well-known senators such as Mitch McConnell and Lindsey Graham. McSally is ranked 6th, raising more than other endangered incumbents Susan Collins and Cory Gardner.
Regarding the races for Arizona's 9 congressional districts also on the ballot in November, most of the incumbents are continuing to outraise their challengers at this point in the cycle — with only two exceptions. In Az-06, Rep. David Schweikert has less than one-third the money of his Democratic challenger Hiral Tipirneni ($278k vs. $912k), a physician who ran a competitive race in the 2018 special election that now-Rep. Debbie Lesko captured in the ruby red 8th district. The other incumbent currently being outraised is Rep. Paul Gosar whose independent, self-funded challenger Emily Robinson has $240k in cash on hand, compared to his $222k.
"These two Republicans may be relying on the voter registration advantage or long-time incumbency, but each needs to step up their fundraising in what could be a Democratic wave year," Noble said.
Methodology: Data compiled from the Federal Elections Commission
Media Contacts: Mike Noble, OH Predictive Insights, m.noble@ohpredictive.com, (480) 313-1837
Haylye Plaster, OH Predictive Insights, h.plaster@ohpredictive.com, (602) 687-3034
About OH Predictive Insights:
Phoenix-based OH Predictive Insights provides accurate polling, focus groups, data analytics, and advanced targeted marketing to political and non-political clients alike. With leading professionals in the advertising, communication, polling and political arenas, OH Predictive Insights will service political and non-political clients looking to improve their footing on key stakeholders and consumers. For more information, please call 602-687-3034 or submit a request online.


Pablo Picasso once quipped that "It takes a long time to become young." Despite all his artistic prowess, it seems that Picasso hadn't counted on Botox.
Botox is a diluted toxin which, when used in appropriate doses, is very safe. Botox essentially makes your facial muscles relax, helping to eliminate wrinkles and make your face look smoother. Botox can also be used to help with other medical conditions, including muscular spasms, motor neuron disease and teeth grinding. Most people tend to associate Botox with its aesthetic usage. Botox is one way of altering your appearance without requiring surgery!
Facial lines form as a result of underlying muscular action. Botox effectively blocks the impulses from nerves to muscles in the area it is injected in to, thus reducing the appearance of facial lines in these areas.
Botox, in terms of cosmetic treatment, is speedier than superman running a lap around the Earth. In other words: Botox application normally takes 10 minutes! Enhancements should become recognisable after roughly two to three days and should continue to emerge for roughly a month.
A fine needle is used to minimise discomfort. Many say it is less painful than waxing or a facial! You may experience some itching or swelling immediately after the injection, but this should subside relatively quickly.
After treatment, lie down and rest for a few hours. Also, avoid rubbing the injected area for three days as this could potentially shift Botox into undesired locations. Avoid alcohol and painkillers for a while too.
If you're interested in trying Botox, please call us at Clifton Dental Studio in the very heart of Bristol!


text:
Q: Macro to recognize WinRT? Is there a new macro to determine in code if the application is running on WinRT? As I'm working with LoadLibrary, it would be great if there is a macro to replace all calls to LoadLibrary with one to LoadPackagedLibrary...
I'm understanding the documentation correct as in I can load any DLL (as long as it's inside my package) via LoadPackagedLibrary, right?! (And as long as that DLL doesn't use black-listed APIs...)

A: I recently updated to Visual Studio 2012, and think I found the answer to my question:
Inside the Microsoft Headers the Macro WINAPI_FAMILY_PARTITION is used to determine the "Level" of WinAPI. Currently there are WINAPI_PARTITION_DESKTOP and WINAPI_PARTITION_APP, therefore I "guess" that via this macro one can differentiate between Desktop and Metro...
The two macros lead to another set of macros: #define WINAPI_FAMILY_APP          WINAPI_PARTITION_APP and #define WINAPI_FAMILY_DESKTOP_APP  (WINAPI_PARTITION_DESKTOP | WINAPI_PARTITION_APP). Therefore if WINAPI_FAMILY_APP is defined one should be able to assume that it's a Metro application...

A: To add your to answer, please see this article Dual-use Coding Techniques for Games
In the introduction part

Apps written for the Windows Store make use of the Windows Runtime
  (WinRT) and a restricted subset of Win32 APIs located in the core API
  family (indicated by WINAPI_FAMILY set to WINAPI_PARTITION_APP).
  Traditional Win32 desktop apps have access to a larger desktop API
  family (indicated by WINAPI_FAMILY set to WINAPI_PARTITION_DESKTOP),
  but this is subject to various levels of OS support required for each
  function

A: Try __WRL_WINRT_STRICT__ .  Not entirely sure that's the right one, but if you go look in that file it will probably have what you want.
From here and here.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


United by the trauma of terrorism, 14 years apart, New York and Paris have exhibited the same fortitude and determination to overcome the tears and fears with love, life and laughter.
Experts say this is the best possible response to such horrors.
The family homes of the suspected mastermind of the Paris attacks and one of the suicide bombers stand only a few blocks apart in the Belgian capital's Molenbeek neighborhood. After a string of attacks in recent years linked to its grimy streets in central Brussels, a key question arises: Why Belgium?
The tiny nation renowned for beer, chocolates and the comic book hero Tintin is now suddenly infamous for Islamic extremism — and the easy availability of illegal weapons.
More armed police are to be deployed in London after the Paris attacks, but the move is unlikely to herald a shift toward providing weapons to most officers in the largely unarmed British force, experts said.
Britain is proud of being one of few countries where police usually do not carry guns, and the sight of heavily armed counter-terrorism police officers in recent days is highly unusual one for many people.
Western powers must ramp up air strikes by 10 to 20 times to have any hope of disrupting the Islamic State group, which risks turning Europe into an urban guerrilla warzone, warned one of the world's leading counter-terrorism experts.
David Kilcullen, an Australian army veteran, became the senior counter-insurgency adviser to U.S. General David Petraeus during the Iraq War and is considered a key architect of the "Awakening" strategy that helped turn the conflict around.
Ten years after she took office, German Chancellor Angela Merkel stands alone as the leader of a European Union that is grappling with multiple crises, despite the fact she has been weakened domestically, analysts say.
Merkel's trailblazing decision to welcome refugees during the migration crisis came after she led the European Union's response to the Ukraine conflict and helped keep Greece in the eurozone.
With Islamic State Targeted, what Happens to Syria's Assad?
The tide of global rage against the Islamic State group lends greater urgency to ending the jihadis' ability to operate at will from a base in war-torn Syria. That momentum could also force a reevaluation of what to do about President Bashar Assad and puts a renewed focus on the position of his key patrons, Russia and Iran.
The Syrian leader has lost much of the country to IS and other groups in the four-year war; half the population has been displaced, many areas have been leveled, and masses of refugees are flooding Europe. Along the way, Assad's brutal military response has made him persona non grata in most of the world.
Canada is going full-steam ahead with new leader Justin Trudeau's plan to take in more than 25,000 Syrian refugees by year's end, but the drive has split the nation as the Paris attacks raise security fears.
Dueling online petitions for and against fast-tracking refugee claims have gathered steam in Canada since the attacks claimed by the Islamic State group, with some 45,000 for and 70,000 against as of Tuesday.
The Islamic State jihadist group, which holds large areas in Iraq and Syria and has affiliates and operatives in other countries, claimed attacks in Paris that killed 129 people.
But how does IS function, and who calls the shots?
France's security services are once again facing a harsh spotlight after failing to prevent the brutal attacks in Paris carried out by the Islamic State group.
There is particular concern over the failure to intercept 28-year-old Frenchman Samy Amimour, one of the suicide bombers in the massacre at the Bataclan concert hall.
The deadly Paris attacks have reignited debate on encrypted communications by terror cells and whether law enforcement and intelligence services are "going dark" in the face of new technologies.
The exact means of communication in Friday's strikes were not immediately clear, but media reports have said the Islamic State organization has increasingly turned to encrypted communications and applications to avoid detection.


text:
/* eslint-disable @calm/react-intl/missing-attribute */
import React, { Component } from 'react';
import PropTypes from 'prop-types';
import Relay from 'react-relay/classic';
import styled from 'styled-components';
import MediasLoading from './MediasLoading';
import MediaTags from './MediaTags';
import ErrorBoundary from '../error/ErrorBoundary';
import Task from '../task/Task';
import Tasks from '../task/Tasks';
import { withPusher, pusherShape } from '../../pusher';
import MediaRoute from '../../relay/MediaRoute';
import CheckContext from '../../CheckContext';
import {
  subheading2,
  body1,
  black87,
  black54,
  units,
  brandSecondary,
} from '../../styles/js/shared';

const StyledAnnotationRow = styled.div`
  /* Tasks and metadata tab have shared styles */

  .annotation-header-row {
    padding: ${units(1)} ${units(3)};
    margin: 0;
    border-bottom: 1px solid ${brandSecondary};
    display: flex;
    justify-content: space-between;
    align-items: center;
    color: ${black54};
    font: ${body1};
  }

  h2 {
    color: ${black87};
    flex: 1;
    font: ${subheading2};
    margin: 0;
  }
`;

class MediaTasksComponent extends Component {
  constructor(props) {
    super(props);

    this.state = {
      height: 0,
      selectedTask: null,
    };
  }

  componentDidMount() {
    this.subscribe();

    // This code only applies if this page is embedded in the browser extension
    if (window.parent !== window) {
      // Auto-resize the iframe
      const updateHeight = () => {
        const height = document.documentElement.scrollHeight;
        if (height !== this.state.height) {
          window.parent.postMessage(JSON.stringify({ height }), '*');
          this.setState({ height });
        }
        setTimeout(updateHeight, 500);
      };
      setTimeout(updateHeight, 500);

      document.body.addEventListener('click', (e) => {
        const tasks = document.getElementsByClassName('tasks')[0];
        if (tasks && !tasks.contains(e.target)) {
          const id = this.getSelectedTask();
          if (id) {
            window.parent.postMessage(JSON.stringify({ task: 0 }), '*');
            this.setState({ selectedTask: null });
          }
        }
      });

      // Click on a task to highlight it
      const tasks = document.getElementsByClassName('task');
      for (let i = 0; i < tasks.length; i += 1) {
        const div = tasks[i];
        div.addEventListener('click', (e) => {
          const id = this.getSelectedTask();
          if (id !== div.id && e.target.className !== 'task__log-icon') {
            const task = parseInt(div.id.replace(/^task-/, ''), 10);
            window.parent.postMessage(JSON.stringify({ task }), '*');
            this.setState({ selectedTask: div.id });
          }
        });
      }
    }
  }

  componentWillUpdate(nextProps) {
    if (this.props.media.dbid !== nextProps.media.dbid) {
      this.unsubscribe();
    }
  }

  componentDidUpdate(prevProps) {
    if (this.props.media.dbid !== prevProps.media.dbid) {
      this.subscribe();
    }
  }

  componentWillUnmount() {
    this.unsubscribe();
  }

  getSelectedTask() {
    return this.state.selectedTask;
  }

  getContext() {
    return new CheckContext(this).getContextStore();
  }

  subscribe() {
    const { pusher, clientSessionId, media } = this.props;
    pusher.subscribe(media.pusher_channel).bind('media_updated', 'MediaTasks', (data, run) => {
      const annotation = JSON.parse(data.message);
      if (annotation.annotated_id === media.dbid && clientSessionId !== data.actor_session_id) {
        if (run) {
          this.props.relay.forceFetch();
          return true;
        }
        return {
          id: `media-tasks-${media.dbid}`,
          callback: this.props.relay.forceFetch,
        };
      }
      return false;
    });
  }

  unsubscribe() {
    const { pusher, media } = this.props;
    pusher.unsubscribe(media.pusher_channel);
  }

  render() {
    const { about, media } = this.props;
    const itemTasks = media.item_metadata;

    return (
      <StyledAnnotationRow>
        <Tasks tasks={itemTasks.edges} media={media} about={about} />
      </StyledAnnotationRow>
    );
  }
}

MediaTasksComponent.contextTypes = {
  store: PropTypes.object,
};

MediaTasksComponent.propTypes = {
  pusher: pusherShape.isRequired,
  clientSessionId: PropTypes.string.isRequired,
};

const MediaMetadataContainer = Relay.createContainer(withPusher(MediaTasksComponent), {
  fragments: {
    about: () => Relay.QL`
      fragment on About {
        upload_max_size
        upload_extensions
        video_max_size
        video_extensions
        audio_max_size
        audio_extensions
        file_max_size
        file_max_size_in_bytes
        file_extensions
        upload_max_dimensions
        upload_min_dimensions
      }
    `,
    media: () => Relay.QL`
      fragment on ProjectMedia {
        id
        dbid
        archived
        permissions
        pusher_channel
        item_metadata: tasks(fieldset: "metadata", first: 10000) {
          edges {
            node {
              id,
              dbid,
              show_in_browser_extension,
              team_task_id,
              team_task {
                conditional_info
                options
                required
              },
              first_response_value,
              first_response {
                id
                content
                attribution(first: 1000) {
                    edges {
                      node {
                        id,
                        dbid,
                        name,
                        source {
                          id,
                          dbid,
                          name,
                        }
                      }
                    }
                }
                annotator {
                  id
                  user {
                    dbid
                    name
                  }
                }
              },
              annotator {
                id
                user {
                  dbid
                  name
                }
              }
              ${Task.getFragment('task')},
            }
          }
        }
        ${MediaTags.getFragment('projectMedia')}
      }
    `,
  },
});

const MediaTasks = (props) => {
  let { media } = props;
  const { params } = props;

  if (!media && params) {
    media = {
      dbid: parseInt(params.mediaId, 10),
    };
    if (params.projectId) {
      media.project_id = parseInt(params.projectId, 10);
    }
  }

  const projectId = media.project_id;
  const ids = `${media.dbid},${projectId}`;
  const route = new MediaRoute({ ids });

  return (
    <ErrorBoundary component="MediaTasks">
      <Relay.RootContainer
        Component={MediaMetadataContainer}
        renderFetched={data => <MediaMetadataContainer cachedMedia={media} {...data} fieldset="metadata" />}
        route={route}
        renderLoading={() => <MediasLoading count={1} />}
      />
    </ErrorBoundary>
  );
};

export default MediaTasks;


Make the dark a friendlier place for kids with a set of playful Alpaca stringlights!
An adorable pack of Alpaca sport colourful bandannas and are lit by warm white LEDs for a warm, comforting glow. Battery operated, these soft PVC alpaca fairy lights can be placed anywhere in kids rooms as they remain cool to touch making them safe for small hands. Perfect for gentle illumination that will reassure anxious little ones at night, these Alpaca stringlights add a playful feel to bedrooms and nurseries.
Brighten up kids rooms with super stylish origami fox string lights from House of Disaster!
A stylish set of origami styled dinosaur lights to give your child's room a lift with light.
A cute and colourful set of soft and squidgy dinosaurs lit with warm white LEDs, these cute dinosaur stringlights are perfect for kids rooms and nurseries.


If you command higher standards of appearance then Blackinton. Enameled Commendation Bars are for you. Each commendation bar comes with its own cab-slide holder (clutch-back) that quickly attaches to your uniform. Just like the beauty of Blackinton. badges, insignia, and specialty items, the commendation bars depict absolute attention-to-detail on any uniform.


text:
ATIP New Capital, ACUD to develop £16.3bn Entertainment District in Egypt
World Construction Network
WCN EDITORIAL TEAM 5 SEP 2019
ATIP New Capital Entertainment (ATIP Entertainment) has won a contract from the Administrative Capital for Urban Development (ACUD) for a $20bn (£16.3bn) Entertainment District, spanning 4,256 acres, in Egypt's New Administrative Capital, which has been under construction since 2015.
ITEC Entertainment (ITEC) has secured a contract to provide design, entertainment technology and management for ATIP's development of the district.
The district will be constructed in three phases over a period of seven to 10 years, and is expected to create 700,000 jobs.
The plan includes 4-star and 6-star resorts and themed hotels; vacation rentals; luxury homes, villas and high-rises; a wellness centre; high-end and regional shopping and dining; a VIP golf course and other recreational and green space activities; and theme parks.
ACUD chairman Ahmed Zaki Abdeen said: "Egypt sits at the center of the world, as a cradle of civilization and ancient heritage. Today, Egypt enjoys one of the fastest growing economies; a robust population of over 100 million people with an educated, qualified and motivated workforce; and visionary leadership to move the country forward with powerful creative and business initiatives, such as the New Administrative Capital with ATIP's Entertainment District centerpiece."
The Entertainment District will also include cultural arts centre; convention centre; aviary, butterfly, topiary and botanical gardens/conservatories; planetarium; museum and recreational activities for children; sports and concert stadium; Formula One racetrack; an entertainment college.
ATIP Entertainment CEO Elsayed Zayan said: "Together, ATIP, ACUD and ITEC Entertainment will honor Egypt's past, leverage its present commitment to growth and prosperity, and build the future of recreation, culture, leisure, shopping and hospitality for the Middle East."
The district will feature the world's tallest observation wheel, with views of Egypt's past, present and future, and the world's tallest obelisk designed to point toward the country's bright future.
The development will also include a multi-modal transportation hub that will connect with the New Administrative Capital's superhighways, infrastructure and high-speed rails.
ITEC Entertainment CEO Bill Coan said: "Our approach to this project brings a creative and technical synergy to create the most culturally expressive and dynamic experience to every person in every area of this amazing destination.
"We believe this project will elevate Egypt's standing as a world leader and accelerate Egypt's rapid economic growth with long term, sustainable development."
Image: ATIP New Capital, ACUD to develop $20bn Entertainment District in Egypt. Photo: Courtesy of Christian Günther from Pixabay.


A new hybrid, 'Cloudburst' combines the rich colors of tall garden phlox and the dome-like habit of cushion phlox. Vibrant lavender-purple flowers have bright pink eyes and bloom all summer, starting about two to three weeks ahead of Phlox paniculata. A very mildew resistant variety.


It's not too powerful, doesn't spend all that much money, and isn't particularly right-wing.
A well trained and thoroughly prepared murderer.
Not very Jewish, and not at all for peace.
The flames Hamas is fanning can't be contained.
A chilling victory for BDS.
But a different scandal was covered up.


text:
MILLS RETURNING TO FULL FITNESS
SHRIMPS defender Zak Mills believes he is getting back to full fitness after his recent hernia operation.
Mills has played a number of games since going under the knife towards the end of last year and feels he is getting stronger with ever passing game.
He said: "I'm starting to feel good. I'm slowly getting there but it has taken me a bit longer than I would have liked I must admit.
"A few more games though and I think I will be back where I was before.''
Mills played at wing back at Exeter on Saturday as the Shrimps changed formation and it is a position he says he feels comfortable in.
"I'm happy to play wing back, right back or centre half,'' he said.
"I can play there pretty comfortably I think.
"I do like to get forward and the back three system that we played on Saturday does give me a bit more licence to go up the pitch.
"It didn't really work out that way at Exeter as we were camped in our half for spells so I couldn't get out as much as I would have liked to but if the game merits it then I'm happy to bomb on a bit.''
Zak Mills


A healthy environment is part of our lives. Without it there is no future for us or our children.
Our work is not only "green". We work in coastal and marine areas, on anti-waste and pollution projects, on outreach programmes and community education.
As a voluntary organisation, funding is essential to us. Your contribution will be allocated to Conservancies KZN projects.
Right now using the online donate field below!
Donate online to this project!
Right now using the online donate feature!


After having numerous associations go through a rigorous application process, the International Accounting Bulletin named this year's finalists for the IAB Awards: BKR International, Praxity, and INPACT. As you can imagine, our central staff is thrilled to be one of the finalists for the Association of the Year Award and is gearing up for the awards ceremony that will be held in London on September 16th, 2014.
As a nominee for this prestigious award, INPACT will be receiving more international attention, which, in turn, means that our members' firms will benefit from the increased publicity. When any opportunity such as this arises, we are always looking out for how it will benefit our members.
What Made INPACT Stand Out and Ultimately Become a Nominee?
In the application, the central staff also mentioned the plans for the future of the association, which include global integration between the sister alliances and an even stronger central infrastructure.
What Does this Nomination Mean for INPACT Members?
Besides the fact that our members will be getting even more international recognition, members will gain all the benefits that come along with being part of an association that has a strong international presence. Members can expect continued international growth and even more opportunities to connect with experts in a variety of accounting fields.
INPACT excitedly awaits the announcement of the winner of the Association of the Year Award, so check back in for updates!


text:
Home News Trump denies reports he will reinstate family separation border policy
Trump denies reports he will reinstate family separation border policy
President Donald Trump told reporters Tuesday that his administration is not looking to resume the separation of parents and children at the US-Mexico border, denying reports that it is something he has been pushing for.
Senior administration officials told CNN's Jake Tapper that in the last four months or so, the President had been pushing then-Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen to enforce a stricter and more widespread "zero-tolerance" immigration policy — not just the original policy started by former Attorney General Jeff Sessions and undone by the President once it was criticized — that called for the prosecution of individuals crossing the border illegally between ports of entry, resulting in the separation of parents from children.
According to multiple sources, the President wanted families separated even if they came in at a legal port of entry and were legal asylum seekers. The President wanted families separated even if they were apprehended within the US. He thinks the separations work to deter migrants from coming.
Sources told CNN that Nielsen tried to explain they could not bring the policy back because of court challenges, and White House staffers tried to explain it would be an unmitigated public relations disaster.
"He just wants to separate families," said a senior administration official.
Trump repeatedly denied that was the case on Tuesday.
"We're not looking to do that, no. We're not looking to do that," Trump said.
But, he added, "when you don't do it, it brings a lot more people to the border."
"Now, I'll tell you something, once you don't have it, that's why you have many more people coming. They are coming like it's a picnic, like 'let's go to Disneyland,' " Trump said.
He also blamed the policy on the Obama administration.
"President Obama separated children. I was the one who that changed it," he claimed.
But that's not exactly the case.
The main difference between Trump and Obama, experts have said, centers on how they handled immigrants caught near the US-Mexico border. Under President Barack Obama, the Justice Department was given broad discretion on who should face criminal charges, and federal prosecutors rarely went after families.
But in April 2018, then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced that the Justice Department would prosecute 100% of illegal border-crossers in a policy known as "zero-tolerance." Adults went to jails and awaited criminal proceedings. Children were sent to detention centers run by the Department of Health and Human Services, and some were eventually placed in foster care.
This specific change is what led to the widespread separation of parents and children, according to Jessica Bolter, a researcher with the nonpartisan Migration Policy Institute who has published 200 pages of reports on Trump's immigration policies.
CNN's Jim Acosta also reported Monday that Trump was considering a "binary choice" policy as an alternative to the zero-tolerance policy that resulted in family separations at the border.
One official said the "binary choice" proposal puts that decision of separation in the hands of parents.
Donald Trump inclui 'Meu Livro de Histórias Bíblicas' no curriculum de formação do ensino fundamental das escolas americanas
Trump adds Jehovah Witnesses' 'My Book of Bible Stories' to elementary school curriculum
Donald Trump to join Queen for 75th D-Day anniversary


As Team GAS prepares for pre-release weekend this coming Saturday, let's do one last draft of triple SOI to bid it farewell! Piloting the draft is two of our Adelaide homeboys Tristan Cook and Elliot Hoskin – take it away!
Despite hailing from the dirty south, Cooked is clean as a whistle – and trust us, we checked. Everywhere.


At Kirkland Crossing you can embrace the culture and vibrancy of downtown Kirkland, a wonderful pedestrian friendly town that offers the finest dining, charming cafes, great shopping, desirable entertainment and more! Our convenient location, our lavish collection of amenities, and our caliber of resident service offer you much more than an apartment community - Kirkland Crossing offers lifestyle from the inside, out. Slip down to the waterfront, relax on the enchanting terrace, or take in amazing views of Lake Washington and the Seattle skyline on the expansive roof top deck. Residents will enjoy other amenities such as a state-of-the-art fitness center, courtyard, outdoor fireplace, theater room, resident lounge and more. Make Kirkland Crossing your new home, today!


text:
Browse 1
What are your all-time favorite game beginnings, and why? [roundtable]
Andrew N
I'll let you decide how exactly you define "beginning", to me it could be the first 5 minutes or the first 2 hours, but whatever it is, you remember it as being a stand-out segment that really gets a game off to an amazing start.
Anyway, someone on Reddit gave me a free copy of Resident Evil 5 for the Switch yesterday and that reminded me how amazing the intro to Resident Evil 4 was while the intro to 5 felt like a bit of a letdown. I played the first few hours of 5 this morning and honestly, the intro of 5 isn't as bad as I remember it (I thought I remembered a lot more walking), but it sure ain't 4! 4 was something else. You get a small introduction to the controls in the first house, a few more enemies on the way to the village, and then BAM, that village sequence. Who would throw something like that at the player like 5 or 10 minutes into the game? But they did it! Just all out action, having to learn new things on the fly (using ladders, leaping off houses, etc.) and just when you think you can't handle any more, you hear a chainsaw start up and are like fuuuuuuuuuu. I love too how nothing directly forces you into the house that spawns the cutscene, but you're (subtly?) funneled to it and most players will probably end up in that house panicking about what to do pretty early on. No hand-holding, you aren't even given a clear goal at that point, you're just fighting to survive. Just amazing!
Another one that comes to mind for me is Lufia & the Fortress of Doom. It starts by putting you in the past, in control of the legendary heroes who defeated evil many years ago. And defeat evil you do. But at a cost. For me this was one of the first RPGs I ever played, I never really experienced this depth of emotion in a game before. Going straight to a huge confrontation, and then the aftermath. Maxim and Selan, talking about wanting to see their child again... OOF. And the music in that area, it's so good! I honestly used to just play that intro part over and over. Probably played it like ten times.
I'll add more later when my memory gets sparked. But now it's YOUR turn... what are your favorite beginnings to a game, and why?
Magical Drop II Discussion (Nintendo SNES)
Starship Defense (Nintendo DSiWare) Review
Factory fire = less Wii Us produced this year
Nintendo / Best Buy announce store locations for "The Nintendo Experience" (play Wii U E3 demos!)
Top 10 NES Original Soundtracks (OSTs)
"Retelling" of one of the best video games ever coming to DS
Link to the Past is pretty good. But I'll have to give it to Super Metroid. Both of them have a dark, creepy vibe. But Super Metroid is creepier.
Super Mario 64 is pretty good, too. Ooo, and GoldenEye! Would the Great Plateau in Breath of the Wild count? That was cool.
@Anand You reminded me of another one that I am sure we will both agree on, Metroid Prime. Remember heading up to Cube Club to check out the demo before it released? I loved that demo! It teaches you the basics and throws some cool boss fights at you too. Honestly I left there thinking the game was going to be super linear but still awesome, but I was wrong about the linear part, it gets even better once you get down to the planet.
Pokefreak911
Maybe a crazy one, but I adore how Majoras Mask opens. Exploring Clock Town as a deku scrub is restrictive and linear, but its meant to be. It also does a great job of showing the time mechanic of the game and exactly how much time you have to do things (because most new players don't understand you can skip most of the days).
Bioshock also has a great opening, with crashing down in the plane and coming ashore at the Lighthouse. And then that descent down...damn its good.
chrisbg99
Batman: Arkham City has a pretty great opening I feel with you doing some brawling as Bruce Wayne before officially donning the Batsuit.
pokepal148
Moon Remix RPG has probably my favorite intro. It's about 10 to 15 minutes of this sort of abridged version of a JRPG that mostly pokes fun of JRPG conventions but it is heavily implied that this intro also depicts how the game's main villain, the so called "Hero" who you play as in the intro, sees the world.
GameDadGrant
I always appreciate games that let the player explore and get used to the controls at their own pace. No real threats or anything, just gives the player some time before diving into the game proper. And also the player can decide when to actually begin the game. Some notable examples that I've enjoyed:
Chrono Trigger
SSX3
I'm also a fan of games that start with something really flashy to "hype up" the player. The best example of this (for me) was A Link To The Past. Stepping outside for the first time in the middle of a thunderstorm was so cool. The intro stage for Mega Man X was also quite memorable, since it was somewhat flashy and (perhaps more importantly) did a fantastic job teaching the player how to play the game.
Oh yeah, I'd definitely put Mega Man X and Mega Man X2 up there. Both had awesome intro sequences with awesome music to boot!
Was Metroid Prime at the one (two?) we went to? I remember the Wii U one. We Sing, haha.
And we also hit the Vita and 3DS previews, I think. Sound Shapes!
The beginning of Prime was cool, for sure. A little tutorial-y, though.
I was actually just talking with someone about best album beginnings last week. I nominated Rubber Soul, by The Beatles. Guitar lick, melodic bass entry, off-kilter drum fill, and you're off to the races with Drive My Car! In the span of, like, eight seconds. I love how all of it overlaps and energizes the listener.
@Anand Metroid Prime was at one of the things we went to! And Wind Waker! Though come to think of it, I'm not sure you went to every event I went to.
Hey, we watched that movie "Yesterday". It was definitely uh... a movie. There is the part where he makes his first Beatles mention in the post-Beatles world and the girl stares at him like what are you talking about and I looked at Shirley and was like "I wouldn't know what the heck he is talking about either..."
Final Fantasy VII is beloved entirely because of its beginning! So much so that, when they remade the game, they just cut out everything after the beginning!
Blasphemy!
I actually haven't seen that movie yet, even though it's Danny Boyle (the Billy Wilder of our times, kind of). And The Beatles! I was always a bit weirded out that the concept sort of ripped off that one manga. Boku Wa Beatles!
I've been on a Beatles kick lately, though. Starting with Get Back and rolling into the enormous Abbey Road Box Set which I didn't even know about. Man, they only released albums for, like, five years in total. Crazy.
Anyway, I don't think that I actually went to the Cube Club. But maybe I did? My memory is so bad that I honestly can't tell which parts are just made up.
@nate38
Haha. Having never played the original FFVII, I did enjoy the beginning of the Remake, though.
Super Mario Bros. (1-1 is a class in game design, after all)
Zelda: A Link to the Past (storm and near instant action, a tutorial in a great disguise)
Super Metroid (awesome opening that teaches you while still entertaining and horrifying you)
Final Fantasy III (feels like you're right in the middle of a bigger story, and that Narshe march...)
Chrono Trigger (awesome pacing throughout in this game)
Metroid Prime (similar qualities as Super Metroid's opening)
Resident Evil 4 (gutsy move to throw you into a very challenging sequence but it pays off)
Zelda: Breath of the Wild (a "breath" of fresh air after the tutorial-heavy openings)
I know I'm a minority but I actually liked the opening in The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, because it manages to make Link feel like a real character who had a place in the world even before the typical hero stuff.


text:
Eurofragance Closes 2021 with Sales Reaching 94 Million Euros and 20 Percent Growth Versus Year Ago
The company ended 2021 with a turnover of 94 million euros, representing a 20 percent increase compared with the previous year, demon strating its strength in navigating COVID-19.
In 2021, all categories-fine fragrance, home care and personal care-enjoyed a positive evolution, the young multi-national successfully met its top-and bottom-line forecasts.
In a business environment fraught with market volatility and shortages of certain raw materials, the company managed to defend its profitability.
Eurofragance, a young fragrance multinational, closed 2021 with a sales increase of 20 percent compared with the previous year.
The Spanish company's performance in several key markets helped to mitigate the challenges faced in certain Asian countries, where repeated lockdowns affected business beyond the company's control.
IMEA, Turkey, LatAm and North America were significant contributors to reach 2021 objectives.
Thanks to close monitoring of its three-year plan and the Global Business Units new strategy for Fine Fragrance and the Home and Personal Care categories, Juan Ramon Lopez Gil, CFO of Eurofragance, says, "Despite an unsteady environment due to raw material cost increases and logistics disruption in Asia due to the pandemic, the company generated 94 million euros of consolidated sales and achieved its business goals."
Many new business opportunities also explain successful gains in 2021, according to Laurent Mercier, CEO of Eurofragance, "We saw a record-breaking result coming from our 'Vitality' strategy, designed to generate incremental business growth."
These results are encouraging for 2022, with Lopez Gil adding, "While a number of uncertainties remain for 2022, such as the current geo political tensions, this year, we are off to a good start, our sales growth for the first quarter is positive and in line with our objectives."
Investing in talent and equipment
Eurofragance keeps nurturing its young talent with the creation of different Academies to foster expertise in strategic areas such as creation, evaluation and sales. Thanks to the acquisition of next-generation robots, the company has reached 80 percent automation on its production line, allowing it to triple its current output. This enables Eurofragance to be even more competitive and deliver its products to customers with even greater speed and efficiency.
A new captive ingredient with a lot of punch and promise
Last year also saw Eurofragance take centre stage in terms of innovation, with the release of its first upcycled and innovative proprietary ingredient. L'Ame du Bois™, the company's new captive, an exclusive aroma. L'Ame du Bois™ has been enthusiastically received by existing customers, and generated several new business opportunities. Such innovation consolidates the company as an important player across the big leagues in all product categories.
"For a young multinational, such innovations are unusual and only possible thanks to an entrepreneurial mindset as well as an incredible drive from our people," says CEO Laurent Mercier.
Eurofragance's endless commitment to people and planet
Eurofragance's sustainability approach is based on the belief that caring for the planet and addressing related issues head on is everyone's responsibility, and actually makes good business sense as well. During the past year, Eurofragance undertook several sustainability initiatives. These include participating in the UN Global Compact, rolling out an equity plan training at headquarters and the issuance of its own policies for responsible sourcing and supplier code of ethics to all stakeholders. Eurofragance's 2020 sustainability report, the latest one issued, is available on the company website.
Tags: 2021 closes community eurofragance euros growth million news percent reaching sales versus with year
Alteryx Launches Updated Partner Program
Indulge in the Finest British Tradition with Afternoon Tea on the Queen Elizabeth 2