Here are the steps to enable Transparent Data Encryption or TDE on SQL Server Database.
The very first step is to Create Database Master Key if it does not exits.The below query can be used to find out if key already exists.
If above statement does not return you any record, then you need to create Master Key by using below statement.
Instead of creating new Database Master Key, If you have already one backed up and you want to restore, you can use below script to Restore.
Next step is to Create a Certificate in Master Database protected by Master Key by using below script.
Provide the name of certificate as you wish and other information according to your requirements. Once the certificate is created, you can take the backup and master key by using below script.
The third step is to Create Encryption Key on Database by using Certificate that we created in Step 2. Use the below Script to create encryption Key.
One you are done with all steps, let's verify if the TDE is enabled on Database. There are two ways you can do to.
Right click on Database and go to properties and you will see it under options as shown in below fig.
As we can see that the Encryption Enabled=False that means that is not enabled. If It would be True that means the TDE is enable on a Database.
Or you can use below script to find out if TDE is on database/s.


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News Security
CIVIC Demands Transparent Probe into Bombing of Children in Niger-Nigeria Border
February 25, 2022 Alabidun 0 Comments Airstrikes, Bombing, CIVIC, Maradi Region, Nigerian Military
Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC) has asked the Nigerian government to ensure a transparent and rapid investigation of the killing of a dozen civilians, including children, in an airstrike conducted by the Nigerian Military in the Maradi region, southern Niger.
An airstrike had hit a small village in the Madarounfa district of southern Niger, on Friday, February 18, According to the non-governmental organization, Doctors Without Borders, which received several of the casualties at a local hospital, the strike killed at least 12 people, including four children, and injured 16 others.
READ ALSO: Fake Doctor Arraigned for Amputating Patient's Hand
The strike was later confirmed by a local governor of the Maradi region. A spokesperson for Nigeria's military said that an investigation into the incident has begun.
CIVIC, while expressing concerns over reports of the killing, urged Nigerian authorities to work in close coordination with the Nigerien government.
"If civilian casualties from the airstrike are confirmed, the Government of Nigeria should provide post-harm amends to civilians affected by the strike and put in place measures to prevent the recurrence," Benson Olugbuo, CIVIC's Country Director said in a statement on Thursday.
"This airstrike shows yet again that it is civilians who bear the brunt of conflict in the region. Governments carrying out military operations, including airstrikes, must take tangible and stronger steps to prevent harm to the civilian population," he added.
"We welcome the launch of an investigation by Nigeria's military, and we encourage the investigation to be prompt and transparent. We also encourage the Government of Nigeria to continue to work to improve its efforts to minimize harm to civilians from airstrikes," Olugbuo further said.
The Center also urged the Government of Nigeria to continue improving its air-ground coordination to prevent and mitigate harm to civilians during airstrikes.
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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The Mystery of the Lalaurie Mansion
Posted by emilyhingle on April 26, 2022 April 26, 2022
The stately three-story home at 1140 Royal St. in the French Quarter has been a fixture since the mid 1800s. It currently sits empty and quiet with just a sign hanging outside and crumpled permit papers taped to the windows. The sign reads "The LaLaurie Mansion" in black, spooky type. Tour guides lead visitors to the corner of the building and recount the story of the mad Madame LaLaurie, the Creole socialite who afflicted unspeakable acts of torture on her slaves. That tale has stuck to the home throughout the decades, but some researchers don't believe the hype created by the often dramatized accounts written in newspapers. Evidence suggests that the city vilified an innocent person.
The legend from articles in newspapers like The Bee goes that the LaLauries bought the home in 1831. They were prominent citizens; locally-born Madame Delphine LaLaurie and Monsieur LaLaurie, who was her third husband and a doctor from France, were the toast of Creole society. Madame LaLaurie was charming and beautiful, but rumors began circulating of mistreatment of their slaves. One account claimed that a young girl was being chased around the house by Madame LaLaurie and fell from the third story or roof, and her body was buried in the courtyard during the night. There was an investigation into the allegations, yet Madame LaLaurie had intrigued the detective, and he couldn't believe that she could be that cruel.
On April 10, 1834, a fire broke out in the home. When firefighters arrived, Madame asked them to save the furnishings, saying, "…never mind about the slaves." But hearing from neighbors that they were chained, the firefighters entered the third floor and were horrified upon seeing them. The slaves were mutilated and near death, some even the subjects of experiments like sex changes. The Courier Newspaper printed that the slaves were taken to the Cabildo with wounds filled with worms and holes drilled in their skulls. Thousands of citizens brought them nourishment while marveling at their conditions. Outraged by this torture, they formed a mob and attempted to capture Madame LaLaurie, but she escaped by carriage and boat to the Northshore and eventually to France. According to a grave marker found in the mid-20th century in St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, she died at the age of 68 in 1842.
Beginning soon after the incident, newspapers slammed Madame LaLaurie; The Bee (L'Abeille) even called her "The Lady Nero." The home was changed into a music conservatory, a school for black and white girls, apartments for Italian men, and even a bar called Haunted Saloon, but businesses never lasted long, some citing ghosts as the problem. One owner claimed his furniture kept getting ruined by vandals who would smear a foul black liquid on the upholstery. He waited around one night to catch them, but no one came. When he saw the furniture again, it had the liquid on it. He promptly sold the home. The eccentric son of a French general, Jules Edward Vignie, squatted in the house for years and was found dead in 1892 on a tattered cot surrounded by art, precious objects, and lots of hidden cash.
After his demise, an article ran on March 13, 1892, in The Daily Picayune (eventually, The Times Picayune). Marik Point writes in "The Haunted House" that he wants to dispel myths created by writer George Washington Cable, which Point believed were probably dramatized to the point of fiction for newspapers and books. Point writes, "How much of the story is true, and how much the creation of Mr. Cable's fancy, the old Creoles of New Orleans will tell you." Throughout the article that includes hand-drawn pictures and long descriptions of the home, Point says that the injuries of the slaves Cable described were exaggerated, but goes into great detail of the mob going after LaLaurie's carriage, then killing the horses after she escaped and destroying her home by ransacking then burning it.
The bad press kept coming through the decades; more publications asserted that Madame LaLaurie was a sadist. In a 1912 article in The Daily Picayune, Henriette Fuller van Pelt, a wealthy citizen recounting her life, stated, "Madame LaLaurie was a degenerate. I recognize that fact now. She was crazy."
It wasn't until 1934, 100 years after the incident, that someone researched beyond the typical stories. In an article titled "Was Madame LaLaurie the Victim of a Foul Plot?" printed in The Times Picayune on February 4, Meigs Frost asserts that Delphine LaLaurie was blameless. Frost uncovered a complex familial connection between her and her neighbor Monsieur Montreuil, who is described in the early newspaper accounts as telling firemen that the slaves were chained. Frost believes that Montreuil started rumors of slave torture, even requesting investigations because Madame was the business administrator of her brother's (L.B. Macarty) estate, which Montreuil was a beneficiary of and had disputes with her over property. He cites numerous legal notices posted in newspapers during the 1840s and 50s from when she sued the executors who took commission from the estate at the Louisiana Supreme Court and won. I also found these notices in the newspaper databases at UNO's Louisiana Collection, with her name displayed on every one. Moreover, this suggests that she never left the city, as Frost says, and moved to Treme. He also mentions that the home was never ransacked because the documents from that time were still there and intact, as well as the furnishings.
Later accounts continued to believe there was torture, but softened the blows slightly. A 1970s article about George Cable recounts his book about Madame LaLaurie, saying "…the beautiful but brutal Madame LaLaurie allegedly tortured her slaves." Fred Darkis, Jr. writes in Louisiana History in 1982, "Nineteenth-century authors were not kind to Madame LaLaurie. Undoubtedly, they made mistakes. It must also be admitted that these writers were not in complete agreement with respect to details or bits of information." He believed that the newspapers highly sensationalized the account, which led to a firm belief by most that she was a ruthless beast. In his 2010 book Haunted New Orleans, Troy Taylor describes, "Horrible things happened in this house – horrible enough to earn the house a reputation that still lingers almost two centuries later." He also describes her as "…cruel, cold-blooded and possibly insane…"
A pair of writers recently released a fact-based book about the LaLauries, attempting to discredit the myth once and for all, beginning by exploring their early lives to reporting on their deaths. Victoria Love and Lorelei Shannon released Mad Madame LaLaurie in 2011. Foremost, they question why Louis LaLaurie, Delphine's husband, was left out of all accusations and believes that he, in fact, committed the horrific acts, conducting medical experiments on the unwilling slaves to further his knowledge of medicine. They found that Delphine petitioned to free one slave on October 26, 1832, and petitioned for separation from Louis on November 16, 1832, possibly because she did not like what he did to their slaves. Love and Shannon do believe that some indications of abuse were found, such as women with heavy iron collars on their necks, and they assert that the LaLauries fled the city. They uncovered a series of letters from Madame in France to her family in New Orleans and one from Louis in Cuba in 1842. The writers claimed that the grave plaque found in St. Louis Cemetery was a hoax meant to make New Orleanians believe she was dead when she arrived in New Orleans to live out her life, dying in the 1850s. Another grave in St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, the same where Marie Laveau is buried, bears her name with the later date.
It's been rumored that a movie will be made about the event, or the home will be turned into a museum. Through all of its incarnations, it was owned in 2007 through 2009 by actor and part-time resident Nicholas Cage, who has been known for his many, sometimes strange, holdings here. It was sold for nearly three million dollars, but further information about the future of the home is unknown. The terrifying story, true or fiction, is forever burned into this city's memory–a scene that was depicted in a gruesome diorama in the former Musée Conti Wax Museum where Madame LaLaurie was shown overseeing her henchman whip one slave, who was bound, while others looked on in horror in a dark attic. The truth will probably never be known, and so it remains the most haunted house in the city and one with a tortured past.
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The pressure which was mounting in August on the world economies including Pakistan due to abnormal surge in oil prices has started subsiding as the oil prices are returning to normalcy, yet the unpredictable oil situation demands a precautionary approach as the saying goes "forewarned is the forearmed" to face such eventualities in future.
Pakistan had to pay approximately $3 billion on account of import of oil and according to an estimate the cost of oil is going to be around $4 billion at the end of the current financial year 2004-05. If this estimate was true it portends expenditure, which is obviously beyond our means.
Currently, the bulk of oil is used by two major sectors i.e. power generating especially by the Independent Power Plants which are producing a cumulative 5500 MW and the other sector is the transportation besides some large scale manufacturing industries.
In this backdrop, the situation calls for immediate development of sustainable alternative energy resources to get rid of the unbearable cost of oil imports. Nature is kind enough to have bestowed Pakistan with plenty of alternative energy resources such as huge reserves of natural gas, coal, strong wind in some parts of Sindh and Balochistan, hilly terrains with gushing currents of water already helping to generate more than 50 percent of the total electricity, nuclear capability for power generating, and now things are moving to use the sugar industry of producing industrial alcohol to use as alternative fuel for transportation sector.
Despite having a strong energy base especially in the field of natural gas, yet the growing consumption of gas in the industrial sectors like Fertilizer Industry, Power Generation and Transportation, the existing supplies may not be sufficient if the source of supplies was not reinforced either within the country or by importing gas the country would be facing serious shortfall in gas supplies in the years to come.
The Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources, Ch. Nouraiz Shakoor has, however, said the government would finalize at least one natural gas import pipeline project by end of this year to cater the future demand.
It was indeed giant step of the present government to deregulate petroleum prices in Pakistan. Announcement to this effect was made during the address to the nation on December 15, 1999. The intention was good but what went on surfaced by advent of Pakistan Oil and Gas Sector Review October 2003, by World Bank three year later. The review concluded, "The price fixation by Oil Companies Advisory Council (OCAC) is not transparent and in most of the countries the practice adopted of beneficiary setting the prices would have been termed illegal".
The World Bank by mentioning this cannot be termed, as not a player to this affair will be wrong. Firstly, it always furthered the idea of deregulation in every report, further as they could not have missed this massive graft with the kind of monitoring they enjoyed in financial affairs of Pakistan during these years. The good intentions of the government were cleverly maneuvered by powerful lobby having vested interests and on very onset to share the plunder of people of Pakistan.
Instead of forming/structuring an independent regulatory authority as approved, they upgraded one of data processing organization OCAC to regulatory authority having a right to fix the prices for 15 days. They kept on sending feelers around through media that they are fixing the prices adhering to mechanism evolved by government. Now OCAC had members from four refineries four Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) two pipeline companies, over whelming majority of its members did not qualify being beneficiaries as per international law/standards or business ethics. After this move one of multinational companies started to replace MDs of public sector with its own employees. For instance a manager level person replaced MD NRL and the other replaced as MD of OMC, a permanent employee took over Secretary General OCAC. Present Secretary General OCAC is a full time employee of Shell who has been appointed irregularly without proper procedure.
He is reportedly the son of a former PSO MD. B Com qualification was considered enough to appoint him as DMD NRL after creating a position without necessary approvals in pubic sector.
*In early 2001 one can initially find tenders floated for the import of finished products later this activity vanished as Shell awarded its entire diesel and furnace oil tenders in favor of Shell International. This paved way for transfer of jacked up element out of the country. Pakistan consumes 180 Cst furnace oil which as per Platts (reference journal to set up prices) is not a premium product altogether. The price C&F set by OMCs for furnace oil in June 2001 was Rs 13600 per ton. FOB AG the main cost element during this period was US $ 125 per ton. At present FOB AG for the same is US $ 185 per ton still the price is Rs 13800 per ton, with $/Rs parity at same level the jack up was of US $ 60 per ton. Pakistan demand is 7 million tons a year therefore the annual jack up in 2001 was to the tune of US $ 420 million. These figures can be verified from Pakistan Energy Year Book published by Government of Pakistan.
*Pakistan product price mechanism is based on import parity i.e. FOB AG plus the incidentals incurred to effect it. Platts Oil gram started publishing 95 RON Gasoline FOB price from January, 2002 but OCAC continued to adopt old formula Naphtha price plus US $ 60 which resulted in US $ 50 per ton compared to direct method of assessing import parity on basis of published 95 RON price with RON adjustment to 90 RON gasoline. Pakistan consumes 450,000 tons of gasoline and one can easily estimate the quantum of jack up.
Platts started to publish premiums of AG way back in June 2001 and till June 2003 no product in Pakistan was considered as premium product but continuously OCAC cooked up a premium figure ranging from US $ 1.67 per barrel to US $ 2.6 per barrel. Conversion factors for HSD (Gas oil) and gasoline are 7.5 and 8.5 per ton therefore level of jack up can be quantified whereas to build import parity only freight should have been of suffice. The freight remained in vicinity of 6 US $ per ton during this period. OCAC issued two premiums one for black products and one for white products and gave no basis of its estimation. As Platts given figures were certainly not adhered to then most probably the figures in tenders in favor of their mother companies were used to arrive at the premium figures. In turn the award of tenders was not transparent and void of any competitive bidding this all exercise levied an un-necessary extra artificial lift in prices.
*Pakistan started to import 0.5% Sulfur HSD (Gas oil) from June, 2003 this product is a premium product but as per Platts the premiums ranged from 0.8-1.3 US $ per barrel. In Pakistan none of refineries produce 0.5% Sulfur HSD but all through this period continued to extract premiums of product they were incapable of producing.
*The plunder it seems was not enough for this lobby due to connections was successful in imposing 6% regulatory duty on other products and 11% on HSD in June 2002. The duties benefited Pakistan on 50% HSD quantity, which truly was imported. By definition refineries were benefited to the tune of Rs 47 billion (WB report), as duties were included in price setting mechanism. As the products such as JP-1, kerosene, gasoline etc. That were not imported the imposition of duties yielded not a single rupee benefit to Pakistan but extracted billions from the masses.
*The practice of dumping kerosene into HSD which was under law a punishable offence was legitimized this gave added advantage of Rs 2-2.5 per liter of kerosene dumped and lots of smoke for the public to inhale. All these artificial lifts boosted the EPS say of NRL from Rs 4 in 1998 to Rs 23 in 2003-04 despite the fact commercial auditor reported Rs 2.5 billion crude un-accounted for.
*Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) prior to October 1999 were getting fixed margins ranging from Rs 0.22-0.55 per liter initially. Initially they pegged it to 2% of CIF then increased it to 3% but that on retail price. This increased their margins by up to 300%. For example the margin on gasoline, which stood at Rs 0.52, has after the changes increased to Rs 1.89 per liter. These can be examined in Pakistan Energy Year Book published by Ministry of Petroleum.
Pakistan has recently imposed a 5 percent import duty on equipment used in exploration and production of hydrocarbons in the country. Earlier there was a zero rated duty at the time of exploration and 3 percent duty on equipment used in the production cycle.
With the recent decision of levying a 5 percent across-the-board duty on equipment used in exploration and production, the local oil exploring companies may pass on the cost to the market. It is said that the new duty structure will be effective with immediate effect has been adopted with the consent of industry players. "The change is in line with the government policy of having one tariff rate," said Abdullah Yusuf, chairman Pakistan's Central Board of Revenue.
The industry executives, however, feel that oil and gas exploration companies working in the country by import majority of their equipment from abroad. This new duty structure, according to an estimate can increase exploration cost by 10 percent to 15 percent.
Despite the fact that oil and gas sector was still dominated by the two public sector entities i.e. Pakistan Oil & Gas Development Co. (OGDC) and Pakistan Petroleum Ltd (PPL), yet the attractive incentives offered under the energy policy has made this sector the most vibrant segment of the economy which attracted the largest chunk of the foreign investment in Pakistan. Since it is the human psyche to dislike taxation in any form, the foreign investors are raising eyebrows on the increase.
The deadline for submission of proposals for 450 MW Lakhra Coal Mine and Power Generation Project, earlier advertised by PPIB, has now been extended to 31st October 2004.
The Security Documents comprising of the Implementation Agreement, Power Purchase Agreement and the Water Use Agreement, for 79 MW New Bong Escape Hydropower Project, the first hydropower project being developed in the private sector in AJK, signed on April 16, 2004.
PPIB has issued Letter of Interest (LOI) to AMZO Corporation of USA on 11th May 2004 for building 740 MW MUNDA DAM MULTIPURPOSE PROJECT in NWFP. PPIB has issued Letter of Interest (LOI) for 97 MW Kotli Hydropower Project.
PPIB has issued Letters of Interest (LOIs) to five thermal projects with cumulative capacity of 973 MW.
Currently, the government is working on three major projects to meet the increasing demand of gas in future. These include Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan pipeline, Qatar-Pakistan and Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project.
According to Nouraiz Shakoor Minister for Petroleum, the government would decide in December this year that which pipeline is suitable and the priority chart would be presented in the Federal Cabinet for approval. About the progress on Pakistan, Turkmenistan and Afghanistan (TAP) gas pipeline project, he informed that next meeting of Ministerial Steering Committee of the $ 3.2 billion project is likely to be held in a few weeks. The proposed 1460 km pipeline would bring gas to Pakistan via Afghanistan from the Dauletabad gas fields in Turkmenistan � the fifth largest in the world.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has funded the feasibility study of the project, which was completed in June last year by Brown and Roots consultants. The engineering work and feasibility study of $ 3 billion Pakistan-Qatar gas pipelines has already been completed with the cost of $ 30 million. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the government of Pakistan has been signed for import of up to 1.6 billion cubic feet of gas per day from Qatar starting from year 2010. Initially, the project is to supply 1.6 billion cubic feet of gas per day and is ultimately raised up to 3.5 billion cubic feet per day.
The capital cost of the project is estimated to US $ 1.8 billion. As per discussion going on with the sponsors, Pakistan would not require to make any investment at the initial stage. However, it has to ensure provision of infrastructure for distribution of gas and sustainable demand for gas consumption.
The third proposed project under discussion is a pipeline that would extend from Iran to Pakistan and could go onto India.
The Ethanol (alcohol) is yet another substitution of petroleum in the form of gasohol which has gained universal recognition. Authorities in Pakistan are also considering putting this technology in vogue, which might also address the problem of the surplus production by the sugar industry in Sindh.
The federal government, in order to save foreign exchange on import of oil and to reduce its import bill under this head, is exploring possibility of the use of ethanol as fuel in Pakistan as an alternative to gasoline in automobiles.
Currently, the proposal was being considered and reviewed by the concerned ministries and departments to recommend their views on the proposal, it is being contemplated that study may be commissioned in this regard with funding from some donor agencies.
The Industries and Production Ministries have supported the idea of using ethanol as a fuel in automotive sector and can replace higher-octane base component (HOBC) in motor spirit for producing premier gasoline.
According to a report, the industries ministry has said that gasohol can be used in ordinary automobiles without any modifications in the engine. It can improve the car performance through engine starting combustion and emission quality and no change in mileage efficiency will occur, apart from the fact that it would help save foreign exchange on import of oil.
"Given that a major constraint on the use of ethanol as an alternative fuel, and as an oxygenate, is its high price, ethanol has not been competitive with gasoline as a fuel," the official said and added: "However, present increase in gasoline prices has made ethanol more attractive and apart from economy, one of the main motivations for ethanol use is improved air quality."
The source said that experts have said that use of ethanol has advantages like it is renewable, it provides cleaner environment, cleaner burning engines, lower net carbon dioxide emissions, and ultimately less depend lance on imported light crude oil.
"India is initiating the use of ethanol as an automotive fuel, and a move has been made by distilleries in India to use surplus alcohol as a blending agent or an oxygenate in gasoline and based on experiments by the Indian Institute of Petroleum, a 10 percent ethanol blend with gasoline and a 15 percent ethanol blend with diesel are being considered for use in vehicles in at least one state," the source said.
The ministry of petroleum had said that absolute alcohol (ethanol) can be used as an octane booster and fuel extender with gasoline, called gasohol, and it is sold as a standard product in many developed countries containing 10 percent and 15 percent mixture of ethanol in gasoline. The petroleum ministry in its report said Brazil is one of the leading countries using pure ethanol as motor fuel. Modern fermentation technologies are reducing the unit cost of ethanol production.
The petroleum ministry, however, looks a little bit disturb over the idea of using ethanol as a fuel alternative. According to informed sources the ministry has come out with the views that the economics of the ethanol production however would depend on local socio-economic conditions and crop patterns. It must be realized that sugar cane is a water intensive crop and production of ethanol from molasses is an energy intensive process.
Pakistan has a strong industrial base for sugar industry. At present some 71-sugar mills are operative but running half of the capacity, said industry sources. Despite operating at 50 percent capacity the sugar industry produced about 2 million tonnes of molasses during 2002-2003, out of which 1.27 million tonnes has been exported.
The use of ethanol as a transport fuel could be a viable option provided sugar industry conducts necessary feasibility study and advice ministry of petroleum at what price absolute alcohol would be available on per liter basis. Molasses and ethanol can also find their market as cattle feed, feedstock for ethylene, solvent, vinegar, acetic acid, ethyl acetate and other chemicals.
At present motor gasoline (petrol) production is sufficient to cater to the requirement of the country. With the introduction of ethanol-blended petrol, more motor gasoline will be surplus, resulting either production from refineries would have to be reduced thereby impacting availability of other products in the country or surplus motor gasoline has to be exported. The government is also promoting CNG as an alternate fuel as replacement of gasoline and policy is under consideration for diesel replacement as well.
Ethanol (ethyl alcohol, grain alcohol) is a colorless liquid with an agreeable smell. In purer forms, it can also be used as alternative to gasoline in automobiles designed for its use. Production of Ethanol goes back in the past history through a process of fermentation of the sugar.
All beverages are ethanol based and more than half of industrial ethanol is still made by this process. "Simple sugars are the raw material. Starches from potatoes, corn, wheat and other plants can also be used in the production of ethanol by fermentation, however, the starches must first be broken down into simple sugars.
Fuel ethanol (or gasohol) is a high octane, water-free alcohol produced from the fermentation of sugar or converted starch. It is traditionally used as a blending ingredient at 5 percent to 10 percent concentrations (termed E5 or E10, respectively) in gasoline or as a raw material to produce high-octane fuel ether additives. Ethanol is made primarily from grains or other renewable agricultural and agro forestry feed stocks.
In view of the unpredictable oil situation especially in the backdrop of increasing oil demand in the United States, China and India besides volatile political conditions in Iraq and Afghanistan, it is the high time for concrete steps for consolidation of alternative energy resource available within the country. Shaukat Aziz, newly elected Prime Minister of Pakistan is taking keen interest in economic uplift of Thar through exploiting the mineral resources especially coal for power generation. Chinese companies have already been granted license to develop coal-based power generating plants. It is hoped that Thar would become a major contributor towards alternative energy resources in Pakistan.


We regret that we have sad and surprising news for our community. Early the evening of June 21, Topaz, Burgundy's young filly, passed away after a brief illness.
Topaz began showing signs of digestive discomfort on Wednesday evening. The vet visited and began treatment but recommended taking Topaz to a veterinary hospital. Caretaker Ali Shepard '04 took Topaz and her mom Poppy to the the Marion DuPont Scott Equine Medical Center in Leesburg. Poppy was there to be a comforting presence for Topaz. Unfortunately, from last night through the day today, Topaz exhibited several rounds of painful digestive distress. Despite excellent care from a team of doctors, nurses, and veterinary students, her health worsened, and she had to be put down.
The vet confirms that Topaz was suffering from colic, which refers to any form of digestive distress in a horse. Colic in a horse can be very serious and sometimes fatal. Surgery is sometimes a good option but was not in this situation.
Topaz brought many members of our Burgundy community a lot of joy in only a few months of life. Students or families may be interested in writing sympathy or thank you notes for Ali and/or the wonderful veterinary team who worked to save Topaz's life. These notes can be dropped off at Burgundy's Alexandria campus or sent to Burgundy, c/o Caretaker Ali, 3700 Burgundy Road, Alexandria VA 22303.


Black Tourmaline in its black nature is a 'protective stone'. It can repel, and block negative energies within a person or space. Black tourmaline can be used as a cleansing and purifying system to transmute any heavy energy into a lighter frequency.
Metaphysically, Black Tourmaline is a Crystal associated with the Root Chakra and a great grounding stone. It can be used to assimilate balance, and harmony, and protection of all Chakras. Black Tourmaline is an excellent protection for us against environmental pollutants such radiation, noise, as well as it can assist in boosting self confidence.
Black Tourmaline is a calming crystal as it will ground any unsettled energy into the earth. Anyone who is challenged in their daily lives with negativity, anxieties, worry, or anger can use Black Tourmaline for assistance. Black Tourmaline can also protect us from those emotional vampires that sometimes surround us. This stone can help to sooth panic attacks in your daily life. When used in Meditation. Black Tourmaline can enhance your insights and invoke a positive attitude.
In the Physical realm, Black Tourmaline will help to strengthen the immune system, adrenal glands, detoxify the body. Since this crystal is a also a detoxifying stone, it can be used to treat the bowels, constipation, IBS, or any disease of the colon. useful crystal when dealing with issues of the lungs.
Black tourmaline is the stone that will help remove all things negative, direct and re-balance all energies from the crown to the Root Chakra, providing the perfect balance and healthy flow of energy for a feeling of health and wholeness. Hence using Black Tourmaline in mediation, is a great purification for the ethereal body.
The Root Chakra is our survival center, establishing the deepest connection with your physical body, environment, and the earth. The Root Chakra is the foundation on which we build our life, and feel safe and secure. Black Tourmaline will assist to perfect the balance and flow of energy here giving a great sense of security.


Migraine Monologues: A glorification of migraine?
Yesterday, prolific journalist Eva Wiseman wrote a somewhat surreal piece about her experiences with migraine. Specifically she described how her aura manifested and depicted something known as Alice in Wonderland Syndrome which, as you may have guessed, is named after that famous work of fiction. Lewis Carroll suffered from migraines and many believe his visual auras influenced his work.
For migraineurs, Alice in Wonderland Syndrome (AIWS) is a specific type of aura where body parts usually seem distorted, becoming either much larger or smaller, hence the name given to the condition. While Wiseman's article is, I believe, beautifully written it has created something of a stir amongst the migraine community. Why? Because it appears to be glorifying migraine. One reader commenting on the article wrote: "I've never had a migraine. After reading this article I'd like to have it at least once. :-)"
And maybe now someone who doesn't find migraines quite so visually intriguing or creatively stimulating will get to write a counter argument? Guardian editors if you're reading, I'm currently available!
What do you think? Where you enraged or enlighten?
I think some people love to jump on people who write about migraine and criticize them. I agree with you that it's great that she's even writing about it, and I fault the idiots who are dumb enough to think a migraine sounds fun, not the writer describing her experience.
I think in some ways it was written a little tongue in cheek, almost throwing up of the hands in the air and saying, 'ok, I hate it but it has some parts that I have embraced and tried to accept as a form of art rather than to be feared'. She's lucky to have gotten to that place.
I have tried to so hard to embrace the weird phase of migraine auras, I am convinced that by going with it, not being scared of it must help get through the process and be less traumatised.It may even sometimes lessen the severity, I'm not sure. However sometimes this works for me and the rest of the time I am as terrified now as I was 30 years ago when I had my first one.
As Victoria says, it was really a rather clever article as it sparked a lot of different responses and debate. That is good. Newspaper articles rarely tick all the boxes as they are done with the motive of selling papers, not helping to educate others on us long misunderstood migraineurs.
Wishing you all a migraine free Monday.
It is a well written article and it did spark discussion which is a good thing.
What was missing was the fear and anxiety that an aura can provoke, especially the first one. Many people rush to the emergency room, convinced they are having a stroke. The way the author described her aura, it did sound fascinating, and almost desirable in a mind-bending sort of way.
Don't hate people who don't know what it's really like. They really can't have an appreciation for it; empathy at best.
now theres a surprise! i thought it was just me! i also HATE WITH A VENGEANCE angel perfume, and the women who wear it. sorry ladies! even if it doesnt spark an attack - it lingers FOR EVER. just what has thierry mugler PUT in his foul concoction? why on earth is something so foul and the entire opposite of a pleasant smell, as popular as it is?
right! i shall go and read the actual article now ive got that off my chest! thanks!


Feast time! COCHON 555 trots into Los Angeles! Get your tix today!
COCHON 555 TROTS INTO LOS ANGELES WITH TWO EPIC DINNERS AND A WHO'S WHO LINEUP and sets course on a safer, more flavorful good food system, period!
The country's most talked about culinary competition returns with an epic 3-day feast showcasing some of the best bites and chefs and of the good food movement. The goal – to celebrate family farms, heritage breed pigs and tilt the scales in favor of today's emerging chef community struggling to pay premium prices for safer, more flavorful food raised by real farmers.
It starts Friday evening with a guest chef dinner at BS Taqueria hosted by Ray Garcia "2014 King of Porc" followed by a large format meat feast on Saturday / Preview of Ray's Broken Spanish and then the main event Cochon 555 on Sunday at Viceroy Santa Monica. The events are part of a national tour that spotlights notable chefs, barrier-breaking women, artist-like butchers, spirited bartenders, top winemakers, brewers, distillers oysters, caviar, and sweets. Going on its seventh year, Cochon 555 is regarded as the nation's most flavorful culinary tour and here is your chance to get in on the action.
On Saturday, March 28th, attend a "Large Format Feast" hosted by Chef Ray Garcia of the soon to be open Broken Spanish in this epic "Big Beef vs Heritage Pig" four-course dinner paired with reserve wines from St. Francis Winery, Hirsch, and Old Potrero 18th Century. The national dinner series features chefs that are reinventing the traditional steakhouse experience. Only $110.


Looking for a new book, television show or podcast recommendation? Feel inspired by everything the Style office is loving!
It's well-known around the Style office that I am partial to a good podcast (or ten) and I'm known to have several on the go at once. My latest addiction? The disappearance of Madeleine McCann. Let me tell you – I. Am. Hooked. I won't waste space here explaining who and what happened to Madeleine (seriously, just Google it), but all I know is that I have soooo many questions. Is she alive? Was she sold into slavery? Did her parents have something to do with it? Will we ever find out the truth?! So, if you catch me around Brissy looking extra sleep-deprived, just know I've spent the night before trawling through Reddit, reading theories and searching for answers… 10/10 recommend.
I've always loved podcasts but since moving to Brisbane and suffering the crazy city commute to work every day, I think I'm ready to take the relationship to the next level. They keep me sane in insane traffic! Casefile True Crime has been a constant go-to, but lately I've been feeling a little paranoid (haha) which is how I found myself stumbling across some lighter listening and I'm addicted! Shameless hosted by Zara McDonald and Michelle Andrews is a self-proclaimed pop-culture podcast for smart women who love dumb stuff. I really enjoy the different perspectives of the two Melbourne-based Journalists and I can honestly say they've pushed me to look outside of my own preconceived ideas and made me a better journalist (and human). Plus they discuss MAFS, Bachie and are constantly making reference to the Kardashians, so I'm all about it.
As a Zoe Foster Blake worshipper, I was sitting on the edge of my seat waiting for her newest book release, Love! The 'enthusiastic and modern perspective on matters of the heart' is full of Zoe's glorious, empowering and humorous advice on how to love yourself, your relationships and get the most out of your life. Whether you're single or in a relationship, this is one book that every gal must read at some stage. P.S. I went along to the Love! book signing at The Calile and had the pleasure of meeting the Queen herself. Let me just say she was as sweet, funny and witty as I had imagined! I'll forever be star struck by Zo.
Everyone now knows about the scandal, so naturally, there was the unaddressed question floating in my mind when I first picked up the book. Why did she fail the drug test? Was there some mistake? Like an episode of 'You Can't Ask That', Maria jumped right in, giving me what I wanted to know in the first six, gripping pages. I was hooked from the beginning. This "Russian sensation" that dominated the world of tennis for so long, only to be ripped away from the competition in her prime made for one epic autobiography. Get ready to delve into the life of Maria Sharapova as she acknowledges her famous tennis grunts, her Russian heritage, her 'tennis dad' and so much more.
Unstoppable is a coming of age story, for a girl that was far from ordinary. You immediately get a deep insight into the tennis scene and the strict training programs that get these extraordinary individuals to the top. The life of an elite athlete is thrown into the spotlight, highlighting the hardships and constant dedication to the game that is necessary for success. From clay to grass courts and Wimbledon to the Australian Open, Unstoppable is a truly gripping read. Whether you're a regular player yourself or are a stranger to the game, it's a book that makes it easy to appreciate the forte of mastering a professional sport.
My mum gifted me this book for Christmas and it's such a sweet self-love and self-healing little book made ethically with love that everyone should own. It's such a nice light feel-good read for whenever you're feeling down or even just when you want to raise your spirits. It's filled with 180 pages of inspiring prose and illustrations by the author herself. One of my favourite quotes from this book is 'If the universe can make the sun shine and the moon glow… trust it can do the same for you'. I personally will hold onto this baby forever and carry it with me for whenever I need a pick-me-up.
If you're looking for fashion on tv, then look no further than the 80s soap opera reboot, Dynasty, showing on Netflix. I got hooked pretty much instantly!
It follows the opulent lives of the Carrington family and this show is nothing but short of drama and has an obvious sizeable budget in the costume department! The glitz and glamour and the over dramatic captivating story line is what soapy dreams are made of. It's currently showing season 2 this March and I do not want this show to end.
1. Styler's Picks: A Roundup Of Products We Were Obsessed With This Month!


Get the lowest price by booking direct with us.
We try very hard to keep our prices low for what we offer, as a 4* self catering cottage, so you may enjoy your holiday without it costing the earth. We will do this for as long as we are able to.
Now with unlimited WiFi at no extra cost.
Our website offers direct booking for either three or seven days. that's only for technical reasons, if you want a different stay, just phone and we'll fix it.
We like to welcome you at 3pm on your day of arrival with refreshments, at our smallholding just up the road from Rose Cottage. You are welcome to meet our animals and feed them, should you wish. We can also provide information or suggestions regarding things you might like to do, which will make your holiday really special. We like to think your holiday begins here, as you collect the keys to the cottage.
We provide all your linen except for bath towels, in an effort to save energy, as part of our green credentials. However bath towels can be provided upon request, for a small extra charge.
The cottage provides grocery basics such as tea, coffee, milk and condiments. Free range eggs can be obtained a short walk away. If you wish us to provide other essentials, or book a meal at the local pub we are happy to organise this please ring us to arrange this.
A small proportion of your fee supports Crisis, the charity for the homeless, and Toilet Twinning, which works to improve sanitation in the third world.
Should you need help or require further information then please ring (01547 510028) we are happy to help.


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text:
Q: How can I extract the displayed text from a QTableWidgetItem? I have a subclass of QTableWidget with the following code:
connect(this, SIGNAL(cellChanged(int, int)), this, SLOT(pushCellChange(int, int)), Qt::QueuedConnection);

...

void MyTableView::pushCellChange(int row, int column)
{
    QString text(item(row, column)->text());
    QByteArray data = text.toAscii();
    cout << data.length() << endl;
    const char* cellData = text.toAscii().constData();
    cout << "Cell ("<<row<<", "<<column<<") changed to: " << cellData << endl;
}

When I change the upper-right cell to anything this outputs:
2
Cell (0, 0) changed to: ▌▌▌▌▌▌▌▌▌▌▌▌▌▌▌▌░▬∟C▌▌

However, while this corrupt data is spewed out on the console, the table widget itself seems to behave normally and shows the correct string. Does anyone know what is going on here?

A: std::string cellData = text.ToStdString();
cout << "Cell ("<<row<<", "<<column<<") changed to: " << cellData << endl;

That should work fine.  As for why toAscii doesn't work, I have no clue.

A: The call toAscii() is storing the QString's data to a QByteArray.  In your code, you do this twice:
QByteArray data = text.toAscii();

const char* cellData = text.toAscii().constData();
                       _____________^ <-- temporary QByteArray

The const char* is actually pointing to the data within a temporary variable, which goes out of scope at the semicolon, at which point the pointer becomes invalid. If instead you were to make use of the local variable data, you'd be OK:
const char* cellData = data.constData();
                       ___^ <-- still-in-scope QByteArray

Alternatively, you can do this all in-line with the cout and the data will still be valid when it is copied to the output stream:
cout << "Cell ("<<row<<","<<column<<") changed to: " << text.toAscii().constData() << endl;

A: If it's just about the console output, you could also use qDebug() (available after #include <QDebug>) and pass the QString directly:
void MyTableView::pushCellChange(int row, int column)
{
    qDebug() << item(row, column)->text().length();
    qDebug() << "Cell (" << row << ", " << column << ") changed to: "
             << item(row, column)->text();
}

This way, you don't have to mess with data conversion …

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Palm Springs, CA is always a good idea. I heart Palm Springs with all my heart. It has been one of my fav California getaways since I first moved to Cali 11 years ago. That's mostly because of all the design inspo you can eat up while there. The P.S. flea market?
Well, I finally got out there last weekend with Super Chris to see what it was all about. It's always on the first Sunday of every month but none of my trips out there had lined up just yet. So we planned a trip just for this. That flea market is adorable, small, and quaint. It's also navigable and the vendors are very friendly and knowledgeable. It's not a MUST in my monthly antique market repertoire but it IS a nice to have. My next inspo trip out to Palm Springs will be scheduled around this market if possible. In my brief experience, it is very hit or miss. However some of the vendors have a really good eye for pieces and it's likely only a matter of timing with them. There are also some great hot spots for vintage shopping in general in Palm Springs and worth hitting up. So if you are out there on the first Sunday of the month, it is a great place to stop and add to your other plans. You never know what you might find.
Check out our finds from last weekend. The gold stepping stool is going in the studio. The brass pendant light into a new office reno. And the creepy head? Well for now, I'm just adding it to my collection.
It's true. Kartell chairs were not on my list. But you don't leave a set of 10 Kartell chairs in this color EVER! Here's how it went down. Super Chris and I were shopping at the Long Beach Antique Market. We were on a mission for art work for a couple of clients, a head board and carved salvaged wood for above a fireplace.
I always go shopping with a list. I also always keep the playing field open. Most of my designs have been inspired by unexpected pieces, pieces that are worthy of shaping a room. So I rarely shut down an amazing opportunity. That's what happened when I saw these beautiful green ghost chairs. I know the vendor who was selling these. He knows I'm a sucker for unique vintage anything and always works me hard. But these! These were screaming at me. Especially when I found out there were 10 of them. He had me at two! And then 10? I was dead, helpless and couldn't defend myself. You can see me freaking out in the video below. Compliments of Super Chris.
Anyway, we bought them. Obviously! We know the plan for two of them right now. They will be spear heading the design concept for an office. The rest may just go up in the Smid Shop TBD. We will keep you posted because it's going to be some kind of wonderful.
I did find some beautiful art and feel really good about the selection and checking those off the list. I am always amazed at the variety and the potential of great art at flea markets. In fact, next month we will be visiting long beach with an art consultant. She plans to teach us about finding the right art, the value and what she thinks about when pairing them together. I'm kind of excited about this!
P.S. The really random helmut with spikes at the end. Oh boy! All I gotta say is, YOU JUST WAIT. Long Beach Market is always on point.
I knew I wanted to do something on my birthday. I wasn't exactly sure what I wanted though. What I did know is that I wanted to surround myself with my good friends, have some great laughs and make more memories. It was a significant milestone for me and felt worthy of something fun.
When I finally decided on a dinner party outside, I started racking my brain on exactly what I wanted it to look like. At first, nothing felt right. I kept taking myself down different paths of design or party themes, like the 1960s, a Great Gatsby feel or white and high glam. (That felt too old lady!) I also considered cooking out with all the flannels. (Maybe too casual for my 40th?) I was trying to figure out what would be more me, more fab, yet comfortable. And then it hit me! Why am I making this so difficult? Why wouldn't I just design this party around the things I love most?
So I made a list of my favorite things; tacos, champagne, chocolate tarts, crystals, cactus, vintage doors, trays, chandeliers, cafe lights, textiles and maybe a little pink. Yes! All of this felt right. I would have all these things. It would all be outside and all my favorite people would be around me.
I borrowed a blanket I loved that fit my vision from Chris (Superchris77), grabbed some crystals, a cactus and took a picture.The photo would be my inspiration and the party would build from here. I got on the phone with Farra (Hostess Haven) and we started planning our next Smidhaven concept in honor of my big evening.
I truly feel blessed to have such amazing friends that love me for who I am, support me and inspire me. If it wasn't for them, the evening would not have looked or felt the same. It was magical and full of sweet and quite hilarious memories.
Renata Stone (Big Bear Photo) came all the way from Salt Lake City to be with me on my special day pop over here. She left her husband who just recently had ACL surgery. Oof! She loves me and I love her so hard. Renata doesn't love to show too much physical affection. So when she surprised me with capturing all these beautiful images, clearly I considered holding her down and kissing her. She captured everything exactly as it was. I'm so grateful to have these.
A Special thanks to Farra (Hostess Haven) for being a great partner in inspiration, for helping me pair crystal glasses with cactus and for making me FIVE chocolate tarts for the evening; clearly not enough! My friend Juan (A MIHO Experience) made me tacos guisados, the perfect elegant and casual taco bar spread. Thank you Tina (Miss Multee) for helping polish the table with hand painted name cards on leather scraps. Thank you my sister, Rachael (Siren Floral Co.) for letting me borrow all of the cactus. Melissa (Pow Wow Design Studio), one of my design soul mates, let me borrow the epic pew from her home and all the benches to keep it casual and intimate. And dear Chris (Super Chris), your doors were amazing! What did I do without you? I don't know. Let's not talk about it! You make work even more fun and we wouldn't have been ready or as clear headed without you.


text:
Now in cinemas
Best movies 2018
We Own the Night (2007) We Own the Night
Joaquin Phoenix, Eva Mendes, Danny Hoch, Alex Veadov, Oleg Taktarov, Dominic Colón, Joseph D'Onofrio, Elena Solovey, Moni Moshonov, Mark Wahlberg, Maggie Kiley, Paul Herman, Robert Duvall, Antoni Corone, Craig Walker
Brooklyn, 1988. Crime is rife, especially drugs and drug violence. A Russian thug is building his heroin trade, while everyone laughs at the cops. Brothers have chosen different paths: Joe has followed his father Bert into New York's Finest; he's a rising star. Bobby, who uses his mother's maiden name, manages a club. Bobby too is on the rise: he has a new girlfriend and a green-light to develop a Manhattan club. Joe and Bert ask him to help with intelligence gathering; he declines. Then, Joe raids Bobby's club to arrest the Russian. From there, things spiral out of control: the Russian puts out a hit on Joe, personal losses mount, and Bobby's loyalties face the test.
Mums pieder nakts
Хозяева ночи
© 2007 Sony Pictures
Watch movie trailer
movie >
We Own the Night
bij laba


text:
Matilda Rabinowitz, Author of Immigrant Girl, Radical Woman: A Memoir from the Early Twentieth Century Book
by editor | Feb 28, 2018
Pegasus Books Downtown
2349 Shattuck Avenue - Berkeley
37.8665312 -122.26717780000001
Robbin Légère Henderson discusses the incredible life of her grandmother Matilda Rabinowitz, as told in the illustrated memoir Immigrant Girl, Radical Woman. Featuring a slideshow of Henderson's accompanying black-and-white scratchboard drawings.
Matilda Rabinowitz's illustrated memoir challenges assumptions about the lives of early twentieth-century women. In Immigrant Girl, Radical Woman, Rabinowitz describes the ways in which she and her contemporaries rejected the intellectual and social restrictions imposed on women as they sought political and economic equality in the first half of the twentieth century. Rabinowitz devoted her labor and commitment to the notion that women should feel entitled to independence, equal rights, equal pay, and sexual and personal autonomy.
Rabinowitz (1887–1963) immigrated to the United States from Ukraine at the age of thirteen. Radicalized by her experience in sweatshops, she became an organizer for the Industrial Workers of the World from 1912 to 1917 before choosing single motherhood in 1918. "Big Bill" Haywood once wrote, "a book could be written about Matilda," but her memoir was intended as a private story for her grandchildren, Robbin Légère Henderson among them. Henderson's black-and white-scratchboard drawings illustrate Rabinowitz's life in the Pale of Settlement, the journey to America, political awakening and work as an organizer for the IWW, a turbulent romance, and her struggle to support herself and her child.


HomeBusinessLiz Nierzwicki- Stop Blocking Yourself and Set Yourself Up to Win!
Look you need this like I did and that is why I created it. I NEEDED a routine that I could (ritualistically) do every day that would help me to set the vision, align to my higher self/my future self and KEEP MY MIND FOCUSED ON THE PRIZE. I do this program daily and I want you to have access to it too. Join me now for the Millionaire Morning Wake-up Routine and Practice THIS DAILY to set yourself up to win and create victory after massive victory in your life. I cannot wait to SEE YOU WIN!!


Okay I'm going to cut straight to the chase here: It's the second week of February, which means that social media feeds everywhere are being overtaken by red roses, hearts and chocolates. And pink. And the occasional giant teddy bear. That's right folks, Valentine's Day is here.
Don't get me wrong: those things are all great (trust me, I'm eating chocolate as I write this), but you know what's not so great?
The feeling I get when I think about all the artists who are going to spend hours working on designs to post to Instagram that say "I Love You" or "Be Mine" this week...only to have their art get lost in a sea of designs that say the exact same thing.
Similar to what I mentioned about inspirational quotes in Week 3's challenge, even if you create the *most stunning artwork* with a popular phrase like "I love you", there's a good chance that people will still scroll right past it.
Why? It's something I refer to as "phrase fatigue". What I mean by that is this: when we see the same phrases over and over again, we start to tune out (at least I do).
For example: When I open up Instagram this weekend, I'll most likely see a few images that say "I Love You" in nice red or pink lettering pop up in my feed. I'll smile and give them all a double tap. Cute!
A day or two later, I'll start to see more images that say "I Love You". I might heart some of the extra beautiful ones and scroll past others.
When Valentine's Day rolls around, I'll open up Instagram to find even MORE rosy-colored "I Love You" images flooding my feed. I start to tune out. Other than a nice visual, what is it adding to my day? I've seen it too many times, and now my millennial attention span (lol) is off to find something more interesting.
If you letter a popular, festive phrase during any holiday season, you run the risk of your audience tuning out depending on how many times they've see the same words that week or month. It has nothing to do with your lettering or illustration skills; it's simply phrase fatigue.
To avoid this altogether but appreciate the spirit of Valentine's Day (I'm not heartless), your assignment this week is to create a refreshingly honest valentine. I want you to complete the sentence "I love you so much I'd..." with a weird / silly / gross / honest expression of what true love means to you.
I love you so much I'd give you the last bite.
I love you so much I'd give you my Netflix password.
I love you so much I'd put on pants and leave the house for you.
As an added challenge, I want you to avoid using red or pink as the main color in your design. The goal of this challenge is for all of us to create valentines that don't look or sound like conventional valentines!
After you complete the assignment, the second part of the challenge is to post your honest valentine on Instagram with the hashtag #HOMwork so we can see what everyone created. In the caption, tell us why you consider the act you chose to be the definition of love. If there's a funny backstory, we want to hear it!
Wherever you may fall on the spectrum of cute to weird, I'm SO looking forward to seeing what true love means to you. See you on the 'gram!


text:
Turkmenistan Demonstrates Commitment To Trans-Caspian Gas Pipeline
Publication: Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 8 Issue: 46
March 8, 2011 06:18 PM Age: 11 years
Turkmenistan is developing the environmental and legal cases for construction of a trans-Caspian gas pipeline to Azerbaijan, there to link up with the EU-backed Southern Gas Corridor to Europe. While Russia and Iran oppose trans-Caspian pipelines, ostensibly on ecological and legal grounds, Ashgabat has started making the affirmative case. Concurrently, Turkmenistan is has launched construction of the East-West pipeline across its own territory, to connect its onshore gas fields with the Caspian coast. Ashgabat has also opened talks with international companies for service contracts to develop Turkmenistan's onshore gas fields (production-sharing contracts being limited to the offshore).
On March 1 in Ashgabat, the Turkmen government hosted an international conference on "Environmental Aspects of Trans-Caspian Pipelines." The government initiated the conference to advance a detailed ecological case in favor of laying a gas pipeline on the seabed to Azerbaijan. Representatives of Turkmenistan and international energy companies argued that seabed pipelines are safer, as well as more environment-friendly, compared with any mode of gas transportation, whether onshore or offshore. In Azerbaijan's offshore sector alone, oil and gas pipelines with a total length of some 3,000 kilometers have been added by international companies during the last 15 years and are operating safely. Participants also cited Russia's own construction of cross-border gas pipelines on the seabed of the Baltic and Black Sea. The case for trans-Caspian pipelines in international law was also highlighted at the Ashgabat conference.
The event was unprecedented for Turkmenistan, and state media coverage of the event emphasized Turkmen and European interests in linking up through gas pipelines. Azerbaijan's Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, Huseingulu Bagirov, noted "both countries' tremendous potential and desire to become part of the Southern Corridor" (www.turkmenistan.ru, TDH [Turkmen State News Agency], Neytralni Turkmenistan, Trend Capital, March 1, 2; News Central Asia, March 6).
On March 3-4, the Turkmen government held a promotional event in Singapore on Turkmenistan's gas development and export policy. The venue had seemed chosen to emphasize Turkmenistan's export potential to Asian markets (pipeline to China, proposed Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India [TAPI]). Nevertheless, Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov's message to the participants singled out the European option: "Turkmenistan intends to cooperate with European countries through construction of trans-Caspian pipelines. Fruitful discussions with the EU for export of Turkmen gas to Europe have given a powerful impetus to this project." Berdimuhamedov also cited the conclusions of the Ashgabat environmental conference as a first step toward implementing that project (TDH, www.turkmenistan.ru, March 4, 5).
This level of commitment is unprecedented, but not surprising. It caps a series of steps by Berdimuhamedov in recent months, the public and explicit character of which contrasts with Ashgabat's traditional caution. Turkmenistan had long taken the position that it sells its gas at the border, without becoming involved in debates about pipelines. In recent months, however, Berdimuhamedov has become proactive in supporting a trans-Caspian pipeline to link up with the Southern Corridor to Europe.
Thus, in July 2010, the Turkmen president for the first time publicly linked the construction of the Turkmen East-West pipeline with the trans-Caspian project and with the planned Nabucco pipeline. In November 2010, at the Caspian summit in Baku, Berdimuhamedov openly contradicted Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's claim that trans-Caspian pipelines would require the consent of all riparian countries (i.e., a Russian and Iranian veto). Berdimuhamedov retorted that trans-Caspian pipelines only require the consent of two countries whose seabed sectors would be traversed by such pipelines –in this case, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan. With this, Turkmenistan joined the position long held by Azerbaijan. Both countries as well as the EU defend this position on legal, not political, grounds. At that same Baku summit, Berdimuhamedov indicated for the first time that pipeline projects should be de-coupled from the issue of border delimitation between Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan.
The Turkmen president firmed up all those positions with the European Commission President, Jose Manuel Barroso, and Energy Commissioner, Guenther Oettinger, in January in Ashgabat. The visiting officials assured Berdimuhamedov of the "EU's full political support for such a pipeline" (EDM, January 11, 19, 20). By now, the United States has also been able to nominate (though not yet confirm) a full ambassador to Turkmenistan, after a four-year hiatus.
Berdimuhamedov's message to the March 3-4 conference referenced the planned construction of the East-West pipeline across Turkmenistan, without going into specifics. Planning assumptions involve 30 billion cubic meters (bcm) of onshore gas annually from Eastern fields, and another 10 bcm of offshore gas annually, to be fed via a trans-Caspian pipeline into the Southern Corridor to Europe. The Turkmen East-West overland line is expected to be completed by 2015. According to the latest official reports, the first 13 kilometers of this pipeline have been welded thus far (News Central Asia, February 27).
The trans-Caspian pipeline, should it materialize, would become Turkmenistan's fourth export option chronologically (after the existing pipelines to Russia, Iran, and China), but possibly the most attractive economically by targeting the European market. This necessitates an outlet through the Nabucco pipeline, whose planned capacity of 31 bcm per year can accommodate the available volumes of Turkmen gas. The Southern Corridor's other proposed lines, ITGI and TAP, at 10 bcm per year for each, and counting on Azerbaijani gas, lack capacity for any significant Turkmen volumes. If launched ahead of Nabucco, either of the two small lines would preempt available volumes of Azerbaijani gas, delaying Nabucco and bottling up Turkmenistan.
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What fun we all had making props and costumes with Anna Mackie, creating dances to our favorite tunes and learning new moves and sequences from Lucy Thynne, Nikki Purkess and Sheralynne Mortimer.
We all had a great time especially the staff!!
Let's do it again next year……..
by the PBS Summer School Students.
Nell Atack, Courteney Du Toit, Georgia Mackie, Jessica Maggs, Lucy Stanley, Alice Tedds.


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Daz 3D Forums > General > The Commons
What are some well written Urban Fantasy novels or well done Urban fantasy movies/tv shows?
Miss Bad Wolf Posts: 20,853
October 2012 edited December 1969 in The Commons
What are some well written Urban Fantasy novels or well done Urban fantasy movies/TV shows? Also maybe some good urban fantasy graphic novels too.
I am interested in writing Urban Fantasy and maybe doing some graphic novels based on those stories. I want to see how these books are written not to copy them but to understand how to write that genre better.
I did get my own copy of Living Dead in Dallas to read and then analyze. I also got a copy of Time Traveler's Wife (I know not exactly urban fantasy, but thought it might help)
I also like the Vampire Academy series and the Bloodlines series. I had those books but I have lost most of my books. I have a copy of Mona Lisa Awakening by Sunny but I have not taken it out of my trunk of my car.
I did checked out a book called Marked and a book caled Prisoner of Azkaban. I am requesting Fool Moon.
Adult books are fine but I do not mind young adult.
Knight22179	Posts: 1,194
Not sure if it's URBAN Fantasy but I like Chronicles of Narnia. :)
Mystarra	Posts: 30,473
my favorite is The Hollows series by Kim Harrison.
and Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs
Saba Taru	Posts: 159
There's also the Cal Leandros series by Rob Thurman, the Dresden Files by Jim Butcher (which I think you listed book 2 of in your original post), the Jane True series by Nicole Peeler, and the Grave Witch / Alex Craft series by Kalayna Price. I enjoyed all of them.
Although not quite what I'd call Urban Fantasy (but close), there's the Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearne and the Sandman Slim series by Richard Kadrey (this one is not for everyone). I also enjoyed the heck out of these, but I'll admit that my taste in literature isn't quite like everyone else's... :)
jerriecan	Posts: 467
Definitely the Dresden Files - these are some of my favorite books in any genre.
K T Ong	Posts: 463
There's a tabletop role-playing game known as World of Darkness, which is all about urban legends. You get to role-play one of those creatures of the night, such as vampires (of course) or werewolves, or just a plain human who runs around screaming from those creatures. The rules of the game and the details of the world or setting in which the game takes place can be a great source of inspiration. You might like to start with the core rulebook.
namffuak	Posts: 2,904
Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere, either the novel or the graphic story.
SickleYield	Posts: 7,318
Holly Black's Tithe, Valiant and Ironside. These are marketed as "young adult" books, but they're very suitable for adult reading. Valiant in particular has a more urban fantasy vibe.
Sprinkles	Posts: 0
Mercedes Lackey Bedlam Bard series and Serrated Edge series
Coldrake	Posts: 236
I'm a big fan of Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn series.
Coldrake
aprilsunshine7_4526d47d74	Posts: 0
Buffy the Vampire Slayer actually originated the urban fantasy genre, at least that's what Lou Anders, editor of Pyr Books said. So that's a good one to have a grasp on. The TV show Charmed was also very much in that style. There are spin-offs of course, but the urban fantasy genre tends to be women with some sort of magical power kicking the bad guys/demons around in a modern urban setting.
Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson, which I love, probably falls into traditional fantasy genre. I want to say high fantasy, or sword and sorcery fantasy. (The sorcery part of that one.) That's because it has a medieval setting, with all that entails.
I write in the fantasy genre as well. I had no clue what urban fantasy was till I went to some conventions that talked about the differences.
Richard Haseltine	Posts: 52,876
Buffy the Vampire Slayer was a film in 1992, and a television series from 1997 on. Emma Bull's War for the oaks was published in 1987 and is generally credited with being one of the earliest urban fantasy stories, though as with any genre there are various antecedents before it became an identified genre as such. And I would add War for the Oaks to the list. Charles de Lint's Jack the Giant Killer is another 1987 early urban fantasy, it and it's sequel (Drink Down the Moon) are also worth checking.
bytescapes	Posts: 929
I think I get tired of urban fantasy faster than any other flavor of SF/fantasy: there's an awful lot of bad, cookie-cutter urban fantasy out there, and it seems less imaginative and more constrained than other sub-genres. I can only take so many steely-eyed half-{vampire/werewolf/fairy} heroines and their steely-eyed {vampire/werewolf/fairy} lovers before my stomach starts to rebel.
Richard mentioned "War for the Oaks", which pretty much established the genre. Not one of my favorite books, but it's source material if you're writing in the genre. Another influential early book is Megan Lindholm's "Wizard of the Pigeons", which I remember as not being bad. I liked 'Wizard' more than 'Oaks', but both are probably required reading if you want to know what the conventions are.
Someone else mentioned Kadrey's "Sandman Slim" cycle ("Sandman Slim", "Kill the Dead", "Aloha from Hell", "Devil Said Bang"), which aren't quite urban fantasy - call them 'noirmonsterpunk' - but are a fun read. My favorite Kadrey may actually be "Butcher Bird", which he described as a kind of trial run for "Sandman Slim"; it's even further from being urban fantasy, but it's very vivid and enjoyable.
Gaiman's "Neverwhere", mentioned by someone else, is much more inventive than the usual hackneyed urban fantasy: a nice sense for myth, and no steely-eyed half-vampires in sight. His "American Gods" is road-trip-fantasy rather than urban fantasy, but it's also pretty imaginative.
nieman151_516f901a4a	Posts: 0
angusm said:
I think more of Charles de Lint when I hear 'urban fantasy.' There is certainly too much vampire/werewolf in a lot of current fiction but it is obviously popular.
Hmm, what is the definition of urban fantasy? It brought something to mind, but I'm not sure I'm thinking of the same genre as others.
jakiblue	Posts: 5,877
I'm with you on that! I was a BIG fan of Urban Fantasy, but I've lost my taste for it, due to the same ol' tropes in every single one. I've started to read UF that has a MALE protagonist (sp?) instead of the kick-arse female - the male leads have far fewer tropes.
K. A. Stewart's "Jesse James Dawson" series is good - " A Devil in the Details" and "A Shot in the Dark". (male lead)
Mark del Franco's "Connor Grey" series is excellent - "Unshapely Things" being the first.
And I second the Kevin Hearne series - the Iron Druid Chronicles.
fivecat said:
...what is the definition of urban fantasy? It brought something to mind, but I'm not sure I'm thinking of the same genre as others.
My understanding of urban fantasy is that it features protagonists who live in contemporary, usually urban settings, but who are involved in some way with the supernatural - magic, or magical creatures such as werewolves, vampires and fairies, or magical realms, such as Faerie. In other words, it describes our modern, technological world as coexisting with magic and magical beings or places.
So, for example, I wouldn't consider Brandon Sanderson's "Mistborn" or Fritz Lieber's "Lankhmar" series to be urban fantasy because - although they have urban settings - the cities described aren't our cities. And I don't know if I'd consider Zelazny's "Nine Princes in Amber" (or Henry Kuttner's "The Dark World", which inspired it) to be urban fantasy because, even though they feature a protagonist who begins in a mundane world - ours - and then discovers the existence of a parallel, magical world, the bulk of the action takes place in the magical world.
The "vampires! vampires everywhere!" strand of urban fantasy (i.e. Charlie Huston) is a little different from the "there are fairies at the bottom of the garden" strand (i.e. Emma Bull's "War for the Oaks"), but they both juxtapose the familiar modern world with elements of the supernatural.
Discussion of whether Harry Potter or "Twilight" are urban fantasy is left as an exercise for the reader ...
Post edited by bytescapes on October 2012
Thank you for explaining it for me. I haven't been a fan of urban fantasy so I'm a bit lost (although I did read the Amber series).
My understanding of urban fantasy is that it features protagonists who live in contemporary, usually urban settings, but who are involved in some way with the supernatural ...
Well, that was how I understand it. But Wikipedia says that all that is necessary is for the fantasy to have an urban setting. Under that definition, "Mistborn" would qualify (even though the world described is nothing like ours). So too, presumably, would Mieville's "Perdido Street Station" (Mieville describes his own works as 'weird fiction').
For me, Wikipedia's definition is too inclusive, but they have rather more authority than I do, so you may want to take their definition over mine.
'When I use a word,' Humpty Dumpty said, in rather a scornful tone, 'it means just what I choose it to mean — neither more nor less.' ["Through the Looking Glass", Lewis Carroll]
I must then blame Humpty for the abuse of lose and loose. :blank:
faedanz	Posts: 0
The Story Board Ep. 1 "Urban Fantasy: Threat or Menace?"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52khu_YJAmo
Going by this definition, H P Lovecraft's Cthulhu Mythos would surely fit the bill. And I'd certainly rank it as one of the greatest creations of modern imaginative literature. Vampires, werewolves and faerie are just jokes compared to the Great Old Ones IMO.
Post edited by K T Ong on October 2012
DWG	Posts: 770
The Encyclopaedia of Fantasy says "Urban Fantasies are normally texts where fantasy and the mundane world intersect and interweave throughout a tale which is significantly about a real city, There are many exceptions...." - it's a very inclusive definition and I think the genre has evolved since the Encyclopaedia was written.
It's actually the market's definition a writer needs to look at, and for the current market that means stories set in our world, or a very close parallel world, in which the supernatural intertwines with normality. It's very necessary to realise that Urban Fantasy has also become a romance genre. I'm struggling to think of a successful series in which the primary character doesn't have a complicated love live:
Mercy Thomson series : Heroine seduced by and eventually marries the tall, dark and handsome werewolf pack leader, some competition from the visiting son of the werewolf king.
Alpha and Omega series (Mercy Thomson spin-off): Heroine seduced by and rapidly marries the tall, dark and handsome other son of the king of the werewolves.
Hollows Series (Rachel Morgan): Spends several books involved with a male vampire, has a brief fling with another witch, lusts after/is lusted after by the ghost of a century dead demon hunter, is lusted after by her female vampire partner, has ongoing sexual tension with the politically powerful elf druglord.
Women of the Otherworld: Where to start? They all end up paired off! Even the dead half-demon witch ends up shacked up with her dead ex-lover (in the six months of the year she isn't an avenging angel and not supposed to think about that kind of thing). Cutest pairing may be the two werewolves, who end up with twins, but the start of that relationship is very twisted.
Kitty Norville series: Werewolf heroine ends up marrying her lawyer, after he gets bitten too, which is surprising as the smart money was probably on the tall, dark and manly werewolf hunter.
Anita Blake: Um, lets just say the girl gets about.
Not all of these are set in a particular city, some of them wander from place to place, others have a very strong attachment to a particular city, and some even take place in small towns or the countryside - cf the Sookie Stackhouse/True Blood series.
TV Series I'd consider stereotypically Urban Fantasy include Lost Girl, Grimm, Buffy, Angel, and True Blood. There have been plenty of others, but these are the better known/current ones.
Another way of looking at many of the successful urban fantasies might be as horror that doesn't set out to scare the pants off you, the successful ones tend to have notably dark elements, and the romances aren't at all fluffy. Of the heroines in the series I listed, at least three have been raped, two repeatedly over extended periods (both of those in backstory, thankfully), and another has suffered the equivalent of rape in being forcibly made a werewolf by her boyfriend.
K T Ong said:
Definitely not in the right territory for the modern urban fantasy market. As I said in my previous post it's hybridized with romance literature and there are authors who write both. If you look at the Urban Fantasy section in a bookstore you'll quickly realize a lot of the readers are teenage girls.
I hadn't thought of it that way, but yes, you're right. Although a certain amount of Lovecraft's writing features rural rather than urban settings, making it technically desolate-moorland-or-swamp-inhabited-by-degenerate-half-breeds fantasy rather than urban fantasy ...
Ostadan	Posts: 942
Modern harrydresdenish type: the October Daye novels by Seanan McGuire.
Old school - Tolkien's friend Charles Williams wrote of the spiritual/supernatural world impinging on modern (1930s) England. Try 'The Greater Trumps', although it (like much of Williams) can be enigmatic at times. On the other hand, Williams was a very visual person - I sometimes wonder if he had films in mind as he wrote - and his books are filled with wonderful imagery.
To angusm: The Cthulhu Mythos basically actually spans the whole of time and space, so to be sure it may in fact not be possible to limit it to urban fantasy, or to narrow genre definitions of any kind like SF, fantasy or whatever. It's just... imaginative literature.
DWG said:
A Cthulhu-themed short story by a certain Esther M. Friesner titled 'Love's Eldritch Ichor' actually reads like a teenage romance with lots of slapstick humor. :cheese:
Esther Friesner has a territory that's all her own;) But the OP was asking about urban fantasy for the purposes of writing, and answering that means looking at what's actually sold under that label rather than poking at the boundaries to include personal favourites. If you go into a bookstore you definitely won't find Lovecraft filed under Urban Fantasy.
But the OP was asking about urban fantasy for the purposes of writing, and answering that means looking at what's actually sold under that label rather than poking at the boundaries to include personal favourites. If you go into a bookstore you definitely won't find Lovecraft filed under Urban Fantasy.
The OP hasn't replied to anyone so I wonder if they care.
icprncss	Posts: 3,646
When I took Modern Lit at Columbia, Urban Fantasy was defined as literature set in the modern world with magical or paranormal elements.
There were separate categories for Future History, Alternate Universe/History (often used interchangeably), and Apocalyptic (Religious and non-religious)/Post-Apocalyptic (religious and non-religious).
Miss B	Posts: 3,068
I'm not sure how I'd define Urban Fantasy, I just know what I like. :-)
That said, as others have mentioned, I'm a huge fan of Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden series, and just finished the latest, Ghost Story, last week. I'm also a fan of Patricia Briggs' books, both her Mercy Thompson and her Alpha And Omega series, and I'll third (to Jaki's second) the Iron Druid Chronicles, as I enjoyed them immensely. As for the rest of my extensive library of books, my reading tastes are pretty eclectic, so there's a fair mix of spy/foreign intigue, murder mystery, sci-fi and other types of fantasy mixed in.
One series that no one's mentioned that I really like is Sherrilynn Kenyon's Dark-Hunters Series, though whether they could be categorized as Urban Fantasy, I'll have to leave up to the individual reader to decide.
Barubary	Posts: 1,140
Just for the record, I recently watched 'Lost Girl' with a pal and thought it was pretty good. Has been a while since I had this much fun with a TV Show.
The overall plot is mediocre at best, but the Characters are all very likeable and have a great chemistry between them, and, of course, Kenzi is one of the best sidekicks I ever seen ^^
It's a good example of how great the effect of decent characters and their relationship can be. I also thought the concept of the 'fantasy realm' being split into 'light' and 'dark' (as opposed to 'good' and 'evil') was rather unique.