text:
Restart the Protagonist's Way of Survival - Chapter 145 - Chapter 145 sacrifice to heaven
Restart the Protagonist's Way of Survival
Chapter 145 - Chapter 145 sacrifice to heaven
Chapter 145 sacrifice to heaven
"Report the situation of the imperial chariot and horse."
"After the rectification is completed, the minister of Taipusi is waiting outside the palace with the guard of honor, ready to drive at any time."
"Are the tablets, offering vessels, and offerings counted correctly?"
"Yes, His Royal Highness has been urging the sacrificial place for the past few days, and the members of the club have already arrived at the altar first."
"Your Majesty, Kaiyi."
"What about the main road?"
"It's all cleared up."
"Qin Tianjian said that it will snow today, but I don't know if it is true."
"How's the weather outside?"
"It's very gloomy."
"If only it snowed…"
"How cold should it be when it's snowing…" Li Zichou interjected between Bai Qingyang's questioning and answering with several servants and officials.
Although the snow is not cold, but today is the winter solstice, no matter for the monarch, or for the whole country, it is an extremely important day of the year. She doesn't want to go to the altar to sing with a numb head.
Bai Qingyang patted her on the head: "Another fur collar for you?"
Li Zichou hesitated for a while, but still waved his hand: "Forget it, the shape of the sacrificial uniform can't be changed randomly, I'll just bear with it."
Bai Qingyang: "But I will feel bad."
Li Zishou blushed, and glanced at the busy servants around him: "Actually, it's not very cold…"
The cloth on her body is thick and decorated with complicated decorations, and the minimum guarantee is about ten kilograms. It is not cold to wear, but it is too heavy. The dress for worshiping heaven is so cumbersome, and adding clothes will really become a heavy-duty off-road.
"Isn't it cold?"
"Well, you need to wear more."
Bai Qingyang was afraid of the cold, it's just that Li Zichou was injured and poisoned before, and was nagged and taken care of by this person.
"I'm not cold either." Bai Qingyang said, as if to prove it, he raised his hands to her cheeks.
Li Zishou's face was just held in his hands, under the watchful eyes of everyone.
"Cough, cough… as long as it's not cold." Facing the eyes of everyone, Li Zichou was a little embarrassed, and raised his hand to pull away the other's warm hands.
Bai Qingyang blinked his eyes: "Are you starting to dislike me?"
"Dai Gunmian!" Li Zichou turned his face angrily to hide his shyness.
"Okay~" Bai Qingyang chuckled, time was running out, and he didn't tease her any more.
According to the predetermined plan, all the officials were waiting outside the gate of the fasting palace. On both sides of the main road on the central axis were the ranks of civilian officials and the ranks of military generals.
In the round hills on the outskirts of the city, bonfires have been burned in the furnaces around the altar, and the flames raise black smoke, which dissipates in the air, adding to the gloomy sky.
Sacrificing jade and silk, honoring zudou, and superstitious and theological symbols are, in the final analysis, just tools used by the ancients to pray for blessings, and they only serve as psychological comfort.
Things that seemed commonplace to others, Yang Dejin felt weird and weird. As a modern person, it was inevitable that she would feel delicate when participating in such activities. It's not that she can't understand this kind of psychology of praying for happiness. After all, only with hope can she be motivated to approach her goal.
Just like some people will make various sacrifices and various metaphysics before playing games to draw cards, in order to get the card they have dreamed of.
In this way, it feels that no matter what era people are more or less superstitious in metaphysics, it's just that the form has evolved from conventional metaphysics to cyber metaphysics, which is essentially a good wish.
Yang Dejin: I think about it.
"Yu Jia is still on the way, why are you here?" Xie Zhi's voice brought Yang Dejin back to his senses.
Xie Zhi changed into an extraordinarily formal attire, black clothes, high crown and jade wat. Although she hadn't been promoted yet, the specifications of the sacrificial attire showed that she was already quite high and powerful in the court.
Yang Dejin: "Supervisor."
Xie Zhi suddenly realized: "Oh, that's right, you have a prince with you after all."
Before holding the sacrifice, the emperor usually sends the most trusted prince or minister to inquire about the preparation work of Supervising Yousi.
"Why didn't you come with Baiguan's team?"
"The officiant is my junior brother, Bai Qingyang asked me to tell him a few words."
"The officiant is miserable."
Not only the officiant, but other scholar-bureaucrats must have been told a lot in the past few days, and they are all under great pressure.
"He will do well, after all, he is a student taught by the teacher."
"What about bragging about yourself here?"
Xie Zhi chuckled lightly: "How could…"
"When will the team arrive?"
"Should be soon…" Xie Zhi was talking, when the mighty court team appeared in the corner of his eye, "Here we are."
Yang Dejin looked over and snorted.
Xie Zhi touched her: "I'm going over, you should hurry up and take your seat."
"Understood." Yang Dejin responded.
The queue of hundreds of officials was huge and orderly. The three-star flag fluttered in the cold wind, and Li Zishou and Bai Qingyang stepped onto the altar under the eyes of everyone.
The emperor's sacrificial clothing was re-woven by the Shangyi Department to make Li Zichou wear it more docilely. The clothing system is still the traditional Dagon Mian, Xuanduan Mian, and the outer clothing is embroidered with dragon patterns and twelve chapter patterns. It is luxurious and grand, calm and solemn.
The queen's gown that matched it, the top and bottom were connected, painted and embroidered with twelve lines of multicolored Huidi, which originally symbolized the noble virtues of women, but when worn on Bai Qingyang's body, it gave off a stern aura that even overwhelmed the aura of the emperor—she He didn't restrain the temperament he formed when he ruled the world at all.
After the people around realized this, they all lowered their eyes in unison, not daring to look any further. Li Zishou was rather happy, Bai Qingyang wanted to be equal to her, this was the attitude she should have.
Yang Dejin looked at the radiant two people, and nodded in relief. The man in dark clothes next to him saw him, and boldly asked, "Your Highness, are you in a good mood?"
Yang Dejin hummed, and said to herself, "Good match."
Cong Ji: "?"
Sometimes Prince Yu's words are really difficult to pick up. Cong Ji didn't dare to talk about the emperor, after a few polite words with her, he followed Mr. Zan Li to the process of offering sacrifices to heaven.
Chime bells, harps, drums and other musical instruments sounded together, forming a magnificent elegant music, which echoed throughout the round mound.
The ceremony begins with welcoming the gods. The officer in charge lights the firewood stove and burns the sacrificial cattle as a greeting from the human world to the gods and expresses respect to the gods. Li Zichou just needs to stop and stare at the process.
After watching Li Zichou finish, Li Zichou returned to his place of worship, and in front of him was a framed copy of congratulations. After solemnly reading the above content, Li Zichou would bow three times and bow nine times to the gods.
After welcoming the gods, there is laying jade and silk, which is a gift to the gods and ancestors, followed by Jinzu, Chuxian, and Yaxian… The procedure is complicated and exquisite. Every link strictly follows the ancestral system, and the division of time is accurate to the second, which shows that The ancients attached great importance to sacrificial ceremonies.
The courtiers were listed under the pedestal of the altar, with several senior officials at the head, and Xie Zhi looked particularly young standing among them. Yang Dejin stood with the officials of Taichang Temple who hosted the suburban ceremonies. As the only prince in Beijing, he supported Li Sheng's royal family.
The altar stands in the center of the mound, standing nine feet above the ground, and standing on it is enough to look down on civil and military officials. During the solemn sacrifice ceremony, receiving the attention and worship of all the officials, Li Zichou had never realized the difference between himself and them so deeply, and felt a sense of loneliness that was too high.
Fortunately, there are loved ones by her side, close friends watching over her, and ministers who are both teachers and friends, so she is not alone in this world.
After the final gift, the ceremony is not over yet.
"Ancestor Rong Yu, courtier and daughter Qing Yang, imprisoned by her father's injustice, long-term heart disease, Your Majesty took pity on my concubine, redressed the grievances, gave justice, devoted all my energy to worrying, long-cherished and fell asleep at night, and caused plots, and was bedridden for several months."
Bai Qingyang knelt on the futon and chanted his speech loudly, while Li Zichou looked at her sideways.
"The wolf in Shuobei is ambitious, the country is at stake, and the concubine has nothing to repay. She boldly regents, exercises the power of supervising the country, and stabilizes the grand dynasty. Now that the foreign enemies are gone, the country is stable, and the ministers and daughters are sincere and fearful. I will return to the Queen's Majesty. May the Li Sheng Dynasty last forever. , the country is long and long."
After finishing speaking, Bai Qingyang leaned over and kowtowed, and kowtowed again, three times. The salute at the side was presented with incense sticks, Bai Qingyang got up to take it, lit it with a burnt flame, and handed it to Li Zi.
Li Zichou took the incense stick with both hands, and inserted it in the center of the altar.
"Wen Tao Wu Lue, founding a country and proclaiming the emperor is called prosperity; the great ancestor pardoned the world and brought all nations to the dynasty, which can be called prosperity." Li Zichou said slowly, "The prosperity of the dynasty has never been as prosperous as it used to be, and the younger generations are ashamed .
"The first emperor's son is struggling, and I alone can inherit the great line. Even though I am a woman, I want to do my best to recast the glory of the great prosperity. I am worthy of the world, worthy of my ancestors, and worthy of my heart."
After Li Zichou finished his oath, he bowed solemnly to the god, and came over with a plate of red wood lacquer in praise.
As if foreshadowing something, the wind in the circular mound gradually became silent, and the white ice flowers inadvertently and slowly fell, melting into the golden cup filled with spirits.
Li Zichou paused when he picked up the wine glass, and everyone looked up at the sky in unison.
Snow falls on the winter solstice, a sign of great auspiciousness.
Li Zichou held up his wine glass, looked through the swaying jade cup, and stared at the sky filled with snowflakes in a daze. Bai Qingyang, who was standing side by side with her, called her.
Li Zishou came back to his senses: "Yes, I know."
"Heavenly auspiciousness, it's really rare to see…" Li Zichou and the chief priest looked at each other, then squeezed Bai Qingyang's hand tightly, and said loudly, "I want to change the name and call it 'Tianqing', in order to live up to the grace of heaven, to live up to In this situation, from now on, I will govern together with the empress, and I hope to encourage you all."
After she finished speaking, she turned the wine glass over, swiped her arm, and the wine in the glass slowly poured down, leaving a long and thin trail of water on the ground.
The priest then shouted loudly: "Congratulations to the two saints, Tianqing will last forever!"
Everyone clasped their hands together and bowed: "Congratulations to the two saints, Tianqing will last forever—!!"
Yang Dejin and her close friend looked at each other from a distance, and seeing the other party's calm appearance, she couldn't help but feel relieved: It seems that she has completely settled down.
To be supported and trusted by so many people, Li Zishou, is truly remarkable.
Thinking of this, Yang Dejin also bowed slightly, sending the most sincere blessings to her friend.
On the other hand, Xie Zhi also heaved a sigh of relief when he saw the scene where the emperor and empress stood together, and he was thankful in his heart that it was a good thing that such an ending did not recur this time.
The ceremony of offering sacrifices to heaven is over, all the officials left in an orderly manner, and heavy snow fell over the Circular Mound. It is the grace of nature. Presumably, the coming year should be a bumper harvest year.
"Dazed again?"
Li Zichou looked at Bai Qingyang upon hearing this.
"What are you thinking about?"
"It feels…like a very strong drink."
Bai Qingyang raised his eyebrows: "It's true."
"The era of Tianqing…" Li Zichou said, "Qing Yang, please take care of me in the future."
Li Zichou looked serious, she looked at Bai Qingyang with watery eyes, she seemed to be begging, but she was actually promising.
Even though she was dressed so grandly, her serious expression revealed some cuteness. When Bai Qingyang saw it, his heart moved, he lifted the bead hanging from the front of her crown with his hands, and kissed her involuntarily.
Li Zichou was astonished, and before he had time to think about whether he would be seen by others, Bai Qingyang ended the superficial kiss.
Bai Qingyang smiled brightly, and the snowflakes in the background made her beautiful: "Then you must always stay by my side."
"certainly."
The author has something to say:
It's finally over! ! After thinking about how to end this story for a long time, I chose a relatively bland way after much deliberation. Even if the main text is written here, it is over. I wonder which character is the reader's favorite?
Although the length of the text is limited, their stories continue. There will probably be extra episodes from time to time in the follow-up. Readers can cue any genre they want to see in the comment area. I think I will pick a part and write about it.
Finally, thank you for your continued company!


text:
package zielu.gittoolbox.config;

import com.intellij.openapi.diagnostic.Logger;
import com.intellij.openapi.project.Project;
import java.util.function.BooleanSupplier;
import java.util.function.Consumer;
import java.util.function.IntConsumer;
import org.jetbrains.annotations.NotNull;
import zielu.gittoolbox.store.WorkspaceState;
import zielu.gittoolbox.store.WorkspaceStore;

class ConfigMigrator {
  private final Logger log = Logger.getInstance(getClass());

  boolean migrate(GitToolBoxConfig2 appConfig) {
    boolean migrated = migrateAppV1toV2(appConfig);
    migrated = migrateV2(appConfig) || migrated;
    return migrated;
  }

  boolean migrate(@NotNull Project project,
                  @NotNull GitToolBoxConfig2 appConfig,
                  @NotNull GitToolBoxConfigPrj prjConfig) {
    WorkspaceState workspaceState = WorkspaceStore.get(project);
    boolean migrationPerformed = false;
    if (workspaceState.getProjectConfigVersion() == 1) {
      migrationPerformed = migrate(
          2,
          new ConfigForProjectMigrator1to2(prjConfig)::migrate,
          workspaceState::setProjectConfigVersion
      );
    }
    if (workspaceState.getProjectConfigVersion() == 2) {
      migrationPerformed = migrate(
          3,
          new ConfigForProjectMigrator2to3(appConfig, prjConfig)::migrate,
          workspaceState::setProjectConfigVersion
      );
    }
    return migrationPerformed;
  }

  private boolean migrate(int version, BooleanSupplier migrator, IntConsumer setVersion) {
    boolean migrated = migrator.getAsBoolean();
    if (migrated) {
      log.info("Project config migrated to version " + version);
    }
    setVersion.accept(version);
    return migrated;
  }

  private boolean migrateAppV1toV2(@NotNull GitToolBoxConfig2 v2) {
    if (!v2.getPreviousVersionMigrated()) {
      ConfigMigratorV1toV2 migrator = new ConfigMigratorV1toV2();
      migrator.migrate(v2);
      v2.setPreviousVersionMigrated(true);
      log.info("V1 config migrated to V2");
      return true;
    }
    return false;
  }

  private boolean migrateV2(@NotNull GitToolBoxConfig2 config) {
    boolean migrated = false;
    if (config.getVersion() == 1) {
      migrateV2(config, 2, ConfigMigratorV2.INSTANCE::migrate1To2);
      migrated = true;
    }
    if (config.getVersion() == 2) {
      migrateV2(config, 3, ConfigMigratorV2.INSTANCE::migrate2To3);
      migrated = true;
    }
    if (config.getVersion() == 3) {
      migrateV2(config, 4, ConfigMigratorV2.INSTANCE::migrate3To4);
      migrated = true;
    }
    return migrated;
  }

  private void migrateV2(@NotNull GitToolBoxConfig2 config, int version, Consumer<GitToolBoxConfig2> migrator) {
    migrator.accept(config);
    config.setVersion(version);
    log.info("V2 config migrated to version " + version);
  }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Girl, 3, found hiding under bed after dad 'kills family over cheating claims'
Austin Smith is accused of killing wife Dasia Patterson, 29, daughters Mayan, seven, and Nasha, five, and "love rival" Ron Freeman
Dave Burke
Austin Smith, 30, is accused of four first-degree murders
A three-year-old girl was found hiding under a bed after it is claimed her dad went on a gun rampage, killing her mum and two sisters.
Austin Smith allegedly killed three family members because he thought his partner was having an affair.
He then shot dead the man he believed she was having an affair with, police in Phoenix, US, said.
Smith's wife Dasia Patterson, 29, was found dead alongside daughters Mayan, seven, and Nasha, five, at their home.
He reportedly spared his youngest daughter's life because she "reminded him of himself", CNN reports.
Smith allegedly shot and killed his wife Dasia Patterson, 29, and their five-year-old daughter Nasha Smith before killing seven-year-old Mayan Smith
Teenager who accused headteacher of sexual assault dies after being set on fire
The other two girls, it is claimed, reminded him of their mother.
He then allegedly drove to the home of Ron Freeman, who he suspected of having an affair with Dasia, and shot the 46-year-old dead.
Two other people, a woman aged 47 and a 33-year-old man, were also shot but survived.
The killings happened on Thursday night.
Dasia's mother, Cynthia Patterson, told ABC15 : "My daughter was one of the most humble in the world.
Smith was arrested after the shootings on Thursday
Man charged over video showing cardboard model of Grenfell Tower being burnt
"Sweet, honest, and wouldn't harm anyone."
Describing her granddaughers, Cynthia said: "They were the most beautiful, sweetest children in the world."
Sgt Tommy Thompson told CNN that Smith said to investigators "the reason he shot these individuals is because in God's eyes it was all right for him to deal with someone in this manner".
Smith has been charged with four counts of first degree murder, two of attempted first degree murder and three counts of aggravated assault.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
SportCricket
Luke Wells signs new two-year contract with Sussex
Sussex are delighted to announce that opening batsman Luke Wells has penned a new two-year contract at Hove, which will see him remain at The BrightonandHoveJobs.com County Ground until at least the end of the 2016 season.
Tuesday, 11th November 2014, 8:24 am
Luke Wells struck 162 in Sussexs final LV=County Championship encounter of 2014 against Northamptonshire (Getty Images)
The 23 year-old, who was born in Eastbourne, hit 942 LV=County Championship runs during the 2014 season at an average of 36.23. His highest score of the campaign came in the final match of the summer as he made 162 against Northamptonshire at Wantage Road.
The left-hander has scored 3,674 first-class runs since making his four-day bow during the 2010 season, including eight centuries.
Wells said of his new contract, "I'm obviously pleased to finally put pen to paper and get things sorted. I absolutely love the club and I've been walking round here for as long as I can remember.
"I'm very proud to represent Sussex and hope I will be able to do so for many years in the future, to bring success to both the club and myself."
Sussex Captain Ed Joyce said, "It is great news that Luke has decided to stay with Sussex for the foreseeable future. Not many 23 year-olds already have eight first-class centuries to their name.
"There is still so much scope for development and improvement, especially in white-ball cricket. He's also a local boy and lives and breathes Sussex Cricket and I know our fans will be very happy that he's decided to stay with us."


The Steepletone Devon radio is a 1960s style retro radio with amazing sound quality. The Devon is a MW-FM and DAB Radio that features a front panel with LCD display for DAB Digital Radio, 10 DAB pre-sets, DAB specifications; is perfect for catching up on the latest sports results or listening to your favourite radio station.
Comes with classic style rotary controls for on/off, volume and dial scale for rotary tuning. It also has a headphones socket plus AUX-IN to play your music downloads from your phone or tablet through the built in speaker.
The radio can be mains powered by lead provided or can be played on the go using 6 x C' size batteries and this portable compact design is made easy by the sturdy carry handle.


developing a love and enjoyment of learning, forming friendships and leaving with fond memories of Fielding.
Fielding is implementing a strong set of moral codes that all of our children embrace. Values such as respect, honesty and perseverance are emphasised within the classroom and good behaviour is positively reinforced. Pupils develop good relationships with their teachers and their peers. They understand that supporting one another, regardless of their age, gender or background is an important aspect of school life.


Although Soundmatch has helped our clients win numerous SPL competitions and make some serious noise in the process, we also appreciate the joys a good sound quality fitment can bring.
We stock leading brands in the audiophile space including the likes of Polk Audio and its marine certified range of speakers.
Polk Audio boasts a massive range of compact digital amplifiers, powerful subwoofers providing crisp tight bass and sensational components that will make your ears tingle with delight.
We recommend you consider using Stinger cables (or an alternative high quality cabling brand) when fitting Polk audio components as only the very best cables is good enough for the very best speakers.


The Department of Justice and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) reached plea deals with two more defendants in an Ohio mortgage fraud scam that's already seen three other defendants make plea deals early last year. According to the Justice Department and IRS, Dennis Sartain of Hilliard, Ohio and Bonnie Helt, of Columbus, Ohio were involved in straw buyer mortgage fraud scam. Sartain was allegedly the accountant for the scam's ringleader, Thomas Parenteau, a luxury homebuilder in Ohio. Helt was a real estate agent working for Parenteau, according to indictment and statements made at the plea hearing. All three were charged in April 2009. In statements made at the plea hearing, both Sartain and Helt admitted to conspiring with Parenteau and others to obstruct the IRS criminal investigations of Sartain, Parenteau and others. Sartain and Helt admitted to altering or destroying records as well as lying to federal and local law enforcement agents. According to the indictments, Sartain conspired with Parenteau and others to file false individual income tax returns for Pamela McCarty with the IRS for the tax years 2000 through 2003. These four tax returns falsely allegedly reported substantial losses and generated tax refunds from the IRS and state of Ohio of over $800,000 in total. McCarty, who was allegedly Parenteau's mistress, gave a substantial portion of the fraudulent tax refunds to Parenteau or his nominees. In addition, Sartain allegedly conspired with Parenteau, McCarty and others to prepare a fictitious loan application to refinance to improve a 30,000 square foot home. Allegedly, McCarty obtained nearly $4.5m from one bank and an additional $1.5m from a second bank, and transferred the money to Parenteau, who later allegedly received cash kickbacks disguised as payroll checks from Your Home Source (YHS) and JSS Investments, rental payments and consulting payments from YHS and other miscellaneous payments. For his involvement, Sartain pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiring to defraud the United States by impeding and impairing the IRS, conspiring to commit money laundering and conspiring to obstruct justice. According to the indictment and statements made at the plea hearing, Helt admitted that from 2005 through 2007, she, Parenteau, and others negotiated and participated in real estate deals in which they sold luxury homes for a falsely inflated purchase price from the builder in exchange for an undisclosed or disguised kickback. Buyers allegedly misrepresented their income and assets in order to obtain financing of the inflated purchase price. The inflated purchase prices were allegedly justified by false work change orders and addendums, which created the appearance that the inflated price represented additional substantial work to be completed on the homes, which were never done. The loan proceeds were allegedly used to pay kickbacks to the individuals involved and the loans associated with the house purchases went into default. For her involvement, Helt plead guilty to one count of conspiring to commit bank and wire fraud and one count of conspiring to obstruct justice. Parenteau is scheduled to begin trial on March 8, 2010. Sartain and Helt have yet to be sentenced, but Sartain faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and a maximum fine of $1 million or twice the monetary loss or gain from the offense. Helt faces a maximum sentence of 35 years in prison and a maximum fine of $1.25 million or twice the monetary loss or gain from the offense. Write to Austin Kilgore.


text:
Laura Toogood (born 9 December 1984) is an author and commentator on digital issues.

Career

Toogood graduated from the Royal High School, Bath. In 2010, she completed her PhD in the area of Social Informatics at University College Dublin. She was an Ad Astra scholar.

She is the author of the book Journalism and PR: News Media and Public Relations in the Digital Age with John Lloyd, which was published by I.B. Tauris.

Toogood is a regular media contributor and has written about various topics relating to technology for The Sunday Times and the Telegraph. She is also an expert for various broadcasters including the BBC. She appears on ITV's This Morning as an Internet Safety Expert. She was filmed in conversation with John Cruickshank, Publisher of Canada's largest newspaper the Toronto Star, when giving an address to the Empire Club of Canada to discuss the future of journalism and public relations in the new media age.

Toogood is the founder and editor of British luxury lifestyle publication The Sloaney.

Equestrian
Toogood was a dedicated equestrian and represented Great Britain at several international competitions throughout her sporting career. In 2000, she represented the Avon Vale Pony club at the Pony Club National Championships. Toogood is also a former member of the British Junior Three Day Eventing team and competed at the 2002 Junior European Championships on The Fieldmaster, her bay gelding, finishing second best of the British. She was shortlisted for the British U21 team for the Young Rider European Championships in Portugal and represented Ireland in a Senior Home International 2008 competition riding Ruxton Silberstern.

Modelling
Represented by International Model Management in London and Assets Model Agency in Dublin, Toogood has previously worked for Armani. Toogood gave top riders some tips about how to model when doing a charity fashion for Spinal Research.

Awards
In 2015, she received a 'Women of the Future Award' for Digital and Technology and the Spear's Magazine Future Leader in Wealth Management Award.

Toogood was also included in Management Today's 35 Under 35 list of top businesswomen.

In 2018, she has been ranked in the Spear's 500 Reputation Managers Index.

References

External links
 Official website

1984 births
Living people
British journalists
British magazine editors
British female equestrians
Women magazine editors

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text: require 'uncrustify_validation/gem_version'


Stockman Bank will remodel is branch at 25 5th St. N. When the project is complete, there will be room for 15 to 20 additional employees to work at the downtown branch.
Today Stockman Bank employs about 45 people in Great Falls.
The project will include updating the interior with new, more efficient work stations, technological updates, along with new flooring and furnishings. In addition, a conference room and restrooms will be added to the main floor as part of the remodel.
The older building south of the bank, also owned by Stockman, will be torn down to provide additional parking to accommodate increased customers and additional employees. The remodel of Stockman will create enough additional space for the two existing tenants of the older building to move into the bank building.
The current lobby, office space and teller line of the downtown bank will remain open during the entire remodel, as well as the Auto Bank/drive up facility located across the street.
Stockman has 34 banking locations statewide, including three full-service locations in Great Falls at 711 3rd St. N.W., 2425 10th Ave. S. and 25 5th St. N.


The aim of this course is to provide you with an understanding of the organisation of work, organisational structures and the organisation of teams.
You will also gain knowledge of various hierarchy structures in organisations, team roles according to Belbin's team role model, and the importance of communication and information flow.
Furthermore, you will gain an understanding of the concept and benefits of value-adding processes.


text:
In the Final Defense of the Reich
2011-01-30T02:30:15-05:00https://images.c-span.org/Files/796/296486-07-m.jpgLieutenant Colone Stephen Rusiecki, (Ret.) profiles the German 6th SS Division and the American 71st Infantry which met during the final battles of World War II in central Germany. He presented an illustrated lecture on his book at the annual Association of the U.S. Army Meeting held at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. He also responded to questions from members of the audience.
Lieutenant Colone Stephen Rusiecki, (Ret.) profiles the German 6th SS Division and the American 71st Infantry which met during the final… read more
Lieutenant Colone Stephen Rusiecki, (Ret.) profiles the German 6th SS Division and the American 71st Infantry which met during the final battles of World War II in central Germany. He presented an illustrated lecture on his book at the annual Association of the U.S. Army Meeting held at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. He also responded to questions from members of the audience. close
Stephen M. Rusiecki Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) U.S. Army
Association of the U.S. Army | Annual MeetingAssociation of the U.S. Army | Annual Meeting
In Final Defense of the Reich
Stephen M. Rusiecki
Association of the United States Army Book Presentations
The Way of Duty, Honor, Country
Angel of Dien Bien Phu
Homer Lea: American Soldier of Fortune
Beetle: The Life of General Walter Bedell Smith
The 9th Infantry Division in Vietnam
Jan 30, 2011 | 2:30am EST | C-SPAN 2
See all on Book TV World War II
Wild Bill Donovan
Douglas Waller, former correspondent for Time and Newsweek, recounts the life of William "Wild Bill" Donovan, often thought of as…
Brothers, Rivals, Victors
Jonathan Jordan presented a biography of Generals Dwight Eisenhower, George Patton, and Omar Bradley during World War II. The…
Craig Shirley presented a history of the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. In his book the author details the…
Into Dust and Fire
Rachel Cox talked about her book, Into Dust and Fire: Five Young Americans Who Went First to Fight the Nazis, in which…


text:
Tag Archives: Trauma 74
New Joint – The Passion HiFi / Sonny BLK / Trauma 74 / Peterz / Dotz
The Passion HiFi ft. Sonny BLK, Trauma 74, Peterz & Dotz – "HARD" (@Passion_HiFi / 2021)
Pounding posse cut from the UK's Evil Twin Records camp.
Tagged Dotz, Evil Twin Records, Independent Hip-Hop, Peterz, Sonny BLK, The Passion HiFi, Trauma 74, UK Hip-Hop, Underground Hip-Hop
100 Best Albums & EPs Of 2020 (Part Two) – Rome Streetz / Buckwild / Funky DL etc.
The Professionals – "The Professionals" (RappCats.Com) – Keeping it in the family, brothers Madlib and Oh No played to their strengths on this quality collaborative album, combining bravado-filled rhymes with soul / funk samples and random dialogue snippets to create an unpredictable listening experience. Benefiting from sounding like a spontaneous, basement-style jam session, this album fully demonstrated why the West Coast pair have long been considered cult figures within underground Hip-Hop circles.
GodBody Science – "The Dwayne Wayne Story" (GodBodyScience.BandCamp.Com) – Atlanta-based producer-on-the-mic GodBody Science ensured he stood out from the crowd with this five-track EP, mixing a slick, nimble flow with personality-fuelled rhymes, catchy hooks and captivating soundscapes.
Rome Streetz – "Noise Kandy 4" (RomeStreetz.BandCamp.Com) – One of the most engaging voices to have emerged from the New York rap scene in recent years, Rome Streetz' confident, sidewalk-savvy rhymes possess an arrogant charm and enthusiastic energy that lifts him above many of his contemporaries. Plus, he has a great ear for quality production, as evidenced here by his musical choices from Chronic Tone, Sebb Bash, DJ Skizz etc.
Trauma 74 – "Acceptable Citizens" (EvilTwinRecords.BandCamp.Com) – UK emcee Trauma 74 followed-up his 2017 debut "The God Given Image" with this largely self-produced collection of personal, direct lyricism covering a variety of topics. Offering thoughtful observations on the world around us, whilst avoiding coming across as preachy or self-righteous, Trauma once again proved himself to be a necessary voice in the British rap game.
Jorun Bombay & Phill Most Chill – "Jorun PMC" (PhillMostChill.BandCamp.Com) – Skilfully paying homage to the sounds, styles and flavours of 80s Hip-Hop, the creative chemistry captured here between Canadian producer Jorun Bombay and veteran Philly emcee Phill Most Chill was a joy to listen to. The pair's shared passion for the culture of Hip-Hop could clearly be felt and heard throughout this album, with the end result evoking strong feelings of nostalgia whilst still sounding current and vibrant.
Buckwild – "Music Is My Religion" (DITCBuckwild.BandCamp.Com) – Having produced numerous classics over the years for the likes of O.C., Big L and Organized Konfusion, Buckwild's place in the Hip-Hop history books is set in stone. Yet obviously not wanting to simply rest on his laurels, the legendary producer had a busy 2020, delivering instrumental projects, compilation albums and full-length collaborations. This particular release featured some of Buckwild's finest work of the year, with artists such as Ransom, Milano and Smif-N-Wessun all benefitting from the Bronx representative's dusty-fingered production skills.
UFO Fev & Statik Selektah – "Fresh Air" (UFOFev.BandCamp.Com) – 2020 was definitely a strong year for UFO Fev, with the talented East Harlem emcee dropping three notable releases, the first being this stellar collaboration with the mighty Statik Selektah. Fev's streetwise verses were expertly complimented by Statik's smooth production, resulting in an album that was full of character and, most importantly, good music.
TrueMendous – "HUH?" (HighFocus.BandCamp.Com) – You could hear the glee in the voice of Birmingham's TrueMendous as she played with words and flows throughout this EP for the UK's High Focus label. A naturally gifted artist who has worked hard in recent years to build a loyal fanbase, this release was an opportunity for TrueMendous to introduce her unique brand of lyricism to new supporters. Backed by a diverse selection of beats from the likes of Chemo, Pitch 92 and Winchester, TrueMendous put her stamp on every single track in no uncertain terms, fully demonstrating her power as an emcee.
Roving Jewel – "The 38th Expansion" (RovingJewel.BandCamp.Com) – Cali producer Roving Jewel's expertly crafted instrumentals were blessed here by the likes of Smif-N-Wessun's Tek, Casual and Killah Priest, resulting in an album that moved between straight-forward head-nodders and subtly-layered cuts, avoiding the tried-and-tested boom-bap-by-numbers approach that pulls some producer-based projects into mediocre territory.
Blu & Exile – "Miles" (TheDirtyScience.Com) – In the spirit of great duos such as Pete Rock & CL Smooth and Gang Starr, Blu and Exile have always simply sounded like they were meant to make music together. The pair's 2007 album "Below The Heavens" quite rightly became a cult classic, with this latest ambitious, twenty-track release proving the duo's musical partnership remains as finely-tuned as ever. Exile's meticulous, jazz-influenced production perfectly matched Blu's philosophical, life-affirming rhymes here, making for an expansive body of work with both depth and purpose.
Gee Bag x Illinformed – "Respect Ya Elders!" (RevorgRecords.BandCamp.Com) – Packed full of personality, this release from UK emcee Gee Bag found the witty wordsmith joining forces with talented producer Illinformed to craft a well-rounded collection of tracks fully showcasing his lyrical potential, mixing moments of humour, personal reflection and social commentary with quality beats.
Skunkz – "Skunkz FT Skunkz" (Skunkz.BandCamp.Com) – Boston's Skunkz fired sharp lyrical darts across a well-chosen selection of self-produced loops on this straight-to-the-point EP, rhyming with the confidence and attitude of an emcee who had just shoulder-barged his way into a street-corner cipher with no intention of showing the competition any respect whatsoever.
Universal Seedz – "Rise Up" (UniversalSeedz.BandCamp.Com) – Combining elements of jazz, soul, spoken word and Hip-Hop, this EP from Austin, Texas collective Universal Seedz offered a bright, organic explosion of good grooves and uplifting positivity.
Mecca:83 – "NinetyFour" (SolarSoundSystem.BandCamp.Com) – Manchester-based producer Mecca:83 paid homage to the classic 90s boom-bap sound with this masterful collection of head-nodding drums, echoing horns and melodic flavour.
Funky DL – "Twenty" (FunkyDL.BandCamp.Com) – Twenty-three years after the release of his 1997 debut album "Classic Was The Day", UK producer-on-the-mic Funky DL celebrated his prolific career by delivering his twentieth full-length project, a polished mix of sample-based beats and live instrumentation grounded in the East London artist's trademark jazz-influenced sound, with a few well-executed musical twists thrown in for good measure.
Estee Nack & Superior – "Baladas" (BelowSystem.Com) – Tragic Allies emcee Estee Nack teamed-up with German producer Superior for this sublime slice of underground excellence, the latest in a steady stream of releases which have seen the Massachusetts-based lyricist's rep grow ever bigger, thanks to his consistent work ethic and top-tier pen game.
Planet Asia & 38 Spesh – "Trust The Chain" (AirVinyls.BandCamp.Com) – Enlisting the production talents of Rochester, NY's 38 Spesh for this particular release, veteran West Coast wordsmith Planet Asia provided further proof of why he deserves to be mentioned in GOAT conversations, lacing Spesh's accomplished studio work with his inimitable brand of street science and Five Percent-influenced rhymes.
Cyrus Malachi – "The Blind Watchmaker" (RevorgRecords.BandCamp.Com) – Over the years, London's Cyrus Malachi has made a name for himself as a purveyor of descriptive, heavy-mental wordplay. From his work as a founding member of Triple Darkness to his solo endeavours, the gruff-voiced emcee has consistently delivered intricate rhymes which take your mind in multiple directions, from ancient pyramids to inner-city pavements. This DJ Drinks / Evil Ed-produced album was no different, as Cyrus weaved gripping lyricism around stripped-down beats with an authority that demanded the listener's attention.
Big Ghost LTD – "Carpe Noctem" (BigGhostLimited.BandCamp.Com) – Assembling on some Hip-Hop Avengers ish, producer Big Ghost LTD pulled together a formidable crew of dope emcees to lace his supreme beats for this impressive collection of raw posse cuts. Underground favourites such as Recognize Ali, Crimeapple and Asun Eastwood all proved that steel sharpens steel, with no artist featured here wanting to be outdone and everyone bringing their best to the table.
Bloo & Spanish Ran – "MF BLOO" (SpanishRan1.BandCamp.Com) – To anyone confused by this album's title and cover art, "MF BLOO" most definitely was NOT the work of an overenthusiastic soundalike or a second-rate mixtape-style project. Whilst obviously meant as a nod of respect to enigmatic (and sadly recently deceased) rap figure MF DOOM, Bronx emcee / producer duo Bloo and Spanish Ran weren't hiding behind anyone else's mask on this release, saving the day with quality music in their own super-rhyme adventures.
Check Part Three here.
Posted in East Coast Hip-Hop, UK Hip-Hop, West Coast Hip-Hop
Tagged 38 Spesh, Big Ghost Ltd, Bloo, Blu & Exile, Buckwild, Cyrus Malachi, East Coast Hip-Hop, Estee Nack, Funky DL, Gee Bag, GodBody Science, Illinformed, Independent Hip-Hop, Jorun Bombay, Madlib, Mecca:83, Oh No, Phill Most Chill, Planet Asia, Rome Streetz, Roving Jewel, Skunkz, Southern Hip-Hop, Spanish Ran, Statik Selektah, Superior, The Professionals, Trauma 74, TrueMendous, UFO Fev, UK Hip-Hop, Underground Hip-Hop, Universal Seedz, West Coast Hip-Hop
Old To The New Q&A – Trauma 74
UK emcee Trauma 74 is a prime example of the old adage that all good things come to those who wait. A keen supporter and practitioner of Hip-Hop culture since the 1980s, the Bedford-based wordsmith didn't release his debut album until 2017, the expertly-crafted "The God Given Image".
With that initial project highlighting Trauma's talents as an intelligent, well-rounded artist, the recent follow-up "Acceptable Citizens" builds on those strong creative foundations, with 74 handling the majority of the production whilst pushing himself lyrically as he offers his thoughts and opinions on the world around us.
Here, Trauma 74 discusses his childhood introduction to Hip-Hop, working with sonic ally The Passion HiFi, and the reality of balancing life as a family man with his rap endeavours.
What are some of your earliest Hip-Hop-related memories?
"I always loved music from when I was young. My mum has told me stories of how they thought there was something wrong with me when I was younger because I didn't have a rattle in my pram, I had a seven-inch single on a pencil and apparently I used to spin it around and make mad noises. To be honest, when I think about my first memories of school, my head was just full of music. I used to make songs up in my head all the time. A lot of members of my family, my aunties and uncles, had a real keen interest in music with quite eclectic tastes, so I'd hear everything from Bob Marley to The Clash. I'd basically listen to anything back then, as long as it was music, so there wasn't any one type of music that I was fixed on. But then my cousin played me a tape with Run DMC's "Sucker MC's" on it. Right at that moment I thought, 'Yep! This is the one!' I just dropped everything and that's when I started to get a real hunger for Hip-Hop."
Can you remember what it was about that particular record that grabbed you with such urgency?
"I do always try and look back and think what it was about that record, because it was immediate. I just dropped everything for Hip-Hop and wanted it so much. I started taping music off the radio and really just trying to find as much Hip-Hop as I could. You had the Streetsounds "Electro" compilation albums back then, so I started off buying all of those. Then when I went to middle-school there was a guy there whose brothers were older than us and they loved break-dancing. I thought they were the coolest people in the world (laughs). I remember he had the Tommy Boy compilation that had come out and he also had all the "Electro" albums, so he used to tape me stuff. Then from there I was like, 'Yeah, this is definitely what I'm into.' But I was rubbish at break-dancing (laughs). That was not happening for me at all. Then from there we started rapping in the playground at school and I was like, 'You know what? I want to do this properly.'"
So how did you make that transition from rapping in the playground to recording music that you felt was good enough to release?
"When I was in middle-school it was just about doing it to have fun. Then when I went to upper-school, I started to get involved in more things. I did a few battles at clubs with people, I used to rap for friends and stuff like that. But it took me a long, long time until I actually recorded anything properly for myself. It was 2003 when I first actually released anything, which was an EP. Up to that point, it really was just about having fun with it. I'd been writing and writing, amassing all these lyrics, but I became a bit notorious for being hard to get hold of. I never used to turn up to people's studios. Or I'd come to do some projects with people but never see them through. I was just never really interested. But then a friend of mine gave me his Amiga computer as he was upgrading his set-up and he encouraged me to try the production side of the music. So once I started making my own beats, that's when I started to get more serious about it all then. I was like, 'Right, I want to have control over the beats I make and the lyrics as well.' Before that, I always seemed to find myself sitting in studios trying to get across what it was I wanted to hear. I just found I had a lot of ideas that I wasn't able to get across to other producers at the time. Once I was able to do it all myself, I was able to try some of those ideas out to see whether they worked or not. Then from there, I just made beats for a long time. But then I got sucked into going out all the time and partying, so the music kind of fell off for me. I never stopped writing but I stopped making beats for a long time. That's how things were for some time, until I met-up with Passion HiFi."
Passion was already producing at this point, right?
"Yeah, he could make some nice beats himself, but he was also really good with the mixing, mastering and the more technical stuff. Some of my beats were a bit loud and all over the place, so he gave me some tips on different things I could do to get the sound I wanted to hear. He just helped me to hone everything a bit more."
So when was all of this happening?
"That was around 2009 / 2010 that I hooked up with Passion HiFi. Literally, I'd gone that long hardly doing anything with music. I mean, that 2003 EP, people around me loved it, but when I listen back to it now it was as basic as basic can be. It's not aged well at all (laughs). But "The God Given Image" album, that's where it all really starts in terms of me putting out a proper project.""
"The God Given Image" was my introduction to you when it came out in 2017. Obviously at that point I wasn't aware of your history, but I remember listening to it thinking that it definitely sounded like the work of someone who was very experienced at what they were doing and also very clear about who they were as an artist…
"That's nice to hear. I mean, we worked quite hard on it. We did play it down at times and say, 'Well, we've done what could get done within the time constraints we had.' I mean, family and all of that has to come first. so most of that album was literally recorded in the evening when we had the chance, maybe on a Friday night when you've been working all week and you might not even really be in the mood to record (laughs). But if you don't, then you're going to have to wait for another opportunity. But at the same time, you also don't want to go in and give a half-ass performance. So you have to draw from a lot sometimes to do what needs to be done. I mean, there were times when we were like, 'You know what? We're going to have to re-record that track' because when we listened back you could hear that I wasn't giving it my all."
Well, that attention to detail and persistence to get it right can definitely be heard in the finished product…
"One thing I've always said, is that you see a of people putting out mixtapes and stuff like that. Sometimes the artwork can appear to be a little bit basic and it might not have a great mix to it. Or people put their projects straight onto SoundCloud and they disappear into that huge chasm of nothingness and nobody cares. Now for me, unless you're releasing something that really looks like you're bothered about it, I'm just not interested. So I just wanted "The God Given Image" to sound right. I've always had a thing about an album not so much having a theme, but it's got to have a feel. It doesn't have to be a concept album where you're telling one story all the way through, but I like it when all of the tracks on an album fit together as one body of work. That's how I wanted "The God Given Image" to sound. To be honest, I didn't realise how much work would actually go into it as I'd never done an album before in my life. So I went into that project almost being a bit naïve, and was like, 'Actually this is quite hard.'"
Given that you've already mentioned the time constraints you experienced whilst making the album, did you, or do you, have a particular recording process?
"It's a bit of weird process we've got because we'll change a lot of the beats after we've finished tracks. Because we haven't got the time, we can't keep recording track after track to the point where we've got fifty or sixty tracks and then say, 'Right, we're going to pick an album from these.' So it's almost like we make the album, and then we change some of the beats. So we'll listen to the whole thing and then might decide, 'Okay, that beat doesn't really fit with these other tracks' and so we'll change it and use a different beat (laughs). Before we know it, we've changed loads of tracks. But it's fun to finally get there in the end, sit there with the album and be like, 'You know what? This actually sounds alright.'"
Were you happy with how "The God Given Image" was received at the time?
"We came at it with no expectations. So I was quite happy with how it was received. We were realistic about what we thought the album would do. I mean, Passion and I are both in our forties, boom-bap isn't a sound everyone wants to hear, but we knew there are people who do want that sound and at the end of the day we just made the music we wanted to make. Also, we were realistic about what we were actually able to do to promote that album. We did a couple of things, but we weren't running around everywhere doing shows, meeting up with people and things like that. So we didn't really throw ourselves out there massively. But for what we were able to do to promote it, I thought the album didn't do to badly at all. I was definitely happy with the project."
Did you already have plans at that point to work on another album after "The God Given Image" or did you intend for it just to be a one-off?
"Yeah, "The God Given Image" was going to be the album. That was going to be it. Because I'd gone so long not releasing anything, I just wanted to get that one album project out there. It was the same with Passion HiFi; he'd been doing a lot of work over the years and he was getting to a point where he was like, 'You know what? I think I'm done with this now.' He'd been mixing and mastering for a lot of different people, so he was really wanting to just focus on his own stuff. But after "The God Given Image" had been finished and come out, we were sat around talking and Passion was like, 'You know what? Let just do one more. After that we're done, but let's just do it one more time.' At that point, I wasn't really thinking that it was going to happen. But we sat down, talked about it and decided that if it was going to happen we couldn't just make the same album again. It couldn't just be a continuation of what we'd already done. At first, we decided we were going to try something a bit odd and weird, almost in the direction of Madlib or something like that. So we decided to make a load of beats, then have a listening session, choose the beats, write to them and that would be the album. But it was actually quite funny, because when we sat down to listen to all of the beats, we were like, 'What have we done on some of these?' There were some crazy beats coming out. We got to the point of recording and I think because we were trying to stray so much from what it was we'd originally been doing, that some of it just wasn't working at all. But the lyrics were alright. So there we were again, with about ten tracks recorded that we then went back through to change with new beats."
What was the thinking behind the title of the new album, "Acceptable Citizens"?
"We definitely wanted the album to have a theme and for the title to reflect that. We had a few titles, but they just didn't work. But then Passion had seen a documentary about Jamaicans coming to the UK in the 60s and that term 'acceptable citizens' was used in the programme. Passion texted the title to me, I liked it and I also thought I'd be able to write around that. I wanted to go a little bit deeper this time around in terms of what I was saying and delve into some deeper life issues. Not to the point where I sounded like I was being preachy or anything like that, but just for me to talk about some of the things I see going on. So the album is about observation and me talking about the situations that I see some people in. And regardless of what's going on in your life, at the end of the day, we all just want to be seen as being acceptable citizens."
Obviously you finished recording the album some time ago and based on your social media posts over the last couple of months it had always been your intention to drop the album in April. But with everything that's currently going on around the Coronavirus situation, the tone of the album definitely makes it feel like music for the times, in terms of you addressing certain issues within society and also encouraging listeners to evaluate what's important in their own lives…
"My style has always been, yes, you will get a bit of showboating, but most of time I'm just simply trying to explain something. You look at someone like Bob Marley, he just always tried to explain things in his music in quite a simple way. It's not always about using big words, but can you get your point across?"
The intro on "Rock Top" with you asking your children their thoughts on your music really made me laugh. Did you know your son was going to come out with the comment, 'It's alright, but you're no Stormzy…'?
"That's like an ongoing joke and I get that a lot. My son will call me Trauma 75, Trauma 72 (laughs). He loves teasing me. So I said I've gotta get you guys on it and you can do what you want."
How difficult is it to balance family life with your musical aspirations?
"It's hard. I've got a little studio set-up and maybe on a Friday or Saturday night I'll sit up making beats until one in morning. I rarely try to do it when everyone's up because it really can't happen. With "The God Given Image" album, Passion and I were recording maybe a night here and a night there, doing one track at a time. But with this new album we tried to do whole days and maybe get four tracks done in one day. I mean, neither of us have really got the time to be doing this with family, work and everything else, so we really have to find time. Which is why. for the amount of time we have to put into it, I'm happy with what we're able to achieve.
Whilst the album contains a lot of lyrical substance throughout, there are a couple of tracks in particular that I wanted to touch on. Firstly, what were your reasons for writing "Age"?"
"That was literally because we have this apparent divide in Hip-Hop where the older guys will be talking about how the boom-bap sound is the one, and then you have the younger guys who say the older heads should step-aside. It's that cycle that constantly goes around that people always talk about. People get older, then moan about how the young people don't show any respect. Then eventually those younger people get older and they'll be saying the same thing. When it comes to music, age really is just a number and it doesn't mean anything really. I'll still love music regardless of how old I am. Plus, we could all learn from each other. So I just wanted to write something about that and how I feel about it. Like I say on the track, 'Young became old, But your mind was never told.' Because we are still young in our minds, really."
And what about "SAL", which stands for Self-Appointed Legend?
"That one is about how people want their empire before they've even done anything else. People will build a brand, and they've got hats, t-shirts, they might be putting on nights, but the music just isn't there to support it. Then when they do make some music, they're immediately calling themsleves legends. These titles aren't titles that you give yourself as an artist, people give you those titles, and they definitely don't come after you've released three tracks. It comes after a lifetime of music. So that track is really about letting some people know they need to get a grip – you're not a legend yet, we'll tell you if you are."
Finally, given that you weren't originally planning to record a second album, do you think we can we expect a third album from you at any point?
"I was looking at Spotify the other day and I had both albums next to each other in the library, and after all the years I've been doing stuff, to be able to say I put two albums out, I'm happy with that. The work definitely went into the music and I enjoyed doing both of them, but I don't know if I'm going to be doing it again any time soon. At least not for the next couple of years anyway (laughs)."
The "Acceptable Citizens" album is available now at EvilTwinRecords.BandCamp.Com.
Posted in Interviews, UK Hip-Hop
Tagged Acceptable Citizens, Evil Twin Records, Independent Hip-Hop, Passion Hi-Fi, The God Given Image, Trauma 74, UK Hip-Hop, Underground Hip-Hop
Acceptable Citizens Album Stream – Trauma 74
UK emcee Trauma 74 follows-up his 2017 debut "The God Given Image" with this largely self-produced collection of personal and forthright lyricism covering a variety of topics.
Posted in Downloads, UK Hip-Hop
Tagged Independent Hip-Hop, Trauma 74, UK Hip-Hop, Underground Hip-Hop
100 Best Albums & EPs Of 2017 (Part One) – Melanin 9 / Roc Marciano / J Scienide etc.
So here we are again. Another year has come to an end. Time to look back over the last twelve months and give my traditional round-up of the beats and rhymes I had in heavy rotation throughout 2017.
It's never easy putting 'best-of' lists together. Regardless of how many releases are included, it's impossible to compile something like this without always feeling like you're having to leave something out. But this year has been particularly difficult, given the sheer amount of quality Hip-Hop that has been released over the past 365 days.
In addition to the albums and EPs that actually made it into this five-part overview, there was approximately a further fifty included on my initial short-list, but you have to draw the line somewhere.
So, whilst there will no doubt be projects not featured here that some will feel should have been mentioned, those that made the cut have been selected based purely on being one of the releases I listened to (and enjoyed) the most throughout 2017.
That being said, huge props to every emcee, producer and deejay out there making music that comes from a genuine place of creativity and artistic integrity – your efforts are appreciated by Hip-Hop heads across Planet Rock.
But now, like we always do about this time….
Melanin 9 – "Old Pictures" (Red Snow Records) – A decade after the release of his debut project "High Fidelity", Triple Darkness member Melanin 9 delivered arguably his best body of solo work to date. A personal, introspective walk through the experiences, struggles and memories of the London-based lyricist, "Old Pictures" found M9 matching his impressive verses with fittingly mellow, laidback soundscapes from producers such as Ohbliv, Wun Two and Anatomy. Timeless beats and rhymes.
O.C. – "Same Moon Same Sun: 1st Phase" (D.I.T.C. Studios) – One of the greatest emcees of all-time, Diggin' In The Crates legend Omar Credle personified the term 'grown man business' on his seventh solo album, offering an assured blend of social commentary, life observations and lyrical bravado, proving that truly talented artists never lose their importance or relevance in the rap game.
Trauma 74 – "The God Given Image" (Evil Twin Records) – The result of a life-long passion for Hip-Hop that began in the early-80s, this debut album from UK emcee Trauma 74 was clearly a labour of love. Grounded in true-school traditions and creative integrity, "The God Given Image" was packed with accomplished wordplay and soulful boom-bap beats, resulting in a project that any fellow Hip-Hop junkie could appreciate and relate to.
Strizzy Strauss – "The Art Of Summarising Life" (IAmStrizzyStrauss.BandCamp.Com) – The upcoming Leicester-based lyricist definitely made his mark on the homegrown scene in 2017 with this impressive EP, full of personal, heartfelt verses delivered with street-savvy sensitivity and a sharp social awareness. Honest, life-affirming and inspirational, "The Art Of…" showcased the voice of an artist clearly keen to inject his music with substance as well as style.
Milano Constantine – "The Way We Were" (Different Worlds Music Group) – A tribute to the New York of yesteryear, Diggin' In The Crates affiliate Milano utilised the top-notch, drum-heavy production of DJ Skizz and Marco Polo to reminisce about old-school fashion trends, graffiti-covered subway trains and wild nights at the Latin Quarter throughout this release, drawing on both the youthful energy of 80s Hip-Hop and the volatile Rotten Apple environment of the time for inspiration.
Roc Marciano – "Rosebudd's Revenge" (Marci Enterprises) – The Strong Island representative gave the game yet another back-handed pimp slap in the form of his fourth solo album, a cool-but-deadly collection of cold-blooded, elegantly-delivered rawness, evoking images of 70s Blaxploitation flicks and golden-era NY Hip-Hop in equal measures. Fresh, fly and bold.
Brother Ali – "All The Beauty In This Life" (Rhymesayers Entertainment) – Long-established as one of Hip-Hop's most inspiring and warm-hearted artists, Minneapolis's Brother Ali dropped a truly fitting Ant-produced soundtrack to today's troubled times, drawing inspiration from both personal situations and global issues as he encouraged listeners to find meaning and purpose in their lives, despite the struggles and hardships we each face on a daily basis.
Funky DL – "Marauding At Midnight" (Washington Classics) – Multi-talented UK artist Funky DL paid tribute to the musical genius of A Tribe Called Quest with this inspired instrumental remake of the Queens crew's classic 1993 album "Midnight Marauders". Achieving the difficult balance of staying faithful to ATCQ's jazzy, low-end aesthetic whilst allowing his own musical personality to shine through, DL proved himself to be both a student and master of the production game throughout this ambitious release.
Saipher Soze – "Godbody" (SaipherSoze.BandCamp.Com) – Rough, rugged and raw flavour from the Toronto emcee packed with razor-sharp rhymes and quality beats, this Finn-produced album found Soze cementing his position as one of the most skilled microphone fiends to have emerged from the Canadian underground in recent times.
Dillon & Diamond – "Black Tie Affair" (FullPlate.BandCamp.Com) – Successful in their promise of crafting "sophisticated rap music", Atlanta-based emcee Dillon and Diggin' In The Crates giant Diamond D mixed the rough with the smooth on this five-track EP, resulting in a polished listening experience which still bore the musical marks of dusty fingerprints.
Sons Phonetic – "Deloreans" (SonsPhonetic.BandCamp.Com) – Atmospheric, captivating beats and rhymes from Ireland's mighty Sons Phonetic crew, with "Deloreans" proving once again why the multi-faceted collective can lay claim to being one of the most consistent groups in the game.
The Almighty $amhill – "The Epilogue" (LowTechRecords.BandCamp.Com) – Bronx native $amhill delivered more of his unapologetically raw street-smart lyricism on this quality EP release, a potent dose of gritty NY flavour direct from the birthplace of Hip-Hop produced largely by the talented Preservation.
Es – "We Are Only Getting Older" (EsMuzik.BandCamp.Com) – Canadian lyricist Es followed up his brilliant 2014 album "Aspire To Inspire" with the equally impressive "We Are Only Getting Older", a concept-based project dealing with Hip-Hop's generation gap, featuring production from IV The Polymath, Rel McCoy, Kelpi Nine and more.
Eloh Kush & BudaMunk – "Fly Emperor" (AnglezInc.BandCamp.Com) – Backed by the melodic, drum-heavy production of Japan's BudaMunk, New Jersey's Eloh Kush mixed streetwise attitude with vividly creative wordplay on this impressive long-player.
The Cornel West Theory – "The T.A.B.L.E. Too" (TheCornelWestTheory.BandCamp.Com) – Washington D.C.'s Cornel West Theory continued to go against the grain on their fifth album release, a collection of radio-unfriendly soundscapes and challenging, thought-provoking lyrics.
Creestal – "Differences" (MunchieRecords.BandCamp.Com) – Talented French producer Creestal (of CM Jones fame) dug deep in his crates for this sample-driven collection of dusty flavours featuring Roc Marciano, Conway, Torae and more. Blending together raw drums, obscure loops and random film dialogue, "Differences" was a masterclass in sonic creativity.
J Scienide – "The Actual Heat" (JSciende-OfficialCrateMusic.BandCamp.Com) – Washington D.C.-based artist J Scienide delivered his highly-anticipated album "The Actual Heat", an accomplished collection of sample-based beats and intelligent, witty wordplay, with the likes of Grap Luva, Kev Brown and Nolan The Ninja making notable appearances on what was easily one of 2017's best releases.
Da Buze Bruvaz – "Adebisi Hat" (Grilchy Party) – Run and DMC. Rae and Ghost. Billy Danze and Lil Fame. The key to a great rap duo is chemistry. Philly's Him-Lo and Clever One can add themselves to that list. The Lo-Life-affiliated pair have dropped plenty of worthwhile material over the years, but this full-length effort upped the hardcore ante, with the true-school twosome verbally bullying top-drawer production with their trademark brand of boisterous, politically-incorrect punchlines.
MC Eiht – "Which Way Iz West" (Blue Stamp Music / Year Round Records) – Approximately two years after West Coast legend MC Eiht announced his next album would be backed by DJ Premier, the project finally saw a release. Thankfully, "Which Way…" lived up to expectations. With Eiht solidifying his OG status throughout, this long-player deservedly found itself being heralded as a standout dose of Cali attitude. Compton's still in the house. Geeah!
Children Of Zeus – "The Story So Far…" (First Word Records) – Manchester's Konny Kon and Tyler Daley have been blessing a cult following with sonic gems for some time now, but 2017 was the year the talented pair's unique brand of soulful, Hip-Hop-influenced music started to reach a wider audience and receive the acclaim it deserved. This compilation pulled together both previously-released tracks and new material from the UK duo, paving the way for the official Zeus debut album due for release in 2018.
Check Part Two here.
Posted in Album Reviews, Canadian Hip-Hop, East Coast Hip-Hop, UK Hip-Hop, West Coast Hip-Hop
Tagged Adebisi Hat, All The Beauty In This Life, Angelz Inc, Black Tie Affair, Blue Stamp Music, Brother Ali, Budamunk, Canadian Hip-Hop, Children Of Zeus, Creestal, Da Buze Bruvaz, Deloreans, Diamond D, Differences, Different Worlds Music Group, Dillon, DITC Studios, DJ Skizz, East Coast Hip-Hop, Eloh Kush, Es, Es Muzik, Evil Twin Records, First Word Records, Fly Emperor, Full Plate, Funky DL, Godbody, Grilchy Party, Independent Hip-Hop, J Scienide, Konny Kon, LowTech Records, M9, Marauding At Midnight, Marci Enterprises, Marco Polo, MC Eiht, Milano Constantine, Munchie Records, O.C., Official Crate Music, Old Pictures, Red Snow Records, Rhymesayers Entertainment, Roc Marciano, Rosebudd's Revenge, Saipher Soze, Same Moon Same Sun, Sons Phonetic, Strizzy Strauss, The Actual Heat, The Almighty $amhill, The Art Of Summarising Life, The Cornel West Theory, The Epilogue, The God Given Image, The Story So Far, The T.A.B.L.E. Too, The Wat We Were, Trauma 74, Tyler Daley, UK Hip-Hop, Underground Hip-Hop, Washington Classics, We Are Only Getting Older, West Coast Hip-Hop, Which Way Iz West
New Joint – Trauma 74
Trauma 74 – "A New Beginning" (@Trauma1974 / 2017)
Sincere, forthright rhymes from the UK emcee's impressive album "The God Given Image".
Tagged Independent Hip-Hop, The God Given Image, Trauma 74, UK Hip-Hop, Underground Hip-Hop
Open Mic Freestyle Session – Trauma 74 / Rup The Brer
Fresh from the release of his impressive debut album "The God Given Image", UK emcee Trauma 74 blesses the mic alongside Rup The Brer on MysDiggi and DJ Sarah Love's Fubar Radio show.
Posted in Hip-Hop Radio, UK Hip-Hop
Tagged DJ Sarah Love, Independent Hip-Hop, Mysdiggi, Rup The Brer, The Hip-Hop Show, Trauma 74, UK Hip-Hop, Underground Hip-Hop
The God Given Image Album Stream – Trauma 74
Two years in the making, UK artist Trauma 74's largely self-produced debut album is a confident collection of accomplished wordplay and soulful boom-bap beats, with each of the sixteen tracks featured here boasting a proud, true-school attitude.
Trauma 74 – "Spit Personality" (@Trauma1974 / 2017)
UK emcee Trauma 74 delivers confident lyricism over quality Richy Spitz production from his forthcoming debut album "The God Given Image".
Posted in Music Video, UK Hip-Hop
Tagged Evil Twin Records, Independent Hip-Hop, Richy Spitz, The God Given Image, Trauma 74, UK Hip-Hop, Underground Hip-Hop
The God Given Image Album Sampler – Trauma 74
UK emcee Trauma 74 drops his debut album "The God Given Image" on February 13th via Evil Twin Records.


Are You Being Pursued By Enemies?
Are you being pursued by enemies? If so, I have good news for you today: God has a plan in mind… and you're going to like it.
These verses are referencing the way God drowned the entire Egyptian army in the Red Sea when the Israelites were leaving Egypt. See, a long time ago, the Israelites were slaves in Egypt. After 400 years of slavery, God miraculously delivered them. Pharaoh actually kicked his own slaves out of the country.
The Israelites left Egypt suddenly, and they carried all the spoils of Egypt with them. But then Pharaoh changed his mind, and the Egyptian army went after them. The Egyptians trapped the Israelites at the Red Sea. But Israel escaped again. Exodus 14:21-22 tells us that God actually parted the Red Sea for the Israelites, and they all crossed the sea on dry ground.
Then the Egyptians pursued them. (Big mistake, Pharaoh!) When those Egyptians got in the middle of the sea, God caused the sea to go back where it belonged, and He drowned the entire Egyptian army.
The verses above from Isaiah 43 tell us specifically that God "brought forth" the Egyptian chariot, horses, army, and all the Egyptian military power. This means that God pulled the Egyptian army out of Egypt. God sent those Egyptians after Israel.
So God could annihilate the enemies of His people.
God takes vengeance on behalf of His people. Vengeance is not our job; it's His.
And sometimes God allows enemies to come after you because your enemies are His enemies, and it's His time to deal with your enemies.
Are you being chased by enemies? Claim these promises from Romans 10:11, Deuteronomy 32:35, and Isaiah 43. Ask God to protect and defend you. You will not be put to shame.
How does this message speak to you? Do you see any other gems in these passages? I'd love for you to leave a comment and share your ideas!
Dear God I need this so badly. After 11 1/2 years my ex-husband is still hotly pursuing me out of greed for more money and racks up spiteful and hateful letters full of lies and exaggerated claims causing me grief and disturbance of my peace. I will pray these Scriptures.


text:
If MPs vote for cigarette plain packaging it will be a disaster for small businesses
Far from a blow against Big Tobacco, plain cigarette packaging would cost retailers £550,000 over ten years. Perhaps that is why the Conservatives are so split on it
This is what the new packs of cigarettes will look like
By Tom Gockelen-Kozlowski
11:23AM GMT 11 Mar 2015
What's going on with plain packaging?
Listen to its proponents and you get the idea that in its final days the Coalition is about to enact its most unifying, progressive policy of all.
But behind the scenes, it's turning into an awkward and badly-timed piece of legislation which the government is having to push through at the Parliament's end by fairly unorthodox methods.
While public health minister Jane Ellison and her Labour shadow Luciana Berger have pledged their parties' support, journalists including myself have tried for months to get a ringing endorsement for the bill from the likes of Theresa May, Philip Hammond and even George Osborne and David Cameron – only to be met with silence.
Plain packaging on cigarettes: Where does it all end?
All the plain packaging lobby really wants is to hear tobacco companies squeal
Police could struggle to cope with counterfeit cigarettes, warn ex-cops
Reports that 85 Tory MPs will not be voting with the Government are one thing.The fact that senior figures will be allowing through a law they have consistently refused is quite another. If this is really a moment of pride for all concerned, you'd think those at the very top of the party would want to be present, to have some of the glory of the moment rub off on them.
And that is not all. Rather than take place in the House of Commons with all MPs able to take part as was first expected, the only debate on the issue happened on Monday evening with a few dozen MPs as part of a delegated legislation committee in the relatively-obscure Committee Room 9.
This means that Tory whips – who, as plain packaging will be a free vote, should have relinquished all control – are able to choose which of its MPs are part these committees.
It's hard to avoid the strong sense that a parliamentary sleight of hand has been used to push through this change in the law, particularly when even the Prime Minister does not seem to feel able to publicly back it. It is almost as if the Government hopes no one will notice what's going on.
So why all this chicanery?
One reason is undoubtedly the poor state of the evidence. Right now, there is only one country in the world – Australia – to have standardised packs of cigarettes on its shelves. Its implementation there in December 2012 was controversial, and, no matter what either tobacco companies or anti-smoking campaigners argue, the question of its effectiveness is still too close to call. In one corner, Sir Cyril Chantler's government review found that a "modest but important reduction in smoking" would be achieved by implementing plain packaging. In the other, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare – a government department – showed a small increase in smoking rates among 12 to 17-year-olds in states such as Western Australia and South Australia during the year 2012 to 2013.
Any colour as long as it's tar: the current state of packaging (PA)
Many would say such disagreements shouldn't matter. Isn't even the slimmest chance that plain packaging will cut youth smoking rates – the ultimate goal of all reasonably-minded people – enough to make implementing it worthwhile? Sir Cyril Chantler's review concluded as much. But far beyond denting the profits of Big Tobacco, plain packaging will be catastrophic for small businesses across the country.
At Monday's committee, these concerns were dismissed with calls from both sides for newsagents and convenience stores to simply "diversify". Labour's Luciana Berger told those assembled: "Shops have adjusted successfully over many years to the decline in the number of smokers, from half the population in the 1960s to just under one in five now."
That may be so, but plain packaging will be implemented under current plans not in 50 yeasrs but in just 14 months time. Moreover, it will be the big supermarket chains, not the community stores, who will have the deep pockets and resources to survive. The Government's own impact assessment highlights what a major blow it would be to smaller stores. If it has the effect its supporters are hoping, it will cut every retailer's revenue by £550,000 over its first decade. These same firms, whose profits are rarely secure and whose margins are often squeezed, are already having to spend up to £2,000 to put up covers over their tobacco shelves - covers which will be obsolete after plain packs come into force.
This is not to mention all the chewing gum, newspapers and milk that smokers buy with their 20 Marlboro Lights. The impact assessment concedes that nobody really knows how many of these would be lost. Meanwhile, Nick de Bois, a Conservative MP and impassioned critic of the legislation, has warned: "Even HMRC acknowledges that there is an increase in the likelihood of small-scale local retailers becoming unknowingly involved in the sale of counterfeit tobacco."
Retailers rightly work hard to cut the numbers of young people smoking and drinking alcohol. But with the evidence for plain packaging anything but clear, is it fair to burden these stores, each an engine to its local economy, with such a massive hit to their future earnings - and such an increased risk of being duped by criminals? Mr de Bois will have spoken for many of these retailers, who are used to seeing the Conservatives as their natural home, when he asked: "Is this the party of small business, or is it the party of small business regulation?"
Let's just hope the tobacco companies don't fulfil their promise to sue for damages. That might put a bit of a crimp on the "long term economic plan".
These signs of recklessness with people's fragile livelihoods, and signs of recklessness with the exchequer after five years of harshly-felt austerity, are not a good look. While Labour's pro-tobacco stance puts them in no position to attack, UKIP will no doubt be planning to lambast the "anti-business Tories" all the way to the polls.
It all means that, for all the celebrating that the Department of Health will do for a job well done when this legislation is passed tonight, there will a taste as nasty as that first cigarette left in the mouths of many other Conservatives.
Tom Gockelen-Kozlowski is features editor of Retail Newsagent.
Politics »
Shopping and consumer news »


text:
As the world remains in shock by the atrocities of Vladimir Putin, Russia is threatening to destroy the International Space Station
The ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine transfers to various other industries, including space research and exploration, which involves many joint projects between the US, EU, and Russian Federation. One of those projects is the International Space Station (ISS) which will be destroyed without Russian Roscosmos, claimed Dmitry Rogozin following the EU and the US sanctions.
What is the Situation?
Roscomos chief, Dmitry Rogozin, claims ISS was kept in orbit primarily because of the Russian expertise. Thus, he added that the recent space sanctions against Russia could make Russian experts let the station deorbit and fall in the US or Europe, causing an enormous catastrophe. Rogozin threatens with the risk of the 500-ton structure falling on India or China and asks the international community if they are willing to take a risk.
"If you block cooperation with us, who will save the ISS from an uncontrolled deorbit and fall into the United States & Europe"
I think Elon is referring to this above (translation provided by Twitter).
So Elon answered: SpaceX
— tes.3m.22 (@tes1m211) February 26, 2022
The station has been in orbit for 21 years, and it was planned to decommission in 2030. The crew consists of four NASA astronauts, two Russian astronauts, and one from European Space Agency. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, NASA said that they would do everything in their power to keep things as they were until two weeks ago.
Musk Says SpaceX Can Save ISS
According to Elon Musk, his SpaceX Dragon should be able to replace the Russian part of the international station if Russia decides to end its involvement in 2030. He also said that SpaceX delivers high-speed internet to Ukraine via the Starlink constellation deployed through the successful rocket launch, following the request of Ukraine's vice prime minister.
Starlink — here. Thanks, @elonmusk pic.twitter.com/dZbaYqWYCf
— Mykhailo Fedorov (@FedorovMykhailo) February 28, 2022
ISSSpaceX
Published by Emma Thorpe All posts by Emma Thorpe
Emma joined the team in 2020 as an Editorial Assistant. She is currently on an internship with us while going through her further education. She is enthusiastic about Science and about Space in particular.
Future of space travel: What will it be like?
Scotland's Space Tech Firm Satellite Vu Gets a New Launch Deal with SpaceX
Is OneWeb the Best Remaining Option to Support UK's Space Ambitions?
ABL and Lockheed's First Vertical Launch Falls Back To Next Year
Skyrora get into hot water over recent Shetland launch


text:
The Lake Worth Monster
"Fishy-Goat Man Terrifies Couples Parked at Lake Worth"
That was the headline in The Fort Worth Star Telegram.
In Fort Worth, Texas the summer of 1969 will long be remembered as the summer of the Lake Worth Monster.
Robert Hornsby was a 9-year-old boy at the time when he remembered reading a newspaper article about a monster seen on Greer Island.
Hornsby said the story recounted the tale of about six people who told police they had been attacked by a half-man, half-goat covered with fur and scales on the Island.
Jim Marrs was one of the reporters on the scene investigating the so-called monster. He interviewed the witnesses at the police station. Marrs said the six were quite shaken up.
"I talked to them and it was obvious that something had just scared the devil out of them," he said.
Hornsby recalled that each day more stories came out about the monster.
"Day by day there were more stories, then the next day there was a monster hunt, then the next thing you know there's a picture from in the newspaper showing where the people had seen the monster and it had thrown a spare tire 500 feet through the air, dispersing the crowd. It was incredibly dramatic."
The monster hunt got out of hand with carloads of people coming in to try and kill it.
Sallie Ann Clarke was one of the people who claimed to have seen the monster.
She described it as 7 feet tall, with a flat-looking hairy face. Clarke, who claimed to have seen the animal four times in three years, wrote a book and sold thousands of copies on the so-called Lake Worth Monster.
Was it all an urban legend? Years after the first sighting, Marrs said police sources told him that some children from Brewer High School confessed and admitted they had paraded around in a gorilla costume and mask. - myfoxfw
During 1969, there was a creature spotted by many people near the area of Lake Worth in Texas. The creature was described by many as a monster, "half goat half man". Some believe it was nothing more than a prankster, while others believe it was a real living being.
The story starts on July 10, when a man named John Reichart, his wife and two other couples went to a police station in Fort Worth. The police officers there noticed the people were so shaken up that they decided to investigate their story. The witnesses told the police while they were near the lake, a big creature jumped out at them and got on top of their car. They described the being as having scales and white hair, looking like a "half man, half goat" creature.
When the police went to the scene of this incident, there was nothing found. However, there was an eighteen inch scratch on the side of the car that the alleged monster jumped onto. The couples said the scratch was not on the car, before the incident happened. About 24 hours later there was another sighting of the lake worth monster.
About twenty four hours after the first sighting, a man named Jack Harris was driving near the Lake Worth Nature Center and said a creature walked right in his path. He said the creature was going up and down a hill. A crowd of forty people came and watched the mysterious beast. On this same day, the front page of the newspaper said "Fishy Man Goat Terrifies Couples Parked at Lake Worth".
Police arrived on the scene with the crowd, and were about to become witnesses of this mysterious event. Everyone reportedly saw the creature, and the police saw it too. The witnesses say the beast threw a car tire at them and ran off into the brush.
During the months after this, people went looking for the lake worth monster with guns in hand. During one incident, it was claimed that the beast was shot, and a trail of blood was followed to the edge of the lake water. Another group of people looking for the creature claimed to have seen dead sheep with broken necks in the area. They say the sheep must have been killed by the beast.
It was later theorized after these events, that the lake worth monster was a bobcat. It was also thought that police might have caught pranksters with a costume, although this was never confirmed. If it was a prankster, he must have been very brave with all those people walking around with guns looking for the monster. The sightings died out in 1970, and no one has come forward to claim that they hoaxed the sightings. - Jerome Clark, "Unexplained!" 1993
Monsters of Texas
Monster Files: A Look Inside Government Secrets and Classified Documents on Bizarre Creatures and Extraordinary Animals
Monster Diary: On the Road in Search of Strange and Sinister Creatures
American Monsters: A History of Monster Lore, Legends, and Sightings in America
Labels: bizarre , cryptid , cryptozoology , humanoid , Lake Worth Monster , Texas , unexplained phenomena , unknown creature


Today we have the great pleasure of talking with Professor Melissa-Sue John. This is the first part of her interview. The second part will be posted soon. You're going to love all she has to share with us.
Thank you so much for chatting with me today, Melissa-Sue. I'm thrilled to have you and to discuss your wonderful children's books.
Melissa-Sue: No. I just wanted to be a professor because I loved to teach. Then by the end of graduate school, I felt the desire to aspire to be a published author. I drafted several novels but never finished any.
I've read and reviewed one of your books. You are most gifted.
Can you describe a couple of your favorite children's books you've written?
Melissa-Sue: Olivia Travels uses rhymes and homonyms that teaches different ways that people commute. This is one of my favorites for two reasons. First each picture depicts a family memory (e.g. we visited London, Florida, and New York). Second, this book was illustrated by my little cousin whom we love and appreciate very much. Olivia Connects teaches the ways that people communicate and the devices that we used present, past, and by those with physical challenges. This is one of my favorites because it is very inclusive of race, gender, and ability. Things We Wear teaches children the when, where, and why were wear different things. This is one of my favorites because it is bright and colorful, filled with multicultural images and shows that variety is the spice of life.
I'm looking forward reading more of your work, Melissa. No doubt I'll love them.
The post Children's books: working together-part 1 appeared first on deaniehumphrysdunne.wordpress.com.


Barnstaple's hopes of dodging relegation from National Two South were crushed on a dramatic last day of the season.
Barum needed to beat fellow strugglers Wimbledon to have a chance of staying up – and defeated them 17-14 at Pottington Road.
Barnstaple also needed Old Redcliffians to lose to Redruth if they were going to pass the Bristol side on the way out of the bottom three.
Reds win over Redruth rendered the result at Pottington immaterial. Barum went down and so did Wimbledon.
Wimbledon went into a 7-0 lead before the break – Jim Doe converting his own try – and made it 14-0 on 53 minutes when Niall MacSweeey crossed and Doe goaled.
Murphy converted a Danny Southworth try to level it with four minutes to go.
Murphy added a stoppage-time penalty to win it, but the damage was already done.
Barum's record of two wins in the last 10 outings was their undoing.


Can we raise children to turn out to be responsible adolescents in this era of newly found 'narcissism' and 'power' to get 15 minutes of instant fame? Is there a perfect safety net? NO.
Are there guidelines to ensure the adolescent thinks once before embarking on 'DANGER' to their self? YES.
STOP YOURSELF FIRST. Be the person you want your child to become. That way you ensure that the role model the child has in front of him is the responsible role model, the right role model. Children learn more by observational learning. They see more than they hear you. If you are a 'Selfie King/Queen', it shouldn't surprise you if your child becomes a 'selfie prince/princess' and later become selfie-addicted teenagers. The first school being home, the parents are the first teachers and what they teach form the roots. Be mindful of what you are teaching your child consciously or unconsciously.
Albert Bandura, who is known for the classic Bobo doll experiment, identified this basic form of learning in 1961. The importance of observational learning lies in helping individuals, especially children, acquire new responses by observing others' behaviour.
A role model is a person whose behaviour, example or success is or can be emulated by others, especially by younger people. The term "role model" is credited to sociologist Robert K. Merton, who coined the phrase during his career.
Be a consistent presence in your child's life. It wouldn't help much if you had no clue about your child's whereabouts. Much as they (the teenagers) would not like it, the truth is that your involvement and presence matters. Everyday life is more important that once in a while conversations. Engage in conversation with your children, know what they did the entire day, what activities and plans they have for weekends or some holidays. Guide them along as they go about their regular life. Above all, invest in having a fun filled family time so that they are not left with 'friends' only.
Help them see ' beyond themselves'. Help them build character and not only the ' personality'. Personality is far easier to read than character which takes a time to puzzle out. We do form opinions and make judgements about people being reserved, funny, extroverted, energetic, optimistic, confident—as well as overly serious, reticent, lazy, negative, angry and shy. But character includes traits that reveal themselves only in specific—and often uncommon—circumstances, traits like honesty, virtue, and kindliness. Isn't it also important to emphasise on character building and shift the focus from outside to inside? How can you do this?
That will also happen when you emphasise and celebrate character more than outward appearance. For example- When you are dressed up for a conference and your daughter comes and compliments- "Wow Mum, you look awesome. Everyone will be only looking at you." Now, if you swell with pride and smile and click yourself, you are only focussing on the external appearance. How about this- "Thank you, love. Am not sure how awesome but I hope I look neat and presentable. It doesn't matter who looks at me, what important that I am able to add some value in the conference and ensure my message reaches to the last person sitting in the room." It's the everyday messaging in innumerable ways that count.
Teach kids to value relationships. Only when they see you valuing relationships more than your phone, will the right message go. Try to drop your phone when your child comes to you asking for something.
In the 'screen world' that we live in, social media accounts are more active than human touch. Children don't get the opportunity to develop real, meaningful relationships. You as a parent can help your child to understand the value of human contact by spending time as a family and encouraging them to engage with other kids you trust. For example- A family dining time should be devoid of any gadgets strictly. Weekend activities should be planned with family and friends doing more real things(hiking, biking, swimming, playing and the like) than spending time on gadgets and play station.
Keep them occupied. The old adage empty mind is a devil's workshop' has never been truer. Have you ever noticed that when you are laying around, you tend to check your phone too often, reply to inane posts, and aimlessly fiddling around with your social media accounts? The moment you have work in hand, that the first thing you do is log off and drop your phone. Boredom can definitely breed unwanted behaviour in you. Think about your child. Try to create structure in your child's day through a schedule of chores, after-school activities, homework, free time and family time.
Promote balance. There is limited opportunity for self-reflection if kids constantly post on social media and inundate themselves with technology. Information overload and excessive stimulation can contribute to impulsive and unsafe behaviour. Look at how your children are functioning overall. Are they responsible in school, how are they doing in academics and after school programs, what feedback do teachers have etc. Back home are they shutting off their phone and getting enough sleep at night? If not, encourage kids to exercise balance and unplug from technology.
All this will only happen if you engage with your child and be involved in his day to day activities. There is not much substitute here.
Every time you educate your child, you arm him with tools or weapons to wield it at those times when risk-taking behaviours are thought upon.
Define negotiable and not- negotiable matters and safety definitely fall in the latter.
Restrict the use of cameras. Emphasis on experience first and then capturing the moment.
Educate about the beauty of photography and the responsibility and discipline that goes with it.Educate on healthy clicking habits. Mindless clicking is no art.
Educate your child on height, depth or speed. Most of the accidents have happened at a mountain cliff, near a sea or on road. Unless a person has skills to manoeuvre, one should refrain from experimenting with height, depth and speed. Read stories and do not refrain from discussing it with your child. Peer pressure can act as a big catalyst in your child experimenting with risk-taking behaviour. When your child sets on a trek or a road trip, be mindful in educating your child and his group about possible pitfalls.
In spite of this, things can go awry. Because there is no perfect safety net. But these guidelines will go a long way to ensure the adolescent thinks once before embarking on 'DANGER' to their life.
This thing about a device or a relationship you have is that you can be constructive or destructive with it. You can choose to be mindless or mindful about what's happening. Coming to our little device and the way the little camera has barged into our lives, make a conscious choice to capture a moment in more meaningful ways and not necessarily acting out of narcissistic tendencies. Allow yourself to live richly through experiences first. The problem with selfies or cameras is that it definitely captures the moment but the emotions are only captured by the 'Self'.
Technology is just a tool. In terms of getting the kids working together and motivating them, the teacher is the most important. Bill Gates.
And you are your child's first teacher.
And when you walk down that cliff to get that selfie to gather 100 likes...don't risk your life. Just post that 'I NEED ATTENTION' and we will give you 1000 likes. But if you fell from the cliff, and hit the ground with your head battered into pieces, not a single 'LIKE' can stitch it back and infuse life back in you. That hollow is a 'LIKE'.
How true is this...It is easy to give kids a gadget then to personally spend time with them not realising that we end up making a big loss to us and to our kids.


The book "Imperial Hubris: Why the West is Losing the War on Terror," published by Brassey's Inc. has sold more copies than all other Brassey's books combined for the year 2004. The book was written by an anonymous U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) analyst and marketed, in part, with the author appearing in silhouette on several news shows. Though the identity of CIA author was revealed by one newspaper prior to publication, the sales and enthusiasm for the book weren't affected. Christina Davidson, a spokesperson at Brassey's, said the book is performing much better than expected.


On October 7, 2018, an astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS) captured this incredible image of Earth while orbiting at an altitude of more than 250 miles over Australia.
It shows a rare phenomenon known as an airglow, coloring the entire sky.
'The orange hue enveloping Earth is known as airglow, diffused bands of light that stretch 50 to 400 miles into our atmosphere,' NASA explained.
These incredible images, taken by European Space Agency astronaut Alexander Gerst are the latest in a stunning series of images he has taken from the ISS.
'I don't know any words, in any language, to match the beauty of an orbital sunrise' he said after witnessing the incredible scene.