The Jetpack Plugin from Automattic leaves no one cold. And it polarizes extremely. Either you love it or you hate it. There doesn't seem to be a grey area in between, does there?
When Jetpack was first announced years ago, I was very excited and totally thrilled. After trying it out for the first time, I was sobered and not really convinced. Gradually the dislike grew. But somehow it didn't let me go, then my phase of "hate love" began. Later on, I even developed a German language pack plugin for it and maintained it for several years – it was quite a success. In those years I was quite open-minded about Jetpack. And the Jetpack team also seemed to be trying to respond seriously to concerns and criticism from the community. So far, so good.
Sometime in the last few years, however, Automattic decided to turn the plugin around again and do what various observers of the scene had expected from the beginning: to monetize it completely. Thus Jetpack is still usable without payment, but the usefulness of the free basic version keeps itself meanwhile within "some" limits. The really attractive functions today (in my opinion) are now hidden behind the corresponding annual subscription plans. Only those who pay really get something out of the plugin – as long as you can live with the problems and disadvantages of the plugin or "service".
So that we understand each other right away: I have absolutely nothing against paying myself! A company – also the company Automattic, Inc. – MUST make a profit. It is the noblest, most basic and most important task of a company to earn money. Period.
This point beats all the others, i.e. nobody should use Jetpack just because of this point alone.
A standalone website simply doesn't need a connection to a website building kit, blog and hosting system like WordPress.com. Why should a private blogger or company do it anyway? There are no real reasons. None, nothing, nada, zero. Period. Automattic can be as creative as it gets, and make arguments for this forced connection up its sleeve – it doesn't make it any better, on the contrary. It then seems all the more constructed and even less authentic.
All the features which supposedly need WordPress.com are based on faster data processing on Automattic's WordPress.com servers. This is complete nonsense. If you have a professional hosting and the corresponding function of Jetpack with good other plugins, you are faster and better equipped. And you are and remain completely independent.
The connection to WordPress.com creates a further dependency, especially for companies – technically, and above all legally. According to the GDPR, a data processing contract with the provider is required. The more modules you activate in Jetpack, the more must be included in the contract. The things Jetpack offers are not so important as to justify this bureaucratic effort. And those who now argument with the backup function "VaultPress": this feature is not very feature rich compared to other plugins and cloud providers. A separate contract with a specialized backup provider makes much more sense, also in terms of data security and data economy. Because with Jetpack and WordPress.com it is unclear what exactly happens to the data and who processes it, and whether it is linked/ combined after all?
The obligation to connect and the resulting contractual obligation is absolutely nonsensical. Every website operator should avoid this from the outset and therefore never install Jetpack or, if already in use, remove it without leaving any residue.
None of my customers would ever agree to such a connection to WordPress.com, even without a data processing contract. I just can't find a real argument or such a unique benefit that would justify this connection.
– Who has access to the data of connected websites?
Two examples: The server location is likely to be in the USA. However, this would cause many problems for website operators in Germany or the EU, precisely because of the lack of agreements between the USA and the EU or Germany. But since it is unclear which data will be transferred and processed where and for how long, one should not do the whole thing from my point of view.
The "Right to be forgotten" also raises questions: Is Automattic really in a position to process information and deletion requests? And why in the world should my website data lie on their servers at all? – So that makes no sense at all, no matter how you turn it.
Most Jetpack modules hardly go beyond basic functionality. For each function there are much better special purpose plugins that concentrate on one task and do it correctly. And then give the user the appropriate settings and customization options.
Jetpack offers two content types, Portfolio and Testimonials, but neither of them has any custom fields for capturing additional information. Why do you need the whole thing at all then?
Or the share function: far too few customization and design options. In addition, questions remain unanswered about data protection. – The alternative plugin "Shariff Wrapper" is much better and more sensible in this respect.
Jetpack has never been a role model for other plugin developers. Jetpack has always been a foreign body within WordPress. For many years it looked childish and primitive or even "cheap". This has improved a bit in the last few years. Nevertheless, the operation of the functions and the settings is in large parts an absolute cramp. The user experience deserves only one predicate: So frustrating that one would like to run away.
The upper categories in the settings are also unfavorably chosen or labeled and translated. You can hardly find your way around. The "MasterBar" is stuck under "Writing". You don't get it there. Fortunately, there is a search that at least finds the stuff.
Why don't you just list every module with title and short description and a big checkbox next to it? Zack, zack, done. – The joke is: there is exactly that, but hidden in the shallows of the debugging page. If you get this module overview – which still works with the super robust PHP base – you finally find what you are looking for as a maltreated Jetpack user (and tester).
In addition there is the permanent address of the user with an undistanced informal "you" in the whole Jetpack copy and texts. If you want to be chatted on like Ikea level from early morning until evening, you are welcome to do so, take it as a gift. Only I find it exaggerated, unobtrusive and annoying – an absolute taboo, especially in business use. – None of my customers would do this to themselves for even a minute!
Automattic's strategy with Jetpack is obvious: the Cashcow should become even more profitable. This is a noble goal, of course. But the approach is highly questionable.
Example: the new mobile apps for the shop plugin WooCommerce now require the forced installation of Jetpack, which in turn requires a forced connection to WordPress.com. All this is justified by the API interfaces Jetpack provides via WordPress.com.
This means that the data from my WordPress and WooCommerce website goes via Jetpack to Automattic's servers and from there to my mobile app on iOS or Android devices.
That's absolute nonsense. The Jetpack and WordPress.com compulsion must be stopped! Because this results in a technical AND legal dependency for shop operators.
I strongly assume that Automattic will expand this strategy. The question must be allowed how long WooCommerce can still be installed without Jetpack? The WooCommerce Setup Wizard is already suggesting the installation of Jetpack and has already ticked the box, i.e. prefilled. – This is ethically questionable. Here you make decisions for the user and seduce him. This practice should be stopped immediately.
Nobody would like to get a general store with 20 or 30 different offers in his WordPress, if he needs perhaps only 2 or 3 of them. It's just an ugly idea.
In my opinion, the distinction between the open source project WordPress and the products and services of Automattic/WordPress.com is not present in many places or has been softened. The WordPress community takes a critical view, but nothing is happening. This has been going on for years. It's not just about Jetpack, it's also about "Akismet" (Automattic's paid antispam service, whose plugin is automatically included in every WordPress installation ZIP package).
Jetpack is prominently recommended on WordPress.org in the plugin directory. Sure, it has a huge installation base. But how did it get it? Namely, by constantly being featured prominently. Also in the plugin installer of every WordPress installation it appears immediately if you want to install a new plugin. You first have to start a search yourself, so that Jetpack finally disappears from the view.
Is that "bad"? Probably not. It's much more ridiculous. And it shows more the fear that Automattic apparently has to rely on such kind of features than on natural advertising and marketing. All other plugin vendors are not offered these prominent locations for their plugins. Personally, I find that unequal treatment. This is not good, this is not ethical. Just remember, Jetpack is a huge suite, there are paid features and services behind it. Such kind of plugins are generally allowed in the WordPress.org plugin directory, but Jetpack often takes the best places. That's what it's all about. And no, I don't think that would be a "trifle". It is essentially an injustice.
Now you have experienced my point of view. If you see this differently and still use Jetpack for your own good reasons: congratulations! Nevertheless, I invite every Jetpack user and interested party to consider the installation, activation and use of the plugin carefully.
Thank you, Torsten, for this important addition. Yes, there are still issues with this topic. It is sad, given the big company behind and the huge install base. Sad but true.


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Too Close to Call
The Thirty-Six-Day Battle to Decide the 2000 Election
By: Jeffrey Toobin
Narrated by: Eric Jason Martin
Categories: Non-fiction, Politics
From the best-selling author of A Vast Conspiracy and The Run of His Life comes Too Close to Call - the definitive story of the Bush-Gore presidential recount. A political and legal analyst of unparalleled journalistic skill, Jeffrey Toobin is the ideal writer to distill the events of the 36 anxiety-filled days that culminated in one of the most stunning Supreme Court decisions in history.
Packed with news-making disclosures and written with the drive of a legal thriller, Too Close to Call takes us inside James Baker's private jet, through the locked gates to Al Gore's mansion, behind the covered-up windows of Katherine Harris's office, and even into the secret conference room of the United States Supreme Court. As the scene shifts from Washington to Austin and into the remote corners of the enduringly strange Sunshine State, Toobin's book will transform what you thought you knew about the most extraordinary political drama in American history.
The Florida recount unfolded in a kaleidoscopic maze of bizarre concepts (chads, pregnant and otherwise), unfamiliar people in critically important positions (the Florida Supreme Court), and familiar people in surprising new places (the Miami relatives of Elián González, in a previously undisclosed role in this melodrama). With the rich characterization that is his trademark, Toobin portrays the prominent strategists who masterminded the campaigns - the Daleys and the Roves - and also the lesser-known but influential players who pulled the strings, as well as the judges and justices whose decisions determined the final outcome. Toobin gives both camps a treatment they have not yet received - remarkably evenhanded, nonpartisan, and entirely new.
The post-election period posed a challenge to even the most zealous news junkie: how to keep up with what was happening and sort out the important from the trivial. Jeffrey Toobin has now done this - and then some. With clarity, insight, humor, and a deep understanding of the law, he deconstructs the events, the players, and the often Byzantine intricacies of our judicial system. A remarkable account of one of the most significant periods in our country's history, Too Close to Call is endlessly surprising, frequently poignant, and wholly addictive.
©2001 Jeffrey Toobin (P)2017 Audible, Inc.
The Run of His Life
A Vast Conspiracy
Cleaning the Gold
On Anarchism
A Good Writer
I don't agree with many of Toobin's opinions and conclusions, but I have enjoyed his books on OJ Simpson, Patty Hearst, and this one on the incredible Florida 2000 recount. The narration is first rate.
Micah M.
Wow......
The wrong man was elected president. An amazing account of how the 2000 election recount unfolded and ultimately yielded Pres. Bush.
Enlightening and gripping from beginning to end
The author is clearly biased against George W. Bush, but this does not detract from the enjoyment of this fantastic book, because the author is upfront about his bias and is extremely objective in his telling of the story and analysis. In fact, apart from his belief that Gore is a better human than Bush, most of his commentary about Gore is negative (cannot make decisions, prefers to hob-nob with journalists and write op-ed pieces rather than get in the trenches, and hire and fires staff with no consistency causing low morale on his team, ...) while his comments on Bush and his campaign are often quite admirative (does not micromanage, leaves subordinates room to work, does not fire staff wantonly and thus gains their total devotion, focuses on the deciding issues and is not afraid of flak, ...). It's a bit like reading a history of the May 1940 Blitzkrieg written by a French general; of course he would have wanted the French Army to win, but he cannot help but admire the Wehrmacht's performance, and bemoan the sad state of the French Army and high command.
Calum I. MacLeod
A Very Good Story
While the subject matter is familiar, this story has many twists and turns to keep one's interest. The main flaw in this book is the author's obvious partiality to one side, which gets in the way of the reader's own analysis.
The characters are larger than life, the narrator us excellent and overall I would recommend this book.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
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At Crazy Texas Savings, accessible from https://www.crazytexassavings.com/, one of our main priorities is the privacy of our visitors. This Privacy Policy document contains types of information that is collected and recorded by Crazy Texas Savings and how we use it.
This Privacy Policy applies only to our online activities and is valid for visitors to our website with regards to the information that they shared and/or collect in Crazy Texas Savings. This policy is not applicable to any information collected offline or via channels other than this website. Our Privacy Policy was created with the help of the Free Privacy Policy Generator.
Crazy Texas Savings follows a standard procedure of using log files. These files log visitors when they visit websites. All hosting companies do this and a part of hosting services' analytics. The information collected by log files include internet protocol (IP) addresses, browser type, Internet Service Provider (ISP), date and time stamp, referring/exit pages, and possibly the number of clicks. These are not linked to any information that is personally identifiable. The purpose of the information is for analyzing trends, administering the site, tracking users' movement on the website, and gathering demographic information.
Like any other website, Crazy Texas Savings uses 'cookies'. These cookies are used to store information including visitors' preferences, and the pages on the website that the visitor accessed or visited. The information is used to optimize the users' experience by customizing our web page content based on visitors' browser type and/or other information.
For more general information on cookies, please read the Cookies article on TermsFeed website.
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Third-party ad servers or ad networks uses technologies like cookies, JavaScript, or Web Beacons that are used in their respective advertisements and links that appear on Crazy Texas Savings, which are sent directly to users' browser. They automatically receive your IP address when this occurs. These technologies are used to measure the effectiveness of their advertising campaigns and/or to personalize the advertising content that you see on websites that you visit.
Note that Crazy Texas Savings has no access to or control over these cookies that are used by third-party advertisers.
Crazy Texas Savings's Privacy Policy does not apply to other advertisers or websites. Thus, we are advising you to consult the respective Privacy Policies of these third-party ad servers for more detailed information. It may include their practices and instructions about how to opt-out of certain options.
Crazy Texas Savings does not knowingly collect any Personal Identifiable Information from children under the age of 13. If you think that your child provided this kind of information on our website, we strongly encourage you to contact us immediately and we will do our best efforts to promptly remove such information from our records.
How to Make a Budget? 5-Steps to Make a Budget You Should Try
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Looking for the best wedding gift will never be easy, especially since you want to make it special for the couple. You want to give a mean...
The 10 Cheapest Grocery Store Choices in the U.S.
Are you looking for the cheapest grocery store? You're not alone if you've noticed an increase in your grocery bill recently. ...
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Lars Sullivan is set to be a monster in WWE and as we previously reported, WWE has some big plans for him. But at this point, there is a question as to where he will land.
Sullivan is set to receive the gimmick of a monster and as Mike Johnson noted he could be likened to Bam Bam Bigelow. First, WWE is going to play out a bidding war for his services.
"Is #TheFreak Lars Sullivan more likely to dominate #RAW or #SDLive?' the post from WWE said. So Sullivan is The Freak and likely to dominate.
It will be interesting to see when Lars Sullivan arrives but if I were a betting man he will do a lot of damage to prove WWE's point that he is a Freak when he does come around. He also might be a focal point of both shows as they bid for his services.
So it looks like no amount of bodybuilding message board ranting is going to keep Sullivan from being a big deal in WWE.


Blacktip Jetsports Mat Kits are a great upgrade to factory traction mats. They provide not only a custom look but superior traction for safety in all types of riding situations from racing to cruising. All mat kits come standard with Blacktip's Jetsports exclusive PSA ( pressure sensitive adhesive) to make installation easy – without the big mess of having to glue them down. Simply peel the backing off – press the mats into place and they are ready to go. This is an easy afternoon job and makes a world of difference on how your ski looks.


Get prepared prior to placing the bet- If you wish to win your bet, the best strategy is to perform a well research before placing your bet. Research your options and take care of every facet of internet sports betting. People usually overlook this fact, and put the bet in overconfidence. Often even the bookies of sports betting get this to mistake. Eventually one becomes experienced and needs less research and helps to create a distinct segment to put the bet.
Bet around the underdogs – Although it may seem a little odd but it's correct statistically. It is usually a good idea to put the bet with an underdog in your own home. This tactic will let you in growing the winning odds too.
Timing matters a great deal- Though betting around the underdogs is really a good idea, but people usually bet before amount of time in such situation. Check, see, evaluate after which bet, spend some time rather than bet in a rush.
Try managing your bets- never bet greater than what you could afford, in the end it's gambling and who knows with gambling. Only a coincidence can lead to lose all your hard earned dollars. Bet the quantity that you could have the ability to lose. A good wagerer along with a good analyzer keep some dollars aside, that he helps make the bet and stay with it whatever the looses or winnings. Another good idea to handle your betting amount would be to spread all of your betting profit some smaller sized bets. This method may decrease your risk to get rid of more.


Universal, specific, adaptable, recognizable, factual, predictable, legitimate and multilingual. What could be this expansive? A Number. Count on it. Years after your graduation, numbers will tell stories. For almost three quarters of the 20th century, gas prices averaged 30 cents a gallon. Your grandparents could buy 10 gallons of gas for $3.00. Plus, they probably didn't have to pump the gas and they got their windows washed.
When your grandmother or grandfather went out, a movie ticket cost $.50. A coke (6 oz. bottle) cost $.10 and popcorn was $.20.
Start by including the complete address, phone number, student population and volume number on the title page. If the number of students dramatically increases or decreases, it will be easy to track when the changes occurred.
Important dates to include in the book are the first day of school, homecoming and prom. Unfortunately, those dates are usually the only ones in yearbooks. Include field trip dates. Record the dates of big competitions: athletic, cheerleader, band, academic, etc. The dates of choral and band concerts and plays will stir memories. Also, the dates of SATs, ACTs, AP testing, senior projects are written on college-bound students' calendars or planners.
How about specific times? What time did school start, end? Those times will be oddly significant to you for years, maybe decades. Some schools have unusually early or late lunch times. Record student reactions to those times.
Polls and surveys add numbers to the book. Statistics and time lines are other great ways to be specific. Even consider odd facts and figures: the dynamic 5'5″ point guard in basketball; the student with a size 16 shoe; a family with a set of triplets and twins, etc.
This handout will illustrate possible number formats. Remember, you can count on numbers to help make your book a history book, a reference book and a memory book.


REALIS is a subscription service that allows you to find residential, commercial and industrial transaction data. It also contains useful tools to analyse data it provides. Sure it's a little pricey, but hey, quality data comes at a cost!


This firm, natural rind farm cheese is made with pasteurized whole milk drawn from Holstein cows on the cheese maker's family farm. "A unique cheese made from unique milk," is what they say. This fresh Cheddar has a smooth texture and a hazelnut taste. As the cheese ages, its taste becomes stronger and its texture creamier. It is available in all-white blocks or layered in two colours (orange and white). The cheese maker also makes an aged Cheddar (1 to 4 years) called L'Épave.
These cheese curds are made fresh daily without modified milk ingredients and are available in several varieties: BBQ, Bas-Saint-Laurent salted herbs, tomato and basil, pesto and pepper.
The cheese maker likes to produce cheeses with names that refer to the sea, because it is located in Baie-des-Sables, on the shores of the St. Lawrence. That explains the name Cheddar Littoral (coastal Cheddar). "Come visit us for a rewarding experience at a coastal farmstead cheese maker's," says the cheese maker, who is located right across from a rest area on route 132.
The Cheddar Littoral is available from the cheese maker, as well as in the markets and convenience stores of Baie-des-Sables in Gaspésie.
The Fromagerie du Littoral won an award in 2007 for its contribution to environmental preservation of agricultural areas.


text:
Dany's actions would make sense, if the show's writers hadn't spent seasons undermining her character and the actor's ability to fully portray her.
Christopher Keelty
The night is dark and full of spoilers! In this case, for Game of Thrones Season 8, Episode 5.
First of all, holy crap. I guess we know why this season of GoT took so much time and money to film — the epic destruction of King's Landing is unlike anything we've seen from this show so far, even the Battle of Winterfell two episodes ago.
However, like many fans, I came away feeling unsatisfied by Daenerys Targaryen's heel turn. While plenty of people predicted she might be on a path toward villainy, the moment itself felt unearned and out of character. Already, dozens of essays explain how this is a betrayal of the fans, a betrayal of Dany, a betrayal of feminism…the list goes on. In the end, I think there were subtle failures on the parts of the writers that left viewers unprepared, and more importantly a real betrayal of trust between the show runners and Emilia Clarke, who portrays Dany on screen, that sabotaged her ability as an actor to fully present her character.
It's inaccurate to say there weren't signs earlier in the series that foreshadowed Dany's impending madness. Taking inventory of the series from a purely objective, by-the-numbers perspective, we find abundant examples of Dany's bloodlust:
She burns Mirri Maz Duur alive as punishment for what she did to Khal Drogo;
When the Thirteen of Qarth refuse to open their gates, she threatens to return and burn their city to the ground;
To obtain her army of Unsullied, she tricks Kraznys mo Nakloz into "buying" one of her dragons, then burns him alive, sets fire to the city, and orders her new followers to kill the leaders of Astapor;
After capturing the city of Yunkai, she has the Wise Masters crucified along the road to the city;
And of course she repeatedly makes speeches throughout the series declaring her intent to burn all who oppose her or wronged her family, and repeatedly pushes to burn King's Landing to the ground in her effort to defeat Cersei Lannister. The pieces are there. The problem is, in every instance, the writers balance Dany's brutality against mitigating circumstances that make her seem justified.
The writers themselves, in their behind-the-scenes segment, cite Khal Drogo's execution of her brother Viserys as an early example of her bloodlust — but Viserys was a sociopath who just prior threatened to cut her baby out of her womb, and violated a law of the city of Vaes Dothrak for which he knew the penalty was death. He'd also repeatedly threatened her, molested her, and assaulted her throughout their scenes together. In the context of that scene, Dany's cold stare reads not as madness or desire for vengeance, but as the detached observation of a victim of trauma.
As for those other instances? Mirri Maz Duur deceived her, not only killing her husband and baby, but leaving her to die without her Khalasar — and Dany doesn't just burn the old woman, she herself walks into those flames. The Thirteen of Qarth stand between the life and death of the people who have entrusted Dany to lead them. Kraznys mo Nakloz is another sociopath, who relishes in describing the abuse and brutality in training Unsullied — Dany is presented as a savior, freeing slaves. The Wise Masters of Yunkai experience nothing worse than the exact treatment they used against their own slaves.
So even though those things all happened, the audience in each step was entirely on Dany's side. We were led to see her not as someone on the edge of madness in her lust for revenge, but a reasonable person meting out harsh justice against those who deserved it — no different from Ned Stark, swinging the sword to behead a man he sentenced to death.
At the heart of the audience's response is Emilia Clarke's performance in each of these scenes, and here lies the real injustice of the series. Clarke's performance in Season Eight has been terrific, but it feels sudden and abrupt, because just like the audience, she only learned this season where Dany's arc was heading. Had she known earlier, she could have played those earlier scenes differently, to give us more hint of Dany's personal desire for "fire and blood."
Season 7 is a perfect example, as Dany's advisors repeatedly talk her out of a three-dragon frontal assault on King's Landing and Cersei Lannister. In none of those scenes does Dany come across as bloodthirsty or even motivated by revenge. Her attitude is cold, calculating: She wants her throne, and thinks a direct approach is the best strategy. Had Clarke known then where Dany was destined, she could have shown us more fraying in Dany's composure, given us some subtle signal that burning King's Landing was more than a means to an end.
For contrast, consider Bryan Cranston's performance in Breaking Bad, one of the greatest in the history of television. The genius of that performance is how Cranston begins to show us Walt's true motivations, his lust for power and notoriety, long before he completes his transformation into Heisenberg. Cranston would have been hamstrung if he were kept unaware of Walt's destiny until the relevant episodes — or worse, left to think of Walt as a hero.
Game of Thrones really did Emilia Clarke dirty. She's certainly not to blame — she has done yeoman's work this season portraying Dany's very sudden descent into madness, and her performance in the scene where Dany pulls her heel turn is brilliant. With little more than facial expression, Clarke shows us the moment where Dany realizes she's won. The city has surrendered, the throne is hers for the taking. All she has to do is fly to the Red Keep, dismount her dragon, and her lifelong quest will be achieved.
But as she lays eyes on the Red Keep, Dany realizes the end of that quest will mean the end of her war, and realizes her quest has never really been for the Iron Throne at all. What she's always really wanted, what the Iron Throne has meant to her, was revenge against the people who harmed her family, who drove her from her home and left her only with the abusive sociopathic brother who sold her as his property. Alone, without her advisors to talk her down and feeling isolated by the murders and betrayals of those she trusts, Dany makes a choice that would make sense…if it didn't feel so out of character for the woman we've spent ten years coming to know.
This same twist will make more sense in the books — assuming there are more books, and that this plot point remains the same — because George R. R. Martin has gone to pains in the books to keep all his characters from seeming purely heroic or purely villainous, but maintaining everyone in shades of gray. The books don't work so hard to make Dany's actions feel justified, and very importantly the books spend chapter after chapter showing us how Dany, despite her talent as a conqueror and leader, is a lousy ruler. At that moment when the choice is so binary — dismount the dragon and rule, or take wing and conquer — the decision to conquer makes perfect sense.
It's a shame the show's writers didn't do a better job preparing us for that, and a crime that they sabotaged Emilia Clarke's performance. Properly prepared for the role, she could have stood Daenerys Targaryen alongside Walter White among television's greatest anti-heroes. Instead, Game of Thrones fans will mostly come away unsatisfied, feeling the show has betrayed their Dragon Queen.
Sci Fi Fantasy
Writer, cartoonist, personal trainer, and nonprofit pro. | Twitter: @keeltyc.


text:
import React from 'react';
import PropTypes from 'prop-types';
import MarkdownElement from 'docs/src/components/MarkdownElement';
import { withTheme } from 'material-ui/styles';

const style = {
  maxWidth: '100%',
  maxHeight: 400,
  overflow: 'auto',
};

function ThemeDefault(props) {
  const { theme: { id, ...theme } } = props;

  const text = `
\`\`\`js
${JSON.stringify(theme, null, 2)}
\`\`\`
  `;

  return <MarkdownElement style={style} text={text} />;
}

ThemeDefault.propTypes = {
  theme: PropTypes.object.isRequired,
};

export default withTheme(ThemeDefault);

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


The ruins of the Wolf's Lair (Wilczy Szaniec), are all that remain of Adolf Hitler's WWII headquarters near Ketrzn in the Mazurian region of Poland, now a museum.
The Wolf's Lair consisted of a complex of buildings and a nearby airfield situated on 67 acres of woodland. There are seven massive concrete bunkers measuring in some areas 26 feet high. Although hidden in the woods, Hitler still believed it wasn't enough. As history shows, he was extremely suspicious of anyone around him, and he had right to be. He urged his followers to safeguard the site even more by way of artificial greenery suspended on wires and protected by rings of barbed wire and a minefield.
The TravelSphere combines fascinating travel with historical destinations. The site focuses on the more educational side of travel, rather than the exotic hotels or mixed drinks.
My wife will be interested in this; she comes from Poland.


text:
A Disappointing Console Debut For Nintendo's Plumber
In today's Speak-Up on Kotaku, P4w4rr10r decides he's a video game reviewer from 1986, taking on some game about a plumber on the Nintendo Entertainment System.
Review: Mario Jumps His Way Into Oblivion
In March, Nintendo will drop Super Mario Bros. in the States, a side-scrolling platformer for the brand new Nintendo Entertainment System. It is a sequel of sorts to the Nintendo arcade game Mario Bros, itself a tired rehash of the popular (though overrated and now run into the ground by needless sequels) Donkey Kong cabinet from a few years back. While much hype has surrounded this title, calling it a big-budget action game in the vein of Joust and Lode Runner, in the end it offers very little content and not enough to keep the player coming back for more.
Ideal Player
Very young children, or those with lots of patience for trite and uninspired gameplay. Those who own an NES and can't pony up the coin for the far superior platforming experiences offered by much more powerful arcade games.
Super Mario Bros. is one of Nintendo's pack-in games for the Nintendo Entertainment System, already available in some US markets, to receive a full stateside release next month. The success or failure of this home video entertainment system rides on Mario - and frankly, that doesn't bode well for Nintendo.
So who is Mario? How does this game play?
Mario is a generic, run-of-the-mill protagonist, seen before in the successful Donkey Kong series. He is largely forgettable and nowhere near as lovable or iconic as industry standards such as Pac-Man Mario is controlled using the "d-pad," an inferior, streamlined version of the trusty arcade stick, and the only two gaming buttons on the NES's anemic control unit: A and B. The controller feels weak and flimsy, and its rectangular shape does not lend itself well to prolonged gaming sessions. If you want a run down of how the game plays, picture this: a little mustachioed guy runs to the right and jumps. Yup, that's pretty much it. No strategy, no precision or skill required. With much-anticipated platforming titles like Joust 2 on the horizon, I'm pretty certain Mario will be forgotten fairly quickly.
Ouch. What about simultaneous play?
While Nintendo hyped the NES as a family system, even including 2 control units in the package, Super Mario Bros. does not include simultaneous play, instead forcing players to take turns attempting the repetitive levels. We can assume the NES control deck simply doesn't have the horsepower to animate two characters at once and process the controllers' commands, another strike against this home system. Why anyone would want such a stripped-down, streamlined experience when a quality arcade is just down the street is beyond me. It didn't work for Magnavox, it didn't work for Philips, and even arcade giant Atari has had limited success in the domestic gaming computer. It's been almost 15 years since the Odyssey was released, and I think it's safe to say home consoles are dead in the water. While they might be okay for the casual crowd, arcades are where the hardcore gamers should seek their fix. But enough of my rant, back to Mario!
Well, how do the graphics hold up?
They're... serviceable, for lack of a better word. The blue sky background looks blue alright, but lacks some of the saturation we've come to expect from graphical powerhouses like Galaga. Some of the foreground colors appear washed out, and graphical glitches abound. An odd flashing seems to appear at the right side of the screen when Mario moves too fast for the microchip to keep up. This definitely gets annoying, ruining any immersion the player might have had. Assets are consistently reused - the bushes appear to be identical copies of the clouds, albeit green - and enemy design is bland and unimaginative.
I don't really care about the lack of multi-play or the graphical weaknesses. How much single-player time does this game pack offer?
This game is short. Very, very short. We fully expect skilled players to clock You read that right! While less skilled players will obviously take a bit longer to complete the game, once it's over, there's not much to keep you coming back for more.
So Mario's a dud. Does that mean the NES will be a flop?
If Nintendo's titles continue to offer this kind of lackluster experience far shy of what a powerful cabinet can offer for just a quarter per play, you can bet it's DOA. Steer clear of these home entertainment consoles if you're a serious video game enthusiast. They will only become viable when the blistering speed and raw power of arcade cabinets are finally cheap enough and small enough to be stuffed into a console unit - a moment that may not come in our lifetimes.
Lacking compelling gameplay, stunning graphics, and sufficient content, Super Mario Bros. is best avoided. By this time next year it will be buried, forgotten, and surpassed by far superior arcade offerings.
Now don't start flooding Speak-Up with fake reviews; we won't be doing this again.
About Speak-Up on Kotaku: Our readers have a lot to say, and sometimes what they have to say has nothing to do with the stories we run. That's why we have that little box on the front page of Kotaku. You know, the one with "Got something to say?" written in it? That's the place to post anecdotes, photos, game tips and hints, and anything you want to share with Kotaku at large. Just make sure to include #speakup in your comment so we can find it. Every weekday we'll pull one of the best #speakup posts we can find and highlight it here.
Zom-B
i like the spirit of this review, but it's totally written like someone who's familiar with modern gaming pretending to be a reviewer from 1986.
seriously, no one talked about "immersion" in '86, the NES controller has never felt flimsy and two buttons was practically ground breaking! I had two game systems before my NES (atari and a trs-80 computer which had a bunch of games) and both joysticks had only one button) most arcade cabinets from the time had two buttons. at least the ones i played. hell, all centipede had was a trackball.
NES graphics at the time, for a home console were insane. nobody had anything of that quality on their tv sets yet.
weak sauce fake review.


Former chief minister Ashok Gehlot and state Congress president Sachin Pilot will contest the December 7 assembly elections in Rajasthan. This was announced by Gehlot on Wednesday at a news conference at the Congress headquarters in Delhi. The surprise move has added to the suspense about the Congress party's presumptive chief minister given that both Gehlot and Pilot are strong contenders for the top post in Rajasthan. The Congress is banking on the anti-incumbency against chief minister Vasundhara Raje to wrest power from the BJP this time.


In case you haven't seen, videos (like the above) of a UFO sighing over Net Bailey Stadium in Vancouver have been popping up all over the internet and news sites have gone crazy over them.
And while your inner Mulder really wants to believe, it was, in fact, a stunt by the H.R. MacMillan Space Center to drive visits to it's planetary theater. Because isn't everything a marketing stunt now?
Cool thing about it is they didn't just edit in a UFO to video and seed it on the internet... they actually launched a fake UFO above the stadium so real people caught it with their phones and posted it. That's dedication.


Trinity Lutheran Church is a congregation that prays. God gives us an invaluable gift in prayer. He listens to every syllable of your prayer.
This tri-fold brochure is distributed weekly to everyone attending our weekend services. The resource includes the names of dozens of friends and loved ones wh o are requesting our prayers. Two Lutheran churches from the state of Michigan are also listed as well as other requests for prayer that arise each week. The Word, Prayer, and Care Guide is also mailed to our homebound members every Monday. To respect people's privacy, this document is not placed online.
A group of dedicated volunteers are willing to pray for you 24 hours a day. When you have a crisis and are in need of prayer, call our Prayer Chain Hotline at: (810) 503-4610. These dependable and confidential "prayer warriors" will be mobilized immediately to begin praying for you.
Did a new prayer need arise over the weekend? If so, its not to late to have the whole congregation praying for this need during worship. Just fill out the Prayer Request Card (which you can find next to the hymnals and Bibles) and hand it to an usher during the offering. The worship leader will announce the additional prayer and include it during the Prayer of the Church.


Our Lady's Catholic Academy strives to provide a happy, secure and caring environment which fosters love and acknowledgement of Christ's presence as central to personal, social and academic experiences and achievements.
At Our Lady's Catholic Academy, we encourage our children to believe that 'Anything is Possible' aiming to provide the best primary education in a stimulating environment, so that every child realises his or her potential. We instill a love of learning inspired by quality teaching, nurturing and developing individual strengths and talents. We believe every child is entitled to enjoy his or her childhood, whilst preparing pupils to become world class learners. We encourage and celebrate creativity, original thinking and imagination as well as effort and achievement. We teach the importance of moral values and showing consideration for others.
Our vision and values reflect the Gospel and British values which are at the core of everything that we do. They underpin our teaching and learning, and provide an environment which prepares our pupils as confident, happy citizens. It is important that within the school we all live and breathe these values every day in order that they are understood by pupils, staff, all parents and the wider community.
We will not just accept things as they are but strive to make them even better!
The Wednesday Word is offered to all families as a weekly family time together.


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Versatile, dynamic, stable. For a maximum in operational safety and quality.
Sequential remote power On/Off and an alive contact to provide permanent evaluation of its operational condition. The XB solves all jobs.
A lightweight power horse. Combined with sophisticated digital signal processing. For all types of loudspeakers and venues. Line monitoring and extensive control included.
A new definition of powerful intelligence.
The new 4X – Groundbreaking technology for event and installation! Much more than just power!
4 times superior sound and solid durability, combined with amazing and leading technology.
The 4X DUAL combines two separate 2-channel amplifiers in one chassis.
Peak performance in a double pack.
Multiple reliability. Meeting the highest demands in sound and flexibility.
With two separate power supplies, an integrated noise gate per channel, sequential remote power On/Off, alive contacts for every channel pair, and computer control.
To master a complete installation with only one power pack – that's what we call a standard.
Made for PA/VA applications, BGM, music and acoustic alarm signals. Stable, constantly monitored, versatile, and dynamic.
Needless to say that the XV high-end toroidal output transformers are some of the very best. The XV effortlessly deals with all situations and jobs.
Sovereign dependability and seamless switching over to 24 VDC in case of a loss of mains power. Without diminishing its performance or a reduction of output power.
In accordance with the most stringent safety regulations (EN 54-16).
Designed for voice evacuation, public announcements and background music (BGM) with uncompromised audio performance.
Reliability has a new face.
A class of its own. Class D amplifier modules made of discrete components and circuits! No pre-fabricated building blocks. Powerful without any losses even under the most demanding conditions.
Its reduced weight due to floating 100 volts direct outputs (transformerless) will allow for a cost effective installation. In addition, Bittner's High Efficiency Technology reduces the energy consumption to a minimum.
Take one get more. The 2DXV500 and 2DXV300 amplifiers are powerful, universal, ultra-compact tools for the most demanding applications. Designed and manufactured for the safety of human lives, the comfort of entertainment and information.
Combined with a backup power supply of 24 V DC.
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For the use in XV und XV-DC series and as the ideal complementary product for the 8X multi-channel amplifiers.
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Effortless communication with the high performance DSPs of the XR or the line monitoring facilities of the 4X Series. Up to 15 complex scenarios may be recalled manually or via the net. All activities will be logged and sent as an e-Mail to a destination of your choice. For seamless control, no matter where you are.
The information age meets power.
The new paradigm for a maximum of operational safety. The inputs and outputs of a defective amplifier will be inaudibly switched to an assigned backup amplifier.
The correct level of the defective amplifier will be transferred to the backup unit to provide the smoothest transition imaginable. Self monitoring – granted.
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The NA-1 is a USB to RS-485 converter.
Galvanic isolation between the amplifiers and the PC.
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text:
Senate approval needed to end treaty, say 14 senators
Fourteen senators believe that the Senate should have a say when a treaty or international agreement concurred in by the Senate is terminated or abrogated.
The 14 senators filed on Monday a resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the termination of any treaty and international agreement concurred in by the Senate should not be valid without the concurrence of the chamber.
Senate Resolution No. 289 titled "Resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that termination of, or withdrawal from, treaties and international agreements concurred in by the Senate shall be valid and effective only upon concurrence by the Senate."
The resolution was principally authored by Senate President Pro-Tempore Franklin M. Drilon and was signed by 13 other senators as co-authors. These include Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III, Minority Leader Ralph Recto, Senators Benigno Aquino IV, Leila De Lima, Francis Pangilinan, Risa Hontiveros, Panfilo Lacson, Loren Legarda, Miguel Zuibiri, Gregorio Honasan, Joseph Victor Ejercito, Sonny Angara, and Joel Villanueva.
"The power to bind the Philippines by a treaty and international agreement is vested jointly by the Constitution in the President and the Senate," it emphasizes.
Thus, it underscores: "A treaty or international agreement ratified by the President and concurred in by the Senate becomes part of the law of the land and may not be undone without the shared power that put it into effect," the resolution states.
Article VII, Section 21 of the Constitution provides" that "no treaty of international agreement shall be valid and effective unless concurred in by at least two-thirds of all the members of the Senate."
The principle of checks and balances, historical precedent and practice accepted as law in most jurisdictions, and the Constitution's dictate for a shared treaty-making power, according to the resolution, require "that a termination, withdrawal, abrogation or renunciation of a treaty or international agreement can only be done with the same authority that gave it effect - executive ratification with Senate concurrence."


text:
Home Courses Courses at Year 12 Level WA Universities' Foundation Program (WAUFP)
The Foundation Program has been specially designed to meet the needs of international students. It is offered in three modes: January Entry, April Entry and Mid-Year Entry. January and April Entry courses finish in November of the same year and Mid-Year Entry course finishes in June the following year.
The January intake is a standard program which is suitable for all students who meet minimum entry requirements. April intake is a discrete express course for above average students.
Final results are issued by the college and TISC. THE CPS is a 50:50 combination of college results and final TISC examinations results. Moderation is undertaken independently by TISC. WA university applications are managed through Canning College and TISC. Students can package with WA universities but conditions may apply. Scholarships based on academic merit are available.
Course_Information_Booklet (5 MB pdf)
Western Australian Universities' Foundation Program Certificate issued by TISC (Tertiary Admissions Service Centre)
Where This Course
Will Take Me?
Guaranteed entry into a Western Australian public university on successful completion and meeting the universities' entry requirements. WA public universities are Curtin University, Edith Cowan University, Murdoch University and The University of Western Australia. Successful WAUFP students also have guaranteed entry into The University of Notre Dame.
Acceptance by government and private universities throughout Australia and overseas.
Choice of university and undergraduate courses
This course is of particular interest to Health Sciences students as it offers direct entry into popular Curtin University programs. There are no quotas (subject to students achieving entry requirements) on the number of Canning College students who can enter Curtin Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Pathology and some other Health Sciences degrees.
CLICK HERE for more information on Canning-Curtin Health Sciences pathway
January entry: 11 months (January - November)
April entry: 8 months (April - November)
August entry: 10 months (August - May/June)
Students in the standard January and August intake receive 9 hours per week of tuition in ELACS (English language and Australian Cultural Studies) and 4.5 hours per week in other subjects.
Students in the April intake receive an extra hour per week of tuition in each unit. At the time of the final examinations in November, these students will have had approximately the same total tuition hours as those who commenced in January.
English Competency Requirements
GCE 'O' Level English, 1119: C6
SPM English: C6
Hong Kong F5 English: Level 3
minimum level IELTS 5.5 (SVP students require IELTS 5.5 or equivalent)
TOEFL: 525 or 195 (new grading system)
Academic Requirements Satisfactory completion of Year 11 studies or equivalent. Click here for further details.
Mid Year Entry 2020/2021:
Orientation 30 July - 31 July 2020
Classes: 3 August - 25 September 2020
Vacation break: 26 September - 12 October 2020
Classes: 13 October - 11 December 2020
Vacation break: 12 December 2020 - 1 February 2021
Classes: 2 February - 1 April 2021
Vacation break: 2 April - 18 April 2021
Classes: 21 April - 11 June 2021
External WAUFP exams: 14 - 18 June 2021 (TBC)
2021 course dates can be found in the Academic Calendar
Application and Enrolment Information
The course is provided on behalf of the Western Australian public universities - The University of Western Australia, Curtin University, Murdoch University and Edith Cowan University. TISC manages the program and the Department of Education Services is the registering authority.
January Entry 2021: AUD$23,578.00
April Entry 2021: AUD$23,578.00
Mid-Year Entry 2021: AUD$23,578.00
* Course cost does not include Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). This is a compulsory medical cover for ALL international students, as required by the Department of Home Affairs.
Contact Student Services on +618 9278 3500
Courses at Year 12 Level
WA Universities' Foundation Program (WAUFP)
Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE)
Courses at University Level
Diploma of Commerce
Courses at Pre-Diploma Level
52835WA Certificate IV in University Access Program
Secondary Studies
Bridging Programs
Preparation for Year 10 and Year 11
Links to WA Universities
Murdoch University


If you've been lamenting the lack of a legible practice course at Elmwood Park this weekend is for you. I have carefully flagged what I believe to be the course that "they" created.
It's certainly very close to what is being ridden the most. I base this claim on this "2016 Early Elmwood Practice Course" Strava Segment viewable here - https://www.strava.com/segments/12962637?filter=overall.
It is generally an anti-clockwise lap and starts at the triple flags along the east edge of the big parking lot. It ends on the west edge parking lot by the picnic shelter.
I make no guarantees on the flags remaining in place. I was not invited to flag the course and am possibly stepping into someone else's territory. I will be removing the flags Monday night because mowing around them would be difficult.
Be sure to stop along the north woods and notice the abundance of Monarch butterflies.
Finally, want to ride it with me? Hit me up, let's work something out.
The Saturday Coffee Shop Ride is Saturday July 30. We depart the Falls Park Farmer's Market at 9am. There is plenty of parking in the north part of Falls Park.
The Falls Park Farmer's Market has some vendors that sell food, most notably one that sells coffee.
Here is a link to the probable route.
I'm kinda digging the gravel riding thing.
Stepping inside the Manna Bakery is like stepping into another world. I like that about any place. Thanks for coming out this morning fellow riders.
Next Saturday Coffee Shop Ride is July 30. We roll at 9am from the Falls Park Farmers Market. They always have food and coffee for sale within.
Happy Tour Sioux Falls day. I'm going to ride from TSF Central at Cherry Rock Park to FAST singletrack at Leaders Park. After that the bike trail will take me to FAST singletrack at Yankton Trail Park. I'll hang out there for awhile as a FAST board member welcoming all the singletrack curious riders. Then back to Cherry Rock Park for some food truck goodness.
Cherry Rock Park - a few of my favorite things.
The Saturday Coffee Shop Ride is this very next Sunday. June 26. We depart the Manna Bakery at 9am. The Manna Bakery is at 812 E 6th St which is the intersection of 6th Street and Indiana Ave.
What the Manna Bakery lacks in coffee it makes up for in freshly baked pastries and such.
I've been working with The Boy 14 on how to safely ride in the city. Lane control & release, being predictable, communicating. Soon he'll be released into the wild so that he can fulfill some volunteer opportunities downtown this summer.
For today's 5 mile round trip between home and two bus stops I led and 6,000 mile rider Big Brother took the rear. My job was to demonstrate lane positioning, and the timings for scanning, signaling and turning.
Big Brother's job was to verify proper imitation. At the end Big Brother offered his comments which were amazing for me to hear because he gets it, including: "Do those hand signals like you mean it. Do them sharper than dad does because that's what gets the attention of drivers."
Plus I got to demonstrate tire changing.
I don't know for sure but I suspect most people, when they think of riding bikes in the city imagine following a car down the street, with an impatient driver behind wishing the rider off the road, and another turning driver ready run over the rider at the slightest mis-cue.
On April 21 KELOLAND News published this piece about bicycling safely. On May 30 I sent the following letter with 10 signatures to the Police Chief and received a response less than 12 hours later. Wow.
We recently observed Officer Draeger in a bicycling safety news article on KELOLAND TV say some things that concern us as Sioux Falls bicyclists.
Officer Draeger's first statement, "Even if you're in the right of way on a bicycle, you're going to lose if you tangle with a car" is not helpful. People who bicycle know all too well that injury and death are frequently probable when crashing into a car. What riders and drivers of other vehicles aren't clear on is that law enforcement will give riders the same protection under the law as drivers of other vehicles whether they are involved in a crash or not.
Officer Draeger's third statement "Remember if you're riding on the sidewalk, you have to stop your bicycle before you cross the street" was fine. While most bicycle riders would be surprised to learn they must stop even if the pedestrian signal is in their so many riders roll through intersections on the sidewalk without stopping, or even looking, it's amazing.
1. She passed me as we both performed a left turn. Passing in an intersection is expressly forbidden in law. Passing while both turning left is a move some NASCAR drivers struggle with.
2. When I said "if you wait until after we turn we'll both be more safe." She ever so nicely said she was sorry and she wasn't sure what to do.
Just wait half a block and pass me when it's straight...and I thanked her for being so nice.
#1 - always communicate to drivers your intentions by signaling your turns. Even when you think you're alone on the road. I got lazy this morning and didn't.
#2 - always always always scan before moving laterally in the roadway. Even when you think you're alone on the road. I did scan left before I turned left and discovered I was being questionably but legally overtaken - well maybe they were speeding, but everybody does there. It was simple enough for me to hold my line and not turn into the car but I wasted most of my margin for error by failing to comply with rule #1.
#3 - the habits you practice matter. Moving left on the bike trail to overtake a pedestrian? Scan left. Turning left from a left turn only lane with two lanes of oncoming traffic? Scan left. Moving right on the bike trail after overtaking a pedestrian? Scan right. The habit is the thing that can save your life when you're lazy.
I've been a bit delinquent on posting and publicising the Saturday Coffee Shop Rides. Amazingly attendance remains strong. In fact last week at Caribou/Einstein a friend I hadn't seen in a very long time surprised me and rode with us. The temperature was low and the precipitation was high.
Here we are, two weeks away from the May Saturday Coffee Shop Ride. A couple months ago Flyboy Donuts met us outside as we rode by and they handed us dozens and dozens and dozens of donut holes.
Nothing gets my attention like donuts so this month: Saturday May 28, our venue is Flyboy Donuts.
The plan is to go west over the Tallgrass Bridge, north through the mall and Meadows. We'll note the proximity of the new grocery store to the bike trail. Have I mention there's a grocery store right on the bike trail now? Then south through a neighborhood and back for coffee and donuts at Flyboy Donuts.
Maple bacon donuts. Specifically. Seriously. Maple. Bacon. Donuts. Donuts with maple. And bacon. Bacon.
The ride leaves at 9am. The loop is 11.3 miles and is weather adjustable. Here are general expectations of the Saturday Coffee Shop Rides. Faster riders may find the slowish speed of this ride mentally taxing.
Driver Mindset on the Bike Trail?
I've learned of an early March bike trail pedestrian/bike crash resulting in unconsciousness and broken bones for the pedestrian. I hate it when the driver mindset of "push forward though all risks" visits the trail.
I suspect many riders don't take into consideration the physics of human reaction time when riding around pedestrians.
First the pedestrian must identify the bell or call-out "on your left" is directed at them, they have to identify the correct response and they have to implement the response. Is that a 9 second process if everything works perfectly?
A 20mph rider travels 261 feet in 9 seconds. That's 87 yards people. I bet most pedestrians cannot identify a bell or call-out directed at them from 87 yards.
The ONLY safe response to this information is to slow down for slower trail users. I've said before, if you're not matching the speed of the people you're passing on the trail and especially complimenting the bikes ridden by children you're not thinking enough about the future of riding in the city.
My high school math teacher will tell you a bike trail crash could end your riding career. It did his.


An open-air place on delightful Presa El Abra, 4km southwest of the center, this is where pineros go on weekends to partake in comida criolla (Creole food), spontaneous dancing and water sports. Pork (would you believe it?) is a favorite for the grill-ups, but there are good fish options too. Or simply sip a cold beer and salute the view.


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We like options. But we also understand that having tons of options makes markets complicated and difficult to understand for both clients and service providers.
Most companies gave up already. They have dedicated themselves to only one or two options and will claim that these are THE BEST OPTIONS for any and all organizations. Untrue.
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Step two: If you let us, we'll do all the legwork. We'll provide you with the best options for your circumstance at the best prices available in today's market, guaranteed.
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Step four: We won't play favorites. Our clients choose their signs for themselves.
Step five: We'll be here. No matter your installation choice. We can either walk with you throughout self-installations, or take the steering wheel and orchestrate your turn-key installation for you.
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Need some options for your project? Don't worry, we've already got you covered. Read more below about our plans.
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"Degradable Intake Protein In Finishing Diets Containing Dried Distille" by Kyle J. Vander Pol, Galen E. Erickson et al.
An experiment evaluated the effects of finishing diets containing dried distillers grains supplemented with degradable intake protein on performance and carcass characteristics of yearling heifers. Diets contained 10% or 20% dried distillers grains (DDG) with or without 0.80 or 0.63% urea. Degradable intake protein balances were -192 (10% DDG no urea), 58 (10% DDG + urea), -111 (20% DDG), and 81 (20% DDG + urea) grams/day. No response in performance or carcass characteristics were observed among treatments. The results indicate sufficient amounts of urea were recycled to the rumen to meet the degradable intake protein requirement. Therefore, supplemental degradable intake protein is not necessary in finishing diets containing dried distillers grains at 10% or 20% of diet DM.


Indiscernibly as it is, people are being made slaves by the stuff of this world.
Never in the history of planet earth have humans been involved in so much consumerism as today.
Even little children were unintentionally being conditioned that the more toys they have, the happier they should become.
Some parents use material things as reward for something good done by their kids, without knowing that they are introducing their children to the pattern of worldly materialism.
As if a material possession is a goal they have to achieve.
Why not give love and encouragement, tenderness and gentleness towards one another as reward? Corny, but isn't that better?
After childhood, we go to school and are then conditioned that life is a race, we should always be number one, that the higher your grades are, the better is your life in the future.
We are pressured to graduate in college so we can have the best chance at getting a good paying job.
Then we claw each other and push each other aside, even forsaking friendships, just to covet those limited good paying jobs.
For what? For big houses, fancy SUVs, expensive clothes and gadgets, and lots of debt to go with all that.
While working, we are then conditioned that the solution to everything is consumption.
When we're stressed, we go to the mall and shop or watch a movie.
When we want to be entertained, we buy the entertainment.
We buy our food in artificial packages that damage our health, and then we fix our failing health by buying exercise clothes and equipment.
And when we can't afford to buy these things, we go into deeper debt and depression takes over our lives.
We fix our deeper debt by going into another larger, even deeper debt.
Our lives are stuck to our buying, consuming, and hoarding habits.
We are stuck doing work we hate, to pay for stuff we don't even need or want.
We became slaves of this world, and we don't even know it.
Real freedom comes from a life driven by purpose, a life guided by the hands of our Father in heaven, a life being made ready for eternity.
We may eventually have some of this material stuff, but our perspectives are solid that all these are indeed only stuff.
When you know your purpose, life becomes simpler and more focused. Nothing is wasted.
Life on earth is fleeting, it's just a dot compared to the infinite line of eternity.
Why do we need to store treasures on earth, where nothing is permanent and sooner or later things go into decay?
We should store more treasures in heaven, where decay does not exist.
One of our young people at church posted in his Facebook account that "we can't have everything, and we can't do everything," obvious that he is disheartened by that statement.
There are lots of ways to break free from the chain of this world's consumerism.
Living a simple life is the first step towards it.


going to solve our problems, even a little bit.
woman sitting alone at a table in a cosy little restaurant.
then decided to send a reply to him by a note.
and conveyed it to the gentleman.
in your garage, a million dollars in the bank and 7 inches in your pants.
deliver it to the lady.
dollars in my bank account and portfolio.
But, not even for a woman as beautiful as you, would I cut off two inches.
Just send the wine back!
Japanese steel producers like I did."
better?" Howard said, "Be honest with the people like I was."
Indy pace cars ... all of 'em.
The CMSGT paid and left with the monkey.
with no back talk or complaints. It's well worth the money."
expensive, $10,000! What does it do?"
useful monkey indeed," replied the shopkeeper.
with his pecker, but his papers say he's a pilot."
him, "Are you allergic to anything?"
service! Well that qualifies for extra bonus points. Okay.
right now. Our normal hours are from 8:00 am to 4:00 PM.
PM, why don't you want me here until 10:00 am?"
you coming in for that."
you; but don't let a kiss fool you.
Confucius Say: It is better to lose a lover than love a loser.
Confucius Say: Man with a broken condom is called a Daddy.
Confucius Say: A drunken man's words are a sober man's thoughts.
out, and you lose interest.
is any good if you don't get it.
won't drink from my glass!
If it weren't for pickpockets, I'd have no s*x life at all.
put a bag over your head in case the bag over her head comes off.
I knew a girl so ugly... they use her in prisons to cure s*x offenders.
older we should continue to exercise - you first !
this -- first I tried with my right hand, but nothing.
At the San Francisco Marriage Counter.
"Jones?? Are you related?? I see a resemblance."
"Brothers?? You can't get married."
"Why not?? Aren't you giving marriage licenses to same gender couples?"
"Not gay?? Then why do you want to get married?"
we don't have any other prospects."
because we are not gay?"
"Hi. We are here to get married." Names?"
our s*xual preferences in a marital relationship."
"So you're discriminating against bis*xuals!"
"Marry yourself?? What do you mean?"
the two together. Maybe I can file a joint income-tax return."
"That does it! I quit! You people are making a mockery of marriage!"
Looking for a '57 Nash Metropolitan? This one's Saskatchewan-ized!
You'd be the talk of the town if you had this.
Paddy took 2 stuffed dogs to Antiques Roadshow.
Taken at just the right moment.
nature through such innocent eyes.
'Daddy, what are those two spiders doing?' she asked.
'They're mating,' her father replied.
A Daddy Longlegs,' her father answered.
As his heart soared with the joy of such a cute and innocent question.
lifted her foot and stomped them flat.
of that sh*t in Australia."
For sale - "Corvette Tail Lights - in Good Condition"


text:
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Thank you for helping us grow a culture of walking and biking in Vermont!
Your support will sustain infrastructure campaigns across the state and many other equally important programs and initiatives, from Bike Smart to the Bike Ferry.
Here's a quick look at some of what we were up to in 2019:
Supported 7 pop-up demonstration projects in 6 counties
Partnered with Chittenden County Regional Planning on a regional bike-count program to gather data on infrastructure needs and uses
Provided technical assistance to 24 towns
Held 33 workshops statewide, reaching more than 750 Vermonters of all ages
Brought our Bike Smart trailers to 79 schools and camps, enrolling 13,400 kids
Successfully tested a remote bike rental operation at Burton Island State Park
Hosted internationally recognized author and bike walk advocate, Jeff Speck
This story is just one example of the work we do across Vermont – helping to build bike-friendly and walkable communities for all!
When Jason Stuffle moved to Colchester Avenue 15 years ago, momentum was building for improved infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists. But year after year, meeting after meeting, progress was painfully slow and piecemeal. On-street parking barely left enough room for driving lanes, let alone bike lanes or crosswalks. Despite his advocacy, an overhaul on Colchester Ave just wasn't happening.
Finally, last year, as Burlington was preparing to repave Colchester Avenue, Local Motion brought together and helped rally Jason and his neighbors to ramp up pressure on the City to make the street safer and more equitable. We leveraged our base of supporters to spread the word, turn residents out to speak at public meetings, and create a petition that garnered over 250 signatures. The work paid off: Safe bike lanes, sharrows, and a new crosswalk are coming to Colchester Ave! There's more work to be done, though, which is why Jason and his neighbors aren't finished advocating for the change they know will make their neighborhood a better place.
Help us to continue to make a difference in communities like yours by giving today!


text:
Каппа Девы, κ Virginis, (κ Девы, Kappa Virginis, сокращ. kappa Vir, κ Vir), также имеющая собственное имя Канг — звезда в зодиакальном созвездии Дева. Звезда имеет видимую звёздную величину 4,18m, и, согласно шкале Бортля, видна невооружённым глазом на городском () небе.

Из измерений параллакса, полученных во время миссии Hipparcos, известно, что звезда удалена примерно на  () от Солнца. Звезда наблюдается южнее 80° с. ш., лучшее время наблюдения — апрель.

Имя звезды
k Virginis — (латинизированный вариант ) является обозначением Байера. У звезды также имеется обозначение данное Флемстидом — 98 Virginis.

В , звезда относится к созвездию  и астеризму  (), что означает также «Шея» (), состоящему из Каппа Девы, Йота Девы, Фи Девы и Лямбда Девы. Следовательно, сама Каппа Девы известна как  (),  — «Первая звезда Шеи»).

В 2016 году Международный астрономический союз организовал Рабочую группу при МАС по звёздным именам (WGSN) для каталогизации и стандартизации имен собственных звёзд. WGSN утвердил название «Kang» для этой звезды 30 июня 2016 года, и теперь оно включено в Список утверждённых МАС звёздных имён.

Свойства звезды
Каппа Девы — звезда-гигант спектрального типа . Также звезда является углеродной звездой и
используя более современную пересмотренную схему Моргана-Кинана, звезде был присвоен спектральный тип CN-1, что указывает на углеродную звезду типа N с температурным индексом 1.

По массе звезда несколько больше Солнца (на 46 %). Имея предполагаемый возраст  Каппа Девы расширилась в процессе эволюции более чем в 25 раз по сравнению с радиусом Солнца. Как следствие, звезда светит примерно в 229 раз больше солнечной светимости и излучает энергию со своей внешней атмосферы при эффективной температуре около , что придаёт ей оранжевый оттенок звезды типа K. Звезда имеет поверхностную гравитацию , что почти в полтора раза больше, чем на поверхности Солнца.

Вращаясь с экваториальной скоростью  (то есть со скоростью в 2,5 раза больше солнечной), этой звезде требуется порядка 260 дней, чтобы совершить полный оборот.
Звезда уже сошла с главной последовательности и ей осталось не так много времени (порядка 100 миллионов лет), чтобы закончить ядерный синтез и сбросив свою внешнюю оболочку, стать углеродно-кислородным белым карликом.

К сожалению, у звезды не обнаружено каких-либо планет, по крайней мере пока. Сама Каппа Девы не очень богата металлами — их у неё всего 34 % от того что имеется на Солнца, а звёзды, имеющие планеты, имеют тенденцию иметь больше металлов.

Каппа Девы была исследована на наличие избыточного инфракрасного излучения и была идентифицирована как инфракрасный источник, что может указывать на наличие околозвёздного диска из пыли. Радиальная гелиоцентрическая скорость −4 км/с, и это значит, что звезда приближается в Солнцу.

Примечания

Дева (созвездие)
Объекты Байера
Объекты Флемстида
Объекты HD и HDE
Объекты HIP

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Let your day be remembered for ever. You worked so hard to make your wedding day an unforgettable day. Invest in an Artist to help you relive it for the rest of your life. Please contact us with any questions you might have about our services. Contact us to set up a free consultation.


exactly how?? did triple h defeat the monster brock lesnar?
Brock Lesnar has sign and strength and showed signs of using some of the Wresting Moves that he used when he first came to The WWE. That being said, people in Yahoo Answers keep acting like Brock Lesnar is Superman. If that was true, he would have been undefeated in MMA. He wasn't undefeated. He can be beat if you have a good Game Plan. And the people who are pooh poohing Triple H seem to forget that Triple H is about 6'3 and 250lbs. He's not exactly a 98lb weakling. Triple H worked on Brock Lesnar and did make a concerted effort to try to break Brock Lesnar's Arm. He even countered when Brock Lesnar went for The Kimora and tried to break Triple H's Arm again.
It was in the script because wrastling is gay and fake.


The 8-card CCC Isolator Shelf Model 751109/15 houses eight plug-in isolator service cards. The shelf is molded from specially treated polyurethane resulting in a lightweight, flame retardant product of high dielectric strength. The moulded polyurethane body limits the possibility of many kinds of infiltration while providing reliable isolation from external ground potentials.
The shelf is equipped with the connectors for any of the plug-in cards from the Teleline Isolator line of products. The shelf has a separate space to accommodate a plug-in power supply card Model 751313MC (120 Vac /130 Vdc to -24 Vdc), a Battery Backup Card, Model 751312 to provide -24 Vdc uninterruptible power supply (UPS), 751318MC (120 Vac/130 Vdc to -48 Vdc), or the Model 751319MC (48 Vdc to -48 Vdc). If the Battery Backup is not used, then two Power Supply Cards may be installed for redundancy or to have both -24 Vdc and -48 Vdc available in the shelf.
The shelf is shipped with a Station cable stub for connection to substation communications equipment, a Polyethylene Insulated Cable (PIC) stub for connection to the Central Office (CO) incoming cable, and a power cable.
The CCC designation means that the shelf follows the telecommunication industry's Color Coding Convention for cable-pair designations.
The Station and CO cables are ternminated in connectotrs that mate to individual printed circuit boards designed to eliminate any crosstalk interference.
Each of the eight card slots can accommodate two Tip and Ring pairs for four-wire AC data applications, four-wire T1 applications, HDSL, HDSL4, bonded copper, ADSL2+ and VDSL2 applications.
The Station and CO cables are prewired to male connectors for insertion into the female receptacles mounted on the printed circuit boards inside the shelf. The power cable provided is used to supply 120 Vac to the shelf when an internal Power Supply Card is used.
The unit is lightweight and easy to install. The shef weighs only 12.2 kg (27 lbs).
For HDSL and T1 applications requiring a network interface on the station-side of the isolator, Positron's latest shelves and isolator cards superimpose Station-side Span Power voltage directly across the Station-side Tip and Ring pairs with power derived from the -48Vdc output of the plug-in power supplies, such as the 751318MC and 751319MC. 751318MC.
Overall cost of the installation is reduced and simplified because the need for a dedicated power supply to drive the HDSL or T1 termination units is eliminated.


text:
var _ = require('lodash');
var webpack = require('webpack');
var devConfig = require('./webpack.config.dev');

var distConfig = _.extend({}, devConfig);

entry: {
    app: ['main']
};

delete distConfig.devtool;

distConfig.plugins = distConfig.plugins.concat(

    new webpack.DefinePlugin({
        'process.env': {
            'NODE_ENV': JSON.stringify('production')
        }
    }),
    new webpack.optimize.OccurenceOrderPlugin(true),

    new webpack.optimize.UglifyJsPlugin({
        compress: {
            warnings: false
        }
    }),

    new webpack.optimize.DedupePlugin()
);

module.exports = distConfig;


Quite a number of drivers are arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or some other narcotics on an annual basis. It is a fact that an arrest for DWI, Driving While Intoxicated, or DUI, Driving Under the Influence, is such a frustrating experience for anyone to go through and as a result when this faces you, you need to be as informed and prepared as possible to face the situation head on. In order to help with this need effectively it will be important for you to consider hiring the services of the best DUI attorney to help take some of the stresses off the way. Your DUI attorney will help you determine whether or not to plead guilty or have the case taken to hearing and in such a case and more so when the case happens to be so complex, they will be of immense help to you as navigate the complex legal systems. The DWI/DUI attorney are best versed with the laws touching on the violations you stand charged of and as such will be the persons to trust for the best advice on how you will proceed with the charges you will stand faced with. You need to bear in mind the fact that in the event that you stand faced with such charges as DUI/DWI, these will have instant impacts on your life such as being relieved of your driving privileges, employment and at times they as well carry highly costly penalties such as a jail term. These are just but some of the reasons why it will be quite advisable for you to consider knowing well enough your options as an accused person in the event that you happen to face such charges of DWI/DUI. The following are some of the tips that will certainly help you settle for the best of the DUI attorneys who will indeed serve you effectively with your charges for DWI/DUI and as well help you get as informed as you should be with the case that you will be facing before a court of law for DUI charges.
First and foremost, you need to come up with a shortlist of the potential DUI attorneys. Some of the sure resources that you can trust in this endeavor to create such a shortlist is going for recommendations and as well researching from the National Associations and the State Bar Associations. When you have finally come up with your shortlist, you then need to get a step ahead and now vet the attorneys looking at their qualifications to handle the case at hand. This is the point in time that you now have to look at the licensing of the attorney as it is only with a licensed attorney that you will have a representation in a court of law.


text:
El Museo de Gavá y Parque Arqueológico Minas de Gavá, fundado en 1978, está formado por dos equipamientos: el Museo de Gavá y el Parque Arqueológico de las Minas de Gavá. Forma parte de la Red de Museos Locales de la Diputación de Barcelona.

Museo de Gavá

El Museo de Gavá tiene su sede en la torre Lluc, una casa de veraneo de una familia burguesa construida en 1799. El edificio cuenta con una sala polivalente en el sótano, salas de exposiciones temporales y un taller didáctico en la planta baja, y la exposición permanente «Gavá, las voces del paisaje» en la planta noble. La visita se complementa con un jardín botánico de plantas autóctonas, agrupadas en los distintos ambientes del macizo del Garraf y del delta del Llobregat.

La Casa Museo también cuenta con un módulo multisensorial llamado "La Mirada Táctil", un espacio de interpretación táctil especialmente adaptado y diseñado para los visitantes que presenten algún tipo de dificultad visual, ceguera o movilidad reducida.

Exposición permanente
La exposición permanente, inaugurada en 2002, propone un recorrido por las distintas etapas de la historia, desde los tiempos geológicos hasta la actualidad, prestando especial atención a la relación entre el hombre y el paisaje del Bajo Llobregat. Entre las piezas expuestas destaca especialmente la Venus de Gavá, una estatua antropomorfa de entre 5.500 y 5.000 años de antigüedad.

Parque Arqueológico Minas de Gavá
El Parque Arqueológico Minas de Gavá, inaugurado en 2007, permite visitar el yacimiento de las Minas Prehistóricas de Gavá, las minas en galería más antiguas de Europa, dedicadas a la extracción de variscita.
El Parque Arqueológico complementa la visita al yacimiento con recreaciones con tecnologías audiovisuales y multimedia del entorno natural y social de sus pobladores.

Véase también
 Minas de Gavá
 Jardín Botánico del Museo de Gavá

Referencias

Enlaces externos

 Sitio oficial
 Web del Museo más grande de Cataluña

Gava
Museos de la provincia de Barcelona
Museos de la minería de España
Gavá
Museos de España inaugurados en 2002
Museos de la Red de Museos Locales de la Diputación de Barcelona
Bajo Llobregat
Gavá
Parques arqueológicos


text:
Reporting the theft and destruction of sacred art from around the world.
South and East Asia
West and Central Asia
Raid or Seizure
Oceania South and East Asia Australia India
Five stolen Tamil Nadu idols in Oz on radar for return
Yogesh Kabirdoss (2016). Five stolen Tamil Nadu idols in Oz on radar for return. The Times of India. 1 October.
Yogesh Kabirdoss
Australia, India
Oceania, South and East Asia
Theft, Return, Museums
The article notes that it took 2 years to negotiate the return of the last idol from the National Gallery of Australia so these might take a while.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Five-stolen-Tamil-Nadu-idols-in-Oz-on-radar-for-return/articleshow/54623329.cms?
https://web.archive.org/web/20161002053057/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Five-stolen-Tamil-Nadu-idols-in-Oz-on-radar-for-return/articleshow/54623329.cms?
Copyright © Donna Yates. Image credits.


In Topic: Bass fishing trip, where should we try?
Lake Erie is the best bass fishery around but planning a trip on a big body of water like that is almost impossible because of the weather/wind conditions. Again, Kingston area of Lake Ontario is a bass fishing factory but the wind factor makes planning a trip hard.
Picking a Kawartha lake is always an option as you mentioned, lots of bodies of water to choose from.


Earlier in the day Nancy's friend was looking through a children's book by Madeleine L'Engle called "The Glorious Impossible" illustrated with frescoes from the Scrovegni Chapel by Giotto. The illustrations in this book are awesome and the friend was just flipping through the book, not reading, but just admiring the illustrations.
When the friend came to the illustration entitled, "The Massacre of the Innocents" The friend stopped and was struck by depiction of Herod's soldiers with swords in hand tearing the infants from their mother's arms and throwing the dead babies into a pile in the foreground of the painting. Looking at the pile of dead babies made the friend think of the aborted babies in our time.
When the friend was talking to Nancy the friend told her about the book and asked her if it is possible that there is some connection with the slaughter of the infants when Christ first came to the earth and the sin of abortion today. Could the slaughter of the innocents today be a sign of the second coming of Christ? As they were talking about this, Nancy said she was seeing lights and images and she thought it must be important.
Find below a few messages regarding abortion.
In a thunderous voice Jesus said, "Abortion is murder." Jesus repeated these words several times and then said, "As you murder the life of the most innocent, you are murdering the life of your very soul.
"Remember, thou shall not kill.
Our Loving Mother said, … My children are murdered all over the world. Tell the people of the United States, tell the people of the world, abortion is murder.


Song: Drifting (RAC Mix) Artist: ON AN ON Minneapolis-based indie rock band ON AN ON just hit the jackpot — scoring a remix by the supremely talented RAC. "Drifting" gets infused with layers of electronic effects and a thumping beat give the original a little extra punch. Most everything RAC touches turns out amazingly, and this one is no different.
Song: Multi-Love (20syl Remix) Artist: Unknown Mortal Orchestra Waltzing in on blips and beats, 20syl's remix of Unknown Mortal Orchestra paints a picture full of whirling rhythm and melody. The French producer's reworking pits wild percussion against sparse lyrical sampling, coasting in easy, then riding out on a breeze of cool guitar and synths.


text:
Пегасус:
 «» — класс американских сторожевых кораблей.
 Пегасус — строящийся город в Кентербери, в округе Уаимакарири, на Южном острове Новой Зеландии.
 «Пегасус» — гонконгский футбольный клуб.
 Pegasus
 Pegasus — род морских лучепёрых рыб из семейства пегасовых отряда иглообразных.
 Pegasus — шпионское программное обеспечение.
 Pegasus — альбом американского рэпера и певца Trippie Redd.
  — нидерландское издательство.
 Pegasus Airlines — турецкая авиакомпания.

См. также

 Pegasos

 Пигасус

Примечания


text:
Mysterious, Never-Before-Seen Signals Picked Up By New Gravitational Wave Detector
Adnan Ab September 22, 2021 space
A tabletop gravitational wave detector based around a piece of ringing quartz has recorded two mysterious signals in its first 153 days of operation.
It's unclear exactly what these signals are; they could be from a number of phenomena. But one of those phenomena is exactly what the detector is designed to pick up – high-frequency gravitational waves, which have never been recorded before.
It's way too soon to come to any conclusions, but the next iteration of the detector will be able to narrow down what caused the quartz to resonate.
"It's exciting that this event has shown that the new detector is sensitive and giving us results, but now we have to determine exactly what those results mean," said physicist Michael Tobar of the University of Western Australia.
"With this work, we have demonstrated for the first time that these devices can be used as highly sensitive gravitational wave detectors."
The first groundbreaking gravitational wave detection was made just six years ago. Since then, the LIGO and Virgo detectors have gone on to reveal that the Universe is ringing with previously hidden gravitational waves, rippling out from collisions between black holes and neutron stars.
These detectors are huge, with arms 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) long. Lasers along these arms are minutely disrupted by gravitational waves, producing interference patterns in the recombined light that can be analyzed to reveal the nature of the event that caused the waves. So far, the technology has been optimized for the low-frequency regime.
High-frequency gravitational waves are much harder to detect, but definitely worth pursuing. The wavelength of gravitational waves is proportional to the size of the Universe; those occurring later are larger, so shorter, high-frequency waves could reveal information about the Big Bang, and the Universe at the beginning of time.
High-frequency gravitational wave sources in the more recent past could include hypothetical objects such as boson stars and primordial black holes. These waves could even be produced by clouds of dark matter. So astronomers would be deeply interested in detecting these signals.
Tobar and his colleague physicist Maxim Goryachev of the University of Western Australia designed a tabletop detector for high-frequency gravitational waves in 2014. Now, along with an international team, they have conducted observing runs.
The detector itself is a disk of quartz crystal, called a bulk acoustic wave (BAW) resonator, with one side slightly convex. Theoretically, high-frequency gravitational waves should generate standing sound waves in the disk, which are trapped as phonons by the convex side.
The disk is cryogenically cooled to reduce thermal noise, and conducting plates placed at very small distances from the crystal pick up minute piezoelectric signals generated by the acoustic modes vibrating therein. This signal is absolutely tiny, so a superconducting quantum interference device, or SQUID, is employed to act as an extremely sensitive signal amplifier.
The whole detector is placed in a radiation-shielded vacuum chamber to prevent as much interference as possible. With this setup, the team conducted two observing runs, and made a detection during each run – the first on 12 May 2019, and the second on 27 November 2019.
Now, there are a number of plausible possibilities here. The relaxation of mechanical stress inside the quartz disk is one; an internal radioactive event caused by external ionizing radiation is another, although the researchers know of no external event that could have caused this.
Likewise, although a meteor shower can produce acoustic waves, the shielding should have protected the device from these. The culprit could even have been cosmic rays.
The other options are more exciting – disturbances caused by topological defects in dark matter, or massive dark matter particles, could theoretically have caused the signals.
Or, finally, there's the possibility of high-frequency gravitational waves. This would require a lot more investigation, since the shape of the signal doesn't display the 'chirp' characteristic of a cosmic merger.
For the next iteration of the detector, the researchers will be adding a second crystal, with its own SQUID and readout, along with a muon detector to rule out cosmic rays. This should help narrow down what caused the signals the team detected.
"This experiment is one of only two currently active in the world searching for high-frequency gravitational waves at these frequencies, and we have plans to extend our reach to even higher frequencies, where no other experiments have looked before," Tobar said.
"The development of this technology could potentially provide the first detection of gravitational waves at these high frequencies, giving us new insight into this area of gravitational wave astronomy.
"The next generation of the experiment will involve building a clone of the detector and a muon detector sensitive to cosmic particles. If two detectors find the presence of gravitational waves, that will be really exciting."
The research has been published in Physical Review Letters.