text:
Insects inspiring autonomous navigation of mobile robots
(Nanowerk News) Scientists from the University of Lincoln and Newcastle University have created a computerised system which allows for autonomous navigation of mobile robots based on the locust's unique visual system.
The work could provide the blueprint for the development of highly accurate vehicle collision sensors, surveillance technology and even aid video game programming according to the research published this week.
Locusts have a distinctive way of processing information through electrical and chemical signals, giving them an extremely fast and accurate warning system for impending collisions.
The insect has incredibly powerful data processing systems built into its biology, which can in theory be recreated in robotics.
Inspired by the visual processing power built into these insects' biology, Professor Shigang Yue from the University of Lincoln's School of Computer Science and Dr Claire Rind from Newcastle University's Institute of Neuroscience created the computerised system.
Their findings are published in the International Journal of Advanced Mechatronic Systems ("Visually stimulated motor control for a robot with a pair of LGMD visual neural networks").
The research started by understanding the anatomy, responses and development of the circuits in the locust brain that allow it to detect approaching objects and avoid them when in flight or on the ground.
A visually stimulated motor control (VSMC) system was then created which consists of two movement detector types and a simple motor command generator. Each detector processes images and extracts relevant visual clues which are then converted into motor commands.
Prof Yue said: "We were inspired by the way the locusts' visual system works when interacting with the outside world and the potential to simulate such complex systems in software and hardware for various applications. We created a system inspired by the locusts' motion sensitive interneuron – the lobula giant movement detector. This system was then used in a robot to enable it to explore paths or interact with objects, effectively using visual input only."
Funded by the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7), the research was carried out as part of a collaborative project with the University of Hamburg in Germany and Tsinghua University and Xi'an Jiaotong University, China.
The primary objective of the project, which started in 2011 and runs for four years, is to build international capacity and cooperation in the field of biologically inspired visual neural systems.
Prof Yue explained: "Effective computer vision is a major research challenge. Vision plays a critical role in the interaction of most animal species, and even relatively low order animals have remarkable visual processing capabilities. For example, insects can respond to approaching predators with remarkable speed. This research demonstrates that modelling biologically plausible artificial visual neural systems can provide new solutions for computer vision in dynamic environments. For example, it could be used to enable vehicles to understand what is happening on the road ahead and take swifter action."
Dr Claire Rind has been working on the locust's visual system for several years.
She said: "Developing robot neural network programmes, based on the locust brain, has allowed us to create a programme allowing a mobile robot to detect approaching objects and avoid them. It's not the conventional approach as it avoids using radar or infrared detectors which require very heavy-duty computer processing. Instead it is modelled on the locust's eyes and neurones as the basis of a collision avoidance system.
"Taking this work forward we want to apply it to collision avoidance systems in vehicles which is a major challenge for the automotive industry. While some collision-avoidance features are pricey options on luxury cars, their performance is not always as good as it could be – and they come at a high cost. This research offers us important insights into how we can develop a system for the car which could improve performance to such a level that we could take out the element of human error."
Source: University of Lincoln
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Chameleon's tongue strike inspires fast-acting robots (w/videos)
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Soft robot programmed to move like an inchworm (w/video)
...more robotic news


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text:
David L. Hunter's Blog
"Give me Liberty, spare me Hillary" - The Author
Obama: a 21st century Nero?
Myth has it that Roman Emperor Nero (15 December 37 AD – 9 June 68 AD), fiddled while Rome burned. Historians tell us this story isn't 100 percent true. Violins didn't technically exist in 64 AD, but Nero—and the six-day Great Fire of Rome that destroyed approximately three-quarters of the city—were real enough. At the time, Nero blamed Christian scapegoats (then an obscure sect) for all the trouble. Sounds a lot like our current Islam-inclined U.S. president, and a political landscape where history is repeating itself.
Another telling parallel, like every opportunistic fascist, Nero happily used the crisis to clear land for his planned palatial complex—the Golden House—the Domus Aurea. You read that correctly: the buildings and ornamental gardens were already planned. This disruptive circumstance—which made half of Rome's residents homeless—makes for nice symbolism for Mr. Obama's own corrosive philosophy, the "fundamental transformation of America." That too is burn, baby burn, metaphorically-speaking, of course.
In Nero's time, his understandably skeptical citizenry suspected he caused the calamity to promote his personal agenda, but nothing was ever proven. Mr. Obama is no different in this regard. For example, his longstanding, well publicized attitude of 'stupidly-acting cops' and 'if I had a son he'd look like Trayvon' similarly exploit misfortune to advance his own anti-law and order mind-set. In this same vein, using televised speeches to figuratively 'crack a few police noggins together' foments crises that force the vague "change" of Mr. Obama's 2008 campaign slogan.
As a result of the last more than seven chaotic years of his Constitution-violating overreach, the political needle has swung violently hard left. He has accomplished this with an imperialist's disregard for established law. Moreover, he has also ignored custom by jerry-rigging the reassuring presidential podium into a rabble-rousing bully pulpit. His aforementioned publicly uttered racial pronouncements have encouraged the vigilantism of the Black Lives Matter mob. However, the Obama clan has no skin in the game. Unlike the rest of us, they enjoy armed 24-hour Secret Service protection.
This past week, to add further injury to the Western psyche, his anti-American ideology is in full flower from nearby Cuba; a totalitarian slave-state, and communist bur in America's side since JFK's 1960s. His extended selfie photo op, a three-day Obama family vacation, will do nothing to promote human rights or the American ideals of freedom or liberty. This "unconventional" choice contrarily highlights Mr. Obama's paper tiger legacy while simultaneously further obscuring his still-undisclosed true intentions (amid an already murky personal background.)
Unfortunately, a checkered reputation is not new phenomenon in politicians. Today, as Nero, our national leaders are similarly skilled at keeping their own fingerprints off of suspected wrongdoing. Think of Hillary Clinton's habitual lies, stream of subject-dodging double-speak, and her many scandals: Benghazi, Server-gate and Charity-gate (also known as "Clinton Cash" influence-bartering). All of this brown haze, its corrupt stink dogs Democrats like a nebulous, intangible political smog. It doesn't matter too much with a supportive propagandist MSM in tow.
Obama mindlessly fritters away his last year while the never-say-die Clinton political machine sputters to a predetermined inevitability. (A so-called "Democratic" presidential nomination that in reality is ironically autocratic.) Nero, too, was known to "fix things" to his liking. How is that different from the ongoing absence of Justice Department indictments against she who promises a legacy-preserving Obamaesque third term? Beyond that, same as long-dead Roman emperors, Mr. Obama shares pleasure-seeking for personal gratification (read: once again, that meaningless Cuba "ego" trip.) History's echo warns that all men of their ilk practice big-government, top-down pandering to the public (when it serves their personal interests.) No sweet Shakespearean rose is this, but an ancient weed known in today's age as progressivism.
Also analogous to Nero's insensitive "playing" is Mr. Obama's enjoyment of baseball in Havana with Bolsheviks. His very presence there bolstering the world standing of brutal leftist dictators. Meanwhile, the smoldering terrorist-bombed Brussells tragedies that killed many (including four Americans, two young marrieds Justin and Stephanie Shults among them) is bereft of his attention and his set-in-stone schedule (read: attending a Las Vegas fundraiser after the aforementioned Benghazi attack or golfing directly after presidential remarks regarding the terrorist beheading of American journalist James Foley). How is any of this behavior fundamentally different from Nero's reported "fiddling" response to Rome's catastrophe?
Yet, in the final analysis, Mr. Obama might be more cold. Even Nero was sensible enough not to get caught the next day dancing a celebratory jig or Mr. Obama's equivalent, an oblivious tango in Buenos Aires. For our president's sheer insensitivity, perhaps a closer personality model is another, Roman Emperor Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus (nicknamed "Caligula.") Known to be similarly self-consumed, power-loving and unfeeling to human suffering, both men specifically share a public contempt for his government's respective Senate. Although the circumstance is unsubstantiated, to the Roman version of this deliberative body "Caligula" appointed a horse as senator. For his part, Mr. Obama simply employs an ultra-Constitutional middle finger to Congress. As a result, societal chaos is a hallmark under both men's regimes. Incidentally, "Caligula," means "little boots," making his example also a perfect fit for Mr. Obama's dancing feet. Cha-cha-cha.
Twitter: @DavidHunterblog
http://patriotpost.us/commentators/446
http://www.americanthinker.com/author/david_l_hunter/
http://canadafreepress.com/members/74987/DavidLHunter/976
Posted by David L. Hunter at 6:00 AM
Labels: BLM, Brussels terrorism, Caligula horse, Christian scapegoats, Cuba, fascist, fundamental transformation, Hillary Clinton, James Foley, JFK, MSM, Nero fiddling, Obama tango, paper tiger, progressives, Shults, Trayvon
A dictator? No, a god! His father told me of a time when Junior, now our president, tried to whip his father's chained slaves into saying that he was their one and only god. Except for two they all quickly said as demanded. One of the two was deaf so he did not know what to saw, so Barack Obama whipped him to death. The other did not understand Barack's language so he was whipped to death. Hail Barack.
GOD BLESS YOUR SUPPORT
Associate Editor at "Capitol Hill Outsider" & Freelance Writer: hunterdlus1@aim.com
David L. Hunter
Washington via myopic homestead
Michelle's Chastising, Honest Mirror
"The Simpsons" predicts presidency?
Obama's Chicken Little Fascism
Obama's true-life "nanny" state
Speaking ill of a departed Reagan
Blended politics and befuddled ideas

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


While the early 20th century saw skyscrapers rise from the hard bedrock beneath New York, subterranean clay and centuries of buried infrastructure kept London modest in height. That was until architect Richard Seifert teamed up with engineer Dr Wilem Frischmann on Centre Point.
Few buildings anywhere are more innovative than Centre Point. It involved the first use of planar structural glass and pioneered the deepest foundations of their kind, which pioneered new bases to provide stability in clay. Even now it continues to innovate, undergoing the highest facade retention in the world – demolishing some of the top floors from the inside without disturbing the now historic exterior.
The biggest innovation, however, was "just in time" modern methods of manufacturing. Londoners were gripped as the new tower rose at the heady pace of over a storey per week. That was possible because behind the scenes the giant load-bearing, white concrete, facade precast panels were produced in very specific order. That allowed each to be loaded onto a flatbed truck bound for the West End, arriving on site in the right order for immediate lifting into position.
This mattered because Centre Point tapers slightly, to appear perfectly straight – a method pioneered by the ancient Greeks, but one that meant every storey was unique. Spare panels for each storey were made at the factory. Each piece thus had a doppelganger so that if one were damaged, it could be replaced quickly without disruption or delay. Such levels of precision and approach are still rare in construction, but have now become the standard practice in global manufacturing – and those who manufacture jet engines or motorcars today would have recognised the process behind building Centre Point.


In the place of most artists claiming influences like Shellac and Miles Davies stands a dull rock band.
It seems the majority of would-be arena fillers tragically overlook the difference between 'listening to at home' and 'being influenced by'. But hey, name-dropping's cool, right?
Giddy Motors on the other hand have brutal precision, pure rock clunks and a subconscious filled with mentalist jazz. Hence they sandblast like a metal band who actually have listened to the excessive quantities of brass-led structure challengers and Steve Albini records (surprise! Albini recorded 'Magmanic' and the album of its origin, 'Make It Pop'). And this is by no means a bad thing.
The frantic death-jazz-noise is summed up neatly by this single's title, and as 'Magmanic' threatens to elope without a full quota of marbles, images of The Jesus Lizard fronted by The Streets emerge. Although singer/guitarist Gaverick de Vis doesn't sound as if he should chirp like a Cockney, he can certainly holler with cathartic power.
And while it would be easy to dismiss pretenders to such mighty thrones, an overbearing auspiciousness suggests Giddy Motors could yet become kings in their field.


I am new in this forum but i have been using the site for a couple of months.
I have added a new game to the database and it shows ok.
But when i call the game identifier from an android app where i have my android games launcher, it says that can't find a match for the game.
Thanks for your help and for such good site.
the site and API have been updated few months ago, and the old api have been moved to legacy support, the old api wouldnt include any new game added since.
from your report, i can tell that the new game id (61011) was added after the new api was introduced (all new games added after the new api/site would start from 60k+), as such you need to contact the app maker to switch to the new api.
do note, he might just as well be in the process of switching.
Thank you very much for your help. I will contact the developer explaining the case.
Any idea if/when RetroPie will release a new version that uses the new API? Because its built-in scraper uses http://legacy.thegamesdb.net, so it's not able to pick up any of the games I've newly added via https://thegamesdb.net. Is there any plan in the works to create an automatic scheduled backport so that when people add things to https://thegamesdb.net, things like RetroPie (latest available version) that still use the "legacy" API can actually see the new games? The current state of affairs is very confusing and user-unfriendly.


text:
All Up To Get Lucky
RP Logs » Archives: Logs » All Up To Get Lucky
Nov 09, 2014: How do you get someone out of a Cuban prison? It takes a village — or two robots and a CEO.
Canaleta Prison, Cuba
The most secure prison in all of Cuba, even counting in a certain notorious American prison in the region. Over 3000 inmates are held within its walls, from Cuban 'Supervillains' to political prisoners, to mass murderers, this is where they keep the ones they don't want getting out. Though, it's not exactly close to the same standards of the 'real' superhuman detention facilities elsewhere in the world.
C.R.I.C.K.T.
Prison Doctor
Customs Agents
Unnamed weather controller and his brother
The dead of night, searchlights moving about from old watchtowers left over from the original construction of this old facility. Guards constantly patrol the walls, searchlights even moving about the sky attached to old anti aircraft encampments most likely bought from the lowest bidder. Inside of the prison the halls are deadly silent as lights out has taken effect not too long ago.
Deep in the prison itself inside of a windowless empty room sits Jason. He's had almost no human contact for three weeks, awaiting the fourth attempt at an execution that they've tried to make. For him it's felt more like years, his only real contact with anyone being when they've tried to kill him, get information from him, or when he'd tried to make his escape. There's no way for him to open the large metal door on his concrete cell from the inside no source of light, not even a toilet.
Mike Drakos is, at heart, an honest, straightforward, decent person, even if that heart is a mechanical device that varies in structure and precise function depending on which of his various chassis he's wearing. Pepper wants to extract that bodyguard of hers, from a prison yet, and … seriously, Mike's not even sure he likes the guy; he's died twice all over Mike's property and never once offered to clean up the blood and remains. Still. Leaving someone in a Cuban prison? Even if it's justified? What if it IS justified? Well, find out, Drakos. You're the one with the bugs. Get there and find out.
Mike determines that this will need an infiltration vehicle. He has at least two passengers going in, and at least three coming out if Lucky is retrievable, and that means he has to be able to approach the island without being noticed, with no particular drama when he's there, and then get back out without being noticed. This means stealth.
He's doing this for Miss Potts, and thus, he's asked her for a wrecked aircraft, mostly titanium, from Stark Enterprises part yards; he's going to need the materials to build the craft he'll need to be.
It takes about a day to prepare it, and Mike is deeply integrated into the structure of the plane — for now, it's a plane — and he lets Pepper know that he's ready. It looks unassuming, like a small private jet, but with engines that Stark might put on one of his 'showing off' toys. (Psst: they're not real.) And he's waiting at their private jetport, a simple but stylish plane and nothing more.
"Get aboard whenever you're ready, I've got us pre-cleared for a trip to Stark Enterprises Bahamas office, but we might encounter that mysterious triangle thing. You never know," Mike's voice says from nowhere in particular.
Knowing that she was going to go to a jungle in Cuba on a rescue mission has had the robot woman with the shopping and fashion addictions in an absolute tizzy. What does the well dressed debutante wear on a rescue mission to the jungle? It took her over 24 hours of serious searching of the internet to finally find a shop in New York that would be able to get her what she needed. And so, she is packed up and ready to go. Her current outfit is for the cover story, a light linen skirt suit in a cream that goes well with her pearls and silk blouse. She pulls a roller bag behind her, full of everything she'll need in one hand and her ever present tablet in the other.
It took far, far longer than Pepper considered reasonable for JARVIS to track down her wayward bodyguard. But, he finally did, and the CEO of Stark Industries does not waste a moment when she's got what she needs to act. Cricket of course comes along, she's Pepper's PA, and she has to figure out and schedule a business reason for them to be travelling to Cuba. WHILE they're already en route. And, because Pepper has always believed in being prepared, she asked for an acquaintenance to accompany them — someone she feels is trustworthy and likely very useful in a tense situation. And when Mike Drakos offers to supply the transportation, she can't in good conscience say no. She even helps get the tail markings so the plane he has waiting appears to be official.
Once they're underway to Cuba and Pepper has asked the flight crew to give the trio a bit of privacy to talk (not knowing that Drakos is the flight crew), she looks around for Mike. "I haven't seen Mike." She seems a bit worried. "Did you happen to see him, Cricket?"
Sitting primly in her chair and staring at her tablet and tapping away busily. When asked a question by her employer, she looks up while her fingers continue to tap away as quickly as before. "He's all around us, Ms. Potts. He's the plane you are currently in." As if that explains it all, she goes back to work on their cover story, making sure it is rock solid before they land.
The pilot's compartment door dilates open, and Mike is apparently in the pilot's seat… except that the cloud of ultrafine particles that make up the 'shell' that he uses to impersonate his human shape(s) moves into the same room with them, swirling around and settles into what looks like a slightly dusty human in a flight suit.
"Sorry, Pepper," Mike says — from the speakers. "I should have told you, but the fewer people who knew the better. If necessary, I can restructure into a submarine, and I've got some limited weaponry. I'm going to take us suborbital in about five minutes, once we're out of the New York traffic pattern and we'll be south of Cuba, for our approach to Ciego de Avila, in about 30 minutes. If I read that correctly, we're going to be Venezuelans, right? From Caracas?"
Pepper Potts blinks quickly for a moment. She knew she'd been asking for more than average backup on this trip, but hearing that Mike IS the plane? That's a bit of a surprise. "That explains your request then, Mr. Drakos. I… don't know whether to be extremely flattered or a little bit weirded out." She then mentally rewinds what the usually blue-haired man said. "Oh, um, yes. Right." And then she has to spend a moment reminding herself what a Venezuelan accent sounds like. Thankfully they'll be there very soon.
The weather so far is perfect for flying without a cloud in the sky. It's actually rather peaceful all things considered. The air traffic itself is a bit cluttered for this time of year, but there's not really all that much that could raise a red flag.
Pepper Potts doesn't expect Mike to stick around and talk with Cricket and her, as he's, you know, not only flying the plane but he IS the plane. She doesn't want to distract him. So, the rest of the flight for the two ladies is spent making sure they're both in full Venezuelan mode, getting the accents stabilized and all that good stuff.
There is a moment of lessened gravity, but Mike uses the curvature of the earth and the shape of the trajectory to keep the passengers remarkably un-jarred by acceleration. A light snack is served, using cups that have covered lids.
The fact that the plane sucks in the wings and is essentially an ovoid in flight is probably only visible to someone who looks hard - the primary 'engine' for this flight is Mike's use of metallikinesis, which also means there's not a contrail, alas for the contrail-enthusiastic, and he's only off by about four minutes; the plane moves again at 'private jet' altitudes from the south, just north of the Venezuelan coast. All is ready for whatever approach Cricket has decided is best, whether that means 'get into the country via an airport' or 'sneak the hell in under the radar'.
Just outside Venezuelan airspace
Cricket looks over to Pepper. "Do you wish me to be speaking in Venezuelan Spanish? Or just accented English?" she inquires. She smiles as she gets the cover story set perfectly, the documents and computer files necessary all in order. Between her and Jarvis, any cover story they wanted could have been covered. "We are here on business, Ms. Potts. There is a distributing company that Stark is looking into purchasing, to upgrade to our specifications and use for ease of distributing to this area. This will allow for increase in jobs as well as increase in the income of the area. Very lucrative for the local government as more tax revenue would be gained by them."
Pepper Potts says, "Both, Cricket. Spanish to the officials, accented English to me. I don't want them to know that I'm fluent, just in case. Mr. Drakos? Let's try to make this look as official as possible. If SI can get a foothold in this country, that would be an unexpected bonus." She's totally not going to counton it, though."
"Just as long as he doesn't own it as an American," Mike says cheerfully from the cabin. That whole Embargo thing is still sticky. Mike connects through to the airport and gives appropriate approach signals.
"You manage to get us past the customs people with minimum agony?" Mike asks. He's not prepared to be searched. It tickles.
Inside his little pitch black room, Jason calmly exercises to pass the time. He's not got anything on him to properly tell the time, and lucky for everyone else these three weeks have been enough time for him to get over the withdrawal. Though he was fairly violent for the first two weeks, not he's just rather determined having assaulted the last two people who tried to drag him out for more blood testing. The torture he could lock his mind out of soldier through, but the experimentation was already a bit much.
Cricket goes back to her tablet. Technically, she doesn't need to use it, but it seems to make people feel more comfortable then having her just stare off into space. Every last minute of the mission is combed over to make sure that there are no flaws, perfected with the precision of a computer mind. She looks over to Mike. "That is why the company will be being purchased by a dummy corporation. They don't trust anything that isn't slightly corrupt, so I'm giving them a believable level of corporate corruption to buy into."
Cricket wrinkles her nose and then nods. "I have all the paperwork needed for customs, including the monetary amount should it be neccessary."
Ah, la mordita … Mike's glad he isn't the one who has to do that stuff. He's been working on his appearance… when the plane comes in range and lands, it's longer and larger around, with a large cargo section that opens to lower out a vehicle. Mike steps out of the pilot's door, a six foot eight bruiser of a pilot in a chauffer's uniform, the plane locked in place in the proper parking slip, and strict ordenes to the airport workers to keep away, as it has "an aggressive alarm system." That's code for 'it will kill you if you set it off' and is well understood.
The vehicle that gets lowered is not a Hum-Vee, but rather, something more elegant looking; windows are black, vehicle itself is a subtle steely grey with metallic undertones, and it also has a clear marking from all directions, "alarm system".
Pepper Potts shares a conspiratorial smile with Cricket. International subsidiaries are a thing, and they can and likely will happen. "Customs won't be a problem." Nothing is a problem when one has enough money. It's the getting out again that has more variables than Pepper is usually comfortable with. She hastily checks her own belongings to make sure she has everything, and then she's following the 'driver' out of the plane. Deep breath, Pepper. You can handle this.
Rather suddenly as they touch down clouds begin to form in the skies above. It's slow at first but there's a storm brewing over in the direction of the prison complex. It's too fast to be natural, too localized to be coincidence, something going on within already.
Never the less at about the same time customs officials are already riding out to greet the craft. They're about as well armed as one would expect them to be with recent events having colored the locals opinions somewhat, but there's nothing to say it'll prove too much of a problem.
Cricket looks to Mike's new form and nods in approval. "We should get together sometime. It takes me a couple of days to change my chassis and skin for a whole new appearance. Possibly your programming might be a benefit to my own." As the plane lands and the vehicle is driven out, Cricket follows suit, putting her baggage in the luxury Hum-Vee and then walking towards the oncoming customs officials. If Pepper can be kept away from the lies and corruption, all the better. Cricket would never try to sully Pepper's good name with such underhanded dealings.
The Chauffeur watches. He's impassive, thuglike, and probably safer (for Customs) at a distance from the friendly young personal assistant. But he sends her off with a deliberately-audible and gruff, "Vaya, mija" — go, daughter — and keeps a steady watch on them. Because he wants them to know that if they mess with her, they get HIM on their heads. Which is, of course, the standard game here, when women are involved in business, because men are pigs.
The particular customs official that comes steps out of his vehicle to greet pepper with his armed protection looks to be of the much more…. sleazy variety. At a glance he seems more the kind of person who got his job the American way, with family connections, and a bit of blackmail. He's wearing a rather expensive looking rolex watch. He looks around with a small pad in his hands, and a smile on his face. Taking note of the burly mans words he straightens out a bit and offers a friendly "Buenas noches."
Yes, Cricket, so petite and delicate, so sweet looking with her freckles and coppery hair. The armed protection from Customs look to her, speaking to each other in Spanish with lurid grins. When she greets the customs official in fluent Spanish with a Venezuelan accent, the security men look momentarily uncomfortable. That means she knows exactly what they were saying about her. But since Cricket seems to show no signs that anything of that nature was said, the agents let the matter go.
Instead now, they look to the large thug that is waiting by the vehicle. Between him and Cricket's strictly business attitude, they soon get back to business themselves. After some discussion with the official, an envelope is passed to him. "Me alegro de que pudiéramos llegar a un acuerdo, senor. Gracias." — I'm glad we could come to an arrangement, Sir. Thank you. —
They're supposed to meet their contact, according to their plans, at a ristorante in the nicest hotel in town, sometime this evening. The Chauffeur drives them past the prison on the way, and as the vehicle passes, what appears to be a clod of dirt falls from under the wheelwell. It quickly crumbles into a swarm of flies. Small, robotic, the insects diffuse out and enter the prison, leaving a direct chain of links to one another so that Mike can communicate with them from afar. They quickly investigate the entire reachable area of the prison.
While this happens, the Chauffeur stops at what appears to be an 'upscale' establishment where one might acquire tapas and drinks… traffic to the hotel would be terrible at this time of day, or so says the radio.
Okay, her spur of the moment decision to hire Cricket has just proven to have been inspired. For at least the third time this week. She WANTS to grin the grin that usually makes Tony fear, but she very strictly maintains her Prime Minister Thatcher demeanor until Cricket returns to her and Mike's side and they pile into — wait, they primly take their seats in the car. Then she's leaning over to give the robotic girl a hug. "You kick so much butt, Cricket."
She looks at the prison as they pass it, and can't help but idly wish Jason could read minds. She'd tell him they were here, and that he's going to be out of there. And, as the car stops at the tapas establishment, she takes a deep breath. "We're almost there."
Cricket is a little shocked at the hug but happily hugs back. "Oh, that will come later. This was just… I could use their biometrics as well as a PhD level of Psychology to manipulate them to my desires. I kept you out of it so you could have as much deniability as you need. Should it be required, I can take on a new guise when we get home."
Cricket looks to the prison as they drive by, frowning softly. She's read what sort of things can happen to a person in those places and it makes her shudder to imagine it. The flies swarming to the building causes her frown to fade. "Mr. Drakos, is it possible for me to be in direct contact with your other self?" Yes, she's a little bit of a control freak, wanting to micromanage every little detail. She's a robot. It's forgivable. Human error is an anathema to her.
The storm above has already gotten much worse, blocking out some of the prison lights as Mikes drones get to work scouting the area. There are guard towers on ever corner of the complex, with men in what look like budget power armor manning the walls. This whole place seems to be made out of the leftovers of other superhuman prisons, as if they'd just been given what their allies couldn't use, and made it their own.
There's a single man out by the far wall hidden in a push moving his hands around in odd patterns, trying to control the weather from without rather then from within. He's not been seen by the guards yet, but could easily provide a bit of a distraction with whatever it is he's trying to do.
Deep in his cell Jason has no idea that anyone's coming for him, just putting his mind into focusing on what his next move might be. Then comes a knock on the door, time for another battery of experiments.
"You want to follow the telemetry? Certainly," Mike says, opening a tight near-field communication frequency to Cricket, and providing a filtered-and-collated data feed from the cloud-of-flies sensor. Individually, they're a pain to deal with, but collectively, they're a sort of hive-submind that Mike can leave with just a tiny bit of his self-awareness, so that they can respond to strange things.
Strange thing number one: Guards who are about to take Lucky on a trip. Strange thing number two: Some guy outside the prison in a concealed location, doing Push Hands Exercises from tai-chi or something, who seems to be emitting energies that the bugs can vaguely sense on their equipment, exercises that are being reflected by electrostatic surges in the cloud forming overhead.
"They're just now taking him out of his cell… I don't have enough drones to do things with, but if we can talk to whoever that weather manipulator is, he might help."
This conversation takes place with a grant from the 'Drakos Tiny Hearing Aid Foundation' because if he spoke it out loud, the people in the bar might find them stranger than they are as Wealthy Businesspeople And Guard.
Pepper Potts is actually rather practiced at the whole double-talk thing — saying one thing and meaning another. "I do hope that rain lets up soon. Cee," she addresses Cricket with an abbreviated version of her name, "could you check the weather forecast for me? I'd hate if we were late to our meeting." Translation: please try to get in touch with the weather manipulator, maybe we can help each other with our goals.
Cricket noticed the man with the odd hand gestures outside and had to go over the plan again. No, there was no weather manipulator hired for assistance. So this is an uncontrolled element. When Cricket is asked, via Pepper code, to look into the matter, she nods. Typing into her tablet, she frowns. "I will have to step outside. I'm getting terrible reception in here. If you will excuse me." Translation: I'll go outside and try to make contact.
Outside of the restaurant, Cricket 'focusses' on her tablet as she walks, stopping by the bush but not actually paying attention to it. Her words are quiet, for his ears only. "Al parecer, hoy es el día para romper amigos fuera de la cárcel . Tal vez podríamos ser de ayuda ya que nuestros objetivos son similares?" — It would seem today is the day to break friends out of prison. Perhaps we could be of assistance since our goals are similar? —
For a moment the man jumps in his boots in complete surprise, a bolt of lighting striking with full force. From this close it's more obvious that this man can't be that old at all in his teens. He starts off denying any knowledge of some sort of prison break going for the obvious excuse of just practicing bambosa. At a prison, at night, in all black clothing, from a bush, and about that time he just sort of buckles down and admits that he's trying to save his brother from the prison who was taken, and he hasn't been allowed to even visit.
A small plain windowless van drives past down the street, headed into the parking lot right beside the nice car the group had arrived in. From the drivers seat out steps a man in a plain set of coveralls closing the door behind him the heavy tint making it almost impossible to tell who's inside of the other seat. He takes a look over the nice vehicle snapping a photo with of it with himself in the frame his phone that looks a bit too nice for a man with his kind of pay grade.
Inside the prison Mike's drones get a front row seat to an 'important operation' being done on Jason. He's carted in by two burly men, strapped down to the table, and a rather calm looking doctor goes right to work. By the looks they are harvesting organs, and blood from him, without anesthetic.
Mike's near-field is not giving Cricket quite the detail it was since she went a distance away, and the operation begins … Mike says on the earphones, "they're cutting him up. Apparently, this is the third or fourth time. I'm going to take down the doctor if I can. Cricket, there are people messing around with my truck. I'm also going to get them away from it.
The truck begins to make that YEEEP YEEEP noise, "ALEJARSE DEL COCHE" in a loud voice, and there's a PZZZT! as a focussed EMP takes aim at the phone. Yeah, Stark is really really picky about people messing with his tech, well known even in Cuba. Right? Or Mike's going to use that excuse. He doesn't like being felt up by strangers.
Meanwhile, in the prison, the drones have collected mostly into one room, and there's a sudden link-up as a few hundred of them attempt stealthily to connect to the doctor… one to his ankle, the other to an opposite wrist, and the REST of the connection goes to the 220V power supply … if Dr. No Anaesthesia doesn't survive, it will be too bad.
Cricket holds out her hand to the young man when he stops making excuses. "Vamos a ser más fuertes si trabajamos juntos . Por favor , queremos que nuestro amigo fuera así." — We will be stronger if we work together. Please, we want our friend out as well. —
As the windowless van drives by, Cricket pays attention. Windowless vans are well documented in use in criminal activity. As well as labour jobs though, which fits the coveralls the driver is wearing. Perhaps she is being overly suspicious. No no, he's taking pictures of their own transportation, making it look like a selfie. Her computer mind accesses the earbuds that the team is wearing. She describes the man she's looking at, down to the quarter inch in height and the ounce in weight as well as what he is doing. She also takes mental note of the licence plate of his own vehicle. All these things are uploaded onto the tablet and sent forward to Pepper's own device without so much as a touch to Cricket's tablet. Sometimes, being a robot is great for stealth.
However, once she is told what they are doing to Jason, stealth isn't Cricket's main concern. "Permission to go full offense."
Pepper Potts looks out the window of the establishment when their 'car' starts complaining loudly, using the gesture to utter a quiet, "Go" to Cricket. Then she's looking at the bruiser-driver. "Perhaps you should check on the car." She's honestly not all that keen on being left in here by herself, but she's giving Mike the option to go help Cricket if he deems it necessary.
Down goes the cellphone on the painter, and at the same time down goes the doctor, slumping over onto Jason who's already been sliced open. The nurses rush over to see what's wrong breaking quarantine leaving behind the other man they where experimenting on. They're just lucky the good doctor didn't fall into the organs they'd already gotten from Jason, who now no longer being held down as much, has the chance to get down to the stabby stabby, despite being already cut open. It's quick it's violent and before anyone can really stop him he's already killed the nurses, and is slumping back to the floor.
The teen nods his head towards Cricket before trying to bring back his focus to controlling the weather as the clouds start to swirl somewhat tornado sirens starting to blare as he works. It seems someone noticed the formation now, but it doesn't do good for long as a bolt of lightning strikes the compounds generator plunging the whole thing into complete darkness.
Mike steps to the door, all nearly seven feet and omighod looming monster, and ensures that whatever is in the windowless van isn't going to be a menace to them. Because the phone(s) all become undiffused silicon as the metallic contaminants migrate into a single point, and then the guns (all of them) suddenly have solid metal parts - no moving parts, it's all a single lump of metal. If any humans attempt to pester him, he'll simply demonstrate the gentle art of brazilian-style jiu jitsu on them. And he's MUCH bigger than they are.
He then notices the tornado. How did he not notice that tornado … right. Looking for the Jason.
"Cricket, I'm gathering the remaining drones inside into a lighting system and will begin setting people free… Miss Potts, do you wish to remain here or go with the vehicle? I cannot predict the tornado."
Cricket slips off the linen jacket and drapes it onto the bush. "Esté listo para atacar. Yo no te hará daño , así que por favor no tengas miedo." — Be ready to attack. I will not harm you, so please don't be afraid. — Cricket was willing to be subtle when she thought it was a simple prison, but these monsters have made her synthasized emotions flare with rage. She rolls up the sleeves of her silk shirt and holds her arms at her waist as the skin tears and a laser cannon rises out of her each forearm. The cannons on her arms flare before letting out a release of power, blowing a very large hole in the wall of the prison. She ignores the approaching tornado, knowing who its master is and strides angrily towards the hole she just made, kicking off her heels and tearing the side of her skirt for ease of movement. "Understood. Weather manipulator is with me. His brother is in here. I will refrain from killing, but immense physical harm is a certainty."
Pepper Potts looks to Mike, and has clearly learned from the Scooby Doo School of crime-fighting: NEVER SPLIT UP. Trying to keep her movements seemingly unconcerned and casual, she leaves some money on the table to pay for their refreshments and stands to primly follow Lurch-the-driver. Once she's in the vehicle, though, all pretenses of calmness are gone, and she's VERY much openly concerned. But, she knows better than to insist on constant updates. Mike and Cricket know what they're doing, and they'll tell her what they can when they can.
It only takes but a few short moments for Jason to fully regenerate — a massive change from previous rates. When he comes back up to a stand after his regeneration there's something decidedly different about him then before. He's not quite in the same mindset he was in by a long shot, no remorse in his features as he kills the unconscious man, and takes his gun. There's no warning when the lights go out and the five guards stationed outside come rolling in. The poor man still strapped to the table can only watch as the flashes of gunfire goes off and the screams ring out, necks snapped, squelches of blood, the ground and the poor man getting completely covered in the stuff. At this point Jason doesn't really care who's in his way, and someone's probably going to have to put him out of it.
Outside, the tornado continues to grow in size spiraling down, causing the people on the wall to start abandoning their posts, just in time for Cricket to smash down the wall. It's chaos with people running for cover, gunshots screams, and more coming from the prison as people are released. Though without power there's no way to let people know about the breakouts and the break in.
The men in the back of the van are completely confused when all of their surveillance equipment goes dead, and their guns lock up completely. Though they quickly become much more concerned with the rapidly forming tornado, evacuating from the back of the vehicle and into the building beside them for shelter.
Mike adjusts the seats of the vehicle into something more resembling a racing crash safety pod, and of course the windows and sides are already bulletproof and armored. The vehicle moves as he sits in his driver's side chair, closing around them. The tires think about deflating before he seals the slice left by a calthrop… or just a nail. Same thing. It gets eaten into the car because Metal doesn't care where spare parts come from.
Meanwhile, the scanning drones … including the ones that are attached to Lucky's body in places … send information back that lets Mike realize that Lucky is off his nut.
"Your bodyguard has berserked. He's now killing anyone, threat or not, who is between him and what he thinks is freedom. I'm going to have to take him down."
No way he's going to let Pepper alone either. So. The car, as it approaches the hole in the prison wall, shifts into a longer, more tubular form, with the chair holding Pepper, and Cricket's clothing (but not the jacket, as it's probably blown away by now) and elongated into a sort of dragon-serpent shape with LOTS of millipede-style legs, the car heads into the prison. A second cloud of drones is released, and a third: the second cloud providing LED lighting along the path ahead of them, and the third cloud joining up with the ones that lead to Jason Lucky.
"Cricket, we are incoming. Again, beware of Jason Lucky, he's not sane at the moment."
Cricket may look adorable, but there is something about the look on her face that makes her also look very very dangerous. She walks along the corridors in her stockinged feet. While she currently doesn't seem to care, she'll likely be really upset that the silk stockings have gotten several runs in them from the rough floor surface. She makes certain to walk in front of the teen, the bullets hitting her and not stopping her. Once the guards realize that small arms just won't cut it, they call out for rifles, but it's too late.
Programmed with a knowledge of almost every martial art known, Cricket begins her attack. She is fast. She is fierce. And she currently has turned off her sense of compassion. She is exactly what she was designed to be, a killing machine, and she does it well. For her employers sake, she doesn't actually kill anyone, but instead leaves them all in enough de-abilitating pain to wish they were dead.
Upon hearing about Jason's mental state, she turns to the young man behind her. "Quédate aquí . Mi amigo es actualmente peligroso para su salud" — Stay here. My friend is currently dangerous to your health. — Comforting, no, but accurate.
Stepping in the room with her insane friend, she waits to see if he recognizes her. The blood that is speckled all over her might make that more difficult.
"As long as we get him back, Mike. That's enough for now." Yes, Pepper is becoming increasingly worried about Lucky, but knows that this is neither the time nor the place to deal with it. And millipede-car is … REALLY disconcerting. Just saying.
When Jason makes his way out into the hall he doesn't say a word, firing off shot one, two three four and five, each aimed for the heart. He drops the spent clip loading in a fresh one from one of the dead guards before carrying on. The second one of the rioting prisoners tries to get into his way with a shank in hand Lucky just lays him out cold. He's not here right now, well not mentally anyway, just calmly walking along down the hall and killing anyone in his path who he even thinks might be armed.
The weather boy stops for a second just to question what she means by dangerous but by then she's already gone, causing him to just keep focusing on making that tornado look as big and threatening as possible without letting it touch down. He doesn't want to kill anyone, just to have his brother back. Though even as he does this villains and criminals are already streaming out of the building, trying to get out as fast as they can. Might not be safe out in a tornado, but then again not much safer rotting in prison.
The drones DO check the room that Jason was in, because there was the other guy they hadn't quite started in on yet. Odds are good, since the Tornadomaker hasn't found him yet, that this would be his brother. So they release him, and (speaking in spanish) guide him, once he's able to move without screaming. They're fairly comforting for glowing lights that look like … well, in this case, little humanoid beetles, since this is the second batch. The first ones were much more bug-like.
"Coming up on your location," the Mike-i-pede car says, and stops for a moment, attaching to a sink faucet and filling a couple tanks with water. It will be necessary. NO BLOOD ON THE UPHOLSTERY.
"We will make room for your companion if you wish, and his brother. It might be a bad place for them here … we can get them out of town or out of the country."
"Can we get them to Paraguay, Mike? There's a Stark subsidiary company there. I can ensure they'll have a place to stay and honest, stable employment." It's the least Pepper can do for their help in getting Lucky out of this hell. After all, the only thing she's currently doing is passenging. And trying her best to stay calm. It's … increasingly difficult to stay calm.
Face to face with Lucky, Cricket can see that there is no recognition of her on his face. Knowing that there is a young man behind her that could not handle the ferocity that Jason would bring down on him, she breaks into a run towards her co-worker. Slippery little thing that she can be, she darts around him to get behind him and then wraps an arm about his neck, cutting off the circulation to his brain and knocking him out cold.
Shortly after, she is seen coming out back into the hallway with the weather manipulator, carrying a man almost twice her size over her shoulder. "It's time to go. Please step into the vehicle behind you."
The moment the brother is out the weather teen stops the storm which slowly just turns to nothing. He doesn't quiet know what to say about the two completely blood soaked people coming back out, silently doing as asked and getting into the back of the car.
It's all happened so fast that there's almost been no time at all for people to react the stream of convicts coming out in force as perhaps one of the biggest Cuban prison breaks takes place. Jason's completely unconscious body has a few new scars on it, which considering his regeneration seems rather odd. Though while unconscious he doesn't look nearly as threatening.
As Cricket moves in, Mike is ready: "Please rinse off in the decontamination mist," he says, spraying a fine, clean cold wash to remove blood from future passengers - and using a number of suction devices to prevent it from dripping, because while blood is bad enough, wet is just nasty on top of it.
He offers to the weather controller, "We can take you out of the city, or to Paraguay if you wish to be safely gone. Do you have other family here?"
Once outside the prison, of course, he's reshaping into a rather ordinary looking "limosine" truck that doesn't look like the other vehicle. He'll make his way to the airport, and go around to the parked plane, but he's going to have to scan the plane first for intrusion and explosives.
Cricket lets herself be sprayed down and holds Jason in the spray as well. Her softer side is starting to return as she runs a hand through his hair, concern on her features. "Let's get you home," she says, even though he is out cold and can't hear her.
Inside the vehicle, she gets into the back where her luggage is and starts to change out of her wet and bloody clothes. She notices they are driving away from the suit jacket that is still resting on the bush outside the prison and sighs. Oh well, it was a nice suit. Of course, blood just never comes out of linen, so it's nothing but garbage now. If anyone is watching the woman with the bullet holes and tears in her arms changing in the back, she doesn't seem to notice.
Pepper Potts takes the time they're travelling to the airport and Cricket is changing clothes to talk with the weather manipulator and his brother, explaining to them in more detail the options Mike mentioned briefly. It probably helps that she's shed the stupid hat and sunglasses and is pretty well recognizeable almost anywhere. It takes a few mintues of reassurances, but she finally gets an agreement from the two young men to give her offer of a new start in Paraguay a try. Hopefully it's far enough away from Cuba to spare them any repercussions. "Paraguay is a yes, Mike." She then leans a bit further to address her PA. "Cricket? How is Jason?"
Now dressed in jungle fatigues that … good grief, are those designer too? Well, considering everything else she wears is, why wouldn't this be too? Cricket looks over to Jason and starts double checking his body for any permanent wounds, even though she knows it's silly. "He seems to be fine. Physically. I cannot make any promises that they didn't break his mind permanently though. I do have the knowledge equivalent of a PhD in Psychology, as I stated before, if you wish me to give him therapy when he recovers."
The airplane is surprisingly enough bomb-free, though it's repelled at least three attempts to get in… and someone tried to chuck a railroad spike into the jet intake, not that it matters. Metal is (delicious) metal, after all. The car hoist rolls open as they approach, and Mike just drives the car onto it then melds into the rest of the jet as the equipment restructures itself around them, and as people get into their seats (and medical bed) the jet, without making any attempt at starting engines, takes off VERTICALLY before the guard forces can get to it. They're in the stratosphere rather quickly once people are in place. And then it's a matter of moving very fast with minimal drag. When they get to Stark International Paraguay, Mike brings the craft down in the shape of the Trimaxium Drone Ship, because he's geeking out a bit.
Stark International, Paraguay
Not having much in the way of family the two graciously travel along with them a bit wary of sitting anywhere near the unconscious Jason. The older of the two who was rescued doesn't say a single word the entire time just sitting in complete silence while the younger brother does the talking for him.
When the ship lands the slight jolt is enough to bring Jason somewhat back to consciousness. Much to the shock and horror of the two boys, but he doesn't really seem to do anything other then lay there looking at the ceiling once his eyes open back up.
Cricket was taking the precaution of strapping Jason down to the medical bed, just so he doesn't fall out of it during flight, but Mike stopped her — he had metal-infused fabric for replacement clothing that he could use to restrain the man if needed, and otherwise, straps would just be flashback material. So, he was wiped down and redressed and laid on the medical bed without obvious restraints. She is by Jason's side, soothing his hair when he comes to. "Hey there. Glad to have you back with us. We're just landing at Stark International in Paraguay now. It's over, Jason." Her voice is soft and soothing, modulated specifically to comfort.
Pepper Potts feels its her duty to see the young men off safely, otherwise she'd be there along with Cricket to sooth Jason. As soon as they've landed, she disembarks with them, leads them to the SI plant's topmost manager to explain the situation, then leaves them with every last bit of US cash she has on her person, which amounts to a measly few hundred dollars. She feels it isn't nearly enough, but it's all she has.
Of course, that's when she sees the Drakos-plane-thing, and irrationally start laughing. "Oh my god. Seriously?"
Mike drips out of the vehicle and coalesces into his normalish looking robot human form by the floating steps.
"Yeah, I love that movie, and it's very streamlined."
He grins at Pepper, and says, "What, you think I should sound like PeeWee Herman?"
_201411cricktluckymetalpepper_potts


Common Council President Ashanti Hamilton and Alderman Cavalier Johnson invite all city residents to attend the 3rd Annual Black History Program on Monday, February 25 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. in the Milwaukee City Hall Rotunda, 200 E. Wells St. The 2019 celebration theme is "Moving in Time, in Rhythm, Together." and features a program full of festive celebrations of African-American culture.
The event Master of Ceremonies Vivian King will begin the program with a performance by Ton Ko-Thi African drummers. President Hamilton and Ald. Johnson will give welcome remarks followed by Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs' spotlight on the "28 Days of Black History" information campaign. Adekola Adedapo will provide a libation, and Kayle M. Phillips will sing the Black National Anthem. The program will also feature performances by both the Ton Ko-Thi adult and children dancers, a poetry selection by Janiya Williams from Golda Meir, and a vocal performance by Khaliah Baker. The program concludes with the MKE Living Legacy Award to be presented to Dr. William Edward Finlayson.
The free program will close with food and refreshments.
President Hamilton and Alderman Johnson wish to acknowledge and salute the event sponsor Direct Supply, the underwriter for this program.
Working as cosponsors for this event with President Hamilton and Alderman Johnson are Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs, Alderwoman Nikiya Dodd, Alderman Khalif J. Rainey, Alderwoman Chantia Lewis, and Alderman Russell W. Stamper, II.
A live broadcast of the program will air on the City Channel and atmilwaukee.gov/citychannel.
Reasonable accommodations can be made with at least 72 hour notice before the event by calling (414) 286-3475.
Common Council President Ashanti Hamilton will be introducing keynote speaker Congresswoman Gwen Moore at the 200 Nights of Freedom Finale, commemorating the 50thanniversary of the fair housing marches in Milwaukee.
The event is TOMORROWSaturday, May 19 from 1 to 3 p.m.at North Division High School, 1011 W. Center St.
President Hamilton is scheduled to speak at 2:05 p.m. The event's program features musical and poetry performances, presentations about the marches, and recognition of the original marchers some of whom will be present.
When: Saturday, May 19 from 1 to 3 p.m.
Where: North Division High School, 1011 W Center St.
Alderman Ashanti Hamilton is excited to partner with Alderman Khalif J. Rainey, Northwest Side Community Development Corporation (NWSCDC), Black Girls Do Bike, Red Bike & Green, the Wisconsin Bike Federation, Bublr Bikes, Uniting Garden Homes Inc., DreamBikes, the Corridor (BID #37), and Outpost Natural Foods for a neighborhood bike ride open to all residents of Milwaukee on Saturday, May 12 from 10 a.m. to noonat Garden Homes Park, 2600 W. Atkinson Ave.
The event is designed to promote the city's Promise Zone Initiative, a multifaceted effort to revitalize four areas of the city with significant opportunities for improvement, which includes the Greater Old North Milwaukee zone, where the ride will take place.
"Unification is what makes families, neighborhoods and communities strong. The Promise Zone Ride addresses all three elements, and I'm thrilled to once again participate with residents in this collective endeavor," Alderman Rainey said.
The bike ride will be a family-friendly event suitable for anyone who can ride a bike. The five-mile route, done a slow pace, will start and end at Garden Homes Park and will visit a number of important community sites in the 1st and 7th Aldermanic Districts.
Participants who arrive early can receive a free, light tune up and/or limited repairs at a mobile repair station sponsored by DreamBikes.
Bike marshals will guide riders through historic neighborhoods, past the Century City Tower and Century City I development, near major employers including DRS Power & Control Technologies and Integrated Mail as they promote the community and the healthy benefits of biking. The path will also cross near schools including Samuel Clemens, Milwaukee Collegiate Academy, and Hope Christian School, along natural environment amenities including Lincoln Creek the Oak Leaf Trail, and many more sites.
Following the ride, festivities in Garden Homes Park will continue into the afternoon with games and educational activities organized by the Wisconsin Bike Federation's "Share and Be Aware" ambassadors.


Geneva-based United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has interpreted the first step in security sector reform as withdrawal of a section of security forces from the Northern and Eastern Provinces.
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Prince Zeid Ra'ad Zeid Al-Hussein, didn't mince his words when he called for the reduction of the military force, deployed in the two provinces, to a less intrusive and intimidating (emphasis mine) as first step in security sector reform.
The declaration was made in the afternoon of February 9 during a media briefing at the UN compound in Colombo. The media didn't seek an explanation from the former Jordanian diplomat Prince Hussein, as regards Geneva's right to decide on military deployment here.
Hussein had served as Jordan's Permanent Representative to the UN (2007 to 2010) before being appointed United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, in 2014. Immediately before being PR in New York, Hussein served as Jordan Ambassador to the US.
Jordan wanted Prince Hussein to succeed UNSG Kofi Annan in 2007. South Korean Ban kimoon succeeded him.
Prince Hussein asserted that over six years after the end of war, people of the Northern and Eastern Provinces still lived in fear to a certain extent. Hussein, who had played a significant role in setting up of the International Criminal Court, attributed the continuing existence of fear, among the people living there, to intrusive as well as intimidating presence of the military.
Hussein declared: "The element of fear has considerably diminished, at least in Colombo, and the South. In the North and the East, it has mutated but, sadly, still exists."
Having helped to form the ICC, Hussein received the appointment as the first President of the Assembly of State Parties of the ICC, in Sept 2002.
The UN diplomat called for urgent measures, on the part of the government of Sri Lanka(GoSL), to create normalcy in the Northern and Eastern Provinces. Hussein urged the government/military to vacate land, used by security forces, immediately. The bottom line is that the UN expected GoSL to reduce troops, as well as size of the bases, in eight administrative districts.
Expressing serious concern over slow progress, Hussein declared: "There are some measures that could be taken quickly which would reverse this trend of draining confidence. First of all, the military needs to accelerate the return of land it has seized (and is still holding) to its rightful owners. While some land has been returned in the Jaffna and Trincomalee areas, there are still large tracts which can and should be swiftly given back. Once the land has been given back, the remaining communities of displaced people can — if given the necessary assistance — return home, and a lingering sore will have been cured once and for all."
The UN position will certainly affect, not only the Army, but the Navy and Air Force deployment as well. Judging by statements issued by various ministers, it is clear that they hadn't bothered at least, to peruse Prince Hussein's prepared statement issued at the onset of the February 9 briefing. The well-funded civil society, backing the UN intervention, too, paid glowing tribute to Prince Hussein whereas the Joint Opposition struggled to comprehend the rapidly developing situation.
Prince Hussein's statement meant that the UN expected military deployment here to be in accordance with what Geneva considered less intrusive and intimidating (emphasis mine). In other words, military deployment here should be subjected to Geneva approval.
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Minister, Mahinda Amaraweera, recently spoke highly of the UN statement. Addressing the media, at the SLFP party office at T.B. Jayah Mawatha on February 10, Minister Amaraweera claimed that the UN had changed its hostile approach towards Sri Lanka consequent to regime change, in January 2015. When the writer challenged his position on the basis of UN dictates, especially castigation of the local judiciary and call for pruning of military, Minister Amaraweera walked out the briefing requesting Provincial Councils and Local Government Minister Faizer Musthapha to respond. Minister Musthapha justified Prince Hussein's comment, on the judiciary, on the basis of the impeachment of Chief Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake at the behest of the then President Mahinda Rajapaksa in January 2013. There is no doubt President Rajapaksa's actions caused irreparable damage to his government. Minister Musthapha voted in parliament for the Rajapaksas move. Minister Musthapha refrained from commenting on Prince Hussein's call to reduce the military strength.
Against the backdrop of the UN statement, the possibility of the armed forces deployment being subjected to Geneva dictates cannot be ruled out. In fact, concerns raised by Geneva cannot be met by reducing the number of troops deployed in each administrative district. The military will have to review deployment of amour, artillery as well as other assets accordingly.
Had it not being for Indian intervention, in the 80s, the then UNP government wouldn't have changed the largely ceremonial status of the armed forces. By late 90s, the LTTE acquired a conventional fighting capability. The overrunning of the fully fledged 54 Division, headquartered at Elephant Pass, in April 2000, underscored the LTTE's achievement. At the commencement of eelam war IV in early August 2006, the LTTE wielded conventional military capability to thwart two Divisions (53 and 55) fighting their way southwards across Jaffna front-line. The LTTE defeated all their attempts until the celebrated Task Force I/58 Division advanced on enemy fortifications, northwards from Paranthan. In addition to the two fighting Divisions (53 and 55), there had been two other Divisions, on defensive posture, deployed in the Jaffna peninsula. All in all, there had been approximately 45,000 army deployed in the Jaffna backed by sizable navy and air force deployment.
Over a year, after the conclusion of the conflict, in May, 2009, the then government commenced handing over land to their rightful owners. With the re-deployment of the army, the strength in Jaffna peninsula has now come down to less than 15,000 personnel, though Prince Hussein seems to wanting further reduction.
The four-party Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and Tamil Diaspora groups, particularly the Global Tamil Forum (GTF), want the government to decrease military presence, to the bear minimum, in the two provinces. They receive the support of some well-funded civil society groups. With Geneva backing their efforts, Sri Lanka now faces the daunting task of convincing the world of her right to maintain the wherewithal to meet any eventuality.
A section of the media, too, had questioned the need to sustain armed forces as well as having a military parade, on Independence Day. They asserted that such a parade, and rehearsals, caused much inconvenience to the public and therefore, should be discontinued. Even 'peace loving' Norway, a founding member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) maintains a modern fighting force capable of overseas deployment. Norwegian involvement in air strikes, in Libya, during 2011, is a case in point. During a recent live television programme, Retired Professor Deshamanya Jayaratna Banda Dissanayake, one of the leading authorities of the Sinhala Language, as well as former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Thailand queried the need for a military parade in Colombo to coincide with 68th Independence Day celebrations. Dissanayake asserted that people living in the provinces had no interest in such a parade. With Geneva pushing for down sizing armed forces, various interested parties will propagate that post-war national reconciliation required a diminished military presence in the Northern and Eastern Provinces.
Sri Lanka should never succumb to Western pressure meant to weaken military strength. Those who had been pushing Sri Lanka for military reform really want the government to decrease the manpower to such an extent to make it ineffecive. The denial of land will automatically compel the military to move out substantial number of troops from the Northern and Eastern Provinces. The Joint Opposition should take up this issue in parliament. Retired military officers, too, should express their opinion.
Can Geneva decide post-war military deployment in Sri Lanka? What would be the military strength/deployment acceptable to the TNA, pro-LTTE Diaspora and civil society groups?
Sri Lanka needs to sustain a robust military power though the army strength can be reviewed. Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa authorized the increase of the army strength from approximately 120,000 to 220,000, at the onset of eelam war IV. Sri Lanka must decide her requirements, pertaining to security, taking into post-war factors without being directed by Geneva.
It would be pertinent to mention that foreign powers always wanted to diminish military presence in the Northern and Eastern Provinces. The following section from Norway - arranged Ceasefire Agreement (CFA), finalized in February, 2002, is a case in point.
2.1 The Parties shall, in accordance with international law, abstain from hostile acts against the civilian population, including such acts as torture, intimidation, abduction, extortion and harassment.
2.2 The Parties shall refrain from engaging in activities or propagating ideas that could offend cultural or religious sensitivities. Places of worship (temples, churches, mosques and other holy sites, etc.) currently held by the forces of either of the Parties shall be vacated by D-day + 30 and made accessible to the public. Places of worship which are situated in "high security zones" shall be vacated by all armed personnel and maintained in good order by civilian workers, even when they are not made accessible to the public.
2.3 Beginning, on the date on which this Agreement enters into force, school buildings occupied by either Party shall be vacated and returned to their intended use. This activity shall be completed by D-day + 160 at the latest.
2.4 A schedule, indicating the return of all other public buildings, to their intended use, shall be drawn up by the Parties and published at the latest by D-day + 30.
2.5 The Parties shall review the security measures and the set-up of checkpoints, particularly in densely populated cities and towns, in order to introduce systems that will prevent harassment of the civilian population. Such systems shall be in place from D-day + 60.
In addition to withdrawal of troops from the then temporarily merged North-Eastern Province, the CFA also called for disbanding of Tamil para-military units supporting the military effort. The following is the relevant section from the CFA: "Tamil paramilitary groups shall be disarmed by the GOSL by D-day + 30 at the latest. The GOSL shall offer to integrate individuals in these units under the command and disciplinary structure of the GOSL armed forces for service away from the Northern and Eastern Province."
The then UNP-UNF government accepted the CFA without reservations. Secret negotiations, initiated by President Chandrika Kumaratunga in May, 1999, led to the finalization of the CFA, in February, 2002, following the PA's defeat at the Dec 2001 parliamentary polls. In spite the CFA impacting on military deployment, including intelligence, the government didn't bother to consult armed forces chiefs. While imposing severe restrictions, on the military, in the North-Eastern Province, including areas under its control, the CFA paved the way for the LTTE to make inroads into government-held areas in the war zone. The LTTE fully exploited the section which dealt with 'Freedom of Movement' to infiltrate the government-held area. The following is the relevant section: "Fifty (50) unarmed LTTE members shall as of D-day + 30, for the purpose of political work, be permitted freedom of movement in the areas of the North and the East dominated by the GOSL. Additional 100 unarmed LTTE members shall be permitted freedom of movement as of D-day + 60. As of D-day + 90, all unarmed LTTE members shall be permitted freedom of movement in the North and the East. The LTTE members shall carry identity papers. The right of the GOSL to deny entry to specified military areas applies."
Geneva never felt a desire to intervene in Sri Lanka until the conflict, caused by India, was brought to an end on the banks of the Nanthikadal lagoon, in May, 2009.
In terms of the Indo-Lanka Accord, the Indian Army imposed severe restrictions on the military. India curbed military movements in the then temporarily merged North Eastern Province, thereby prevented security forces from thwarting the massacre of Sinhalese. India didn't allow Sri Lanka to reinforce bases and security remained the then UNP leader President Ranasinghe Premadasa's least concern until the LTTE resumed hostilities, in June, 1990. The UNP and the then military top brass had neglected security to such an extent, there had been just one battalion, plus infantry, deployed in the entire Jaffna peninsula and a few detachments south of Elephant Pass, including Kilinochchi, when fighting resumed, during the second week of June,1990.
Sri Lanka played an extremely heavy price for neglecting security over a long period of time. Whatever the shortcomings, on the part of the previous administration, President Rajapaksa never resorted to measures detrimental to national security. The former President's resolute political leadership ensured a great battlefield victory. Those who had been fighting to evict the military from the Northern Province were annihilated during the Vanni battle (March 2007 to May 2009). (The LTTE almost succeeded in capturing Jaffna in early 2000).
The UN seems to be seeking to evict the military in the guise of post-war national reconciliation. With Prince Hussein unveiling his plan in Colombo, there cannot be any ambiguity.


text:
Nuno Miguel Janeiro da Silva (Abrantes, 29 de Novembro de 1977) é um actor e modelo português.

Televisão
Elenco principal, Samuel Viegas (Sam) em Morangos com Açúcar (4.ª temporada), TVI - 2006/2007
Elenco principal, Vicente Oliveira em Fascínios, TVI - 2007
Elenco principal, Tiago Gouveia em Flor do Mar, TVI - 2008/2009
Elenco principal, Rodrigo Cunha em Mar de Paixão, TVI - 2010/2011
Participação especial, Xavier em A Família Mata, SIC - 2011
Elenco principal, Bruno em Laços de Sangue, SIC - 2011
Participação secundária, Ricardo em Dancin' Days, SIC - 2012
Elenco principal, Luís Assunção em Bem-Vindos a Beirais, RTP - 2013/2015
Concorrente de Dança com as Estrelas, TVI - 2015
Participação secundária, Ronaldo em A Única Mulher, TVI - 2016
Participação secundária, Bruno em Amor Maior, SIC - 2017
Participação secundária, Luís em Espelho d'Água, SIC - 2017
Elenco principal, Conde de Vimioso em Madre Paula (série), RTP - 2017
Elenco Principal, Bernardo (Benny) Reis em Vidas Opostas, SIC - 2018/2019
Antagonista, Bruno Junqueira em Alguém Perdeu, CMTV - 2019
Elenco recorrente, Nelson em Lua de Mel, SIC - 2022

Naturais de Abrantes
Modelos de Portugal
Atores do distrito de Santarém

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Why PNM Resources Stock Jumped 8% Today
The electric-utility holding company is being acquired by the U.S. arm of Spanish utility Iberdrola.
(TMFBuilt2Last)
Oct 21, 2020 at 12:50PM
Howard grew up in Philadelphia watching the Philly sports teams struggle for championships. He has been investing since 1989 and been a Fool since 2001. Prior to joining The Fool as a contract writer in 2019, Howard worked in the steel business as an engineer for 28 years. When he isn't writing, he is usually out for a run, or relaxing to the music of the Grateful Dead.
Shares of energy holding company PNM Resources (NYSE:PNM) jumped 8% today after it announced it was merging with Avangrid (NYSE:AGR), the U.S. energy operations of Spanish utility Iberdrola (OTC:IBDRY).
PNM Resources shareholders will receive $50.30 in cash for each of their shares, representing a 10% increase over Tuesday's closing price.
PNM Resources is the holding company for its regulated electric utilities PNM and TNMP. The combined utilities have generating capacity of over 2,800 megawatts and serve approximately 790,000 homes in New Mexico and Texas.
Iberdrola is the third largest electric utility company in the world and a leading renewable energy company. Avangrid is the U.S. branch of Iberdrola, operating in 24 states. It is the third largest wind operator in the U.S., and has over 7.4 gigawatts of installed wind and solar capacity.
Now what
The $4.3 billion deal has been approved by the boards of both companies. Avangrid has two business segments: networks and renewables. The networks line owns eight electric and natural gas utilities serving New York State and New England. Its renewable energy segment has operations spread around the country.
The regulated utility operations serve complementary geographies, and the combination will help Avangrid to expand its existing renewable capacity in the Southwest. Avangrid currently has 1.9 gigawatts of wind power capacity in New Mexico and Texas, as well as 200 megawatts of wind and solar capacity in Arizona.
Iberdrola said in a presentation that the combination will spur growth in both its regulated utility and renewables businesses. It said it will be accretive to earnings in the first year, and will accelerate PNM Resources' previous commitment to exit coal capacity.
PNM Resources, Inc.
Avangrid, Inc.
NYSE:AGR
IBDRY
Iberdrola, S.A.
OTC:IBDRY
PNM Resources Inc (PNM) Q3 2020 Earnings Call Transcript
Avangrid, Inc. (AGR) Q3 2020 Earnings Call Transcript
1 Utility Offering Dividends Today, Growth Tomorrow
Why PNM Resources Stock Jumped 8% Today @themotleyfool #stocks $PNM $AGR $IBDRY Next Article


text:
More / Book of the Month / Rush (2013) Directed By Ron Howard - Movie Review
Rush (2013) Directed By Ron Howard - Movie Review
October 3, 2013	Posted in 2013 / Canadian Lutheran / issuesetc.org / Movie Review / Pastor Ted Giese / Radio Interview
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Rush (2013) Directed by: Ron Howard
Written by: Peter Morgan (screenplay)
Stars: Daniel Brühl, Chris Hemsworth, Alexandra Maria Lara, Olivia Wilde,
Runetime: 123 min. Rated 14A (Canada), R(MPAA) for sexual content, nudity, language, some disturbing images and brief drug use
Most movies have a tag line, a catchy phrase that sums up the film and gives the potential audience a good idea of what they're getting into. The tag line for the filmRush — "Everyone's driven by something" —is kind of clever since this movie is about Formula One car racing. Yet there is another thing this film is about and the tag line points in this direction too. Rush is ultimately about rivalry, a theme explored in some truly great movies like Amadeus (1984) or more recently in The Prestige (2006) or Black Swan (2010). In Rush the rivalry isn't between composers, magicians or ballerinas but rather between Formula One race car drivers James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth) and Niki Lauda (Daniel Brühl).
Much like in Apollo 13 or A Beautiful Mind Ron Howard is again in the territory "true story," but Rush is not a docudrama. Howard balances the nuts and bolts details with his desire to make an engaging film so don't expect everything to be historically accurate. As a director, Howard is skilful at making "mid-brow" drama, a film style that has taken a back seat in recent years. Rush is not a high-brow affair and often veers into film clichésthat will leave some viewers rolling their eyes. But many won't care since using clichés in this style of film is a kind of story-telling shorthand.
Rush also has many of the obligatory elements regularly found in a drama geared toward an adult audience such as sexual content, nudity, adult language and a couple very brief images of gore which in many cases feel tacked on. The film's story of rivalry could have been told without these (or with fewer of them) and have proven just as effective. Much of what the filmmaker was trying toaccomplish by including these elements could have been achieved by inference and suggestion. This would have broadened the general appeal of the film. That being said, once some of the language and nudity is cleaned up for cable this movie will likely live on for a long time.
The storytelling style is relatively straight forwardyet it is atypical for a sports film. It starts with a strong focus on James Hunt which gives the impression he will be the central character. However, this is not the case. Along the way the film shifts gears to focus on Niki Lauda who becomes the central protagonist with Hunt as his foil. Many sports films deal with overcoming adversity and, while that's kicking around in this film, it is really the secondary plot since the main focus isset firmly on the two drivers and their relationship with each other.
James Hunt and Niki Lauda were famous race car drivers in the 1970s and the film mostly focuses on the competition for the 1976 Formula One World Drivers' Championship. Lauda had won it in 1975 and would win it again in 1977. Both men desperately wanted to win it in 1976.TheFormula One World Drivers' Championship is determined by a point system based on a driver's wins and finishing positions on the international F1 Grand Prixcircuit. The movie follows the on-track and off-track rivalry between Hunt and Lauda as they accumulate these points toward victory.
Their rivalry started earlier in the F1 feeder leagues where they first met. Hunt was a hard-living womanizer and dare devil[1] who at one point early in the film provides his philosophy of life when he says, "The closer you are to death, the more alive you feel. It's a wonderful way to live. It's the only way to drive." Lauda, on the other hand, is more interested early on with proving himself to his father and family who were bankers and politicians in Austria. While Hunt gets by on charisma and guts, Lauda's success comes from his careful calculations of risk and reward, and superior knowledge of F1 car and engine design.
The rivalry theme might remind Christians of some famous Biblical rivalries like the brothers Jacob and Esau the sons of Isaac,[2] or King Saul and the shepherd boy David who were simultaneously anointed King of Israel. The reader of Scripture can gain a lot of insights by studying these Biblical narratives. What the film explores is something deep down in the heart of a rivalry — most are driven less by the activities and actions of another person and more bypersonal ambition and feelings of insecurity. There is a selfishness to this kind of behaviour. Keeping this in mind, what does the Bible say about rivalry and personal ambition? St. Paul in Philippians writes, "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves."[3]
Generally, both Hunt and Lauda come off as unlikable characters; they are humility-challenged and quick to remind each other of their poor character traits and personal sins. In the end, each character experiences personal growth as a result of interactions with the other and at one point Lauda says to Hunt, "A wise man learns more from his enemies, than a fool from his friends" Although this sounds like something King Solomon wrote in the book of Proverbs, it isn't.[4]What both men learn from each other is the ability to see the line between the need to win and the cost of losing. When life and death are on that line and risk is great there comes a time when a person needs to pull over and turn off the engine or risk losing body and soul, wife, family, possessions, reputation and every kind of "daily bread" God gives them.
There is a notable moment of forgiveness and mutual admiration between Hunt and Lauda following a harrowing accident at the 1976 German Grand Prix where Lauda was hospitalized after losing control of his car under challenging weather and track conditions. When Lauda finally returns to racing later that season Hunt approaches him and says, "I feel responsible for what happened," — and he was. Hunt had influenced a vote about cancelling the race due to the dangerous track conditions. His devil-may-care attitude and personal rivalry with Lauda got the better of him. — Lauda replies saying, "Trust me: watching you win those races while I was fighting for my life, you were equally responsible for getting me back in the car."
The writer of the letter to the Hebrews says, "let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works."[5] While Lauda wasn't necessarily being stirred towards love and good works he was given the will to survive his injuries because of his relationship with Hunt. Does the movie make more of this than in real life? It's hard to say, but it looks like this series of events contributed to their changed perspective on racing and life. Does this mean they suddenly became better people and their troubles instantly went away? No. The film leaves them as rivals — closer rivals — but still rivals in their minds if not on the race track of life. Perhaps they gained a greater respect for each other, but they still remained rivals.As a Hollywood staple rivalry adds dramatic tension to any story and Rush is a film with its share of dramatic tension.
Is Rush the best car racing film of all time? No. Rush is middle-of-the- road Hollywood. There is some nice cinematography by Anthony Dod Mantle (Dredd 2012) which adds to the excitement of the race scenes,but for a car racing film there are not as many races as you'd expect. This film is really about Hunt and Lauda and their prickly relationship with each other and with themselves. Rush is a good example of how there are relationships people 'actually' have with each other, relationships they 'think' they are having with each other, and how frequently these don't match up. Underneath the standard Hollywood conventions Rush illustrates this Biblical truth: "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another"[6]— even if they don't particularly like each other.
Rev. Ted Giese is associate pastor at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Regina, Saskatchewan.
You can also find this article featured in the Canadian Lutheran
[1]Galatians 5:19-21
[2] Genesis 25:19 - 34; 27; 28:1-5; 32 - 33.
[3] Philippians 2:3
[4] This quote is actually from a man named Baltasar Gracián (1601 – 1658) a Jesuit priest and the writer of Agudezay arte de ingenio (Wit and the Art of Inventiveness).
[5]Hebrews 10:24
[6]Proverbs 27:17
(Un) Believable / John 2:1-11 / Pr. Lucas Andre Albrecht / Sunday,
Paul Nelson Funeral Sermon - Revelation 21:1–6 January 15th 2022 /
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Want to freak out friends and family, or simply amuse yourself at toilet time? You could even install it at a friends house! The perfect Gag gift…introducing the talking toilet roll holder. This is like no other toilet roll holder, because you can record your own voice clips on to it 6 seconds of f**ck** up messages. Whenever someone pulls the paper, it replays the clip. It can be installed in seconds by simply switching out the central part of the holder, and has a simple little on off switch so it does not drive you mad in the end.
Complete with its own library of music and sound clips, if you're one of them boring, non creative types!!


Number 19 - The Prince of Heaven - 19 is one of the most fortunate and favorable of all Compound numbers. It is symbolized as the Sun, and is called the Prince of Heaven because it indicates victory over all temporal failure and disappointment. It blesses the person represented by it with all of the power of the Compound number 10, without the danger of abuse inherent in the 10. This number promises happiness and fulfillment--success in all ventures as well as in the personal life. The 19 will smooth the path and greatly dilute any negative vibrations one must deal with in the full numerological analysis.


Alysia Nicole Harris received her MFA in poetry from NYU and is currently a PhD candidate in linguistics at Yale University. Pushcart nominee and winner of the 2014 & 2015 Stephen Dunn Poetry Prizes, her poetry has appeared in Indiana Review, Catch & Release, Solstice Literary Magazine and Vinyl Magazine. Alysia was the 2015 Duncanson Artist-in-Residence at the Taft Art Museum in Cincinnati and was recently selected for publication in Best New Poets 2015 by Tracy K. Smith. Her first chapbook How Much We Must Have Looked Like Stars to Stars won the 2015 New Women's Voices Series Contest and is available from Finishing Line Press.