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Charting the Course of Sustainable Agriculture and Healthy Food
Interview with NRDC President Frances Beinecke about the "Growing Green Awards"
00:04:41 - Uploaded by Essinova on May 19, 2010
NRDC Growing Green Awards Promote Sustainable Agriculture Stewardship
(This article below is Part Two of a two-part report highlighting innovations and best practices in sustainable agriculture and its role in countering the environmental impact of industrial-scale agriculture. Click here for Part One, Agriculture 2.0 Conference Focus on Sustainable Agriculture.
Nicholas Sarkisian, the author of the report, is an Essinova contributor covering international sustainability issues.)
The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), one of the leading U.S.-based environmental organizations, honored and awarded the recipients of its Growing Green Awards at its benefit, entitled "From Water to Farm to You," held at Yoshi's Restaurant and Jazz Club in San Francisco on April 29, 2010. This was a premier social and environmental event attended by NRDC's President, Frances Beinecke, flying in from NRDC's New York headquarters, author Eric Schlosser (Fast Food Nation), and Gary Hirshberg, CEO of Stonyfield Farm, both of whom are highlighted, along with Michael Pollan, in the recent documentary on industrial agriculture, Food, Inc.
To its great credit, NRDC is addressing the significant role that current industrial agricultural practices are contributing to environmental degradation, and to global warming. NRDC has established the Sustainable Agriculture Project, with Jonathan Kaplan leading this effort as the Project's Director. Jonathan cited U.S. EPA's own estimates that green house gas (GHG) inputs from farm and food processing contribute approximately 12% of total U.S. GHG emissions. According to Al Gore's latest book, Our Choice, "The second most powerful cause of the climate crisis is methane…. More than half of human-caused methane releases occur in agriculture." And "Industrial agriculture is also the largest source of nitrous oxide, carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)." Given such significant GHG inputs from industrial agriculture, Jonathan stated that the NRDC's Sustainable Agriculture Project promotes standard-setting processes for sustainable agricultural practices, holds the EPA accountable for registering pesticides, works on climate policy, which includes agriculture, and in collaboration with the produce industry, is developing a system for measuring sustainability in the marketplace, to be called the "Stewardship Index" for specialty crops.
Essinova was privileged to attend the press event for the Growing Green Awards benefit where it had the opportunity to interview several of the award recipients and NRDC President Frances Beinecke, along with Jonathan Kaplan. In addition to the video interview of Frances Beinecke on this page, a video interview of Mike Benziger, the Water Steward Award recipient, can be accessed here. He is also highlighted below in this article along with the other awardees.
The award recipients were selected from a pool of 170 candidates by an expert panel consisting of Michael Pollan, author of Omnivore's Dilemma, Susan Clark, Executive Director of the Columbia Foundation, Nora Pouillon, organic chef, and A.G. Kawamura, the California Secretary of Agriculture, as well as policy and science staff from NRDC.
The Growing Green Award Recipients
Business Leader Award: Karl Kupers, Shepherd's Grain, Harrington, WA. Mr. Kupers received the Business Leader Award as an "entrepreneur who effectively use(s) the marketplace to promote sustainable food systems, develop infrastructure that enables producers to be more sustainable, or advance sustainable innovations along the [food] supply chain."
Karl states that, "Shepherd's Grain started with two traditional Pacific Northwest wheat growers. We raised commodity wheat and sold it by the bushel to the commodity market, where it was mixed with anonymous wheat from all over the U.S. and exported to countries along the Asian rim." From that starting position within the commodity-based wheat marketplace, and with a passion for introducing sustainable growing practices, Mr. Kupers and his partner, Mr. Fred Fleming, started Shepherds Grain, a company that now successfully connects 33 eastern Washington sustainable and organic grain growers to an existing distribution system and provides a unique producer model within the wheat marketplace.
Mr. Kupers explained the evolution of his business model: "Shepherd's Grain has taken a very idealistic approach and broken away from traditional commodity marketing. We are a 'price maker' instead of a 'price taker,' setting the price of our flour based on the cost of production, not fluctuations in the commodity market. We are honest with our customers about what it costs to grow our wheat, all environmental costs included. And we have seen year after year that consumers like this clear pricing. Demand for our environmentally-sound wheat continues to grow." Mr. Kupers stressed that transparency of Shepherd's Grain production costs is key to acceptance by the market of a "cost plus" pricing model, supported by the knowledge by buyers that they are "making an investment" in a quality product grown in a sustainable manner. That knowledge is itself supported by another innovation adopted by Shepherd's Grain, the decision to incorporate third-party certification, selecting Food Alliance as its certifier (see more about Food Alliance in Part One of this report). "From the farm to the table, our production cycle is transparent," says Kupers. "Our growers can learn where their wheat goes and our consumers know that they are feeding their families food that they can feel good about." Mr. Kupers made the point that third-party certification also helps open doors and establish credibility with its distribution channels. While Shepherd's Grain to date is marketed only regionally in the Pacific Northwest, the Food Alliance certification can extend nationally when Shepherd's Grain is ready to expand its market.
Food Producer Award: Russ Lester, Dixon Ridge Farms, Winters, CA. Mr. Lester received the Food Producer Award as a "farmer who employs innovative techniques to sustain agriculture, the natural environment, workers and community." Russ Lester is co-owner of Dixon Ridge Farms, located in Winters, California, and the largest handler of organic walnuts in the United States. Mr. Lester has directed Dixon Ridge Farms to ever more sustainable and organic practices since he and his wife purchased their farm in 1979, gradually reducing the use of pesticides and herbicides, and finally phasing out all such chemicals in part based upon the revelation of his father's emerging cancer after years of chemical use on his own orchards. Mr. Lester writes about the decision to go organic, stating, "Although research couldn't directly link my dad's cancer to the chemicals used in his prune orchards, watching his disease progress made me reconsider even the few pesticides that we still used. My wife and I decided, for our young family's health, to take the next step. My father's death in 1989 marked the end of our use of conventional chemicals." Mr. Lester did not stop there, though, and has led the way as a food producer in striving to be not only an organic producer, but a fully sustainable one. Dixon Ridge Farms' sustainable practices include the introduction of no-till cover crops to reduce soil erosion and run-off, promote beneficial insects and wildlife (that take the place of some chemical treatments), retain soil moisture and thus reduce water use; the introduction of overhead watering creating efficient water delivery compatible with organic farming practices; the introduction of recycled materials for packaging; use of solar panels for the Farms' electrical generation; and even recycling the discarded walnut shells to generate sustainable bio-fuels and electrical power.
In interviewing Mr. Lester, it became apparent that all the theories and ideals of producing sustainable and organic food take on a very hands-on practical reality down at the farm. For example, when asked if it might be possible for Dixon Ridge Farms to become a truly net-zero GHG emitter, or fully generate all its energy use, Mr. Lester commented that this issue is a "very complicated question" that "depends on a lot of definitions and conditions. However, that is what we are trying to achieve." Mr. Lester expanded on his response using as an example the Farms' water and energy usage. "We use ground water above what we get in rainfall, but this is made up for in our area by the watershed above us. If we had to live on rainfall falling on our orchards alone, our production would fall to about 1 ton/acre [a 50% reduction], which is not economically viable. We are working toward 'net energy self-sufficiency' which means that we will still need to buy some gas, propane and diesel, but we hope to be able to produce more electricity than we use in both the walnut processing as well as the growing. If we had to produce all our own liquid fuel, we could but it would take land out of food production, use resources, and cost a lot. If we can find a technology that would allow us to replace this liquid power with a sustainable, renewable source, then we would be able to eliminate these [gas, propane and diesel] as well." It's a testament to Mr. Lester's integrity that he is approaching his practices so transparently and fully accounting for all these inputs, including mentioning that Dixon Ridge Farms is "sponsoring research that we hope will verify and quantify our GHG reductions."
Being the largest producer of organic walnuts in the United States involves participating in a large marketplace, and so Essinova asked Mr. Lester about its transportation-related energy usage. Mr. Lester revealed that "our exported walnuts go via ship which is a relatively low GHG way to travel. These [ship-transported] walnuts are probably responsible for less GHGs than the ones we ship via truck within 150 miles of our plant. The walnuts for our customers probably produce less GHG than walnuts sold at farmers markets as we ship large quantities at any one time. It is not a simple issue. Having said all that, we are working to make this impact even less, especially where we have control over transportation."
Finally, Essinova touched on the question of food safety, and Mr. Lester revealed the very real impact of the costs associated with this issue, stating, "Food safety in the U.S. is a very big issue. Walnuts have not been the subject of a food safety recall, but the industry is taking a very pro-active stance. We have adopted the 'GMA Nut Safety Handbook' and it is understood that the FDA will inspect most (65 out of 67) walnut processing plants this year. We will probably spend over $100,000 in 2010 to meet those standards, mostly to pay for a written plan and testing protocols. This cost will significantly affect our production costs and will be difficult, if not impossible, for other small processors to meet. Organic walnuts are required to meet the same standards as conventional walnuts, while also meeting the USDA NOP Standards for organic [certification which don't allow] fumigants or any other synthetic chemicals. As such, organic walnuts will not contain residuals of chemicals such as methyl bromide, propylene dioxide, chlorine, formaldehyde, and others."
It is clear that being a leader in adopting sustainable and organic practices continues to require a lot of courage even in the midst of the significant support from environmental organizations such as NRDC.
Thought Leader Award: Fred Kirschenmann, Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture, Pocantico Hills, NY. Mr. Kirschenmann received the Thought Leader Award as a "visionary who advances sustainability as it relates to food through creative research, public education, and outreach." Mr. Kirschenmann is President of the Board of Directors for the Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture, a nonprofit that operates as a sustainable farm, kitchen, and teaching campus for nearby New York City residents. Mr. Kirschenmann is also a Distinguished Fellow of the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University, where he has taught for many years, and was also the Center's Director from 2000 through 2004. His appointments include the USDA's National Organic Standards Board and the National Commission on Industrial Farm Animal Production operated by the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, and he continues to find time to manage his family's 3,500 acre organic cattle farm in North Dakota. Tom Philpott interviewed Mr. Kirschenmann for Grist.org on April 14, upon the announcement by NRDC of its Thought Leader Award. Mr. Philpott highlighted Mr. Kirshenmann's leadership by asserting, "You leave Fred's talks awed at the vastness of the task ahead of us -- yet hopeful in the knowledge that change is afoot."
Mr. Kirschenmann addressed the issue of transitioning to a sustainable agricultural model saying, "…what individual farmers are doing all around the world now [is] converting from high input/output systems of agriculture, the basic industrial model, to models that are based on what I call biological synergies, that is where they have a diversity of plants and animals in which the waste from one species becomes the food for another. And they're producing much more food because it's not a monoculture, so there are more food products [produced] per acre, and doing so at vastly reduced energy costs." And on the issue of developing regional food production, Mr. Kirschenmann commented that, "I think that the food system is going to be more regionalized. I have to say I'm not a big advocate on the local food concept because it sort of limits you to a radius of, say, 150 miles. When you think about it as a total food system – [for example] NYC has some 30 million people – are you going to feed them all from 150 miles around NYC? Probably not. [On the other hand], North Dakota only has 630,000 people in the whole state. If they all ate from 150 miles, 90 percent of the farmland would probably lay idle."
Finally, when asked what each of us can do to promote sustainable agriculture, Mr. Kirschenmann suggested that first, people recognize the power they have as customers and begin to ask the food retailers questions about the quality of our food and food sources; and second, that "they can also begin to think about producing some of their own food, turning part of their lawns into a garden, like Michelle Obama did. Whatever it takes to become more acquainted, take more charge, and more control. Almost everyone could do that."
Water Steward Award: Mike Benziger, Benziger Family Winery, Glen Ellen, CA. Mr. Benziger received the Water Steward Award as a "farmer and food producer who has made extraordinary contributions in demonstrating water efficiency, sustainable water use and the protection of water quality." In 2000, the Benziger Family Winery became the first winery in Sonoma and Napa counties to be certified as Biodynamic®. It is difficult to imagine a greater honor than achieving that certification, which is a more demanding bar than CCOF or USDA organic certification; Mr. Benziger's selection by the NRDC as recipient of its Water Steward Award only adds to this achievement. The principles of Biodynamic® agriculture were developed in Europe almost 100 years ago by Rudolf Steiner who also started the Waldorf educational system. Biodynamic® agriculture is a method of organic farming that treats farms as unified and individual organisms. Mr. Benziger states that, "When you look at something as if it were alive, you think about it a lot differently. You become really obligated to take care of it." The transition to Biodynamic® farming, however, came after many years of conventional farming methods which turned their land into "an ecological desert." The Benziger family had to make "some big changes," but, according to Mr. Benziger, "the results were miraculous: the birds and the bees returned. We let nature back in." With respect to Mr. Benziger's water stewardship practices, the Benziger Family Winery recycles an average of 2 million gallons of water per year using an innovative wetland and pond water treatment system. In Essinova's video interview (click here to watch), the winemaker, one of eight brothers and sisters in the family business together, discusses the Biodynamic practice and the water treatment process in further detail, as well as the family's vision for their winegrowing in the future.
In conclusion, NRDC's Growing Green Awards is a boost to the leaders who are charting a new, sustainable pathway for growing our food, mitigating the health and environmental impact related to industrial agriculture. Each of these recipients has an equally inspiring personal story behind their exceptional achievements.
Tags: NRDC, Natural Resources Defense Council, Frances Beinecke, Growing Green Awards, sustainable agriculture, Karl Kupers, Shepherd's Grain, Russ Lester, Dixon Ridge Farms, Fred Kirschenmann, Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture, Mike Benziger, Benzige
Biodynamic Viticulture and Water Stewardship
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Story of the "New Nordic Diet" -Q&A
New resource book regarding sustainable agriculture and living


Have you ever ticked an answer box on a form or survey because it was the best choice available, even though it didn't quite fit your experience? While that may be frustrating, for most people it has no direct bearing on their daily life. But what if your response had an immediate financial impact on whether or not you lived above or below the poverty line? That would be more than just frustrating and you'd probably demand a change in how your information was recorded.
Unfortunately, for lone mothers in receipt of child support in Australia, the survey and administrative categories used to report and describe their experiences are flawed. In turn, there is no easy way for women to challenge or correct these systematic inaccuracies. Instead, many mothers accept reduced child support and benefit payments as the least problematic option. When child support is late, partial, or unpaid, Australia's welfare agency excludes important information in recording these issues. These informational failures are also replicated in surveys tasked with recording women's child support experiences. Even more troublesome, child support and welfare policies are then informed by the inaccurate data gathered in survey studies and held by Government departments.
To illustrate how women fit their experiences into available data collection options, we interviewed nineteen women about their child support payments, and compared the findings with what they had reported to Australia's welfare agency and in surveys. We found that women had either deliberately, or inadvertently, "smoothed" their experiences to fit the response options available. In both administrative datasets and surveys, the response options focused primarily on the amount of child support paid but missed key aspects of child support payment receipts — an area considered most important to women.
The interviews revealed that the meaning and importance of child support for women centred on the timing and completeness of payments — aspects that were routinely overlooked in the Australian Government's welfare and survey records. Administratively, when reporting child support payments, women often acquiesced to the welfare system's default option: that child support was received "in full and on time." By smoothing their experiences to fit these administrative limitations, women consequently received less welfare benefits than they were legally entitled to.
Our analysis found that women had smoothed their child support experiences based on their evaluation of the "costs" of accurate reporting. For instance, reporting a child support underpayment could have undesirable consequences: triggering hostility from the paying parent; a renegotiation of child-contact arrangements; and/or the reduced likelihood of receiving child support payments in the future. These undesirable consequences were regarded as higher costs than a reduction in benefit payments, and were, in turn, costs borne solely by the woman.
On the flip side, reporting child support underpayments and receiving the additional welfare benefits this entitled could result in welfare benefit overpayments if child support was later received. Again, this cost was borne by women rather than the non-compliant payer or the state. Thus, women sought to avoid these scenarios, and as such, found that inaccurately reporting financial consequences became the most viable option. As a result, non-compliant payers and the state received a financial benefit as they were compelled to pay less child support and welfare, respectively, than they were obliged to.
(2) The data show no evidence or payment arrears as the expected and received values match.
While such inaccurate survey responses had no immediate consequences for women, the long-term consequences are two-fold: firstly, both administrative data and surveys inaccurately represent the reality of child support compliance. Secondly, the data obscures the problem, making it less amenable to policy change. When taken together, the child support data collection method fails to acknowledge or substantiate the experiences of women, and as such these practices contribute to the gendered development of evidence available for policy reform. In this light, we argue that gender-sensitive "evidence-based policy" in this area is impossible without a significant restructuring of the way that child support data are collected.
Written by: Kay Cook on November 16, 2015.
This entry was posted in Inequality and Poverty, Welfare by Kay Cook. Bookmark the permalink.
Dr Cook was appointed to the Centre for Applied Social Research at RMIT University in 2012 as a Vice Chancellor's Senior Research Fellow. This prestigious four-year position enables Dr Cook to strengthen her examination of the intersections between social policies and family life. Dr Cook's work explores how new and developing social policies such as welfare-to-work, child support and child care policies, transform relationships between the state, individuals and families. Given that these policies have a profound impact on the everyday experiences of their targets; Dr Cook's work makes the personal impact of these policies explicit. By making explicit the connections between political processes and subjective responses, Dr Cook seeks to provide tangible evidence to policymakers and service providers to affect more humanistic reform. Dr Cook is the current Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Family Studies and Co-Director of the International Network of Child Support Scholars. She is a Member Scholar of the International Institute for Qualitative Methodology and contributor to the SAGE Encyclopaedia of Qualitative Research Methods and second edition of the Handbook of Interview Research.


Thanks to John Tasevski for this material. Sources are noted.
*Translations come directly from the Kurukulla Center's online prayer booklet.
*Many of these words have multiple meanings and definitions. The definitions given here apply specifically to these prayers.


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package ch.zuehlke.arscrabble.model.scrabble.engine;

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    private String name;
    private Rack rack;

    public Player(String name, Rack rack) {
        this.name = name;
        this.rack = rack;
    }

    public String getName() {
        return name;
    }

    public Rack getRack() {
        return rack;
    }

    public String toString() {
        return name + ": " + rack.toString();
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Bhubaneswar: The Economic Offences Wing of Odisha Crime Branch arrested the managing director of a Ponzi firm in connection with a chit fund scam here today.
The arrested accused has been identified as Deepak Behera of Chhatradharipatna in Kendrapada. Behera, the Director of M/s AM Fund Managers Ltd, was arrested today on the strength of warrant issued by the Presiding Officer of designated court under Odisha Protection of Interest of Depositors (in financial establishments) Act, Cuttack.
A case was initially registered at Pattamundai on the written report of Keshaba Behera of Kendrapara. Subsequently, EOW took charge of investigation and a case against Behera was registered under Prize Chits and Money Circulation Schemes (Banning) Act, 1978.
During investigation it was revealed that accused Deepak Behera, director of M/s AM Fund Managers along with others had collected public deposits unauthorisedly to the tune Rs 2,35,25,000 on false promises of providing high rate of interest of 36% from 253 investors and had misappropriated the same.
Despite repeated summons, the accused Deepak Behera did not appear at the OPID court, following which a warrant was issued by to effect his arrest.


While many are familiar with Fego's relaxed atmosphere, friendly service and delicious menus, a lot of people don't realise that our restaurants are steeped in South African culture and tradition. For owner and managing director who originally hails from South Africa, taking on the business in September 2010 was a natural step.
Part of our ethos is based on the concept of 'Sawubona', a traditional greeting that literally translates from Zulu as 'I see you', but carries deeper connotations of 'I recognise, respect and welcome you'. Taking this hospitable approach to our service, it's a notion that has certainly resonated in our group's nine locations, where individuality and personality come first.
One way in which we've captured this essence is through our interior design. For our three latest outlets – Sevenoaks, Beaconsfield and Banstead – we worked closely with South African artists, who were commissioned to design bespoke prints and patterns.
Based between Johannesburg and Cape Town, design studio Fabrica helped to define Fego's distinct look, along with London-based marketing agency Lyons & Tigers. Kai Interiors, meanwhile, created immersive, concept-driven spaces for an informal, laid-back ambience. The result: Three South African tribal motifs for each venue – Ndebele in Banstead, Xhosa in Beaconsfield, and Zulu in Sevenoaks.
"There's a lot of styling in the feeling of the décor for each place, and a lot of artwork, we tried to create different environments and wanted to pay homage to our roots, but in a very modern way, using contemporary South African patterns from different areas of the country.
As for the menus, rather than serving exclusively South African dishes, Fego's food and drink offering is more about embodying the country's multicultural spirit. Extensive and eclectic, our range of meals spans an assortment of countries, cultures and continents, resulting in a variety that's exemplary of South Africa's rule-breaking culinary approach.


2017 Sidekick Labs Creeping Flesh trading cards spotlight the monster artwork of Dan Brereton. Packaged as a premium pack-style factory set, there are both retro and modern elements.
The main 2017 Sidekick Labs Creeping Flesh trading cards set has 19 cards plus one sticker. These are printed on retro-style chip card stock. Further adding to the old-school feel is the fact that they come packaged in a wax wrapper, a Sidekick Labs specialty.
Brereton's resumé spans several comic publishers, big and small. Titles and characters he's worked with include The Nocturnals, Batman, Vampirella and even The Simpsons.
All pledge levels of $20 and up come with one of the premium wax packs with the full set. Those who pledge more towards the product can unlock addition rewards. The include an exclusive metal card signed by Brereton, sketch cards and an 11 x 14 print.
Further items can be purchased as add-ons. Among these are autographed single cards and complete sets, a custom display frame and unfolded wrappers.
• Funding Goal: $1,000 — the funding goal has been reached so the project will be funded and move forward.


Are you settling for an unattractive and uncomfortable office chair? Why not sit on a chair that possesses both features: style and comfort?
At Julia & Elizabeth, we provide the quality and custom look you desire without the daunting price tag. Because we choose manufacturers that will assemble our chairs one at a time, they can be customized for every client.
No longer, will you have to sacrifice style or comfort.


In March, Prizes Awarded for the Biggest Fish of Any Type Caught.
Kevan Koskie and Ricky Record both caught their limit of trout this Friday (photo). The eight fish combined for a total weight of 17 ¾ pounds. They were trolling the East side of the lake and using night crawlers for bait.
Jeff Kopischke and his son got their trout limits on Saturday and added a catfish for good measure.
For the first time ever, Lake Poway will be hosting its own version of March Madness, fishing edition. Each week in March there will be prizes awarded for the biggest fish of any type caught. The competition is open to all ages. Fish must be weighed and recorded at the boat dock. See our website for details. https://poway.org/401/Lake-Poway. Since our next stock will be Trophy Tailwalkers there should be some big fish caught for the contest.
Next stock: February 27th, 1,500 pounds of Trophy Tailwalkers. Stocking schedule subject to change.
When you stop by concessions to buy your permit ask about the best spots and baits. They have up to the minute information. Remember concessions closes at 4:30 PM so come early enough to buy your permit or rent a boat.


text:
Q: Best way to use Facebook as site membership system, asp.net mvc 3, using Facebook C# SDK? Here's how I currently use the Facebook C# SDK, with Facebook Javascript SDK (this is from memory, but I think it's accurate psuedo-code):
FbApp = new FacebookApp
Is FbApp.Session null?
  No - they're logged into Facebook, pull profile from DB
    Is profile null?
    Yes - they aren't a member, ask for permission then save their FacebookId, Name, and Email
    No - they're a member
  Yes - they're not logged into Facebook

That's really about it. But reading through the tutorial here, I'm wondering if I'm doing something the wrong way? Or a "bad" way? I've been using it this way for around 3 months without issue.
I've read others having issues with Facebook changing their authentication API's, but I've never had any hiccups. The Facebook C# SDK has been updated a few times sine I started using it, but I haven't upgraded yet.
Just want to be sure, what I'm doing is ok or am I heading for a "train wreck"?

A: The best way I think is to understand the Facebook API yourself  ( http://developers.facebook.com/docs/reference/api/ ) . Using library will help you but it will make you dependent with the library. Facebook is famous for its frequency of changing API. So depending entirely on a library will likely make your job more stressful ( worse if the library took long to update).
Just my 2 cents

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Holy smokes it was cold this morning! Of course, my first morning session would come up on the first legitimately cold morning we've had in weeks! It wasn't a problem though, Natalie and Curtis powered through and we got some great images. Enjoy my favorites, and thanks for stopping by my site.


Qual Chem® Car Wash Show Web Banner Ad - Preshrunk Ltd.
Qual Chem® sponsored an industry trade show and part of their package included a web banner ad to be placed on the trade show's website. This ad would rotate every 10 seconds to another sponsor, so we wanted to help them stand out from the crowd.
As all the other sponsors ran ads about their products, we took a different approach and focused on customer testimonials.


Today, 21st June, is International Day of Yoga, World Music Day and Father's Day. I decided not to do a specific post on any of these themes, because for me all three should be an important part of our lives every single day! We don't need a special day to celebrate our fathers, do Yoga or listen to music. Having said that, dedicating a day to celebrate something is a good reminder of why it is important in our lives. So I hope you took some time today to wish your dad, practice some de-stressing asanas and listen to your favorite music.


text:
Q: Run time error 9 Subscript out of range when activating a workbook When I try to activate "Sheet1" of Workbook1 (Work.xlsm) as the image shows, I get a run time error. (There are no spelling mistakes).

It runs with no problems from another workbook (Book1.xlsx) for populating sheet (LS) data on to the UserForm Combo box and Text Boxes.
When I click on "ADD" button the userform data is populating on workbook (Book1.xlsx) sheet (LS) whereas I want it to populate on "Sheet1" of Workbook1 (Work.xlsm).
I am trying to call my main "Sheet1" sheet of Workbook1 (Work.xlsm) but get the error in this line.

From range A8 it should start populating (desired ouput in workbook1)

My code for combobox change and commandbutton(ADD):
Private Sub cboLs_Change()
Dim i As Long, LastRow As Long, ws As Worksheet
Dim wb As Workbook
Set wb = Workbooks.Open("C:\Users\Desktop\Book1.xlsx")
Set ws = wb.Worksheets("LS")
LastRow = ws.Range("A" & Rows.Count).End(xlUp).Row
For i = 2 To LastRow
    If Val(Me.cboLs.Value) = ws.Cells(i, "A") Then
        MsgBox Me.cboLs.Value
        Me.txtProject = ws.Cells(i, "B").Value
    End If
Next i
End Sub

Private Sub cmdadd_Click()
    Dim i As Integer
    Dim wb As Workbook
    Dim ws1 As Worksheet
    Set wb = Workbooks.Open("C:\Users\Desktop\Work.xlsm")
    wb.Activate
    Set ws1 = wb.Worksheets("Sheet1")
    Worksheets("Sheet1").Activate
    'position cursor in the correct cell A2.
    ActiveSheet.Range("A8").Select
    Do Until ActiveCell.Value = Empty
        ActiveCell.Offset(1, 0).Select 'move down 1 row
        i = i + 1 'keep a count of the ID for later use
    Loop
    'Populate the new data values into the 'Data' worksheet.
    ActiveCell.Value = i 'Next ID number
    'Populate the new data values into the 'Data' worksheet.
    ws1.Range("A6").Value = e 'Next ID number
    ws1.Range("B6").Value = Me.txtname.Text 'set col B
    ws1.Range("C6").Value = Me.txtbook.Text 'set col C
    ws1.Range("D6").Value = Me.cboLs.Text
 End Sub

Private Sub UserForm_Initialize()
    Dim i As Long, LastRow As Long, ws As Worksheet
    Dim wb As Workbook
    Set wb = Workbooks.Open("C:\Users\Desktop\Book1.xlsx")
    Set ws = wb.Worksheets("LS")
    LastRow = ws.Range("A" & Rows.Count).End(xlUp).Row
    For i = 2 To LastRow
        Me.cboLs.AddItem ws.Cells(i, "A").Value
    Next i
 End Sub

A: Very simple:
Set ws1 = wb.Worksheets("Sheet1") throws a Subscript out of Range error, because there is no sheet with the name "Sheet1" contained in the file "C:\Users\Desktop\Work.xlsm"
You are referencing by the Name of the WorkSheet object, this is what is displayed on the little tab. The Object might very well be "Sheet1" in your object explorer in VBA:

*

*In that case you can use Set ws1 = wb.Sheet1

*If you wish to use the name, check the tab in the Excel GUI, and use Set ws1 = wb.Worksheets("Whatever is displayed on the little tab at the bottom of your screen")
For some examples on how to reference sheets, read this


When my doc increased my dose from 50 mg to 100 mg, I ovulated on cd 5 (I've since moved on to injectables)! I'd only taken 2 pills at that point (cd 3-7). While most women don't ovulate until up to 10 days after their pills, it's definitely possible to ovulate sooner. By the way, it's just plain *STUPID* to take Clomid without being under a doctor's supervision.


I'd love to have a mandolorian themed avatar. I love Boba and Jango Fett, but am also fascimatingly enamered with the Mandolorians as a whole. I love red. I like the Mythosaur Skull so much it's engraved on my wedding Band.
All set. Got one for 'ya.
Cecilia might not be on the boards anymore, but anything more specific to narrow one down for you?


Telekaster's long awaited vinyl follow-up to The Silent Anagram finally arrives and sees an amazing development of sound. Matthias Grübel's collaboration with film maker Stefan Bünnig gives some explanation to the more intimate and sublime new sound he's put together. Versions Of Home blends rich instrumental elements, treated guitars, manipulated piano and transformed electronics to create an incredibly deep, gentle and fragile tale of hazy loveliness. Oh yes. With the suspenseful In Our Dreams We're Always Running On Ice he builds on the ideas of the first track with organic detailing and a wonderfully attuned sense of arrangement, making the piece seem blissfully effortless. Exquisite.
Into Fields was written and recorded by Matthias Grübel in winter 2010/2011. Into Fields short film written and directed by Stefan Bünnig in spring 2011. 7″ cover image shot by Christopher Grübel. Sleeve layout by Sebastian Haslauer.


The Witch (New Thick) costume wig by Lacey is great for witchy costumes or any costume where you want long, thick hair. This wig is very long, over forty inches, with a straight cut bang. The wig only comes in black and blonde. Pull your hair back tightly and pin it in place, then pull on this wig for instantly long and thick black or blonde hair that is great for many different costumes. You will be the life of the party!


text:
# 0035: Catwoman
Posted by Ethan Wilson in Reviews and tagged with Batman, Batman 66, Catwoman, DC, Mattel November 20, 2013
BATMAN '66 (MATTEL)
Today, I'll be taking a look another new addition to my collection. It's Catwoman from Mattel's Batman '66 line, which I have yet to look at on this blog, so this'll be a first. Awesome. I'm going to assume everybody knows Catwoman, but if you don't know the 1960s Batman TV show this version is based on, you should definitely read up on it. It's a lot of fun.
This figure is obviously based on Catwoman from the 1960s show, but specifically, this one's based on Julie Newmar's portrayal of the character. I'm more of a Lee Merriweather fan myself, but Newmar was the first, the longest running and is typically the best remembered Catwoman by fans of the show, so she was a good choice to do right off the bat. Catwoman was released in (kind of) the second series of the Batman '66 line, although she was released separately from the other two figures in the series. She stands roughly 6 inches tall and has 22 points of articulation. Unlike many of Mattel's previous DC lines, which rely heavily on reuse, Catwoman is an all new sculpt. Admittedly, it's one of the better sculpts they've done, in that it does come fairly close to a real woman's proportions, which is a nice change. It's not perfect, mind you, but not terrible. The head sculpt is also well done, with more than a passing resemblance to Julie Newmar. Unfortunately, the paint doesn't quite live up to the sculpt. It's not terrible, but the face especially is really thickly painted, and the eye lashes and eyebrows are painfully obviously patterned designs. None of this ruins the figure, but I can't help but think that the likeness would increase ten-fold with a better paintjob. Catwoman also includes a sound effect labeled stand and a character card featuring a screen cap from the show. The stand is the same as every other stand in the line, but Catwoman's reads "CRRAACK!" like the sound a whip would make, making it a good fit for Catwoman.
I acquired my Catwoman figure from Amazon, like the other Batman '66 figures, when they all went up for preorder. Amazon has quickly become my go to for ordering toys because it just makes life a whole lot easier!
#0034: Uncanny X-Men Team Pack
Posted by Ethan Wilson in Reviews and tagged with Boxed Sets, Cyclops, Hasbro, Longshot, Marvel, Marvel Universe, Rogue, Wolverine, X-Men November 19, 2013
ROGUE, WOLVERINE, LONGSHOT & CYCLOPS
MARVEL UNIVERSE (HASBRO)
Today's review looks at yet another mighty Marvel toy line, Hasbro's Marvel Universe. The Marvel Universe line is pretty much Hasbro doing Marvel characters in the scale that they know best: 4 inch(well, technically 3 ¾ inch, but let's not split hairs). The line's been running for a few years, and Hasbro likes to mix things up occasionally and release figures in multipacks. I'll be looking at their 80s/90s X-Men Boxed set today. The set features X-Men mainstays Rogue and Wolverine, as well as prominent 80s member Longshot and a kiddified version of X-Men leader Cyclops.
THE FIGURES THEMSELVES
These figures were released in the 2013 series of "Team Packs"
First up, it's everyone's favorite angsty mutant who can't touch anybody! Rogue is depicted here in her Jim Lee designed 90s costume. It's a good choice, as this is the costume that most people are familiar with. Rogue stands just shy of 4 inches and has roughly 20 points of articulation. She's built on Hasbro's second basic female body, with a new head and arms, and add –on pieces for the jacket, belt, and boots. The body sculpt is well done, and the generic body works fine for her underlying spandex costume. The newly sculpted pieces are passable, if not the greatest. The jacket's sculpt is well done, and the boots do their job, though they do kinda stick out as add-on pieces. The head is far from the worst in the line, or even the worst Rogue figure we've seen, but it's not the best offering. The hair looks fine, but the face is far too gaunt, and they've left her with her mouth permanently open. The paint is passable, but could be better some places, particularly at the cut joint's on her thigh, where it's virtually impossible to get the lines of the yellow parts to line up.
Next, it's the most famous X-Man by far! Wolverine is depicted in his brown and yellow costume from the mid-to-late 80s, which, like Wolverine himself, is no stranger to the action figure world. Wolverine stands closer to the 3 ¾ inch mark, making him noticeably shorter than Rogue, and he has 18 points of articulation. The figure is actually just a repaint of the same version of the character from the Wolverine: Origins tie-in line, but since I never got that one, it's new to me. The sculpt is decent, especially the body, which conveys Wolverine's short and stocky nature pretty well. The claws are a solid piece on each hand, which is okay by me, since they have a tendency to warp at this scale. Like with Rogue, the head leaves something to be desired. It's a bit too squat, and the details are a bit on the soft side. Paint on the figure is okay, though he does have very fuzzy lines on some of the brown sections, particularly the shoulders.
Next, it's everyone's favorite, uhhh… no, hang on, it's just Longshot. And Longshot's nobody's favorite. Longshot is depicted in his debut costume from the 80s. Longshot stands about 4 inches tall and features 22 points of articulation. Hasbro wisely reused the body previously used for Ghost Rider and the AIM soldier. It's a nice body, with a whole lot of folds and wrinkles which work great to hide folds and wrinkles. The reused body is masked with the addition of a new head and hands, as well as add-ons to represent his cuffs, pouches, and belt. These are all well sculpted end fit well. The head is obviously a focus point, and it's a decent piece. It has a pretty nice determined look, and actually manages to make his mullet look okay. The paint is nice and clean, with no noticeable bleed over or slop.
Lastly, it's the fourth figure in the three-pack. So, yeah…that's a thing. He's actually more of an accessory than a separate figure. In the 80s, the X-Men had a few run-ins with the villain Mojo. Mojo was a TV exec from another dimension, always looking for the new fad. After a few fights with the X-Men, Mojo decided that what his viewers really wanted to see was the X-Babies, child versions of everyone's favorite mutants. This Cyclops is based on the X-Babies version of the character. Cyclops stands just shy of 2 inches tall, and has no articulation. Given the small scale and since he's technically an accessory, the articulation's not an issue. He's an all new sculpt, and it's a good sculpt! It's nice and simplistic, but in a good way that reflects the source material. The paint could be a bit better, as there is some noticeable slop, but it's not terrible. Cyclops may actually be my favorite figure in the set!
Nothing much to report in this section. I mostly got this set because I wanted the other sets in the series and buying the whole series was the most practical way of handling it. I'm certainly not disappointed by this set, but it's not really one of my favorites.
#0033: Alpha Flight Minimates Part 1
Posted by Ethan Wilson in Reviews and tagged with Alpha Flight, Boxed Sets, Convention Exclusive, Diamond Select Toys, Marina, Marvel, Minimates, Northstar, Puck, Vindicator November 18, 2013
GUARDIAN, PUCK, NORTHSTAR & MARINA
MARVEL MINIMATES
Did somebody say I should review more minimates? No? Oh…well, too bad 'cause that's what I'm doing, whether you like it or not!
Today's review focuses on another set of the greatly expansive Marvel Minimates line. This is also another set of characters from Canada's premier super-hero team: Alpha Flight!
Guardian is (was?) the leader of the group, husband of fellow member Heather Hudson, and all around generic hero guy! Puck's a short guy! Northstar's a guy who's powers can only be activated by holding hands with his twin sister! Also gay. And Marina does water stuff! There, now you know the characters as well as I do. Let's get to the review!
These four were released as a boxed set available through online retailer Action Figure Express during San Diego Comic Con 2012.
Guardian is depicted in his basic red and white, Canadian flag costume. He's built on the basic minimate body, so he stands a bit over 2 inches tall and features the standard 14 points of articulation. He has a sculpted mask, with an alternate hairpiece to swap out to display James Hudson unmasked. The detailing on the figure is well done, with little slop or bleed over. James also doesn't suffer from the same red paint bleed that Heather did, which is nice. Lastly, Guardian includes an alternate robot head, so that you can depict the artificial replacement Guardian from after James's death, which is a neat little throw in.
Puck is shown here in pretty much the only uniform he's ever had: Black unitard with boots and wrist bands. It's certainly an odd look, but I guess he looks fairly unique, so there. Puck is built on the basic minimate body, with one slight deviation. To simulate Puck's diminished stature, he's been given a set of "slipper" feet in place of the regular ones. This brings Puck's articulation down to 12 points, and only really reduces his height in a very subtle way. It does help to make him appear a bit more stocky, however, so it's not too bad. Puck's got a sculpted cowl, as well as a new hand that is sculpted to let him do hand stands with the included stand. Puck's detailing is well done, and fairly detailed, especially the hair on his arms and legs. And I really like his face for some reason…
Ah, Northstar. This guy. He's probably the best known of the characters featured here, due to also being a member of the X-Men and, most likely, his status as one of Marvel's few long lasting gay characters. He's depicted in what is his best known, and in my opinion best designed, costume. The simple black and white is rather striking, and it looks pretty good in Minimate form. Northstar's only sculpted piece is his hair, which he includes in both black and white. This is a nice touch, given the variance in the coloring Northstar's hair has received over the years. I think I prefer the black just because that seems to be the way he's depicted most often. His details are handled with some pretty good simplicity, which really fits the character's design. Lastly, Northstar includes a stand to simulate his flying abilities.
Marina was a later addition to the team, and she honestly didn't stick with them for too long. She married the Sub Mariner and joined the Avengers, where she was turned into a giant monster and killed by her husband. Which is a bit of a bummer. She's depicted in what I believe is her only costume. She's built on the basic minimate body, though she has a set of specially sculpted hands to depict her webbed fingers. She also has a sculpted hair piece, which is nicely done. The entire figure is painted, no molded colors, which is a bit of a rarity for a minimate. It looks nice, though, and helps to set her apart from the others. She is certainly a unique looking minimate.
I got this set, like so many other "Action Figure Xpress exclusives" from my very favorite minimate retailer: Luke's Toy Store. I do really like this set, which is really saying something, because I only have a passing familiarity with the characters it features.
#0032: Mr Mxyptlk
Posted by Ethan Wilson in Reviews and tagged with 00s, DC, DC Direct, Ed McGuinness, Mr Mxyptlk, Superman/Batman November 17, 2013
MR MXYPTLK
SUPERMAN/BATMAN (DC DIRECT)
Today's figure is technically only half a figure. Or rather, half a two pack that was sold as a single figure. And this figure's only half the figure he used to be…no, wait… Sorry, I'll come in again!
Occasionally, there is a character that is of a much smaller stature than most other characters in the line. Toy companies have gone back and forth on how to handle releasing such characters. Selling the character by themselves means you either have to come up with a new price point (too difficult), or overcharge for them (which pissed off the fans). The solution that a lot of companies tend to settle on is including smaller characters as an accessory with another character.
That's the case with today's figure: Mr. Mxyptlk* from DC Direct's Superman/Batman line. Mxy was originally packed with the Joker, but I have several Jokers and increasingly less and less space, so I just kept Mxy.
Mxy was released as part of the fourth series of DC Direct's Superman/Batman line. The series was based on the S/B comic's "With a Vengeance" story line, which was drawn by artist Ed McGuinness. As such, Mxy's based on McGuinness's rendition of the character. This isn't really an issue, as his design stayed pretty much in line with the classic depiction of the character. Mxy stands about 4 inches tall, and has 5 points of articulation. The biggest tweak that McGuinness made to Mxy for the story was giving the character a top hat in place of his trademark bowler. DC Direct decided to please everybody, though, and included both hats with the figure. The hats are held in place via magnets in the head and each hat. They work like a charm, and allow you two cool looks for the character. The paint and sculpt on the figure are both done very well, translating Mcguinness's clean style to three dimensions expertly. The paint highlights the sculpt nicely, especially on his face, where the paint makes Mxy's crazed look even more pronounced.
So, as I said above, this guy was only available as part of a two pack with the Joker, who I already have several figures of. But this is the only Mr. Mxyptlk figure that's ever been released, or is ever likely to be released, so no way was I passing him up! So, I bought them both and sold off Joker. I know, that doesn't sound like me. But I had to draw the line somewhere!
*Pronounced: Mix-Yes-Spit-Lick. Thanks go to Paul Dini for explaining that for everybody!
#0031: Heather Hudson & Box
Posted by Ethan Wilson in Reviews and tagged with Alpha Flight, Block Figures, Box, Diamond Select Toys, Heather Hudson, Marvel, Minimates, TRU Exclusive November 16, 2013
HEATHER HUDSON & BOX
Look at that! More Minimates! What a rarity! Okay, not really. Today, I'll be looking at two more minimates from the ever growing Marvel Minimates line. It's Heather Hudson & Box, members of Canadian super team Alpha Flight! If you're unfamiliar with Alpha Flight, they're like the Avengers, but more ….Maple-y?
Heather Hudson is one of the more prominent members, though she typically operates under the code-name of her sometimes dead husband Vindicator. Box is a guy who can control technology. They're just great!
These two were part of the 14th Toys R Us Exclusive series of Marvel Minimates.
Heather is shown here in her Vindicator costume, based on that of her husband, James Hudson, the original Vindicator. She's built on the basic Minimate body, so she's about 2 inches tall and has 14 points of articulation. Her mask is a sculpted piece, and she includes it with two different colored visors: Blue and Red. I prefer the blue mostly because the red plastic of the red visor bleeds through the white paint of the mask. Heather also includes an alternate hair-piece so that she can be displayed unmasked and a stand to simulate her flying. Her paint is decent, though she does have a recurring issue of red plastic bleeding through the white parts of her costume.
Box is depicted in his armored up form. I don't know which version because I've never really followed the character that closely, but I feel certain that he's had more than one look. His built on the basic Minimate body, though he's got some extra pieces that make him a little taller, and his sculpted boots restrict his ankle articulation, leaving him with 12 points. Box has a good selection of sculpted parts: Helmet, chestplate, gloves, belt and boots. He also includes an alternate gun hand, a blast off stand and an alternate hair piece to show Box's ghostly operator Madison Jefferies. The paint on Box is nicely done, with little slop and no issues with bleed through.
This set is important because it marks one of the first times I was able to purchase minimates from Toys R Us's online store. Of course, I had to know the sku's because all of the set in the wave were listed as "Marvel Minimates Wave 14: Figure" but that's beside the point! Man TRU sucks…
#0030: The Fallen
Posted by Ethan Wilson in Reviews and tagged with 90s, Angel (Warren Worthington III), Marvel, Mutant X, Previews Exclusive, Toy Biz, X-Men November 15, 2013
MUTANT X (TOY BIZ)
Ah, Mutant X. Man, that was such a 90s comicbook. One that I enjoyed immensely! Diamond Comics' catalogue Previews offered figures of four members of the books main team "The Six"(No, I don't really know why they didn't offer all six. Seems a little odd, doesn't it. It's like only releasing three of the Fantastic Four!). Being a fan of the comic and a fan of action figures, particularly 90s Marvel figures, I of course wound up with a set. Today, I'll be looking at The Fallen, who was an alternate universe version of Warren Worthington III, aka Archangel.
The Fallen stands about 5 inches tall, and has 13 points of articulation. He also had his signature wings, which could be snapped onto his back, and were made of a soft translucent green material, with wire running through to allow them to be posed. The wires honestly didn't offer much poseability, but it's the thought that counts, I suppose. Fallen also included an X-Logo shaped stand, which is good, because he can't stand without it due to his top heavy nature.
Fallen, along with the other figures from the Mutant X line, was a Christmas gift from my parents. I recall being fairly excited to open him, as he was my favorite character from the series. Yay!
#0029: Hawkman
Posted by Ethan Wilson in Reviews and tagged with DC, DC Direct, DC ReActivated!, Golden Age, Hawkman, Justice Society of America November 14, 2013
DC REACTIVATED (DC DIRECT)
Okay, so today's review marks a slight change in the format of the blog. Up until now, I've been actually picking the figures I review, with a little bit of purpose, plus a slight bit of alphabetizing , with the occasional review of a figure I just got. Well, here's the thing: That's a lot of work. And I'm lazy. So, from here out, I've created a randomized list of all the stuff currently in my collection that I'll be working from, with possibly a few deviations. New stuff will still be filtered in when I get it, as that makes life easier.
On to today's review! We're looking at Hawkman from DC Direct's Reactivated! line. This was a line where DC Direct would reuse older tooling with a few new pieces in order to create various classically styled versions of the characters. The line was pretty well done, though it had the ability to be a bit hit and miss.
Hawkman was part of the fourth series of the Reactivated! line. He's depicted here in the costume his Earth 2 version* wore during the many Justice League /Justice Society team-ups of the 60s and 70s. It's pretty much just his basic costume, but instead of a helmet that resembled a hawk, he had a generic yellow cowl. At least it had a hawk symbol on the forehead, I guess. It's far from his most memorable look, but it was a look he had for a good chunk of time. Anyway, that's the look this figure's based on. He stands about 6 ½ inches tall, which puts him in scale with some of DC Direct's other lines. (They weren't really good at picking a consistent scale and sticking to it). He's got 13 points of articulation, and a basic translucent blue stand with the Reactivated! logo on it. His sculpting is solid, with good proportions all around, and the paint is nice and clean. The wings are nicely textured, and have a nice wash over them to bring out the details in the sculpt.
I got this figure because I wanted a Hawkman for my JSA, and I was always really liked the old team-ups that this look was featured in. That's pretty much it.
*In the sixties, DC comics decided to relaunch a number of their characters, such as Green Lantern, Flash, and Hawkman with new takes on the characters. When they decided to bring back the original versions of those characters, as well as explain why characters like Batman and Superman could be in their 30s in both the 40s and the 60s, DC decided to come up with the concept of the multiverse. They dubbed the main earth "Earth 1" and the older earth "Earth 2." This concept allowed them to tell stories on both earths without having to infringe upon the validity of the other.
#0028: Leatherback
Posted by Ethan Wilson in Reviews and tagged with Best movie ever, Kaiju, Leatherback, NECA, Pacific Rim November 13, 2013
Today, I'll be looking at the final figure in the second series of NECA's Pacific Rim figures. This review will take a look at the lone Kaiju in this series. I reiterate that if you don't know what that means, stop reading now and go watch Pacific Rim. Actually, even if you've already seen it and know exactly what I'm talking about, you should probably go watch it again!
On to the review…
The figure in question is the Kaiju Leatherback. Leatherback doesn't actually do a large amount in the film, being largely secondary to his companion Kaiju Otachi, but what he does is fairly memorable, and he's a good pairing with Striker Eureka, so he's a good choice for the line. Leatherback is in scale with the rest of the line and stands about 7 inches hunched. He has 24 points of articulation. The most noticeable part of the figure in hand is the serious heft that the figure possesses. You could kill a man with this figure. Well, maybe not kill, but seriously maim. Anyway, the figure is pretty well sculpted, especially the texturing on the skin. It lives up to his name. Unfortunately, due to Leatherback's more organic nature, the articulation is incredibly obvious, especially in comparison to the Jaegers from this series, who all work it in more naturally.
Leatherback is probably my least favorite figure in the series, mostly due to the issues with the articulation. However, being my least favorite in this series is far from a bad thing! Leatherback is still a high quality figure, and is a nice contrast to the Jaegers.
#0027: Striker Eureka
Posted by Ethan Wilson in Reviews and tagged with Best movie ever, Jaeger, NECA, Pacific Rim, Striker Eureka November 12, 2013
STRIKER EUREKA
Today, I'm looking at another figure from NECA's second series of Pacific Rim figures. Yesterday, I looked at a variant of the main Jaeger from the film, Gipsy Danger. Today, I'll be covering the second most prominent Jaeger from the film: Striker Eureka!
Striker is built to fit in with the rest of the Pacific Rim figures, so he stands about 7 inches tall. He has roughly 21 points of articulation. Striker is mostly a light grey color, so the figure is molded in this color, with details added over top of it. The detail paint is superbly done, and he has a nice wash applied all around that gives the suit a nice worn in look. Striker's design is very much influenced by the fighting suits from Neon Genesis Evangelion, with a design that features lots of sharp angles. As such, it was very important for the sculpted details on this figure to be sharp. There was a bit of concern on this point because it seemed that such details may have been lost on the Gipsy Danger sculpt, but I'm happy to say that it's not an issue with Striker here. Striker technically includes no accessories, thought he does have his stinger blades, which are jointed so that they can swivel back and forth, and can be removed if you so desire.
Striker was one of my favorite of the main Jaeger designs, so it follows that it was the figure I was most looking forward to in second series, and heck, even NECA's Pacific Rim line overall. The figure definitely doesn't disappoint. I was initially a bit let down by the lack of the nuclear device that Striker has strapped to his back during the final battle, but the rest of the figure is so well done that I don't mind so much. Striker is some serious awesome!
#0026: Gipsy Danger – Battle Damaged
Posted by Ethan Wilson in Reviews and tagged with Best movie ever, Gipsy Danger, Jaeger, NECA, Pacific Rim November 11, 2013
GIPSY DANGER – BATTLE DAMAGED
Okay, changing gears. Today I'll be looking at the first of the three figures in the second wave of NECA's Pacific Rim line. I just got this set, so I wanted to try to get the review up while it was still slightly relevant. I know it's the second wave, and I haven't done the first, but I'll to get to them soon enough.
Today's figure is the main Jaeger Gipsy Danger. If you haven't seen the film and that confused you, stop everything and go see the movie. Right now. Go buy it. I'll wait. Back? Wasn't it amazing? The correct answer is "F*** Yes!"
Okay, so this figure is of Gipsy Danger. Gipsy is depicted here in her more damaged look from later in the film. The figure stands about 7 inches tall, and has roughly 20 points of articulation. The sculpt is really nice. I've heard complaints that the details are a little gummy, but given the scale, I think they're pretty well handled! The paint is supposed to be the focal point of this figure, as that's what separates it from the previous release, but let's be honest, that's not the reason people want this figure. The real reason is the accessories, something that the previous release didn't include: Chain swords! The chain swords are well sculpted and go in fairly easily. However, they do have a tendency to fall out if you don't put them in just right, so be careful.
I have to say that, while Pacific Rim series 2 was a set I was very excited for, this version of Gipsy wasn't something I was really looking forward to. I was wrong. While I still don't feel it's the be-all-end-all Gipsy, it's really fun, and it makes deciding which version to put on the shelf much more difficult.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


President Obama on Monday is to call for as much as $50 billion in government spending to start up a long-term public works plan emphasizing transportation projects — roads, rail and airport runways — over the next six years.
….While Mr. Obama's plan would call for investment over six years, the White House says it would be front-loaded with an initial investment of $50 billion in taxpayer money, to help create jobs in the shorter term. The administration says it would work with Congress to find ways to pay for the plan, so that it would not add to the nation's rising deficit. One possibility would be to cut existing subsidies for oil and gas exploration and production.
This is all perfectly sensible. At the same time, if it's offset by other items in the budget it probably won't have any net stimulative effect. Essentially, we've given in to the deficit hawk brigade without even a fight.
Not that it matters, I suppose. It's too small to be more than a pinprick, and Republicans will probably filibuster to the death the right of our nation's oil and gas companies to their federal subsidies anyway. But I'm sure it will give Fox News something to roar about for the next month. Obama is socializing roadbuilding! He's endangering our supplies of oil and gas! It just shows his contempt for ordinary Americans!


For your information. Safety of the American people should be the number one priority for Democrats – but, that is not the case. Why – because their minds don't work and they don't see the world as American patriots do.
I am completely serious and realize that some may become so incensed and take offense to what I am saying they will gnash their teeth at me and desire my destruction. I hope that is not the case, but there is a reason and there is the current rhetoric that causes me concern. I pray we all find a way and a willingness to engage in reason not simply rhetoric regarding this issue. If we do, we can come to some concrete and viable solutions to the problem, but if not, we will see the problem grow exponentially and it will ultimately rip us to shreds. This may well be the most serious threat facing our Republic today.


Rented homes can often come with furnishings and features which are not to our own personal tastes and preferences, which can be tricky if you are living in a property for a long period of time. It's essential that the space you live in feels comfortable and homely, and luckily, there are lots of things that you can do to update the space and make the house feel like your own. Here I have put together a list of 10 things that you can do to make sure that your rented home feels more like your own home.
Furnished rental properties can often come with unsightly pictures already hung on the walls. You can take down the artwork that has come with the house, hide it in the back of a wardrobe or under the stairs, and hang up your own pieces that you love. If you are thinking of buying some new artwork, try Etsy for beautiful and unique prints and posters- most of which are hugely affordable. Charity shops are great for finding quality picture frames at affordable prices (just remember to take your picture measurements and measuring tape with you to ensure a good fit!) If your rented home does not have any picture hooks already in the walls, you can use strong command hooks as a substitute. These hooks claim to leave no trace once it's time for you to move house which means you'll get that full deposit back! Failing that, you could put your own hooks into the walls and at the end of the tenancy fill them in with Polyfilla and repaint over them. This could be slightly risky as if the wall is painted any other colour than white, it will be hard to match the paint (top tip: be sure to match the paint finish e.g. matte or satin).
Lots of rented properties have tiny shower heads with no function to adjust the pressure- making showering more of a chore than something that should be relaxing. You can change the shower head in your rented property so easily to something like this one that offers increased water pressure, and adjustable settings such as "rainfall," "massage" and "jetting." This shower head also has inbuilt ionic filters which removes traces of chlorine from the water, meaning that you get a spa-like experience each and every time you shower at home. Another great way to update your rented bathroom is to replace that plain shower curtain with something that is more suited to your tastes. H&M and Ikea have some great ones with fun prints and patterns that will brighten up the room.
Beautiful green house plants are a great way to inject some colour into your rental home, and they look lovely placed on fireplaces, shelves and window sills. Plants can bring life to any room of the house- why not try your favourite herbs in the kitchen, trailing ivy on the mantelpiece and some succulents in the bathroom? You'll even save money by growing your own fresh herbs instead of buying them from the supermarket. You can personalise your space even more by choosing some plant pots and hangers for them to sit in, these could be porcelain to match an existing colour scheme, or you could add some texture to the space with some raffia or wicker pots. Fresh flowers are also a great way to add some colour to a room, flowers can be expensive but get them fresh from a local market to get the best prices, or simply display some daffodils which usually cost one pound and last for around a week.
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Cushions, throws and rugs all help to make a space feel cosier and are a brilliant way to create your desired colour scheme in a rented home. Using a variety of textured fabrics will certainly bring some charm to every room, you could experiment with velvet cushions and a deep pile rug to make the space come to life as your own. If your property is already furnished, it is likely to come with sets of curtains- which again, may not be to your own taste. You can take these curtains down and store them away in a cupboard and replace them with something more fitting with the colour scheme that you have created.
If you want to make a more permanent change to your rental property, ask the landlord and see if they would be willing to let you paint the walls or add some permanent shelving. Check your tenancy agreement to see if there is anything to suggest that the landlord may be open to the tenant making some changes to the décor. More often than not, they will be happy to let you make some improvements to the property, as long as the change won't put off other tenants in the future. They are likely to want to agree some ground rules- perhaps the colour of the paint, and rules ensuring that no furniture or carpets get damaged whilst the decorating is taking place. Most landlords would be happy to keep hold of good tenants for a number of years and agree to some decorative changes to make them feel more at home.
Displaying your own handiwork in your rental will certainly make the property feel more like home. There is something very rewarding about repainting a piece of furniture and making it your own, great quality second hand furniture can be found in abundance in charity shops, local free-cycle schemes and gumtree. You can transform a bed side table or chest of drawers with some paint and some new drawer knobs, giving it a new lease of life and a new home.
Nothing feels more like home than having your own personal mementos and photographs on the shelves. If your property doesn't come with shelves, you could always invest in some free standing shelving that you can take with you when your tenancy comes to an end. Put your holiday souvenirs, trinkets, books and photos of your loved ones on display and you can guarantee that the space will soon start to feel like your own.
Just one look at Pinterest will tell you that patterned tiles are seriously popular at the moment, they can transform a room into something that wouldn't look out of place in a Spanish villa. The trouble is, for renters, changing your tiles is a home improvement that just isn't going to fly with your landlord- not to mention an expensive way to redecorate. However, patterned tile decals are now widely available online and they are a great way to update the plain tiles in your rented bathroom or kitchen. Tile stickers are usually made from vinyl and are super easy to apply, and easy to remove without any residue left behind meaning that you can have the bathroom of your dreams without breaking the bank OR your tenancy agreement.
Storage can be tricky in rented homes, if your home is already furnished this will usually include the bare minimum in terms of storage items like a wardrobe and a chest of drawers. If you rent a small flat in a city, you will have to get a little creative if you have little space and a lot of things to store. Under bed storage in roll out boxes is an amazing space-saver, you would be surprised at how much you can fit neatly under the bed! This will help you feel more at home, as you will still be able to keep hold of your possessions, without your home becoming cluttered and chaotic. Woven baskets are also a great way to store things in every room, from toilet rolls in the bathroom to blankets in the lounge. You can find woven basket inspiration everywhere online, they are a budget-friendly storage solution that look expensive and on trend.
The right lighting can instantly transform a house into a home, you can add lamps to bedrooms and living areas to create a soft ambiance instead of using harsh over-head lighting. Choosing your own table lamps and standing lights are a great way to introduce more of your own taste into a rented house. Candles are another cost-effective way to change the atmosphere of a room, place several candles on a coffee table and mantelpiece to create pockets of warm light and a relaxing mood. You can intensify the light that the candles give out by placing them on top of a mirrored surface, such as a mirrored tray.
Wow – great tips on making a rented place your or own. I'd never have thought of switching the shower head or using tile decals. Here's to #MondayMoney!
I wish I'd read your post back when we were renting (long time ago!) We were in a furnished flat and it had an ugly brown and orange striped sofa and a rubbish electric shower. We should have invested a few pounds in a couple of throws and new cushions, would have made the world of difference. A new shower head would have been helpful too – washing & rinsing my hair was not fun and I do it daily!
I bet! I couldn't imagine!!


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Derek Chauvin sentenced to 20 1/2 years for violating George Floyd's civil rights
By Paul Blume and FOX 9 Staff
Trials in Death of George Floyd
Derek Chauvin was sentenced in federal court to 20 1/2 years in prison on Thursday, July 7, 2022. (Cedric Hohnstadt Illustration, L.L.C.)
ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - Derek Chauvin was sentenced to 20 ½ years in prison on Thursday after reaching a plea agreement on federal charges that he violated George Floyd's civil rights in 2020, as well as those of Jonathan Pope, a Black teenager, in 2017.
U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson sentenced Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer who murdered Floyd, to 252 months in prison (21 years) but is giving Chauvin seven months off that tenure because of his time spent in isolation in state prison. That means Chauvin has been sentenced to 245 months in prison, which is approximately 20 ½ years.
This sentence adds a few years to the time Chauvin is already serving for his murder conviction while transferring him to federal custody, where experts say Chauvin will likely be safer and may be held under less restrictive conditions. This federal sentence will run concurrently with the 22 ½ years he received in Hennepin County court for murdering Floyd.
Judge Magnuson said he doesn't know why Chauvin kneeled on Floyd's neck until he died, but he will be punished. Chauvin will also have to pay restitution, the judge said.
The sentencing is on the lower end of the expected sentence of between 20 to 25 years. Prosecutors had requested the full 25 years in prison on the grounds his actions were needless and cold-blooded, and that it includes a case that was not part of the state's murder case. Chauvin's defense attorney Eric Nelson during Thursday's hearing said Chauvin "is so much more than just that day, May 25, 2020," and is not a risk to re-offend. He asked the judge to sentence Chauvin to 20 years in prison.
In a statement after the sentencing, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, whose office prosecuted Chauvin in the state's case, called the sentence in federal court "appropriate and right."
The former Minneapolis police officer pleaded guilty on Dec. 15, 2021, to the federal charges, admitting for the first time he kept his knee on Floyd's neck — even after he became unresponsive — resulting in Floyd's death on May 25, 2020. Chauvin, who is white, admitted he willfully deprived Floyd of his right to be free from unreasonable seizure, including unreasonable force by a police officer.
He also pleaded guilty to unrelated but similar charges related to excessive use of force against a then-14-year-old boy, Pope, who is also Black, in 2017. Pope and another woman, who alleges Chauvin assaulted her while he was on the force, have filed civil lawsuits against Chauvin and the City of Minneapolis. The rest of the federal charges against Chauvin were dismissed.
Chauvin addresses the court
Prior to Chauvin's sentencing on Thursday, Chauvin addressed the court briefly, offering no apology to Floyd's family or Pope. He spoke directly to Floyd's children, saying "I wish them the best in their life." He also wished Pope the best.
Floyd's family and Pope also provided victim impact statements. Pope told the courtroom he was abused by Chauvin and thought he was gonna die during police interaction in 2017.
Floyd's girlfriend, Courteney Ross, in a written statement that was read in court on her behalf, recounted the morning after Floyd's deadly arrest and the social media video that went viral across the world. She told the court it took her more than a year after Floyd's murder to "Stand up again … Floyd is the man I loved," she said.
Carolyn Pawlenty, Chauvin's mom, also spoke, saying the MPD "has failed to back their own ... it was not her son's intent to kill someone that day." She said her son has received "thousands of cards of support" over the last couple of years and asked the judge to sentence Chauvin to a federal prison near Minnesota or Iowa, because that's where Chauvin's family lives.
Thao, Kueng and Lane
Chauvin's former colleagues, Tou Thao, J. Alexander Kueng, and Thomas Lane, were found guilty in February in federal court of violating Floyd's civil rights. They haven't yet been sentenced in federal court.
In the state's case, Thao and Kueng are scheduled to go to trial on Oct. 24. Meanwhile, Lane pleaded guilty in state court to aiding and abetting manslaughter in Floyd's murder. Lane's sentencing in state court has been scheduled for Sept. 21.
During Thursday's hearing, the judge said Chauvin destroyed the lives of Thao, Kueng, and Lane.
Derek Chauvin to be sentenced in Federal Court
The ex-Minneapolis Police Officer is expected to be sentenced to 20-25 years in prison.
Florida to test statewide Tornado Warning alert Wednesday morning: What you need to know


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Lupita Nyong'o on Shaving Her Head as a Teenager: 'It Was So Scary, But So Liberating'
The actress opens up about learning to love her natural hair in Allure's new Culture of Hair issue
By Kaitlyn Frey
Patrick Demarchelier for Allure
Lupita Nyong'o has been very open about embracing her natural hair texture and redefining beauty standards in Hollywood and beyond. The Black Panther actress often experiments with a variety of hair looks on the red carpet, but learning to love what she calls her "African kinky hair" wasn't something Nyong'o was always able to do as an adolescent growing up in Kenya.
"I didn't love my hair when I was a child. I was really kind of envious of girls with thicker, longer, more lush hair," Nyong'o told Allure for her cover story in the magazine's Culture of Hair issue, on newsstands Feb. 20.
By the time Nyong'o hit her tween years, she started begging her mom to allow her to relax her hair.
"She wouldn't allow it, though her hair was relaxed. She felt that that was a decision I could come to when I was maybe 18. Around 13 or 14, I had such a rough time with being teased and feeling really unpretty," the actress said.
Eventually, after much back-and-forth, Nyong'o's father intervened and she started relaxing her hair. "I felt so much better because it was easier to tame. All the girls in my class had their hair relaxed. Very few had natural kink, so I felt a lot more acceptable," she said. "The upkeep of relaxed hair is a commitment. It took styling it once a week and then having it retouched once a month. I remember doing crazy things, like sleeping with my head above the headboard so that my curls wouldn't get messed up for the next day!"
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After dealing with the high maintenance process for years, Nyong'o turned 18 and had to start paying to get her hair done herself. She knew it was time for a change. And she didn't just go for a simple switch.
RELATED PHOTOS: Get Behind-The-Scenes Details of Lupita Nyong'o's Black Panther Premiere Beauty Look
"My dad joked, 'Why don't you just cut it all off?' And a few months later, I thought to myself, 'Why don't I?' I went into the hair salon, and I said, 'Let's cut it off,'" Nyong'o told the magazine. "It was almost a dare to myself: Can I live without hair? He shaved it right off. It was so scary but so liberating because I went completely bald."
Even though it took the star's mom a bit of time to come around to her new 'do ("When I got home, my mother was horrified."), the experience of being completely bald is what pushed Nyong'o to become confident with her natural hair.
"That was definitely a liberating stage. I had nothing to hide behind. I had my hair short for a very long time after that," she said.
Now, the actress' hair is "the longest it's been in over a decade" thanks to the help of her hair stylist Vernon François, who also styled her hair for this Allure cover shoot.
"He's been so helpful, helping me learn how to maintain my natural hair texture," Nyong'o said. "Now I love my hair. I love it because I've also been able to really embrace the stuff it can do. It's like clay in the right hands. Clay can be dirt in the wrong hands, but clay can be art in the right hands. Being able to have that kind of playtime with Vernon to create different things has inspired me."
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