Even though Derrick Fung says he gave investment banking his all – not even the financial crisis could prevent him from landing an analyst position – he knew all along that, when the time was right, he's start his own company. Now he's the CEO of Drop, a venture-backed tech startup.
Fung was on track to graduate at the worst possible time – the height of panic during the financial crisis in 2008 when no banks were hiring – so he smartly decided to delay his graduation until he was able to land an investment banking role, a summer analyst position at Merrill Lynch.
"My senior year I delayed graduation eight months because of the financial collapse, because it was tough to find the sales and trading jobs that I wanted," Fung says. "When I was recruiting, all of the banks stopped hiring or only rehired past summer analysts, so I delayed graduation and hustled.
"My old boss at BNP Paribas called around and gave me a good recommendation, and I was one of two people Merrill Lynch hired on the trading floor in Toronto, but the training was in New York while acquisition rumors were swirling, he says. "I was following the news and watching the stock price go lower and lower and lower and then they got bailed out.
From there Fung landed an associate position at CIBC World Markets, where he started as a market-maker in the foreign exchange spot trading group, covering G10 and emerging market currencies. He then switched desks, working in the institutional equity derivative sales group, mainly selling equity forwards and swaps to mutual funds, hedge funds, pension funds and ultra-high-net-worth clients. After less than two years at that bank, though, Fung left to start his own company, Tunezy – a music startup that landed him on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list.
Eventually, Tunezy was acquired by SFX Entertainment, which was rebranded as Live Nation and is now known as LiveStyle.
Fung stayed on for a year, but he got an idea for a new startup. However, rather than jump right in, he joined a New York-based venture-capital firm White Star Capital while he was incubating the idea for Drop, a consumer loyalty rewards app with offers from various brands and retailers.
So far he's raised about $5.5m in a seed round. In addition to White Star Capital, Drop is backed by Sierra Ventures, ff Venture Capital, Portag3 Ventures and HOF Capital. The soft launch attracted 250k customers across Canada and the U.S., and Fung says the company is on pace to hit 1m users by early 2018.
Fung believes that the best time to start a company – or at least start thinking about it – is when you're in school, because you'll still have a something to fall back on if it doesn't work out. Technological advances help, making it cheaper than ever before to start a company.
"Many entrepreneurs dropped out of school, and while there's no necessity to jump into the world of finance and banking, I don't regret my time trading at banks," Fung says. "I developed thick skin, learned to move quickly and gained applicable skills.
"When you're recruiting talent for your startup, having well-known banks on your own resume provides good credibility when you're hiring people," he says. "Get some experience [working in banking] – you don't want to stay too long and get comfortable, but it's great training for fintech."


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trending Market Intelligence /marketintelligence/en/news-insights/trending/r4LWMOFCe3kinemR5C7blw2 content esgSubNav
Bombay Cycle & Motor fiscal Q4 profit climbs 42.5% YOY
Bombay Cycle & Motor Agency Ltd said its normalized net income for the fiscal fourth quarter ended March 31 amounted to 15.52 Indian rupees per share, an increase of 37.1% from 11.32 rupees per share in the year-earlier period.
Normalized net income, which excludes unusual gains or losses on a pre- and after-tax basis, was 3.1 million rupees, a gain of 42.5% from 2.2 million rupees in the year-earlier period.
The normalized profit margin increased to 17.0% from 14.0% in the year-earlier period.
Total revenue climbed 14.7% year over year to 18.0 million rupees from 15.7 million rupees, and total operating expenses rose 18.2% year over year to 13.4 million rupees from 11.4 million rupees.
Reported net income increased 89.0% from the prior-year period to 5.0 million rupees, or 24.57 rupees per share, from 2.6 million rupees, or 13.52 rupees per share.
For the year, the company's normalized net income totaled 70.66 rupees per share, a gain of 14.1% from 61.93 rupees per share in the prior year.
Normalized net income was 14.1 million rupees, an increase of 14.1% from 12.4 million rupees in the prior year.
Full-year total revenue increased 5.3% on an annual basis to 68.1 million rupees from 64.7 million rupees, and total operating expenses increased on an annual basis to 53.8 million rupees from 51.7 million rupees.
The company said reported net income grew 19.5% on an annual basis to 16.8 million rupees, or 83.80 rupees per share, in the full year, from 14.0 million rupees, or 70.13 rupees per share.
As of July 13, US$1 was equivalent to 63.51 Indian rupees.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Richard Ellis was quickest of the Club runners in Saturday morning's qualifying session – his first pole on the series in the Strasse 993 C2 "I really like the GP circuit," said Ellis, "and the car felt strong. I was hoping for a good result and now I have to put it into practice in the races!" Chris Whittle qualified well in 8th place in the Porsche Cayman S followed by Chris Dyer in 10th in the second Cayman S. Mike Johnson missed qualifying due to an engine mount failure. Dave Griffths in the class 2 Porsche 944 qualified 11th in class. For the first time this season David Botterill was not racing this weekend.
The rain started to fall as the cars headed out onto their parade lap – catching the entire field on slicks and a dry set up. Ellis got off to a flying start just managing to stop the sliding on the first corner but the west conditions were a handful for the 993 and Ellis soon lost out to Bradshaw and McAleer.
Places were changing in this group regularly, Ellis soon fought his way back into second, and they were joined mid-race by the charging Mike Johnson; up from the back of the grid after missing qualifying due to a broken engine mount. Their dice came to a head into Village near the end of the race, a dive from Johnson down the inside taking him past everyone and briefly into second, only to go wide and the others moved back past. Onto the Wellington Straight McAleer challenged the out of position Ellis, only to go wide himself and onto the plastic 'grass', spinning out and putting Ellis back in second and taking the 2nd place podium with Johnson in an impressive 4th place, Dave Griffths in the class two Porsche 944 finished 8th in class.
Chris Dyer in the Porsche Cayman S was enjoying the wet weather as the mid-engine of the Caman was soon picking off the rear engine 911s and was looking promising for a podium until Gary Marsh T boned Dyre splitting the tyre valve resulting in Dyer having pull over and stop the car, the second Strasse Cayman driven by Chris Whittle also had bad luck spinning off and beaching the car deep into the gravel.
Mike Johnson in the Porsche 996 pushed the car to its limit, having to start again from the back due to not qualifying, Johnson showed just how good a driver he his picking his way through the field eventually finishing in 7th place. Chris Dyer got a good start and was soon involved in a battle with one of the guest Cayman cars, the battle went all the way with a bumper to bumper race putting on a spectacular show for the Silverstone crowds. Dyer also did well to avoid an accident at the end of the race as the Cayman in front of him ran out of petrol almost stopping the car in front of Dyer. Dyer had to take avoiding action sliding the car sideways inches from the pit wall before correcting the car and pointing the car in the right direction, Dyer finished 9th in class.
Chris Whittle was also putting on a show and was soon on the tail of team mate Dyer, it was a fast and furious for Whittle who crossed the finish line 10th in class.
In Class two Dave Griffths was off to a good start and was leading the 944s and chasing the leading class two pack, but perhaps Griffths was pushing a little two hard as the car snapped out from under him sending him into a spin losing three places. Griffths finish the second race 8th in class.
Ellis once again got a good start and was in fourth by the midpoint of the race and was closing the gap for third each lap, it looked like a third podium for Ellis has he closed the gap to third by 3 seconds with a 4 laps to go but is luck ran out has he had to retired with a gearbox problem.
Luckily for Johnson the makeshift repair on Saturday to the engine mount held out as Johnson again put in a storming race carving his way through the field coming home in 6th place. Chris Dyer had a lonely race has he ended up between the leading pack and the midfield pack for the majority of the race coming home in 7th place.
Chris Whittle struggled in race three has the tyre pressures on the Cayman went too high making the handling of the car difficult to handle. Despite this, Whittle still managed to finish 8th. In Class two Dave Griffths in the Porsche 944 had a better race and was also battling with Team mate Dyer for the first few laps, Griffths finished 6th in class.
I got a cracking start with the traction control on and was picking cars off for fun until I came to pass Gary Marsh who T boned me ripping off the tyre valve so I had to pull over and end the race.
I got a good start there was four or five of us sat nose to tail, I had some really good dices with the other Cayman I got held up a few times with traffic and people blocking just general bad driving but at the end of the day I finished 11th the car felt good I had a little issue with the brakes but in all a goods days racing.
The rain took us all by surprise, we were running on silks and the heavens opened, the circuit resembled a skid pan for the hole race with everyone sliding all over the place but I managed to stay on the circuit we did a good job today, the car ran well and I am happy and looking forward to the second race.
We ended up on a high for race three I had a cracking dice with the other two Porsche 944s and my team mate Chris Dyer in the Cayman so all in all we ended on a high.
I was the lead 944 for the majority of the race but unfortunately due to driver error we had a spin on one of the bends that put me back three places so I spent the rest of the race chasing the places I had lost, but all in all I enjoyed the race it was very very tiring but still I enjoyed the race.
That was brilliant the only problem was being first into the first corner finding out just how greasy the track was resulting in me going wide so tom managed to sneak past me and from then on it was a complete 20 minutes of battling it was good fun but scary at the same times as well, but the car was brilliant it handled fantastic.
Again fantastic race, but I got bogged own at the start of the race and made it hard on myself I think I ended up 4th going into beckets from pole so it made it hard work but battled hard for the next 10 minutes and managed to get up to second and was closing the gap on tom but to fare I think Tom was backing off Pete Morris did start to close the gap on me but I managed to hold him off so it was great fun and the car felt good in the dry.
I started on the front row in 2nd place with is better than been on pole because you're on the inside but it was the only damp place on the grid so I knew I was going to lose some places from the start so it was not a big surprise went it happened. As the race unfolded I had some good battles and the car was getting quicker and quicker and I knew I could catch them up so I pushed and pushed and was looking good for third but I buzzed the engine and blow the gearbox and engine so I had to pull the car over.
It was a little bit difficult at the start of the day with the engine mount collapsing has we took the car of the trailer so we had to start at the back of the grid but we came through and got 4th place so it was interesting and totally enjoyed it, it would have being nice to qualify you never know where we could have come but hey we are out there, a big thanks for everyone who helped to get me out there for the first race.
Need to do better that four words for you, with not qualifying we had to start at the back of the grid again for race two but we did manage to get up to the leading pack so that should help us on the grid for race three. The race was hard work I could not catch the leading cars but the car is still in one pieces so we shall see what tomorrow brings.
We'll it's better to start higher up on the grid it was nice and dry today, I had a good race battling with Kevin and Marcus and it was just us three and no one could make the move in fact it would be a do or die challenge and I was not going to do that from where I was, I was hoping that the cars in front would have a little ding dong and I could pick up a couple of places but that did not happen. But the car went well and we are all in one piece plus a big thank you to the team for getting me out for all three races.
Race one was not really a race due to the safety car laps so a bit of non-event, race two I got stuck behind a couple of cars during the start but still managed to make up a couple of places but I'm happy the way the car handle.
Well for me the first race was disappointing, I qualified well and the car felt good but I ended up with a little graining on the front tyre and the tyre pressures went up and with the track completely soaked and with the tyres over pressure and I had a spin that put me back a lot of places and then I threw it into the gravel in fact I was that bedded into the gravel the tow truck pulled off the towing eye so everything to do for the second race.
I had a fantastic race, I had a good position on the grid, I got a good start and was following Chris Dyer for a good part of the race, I had a good tussle with Andy Dunken and Sturat Inggs I overtook them then they overtook me but then I spun the car but managed to catch them up again, it was fast and furious right to the end I think from time to time there where three abreast maybe four at times, very close racing it was clean race no touches and a fabulous days racing I really enjoyed it.
I was chasing the middle pack but ended up at the front of the back pack, I was putting in 2.28s yesterday today 2.33s the tyres started of 23 and when we got back to the paddock there were still at 33s so maybe I was taking the corners wrong or the tyres where to high so a disappointing race for me but I still enjoyed it.


text:
in bocca al lupo to the dog star
The astrology blog of malvinartley.com
Posted on 29/10/2021 30/10/2021 by malvin
The demise of NATO
In an interview with The Economist a couple of years ago, Emmanuel Macron had the following to say about the NATO alliance: "What we are currently experiencing is the brain death of NATO," His reference was in response to the actions of the Trump administration at the time in its relations with the EU. Trump, the epitome of the New York real estate mogul, had been poking at the Europeans to spend more money on US weaponry. Macron's statement was the month before the pandemic began to grip the world's attention and before the coming supply chain shocks and US actions overseas would enshrine his statement as being one of fact rather than conjecture. The question now remains, is NATO to be removed from life support and allowed to finally meet its end, or is it to remain as the shell of American influence over Europe for the foreseeable future? We'll have a look at the astrology of the institution here.
In the same interview, Macron went on to say the following:
"Europe stands on "the edge of a precipice"…and needs to start thinking of itself strategically as a geopolitical power; otherwise we will "no longer be in control of our destiny."
He was correct on one count, that of standing on the edge of a precipice. But in terms of being a geopolitical power, the EU has seen its stance in that regard substantially weakened in recent years. It is increasingly ignored by Washington, with no central military of its own, still beholden to Washington's agendas (i.e. not having true sovereignty) and divorced from the UK. The EU is increasingly being weakened from within by infighting and the leadership in Brussels is still hooked into the 'Russian threat' narrative and stuck in an echo chamber of its own making. And, as has recently come to light, the EU is depended to a significant degree upon Russia for its energy needs, if the supply of those needs is to be economically viable. Yes, it's about the gas crisis in the EU. That will play a role into the future, addressed later in this post.
As a geopolitical power, the EU has a ways to go if it aims to do so without Washington's backing. But this is by design. It is already on the outs with the UK, one of the more powerful NATO members and the only European member aside from France who has nuclear weapons. NATO is a key to understanding why the EU is weak now, and this goes back to the creation of the alliance, the purpose being to "keep the Soviet Union out, the Americans in, and the Germans down".
The Soviet Union from the preceding quote has been replaced by the Russian Federation, and it appears that same thinking is still in effect. Brussels just sent half the Russian diplomatic contingent to NATO packing, whereupon Russia in turn has suspended its diplomatic mission to NATO in full and will suspend the diplomatic credentials for NATO diplomats working in Russia.
Basically, Russia will be ignoring NATO and will speak directly to the United States on matters of military importance, seeing the EU NATO contingent as irrelevant. The Russians are out of Europe as a threat basis, this time by choice. Lord Ismay would be happy, the European business community, not so much. The manoeuvre by Brussels was an effort to show it still had some relevance. The Russians gave their answer, the result of more brain death from Brussels. Where is all this leading?
The chart for NATO was discussed in a previous post on this blog, so we will not go over the chart again here. Instead, we want to look ahead in reference to recent events, which go to show NATO's increasing irrelevance to Europeans, despite the proclamations we see coming out of NATO headquarters in Europe. Certain events over the past few years stand out:
Trump's alleged statements about the EU's need to pony up with more spending (meaning 'Buy more US weapons!') and threatening to take the US out of the organization otherwise. But then, the liberal media in the US always brings up the 'Russian threat'.
The unilateral decision by the Trump administration to assassinate Soleimani. There was no consultation beforehand with other NATO members.
The attack on the US base after the Soleimani assassination. There was no talk of an Art-5 reprisal invoked.
The draw-down of US troops from Syria in 2019, again without consulting EU NATO partners.
The pull-out from Afghanistan, where again there was no consultation by Washington with NATO partners beforehand.
The recent AUKUS deal, which has side-lined France in favour of an Anglo pact.
Turkey's removal from the F-35 program after Erdogan purchased the S-400 system from Russia.
Russia's recent suspension of its NATO diplomatic mission
A statement of support from the Biden administration for the creation of a pan-EU army
What do we see from NATO's transits and directions then, and what of the future? The chart with current transits and directions is below (bigger). There are certain key indicators we are looking for:
The immediate standout is the transit of Saturn over the NATO IC, showing a re-evaluation of priorities related to the alliance. The last time Saturn crossed the IC was in 1992, when Bush Sr. and Yeltsin announced the end of the Cold War. NATO should have been pronounced dead and buried then. The Warsaw Pact had been dissolved in July of the previous year.
The Saturn transit over the NATO IC before 1992 was in 1962, the first such transit, encompassing the period of the Cuban Missile Crisis. Washington acted unilaterally against the interests of some NATO partners then, too, the Turks being the most upset because they had US nuclear-tipped missiles on their shores. It was seen as a betrayal by the Turks, removing a large deterrent against Soviet designs on the region. We can probably expect another similar event next year, with a repeat of the 60-year Chinese astrological cycle.
These Saturn transits over the NATO IC have marked significant milestones. The first one in 1962 saw moves toward the denuclearization of Europe and détente aimed at nuclear arms control. Nuclear missiles were removed from Turkey and Italy. The 2nd such transit saw the decision, taken in Washington but supported by certain European states, to expand NATO eastward. That was also the period where the EU was taking shape, to be 'born' the following year. We notice most EU states are also members of NATO. NATO was a part of that process, too. Now, at the present transit, NATO finds itself increasingly at odds with the realities of both Washington and Russia, and to a degree with the UK, too. Times have changed, and quickly.
Russia cannot be defeated with conventional weapons now. Yet, it has also grown past the revolutionary period, where it sought to spread its ideals across the world, those of a communist world order. Russia threatens no one militarily. It is turning its back on the EU instead of threatening and is focusing on its eastern regions, has a strong de facto military alliance with China and is seen diplomatically as a trusted partner across the world by a growing number of nations. According to Russian FM Lavrov, relations with NATO are not 'catastrophic'. They are simply non-existent.
For all the propaganda we hear in the West about the Russians, Russia simply wants to do business on a win-win basis with any nation who seeks to do likewise. EU business leaders know this very well, and most Europeans see Russia in a more positive than a negative light.
The US on the other hand is now seen to be non-agreement-capable, as aggressive and as a threat to world peace by a growing number of nations. It is also in a rapid state of decline, has turned its focus onto China, thus leaving the EU hanging and dubious of Washington's intentions. Europe has no functional united armed forces outside of NATO, is ill-prepared to fight any major wars, as is the same with the US and UK by themselves, is facing formidable financial troubles and is increasingly disunited as a bloc. And with the US sending its 'molecules of freedom' to Asia instead if Europe (as was promised to the EU) and without energy reserves of its own, where will the EU turn for its energy needs?
The EU is still on the outs with Iran, and the US controls Iraq. The Saudis and the Russians are signing defense deals. Energy supply to the EU is anything but assured. Russia is a natural partner in energy security for the EU. Yet, Brussels balks at it. One can probably put that down to the Baltic States and Poland, along with a healthy dollop of pressure from Uncle Sam. But it is not very smart and shows a lack of vision and even education. The points here are born out in the directions to the NATO chart.
The current directions to the NATO chart were covered in the NATO/AUKUS post. Venus is ruler of the 7th and 12th houses – partnerships (7th) and self-sabotage (12th) in this case, pointing to separations and disappointments. With the Saturn transit over the IC, what is to be done? Well, it appears the only thing to be done is to double down on the 'threats' posed by Russia.
Atlanticist thinking on the matter is that EU and US cooperation militarily should be strengthened, as was recently directed at EU leaders by the German Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer. Jen Stoltenberg went further and was adamant that NATO should be the world's policeman and should be involved in 'pushing back' against China. Perhaps he doesn't remember what the 'NA' in NATO means. Perhaps NATO should be re-acronymed to 'WTO'. Oh, but that is already a thing.
As to the background of Kramp-Karrenbauer, she obtained degrees in politics and law, after deciding not to become a schoolteacher. She is a career politician and apparently has no military experience. But hers is the kind of thinking one typically sees regarding military matters regarding Russia in the EU halls of power. When it comes to the crunch, though, most EU states are not going to have any part of sending armed forces to the coast of China or the Indo-Pacific. They may give lip service and token forces to that effect, but that will be as far as it goes.
China is Germany's biggest trading partner, for instance, and most EU states have good relations with China. Why mess that up when it is primarily the United States who has a problem with China? Instead, it would appear that Washington wants the EU to keep pressure on Russia. There is a recent development in that arena, which will be addressed here, but first there is something else for the EU to consider if they are talking war with Russia.
If you want to know the truth about the Russian military and their capabilities one cannot go past the web pages (in English) of the Andreis – Raevsky and Martyanov. They are Russian expats living in the US, with first-hand knowledge of the Russian military and their weaponry, having served in the military themselves. Another one to follow is Patrick Armstrong, also ex-military. There are others we could cite, too, but those three give a good starting point in understanding what a war with Russia would entail for Europe.
So with all the preceding in mind, the question arises – are the military thinkers in the EU such as Kramp-Karrenbauer just stupid, or ignorant, perhaps deluded, or is something else at play when they talk about strengthening military ties with the US against 'Russian aggression'? And then, who is the true aggressor in Europe?
One of the key linchpins in NATO strategy regarding Russia is Turkey, a NATO member and which has the 2nd-most powerful military in the NATO bloc. Without Turkey, the logistics of a war against Russia would be well-nigh impossible. But Washington's relationship with the Turks has soured in recent years, in what amounts to a defense decoupling. And NATO's biggest mistake – at least the one that started it all – was Washington's attempted coup against Erdogan on 15 July 2016. That attempted coup still leaves a sour taste with the Turks. Soon after that event Erdogan started making arrangements to buy the Russian S-400 air defense system, and now with plans for another one on the way.
The coup attempt was blamed on the movement of Fethullah Gülen, labelled the Fethullah Terror Organisation, or FETÖ, which is still seen as a threat in Turkey:
"FETÖ is still not over," Aslan, now a senior adviser to Erdogan, told the state-run Anadolu news agency. "[If] it ends someone else takes over, we mustn't stop fighting. Today it's FETÖ, tomorrow it becomes another organisation. You have to be careful."
But Gülen is based in the US and is considered by insiders to be a CIA asset. Otherwise, it is likely he would not be granted asylum in the US. Washington has declined to hand him over to Turkish authorities since the coup attempt. Many Turks also see CIA involvement in the coup attempt. But the coup attempt itself was more in the nature of Erdogan's Reichstag fire, used by him to consolidate his power. The Western powers have concerns of Turkish affections drifting eastward toward Russian, China and Iran. Turkey is no longer a NATO stalwart.
On the other hand, there are reports in recent days of Turkish Bayraktar drones flying over the LDNR (Donbass region) in Ukraine and bombing a few sites, but the strikes were not competent at all. This would appear to be more about optics than truth. But with Turkish involvement in Ukraine in support of the regime in Kiev, this has echoes of the recent Ukrainian fandango earlier this year. The Turks also have plans to sell Bayraktars to Poland and Lithuania.
Then, there was the recent article in Forbes by David Axe (of dubious expertise) about American B-1 bombers rehearsing sinking Russian ships in the North Atlantic, supported by the Poles (unsurprisingly), Canadians (where live many Ukrainian expats) and Romanians. Canada has a large air wing based in Romania. This, too, is more about optics than substance, as was noted by The Saker. But all this sends a bad message to Russia, and there are now unconfirmed reports of Iskander missiles in transit along the Russian border with Ukraine, close to Kiev. The Russians take these matters quite seriously.
The Iskander is a hypersonic short range multi-use missile, ideal for establishing local no-fly zones and for shooting down Bayraktars. The Russians do not even have to set foot on Ukrainian soil to be militarily active in Ukraine. That movement of missiles, too, is probably just 'messaging' or may even be completely unrelated to NATO rhetoric, though the latter is doubtful. But probably the big red line for Russia's cutting ties with the NATO crowd was the latter's plan for a nuclear war with Russia, just revealed.
Is anything likely to come from the items just listed? Probably not, as any tensions will probably go that way of the April fandango in Ukraine and dissolve once they see the Russian resolve. But the heightened rhetoric out of EU NATO headquarters speaks more of a call for legitimacy rather than a real military threat to Russia. And Russia has just announced it is increasing gas supplies to Germany and Austria next month, showing the stupidity of the NATO-speak out of Brussels. If an attack did happen against Russia, the impotence of NATO forces in Europe would be on full display. Developments in Ukraine in recent days point to what might be the last gasp for NATO legitimacy. And the move by Putin directing Gazprom to pump more gas into the EU storage facilities may just prove to be a shrewd move, even if unintended that way.
The Saker has been following the Bayraktar developments in Ukraine, albeit with some alarm. He may be onto something. Then again, it all may just blow over. His thinking goes like this: Use EU states, as in supplying weapons and talking up capabilities to Kiev, to cause Ukrainian leaders to provoke an incident in the LDNR region that would in turn cause a direct Russian intervention in Ukraine. The result of that would be a political victory for NATO, albeit ruination for Ukraine, causing Russia to be excluded from Europe in toto, at least politically. That in turn would (they hope) cause cancellation of Russian energy exports and other business ties with Russia. Over the long term, such an outcome would be a disaster for Europe, but a great victory for Washington, thus keeping the EU firmly in the Atlanticist fold. Let 'molecules of freedom' ring across the gas meters in Europe!
Would the preceding scenario really work, though, and for how long if so? I would have doubts about it, looking at the EU and NATO charts over the next few years. That will be handled in a separate post, should such events just described conspire. But if so, the long term effects would be splits occurring in the EU and NATO, the revival of the American fracking industry and the emergence of distinct separate economic blocs on the European peninsula, with Northern Europe going the way of the US and the Club Med states gradually turning east.
So, will the growing and resurgent tensions in Ukraine play in Washington and NATO's favour? NATO's chart says no. And the Russians are too smart to play into such a chain of events. They play the long game and have many options open to them. They also know Ukraine is a trap for them. Better to sell the EU economical and dependable Russian gas to remind the EU about economic realities over ideologies. We won't cover those issues here, but instead look at the astrology for NATO in the immediate years ahead.
When we look at the directions to NATO over the next few years, the story about its demise is there. We see the directed MC to NATO's Mars in a couple of years, showing conflicts in headquarters, along with directed Mars to the NATO Venus, showing conflicts with allies (7th house) and self-sabotage (12th house). That will be followed the year after by a direction of Uranus to the NATO Ascendant, showing a shake-up in the organization. This is highlighted also by the transit of Saturn across from the NATO Sun along with the direction of Uranus, marking quite a difficult period and one of serious self-examination and crisis.
As to the present day, Mars is about to transit over the NATO Ascendant, showing the bellicosity out of Brussels and tough talk, but also the short duration of the same. The rhetoric will calm down over the next week or so, at least for NATO. On a final note regarding NATO's rhetoric, we have the following classic quote:
"No one ever lost money underestimating NATO's capacity to reach the depths of inconsequential stupidity."
Featured pic from Financial Times
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Q: open every time new Activity using broadcast reciever in android I want to open an activity using broadcast receiver. I am implement it and it works fine when activity not running in background. But if activity is running in background then it can't launch new activity it return same activity, but i want to open this activity again, means multiple instance of the activity
so, please help me how I can do this.

A: So you want Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK
Refer: http://developer.android.com/reference/android/content/Intent.html
Edit:
Or perhaps, FLAG_ACTIVITY_MULTIPLE_TASK . But it's not recommended as it messes with the navigational path of user.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


The late-arriving crowd at the Texas Department of Transportation's public hearing on the $1.5 billion LBJ East project was to be expected Tuesday evening.
Just outside the site, Highland Oaks Church of Christ, was the object of shared frustrations. It was rush hour and LBJ Freeway, Interstate 635, had ground to its daily standstill.
"It needed to be done years ago," said Lucian Giambasu of Garland, one of several weary residents who testified.
The freeway has been widened at both ends of the 11.2-mile project. But at four lanes and an HOV lane each way, unimproved I-635 from Central Expressway to Interstate 30 struggles to carry the daily load of about 200,000 vehicles.
"It's over 40 years old. It has exceeded its design capacity and does not meet current design criteria," Matthew Craig of Halff Associates said as he discussed the new plan with about 150 who attended Tuesday's public hearing.
That plan includes five main lanes and two express lanes in each direction, continuous frontage roads, seven noise walls and upgrades to Interstate 30 on each side of the interchange in Mesquite.
Matthew Craig of Halff Associates discussed the $1.5 billion plan for expanding LBJ Freeway at a public hearing Tuesday at Highland Oaks Church of Christ in Dallas.
Regional Transportation Commission officials, mayors from Garland and Mesquite and Dallas County Commissioner Theresa Daniel stated support for the project at the hearing.
"I hear it from Dallas, Richardson, Mesquite and Garland," Daniel said. "It affects us all mightily."
Construction is scheduled to start in 2020 and finish in 2024.
"This is not a need. Not a want. It's a desperation," said Francis Hiner, whose Garland home is near the first sound barrier in the corridor. "We need to get this done before I die. It took me 40 years to get a sound wall."
All but one of the speakers supported the tolled managed lanes currently in the plan to expedite the project. Between Miller Road/Royal Lane and Central Expressway, 3.3 miles, the managed express lanes would be tolled.
"We have unnecessary pollution, accidents and people losing sleep because they have too long a commute, which leads to more accidents," said Yvonne Salazar of Dallas. "If it takes toll lanes to make it work right, I'm ready to get it done."
Giambasu said the continuous frontage roads, which Garland and Dallas portions of I-635 don't currently have, would drive local economic impact throughout the corridor that includes Lake Highlands, Far East Dallas, South Garland and North Mesquite.
"What I don't support is having the project broken up into various chunks," he said. "That will only lead to further delays and congestion."
The toll lanes have yet to be approved by the Legislature, however, and without the clearance, the planned financing falls about one-third short of what's needed. That could lead to an extended timeline or compromised features — such as the interchange at I-30.
Michael Morris, transportation director for the North Central Texas Council of Governments, said Tuesday that the tolled section would leverage the remaining hundreds of millions of dollars needed for the project. He advocated that the tolls be managed through TxDOT and the Regional Transportation Council, rather than with a private investor controlling the revenue stream.
In her first term representing part of the area, state Rep. Victoria Neave, D-Dallas, did not specifically comment on the legislative debate over tolls, but pledged to work to break ground as soon as possible. Her district director, Sylvia Thomas, read a statement saying in this case, personal mobility and economic mobility were one and the same.
"We live in one of the fastest-growing areas in the country," the statement read. "Those countless hours spent in traffic are hours that families could be spending together."
While the Legislature figures out the funding, TxDOT continues its path to clearing the project. That includes the public hearing and discussion of the project design, environmental study of the area and needed right-of-way acquisition.
About 150 participated in Tuesday night's public hearing to present plans and solicit input on the Interstate 635 East project.
Cara Rouvaldt of Halff Associates said about 16 acres of new right-of-way would be required for the construction. Structures at two apartment complexes — Summerwood Cove and The Park on Whitehurst, which combine for 700 units — and 10 commercial properties would be affected.
A condominium resident on the Dallas side of the freeway said she was upset her community would not get a noise wall. Four of the 11 areas that TxDOT said were approved for sound barriers will not get them at the landowners' request. Owners of multifamily complexes in the corridor may benefit most if their communities are visible.
The public comment period for the project runs through Feb. 15.


text:
layout: post
title: Java initialization
date: 2012-05-01 17:54:00 +0800
author: Yuan Jiang
tags: java
---

Java initialization.

## The general order of class initialization
1. First all static items are initialized, in their source code order;
2. Then all member variables are initialized;
3. Lastly the constructor is called.
Example testing:

```java
public class InitTest {

    public static void main(String[] args)
    {
        A a = new A(100);
    }
}

class A
{
    public int num1 = -1;

    public static int num2 = -2;

    static
    {
        System.out.println("Static init...");
        System.out.println("Static member surName = " + num2);
    }

    // initializer block
    {
        System.out.println("Outside constructor, member variable name = " + num1);
    }

    public A (int num)
    {
        System.out.println("Inside constructor, member variable name = " + this.num1);
        this.num1 = num;
        System.out.println("Inside constructor, member variable name = " + this.num1);
    }
}

// output:
// Static init...
// Static member surName = -2
// Outside constructor, member variable name = -1
// Inside constructor, member variable name = -1
// Inside constructor, member variable name = 100
```

## The general order of initialization for classes with inheritance
1. Parent static items;
2. Child static items;
3. Parent member variables;
4. Parent constructor;
5. Child member variables;
6. Child constructor.
Example testing:

```java
public class InitTest {

    public static void main(String[] args)
    {
        C c = new C();
    }
}

class P
{
    static
    {
        System.out.println("Parent static...");
    }

    {
        System.out.println("Parent member variables...");
    }

    public P()
    {
        System.out.println("Parent constructor...");
    }
}

class C extends P
{
    static
    {
        System.out.println("Child static...");
    }

    {
        System.out.println("Child member variables...");
    }

    public C()
    {
        System.out.println("Child constructor...");
    }
}

// output:
// Parent static...
// Child static...
// Parent member variables...
// Parent constructor...
// Child member variables...
// Child constructor...
```

## Static initialization block
- A static initialization block is a normal block of code enclosed in braces, { }, and preceded by the static keyword, e.g. static { code }.
- Static instantiation block has the advantage of providing capabilities such as error handling, for looping, and such complex logic for class variables initialization.
- A class can have any number of static initialization blocks, and they can appear anywhere in the class body. The runtime system guarantees that static initialization blocks are called in the order that they appear in the source code.
- Static initialization blocks are always run (once) at class load time. They are not run again for every later instantiation of the class.
- The blocks are run in the order they appear in the source code mixed in with regular static variable statements.
- Note that you have block scope in a static initialization block, so there can be variables initialized resembling identical-looking ones outside the block.
- There is an alternative to static blocks — you can write a private static method:

```java
  class Whatever
  {
    public static varType myVar = initializeClassVariable();

    private static varType initializeClassVariable()
    {

        // initialization code goes here
    }
  }
```

## Instance members initialization
- Provide an initial value for a field in its declaration. This is the most normal way but has limitations that you cannot have complex logic such as error handling, looping and etc.
- Alternative 1: Instance variables can be initialized in constructors, where error handling or other logic can be used.
- Alternative 2: Initializer block:
  + Initializer blocks for instance variables look just like static initializer blocks, but without the static keyword: { ... }.
  + The Java compiler copies initializer blocks into every constructor. Therefore, this approach can be used to share a block of code between multiple constructors.
- Alternative 3: Final method:
  + A final method cannot be overridden in a subclass.
  + This is especially useful if subclasses might want to reuse the initialization method
```java
  class Whatever
  {
    private varType myVar = initializeInstanceVariable();

    protected final varType initializeInstanceVariable()
    {

        // initialization code goes here
    }
  }
```

## References
- [static initialization](http://1001javatips.com/staticinitialization.htm)
- [initialization order](http://1001javatips.com/initializationorder.htm)
- [Initialization of Classes and Interfaces](https://docs.oracle.com/javase/specs/jls/se7/html/jls-12.html#jls-12.4)
- [Initializing Fields](https://docs.oracle.com/javase/tutorial/java/javaOO/initial.html)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Carla lies motionless. Like a dead thing. Dark is coming on. Their work finished for the day, the crows with caw and croak are leaving.
She sits bolt upright. She cannot look to her left – her mother was on the left. She dare not look to the right for something sticky is making a pool there, a pool she had put her hand into only a moment before. She will not look at her hand.
Instead she stares stiffly straight ahead into the ruins of the schoolhouse.
A new sound has roused her.
A call or cry. At first she thought it was a cat but now she understands that it's the squalling of a baby. A baby of the ruins.
Her legs are sore. Her arms growing bruises. Her back tender. Everything hurts. She considers squalling herself. Not crying like a baby demanding attention, but because she should. Because. Instead she sets her face hard, pushes to her feet and begins to step carefully through the scatter of bodies, making sure not to stumble. She makes her way, not as a terrified and abused seven year old might, but as her mother would whenever something needed to be done.
Mr. Gjultera's house is on the right, and Old Ma Bera's little cottage. Both of them are smashed at either end as though a great big hammer had swung through the gap between. Floor boards jutting out from half way up wobble and creak as though someone is walking on them. But no one is there. Not even a ghost.
And then Ma Bera's front door swings open.
Carla wants to run but cannot. She is fixed in place mid-stride, back heel up, front toes curling into the dirt. Not able to look and see who or what is coming because she cannot turn her head. She senses a dark shadow: a suggestion of someone, bending to retrieve something from the road, and then bringing it to her. The suggestion stops some yards to her side.
He moves close, holding it out for her to take. Only now does Carla realise she is half-naked and shivering.
Released by sudden anger screaming in her head, she snatches the coat from him, swirling it around her shoulders; she drags it in at her middle with two fists, and then sinks to her knees to gather in the warmth.
Benito had heard the baby too. He'd been lying still. Still and quiet for an age. Long after the noises in the village had finished. Down in the cellar. The cellar that belonged to Mrs Bera. Where his cat had gone. He wondered where the cat was now.
But he heard the baby start to skrike – wanting someone to come. So he got up and climbed the dark stair into the back kitchen, past the larder into the parlour and through to the front door.
And there was the girl – Carla, a classmate of his little sister – standing still in the road, though it looked like she was walking. On the floor in front of him was a coat – one of those jacket things Mrs Bera always wore. He decided it would be best to give it to Carla, then maybe the cold wouldn't keep her frozen in one place.
As they climbed through the planks and boards and broken furniture, the baby began to cry non-stop. 'A good job too,' thought Benito. The crying made him easy to find. Carla rolled up her coat sleeves and picked him up, took him from the cold stiff body of his mother. Benito took off his jumper for Carla to snuggle him in. The baby boy cried and cried. Benito didn't mind that.
The voice came out of the air. Carla crouched to the ground, shielding the baby with her own body.
The voice was cracked and weak.
Benito looked up, and there, silhouetted against the dusk sky, doubled over a shaft of wood at the top of the old school bell-tower, like a worm on a stick-pin, was the shape of a broken man.
Oswaldo Bassalo was surprised that any of it still mattered. He should be dead already. Most likely he would be dead in just a little while. But for as long as he was living he'd try to help them. Whatever the cost. The pain from his wounds bound him tight, making it hard to breathe, still less to speak. The children were silent, both looking up at him as though he was an impossibility.
His words came in bursts. He wondered if they could understand him. The baby had stopped crying now, perhaps warmed into an exhausted sleep. Carla gently laid him on the ground, making sure he was well wrapped, and then got to her feet. One thing at a time – he'd told them a thousand times. She stepped over to Benito and pushed lightly at his back. The boy did as he was told and stepped closer to the tower.
It was an acknowledgement at least, but there was no certainty in the boy's stance. Carla came to stand next to him. Oswaldo concentrated on trying to make his words strong and clear.
The boy didn't move. Oswaldo smiled inside, despite the pain. Benito at fifteen, apprentice to his father now, hadn't changed much from the schoolboy the Signoren had taught. Benito was kind and tolerant and sensitive, so good in many ways, but he was rarely quick to action. He needed to consider everything he heard and saw for a good long while before coming to a decision. Oswaldo realised he should have explained why he wanted an axe.
Carla wasn't so slow. She would do Benito's thinking for him. The girl took his hand and after a quick glance to reassure herself that the baby was safe, she led him over to his father's house. Oswaldo could not see what was happening as they clambered through the ruins to the back but he imagined the girl struggling to lift the big axe and then Benito stepping-in to help.
A new scene swam into his view. Minutes had passed. Below him now Carla was angry with the boy. He stood motionless, looking as though he might cry but the girl was dragging at his shirt, urging him to the base of the tower, and thumping his chest when he wouldn't move. The boy shook his head.
Carla relented in her attack. Then she put a hand upon his forearm, and looked him in the eye. She nodded her head, giving him permission, releasing him from fault. The seven year old was taking responsibility on herself.
In the village scores of Bassalo's people knew pain no more: not the women battered or skewered, not the children beheaded, not Andras amputated till the blood drained out of him. For Oswaldo every axe-stroke was agony, but agony is not death. He clung to every jolting, jag of pain as though pain could empower him; it would designate him among the living.
This had been a day of horror but also a day of miracles. The biggest spar that impaled the Signoren had torn through the fat on the right of his belly, scraped the surface of the muscles beneath, and come out again through the left hand side. Who would have thought that being fat could be a good thing? Not an organ injured. And the pain in his back was awful but he was sure his spine was undamaged. Most likely though, he would never use his left arm again: another shaft had pierced his shoulder and in the trauma of the fall, the impact had forced it deeper, pushing his shoulder-blade out at right angles to his back. The biggest part of the bleeding came from this wound. Carla launched herself at it with a wad of cloth, and pressed to stop the flow, and pushed to stop the shoulder blade looking so bad. Bassalo screamed all the while and then passed out.
When he came-to she was still there, still pressing but weaker now. The shaft had been drawn – Benito sat to one side looking at the bloody end of it on the ground before him. Carla kept looking back at him, needing help, but the boy didn't notice. Bassalo wondered that she didn't call out to him.
Carla had known what the Signoren intended. He thought she might have done it anyway, whether he'd asked or not. She kept up the pressure on the wound until Benito returned and wouldn't relent until the boy knelt to take her place. She was so white-faced when she stood that Oswaldo thought she might faint. He should have known better. Carla wouldn't allow herself a moment's rest or weakness. She rummaged through the sewing box, scattering the contents all around, until she found what she needed. She took out a bobbin of the best silk yarn and a curved needle.
Oswaldo could see her poor arms shaking as she tried to thread it.


text:
Delta Air Lines Soars
- Up, Up and Away! -
Earnings Report Boosts Delta and Makes Us Great Profits!
Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL) Option Calls Provides 205% Potential Profit!
GETTING OUT WHILST THE GOING IS GOOD!
GREED CAN BE THE UNDOING OF A GOOD PROFIT!
Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL)
Here is an update of Delta Air Lines' winning options call trade after reporting earnings. This options trade was recommended, to "Cut-To-The-Chase" Members of Stock Options Made Easy, on Wednesday, January 10, 2018 -- in the article ""Cut-to-the-Chase" Recommendations - Week Beginning Monday, January 08, 2018"; which produced excellent potential profits of 205% within 24 hours of executing the trade!
YOU NEED TO BE IN TO PROFIT! ..... see how
The Recommendation……
…….from ""Cut-to-the-Chase" Recommendations - Week Beginning Monday, January 08, 2018".
The Details……..
Airline stocks are likely to report better-than-expected earnings per share in the fourth quarter of 2017.
The overall sentiment pertaining to airlines is quite positive ahead of the earnings season. This is because airline stocks seem to be back in favor after struggling for most of 2017 due to multiple headwinds like the back-to-back hurricanes and unit revenue issues, among others.
The fourth-quarter earnings season will be kicked off by Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL).
The GOP's tax-cut package, ticket prices and, naturally, those targets seem likely to be focal points for investors. On Tuesday, Bank of America Merrill Lynch said the tax cuts are likely to boost business travel, helping Delta, United Airlines (UAL) and American Airlines (AAL).
As for Q4 itself, Wall Street expects Delta to report earnings per share of 90 cents, up 10%, on revenue of $10.16 billion, a 7% increase. That top-line gain would mark the biggest increase since Q3 2014. The Earnings Whisper number is $0.95 per share.
Delta last week said it expected a roughly 4% increase in passenger unit revenue during the quarter, which would be its best showing all year in the key metric. The company expects adjusted operating margin of around 11%.
After United flat-out terrified investors in October following a murky 2018 financial forecast and shares of American and others retreated on a mixture of worries about too much expansion and rising costs, Delta has remained "the go-to legacy airline," Morgan Stanley analyst Rajeev Lalwani said in a research note last week.
He cited the carrier's 2018 profit and the cost targets it outlined last month at its investor day — EPS of $5.30-$5.70 and unit cost growth of flat to up 2% along with the potential lift from the GOP's tax reform — as reasons to like the airline.
The Trade……..
** OPTION TRADE: Buy the DAL FEB 16 2018 57.500 CALL at approximately $0.65.
Delta Air Lines Inc.'s earnings as well as revenues surpassed expectations.
The company's fourth-quarter earnings (excluding 16 cents from non-recurring items) of 96 cents per share beat the Consensus Estimate of 88 cents. Moreover, the bottom line expanded 17.1% on a year-over-year basis. Results were aided by higher revenues.
Operating revenues came in at $10,245 million, surpassing the Consensus Estimate of $10,158.8 million. The top line increased 8.3% from the year-ago figure. Strong demand for air travel during the holiday season aided revenues.
Delta Air Lines' unit revenue growth accelerated sharply, with airline revenue per available seat mile (RASM) up 4.4% year over year. This compared to a 2.7% increase in airline RASM in Q3 and a 1.7% gain for the first nine months of 2017 as a whole. As a result, revenue rose 8.3% to $10.25 billion last quarter.
This uptick in RASM growth allowed Delta to post a solid profit despite facing significant cost headwinds.
Also, Delta will reap quite a bit of savings from corporate tax reform. The company projects that its book tax rate will fall to roughly 22%-24% this year, from around 35% recently. As a result, Delta's quarterly EPS guidance of $0.60-$0.80 is roughly in line with its Q1 2017 adjusted EPS of $0.77.
On a full-year basis, Delta Air Lines has significantly more ambitious goals. Nonfuel unit cost growth is expected to decrease sharply after the first quarter (due to the timing of expenses and an ongoing cost-cutting program). That should help Delta stabilize its pre-tax margin.
Future Outlook……
For the first quarter of 2018, Delta expects operating margin in the range of 6% to 8%. Fuel price, including taxes and refinery impact, is expected between $2.05 and $2.10 per gallon in the same period. System capacity is anticipated to be up approximately 3% on a year-over-year basis.
The company expects total unit revenues (excluding refinery sales) to increase in the band of 2.5% to 4.5% (on a year-over-year basis) in the quarter. Also, non-fuel consolidated unit cost (normalized), including profit sharing, is expected to increase in the band of 2% to 4%.
Delta expects revenues in 2018 to increase between 4% and 6% on a year-over-year basis. The new tax law, which will reduce its corporate tax rate significantly, is expected to aid the company's performance.
Consequently, Delta lifted its earnings per share guidance for 2018. The company now expects earnings per share in the range of $6.35 to $6.70 (previous outlook: $5.35 to $5.70). The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2018 earnings is pegged at $5.62 per share.
The upbeat views and the fourth-quarter outperformance pleased investors. As a result, Delta stock gained in early trading.
End Result……..
Delta Air Lines stock closed up 4.9% on Thursday after reporting fourth-quarter earnings that beat analyst estimates.
At the time of the recommendation the stock was trading at $54.20.
On Thursday the stock traded in a range of $56.26 to $59.20; ending the day at $58.52, up 4.76%. And after-market trading saw the stock climb another 0.87% to settle at $59.03.
The Profit……..
So, for those traders who managed to execute this trade recommended by Stock Options Made Easy; a nice tidy potential profit of 205% within a 24 hour period.
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As you would have by now realized, many of our trades are based on earnings predictions. This is not to say all trades recommended to members follow this pattern, but during earnings season this strategy has been very profitable.
Our approach is to predict whether a company will beat or miss estimates, whether the stock will appreciate or depreciate as a result and what strategies investors and traders can use. This type of prediction is based on thorough investigation and fundamentally based research, and the results have been very exceptional.
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"Success is simple. Do what's right, the right way, at the right time."
Back to Stock Options Made Easy Home Page from Delta Air Lines Soars – Up, Up and Away!


It's Thanksgiving week! Wow, time flies! People are out there purchasing the turkeys for their Thanksgiving tables, families are travelling, preparation is underway for the big day–and for the first time in a few years, it's chilly leading up to Thanksgiving, so there are fires in fireplaces and wood in wood-burning stoves. In my home, we are making sure to have the proper TV channels lined up for the parade and the football games! Woo hoo!
As a member of SafeKids of the Central Shenandoah Valley, I check the SafeKids website regularly and found these very good safety tips I am republishing here. Enjoy your Thanksgiving and please, do all you can to keep children safe!
If you light candles to create a festive mood, be sure to douse all candles if you are leaving the house or going to sleep.
If you are serving or consuming alcoholic beverages over the holidays, please don't leave them unattended where young children can pick them up and drink them. If this occurs, please call 911 right away or get your child to the nearest Hospital Emergency Room.
Thank you– and have a safe Thanksgiving from all of us at BeChildSafe.org.


text:
Q: Fluent API Mapping I have a database that has three tables structured as follows:
Table 1: Product
Columns: ProductID, PK
         SKU,       PK
         Name

Table 2: ProductImages
Columns: ImageID    PK
         SKU

Table 3: Images
Columns: ImageID    PK
         ImageContent

Ignore for a moment that table ProductImages looks to be in a many-to-many relation except that the Unique PK constraint is forcing to be one-to-one and therefore an unnecessary one-to-many-to-one table (it's an existing database).
I would like to have the following POCO entity class:
public class Product
{
    public int ProductId { get; set; }
    public string SKU { get; set; }
    public virtual Image Image { get; set; }
}

Assume Image is also an entity in my entity model.
I am using Entity Framework 5.0 with code first and the Fluent API and I am going nuts trying to figure out how to write the ProductMap class (which derives from EntityTypeConfiguration<Product>). Specifically the relationship mappings.
The rendered SQL should look like Entity Framework's version of the following:
select p.SKU, p.Name, p.ProductID, I.ImageID, I.ImageContent
from Products p
inner join ProductImages si on p.SKU = si.SKU
inner join Images i on i.ImageId = si.ImageId

Any help that anyone can provide will be met with heart felt appreciation.

A: I had the same problem until I started using Entity Framework Power Tools
Using it you can generate clear entities like a business objects and mapping classes.
Good article that helped me to create amazing data access layer: Reverse Engineer Code First
And i think mapping should looks like:
public class ProductMap : EntityTypeConfiguration<Product>
{
    public ProductMap ()
    {
        // Primary Key
        this.HasKey(t => t.ProductId);

        // Properties
        this.Property(t => t.Name)
            .IsRequired()
            .HasMaxLength(256);

        // Table & Column Mappings
        this.ToTable("Product");
        this.Property(t => t.ProductId).HasColumnName("ProductID");
        this.Property(t => t.Name).HasColumnName("Name");

        // Relationships
        this.HasMany(t => t.Products)
            .WithMany(t => t.Images)
            .Map(m =>
            {
                m.ToTable("ProductImages");
                m.MapLeftKey("ProductID");
                m.MapRightKey("ImageID");
            });
        }
    }

A: I figured it out. There was a logical disconnect between by database structure and my Entity model.
The productImages table supports a *-1 mapping therefore the Products POCO class needs to have a collection of ProductImages. Then the entities need to be configured as follows:
public class ProductImagesMap : EntityTypeConfiguration<ProductImage>
{
        //Other field and key configuration...

        this.HasRequired(t=>t.Image).WithRequiredDependent();

        this.HasRequired(t => t.Product)
        .WithMany(t => t.ProductImage)
        .HasForeignKey(d => d.SKU);
}

public class ProductImage
{
    public int ImageId { get; set; }
    public string SKU{ get; set; }
    public virtual Image Image { get; set; }
    public virtual Product Product { get; set; }
}

public class Product
{
    public Product()
    {
        this.Features = new List<Feature>();
    }

    public int ProductId { get; set; }
    public string Name { get; set; }
    public string SKU{ get; set; }
    public virtual Brand Brand { get; set; }
    public virtual ICollection<ProductImage> ProductImages { get; set; }
}

I struggled with trying to configure this relationship in the ProductMap class (as Products in the parent/mater table), it was not until configured it from the ProductImages class that it worked so my two open questions are:
1) What rules determine which entity drives the relationship configuration?
2) Is there a way I can configure the Products POCO class to have an ICollection Images property and bypass the ProductImage entity all-together as ProductImage only serves as a link table between products and images?


If you first plant a seedling, just be sure you hold the soil moist till it germinates. This is essential as a result of, if the soil dries out, you threat the seedling dying. Once the seedling does germinate, the soil might be allowed to dry in between watering, but keep in mind that it's nonetheless delicate and must be taken care of. CO2 is important for development. A high degree of CO2 supplies an optimum setting for development. One of the best technique to obtain a high quantity is to get access to a greenhouse. On this atmosphere, the CO2 ranges are stored excessive so the plants can expertise optimum growing conditions.
When utilizing fertilizer, moderation could be the important thing to success. While it is true that utilizing a fertilizer can improve your backyard's productivity, it's higher to apply it sparingly. An overdose of fertilizer may cause extreme progress of the plant's foliage with stunted improvement of the fruit or vegetables thereby decreasing your harvest. When first rising a plant you need to guantee that it has all of the vitamin and water that it needs. The sprouting stage for most plants is the time when it is most vulnerable to drying out or dying. With proper care, a sprout will mature into a full grownup plant which is much more resistant to environmental and animal threats.
If you're gardening in containers, make certain every container has a drainage system to stop water from pooling. Lining the bottom of a container with small rocks or pebbles can also assist with water drainage for container gardening. Permitting water to sit down for extended periods can rot the foundation system of your plants. Organic gardening is usually a wonderful thing. When it comes to displaying some talent within the methods to assist something develop is actually fantastic. So that you could learn to make this be just right for you, consult with the ideas in this article.
Rotate your crops to stop permanent populations of pests in your garden. As with all ecosystem, pests need a sure amount of time to nest and build up a proper population inside a garden. These pests are specifically suited for one environment and one food source. By switching their meals source you possibly can basically keep your pest population down simply because they are unable to adapt to the brand new kind of plant.
This gentle touch will assist your plants grow stronger.
Have a look at your planting space before you buy any rose bushes. Some varieties of roses might be finicky in the type of soil or planting setting that they want. On the other hand, there are other varieties which might be hearty sufficient to tolerate quite a lot of conditions. So, when you understand what sort of growing setting your roses will live in, you may choose the most appropriate variety.
Treat your roses! To naturally treatment black spots on roses in your natural backyard, use milk! For some unknown cause – using a 1:2 ratio mixture of milk and water – has been proven to eliminate black spots! Use a spray bottle to use the mixture on to the leaves of the affected plant. Attempt to develop solely as much as you should use in your backyard. After consuming recent vegetables, storing, freezing, and gifting away to family and friends there's only a lot that an individual can use. Don't plant fifty tomato crops until a vegetable stand is in your future because all those tomatoes will rot on the vines and won't be used.
Make sure that to maintain your eye on your garden for pests. They can eat away your plants or foods and trigger irreparable damage. In the event you do discover them in your garden, it is crucial that you just eliminate them as quickly as possible before they reproduce and create extra issues. Throughout the hotter parts of the day, greens are softer, which implies even picking them gently may cause them damage. Make sure that you just cut picked greens straight off from the vine itself and never by twisting them off, since you don't need to harm the plant.
Making your individual compost for natural gardening is very simple and straightforward to do. It supplies soil of gardens with rich nutrients and retains soil cool during summer season months.


THE GRAPE- 100% English Ortega grapes grown on the estate. Created in 1948 by Hans Breider in Germany the Hybrid of Muller-Thurgau and Siegrrebe produces a lush bright green canopy with white tips. The bushy canopy encouraged mildews but also bountiful bunches at a higher Oechsle. Its named after the contemporary poet and philosopher José Ortega y Gasset.
APPEARANCE – Golden, with a slight spritz.
NOSE – Ortega wines have aromas of Muscat and peach and are high in extract however fruit shines through in this vintage.
TASTE – Delicious, complex and long on the palette.
COMPLEMENTS –Perfect aperitif or great with fish, shellfish, spicy or rich foods such as a Sunday lunch.
HOW IS IT MADE– By getting the hand picked bunches into the winery from vine to press within the hour, fermenting slowly in stainless steel and resting on lees to mellow before racking, filtering and bottling.
Aromas of the east. We wanted to make a really different from our Estate Bacchus which is more sauvignon blanc. This is however like a fresh chardonnay with at touch of tannin. It's a bit of a grower after the first sip let your taste buds acclimatise to the flavoursome white!


text:
David Warner 'boasted about using tape attached to his hand to alter the shape of the ball during post-Ashes drinks with defeated English players'
David Warner has emerged as the central figure in Australian ball-tampering
Daily Mail understands he told England players of his methods during the Ashes
It revolves around strapping Aussie opener wears on his thumb and index finger
Warner wears the protective coverings in the field but not while batting
By Richard Gibson and Lawrence Booth and Paul Newman for the Daily Mail
David Warner allegedly told English players how he used tape attached to his hand to tamper with the ball during the Ashes.
In a brazen act during the post-series drinks between the teams, Australia's vice-captain revealed his method of altering the ball's condition to a band of England's defeated players, Daily Mail Australia understands.
It revolves around the strapping the 31-year-old wears on the thumb and index finger of his left hand. Abrasive substances are then attached to the tape to rough up or dull one side of the ball - a crucial factor in promoting reverse swing.
Oddly, although Warner regularly wears the protective coverings while in the field, he removes them while batting.
He was accused of the same time of tampering in the second Test against South Africa a few weeks ago.
The method of altering the ball revolves around the strapping Warner wears on the thumb and index finger of his left hand
The disgraced former vice-captain has been branded a hypocrite after being publicly critical when South Africa captain Faf du Plessis was charged with ball-tampering for applying sticky saliva from a lolly during the 2016-17 series between the countries.
He said: 'We hold our heads high and I would be very disappointed if one of our team members did that.
'The rules are in place for a reason, if you're not gonna use them, then why bother having them?'
The Daily Mail understands Aussie vice-captain told England players of his methods in the Ashes
Abrasive substances are then attached to the tape to rough up or dull one side of the ball
Captain Steve Smith was banned for one match on Sunday and fined his entire match fee of around $18,000 by the ICC after he admitted the 'leadership group' of his team were all in on the premeditated plan to cheat in the humiliating third Test loss to South Africa in Cape Town.
Rookie batsman Cameron Bancroft was illegally attempting to alter the ball's condition by applying sticky tape to its rough side, increasing the chances of it gathering dirt from the playing area.
However, despite a social media video of Bancroft emerging this weekend appearing to show him shoving sugar in his pockets during a break in play, he is no more than a fall-guy.
Australia are the most hated team in world cricket... Steve... Cameron Bancroft's deceit couldn't have been more obvious... Tim Paine admits it has been 'a horrible 24 hours' and... Australia tumble to heavy defeat in Cape Town as batsmen...
Australia only switched to their eight-cap opening batsman as chief ball polisher for this match after Warner aroused suspicion in the second Test at Port Elizabeth, where a dressing-room attendant witnessed him putting sandpaper into his strappings.
Australia avoided detection during their 4-0 win series over Joe Root's England team earlier this winter — although the tourists were mystified as to how the home attack were able to produce such lavish reverse swing in comparison to that extracted by their own renowned exponents such as James Anderson and Chris Woakes, and at venues not routinely associated with it.
It was also noted that the ball regularly went to Warner between overs, a time when umpires are on the move and less aware of where it is being transferred.
Pressure is mounting on Cricket Australia to permanently axe Smith, Warner and coach Darren Lehmann — they have the power to impose lifetime bans — with their positions now untenable in the light of such a flagrant abuse of the ICC's code of conduct.
Warner regularly wears the protective coverings in the field, but removes them while batting
SO WHAT WERE WARNER AND CO UP TO DURING THE ASHES?
These pictures underline the suggestion that David Warner was involved in altering the condition of the ball during the recent Ashes series.
Australia's vice-captain is said to have revealed his method to England players at the end of the series.
It revolves around the strapping he wears on the thumb and index finger of his left hand (pictured during the final Ashes Test). Abrasive substances are then attached to the tape to rough up or dull one side of the ball.
Oddly, Warner, who says he needs the strapping to protect his injured fingers and thumb, removes the strapping while batting.
Cameron Bancroft was also implicated in Sydney. This picture appears to show the Aussie opener pocketing some sugar.
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David Warner 'tampered with the ball in the Ashes'


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