text:
How the Masai giraffe population has changed over 40 years in Tanzania's Arusha National Park
Giraffes are Tanzania's national animal and beloved around the world. Despite their popularity, however, populations of the Masai giraffe have declined by 50% since the 1980s to about 35,000 individuals, and they are now considered to be endangered. Masai giraffes are found in Arusha National Park in northern Tanzania and are an important part of the attraction of the park, contributing to the country's economy. Urban development of Arusha city and agricultural expansion have caused Arusha National Park to be increasingly isolated from other protected areas in northern Tanzania, but the current status of giraffes in the park was not known. In a new paper published in the African Journal of Ecology, scientists from Pennsylvania State University, University of Zurich, and Wild Nature Institute enumerated individual giraffes in Arusha National Park to see how well these iconic megaherbivores were doing compared to 40 years ago.
A female Masai giraffe relaxes in Arusha National Park
The only previously published data on the Masai giraffe population of Arusha National Park were from 1979 and 1980, 20 years after the park was established. In the new paper, scientists monitored individual giraffes in Arusha National Park from 2021 to 2022 to provide an update on the current population size, population sex and age structure, and movements. The giraffes were identified individually by their unique spot patterns. The scientists also collected DNA from dung samples to assess the genetic connectivity of the park's giraffes with other giraffe populations in the region. The scientists documented a 49% population decline—similar to the overall decline of the Masai giraffe throughout its native range in Tanzania and southern Kenya—and changes in the age distribution, adult sex ratio, reproductive rate, and movement patterns relative to the previous study. Mitochondrial DNA analysis revealed genetic connectivity between Arusha National Park and other Masai giraffe populations east of the Gregory Rift Escarpment in northern Tanzania and south-eastern Kenya, providing evidence that Masai giraffe once moved widely across the landscape.
"Every giraffe population matters," said Dr. Derek Lee, associate research professor at Pennsylvania State University, co-founder of the Wild Nature Institute, and the study's lead author. He recommended that "the Arusha National Park giraffe population could be helped through community conservation efforts supporting indigenous communities outside the park that empower local law enforcement and provide tangible economic benefits of wildlife protection."
However, additional measures should be taken to secure the future of the giraffes in Arusha National Park. "We not only need to safeguard individual animals," noted Dr. George Lohay, a geneticist from Pennsylvania State University and co-author of the study. "We also need to maintain and restore habitat connectivity with other populations to keep needed gene flow for genetic diversity."
Dr. Monica Bond, a postdoctoral research associate at University of Zurich, Wild Nature Institute co-founder, and senior author of the study, noted that protecting giraffes helps other animals as well. "The giraffes' large body size and large space use needs make them particularly vulnerable to extinction," she stated, "but actions to protect them will also benefit smaller species that share the same savanna habitat."
Lee, D. E., Lohay, G. G., Madeli, J.,Cavener, D. R., & Bond, M. L. (2023). Masai giraffe population change over 40 years in Arusha National Park. African Journal of Ecology, 00, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.13115
Wild Nature Institute's 2022 Annual Report
Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Wild Nature Institute's 2022 Annual Report is available. We invite you to catch up on all that we accomplished in 2022, from giraffe photographic identification surveys and DNA collection across northern Tanzania, to our scientific publications, to celebrating World Giraffe Week at schools in Tanzania. We could not have accomplished these goals without the amazing and generous support of our donors and partners, and as always we are deeply grateful.
DOWNLOAD WILD NATURE INSTITUTE'S 2022 ANNUAL REPORT
70 Years of Giraffe Research Using Spot Pattern Recognition
Giraffes are the perfect animal to study population dynamics and behavior of a large mammal using spot-pattern recognition, where natural born spot patterns provide every animal with a unique identifier scientists can use. Spot-pattern recognition is superior to tagging because it is non-invasive, the animals are never captured and affixed with a tag; the spots are permanent whereas tags are often lost; and we can identify and get data from every animal in our population, rather than just a few tagged animals. In our latest paper published today in Mammalian Biology, we reviewed 70 years of research on giraffes based on identifying individuals by their unique spot patterns. We describe our Masai Giraffe Project in the Tarangire Ecosystem of Tanzania, and explain how recognizing individuals by the patterns allows scientists to learn about births and deaths, movements, social structure, and health. We also provide recommendations for conservation actions based on what we have learned from the past 7 decades of research, so that we can safeguard a future for this magnificent mega-herbivore.
Female Giraffes Have Stronger Relationships with Females with Similar Spot Shape
Animal coat patterns may have several functions, one of which might be to help individuals to recognize each other. In our new paper published this week in the Journal of Zoology, Phenotypic matching by spot pattern potentially mediates female giraffe social associations, we revealed that spot traits were individually variable among adult female giraffes in the Tarangire Ecosystem, and that females showed stronger associations with other females that had similar spot shapes. Our previous study found that spot shape was also similar between mother giraffes and their offspring, suggesting an effect of relatedness on both pattern similarities and female social relationships. Spot patterns of giraffes could be a visual cue for communicating and for recognizing related family members.
Happy World Giraffe Day
Happy World Giraffe Day and World Giraffe Week! Children and community members in the Tarangire region of Tanzania celebrate their national animal at a Giraffe Fun Day at Esilialei Primary School. Thank you as always to our funders for helping to make this celebration happen!
How People, Food, and Water Affect Large Herbivore Distribution In East African Savannas
To survive, animals must find nutritious food and drinking water—sometimes during long dry seasons or cold periods—and at the same time avoid being eaten. Plant-eating mammals with hooves for feet are an extraordinarily diverse group of animals and are critically important in East African savannas. Yet they must compete more and more with humans for space in a fast-changing world while also evading hungry lions, leopards, and other natural predators. A new study by scientists from the Wild Nature Institute, University of Zurich and Pennsylvania State University, published in the Journal of Mammalogy, investigated the habitat needs of a community of hooved-mammal species in the Tarangire Ecosystem of northern Tanzania, and how vegetation, water, presence of humans, and risks from predators influenced their use of these habitats.
Kirk's dik-dik
This was the first study of its kind in the Tarangire Ecosystem, which supports the ecotourism hotspot of Tarangire National Park and is the heart of Maasailand where cattle herders and wildlife have thrived together for centuries. Tarangire differs from other areas where wild ungulates have been intensively studied—like Serengeti National Park or Kruger National Park—in that Tarangire's wildlife, cattle-keeping people, and farmers all share the landscape, and animals can move unimpeded because the entire region is unfenced.
"Ungulates of different body sizes have different needs and threats," said the study's lead author Nicholas James, who conducted the research as a graduate student at University of Zurich. For instance, large ungulates like adult giraffes may have less to fear from natural predators but may face more danger from humans, and smaller animals may have more specialized food requirements. "We wanted to know what features draw each ungulate species to certain areas so we can pinpoint important habitat for each of those species," James said. This information is important for land managers to maintain thriving populations of wild ungulates and keep the landscape healthy, which is the foundation of Tanzania's important ecotourism economy.
James and his co-authors counted and mapped six hooved mammal species in dry and rainy seasons over seven years in and around Tarangire National Park and the adjacent Manyara Ranch Conservancy, including unprotected village lands. The ungulates studied included the iconic, massive giraffe down to the little dik-dik—both of which specialize on eating leaves of woody plants—as well as the large, water-loving, grass-eating waterbuck, and three medium-sized antelopes that eat both woody-plant leaves and grass, the impala, Thomson's gazelle, and Grant's gazelle. The scientists looked at how the different species used areas depending on the type and greenness of plant food, the thickness of the bushes (where lions often lurk), and how far the areas were from rivers (which provide vital drinking water but also hide predators) and cattle herder settlements (where human disturbance is higher but the humans also keep away predators). The study highlighted the importance of food (vegetation) for all species, as well as nearness to year-round rivers for most but not all. Some species appear to be tolerant of human presence and even congregated close to cattle herder settlements, presumably because of lower predator densities there. The researchers found that antelopes that ate both grass and woody-plant leaves allowed them to avoid areas with high human activity while meeting their dietary needs. Importantly, the presence and number of herbivores were sensitive to short and long-term variation in rainfall suggesting they are vulnerable to drought.
"We show that the focus of research and management should be directed towards the Tarangire Ecosystem's free-flowing rivers and associated habitat along those rivers," said Derek Lee, associate research professor at Pennsylvania State University and senior author of the study. "In dry landscapes like East African savannas, water resources are increasingly monopolized by humans, so protection of waterways in human-dominated landscapes, and ensuring sufficient access for wildlife is of primary conservation importance." Another key finding of the study was that traditional cattle herders and some ungulate species can share the same space and thus appear to be compatible, so long as the human impacts remain relatively low.
Literature: James, N.L., Bond M.L., Ozgul A., and Lee, D.E. 2022. Trophic processes constrain seasonal ungulate distributions at two scales in an East African savanna. Journal of Mammalogy doi/10.1093/jmammal/gyac050
New Book Co-Edited By Wild Nature Institute Scientists: Coexistence With Wildlife
Wild Nature Institute is pleased to announce the publication of a new book co-edited by WNI scientists Drs. Derek Lee and Monica Bond, along with our colleague Dr. Christian Kiffner. The book is called "Tarangire: Human-Wildlife Coexistence in a Fragmented Ecosystem" and is published by Springer Nature. We pulled together academics studying humans and wildlife inhabiting the Tarangire Ecosystem of northern Tanzania , and asked them to contribute chapters. The Tarangire region, where WNI has been studying giraffes and other ungulates for the past 10 years, is remarkable in that the ecosystem is still ecologically functional. As we note on the final page of the book, Tarangire hosts hundreds of thousands of people, millions of livestock, large mines, booming towns, two major tarmac roads, and a patchwork of agricultural fields—and yet still supports one of the most significant long-distance migrations of wildlife remaining in the world, much of it taking place on community land. It also is home to one of the most important populations of giraffes in Tanzania, and therefore in the world. Wildlife numbers have declined historically, but the mere fact that many populations are stable, and some are increasing, despite all the odds, is testament to the singularity of the place, and demonstrates that humans and wildlife can indeed coexist.
This edited volume summarizes multidisciplinary work on wildlife conservation in the Tarangire Ecosystem. By drawing together human-centered, wildlife-centered, and interdisciplinary research, it contributes to furthering our understanding of the often complex mechanisms underlying human-wildlife interactions in dynamic landscapes. By synthesizing the wealth of knowledge generated by anthropologists, ecologists, conservationists, entrepreneurs, geographers, sociologists, and zoologists over the last decades, this book also highlights practicable and locally adapted solutions for shaping human-wildlife interactions towards coexistence. It is written for students, scholars, and practitioners who are interested in reconciling the needs of human populations with those of the environment in general and large mammal populations in particular.
Tarangire: Human-Wildlife Coexistence in a Fragmented Ecosystem
Tulsa Zoo's Conservation on Tap Supports Giraffes!
Wild Nature Institute's Derek Lee and Monica Bond traveled to Tulsa Oklahoma for the Conservation on Tap event at the Tulsa Zoo. Breweries offered tastings of their finest craft brews, and all the proceeds benefited Wild Nature Institute's research, education, and actions to conserve giraffes in Tanzania. Thanks so much to Tulsa Zoo, all the participating breweries, and all the attendees for standing tall for giraffes!
Bush-encroaching sickle bush is preferred food of giraffes
by Wild Nature Institute
Masai giraffes eat many species of woody plants, but they prefer eating sickle bush, a shrub disliked and removed by people with livestock. A native bush-encroaching shrub species called Sickle Bush (Dichrostachys cinerea) is disliked by livestock keepers and rangeland managers, but loved as forage by wild giraffes, according to research published this week in the Journal of Mammalogy.
The study, authored by Matana Levi, Master's student at the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology in Arusha Tanzania, investigated woody plant species eaten by endangered Masai giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi) in the Tarangire Ecosystem of Tanzania, and compared use versus availability to determine preferences and avoidance.
The findings showed that giraffe significantly preferred foraging on bush-encroaching species such as the native Sickle Bush at local and landscape spatial scales and in both the wet and dry seasons. The results of this study suggest that browsing wildlife such as giraffes could be adversely affected by the removal of Sickle Bush from rangelands.
Recent rapid habitat changes and exploitation of natural resources by people have led to increased concerns about proper land management across Africa. In East African savannas, rangelands are often converted to farms, but sometimes rangelands see an expansion of native woody vegetation into previously open grass-dominated lands. Levi said, "Our data indicate against removal of Sickle Bush because endangered giraffes prefer to eat it. Managing mixed-use rangelands exclusively for grazing livestock would negatively impact browsing wildlife like giraffes."
Some land managers believe that a reduction of bush-encroaching species like D. cinerea is needed to maintain grazing resources for wildlife and livestock, but most studies have only examined how grazing species such as cattle and buffalo respond to a shift from grass-dominated to woody-dominated savanna. Before the current study, little was known about how increasing abundance of woody plants in a savanna might affect browsing species such as giraffes.
These new findings overturn most biologists and rangeland managers' traditional prejudices against the expansion of bush-encroaching species and efforts to maintain grazing lawns. Despite the negative attitudes of livestock managers towards woody species in rangeland ecosystems, these species contribute significantly to the quality and quantity of food for savanna browsers.
Click to download paper
Watch a new video about our 10 Years of Giraffe Research!


text:
Emerging Talent Reece Yeboah Talks About His New Collection With Cos
Selfridges Transforms Corner Shop Into the Dream Winter Getaway
The new pop-up concept offers an unusual edit of products inspired by two dream winter destinations, L.A. and St. Moritz.
By Natalie Theodosi Plus Icon
Natalie Theodosi
London, Accessories and General Assignment Editor
Recent Articles by Natalie Theodosi
Kai Semple's Modern Caribbean Cuisine Is Copenhagen's Best-Kept Secret
The New Guards Taking Over London — and Rewriting the Rulebook
Fashion Minority Report's Daniel Peters on Shattering Fashion's Glass Ceiling
Selfridges' "Dream Getaway" pop-up. Courtesy of Selfridges, Lewis Ronald
BLOWING HOT, AND COLD: Selfridges has a new concept for its ever-evolving Corner Shop.
Inspired by two very different, but equally glamorous, winter travel destinations, Los Angeles and St. Moritz, the British department store has turned the pop-up space into the Dream Getaway.
The new space, which opens today, stocks products from the two "dream destinations," including merchandise from L.A.'s Sunset Tower, marking the first time that the branded pajamas, robes and Champagne are being sold outside the hotel.
The store is also stocking products from the lounge wear label Sporty & Rich, as well as a selection of Slim Aarons prints, a Paul Smith blazer in the same pink shade as the designer's famous Melrose boutique, and plenty of merchandise, ranging from mini Oscars, to products designed by the city's matcha specialist Cha Cha Matcha.
There is also be an edit of alpine-ready products by the St. Moritz concept store Super Mountain Market, in addition to mulled wines, fondue sets, blankets, and board games.
Selfridges' "Dream Getaway" pop-up. Courtesy of Selfridges, Lewis Ronald
The retailer is once again putting the focus on sustainability with this latest edit: Super Mountain Market's selections include biodegradable fleeces from Austria, and there's also a selection of pre-loved ski wear from the likes of Prada and Fusalp, and a selection of natural Californian wine.
"We developed the concept when travel still felt like a faraway dream. So we wanted to bring the unique magic and culture of two of our favorite international destinations for unusual gifts," said Selfridges executive buying director Sebastian Manes.
Manes added that the aim is to offer a mix of local icons, and fun, festive products — hence the mish-mash of everything from apparel, to wine, to gingerbread houses.
Selfridges kicked off the holiday season early this year, unveiling its Christmas windows at the end of October with the theme "Christmas of Dreams."
The windows draw inspiration from director and choreographer Busby Berkeley's 1930s vision of Hollywood, and classic Technicolor film musicals from the 1950s.
An imaginary cast of characters has been brought to life in the windows, in stores and through Selfridges' digital campaign, which features Jane Horrocks, the actress who plays Bubble in the TV series "Absolutely Fabulous."
The window displays, 29 in total, feature deeply pigmented colors, sparkle and a surreal set design, made with techniques and materials such as trompe l'oeil, cutouts, layering and scalloped frames.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Asier Polo concert review
Charismatic Spanish cellist a joy to behold
by Holly Harris, Winnipeg Free Press
Two years ago, Spanish cellist Asier Polo dazzled Manitoba Chamber Orchestra's audiences with his soulful artistry, quick-fingered virtuosity and innate ability to plunge listeners deeply into the heart of music.
The Bilbao-born musician returned to the MCO stage Wednesday night, once more wowing the sold-out crowd with two eclectic works led by Anne Manson.
The conductor first discovered Polo while conducting in Galicia in 2010, vowing to bring him to Winnipeg someday. Luckily, local music aficionados have now had two opportunities to hear the acclaimed artist in action; he makes music as easily as he breathes.
A charismatic, natural-born communicator, Polo instantly creates the sense he is playing for old friends in an intimate salon. The program opened with Vivaldi's Cello Concerto in C Minor, RV 404, with Polo, beaming ear to ear, taking the stage with his impressive 1689 Francesco Ruggieri cello — notably, the same age as the three-movement baroque work. Somewhat surprisingly, he also had a printed score in tow, albeit rarely made reference to it.
The first movement Allegro non molto showcased his bravura technique while the Adagio displayed his ability to sustain an evocative mood. Continuo players, principal cellist Desiree Abbey and harpsichordist William Bonness kept a steady pulse throughout. Polo tossed off tricky sequences with aplomb during the Allegro ma non molto, leading to the first cheers of the evening.
Tchaikovsky's Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op. 33 proved the showpiece of the night. The 20-minute work unfolds as a classically inspired theme with seven variations offering the gamut of nail-biting technical and artistic challenges.
Polo immediately launched into the opening statement of the theme, instantly transporting us into the composer's sound world. The first variation, composed of skipping triplets, led into the next section, where the grinning soloist appeared to toy with the MCO players in playful dialogue.
The third variation displayed his poetic lyricism including flexible rubato — although this could have gone further. At times rocking back and forth, Polo seemed completely inside the music that builds to a climax before subsiding back into sonic depths.
He lightly executed trills during the fourth and fifth variations, as well as the virtuosic runs and dramatic grand "fall" that leads back into the orchestral tutti. By the sixth and seventh variations, Polo had clearly woven his spell over the rapt crowd. But lest there be any doubt, his razor thin notes in his extreme upper register, followed by musical pyrotechnics, affirmed his intense artistry that is a joy to behold.
It's rare for an entire house to leap to its feet even before the final notes of a piece have faded away. In this case, 910 of Polo's newest fans erupted into a thunderous standing ovation, demanding three curtain calls that led to an encore of Gaspar Cassadó's Solo Cello Suite (first movement).
The concert also included Dorothy Chang's Virtuosities, originally composed to commemorate MCO's 40th anniversary.
Manson also led the players through a brisk, and sometimes overly brusque, interpretation of Haydn's Symphony No. 87 in A Major.
Winnipeg Free Press, 11 April 2014


The Cottage is in the heart of the South Main Historic Arts District and has been newly renovated. It is part of a 2 building property with the second building being the owner's residence. Located directly on the Main St. Trolley line and within walking distance of The Civil Rights Museum, The Orpheum, Beale Street, FedEx Forum, all Memphis in May activities and great restaurants/shopping. 1 driveway parking space included with additional street parking if needed.
I've spent 2 years renovating this wonderful 1925 property in the Historic South Main Arts District. I live in the front building and am available anytime. I'm excited to be able to welcome guests, answer questions and help make your stay a great experience.


Bar-none the easiest way to move in Davie is to hire professionals to do the move for you. This is the certain way to correctly finish the job. Even when you use this method there are still more steps you can take to make an easier move.
Lots of people assume if they are only moving a short distance in Davie , they can automatically move the contents of their house to their new home. Size differences between your new home and old may make this impractical anyway, but it is probably not a good choice either way.
Bar-none the easiest way to move in Cooper City is to hire professionals to do the move for you. This is the certain way to correctly finish the job. Even when you use this method there are still more steps you can take to make an easier move.
Lots of people assume if they are only moving a short distance in Cooper City , they can automatically move the contents of their house to their new home. Size differences between your new home and old may make this impractical anyway, but it is probably not a good choice either way.
Bar-none the easiest way to move in Broward is to hire professionals to do the move for you. This is the certain way to correctly finish the job. Even when you use this method there are still more steps you can take to make an easier move.
Lots of people assume if they are only moving a short distance in Broward , they can automatically move the contents of their house to their new home. Size differences between your new home and old may make this impractical anyway, but it is probably not a good choice either way.


What is the integration method?
Apps / Extensions / Plugins: Integration is handled automatically during installation. No special coding is required.
HTML + JS: You only need to add a few snippets of code on the <head> section of your pages and share real-time transaction data with us. Our .js code is like a Google Analytics code that does not affect the loading speed of your site (works asynchronously). The integration process will only take half a day for your developer.
Once the code is inserted, behaviour data starts flowing to us in the background. With this, we start learning your visitors' tastes. This is essential for us to be able to start personalizing your site. After we gather enough data and adopt the recommendation widgets to your site's look and feel, we go live. The whole process of integration usually takes just a week.
REST APIs: Our REST APIs are at your service. We expose various endpoints to manage email personalization, native mobile application personalization and product information synchronization.
The API requests are server over https and employ basic authentication. If you are planning to user our REST APIs, please inform us and we will share key & secret info separately.
XML: To ensure being up-to-date with your site, we will connect to the URL (ftp:// or http://) you share with us on a regular basis to update our snapshot of products and their details. We expect you to generate and regularly update an XML the format of which will be provided in your user interface. Basically, the XML should list all the products currently on sale. Products that are not listed or listed but out of stock shall not appear in the xml.
When you sign up for a free trial, we'll provide you an access to app.perzonalization.com where you'll be able to reach all the integration related information.
How is data gathered and processed from a site?
With the help of our code that you insert on your pages, we analyze the clickstream and transaction behaviour of your visitors in real time. Every time a visitor views a page, we update the data on our side. We scrape your pages or in other words, we read several product related text from your pages. We call this data 'tags'. Tags may be category related information, price, brand, product specs, colors, sizes etc. We then use these tags to profile your visitors and match them with similar visitors.
What kind of flexibility does a user have over recommendations?
Yes, you have the flexibility to choose 1) on which pages on your site you'll place the recommendation widgets, 2) where on a single page you'll place a recommendation widget and how they will look (vertically or horizontally), 3) the widget title, 4) the widget type ie. similar products, recently viewed products, most popular products, cross products and custom rules like which categories, genders, prices, colors of products to be showcased on the recommendation widgets.
How is the performance measured?
CTR: The click performance of recommendation blocks and products can be monitored in real-time.
Contribution: If a visitor clicks on one of our recommendations and purchases that same product, that is counted as a purchase made via Perzonalization. All purchases made via Perzonalization are reported as Perzonalization's contribution under your store's report interface. The contribution performance of recommendation blocks and most converted products can be monitored in real-time.


Linaria canadensis var. texana, seed. Family Scrophulariaceae, Subclass Asteridae. Origin: Native.
Amanda B. Cemper (2011). Linaria canadensis var. texana (Native). Available electronically from http : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /98337.


Computer Science students at The Sixth Form College, Solihull got a taste of university life recently with a masterclass at Birmingham City University.
The Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment Schools and Colleges Explore Day took place at Millennium Point on 31 January and some of the College's A level Computer Science students attended to learn more about the Computing courses on offer at the university. The masterclass focused on a variety of topics, from Network Engineering to Hacking.
As well as the Computing class, the students attended other seminars and workshops, including a seminar with a stand-up comedian/teacher, who spoke about confidence, ways in which people show confidence and the ways in which students can develop their confidence. There was also a workshop on how to write and improve your CV, with advice tailored to the specific area of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) students were interested in. This included how to analyse a job description and tailor your CV towards that job. A third seminar focused on university life and BCU Student Ambassadors were on hand to offer insights about this.


text:
Pinta London:
A New Chapter in the Expansion of Latin American Art
Damián Ortega, Oculist Witnesses, 2008, Steel, wood, plaster and lead weights,
Dimensions variable. Courtesy of White Cube, London The inauguration of the first Pinta London Art Show, from 4-6 June 2010, at Earls Court Exhibition Centre, will open a new chapter in the global expansion of Latin American art. Following the three preceding shows, which established the prestige of Pinta New York, Pinta London participates in the process of globalization of modern and contemporary Latin American art through a program that includes around fifty renowned galleries, as well as curatorial strategies and visions that broaden the artistic projection of the continent.Pinta's Museum Acquisitions Program is the leading program of its kind. Through a matching funds system, it incentivates the commitment of important institutions regarding the acquisition of Latin American artworks, from participating galleries that exhibit at the show. This year, following the precedent established by Pinta New York, the Tate Modern, the University of Essex Collection of Latin American Art, the Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris, the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, Madrid, the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Barcelona, MACBA, and the Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art, MIMA, England, will enrich their permanent collections through the incorporation of new Latin American artworks.
The show will also feature a space for art projects selected by Pablo de la Barra, who has invited 15 galleries to present one-person exhibitions. This will allow the public to have closer contact with works by artists such as Lucía Nogueira, Jaime Gilli, or David Lamelas, selected by their respective London galleries, as well as Anthony Reynolds Gallery, Riflemaker, and Spruth Magers. Other key Latin American artists, such as Gonzalo Lebrija (Travesía Cuatro, Madrid) or the collaborative duo Dias & Riedweg (Filomena Soares Gallery, Lisbon), will be represented by galleries from Germany, Spain, Portugal, the United States, Mexico, Chile and Argentina.Pinta London will also host two significant tributes. The first dedicated to Carlos Cruz-Diez, the Venezuelan master painter who transformed the use of colour and the de-materialization of the surface into a playful and participative experience, and secondly an exhibition of the Cuban artist Carmen Herrera, whose belated discovery has rendered her "the revelation of the decade" in terms of the reinterpretation of geometric abstraction in Central and South America.Collectors who have expanded the international panorama of Latin American art, such as Estrellita Brodsky, Rosa de la Cruz, Ella Cisneros, Tiqui Atencio, and Tanya Brillembourg, among others, comprise the Host Committee of Pinta London. Pinta will present emblematic works of modern art as well as a vigorous show of contemporary artists. The central space will be occupied by 35 galleries. They include London's renowned White Cube and Haunch of Venison − the latter exhibiting contemporary artists such as Damián Ortega, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer and Jorge Pardo − but also galleries that have shown a long-term commitment to Latin American geometric abstract art, like Durban Segnini, Sammer Gallery LLC and Arévalo Arte, Miami. The list includes a remarkable group of galleries from the Old World and the New (see annex). In any case, their presence will result in the expanded diffusion of the work of artists such as León Ferrari, or Mira Schendel, or Cao Guimarães. Similarly, the names of Eduardo Costa, Magdalena Fernández, Nicola Constantino, and Pablo Atchugarry, who will have their own solo shows under the auspices of Pinta London, will form part of this new chapter in the expansion of Latin American art.Pinta and its exclusive system of alliances with museums for the acquisition of artworks
PINTA's Museum Acquisitions Program has been a decisive axis in the significant re-reading of Latin American art to which PINTA has contributed since its first New York show in 2007.
Relying on a leading system of its kind, this program incentivates institutional commitment to incorporate works exhibited by participating galleries at the show. In this way, during the celebration of PINTA, a number of museums committed to modern and contemporary Latin American art are given the chance to enrich their collections through the incorporation of new artworks.
Up to the present, $250,000 has been donated by PINTA to activate a matching funds program. The selected museums match the contributions made by PINTA, and these matching funds are used to purchase Latin American artworks exhibited at the show. During the past year, El Museo del Barrio in New York incorporated in to its collection works by Carlos Karcamo, Fanny Sanin and Milagros de la Torre; the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, acquired works by Liliana Porter. The Tamayo Museum also selected a work by the aforementioned artist, in addition to one by David Lamelas. The Harvard Art Museum enhanced its collection through the acquisition of a work by Victor Grippo; the Pinacoteca do Estado de Sao Paulo acquired a piece by Hermelindo Fiamminghi; Tate Modern opted for Horacio Zabala, and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston purchased a work by Pedro Costigliolo. Other museums, such as the Museum of Modern Art (MoMa), New York, have lent their support to this show that has changed the vision of Latin American art, and have acquired important pieces of art during the course of the previous three shows.
Pinta London will repeat the show's successful New York experience. The prestigious institutions that will participate in Pinta's Museum's Acquisitions Program are Tate Modern; the University of Essex Collection of Latin American Art; the Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris; the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, Madrid; the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Barcelona, MACBA and the Middlesborough Institute of Modern Art, MIMA, England.
Besides the significance of museum acquisitions in the context of the unstoppable process of globilization of Latin American art, Pinta's Museum Acquisition Program represents both an opportunity and a challenge for participating galleries.
The transformation of the gaze on the nature of modern and contemporary Latin American art is inseparable from the broadening of its market. To participate in Pinta London implies being present at a decisive moment for the present and the future of the market for contemporary Latin American art, and for the re-reading of works which were essential during the construction of modernism.
For more information, please visit:Â www.pintaart.com
Friday 4 June – Saturday 5 June: 11am – 8pm
Sunday 6 June: 11am – 6pm
Pinta's leadership team includes Diego Costa Peuser, Alejandro Zaia and Mauro Herlitzka. Costa Peuser, Executive Director of PINTA, is the Editor and Publisher of Arte al Día Internacional, the most influential contemporary publication in the Latin America art world. He is also the Founding Director of Buenos Aires Photo, the first photography fair held in Latin America. Alejandro Zaia is founder and president of ZCM Group and Conexión Public Relations, which operates in both Miami and Latin America. Zaia, a renowned businessman, has represented multinational clients throughout the Americas. Mauro Herlitzka is president of Fundación Espigas and a member of the Latin American board of the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Tate Modern Art Gallery and vice president of the Museum of Latin American Art in Buenos Aires, MALBA.
For images and interviews in English & Spanish
In the Americas:
Public Relations: Liana Pérez / liana@pintaart.com/ 1-786 262 1112
Media Relations: Carolina Ledezma / carolina@pintaart.com / 1 – 347 901 6641
Public & Media Relations:
Giulia Costantini / giulia@gcmedialtd.com
For further information please contact Christina Freyberg on: Tel: +44 (0) 7780 705 262 or cfreyberg@hotmail.com or visit www.pintaart.com


It depends on what you're wanting to be able to do. There's a wide range of cards that you can choose from.
Your computer is too aged to get anything extreme, but that doesn't mean you can't get something much much better.
Before we can truly help ya out we need to know what you're wanting to be able to do. What games or applications are you wanting to use?


Extremely convenient location yet scenic, quiet, and friendly neighborhood. This Completely remodeled new contemporary colonial house is bright and beautiful with natural light. Modern central air conditioning system, weather-resistant durable windows and complete insulation make this home energy efficient. Spacious playing or exercising room on the 3rd floor for family fun. Flat and green front and back yard easily make outdoor actives your favorite. Minutes walking to West Natick commuter rail station.


text:
Q: Multiple Managed Metadata Service Instances I am seeing multiple Managed Metadata Web Services in my farm and am not sure what to make of it.  I was expecting to see one instance why are there others?
    Get-SPServiceInstance | ?{$_.TypeName -like 'Managed*'}

    TypeName                         Status   Id
--------                         ------   --
Managed Metadata Web Service     Disabled 440e5f9e-09d5-4c61-926b-160053e56cce
Managed Metadata Web Service     Disabled 32e11b2a-14a9-4edb-9631-3f6a41595ecb
Managed Metadata Web Service     Online   abf0af96-9531-4495-8108-cd15a68684ae
Managed Metadata Web Service     Online   209f0218-b50d-4cc3-bfa6-0c2f6bc3e096
Managed Metadata Web Service     Disabled 22d0f10f-9922-4362-9e38-d6e5578ed4b7
Managed Metadata Web Service     Disabled 125193fb-484e-4751-9e97-fe146a9e81c3
Managed Metadata Web Service     Disabled 88275971-aa58-42cb-9801-2399f3cea2a0
Managed Metadata Web Service     Disabled 471122eb-02b3-40d3-881a-c46201502dfd
Managed Metadata Web Service     Disabled 64b802be-7273-4896-90c2-2fbd1f8f69ca
Managed Metadata Web Service     Disabled 1f56e162-97ab-4862-b6d3-71d4574cbbd2

A: How many servers belong to your farm? SharePoint installs on every server an instance of a service by default. So, if you have as many service instances as servers then it is normal. And for the status of a service instance: Online means running. You can manage the service instances under Application Management -> Manage services on server in the Central Administration of your farm.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


The soft, flexible Silicone Teethers are made without BPA and PVC for baby's health and well-being. They have multiple textures and are perfectly sized to help soothe front and molar gums for the different stages of teething. They are easy to hold and baby will love the fun, bright colors!
My 5 month old loves these because they are easy for him to pick up and keep in his mouth. They are the perfect shape because they provide relief anywhere he bites and they can't get too far back in his mouth and gag him.
Perfect for a teething baby!
My little one just started teething and loves these. I keep them in the freezer so they are chilled when he plays with them. I love that they are PVC free, BPA free and petroleum free. They are made out of FDA grade silicone.
So far these are my favorite teethers we have tried! I have almost 5 month old triplets. My girl started teething at 3 months. We couldn't find a teether she could hold well or fit in her mouth well. This solved both of those problems! This has different textures for sensory and my little girl found her favorite and I am sure your little will too! One of my boys likes it well too! Great, great product!
My daughter loves the texture of this teether! I love that I can use her links and clip it to her stroller, high chair, etc.


text:
Home Lifestyle Health
See how African women grew their butts permanently with scorpion venom
Dagana Abul-Basit - December 30, 2020
Causes of night drooling and common remedies
Baby twins joined at the head separated in "ambitious" operation
Bedtime Banana Protein Recovery Shake
See how close scientists are, to finding a reliable cure for Covid-19
Nigeria's Government jubilates as IMF approves $3.4bn loan
Dagana Abul-Basit - April 28, 2020
The International Monetary Fund ha approved Nigeria's request for emergency financial assistance of $3.4 billion to address the economic impact of the COVID-19. This was...
COVID-19: Nigerian Lawyers sue China for $200b
A coalition of Nigerian legal experts have filed a class action suit against the Peoples Republic of China over the effects of the Coronavirus...
Drama as perverted Florida COVID-19 victim ask nurses to give him...
Dagana Abul-Basit - April 6, 2020
Sarasota: A 68-year-old man who died this morning from COVID-19 left nurses and doctors with a story to tell. Milo Morris (not his real name,...
Wash your hands regularly, President Buhari takes the lead as he...
The photograph of President Muhammadu Buhari (Gcfr), teaching Nigerians how to wash their hands in order to avoid contracting or spreading coronavirus has been...
No 'charges' for man who shot a stranger for invading his...
Orlando: A 30-year-old man is in a critical condition after being shot 5 times for violating social distancing protocols. Kyle Johnson said he had no...
COVID-19 global updates
Dagana Abul-Basit - March 31, 2020
Global deaths pass 40,000. Data collected by Johns Hopkins University researchers show at least 40,636 people have died across the world, while 174,019 people...
Will coronavirus fade in the summer, then return in autumn like...
The seasonal flu tends to dissipate during the summer, leading some to hope the coronavirus will do the same. Experts explain why transmission of...
People who bite their nails tends to have a stronger immune...
According to science, People who bite their nails tend to have a stronger immune system. Based on a new study published in Pediatrics, exposure to...
Restrict large gatherings over Coronavirus, Senate urges President Buhari
The Senate has asked the Federal Government to restrict large gatherings in the country as a means of preventing the spread of Coronavirus. The Upper...
Coronavirus cases in France increase by 1,097 in 24 hours
The daily update of coronavirus cases has risen in France to 7,730, which is 1,097 more than the previous 24 hours, writes my colleague...


text:
declare const Reveal: RevealStatic;

// Reveal plugins are globals since 4.0 (if not loaded through ES Modules): https://revealjs.com/plugins/
declare const RevealHighlight: Plugin;
declare const RevealMarkdown: Plugin;
declare const RevealSearch: Plugin;
declare const RevealNotes: Plugin;
declare const RevealMath: Plugin;
declare const RevealZoom: Plugin;

interface RevealStatic {
    initialize: (config: RevealOptions) => Promise<any>;
    configure: (diff: RevealOptions) => void;

    // Navigation
    slide(indexh: number, indexv?: number, f?: number, o?: number): void;
    left(): void;
    right(): void;
    up(): void;
    down(): void;
    prev(): void;
    next(): void;
    prevFragment(): boolean;
    nextFragment(): boolean;

    // Randomize the order of slides
    shuffle(): void;

    // Toggle presentation states
    toggleOverview(override?: boolean): void;
    togglePause(override?: boolean): void;
    toggleAutoSlide(override?: boolean): void;

    // Retrieves the previous and current slide elements
    getPreviousSlide(): Element;
    getCurrentSlide(): Element;

    getIndices(slide?: Element): { h: number; v: number };
    getProgress(): number;
    getTotalSlides(): number;
    availableFragments(): { prev: boolean; next: boolean };

    // Returns the speaker notes for the current slide
    getSlideNotes(slide?: Element): string;

    // Plugins
    hasPlugin(name: string): boolean;
    getPlugin(name: string): Plugin;
    getPlugins(): { [name: string]: Plugin };

    // States
    addEventListener(type: string, listener: (event: any) => void, useCapture?: boolean): void;
    removeEventListener(type: string, listener: (event: any) => void, useCapture?: boolean): void;

    // State Checks
    isFirstSlide(): boolean;
    isLastSlide(): boolean;
    isPaused(): boolean;
    isOverview(): boolean;
    isAutoSliding(): boolean;

    // undocumented method
    layout(): void;
    addEventListeners(): void;
    removeEventListeners(): void;
    getSlide(x: number, y?: number): Element;
    getScale(): number;
    getConfig(): RevealOptions;
    getQueryHash(): any;
    setState(state: any): void;
    getState(): any;

    // update slides after dynamic changes
    sync(): void;
}

interface RevealOptions {
    // Configuration
    controls?: boolean | undefined;
    progress?: boolean | undefined;
    // https://github.com/hakimel/reveal.js/#slide-number
    slideNumber?: boolean | string | undefined;

    history?: boolean | undefined;
    plugins?: Plugin[] | undefined;

    // https://github.com/hakimel/reveal.js/#keyboard-bindings
    keyboard?: any;
    overview?: boolean | undefined;
    center?: boolean | undefined;
    touch?: boolean | undefined;
    loop?: boolean | undefined;
    rtl?: boolean | undefined;
    shuffle?: boolean | undefined;
    fragments?: boolean | undefined;
    embedded?: boolean | undefined;
    help?: boolean | undefined;
    showNotes?: boolean | undefined;
    autoSlide?: number | undefined;
    autoSlideStoppable?: boolean | undefined;
    autoSlideMethod?: any;
    mouseWheel?: boolean | undefined;
    hideAddressBar?: boolean | undefined;
    previewLinks?: boolean | undefined;
    transition?: string | undefined;
    transitionSpeed?: string | undefined;
    backgroundTransition?: string | undefined;
    viewDistance?: number | undefined;

    // https://github.com/hakimel/reveal.js/#parallax-background
    // Parallax background image
    parallaxBackgroundImage?: string | undefined;

    // Parallax background size
    parallaxBackgroundSize?: string | undefined; // CSS syntax, e.g. "2100px 900px" - currently only pixels are supported (don't use % or auto)

    // Number of pixels to move the parallax background per slide
    // - Calculated automatically unless specified
    // - Set to 0 to disable movement along an axis
    parallaxBackgroundHorizontal?: number | undefined;
    parallaxBackgroundVertical?: number | undefined;

    rollingLinks?: boolean | undefined;
    theme?: string | undefined;

    // Presentation Size
    // https://github.com/hakimel/reveal.js/#presentation-size
    width?: number | string | undefined;
    height?: number | string | undefined;
    margin?: number | string | undefined;
    minScale?: number | string | undefined;
    maxScale?: number | string | undefined;

    // Dependencies
    // https://github.com/hakimel/reveal.js/#dependencies
    dependencies?: RevealDependency[] | undefined;

    // Exposes the reveal.js API through window.postMessage
    postMessage?: boolean | undefined;

    // Dispatches all reveal.js events to the parent window through postMessage
    postMessageEvents?: boolean | undefined;

    // https://github.com/hakimel/reveal.js/#multiplexing
    multiplex?: MultiplexConfig | undefined;

    // https://github.com/hakimel/reveal.js/#mathjax
    math?: MathConfig | undefined;
}

// https://github.com/hakimel/reveal.js/#slide-changed-event
interface SlideEvent {
    previousSlide?: Element | undefined;
    currentSlide: Element;
    indexh: number;
    indexv?: number | undefined;
}

// https://github.com/hakimel/reveal.js/#fragment-events
interface FragmentEvent {
    fragment: Element;
}

// https://github.com/hakimel/reveal.js/#multiplexing
interface MultiplexConfig {
    // Obtained from the socket.io server. Gives this (the master) control of the presentation
    secret?: string | undefined;
    // Obtained from the socket.io server
    id: string;

    // Location of socket.io server
    url: string;
}

// https://github.com/hakimel/reveal.js/#mathjax
interface MathConfig {
    // Obtained from the socket.io server. Gives this (the master) control of the presentation
    mathjax: string;
    // Obtained from the socket.io server
    config: string;
}

// https://github.com/hakimel/reveal.js/#dependencies
interface RevealDependency {
    src: string;
    condition?: (() => boolean) | undefined;
    async?: boolean | undefined;
    callback?: (() => void) | undefined;
}

interface Plugin {
    id: string;
    init(deck: RevealStatic): void | Promise<any>;
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Reign of Trauma | Discoveries
Eleanor Chandler & Josie Mitchell
'Reverse-engineered headlines, buzzy premises fleshed out with the gritty details of first-hand experience' – the personal essay puts harrowing stories of personal hardship in the public arena. 'Writers feel like the best thing they have to offer is the worst thing that ever happened to them,' explains ex-Jezebel editor Jia Tolentino, prompting Slate to wonder whether the editors who publish these essays take advantage of the people (mostly women) who they claim to empower. Elsewhere, Tolentino examines the personal essay's reign of trauma, tracking its growth via the internet's clickbait culture and transgressive aesthetics.
Revelations over Harvey Weinstein's decades-long campaign of sexual harassment and exploitation has opened up an energetic international discussion about industry-sanctioned sex abuse: 'Consent is a function of power. You have to have a modicum of power to give it,' Brit Marling writes. 'Today's monster is yesterday's "character",' warns Lucy Prebble, hinting at Weinstein equivalents in the British theatre industry. 'I wanted to know what it does to the artist's mind to have to navigate that type of landscape while at the same time trying to be good at art,' explains Claire Vaye Watkins on the Fiction/Non/Fiction podcast.
In her 2016 book, Anger and Forgiveness, philosopher of feeling Martha Nussbaum explains that anger is a response to being harmed, and involves a wish to do harm to the wrongdoer in return. Though she claims to rarely experience anger now, in a profile for the New Yorker, Nussbaum alludes to her long struggle excising the emotion – as a child she prayed to be relieved of her fury, 'fearing its potential was infinite' and that she would kill somebody.
'What to do when one knows they know they're culpable' – Rickey Laurentiis and Solmaz Sharif discuss self-awareness in poetry for SUBLEVEL magazine. Their frank, intimate discussion involves itself in the dilemmas of public and private expression, and asks what poetry might have to do with duty. We published Sharif's poem 'Force Visibility' in Granta 134: No Man's Land.
Halloween happened this week. We marked the occasion with some brand new horror stories. From Jack Underwood a tale of unusual happenings at a creepy British funeral parlour; Claire Luchette sends a group of young nuns to rural Montana to stay with a man with no jaw; and a group of children search for their decapitated mother in Gonçalo M. Tavares's 'The Headless Woman'. All three are pretty great, and worth reading whether or not the dead are currently walking the earth.
Andrés Barba on Such Small Hands
Seven People with the Same Name and their Discrete Moments
The Online Edition
T.S. Eliot was a terrible hip-hop artist | Discoveries
The poetry world is abuzz this week in the wake of a controversial essay published in PN Review by British poet Rebecca Watts, denigrating a new generation of 'amateur' poets.
Kamila Shamsie In Conversation
Kamila Shamsie & Eleanor Chandler
'There's a certain adrenaline rush that comes from not knowing.' Kamila Shamsie on writing the unsaid, the challenges of adapting Antigone and the role of the novel in politics.
hardcore thigh burn | Discoveries
Eleanor Chandler
This week's Discoveries is full of rad poetry, translations and criticism.
Best Book of 1982: Dictee by Theresa Hak Kyung Cha
'While the terrible pain of speech is made clear, this book ultimately reminds us that we must not be silenced.'


So for Curious Endeavourances November 2014 pick, we are reading Sometimes the Magic Works by Terry Brooks. 4 pages into it I knew I that I needed to do some serious quote preserving. I'm feeling quite validated, actually. To be honest, this post isn't really for all of you, I mean, I'm happy to share it, but it's more for me. So this started as my own personal reminders that I'm not crazy, not clinically anyways, just creative, but somewhere along the way I started speaking back to Brooks, or at least, using his words as an invitation to reflect on my own process and identity. Perhaps this has become more confessional that I had hoped it would be, but I don't keep a diary so it's not very often that I get to be alone with myself like this. Maybe some close family and friends will stumble upon this and understand me a little bit better, too.
p. 6 Writers need their writing; they need their imaginary worlds in order to find peace in, or make sense of, the real world.
This = me. This is also why I can never remember where I put my phone. Living in multiple worlds makes it really hard to keep track of minor details, however important they may be in the long-run.
It isn't thinking so much as it is dreaming. But all things begin with dreaming.
In this section, he goes on to explain how the advice he received from Lester del Rey was to spend time dreaming about an idea for a good long while before ever writing anything down.
Compared to other writers I know who chart and list and graph, I must seem like a pretty spontaneous (or "pantser" as WriMo folk say) writer. But I won't commit a word to even a scrap piece of paper until I've walked through the emotional journey of my characters. I do a lot of laps around the house when I'm alone, I natter, I cry, I'll get angry at no one at all. Nothing frightens my husband more than catching me going through an emotional whirlwind of someone else's pain - especially when I can't put into words what's wrong, because really, nothing is, I'm fine. In fact, I've made my connection with my character, so even though I'm hyperventilating, things are going great!
If an idea doesn't stick with me for more than twenty-four hours, it probably wasn't all that hot in the first place.
Oh, the debates I've had over this very notion! I cringe when folks tell me about their "idea books" that they keep updating, or the 3-10 first drafts that they're simultaneously working on. My rule is far greater than 24 hours. Usually it has to wait until my current project is done, which pushes it away for at least a month, or I have a priority list in my head of ideas that have become back-logged, and I'm very weary of line jumpers. Freakhouse scared me because it shouted at me so loudly that it was budging to the front of the line. I believe it was Confessions of a Devil that was supposed to be written for that NaNo event, but Freakhouse was practically assembling its own pieces throughout the summer, so by November, I let it through. Ethereal is not such a success story. My first dream-based story, so I had a few strong emotions attached to it, and since I wasn't sure if I was doing Camp NaNoWriMo, I figured I had nothing to lose jumping in last minute with a last minute story idea. Waste of everyone's time! Confessions of a Devil I plan to salvage. Ethereal, well, it needs some serious patches to its foundations, or just to be demolished entirely to make room for something else. I like the title. Gas-based alien lovers? Yeah, not so much.
And then I just got so absorbed that I couldn't stop to consider how to break down the content in a quotable format without just scanning the pages and pasting them here. So here I will put some of my other connections and reflections.
Beginning and Endings: Brooks talks about how invaluable is it to solidify these two major components of any story. Well, I chalk this back up to planning and dreaming. As I mentioned earlier, I don't write a single shred of a note until I've made a very personal connection with the characters. I couldn't even if I tried. You see, there's a very strange shared space of "invention" and "listening". Clearly I must be responsible for some of the invention somewhere since I'm the one who chooses the words to put on the page. But I never really believe that I "make up" stories.
I meet characters, sometimes I need to meet them for the first time in several intervals, making small-talk that may or may not get anywhere. I don't feel it is always me assessing them, rather than it is me being the one assessed. If I am chosen as worthy enough to hear what the character has to say, we begin a phase of mutual possession. They walk with me through my life as I walk with them through theirs. Again, as Brooks stated in his book, real world and dream world go hand-in-hand, often simultaneous and seamless. I open up my vulnerability to them and sometimes they return the favour. This is probably why I can have such strong reactions, the emotions of two complete people are inhabiting the same body, the same mental space, neither one trying to control the other, simply sharing space, sharing experience, memories, hopes, dreams, everything. When I know who is important in their lives, for better or worse, I sometimes get to meet those people too, and then I get to see the complexities of being human and the limitations of perspective.
For example, from Freakhouse, I could see how Dotan perseved Jos and Blue, but those understandings he had were, of course, not always the whole picture when I got to walk through the same world with a new host. Jos had the whole outside world to bring in with him, all of his expectations of how things would play out, and his reactions to his reality were strong, even if he kept them hidden from Dotan. Blue observed far more than Dotan ever gave him credit for, and his true feelings, though also rarely exposed, ran so deep. Walking through the lives of these characters, not to mention Bear, Froggy, Marlene, was painful because of all of the hurt they lived through every day. Without this, without feeling like I, too, was falling apart, I never would have written it. This is what I meant when I said that it budged in line. I thought in my head that Confessions of a Devil deserved to be written next; it had come first, after all. But the weight of all of those feelings would not leave. Dotan and his friends had dumped those raw emotions down on me and they weren't going anywhere until I had somewhere to put them. That's when I started the physical planning. The notes. The lists. But the story was already there. I had already walked through it. My job in the physical planning is exactly what Terry Brooks said: the Beginning and the End. Knowing that I was telling Dotan's story, it was easy to locate where the best place to begin would be, and where it needed to go. In my opinion, it fit the narrative well, even if Dotan thought otherwise.
The Rest of the Story: Brooks doesn't use this phrase exactly, but he did make mention of how important it is to plan so that you know more about the characters than what you could (or should) possibly put into one book. I feel my Dreaming is this extensive. I won't write without an ending, without knowing how it goes.
Freakhouse was a different experience for me because while I was shown how the book would end, Dotan became very silent about the events that followed, and of course, I was very curious, especially since I had begun writing and didn't comfortable not knowing for myself what happened next, even if I was happy to leave the story on the note that I did. I've talked about this in other posts, so I won't go into great detail here, but the point it that Dotan and I had to get into a whole new level of vulnerable in order to walk through the rest of the story. I was trying to take too much control. I had my book ending and, in my mind, everything was rooted. I believe it was my inflexibility at that time that made Dotan shut down. I had left him at his lowest low, and while I sympathized, I was too absorbed into writing to really listen. Perhaps I betrayed our mutual agreement by getting angry at him for not hosting me the rest of the way, as if he owed me because, damn it, I'm writing your story! This does not make for great diplomacy.
I spent weeks shouting at him for being so immature about it. It wasn't until I gave in and started offering what I thought to be implausible hypothetical solutions that I stumbled upon something I had considered before, but immediately dismissed. I gave it another look. Just giving it that second glance brought Dotan back to me. It was like he was peeking over my shoulder as I discovered the fine print hidden in an old record book. He didn't say anything, he just waited with bated breath for my light bulb to finally turn on. It did. For the first time in a long while, we stopped fighting. He smiled at me and said, "Now you're getting it." And I did, though I was still in shock that it actually might work. Nevertheless, Dotan let me back in and we walked through the rest of it. None of these events are seen in Freakhouse, but I couldn't have reached the book's ending without seeing what lay beyond.
Okay, maybe this is even a little too crazy for Terry Brooks, but so far our destinations seem to be the same, even if our paths are a little different.
"You Can See The Whole World" As I described above, I believe that I can. I believe that I have no business writing if I don't. The thought that this can get lost along the way scares me. Yes, my head might get a little less crowded, but I don't mind. I'm happy to sit in silence and just listen to the stories around me and walk down paths that don't exist in my world. Brooks describes his grandson's observation as being the much-needed reminder about what it means to be a writer. Back to the initial comment about authors being people who publish, and writers being storytellers, I do wonder what I, personally, am ready for. I may not be a lawyer, but I, too have secured by practical job, because for me, stability is something I need more than anything. If I can't take care of myself, I don't trust that anyone else, even sheer dumb luck, will save me. But as I see myself sacrificing more of what I love for what I know is the right thing to do, I am wondering, at this point, where I have shed my title of "youth" and enter the gates of "all grown up", if this really is an all or nothing gig. What will I regret more? What am I willing to lose? Why can't I "see the whole world" on these spontaneous imaginary adventures and live my real-life dreams, too? The older I get, the more I see dreams cast aside, or I look on with a mix of envy and pity for those who have cast everything else away to live their dreams and are now trying to find a way into adulthood to catch-up with everyone else.
I look at all I have accomplished with my life, and I have to say that I've done everything right. And yet, I also feel like I'm shutting these doors to the other world. "Come back later when I have time to deal with you."
p.6 The muse whispers to you when she chooses, and you can't tell her to come back later, because you quickly learn in this business that she might not come back at all. I fear you more than any specter I have seen. I understand what Brooks means when he says that writing is breathing. It's like there's not enough air if I don't have both doors to both worlds open at the same time. It's November now, it's the time that I allow myself to write. And yet last year I slammed the other door shut because I just couldn't take it anymore. What does that make me if I'm a writer who can't write? What kind of life does that leave me if I can't breathe in it?


The international private equity market in 2018 continued to execute deals, source exits and raise capital at a historic five year pace.
EY tax specialists, Bernard Quain and Laurence Osen provide practical guidelines on how to navigate an R&D tax review or audit.
SAP looks at how implementing Human Capital Management technology can reduce attrition, streamline processes and enhance staff engagement.
A more productive and innovative Australian business sector should form the economic centrepiece of the 2019 federal election campaign for all sides of politics, according to a policy blueprint released today by the Australian Investment Council.
The 2019-20 Federal Budget handed down last night outlined the importance of a strong economy, and a growing business sector, in helping to deliver a pathway towards a return to surplus in the 2019-20 fiscal year.
Hostplus chair Peter Collins has called on the Federal Government to facilitate better communication between advisory bodies such as Infrastructure Australia and super funds to boost investment in local projects.
The Australian Investment Council is strengthening its commitment to greater diversity within the private capital industry through a new Champions of Change Program announced today.
SYDNEY: The private capital investment industry in Australia is poised to continue to accelerate its growth in the domestic market thanks to significant institutional support from within the nation's $2.8tr superannuation sector..
At an industry gala dinner event held earlier tonight, the Australian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (AVCAL) formally changed its corporate identity and brand..


The Thunder league provides a great mix of developmental and competitive opportunities to players depending on their skill level. New players can learn the fundamental skills necessary to play lacrosse and those that have been playing for years can compete against other similar players. Teams play 8 games in the Spring season and 6 games in the fall season. Schedules are created by the ULA staff. Not to mention there is an end of season Thunder All-Star game. Thank you for your support and good luck in your season.


text:
Why you should vote as early as possible (and how to do it)
Casting a ballot shouldn't be a miserable experience.
By John Kennedy | Published Sep 17, 2020 12:00 PM
It'd be extra cool if you got one of these for every day between when you voted and the election. Your popularity would be unmatched. Cottonbro/Pexels
<<< More Election 2020 coverage right this way. >>>
The sun caresses your cheek just after 7 a.m. on Election Day, waking you like a tender lover. You slept perfectly. Birds flit around the room, bringing you clothes from the dresser. How did they get inside? You don't care. You've never looked better. The trip to your polling place is practically a dream, and you vote with ease (in all the races, not just the big ones). Outside again, the sun wraps you in a warm embrace. Ah, democracy.
Unfortunately, this idyllic portrayal of Election Day is unrealistic, and not just because the sun is an emotionless ball of hot plasma that will incinerate you if you get too close. In more normal times, people already struggled to take time off from work, polling machines broke down, and it was hard for many to even get to the polls. Add the COVID-19 pandemic into the mix and, well, you could run into any number of problems.
There's one easy solution: Vote early. Not only will this benefit you by allowing you to cast your ballot at your leisure weeks before the election, but it will help your community, too. You're one less person poll workers will have to usher through the process while adhering to whatever health precautions your state has put in place, and you can't contract or spread the novel coronavirus at the polls if you're not there to begin with.
It's convenient for you
During Kentucky's primary election in June, the state opened about 200 polling locations, a fraction of the 3,700 it usually uses. The state's governor, Andy Beshear, said this was to help keep election workers safe from COVID-19. This decision went hand-in-hand with a bipartisan agreement to offer all registered voters the chance to vote by mail-in absentee ballot or by dropping one off early, according to the Louisville Courier Journal.
The United States is a big country, but when millions of people try to do the same thing on the same day, there's bound to be issues—especially given the complications caused by the pandemic. Just imagine if the more than 200,000 people who voted in Jefferson County, Kentucky, during the primary had actually shown up at the county's only polling location. They each would've likely had less than a minute to complete their ballot for everyone to get through during normal hours.
Jefferson County, the most populous one in the Bluegrass State, will have eight polling locations open on Election Day, and your state may decide to do something similar. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, for example, recently signed a law that lets counties offer fewer in-person voting options. He has also ordered that ballots be mailed to every registered Golden State voter.
Depending on your state, you may have up to 50 days (Pennsylvania) to fill out a ballot and get it to your local election office. That's enough time to read the directions repeatedly, forget the paperwork on your kitchen table three times, and still manage to deliver it on your way to the grocery store with weeks to spare.
It could keep you and others from getting sick
Whether you've got a newborn baby at home, are taking care of a vulnerable loved one, or simply don't want to risk unknowingly spreading COVID-19 throughout your community, there are a number of health-related reasons you might want to avoid voting in person this year.
Even states that have been quite restrictive in how they allow people to vote understand that the pandemic has changed the game. Connecticut, which requires voters to show up at their polling place on election day unless they're incapable due to illness, physical disability, or their religion, has extended absentee voting to all eligible residents, for example.
If you do have to go, states are taking precautions. Social distancing, regular cleaning, hand sanitizer, and masks are pretty standard fare, though it may be hard to find details about what your state is doing. The Centers for Disease Control and Preventions has also compiled a list of coronavirus-related recommendations for election officials, poll workers, and voters, but you can ultimately only control what you do.
So unless you lack access to internet or mail, rely on a voting machine to cast your ballot, or have to physically go to the polls for some other reason, it may not be worth it. Get an absentee ballot, cast your vote far ahead of time, and avoid the hassle.
How to vote early
Every state handles its own elections, so early voting rules vary from state to state, just like voter registration procedures.
If you want to vote by mail, your best bet is to visit your state or local election office's website. Now, that can be hard to find, but the federal government has gathered every state's election website in one place. Simply select your state from the drop-down menu and it'll take you to the proper page. If that doesn't have what you need, the National Association of Secretaries of State has a similar page with a dropdown menu that will bring you to your state's page for absentee and/or early voting. These pages should also have other important information about early voting.
You may find other websites that claim to show the early voting and absentee ballot rules for your state, but it's super-important to double-check that information on your state's website. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed so much, and your state's official communication channels will always have the most up-to-date information on how it's handling the election.
If your state offers the option to drop your ballot in a dropbox at the election office, do it.
"That way you know for sure that your ballot was delivered," says Gabe Rosenberg, communications director and general counsel for Connecticut's Secretary of State. "You dropped it off; you know it got there in time."
He says this is particularly important in the Nutmeg State, where your ballot must be received on election day to be counted—it can't just be postmarked.
Keep in mind that if your state mailed you a ballot, you may be required to bring it with you if you decide to vote in person. California is one of those states, and if you show up without the one they sent you, you might have to fill out a provisional ballot, which will be counted once the election office confirms your eligibility and that you haven't already voted.
What to remember when casting your ballot
The most important piece of advice you'll need when voting, early or not, is to follow directions carefully. No matter how unnecessary a portion of the process may seem to you, do exactly as they say. For example, don't stuff your whole family's ballots into one envelope, as that could invalidate them. So could forgetting a signature.
And to help relieve the burden on your local and state election officials, you should vote as early as you can. California counties can start dealing with mail-in ballots 29 days before the election, but even if your state waits longer or doesn't tally them until election day, it may still help your peace of mind to get it in early.
So don't delay. Head to your state's elections website, spend some time learning how to vote early, and check "participate in democracy" off your to-do list. Then spend Election Day doing something else. Like getting those damn birds out of your bedroom.
John Kennedy is PopSci's DIY editor. He previously covered legal news for Law360 and, before that, local news at the Journal Inquirer in Connecticut. He has also built and remodeled houses, worked as a fencing coach, and shelved books at a library. When he's not taking things apart or putting them back together, he's playing sports, cooking, baking, or immersed in a video game. Contact the author here.


The sun came out at the end of the members party making it a great night for the members.
In what was one of the wettest days of the summer, over a 100 members turned up for what they described as a "great night". Each person who attended the party was given food and drinks by kudos catering plus they were entertained by Raj and Antonio who played nice african/samba beats throughout the evening. All the kids who attended got free face painting and were treated to the premier of "Penguins Cant Fly" puppet show which was created especially for the night by the activity staff in the park. Just to top it all off at 8pm the sun came out and so to did the animals with the wallabies, capybara, kangaroo and ring tailed lemur joining in the fun.