text:
package org.elasticsearch.test;

import com.carrotsearch.randomizedtesting.RandomizedContext;
import org.apache.lucene.util.IOUtils;
import org.elasticsearch.action.admin.cluster.health.ClusterHealthResponse;
import org.elasticsearch.action.admin.indices.create.CreateIndexRequestBuilder;
import org.elasticsearch.action.admin.indices.get.GetIndexResponse;
import org.elasticsearch.client.Client;
import org.elasticsearch.client.Requests;
import org.elasticsearch.cluster.ClusterName;
import org.elasticsearch.cluster.health.ClusterHealthStatus;
import org.elasticsearch.cluster.metadata.IndexMetaData;
import org.elasticsearch.cluster.metadata.MetaData;
import org.elasticsearch.common.Priority;
import org.elasticsearch.common.network.NetworkModule;
import org.elasticsearch.common.settings.Settings;
import org.elasticsearch.common.unit.TimeValue;
import org.elasticsearch.common.util.BigArrays;
import org.elasticsearch.common.util.concurrent.EsExecutors;
import org.elasticsearch.common.xcontent.NamedXContentRegistry;
import org.elasticsearch.common.xcontent.XContentBuilder;
import org.elasticsearch.common.xcontent.XContentType;
import org.elasticsearch.env.Environment;
import org.elasticsearch.env.NodeEnvironment;
import org.elasticsearch.index.Index;
import org.elasticsearch.index.IndexService;
import org.elasticsearch.indices.IndicesService;
import org.elasticsearch.node.MockNode;
import org.elasticsearch.node.Node;
import org.elasticsearch.node.NodeValidationException;
import org.elasticsearch.plugins.Plugin;
import org.elasticsearch.script.ScriptService;
import org.elasticsearch.search.internal.SearchContext;
import org.elasticsearch.test.discovery.TestZenDiscovery;
import org.elasticsearch.threadpool.ThreadPool;
import org.elasticsearch.transport.MockTcpTransportPlugin;
import org.junit.AfterClass;
import org.junit.BeforeClass;

import java.io.IOException;
import java.nio.file.Path;
import java.util.ArrayList;
import java.util.Arrays;
import java.util.Collection;
import java.util.Collections;

import static org.elasticsearch.test.hamcrest.ElasticsearchAssertions.assertAcked;
import static org.hamcrest.Matchers.equalTo;
import static org.hamcrest.Matchers.lessThanOrEqualTo;

/**
 * A test that keep a singleton node started for all tests that can be used to get
 * references to Guice injectors in unit tests.
 */
public abstract class ESSingleNodeTestCase extends ESTestCase {

    private static Node NODE = null;

    protected void startNode(long seed) throws Exception {
        assert NODE == null;
        NODE = RandomizedContext.current().runWithPrivateRandomness(seed, this::newNode);
        // we must wait for the node to actually be up and running. otherwise the node might have started,
        // elected itself master but might not yet have removed the
        // SERVICE_UNAVAILABLE/1/state not recovered / initialized block
        ClusterHealthResponse clusterHealthResponse = client().admin().cluster().prepareHealth().setWaitForGreenStatus().get();
        assertFalse(clusterHealthResponse.isTimedOut());
        client().admin().indices()
            .preparePutTemplate("one_shard_index_template")
            .setPatterns(Collections.singletonList("*"))
            .setOrder(0)
            .setSettings(Settings.builder().put(IndexMetaData.SETTING_NUMBER_OF_SHARDS, 1)
            .put(IndexMetaData.SETTING_NUMBER_OF_REPLICAS, 0)).get();
    }

    private static void stopNode() throws IOException {
        Node node = NODE;
        NODE = null;
        IOUtils.close(node);
    }

    @Override
    public void setUp() throws Exception {
        super.setUp();
        //the seed has to be created regardless of whether it will be used or not, for repeatability
        long seed = random().nextLong();
        // Create the node lazily, on the first test. This is ok because we do not randomize any settings,
        // only the cluster name. This allows us to have overridden properties for plugins and the version to use.
        if (NODE == null) {
            startNode(seed);
        }
    }

    @Override
    public void tearDown() throws Exception {
        logger.info("[{}#{}]: cleaning up after test", getTestClass().getSimpleName(), getTestName());
        super.tearDown();
        assertAcked(client().admin().indices().prepareDelete("*").get());
        MetaData metaData = client().admin().cluster().prepareState().get().getState().getMetaData();
        assertThat("test leaves persistent cluster metadata behind: " + metaData.persistentSettings().getAsMap(),
                metaData.persistentSettings().size(), equalTo(0));
        assertThat("test leaves transient cluster metadata behind: " + metaData.transientSettings().getAsMap(),
                metaData.transientSettings().size(), equalTo(0));
        if (resetNodeAfterTest()) {
            assert NODE != null;
            stopNode();
            //the seed can be created within this if as it will either be executed before every test method or will never be.
            startNode(random().nextLong());
        }
    }

    @BeforeClass
    public static void setUpClass() throws Exception {
        stopNode();
    }

    @AfterClass
    public static void tearDownClass() throws IOException {
        stopNode();
    }

    /**
     * This method returns true if the node that is used in the background should be reset
     * after each test. This is useful if the test changes the cluster state metadata etc. The default is
     * false.
     */
    protected boolean resetNodeAfterTest() {
        return false;
    }

    /** The plugin classes that should be added to the node. */
    protected Collection<Class<? extends Plugin>> getPlugins() {
        return Collections.emptyList();
    }

    /** Helper method to create list of plugins without specifying generic types. */
    @SafeVarargs
    @SuppressWarnings("varargs") // due to type erasure, the varargs type is non-reifiable, which causes this warning
    protected final Collection<Class<? extends Plugin>> pluginList(Class<? extends Plugin>... plugins) {
        return Arrays.asList(plugins);
    }

    /** Additional settings to add when creating the node. Also allows overriding the default settings. */
    protected Settings nodeSettings() {
        return Settings.EMPTY;
    }

    private Node newNode() {
        final Path tempDir = createTempDir();
        Settings settings = Settings.builder()
            .put(ClusterName.CLUSTER_NAME_SETTING.getKey(), InternalTestCluster.clusterName("single-node-cluster", random().nextLong()))
            .put(Environment.PATH_HOME_SETTING.getKey(), tempDir)
            .put(Environment.PATH_REPO_SETTING.getKey(), tempDir.resolve("repo"))
            // TODO: use a consistent data path for custom paths
            // This needs to tie into the ESIntegTestCase#indexSettings() method
            .put(Environment.PATH_SHARED_DATA_SETTING.getKey(), createTempDir().getParent())
            .put("node.name", "node_s_0")
            .put("script.inline", "true")
            .put("script.stored", "true")
            .put(ScriptService.SCRIPT_MAX_COMPILATIONS_PER_MINUTE.getKey(), 1000)
            .put(EsExecutors.PROCESSORS_SETTING.getKey(), 1) // limit the number of threads created
            .put(NetworkModule.HTTP_ENABLED.getKey(), false)
            .put("transport.type", MockTcpTransportPlugin.MOCK_TCP_TRANSPORT_NAME)
            .put(Node.NODE_DATA_SETTING.getKey(), true)
            .put(NodeEnvironment.NODE_ID_SEED_SETTING.getKey(), random().nextLong())
            .put(nodeSettings()) // allow test cases to provide their own settings or override these
            .build();
        Collection<Class<? extends Plugin>> plugins = getPlugins();
        if (plugins.contains(MockTcpTransportPlugin.class) == false) {
            plugins = new ArrayList<>(plugins);
            plugins.add(MockTcpTransportPlugin.class);
        }
        if (plugins.contains(TestZenDiscovery.TestPlugin.class) == false) {
            plugins = new ArrayList<>(plugins);
            plugins.add(TestZenDiscovery.TestPlugin.class);
        }
        Node build = new MockNode(settings, plugins);
        try {
            build.start();
        } catch (NodeValidationException e) {
            throw new RuntimeException(e);
        }
        return build;
    }

    /**
     * Returns a client to the single-node cluster.
     */
    public Client client() {
        return NODE.client();
    }

    /**
     * Return a reference to the singleton node.
     */
    protected Node node() {
        return NODE;
    }

    /**
     * Get an instance for a particular class using the injector of the singleton node.
     */
    protected <T> T getInstanceFromNode(Class<T> clazz) {
        return NODE.injector().getInstance(clazz);
    }

    /**
     * Create a new index on the singleton node with empty index settings.
     */
    protected IndexService createIndex(String index) {
        return createIndex(index, Settings.EMPTY);
    }

    /**
     * Create a new index on the singleton node with the provided index settings.
     */
    protected IndexService createIndex(String index, Settings settings) {
        return createIndex(index, settings, null, (XContentBuilder) null);
    }

    /**
     * Create a new index on the singleton node with the provided index settings.
     */
    protected IndexService createIndex(String index, Settings settings, String type, XContentBuilder mappings) {
        CreateIndexRequestBuilder createIndexRequestBuilder = client().admin().indices().prepareCreate(index).setSettings(settings);
        if (type != null && mappings != null) {
            createIndexRequestBuilder.addMapping(type, mappings);
        }
        return createIndex(index, createIndexRequestBuilder);
    }

    /**
     * Create a new index on the singleton node with the provided index settings.
     */
    protected IndexService createIndex(String index, Settings settings, String type, Object... mappings) {
        CreateIndexRequestBuilder createIndexRequestBuilder = client().admin().indices().prepareCreate(index).setSettings(settings);
        if (type != null && mappings != null) {
            createIndexRequestBuilder.addMapping(type, mappings);
        }
        return createIndex(index, createIndexRequestBuilder);
    }

    protected IndexService createIndex(String index, CreateIndexRequestBuilder createIndexRequestBuilder) {
        assertAcked(createIndexRequestBuilder.get());
        // Wait for the index to be allocated so that cluster state updates don't override
        // changes that would have been done locally
        ClusterHealthResponse health = client().admin().cluster()
                .health(Requests.clusterHealthRequest(index).waitForYellowStatus().waitForEvents(Priority.LANGUID)
                        .waitForNoRelocatingShards(true)).actionGet();
        assertThat(health.getStatus(), lessThanOrEqualTo(ClusterHealthStatus.YELLOW));
        assertThat("Cluster must be a single node cluster", health.getNumberOfDataNodes(), equalTo(1));
        IndicesService instanceFromNode = getInstanceFromNode(IndicesService.class);
        return instanceFromNode.indexServiceSafe(resolveIndex(index));
    }

    public Index resolveIndex(String index) {
        GetIndexResponse getIndexResponse = client().admin().indices().prepareGetIndex().setIndices(index).get();
        assertTrue("index " + index + " not found", getIndexResponse.getSettings().containsKey(index));
        String uuid = getIndexResponse.getSettings().get(index).get(IndexMetaData.SETTING_INDEX_UUID);
        return new Index(index, uuid);
    }

    /**
     * Create a new search context.
     */
    protected SearchContext createSearchContext(IndexService indexService) {
        BigArrays bigArrays = indexService.getBigArrays();
        ThreadPool threadPool = indexService.getThreadPool();
        return new TestSearchContext(threadPool, bigArrays, indexService);
    }

    /**
     * Ensures the cluster has a green state via the cluster health API. This method will also wait for relocations.
     * It is useful to ensure that all action on the cluster have finished and all shards that were currently relocating
     * are now allocated and started.
     */
    public ClusterHealthStatus ensureGreen(String... indices) {
        return ensureGreen(TimeValue.timeValueSeconds(30), indices);
    }

    /**
     * Ensures the cluster has a green state via the cluster health API. This method will also wait for relocations.
     * It is useful to ensure that all action on the cluster have finished and all shards that were currently relocating
     * are now allocated and started.
     *
     * @param timeout time out value to set on {@link org.elasticsearch.action.admin.cluster.health.ClusterHealthRequest}
     */
    public ClusterHealthStatus ensureGreen(TimeValue timeout, String... indices) {
        ClusterHealthResponse actionGet = client().admin().cluster()
                .health(Requests.clusterHealthRequest(indices).timeout(timeout).waitForGreenStatus().waitForEvents(Priority.LANGUID)
                        .waitForNoRelocatingShards(true)).actionGet();
        if (actionGet.isTimedOut()) {
            logger.info("ensureGreen timed out, cluster state:\n{}\n{}", client().admin().cluster().prepareState().get().getState(),
                client().admin().cluster().preparePendingClusterTasks().get());
            assertThat("timed out waiting for green state", actionGet.isTimedOut(), equalTo(false));
        }
        assertThat(actionGet.getStatus(), equalTo(ClusterHealthStatus.GREEN));
        logger.debug("indices {} are green", indices.length == 0 ? "[_all]" : indices);
        return actionGet.getStatus();
    }

    @Override
    protected NamedXContentRegistry xContentRegistry() {
        return getInstanceFromNode(NamedXContentRegistry.class);
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
You are here: Parliament home page > Parliamentary business > Publications and Records > Committee Publications > All Select Committee Publications > Commons Select Committees > Communities and Local Government > Communities and Local Government
Communities and Local Government CommitteeWritten evidence submitted by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
RICS—Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors—is pleased to respond to the above Select Committee inquiry.
RICS is the leading organisation of its kind in the world for professionals in property, construction, land and related environmental issues. As an independent and chartered organisation, RICS regulates and maintains the professional standards of over 91,000 qualified members (FRICS, MRICS and AssocRICS) and over 50,000 trainee and student members. It regulates and promotes the work of these property professionals throughout 146 countries and is governed by a Royal Charter approved by Parliament which requires it to act in the public interest.
The latest UK Residential Lettings Survey1 for the three months to October 2012 shows rising levels of tenant demand driven by the rising number of would-be first time buyers entering the rental market. RICS members expect rents to rise by 4% in the next 12 months and suggest that the lack of available mortgage finance to first time buyers is a key factor supporting the rental market. Demand from tenants rose at a greater pace over the period, with 15% more surveyors indicating demand rose rather than fell. The increasing level of demand is exerting sustained upward pressure on rents, and this in turn is attracting would-be sellers into the lettings market.
Against this background and with 1 in 5 households are predicted to be in the rental sector by 2016 and with some predictions suggesting that by 2020, this could represent 25% of all tenures, the Committee's inquiry is extremely timely. Government action to deliver better quality rental homes in a fully functioning market is urgently needed to ensure a better deal for tenants and landlords and to ultimately deliver much needed institutional investment into the sector.
RICS Offers Responses to the Committee's Questions as follows
Regulation of letting agents, including agents' fees and charges
RICS considers the regulatory framework in the lettings market and the ever-increasing number of registration schemes offers limited protection for the consumer and costs business money, hitting the many microbusinesses and sole practitioners in the sector particularly hard. The sector has changed since 1979 with current regulation perpetuating an artificial distinction between sales and lettings which does not reflect how businesses are now organised or how consumers interact in the sector. This creates more red tape for business and more confusion for consumers. The current arrangements do not target regulation where the risks are greatest thereby leaving consumers poorly protected. For example, whilst residential sales agents are currently required under the terms of the Consumer, Estate Agents and Redress Act 2007 to provide consumers with access to a free redress scheme, lettings agents are not. Lettings agents who are members of the RICS are, however, required to have such a redress framework in place as part of compliance with RICS rules of conduct for firms. The existing legislation is no longer fit for purpose and is hurting consumers and damaging small business.
The following three examples illustrate how the existing legislation is no longer fit for purpose and is hurting consumers—whether they be buyers, sellers, landlords or tenants—and damaging small businesses:
1.Whilst residential sales agents are currently required under the terms of the Consumer, Estate Agents and Redress Act 2007 to provide consumers with access to a free redress scheme, lettings agents are not, so landlords and tenants do not have statutory safeguards that enable them to seek redress if things go wrong in the lettings process. Lettings agents who are members of the RICS are, however, required to have such a redress framework in place as part of compliance with RICS rules of conduct for RICS member firms;
2.A residential sales agent can be forced to cease trading by the Office of Fair Trading for being in breach of the Estate Agents Act 1979 or wider consumer protection legislation, but can continue to trade as a lettings agent, or set up a lettings business instead; and
3.Lettings agents are not required to meet minimum professional standards in order to start trading. As a result, there is considerable potential for consumer detriment. For example, lettings agents not being fully aware of all their responsibilities under existing landlord and tenant legislation, such as the need to undertake annual gas safety checks of their rental properties, with potential fatal consequences for tenants.
Consumers want change. Independent research commissioned by RICS found that:
89% of voters agree it should be compulsory for agents to register with a regulatory body.
87% of renters supporting a single compulsory regulation scheme for all letting agents.
93% support lettings agents being required to meet an industry code of practice.
Three quarters of tenants think it is the lettings agent, rather than the company they work for, that is responsible for the agent's actions.
At least four out of five renters think that if compulsory regulation were to be introduced there would be:
Better protection for tenants regarding unethical and unfair practices (89%).
Greater consumer understanding of the process involved in renting property (83%).
Levels of trust between the letting agent and renter would improve (80%).
An overall improvement in the level of service provided by letting agents (84%).
RICS recognizes and welcomes the Government's focus on reducing red tape for business and consumers but cautions that this should not preclude reform to introduce better regulation which introduces a more joined up and less complex approach beneficial to all parties.
RICS would argue that the current situation where there are a number of different landlord and letting agent accreditation schemes emerging in the devolved administrations, London and local authorities is creating confusion, inconsistency, red tape and unnecessary cost for the consumer and business. The nationwide situation is:
The Welsh Assembly is seeking to introduce an accreditation scheme for private sector landlords and letting/management agents.
The Scottish Government recently consulted on a new strategy for the Scottish PRS which included questions on whether regulation of Scottish lettings agents was required.
The Mayor of London is committed to establishing the London Rental Standard which aims to accredit 100,000 private landlords by 2016.
The London Assembly are investigating the potential for developing the regulation of lettings agencies using existing borough and voluntary sector schemes as a model.
Local authorities, for example the London Borough of Newham and Oxford City Council, are establishing their own voluntary schemes with others such as Liverpool City Council consulting on following suit.
The Government does not need to introduce a new regulatory framework to ensure better consumer protection and improved conditions for business. RICS believes that two minor legislative changes will raise standards and expectations to benefit landlords and tenants as well as buyers and sellers.
Amend the definition of "estate agency" in Section 1 of the Estate Agency Act 1979 to include lettings and managing agents, and make associated changes to Section 53 (1) and Schedule 6 paragraph 2 subsection 1 of the Consumer Estate Agents and Redress Act 2007:
This will give the OFT powers to ban sales, lettings and managing agents who act improperly; require all such agents to treat their clients fairly, clearly and promptly, including having separate client money handling arrangements; and, require all such agents to have clear redress mechanisms available free to consumers in the event of a dispute that cannot be resolved through the agent's own internal complaints handling arrangements. It will also prevent sales agents who have been banned from trading to immediately set up a new business as a lettings and/or managing agent.
Enact the existing Section 22 of the Estate Agency Act 1979:
This will require sales, lettings and managing agents to abide by statutory minimum professional standards before they start trading. RICS considers these standards could reasonably be set at NFOPP/NAEA technical qualification (NVQ level 3) or equivalent, and could be enforced via a relaunched and joint industry standards board. This would create a level playing field for all agents. The industry is ready to work together and with Government to develop these minimum standards and an associated independent enforcement regime.
The first of these two changes formed amendments to the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill tabled by Baroness Hayter and debated on Wednesday 16th January 2013. These amendments have cross-industry support from RICS, ARLA, Shelter, Crisis, ARMA, CIH, Which?, Federation of Private Residents Associations, BPF, Institute of Residential Property Management, NFoPP, Sir Robin Wales—Mayor of Newham and the NAEA.
Independent research commissioned by RICS to understand the potential costs and benefits of these two legislative changes has found that there is a strong economic argument in favour of introducing them.
This study, which focuses on sales and lettings agents, is not intended to present a full monetised Impact Assessment. Rather, it uses current impact assessment methodologies to present a case for change for further consideration by Government. For example, RICS fully recognizes the need to explore further the potential costs and benefits in relation to managing agents. The summary of anticipated costs and benefits of extending scope of the Estate Agents Act 1979 and enacting Section 22 of that Act are as follows:
Regulation change
Extending EEA79
One off costs
Enacting Section 22
Overall costs
Total one off costs
Total annual costs
Source: TBR 2012. Note: figures may not sum due to rounding.
Annual benefits
Values associated with costs and benefits are drawn from a range of sources and factors, including costs of implementing systems, procedures, administration, training, professional fees, costs of joining redress schemes, cost of regulation, time savings for tenants, landlords and agents, savings to redress schemes, efficiency gains and productivity gains. This summary analysis does not include the potential consequential benefits associated with improvements in health, education and crime and which may be significant. An illustrative estimate values these at between £2.87 million to £5.09 million per annum.
Drawing on these figures, the payback period of the proposed two legislative changes is 2.2 years. Moreover, using the BIS Impact Assessment Calculator, a Net Present Value of £130 million is returned, when annual costs and benefits are considered over a ten year horizon. This represents a benefit to cost ratio of 2.8:1.
The research suggests that there are many lettings agents who are in favour of the proposed changes. Gaining the support of those who will have to bear the principal costs should prove particularly effective. Likewise, landlords, who may be perceived as having to pay higher fees and so opposed to any change, are potentially valuable supporters.
Against this background of a short term payback of the cost of the change and a clear economic benefit over a 10 year horizon coupled with widespread industry and consumer support, it is RICS' view that the case for change is overwhelming. RICS and other industry bodies stand ready to work with Government to further make the case for change.
RICS is due to publish this research shortly after the closing date for written evidence (17 January). RICS would be pleased to share a copy with the Committee ahead of publication and would be pleased to brief the Committee and officials on its findings as soon as possible and ahead of the oral evidence sessions.
RICS recognises that there is a great deal of work for RICS, the wider sector and Government to do to improve consumer awareness of their rights when letting property. RICS' consumer research (ref) found a significant lack of awareness from tenants about what they should expect from their agent which is compounded by a lack of effective regulation. For example, four out of five renters believe lettings agents are required to abide by a government, ombudsman or regulatory body code of practice—demonstrating a lack of accessible information on lettings agent's legal requirements.
RICS does not believe that SafeAgent offers a workable solution to better protecting consumers and raising standards in the sector. SafeAgent is simply a logo which denotes whether agents use client money protection schemes adding to the confusing plethora of logos that agents already display in their windows or on their website. SafeAgent is not a regulatory body, a standards setter, a disciplinary body nor a redress scheme and therefore provides no protection to the consumer. RICS stand ready to work with other industry bodies and Government to better promote the consumer protection offered by RICS and ARLA qualified agents.
RICS would not support regulation of agent fees as this would be a restriction of the market. Fees are for the market to determine through competition. However, fees should be transparent and easily accessible for the consumer so that the consumer can then make informed judgments about whether such fees are proportionate and reasonable. This is a requirement of the RICS UK Residential Property Standards (commonly referred to as the "Blue Book") and guidance for RICS members.
The quality of private rented housing, and steps that can be taken to ensure that all housing in the sector is of an acceptable standard
For reputable landlords, the quality of properties is generally linked to the rents they are able to achieve and the length of voids between lettings. This provides a clear incentive to maintain properties to a good quality. Quality has generally improved since the end of rent control and has been driven up by tenants expectations although RICS is concerned that current high demand and shortage of properties is leading to tenants accepting lower standards. With renting the only long term housing option for many, more than ever, renters want decent, well-maintained property.
For less reputable landlords, RICS believes that the Housing Act 2004 along with the Landlord & Tenant Act 1985, fire and gas safety regulations and Tenancy Deposit Scheme Rules provide the required legislation to ensure rental properties are maintained to an acceptable standard. The Housing Act 2004 gives Local Authorities the necessary powers to intervene and to carry out works if the landlord will not. Local Authorities need the resources to be more proactive in this area and to apply the Act consistently and with rigour.
The responsibility for enforcing the Housing Act 2004 and the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (where premises are prejudicial to health) is that of Private Sector Housing Officers. It is essential that Officers understand building construction and defects and energy efficiency issues. Cuts in funding to Local Authorities mean that Officers are often not appropriately qualified property professionals with no diagnostic building survey skills and are not capable of executing complex ,technical surveys and writing useful Improvement Notices.
This situation is compounded by letting agents now being legally responsible for serious hazards such as falling boundary walls under HHSRS requirements. As letting agents are not required to meet minimum professional standards nor are subject to any form of licensing regime, many letting agents will be unaware of their legal responsibilities and may therefore let housing of an unacceptable standard.
Levels of rent within the private rented sector—including the possibility of rent control and the interaction between housing benefit and rents
RICS would be strongly opposed to any introduction of rent control. Rent levels are market driven and any attempt to interfere with this would reduce the number of properties available for rent and result in institutional investors abandoning sector as they will be unable to make the required returns. RICS has anecdotal evidence that investors are already struggling to obtain average yields of 5%—any restriction on rents will make this impossible and lead to an exodus from the sector. Rent control would reduce choice and availability. This is precisely the opposite outcome that the Government is seeking to achieve and that is required to house the growing numbers of people in the sector. The simple solution to solving the issue of rising rents is to build more, high quality rental property on a large scale.
Regulation of landlords, and steps that can be taken to deal with rogue landlords
RICS supports the principle of the registration and/or regulation of landlords. Any scheme must follow Better Regulation principles and be proportionate to minimise additional burdens on landlords, and targeted where the risks are greatest to provide enhanced consumer protection. Registration and/or regulation of landlords would also provide tenants with redress mechanisms. There is a clear need for an educational programme to be made available to landlords who have a duty of care to their tenants but often do not seek help.
The regulation of houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), including the operation of discretionary licensing schemes imposed by a local authority for a category of HMO in its area
RICS members believe a clearer definition of a HMO is required which will provide clarity on where the legislation is applicable. A centrally agreed framework and conditions would provide clarity for consumers, agents and investors. The definition must be suitable for the market, the situation in Scotland where the strict requirements of a maximum of two non-related occupiers in the property is deterring landlords from the market must be avoided.
RICS is of the view that discretionary licensing should be maintained across the board as this gives local authorities the tools to satisfy local needs. For example, discretionary licensing has dramatically improved the housing stock and driven rogue landlords out of Oxford. However, there needs to be consistency between Local Authorities about how they implement the rules, the current situation is perceived as confusing for both valuers and lenders. Consistency and clearer definitions would ensure valuers are more able to accurately reflect value and whether a property is a mortgageable security. A number of lenders want to lend only where there is a ready demand for owner occupation and investment properties not just investment properties. Sections of towns and cities are now no go areas for owner occupiers.
Tenancy agreements and length and security of tenure
RICS members view the existing Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) arrangements with a minimum of six months but no upper limit as providing the flexibility that both landlords and tenants generally require. Feedback from RICS members suggests that tenancies last, on average, 12–18 months and are dealt with adequately by existing legislation. However, this feedback also suggested that the average length of tenancy is increasing with tenancies more regularly lasting over 18 months. Members see ASTs giving all parties clarity and certainty for landlords and lenders who are able to get possession if required. Many private Landlords are enforced or buy as investments, they will want to keep their assets as liquid as possible and therefore long lets will be unattractive to them. The current AST arrangements give this reassurance. Providing alternative arrangements with greater security of tenure will potentially result in investors abandoning the market. Furthermore, greater security of tenure will serve to better protect bad tenants.
RICS does recognise that the changing nature of the rental sector means that new groups such as families who may require longer term security are now entering the sector. RICS is committed to working with Government and the sector to raise awareness of the benefits to landlords and consumers of granting Assured Shorthold Tenancies for longer than 12 months. For example, families could be offered three or five year tenancies with rent increases linked to RPI to maximise income for investors by minimising voids and removing market risk.
Many mortgage companies require properties to be let only for a maximum of 12 months on a buy to let mortgage. A number of insurance companies often place similar restrictions on landlords. RICS recommends that Government work with the mortgage and insurance sectors to allow landlords more flexibility on tenancy length in their mortgage agreement. This will provide improved security of tenure for tenants and security of income stream for landlords.
How local authorities are discharging their homelessness duty by being able to place homeless households in private sector housing
The rental sector is keen to co-operate with local authorities but require local authorities to pay rent promptly, not penalise landlords for fraudulent tenant applications for support nor insist on court orders before rehousing tenants. Local Authorities must support private landlords who house homeless households as many are often not properly prepared to house these tenants. RICS members have cited incidences of where Local Authorities have advised tenants to ignore Section 21 notices and in some cases court orders before vacating. This kind of incorrect advice deters landlords from housing these tenants. Social housing must be developed in the rental sector
RICS would be pleased to provide further written or oral evidence to the Committee. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require further detail or briefing.
1 http://www.rics.org/us/knowledge/research/economics/global-market-surveys/uk-residential-lettings-survey-october-2012/
©Parliamentary copyright
Prepared 16th July 2013

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
12 Seasons
comedy, sitcom
A hit sitcom built on often-raunchy material, starring Charlie Sheen and, later, Ashton Kutcher begins with the premise of a Malibu bachelor (Sheen) whose life is disrupted when his brother and 10-year-old nephew move in with him. In the ninth season, Kutcher replaces Sheen, playing a billionaire with a broken heart. Briskly written and performed, the s (more…)A hit sitcom built on often-raunchy material, starring Charlie Sheen and, later, Ashton Kutcher begins with the premise of a Malibu bachelor (Sheen) whose life is disrupted when his brother and 10-year-old nephew move in with him. In the ninth season, Kutcher replaces Sheen, playing a billionaire with a broken heart. Briskly written and performed, the sitcom had fun spoofing Charlie Sheen's bad-boy reputation (which ultimately led to his exit from the series) and Jon Cryer's nervous energy.
Back To: Episode Guide
Season 7, Episode 8 Gorp. Fnark. Schmegle
Chelsea's gorgeous college roommate (Tricia Helfer) comes to live at the house temporarily after a bad breakup, testing Charlie's restraint.
Watch Soon
Mon, 7:00 pm
Gorp. Fnark. Schmegle(Season 7, Episode 8)
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Tricia Helfer Gail
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You are here: Home / Anniversary / ANZAC Day 2019 Military Nurses
ANZAC Day 2019 Military Nurses
Military nurses are the focus of this year's ANZAC Day poster. Ever since the first nurses sailed for the Boer War in 1900, Australian nurses have served in theatres of war and conflict around the world. They have worked in hazardous conditions, endured extreme discomfort, and sometimes lost their lives.
Tuesday 23rd April, 2019
I learnt something new this ANZAC Day.
Every ANZAC Day has a theme, and that is featured on the ANZAC Day poster.
This year it is Military Nurses.
I have a history of family in the army, including service as nurses.
I also have a number of nurses in the family not in the military.
So this theme resonates for me.
As part of my Samhain observances, I decided to dedicate this blog post to the Military Nurses.
ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The soldiers in those forces quickly became known as ANZACs, and the pride they soon took in that name endures to this day.
The 25th of April marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War.
For more than a hundred years, women have served as nurses in Australia's armed forces.
During the First World War nurses serving with the Australian Army Nursing Service (AANS) were the only women in the Australian Imperial Force – the force that Australia sent to the war.
A number of Australian women also served with Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service (QAIMNS) or contributed to the war effort overseas through associations like the British, French or Belgian Red Cross or the Young Women's Christian Association.
Australian nurses served in the Mediterranean, France, Belgium, England, Salonika and India, as well as on hospital ships.
On the Western Front they worked in advanced dressing stations and field hospitals behind the lines, often within range of artillery and subject to aerial bombardment.
By the end of the war more than twenty AANS nurses had died and seven had been awarded the Military Medal for courage under fire.
More than 4000 women served with the AANS during the Second World War, more than 600 with the Royal Australian Air Force Nursing Service and sixty with the Royal Australian Naval Nursing Service.
They deployed to an even wider variety of locales than their predecessors, reflecting the global nature of the war and the extent of Australia's involvement in the campaigns against Germany and her European allies, and against Japan in Asia and the Pacific.
Australia's Second World War nurses faced considerable danger and seventy-eight lost their lives.
Nurses were among the thousands of Australians who became prisoners of the Japanese, suffering more than three years of severe privation in poorly equipped, crowded and unsanitary camps.
After the Second World War Australian military nurses served with the British Commonwealth Occupation Force in Japan, where they tended British Commonwealth servicemen and their families and worked in the major British Commonwealth hospital alongside British Commonwealth doctors and nurses.
During the Korean War in the early 1950s, Australian nurses served in South Korea and Japan and on medical evacuation flights.
In the following decade they played an important role in Australia's longest war of the twentieth century, the Vietnam War, many of them serving in the main Australian hospital at Vung Tau.
Over recent decades the ranks of female military personnel have swelled and women are now to be found in most branches of the Australian Defence Force.
From 1972 onwards, men were permitted to serve within the Royal Australian Army Nursing Corps.
Women still serve as military nurses, but now also as doctors and in other fields of military medicine.
As well as treating those wounded in the wars and conflicts in which Australians have fought, military nurses now also deploy on peacekeeping operations treating wounded service men and women from Australia and from other countries' armed forces, and often also local civilians.
Jan Bassett, Guns and Brooches, Oxford University Press, Melbourne, 2008.
Kirsty Harris, More than Bombs and Bandages, Big Sky, Sydney, 2011.
Melanie Oppenheimer, Australian Women and War, Department of Veterans' Affairs, Canberra, 2008.
Richard Reid, Just wanted to be there: Australian service nurses, 1899–1999, Department of Veterans' Affairs, 1999.
Patsy Adam Smith, Australian Women at War, Thomas Nelson, Victoria, 1984.
« Samhain / Beltaine 2019
The Compliment Project: Week Four »
petercwhitaker says
The role of women in the service of their country deserves better recognition, certainly here in Britain. I always find it curious that they were considered fit for nursing in the military as if that was a less demanding occupation? I think nursing is one of the most exacting occupations even in peacetime. I have nothing but respect for them, whether in the military or not.
fabiennesmorgana says
I couldn't agree more! I work in the emergency services sector and I couldn't be a nurse!


text:
/courses/meanderings-issue-3
Car Living by Robert Witham
Car Living
How to live well as a nomad in a car or small vehicle
Car living is not for everyone. This is a unique and sometimes challenging lifestyle that most people only do on a temporary basis. The majority of people who live in a car do it only until they can get back into a house or until they can upgrade to a van or RV.
There is, however, a growing tribe of full-time nomads who have embraced vehicle dwelling. Some of these nomads live in cars, while many more live in vans, campers, or RVs. These nomads may live in one area or may migrate with the seasons. There are a number of websites, blogs, and social media groups where these nomads gather online.
The ideas presented in this book are based on my own experience with living out of a car over the years. These experiences include car dwelling that was voluntary and involuntary, short-term and long-term, urban and boondocking.
My early experiences with car dwelling were desperate and miserable, not because I was opposed to the idea, but because I had much to learn. Even as recently as 2000 when I was unexpectedly thrust into van dwelling we did not have Wi-Fi readily accessible and there were nowhere near as many resources available on the Internet.
My hope with this book is to make your experience easier and, dare I say it, positive.
File Icon 3 files
Car Living - Desktop.pdf
Car Living - Tablet.pdf
Car Living - Mobile.pdf
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text:
What's my home worth today?
Tina's Journey
Tina M. Leonardi
tina@tinaleonardi.com
88 Arkansas Street #223
Sf District 9
Listing Agent: John Twomey
Brand new 2 Bed condo with parking! Just one of several available homes, contact us for our additional releases for 2023! Designed in the international style and finished in late 2022, 88 at the Park with 127 condos is a modern glass structure, connecting residents to Jackson Park & Potrero Hill. Featuring a hotel-style attended lobby & lots of amenities including : Lobby Lounge, Front Desk Attendant 7 days / week, Parcel Storage Room, Bicycle Storage & Repair Station, Dog Wash Station, Courtyard, & Roofdeck. Inside the residences, floor-to-ceiling windows, high-end finishes, & Italian appliances create a clean modern feel. Outside, the expansive roof deck includes an outdoor kitchen, two fire pits, a green belt, & comfortable seating. Fusing the best aspects of Potrero Hill's sunny weather & creative vibe, the location features great access to Mission Bay, tech companies & freeways, with a beloved public park across the street. Conveniently only blocks away from Mission Bay, 280 Freeway, & minutes from Downtown SF, Chase Center, & Oracle Park. Photos are of similar units & may not be the exact representation.
Address: 88 Arkansas Street #223
Neighborhood: Sf District 9
Listing Agent: John Twomey Courtesy of: Compass Information Deemed Reliable But Not Guaranteed. The information being provided is for consumer's personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. This information, including square footage, while not guaranteed, has been acquired from sources believed to be reliable. Listings on this page identified as belonging to another listing firm are based upon data obtained from the SFAR MLS, which data is copyrighted by the San Francisco Association of REALTORS ®, but is not warranted. Updated: 28th January, 2023 5:14 PM (UTC)
181 Fremont Street #54E, San Francisco, CA, 94105
301 Mission Street #42D, San Francisco, CA, 94105
868 Moultrie Street, San Francisco, CA, 94110
1451 Mason Street, San Francisco, CA, 94133
1130 Folsom Street, San Francisco, CA, 94103
4919 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA, 94112
1136 Folsom, San Francisco, CA, 94103
101 Farallones Street, San Francisco, CA, 94112
151 Margaret Avenue, San Francisco, CA, 94112
1645 Jones Street, San Francisco, CA, 94109
1938 Ocean Avenue, San Francisco, CA, 94127
289 Divisadero Street, San Francisco, CA, 94117
819 Ellis Street, San Francisco, CA, 94109
401 Crescent Court #4102, San Francisco, CA, 94134
200 Lombard Street, San Francisco, CA, 94111
1069 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA, 94103
3750 Geary Boulevard, San Francisco, CA, 94118
2006 Washington Street PH, San Francisco, CA, 94109
2 Mint Plaza #304, San Francisco, CA, 94103
4800 3rd Street #402, San Francisco, CA, 94124
690 Market Street #2201, San Francisco, CA, 94104
301 Mission Street #7G, San Francisco, CA, 94105
400 Beale Street #702, San Francisco, CA, 94105
858 Stanyan Street, San Francisco, CA, 94117
275 Clara Street, San Francisco, CA, 94107
85 Farallones Street, San Francisco, CA, 94112
488 Folsom Street #4903, San Francisco, CA, 94105
927 Post Street, San Francisco, CA, 94109
1061 Post Street, San Francisco, CA, 94109
1100 Broderick Street, San Francisco, CA, 94115
690 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA, 94102
765 Market Street PH2CD, San Francisco, CA, 94103
11 Franklin Street #202, San Francisco, CA, 94102
121 Vermont Street #8, San Francisco, CA, 94103
1220 La Playa Street #308, San Francisco, CA, 94122
42 Otis Street #101, San Francisco, CA, 94103
832 Sutter Street #203, San Francisco, CA, 94109
1288 Howard Street #1A, San Francisco, CA, 94103
875 California Street PH3, San Francisco, CA, 94108
2930 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA, 94109
888 7th Street #108, San Francisco, CA, 94107
60 Ora Way H203, San Francisco, CA, 94131
501 Beale Street #10E, San Francisco, CA, 94105
10 Miller Place #702, San Francisco, CA, 94108
1454 Funston Avenue #1454, San Francisco, CA, 94122
3901 18th Street, San Francisco, CA, 94114
39 Gladeview Way, San Francisco, CA, 94131
330 Berry Street #325, San Francisco, CA, 94158
1829 Market Street #1, San Francisco, CA, 94103
270 Valencia Street #301, San Francisco, CA, 94103
1000 Broadway Street, San Francisco, CA, 94133
1081 Northwest Post Street, San Francisco, CA, 94109
201 9th Street, San Francisco, CA, 94103
239 Front Street, San Francisco, CA, 94111
2528 Hyde Street, San Francisco, CA, 94109
690 Market Street #201, San Francisco, CA, 94104
3101 Clement Street, San Francisco, CA, 94121
88 Arkansas Street #315, San Francisco, CA, 94107
875 California Street #102, San Francisco, CA, 94108
488 Folsom #3601, San Francisco, CA, 94105
151 Alice B. Toklas Place #709, San Francisco, CA, 94109
451 Donahue Street #413, San Francisco, CA, 94124
38 Bryant Street #303, San Francisco, CA, 94105
1325 Divisadero Street #301, San Francisco, CA, 94115
1874 31st Avenue, San Francisco, CA, 94122
301 Mission Street #39B, San Francisco, CA, 94105
401 Harrison Street #40D, San Francisco, CA, 94105
435 China Basin Street #327, San Francisco, CA, 94158
435 Broadway, San Francisco, CA, 94133
702 Vallejo Street, San Francisco, CA, 94133
1020 Broadway, San Francisco, CA, 94133
941 Powell Street, San Francisco, CA, 94108
99 Rausch Street #215, San Francisco, CA, 94103
1149 Esmeralda Avenue, San Francisco, CA, 94110
2 Museum Way, San Francisco, CA, 94114
466 Eddy Street, San Francisco, CA, 94109
434 North Francisco Street, San Francisco, CA, 94133
6 Mint Plaza #304A, San Francisco, CA, 94103
750 Van Ness Avenue #1204, San Francisco, CA, 94102
1300 Fell Street #2, San Francisco, CA, 94117
198 Valencia Avenue A6, San Francisco, CA, 94103
1217 Florida Street, San Francisco, CA, 94110
3256 16th Street #1, San Francisco, CA, 94103
401 Harrison Street #32G, San Francisco, CA, 94105
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text:
Yae Sagara (Japans: 相良 八重) (Chiba, 27 november 1913 - 29 april 1967) was een hoogspringster uit Japan.

Op de Olympische Zomerspelen van 1932 nam Sagara deel aan het onderdeel hoogspringen, ze eindigde als negende.

In 1932 werd Sagara ook nationaal kampioene hoogspringen van Japan.

Japans olympisch deelnemer

Hoogspringer
Japans atleet

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
The Legacy Review
Placebo Self Titled 1996 Album Review
Ten years earlier and this would have been heavy metal, but Brit-pop and grunge had happened which sort of put this somewhere in the middle. Too heavy for pop but too well polished for anything that fell from the punk tree, Placebo entered the scene with their debut stonker, Placebo, self titled, and it makes a point straight away with Come Home. For anyone with an urge to move around and a sensation of underlying emotional bubbling, this album spoke volumes. And so the volume was turned up in homes around the world as teenagers (mainly) lapped up the sonic sounds of the 90s newest alternative act.
Catchy riff based songs make up the entire album,and that's pretty much what we want, it's the lyrics that make it, man, apart from the nicely mixed and well written music that can't be overlooked. A guitar as a percussion instrument is something that came out of the hard rock scene, finger tapping from the virtuoso and plain old chord bashing to the bass drum from the grunge scene, Placebo make full use of this instantly rewarding playing technique with a half way house of melodic frenzy.
The angst that pours from the verse lines of the song "Teenage Angst" hits home even now as a fully grown man, and I think to be honest I prefer the band now as back in the day I was into much heavier stuff. I opened my eyes to other music a few years later once I'd used up all my Maiden albums and discovered that other stuff like that wasn't nearly as good. The rock doesn't stop, and neither does the singing about random things that seem to make sense at the time. I enjoy the flow, the bass makes the music deeper and it's really good to hear a band that utilises the bass as a truly keystone instrument, following the guitar is okay and all but it doesn't inspire the next bass wizard.
This album opened the doors to a fully fledged music career with fans the world over, I once saw the bassist walking through my local city centre and he had a crowd of young people (mainly women) following him a few paces behind. Must be nice eh? For a day or two. I imagine that you learn to switch off to it after so long. Totally check out Placebo, an answer to Slayer, nothing like them but strangely with as much energy.
Read more about Placebo
This website is made possible thanks to the generous support of its readers. Thank you for your contribution.


text:
Home › CONTACT US › Man jailed for stealing petrol from petrol station
Man jailed for stealing petrol from petrol station
A man has been jailed for three years for stealing more than $20,000 worth of petrol from a petrol station.
A man who stole more than a tonne of petrol in the state of Western Australia has been fined $20 000.
Police say the offences took place at the Southside Pump station in the Perth suburb of Woodside, on August 6.
The man was charged with theft, and after pleading guilty, he was given a three-year suspended sentence, with his licence suspended for six months.
Police said they were able to trace the stolen goods to a vehicle in a different part of Perth, which had been registered to a man named James.
James was arrested by police in November, but was released after police searched his home.
In December, police were called to the same petrol station, but found James at home, and he was also arrested.
At the time, James was on bail, and his wife had moved to Adelaide.
On Friday, the Supreme Court found James guilty of stealing the stolen petrol.
He will be sentenced in November.
Topics:crime,law-crime-and-justice,crime-prevention,police,wollongong-2500,perth-6000More stories from Western Australia
Tags: mining training


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COMMENTS: The title song "Joe's Garage" shows Zappa at his most sentimental. This is an interesting spirit to find him in because he was so adamantly opposed to sentimentality or romanticism. Remember, this is the guy who wrote "Broken Hearts are for Assholes."
Nonetheless, this song fondly recalls the teenage days of long crude band rehearsals in cramped garages. The principal instrumental hook is an ultra crude two note lead guitar riff. After a couple of quarts of beer "the same old chords playing over and over became a symphony." Ah, those were the days. It is a beautifuly fond remembrance when the deep bass black voice comes in doo-wop style with "Guess you only get one chance in life to play a song that goes like..." Frank Zappa never sounded sadder than describing the breakup of the band "and it looks like (ooh, ooh) we will never play again."
The song was supposed to sound like the crude ham-handed performance of a garage band, but of course there was much more going on. Frank was by no means technically unskilled or unsophisticated. For one thing, the basic song structure doesn't follow very closely to the most simple and obvious abacab song structure. He lays out the whole history of the rise and fall and resurrection of the band. There are a couple of bars of go-go bar music. There is the description of the years and musical styles rolling by, the interruptions by the nagging woman and eventually the cacophonous breakdown as the police break it up.
There are also many little weird things going on above, below and in the midst of the record. Check out the recurring heavily treated guitar triplets whenever the nagging woman comes in with the "turn it down" part. The vocal harmonies throughout go through several changes in mood and style. There's a lot going on in a little over four minutes.
This was the title song for what was originally a three (vinyl) album set of purposely cheesy comic sci-fi rock opera. There aren't many of those around, and it's worth checking out. There are a number of interesting ideas about politics and art and culture floating around. It's an interesting concept.
However, there aren't that many truly outstanding songs. The idea of it is interesting, but a lot of the compositions are so-so. It does, however, feature "Why Does It Hurt When I Pee?" and the classically offensive "Catholic Girls." Also, the latter part gets into some tasty instrumental stuff where he lets the guitar do the talking. Overall, though, you could stand to just get the single on the outstanding Strictly Commercial compilation unless you are maybe a dozen or so albums into Frankland.


Don't miss Sugarland live in concert in California. Buy Sugarland concert tickets in California today! CitrusTickets.com is an official provider of Sugarland Tickets in California. We also sell Sugarland concert tickets to shows outside California.


text:
Q: Computed property to sum numeric arrays in Swift Task from book says: without calling reduce(_: _:) method, sum sequences of numbers by adding a computed property called sum. You should be able to use it like this:
[3, 7, 7].sum            // 17
[8.5, 1.1, 0.1].sum      // 9.7

Hint by authors: in developer documentation check what protocols do Int and Double conform to, and what protocols do those protocols inherit from. Within below code I just kind of combined two solutions I found, however it still contains method reduce. If you can help me to understand how this can be solved / which part of developer documentation provides a clue. Also how can I avoid error in current code / apply possible solution on closed range.
extension Sequence where Element: Numeric {
    var sum: Any {
        return reduce(0, +)
    }
}

[3, 7, 7].sum
[8.5, 1.1, 0.1].sum
[1...4].sum // Error: Property 'sum' requires that 'ClosedRange<Int>' conform to 'Numeric'

A: [1...4].sum is working on an Array of ClosedRange ([...] mean "Array of..."). You meant: (1...4).sum.
You also mean:
   var sum: Element { ... }

rather than Any.
If you want to make it even more generic, you can move from Numeric up to AdditiveArithmetic this way:
extension Sequence where Element: AdditiveArithmetic {
    var sum: Element { reduce(.zero, +) }
}

That way it could work on things like vectors.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Fresh obfuscated Tor bridges are needed more than ever, since they are the only way for people to access Tor in some areas of the world (like China, Iran and Syria). But it is not the same as an exit node.
At the height of Windows's market dominance, Microsoft had no role in determining what software would and wouldn't run on its machines ... (Yet with walled gardens like iPhone rising) Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist Mark Fiore found his iPhone app rejected because it contained "content that ridicules public figures."
We launched our campaign on May 31, 2011 –and within days surpassed our goal of 100 new relays.
"They're called rogue sites, and they exist for one purpose only: to make a profit using the Internet to distribute the stolen and counterfeited goods and ideas of others."
The laws require internet service providers and websites to invest a large amount of effort in monitoring and keeping logs of their services. They also have to comply massive censorship, let alone the loss of reputation that occurs when users cannot access websites.
The Communications Minister, Stephen Conroy, has launched a stinging attack on Google and its credibility in response to the search giant's campaign against the government's internet filtering policy.
Communications Minister Stephen Conroy's censorship policy won him the Internet Villain of the Year trophy, awarded by the British internet industry.
"The spectre of broadscale Internet censorship in Australia has been covered previously here on The Next Web before, but many outside Australia may wonder: why should you care if you don't live in Australia..."


DTRIC Insurance Company, Limited (DTRIC) specializes in car insurance, homeowners and renters insurance, umbrella insurance, and commercial and workers compensation insurance. A household name in Hawaii and the local insurance industry since 1992, we are committed to providing policyholders and agents with innovative, value-added insurance products and services exclusively in the state of Hawaii.
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You can save up to 25% off your home owners insurance by bundling your home and auto insurance.
Save 5% off your car insurance policy for having a 4-year college degree or professional license.
"We have had our home and auto insurance through DTRIC for a couple years now and are very pleased with not just the service but the benefits of the coverage. We love that they truly review the detail of the policy with the customer to make sure the customer really understands what is covered. Every time we speak to someone there, everyone is so pleasant and seems like family. In our experiences, they have competitive pricing and local servicing which we love. They are so very easy to talk to anytime we have a question! Will surely continue to renew our policies with them!"
"Coming from the mainland, I'd never heard of DTRIC before until the financial guy at Servco provided some price quotes for auto insurance. I did my own research getting quotes from other auto insurance companies. DTRIC had the best quote, even compared to the larger national companies! I'll be a loyal DTRIC customer as long as I'm on island with a car!"
"I really like DTRIC. I've been with them for about 2 years. They have amazing perks and if you're a safe driver, they lower your deductible."


If you've downloaded the early access release of Moviestorm 1.4, we want to hear your comments. Praise and criticism are equally welcome here - we want to know what you liked and what you didn't like. You should also use this thread to report any bugs you encounter.
If you'd like to try Moviestorm version 1.4 before its official release, click here for details of the Early Access build.
Ok not sure if this is a bug or a one off thing, so far in my testing all is well, but still more to do.
Anyway, for each section I went into the tips box appeared fine, but after first being in directors view, then going to camera view, then dressing room and customising some of my characters I went back to workshop view and the tip box appeared but it was just white with only the scroll and accept buttons showing. Clicking the accept (tick) the box went away and things carried on as normal then.
I downloaded the boot-win.properties, copied my Moviestorm-1.3 folder to Moviestorm-1.4 folder, added the boot-win.properties to the boot folder in the Moviestorm-1.4 folder, clicked on the license for the spare heads in the link below, started 1.3 to make sure it still ran ok (it downloaded the spareheads) and it runs normal.
It is probably something I am doing wrong but can't seem to figure it out.
My moviestorm has updated fine with the new features etc, the desktop icon still shows as moviestorm 1.3 though however launching moviestorm it shows the correct version number.
Did you allow it to do all the updates? I found that after the initial update it had more to do as it updates the base pack and most of the other packs too.
Loving the new dressing room!
5) new eyes for old heads are beautiful!
@kv - Do me a favour then, please: fire up Moviestorm and start a new (standard) movie. Hit the "Help" button (the ? icon in the top right), and from the main page click the Set Workshop View icon. Hopefully this will reproduce your bug (it should display the Set Workshop View popup guide, hopefully in the same broken state). If it does, please take a screengrab and post it in this thread.
If anybody else manages to reproduce kv's bug, please grab a screenshot too!
@Harb40 - Just to be absolutely sure you're running the right executable, please open Windows Explorer and navigate to your new Moviestorm 1.4 directory. Inside that directory, double-click on Moviestorm.exe. That'll ensure you're running 1.4 and not 1.3 by accident. If that still gives the same errors, I'm not sure what to suggest, I'm afraid. I think you'll have to wait until QA can take a look at your bug tomorrow.
Thanks for the bug reports, everyone. Please keep them coming. MS staff are not actively checking the forums again until 10am tomorrow (GMT), but we'll try to respond as soon as we can.
I have not been able to reproduce it, it may well have been because of the movie I had loaded as it has a number of custom models in it. I will report again if I see it again.
I am playing around with the new dressing room, I love some of the looks that can be achieved with the new face morpher, however there is something I would have preferred with the effects makeup, rather than it just being turning an option on or off I would have preffered if you could use the same thing multiple times in different positions. For example Blood 01 looks good, but if we could layer that more than once we could have the face really covered in blood and in various places, same with the scar we could have several scars rather than just one.
One way I thin this could be achieved is by having a list of the effects that we applied, so you choose your effect and select apply, it would then appear in the box (and shown on the puppets face), the user can then move it around and apply more of that effect if desired.
Also it is good that we can use different eye types, something I need though is pure white eyes (maybe with some blood shocked veins), the 3rd party ZS eyes pack has white eyes which are perfect but they cannot be used with the new morphable heads. So any chance moviestorm could possibly get this in?
Loving it so far, and no compatibility problems with my sets for my forthcoming 'oeuvres'.
I see you can have any colour skin you want - Avatar anyone?
The face morphing is great fun, and while tweaking various knobs I finally figured how to - ahem - 'stimulate' my after dark male that's not new in 1.4, but it was to me!
I dunno if this is a bug, but when I choose Get More Content, the freebies from Moviestorm show up with both Buy and Installed notices.
In the dressing room, if you click on "Replace with a character from Stock", it appears you have to choose a character. I know that 99.9% of the time, people are likely to do that, but it would be nice to be able to click the window away and keep what you have. I'm a big fan of being able to look at things without changing anything.
There are 6 other subtle makeup variants that didn't make it in to this build and are sat waiting to go out with the first patch.
The main idea for the makeup pages was to give users the idea of what can be done and therefore what they can do themselves. There is no way we can guess exactly what shade of Urban Decay they want to apply to their puppets so we have left it quite open (although the multi-part tints should go some way to achieving this).
I fully intend to do a wound pack at some point and would hope that other modders would follow suit and provide some of the near infinite makeup variants that may be desired.
@kv: We did have some ideas for a layer manager for all your decals which is likely to be along in a later release.
May I say I love the changes?
Regarding Makeup and Effects, it would be nice if more choices were available for both men and women. I'm especially thinking of Camo, Scar, Skull, and Cat. Oh! One more suggestion for both: Mime.
Under beards, it would be nice to have a few more moustache options: Chaplin/Hitler, pencil thin, and conservative/military (as in, it doesn't curl at the ends of the lips). The only current choice is a bit hippie/bandito. Hmm. It would also be nice to have a broader, more bandito moustache. And maybe a Fu Manchu?
On the dream list, it would be nice if we could choose a Makeup, then adjust it in the Skin Detail window.
Haha, I love it when they get a new clothing and they look at themselves like "Wow, looks good"
And the face morphing is amazing!!!
Excellent! If you'd chosen to call this one version 2.0, I wouldn't have quibbled with it. Things like Sunburn are magnificent. I could probably sit for hours clicking the "small changes" and the "big changes" buttons for face morphs. We'll keep wanting more, of course, but this version is to love. Go, y'all!
ETA: And we can make characters any color we want! Hurrah!
It didn't install a Moviestorm 1.4 directory at all. I opened Moviestorm 1.3 and it downloaded everything and said it installed it but nothing is different.


Many new moms develop unexpected allergies, during pregnancy or after baby is born. These can be rather annoying when you have a baby to care for as well as yourself. If you are breastfeeding it is vital you eat enough calcium to keep producing milk and keep yourself healthy.
The most common unexpected allergy is lactose intolerance. You may find that suddenly you cannot eat dairy without some mild to severe side effects. Here are some tips on fixing your favourite dishes to be tolerable to your new digestive system, and healthier and tasty too.
Many dairy products can be directly substituted for another. If you find yourself lactose intolerant then you can use soy milk, almond milk, lactose free cows milk, rice or oat milk. These are all readily available in the long life milk section of a supermarket. There is even hazelnut, quinoa, barley and other milks available at health food shops. You may also want to try fresh goat milk, unhomogenised cows milk, A2 cows milk or sheep's milk.
Unhomogenised milk has not been broken down on a molecular level to make the fat particles smaller – so they don't 'rise to the top'. In homogenised milk all the other particles (proteins, sugars etc.) in the milk are coated with these smaller fat particles. The fat particles are smaller than your body expects them to be. This makes homogenised milk harder to digest.
Many supermarkets carry an organic unhomogenised milk in full cream and low fat. You will notice the cream clings to the top of the carton. The milk is not curdled, it is simply how milk aught to and used to be.
Unpasteurised milk is illegal to sell for human consumption in Australia. Unpasteurised means the milk has not been heat treated. Even unhomogenised milk is pasteurised. Having said that, many health food shops sell unpasteurised milk as 'bath milk'. But the intent really is for people to drink it. The natural bacteria from the cow are still present, making it even closer to nature and easier to digest – but it has a much shorter use by.
Goats milk takes more getting used to, as does oat or rice milk. The best soy milks are Bonsoy and 'Australia's Own' brand. Bonsoy is a Japanese soy milk that is a bit more expensive but the best tasting.
If you try one brand and do not like it, you may find you like a different brand of the same type of milk. You don't have to waste the whole carton: try it in tea, coffee or as custard. Different milks will taste better or different in different applications. You may like almond milk in your tea but only rice or soy in your coffee. Its all personal preference.
Eating live 'abc' bacteria also helps digest the lactose in dairy. So try eating a good quality live yoghurt. There are lovely, very, very mild, sheep yoghurts available. There are also coconut or soy yoghurts if you find the bacteria alone is not enough to help your digestion.
When it comes to cream: almond or cashew cream are the best in taste, texture and health. There are also soy or rice based creams from health food stores. You can even get soy cream in a can, to squirt out ready whipped!
Cheese is also easy to replace. Try a mild sheep milk cheese like Manchego or fresh goats cheese like chèvre before you give up dairy all together. Long aged cheeses like cloth matured cheddar and parmesan cheese are also easier to digest, as the cultures that make the cheese eventually eat the lactose after the long maturation (some parmesan is matured for 30 months!). There are also delicious soy cheeses available, many are best if melted or cooked with. As your palate changes you will like them more and more – but if you don't like one then try another brand and you may be surprised how different it is.
There are also recipes online for making your own nut milks, creams and even nut cheese! Using nut based milks and creams means you are eating healthy nut fats, fibre, extra protein and some calcium as well as other trace minerals.
As for your favourite recipes. Once you find a milk, cream and cheese you like: simply substitute! When you cook a dish the first time with a dairy substitute take extra care and take note of what you did and how it worked. Then you can repeat if a complete success or alter the next time.
Next week I will share with you some simple recipes I have tried and tested, and found delicious!
If you have a recipe request, simply ask in the comments and I will try to help!
Tags: allergy, dairy, lactose, pregnancy. Bookmark the permalink.


Job growth is finally picking up, as we all know from bullish employment reports in January and February. But part of the jobs story isn't told: How much of the faster pace of hiring is a result of low energy prices in America relative to our international competitors.
The shale oil and gas revolution is behind the fall in gasoline and electricity prices, which in turn is unleashing a comeback in many industries. Consider the U.S. manufacturing boom, which can be seen in the revival of factories selling everything from plastics, cars and chemicals to potato and micro chips.
The turnaround has little to do with government programs or subsidies. A major springboard is the lowest-in-the-world energy prices found here in America. As the nearby table shows, the U.S. now has the lowest electricity prices of any of our major industrial competitors, with the exception of South Korea.
The differential is gigantic compared to Europe, with our power costs for industry anywhere from one-half to one-fifth those of producers in Euroland.
Shale gas drilling technologies have lowered the cost of natural gas from more than $12 per thousand cubic feet in 2008 to around $4.50 now. Natural gas at these low prices is gradually replacing the use of coal as the No. 1 source of electricity production in America — though coal remains a cheap and major source of electricity production as well.
This also explains how the U.S. has reduced its carbon emissions more than any other nation over the eight-year period ending in 2013.
Now for the flip side of the story — one of energy-policy dimwittedness. Take a look at how much of Europe has lost competitiveness as its nations have bought into the green energy fad over the last decade. "Go green" in practice means go expensive. The green blunder has sent electric power costs soaring relative to the U.S.
Nowhere is the damage more visible than in Germany. In 2005, the Germans passed the most aggressive renewable energy law of any country. The short-term goal is 30% to 50% reliance on renewables with an eventual goal of 80% over the next several decades.
The process of force-feeding industry and households green energy has increased utility costs and in some cases crippled manufacturing production. In 2013, the headline of Deutsche Wells, a top media outlet in Berlin, was: "High Energy Costs Drive German Firms to U.S.


An edited volume of twelve articles on the economics of corruption and anti-corruption.
A bestseller on Amazon.cn., this book explains some recent economics research in Chinese context.
For more comments and book reviews, see Douban (豆瓣).


Submit an inquiry for a customized meal plan to guide you through your diabetes journey.
Diabetes is a condition where the amount of glucose (sugar) in your blood is above normal. It can occur at any time in your life. If you have family members with diabetes, you may be at risk. If you are overweight or do not exercise regularly, you also run a greater risk of developing diabetes. People with heart disease or who are on certain medications can also have an elevated risk for this disease. Once diabetes is diagnosed, it is managed rather than cured.


Previewed at this year's Geneva Motor Show, the new Honda HR-V's arrival in local showrooms coincides with its European debut, and promises to shake up the crossover segment in SA.
While most contenders in this segment reflect a scaled-down SUV approach, the new Honda HR-V combines the sleek aesthetics of a coupé-inspired design with the rugged attitude of a sports utility vehicle, and the space and versatility of a MPV. The all-new HR-V is said to have a highly individual exterior design, thanks to the pronounced curve of the roofline, which creates a unique, coupé-like impression. However, the short overhangs, raised stance and wide tracks reflect the rugged attitude typical of a SUV.
The front-end treatment is unmistakably Honda, with tapered headlights framing a V-shaped grille in contrasting charcoal, while a meshed lower air intake adds further visual aggression. A pronounced swage line, crisp contours and emphasised wheel arches add to the head-turning presence of the newcomer. The tidy rear-end treatment is dominated by the large tail light clusters, a tailgate that opens all the way down to bumper level, and a bumper finished in contrasting charcoal to further underscore the HR-V's rugged attitude. Alloy wheels and slim roof rails add a classy touch.
The interior execution focuses on intelligent packaging to deliver a spacious front and rear cabin, while the luggage compartment offers generous stowage space. Honda's unique Magic Seat system, already a hugely popular feature in the Jazz and Civic models, is also included, adding further practicality and flexibility to the interior. With the seats raised, the luggage compartment offers 393 litres of boot space up to window level, while folding the split rear seat flat increases cargo capacity to an impressive 1 002 litres.
The new Honda HR-V is offered in a selection of seven colours: Ruse Black, Crystal Black, Carnelian Red, Morpho Blue, White Orchid, Alabaster Silver and Modern Steel. While pricing for its HR-V 1.5 Comfort CVT is at R299 900 and the HR-V 1.8 Elegance CVT for R354 900.


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Can Xbox 360 Play With Xbox One
Can Xbox 360 Play With Xbox One?
Yes, the Xbox 360 can play with the Xbox One. In fact, the Xbox 360 is the first console to be backwards compatible with the Xbox One. This means that you can play your old Xbox 360 games on your new Xbox One.
To play your old Xbox 360 games on your new Xbox One, just insert the game into your Xbox One. The game will start up and you can play it like you would any other game.
Keep in mind that not all Xbox 360 games are backwards compatible with the Xbox One. However, Microsoft is constantly updating the list of backwards compatible games, so more and more games are becoming compatible all the time.
So, if you have an Xbox 360 and you upgrade to an Xbox One, don't worry – you can still play your old games on your new console!
1 Can Xbox 360 and Xbox One play games together?
2 Can Xbox 360 players play with Xbox One players on Minecraft?
3 Can you still play online with Xbox 360?
4 How do you add Xbox 360 friends on Xbox One?
5 Can Xbox One and Xbox 360 play together on GTA 5?
6 Is Xbox 360 Live still up 2022?
7 Is Xbox 360 still online 2022?
Can Xbox 360 and Xbox One play games together?
The answer to this question is yes, you can play games together on Xbox 360 and Xbox One. However, there are a few things you need to know before you get started.
The first thing you need to know is that you can only play games together if they are both on the same console family. This means that you can only play games together if you are playing an Xbox 360 game on an Xbox 360 console, or an Xbox One game on an Xbox One console.
Another thing you need to know is that you can only play games together if they are from the same console generation. This means that you can only play games together if you are playing an Xbox 360 game on an Xbox 360 console, or an Xbox One game on an Xbox One console.
Finally, you need to be aware that some games are not compatible with cross-platform play. This means that you may not be able to play some games together with people on other platforms.
Overall, the answer to the question "Can Xbox 360 and Xbox One play games together?" is yes. However, you need to be aware of the limitations listed above before you get started.
Can Xbox 360 players play with Xbox One players on Minecraft?
Can Xbox 360 players play with Xbox One players on Minecraft? The answer to this question is yes, but there are some things that you need to know in order to make it work.
Read also Is Snowrunner Cross Platform Xbox Ps4
The first thing that you need to do is make sure that you are using the same console family. This means that you can't play with someone who is using an Xbox 360 if you are using an Xbox One, and vice versa.
The second thing that you need to do is make sure that you are using the same version of Minecraft. This means that you can't play with someone who is using the Xbox One Edition of Minecraft if you are using the Xbox 360 Edition of Minecraft, and vice versa.
The third thing that you need to do is make sure that you are using the same game mode. This means that you can't play with someone who is using the Creative mode if you are using the Survival mode, and vice versa.
The fourth thing that you need to do is make sure that you are using the same world. This means that you can't play with someone who is in a different world than you are.
The fifth thing that you need to do is make sure that you are using the same skin. This means that you can't play with someone who is using a different skin than you are.
The sixth thing that you need to do is make sure that you are using the same name. This means that you can't play with someone who has a different name than you do.
The seventh thing that you need to do is make sure that you are using the same internet connection. This means that you can't play with someone who is using a different internet connection than you are.
The last thing that you need to do is make sure that you are using the same account. This means that you can't play with someone who is using a different account than you are.
Can you still play online with Xbox 360?
Yes, you can still play online with Xbox 360. Microsoft ceased supporting the Xbox 360 online service in April 2018, but you can still use your console to play games online by using a third-party service.
Xbox Live is a subscription-based service that allows gamers to play online with other people. It also offers features such as voice chat, party chat, and access to exclusive content. Xbox Live Gold is the premium subscription that offers the best features, such as online multiplayer, free games, and discounts on games.
Microsoft ceased supporting Xbox Live on the Xbox 360 in April 2018. This means that the service will no longer be updated and that no new features will be added. However, the service will still be available to use and you can continue to play games online.
Read also Is Dying Light 1 Cross Platform Xbox Pc
If you want to continue using Xbox Live on your Xbox 360, you will need to use a third-party service. There are a number of different services available, such as XBLGold, XBLProfile, and XBLAchievements. These services offer similar features to Xbox Live, such as online multiplayer, voice chat, and access to exclusive content.
It is important to note that using a third-party service may not be as reliable as using Xbox Live. There may be more downtime and you may experience more errors. However, these services are still a good option for those who want to continue playing online games on their Xbox 360.
How do you add Xbox 360 friends on Xbox One?
Adding friends on Xbox One is a relatively easy process. To add friends on Xbox One, you need to know their gamertag.
To add friends on Xbox One, open the guide by pressing the Xbox button on your controller. Scroll down to Friends and select Add new friend. Type in the gamertag of the person you want to add and select Add.
If the person you want to add is not in your friends list, you can search for them by selecting the Xbox Store and then selecting Browse games. Type in the gamertag of the person you want to add and select Add.
If the person you want to add is not on Xbox Live, you can invite them to join by selecting Invite to join Xbox Live. Type in the email address or phone number of the person you want to add and select Invite.
Once the person has joined Xbox Live, they will automatically be added to your friends list.
Can Xbox One and Xbox 360 play together on GTA 5?
Yes, Xbox One and Xbox 360 players can play together on Grand Theft Auto 5 (GTA 5). However, there are some limitations.
The Xbox One and Xbox 360 versions of GTA 5 are not the same. The Xbox One version has superior graphics and features, while the Xbox 360 version is more basic. Because of this, some features are not available on the Xbox 360 version.
For example, the Xbox One version of GTA 5 allows players to switch between characters in the game, while the Xbox 360 version does not. The Xbox One version also allows players to use the new First Person Mode, while the Xbox 360 version does not.
In addition, some achievements are not available on the Xbox 360 version.
However, most of the features and achievements are available on both versions of the game. And most importantly, both versions of the game allow players to play together online.
Read also Is Jump Force 2 Player On Xbox One
Is Xbox 360 Live still up 2022?
Xbox 360 Live is an online gaming service that was launched by Microsoft in November 2005. The service allows users to play games with each other online, as well as access a variety of other features, such as Netflix and YouTube.
Xbox 360 Live is still up and running as of 2022. Although it is not the only online gaming service available, it is one of the most popular, and many gamers consider it to be the best. The service has come a long way since its launch in 2005, and it continues to grow and improve every year.
One of the main advantages of Xbox 360 Live is that it is a Microsoft service. This means that it integrates well with other Microsoft products, such as Windows 10 and the Xbox One. It also means that there is a large community of gamers who use Xbox 360 Live, which can be helpful for finding people to play with.
Xbox 360 Live is not without its faults, however. One common complaint is that the service can be expensive, especially if you want to use all of its features. The monthly subscription fee can also be a bit of a hassle, especially if you don't use the service often.
Overall, Xbox 360 Live is a great online gaming service that is likely to continue to be popular for many years to come. If you're looking for a good way to play games with friends online, Xbox 360 Live is a great option.
Is Xbox 360 still online 2022?
It's been almost a decade since the Xbox 360 was released, and while it's been superseded by the Xbox One, there are still many people using the 360. So, the question is, will the Xbox 360 still be online in 2022?
The answer to that question is a little complicated. The Xbox 360 was discontinued back in 2013, and Microsoft has since stopped issuing updates and support for it. However, that doesn't mean the 360 will stop working in 2022. In fact, it's likely that it will still be working long after that.
But, that doesn't mean that it will be supported by Microsoft. So, you may find that some of the online features stop working, or that you can't access certain games or apps. But, overall, the 360 should still be functional in 2022.
So, if you're still using an Xbox 360, don't worry – it's likely to be still working in 2022. But, you may find that some features stop working, or that you need to find alternative ways to access certain content.
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Nashville bond
Amanda McCarthy duos for hometown show
On a Thursday afternoon in late October, Amanda McCarthy played a set at Bobby's Idle Hour, a no-nonsense bar nestled at the edge of Nashville's Music Row. The busy performer had another gig scheduled later that evening, but this one was special, marking the release of "Lifeline," a song that takes a healthy look back at a long-gone relationship.
"When I finished that song in the writing session, I was like, 'Well that's all I have to say,'" McCarthy recalled in a recent phone interview. "I think there's something really cool about that feeling." Begun a few years ago and completed with the help of her fiancé, Tom Shubsda, and Martin Butter, its finality shares common ground with Taylor Swift's "All Too Well."
At her side that day was Sam Ferrara, a singer-songwriter she'd worked with a lot since leaving New Hampshire just over two years ago, lately singing backup on Ferrara's own ex-boyfriend burn, "Get Out of My Town." The two will be making a trip North in early December, with dates at NYC's Cutting Room and Over The Moon Farmstead in the Granite State.
"I played in New York City before, but she's from there, so it'll be really cool to meet her people and be with her in her home environment," McCarthy said. "Then I'll get to bring her to New Hampshire."
The bond with Ferrara is one of many McCarthy has formed since her 2020 leap of faith to Music City. She's been a part of several songs that have been recorded, co-writing Benn Park's "Mountain Steep" and penning "Unwrite Every Song" with Emily Myers. "That was a special one," McCarthy said. "She's also one of my best friends."
Though written years ago, "The Long Haul" recently helped April Cushman win a New England Music Award for Best Country Act. McCarthy still hews to the song's message of tenacity in the face of challenge. "I've kept my expectations low but my work ethic high," she said. "I've always been kind of an underdog in a way, and I have no problem working harder day by day, trying to figure it out."
Her biggest success isn't one song or even the award she received from Young Entertainment Professionals Nashville for being its most active member. "Being able to quit my job was certainly validating because it let me say I'm stable enough, I'm getting enough work that I can do this," she said.
She's aware it's a crucible that's not for everyone. "I was always a full-time musician up north and the big question was can I do this in Nashville," she said. "I was able to, and that really gave me a confidence boost and let me know I'm on the right path, no matter where it's going. Every time someone records a song I've helped write is validating, because it shows me that other people see the value in what I write, not just me."
The move also helped her growth as an artist. "I've learned so much about songwriting from being here, and it hasn't even been from anyone telling me that I was doing anything wrong. I think just being around so much of it, you absorb a lot, you get inspired by a lot. I've kind of become in tune with knowing how to really pull out my inner voice. But I can also become other people's voices, which is a very cool way to switch things up — and my voice has gotten stronger."
McCarthy looks forward to seeing friends and family and doing some tax-free Christmas shopping during her brief visit, which also includes a solo show at The Bar in Hudson on Dec. 4. Beyond that, performing at Moonlight Meadery's home base is about more than music for her.
"The owners, Michael and Bernice, are my best friend's father and stepmother, and she's my maid of honor," McCarthy said, noting that the bridal shower for her wedding next spring happened at the facility. "So not only are they part of an amazing music venue, but I have a very personal connection with them…. I've known them since I was a kid, so it's very cool to be playing there."
Amanda McCarthy & Sam Ferrara
When: Saturday, Dec. 3, 2 p.m.
Where: Over The Moon Farmstead, 1253 Upper City Road, Pittsfield
More: amandamccarthy.com
Featured photo: Amanda McCarthy. Photo Credit Nash Bash Collective.
Author Michael WitthausPosted on 2022-11-29 2022-11-30 Categories Featured Content, NightlifeTags 221201
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Spending large amounts of time sitting during the day is linked to almost 70,000 deaths a year in the UK and treating the health consequences of sedentary behaviour costs the NHS in excess of £0.7bn (€0.8 bn) a year, a new UK study has suggested.
However, this new study by researchers from Queen's University Belfast and Ulster University, is the first of its kind to estimate the financial impact sedentary behaviour has on the NHS.
Figures calculated by other researchers on the impact sedentary behaviour has on the relative risks of five specific health conditions (type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, colon cancer, endometrial cancer and lung cancer) and deaths from all causes were combined with figures on the percentage of adults who are sedentary on any given day of the week to estimate the overall impact sedentary behaviour has at a UK population level.
Figures on sedentary behaviour were taken from the Health Survey for England 2012, which reported that 30 per cent of adults in England spent at least six hours a day sitting down at weekdays and that this increased to 37 per cent on weekends.
Actual overall NHS spending on each of the five conditions, uplifted for inflation, was used to estimate the financial impact sedentary behaviour had on the NHS for each of the conditions in the UK in 2016-17. For all five conditions combined, this amounted to £0.8bn in 2016-17.
Next, they took the figure calculated for the fraction of deaths from all causes that could be attributed to a sedentary lifestyle and multiplied it with the actual numbers of deaths that occurred in the UK in 2016.
According to researchers, their results suggest that 11.6 per cent of all deaths were associated with sedentary behaviour and that 69,276 deaths might have been avoided in 2016 if sedentary behaviour was eliminated in the UK.
The authors pointed out that these costs were probably a conservative estimate of the true burden of sedentary behaviour because sedentary behaviour was likely to be associated with several other cancers, musculoskeletal disorders, and mental health disorders, not included in their analysis.
Measures should be taken to reduce sedentary behaviour with the aim of improving population health and reducing the financial burden to the health service, the researchers concluded.
"It's likely that lack of physical activity will cause an equivalent health and financial burden on the population in Ireland,"
The Irish Heart Foundation has been highlighting the negative impact of sedentary behaviour on health since the launch of its innovative campaign 'Chairs can Kill,' last year.
This campaign highlighted the fact that sitting down for long periods of time increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.
A survey carried out last year by the Irish Heart Foundation revealed that the average person in Ireland sits down for 7.3 hours a day.
Commenting Dr Angie Brown, Medical Director of the Irish Heart Foundation said, "many studies have shown that sedentary lifestyles such as spending large parts of the day sitting increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer and death. We know in Ireland a large portion of the population have sedentary jobs – this study suggests that this has a significant impact in terms of morbidity and mortality and huge financial impact for the NHS in the UK.