It sounds like TB12 injured his hand during practice the other day while getting prepped for the Jags this Sunday in the AFC Championship. While running a play, Brady jammed his hand during a hand-off and went to get X-rays. Apparently, they came back negative and reports say his hand should be good to go for Sunday, but still...YIKES, man.
Here's hoping the right hand of God is blessed and ready to rock for this Sunday's 3:05p kickoff.


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Virginia's Capitol flooded with gun rights activists as Second Amendment rally is underway
January 20, 2020 by BWC
RICHMOND, Va. — Massive crowds of Second Amendment supporters carrying firearms and wearing stickers reading "Guns Save Lives" have descended upon Virginia's Capitol in Richmond Monday as a widely publicized gun rights rally is underway.Thousands of people from across the country are expected to attend the demonstration demanding state Democrats drop a push for comprehensive gun control in…
Filed Under: Essentials
Trump blasts Democrats over impeachment witnesses, says he received 'ZERO' fairness in House inquiry
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Paul Cole: Martin Luther King Jr's father changed the world – the world needs more men of such character
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NYT editorial board endorses Warren, Klobuchar for Democratic nomination for president | TheHill
The New York Times editorial board on Sunday night endorsed both Sens. Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth Ann WarrenThe Memo: Sanders-Warren battle could reshape Democratic primary Environmental activists interrupt Buttigieg in New Hampshire Pence to visit Iowa days before caucuses MORE (D-Mass.) and Amy KlobucharAmy Jean KlobucharSanders to headline Iowa event amid impeachment trial On The Money — Presented by…
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Filed Under: A-Blog, Featured Articles
New York Times Endorses Amy Klobuchar, Elizabeth Warren for President | Breitbart
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Pollak to Prager: Be Optimistic in 2020, Democrats Are Like Wile E. Coyote
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Exes Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt reunite backstage at SAG Awards 2020
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Two Officers Dead in Honolulu Shooting
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WATCH: GOP Rep. Greg Steube: Not One Democrat Voted to Protect Women's Sports
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The forthcoming bombshell investigative book Profiles in Corruption: Abuse of Power by America's Progressive Elite contains 1,126 endnotes totaling 83 pages of source material, Breitbart News has learned. In addition, the book contains no unnamed sources. Instead, it is based on hard evidence and documents, including: foreign and domestic corporate and legal records, tax liens,…
Watch Live: Candace Owens' First 2020 Blexit Rally Kicks Off in NC
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Pence on Biden Family Corruption: The People Have a Right to Know
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Filed Under: A-Blog, EDITORIAL, Featured Articles
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


So back at Gen Con I picked up Operation Icestorm, which is a two player starter for the game Infinity which is made by Corvus Belli. At Adepticon I was able to get a basic demo, basically playing out the first scenario in that starter and I have to say I really like the game and can see why so many Warhammer players have jumped to it. In this post I am going to show you a little bit of what I have been working on with the models and I am going to let you know what my top 3 things where that I really liked about the game. Expect this series of blog posts continue as I try out the game more and learn more about the game and what makes this game both fun and still complex for the veteran players.
So I started by painting up the new Infinity PanOceania models, which are all metal. They are a little fiddly I think to put together. They are not heroic scale, but a true 28mm scale which makes some of the joints really small. Coupled with filing mold lines is a bit of a pain too. I do really like painting metal models and I feel like paint always goes on metal models better which is a plus in my book. So far, I have 2 of the fusilier models painted up and close to having my third. It's a small model count game, so it's really nice to be able to take my time on each figure, work on the detail and highlighting, and feel like I have a really good accomplishment done when each model is completed.
Another year of Adepticon is here and back again. I went again this year and had an amazing time. Pictures from the event can be found in my Google Gallery.


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As Democratic clubs we have the opportunity to make our voting methods more equal, honest, accurate, simple and expressive.
Codi Vierra, August 2018
Most club votes are determined by a simple majority but many clubs have a higher threshold for votes on endorsements and resolutions in order that a plurality of club members determine the outcome.
For endorsements clubs may allow for several rounds of voting if no candidate reaches the required threshold, with the lowest vote-getter being eliminated in each round.
Have you ever attended a club endorsement meeting with races that went to multiple rounds of voting? And where the candidates whose supporters voted and left the meeting early were disadvantaged against those whose supporters hung around through the subsequent rounds of voting? Read on…
Also known as Instant Runoff Voting, Ranked Choice Voting makes multiple rounds of voting more efficient.
One ballot is all that's required.
People who have to leave an endorsement meeting early can still participate in subsequent "rounds" of voting
The idea is that you rank your choices in order of preference, and everything works out just as if you'd gone through multiple rounds. The highest vote-getter goes through each time, and the lowest vote-getter is eliminated.
Click to download Ranked Choice Voting Presentation (PDF)
To insure a plurality of club members when determining an endorsement consideration, you may choose to set a minimum threshold for First Choice depending on the number of candidates in the race. For example the San Diego County Democrats for Environmental Action has this provision in the section of their Bylaws (June 2019) that covers Ranked Choice Voting:
In races in which there are only two (2) candidates seeking the club endorsement; if no candidate receives the required 60 percent vote of First Choice for endorsement but has received at least 50 percent vote of First Choice, then subsequent tallying of choices from the ballot shall be included.
In races in which there are only three (3) or more candidates seeking the club endorsement; if no candidate receives the required 60 percent vote of First Choice for endorsement but has received at least 40 percent vote of First Choice, then subsequent tallying of choices from the ballot shall be included.
STAR (Score then Automatic Runoff) Voting
In STAR Voting instead of Ranking candidates they are Scored, much as you might score a product on Amazon or movie on Netflix. (It's often easier to score a movie 3-stars or 5-stars than it is to rank multiple movies in order of preference.)
With STAR the winner is then determined in two steps. First, all the scores for all the candidates are added up. The second step is an automatic runoff between the two highest scoring candidates. In the runoff, your full vote is automatically assigned to whichever of the top two candidates you rated higher.
You can create your own STAR voting poll or take part in public polls at star.vote.
With Ranked Choice Voting second choice votes are only counted for those voters who happen to see their first choice eliminated before their second choice – if your first choice hangs around in the count longer, your second choice is never considered.
With STAR voting every score is counted for all of your choices.
Which system is better for your club? There's a lot more information available online at:
Equal Vote
Fair Vote
The Center for Election Science
STAR Voting
Codi Vierra and Michael Brackney spoke about RCV and STAR voting at the Council of Clubs meeting in August 2018 – read more here.


Pity the civilians of Idlib. Three million people, including many who sought refuge from violence in the last province under rebel control in Syria, are beset by government forces keen to launch a destructive final assault, one that would complete its military victory after eight years of war.
And in their midst, surrounding their towns, live militants once aligned with Al Qaeda.
Idlib's people were given a brief respite by a deal negotiated by Turkey and Russia to postpone the offensive but as the fighting subsided, winter set in, bringing with it freezing temperatures and torrential rains that swept away many refugee tents just before the new year. One little girl, Myriam Al Hussain, died a month ago today from the cold.
Now, major advances by terrorists threaten to upend the fragile peace.
The recent victories on the battlefield by Hayat Tahrir Al Sham (HTS), the former affiliate of the global terror network Al Qaeda, were as swift as they were dramatic. Besieging and taking control of dozens of towns and villages, HTS routed rival rebel groups in a major show of force that prompted some to disband or flee to areas controlled by Turkish proxy forces.
The latest round of clashes erupted earlier this month and prompted Ankara to reinforce its borders with Idlib. But Turkey did not signal it intended to intervene in rebel infighting.
HTS was supposed to be reined in by Turkey, which controls the supply routes out of Syria from Idlib. It was part of the Sochi agreement in September that prevented an assault by the forces of Bashar Al Assad on the province.
Instead, HTS has continued to gain power. In addition to uprooting other rebel forces, it has used a civilian body called the Salvation Government that is nothing but a puppet of the group to exert its will on residents who oppose its hardline ideology and to act as a facade of civilian authority as a counterpart to its military arm.
The militant group is the latest iteration in the evolution of Jabhat Al Nusra, Al Qaeda's wing in Syria, founded in 2012. HTS has now severed ties with the network that was founded by Osama bin Laden and its more hardline members have set up their own militant outfit. It remains one of the most powerful rebel actors and now seeks to unite opposition groups in Idlib under its banner.
The group's latest gains pose the risk of renewed fighting in the province. Russia, Mr Al Assad's main backer, has not indicated an assault is imminent but it now has a casus belli because it can point to the extremists' gains and argue that a campaign to reclaim Idlib is a battle against terrorism.
But these developments also point to a greater reality of the war. Mr Al Assad has won and the status quo in Idlib is unsustainable.
Turkey does not appear intent on challenging HTS's dominance in Idlib for the time being, as it is focused on a threat that it sees as more crucial to its national security interests – Kurdish militias near its border. Ankara trained, paid for and commands some 30,000 Syrian rebel fighters on the borders of Idlib but it intends to use them to dislodge Kurdish militias allied with the US and affiliated to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), a designated terrorist group behind insurgency against the Turkish state.
Washington is in the early stages of a withdrawal from Syria that was announced by a tweet from president Donald Trump. Turkey will require Russia's consent to launch another ground assault in Syria against the Kurdish militias, a point that Moscow might use as leverage in negotiations over Idlib. Alternatively, Turkey might attack the Kurds, then turn its attention to Idlib and HTS, launching a campaign to eliminate the group.
All options are bitter pills to swallow for Idlib's civilians, many of whom continue to oppose both Mr Al Assad and the extremists. They fear a widespread campaign of retribution by Mr Al Assad's security forces if they retake the province and are in despair from the corruption and mismanagement of local rebels, as well as the hardline rules imposed by HTS. By default, Ankara offers the least unpalatable solution for many but its tutelage would itself be a bitter defeat for those who wish for Syria to remain unified and do not want foreign control.
The sad reality is that the fate of Idlib is in the hands of Russia, Turkey and Iran, acting without the accountability or oversight of an international peace process. Opaque deal-making has only postponed an inevitable slaughter, privileging the interests of regional powers over those of Syrians.
The only solution out of that quagmire is a revived Geneva peace process. Moscow remains keen to shift the economic burden of Syria's reconstruction and maintaining the peace to more affluent western powers, including the European Union. The EU has no leverage other than reconstruction funds, which it has tied to progress on peace negotiations.
Europe should hold Russia to account, setting deadlines for reforms under the auspices of a UN-led process. France and Germany have already been working behind the scenes with Moscow but those negotiations have been dormant in recent months.
They must be revived in the interests of a broader process that includes Syrians everywhere, to try to find a lasting resolution to the crisis, rather than planting the seeds for the next conflict. The grand bargain-style realpolitik reminiscent of the colonial powers of the 20th century must end and in its place, Syrians must be empowered to decide on their own destiny.


St. Clair, J. M., et al. (2014), Quantification of hydroxyacetone and glycolaldehyde using chemical ionization mass spectrometry, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 14, 4251-4262, doi:10.5194/acp-14-4251-2014.
St. Clair, J. M., et al. (2010), Chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometer for the in situ measurement of methyl hydrogen peroxide, Rev. Sci. Instrum., 81, 094102, doi:10.1063/1.3480552.
Hu, W. W., et al. (2015), Characterization of a real-time tracer for isoprene epoxydiols-derived secondary organic aerosol (IEPOX-SOA) from aerosol mass spectrometer measurements, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 15, 11807-11833, doi:10.5194/acp-15-11807-2015.
Kim, P., et al. (2015), Sources, seasonality, and trends of southeast US aerosol: an integrated analysis of surface, aircraft, and satellite observations with the GEOS-Chem chemical transport model, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 15, 10411-10433, doi:10.5194/acp-15-10411-2015.
Liao, J., et al. (2015), Airborne organosulfates measurements over the continental US, J. Geophys. Res., 120, 2990-3005, doi:10.1002/2014JD022378.
Teng, A., et al. (2015), Hydroxy nitrate production in the OH-initiated oxidation of alkenes, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 15, 4297-4316, doi:10.5194/acp-15-4297-2015.
Wolfe, G. M., et al. (2015), Quantifying sources and sinks of reactive gases in the lower atmosphere using airborne flux observations, Geophys. Res. Lett., 42, 8231-8240, doi:10.1002/2015GL065839.
Wolfe, G. M., et al. (2012), Photolysis, OH reactivity and ozone reactivity of a proxy for isoprene-derived hydroperoxyenals (HPALDs), Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 14, 7276-7286, doi:10.1039/c2cp40388a.
Paulot, F., et al. (2009), Unexpected epoxide formation in the gas-phase photooxidation of isoprene, Science, 325, 730-733.


FRANKFURT, June 22 (Reuters) - European wholesale power prices for Monday jumped in trading on Friday on forecasts for sharply lower wind power production in Germany.
* Traders said the supply news overrode bearish impact from slowing demand, with holidays starting in some parts of the region.
* The price of German baseload power for Monday was nearly double that paid for Friday delivery at 47 euros ($54.71) a megawatt hour (MWh). Friday had closed at 24.25 euros.
* French Monday baseload was up 60 percent from the Friday price at 47.25 euros.
* Thomson Reuters data showed German wind power output was likely to come in at 7.9 gigawatts (GW) on Monday, down from 24.3 GW expected for Friday. It should range between a modest 3.6 and 12 GW over the next fortnight.
* German met office DWD said in a daily note there will be a cold front setting in over the weekend but this would pass to make way for rising temperatures again from the middle of next week, with daytime levels above 25 degrees Celsius.
* Thermal operators in Germany/Austria, however, plan to raise capacity by 4.8 percent up to next Friday, especially at hard and brown coal fired plants, data from the EEX bourse showed.
* At the same time, power demand was seen easing. German usage should fall by 0.4 GW to stand at 60.5 GW on Monday and by 1.2 GW in France to 45.3 GW, the data showed. Average daily consumption levels in the two countries next week will likely be 57.8 and 45.2 GW respectively.
* Prices along the power curve rose on gains in related oil, coal and carbon markets. The oil market is watching oil producers' meetings in Vienna aimed at agreeing a deal to raise output to meet growing demand.
* Germany's Cal'19 baseload contract gained 0.6 percent to 41.15 euros/MWh and the contract's French equivalent was in a 45.9-46.15 euros bid-ask range after its previous close at 45.75 euros.
* Benchmark European AP12 coal for 2019 was up 0.5 percent at $84.75 a tonne.
* European carbon permits for December 2018 expiry increased by 1.8 percent to 15.08 euros a tonne.
* In eastern Europe, the Czech Monday contract did not trade after Friday delivery closed at 32 euros. Czech year-ahead power was 0.4 percent down at 42.4 euros.


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Barcelona president admits lengthy search for coach at Setien's unveiling
January 14, 2020 By Oscar Rojas
Topics: La Liga, Barcelona, Ernesto Valverde, Quique Setién, Josep María Bartomeu
According to Bartomeu's words, it seems that Ernesto Valverde was not going to continue at Camp Nou beyond this season.
Barcelona has finally fired Ernesto Valverde after being frequently criticized by fans and experts, and according to Blaugrana president Josep Maria Bartomeu, the board was fully aware about the need for change within the first team, which prompted them to fire Valverde after the Spanish Super Cup loss.
"We decided to part ways with him because we had been made aware for quite a while that the team was not playing at its full potential despite all the good results. We even discussed this with Valverde. We felt that the team could give a bit more on the pitch, and that's why we decided to turn things around for the second half of the season. We tried to keep things close to the chest, but once some negotiations were brought to the attention of the public, we were forced to act," Bartomeu said.
Bartomeu showed remorse for how things went down during the past few days up until today.
"We had been searching for a replacement for quite a while. His sacking is something we would have liked to do differently. It leaves us a bit broken-hearted, since Ernesto was a good guy, but we lacked a few things on the pitch. We would have wanted things to develop in a different way, but then, a name got leaked (Xavi) and everything went sideways," Bartomeu added.
Barcelona's president concluded by stating the length of Quique Setién's deal with the club, which could eventually change due to the upcoming elections within the club.
"Setién's deal ends in 2022, but with the elections coming, we were forced to include a clause in his deal giving the new president a chance to have a say on who will coach the team," Bartomeu concluded.
TUDN anuncia su cobertura semanal de la Liga MX y Liga MX Femenil
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Messi slapped with two-match ban after Spanish Super Cup incident; fans react


Joan Leach was a Knutsfordian through and through, and one of the town's most popular 'Extraordinary Women'. Largely self-taught, her knowledge of Knutsford and those who lived there was unrivalled. She wrote several books about the town including 'Knutsford: A History' and 'Looking Back At Knutsford' and helped to create the town's heritage boards.


Networking does not need to be a mysterious or challenging process. Networking is speaking to individuals who know about an industry, a company, a location or a career path that interests you. Your goal is to talk with people who share your interest and can offer insights to gaining experience. You can effectively network by establishing contacts, introducing yourself to them, preparing to meet with them, and thanking them for their time.
Washington and Lee's Office of Alumni Affairs provides students and alumni with Colonnade Connections, the W&L online alumni directory. Colonnade Connections is a great opportunity for student to build their network. Should you have any issues with Colonnade Connections, please contact Alumni Affairs.
As you develop professional contacts, you are creating a path to your first job or internship. Recent articles report that between 65-85% of all jobs are discovered as a direct result of a conversation (networking). Take networking step by step and allow yourself enough time to cultivate meaningful relationships that you will maintain throughout your career.
Take the mystery out of networking with this step-by-step guide!
Informational interviews can be a great way to explore careers and show interest in an industry.


Totally off-topic but with Oscar Night this Sunday, I thought I'd share a fun way to celebrate the event. Oscar Bingo is one of my favorite ways to integrate pens or markers while I watch the Oscars. Just print out a Bingo card and get your favorite marker or pen to mark your squares. It helps to watch with friends too so there's some competition as to who gets a BINGO! first.
I usually play Oscar Bingo using the cards created by How About Orange. This year, I also might try playing with the Studio 360 boards. Two bingo boards at once will double the fun.
Do you watch the Oscars? Do you have your Oscar Ballot all filled out and ready to compare with the actual winners?


BANGI, 22 Oct, 2012 – The role of psychologists is in urgent need of official recognition through a Psychologists Act just as counsellors already have such an acknowledgement through the Counselling Act.
Psychology Professor, Dato' Dr Wan Mohammad Rafaei Wan Abdul Rahman said the recognition will help in improving the standard and quality of the profession.
Prof Wan Rafaei said the United States, Canada, Australia and other countries acknowledge Psychology as a discipline and psychologists in those countries are recognized as professionals.
Such an Act would limit the profession to qualified members only so that standards and quality can be assured.
He made the reccomendation in his response to being conferred Professor Emeritus by The National University of Malaysia (UKM) Chancellor, Tuanku Muhriz Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir at the 5th session of UKM's 40th Convocation here today.
Prof Wan Rafaei has been acknowledged as a pioneer of psychology not only in UKM but also the nation.
In recognition of his research and scholarship in Malay ethnic psychology, he was appointed to the Chair of Malay Studies at the Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand since 2010.
Long before that he was tasked with helping to set up UKM's first Psychology Centre in 1972.
For Prof Wan Rafaei, it has been like a dream come true. With the support of his parents and siblings, he was able to leave the confines of his village to study at the Malay College Kuala Kangsar and then on to university.
He read Psychology at the Newcastle University, Australia in 1967 under a MARA scholarship until he qualified with a Masters degree in 1974. He has the distinction of being the first Asian student at the university to win a gold medal for excellence.
He had planned to study pschology from the beginning and was confident that the then new university to be known as UKM would have a department of psychology.
UKM was established in May 1970 and he was appointed assistant lecturer in 1972. In 1978, he went to the University of Wales, UK where he earned his Philosophy Doctorate through a Commonwealth scholarship.
Prof Wan Rafei also started the country's first Diploma in Counselling programme in 1980.
He paid tribute to wife and family for their steadfast support through out his career which enabled him to realise his dreams.


The PENN Spinfisher V has been awarded the Best Saltwater Reel Award at the 2012 ICAST show in Orlando, Fla. The voters recognized the PENN Spinfisher V as the top new saltwater reel for 2012 by the select ICAST attendees, which include active editorial journalist and retailers.Considered the top saltwater spinning reel by saltwater anglers worldwide, the new PENN Spinfisher SSV continues the 50-year legacy for the light tackle spinning reel that started in 1963 with the Greenie Series. Incorporating today's advancement in materials and technology, this fifth-generation reel has no rivals.The full-metal body including sideplate and rotor is built to withstand the rigors of saltwater use. The Water Tight Design with six separate seals (nine on the rear mounted Live Liner models) and the truly sealed HT-100 Slammer."This award is a reflection of the hard work that our entire team put in from concept to production," said Mike Rice, PENN Product Brand Manager. "The PENN Spinfisher V is a true workhorse. A favorite for years, the newest rendition of the classic is an instant hit here at ICAST. We are very excited to accept this award and look to continue the success in the future."Drag keeps the internal workings dry. Stainless steel mainshaft and five shielded stainless steel bearings plus one keep the internal workings smooth and corrosion free.Additional features include Instant Anti-Reverse, an oversized aluminum bail wire, line capacity rings on the Superline Spool and live liner drag on select models.Reel weights start at 13.4 ounces while the largest Spinfisher SSV weighs 39.8 ounces. Gear ratios range from 6.2:1 on the smallest models, 5.6:1 on the mid-sized models, 4.7:1 on the larger models and 4.2:1 on the largest. Maximum drag capabilities vary from 20 pounds to 40.The Spinfisher SSV family also introduces the largest of any PENN spinning reel, Model 1050. Built to hold 415 yards of 30-pound monofilament or 750 yards of 50 -pound braid, this reel allows the angler to survive those long line-stripping runs huge fish dish out.


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VR company Sixense is refunding Kickstarter backers for its endlessly delayed STEM controllers
By Adi Robertson@thedextriarchy Oct 16, 2018, 1:00pm EDT
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sixense stem controller
After more than five years, Kickstarter users who backed the Sixense STEM — an eagerly anticipated, long-delayed virtual reality motion controller — are all being offered refunds, as Sixense abandons its original plan for a mass-market device. Sixense is sending its 2,383 original backers a message today, and it's also offering refunds to people who preordered the STEM system after the 2013 campaign closed. It will continue to produce hardware for businesses, which is a relatively common trend for VR companies.
The Sixense Kickstarter campaign raised $604,978, and CEO Amir Rubin says Sixense raised around $500,000 more through preorders. He tells The Verge that Sixense made the decision in the past few months, near the end of a tortuous path from 3D-printed prototype to full-scale production. "We were struggling to take [the STEM] into mass manufacturing," says Rubin. He says those problems were recently solved, but the company decided against moving forward with the mass-market hardware, opting to make small numbers of an improved but significantly more expensive device.
The Sixense STEM was innovative, but it's gotten lapped by other controllers
"Struggling" is something of an understatement. Sixense has produced a number of STEM development kits, but it's spent years fixing design problems on a consumer equivalent. During that time, companies like Oculus and HTC started adding motion controllers to their VR systems, making the STEM redundant for many people. "There's no need to clutter the consumer market anymore," says Rubin, if other companies are producing relatively cheap headsets with motion controllers.
Some backers decided this was true years ago, and they've been disappointed and infuriated by the STEM's perpetual state of limbo. It was originally set to ship in mid-2014, but it's been consistently pushed back a few months at a time. (The first comment on its last public post simply begins "Refund, refund, refund.") Rubin says he's returned funds to individuals who asked, which is around 20 percent of the total backer base, according to him. But last year, he said that Sixense's board of directors wouldn't let him offer a blanket refund yet. Rubin says that changed partly because Sixense made $20 million by selling part of its stake in MVI Health, a partnership with medical device company Penumbra.
Remember those VR lightsabers?
Lots of VR controllers hit Kickstarter around 2013, filling a gap for people who bought Oculus' newly released (and similarly crowdfunded) Rift VR development kit. Most of these companies have either floundered or given up on their consumer plans since businesses are far more likely to need an expensive, specialized device that works best with a few applications. Sixense, for instance, offers a full-body tracking system for VR job training simulations.
But Sixense — which was also behind the 2011 Razer Hydra controller — may be the best-known of these companies. It appeared at trade shows with then-novel experiences like a VR lightsaber demo, years before Lucasfilm released the first official lightsaber game. Rubin says the STEM helped inspire Valve and HTC's Vive motion controllers at a time when most Oculus Rift apps relied on keyboards and game controllers. (Valve engineer Jeff Bellinghausen is on Sixense's advisory board.) And "the backers put the STEM system on the map," says Rubin.
Last year, I spoke with some backers who still found the STEM's design promising. It tracks controllers using magnetic fields, while most major VR systems rely on cameras or other visual tracking options. (The Magic Leap mixed reality headset's controller is based on similar principles.) Rubin says he thinks some people will be legitimately disappointed by the news that the STEM — at least, the model Sixense promised — isn't shipping. But for many people, it will wrap up a disappointing saga that's been running for almost the entire history of modern VR.


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How Prince William County Public Schools serves up success
By Julianne Pepitone on Oct. 11, 2019
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Photograph courtesy of Prince William County Public Schools
It's a bit trite to say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but it's a truism that holds, especially for young students—including those who may not get enough to eat at home. Prince William County Public Schools in Manassas, Va., takes that to heart, focusing heavily on breakfast service and offering students a variety of options to make sure kids get their days off to a well-fueled start.
Read on to see how the district does just that.
Explore:	Breakfast, operations
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Where it starts
"The idea behind everything we do is [that] your food and environment affects how you come to the day to learn," says Adam Russo, director of the district's Office of School Food and Nutrition Services. "If we can meet them where they are, breakfast becomes part of their routine and they're set up for success the rest of the day."
The district is made up of 101 schools and centers, and every school offers breakfast in the classroom. Each high school also has an "after the bell" grab-and-go program for students who aren't hungry right at the start of the day.
Both breakfast programs offer similar items, and they're not always the typical: In addition to the megapopular French toast sticks, cereal and breakfast sandwiches, Prince William County also serves chicken sliders, smoothies and baby carrots in a bag.
"We had these carrots and decided two years ago [to] put them out at breakfast and see who wants them," Russo says. "Now, 10% of scholars are taking baby carrots at the first meal of the day. They get exposed to vegetables, and they get those valuable vitamins and nutrients. It's a small thing that's really exciting for us."
Increasing accessibility
While the classroom breakfast setup has been running for about six years, the grab-and-go setup was added in the 2017-2018 school year. "Lots of these high schoolers were coming to school not wanting breakfast right away, but then by the end of that first period, they were hungry," Russo says. "We developed a pilot program at one school to figure out how we can make things portable for these kids to grab a meal they can eat in their hand as they walk down the hall, or as they set up their stuff for the next class."
The pilot was an immediate success, so Russo and his team quickly rolled it out to all high schools. It was part of the effort that won Prince William County a "Gold" award from No Kid Hungry's Virginia Breakfast Challenge earlier this year, which celebrates innovations in the morning meal.
Awards are a nice acknowledgment, Russo says, but in a district where 43% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, the real success comes from seeing kids consuming nourishing food.
"We have one guiding principle: 'See kid, feed kid,'" Russo says. "It's one I picked up at Norfolk (in a previous job). I dined with one student on a Friday before Fourth of July weekend who had spilled strawberry on his shirt. I saw him the following Tuesday and he was wearing the same stained shirt and was so hungry that he was shaking. I told the staff to give him whatever food he wanted, and I went into the walk-in cooler and cried."
Upgrading service
Prince William County doesn't focus solely on the menu for breakfast or lunch—which includes scratch-made meatloaf, chicken enchiladas, stuffed peppers with soy crumbles and strawberry shortcake. The service is just as important, if not more so.
That's why Russo decided five years ago to convert a standard training coordinator position to the role of coordinator for guest experience. That person has their hand in food, service, recipe development, event planning and employee in-service days—all with the core goal of making students smile.
"I've never met anyone across the country with this title or even a similar role," says Samantha Ronk, who took on the guest experience position. "The fact that we even have it reflects our whole approach to foodservice."
While Ronk's position is by definition one that involves her in all aspects of the district's foodservice, she most enjoys coordinating "lesson plans" with students, through which they can experience part of the operation. Second-graders, for example, compete in a friendly corn-husking contest, learning about different parts of the ears selected from a local farm, shucking the corn and helping prepare it for service the next day. High schoolers are treated to a "food flow" tour, which walks them through receiving food shipments to storing, preparing and serving.
Making it count
Such programs help make the difference, Ronk says. "For efforts to be successful, they have to be authentic. Embrace what your staff is passionate about. Someone might be great at baking bread and another is really into social media. Let them shine where they enjoy and they'll be happier, which is passed right along to students."
Russo agrees. "It's easy to get stuck in the way you've always done things, but no one ever grew in their comfort zone," he says, noting that operators should remember to "get out of your own way."
The central tenet is intention, Russo says, which will carry an operation through even its bad days: "If something didn't work out the way we intended, that can feel rough. But if we fed kids good food at the right temperature with a smile, everything's OK. We failed on the right side of things, and we're going to grow from it starting tomorrow."
How Bridgestone Arena makes meals a smash
Meet the FSD: Adam Russo
Director of School Food and Nutrition Services,
Prince William County Public Schools
Q: What are your goals for the coming year?
My goal is always to feed more kids. Every day, we want to feed more than we did the day before. The overarching goal within that is to make all scholars feel welcome. We want every child, when they come though here, to know they are not a number to us. We hear them. We see them. We understand what they want and we try to shape every menu item and every decision we make around them.
Q: What is it that makes your operation excel?
It's care. We have an amazing staff that really cares about the people we serve, and that's evident both in the way we present and make our food and the way we serve it. Service can't be forgotten in a school. Our scholars might not see a smile that day until they come to us for breakfast in the morning. Our staff is willing to run through walls for our kids.
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What sets Pathagoras apart from the others?
It is truly easy to prepare documents for automation. An automatic variable consists only of plain text within plain text square brackets.
[Client Name] (with nothing else) is an automated variable to Pathagoras. No fields, no tables.
Optional text is just as easy to create.
'Plain text' setups lead to easier creation of variables and faster creation of multiple instances of the same variables. It also makes for easier editing when you want to make a change to a variable or options block.
Pathagoras is a complete document assembly package. A to Z; soup to nuts; top to bottom; whatever other metaphor you can think of.
In addition to classic 'template assembly' (using over-built documents and paring away the text not relevant to the immediate project), Pathagoras allows paragraph or 'building block' assembly. You can assemble multiple items into a new document using Pathagoras' powerful Clause Selection screen. You can also create Clause-Sets. Clause-Sets are 'single' files that point to multiple clauses and assemble those clauses into a single document. When you store your clauses in separate 'building blocks,' Clause-Sets let you greatly speed up the assembly of standard documents such as simple retainer agreements or 'I Love You' wills.
Pathagoras contains its own 'Instant Database'. Variable-to-value pairings (e.g., [Client Name] = John Doe) can be saved and reused without having to pre-configure anything. Pathagoras allows up to 999 unique pairings and can store an unlimited number of records (just like other databases, except it requires none of the work).
Pathagoras contains document management tools that let you quickly save and then recall your client/customer documents created via the document assembly module.
Pathagoras provides document dis-assembly tools. These tools allow you to easily and quickly create building blocks of text from complete documents.
Pathagoras has a wide variety of conversion tools that let you convert (in bulk) your WordPerfect or rtf documents to Word.
Pathagoras has tools that allow quick renaming of your documents to meet an existing or new office naming protocol.
Pathagoras starts and ends with Microsoft(r) Word. All intermediate steps are in Word. All Word commands, keyboard shortcuts, automatic paragraph numbering routines, etc., are active at all stages. Users never leave their familiar Word environment in order to use Pathagoras.
Pathagoras works with all versions of Word from 2003 forward. Pathagoras works with all documents and templates that Word can generate, i.e., .doc, .docx, .dot, .dotx, and .rtf files. You don't need to convert from .doc to.docx in order to enjoy the benefits of Pathagorras.
Pathagoras can be menu driven, but menus are entirely optional.
In the same way that Pathagoras generates its own 'intake sheets' (i.e., using just the setup on the face of the base document), it does the same with menus.
Bottom line -- no 'behind the scenes' coding to create menus.
The default settings with which Pathagoras installs are perfect for the beginner. No further setup is required. That way, the user can instantly begin 'Pathagorizing' documents and recalling them to the editing screen from the moment he or she sits down. See the Pathagoras No-Setup Guide.
Nevertheless, dozens of options and settings are readily available to the more adventuresome users.
Even the most novice use can make the document assembly experience highly personalized.
Technical support requests are responded to almost immediately. Your phone calls are answered live during normal business hours in almost all cases. If you leave a message, we generally respond to within minutes, NOT HOURS or DAYS. Emails, likewise, are responded to almost immediately. If you need us, we are there. See our 'Reviews and Kudos pages.


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After a week off, Les Thatcher and Vic Sosa return to answer your questions on WrestleMania, Mauro Ranallo, and more!
Since we weren't here last week, we'll start by giving Les a chance to talk about the passing of Jan Ross and extend our deepest sympathies to Jim Ross and his entire family. From there we'll talk about a recent trip to Highspots HQ that Les took and having lunch with George South (8:15), which leads to an interesting discussion regarding something George does regularly at shows he promotes and/or provides the ring for and why he does this one particular thing.
Then we'll open the mailbag to answer your questions about guys who aren't on the WWE radar but should be (24:57), the JBL/Mauro Ranallo situation (27:57), some history on Nelson Royal (47:50), who was a star in a number of areas but is probably best known for his time in the Mid-Atlantic territory, the match Les is most looking forward to this weekend at WrestleMania (57:18), what's the deal with wrestlers wearing trunks over long tights (60:56), and what to do with ROH if WWE should end up buying the company (72:03).
Thanks for listening and enjoy WrestleMania weekend~!
Wrestling Weekly: Balls Mahoney, Killing Stipulations, Return of the Mighty Mailbag~!


How Can the City of Malibu Step Up to Address Our Homeless Crisis? | Moms-Pod – A blog.
How Can the City of Malibu Step Up to Address Our Homeless Crisis?
In life, the only thing that matters are people – those you hurt, and those you help.
1) Contract with The People Concern to deliver services that will insure homeless are given help to get off the streets. MTFH entered into letter of commitment with The People Concern that runs through 2018. I believe it is the responsibility of City, not volunteers to insure this is done correctly. Indeed, I believe it is just as important as paying for Sheriff services, and the homeless efforts done by City need to have transparency and accountability – these are things that volunteers simply can not provide.
2) Expand the duties of the Emergency Services Department to oversee, to coordinate local entities who provide homeless services and to report back to Council and public efforts to address both homeless and community safety concerns. I commend the City of Malibu for addressing this issue in public today, but hope it will hold another Town Hall meeting on homeless. I also believe a roundtable with stakeholders from non-profits, sheriff and concerned citizens could be coordinated and hosted at Malibu City Hall at least once a month.
3) Provide a permanent location for food distribution and services. The City of Malibu is well equipped to coordinate with LA County to open up the old Court House to give local churches and non-profits a safe place to serve food and to have a place to meet with clients to provide services. Shuttle bus times to shelters can be coordinated with food distribution. Please note, City of Malibu has already used Library set-aside Funds to hire a public safety officer at the library. Please understand, this is not a permanent solutions, but it is a good short term solution, until another safe location can be identified.
4) Create merchandising program to help fund efforts to address homeless and other city priorities (e.g. public safety and the arts). Under the Malibu Lumber Lease, the City is entitled to pop shop which has never been opened for various reasons (no staff, merchandise). I respectfully request City of Malibu again consider working with Artifact Tree and/or Arts Commission to raise additional funds to support City priorities through merchandising.
My experience with Malibu Homeless began in October 2015. As I was dropping my kids off at a school bus stop next to Point Dume elementary school playground, I noticed a van with out of state plates and drawn curtains. My Momma bear instinct kicked in, and I took a picture of license plate with another concerned mom, just in case a child was abducted from the playing ground later that day. The homeless woman who was sleeping in the van woke up. Our hearts melt when we heard her story – from Colt's cheerleader to homeless with mental health issues and a simple dream to live in California.
A short time later, local heroes and community activists Carol Moss and Sandy Liddell began meeting at Malibu Methodist to discuss homeless issues and CART (Community Assistance and Resource Team) was born. CART first looked at hiring professionals to help on the street, but also had many other goals like delivering food, and providing services such has eye clinics.
The Malibu Task Force on Homelessness (MTFH) was formed in January 2016 with volunteers who had one goal – to raise money and to enter into contract with professionals who could help Malibu's homeless. Thanks to support from community, the Hilton Foundation, and the City of Malibu, MTFH raised money to hire 2 full time workers which has grown to team includes doctors to address needs of community and to provide housing and wrap around services for homeless.
I am grateful to see that so many in our community care and whole heartedly believe we can find a path forward together.


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During its' meeting of 22 April, the Commission reviewed and approved the final design for renovations and additions to Brightwood Elementary School located at Nicholson and 13th Streets, NW. The Commission strongly supported the inclusion of skylights in the final design.
We look forward to continued review of the District of Columbia public schools. As always, the staff is available should you or the design team require guidance.


In the present era, cleanness has been regarded to be a major factor contributing to the success of the bank, and it's up to the bank to decide their fate. Commercial cleaning of banks may be categorized into two the interior and exterior cleaning services. After commercial bank cleaning was introduced many banks benefitted since the customers were able to be satisfied by the bank's surroundings and operations. When a customer is choosing for a suitable bank to save their savings, they also consider the tidiness of the bank offices. The customers can get a bank which offers a clean environment to interact with the tellers.
As a result of adopting the cleaning services on the bank, they can have cleaned teller stations and world-class washrooms which are well suited for every bank customers. Bank have these services at a cost which they must incorporate in their book of accounts.
As the best way to get the cleaning services the bank must hire a company to clean the bank on their behalf. An example of companies that offers bank cleaning services is the Toronto green cleaning services.
Bank cleaning has a history recalled back in the 19th century. Few setbacks may be experienced when a company is hired to clean the bank. Few complaints may be experienced. The main principle when operating at economies of scale is utilizing the time that the labor force is allocated. During the laying of the foundation of the bank activities also the cleaning companies are required to clean the bank before the commencement of the operations.
It is the goal of the cleaning company to adopt green cleaning services. When green cleaning services are used no harm could befall on the environment thus eco-friendly. Green cleaning services came after the pressure that the international environmental bodies made on the commercial cleaning services.
Different modes of cleaning are used for separate situations in an internal and external environment of the bank. After the invention of ATMs there came the need of cleaning these machines to reduce operations distractions. Commercial carpet cleaning is used when cleaning the bank's carpet. The external cleanliness of the bank will contribute to the bank's success in the modern world. Do consider great bank cleaning Toronto services for this.
A good bank will adopt an outsourced company to offer cleaning services rather than having a bias internal cleaning schedule. Several benefits are experienced when hiring cleaning services since it saves time and enables the bank to concentrate on more important things.


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The Last Days of the Leather Fortress
By Tina Horn
For a decade, the BDSM site Kink.com has filmed scenes for its more than 50,000 members in a hundred-year-old armory in downtown San Francisco. This year, the final erotic frames were shot on the premises.
Tina Horn hosts and produces the long-running kink podcast Why Are People Into That?!. She...
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Amber Ivy and Tommy Pistol. Photos courtesy of Kink.com, directed by Maitresse Madeline Marlowe.
Mickey Mod and I are walking around the San Francisco Armory basement late one February night. We're both staying here to participate in the last week of Kink.com film production that will be taking place in this building. The BDSM-themed porn company, also known as Cybernet Entertainment, has owned the 200,000-square-foot historic landmark fortress for ten years. During that time, they have shot approximately eleven thousand hardcore sex scenes within its brick walls.
Every available room and in-between space is piled with the fetish costumes, outrageously high-heeled shoes, sinister customized props, and other ephemera that employees have claimed. It reminds me of an apartment the day before roommates move out, except instead of appliances, people are putting masking tape labels on rubber tongue fucking machines and olive green latex military uniforms. Just beyond a cart stacked high with vintage encyclopedias is a large disco ball resting in a metal hydrotherapy bath. A collection of rusty chains has been piled into a wheelchair. If the Armory is haunted, I could imagine the ghosts trapped here finding all this poltergeist-ing material a little on the nose.
Mickey knows his way around better than I do. He shot his first scene as a Kink model in 2009 and has been one of their most consistent male stars ever since. He's a tall, slender, down-to-earth man with a very dependable nine-inch cock.
Mickey flips the heavy light switches just inside a set called the Gimp Room. Many of the rooms are some variation on this dungeon design: wooden floors, custom crosses and stockades, chains hanging from the ceiling. Much of the atmosphere comes from the building's natural decrepitude, while some elements have been customized for either decor, like false electrical boxes, or functionality, like the many o-ring tie off points available to the bondage-rigging directors. There's a seven-foot-tall metal cage built into the wall, which opens up into another set, the Training Room. Walking through this cage, I feel like I'm in a dream, or a dream sequence, where each threshold leads to a completely different environment.
My boots echo on the concrete floor as we head down another hallway, past a venetian blind-covered window that peeks into a noirish office, to a vast pillar-lined cavern called The Roman Baths, past which is a phony wooden sauna with swinging doors that open into a locker room.
Next is the Abattoir, a serial killer slaughterhouse complete with prop pig carcass hanging from siding hooks. Beyond that is a room containing an enormous boiler. "There's lots of rooms here meant to look like a sinister place you might be taken to," Mickey says. "But this is the one that makes me feel like if I was brought here, no one would ever hear from me again."
We make a loop through the Shooting Range, groundwater from MIssion Creek running through the cavernous space. It's rooms like these, where the dusty air gives me an instant asthma attack, where the foundations seem close to crumbling and the walls are slimy with water stains, that remind me this building is over one hundred years old. If it had been purchased for any purpose other than making highly dramatic dungeon movies, rooms like this probably would have been redeveloped by now.
They might, in fact, be redeveloped very soon.
The history of Kink.com is well-told at this point. CEO Peter Acworth's grad school dorm room experiments with bondage films. A late-1990s Internet environment primed for successful niche membership sites. Then, in 2006, the purchase of the National Guard Armory and Arsenal at 14th and Mission, a historical landmark which had stood mostly unused for decades.
In an out-of-the-way prop supply room that could be mistaken for a Salvation Army, Mickey and I come across a stack of photo stills printed on 9 x 12 inch gator board, analog evidence of Kink.com's early days.
In one of these pictures, a woman, naked except for a leather waist cincher, stands in five-inch chunky-heeled black pumps with her opaque white thigh-high stockinged legs apart. Her ankles are tied with white rope, the ends of which disappear, taut, out of either side of the frame. Another length of rope attached to two dumbbell weights wraps between her naked vulva. Her hands are attached above her head to suspension cuffs, so called because the straps run along the wrist and palms, putting less pressure on joints than simple circular cuffs. She is wearing a red ballgag from which several straps wrap along her eyes, partially obscuring her identity. A rod is attached to her breasts by nipple clamps.
Behind this model, a slender pale man wearing jeans but no shirt crouches, holding what may be a vibrator between her legs. The man is wearing a simple black mask that covers his entire face.
"That's Peter's old garage," says Mickey. Indeed, in the background, which you would be forgiven for not noticing right away, is a washer and dryer.
"And that's definitely Peter," he says, pointing to the man in the mask.
The first Kink.com site I modeled for was Wired Pussy, which is now called Electro Sluts. The same year, 2009, I was also cast in Men In Pain, which is now called Divine Bitches. I was very proud to be on Kink as both a submissive, struggling in an electricity-conducting copper cage while Lorelei Lee sat on my face, and as a dominant in a red latex bra, strap-on fucking Danny Wilde in the ass.
My sex-work life at the time was all over the place, in dungeon studios and hotel rooms around the Bay Area, switching outfits and personas, catering to the varied taste of an endless stream of men. The Armory was, for me and many other people I knew, a single destination to make dependable money. It was intimidating but welcoming. The work I did there was usually more intense than the average "direct service" client session, but it paid more, on a legit W9 tax form. Plus, I was playing with other sex workers who had more skills and generally got me wetter than my clients did.
Mickey and I climb four flights of marble stairs—past the second floor talent lounge and cam show rooms, past the third floor which is mostly devoted to tech and marketing offices—to The Upper Floor, the top level that has been modeled after an Edwardian mansion. He points to a particular room and we tease each other fondly about a Public Disgrace shoot a few years back, where he fucked me on that pool table in front of a crowd. Lorelei, who was directing, had brought me in at the last minute as a submissive model. I amazed myself that day with how much attention I could demand and money I could make by navigating erotic overstimulation.
At the end of the shoot, Lorelei gathered me up in a terrycloth robe, looked deep into my eyes and said, "You're a superstar." It was at this, after hours of willfully submitting to negotiated degradation and pain, that I burst into tears of relief. The performance of objectification didn't make me feel vulnerable: being praised by a powerful woman did.
Lorelei understood that no matter how much good we do in our lives, women don't know if we are enough. For some of us, the overdetermined melodramatic glamour of BDSM work is our refuge from uncertainty.
Like the joke goes, porn is the only job that you only have to do once to be a star.
Friday, February 24, 2017 was the last day hardcore porn was filmed at the San Francisco Armory.
Both Matt Slusarenko, the director of marketing and business development, and Alison Boden, the vice president of technology and operations, explained the decision to me as primarily a business one. While much of the Armory is used for Cybernet offices and production, there is plenty of untapped potential to the space. The 40,000-square-foot Drill Court can host sports, music, dance, and theater events. Numerous rooms could be rented to startup offices; one could easily imagine entire floors transformed into trendy co-working spaces. Securing permits for this kind of re-zoning starts to present conflicts, however, such as the California law prohibiting alcohol sale in an establishment that also provides fully nude entertainment.
I was told many stories about vendors revoking contracts when they caught so much as a glimpse of leather or nudity, and some potentially lucrative clients that simply refused outright to do business with a space in which BDSM porn is filmed. This despite the fact that you could definitely spend the entire day in the building and never know a hardcore film shoot was underway beyond the blinking red partition lights.
Considering, however, that the 2016 Republican Party platform declared porn a "public health crisis" and that the box office success of the Fifty Shades franchise hasn't reduced institutionalized stigma against BDSM practice, many businesses simply prefer to segregate themselves from adult entertainment. Few mainstream companies see the value of preserving sex subcultural history, even as their brands enjoy the edgy weirdness of San Francisco. Still others see Kink's content as an outright nuisance.
When Acworth moved Kink operations to the Armory in early 2007, members of the local community protested them as a morally corrupting force. Most of the accusations from the Mission Armory Community Collective, such as Cybernet creating "dead end jobs," were baseless, ultimately perpetuating the very stigma they feared. It is in response to this kind of hand-wringing that Kink.com has made their sexual values explicit, largely unheard of in porn companies of their size. As of this writing, Kink.com has approximately fifty thousand paying site members.
Their mission—To demystify and celebrate alternative sexualites by providing the most ethical and authentic kinky adult entertainment—is prominently displayed on the site and in the public parts of the Armory. Every Kink scene, including every free trailer, begins and ends with an interview with the models, emphasizing the consent, interests, and boundaries of the submissive performer. Community tours, which are led daily throughout the building, combine Mission history with frank discussions of the dynamics of BDSM.
No other porn company has ever housed its production, talent, IT, marketing, and management departments in the same building. Slusarenko tells me that the thing he'll miss the most is "seeing a database engineer talking to a dominatrix about selling her content. It doesn't exist anywhere else."
The company is hardly without dysfunction, but their centralization is tied to their transparency. In my vision of a post-decriminalization America, more sex work would be done in such places: physical locations with the possibility of community for the workers and accountability for the management. Not a utopia, just a realistic adult business in every sense of the word.
So in some ways, the Armory's imposing physical presence has been a stalwart icon of a fading San Francisco, the queer mecca whose leather shops and dyke bars are shuttering under pressure of a thriving tech economy. Yet in other ways, they are leaving because they were never fully embraced there in the first place. Kink.com, then, finds itself between a neighborhood rock and an ideological hard place.
Another battle facing Cybernet is the ongoing question of model safety and how it's defined. The regulation of condom use in the California porn industry has been the subject of a contentious legal and political battle in recent years. In 2012, Measure B passed in Los Angeles, requiring the use of condoms in all porn videos shot in that county. In 2016, Proposition 60 would have expanded that law statewide; however, it was rejected by voters. The majority of working porn performers oppose condom regulations for many reasons: they trust their own Talent Testing Service to keep them aware of their STI status, and they assert that prolonged performative sex under hot lights dramatically alters the efficacy and comfort of barrier protection.
The co-author of Prop 60 is Michael Weinstein, President of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, who has poured years of resources into mandating condoms in porn, while inviting the ire of other HIV advocacy organizations for, among other gaffes, dismissing PrEP as a "party drug."
Weinstein has specifically targeted Kink.com in his efforts to introduce legislation ostensibly designed for performer safety, despite the fact that organizations such as the Free Speech Coalition, the trade association for the adult film industry, have consistently opposed these regulations. Maybe this is because of the extreme nature of Kink's content, or the fact that they work with many "crossover" performers who shoot in straight, gay, and trans genres. Or it might be because almost every Kink video was obviously shot on an Armory set.
Ironically, the centralized nature that establishes obvious protections to workers—accountability, familiarity, consistency—also make the company a sitting duck for those who oppose it.
Kink has spent countless hours and resources on fighting these forces: one estimate I was given approached a million dollars in a few short years. They're proud of their victories, like a hearing last February where Cal-OSHA rejected proposed condom mandate legislation after five hours of passionate testimony from adult performers. But they are weary, too.
"Now that I've gotten off on my filmmaking," Maitresse Madeline Marlowe announces, "the boys are allowed to come, too!"
It's 5:45 p.m. on Friday. I've been watching Madeline and her crew prepare and shoot non-sex content all day. Two scenes of innuendo, mostly to establish the Twin Peaks parody plot and characters.
I ask a few people if they think this production value makes a difference to the members who will jerk off to the sex, or if it's mostly for Madeline's directorial satisfaction. Everyone agrees it's the latter, but no one seems particularly annoyed.
Even the male talent, who have been lounging around since 11 a.m., accept this as part of the experience of working for Kink.com. They look at their phones, they nap, they mutter their lines under their breath until they've memorized them. Will Havoc, one of the performers, who is also Madeline's real-life romantic partner and production assistant, tells me that the men know not to get into any serious conversations. They basically have to hurry up and wait to be bored for hours until the women decide they're ready for them.
Madeline wiggles out of her velvet costume dress and maroon stilettos, pulling on cotton leggings, flats, and a T-shirt that declares, in white letters on black background, the name of the website she's shooting today: HARDCORE GANGBANG.
A Kink.com gangbang is a group of men having sex with one woman; the site's tagline is "Where all women's hardcore gangbang fantasies come true." On Hardcore Gangbang—which was originally called Bound Gangbang when it was started in 2011 by Princess Donna Dolore—the focus is on the woman. Practically, this means the woman is the bottom, the one who is penetrated, the recipient of any erotic pain or erotic humiliation. It also means that everything from the website copy to the script is centered on the fulfillment of the female performer's desire.
Amber Ivy, a 23-year-old performer who got her start in the industry three years ago on the tattooed alt girl site Burning Angel, has a look like Jessica Rabbit combined with a very pretty bird. She is slender and creamy-skinned with big breasts and big eyes. After being booked for this shoot, she emailed Madeline requesting a Twin Peaks theme. She wanted to be Audrey Horne so much that she made her own costume, sewing red fluff onto a snow-white lace robe and hot-glueing a dozen red bows with craft pearls to her white corset. The Kink costume department set her up with white opaque stockings decorated with black aces and red spades. With her long cascading maroon hair and tattoos, she doesn't really resemble the actress Sherilyn Fenn, but her look is pure brothel chintzy cheesecake.
Tommy Pistol, a natural goofball, is perfectly cast as psychiatrist Dr. Jacoby in his Hawaiian shirt and different-colored sunglasses. Will is playing Bobby Briggs, wearing a short-sleeve shirt over a long-sleeve thermal and another plaid shirt tied around his waist. He didn't put his usual product in his hair, and it flops around, giving him the perfect '90s dirtbag look. Owen Grey, thin as a rail, is James Hurley in aviator sunglasses and motorcycle boots. Jon Jon plays Leo Johnson in a lumberjack shirt, and Mickey is sleazy Ben Horne in a blazer which he constantly shakes off his shoulders as he chomps on a cigar. These outfits do exactly what a group Halloween costume should: separately, you wouldn't peg any individual character, but together it's delightfully obvious who is supposed to be who.
The night before, eating sandwiches in our pajamas in the talent lounge, I had asked Amber what she was excited about for the shoot. She told me confidently that she loves group sex, but that she's never done an on-camera gangbang before.
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"I think being the focal point is the charm of it all," she grins. She was nervous about taking dicks in her vagina and ass at the same time, but was looking forward to working with a company that understands "in a BDSM scene, the power comes from the bottom."
It's a tight squeeze on set: me, the camera woman Minako, the production assistant Rhia, Madeline, a reporter from Vice, the five male performers, and Amber. All of the porn stars are given their own robe, flip flops, and a reusable water bottle with their stage name written in Sharpie on masking tape.
The set dressers have arranged a carefully surreal tableau. A blue strobe light flutters above our heads. There are several taxidermied deer, one of which is sticking out of an ornate toilet, and an expressionless white mannequin. There's a vintage '50s TV, an ancient metal table fan, and a number of pink flamingos. A concrete buttress angles up into the ceiling; according to the building's tour guide, this was originally the primary support for a thousand pound artillery rifle.
Madeleine gathers the performers and crew to review Amber's limits from the forms she filled out that morning. She doesn't like nipple pain and she doesn't want her face slapped. At her request, this is a no condom shoot. Every performer has submitted their required STI test, which is no more than two weeks old. Her safewords are yellow and red.
I glance over at Tommy, who is sitting in a dark corner. I've been around so many sex toys all week that I think he is holding a dildo in his lap. It takes me a moment to realize he has his actual dick out of his pants and is slowly stroking himself, staring into the middle distance. This is the first moment of actual explicit sex I've witnessed in my week at the Armory and I'm surprised how jarring it is to me.
The crew does a couple of takes in which Tommy drags a struggling Amber into the light. Mickey rips gaffer tape off her mouth, which looks like duct tape but doesn't hurt or mess up her lipstick.
Owen steps forward, holding Amber's chin in his hand, and delivers his line from Madeline's script in a perfect angsty teen tone.
"Sometimes riding on my motorcycle into the night, I punch off the headlights and roll the throttle and just rocket blind into the dark. I'm going to do the same with your tight virgin cunt."
Tommy pushes Amber down, where she kneels on a pad that has been hidden underneath the rug. While the crew preps the shot, she throws her head back and spreads her knees wide. The men gather around her. She starts putting dicks in her mouth before Madeline can call action again.
A Kink.com gangbang is a formulaic ritual. Blowbang, vaginal, anal, double penetration, pop shot. The men have their moves, they know how this goes. Minako knows when to go for a wide, medium, close up on genitals, closeup on face, POV from the guys, POV from the the girl. She climbs with her camera onto an applebox, confidently towering over the men in her Vans sneakers and jeans. Only Amber has never done this before.
"Just let go," says Madeline. "Tommy will support you from behind."
"And I'll support you emotionally!" Will jokes and everyone laughs.
"Let's get her on the fuckbox!" Madeline yells. The boys drag a large wooden box covered in leather cushioning under the lights and hoist the now-naked Amber onto her back.
I start to become aware of certain well-practiced moves. The energy of the men is always directed heterosexually towards the woman but their work is distinctly, even homosocially, collaborative. An arm around her torso. A knee bracing her hips. Holding her open for the camera and one another. They remove their pants but put their shoes back on for traction. Mickey starts rhythmically sliding his hand along his own waist, and it takes me a second to realize he's wiping lube off so he can keep a grip on Amber's ankles as he fucks her.
Will slaps Amber in the face and she says quickly and loudly, "No, I don't like that."
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I completely forgot." Will steps back.
Amber gasps. "We can keep going." But Madeline says, "No, no, I know what face slapping does." The shoot pauses for a minute while the men back off and Rhia gets Amber tissues and water.
Owen lays on the floor and stares at the ceiling, edging himself. Will checks his phone with one hand while holding his erection in the other.
Amber requests an off-camera warm-up for anal sex. Mickey asks what position she'd prefer.
"Can we spoon?"
Everyone else takes five while Mickey and Amber climb onto the fuckbox. They both lie on their right sides as Mickey rubs silicon lube on his cock and slides it inside of her. They are facing away from me but I can see him whispering in her ear and holding her gently.
After a few minutes she says she's ready.
As I watch Amber straddle Will while Tommy fucks her ass, I remember how nervous she was about being double-penetrated. Now she seems both ravenous and relaxed, comfortably letting the men flip her on her back, on her stomach, on her knees.
This might be the right time to acknowledge that gangbangs are my go-to masturbation material. When I watch this genre of porn, I always identify with the woman as a complete object of desire and an object that completely desires. I'm in awe of what her body can do.
I had expected to be distractedly turned on, but my arousal has been replaced by wonder. Madeline has established a choreographed sequence repeated over and over, because both novelty and familiarity drive the business of desire. In this sequence, the subjectivity of the woman is meticulously established precisely so that she can give herself over to abandon.
The negotiation, the trained crew, the paperwork, the plot conceit—these preparations are like bungee jumping harnesses, like an acrobat's net, like telling someone where you'll be when you go on a hike or a Tinder hookup. They don't create a completely safe space and they don't pretend to guarantee that. They create a risk-aware environment, mitigating for worst case scenarios, in which everyone agrees that the risk is worth it because the rewards—the honest money, the ecstatic experience, the pride in making subversive erotic art—can't be achieved without risk.
Madeline has the sex footage she needs, so it's time for the pop shot, or money shot. The guys take turns ejaculating on Amber's face. Their control and timing is breathtaking. The next morning over coffee, Madeline will tell me that the thing the members love most is seeing the girl "destroyed." When I press on her what she means, she describes the way that Amber went from a pristine, smiling young woman in a costume she sewed herself to a gasping, sweaty, smeared, open, ecstatic mess.
"They love to see her looking like a toaster strudel," Madeline laughs.
But here's the thing: Amber is not literally destroyed by this gangbang. She is not damaged. Wrapped in her cozy robe for her on-camera recap, she says, "There's so much adrenaline in me right now!" Three hours later, after a shower and some whiskey and a vegetarian burrito, she's dancing gleefully to Amy Winehouse at the bar. Tomorrow she's getting on a flight back to LA and moving apartments. Exactly one week later she will tweet: Remember those Nerds Ropes candy? That was my jam.
It's 8:10 p.m. A crowd of staff members and porn stars burst onto our set ready to celebrate the final night at the Armory. They've been drinking champagne and eating catered chicken wings and crackers and grapes and cubes of cheese on the Speakeasy set, which tonight is functioning as a real bar. Most of the liquor bottles are props filled with water, and everyone who wants a drink has to open a bottle and sniff it to determine if it's real or not.
Saturday morning, February 25, is likely the last time I'll ever wake up at the Armory. I get enviable sleep when I spend the night in the talent department dorms: my room has a queen-sized bed, no windows, and the kind of deep silence that seems to go on forever, like a tomb.
The communal bathroom floors and counters are the same marble as the stairs and bannisters, white with tie-dye veins of grey. These shelves, like every bathroom in the building, are stocked with industrial-sized jugs of Dr. Bronner's liquid tea tree soap, yellow toothbrushes with bristles so soft they press up against your gums, burn-inducing navy blue plastic razors, mint toothpaste, mint shave gel that looks exactly like the toothpaste, rows of fleet enema kits with orange tips like traffic cones, and stacks and stacks of big black fluffy towels. The floor-length urinals always seem like they're standing at attention, waiting.
I head downstairs, out into the neighborhood seeking coffee.
On the first floor landing is a life-sized photograph of Lorelei and Madeline. They're dressed in severe business attire, lounging on a pile of $84,000 in real cash like two femme domme Scrooge McDucks, gleefully relishing their deserved fortune. Although there's no explicit nudity in the picture, Lorelei tells me that renters often ask for it to be covered during their events.
"It represents the physical power of actual cash, which is simultaneously, absurd, utterly constructed, and absolutely real," she texts me. It was originally taken to celebrate an auction the two women held in 2014, for which an anonymous man paid $42,000 to each of them for a one hour cam show, which he never claimed.
"I think people are very threatened by that photo," Lorelei adds.
Through the wood framed glass front doors, I walk down twelve marble stairs to three long concrete steps on Mission Street. You actually have to look both ways when you exit lest you collide with the teenagers endlessly filming each other grinding their skateboards along the steps, which they call 3 Up 3 Down.
It's been raining most of the week but now it's so bright and warm I barely need my hoodie. From the outside, the Armory is an imposing Moorish fortress. Bricks from the original Western Addition Armory—which was destroyed in the 1906 earthquake—jut out from the rest of the structure, making tempting climbing holds for show-off drunks.
If you walk west on 14th Street, you pass a gas station, a biker bar, and a dissonant combination of brightly-painted Victorian rowhouses and sleek generic new condos. Turning left on Valencia, you pass pretty much all the clichéd markers of gentrification including a spacious yoga studio and a cafe where a macchiato with homemade almond milk is more than five dollars and also definitely totally delicious. Turning left again, heading east back to Mission street, you won't fail to notice the congregation of a different kind of San Franciscan. Tent cities are set up like modern Hoovervilles and people are openly smoking crack on the sidewalk. Folks stand on trash cans, screaming about salvation.
I stare up at the flags fluttering on the Armory's turrets: the American stars and stripes, the rising brown phoenix of San Francisco, the rainbow of gay pride, and the black and blue beneath the red heart of leather pride.
The final reasons for the end of production here, which many people would tell me only off the record, were along the lines of, "Peter is tired of fighting," "Peter is trying to get his kid into pre-school," "Peter is going through a divorce," and "Peter is burned out on fetish porn."
According to employees, some days Acworth says he wants to preserve Armory rooms for sex parties, and the next he'll demand everything with the signature red "K" be stripped down. One day he'll say he wants to mount a traveling art exhibit of props and devices, the next that everything should just be put on the street.
One thing is clear: the screams of catharsis, the ingenuity of predicament bondage, the collaboration of devious queer minds will no longer fill the rooms and hallways of the Armory. Beyond that, the future of Kink.com is still unwritten.
Tina Horn hosts and produces the long-running kink podcast Why Are People Into That?!. She is also the creator and writer of the sci-fi sex-rebel comic book series SfSx (Safe Sex). Her reporting on sexual subcultures and politics has appeared in Rolling Stone, Playboy, Hazlitt, Glamour, Jezebel and elsewhere; she is the author of two nonfiction books and has contributed to numerous anthologies including the queer horror collection Theater of Terror and We Too: Essays on Sex Work and Survival, which she also co-edited. Tina has lectured on sex worker politics and queer BDSM identities at universities and community centers all over North America, and works as an on-set consultant for theater and television including the dominatrix scenes of Pose. She is a LAMBDA Literary Fellow, an AVN nominee, the recipient of two Feminist Porn Awards, and holds an MFA in Creative Nonfiction Writing from Sarah Lawrence. Tina is currently working on her first scripts for film and television. TinaHorn.net
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