text:
Religious freedom bills: Freedom or religion, or just hate?
In many US states, LGBTI people find themselves caught in an artificial debate opposing religion to human rights
Yesterday, we heard that Virginia is poised to become the first Southern state banning LGBT discrimination in employment, housing, credit and in public spaces. The topic of religious freedom was raised several times during the debate by the bill's opponents. This positive effort by lawmakers is a direct response to abhorrent so-called "religious freedom" bills, a rather new and concerning American phenomenon, part of a wider backlash on the human rights of LGBT people.
Out Leadership is monitoring dozens of anti-LGBT bills in State Legislatures across the country that are in the pipeline. These include.
A ban on transgender athletes in Washington state competing according to their gender identity
The proposed bill in South Carolina that would result in doctors who treat trans children in South Carolina losing their licenses
Out Leadership has expressed concern about similar legislation targeting transgender children proposed in South Dakota
The odious license that bans LGBT+ couples from adopting children in Tennessee.
We're also orchestrating a campaign with the Family Equality Council to fight a similar discriminatory bill on adoption in Missouri.
Our argument is that not only are these bills violating human rights, they also completely undermine efforts by lawmakers to attract private sector investment to their States. Over and over, our member companies have shown that antagonistic legislatures get in the way of relationships with their customers, employees, and investors.
"Religious freedom" bills are a worrying trend. When we speak about discrimination against LGBTI people we are talking about serious human rights violations, not a frivolous distraction. In all regions, homophobic attitudes fuel discrimination in workplaces, in schools, in clinics and hospitals. In fact, in almost every sphere as I pointed out in a recent piece, this will have dire long-term consequences on the livelihoods of LGBT people.
It is worth reiterating that a person's religious beliefs are his or her own affair and should be fully respected as such. Freedom of belief is a basic human right that no-one can take away from you.
However, religion should never be used as a justification to violate human rights. Twenty years ago, every country in the world signed up to the Vienna Declaration. That declaration notes explicitly that, while history, culture, and religion are contextually important, all States, regardless of their political, economic and cultural systems, have a legal duty to promote and protect the human rights of all.
Perhaps, more importantly, targetting LGBTI using religious faith is cruel and inaccurate. Many LGBTI people consider themselves part of religious communities. Many religious leaders, including Archbishop Tutu, have urged people to accept their LGBTI brothers and sisters as equals and show them kindness and respect. Most religions have a version of the Golden Rule: treat others as you yourself would wish to be treated.
As part of a new monthly Speaker Series, on Tuesday, February 11th, Out Leadership will welcome Tuesday author Frederic Martel, who authored last year the bombshell: "In the closet of the Vatican: Power, Homosexuality, Hypocrisy" to discuss the role of religion in fostering acceptance of LGBTI people.
Developments in Virginia, South Dakota, South Carolina or Tennessee are clear signs that, once again, LGBTI people find themselves as pawns in a political game opposing human rights to so-called "religious freedom".
Out Leadership will continue to be at the forefront of this battle. With that in mind, I will be in Miami next week at 4Ward Americas participating in a conversation with Jason Jenkins of the Miami Dolphins moderated by Michael Lavers on how we best deploy the power of the private sector to respond to this onslaught of bills. If you
If you believe as we do, that all people are created equal, that everyone should have the freedom to love who they want to love, have the families they want to have, take action. Contact your local representatives and demand they stand up for what is right and put a stop to the alarming rise in this type of legislation that is being proposed around the nation.


INDIVIDUAL EXPERT 1, United Kingdom. Mrs. Lana Hopkinson is independent international consultant. She has 22 years of professional experience in consultancy, education and training, 17 years of professional experience gained in TACIS, CARDS and PHARE countries, 13 years of experience in the field of SME/Private Sector Development and policy development in international environment, 13 years professional experience related to TA projects funded by the EU, World Bank, DFID and other donors. Her key qualifications are: innovation policy and programme development at national and regional levels, innovation surveys and audits, SME development, cluster development, project cycle management, monitoring and evaluation, technology transfer and R&D cooperation, consultancy, training and capacity building, in-depth knowledge of managed workspace issues (technology management centres, science- industrial parks, incubators, etc).
INDIVIDUAL EXPERT 2, Serbia. Mr. Goran Stojanović, assistant professor of University of Novi Sad, has strong background in all three pillars of the knowledge triangle (education-researchinnovation). With expertise in the evaluation and accreditation of university curricula, he will have a significant contribution to the education segment. Additionally, he has prepared a multidisciplinary course of Medical electronics for professors from the secondary schools. In the research field, dr Goran Stojanović is an author or co-author of over 65 papers in leading international journals. Furthermore, he has obtained the "Dr Zoran Djindjić" award (2007), for an contribution to the development of research and sciences in Serbia. His special responsibility will be the transfer of application-oriented research results and innovation in industry sector, particularly at growing spinoff companies. In addition, his experience in participation and management in several international (such as TEMPUS, FP6, FP7, SEE-ERA.NET) and national projects will be one of the key contributing factors for the success of the proposed project.


text:
A thumbing of noses 5
The Muslims who want to build a mosque at Ground Zero have applied for a federal grant of $5,000,000 to help them realize their psychologically sadistic scheme.
They apparently see no reason why American tax-payers should not contribute to a building that would, in the eyes of most Americans, and of Muslims all over the world, celebrate the Islamic triumph of 9/11 when Muslims murdered some 3,000 people in a variety of horrific ways in the name of their nasty religion.
Investor's Business Daily comments in an editorial:
Having taxpayers foot the bill would be the ultimate insult … a slap in the face to the victims of terror.
The application was submitted under a "community and cultural enhancement" grant program administered by the Lower Manhattan Redevelopment Corporation (LMDC). The agency oversaw the $20 billion in federal aid allocated in the wake of 9/11 and is currently doling out millions in remaining taxpayer funds for community development.
Developers hope to get around the "nonreligious activities" requirement in their application by mentioning only the cultural, educational and community development aspects of the 13-story facility and not the prayer room and other areas where Shariah law, which is diametrically in conflict with Western values and freedoms, will be preached and advocated. …
There is some comfort for most of us in the IBD's assurance that "the grant is unlikely to be approved since such grants go commonly to finish or assist ongoing projects, not start them." And the would-be developers do not have funds enough, as yet, to start their taunting project.
But impatient to see the mosque built, and the Muslims victorious, is the Left in general; and its media supporters are pushing the project hard in numerous direct and indirect ways.
NBC names Sharif al-Gamal, who owns part of the Ground Zero property that he and Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf want to develop into the mosque and "community center", a "Person of the Year".
Atlas Shrugs here and Jihad Watch here report and comment on what sort of man this NBC hero is.
From Atlas Shrugs:
Sharif El-Gamal racked up at least seven run-ins with the law …
His most recent arrest was for a Sept. 10, 2005, assault on a barber who sublet a Manhattan apartment from El-Gamal's brother, Sammy.
The brothers and another man went to the apartment that afternoon to retrieve back rent from Mark Vassiliev …
El-Gamal … cursed at Vassiliev, called him the Arabic curse word "sharmouta" and punched him in the face, breaking his nose and cheekbones.
When he was arrested, El-Gamal denied he socked Vassiliev, but conceded, "[Vassiliev's] face could have run into my hand," court papers say.
From Jihad Watch:
The thug Sharif el-Gamal has been sued for an unpaid loan, and faced eviction from his SoHo office over $39,000 in back rent. He was found to owe $21,000 in fines on a property with 13 violations. …
El-Gamal has also threatened a Muslim opponent of the Islamic supremacist mega-mosque at Ground Zero; spoken at an event for Hamas-linked CAIR; and has a history of thuggishness, including a recent comment about how beating people up is "exercise & stress relief."
So why is NBC honoring this thug? Because the mainstream media is avid to get this Islamic supremacist mosque built, and the will of the people be damned. You see how the chips are stacked against the 70% of Americans who oppose the mosque: if the media reflected their concerns at all, Pamela Geller would be Person of the Year for her leading the effort to stop the mosque.
Recently, on November 12, 2010, the New York Times featured an admiring profile of Imam Rauf's wife, Daisy Khan.
Creeping Sharia comments:
When the New York Times ran a profile of Daisy Khan in its "Style" section last week, they clearly meant to create flattering portrait. Instead, the piece, at least to me, revealed the woman's true priorities and intentions – and why she must be stopped.
Khan, wife of imam Feisal Abdul Rauf and his partner in creating the Cordoba House Islamic center on the edges of Ground Zero, has (if this profile is to be believed) one true goal: Islam uber alles. The organization she presides over seeks to glorify Muslims, not (as she claims) to promote interfaith projects. Her focus is Islam, not America. …
Though she insisted to the Times that she and her husband are "law-abiding citizens," an apartment building they own in New Jersey has been cited for numerous health and fire violations. Moreover, just last week, a Hudson County, N.J. judge placed the building in custodial receivership, putting a local realtor in charge of correcting the violations using monies from October rents, since Khan and Rauf had failed to act themselves. The couple has also been cited for tax violations regarding the non-profit statuses of their various organizations, including Khan's own American Society for Muslim Advancement. …
It's not entirely clear what that organization actually does, other than solicit (and receive) grants and various donations. Last year, for instance, ASMA received a one-year, $150,000 endowment from the Henry Luce Foundation "to develop a graduate program in Islamic law for Muslim women." Would someone please explain to me why ASMA needs $150,000 a year to plan a program that is not even listed among the organization's projects, goals, or activities?
ASMA's web site describes a mission to "elevate the discourse on Islam and foster environments in which Muslims thrive." ("Muslims," not "Americans." Not "young men and women." "Muslims.") ASMA's mission statement continues, "We are dedicated to strengthening an authentic expression of Islam based on cultural and religious harmony through interfaith collaboration, youth and women's empowerment, and arts and cultural exchange."
But again – notwithstanding the obvious fact that there is nothing "interfaith" about any of this — what, exactly, have they done? Click on "events," and you'll find a list of places that Daisy Khan has been invited to speak, or the fact that she was present at the 2007 Frankfurt Book Fair. Click on "programs," and you get links to various articles about Islam. Click on "arts" and you find listings of exhibitions others have presented and organized, with no funding or other involvement from ASMA itself. Click on "shop," and you can buy any one of three books – all by Khan's husband, Imam Rauf.
But nowhere is there an indication of what the organization actually accomplishes, of the activities it has initiated and developed. It is hard to decipher quite what gives the organization legitimacy as a "non-profit" – or, for that matter, where the donations it receives are actually going.
The real and contemptible intention behind the Ground Zero mosque plan is not hard to discern, but for those who can't see it, some Muslims have spelt it out.
From the IBD editorial:
The mosque at Ground Zero is not about outreach. Its name, Cordoba House, was picked in honor of the bloody Muslim conquest of Cordoba, Spain, in 711. Canadian Muslims Raheel Raza and Tarek Fatah, who sit on the board of the Muslim Canadian Congress, write in the Ottawa Citizen of Aug, 7: "We Muslims know that the idea behind the Ground Zero mosque is meant to be a deliberate provocation to thumb our noses at the infidel."
NBC and the New York Times are thumbing their noses hard in sympathy with their country's ruthless enemy.
Posted under Commentary, Islam, jihad, Muslims, News, Progressivism, Terrorism, United States by Jillian Becker on Friday, November 26, 2010
Tagged with American Scoiety for Muslim Advancement, ASMA, Cordoba House Islamic Center, Daisy Khan wife of Imam Rauf profiled flatteringly by NYT, Developers of Ground Zero mosque apply for federal grant, Ground Zero mosque, Ground Zero mosque developer al-Gamal applies for federal grant for the project, Ground Zero mosque dveloper al-Gamal named Person of the Year, Henry Luce Foundation, Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf's Ground Zero mosque scheme, Muslim Canadian Congress, NBC names Ground Zero mosque developer al-Gamal Person of the Year, Pamela Geller, Raheel & Tarek Fatah, Sharif al-Gamal, Tax-payers' money for Ground Mosque
The big squeeze 0
A group founded by Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, who plans to build the mosque at Ground Zero, applied for and was granted tax-exempt status as a religious foundation in 1998, claiming to run a prayer center attended by 450 to 500 worshipers every day in the apartment building where the Imam's wife Daisy Khan was registered as a tenant.
Her place was a one-bedroom apartment of about 800 square feet. Nowhere in the entire apartment block was there a hall or room or any kind of space big enough to accomodate 450 to 500 people, especially if they were all to get down on their knees and prostrate themselves in unison in the direction of Mecca. However did they do it?
Here's part of a report on the mystery, to be found at Creeping Sharia:
The application for tax exempt status from the American Sufi Muslim Association (ASMA) in 1998 claimed the group had an established place of worship at 201 W. 85th St. in New York. That is a 17-floor apartment building.
The 1998 tax filing, called a 1023 form, is required for any institution that wants to be considered a religious house of worship and therefore exempt from taxation. In the filing, Rauf is identified as ASMA's founder. The application said the group was already operating as a prayer center for between 450 and 500 daily worshipers.
However, a review of the building and real estate records indicates there is nowhere in the building to house that many congregants. ASMA lists its office address as 201 W. 85th St., Apt. 10E on the tax form, while it cites only the building address as its location for prayer services.
The building has apartments only and no public spaces, such as a conference or a board room, to accommodate 450 people. Apartment 10E, building records show, is a one-bedroom apartment with about 800 square feet of living space. In the 1997 incorporation records filed with the state of New York, Rauf's wife, Daisy Khan, was named as an ASMA director living at that address.
The Imam and his wife got away with a scam.
Surely now that they're known to be cheats, liars, frauds, New York's Mayor Bloomberg and other powerful defenders of their Ground Zero mosque scheme will withdraw their support?
How can we doubt it?
Posted under Islam, Muslims, News, United States by Jillian Becker on Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Tagged with American Sufi Muslim Association, ASMA, Daisy Khan, Ground Zero mosque, Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, Imam Rauf's tax-exemption scam, Rauf's other mosque
A monument to evil (2) 0
It is scandalous that a mosque is being built in New York where the 9/11 mass murders were perpetrated by Muslims in the name of their religion.
The scandal is deepened by the way building permission was obtained. There was a damaged five-story building on the site. Complaints about "illegal construction" were half-heartedly investigated, and then suddenly all difficulties were said to be "resolved".
Was it a deal stitched up between Muslims flush with funds of mysterious provenance and a Muslim in the mayor's office?
This is from WorldNetDaily:
The five-story building at Park Place … was the site of a Burlington Coat Factory. But a plane's landing-gear assembly crashed through the roof on the day 19 Muslim terrorists hijacked the airliners and flew them into the Twin Towers in 2001.
Now Muslim worshippers currently occupy the building, and they plan to turn it into a major Islamic cultural center. …
"Only in New York City is this possible," [said] Daisy Khan, executive director of the American Society for Muslim Advancement, or ASMA … Khan is the wife of Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, founder of ASMA.
Rauf will be the imam of the new mosque. What more is known about him? The report tells us that he –
… conducts sensitivity training sessions for the FBI, [and] has reportedly blamed Christians for starting mass attacks on civilians.
There's sensitivity for you!
The report goes on:
They [Rauf and his associates] have leased the new prayer space as an overflow building for another mosque, Masjid al-Farah, at 245 West Broadway in TriBeCa, where Rauf is the spiritual leader.
The building – vacant since that fateful day when time stood still as millions of Americans grieved the loss of loved ones, friends, family members, co-workers and strangers – was purchased in July by real-estate company Soho Properties, a business run by Muslims. Rauf was an investor in that transaction. …
Rauf has announced his plans to turn the building into a complete Islamic cultural center, with a mosque, a museum, "merchandising options," and room for seminars to reconcile religions, "to counteract the backlash against Muslims in general" …
Now what backlash would that be? We hadn't heard of it.
The move [to build the mosque and community center] is supported by the city. The mayor's director of the Office of Immigrant Affairs, Fatima Shama, told the Times, "We as New York Muslims have as much of a commitment to rebuilding New York as anybody."
The city's Department of Buildings records show the building has been the focus of complaints for illegal construction and blocked exits in the last year. Recent entries from Sept. 28 and 29, 2009, indicate inspectors have been unable to access the building. One complaint states, "Inspector unable to gain access – 1st attempt – No access to 5 sty building. Front locked. No responsible party present." The second, just a day later, states, "Inspector unable to gain access – 2nd attempt – no access to building. No activity or responsible party. Building remains inaccessible at Park Place."
Agency spokeswoman Carly Sullivan told the Times the complaints were listed as "resolved" under city procedures since the inspectors were unable to gain access.
That's "city procedure"? Inspectors just give up if they can't get easy access?
And then there's the question of where the money for the project is coming from.
Here's a quotation from Atlas Shrugs:
The 61-year-old Imam said he paid $4.85 million [for the old building] — in cash, records show. With 50,000 square feet of air rights and enough financing, he plans an ambitious project of $150 million, he said …
The origins of such monies are unexplained; neither are the countries or entity advancing such huge donations. Most US mosques, including many in Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx are funded directly or indirectly by Saudi Arabia the country to which 15 of the 19 hijackers who bombed the World TradeCenter belonged. The UAE, Qatar and Iran are other major sponsors across the USA.
The money trail is an important question that must be answered by the Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg with more than a bland comment by one of his spokesmen, Andrew Brent, who quipped to the Times, "If it's legal, the building owners have a right to do what they want."
At the moment, the location is not designated a mosque, but rather an overflow prayer space for another mosque, Al Farah … where Imam Feisal is the spiritual leader. Call this creeping annexation. …
One of the investors for future oncoming funds is listed as the Cordoba Initiative, defined as an ''interfaith group'' – and founded by Imam Feisal [Rauf]. Cordoba is the name militant Muslims often invoke when they recall the glory of Muslim empire in the centuries they occupied Spain. …
The source of money matters as a significant part of the hundreds of mosques being built and already erected in this country double up as cultural Islamic centers for distributing literature – Islamist propaganda in fact … They house Imams of unknown origin and education, many of whom do not speak a word of English but preach in Arabic and Urdu — radical messages, it often turns out. …
It is an established fact that a significant percentage of the mosques built in the USA in the past two decades are receiving a disproportionate amount of their funds not only from the Saudis, but also the UAE, Qatar and Iran — all problematic Islamist activist nations. …
Posted under Commentary, Islam, jihad, Muslims, Terrorism, United States, War by Jillian Becker on Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Tagged with 9/11, American Society for Muslim Advancement, Andrew Brent, ASMA, Carly Sullivan, Daisy Khan, destruction of the Twin Towers, Fatima Shama, Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, Islamic onslaught on the World Trade Center on the, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Mosque at Ground Zero, mosque scandal in New York, New York scandal, NY Department of Building, NY Office of Immigrant Affairs, Soho Properties

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Шкољке светиљке (-{Brachiopoda}-) су животиње из групе лофофора које по томе што имају двокапку љуштуру и плашт на први поглед личе на шкољке. Све до прве половине 19. века биле су, управо због те сличности, сврставане у мекушце. Међутим, по читавој организацији као и по симетрији разликују се од шкољки. Данас су малобројан филум са свега око 250 морских, сесилних врста. У ранијим геолошким периодима је то био много бројнији тип животиња што доказују фосилни остаци око 30 000 описаних изумрлих врста.

Класификација

(*табела преведена/преузета са енглеске Википедије)

Литература
 Брајковић, М: Зоологија инвертебрата I део, ЗУНС, Београд, 2003.
 Догељ, В, А: Зоологија бескичмењака, Научна књига, Београд, 1971.
 Крунић, М: Зоологија инвертебрата 1, Научна књига, Београд, 1977.
 Крунић, М: Зоологија инвертебрата 2, Научна књига, Београд, 1979.
 Маричек, магдалена, Ћурчић, Б, Радовић, И: Специјална зоологија, Научна књига, Београд, 1986.
 Marcon, E, Mongini, M: Све животиње света, ИРО Вук Караџић, Београд, 1986.
 Радовић, И, Петров, Бригита: Разноврсност живота 1 - структура и функција, Биолошки факултет Београд и Stylos Нови Сад, Београд, 2001.

Спољашње везе

 БиоНет Школа
 UC-Berkeley Museum of Paleontology
 Palaeos Brachiopoda
 BrachNet
 Information from the Kansas Geological Survey
 Brachiopoda World Database

Лофофоре

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
package com.facebook.buck.apple.toolchain;

import static org.hamcrest.MatcherAssert.assertThat;
import static org.hamcrest.Matchers.equalTo;
import static org.hamcrest.Matchers.is;

import com.facebook.buck.util.types.Pair;
import org.junit.Rule;
import org.junit.Test;
import org.junit.rules.ExpectedException;

public class ProvisioningProfileMetadataTest {
  @Rule public ExpectedException thrown = ExpectedException.none();

  @Test
  public void testSplitAppID() {
    Pair<String, String> result;

    result = ProvisioningProfileMetadata.splitAppID("ABCDE12345.com.example.TestApp");
    assertThat(result, is(equalTo(new Pair<>("ABCDE12345", "com.example.TestApp"))));

    result = ProvisioningProfileMetadata.splitAppID("ABCDE12345.*");
    assertThat(result, is(equalTo(new Pair<>("ABCDE12345", "*"))));

    thrown.expect(IllegalArgumentException.class);
    thrown.expectMessage("Malformed app ID: invalid.");
    ProvisioningProfileMetadata.splitAppID("invalid.");
  }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Former US Attorney Zachary Fardon Speaks Out
Fardon sits down for exclusive first interview since leaving office
Paris Schutz | March 23, 2017 3:45 pm
Zachary Fardon was sworn in as United States Attorney in 2013. There were several high-profile prosecutions under his watch, including the takedown of former Chicago Public Schools chief Barbara Byrd-Bennett in an illegal kickback scheme, and the conviction of former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert for bank fraud as part of an effort to hide child sexual abuse from decades earlier.
Two weeks ago, the Trump administration asked Fardon and 45 other U.S. Attorneys from the Obama administration to resign immediately.
On his way out, Fardon penned a candid open letter with some stark recommendations for local and federal officials to stem the plague of violence in this city.
Fardon joins us for an exclusive interview.
Follow Paris Schutz on Twitter: @paschutz
US Attorney Zachary Fardon Asked to Resign
March 10: United States Attorney General Jeff Sessions has asked for the immediate resignation of 46 remaining U.S. attorneys that were appointed under the previous presidential administration.
U.S. Attorney Zachary Fardon Speaks Out on Police Misconduct
Sept. 26, 2016: Will there be federal charges against the police officers involved in the potential Laquan McDonald cover-up? Find out what U.S. Attorney Zachary Fardon has to say about his office's role in prosecuting police misconduct.
U.S. Attorney Zachary Fardon Discusses Ongoing Federal Probe into CPD
Feb. 23, 2016: U.S. Attorney Zachary Fardon also discusses the recent spike in gun violence gripping the city, and some of the high-profile cases his office has handled over the last few months.
Zachary Fardon


text:
#ifndef __OPTIONS_HPP__
#define __OPTIONS_HPP__
#include "bridge.hpp"
#include "exception.hpp"
#include "shared_ptr.hpp"
#include "test_category.hpp"

#include <string>

/**
 * Static class for retrieving integration test options parsed from the
 * command line.
 */
class Options {
public:
  /**
   * Initialize/Parse the options from the command line arguments
   *
   * @param argc Number of command line arguments
   * @param argv Command line arguments
   * @return True if settings were parsed correctly; false if --help was used
   *         or there was an issue parsing the command line arguments.
   */
  static bool initialize(int argc, char* argv[]);
  /**
   * Print the help message for the options
   */
  static void print_help();
  /**
   * Print the settings message for the options
   */
  static void print_settings();
  /**
   * Flag to determine if the help flag was indicated
   *
   * @return True if help was indicated; false otherwise
   */
  static bool is_help();
  /**
   * Flag to determine if integration tests should log the driver logs to a file
   * for each test
   *
   * @return True if tests should be logged to a file; false otherwise
   */
  static bool log_tests();
  /**
   * Get the server version (Cassandra/DSE) to use
   *
   * @return Cassandra/DSE version to use
   */
  static CCM::CassVersion server_version();
  /**
   * Flag to determine if DSE should be used or not
   *
   * @return True if DSE should be used; false otherwise
   */
  static bool is_dse();
  /**
   * Get the DSE credentials type (username|password/INI file)
   *
   * @return DSE credentials type
   */
  static CCM::DseCredentialsType dse_credentials();
  /**
   * Get the username for SSH authentication
   *
   * @return Username for remote deployment
   */
  static const std::string& dse_username();
  /**
   * Get the password for SSH authentication
   *
   * @return Password for remote deployment
   */
  static const std::string& dse_password();
  /**
   * Flag to determine if Cassandra/DSE should be built from ASF/GitHub
   *
   * @return True if ASF/GitHub should be used; false otherwise
   */
  static bool use_git();
  /**
   * Get the branch/tag to use for ASF/GitHub
   *
   * @return Branch/Tag
   */
  static const std::string& branch_tag();
  /**
   * Flag to determine if installation directory should be used (Passed to CCM)
   *
   * @return True if installation directory should be used; false otherwise
   */
  static bool use_install_dir();
  /**
   * Get the installation directory to use
   *
   * @return Installation directory
   */
  static const std::string& install_dir();
  /**
   * Get the cluster prefix to use for the CCM clusters (e.g. cpp-driver)
   *
   * @return Cluster prefix
   */
  static const std::string& cluster_prefix();
  /**
   * Get the deployment type (local|remote)
   *
   * @return Deployment type
   */
  static CCM::DeploymentType deployment_type();
  /**
   * Get the authentication type for remote deployment
   *
   * @return Authentication type
   */
  static CCM::AuthenticationType authentication_type();
  /**
   * Get the test categories being applied
   *
   * @return Test categories being applied
   */
  static std::set<TestCategory> categories();
  /**
   * Get the IP address to use when establishing SSH connection for remote CCM
   * command execution and/or IP address to use for server connection IP
   * generation.
   *
   * @return Host to use for server (and SSH connection for remote deployment)
   */
  static const std::string& host();
  /**
   * Get the TCP/IP port for SSH connection
   *
   * @return SSH port to use
   */
  static short port();
  /**
   * Get the username for SSH authentication
   *
   * @return Username for remote deployment
   */
  static const std::string& username();
  /**
   * Get the password for SSH authentication
   *
   * @return Password for remote deployment
   */
  static const std::string& password();
  /**
   * Get the public key for SSH authentication
   *
   * @return Public key for remote deployment
   */
  static const std::string& public_key();
  /**
   * Get the private key for SSH authentication
   *
   * @return Private key for remote deployment
   */
  static const std::string& private_key();
  /**
   * Get a CCM instance based on the options
   *
   * @return CCM instance
   */
  static SharedPtr<CCM::Bridge> ccm();

private:
  /**
   * Flag to determine if the options have been initialized
   */
  static bool is_initialized_;
  /**
   * Flag to determine if the help flag was indicated
   */
  static bool is_help_;
  /**
   * Flag to indicate if log messages should be generated for each test
   */
  static bool is_log_tests_;
  /**
   * Server version to use (Cassandra/DSE)
   */
  static CCM::CassVersion server_version_;
  /**
   * Flag to indicate if DSE should be used instead of Cassandra
   */
  static bool is_dse_;
  /**
   * Flag to determine if Cassandra should be built from ASF git (github if DSE)
   */
  static bool use_git_;
  /**
   * Branch/Tag name to use if value is present
   */
  static std::string branch_tag_;
  /**
   * Flag to determine if installation directory should be used (passed to CCM)
   */
  static bool use_install_dir_;
  /**
   * Installation directory to use if value is present
   */
  static std::string install_dir_;
  /**
   * Cluster prefix to apply to cluster name during create command
   */
  static std::string cluster_prefix_;
  /**
   * DSE credentials type (username|password/INI file)
   *
   * Flag to indicate how DSE credentials should be obtained
   */
  static CCM::DseCredentialsType dse_credentials_type_;
  /**
   * Username to use when authenticating download access for DSE
   */
  static std::string dse_username_;
  /**
   * Password to use when authenticating download access for DSE
   */
  static std::string dse_password_;
  /**
   * Authentication type (username|password/public key)
   *
   * Flag to indicate how SSH authentication should be established
   */
  static CCM::AuthenticationType authentication_type_;
  /**
   * Deployment type (local|ssh)
   *
   * Flag to indicate how CCM commands should be executed
   */
  static CCM::DeploymentType deployment_type_;
  /**
   * Test types (Cassandra|DSE|SCassandra)
   */
  static std::set<TestCategory> categories_;
  /**
   * IP address to use when establishing SSH connection for remote CCM command
   * execution and/or IP address to use for server connection IP generation
   */
  static std::string host_;
  /**
   * TCP/IP port for SSH connection
   */
  static short port_;
  /**
   * Username for SSH authentication
   */
  static std::string username_;
  /**
   * Password for SSH authentication; Empty if using public key
   */
  static std::string password_;
  /**
   * Public key for authentication; Empty if using username and password
   * authentication
   */
  static std::string public_key_;
  /**
   * Private key for authentication; Empty if using username and password
   * authentication
   */
  static std::string private_key_;

  /**
   * Hidden default constructor
   */
  Options();
  /**
   * Get the boolean value of a string
   *
   * @param value Value to convert to boolean
   * @return True if value is yes, true, on, or 0; false otherwise
   */
  static bool bool_value(const std::string& value);
};

#endif // __OPTIONS_HPP__


text:
Before we leave
Μαλεοσ
Maleos of Eubocris
Posted In: Before we leave
Jan 14, 2020 21:35:28 GMT
Maleos had been looking forward to this, getting to spend some time with Timaeus and talk to him about his personal matters. There was no one else he would care to share such things with, everyone else only got the outer layer of Maleos, but with Tim it was different, the younger man was his best friend. They had been through a lot together while the Baron was still actively in the military, and the bond they had forged was stronger than any other Maleos had experienced.
The two men hadn't had a chance to spend time together outside the gossip of court events and the prying eyes of others who knew them, and Maleos was not sure they would get another any time soon. With the impending war, both men would be taken up with tasks equal to their ranks. Maleos would be preparing to march to war, his men behind him. It had been a long time since he had gone to war, a true war. He was looking forward to it in a way, but with the revelations of his feelings for Leto, he was dreading leaving her alone for however long he would be gone.
He made his way through the streets of Midas, and to a quiet little tavern the two had agreed to meet at, knowing that it was likely it would be empty, and the two of them would be able to sit and talk without worry of interruption. And drink. He knew that Timaeus would not let him get away without drinking with him. Maleos did not allow his men to drink, but in times like this, when war was looming over their heads, he loosened up on his rules and allowed them at least a bit of fun. A way to keep their spirits up despite the fact that some of them would be leaving and may not make it home again.
His men had dedicated their lives to Colchis, and he knew that none of them would hesitate to die for their Kingdom, but that didn't make war weigh any less heavy on a man's mind, nor that of his family. A thing Maleos had known time and time again in his long career among the ranks of the men who served Colchis.
Today though, he would attempt to push all that from his mind, today was about spending time with Timaeus, and revealing his feelings and intent towards Leto. As his Baron and his best friend, Timaeus would surely be interested in Maleos' feelings for Leto, and his intent to take her hand in marriage, should she return his feelings.
He stepped into the tavern, looking around. He didn't spot the other man, so he ordered a pitch of wine be brought to the table with two cups before he took a seat, the place was empty, save for the staff who now gathered the requested drink and cups. And so he waited, knowing that it shouldn't be long before Timaeus would arrive, and the two could finally sit and talk. He was sure that Timaeus had some things on his mind that he would like to let out. Maleos would shoulder as much of the burden and stress as he could, his friend looking well beyond his age as he tried to deal with all that came along with being a Baron, and having a brother such as Silanos. He was sure the two men would drink well into the night.
τιμαευσ
Timaeus of Valaoritis
By gods was Timaeus desperate for a drink.
It had been a little under a week since the Colchian Feast and so much had happened in the Baron's life that he could have sworn that a whole year had passed before him. Of course, there had been the political drama that had unfolded regarding the monarchy, but Timaeus's personal life had been thrown into turmoil as well.
Maleos might have seen at the feast how his best friend had an extreme stroke of luck in getting to spend the evening with Nana of Leventi. A Leventi of all people. That sort of thing was simply unheard of for a lowly Colchian Baron like himself. After all, the Taengean dynestia was well known for being picky in their suitors. That was how two of the girls had ended up on a throne and if how close Prince Vangelis and Lady Selene was any indication? A third daughter would be joining the ranks of her sisters soon. Timaeus had thought himself the luckiest man in the world when the fourth daughter of Georgios and Evelli had shown an interest with him -- even going as far as to indulge the Baron in a do-over meal after the fiasco of the feast. The Valaoritis was certain that he had been struck by Eros's bow, blessed by Aphrodite, or had some other sort of divine intervention to be so lucky.
Though, that was before he had discovered the catch to Nana's affections. She had thought that he had been one of the Kotas brothers. He couldn't exactly blame her for making such a mistake as it was well-known that Timaeus shared an uncanny resemblance to Vangelis. (By pure accident, of course. All of the Valaoritis men have always had similar appearances to the royals for some unknown reason.) It also didn't hurt that Yiannis was in Athenia at the time of the Feast, so there had been an empty seat at the royal table. So, he could understand the confusion. However, what he couldn't understand was her reaction to what was ultimately her own mistake. Instead of laughing it off or maybe politely ending any sort of flirtation at the moment that the truth had been revealed, as any normal person would, Nana had unceremoniously dumped him on that beach. Timaeus had spent a week sending her letter after letter, begging her to give him another chance. Or at least not blame him for not knowing that she was mistaken… but there was nothing, but silence. It was like Timaeus was dead to Nana.
But that did nothing to stop the quickening of his own pulse when he thought of the blonde noblewoman. She might not be keen to reciprocate them, but Timaeus couldn't deny that there were feelings blossoming within him for the girl that wanted nothing to do with him.
Oh, how could the gods be so cruel?
As Timaeus entered the tavern that the two soldiers had previously agreed upon as a meeting spot, he could only hope that his friend would not inquire about how things were with the Leventi. The Baron had not divulged to anyone how quickly things had fallen apart. Not when he had other things to worry about rather than fixating on a girl who was too self-absorbed in how she looked with a tiara on her head. Things like his brother. Good gods, things were just as bad with Silanos, especially given that the lordling was now Vangelis's slave. Maleos would probably want to discuss that as well.
The Baron hoped that he could delay the conversations about these sorts of things as he caught sight of Maleos across the room and eagerly crossed over to the other man. A wide beam crossed his face as he greeted the other man. " Maleos! I almost thought you would abandon me here in favor of prepping the men. Good gods, that could not have gone better could it?" Timaeus exclaimed as he referred back to how well the Armory meeting had gone for Maleos and himself. His best friend would be at the forefront of the action, spearheading a plan that he had helped devise. Maleos had much to be happy about this evening. Timaeus too, but this was really his friend's night.
He was pleased though that the night hadn't started early for Maleos as the Baron spied the full krater and water pitcher right next to it. A sly smile crossed his face as he slid into his seat, quickly commenting on how Maleos had waited for him, " I am glad to see that you haven't touched the wine yet. Let me handle it, we're not having any of that watered-down shit tonight."
Reaching for the krater that the serving girl had put down for the men, Timaeus was quick to pour a minimal amount of water into the mixing jug. Most men, if they wished to avoid getting drunk would have poured at least three-quarters of the amphora into the decorated container of strong wine, not the half that the Baron did. It was clear that the younger man had every intention of having a fun time with his best friend and he wasn't going to let Maleos sidle out of this chance to get shitfaced with Timaeus. That was only solidified when Timaeus took the water jug and placed it closer to him so the Captain couldn't reach it as the Baron took the two kylixes and dipped it in the lightly diluted wine.
He passed the now full cup to the military leader with a small wink and the slight reassurance, " Go on, we have much to celebrate. No point in staying sober throughout it." The slightest giddy smile slipped onto Timaeus's face as he spoke, but it was more to set the other man at ease than anything else. Timaeus knew how strait-laced Maleos could be and normally this wasn't a bad thing -- it was this trait of his that had encouraged Timaeus to name the man as his successor when he retired to focus on the Barony. However, that meant that it wasn't as easy for the man to let go as easily as Timaeus could go. He was no stranger to his drunk self, he had no reservations of letting that side of him come out. Especially when they were here to talk about happy things, not the usual memories that Timaeus fixated on when a kylix was placed into his hands.
It was true, the men did have much to celebrate that evening. Both of them had emerged from the Armory meeting with a newfound reputation for being excellent strategists. Or at least Maleos certainly did. Timaeus didn't know if his suggestion of concealing the troops was on the same level as the Captain's plan, but the Valaoritis man was going to count it as a win -- especially after how it was coming on the heels of Damocles's shattering his own standing in the art. Seven Hades, that alone made Timaeus feel as if he had won the whole war after how disrespectful the other Captain had been in Timaeus's house. Given that Maleos also did not hold a high opinion of the man, it was clear that this was probably a subject that the men would be toasting before night's end.
However, Timaeus already knew that Maleos, the dutiful sober captain, was unlikely to request to meet the Baron here if he wished to discuss the failures of their common pest. No. the Baron knew his best friend too well to ever let himself be fooled by that notion. No, there was clearly something on the Eubocrisian's mind, but Timaeus didn't have a clue what this could be. Certainly, Maleos wasn't the political type and the Captain already had full command over everything related to the Men of the Heights. So, whatever it was, it probably wasn't directly related to the war effort. It was likely to be something else…
As Colchians were not ones to beat around the bush, Timaeus took a long sip from his own kylix before being frank with his friend. " I have a feeling that there is much on your mind besides celebrating, dear friend. Go on, what is it?" His tone was jovial, teasing even as he goaded the man into divulging whatever was plaguing his thoughts enough that he would agree to get drunk with his friend. Timaeus even went as far as to joke about how eager the Baron was to have an excuse to drink by continuing, " It's better that we discuss it now before I find the bottom of this cup or who knows what kind of state I'll be in?" A hearty laugh escaped the Baron's lips as he chased the first swallow down with a second.
Little did he know that this drink that Timaeus so clearly loved will soon enough become very unappealing the moment Maleos divulged the truth of how the sister of Magnus had been plaguing the Captain's mind. Yes, the knowledge that his best friend was falling in love with the slimeball's sister would be very unappealing indeed….
Maleos laughed a little as his friend approached and spoke of being abandoned in favour of training his men. He grinned a little and shrugged.
"I can't say the thought hadn't crossed my mind." He teased back, he knew he should be taking every second he could to train himself and his men, but he figured he could leave the unit in the capable hands of Daxos and take one night off to himself. Besides, after how well the meeting had gone, Maleos was more than in the mood to celebrate, and he still had his news to share with Timaeus as well. He wasn't sure how his friend would take that part of things though.
He laughed a little and shook his head.
"I knew better than to touch the wine without you." He teased, he wasn't much of a drinker, but every once in awhile Tim would get to him and he would have some drinks. Maybe too many drinks, but either way they were bound to have a fun night, and he was sure they had much to discuss after the war meeting as well. He and Tim seemed to share an opinion on Captain Damocles, and watching the Crown Prince shut him down after his ass-kissing and rambling had been glorious.
Maleos took the offered cup from his Baron, raising it to his lips, he took a drink. Tim wasn't kidding when he said they would be drinking it strong, but Maleos didn't let it phase him. He would just need to pace himself so he didn't get too intoxicated too quickly. Timaeus didn't seem to have the same thoughts.
Maleos nodded a little, setting the cup down for the moment, he sort of spun it between his hands slowly as he tried to gather his thoughts and determine exactly what he wanted to say to his friend. This wasn't like Maleos at all, he wasn't one for love, nor was he one for discussing such things. But, he was in love and he wanted Tim to know. Not to mention, if Leto returned his feelings and things turned to marriage, Tim would need to approve it.
"I've fallen for a woman." He said simply, grinning a little sheepishly before taking another drink from his wine.
"I intend to make my feelings known to her before we are to leave. And if she returns such feelings, I would hope to be wed upon my return to Greek shores." He said plainly and simply. At least those were his intentions, it would be up to Leto if that would happen. If she did not love him as he loved her, he would drop the subject, not one to force his way into a marriage. He would rather have an honest one, one built on mutual love, or have no marriage at all.
"Her name is Leto. Of Chaossis. We met once, in our youth. I purchased my first sword from her, crafted by her father." He said, eyes on his friend to see how Timaeus was going to take the news. Maleos had never shown interest in a woman before, not even whores that had been offered to him through the years. He typically sent them on their way, stating he had too much work to do to be distracted with such things.
Timaeus was grateful that his friend had decided to not wait to share his happy news until a later point in the evening. After all, had Timaeus been several glasses in, he likely would not have believed the words that tumbled from Maleos's on account of how outlandish the whole notion truly was. Maleos? In love?? If wasn't for the giddy look on the captain's face when he divulged such information, Tim would have called him a liar. Not when Tim had spent the last four years joking about how Aphrodite was so repulsed by his friend that she cursed him to fall in love with his sword instead -- all in good fun, of course.
It just didn't seem possible that there could be anyone that could be capable of capturing Maleos's attention. As far as Timaeus knew, the man was already practically married to his job. If the man wasn't eating, sleeping, or doing the gods only knew what; Maleos was with the men. His sheer dedication to his role as a leader was one of the chief reasons why Timaeus had chosen him out of all the Lietenuants in the Unit to be his successor. There was literally no one more dedicated to the unit and quite frankly, Timaeus doubted that there ever would be another quite like Maleos when they were all dead and gone. So the whole notion that his best friend had even met a girl, let alone fell in love with her, seemed to be so improbable that Timaeus felt encouraged to swallow down another mouthful of the wine to make sure he was actually awake as the only explanation he could fathom for all of this was that this was some sort of twisted dream.
Even though Timaeus was having a difficult time accepting the validity of the whole affair, he was indeed happy for his friend. That much was made clear through the exuberant grin that crossed his face as Maleos divulged not only how he met the girl, but his plans to marry her if they make it back from Egypt in one piece. The grin broke into a fit of laughter when Maleos admitted that he met her in a sword shop. That really shouldn't have surprised him, but at least it wasn't one of the archers in the unit. "Of course you did. Tell me though did you fall in love with the girl or the sword first?" He lightheartedly teased. As excited that Tim was that his friend was finally getting to properly see how grand women could be, there was no way that Maleos was going to get out of this without a few jokes at his expense.
However, there was something less pleasant feeling that was creeping up the back of his throat. Even though Timaeus was genuinely happy for his friend and was eager to let the man talk to kingdom come about this girl that had managed to complete the Herculean task of capturing the captain's heart, it reminded Tim of how he almost had similar news to share with his friend. Or at least he did before the girl who had his heart all aflutter decided that he wasn't good enough for her. That wound was still a little more than fresh and was half the reason why Tim had no qualms with drinking barely-watered wine. He wanted to have fun and forget about Nana.
It seemed to be that speaking of Leto would be an excellent start.
By this point, Timaeus had nearly a full glass in his system. He was still fairly sober, but soon enough he would be well on his way to being a drunken mess. Maybe that was why he didn't make the connection between the girl and the slimeball who was currently chasing after Tim's cousin. However, there wasn't the faintest glimmer of recognition somewhere within him which spurred the Baron to Maleos more about her. "Leto of Chaossis? I think I've heard her name before… have you talked about her before?" His words were only slightly slurred as he spoke, but he was still coherent enough to be understood. Not wanting Maleos to be left out of the giddy fun, Timaeus motioned for his friend to down his own goblet with the help of a little gentle encouragement, "Drink, Maleos. Drink. This is good news and that should be celebrated." His words were punctuated with a little laugh as he reached to refill his glass.
As Tim not-so-wisely refilled his goblet, the Baron thought over his friend's intentions to marry this Leto girl. Maleos would need his formal approval for such a union as this was one of the powers that he held as the leader of Eubocris. In truth, this aspect of his job was usually the most laborious given the amount of time he'd have to spend listening to petitions and sorting through data to ensure that any bride price paid was fair and just. Although, when the time came, they would have to make another request with one of the girl's family members present, Timaeus could make a promise to his friend here in this bar about how that petition would go. "Well, whoever she is… You have my blessing Maleos. You deserve to be happy and not so damn lonely all the time." As heartwarming as the moment was, the current state of the man speaking almost made it comedic. He hoped that his friend would not mind as this was a happy occasion.
Little did they know how quickly this could turn if Maleos mentioned that Leto was the Master Informer's sister or asked questions about Tim not-so-secret paramour...
"But what is she like Maleos? Certainly, you did not fall in love with a brick wall…" He quietly muttered, directly asking his friend to divulge the reasons that he fell in love with the girl. After all, in case things didn't work out with Leto, Tim would know what had caught his friend's eye. Maybe then the Captain's best friend could help steer a few girls (or priestesses of Aphrodite) Maleos's way and not have them sent back to him like they always had been…
Jul 9, 2020 20:37:45 GMT
The Captain would not have blamed his friend if he did not believe the words that came from his mouth. For as long as the two men had known each other, Maleos had never taken a lover, nor had he shown any interest in any women. It was something that had come completely out of the blue and it had surprised Maleos probably just as much as it surprised Tim to hear it right now.
Maleos laughed and gave a little sheepish grin.
"The sword." He admitted truthfully. When he first met Leto, he hadn't cared much for the girl his age who sold him the sword. He had fallen in love instead with the weapon first, the way it felt in his hands, the way it sliced through the air with deadly intent toward the training dummy. That sword had served him well over the years, and it had been with him longer than his feelings for Leto had. But that did not change how he felt about her. He knew that Tim would likely find it amusing of course, that the sword came before the woman. Maleos knew he was not normal in that regard, but he did not much care either.
Maleos downed the rest of his wine as his friend encouraged him, not one for drinking much, he reserved such things for when he was in the private company of his most trusted friend, the man who now attempted to get him intoxicated. He poured another cup of the wine once he had finished what had been in his glass, knowing that Tim would not be stopping any time soon, and as such he would not let his friend stop any time soon either.
"I do not believe I have mentioned her before. I had all but forgotten her over the years, merely associating her with the purchase of my first sword. It was not until recently that we met once more, and I have not had a chance to sit down with you on our own until this very moment." He answered, not sure why Tim might know Leto, it was possible they had met before considering Silanos' connection with the woman, though he wasn't sure the brothers were exactly close.
"I appreciate the sentiment, but it will not matter unless we return from Egypt." He reminded his Baron. It was depressing, but true. They had a tough war ahead of them, and there was no guarantee that either of the men would return home. And even then, it was a question of whether or not Leto would even wait for him to return. Were her feelings strong enough to wait for him? He had no idea.
"I believe I have spoken of her quite enough for one sitting." He said with a little laugh, nudging the other before taking another drink. He did not want to make the night all about himself and his new found feelings. He was there to spend time with Tim before they would be too busy with war to sit down again.
"I think the more important topic at hand, is the ridicule of Captain Damocles by the Crown Prince." He said, his grin growing wider at the memory. The Prince had shut the obnoxious man down with a simple no, but that one word had spoken volumes and had served as great entertainment for Maleos.
Aug 2, 2020 3:06:36 GMT
Timaeus knew that the man before him was not the touchy-feely type. Emotions were a complex and distant thing for Maleos, which in many ways was the understatement of the year. After all, up until this point, Tim was fairly certain that his best friend would have spent his whole life without ever entertaining the thought of settling down. It was just inconceivable to think that the Captain would do anything else. The mere fact that Maleos himself was confessing to this now being a reality made this whole moment feel like some sort of surreal fever dream and the two goblets worth of wine in the younger man did not make this situation seem any more tangible. There was a very real chance that tomorrow morning Tim would not recall a single word of this conversation. Even if he managed to piece his memories back together, the Baron would not hesitate to write this all off as a drunken falsehood. Maleos would likely have to retell this to the Baron at a later date and there was little doubt that Tim would call his friend a liar for developing any sort of feeling that wasn't directly related to honor or duty.
However, that would be dealt with later. For now, the two friends could enjoy this moment with a sense of drunken giddy. That was probably what caused Timaeus to practically roar with laughter when Maleos confirmed the man's suspicions about who had captured the Captain's heart first. Maleos was most certainly a soldier to his core, wasn't he? Tim was half tempted to make some sort of joke about forgetting the girl and just marrying the sword instead, but stringing words together in a clever way was a task that required too much brainpower this evening. If his friend was serious about possibly marrying her, Tim would certainly have plenty of opportunities to make later on down the road. It would be smarter to save any wit for then. Otherwise, such quips would grow fairly tedious very quickly and Timaeus would rather not be hit upside the head by his close friend for annoying jokes anytime soon.
"You're such a downer Maleos. Have a little faith, the gods will see through to victory, I am certain of it." Tim was quick to counter when the Captain tried to bring a harsh dose of reality into their light-hearted conversation by reminding the drunken man that there was a chance that they could all die in the sands of Egypt. This wasn't a reality that any man wanted to face, let alone one in either of their positions. They both had families that would miss them, people who would be irreparably shattered should their breath be snuffed out. It was far too terrifying to think of the impact that this would on those left behind. This was an explicitly forbidden topic in Tim's mind as he knew how easily a death could tear this family apart and he had no faith in his brother's leadership qualities. Silanos was a danger to himself at best. Tim didn't want to think about how quickly the family name could be run into the ground if Silanos stood at the helm. It helped that Tim would take an advisory position, hopefully keeping himself out of the line of fire, but that didn't mean that the Baron would be completely safe. No one would be in the sands of Egypt.
Even though Timaeus would rather not think of such things, these dark thoughts began to creep into his mind. The Valaoritis under Silanos would be a disaster under his brother and the fear of this possibly becoming a reality was enough to spur the Baron to make an unusual request of his friend. "Maleos?" He started to say, summoning all the sincerity that a drunk man could muster, "If something happens on the front and I… I don't come back, can you help him. Push him to make the right decisions?" Tim had no idea what his friend would think of his sudden request, especially as it was more than obvious that Silanos did not like Maleos. This was a promise that would be an absolute uphill battle at every turn as his little brother could be as stubborn as a mule sometimes, but if anyone could take it on… it would be the man across from him. Tim half-heartedly wished that there was a way to name Maleos his heir instead. Both Eubocris and the Valaoritis name would be in safe hands if the Captain was at the helm. Seven hades. With the workaholic in charge, Timaeus had no doubts that both would be raised to a level of greatness previously unseen.
It was impossible though. There was no blood relation between the two men and Tim had no sisters that he could marry instead of Leto. The best Maleos could do if he agreed to this promise would keep to an advisory position. If he made this promise to Tim.
Given what it entailed, that was a pretty big if.
Though with the sheer amount of wine sloshing in their bellies, it was nearly impossible for the men to be glum and gloomy the entire time. Especially not when Maleos broached the one topic that would have them both hunched over double with laugher by the time it was done; the shut-down of Damocles at the war meeting. Even the mere memory of it was enough to coax a small fit of laughter out of the Baron as he sputtered out, "Did you see his face? He looked like he was two seconds away from murdering the General." It was no secret that the two men from Eubocris held no love for the Captain from the far reaches of the North. Their dislike was not strong enough to be considered hatred, but it was still enough to take joy in how quickly the man had been humbled. Timaeus, in particular, had a certain bone to pick with Damocles as the other man had shown him nothing, but disrespect within his own household. In an honor-bound society like theirs, this was a grave insult and it would likely be a long time before Timaeus would ever have a kind word about the man. Although Tim did not know Maleos's feelings about Damocles, but he suspected it would be fairly similar.
"He's not so much of a strategist now, is he? I say we drink to that." Tim said with a large grin as he lifted his wine glass up again. It was not a secret that Damocles prided himself on his ability to come up with brilliant military plans that could send any enemy running for the hills. Though, now it seemed unlikely that any of these would come to fruition now that Prince Vangelis halted the warrior in his tracks with a simple no. This was not just some small embarrassment either. Damocles had been shamed in front of the entirety of the military leadership. Clearly, this was not something that the Captain would easily recover from and Tim could not say that he felt the least bit sorry for him. If you asked the bitter man who was fully intent on never letting that man step foot into his home again, Damocles deserved it. After all, it never hurt to remind the Captain that he was just a mortal.
However, that was just Tim's thoughts on the matter. He knew that there was a rather personal element to his distaste for Damo. That made him curious where Maleos stood on the issue as it was likely to not be as strong as his comrade. He couldn't wait to hear what his friend would have to say about the man who had made a fool of himself at the war meeting.
Sept 22, 2020 0:55:18 GMT
As much as Maleos would like to believe that the Gods would guarantee him a safe return from Egypt, if only to see Leto back in his arms again, he knew that the Gods could be cruel, and it was more likely that they would have his life in Egypt simply to have his heart never fully satisfied. Tim was right though, in the fact that he should not dwell on such things. He was a great fighter, some would say he was blessed by the Gods themselves, and he was experienced as well. Hopefully Ares would see to it that one of his devout followers would remain with the living long enough to see a love life he had never dreamed of come true.
He took a long drink from his cup of wine upon the thought, making note to offer extra prayer to Ares with the upcoming battle. If he could pull it off, if he could live and his plan worked, he would hopefully be returning to marry Leto, and he would be coming back a hero. That promotion he so craved would be a lot closer if he had been part of the brains behind the plan that would spell the defeat of Egypt.
Maleos was pulled from his thought at the sound of Tim's voice. And he listened to what the man said. It took everything in him not to scoff at the request. His friend wanted Maleos to try and teach his useless brother anything? Silanos could not be changed. He was a fool, and he was useless. Maleos felt sick at the thought that he would be in any sort of contact with his best friends younger brother after the war.
But, he was a man of honour, and if it meant that much to Timaeus, how was he to turn his request down.
"Nothing will happen to you in Egypt, but if for some reason it does, you have my word that I will not let your brother be the downfall of your house, nor of himself." He said. That was as nicely as Maleos could put it. Silanos was hopeless, but perhaps Maleos could keep him from driving the family totally off a cliff if Tim wasn't around.
The thought caused him to drain his cup of wine, pouring himself more.
Maleos couldn't help but laugh along with Tim as the subject of Damocles was broached, drinking down more wine in a sort of toast with the other. A rare moment of true light hearted enjoyment for Maleos.
"It took everything in me not to laugh right then and there. I swear. The only thing that kept me from pointing right at him and laughing was the idea that I would be ridiculed along with him. What a fool, with his arrogant attitude and sweetened words. Perhaps he would have found better luck as a poet." Maleos said. Normally he didn't make fun of people, he had no reason to, and it got him no where. But with Damocles and his 'better than you' attitude, it was deserved in his mind.
Oct 30, 2020 3:42:44 GMT
Timaeus was all too aware of the fact that there was precious little that Maleos would be able to do if the worst was to come to pass and Silanos was left as the Baron. His younger brother was the sort of man who listened to no one, but his own fleeting whims. Sil was the King of stubborn fools and it was more than likely that any personal grudges that the little lordling held against Maleos would become the grounds for dismissing the man outright at any attempts to offer counsel. Timaeus knew this. The Gods only how many times he had already lived this narrative with the young man. The Baron had tried practically every method he knew in an attempt to break through to the boy and impart on him the gravity of what he had been born into. All of it had failed. There was no reason for the current Head of House to think that was going to change any time soon.
Of course, a part of him held out hope that Prince Vangelis was going to knock some sense into the fool. However, that was a fairly minuscule part of him. Timaeus had worked with the man in the past and he knew that their future king was not the sort to hold Sil's hand and gently point out what he was doing was wrong -- especially when the honor of his sisters were on the line. Call the Baron paranoid, but he was fairly certain that the prince had only taken Sil under his wing to wait for the lord to slip up and give him a justification to kill the braggart without needing to cause a scandal that could affect both of their houses. Which would eventually happen. Silanos was Silanos and there was no way that he was going to change his ways; even if it was his own neck on the line. Timaeus knew his brother well enough to know that the kid was never going to change.
Maybe it would bring the captain across from him some sort of somber comfort to know that it was unlikely that Sil was going ever going to see any sort of leadership position. Not that Maleos was ever actually going to know this. There weren't many secrets between the brothers-in-arms, but this was one thing that Timaeus had elected to obscure from the man he trusted with his life. It wasn't a decision that was made lightly or some sort of reflection of possible distrust -- the crimes his brother committed against the royal family were just so grand that it was the sort of thing that should be brought to the grave by the only three men who knew the truth of what had happened that night. Timaeus would have loved to confess what had really spurred him to lock his brother in his room until Maleos agreed to take him into the unit, but it was just too dangerous. This was just the sort of thing that no one was to be trusted with. Not when Prince Zanon already made it clear that murder was far from being off the table for this crime.
Either way, he was grateful that Maleos had indulged his request in this unlikely scenario. That was something that the former captain made clear with a quiet statement of gratitude, "Thank you." The words were barely above a whisper and his own drunken state made it hard to convey that how much it truly meant to him that his friend would make this sort of sacrifice by subjecting himself to advising the twerp, but he was sure that Maleos would understand. "He might be a little shit, but he's still a Valaoritis. We've got a terrible reputation to uphold." A sly drunken grin crossed his face as he referenced the fact that most of his family was hated in the province. Eh, the people might not like them, but they got the job done for the Kotas and that was all that really mattered wasn't it?
A sudden and strange feeling of guilt washed over him as he thought about how he was asking so much of Maleos, but offering absolutely nothing in return. He might be drunk and his thoughts were fuzzy, but he knew that he should at least offer the same. "May the gods keep us alive as we cut down the sand rats." He started to say as he lifted his glass in a mini-toast, "But if you don't come back and I do, you have my word that I'll look after your kin too. Make sure they're alright… might even chase off any suitors for this Leto girl for you..." Would Timaeus actually honor his friend in this way? Probably not. Or at least Tim wouldn't be dumb enough to try once he knew who her brother was and why her name was so familiar, but it was more the thought that counted than the actual promises made by a man that was currently drunk off of his ass.
With a light bout of laughter to accompany his words, the conversation shifted away from more morbid subjects to the reason why they had gathered in this tavern in the first place. Poor Timaeus had made the mistake of trying to take a swig of his drink as Maleos spoke, causing the Baron to practically choke on the liquid as the Captain suggested that their common enemy should have taken up the garb of a poet instead. It took him a moment to recover as his attempts to breathe were thwarted by his own chuckles, but once Timaeus had recovered he didn't bother holding back his thoughts. "As if anyone would laugh at you while he was in the room, blathering on about Alexandria of all things! Honestly, he was one fancy word away from being skewered by a dozen blades. Who does he think he is to disrespect Prince Vangelis like that? Or better yet -- how does he still have his head after that show?" Timaeus knew that Damocles was powerful in the province that he had come from, but that didn't necessarily mean that his word was the only one that had to be considered like the man had seemed to think at the moment. Timaeus's house had been commandeered in order for all the military minds in Colchis to come together -- not just so they could listen to the blabbering of one Drakos man.
"I will personally pay for his ticket to Athenia if he wants to take up the garb of a poet. Let him be their problem instead so us men could actually get the work done." A sly smirk crossed his face as he made the insinuation that Damocles's penchant for a larger vocabulary somehow undercut his masculinity. Though, in an odd sort of way, it did in Timaeus's eyes. Now the Baron did not like the man. That was more than painfully obvious to anyone who had ever seen the two of them interact and this more than likely blinded him to any good traits that the man might have -- which if Timaeus was pressed to admit, there would be quite a few. However, the combination of the disrespect at the war meeting, the suspicious behavior during the murder investigation, and the irrational decisions he had made at the battle camp had a sour taste fill his mouth with every mention of the man's name. The two of them did not get on and likely never would. That had been long established years ago.
"He's not part of your group, right?" Timaeus asked, his mind growing fuzzy about who had been given to which commander. However, this grouping had also included the Eubocrisian Captain on account that he had been the one to suggest the strategy that the Colchians would be utilizing on the battlefield when the time came for them to kill some Egyptians. It was a good sign for his friend, especially if he wanted to move up in the world. After all, it was rare to see a Captain being given the duties and honor of a higher-ranked officer and it was something that even Tim could take note of in his drunken state of mind. "You know, they're probably gonna make you a commander if we survive this…" There would be no reason for the Kotas not to do so if his friend's plan worked. It was pure genius and that was the sort of skills that they needed on every battlefield, not just the ones that the Eubocrisian's fought in. Timaeus was not keen on seeing his friend move away from the Men of the Heights, but if the gods decided that his friend was worthy of the honor, who was he to disagree with their will?
Though more importantly, Timaeus was curious about what his friend had to think about such a bold prediction…
Dec 8, 2020 20:02:40 GMT
Maleos wasn't a dumb man, he knew that there was nothing he could do if something did happen to Tim and Silanos was to take over the house. He had no delusions that he could make the man-child see reason, nor listen to anyone but his own addictions. But he wasn't going to voice that. He was sure that Tim knew his words were just that, words. But he hoped in the expression of them, it might ease the other a little. The stress Tim had been under in recent years was certainly showing, and it killed Maleos to know that his best friend was feeling like this and there was nothing much he could do to help. He had shouldered the military responsibilities of their shared province as best as he could, at least taking that off Tim's plate, but there was only so much he could do.
"A loyal and just reputation to upkeep." Maleos corrected when Tim said they had a terrible reputation to upkeep in his family, but he gave the other a little smile, the Maleos equivalent of a drunken grin. They were supposed to be having fun after all, and considering Maleos hardly drank wine that wasn't fairly watered down, he was already feeling it start to hit him. He never let his guard down around anyone but Tim. With his best friend, it felt like he could let go of his seriousness and his stiffness and let himself relax at least for awhile.
Maleos laughed as Tim suddenly offered to take care of his family and chase men away from Leto should he not return from the sands of Egypt himself. He was picturing it now, Tim following Leto around, thwarting any man who tried to talk to her. It was a ridiculous image, and something that he did not expect of his friend either way. His heart was Leto's, but he wasn't sure if she felt the same. Nor was he sure when he would return from Egypt, if at all. And if much time had passed, would she have moved on to someone else. There were so many questions in the air, and none that he would get an answer too until the Egyptians were defeated and he could return home with his life.
The thought of all of the unanswered questions hanging in the air while he went to war was enough to make him down his entire glass of wine in one go, pouring another before replying to Tim.
"I am sure my family would appreciate that. Delias always did think you were good looking." He teased back, making no mention of Leto. He had been happy to tell Tim about his feelings earlier, but now he wanted to forget about the uncertainty of everything with her and instead spend time with Tim, thinking of happier subjects.
Maleos laughed heartily as Timaeus nearly choked on his drink upon his statement that Damocles should have been a poet instead. His smile widened, the drunkenness hitting him harder, and the lighthearted change in conversation hitting him.
"I have no idea. The Gods must be looking out for him. The disrespect was unbelievable. Towards esteemed and experienced military leaders, as well as the Crown Prince himself." He shook his head a little. Damocles had offended a lot of powerful military personnel and a royal all in one go. He was lucky that all that had happened was a simple shut down. It could have gone a lot worse for his career.
"I don't believe it's been fully decided yet." He said, and if the Gods favoured him in any way, they would not let Captain Damocles and his men fall under Maleos' command. Let the others deal with his prose and pomp.
Maleos laughed a little and shook his head.
"A man can dream." He said when Timaeus said they'd probably make him a commander. As much as he yearned for it, that was his dream, it had been since he was a young boy. He knew that first his plan had to work well, they had to survive the war, they had to win, and then perhaps he might let himself believe such fantasies. He was a common born man, and it was hardly heard of for someone with no nobility to speak of to rise up to such command.
Maleos was a realist, though some might call him pessimistic. He didn't let himself get caught up in hopes and wishes. He let his dreams guide his decisions and actions, but he never got lost in the fantasy of them. If anything could be said of the Captain, it was that his feet were firmly planted in reality.
"Commander Maleos of Eubocris does have a nice sound to it." He said after a short pause, laughing a little and grinning. Okay, maybe the alcohol was making him a little more optimistic about the prospect than usual.


text:
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"Why Shamanism Now?" with Christina Pratt
Awakening the Courageous Heart – Part Two
Why are we afraid to feel? Why do we fear the emotional intelligence of the heart? The heart affects mental clarity, creativity, emotional balance, and personal effectiveness. It is no more a simple physical pump than it is simply the source of tepid pop songs and foolish dreams. The Chinese have known for centuries that the heart orchestrates the harmonious interaction of all of the body's organs maintaining good health. Modern science has known since 1991 that the heart has a functional brain of elaborate circuitry that enables it to learn, remember, feel and sense independently of the cranial brain. And shamans who work in intimate relationship with the invisible world have always known that all true power is mediated through the heart. Join host and shaman, Christina Pratt, as she continues to explore the secret terrain of the heart and what is necessary for contemporary people—with our wounds of isolation, anxiety, alienation, and broken-heartedness—to awaken our courageous hearts.
Tuesday, February 25, 2014 at 11:00 AM Pacific
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Why Shamanism Now? on Co-Creator Network
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All episodes are now available in the iTunes Podcast Library.
Awake in the DREAM with Laura Eisenhower and Dr. DREAM
Awake in the DREAM Radio with Mona Delfino
Awake in the DREAM Radio with Laura Magdalene Eisenhower and Dr. DREAM, this week's guest will be Mona Delfino.
As a Medical Intuitive, Vibrational Healer and Massage Therapist Mona Delfino has been an exceptional body worker for over 20 years. Coming into this field of healing naturally, her passion and abilities as a healer became apparent at a very young age.
In addition to her teachings in Reiki, Polarity Therapy, Sound (toning) and Crystal healing, Structural Therapy and many Indigenous Vibrational Medicines, Mona has had the unique experience of studying with her mentor of 12 years, Cherokee medicine woman, Karen Land. Karen was known as "Double Eagle" in the Cherokee Tribe. She passed in 2005, with her knowledge still running through Mona.
Mona has spent time studying in Hawaii on the Big Island in Hilo to learn directly from Lomi Lomi masters and Kupuna to bring back the traditional Hawaiian healing that carries the knowledge that all healing comes from love.
Her background in nursing in Neurology has given more insight into her take on "there is no diagnosis that pertains to a category in our body...they are only conditions from energy blockages and transparent memories…"
Her book entitled, "The Sacred Language of the Human Body," is available in it's 2nd edition printing.
www.sacredreconnections.com
Tue, February 25, 2014 at 9:00 pm Eastern
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/drdream
Suzanne Toro
BeSimply...Express {U}
Join 'She' as we explore...How to refine our communication skills, speak honestly and understand why this is potentially...one of the most important things you can do! We will focus on the direction and meaning of what we say and how it impacts self, soil and community. This segment on focused on cultivating clear authentic communication with self and others.
Music by: To follow SOON!
Wed, February 26, 2014 at 8:00 pm Eastern
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/suzannetoro
Just Energy Radio
The Vatican Heresy
Robert Bauval
Egyptologist Robert Bauval, who is credited with the theory that the pyramids align with the constellation of Orion is a well known and respected Egyptologist in the field. He is the author of Keeper of Genesis, Secret Chamber, Talisman, The Egypt Code, Black Genesis, Breaking the Mirror of Heaven, The Master Game, Imhotep the African and The Vatican Heresy. He has also appeared on most National and International television channels including ABC, NBC and the History Channel. More ...
www.robertbauval.co.uk
Thursday From 7-9pm CST ~ 02/27/14
http://inceptionradionetwork.com/listen-live/
BeSimply...CycleLife {BEhere}
Birth Life Next
This segment we will explore...the HERE, the element of earth. Discover and explore with 'she' th gifts of connecting deeper to the earths energy. 'She' will share some simple ways to deepen your connection with the element of earth, mother nature and reveal your inner landscape.
Fri, February 28, 2014 at 10:30 pm Eastern
Rewriting Jesus
Graham Hancock: Exploring Consciousness
UN Finds That Catholic Church is Bad for Children
The Beautiful Unfoldment of an Episcopal Diocese


However, we don't have enough information about this rumored Nikon D5 specifications, but we have some collected rumored specifications, taking which we are going to compare it with Canon 1DX .
Megapixel- So, what to tell, Nikon D5 is going to employ 20mp FX sensor on the other hand its chosen Competitor also has 18mp resolution, so sharpness and clarity will depend upon the type of sensor utilized by Nikon D5. But looking at the Canon's massive decision about, we do believe that the sharpness and clarity will mostly be reflected in Nikon D5.
AF system– The AF system of Nikon D5 is going to be more impressive because it's the First time when Nikon is going to decorate the AF system of any DSLR with hybrid AF means the accurate shot of the image is sure possible with much quicker. But the Canon 1DX has already been decorated with hybrid AF system.
AF points- But this time Nikon will win the challenges. The rumored information is that the Nikon could fix 107 to 173 creative AF points inside d5 so that users can snap their desire subjects with immense accuracy, silently and instantly. On the other hand the Canon 1Dx bears with 61 AF, so you could see the difference easily.
ISO- You will be amazed with Nikon D5 dimlight performance, as the camera rumored to have 102400 standard ISO , so we could expect it expandable upto much higher( possibly 409600). So be sure that you won't find the sign of noise in the images even when you'll shoot at struggling situation of lesser light. But native ISO of 1Dx is 51200 , so the camera can't outperform Nikon D5.
Continuous shooting speed- Fortunately, Nikon D5 rumored continuous shooting speed is 15 fps while 1Dx has 14fps. A one point ahead will be a bit brave to capture the action of the subjects in a simple way.
The table will be updated as soon as the camera announced.


My own introduction to our local senior center was when someone suggested a drawing class taught there. I approached the room for my first class with a softened step. I was concerned on two fronts. In the first place, I was seventy-two and had not taken an art class for 30 years, and those classes were more craft classes, not a "serious" portrait class. And my other concern was whether my mother had been right and I would feel out of place with all those old people. Well, of course, the old person issue was moot as soon as I walked in. People MY age are not old!
I was blown away by the teacher, not yet sixty. So talented, so encouraging, so full of life!
That class had been going on for several years. It was a place for experienced artists (men and women) to gather to paint and learn from one another. It was a place for beginners to find acceptance and learn.
Then I began to check out the other offerings at the center. There were day trips and over-night trips. There was bridge for beginners and serious duplicate and masters players. There was cribbage and dancing and bingo and Tai Chi. I joined a group that went kayaking on the lake.
A Senior Center, sometimes called the Council on Aging, is a community center where men and women can find activities that you might be looking for or where you can just hang out and socialize. You can have coffee and lunch. You can even get a ride from home to the center or to other destinations. Some centers have wireless access for your lap top (definitely NOT your mother's senior center). A support system is in place for anyone who is brave enough to face a community of mature people.
5 years later: Yes, I still go to the senior center for various activities and now I am teaching yoga there.


text:
Inside 'Speed Racer'
by Gerri Miller
Emile Hirsch and Matthew Fox as Speed Racer and Racer X, respectively, compete in a race.
Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
Speed Racer and his tricked-out Mach 5 turned millions of kids onto Japanese anime when the cartoon series "Mahha GoGoGo" -- also known as "Speed Racer" -- premiered in 1967. Its 52 episodes have had a cult following ever since. Though its animation is primitive by today's standards, "Speed Racer" was a pioneer for its time and made an indelible impression on many who grew up with it, including the duo behind the "Matrix" films, Larry and Andy Wachowski.
The directing brothers, known for bringing an innovative approach, keen visual sense and cutting-edge technology to their projects, have brought the 40-year-old franchise into the 21st century with eye-popping visuals, high-octane action and a welcome reinvention of the term "family film."
How did they make it look so cool, while bringing it in on time and on its $120 million budget? Well, we won't find out from the Wachowskis; they're known for not doing interviews. But the talent in front of and behind the camera were more than willing to reveal the brothers' creative methods and give detailed insight into the making of the movie.
Actors Emile Hirsch (Speed), Christina Ricci (his spunky chopper pilot girlfriend Trixie), Matthew Fox (the mysterious Racer X), Susan Sarandon (Mom Racer) and John Goodman (Pops Racer) tell tales from the set. Producer Joel Silver gives the big-picture history and overview, and visual effects supervisor John Gaeta provides the technical details. Buckle your seat belt and get ready for quite a ride as we go inside "Speed Racer."
Speedy Cars
Arguably, the most famous characters in "Speed Racer" are the cars. Although creators designed more than 100 cars for the film, the only full cars made were the Mach 5 (Speed's car) and the Shooting Star (belonging to Racer X). But even those didn't actually work. All the moveable cars were computer generated, according to John Gaeta.
"We had all sorts of bizarre-o shapes, funny cars in a way, but with jet engines in them. The wheel is captured in an enclosure from above that allows it to not be encumbered by an axle. We call them T-180s," says Gaeta, who designed the cars with inspiration from skateboard technology. "We wanted to go into the realm of Tony Hawk with this."
Another striking aspect of "Speed Racer" vehicles are the jump jacks, "akin to the world's most powerful pogo sticks," says Gaeta. "They can rocket 3,000 or 4,000 pounds of car into the air at high speed. The wheels and the jump jacks can be controlled in unison or separately, so if I wanted to fire just the left side jump jacks the car would roll up and to the right. And if I wanted, I could go end over end."
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