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Quarantainment - A Summer Reads, Listens, and Watch (And more!) List from WCET
Published by: Lindsey Rae Downs | 6/12/2020
Tags: COVID-19, WCET
Welcome to Quarantine
Lindsey and I (Rosa) began plans for this blog very soon after quarantine began back in March. We wanted to put together something fun to share that would contrast with the other conversations happening about the future of higher education that would hopefully help people decompress from the stress of life and work during a pandemic. It made sense to wait a little while until people really had a handle on work, and so we decided to make it a summer blog, replicating the style of our summer reading lists and summer listening list. Unlike past years, we haven't included much in the way of higher education or professional development related recommendations. This year is more focused on distraction!
Things To Do By United Nations COVID-19 Response
However, as protests have broken out across America in reaction to the police killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor and in reaction to the systemic racial oppression that has brought about that type of violence, the idea of entertainment and distraction means something a little different than it did just last month. It feels strange and inappropriate now to be blindly promoting distraction from this very important moment – and hopefully turning point – in American history. But it's important now more than ever that we are keeping up with our emotional well-being and mental health. With that being said, please read and enjoy our Quarantainment blog as a temporary distraction before you return to focusing on this movement. Even during immensely important and heavy moments such as this, it is still essential to take care of yourself, to know your limits, and enjoy some entertainment.
We additionally have included a few recommendations that will help you to reflect on and better understand this movement and moment in history. However, you can find many more articles online about how to educate yourself about race in America that we would strongly suggest checking out including a list of recommendations from NPR, recommendations posted in Medium, recommendations from scholars and researchers at the Smithsonian, and resources listed on the Black Lives Matter website. Additionally, JSTOR Daily has a reading list of articles on institutionalized racism that has been made free to all readers.
We have broken our suggestions into categories this year, from TV shows, great listens, great reads, and even have some recipes for you! Thank you to the WCET team and the WCET Steering Committee who provided us with these excellent recommendations.
~ Rosa and Lindsey
A problem I've been having recently is that even when I am watching TV and supposedly relaxing, I'm also reading news headlines on my phone at the same time. This has been uselessly counterproductive in my effort to relax. So I've been enjoying watching TV shows in other languages beside English because it forces me to stay focused and read the subtitles. Forced relaxation! But it's worked, and it's been fun. I've really been enjoying Korean dramas (K-Dramas). There are a lot of them on Netflix in a variety of genres. I'm currently watching Crash Landing on You – a romantic comedy about a successful South Korean woman who accidentally paraglides into North Korean territory. Comedy and romance ensue. The show is a delight, with loveable characters, beautiful sets, and intriguing plot lines. Check it out, and you are sure to be distracted in a delightful way.
If this gets you hooked on K-dramas, another one I'd recommend is called Misaeng, which is also available on Netflix. It is a workplace drama, which takes a look at South Korea's highly competitive workforce. It's a captivating look into another country, and has its own share of loveable characters.
-Rosa Calabrese, WCET
Salt Fat Acid Heat
A limited series on Netflix, Chef Samin travels all over to share these four key ingredients to all cooking and how they interact to make what you eat delightful. It's fun and educational and appropriate for the whole family if you wish. But fair warning, it will make you HUNGRY.
Available on: Netflix.com
-Cali Morrison, Associate Dean, Alternative Learning, American Public University System
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
I actually read this book before quarantine started, but I would definitely recommend anyone who hasn't yet read it to go for it now. It's the first book in a trilogy, and the second book, Children of Virtue and Vengeance is available now as well.
It is set in an imaginary version of Africa, and the main protagonist is a girl named Zélie, coming of age and exploring her own power. It's been compared to Harry Potter as it is also young adult fiction that centers around magic. In Children of Blood and Bone, the magic is ancient and was previously thought to have been wiped out. Many of the themes, which center on racial inequality are relevant to today's America, now more than ever. Appropriate for ages 14 and up, so if you have kids at home this summer looking for something to do, I would definitely recommend this book for them as well.
– Rosa Calabrese, WCET
Alexander Hamilton, Ron Chernow / Hamilton, THE MUSICAL
I just finished all 700+ pages of the biography Alexander Hamilton. Although published in 2004 and I like biographies and stories about historic figures, I finally got around to reading it. It's quite a story of a man who was Washington's right-hand man during the Revolutionary War, participant in the Constitutional Convention, co-author of the Federalist Papers pushing for ratification of the Constitution, first Secretary of the Treasury, and much more. It was time to read the book as I was hoping to see the musical Hamilton by Lin-Manual Miranda. It was supposed to play in Denver again this summer, but circumstances are such that it has been delayed. But, wait! Disney to the rescue. You can catch a filmed version of the original cast performing the musical on Disney+ on July 3rd. I'm looking forward to seeing it streamed.
Winston Churchill – The Splendid and the Vile, Erik Larson
Next on the history book trail is a new historical fiction about Winston Churchill and his experiences leading the United Kingdom through the toughest times of World War II. I enjoyed author Erik Larson's writing in The Devil in the White City and look forward to another engaging tale. The book has received amazingly good reviews and has been cited as a timely look at leadership in troubled times.
-Russ Poulin, WCET
Screens offer a great distraction during quarantine whether it be TV shows, movies, games, or Zoom. But it's quite nice to take a break from the screens as well and take a deep dive into food. Unfortunately, I have been unable to participate in the sourdough craze because of my gluten intolerance, but I've certainly baked a lot – my favorites are cookies and muffins, and I'm still trying to get a handle on scones, and I've also been cooking a lot more than I did even before quarantine, though I've always loved doing it. But I've been cooking more than ever now and studying it as well. Early in quarantine I bought a book from my local independent bookstore called The Sioux Chef's Indigenous Kitchen by Sam Sherman, and now I've been learning about foods that are native to America, as well as what prepared foods looked and tasted like before colonization. So far, I have only tried my hand at one recipe (probably the most simple one in the book) for amaranth crackers and was quite pleased by the outcome (the recipe is also available here, contributed online by author Sam Sherman). I'm excited to try more once I expand my pantry to include more of the ingredients.
This Isn't Forever Image By United Nations COVID-19 Response
I also like to listen to podcasts while I cook, and one of the ones that I've been paying extra attention to recently is Gastropod, so that I can listen to food conversation while I cook. I've recently relistened to a couple old favorites. I would highly recommend the episode Here's Why You Should Care About Southern Food with guests Michael Twitty and John T. Edge about how diets among slaves as well as dishes created by slaves has shaped American food, particularly American Southern food. The other episode that I recently returned to is What is Native American Cuisine? guest starring Sean Sherman, the author of the book I mentioned above. The episode powerfully discusses topics around food sovereignty, colonization, and the importance of returning to the healthful diets that Native Americans ate before colonization, as opposed to the unhealthy diets on reservations today (think government cheese). Lastly, I have also enjoyed one of Gastropod's recent episodes on Eating the Wild: Bushmeat, Game, and the Fuzzy Line Between Them, which points out issues in the way that we in the West might be critical of how other countries eat meat, but there are issues with our own meat consumption practices as well. One of the things I like most about the show is the way that it deconstructs bias through food. However, even beyond these episodes, I have yet to find an episode of Gastropod that I do not like.
Eggplant Salad and Dip
This eggplant salad/ dip recipe is traditionally Romanian, very common there, and used lots during the summer. It has a smoky flavor and is super tasty and my husband (who is from Kentucky) is just loving it.
Recipe by Adina from Where is My Spoon
-Laura DaVinci, Every Learner Everywhere
Easy Beef and Broccoli
My new favorite dish – gluten and diary free too!
The greatest thing about this recipe is how adaptable it is. I now use the basic idea of this recipe and add other proteins and vegetables as needed. It's amazing with the original flank steak, or with chicken or vegetarian alternatives. Just make sure to switch out the broth for vegetable broth if you want it to be vegetarian. Even my toddler LOVES it. We serve with the thicker Thai brown rice noodles or jasmine rice.
Recipe by Chungah Rhee, Damn Delicious
Cast Iron Blueberry Crisp
Lindsey made this! In her opinion, it was great.
This blueberry crisp blew my mind.
It's very easy to make, you can even use frozen blueberries and don't need to defrost them first.
I also used gluten free flour and non-dairy butter and it turned out excellent.
The recipe author is correct that your home will smell AMAZING.
Recipe by Jenny Fitzgerald, Fitzgerald Lane
-Lindsey Downs, WCET
I would recommend that if you have the available finances for it, to take out a subscription in your local newspaper if you haven't already. Local news was struggling before the pandemic, but is suffering now more than ever. Plus now seems like a great time to keep up with local news to keep in touch with your community when everything feels far away.
I continue to be obsessed with Guy Raz and his in-depth interviews with people who built brands we all know about how they did it and what life is like as an entrepreneur. Of special attention right now are the episodes he's running where he is having Facebook Live conversations with entrepreneurs regarding resilience and what the global pandemic has meant for their business. I laugh a lot and sometimes I even cry, but I always, ALWAYS learn something.
Multitude Podcasts
Multitude is a podcast collaborative of audio artists who work together to produce some outstanding shows. I started listening to them because of the Potterless podcast, which is about a young man who had never read the Harry Potter series, who read them for the first time and discussed them with guests. It's now one of the most popular fiction literature podcasts. It's very funny and I really enjoy it. This led me to their additional work:
Spirits – "a boozy dive into mythology, legends, and folklore. I really like listening to the two hosts and their guests share stories about myths and learning new ones from different cultures.
Join the Party – this show is a story told through the role-playing game Dungeons and Dragons. Before you stop ready, think about how interesting this would be. They are basically coming up with a story in real-time, using improv techniques, and the entire story is built around what direction dice send you. I have played D&D before, so maybe I'm biased, but it's pretty amazing to listen to them creatively tell their stories. They are on their second season and it may be more fun than the first, which I thought was great.
Next Stop: this is new – I haven't listened to all episodes yet, but this is like an audio version of Friends for more modern times.
"NEXT STOP is an audio sitcom about your mid-to-late 20s when everyone is changing around you—and you worry that you might not catch up. When longtime roommates Cam and Ally search for someone to replace their newly engaged former roommate, they stumble upon the iconoclast and ridiculous Samuel Clemens."
They have several other podcasts, including a basketball podcast about everything except the wins and losses. Haha!
Some Theatre Audio "Silliness"
If you are missing theatre: Seth Rodetsky's Back to School
Seth Rodetsky has been hosting Seth's Big Fat Broadway and Seth speaks on XM Radio for years. For those of us that are not XM Radio subscribers, this podcast is a fun substitute. Seth interviews a variety of celebrities with a focus on their high school years. Some of the celebrities Seth has interviewed thus far include: Alison Janney, Sean Hayes, Vanessa Williams, Rosie O'Donnell, and Jason Alexander.
Additional theatre silliness: Oh, Hello: the P'dcast
John Mulaney and Nick Kroll bring their Broadway stage characters (also available on Netflix), George S. Geegland and Gil Faison, to a very silly p'dcast series. I urge you to see the show on Netflix first to understand the humor of these podcasts. These characters are strangely obsessed with Princess Diana. Available on most podcast apps.
-Cheryl Dowd, WCET State Authorization Network
Get Online – a new podcast from Great Plains IDEA
Get Online… is a podcast that helps students and faculty align expectations around online education. Each episode includes expert advice and creative resources to inform and enrich the online educational experience. Listen from our website at www.gpidea.org/podcast or you can find Get Online… wherever you listen to podcasts.
In this three-episode series titled Get Online with Academic Advising, we tackle the topic of academic advising. You'll hear first-hand from faculty and students as they share their experiences, ask tough questions, and get advice from an array of guests, including experts from several of NACADA's (National Academic Advising Association) advising communities. Get Online with Academic Advising will be available starting June 15, 2020, wherever you listen to podcasts.
Get Online with Academic Advising will answer these questions and many more.
How is online advising different than on-campus advising from the learner viewpoint? From the faculty viewpoint?
How can students be proactive in their academic advising relationship?
How can faculty advisors create a sense of community and belonging for online graduate students?
What is the role of the academic advisor in regards to career development?
How can students take ownership in career advising?
Get Online… is brought to you by Great Plains IDEA, a consortium of universities who collaborate to offer online, flexible, affordable degree programs for a virtual community of diverse learners.
I Weigh with Jameela Jamil
I Weigh with Jameela Jamil (you might know her as the actress who plays Tahani on The Good Place) is a brilliant podcast. She started recording it from her home since quarantine started – the first episode aired on March 26 – so each of her interviews includes awareness to current events, but is not focused on them for the most part. Each interview she speaks with another celebrity, activist, influencer, etc. about their lives, what they care for, and what the struggle with. She brings up topics around gender and gender identity, race, sexuality, mental health, relationships to each other and ourselves, and ultimately discusses what things in our lives have meaning. It has been a great distraction for me from quarantine, but in listening to it, I also feel more engaged with the world even though I am still in quarantine. It's a great podcast, and the only downside is that since it is so new, there is only a small archive to be enjoyed!
Zombies, Run! (app for iOS and Android)
Running Photo by Arek Adeoye on Unsplash
This is a story-based app that integrates with your music player while you exercise. Walk or run and your music will periodically be interrupted with audio from the multi-episode story. You'll be dropped into the middle of a zombie apocalypse, and collect virtual items to save humanity while you walk or run from randomly timed zombie chases! If you're like me and don't naturally gravitate to vigorous exercise, being chased by zombies in Zombies, Run! is strangely engaging and motivating. Move from episode to episode in the series, and the app also tracks your movement, time and distance.
iOS store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/zombies-run/id503519713
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sixtostart.zombiesrunclient&hl=en_US
-Jory Hadsell, Executive Director, California Virtual Campus – Online Education Initiative
OOTP 21 – Baseball Management Simulator
As a baseball fan, there has definitely been a large hole in my spring without an MLB season to follow. For anybody else out there feeling similarly, I'd highly recommend OOTP 21, a highly-detailed and complex baseball management simulator that encompasses not only the entire history of Major League Baseball (1871-present), but also includes minor and foreign professional baseball leagues. It's especially fun for any fan of a team -cough Texas Rangers cough – that has a history of making highly questionable player transactions which you can undo in a virtual baseball world.
– Robert Perez, Every Learner Everywhere
Is any list of quarentainment suggestions really complete without this game? I know, many of you are probably sick of hearing about it, but I do love this game. It's low stakes and absurdly calming. It's also absurdly addicting. My toddler laughs hysterically when the characters in the game talk and she loves it when my character catches bugs or chops at a tree for some wood.
If you haven't heard, Animal Crossing is a virtual simulation game where the player's character is dropped off on a deserted island and the goal is basically to make it your dream island. You can pretty much make the island into anything you want. Mine is my dream vacation destination. There are also cute little anthropomorphic animals who move onto your island and become your friends. You fish, catch bugs, and go fossil hunting (yes, fossils).
Again, thank you to everyone who submitted these great suggestions. Please, stay safe and stay healthy, and we hope you enjoy these outstanding reads, listens, and watches, and we especially hope you enjoy being chased by fictional zombies around your deserted dream island, while managing your virtual baseball team.
Rosa Calabrese
Manager, Digital Design, WCET
rcalabrese@wiche.edu
303-541-0219rcalabrese@wiche.edu
Rosa Calabrese has been with WCET since 2014. As the manager of digital design, she is responsible for creating and managing WCET's digital assets including both web and graphic design of WCET and its initiatives. Before coming to WCET, she worked as a program assistant at the Danish Institute for Study Abroad in Copenhagen. She received a bachelor's degree in 2013 at the University of Denver, where she studied both Electronic Media Arts Design and Sociology. Outside of work, she can be found volunteering with both cats and dogs at a local animal shelter.
Lindsey Downs
Assistant Director, Communications and Community, WCET
ldowns@wiche.edu
@lindsey0427
303-541-0234ldowns@wiche.edu
@lindsey0427LinkedIn Profile
Lindsey started with WCET as a consultant in March of 2016 and became the manager of communications for WCET the following September. Now in her current role, Lindsey represents WCET to the outside world through press relations, social media, and publications. She develops content such as member newsletters and collects and summarizes higher education digital learning news articles and is the administrator and community manager for our virtual community platform, wcetMIX. Lindsey is an integral part of our team and each year she manages the WCET Awards program to honor our innovative members and serves as the editor for WCET Frontiers.
Prior to joining WCET, Lindsey worked in the Montana State University Information Technology Center on their communications and instructional technology teams and with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana, first as a training specialist and then as an instructional designer. Lindsey holds a Masters of Education in Higher Education and Adult Learning, a College Teaching certification from Montana State University, and a Masters Certificate in Instructional Design with an Online Learning Specialization from Walden University.
Lindsey affectionately calls her home filled with two rambunctious boxer dogs (Piper and Bogart) and an energetic toddler (Josie), her "circus," and loves spending time chasing her kiddos around the trails throughout Helena, MT with her husband. In her free time, she enjoys baking and cooking, especially when her recipes actually turn out well. Lindsey is an avid reader who enjoys reading about many book characters, namely Harry from Harry Potter and Josephine March from the classic Little Women. In fact, Jo March happens to be her daughter's namesake.
Online Learning: Let Students Learn Where They Are
Avoiding a "Road to Nowhere:" What We Must Do This Fall
1 reply on "Quarantainment – A Summer Reads, Listens, and Watch (And more!) List from WCET"
Get Online… The Making of a Podcast – WCET Frontiers says:
[…] in several of our summer listen lists. This year, one of the podcasts we included in our "Quarantainment" post was the Get Online… podcast from Great Plans IDEA. After listening to these […]
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Blood Profit and Glory
Convention Recap
Featured Design
From the Forge
Rumblings of War
The Battle Begins
World of Sularia
HOW THE BOARD GAME INDUSTRY CAN CHEW UP AN INDIE PUBLISHER
Written by: Jesse Bergman
Photo Courtesy of: Shutterstock.com
If you've spent any time lurking the Facebook design and publishing groups, then you know there is a lot of information out there on how to be a great publisher, and how to grow you Kickstarter, etc.… While much of this information is really relevant it can't prepare you for the next phase of your growth. What happens after your Kickstarter? What about Distribution? How do retailers perceive your product when it ends up at a discount retailer?
In this article, I will write about all of these things, from the perspective of our experience. I don't believe our experience is unique, in fact, I think the results you mostly read about are the anomalies of success and not the standard outcome. When you have success, there is a sudden shift in how your relationship works within the channel and how much pull you have as an organization.
WHAT IS A HIT GAME?
Interesting question, and one that isn't really described by gaming professionals too often, and the posts regarding them are pushed down the algorithms pretty quickly because the responses show a less positive side of the industry. I want to be clear that I love board games, I love the industry, and I think there is an immense amount of room for companies to exist.
In the Boardgame industry, approximately 80% (Source) of all published games will not sell beyond 2000 copies. To put that in perspective about 38% (Source) of games will actually get enough funding to be made, via Kickstarter, an even smaller amount will get Publisher support, and forego the Kickstarter route. So you have a slight chance of actually getting to make the thing you've poured your heart and soul into for several years.
Let us say you make it over that initial hump! Time to celebrate, right? We've now made it into the Board Game industry as a legitimate Publisher? Or have we? What are the next steps for your game after that?
The most common answers you'll get from the "groups" will be, go to conventions, sell your extra games, get your game on Amazon, get your game into the channel.
This all sounds like excellent advice, and it was all advice we took except for Amazon.
You may be asking why we chose to forgo the largest e-commerce seller on the planet? It is an excellent question and one that takes a more in-depth insight into Battle for Sularia: The Card Game. You see, as avid card game players, we knew that any sort of TCG/ECG style game would only survive with the strength of an organized play program and local retail communities. This was something that Amazon couldn't supply, but the distribution channel could.
Distribution? Yes? No? Maybe?
So we quickly took action to establish a contract with a consolidator. Now you may be asking what a consolidator is? A consolidator is a company that focuses on gathering up games from small or new organizations and getting them in front of distributors on behalf of the publisher. They have the contacts and the relationships with key distribution people that help you sell games. Why did we choose this route? Because even after attending GAMA and trying to establish meetings and contacts at Distribution levels, we were quite frankly ignored. I've been in professionals sales and business development for almost 20 years now and have never seen the level of gatekeeping that I saw at that convention. What options did we have? We needed our product in the channel. So consolidator it was.
We get to our release date, and we ship our consolidator a large order of a product. By large we moved nearly 1500 games through them in the first 60 days of our release schedule. We had only printed 2000 copies in total! So our first printing was sold out in 60 days, minus 200 games we kept on hand for Origins Game Fair.
We had the start of a successful brand, but quickly fell victim to obscurity and cult of the new, when it took us 6 months to get our second printing in stock. After we received our new inventory the orders were all but gone, Our consolidator was on to the latest games, and our channel sales were mostly dead.
I started going mostly door to door to game stores within driving distance of our home base, to promote demo events and help grow communities, and we began to find a resounding problem. Many retailers were not interested in supporting the game because our game was listed on online discount retailers. I won't name any names as to which organizations had our product but they did. We started inquiring and quickly realized that our product in the channel was just as open to those retailers as local FLGS stores.
While for many games this isn't a problem, simply because local communities are not imperative to the success of the game. For a strategy card game, it was nearly our death bell. FLGS retailers had boycotted us because online sources were selling it far below MSRP. They had no interest in competing with that, and if they were going to compete by building communities, why not create groups for the lowest hanging fruit. At that time, it was X-Wing, MTG, Pokemon, and Yui-Gi-Oh.
So the FLGS was ignoring us now, and to make matters worse, the online discount retailers started closing out our product. Their websites showed the product as "Clearance." If there is ever a more resounding call that your product is dead its that dreaded word. The worst of it was that we had absolutely zero control over it.
I called the online retailers and spoke to some representatives and inquired as to why they were marking active SKUs as clearance when we still had an active product and had just released an expansion less the 60 days prior. Their response was simple, we have to make room for new games, and your game is not gathering enough interest. In October of 2018, BGG users said: "can often be difficult to find outside of the manufacturer's home page." They were correct, and the channel has no interest in supporting us. In fact, we don't blame them at all, they have businesses and bottom lines, just like the rest of us. Battle for Sularia still sells well at conventions, but most conventions end up being a break-even process when you factor all the costs in to attend them.
So what can you do as a new developer/Publisher? This is the key take away and one of the things that we will remain focused on as we move forward with unique designs. Will we ever enter back into the channel? Possibly, but only when it seems right for our growth. Last year we launched two expansions to Battle for Sularia, because we wanted to complete the game as it was intended. We did this, and our audience is simply not large enough to continue the development of the game.
When we come back to the market with a new game, I will be less inclined to work with the channel directly. Instead, I will work with direct e-commerce where we have control of the product, partners in specific markets (AKA Canada, EU, GB) that want to sell our titles, and yes Amazon, if they will let us.
I will also happily work direct with FLGS partners that want to work with us and understand that this move is not to keep our games out of their stores but to ensure that our games in their stores are sold for a fair margin and that online retailers will not be hurting their customers. You see as a new publisher, you have to realize you have zero power in the channel game, and because of that, you are just another number/SKU. So unless you are the 1% of the 1%, you have zero hope of controlling how your inventory functions.
The next question you may bring to mind most likely should be, won't this be suicide for my sunk costs and making a game? The short answer is yes, all businesses have risks, the long answer is a bit more complicated. The point of this article is not to build your business case only you can do that. I would encourage you to do a break-even analysis of understanding your sunk costs. And in the process figure out how many copies of your game need to be sold to pay yourself and fund development of your next project.
It's far too often that I've had a conversation with another indie publisher that has made a game, and not sold enough to compensate themselves for that game. I have worked up a business model that allows for this in the planning and that commission is part of our variable costs in our break evens. First, I will pay our Game Designer/s at maximum 8% of the gross receipt of sales. So if a game makes $10,000, then the designer/s will get $800 for it. Second, I will pay the developer a maximum of 4% of the gross receipts as well. This means for every dollar we sell up to $.12 goes to the developer/designer. This even includes in house games. If there are two designers on a project, then I leave the designers to determine how they distribute the funds from the game amongst themselves.
While this will not make anyone rich in the indie board game space, it does help the designers get their projects out to the wild. The remaining cash from each sale is then put into our publishing account as reserves for the sunk costs of the next project. We here at Punch-It pay our royalties out quarterly, and I would encourage this unless the games sell rate is above a specific rate.
Hopefully, this article can help potential would be publishers, and a few new designers understand the perils of the game industry post Kickstarter and why doing business analysis and understanding some of the potential pitfalls can help circumvent cash decisions that could be truly devastating to their bottom lines.
Have questions, please feel free to comment below or join our Discord Community!
Tagged: Indie Publishing, Boardgame Publishing, Three Tier System, Kickstarter
DESIGNING A STRATEGY CARD GAME PART 3

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Abstract: In the summer of 1887, Hamlin Garland took a trip from Boston to the Midwest, which he chronicled in a notebook. During his journey, he stopped in Chicago and met with author Joseph Kirkland, who urged the young Garland to write fiction and to practice his writing dialogue. Garland took Kirkland's advice and took copious notes throughout his trip. The resulting notebook is important because in it, Garland made his first attempt to write dialect, sketched characters and future story ideas, recorded his interest in the populist reform movement and local color, and became one of the first American authors to attempt literary impressionism. The notebook has been edited and is accompanied by an introduction and explanatory notes.


Gro-Power – Organic (Humus) based fertilizer and soil conditioner products Gro-Power organic granular fertilizers increase the soil's functionality by adding Humus, beneficial soil micro-organisms, and nutrients back into the soil. The combined elements of Gro-Power fertilizers aid in improving soil structure, balancing soil chemistry, and increasing the beneficial microbiology of the soil. The organic portions help to break-up clay and compacted soils, while providing a food source for microbes and nutrient holding capacity in sandy soils. Gro-Power products are odor free, environmentally safe, and free of waste products, such as animal waste, poultry litter, sewage sludge or toxic mine tailings. All products contain non-staining Iron, Manganese & Zinc.


text:
How to protect yourself We ❤ online delivery KFC's 🎮 console Talking Tech
Comcast is rolling out data caps to Xfinity users nationwide, and consumers are angry
Brett Molina
It's no secret that many consumers hate Comcast. Now, they have more one reason to turn their anger toward the cable giant.
On Tuesday, Comcast announced it will roll out its 1.2 terabyte Wi-Fi data plan to all remaining Xfinity customers as of Jan. 1, 2021.
The changes will impact Xfinity customers in the northeast, as well as parts of North Carolina and Ohio, Comcast said in a press release detailing the changes.
The company says 95% of their customers use less than 1.2 TB of data per month, "even with COVID-level usage when most Americans are working and learning from home."
What if Zoom crashes on Thanksgiving?:These video meeting choices can save your virtual family gathering
Thanksgiving 2020:Have an after-dinner video gathering
According to an explainer on Xfinity's website, users who go over the 1.2 TB cap will automatically receive blocks of 50 GB of extra data for $10 each. Customers will receive notifications warning when they approach the data cap.
The move has drawn outrage from customers upset at the timing of Comcast's decision, as millions of Americans remain close to home using their Wi-Fi more often to connect for school, work or other virtual activities.
"I'm glad they thought about doing this while in a pandemic when all everyone is using is their internet," said Twitter user @sglenn21. "How is this allowed?"
For years, Xfinity has ranked below average in customer satisfaction among internet service providers, according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index. However, in 2020, Xfinity received a score of 66, just above the average of 65 for all ISPs. The change marked the largest improvement year-to-year among all ISPs, found ACSI.
The cable giant has also found itself on multiple lists ranking the most hated companies in the US.
Follow Brett Molina on Twitter: @brettmolina23.


Pop us a visit anytime at our offices, We would love to sit down with you and have a cup of tea.
Give us a call anytime 24x7. If we are available we would love to chat to you.
Drop us an email and we promise to get back to you in 3 working business hours.


The Environment, Safety & Health (ES&H) Directorate's vision is to provide best-in-class environment, safety, and health services delivered in ways that enable world leading science and operational excellence.
Our mission is to serve the environment, safety, and health needs of our internal customers in an effective and efficient manner and to meet or exceed the expectations of our external customers.
Develops and delivers environmental products and services for all Brookhaven Lab stakeholders by managing environmental programs and by providing technical assistance on environmental requirements. Provides a variety of waste management services for Brookhaven Lab.
Provides technical assistance, regulatory interpretation, coverage for radiological operations, radiological engineering, internal/external dosimetry services, instrumentation services, and on- and off-site radiological emergency response.
Committed to providing high quality, cost-effective support services to external and internal customers in the fields of Industrial Hygiene and Safety Engineering. Services are designed to assist managers in providing a safe and healthy working environment for employees and guests.


Concussion is a complex injury that can have extensive consequences in regards to symptoms and function. Having a solid understanding of the many systems affected by concussion is integral for OTs to best support clients. In this course we explore the role and value of occupational therapy in concussion management, and cover in-depth multicomponent OT assessment of concussion.
Weekly content release - The course has been divided into modules which will be released each week, one section at a time. New material will be available beginning on Saturdays. All content will remain available after the course has completed.
Weekly discussion questions - once per week, with the release of each course section a discussion question will be posted in the course forum. Please respond to the discussion question within one week of posting. It is expected that you complete all discussion questions, and provide engagement with other student's posts in some capacity.
Open forum for questions - the course forum can also be used to ask questions to the instructor (Devon) or the other students in the course. Here you can also request access to specific resources or research papers if you are unable to access them yourself.
This course is open to all health care professionals but specifically addresses the needs of OTs. Other healthcare professionals will still benefit from the knowledge, techniques and systems shared in this course.


text:
MICHIGAN RATTLERS
"ILLINOIS SKY"
1279 th Views
4371 st Votes
85 th Overall
7 th Los Angeles
MARIE DE LA MONTAGNE FOR EACH OTHER Los Angeles
WILL SNYDER MENTAL BLOCK Los Angeles
MICHIGAN RATTLERS performs the song "ILLINOIS SKY" for BalconyTV.
PRESENTED BY PRISCILLIA SEELAN
MICROPHONES BY RODE
http://www.rode.com
Upholding a time-honored songwriting tradition, Michigan Rattlers recount human stories through a soundtrack of Americana punctuated by countrified rock 'n' roll and folk. The subjects of their 2016 self-titled debut EP practically live and breathe between Graham Young's rustling guitar and Adam Reed's percussive upright bass. Born in Petoskey, MI and based in Los Angeles, the duo's music plays out like a film. "All of my favorite songs tell stories," says Graham. "It's the most important part. They're about people trying to overcome life's obstacles. That's what it always comes back to." Lifelong friends Graham and Adam began writing music and performing together in their Northern Michigan high school. Residing in a quiet tourist town of 6,000 located on the banks of Lake Michigan, the pair regularly played every bar, café, and stage in town, developing an inimitable musical chemistry informed by the likes of AC/DC, Chet Atkins, Eric Clapton, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and more. Adam headed to Ohio for college as Graham went to Illinois, but upon graduating, Graham beckoned Adam to move out to Los Angeles so they could start a band. A four-day cross-country road trip gave birth to Michigan Rattlers. "We had been in bands together for a long time, so we knew what we wanted to do," Adam explains. "I was going to play upright bass, and we were going to do a project with just the two of us. We wanted to be lean and mean on tour. As soon as Graham called, I went for it. If you get a music degree, you might as well play music!"
https://www.facebook.com/michiganrattlers/
CREDITS / SPONSORS
Producer/Talent Booker: Cindi Avnet
Videographer: Scott Velasquez
Recorded by and Mixed by: Jeff Bates
Videographer: Elizabeth Strazzante
BEN SIMONE
חנן בן סימון
AMBER LAWRENCE
LAURIE LEVINE CANYONS South Africa
VECH HIEDRA Mendoza
YOKO CHANEL KASKADA Poznan
CLOSER TO THE OCEAN ROCK·IT TO THE MOON Miami
ASHLINN GRAY STFU South Africa


text:
The Tough Luck Constitution and the Assault on Health Care Reform (Hardcover)
By Andrew Koppelman
Chief Justice John Roberts stunned the nation by upholding the Affordable Care Act--more commonly known as Obamacare. But legal experts observed that the decision might prove a strategic defeat for progressives. Roberts grounded his decision on Congress's power to tax. He dismissed the claim that it is allowed under the Constitution's commerce clause, which has been the basis of virtually all federal regulation--now thrown in doubt.
In The Tough Luck Constitution and the Assault on Health Care Reform, Andrew Koppelman explains how the Court's conservatives embraced the arguments of a fringe libertarian legal movement bent on eviscerating the modern social welfare state. They instead advocate what Koppelman calls a tough luck philosophy: if you fall on hard times, too bad for you. He argues that the rule they proposed--that the government can't make citizens buy things--has nothing to do with the Constitution, and that it is in fact useless to stop real abuses of power, as it was tailor-made to block this one law after its opponents had lost in the legislature. He goes on to dismantle the high court's construction of the commerce clause, arguing that it almost crippled America's ability to reverse rising health-care costs and shrinking access.
Koppelman also places the Affordable Care Act within a broader historical context. The Constitution was written to increase central power, he notes, after the failure of the Articles of Confederation. The Supreme Court's previous limitations on Congressional power have proved unfortunate: it has struck down anti-lynching laws, civil-rights protections, and declared that child-labor laws would end all freedom of commerce, and . . . our system of government would] be practically destroyed. Both somehow survived after the court revisited these precedents. Koppelman notes that the arguments used against Obamacare are radically new--not based on established constitutional principles.
Ranging from early constitutional history to potential consequences, this is the definitive postmortem of this landmark case.
Andrew Koppelman is John Paul Stevens Professor of Law, Northwestern University. His books include Defending American Religious Neutrality, A Right to Discriminate?, and The Gay Rights Question in Contemporary American Law.
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Publication Date: March 22nd, 2013


Yet again the Moonshae Isles come under the threat of sinister and supernatural forces. A council of dark sources has usurped the will of the High King. Guided by Bhaal, god of death, an army of ogres and zombies threatens the gentle Ffolk while the puppet king acquiesces. It falls to Tristan, heir to the throne of the Moonshaes, and his friend Robyn the druid, to guard their homeland from certain destruction.
Released in 1988, Black Wizards was the second novel in the first trilogy ever published in the Forgotten Realms setting. Unavailable for the past several years, this title is now being brought back into print in a newly recovered mass market edition.


You haven't heard a lot from me so for this year. That's mostly because I've been working on selling my adult colouring book (it's been a tough slog to get it into Christian bookstores, particularly in the USA, if you are a retailer let me know and I can get you your discount). I have also revisited and committed to finishing my book that I started in 2015. If you know any writers, or you do a some writing yourself, then you know it's dangerous to leave ideas dormant for an extended period of time–they might leave you for good. I'm close to the point where 'Adventures in Saving the Dying Church', needs to be finished or I'll forget what it was I was doing to begin with….
The exciting news is the launch of a new church plant called Cypher Church. This is something really exciting to me, but it's also interesting to the broader church planting world as well for a variety of reasons. There are a number of 'firsts' in this church plant. I use 'firsts' in brackets because I can't be completely certain, (after all nothing is new under the sun), but here is a list of some unique aspects we're trying out.
I say 'we' since Cypher Church is being co-lead by myself and Connie Jakab.
There are exceptionally few churches being led by women in Canada. This will be one. There are also exceptionally few church plant lead by a non-white male. That would be me (although I'm not sure what the latter means…).
Speaking of denomination, this is a non-denominational endeavour, as is CMC, my first plant. That's not entirely by design, but mostly it is. Both Connie and I are affiliated with denominations, her more so than I. Connie's with the PAOC, I'm Vineyard by designation (although none of them know so don't say anything.) We do have relational 'oversight', but that's purely by relationship.
The church plant is specifically for the 'nones'. few church plants are targeted to the 'nones'. Most are usually church transplants, sent off with a critical mass of people for stability (in excess of 100 people). Most church plants also grow by transfer growth and by re-attracting the almost 'dones' with a cool service. Our target is by relationship first, and that takes us into an urban context–specifically to the hip-hop community. There will be a VERY interesting mix (we don't entirely know) that will float around 50% 'nones' and 40% 'dones' at an event (service). That mix at a service is rare.
In Calgary, I'm pretty sure a hip-hop church has never been done. I'm not saying this is a hip-hop church, but part of the gathering (service/worship) will take on a new Gospel/hip-hop/artist feel. I don't have all the details since we want to see where this organically goes, but let's just say there won't be a Hillsong/Bethel song in the mix, so instantly it lacks a certain appeal to consumer Christians looking for the next cool thing.
The fundamental identity piece is Gospel–we're trying to offer an experience of the Gospel to those who've never had a taste. We're also calling everyone, Christian or not, into a deeper identity in Jesus. Not more, but deeper. That has to be the critical piece to our church or we'll just be another church plant doing a cool service to be….cool.
There are a few folks who are core people in this launch, but I figure we'll need more, and those people have yet to come to the fold, so if you could pray for us.
So that's the update of this new plant in Calgary, but also an attempt that may add some additional insight to the repertoire of pioneering church plants. I'll keep you posted on any developments, and again, please pray for us when you get a chance.


Seeking escape from desperate poverty, the girl joins a community of kindly strangers and embarks on an epic journey across a treacherous ocean and into the North American wilderness, pulling a two-wheeled handcart over the Rocky Mountains to a remote desert kingdom.
In her new home, a Mormon settlement in the Utah Territory, Josephine is pressed into a polygamous marriage with a man almost four decades older than herself. Amidst a backdrop of rising violence and haunting tragedy, Josephine's struggle to find her own path takes her to unexpected places.
Nadene LeCheminant has degrees in history and art from Utah State University. As a university writer and magazine editor, she has been recognized with eight top-tier CASE writing awards, and as a public speaker she has provided communications strategies to national and regional nonprofit organizations.
Her love of the southern Utah desert - the backdrop for much of The Gates of Eden - was nurtured on a bare-bones survival trip, during which she walked several hundred miles across the Utah wilderness without a sleeping bag or tent.
LeCheminant lives in Salem, Oregon, with her husband, Richard Yates. This is her first novel.
The Gates of Eden recounts the journey of an impoverished, teenage English emigrant who entrusts her fate to the Mormon Church. Nearly broken by the hardships of her handcart party of 1856, she encounters, on her arrival in Utah, anything but the land of milk and honey promised by the prophet Brigham Young.
The author's stunning imagery and command of Mormon history lends power to a gripping story. I was mesmerized.


text:
An Arthropod is a segmented animal that can be characterized as having an exoskeleton.
Arthropods are a group of invertebrates that form the largest Phyla of all our planets living organisms. Arthropods account for 3 out 4 species of animal known to man. The biomass of arthropods far outweighs that of the vertebrate group of animals. Arthropods have several features in common. The main common feature is that they all have bilaterally symmetrical body shapes which are divided into segments. Over time, evolution has fused the segments into functional groups. There are 4 main groups of arthropods:
Myriapods (including centipedes and millipedes)
Centipedes and millipedes have similar structured bodies whereby their form consists of a head and a body trunk made of similar shaped segments. These terrestrial creatures have biting mandibles, a single pair of antennae and they live in moist habitats as they do not have a waterproof cuticle.
Centipedes are fast moving carnivores with an elongated, slightly flattened segmented body. Each trunk segment consists of a pair of single legs. The first pair of legs on a centipedes trunk are modified as poisonous claws which they use to subdue their prey.
Millipedes are mostly herbivores or scavengers and have an elongated cylindrical or flattened body. The first 3 segments of a millipedes trunk contain no legs at all. The remaining segments are fused into pairs known as diplosegments and each diplosegment has 2 pairs of legs attached to it.
Despite the millipedes common name, they never have a thousand legs.
Chelicerates (Arachnids – including spiders, scorpions, pseudoscorpions harvestmen, ticks and mites)
Arachnids have a head which is fused to their thorax forming a cephalothorax. The cephalothorax has sensory organs, mouthparts, limbs and stomach. The remaining body segments are fused to form an abdomen. The abdomen contains the heart, lungs, gut, reproductive organs and anus. This means that the body of an arachnid is only divided into 2 sections whereas insects have 3 body sections.
Arachnids use their sensory hairs, sensory organs and simple eyes to detect and analyse their surroundings. Arachnids are cold-blooded animals that get warmth from their environment.
Arachnids are diverse in size ranging from a few millimetres to 20 centimetres in length. They have a strong exoskeleton made of calcium and carbohydrates which protects them from predators. Arachnids do not possess teeth and most cannot digest solid foods, this is why they suck fluids from their preys body.
A scorpion has a tail that extends from their abdomen bearing a painful stinger on the end. At the front are 2 pincer-like chelicerae which are used to consume prey and a pair of limb-like pedipalps. They have 4 pairs of walking legs. Psuedoscorpions are not really scorpions although they have a similar appearance.
Pseudoscorpions do not have the extended tail with the stinging end, instead they produce venom from their pincer-like pedipalps. Pseudoscorpions also produce silk from silk glands which are located on the jaws or chelicerae. The silk is used to construct cocoons in which they molt and live during the winter. They usually range from 2 to 8 millimetres in length. The largest known species is Garypus titanius of Ascension Island at up to 12 millimetres.
Ticks are parasites that feed upon the blood of mammals such as humans, dogs, cows and sheep. Ticks are tiny arachnids, about the size of a grain of rice. They climb onto their host, gripping tightly with their legs and feed by sinking their mouthparts into the hosts skin and gorges itself on blood. Once the ticks body is full, it swells like a tiny balloon and falls off its host.
Most spiders are predatory arachnids that inject venom to catch their prey. Some spiders spin webs in order to catch their prey, others like the Brazilian Wandering spider walks the jungle floors in search of prey instead of residing in a lair or maintaining a web.
Crustaceans (including: Decapods (crabs), Eucaridans (krill) and Malacostracans (woodlice and relatives)
The word crustacean means 'with a crust'. This group of arthropods is an extremely diverse group who range greatly in size from minute copepods which are only just visible to the naked eye to large lobsters and crabs such as the Giant Spider crab who has a leg span of up to 4 metres (13 feet). A vast majority of crustaceans live in the sea while others can survive in fresh water environments and on land. The most successful crustaceans live in the sea. One of the reasons they are more successful is that the sea contains essential minerals, such as calcium carbonate, which are needed for shell building.
One crustacean that has adapted to life on land is the Woodlice. However, they do still live in damp places and can be found in rotting damp wood, under stones and in damp areas of houses.
Crustacean Anatomy
Crustaceans have compound eyes which are usually on the end of stalks. They have 2 pairs of antennae and a cuticle which is strengthened by calcium carbonate. A crustaceans head and thorax is most often covered by a carapace (shell) which extends forward to form a projection called a rostrum (a beaklike extension). Some crustaceans have additional mouthparts called maxillipeds. Unlike the internal skeletons of vertebrates, a crustaceans carapace or exoskeleton does not grow as the animal develops. Crustaceans have to molt periodically. During the molting process, every part of the body covering is shed including the covering of the eyes and fine hairs. Molting can be an exhausting ordeal and for some, things can go wrong. Some can become stuck in their old skin and the only option of escaping is to lose a claw or other appendage which unfortunately does not grow back.
A crustaceans thoracic appendages are called thoracopods and these are two branched and developed to perform various functions. These functions include feeding, moving, sensing the environment and for respiration by basal gills. The first pair of legs may be enlarged to form chelipads and are equipped with strong claws used for picking things up and defence.
Crustacean Life Cycle
Crustaceans develop from eggs to adults by going through a series of larval stages or instars. These stages are interspersed by full molts whereby they shed their exoskeleton and emerge a slightly larger and more complicated version of their previous form. Early larvae are plankton-dwelling creatures called nauplii that gradually develop various appendages. With each molt, the nauplii gains body segments and/or appendages gradually becoming more like its parent as it develops. Nauplii larvae do not feed, but utilize their internal yolk reserves from the egg for energy. Nauplii are the most abundant form of multicelluar life form on the planet.
Hexapods (Insects – Class: Insecta) The insect group includes many different species including grasshoppers, beetles, crickets, earwigs, wasps, bees, ladybirds, praying mantis, dragonflies, lacewings, flys, fleas, louse, termites and butterflies.
Hexapod is the most diverse and abundant animal group on Earth. Each species has evolved to live very varied lifestyles. Many insects are terrestrial, however, there is a significant number that are aquatic. Although different species of insect live varied lifestyles, they have several features in common. Each insect has 3 main body sections, head, thorax and abdomen. Their head parts contain external mouthparts, bear one pair of antennae and a pair of compound eyes. Three legs are attached to their thorax and they typically have 2 wings.
The abdomen of an insect contains the major organs for digestion and reproduction. Some immature aquatic species have gills, however, all adult insects breathe air and have a well developed tracheal system joined to the outside through small holes called spiracles. A strong exoskeleton, sometimes called the elytra, covers the insects body and protects it from damage.
Insects have a small brain which is a collection of nerve cells fused together. The nerve cells send signals to control all other organs. An insects compound eyes are made from many tiny lenses and are very good at detecting movement. Their single eyes only reflect light and dark. An insects antennae functions as an organ of touch, taste and smell. Insects are cold-blooded animals and their body temperature changes with that of their surroundings. Their growth and development depends highly on how hot or cold the weather is.
Some insects cannot fly and have lost their wings through evolution. Most insects are the only species of invertebrates that are capable of powered flight and together with their small size and waterproof cuticles they have been allowed to colonize a vast range of habitats.
Some interesting questions and answers about insects:
Which is the strongest insect on Earth?
The Rhinoceros Beetle (Family: Scarabaeidae) is the strongest insect as it can lift 850 times its own body weight.
Which insect provides the most young during reproduction?
The Cabbage Aphid (brevicoryne brassicae) can provide the most numerous offspring with numbers being in their billions.
Which insect is the fastest flyer?
A Dragon Fly (austrophlebia coastalis) is the fastest flying insect and can reach speeds of 58 kilometres per hour.
Which is the fastest running insect?
The Cockroach (Order: Blattaria) is the fastest running insect reaching speeds of 5.4 kilometres per hour.
Which insect lays the largest eggs?
The insect that lays the largest eggs is the Malaysian Stick Insect (Phobaeticus serratipes) whose eggs measure 1.3 centimetres long.
Which is the longest insect?
The longest insect is the Giant Stick Insect which measures 33 centimetres in length. The giant stick insect evolved before the dinosaurs and was thought to have been extinct for 80 years. However, in 2001 a species was found on a remote island off the Australian coast.
Which is the shortest insect?
The shortest insect is a species of parasitic wasp (dicopomorpha echmepterygis). The males of this species is also the smallest of all known insects. They are blind and wingless and measure no more than 0.139 millimetres in length.
You can find lots more information about individual insects and myriapods in our Insect and Bug section.


It's a challenge to keep up with new developments and artists in the jazz world. The Newport Jazz Festival offers the best local remedy for people in the northeast US. This past Saturday was a near cloudless day and the bright sunshine attracted thousands to Newport. The streets were filled with visitors and bicyclists made much better time than drivers throughout much of the route to the seaside Fort Adams site.
Drummer Jack DeJohnette led the first act, a group aptly named Made In Chicago. As I found my seat, Jack was driving the band hard as they collectively improvised on their instruments. The musicians present had helped originate the classic late Sixties Chicago avant-garde sound - Henry Threadgill, Roscoe Mitchell, Muhal Richard Abrams and Larry Graham -- but still played with intensity and originality. Not a bad way to start the day.
The next act on the Fort Stage was new to me, but the Maria Schneider Orchestra had been highly recommended by a friend. Maria is a young, blonde-haired woman who writes music and leads a group of about twenty musicians. Maria has listed Gil Evans as an influence, but the music ranged widely. The musical structures which left room for multiple horn players playing over the band reminded me of seeing the Gil Evans Band in Montreal in the late eighties, but the overall musical palette covered a lot of ground. Jazz guitarist Ben Monder was featured on a couple of different songs which illustrated the band's range. On an early tune in the set, Ben played a highly distorted and blazingly fast guitar sound reminiscent of early Al DiMeola, coupled with wails of Hendrix style feedback. On a later song, Ben's approach was quiet and lyrical, helping to paint the vision of Maria's home region of Minnesota countryside. Most of the music in the performance was from her latest album, The Thompson Fields. On another composition, dueling saxophonists played over choppy piano overlaid by orchestral textures. On the final song, Stephen Wilson played immaculate soprano sax stating the melody with support from the rest of the band. Lately, there's been more big band jazz music evident at Newport; Maria Schneider showed that her work is an important example of this direction. Later, I purchased her CD and she seemed very down to earth as we chatted briefly about her music and jazz in the signing line.
I'll share a few more of my experiences from my day at Newport on my next post.
Summer is a time to relax, a time to nurture experiences which will help to sustain you when the season changes and the demands of work and life seem to accelerate. What follows is a short meditation on kayaking which I wrote during a recent vacation week.
Today I paddled a kayak across Crescent Lake in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. Crescent Lake is much smaller than the nearby Lake Winnipesaukee and has the virtue of being much quieter during a weekday jaunt. Why do I like to do it? There's the exercise of course – an hour kayak ride can be the major workout of your day. It's also an ideal way to observe nature at close quarters. For example, ten minutes into my ride today, I paddled near a rock and noticed an unusual formation. On top of the grey rocks, a large, olive-hued turtle was sunning itself. I smiled and paddled by without disturbing this creature of the wild. Later, I navigated from the lake unto a narrow stream which serves as a causeway between Crescent Lake and the much larger Lake Wentworth. Along the route, white birches helped mark the shorelines.
I reached the larger lake, then circled back to stay within my target timing for the voyage. Along the return route, the only other boats I saw were fellow kayakers and the lake surface grew smoother. About halfway back, I heard a distinctive loud call—the cry of the loon. Sure enough, just up ahead, I saw the distinctive long black neck of a loon skimming across the lake's surface, before it dove under water to go looking for live fish. The loons won't be found on a day when the motorboats dominate the lake, so their presence helps mark times when the kayak experience can be both quiet and offer opportunities to commune with nature in her various aspects, be they fish, fowl or fauna.
So, what about the spiritual aspect? Kayaking on your own is a solitary pursuit. It's just you, the kayak, the water and whatever else you see along the way. I never feel closer to the community of life than I do when I'm out exploring nature in a direct way.
Kayaking is a low footprint approach to engaging with nature and shares those attributes with other outdoor sports I enjoy such as hiking, bicycling and cross country skiing. During these moments, I can sense the connectedness between myself as a person and the rest of our planet. It's also a fine time to offer up thanks to God or another spiritual representation you may relate to and to ponder the great beauties of nature around us, which were there before us and will be there after we have departed. In these times, it is also much easier to sense our role as stewards for the world around us. We are all part of a much bigger narrative than we tend to consider during the average day in the office or at home.
Take a ride on a kayak or a walk in the woods and you may find that your spiritual inner being is there waiting for you, ready to take you on journeys which will nourish you long after this particular day is done.
Are there particular activities which help you to relax and let your spiritual side engage with the world around you?


text:
package org.gradle.internal.component.model;

import com.google.common.collect.ImmutableSet;
import org.gradle.api.artifacts.Dependency;
import org.gradle.api.artifacts.ModuleVersionSelector;
import org.gradle.api.artifacts.component.ComponentSelector;
import org.gradle.api.artifacts.component.ModuleComponentSelector;
import org.gradle.api.artifacts.component.ProjectComponentSelector;
import org.gradle.api.attributes.AttributeContainer;
import org.gradle.api.internal.artifacts.DefaultModuleVersionSelector;
import org.gradle.api.internal.attributes.AttributesSchemaInternal;
import org.gradle.api.internal.attributes.ImmutableAttributes;
import org.gradle.internal.component.IncompatibleConfigurationSelectionException;
import org.gradle.internal.component.external.model.DefaultModuleComponentSelector;
import org.gradle.internal.exceptions.ConfigurationNotConsumableException;
import org.gradle.util.GUtil;

import java.util.Collection;
import java.util.Collections;
import java.util.LinkedHashSet;
import java.util.List;
import java.util.Set;

public class LocalComponentDependencyMetadata extends AbstractDependencyMetadata implements LocalOriginDependencyMetadata {
    private final ComponentSelector selector;
    private final ModuleVersionSelector requested;
    private final String moduleConfiguration;
    private final String dependencyConfiguration;
    private final List<Exclude> excludes;
    private final Set<IvyArtifactName> artifactNames;
    private final boolean force;
    private final boolean changing;
    private final boolean transitive;
    private final AttributeContainer moduleAttributes;

    public LocalComponentDependencyMetadata(ComponentSelector selector, ModuleVersionSelector requested,
                                            String moduleConfiguration,
                                            AttributeContainer moduleAttributes,
                                            String dependencyConfiguration,
                                            Set<IvyArtifactName> artifactNames, List<Exclude> excludes,
                                            boolean force, boolean changing, boolean transitive) {
        this.selector = selector;
        this.requested = requested;
        this.moduleConfiguration = moduleConfiguration;
        this.moduleAttributes = moduleAttributes;
        this.dependencyConfiguration = dependencyConfiguration;
        this.artifactNames = artifactNames;
        this.excludes = excludes;
        this.force = force;
        this.changing = changing;
        this.transitive = transitive;
    }

    @Override
    public String toString() {
        return "dependency: " + requested + " from-conf: " + moduleConfiguration + " to-conf: " + dependencyConfiguration;
    }

    @Override
    public ModuleVersionSelector getRequested() {
        return requested;
    }

    @Override
    public ComponentSelector getSelector() {
        return selector;
    }

    @Override
    public String getModuleConfiguration() {
        return moduleConfiguration;
    }

    @Override
    public String getDependencyConfiguration() {
        return getOrDefaultConfiguration(dependencyConfiguration);
    }

    @Override
    public Set<ConfigurationMetadata> selectConfigurations(ImmutableAttributes consumerAttributes, ComponentResolveMetadata fromComponent, ConfigurationMetadata fromConfiguration, ComponentResolveMetadata targetComponent, AttributesSchemaInternal consumerSchema) {
        boolean consumerHasAttributes = !consumerAttributes.isEmpty();
        List<? extends ConfigurationMetadata> consumableConfigurations = targetComponent.getConsumableConfigurationsHavingAttributes();
        boolean useConfigurationAttributes = dependencyConfiguration == null && (consumerHasAttributes || !consumableConfigurations.isEmpty());
        if (useConfigurationAttributes) {
            return ImmutableSet.of(selectConfigurationUsingAttributeMatching(consumerAttributes, targetComponent, consumerSchema));
        }

        String targetConfiguration = GUtil.elvis(dependencyConfiguration, Dependency.DEFAULT_CONFIGURATION);
        ConfigurationMetadata toConfiguration = targetComponent.getConfiguration(targetConfiguration);
        if (toConfiguration == null) {
            throw new ConfigurationNotFoundException(fromComponent.getComponentId(), moduleConfiguration, targetConfiguration, targetComponent.getComponentId());
        }
        if (!toConfiguration.isCanBeConsumed()) {
            throw new ConfigurationNotConsumableException(targetComponent.toString(), toConfiguration.getName());
        }
        if (consumerHasAttributes && !toConfiguration.getAttributes().isEmpty()) {
            // need to validate that the selected configuration still matches the consumer attributes
            AttributesSchemaInternal producerAttributeSchema = targetComponent.getAttributesSchema();
            if (!consumerSchema.withProducer(producerAttributeSchema).isMatching(toConfiguration.getAttributes(), consumerAttributes)) {
                throw new IncompatibleConfigurationSelectionException(consumerAttributes, consumerSchema.withProducer(producerAttributeSchema), targetComponent, targetConfiguration);
            }
        }
        return ImmutableSet.of(toConfiguration);
    }

    private static String getOrDefaultConfiguration(String configuration) {
        return GUtil.elvis(configuration, Dependency.DEFAULT_CONFIGURATION);
    }

    @Override
    public Set<String> getModuleConfigurations() {
        return ImmutableSet.of(getOrDefaultConfiguration(moduleConfiguration));
    }

    @Override
    public List<Exclude> getExcludes() {
        return excludes;
    }

    @Override
    public List<Exclude> getExcludes(Collection<String> configurations) {
        return excludes;
    }

    @Override
    public boolean isChanging() {
        return changing;
    }

    @Override
    public boolean isTransitive() {
        return transitive;
    }

    @Override
    public boolean isForce() {
        return force;
    }

    @Override
    public String getDynamicConstraintVersion() {
        return requested.getVersion();
    }

    @Override
    public Set<ComponentArtifactMetadata> getArtifacts(ConfigurationMetadata fromConfiguration, ConfigurationMetadata toConfiguration) {
        if (artifactNames.isEmpty()) {
            return Collections.emptySet();
        }
        Set<ComponentArtifactMetadata> artifacts = new LinkedHashSet<ComponentArtifactMetadata>();
        for (IvyArtifactName artifactName : artifactNames) {
            artifacts.add(toConfiguration.artifact(artifactName));
        }
        return artifacts;
    }

    @Override
    public Set<IvyArtifactName> getArtifacts() {
        return artifactNames;
    }

    @Override
    public LocalOriginDependencyMetadata withRequestedVersion(String requestedVersion) {
        if (requestedVersion.equals(requested.getVersion())) {
            return this;
        }
        ModuleVersionSelector newRequested = DefaultModuleVersionSelector.newSelector(requested.getGroup(), requested.getName(), requestedVersion);
        ComponentSelector newSelector = DefaultModuleComponentSelector.newSelector(newRequested);
        return copyWithTarget(newSelector, newRequested);
    }

    @Override
    public LocalOriginDependencyMetadata withTarget(ComponentSelector target) {
        if (target instanceof ModuleComponentSelector) {
            ModuleComponentSelector moduleTarget = (ModuleComponentSelector) target;
            ModuleVersionSelector requestedVersion = DefaultModuleVersionSelector.newSelector(moduleTarget.getGroup(), moduleTarget.getModule(), moduleTarget.getVersion());
            if (selector.equals(target) && requested.equals(requestedVersion)) {
                return this;
            }
            return copyWithTarget(moduleTarget, requestedVersion);
        } else if (target instanceof ProjectComponentSelector) {
            if (target.equals(selector)) {
                return this;
            }
            return copyWithTarget(target, requested);
        } else {
            throw new AssertionError("Invalid component selector type for substitution: " + target);
        }
    }

    private LocalOriginDependencyMetadata copyWithTarget(ComponentSelector selector, ModuleVersionSelector requested) {
        return new LocalComponentDependencyMetadata(selector, requested, moduleConfiguration, moduleAttributes, dependencyConfiguration, artifactNames, excludes, force, changing, transitive);
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Hello, my name is Meghan, I am a Leader with La Leche league of Sandy. We are currently holding meetings on the second Tuesday of each month at 10AM at Community of Grace Presbyterian church, 2015 East New Castle Drive (8890 South). We offer free breastfeeding advice, information and support.
Women who attend LLL meetings, and have the support that goes along with it, are more likely to breastfeed their babies longer and have a more fulfilling breastfeeding relationship. With your permission I would like to add you to our monthly newsletter so that you have up to date information on how to contact a Leader and when our meetings are held. Our meetings are free and open to all interested women (breastfeeding or otherwise), children are also welcome. You can refer any of your clients to our meetings both while pregnant and/or after their babies are born. Even if they are not having breastfeeding problems they are sure to enjoy the support of other breastfeeding m others. Also if any of your clients are interested in being added to our newsletter you can simply email their email addresses to lllofsandy@gmail.com and I will make sure they receive our newsletter.
La Leche League has been a great support for many women and I would be happy to endorse their services.


text:
Le château de Meudon de Vannes aussi appelé château de Lantivy est un château dont l'ensemble est important. Il se situe à Meudon qui était un village français dépendant autrefois de la commune de Saint-Nolff, et rattaché à Vannes en 1868. Il ne doit pas être confondu avec le château de Meudon qui se trouve dans la ville de Meudon dans le département des Hauts-de-Seine en Île-de-France.

Edmond de Lantivy du Rest fait construire en 1847 un château neuf de style Renaissance. Il est construit sur le site d'un ancien manoir mentionné en 1426. Les ruines de l'ancien manoir subsistent dans le parc, au nord du château actuel.

Actuellement ce château appartient à la famille "de Lantivy de Trédion".

Notes et références

Meudon
Hôtel particulier à Vannes
Famille de Lantivy

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Also known as High-Intensity Interval Training, this fast-paced type of workout requires you to do short but intense bursts of heavy cardio exercises and then followed by active recovery periods. This keeps your heart rate up, boosts your metabolism, and allows your body to burn more fat in less time.
Intense workouts involve doing a number of bodyweight squats, elevated pushups, side-to-side hops, burpees, jumping jacks, lunges, inverted rows, and jogging all in one session. So imagine all the fat you're going to burn.
As women get older, they become more susceptible to sprains, fractures, and such. By doing yoga, your body becomes more flexible and your core stronger. The occurrence of back pain could also be reduced because you are flexible.
Yoga can also help improve circulation in your body, helping prevent certain diseases, including neuropathy, nerve tissue damage, and pain in other parts of the body.
Arthritis sufferers can also benefit from doing Pilates. This exercise involves mid-range movements that prevent joints from compressing, causing you extreme discomfort, and does not require any type of equipment.
For women over 60 years old, this workout routine can help women build strength in their core muscles. Older women will also be able to improve their posture and confidence.
If you want to get your life back on track while you're still young and able, enrol in any fitness classes at Womens Fitness Atlanta. Check out their website https://womensfitnessatlanta.com/ today.


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On the heels of EA shutting its Salt Lake studio we ask what does Montreal have that Utah doesn't? We help connect the dots with a vibrant creative community and critical mass. We also look at this month's upcoming events.
Happy May Day and thank you for your continued support of UDEN!
Electronic Arts is the latest videogame company to shutter its studio in Utah after eleven years despite some great work from some great talent here. It's an all too familiar story that we have seen time and again in our creative tech businesses in Utah over the past twenty or so years. Meanwhile, Electronic Arts pledged to invest $500 million CAD into Québec's video game industry over the next ten years. What do they have that we don't?
About ten years ago, creatives (just like us!) in Montreal began coming together as a community, sharing and collaborating for the benefit of the greater good. They began to have commercial and critical success with their output. More creatives joined in and soon it was like a snowball: people went there for the jobs, companies followed because the people and capacity were there. They attained a critical mass. The economic benefit of the sector was recognized last fall by a $536.8 CAD million tax credit, because "As the Québec Taxation Review Committee clearly showed, the tax credit available to companies in this sector has significant economic spinoffs that benefit Québec society as a whole..." said Carlos Leitão, Québec's Minister of Finance.
Not too shabby, right? They are not alone: most states and many nations have digital accelerator policies because they recognize the value of the creative application of technology; the role of the UK's creative industries, including film-making, music, advertising and video games was recognized when the government unveiled its industrial strategy Green Paper in January for boosting the post-Brexit economy.
In Utah our creative sector is not prioritized because the state has a successful economy. UDEN agrees that we cannot build an industry based on incentives nor should we expect to have livelihoods based on handouts. It is up to us in industry to demonstrate that we can deliver economic impact through the quality of the work we create and the value it brings. Not only will we create jobs, but we will be able to demonstrate the economic benefits to Utah and so targeted incentives will follow to accelerate our industry sector. Montreal, like New York and Austin, is an example of this happening in the past decade: communities creating their own futures.
OK, but how do we make it happen?
3. UDEN is working on some initiatives that will hopefully result in a digital apprenticeship program, supporting career pathways and fostering startups; the focus will be on value add (innovation) not tools (as these are already provided by the educational ecosystem) - more on this in the coming months!
If you believe what we are trying to achieve is worthwhile, please continue to support us: attend our meetings, sponsor our events, donate money and/or your time. Montreal is one of many case studies that indicate we're on the right path.
June 7th -- Our next terrific networking event will be on June 7th! We'll be revealing more details in the coming weeks but for now SAVE THE DATE and RSVP here: http://utahden.org/uden_15.
A scientist and his team begin a quest for a hidden killer: an environmental toxin that may be causing a rise in ALS and Alzheimer's. As they study cyanobacteria created by pollution and climate change, the pieces begin to fall into place, and they move closer to an advance that would bring hope into the lives of those who suffer from these brain disorders and take them one step closer to gaining back their lucidity.
Official Selection: 2017 Newport Film Festival. Post-film discussion with director Bo Landin and Paul Cox, scientist featured in the film.


Now hiring for Sales and Delivery Drivers. If you are intereseted please contact [email protected] with your resume and qualifications. We look forward to hearing from you.
Careers in bottled water sales are readily on tap! While some are drinking it out of a need for convenient packaging, others have valid concerns about the safety of local water supplies. Either way sales figures are very good for many bottled water companies.
Brand names like Aquafina and Dasani are industry leaders who employ great numbers of people. This is for good reason since the parent companies behind these industry leaders are Coca Cola and Pepsi. Selling beverages is old hat to these soft drink giants who have only recently entered this niche market.
There's nothing new about the concept. Careers and businesses have been built around the sale of spring water and mineral water for over a century. Most are familiar with such brands as Perrier with its naturally occurring carbonation. This French import has been exported from France to locations around the globe for generations.
If you look around you'll see that there are a great number of companies hiring in this highly liquid industry! Whether you are interested in water purification, collection, marketing or just distribution there's a spot for you out there.
This company provides more than just electric and appliances. It's also a worldwide energy and resources infrastructure dabbling in everything from lighting to water. Click on the link to their careers page and search for jobs in their Water & Process Technologies Division and find careers in everything from waste water research in China to working as a field representative for the company.
If it's public water treatment you're looking for then this company may be able to help you out. They run water treatment and waste water facilities in cities across the United States and are always looking for people to run those plants.
If you are interested in making money for yourself in the water industry this bottled water company is still small enough that they are actively seeking vendors to sell their product. Bottled water with great flavor and fun, effective mantras on the label.
This small company bottles their water directly at the source about 12 miles from Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas. Though they may be small, they sell their water from coast to coast and it has even been featured in movies.
Finding a career in the water industry won't be hard at all since water is an essential to life on Earth. You can really count on some job security in this field. If you are interested in working with water, but don't know where to start, look into a few of these degree programs.
With this Associate's Degree Program you can become certified to work in the water industry in just two years, less if you double up on classes. Plus, Grand Rapids, Michigan is right next to a major water source, the Grand River.
Since Arizona is such a dry state they spend much of their time and energy making sure enough water is delivered to the population. As a result the major universities, including the University of Arizona, all offer degree programs in water and water treatment.
This degree prepares you to work in any industry dealing with the public. It shows you how to improve the health of local and global communities by interpreting concrete scientific research and evidence and putting it into practice. Many companies in the water industry are hiring employees with these kinds of degree to ensure they deliver the safest product possible.
A degree in the natural sciences can really take you far in the water industry, especially if you prefer to research and study it. Whether you are just looking for ways to clean up water or trying to discern the properties of great tasting mineral water, a bachelor's in Chemistry can help you understand how water works and how to make it better for people to drink.
As you can see there are a number of different degree programs and fields you can enter into when choosing to work with water. At this point it's up to you to decide if you want to work in water treatment, wastewater, water purification, bottled water or something else entirely!


The 12 Panel Hair Follicle test provides testing for common drugs of abuse. Hair drug testing can typically detect drug use up to 90 days in the past. Most drugs will be detectable in hair starting at 7-10 days after use. Because hair follicle testing looks for drug metabolites, external or second hand exposure should not cause a false positive result. Please note that hair follicle testing may not be ideal for detecting casual drug use. This type of test is typically more appropriate for detecting chronic use. This test provides an initial screening with confirmatory testing on any positive results at no additional cost. Confirmatory testing will provide numerical results for any component which tests positive.
Hair follicle testing is typically ordered when someone desires a longer detection period than urine testing can provide. Hair testing is more effective than other sample types at detecting long-term drug use. For post-accident testing or more recent use, a urine or blood test may be more appropriate. In some cases, a 12 Panel Urine Drug and Alcohol Test which looks for a similar selection of drugs may be ordered along with a hair test for a more comprehensive screening.


text:
Sanchez Sends Message To Arsenal Fans After Row Reports
Alexis Sanchez has responded to reports of a training ground bust-up by posting a message on Instagram showing his commitment to Arsenal.
The Chilean reportedly stormed out of training recently with other claims stating he had argued with team-mates and manager Arsene Wenger.
Wenger has since insisted all reports are "completely false" and that he has an "honest and normal relationship" with Sanchez as he has with every player.
The two were pictured shaking hands at an open training session on Monday morning and Sanchez has now given his thoughts on the recent rumours flying out of the Gunners.
"The true warrior fights not because he hates the ones in front of him, but because he loves those behind him. Let's go Gunners. The only failure is not trying," he wrote on Instagram.
A post shared by Alexis Sanchez (@alexis_officia1)
While the mesasage is somewhat cryptic it does appear that Sanchez is attempting to show his commitment to the club after what has been a difficult few days.
Sanchez was left out of Arsenal's starting line-up against Liverpool, which ultimately prompted speculation of unrest, only to come on at half-time and visibly lift the team.
Despite his arrival Arsenal still slumped to a damaging defeat that leaves them fifth, two points behind Liverpool although they do have a game in hand on the Reds.
Arsenal will be hoping that Wenger and Sanchez can move on from the recent headlines and finish the season strongly. Despite the doom and gloom there is still plenty to play for. A top four finish is in the club's hands while the FA Cup also offers the chance to finish the season with some silverware.
More Stories: Alexis Sanchez, AllArsenal, Arsenal, Arsenal news, Arsene Wenger, Premier League


2N Jodhpur 2N Jaisalmer 1N Bikaner 1N JaipurAir/Rail Fares Lunch & Dinner At All Places Entrance Fee, Camel Ride, Guide, Tips & Any Other Item Not Listed In Cost Includes Section.
Arrive at Jodhpur Railway station / Airport, and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day free at leisure. Night stay at the hotel.
After breakfast Enjoy Jodhpur city tour. Visit Ummaid Bhavan Palace museum, Mehrangarh Fort which includes Moti Mahal, Phool Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Silah Khana, Daulat Khana and Rang Mahal. Later visit Jaswant Thada. Overnight at Hotel.
After breakfast proceed to Jaisalmer. On arrival transfer to the hotel. Evening free at leisure. Overnight stay at Hotel.
After breakfast proceed for the sightseeing, visiting Patwon Ki Haveli, Salim Singhji Ki Haveli, Jaisalmer Fort, Gadisar Lake and Bada Baugh. Evening visit the Sam Sand Dunes for Sunset & Camel ride. Also enjoy the gala dinner at Sam Sand Dunes. Overnight stay at Jaisalmer.
After breakfast proceed to Bikaner. On arrival transfer to the hotel. Visiting Junagarh Fort, Lalgarh Palace, Gajner Palace and Deshnok Temple, Evening free to visit the Camel Breeding farms. Overnight stay at Hotel.
After breakfast Proceed to Jaipur. On arrival in Jaipur transfer to Hotel. Later city sightseeing. Day free for shopping. Overnight at Hotel.
After Morning breakfast transfer to Jaipur Railway Station / Airport to Depart to your Home Town.
Entrance Fee, Camel Ride, Guide, Tips & Any Other Item Not Listed In Cost Includes Section.
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By treating different parts of a chemical system with different levels of theory, embedding methods for electronic structure can provide accurate description of chemical reactions at reduced computational cost.
In this paper, researchers looked at projection-based embedding that offers a simple framework for embedding correlated wavefunction methods in density functional theory. During a large geometry change—such as a chemical reaction—the nature of these localized molecular orbitals, as well as their partitioning into the two subsystems, can change dramatically. This work presents an even-handed framework for localized orbital partitioning that ensures consistent subsystems across a set of molecular geometries. SN2 reactions were used as illustrations of this approach. Applications to a nitrogen umbrella flip in a cobalt-based CO2 reduction catalyst and to the binding of CO to Cu clusters are presented in the paper.
Embedding calculations on the formation of a hydrogen bond between a cobalt aminopyridine complex and a bound CO2 molecule. (a) Reactant, transition state, and product geometries illustrated with opaque subsystem A atoms and transparent subsystem B atoms. Two views are shown for each geometry. (b) B3LYP, PBE, and PBE-in-B3LYP energy profiles, with three methods of LMO selection for the last. (c) Energy profiles from MRCI embedded in B3LYP and in PBE using even-handed LMO selection. All curves are referenced to an energy of zero at the reactant geometry. The number of occupied LMOs in subsystem A is given in parentheses (out of 121 total).


text:
Obama a luat-o, scuzati expresia, in gura
President injured in basketball game
CNN Senior White House Correspondent Ed Henry
Washington (CNN) –Apparently no good deed goes unpunished for President Obama, who was trying to make sure he didn't get a flabby belly after Thanksgiving but wound up with a fat lower lip instead.
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said the President received a dozen stitches after getting hit with an errant elbow during a Friday morning basketball game with White House aide Reggie Love and some unidentified family members at the Fort McNair military base in Washington.
A senior administration official said the cut was not caused by Love, a former player for Duke University who serves as the President's personal assistant, but the official was still checking for more details on who caused the accident.
"After being inadvertently hit with an opposing player's elbow in the lip while playing basketball with friends and family, the President received 12 stitches today administered by the White House Medical Unit," said Gibbs. "They were done in the doctor's office located on the ground floor of the White House."
Aides said Obama was given a local anesthetic while receiving the stitches, and doctors used a smaller filament. That increases the number of stitches needed to patch up the tear, but it makes a tighter stitch so that the President's scar on his lower lip should be smaller.
Obama frequently plays basketball, works out on a daily basis, and was undoubtedly playing Friday to work off some extra Thanksgiving calories. An official White House menu showed that in addition to turkey and the usual trimmings, the First Family dined Thursday on six different pies - including apple, sweet potato, pumpkin, banana cream, cherry, and huckleberry.
Asked by CNN if the unidentified "opposing player" will be getting a presidential pardon, a top White House aide laughed.