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Does Deep Blue give handicaps?
IBM's "Deep Blue" computer can beat any human being, including a former world champion such as Gary Kasparov. Thus, it follows that Deep Blue must give a handicap to a human player in order for a human to have a chance of winning.
In games like golf, handicaps are relative to "par," that is, the number of strokes a "scratch" golfer would require to play a hole or a field. By definition, most players require a positive handicap relative to "par;" a few can get by with a negative handicap. In "Deep Blue's" case, all the handicaps would be positive.
Has Deep Blue, in fact, given such handicaps to humans (a pawn, piece, or more)? If so, what were the results? Can a handicapping system be constructed around how large a handicap a human player would need to beat "Deep Blue?"
Tom AuTom Au
I still doubt Deep Blue can beat any human being. Had it not been for Kasparov's psychological lapse in Game 6, Kasparov could have at least drawn the match with Deep Blue. Note that Kasparov won a game against Deep Blue in the match that he lost. I think someone like Carlsen has a great chance of beating the 1997 Deep Blue in a match.
– Wes
I'm going to answer this question from a literal interpretation - dfan's answer gives some nice background that may be what you're looking for but doesn't answer the question directly.
There are three things to note about Kasparov - Deep Blue specifically:
The match was actually really close. There have been accusations that IBM actually cheated by not just using an engine but also GM assistance during the match, and even discounting this you could probably argue that Kasparov would have come out on top if it weren't for the distractions surrounding the games rather than the games themselves. As a result it seems fair to assume that Deep Blue was at beast around the same strength as Kasparov was, and so pawn odds would probably be unnecessary as it would give the human too much of an advantage.
Deep Blue was dismantled almost immediately after the match, so the answer to whether it's possible to play an odds game now against it is no. Similarly, nobody has played against it since the second match.
It's very likely that at some point the developers did play odds games against the engine while developing it - GM Christiansen was involved with the development but it's very common for software/hardware developers to test things out as they make them and they wouldn't have been able to test out the machine's full functionality without odds because they likely weren't world-class GMs themselves.
DTRDTR
Note that IBM's chess computer was called "Deep Blue", not "Big Blue". It was dismantled a long time ago and current chess engines are significantly stronger than it anyway.
There have been some handicap matches against computer chess engines, although I'm not aware of any very recent ones.
In 2007 Rybka played a match against GM Jaan Ehlvest with pawn odds, winning 5.5-2.5.
In 2008 Rybka played a match against GM Dzindichashvili with pawn and move odds, winning 2.5-1.5.
Also in 2008 Rybka played a match against GM Milov with two regular games (winning 1.5-0.5), two pawn and move odds games (losing 1.5-0.5) and four games with exchange odds (losing 2.5-1.5).
I'm not aware of more recent handicap matches. At this point I think that the handicap required for a GM to have an equal chance against the strongest chess engines would be large enough that the GM would not find such a match appealing.
dfandfan
OK, fixed the question to say "Deep Blue". Thanks for the heads up and answer. But even if a GM wouldn't play the engines at a handicap, maybe "ordinary" players would be willing to, and pay a fee for the privilege.
– Tom Au
In August 2014, Stockfish played two games against GM Hikaru Nakamura with pawn odds and won 1.5-0.5. chess.com/news/stockfish-outlasts-nakamura-3634
– JiK
@JiK Thanks. From the article, looks like the odds were "pawn and move" (he played White).
– dfan
Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged handicapping or ask your own question.
Is there a way to use handicaps in chess to bridge the gap between players of different skill levels?
How does "time odds" confer an advantage to the weaker player?
Is there a heuristic for how much time handicap to give players of different skill levels?


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Posted in RestaurantNews.com
Celebrate National Burrito Day Like a Boss at Taco John's
RestaurantNews.com March 25, 2021
Popular quick-service restaurant offers Boss Burrito or Bowl for just $5 on National Burrito Day, April 1
Cheyenne, WY (RestaurantNews.com) Taco John's has long been a believer that if you want to be a boss, then you need to eat like one.
That's why the popular quick-service restaurant that has been serving bigger. bolder. better. flavors since 1969 is celebrating National Celebrate National Burrito Day Like a Boss at Taco John'sBurrito Day in a BIG way.
On Thursday, April 1, Taco John's will offer the Grilled Chicken Boss Burrito or Bowl for just $5 to guests who redeem the offer in the Taco John's App! This bold deal is one you don't want to miss and it's pretty simple to claim. Those who already have the App will see the offer the morning of, and those who get the App on April 1 will receive the offer once their download is complete.
What's in this indulgent, boss item, you may ask? The Boss Burrito is large and in charge, packed with over a pound** of cilantro-lime rice, black beans and grilled chicken, all wrapped in a warm flour tortilla. Its sidekick, The Boss Bowl, hits your hunger right in the sweet spot with over a pound** of cilantro-lime rice, black beans and grilled chicken.
WHAT: Taco John's is offering its Grilled Chicken Boss Burrito or Bowl for just $5 to guests who redeem the offer in the App.
WHEN: Thursday, April 1 from open to close.
WHERE: Participating Taco John's locations nationwide.
Burrito lovers can also visit Taco John's social media for a chance to win one of two Taco John's $25 gift cards! From March 29-31, fans can enter on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter* by following @TacoJohns on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter and commenting why they love Taco John's burritos.
*The sweepstakes begins on March 29, 2021 and ends at 11:59 p.m. on March 31, 2021. No purchase is necessary to enter. Odds of winning depend on the cumulative number of people who meet both requirements by 11:59 p.m. on March 31, 2021. A total of two (2) winners will be drawn at random and announced at 2 p.m. CT on April 1, 2021.
**Indicates an average weight per item.
With its fusion of distinctive flavors and south-of-the-border spices, the Taco John's menu offers several signature items, including Meat & Potato Burritos, Stuffed Grilled Tacos and Potato Olés®. Taco John's features signature specials like Taco Tuesday® and discounted breakfast burritos on Wake Up Wednesday!® Download the Taco John's App and like Taco John's Facebook page for exclusive deals.
About Taco John's®
Founded in 1969 in Cheyenne, Wyoming, Taco John's® has been serving bigger. bolder. better. flavors for more than 50 years. Now, Taco John's operates and franchises nearly 400 restaurants in 22 states – making it one of the largest Mexican quick-service restaurant brands in America. With bold originals like Potato Olés®, Taco John's knows how to Olé The Day. Taco John's prides itself on serving generous portions of its signature menu items that are made-to-order using fresh, high-quality ingredients, seasonings and sauces. The brand was listed No. 2 in the "Mexican Food" category on Entrepreneur's "Top Food Franchises of 2020." Taco John's is led by CEO Jim Creel who was recently named one of "The Most Influential Restaurant CEOs in the Country" by Nation's Restaurant News. For more information, visit tacojohns.com and follow Taco John's on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Cami Studebaker
Champion Management
cstudebaker@championmgt.com
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Do you want to drive a safe car?
I can't imagine anyone saying "no" to that question, but many people don't know what they're looking for when choosing a vehicle. Especially if you haven't driven a new car in a while, maybe you don't know what ratings, features or other factors you should consider.
In this article, I will introduce you to the most important factors that determine how safe a vehicle is. This will help you evaluate any car that you're considering and make the best decision.
There are two organizations that issue safety ratings for new vehicles. These are the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
The two organizations perform different tests and issue ratings independently. Neither will test every car on the market. They focus on the most prominent brands, new models and cars that have been redesigned.
These tests are meant to simulate the most common types of accidents and collisions that might occur in real-life driving situations.
Vehicles are given a ranking of up to 5 stars. The NHTSA emphasizes that results from the forward collision test should only be compared to other vehicles of the same type and weight, but the ratings on other tests are comparable across vehicle classes.
NHTSA crash-test results and other safety information can be found at SaferCar.gov.
The IIHS is a private nonprofit organization funded by automobile insurance companies and insurance association. They test about 80 vehicles per year.
The IIHS rates vehicles from Poor to Good on five tests, as well as evaluating crash warning and automatic braking systems.
Based on these results, some vehicles qualify Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ ratings.
Since their tests are different than what the NHTSA runs, it's recommended to use the results together. Look for a car that has both Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and four or five stars from the NHTSA.
Keep in mind that safety ratings present an average of many different criteria. Just because a car as a 5-star overall rating doesn't mean it's perfect in every aspect.
To get a complete picture, it's important to look through the results for all the tests and different features that are evaluated, for the specific model of car you are considering.
The safety technology that's standard in new cars these days is far beyond what was available just a few years ago.
These can be divided generally into three categories: crash avoidance, crash protection and driver comfort.
Electronic stability control (ESC). As of 2012, ESC is required in all cars in the US. It helps drivers control their car even in an extreme maneuver, such as swerving to avoid a crash or to get around an unexpectedly sharp turn. This can result in spinning or plowing out as the vehicle exceeds the limits of road traction. ESC keeps the car heading in the driver's intended direction.
Anti-lock braking systems (ABS). ABS automatically pumps on the brakes, preventing them from locking up or skidding. (Non-ABS brakes can lock when you slam hard on the pedal – exactly when you need them the most!) They improve your car's steering and grip on the road. When ABS activates, you might feel a vibration or pulsation in the brake pedal, or hear a grinding or buzzing noise. As of 2013, ABS is mandated in all US cars.
Traction control. Traction controls systems help keep cars under control in bad road conditions. They reduce the chance of tire spin and increase driving stability in poor weather. These systems typically use sensors to coordinate engine power and braking when they detect a slipping wheel. Traction control is a part of the ESC system in many cars. If the car has it, a symbol for it will pop up on the dashboard when you turn the ignition, and an indicator light will show you when it's activated.
Lane departure warning systems. A high-tech feature that's available in many new cars is a lane departure warning system. Using cameras, it alerts the driver with a beep, vibrating steering wheel or flashing light when the car starts to drift over a lane dividing line. (It only does this if your turn signal isn't on or you're above a certain speed.) Some cars even have something called "lane keeping assist," which will steer the car back into its lane if it goes to far.
Automatic emergency braking. Automatic emergency braking or forward collision avoidance systems detect impending collisions and hit the brakes faster than a driver can. This can greatly reduce the impact of a crash or even prevent one altogether. Based either on cameras or radars, AEB will be standard in all cars by 2022.
Seat belts. Of course, these only work if you wear them. Buckle up!
Ten airbags are now standard in new vehicles. Of these, curtain airbags are the most important. They protect the driver's and passengers' heads in a crash, reducing mortality in a side collision by almost 40%.
Crumple zones. The crumple zone or crush zone in a car is designed to crumple down during a crash. This absorbs some of the impact, redistributing it into the vehicle's frame rather than transmitting it to the people inside.
Driver comfort is a safety element that many drivers don't consider, but it makes a big difference.
Anything that makes it easier to handle the car makes it safer to drive. Cars with good visibility and features like seat adjustment are both more comfortable for the driver and safer for everyone on the road.
I should emphasize that these features are much more common in new cars. Many high-tech safety features used to be found only in luxury vehicles. These days, they are much more widely available.
This means that you can't really compare the safety level of an old car, no matter how sturdy and trustworthy it seems, to a newer model.
Many factors go into the level of safety for any vehicle. These are just a few more criteria that you should consider when evaluating a car.
Color. Some studies have found that white cars are involved in fewer accidents. They're certainly more visible than a dark shade, or a color like green that will blend in with the surroundings.
Size. Bigger, heavier cars protect their occupants more than small and light vehicles. They have longer hoods, bigger crush zones, and they distribute less force onto the people inside in case of collision. In fact, the IIHS has found that the lowest death rate by vehicle type is for large SUV's and the highest rate is for mini cars.
Age. As I mentioned earlier, new cars are much safer than old cars. Old cars lack ESC, ABS, airbags, and other life-saving features that are now considered essential.
Distractions. When you're driving, just a few seconds of eyes off the road could spell disaster. Make sure your car isn't going to encourage that. A fussy infotainment system or one with too many options could be dangerous if you're trying to use it while driving alone. If this is the case, check if your can install a more intuitive system like Apple CarPlay or Android Auto instead.
How it is to drive. To some degree, the car you feel most comfortable driving will be safest for you. It should be a vehicle that's easy to handle, with enough power to get the job done but not so much that the car is taking off without you. It should feel stable on the road and hold its balance around curves. Cars with a low center of gravity are generally safer and easier to maneuver, as well as less likely to flip over.
No one wants to think about getting into a car crash, but the fact is that it's a very real possibility in today's world, when we all spend so much time on the road.
An average of 6 million car accidents occur every year in the US. This results in around 3 million injuries. On any given day, 90 people in the US die in car crashes.
No matter how good a driver you are, no matter how careful, accidents happen. There are so many factors beyond your control.
Fortunately, the type of car you drive can make all the difference in an emergency. A solid new car equipped with the latest safety tech just might save your life.
At Capital Motor Cars, we want to keep people safe on the road. If you're looking for a new car to lease, you can come here to find vehicles with the highest safety ratings and features.


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Minkino ( or ) is the name of several rural localities in Russia:
Minkino, Kirov Oblast, a village in Biserovsky Rural Okrug of Afanasyevsky District of Kirov Oblast
Minkino, Kostroma Oblast, a village in Sudayskoye Settlement of Chukhlomsky District of Kostroma Oblast
Minkino, Murmansk Oblast, a selo in Mezhdurechensky Territorial Okrug of Kolsky District of Murmansk Oblast
Minkino, Novgorod Oblast, a village in Kirovskoye Settlement of Moshenskoy District of Novgorod Oblast
Minkino, Novosokolnichesky District, Pskov Oblast, a village in Novosokolnichesky District, Pskov Oblast
Minkino, Ostrovsky District, Pskov Oblast, a village in Ostrovsky District, Pskov Oblast
Minkino, Oleninsky District, Tver Oblast, a village in Oleninsky District, Tver Oblast
Minkino, Penovsky District, Tver Oblast, a village in Penovsky District, Tver Oblast
Minkino, Babushkinsky District, Vologda Oblast, a village in Bereznikovsky Selsoviet of Babushkinsky District of Vologda Oblast
Minkino, Gryazovetsky District, Vologda Oblast, a selo in Minkinsky Selsoviet of Gryazovetsky District of Vologda Oblast

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


The Political Pamphlets series is taking a break. Thank you to everyone who has read, submitted, printed, distributed, or otherwise helped to make the first part of this project a success. Please check back here regularly or follow us for updates.
The political pamphlet series is published periodically in batches & volumes, and is open to minorities and marginalized communities. Harkening back to the original conception of the political pamphlet in early American politics, this series is meant to serve as a tangible, transparent, and safe DIY thought-space for productive political dialogue that leads to real action & strong communities.
Each pamphlet is printed in a limited initial run and distributed at events, bookstores, zine libraries, and through the mail. If you would like to sign up for our political pamphlet subscription mailing list, or if you would like any pamphlets for educational or community resources, or simply to have, send an email to themountanalogue@gmail.com. We will mail copies as they last and are more than willing to provide PDF versions.
The political pamphlet series is risograph printed by our community partners Paper Press Punch and Cold Cube Press.
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THIS BATCH WAS PRINTED AS A PART OF THE JEWITCHES OF DUWAMISH TERRITORY/SEATTLE'S PERFORMANCE AT THE 2017 JEWISH VOICE FOR PEACE NATIONAL CONFERENCE IN CHICAGO, MARCH 31ST-APRIL 2ND.


Interesting option to spend some time swimming in Ann Arbor. Is it not your first time here? Tell us how it went using the Facebook comments below or contacting us directly!
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Bally's Vic Tanny - Briarwood Dr.
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Wealth Building Archives - Atlanta Financial Associates, Inc.
The more money you make, the more valuable you perceive your time to be — and the more time-strapped you may feel, according to University of British Columbia psychology professor Elizabeth Dunn. So wouldn't it stand to reason that if you use some of your hard-earned money to buy yourself more time — for example, by paying someone to clean your house or mow your lawn — you might achieve a greater level of happiness? Indeed, that was the primary finding in a series of studies by Professor Dunn and other researchers published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
With the start of a new year, most of us begin making plans in all aspects of our lives for the year ahead – and beyond. One area we should all consider is financial well-being -not only our tax outlook, but also investment and retirement strategies, property and personal insurance coverage, and more. In this article, we provide a helpful list of actions you can take now that will cultivate a more fruitful 2018.


We love the new block heel with the moccasin tassle front. It's not only incredibly comfortable but looks super cute with jeans and smart trousers too.
This style in Burgundy Suede is hand made in Italy with Italian leather.


Our core products, the multi-purpose Holdon® Clips works on virtually all compressible materials, it´s number of applications as fastener is endless and combined with the rest of our product range we serve as a supplier of accessories to many businesses within general fastening; Sail makers, Fabric Fitting & Fixing specialists, DIY & Hardware, Tarp Cover & Canopy suppliers, industrial usage fields and more. And there are surely a lot of other application fields not even known to us.
Holdon® Clips fits into any DIY toolbox, professional tool belt, inside the car or at the repair shop, in the traveling luggage pack or simply carried around in the handbag. They are just very innovative and useful fasteners - ready to be used whenever needed. We even dare say it is the best multi-purpose clip in the world. Though of yet.
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We are seeking experienced land seismic processing and depth imaging specialists (with 5 plus years industry experience) to join our growing and energetic project teams in delivering high quality seismic services to the oil and gas industry. There is opportunity for long-term career progression and increasing responsibility as technical and project management skills develop.
The successful candidate must be highly motivated to work in a fast-moving and high-tech work environment, have the capacity to work independently with careful attention to detail, and demonstrate initiative and problem-solving skills. He or she should have several years practical experience in land seismic processing ideally with depth imaging knowledge too. Be self sufficient and proficient in implementing all imaging tasks and workflows with a comprehensive understanding of all technologies deployed. Experience of OBC or OBN would be beneficial. Skilled in dealing and working with clients, able to QA / QC less experienced members of the team.
To deliver the highest quality products to both internal stakeholders and external clients, with minimal supervisory management.
Senior Geophysicists, together with their Team Manager, are expected to take on a technical leadership role within their project teams.
Cooperate with supervisory and management personnel to ensure the Company's safety responsibilities are fulfilled.


Print Pre-Qualification Request, complete and return to your local MSB office.
Hoping for a smooth journey into your new home? Just follow these tips!
Negotiate the price. Working with a realtor you trust will make this an easier process.
Pay for a high-quality inspector. He or she will be worth the extra money in the long run for what they can save you in extra expenses.
Put down as much as possible. Twenty percent is ideal, but the more you can afford to put down, the more you'll save in the long run.
Do not make any life changes before closing. Closing is not final until everything is signed. Last minute purchases and changes in your life may affect your closing.
Every house needs a solid foundation, and a mortgage from Magnolia State Bank is just the foundation you need. Whether you're applying for a new loan or refinancing your existing mortgage, you can trust our mortgage team to be there for you, every step of the way.
At Magnolia State Bank, our processing, underwriting, closing and service departments are located in your neighborhood – not out of state. This means you get the fast, professional service you deserve from a local financial institution.
We offer a wide variety of financing options to meet your unique needs. Whether you'd like to buy a new home, build your dream home or refinance your current mortgage to a lower rate, we have the perfect loan for you. All Magnolia State Bank mortgages feature competitive rates, no application fees and fast approval – not to mention the outstanding personal service for which we're known.
Please contact one of our mortgage advisors at your local branch for information on the current mortgage loans we have available.
New to the home-buying process? By reviewing the terms listed below, you can act like an old pro when it comes time to finding your dream home!
A home loan with an interest rate that changes periodically based ona standard financial index. Typically, the rate for this type of loan can't go beyond a pre-determined maximum limit.
A report written by a qualified appraiser that includes a property's estimated value.
Expenses incurred by both a buyer and seller when transferring ownership of a property. These expenses include origination fees, attorney's fees, taxes, escrow payments and title insurance.
The amount of a property's purchase price that the buyer pays in cash.
A home loan with an interest rate that remains unchanged throughout the entire life of the loan. Most fixed-rate mortgages have 15- or 30-year terms.
A policy guaranteeing that an owner has title to a property and can legally transfer the title to somebody else.
The calculator is made available as a self-help tool for your use and is not intended to provide investment advice.
We can not and do not guarantee the applicability or accuracy in regards to your individual circumstances.


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July 29, 2021 Modern artMartin
After Four Decades in Business, Dealer Marian Goodman Names Succession Plan
Marian Goodman, a storied dealer who recently celebrated her 93rd birthday, has revealed a succession plan for her gallery, which has locations in New York and Paris, as well as a project space in London.
Philipp Kaiser, currently chief executive director of artists and programs, has been named president and a partner. Emily-Jane Kirwan, Rose Lord, Leslie Nolen, and Junette Teng were also named partners alongside him. (They were executive directors at the gallery previously.) Goodman herself will become chief executive officer.
"Preserving my roster and continuing to take on artists interested in a humanistic concern, a culture-critical sense of our way of life, a dialectical approach toward reality, and artistic vision about our urban structure is important to me," Goodman said in a statement. "My partners and I together will carry forward the mission that I have worked so hard to achieve."
Goodman first opened her gallery in New York in 1977. It now represents a roster of all-star artists, including Julie Mehretu, John Baldessari, Nairy Baghramian, Maurizio Cattelan, Pierre Huyghe, Nan Goldin, Steve McQueen, Gerhard Richter, Adrián Villar Rojas, and Danh Vo.
Last year, Goodman announced plans to close her London gallery, saying that the pandemic and Brexit injected increased uncertainty into the market of the British capital. Earlier this month, one of Marian Goodman Gallery's executive directors, Jessie Washburne-Harris, departed for Pace Gallery, where she is now vice president.
Other founders of decades-old New York enterprises have taken similar measures to Goodman's in recent years. In 2019, Larry Gagosian, 76, formed an advisory board for his gallery empire. In 2020, Barbara Gladstone, who is in her mid-80s, brought on Gavin Brown as a partner and elevated several directors to the same position. And in 2021, Paula Cooper, 83, announced a succession plan for her New York gallery.
Source: artnews.com
Rare Coin in Las Vegas—From the Earliest Years of America—Makes a Mint
Alexia Fabre Becomes First Woman to Lead Paris's École des Beaux-Arts
Franz Marc Painting Expected to Fetch $47 M. at Auction After Contentious Restitution
Russian Police Won't Investigate After Vandal Draws Eyes on Painting at Museum
Kristy Edmunds on Immersive Experiences and Working Collaboratively


The New Zealand dollar was heading for a 0.7 per cent weekly decline, after being dragged lower by a weaker Australian dollar, as traders are awaiting US payrolls data.
The kiwi was trading at US68.34c at 5pm today from US68.60c late on Thursday and from US68.85c a week ago. It was at A90.93c from A90.85c late on Thursday as the aussie traded near a six-month low at US75.13c.
The aussie was weighed on by soft trade data for October, weak iron ore markets and a firmer US dollar. The greenback has strengthened on optimism about the progress of US tax reforms, reports US President Donald Trump is confident he can strike a deal to lift the US debt ceiling and ahead of the payrolls data with investors expecting 200,000 new jobs in November.
Sheldon Slabbert, a trader at CMC Markets, said markets might be disappointed in the payrolls figures. While the jobs numbers might look healthy, a lack of wage growth "will probably see the US dollar sell off", he said.
He noted, however, while the kiwi might open higher on Monday, it would continue to struggle as the US Federal Reserve lifts rates while the Reserve Bank of NZ remains firmly on hold and there is evidence of a slowdown in housing, business confidence is waning and the dairy sector is coming under pressure.
Domestically, investors will be focused on next week's half-year economic and fiscal update and Budget policy statement from the Government.
The kiwi traded at ¥77.42 from ¥77.09 and fell to 50.70 British pence from 51.25p. It was largely unchanged at €58.06c from €58.09c. It fell to 4.5223 yuan from 4.5367 yuan while the trade-weighted index declined to 72.44 from 72.53 on Thursday.
New Zealand's two-year swap rate was unchanged at 2.14 while the 10-year swap rate was unchanged at 3.07 per cent.


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'Shameless' Fans Beg Noel Fisher To Protect His Face & Lips
Paul Sarkis / Showtime
Trisha Faulkner
Noel Fisher's latest Instagram activity has some of his followers concerned for the safety of his precious face and lips.
Fisher sent his Instagram followers swooning when he shared a selfie of his banged-up face with a bruise under his eye and blood smeared across one side of his forehead. With his eyebrows raised and twisted, he revealed to his followers that climbing in windows wasn't the easiest task in the world.
The official Instagram account for the hit Showtime series Shameless was among one of the first to comment on the post, as the account encouraged Noel to "protect the face." The comment quickly accumulated over 450 likes and several responses as many agreed.
One individual noted it was "a million-dollar face." Another added that his gorgeous face must be protected "at all costs." Several others echoed the importance of protecting his face as they gushed about how "beautiful" it was. In addition to his face, a few noted that his lips were equally important to protect.
As fans who have seen the trailer for tomorrow night's episode of Shameless know, Mickey (Noel Fisher) finally makes an appearance outside of the prison walls. Between the trailer and the teasers Noel has dropped on his profile, fans know Mickey climbs in a window and steals a passionate kiss from Ian (Cameron Monaghan).
Unfortunately for anxious fans, the sneak previews have not given any information regarding how Fisher's character gets out of the joint. Given the fact that Mickey was doing serious time, fans are fearing the worst as it wouldn't be the first time that his character has broke out of jail.
For "Gallavich" fans, the problem with this theory stems from the fact that last time Mickey broke out of prison, he ended up on the run and went to Mexico.
Fans remain hopeful that Mickey was not brought back to the series for Season 10 only to exit in the exact same fashion as he did a few seasons ago. With all his father's connections behind bars, it is also possible his father found a way to spring him. This is a questionable theory, as he and his father were not exactly on good terms. As fans will recall, his father wasn't supportive of Mickey being homosexual.
Climbing in windows is hard… #Shameless new ep on Sunday 9/8c only on @showtime! #Gallavich @shameless
A post shared by @ noelfisher on Dec 13, 2019 at 1:28pm PST
In just 24 hours, Noel's Instagram snap has accumulated just shy of 50,000 likes and over 400 comments. This snapshot was just one of three recent updates that Fisher has made to Instagram as he continues to tease his followers about tomorrow night's episode.
Outside of obsessing over his face, his followers took to the comments to gush about how much they love Noel and how much they missed his character in the show.
While the how remains unclear, fans will finally get to see a "Gallavich" reunion outside of prison walls in tomorrow night's episode of Shameless.


You visited the company's web page River Oaks East. The company is located in the state Alabama, the city of Eufaula. The legal address of our company is 102 Riverside Drive Eufaula, AL 36027. For more information, please call (334) 687-3089.


Erste Sparinvest - SAM-PF3 is an open-end fund incorporated in Austria. The Fund's objective is income and growth. The Fund invests globally in a diversified portfolio of assets, whereby more than 70% is non-bond exposure.


The old saying �time is money� was completely addressed by Worksmart, Inc with the development of our high speed rover. This equipment utilizes modified USRADAR system components to allow a single operator to cover a very large area thoroughly, in very short amount of time. Quality of the work is greatly improved due to the lack of fatigue of on operator physically pushing or pulling a bulky antiquated system. The operator can devote their attention to interpreting the data on the screen. Disregard for terrain that would make a push or drag system impossible to use, allows the rover to cover large areas so quickly the high resolution radar scan cost can rival that of the lower resolution EM scan.


text:
Assignemnts:

Offset	Activity	Who	Notes

-00:30	1.1	All

-00:20	1.2	Marc

-00:19	1.3	Marc

-00:19	1.4	Seth (Erchef), Stephen (Account)

-00:18	2	Marc, All

-00:17	3.1	Seth, Stephen

-00:15	3.2	Marc

-00:13	3.3	Ops

00:00	3.4	Marc	Downtime Begins

00:03	4.1	<Marc/td>Step 5 proceeds concurrently after this is started. Max time expected: 5 min

00:04	5.1	Stephen	Concurrent

00:04	5.2	Seth	Concurrent

** **	   	    	Steps 4 and 5 must be completed before proceeding

00:09	 6.1	 Stephen	 Concurrent w/ 6.2, 6.3

00:09	 6.2	 Marc

00:09	 6.3	 Seth/onsite

** **			All of Step 6 must be completed before proceeding

00:15	 7.1	 Marc

00:16	 7.2	 Ops

** **			Downtime Ends

n/a	 7.3.1	 Stephen

n/a	 7.3.2	 Seth

n/a	 8.1	 Marc

n/a	 8.2	 Marc

n/a	 8.3	 Ops

n/a	 8.4	 Seth

n/a	 8.5	 Stephen

# Preparation

## 1.1) Hosts and Access
* Determine mysql master and postgres master host names. Referred to as
  MYSQL-MASTER-HOST and POSTGRESQL-MASTER-HOST respectively. Pre-connect
  to the mysql host.
* Have available the database RW password from data bag secrets: chef\_db.rw\_password
* Each person performing production validation must have a production
  org configured for testing.
* Any remote person performing validation should have the user pem file
  and knife.rb in place on the host above for:
     * rs-prod (preprod)
     * production org
* Preprod-specific: Create a new platform user ahead of time.

## 1.2) Edit data bags
1. edit ``data_bags/environments/rs-prod.json`` and modify ``chef_db_type`` to
  ``"postgresql"``
1. edit ``data_bags/vips/rs-prod.json`` and modify ``chef_db_host``
  to the "POSTGRESQL-MASTER-HOST" value retrieved above.
1. (Prod Only) Commit locally, do not upload to opsmaster or push to github.

## 1.3) Pre-run CCR and Command Terminals
1. SSH into all hosts and perform a chef-client run prior to making any
  changes.  In addition to the roles listed below as impacted, this
  includes:
    1. role:chef-pgsql
    1. role:opscode-lb
    1. role:mysql-master
    1. role:monitoring-nagios
1. clear test data from destination postgres database
1. open up a command and control terminal for all the affected servers (below)

Command Terminal Session: **Account**

```
knife ssh "role:opscode-account \
           OR role:opscode-accountmanagement \
           OR role:opscode-support \
           OR role:opscode-org-creator \
           OR role:monitoring-nagios" \
      csshx
```

Command Terminal Session: **Erchef**

```
knife ssh  "role:opscode-erchef \
            role:opscode-chef" \
      csshx
```

Additional Terminals:

The person performing the migration should have the following sessions
open:
1. role:chef-pgsql (active master)
1. role:mysql-master (active master)

# Implementation

## 2) Verify that all pre-implementation steps have been completed.

## 3) Initiate Downtime

### 3.1) Suspend daemonized CCR

**CSSHX** Account Sesssion: ``sudo /etc/init.d/chef-client stop``

**CSSHX** Erchef Sesssion: ``sudo /etc/init.d/chef-client stop``

### 3.2) Data Bags
1. (Prod Only) Push previous data bag updates to rs-prod branch on git.
1. Upload:

```
    knife data bag from file vips rs-prod.json
    knife data bag from file environments rs-prod.json
```

### 3.3) Status Update
1. status update to twitter
1. status update to status.opscode.com
1. status update to #Operations channel that this has been completed

### 3.4) Place OHC into maintenance mode
1. edit role ``opscode-lb`` and set ``deny_all_except_hq`` = true
1. Upload the role and CCR LBs:

```
    knife role edit opscode-lb
    knife ssh role:opscode-lb 'sudo chef-client'
```

## 4) Run Migration

1. from mysql master, run migrate.sh as follows:

```
    cd /srv/chef-mover/mysql_to_pgsql
    ./migrate.sh POSTGRESQL-MASTER-HOST.opscode.us
```
1. If prompted to confirm SSH key for POSTGRESQL-MASTER-HOST, do so.
1. When prompted to provide password for opscode\_chef, provide the RW password obtained above.
1. Expected run time is between 1 and 2 minutes
1. Output will be similar to the following:

```
    $ ./migrate.sh chef-pgsql-rsprod-rm-471638
    gcc -Wall -c my2pg.c
    gcc -o my2pg my2pg.o
    ready for load

    Password for opscode_chef:

    $ _
```

## 5) Update Services  (Concurrent with step 4)

### 5.2) CCR "account" session

**CSSHX**: `sudo chef-client`

Tail and verify the logs (from the command console):

**CSSHX**:
```
sudo tail -F /var/log/opscode-account.log \
             /var/log/opscode-acct-mgmt.log \
             /var/log/opscode-support.log \
             /var/log/opscode-org-creator.log
```

### 5.3) CCR "erchef" session

**CSSHX**: `sudo chef-client`

Tail and verify the logs (from the command console):

**CSSHX**:
```
sudo tail -F /var/log/oc_erchef.log \
             /var/log/opscode-chef.log
```

## 6) Validation

### 6.1) User Validation
1. From the postgresql master box:

```
    cd /srv/chef-mover/mysql_to_pgsql
    bundle exec ./validate_users.rb

```
Provide password when prompted.  Ensure no errors in validation occur.

### 6.1.1) User Validation Failure
If any user validation fails, we will correct them on a one-off basis.

Impacts of failed user validation:
1. opscode-support will be unavailable until they are corrected
1. that specific user will be unable to modify org membership, user data in webui

### 6.2) Pedant
1. execute pedant against OHC.

```
    cd rs-prod
    ./bin/ohc-pedant -e rs-prod -- --focus-nodes
```
1. After setup and first block of node tests completes successfully,
   call out completion of validation.
1. Allow tests to continue running and call out any errors.

### 6.3) WebUI - onsite
1. Log into management console with a valid user
1. Ensure no errors in viewing and displaying nodes

## 7) Restore Services

### 7.1) Take OHC out of maintenance mode
1. edit role ``opscode-lb`` and set ``deny_all_except_hq`` = false
1. Upload the role and CCR LBs:

```
    knife role edit opscode-lb
    knife ssh role:opscode-lb 'sudo chef-client'
```

### 7.2) End Downtime
1. Status update: twitter
1. Status update: status.opscode.com
1. Post status to #operations

### 7.3) Resume daemonized CCR
1. **CSSHX** Account: `sudo /etc/init.d/chef-client start`
1. **CSSHX** Erchef: `sudo /etc/init.d/chef-client start`

## 8) Post-Completion Validation

### 8.1) WebUI

Create a new user account:

1. www.opscode.com -> Sign Up -> Free Trial -> [enter requested info]
1. Use a unique email address and company short name
1. Verify the account by email. In preprod you must change the url in
   the emailed validation link from www.opscode.com to com-rs-preprod.opscode.com

Invite the new user into the existing org:

1. Go to manage.opscode.com and log in if necessary
1. Choose "users" tab
1. Choose "invite" tab
1. Provide new user name
1. Logging into webui as that user, accept the pending invite

Dissociate the user from the org:

1. Go to manage.opscode.com
1. Choose "users" tab
1. Choose "dissociate" link next to the newly-joined user

### 8.2) Orgmapper
Using orgmapper, delete the user created above from OHC. Assuming a user named
"migrationtest1":

* SSH into a box with ``role:opscode-account``
```
    cd /srv/opscode-platform-debug/current/orgmapper
    sudo bin/orgmapper /etc/chef/orgmapper.conf
    USERS.mapper.destroy(USERS['migrationtest1'])
    exit
```
* Follow these instructions to remove the user from the community site:
  [Delete a User](https://wiki.corp.opscode.com/display/CORP/Orgmapper+Tips+and+Tricks#OrgmapperTipsandTricks-orgmapperDeleteauser)

### 8.3) Opscode Support (webui)
At support.opscode.us:

* Verify paid customers list is current at "https://support.opscode.us/private\_chef"
* Ensure it's possible to add a paid customer
    1. Click "Paid Customers", "Add Customer"
    1. Enter required information
    1. Submit
    1. Customer should now appear on the OPC customer page

### 8.4) Opscode Accountmanagement (webui)
* Sign into www.opscode.com - if this is preprod, use the account
  created before migration, in section 1.1
* Confirm that it's possible to view org plan and billing data:
    * (https://www.opscode.com/account)
* Confirm that it's possible to view and create tickets at
    * (http://www.opscode.com/support/tickets/)
* verify ``:customer`` information is correct:
    * (http://www.opscode.com/support/tickets/new?debug=1)

```
    Customer Ifon
    {:customer_type=>"OHC", :support_plan=>"None", :customer=>"marc_test"}
```

### 8.5) Batch
1. Ensure no early/immediate errors
1. Execute org count script (opscode-platform-debug) and verify output is
   consistent with output when script executed against mysql.
1. After completion, open ~/org\_stats.out and verify no errors.  Download the CSV from the link provided
   in that output, and ensure it contains org/node count data.

```
    knife search node role:monitoring-nagios
    ssh NAGIOS-MONITORING-VM
    cd /srv/opscode-platform-debug/current/orgmapper
    ./scripts/get_org_stats.rb /etc/chef/orgmapper.conf > ~/org_stats.out
```

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


perfect for making ice cream in a pinch. you know, for those times you need some for that pie you made but you didn't buy any. I loves it! I loves it!
great point! it does take quite a bit of shaking, but if you have the ingredients then you know you have ice cream 24/7!
... Chill the bowl and make an ice bath: Place a large bowl in the freezer to chill. Make an ice bath with a few scoops of ice cubes and cold water in another large bowl; set aside.
– Cascabel ♦ Dec 7 '15 at 7:51 I seem to recall recipes adding a small amount of alcohol to ice cream. If the stated reason is wrong, it might still affect the crystallization while it's being machined.
Ice VII is a cubic crystalline form of ice. It can be formed from liquid water above 3 GPa (30,000 atmospheres) by lowering its temperature to room temperature, or by decompressing heavy water (D 2 O) ice VI below 95 K. Ordinary water ice is known as ice I h, (in the Bridgman nomenclature).


Currently, the FiT scheme pays people for generating their own sustainable and clean energy from small-scale, low-carbon, installations while also providing extra payments for those who manage to create more than they use. In what could be considered a frustrating move for everyone in the industry, the uncertainty of what the closure of this scheme will mean has already resulted in an increasing number of investors avoidingsolar altogether and looking for investments elsewhere.
The FiT scheme provided a great way of providing a solid ROI for those looking to deploy social power as well as a way of bringing the overall costs down, and the removal of this could mean less incentive for people to invest in Solar.
With FiT's having supported the majority of small-scale low-carbon energy installed in the UK, it's has been invaluable in contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gases, but with investor confidence waning, it could be argued that the closure of the FiT scheme could not be coming at a better time.


I have a few addictions - nothing illicit, but perhaps occasionally questionable in terms of health giving properties or savings account levels.
My third addiction is handbags. Last count? Nearly fiftyMaybe more. Please bear in mind that I did live in Beijing where everything costs a fraction of what it does anywhere else, so fifty handbags is not really a considerable financial drain... just more of a psychological torture for my husband, really. Prada, Louis Vutton, Coach, Gucci, Hermes, Dooney and Burke, Burberry, Kate Spade, Chanel . . . . . such lovely names, don't you think?
But my absolute all time favorite handbag is my Chloe.
My fabulous, white, calf leather, soft, supple Chloe.
She's my baby and she weighs a ton!
Pssst . . . don't tell anyone . . . most of them are fake!


Specifically, Connecticut is projected to not fill its need for nurses through 2015, lacking 46% of the nursing workforce needed.
Already qualified to be a nurse in Connecticut? Search now.
Find other nurses in Connecticut on NursingLink and expand your career network.
Join the Connecticut Nurses Group.


text:
About the BPC
Berklee Signature SeriesLarry Klein Meets Berklee, with Special Guests Madeleine Peyroux and Luciana Souza
Please see the full events listing for upcoming events.
Thursday / February 21, 2019 / 8:00 p.m.
Clockwise from left, Larry Klein, Luciana Souza, and Madeleine Peyroux
Image courtesy of the artists
Performing onstage alongside an international cast of top Berklee students, alumni, and faculty, Larry Klein has handpicked a setlist that bisects the vast, diverse, and impressive discography of his extraordinary career. Special guests include Madeleine Peyroux, a jazz singer and songwriter, and Luciana Souza, a Grammy Award–winning jazz vocalist and composer.
Klein is a multiple Grammy-winning record producer, songwriter, and musician who has worked with some of the most important artists in popular music. A three-time Grammy nominee for producer of the year, he has produced adventurous multiartist projects such as Herbie Hancock's River: The Joni Letters and Billy Childs's Map to the Treasure: Reimagining Laura Nyro.
Under the baton of professor Julius Williams, a Berklee student orchestra will take center stage during the second half of the concert to spotlight Joni Mitchell's Both Sides Now album. Assistant professor Marty Walsh will serve as musical director. The concert is produced by Carl Beatty, assistant vice president of artist and music industry relations, with Maureen McMullan serving as executive producer.
$20 / $25 / $30 in advance / $25 / $30 / $35 day of show
Signature Series Presents Larry Klein Meets Berklee, with Madeleine Peyroux and Luciana Souza
Larry Klein Breaks Down His Career in 15 Tracks
Luciana Souza to Perform with the Berklee Global Jazz Ambassadors
Wednesday / February 5, 2020 / 8:00 pm
Singers Showcase: Bond... James Bond—Theme Songs
Thursday / April 9, 2020 / 8:00 pm
Berklee Middle Eastern Festival: Tigran Hamasyan Trio Meets Pletenitsa
Tuesday / April 28, 2020 / 8:00 pm


text:
A liquid legacy
Gordon & MacPhail may be the guardians of whisky's history, but they're safeguarding its future too
By Christopher Coates
Liquid history in the sample room
Ask a resident of Elgin, 'who are Gordon & MacPhail?' and they'll likely tell you of the grocers, deli, and whisky shop on South Street central to town life for more than 120 years. They may speak highly of one of Moray's key employers and how a family member or a neighbour works in the company's offices, warehouses or bottling line.
In the whisky bars you'll hear a different story. They'll tell you of an independent bottler doing more than buying casks and selling contents. You'll hear about a team that has relationships with Scotch distillers spanning generations; of warehouses with casks filled with distillate from more than 100 distilleries, of which more than 25 are closed; and a company that counts among its releases the oldest Scotch whisky ever sold to the public.
Founded in 1895 by James Gordon and John Alexander MacPhail, the business began as a grocer, importer of fortified wines and broker of Scotch famed for providing a 'superior product at a popular price'. Many Speyside distillery companies would come to have their offices in the building above the South Street store, an arrangement that solidified relationships. The partners were joined by a young apprentice, John Urquhart, who demonstrated flair for whisky stock management. He became senior partner and, when the founders passed on, the company he helped to build became his alone. It was John who implemented the company's strict wood policy, the legacy of which can be enjoyed today.
During the following decades Gordon & MacPhail was to begin business ventures well ahead of their time. First came the famous 'distillery label' bottlings, whereby the company would obtain the rights to bottle single malts using proprietary distillery branding (with the small addition of the G&M logo at the bottom) or, for those distilleries that lacked a brand identity, to create an entirely new label.
Another milestone was the release of Connoisseurs Choice in the late 1960s. The brainchild of George Urquhart, John's son, the range introduced customers to a host of single malts at a time when only a handful of distillery-owned brands were available. This project proved popular and March 2018 will mark 50 years on the shelves.
The deciding factor influencing recruitment into the Gordon & MacPhail ranks is commitment to 'leaving the company in a better position than when they started', and a focus on safeguarding the liquid legacy in its warehouse.
Perhaps the company's most notable achievement, however, was the release in 2015 of the Generations Mortlach 75 Years Old. Distilled on 17 November 1939, it grabbed headlines as the oldest Scotch expression ever released.
Today, Gordon & MacPhail is managed by the fourth generation of the Urquhart family, with Ewen Mackintosh (a non-family member who joined the company in 1991) as managing director.
Being a descendant of Urquhart doesn't guarantee a position. Family members are encouraged to have pursued a career elsewhere and complete a two-year management traineeship before a final decision is taken on their future role. The deciding factor influencing recruitment into the Gordon & MacPhail ranks is commitment to 'leaving the company in a better position than when they started', and a focus on safeguarding the liquid legacy in its warehouse. Operating on a philosophy of 'what's bottled must be replaced', there's little heed paid to the temptation of releasing too much, too early.
"When I look at the stock we have, I can see how the previous generations considered what spirit to fill, which casks to release, and when," explains Stuart Urquhart, director of whisky supply. "When future generations look back at my work, I don't want to be known as 'the guy who sold all the stock' or 'didn't plan the fillings properly'. The work I do today will be what I'm remembered for, and the same is true of everyone in the company."
Although said in jest, Stuart's words ring true to the company slogan: 'The future is shaped by what we do today. Today reveals what we did in the past.' These are not hollow words, but a philosophy pervading the business, especially management of stock.
This is where Gordon & MacPhail differ from many independent bottlers. Longstanding filling agreements with a number of Scotland's distilleries mean the company has a stock model that can deliver consistency for decades.
That's not to say that there aren't challenges. The variety of fillings has decreased slightly as some brands became more protective, but most relationships endure. Many single malt brands on the market today owe part of their popularity to the groundwork laid by G&M's distillery label bottlings. This long-standing respect for brand owners is a fact that's not forgotten in an industry that's well-known for safeguarding its heritage and honouring 'gentleman's agreements'.
If a partner ends an agreement? No need for concern. Distillery brand managers come and go, and priorities shift; Gordon & MacPhail endures and is ready to step in again.
Volumes of spirit filled by the company are on the rise, as foundations are laid for future growth. More than ever before the company must secure its supply of quality wood. This is a company known for the adage 'the wood makes the whisky'. Provenance is a focus and wood is no exception. All sherry casks are traceable as coming from EU-certified producers located in the 'golden triangle', which is particularly important as a high proportion of G&M's annual wood spending is on these premium casks.
The company's filling and maturation policy is no less stringent. The method, codified in 'maturation graphs' for each filled new make, sees spirit style matched to the most appropriate wood. Every cask in the portfolio has a destiny and no cask is filled without a plan.
"We're laying down stock now that we intend to bottle in 70 years or more. That's how far ahead we look," confirms Stephen Rankin, UK sales director.
It's worth noting that only first-fill and (second) refill casks are used for maturation by G&M. However, don't expect to hear the term 'fill' being used regularly around the office as a measure of cask condition. Casks are assessed on what the team call 'viable lifespan', which is roughly said to be 25-30 years for Bourbon barrels, 30-35 years for hogsheads, and 40 or more years for butts. There are exceptions to every rule. Samples are pulled every two to three years and marked on a scale of 1-10, with nothing less than a five being acceptable. Scores are based on colour and nose, with and without water. Casks scoring exceptionally well will perhaps have a 'change of fate' and be earmarked for bottling in the future as a single cask release or put on a watch-list for a special expression. Equally, action will be taken to assist low-scoring spirit towards maturity.
Next comes blending. To produce the consistent age statement releases, batches of casks are assessed against samples used for previous batches. Often as few as 12 casks will be vatted per batch, so there's no room for error and no capacity to blend away product. An archive of cask samples on site stretches back as far as the 1920s, allowing for comparison across decades. A newly established archive of released products has been created to help the company respond to, among other things, requests for authenticity checks from third parties – another way the company is safeguarding its past in order to protect its future.
The bottling line is more than capable of handling anything from large batches of thousands, to special editions that must be filled and labelled by hand. The process varies depending on the expression, but all have one thing in common: natural colour. Whiskies that need to be reduced to a predetermined bottling strength are vatted, have the water added and are married for 10 days prior to bottling. Lower strength expressions are chill filtered at 3°C using 'old-fashioned' press filters.
On the horizon, they keep their cards close to their chest. Strolling through the warehouse, on occasion I had to confirm that I was reading a filling date and not cask numbers.
The latest Private Collection release, is a drop of history. Spirit from Glenlivet was filled in to Cask 121, a first-fill sherry hogshead, on 14 January 1943 by John and George Urquhart. More than 70 years later, the cask was chosen by Stephen Rankin, John's great-grandson. 40 decanters have been filled with liquid, which maintained a 49.1% ABV and is bottled at cask strength.
The cask is known as the 'Casablanca cask' referring to the meeting of leaders during WWII known as the Casablanca Conference. The leaders came together to bring about the 'unconditional surrender' of the Axis powers.
Miles away in Scotland, few distilleries were in production on account of rationing. Gordon & MacPhail sold large volumes of its mature stock, predominantly to the United States. Revenue was directed toward fillings of new make and this support of the industry kept many distilleries afloat. It ensured the existence of ample stocks come the end of the war. That decision has allowed for the release of this historic bottling. If that does not embody a liquid legacy, then I don't know what does.
Different whisk(e)y barrels
The Urquhart family
Outside Gordon & MacPhail in the past
Casks in the warehouse


text:
Q: Generate AWS `Logs Insights` URL with query and search creteria I'd like to generate a URL for AWS Cloud Watch Logs Insights page where I can customize the following parameters:

*

*The query string

*The log groups I'd like to search with-in

*The time range

I couldn't find any official documentation for the structure of the URL.
Also no API (at least not in boto3) would help me in this.
Here is an example:
https://eu-west-1.console.aws.amazon.com/cloudwatch/home?region=eu-west-1#logsV2:logs-insights$3FqueryDetail$3D$257E$2528end$257E$25272021-07-18T20*3a59*3a59.000Z$257Estart$257E$25272021-07-15T21*3a00*3a00.000Z$257EtimeType$257E$2527ABSOLUTE$257Etz$257E$2527Local$257EeditorString$257E$2527fields*20*40timestamp*2c*20*40message*0a*7c*20sort*20*40timestamp*20desc*0a*7c*20filter*20*40message*20*3d*7e*20*22Exception*22*0a*7c*20limit*20200$257EisLiveTail$257Efalse$257EqueryId$257E$2527####$257Esource$257E$2528$257E$2527*2faws*2flambda*2f######$2529$2529$26tab$3Dlogs

What is the encoding used to generate the URL above?
I'm thinking about simply replace the strings above with the desired params, any better way to achieve this ?

A: Replacing the strings in the URL isn't that direct, I did the following in Python that will generate link for the logs insights page:

def generate_cloudwatch_url(log_groups, query):
    def escape(s):
        for c in s:
            if c.isalpha() or c.isdigit() or c in ["-", "."]:
                continue
            c_hex = "*{0:02x}".format(ord(c))
            s = s.replace(c, c_hex)
        return s

    def gen_log_insights_url(params):
        S1 = "$257E"
        S2 = "$2528"
        S3 = "$2527"
        S4 = "$2529"

        res = f"{S1}{S2}"
        for k in params:
            value = params[k]
            if isinstance(value, str):
                value = escape(value)
            elif isinstance(value, list):
                for i in range(len(value)):
                    value[i] = escape(value[i])
            prefix = S1 if list(params.items())[0][0] != k else ""
            suffix = f"{S1}{S3}"
            if isinstance(value, list):
                value = "".join([f"{S1}{S3}{n}" for n in value])
                suffix = f"{S1}{S2}"
            elif isinstance(value, int) or isinstance(value, bool):
                value = str(value).lower()
                suffix = S1

            res += f"{prefix}{k}{suffix}{value}"
        res += f"{S4}{S4}"
        QUERY = f"logsV2:logs-insights$3Ftab$3Dlogs$26queryDetail$3D{res}"
        return f"https://eu-west-1.console.aws.amazon.com/cloudwatch/home?region=eu-west-1#{QUERY}"
    query_vars = {"sample":"value"}
    query = "\n".join([f'| filter {k}="{v}"' for (k, v) in query_vars.items()])
    params = {
        "end": 0,  # "2021-07-18T20:00:00.000Z",
        "start": -60 * 60 * 24,  # "2021-07-15T21:00:00.000Z",
        "unit": "seconds",
        "timeType": "RELATIVE",  # "ABSOLUTE",  # OR RELATIVE and end = 0 and start is negative  seconds
        "tz": "Local",  # OR "UTC"
        "editorString": f"fields @timestamp, @message\n| sort @timestamp desc\n{query}\n| limit 200",
        "isLiveTail": False,
        "source": [f"/aws/lambda/{lg}" for lg in log_groups],
    }
    return gen_log_insights_url(params)

I know it's aweful implementation, but it works!

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Tony Popovic (n. 4 iulie 1973) este un fost fotbalist australian.

Statistici

Legături externe

Fotbaliști australieni
Fotbaliști internaționali australieni
Sportivi australieni în viață


The Kindy and PrePrimary children have been learning about Australian animals this term.
Together, our Kindy and PrePrimary students will visit Caversham Wildlife Park on Friday. This will enable the children to really see and experience the animals we have been talking about.
Kindy kids have also been having lots of fun playing with magnets; making long strings (using magnetic balls), making cars move without touching them and generally experimenting with how many magnets can actually stick together.
We are learning about sounds and made ANZAC biscuits for the "a" sound (albeit a little early for ANZAC Day) and enjoyed doing Sound Treasure Hunts at home and sharing what we found with our friends.
We have had a tremendous first term of Pre-Kindy.
The children have settled in very well and are becoming confident and secure. Each unique personality together has created an interesting and inspiring atmosphere that affords Mon and myself many delights and private chuckles. It is particularly heart-warming to see the burst of budding friendships as they discover and revel in the pleasures and excitement of companionship. Have a wonderful holiday mums and dads and thank you for your love and support this term.


Nipani is located in India at the longitude of 74.38 and latitude of 16.41. Gadhinghaj is located in India at the longitude of 74.35 and latitude of 16.23 .
The total straight line distance between Nipani and Gadhinghaj is 20 KM (kilometers) and 275.22 meters. The miles based distance from Nipani to Gadhinghaj is 12.6 miles. This is a straight line distance and so most of the time the actual travel distance between Nipani and Gadhinghaj may be higher or vary due to curvature of the road .
Nipani is located around 20 KM away from Gadhinghaj so if you travel at the consistent speed of 50 KM per hour you can reach Gadhinghaj in 0.41 hours. Your Gadhinghaj travel time may vary due to your bus speed, train speed or depending upon the vehicle you use.
Bus timings from Nipani to Gadhinghaj is around 0.34 hours when your bus maintains an average speed of sixty kilometer per hour over the course of your journey. The estimated travel time from Nipani to Gadhinghaj by bus may vary or it will take more time than the above mentioned time due to the road condition and different travel route. Travel time has been calculated based on crow fly distance so there may not be any road or bus connectivity also.
Gadhinghaj is located nearly north side to Nipani. The given north direction from Nipani is only approximate. The given google map shows the direction in which the blue color line indicates road connectivity to Gadhinghaj . In the travel map towards Gadhinghaj you may find en route hotels, tourist spots, picnic spots, petrol pumps and various religious places. The given google map is not comfortable to view all the places as per your expectation then to view street maps, local places see our detailed map here.
The following diriving direction guides you to reach Gadhinghaj from Nipani. Our straight line distance may vary from google distance.
Travelers and visitors are welcome to write more travel information about Nipani and Gadhinghaj.
It can be your previous travel experience between Nipani and Gadhinghaj.
Available transport routes to reach Gadhinghaj like train routes, bus routes, air routes and cruise routes.
Tourist places or any other important places on the routes between Nipani and Gadhinghaj.
Hotels, restaurant information on the way to Gadhinghaj.
Photos related to Nipani and Gadhinghaj or en route.


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text:
Q: NodeJS with DynamoDB throws error "AttributeValue may not contain an empty string" I had a problem with the fact that DynamoDB cannot accept empty strings as value in attributes.
I always had to check in the front end if there is an empty string value otherwise the API call would fail due to the error "An AttributeValue may not contain an empty string" that Dynamo DB would throw.
I was wandering if there is a recursive function that would remove the attributes that are not valid according to DynamoDB in order for the putItem or update request in DynamoDB to work.

A: Latest update on Jan 3 2017 Merge #1283 updated the AWS.DynamoDB.DocumentClient constructor-property to allow for empty values by putting the flag convertEmptyValues into the options field of the client object.
Example:
const DynamoDB = new AWS.DynamoDB.DocumentClient( {
    convertEmptyValues: true
} );

Notable issues

*

*DynamoDB.DocumentClient should support empty string properties #833

*Respect convertEmptyValues option for Maps and Lists in the DynamoDB document client #1281

*Fix/doc client empty nested members #1283

*AWS Forum threadID #90137

*Empty Attribute would cause ValidationException for DynamoDb boto/boto3 #1035

A: June 2020 Update:
DynamoDB now supports empty string values for non-key attributes: https://aws.amazon.com/about-aws/whats-new/2020/05/amazon-dynamodb-now-supports-empty-values-for-non-key-string-and-binary-attributes-in-dynamodb-tables/
In order to have consistent behavior, make sure that the client does not have { convertEmptyValues: true }, or else these attributes will be saved as NULL as opposed to an empty String.

A: The solution was to create a recursive function that checks every attribute in an object returning it without those invalid attribute values according to DynamoDB.
function clean(obj) {
    return function remove(current) {
        _.each(current, function(value, key) {
            if (_.isUndefined(value) || _.isNull(value) || _.isNaN(value) ||
                (_.isString(value) && _.isEmpty(value)) ||
                (_.isObject(value) && _.isEmpty(remove(value)))) {

                delete current[key];
            }
        });
        if (_.isArray(current)) _.without(current, undefined);
        return current;
    }(_.clone(obj));
}

A: You don't keep a document attribute when there is no value.
Here is how I handle empty string values for optional attributes with PutItem.
user: {
  Username: 'jdoe',
  Name: 'John Doe',
  Description: 'Fake user'
}

You update the value if it's not empty, delete the attribute otherwise:
  const params = {
    Key: {
      Username: {
        S: user.Username
      }
    },
    AttributeUpdates: {},
    TableName: 'Users',
  };

  if (user.hasOwnProperty('Description')) {
    params.AttributeUpdates.Description = (user.Description === '')
    ? { Action: 'DELETE' }
    : { Action: 'PUT', Value: { S: user.Description } };
  }

  return db.updateItem(params)
    .promise()

In dynamoDB:
user: {
  Username: 'jdoe',
  Name: 'John Doe'
}


College basketball's regular season is fast approaching an end, and the drama that comes with it is amping up tenfold. Across the country, conference races are tightening (looking at you, ACC), streaks are on the brink of being broken (staring intently with eyeball emojis your way, Kansas!), and game results that may typically be off the radar suddenly have heightened NCAA Tournament implications. A bad loss can spell doom, and just as well, a quality win can earn you favor among your resident Bracketologist.
From now until Selection Sunday, you should be hearing those oft-discussed buzz words you hear every year in the college basketball lexicon: Phrases like on the bubble, or strength of schedule, or Quadrant 1 wins. You'll probably be reading more Jerry Palm than ever, too -- as you should.
So with just over two weeks until Selection Sunday, there's no better time than the present to reassess each league race across the country. It's crunch time. So let's look at the major conferences first, followed by the other leagues.
Outlook: Houston has a stranglehold on the league. It has a conference-best 13-1 record, good for a cushy one-game lead over 12-2 Cincinnati. But there's drama to be had, potentially. If Cincy wins its next three, it will be 15-2 going into its season finale against Houston -- and the game is in Cincy.
Outlook: Virginia, Duke and North Carolina are all tied for first in the ACC with four games remaining for each contender; Florida State and Virginia Tech are 2.5 games back, so it seems to be a three-team race. And we might just have a natural tie-breaker built into the schedule: Duke and North Carolina, the latter of which beat the former this past week, face each other in their respective regular season finales on March 9. Virginia might be considered the favorite here for two reasons. No. 1: It has lost twice all season, both times to Duke -- and Duke is not on its remaining schedule. And No. 2: Virginia's schedule (according to the latest AP Top 25) doesn't include a currently ranked opponent.
Outlook: Kansas's win over Kansas State on Monday night keeps the Jayhawks and their streak of 14 consecutive Big 12 titles afloat -- for now. But in-state foe K-State remains the co-favorite with a Big 12-best 11-4 league record; the other co-favorite, Texas Tech is 10-4 and should win with ease against Oklahoma State on Tuesday to match the Wildcats atop the league standings. Kansas needs to win out and get both to stumble to have a chance, and Baylor, 9-5 in-conference, probably needs to win out and get some help. The Bears have the most difficult remaining path with road trips to Kansas State and Kansas in their final four games. Iowa State needs to win out and get some help.
Outlook: We may have gotten our must-watch Big Ten game of the year this past weekend when shorthanded Michigan State went into Ann Arbor, Michigan, and came out with a road W. The win gave Sparty a leg up in the league, and with three games remaining, it holds a half game advantage over Purdue. But this isn't just a Michigan battle -- Purdue has worked its way into the conversation by winning 11 of its last 12 in league play, including a win over Sparty in late-January. Michigan is one game back, Maryland is two and Wisconsin is 2.5.
Outlook: It's down to two: Marquette and Villanova. And the way 'Nova has played of late, it might be down to one. The reigning national champion Wildcats have lost four of its last five in league play after a 10-0 start, and now sit at 11-4 -- 1.5 games back of Marquette. The two play each other Wednesday, which affords Villanova to gain ground -- or Marquette to all but put a bow on it.
Outlook: Perhaps the most intriguing conference race of all. This is a total toss-up. Kentucky is playing its best ball, having won 13 of its last 14. LSU has been a giant killer, knocking off Kentucky, Auburn, Mississippi State and Tennessee all this month. And Tennessee has been Tennessee -- it was 23-1 before losing to Kentucky last week and to LSU this past weekend in an overtime game that could've gone either way.
Outlook: Barring a complete collapse, Mike Hopkins and his Washington Huskies are going to win the Pac-12 for the first time since 2011-2012 -- the first year the Pac-12 included Colorado and Utah as league members. The Huskies are 13-1 in the league with a 3.5 game lead and only four remaining games on the schedule. Arizona State would need to win out and also need UW to lose out, and, well, now we're getting into some pretty unrealistic hypotheticals.
America East: Vermont has just about wrapped up the America East for a third consecutive season. It sits at 12-2 in the conference overall with a 1.5 game lead, and has just two games remaining -- both at home.
Atlantic 10: There's three bona fide contenders in the A10: VCU, Davidson and Dayton. VCU has a one game lead at 12-2 over Davidson, which sits at 11-3. Dayton's on the outside looking in at 10-4, but with four games remaining, they aren't out just yet.
Atlantic Sun: Lipscomb has a .5 game lead over Liberty with one game left to play, but Liberty has two left. We could be headed for a tie if Liberty can bounce back from its weekend road loss to North Florida. Lipscomb and Liberty split the regular season series.
Big Sky: Even after falling to Northern Colorado on Monday, Montana still has a one game lead in the Big Sky with three games left. Road games at Portland State and Sacramento State loom as potential trap games for the Grizz as it looks to close out the regular season.
Big South: The NCAA's leading scorer this season, Chris Clemons, has Campbell a game out of first-place in the Big South standings. Radford stands in the way, though. Fortunately for us, we get a Campbell-Radford showdown on March 2 in the league's regular season finale that could determine the winner.
Big West: UC Irvine is 2.5 games up on Cal State Fullerton in the Big West, and one win away from securing the top seed in the league. It plays Thursday against UC Davis, which it beat 71-69 in OT back in January.
Colonial Athletic Association: Hofstra is clinging to a one game lead over Northeastern at 13-3 overall in the CAA, but it has lost two of its last three -- the lone win in that span coming over Towson in a double-OT thriller. Road tilts at Drexel and Delaware for both Hofstra and Northeastern only adds to the suspense.
Conference USA: C-USA is Old Dominion's to lose. With three games left, the Monarch's hold a 2.5 game lead over UTSA and a three game lead over UAB, Western Kentucky and Southern Miss.
Horizon League: Wright State holds a one game lead with two to play over Northern Kentucky, but both are tough roadies against Milwaukee and Green Bay. Northern Kentucky has an equally (literally) challenging slate ahead, with road games against Green Bay and Milwaukee on tap.
Ivy League: Harvard's buzzer-beater to lift the Crimson over Yale this past weekend shakes things up in the Ivy, but Yale is still clinging to a one-game lead in the league standings at 8-2 -- both losses coming in conference play to, you guessed it: Harvard.
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference: Drama, drama, drama. Iona's at 11-6 in the MAAC, leading the league. But Quinnipiac, Rider, Siena and Canisius are all one-half game back. Iona-Rider on March 1 will be appointment-clearing television.
MEAC: Norfolk State can lock up the MEAC this week when it plays Coppin State and Delaware State -- two teams it has already defeated by double digits earlier in the season. Trailing closely is North Carolina A&T only 1.5 games behind, but it might be too little, too late for the Aggies after falling to Norfolk State on the road two weeks ago.
Mountain West: No. 12 Nevada remains the favorite to win the Mountain West, but its lead isn't comfortable. It currently stands at 12-2 with four games remaining, only a .5 game lead over Utah State, who it plays on March 2.
Mid American Conference: No. 21 Buffalo is in the catbird seat to win the league for a second consecutive season. The Bulls are 12-2 in the MAC, which gives them a one-game lead over Bowling Green with four games left on the schedule. The two contenders play March 8 in a rematch from a Feb. 1 game that Bowling Green won the first time around.
Missouri Valley: 2018 Final Four darling Loyola-Chicago remains a contender to get back to the 2019 NCAA Tournament. The Ramblers are in a three-way tie for first with Drake and Missouri State, and each has two games left to play. Drake and Missouri State's meeting in the season finale on March 2 could be a dandy.
Northeast Conference: St. Francis (Pa.) is 11-5 in NEC play, but it slipped up this past weekend to LIU Brooklyn to decrease its lead to just one game. Fairleigh Dickinson and Robert Morris are officially within striking distance, and the league-leading Red Flash finish their season on the road at Wagner and at Sacred Heart.
Ohio Valley: Murray State has a future top-5 pick in Ja Morant and a 14-2 conference record to boot. Belmont, meanwhile, has a future NBA player in Dylan Windler and it, too, has a 14-2 record. Each has two games remaining on its schedule.
Patriot League: Ray Bucknell! Ray Bucknell! With two very winnable games left on tap, and with a one game lead in the Patriot, the Bucknell Bison are expected to win the league for the fifth consecutive season. Ray Bucknell!
Southern Conference: No. 24 Wofford hasn't been beaten in the SoCon. It has a perfect 16-0 record in league and has already clinched the top seed in the postseason tournament.
Southland: Sam Houston State opened its season at 4-8. Now the Bearkats are 19-9 overall, 14-1 in the Southland and on the verge of officially wrapping up their first conference regular season title since 2009-2010. It is up three games over New Orleans in the league standings.
Summit League: South Dakota State is 13-2 and ahead of Nebraska Omaha in the league by just a half game. If the Jackrabbits take care of business Saturday, it will finish the regular season with a 14-2 record; Nebraska Omaha has two games left and if it does the same, it will also close at 14-2. Both Nebraska Omaha's games remaining are on the road -- at ORU and at Denver.
Sun Belt: Texas State's got a one game lead with three to play, but Georgia State and Georgia Southern are both lurking at 10-5. The Bobcats' final three games are on the road, so a chance for some surprising developments over the next few weeks are high. Georgia State at Georgia Southern on March 9 is shaping up to be a massive one.
SWAC: Prairie View A&M holds a two game lead over Texas Southern with four games left on the docket. Saturday it starts a two-game road trip to Alabama, where it faces Alabama A&M and Alabama State.
West Coast Conference: No. 1 Gonzaga has been so dominant in the league this season that it already clinched the WCC last week with a win over Pepperdine -- which came with three regular season games left on its slate.
Western Athletic: New Mexico State has already captured the top seed in the WAC postseason tournament. The Aggies are 12-1 in league play with three games left.


text:
package net.peterkuterna.android.apps.devoxxsched.ui.phone;

import net.peterkuterna.android.apps.devoxxsched.ui.BaseSinglePaneActivity;
import net.peterkuterna.android.apps.devoxxsched.ui.SessionsFragment;
import android.support.v4.app.Fragment;

public class SessionsActivity extends BaseSinglePaneActivity {

	@Override
	public Fragment onCreatePane() {
		return new SessionsFragment();
	}

}


text:
← Sportsthoughts (62) – "My Time" by Bradley Wiggins
Sportsthoughts (64) – Quins 25 Leicester 21: Danny returns! →
Sportsthoughts (63) – Six Nations: the story so far
So after two rounds, how are those predictions from Sportsthoughts 61 looking?
Well, most important, it's looking good for England so far. In the first game, with a bold attacking performance at Twickenham, they beat Scotland 38-18. Until the last quarter it was a pretty close game – Scotland gave it some, too, and scored two excellent breakaway tries. Central to England's victory was some superb play at the breakdown by England's forwards, with captain Chris Robshaw to the fore, and a cool display of kicking by young fly half, Owen Farrell. Both on the spot kicks and the tactical kicking in open play, he was masterful. He kept the points board ticking over in the first half, building the platform to let rip in the second. Couldn't argue with him being chosen as Man of the Match.
Today, in the driving rain in Dublin, this young England side really came of age. The game required totally different tactics than last week. Today it was all about kicking for territory, moving the defending line forward, wrestling for the ball in the rucks and mauls, and kicking the penalties when they came. Not pretty – rugby really only for the purists, where those nuances of territory and possession are endlessly fascinating. I think I'm almost there these days, though I'd always rather see the backs let loose for some running rugby. It was an intense physical struggle. Tempers frayed frequently. There were handling errors galore, especially by Ireland. That was a big difference: England held on to the ball better and stayed more in control. It was a mature performance, capped by another excellent kicking display from Owen Farrell. Interviewed afterwards he said taking those penalty kicks weren't so different to the endless kicks in training. Well, not if you are cool enough to shut out all the pressure of a big game. Which he seems to be. The mark of a top athlete.
And Chris Robshaw got Man of the Match, for another marauding performance. I was pleased about that. Quins bias of course.
Oh yeah, and England won 12-6.
And then there was France. I predicted them to be second, with a real fear that they would sweep all before them, England included. They've lost two out of two. Away to Italy and home to Wales, which they may have regarded as their most winnable games. Maybe that was the problem. They have all the talent, but half the time just don't function as a team. Next up is England at Twickenham. Traditionally they don't do too well there, but you just can't rule out them waking up and giving England a pasting. I wouldn't bet on it though. No, never bet on the French.
Ireland looked superb in the first half against Wales, then held on for victory as Wales came back in last week's game in Cardiff. Today they were outwitted and outmuscled by England. A team in transition and maybe third – or perhaps second, given France's implosion – will be about right.
Wales will be pleased to win in Paris after losing at home to Ireland. They aren't convincing at the moment, but have the talent. Don't rule out a surge in the remaining games.
Scotland can take confidence from a spirited display against England and a good victory against Italy. Italy can take pride in beating France. I wouldn't bet against Scotland beating Wales and maybe even Ireland. Things could be close in the pursuing pack.
Pursuing England. I'm not gloating. It's only two games in. Anything could happen. That's the glory of the Six Nations. But I think England can be quietly confident that something good is building.
We'll see…
France in two weeks time… allez les Anglais!
Photos all from Google Images.
This entry was posted in Sportsthoughts and tagged Chris Robshaw, England rugby, france rugby, Ireland rugby, Italy rugby, Owen Farrell, rugby, Scotland rugby, Six nations, sports, Wales rugby. Bookmark the permalink.
11 Responses to Sportsthoughts (63) – Six Nations: the story so far
Allez les petits français ! Sorry, my dad's a big rugby fan, we HAVE to win!
Plus, I think England is a country we love to hate 😉
We are used to being hated. We reckon it's because we are the best!
never bet on the french?……if ever there was a time to bet like men, it is now.
Will you be doing it? My Arsenal bet is enough Frenchness for me.
Dizzying! Is Chris Robshaw a Quiin? Hope England beats France!
Robbo sure is a Quin. Captain Fantastic! Re England v France, I guess Canada is quite divided.
Canada…. divided? Okay, yes we are.
Although the big thing here right now is Hockey.
It's that game where a bunch of guys push each other around on the ice and try to hit the other team's goalie with a puck thing that they fling about with sticks. 😉
If I was Canadian, or even just living in Canada, I'd definitely follow the ice hockey (as we call it). Huge skill and serious violence!
DyingNote says:
Your writing got me to watching football again after years. And now you just might've done the same with rugby.
Well, I'm very flattered!
Ah! well, there go my free hours of imagining the things I'd do with my 2 guitars, neither of which I play other than in my head >;-> Football and rugby (not too much programming on rugby here though) it is then


text:
. "Ian and Sylvia". The Canadian Encyclopedia, 04 March 2015, Historica Canada. www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/ian-and-sylvia-emc. Accessed 29 January 2023.
(2015). Ian and Sylvia. In The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/ian-and-sylvia-emc
. "Ian and Sylvia." The Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica Canada. Article published February 07, 2006; Last Edited March 04, 2015.
The Canadian Encyclopedia, s.v. "Ian and Sylvia," by , Accessed January 29, 2023, https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/ian-and-sylvia-emc
Ian and Sylvia
Last Edited March 4, 2015
Ian and Sylvia performed throughout North America, soon making the transition from clubs to colleges and festivals, including the Newport Folk Festival in 1963 and 1965. They appeared in 1966 in England on BBC TV and performed 30 Apr 1967 in New York at Carnegie Hall.
Ian and Sylvia. Folk (later, country) singers, active 1961-75. Ian Tyson and Sylvia Fricker (m Tyson) sang together in Toronto clubs as early as 1959. Ian played guitar; Sylvia, guitar and autoharp. As a full-time duo by 1961, they performed that year at the Mariposa Folk Festival and in folk clubs in New York and Chicago. Caught up in the so-called 'urban folk revival' in North America, they rose quickly to the forefront of the movement with their first LPs and on the popularity of Ian's song 'Four Strong Winds'. Their repertoire also included traditional material (eg, 'Un Canadien errant', 'V'là l'bon vent', and 'Brave Wolfe'), blues, pop tunes, and contemporary folk-styled songs. They were among the first to sing songs by Gordon Lightfoot and Joni Mitchell.
Ian and Sylvia performed throughout North America, soon making the transition from clubs to colleges and festivals, including the Newport Folk Festival in 1963 and 1965. They appeared in 1966 in England on BBC TV and performed 30 Apr 1967 in New York at Carnegie Hall. Other early songs of note included Sylvia's 'You Were on My Mind' (an international hit in 1965 as recorded by the US group We Five) and Ian's 'Lovin' Sound' (a modest Canadian hit in 1967 as recorded by the Tysons themselves) and 'Someday Soon'. Songbooks were issued in conjunction with several of their LPs.
In the mid-1960s Ian and Sylvia began to move away from traditional folk toward an early synthesis of country music and rock. In place of guitar accompaniment (which had been supplied in turn by Monte Dunn, David Rea, and others) they formed a full band, the Great Speckled Bird, in 1968; the debut LP Great Speckled Bird is considered a classic of the country-rock genre. The change in style initially met with mixed if not hostile reaction but brought Ian and Sylvia before a broader audience - in 1970, for example, they appeared at the Atlanta Pop Festival and as part of the Festival Express, a rock festival that crossed Canada by train, stopping in several cities. They also performed at Expo 70 in Japan.
The Great Speckled Bird went through many changes in personnel - Amos Garrett and David Wilcox were successively its guitarists - but supported Ian and Sylvia as country music increasingly became the dominant influence on their work together, and individually, during the 1970s. Their weekly CTV series, 'Nashville North,' introduced in 1970, became 'The Ian Tyson Show' (with Sylvia only an occasional guest) in 1971 and continued until 1975. Ian and Sylvia made their last appearances as a duo in May 1975 at the Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto. They have been reunited on occasion - eg, for a concert filmed 18 Aug 1986 by the CBC at the Kingswood Music Theatre, Maple, Ont, with Lightfoot, Judy Collins, Emmylou Harris, and Murray McLauchlan as guests. Ian and Sylvia were inducted into the Juno Awards Hall of Fame in 1992.
Batten, Jack. 'Sweet song of success,' Maclean's, 21 Aug 1965
Lacey, Liam. 'Ian & Sylvia encore,' Toronto The Globe and Mail, 2 Aug 1986
LeBlanc, Larry. 'Ian and Sylvia... "Full circle",' CMN, vol 7, Sep 1986
French-speaking Louisiana and Canada
British Commonwealth Air Training Plan


text:
COMMENT HOW ABOUT THAT! LAW/POLICY
How about that: The L'Aquila earthquake trial reminds us that scientific evidence shouldn't determine public policy!
Friday, October 26th 2012, 1:23 PM EDT
I had to pinch myself over this story from Graeme Archer at The Telegraph.....The L'Aquila earthquake trial reminds us that scientific evidence shouldn't determine public policy!..Graeme have you not thought of another area this may apply?
The L'Aquila earthquake trial reminds us that scientific evidence shouldn't determine public policy! by Graeme Archer - The Telegraph
People find it hard to understand the nature of risk: discuss. A pertinent assertion, in the week that scientists have been found guilty in an Italian court for understating the likelihood of the L'Aquila earthquake. Moreover, the assertion is true, as can easily be demonstrated. Stand behind someone in the queue at WH Smiths while they purchase a lottery ticket, and watch the care with which they select "their" (irrelevant) numbers. Or travel across the Atlantic on a plane, sat beside me.
The former is less physically demanding, as I'm less likely to claw at your arm in terror during the purchase of a lottery ticket than I am while the plane bounces around in turbulence. There's no point telling me that there's a very low probability of falling from the sky in a ball of flame, that such disasters happen only rarely. I don't care about "long-run" arguments: I care about this flight. If the probability of any event is non-zero – if there's a finite chance that it will occur – then it will happen, at some point; and nothing in the construction of a long-run probability (in its English sense, or its precise mathematical expression) has anything useful to say about any particular instance of any particular flight.
Neither the lottery ticket purchaser, nor the statistician who hates flying, is entirely irrational, however. What matters when making a decision isn't (just) the chance of a good or bad outcome; it's the expected cost (or gain) of those outcomes, after deducting the price of the stake.
It costs a quid to buy a lottery ticket, so while you've a vanishingly small chance of winning, your cost of losing (albeit with high probability) is small. And if you didn't accept my argument that even unlikely events must eventually happen at least once, then you don't understand the popularity of the lottery.
Similarly, while the "cost" to me of flying is a lot more, in psychological terms, than a quid – it takes six hours to fly from London to Philadelphia, which in fear terms means "forever" – I do still fly for work when I must, because the price of not flying would be to have to find another job. So the expected cost to me – whatever the fear costs, multiplied by the chance of falling from the sky in a ball of etc etc – must be less than the cost of having to find another job (multiplied by what my head, if not my stomach, knows to be the chance of making it to Philly alive).
Which explains why estimating the chance of an earthquake is such a high-stakes game; or rather, it explains the difficulty in deciding what to do, in light of that estimate of risk. It's no use saying "the chance of a quake is low (or high)", and stop there, because the cost of taking no action if the quake occurs vastly outweighs the cost of taking action, only to find the prediction was wrong. It's the dilemma expressed most venally in Jaws; remember how the mayor discounts the cost of a shark eating his electorate because he thinks the chances of it occurring are not as high as Rod Steiger keeps asserting?
The Italian scientists argued correctly that their science is by its nature imprecise (at least we can state with precision the probability to win the lottery; such precision is impossible in geophysics) and that their deliberations could only be the precursor to political decisions, taken by those charged with weighing the costs of acting or not acting. The chance of an earthquake being low does not mean that one will not occur tomorrow.
I suspect the judge will find his decision revisited by the appeals process, and so doubt if the wave of panic from Establishment Science is justified. As Prof Malcolm Sperrin of the Royal Berkshire Hospital, said: "If the scientific community is to be penalised for making predictions that turn out to be incorrect, or for not accurately predicting an event that subsequently occurs, then scientific endeavour will be restricted to certainties only and the benefits that are associated with findings from medicine to physics will be stalled."
Of course he is right. But a possible good outcome from this unwelcome court ruling might still follow. In recent years we've seen a combination of two unwelcome phenomena: politicians trying to avoid responsibility for their decisions, by hiving them off to independent bodies of "experts", and simultaneously some "experts" trying to supplant the role of politicians, by asserting that their "evidence" must outweigh any political judgment. Remember Prof David Nutt and the Home Secretary in the last government, arguing about whether or not drugs policy should be altered?
Experts must remember that the estimation of risk is the first step in a process, which then proceeds to use those estimates to evaluate the cost of various political actions. Political decisions have consequences which are impossible to determine accurately; something scientists – now understandably clear that they don't wish to pay the price for making the wrong call – should remember. L'Aquila was a tragedy for which the physicists weren't to blame. But who's to blame for thinking that scientific evidence should determine policy? Some decisions have expected costs that far outweigh anything so trivial as the lottery.
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