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RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN EU TRADE AND INVESTMENT POLICY
20 October 2017 | Brussels
Legal Briefings – By Lode Van Den Hende and Jérémie Charles
The EU trade and investment policy has gone through a number of recent developments since the opinion of the Court of Justice of the European Union concerning the EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement. This article addresses and details these developments.
Note: This article was first published in the International Law Office International Trade Newsletter. See here.
Moves to accelerate free trade agreements
On May 16 2017 the European Court of Justice (ECJ) handed down its opinion in Case 2/15, regarding the European Union's competence to conclude its proposed free trade agreement (FTA) with Singapore. The ECJ ruled on provisions relating to:
the protection of non-direct (ie, portfolio) foreign investments; and
investor-state dispute settlement mechanisms which go beyond the European Union's exclusive competence.
The ECJ confirmed that Article 207 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union gave the European Union exclusive competence to implement its common commercial policy, which includes concluding trade agreements comprising provisions concerning both the admission and protection of foreign direct investment. However, the ECJ found non-direct foreign investment to fall outside of the scope of the European Union's common commercial policy and thus to be excluded from the European Union's exclusive competence. The ECJ also highlighted the fact that the proposed investor-state dispute settlement mechanism would have removed disputes from the jurisdiction of member state courts. On this basis, it concluded that such provisions required the consent of member states and therefore exceeded the European Union's exclusive competence.
The consequences of the ECJ's opinion are that FTA proposals incorporating provisions on the protection of non-direct foreign investments or investor-state dispute settlement mechanisms should be treated as mixed agreements, requiring ratification from not only the European Union, but also each member state. This was bound to have an appreciable effect on the negotiation and contents of future EU FTAs, as exemplified by President Juncker's recent proposals to open FTA negotiations with Australia and New Zealand, excluding any provisions relating to investment protection or the resolution of investment disputes.
The decision to keep the provisions of the proposed FTAs within the boundaries of exclusive EU competence can be seen as the European Commission's recognition that the need to involve each member state, and the additional time and complication that this will inevitably require, outweighs the benefits of including provisions on non-direct foreign investment or investor-state dispute settlement in EU FTAs. These concerns are well illustrated by the ability of Belgium's Wallonia region to delay the passage of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) with Canada (see here for a more detailed piece on the conclusion of CETA). The recent State of the Union speech saw Juncker emphasise the need for the European Union to be efficient when negotiating FTAs, acknowledging that potential trade partners from across the globe have been "lining up at the EU's door". He also expressed an intention to conclude the proposed agreements with Australia and New Zealand before the end of the commission's existing mandate (ie, before 2019) as a substitute to the now-stalled EU-US Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership. In this regard, Juncker highlighted that the European Union must ensure that its "own institutional set-up is fit for purpose so that it can ratify and implement agreements in an effective manner and preserve its reputation as a credible negotiating partner". On that basis, investment protection and the resolution of investment disputes will likely be dealt with in separate mixed agreements that require ratification at member state level.
Investment court system under scrutiny
On September 6 2017 the ECJ received a request from Belgium for an opinion on the legality of the investment court system under the EU treaties. The investment court system had been incorporated into the recently negotiated CETA, which had initially been met with opposition (notably from Wallonia) due to the rights it confers on investors to challenge the decisions of member state governments. Belgium – which did not itself take any position on the questions referred to the ECJ – submitted the request as part of a compromise reached with Wallonia on this issue.
More specifically, Belgium asked the ECJ to provide an opinion regarding the compatibility of the investment court system with:
the ECJ's exclusive competence to provide the definitive interpretation of EU law;
the general principle of equality and the 'practical effect' requirement of EU law;
the right of access to the ECJ; and
the right to an independent and impartial judiciary (see here for a more detailed note on Belgium's request).
These developments emphasise the political sensitivities surrounding trade and investment agreements, providing further evidence of the inevitable complications that will arise if FTAs are to require ratification from each member state. This also bears relation to the ECJ opinion on the EU-Singapore FTA. Whereas that decision addressed the European Union's competence to enter agreements including investor-state dispute mechanisms, these questions address the compatibility of the mechanism itself.
EU regulatory intervention in investment review
In his State of the Union speech of September 13 2017, Juncker stated that "Europe must always defend its strategic interests" and that foreign, state-owned companies should be able to invest in European technology or infrastructure with "transparency, with scrutiny and debate". It is on this basis that the commission has proposed a new framework for the screening of foreign direct investment on grounds of security and public order.
The proposal leaves most of the power with the member states. It does not oblige member states to enact a screening mechanism, but rather creates the framework that enables them to do so should they wish. The other purpose of the proposal is to facilitate exchange of information. It includes a mechanism to facilitate cooperation between member states and the commission which can be activated when a member state considers that an investment by a foreign entity in another member state may have a detrimental effect on the security or public order of another. In such a scenario, the concerned member state can submit its comments to the relevant member state and the commission. In addition, the proposal confers on the commission the right to conduct screening on grounds of security or public order in those instances where the proposed investments may have a detrimental effect on projects or programmes of EU interest.
The ECJ's opinion on the EU-Singapore FTA acknowledged that the European Union has exclusive competence on matters affecting foreign direct investment. Accordingly, existing member states' foreign direct investment screening regimes were liable to be challenged as a violation of the European Union's exclusive competence. The commission's proposals are a means of resolving this issue.
International Trade and WTO
Lode Van Den Hende
Partner, Brussels
Lode is an EU and international trade law lawyer with over 20 years' experience.
Competition, Regulation and Trade
Lode.VanDenHende@hsf.com


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Reading: The development of convergence and accommodation
The development of convergence and accommodation
Anna M. Horwood ,
Orthoptic Department, Royal Berkshire Hospital, London Road, Reading, Berks RG1 5AN, GB
About Anna M.
Dr., PhD DBO(T)
Patricia M. Riddell
School of Psychology, University of Reading, Reading, GB
About Patricia M.
DPhil
Aim: To review current literature on the development of convergence and accommodation. The accommodation and vergence systems provide the Inundation upon which bifoveal binocular single vision develops. Deviations from their normal development not only arc implicated in the aetiology of convergence anomalies, accommodative anomalies and strabismus, but may also be implicated in failure of the emmetropisation process.
Method: This review considers the problems of researching the development of accommodation and vergence in infants and how infant research has had to differ from adult methods. It then reviews and discusses the implications of current research into the development of both systems and their linkages.
Results: Vergence and accommodation develop rapidly in the first months of life, with accommodation changing from relatively fixed myopic focus in the neonatal period to adult-like responses by 4 months of age. Vergence develops gradually and becomes more accurate after 4 months of age, but has been demonstrated in infants well before the age that binocular disparity detection mechanisms are thought to develop. Hypotheses for this early vergence mechanism arc discussed. The relationship between accommodation and vergence shows much more variability in infants than adult literature has found, hut this apparent adult/infant difference may he partly attributed to methodological differences rather than maturational change alone.
Conclusions: Variability and flexibility characterise infant responses. This variability may enable infants to develop a flexible and robust binocular system for later life. Studies of infant visual cue use may give clues to the aetiology of strabismus and refractive error.
Keywords: Accommodation, Development, Emmetropisation, Infant, Vergence
DOI: https://doi.org/10.22599/bioj.238
How to Cite: Horwood, A.M. and Riddell, P.M., 2004. The development of convergence and accommodation. British and Irish Orthoptic Journal, 1, pp.1–9. DOI: http://doi.org/10.22599/bioj.238
Published on 01 Jan 2004.
Horwood, A.M. and Riddell, P.M., 2004. The development of convergence and accommodation. British and Irish Orthoptic Journal, 1, pp.1–9. DOI: http://doi.org/10.22599/bioj.238
Horwood AM, Riddell PM. The development of convergence and accommodation. British and Irish Orthoptic Journal. 2004;1:1–9. DOI: http://doi.org/10.22599/bioj.238
Horwood, A. M., & Riddell, P. M. (2004). The development of convergence and accommodation. British and Irish Orthoptic Journal, 1, 1–9. DOI: http://doi.org/10.22599/bioj.238
1. Horwood AM, Riddell PM. The development of convergence and accommodation. British and Irish Orthoptic Journal. 2004;1:1-9. DOI: http://doi.org/10.22599/bioj.238
Horwood AM and Riddell PM, 'The Development of Convergence and Accommodation' (2004) 1 British and Irish Orthoptic Journal 1 DOI: http://doi.org/10.22599/bioj.238
Horwood, Anna M., and Patricia M. Riddell. 2004. "The Development of Convergence and Accommodation". British and Irish Orthoptic Journal 1: 1–9. DOI: http://doi.org/10.22599/bioj.238
Horwood, Anna M., and Patricia M. Riddell. "The Development of Convergence and Accommodation". British and Irish Orthoptic Journal 1 (2004): 1–9. DOI: http://doi.org/10.22599/bioj.238
Horwood, A Mand P M Riddell. "The development of convergence and accommodation". British and Irish Orthoptic Journal, vol. 1, 2004, pp. 1–9. DOI: http://doi.org/10.22599/bioj.238
Published by White Rose University Press

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Santa Ana's city attorney office has dropped all charges against a dozen employees of Sky High Holistic, the Santa Ana medical marijuana dispensary that police raided on May 26, 2015, during which officers were recorded on surveillance footage eating what appeared to be pot edibles, throwing darts, and insulting a paraplegic pot activist. After the Weekly and other news outlets posted the video online, three officers caught on tape were fired and have been charged with petty theft and vandalism.
Although the dozen employees were charged with misdemeanor counts of working in an unlicensed pot shop, the Weekly has obtained court records showing that Santa Ana city attorney Sonia Carvalho has formally agreed to drop those charges in return for promises from each employee that they not sue the city over the incident.
"The dismissal of charges shows Santa Ana is starting to take responsibility for the inappropriate actions taken against Sky High and its patient members," said Matthew Pappas, an attorney for the dispensary.
In addition to the ten employees—the Weekly agreed not to name them in print to protect their right to privacy—Santa Ana has also dropped charges against activists David and Marla James, who had initially refused the city's offer in the hope of filing a lawsuit, but who recently agreed to an out-of-court settlement with the city.
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Jackson makes comments on comments
RACHEL BACHMAN
In the past six days, Steven Jackson has experienced an NFL head coach's anger, his 21st birthday and life as a new millionaire.
And he hasn't even played a down of pro football.
Jackson begins final preparations for his rookie season Wednesday, when the St. Louis Rams' training camp begins in Macomb, Ill. He has a freshly inked, $7 million contract and a new appreciation for the high-profile business he has joined.
Last Wednesday, Rams coach Mike Martz blasted Jackson in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, painting him as no-show at workouts, calling him "far behind" and saying Jackson would have to shake off the "glitz and glamour of being the No. 1 guy" and go to work.
Jackson called Martz's comments shocking, but said the coach merely has not gotten to know him.
In fact, NFL rules prohibited Jackson, the Rams' top draft pick at No. 24 overall, from attending full-squad practice sessions last May because Oregon State's senior class had yet to graduate. On Monday, Jackson explained that he skipped the Rams' rookie mini-camp this month because he did not want to injure himself before he was under contract.
"The few times I had a chance to talk to him, he comes across as a stern guy," Jackson said of Martz. "I haven't really felt him out, and I don't think he's felt me out, either. Because the way he portrayed me in the paper and in the media . . . everyone who's gotten a chance to know me knows I'm not like that.
"I don't shy away from any workload or anything like that."
After Martz's outburst, Jackson encouraged his agent, Rocky Arceneaux, to get a deal done quickly. On Saturday, Jackson and his parents were watching TV in Arceneaux's office as he negotiated Jackson's contract by phone.
"We were all sitting in the next room while Rocky was negotiating," Jackson said. "And when he came out and told us the numbers, it was kind of like watching someone on 'The Price is Right.' "
The price was right: Jackson has a five-year, $7 million deal, including a $4 million signing bonus.
Jackson and Arceneaux have the same birthday -- July 22 -- so they had much to celebrate when they went out for dinner Saturday night. Jackson had spent his actual birthday at a low-key dinner with his parents, in town from Las Vegas.
The weekend was full of emotion. On Friday, he learned of the death of Justin Williams, the Oregon State redshirt freshman killed in an auto accident on Interstate 5 near Wilsonville.
"I was actually at a party that night and I got the phone call from (former OSU players) Lawrence Turner and Richard Seigler," Jackson said. "They called to tell me that, and I immediately left. It was devastating, a young kid to lose a life that early."
On Sunday, Jackson had another surprise: the unexpected retirement of Miami Dolphins running back Ricky Williams. Jackson had emulated and often was compared with Williams before Williams sheared his dreadlocks.
Jackson said he spoke with Williams about a month ago at a charity auction held by Rams running back Marshall Faulk. Williams did not mention retirement.
"I was looking to the Oct. 24 game that was at Miami, but that was because I was going to have a chance to watch Ricky in person," Jackson said. "But as of (Sunday), I'm not going to be able to do that."
Yet Jackson has a mentor much closer to home: Faulk. The seven-time all-pro running back is entering his 11th NFL season and shares with Jackson an agent (Arceneaux) and a position. Jackson said the situation is a familiar learning experience.
"I've just been treating it like my freshman year, dealing with Ken Simonton," Jackson said. "Me and Ken keep in touch still to this day. We're really good friends.
"It's something that it's friendly competition, and I'm the type of person that, I take a little bit from everyone. So things that Marshall uses that have helped him succeed, I'm going to try to add to my game."
Jackson, a popular player at Oregon State, could have an interesting start in St. Louis. He acknowledged that Martz's comments made Jackson sound like the typical NFL prima donna.
"In the business that he's in and dealing with the guys that he's probably dealt with, he probably figures that comes with the territory," Jackson said. "But that's not me."
As of early Monday afternoon, Jackson had not spoken to Martz since the comments were published. But, showing he still has his sense of humor, Jackson said that when he sees Martz the first thing he will ask is what happened to his "Happy Birthday" phone call.
"You don't want to start off on the wrong foot with your coaching staff and the front office," Jackson said. "But at the same time, the guys that negotiated the contract did a great job of getting me what I deserve, and on time."
Re: Jackson makes comments on comments
Level headed, didn't blow this out of the water like some of the fans did. Just keeps his cool and says he has to prove it.
Liked what I heard.
HUbison
Rams Nation MVP
After Martz's outburst, Jackson encouraged his agent, Rocky Arceneaux, to get a deal done quickly.
You want you're rookie signed...a little public negotiation... and Voil`a!
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
ZigZagRam
Does anybody else love this kids attitude as much as I do? What a great find.
Looks like Our Head Coach Mike Martz pushed the right button :mask:
Just another motivational move by Martz. He seems to do these kind of things with players whose performance is critical with Ram success. QB's and now RB's.
Roman18 :helmet::helmet:
Originally posted by Roman18
If you're right, I better start hearing his mouth make some noise about the D-line. That's where the season will be won or lost this year.
I don't think Martz feels that is his responsibility. He hires someone in charge of the defense and seems to let them be in charge of that. I have never heard him talk about a defensive player unless they cross the line. ALA Kevin Carter.
I respect that!
Originally posted by HUbison
He called Kennedy lazy and fat last year, but that's about it.
Originally posted by RamWraith
Wraith, my post was intended to allude to the importance of the D-line this year as compared with the QB & RB position, based on the post by Roman...
...not necessarily suggest a motivational technique that would appear to be against Martz' nature. But I hear what you're saying. ;)
Hear that hubbie!!!
Alot of our success will depend on them
Looks like Martz did exactly what needed to be done to get the deal closed. Well done on both sides.
Jackson seems like a very professional young man. I'm very excited about him potentially being a cornerstone of this team's future success.
RamTime
Good move by Martz, Good move by Jackson to hear what was being said and acting on it and good response by Jackson as well. I'll bet they will have a good laugh about this the first or second day.
Now let's extend this to the O-Line. (Left tackle specifically.)
OPIE! Hey OPIE Listen up. Coach has something he would like to say to you.
Rams' Jackson in search of new ground
By Tom Weir, USA TODAY
ST. LOUIS — As a student of architecture who's planning a trip to Italy next year, St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson knows Rome wasn't built in a day.
But Jackson isn't patient about the delay in his plan to erect a running legacy in the NFL. In nine games last season, he had 17 or fewer carries, and St. Louis was a miserable 1-8 in those contests.
That's why Jackson lets out a laugh when asked whether he's the Ram who's happiest to see Scott Linehan replacing Mike Martz as St. Louis' coach.
"I'll try to say this nicely," said Jackson, putting down a fork in midmeal at the Rams' training-camp cafeteria. "I wasn't happy because Mike Martz was losing his job. I was happy because I felt I was going to get to start my career over."
In the waning years of St. Louis' pass-happy, "Greatest Show on Turf" era under Martz, Jackson felt left out. With 1,046 rushing yards in 15 games last season, Jackson did manage St. Louis' first 1,000-yard running season since Marshall Faulk's in 2001, but he felt there was plenty more ground that could have been gained.
The conflict peaked after a loss to the Washington Redskins on December 4, when Jackson had only 11 carries. Jackson's complaints to the media led to one headline that read: "Give me the damn ball."
Jackson now contends that wasn't an exact quote and says his words "kind of got twisted." But he also added, "I didn't mind."
On his issues with Martz, Jackson said: "We could go back and forth all day. He has problems with me; I have problems with him."
But when reminded that Martz said Jackson needed to be ready to play more if he wanted the workhorse role, Jackson readily admitted, "That's truthful."
Jackson is focused on improving his durability.
"I'm getting that at this camp," he said. "Since we started, it's been full pads every day," even on 100-degree days.
St. Louis will have a more balanced attack than the one that passed 61.2% of the time last season, Linehan said.
New offensive coordinator Greg Olson says much of his planning has focused on "how are we going to make sure Steven Jackson touches the ball 20 times a game? ... I think that's a good starting number."
Entering his third season, Jackson has goals of 1,600 yards and 15 touchdowns. He makes no secret that he wants the fame that would accompany those numbers.
"I don't need to be a household name because I want to be recognized," Jackson said. "I want to be a household name because I believe I have a gift."
The obvious part of that gift is the bruising style of the 6-2, 231-pound Jackson. In one of only two games in which he carried 25 times last season,...
Jackson Eager for New Beginning
Steven Jackson thought 2005 was going to be his breakout season. It was his first year as a starter and things were supposed to be different from his rookie year.
Jackson expected plenty of carries, yards and touchdowns and he expected the Rams to be a Super Bowl contender. And many people expected the same thing.
After a tumultuous season in which the team finished 6-10 and Jackson was essentially an afterthought in the offense, Jackson is ready for a fresh start.
"I am approaching it with a focus of saying this is me getting a new beginning," Jackson said Wednesday. "I feel like I have a chance to start over my career."
Granted, Jackson acknowledges that he isn't exactly a grizzled veteran with just two years of experience. But Jackson also is looking to be in on the ground floor of a new direction in the organization.
By now, everyone knows and remembers the troubling times Jackson went through last season. With coach Mike Martz on the shelf for most of the season because of a bacterial infection of the heart valve, Jackson never got much of a chance to take off.
Even when Martz was calling the plays, Jackson was probably even less of an option. Going as far back as the 2004 season, at Arizona when Jackson was deemed healthy, but not on the field for most of the game, Jackson believes that he and Martz simply did not mix.
"You don't want to be in the doghouse of the head coach," Jackson said. "No matter what you say about him, no matter how you feel about him, you don't want…this is the guy that is calling the plays. You don't want to be in the doghouse of a guy like Coach Martz. At the same time, you have to address him as a professional and ask him if it is a problem can we sever it and get on with it. At times, I thought we did sit down, discuss what the problem was and move on. At times, in the heat of the battle of the games, it just seemed like I wasn't getting my touches."
Jackson certainly had moments where he flashed his enormous potential a season ago. In week eight against Jacksonville with most of the Rams' top skill players out, Jackson had his best game. He rushed for 179 yards on 25 carries with a game-winning touchdown catch in the closing minutes.
Instead of that becoming a stepping stone, Jackson's touches fluctuated greatly the rest of the season. During the Dec. 4 game against Washington, Jackson received just 11 carries for 24 yards.
It became somewhat of a breaking point for Jackson, as he let his feeling become known during his weekly meeting with the media. When asked if he had spoken with the coaching staff about his lack of touches, Jackson said "No, I haven't but you can. Give me the ball."
Jackson battled a variety of minor injuries for the rest of the season and...
Jackson feeling like a free man
He didn't always see eye-to-eye with Martz
BY STEVE KORTE
News-Democrat
ST. LOUIS - There have been times over the past two seasons when St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson felt like he was locked up in former coach Mike Martz's doghouse.
"At times, I kind of felt that way," Jackson said. "For whatever reason it was, I don't know. It doesn't help having the guy who took him to the top still around the locker room. It is whatever it is. Me and Marshall (Faulk), we get along great, and for whatever reason, I wasn't getting my appropriate touches."
Jackson rushed for 1,046 yards and eight touchdowns last season. He had 254 carries for the season, but he had 20 or more carries in only three games. He had only two games with 20 or more rushing attempts during his rookie season in 2004.
Jackson took his complaint about being underutilized to the media after getting only 11 carries in a 24-9 loss to the Washington Redskins on Dec. 4.
"No, I haven't, but you can," Jackson said when asked if he had talked to any of the Rams' coaches about his lack of carries. "Give me the ball."
On Wednesday, Jackson, who is taking part in the Rams' offseason conditioning program, said he met with Martz in attempt to clear the air.
"You don't want to be in the doghouse with the head coach, especially when that's the guy who is calling plays," Jackson said. "You don't want to get in the doghouse with a guy like Coach Martz.
"At the same time, as a professional, you ask him, 'If there is a problem, can we solve it and get on with it.' We did sit down and state forth what the problems was, and then move on. But, at times, when we were in the heat of battle in games, I wasn't getting my touches."
Jackson said he expects to be handed the ball more often next season under new coach Scott Linehan.
"The front office had a chance to hire a guy that they wanted to bring in," Jackson said of Linehan. "I think everyone is talking about making me the focal point.
"Two years ago when I was drafted that's what the plan was. We knew eventually that the team was going to be geared around me, and now it finally seems to be coming to the forefront. Now I have to show up on Sunday. That's not a hard thing to do."
Jackson said he's confident that he won't be collecting dust next season after seeing how Linehan rode running backs Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown last season as the offensive coordinator of the Miami Dolphins.
Brown had 207 carries for 907 yards, while Williams had a 168 carries for 743 yards.
"The way he used Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown, and the running backs from Minnesota before that, he's shown that he likes to run," Jackson said. "I'm pretty...
Jackson Ready to Carry Load
by Rambos
There is little doubt about the lasting impression Steven Jackson left on the ***** during his rookie season.
And that's not even counting his 119-yard breakout performance in the second meeting with San Francisco.
In case any of those ***** forget this week what Jackson is capable of, they can turn to cornerback turned safety Mike Rumph and ask him what he remembers about his first meeting with Jackson.
"I remember thinking at the time, 'Why am I doing this?'" Rumph told the Associated Press. "But I stuck out my arm to try to trip him. When I was running off the field, I didn't even want to look at it; because I knew it was (broken) pretty bad."
This would be Rumph's attempt at arm tackling the running back known around Rams Park as "Train." As Jackson burst up the middle with the ball, Rumph dived at him, sticking his arm directly in the path of Jackson's churning legs. In other words, Rumph's arm was on the tracks as the train came through.
The result was a broken arm and a spot on the injured list for the rest of the season for Rumph. Jackson didn't recall the play, but said he felt bad about what happened to Rumph.
"I don't remember," Jackson said. "But I remember it being brought up a lot, especially this week. Like I told the San Francisco media, you never go out and try to hurt anyone. We all understand this is our livelihood and guys do want to play and the biggest thing for me is just to protect myself at all times. What happened to Mike was unfortunate but that's the game of football."
Still, even Jackson was willing to admit that arm tackling him is probably not the best approach to bringing him down.
Rumph should get plenty of opportunities to tackle Jackson again Sunday when the Rams and ***** open the regular season at Monster Park. This time Jackson is the starting running back and will probably get more than his share of the work.
After a rookie season in which he shared time with Marshall Faulk, Jackson will start the season as the top guy this year. In his limited time last season, Jackson ran for 673 yards on 134 carries, an average of 5 yards per attempt.
Those numbers would have been satisfying for many rookie backs, but not Jackson who is hoping that the normally pass-happy Rams offense will make a commitment to him.
The confident Jackson is not scared to let the coaches know when he isn't getting the ball. So what happens if it's halftime and Jackson hasn't gotten the touches he would like to get?
"I wouldn't wait 'til halftime to say it," Jackson said. "I think a lot of people know how I feel about running the ball. I also understand when you have the likes of Torry and Isaac and Kevin and Mac we do want to...
Jackson Makes His Presence Felt
Over, around, through. Pick a preposition and it probably applies to Steven Jackson's running style.
The rookie running back from Oregon State, who played well in the Rams' first two preseason games, made his official announcement to the rest of the NFL that he is going to be a force sooner than later.
St. Louis coach Mike Martz said he is impressed with the strides Jackson has made.
"The more you give him the ball, the stronger he gets," Martz said. "He's like a typical USC tailback. The more you give him, the hungrier they get and they just keep rolling. I think safeties get tired of hitting him after awhile."
Jackson left Washington's defense with a different shade of skin: black and blue Friday night at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis' 28-3 win. Jackson finished his evening with a little more than five minutes left. He was efficient, bruising and most of all effective in racking up 125 yards on 25 carries, adding a touchdown for good measure.
Ask Jackson to describe his running game and it is likely you will receive a variety of answers. He makes no qualms about his propensity for taking on defenders in the open field with little more than a dropped shoulder.
Quarterback Chris Chandler said he hasn't been around many backs that can drive forward and finish runs the way Jackson does.
"That piles moves forward when he hits it," Chandler said. "He's got a ways to go, but he has a great start."
Jackson said he likes the different aspects to his game, but he takes the most pride in leaving cleat marks on a defender's chest.
"That's the main ingredient in my game," Jackson said. "That's why the Rams brought me here, to add a little bit more of a downhill attack in their offense."
Standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 231 pounds, the chiseled Jackson is blessed with more than power.
Numerous times, Jackson has shown impressive finesse moves, such as his jump cut, where he takes a little hop to one side of the defender, adjusts his pad level and moves forward. Jackson also possesses enough speed to outrun most defenders. His ability to mix running styles is just one reason he was the first running back taken in the 2004 NFL Draft.
"I know a big part of my game is being so big and powerful, but at the same time I do have quick feet and I can get hit the holes," Jackson said. "That's another thing that can throw a defender off my game."
Jackson has also displayed a soft pair of hands that make him a developing duel-threat back. In 36 games at Oregon State, Jackson rushed for 3,625 yards and 39 touchdowns. He also caught 66 passes for 680 yards and six touchdowns.
Jackson entered the draft a year early and the Rams traded up with Cincinnati...


His dismissal as coach, after racking up the seventh-best winning percentage in NBA history and leading Cleveland to the Finals, has stunned Israelis.
There were, of course, lots of Jewish doings, some kosher, some not so much, in 5775 (a palindrome!). Good luck remembering the meaty, the mighty and the mishigas.
Why does Steph Curry have a Hebrew tattoo?


There are two people in Florence who contribute to my life in so many ways! They are Roberto Ruta and Lisa Chiari, two exceptional human beings who have enlightened me, from film to fashion to fragrances. I've never met anyone like them, and I vouch for it right now, will never again. From Pitti Uomo and Pitti Fragranze, which they've introduced me to thus rekindling within me a passion for menswear and perfumes to the Middle East Now festival, a yearly event truly helping the dialogue between the Middle East and the West, these two would be my nomination for a Nobel Peace Prize. But enough gushing, here is the intro to a piece for the latest wonder I've discovered, thanks to them: Pitti Fragranze.
Read up on "Scent of a Man"– two companies and one scent connoisseur, Chandler Burr, that are changing the way we "look" at perfume today — and a fascinatingly scent-astic profile of actor Luca Calvani, which I titled "The Perfume Affair" both on the Huffington Post. And in case you need a visual prompt to entice you to the latter, well, here it is. Yes, I like my job. A LOT.
This entry was posted on Saturday, October 10th, 2015 at 7:24 am and is filed under Adventures, Interviews, Man's Opinion, The List, Woman About Town.


Stained and discolored teeth can be a major cause of discomfort and low self-esteem. If you're self-conscious about the dark shade on some of your teeth, consider teeth whitening.
We have discussed below three of the most popular teeth whitening procedures. Find out the one that suits your case best.
These are peroxide-based products that work on stains that don't run deep beyond the enamel. Gels are applied directly on your teeth using a toothbrush. Strips, on the other hand, are made of clear material and are placed over the discolored teeth for short periods of around 30 minutes at least twice a day for one month.
This is probably the most popular method of teeth whitening. It promises more effective and longer lasting results as it makes use of carbamide peroxide and other generally stronger bleaching compounds.
Your dentist may opt to use a buffer to prevent the corrosion from bleaching agents that are highly concentrated on hydrogen peroxide.
Most low concentrated teeth whitening toothpaste can be obtained over the counter, though it's advisable that you seek guidance from a specialist to ensure you're using the right product and in the right way.
It's also recommended that you ensure the product you purchase has the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval.
Teeth whitening toothpaste can be suitable for you if your stains are from habits such as coffee drinking and cigarette smoking.
Regardless of the procedure being performed on you, teeth whitening is a single appointment treatment that requires little to no preparation.
Call Deanna Risos DDS today at 619.482.8880 to schedule a teeth whitening appointment with our qualified dentist. We're also open to walk-in visits at our office in Eastlake, CA 91914.
This entry was posted in Chula Vista Dentist and tagged teeth cleaning, teeth whitening. Bookmark the permalink.


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How Tale of Tales lets creativity, collaboration rule game development
University Practitioner/Senior University Practitioner in Computer Games Design (2 posts)
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Technical Games Design
QA Tester
by Christian Nutt [Design, Art, Interview, Indie]
October 16, 2013 Page 3 of 3
You can play a game like Final Fantasy or Halo that has these vistas, and you can actually have that feeling. Even though that's not the core of the experience, it's also not not the core of the experience. But you can make that part of the core because you don't have this pressure or expectation that there must be something else there.
AH: Right. And those are the experiences that we had in PlayStation 1 and 2 games that we treasured and were like, "Why not?" It's a deeply cerebral question, but: "Why can't you build a whole game around this idea of the vista?" But luckily we're indie developers and we can just do that.
MS: But that kind of stuff probably gets into those big games, also, because they're collaborative projects. And maybe several of the artists work together to create that vista. And I wish the game designers would pay a little bit more attention to that, to make that more accessible to people who are interested in that, and not downplay it as just "eye candy" or something like that.
I thought another comment you made that was interesting is that it's harder to make a game that's already been made than to make something new.
MS: I think so. I can't even touch the computer without innovating! There's so much potential. It's so ridiculous. Of course, it takes a bit of courage to embrace it, and go with it, and work hard to make it something that other people, perhaps, can enjoy as well. And that's where falling back on conventions is very seductive. But in and of itself, yeah, it is much easier to do something new, I find.
AH: And it is about embracing it when it happens, and seeing the potential in that idea, or that mistake, or in that thing you did on purpose that you've never seen before. Because I think this is something that happens to designers all the time, and they just go, "Yeah, but, this isn't like Halo!" or something. "I wanted to make Halo!"
MS: It's what you said before. There's a certain fear that it's not going to be popular enough, and it has to be, because the budget is so big. I think that's a pity -- to live your life in fear. Dare and fail.
The scale of projects like this is so huge that it does incorporate so many perspectives and so many creative possibilities.
MS: What I think is a pity is that because they stick to those formulas that they have, that they know will be successful, and that gamers understand, that very choice excludes everybody else. And while the technology and the artistic skill of these people is now at a level where they could actually open up to many, many more people -- I mean, they think they're big now, but they could be so much bigger if they would only allow these people to enjoy their work. They would enjoy it! Because it's all there. There's a lot of stuff there for a lot of people to enjoy, but they don't allow them, because they give them a gun and say, "Go shoot these people." It's not even that these people don't want to, it's that they can't! They don't have the experience and the skill to get through the first level.
AH: We've seen it happen many times.
MS: And so what they do is that they play Angry Birds -- though that's a bad example, because that's hard, too! But more casual games. It's kind of a pity that they're losing so much potential audience.
And I think one other point you made that was interesting was "don't make the games of your youth over again."
AH: That was more for us than for other people, because for some people that's incredibly important. But for us, we found that we got very sentimental about certain games. It's not that we'd try to make them again; it's that you can't get hung up on that. And we would never recommend anyone to make games just because you love games. I don't know -- maybe that means stagnation.
MS: It's one of those things where you're not seeing the medium, the whole medium, and limiting yourself too much. Yes, that was interesting and that was fun, but you have to think of it more broadly as just something you make for somebody else to enjoy, and not necessarily in this or that specific way. It should be your task as a creative person to figure that out, and find, maybe, new ways of doing those kinds of things.
AH: I also feel like a blank slate right now. The games I was really passionate about are all from, like, 2005 or something, or before. I'm just feeling like now that I'm not passionate about any games, and I don't feel this need. There's nothing I want to copy. It's almost like achieving some sort of Zen state of nothing. And you realize that the nothing is all. It's like, "Oh, this is great." And who knows what comes from that?
And then going forward on our next three projects, it feels so exciting and new again. Game development becomes new again because I don't have this baggage from the past, thinking about games that I would like to live up to, so to speak.
MS: It did take us 10 years to get to that. Ten years of thinking, "I want to make that game, but without that, and without that."
AH: Subtracting everything all the time. And now it's more about, what are we adding to this? What can we add to people's lives?
MS: Starting much more lower on the potential of the medium.
AH: Thinking about the multiple positives of game development, for a change, and really feeling that.
MS: Since it took us 10 years, this is a difficult road to take.
Disruptor Beam, Inc. — Framingham, Massachusetts, United States
University of Huddersfield — Huddersfield , England, United Kingdom
University of Exeter — Exeter, England, United Kingdom
202428 item_feature /view/feature/202428/how_tale_of_tales_lets_creativity_.php Loading Comments


The Nationals' Royalties for Regions policy would push WA's net debt beyond the current limit required to maintain its triple-A credit rating, the Department of Treasury and Finance says.
The department released a statement on the impacts of the Nationals policy today after fielding a number of queries about it.
Nationals leader Brendon Grylls is driving a hard bargain with both major parties to secure his policy line if he maintains the balance of power when the vote count is finalised.
According to publicly available material from the Nationals and a policy statement, Royalties for Regions would be over and above current and budgeted expenditure, the treasury says.
The policy involves the equivalent of 25 per cent of all royalty payments being set aside each year for reinvestment into regional WA.
It would entail additional expenditure of $2.805 billion over the current forward estimates period based on royalty estimates, the department said in a statement.
"It is not possible at this stage to determine the impact of Royalties for Regions policy on the State's budget surplus…. It is however, possible to determine the impact on the State's net debt position, as it is the total quantum of additional expenditure that determines the net debt impact," according to the statement.
Under Treasurer Timothy Marney released advice in early September showing the estimated impact of both Labor and the Liberal Party's election commitment on the State's financial aggregates.
Net debt to revenue ratio was estimated to reach 42.6 per cent by 2011-2012 after incorporating the estimated cost of election commitments and other factors.
"On the basis of the above estimates, the Royalties for Regions policy would - in the absence of offsetting changes - take the net debt to revenue ratio to around 53 per cent by 2011-2012," the department said.
"This compares to the current limit of 47 per cent that is the financial target adopted to maintain the State's triple-A credit rating."


text:
"""
Created on Wed May 31 17:21:43 2017

@author: ale

extractor of views counts

rom lxml import etree
import xml.etree.ElementTree as ElementTree

CONTENT = "
<process id="process1">
 <log name="name1" device="device1"><![CDATA[timestamp value]]></log>
 <log name="name2" device="device2"><![CDATA[timestamp value, timestamp value, timestamp]]></log>
</process>
"

def parse_with_lxml():
    root = etree.fromstring(CONTENT)
    for log in root.xpath("//log"):
        print log.text

def parse_with_stdlib():
    root = ElementTree.fromstring(CONTENT)
    for log in root.iter('log'):
        print log.text

if __name__ == '__main__':
    parse_with_lxml()
    parse_with_stdlib()

"""

import xml.etree.ElementTree as ET
import json

file=open("iaBH1tIaCo8",'r')
f=file.read()
tree=ET.fromstring(f)
file.close()

#for item in tree.findall("graph_data"):
#    print (item.text)
text_data=tree.find("graph_data").text
data_dict=json.loads(text_data)
viewcounts=data_dict["views"]["daily"]["data"]

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


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text:
Netflix coming of age movie is nothing more than a poor, outdated depiction of relationships
Katya Melchor, Staff Writer|April 29, 2020
'All the Freckles in the World' was originally released in Mexico on Sept. 27, 2019. It peaked at number eight at the box office.
Coming of age movies depict life transitions that many viewers themselves may be going through.
While there are many movies that do a good job at this, "All the Freckles in the World" unfortunately does not.
It is not profound, nor does it give viewers characters to root for as they deal with life. What it really does is waste your time and leave you confused when the credits start to roll.
Released in January on Netflix, it follows José Miguel (Hanssel Casillas), as he navigates his new school while also trying to win the affection of Cristina (Loreto Peralta), the popular girl at school.
At first, it seems like the usual underdog story: a not-so-popular kid, with the help of his friends, tries to win the girl of his dreams. While this trope is fine, the reason and build-up to this underdog team isn't so great.
José Miguel falls in love with Cristina instantly. He later finds out that she's dating Kenji (Luis de la Rosa), a soccer star at the school.
While many would stop when they realize that someone is taken, our protagonist is even more determined to get the girl. Later on, we find out that he makes a bet with Kenji, where the winner gets Cristina.
This is one of many problems with the plot. Not only do the characters think it's perfectly fine to wager a human over a simple game of soccer, but they do so without telling Cristina.
She isn't someone's property to be used as a prize between Miguel and Kenji. What's also troubling is that Miguel is perfectly fine with this bet, not even stopping to think about Cristina. If he really cared about her, he wouldn't have gone through with it.
As the movie continues, more problems come to light. Most characters aren't fleshed-out and act more like robots than actual kids. Not to mention a subplot that doesn't even relate to the main plot and is also very inappropriate.
If you've ever thought about watching "All the Freckles in the World," don't bother wasting your time on it. There's plenty of other Netflix content, such as Unorthodox and The House of Flowers, that are worth your time.
all the freckels in the world
Katya Melchor, Staff Writer
Eat, Pray, Love: Opa is Austin's go-to Greek retreat
How Playboi Carti become a music phenomenon
S'mores night allows students to reconnect after winter break
REVIEW: "The Whale" invites viewers to sail away in an emotionally-charged look at humanity
UPB talent showcase debuts various student singers, results in a tie-breaking cheer match
Life And Arts / Movies
REVIEW: 'Don't Worry Darling' disappoints thriller genre
"Smile" Review: Psychological thriller is "genuinely nerve-wracking, horrifying"
The return of the Dark Knight: how Matt Reeves' "The Batman" restored the character's on-screen legacy
Drama-film, "New Year" is masterpiece of subtle storytelling, inventive twists and turns
SEU Pride hosts before-finals craft night for students
Campus furthers inclusive endeavors by organizing Gaelic Pagan ritual
Students transform East Hall into thrilling haunted house experience
Queer Week Recap: How St. Edward's fosters inclusive LGBTQ+ communities across campus
Graphic design student takes her creativity to the spin studio
Hilltop Views has a zero tolerance policy for hate speech of any kind. Comments that express prejudice against a particular group — especially on the basis of race, religion or sexual orientation — will not be tolerated. Do not resort to violent or personal attacks, especially those that include foul language. You can disagree with a story, but libel and defamation will not be tolerated. Spam comments will not be published and may result in an immediate ban from making future comments on our site. Maintain privacy. Do not comment yours or anyone's personal information. If a comment is determined to have violated the guidelines listed above, it will not be published. We encourage you to follow our guidelines and engage in productive conversations revolving around our stories. Please refer to our Media & Ethics Policy on our website for more information.
All Hilltop Views Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest


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Ayama Hide Away Villa
With a stay at this villa in Santorini, you'll be near the beach, within a 10-minute drive of Santorini Caldera and Agios Nikolaos Monastery. This villa is 5.5 mi (8.9 km) from Kamari Beach and 5.7 mi (9.1 km) from Athinios Port.
Make yourself comfortable in this air-conditioned villa, which features a private pool and a plasma TV. There's a private furnished patio. A kitchen is outfitted with a full-sized refrigerator/freezer, an oven, and a stovetop. Complimentary wireless Internet access keeps you connected, and a 32-inch Smart television is provided for your entertainment. A private bathroom with a separate bathtub and shower features a jetted bathtub and complimentary toiletries.
Take advantage of recreation opportunities such as an outdoor pool or take in the view from a terrace and a garden. Additional features at this villa include complimentary wireless Internet access, concierge services, and a picnic area.
Featured amenities include a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage. Guests may use a roundtrip airport shuttle for a surcharge, and free self parking is available onsite.
Check In: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy.
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges.
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges. Special requests cannot be guaranteed.
Guests must contact this property in advance to reserve high chair.
There is no front desk at this property. To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 24 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation. Guests must contact the property for check-in instructions.
374GBP Mar 2022
374GBP Apr 2022
510GBP May 2022
610GBP Aug 2022
572GBP Sep 2022
572GBP Oct 2022


text:
Is Contraceptive Self-injection Cost-effective Compared to Contraceptive Injections from Facility-Based health Workers? Evidence from Uganda
A study was performed to assess the cost-effectiveness of self-injected subcutaneous depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA-SC) compared to health-worker-administered intramuscular DMPA (DMPA-IM) in Uganda.
Costs and Cost-effectiveness of Subcutaneous DMPA through Different Delivery Channels: What the Evidence Tells Us
Recent evidence from African countries indicates that DMPA-SC may help reduce service delivery costs by catalyzing community-based distribution and remote provision of injectable contraception. Moreover, self-injection of DMPA-SC—when compared with clinic administration of traditional injectables—is not just cost-effective but cost saving when accounting for costs to both women and health systems.
Who Self-Cares Wins
Global male life expectancy is four years lower than female and the 'sex gap' is widening. There are also significant variations in men's health outcomes between and within countries. Improved men's self-care practices would result in better health for men as well as for women and children. They would also help achieve UN's SDGs and reduce costs for health systems.
Self-Care in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights: A New Frontier in Healthcare
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines self-care as the ability of individuals, families, and communities to promote and maintain health, prevent disease, and cope with illness with or without the support of a healthcare provider.
Self-Care: Better Daily Health for Individuals and Societies
Establishing self-care as a global policy priority to improve health outcomes and address the sustainability of health systems around the world is both necessary and achievable.
Using Digital Technology for Sexual and Reproductive Health: Are Programs Adequately Considering Risk?
This commentary follows the publication of Marie Stopes International's randomized control trial in Bangladesh which showed that mHealth to promote contraceptive use increased women's report of gender-based violence.
Going Online to Accelerate the Impact of HIV Programs
Going Online is a vision and evolving framework for how HIV programs can use online and mobile platforms to accelerate impact toward meeting their HIV education, prevention, testing and treatment objectives.
Women and Girls Health and Rights Power Model
The Women and Girls Health and Rights Power Model (Power Model) and accompanying project planning materials were developed by White Ribbon Alliance (WRA) to support the advocacy and community engagement efforts of WRA National Alliances and other partners and stakeholders.
Advocacy Roadmap - Igniting a Self-Care Movement for Sexual and Reproductive Health
This roadmap is the result of a series of in-country advocacy workshops and consultations held between July 2019 and January 2020. The advocacy roadmap development was facilitated by White Ribbon Alliance's Global Secretariat in collaboration with the Self-Care Trailblazer Group (SCTG)—coordinated by Population Services International.
Self-Care Quality of Care Framework
Population Services International (PSI) and a consortium of organizations under the auspices of the Self-Care Trailblazers Working Group have developed a Quality of Care Framework for Self-care aligned with the WHO Consolidated Guideline on Self-Care Interventions for Health.


text:
Colin Hickson
Bad Boys For Life sets up a potential future for the franchise that could take it in a surprising new direction.
A new behind-the-scenes photo from The Mandalorian sees Star Wars creator George Lucas meeting the beloved character fans have dubbed Baby Yoda.
Fans are finally turning around on Star Wars Battlefront II, but the game remains a prime example of the best and worst parts of gaming.
The new trailer for Guns Akimbo helps explain a meme that went viral back in 2018.
Birds Of Prey: 10 Essential Comics To Read Before The New Movie Comes Out
HBO's The Outsider teases its mysterious hooded man might be the series' villain but he could end up being the series' biggest twist.
Bad Boys For Life features a huge plot twist that opens the doors to Mike's past -- as well as the future of the franchise.
Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot Releases First 17 Minutes Online
Bandai Namco has officially released the first 17 minutes of gameplay from Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot online.
As David Fincher moves on to other projects, Season 3 of Mindhunter has been put on indefinite hiatus.
One Piece: 10 Most Drastic Character Redesigns After the Time Skip
Avengers: Endgame Funko Pop! Brings Iron Man's Heroic Snap to Life
Funko has announced a Previews Exclusive, glow-in-the-dark Pop! figure that recreates Tony Stark's heroic snap from the end of Avengers: Endgame.
The CW's "Crisis on Infinite Earths" kicked it up a notch by delivering the most diabolical Lex Luthor in DC's live-action history.
AMC renewed Better Call Saul for Season 6, which will also serve as the final season for the drama.
Amazing Spider-Man, Symbiote Spider-Man: Alien Reality and Gwen Stacy are getting connecting variants by Jie Yuan to celebrate Chinese New Year.
Fairy Tail: Zeref's 10 Best Moves, Ranked According To Strength
Supernatural has been teasing a bloody ending for Sam and Dean. But is there a way to make this happen while still giving them a shot at happiness?
MacGruber Returns as New Series for NBC's Peacock
A TV series based on Will Forte's MacGruber is coming to Peacock, NBC's streaming service.
Damian Wayne has had a number of dark potential futures, and Legion of Super-Heroes hints one of them might come to pass for the young Robin.
5 Popular Manga That Ended In The Last Decade (& 5 That Are On Their Way Up)
Marvel teases a cataclysmic battle involving the Runaways that will leave the team completely shaken to their core.
Crisis on Infinite Earths Lived Up to Fan Expectations
The CW's "Crisis on Infinite Earths" had a lot of hype and buzz surrounding it, and the crossover lived up to fan expectations.
Crisis on Infinite Earths showrunner Marc Guggenheim revealed that one of the crossover's biggest changes almost happened in last year's Elseworlds.
Thor: Ragnarok director Taika Waititi is reportedly in talks to develop a new Star Wars film for Disney and Lucasfilm.
Darling In The Franxx: 5 Reasons Hiro Should Have Ended Up With Ichigo (& 5 Reasons Why Zero Two Was The Right Choice)
Ash vs. Evil Dead: How Ruby Knowby Became Ash's Worst Nemesis
On Ash vs. Evil Dead, Lucy Lawless' Ruby Knowby is an iconic new addition to the Evil Dead franchise, and one of Ash Williams' greatest threats.
It's going to be no sleep till April for Beastie Boys fans as they await the release of the group's new Spike Jonze-directed documentary, Beastie Boys Story.
Servant FINALLY Reveals the Dark Truth About Baby Jericho's Death
M. Night Shyamalan's psychological thriller, Servant, has finally revealed the dark circumstances surrounding the death of innocent baby Jericho.
Crisis on Infinite Earths may have just concluded, but the Arrowverse's producers already have 'ideas for ideas' for a smaller followup.
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Carter Burrowes Jan 16, 2020
L.D. Nolan Jan 16, 2020
Steve Russell Jan 16, 2020
Tim Webber Jan 16, 2020
Colin Hickson Jan 16, 2020
Brandon Zachary Jan 16, 2020
Renaldo Matadeen Jan 16, 2020
The Weirdest Avenger's New 'Living Space Armor' Is the Stuff of Nightmares
Ian Cardona Jan 15, 2020


Display spotlight with long neck for clip on exhibition booth walls. Including bright LED lamp.
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Lamp head: metal, white or silver.
Arm: metal, white or silver.
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Light color CCT: Nature white 4000K - suits to nearly every exponate.


Medicine is the second single of Plies' fourth album, Goon Affiliated. The track features Keri Hilson. There are two versions, a more up-beat club sounding one and a slower one. The original version of the song was by Three 6 Mafia feat. Gucci Mane & Keri Hilson under the same title (with a much slower beat).
Sorry everybody, I just now posted the audio for Keri Hilson feat. Plies – Medicine, I had forgotten to upload the MP3. Enjoy this hot track!!
This is an amazing article on the subject. See if you like it!


The Elements of Review is now Socially Connected Consulting. My mission is to help brands/businesses connect to the right social media platforms for the best results. Let me help you get started! Make the connection!
Deliciously Savvy is Hosting a Giveaway in which one lucky winner will receive all of the items pictured above. It is the "Say It With Krusteaz" Fall Baking Bundle! This giveaway is perfect for fall baking! Enter Today & Good Luck!
Hello, I know I have been M.I.A for a few months. I've been busy traveling and working. I hope to get back to blogging soon, but until then please connect and follow me on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.
Also, if you need social media marketing or management contact me at SCCKelly@gmail.com or at PeoplePerHour.com here.
I hope you have a safe, restful Labor Day!
It finally looks like the warm weather is here. Time to spend most of our days outdoors with family and friends. Usually, (at least for me) music is always involved. Nothing like being outside with the summer breeze, eating good food and listening to your favorite music. Now you can take your favorite music, playlists and videos with you anywhere with the Wondershare TunesGo music downloader.
First of all let me explain, I'm not a technical person at all. I'm just a mom and wife that loves listening to music anytime of the day. Music has been a part of and shaped my life for many decades. I'm here to explain my experience and the features of Wondershare TunesGo music downloader.
With the Wondershare TunesGo music downloader you can download music and playlists directly from TunesGo. Also you can download music and videos from 10,000+ sites including YouTube, Spotify, Soundcloud, Vevo, Dailymotion, Vimeo!
My family and I were traveling recently and we stayed at a hotel with horrible wifi. It would have been nice to have some music or videos already downloaded to my tablet. Wondershare TunesGo is very easy to use and to install. Even someone like me who hasn't ever used a music downloader at all can do it.
You can transfer your music between devices. Transfer all of your iTunes media files to your android device. This includes not only music and playlists, but movies and TV shows. This would have come in handy for me when I was stuck in that hotel room with my kids watching cartoons because the hotel had such bad wifi.
You can discover playlists from music sites like Spotify. I have spent a lot of time this weekend listening and downloading some great playlists. A few of my favorites are Motivation Mix for when I'm working. 80s Smash Hits has some wonderful tracks that brings back many memories. And Weekend Hangout was an excellent choice for spending the evening with friends in our backyard.
I love YouTube. I'm watching something on it various times of the day. Mostly I use it to watch movies and workout videos. When I found out I could use Wondershare TunesGo music downloader to download videos from YouTube, I was extremely happy. So I can create a workout playlist and take it with me anywhere.
You can also use the Wondershare TunesGo music downloader to record from streaming online music, online radio, or from any source on your PC or Mac. Wondershare TunesGo intelligently filters out any ads and splits tracks automatically.
Are you ready to discover, listen and share great music with Wondershare the new TunesGo 8.0 music downloader with improved interface and functions?! You can try it for free. To find out more you can connect with TunesGo on Facebook and Twitter.
Disclaimer: I was asked to review Wondershare TunesGo. I received compensation for this review, but I was under no obligation to write a positive review. The opinions are my own and results may vary.
Have you been struggling with generating engagement and growing your followers on Twitter or Instagram?! Have you started a Twitter account and the avatar is still an egg?! Don't know what content to post?! Don't know how to get started?! I want to help!
Social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram are AMAZING tools for growing your brand. You can connect with your customers instantly! Recently I wrote about my top 3 ways to increase engagement and followers. You can read the post here.
If you find yourself spending time on social media and not getting results or totally ignoring it because it frustrates you, you're losing potential customers and throwing money down the drain.
I am a mom and wife from Chicago now living in Toronto. I have also lived in Brooklyn, NY, Cambridge, England and Vancouver, Canada. I have a BA in Psychology. Most of my working career before children (BC) was spent as a social worker. My degree and work experience have taught me how to communicate with anyone.
I know what makes people tick. I have a certificate in Social Media Management from Social Media Manager School and I have taken courses in social media marketing, PR and content writing.
I really enjoy working with brands/small companies promoting their products with my blog. My favorite social media platforms are Twitter and Instagram.
I have evolved from just blogging to social media marketing. I find joy in creating a marketing strategy and implementing it on social media. For me social media marketing isn't work, it's art. It's my creative outlet.
I would love to help any brand or small business to increase their presence on Twitter and Instagram to get the customers they want. I invite you to check out my Twitter and Instagram accounts @dancingvalentin and @kellym7609 to see what I do every day.
I am offering a FREE Twitter and/or Instagram consultation and monitoring for one week. After one week you can sign up for my Social Media Consultation Package, so that we can continue to work together. I will continue to help you manage your account and help your business to grow even more!
Let me show you the basics for Twitter and Instagram. I will help you to start growing your brand on social media.
Why am I doing this?! I know what it is like to struggle with social media! I have found out what works and also, I love what I do! Please email me at scckelly@gmail.com or use the easy signup box at the top right corner of the this blog to get started today!
I remember when my son was a baby he would watch me doing Yoga and try to imitate me. His downward dog was so cute and funny. Then when he was a toddler his teacher taught his class Yoga. They would do Yoga right before nap time.
My son is now 11 years old and taller than me. So, I asked my 9 year old daughter to give me a quick review of Rachel's Day in the Garden. She said she loved the pictures and enjoyed trying to do the different Yoga poses. I agreed with my daughter. I loved the illustrations and I think this is a fun book to introduce children to Yoga.
Giselle Shardlow is the author of Kids Yoga Stories. Her yoga books for kids get children learning, moving, and having fun. Giselle draws from her experiences as a teacher,traveler, yogi, and mom to write the yoga stories found at www.kidsyogastories.com/store or on Amazon(amazon.com/author/giselleshardlow) worldwide. The purpose of her yoga books is to foster happy, healthy, and globally educated children. She lives in Boston with her husband and daughter.
Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of this book to read and review. I was under no obligation to write a positive review. I received no monetary compensation for this review. There are affiliate links in this post.
Yes, Chicago is my favorite city in the world. I have lived in Brooklyn, NY, Cambridge, England, Vancouver, Canada and now we are in Toronto. I grew up and lived in Chicago for 40 years of my life.
No matter where we live, we must visit Chicago at least once a year. That is the deal I made with my husband. He gets to live outside of Chicago and I get to go home during the summer for several weeks to visit.
Yes, when I'm in Chicago, I feel energized and relaxed at the same time. We spent Easter weekend there this year.
We stayed at the Palmer House Hotel. The Palmer House has been in downtown Chicago for decades. As a native Chicagoan, I have always wanted to stay there. The Palmer House has a beautiful lobby and dining area, but the room we stayed in definitely needed renovation. But I can now cross it off my bucket list.
We had a a couple of must-sees while in Chicago. The first was The Greeks exhibit at The Field Museum. We've been trying to see this exhibition for a while in other cities, but just couldn't make it. We decided that we couldn't miss this chance and finally got to see it in Chicago.
The Brachiosaurus Outside The Field Museum.
We learned quite a lot about ancient Greece and got to see some beautiful artifacts. So glad we had the opportunity to see it!
Then we met up with my parents. We ate lunch at Macy's and then attended the flower show.
The next day we went to the Van Gogh's Bedrooms exhibit at The Art Institute of Chicago. The exhibit was fantastic and gave us a look into the one of the most famous bedrooms of all-time and why it was so special to Van Gogh. The Van Gogh's Bedrooms exhibit runs through May 10, 2016.
This was a short trip and we didn't get to some of my favorite restaurants this time. We didn't even get any deep dish pizza! *gasp* But, we'll be back in August and I have plans to visit all of my favorites then. Until then here are some of my previous blog posts about my favorite restaurants in Chicago!
Also please be sure to check out my Summer In Chicago post I wrote last year. We know how to do Summer in Chicago!
Have you been to Chicago?! What are your favorite things to do?! Please tell me in the comments section!
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text:
Sigle
 Monday Night Football – programma televisivo in diretta della National Football League

Codici
 MNF – codice aeroportuale IATA dell'aeroporto civile di Mana Island (Figi)
 mnf – codice ISO 639-3 della lingua mundani
 MNF – codice ISO 3166-2:EG del Governatorato di Menufia (Egitto)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
WATCH: Ghanaian filmmaker Kuukua Eshun and Wizkid create short film for Grammy nominated 'Made In Lagos' album
VJ Scaro
Afrobeat star, Wizkid has teamed up with award-winning Ghanaian filmmaker, Kuukua Eshun to create a short film for his 'Made In Lagos' album.
The vibrant visual ignites the new tracks featured on the deluxe edition of the critically acclaimed LP – 'Anoti,' 'Steady,' and 'Mood.'
Bursting with color, the 10-minute production illuminates the brilliance embedded in Wiz's newest jams – which collectively join hits such as 'Ginger' and global smash 'Essence' featuring Tems. The latter of which has been nominated at the upcoming 2022 GRAMMYs, alongside its housing album.
The film was directed by Kuukua Eshun and Big Wiz himself.
A Film by myself and Big Wiz! OUT NOW!! ❤❤❤ pic.twitter.com/jCcdzf5ydD
— Kuukua Eshun 🇬🇭 (@kuukssss) December 20, 2021
Kuukua Eshun is one of the fast-rising young female directors based in Ghana. Having worked with artists and platforms like; Michaela Coel, Vic Mensa, Huawei, Facebook, Variety Magazine, Lifetime TV, The Economist, etc. Kuukua Eshun has built a legacy of telling stories that express strength and dominance through accessing spaces of feeling, sensitivity and dichotomous human experiences in her work.
She recently released her film "Unveiling", a powerful rape documentary created due to two women being vulnerable with each other—unveiling their truths allowing each to see herself in the other. This film was commissioned by the ANO Institute of Arts & Knowledge and was first shown at the Museum Ostwall Im Dortmunder U On December 10th and would be showing till March 6th. This same museum has works of the famous Pablo Picasso and celebrated Ghanaian artist El Anatsui.
2021 In Review: The biggest celebrity controversies of the year
2021 In Review: All the Top Ghanaian celebrity weddings of the year
Controversial Ghanaian Comedienne, Afia Schwarzenegger has reportedly being banned from engaging in social media insults or "beefs". (more…)
Ghanaian Reggae/Dancehall artist, Stonebwoy has shared his thoughts on Meek Mill filming at the Jubilee House for a music video which went viral recently. (more…)
Ghanaian Reggae/Dancehall artist, Stonebwoy has explained why he thinks Nigerian artists are taking the lead in the African music industry. (more…)
Ghanaian highlife legend, Kwabena Kwabena has disclosed the reason why he has been single for some time. (more…)
Ghanaian Afropop and R&b singer, Camidoh has denied cutting ties with his manager, George Britton. (more…)
Bob Marley's family has desecrated his legacy by featuring Sarkodie- Blakk Rasta
Ghanaian reggae-dancehall singer and broadcaster, Blakk Rasta has blamed the late Bob Marley's family for putting on a rapper like Sarkodie on the "Stir It Up" remake. (more…)


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World Religions as a Factor in World Politics
High-Level Expert Group Meeting
7-8 May 2007
Tübingen, Germany
Chaired by Ingvar Carlsson, Co-Chairman
IAC Members
1. H. E. Mr. Helmut Schmidt, Honorary Chairman (Former Chancellor of Germany)
2. H. E. Mr. Malcolm Fraser, Honorary Chairman (Former Prime Minister of Australia)
3. H. E. Mr. Ingvar Carlsson, Co-chairman (Former Prime Minister of Sweden)
4. H. E. Mr. Abdel Salam Majali (Former Prime Minister of Jordan)
5. H. E. Mr. Franz Vranitzky (Former Chancellor of Austria)
High-level Experts
6. Dr. A. Kamal Aboulmagd (Islam, Sunni), Attorney at Law (Egypt)
7. Dr. Kezevino Aram (Hindu), Director, Shanti Ashram (India)
8. Rev. Dr. Mettanando Bhikkhu (Theravada Buddhist), Special Advisor on the Buddhist Affairs to the World Conference of Religions for Peace (Thailand)
9. Prof. Hans Küng (Christian), Professor Emeritus, Tübingen University (Switzerland)
10. Prof. Karl-Josef Kuschel (Christian), Vice President of the Global Ethic Foundation (Germany)
11. Rabbi Jonathan Magonet (Judaism), Leo Baeck College (U. K.)
12. Archbishop Makarios of Kenya (Greek Orthodox) (Cyprus)
13. Dr. Stephan Schlensog, Hindu Expert, Secretary-General, Global Ethic Foundation (Germany)
14. Dr. Abdolkarim Soroush (Islam, Shia) (Iran)
15. Dr. Tu Weiming (Chinese religions and philosophies), Harvard University (China)
16. Dr. Osamu Yoshida (Mahayana Buddhist), Professor, Toyo University (Japan)
17. Dr. Thomas Axworthy, Professor, Queen's University (Canada)
18. Dr. Gunther Gebhardt, Global Ethic Foundation (Germany)
19. Prof. Nagao Hyodo, Former Ambassador to Belgium (Japan)
20. Prof. Isamu Miyazaki, Former Minister of Economic Planning (Japan)
The InterAction Council acknowledges with gratitude the support given to the High-level Expert Group Meeting by the Government of Japan, Global Ethic Foundation for Inter-cultural and Inter-religious Research, Education and Encounter, The Sasakawa Peace Foundation and Deutsche Bank.
Chairman's Report


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About Chubb in the UK
Notifying a Claim
Combined Insurance in the UK
If you have any questions, or to request a claim form, please call:
Monday – Friday, except bank holidays, 9am-5:30pm
Free from a UK landline or mobile. Calls may be recorded for quality and training purposes.
Alternatively, you can email us
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Combined Insurance is a trading name of Chubb European Group SE (CEG) and Chubb Life Europe SE (CLE).
CEG and CLE are Societas Europaea, public companies registered in accordance with the corporate law of the European Union. Members' liability is limited. CEG and CLE are headquartered in France and governed by the provisions of the French insurance code. Registered company number: 450 327 374 RCS Nanterre (CEG) and 497 825 539 RCS Nanterre (CLE). Registered office: La Tour Carpe Diem, 31 Place des Corolles, Esplanade Nord, 92400 Courbevoie, France. Fully paid share capital of €896,176,662 (CEG) and €6,127,501 (CLE).
CEG and CLE's UK branches are registered in England & Wales under UK Establishment numbers: BR023093 (CEG) and BR023096 (CLE). UK Establishment address: 100 Leadenhall Street, London EC3A 3BP. CEG and CLE are authorised and regulated by the French Prudential Supervision and Resolution Authority. CEG and CLE are authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority. Subject to regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority and limited regulation by the Prudential Regulation Authority. Details about the extent of our regulation by the Prudential Regulation Authority are available from us on request. Details about our authorisation can be found on the Financial Conduct Authority website (CEG FS Register number 820988 and CLE FS Register number 820989).


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Deadlands: Dead Man's Hand
No, it's not an April Fool's gag, but on Wednesday, April 1, the trade paperback collection Deadlands: Dead Man's Hand goes on sale at comic book shops and bookstores everywhere. The book, from Visionary Comics and IDW Publishing, contains several terrific weird western stories set in the world of the megapopular RPG Deadlands, from Pinnacle Entertainment Group.
In addition to collecting tales from Visionary's first Deadlands miniseries, Dead Man's Hand contains two new stories and an exclusive preview of the first-ever Deadlands novel (which, I will boastfully admit, I had a little something to do with getting set up with the great publisher Tor Books), by super-talented, bestselling author Jonathan Maberry. There's also bonus gaming content, a sketchbook section, and much more.
I wrote one of the stories in the book, "Black Water," which was more-than-ably illustrated by Brook Turner. Other creators involved include Deadlands creators Shane Hensley and Matt Cutter, plus David Gallaher, Steve Ellis, Jimmy Palmiotti, Justin Gray, Lee Moder, Ron Marz, and Bart Sears. It's a powerhouse lineup.
If you love horror/western/steampunk comics--and who doesn't?--you need to get to the store early on Wednesday to pick up your copy.
Speaking of western comics, Fade to Black is a graphic novel set in the contemporary west, not the historical (or mythical) one. It's definitely horrific, though, and it's just received a fantastic new review by Peter Tennant in the current issue of Black Static.
The review's conclusion: "It's a fast paced and beautifully constructed story, one in which the ante is consistently upped, but never in such a way as to lose reader interest or give any reason for disbelief. The characters are well drawn, each with their own quirks and foibles, using their past experience as actors to finagle ways to succeed in this scenario, while in a novel twist on the conventions of genre, it is not the virgin who gets to survive. And despite the generous lashings of blood, there's also some rather black humour, as with the character who tells a cannibal to look him up on imdb. Daniele Serra's gritty artwork brings the story to vivid and memorable life on the page, his usual ethereal style backed up by hard edge visuals that are perfect for this kind of in your face storytelling. To add extra value at the end of the book is a gallery of the original covers from the five issues of the comic. All in all this is a great little package, one that I thoroughly enjoyed."
Fade to Black is available in a special edition, signed by Daniele Serra and me, directly from the publisher, Short Scary Tales.
The regular edition is available from many bookstores, including:
Tower Books
Mysterious Galaxy
Waterstones (UK)
March 27, 2015 in Books, Comic books/graphic novels | Permalink | Comments (0)
Life Imitates Art, Again + Audio Update
I started my novel-writing career writing tie-in books, also known as licensed fiction--books based on characters and worlds created by other people, usually in other media (TV, comics, etc.). But like many tie-in writers, I also wanted to write my own works; "original novels," we say in the trade.
My first original novel was horror epic The Slab. It was published in a nice paperback edition by IDW Publishing, with cover art and interior illustrations by the great Tommy Lee Edwards. The Slab was set in a real place in the California desert called Slab City--one of the strangest places in the United States. (If you're on Facebook, check out my album of Slab City photos.) It got some nice reviews (excerpts below) and sold a few copies. Now it's available as an ebook (without the illustrations), and if you happen to be at the wonderful Tucson Festival of Books this weekend, I'll have paperback copies there at a special deep-discount festival price.
The Slab opens with a real estate developer who has bought the land that the Slab occupies from the government, and plans to kick out everybody living there. At the time, that was the purest fiction.
Now? Not so much.
"But now, the denizens of this bleak stretch of desert between the Salton Sea and a military bombing range are bitterly divided. After the notion spread that the California State Land Commission might sell the land, the Slabbers started debating what to do: Should they try to buy the place that they occupy illegally? Should they form a residents' association to save the anarchistic soul of Slab City, or would that spawn the type of bureaucracy that people came here to escape?"
In the novel, things don't go well for the real estate interests. Hard to say what'll happen in real life--but I wouldn't want to be in the middle of it.
The original paperback cover by Tommy Lee Edwards
The ebook cover
In other news, a couple of days ago I posted about a new audio version of my short story "Gold Shield Blues," and listed the other works I have available on audio. Today I was surprised to open the mailbox and find an audiobook version of the anthology Dark Duets, edited by Christopher Golden, which contains the short story "Amuse Bouche" by the multitalented Amber Benson and me. It's a strange, very dark story; I'm curious to hear what they've done with it.
Here's my schedule for the Tucson Festival of Books. Most of the time I'll be at Booth 106 with my brilliant writing partner Marsheila Rockwell, but I also have some panels and we have a stint in the Author Pavilion (West).
As promised, a few excerpts from reviews for The Slab:
"Mariotte does a fantastic job at conveying the atmosphere of hopelessness and stubbornness that populates the Slab. The pictures he creates in the reader's mind will match precisely those found on the website for the real inhabitants of the slab, www.slabcity.org. Overlaying all of this is the post-9/11 malaise of suspicion, aggressiveness and terror. Mariotte manages both thought-provoking juxtaposition and lizard-brain satisfaction as he plays out the large cast of characters across this hard and relentless landscape. His serial killers are just original enough to catch readers by surprise and he neatly ties together the threads of random magic, post-traumatic stress syndrome, a subtle supernatural invasion and an upper-class attack on a lower class landscape."
"The Slab is one of those books that transports back to a time when you first started to fall in love the genre. It reminds of some of the great horror novels of the '80's. That's not to say the novel feels dated, not by any means. What I'm trying to say, remember those books that had a a roller-coaster fun heart, with a huge cast of characters, that kept you turning each page under the covers long after your parents told you to go to sleep."
"This novel is so jam packed with action, morality plays, and diversity, that in lesser hands than Mariotte's it could have easily become confusing. If you have ever read and enjoyed those epic horror novels from the 70's and 80's (think Dan Simmons work) where you were immersed in a sprawling world of rich characterization, smart plotting, and enough sub plotting where the horror was deliberately episodic and horrifying, The Slab will be the perfect read for you."
"If you lived through the aftermath of 9/11, you'll recognize the tense confusion of the period immediately following. If you've loved someone with Alzheimer's, you'll appreciate the full-fledged characterization of someone dealing with its limitations on a day-to-day basis. If you've ever lost a loved one and grieved deeply, and if you've ever had a change of heart about what's right and what's wrong, this book will hit you where you live--and take you on a thrill ride through space and time (and a cave filled with man-eating mushrooms), each in good time."
March 12, 2015 in Books, Writing | Permalink | Comments (0)
Heard Any Good Stories Lately? @TandMPodcast
My noir short story "Gold Shield Blues," which has only appeared in the anthology San Diego Noir, was just recorded by author/blogger/podcaster extraordinaire J. David Core for the Thrills & Mystery Podcast. It sounds great. The story was my attempt to take a purely noir situation--something James M. Cain might have written--and update it to contemporary times. Core's voice is suitably gruff, and I'm really pleased with the way it came out. Listen to it here--it won't cost you a dime!
As long as we're talking about listening to stories, here's a sample of the audio version of my story "Taproot," from the anthology Dead But Not Forgotten: Stories From the World of Sookie Stackhouse, edited by Sookie's creator, Charlaine Harris, and Toni L.P. Kelner. "Taproot" features Detective Andy Bellefleur, and is wonderfully read by Johanna Parker.
If you'd like to hear your humble scribe reading one of his own stories, check out my performance of the eerie, Twilight Zone-ish "Long Road Home," recorded for Arizona Public Media/NPR. I wrote this story specifically for the audio performance, and APM's Mark McLemore and Mark Duggan made it happen.
Not as free (although they can be if you get a 30-day membership) are some full-length novels available at Audible.com. The Devil's Bait is a fast-paced, suspenseful thriller:
Jessie Dawn Cutler is a relationship banker, a single woman in Manhattan, climbing the rungs of the high-finance ladder on her way to the top.
Morgan Byrd is an aging mercenary soldier, suffering a crisis of conscience as profound as his bank account is low.
When Jessie's biggest client is revealed as a criminal and a killer - protected from within and outside the bank - she becomes a target. But Jessie is courageous, resourceful, and when she teams up with Morgan, it's just possible that both of their lives can be saved...
It's narrated by the fantastic Tamara McDaniel, produced and with original music by the great Scott Haskin.
Supernatural thriller Cold Black Hearts is also a McDaniel/Haskin production:
The ruins on the border of New Mexico and Mexico were once the bustling town of New Dominion. But in 1933, most of its population was massacred - and no one was ever arrested for the brutal crime. Now, the land once known as New Dominion is the site of more recent murders. Former police detective Annie O'Brien, blessed-or cursed-with a heightened sense of empathy, is conducting the investigation. Staying alone in an old house near the desolate remains of the town, she finds herself haunted by the tragedies that occurred there - tragedies that threaten to overwhelm her unusual gift even as New Dominion threatens to rise from the ashes. This audio adaptation of Mariotte's supernatural thriller will keep listeners desperate to learn what happens next.
Finally, my D&D: Dark Sun novel, City Under the Sand, is narrated by Nicholas Tecoskey:
Aric, a half-elf with a rare natural ability with the psionic discipline known as "the Way", must find his place in a world ruled by the tyranny of evil sorcerer kings, and dominated by the savage wilds of the Athasian desert, a world presided over by the unrelenting crimson eye of Dark Sun. When Aric is brought into a quest to search for a priceless trove of weapons, he would rather keep his head down and live a simple life. But nothing is simple in the city of Nibenay with its reclusive ruler known as the Shadow King. And in a world where metal is the rarest of commodities, Aric's "way" with metal is an even rarer talent.
If audio stories and books are your thing, I hope you'll give some of these a listen.
Next weekend--March 14-15--is the great Tucson Festival of Books, which I've attended and spoken at every year of its existence. I hope to keep doing so for every year to come. It's a fantastic event that brings close to 100,000 readers and lovers of books to the beautiful University of Arizona campus for two days of shared love of words and stories.
Most of the time I'll be at Booth #106 with my writing partner Marsheila Rockwell and pals like Gini Koch, Deena Remiel, Erin Quinn, TL Smith, and more. Books will be sold by the fine folks at Dog-Eared Pages. I'll have copies of Empty Rooms, The Devil's Bait, The Slab (at a special festival discount), Season of the Wolf, and the Border Trilogy (Missing White Girl, River Runs Red, Cold Black Hearts) in the original out-of-print, highly collectible mass market editions. Marcy will have copies of Neverland's Library, the anthology that the fantasy novella "A Soul in the Hand," our first published collaboration, appears in (also at a special festival discount), as well as copies of her terrific short fiction and poetry collection Bridges of Longing (if you don't have this, you need it), poetry anthologies Confessions and On the Brink of Never, and custom-made book thongs.
Marcy and I have a slot in the Author Pavilion on Saturday, 10:15 AM - 12:30 PM.
I'll also be on these three panels:
Blood and Bravado
Location: UA BookStore
Date/Time: Saturday, 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Panelists: Brian Keene, Jeffrey Mariotte, Weston Ochse, Sam Sykes
Moderator: John Muñoz
Genre: SciFi/Fantasy/Horror
Escort: John Lawrence
Signing area: Sales & Signing Area - UA BookStore (following presentation)
These authors write about action, adventure, murder and monsters. Find out why their brains are full of blood and bravado, what scares them and whether or not they believe in tacos.
Working in Comics and Graphic Novels: Indie Publishing, Crowd Sourcing, or Working with the Big Boys
Location: UA Library - Special Collections
Date/Time: Sunday, 11:30 am to 12:30 pm
Panelists: Jonathan Maberry, Jeffrey Mariotte, Eric Schock, Sam Sykes
Moderator: Cynthia Gerriets
Genre: Comics/Graphic Novels
Escort: Kaye Albers
Signing area: Sales & Signing Area - Integrated Learning Center (following presentation)
I Spy a Dead Guy: Spies and Detectives in Paranormal Worlds
Location: Integrated Learning Center Room 150
Date/Time: Sunday, 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm
Panelists: Beth Cato, Brian Keene, Scott Lynch, Jeffrey Mariotte
Escort: Kathy McIntosh
Solving mysteries and stealing secrets (or just stealing) adds an extra layer of danger and complication in a paranormal world. Hear about how these authors deal with those problems, or just learn more about the fascinating worlds they've created.
There's a signing with all panelists in a designated signing area after each panel. During the panel, the moderator will announce where we'll be.
If you're within driving distance of Tucson, AZ, I hope you'll come out for it. It's going to be an amazing weekend.
(Edited to add the other books I decided to bring to TFoB.)
March 08, 2015 in Books, Comic books/graphic novels, Writing | Permalink | Comments (2)
Occupied Earth
My incredibly talented writing partner Marsheila (Marcy) Rockwell and I are finally allowed to spill the beans about a collaboration coming this fall, a short story called "Letting Go the Ghosts" in an anthology called Occupied Earth, edited by long-time pals Richard Brewer and Gary Phillips.
Here's the skinny:
For years, writers and filmmakers have speculated about the possibility of the Earth being invaded by aliens from another planet. But what if the aliens have been watching us, infiltrating us via human collaborators, or even surgically altering themselves to look human? Occupied Earth is a groundbreaking anthology that explores the idea of what the world would look like years after its conquest. 20 years after a successful invasion by the Makh-Ra, humanity still exists, only they have become subservient to a new race of occupiers who now govern the devastated planet. But, as much as things continue with some sense of normalcy, something has happened in the Mahk-Ra's empire. Earth, once considered a strategic beachhead of major importance to the Empire, has been downgraded in its value. Things are starting to degrade. Our planet is the last place any self-respecting Mahk-Ra officer wants to be assigned. Yet, despite everything, life continues. These stories bring us face to face with annihilation — and show how we can pull ourselves back from the brink. Featuring Rachel Howzell Hall, Lisa Morton, Matthew V. Clemens, Howard Hendrix, Nathan Walpow and more, OCCUPIED EARTH is coming. Stay safe. Stay strong. Survive at all costs.
There's much more about the book at the Polis Books website.
The cover is all kinds of awesome.
I'm not sure who all the contributors are yet, but I'll post the table of contents when I know it. In the meantime, it'll be good to be in a book with friends like Nathan Walpow and Lisa Morton, and this marks my second appearance in an anthology with Howard V. Hendrix--the first having been my first published short story, "The Last Rainmaking Song," in Full Spectrum. Coincidentally (or not?) both that story and this one involve First American characters.
Occupied Earth is on sale October 13, but you can preorder it now.
Evil Dead 2--Heading Your Way Like a Flying Eyeball
There's been a lot of writing going on (and more on tap for today). One of the things writing partner Marsheila Rockwell and I have been working on, which has just been approved, is a comic book script for a new comic series based on the horror-comedy classic Evil Dead 2. Our tale, called Scream Queens, fits right into that tradition, we believe. It was a blast to write, and we can't wait to see the art. Evil Dead 2: Tales of the Ex-Mortis will be published by Space Goat Publishing.
Incidentally, although this was Marcy's first shot at writing a comic book script, she handled it like the amazingly talented pro she is.
When I know which issue our story's going into, and what the release date will be, I'll post all the details here.
In other news, the Tucson Festival of Books will be here March 14-15. Marcy and I will be in booth #106 most of the time. We'll take a turn in the Author Pavilion, and I'm on something like a million panels (okay, four...I think). Details soon. I'll have copies of Empty Rooms available, as well as copies of The Slab at a special TFoB discount price (the paperback with the fantastic cover and interior art by art superstar Tommy Lee Edwards), and more, so if you're in the area, be sure you come by!


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Q: Why is Set() repeating values? I´m trying to use Set() in js to retrieve some 'unique data', but it keeps returning repeated values to me.
Console debug:

Code:
userStories.add({
   user_id: storie.user_id,
   avatar: storie.user.avatar,
});

A: Sounds like you are trying to avoid duplicating users?
It is clever to try to use a set, because sets do avoid duplication, but unfortunately they only work in the way you intended if the element is a primitive data type such as String or Number, and not if it is an object, i.e. of the form { key: value, ... }.
If the element is just a string, e.g. "Bob", because two strings "Bob" and "Bob" are considered identical by the Set, and so will be entered as a single element.
However, if your element is an object, e.g. {name: "Bob"}, then two elements defined separately as {name: "Bob"} and {name: "Bob"} will be considered unequal, so will be entered as two different elements in the Set.
Try using a simple Object
Initialise like this:
userStories = {}

And then for each entry:
userStories[user_id]=({
   avatar: storie.user.avatar,
});

This way, you end up with this structure:
userStories: {
    1234: { avatar: "abc.jpg" },
    1258: { avatar: "def.jpg" },
    etc
}

You can use this Object structure in much the way you were using the Set, with two advantages:
(a) If you put in two identical entries such as 1234: { avatar: "abc.jpg" }, only one will be stored.
(b) You can directly access the avatar of any one person, by their id. (With the Set, you would still have to somehow search the elements to find the right one.)

A: Objects in JavaScript are reference types, which means that when you create a new object in your function, JavaScript thinks they are different (even when they have the same values).
From the article:

If they're distinct objects, even if they contain identical properties, the comparison will result in false.
var arr1 = ['Hi!'];
var arr2 = ['Hi!'];
console.log(arr1 === arr2); // -> false

A: The Set object lets you store unique values of any type, whether primitive values or object references not just objects. See reference MDN
const mySet = new Set();
const object1 = {a:1, b:1};
mySet.add(object1);
mySet.add(object1);
console.log(mySet); // The set will be having only 1 entry as both the times we added the same reference of object1.

However if you do try to insert different references of object the set keeps on adding the objects.For example:
const mySet = new Set();
const object1 = {a:1, b:1};
mySet.add(object1);
mySet.add({a:1,b:1}); // This is a new object not the object1
console.log(mySet); It will have 2 entries

Not only objects same goes with Arrays if you try to do like above.

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