text:
Thanks to Sarah Slutz for beta reading this for me!
Dinner passed by with a minimum of damage to everything except the food. Videl chipped in to help with the vast amounts of dishes being shuffled back and forth. Fortunately, Trunks had brought some capsulated goods to contribute to the meal so it wasn't such a hit to the Son family finances. Goku's fishing often supplemented the vast needs for food because a family with three Saiyans and a guest equated black hole. Chichi shanghaied Goten and Trunks into doing the dishes till she remembered they often smashed them. Goku did his best not to break anything when he offered his services. Chichi forced him to dry while she washed.
After dinner was done, Trunks and Goten clustered around the video game console, a Capsuletron 4000, one of the top of the line game systems. Goku teamed up with them and tried to keep from smashing the controller with his overeager fingers. Fortunately, they were designed especially for strong Saiyan hands, made of reinforced plastic.
"It's late, why don't you stay over?" Chichi suggested. "We've just put in a guest room downstairs."
"Well I'm sure we won't need it, but thanks, I'll keep it in mind," Videl had said. Goku's next whoop broke the tension nearby in the living room.
"You and Gohan better get to studying then," Chichi winked.
"Mom, is it okay if we study upstairs in mine and Goten's room?" asked Gohan.
"Goten's going to sleep on the floor in the living room with Trunks, so I don't see why not," Chichi said. "But no funny stuff! You two had better keep to the books!"
"I promise mom! It's not LIKE that!" Gohan waved his hands.
"Kissy kissy, ooh!" Trunks and Goten teased. Even half Saiyans had a strong sense of hearing, being able to eavesdrop over the loud bleeps and chiming of electronic music.
"You'd better be quiet you two!" Gohan shook his fist at them.
"Don't EVEN go there!" Videl chimed in, face pumping hot with blood as a vein throbbed on her forehead.
"Enough video games! You two need to finish your homework! One hour on the video game was the deal!" Chichi tapped her foot.
"All right Mom," Goten pouted.
"C'mon Goten. The sooner we get your project out of the way the sooner we can get back to the game," said Trunks. "I'll help you with the math."
"I'm so thankful you're helping him out, Trunks. That's a good boy," Chichi patted his head. Trunks squirmed as Chichi ruffled his hair.
"Aww c'mon Mrs. Son that's embarrassing!" he grumbled.
"Mommy, do we haveta?"
"Yes you do, young man!" Chichi warned, glaring at him.
"Goten, you know I'd help you but I'm busy," Gohan said.
"I bet," Trunks chuckled.
"All right guys, mind your mom!" Goku interrupted. He unplugged the console to Trunks and Goten's annoyance. Chichi shot Goku a look of silent thanks. Lately he had been extra attentive to upholding the rules she laid down. Unlike in times past, he was backing her up when it came to discipline.
"Thank you Goku. Now I'm going to prepare the guest room, Videl. The offer still stands," Chichi nodded.
Gohan and Videl trotted upstairs, eager to separate themselves from Goten and Trunks' teasing. Luckily, their books were out and they'd spend the next few hours themselves under Chichi's watchful glare. As she had with Gohan, she tutored Goten in his studies. Yet she had been much more relaxed when she discovered Goten's strength lied more in fighting and martial arts than academics. On the opposite end of the spectrum was Trunks, who easily soaked up math and science under the tutelage of his mother and grandfather. Naturally he shared his expertise with Goten. At first it was to rub it in his friend's face, but since Majin Buu the two boys had relaxed their rivalry somewhat, focusing more on building their friendship.
Upstairs in Gohan's room, he piled books on his neat desk. Across from him was a futon that was folded up often used by Goten. Videl nervously sat down on the chair he pulled out from the desk while he arranged the supplies. He pulled up another chair to the side and positioned it next to his comfortable desk chair now occupied by Videl. She hadn't seen his room very often, and was struck by how tidy it was in comparison to her own. Gohan never had seen her room except for fleeting glances through the window when he'd fly her back in the middle of the night sometimes. It had become a bit of a game to elude her overprotective father.
"Now," Gohan began, cracking open his text.
Videl's eyes wandered all over the various posters and photos gracing his walls. One side of the room clearly was Goten's, for it was dominated with cartoon characters and sports heroes. Along the wall Gohan's bed was pressed against were maps of the night sky and a periodic table of the elements. Even a poster of some of the most famous scientists from the world looked down upon the young couple. Swallowing her nervousness Videl focused on Gohan's neat handwritten notes. She recopied as he arranged a set of note cards.
"You make flashcards?" she blinked.
"It's the best way. Now we can quiz each other," Gohan suggested. Videl smiled brightly, and they set to work. As the hours passed Videl shivered when Gohan would lean over her shoulder to point out a difficult fact. Or he would tremble slightly at the feel of her body heat when they pressed close to compare their notes. Tension grew slowly in the silence, respective hearts pounding during their survey through the human anatomy.
"Now, trace a drop of blood from your big toe to your brain," Gohan said.
"Okay," Videl started, squeezing her eyes shut.
"Think of it like a highway and a road map."
Videl rattled off the major veins and arteries, successfully tracing the imaginary trip through the heart to the lungs and then up to the head. Gohan listened, humming his affirmation that her route was correct. At that moment he found himself staring at the smooth curves of her neck. Concentration wavering, he mentally slapped himself for such poor focus. They had very little time to straighten out all the major bodily systems so Videl could ace her exam. If they finished with high marks it guaranteed them a placement in a university study program.
Satan City university was one of the best, privately funded by the world champion. Not only did he flood the city's gyms and dojos with his money, he spread the wealth among all the 'civic' institutions to increase his positive PR. Not that he needed any more positive publicity when it became known he saved the world. Videl was not unaffected by the silent tension building up in her stomach, pumping adrenaline through her body the longer she spent alone with Gohan.
Something had to break, or she couldn't stop the tingling in her toes and other parts of her body. Gohan's nose twitched slightly and she crossed and uncrossed her legs nervously.
A loud yawn interrupted her as Gohan stretched. "Excuse me! Sorry about that!"
"So even the genius needs sleep like the rest of us, huh?" Videl teased him.
"Don't start that again!" Gohan rolled his eyes at her. "Or I'm going to have to take action!"
"You or the Great Saiyaman?" she blinked. A playful twinkle crept into Gohan's dark eyes, and she knew he was letting his hair down. Her feet rested on the rungs of his regular chair.
"Ha ha," Gohan laughed.
Videl pressed her feet against Gohan's chair, propelling the chair across the room. Simultaneously Gohan's chair toppled over and he would have unceremoniously landed on the floor if not for his fast reflexes. The chair bearing Videl slammed into Gohan's bed and slipped out from under Videl. Before she could stop herself her hip crashed against the soft carpet.
"Whoops!" he gasped.
"Oww!" Videl grumbled. It was a minor bump to a trained fighter, but she made a mental note never to be so careless again. Gohan picked himself up off the floor and moved to her side, his hand extended. She glanced up at his dark eyes gleaming with concern.
"Are you okay Videl?" he asked.
"Of course I am, silly! The only thing damaged is my pride," she laughed up at him. Still she accepted the large hand he offered. When their fingers touched she jolted with the excitement which had reached fever pitch. He pulled her up easily, and then helped reposition her so she sat on his bed.
"You sure you're all right?" he asked.
"Don't fuss, Gohan," she urged.
"Well, I'm just making sure," Gohan innocently responded. He pulled up the chair and sat down on it, spinning himself so they sat face to face. His knee brushed hers, and she felt his hand reflexively moved towards her bruised hip. At the last moment he hesitated.
"What, do I look like I mind?" Videl blurted out.
Gohan turned his face away, displaying that shyness that drew him to her like a magnet. "I'm sorry, I don't want to seem like a pervert," he apologized.
Grasping his hand Videl sharply spoke, "Oh get over it Gohan! You act as like you've never TOUCHED a girl before!"
Anger flashed over his face. "Videl, I'm not that kind of a guy!"
"I never said you were, Gohan! But it wouldn't hurt once in a while if you WERE," Videl argued. His black vest rose and fell, and Gohan's eyes narrowed to angular slits under his prominent brows.
"You mean like Sharpener?" Gohan snapped.
Videl felt her face grow hot with anger. She yelled, "Dammit Gohan, what's your problem?"
"My problem?" Gohan responded, clearly upset. "What problem? He's a jerk Videl! I don't know WHY you hang out with him!"
"I don't hang out with him! He just happens to tag along when Erasa and I do our girl things together! Are you jealous or something?"
Awkwardly Gohan spluttered, at a loss for words, his mouth moving but no sound escaping. After a few seconds his mouth finally formed words, "Jealous... who me? Why the heck should I be jealous of that creep?"
"You ARE jealous," Videl suddenly grinned. Her heart skipped beats, relief spreading over her body that her assumptions were correct. Judging by how uncomfortably he shifted in his chair at the accusation, she knew he was attracted to her. More than just as a friend. Both had skirted around the issue without giving a name to their relationship, deciding to live in the moment rather than worry about fate.
"What if I am, hmm?" Gohan suddenly interrupted. Again his eyes narrowed, focusing dark pupils that seemed momentarily bottomless. Videl's own eyes widened, caught inextricably in his gaze. For a moment the shy nerd vanished, replaced by a stern warrior she had remembered so long ago.
"Gohan," she began, but the next words failed her when he reached over and drew his chair so their knees touched one another.
His nose zoomed within inches of hers, so she could feel the hot surges of his breath on her own cheeks. Rarely did she see this side of him, and it excited her beyond belief. That warrior nature he abhorred had risen to protect what he considered needed rescuing, and it was both frightening and heartwarming. Raising his hand he lightly brushed her cheek, continuing to freeze her with that dark eyed stare. The thought of her dying because he did not act screamed through his brain and his every desire was to hold her close and never let her go if he could help it.
Fortunately she knew what to say and do. While she had dated other boys before, she had never come close to wanting to spend more than mere platonic dates with them. With Gohan that had all changed. She remembered their first kiss at the world Tournament. It had been Videl who had moved first, and Gohan had not known what to think then. From those brief touches grew a warm comfort that spread between them. Yet only in privacy would Gohan move to a more intimate kiss beyond a peck to the lips.
The moment she had long discussed with Erasa suddenly revealed itself and she seized the second of seriousness. Reaching over she grasped his shoulders and moved her face towards him. Gohan had no time to react when he noticed her eyes were shut, but he had no desire to pull back. Instinct overrode his need for caution, for he too had felt the pull of his own desires. They had kissed before, but it seemed like forever since they had a moment to share such an intimate gesture.
Because of this his hand grasped her cheek firmly when he felt the touch of her lips on his and Videl's arms sliding around his neck. A split second later he snared her body in his arms, pulling her in a tight embrace. Breaths surged between their lips, and Gohan opened his mouth at the same time Videl's lips parted. Videl's moan disappeared against his lips that turned on hers and answered the kiss she had initiated. Both of them relaxed with the familiar ritual, seeking to express in gestures what their words were too timid to voice.
Videl and Gohan broke their kiss at the same moment, breaths heaving and arms still clasped around one another. Pressing his forehead to hers Gohan whispered, "Videl, I don't want you to get hurt. Not when I can protect you."
"I won't get hurt... not with you around, Gohan. You're thinking it's your fault something horrible happened to me? It didn't. Because we're both safe," she whispered.
"But for how long?" Gohan asked. Energy tingled through her fingertips squeezing his muscles, and she marveled how they seemed to increase in size. For a moment he released her and Videl was disappointed he had lost his nerve. Yet she realized then from the shifting of the weight on his bed that he was sitting next to her so they were side by side.
Videl did not wish to answer in any way except with another hard kiss. Again her arms found their way around his neck, and she leaned the entire weight of her body into his. Gohan rather than fall off the bed, twisted his body so he could swing himself onto the bed so his legs were no longer touching the floor. He rolled her over so she was under her for a second, and then flipped so his back hit the wall and they were on their sides facing one another. Videl squeezed close to him, reaching around to rub the muscles of his back as he repositioned his hands around her waist. Their lips danced over one another's, as their hands quested to know more of the other's angles or curves. A groan surfaced between Gohan's lips, and Videl answered it with a soft sigh. Her leg slipped in between his, shifting against his crotch momentarily. He realized her right leg wrapped around his hip, pulling them so their fronts were flush against one another.
Frustrated, Videl twisted her hips and flipped Gohan on top of her. He grunted, breaking their kiss and pressing his hands on either side of her shoulders for fear of crushing her. Yet she kept a tight hold on him, whispering, "Gohan, it's okay. I like how you feel..."
"Videl," he panted, eyes darker then what seemed possible with a hunger she had long desired. "I..."
"Shh," she urged, cutting off his comment with another smooch. Gohan gave up protesting, realizing she had given her consent that she wanted far more from him. Impatient with his own reservations he allowed his desires free reign. Videl squirmed and he lifted himself off.
"Sorry," he gasped.
"No, this is just in the way," she laughed, and her eyes gleamed with mischief when she unfastened his vest. Its clasp was poking into her, and he shrugged it off.
Both of them had kicked off their shoes at this point, and he realized she was reaching around him to tug his shirt out of his pants. Without thinking twice about it, he let her tug it up and then sat up to let her unbutton it. It landed on the floor next to his vest. He loved how her fingers danced over his muscles and groaned when she began to nibble down his neck to his collarbone. He only stopped when Videl grasped his hand and placed it on her breast.
He half expected her to slap him like Bulma would with anyone touching her. Yet as she guided his hand he knew it was fine. He knew from talks with his father that he needed to be careful lest his Saiyan strength cause injury. Though his mother was a trained fighter sometimes Goku's exhuberations had caused a bruise here and there. The sofa had collapsed on more than one occasion from their lovemaking, and Gohan knew better then to enter the room when he heard laughter and Chichi's cries.
After walking in on his parents in bed together when young, and running out, Goku had explained to him what was going on. He in his own limited way had fumbled to describe how 'mom and dad wrestled for fun'. His persistent questions resulted in Goku's halting explanation, "Mom and I were wrestling like we did when we made you, Gohan. And it's what a husband and wife do."
Chichi was annoyed, but relieved when Goku reassured her he had 'explained the birds and bees' to him. Gohan also read about human reproduction in his textbooks, and Chichi explained that such things were only what married people did. Goku might seem to be childlike but he did know well where babies came from. Nobody could escape that knowledge living under Master Roshi's roof.
"You sure?" he wondered.
"Shut up and help me with this Gohan," she growled. Shrugging he shifted so she could cross her arms and shed her T shirt. Again she guided his hands to her chest, filling out the contours of a black lacy bra. Unlike his mother she was smaller, but comparable with Erasa. It was a bust minimizer, and he remembered seeing her once changing clothes between their sessions. Often, she wore a tighter sports bra when working out. Another frenzied second later and he felt her hands unfastening his belt.
"Videl?" he cautioned, struggling to keep his control before they both ventured further.
"It's cutting into me," she rationalized. She made no move to undo his pants, so he no longer questioned it. Gohan helped her to snake it out of his belt loops and toss it on the side with the ever increasing pile of clothing.
Somehow they made it under the covers, and her miniskirt and his pants lay commingled with the other garments. Now Gohan nuzzled the groove between neck and shoulder while she massaged the massive muscles of his back. Automatically, he grabbed her hand and placed it on his shoulder, worried she would touch a sensitive spot. He knew they were rounding the bases to third from second. Fortunately he hadn't worn any embarrassing underwear, rather having worn boxer briefs that were crisp white in contrast to the soft pink silk of her high cut panties. They were soft and warm against his hip.
"I..." he whispered, half growling it. He had seen the kisses his parents shared, and he recognized the feeling he shared, for Videl matched it.
"I need you, Gohan," she whispered. "Please..."
"Videl, I need you too, but are you sure?"
She could only nod, her eyes and body giving him her answer.
Later, Gohan lay half atop her, panting and kissing her neck. Videl was rubbing his scalp. He was aware of two thoughts: first that they would be in trouble if Chichi and Goku walked in, secondly, that he would have to thank Krillin for his thoughtfulness. From the way Videl was beaming up at him he knew she had enjoyed it as much as he had.
"Gohan, you feel so warm," she whispered.
"Videl... that was so..." he stammered. "Wow!"
"So incredibly awesome, and way better then I imagined it would be," Videl answered for him, kissing his ear. He wondered why he felt hot tears in his eyes and felt a soft sob choking his throat.
"I guess we did it," was all he could say, but Videl's chuckle reassured him that she didn't mind whatever he said.
"And I wanted it. I wanted you Gohan, and now you're all mine, and I'm all yours," she coed. Though he moved, she pulled him back down.
"Just where do you think you're going, buster?" she asked. Carefully he curled up around her back so they spooned.
"I... uh... nowhere I guess," Gohan laughed awkwardly, and then sighed deeply at the well being surging through him.
He was thankful for the tight control Piccolo had taught him for he half feared he would go Super Saiyan. Then he remembered that was no longer a fact. Indeed his muscles had bulked up and Videl was glancing up at him with wonder. As he leaned down to ask another question he heard soft breathing, and realized Videl was fast asleep. Beneath the covers they felt suddenly cold, and Gohan welcomed the embrace of slumber.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
› South Korea (2012)
South Korea (2012)
Korea has no oil resources, and only 326 million tonnes of recoverable coal reserves, and 3 billion cubic metres of natural gas. To sustain its high level of economic growth, Korea imports large quantities of energy products. Total energy imports in 2008 came to 240,067 ktoe, 49.5% of which was crude oil, 25.6% of which was coal, 13.9% of which was natural gas, and 11.0% of which was refined oil products.  Korea imported around 87% of its total energy needs in 2009, including all of its oil and gas requirements and 98% of its coal supply. The cost of Korea’s energy imports was USD 91.2 billion in 2009 (it was USD 141,575 billion in 2008). Energy imports accounted for 28.2% of Korea’s total import value in 2009.

The bulk of Korea’s LNG imports come from Qatar, Indonesia, Oman, Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam. Korea is the world’s second-largest importer of both steam and coking coal after Japan. Coal imports come from China, Australia, Indonesia, Canada, Russia and the United States.

Electricity generation (2009, source: Korea Power Exchange): 73,470 MW

Thermal (oil, coal and natural gas): 64.6%

Nuclear: 24.1%

Hydroelectric: 7.5%

Others (including renewable and community energy sources): 3.7%

Total Primary Energy Supply (2009): 232 Mtoe

Oil: 40.1%

Coal and Peat: 27.9%

Nuclear  & hydro: 18.3%

Natural Gas: 13.7%

Korea’s electricity generation in 2009 was 454.5 terawatt-hours, a 1.81% increase from 2008. Generation by thermal sources, including coal, oil and natural gas, accounted for 65.7% of the total electricity generated, followed by nuclear at 32.5%, and hydro at 1.2%.  Korea’s total primary energy supply increased more than sixfold between 1980 and 2009, from 38.32 million tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe) in 1980 to 232 Mtoe in 2009. In particular, from 1990 to 2000, energy supply increased at an annual average rate of 7.33%, far exceeding the economic growth rate of 6.2% for the same period. Likewise, per capita primary energy supply grew from 1.0 tonne of oil equivalent in 1980 to 4.76 tonnes of oil equivalent in 2009. The level of increase was similar to that of Japan and of most European economies.

Renewable energy represented 2.7%of the domestic energy use in 2008. The Korean Government wants to increase this to 11% by 2030.

Oil supply in 2009 was 93.3 Mtoe, a 1.21% increase from the previous year. In 2009, the economy imported about 85% of its crude oil from the Middle East. Coal supply in 2009 totalled 64.7 Mtoe, a 3.83% increase from the previous year. This substantial increase was the result of a strong demand from the power sector for coal, due to its cost competitiveness compared to other fuels.

Electrification rate (2004): 100%

Transmission in the country operates in a combination of 765 kV and 345 kV lines to the major distribution networks, and 154/66 kV in the distribution networks themselves.

Energy supply and demand structure has long been overly dependent on imported oil. With limited natural resources, energy imports have risen, rising to 105.7% of TPES in 2008. In addition, the lack of conventional fuel resources has led to significant development in nuclear power, which is both expensive, and considered by many to be unsafe. Power consumption is expected to rise at 2.5% per annum from 2010 onwards, slowing from the 9% seen on average from 1990-2006. 16.1 TWh of electricity were lost in transmission or distribution in 2008, approximately 4% of the total.

To rectify an energy supply and demand structure that is overly dependent on oil, the construction of oil-fired power plants was strictly controlled and the development of nuclear, coal, and natural gas electricity generation units was promoted. Gas-fired power plants were first introduced in 1986. During the period of the Fourth Basic Plan, 12 nuclear-energy power plants, seven coal-fired power plants, and 11 gas-fired power plants are planned for construction. Korea has been building nuclear-energy power plants since the 1970s. Nuclear energy is a strategic priority for the Korean Government, and its share of the total electricity production capacity is projected to increase to 32.6% in 2022.

Solar energy

The southern coastal area has the greatest economic potential for solar thermal, which can be used in greenhouses, fish farms, swimming pools and industrial heat processes.

The solar sector went through a phase of remarkable growth in 2008, raising its contribution by 271.8% over the previous year and finishing the 12-month period with 264 GWh generated. The reason for this growth is the connection of 276.3 MWp to the grid during 2008. Grid-connected solar PV in 2009 totalled 430 MW.

Wind energy

The south-east of Korea is a good location for offshore wind farms. Wind power is by far and away the most prominent sector as electricity production has been increasing an average of 69% per annum, generating 381 GWh.  South Korea has over a dozen of wind farms, both on- and off-shore. Current installed capacity amounts to approximately 348 MW, with significant potential for the development of further off-shore sites..  The country’s ambitions for wind power are for it to be producing 2,250 MW by 2012. The testing phase for a proposed 2.5 GW off-shore wind farm will commence by 2013, with 20 5 MW turbines being installed, with an aim to reach full capacity by 2019.

Tidal energy

Some parts of the sea around Korea are regarded as ideal spots for the tidal farms to create electricity, because of the huge differences in height between high and low tide, which causes fast tidewater speeds. Two Korean companies, POSCO and Korea South East Power Co., Ltd. have entered into a partnership for the development of tidal and wind technologies. Construction was completed in 2011 of the Lake Sihwa tidal power station, the world’s largest at 254 MW.

Biomass

Electricity production from biomass systems increased sharply over the past two years (up 71.4% between 2006 and 2007 and up 38.3% between 2007 and 2008) to generate 4 GWh, making biomass the 2nd most prolific renewable resource in the country after hydroelectricity. Development of the technology in the country is occurring rapidly, with 4,000 residential boilers capable of using biomass pellets installed as of 2010, and the country’s first biomass power cogeneration facility projected to come online in the second quarter of 2012, at Donghae. Imported biomass pellets from Canada and Indonesia make up the majority of supply currently.

Hydropower

Hydroelectricity is the country’s top renewable source with 5,6 TWh produced in 2008 (1,2% o the total).  The pumped storage share increased sharply in 2008 (44.8%) as a result of an increase of over 1 TWh produced by this type of power plant. It has been estimated that South Korea has a small-scale hydro potential of up to 1.5GW, and that 198MW could be generated by 2012. Installed capacity represents less than 5% of the domestic potential, indicating significant untapped resources. Five small hydroelectric plants are currently in the project pipeline, as part of the Four Rivers project.

Geothermal

Geothermal heat pumps are found in over 700 locations throughout the country, and are typically in the 300 to 100 kW size for a total of over 3,000 units. The geothermal resource of the country is insufficient for electricity generation, but current installed thermal capacity amounts to 229.3 MW.

The new targets set under the Green Growth Plan to enhance efficiency from 0.290 TOE/US$’000 in 2013 and to 0.233 TOE/US$’ 000 in 2020 appear to be an improvement on the targets in the General Energy Conservation and Efficiency Improvement Plan adopted in 2004. In comparative terms, however, energy intensity remains slightly above that of most IEA member countries. Per capita consumption of electricity rose to 7,700 kWh in 2007, with 4.67 ktoe of primary energy per capita in 2008. Industry in the country is typically quite energy-intensive, with a high proportion of manufacturing and high-tech industries. This is reflected in the energy consumption of the industrial sector, which accounted for 29.3% of the total final energy consumption in 2008.

Industry

Energy use reduction target of 17 Mtoe by 2030.

Mandatory energy audits every 5 years for large consumers, with subsidies available for the involved costs.

Utilities

11% renewable energy contribution target by 2030.

Promotion of combined-cycle thermal plants.

Transport

19% energy use reduction goal in the sector by 2030.

Extensive minimum vehicle fuel economy standards, applicable to all new vehicles produced in the country.

Residential

Energy efficiency standards and labelling programmes for 7 appliance categories (electric refrigerators, A/C, incandescent bulbs, FLs, self ballasted lamps, ballast for FLs and passenger cars).

EE Certification (voluntary) for office equipment and home electrical appliances.

Voluntary building energy efficiency certification programmes.

Implementation of LED lighting schemes.

Public

Government investment in RE and EE R&D projects.

Increased renewable energy use in public buildings.

Installation of prototype LED street lighting.

In January 2009, in a move to introduce competition, the Government announced the Basic Plan for Restructuring the Electricity Industry, which included unbundling and privatization of Korea’s state-owned electricity monopoly, the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO, www.kepco.co.kr/eng/). Part of the plan has been implemented, including the establishment of the Korea Power Exchange (http://www.kpx.or.kr/english/) and the Korea Power Commission in April 2001. The power generation part of KEPCO was split into six wholly-owned companies (five thermal generation companies, serving geographically-determined regions, and the Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., LTD, http://www.khnp.co.kr/en/). The five thermal generation companies that split from KEPCO were to be privatized in stages. However, in July 2008, the Government announced that there would be no further privatization of KEPCO and its five subsidiaries. At the end of 2009, 51% of KEPCO (as a holding company) was owned by the Korean Government.

The Korea National Oil Corporation (KNOC, www.knoc.co.kr/ENG/) has been exploring and developing oil and gas locally and abroad to improve energy security. To encourage private companies to invest in development projects overseas, the Korean Government has expanded its policy of supplying long-term low-interest loans through the Special Account of Energy and Resources. At the end of February 2009, KNOC had equity stakes in 46 exploration and production projects in 17 economies, including Indonesia, Vietnam, Yemen, Nigeria, the United States and Peru.

Gas market

The Korea Gas Corporation (KOGAS, http://www.kogas.or.kr/kogas_eng/html/main/main.jsp) has a monopoly over Korea’s natural gas industry, including the import, storage, transport and wholesale businesses. Thirty city gas companies operate the gas retail business in each region. Not only is KOGAS the world’s largest LNG importer; it also develops natural gas resources in economies such as Australia, Uzbekistan and Nigeria.

KEPCO is still a dominant player in the electricity sector, controlling 94% of total power generation and 100% of transmission/distribution in Korea. Generation has been unbundled into six separate companies, however, they are all still owned in entirety by KEPCO. 68 other companies account for the remaining 6% of installed capacity, selling to the sole buyer, KEPCO, through the Korean Power Exchange.

KNOC holds a majority stake in the upstream sector of the country. The downstream sector is home to several large international oil companies including SK Energy, which has a roughly 34 percent share of the petroleum product market (excluding LPGs). Other companies involved in the downstream sector include GS Caltex, S-Oil, and Hyundai Oilbank. These corporations have historically focused on refining, but some have put increasing emphasis on crude extraction projects in other countries. SK Energy also owns the largest stake in the Daehan Oil Pipeline Corporation (DOPCO), which exclusively owns and manages Korea’s oil pipelines, although most of the country’s oil is distributed in tankers or tank trucks.

KOGAS is a state-owned company, and holds a monopoly on all natural gas activities in the country.

In September 2008, Korea announced a long-term strategy that will determine the direction of its energy policy to 2030. The plan’s long-term energy goals are to:

Improve energy efficiency and reduce energy consumption. By 2030, Korea will reduce its energy intensity by 46%, from 341 toe/USD million to 185 toe/USD million. This is expected to result in energy savings of 42 million toe.

Increase the supply of clean energy and reduce the use of fossil fuels. By 2030, the share of renewable energy in total primary energy will reach 11% from 2.4% in 2007.

Boost the green energy industry. By 2030, Korea’s green energy technologies will be comparable to levels of most advanced economies.

Ensure that citizens have access to affordable energy. The government will ensure that energy sources are accessible and affordable to low-income households

Low Carbon, Green Growth

On 15 August 2008, Low Carbon, Green Growth was proclaimed as Korea’s new vision. This vision aims to shift the current development model of fossil-fuel dependent growth to an environmentally friendly one. To realize this vision, the Presidential Commission on Green Growth was established in February 2009. The Basic Act on Low Carbon and Green Growth was subsequently submitted and is now pending in congress. This legislation will provide the legal and institutional basis for green growth. To implement the vision of green growth more effectively, the National Strategy for Green Growth was adopted along with the Five-Year Plan for Green Growth in June 2009. The National Strategy for Green Growth is to build a comprehensive, long-term (2009–2050) master plan to address challenges caused by climate change and resource depletion. It consists of three main objectives and 10 policy directions, including:

reduction in the use of fossil fuels and the enhancement of energy independence

strengthening the capacity to adapt to climate change

mitigation of climate change and achievement of energy independence

effective reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

South Korea already has FITs in place for wind and solar power; however, from 2012 these will be replaced by a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), approved by the South Korean Assembly in March 2010. This RPS will require the 14 power utilities with capacities exceeding 500 MW in the country to generate 4% of energy from renewable sources by 2015, increasing to 10% by 2022. Effective as of 2012, this program will mandate an additional 350 MW/year of renewable energy capacity until 2016, and 700 MW/year thereafter. In addition to this, all RE technologies receive a 5% tax credit, and in 2009, import duties were halved on all components/equipment used in RE power plants. Government subsidies are also available to local governments of up to 60% for the installation of renewable facilities, as well as offering low interest loans (5.5%-7.5%) to RE projects, including a 5-year grace period followed by a 10-year repayment period.

Investment in solar power generation equipment has declined precipitously. The net capacity declined from 275.7 MW in 2008 to 72.5 MW in 2009. This is due to cuts in subsidies to pay the difference in power generation costs. The Ministry of Knowledge Economy enacted measures in April 2009 to reduce the subsidies for renewable energy sources such as solar energy, limiting the subsidy coverage to 50 MW in 2009, 70 MW in 2010 and 80 MW in 2011. Photovoltaic Energy Producers Association Vice Chairman Jeong Dong-il said because of the subsidy cuts, small-scale producers who have led the way in the domestic solar power industry, equipment firms and builders have taken a major hit.

Nuclear power development has also progressed in the country lately. KHNP plans to complete 18 nuclear power plants by 2030 at a cost of 40 - 50 trillion won ($32 to 40 billion), to provide 59% of the country's electricity.  This target was endorsed by the Prime Minister in March 2010.  In December 2010 the Ministry of Knowledge Economy (MKE) projected 14 new nuclear reactors on line by 2024, to provide almost half of the country's electricity.

In an effort to have a low-carbon economy, Korea is actively participating in the post-Kyoto international dialogue and norm-building for climate change and RE. The dialogues in which Korea is active are the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership, International Partnership for the Hydrogen Economy, Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate, and International Energy Agency/Committee on Energy Research and Technology. Korea is giving serious consideration to joining the International Renewable Energy Agency, which is led by Germany. In addition, to properly gauge Korea’s role in reducing CO2 emissions, Korea seeks to cooperate with similarly positioned countries such as Switzerland and Mexico to form a common position toward climate change negotiations. In relations with developing countries, Korea is incorporating the Clean Development Mechanism into its overseas investment and foreign aid.

The Ministry of Knowledge Economy (MKE, http://www.mke.go.kr/language/eng/) is responsible for developing and implementing energy policies and programs, administering the energy industry, supporting research and development of new energy technologies and formulating international cooperation on energy-related matters. MKE was established in 2008 by merging the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy with elements of the Ministry of Information and Communications, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and the Ministry of Finance and Economy, with the aim of creating an enhanced Government instrument capable of meeting the new challenges of the twenty-first century.

Public research institutes support ministries with analysis and development of energy policy measures, including:

Korea Energy Economics Institute (KEEI, http://www.keei.re.kr/main...) – KEEI’s activities include the modeling and forecasting of energy trends to support the development of National Energy Plans and Energy Policy. It deals with the electricity and gas sectors, and has teams specializing in CHP and renewable energy.

Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER, www.kier.re.kr/ope...) – KIER tests new energy technologies as part of the certification process of the Government.

Korea Energy Management Corporation (KEMCO, www.kemco.or.kr/eng/) – KEMCO is responsible for collecting data on the energy sector, as well as developing energy policy. This includes district heating and CHP.

Korea Energy Statistical Information System (KESIS, http://www.kesis.net/index.jsp) – KESIS is responsible for providing statistical information to the government on all aspects of the national energy sector.

Key environmental policy decisions are made by the Environmental Preservation Committee. This committee is chaired by the Prime Minister and includes the Ministry of Environment and other ministries as appropriate. Other public affiliate bodies of the Ministry of Environment are the National Institution of Environmental Research and the Korean Institute of Environmental Science and Technology.

The Government has allocated around US$14.2 billion for an initiative to improve energy efficiency by 11.3% by 2012 compared with 2007, and save 34 Mtoe. It is part of Korea’s long-term energy plan, announced in August 2008, aiming to achieve a 4.6% annual EE improvement by 2030. To meet the target, the Government will phase out incandescent lamps by 2013, provide incentives for companies to invest in EE and implement a program modeled on Japan’s Top Runner Program to complement the current Energy Efficiency Label and Standard Program. Other actions will also be taken:

1. The Government will invest approximately US$930 million in seven core technologies; building energy management systems, electric power IT, energy storage, green vehicles, LEDs, technologies to improve the efficiency of the most energy-intensive appliances, and green home appliances.

2. By 2012, average fuel economy for automobiles will be improved by 16.5%. Fuel economy for engine sizes below 1.5 litres (L) will be improved from 12.4 km/L (29 miles per gallon (mpg) US) to 14.4 km/L (33.9 mpg); engine sizes above 1.5 L will be improved from 9.6 km/L (22.6 mpg) to 11.2 km/L (26.3 mpg).

3. For buildings with the highest level of EE (grade 1), the Government will increase the maximum floor area ratio by 6%.

4. When purchasing appliances for use in Government buildings, the Government will give preference to models with grade 1 energy efficiency label and less than 1 watt of standby power.

5. To encourage businesses to improve EE, the Government will divide businesses into four categories according to consumption. Measures such as negotiated and voluntary agreements will be introduced for each category.

In January 2009, the Korean Government announced a renewable energy plan, under which RES will account for a steadily increasing share of the energy mix to 2030.  The plan covers investment, technology development, infrastructure, and programs to promote renewable energy. RES will account for 4.3%, 6.1% and 11% of the energy mix in 2015, 2020 and 2030 respectively—a significant increase from the 2007 share of 2.4%. According to this initiative, the Government will:

Allocate funds and attract investment to increase the use of RES. The initiative will cost KRW 111.5 trillion (about US$85.8 billion) between now and 2030, of which nearly a third will come from the Government. Of that amount, KRW 100 trillion (US$76.9 billion) has been allocated to promote renewable energy and KRW 11.5 trillion (US$8.8 billion) will be used to develop green technologies. After 2020, when RES have become more economically viable, the proportion of private investment will increase.

Support the development of green technologies to make renewable energy more cost effective. The Government will introduce a renewable portfolio standard in 2012, support the construction of 1 million ‘green homes’ between 2009 and 2020, and provide incentives for wider use of RES in new and renovated buildings. The Government will also strengthen the role of local authorities in encouraging use of RES.

Improve infrastructure for RE. Measures will take the form of a RE investment fund; amendment of any regulations hindering the transition to RE, promotional efforts to raise  awareness of RE benefits, a classification system which conforms to that used by the International Energy Agency to facilitate more effective analysis of statistics; and programs to foster technical professionals with the necessary expertise.

In July 2009, the country adopted a Five-Year Plan for Green Growth (2009/2013) to serve as a medium-term plan for implementing the “low-carbon, green growth vision” announced a year earlier. On December 30, 2009, South Korea’s National Assembly adopted the Basic Law on Low Carbon and Green Growth, which President Lee Myung-Bak signed into law on January 13, 2010. As anticipated, the legislation targets spending 2% of the country’s GDP annually to stimulate green businesses and projects, encourages programs to mitigate GHG emissions, and delegates its implementation to several key Governmental ministries.

In 2011, the Government instituted mandatory energy provision from RES figures for all new or renovated public buildings from April. The obligation ratio will be enhanced gradually from 10% in 2011 to 20% in 2020, and the area will be reinforced with the standard of 1,000 square meters in 2012.

R&D Plan to Nurture the Green Industry

As part of its efforts to become one of the world’s top-five green energy powerhouses by 2020, Korea intends to double its budget for energy R&D between now and then. Under a plan announced in November 2011, Korea will strengthen its core technology in the area of green energy and secure 10% of the global market. Technology development and R&D carried out under the plan will affect a 12% increase in energy efficiency and account for half the reduction in emissions needed for Korea to meet its 2020 target of 30% below the business-as-usual level.

Korea Electricity Commission (www.korec.go.kr) is the organization responsible for regulation of the electricity sector. It was established on April 27, 2001 to ensure a smooth transition to a competitive electricity market and a continuously well functioning market. It consists of experts and representatives from various fields and provides the necessary administrative services.

The Committee consists of 1 chairman and 8 members, with one permanent member. Members, including the chairman, are nominated by the MKE, and appointed by the President. There are five expert commissions that consist of 42 members. The Chairman of the Committee appoints the Members. The secretariat consists of one bureau and five divisions.

The Electricity Business Act 2000 assigns ultimate regulatory responsibility to the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Energy. The Act provided for the creation of KOREC to be the regulatory body within MOCIE, now the MKE,, primarily to “deliberate and resolve” the key regulatory functions of the minister before final approval is granted.

KOREC:

- Implements necessary standards and measures for electricity market operation, and reviews matters related to licensing electric companies;

- Acts as an arbitrator when necessary in disputes that involve electricity companies and consumers;

- Investigates deceptive and illegal business activities of market participants to protect consumers;

- Follows through the restructuring of the electric power industry, which has currently been paused.

KOREC was established as a division of the MOCIE, now the MKE. As such the MKE has full legal authority to reject or overrule the decisions of KOREC, and direct the policy- and decision-making processes of the Commission, although it has never done so.

KOREC is still operating as a division of the MKE, although with full operational autonomy. The managerial structure of the Commission is determined by the Government. South Korea has traditionally had a strong framework for sustainable energy uptake, as evidenced by the successful feed-in tariff scheme in the 2000s, and it is hoped the new Renewable Portfolio Standard will continue to build capacity in line with government targets.

OECD/IEA Statistics 2011. Share of TPES in 2009. Available at: http://www.iea.org/sta... [Accessed 9th September 2013]

UNEP. Overview of Republic of Korea’s National Strategy for Green Growth. April 2010. Available at: <a href="http://www.unep.org/PDF/PressReleases/201004_unep_national_strategy.pdf"... [Accessed 9th September 2013]

KOGAS website. Exploration and Production Projects. Available at: http://www.kogas... [Accessed 9th September 2013]

OECD. Regulatory Reform in Korea. 2000. Available at: http://www.oecd.org/data... [Accessed 9th September 2013]

ADB. Proposed loan Visayas Base-Load Power Development Project (Philippines) July 2009. Available at: <a href="http://www.adb.org/projects/documents/visayas-base-load-power-developmen... 9th September 2013]

EIA- U.S. Energy Information Administration website. South Korea, 2011. Last updated January 2013. Available at: http://www.eia.go... [Accessed 9th September 2013]

Transmission and Distribution World (2006) Korea's First 765kV Double-Circuit Line. Available at: http://... [Accessed 9th September 2013]

IAEA website. Republic of Korea. 2011. Avaiable at: <a href="http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/Publications/PDF/CNPP2011_CD/countryprofile... [Accessed 9th September 2013]

Korea JoongAng Daily (2011) Turning Tides. Available at: <a href="http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=293... [Accessed 9th September 2013]

biomass-energy.org (2011) South Korea As An Upcoming Destination For Exported Biomass. Available at: <a href="http://www.biomass-energy.org/2011/11/south-korea-as-an-upcoming-destina... [Accessed 9th September 2013]

APEC. Energy Overview 2009. March 2010. Available at: http://www.iadb.or... [Accessed 9th September 2013]

Eurasia Review (2011) South Korea Energy Profile: Major Energy Importer, Including Oil, Gas And Coal – Analysis. Available at: <a href="http://www.eurasiareview.com/11102011-south-korea-energy-profile-major-e... [Accessed 9th September 2013]

Presidential Commission on Green Growth Republic of Korea. Road to our future: Green growth. National Strategy and the Five Year Plan 2009-2013. Available at: <a href="http://apgreenjobs.ilo.org/resources/road-to-our-future-green-growth-nat... [Accessed 9th September 2013]

Renewable Energy World Website. Quick look: Renewable Energy Development in South Korea. Available at: <a href="http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2010/12/quick-look-... [Accessed 9th September 2013]

The Hankyoreh. Renewable Energy faces investment crisis in South Korea. 2010. Available at: h... [Accessed 9th September 2013]

World Nuclear Association Website. Nuclear Power in South Korea. Available at: http://world-nuclear.org/info/... [Accessed 9th September 2013]

IEEJ website. Compendium of Energy Efficiency Policies of APEC Economics. Available at: http://www.ieej.or.jp/aperc/... [Accessed 9th September 2013]

IEA Website. The International CHP/DHC collaborative. Country Scorecard ROK. Available at: http://www.iea.org/g8/chp/... [Accessed 9th September 2013]

The WB-INFRA update. Lessons from the implementation of Republic of Korea´s Green Stimulus. June 2010. Available at: <a href="http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTSDNET/Resources/5944695-1247775731... [Accessed 9th September 2013]

Hunton & Williams LLP- Lexology website. South Korea’s “low carbon, green growth” initiative spurs renewable energy. February 2010. Available at: <a href="http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=423ec506-b23e-4cac-bad0-24... [Accessed 9th September 2013]

IEA - Energy Policies of IEA Countries. The Republic of Korea 2006 Review - Industry History and Liberalisation. Available at: <a href="http://books.google.dk/books?id=MOfmiQVhidsC&pg=PA133&lpg=PA133&... [Accessed 9th September 2013]

IEA. Korea - RES-E building obligation for public administration and enterprises buildings. Available at: <a href="http://www.iea.org/policiesandmeasures/pams/korearepublicof/name,25045,e... [Accessed 9th September 2013]

Korean Electricity Commission.- KOREC. http://www.leadernews.co.kr/kor... [Accessed 9th September 2013]

Korea Power Exchange. http://www.kpx.or.kr/english/ [A... 9th September 2013]

energy, electricity generation, electricity, renewable energies, international development, natural gas, energy efficiency
South Korea (2012) | REEEP


The Bangalore police hope that interrogating K Sahul Hameed alias Paravai Basha, who was arrested by the Tamil Nadu police on Saturday, would throw more light on the bomb blast that took place near the BJP office in Malleswaram a year ago.
Basha has been named an accused in the blast case and is said to have arranged the logistics and supplied explosives to those who executed it. The Bangalore police would seek his custody in the coming days.
A team of CB-CID of Tamil Nadu, which is probing a case pertaining to planting of a pipe bomb allegedly targeting senior BJP leader L K Advani in Tamil Nadu in 2011, arrested Basha near Punalur in Kollam district in Kerala on Saturday.
A local court in Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu on Monday remanded him in police custody."We contacted the Tamil Nadu police and confirmed the news of Basha's arrest. We have not taken any decision regarding sending a team to the neighbouring state to seek his custody at this point in time. The Tamil Nadu police are currently conducting the investigation. But we will certainly seek his custody," Bangalore's Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Pranab Mohanty told Deccan Herald on Monday. "It is not just handling logistics, Basha is also one of the prime conspirators. We need to take his custody and his interrogation might throw more light on unseen hands. The police will quiz him regarding the entire conspiracy and the whereabouts of Aboobakkar Siddiqui, the key conspirator, and three others who are still at large," he said.
The police believe Aboobakkar is on the run changing his hideouts. Basha's arrest, his interrogation and subsequent disclosures will help the police to nab Aboobakkar, the police said.
The Bangalore police identified 20 people as accused in the Malleswaram case and were able to arrest 15 of them. Five others, including Shamsuddin, Ali Khan Kutty, Paravai Basha and Aboobakkar Siddiqui, are yet to be arrested.
Basha, a resident of Melapalayam in Tirunelveli district, was evading arrest for the last eight months. On apprehending him, police seized from him 17.25 kg of explosives, including 136 gel packs, 141 detonators, a pistol with 50 rounds of ammunition, besides Rs six lakh in cash raised in the name of Charitable Trust for Minorities.
"He is in the custody of the Tamil Nadu police and we want to know about the conspiracy behind the explosives seized. We will also interrogate him to ascertain whether he had any role in the murders of leaders of various Hindu outfits in the State and to know about the whereabouts of some of the absconding terror suspects," the officer added.


Your all grows'd up and your all grows'd up! Did anyone else find it more than a little amusing for the President – who makes more time to relax than Hef most weeks – decided to chide the opposition with being immature in budget negotiations? While I will admit that I am concerned Congress is debating a shutdown over a couple billion when the real fight over $6Trillion looms, did it ever occur to the President that this budget was supposed to be passed LAST year?
In this edition of Rock The Capital Minute; workers at the Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan have been evacuated today. One of the world's leading authorities on nuclear power drops by RTC for a show and tell on what needs to happen to bring the crisis under control. The World's Health Organization is warning people in Japan to be very careful about what they consume. This after food sources and water in some parts of the country were found to have excessive levels of radiation. In Pennsylvania, trustees at Penn State took the unusual step of halting all construction projects. This follows Governor Corbett's proposal to cut some 182 million dollars.
Scott Paterno appeared on PCN to talk about what led him to suggest that Pennsylvania cut his alma mater off from all public funding.
Wait till you see the dots ProPublica connects from Governor Corbett to his new head of Department of Community Economic Development.
In this edition of Rock The Capital Minute, Scott Paterno's idea to strip all funding from Penn State has become a controversy, and Paterno further explains the thinking that led him to his call. Japan is dealing with the aftermath of a major earthquake and now a nuclear emergency has been declared, and in Philadelphia it truly is the only time to celebrate when you finish in the 5th place.


[blue folder] 'schools'. Surnames of schoolmasters in the Royal Schools and dozens of IGI searches in English counties for surnames of same including Bond, Higginson, Lydiat, Robinson, Starkie etc.
Xerox copies of some 10 articles in The Foyle College Times in the 1950s on masters of the Free School to 1660. Also history of the school (Foyle College) 1617–1930.
Copy of W.S. Ferguson's article on Mathias Springham 1561–1620. No title is given for the book or where this is published. The article appears on pp 194–203 with 92 footnotes. W.S.F. was Vice Principal of Foyle College a founder trustee of the Ulster-Scot Historical Society and honorary City Archivist in Derry.
Typed essay on the Irish Society which appears as a preface in the publication of a Description Book on properties in the city and county of Londonderry which appears to have been published in 1825. The essay was by J.C. Beresford Senior and Junior and comprises 20 pages A4 double spacing.
Pencil extract survey book of the Manor of Castle Dillon c.1711 addressed to Samuel Molyneux Esquire with pen and ink handwritten notes. The reference for the note appears to be D|M|2|1 but source is not specified.
R.J.H.'s handwritten extracts from a MS in Armagh [Diocesan] Library entitled 'The title, interest and purchase of the Manor of Castle Dillon in the Barony of O'Neiland, Co. Armagh with copies of the deeds and other papers relating thereto drawn up by me William Molyneaux in the month of December 1696'. The notes are written on four Magee University College exam folders comprising some 40 pages.
The MS is in 'Armagh Library' which is almost certainly the Armagh Church of Ireland Diocesan Public Library. The MS may extend to 250 pages and includes a very full abstract of the will of John Dillon the elder of Castle Dillon who died 1837. This appears on pp 92–94.
Approx. 12 IGI searches with annotations for surnames Fiennes, Heron, Sacheverell? c.1580–c.1620.
Incomplete xerox copy of The Siege And History Of Londonderry edited by John Hempton published Londonderry, Dublin and London 1861; includes the poem LONDERIADOS Commonly Called The Armagh MSS (1790) pp 24–57.
[green folder] 'Writings of Protestant Ecclesiastics in Ulster (3 pp) and R.J.H.'s pen and ink note entitled 'Bedell: a Jacobean Bishop in a Caroline setting'.
Note by R.J.H. stating that output of churchmen in Ulster and Ireland in sermons and theological works was much smaller than in England. The writers tended to be new English in Ireland with Ussher the conspicuous exception.


So how does Archie Miller's first season for IU basketball compare to his previous work at Dayton? And what can Hoosiers fans expect in the future?
Archie Miller's first season at IU has parallels to his start at Dayton. And it worked out just fine for the Flyers.
Tim Wabler was tired of sitting on the fence.
In 2011, Dayton's then-athletic director was the steward of a basketball program perennially stuck on the bubble.
On top of that, Wabler had just lost his coach, Brian Gregory, to Georgia Tech. Wabler went to Houston, site of that year's Final Four, searching not just for a replacement, but one who could elevate Dayton to a new level.
It was there, in a hotel conference room, that Wabler met Archie Miller.
Over six seasons, Miller achieved what he and Wabler talked about, and more — two regular-season conference titles, an Elite Eight run in 2014 and a Dayton-record four-straight NCAA tournament appearances. All while never swerving from the central philosophies Miller outlined to his boss when they first met.
Now, he's tasked with doing the same at Indiana.
What experiences at Dayton might Miller draw from as he builds his program in Bloomington? And as he reaches the end of his first season, what parallels might IU fans see in the two projects?
Miller brought a binder to that meeting with Wabler in 2011. He'd packed it with notes, observations, explanations — everything he needed to lay out his vision for building Dayton into the kind of program Wabler dreamed of.
His basic tenets didn't differ from the ones he laid out to IU fans upon arrival last spring.
And, as at Indiana, he didn't swerve from those core principles, even in rough patches.
"That year one at Dayton was a building year," Ostrom said.
The Flyers won 20 games in Miller's first season, and 17 in his second. Some of the low points and flaws might seem familiar now to IU fans.
Dayton lost to Miami (Ohio) on the road in Miller's second game in charge, and in his first season, the Flyers lost 84-55 at home to Buffalo. They finished 9-7 in conference play, but just 160th nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency, according to Ken Pomeroy.
They qualified for the NIT that season, but didn't play in the postseason beyond the Atlantic 10 tournament one year later. Dayton rose only 15 spots in that second season, to 145th in adjusted defensive efficiency, and finished two games under .500 in league play. Of the Flyers' nine conference losses, six came by six points or fewer.
Through what Ostrom termed that "building process," Miller's adherence to those principles — tough-nosed defense played in a pack-line style, an offense feeding off that defense, strong guard play — never waned.
"He has an unwavering belief that the philosophy, the way we teach it, the implementation, it works," Ostrom said.
Miller's approach never wavered, those around him said, because the man himself never did.
In Miller's third season at Dayton, the one that would eventually thrust him into the national spotlight, the Flyers started strong. They won seven of their first eight games, including two in the Maui Invitational. Dayton was 12-3 by the time Atlantic 10 play arrived.
But then the Flyers stumbled, losing five of their first six in the league.
"Not from an Xs and Os standpoint, but Archie never panicked," said David Jablonski, Dayton beat writer for the Dayton Daily News. "I remember when they were 1-5 in the league, they had a last-second loss to St. Joseph. He came to the press conferences with the same attitude, every time, win or loss.
Dayton would change its fortunes, winning nine of its last 10 conference games. After a two-game stay in the A-10 tournament, the Flyers won three in the NCAAs, defeating Ohio State, Syracuse and Stanford before falling to Florida in the Elite Eight.
They found success in depth — nine different players averaged at least 12 1/2 minutes per game, and 12 played at least 6 1/2.
Yet the next season, because of departures, suspensions and injuries, Dayton found itself in almost the complete opposite situation.
The Flyers' starters averaged at least 29.1 minutes per game apiece. Three players averaged between 32.8 and 33.8. By the end of that season, Dayton wasn't playing anyone taller than 6-6.
At one point, during an extended break between games, Miller called a team meeting.
Dayton finished that season top-50 nationally in opponent free-throw rate. Opponents shot just 46.5 percent on 2-pointers.
Miller's team finished the Atlantic 10 season 13-5, to that point his best conference win total. The Flyers won twice in the NCAA tournament, before losing to Oklahoma in the round of 32.
Two drastically different teams, and two drastically different sets of challenges. One unbending coach, with unshakeable confidence.
Has that translated to IU? It's easy to fit facts to your own conclusions, but there are apparent parallels.
>> Miami (Ohio) and Buffalo could be swapped out for Indiana State and Fort Wayne.
>> Injuries and departures, both to the NBA and via transfer, left IU with a starting lineup at the end of Big Ten play that topped out at 6-7, and included both a junior college transfer (Freddie McSwain) and a walk-on (Zach McRoberts).
>> Fans clamored over defensive weaknesses, some wondering if it might be prudent to pivot to something more workable short term, and worry about drilling home specific principles later. Just as he had at Dayton — where his last three teams finished 43rd or better in adjusted defensive efficiency and his last four won a combined 102 games — Miller stuck to his plan.
There have also been results. Indiana's defense has gone from 104th nationally last season to 55th as of Tuesday, according to Pomeroy. The Hoosiers actually enjoyed a brief spell with the Big Ten's best defense in conference games alone, and turnover problems have lessened as well.
Just as Miller envisioned. Players have used the word "connected" to describe their on-court progress this season. It applies to their relationship with their coach as well.
"It's really come about as far as what he wants for us on defense, and offense," said Juwan Morgan, IU's leading scorer and rebounder. "It's easy for us to echo that out to the rest of the team. Because at first it was just coach telling us what we needed to do and us trying to figure out how to do it in different ways, but now just all of us absorbing what he's been teaching.
Indiana travels to New York this week as the No. 6 seed in the Big Ten tournament. The Hoosiers were picked as low as 12th in the conference in the preseason, and that rocky start didn't change many minds.
Fans will rue missed opportunities for signature home wins over Michigan State, Ohio State and Purdue, the Big Ten's 1-2-3 finishers. But after the Fort Wayne loss, Pomeroy's projections saw IU losing 15 of its last 16 league games, and instead, the Hoosiers finished in the conference's top half.
It wasn't close to what Miller wants at Indiana, any more so than what he wanted at Dayton.
But it felt like a start.


text:
Ondřej Hotárek, né le  à Brno en Tchécoslovaquie, est un patineur artistique italien et tchèque, représentant l'Italie depuis 2006. Avec son ancienne partenaire de couple Stefania Berton avec laquelle il patinait depuis 2009, il est médaillé de bronze aux Championne d'Europe 2013, a gagné le Skate Canada 2013 et est quadruple champion d'Italie de 2010 à 2013. Berton/Hotarek est le premier couple italien médaillé européen et en Grand Prix.

En 2014, il est associé avec Valentina Marchei, une patineuse qui concourait en simple.

Au début de sa carrière, il était un patineur de simple.

Biographie

Carrière sportive

Palmarès
Avec trois partenaires :
 Laura Magitteri (3 saisons : 2007-2009)
 Stefania Berton (5 saisons : 2009-2014)
 Valentina Marchei (4 saisons : 2014-2018)

Références

Liens externes

Patineur artistique italien
Patineur artistique tchèque
Patineur artistique aux Jeux olympiques d'hiver de 2014
Patineur artistique aux Jeux olympiques d'hiver de 2018
Naissance en janvier 1984
Naissance à Brno
Naissance en Tchécoslovaquie

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Opinion: enough with claiming the world's fastest autofocus
By Matt Golowczynski
It sounds great, but it means very little
As helpful as it is to have camera manufacturers focusing on something other than megapixels these days, they still need to come up with reasons to brag about their latest models. Whether it's a brand-new feature or an existing one made much better, new cameras need a reason to exist.
Today, the focus seems to be on focus itself – more specifically, just how promptly an autofocus system can spring to life and get a lock on the subject you're shooting. What we now see is a suspiciously high number of cameras with the words 'world's fastest autofocus system' somewhere in their press release.
Unless you're blessed with the reflexes of a fly, autofocus speed is incredibly difficult to measure in real-world conditions, so we're taking the manufacturers at their word when they claim their latest camera can manage to focus in 0.04 or 0.03 seconds. But when everyone starts to claim what appears to be same crown for their own system, you start to wonder what's going on – and how exactly they can do this.
The caveat
Scan a new camera's press release and you'll notice that claims about the world's fastest anything are almost always accompanied by an asterisk, dagger, or a superscripted number when there are a number of party tricks that need clarification. Whichever it is, the reason for its inclusion is the same: whatever it is that's being claimed is only true in very specific conditions.
Take Canon's latest EOS RP mirrorless camera. The very first paragraph of the press release claims it has the world's fastest autofocus, but you have to work your way to the small print right at the end to understand exactly what Canon means by this. It reads:
As of 13 February 2019, among interchangeable lens digital mirrorless cameras incorporating a 35mm full frame equivalent image sensor with contrast detection AF and phase detection AF on the image plane. Calculated from the results of measured AF speed, based on CIPA guidelines (differs depending on shooting conditions and lens used). Measured using internal methods. Measurement conditions: EV12 (ambient temperature/ISO 100), Manual Mode, using the RF24-105mm F4 L IS USM (at a focal length of 24mm) with the following settings: shutter released using the shutter button, 1-point AF (Center AF), One-Shot AF.
So, it's with a specific lens that few people own, used at a specific focal length, with a specific method of focusing and in a specific focus mode. Canon deserves credit for transparency, but "measured using internal methods" means nothing if you don't know what those methods are. Furthermore, the fact that it's only relevant against "digital mirrorless cameras incorporating a 35mm full frame equivalent image sensor with contrast detection AF and phase detection AF on the image plane", may well be as clear as it is fair, but these models still only represent a fraction of the camera market as a whole.
Everyone seems to be at it
The EOS RP is just the most recent example – similar claims were made for the previous EOS R and the company's DSLRs before this – but Canon isn't the only manufacturer playing this game. Indeed, you don't need to look too far back to find many other brands claiming the world's fastest autofocus for their own models, with each claim coming with the obligatory caveats.
This includes Sony, with its A6400 earlier this year, and previously with its RX100 IV and RX100 V compact cameras, along with Panasonic with its Lumix G9. Fujifilm, Olympus and Nikon have all marketed cameras with similar claims in the past.
Few people will read the small print to understand exactly what's being stated, but these claims are often repeated elsewhere without qualification, which makes them even less accurate or useful. Of course, manufacturers can't be held responsible for that, but the intention is to get that headline claim out there, and assume you won't do any research beyond this.
We're also now at a point where a measured difference of 0.01 second between two models makes virtually no difference in practice, even less so if these speeds are only realized in very specific circumstances. When you consider the myriad other factors that inform the capabilities and performance of different autofocus systems – be they tangible ones such as the extent to which an AF system covers the frame, or things that can only be understood through testing – you see just how little value there is in such a simplistic statement.
Such claims will always attract attention, though – and that, of course, is the point. And cameras do get better over time, partly through having sprightlier and more refined autofocusing systems, so we should expect the same kinds of claims to keeping being made. But if you genuinely want to buy the camera with the 'best' autofocusing then it makes far more sense to focus on the technical details, and figure out what your particularly strand of shooting requires. How well a camera adheres to a moving subject; or acquires a lock in poor light or with low-contrast subjects; or gives you agency over adjusting how a focusing system responds to changes in a subject's movement – it's the sum of all these things that separate good autofocusing systems from great ones.
How to master manual focus
Matt Golowczynski
Google's slow destruction of Fitbit is everything wrong with modern tech


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Trio of moms open photography business in historic Port Huron building
Jeremy Ervin
Times Herald
A photography meet-up in Detroit led three Blue Water Area moms to go into business together.
In 2016, Megan Block-Brewer, Courtney Westendorf and Kathryn Bessette formed Mulberry and Sage Photography to help area families document weddings and engagements.
"We really liked working together," Block-Brewer said. "We found a team approach works for the bride and groom."
Westendorf said she got into photography while being a stay-at-home mom.
"I fell in love with preserving the moments they were growing through," Westendorf said.
Mulberry and Sage Photography recently moved into a space inside the historic Ladies of the Maccabees building, 901 Huron Ave., Port Huron. Block-Brewer said the space with its high ceilings, crown moldings and hardwood surfaces fit the Mulberry and Sage Photography brand. The group is working to renovate their rented space and put their own touch on it.
"We were really looking for a place that had a lot of character," she said.
The three women each operate their own photography service separate from Mulberry and Sage Photography. But the partnership allows them to do a more thorough job of covering big events.
The group shoots only weddings and engagements, and each of its packages includes two of the three photographers. So before the ceremony, the two photographers can follow the bride and groom as they prepare separately. At the reception, one photographer can engage with guests while the other hangs out at the bride and groom's table.
Many of the couples served by Mulberry and Sage Photography come from Detroit, Block-Brewer said. The wedding business is a great way bring people to the Blue Water Area for the first time, Block-Brewer said.
"We really have a passion for showcasing the area," she said.
For more information about Mulberry and Sage Photography, visit mulberryandsage.com, the group's Facebook page at facebook.com/mulberryandsagephotography, or by calling (810) 334-0684.
The photographers' individual photo services can be found at:
Megan Block-Brewer: memoirs.photography
Courtney Westendorf: courtneymayphotography.com
Kathryn Bessette: facebook.com/kathrynbessettephoto
Contact education reporter Jeremy Ervin at (810) 989-6276 or jervin@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @ErvinJeremy.


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Kuhschubsen oder Küheschubsen () ist eine moderne Sage. Im Stehen schlafende oder dösende Hausrinder sollen sich angeblich durch Anstoßen leicht umwerfen lassen. Jedoch schlafen Rinder nicht im Stehen. Auch könnte ein Mensch nicht genügend Kraft aufbringen, um ein ausgewachsenes Rind umzustoßen.

Ablauf
Ziel des Kuhschubsens sei es, stehende Rinder durch gezieltes Anstoßen dazu zu bringen, auf die Seite zu kippen und umzufallen. Da – so die Behauptung – wache Rinder Widerstand gegen solche Angriffe zeigen, solle man im Stehen schlafende Rinder als Ziel auswählen. Diese könnten weder den Angriff voraussehen noch schnell genug reagieren, um sich abzufangen.

Physik
Diesem Prinzip liegt die Überlegung zugrunde, dass der Rinderkörper einen relativ hohen Schwerpunkt aufweist und die Beine eine vergleichsweise nur geringe Standbreite besitzen, um das Gewicht seitlich abzustützen. In Wirklichkeit sind zumindest Hausrinder standfester, als diese Überlegung unterstellt: Damit das Tier tatsächlich umkippt, muss beim Anstoß der Schwerpunkt senkrecht über die Achse des abgewandten seitlichen Beinpaares hinaus bewegt werden. Dabei wird vorausgesetzt, dass die Reibung zu vernachlässigen ist und das Rind nicht etwa auf dem Untergrund rutscht. Eine Studie von Margo Lilie und Tracy Boechler von der University of British Columbia, die mit einem regelmäßigen Quader als Modellkörper und einer angenommenen durchschnittlichen Masse von 682 kg rechnete (abgeleitet von einem ausgewachsenen Holstein-Rind), kam zu dem Ergebnis, dass je nach Beinhaltung des Tieres (Hufe direkt aneinander gestellt, senkrechte Beinhaltung oder breiter Stand), die Kraft von 3,00 erwachsenen Menschen bei engem Stand beziehungsweise 4,43 bei senkrechter Beinhaltung und 5,75 bei breitem Stand nötig wären, um ein ausgewachsenes Tier umzukippen. Dabei gingen sie davon aus, dass ein Erwachsener durchschnittlich 660 N aufwenden kann und insgesamt eine Masse von – je nach Fall – 201 bis 385 kg über die Längsachse gehoben werden muss, was 1975 bis 3777 N entspricht. Diese Annahme ist eine vergleichsweise optimistische Schätzung: Andere Autoren gehen von etwa 300 N als Kraftpotential aus, womit eine Größenordnung von 10 Personen nötig wäre, um das Tier bei senkrechter Beinhaltung umzustoßen. Der Rinderkörper absorbiert in der Realität obendrein durch Verformung einen großen Teil der aufgewandten Stoßenergie.

Biologie
Der Praxis steht auch das tatsächliche Schlafverhalten von Rindern entgegen. Diese schlafen nicht etwa, wie behauptet, im Stehen, sondern fast ausschließlich im Liegen. Stehende Kühe dösen demnach höchstens und würden Widerstand gegen entsprechende Angriffe zeigen.

Realitätsgehalt
Die physikalischen und biologischen Eigenschaften von Kühen stehen im deutlichen Widerspruch zu Erzählungen, die von eher mühelosem Umstoßen von Kühen berichten. Margo Lilie ist nach eigener Aussage nur ein Fall bekannt, in dem es einer Gruppe von Personen gelang, eine Kuh tatsächlich umzustoßen. Dabei stießen sie jedoch nicht nur zu mehreren auf Widerristhöhe, sondern auch auf der anderen Seite gegen die Beine, was das Tier zu Fall brachte. Dies entspricht jedoch nicht dem in den Erzählungen geschilderten typischen Vorgehen. Insgesamt ergeben sich erhebliche Zweifel an der oft behaupteten Beliebtheit und weiten Verbreitung dieser Praxis. Es wäre zudem Tierquälerei, ein Rind auf die beschriebene Weise zu Fall zu bringen, und somit strafbar.

Rezeption
Als moderne Sage fand Kuhschubsen Eingang in die Populärkultur. Eine mit Cow Tipping betitelte Folge der Cartoon-Serie Beavis and Butt-Head (1994) widmete sich ausschließlich diesem Thema. Außerdem wird es in Komödien wie Heathers (1989) und Tommy Boy - Durch Dick und Dünn (1995) sowie 25 km/h (2018) oder den Zeichentrickfilmen Der tierisch verrückte Bauernhof und Cars (beide 2006) behandelt sowie in der 9. Folge der 7. Staffel von The Big Bang Theory (2013) und in der 1. Folge der 1. Staffel von Mord mit Aussicht (2008).

Der englischsprachige Ratgeber The Official Cow-Tippers Handbook von Duke Rightious widmet sich der fiktiven Geschichte und anderen Aspekten des Kuhschubsens.

Ähnliche Vorstellungen
Eine ähnliche Vorstellung fand sich bereits bei antiken Autoren (u. a. Caesar, De Bello Gallico, 6,27). Danach würden Elche an Bäume gelehnt schlafen. Die Germanen würden sie fangen, indem sie die Bäume ansägten, wodurch der Elch zu Fall gebracht würde, sobald er sich anlehnt.

Literatur
  Margo Lillie, Tracy Boechler: [Ohne Titel], unveröffentlicht, 2005;
  Steven Vogel: Living in a Physical World XII. Keeping Up Upward and Down Downward. In: Journal of Bioscience, 32 (6), September 2007. S. 1067–1081; ias.ac.in (PDF)
 Stimmt's? Standhaftes Rind. In: Die Zeit, Nr. 11/2006

Weblinks
  Maggie Wittlin: Udder Impossibility. seedmagazine.com, 18. November 2005. Abgerufen am 12. Juni 2011.

Einzelnachweise

Moderne Sage
Rind in der Kultur


A short game based upon Cervantes' Don Quixote. There are multiple endings based on what you decide to do in-game.
This deserves to be in the literature category--not the historical category.
Other than that, it's so beautifully written that I found great satisfaction with Don Quixote. It's such a raw, provocative game.
About 1 minute to play one round, 5 minutes max to find all endings.


Fortunately, this bodymind is incredibly flexible, and when we let go of the emotional toxicity, our body immediately begins to return to homeostasis, which is a state of self-healing and self-regulation. On an emotional level, the benefits of forgiving and releasing the burden of judgment are valuable beyond compare. In forgiving, we free ourselves from attachments to the past and we clear encumbrances that constrict our heart, expanding our ability to love and be loved.


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Home Disney Parks Magic Kingdom Park
Your complete guide to Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom Park including attractions, restaurants, shows and rides past, present and future. Updated daily.
Aunt Polly's (Disney World Restaurant)
Last updated on: 05/31/19Aunt Polly's Description: Aunt Polly's is a quick service restaurant located on Tom Sawyer Island in Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom. It…
Move It! Shake It! MousekeDance It! Street Party Parade (Disney World)
Last updated on: 03/13/19Disney recently launched a new daily parade at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom to replace the Move It! Shake It! Dance and…
Important Dates in Disney World History (1959-2019)
Last updated on: 06/29/19Here is a comprehensive look at the many important moments in Disney World history. After close to 50 years of operations, there…
Tiana's Showboat Jubilee! – Extinct Disney World Shows
Last updated on: 02/25/19Tiana's Showboat Jubilee! Show Description: Tiana's Showboat Jubilee! was a street party that ran for ten weeks in 2009. The mardi gras-esque…
The Enchanted Tiki Room (Under New Management) – Extinct Disney World
Last updated on: 03/4/19The Enchanted Tiki Room (Under New Management) Show Description: The Enchanted Tiki Room (Under New Management) was Disney's ill-fated attempt at adding…
The Timekeeper – Extinct Disney World Attraction
Last updated on: 03/13/19The Timekeeper Description: The Timekeeper was a CircleVision 360 attraction that replaced American Journeys in Disney World's Tomorrowland from 1994-2006. It starred…
Country Bear Vacation Hoedown – Extinct Disney World Show
Last updated on: 03/13/19Country Bear Vacation Hoedown Description: Country Bear Vacation Hoedown was a temporary replacement for the classic Disney World show The Country Bear…
Flight to the Moon – Extinct Disney World Attraction
Last updated on: 03/13/19Flight to the Moon Description: Flight to the Moon was an (almost) original attraction in Walt Disney World's Tomorrowland park area. The…
Main Street Cinema – Extinct Disney World Attraction
Last updated on: 03/13/19Disney World Main Street Cinema Description: Similar to its counterpart in Disneyland, Disney World's Main Street Cinema was once a working movie…
Magic Carpet 'Round The World – Extinct Disney World Attraction
Tropic Toppers – Extinct Disney World Shop
American Journeys – Extinct Disney World Attraction
Last updated on: 03/13/19American Journeys at Disney World Description: American Journeys was a circle-vision film that was shown in the Magic Kingdom's Tomorrowland area. It…
The House of Treasure – Extinct Disney World Shop
The Golden Galleon – Extinct Disney World Shop
The Pirate's Arcade – Extinct Disney World Attraction
Cornelius Coot's County Bounty – Extinct Disney World Shop
Mickey's Toontown Fair Souvenirs – Extinct Disney World Shop
Toontown Farmer's Market – Extinct Disney World Shop
America the Beautiful – Extinct Disney World Attraction
Last updated on: 03/13/19Disney World's America the Beautiful Description: America the Beautiful was an original attraction in the Magic Kingdom's Tomorrowland. It was a Circle-Vision…
Traders of Timbuktu – Extinct Disney World Shop


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August 17, 2021 Uncategorizedfgreenagel
While I was at the Green Day concert on last Sunday in DC, I got an email about Bill Kane's retirement luncheon on August 12th.
I was at the Dodgers games in Philly on 10th and 11th (both rain delays, both victories, both times I got home around 245 am) and had plans to go solo in the 98 degree heat for the final game in the series at 1 pm on the 12th.
I try to avoid luncheons and work meetings and random social invitations. I'm very much of the Larry David mindset for things I don't plan: "No." But Bill Kane's retirement luncheon is something that I could not miss. Thus I skipped the Dodgers game.
Bill was born and raised in Newark. He graduated with an English degree from Seton Hall in 1962. He served in the Peace Corps in Africa for two years before returning to NJ and completing law school in 1969. He got sober in 1979, eventualy earned his alcohol counseling credential and, in his non-legal practice time, helped postal workers and adult men in prison get sober. He eventually turned his eye towards helping other lawyers and established the NJ Lawyers Assistance Program, which he directed from 1993 until today. Anyone who is anyone who counsels lawyers throughout the United States has been trained or taught by Bill Kane.
Bill started teaching at the Rutgers Center of Alcohol Studies in 1981. I took my last three credentialing classes over the course of a week there in the summer of 2006. I had two classes in the morning that were just terrible. I was most displeased. It was 95 degrees out and the afternoon classroom had no air conditioning. Bill walked in wearing a three piece summer suit. I noticed his impeccable fashion, wide smile, and kind eyes, but I was most impressed by the fact that he wasn't sweating.
He asked us a bunch of legal questions that none of us got right. Then he told us at the end of the week we would get them all right. Each day, he gave us loads of information, told funny stories, and adroitly answered questions. In short, he was the best classroom instructor I ever had in the field of alcohol and drug counseling.
When I became an instructor in the program in 2007, I was most proud to be a fellow faculty member with Bill. What made it even more special was that Bill welcomed me to the faculty and gave me a hearty congratulations. It felt like I had made it.
Over the last 15 years, I have sent my students and interns and supervisees and employees to take his course. "He's the best teacher at the Center of Alcohol Studies," I always told them.
That was often met by one of my students responding, "I thought you were the best teacher here."
And I'd laugh and say, completely seriously, "Not until Bill retires."
In 2012 I was named the Chairman of the NJ Heroin and Opiate Task Force. Eric Arauz was the vice-chair (I called him the co-chair though). The first three people we picked for the Task Force were Gov McGreevey, Dr. Lou Baxter, and Bill Kane.
Governor Christie's office put a bunch of government lawyers on the Task Force. A couple were great; others resisted some of my criticisms of treatment programs, insurance companies, doctors, law enforcement, and Big Pharma. Because of money and political power. They would cite some statute or ruling as a way of resisting a new program or legal change. Bill would chime in and say, "That is not entirely correct." That was his way of saying they were completely wrong. Then he would cite caselaw and name the law by letter, number and year. This happened a few dozen times. On each occasion, I would fold my arms, smile, lean back in my chair, look around and say, "That's why I brought my own fucking lawyer."
One time, one of Governor Christie's people said something about a law involving school counselors. "That is not entirely correct," Bill responded.
"How do you know that?" smugly replied the Christie stooge.
"I helped write the law back in 1987," Bill responded.
Eric smiled, and tried to protect the other lawyer's humiliation, "Well, that answers that." But it was a complete and total smackdown. But in a gentlemanly way. My guy.
I gave a speech about Bill at the luncheon and told those and other stories. I could have gone on and on. Bill has worked as a lawyer for 52 years, been sober for 42 years, and has worked in the helping profession for 40. I have never come across anyone who had something bad to say about him. He made no enemies. And I am but one of thousands of admirers and people he has directly touched. Bill is an icon and a role model for me. I'm not a snappy dresser, I curse a lot, and I seem to collect a new enemy each year. So we have some different methods, but man, I dig his style.
I admire his fire, longevity, impact, and the joy with which he works. His retirement is a loss for the field, the legal profession, and the public. Make no mistake about that. But he has left an impressive legacy and a workforce than can carry on his teachings and values. And the man deserves some down time. So, I'm incredibly happy for him.
But I'm still going to call him with legal questions.
Salut, Bill. You're a fucking legend.
← On Emotions: Their Complexities and Their Roles in Our Functioning and Happiness


Employee churn Also known as employee turnover. The rate at which employees leave a company.
Employers' liability insurance Insurance that pays out in the event that an employee suffers an illness or accident in the course of their work. Employers' liability insurance is a legal requirement for employers.
Enterprise Zone Government-specified areas in which businesses may receive more favourable tax treatment, and other benefits like high speed internet.
Entrepreneur One who starts and/or runs a business.
Equity In finance, equity refers to an ownership interest in an asset. Some business owners choose to sell equity in their business in order to raise capital.
Factoring A process by which a company sells their accounts receivable to a third party, known as a 'factor'. The factor then collects payment from the debtors.
Flat rate scheme A simplified VAT accounting scheme whereby businesses pay VAT as a proportion of their turnover.
Franchise A business arrangement whereby an individual or business is given a licence to sell another business's products or services. Many well-known chains are operated as franchises.
Franchisee One who runs a franchise.
Franchisor One who sells a licence to franchise.
Freedom of Information Act Legislation governing the treatment of personal data by businesses and public bodies.
Freelance An individual who works for a number of different clients.
Goodwill May refer to intangible assets like the strength of a brand. Commonly heard in mergers and acquisitions.
Inhouse Within a business. Contrast with 'outsourcing'.
Incorporation The process by which a business takes on a legal identity separate to that of its owners – for example as a limited company. Incorporation is handled by Companies House.
Inflation A rise in the general price of goods and services. For measures of inflation see RPI and CPI.
Information Commissioner's Office The body responsible for enforcing the Freedom of Information Act, Data Protection Act, and Environmental Information Regulations.
Initial Public Offering The first public sale of shares in a company that had previously been limited. Some businesses choose to sell shares in order to raise capital.
Insolvency Being unable to meet financial obligations. Not to be confused with bankruptcy.
Internship On the job training. Commonly unpaid. Internships are the subject of some controversy, with many businesses unwittingly operating illegal schemes.
IR35 Controversial tax rules originally designed to prevent individuals avoiding tax through the use of intermediary companies. The imposition of IR35 can mean that contractors are invidiously treated as employees for tax purposes.
Key Performance Indicator A metric giving an insight into an important aspect of a business. KPIs might include revenue, customer numbers, customer lifecycle time, and so on. KPIs vary from business to business.
Libor London Interbank Offered Rate. The rate at which banks borrow money from each other.
Limited company A legal structure in which the company is considered to be a legal entity in its own right, separate from its directors, and in which the directors' liability is limited to their initial investment.
Limited liability partnership A legal structure in which the business is run as a partnership, but in which each partner's liability is limited to their initial investment.
Liquidity In practical terms, liquidity refers to a business's ability to honour its short-term financial obligations. Some assets are considered 'illiquid' – meaning that they are not easy to convert into cash.
Loan-to-value Used in mortgages. Refers to the amount being borrowed as a proportion of the property's total value. So, if a borrower has a 25 per cent deposit, the loan-to-value ratio would be 75 per cent.
Markup The difference between what it costs a business to provide a product or service, and the amount they sell it for. Not to be confused with profit margin.
Micro business A business with fewer than 10 employees, and a turnover or balance sheet total of no more than €2 million.
Monetary Policy Committee The Bank of England's rate-setting body. Responsible for setting the base rate and for quantitative easing.
National Employment Savings Trust A state-run occupational pension scheme, designed to help very small businesses comply with auto-enrolment.
National Insurance Contributions Contributions made to a national scheme designed to pay out in the event of illness, unemployment, or retirement. NICs are paid at different levels, known as 'Classes'.


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Jimi Hendrix "Valleys of Neptune" Song Premiere
Author: jimmy
Music, New Album, Song Premiere, Jimi Hendrix, Valleys of Neptune
In case you've been hiding under a rock for the last few months, Jimi Hendrix is set to release a brand-new unreleased studio album titled "Valleys of Neptune". The album will hit stores on March 9th, 2010 and feature 12 previously unreleased studio recordings. Of these 12 songs, there will be new arrangements of classic songs "Red House, "Fire" and "Stone Free". The highlight of the album though, is said to be the track "Valleys Of Neptune", one of the most sought after of Hendrix's commercially unavailable recordings.
Lucky for us "Valleys Of Neptune" is now streaming on Spinner. Check it out and let us know your thoughts!


Largest lot in Cambria. Freshly painted living and dining room! Fantastic home in Cambria community in Davidsonville. Lovely colonial with 2 story foyer, 9 ft ceilings,hardwood foyer, gourmet kitchen with breakfast area which opens to the great room for entertaining, Large owner suite with super bath, garden tub, separate shower, double vanities and walk-in closet. Finished lower level with built-ins, great storage and walkout to fenced back yard. Two tier deck overlooking backyard. Very large side yard - no neighbor to right of the home. Inviting front porch - great to sit on. Public water and sewer. Seller improvements include: New roof March 2018 Spray foam insulation in attic March 2018. New hot water heater - April 2018. New AC/furnace upper level-May 2018. New furnace lower level- October 2018. Over 3600 sq ft including the basement.
Based on information from #60527731 as of April 25th 2019, 9:20:11 pm.


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