We have now successfully rolled out universal credit full service across the country, with 1.6 million people now claiming universal credit. For the next phase, referred to as "managed migration," we will test and refine our approach in a pilot, with up to 10,000 people moving from legacy benefits to universal credit. That pilot will start in July 2019.
It has now been a calendar month since the High Court found the DWP unlawful in its universal credit work assessment periods, yet hard-pressed families are still being penalised for receiving payments on a four-weekly basis. Will the Secretary of State give a commitment to make a statement to this House on how to rectify that appalling anomaly?
I understand the hon. Gentleman's point but, as he is aware, the Department is considering the High Court judgment carefully—I have said this before in the House—and it therefore would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage.
Can the Minister confirm that, because of the Budget, there will be £4.5 billion available in additional measures over the next couple of years?
Yes, we set out in the last Budget that there will be £4.5 billion available, with a large amount of that obviously coming through the increase in work allowances.
As the Minister knows, universal credit has now been rolled out in Hull. A constituent, who has had an incredibly troubled life, came to see me on Friday. During his time he has suffered from addiction, he has been sleeping on the street and he has had convictions. The good news is that, not long ago, he walked through the doors of the Jubilee Church in Hull, and people there have been giving him support. He is now on an 18-month rehabilitation course. However, he has been told that, at the same time, he has to actively look for work. Surely the Minister would agree that while this young man is on a rehabilitation course—an opportunity for him to turn his life around—he should not also have to prove that he is actively searching for work.
Easements are, of course, available. I am happy to sit down and discuss the specifics of this case with the hon. Lady to see what may be possible.
On the evening of 14 January, the Government announced that, from this May, mixed-aged couples on a low income will no longer be able to claim pension credit when the older partner reaches state pension age and will have to claim universal credit instead. Couples affected could lose out by up to £7,000 a year, and the Conservative party manifesto pledged to safeguard pensioner benefits. Why have the Government broken that pledge?
Of course, we are safeguarding pensioner benefits overall.
If the hon. Lady would kindly listen, what I am saying is that the long-agreed change for mixed-age couples was voted on and agreed by Parliament in 2012. We should also be clear that mixed-age couples already claiming pension-age, income-related benefits at the point of change will not be affected, so long as they remain entitled.


Today we rode Icelandic Ponies for two hours, on the most beautiful day we have experienced yet, in Iceland. Apparently it is the nicest day of the summer according to the locals. I´m not sure what the temperature was here in Akureyri. We got some great pictures and some great footage - but unfortunately even though we went to a 1 hr photo to get some of our stuff put on cd.
I need to go play my turn at Malice (a card game that Kathy taught us last night) so I´m going to turn it over to Kathy for a paragraph. I did want to quickly announce that I will be an auntie to a baby GIRL. Genevieve found out today that she and Jimmy are expecting a GIRL in December!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kathy writing this - Tomorrow we are headed out to lake Myvatn to see the biggest waterfall in Iceland - should be fun! We are enjoying all the different goodies that we are finding at the grocery stores. We need veggies tho so are going to try to make a big salad for lunch tomorrow. Still can´t believe how fun the Iceland pony ride was - and beautiful! The video we took is hilarious! We also got a twofer (we got to ride for 2 hours instead of one) because one other rider that joined us had paid for 2 hours. ok , it´s my turn at cards so í´m handing this back over to Elizabeth.
We are staying one more night in Akureyri then heading out in the morning..
Signing off. Auntie Carlene wants to say hello to Paul! See you all soon!
Good to know that you are enjoying your trip, in spite of all difficulties and unexpected experiences to begin with!
I am sure you will have a special day at Lake Mývatn, Dimmuborgir, Námaskarð and maybe the Lagoon? And Dettifoss is powerful!
Looking forward to seing you in Reykjavik again!
Now that all my company has left, I'll tell you the exciting news from Sitka. A small plane crashed into a house on Back Street(the street above Katlian St.). All 4 of the people in the plane were killed and the house completely destroyed. Fortunately, the owner of the house had just gone to Lane 7 for a milkshake, so she wasn't home at the time. It was a miracle that only one house was destroyed as there were propane tanks near-by. Only one propane tank exploded and the firemen kept the fire contained to the house where the plane crashed. It could have been so much worse. I knew the owner of the house, Tess. I had worked with her in the Alchol Program years ago. The people in the plane were from New Jersey. I'll send you the papers when you get back.
It looks and sounds like you are having a great time. The weather sounds a bit like Sitka. However, we've had over a week of good weather. It seemed like as soon as Riley and Hadley left, the weather improved.
Your trip sounds so exciting and I can wait to hear more details when you return. Finally I'm done with my out of town committments and can focus on family. Our state is on fire, we cannot escape the smoke, so we stay indoors, lots of computer, art and socializning.


text:
Win a trip to Norway and experience the Northern Lights.
12 days + airfares worth $12,000.
Hurtigruten Australia are giving you the chance to win a 12 day/11 night Coastal Voyage from Bergen to Bergen and flights to Europe. See the Northern Lights on a departure between November 2022 and February 2023.
Be immersed in Norwegian life, sailing the classic postal route and visiting up to 34 ports side-by-side with locals.
Return economy airfares from winners nearest capital city. Airline to be chosen by Norwegian Coastal Express
1 night additional accommodation in either Oslo/Bergen dependent on flight schedules
Full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner) featuring Norway's Coastal Kitchen
English-speaking Tour Leader on board
Onboard lectures and presentations on history, biology, geography, geology and culture that provide context to your voyage and help you understand the destinations you will experience
Captain's dinner and a farewell event
12-day voyage – Lower Deck Cabin
1 winner
Value: $12,000
Prize: 12-day Classic Roundtrip Voyage (Bergen - Kirkenes - Bergen)
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Ends: 21 Jan 2022 9:00 am AEDT
Winner Announcement: 26 Jan 2022 3:45 pm AEDT
Win: 12 days Classic Roundtrip Voyage (Bergen to Bergen)
PRIZE TERMS AND CONDITIONS
The Prize is a 12 day, 11 night voyage on the Classic Roundtrip Voyage for two (2) people departing Bergen between 1st November 2022 – 28th February 2023
Prize includes accommodation in an unspecified Lower Deck Cabin; all meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner at the main restaurant) and selected non-alcoholic beverages during meal times. The Prize is valued from AU$12,000 cabin (AU$6000 per person twin share) as at 13th august 2021. The 'from' price may be subject to fluctuation as Hurtigruten Expeditions has a flexible pricing system and all prices are capacity controlled and subject to availability.
Inclusions are as outlined in the itinerary.
Prize includes economy international airfares from your nearest Capital City in Australia. Airline is at the discretion of Hurtigruten Norwegian Coastal Express.
Cabins are subject to availability and block out dates may apply depending on availability. If your chosen date does not have a lower deck cabin available, you can look at the option to pay the difference to a higher cabin class or choose a new date of departure.
No payments will be made for any costs associated with claiming the prize
All references to time in this document are a reference to the local time in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on the date stated
No compensation will be payable if a winner is unable to use the prize as stated
The Prize must be taken as offered, is subject to availability and is non-refundable, non-transferrable and not redeemable for cash or any other goods or services. The prize cannot be resold. The Prize cannot be transferred to any other person, unless agreed to by the Promoter. It is a condition of accepting a prize that the winner accept the conditions of use of the Prize
The Prize excludes purchases on board the ship (e.g. including but not limited to beverages, spa, shopping), meals off the ship, optional tours, travel insurance, tips and gratuities, spending money, transport from Winner's home to and from departure airport or port, visas, passports and vaccinations
If any prize (or part of any prize) is unavailable, the Promoter, in its discretion, reserves the right to substitute the prize (or that part of the prize) with a prize to the equal value and/or specification
In the event of COVID affecting travel from your home country or to the country of embarkation by government border restrictions only, the promoter will assess and rebook onto another departure in 2023. The promoter is not responsible for any costs incurred by airline changes, pre/post accommodation or transfers associated with the cruise.
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The Promoter, its related bodies corporate and their respective officers, employees, contractors and agents (Promotion Parties) will not be liable for any losses, damages, expenses, costs or personal injuries arising out of this promotion, the promotion of this promotion or the use of any prize, including but not limited to any breach of these terms and conditions, contract or tort (including negligence) and any other common law, equitable or statutory remedy (Damages) whatsoever, including but not limited to direct, indirect and consequential Damages, including Damages that cannot reasonably be considered to arise naturally and in the ordinary course of things, even if those Damages were in the contemplation of the Promotion Parties:
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Standard Hurtigruten Expeditions Terms and Conditions apply which can be found here

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


The Blimp will unlock once you reached a population of 5500.
Step 1: Select Transport. Buy a Blimp Depot ($20,000) and at least 2 Blimp Stops ($16,000).
Step 2: Select Blimp Pathway to create a route between the Blimp Depot and at least 2 Blimp Stops.
Step 3: Press on any Blimp Stop to Create a new line, go to another Blimp Stop and press to add a stop. Go to the Blimp Stop where you started the line and press to Complete the line.
Repeat Step 3 another 7 times and the achievement is yours.
After the 3rd time you will also unlock the blimp blimp achievement.
The Blimp? Blimp. achievement in Cities: Skylines worth 17 pointsHave 3 blimp lines.
There are currently no gaming sessions for the Put Some Blimp In Your Blimp achievements that you can join - why not register and make a new session?


How you can improve your athletic performance with cryotherapy.
Over the years cryotherapy has emerged as the most popular modality for treating acute musculoskeletal injuries. The application of cold for the treatment of injury or diseases is widespread in sports medicine today and is an established method when treating acute soft tissue injuries.
In sports medicine, Cryotherapy has gained wider acceptance as recovery modality from muscle injuries by significantly alleviating inflammation after strenuous exercise by inducing an anti-inflammatory effect.
Intense training, overuse and/or insufficient recovery have been known to cause muscle fatigue, injury, and immune compromise. Therefore, achieving the optimal balance between training and recovery is crucial in maximising performance and avoiding the dreaded "plateau" of any fitness or weight loss program. Which all too often has left many frustrated and unmotivated, as It seems harder and harder to get the energy to lose those last few pounds or crush your strength goals. Cryotherapy can help blow through your plateau to achieve and exceed your health and fitness endeavor.
Cryotherapy has been shown to burn 500-800 calories per session. This is optimal to help prime your body prior to your workout for increased energy, Vitality, Metabolic rate and fat burning. Cryotherapy before your workout, race or game can increase your performance as well as aid in faster recovery.
Inflammation is a vital part of the body's immune response. It is the body's attempt to heal itself after an injury. Without inflammation, wounds would fester and infections could become deadly. Inflammation can also be problematic.
The problem is that the receptors involved in pain are also present in inflammation; their activation causes the inflammatory reaction. White blood cells swarm the injured area and ingest germs, dead or damaged cells, and other foreign materials to help heal the body, prostaglandins create blood clots to try to heal the damaged tissue and remove them when healing is finished; fluid accompanies the white blood cells, hormones, and nutrients. The fluid diffuses into the area and causes the swelling that can cause increased pressure to nerve endings and pain. They also trigger pain and fever as part of the healing process.
Cryotherapy has been shown to minimize the inflammatory response of acute musculoskeletal injury whilst maximising functional recovery. Cryotherapy combats this response by constricting the blood vessels, thus decreasing inflammation.
Cryotherapy promotes anti-inflammatory properties, which decrease soreness in a post-workout state as well as provide pain relief by constricting the blood vessels.
Cryotherapy also elicits the 'fight or flight' response, which not only decreases inflammation but also affects your body's perception of symptomatic pain. Using cryotherapy to specifically target certain injuries applied across a variety of medical conditions as an adjunct to physiotherapy treatments or in the case of sports performance allowing quicker recovery from training. This in competitive sports can make a huge difference.
Don't let pain or inflammation keep you from your favourite sports, biking, running or, or if you are simply finding yourself less active and more irritable due to chronic debilitating pain and inflammation, then Cryotherapy is your answer.
← How you can improve your athletic performance with cryotherapy.
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text:
Snowm'n
FASTWÜRMS
0.5 m x 0.5 m x 2.4 m each
222 Bremner Blvd, Olympic Park, Toronto
Commissioned along with their Woodpecker Column for the south entrance of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC) is FASTWÜRMS' piece, Snowm'n. Standing like guardians on either side of the semi-circular driveway, these larger than life sculptures take on the familiar forms of snowmen, but with a twist. Painted entirely black, the snowmen sport corn-cob noses, a food staple of many Indigenous groups from North America. This theme of inclusion is emphasized in the title of the work, Snowm'n, which bears no gender markers. The sculptures make do without clothing or adornment, and although they will not melt, the bronze material they are made of has been carefully manipulated to make it seem like they actually have been molded from tightly packed snow.
FASTWÜRMS is an artist collective based out of Toronto and Creemore. Formed in 1979, the collective was originally comprised of three members: Kim Kozzi (Kim Kozolanka from Ottawa), Dai Skuse (David Skuse from England), and Napo B. (Napoleon Brousseau from Ottawa), who met while employed as security guards at the National Gallery of Canada. Upon moving to New York City in the 1980s, Napo B. formally left the collective in 1991. Kozzi and Skuse continue to produce artworks under the FASTWÜRMS name. The collective's multidisciplinary practice takes on many forms including video, immersive installations, performance and public art, to explore the themes of identity, humour, magic and social exchange. FASTWÜRMS strongly identifies with fringe communities and sub-cultures, often employing punk aesthetics and witchcraft as tools to examine identity politics and social interaction. The collective also celebrates their working class background, crediting much of their "determined DIY sensibility" to the untrained artists that they have learned from. Currently living and creating from their home in rural Ontario, FASTWÜRMS also spend their time teaching studio art at the University of Guelph. Their work has been exhibited extensively both in North America and internationally at venues such as the Power Plant (Toronto), the Contemporary Art Gallery (Vancouver), the Seoul Museum of Art (Korea), and the 2006 São Paulo Biennial (Brazil).
The name FASTWÜRMS comes from a technique of Super 8 film editing that collective member Kim first created in 1979. This fast intercut "punk" style of assembly was built physically, using clothesline and pegs to hang "wurms", or various lengths of short film, by their heads and tails.
What feeling or mood do you get from this artwork? What about it makes you say that?


A new skate facility for the city of Navarcles is conceived as a plaza. Despite a low budget to begin with, this facility for skateboarding is considered as an opportunity to contribute in the urban development of the city, transforming an old sports area into a new public park. Now being an Olympic sport, the project rather departs from the fact of street skateboarding being a common and compatible reality on streets and plazas of our cities, a collateral product of urban public space design. Viewed in this light, the project pursues to also structure its immediate surroundings, to set an effect beyond of what's strictly built and functional for skateboarding.
From this perspective, a field study is first made to recognize which plazas and public spaces have entailed Barcelona to become the international mecca of this urban side of the sport, in some sort of an unaware effect after the 92 Olympics transformation of the Catalan capital and its innovative design policy of the so-called "plazas duras". The project features real "street" obstacles inspired by some of these iconic Barcelona designs, including replicas from the original "Paral.lel" platforms, the ledges at "Arc de Triomf" or the granite curbs at MACBA.
So the new skate facility is conceived as a PLAZA, a SKATEPLAZA. Standard public space materials are used to build it, such as pedestrian pavements or massive granite ledges and "hubbas". The development of the plaza extends and shapes the new park around: Ramps and banks turn into soft green slopes. A new line of trees provides shadow for the skaters, but also defines the park space and a new façade for the industrial surroundings. Even the higher level of the skateplaza serves as a stage towards the park, for occasional city events and for the Rock'n'Board skate festival, organized annually by the local skaters. The green slopes also chase to deter any unwanted corners or graffiti, avoiding vertical facings or the need of protective handrails. The great granite blocks subtly enclose the perimeter of the space for skateboarding.


The rest of my trip here will be relatively uneventful, and I've decided to finish up with the blog till I get home. I'll continue to update it with my racing back in Australia, but the Belgian adventure has come to an end.
-Made plenty of new friends and some handy contacts.
-I only came last once!
-I have hopefully inspired some more Australians to start racing CX locally, and hopefully also head overseas.
Again I would like to thank everyone who has made my trip possible. Roeland, Rose and their friends and family, the people at home and the Belgians who have supported me and all my sponsors for their generous support, in particular, Giant Bicycles, who have helped subsidise my trip. If you are in the market for a bike, tyres, sports supplements (in Belgium), or a bike service, please consider helping my sponsors out as they did for me, and mention my site brought you there! If you haven't already, please visit my thank you post to see how everyone has helped make the trip such a success.
I have had a heap of people sending me their photos from my various races over here, and have certainly appreciated them all. I met Tanaka Sonoko whilst staying with the Japanese team in Koksijde, and she emailed me some superb photos which you can see below. As with any photographer on my blog, please contact them before you use their photography. Some are amateurs doing it for fun, and others are trying to make a living out of it.
This has been the most amazing trip I've ever been on. Thanks for following my blog, and please check back every now and then to see what I've been up to.


I moved to the Promenade in February 2015 and couldn't be happier. The office staff is professional, always helpful, always friendly. They never seem to have a bad day.
Maintenance staff are also friendly. It never takes more than a day for something to be repaired. They fix it right the first time. This is saying a lot.
If you are trying to decide on whether or not you want to move to this community then I vote yes!


» The Top 10 DVDs/Blu-Rays of 2010 — Part Two!
2. Apocalypse Now: Full Disclosure (Blu-Ray) — Apocalypse Now is one of my favorite films. I didn't quite understand it the first time I saw it, but there was something that kept drawing me back to revisit the film time after time. Each time I watched the film, it wormed its way deeper into my heart. Francis Ford Coppola's masterpiece about the Vietnam war is beautiful and horrifying in equal measure. The film looks staggeringly perfect on Blu-Ray. This set includes not only the original theatrical version, but also the longer 2001 Apocalypse Now: Redux version (which I love, though I know I'm in the minority on this). While the Alien Anthology might include the most comprehensive set of special features ever assembled on a film series, this 3-disc set just might be the most comprehensive examination of a single film that I've ever seen. The set includes a wonderful commentary track by Francis Ford Coppola and a wealth of documentary featurettes examining various aspects of the film's production and post-production. Most incredible of all, the set includes Hearts of Darkness, the magnificent documentary film on the making of Apocalypse Now that was assembled in 1991 by Fax Bahr and George Hickenlooper, based on the wealth of documentary material that Francis' wife, Eleanor, shot over the course of Apocalypse Now's production. I don't think there has ever been a better record of the making of a film than this incredibly frank, honest documentary. It was long a dream of film fans that this documentary would one day be packaged with Apocalypse Now — and that day has arrived. What an incredible Blu-Ray set.
1. The Larry Sanders Show: The Complete Series — Speaking of things that I never thought would ever actually see the light of day, we come now to my number one choice: Shout! Factory's complete collection of The Larry Sanders Show. Garry Shandling's HBO series about the behind-the-scenes goings-on at a fictional late-night talk show is without question one of the greatest TV series ever made. If you're not already in the cult of The Larry Sanders Show — or if, gasp, you've never seen it — then I urge you with all of my might to remedy that situation with due haste. The series is absolute genius — funny, poignant, and endlessly re-watchable. In addition to Mr. Sandling as Larry Sanders, the series stars Rip Torn as Larry's bulldog producer, Artie, and Jeffrey Tambor as Larry's hapless side-kick, Hank Kingsley. Artie and Hank are two of the greatest television characters of all time. (Just come up to me any time and say "it was a back tooth, Hank," and I guarantee I'll be doubled over in laughter for minutes.) Although the complete first season of The Larry Sanders Show was one of the first full-season-on-DVD sets ever released, no further seasons ever appeared on DVD, apparently because of issues with the rights for all of the music used in the show. I had long-since given up hope that the remaining seasons would ever see the light of day, but then the good folks at Shout! Factory came to the rescue. I'm still in the midst of making my way through this enormous set (and I'm trying to take my time with it). The show is absolute perfection, as is the DVD set. No flipping!
Have a great weekend, everyone! C'mon back next week for my Top 15 Comic Book Series of 2010 and my Top 10 Episodes of TV of 2010. See you then!


The centre of the North Island is about as far away from the sea as you can get in New Zealand, however adventure still awaits those who also enjoy mountains as well as the sea!
The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is known as one of New Zealand's best one day walks, and it was on our list as something we had wanted to do, so when our friends Sarah & James invited us to join them for the weekend to do the walk, we eagerly accepted and booked our flights.
We flew in to Rotorua and booked a rental car. Flights to Taupo (which was closer to where we wanted to go) were a lot more expensive and the timings didn't work as well. The other option was to go to Palmerston North and drive in from there. The distance is similar.
The drive from Rotorua to National Park is just over two hours. We took the opportunity to stop off for some sightseeing along the way. This area is well known for the geothermal activity. You can smell the sulphur as you fly in, and vents of steam and bubbling mud are dotted about the countryside.
We stopped off at Craters of the Moon Geothermal Area near Taupo, and paid $10.00 each to explore. The whole area is really hot and as you walk around the track steamy holes appear along with pools of bubbling mud, which were a little dry.
Our next stop was a quick look at Huka Falls and the supermarket to stock up on supplies for the weekend, followed by a beer overlooking the beautiful lake Taupo.
Sarah had booked us a fantastic holiday house just out of National Park village. This new house had a stunning view overlooking the mountains, along with four double bedrooms and a bunk room. Plenty of room for a group of friends to stay. We were joined by Kim & Shane, Emma & Gavin and we cooked up a huge Mexican dinner.
The following morning some of the team got up early to head down to the pub to watch the Rugby World Cup semi-final. Thankfully the All Blacks won the tight game, and by the time they arrived back at the house at 6am we had breakfast on the go. The weather was perfect for our big adventure ahead.
The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is a 19.4km walk from Mangatepopo to Ketetahi Hot Springs. The end of the track is about a 20 minute drive from the start, so we drove two of the cars to the finish, left one car there, and then drove the other car to the start of the track. There are shuttles available if you don't have the luxury of another car to drop you off.
It really is best to start the track at Mangatepopo. There were only a handful of people walking in the opposite direction. Mangatepopo is at a higher altitude than the end of the track. People starting in the opposite direction had a very long hard haul up a steep hill to get anywhere.
We were glad we started early, as even at 8am, the car park was filling up. Bus load after bus load of people were being dropped off and a huge queue of people formed at the long drop toilets at the start of the track. For someone who is used to hiking in relative solitude, this was a huge shock for me. Apparently 65,000 people walk this track every year. It felt like about 95% of people walking were tourists. Where are all the New Zealanders enjoying our beautiful country?!
The track starts easily ambling through scrubby bush and up to Mangatepopo hut after a couple of kilometres. From there it is a slight climb alongside a babbling stream until Mt Ngauruhoe looms high overhead, rising up from a volcanic ash rock strewn flat.
Being October, there was still some snow on the top of the mountain, and we could see a wisp of smoke/steam escaping from the crater at the top.
The walk had been really enjoyable and easy so far. The sun was out, and I made the first of many clothing combination changes, stripping off my thermal and jersey and replacing it with just a T shirt. We seemed to have walked our way in to a basin, I was wondering where the track might go to next when I noticed what looked like a procession of ants, half way up the mountain. Question answered, we began the steady climb up lots of steps and along the track following the procession of other hikers.
Lungs screaming, I was pleased I had done some hill training for this walk, but was wishing I had done a lot more! We eventually made it to the saddle and were rewarded with a stunning view back towards Mt Taranaki to the West and the South Crater out the other side. I stuffed some more of Andrew's home made scroggin in my mouth along with one of the ham rolls, and made another clothing change, adding the jersey and jacket to break the cold wind that was blowing through the pass.
Way in the distance half way up Mt Ngauruhoe we could see more hikers heading to the top. The supposed three hour round trip to the top looked very steep.
We carried on and walked across the huge South Crater. There was still some snow on the ground and a half frozen yellowy green lake was thawing.
After the South Crater, there was a steep walk up a ridge to the Red Crater. Despite it still being a stunning day a cold wind had picked up and was tearing across the ridge. It was a real scramble to get up the hill and at one stage I lost my footing, and my nerve, and proceeded the rest of the way with much caution. At one point there was a chain to help pull yourself up a particularly steep section. I thought it was particularly challenging and wondered what all the tourists must be thinking they had got themselves in for! Eventually we made it to the Red Crater.
This was our highest point 1886m. It was a steep descent from here on loose scree. I was pleased I had bought a hiking pole as there were lots of people slipping over. I found that if you dug your heels in and just kind of slid down the mountain it was easier. The view made the descent even harder as it was impossible to take your eyes off the stunning emerald lakes!
There was a strong smell of sulphur and steaming rocks around the side of the lakes, which presumably helps give them their unique stunning colour. All the hard effort to get to this point was made so worthwhile seeing this view.
After another break taking lots of photos we carried on across another crater, through some snow and up to the Blue Lake. I was pleased that I was wearing my decent tramping boots, but there were plenty of people walking in sneakers, including a group of Irish girls who looked like they were heading down to the mall as opposed to undertaking this strenuous hike!
We crossed another saddle and then had an incredible vista overlooking Lake Taupo in the distance. We really were so lucky with the weather. Not a cloud in the sky. As we descended the terrain changed again to low scrub and the temperature rose again requiring yet another clothing combination change. The track sidled along the hillside and reminded me of a track from a book from my childhood called "Mrs Tiggywinkle".
Another volcanic vent was steaming away in the distance. This one erupted a year or so ago requiring evacuation of the hikers and the closure of the track for some time.
The initial relief to finally be going downhill soon wore off as the steep track snaked its way 9km down the hill. My knees soon began to ache and I was thankful for the tip of cutting my toenails before the walk. Popping some Nurofen took the edge off the pain a little. This part of the track felt like it went on and on. We passed a few people heading up. They had done it the hard way round and it was already early afternoon. I wondered if they had any idea of what was still ahead.
The end of the track wove its way through lush bush, sheltering us from the hot sun, and finally after eight hours of walking we made it to the car park where our friends were waiting with the beers we had packed at 7am that morning.
You need to be fit! I had been training by walking up the hill behind my house for a few weeks beforehand. I wish I had been fitter. 19.4km is a long way, especially when you are climbing up and down a mountain.
Wear decent comfy shoes. I love my hiking boots and had pre-taped my feet to prevent blisters.
Cut your toenails – the downhill part of the track is relentless.
Hiking poles are handy, particularly in the scree slidey parts.
Check the weather – we had a perfect day, but it was still really cold and windy at the top.
Pack a cap, sunscreen and sunglasses, there is very little shelter from the sun.
I had a T shirt, thermal top, woollen icebreaker jersey and water/wind proof jacket and wore all of them in various combinations. I had shorts and thermal leggings on my legs.
Arrive early to get a good parking spot. Drop a car at the end of the track. There are shuttles available to transfer you.
There are also only a few toilets.
Take your camera – the scenery is just spectacular.
The following day we were all very stiff, and hobbling around. Sarah was keen to go skiing at Whakapapa. It was their last day for the season, so we packed up the car and headed up the mountain for a look. The access road is amazing compared to our South Island ski fields. Two lanes and sealed all the way up! Sadly there wasn't much snow, and the clouds were closing in. I wasn't convinced that my legs would actually be able to work the skis – I was having trouble walking!
So we pulled the pin and went for a look around the amazing Tongariro Visitors Centre instead and then on to some hot pools in Tokaanu. For $10.00 we had a soak in some very hot thermal water which we hoped would ease our sore muscles.
Then we headed back to the Chateau for lunch. This fabulous grand building was opened in the 1920's and was very opulently decorated. A doorman opened the door for us, and we had lunch in front of one of the roaring fires.
Sadly, all long weekends must come to an end. We had taken another day off and it was time to head home. We cleaned up the house and then hit the road. Keen to see some more bubbling mud, we stopped off to have a quick look at one of the signposted places along the way. Sadly they were charging a $33 per person entry fee, and as we only had a limited amount of time, we decided to give it a miss. I had caught a glimpse of a small sign indicating a mud pool further along the road, so we carried on and eventually came upon some free mud! We sat and watched as it blooped away making the most amazing bubbling mud sound and ate our leftovers that we had packed as lunch.
Then it was back to the airport and home again. Another fantastic adventure.
Awesome pictures! Looks like a great hike.
It is amazing. Perhaps a victim of its own popularity being that there were so many other people which I didn't enjoy so much. Apparently it is only New Zealanders that complain about the crowds. The other nationalities don't seem to notice.
Great pictures! My legs hurt so much the next day – I certainly wasn't as fit as I should have been before we tackled the crossing.
I think I would have enjoyed it a lot more had I been able to walk up the hill without gasping for oxygen! But ironically it was the downhill bit that was the most painful! It is a beautiful spot. Hope you got good weather on your trip Ellen.
I'm sore all over just from reading about the day hike, much less attempting it. But the adventure sounds fantastic, and the pictures truly are wonderful.
Thanks Mike, my legs are only just coming right today – day 3. Hard work but worth the effort.
I so wish I'd made the time to do the walk last summer when I was there. Not sure I'd have been fit enough though after reading your account. It' s still on my bucket list! I guess I'll have to get fit and return to NZ once again…they say third time's the charm! Loved your adventure and your pictures, Viki.
Highlight of my trip, I did it with guides 14th October, still buzzing from it. Plenty of snow then. I'm 50 & proud I kept in the middle of our group. Couldn't believe it when I saw people in sneakers & jeans. Some parts where nearly knee deep in snow. Thanks for your beautifully written and accurate description.


text:
Mozhi Tamil Movie
Feature Film | Drama, Romance
Mozhi is a 2007 Indian movie directed by Radha Mohan starring Prithviraj Sukumaran, Jyothika, Prakash Raj and Swarnamalya. The feature film is produced by Prakash Raj and the music composed by Vidyasagar.
February 23 2007 (India)
Director: Radha Mohan
Prithviraj Sukumaran
Jyothika
Swarnamalya
M S. Bhaskar
Ramya Subramanian
Mozhi (Language) is directed by Radhamohan and produced by Prakash Raj is releasing on Feb. 23. The story is about a ... Show more
Mozhi (Language) is directed by Radhamohan and produced by Prakash Raj is releasing on Feb. 23.
The story is about a mute girl and her relationship with a youngster who is a musician. "It is a simple, poetic, cute and heart-warming film that stresses the fact that human motions transcend beyond language barriers." This is the cryptic version given out by the official publicity unit.
Mozhi is the second film for Jyothika releasing in a month after "Pachchaikili Muthucharam" released earlier this month.
The film has raised high expectations and is eagerly awaited for the simple reason that Jyothika is featured in it as a dumb and mute girl, the kind of role she has never played before. Playing opposite her is Prithviraj, who made his debut in Tamil as the villain in "Kanaa Kanden". He played the lead role in "Parijatham" directed by Radhamohan, who is known for making sensible and socially relevant films. Prakash Raj plays the friend of Prithviraj.
Radhamohan told a Tamil daily that it was Jyothika who immediately came to his mind when the outline of the story was being discussed. In fact, the story was written keeping her in mind. Only after the script and screenplay were ready Jyothika approached and she agreed to act in the film despite her impending marriage.
He says that mere mention of Jyothika's character may give the impression that "Mozhi" is a serious film. It is also asked whether it has been made for festivals where off-beat and artistic films normally compete for awards, like Amitab-Rani Mukherjee's "Black". It is for sure that "Mozhi" is neither serious nor artistic. It is a pure and simple commercial entertainer, the director assets.
If there is one movie which has truly touched my heart and reached my soul, made my laugh and think about life, it is Mozhi indeed. One of the best Tamil movies released in the recent past. Prakash Raj has made the finest attempt and has created wonders with the characters in the movie.
Sharada Balasubramanian
The power of this film resides in its story, strong and believable narration, genuine sadness and tour-de-force performance by all central characters – Prithviraj, Jyothika, and Prakash Raj.
Don't miss 'Mozhi'. It is like a fresh breath of air, blowing in at a time when commercial cinema is saddled with violence, item numbers, revealing costumes and double entendres.
Mythily Ramachandran
Producer: Prakash Raj
Music Director: Vidyasagar
Song Lyrics Writer: Vairamuthu
Cinematographer: K.V.Guhan
Mozhi IN THE NEWS
'Mozhi' wins SICA best film award; Rajini best actor - May 03, 2008
'Mozhi' melodies are unbeatable - Mar 19, 2007
'Mozhi' melodies rule Tamil audio market - Mar 05, 2007
'Mozhi' for home video entertainment - Mar 02, 2007
Vidyasagar wins Tamil audio race with 'Mozhi' - Feb 20, 2007
Prakash Raj urges Jyothika to return to acting - Feb 05, 2007
Naai Sekar
Enna Solla Pogirai
Marutha
Kombu Vatcha Singamda
Malavika Menon
Namitha Pramod
Aishwarya Lekshmi
Anupama Parameswaran
'Jai Bhim' chosen on Oscars YouTube channel
D Block - Trailer
Venkat Prabhu unveils first look of 'Manmatha Leelai'
Sundar C starrer 'One 2 One' set to begin soon
Karthi's first look poster of Viruman
Dulquer Salman's Hey Sinamika 1st single from Jan 14th


text:
Q: Move from manual component creation to harvesting with the HeatDirectory task I am using WiX 3.8 to build a project which installs a product. The installer is basically done. One of the programmes which gets installed by the package is relying on dlls by a third party which get updated frequently. Idiotically the version number of the dlls change on a regular basis. When first writing the installer project I did not consider inculding support for changing file names and wrote every component manually.
This behaviour should be changed in the future. If I understand correctly, generating components for files automatically can be done with the help of the HeatDirectory Task. I now have created an example project using the HeatDirectory Task which is working. But there is some discrepancy in the output the HeatDirectory Task produces and the manually authored components I have been using in the past.
I would like the HeatDirectory Task to produce the same output as my manual approach, as good as possible. Following is the code of two components, first created manually and secondly created by the HeatDirectory Task:
Manually created components:
<ComponentGroup Id="ThirdParty.v13.2" Directory="INSTALLFOLDER">
<Component
  Id="CMP_ThirdParty.v13.2.dll"
  Guid="AC5E00F0-B458-4272-B132-F13594ED4916">
  <File
    Id="ThirdParty.v13.2.dll"
    Name="ThirdParty.v13.2.dll"
    Source="ComponentsDir\ThirdParty\ThirdParty.v13.2.dll"
    KeyPath="yes"
    Assembly=".net"
    AssemblyApplication="ThirdParty.v13.2.dll"
    AssemblyManifest="ThirdParty.v13.2.dll"
    Compressed="no"
    DiskId="$(var.ThirdPartyDiskId)"/>
</Component>
<Component
  Id="CMP_ThirdParty.v13.2.xml"
  Guid="64AC3F5F-38E9-41EC-B714-636F5D9C0CB4">
  <File
    Id="ThirdParty.v13.2.xml"
    Name="ThirdParty.v13.2.xml"
    Source="Source="ComponentsDir\ThirdParty\ThirdParty.v13.2.xml"
    KeyPath="yes"
    Compressed="no"
    DiskId="$(var.ThirdPartyDiskId)"/>
</Component>
</ComponentGroup>

HeatDirectory Task generated code:
<ComponentGroup Id="Files">
<Component
  Id="cmp9D064A733360960E07277CFD9AB84AF1"
  Directory="INSTALLFOLDER"
  Guid="*">
  <File
    Id="filD5DCB6E091D2D12303E2E80B0B767438"
    KeyPath="yes"
    Source="$(var.Path)\ThirdParty.v13.2.dll"/>
</Component>
<Component
  Id="cmpA8681A63A8A4991D18824BA17E4CA4BF"
  Directory="INSTALLFOLDER"
  Guid="*">
  <File
    Id="fil17554B3CD0E576337AEC758831009938"
    KeyPath="yes"
    Source="$(var.Path)\ThirdParty.v13.2.xml"/>
</Component>
</ComponentGroup>

The code producing the output above is following:
<Target Name="BeforeBuild">
<HeatDirectory
  DirectoryRefId="INSTALLFOLDER"
  OutputFile="Files.wxs"
  Directory="S:\omePath"
  SuppressRootDirectory="true"
  ToolPath="$(WixToolPath)"
  AutogenerateGuids="true"
  ComponentGroupName="Files"
  PreprocessorVariable="var.Path">
</HeatDirectory>
</Target>

I'll now note down the characteristics of the HeatDirectory Task generated code I'd like to change:

*

*Every component in the componentgroup has a Directory attribute. I want the parent ComponentGroup to have the Directory attribute and omit it in every child component.

*I want static guids.

*I want the component's Id attribute to be composed of the prefix CMP followed by the file name. I understand that there cannot be two files having the same file name in the project but I know this is not the case. I don't want the cryptic identifier generated by the task.

*The File child item of the component is too spartanic. I want the HeatDirectoy Task to create a Name attribute for every file which is the current name of the file. Then the Compressed attribute should be added with the value no and the DiksId should be added with a variable value that can be specified in the task somehow.

*If the harvested file is a dll, the task should append the attributes Asssembly with the value .net, AssemblyApplication with the name of the harvested file as its value & AssemblyManifest also with the name of the harvested file as its value.

Is it possible to achieve this with the HeatDirectory Task?

A: The Answer to manipulating output of the HeatDirectory Task is to use XSLT. In the HeatDirectory task an attribute called Transforms can be specified which points to a file containing XSLT instructions. To achieve the output I was asking for, the following XSLT code can be used:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<xsl:stylesheet
  version="1.0"
  xmlns:xsl="http://www.w3.org/1999/XSL/Transform"
  xmlns:wix="http://schemas.microsoft.com/wix/2006/wi"
  xmlns:msxsl="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:xslt"
  exclude-result-prefixes="msxsl">

  <xsl:output
    method="xml"
    indent="yes"/>
  <xsl:variable name="ComponentGroup-Id" select="//wix:ComponentGroup/@Id"/>
  <xsl:variable name="DestinationFolder" select="//wix:Component[1]/@Directory"/>
  <xsl:template match="@*|node()">
    <xsl:copy>
      <xsl:apply-templates select ="@*|node()"/>
    </xsl:copy>
  </xsl:template>

  <xsl:template match="//wix:Directory">
    <xsl:variable name="DirName" select="@Name" />
    <xsl:copy>
      <xsl:attribute name="Id">
        <xsl:value-of select="$ComponentGroup-Id"/>
        <xsl:text>_</xsl:text>
        <xsl:value-of select="$DirName"/>
      </xsl:attribute>
      <xsl:attribute name="Name">
        <xsl:value-of select="$DirName"/>
      </xsl:attribute>
    </xsl:copy>
  </xsl:template>

  <xsl:template match="//wix:ComponentGroup">
    <xsl:copy>
      <xsl:attribute name="Id">
        <xsl:value-of select="$ComponentGroup-Id"/>
      </xsl:attribute>
      <xsl:attribute name="Directory">
        <xsl:value-of select="$DestinationFolder"/>
      </xsl:attribute>
      <xsl:apply-templates />
    </xsl:copy>
  </xsl:template>

  <xsl:template match="//wix:Component">
    <xsl:variable name="FilePath" select="current()/wix:File/@Source" />
    <xsl:variable name="FileName" select="substring-after($FilePath,'\')" />
    <xsl:variable name="Guid" select="@Guid" />
    <xsl:copy>
      <xsl:attribute name="Id">
        <xsl:text>CMP_</xsl:text>
        <xsl:choose>
          <xsl:when test="contains($FileName,'\')">
            <xsl:value-of select="substring-after($FileName,'\')"/>
          </xsl:when>
          <xsl:otherwise>
            <xsl:value-of select="$FileName"/>
          </xsl:otherwise>
        </xsl:choose>
      </xsl:attribute>
      <xsl:attribute name="Guid">
        <xsl:value-of select="$Guid"/>
      </xsl:attribute>
      <xsl:apply-templates />
    </xsl:copy>
  </xsl:template>

  <xsl:template match="//wix:File">
    <xsl:variable name="FilePath" select="@Source" />
    <xsl:variable name="FileName" select="substring-after($FilePath,'\')" />
    <xsl:copy>
      <xsl:attribute name="Id">
        <xsl:choose>
          <xsl:when test="contains($FileName,'\')">
            <xsl:value-of select="substring-after($FileName,'\')"/>
          </xsl:when>
          <xsl:otherwise>
            <xsl:value-of select="$FileName"/>
          </xsl:otherwise>
        </xsl:choose>
      </xsl:attribute>
      <xsl:attribute name="KeyPath">
        <xsl:text>yes</xsl:text>
      </xsl:attribute>
      <xsl:attribute name="Source">
        <xsl:value-of select="$FilePath"/>
      </xsl:attribute>
      <xsl:if test="contains($FileName,'.dll')">
        <xsl:attribute name="Assembly">.net</xsl:attribute>
        <xsl:attribute name="AssemblyApplication">
          <xsl:choose>
            <xsl:when test="contains($FileName,'\')">
              <xsl:value-of select="substring-after($FileName,'\')"/>
            </xsl:when>
            <xsl:otherwise>
              <xsl:value-of select="$FileName"/>
            </xsl:otherwise>
          </xsl:choose>
        </xsl:attribute>
        <xsl:attribute name="AssemblyManifest">
          <xsl:choose>
            <xsl:when test="contains($FileName,'\')">
              <xsl:value-of select="substring-after($FileName,'\')"/>
            </xsl:when>
            <xsl:otherwise>
              <xsl:value-of select="$FileName"/>
            </xsl:otherwise>
          </xsl:choose>
        </xsl:attribute>
      </xsl:if>
      <xsl:attribute name="Compressed">
        <xsl:text>no</xsl:text>
      </xsl:attribute>
      <xsl:attribute name="DiskId">
        <xsl:text>$(var.SomeDiskID)</xsl:text>
      </xsl:attribute>
    </xsl:copy>
  </xsl:template>

</xsl:stylesheet>

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Q: RavenDB scripted patch from raven studio not run I try to run a patch request from Raven Studio on a large collection (over 8000000 documents) and the patch seems doesn't work, I don't see any changes on the documents but if I run it on a single document it works correctly. For a better test I created an equal collection with 100 documents and the patch works correctly.
In the Raven Studio under Status -> Running Tasks I can see my patch task running but without any effect.... any suggestions?
Thanks in advice.
Raven Studio version 3.0


text:
Q: Testing model with Carrierwave uploader I have a pretty simple model:
class SocialGroup < ActiveRecord::Base
  validates :name, presence: true
  validates :file, presence: true

  mount_uploader :file, SocialGroupFileUploader
end

And the question is: Should I test (with rspec) the model successful save with valid file type provided (my white list of file extensions includes only csv)? Or should I test the file uploader in isolation? If answer on first question is Yes, how test shoul look like?

A: If your uploader is simple I think it's fairly safe to assume that CarrierWave's developers have done the testing there, the test suite is fairly comprehensive (but it's very much a matter of opinion, some people will and some people won't).
I'd concentrate on making sure that the controller is tested either in rspec or the cucumber specs. There are a couple of examples of people doing this in a google search.


text:
Welcome to Robertson
One of the largest family-owned construction, infrastructure and support services businesses in the UK.
Develop-Construct
Assuring a sustainable future
We use over 50 years' experience to provide real value and help create sustainable progress for our public and private sector customers. We assure safety, quality and best standards. And we're committed to investing in the future of our people and communities. It's the Robertson Way.
Supporting our customers and each other
Robertson is working hard to help support all of our customers and supply chain partners through these challenging times. As a company we are operating under strict procedures in our response to Covid-19 to help ensure we all stay safe. Our team is on hand to help, so please contact us with any support you need.
RAF Lossiemouth Strategic Faci...
A £100m strategic facility for the UK's new fleet of Poseidon aircraft and 600 personnel.
Springside build-to-rent
Delivering the first build-to-rent development in Scotland for UK developer Moda Living.
The Event Complex Aberdeen (TE...
Aberdeen's world-class events venue is set to bring an additional 4.5 million visitors to the city each year.
Tameside One
Getting Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council's vision and local jobs back on track.
Bertha Park High School
This new build school in Perth stands out for several reasons. Watch our short film and find out why.
The Balfour, Orkney
We have constructed a £65m hospital and healthcare facility for NHS Orkney.
Our experience spans many decades, projects, facilities and sectors right across the UK
Robertson commence £5m of improvement w...
Robertson commence £5m of improvement works at University of Huddersfield
Robertson - Where People Make the Differ...
Claire Burkill, a planner for Robertson Yorkshire & East Midlands, is currently featuring on the hoardings in two city centre's
Robertson awarded Platinum status by Zer...
Robertson has received platinum status through Zero Waste Scotland's Resource Efficiency Pledge programme


Before my kids can go on a play date, I ask the family if they own a gun. I'm not sorry.
Play dates are common, everyday events that are a rite of passage and kids love them. But for me they've been a source of serious concern.
My daughter was in the middle of kindergarten and had not been on a single parentless play date. We were getting asked regularly and I was always coming up with an excuse as to why we couldn't. I was paralyzed and full of extreme fear that an unsecured gun would find its way into the play date. It seemed that there were weekly reports of accidents happening with kids finding loaded, unsecured guns and the unimaginable happening. I could not bring myself to let her go, without me, into these dangerous things we call play dates.
I ask every single new family that we meet. Usually the response is just like that first mom's. It brings on a great conversation about why this is such an important discussion to be having. It was uncomfortable at first. So much so that I would not ask and therefore didn't allow her to have the same experiences her friends were having. But how well do we REALLY know the families we see for a few minutes at drop off and pick up? Isn't it just being a good parent to ask a few important questions before allowing your kids to play at a friend's home without your supervision? I was concerned at first that it might offend someone, as if I didn't trust them. But then after reading another tragic story of a child killed by an unsecured gun, I realized that if that simple question offended them, they were not the people we needed to be friends with. It's simple really. I have one job to do, and that is to protect my child. If that offends you, well it's best we don't go any further in this friendship.
It's tricky. You have to be prepared for whatever answer might be given, and if you are not prepared to act on the answer, why bother asking in the first place?
Some people, when they see my social media posts urging gun owners to store their guns empty and locked in a safe, think that I am against the right to bear arms. That is not the case. I am not trying to take a stance on the Constitution. I am, however, trying to educate gun owners on the fact that their gun is not "hidden" in their night stand, top closet shelf, etc. The fact that you have told your children to never touch the gun does not protect the other children that visit your home and are curious. It does not protect against peer pressure. It doesn't negate the fact that a child does not have the ability to comprehend an action today is sometimes forever. The stakes are so high, a child's life, why would anyone risk it? One study found that for every time a gun is used legally in self-defense at home, there are four unintentional shootings, seven criminal assaults or homicides, and 11 attempted or completed suicides.
Owning a gun is a very personal decision and of course a constitutional right, I simply encourage you to exercise your rights safely and do not put the responsibility of life and death in a child's hand.
Gun safety is also a conversation in our home. It is our responsibility to inform our children about the power and danger of guns. We have talked about what to do if and when you might come across a gun at a friend's house. I encourage you to continue the conversation with your kids, your friends and family. And if you own a gun, PLEASE exercise your rights responsibly by storing your gun empty and in a safe.


text:
Archive for category Gulf Land of Wealth
United Arab Emirates. Their role in war against Islam
Posted by Ammaar ibn Walid in Arabian Peninsula, Gulf Land of Wealth, Parion Gulf, Parion News on July 19, 2013
Some facts about the United Arab Emirates.
– The Emirates helped the Mubarak regime in Egypt every year in the amount of $ 12 billion, mainly with oil products. After the revolution and the overthrow of Mubarak, the UAE completely stopped helping Egypt. After the military coup the aid resumed.
The Emirates helped to get the US out of the economic crisis in 2010, signing a deal to buy weapons for $ 200 billion.
The Emirates helped Arizona (USA) after the famous hurricane in 2008 in the amount of 10 billion dollars, rebuilding all the schools of the state.
The Emirates expelled the majority of Syrians working in the country since the beginning of the revolution in Syria against Bashar al-Assad. In the UAE, the Syrians are not allowed to transfer money anywhere.
The Emirates helped the French in their crusade in Mali in the amount of $ 7 billion – to help the French to prevent establishing the Sharia law by Muslims in the country.
The Emirates spent on the celebration of a so-called New Year nearly $ 2 billion.
The Emirates is a haven for all those who are hiding from law such as Ahmad Shafiq and war criminals, such as Dahlan, and the family of Bashar al-Assad.
The Emirates is the nest of American and European intelligence services in the region. After the overthrow of Mubarak, all intelligence agencies moved from Egypt to the UAE.
The Emirates is a world center of money laundering and arms sales, as well as prostitution. A single trip to Dubai will be enough to confirm all this.
The Emirates gave credit to a well-known Serbian war criminal, accused of genocide of Muslims in the amount of $ 400 million with a very sympathetic repayment scheme.
The Emirates deprived of citizenship many Islamic scholars and preachers, such as Ibrahim al-Marzouqi, Hussain Al-Jaber, and the others were expelled from the Emirates, and many of those who observed diligence in prayer and observance of Islam, as well as proper care for the Ummah.
On the request of Putin, the Emirates welcomes and befriends Kadyrov and Chechen apostates, helping them with money, false "sheikhs" and fake "relics" of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
UAE Emir Mohammed bin Zayed vowed to overthrow Ikhwans (Muslim Brotherhood) in Egypt, even if it would cost him the entire budget of Abu Dhabi. And he fulfilled his promise.
The Emirates is a fully fledged sponsor of the French campaign against Muslims in Mali, as well as a safe haven for the entire American terrorist organization Blackwater in Baghdad.
In the Emirates, the Americans found friendly hospitality (CIA base in Jebel Ali) for interrogating and torturing all the prisoners: the Mujahideen or all those "suspected" of involvement in Jihad, or just Muslims, "blacklisted" by the CIA.
All Masonic meetings of Rotary clubs and Lions are being held in the UAE.
In the Emirates, they build churches and Buddhist temples, although the Prophet (pbuh) bequeathed to this world, as one of the last instructions by him, an order to expel all polytheists from the Arabian Peninsula.
Question: Which religion and Community does the UAE belong to?
By Salman al Bulgari
Department of Monitoring
Kavkaz Center
Source: Kavkaz Center.
Link: http://kavkazcenter.com/eng/content/2013/07/15/18061.shtml.
Arabian Peninsula, Gulf Land of Wealth, Injustice of Parion Dictators, Parion Gulf, Parion News
UAE project to help Pakistan provide aid during Ramadan
In implementation of the directives of The President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the team overseeing implementation of the UAE's project to help Pakistan, have announced an initiative to distribute 2,400 tons of food among 30,000 families in camps for people displaced by floods and military operations in Pakistan.
The move comes to mark the occasion of the Holy Month of Ramadan. According to a statement made by the project team, the food assistance, worth over 1.5 million US dollars, will be distributed among displaced families in Jalozai Camp, which is considered the largest refugee camp in Pakistan and includes about 13,600 displaced families.
The team also stated that the distribution of food aid comes in implementation of the directives of the President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to provide humanitarian and food aid for displaced Pakistanis to alleviate their suffering and difficult circumstances.
As part of the initiative, food parcels, each weighting 80 kilograms, will be distributed containing flour, rice, sugar, salt, lentils and tea, enough to sustain a single family for the whole month.
Source: Khaleej Times.
Link: http://www.khaleejtimes.com/nation/inside.asp?xfile=/data/community/2013/July/community_July17.xml&section=community.
Arabian Peninsula, Gulf Land of Wealth, Parion Gulf, Parion News
Rights group says Emirati gov't at low point
Posted by Ammaar ibn Walid in Arabia, Gulf Land of Wealth, Parion Gulf, Parion News on July 5, 2013
BEIRUT, Lebanon, July 3 (UPI) — Most of the government critics sentenced to jail in the United Arab Emirates were isolated from legal counsel for nearly a year, Human Rights Watch said.
A high court in the United Arab Emirates convicted 69 people of plotting to overthrow the government. A report from Amnesty International released Tuesday said it appeared the convictions were politically motivated. The prosecution of suspected al-Qaida members in April sparked similar criticism.
Human Rights Watch said Wednesday nearly all of the accused were held in isolation at undisclosed locations for more than a year. Deputy director of Middle East programs Joe Stork said the convictions are a low point for the Emirati government.
"These unfair verdicts and the U.A.E.'s efforts to shut down criticism should be a wake-up call to U.A.E.'s international allies," he said in a statement from Beirut.
Prison sentences for the defendants ranged from seven to 15 years. Human Rights Watch said most of them were likely targeted for their affiliation with the Muslim Brotherhood, a conservative Sunni political organization.
Source: United Press International (UPI).
Link: http://www.upi.com/Top_News/Special/2013/07/03/Rights-group-says-Emirati-govt-at-low-point/UPI-15501372857495/.
UAE: 'Satisfaction' in fall of Egyptian Islamists
Posted by Ammaar ibn Walid in Arabian Peninsula, Gulf Land of Wealth, Parion Gulf, Parion News on July 5, 2013
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Gulf Arab states with sharply contrasting views on Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood on Thursday acknowledged the country's new military-led government after the ouster of President Mohammed Morsi.
The United Arab Emirates, one of the Arab world's most outspoken critics of the Muslim Brotherhood, noted its "satisfaction" at the turn of events in Egypt, according to the official news agency WAM. Gulf ally Qatar, however, was a main backer of Morsi's government and had pledged up to $21 billion in investment and economic aid over the next five years. The plans are now thrown into question with Morsi's downfall after days of massive street protests in Cairo and elsewhere.
But Qatar's new emir, Sheik Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, send a message of congratulations to Egypt's new, interim President Adly Mansour, the official Qatar News Agency reported. The UAE claims Islamist groups backed by the Muslim Brotherhood have sought to topple its Western-backed ruling system. Earlier this week, 69 people were convicted on coup plotting charges. Another 30 suspects, including Egyptians, await trial for alleged links to Brotherhood networks.
In neighboring Saudi Arabia, King Abdullah also sent a congratulations message. In Kuwait, which has a strong branch of the Muslim Brotherhood, some supporters denounced Morsi's toppling as a dangerous precedent.
"Egypt's democracy and the outcome of its decent, free elections, its freedoms and liberties are all under question after some people supported the army coup against democracy," said a Muslim Brotherhood member and former parliament member in Kuwait, Faisal al-Meslim.
Emirati company finds more gas in Egypt
SHARJAH, United Arab Emirates, July 1 (UPI) — A natural gas discovery in the Egyptian Nile Delta adds to a growing footprint in the country, Emirati energy company Dana Gas said.
Dana Gas said it encountered a 50-foot natural gas column while drilling in its Begonia-1 well in the West el-Manzala concession in the Nile Delta.
The company said its initial testing of the well yielded 9.4 million cubic feet of natural gas and the low estimate of the reserve potential was 7 billion cubic feet.
Dana said it notified the Egyptian government of the commercial development and is preparing to follow up later with development plans for the discovery.
Patrick Allman-Ward, regional general manager for Dana, said Sunday the company plans to drill two more appraisal wells in the discovery area before the end of the year.
Dana Gas and Italian energy company Eni won an Egyptian auction in April for the North el-Arish reserve area in about 3,200 feet of water offshore from the Nile Delta.
Egypt has struggled to revitalize its energy sector following the 2011 revolution. Energy woes have contributed to growing frustration with Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi.
Link: http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Energy-Resources/2013/07/01/Emirati-company-finds-more-gas-in-Egypt/UPI-50731372677022/.
Tickets go on sale for UAE's FIFA U-17 World Cup
Posted by Ammaar ibn Walid in Arabian Peninsula, Gulf Land of Wealth, Parion Gulf, Parion News, Sports on June 29, 2013
By Salma Awwad
Tickets for the FIFA U-17 World Cup UAE 2013, which will be the biggest football event ever staged in the Middle East when it begins on October 17, went on sale on Thursday, officials said.
The fifteenth FIFA U-17 World Cup, which takes place from October 17 to November 8, is the largest football event ever held in the emirates and one of the world's biggest international tournaments.
This is first year the UAE has won the bid to host the event, after the United States failed to qualify, despite appearing in all fourteen previous tournaments.
This biennial FIFA tournament has catapulted many of today's football stars to fame, such as Ronaldinho from Brazil, Luis Figo from Portugal and Italy's Del Piero.
"I am looking forward to seeing huge support for the tournament across the UAE. Fans around the world should secure their match tickets and get behind their team! This tournament has been the birthplace for many of the legends we see in the game today, so we can definitely expect to see some spectacular football," said Emirati footballer Omar Abdulrahman, who was named 'Player of the Year' at the recent end of season awards and has been appointed the official tournament ambassador.
"This is a region that is crazy about football and with the best 24 U-17 teams in the world finally coming together to compete for the trophy, I am confident that tickets will sell fast," said the 21-year old player.
Less than four months are left until the first day of 52 matches begins.
The tournament will be played across five of the Emirates of the UAE, over a three week period in six of the UAE's top stadiums – Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, Emirates Stadium in Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah Stadium in Fujairah, Sharjah Stadium in Sharjah, Rashid Stadium in Dubai and Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain.
FIFA U-17 World Cup UAE 2013 Qualified Nations are: Japan, Iran, Iraq, Uzbekistan, UAE, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Nigeria, Tunisia, Russia, Italy, Sweden, Slovakia, Austria, Croatia, Canada, Honduras, Panama, Mexico, New Zealand, Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela and Uruguay.
Dubai has committed to hosting various youth events in the future including the fourth International Swimming Federation (FINA) world junior swimming competition in August this year and the 2014 men's Under-17 Basketball World Championship (FIBA).
Tickets can be bought on FIFA's official website and start from AED35 ($9.52). The FIFA U-17 world Cup UAE 2013 Official Draw will take place on August 26, when single match tickets will also go on sale.
Source: Arabian Business.
Link: http://www.arabianbusiness.com/tickets-go-on-sale-for-uae-s-fifa-u-17-world-cup-506646.html.
Arabian Peninsula, Gulf Land of Wealth, Parion Gulf, Parion News, Sports
Qur'an-themed park is Dubai tribute to Holy Book
Posted by Ammaar ibn Walid in Gulf Land of Wealth, Parion Gulf, Parion News on June 21, 2013
Dubai has added a new item to its top ambitions such as building the world's largest Ferris wheel and bidding for an Angry Birds theme park — a site honoring the Holy Qur'an.
The estimated $7.3 million project will include a garden with plants mentioned in the holy book and an air-conditioned tunnel depicting events from the Qur'an.
The park should be ready in September 2014, reports said. It will be in Al-Khawaneej and, according to Dubai Municipality, it has been specially designed in the Islamic perspective to introduce the miracles of Qur'an through a variety of surprises for the visitors.
The park will include all available plants mentioned in the Qur'an, along with facilities such as main entrance, administration building, Islamic garden, play areas, Umrah corner, outside theater, areas for miracles of the Qur'an, fountains, bathrooms, desert garden and palm oasis. It will also have a lake, running track, cycling track and sandy walking track.
Source: Arab News.
Link: http://www.arabnews.com/news/455714.
Gulf Land of Wealth, Parion Gulf, Parion News, Sacred Book of Islam
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text:
Q: How to mock aws-sdk using jest mock, getting error "Missing region in config" I am trying to mock aws-sdk in jest.
I have below code in <root>\utils\jest\__mocks__\mock-aws-sdk.js.
const AWS = require('aws-sdk');

jest.mock('aws-sdk', () => ({
  config: {
    update: jest.fn(),
  },
  EventBridge: jest
    .fn()
    .mockImplementation(() => ({
      describeRule: mockDescribeRule,
    })),
  Lambda: jest
    .fn()
    .mockImplementation(() => ({
      invoke: mockInvoke,
    })),
  DynamoDB: jest
    .fn({
      DocumentClient: jest.fn(),
      getItem: jest.fn(),
      batchWrite: jest.fn(),
      batchGetItem: jest.fn(),
    }),
}));

// And the mock implementation
const mockDescribeRule = jest.fn().mockImplementation((rule) => ({
  Name: rule.Name,
}));
...

With above code I get error when I run the npm run jest:coverage -- -u:
TypeError: AWS.DynamoDB.DocumentClient is not a constructor

When I add below lines:
AWS.DynamoDB.DocumentClient = jest.fn().mockImplementation(() => ({

}));

I get below error:
ConfigError: Missing region in config

I am not sure how can I successfully mock the aws-sdk in node.js

A: i think this might work in case you still search for the answer
jest.mock('aws-sdk', () => ({
      ...jest.mock('aws-sdk'),
      DynamoDB: jest.fn().mockImplementation(() => {
        return {
          DocumentClient: jest.fn(),
          getItem: jest.fn(),
          batchWrite: jest.fn(),
          batchGetItem: jest.fn(),
        };
      }),
    }));


A man walks past a Sharjah Islamic Bank branch on Sheikh Zayed road in Dubai January 11, 2012.
SHARJAH - Sharjah Islamic Bank (SIB) has announced robust financial results despite economic challenges for the first nine months of 2018 declaring net profits at AED397.7 million compared to AED360 million declared during the same period last year, showing a 10.5% increase.
The bank said customer financing reached AED22.9 billion at the end of September 2018 compared to AED21.7 billion at the end of December 2017, showing an increase of 5.7%. Also, investment in securities, which mainly represents an investment in sovereign and investment grade rated tradable Sukuk, increased significantly by 27.1% to reach AED6.4 billion compared to AED5 billion at the end of 2017.
Moreover, the bank continues its strategy to maintain liquid assets ratio above 22% of the total assets and has reached the level of AED10 billion or 22.7% at the end of September 2018, resulting in strong liquidity position.
The Bank's net operating income reached AED815.4 million during January to September 2018 compared to AED696.5 million in the same period in 2017, showing an increase of 17.1%.
SIB's performance reflected positively on the financial indicators. Its capital adequacy ratio stood at 18.29%, much higher than the UAE Central Bank requirement under Basil III at 10.5%. The bank's Non-Performing Loans (NPL) coverage ratio has improved to reach 122% of the NPLs in 2018 compared to 99.8% by the end of 2017.
Return (annualised) on Average Shareholders' Equity (ROAE) reached 9.76% by the end of the 3rd Quarter 2018 compared to 9.21% at the end of December 2017, while Return (annualised) on Average Assets (ROAA) was 1.29% by the end of the 3rd quarter of 2018 compared to 1.33% at the end of December 2017.


Last Edit: 6 months 6 days ago by Timmy1961.
Astros will shell the sox bullpen, just like last night, get the astros on live bets while they are down a run.
Last Edit: 6 months 6 days ago by shawnsushi.
I actually didnt say a word about the northwestern game, not sure what youre talking about , probably got the wrong person. Also timmy you seem to LOVE underdogs on primetime games, in fact whens the last time you chose a favorite, actually just curious.
Yeah I'm still not sure how the hell NW went 99 yards in under two minutes without any timeouts, but I'll take it.


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Evolution v Revolution
There is one huge difference between the UK and the US when it comes to television provision. In the US the network operators have made a serious dent in the business of traditional broadcasters. AT&T's Uverse and Verizon's Fios have brought fibre to the masses.
In the UK, IPTV hasn't made a dent, and most of the major network operators don't have any kind of TV service at all - Orange, O2 and Vodafone, to name the major ones. Those that have (TalkTalk and BT) have made little impact after spending many, many millions.
Today, any organisation wanting to become a serious broadcaster has a fundamental question to ask themselves. Do they evolve, spend hundreds of millions, build a 'me-too' system that's never quite as good as Sky or Virgin, or do they revolt and go after what television will look like in the future ?
Now, I have to declare a vested interest in this since Vidiactive is a company firmly aimed at creating a revolution in the way TV is consumed. Not 'all the usual channels plus YouTube and iPlayer', but, 'sod scheduled TV let's male every video on the web available on your TV', and then some.
But that's content, it doesn't address how content is consumed - across many screens, with complimentary screen tweeting and chatting, shared with friends, placed in playlists for future viewing (Did you say PVR ? How quaint...).
Television as an industry is in a state of paralysis since the stakes are high and to be almost right is better than being wrong.
There are going to be some brave winners, I predict, from this situation. Companies that invent tomorrow's TV, not copy yesterday's.
ATT BT fios future networks talktalk tv Verizon


SARASOTA, FLORIDA, March 1, 2018 – Our region's commercial property sector continues to position itself to tap the benefits from the recent robust gains of the market for Manatee and Sarasota homes for sale. This looks evident in planned projects just announced at the Commerce Park in Lakewood Ranch and along the strategic Fruitville Road corridor in Sarasota.
In mid-February, KW Realty of Manatee disclosed purchase of commercial space at the 280-acre Commerce Park in Lakewood Ranch. Several new communities like Indigo, Mallory Park, and Arbor Grande are notably on the flanks of this mixed development for office, commercial and industrial uses.
KW Realty's acquisition will give rise to a 22,332-square-foot retail center called Shoppes at Commerce Park with 4112 Lakewood Ranch Boulevard as its address. The new commercial establishments coming to this location at the northwest corner of Technology Terrace and Lakewood Ranch Boulevard would likewise find a potential market in residents of the golf communities of Rosedale and Esplanade at Lakewood Ranch, both a short distance north of Commerce Park.
Construction of the Shoppes at Commerce Park is now ongoing, with its completion expected this August. The project's square footage is already 65 percent leased, with Keller Williams Realty of Manatee as its main tenant.
Significantly, one of its tenants coming in is Skyline Chili, a restaurant chain popular in the Midwest and now drawn by the burgeoning market in Lakewood Ranch communities and other nearby neighborhoods in east Manatee. The restaurant's chain's specialty is broth-like chili spiced with cinnamon, vinegar and cloves.
Skyline Chili comes as the second restaurant brand to have recently announced overtures to local tastes. Shake Shack, which has a strong following amongst Northeasterners fond of burgers and shakes, now has a signed lease in the University Town Center area for a possible opening next year.
The imminent entry of Skyline Chili and Shake Shack is reminiscent of the local forays of Trader's Joe and Wawa. Both have eventually gained foothold on the Southwest Florida market and remain in search of local market niches, Wawa especially.
Wawa, which first opened a Sarasota location in June 2016 at 3703 North Washington Boulevard, is now continuing its expansion in the region. A Sarasota-based concern, JBCC Development, recently filed preliminary plans to build a Wawa on a 1.82-acre parcel on Fruitville Road near the Colonial Village Shopping Center and several well-established residential neighborhoods.
Besides six gas pumps, JBCC proposes a 5,600-square-foot convenience store and 23 parking spaces for this planned Wawa site east of downtown Sarasota. Development of this Wawa location should also bring some market interest on Sarasota homes for sale just south of the site.
These include available residences at Ringling Park and Golf View subdivision. The latter neighborhood typically has listings of attractively priced Sarasota homes for sale offered in the high $100s featuring three bedrooms and two baths within a floor area of 1,821 square feet.
In addition to the planned Wawa nearby, another potential game-changer in this Fruitville Road area is the long-awaited redevelopment of the circa 1950s Ringling Shopping Center. Official action is now being awaited on an application to redevelop this idle property on 9.7 acres at 2260 Ringling Boulevard into a mixed-use residential/commercial complex.


Morris & Sons Holiday Gift Guide 2018 !
Ending the year with a big bang -- our first ever Holiday Gift Guide! We hope you enjoy taking the time to flip through this catalogue filled with photos and anecdotes of some of our merchandise found in the store! From "Gifts under $125" to "Gifts For The Man Who Has Everything." We've even got "Gifts For Her!!"


text:
Bhander Power Plant is a natural gas-based thermal power plant located near Hazira in Surat district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The power plant was commissioned in 2006 by EPC Construction India Limited (Formerly known as Essar Projects India Limited) and commenced commercial operations in 2008 by the Essar Energy.

On 3 March 2020, ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India Private Limited has acquired this power plant from Edelweiss Asset Reconstruction Company under Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002

Capacity
It has an installed capacity of 500 MW. The plant is functional since October 2008.

References

Natural gas-fired power stations in Gujarat
Surat district
Energy infrastructure completed in 2008
2008 establishments in Gujarat
ArcelorMittal
Nippon Steel

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
A six part series inspired by the infamous writings of Anais Nin and set in Morocco of 1955, Little Birds tells the story of two women whose lives – and those of their lovers – become entangled in Tangier International Zone. Lucy Savage (Juno Temple) is an American heiress, fresh off the boat and finding it a challenge to navigate the sexual, personal and political tensions of Tangier at the time. Cherifa Lamour (Yumna Marwan) is a dominatrix, famous in a town where anything goes. As both women struggle to find personal independence in a country on the verge of escaping its colonised past, a passionate melodrama unfolds. Little Birds paints a vivid and vibrant picture of how private desire and public politics interact in a distinctly modern, witty and entertaining way. With a stellar cast also including Hugh Skinner, Raphael Acloque and Nina Sosanya as well as international stars Rossy de Palma and Jean-Marc Barr, Little Birds will air on Sky Atlantic and NOW TV in 2020.
Writer: Sophia Al-Maria
Director: Stacie Passon
Producers: Ruth McCance & Peter Carlton
Distribution: ITV Studios Global Entertainment


Imagine having acres and acres of land around you, no other houses as far as the eye can see. Sounds like heaven – right? But what if it's so many endless acres of space that every so often you actually end up craving a little more intimacy, a bit more privacy and enclosed space? That's part of the story behind this garden renovation I'm sharing with you today.
I most often seem to write stories on homes that are on smaller landholdings, as little as inner-city blocks just 200sqm in size. Today I've got something a little different for you – it's a courtyard garden and pool transformation on a huge 6,000 hectare sheep farm – and it's beautiful. This complete renovation saw this once-scrubby garden in rural Bindi Bindi turned into the most blissful poolside retreat with alfresco area. It looks so lovely now you could easily believe it was the private pool of a boutique heritage hotel. You guys will love seeing the "before" shots of this one!
The beautiful new alfresco area offers a year-round space for the Lefroy family to spend time together.
This farm is home to owners Tracy Lefroy, who runs online homewares store Cranmore Home, her husband Kristin Lefroy, a farmer. They live with their kids, Henry, 9, Oliver, 7, and Eve, 4, as well as sheepdogs Rippa and Rosie, and Milla, a Jack Russell x Dachshund. You might remember Tracy's name from when I covered her farmhouse renos to date back here – and when I also visited the farm one winter for the inaugural Cranmore Home Winter Workshop.
Cranmore Home owner Tracy Lefroy (she stocks these beautiful hanging chairs – as well as almost all the lovely pieces you see around her pool area).
The farmhouse at Cranmore Park. Photo by Sally Mills.
Photos by landscape designer and exterior style consultant Ascher Smith.
Those photos will give you an idea of how stunning their property is – and also how big. The Lefroys live at Cranmore Park, a 6,000 hectare sheep farm about two and a half hours north of Perth in Bindi Bindi, 37km from the country town of Moora. Their farmhouse was built in stages, the first in 1909, and the build has been going on ever since! (Stone from the farm has been used in the construction of the walls, garden beds and chimneys – you don't get more 'locally sourced materials' than that).
With a farmhouse this old, nothing happens overnight, and a commitment to doing everything to a high standard means their renovation progress has been slow but steady. When they moved in, Tracy and Kristin created a super-organised ten-year-plan for renovating the house, with a plan and careful budget for each year.
The Lefroys were told with the bad state of their old house's footings, they needed to get rid of all garden beds and work on the structural integrity of the footings. "It was actually Kristin, my husband, who came up with the concept of using a concrete wall as both structural support and a swimming pool – genius!" says Tracy.
AFTER. The pool was by Add a Splash Pools. "Add A Splash Pools did a fantastic job with the pool area – including when our bedrock managed to break their rock-breaker!" says Tracy.
BEFORE. The kitchen window and external access.
AFTER: A much more practical, usable outdoor space. Photos by Ascher Smith.
How beautiful are the farmhouse's old stone walls? The daybed is the 'Lounger' by Byron Bay Hanging Chairs.
Then it was time to hunt for the perfect person to bring that courtyard vision to life. Tracy stumbled upon the perfect landscape designer on Instagram – Ascher Smith, exterior style consultant of Ascher Smith Exterior Styling and Landscaping. "We completely clicked in terms of our vision for how the space was going to 'work' and she also got that as a busy family, things needed to happen seamlessly," reveals Tracy.
Landscape designer Ascher Smith – yes heavily pregnant, right after she finished Tracy's job! (She just gave birth to a beautiful baby girl a few days ago). This lady never stops!
Ascher brought her wealth of knowledge of the landscape industry to the renovation. I am always inspired by people who overcome hurdles or adversity of some kind to get to where they want to be, and Ascher is one. About 12 years ago she began her landscaping career as a landscaper in Broome where she gained the basis for her design qualifications. "I developed severe carpal tunnel in both wrists, to the point I could not work physically with my hands anymore and was told I should not landscape anymore," she says. "But I was so passionate about the industry, and not ready to give it up – so I learnt the art of Landscape Design and soon found myself in love with the creative aspect of landscaping and the myriad of options nature has given us to create beautiful outdoor spaces. Specifically, I really love residential garden design." Now she has her own landscaping business, working closely with her husband who manages their in-house construction team, making gardens happen from design to completion.
AFTER. The beautiful sofa and chairs are available in the Cranmore Home online store and are from Globewest.
One of my favourite features in Tracy and Kristin's courtyard garden is this – a bench by the kitchen window, where the three children can eat their breakfast in the morning (while dogs can hoover up any dropped crumbs!) The kids now often swim before and after school. Styling by Tracy Lefroy and Ascher Smith. Photos by Ascher Smith.
Of key importance was achieving a seamless blend between the old stone farmhouse's exterior, the interior style and the new garden, alfresco area and pool.
Normally when I interview people about their home renovations, I ask them how the finished result reflects the way the family likes to live. What's interesting about the Lefroy courtyard renovation is that the design didn't necessarily reflect the way the family has lived, but rather represented an ideal of how they WANTED to live – a little haven from the hard work of farm life.
Ascher and Tracy styled and shot these photos on a scorching hot summer's day! Luckily they had the pool, a perfect way for Ascher and bump to cool off.
I asked Ascher to give her tips for other renovators wanting to achieve a gorgeous and highly functional country garden and she was happy to help.
You can visit Ascher Smith Exterior Styling and Landscaping online here or follow her on Instagram @ascher_smith. To check out the delectable goodies in Tracy's Cranmore Home online store, go here or follow her on Instagram @cranmorehome.
What a cozy and relaxing place! I simply love it, especially that pool. Thanks for posting!
Hats off to the couple! I cannot even IMAGINE planning a 10-yr long construction year by year; my brain is not capable of such organization. Well done! I am a huge sucker for sheltered outdoor areas and with this one, I am thinking that the rest of the house may not be necessary at all; I would just live there. Beautiful rattan pieces, my favourite is the daybed. Milla is so cute.


Poverty, agrarian change and form of labour in neo-liberal India - a comparative analysis of tribal and upper caste.
This paper elaborates nature of semi-proletarianization of the Schedule Tribe practised after the period of neo-liberal reforms in different dimensions. Further, an attempt has been in this paper to check how the change in occupational structure varies between the different social groups viz Schedule Caste, Schedule Tribe and Other due to agrarian distress and increasing pattern of dispossession in the era of economic reform and how it influenced the poverty situation among the different social groups. Now in doing so, it contradicts the view of decreasing gap of poverty between social groups concluded several present researchers. It has been found that although it is also evident that, using expenditure as the dimension of poverty, the poverty among ST have a declining trend, but the rate of decline is lower than the that of the upper caste thus the ratio of the poverty index between the social groups taking ST poverty index as numerator is increasing over the time since the neo-liberal policies have been introduced. This indicates a strong divergence which contradicts the view of decreasing gap of poverty between social groups concluded several present researchers. Further, using econometric analysis, it has been found that increasing semi-proletarianisation among STs relative to that of Others is one of the reasons increasing divergence between ST and Others.
Fernandes, W. (2008). Sixty years of development-induced displacement in India: Impacts and the Search for alternatives 'in Mathur, Hari Mohan (ed) 'India social development report 2008: Development and displacement'. Council for Social Development, Oxford University Press.
Padhi, Ranjana. (2012). Those who did not die: The impact of the agrarian crisis on women in Punjab. Los Angeles, London, New Delhi, Singapore and Washington, DC: SAGE.


Ann Savino is a psychic medium. She has almost 30 years of experience in doing readings and healings. In mediumship readings she communicates with your loved ones in spirit sharing messages that can be deeply validating and supportive. Ann also does psychic readings by reading your aura. She can focus on any area of your life to give you intuitive insight into what you are going through. Her healing work focuses on rebalancing the chakra and energy channels. Ann's intention is to help you connect to a place within where you feel whole and empowered.


text:
Year 2, Game 22: The Golden Knights played a game against the Flames and lost very badly
That was, um, awful.
By Shepard Price@shepardprice Nov 19, 2018, 11:57pm EST
Share All sharing options for: Year 2, Game 22: The Golden Knights played a game against the Flames and lost very badly
Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
So, let's talk about this game, shall we?
Through the first 40 minutes, the Golden Knights had 13 shots on net. This is a team that prides itself on an effective forecheck, focusing primarily on outshooting the competition. That's not what happened in this game, and it showed. This team looked tired, and for all intents and purposes, looked lost.
Only four players did not have a 5-on-5 giveaway in this game — Brayden McNabb, Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, Ryan Reaves and Tomas Nosek. Seven players finished with a Corsi above 50 percent (Nosek and Oscar Lindberg, neither of whom played much, were the only two above 50 at the 50-minute mark). Five players had a positive shot share (including the entire second line).
This game represented what's not good enough about the Golden Knights this season.
The power play was lackluster. The bounces continued to go against Vegas until the third period. And most importantly, the defense allowed this to happen:
The Golden Knights' penalty kill was bad, although with bad discipline throughout the game and with the Flames' excellent top-heavy roster, it was a mismatch to begin with.
The defense wasn't good enough in this game. It's very hard to blame Malcolm Subban for each goal against, and he made a great effort, despite the score. The Golden Knights just got beat at their own game and are in the midst of one of the most inconsistent seasons of any team in recent memory.
Maybe this defeat is enough to inspire some sort of change. Whether it's effort level, focusing on staying in the same frame of mind from game to game or lineup changes. Something besides shifting Shea Theodore to forward, which is a nonsensical phrase I'd never thought I'd have to utter.
For now, things are bad. There's no other way to put it. The Golden Knights look like a completely different team than the one that won the Western Conference title last season, and frankly, it's a bit shocking.
The bright spot of this game, at least for me: Max Pacioretty scored. That's two games in a row, and if he's beginning to heat up, that's positive news for the Golden Knights, who could use some optimism.
GOAL. The comeback is on, folks! pic.twitter.com/XVJySUaMKv
— Ryan Quigley (@RP_Quigs) November 20, 2018
Speaking of optimism (and things that weren't part of this game), the Chicago Wolves have gotten to a high point this season because of four players: Jake Bischoff, Brandon Pirri, Brooks Macek and TJ Tynan. Yes, Bischoff was a late addition, having only played 11 games in the AHL this season (and he hasn't scored a goal yet, which fits with his tradition of having slow starts in the AHL and then becoming the singular best defenseman on the team in the spring).
But Bischoff is someone who can eat tough minutes, play top-pairing minutes in the AHL and looks good in both ends. After the expansion draft, George McPhee was high on Bischoff as a potential player to build around. He hasn't gotten extended time in the NHL so far, but with a struggling blue line, he cannot possibly be worse than some of the guys who have.
For a long time, Macek was a goal-per-game player. Through 13 games he had 13 goals. As it stands now, he has 14 in 16, which is still insane. He has not been deemed good enough to be above Ryan Carpenter, Lindberg or Nosek (who has not been nearly good enough away from Bellemare this season) on the depth chart.
Pirri has 20 points in 16 games, including seven goals and 13 assists. He's also been the best player on the Wolves roster in terms of shot generation, with 69 this season. Last season, he was proven worthy of multiple looks by the Golden Knights and earned another contract; this year, the Knights have yet to turn to him for offensive assistance.
Tynan has long been a special-teams warrior who plays on every unit and plays well. Think of him as a smaller Cody Eakin, which could be useful to the Knights right now. He could be an effective asset to a team in need of more center depth with both Erik Haula and Paul Stastny injured long-term.
So on a night of sheer disaster, maybe it's better to look at the positive. Chicago is playing well, but that's a well the Golden Knights have yet to tap. After tonight's loss, maybe they will.
Stone out through All-Star break, Theodore could play Friday, per report


A stunning piece of wearable art, this pure pewter cuff bracelet is hand cast and hand polished to a mirror finish. Featuring a sculpted portrait of four horses with manes flying, it is sure to be treasured by horse lovers. Makes an great gift for those who stand out in the herd!
This beautiful hand-cast cuff bracelet is made of pure pewter and features the sculpted portrait of four horses in flight. Adjustable to fit wrists from 5 1/2 to 8 inches around, the cuff can be gently squeezed for a custom fit. Polished to a mirror finish, this treasure is crafted by hand from start to finish. Stunningly eye-catching, it is truly a unique piece of wearable art. A special treat for yourself, this outstanding cuff makes a special gift for the lover of horses wild and free. Handmade in the USA.