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Q: Get nth weekday from XDate in SQL Server I have to get date repeatedly for every N months.
I have XDate to Start from.
I want the nth week's mth weekday's date.
N is say 2 - I have to get for every 2 month
XDate is suppose tomorrow's date. So, Starting from tomorrow
m is 7 - So, get date of every Saturday
n is 2 - of second week.
I could not even think for start point for this complex logic.
Any suggestion how should I start - pseudo code
Thanks in advance,

A: First, this is where a calendar table comes in handy.  The following code creates a table called calendar and populates it with dates starting in 2000.  It also has a column called NthWeekdayInMonth.  For example, if you look at the entries for 1/29/05 through 1/31/05 you'll see that this column is set to a 5 because those were the 5th Saturday, Sunday, and Monday of the month.
CREATE TABLE Calendar
(
    [Date] date NOT NULL,
    [NthWeekdayInMonth] int,
    CONSTRAINT PK_Calendar
        PRIMARY KEY CLUSTERED ([Date])
        WITH FILLFACTOR = 100
)

;WITH cte AS
(
    SELECT
        DATEADD(d, (a.Number * 256) + b.Number, '01/01/2000') AS [Date]
    FROM
        (
            SELECT number
            FROM master..spt_values
            WHERE
                type = 'P'
                AND number <= 255
        ) a (Number),
        (
            SELECT number
            FROM master..spt_values
            WHERE
                type = 'P'
                AND number <= 255
        ) b (Number)
)

INSERT INTO Calendar
SELECT
    [Date],
    ROW_NUMBER() OVER (PARTITION BY YEAR([Date]), MONTH([Date]), DATEPART(dw, [Date]) ORDER BY [Date]) FROM cte
ORDER BY
    [Date]
GO

Now that we have a calendar table the rest is fairly straightforward.  I did deviate from your design in one respect but you should be able to adjust it if needed.  In my implementation, the starting date is literally the first date that should be returned.  So a starting date of 1/11/2014, looking every 2 months would return:
2014-01-11
2014-03-08
2014-05-10
2014-07-12

By passing the first date the code can figure out what day of the week it was and what week of the month.  Passing those values in is redundant.  The test code is below...
DECLARE @startDate date
DECLARE @everyNMonths int
DECLARE @numResults int
DECLARE @nthAppearanceOfDay int

SET @startDate = '01/11/2014'   -- First occurence is on this date
SET @everyNMonths = 2           -- Skip every n months
SET @numResults = 4             -- Max # of results to return

-- Figure out which x-day of the month this is.  For example, if the starting
-- date is 1/11/2014 that was the second Saturday so this will be set to 2.
SELECT @nthAppearanceOfDay = NthWeekdayInMonth FROM calendar WHERE [date] = @startDate

-- Use a CTE to get all the months involved in this calculation
;WITH candidateMonths AS (
    SELECT
        1 AS [resultnum], @startDate AS [date]
    UNION ALL
        SELECT resultnum + 1, DATEADD(month, @everyNMonths, [date]) FROM candidateMonths
            WHERE resultnum + 1 <= @numResults
)

-- Now evaluate every date for each of the candidate months.  If the day of week matches
-- that of the start date AND it is the Nth occurrence of that day of week in the month
-- include it
SELECT
    c.[Date]
FROM
    candidateMonths cm
    INNER JOIN calendar c ON ( (YEAR(c.[Date]) = YEAR(cm.[Date])) AND (MONTH(c.[Date]) = MONTH(cm.[Date])))
WHERE
    (DATEPART(dw, c.[date]) = DATEPART(dw, @startDate)) -- Same day of week
    AND
    (c.NthWeekdayInMonth = @nthAppearanceOfDay) -- Same week of month

A: I've been experimenting with the following code:
SELECT * FROM dbo.NthWeekday(GETDATE(), 1, 1);
SELECT * FROM dbo.NthWeekday(GETDATE(), 1, -1);

Where 1 is Sunday and 7 is Saturday regardless of the @@DATEFIRST setting. A positive value for n (or 0) will return the Next Nth Weekday while a negative value for n returns the Previous Nth Weekday.
I don't fully understand what you want but if I gathered correctly: just getting the Nth Weekday is not enough. You want to do this repeatedly for X months as well. This is the tentative code I'd use:
DECLARE @date DATE = GETDATE();
DECLARE @numMonths INT = -5
DECLARE @weekday INT = 1;
DECLARE @n INT = 2;

SELECT C.D
FROM dbo.RangeSmallInt(0, @numMonths - SIGN(@numMonths)) A
CROSS APPLY ( -- MonthBegin
    SELECT DT = DATEADD(m, DATEDIFF(m, 0, @date) + A.N, 0)
) B
CROSS APPLY dbo.NthWeekday(B.DT, @weekday, @n) C;

Results: 2014-12-14
         2015-01-11
         2015-02-08
         2015-03-08
         2015-04-12

Which you could wrap in a table-valued function much like I have done with NthWeekday and RangeSmallInt. The RangeSmallInt function call can be replaced with a numbers table, tally CTE, or whatever terminology/style you're comfortable with.
How it works:
We start by generating a set of numbers beginning with 0 because we want the function to be inclusive. (@numMonths - SIGN(@numMonths)) handles the addition or subtraction of 1/0 from @numMonths based on the sign of @numMonths. This ensures that the proper range of integers (in the above case: 0 through -4) are generated for our next trick.
Once we have a range of integers to work with we can use them to offset the date. In this case we want to find out the beginning of the month for X months. If we had a function that could return the Nth Month Begin Date then we would simply pass the integers we already have to the function and get out the dates we want. So that's exactly what we do using CROSS APPLY.
Now that we have the beginning of the month for X months solved all we need to do is apply our NthWeekday function to these dates.
Nth Weekday:
CREATE FUNCTION dbo.NthWeekday (
    @date DATE = NULL
  , @weekday INT = NULL
  , @n INT = 1
)
RETURNS TABLE
AS
RETURN (
    SELECT D = CASE SIGN(@n)
                    WHEN -1 THEN DATEADD(d, -(DATEPART(dw, @date) + @@DATEFIRST - @weekday) % 7 + ((@n + 1) * 7), @date)
                    ELSE DATEADD(d, (@weekday - DATEPART(dw, @date) + @@DATEFIRST) % 7 + ((@n - SIGN(@n)) * 7), @date)
               END
);

RangeSmallInt:
-- Generate a range of up to 65,536 contiguous BIGINTS
CREATE FUNCTION dbo.RangeSmallInt (
    @num1 BIGINT = NULL
  , @num2 BIGINT = NULL
)
RETURNS TABLE
AS
RETURN (
    WITH Numbers(N) AS (
        SELECT N FROM(VALUES
            (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1) -- 16
          , (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1) -- 32
          , (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1) -- 48
          , (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1) -- 64
          , (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1) -- 80
          , (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1) -- 96
          , (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1) -- 112
          , (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1) -- 128
          , (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1) -- 144
          , (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1) -- 160
          , (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1) -- 176
          , (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1) -- 192
          , (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1) -- 208
          , (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1) -- 224
          , (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1) -- 240
          , (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1), (1) -- 256
        ) V (N)
    )
    SELECT TOP (
               CASE
                   WHEN @num1 IS NOT NULL AND @num2 IS NOT NULL THEN ABS(@num1 - @num2) + 1
                   ELSE 0
               END
           )
           N = ROW_NUMBER() OVER(ORDER BY (SELECT NULL)) + CASE WHEN @num1 <= @num2 THEN @num1 ELSE @num2 END - 1
    FROM Numbers A
       , Numbers B
    WHERE ABS(@num1 - @num2) + 1 < 65537
);

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Iluha doesn't have a personal statement currently.
Hey guys, are there any artists on board?!
Today this should also be uploaded on youtube, so I'll update the topic when it happens.
If you got any suggestions on Improving the page, apart from obvious ones like a background image, band member photos and a bio, please let me know as I'm new to making a myspace page..
My band and I just finished our first album, while not a commercial album, it has 10 songs and will be sold on our shows.
we worked really hard on it, and it sounds amazing!
nothing innovative, just pure good hard rocking, with great drums, bass lines, great guitar solos, powerful vocals.
Something which is actually very missing in Hebrew music, so I hope we will be able to lead a rock revolution here.
Hopefully some songs will be up on myspace soon.
Anyone Here Participating In This Competition?
My band and I signed up to this competition, should be intresting and I think we got a decent chance to atleast make it to the Israeli finals.
Was wondering if anyone here is also participating in this competition?


No one is arguing that airplanes are ideal places to get some shut-eye. Between the stress of getting to the airport, your cramped plane seat and your chatty neighbor, it can be hard to rest up on long-haul flights. However, there are some ways you can maximize your chances of turning a red-eye flight into a nap in the sky.
Here's our guide to getting the best possible sleep on long plane trips.
1. Book a red-eye flight on purpose.
Most people tend to avoid booking late night flights, but if you're looking to maximize the chances of falling asleep, opting for a night journey might be a good idea. Depending on when your flight leaves, you could encounter a less hectic airport and even an emptier plane. Plus, you'll be nice and sleepy by the time you finally get on board.
2. Where you sit matters depending on who you are.
If you have a bladder of steel and don't mind less legroom, opting for a window seat will keep your row-mates from disturbing you with their bathroom trips. You'll also have the cabin wall to lean on while you doze. However, if you have long legs or need frequent trips to the restroom, it might be worth trying for an aisle seat in order to stay as comfortable as possible.
3. Use the air vent to help your body cool down.
The human body naturally loses heat when it's time to fall asleep. This means that an overly warm and stuffy plane cabin can hinder your ability to drift off. Use the air vent above your seat to cool off and ease yourself into restful sleep.
4. Consider skipping that pre-flight latte.
Getting to the airport and through security can be half the travel battle, but don't knock back coffee in an effort to power through. Once you're on the plane, that earlier cappuccino could keep you from sleeping soundly in transit. Caffeine stays in the body much longer than you might realize, so a dose cup of coffee or soda in the morning could still prevent you dozing off in the afternoon or evening, even if the buzz is long gone. Opt for herbal tea or plain water to keep yourself primed for sleep.
5. But that (small) glass of wine might not be a bad idea.
First of all, we're not advocating getting drunk and passing out as the answer to your sleep woes. Alcohol has a different effect on your body at high altitudes than it does on land, and it can even mess up your body's natural sleep rhythm. So why the glass of wine or beer? If you struggle with pre-flight nerves or just need a bit of help relaxing in the cramped cabin, there's nothing wrong with ordering a small adult beverage early on in the flight. Just be sure to limit yourself to one and pay extra attention to your hydration.
Honestly, any headphones you might have will be better at drowning out the noise of the plane than the cheap ones you'll find at your seat. But if you truly want to create a peaceful audio environment, some decent noise-cancelling buds or over-the-ear headphones will do wonders for your ability to drift off. Add some recorded nature noises like ocean waves or bird song for extra serenity.
You're not going to get quality sleep in uncomfortable clothes. Similarly, you won't be able to truly relax if you're sweating or shivering. Since our bodies need to be able to cool down in order to drift off, make sure you're wearing sensible clothing that can be removed or layered up as needed. No, don't show up in pajamas, but consider stretchy pants. And don't be shy about asking for an extra blanket if you need it.
8. Let your neighbor know you're trying to rest.
Politely telling your voluble seat mate that you're looking to sleep on the flight can be the difference between arriving rested and arriving annoyed. Ideally, let them know as soon as possible to minimize awkwardness.
Sleeping on long flights is challenging, but following these tips will help you arrive rested and refreshed. If you're serious about getting comfy on your next flight, you might want to check out this secret button that will give you more room at your seat.


text:
Avoiding colorectal cancer
Many of us believe that cancer is either going to get us or it won't. Medical professionals, even, will admit that while modifying lifestyle factors can reduce our risks of getting some cancers, genetic bad luck is still a primary reason why our population is stricken with cancers that might kill us.
Claiming that we can avoid a certain type of cancer may therefore seem a bit brazen. But in the case of colorectal cancer, a consensus of leading medical experts conclude that because precancerous colorectal cancer polyps can be detected so early with state-of-the-art screening tests, most of us truly can avoid ever getting colorectal cancer. Or, if we do get this cancer at a very early stage, surgical and other treatments can keep us from succumbing to the disease for many, many years or for our entire lifetimes.
Don't let commonly quoted statistics deter you from getting screened.
An estimated 101,420 cases of colon cancer and 44,180 cases of rectal cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2019, and an estimated 51,020 people will die from these two cancers (together known as colorectal cancer) in 2019, according to the American Cancer Society's 2019 report. That makes colorectal cancer the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. If you set aside smokers (with their associated high death rate from lung cancer), colorectal cancer is the #1 killer.
So that doesn't sound very avoidable, does it. Clearly, not all of us will manage to avoid colon cancer and, in fact, many will die from it. However, when you look very closely at all the data, you'll notice the following:
While the 5-year relative survival rate for colorectal cancer is 65% — a not particularly encouraging level, for the 39% of patients diagnosed with "localized disease," the 5-year survival rate is 90%.
90% … is truly a percentage worth repeating.
Bear in mind that when you look up cancer survival statistics, what's most often quoted is the "overall" 5-year survival rate for the disease — irrespective of the stage at which the cancer was diagnosed. The "best" cancers to get, by this measure, are breast cancer, prostate cancer, testicular cancer, thyroid cancer, and melanoma. However, this does not mean that individuals with those diseases will all survive five years after the first five years, or ten years after. They may live much longer, and in fact often do — but lifetime "cure rates" cannot be concluded from 5-year survival data alone. Survival rates beyond five years are indeed high in the case of most of these "best cancers" — but not, unfortunately, in the case of breast cancer, where there are a significant number of recurrences post-5-years for certain types and advanced stages of the disease.
Caught early, colon cancer can be stopped in its tracks.
The 90% colorectal cancer survival rate for localized disease reflects the fact that — when detected early — colorectal cancer can be prevented or cured — and most often right at the time you undergo the screening procedure, through the detection and removal of precancerous and small cancer growths (known as polyps). If cancer is found during screening, but cannot be removed during that procedure, additional treatment is usually less extensive and more successful if the cancer is diagnosed at an early stage.
The big take-away: Get screened no later than age 50.
The message is simple: Following recommended guidelines for colorectal screening — especially structural exams such as the colonoscopy test — results in a dramatic reduction in premature colorectal cancer death.
Sadly, only about 61 percent (2015 study) of people age 50-74 (who represent the vast majority of colorectal cancer cases) participate in screening. The health care community would like to reach a goal of closer to 80 percent because thousands of lives would be saved as a result.
Screening guidelines are straightforward.
The "gold standard" screening guidelines are those delineated by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). In June 2016 (JAMA online), USPSTF updated its guidelines and now recommends "screening for colorectal cancer starting at age 50 years and continuing until age 75 years…." The report goes on to opine that "the decision to screen for colorectal cancer in adults aged 76 to 85 years should be an individual one, taking into account the patient's overall health and prior screening history…."
Douglas K. Owens, MD, MS, Henry J. Kaiser, Jr. Professor and director of the Stanford Center for Health Policy and Center for Primary Care and Outcomes Research, was a member of the task force when the guidelines were developed and co-authored the recommendation. In an interview published that year by Stanford News Service, Owens remarked that "evidence convincingly shows screening for colorectal cancer works.…Unfortunately, one-third of people in that [50-75] age group have never been screened, so we are missing an important opportunity to prevent deaths from colorectal cancer."
More recently, the American Cancer Society updated its own screening guidelines, lowering the recommended age for a person at average risk of colorectal cancer to begin screening from 50 to 45. Uri Ladabaum, MD, professor of medicine at Stanford, was the lead author of the study that served as the basis for ACS's guidelines update. In this March 2019 study, the authors concluded that reducing the starting age for screening to age 45 would reduce the number of deaths from colorectal cancer by over 11,000 over five years, and the number of cancer cases could fall by as many as 29,400. However, that positive outcome would come at a cost to society of an estimated $10.4 billion, as an additional 10.6 million colonoscopies would be required to achieve the better medical outcomes.
Whether the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force will ever follow the ACS recommendation to begin initial screening at age 45 remains to be seen. Even Ladabaum admits, in a Stanford Medicine News Center interview, that "screening older and higher-risk people is higher yield in terms of public health benefit." But, interestingly, in the USPSTF 2016 report (written prior to the 2019 Ladabaum study), the authors do note that "modeling suggests there may be some potential advantages to starting colonoscopy screening at an earlier age (45 years) and to extending the interval between screenings with negative findings."
Is colorectal cancer on the rise in younger populations?
While increased screening in those under 50 may account for a recent increase in the number of diagnosed cases of colorectal cancer in younger populations, some evidence does indicate that a real rise in the incidence of the disease may be occurring at younger ages. In a May 2019 Research Letter (JAMA), authors (lead by Stanford postdoctoral scholar in gastroenterology and hepatology, Reinier Meester, PhD,) state that "evidence suggests that incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) is increasing among adults younger than 50 years in the United States…. If the increase is the result of earlier detection due to increased use of colonoscopy, earlier stage at diagnosis would be expected, whereas if the increased incidence is the result of true increases in risk, relatively later stage at diagnosis would be expected." Sure enough, they found that the cancer is currently being discovered at later stages than it was 25 years ago — which indicates that the risk of developing colon cancer at a younger age is likely increasing.
In a Stanford Medicine SCOPE interview, Meester was asked why colorectal cancer might be increasing in the under-50 age group: "Obesity and an unhealthy diet may play a role, but it's mostly still unknown."
The big take-away, re-confirmed:
Don't wait later than age 50 to get screened.
While the medical community sorts out whether or not age 45 or 50 is the best age for getting an initial screening, weighing considerations of societal cost, the distinct possibility that testing before age 50 will likely show medical benefits when more data is compiled (the Ladabaum study used "modeling" projections, not actual recorded medical results) suggests that — at the very least — one should not wait a day past age 50 to get one's first colorectal cancer screening done! Most insurance plans pay for colonoscopies and other screening procedures starting at age 50, although some insurers may pay for procedures starting at age 45, under certain circumstances.
Screening options: The bias in favor of structural (visual) exams
Screening tests can be divided into 2 main groups:
Stool-based tests: These tests check the stool (feces) for signs of cancer. These tests are less invasive and easier to have done, but they need to be done more often. Tests include the Fecal Immunochemical test (FIT), the guaiac-based fecal occult blood test (gFOBT) and the stool DNA test.
Visual (structural) exams: These tests look at the structure of the colon and rectum for any abnormal areas. This is done either with a scope (a tube-like instrument with a light and tiny video camera on the end) put into the rectum, or with special imaging (x-ray) tests. Tests include the colonoscopy, CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) and the flexible sigmoidoscopy.
(For further details on screening test options, including risks associated with each test, see this National Cancer Institute guide.)
While some organizations, such as The Centers for Disease Control, do not recommend one screening procedure over another, the bias in favor of structural (visual) exams, such as the colonoscopy, has become much more apparent across a large number of medical organizations in recent years.
The American Cancer Society states: "These tests each have different pros and cons … and some of them might be better options for you than others. But the most important thing is to get screened, no matter which test you choose." But the bias of ACS in favor of structural exams, such as the colonoscopy screening procedure, is evident in later statements: "If you choose to be screened with a test other than colonoscopy, any abnormal test result should be followed up with colonoscopy." This last statement reflects the fact that stool-based tests have both a high percentage of "false positives" (test indicates presence of cancer when there is none) and also a high percentage of "false negatives" (test indicates there is no cancer when actually there is).
Other ways to modify your risk profile
While undergoing timely screening procedures is still the best single plan for reducing your risk of colorectal cancer, lifestyle modifications can and do modify the risks for certain populations.
Your risk of colorectal cancer rises if you are:
Physically inactive
Smoke cigarettes
Consume high quantities of red or processed meat
Consume moderate to heavy amounts of alcohol
Consume a diet very low in fruits and vegetables and whole-grain fiber
All these risks can be modified by related lifestyle changes.
In addition, some evidence indicates that higher intake of calcium supplements and regular, long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin, reduces the risks of contracting colorectal cancer. A recent study looked at the potential benefits of aspirin, but clearly there are risks associated with long-term aspirin consumption, too — notably, stomach bleeding. As stated by the American Cancer Society, "decision making about aspirin use should include a conversation with your health care provider."
Genetics and family history: A reason to act
Hereditary and medical factors that increase your risk of colorectal cancer include a personal or family history of colorectal cancer and/or polyps (adenomatous), certain inherited genetic conditions (e.g., Lynch syndrome), a personal history of chronic inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease), and type 2 diabetes. Unfortunately, these factors are not modifiable in the way that lifestyle factors are. But the fact that genetic conditions and family history cannot easily be altered points up even more strongly the importance of making timely screening procedures your #1 priority.
People at increased risk because of a family history of colorectal cancer or polyps or because they have inflammatory bowel disease or certain inherited conditions may be advised to start screening before age 50 and/or have more frequent screening.
The future: Why wait for it?
Not enough people are being screened for early signs of colorectal cancer, either because they do not know the recommendations or because they are avoiding getting a colonoscopy, which many perceive as an unpleasant procedure.
Researchers at Stanford University are working on the development of a blood test to detect the disease; they hope the test will prove less expensive, less invasive and more convenient than colonoscopies and other currently available screening tests.
While exciting in theory, even lead researcher Shan Wang, PhD, a professor of materials science and engineering and of electrical engineering, stated in a recent interview that "this will be a five- to 10-year study to bring this technology to fruition." And to truly improve the overall disease detection and subsequent survival rates, the test will have to have high sensitivity and reliability … features that have proved dauntingly difficult to achieve in many other diagnostic testing research development laboratories, across a myriad of disease states.
The take-away here is, once again, the same — and it's clear and simple: Colorectal cancer is a preventable disease that does not have to remain one of our nation's leading causes of death. Screening tests, such as the colonoscopy, exist which accurately and reliably detect precancerous polyps or early-stage colorectal cancer. It's up to each of as individuals to discuss the screening guidelines and options with our physicians, and to follow through with advised appointments.
By Lane McKenna

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Mindanao Peaceweavers Appeal to Govt., MILF to Halt Battles
ZAMBOANGA CITY – MEMBERS of the largest Mindanao-based civil society group has pleaded anew to the government and Moro rebels to stop the fighting in southern Philippines, which have already claimed several lives and damaged millions worth of properties.
The Mindanao Peaceweavers, which is composed of more than 10 peace advocates groups, urged President Gloria M. Arroyo and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim to instead create a conducive environment in Mindanao for dialogue and let the southern peace process resume.
The group said it is impossible for the peace process to restart if the situation on the ground remains volatile and the exchange of gunfire still continues.
"Your Excellency and Mr. Chairman, we trust you know that violence committed by any parties in conflict cannot be resolved by another, if not increased form of violence. We all know that this will be a never ending cycle that will only bring this country to the brink of destruction. We are sure you will not allow this to happen," the group appealed.
In its recent letter, the group asked Ms. Arroyo to declare "a suspension of military operations" (SOMO) in Mindanao to sober up the situation and allow the mechanisms on the ceasefire agreement with the MILF to work again in addressing culpability and bring to justice those found guilty of violations."
"We also note with hope your recent overtures for the resumption of the peace talks with the MILF, but we would also like to hope that such pronouncements be accompanied at once with concrete and positive gestures of peace. The immediate declaration of a SOMO could be one of these gestures as a confidence-building measure to demonstrate the government's sincerity in finding a just resolution to the conflict and genuine peace in Mindanao."
Likewise, the group also appealed to the "leadership of the MILF to cooperate in finding a just resolution of alleged violations of the so-called rogue elements from your ranks."
"We urge you to demonstrate your firm resolve and commitment to peace by reigning in all your forces and constituents and prove that indeed you are sincere in negotiating for a peaceful settlement of the Mindanao conflict," adding that they challenge the MILF to give their share in creating an atmosphere for dialogue and the conditions to tread the tedious path to peace."
The southern peace process broke down following the debacle in the signing of the territory deal between the government and Moro rebels. The deal is seen as the last component of the peace talks prior to the agreement on governance, and ultimately the signing of the final peace deal.
But this was halted by the Supreme Court due to some problem on legal issues which several local and national politicians have raised.
The ruling prompted disgruntled rebels headed by Umbra Kato and Abdullah Macapaar alias Kumander Bravo to separately attack civilian communities in North Cotabato, Lanao del Norte and Sarangani.
The Arroyo administration eventually abandoned its support-stand on the territory deal, and directed its troops to run after the MILF hardliners.
The military pursuit operations have been dragging for more than three months, however with no major accomplishment on the whereabouts of the rogue MILF commanders.
The continuing firefight in some Central Mindanao have displace more than half a million persons, "who are bearing the brunt of the ongoing armed conflict," according to the Mindanao Peaceweavers.
A recent report from the National Disaster Coordinating Council said the cost of humanitarian assistance to internally displaced individuals will reach P605-million. Some P167.7-million has so far been extended to 391,266 individuals or 79,855 families who are in evacuation centers, the same report said.
The war's total cost of damage to agricultural crops and infrastructure facilities such as schools, bridges and irrigation has amounted to P258.3-million in Regions 10 and 12 and in the autonomous Muslim region, the report noted.


Kareem is an electronics specialist working as an electrician at an auto assembly plant in the Midwest. With the head of his plant`s high-technology training program, he has been involved with the selection and installation of a robotics painting system.
The specialist works with pneumatics, hydraulics, computer consoles and simulations of the operation of equipment he uses. At his plant, system downtime has been reduced by 22 percent.
Kareem`s story is among those cited in a recent report by the U.S. Department of Labor that analyzes what skills will be needed for the work force of 2000, when the ''crest of computer technology'' and the full impact of the high-tech revolution is expected to create high-wage, high-skilled jobs.
Right now, despite the recession, some high-tech jobs are hard to fill, especially those for electrical and electronic engineers and computer programmers, analysts and applications professionals.
According to the Labor Department, demand for workers who create, produce and maintain high-technology products is expected to accelerate in the coming decade. In 1987, when the Hudson Institute, in connection with the Labor Department, released its work force projections for 2000, eight of the 10 fastest-growing jobs were high tech: computer service technicians, computer systems analysts, computer programmers, computer operators, office machine repairers, electric engineers, civil engineering technicians and electronic data processing equipment operators.
But despite the fact that high technology is sweeping the workplace, the actual number of employment opportunities for those involved in producing it will not be overwhelming.
As 2000 approaches, however, the much-talked-about ''blurring'' of high-tech and low-tech jobs-in which it was predicted every worker would have to know how to program computers, make applications and create computer networks- is now not so certain.
''Just about everybody will work with computers in one form or another, but that doesn`t mean they will be in the business of designing them,'' said P. Helmut Epp, head of the department of computer science and information at De Paul University.
Illinois` projections for 2000 show ''exceptionally high growth in labor demand for high-tech jobs,'' according to Ruth O`Connell, research economist for the Illinois Department of Employment Security. She says, for instance, that 750 new jobs will be created each year to the end of the century for electrical engineers and 600 in operations research.
A different mix of technological skills will be required. ''We will need more software engineering designers as opposed to hardware,'' Wesley said.


Thank you for joining us to recognize Worcester Students and Bottom Line's work in the Worcester Community at our Get In, Graduate and Go Far Worcester Dinner.
We are proud to honor Maureen Binienda, Superintendent of Worcester Public Schools.
Our Reception also features live music and a raffle.
please email Melanie Perrealut-LeBoeuf or call 508-757-3400.
As Francisco Crisostomo walks around Lancer Landing, he stops to listen to members of Third World Alliance as they talk about issues and events.


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Run, Go, Transform: Designing the Future Digital State
Sean2019-09-23T11:52:18-04:00May 11th, 2018|Categories: From the Trenches, MIDMRKT Local|Tags: David Widener, Dead River Company, digital transformation, Regional Roundtables|
It takes a very strong and courageous IT leader to admit you need help, and while consultants abound, finding the right person to help formulate a realistically executable plan can be a game changer for midmarket companies.
Dave Widener, Dir. of IT at Dead River Company in Portland, Maine, first met Peter Moore of Wild Oak Enterprises late last year in Austin at Midmarket CIO Forum and enlisted him to help guide some much-needed IT transformation and strategic planning.
"Although not an 'IT guy' he really knows how to engage with people, technical and otherwise," Widener explained. "He is very strategic, but also very realistic. He is truly unique and the work he's done with other firms tells a great story in that the value received is tangible."
A business strategist and technical advisor, Moore sources the leadership expertise of his brother, Geoffrey Moore, author of Crossing the Chasm, The Gorilla Game and Inside the Tornado.
Widener first engaged with Peter to help guide a basic strategic shift, to help his team determine "that true North everyone's looking for" and keep Dead River competitive in the energy provider marketplace. Consultants frequently showcase tools like Moore's 4 Zones Model, but Widener said this was the first time he'd seen clear examples that he could easily translate to his executive team.
"Run, Go, Transform is hard to do without doubling staff, so I needed creative ways to look at our team and budget," Widener continued.
In only the first three months, Moore helped guide the Dead River team to refresh their IT strategy with a stronger digital focus. They've successfully retired two legacy applications that had become too time consuming to manage and now have the time to support building a stronger mobile presence in the energy provider space.
The original engagement proved so valuable, Widener and his team are now building an enterprise-wide prioritization and demand management function directly tied to the company's strategic planning process. It's no longer sufficient for IT staff to stay ahead of the latest technology like blockchain and artificial intelligence, but his team members have to be relationship experts and become partners with the business.
His excitement about the work is infectious.
"I've never worked with someone who has gotten me not just to strategy so quickly, but also to execution so quickly as well. This is some of the most fun and transformative stuff I've done in my career, and I'm learning just how critical the right thinking, processes, and people are in achieving excellence."
Dave Widener will offer a deeper dive into his IT organization's ongoing transformation on Tuesday, May 22 at Dead River Company's Corporate Headquarters in Portland, Maine. Join Designing the Future Digital State: IT Strategy and Staffing Transformation, a half-day, complimentary CIO-led regional roundtable that includes breakfast and lunch.
MIDMRKT Local – Event Summary
From the Trenches | 9 Tips for Vendor Management
Too early for AI in the midmarket?
Beyond the Hype: Planning for AI


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Q: $X\times Y$ has measure zero Let $X\subset \mathbb R^m$ be a set with measure zero, i. e., for every $\epsilon>0$ there is a covering of blocks $\{C_i\}_{i=1}^{\infty}$ such that $\sum_{i=1}^{\infty} \text{vol}\ C_i<\epsilon$. I'm trying to prove for every $Y\subset\mathbb R^n$ the $X\times Y$ has measure zero in $\mathbb R^{m+n}$
For every $\epsilon>0$, I'm trying to find a covering for $X\times Y$ without success. I need a hint to begin to tackle this question

A: first prove that a countable union of sets of measure zero has measure zero:
Suppose that $A_1,A_2,\dots$ all have measure zero, pick boxes $B_{n,1}, B_{n,2},\dots$ that cover $A_n$ and have sum of volumes less than $\epsilon/2^n$. Then the boxes of the form $B_{n,m}$ cover $\bigcup\limits_{n=1}^\infty A_n$ and the sum of their volumes is at most $\epsilon/2+\epsilon/4+\dots=\epsilon$.
Using this we prove that $X\times \mathbb R^n$ has measure zero.
First cut $\mathbb R^n$ into unit cubes $C_1,C_2,\dots $. It is easy to prove that $X\times C_k$ has measure zero because if $B_1,B_2,\dots $ are cubes in $\mathbb R^m$ that cover $X$ and have sum of volumes less than $\epsilon$ then the cubes $B_1\times C_k,B_2\times C_k\dots$ have the same sum of volumes and cover $X\times C_k$.
Since $X\times C_k$ has measure zero for all $X$ and $X\times \mathbb R^n=\bigcup\limits_{n=1}^\infty X\times C_n$ we conclude $X\times \mathbb R^n$ has measure zero. It follows directly that $X\times Y$ also has measure zero for all $Y\subseteq \mathbb R^n$

A: Let $\epsilon > 0$. Then, there is a covering $\{C_k\}_{k=1}^{\infty}$ of $X$ such that $$V(C_k)<\frac{\epsilon}{2^{k+1}(2k)^n}$$ for all $k\in \mathbb{N}$, so that  $$\sum_{k=1}^{\infty}V(C_k)<\sum_{k=1}^{\infty}\frac{\epsilon}{2^{k+1}(2k)^n}=\frac{\epsilon}{(2k)^n}<\epsilon.$$
Now, let $Y \subset \mathbb{R}^n$. Cover $\mathbb{R}^n$ by the rectangles $[-k,k]\times \cdots \times [-k,k]$, $k \in \mathbb{N}$. In particular, this is a covering of $Y$. Now let $R_k = C_k \times [-k,k]\times \cdots \times [-k,k]$, $k \in \mathbb{N}$. We have
$$ X \times Y \subset \bigcup_{k=1}^{\infty} R_k.$$
Furthermore, $V(R_k)=V(C_k) \cdot (2k)^{n}$ for all $k$. Thus,
$$V(R_k)=V(C_k) \cdot (2k)^{n}<\frac{\epsilon}{2^{k+1}(2k)^n}\cdot (2k)^{n}=\frac{\epsilon}{2^{k+1}}.$$
Therefore
$$\sum_{k=1}^{\infty}V(R_k) = \sum_{k=1}^{\infty}V(C_k) \cdot (2k)^{n}<\sum_{k=1}^{\infty}\frac{\epsilon}{2^{k+1}} = \epsilon.$$


Timeless beauty is everlasting, without ending and classic that's not affected by the course of time or changes in fashion. It will always be beautiful and never go out of style that why everyone loves to achieve in their home design, particularly our client in Paranaque City for her living room design.
Everyone wants timeless, but how will you do that? What makes a home timeless? How can you create your home that doesn't appear to be outdated in the next couple of years that look as fresh and chic today as it will be in the future?
Timeless design, it's not created to be modern or trendy, but it has staying power that was meant to last. It's a style and color that are well thought-out to be classic that have been created to last, in style, color and materials that look beautiful and relevant today as it was yesterday, and will be tomorrow. This style is designed to be highly functional, yet not plain and dull. Your timeless style is simple, adaptable, sophisticated and enduring.
To create this you can certainly join other elements of design and pull them within, for example, use items from yesterday, today and tomorrow that combine together to create a look that is timeless. You can use antique furniture together with contemporary pieces of art against a neutral wall and it will create a fabulous look and timeless beauty. It's all about creating a sense balance and order in terms of furniture and color. One of the best colors that can bring a timeless style is using neutral and earthy color.
As for our client who wanted to make her living room timeless chose to use white paint for her wall and brown for her window treatment. A brown combi blinds that make great balance with the white wall and also has a touch of modern touch, but you can also picture it that it has an enduring beauty at it has today.


25 years ago, SAP introduced SAP R/3 to the market. A few years later, the SAP Certification program was launched, which allows SAP experts and professionals to prove their SAP knowledge. Since the beginning, the SAP certification program was based on computer-based exams with a strong focus on practical knowledge. Today, SAP offers more than 150 certification exams from the associate to the professional level – especially for our new cloud solutions like SAP Ariba, SAP SuccessFactors, and SAP S/4HANA. More than 40,000 SAP professionals are becoming certified every year.
When SAP R/3 was introduced, you were only able to take the certification exam at SAP training locations after attending a 6 week consultant academy program.
Subscribe to SAP Learning Hub to review available Learning Journeys and certifications. A Learning Journey features recommended training materials to prepare for a certification exam. Alternatively, you can display all exams here.
SAP Learning Rooms are moderated learning communities on SAP Learning Hub. In SAP Learning Rooms, experienced trainers and moderators help you to prepare for your certification and answer your questions. In many SAP Learning Rooms additional webinars and info sessions for certification preparation are offered. Please note that most learning rooms are only available to learners with full SAP Learning Hub subscription.
Study the recommended training materials on SAP Learning Hub to prepare for your SAP certification exam and keep track of your progress. For many topics you have the choice: You can either prepare yourself with interactive e-learning courses or read flipbooks (please note that most materials are only available to learners with full SAP Learning Hub subscription). In addition, you can practice your knowledge with cloud-based SAP Live Access training systems (option with additional costs).
On SAP Learning Hub, you will find many assessments, quizzes and sample questions to check your knowledge. Ensure that you use those to check your readiness for certification. Collaboration and exchange with other learners and trainers help you to deepen your understanding.
Finally, you can purchase your Certification in the Cloud subscription in our SAP Training Shop. One subscription is including 6 online exam attempts in a 12-month subscription period. You can take 6 different online exams or you can take one exam up to 3 times. Note: Not all exams are yet available as certification in the cloud. Check the availability here.
You want to become a certified consultant for SAP SuccessFactors. You subscribe to SAP Learning Hub to start with your learning journey. You join the Introduction to SAP SuccessFactors Learnig Room and study the recommended e-learning courses THR80, THR99 and THR91. You are also attending the additional webinars offered in the Learning Rooms and discuss open questions with other learners and the moderators in the forum of the SAP SuccessFactors Learning Room. Finally, you purchase your SAP Certification in the Cloud subscription and take the "SAP Certified Application Associate – SAP SuccessFactors Onboarding". After some project experience, you can even upgrade your certificate to the professional level. You will use the rest of your contingent, while you continue on your SAP SuccessFactors learning journey, e.g. to become an expert in SAP SuccessFactors Learning. SAP Learning Rooms help you to keep your knowledge up-to-date with delta content and assessments.
Thank you very much for publishing the LH article.
Can we get all SAP HCM Applications Cloud Delta Upgrade quarterly exams in Full professional Edition Learning Hub after subscribing to SAP Learning Hub?
Is this Only restricted to Partner or SAP consultants to take Delta quaterly exams with Partner's / SAP S-User ID account ?
Yes you can take the delta assessments for SAP SuccessFactors in the professional edition of SAP Learning Hub. The delta assessments are available in the corresponding Learning Rooms and allow you to keep your certification current. You take the core exam in the Certification Hub.
I hope this helps and sorry for the huge delay!
Thank you so much for your detailed message on how to get certified. I am interested in SAP ERP SD. Please what are the appropriate steps from SAP01 Overview through certification? And what learning room(s) should I join? Some links will be of a good help please. Particularly, rooms for hands-on-training, selfpaced. And do you recommend books from SAP Press?
I used to go to a big city like Chicago for like 5 days to take one single SAP course… so with this great SAP Learning Hub, I just purchase a Hub subscription, and then take a self-paced course (with course content included in the subscription) , then add a "contingency" of a practice system for 20 hours….
with these 3 things, it completely replaces by 5-day education journey and travel costs????
Cost of Chicago education trip: 2,000 + 5,000 USD = 7,000 USD…. cost of the Hub course equivalent: = around $1,500…. this does not make sense to me???


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New airport opens with US $98M price tag
When the project was announced in 2011, the initial cost was US $45 million. That sum was increased to US $75 million by May 2013, and during the terminal's opening ceremony on Thursday, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism Paula Frederick Hunte quoted the final cost at nearly US $98 million.
Despite the cost, however, tourism stakeholders expressed high hopes for the new facility.
"This facility, at a cost of approximately US $98 million, is one we can all be proud of, and I am confident will help ensure the bright and successful future of Antigua & Barbuda," she said.
Projected to be able to process up to two million passengers per year, the new airport will not only service the 18 existing operators at VC Bird International, but also the three new carriers that will be making the inaugural flights to the new terminal during the 2015 winter season.
Jet Blue will begin service from JFK on November 5, Air Italia from Milan on December 13, and Seaborne Airlines form Puerto Rico on December 20.
According to Aviation Minister, Robin Yearwood, the new terminal will play a pivotal role in the country's economic development with amenities like the first class executive lounge.
"This modern structure gives us the potential to make Antigua & Barbuda a trade hub and boost visitor arrivals from the region, as well as from premier international tourist markets," he said.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne called the new terminal a monument that has connected generations past and present.
"Just as previous generations left us their legacy facilities that were relevant and innovative in their time, our generation has moved our country further with the current modern terminal," he said. "When the inhabitants of our twin island nation-state look at this airport terminal, they can do so with a strong sense of accomplishment and of patriotism."
Meanwhile, CEO of the Antigua Barbuda Airport Authority Stanley Smith also addressed the opening ceremony where he expressed his excitement that the terminal had been completed.
"The Antigua Barbuda Airport Authority has waited three years for this historic moment. Finally, we can exhale," he said. "Today ABBA welcomes the people of Antigua & Barbuda to the new VC Bird International Airport."
The three-year construction period, which Smith described as short, involved a great deal of the work from a dedicated team. He detailed some 120 site meetings, 90 building hours, and over 300,000 man hours' worth of work before the building, which broke ground in November 2011, was completed in July 2015.
Danny strengthens into first hurricane of 2015 season
How the Caribbean diaspora can win in the connection economy


In Glen Canyon waters rose, inundating petroglyphs and creating Lake Powell. Now the Colorado River basin is experiencing the longest dry spell in modern history—one that shows alarming signs of becoming the new normal.
In A New Form of Beauty photographer Peter Goin and writer Peter Friederici tackle science from the viewpoint of art, creating a lyrical exploration in words and photographs, setting Glen Canyon and Lake Powell as the quintessential example of the challenges of perceiving place in a new era of radical change. Through evocative photography and extensive reporting, the two document their visits to the canyon country over a span of many years. By motorboat and kayak, they have ventured into remote corners of the once-huge reservoir to pursue profound questions: What is this place? How do we see it? What will it become?
Contemplating humanity's role in the world it is creating, Goin and Friederici ask if the uncertainties inherent in Glen Canyon herald an unpredictable new future for every place. They challenge us to question how we look at the world, how we live in it, and what the future will be.


A lot of fun and food were had by everyone last July 24, 2004 at Garin Park in Hayward. This year's annual picnic featured games for kids and adults, singing and an incredible hike up a steep hill for those who dared.
The members of our missions team, Pastor Alois, May, Chris, Eugene and Winston, got back safely from the Philippines last June 6. The short-term missions trip was a successful one. Many Filipinos received medical attention and heard the gospel.


The Incredible Capabilities of Wireless Security Cameras | Central Alarm Inc.
If you have decided to utilize the amazing capabilities of a home video surveillance system, you will want consider investing in a wireless system. The technology of a wireless system isn't just good for protecting your form burglars or home invaders, it can give you peace of mind in many other ways as well. Today we will be discussion some of the awesome features of a wireless security system.
A wireless security system helps you fully automate your home. You can connect the system to your home wireless network and then run it with a hand-held electronic device from the comfort of your couch. You can select individual cameras in your network. You can have them pan, focus and zoom. You can program them to follow certain patterns and specific times of the day.
A full incorporated wireless security system isn't just something to use when you are away from the home. You can use it as a baby monitor when the newborn is sleeping in the other room. You can use it to answer the front door when someone is visiting your home. A video camera can deliver footage of your visitor directly to your phone or hand-held device.
When you are away from your home is when the system really shines. The wireless network can make use of infrared motion detectors cameras. Nothing will escape their sight. If as much as a dog moves across your lawn, you will know. If an alarm sounds, you can tape directly into your wireless security system to see what the problem is. False alarms will become a thing of the past. You can also use the network to monitor the kids when they get home from school. They will be safe, and you can feel confident knowing they are taken care of.


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JFH Indie Review
The Gray Havens
Street Date: October 5, 2018
Style: Folk Pop
For those unfamiliar, The Gray Havens are a husband/wife duo that sprung onto the scene in 2015, with their Kickstarter funded debut, Fire & Stone. It received high praise, with its playful metaphors, and narrative/folk/pop musical leanings. Their follow up, Ghost of a King, dropped a little over a year later, and added electronic flourishes for song texture as they continued to stretch themselves. Now, with their third full-length offering, titled She Waits, they face the unenviable task of balancing their artistic growth with the expectations of fans. The question is, will they fold under the strain or allow said pressure to produce another diamond of musical goodness? This reviewer is happy to report that they have once again delivered an album full of longing, tragedy, and grace; all while pointing believers to our future eternal home. In fact, what we have is a concept album focused on the hope of heaven, with a musical backdrop weaving messianic sounds, swirling keyboards, strings, and touches of hip-hop drums to their previously established acoustic sonic palate.
Title track and lead song "She Waits" kicks things off with nods to the longing of the earth for the return of Christ from Romans 8:19-22. Musically, Dave Radford utilizes his voice expertly with his lower register in the verses, and then switching to his falsetto in the chorus as he sings the simple chorus, "So she waits, she waits/She waits." Each verse builds on this idea with verse four ultimately saying, "'Cause on her chain is a lock and the key/Is the radiance she will see/from the light that's gonna be/Cast from the sons and the daughters free." The song is a poetic lead into what the rest of the album will unveil. "See You Again" follows with a lyrical lament over the loss of a loved one, contrasted with an upbeat song, driven forward by pulsating strings. The instrumental track, "Crows," with its imagery of death and loss, expertly segues into the following highlight song, "High Enough."
"High Enough" pairs a hip-hop beat with a guest rap from spoken word/rap artist Propaganda. It works well, with Dave singing lead, and his wife Licia providing echo and harmony in the latter part of the song. The message of the tune itself is one of sorrow at mankind's propensity to try to reach heights apart from God. The high points of the song lyrically are the intro where Dave sings, "Freeze the moment in time/Travel back down the corridor of Eden/See the apple shine/It was gonna be the ladder to the skies in their mind," and then the verse "It's a worn out tragedy/And though history won't repeat/We're still livin' in the rhyme." Though it sounds like a strange pairing, Propaganda serves the song well with a nice contrast to Dave's smooth voice and Licia's hypnotic accents.
The most interesting and vexing (in a good way) song of the album goes to "Three Birds In Babylon." It, and its following song "Storehouse," make up the linchpin of the album as tracks six and seven, respectively. Though perhaps a coincidence, biblical numerology seems to take an important role in both songs. The number six is significant in the Bible as it represents Man, and the number seven is all throughout the Bible being known as the number of completion or perfection. It would seem that the narrative they are going for in the album is the story of man's hopelessness without Christ juxtaposed with God's goodness and grace. I won't spoil "Three Birds In Babylon" for those who like to dig into lyrics, but there are biblical allusions, as well as literary clues, densely layered throughout the song worthy of further excavation. Suffice it to say an entire article could be written on the artistry contained in this one track alone. This listener hears a warning to the church, and a hopeful call back to its first love. "Storehouse" follows the preceding masterpiece, and is the most immediately accessible pop radio ready song of the album, and this is not a criticism. Also of note is "Forever," featuring these expectant lines from the pre-chorus, "Look all I know/Is I believe it's gonna change at the moment when the trumpets blow." The uplifting instrumental, "Morning Light," ends the album in a way that both works as an ending to the album or a beginning lead back into track one. It's a fitting bit of creativity that gives a sense of hope that points both backward and forward.
Overall, The Gray Havens continue to reach beyond their comfort zone musically, while maintaining a lyrical depth that is rarely seen in music, much less the Christian music genre. She Waits is a short and enchanting must-listen for any fan of thinking man's folk/pop music. With each spin, another layer of meaning is revealed, and its short runtime and lyrical metaphors reward any listener willing to keep coming back. In the spirit of true transparency, I have heard this album nearly fifty times in its entirety, and have yet to fully grasp the totality of what they were reaching for. This is in no way frustration; in fact, it simply gives another reason to further chase their metaphors of grace and heaven. With She Waits, The Gray Havens have produced a surefire contender for top-ten album of 2018 for this reviewer. The effort is worth celebrating, and I for one hope that they continue to make music for many years to come.
- Review date: 9/26/18, written by Josh Balogh of Jesusfreakhideout.com
The Gray Havens are one of the more creative acts in Christian music today. Ever since they captured hearts and ears with their Where Eyes Don't Go EP, they have gained a loyal fan base while growing their sound and song craft. However, with She Waits, the sound and lyricism that set them apart early on has slowly morphed into a more Andrew Peterson vibe. Story-based songs give way to sermon-based tunes and guitars are relegated to background noise in favor of the piano. There's nothing wrong with this, per se, as the arrangements are still creative and engaging and the lyrics are still smartly written and avoid cliches. The title track, "High Enough," "Three Birds in Babylon," and "Storehouse" all stand out and bounce between the imaginative story to the practical sermon. But the other lyrical tracks fail to impress and, while still well-written, feel more like B-sides. The Gray Havens are certainly pushing themselves to be creative and do new things and it mostly pays off. Their quality has not slackened in the least, but their uniqueness is slowly disappearing. Objectively, this is not bad; again, they use their resources and talents well. Subjectively, this reviewer prefers the quirkier sound and lyrics. So the complaint here is not with anything about how the album is done, but more in the direction of personal taste. Perhaps long-time fans can empathize with that sentiment, or maybe most don't care. At any rate, She Waits by The Gray Havens is a good album and one worth checking out before year's end. - Review date: 10/4/18, written by John Underdown of Jesusfreakhideout.com
Record Label: Artist Garden Entertainment
She Waits (4:17)
See You Again (3:21)
Crows (0:35)
High Enough (feat. Propaganda) (3:26)
Gone Are the Days (4:52)
Three Birds in Babylon (4:00)
Storehouse (4:06)
Return (1:02)
Not Home Yet (3:32)
Forever (3:46)
Morning Light (1:41)


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Behind the Book
by khyatisharma May 7, 20224:42 am May 8, 2022
Why do we write a memoir? Hear it from author Nandita Chakraborty
Today we're in conversation with supremely talented Nandita Chakraborty for our 'Behind the Book' segment. Born in Kolkata (India), Nandita's sense of creativity started very young. She would go on dreaming and writing about everyday life in her journal. In 2000, she moved to Melbourne, and since then, her writing has been published in various literary journals and publications. Her latest memoir, Dirty Little Secrets is available via your local bookstore or online.
What was the defining moment when you felt Dirty Little Secrets must get written?
Nandita- I wanted young women to understand that the choices they get to make in life are basic lessons that help us to grow. Your society might label them as mistakes, but one must grasp its learning. I also thought it was very relevant to tell what every migrant goes through. So, you could say this is a cheap manual book for $27 for people who go through what I've gone through. Today, we're always hooked on social media, tending to be something we are not, so you've got to sort yourself between reality and illusion. Lastly, I also wrote this book for myself. It's a love letter to me, Melbourne, and all these young women.
How did you finalise the title Dirty Little Secrets? Was the book written first or the title?
Nandita- The title got finalised after completing the book. After six years of writing and then two years of finding an agent.
The first chosen title was a very long one. It was initially named 'The Girl Misinterpreted', but it didn't appear to be as catchy. Then we decided on 'Dirty Little Secrets' since the book is filled with my secrets. My agent and I also thought of keeping 'Unfinished' as the title, but Priyanka Chopra Jonas's memoir was out with the same title. There were a lot of titles in-between, but I wanted the one which resonated with the story the most.
The memoir has many revelations which must not have been easy to discuss. What gave you the courage to write about your life?
Nandita- When I started writing, my inner voice did ask me what will be the future after this? Do I really want to write this memoir? There will be a lot of questions. There will be people looking at you with a different perception. Then I told myself how judgements would always be a part of life. Whatever you decide to do, there will always be someone telling you to do otherwise. I said to myself that it would go on and not end. So I better write this memoir.
Then I started writing, thinking how will the girl of 20 years younger to me find reading this? What will be the future of this girl? And how will she get connected with the story? And the pen started flowing automatically. That was why I wrote this book, and there was no stopping from there.
What has been your biggest takeaway from writing this memoir?
Nandita- My biggest takeaway from writing this memoir is that readers have actually purchased the book and mentioned on Goodreads how Dirty Little Secrets moved them. That's my win.
How many rewrites did you have to go through for this book?
Nandita- It was 100,000 words at the beginning. Then I had to bring it down to 70,000 words. I also had to rewrite my prologue because I wasn't satisfied.
Dirty Little Secrets talks about your family dimensions in detail. Has your family read the book?
Nandita- My mum knows what's in the book. She hasn't read it yet, but my sister has. The equation with my brother is still how it had been mentioned in the memoir. If he wishes to read the book, he is welcome to read; it's out in the world.
How does it feel to see the labour of your love in bookstores now?
Nandita- A major sense of relief! There has always been a lot of tension. I would keep thinking about how people will perceive this book. So, it was a relief when the book was out. It's like I have given birth to a baby. And I'm sure this goes for every book written out there.
Do you have any unfulfilled dreams now?
Nandita- Yes, I want my film to happen soon. I'm a screenwriter, and a few of my screenplays are in the developmental stages. So that is my unfulfilled dream, and it will happen.
A post shared by Nandita Chakraborty author (@nandita_chakraborty_author)
What do we see you doing when you're not writing or reading?
Nandita- I get bored if I don't write. You will find me continually surrounded by books. I'm in the library. Sometimes I also binge watch TV.
What's on your bedside table?
Nandita- Arundhati Roy's The God of Small Things and The Ministry of Utmost Happiness.
Who would play you if your book gets adapted into a Netflix movie?
Nandita- Vidya Balan.
Do you have any messages for the aspiring writers?
Nandita- My message for aspiring writers is not to get so scared. Don't worry about how much you should write and about what. Because at the end of the day, writers are writing who they are. 80% of what's in the paper or in a book- it's them, what they're feeling, what they're dreaming, what they're thinking. So, don't be brutal. Be truthful to your pen and write. That's what I want to suggest to them.
What are you writing next?
Nandita- My next book is called 'The Extraordinary Mrs Chatterjee.' The story revolves around this marvellous lady who passed away at the age of 92- leaving a legacy behind. It traces her life journey way back in 1930 when she was sold to go to England, and from there, she landed at a camp in Germany. This book is about a brave woman's journey to freedom after escaping from one country to another and facing all the turbulence life had to offer.
Dirty Little Secrets was published on 7th February 2022 by Clever Fox Publishing. You can purchase the book here.
Tagged with: #AustralianMemoir Author Interviews Dirty Little Secrets Female Authors Memoir Memoir2022 Nandita Chakraborty


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French Painter
Born: September 26, 1791
The Sublime in Art
The truly gifted individual does not fear obstacles, because he knows that he can surmount them; indeed they often are an additional asset; the fever they are able to excite in his soul is not lost; it even often becomes the cause of the most astonishing productions.
Summary of Théodore Géricault
Géricault's short career had a huge impact on the history of modern art and the evolution of French 19th century painting in particular. His radical choice of subjects taken from contemporary life, his fusion of classical forms with an atmospheric, painterly style, his passion for horses, his attraction to sublime and horrific subjects, and his compassion for the weak and vulnerable in society make him a singularly complex artist, but one who helped set the path for Romanticism's emphasis on emotion and subjectivity. His most famous work, The Raft of the Medusa, was a watershed moment in the history of modern art, as it married the immediacy of current events and an eyewitness sensibility with the traditional, monumental format of a grand Salon painting. Much of Gericault's work relied on keen observation, social awareness and at times a politically engaged view of the world around him. Indeed, a unique combination of realism and raw emotion can be seen in many of his works, including the late series of monomaniacs and his earlier "portraits" of guillotined heads.
Gericault's art was utterly contemporary in its attention to current events and the realities of the human condition. He depicted dramatic scenes from real life on a monumental scale and found inspiration as a draughtsman in the most humble subjects. This can be seen in his colossal canvas, The Raft of the Medusa, his lithographs of London's poor and his late portraits of the criminally insane.
Though he absorbed the lessons of the Old Masters - Michelangelo was particularly important - Géricault's use of brisk, energetic brushstrokes and contrasting light effects created atmospheric scenes which broke free from the refined Néoclassical style of painting.
Much of Gericault's art typifies what we now think of as Romantic, with its attention to the exotic, the emotional, and the sublime. This can be seen in part as a reaction to the earlier Neoclassicism of David and Ingres, which embodied Enlightenment values of order and reason. With Gericault, the individual artist's subjective, emotional response is what counts, a concept that would carry forward into the 20th century.
Biography of Théodore Géricault
Jean-Louis-André-Théodore Géricault was the only child of wealthy, conservative parents. His father was a lawyer and his mother's family were tobacco growers. When he was four his family moved to Paris, which allowed Géricault to be educated in the most prestigious schools. At age fifteen, his drawing talent was recognized and he began to seriously study art.
Important Art by Théodore Géricault
Charging Chasseur (1812)
As reflected in the title, Géricault's Charging Chasseur is a large-scale portrait featuring an officer in the French Imperial Guard charging away from the viewer. In the background a battle scene suggests that retreat is underway. The officer is a real life figure, Alexandre Dieudonné, who was a friend of the artist. He is depicted twisting backwards, sword ready, in a dramatically contorted pose.
Military figures were among the artist's favorite themes with this being one of his earliest and yet most important examples. The work also utilizes another favored subject of the artist, the horse, which he returned to throughout his career. Part of what makes this painting interesting is the scene Géricault chose to depict. This is not a moment of military victory as was commonly depicted by the Neoclassical artists of the period; rather everything about the narrative depicted implies that the battle is about to be lost. The officer seems to look back in sad resignation. Instead of an idealized scene created using Ancient Roman or Greek motifs, as was common in the French Neoclassical style, Géricault chose to depict a romanticized scene full of drama. The tension is enhanced by bold color choices and varied light effects. His depiction reinforces the Romantic idea of the hero who, rather than seen triumphing, is shown struggling, brooding or sad in the face of uncertain fate.
The choice of subject could be seen as slightly ironic, given that his father had found a way to get him out of military service. Perhaps the work was an attempt to give visual form to the military drama that Géricault so admired but had not yet seen first hand. Whatever the work's motivations, it helped to launch Géricault's career and was well received when it was exhibited at the 1812 Paris Salon.
Male 'académie' Seated and Seen from Behind (c.1816)
Géricault painted this work at the beginning of his career while training in the studio of the French Academy painter Pierre-Narcisse Guérin. This complex, atmospheric composition shows off the young artists ambition. The male nude, viewed from behind, is twisted across the canvas. The tension in his intertwined feet unfurls progressively as the eye ascends towards the figure's right hand. The work is dark and brooding other than the whites and yellows of the figure's flesh.
While the depiction of the nude was nothing new - nude studies or académies were an essential part of an artist's training - the manner in which Géricault rendered the subject already shows how revolutionary his approach to artmaking would be throughout his tragically short career. Conventional student studies of the male nude would have included a traditional, frontal pose set in a studio. This is abandoned entirely by Géricault who places the figure in a landscape and experiments with a radical way of presenting the body that allows for an exploration of his already developed understanding of anatomy. The dramatic contrapposto of the male nude also seems to presage the artist's later interest in Michelangelo and the expressive possibilities inherent in the body itself. In addition, the moody deployment of light and shade was unlike other student académies of the period. Through this work we can anticipate the development of Romanticism.
The work was not enthusiastically accepted by Géricault's teacher. Guérin was known to constantly criticize the artist for what he considered his unrealistic depiction of form and use of color. About these studies he chastised Géricault by stating, "your colors are not realistic ... all these chiaroscuro contrasts would lead me to think that you always paint under the moonlight; as for your académies they resemble nature as much as a violin case resembles a violin."
Cattle Market (c.1817-20)
A small work, Géricault's Cattle Market depicts the scene of a cattle market in an Italian country setting. In the foreground are three men, barely dressed, wrestling with cattle that are resisting their impending slaughter. In the right foreground one of the men has managed to wrestle one bull to the ground with the help of a dog, which he seems to be restraining from attack. In the background, beneath a blue, cloud-filled sky a nude wall and a simple building are depicted, beyond which an idealized landscape sets the scene.
Géricault's years in Italy, beginning in 1816, made a strong impression on the young artist. He enjoyed the scenes of Italian life and was intrigued by peasant life and folklore. That interest manifests itself in this painting which depicts a famous tourist attraction, the buying and slaughtering of cattle in the outdoor market near the Piazza del Popolo in Rome.
While still young the artist shows his skill in capturing the human form in complex poses and compositions. In fact, the work shows off the artist's eagerness to test and hone his skills. He has shifted the urban location to a country locale perhaps to enhance the dramatic impact of the scene; he experiments with classical elements by depicting the men nude in an Ancient Roman style that reflects the Classical emphasis of the artistic climate in Italy. Nonetheless, Géricault would not adopt this approach in his later works and so the painting is a rare example of a more classical style.
"Théodore Géricault Artist Overview and Analysis". [Internet]. . TheArtStory.org
First published on 16 Sep 2017. Updated and modified regularly


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Home > Celebrity > Singers
Real name André Lauren Benjamin
Occupation Singer
Who is Andre 3000 wife? Dominique Maldonado
What is Andre 3000 relationship status? Dating
What is his sexual orientation? Straight
Andre 3000 wife and family
Erykah Badu (ex-partner)
Date of birth: February 26, 1971 (49 years)
She is a music artist whose real name is Erica Abi Wright. A winner of 4 Grammys, she has recorded 5 studio albums, including 3-time platinum Baduizm. What is more, Badu tried her hand at acting in The Cider House Rules, House of D and What Men Want films plus some television projects.
Erykah and Andre's romantic involvement started in 1995 after they got acquainted at a club. In 1997, they welcomed a son but called it quits in two years. Despite separation, these two remain good friends and co-parents. They even recorded the song Hello together while Andre dedicated single Ms. Jackson to Badu's mom.
Erykah is also a mother of two daughters: Puma with rapper The D.O.C. (born in 2004) and Mars with Jay Electronica (born in 2009).
Dominique Maldonado (partner)
Date of birth: June 19, 1985 (35 years)
Zodiac sign: Gemini
Duration of relationship: 2014 – present time
Dominique is a music executive who used to work with Q-Tip. She is the founder of Leaders of the New Cool Concert Series and director of Warner Records. Maldonado reportedly started dating Andre in 2014 and in 2016, they got engaged at Coachella.
Andre 3000 kids
Seven Sirius Benjamin (son with Erykah)
Date of birth: November 18, 1997 (23 years)
Zodiac sign: Scorpio
Seven is the celebrity's only child and his dad's absolute lookalike. He is a smart guy who was accepted in four colleges he applied to and decided to study psychology, arts and science. Seven prefers to stay away from the limelight and doesn't seem to have any plans to enter the entertainment industry.
Lawrence Walker (father)
Date of death: February 12, 2014 (age 66)
Lawrence was a collections agent. After separating with Sharon, he had a tense relationship with his son, but they reconciled. In 2004, Lawrence even attended Polaroid/OutKast Grammy Party. In 2014, the man passed away after having a heart attack.
Sharon Benjamin-Hodo (mother)
Date of birth: February 28, 1955
Date of death: May 28, 2013 (58 years)
Sharon was a real estate agent and philanthropist. Together with the New Morning Light Baptist Church, she established The Starlight Camp for underprivileged children. After her breakup with Lawrence, the woman tied knots with pastor Robert Hodo.
Sharon raised Andre single-handedly and the celebrity admitted that he was a mama's boy. The woman was very strict, but she was everything for her only child. That's why, when she died in 2013, just one day after the artist's birthday, he suffered a lot. In 2018, Andre dedicated songs Me&My (To Bury Your Parents) and Look Ma No Hands to Sharon and his late dad.
Andre 3000 doesn't have any siblings.
Andre 3000 gained recognition in the 1990s as a part of Outkast hip hop duo with Big Boi. They presented 6 albums, including diamond-certified Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, and earned numerous accolades, including 6 Grammys and 4 American Music Awards. Following the Outkast's disbandment in 2006, Andre had a hiatus and recorded his first EP Look Ma No Hands only in 2018. Additionally, he deals with acting and has appeared in Be Cool, Four Brothers, Battle in Seattle, Semi-Pro, Jimi: All Is by My Side films.
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