text:
Sam Gappmayer Appointed New Director of the John Michael Kohler Arts Center
SELF-TAUGHT ARTS IN THE NEWS 6 years ago 3 Minute(s) to read
The morning of Sept. 30, 2016, the Board of Directors of the John Michael Kohler Arts Center announced the hiring of Sam Gappmayer as the new Director of the Sheboygan, WI, arts organization. Gappmayer, who currently serves as President and CEO of the Peoria Riverfront Museum, will assume his new position October 17.
Gappmayer has 27 years of experience heading multidisciplinary arts organizations throughout the United States. Prior to the Peoria Riverfront Museum, he worked as the top executive at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, and at the Sun Valley Center for the Arts in Ketchum, ID. Gappmayer earned a Master of Arts in art history from the University of Oregon and a Bachelor of Arts in fine arts from Montana State University.
"I have admired the work of the John Michael Kohler Arts Center and Ruth DeYoung Kohler, its longtime Director, for most of my career," stated Gappmayer. "Vital and relevant programming in multiple artistic disciplines, the unique Arts/Industry program, and the focus on art environment builders sets the Arts Center apart as an important contributor to a healthy arts culture on local, regional, and national levels."
Ruth DeYoung Kohler served as the Arts Center's Director since 1972, and in January, she transitioned to the role of Director Emerita and Director of Strategic Initiatives. In 2015, she was honored with the Visionary Award from the American Folk Art Museum in New York City, and she received the Wisconsin Visual Art Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.
"I have deep admiration for all that Ruth Kohler, the staff, board and donors have accomplished in building and expanding the reach of the Arts Center over many years and feel honored to become part of this dedicated creative community," commented Gappmayer. "It is my intention to continue to enhance and extend the mission of this very special institution."
John Michael Kohler Arts Center Board President Sandra Sachse said, "The board of directors believes that Sam has the skills and experience to continue the unique vision of the John Michael Kohler Arts Center as we go forward into the future. We welcome him and his wife, Ann, to our community."
In 2017, the John Michael Kohler Arts Center will celebrate its 50th year as a leader in innovative explorations of the arts. Its programming is distinguished by original, thematic exhibitions; cutting-edge music and dance performances; commissions of collaborative community works of art; and a highly respected arts-based preschool. The Arts Center's anniversary will be celebrated with a yearlong series of exhibitions featuring its world-renowned collection of works by art-environment builders. The Arts Center is also in the planning phase for construction of the Art Preserve, a facility that will provide state-of-the-art storage and display of its extensive collection.
About the John Michael Kohler Arts Center: Founded in 1967, the John Michael Kohler Arts Center is dedicated to making innovative arts programming accessible to a broad audience that ranges from artists and academics to families and youth of all ages. Central to its mission is promoting understanding and appreciation of the work of self-taught and contemporary artists through original exhibitions, commissioned works of art, performing arts programs, community arts initiatives, and publications. The Arts Center's collections focus primarily on works by vernacular-environment builders, self-taught and folk artists, and works created in the Arts/Industry residency program.
Looking to the future, the Arts Center continues to generate new explorations in the arts that foster creative exchanges between an international community of artists and a diverse public, making real the power of the arts to transform lives and strengthen communities. The John Michael Kohler Arts Center is supported by corporate and foundation donors, government grants, and its many members. The Arts Center is not an entity of Kohler Co. or its subsidiaries. More information about the Arts Center can be found at jmkac.org.


was nominated for Best Book in official competition at the 2016 FILAF 6th Festival International du Livre d'Art & du Film. I was on hand to give a special presentation on June 24, 2016.
A dancing police officer in Perpignan, France.


text:
Overtime: UConn Football and Basketball with Marcus Lynam
About Marcus…
Marcus' Resume
UConn News and Notes: Novemeber 18, 2010
Kemba Walker - Courtesy of the Hartford Courant
– UConn defeated Vermont on Wednesday night, 89-73, behind a career high 42 points for junior guard Kemba Walker. Walker, who was 15-24 from the field, added 8 rebounds, 3 steals, and 3 assists. The 42 points tied Cliff Robinson's record for a UConn game played in Hartford.
– Coming into the season everyone knew Kemba Walker would be THE GUY for the Huskies, and it was uncertain who his "wingmen" might be. Through two exhibition games and the first two real games, Alex Oriakhi, Jeremy Lamb, and Roscoe Smith have all shown they could possibly fill the role of the number two go-to scorer. Oriakhi has been impressive with his improvement from last year. Through two games he is averaging 11 ppg, 12.5 rpg, and 3.5 blocks per game. Lamb, who was very impressive in the second exhibition game when he scored 17 points, has shown he is not afraid to fire up a shot…or 10. He's a natural scorer, who will provide the Huskies with a great outside presence if he can consistently hit jump shots. Smith finally had a so-called "coming-out performance" on Wednesday night against Vermont. He finished with 15 points (including 3-3 from three-point range), 3 rebounds, and 2 blocked shots. He was the highest ranked recruit for the Huskies, and will look to live up to his unbelievable potential the rest of the season.
– The Huskies will now head to Hawaii, for the annual Maui Invitational which kicks off on Monday. UConn's first round game is against Wichita State on Monday Nov. 22. at 3pm on ESPN2. UConn could possibly match up with #2 Michigan State in the semifinal and even John Calipari's Kentucky Wildcats in the Final.
– UConn heads up to Syracuse this Saturday when they take on the Orange at 7pm on ESPNU. Syracuse (7-3, 4-2 in the Big East) is 0-2 in Big East home games this season, while UConn (5-4, 2-2 in the Big East) is 0-4 away from home this season. One team will break their streak this weekend.
– Jordan Todman is currently 2nd in the nation in rushing with over 140 ypg, but was left off the Doak Walker Award, which is given to the nation's top running back, list of 10 semi-finalists, which is ridiculous (It's the second time in the last three seasons that the voters for this award have left a well-deserving UConn running back off the list, as they did the same to Donald Brown during the 2008 season.) Todman showed his gracious side and strong personality by saying: "It doesn't bother me. That's something based on everybody else's opinion."
– UConn needs just one more win this season to become bowl eligable for the fourth straight season. The Huskies have three games left to get win number six.
– UConn senior linebacker Lawrence Wilson was named the BIG EAST Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Monday for his performance in last Thursday's victory over Pittsburgh. Wilson had 11 tackles, including a sack, to lead a Connecticut defense that forced four turnovers and had three sacks in a 30-28 win against first-place Pittsburgh. Wilson is currently leading the BIG EAST in tackles with 95. He was also the leading tackler last season.
Filed under Basketball, Football
Tagged as Alex Oriakhi, Jeremy Lamb, Jordan Todman, Kemba Walker, Lawrence Wilson, Maui Invitational, Randy Edsall, Roscoe Smith, UConn Basketball, UConn Football
UConn Basketball: 3-Point Shot with Marcus Lynam
Marcus Lynam and Ryan Grace discuss three topics surrounding UConn Basketball.
Filed under Basketball
Tagged as 3-Point Shot Segment, Marcus Lynam, Ryan Grace, UConn Basketball
UConn Football: BCS Hopes Still Alive
Coming off a 26-0 drubbing by Louisville on October 23rd, the UConn Huskies looked all but dead for the season. Their record stood at 3-4 (0-2 in the Big East),and with West Virginia and Pittsburgh coming up next on the schedule, hopes for just a bowl appearance were dwindling for the UConn faithful. But once again, like he has multiple times over his 11 seasons in Storrs, head coach Randy Edsall rallied the troops and when no one was giving the team a chance, led his Huskies to two straight wins over two Big East powerhouses.
With the win this past Thursday over Pittsburgh, which saw Jordan Todman rush for a career high 222 yards, UConn put itself into a possible position to reach a BCS bowl for the first time in school history. The Huskies also received some help this weekend when Syracuse beat Rutgers (who had beaten UConn already) and South Florida beat Louisville. These two games, along with the UConn win over Pitt, have basically made the Big East a 5-team race.
Pittsburgh has a one-game lead, and UConn, Syracuse, South Florida and West Virginia are all within striking distance. One thing that MUST happen for any team besides Pittsburgh to win the conference, is the Panthers must lose one more game. Pitt has 3 games remaining, 2 of which are on the road, and the third against rival West Virginia. For UConn to win the conference and go to a BCS bowl, the Huskies need to win its three remaining games (@Syracuse, vs. Cincinnati, @South Florida) and have Pitt lose just once. UConn currently holds the tie-breaker over West Virginia and Pitt, and if they win out, would hold the tie-breaker over Syracuse and South Florida.
So as crazy as this season has been, and as awful as the Huskies have looked (a la @Michigan, @Temple, @Louisville), UConn still has a chance to reach its goal of gaining that automatic bid into a BCS game.
The Huskies continue their quest for the BCS birth, this Saturday (November 20th) when they travel to the Carrier Dome in Syracuse to take on the Orange. Syracuse has trouble winning at home (0-2 in Big East games), and UConn has trouble winning on the road (0-4 on the year) so it will be interesting to see what team can play the best football down the stretch.
Filed under Football
Tagged as BCS Bowl, Big East Conference, Jordan Todman, Randy Edsall, UConn Football
3-Point Shot with Marcus Lynam: UConn Basketball
Marcus Lynam and Ryan Grace discuss three topics on UConn Basketball
UConn Students' Predictions for the 2010-2011 UConn Men's Basketball Team
Tagged as ESPNU Campus Connection, Marcus Lynam, UConn Basketball, UConn Huskies
UConn News and Notes: Monday, November 8th
*UConn has had another player suspended and now arrested. Junior defensive end Marcus Campbell, 22, of Bloomfield, was arrested this morning outside of the Family Studies Building and charged with fifth degree larceny, police reports said. Campbell, who has been out all year due to a torn ACL, was suspended last week by Coach Randy Edsall. According to the Daily Campus,"Campbell had a warrant out for his arrest stemming from the theft of a backpack containing a laptop and other goods valued at $825."
*In some on the field news… Randy Edsall announced that Senior Quarterback Zach Frazer will start this Thursday, when the Huskies take on Big East rival Pittsburgh. Frazer, who started the first four games for UConn before being benched in favor of Cody Endres, will now make his 6th start of the season. Coming off a decent performance in the win vs. West Virginia, where he didn't have a turnover, Frazer hopes to keep the team rolling. "I'm not going to put pressure on myself or the team," Frazer said. "I'm going to have fun."
*UConn sits at 4-4 (1-2 in the Big East) right now. Besides Pittsburgh, every team in the Big East has at least 2 losses. As crazy as it sounds, the Huskies actually have a chance at winning the conference still. All the Huskies have to do is when their remaining four games, and have Pitt lose at least one more time. Hopefully the Huskies can pull-off the four game winning streak, which is how they finished last season.
Ryan Boatright
*UConn received an oral commitment from Ryan Boatright, a highly-touted point guard from Aurora, Ill. He is the 48th best player in the class of 2011, and the 11th best point guard, according to rivals.com. Boatright chose the Huskies over UNLV and Oklahoma, after de-committing from West Virginia last month. According to the Chicago Tribune, he averaged 26.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 3.3 steals last season as a junior. Boatright is stepping into a situation that might allow for him to play a major role at point guard for UConn next season as a freshman. Most likely, Shabazz Napier will be the only returning point guard for the Huskies, as Donnell Beverly is graduating, and Kemba Walker will most likely leave early for the NBA.
*UConn opens up the season on Friday night when they take on Stony Brook at Gampel Pavilion.
Tagged as Randy Edsall, Ryan Boatright, UConn Basketball, UConn Football, Zach Frazer
Four Downs With Marcus Lynam: Big Win for Huskies Over WV
The Huskies got back to their winning ways this past weekend with a solid victory over Big East Rival West Virginia. Marcus Lynam and Ryan Grace discuss the win and other topics on UConn Football.
Tagged as Big East Conference, Four Downs Segment, Jordan Todman, Randy Edsall, UConn Football
Busy Day For UConn Sports
What seemed like a normal Wednesday in October, has actually been a pretty busy day for UConn Sports news.
The day started down in New York City at the Big East Conference Basketball Media Day. All of the 16 Big East coaches and select players traveled to the Big Apple and Madison Square Garden for the annual event. However, UConn found themselves in a not so familiar position as they were picked to finish 10th in the preseason rankings. "Well, I got a chance to be coach of the year," head coach Jim Calhoun joked about the Huskies' position. "We're the most unknown team in the league," he said, "I truly believe that."
Last year UConn was picked to finish third in the conference, but ended the season near the bottom of the league. Calhoun and his Huskies hope to change that this year. "It's not if you get knocked down, it's if you get up and how you do," Calhoun said.
Pittsburgh was picked to win the Big East.
There was one bright spot for UConn Basketball today, as Junior Point Guard Kemba Walker was selected the preseason All-Big East 1st Team. He was voted to the second-team last year as a sophomore.
The football team delivered some bad news today, as it was announced that starting quarterback, junior Cody Endres, has been suspended for the rest of the year. Reports are that the suspension is due to violations of university substance abuse policies. Endres was suspended early this season, missing the first three games. Since taking over for Zach Frazer in the second half of the Buffalo game, Endres has played pretty well. He completed 60 percent of his passes for 471 yards and five touchdowns with two interceptions while going 1-1 as a starter.
Redshirt Freshman Michael Box is currently listed 2nd on the depth chart, and will most likely make his first career start Saturday when the Huskies travel to Louisville. Senior Zach Frazer, who was the starter before Endres, might be in the running to make his way back on the field as well. Head Coach Randy Edsall will have a lot to think about before kick-off on Saturday.
The Huskies, who are currently 3-3 (0-1 in the Big East), have been nothing but inconsistent all year, and have yet to live up to the high expectations set forth at the beginning of the season. With six games left in the season, UConn needs wins, and needs them fast if they hope to make a bowl game for the fourth consecutive season.
Tagged as Big East Conference, Cody Endres, Jim Calhoun, Kemba Walker, Michael Box, Randy Edsall, UConn Basketball, UConn Football, Zach Frazer
One Year Later: UConn Still Dealing With the Loss of Jasper Howard
Today is the one year anniversary of the death of Jasper Howard. A rising star in the Big East, with NFL aspirations, Howard's life was cut short on October 18, 2009 when he was stabbed to death outside UConn's Student Union. The tragedy became nationwide news, as the story of Howard and his background became widely publicized. His teammates, along with the entire UConn community, came together as a collective to make sure he would be remembered and never forgotten. A memorial has been put up in the Burton Family Football Complex on campus, with Howard's famous words spoken hours before his death in the center: "You have to play each play like it's the last play you'll ever play."
The one they called "Jazz" will continue to be remembered by the UConn community, as #6 t-shirts are still a popular choice of clothing at UConn sporting events.
The Howard family, including the daughter he never got to meet, Ja'Miya, are still dealing with the loss, but have been in a better place since the police charged John Lomax III, 22, of Bloomfield, with murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree assault. A trial date has not been set; Lomax is next scheduled to appear in Rockville Superior Court Oct. 29.
So on this one year anniversary, here's a tribute video to Howard. RIP #6
Tagged as Jasper Howard, Randy Edsall, UConn Football
UConn Football "Four Downs" Segment – Rutgers Game
Four topics on UConn Football…
Tagged as Four Downs Segment, Marcus Lynam, Ryan Grace, UConn Football
Hartford Courant Football Blog
Hartford Courant's UConn Sports Page
The Blog's Facebook Fan Page
THOUGHTS FROM A FAT WHITE GUY
UCTV's "OVERTIME"
Gets the blood pumpinnnnnn twitter.com/TopGunMovie/st… 13 hours ago
ALL THE FEEEELS twitter.com/BIGEASTMBB/sta… 3 weeks ago
@itsthecurls Hah, I did not. If i was going to have anyone tweet about UConn football, it would be highlights from… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… 3 weeks ago
@BarstoolBigCat Been listening to Sister Christian on repeat all day. Forgot how much of a jam that son is. @clubtrillion 3 weeks ago
UConn Final Four Bound - Campus Reaction: ESPNU Campus Connection Video
Overtime: UConn Football and Basketball with Marcus Lynam · UConn Football and Basketball

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Q: SocketException( Connection timed out ) is thrown when i run my android app on a real device My android app needs to perform Http requests through HttpClient.
i've tested on the emulator and it works fine.  but when i do it on a real device with WIFI activated, sometimes ANR occurred, and sometimes SocketException is thrown.
it seems that the device is not able to connect the server.
logcat print-out is as follows
in addition, the package name for the app is "com.tim.wirelessorder"
06-03 09:51:17.803: W/System.err(2307): java.net.SocketException: The operation timed out
06-03 09:51:17.803: W/System.err(2307):     at org.apache.harmony.luni.platform.OSNetworkSystem.connectStreamWithTimeoutSocketImpl(Native Method)
06-03 09:51:17.803: W/System.err(2307):     at org.apache.harmony.luni.platform.OSNetworkSystem.connect(OSNetworkSystem.java:115)
06-03 09:51:17.803: W/System.err(2307):     at org.apache.harmony.luni.net.PlainSocketImpl.connect(PlainSocketImpl.java:244)
06-03 09:51:17.803: W/System.err(2307):     at org.apache.harmony.luni.net.PlainSocketImpl.connect(PlainSocketImpl.java:533)
06-03 09:51:17.803: W/System.err(2307):     at java.net.Socket.connect(Socket.java:1055)
06-03 09:51:17.803: W/System.err(2307):     at org.apache.http.conn.scheme.PlainSocketFactory.connectSocket(PlainSocketFactory.java:119)
06-03 09:51:17.803: W/System.err(2307):     at org.apache.http.impl.conn.DefaultClientConnectionOperator.openConnection(DefaultClientConnectionOperator.java:143)
06-03 09:51:17.803: W/System.err(2307):     at org.apache.http.impl.conn.AbstractPoolEntry.open(AbstractPoolEntry.java:164)
06-03 09:51:17.803: W/System.err(2307):     at org.apache.http.impl.conn.AbstractPooledConnAdapter.open(AbstractPooledConnAdapter.java:119)
06-03 09:51:17.803: W/System.err(2307):     at org.apache.http.impl.client.DefaultRequestDirector.execute(DefaultRequestDirector.java:348)
06-03 09:51:17.803: W/System.err(2307):     at org.apache.http.impl.client.AbstractHttpClient.execute(AbstractHttpClient.java:555)
06-03 09:51:17.803: W/System.err(2307):     at org.apache.http.impl.client.AbstractHttpClient.execute(AbstractHttpClient.java:487)
06-03 09:51:17.803: W/System.err(2307):     at org.apache.http.impl.client.AbstractHttpClient.execute(AbstractHttpClient.java:465)
06-03 09:51:17.803: W/System.err(2307):     at com.tim.wirelessorder.util.net.HttpUtil.getHttpResponse(HttpUtil.java:43)
06-03 09:51:17.803: W/System.err(2307):     at com.tim.wirelessorder.ui.SignIn$BnListener.onClick(SignIn.java:117)
06-03 09:51:17.803: W/System.err(2307):     at android.view.View.performClick(View.java:2408)
06-03 09:51:17.803: W/System.err(2307):     at android.view.View$PerformClick.run(View.java:8818)
06-03 09:51:17.803: W/System.err(2307):     at android.os.Handler.handleCallback(Handler.java:587)
06-03 09:51:17.803: W/System.err(2307):     at android.os.Handler.dispatchMessage(Handler.java:92)
06-03 09:51:17.803: W/System.err(2307):     at android.os.Looper.loop(Looper.java:123)
06-03 09:51:17.810: W/System.err(2307):     at android.app.ActivityThread.main(ActivityThread.java:4627)
06-03 09:51:17.810: W/System.err(2307):     at java.lang.reflect.Method.invokeNative(Native Method)
06-03 09:51:17.810: W/System.err(2307):     at java.lang.reflect.Method.invoke(Method.java:521)
06-03 09:51:17.810: W/System.err(2307):     at com.android.internal.os.ZygoteInit$MethodAndArgsCaller.run(ZygoteInit.java:868)
06-03 09:51:17.810: W/System.err(2307):     at com.android.internal.os.ZygoteInit.main(ZygoteInit.java:626)
06-03 09:51:17.810: W/System.err(2307):     at dalvik.system.NativeStart.main(Native Method)
06-03 09:51:28.289: W/KeyCharacterMap(2307): Can't open keycharmap file
06-03 09:51:28.289: W/KeyCharacterMap(2307): Error loading keycharmap file '/system/usr/keychars/ilitek_ts.kcm.bin'. hw.keyboards.65538.devname='ilitek_ts'
06-03 09:51:28.289: W/KeyCharacterMap(2307): Using default keymap: /system/usr/keychars/qwerty.kcm.bin

this problem is really disturbing, because i'm not developing an app which only can be run on an emulator. that won't make any sense. can anybaby figure out what problem is?
my code is here.
                    HttpPost request = HttpUtil.getHttpPost(url);
                    List<BasicNameValuePair> list = new ArrayList<BasicNameValuePair>();
                    BasicNameValuePair vName = new BasicNameValuePair(
                            "name", name);
                    list.add(vName);
                    BasicNameValuePair vPwd = new BasicNameValuePair("pwd",
                            pwd);
                    list.add(vPwd);
                    // Log.e("result", "kk:");
                    request.setEntity(new UrlEncodedFormEntity(list));
                    HttpResponse response = HttpUtil
                            .getHttpResponse(request);
// -------- the line above throws the SocketException. this is a static method. the code is added below.

======
public static HttpGet getHttpGet(String url) {
    Log.e("url", url);
    HttpGet request = new HttpGet(url);
    return request;
}

public static HttpPost getHttpPost(String url) {
    HttpPost request = new HttpPost(url);
    return request;
}
public static HttpResponse getHttpResponse(HttpGet request)
        throws ClientProtocolException, IOException {
    // Log.e("http", "in ");
    HttpResponse response = new DefaultHttpClient().execute(request);
    // Log.e("http", (response == null) + " ");
    return response;
}

public static HttpResponse getHttpResponse(HttpPost request)
        throws ClientProtocolException, IOException {
    HttpResponse response = new DefaultHttpClient().execute(request);
// ------- and here it performs a HttpPost request, and it seems the request fails to be sent.
        return response;
    }

this is the do-post code on the server. the servlet receives the request, and get the name, pwd parameter from the  client entered by users on UI. then servlet activates a DAO which uses the name, pwd to do queries in MySQL. you can see a "System.out.println(name)" line by which i want to make sure whether the servlet obtains the request. and when i test the code on a real device, the console doesn't give any print-out. and i think this means the servlet doesn't receive the request.
    public void doPost(HttpServletRequest request, HttpServletResponse response)
        throws ServletException, IOException {
    OutputStream out = response.getOutputStream();
    String name = request.getParameter("name");
    String pwd = request.getParameter("pwd");
    System.out.println(name);

    UserDao dao = new UserDaoImpl();

    byte[] r = dao.query(name, pwd);
    out.write(r);
    out.close();
}

A: When ever I get this its when I get no data connection. Also check you have the right permissions cause that can do it to.

A: Try using another method of sending HTTP request:
url = "http://<your URL>";
URL urlObj = new URL(url);
Log.d("DEBUG", "url=" + url);
URLConnection lu = urlObj.openConnection();

//optional - send parameters
String data = URLEncoder.encode("param", "UTF-8") + "=" + URLEncoder.encode(value, "UTF-8"); //optional - send parameters
// Send data
lu.setDoOutput(true);
OutputStreamWriter wr = new OutputStreamWriter(lu.getOutputStream());
wr.write(data);
wr.flush();
//end of "optional"

// Get the response
BufferedReader rd = new BufferedReader(new InputStreamReader(lu.getInputStream()));
String line = "", res = "";
while ((line = rd.readLine()) != null) {
    res += line;
}

wr.flush();
wr.close();
Log.d("DEBUG", "res=" + res);

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Xiem Clay Center is a membership clay studio and teaching center where I fire some of my pottery and hang out with other potters. This fall studio sale is just in time for Thanksgiving! Set a fine table with handmade pottery.
I'll be selling tableware at this two-day event. Find me inside.


Just the Facts: by George Mann. 336 p. Published July 2009 by Tor Books. Purchased eBook through Amazon.com because my book club picked it for June's selection.
Short Bio: The first "Newbury and Hobbes Investigation" book finds agents for Queen Victoria, Sir Maurice Newbury and Miss Veronica Hobbes, in Industrial Age England trying to discover the mysterious circumstances behind the crash of the airship Lady Armitage. As Newbury and Hobbes investigate the crash scene and airship company, they are drawn into the interesting world of clockwork men, the seemingly unrelated serial killings of "The Glowing Policeman", and (of course) the underlying spread of the zombie-creating plague.
Eyewitness Account: Seriously, a ZOMBIE STEAMPUNK novel? What a way to mash genres! I have to give kudos to Mann for pulling it off way more convincingly than I expected an author could. Unfortunately, that was what he did best in this novel – mesh together the automaton and zombie plots in a rather clever way. The actual writing style and character development suffered so much that I struggled to get to the rewarding climax of the book. Newbury was a poor carbon copy of Sherlock Holmes (replacing an opium addiction with laudanum), and Hobbes was a confusing feminist character who held oddly modern suffrage ideas while concurrently distrusting progress and technology. I would have liked to see them developed more dynamically than serve to mirror past literary characters – and perhaps Mann will have the opportunity to do that in future installments of the series.
I must also admit skimming through the drawn out fight/chase scenes that really befit a movie more than a book and wondering what purpose the Jack Coulthard plot served at all – any enlightment on that front would be more than appreciated!
If you're really into Steampunk, Sherlock Holmes mysteries, or anything with zombies in it, then you'll probably enjoy this book; it has a twist that's well worth wading through the rest of the book for.
This entry was posted on June 20, 2011 by brittneykp. It was filed under 3-Star Books, Action/Adventure, Historical, Mystery & Suspense, Steampunk and was tagged with automatons, Clockwork, Dirigibles, Mental Illness, Missing Persons, Murder, Plague, Serial Killer, steampunk, Victorian England, Zombie.


I've been working on romances lately (my agent's suggestion), so I haven't had time to work on my urban fantasy series. I love writing urban fantasy. I love READING urban fantasy, so I've felt guilty. Enoch and Voronika have been neglected. So have Reece and Damian. They clamor in my head for attention. I have ideas for new books in both series, but I have one more romance to write before I can spend time with them. To let them know I still think about them, I made Fallen Angels free for a few days earlier this month, and Wolf's Bane is free now. I got a new review for Fallen Angels, and that made me happy.
If I ever find myself in an ideal world, I'd like to balance writing romance with writing UF. For me, it's like flexing two different sets of muscles. With romance, I concentrate on character, the give and take of personalities. With urban fantasy, I concentrate more on plot, the protagonists trying to survive and defeat evil. I like going back and forth between the two kinds of books.
Anyway, if you're interested in Wolf's Bane, it's free right now.


text:
The less than pellucid genius of the Syrian debacle
October 17, 2019 October 17, 2019 Melanie	Erdogan, Kurds, Putin, trump
Just as Trump Derangement Syndrome has long caused opponents of President Donald Trump to lose touch with reality, restraint and reason, so its opposite pathology, Trump Adoration Disorder, has caused various folk to perform mental somersaults over the debacle in Syria.
For they don't regard his abrupt decision to pull US troops out of north-eastern Syria as a debacle. They regard it as an act of genius, just like Trump does himself.
Well, apparently he didn't abandon the Kurds at all. Instead, he forced Turkey to walk into a trap; suddenly its president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, found himself up against an array of powerful foes in the region and panicked so badly he was begging for a deal to solve the Kurdish problem, the one that has eluded everyone else for years. Genius!
Now a letter has surfaced that Trump sent to Erdogan, apparently written three days after his fateful phone call, in which Trump asked him not to be responsible for "slaughtering thousands of people" or making Trump responsible for "destroying the Turkish economy — and I will".
Trump asked him instead to negotiate with General Mazloum (Gen. Mazloum Abdi, the commander of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces) to "make a great deal" with concessions that the general "would never have made in the past". He concluded: "History will look upon you favourably if you get this done the right and humane way. It will loom upon you forever as the devil if good things font happen. Don't be a tough guy. Don't be a fool! I will call you later".
Now, does that sound like a panicky Erdogan desperate to get himself out of the jam he is in? It sounded to me like the boot was on the other foot, and it was a panicky Trump who was doing the begging and pleading.
Indeed, Reuters reported how Erdogan reacted:
"President Tayyip Erdogan told U.S. President Donald Trump that Turkey will never declare a ceasefire in northeastern Syria and that it will not negotiate with Kurdish forces it is fighting in its offensive into the region." And he reportedly threw Trump's letter in the bin.
That sounds to me as if Erdogan, presented with a suddenly toothless America, was now tweaking its tail while kicking it in the belly. Trump even undercut the hapless vice president Mike Pence, who went to Ankara to negotiate a ceasefire, after Trump declared yesterday:
"I view the situation on the Turkish border with Syria to be, for the United States, strategically brilliant. Our soldiers are out of there, they're totally safe."
But as the Guardian reported:
"The claim was untrue. There are reported to be hundreds of US troops still in the border area, where they have come under fire from Turkish-backed forces. The president seemed unaware or in denial of the precarious and volatile situation in the region for US troops and the Kurdish inhabitants."
Genius, eh.
Now Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have secured with Turkey a 120-hour ceasefire "to allow Kurdish fighters to withdraw from the region". Since Turkey's aim was to get rid of the Kurds from this "buffer" zone, that would seem to mean the US has negotiated Turkey's victory and the total surrender of the Kurds, thus betraying them for a second time in a few days.
Trump says the letter shows he didn't give a green light to the Turkish invasion. Well, that's true, he didn't give a green light. He just ripped the entire damn traffic light system out of the ground and threw it onto a US army plane back to America. He didn't give Erdogan permission to invade or slaughter anyone. He asked him very nicely not to do so – while at the same time removing the troops that until that point had acted as a deterrent.
And so what has been achieved so far? Turkey did indeed invade Syria and attack the Kurds. Sources in the Trump administration reportedly say they hadn't believed it would actually do so. Well, duh. Hundreds of thousands of Kurds have fled. Unknown numbers have already died. The US has now agreed with Turkey the terms of the Kurds' surrender. Erdogan is on course to achieve what it was feared he would attempt: the ethnic cleansing of the Kurds.
Not surprisingly, the Kurds have promptly followed the iron law of the Arab world: to go with the strongest horse. The US, which they mistakenly thought was the strong horse in the region and would protect them, has instead turned tail and bolted. So they have made a new alliance instead with Syria. In other words, the west's erstwhile bravest and best allies in that charnel house have now surrendered to their Syrian foe.
At a stroke, therefore, Trump has helped strengthen Syria's president Assad (whom the US should want to weaken), has further empowered Syria's puppet-masters in the Iranian regime (which it should want to destroy) and has given a further enormous fillip to Russia, with President Putin once again stepping into the vacuum left by America departing the stage – which has enabled Putin to become the grand ring-master of this deadly circus.
These endless wars in the Arab world are not our problem, says Trump; my "strategically brilliant" move has meant our troops are now 7,000 miles away.
So the US has given up its potential to control events there that are crucial for the security of America and the west and ceded that power instead instead to Putin, the west's arch-foe. The well-informed and authoritative Jonathan Spyer observes:
"The SDF consists of some 100,000 seasoned fighters. Until this week it was the sole armed force able to operate east of the Euphrates. Since late 2015, when U.S. Special Forces helped to midwife the alliance, the SDF's constituent parts—the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) as well as Assyrian Christian forces and Arab tribal militias—have fought under a single banner. In the victorious campaign to retake territory from Islamic State, the SDF has been the decisive actor and the U.S. ground partner of choice. Suddenly this powerful army appears to be coming under Russian control".
And that's all apart from the betrayal and abandonment of the west's erstwhile Kurdish allies – not to mention the possible resurgence now of ISIS, some of whose deadly jihadi members fled from prison as the Kurds were driven out.
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In 2006, Regina City Council approved Licensing Bylaw 2006-86, which repeals the previous bylaw concerning home-based businesses (Bylaw No 9565).
The business is considered a non-profit corporation under provincial jurisdiction.
The business operates from a premise which pays commercial or industrial property taxes, with the exception of second-hand dealers, pawn brokers, and coin dealers.
If you are renting the property where a resident business will be operating, written consent from the property owner is required through the Landlord Consent Form.
The City can revoke your business licence if you contravene any section of Licensing Bylaw 2006-86. The licence can be revoked without a hearing; however, you have the opportunity to appeal this decision to the Regina Appeal Board.


text:
Matt McKay (Inactive Player)
Left Midfielder, Marquee Player, Brisbane Roar
Matt McKay, born January 11, 1983, is a 36-year old football player from Australia whose most recent A-League club was Brisbane Roar. McKay is 171 cm tall and plays as a Left Midfielder. McKay is a marquee player for Brisbane Roar. More Information at Wikipedia »
Roar stage another epic finals comeback, defeat Victory (15/04/2016)
Maclaren double sinks Sydney (30/01/2016)
First-half double drives Victory to Roar win (15/04/2015)
2006-07 BRI Player of the Season
2005-06 18 18 1,515 2 0 2 4 2 6
Total: 272 270 23,691 23 3 26 38 6 44
Saturday August 25, 2007 1 Adelaide United (H) D 2 - 2 90 mins »
Saturday August 25, 2007 1 Adelaide United (H) 45' »
Sunday September 2, 2007 2 Newcastle Jets (A) D 1 - 1 90 mins »
Thursday September 6, 2007 3 Central Coast Mariners (H) L 0 - 1 90 mins »
Sunday September 16, 2007 4 Perth Glory (A) W 2 - 1 90 mins »
Sunday September 16, 2007 4 Perth Glory (A) 84' »
Saturday September 22, 2007 5 Sydney FC (H) L 0 - 1 90 mins »
Friday September 28, 2007 6 Melbourne Victory (A) L 0 - 2 90 mins »
Friday October 5, 2007 7 Wellington Phoenix (H) W 2 - 1 90 mins »
Sunday October 14, 2007 8 Central Coast Mariners (A) W 1 - 0 90 mins »
Friday October 19, 2007 9 Newcastle Jets (A) D 1 - 1 90 mins »
Friday October 19, 2007 9 Newcastle Jets (A) 82' »
Friday November 2, 2007 11 Adelaide United (A) W 1 - 0 90 mins »
Sunday November 11, 2007 12 Wellington Phoenix (H) W 3 - 0 90 mins »
Friday November 16, 2007 13 Melbourne Victory (H) W 1 - 0 90 mins »
Sunday November 25, 2007 14 Sydney FC (A) D 0 - 0 90 mins »
Friday November 30, 2007 15 Newcastle Jets (H) L 0 - 1 90 mins »
Sunday December 9, 2007 16 Central Coast Mariners (H) W 2 - 1 90 mins »
Sunday December 9, 2007 16 Central Coast Mariners (H) 28' »
Friday December 14, 2007 17 Wellington Phoenix (A) D 1 - 1 90 mins »
Sunday December 30, 2007 18 Perth Glory (A) W 4 - 1 90 mins »
Saturday January 5, 2008 19 Melbourne Victory (H) L 1 - 2 90 mins »
Sunday January 13, 2008 20 Sydney FC (H) D 0 - 0 90 mins »
Sunday January 20, 2008 21 Adelaide United (A) L 0 - 2 90 mins »
Sunday January 20, 2008 21 Adelaide United (A) 57' »
Friday January 25, 2008 F1 Sydney FC (A) D 0 - 0 90 mins »
Friday January 25, 2008 F1 Sydney FC (A) 55' »
Friday February 8, 2008 F2 Sydney FC (H) W 2 - 0 90 mins »
Sunday February 17, 2008 F3 Newcastle Jets (A) L 2 - 3 120 mins »
Adelaide United 36 12 7 17 1 7 3 10
Central Coast Mariners 36 22 10 4 5 5 0 5
Melbourne Victory 35 11 6 18 5 8 2 10
Melbourne City 20 8 3 9 0 0 0 0
Newcastle Jets 31 8 8 15 2 5 1 6
Perth Glory 28 17 5 6 4 2 0 2
Sydney FC 31 11 11 9 5 4 0 4
Wellington Phoenix 24 12 7 5 1 3 0 3
Western Sydney Wanderers 15 7 4 4 0 2 0 2
Total: 272 114 66 92 26 38 6 44
Suncorp Stadium 131 10 0.076
Allianz Stadium 18 3 0.167
Central Coast Stadium 19 3 0.158
HBF Park 14 3 0.214
AAMI Park 18 2 0.111
McDonald Jones Stadium 14 2 0.143
CBus Super Stadium 4 1 0.25
Netstrata Jubilee Stadium 1 1 1
Olympic Park 1 1 1


text:
// Copyright 2015 The Chromium Authors. All rights reserved.
// Use of this source code is governed by a BSD-style license that can be
// found in the LICENSE file.

package org.chromium.chrome.browser.signin;

import android.accounts.Account;
import android.content.Context;
import android.test.InstrumentationTestCase;
import android.test.suitebuilder.annotation.SmallTest;

import org.chromium.base.test.util.AdvancedMockContext;
import org.chromium.sync.signin.AccountManagerHelper;
import org.chromium.sync.signin.ChromeSigninController;
import org.chromium.sync.test.util.AccountHolder;
import org.chromium.sync.test.util.MockAccountManager;

import java.util.ArrayList;
import java.util.HashMap;
import java.util.List;
import java.util.Map;

/**
 * Instrumentation tests for {@link SigninHelper}.
 */
public class SigninHelperTest extends InstrumentationTestCase {
    private MockAccountManager mAccountManager;
    private AdvancedMockContext mContext;
    private MockChangeEventChecker mEventChecker;

    @Override
    public void setUp() {
        mContext = new AdvancedMockContext(getInstrumentation().getTargetContext());
        mEventChecker = new MockChangeEventChecker();

        // Mock out the account manager on the device.
        mAccountManager = new MockAccountManager(mContext, getInstrumentation().getContext());
        AccountManagerHelper.overrideAccountManagerHelperForTests(mContext, mAccountManager);
    }

    @SmallTest
    public void testAccountsChangedPref() {
        assertEquals("Should never return true before the pref has ever been set.",
                false, SigninHelper.checkAndClearAccountsChangedPref(mContext));
        assertEquals("Should never return true before the pref has ever been set.",
                false, SigninHelper.checkAndClearAccountsChangedPref(mContext));

        // Mark the pref as set.
        SigninHelper.markAccountsChangedPref(mContext);

        assertEquals("Should return true first time after marking accounts changed",
                true, SigninHelper.checkAndClearAccountsChangedPref(mContext));
        assertEquals("Should only return true first time after marking accounts changed",
                false, SigninHelper.checkAndClearAccountsChangedPref(mContext));
        assertEquals("Should only return true first time after marking accounts changed",
                false, SigninHelper.checkAndClearAccountsChangedPref(mContext));

        // Mark the pref as set again.
        SigninHelper.markAccountsChangedPref(mContext);

        assertEquals("Should return true first time after marking accounts changed",
                true, SigninHelper.checkAndClearAccountsChangedPref(mContext));
        assertEquals("Should only return true first time after marking accounts changed",
                false, SigninHelper.checkAndClearAccountsChangedPref(mContext));
        assertEquals("Should only return true first time after marking accounts changed",
                false, SigninHelper.checkAndClearAccountsChangedPref(mContext));
    }

    @SmallTest
    public void testSimpleAccountRename() {
        setSignedInAccountName("A");
        mEventChecker.insertRenameEvent("A", "B");
        SigninHelper.updateAccountRenameData(mContext, mEventChecker);
        assertEquals("B", getNewSignedInAccountName());
    }

    @SmallTest
    public void testNotSignedInAccountRename() {
        setSignedInAccountName("A");
        mEventChecker.insertRenameEvent("B", "C");
        SigninHelper.updateAccountRenameData(mContext, mEventChecker);
        assertEquals(null, getNewSignedInAccountName());
    }

    @SmallTest
    public void testSimpleAccountRenameTwice() {
        setSignedInAccountName("A");
        mEventChecker.insertRenameEvent("A", "B");
        SigninHelper.updateAccountRenameData(mContext, mEventChecker);
        assertEquals("B", getNewSignedInAccountName());
        mEventChecker.insertRenameEvent("B", "C");
        SigninHelper.updateAccountRenameData(mContext, mEventChecker);
        assertEquals("C", getNewSignedInAccountName());
    }

    @SmallTest
    public void testNotSignedInAccountRename2() {
        setSignedInAccountName("A");
        mEventChecker.insertRenameEvent("B", "C");
        mEventChecker.insertRenameEvent("C", "D");
        SigninHelper.updateAccountRenameData(mContext, mEventChecker);
        assertEquals(null, getNewSignedInAccountName());
    }

    @SmallTest
    public void testChainedAccountRename2() {
        setSignedInAccountName("A");
        mEventChecker.insertRenameEvent("Z", "Y"); // Unrelated.
        mEventChecker.insertRenameEvent("A", "B");
        mEventChecker.insertRenameEvent("Y", "X"); // Unrelated.
        mEventChecker.insertRenameEvent("B", "C");
        mEventChecker.insertRenameEvent("C", "D");
        SigninHelper.updateAccountRenameData(mContext, mEventChecker);
        assertEquals("D", getNewSignedInAccountName());
    }

    @SmallTest
    public void testLoopedAccountRename() {
        setSignedInAccountName("A");
        mEventChecker.insertRenameEvent("Z", "Y"); // Unrelated.
        mEventChecker.insertRenameEvent("A", "B");
        mEventChecker.insertRenameEvent("Y", "X"); // Unrelated.
        mEventChecker.insertRenameEvent("B", "C");
        mEventChecker.insertRenameEvent("C", "D");
        mEventChecker.insertRenameEvent("D", "A"); // Looped.
        Account account = AccountManagerHelper.createAccountFromName("D");
        AccountHolder accountHolder = AccountHolder.create().account(account).build();
        mAccountManager.addAccountHolderExplicitly(accountHolder);
        SigninHelper.updateAccountRenameData(mContext, mEventChecker);
        assertEquals("D", getNewSignedInAccountName());
    }

    private void setSignedInAccountName(String account) {
        ChromeSigninController.get(mContext).setSignedInAccountName(account);
    }

    private String getSignedInAccountName() {
        return ChromeSigninController.get(mContext).getSignedInAccountName();
    }

    private String getNewSignedInAccountName() {
        return SigninHelper.getNewSignedInAccountName(mContext);
    }

    private static final class MockChangeEventChecker
            implements SigninHelper.AccountChangeEventChecker {
        private Map<String, List<String>> mEvents =
                new HashMap<String, List<String>>();

        @Override
        public List<String> getAccountChangeEvents(
                Context context, int index, String accountName) {
            List<String> eventsList = getEventList(accountName);
            return eventsList.subList(index, eventsList.size());
        }

        private void insertRenameEvent(String from, String to) {
            List<String> eventsList = getEventList(from);
            eventsList.add(to);
        }

        private List<String> getEventList(String account) {
            List<String> eventsList = mEvents.get(account);
            if (eventsList == null) {
                eventsList = new ArrayList<String>();
                mEvents.put(account, eventsList);
            }
            return eventsList;
        }
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


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text:
January 1, 2019 January 1, 2019 Sunday Punch
Fr. Soc's Christmas rant
By Ermin Garcia Jr.
JUST when most expected to hear an inspirational message from mass celebrants on the occasion of Jesus Christ's birthday on December 25, much like when Catriona Gray made Pinoys feel good about themselves with her inspirational reply to a question in her quest for the Miss Universe title, Catholics in the Lingayen-Dagupan archdiocese instead found themselves at the receiving end of a rant on how they have all become tolerant of the "vulgar" political situation in the country.
All the priests that celebrated the Holy Mass in the archdiocese were made to read Archbishop Socrates' homily that he titled "Stand up for Newborn Jesus."
As some attested, many among the thousands in the archdiocese who heard mass left the churches and chapels shaking their heads on being made to listen to Fr. Soc's ranting against the Duterte government disguised as the "meaning of Christmas".
Worse, many even felt they were being accused of being "cowards and timid" by their bishop for not following his lead in condemning PDU30 and his government. They said they were made to listen to his deep frustration and disappointment that DU30 is still the president in spite of efforts to oust him.
He didn't have to ask "Where are the true believers of Christ?" after making a litany of what he perceived were the grievous sins of government, because they were there for Jesus!
Then he exclaimed: "Is this what we have become as a Catholic nation? The answer must be NO! We must resist the spread of vulgarity and the contagion of violence. There is no Christmas hope for the cowards and the timid. Christmas demands that we stand up bravely for the Lord!"
For the umpteenth time, he was again asking the laity to "stand up" to the government with the caveat- "for the Lord."
COWARDS? What was evidently haunting Fr. Soc was PDU30's tirade against the bishops who ceaselessly asked for his ouster. He wrote: "We your bishops are called "walang silbi" and you have been encouraged to kill us." That was vulgar, he insinuated. Then he followed it with: "Christmas proclaims that the "walang silbi" are cared for not killed."
Yet, his litany of the government's "vulgarity," literally a copy-paste of the litany of "sins" listed by the politicians opposed to the government to justify moves for his illegal ouster, was exactly what most believe triggered PDU30's recent attack on the bishops.
Curiously, Fr. Soc again made it appear as if the "vulgarities" he cited were happening in the country for the first time. The killing of politicians have long been here yet he was never heard decrying the killing every election year since the Aquinos came to power, neither was he heard condemning the protection of shabu laboratories in all the regions by allies of the Aquino government. He was silent about worsening poverty since People Power in 1986, and when government funds for public housing, maintenance of MRT, construction of dikes and dredging of rivers, etc.. were being misused. To this day, Fr. Soc has not raised his voice against the diversion of donated funds for Yolanda victims.
But one cannot begrudge him for his rant because that's par for political discourse for politicians like Fr. Soc. Where many felt he crossed the line in his Christmas rant was his insinuation that those who didn't agree with him, those who refuse to stand up with him are "cowards and timid". Tsk-tsk.
When Fr. Soc's rant ended, and none of the priests bothered to expound on the true spiritual context of Christmas, many said it was wishful thinking to hear Fr. Soc say on Christmas day: "As Jesus was born for our salvation, let's pray for our President and the men and women in government today, that they may set the right examples and be the true models of righteousness for our countrymen."
Now they know that praying for sinners is already beneath Fr. Soc's calling.
As it cannot be denied that PU30 is hardly the polished statesman that we want him to be, he who cusses on every turn making Pinoys cringe in embarrassment, so is the fact that Fr. Soc has turned into an ultimate traditional politician using God as a front in order to be effective as a close ally of the political opposition that seeks PDU30's ouster by any means. Tsk-tsk.
Bereft of references to Christ, "Stand up to the government, you cowards" was actually the message he gave to a captive audience across the archdiocese. Indeed, spoken like a true blue politician in the opposition.
CATRIONA'S MESSAGE. If you can call Fr. Soc's Christmas homily inspirational, then Ms. Catriona Gray was heaven sent for her statements that moved the world. She was the voice of the poor children desperate for a better life, urging us to be more relevant, to be more sensitive to their needs, to be more positive in our views and actions.
Read the memorable statements again of Ms. Gray during the Q&A portions before she was proclaimed Miss Universe 2018 on Monday, December 17 in Bangkok.
1). "Working in some of the poorest areas of my country, I found that it was a lack of child support, not poverty, that killed their dreams. A child once told me, "Cat, that's just not my life, and those dreams aren't made for me." But I stand here today because someone believed in me and we owe it to our children to believe in them."
2). "I work a lot in the slums of Tondo, Manila, and the life there is very poor and very sad. I've always taught myself to look for the beauty in it, to look for the beauty in the faces of the children, and to be grateful. I would bring this aspect as a Miss Universe to see situations with a silver lining, and to assess where I could give something, where I could provide something as a spokesperson. If I could teach also people to be grateful, we could have an amazing world where negativity could not grow and foster, and children would have a smile on their face. Thank you."
Indeed, thank God for the likes of Catriona Gray who sees hope in us, who believes there's a silver lining to efforts when working with and for the poor.
Fr. Soc's forgettable quotes?
1) "There is violence against political opponents. The statistics of unsolved murders continues to rise. There are more drugs to buy. There are more criminals set free and the opponents are threatened with imprisonment. Everything is turned into a bad joke. The poor are poorer and the rich are getting poor. We scold children who bully their fellow children but we laugh at elderly bullies who flaunt vulgar humor… Accusations are hurled at innocent people without any basis at all. Fake news is unrelenting and the bashers against the truthful are shameless. Where are the true believers of Christ?
2). "We must resist the spread of vulgarity and the contagion of violence. There is no Christmas hope for the cowards and the timid. Christmas demands that we stand up bravely for the Lord!… The greater enemy to fight is cowardice and timidity. Tolerance is not a virtue. Tolerance of evil makes us accomplices. It is vulgar to laugh at vulgarity! (If you're interested in reading the full text of Fr. Soc's homily, here's the link: https://www.veritas846.ph/stand-up-for-the-newborn-jesus/)
These led the flock to ask: "What happened to Pope Francis' thoughts on Christmas?" Pray tell, Fr. Soc!
THANK YOU LORD… THANK YOU ALL! I thank our loyal PUNCH readers and advertisers who continue to believe in us, without whose support the PUNCH's print edition would have been completely dumped by the digital age. We pray you will stay with us for another full year in 2019!
Above all, I have a lot to thank our Lord God for all these years since my father was murdered in 1966 defending the press freedom he enjoyed. He kept our staff intact and safe from harm in order that we can continue to accomplish the mission He assigned us.
Happy New Year! To God be the Glory!
Opinion, Punchline. permalink.


text:
You are here: Parliament home page > Parliamentary business > Publications and Records > Hansard > Commons Debates > Daily Hansard - Written Answers
Previous Section Index Home Page
15 July 2009 : Column 537W—continued
Hospitals: Admissions
Mr. Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients were admitted to (a) West Suffolk, (b) Addenbrookes and (c) Ipswich hospital as a consequence of (i) alcoholic liver disease and (ii) cirrhosis in each of the last five years. [286262]
Gillian Merron: The following table shows the count of finished admission episodes with a primary diagnosis of alcohol liver disease or cirrhosis of the liver for Cambridge university hospitals NHS foundation trust (Addenbrook NHS trust pre 2004-05), Ipswich hospital trust and West Suffolk hospitals NHS trust.
Alcoholic liver disease Cirrhosis of the liver
Cambridge University Hospitals
NHS Foundation Trust
Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust
West Suffolk Hospitals NHS Trust
Addenbrookes NHS Trust(1)
15 July 2009 : Column 538W
(1) Addenbrookes NHS trust becomes Cambridge university hospitals NHS foundation trust (post 2003-04).
Finished admission episodes
A finished admission episode is the first period of inpatient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. Finished admission episodes are counted against the year in which the admission episode finishes. Admissions do not represent the number of inpatients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year.
Primary diagnosis
The primary diagnosis is the first of up to 20 (14 from 2002-03. to 2006-07 and 7 prior to 2002-03) diagnosis fields in the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) data set and provides the main reason why the patient was admitted to hospital.
Secondary diagnoses
As well as the primary diagnosis, there are up to 19 (13 from 2002-03 to 2006-07 and 6 prior to 2002-03) secondary diagnosis fields in HES that show other diagnoses relevant to the episode of care.
HES are compiled from data sent by more than 300 NHS trusts and primary care trusts (PCTs) in England. Data is also received from a number of independent sector organisations for activity commissioned by the English NHS. The NHS Information Centre for health and social care liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission of complete and valid data and seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data via HES processes. While this brings about improvement over time, some shortcomings remain.
PCT/Strategic health authority (SHA) data quality
PCT and SHA data was added to historic data years in the HES database using 2002-03 boundaries, as a one-off exercise in 2004. The quality of the data on PCT of treatment and SHA of treatment is poor in 1996-97, 1997-98 and 1998-99, with over a third of all finished episodes having missing values in these years. Data quality of PCT of general practitioner (GP) practice and SHA of GP practice in 1997-98 and 1998-99 is also poor, with a high proportion missing values where practices changed or ceased to exist. There is less change in completeness of the residence-based fields over time, where the majority of unknown values are due to missing postcodes on birth episodes. Users of time series analysis including these years need to be aware of these issues in their interpretation of the data.
Assessing growth through time
HES figures are available from 1989-90 onwards. The quality and coverage of the data have improved over time. These improvements in information submitted by the NHS have been particularly marked in the earlier years and need to be borne in mind when analysing time series. Some of the increase in figures for later years (particularly 2006-07 onwards) may be due to the improvement in the coverage of independent sector activity. Changes in NHS practice also need to be borne in mind when analysing time series. For example, a number of procedures may now be undertaken in outpatient settings and may no longer be accounted for in the HES data. This may account for any reductions in activity over time.
Ungrossed data
Figures have not been adjusted for shortfalls in the data, i.e. the data are ungrossed. Activity in English NHS Hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector.
Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), The NHS Information Centre for health and social care.
Individualised Budget Programme
Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which schemes his Department has chosen for the pilot of the individualised budget programme; how many patients will participate in the pilot programme; and what methodology will be used in the assessment of individualised budgets. [285769]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: Following an application process earlier this year, we have provisionally selected 70 pilot sites, subject to a further progress check. A full list of provisional pilot sites is available from the Department's website at:
www.dh.gov.uk/en/Healthcare/Highqualitycareforall/DH_090018
and a copy has been placed in the Library.
Pilot sites will initially only offer models of personal health budget that do not involve direct payments to the patient. Subject to the passage of the Health Bill, direct payments would become an additional option for pilots during 2010.
We have not set any expectations about numbers of patients in each pilot site. This will be for local sites to decide as they develop their proposals.
We are currently in the process of selecting an evaluation team. We published an invitation to tender in April, describing what areas the evaluation should explore and inviting bidders to propose a suitable methodology.
Mr. Pelling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many of the cases of H1N1 flu reported to the Health Protection Agency (HPA) by 16 June 2009 were recorded by the HPA as (a) male, imported, (b) female, imported, (c) male, indigenous and (d) female, indigenous H1N1 cases; in how many such cases the patient was aged (i) under 10, (ii) 10 to 19, (iii) 20 to 29, (iv) 30 to 39, (v) 40 to 49, (vi) 50 to 59 and (vii) over 60 years; in how many such cases the HPA has recorded (A) the date of symptom onset, the date of obtaining the blood sample from which the H1N1 diagnosis was made and the date of the H1N1 case report and (B) the date of symptom onset, the date of obtaining the blood sample from which H1N1 diagnosis was made, the date of the H1N1 case report and the date on which the H1N1 antiviral prophylaxis or treatment was started; [285833]
(2) how many of the cases of H1N1 flu reported to the Health Protection Agency by 16 June 2009 were recorded as having been hospitalised by 30 June 2009; and how many such patients were aged (a) under 10, (b) 10 to 19 , (c) 20 to 29, (d) 30 to 39, (e) 40 to 49, (f) 50 to 59 and (g) over 60 years; [285834]
(3) how many of the cases of H1N1 flu reported to the Health Protection Agency by 16 June 2009 were recorded as being (a) imported, (b) indigenous and (c) not assigned or not known. [285835]
Gillian Merron: The cases reported by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) are shown in the following tables.
Not all of the data requested are currently available. This is because:
testing for swine flu is based on swabs, not blood samples;
data for Scotland are not currently available for the period requested;
complete data on the commencement of antiviral treatment or prophylaxis is not available. This is because once detailed data on the first few hundred cases had been collected, the HPA stopped collecting that level of detailed information; and
verified data on hospitalisations is only available up to 16 June.
Pandemic influenza A(H1N1) 2009 cases reported by 16 June 2009. England, Wales and Northern Ireland ( PQ285833 )
Counts Gender Under 10 10 to 19 20 to 29 30 to 39 40 to 49 50 to 59 Over 60 Unknown Grand total
Imported total
Indigenous total
Unknown total
Date of onset not known
Date of onset known
Next Section Index Home Page


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'your mother wears army boots': meaning, origin (?), and early occurrences
Pascal Trégueretymology, USA & Canadaanimals, Canada, military, newspapers & magazines, phrases, politics, sports & games, USA
The American-English mild insult your mother wears army boots—and variants using your sister, army shoes and combat boots—seem to have originated amongst teenagers and young adults in the second half of the 1940s.
This insult perhaps originally alluded to impecuniousness. I have found the following in The New Orleans Item (New Orleans, Louisiana) of Monday 13th December 1920:
"Hiking Nellie Cruise" Woman Hobo, Reaches N.O.
En route from St. Louis to Mobile, "Hikin' Nellie Cruise," America's best known woman hobo, applied for and received a night's lodging at the Seventh precinct police station Sunday night. "Hikin' Nell" is 47 years old, wears army shoes, and has been a member in good standing of the Amalgamated and Protective Brother (and Sister-) hood of the Knights and Ladies of the Road—in other words, a hobo—for the past 19 years.
I have found two occurrences of an earlier similar insult, to wear cotton drawers, which was directed to men, in newspapers published in New Mexico:
1-: From The Carlsbad Current (Carlsbad, New Mexico) of Friday 5th November 1909:
Impressions of a Tender-Foot
By Will Robinson
About Curry's Resignation *
It is a little hard to see where the optimist can find anything to cling to in the resignation of Gov. Curry, the news of which was given to the people of New Mexico last week. I am a natural born optimist. Whoever says to the contrary is a liar and wears cotton drawers.
* The U.S. military officer and politician George Curry (1861-1947) served as the Governor of New Mexico Territory from 1907 to 1910 (his resignation, announced in November 1909, only took effect in March 1910).
2-: From The Philosophy of Defeat, published in the Santa Fe New Mexican (Santa Fe, New Mexico) of Tuesday 14th November 1911:
I traveled some thousand miles and delivered a couple of dozens speeches that were not rotten except in spots.
The man who says I said a mean, an untrue or an unchivalrous thing in any of them is a liar and wears cotton drawers.
These are the earliest occurrences that I have found of your mother wears army boots and variants—presented in chronological order:
1-: From the column From The Reporter's Notebook, by Joe Rathbun, published in The Times Recorder (Zanesville, Ohio) of Thursday 25th September 1947:
Something new in insults has been added. A couple of local youngsters were on the outs the other day and insults were being exchanged at a rapid pace. Finally the littlest came up with this clincher: "Aw your mother wears army shoes!"
2-: From Stirring Pitt and Pen State Rallies Held, published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) of Saturday 22nd November 1947—the grammatical subject is Penn State, i.e., Pennsylvania State College:
Students and old grads of Pennsylvania State College and The University of Pittsburgh held pre-game rallies in Downtown Pittsburgh and Oakland.
Observers at both rallies agreed that the night belonged to the sign-painters. Placards hung from the necks or lapels of old grads, students and well-wishers carrying messages of defiance.
"Plaster Pitt" found rebuttal from Pitt students in "Stew State" and an ambiguous "Penn State Wears Army Shoes."
3-: From the column Pitching Horseshoes, by Billy Rose (William Samuel Rosenberg – 1899-1966), published in many U.S. and Canadian newspapers in January 1948, for example in the Santa Rosa Republican (Santa Rosa, California) of Saturday the 3rd—one Major Timothy Morgan tells the following story to the author:
"Some years back," the Major began, "I was shopping for ten crates of celery at the Washington Market. […] Two baritones were feuding at the Metropolitan Opera House. One had enlisted my services to put the squitch on his rivals [sic] performance at the opening of 'Don Giovanni.' I had assembled a claque of juvenile delinquents and it was my plan to have them chew enthusiastically on stalks of celery during the baritone's more emotional passages.
"While strolling through the produce market, I passed some chicken crates. Suddenly I heard a voice say, 'Yer mudder wears army shoes.' The voice seemed to be coming from a crate. I peered in. A Plymouth Rock looked me straight in the eye and cracked, 'Yer mudder takes dope.'"
4-: From Gazette Team Rushes to Interview Spring Robin But Find Little Harbinger in Untalkative Mood, by Brian Cahill, published in The Gazette (Montreal, Quebec) of Tuesday 9th March 1948:
We hasten to report herewith the appearance of the first robin of spring. […]
A team of Gazette staffmen have been for the past few weeks haunting city parks, and other open places in the municipality in a determined effort to scoop the nation on the story. One of them spotted the little fellow yesterday […].
Our man whipped out pencil and notebook, and requested the interview usually given on such occasions by the cheery harbinger of sunny spring.
"Drop dead," said the cheery harbinger of sunny spring.
"Aw, yer mudder wears army shoes," said the robin.
5-: From Press Pass No Open Sesame, Cartoonist's Sad Discovery After Embarrassing Heave-ho From Movie, Wrestling Match, by Wilbur Arkison, published in The Gazette (Montreal, Quebec) of Saturday 1st May 1948:
We are going to give the youth a lecture on the virtues of respect for his elders and the proper way to address the senior members of the staff but we remembered what happened the last time we tried that. We were very patient and father-and son-ish but when fe [misprint for 'we'] finished all the comment we got was something which sounded like "Aw your mother wears army boots."
6-: From the account of the second annual Kiwanis Pushmobile Derby, published in the Pottstown Mercury (Pottstown, Pennsylvania) of Thursday 29th July 1948:
Before the race the waiting competitors were like any other group of contestants before the event—tense. . nervous, vacant-eyed, open-mouthed.
After the race it was a different story—as usual.
One conversation between two rivals, obviously still on the best of terms, was, "Hey, yer father wears sneakers to church." To which the reply was, "Ahhh, ya mudder wears Army shoes."
—Cf. also:
– meaning and origin of 'Maggie's drawers'
– notes on 'all fur coats and no knickers'
– meaning and origin of the phrase 'to get one's knickers in a twist'
– 'Charlie's dead' (your petticoat is showing)
– meaning and origin of the phrase 'to go commando'
– a crude phrase: 'to see a woman's breakfast'
'coming? so is Christmas!': meanings and history
'staycation': meaning and origin


Back from London, off to Frankfurt! - When pigs fly.
Back from London, off to Frankfurt!
Well, where shall I begin? After arriving in London and re-syncing to the local time, I did some shopping, got a haircut and then collected Dave Pike at St Pancras Train Station and we headed back to the home of chrishansenhome (our gracious host whilst we were in London!) Both Dave and I got some much needed sleep for the activities before us!
On Friday, my mate Calum Campbell with his mate Ricardo in tow (both from Scotland) arrived in London as well! We were four blokes planning to cause all sorts of trouble at the weekend! Friday evening began with a few pints at The King's Arms, then it was off to Starker's (London's Naked Disco, held every 3rd Friday of the month). We had a fab time there until the wee hours! We got home around 5AM.
On Sunday evening, we had a meet-up of one of my online groups at The Hoist, followed with late night chips. On Monday evening six of us (now including Daniel and Orlando) met up for dinner at Busaba Eathai. Great food, but very it was very loud, making the experience miserable for me. For dessert, we went to a Häagen-Dazs shop (which I didn't even know existed!) for a great variety of sweet endings!
On Wednesday, Dave and I both headed home. Dave by train, and me by plane.
I arrived in Boston Wednesday evening and spent the night there. I went to The Ramrod (*yawn*) dressed in my full skinhead outfit. I don't know why I bothered to dress up. Thursday morning I flew back to NYC and spent most of the day unpacking/cleaning.
1) The New York Transportation Museum (of which I am a member) and the New York Public Library joined forces to present a two-location exhibition about NYC's underground infrastructure initiatives entitled "The Future Beneath Us: Eight Great Projects Under New York". They had a 'members only' private unveiling of the new exhibit at 18:00 featuring the designer.
2) The New York Bear Den, the project I've been working on with a number of people (as previously mentioned in my blog) had it's first Steering Committee Meeting, eight people showed up and five more expressed a strong interest, but could not attend due to conflicts. A lot was discussed and we're all on the same page now. By the way, I hope to have some exciting news about The NY Bear Den on Monday!!
3) Robert Valin, the creator of "New York Leather Invasion", "Truck Stop" and "New York Leather Weekend" celebrated his 45th anniversary at The Rawhide. It was fun! The Rawhide (a local dive) is always a fun place!
I'm off to Frankfurt on Thursday for the weekend. See my schedule at http://where.chazhome.com/ if you're in the area! Remember to do the time conversion, Frankfurt is +1 GMT!! E-mail me your suggestions!
Also, in travel news, I have BOOKED my trip to London, Salisbury, Bath, Cardiff, Nottingham, and Manchester (for the Great British Bear Bash #12) -- so http://chazhome.com/WheresChaz will be updated very shortly with details!


It is an honor to be associated with Patricia as a fellow member of the legal community. I have known her for several years now and have had the opportunity to work with her when I prosecuted criminal cases. She is an excellent attorney who achieves the level of work that other attorneys aspire to attain. I would entrust my closest friend and family to Patricia's professional care.


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Peter Shaffer
Sir Peter Shaffer, in full Sir Peter Levin Shaffer (born May 15, 1926, London, Eng.), British playwright of considerable range who moved easily from farce to the portrayal of human anguish.Educated at St. Paul's and Trinity College, Cambridge, Shaffer first worked for a music publisher and then as a book reviewer. His first play, Five-Finger Exercise (1960), is a tautly constructed domestic drama that almost overnight established his reputation as a playwright. It was followed by The Private Ear, The Public Eye (both 1962), and The Royal Hunt of the Sun (1964), a portrayal of the conflict between the Spanish and the Inca—"hope and hopelessness, faithlessness and faith." In 1965 Shaffer's adroit farce Black Comedy was performed. Equus (1973; filmed 1977), dealing with a mentally disturbed stableboy's obsession with horses, and Amadeus (1979; filmed 1984), about the rivalry between Mozart and his fellow composer Antonio Salieri, were successes with both critics and the public. Later plays include the biblical epic Yonadab (1985), Lettice and Lovage (1987), and The Gift of the Gorgon (1992). Shaffer was knighted in 2001 and sadly passed away in 2016.
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Bruce Richardson joined The Di Salvo Engineering Group in 1985 as a Project Engineer, was named a Principal in 1995, and became President of the firm in 2004. Bruce has experience in the public and private sectors including the design of new construction and the investigation, evaluation, and renovation of commercial, industrial, municipal and educational buildings, parking garages and related facility structures.
Recent projects for which Mr. Richardson had primary responsibility include:
Riverview Cinemas and Playhouse, Southbury, CT – a new two-story building comprising 90,000 sq. ft. that includes an eight-screen movie theater, retail, office and residential use.
Greenwich Historical Society, Greenwich, CT – Alterations to the historical museum building to return it to its original configuration and a new two-story Archives Building addition to provide archive storage, gallery space, and roof terrace.
Two Roads Brewery, Stratford, CT – a new two story 30,000 sq. ft. brewery to expand the product line. Unique features include a rooftop garden, tasting room, outdoor patios, and 400-foot-long elevated pipe bridge.
SoNo Ice House, South Norwalk, CT – the adaptive re-use of a former manufacturing plant into an indoor ice hockey rink received a 2013 ACEC/CT Engineering Excellence Award.
Warren Town Office, Warren, CT – the 2013 winner of AIA CT People's Choice Award for Community Building. The new 14,000 sq. ft., two-story, community building is built to meet Silver LEED Certification standards.
Bruce's technical knowledge and project experience are key factors in producing successful outcomes for the firms' projects. His greatest enjoyment comes from sharing the lessons he has learned with the talented TDEG staff and from carrying on the legacy of its founder and his mentor, Richard S. Di Salvo, PE.
BSCE University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 1980
Connecticut 1986
Professional Membership:
American Society of Civil Engineers – Fellow Member
American Institute of Steel Construction
American Society of Civil Engineers Structural Engineering Institute – Charter Member
American Council of Engineering Companies of CT – Past Director
American Council of Engineering Companies of CT Structural Engineers Coalition
– Past Director
Community Affiliations:
Middlebury Cemetery Association – Board of Directors
Oxford Flying Club – Board of Directors
Civil Air Patrol, US Air Force Auxiliary – Mission Pilot, Aerospace Education Officer
Middlebury Senior Housing Association ~ Past Director


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Posted September 8, 2020 by Austin Bumpus3 Comments on 'Hard Knocks: Los Angeles' Episode 5 synopsis/review: Chargers, Rams finish off HBO's most unique season yet Football
'Hard Knocks: Los Angeles' Episode 5 synopsis/review: Chargers, Rams finish off HBO's most unique season yet
After one of the most unique seasons of "Hard Knocks" ever put together, the Chargers and Rams closed the book on their five-week journey on September 8 and officially kicked off the NFL's opening week in the process.
Despite a lack of preseason games to work with and a slow burn as it relates to on-field practices due to COVID-19 protocols, HBO and NFL Films managed to put together a solid product over the course of a month.
They were there to showcase what life is like as a football player or coach in a world impacted by the coronavirus, and got full access during a pivotal time in sports history as players and coaches discussed issues related to racial equality and social justice.
>>RELATED: 'Hard Knocks: Los Angeles': 10 storylines to follow during HBO's 2020 season
But, like anything, all good things must come to an end. In this case, that end came in the form of a riveting season finale, giving fans one last glimpse behind the scenes at key decisions for both the Chargers and Rams.
Miss out on the season's final episode? Just looking for a refresher after the show's final hour? Don't worry, we've got you covered with a full episode recap and review for the season finale of "Hard Knocks: Los Angeles."
The focus of every final episode in a season of "Hard Knocks" is always on cuts, and, despite all of the other things going on in the world, this year's theme was exactly the same.
The season finale opened with Chargers wide receivers coach Phil McGeoghan lecturing players in a meeting, explaining the importance of the team's next few practices before those big roster decisions needed to be made.
"Here's the truth: Cut day is coming faster than you ever could've imagined," he said. "We have real things coming down the pike."
"Use your talent that God gave you to make a number of plays today."
After the last "Hard Knocks" intro of 2020, narrator Liev Schreiber sets the stage with the perfect analogy for this year's setting in Los Angeles: "La La Land is America's dream factory. Being this close to the marquee and not making the cast can be crushing."
>>RELATED: 'Hard Knocks: Los Angeles' Episode 1 synopsis/review: Chargers, Rams battle COVID-19 protocols in season premiere
Fans get a rundown of some key cogs in both the Chargers' and Rams' machines, starting with Rams general manager Les Snead's description of the "ageless wonder" Andrew Whitworth on his offensive line.
"Probably just going to have to prove he can't do it anymore," Snead said. "Probably why he's been playing for 100 and probably play for 100 more."
The rapid-fire round ensues, as viewers get highlights of Rams quarterback Jared Goff, Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey, and Rams defensive end Aaron Donald.
Back at Chargers' camp, similar clips are shown for guys like star linebacker Melvin Ingram III, quarterbacks Tyrod Taylor and Justin Herbert, and offensive mainstays like wide receiver Keenan Allen and running back Austin Ekeler.
Emotions change from the stress of roster cuts to the reflection that comes with the end of training camp, with Chargers strength coach John Lott praising the team's players for their work throughout the summer.
"All of y'all working your tails off," Lott said. "Can't ask you for much more than that."
Throughout all of that work, coaches continue to watch in the distance will big decisions looming. In this case, Chargers Anthony Lynn literally peers through his office window as his players work on conditioning at practice.
Viewers then get a glimpse at players on the bubble at both facilities: Chargers running back Darius Bradwell and defensive tackle Breiden Fehoko, followed by Rams defensive backs Donte Deayon and JuJu Hughes, and Brett Favre's favorite linebacker Clay Johnston.
Good vibes only 🤙#HardKnocks | @breidenfehoko4 pic.twitter.com/qojTXZRki4
— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) September 9, 2020
The Rams have on more scrimmage at SoFi Stadium, which gives a preview of what their season opener on Sunday Night Football against the Cowboys may look like: no one in the crowd, and a moment of silence as players stand and kneel before the playing of the National Anthem.
"Can we get some fake noise or some s—?" Donald asks as play starts on the field.
A time lapse signifies the continuous work being put in throughout the scrimmage, while highlights showcase Goff's offensive prowess with wide receivers Van Jefferson and Robert Woods as practice.
A fourth-down situation put forth by McVay leads to a Goff-to-Woods connection for a touchdown, much to the excitement of the Rams quarterback.
"Hey Woody, that was my first touchdown here," Goff joked. "Thanks."
"Just the little things in life that give you joy," McVay said before sending his team to the locker room for halftime.
In the locker room, Johnston is unhappy with his performance in the first half, while linebackers coach Joe Barry tells his players to keep their heads up.
"Go out there, have fun," Barry said after telling his players he'll find out "if you f—ers can tackle." "Don't be a damn stress case. The mistakes that you made are on me."
>>RELATED: 'Hard Knocks: Los Angeles' Episode 2 synopsis/review: Rookies look to make impressions on both Chargers and Rams
One mistake, however, lingers for Hughes defensively, as he barely misses out on an interception during a potentially pivotal play in the scrimmage. Shortly after, he pulls his hamstring, all as Schreiber explains that any snap could be your last.
While Hughes sits on the sideline, Deayon and Johnston show up on a few plays, even combining for a forced fumble and a scoop-and-score on the same play, respectively.
Reminder: football's back 🚨#HardKnocks pic.twitter.com/4d7jNRWEfj
"I got a lot of work to do," Johnston told Barry at the end of the scrimmage.
"We all do," Barry replied.
McVay talks to media after the scrimmage, explaining that the team will take every opportunity they can to evaluate the full roster of players.
"I was pleased with some things, and there are things that I want to get cleaned up," McVay said, before shifting gears to the upcoming cuts. "We don't know what may happen."
The "Hard Knocks" crew shows Deayon training with his girlfriend at their home, while Hughes gets his hamstring worked on with trainers back at the team's facility.
Unfortunately for the Chargers, one of their stars will also be working his way back to full health this season, albeit as a result of a more serious injury.
About a week after the injury actually happened, footage shows the events that led up to Derwin James' season-ending injury that occurred shortly before Episode 4 aired.
>>RELATED: Building a 53-man roster representing every NFL team before the 2020 season
HBO heads back to the archives, as well, playing a clip from last season where James talks about the mental toll his injury from 2019 had on him, which limited him to just five games near the end of last season.
"I've been injured, bro," James said during a game. "You don't got no control over it."
"Play every snap like it's your last, bro."
James gets plenty of praise from teammates and coaches alike, with Lynn explaining how special it is to have the star safety in the locker room.
"Just to be around DJ every day at practice and his enthusiasm, it's contagious," Lynn said. "Very rare for a player to be that young and the leader that he is."
The team gets ready for a "dress rehearsal" as Allen struggles to get his pads on before practice. James encourages teammates to make plays on the football, and to "not have any f—ups today."
Trying to fit into those pre-quarantine clothes like#HardKnocks pic.twitter.com/fvZpG5Qdoh
"What you do speaks so much louder than what you say," quarterbacks coach Pep Hamilton said. "Earn a job."
Coaches continue their praise of James' play and his aggressiveness on the line of scrimmage, saying "when he's down there, he's down there for a reason."
However, that aggressiveness leads to an unfortunate injury, as James winds up on the ground after an Allen catch during practice. While Ingram III and McGeoghan pray that the injury is simply a cramp, practice comes to a halt and James leaves the field in frustration.
>>RELATED: 'Hard Knocks: Los Angeles' Episode 3 synopsis/review: 'Iron sharpens iron' as Chargers, Rams make first contact
With James away from the field, Lynn tells his second team to get on the field and tells them "this is how you make the team."
At first, rookies Bradwell and Fehoko struggle on their respective sides of the ball, but they bounce back in big fashion later on to end on a positive note.
"We'll watch the tape, we'll make corrections, we'll get better," Lynn said as practice ends.
From there, the on-field action ends, and the nitty-gritty of cuts begins. It all starts with McVay and Snead at the Rams facility, all beginning with the release of JuJu Hughes.
"We're gonna let you go today," McVay told Hughes as he informs him about wanting to bring him back on the practice squad. "You have made such a good impression on people here. You're all about the right stuff, and you can play."
The toothpick lives to see another day 😁#HardKnocks pic.twitter.com/GHHLGyIn02
The tone is incredibly similar for the rest of the way, as McVay, Snead and Director of Pro Personnel Ray Agnew also inform Deayon about his release, as well.
"Donte Deayon is hard to come by," Agnew said. "He's a good guy to have on the team. It's a tough call to make."
Last, but certainly not least, is Johnston, who had left the facility thinking he was safe earlier in the day.
When he returns, he tells Snead that he was happy for the chance to try to make the team.
"Thanks for the opportunity, it was fun. Seriously, I enjoyed that," Johnston said. "I'm just grateful for the opportunity, that meant the world to me."
"The opportunity isn't over, man," McVay said as he expressed interest in bringing Johnston back on the practice squad. "Obviously, you've got a nice way about you. I can see how engaged and locked in you are."
"Favre is going to be pissed at us," Snead joked.
Back at Chargers camp, the losses keep coming for Lynn and company: James is out for the year, while cuts loom on the horizon.
"Our safety is down," Lynn said on the phone. "Man, just non-contact. Second year in a row for that young man."
>>RELATED: How the NFL is planning to adapt the 2020 season due to COVID-19
For the Chargers, cuts include the familiar faces on their side of the ball, as well. Both Bradwell and Fehoko are informed of their releases, with both invited back to the practice squad if they clear waivers.
"Two worst days of the year for me," Lynn said. "I remember when that happened to me."
"Unfortunately with COVID and everything, and no preseason games and limited amount of practices, it's understandable," Fehoko explained, as he said how thankful he was for the opportunity.
The mood then shifts towards the future, with the realization that live football is only a week away.
"It's go time now, baby," McVay said in his office. "It's going to be great, too."
For the Rams, Hughes and Deayon return to the practice squad. Initially, it seems as if Johnston would return, too, but Snead gets news that the rookie would be heading to Carolina to join his former coaches from Baylor, and his father Kent, who is the Panthers' Director of Player Wellness.
"Carolina enticed him to come," Snead said. "It's not just head coach, it's dad and maybe mom. Disappointing for us."
Viewers get a look at some family Zoom calls for Johnston and Fehoko, respectively, while coaches start to get their players in a regular season mindset.
>>RELATED: 'Hard Knocks: Los Angeles' Episode 4 synopsis/review: 'I'm not sad. I don't want your pity. I want change.'
"Good morning, guys," McVay said in a meeting. "First thing I would say. "This is our football team, you guys are the best of the best."
"I want a tough ass team," Lynn told his players. "I want you to be at your best when you need to be at your best."
Trust each other, and play for one another. 💪#HardKnocks pic.twitter.com/WfTj5Oi22l
"Trust each other, play for one another."
Viewers get some last looks at familiar faces like Aaron Donald and Justin Herbert, before Jared Goff signs it off for HBO and NFL Films.
"See ya, Hard Knocks."
Cut the cameras 🎥
That's a wrap on #HardKnocks! pic.twitter.com/hlqcvsJFmu
Considering the circumstances, this season finale of "Hard Knocks" felt like the usual that fans have become accustomed to in recent years.
While there weren't any true feel good stories of rookies making the 53-man roster and surviving cuts, the addition of four practice squad spots to each roster added a unique wrinkle to the whole process for the 2020 season.
Usually, viewers only get to see the negatives, with players dropped from the roster and left fending for themselves. With the added focus on the practice squad and the uncertainty regarding any main roster player due to COVID-19, there seemed to be more happiness and understanding from players, all grateful for the chance to compete throughout the rest of the year.
Add in the focus that was finally put on James' season-ending injury, and the unique environment that an empty stadium creates as a result of COVID-19 protocols, and the season finished on a high note as far as compelling programming was concerned.
>>RELATED: Jack of all trades: Curt Menefee continues to adapt in third decade with FOX Sports
Yes, it was incredibly unique, and yes, fans would love to never have to see a season like that again. Two teams is a tough situation to handle, especially when a pandemic takes control of most of the storylines and takes away any preseason games from the docket.
But, HBO and NFL Films did a great job of turning a negative into a positive and getting fans back into a football mindset just a few days before the season officially kicks off.
The viewership and ratings may not have been there, but if you avoided watching this season of "Hard Knocks" for whatever reason, you missed out on some great television. The fact that we got anything was incredible in its own right, and kudos to HBO and NFL Films for turning that something into something special.
Like this story? Let us know by following @SOTSports on Twitter or by liking our Facebook page!
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