text:
SciFi Vision | Interviews | Video Interview: Alex Vincent and Christine Elise Talk Chucky
Video Interview: Alex Vincent and Christine Elise Talk Chucky
Published: Tuesday, 16 November 2021 14:39 | Written by Karen Moul
In the new Syfy/USA series Chucky, the murderous doll turns up at a yard sale and wreaks havoc in Hackensack, New Jersey. While the series centers on new characters, several stars of the seven-film Child's Play franchise are also in the cast. Among them are Alex Vincent and Christine Elise, who are slated to reprise their roles as Andy and Kyle. The pair Zoomed with journalists this week for a spoiler-free chat.
Vincent is excited about the series' focus on teen protagonists. "I do think that the inclusion of the kids around that age, which is a new demographic, a new audience for us, is fantastic," Vincent told SciFi Vision, "because these kids grew up with Chucky being something that their parents loved, and now it's something relevant to their time as well."
Elise noted that the diverse and inclusive characters are also drawing new fans to the franchise. This time around, Chucky's unfortunate owner is a gay teen dealing with a difficult family and a vicious school bully.
"A friend of mine…has twin boys that are in eighth grade, one of whom is gay," she said. "…His mind is blown that we've got a gay kid as the lead in the show, and not as a sidekick or a tertiary character. Now he thinks I'm the coolest person on earth. It's speaking to kids that haven't felt spoken for, and I think that's a really important thing, and I think it's going to bring a big new demographic to us because of that."
Watch our portion of the interview and read the full transcript below and catch Chucky Tuesdays at 10 pm on Syfy and USA.
SCIFI VISION: I was wondering if you guys could talk a little bit about the fan reaction, and I'm interested particularly in new fans, fans like me who were unfamiliar with the franchise until the television show. Are you reaching new people, and how are they loving it?
ALEX VINCENT: Yeah, well, for fans that are just finding the show now, I'm curious first of all, if you're going back and watching the seven films, now that you're there, because as more of the story uncovers, it's definitely helpful to know where we've been, to know where we are now. But the reaction from fans, new fans and fans that we've interacted with for the past twenty years since social media, it's just been phenomenal. The reaction has just been phenomenal, united, and everyone's really rooting for us here, which is a really nice feeling in general. And I do think that the inclusion of the kids around that age, which is kind of a new demographic, a new audience for us, is fantastic, because these kids grew up with Chucky being something that their parents loved, and now it's something relevant to their time as well. And they get to share that with their parents, and I imagine a lot of young teenagers and people my age are watching the show together, and they're equally excited about it. So, that's fantastic.
CHRISTINE ELISE: Yeah, I can actually anecdotally say that a friend of mine in New York has a twenty-year-old son who is a huge Chucky fan, but she also has twin boys that are in eighth grade, one of whom is gay, and it wasn't until this show that the gay twin got on board. His mind is blown that we've got a gay kid as the lead in the show, and not as a sidekick or a tertiary character. Now he thinks I'm the coolest person on earth. It's speaking to kids that haven't felt spoken for, and I think that's a really important thing, and I think it's going to bring a big new demographic to us because of that.
QUESTION: The series follows the Charles Lee Ray origin story. So, he's back to be kill or be killed. Can you tell us a little bit about that perspective? How you guys approached that in the series, given that some of you have long-term through stories in the films, and how does that carry over to the series?
ALEX VINCENT: Well, as far as our characters go, my backstory goes back to being five, six years old. So, that's well established, but learning more about this character, Charles Lee Ray, and what motivated him to become the way he was to begin with, I think it's something that fans wanted a lot and wanted for a long time and wanted to learn more about. It's also probably the most difficult to navigate as far as pleasing your longtime audience, because they all maybe have visions in their head of how this character became how he was to begin with. But I think Don [Mancini] just really masterfully is integrating it into the current story by showing little bits at a time. I think the actors that play these younger versions of Charles Lee Ray are just spot on, and I personally love all the exceedingly dark choices that this character has made. So yeah, for me, it's super fun.
CHRISTINE ELISE: Yeah, I have nothing to add did that. That was well said.
QUESTION: In terms of the character actor Brad Dourif, who actually does the voice and has been the voice for some time now, what is the dynamic when you guys are filming? Is he actually on set with you and throwing his lines? Or do you get some sort of track that you play off? How do you guys work that dynamic on set?
CHRISTINE ELISE: The first time through, in Child's Play 2, I was already a huge Brad Dourif fan, so I was completely starstruck. We did a little rehearsal in an office on the lot at Universal. We did a reading through all the stuff that I had with him, so he'd know what I was going to be doing, so when he went to the recording studio to record it, he could do it with the right tone and know what he was reacting off of. But he's never on set, and I've never gotten to rehearse with him again. He does all of his recording ahead of time, and then they do playback on set with his voice that's been recorded, probably where he lives in New York.
QUESTION: I was actually just curious, because this is long form storytelling, and you guys have come from obviously the movies of Child's Play, is there something character-wise that you guys got to explore in the series that you didn't get to explore with, obviously, in Curse [of Chucky] and Cult [of Chucky], and then with a cameo from Christine in Cult?
ALEX VINCENT: Well, luckily, each time that I've come back to this, even starting from the sequel or part two, Andy gets to do new things in a new environment and tackle new challenges, but with the same "friend to the end enemy" of mine. So yeah, for me, it's rewarding to come back to the character no matter what we're doing. This being a series instead of a film didn't really make too much difference as far as - there's a lot of characters in the show so our scenes are rather scattered throughout the show. So, really, it's not much different to me than working on a film, a subsequent film to this story. It's just broken down in how we show it to you, but the amount of time that I'm spending with Chucky is comparable to the last film.
CHRISTINE ELISE: Yeah, I think the primary difference here is for Don. Don has a lot more room to tell the story. Seven films over thirty years, let's call it ten hours or twelve hours of storytelling over thirty-something years, and now he's got eight hours of storytelling over eight weeks. So, it gives him the freedom to introduce so many new characters, the freedom and the time to have us meet these kids and become invested in them and also have our stories fit in there and then even room for backstory on Chucky. So, for Don, I think it's been a wide open wonderland for him, but as far as our characters go, it's the same.


text:
<?php
/**
 * Created by PhpStorm.
 * User: Van Dao
 * Date: 10/23/13
 * Time: 1:22 PM
 */

namespace Dictionary\Controller;

use Application\Model\AlbumTable;
use Dictionary\Model\ENVITable;
use Zend\Db\ResultSet\ResultSet;
use Zend\Debug\Debug;
use Zend\Mvc\Controller\AbstractActionController;
use Zend\View\Model\JsonModel;
use Zend\View\Model\ViewModel;

class IndexController extends AbstractActionController {

    protected $dbAdapter;
    protected $enVITable;

    public function indexAction() {
        $this->getAdapter();
        $this->enVITable = new ENVITable($this->dbAdapter);

        return new ViewModel(
            array(
                'dictionaries' => $this->enVITable->fetchAll(),
            )
        );
    }

    private function getAdapter() {
        $serviceManager = $this->getServiceLocator();
        $this->dbAdapter = $serviceManager->get('db_dictionary');
    }

    public function dictionaryAction() {
        $this->getAdapter();
        $this->enVITable = new ENVITable($this->dbAdapter);

        $word = $this->params()->fromQuery('word', 0);

        $dictionaries = $this->enVITable->searchWordByWord(strtolower($word));

        $arr = array();
        foreach($dictionaries as $word) {
                $arr[] = $word['Word'];
        }

        $result = new JsonModel($arr);
        return $result;

    }

    public function getWordAction() {
        $this->getAdapter();
        $this->enVITable = new ENVITable($this->dbAdapter);

        $word = $this->params()->fromPost('word', "");
        if($word != ""){
            $dict = $this->enVITable->getWordByWord(strtolower($word));

            //google dictionary
            $url = "http://www.google.com/dictionary/json?callback=a&client=p&sl=en&tl=en&q=";
            $file = file_get_contents($url . urlencode($word));
            $file = substr($file, 2, -10);
            $file = preg_replace("/\\\x[0-9a-f]{2}/", "", $file);
            $json = json_decode($file);

            $en_meaning = "";
            if(isset($json->primaries)){
                $json = $json->primaries[0]->entries;
                foreach($json as $entry){
                    if($entry->type == "meaning"){
                        $en_meaning .= '- ' . $entry->terms[0]->text . PHP_EOL;
                    }
                }
            }

            $result = new JsonModel(array(
                'Word' =>  $dict->word,
                'EN' =>  $en_meaning,
                'VI' => strip_tags($dict->definition)
            ));
            return $result;
        }
        return "false";
    }

}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Pertaining to the ACMilan avatar, I dont know the ACMilan logo, but it is pretty obvious that that is an AC Milan emblem. The ACM says it all, besides all the other emblems it is swallowing and then the picture of the ball. It wasnt hard to piece it together... 1899 eh? they are a very old club ashe.
What is a Rossonero kuma?
Nope, I'm not an ANPP member. Not a politician. I just hate everything PDP, and all it stands for. And its not too difficult to figure out why.
Yeah, I can see the Buhariissh in you. The feeling that the mighty General is infallible, a saint, and a messiah. And everyone else is crooked. Any wonder then that the party (ANPP) had been balkanised? I have a feeling he's not made for politics. At the least the nigerian version. That high-handedness and holier-than-thou attitude of his won't augur well for him in any party, not only ANPP.
I C. Actually, I like AC Milan anyway, even though I am no great shakes at watching football or supporting teams (except Man U whom I've supported ever since I was a teenager).
Yes I am a buharian. I am glad to say that my loyalties once given are hardly taken back. Whatever and however he is, he is still the man for Nig. Talking of highhandedness, at least we know what to expect from him. How about baba sege who started out as a humble x convict and developed not only highhandedness but strong arm tactics? Had anyone known that was how he would turn out would he have been given the mandate (nod nod nod) . Nigerians are so BLOODY FICKLE!
No one can disputes the fact that Buhari remain the best candidate out there for Nigeria. In an ideal society, he should have been the president now (we all voted for him). But fact also is that he's not cut out for Nigerian politics. Even if he is, he's going about it the wrong way. Everyone's wrong, he is right. Everyone's a thief, he is clean. Everything he says should be law. Everyone that defies him immediately becomes enemy number. I think the man still believes he's in the barracks, commanding his troopes. And ironically he is surrounded by sychophantic (sp?) cronies like Buba Galadima, Dan Zago, Yahaya Hama etc. Hajiya, his type of politics won't take him anywhere, no matter what party he join, unless he changes tactics.
I dont think it is like that fa. I think he is a man who doesnt want to compromise his principles that is all. In Nigeria, one has to be thoroughly crooked to be a good politician. Kuma Buhari is not a rich man. That is why all these ppl think that he shouldnt have a say in any matter at all, since a Nigeria it is money that talks and gets heard even if it is the wrong thing said. So when Buhari talks everyone gets irritated because he cant put his mouth where his money is because he hasnt got it.
I know he doesn't have money. That's why he should give some quarters in his relationship with the party. I mean its a symbiotic r/ship btw him and the party. They provided the party structures and financing for him, and he brought his reputation and popularity to the party. There's no way the party founders/elders will just allow him to have all says, saint or no saint. Some of his statements prior to the election helped in no small way to further distnace him from the party. An unwise thing to do on the eve of election, especially if you're not the one bankrolling the party.
So if he doesn't want to compromise on certain issues, fine, let him go form his party. But he doesn't have the money, so check-mate. See the problem?


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More Dead Than Alive
The name Aubrey Schenck might not immediately ring a bell. A longtime producer in Hollywood, Schenck was at the helm of some very good B-movies and some very bad B-movies. The common denominator? Good or bad, they were usually pretty entertaining. Here's one of his western ventures, 1969's More Dead Than Alive, a familiar story with a twist and a good cast.
Having served 18 years in a territorial prison in Arizona, a man named Cain (Clint Walker) has put his past behind him and has earned parole. Not bad considering his past life as a gunfighter piled up 12 kills to his name. Earning that early release though, Cain wants nothing more than to put that violent, blood-riddled life behind him. Can he though? He can't find a steady job, has no money to his name, and as he quickly finds out, his name still means something to a whole lot of people. Some are just curious to meet him while others are more interested in testing his long since lost prowess with a pistol. Taking somewhat desperate measures, Cain takes a job with a wild west shooting show run by an opportunistic businessman and carnival barker, Dan Ruffalo (Vincent Price). His reputation precedes him, even if his shooting ability isn't what it used to be. There may be a bigger issue with the show's previous main attraction, a young gunfighter named Billy (Paul Hampton) who doesn't like his attention stolen away from him.
From producer Schenck and director Robert Sparr, 'Dead' is definitely a somewhat budget-constricted B-movie, clearly filmed on some back lots in California. The cast is small(ish) with a few big names and some unfamiliar faces filling out the rest of the roles. Nothing that qualifies as a deal-breaker yet, right? Correct! I like cheap, easily digestible westerns like that...most of the time. So while this one has potential, it derails slowly but surely, really coming off the tracks in the last act. In the end, I felt like I was getting one movie and instead got one that couldn't quite make up its mind about what it was trying to accomplish.
This is a western that has some fun with the myth of the gunfighter. From 1950's The Gunfighter to 1976's The Shootist, a whole sub-genre of westerns is devoted to demythologizing of the wild west gunfighter. Often romanticized, the profession of sorts was far from it. You were the fastest gun around...until you weren't. There was a price for fame, for gaining that reputation, and often it was a bullet in your back. That's Clint Walker's Cain (no first name), a reformed hired gun and killer with 12 dead bodies to his name. Those years in jail did him good, cleaned him up and got his mind right to the point all he wants to do is settle down and start up a ranch of his own, if he can get some money to do so. Familiar territory? Yep, seen over and over again in westerns as a safe, fallback option for a story. So....
Yeah, not new ground, but when 'Dead' works, it is because of star Clint Walker. A western standby after his TV run as Cheyenne ended in 1962, Walker is always a welcome sight when I see him in a cast listing. His heroes -- even relative anti-heroes like here -- are stout and resolute, ready to stand by their guns no matter what gets thrown at them. In just about every role I've seen him, Walker is natural, likable and obviously quite the imposing physical presence at 6-foot-6 with a stature that looks like he could take on a grizzly bear...and win. He injects some energy into Cain, a gunfighter who wants to move on. You're rooting for him, a man who's made his mistakes and wants to leave them in the past.
So Walker is good, and Vincent Price steals the show as only Vincent Price can, but...that's about it with worthwhile characters. Hampton overacts so laughably bad that his Billy character develops like a spoof. Billy Valence is extremely talented with a gun but has never faced anyone down, just inanimate targets. When he begins to crumble, the emotional scenes are cringe-worthy. Anne Francis is okay as Monica Ralston, but her character seems out of place. She's a free-spirit, a painter and artist who travels and paints...in the wild west. Seems more appropriate for a hippie movie of the late 1960s, not a hard-hitting western, and their slowly developing love interest never worked with a general lack of chemistry. Mike Henry has a small but fun part as a notorious bandit with a grudge against Cain, and also look for Craig Littler, Clarke Gordon, Beverly Powers and William Woodson in other small supporting parts.
Taking it all in though, there's something missing. The bloody, harsh opening jailbreak scene is a gem, getting my hopes up in a big way. The music is pretty horrendous, horrifyingly out of place in dramatic scenes to the point it plays like a spoof. Oh, and of course there's a moody, overdone ballad of a theme song. Mostly though, it can't pick a path and stick with it. The story and characters bounce all over, seemingly getting somewhere but never in a direct fashion. Hampton is really, really rough with a character with potential but is completely hammed up and trying too hard. As good as Walker and Price are, 'Dead' is undone by those flaws. The ending should come as more of a surprise, but it doesn't and because the tone has been all over from left field to the end zone (yes, I understand), the end falls flat. Just too bad.
More Dead Than Alive (1969): **/****
Labels: 1960s, Anne Francis, Clint Walker, Vincent Price, westerns
The Great Locomotive Chase
The Mind of Mr. Soames
World Without End (1956)
Night Moves (1975)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Brexit and the legal sector
Written by Chadwick Nott
26 September 2019 | 7 mins
Brexit and the legal sector – from a legal recruitment perspective
While the UK Prime Minister has attempted to prorogue Parliament in the lead up to the latest Brexit deadline of October 31st, there is no shutting down for the legal sector and certainly not within legal recruitment. In fact, while the news seems to constantly project the doom and gloom of potentially falling out of the EU without a deal, it still feels like business as usual for law firms in the UK and has done ever since the vote to leave way back in June 2016 (has it really been that long?).
Firms are still recruiting & people are still making moves
Three years have passed and despite the pre-Brexit warnings, the legal sector remains remarkably buoyant. This includes law firm recruitment which, throughout the entire Brexit process and continuing as we (potentially) leave the EU, has remained at the forefront of firm policies. Specific to our region here in the South West, but also more broadly across the country, we are constantly seeing new vacancies arise as firms are proactively keen to continue their growth and press on, rather than wait and see what Brexit brings.
The same can be said for lawyers themselves. Traditionally a conservative beast, it would not have been a surprise had those within the sector decided to sit tight and wait to see what came of Brexit. We've seen the opposite in fact, with lawyers realising that their dream job or firm won't be waiting around for them, and they are therefore still looking to make the career moves that will ultimately better their career.
Brexit proof areas - popular in Bristol
One of the possible reasons why we haven't experienced the slowdown in legal recruitment that other sectors have is the demand for lawyers within what may be considered "Brexit-proof" areas of law. For example, we have more Insurance and Litigation roles within large firms in Bristol that we can find candidates for. Additionally, Corporate and Commercial vacancies continue to arise across the South West region with firms of all sizes. The demand for Real Estate solicitors also remains strong with the diversity and flexibility of the sector providing a buffer against any dramatic consequences Brexit might provide. Clients will continue to need law firms for this type of work no matter what happens come October 31st and therefore firms are continuing to grow their teams in order to provide the best quality of work.
NQ salaries continue to rise
Not only have we not seen a recruitment stoppage during this period of uncertainty, but salaries continue to rise. NQ salaries in London have recently been all over the legal press with magic circle firms now paying their NQs £100,000+ per year on qualification. This has seen a trickledown effect to the regions as well, with salaries for newly qualified solicitors in Bristol at the top firms now going above £50,000. This in itself will drive up salaries at other firms in the region in order to keep up, as well as the salaries of experienced solicitors. With rising salaries, more flexibility and what is generally renowned as a better work/life balance, Bristol really has become a top regional location for those looking to make a move away from London.
In summary, despite the scary stories in the lead up to the Halloween deadline for Brexit, it's very much treat rather than trick for recruitment within the legal sector. Firms of all sizes are still hiring and strong and ambitious candidates are still filling these roles. So if you're unhappy in your current role, ready for your next step, or simply have a dream firm you'd like to work for, don't use Brexit as an excuse to delay.
At The Forefront of Market Trends
2021: The COVID repeat loop does not apply to the legal sector
While the UK holds its collective breath to see whether Christmas and New Year plans will be cancelled in a cruel twist of 2020 déjà vu fate due to the Omicron variant, the legal sector by contrast seems to have taken its booster jab and built up its immunity to such an extent in 2021 that it now appears the only way is up in 2022.
The changes Covid-19 has made to the hiring process for lawyers
Since returning from furlough leave last year, we have witnessed changes with many clients and what feels like a shift of the power balance between the employer and employee.


text:
WH Ireland appoints former Co-op Bank restructuring chief in non exec role
By Ruby Hinchliffe
WH Ireland has appointed retail banking executive Tom Wood to chair its audit committee and serve as a non-executive director.
The former chief restructuring and financial officer at The Co-operative Bank said he will focus on growing WH Ireland's wealth management and capital markets businesses.
Wood served at The Co-operative Bank between 2017 to 2019, having been appointed by the shareholders following the bank's third re-capitalisation.
According to WH Ireland, he delivered "a step change" in the bank's returns, growth and capability during his tenure.
Wood also served as chief commercial officer of Shawbrook Group between 2012 and 2016, before being promoted to interim chief executive in May 2015.
More recently, Wood has advised several private equity funds on financial services sector assignments and portfolio companies relating to mergers and acquisitions, as well as transformational growth.
"I am delighted to join WH Ireland as a non-executive director following a year of significant progress by the business," said Wood.
WH Ireland exceeded revenue expectations this year, after posting losses of £3.2m for the 12 months to the end of March 2020.
The firm saw revenues increase by 37 per cent to £29.6m for the year to the end of March 2021, above the 29 per cent rise the group predicted in May.
The firm attributed its gains to a strong performance from the group's capital markets division, which saw its revenue soar 80 per cent, pocketing £14.5m compared with £7.9m a year previously.
Wood's focus will be on both this arm and the wealth management division, which offers financial advice and discretionary investment management.
This division saw its discretionary assets increase by 69 per cent to £1bn over the same period, helped in large part by the acquisition of Henley-based advice firm Harpsden Wealth Management in December.
"The team at WH Ireland is well positioned to grow both the wealth management and capital markets businesses, leveraging their reputation of providing high quality service to their clients in dynamic and changing markets," said Wood.
"WH Ireland is building a differentiated and strong position supporting growth companies in both private and public markets and I really look forward to helping them grow this vital offering as well as accelerating growth in wealth management."
Phil Shelley, WH Ireland's chairman, highlighted Wood's "depth financial and regulatory experience", having been "at the forefront" of a number of "major transformations" in financial services.
He continued: "As we build our business, I am confident Tom brings very relevant and current capability to his role as chair of audit."
Earlier this year, former Ofgem chief executive Alistair Buchanan announced he was stepping down from the board of WH Ireland, after joining it in August 2019.
The firm said the non-executive director will leave by the end of this month in order to "concentrate on other business interests".
ruby.hinchliffe@ft.com
More on Investments
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Peter Hargreaves: UK investors should have more exposure to the US
FSCS prepares to assess claims against mini bond firm
Why one MPS boss is sticking with Terry Smith
Investments Your Industry


It was built using thousands of flip-flops and ocean plastic waste collected during beach clean-ups along the Kenyan Coast.
Osman noted that through Mr Skanda's invention, many people are now looking at Lamu as among the places with great innovative minds.
When Kenyans honour their heroes today, 45-year-old Ali Skanda will be among those to be feted at Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega County.
Mr Skanda together with his team of traditional dhow-building experts put Lamu on the world map when they built the world's first boat made from recycled marine plastic.
The boat is aptly named the Flip-flopi because it was built using thousands of flip-flops and ocean plastic waste collected during beach clean-ups along the Kenyan Coast.
Launched on a day when the world was celebrating World's Beach Clean-up Day, the boat now serves to reinforce the need for people to maintain cleanliness in beaches.
Mr Skanda, who was born in Mkomani, Lamu Old Town, could not imagine that his unique invention first unveiled on September 15 would make him one of the celebrated heroes in this year's Mashujaa Day.
His invention reinforces the need for Kenyans to adhere to the already existing plastic ban safeguard the quality of life.
Kenya introduced a nationwide ban on plastic bags use on August 28, 2017.
"I received a phone call from someone telling me that I was among the recognised mashujaas to be in attendance at Bukhungu Stadium. He confirmed to me that my journey to and from had already been catered for. All this is because of the flip-flopi boat we made and launched in September. I am happy and humbled," the father father of five said.
"I'll use this opportunity to meet President Uhuru Kenyatta. I want to discuss with him various issues that will enable our country to be free of plastics. We want a clean environment," he added.
Residents interviewed by Saturday Nation in Lamu said they also recognise Mr Skanda as a hero.
Mr Fauz Osman said Lamu has been highlighted negatively for many years due to insecurity caused by Al-Shabaab.
But he noted that through Mr Skanda's invention, many people are now looking at Lamu as among the places with great innovative minds.
"Through Skanda, Lamu was and is still being highlighted positively. His innovation was covered by almost all media houses, including the international ones. That alone has changed the image of Lamu. Every tourist now wants to come to Lamu just to see the flip-flopi and the boat builders. Truly, Skanda is a Shujaa," he said.
Mrs Farida Athman said she was happy that Mr Skanda's effort has been recognised by being identified as a hero.


I used an OWB Holster for several years but have reviewed the Alien Gear Holsters IWB. I decide to purchase one for my Glock 21 Gen 4 to try it. What a GREAT choice! I can wear this holster with my full-sized Glock and hardly even notice that I have it on!
Shipping was UNREAL! I got my Alien Gear Holster within a WEEK!! Outstanding service and quality!


Ah, winter! The farmer's time of rest. There have been years when summer was SO busy that we counted down the days to the first average frost. Not literally, but you get the idea.
On our farm, winter is also a time to re-evaluate the inputs and outputs. Does it really take an hour to accomplish that particular chore? Are the feed expenses accurate? What are we allocating on this or that? It's a budget just like any other budget; however, there are umpteen line items and details of every single one of them need to be addressed. Whew! It can be a job. The highlight of this task (if we can name it such) is our bookkeeper. Amy knows her QuickBooks and hiring her was probably the wisest decision HR made in the life of this farm.
One big change to next year's budget is the farm's social life. Facebook and emails are free, so that leaves website and Internet expenses. Internet is locked in because there are only so many companies that service remote areas and only one that provides reliable service. That leaves the website. Can this line item be reduce? Oh, yes! It can.
Squarespace is our new web host and we're loving the changes. Our new profile is brighter, lighter and less cluttered while keeping all pertinent information. It's perfect and we hope you enjoy it, too!
Jak Wonderly is credited with many photos found on the website. He visited the farm in May 2015 when our lender American AgCredit scheduled a photo shoot at the farm. What an honor to be included in their 100th Anniversary Annual Report. All other photos were taken with my iPhone.
Had to give some love to Red. She was one sweetheart of a pig and we miss her!


text:
SCOTUS Upholds Contractual Waiver of Class Arbitration Regardless of Costs to Plaintiff
Ken LeCroix
Ireland, business litigation, Federal Arbitration Act, Dayton law firm, FIC, business litigation info, Cox, contractual waiver, Faruki, Faruki Ireland & Cox, Ken LeCroix, Class Actions, supreme court, cincinnati lawyer, class action, Arbitration, FIC blog, Cincinnati law firm
On Thursday, June 20, 2013, the United States Supreme Court issued a 5-3 decision (Justice Sotomayor recused herself from the case) in American Express Co. v. Italian Colors Restaurant, No. 12-133 (2013), holding that the Federal Arbitration Act does not permit courts to invalidate a contractual waiver of class arbitration on the grounds that the plaintiff's cost of individually arbitrating a federal statutory claim exceeds the potential recovery.
In American Express, various merchants and American Express entered into agreements that contained both an arbitration clause and a provision stating that "[t]here shall be no right or authority for any Claims to be arbitrated on a class action basis." The merchants brought a class action against American Express for violations of the federal antitrust laws, specifically under §1 of the Sherman Act, alleging that American Express improperly tied its monopoly power in the charge cards market to force merchants to accept credit cards at higher rates. American Express moved to compel individual arbitration under the Federal Arbitration Act, which the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York granted. After the Second Circuit Court of Appeals reversed on three separate occasions, the Supreme Court granted certiorari to consider whether the Federal Arbitration Act permits courts to invalidate arbitration agreements on the grounds that the agreements do not permit class arbitration and that the merchants would incur prohibitive costs if compelled to arbitrate.
Citing its recent decision in AT&T Mobility LLC v. Concepcion, 563 U.S. __, 131 S. Ct. 1740 (2011), the Supreme Court reversed the Second Circuit and upheld the District Court's dismissal, holding that a contractual waiver of class arbitration is enforceable under the Federal Arbitration Act even where a plaintiff may encounter "prohibitively high cost[s]." The Supreme Court further held that "[c]ourts must 'rigorously enforce' arbitration agreements according to their terms," and the Court found no contrary congressional command, stating that federal antitrust laws, including the Sherman and Clayton Acts, "do not 'evinc[e] an intention to preclude a waiver' of class-action procedure."
The Supreme Court also rejected the merchants' reliance on the "effective vindication" exception to the Federal Arbitration Act, stating that the exception could not be applied simply because of the prohibitive costs of individual arbitration. The Supreme Court stated that class action waivers do not constitute an elimination of the merchants' right to pursue a statutory remedy, but instead merely limit arbitration to the two contracting parties.
The American Express decision is significant for a number of reasons. First, it removes a barrier to the enforcement of class action waiver provisions in arbitration agreements. Second, this decision supports the argument that the National Labor Relations Board's recent decision in D.R. Horton Inc., 357 NLRB No. 184 (2012) (invalidating an arbitration agreement that required individual arbitration, finding that the "right" to file a class action constituted a protected activity) was decided incorrectly. Finally, the decision further demonstrates the Supreme Court's intent to enforce terms of arbitration agreements.
Ken LeCroix |


In 2001 Patricia Zuk discovered that there are stem cells in fat from liposuction, calling them ADSC ( adipose derived stem cells ). Further research revealed that these stem cells can play an important role in autologous fat transfer: they release growth factors that promote the growth of blood vessels and can also change into fat cells. This ability makes them essential to improve the healing of the transferred fat cells in autologous fat transfer.
Stem cell enrichment only useful by excess fat!
It has been shown that the healing rate of transplanted fat can be increased through stem cell enrichment by about 20 – 25%, if one doubles the number of stem cells. When operation is thus twice removed as much fat as the planned expansion is necessary. Half of the recovered fat is processed and the stem cells from it are isolated. The leftover fat from this portion is discarded. After the procurement of stem cells they are added to the other fat portion, thereby doubling the number of stem cells.
This means that stem cell enrichment is only useful only under certain conditions: as it takes double the amount of fat to perhaps achieve a 25 % increase in healing rate.
Example: Autologous fat transfer with enrichment : two breasts will be enlarged with 250g = 500g autologous fat. For the enrichment twice as much fat is needed, for a total of 1000g autologous fat. Without stem cell enrichment, healing rate is about 70% , with the enrichment + 25 % = + 17.5 % , so at best 87.5 %. This leaves a per breast increase of 218g.
If instead of the enrichment operation, after three months the operation is simply repeated, the calculation is quite different.
350g – 218g = 132g !
It is thus clear that a repeat of the operation brings much more than a stem cell enrichment.
It thus appears that stem cell enrichment can only be recommended if the patient really has sufficient fat available to remove twice the amount of fat in one or two operations.
A thin/ slender patient for breast augmentation should receive autologous fat in several operations, each with small amounts of fat.
In a thin / slender patient, breast augmentation with stem cell enrichment is computationally disadvantageous and therefore counterproductive.
Discuss these facts with your doctor before undergoing breast augmentation with autologous fat and stem cell enrichment.


5-7 PM, Thursday, January 12, 2017 at Friemonth-Freese Funeral Home in Glasgow. A Prayer service will be held before the Visitation at 4:30 PM.
10 AM, Friday, January 13, 2017 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Glasgow.
Glasgow resident, Dorothy Holtwick passed away at Glasgow Gardens on January 11, 2017. She was 90 years of age. Dorothy May Holtwick was born in Howard County, Missouri, April 18, 1926 to Alvin and Annie (Fuemmeler) Brucks. She graduated from Glasgow High School, the class of 1944. Dorothy married Melvin Holtwick at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Glasgow on February 14, 1952. Together they enjoyed nearly 60 years of marriage. Melvin preceded Dorothy in death on June 21, 2011. Dorothy was primarily a homemaker but held jobs at Mattingly's and Kellwood, eventually retiring in 1994. She enjoyed sewing and crocheting, crossword puzzles, gardening and canning produce. Dorothy loved to play the piano and dance with Melvin to big band music. Dorothy was a beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was a member of St. Mary's Church and the CCW. She is survived by four daughters, Karen (Charlie) Monnig of Glasgow, Patty Hellebusch of Glasgow, Cindy Holtwick of Kansas City, Missouri and Judy Holtwick of Glasgow; son, Roger Holtwick of Marshall; three grandchildren, Donna (Jason) Vega, Adam (Candice) Monnig, and Kathy Monnig; six great-grandchildren, Jacob, Seth, Alexis, Kara, Harper, and Tucker; sister, Viola Himmelberg of Lee's Summit, Missouri. In addition to her parents and husband, Dorothy was preceded in death by two brothers, Marvin and Jerome Brucks, and two sisters, Evelyn Johanning and Freda Rodgers. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in Dorothy's honor at 10 AM, Friday, January 13, 2017 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Glasgow, with Fr. Alex Gabriel officiating. Visitation will be from 5-7 PM, Thursday, January 12, 2017 at Friemonth-Freese Funeral Home in Glasgow. A prayer service will be held before the visitation, Thursday at 4:30 PM, at the funeral home. Burial will take place at Washington Cemetery in Glasgow following the service. Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Mary's School or Church, in care of the funeral home.


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Buste de femme est un tableau réalisé par le peintre espagnol Pablo Picasso en juin-. Cette huile sur toile est le portrait précubiste d'une femme qui sert d'étude pour Les Demoiselles d'Avignon. Elle est conservée au musée national d'Art moderne, à Paris.

Expositions

 Le Cubisme, Centre national d'art et de culture Georges-Pompidou, Paris, 2018-2019.

Liens externes

Tableau de Pablo Picasso
Tableau réalisé en 1907
Portrait de femme
Œuvre de Pablo Picasso au musée national d'Art moderne

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


The research advances hope for future robotic prosthetics from which amputees would receive sensory feedback on the limb's position and what it is touching, according to the neuroscientists and biologists who carried out the study. They found that the brains of the subject generated news connections to control the robotic limb, even if the electrodes that facilitated that control were not implanted until several years after the limb was amputated.
Published in Nature Communications, the research involved implanting an array of electrodes into Rhesus monkeys who had previously had arms amputated (in response to injuries at an early age, they stress; not for this research). In two animals, the electrodes were placed in the motor cortex on the opposite side of the brain to the missing limb, but in a third, they were placed on the same side.
The monkeys were then trained (bribed by helpings of fruit juice) to control a robotic arm to grasp a ball, using only their minds. During this activity, the researchers monitored the activity of brain cells around the implants, and used statistical techniques to calculate how the cells were connected to each other.
In the monkeys whose electrodes were opposite to their amputations, they found that initially-sparse neuron connections became more dense in areas used for reaching and grasping. But in the monkeys where the electrodes were on the same side, connections were initially dense but then thinned out and subsequently became more dense in a new pattern.
The senior author of the paper, Prof Nicho Hatsopoulos, who specialises in biology and anatomy at the University of Chicago Medical Centre, said that the most significant implication of the research is that long-term amputees can learn to control a robot limb. The study is one of the first to involve amputees; previous research has involved paralysed patients.
In the next phase of the research, the team plans to work with other groups that are developing prostheses equipped with devices for proprioperception — the sense of where a limb is in space — and touch perception. "That's how we can begin to create truly responsive neuroprosthetic limbs, when people can both move it and get natural sensations through the brain machine interface," Hatsopoulos said.


The Canadian Canoe Museum's 9th Annual Beaver Club Gala is taking place on Saturday, October 15, 2016.
For the first time in ever, the gala will be held in the museum's galleries at 910 Monaghan Road in Peterborough!
Peter Mansbridge, CBC News chief correspondent, 12-time Gemini Award winner and officer of the Order of Canada, will be the guest speaker this year!
Recreating the original fur traders' supper club in Montreal, the Beaver Club Gala is an authentic dining experience with fine food and period music. Proceeds benefit the educational and public programs of The Canadian Canoe Museum.


The answer to this question is not a single sum, nor is there a standard equation to determine the website cost. However, building a website does not have to be an expensive or time consuming activity and whether you are planning on using your site for promoting a single product or running your entire business online then the costs themselves should be recouped within a relatively short space of time if the site is properly conceived, constructed and marketed. There are of course a few basics that everyone will need to pay for, thereafter the considerations and costs will vary depending on your intentions.
The first cost you will incur is in the registration of your domain name. Registering a domain name is in itself a simple and relatively painless process, typically costing you between £5 to £10 as an annual fee. However, as you will no doubt realise you need to choose a name that is unique and one that will be easily marketable. If you have a business with a unique name or operating area then a domain name may be easy to come by. However, if you are working with an exclusively online business model you will need to take your time and pick an effective domain name with relevant keywords to market your business. Since most meaningful domain names have already been purchased, many of them by firms and individuals who have bought them specifically to resell at a profit, there may be an additional one off purchase cost, perhaps via a domain broker.
The second cost you'll need to pay is that of web hosting. Every website needs some online storage space to "live" on. Packages, features and quality vary widely and some advice from your web designer may be beneficial at this stage. Although web hosting packages can cost from as little as £2 a month, and there are even some companies who will host for free, many of these packages impose horrendous constraints and may swamp your site with advertising. Decent professional hosting is likely to start at £10 to £20 per month and will rise as your traffic levels and thus the service you require from the hosting company increase.
Once you have your web space and domain name, you will need a site. This is where the website cost can really vary. It ultimately depends on the size and complexity of the site needed. This will determine what technology must be used in its construction and how much resource that is likely to require. Don't, however, fall into the trap of believing that building it yourself must be cheaper. Unless you have significant web development skills of your own and the cost of your time is minimal (after all, you have a business to run), the real costs of using a web designer to create the site are likely to compare favourably.
Web design and construction is about far more than just aesthetics. It is vital to take into account Search Engine Optimisation techniques (SEO) in order to ensure that your website performs well in the search engines over time. This will drive natural (free) traffic to the site, offering a return on investment that is unmatched in virtually any other marketing channel, online or offline. As such the site needs to be designed around relevant keywords or search terms from the outset. These will require research and are the terms your potential consumers are likely to enter into a search engines when looking for the type of goods or services you provide.
The website cost can be as little as £200 to get a basic, single or two-page website online with an attractive, user friendly design that won't put off the casual browser. Since professional web designers maintain libraries of sites and site components, they can offer a huge head start. Thus, at the other end of the scale you can expect a pretty serious site for a few thousand pounds.
Web Design Directory – A list of website designers in London that you can use to compare.


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Gattuso set to Rangers return.. ?
Thread starter Blyndreaper
Blyndreaper
Well, like all of you, i know what Glasgow Rangers are going through. I was born in Scotland, my Scottish team has always been Rangers, i don't follow them a lot, i kinda laugh at the "ice cream and jelly" chants, mainly because i don't really feel the passion for football in Scotland, but anyway, i still like the "old firm" atmosphere, as i've been in a few ones. And today i saw this.. One of my favorite all time players coming back..
Gattuso targets Rangers return | Football Italia | www.football-italia.net
So, i want to ask anyone who's into football in Scotland, can Rangers sign him? I've been hearing all of those things during this season, saying Rangers are about to "die" and that next season we can't sign anyone.. Does that mean we can't get free players aswell ?
From what i've been hearing around here (Portugal), Gattuso is available to play without getting paid, so.. If anyone can answer me, thanks .
Edit: I mean, it would be interesting to see Gattuso back in a old firm, clashing with Scott Brown .
StuW
www.theawaystand.co.uk
Seeing as he is on his way from AC Milan, I think he is an attainable signing for Rangers, but there will be a lot of interest in him from 'bigger' clubs on the continent.
Seano
May aswell re-sign Sebo while they're at it
Aannddyy
Super Duper Moderator
www.fm-base.co.uk
StuW said:
Really? Like who? He's 36. Can't imagine many clubs will be interested.
I think he has three avenues, Stay in Italy and play for another team/ Join an MLS club/ Go to play in Asia. Rangers could be his only way to stay at a "top" club.
Aannddyy said:
There are a few clubs in Italy(apparently Napoli is one) plus the moneybags in UAE/China, and then he will be a target for an MLS club
maxy67
Read these reports from Italian sources, don't think Rangers could pay his wages though.
If it did happen would love to see Gatusso and Scott Brown in a game against each other, would be interesting to see who wins the inevitable boxing match.
You confused me by saying "on the continent". But yeah, the rest is pretty much what I said.
maxy67 said:
Well he said he would love to play for them, and that he does not care about money.. It's obviously something he's genuinly considering.
Some of you are talking about MLS, Asia, etc.. But he said he said it was his dream to come back and he doesn't care about the money.. I mean, he could always make a season at Rangers and move to another place after..
His wife is Scottish and has always said he loved his time at Rangers. At the moment, Rangers are under an embargo which stops them from signing any new players over the age of 17.
Unless it's overturned, I can't see it happening. Would love him to smack Scott Brown though.
joshmcph
He has said he is going to be taking a break from football for a year to concentrate on his restaurant then he wants a return to Rangers
Kris said:
Still a bit sore after Broonie and the rest of the celts put 5 past you on the weekend? lol
Ahaha i'd love to see him smash that **** aswell.
iNickStuff
Moving back to Perugia is an option, as well as joining Raul's pathway and heading for the Arab leagues, settling in there and comfortably transitioning into retirement, or, he will follow Inzaghi's and do his coaching badges soon. Who knows? I think that he may play for one more year and hang it up, but I can also see him going to a Serie B side for a while.
The Bath Manager
'Would love to see the boxing match [Gattuso vs Brown].'
Why would anyone want to see their captain get beat up by Gattuso?
Gattuso would maul the lego-eater.
Exactly ! But well, i honestly think Gattuso can give the lads the motivation they need for the next season.. This season Rangers didn't have a guy that they could call LEADER... Gattuso is the man for the job!
Arn't Rangers allowed to sign players with no fee?
I saw a rumour linking them with Heskey earlier.
Chaz Sexington
What Kris said, minus the violence.
They have a transfer ban, so they won't be able to sign anyone, and they still owe 40 million to the tax man... And all their players are going for cut price in the summer.
Rangers in crisis: Seven Ibrox stars worth £25m can go for just £8m following pay cut deals - The Daily Record
Ruling hasn't yet been made, and it's not set in stone that they leave, especially if they get a favourable ruling.


"Implementation of underground longhole directional drilling technology" by Fangtian Wang, Ting Ren et al.
Wang, F., Ren, T. X., Tu, S., Hungerford, F. & Aziz, N. (2012). Implementation of underground longhole directional drilling technology for greenhouse gas mitigation in Chinese coal mines. International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, 11 290-303.


For regular readers to this blog, know that when one of the newspapers do the promotions with free Lego sets, I get these sets and take pictures of them in different settings, see HERE. Well on November 12th the Lego group tweeted that they will no longer be giving away sets within the Daily Mail newspaper.
The Daily Mail was the latest paper to take over these promotions as a few years ago was mainly the Daily Mirror, then sometimes the Sun. This decision from Lego seems to with social media campaign "Stopfundinghate" because of the political views of the newspaper.
Myself personally I don't buy any newspaper, and when these promotions were on I only used to buy the papers for the Lego, as did work out reasonable value for the polybag set. Sometimes had to get at least 3 newspapers so that each of the kids could have a set. I would get the papers remove the tokens if they hadn't been crossed out and give the papers to passersby as I left the shop. I never read the newspaper but kept at least one, mainly for filling packaging for the stuff I sell on ebay.
This isn't the first time Lego have disbanded associations with companies. As in 2014 because of a Greenpeace campaign about Artic oil reserves, Lego group ended it association with Shell.
So personally no great loss for me, though again was nice to get some different polybags when they were in the paper. The last lot they did over two weekends a few weeks ago, to be honest didn't even know the offer was on, Only realised on the last Sunday and got the frozen beach set.
Next story To Go Out Into The Rain or Not?


Well, it's a new month and we have been busy. Our latest project is coming to an end. The Cherokee Rose cottage is now redecorated. We hope to have the inside completed this week, then we will spiffy up the outside with a new brighter paint when we get a nice long break in the rain. This cottage has four bedrooms and one and a half bathrooms.
Here is a floor plan of the Cherokee Rose. It is a little outdated, because this was the original floor plan when they were in the planning stages and it is not completely accurate, but it will give you an idea of the general layout of things.
There are three bedrooms with an small additional loft area. One half-bath is upstairs and one full bath downstairs. It also has a screen porch with a large hot tub. It can sleep seven comfortably with a two bedrooms downstairs, one with a king bed and one with a queen bed, then three twin beds upstairs.
We would like to welcome you to our new website. Lots of things going on: new website, Cherokee Rose being remodeled, moving forward with The Persecution, the weather turning colder, lots of groups visiting, the list goes on.


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Listening for the bullfrogs in a city that has grown too fast for its own good.
"Once the bullfrogs start, it's a sign that the rains are over," my Mum always said.
It is day three of the North East monsoon attack on Tamil Nadu. The trains have stopped. The drains have stopped. In most parts of the city, the current has stopped. Trees have dropped. They lie in obscene tangles, their branches outstretched, catching at passersby, asking for help. The rivers are rising. Life as we know it has come to a standstill.
Only the bullfrogs of Chennai are rocking. They begin with a chorus of hoarse calls to their mates. For months, they have been lying dormant under the earth. The rain sets them free to perform their mating rituals. They perform their Louis Armstrong imitations. They get ready to march. Just like the Saints, the bullfrogs of Chennai are marching in. And boy, do they get their number! When it's that time, the trumpets sound and that City, gateway to the South, pride of the Dravidians, comes floating by.
By Sunday, November 15, Chennai is too waterlogged to march.
I am sending silent e-mails to my mother complaining that her theories no longer hold good. Even the bullfrogs have wisened up. They are no longer croaking. There are rumors that there are snakes now. They are attacking the frogs. We don't dare go out into our own garden.
After three days of intermittent rainstorms, Chennai records 245 mm of rain. The Chennai Meteorological Department warns that there is more rain to come. They have been forecasting the onset of a harsh monsoon for the last two months. When it arrives no one quite believes it is happening. We have had six months of water starvation. For months, water lorries and tankers supply water from the outlying areas to the city in buckets. We have deepened our wells and employed water diviners to tell us where we might find the aquifers to sink our bore wells. We learn to sip water that has been drawn deep from the earth and spit it out.
"Too brackish. Too metallic. It will rust your guts." But everywhere there is the sound of pounding. It's not just the bore wells that drill holes into the flat cityscape, but the foundations for the pylons that will string a network of flyovers across the city.
We can't believe that it's raining. It's actually been raining for the past ten days. It's only when the rivers start rising that it dawns on us that we are in the midst of a major natural calamity.
We've had our tsunami moment in 2004. Since then, the repeat performance of floods due to the monsoon in 2005, 2010, 2013 and now 2015 have left us almost waiting for the dark. We are disaster freaks. We are so immune to disaster that until we hear about it on the media, or read about it from the morning newspapers we don't notice that the flood waters are creeping into our homes. We ignore the cars that are wallowing in dirty water like water buffaloes. We stand along the ocean's edge on Marina beach, one known as the second-longest sandy beach in the world and look at the urchins swimming in pools of water formed by the rain-water filling the sand in waist-deep stretches. Even the beach is inundated.
On Sunday night, the rain takes on the form of a bombardment. The telephone lines are still working. I am on the line with a young family that has moved into a house one street away from the main road. They tell me that they have moved into a ground floor house from the 17th-floor of an apartment in a newly built area called Chemmencherry, close to the electronic highway that now defines Chennai at OMR, or Old Mahabalipuram. They have a young child. The locals tell them that the Cooum River is rising. The river will soon be in their house.
"You better move in with us," I tell them. We wait till midnight. That's when I know that the tide will turn. The waters will subside. And yes, the bullfrogs know it too. They start croaking again in the early hours of the morning. We have survived the night. The schools are filling up with displaced people. Others just lie in the open under blue plastic sheets. Bus stops provide a temporary shelter. In one of the neighborhood autorickshaws I notice that a family of kittens has made a home. There's still a sense of community amongst the ordinary folk of the city.
Chennai drowning is the most unreported event. Of course, the timing is also wrong. In the wake of the horrors recorded by and on the international networks about the terror strikes in Paris, the pugilistic fury of the political pundits shadow boxing on the daily Goswami rabble stadium, Chennai's ordeal appears irretrievably local. In a city of five million, or thereabouts, a hundred dead, or thereabouts, does not warrant too much media space.
It's not just the timing that has led to Chennai drowning but not waving. Geographically and politically it is too close to the ground, too far south, too mired in the darkness of the Dravidian family discourse, to warrant the attention of the national interest.
There is of course Chennai's famous resilience to natural and humanoid disasters that we citizens can count upon. As environmentalists like to say, a river never forgets its history. In times of crisis it returns to its bed. So also in the case of the two major rivers that define the city, the Cooum and the Adyar, (a third river Kosathalaiyar feeds the life-giving lakes in the north west), and the British-era Buckingham Canal that cuts through in a north-south direction have dictated the deployment of people in clusters along its sides.
Before becoming a booming electronic hub, Chennai used to crawl back at night and revert to a series of villages. Each of these villages used to have a temple with a tank to conserve water, and inlets leading to the tank or lake were kept open. There used to be 650 such water bodies in the city. Now by most accounts, there are just 27. Unlike other coastal cities, Chennai is as flat as a dosa, with an average elevation of 6.7 metres above the mean sea level with many areas that are marshlands. These shallow lakes and man-made tanks were an essential part of the city's natural cycle of self-preservation. As it happened, the areas least affected by the floods were the older parts of the city, where temple tanks remembered their history and culverts and drains constructed in the 19th century managed to find ways to carry the overflow.
On Monday morning, we hear that one of the largest of the water bodies has breached its bank.
"The Chembarambakkam Lake has broken its banks!" The cry is taken up with additional rumors that some miscreants have deliberately allowed the floodwaters to flow into the city.
In the some of the newly developed estates of the feeder communities servicing Chennai's electronic lifeline at Old Mahabalipuram Road, the floodwaters have no memory of where to go. They craw into every subway, underpass and ground floor households bringing in leeches, scorpions, toads and water snakes.
Even further down the OMR highway at Chemmencherry, where my newly found family of a young couple lived, there is a crisis. There is a clash of lifestyle. Low-rise communities surround the high-rise apartments. Both are now flooded by the opening of the Chembarambakkam Lake. After the fifth day of rain, the inhabitants in the high-rise DLF apartments have no choice but to leave their homes. Not many want to do that. They have children, infants in arms. The only option is to get into the boats deployed hastily by various authorities, the police, the Navy, the fire brigade.
When they get into the boats, the Low-Risers, the people who live in the newly built Tsunami Villages surrounding DLF, stop the boats. "Why should only the affluent be evacuated?" they ask. "Why not us?" Small boys swim across the water and attempt to topple the boats. There are rumors that they have thrown poisonous snakes into some of the boats. "The snakes will bite you!" they scream at the High-Risers. Even snakes, it seems, are well trained to bite only the rich and not those who are swimming in the water. Many of the High-Risers have to get out of the boats and wade through the mud to safety.
One of the interesting sidelights of this conflict is that the people who live in the Tsunami Villages are not all fisherfolk. They are some of the people displaced from the communities that lived along the Cooum and Buckingham Canal to make way for the plans to convert Chennai into the Singapore of the South. In the haste to create redraw the contours of the city, people living along the rivers' edge have been brutally re-located. Lacking a sense of community, or being forced to live in arid clusters of concrete blocks, far from their original places of work, they have now reverted to a hunter-gatherer phase of existence.
When I go to the riverbank of the Cooum near our house, I notice that at least a hundred people are camping outside of their washed-out homes. They are sleeping in the open next to the heaving black river.
In Amma country, the Amma Canteens have been providing hot food in vast quantities to the flood affected, as well as a solatium of rice, kerosene, a sari, a dhoti and Rs. 1,000 in cash for those who have a rice ration card.
"I really enjoyed the last time there was a flood, I was given a splendid sari and enough food for a week," claims one of the lucky winners of the November 2015 Chennai rains.
For some, it is a lottery of rain-bearing gifts. For others the time to listen to the frogs.
Asked, "Are they bullfrogs?" I said yes, or perhaps birds.
But I knew all the time they were only ducks.
From Vijay Nambisan's poem, Dirge.


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Police, Fire, and ... $38,870/year 2012-2016 -3.3%
Solar Photovoltaic ... $39,240/year /> 2012-2016 +91.5%
Can I File for Unemployment If I Lost My Job Four Years Ago & Did Not File at That Time?
Cam Merritt
Hero Images/Hero Images/GettyImages
The U.S. Department of Labor advises people to file for unemployment benefits as soon as they lose their jobs. One reason is that it takes a few weeks to process a new claim. Another is that you're only eligible if you've worked for wages in the recent past. If you lost your job four years ago, did not file at that time and haven't been working since, it's unlikely that you will be able to receive benefits now.
Every state draws up its own rules as to who is eligible for unemployment benefits, so the specific criteria vary from one state to the next. Generally, though, to receive benefits, you must be unemployed "through no fault of your own," as the Labor Department puts it. You also must be able and willing to work. And you must have worked for wages during a recent time frame, called your "base period."
Base Period
Base periods are calculated using the idea of "calendar quarters." These are three-month segments of the year: January to March, April to June, July to September and October to December. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, nearly every state uses the same base period: the first four of the last five completed quarters before the date you file a claim for benefits. That's a mouthful, but in practice, it's not too complicated. Say you applied for jobless benefits on August 20, 2015. The most recently completed calendar quarter would be April-to-June 2015. Your base period would then be the four quarters before that one, or the 12-month period running from April 2014 to March 2015. In no state does the standard base period go back four years. So if you haven't earned wages in four years, you're not going to be eligible.
Alternative Base Periods
You must have earned a specific amount of money within your base period to qualify for benefits. Workers whose base-period earnings aren't high enough to qualify may be able to substitute an alternative base period. About one-third of states offer an alternative base period, usually the last four completed quarters. The alternative period is always closer to the date you file your claim, not farther in the past, so a claim based on a job loss four years ago won't qualify for the alternative base period either.
Extended Base Period
There is one circumstance in which wages from several years in the past could be considered. A little less than half the states offer an "extended base period" for people who suffered an illness or injury that kept them from working. They can file for benefits based on their wages before they suffered the injury or illness. However, state laws vary in how far back an extended base period can go; in many cases, even the extended period won't go back four years.
Can I File Unemployment the Year After?→
Reasons to Reopen an Unemployment Claim→
Can I Collect Unemployment if I Only Worked There for 2 Weeks?→
Is It Too Late to File for Unemployment If I Got Fired From My Job Over a Year Ago?→
Can I Renew My Unemployment Each Year?→
How Long Do You Have to File Unemployment?→
U.S. Department of Labor; State Unemployment Insurance Benefits; January 2010
National Conference of State Legislatures: Unemployment Insurance Base Periods
Cam Merritt is a writer and editor specializing in business, personal finance and home design. He has contributed to USA Today, The Des Moines Register and Better Homes and Gardens"publications. Merritt has a journalism degree from Drake University and is pursuing an MBA from the University of Iowa.


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It's interesting that what we can instantly spot in other parents, we rarely see in ourselves. Here's a check-list to see if you're in "sports-parent" denial. Check off all the items that apply to you. There will be a scoring key at the end.
1. You use the word "we" when referring to your child's team.
2. You cheer and applaud only for your own child.
3. You try hard to be the coach's best friend.
4. You know the referees and umpires by their first names.
5. The referees and umpires know you by your first name.
6. The athletic director sits close by you during games.
7. You get more excited on game days than your kids do.
8. You're sure you know more about the sport than your child does, even though you never played it!
9. You use a stopwatch to keep track of exactly how much playing time your child gets.
10. Your vehicles sport numerous bumper stickers with school logos.
12. While in the stands, you keep statistics (like batting averages) and you update them throughout the game.
13. You keep stats on every member of the team.
14. You wear your child's team or school paraphernalia from head-to-toe.
15. You dress this way even on days when there isn't a game.
16. This is a serious one: You child is injured and you actually consider letting him or her play because it's an "important" game.
18. You know the players on the opposing team by name.
19. You know their parents.
20. You know all the websites where there may be coverage of your child's team.
21. You scout upcoming opponents.
22. You use a stopwatch during soccer games to keep track of the time. When necessary, you "correct" the referees.
23. You have your kids "held back" in school so they can repeat a grade for an athletic advantage.
24. You sell your home and move to another town so your child can play for a certain team or coach.
25. You complain that the local paper doesn't cover T-ball.
26. You come out of the stands and cheer right alongside the cheerleaders.
27. You have a video archive of footage for every moment your child has ever played.
28. You have a newspaper archive for every sports-related reference to your child.
29. You miss work to attend practices and you're not even a coach!
30. You bring hand-made cardboard signs for every game.
31. You have these signs professionally made.
32. You own a rule book.
33. Just in case, you take your rule book to every game.
SCORING KEY: If you think that showing this check-list to others would be informative and amusing — you're probably not "over the top." But, if you're considering hiding this article from your spouse and kids — you probably have a problem.
ONE LAST THING: Remember, the games belong to the kids and not the parents.
I found a few things in Dr. Gilberts list I have been known to do. However, #21 was done at the request of the team coach and while not the coach's best friend, I consider it a privilege to be considered his freind.


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Improving Lives as a Way of Life
by Susan Barnett
October 4, 2018 July 27, 2020
I found myself in the back of a Land Rover with two civil engineers in the middle of rural Ethiopia. To say life sometimes really hits unexpectedly is an understatement. But it's the most apt description of the lives of Mike and Gerard.
At age 31, Mike Paddock was diagnosed with stage 4 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. It had spread to his bone marrow and he was given three to six months to live. "It was harder on my family than [on] me," he told me two decades later.
Finding himself quite unexpectedly in full remission, he and his wife, Cathy, plotted the securing of their future so that they could let Mike loose on the world. And that is how Mike Paddock, a civil engineer who ran multibillion-dollar freeway and expressway projects in Wisconsin, became a full-time volunteer engineer four years ago, traveling to some of the most impoverished and devastated places on earth to help rebuild after natural disasters, conflicts, and famines.
"I do this because there may be no tomorrow," he told me as we bumped along on the 12-hour drive, adding, "and you gotta marry a saint." When he's back home in Milwaukee, Mike's 8-acre backyard is filled with experimental water projects, geothermal and solar energy systems, rainwater catchments, filters, and composting devices. He's threatened to get a herd of goats, but Cathy put her foot down, knowing she'd be tending to them while Mike was away on his many trips with Engineers Without Borders USA, Bridges to Prosperity, miscellaneous nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and as a consultant to the United Nations and the U.S. Agency for International Development. And while organizations sometimes pick up his travel, he won't take a penny in pay.
He recently logged his 20,000th hour of volunteer engineering service, which began 20 years ago when he read about an international student program in his Michigan Tech alumni magazine. He offered to help and within six weeks found himself in Bolivia, helping student engineers build new schools with water/sanitation/hygiene (WASH), facilities that dramatically improve student health and help keep them in school. They also bring wastewater treatment to the broader community. This water work is life-saving work. Health, education, poverty-reduction, and productivity are impossible without access to safe water and sanitation.
Back from Bolivia, Mike learned that Marquette University students were designing and building bridges in Guatemala. He was off again and has been volunteering with Bridges to Prosperity for 12 years now, making Guatemala practically his second home and incorporating WASH into his work there.
Even before becoming a full-time volunteer, he was spending 12 weeks a year (vacation plus unpaid leave) on overseas volunteer assignments.
But back to that Land Rover.… I was traveling with Mike and fellow engineer Gerard Dalziel earlier this year as a volunteer with Village Health Partnership, VHP, whose mission is to improve maternal and child health systems in Ethiopia.
But Ethiopia is hardly alone. Around the world, the lack of WASH in health clinics and hospitals is appalling. A 2018 study of 78 low- and middle- income countries found 50 percent of healthcare facilities lacked piped water, 33 percent lacked basic toilets, and 39 percent lacked soap.
I had come to Ethiopia to learn more about the impact on those most vulnerable – newborns and pregnant women. (Meet one beautiful young mom living a preventable tragedy; I'll never forget her.) Mike and Gerard, both traveling with Engineers Without Borders USA, were there to evaluate and advise on a number of potential WASH projects in a healthcare facility.
I saw firsthand Mike's kid-in-a-candy-store thrill at bringing water to people. When he dons his black work gloves and fishing cap, he's at his happiest, though he'll often say "Wasted water makes me crabby."
But I never saw Mike crabby.
Maybe that's because I saw him chalk up his 53rd, 54th, and 55th well repair during various trips to Ethiopia. Sustainability is a massive issue. There are, in fact, uncountable broken, nonfunctioning wells, water pumps, and sinks across the developing world because, too often, well-meaning charity projects lack plans to train and fund ongoing maintenance. So a water project becomes a nice photo op with thankful villagers and a story to tell back home, but 50 percent of these one-off projects fail. Larger-development NGOs and government projects face similar challenges with disrepair. Mike told me that many of the pumps he'd fixed are sitting on veritable swimming pools of water but when water no longer comes out, communities assume the well has gone dry. Sustainability means having committed local leaders, trained people, and funds to keep systems running after they're installed.
Continue reading at news.asce.org
Susan Barnett is the founder of the nonprofit Faiths for Safe Water, an advocacy project that focuses the faith voice on global water issues.
With your help, we are changing the lives of women in rural Ethiopia – one mother at a time.


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International Sport - New chapter
Dakar Rally to be held in 'unknown' Saudi Arabia in 2020
Qatar's Nasser Al-Attiyah of (R) won this year's Dakar in Peru / © AFP/File
The Dakar Rally will be held in Saudi Arabia from 2020, organisers announced Monday, offering contestants an "unknown landscape and uncharted terrain".
"After 30 years of discovering the beauty of Africa and a decade of adventure exploring the spectacular landscape of South America, a new chapter in the history of Dakar will be written as the world's biggest rally makes its Middle East debut in Saudi Arabia," ASO said in a statement.
The Dakar has been held in South America since 2009. The gruelling multi-stage rally was previously held in Africa but was relocated after terrorist threats in Mauritania in 2008.
Dakar director David Castera described the relocation to Saudi Arabia in a five-year deal as "a voyage into the unknown".
"By going to Saudi Arabia, it is of course that aspect that fascinates me," Castera said.
"I'm convinced that such a feeling will be shared by all the riders, drivers and copilots. As the director of the event, it's a massive challenge to be faced with a blank page with limitless possibilities."
Castera said Saudi Arabia offered up "a monumental geography, made for the most audacious itineraries".
"We are spoilt for choice. Sports, navigation, a will to surpass oneself: all these aspects will naturally be glorified on this territory made for rally-raids."
Saudi Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Faisal al-Saud, chairman of the Islamic kingdom's General Sports Authority, said hosting the Dakar was part of Riyadh's wider economic and social plan.
"The vision and guidance of our leaders have made our dreams and ambitions limitless and have set the sports scene in the kingdom on a remarkable success route," he said.
"Today we are thrilled to announce that Rally Dakar, an event with a huge global appeal is coming to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Middle East for the first time. Our country is extremely passionate about sport and our strategic goal is to feed that appetite as we move further towards achieving Vision 2030, of which sport is a basic pillar."
- Embracing sport -
Vision 2030 is a blueprint drawn up by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz aimed at creating a "strong, thriving and stable Saudi Arabia that provides opportunity for all" by diversifying the economy to help ride challenges thrown up by changeable global energy prices and also by implementing social and lifestyle changes.
On the sporting front, Saudi authorities have already been busy trying to make it into an international hub, much as their regional rivals the United Arab Emirates and Qatar have.
Saudi Arabia have recently hosted the WWE Crown Jewel, a Formula-E race on the streets of Riyadh and January's Italian Super Cup between AC Milan and Juventus, while an exhibition match between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal in December was called off because the latter was injured.
George Groves and Callum Smith battled it out for the WBA super-middleweight and World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) titles in Jeddah, while American Dustin Johnson won the European Tour's inaugural Saudi International in February.
"In hosting the Dakar Rally we aim to produce an unbelievable and unforgettable experience for drivers as they discover the beauty of Saudi nature and a unique spectacle for motorsport fans not only in Saudi Arabia but also in the region and around the world," said Saudi sports supremo Prince Abdulaziz.


An extension can be a great way to improve your home without moving. Quite often a simple solution can dramatically change the character of a house and provide that extra space required for a growing family or changing needs. Extending your home can be a great investment, adding space and improving your homes market value.
What options do I have for extending my home?
Over the years, we have extended many homes in Northern Ireland in a variety of ways. Each house is unique and one solution will not work for every scenario.
The most common types of extension are rear extensions, side extensions and a wrapped extension. It may be possible to also extend to the front of your house but this tends to be a little more restrictive and less common.
Planning and calculating Total Costs is one of the most important parts of a project.
The complexity of the project can have an impact on the cost and an architect can offer you advice based on their experience working on similar projects. An appropriate builder can guide you on budget costs at an early stage.
Most people start a project and quite often only think about the build costs. How much for the bricks and mortar, the kitchen and bathrooms, the tiles and décor? These are all very important elements but there are also other costs that need to be factored in to ensure that the project is achievable. Let's look at what some of these could be.
Statutory Approvals – Planning Approval and Building Control Approval.
Contractor Costs – Will you engage one main contractor for the build or employ direct labour?
The cost of insurance – Insurance cost depends on whether you use one main contractor or employ direct labour.
As you can see there are many things to consider, therefore it is important to speak to an architect early in the process.
Yes. Construction projects are all about communication and the best way to communicate the details of your project is through drawings. These will be required for obtaining statutory approvals, quotes from builders and finally used as construction documents for the builder when they are onsite.
In some instances, it is possible to carry out a small extension or make alterations to your property without planning permission. This must meet specific requirements which are set out under Permitted Development.
This webpage gives a simple overview on what falls within permitted development.
If your project does not fall within permitted development criteria a planning application will be required. This application will require you (or your Architect) to submit an application form, a set of existing and proposed drawings and a fee to cover the application fee.
Is this the same as Building Control Approval?
No, Building Control Approval is a separate requirement. So, what are they for and why do I need it?
Building Regulations in Northern Ireland are necessary to ensure that an acceptable standard of construction is achieved to protect the health and safety of people in and around buildings and to regulate access to buildings and apply energy conservation regulations.
Building Regulations apply to most 'building work'. This requires you to make an application before proceeding with the work. Building Control applications must be submitted to Building Control Services within your local council. Applications are required for new build, property extensions and work of a minor nature; particularly installing fittings, new heating appliances and systems, altering a building's structure, changing the use of a building or building work affecting fire safety.
How do I find a Builder?
If you have employed an Architect, they will be able to recommend several good builders that they have experience working with. Quite often our clients will suggest builders that have worked for their family members or friends and have come recommended.
In all cases, we would always ask for a few references from previous employers, especially from employers who have used the builder on similar projects to theirs.
Ensure all your documentation is in place before seeking quotes. For example – Drawings, Specifications & Approvals.
Get Quotes from at least 3 Builders to ensure you are getting a competitive quote.
Make sure that your builder is fully insured.
Ask your builder do they offer any form of guarantee, or better still, insist that they enter a building contract covering all parties during AND after the works.
In our next BLOG post we will look at design options to consider when planning your house extension. Thanks for reading.


Cierra Ramirez attended the 4th Annual Power 106 Celebrity Basketball Game benefitting Homeboy Industries at the USC Galen Center on Sunday, September 20, 2015. She attended the event with her boyfriend, Jeff as well as her sister, Savannah. During the game, Cierra introduced Sean Kingston. Watch the clip Cierra posted to twitter here.
Cierra Ramirez talks all things music and the soon-to-be release of her upcoming EP, album dream collabs, acting, Houston vs. L.A., her alter ego 'Miss Thang' , and more! Credits to the interviewer for asking Cierra such interesting questions and keeping the interview fun. Check out the fun interview below and be sure to give Cierra a follow at her new Youtube channel here where she is sure to be posting a lot of interesting things in the future.
Interview is not mine. Don't know who the interviewer was but all credit goes to them.


View our most current Central Valley Visitors Guide online with great information about the cities and counties in California's Central Valley. To request to have a visitors guide mailed to you, please fill out the order form below.
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Dedicated Development Teams
Prototyping and MVP
Product Design Workshop
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GMI Superhero – This is our CEO ;)
By Sławomir Sawicki
GMI Group Wins Top App Developer in Warsaw Award
Scrum – 10 steps to product success
By Piotr Jarzyna
Software House Without an Office part 1: The advantage of a remote IT company over a traditional one
By Mikołaj Lehman
Sławomir Sawicki
Get to know us better! It's time to present our team. People who together build up the spirit and strength of the GMI Group. Without them it would be impossible. We'd like to introduce a man without whom we...
GMI Group has recently received a new award: Top App Developer in Warsaw. GMI Group is pleased to be recognized for our hard work over ten years as a small app development company. We specialize in custom software and product...
Piotr Jarzyna
How did it happen that a few months after a product's release on the market, its features did not match the needs of users? How does it feel when the whole business plan is only suitable for being put...
Mikołaj Lehman
IT projects are more often taking place almost entirely online. Cooperation with freelancers seems to be quite obvious to, as do other forms of outsourcing certain aspects of our business, when your company is already short in terms of...
Superhero GMI – remember my name ;) #2
Get to know us better! It's time to present our team. People who together build up the spirit and strength of the GMI Group. Without them it would be impossible. We'd like to start a series from the good...
What Really Makes Software House a Good Business Partner
How do you recognize software developers that will bring significant value for your technology project? What makes a dev team worth your attention? To achieve success with your product development, you will need to track down a software house...
Get to know us better! It's time to present our team. People who together build up the spirit and strength of the GMI Group. Without them it would be impossible. We'd like to start a series from the good...
The 9 biggest errors in the evaluation of an IT project – How to avoid them?
We are facing a very important stage of application development. However, the valuation of an IT project carries with it a high risk of errors that will burden our entire venture. What are the mistakes and how can you...
How to Discover a Reliable Technology Partner with Clutch?
This decision can either jeopardize your project (or even your entire digital business) or bring you closer to success. Signing a B2B contract with a software house is a severe and challenging decision. How to make it wise and...
Evaluation of application – Why is one offer for 10,000 and the other for 250,000?
Again, we approach here a very sensitive and extremely important issue – the evaluation of an IT project. At the beginning of July 2018, we unveiled the 9 most common mistakes committed at this stage of cooperation with the...
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"Well, it's for sure that Clare Flourish is not "Transgender for Dummies." I read her blog regularly, and I don't think I've gotten through a single post without having to visit Dictionary.com to find the meaning of a word she has used. She certainly offers something for which I can contemplate in most every post.
For whatever reason, I've always been a pretty sensitive person. Being raised as a male, with the assistance of testosterone, had been enough to keep most public demonstration of my sensitivity to a minimum. When I finally declared that I was going to live the rest of my life as the woman I know I was born to be, I found much relief in being allowed to express my emotions more freely. I tend to shed tears at the, seemingly, most silly little things. The only reason I might try to gain control over them, these days, is to keep from messing up my makeup! :-) "
I would agree Clare Flourish is no dummy! Didn't mean to imply she was. More precisely, I was trying to say I was the dummy.
My view on HRT is it is a stepping stone. In many instances such as I, it has provided me a much needed edge in be able to to present more favorably as a trans woman. I was far from a "natural." So, as far as I am concerned, HRT fueled me to where I wanted to go. On the other hand, HRT is far from the miracle worker many perceive it to be. As with any other medical procedure, it all needs to be kept in perspective.
I know a couple novice transgender women who are so convinced HRT is the magic stepping stone to bottom surgery, they have it all laid out in their minds how quick it all can happen. Both have barely taken the time to live a feminized existence.
Needless to say, it is a radically different deal when you start to live full time.
I didn't mean to imply that you were saying Clare was a dummy at all. She just doesn't ever spell things out in the simple terms you would expect to find in a "Transgender for Dummies" manual. What she does do, through her writings, is to give the reader a deeper meaning to a subject.
My point to my whole comment was that transitioning, and whether HRT is the correct or necessary step for the individual, should be undergone with some insight and understanding. I have seen those who go ahead with only the hope (or belief) that HRT will, alone, bring them the enlightenment and peace they are desiring. The emotional turmoil that can come with the introduction of those powerful hormones might cause one to be even more confused, if not preceded by some understanding. That's why it's important to seek out proper professional help, as well as a support network, before starting HRT.
I was mostly offering my perspective as one who is transitioning, and not able to do so with any HRT. I would take the hormones in a heartbeat, if I could, but now I know that it could be one of my last heartbeats, if I did. Instead, I have had to rely on stripping away the male facade I had created for my own survival (or what I thought was survival) by giving myself permission to live and behave in a way that was more natural to me. I'm pretty sure that HRT would have expedited and intensified that process (fueled it), but I think I've found my peace without it. If I've fooled myself, well, I guess that would have been by my own doing, then.


Shirin Ebadi is fighting for a new interpretation of Islamic Shari'a laws. In the opinion of the Iranian Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, the interpretation of the Shari'a permitting discrimination of women is incorrect. She emphasises that women are protesting against these laws. As a lawyer and a human rights defender in Iran, she is giving priority to working towards changing this interpretation of Islam.


text:
Characters, Female Characters, Orpheus Family,
Fictional characters who use magic
Brimstone Assembly
The Outrider (husband)
Triana Orpheus (daughter)
Dr. Orpheus (ex-husband)
Tatyana is a minor recurring nonspeaking character on The Venture Bros. She is the ex-wife of Dr. Orpheus and the mother of Triana Orpheus.
Character History Edit
Tatyana is a sorceress who left her first husband, Byron Orpheus, for a younger necromancer, his former student The Outrider. Her daughter Triana is currently living with her, studying magic.
Tatyana has yet to have a real speaking role. During Operation P.R.O.M. she was mostly seen either drinking or in the background. She either trusts Triana very much, as she lets her daughter act more independently, or she doesn't seem to really care for her daughter, while The Outrider seems very open to being a parent to Triana and is involved. Tatyana did manage to take some photos of her daughter and Dean about to go to prom. Near the end, when The Outrider asked her if she remembered Triana going to her boyfriend Raven's house, Tatyana merely shrugged and went back in the house for a drink.
She and The Outrider made an appearance in A Very Venture Halloween when Orpheus and all the other wizards and sorcerers held the annual Brimstone Assembly meeting. Naturally, being a sorceress Tatyana attended, in a scanty outfit alongside her younger husband The Outrider. Her outfit brought some attention from Jefferson Twilight. When it came time for their turn to perform magic, they were a bit unorthodox. The Outrider and Tatyana performed their "Transfer everyone to Hell" illusion. After facing off against Toaster Face, The Outrider solved the Rubik's Cube and returned the Assembly to Orpheus' quarters.
Their performance upset Orpheus as well as Dragoon, who was still attached to Red Mantle from the Guild. But even Red Mantle himself had to admit it was too disturbing and kinky for his taste. Whether out of awkwardness seeing them together or their performance, as he worried if Triana was exposed to this on a regular basis, Orpheus went out for some air. Unbeknownst to Orpheus, the Alchemist decided to get everyone to join together to raise an army of zombies. While the magic-hating Dragoon was against it, they ignored him, and everyone including Tatyana and The Outrider were for the idea.
Not thinking for others' safety, Tatyana and the others rose an undead army of zombies, unknowingly from the Potter's field on the Venture Compound. This was the very same field where Dr. Venture and Brock hid most of the dead bodies of enemies and henchmen that attacked the premises. Father Christmas (Santa Claus) appeared at the party and the Assembly realized that it was The Master in one of his many forms. He quickly complained how he had to destroy the zombies they brought back to life. He chastised them for forgetting the true meaning of Christmas, when a baby was born to remind them not to raise armies of the dead.
Orpheus returned inside to grab some hors d'oeuvres for trick r' treaters, instead finding The Master there. The Master complained about the Assembly misusing their magic to summon zombies, and Orpheus was angry that they summoned zombies when there were children around. The Master told him that everything is cool, since he already lectured them. He then complimented Orpheus before disappearing.
After the Master left, The Alchemist apologized for not thinking. But Orpheus quickly forgave them, and told the Assembly that Halloween is a special night: the night that they put on costumes so that they can become themselves and find out who they really are. Even if some of the costumes are bit provocative; meaning Tatyana's. When the camera panned to her, she affectionately hugged The Outrider who returned the gesture, showing they still have a good relationship.
Episode Appearances Edit
Eeny, Meeny, Miney...Magic! (mentioned)
The Better Man (her form is taken by The Master)
She's inspired by or is most likely a parody of DC Comics' Zatanna Zatara (The Mistress of Magic) and Marvel Comics' Clea, sorceress and ex-lover of Doctor Strange.
Her outfit looks like a more revealing version of the dress worn by Lily Munster on The Munsters (1964).
The Master takes the form of Tatyana.
Retrieved from "https://venturebrothers.fandom.com/wiki/Tatyana?oldid=46960"
Orpheus Family