+ * Due to the way the network is currently configured, the multicast data gets sent to the Modem/Router/Wireless Access Point device as well. This floods the wireless connection with data and renders it unusable until the stream is switched off.
+ By default Pulseaudio the address 224.0.0.56 as the target for the RTP multicast stream. The switch I have (a TP-Link TP1600G-24TS) has the facility to do IGMP snooping to allow multicast data to be restricted to ports where clients have requested the stream, i.e. ports where no clients have requested streaming data will not get it. This seems to be the solution to the wireless flooding issue, and to this end I disabled the wireless on my router, and plugged a wireless access point into a free port on the switch.
+ After enabling IGMP snooping, MLD snooping, and Querier config, one would have expected RTP data to stop being sent to the access point port. Unfortunately this was not the case.
+ I eventually noticed that the Multicast Traffic Table function on the switch would only accept an IP address between 224.0.1.0 and 239.255.255.255 - Pulseaudio was not using a streaming address in this range. According to RFC5771, the 224.0.0.0 is for multicast to the local subnetwork only, which looks, to my limited knowledge of the subject, like the correct range to use, but suffers from not being filterable by the switch. To this end, I simply has Pulseaudio use 224.0.1.56 instead, and altered the default.pa configuration files on the server and clients to reflect this.
+ Simply using the 224.0.1.x subnet is probably not the right solution, but it works in this case. I should probably use one of the ad-hoc subnets (224.0.2.0 to 224.0.255.255, 224.3.0.0 to 224.4.255.255, 233.252.0.0 to 233.255.255.255) or the administratively scoped range (233.0.0.0 to 239.255.255.249), but for the time being I'll use the wrong subnet.
+ After far too much reading about Multicasting, it would seem that the range to use is the 239.255.0.0 to 239.255.255.255 range which is the Site Local Scope. The 224.0.0.x range is the Link Local range and is expected to be broadcast to all local hosts as it contains assorted protocols that clients/servers use to do multicasting. TP-Link is probably right not to allow blocking of this range. Why Pulseaudio uses a default in this range is unknown.
+ Install ptpd and ntp on a server, and ptpd on clients on all the PCs - removing ntp from them if necessary. So the server uses NTP to set its clock, and PTPd (master) to synchronise the clients (slaves) with it.
+ Download the minimal Raspian OS image from here, and unzip.
+ Plug Pi into a monitor, keyboard, and a network cable from the Linux PC. Insert SD card and boot.
+ IP address will be something like 169.254.1.214 - note this number.
+ Login to Pi as pi:raspberry.
+ To see the current network settings. The line staring 'iface eth0' is the one to look for.
+ Just for testing purposes, I'll give the Pi a static IP (it's only connected to a single PC). Once testing and development has been done it will get an address via DHCP on the main network.
+ Sudo nano /etc/hosts, edit 127.0.1.1 raspberrypi  to have the desired hostname.
+ Need to do the above before setting up the fixed IP above.
+ Since running Pulseaudio as a daemon will have it running as root, and this is a security issue, we'll set the RPi to autologin as 'pi'.


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Cognitive behavioral control of arthritis pain.
Cognitive-behavioral approaches appear to offer a viable alternative for the management of arthritis pain. Controlled studies have documented the efficacy of CBT protocols for managing pain in individuals having OA and RA. Preliminary studies examining the efficacy of CBT for FM patients have also yielded encouraging results. A number of clinical and research issues need attention if CBT is to be incorporated into rheumatology practice settings. These issues include identifying the most important components of CBT, developing strategies for matching CBT interventions to patients' readiness for behavior change, testing the efficacy of different therapy formats (e.g., individual versus group), broadening the scope of CBT to address issues other than pain, and insurance reimbursement.


>   newByteChannel() at about the same time.
>   will stick around long after they could otherwise be gc'd.
set.  Rajendra, do you have cycles to fix this?
>   FileSystem objects when called with two different env Maps?
underlying zip file and this can be transparent to the user of the API.


text:
Death of granddaughter of Sigmund Freud .. The woman who stubbornly opposed her grandfather
According to the Washington Post, Sophie Freud died at her home in the US state of Massachusetts at the age of 93.
The late Andrea Freud said her mother was pregnant with Lovenstein's daughter US Citizenship She also died of complications Pancreatic cancer.
Sophie is the eldest son of Sigmund Freud and the last granddaughter of the famous psychologist who revolutionized the popular notion of the human mind through the School of Psychoanalysis in the last century.
Freud came up with theories of the conflict between the so-called "ego" and the "super-ego" in the human psyche, and he also focused on factors such as dreams in expressing the inner self.
Freud's influence extended to other schools of psychology, and he made a significant mark in the field of literature with his many fictional works.
The late Sophie, who came to the United States as a refugee during World War II, studied social work at American universities for decades.
Sophie Freud has focused on providing psychological support through many charitable and humanitarian efforts, and is keen to discuss and explore what her grandfather brought up in previous reports because she is an independent researcher with her own opinion.
In 2002, Sophie gave an example of how she expressed great distrust of her grandfather Freud's principles, and the girl became jealous of the boy because he had a genitals and thought he was superior to her.
The late woman went so far as to describe her grandfather's theory of this jealousy as "meaningless" and compared his words to the words of a three-year-old child.
See also High school students begin a statistics test. Education determines who is responsible for electronic fraud
Previous Two studies: Some cancer patients 'do not' need chemotherapy or radiation
Next "Seeing" series of dreams … a sign of serious illness

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
module.exports = {
    /** name:reexport.foo */
    foo: function foo() {}
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Cortana is a top-notch virtual assistant. But here's the most important fact: Windows 9's killer app is Cortana, and Cortana's killer app is Windows 9.
The company should roll out a "Windows Technical Preview" aimed at enterprise customers, developers and power users. The press got to preview the "Preview" in the form of leaked screenshots and videos.
In one video, we saw a new Start menu that comes with the addition of Live Tiles, a virtual desktop feature and—in keeping with trends across all major desktop and mobile operating systems—a revamped Notification Center.
There will be other benefits and improvements as well, but one update stands above them all: The coming integration of Cortana. The German blog WinFuture published screenshots this week showing Microsoft's Cortana virtual assistant in Windows 9.
The expansion of Cortana from Windows Phone to desktop Windows has been widely rumored. But the reports have not dealt with the implications for business and technology managers.
Before we talk about the impact of Cortana, let's back up and look at the virtual assistant category. There are currently just two somewhat widely used mainstream virtual assistant features: Apple's Siri and Google's Google Now.
Each of these is both brilliant and flawed in its own way. Siri is more "human like"—more convincing as a virtual person. And it integrates nicely with a small number of Apple-selected services, such as Wolfram-Alpha.
Google Now performs the magic of preemption. It reads your Gmail, watches your Web surfing habits and checks your calendar to pop up super-relevant cards out of the blue. For example, Google Now notices that airline confirmation you got in your inbox some time ago, then, at just the right time, it reminds you to get going to the airport (based on real-time traffic information).
What's interesting about both Siri and Google Now is that both are primarily smartphone- and tablet-accessible. Apple uses Siri in its CarPlay dashboard platform. Google also built Google Now into its Chrome browser.
Of all the computing platforms in our lives—and the ones coming to our lives soon—smartphones and tablets are the least virtual-assistant friendly. The reason is that, ultimately, virtual assistants should be "ambient." That means you just talk—no fishing the device out of a pocket or purse—and the assistant does things, finds out information and answers questions.
Wearable computing devices are better, theoretically, than smartphones and tablets for virtual assistants because they're actually on you and can be activated with a simple gesture. For example, with Android Wear, just raising the wrist and saying, "OK Google," activates Google Now.
With both Siri and Google Now on a smartphone, you have to fish your phone out, then explicitly remember to use the assistant. Instead of it just "being there," it's essentially an app that has to be deliberately launched and used. (It's not an arduous task with an iPhone, as you simply press the home button.) This is the simple reason why the vast majority of smartphone users don't use Siri or Google Now with any sort of regularity.
Ultimately, the most ambient application for virtual assistants will happen when they're built into our environments—our homes, cars and offices. I do mean and, not or. Imagine a world in which an always-listening microphone connected to a human-like virtual assistant is in every room we enter and is also built into our watches. That's the world we're rapidly approaching.
As the technologies behind these virtual assistants become better, more powerful, faster, more accurate and more reliable, talking to them will become our primary user interface to the Internet, as well as to our own personal information and communications.
Some people have had glimpses of this world. For example, Moto X users have the ability to just talk to their phone (assuming they're out of their pockets or purses at the time) because the phone is always listening. And Ferrari buyers in Italy are getting Apple's CarPlay, with integrated Siri.
But here's the thing: Most people aren't Moto X owners or Italian Ferrari drivers. However, most people in the business world are Windows users, and that's why Cortana is so interesting.
In the quest to have ambient virtual assistants everywhere for everybody, Cortana on Windows is a major step forward because it puts an ambient virtual assistant in your office, home and laptop.


text:
Lady Vaqs Upset the Monarchs
Sean Lamar
The Lady Vaqueros softball team turned their luck around on March 23 with an eleventh hour victory at Glendale Sports Complex against the LA Valley Monarchs.
The Lady Vaqs have had a tough season dealing with the tragic loss of fellow teammate Elena Kramer, 19, who died in a car accident on January 4. Kramer was on her way to practice on the first day of winter session when the unfortunate incident took place.
It seemed grim for Glendale when the Monarchs scored in the second inning, and again in the fourth, but that did not phase the Lady Vaqs they pulled themselves together and scored all three runs in the bottom of the seventh-inning.
"We needed this win," said Head Coach Sal Pizzo. The Vaqueros have been on a losing streak with a record of 1-5 in conference and 4-13-1 overall.
Outfielder Camille Ochoa has the best batting average on the team. She wasn't aware of it, but once she found out, it gave her a confidence boost.
"I had no idea, my goal was to at least be top three and I'm happy to hear that I'm at the top," Ochoa said after scoring the game winning run. "This was a fresh breath and I hope that this translates to the next game. The girls really needed this win."
"She's so calm and collected in every pressure situation," Pizzo said. "She's always the first to take the strike."
First basemen Samantha Madrano played a huge factor in the seventh-inning, setting up the game-winning run for Ochoa and another teammate to score at the very last second, putting the team ahead by one point with a final score of 3-2.
"I got chills … finally got a win," Madrano said.
The Lady Vaqs will go into the next game more confident and with clear minds against Santa Monica college Thursday at the Glendale Sports Complex at 2:30 p.m.
Sean Lamar, Staff Writer


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Rahima is a seasoned navigator in the realms of the soul. To over 30 year's professional training and experience, she adds a depth of understanding from her ongoing inner work, spiritual practice, ceremony, and vision quests. Through her inner journey and her work with others, she has found that free creative and symbolic expression fosters self-acceptance, deepens our connection with our souls and with Spirit, and empowers us to follow our unique path to a soul-satisfying life.
Her first year of college at Cairo American University in Egypt enhanced Rahima's interest in the human condition, leading her to major in Sociology and Anthropology at UC-Berkeley. In the early 1970's she completed a BA in Sociology and an MA in Social Psychology at the University of Illinois at Chicago Circle. After living in Ethiopia for two years wither first husband, she returned to California. She worked in survey research and social service jobs, and then spent six years working for the Social Security Administration.
In 1978, she entered the first accredited MA program in transpersonal psychology at John F. Kennedy University, then in Orinda, CA, where she completed Master's Degrees in Clinical Psychology and Transpersonal Counseling, graduating in 1981.
As part of her counseling internship, she studied Jungian psychology and dreamwork with Strephon Kaplan Williams at his Jungian-Senoi Dreamwork Institute in Berkeley, and began to lead workshops and dream groups.
She continued her professional training, with extensive studies of Focusing, Self-Acceptance Training, Process-Oriented Psychology, and Sandtray WorldplayTM with Gisela Schubach De Domenico, PhD.
In 1994, she began her training in Expressive Art Therapy at the Person-Centered Expressive Therapy Institute, founded by Natalie Rogers, PhD, earning her Certificate in 1997.
Weaving all these strands together, she created a deep process of inner growth called SoulPlay, and led SoulPlay workshops and women's groups. She also led Image, Symbol and Dream trainings for psychotherapists and counselors.
In 2006, she closed her practice to focus on her creative writing and expressive painting, and her spiritual practice. She occasionally invites friends to join her for a morning of SoulPlay at a friend's expressive arts studio in Oakland, CA, where she maintains her extensive sandplay collection.
Since 2003, she has deepened her understanding of the spiritual dimensions of the human experience, studying the Diamond Logos teachings with Faisal Muqaddam.


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Melissa Marcy is a California Licensed Acupuncturist, Certified Massage Therapist, and Practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine specializing in pain management.


text:
AMS leads to marriage proposal!
Meet Raju (pictured here in the centre), a young man of 23 years old living with his parents in one of the many villages on the outskirts of Kolkata. Raju's father has been farming a small plot of leased land all his adult life and his two sons grew up helping him too, but, as the costs of farming increased year on year and his yield decreased, it became a struggle to earn enough to provide for the whole family. Gradually he fell more and more into debt, resorting to taking loans from expensive and unscrupulous money-lenders. Seeing no future in farming, Raju's brother moved to Kolkata in search of work and has not been home since. Raju began to think this was the only option left to him as well and, together with a friend, he booked a train ticket to Chennai, a city over 1,000 miles from home. At this point, Raju and his father found out about our programme, Agri-management Services, and they both attended a community meeting in the village hosted by our field team. We introduced the programme and explained how our farming techniques and services could make their farming business profitable again by reducing their input costs and increasing their yields. Raju was reluctant to join, especially as he now had his train ticket to Chennai in his pocket. Our LSP managed to persuade him to stay for at least one more crop cycle to prove that AMS would works and would bring the results to turn their farming business around. Raju stayed and they completed our training programme. At the end of that season they made a profit of Rs. 10,000 (about £114). Raju and his father were delighted, reporting they had never made this much profit in their whole life.
Raju now says that cancelling the train ticket and joining our AMS programme was the best decision he had ever taken in his life. He is now leasing an additional plot of land and, alongside his father, is growing crops based on our training and guidance. They have already repaid the money-lender and so now their income can be used to care for the family. Raju told his friends who moved to the city about our programme and how well he is doing back in the village. Three of his friends have come home and they too have joined our AMS programme. To add to his success, Raju is now seen as a very eligible bachelor and is receiving many proposals of marriage!
Saktipada Biswas
Sabita Majhi


text:
How do you explain the rise of fundamentalism?
Jon Meacham
Jon Meacham is the Editor of Newsweek magazine. Since starting there as a writer in 1995, he has also served as the national affairs editor and managing editor. He now supervises and occasionally contributes to Newsweek's coverage of politics, international affairs, and breaking news. Meacham is the author of two New York Times bestsellers: American Gospel: God, the Founding Fathers, and the Making of a Nation (2006), and Franklin and Winston: An Intimate Portrait of an Epic Friendship (2003), which won the 2005 Emery Reves Award and the William H. Colby Military Writers Symposium's Book of the Year Award. His latest book, American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House, was published by Random House on November 11, 2008.
Meacham has written for The New York Times Book Review, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times Book Review, and The Washington Post Book World. He is also a contributing editor for The Washington Monthly. In 2001, he edited Voices in Our Blood: America's Best on the Civil Rights Movement (Random House), a collection of distinguished nonfiction about the mid-century struggle against Jim Crow. Born in Chattanooga in 1969, Meacham graduated from The University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, with a degree summa cum laude in English Literature. He is also a member of the Board of Regents of The University of the South, the Vestry of Trinity Church Wall Street, the Leadership Council of the Harvard Divinity School and the Council on Foreign Relations. He received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from the Berkeley Divinity School at Yale University in 2005 and also holds three honorary doctorates. He and his wife live in New York City with their two children.
Jon Meacham: I think that literalism – fundamentalism – is the refuge for people who are fearful. I think that it's much easier to put on a coat of amour and stand still, or to fight blindly or reflexively, than to judge the slings and arrows of fortune as they come because that part's scary. It's hard to try to reconcile . . . I believe in a god who ultimately is a force of love and justice, and yet children have cancer and children starve. I mean that's an utterly . . . they seem utterly incompatible. And that's very hard, and it's a mystery, and I have no earthly idea how to reconcile them; but I'm gonna try because to be fundamentalist on either side is to foreclose whole realms of experience, and thought, and potential illumination. If one's entirely secular, then you foreclose the possibility of the miraculous. If you're entirely fundamentalist in Christian terms, then you are accepting as inerrant a book and a tradition that is clearly the product of human hands and hearts. So that, to me, is an irrational reaction to scripture. Scripture is fascinating, but it's a historical document; and it's as flawed as any other historical document. So my sense of fundamentalism is people who want a comfortable way to react to an ever-changing world tend to seek refuge in a more fundamentalist world view than I'm comfortable with. Literalism. Literalism. Yeah, that's good a moment ago. Islamic literalism. It's Christian literalism. It's this idea that we have access to the complete truth and all the answers, and that those who do not agree with us are somehow subhuman, are infidels, are justifiable targets. And we got in trouble in epically tragic terms in the 20th Century when various people, various systems dehumanized others, and that's essentially what we're living with now. And the engine of that dehumanization is a fundamentalist view in one's own virtue and one's own . . . the correctness of one's own. So to me the largest story of our time will be a reformation, a moderation of forces of extremism around the world, including some at home, but chiefly around the world. Because people are sometimes a little, I think, too sanguine about terrorism. The idea is, well, al-Qaeda is "small beer", I think the Economist put it recently. Yeah, unless you lost someone, or unless there's a weapon of mass destruction that falls into the wrong hands. So whatever we can do to reduce the oxygen flow to those pockets of hate and destruction, I think we'll be what this generation is remembered for or not.
Recorded on: 7/3/2007
Literalism is a refuge for those who are fearful.


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We will supply you with a free no obligation quotation. We will not make promises we cannot keep and if we feel that a high standard of clean will not be achieved on you carpets, rugs or upholstered furniture we will advise you.


text:
Mulligan & The Freight Train: Former Rivals Team Up in 1979
Mid-Atlantic Wrestling's Topsy-Turvy Autumn of 1979 - Part 1
by David Chappell
Mid-Atlantic Gateway
Being in the middle of the fall season right now, it made me think about an autumn of yesteryear in Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling where everything seemed to me to be turned upside down. The fall in question was in 1979, and back then I was amazed at how the Mid-Atlantic alliances of grapplers had been turned on their collective heads from when I first became fully immersed in Mid-Atlantic Wrestling in the years of 1975-76.
I will be highlighting in the coming weeks a number of highly unlikely combinations of Mid-Atlantic wrestlers that very unexpectedly came together briefly in the fall of 1979, being viewed through the lens of these same wrestlers being arch enemies in 1975-76!
The duo first up is the big Texan from Eagle Pass, Blackjack Mulligan and the perennial fan favorite from Dillon, South Carolina, Rufus R. "Freight Train" Jones!
* * * * * * * * * *
BLACKJACK MULLIGAN AND RUFUS R. JONES
Blackjack Mulligan became the top "bad guy" in Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling when he toppled Paul Jones for the United States Heavyweight Title in March of 1976. As much as the brutal and arrogant Mulligan was despised by the Mid-Atlantic fans, the love those same fans felt for the "King of Wrestling" Rufus R. Jones was on an equal footing at the other end of the love-hate spectrum.
It was inevitable that this showdown between good and evil for the U.S. belt would play out in Mid-Atlantic rings for the rest of 1976 into early 1977. And boy did it ever! Blackjack injuring Rufus' cousin Burrhead Jones only added more fuel to the fire. During much of 1976, Blackjack and Rufus battled in many specialty matches over the United States Heavyweight Championship, including Fence matches, Texas Death matches, No Disqualification matches and Cotton Field matches.
While Rufus was never successful in capturing the U.S. Title, the bouts were so intense and the fans were so into the program between these two, that Blackjack told the Gateway years later that he lobbied Jim Crockett, Jr. to put the Title on Rufus during that time period. One thing was clear to me, Rufus and Blackjack were such bitter enemies and so different in every way that there was ZERO chance they would ever be tag team partners. Well, let's fast forward to the fall of 1979 when the unthinkable happened!
Rufus R. Jones was always the consummate "good guy" in Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling, but when he departed the territory in the spring of 1977 his future stints in Jim Crockett Promotions were more sporadic and of shorter duration and didn't always line up with when Blackjack Mulligan was in the area. For instance, when Rufus returned to the territory early in 1979 Mulligan had just departed the area after being injured by John Studd.
The biggest change involving Mulligan in the intervening years was that he had amazingly become a "good guy" himself in April of 1978, when he and Ric Flair started feuding. When Blackjack returned to the Mid-Atlantic area from his six-month hiatus in 1979, he and his former bitter adversary Rufus Jones were both on the fan favorite side of Jim Crockett's talent ledger at the same time. And the unthinkable would soon happen!
On the World Wide Wrestling television show that aired on WRAL TV 5 in Raleigh, North Carolina on Saturday October 6, 1979, an amazing visual occurred when announcer Rich Landrum began a local promo for the card in Dorton Arena in Raleigh on Tuesday night, October 9, 1979. Blackjack Mulligan and Rufus R. Jones came out on the interview set TOGETHER to speak to the fans about their match as tag team partners, against Buddy Rogers and Jimmy Snuka!
A smiling Mulligan told Landrum and the Raleigh fans, "It looks like it's gonna take a pretty good combination to slow these two down, and I've got beside me right here, gonna be with me, Rufus R. Jones! I'd rather not have anybody else in the world with me! Rupert, you just hold that Snuka and let me get these big hands around that Rogers' throat and choke those eyeballs out brother."
Rufus added, "Let me tell you something Jack, I'm with you all the way Jack, right here in Raleigh Tuesday night. The people gonna watch Blackjack Mulligan and Rufus Jones together for the first time! And it's for a reason too…it's for Buddy Rogers and Jimmy Snuka. We gonna do it to you brother, we gonna do it to you Tuesday night! You gonna holler and squeal, but it'll do you no good at all! The Freight Train and Blackjack Mulligan gonna do it to you baby!
While Blackjack and Rufus actually teamed up a few weeks earlier than the October 9th bout in Raleigh, defeating John Studd and Snuka in Fayetteville, NC on September 3, 1979, and beating Paul Jones and Baron von Raschke on September 14, 1979, in Charleston, SC, it was still surreal to hear them extolling each other's virtues in advance of the Raleigh show!
A week and a half later Mully and Rufus again teamed up and battled Jones and Raschke in Aiken, SC. Within the succeeding two weeks, the "Freight Train" and Mulligan were again partners as part of six-man teams against Buddy Rogers and his charges. And then, without warning, this unlikely teaming of Rufus and Blackjack ended nearly as quickly as it began. But after their vicious battles against each other in 1976, the autumn of 1979 brought us an ever so brief pairing of Blackjack Mulligan and Rufus R. Jones that to this day is still difficult to comprehend!
Arch rivals Ric Flair and Tim "Mr. Wrestling" Woods briefly team up in the fall of 1979!
Filed under: 1970s, 1979, Blackjack Mulligan, Chappell, Rufus R. Jones
U.S. Title Book Review: Jim Crockett's All-America...
Wrestling Art: Blackjack Mulligan on the Cover of ...
Paul Jones Reflects on Thanksgiving Night 1975
Happy Thanksgiving from the Mid-Atlantic Gateway!
Tony Schiavone feature on WFXR TV (Roanoke VA)
A Briscos/Funks Showcase on Thanksgiving Night in ...
Poster: Flair and Valentine Battle for the U.S. Ti...
Coming Soon: Mid-Atlantic Magazine Covers We Wish ...
Four Horsemen in Hardcover
Jerry Blackwell and the Concession Stand
Mulligan & The Freight Train: Former Rivals Team U...
Jack Brisco vs. Ric Flair (1982)
Poster: Hawk/Hanson vs. the Andersons in a Battle ...
Greg Valentine Comes to Atlanta for the Georgia He...


Bitumen Collector Because black metal.
UInterests One of the greatest bands going today. Favorite track: The Funeral of Existence.
Vladimir Poutine Absolutely excellent black metal. Perfect, spacious production, mournful and quasi-psychedelic guitar melodies, actual swaggering grooves and riffs from time to time, plenty of blasting, expansive compositions ... this has it all. Good for everyone from Emperor to Pink Floyd fans. Favorite track: The Firstborn From Murk.
Miro Iscariot Seen you perform at Gothoom and it was the biggest discovery of the entire fest. Unbelievable black hail to CZ and visit Slovakia more often. Favorite track: The Funeral of Existence.
Lacertilian This is the complete package.
Highly recommended! Favorite track: The Funeral of Existence.
By unifying elements that make black metal special, Inferno set out on a tumultuous journey towards their own massive sounding. The band took a leap forward over their previous release, "Black Devotion". Dissonant passages go now hand in hand with a delicate use of psychedelia, the compositions became more demanding. While straightforward black metal and melodic riffs are still present, "Omniabsence Filled By His Greatness" gained in terms of quality, atmosphere and song-writing.


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text:
Piano Concerto No.23 in A major (3) Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Classical musicians want tax breaks from "aggressive regime"
An open letter from classical musicians and music organisations has hit out at the "aggressive" tax regime in place for artists visiting from abroad.
Orchestral musicians from a variety of ensembles and groups have signed an open letter to The Telegraph newspaper calling for tax breaks for visiting musicians and artists. In the letter, they describe the current tax conventions as "discriminatory and intensely bureaucratic".
Drawing a comparison with visiting sports stars and athletes who are exempt from withholding tax, the letter takes issue with the "aggress tax regime for visiting musicians and artists."
The comments in the letter have been sparked by Chancellor George Osborne's announcement that athletes competing at the London Athletics Grand Prix would not face any punitive taxes on earnings they make in the UK.
Signed by directors and executives including Michael Eakin from the RLPO, John Gilhooly from Wigmore Hall and Leslie East from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, the letter also states that major concerts and festivals are no different in cultural importance to the Champions League Final or the London Athletics Grand Prix.
It continues: "We would support any move that enabled British orchestras and concert halls to continue to attract the world's finest musicians and to compete in the global marketplace, so enabling them to survive during these difficult times."
You can read the full letter here.


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Challenge: Life Changes
When the world is upside down: 23 ways to support grieving parents
Published by Linda Dahlstrom Anderson on October 26, 2016
This is the advice I never want to have to give. Or rather, it's the advice I never want anyone to ever need. But the hardest of all truths is that sometimes the order of the world turns upside down and children die. In the 11 years since my firstborn son Phoenix died, I've heard from many people wondering what they can do for a loved one or colleague who has lost a child. I began keeping this list, which has evolved with the help from other bereaved parents who have added their own suggestions. I hope no one you know ever needs to know these things. But in case they ever do, here is what I send:
First of all, thank you for wanting to help support a parent who has lost a child. Please know that you may feel like you don't know what to do or say. No one does. Even those of us who have lost a child sometimes struggle to know how to be there for another newly bereaved parent. But you can do this. Below is a list of some suggestions of helpful things that beautiful friends did for my husband and me after our son Phoenix died and also suggestions from other families who have lost a child. I didn't have the words to know what to ask for at the time but I was fortunate to be surrounded by friends who just did them. The most important thing to know is that simply by your desire to be there with someone in the midst of profound loss, you are showing a courageous heart and the most love possible. Thank you.
Here are 23 suggestions for ways to help:
Show up. Show up in whatever way feels right. Show up by sending a text. Show up by sending a card. Show up in person if that is something the parents want. Many bereaved parents feel like aliens. We represent everyone's worst nightmare and we are afraid our friends can't handle us. Keep showing up. I cannot stress how important this is.
Mark on your calendar when the child's birthday is and send the parents a card, email, text or flowers to arrive on that day. Do this for as many years into the future as you can. Do the same with the anniversary of her death.
Have no expectations of the family. They likely will not be able to respond to cards, texts, letters or phone calls. But keep showing up.
Sit with them in their pain and know you cannot fix it. Your presence and your love will offer the only balm there is.
If you are in their very close circle, offer to help with phone calls and notify others of the child's death. I will be forever grateful to my best friend, Jen, who while deeply grieving herself, made those most difficult phone calls, over and over, when my husband, Mike, and I could not.
Go to the memorial service if it is public.
It will be OK to cry in front of them.
Say the child's name out loud. Say it now, Say in in the years to come. Say it to her parents and her family. It will be the most beautiful music they will hear.
Talk about the child who has died. Bring up memories of him or of the beautiful way his mom or dad parented him. Do not be afraid of reminding them of something painful because a bereaved parent never forgets, not even when they sleep.
As much as you can, please let others around them know not to say that she is in a better place, this is God's will or that things happen for a reason. Those are intensely painful words for a grieving parent to hear. Nothing will make this "OK." Some people will also compliment a grieving parent for being "strong" or will say if it happened to them they could not survive it. Also not helpful. The parent has no choice but to survive it and also would have never thought they could have.
Do not expect them to "get over it." Bereaved parents learn to integrate the loss into their lives and can feel joy and happiness again, but you don't get over a loss like this. This kind of grief has no time table.
Support whatever the parents need to do. Suspend judgment.
If you don't know what to say you can say "I'm sorry. I love you. I'm here. I'm not going anywhere." You can say that over and over.
Follow the lead of the parents. What they want and need will change - sometime hourly - but go with it.
If the child has a sibling, follow the lead of that child. Offer opportunities to talk about the sibling who died when it seem natural (such as "Oh, you like that book? I remember Noah did too.") But know that kids are amazing at knowing when it's too much for them and will abruptly change the subject when they need to. Let that happen.
Offer to help in specific ways: bringing a meal, helping care for the other children, washing their clothes. Asking them what they need will be too big of question right now but you can say "Can I take your dog for a walk?" (or whatever). Spontaneously do household tasks such as emptying the garbage if you notice it's full. Or bring cleaning supplies in your bag, pop into the bathroom, and quietly clean it.
One of the kindest things someone did for me when I was out of my mind with grief and too overwhelmed to figure out how to even put together an outfit was to come over and arrange my clothes into outfits, including socks, that I could just pull out of the closet. Look for things like that.
If you are close to the family, make plans in the future. Some friends of ours took us out dinner every Wednesday for the first year after our son died. I relied on the routine. It didn't matter that I could barely eat. I could feel their love and that's what it was about.
Offer to help unsubscribe them from physical mail and email advertisements, publications, etc. targeted to parents that might be a painful for them to receive.
They will need you more in two months. By then people usually have gone back to normal and will have stopped checking in. Show up.
It may be hard for the parents to be around other children who are close in age to the child who died. Know that it is not personal and it does not mean the parents don't love those children, it is just how it is. (I am forever grateful to my friend who had a son very close in age to Phoenix who was patient and understood I wanted to be with her child but just couldn't. One time I had to run from the room in tears when he came over - I thought I could do it but could not. In time that changed for me.)
If there is a surviving child, offer to take that child out to do "normal" kid things such as go to a movie, go camping or play with friends.
Grief is physical. Offer the bereaved family gift cards for a massage or acupuncture if you can. Offer to help them find a yoga class and accompany them. Invite them for a walk.
Lastly, thank you. Thank you for your care and your bravery in wanting to be there for a bereaved friend. That is true love incarnate.
Linda Dahlstrom Anderson and her son, Phoenix, in June 2005, a month before he died at age 7 months.
Linda Dahlstrom Anderson
Linda Dahlstrom Anderson is a writer and editor living in Seattle with her husband, Mike, and her son, Gabriel. Follow her on twitter: @Linda_Dahlstrom.
"What should we do about sending our children back to school during a pandemic?" The impossible deci...
Congrats on 'keeping the kids alive,' from the mom who couldn't
Guiding Our Children Through Transitions: High School


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Officer fired after video shows him handcuffing, dragging Utah nurse
Posted 9:03 pm, October 10, 2017, by Tribune Media, Updated at 09:01PM, October 10, 2017
SALT LAKE CITY - Following the controversial arrest of a University of Utah nurse, one detective has been fired, and a lieutenant has been demoted.
Detective Jeff Payne and Lt. James Tracy came under public scrutiny in July after they arrested Alex Wubbels, who refused to conduct a blood draw, citing hospital policy.
According to a notice of employment termination, the Salt Lake City Police Department stated that Payne violated numerous police policies, and "dramatically undermined public respect."
"Based on the strong and compelling evidence as set forth above, I have lost faith and confidence in your ability to continue to serve as a member of the Salt Lake City Police Department," Chief Mike Brown said.
In a demotion decision for Tracy, Brown cited a number of policy violations, and a lack of restraint when dealing with hospital staff.
"Your lack of judgement and leadership in this matter is unacceptable, and as a result, I no longer believe that you can retain a leadership position in the department," Brown wrote.
Both officers were under administrative leave prior to the SLCPD's decision.
Alex Wubbels was working as the charge nurse on July 26 when an unconscious semi-truck driver was brought into the hospital. The driver had been struck by a motorist who was fleeing from Utah Highway Patrol troopers in Cache County.
A Salt Lake City Police officer arrested Wubbels after she refused the officer's demand to take a blood sample from the injured truck driver.
Wubbels told the officer that the hospital and police department already had a policy in place that blood could not be taken without consent from the patient, a warrant from a judge, or unless the patient was a suspect in a crime.
"I was just trying to do it the right way," Wubbels said. "If they need blood they need to go through the proper channels."
After displaying the blood draw protocol, the officer arrested Wubbels and placed her in his squad car. On the police body cam video, Wubbels can be heard screaming at the officer to stop.
"Please sir, you are hurting me," Wubbels says.
"Then walk," ordered the officer.
Karra Porter, Wubbels' attorney, said the incident was unlawful. The civil attorney was also critical of the University of Utah Police for not intervening to help the nurse.
University of Utah officials will be releasing new blood draw policies on Wednesday, October 11.
"The privacy and safety of our patients and staff is our utmost concern. Tomorrow we will be releasing our new policy regarding interactions between medical staff and law enforcement in our hospital," the university said in a statement.
Mayor Jackie Biskupski commended all those who helped with the investigation of Payne and Tracy, and acknowledged the pain it has caused the community.
Biskupski released the following statement:
"I also want to thank the residents of our community for their patience as we moved through this process. I recognize this incident has caused pain, confusion, and anger for many in our community—especially among our healthcare, law enforcement and emergency management professionals."
Filed in: Trending
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For my money, the two "go-to" entry-level computer networking certifications are CompTIA Network+ and Cisco's Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT). Those credentials are fine for information technology (IT) newcomers, but today I want to discuss a more pointed question: What are the networking certifications that are most difficult to achieve?
Notice my clause "difficult to achieve." The seven networking certifications I describe in this article are all considered advanced or expert-level titles, so you can reasonably expect their subject matter to be difficult. I also, however, considered complications such as an expensive lab or classroom training requirements in my calculus.
In point of fact, I know people who work with VMware every day who are unable to certify because they cannot afford the time and cost required in sitting for an authorized VMware training class that partially fulfills the certification's requirements.
Note that I present these seven advanced networking certifications in alphabetical order; the first one listed does not mean that I think it's the most or least difficult. Moreover, I provide a link to each certification's page at the vendor's site. We don't have the scope to break down every single exam requirement in this single article, so you can learn those details from the vendor.
My job is to give you an executive summary of what's available in this niche certification space. Let's begin!
Let's face it — for many IT professionals, Ethernet networking can be complicated enough to master. Add to that the software-defined networking (SDN) that works in public clouds like AWS or Microsoft Azure, and you find yourself faced with a significant learning curve.
As you might expect, all the Cisco certifications center their focus on designing, implementing, maintaining, and troubleshooting Cisco-based internetworking solutions. As a matter of fact, in the advanced networking certification realm, the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) vendors typically rule the day in that regard.
Cisco cuts candidates a break in that they are not required to have any associate- or professional-level Cisco credentials to qualify for the CCIE. On the other hand, you need to not only pass a traditional computer-based exam, but also sit for an eight-hour lab exam hosted at a Cisco CCIE lab location.
Yes, the lab exam involves working with real Cisco gear and solving real-world internetworking problems. This is one reason why the CCIE is such a highly valued credential — it's practically impossible to memorize your way to this credential.
As of this writing in fall 2018, the CCIE lab exam costs $1,600 per attempt, and you are responsible for your travel and expenses to and from the lab location. Cisco also offers a Mobile CCIE Labs option for candidates who do not live near a CCIE lab location.
Cisco has two entry-level networking certs: Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT) and Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA). People who hold one or both of those certs and who want to gain further validation of their Cisco internetworking expertise often turn to one of the professional-level titles.
These exams are legendary in their difficulty level. Not only is the subject matter itself intense, but also Cisco includes several simulation items that require you to perform router, switch, and firewall configuration in a simulated "live" network environment. The TSHOOT exam uses the case-study format, requiring you to think and act like a Cisco network architect or solutions consultant.
The CWNE is the only vendor-neutral title on this list. This title and its related credentials are hosted by an organization called Certified Wireless Network Professionals (CWNP). Confusingly, the group also hosts a certification with the same name (minus an S at the end of "Professionals") and initials.
As you might expect, any of the previous professional-level titles requires you already hold the Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA) cert. In addition, the CWNE requires documented industry experience.
Specifically, you must submit evidence of at least three years of enterprise wi-fi implementation experience, as well as provide essays to describe three representative projects. You also need to obtain three professional endorsements of that experience. All these materials are reviewed by the CWNE Board of Advisors.
You may exclaim, "Hey, doesn't the CWNE present a 'chicken and egg' problem? I want certification to get into the wi-fi industry full-time!" My response is that today we're concerned with advanced-level certification: Unless you already possess at least three years of full-time experience, you shouldn't consider this title in the first place.
The Enterprise Routing and Switching Expert (JNCIE-ENT) credential has requirements that are perhaps suspiciously similar to those of Cisco's CCIE. "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery," anyone? Yes, to earn your JNCIE-ENT, you need to pass both a traditional computer-based exam as well as an eight-hour lab exam at selected Juniper Networks testing centers. As of this writing, the lab exam costs $1,400, which again is close to the Cisco CCIE lab exam cost.
Finally, no associate- or professional-level Juniper Networks certification is required for you to pursue the JNCIE.
You cannot escape server virtualization nowadays, and I think that's a good thing for the industry and for our careers. Given that VMware is a market leader in the virtualization space, it makes sense why you may want to attain one or more VMware Certified Professional (VCP) credentials.
The training requirement represents quite a hurdle for some candidates. How many of us have employers who would excuse us for five days to attend an instructor-led class?
In (somewhat of) a concession to busy working professionals, VMware does offer some of its courses in an on-demand, computer-based training environment. Note that these courses are expensive. For example, as of this writing the Configure VMware vSphere: Install, Configure, Manage [V6.5] – On Demand course costs $4,125 for a one-month access subscription.
What's cool is that you can sit this exam in an online proctored version, so you could feasibly certify from the comfort of your work or home office. Or bedroom, if you're so inclined.
Anything you can do to "future-proof" your IT career is a good thing.
Some professional engagements (contract work with your government, for example) might require one or more certifications.
IT is moving faster than ever. Why not give yourself an incentive to keep current by studying for and earning an expert-level credential?
As I mentioned in the beginning of this piece, I encourage you to study the certification pages for the vendor(s) from whom you want to seek certification. Pay particular attention to their exam expiration and recertification policy. Nowadays, most certification vendors require periodic recertification (typically every three years) in order to ensure you are keeping your skills current.
IT certification exam preparation requires strategy. In closing, I encourage you to have a look at the free Microsoft Virtual Academy course I designed "Mastering Microsoft Certification Exam Prep." Although I presented that course for Microsoft, I humbly submit that all the cert prep advice I provide is relevant to any vendor's (or vendor-neutral) certification program.


Are Kids Happy With Healthy Lunches?
When the U.S. Congress passed the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act in 2010, it meant an overhaul of school nutrition standards (the requirements for school lunch and breakfast programs funded by the federal government). Those new standards were recommended by a panel of medical experts and implemented in 2012. And they were met with instant criticism: Pizza with whole-wheat crust? Forced fruits and vegetables? Kids won't stand for it! They'll dump their lunch in the trash rather than eat those required vegetables or meals with less salt, sugar, fat, and calories than they're used to.
Except that didn't happen. A three-year study of students in 12 middle schools analyzed food selection, consumption, and waste both before the standards were in place and after. Rather than tossing more food away, kids are actually more likely to consume the newly nutritious meals.
More fruit, please: Pre-standards, about half of kids chose fruit for lunch. Post-standards, the number rose to two-thirds. And did they actually eat those apples, pears, and grapes? Yes, at about the same rate as they always had.
Variety is a plus: When schools offered more kinds of fruit, kids were significantly more likely to take some as part of their lunch.
More veggies down the hatch: After the standards changed, kids didn't put as many vegetables on their lunch plates. But they did eat more of what they chose, for a net increase in veggies consumed vs. tossed in the garbage.
Less waste: Contrary to common fears, kids aren't rejecting the healthier versions of lunch entrees, like whole-grain bread and pasta. They're eating more of them than they did before, tossing out only 16 percent of their entrees (vs. 29 percent before the nutrition change).
"This research adds to evidence that the updated nutrition standards for the National School Lunch Program can succeed in helping students eat healthier," said Marlene Schwartz, Ph.D., the study's lead author and director of the Rudd Center. "Some have expressed concern about the requirement that students take a fruit or vegetable," Schwartz said. "We're seeing a very positive response from students."
This research supports the findings of another study, one that asked principals and school food service providers if kids liked the new meals. They do, said 70 percent of leaders in middle and elementary schools (the percentage was a bit lower for high schools, about 63 percent). And yes—this study did show that kids complained at first. But within six months, they had accepted the new meals. Elementary school leaders reported that the same number of students, or more, were purchasing school meals after the nutritional update.
Schwartz MB, Henderson KE, et al. New School Meal Regulations Increase Fruit Consumption and Do Not Increase Total Plate Waste. Childhood Obesity.
Turner L and Chaloupka FJ. Perceived Reactions of Elementary School Students to Changes in School Lunches After Implementation of the United States Department of Agriculture's New Meals Standards. Childhood Obesity, Vol. 10 No. 4, August 2014.


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Coast Guard Cutter Waesche conducts counterdrug operations in the Eastern Pacific Ocean [Image 9 of 11]
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NewsBLOGSBusinessEconomyGold as an asset – A solid hedge against volatility and inflation
Gold as an asset – A solid hedge against volatility and inflation
June 14, 2022, 11:49 PM IST Jaydeep Banerjee in Voices, Economy, TOI
Jaydeep Banerjee
Co-founder, Dvara SmartGold
India is the world's second-biggest gold consumer after China with more than 75% of Indian households owning gold in some form or another, across the country. It has grown at a CAGR of 14.5% over the past 50 years and is one of the most highly sought-after commodities in today's global environment. The Indian gems and jewellery industry is worth approximately INR 6.5 trillion and accounts for 90-95 percent of MSMEs. It employs about 6.1 million directly or indirectly across the entire value chain. By end of the year, this sector is estimated to employ about 9.4 million, which projects an incremental human resource requirement of 3.3 million. Moreover, 60% of gold jewellery is sold in rural India, which strives to solve some of their problems of financial safety, leaving open a wide spectrum of benefits and options, yet to be explored with the asset class.
Despite contrary views of financial pundits, investors consider gold as an asset for their long-term investments and use it to hedge against inflation and market volatility. In India, the middle-income group, or households earning ₹2-10 lakh a year, invests more in gold than the rich, accounting for about 56% of the annual gold intake of 800-850 tonnes, according to a National household survey of gold consumption done by the India Gold Policy Centre (IGPC). Kerala tops the rankings for spending on gold ornaments with its per capita spending being six times higher than Goa, which comes second in the spending index. Also, rural Kerala's per capita spending on gold ornaments is far ahead of the total per capita spending of all the other six top states by gold consumption.
However, constantly rising gold prices often make it difficult to acquire the metal. The Price of gold as of 2022 is Rs.52,690.00 (24 karats per 10 grams) as compared to Rs.48,720.00 in 2021. Therefore, by enabling customers with a chance to micro-save, gold becomes a regular asset to acquire, thereby further improving their liquidity positions and fulfilling their aspirations.
Gold as an asset class does not need an explanation as the intrinsic qualities of the metal speak for themselves. Gold is an instrument that rural India understands innately and has used for generations. It is both a symbol of social status and a strategic asset. It has emotional value and plays the role of a strategic asset in emergencies, as it aids in capital preservation and provides quick liquidity. The most recent decade is a testament to the value it holds in customers' minds: in periods of economic upheaval and times of stability, gold has kept investors' assets safe. In India, especially in the rural markets, customers have limited access to financial or savings instruments like mutual funds and equities, thereby further driving the demand for gold, more than in any other country in the world.
Gold is considered a safe hedge, especially in the face of the current market volatility and high inflation. As of April 2022, CPI was over 7.5% and analysts believe we may be entering a bear phase in the equities markets as bond yields have dropped in the face of possible future rate hikes by the RBI. Gold, therefore, is seen as a safe bet, especially in face of volatility in the financial markets. Recently, gold rose significantly as investors chose the asset class on the back of firming global trends and positive investment sentiments. The price of gold in India has been on the rise due to a dip in industrial production in China and the effects of a protracted lockdown. Also, despite the lower demand projected by OPEC members, crude oil prices have risen, boosting gold further. With Brent crude tumbling below $100 on plans to release record volumes of crude and oil products from strategic stocks and on continuing coronavirus lockdowns in China, the market volatility has been impacted in India and hence the dip in the gold price.
Compared to the organised gold loan market, the unorganised market has a much stronger presence in India. The unorganized sector, which accounts for 65 percent of the gold-loan market, includes moneylenders, pawnbrokers, and unregistered gold loan companies. This structure will transform with the launch of new-age fintech companies, catering to financial products in areas of microfinance, rural savings, insurance, and bank accounts in rural areas driven by cutting-edge technology and product innovation.
For instance, some companies allow customers to micro-save in Gold like a regular asset class, but without inconveniences associated with the traditional channels. Through uniquely designed gold micro-savings plans, they enable customers to save through small flexible instalments (SIPs) in grams of pure gold as per their cash availability. Their product helps households create a financial safety net seamlessly and digitally. Multiple options are available for customers to use their savings during emergencies or meet short – or long-term life goals, assuring its customers to secure Gold and in turn secure their futures.
For the industry, the vision to build full-stack financial services offering anchored around gold as an asset class is going to be an exciting opportunity; one that not just protects against volatility or inflation, but also empowers and enables the aspirations of millions of households in India.
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Views expressed above are the author's own.
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hd00:25KRIVIY RIH, UKRAINE - MARCH, 2019. Group of Hare Krishna People Playing Traditional Indian Instruments.
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module PostmarkRails
  class PreviewInterceptor
    def self.previewing_email(message)
      return unless message.templated?

      message.delivery_method(::Mail::Postmark, ::ActionMailer::Base.postmark_settings)
      message.prerender
    end
  end
end


A "gastronomique" is generally considered an encylopedia of gastronomy; a reference guide not just dedicated to food, but the relationships and impacts of the culinary arts upon culture... The idea of food as a fine art still life is as time-honored as art history can get. Recognition of food as fine art is obviously not a new thought at all. But as with the classic gastronomique, the paintings in this show do not seek to solely replicate the food (or food-related object) for the sake of its appearance, but also, to celebrate its individual charm and wider aesthetic meaning.
Food has the power to evoke sweet memories, to cross cultural boundaries, to nurture health, to revel in the moment, to sooth the soul. It is a very individual experience, based on one's palate and preference. These "minumentals" seek out those individuals, visually providing a touchstone to wonderful tastes, heady aromas, and joyful memories that linger because of the benevolent presence of great food in our lives.


text:
A Working Dog Production
Created by: Santo Cilauro, Tom Gleisner, Rob Sitch
Executive Producer: Michael Hirsh
Series Producer: Debra Herman
Producers: Santo Cilauro, Tom Gleisner, Rob Sitch
Writers: Santo Cilauro, Tom Gleisner, Rob Sitch
Director: Rob Sitch
Airing: July - October 2008 (ABC)
The Hollowmen is a comedy-drama set in the offices of the Central Policy Unit, a special think tank personally set up by the Prime Minister to help him in the most important job of all — getting re-elected. Their brief is "long term vision"; to stop worrying about tomorrow's headlines, and focus on next week's. The series examines the rise of a new class in Canberra - that of the professional advisor. In the past it was politicians, guided by public servants, who made the decisions. Today they have 'staffers', dozens of paid advisors. We don't vote for them, we don't even know their names, and we're not quite sure what they do. But they wield enormous influence. They are very much the power behind the power. They are The Hollowmen.
Lachy Hulme Murph
David James Phillip
Neil Melville Ian
Rob Sitch Tony
Merrick Watts Nick
Jacqui Brennan Mel
Santo Cilauro Theo
Stephen Hall Warren
Nicola Parry Holly
Rob Carlton Kenny Pratt
Graeme Blundell Geoff
The Hollowmen - ABC TV
Working Dog
"The Hollowmen" page created June 27, 2008


text:
North Korea's homemade handgun — the Type 70
Jon Guttman
The North Korean Type 70 pistol is a strange mix of US, Belgian and Chinese firearms. (Photo from Forgotten Weapons YouTube)
A rarity anywhere south of the Korean demilitarized zone is the North Korean Type 70, which Westerners able to get their hands on one have found to be a very serviceable service pistol.
North Korea's first truly indigenous handgun design, it is nevertheless an interesting conglomeration of features from other countries' guns, combined in a simple, effective firearm.
In the 1960s North Korea's state arsenals began manufacture of their own pistols with the Type 64, essentially a reverse-engineered, unlicensed copy of the Browning 1900 pistol produced by Belgium's Fabrique Nationale.
North Korean gunmakers used the FN/Browning 1900 as a template for their own domestic firearm. (Photo from Wikimedia Commons)
There has been no official explanation for using such an aged weapon as the model, but in 1909 a Korean officer in their occupied country used one to assassinate a Japanese political official—perhaps sentimentality, then, may lie behind that choice.
Their next effort, the Type 66, was a direct copy of the Soviet Makarov PM pistol of 1951, while the Type 68, copied the Soviet Tokarev TT33 of World War II fame.
With those copies providing experience in the art of gunsmithing, the North Koreans set two work on a more or less indigenous design to succeed the imported Chinese NORINCO Type 64 series of pistols that had served as their principal sidearms. The project came to fruition—and achieved acceptance in their armed forces in 1970—as the Type 70.
A simple blowback operated semiautomatic, single action gun with a detached barrel within the slide and an exposed hammer firing a 7.65x35mm .32ACP round, the Type 70 actually combined selected elements from such successful role models as the Makarov, the German Walther PPK and even the old FN 1900.
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The Soviet Makarov was a favorite of communist militaries for years. (Photo by Getty Images)
The muzzle, for example, is similar to the Makarov's, although the overall configuration of the gun is definitely not. Rounds are ejected out a port on the right side of the weapon, while the safety button above the trigger on the left side also served as the main locking block—pushing the entire crossbar out the right side allows the barrel assembly and recoil spring to come out for disassembly and cleaning.
Users of the Type 70 have been impressed with the overall simplicity with which all of its outside influences have been incorporated into a solid, reliable weapon.
Vertical grooves along the side of the handle culminating in an engraved star on the upper part—are another Makarov feature, which make for a firm hold on a pistol that is, overall, comfortable to handle. The trigger is likewise solid within the thick trigger guard and the heel release for the seen-round magazine is, like the gun overall, simple and reliable.
The Type 70 is 6.3 inches long, with a barrel length of 3.74 inches. Muzzle velocity is 1,035 feet per second for an effective range of 50 meters.
In this 1971 photo from North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency, distributed by Korea News Service, (North) Korean People's Army soldiers undertake firearm training. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP Images)
When introduced, the Type 70 was initially issued to high-ranking senior officers, who also received the symbolically significant Type 64, while the Type 68 and Chinese pistols continued in use by the more junior officers and senior noncommissioned officers.
The Type 70 is not known to have been exported to other nations, but one is known to have found its way into the hands of the Rock Island Auctions Company in Illinois. Unknown is how it got there and its whereabouts since April 2015.
All that can be said of this unusual indigenous product of the "Hermit Kingdom" is that it is still in use, it serves its purpose well and it makes a truly rare collector's item for any Western gun collector.
About Jon Guttman
(Jim Grant/Jim Grant)
Going old-school with the DS Arms SA58 American-built FAL rifle | GearScout Guide
Used by US military personnel for training foreign military units, the DS Arms FAL clone is a simple, durable and heavy hitting battle rifle. DS Arms has a dizzying array of FAL models for various environment, including a US civilian versions of FAL builds that were part of overseas contracts. As part of their foreign internal defense missions, soldiers and Marines use these SA58 clones of the FAL to help familiarize themselves with the rifle's manual of arms so they can better integrate with military units in other countries. The specifications of the rifle in this video include: 18" Premium Traditional Profile Barrel. Barrel Features Bi-Pod Cut & Front Sling Swivel. Barrel Threaded 9/16x24 LEFT. 7.62 X 51mm NATO. 4140 Fully Machined & Heat Treated Cast Steel Type 1 or Type 2 Receiver - Carry Handle or Non Carry Handle Cut. Traditional Cocking Handle. Belgian Style Combo Device Flash Hider. U.S. Made Glass Filled Nylon Pistol Grip. U.S. Made Glass Filled Nylon Reinforced Full Length Handguards. U.S. Made Glass Filled Nylon Humpback Buttstock. Light Weight Alloy Lower Trigger Frame. 20 Round Metric Magazine.
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The massive undertaking reflects the extraordinary security concerns that have gripped Washington following the deadly Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol by pro-Trump rioters.
As many as 25,000 Guard members from all 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia, could deploy to the city.
Small groups of right-wing protesters — some of them carrying rifles — gathered outside heavily fortified statehouses around the country Sunday, outnumbered by National Guard troops and police brought in to prevent a repeat of the violence that erupted at the U.S. Capitol.
The U.S. military says its troop withdrawal from Somalia is complete, in one of the last actions of President Donald Trump's presidency.


This range of filters provides the novice grower with a technologically sophisticated, easy to use filter system. The Rhino Hobby provides flexibility and a longer shelf life due to its unique fully reversible neck and the fact that it's filled with the highest quality carbon available.
Rhino Hobby filters are filled with the same high quality Australian mined RC412 carbon as the Rhino Pro range of filters.
A 30mm carbon bed is tightly packed into the airflow cylinder which makes it a highly effective at attracting and absolving the air of pollutants.
The smaller bed depth of carbon to that of the Pro filter makes it an even easier filter to handle and manage for the novice grower.
As it has the most effective carbon integrated into the filter the Rhino Hobby will last significantly longer than other filters on the market aimed at the hobby grower.


Discussion in 'Android Themes' started by dnapro, May 9, 2012.
El Presidente and Granite1 like this.
What program did you use to make the images by chance?
Cool beans, I wish I had access to Photoshop. I'm still learning how to use Gimp, but I hear Photoshop is easier to learn.


text:
8A-16 District Tournament Preview
Written by Rick Duteau on April 20th, 2014
Host: Southridge
Monday April 21st
3:30 PM (5) Miami Sunset vs. (4) Varela
6:30 PM (6) Palmetto vs. (3) Southridge
Tuesday April 22nd
3:30 PM Palmetto/Southridge winner vs. (2) South Dade
6:30 PM Miami Sunset/Varela winner vs. (1) Killian
Thursday April 24th
6:30 PM Championship: Semifinal winners
Full Stats for 8A-16 can be found on the 8A-16 Stats Page!
Overview – With multiple state contenders in this group it figures to be an exciting playoff bracket. Top seeds Killian and South Dade have been among the top-ranked teams in the county all year, while Southridge has been equally dangerous and could also draw upon some extra motivation to get out from under the shadows and prove so now that the playoffs are here. Varela has come along strong to play its best baseball down the stretch, and both Miami Sunset and Palmetto have played tight in the district all year long. From top to bottom it is a group that is as competitive as they come, and the games should provide an unbelievable amount of drama and excitement.
1. Killian – The Cougars have been very consistent all year long. The team put in a special 2014 campaign, shaking off some early adversity to rally back and grab the top seed in the bracket. Killian is fresh off a victory over Columbus to earn its second GMAC title in the past three years, and has a lot of buzz and momentum heading into the postseason.
"We've been preaching approaches, and having a plan at the plate," said Killian Manager Angel Herrera. "A couple of weeks ago we had a bad game against Southridge and we got back to the office and got back to the drawing board. The guys have bought in and executed tremendously and all the credit goes to them."
The Spartans took it to them like no one has been able to in that mid-season meeting. But that turning point may have been the best thing that happened to the team, as the players and coaches have all come together since to get on the same page and play as one solid unit. The team has been on fire ever since, and has been incredibly tough to beat.
"After that Southridge game Coach gave us an approach to attack and we've stayed with it. We've been successful with it, so we've been going from there," said second baseman Eddy Demurias. "I think this is the toughest district in Miami and our goal was to be at the head of it going into the districts, and we've put ourselves in a good position to be there."
Not only does Killian have a lot of depth and talent on its roster, but it is strongest in all the right places. The club has great pitching with guys like Keith Stevens, Ryan Granda, Vladimir Nunez, Demurias, Miguel Deguzman and Mikhail Cunill. They have a rock behind the plate in catcher Spencer Levine, who works great with the pitching staff and is also the centerpiece to a dangerous offensive lineup. The team hits for a lot of power, hits for average and also runs the bases very well.
It is often said that a team is only as good as its last player, and for Killian that last guy down the roster is somebody with All Star ability. What makes the club so dangerous is that the players have just as much confidence in that last man as they do in their most important member of the lineup.
2. South Dade – The Buccaneers exploded out of the gate to start the season, barnstorming their way through the first half of the season to make a statement of how good they are. Although the team may have peaked too early in the year, it is a roster more than capable of sprinting right back to the top of the mountain in the blink of an eye. The team plays with great passion and intensity, and is as deep and talented as any in the district.
South Dade is guided by one of the most respected and savvy managers in the county in Fred Burnside. With over 40 years of experience, there is nothing that Burnside has not seen before. This great baseball mind helps the team adjust when it needs to, and also helps Burnside see ahead to what could come next and prepare in advance for just such occurrences.
There is no doubt that senior Erik Manoah has played a big part in the team's success. The right-hander was a force to be reckoned with on the mound by leading the district in strikeouts, and has been equally lethal at the plate by leading his club in home runs and proving to be a very tough out. Manoah is also a very emotionally-charged ball player, and his passion has a great ripple affect throughout the roster. He loves playing in front of big crowds in big moments, and admits he thrives in those pressure situations.
"I actually like all the attention and the energy that is going through the crowd. I don't find it intimidating at all," Manoah admitted. "Pitching in front of a crowd like that is a college environment, so I guess it motivates me to go out and perform, and my team is also motivated."
South Dade is far from a one-trick pony though. Jose Gorordo has been just as crucial to the team's success on the mound, leading the club in ERA and victories. The overall depth of the pitching staff is also a big reason for confidence, as Christian Gonzalez, Luis Borges, Salvatore Finocchiaro, Devin Mead and Danny Vaughn have all proven their worth with big innings this year.
The offense has been equally deep and explosive. As a unit the Bucs hit .349 for the year, while getting production from one to nine. Arturo Paula, Jori Rodriguez and Angel Zabala have all excelled at getting on and getting in, while Sergio Lopez, Vaughn and Gabriel Cruz have done their part in driving guys in.
South Dade has experienced its share of struggles the last few years during the postseason. But with a deep and experienced roster is both talented and hungry, the team is confident that this is the season they can make their mark.
3. Southridge – The Spartans have every right to believe they can make this their year. Although the team may not have received as much fanfare as some of the other top clubs in this district, it did play just as strong baseball during the season. Now that the playoffs have arrived, it is its chance to prove that Southridge is a force to be reckoned with.
The road to the championship begins against a Palmetto team that it defeated both times during the regular season. Although the second meeting was a tight 1-0 win, it should serve as a reminder not to be overly confident and overlook the ability of the other teams in the bracket. Southridge simply needs to keep doing what it does best and it should be able to keep the season going.
What the Spartans have done best is pitch. The club has outstanding starting pitching in Octavio Mirabel and Erick Lopez, both of whom were among the most successful in 8A-16. The bullpen has plenty of talent as well, with stellar closer Isaac DaSilva supplanted at the back end to shut the door on opponents. Even though competing in the toughest district in the county, the pitching staff posted a 1.29 team ERA this year.
The offense has also been very productive at getting the job done, averaging over seven runs per game and hitting just over .300 as a group. The order showed a great balance of power and consistency, and has gotten production up and down the line. Josten Herron has been a key contributor in leading the team in hits, runs and extra-base hits, while Diandra Amion and JP Castenada have also been a big part of the offensive success.
Southridge won 11 of its final 12 games on the season, beating both of the top seeds in the district during that stretch. The Spartans have been as hot as any club in the area coming down the stretch, and they could very well erupt and peak now that the games have taken on so much importance.
4. Varela – The Vipers are a great example of what it means to peak at the right time. The club finished at .500 for the season, but scored some exceptional victories over some very tough ball clubs down the stretch to put itself into a nice position in the playoff bracket. Varela will be the home side in its quarterfinal meeting with Miami Sunset, which could prove to be the difference in giving the team the last swings in that game.
The two squads had plenty of exciting moments when they met up during the season. They split the series, with Varela pulling out a big 8-7 win the first time and the Knights responding with a tight 2-1 win the second time around. Now the rubber match will be for all the marbles.
The Vipers have an overall young roster this season, which has made it even more impressive to watch them succeed.
"The young guys are coming through, which is great. I love that," said Varela Manager John Barbato.
While sophomores Tony Mejias-Rivera and Chris Allende have been a huge part of the lineup, it has been the performance of the veterans that have set the tone. Seniors Ben Murray, Kyle Gerdts and Kristian Quincosa have all played big parts, while junior Jonathan Bermudez has also swung a big bat in the order.
While the pitching has not been dominant, it has been reliable and effective. Nicholas Leon has been the main piece of the puzzle on the mound, winning some big games down the stretch and leading the club in wins and ERA. Chris Gomez and Krystian Negron have also been solid to provide the Vipers with enough starting depth to survive in the playoffs.
Even despite starting a lot of young new faces, Varela still managed to match its win total from a season ago. Now the Vipers are hungry and eager to get their feet wet in the playoffs in a game they have every reason to believe they can win.
5. Miami Sunset – The Knights won their first district title in school history last season, but it is a very tough road to try and repeat that feat this time around. The team has an established identity of playing solid fundamental baseball, and yet at the same time the club has struggled to create that spark that seemed to carry them along all last year. Now Sunset hopes it can find that magic again just in time.
The Knights have flashed all the right tools to be successful, but they have not been as effective at putting it all together at the same time.
"We are hitting the ball well enough to score some runs but we are not getting the timely hit with runners in scoring position," said Knights Manager Armando Pelaez. "I sound like a broken record because the whole season has been like this. Anything happens in the playoffs and we are just trying to get better and work on some things, specifically on defense."
There is plenty of reason to believe that Sunset can make a run this year. The team has plenty of frontline talent to match up with the other clubs in the district, with an established number one pitcher in Danny Diaz and a great combination of speed and power in the lineup with guys such as Danilo De Armas and Alfredo Iser. Adding to that equation has been the great play of guys such as Mike Rodriguez, Alex Beltran and Frank Melero, all of whom have flourished with important roles this year.
Even with many newer faces on this year's roster, it is still an experienced team that knows what it takes to win big games. The Knights have earned their reputation of toughness and tenacity, and now it will be all about living up to that mantra.
6. Palmetto – The Panthers have the toughest road to the championship game. Yet this is a club that best exemplifies the overall strength of this district, as it is a team more than capable of making a run. Palmetto just may be the most talented six seed in the entire playoffs.
The Panthers do not have a great record to reflect how well they have played this year. The club has been in most games throughout the season, displaying great pitching and solid defense to keep it in each contest. While the team came up on the wrong side of things more often than not, there is a lot of experience and confidence that can be gained in knowing they can perform in those tight games. Aspects like this can sometimes provide the right amount of motivation to boost a hungry team chasing after a big victory.
Ian Exposito has been a key figure in the team's success. The team ace has put in a marvelous 2014 campaign, finishing among the district leaders with 65 strikeouts, four victories and a 1.81 ERA. Jake Oliver has been stellar as the other main starter, while Brent Teller and Felix Garcia have solidified a solid relief corps.
The strength of the pitching staff has been even more crucial to take pressure off an offense that has been less successful at scoring runs. The team averaged less than three runs per game, and has adjusted to focus on moving runners and manufacturing runs to capitalize on every scoring chance. Kevin Barbato, Carter Nash and Kyle Toister have all been key role players in the lineup.
Palmetto can draw the most confidence in knowing they can go toe-to-toe with Southridge after the club played very well in a tough 1-0 defeat late in the season to the Spartans. The Panthers have proven they can lay it all on the line when they need it most, and now is that time.


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Niharika Konidela who came from a film background is still struggling for a decent hit. Her debut film Oka Manasu has stood as a failure at the box office and her later film Happy Wedding did not reach the audience as expected. She also debuted in Kollywood with the film Oru Nalla Naal Paathu Solren, and even this fell short of expectations. Niharika is once again trying her luck in Tollywood with her upcoming movie Suryakantham.
Apart from this Niharika is a very active girl. She is also very much active on social media. With her recent posts, she shocked the audience as well as the film stars. In the photo, she wore a boxing glove and posed as if she is training in the boxing. "I m so original  I never try to be Someone else, especially not my brother! " She posted. Earlier her brother Varun Tej has also posted a photo similar to this. This photo of Niharika looks like a replica to that.
On the other side, Suryakntham is under its post-production stage, and the film will be released on 28th March. Hope Niharika will have career's first success with this film.