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Posted on November 23, 2014 August 18, 2015
Truck Riders On The Storm
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WE may be an international group drawn from around the globe, but our travelling band shares one very British obsession – the weather.
Writing this with the sun beating down and the strains of Bob Marley drifting across our Marrakesh campsite, you could be forgiven for falling for the stereotypical view of long, hot African days.
But the last few days have been anything but predictable, providing glorious sunshine when we were prepared for whatever conditions the Moroccan winter could spring on us, then drenching us with a night of torrential rain and a howling gale that left us clinging to the side of a mountain.
Throw in the intervention of the local police, a hair-rising drive through the mountains and the torrents created by the storm, not to mention a real-life game of rock, paper, scissors (only without paper and with a genuine knife replacing the scissors) and it has been an unexpectedly eventful few days.
Back when you last left us in Fes, we were well aware of what might be lying ahead after tales of previous groups heading to Todra Gorge wrapped up in sleeping bags on the back of the truck to keep warm while snow slowed down progress.
As it was, we were treated to some spectacular views as we traversed the Atlas Mountains with the sides rolled down and only the odd jacket donned as a long drive day turned into night.
Towering – The view from our base at Todra Gorge
Even with blackness enveloping our new home, the towering silhouettes of the cliffs above the truck provided a tempting teaser of what lay ahead, while the news we would not need to pitch tents but were sleeping on the floor of a room in the adjacent hotel sent everyone scurrying for the relative comfort and an early night.
Opting out of the lengthy trek up a mountain path to Todra Gorge itself, my more relaxed day took me up the road through some still spectacular scenery and down the road for a less than spectacular lunch.
A chilled evening was rounded off with a competitive session of Uno – which has taken on epic proportions with a series of rule changes to be argued over and forgotten if you have not been playing total attention – and a new sleeping spot, tucked up on the Beach at the front of the truck as Joe gave up his normal position to allow a few of us to sleep on Nala (and give the rest a quieter night in the communal room).
We all would have put up with any amount of snoring the following night as we were forced to contend with the most extreme conditions to date.
The day had been fairly low key after a quick detour further up the road from the hotel to check out more of the scenery before we headed out on a two-day trip to Marrakesh.
Our one major stop of the day came at an old casbah at Ait Benhaddou, which has provided the backdrop to a variety of films, among them Gladiator and Lawrence of Arabia. There is not an awful lot to see, but it provided an interesting change from the inside of the truck and one out-of-the-blue moment of drama.
As we pushed past the local children attempting to charge us to cross the bridge (well, sacks placed on rocks in the low-flowing river), a scuffle broke out on the far side – the elderly gentleman taking the money to enter taking exception to another guy's suggestion we sneaked in the back way for free.
No exchange of words this, the older guy brandishing a knife while his younger opponent reached for a rock and two others did their best to keep them apart. They succeeded and, somehow, the guy had miraculously returned to his post to take our entrance money.
That, however, was just the start of the drama.
Far from still – The downpour leaves its mark on the road ahead
We eventually arrived at our bush camp for the night well after dark and a fair way up the mountain pass which will provide the high point of the whole journey (well, at least in Nala).
Up went the tents as the wind and rain threatened and cook group set about rustling up the evening meal. And then the police arrived.
Not happy with our choice of campsite, they suggested – nay, insisted – it was not safe and we should move to the car park of a guesthouse a little further down the mountain.
After driver Steve was taken down to check out our new digs – and discovered one of their number was a Moroccan rugby international – we packed up our tents in a hurry, rattled through dinner and headed down the mountain.
By which time, the storm had well and truly set in.
We have become dab hands at putting up and taking down our tents fairly quickly. Just not when being buffeted by horizontal rain and huge winds on the side of a mountain.
With the tents up and pegged down as securely as we could manage, there really was little option than to crawl inside, take refuge and listen to what the weather could rustle up.
Throughout a long night, sleep was patchy but thankfully so were the leaks as we waited until we had to brave the elements once more to take our sodden tents down again.
Remarkably, barring a small wet patch in one corner of our tent (nothing to do with an unwillingness to get out to go to the loo during the night), we survived largely intact. Especially remarkable as our tent was sat in the middle of a mini lake as we wrestled to pack it away.
It could all have meant a miserable, subdued morning, but warmed by a cup of tea by the owners of the guest house (and the use of their facilities), we headed off up the mountain in good spirits – albeit not for long.
We had already driven across one waterlogged section when we came across another, more ferocious torrent which even Nala could not just plough through – and which the couple in a car sat there waiting had wisely decided not to tackle as they sat out the night before hoping it would go down.
While they opted to head downhill – and even more issues – we waited long enough for it to subside enough to allow Nala to cross and head over the pass as the storm rolled on.
It all added up to a dramatic morning for those of us who spent it looking out at what little you could see – mostly just sheer drops just off to the side of the road and water rushing everywhere from off the mountain.
But as the road eventually headed downhill towards Marrakesh, the sky finally started to break and the sun peeked out on a whole new experience.
Blanket Coverage
HAPPINESS, sang John Lennon, is a warm gun.
He obviously never spent much time overlanding or he would know happiness is a warm blanket.
Planning this trip, one of my major concerns was surviving nights under canvas – something which has been avoided for many years and on my last overland trip was abandoned after a couple of nights in favour of sleeping on our converted bus.
That is not an option this time and so much thought was put in to making life as comfortable as possible after dark – a blow-up mattress and a sleeping bag, albeit opened out as a quilt, working together to keep me warm and relaxed.
It didn't exactly work on the first few, largely sleepless nights, but things have improved (although doubt anyone was predicting me rising before sunrise and the allotted breakfast time on a regular basis) with the addition of a pillow.
By royal appointment – Joe and the rest of us treat the palace in Fes with due dignity
And last night our tent took on the appearance of a showroom from the Ideal Homes Exhibition with the arrival of two new Moroccan rugs.
Tent mate Michael (you can work out why we were paired together and why our fellow campers are so keen to know where our tent is pitched each night) opted for sprawling his across the floor, while mine is folded neatly (for now) along my mattress and topped off with the quilt.
Very comfortable it is too, although stiffer, colder tests lie ahead in the next few days.
The rugs were a result of a day in the labyrinthine medina of Fes, our latest stop on the journey around Morocco.
Having left soggy Chefchaouen just as the sun was finally emerging over the picturesque scene, the day's drive to Fes was fairly subdued on the back of the truck.
What scenery we saw was well worth the pictures we took and staying awake for, as was the thrill of being chased around the mountain roads by a string of cars full of men trying to sell us hash.
But, sorry to say, most of us ignored tour leader Joe's pleas for us to enjoy the passing countryside and spent much of the day catching up on sleep.
Our arrival in Fes brought us face to face with a second Oasis truck and a second, smaller group of travellers heading as far as Cape Town five days behind us, albeit via a slightly different route through Morocco.
Real leather – The colourful scene at Fes' tanneries
Much of the evening was spent chatting to what could have been our truck mates – all of which, allied with a restocked drinks chiller, proved a little too much for one of our number. Not only did he somehow entrust Joe with a pair of clippers on his hair, but he needed three goes to find the right tent.
We waved farewell to the other truck in the morning before meeting up with Callum – our guide and fixer, who knows seemingly everybody worth knowing in Fes.
He led us around the city, to the Jewish Quarter, King's Palace, a pottery workshop and a scenic overview before heading headfirst into the medina, supposedly the largest car-free urban area in the world.
Dating back more than 1,200 years, the medina is vast with people on every corner and in every nook and cranny finding a way to make a living. There really does seem very little you cannot get in there if you know where to look.
But knowing where to look is an art, given the puzzle of finding your way around. Every time we thought we had some vague idea where we were, Callum would turn a corner, duck down an alleyway, through an arch or up some stairs and emerge in some new area.
All, of course, giving us plenty of opportunity to spend money at the various stops.
None was spent at the tannery (which did provide a fascinating, if pungent, view over the work being done on the leather round the back and the question of the trip so far from a passing American: "Are these wallets real leather?), and not so much at the pharmacy (a few spices and oils) or at the weavers (where a masterclass showed those who opted to buy turbans how to tie them).
But plenty was spent at our lunch stop – the carpet shop.
As well as feeding us – very nicely thank you with lamb koftas and more Moroccan tea, which is starting to prove a little too sweet – they gave us a quick show through their range and we lapped it up.
By the time we left, bags stuffed with rugs were tucked under arms and a couple of Berber jackets have been sported ever since.
My rug, evidently, is a aphrodisiac. May need to go for a lie down to check.
I Love The Rain Down In Africa
THE mountain town of Chefchaouen is renowned for its beautiful blue and white-painted houses and as the hash capital of Morocco.
And while we saw enough of the blue houses exploring the enchanting, narrow confines of the old town and were offered enough hash to keep an army of hippies happy for weeks, the abiding memory from our visit was of one thing – rain.
Feeling blue – The soggy streets of Chef's old town
Our arrival in Morocco has coincided perfectly with the start of the rainy season which, our guide in Fes explained, only began after a special open-air prayer session but has made its mark on us and our laundry.
Downpour number one arrived overnight just outside Casablanca, turning part of our campsite into a lake, but that was outdone by the torrent which marked the end of our long day waiting for visas in Rabat.
Our bush camp was rather more compact that night as tents were set up under the tarpaulin erected off the truck and carried into position, while we took refuge on Nala for the bulk of the evening.
Thankfully, the tents remained dry – more than can be said for a lot of our clothes, which has made laundry and, in particular, drying something of an issue. Our current campsite in Fes has wet clothes hanging everywhere as the sun beats down on our first full free day of the trip.
But neither of those downpours could match the all-day cloudburst which took in our one full day in Chefchaouen.
No sooner had we packed up breakfast, showered and gathered for the walk down the hill into town than the heavens opened and did not relent until after dinner 12 hours earlier.
But has all this rain dampened spirits? Certainly not as it has been interspersed with the types of moments and places which will live long in the memory.
Knob gags – Insert your own here
We arrived in Chef – let's settle on the shortened version, getting all those vowels in the right order is a real pain – via a stop at the Roman ruins of Volubilis.
A lovely spot and a fascinating tour from our guide Abdul really should have been highly educational and informative. But what most of us will remember is the phallus emerging from a lump of stone in what used to be the town's brothel.
Much hilarity and photo opportunities followed.
But the highlight of Volubulis came as we set up camp on the side of a hill among the olive trees with a spectacular view down and across the valley.
Unexpected bonus – Sunset over our bush camp near Volubilis
As we set about the task of collecting firewood, the landowner appeared from within the trees and welcomed us to "his mountain", proceeding to help us get the fire going, chatting in a variety of languages and enjoying the spectacular sunset.
He was joined by another local, who also joined us for dinner – obviously not put off by my presence within the cook group – and voted in our first "Numpty of the Week" selection.
Best of friends – Martyn and Malcolm at the start of a beautiful friendship
Awarded to the person who has made their mark in less than complimentary fashion throughout the week, the first (clear) winner was our Scottish traveller Martyn – not so much for getting locked in a supermarket toilet, but the gusto with which he recounted the tale and admitted he had simply not slid the lock across the door.
His prize was to be the first wearer of Malcolm the monkey, which must be worn at all times in public for 24 hours. Suggest we all may get acquainted with Malcolm at some point (although Martyn appears to be again leading the way for the next vote).
Spirits were high as we headed out of camp in the morning – complete with a big bag of olives our new friend had emerged from amid the trees to sell us – and off on the long drive to Chef.
Our first really long day on the truck was enlivened, with both sides rolled up, by some fabulous views as we wound our way through the mountains and a succession of small settlements – the arrival of a big yellow truck prompting amusement, surprise and plenty of waving from the locals.
And spirits remained high on discovery that our new campsite had the holy grail double of wi-fi and hot (well, sort of) showers. They got even higher among those who trekked down the hill after dinner to join in some form of festival and seek out a few beers (not all that easy to find in a Muslim country).
Those spirits, however, took a blow as the heavens opened the next morning, but undeterred we headed off into Chef to explore.
And, despite the conditions, it was a thoroughly enjoyable few hours, getting lost among the narrow, winding streets amid the locals going about their daily business – large chunks of which involved trying to sell us something.
But highlight of our exploration was a stop-off at Restaurant La Granada.
To call it a restaurant was being a little optimistic. It was essentially, three tables squeezed into two small rooms which also had to accommodate a kitchen and the one smiling gentleman who took our orders, cooked up some fabulous tagines for six of us, posed for pictures and even managed to stop for prayers behind his counter as we ate.
Congratulating ourselves on our find, our next move was not so clever (and may involve a group nomination to wear Malcolm) as we brushed aside the suggestion of getting a taxi back to camp and opted to walk back up the hill in the pouring rain, an idea we spent the afternoon regretting as the truck gradually filled up with returning explorers trying to get warm and dry.
In some cases, neither state was achieved until after dinner as those of us who had not turned in for an early night headed to a hotel along the roadside from the campsite and sought refuge in their very welcoming bar – complete with a singer and Botswana v Tunisia on the TV, although there was little in that to grab the attention.
The evening continued for some in the adjoining nightclub, while the rest of us took the plunge to find out if our tents had survived the downpour.
Warmer climes (much warmer), we are assured, are just days away…
Start-up Capital
JUST after passing through the Moroccan border from the Spanish enclave of Cueta, there is a sharp right turn up a steep hill.
By the time Nala, our overland truck, had fought her way to the top, we had covered more than one big hill – we had made it into Africa.
And as our last glimpses of the Rock of Gibraltar and Europe faded from view, we were thrown into the very different African experience.
No place like home – Our first view of Nala in front of the Rock of Gibraltar
All very different from our first taste of nine months on the road, which had served up a taste of old England in Gibraltar.
We were staying over the Spanish side of the great divide – leading to a succession of currency confusions with euro, sterling and Moroccan dirham (once we had found somewhere that had some) – but after settling in to life at the campsite, our first full day was spent exploring something very familiar
Walking up Winston Churchill Avenue (after wandering directly across the runway which runs alongside the border with Spain), it is almost like being in an English theme park imagined by Hollywood. If they opted to set the Dad's Army remake in the current day, they could do worse than move Walmington-on-Sea from the south coast to this southern tip of the European mainland.
Sadly, the urge to be typical Brits abroad – even from a few other nationalities – saw us bite into our time in Ye Olde England with a traditional few drinks and dinner in the main town square, meaning only a few made it up the rock itself.
They got their first clear view of Africa which the rest of us received the next day, after our first early alarm call (that's 5.30am out of beds, as opposed to the normal camp departure time of 8am after breakfast, packing up our tents and using whatever facilities, or otherwise, may be available).
All we had to do to catch sight of our home for the next nine months was to turn round on the deck of our ferry – surprisingly brief, considering how big a leap in culture and lifestyle we were making – from Algeciras to Cueta across the Strait of Gibraltar and its busy shipping lanes.
Safety in numbers – We stick together during our first taste of a medina in Rabat
The first border crossing into Morocco was relatively quick and painless as we headed up the hill and turned the corner towards the capital Rabat, our base for much of the first few days.
Much of our time in Rabat was split between our bush camp in a cork forest outside town and a supermarket, used to stock up, use the facilities and wait for the latest developments from our third main port of call – the embassies of our next few points of call as we set about the task of collecting visas.
While two of the visas went through in rapid style – one inside half an hour, which is pretty much unheard of – the third resulted in us spending pretty much the entire working day camped out on the truck in front of the embassy as they dealt with the seemingly endless task of processing all 19 of us through their system.
By the end, we had become part of the furniture and the staff dealing with our applications spent as much time sharing jokes and singing along to their music, all well after their normal closing time.
Home from home – the forest near Rabat which became our regular hideaway
We did have a few chances to get out and about Rabat, exploring the lanes and stalls of the medina and finding the first of some genuinely hospitable and welcoming locals keen to keep us fed and watered.
But our evenings were spent in splendid isolation at our increasingly soggy forest campsite as we quickly fell into a bush camp routine – pile off the truck and collect firewood, set up camp as dusk fell and the day's cook group set about creating dinner, while the previous evening's chefs turned their hands to cleaning duty on the deck.
The evenings generally moved on to swapping a few tales around the campfire before heading into our tents.
We managed to escape the capital's clutches for a weekend sojourn in Casablanca, breaking our trip with a stop at the beach
The rush for showers after two days in bush camp was followed for some by a race to get the first batch of laundry done. Those of us who opted against laundry were left feeling smug as an overnight rainstorm left the washing soaked on the line and several tents partially surrounded by the puddles – especially those on higher ground who found a laundry back in Rabat wiling to do a whole bag full of washing in a couple of hours for around £3.
Clean and dry – more than could be said of some of our clothes – we headed into Casablanca, which comes with a movie star reputation but surprisingly little substance to justify top billing.
Vanity project – the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca
Its medina is interesting, but a touch too run down and small to challenge what we have already seen and what we have been promised, while the landmark Hassan II Mosque is certainly impressive and imposing on the shores of the Atlantic, but somehow left a feeling of style over substance.
Built to honour the former king, no money was spared on the third largest mosque in the world (after Mecca and Medina) which houses 25,000 worshippers when full.
Our guide was keen to stress those figures, but not so hot on the background of Islam for us to understand why all the extra touches she was so proud of were necessary.
Why exactly does a mosque need a huge hammam (two actually, one for women as well, as the guide was very keen to tell us) heated to a constant 33 degrees centigrade? Especially when it has never been opened.
All just a few hundred yards from where many Casablanca residents are struggling to eke out a living on the edges of the medina.
But Casablanca did leave its mark after our first delve into the world of street food.
Courtesy of two small food stalls, we were handsomely fed with pancakes and, in my case, a sausage bruschetta, and introduced to the delights of Moroccan tea.
It could be the start of a beautiful friendship…
Posted on November 8, 2014 August 18, 2015
Do Bears…
AFTER months of planning, waiting, drawing up (and eventually tackling) to-do lists, packing, sorting out my life and repacking, the nine-month adventure around Africa has finally begun.
Given the whole journey is likely to rack up 50,000 km on the road – to say nothing of the ones covered on foot and any other form of transport we need on our trip through this huge continent – we have barely scratched the service.
But we have been hard at work learning lessons which will hold us in good stead for what lies ahead as we adjust to life on and off the truck.
Lesson one, which started far too early at Gatwick for the flight to Gibraltar, was getting to know the rest of the touring party.
In all we are a 17-strong group from around the globe, hailing from Australia (what group travel would be complete without at least one?), New Zealand, Argentina, Japan, Holland, Spain, Ireland, Switzerland, France (via Tahiti, Mauritius and, he assures us, a bit of China), Canada, Wales, Scotland and a sprinkling of English.
Early morning, Gatwick Airport – Joanne, Michael, Terry, David, Dajiro, Me, Kris, Martyn, Martha and, front, Karla, Linda, Sam, Derrick, Matt, Reto and Ale. Jesus joined us in Gibraltar
Fifteen of us are signed up to go the entire route to Cairo with others coming and going along the way.
Steering us along the way are two more Aussies, tour leader Joe and driver Steve, fountains of knowledge, information and stories, plus a reservoir of patience as we fail to grasp – or, in some cases, choose to ignore – their instructions and advice on what we should be doing to make our life easier and the whole journey smoother.
Completing the group is possibly the most important member – Nala, our truck, home, transport, base and holder of all the stuff we crammed into our bags before the off (and my reputation as an over packer has been well and truly trumped by others).
Learning our way around Nala, adjusting to living off what is stored within her (and where everything is stored) and to life on board while we are on the road have dominated our first few days.
Tucked away within Nala's bowels are our tents and all the food, cooking, camping and cleaning kit we need to keep us fed, watered and, where possible, comfortable as we head through some testing and occasionally remote terrain.
We've also been learning how to use all that kit to feed our passengers as the three-strong daily cook groups wrestle with a limited budget to shop for and create a meal for 19, plus breakfast and, usually, lunch for the next day.
The cook group hands over responsibilities to the next before taking over cleaning duties aboard Nala – the hardest part of which is keeping people off the truck and out of their lockers for long enough to get the job done – in the evening before making the most of a few nights off.
Our first bush camp – Handy trees and soft ground
Our group of confirmed non-cooks has reached that point after coming to terms with creating a minced beef concoction, a vegetarian alternative and enough rice to create a big bowl of rice porridge the next morning. Dinner the next day was rather less ambitious (the overlanding version of the office sandwich lady turning up, only with more work involved on the part of the eater).
We also had to cope with the new experience of cooking and living in a bush camp.
Putting up and taking down tents we have got down to a fine art – well, we can do it pretty quickly and nobody's has fallen down yet – but bush camping is bereft of any home comforts.
Cooking and tents were the least of our worries as we also had to cope with the total lack of facilities and our introduction (think most of us have taken the plunge) with what has become known as the shovel of shame.
Calling it a night – the moon rises over our first bush cmp
Essentially, it involves wandering off a reasonable distance from camp, digging a hole and doing what comes naturally before covering the evidence.
My aiming still needs a bit of work, although thankfully did not fall into the trap of misjudging exactly where my jeans were.
Imagine the excitement as we rolled out of camp this morning with rumours builing that our next destination contained hot showers (partially true) and, best of all, wi-fi.
Both utilised to the max – although time and the slightly inclement weather combined to prevent a first bout of laundry – it is with fresh clothes, clean body and a newly-processed receipt for another visa safely tucked away that our first Saturday night beckons around the campfire.
And there are toilets just a few yards away…


text:
Jonathan Quinn Brookins, född 13 augusti 1985 i Portland, är en amerikansk MMA-utövare som 2010–2012 tävlade i organisationen Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Referenser

Noter

Källor
Jonathan Brookins – UFC.com
Jonathan Brookins – Sherdog.com

Amerikanska utövare av mixed martial arts
Födda 1985
Män
Levande personer
Idrottare från Portland, Oregon

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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Taxi drivers 'short-changed' in latest support deal
Terry Murden, Editor | June 2, 2021
Taxi drivers hopes for £10,000 each
Finance Secretary Kate Forbes has been accused of short-changing struggling taxi and private hire drivers.
A new package "falls way short" of what is needed to stabilise the trade, says the Unite Scotland union.
Ms Forbes today announced up to £12 million of funding for businesses in Level 2 areas – including those in the hospitality, events, weddings and soft play sectors.
A further £25m will support the culture sector through the second round of the Performing Arts Venue Relief Fund and the Culture Organisations and Venues Recovery Fund. This will be targeted at those who previously received support from these funds and those who were eligible but did not get support.
An estimated 37,000 taxi and private hire operators will receive up to an additional £62m. It amounts to either £1,000 if they operate single cabs, or £3,000 for up to nine. Drivers who previously received £1,500 will receive an additional payment of £1,500.
Taxi operators will be contacted by their local authorities this month and will also receive grants of up to £10,000 depending on the number of vehicle licences they hold. A small number of the very largest operators will now be paid up to £15,000.
But Unite has repeatedly called on the Scottish Government to deliver a £10,000 grant for each taxi operator irrespective of size, which is the equivalent support being given to all other small business owners.
It has also drawn attention to the 'postcode lottery' affecting support for the taxi trade as local authorities have offered different support through discretionary funding. Glasgow has offered no 'top-up' discretionary support.
Pat Rafferty, Unite Scottish Secretary, said: "Support is desperately needed and welcome but this is a sector that has been failed once again. We have regularly brought this to the attention of Ministers and indeed the First Minister regarding the lack of support. The pleas of many within the trade have been ignored."
"This announcement falls way short for the vast majority of operators who manage less than ten cabs, and who continue to face high fixed costs at a time when the trade remains in crisis.
"The Scottish Government have rowed back on their manifesto commitments and Unite will continue to fight for a substantial and long-term financial solution to the crisis our members face in the taxi trade."
Taxi drivers and support News - general, Politics, Scotland, Transport 2 Comments » Print this News
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2 Comments to Taxi drivers 'short-changed' in latest support deal
Taxi says:
27 July, 2021 at 7:32 pm
Taxi drivers have come out worse due to this pandemic
3 June, 2021 at 10:06 pm
The taxi trade is in desperate need of further support. I hope this grant is processed quickly.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Lawrence is an award winning actor. He has extensive theatre credits performing in several productions from Shakespeare and Jacobean drama, through to pantomime and contemporary drama. His diverse roles range from Shaggy in a Warner's Bros approved tour of Scooby Doo, through to Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing. Lawrence also has experience in directing and scriptwriting. He has ran various workshops in schools on several occasions, as well as running his own youth theatre. Lawrence is a versatile actor, but his strength lies with comedy. He has a wide range of facial expressions and outstanding comic timing.


text:
Blue Thunder is a side-scrolling shooter and tie-in with the short-lived TV series of the same name which has you piloting a new 'jetcopter' as the only survivor of an alien assault. As it turns out, you're not alone after all, so you depart from...
Name Airwolf
Video Link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khBHj6BfeKU
Blue Thunder is a side-scrolling shooter and tie-in with the short-lived TV series of the same name which has you piloting a new 'jetcopter' as the only survivor of an alien assault. As it turns out, you're not alone after all, so you depart from your ship and fly across a sea full of heavily defended islands to reach the enemy stronghold, disable its defenses and rescue your comrades. Should you succeed, you get to try it again at a higher difficulty level, where you'll face enemies with higher firing rates, planes, barrage balloons and missile-armed submarines. All the while you'll have to keep an eye on your dwindling fuel supply. Your jetcopter can fire at any angle it's flying, even straight down. The C64 version scrolls in the opposed direction and has a few smaller differences in the environmental graphics. The Atari 8-Bit version was later re-released with a new TV show license (Airwolf) and a new helicopter model.


After my enlightening trip to the Pompidou Center to see modern art (as documented here), the next day I went to enlarge my knowledge of impressionism at the Musée de l'Orangerie. The main exhibit at this Paris museum is a series of very large paintings by the master of French Impressionism, Claude Monet, called "Water Lilies" (Les Nymphiás).
Part of one of the panels of the Water Lilies.
The curved walls of the exhibition hall at L'Orangerie.
Well put, by some pompous art scholar. Each of the two large elliptical rooms show four massive and colorful paintings of Monet's pond. When I was there it was uncrowded. I almost had the rooms to myself. This was surprising considering I was in the most touristy city on earth. The paintings demand your attention and reflection. I was able to sit on a comfortable bench and I actually did gaze in meditative contemplation at the paintings. It was peaceful but not quite endless, because after a while I had to go to the bathroom.
Monet lived for much of his life in the Norman countryside near a town called Giverny, about an hour's drive outside of Paris. For the start of my road trip around France I decided to go see Monet's pond and find out why he painted it so many times over the last twenty years of his life. Since it was late springtime the flowers were all in bloom when I got to Monet's gardens. As I walked along the paths I couldn't help but marvel at the beauty of this place and how my late mother would have enjoyed it. I could see why Monet liked it here.
A sample from Monet's garden.
I wandered up and down the paths dodging the hundreds of grade school children who threatened to knock me down and trample me like a multitude of ants. Each child had a paper and a pencil. They were on some sort of class field trip/treasure hunt. I crossed a road at the far edge of the garden by using a tunnel and came out onto a path in a bamboo forest. The path led around Monet's pond. Yes, the pond was still full of water lilies.
Another view of Monet's pond.
By this time the sky had clouded over and it started to rain. As I walked around the pond the rain turned into a downpour. I bolted back into the tunnel to wait out the storm. When it started to let up I made a beeline for Monet's house to dry out.
Hello? Is anyone home in Monet's house?
The house has been restored to how it was in Monet's time there (from 1883 until his death in 1926). Monet was friends with many of the leading painters of the day, and he hung paintings by Renoir and other famous artists on his bedroom walls. I also noticed a Renoir in the hallway outside his room.
The walls of Monet's study are filled with his work.
Could that be an original?
Since Paris is one of the best cities in the world to see art, I thought it might raise my artistic and cultural awareness level to visit a museum. Of course, Paris is known for the Louvre, which some say is the best art museum in the world. I went there once before and got lost for hours in the Egyptian section in the basement. When I finally found my way out, I only had enough energy to see the Mona Lisa before my legs gave out.
The Louvre contains paintings created before 1848. For the newer stuff, I would have to go somewhere else. I hadn't understood the modern art I'd seen last year in Munich. So I was determined to give it another try.
After riding many escalators that appeared to be glued to the outside of the building, I arrived on the fifth floor to re-start my modern art education.
This piece reminds me of some 1930s Soviet propaganda extolling the virtues of universal socialism. The colors are too dull and all I can think of is that I don't want to work there. I would probably hit my thumb with the hammer.
I like the bright colors in these two works. They would be pleasant to hang on the wall of my office.
Windows by Robert Delaunay, 1912.
Rythme by Sonia Delaunay, 1938.
It's interesting that these were done independently, and many years apart, by a married couple. I can imagine how they might have met in a Parisian cafe….
The Prophet by Stanley MacDonald-Wright, 1955.
After looking at lots of paintings of incomprehensible colored shapes, I was yearning to see something I could recognize in the real world. I came across this one that I liked. It made me feel – je ne sais pas. It is entitled "Young American Girl – the Dance." However, I can't pick out the girl and I can't tell if she is dancing.
Young American Girl/The Dance by Francis Picabia, 1913.
Most famous painters of the early 20th century were men. Being men, if they were going to paint the human form, they would most likely paint a woman. Somewhere I saw a statistic that less than 3% of the artists whose work is displayed in modern art museums are women, but 83% of the nudes shown are female. This led to the complaint that to get into a modern art museum, women need to get naked.
In this painting, I can finally recognize the girl. I like the color of her dress, and she looks like she might be, ahem, a little cold. Something about her fingers looks creepy though. She's also way too serious. Since this woman has clothes on, I'm guessing it was painted by a woman.
Jeune femme aux gants by Tamara de Lempicka, 1929.
Picasso painted lots of nudes. He used wives, mistresses, and lovers as models, but hopefully not ever in the same painting. That would take some world class explaining. I don't think this woman is attractive, even though she's naked. She has really big hands and feet, and I think she's giving me the stink eye!
Femme nue au bonnet turc by Pablo Picasso, 1955.
The only thing I learned during my visit to the Pompidou Center was that the modern artwork that seems to get my attention includes bright colors of abstract shapes or a naked woman. Or both of those in a single painting.


text:
Q: SQL generated scripts always use CAST on numeric values I wonder if there's someone who could explain the behavior of SSMS generated scripts or point me out to some documentation that explains it since I struggled finding and answer.
I have a table with some char and numeric fields filled with data.
When exporting this table including data ( Under TASKS-Generate Scripts ) in the .SQL file when looking at the insert part, there's always a CAST used on all numeric values. Example: CAST(66.000000000000000 AS Numeric(38, 15)).
There's no actual issue since it just works well, but I would really like to know the explanation behing this, why is Microsoft using CAST automatically even though the original data already is in numeric format. Compatibility reasons?
Thank you very much.
Looked over the whole list on advanced options when exporting and I cant find anything related to it. Nor I can find anything related to this in Microsoft documentation.
I was expecting theres someone that could point me on the right direction to help find the documentation.

A: It uses CAST because by default SQL Server treats values with decimal points as the smallest NUMERIC value which can contain the value.
To see this, check out this query:
SELECT SQL_VARIANT_PROPERTY(66.000000000000000,'BaseType') [BaseType],
SQL_VARIANT_PROPERTY(66.000000000000000,'Precision') [Precision],
SQL_VARIANT_PROPERTY(66.000000000000000,'Scale') [Scale]

The result is:

BaseType
Precisions
Scale

numeric
17
15

So the value would have been treated as NUMERIC(17,15). To match the data type of the column, it uses CAST to be explicit about the data type and avoid conversion issues.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


RVP approval now will be required of every state and local board member, every youth committee member and youth director, plus all USBC Youth tournament managers.
USBC has released results of its latest Membership Satisfaction Survey that shows overall member satisfaction has improved over the past two years.
Survey findings from a third-party research firm show that participants at the USBC Open Championships support recent changes to the tournament, including the addition of a third average-based division.
The USBC Equipment Specifications and Certifications team spent more than two years doing in-depth research, leading to new specifications.
College student-athletes must juggle the tasks of attending classes, studying, practicing and competing.
The 2019 PWBA Tour season will start in April with its first trip to Cleveland for the PWBA Greater Cleveland Open, the first of 14 events on the 2019 schedule.


text:
Lyft adopts new safety measures after surge of lawsuits over sexual assault
Alexis Keenan
Yahoo Finance 10 September 2019
After a surge in lawsuits from ride-hailing passengers who say they were sexually assaulted by their driver, Lyft (LYFT) on Tuesday announced efforts to roll out new app features designed to enhance customer safety.
"Today, we're taking further action toward our goal of making Lyft the safest form of transportation for everyone with new initiatives to better predict if someone needs help; to provide easier access to emergency assistance; and require sexual violence prevention education with RAINN [Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network]," Lyft's president and co-founder John Zimmer said in a statement about the initiative.
Starting Tuesday, Lyft says it is beginning to build a system that it will roll out this year called "Smart Trip Check-In," designed to predict if passengers require help. According to the company, a dedicated Lyft team will communicate with riders and drivers when a ride appears to have unexplained delays. Lyft says it will inquire if the parties need support, and if necessary, request emergency assistance on their behalf.
A driver rides his car in front of the Lyft Drivers Hub in Los Angeles, California, March 29, 2019(Photo by Apu Gomes / AFP) (Photo credit should read APU GOMES/AFP/Getty Images)
In addition, Lyft says it's creating a collection of safety features available from a single location within its app, including access to 911, for both passengers and drivers. In May, Lyft started providing in-app 911 access for passengers, which displays current location information and vehicle information to help passengers inform emergency dispatchers. The company came under criticism for adopting the technology nearly a year after its competitor, Uber (UBER), and prioritizing a driver-only emergency 911 feature.
'We must heavily invest in safety'
In a partnership with the anti-sexual violence organization, Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), which carries out programs to prevent sexual violence, Lyft also announced that starting this fall, it will require all Lyft drivers to complete Community Safety Education training, as well as agree to its Community Guidelines. Anyone reported for violating the guidelines, which prohibit physically touching passengers or drivers without consent, and abusive, discriminatory, sexual or inappropriate language or gestures, the company says, will either be removed from its platform or required to take additional community safety education.
"We're committed to playing a significant role in connecting our communities with transportation, and we understand the responsibilities that come along with that. We've known since the beginning that as part of our mission, we must heavily invest in safety," Zimmer wrote.
In a San Francisco Superior Court complaint filed last week, 14 women from across the U.S. say they were sexually assaulted or raped by their Lyft driver between 2018 and 2019. The crimes, they say, occurred because of lax hiring standards and a failure to warn passengers about those standards. The lawsuit also claims that in 2015 and 2016, Lyft received close to 100 reports of its drivers sexually assaulting passengers — from a single U.S. state.
Lyft says its current safety practices include daily and annual monitoring for any criminal convictions reported concerning its drivers with criminal backgrounds, and exclusion of such drivers from its platform, as well as route sharing and driver photo and license plate tools for passengers.
Lawsuit against Lyft sheds light on number of women claiming sexual assault by drivers
Alexis Keenan is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow on Twitter @alexiskweed.
Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance
Follow Yahoo Finance on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Flipboard, SmartNews, LinkedIn, YouTube, and reddit.
Space Force flies through Twitter flak after unveiling camo uniforms in earthy tones
Hong Kong Science Park Companies Continue Their Strong Showing with Awards Attained at CES 2020
Takeover saves 600 Yorkshire mining jobs but 80,000 investors face losses
Is OUE Commercial Real Estate Investment Trust (SGX:TS0U) A Healthy REIT?
JD Wetherspoon cuts drink prices for Brexit — but only for a month
Charles Schwab Sees CCC Liquidity 'Slam'
We're Bullish on Asian Credit, Says HSBC Private Banking's Fan
Portugal probes Angola leaks as Eurobic bank distances itself from dos Santos
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Ten-year strategy to improve UK's financial wellbeing revealed
HS2 threatens by stealth to gobble up all available cash for rail
The Taylor Wimpey share price is up 36%. Here's what I'd do now


text:
import unittest

import paddle
import paddle.nn as nn
import paddle.nn.functional as F
from paddle.distributed import fleet
from paddle.distributed.fleet.meta_parallel import (
    LayerDesc,
    PipelineLayer,
    PipelineParallelWithInterleave,
)
from paddle.fluid.dygraph.layers import Layer

class ReshapeHelp(Layer):
    def __init__(self, shape):
        super().__init__()
        self.shape = shape

    def forward(self, x):
        return x.reshape(shape=self.shape)

class MLPForVirtualStageLayerTest(PipelineLayer):
    def __init__(self, num_classes=10, **kwargs):
        self.num_classes = num_classes
        decs = [
            LayerDesc(nn.Linear, 2, self.num_classes),
            LayerDesc(nn.Linear, self.num_classes, 2),
            LayerDesc(nn.Linear, 2, self.num_classes),
            LayerDesc(nn.Linear, self.num_classes, 2),
            LayerDesc(nn.Linear, 2, self.num_classes),
            LayerDesc(nn.Linear, self.num_classes, 2),
            LayerDesc(nn.Linear, 2, self.num_classes),
            LayerDesc(nn.Linear, self.num_classes, 2),
        ]
        super().__init__(layers=decs, loss_fn=nn.CrossEntropyLoss(), **kwargs)

class TestPipeLayerAPI(unittest.TestCase):
    def setUp(self):
        strategy = fleet.DistributedStrategy()
        self.pipeline_parallel_size = 2
        strategy.hybrid_configs = {
            "dp_degree": 1,
            "mp_degree": 1,
            "pp_degree": self.pipeline_parallel_size,
        }
        fleet.init(is_collective=True, strategy=strategy)
        self.rank = fleet.worker_index()
        self.hcg = fleet.get_hybrid_communicate_group()

    def test_pipelayer_desc(self):
        pipe_model = MLPForVirtualStageLayerTest(
            seg_method="layer:Linear",
            num_stages=self.pipeline_parallel_size,
            num_virtual_pipeline_stages=2,
            recompute_interval=1,
            recompute_ctx={
                "mp_group": self.hcg.get_model_parallel_group(),
                "offload": False,
                "partition": False,
            },
        )
        assert len(pipe_model.parameters()) > 0
        model_chunks = pipe_model.get_model_chunks()
        assert model_chunks is not None
        assert len(model_chunks) == 2

        optimizer = paddle.optimizer.SGD(parameters=pipe_model.parameters())

        try:
            model_chunks[0](paddle.to_tensor([1.0, 2.0]))
            raise NotImplementedError
        except PermissionError:
            pass

        # fake call for the forward function of virtual pipeline layer
        for i in range(len(model_chunks)):
            out = pipe_model(paddle.to_tensor([1.0, 2.0]), chunk_id=i)
            assert list(out.shape) == [2]
            out = F.relu(out)
            loss = paddle.mean(out)
            loss.backward()

        optimizer.step()

        # just make sure the model can be wrapped with distributed model
        dist_model = fleet.distributed_model(pipe_model)
        assert isinstance(dist_model, PipelineParallelWithInterleave)

if __name__ == '__main__':
    unittest.main()

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


I am a hobbyist breeder outside of Clemson,SC. I believe the Norwich is the best terrier breed. My puppies are raised in the house, I do not own a kennel. They are AKC reg and have a 100% health guarantee.
Small hobby show breeder. Our AKC Champion sired pups are raised in our home with our kids. Pups are well started on house training and are crate trained before they leave for their new homes. I sell to pet homes only, whether the pups are show quality or not, no breeders need inquire. Pups are required to be spayed/neutered, they are micro chipped before leaving here. 1-2 litters per year.


"What? Not another avocado mousse recipe!" I hear you say, I know, I know: every health blogger and clean eating guru worth their salt has one of these on their site. But, and it's a big but for me, I adore avocado and always have done, even before it gained its recent cool credentials.
I pretty much try and sneak it in wherever I can. When I was a teenager and ate meat, I used to love layers of roasted chicken, satay sauce and avocado between fluffy pieces of fresh white bread. Even then I had a penchant for testing different flavours combos.
The Australian climate is very conducive to avocado growing and anyone going out for an Aussie brunch would expect to see avo on at least a few of the menu options. When I was back in Perth a couple of weeks' ago, my mum and I walked past a house with an avocado bush growing over the front fence. It was full, and I mean FULL, to the brim with avocados. And this is when it's winter time in Perth. It was almost enough to make me want to move home. Unfortunately we're not so lucky with the weather in the UK; I'm sure it's possible to grow avocados here, but I think it's highly unlikely I'll ever see a heavily laden plant draping itself over the footpath.
Unless you've been living under rock, you'll probably have noticed a big surge in avocado appeal over the last few years. Pop #avocado into Instagram and you'll see what I mean. There was also the furore (and I use this in the loosest sense of the word) about Nigella's 'recipe' for avocado on toast. I say, go for it Nigella! The more avo the better. I'm sure Waitrose will also be grateful as their sales of avocado rocketed by 30% after the avocado toast episode of Simply Nigella aired.
A little avocado goes a long way. A quarter of an avocado sliced up is enough to have with eggs in the morning. I also love it chopped and popped on top of porridge. Avocado is a fruit after all, so it does also lend itself to sweet dishes. I really like the simplicity of the way it's served for brunch at The Modern Pantry in London's Finsbury Square, where it's drizzled with deliciously nutty Argan Oil.
Just a small word of warning, you might want to be a bit careful if you have IBS and are a following a FODMAP diet. Sometimes people with digestive issues find they need to limit how much avocado they eat as it has relatively high levels of fructose. I've learned this myself when my stomach's been at it's worst, but I just make sure I don't overdo it.
One flavour that works really well with avocado – and some people find this surprising – is chocolate. I love chocolate and I love avocado, so for me they are a match made in heaven. As avocado doesn't have loads of flavour it's a great foil for rich chocolate. I've even used avocado a few times in blind tasting activities in my workshops and quite often people can't identify what it is when they can't see it (especially if it's not very ripe). And it's not just about the flavour; avocado is also good for chocolate mousse as it provides a lovely creamy texture.
Given my love of avocado stems from my Aussie childhood, I also wanted to incorporate some indigenous Australian spices in the mousse. I brought back a lovely set of spices by Oz Tukka from my trip and includes something called wattleseed. Wattleseed has quite a nutty, coffee-like (and even a little chocolaty) taste, so is another natural partner for chocolate. If you'd like to get hold of some, you can buy wattleseed online in the UK from Spice Mountain. Otherwise you could substitute 1/2 teaspoon of fine espresso powder. I quite like the extra texture from the powder. It's not really the quite the same, but it will give your mousse an extra flavour flair.
An extra little avocado tip… even when you press the sides to see if it's soft, it's not always apparent whether an avocado is quite ripe. To be absolutely sure, remove the little bit of brown stem at the top of the avocado. If it's is definitely ripe, the indent should be green or on the way to brown. And to ripen an avocado quickly, pop it in a brown paper bag with a banana.
I'm also going to be using this basic recipe (without the wattleseed) in my creATE Adventures In Chocolate session on Saturday. People will have the chance to experiment with some other flavours and textures to include in the recipe, so I can't wait to see what gets added.
If you try it out yourself, I'd love to see the results on Twitter or Instagram – just tag me in your photo and add the hashtag #creATE. Happy flavour muddling!
1. Put all the ingredients except for the milk in a food processor. Blend for about 2-3 minutes until smooth.
2. Add the almond milk and blend for another few minutes until everything is completely mixed.
3. Scoop the mixture into ramekins or small dishes (egg cups are another cute option). The mousse is quite rich so you won't need large portions.
4. You can actually eat it straight away if you want, but I prefer to chill it a bit and let the flavours mellow. To chill, cover and pop in the fridge for 1-2 hours before serving.
A special thanks to Goodyfull for sending the lovely organic cacao powder to use in my classes. There's also a discount code for Food At Heart readers to use. The code FOODATHEART will give you 30% off any Goodyfull products.
It's an Australian ingredient (but you can buy it online in the UK) – they are seeds from Acacia trees which are native to Australia. Let me know if you'd like any more information! They taste a little like nutty coffee and look like very small cumin seeds.
Copyright © 2014 - Food At Heart. All rights reserved.


Max Kisman (1953) is a Dutch graphic design and illustrator. In the mid 1980s he pioneered digital technology and created first post stamp for PTT on the computer. In 1986, he co-founded TYP/Typografisch Papier on typography and art. Between 1984 and 1988, he taught graphic design and typography at the Gerrit Rietveld Academy, College of Arts and Crafts in Utrecht, and the Jan van Eyck Academy in Maastricht. From 1992-1997 he was chief graphic designer for VPRO television in the Netherlands. In 1994 he became involved in interactive media for VPRO-digital and in 1997 moved to San Francisco to work for Wired Television. He now lives in Amsterdam and running his own studio.


Mustard Yellow Ottoman Awesome Storage Bench Seat Indoor Flip Top Leather Within 5 | Citybirdregistry.com mustard yellow ottoman. mustard yellow ottoman footstool. mustard yellow pouf ottoman.
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text:
Home Canada Calgary Tents moved outside Calgary homeless shelter as outreach groups field cold weather...
Tents moved outside Calgary homeless shelter as outreach groups field cold weather calls – Calgary
For the second time in two months, several tents — part of a homeless encampment outside the Drop-In Centre — have been removed, but the City of Calgary said those tents have been relocated to a safer place.
In a tweet on Wednesday evening, city officials said the tent relocation came after reports some the of tents blocked access to the shelter for emergency service vehicles.
"We are working with occupants to relocate the tents to a safer location," the city's tweet said. "Only tents blocking emergency vehicle access or encroaching on a roadway will asked to be moved."
According to city officials, bylaw officers were careful when removing personal items from tents that appeared abandoned for "an extended period of time," or if they were asked by the person to dispose of them.
It comes after tents were removed from outside the shelter in early December after safety concerns due to open flames and obstruction of access for emergency vehicles to the Drop-In Centre.
Gondek seeking change after encampment broken up outside Calgary homeless shelter
The removal of the tents by bylaw officers drew the ire of Calgary mayor Jyoti Gondek, who said the practice is "not something we will stand for in our city," and prompted a meeting with homeless outreach advocates and the city to find solutions.
change – Dec 2, 2021
According to Calgary chief bylaw officer Ryan Pleckaitis, this week's response saw tents moved elsewhere in the area with supports offered to those living inside them amid the ongoing frigid temperatures.
"Ideally, we want people to move into the shelter system or into a treatment facility if they need that support… as opposed to residing in a tent outside, especially with the weather the way it's been for the past few weeks," Pleckaitis said.
"We recognize that there's a number of reasons why people are choosing to stay in that environment and it's our job to make sure that while they're there, they're in a safe place."
Extreme cold injuries: Dozens of Albertans suffer falls and frostbite so far in 2022
The frigid and prolonged temperatures have been challenging for the city's homeless population, and have prompted calls to both paramedics as well as local shelters.
Calgary EMS said it has responded to 31 cold weather related calls since New Year's Day in and around the downtown core, with a series of calls related to frostbite.
"It's been so cold recently and the wind chill has been so severe that in just minutes, even mild frostbite can take hold, and that can be limb threatening," EMS spokesperson Stuart Brideaux told Global News on Thursday.
New warming space, expanded DOAP team to help homeless Calgarians
It's been a similar and challenging situation for local homeless outreach groups as well.
According to the Alpha House, their volunteers are fielding between 60 and 80 calls per day related to the cold and that doesn't include "sweeps" the team does in an effort to connect with people in need of services.
"Our teams are managing crisis situations with regard to the weather on top of being stretched due to the pandemic," Alpha House spokesperson Shaundra Bruvall said in a statement to Global News.
"We are continually working with our partners in the sector as well as city services to ensure anyone wishing to connect to services is safely able to do so."
The Mustard Seed said traffic at its shelter locations has increased due to the cold weather.
The shelter's street level and volunteer manager Andrew Gusztak said the frigid temperatures are a double edged sword, as the conditions outside are dangerous for its clients but more visits to the shelter lead to "some success and moving people in the right direction."
Gusztak said the shelter has ramped up its downtown warming center with increased food options and warm clothing for their clients.
We have our transportation available, with our warming rooms with extended hours," Gusztak said. "We believe we have everything needed to help people get right off the streets if they're out there freezing."
Calgary city council approves $750K to help homeless population through winter
Meanwhile, the Drop-In Centre, where the tents are located outside, said its doors are open for anyone in need of support as the shelter continues to have capacity.
"The DI continues to allow access to everyone that chooses to shelter with us other than those who pose extremely safety risks to staff and other clients, and we continue to have capacity at the main shelter facility," Drop-In Centre spokesperson Nathan Ross said in a statement. "Additionally, our clothing room is open on a daily basis right now to get warm clothing to those who need it."
"We're not leading with peace officers and police officers," Pleckaitis said. "We're leading first with social service workers and supporting individuals before we're removing encampments or any materials in the area."
Calgarians who may see anyone struggling in the cold temperatures are urged to contact the DAOP Team at (403) 998-7388 or emergency services by calling 911.
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Calgary police investigating bullet-riddled, bloodied truck in northeast – Calgary


Delicious Magazine has announced their top 100 most delicious restaurants from Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. Congratulations to all the restaurants, and an extra large cheers goes to our CAPI supporters.
Head over to vote for your fave now.
Next CAPI + Pimm's O'Clock?


more than 10 amplifier built up with Perque Drive past days .result is quite very good than normal SRPP and penthode drive.
tubes.Triode must be use low Mu around 20 is good result.you may use 6AN8 and 7199 both are good for drive.
getting easly in market in Japan. sound like penthode but charactor is SRPP.very good width band.
-1dB at 1 W rms by 2A3. circuit diagram is almost same as EL156 Single Ended Amplifier.
This amplifier's Spec is 4.5 W rms 8 ohm. 20Hz to 80Khz non NFB and small KNB.45 is about 1.6W rms.
getting very clear sound and good bass.
SBD is shottkey diode for a parts of power supply 2.5 V of 45 filament.


text:
NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 schedule: Start times for Michigan State
Posted: 11:37 AM, Mar 25, 2019
Jamie Squire/Getty Images
DES MOINES, IOWA - MARCH 23: Gabe Kalscheur #22 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers shoots the ball against Kenny Goins #25 of the Michigan State Spartans during the second half in the second round game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena on March 23, 2019 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
(WXYZ) — Michigan State is headed to the Sweet 16. For the Spartans, it's the first time since 2015.
For the No. 2 Spartans, they'll take on No. 3 LSU in Washington D.C. on Friday night, starting at 7:09 p.m. on CBS and on March Madness Live .
If the Spartans win, they'll face the winner of No. 1 Duke vs. No. 4 Virginia Tech on Sunday.
Check out the entire Sweet 16 schedule below.
- LSU vs. Michigan State - 7:09 p.m. on CBS
- Auburn vs. North Carolina - 7:29 p.m. on TNT
- Virginia Tech vs. Duke - 9:39 p.m. on CBS
- Houston vs. Kentucky - 9:57 p.m. on TBS


Thank you for your e-mail of 10 January, with your philosophical dialogue for the Metaphysics program, 'The Case of Mr Cogitous: a philosophical dialogue about egocentric subjectivism' which I enjoyed reading very much.
Allowing for dramatic license, you have summarized the dialectic of egocentrism, up to the point of Kant's Second 'Refutation of Idealism' with a reasonable degree of accuracy. It is a tribute to your skilful and sympathetic characterization of Mr Cogitous that the reader finds his philosophy *almost* believable.
Mr Cogitous permits himself to say things like, 'I can see clouds through the bars of my cell', or 'There is soup in the bowl' while at the same time refusing any implication that these concepts refer to things that exist in a world external to the self. All that exists, is the self and the story it tells itself. 'There is no need for real movement, real bowls and stuff like that,' says Mr Cogitous.
Mr Cogitous is trying to tell us something. The immediate question is not whether he is right, but whether he has in fact succeeded in conveying the thought he means to convey. 'What you see is an appearance that appears for several times at different locations.' All that really exists is, 'This'.
Meanwhile, the conversation continues as normal. Mr Cogitous allows himself to say all the things that someone who did not hold his theory would say, but with a sly wink: 'It's not really real, you know!' But what does that mean? What is different, in the world of Mr Cogitous? He looks around, and everything is just the same as it was before. The bars are still there, the bowl is still there.
Now, there is possibly a bit of misunderstanding regarding the idea of 'the This' and the role of the Reality Principle.
As I see it, the dialectic goes as follows. One starts off with the idea that, 'All I really know are the contents of my own mind'. At this early point the reality principle already comes into play. I cannot *know* the red experience or the blue experience, the square shaped experience or the triangle shaped experience, because to apply these concepts, red, blue etc. implies that I have the ability to recognize a given object as red or not-red, blue or not-blue etc. However, if my act of recognition is a judgement which *cannot* be wrong, then by the reality principle, it cannot be right either. So all one is left with is the thought, 'This is this', or simply, 'This'.
The part about the memory medium is a rearguard attempt to explain how judgements can be false as well as true, but it doesn't work. - And then comes Kant.
So I agree with the interpretation of the Second Refutation according to which, as you say, 'All that I want from space is that it is something where objects can quasi move themselves.' But note that this space does not need to be three-dimensional. The idea of space that plays the decisive role in this argument is just a theoretical structure on which to 'pin' experiences. Once pinned, there arises the possibility of false judgement. The experience, pinned to a point in quasi space, becomes an 'object' concerning which it is possible for me to have false beliefs.
You leave the dialectic at that point. However, I would argue that what the transcendental solipsist 'means' can only be discovered if we take the next step. 'All there really is, is This' is another way of saying, 'The world is my world.' But we cannot understand what that means until we have fully grasped what it would mean to deny that claim, and assert instead that the world is not my world.
Perhaps the subject for another dialogue?


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«Новое шоу Дятла Вуди» () — американский комедийный мультсериал о Дятле Вуди.

Режиссёрами первых тринадцати эпизодов стали известные мультипликаторы Боб Жакс и Алан Заслов, после единственным режиссёром остался Заслов. Мультфильм был создан на студий Universal Cartoon Studios. Сериал является неформальным продолжением и обновлённой версией «Шоу Дятла Вуди», транслировавшегося в пятидесятые годы прошлого столетия. Каждый выпуск был разделен на несколько частей, в которых показывались, помимо Вуди, истории таких персонажей как, например, Чилли Вилли.

Персонажи
 Дятел Вуди — главный персонаж. Проживает на дереве в обустроенном домике в пригороде. В сериале очень часто изображён как лодырь, пытающийся получить все на блюдечке. Порой из-за этого влипает в истории и ввязывается в конфликты, из которых, однако, виртуозно умеет выйти победителем. Однако, здесь Вуди, пожалуй, куда более положительный герой, чем в старых мультфильмах; в сериале никогда не было показано, чтобы он стучал клювом, да и побеждает он тех, кто хочет ему насолить, не так садистски.
 Гриф Базз Баззард (Канюк) — злобный стервятник, мошенник, заклятый враг Вуди.
 Твики (Канючик) — помощник Базза Баззарда, мошенник. Возможно, является его сыном.
 Морж Уолли Уолрус — ворчливый сосед Вуди, именно на его участке растёт дерево, на котором живёт дятел.
 Миссис Миани Гнусси — еще одна соседка Вуди, с которым они часто конфликтуют.
 Дятел Винни Долгоклювка — лучшая подруга Вуди. В некоторых сериях именно она является центральным персонажем.
 Волдырь и Заноза — шаловливые птенцы-племянники Вуди. В некоторых сериях именно они являются центральными персонажами.
 Чилли Вилли — молчаливый пингвин из Антарктики.
 Смедли — пёс, основной враг Чилли Вилли.
 Макси — полярный медведь, один из врагов Чилли Вилли.
 Сержант Гоуш — пёс, периодический противник Чилли Вилли. В нескольких эпизодах заменяет Смедли и медведя Макси.
 Габби Гатор — прожорливый аллигатор, противник Дятла Вуди. Живёт в старой хижине на болоте.

В ролях
 Билли Уэст — Дятел Вуди, Морж Уолли, Смелди
 Марк Хэмилл — Базз Баззард
 Андреа Мартин — Миссис Миани
 Б.Дж. Уорд — Винни Долгоклювка
 Элизабет Дэйли — Волдырь
 Ника Футтерман — Заноза
 Кевин Майкл Ричардсон — майор Булл
 Роб Полсен — сержант Хогваш
 Блейк Кларк — полярный медведь Макси

Список серий

1 сезон (1999)

2 сезон (2000)

3 сезон (2002)

Показ сериала
Премьера сериала состоялась на американском телеканале Fox Kids 8 мая 1999 года, там же транслировался вплоть до момента закрытия в 2002 году.

Примечания

Ссылки

Мультсериалы США, запущенные в 1999 году
Мультсериалы США, завершённые в 2002 году
Fox Kids
Программы телеканала Fox
Телесериалы NBC Universal Television
Мультсериалы на английском языке
Сатирические мультсериалы


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basicController.get = (req, res) => {
  res.status(200).json({
    message: 'Welcome to our API!'
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module.exports = basicController


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AUC INTERPRETATIONES, Vol 5 No 2 (2015), 95–113
Experience beyond Storytelling: László Tengelyi on the Narrative Identity Debate
Jakub Čapek
The article focuses on narrative identity theory and its criticism in the work of László Tengelyi. It shows the particular way Lászó Tengelyi challenges narrative identity theory by employing the concept of "experience", which is inspired by certain phenomenological, especially French-speaking, philosophers. In the concluding part, some open questions in Tengelyi's account of selfhood are addressed, such as the retrospective character of the narrative, the notion of action as adventure, and the role of the ethics of alterity in the philosophical analysis of personal identity.
Experience beyond Storytelling: László Tengelyi on the Narrative Identity Debate is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
8_Čapek.pdf


The Anxious are Mark Anxious and Chrissi Anxious, who have been producing under this name since 1998. Their sound is characteristically dark and uncompromising, with a musical message that many have imitated, but failed to deliver. They burst onto the techno scene with a series of punishing releases on some of the worlds top electronic labels of the time, as well as their own Blackout Audio imprint.
Classics such as 'Beginning Of The End' and 'Visions Of A Motion' on Planet Rhythm and Compound, soon meant that these two soon caught the attention of many of the leading techno jocks such as Dave Clarke, Carl Cox, Richie Hawtin and of course Joey Beltram.
Their music defined the sound of techno music at the turn of the millenium, leading to countless demands worldwide for them to produce a live experience to match their breath-taking release schedule. In 2005 they performed a ground breaking live appearance at t he leading global t echno event , t he legendary Circuito in Sao Paulo Brazil, the recording of which is still talked about today.
In 2006 and 2007 they released music on Chris Liebing's Audio label as well as joining forces with Arms and Audio Assault records to release a series of blistering EP's that again featuring high on the playlists of DJ's such as Dave Clarke, DJ Rush and dark techno favorite Bas Mooy.2008 saw a slow down in their release schedule, as the sound of techno music moved into new territories that they did not wish to become a part of. Refusing to follow the trends of the day, they instigated a three-year studio lock-down, to reshape a sound that takes dark, electronic mind-music to a whole new generation. The results are out now, with an even stronger message. A more defined sound. It's up to you to find it.


Home » Teen Mom 2 Season 9 Reunion: Will ANY of the Cast Be There?!
Well, it is that point once more.
Another Teen Mom 2 reunion is upon us, and often, meaning intense drama, awkward stare-downs, and possibly even some hair-pulling.
This 12 months, nevertheless, we'd find yourself with Dr. Drew Pinsky alone on stage with some crickets and tumbleweed.
Over the weekend, two of the mothers took to Twitter to declare that they won't be attending the reunion.
And main questions stay about the attendance of not less than one different.
As you might recall, final 12 months's reunion was one thing of a debacle. You would possibly even name it an old style clusterf–k.
There was a tense stand-off between Kailyn Lowry and Briana DeJesus backstage, and Bri's sister Brittany later viciously yanked on Kail's hair.
Jenelle Evans, in the meantime, did not even make the journey to NYC. Instead, Dr. Drew traveled to her residence in North Carolina for an interview.
Naturally, followers are interested by who will likely be in attendance at this 12 months's reunion. Unfortunately, the reply retains altering.
"A little birdie told me briana isn't going to the reunion. Which is funny cause I'm not either. Let's see how this goes," Kail tweeted over the weekend.


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Canary Islands Cruises
View all Canary Islands cruises
Scattered 70 miles off the coast of Africa, the Canaries combine European sophistication with a superb African climate. The islands are known for their year-round warmth, which is why a Canaries cruise is the perfect adventure for sun worshippers or those who wish to swim, sail, snorkel or simply stroll their way around magnificent landscapes. [ReadMoreMob]
This dramatic region is beyond most people's expectations. The varied landscapes include the subtropical national park of La Gomera, the cascades of La Palma's waterfalls and the pine canopy across Gran Canaria's mountainous interior. Vistas that are in stark contrast to the barren lands of Tenerife - home to majestic Mount Teide - and the extravagant rock formations of Lanzarote's lava fields. The Canaries offers a broad range of accessible outdoor activities. Many visitors enjoy hiking the signposted footpaths that criss-cross the islands, or to vary the pace with horse rides, boat trips and rounds of golf. [ReadMoreDesk]
While the Canary Islands may not offer the punch of galleries and museums of mainland Spain, there is much in the way of culture and art across the islands. The region's architecture is also a draw for visitors, as the Canaries' characteristic wooden balconies, leafy patios and brightly-painted façades around every turn are a joy to discover. All of which can be taken advantage of on a memorable Canary Islands cruise.
Arrecife, Spain
Lanzarote Volcanoes
Covering over 12,600 acres of land, the legendary Timanfaya National Park is a geological wonderland of steaming volcanic tuff, fascinating rock formations and striking volcanic cones glowing in a variety of colours. The park can be explored by camel, too.
The Manrique Cactus Garden features over 1,000 species. Constructed on a volcanic ash quarry, the terraced garden was the artist's final project and is arranged in the shape of a large amphitheatre, framing its inhabitants against a stunning backdrop.
Jameos del Agua
This rock formation is the result of a lava tube cooling into the sea around 5,000 years ago. The cave has since been converted into a majestic auditorium, including underground gardens and a beautiful clear azure lake. Blind crabs are endemic here.
Gran Tarajal, Spain
World Biosphere Reserve
Volcanic landscapes, pristine beaches and the largest desert in Europe are among some of the natural features that have earned Fuerteventura its status as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The island is also one of 50 paleontological sites of global importance.
With more goats than people living on Fuerteventura, it'll come as no surprise that the island is renowned for its goat's cheese. Majorero cheese, in particular, is a must-try. Also known as Queso Fuerteventura, it's semi-hard with a nutty, milky flavour.
Entallada Lighthouse
Built in 1953, this unique lighthouse was the last of its kind in the Canary Islands to be constructed as a habitable dwelling. Sitting atop a 200-metre-high cliff at the end of a narrow, winding road, it's the closest point to Africa in the Canaries.
Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Spain
Sand Dunes at Maspalomas
This iconic 400-hectare stretch of dunes is part of a beautiful low coastline of sandy beaches and shallow waters. Despite the desert-like climate, rare plants can thrive, alongside lizards and rabbits. The dunes have been protected for over 100 years.
The Canary Island pine uses its needles to condense moisture from the air (which falls as rain), allowing it to grow high in the mountains of Gran Canaria. The needles also protect the trees from fires by burning quickly before heat damages the growing buds.
Canary Wrinkly Potatoes with Mojo
Papas arrugadas (Canarian wrinkly potatoes) is an authentic Canarian potato dish, typically served with a chili pepper and garlic sauce called 'mojo rojo'. Boiling the potatoes in salt water creates the shrivelled, 'wrinkly' effect.
Links to Fred. Olsen
The Fred. Olsen Group has historical links to the Canary Islands, having had operations here since 1904. In Gomera, you will find a road named Paseo Fred Olsen, a ferry service, and a family-owned hotel - Hotel Jardin Tecina.
While much of La Gomera is rocky and mountainous, the island is also home to lush valleys, palm trees, banana plantations, black sand beaches, forests and even a tropical
jungle in the Garajonay National Park. La Gomera has been declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Columbus and his crews used this island as a port of call on their voyages both to India and to Central and South America.
Santa Cruz de La Palma, Spain
La Palma retains a unique edge over the rest of the Canary Islands, boasting the most glorious flowers, the most worthwhile walking trails and the clearest skies. It's Biosphere Reserve status has deservedly covered the entire island since 2002.
As the first 'starlight reserve', La Palma represents a perfect place to stargaze, as various lighting laws are in place to ensure it retains its unique status. The observatories at Roque de los Muchachos contain the largest optical telescope in the world.
Mount Teide
Standing over 3,700 metres tall within Teide National Park, Mount Teide dominates the landscape of Tenerife and is the highest mountain in Spain. A cable car ride to the summit affords unprecedented views over this geological treasure and beyond.
Pyramids of Güímar
These six terraced structures made of lava stone are believed to date back to the 19th century AD. So much mystery surrounds the pyramids in terms of their origin, but according to researchers, they are aligned astronomically with the winter and summer solstices.
Historic banana trade
Tenerife is the largest banana exporter in the Canaries. At the plantations, you'll be in touch with Fred. Olsen history. The family were involved in the fruit trade between the UK and the Canaries, and in naming 'Canary Wharf', the quay where the ships landed.
Puerto del Rosario, Fuerteventura
Cruises to Canary Islands
Winter Warmth in the Canaries • S2205A
Celebrate spring with an escape to the Canaries
Relax and unwind in Tenerife's al fresco bars
Uncover lunar-like landscapes of Arrecife
Escape to the Canaries • T2204A
Fri 04 Mar 2022
An unforgettable winter escape to the Canaries
Chance to scale Mount Teide for incredible views
A must do visit to the floral island of Madeira
Canaries & Portugal with Funchal Flower Parade • L2211
Mon 02 May 2022
Witness a fusion of floral colour on this springtime cruise
Explore Madeira's lush landscapes and tropical gardens
Delight in the maritime history of La Coruña and Lisbon
Islands of Cape Verde • T2230A
Experience the spectacular beauty of glorious islands
Enjoy an authentic taste of Cape Verde
Discover volcanic landscapes and natural wonders
Christmas Celebrations in the Canaries • S2233
Experience Christmas festivities on board
View the spectacular New Year's Eve fireworks in Funchal
Unwind on sandy beaches in the Canaries
Christmas Celebrations in the Canaries • L2234
Enjoy an unforgettable Christmas at sea
Discover the beaches and landscapes of the Canaries
Celebrate New Year's Eve in style in Tenerife
Winter warmth in the Canaries • T2301
Tue 03 Jan 2023
Relax on the beaches near Santa Cruz in Tenerife
Ride the cable car in Funchal
Enjoy the Three Kings street parade and Epiphany celebrations
Winter Warmth in the Canaries • S2302
Relax on sandy beaches in Tenerife
Explore the volcanic landscapes on Lanzarote
Visit the Maspalomas sand dunes in Gran Canaria
Escape to the Canaries • L2305
Explore magnificent Mount Teide when in Tenerife
Take a visit to Lanzarote's Fire Mountains
Enjoy a toboggan ride in Funchal


We published our new Top 100 for Continental Europe just before Christmas and for the last two months we've been updating all the national listings within that geographical region. This is the last of those biennial chart revisions for Europe and we conclude the exercise with one of the continent's big hitters, France.
Organised golf has been played in this country since the middle of the 19th century, with the formation of Pau Golf Club in 1856 officially marking the start of France's sporting love affair with the royal and ancient game. Before the turn of that century other clubs sprung up in Dinard (1887), Biarritz (1888), Cannes (1891) and Deauville (1899) but it was the course at Golf de Compiègne, near Paris, which holds the honour of being the first venue to host golf at an Olympic Games in 1900.
Of course, the Olympics have never been used as a vehicle to develop the game of golf down the years – even the most recent edition of the Olympic golf event in Brazil could hardly be described as a roaring promotional success – but what has driven the game forward, certainly among professionals, is the participation of top players in prestigious international competitions like the Open.
Biarritz-born Arnaud Massy won the inaugural French Open in 1906 before heading across the channel to Royal Liverpool the following year, becoming the first non-Briton to win the Open since it was established in 1860. Massy's victory certainly raised the profile of the game in his native France (and beyond) but it's a pity the Great War stymied his career when he was in his prime, even though he did go on to win the Belgian, French and Spanish Opens between 1910 and 1928.
How many of those attending the upcoming Ryder Cup on the Albatros course at Golf National – an event many consider to be the modern-day pinnacle of professional golf in Europe – will realise the full extent of the personal contribution that Arnaud Massy made towards the game's popularity on the European continent? It's really rather sobering to compare and contrast the fortunes of the top pros back in the day who barely scratched a living compared to the superstar lifestyles of the players who'll be teeing it up in Paris this September.
Two courses each move up one place to number 2 and number 3 respectively, and, like Morfontaine, they too are very distinguished old Tom Simpson designs. The Vineuil at Golf de Chantilly lies an hour's drive to the north of Paris city centre and Golf de Fontainebleau sits the same distance from the heart of the capital in the opposite direction. Both occupy similarly fabulous forested locations but it must be said the course at Fontainebleau is considerably tighter than its counterpart on the other side of the city. Ranked #5 and #6 in Europe, these are unquestionably two of the top tracks on the continent to guarantee a truly memorable golfing experience.
Around 250 kilometres north of the capital, on France's fabled Côte d'Opale, lie the seaside resorts of Neufchâtel-Hardelot and Le Touquet-Paris-Plage. It's here that Open Golf, the well-known golf facility operator, manages a couple of Golden Age courses which have just undergone what can only be described as a new millennium renaissance following substantial financial investment by the company. Les Pins at Golf d'Hardelot (up seven to number 7)and La Mer at Golf du Touquet (up three to number 10) are early 1930s layouts from the design firms of Tom Simpson and Harry Colt that have just received substantive makeovers by architect Frank Pont and Patrice Boissonnas (whose family own Open Golf Club) involving tree removal, green enlargement, fairway widening and bunker reconstruction.
Several courses make impressive moves in the right direction within our new chart: Tom Doak's understated design at Grand Saint-Emilionnais Golf Club near Bordeaux entered our French listings at number 23 last time around and it now rises seven places to 16 while the Harry Colt-designed Vert layout at Golf de Saint-Cloud in Paris, site for more than a dozen French Opens, advances four spots to number 20.
A little further down the chart, the course at Golf Country Club de Cannes-Mougins on the Côte d'Azur, which Tom Mackenzie has recently been renovating, climbs seven places to number 35 and the historically important La Vallée course at Golf de La Boulie in Paris, site of Arnaud Massy's aforementioned triumph in the first Open de France, moves eight rungs up the ladder to number 44.
Mention must also be made of two outstanding leaps into the top half of the table from courses at either end of the country.
The club at Golf de Wimereaux (up twenty-five to 46) dates back to 1901 but the coastal course near Boulogne-sur-mer that's in use today is much changed from the one that was first brought into play over a century ago, thanks mainly to the ravages of World War II, after which the links was abandoned for fifteen years. Twelve hundred kilometres to the south, not far from Saint-Maxime on the French Riviera, Michel Gayon's early 1990s Provencal production at Les Domaines de Saint-Endréol continues to make a big impact on our new chart – having entered at number 85 two years ago, it now rockets an impressive thirty-five places up to number 50.
The highest of our four new entries appears at number 80 and it's the 18-hole layout at Golf de la Nivelle, located in the southwest corner of the country, less than ten kilometres from the border with Spain, with the tree-lined fairways laid out on hilly terrain overlooking the Atlantic harbour of Saint-Jean-de-Luz. The club was formed in 1907, with the founding members appointing the then three-time Open champion J. H. Taylor to set out their course. Not too many people might remember the club co-hosting the Open de France in the early 1970s, when the first two rounds of the tournament were played on two different courses. In 1971 La Nivelle and Biarritz-Le Phare were used for this competition (with the final two rounds played at Biarritz-Le Phare) then the following year this arrangement was reversed.
To view further details of our newly updated France Top 100 rankings click the link.
As ever, we like to know what you think about our re-ranked national listings in Europe so please make use of the "Respond to this article" link at the top or the bottom of this page if you have anything to say about this newly refreshed Top 100 chart for France.
Having doubled our coverage of French courses last time around, we freely admit the bottom half of the table, in particular, is something of a work in progress. By all means tell us what we've got right and what could be improved – we don't produce "definitive" lists, we like to think we publish the "most informed" rankings, so your points of view really matter to us.


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You are here: Home / Uncategorized / Air Ambulance KSS Rated Outstanding In All 5 Key Lines Of Enquiry By C...
Air Ambulance KSS Rated Outstanding In All 5 Key Lines Of Enquiry By CQC
March 24, 2020 /0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by Joe Heneghan
Air Ambulance Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) has been rated outstanding by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) across all five of its inspection key lines of enquiry — a level only achieved by a very small proportion of the UK's CQC-inspected healthcare organisations.
It is the first Helicopter Emergency Medical Service to achieve this top rating in all categories/ key lines of enquiry.
Inspectors rated KSS, a registered charity, as outstanding for being safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led — the five key areas which form the framework of the inspection.
Whilst KSS has been registered since 2011, this is this first time the regulations have allowed the CQC to give a rating.
The CQC report highlights a wide range of outstanding practices at KSS including the service's 'strong leadership', 'thoroughly patient focused team,' 'open culture to reporting all types of incidents,' 'highly motivated staff' and 'strong, comprehensive systems and processes.'
KSS's collaboration with local, national and international partner organisations to help improve services to patients was also singled out.
Inspectors praised KSS's engagement with its partners such as local NHS trusts and the Ministry of Defence.
They also noted that the continuing development of staff skills, competence and knowledge was 'integral to ensuring high quality care'.
All staff were 'actively involved in activities to monitor and improve quality and outcomes' and there was a focus on 'openness, transparency and learning.'
David Welch, CEO, Air Ambulance KSS
The inspectors were impressed by KSS's continual focus on the 'safe use of innovative and pioneering approaches to care.'
This included the service's research into new methods of treatments and innovative ways to make patient information more easily available to all staff providing care in order to deliver more efficient and cohesive treatment and care of patients.
Commenting, David Welch, Chief Executive of KSS, said: "Receiving an outstanding rating from the CQC across the board is testament to the dedication and commitment of our exceptional team, who work tirelessly to ensure the right treatments and best possible outcomes for our patients.'
"My sincere thanks go to every single member of Team KSS – staff, volunteers, partners and stakeholders — all of whom have contributed to this amazing achievement."
"I am incredibly proud and privileged to lead our outstanding team who show an exceptional commitment to our patients and to supporting one another 'the KSS Way' with people at the heart of everything we do.'
Dr Helen Bowcock, Chair, Air Ambulance KSS
"Our health service is currently faced with an unprecedented challenge and we are exploring new ways that we can best deploy our experience, expertise and resources to support the NHS and the wider community at such a critical time."
Dr Helen Bowcock, Chair of the Board of Trustees, added: "As a Board we congratulate our teams for receiving so many commendations including on our open and collaborative culture, our holistic approach to care and the cohesion throughout our organisation.'
"We were honoured to receive a visit from HRH The Princess Royal in February to mark our 30th anniversary and now have the honour of being rated Outstanding by the CQC."
Dr Nigel Acheson, Deputy Chief Inspector of Hospitals (London & South), CQC
Dr Nigel Acheson, Deputy Chief Inspector of Hospitals (London and South), said: "The service has a vision for what it wanted to achieve and a strategy to turn it into an action, developed with all relevant stakeholders.'
"Feedback from people who use the service was continually positive about the way staff treat people; they thought that staff went the extra mile and the care they received exceeded their expectations."
Philip Astle, CEO of South East Coast Ambulance Foundation Trust, said: "I am incredibly proud to be a partner of KSS and the fact that the CQC have rated them so highly is absolutely no surprise to those of us who work closely with them.'
"They are a team full of people who strive for excellence, are innovative, enthusiastic and tireless in their search to improve patient care.'
Philip Astle, CEO, SECAmb
"They are fantastic partners who always seek to maximise the effect of that partnership rather than seek organisational gain."
Operating out of Redhill Aerodrome and headquartered in Rochester, KSS provides world-leading pre-hospital emergency care whenever and wherever required to save lives and to enable the best possible patient outcomes. Covering Kent, Surrey and Sussex, KSS serves a population of 4.8 million plus those who travel through the area — one of the busiest in the UK.'
"Its crews of pilots, doctors and paramedics fly over 2,500 missions a year, and it was the first, and only, UK Air Ambulance to operate its helicopters 24/7. '
"Of the more than £14m needed to sustain the service each year, 89% is raised by public donation and fundraising.'
The CQC is the independent regulator of all health and social services in England. The inspection was carried out at KSS's Redhill Aerodrome premises in January 2020.
A copy of the CQC report is available at www.cqc.org.uk
https://ambulancetoday.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/AT-Logo-2-1-300x68.jpg 0 0 Joe Heneghan https://ambulancetoday.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/AT-Logo-2-1-300x68.jpg Joe Heneghan2020-03-24 18:46:132020-03-24 18:46:17Air Ambulance KSS Rated Outstanding In All 5 Key Lines Of Enquiry By CQC
EEAST Thanks Public For Support MDA Recieves New Corona Ambulance Ambulance With Airtight Separation Between...


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Ronnie David Coggins
September 19, 1969 - May 1, 2021
Ronnie David Coggins age 51 of Cosby passed away on May 1, 2021. He was preceded in death by his father Creed Coggins, sister Debbie Moore, brother Ferman Coggins, nephew K.C. Moore, niece Sheena Coggins. He is survived by his mother Vinita Coggins of Hartford, son Ryder Coggins of Hartford , mother of his son Donna Vetrano, daughters Kaelyn Coggins of Cosby, Jerrika Wheeler of Maryville, and his grandson Sterling, brothers Richard (Lisa) Coggins of Hartford, Steve (Amanda) Coggins of Hartford, sisters Angie (Marty) Pack of Hartford, nephews Eric Coggins, Blake Pack, Josh Shek, nieces Amy Moore and Kinley Coggins. Funeral services 7 pm Thursday May 6, 2021 in Manes Funeral Home Chapel with Jerry Raines and Danny Green officiating. Burial will be at 1 pm Friday May 7, 2021 in the Black Cemetery. Family will receive friends from 4-7 pm on Thursday prior to the funeral services. Please continue to follow CDC guidelines for safe social distancing and masks are recommended. Family and friends may sign online at: www.manesfuneralhome.com Arrangements by manes Funeral Home.
Ronnie David Coggins age 51 of Cosby passed away on May 1, 2021. He was preceded in death by his father Creed Coggins, sister Debbie Moore, brother Ferman Coggins, nephew K.C. Moore, niece Sheena Coggins. He is survived by his mother Vinita... View Obituary & Service Information
The family of Ronnie David Coggins created this Life Tributes page to make it easy to share your memories.
Ronnie David Coggins age 51 of Cosby passed away on May 1, 2021.
Send flowers to the Coggins family.


Any video game fan worth his salt will know the classic game of Tetris. Now you can show your appreciation for this vintage game with this Adult Tetris O Yellow Morph Costume. Perfect for a 70s/80s themed party and ideal for a group looking to match.


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Q: SharePoint 2013 ribbon doesn't look right You ever have one of those problems where your google-fu doesn't work because you have no idea what words to use? That's the problem I have with two of my SharePoint 2013 sites. Simply put, the ribbon looks like this:

But on my other site, it looks like this (as it should):

This behavior is only happening in Google Chrome, with IE 11 it looks fine. I have IE 10 at work, and I THINK it was misbehaving there as well.
So what did I do, and how do I undo it?

A: This view is usually because the browser window is being squeezed. If you have your resolution low or browser window small, it can do that. Also if you have any custom masterpage that sizes down that control that will do it.