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Tag: mystery
Two years ago, Iwanaga Kotoko saved Sakuragawa Kurou's life by catching him as he fell backwards. All she asked in return was that he remember his savior for the rest of his life. Kotoko later learned Kurou had a girlfriend, but they recently broke up. Having harbored a one-sided affection the last two years, Kotoko now approaches Kurou with her intentions to date him with eventual plans for marriage.
If Kotoko sounds like an unusual girl, she is: when she was eleven she was kidnapped by various youkai who asked if she would consent to serving as their "God of Wisdom", one who could both mediate issues between youkai and between youkai and humans. In exchange for agreeing to help them, Kotoko lost her right eye and left leg, but considers becoming a god who can commune with youkai to be a fair trade.
When a particularly nasty ayakashi troubles a local library, youkai go to Kotoko to ask for aid. But as she's outgunned in this particular case, she asks Kurou to accompany her. While youkai everywhere fear him like some kind of bogeyman, including a kappa whose reaction to seeing him led to his breakup with his girlfriend, Kotoko sees the value of having someone like him in her corner.
Thus, their "first date" involves confronting the giant beast in the library, and while Kotoko's words fail, Kurou's actions don't. Only even Kotoko is surprised by how Kurou deals with the beast: he lets it rip his arm off, only for it to immediately regenerate, and the beast shortly dies, poisoned by Kurou's flesh. Kurou confesses that something happened to him when he was eleven too: he ate youkai flesh.
While lacking in action until the final minutes, the introduction of the forthright, no-nonsense, charming Kotoko and the inscrutable, unflappable Kurou is very well-handled and their dialogue never drags. They sport instant chemistry, owing in no small part to the voice talents of Miyano Mamoru and Kitou Akari, and I'm eager to see not just how they work together but how they become closer going forward.
Author magicalchurlsukuiPosted on Sat, 11 Jan 2020 Mon, 13 Jan 2020 Categories Anime Reviews, In / Spectre, Winter 2020Tags asking out, balance, breakup, confession, demons, god of wisdom, iwanaga kotoko, kidnapping, kyokou suiri, library, mediator, mystery, poison, romantic comedy, sakuragawa kurou, supernatural, youkai, yumihara saki1 Comment on In / Spectre – 01 (First Impressions) – An Eye and a Leg
Magia Record – 02 – With Friends Like These…
Iroha keeps dreaming of her little sister, Ui. Kyuubey questions if Ui is or was even a real person, wondering why anyone would bother erasing her. But let's not forget: Kyuubey is a trickster and can't be trusted! Iroha's apparent wish was to cure Ui, a wish that might result in Ui being cured, but doesn't preclude her from disappearing, both from Iroha's physical world and her memory.
There's a medical center in her dream that's a real place in Kamihama, so she sets off in the off-chance Ui is still a patient there. Her bus ride is interrupted by a Witch, who charms all of the passengers and lures them into a Labyrinth. Iroha transforms and follows, but again she is outmatched, as is a red-haired magical girl Akino Kaede. Fortunately Kaede has friends in Togame Momoko and Minami Rena.
Momoko, ostensibly the Mama Bear of their Kamihama trio, offers to help Iroha find her sister. Iroha supports Momoko, but Rena is opposed to any activities that deviate from their mission to investigate and stop the Chain Witch.
Iroha inadvertently serves as the catalyst for a huge dust-up between Rena and Kaede that leads to the latter saying their friendship is over, and Momoko only makes things worse trying to smooth things over. It's clear that it's hard in any universe for magical girls to get along, let alone maintain amicable friendships.
The thing about Rena is, she can shift her form to someone else, making a search for her the next day difficult. Momoko and Kaede want reconciliation, and so does Rena, but she's held back, be it from pride, shame, or regret.
That's when the infamous "Chain Monster" arrives, fulfilling the urban legend about writing your name and the name of a friend on a certain staircase to formally end your friendship. Just two episodes in and things get dark in a hurry, as the most cheerful and innocent of the magical girls is swallowed up by chains and dragged into the staircase. Rena and Momoko can do nothing to stop it.
The question is, is the Chain Monster the same as the Chain Witch, is the staircase a Labyrinth? If so, perhaps they can go in, rescue Kaede, and defeat the witch in one stroke. Or maybe Kaede is gone, forever. You just don't know with this show!
Author magicalchurlsukuiPosted on Sat, 11 Jan 2020 Categories Anime Reviews, Magia Record: Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica Gaiden, Winter 2020Tags akino kaede, マギアレコード, battle, chain monster, dreams, erased, fighting, friendships, hanazawa kana, kamihama, kuroe, Kyuubey, magical girls, minami rena, mystery, shaft, staircase, tamaki iroha, togame momoko, trains, witchesLeave a comment on Magia Record – 02 – With Friends Like These…
Darwin's Game – 02 – Infodate
As I suspected, Shuka doesn't want to have Kaname's baby. She's only naked because she was too tired to change into PJs after carrying him home and dressing his wounds. Fair enough…
As for the "family" she seeks, after a long time playing (and winning) solo, she now wants to create a guild of sorts within the game. Kaname is eager for allies (not to mention the saying about keeping your enemies closer) so he's all for joining forces, much to Shuka's delight.
Shuka believes the first step to being good partners is to become good friends, so she suggests a date in Shibuya the next day, when she wears the same red dress (she either really likes the dress or the show lacks the budget to put her in too many other outfits for too long).
In between doing date-y things, Shuka feeds Kaname more exposition about Darwin's Game, or "D-Game" as it's called in public (spreading info to non-players is a heinous breach of the rules). The episode kinda drags throughout the date…it's just so talky and bland.
Even as a countdown begins for a special D-Game Treasure Hunt Event, Kaname is challenged to a fight by Inukai, a high school student a grade below him who is interested in fighting the noob who defeated the Undefeated Queen.
Kaname uses a stun gun and Inukai's own warning about taking care of one's phone, not to mention intervention from Shuka, to force Inukai to surrender. Then the Treasure Hunt begins, and since there are more players (300) than treasures to find, not everyone is going to survive.
Author braveradePosted on Fri, 10 Jan 2020 Categories Anime Reviews, Darwin's Game, Winter 2020Tags ダーウィンズゲーム, cell phone game, challenge, conjuring, date, exposition, friends, information, inukai, karino shuka, killing, mystery, shounen, sigil, sudou kaname, treasure huntLeave a comment on Darwin's Game – 02 – Infodate
Jibaku Shounen Hanako-kun – 01 (First Impressions) – Meeting the Seventh School Wonder
From Lerche, a studio that specializes in highly-styled high concept school series, comes Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun, a title that initially invokes dread: will this be full of toilet humor? Fortunately not at all; it centers Nanako, one of the School Wonders of Kamome Academy: the ghost of a student who resides the girls' bathroom. Legends claim that Nanako will grant a wish if the wisher pays a certain price.
Yashiro Nene wants to have success in love with her current crush, and manages to summon Nanako, only to learn she's actually a boy, and someone mischievous and somewhat inexperienced in matters of love. Nene doesn't exactly have a lot of options, so she follows Nanako's advice, which unfolds in a similar fashion to a Wile E. Coyote-vs.-Road Runner scenario: ill-conceived scheme after another fails.
By the time an impatient Nene swallows a mermaid scale and transforms into a fish, she's realized that all of her efforts thus far were for naught, because she never bothered to actually talk to her crush. She doesn't even know his name! She just placed him on a pedestal and appointed him as her one and only goal in life. Then a mermaid from the "other side" comes to claim her, and Nanako whips out a big knife and protects her.
When Nanako eats the second mermaid scale, he's able to grant Nene her wish to be changed back into a human. In exchange, she must serve as his assistant with his wish-granting business. Gorgeously adorable design, top-notch voices spewing witty banter, a fast-paced, energetic story, and that prototypical Lerche "edge" all conspire to make this an enticing option for Winter 2020.
Author sesameacrylicPosted on Thu, 9 Jan 2020 Thu, 9 Jan 2020 Categories Anime Reviews, Jibaku Shounen Hanako-kun, Winter 2020Tags bathroom, bond, character design, comedy, deal with the devil, hanako, kamome academy, lerche, mermaid, mystery, romance, supernatural, toilet-bound hanako-kun, yashiro nene, 地縛少年花子くんLeave a comment on Jibaku Shounen Hanako-kun – 01 (First Impressions) – Meeting the Seventh School Wonder
Magia Record – 01 (First Impressions) – Changing of the Guard
Same system, new universe. Magia Record's English subtitle is quite clear: this is a side story, starring a new pink-haired protagonist in Tamaki Iroha (Asakura Momo). She's an independent, reliable, somewhat lonely low-level magical girl whose school friends are unaware of her double life. Once in a while a Witch will interrupt her elevated train commute and force her into a trippy Labyrinth where she must do battle.
Lately Iroha has been trying to determine what her Wish was—the one Wish granted by Kyuubey in exchange for becoming a Magical Girl—but she's forgotten, possibly due to part of the wish itself being for her to forget. Meanwhile, a number of Magical Girls are having the same dream about a mysterious girl telling them they'll be "saved" if they go to Kamihama City.
Iroha's comrade Kuroe (Hanazawa Kana) intends to visit the city to see for herself. Iroha misses her stop and accompanies her, but on the way they're enveloped by another Labyrinth and attacked by another Witch, this one too powerful for either of them. In the ensuing fracas, Iroha encounters a tiny, apparently younger version of Kyuubey.
Madoka Magica's trademark radical shifting of visual styles carries over into this series, and I can say with confidence that whether inside or outside of a Witch's Labyrinth, this first episode looks like a million bucks. Iroha's hometown of Takarazaki with its skinny, towering apartment blocks and hanging gardens are among the standout vistas to which we're treated. The Labyrinth also blasts the girls high above the clouds at dusk. Gorgeous.
Iroha and Kuroe eventually come down to earth, crashing into a huge arcology-like skyscraper in none other than Kamihama City. Their savior is a dark blue-haired witch whose powers vastly surpass theirs, but more than anything she's miffed to find two interlopers operating in her territory. She tells them that contrary to the dream, Kamihama is no haven for Magical Girls. There are more of them, and they're more powerful because they have to battle tougher Witches.
Iroha and Kuroe return home with a warning from the third girl not to return, and to discourage any other girls from attempting to visiting; they'll be considered enemies. Iroha ends up having another elaborate dream as she watches scores of seemingly brainwashed girls headed to Kamihama, luggage in hand, assured of their salvation. Then she remembers her Wish to Kyuubey: to save Ui, an ill girl who may be her sister.
With a stylish presentation, super-cool wardrobe, stirring soundtrack, and cloudy mysteries waiting to be tackled, Magia Record looks to pick up where Madoka Magica left off, showing us the darker sides of Magical Girldom in a new setting with new players. I for one am full steam ahead on this one!
Author magicalchurlsukuiPosted on Sat, 4 Jan 2020 Categories Anime Reviews, Magia Record: Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica Gaiden, Winter 2020Tags alternate universe, マギアレコード, battle, dreams, hanazawa kana, kamihama, kuroe, Kyuubey, magical girls, mystery, psychological, shaft, tamaki iroha, territory, trains, witchesLeave a comment on Magia Record – 01 (First Impressions) – Changing of the Guard
Darwin's Game – 01 (First Impressions) – Quick Study
After a quick look at someone standing on an I-beam high above the city, we begin with a chase that isn't quite as thrilling as the music would want us to believe. But the chase kinetically, succinctly presents and answers questions about the nature of the titular game.
Will you be relentlessly pursued by a baseball panda with a cloaking device and a cleaver? Yes you will! Can you call for help? Sure, but it will cost you, with no assurance anyone will respond. What if you lose? You die. So far so good. All we need is a protagonist more likable than the guy who just died.
Enter Sudou Kaname, friend of the deceased, who was one of the people the guy texted before he died. That text is an invite to a free-to-play mobile game. Before his other friend Kyouda can stop him, Kaname accepts, and a goddamn snake pops out of his phone's screen and bites him.
Now that he's an official player in the game, he almost immediately ends up in his first battle, not knowing the rules or that the stakes are all too real. The baseball panda Banda-kun is his first opponent, and the bear apparently notorious for beating up on rookies like Kaname.
Fortunately for Kaname, his "Luck" stat in the game must be pretty high. After a frightful chase during which Banda kills a cop, Kyouda intervenes but is injured, and Kaname gets a basic grasp of some of the game's rules, Banda is hit by a car and Kaname gets the win.
The catch? Both Banda and Kyouda are killed in the most unnatural way: being blinked out of existence one cube at a time. Kaname has lost two friends and narrowly escaped with his life. When he checks the loot from his win, a handgun appears at his door. He doesn't like this game. You can't really blame him.
Still, as far as inescapable Battle Royale scenarios go, it could be far worse for Kaname. His first battle is a fluke win, while an experienced player in Karino Shuka reaches out with an offer to teach him more about the game, and she's gorgeous. Shuka's also not very trusting, so when Kaname reveals he brought weapons to their meeting, she initiates a battle between them.
Despite having air superiority and knowing the warehouse location back to front, Shuka's mistake is not achieving her objective of eliminating a potential threat without dilly-dallying. Their battle only stokes Kaname up, awakening his inner sense of self-survival at any cost—even shooting a gun at a woman, something he'd never do. That gun is conjured by his previously-unknown "sigil", or special skill.
Yet as exhibited when he cared for Kyouda, Kaname is a nice, well-adjusted guy. He doesn't end up having to kill Shuka, as she surrenders instead, and promises to obey Kaname henceforth. That's a surprising wrinkle in what had been presented as a "win-or-die" scenario, but not an unwelcome one, as Darwin's Game had already killed off a fair number of characters and Ueda Reina is too good a seiyu to only bring in for one episode.
This show is full of battle royale and shounen cliches, one of them being the hero suddenly collapsing from exhaustion moments after victory. Another is his one-time-opponent seemingly falling for him on the spot. It yet another spot of luck (or possibly horror), he wakes up Shuka's bed, with a naked-as-a-jaybird Shuka dozing beside him.
In addition to T&A, Shuka offers an abrupt proposal for Kaname: she wants to "make a family" with him. Huh. BIT random, but not altogether out of the blue. It's clear Shuka, nicknamed the "Undefeated Queen", has been doing this for a while. It's likely been lonely game, and she likely hasn't met someone quite like Kaname before: someone who risked himself to trust and spare her.
At this point I'd like it more if this was some long game to exploit his kindness to use and dispose of him, or perhaps it's the start of an earnest romance in the making. Either way, this was a diverting and intriguing enough opening double episode to warrant further viewing.
Author braveradePosted on Fri, 3 Jan 2020 Fri, 10 Jan 2020 Categories Anime Reviews, Darwin's Game, Winter 2020Tags ダーウィンズゲーム, cell phone game, conjuring, friends, karino shuka, killing, lover, mascot, mystery, panda, shounen, sigil, sudou kaname, trapped, ueda1 Comment on Darwin's Game – 01 (First Impressions) – Quick Study
Kabukichou Sherlock – 11 – Hiding in Plain Sight
Before returning to the alley, Kabukichou Sherlock goes back to the night of poor Alex Moran's murder. James visits her in her room, planning to help her sneak out of the house to meet his friends at the Detective House. We learn "Moriarty" is just a nickname for the East Side.
On the West Side, he's James Moran, son of the Ward Mayor and Alex's twin brother. James is delayed by their father (who is hosting a Christmas party), and by the time he catches up in the tunnel between West and East, Alex is already dead. From that night, James swore the murderer would pay.
Back to the alley, where Irene reveals she indeed faked her death. She, James and Sherlock get Watson caught up. When it was determined Jack wanted the USB, they let him believe Irene succumbed to her injuries, then used Watson as a "hook" to bait him.
Kyougoku Fuyuto is the one who tried to get the drive from Watson, and Sherlock intentionally frayed their friendship so that Watson would be more likely to steal it. But Kyougoku isn't Jack, nor was he willingly working on his behalf.
For the rest of the reveal, Sherlock breaks out his rakugo routine, this time on the stage at Bar Pipecat. He doesn't have to get far into his story before one detective after another realize how Kyougoku was compromised by love, fed Peyote, and manipulated by the real Jack, turn around to find that Maki-chan, who had been sitting at the bar, has vanished.
Sherlock continues his rakugo while he and Watson race to the spot where they believe they'll run into Maki-chan, who is, in fact, Jack. A psychopath who murdered and took what he himself desperately wanted, but didn't have: female reproductive organs.
Once Sherlock's explanations make it impossible to continue his "Maki-chan" persona, Jack cracks, revealing his true voice and sick, twisted personality. Sherlock makes sure to catch his ravings on a voice recorder, wrapping up the case with a nice neat bow.
Only it seems Jack won't get to face a trial by jury, as James can't stop himself from slitting his throat. Mind you, Jack tries to fight the compulsion for revenge, but the final provocation from Jack was that he ate the part he cut out of Alex, as was his M.O.
By murdering Jack in cold blood, James no doubt faces criminal charges for murder himself, unless of course the assembled witnesses to the crime all agree it was a justified killing. I'm leaning towards him spending at least some time behind bars.
I honestly didn't suspect Maki-chan in the least…until the scene of her in bed with Kyougoku. What at first looked like a virgin having his first ride was actually the effects of the Peyote, while Maki-chan's brief smirk of satisfaction was a sign something else was afoot.
That said, it wasn't until Sherlock's rakugo began that I realized Kyougoku was being used by Jack, and the pieces began to fall snugly and satisfyingly into place. Very nicely done.
Author magicalchurlsukuiPosted on Fri, 20 Dec 2019 Categories Anime Reviews, Fall 2019, Kabukichou SherlockTags AI, assassin, blood, irene adler, jack the ripper, james moriarty, kabukicho, kyougoku fuyuto, maki, murder, mystery, obsessed, rakugo, sherlock holmes, suspect, throat, usb drive, watson, 歌舞伎町シャーロックLeave a comment on Kabukichou Sherlock – 11 – Hiding in Plain Sight
Kabukichou Sherlock – 10 – The War They Left for Us
John Watson is haunted by the death of Irene Adler. He's constantly looking at his forearm which she grasped with her blood-soaked hand. The blood was washed away, but he can still feel it on his skin. She tried to tell him something, but all we heard was "Jack."
Ever since then, Watson is visited upon by a ghost—the ghost of Irene. We see her body in the morgue, so the show is pretty insistent that she is, in fact, dead. Her ghost seems to imply Moriarty did it, and Sherlock is next, but Sherlock just wants to be alone.
We spend the whole episode all swept up in Watson's suspicions, which might just curdle into paranoia by the time he's openly accusing Moriarty of being Jack the Ripper. Moriarty laughs it off and then shares the joke with the whole gang, but we share Watson's continued gut feeling that something is not quite right about Moriarty.
Even when Watson chases Moriarty, who is following Sherlock and even pulls a knife menacingly, it's Watson whom Sherlock begins to suspect. He told Moriarty about Irene's hideout, because he believed and still believes the kid can be trusted. Compared to him, Watson is a stranger. Still raw from the loss of Irene, Sherlock banishes Watson from his sight..
While sharing another drink at the bar (Watson drinks a lot this week, adding to his unreliability), Kyougoku Fuyuto proposes a way for Watson to get back into Holmes' good graces: unlock the USB drive and find the proof about Jack's identity. The first warning sign is that Fuyuto "knows someone" who can crack the password, so all Watson has to do is steal it from Sherlock and give it to him.
Perhaps sobering up a bit in the process of finding the drive (Sherlock hid it in a baggie in a can of peaches), Watson also gets cold feet about handing over the drive, but Fuyuto insists…with a knife. Turns out Fuyuto is obsessed with being the one to catch Jack, perhaps out of a need to prove to Maki that he's worth marrying? In any case, a struggle ensues, interrupted by Moriarty and Sherlock, the latter of whom thanks Watson.
Was the whole plan to expose Fuyuto's true colors? Is Irene really dead, or was her death faked to draw out Jack? Like Watson this week, I thought I was on to something about Moriarty, but now…I'm not so sure about anything!
Author magicalchurlsukuiPosted on Fri, 13 Dec 2019 Categories Anime Reviews, Fall 2019, Kabukichou SherlockTags AI, ghost, irene adler, jack the ripper, james moriarty, kabukicho, kyougoku fuyuto, maki, murder, mystery, obsessed, rakugo, sherlock holmes, suspect, usb drive, watson, 歌舞伎町シャーロックLeave a comment on Kabukichou Sherlock – 10 – The War They Left for Us
Kabukichou Sherlock – 09 – Not Who They Seem
Irene has a target on her back now courtesy of Jack, who wants the egg USB drive back. It's decided that she should stay with Sherlock for the time being for her own safety, which means Watson has to move out.
The episode plays on Sherlock's obvious attraction to Irene, as well as Irene's general fitness as a domestic partner—she even gets him to eat ordinary food! She also has fun teasing him, because apparently when it comes to women Sherlock is thirteen years old.
The same goes for Kyougoku, who his head-over-heels in love with Maki-chan and has a plan to woo her that's straight out of a middle-schooler's mind. He places her on an impossibly high pedestal and showers her with gifts, including a diamond ring to hold her hand, but all Maki-chan wants is a boyfriend with whom to go on ordinary dates.
Maki gets her wish, and they eventually end up in a hotel, where Kyougoku presumably learns Maki's secret down below. The outcome of this particular plot is ambiguous and not particularly compelling. That the success of Kyougoku's plan somehow inspires Watson to serve as a lookout for Irene (once Sherlock's place is ransacked and they move her to a former yakuza hideout)—it's a bit thin, motivation-wise.
Much is made this week about him having nothing to do, which makes you wonder whether he'll ever bring up his case with Sherlock, or if it's a running gag that he never will. Matters are made worse by the fact Watson is terrible at keeping Irene safe. On her first night in the theater, she gets stabbed, while Sherlock runs after a decoy. He's not even a good doctor, as he fails to administer any kind of first aid, but just kneels beside her, gawking.
It isn't until later, when Sherlock gives word that Irene has died of her injuries, that Watson realizes Moriarty—who was with Irene just before he arrived—shouldn't have known where Irene was. Many clues in this and previous episodes point to Moriarty as Jack. I'm also not convinced Irene is really dead. Sherlock may just be saying that in earshot of Moriarty because he's already pegged the kid as the culprit.
Author magicalchurlsukuiPosted on Sat, 7 Dec 2019 Categories Anime Reviews, Fall 2019, Kabukichou SherlockTags AI, bodyguard, courtship, hideout, irene adler, kabukicho, kyougoku fuyuto, maki, murder, mystery, rakugo, sex change, sherlock holmes, stabbed, threat, watson, 歌舞伎町シャーロック1 Comment on Kabukichou Sherlock – 09 – Not Who They Seem
Assassins Pride – 09 – Wedding Crashers
The Shangarta mini-arc felt more over-stuffed and rushed than any previous Assassins Pride storyline, but it at least managed to bring Melida and Kufa still closer together and answer some questions about his and Rosetti's past.
There's a lot to get through here. It's a dense episode. We start with Melida seeing Kufa in his half-lacanthrope, vampiric form. He immediately prepares to wipe all her memories of him, resetting their relationship to "nice to meet you" status.
To his credit, he lets Melida make the final choice to not wipe the memories, as she'll gladly take his secret to her grave. Even if Kufa believes there's no one in the world who would ever accept him, Melida is that someone, and is even able to kiss him without a hint of embarrassment him to prove it.
Kufa takes us back to when he was a child at the Pricket residence, and we learn Rosetti was his adoptive sister, and Blossom his adoptive dad. A giant spider-mage attacks the place and makes Kufa bite Rosetti, turning her into vampire kin.
He helps a man who has come to slay the spider, and swears his loyalty to him in exchange for letting Rosetti live a normal life as a human, which Kufa makes possible by wiping her memories.
Back in the present, Melida has a wedding to stop—the one between Rosetti and her betrothed. Melida snaps Rosetti out of her trance by bringing up the fact that the two of them still have a competition for Kufa's heart—and Melida's already kissed him…twice.
The Rosetti we know snaps out of it and spars with Melida. In the process, some of Melida's magical flames graze Blossom, on whose head a tiny spider was lurking. It transforms into Naqua, the spider-baddie who forced Kufa to turn Rosetti years ago, and most recently forced Rosetti to commit the assaults.
Once Rosetti remembers all the awful stuff Naqua made her do, she chases him down, but he quickly overpowers her. That's where Kufa comes in, activating Rosetti's vamp side so they can fight together. They lure Naqua into a mystery spot, paralyzing him, and turn him into dust, which is then dealt with by the other students and instructors.
After the fight, Kufa, who must abide by the promise he made to his guild, suppresses Rosetti's memories of him—going back to when they were brother and sister—once more. Like Melida, she pleads with him not to do it.
I know Kufa made a promise and his guild would probably kill him and Melida and Rosetti when they found out, but it's still a raw deal for Rosetti. I mean, Kufa gets to walk around simply hiding his true nature but with all his memories intact…why not let Rosetti have those same rights?
Then, in a final scene with his adoptive father Blossom, Kufa gives him a potion that will restore his wife's humanity, which begs the question: if such a potion exists, why didn't Kufa use it on Rosetti? I guess; the wife hadn't completely changed yet, while Rosetti had.
In any case, on the train back to Flandore, Rosetti is back to her usual self: jealous of Melida and having no memory of who Kufa really is, just a vague inkling that someone she was close to long ago is out there, somewhere, and she's intent on becoming famous enough that he'll seek her out.
Like I said…that was a lot of plot boxes to check off in short order, but rather than come away dizzy and confused, I found it to be a pretty satisfying episode. Kufa and Melida's bond keeps growing deeper and deeper, while there was an obvious bittersweet-ness to how things turned out for Rosetti.
Author magicalchurlsukuiPosted on Thu, 5 Dec 2019 Categories Anime Reviews, Assassins Pride, Fall 2019Tags assassin, アサシンズプライド, cave, control, elise angel, flashbacks, human experimentation, kiss, kufa vampir, laqua, love triangle, mana, melida angel, memories, mystery, naqua, rosetti pricket, secrets, shangarta, sister, spider, transformation, tutor, vampire, wedding1 Comment on Assassins Pride – 09 – Wedding Crashers
Kabukichou Sherlock – 08 – Adult Swim
Irene doesn't know the password for the USB drive, so it seems like she and Sherlock will part ways for a time…only for her to end up at Bar Pipecat, ordering the other detectives to do chores and maintenance while Mrs. Hudson is laid up with a bad back (or as she calls it, "that time of the month"). When a new client comes in whose ex is trying to gain custody of their young daughter through blackmail, Irene decides to take the case, picking Watson as her partner.
When the girl's mother suffers a fainting spell, Sherlock is left to babysit her, and while things start out rough at first (rice bowl with fried egg and a chocolate bar? NO GO) the two come to a sort of truce. Meanwhile Irene proves an astute investigator and gatherer of information, making more progress than all the other detectives and locating the blackmailer ex's home, at the night swimming pool right next to the district's famous Elephant.
Turns out the guy is a serial blackmailer, manipulator, and trafficker of underage women—a super bad dude. A woman Irene used to co-star with, who is also being blackmailed, ends up giving Irene the clue she needs to find the safe containing all of the compromising information, including the client's.
At this point Sherlock joins the investigation (his rakugo is quickly dismissed by Irene as too slow), and the two end up sharing a tanning bed as a hiding spot, only for the blackmailer to be murdered by the actress in a crime of passion. Irene lets her get away, since she's suffered enough, but when she returns to her hotel room, Irene finds the actress's ear in a box. Jack the Ripper has apparently made Irene his next target.
Author magicalchurlsukuiPosted on Fri, 29 Nov 2019 Categories Anime Reviews, Fall 2019, Kabukichou SherlockTags actress, adult swim, AI, babysitting, blackmail, daughter, irene adler, kabukicho, kobayashi, milverton, murder, mystery, rakugo, sex change, sherlock holmes, watson, 歌舞伎町シャーロックLeave a comment on Kabukichou Sherlock – 08 – Adult Swim
Assassins Pride – 08 – Heart of Darkness
Attacks on innocents increases, and they look a whole lot like vampire attacks, so with Kufa suddenly vanished and the blue aura a distinguishing feature of the culprit, it's looking increasingly bad for Melida's instructor. Rather than continue with her school's training, she decides to sneak off and investigate matters for herself, notably leaving Elise behind.
Instructor Laqua predicted Melida's actions and tags along, in part because Kufa told her to look after his charge if anything were to happen to him. Whether he's responsible for the attacks or has gone dark in order to more effectively track down the true culprit, the bottom line is that he's not around.
Melida and Laqua search the most forbidden of the "mystery spots" and learn there's not strange phenomenon at all, just a secret dungeon where Marquis Pricket has been experimenting on townsfolk. The increased restrictions on movements were all to hide his dark operations.
Upon returning to town, Melida and Laqua find Rosetti killed, apparently while protecting an injured Elise. When the Marquis himself is attacked, the townsfolk turn against Kufa and seek to use Melida as a hostage to snag him and no doubt exert mob justice.
Shenfa helps Melida escape, and suddenly she's all on her own. She investigates another mystery spot that turns out to be the bad guy's library and office. He sics a vampirized Rosetti at Melida, and that's when Kufa finally shows his face to protect his student, begging Rosetti to snap out of it.
At this point it's pretty clear Marquis Pricket is the baddie, and is trying to create his own army of lancanthrope-human hybrids. We'll see if Melida and Kufa can foil his plans and save Rosetti from an awful fate. In any case, I imagine the fake-boyfriend angle has been shelved indefinitely!
Author magicalchurlsukuiPosted on Thu, 28 Nov 2019 Categories Anime Reviews, Assassins Pride, Fall 2019Tags assassin, assault, att, アサシンズプライド, cave, dark past, elise angel, human experimentation, kufa vampir, laqua, mana, melida angel, mystery, rosetti pricket, secrets, shangarta, transformation, tutor, vampire, voicesLeave a comment on Assassins Pride – 08 – Heart of Darkness
Kabukichou Sherlock – 07 – The Itchy Wives
The nature of Kabukichou Sherlock's setting and cast is that it can go just about anywhere and focus on anyone it wants, and has to its credit been doing so. But we're back to the titular detective this week, in an episode that dusts off a couple more very familiar names: Sherlock's older brother Mycroft, and the beautiful, brilliant Irene Adler.
In this alternate universe in which Holmes hangs out in Kabukichou, Tochou looks way different (and more expensive), and Tokyo is split in two, instead of lines for the next iPhone, there are lines for the latest version of the AI wife doll. Oh, and the ward mayor lost a USB drive containing sensitive information, and believes Adler is the one who stole it.
Mycroft knows his brother well, and so knows the best way to get him interested in a case he'd rather not take is to sweeten the 15-mil deal with a rare rakugo trading card he desires. Still, Sherlock sends Watson in to deal with Adler as a kind of useful idiot. I was also a bit skeptical that Adler's boyfriend hadn't previously consulted with many doctors before building so many wife dolls.
As for those dolls, dear lord, it's never explained why Irene is okay with having them not only resemble her, but stored in closets in her soon-to-be-former house. I guess she's not going to stand in the way of progress and profit, huh? In any case, Watson gets a text that the USB is under the skirt of he French version of the "Wives of the World." Turns out Sherlock was there, in disguise.
After a quick rakugo sesh to detail how he deduced that, they check the USB, and it's video footage of the two of them sneaking around Irene's house. In other words, she played them both. She's at the bar (Mrs. Hudson is an old friend) and tells Sherlock the USB is already safely in France, but better luck next time, and departs.
After stewing for a bit, that next time comes far sooner for Sherlock. As she's waiting for a taxi, Irene is accosted on the street by a thug demanding the USB at knife-point, but Sherlock arrives in time to rescue her. In the moment she's in his arms he snatches the real USB drive from her pocket, realizing she'd worked too hard on the fake never let it out of her sight.
In another twist, Sherlock hands the damaged fake USB to Mycroft, and when Irene comes by wanting the real one back, Sherlock plugs it into his laptop and asks Irene for the password. If thugs are being hired to accost her, there just may be something more important on it than revenge porn.
Author magicalchurlsukuiPosted on Fri, 22 Nov 2019 Categories Anime Reviews, Fall 2019, Kabukichou SherlockTags AI, dolls, intelligent, irene adler, irregulars, kabukicho, kobayashi, mycroft holmes, mystery, sherlock holmes, usb drive, watson, 歌舞伎町シャーロックLeave a comment on Kabukichou Sherlock – 07 – The Itchy Wives
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Bits, Bytes, and Bots offers students a variety of classes including robotics, stop motion animated movie making, and game creation. Mad Science offers science programs themed around particular areas of science and include such topics as rocketry, magnets, polymers, and even the science of toys. Red Hot Robots is produced by Mad Science and offer two sessions (fall and spring) in the school year. Google Computer (CS) Club introduces students to Scratch! programming to build cool projects like video games and music videos.


After a summer of mistakes Netflix is finding itself short on customers and cash. They are trying to raise $200 million through the sales of bonds. I think that should cover the lost revenue from losing 1-million customers in a quarter.
I used to LOVE Netflix but a 60% membership hike and a dismal choice of streaming content made canceling my subscription very easy.
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9 Ohio Arts Organizations Receive COVID-19 Relief Grants from Arts Midwest Totaling $260K
December 1, 2020 For Organizations, For the Public, News, Organizations Arts Midwest, ArtSpace, Athens, Black Swamp Arts Festival, Bowling Green, Chillicothe, Columbus, coronavirus, COVID-19, grants, Homerville, Lima, Majestic Theatre, Maroon Arts Group, Nelsonville, OAC, Ohio Arts Council, ORMACO, Paper Circle, Passion Works Studio, Piqua, Piqua Arts Council, Regional Arts Resilience Fund, Youngstown, Youngstown Playhouse 0
Sixty-one Midwestern arts and culture organizations, including nine based in Ohio, have received COVID-19 relief grants from Ohio's regional arts organization, Arts Midwest, through the second phase of the United States Regional Arts Resilience Fund.
Selected organizations will each receive a grant ranging from $10,000 - $50,000. Recipients may direct Resilience Fund grants to their most pressing needs and opportunities, from response activities to investments that build resiliency and sustainability.
The Resilience Fund's goal is to support historically under-resourced arts and culture organizations across the United States as they work to weather the COVID-19 pandemic. In line with these priorities, 32 of the funded organizations are based in rural areas, 25 are led by and serving people of color, and five are led by and serving Native and Indigenous communities.
In November, Arts Midwest announced that 30 mid-to-large-sized organizations, including four in Ohio, received a total of $1.5 million in aid during a first wave of funding. Today's second round of award announcements was made possible by an anonymous donor who provided a matching investment of $1.5 million to support smaller organizations with annual budgets between $50,000 - $249,000.
A list of Ohio recipients in round two of the Resilience Fund grants and their award amounts follows:
Passion Works Studio (Athens) - $50,000
Black Swamp Arts Festival (Bowling Green) - $35,000
Majestic Theatre (Chillicothe) - $15,000
Maroon Arts Group (Columbus) - $15,000
Ohio Regional Music Arts and Cultural Outreach (Homerville) - $20,000
ArtSpace Lima (Lima) - $40,000
Paper Circle (Nelsonville) - $10,000
Piqua Arts Council (Piqua) - $25,000
The Youngstown Playhouse (Youngstown) - $50,000
Ohio Arts Council Executive Director Donna S. Collins thanked Arts Midwest for their leadership in providing much-needed aid to more Midwestern arts organizations through this second round of funding.
"We are grateful to Arts Midwest and the anonymous donor who expanded the Resilience Fund to reach organizations that are the binding threads in the fabric of their communities," she said. "The arts in Ohio are strengthened through the work of arts and cultural organizations of all sizes. We applaud the tenacity and creativity championed by arts leaders throughout the state and thank them for their hard work and dedication in such trying times."
"As the pandemic continues to wreak havoc across the nation, smaller arts and culture organizations are deeply hurting," said Torrie Allen, president and CEO of Arts Midwest. "We are grateful to the Mellon Foundation and our anonymous funder for investing in the creative core of the Midwest. We are hopeful that these funds will help organizations across our region weather the storm so that they can keep serving their communities for years to come."
For more information on all the United States Regional Arts Resilience Fund recipients, visit the Arts Midwest website.
ABOUT ARTS MIDWEST
Arts Midwest believes that creativity has the power to inspire and unite humanity. Based in Minneapolis, Arts Midwest grows, gathers, and invests in creative organizations and communities throughout the nine-state region of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. One of six nonprofit United States regional arts organizations, Arts Midwest's history spans more than 30 years. For more information, visit artsmidwest.org.
ABOUT UNITED STATES REGIONAL ARTS ORGANIZATIONS
Arts Midwest, Mid-America Arts Alliance, Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation, New England Foundation for the Arts, South Arts, and Western States Arts Federation occupy a unique niche in the U.S. cultural ecosystem. They partner with the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, state arts agencies, and others to develop and deliver programs, services, and products that support and advance the arts. Learn more at usregionalarts.org.
ABOUT THE ANDREW W. MELLON FOUNDATION
Founded in 1969, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the largest national supporter of the arts and humanities, endeavors to strengthen, promote, and, where necessary, defend the contributions of the humanities and the arts to human flourishing and to the well-being of diverse and democratic societies by supporting exemplary institutions of higher education and culture as they renew and provide access to an invaluable heritage of ambitious, path-breaking work. Additional information is available at mellon.org.
Article by Amanda Etchison, Communications Strategist
Featured image: Athens, Ohio's Passion Works Studio is one of nine Ohio arts and culture organizations selected to receive COVID-19 relief grants from regional arts organization Arts Midwest through the second phase of the United States Regional Arts Resilience Fund. Photo courtesy of Passion Works Studio.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


You would think, wouldn't you, that perhaps the ultimate lipstick saturation formula had been reached? This is SO red that it's something other entirely – peak red, perhaps.
It's rather a liquid formula, without the safety net of gloop like gloss has but without being watery either. However, you don't want to go wrong when applying it; one false move and good luck with trying to rectify the situation! It's also quite stainy which means that you will still have some colour to your lips long after the main body of the lip paint has worn off.
Even though the shade, Uncensored, looks like it shifts orange, I think in reality it shifts more blue toned. It's supposed to be a universal red to fit in with the all-tone philosophy of the brand and is more lip paint than lipstick. Personally, I love it – it's a complete power lip look (if you're red shy don't even consider it!) and I'm guessing it's the first of many shades in this new soft matte formula. The brand claims a 12 hour wear on it – I can see that might be realistic because of the stain element – you could reasonably keep colour (but not all of it) for the duration but I haven't tested it to the full. I found it dried quickly and didn't feel 'shrinky' but you might want to do an overnight balm on your lips if you're wearing Uncensored the following day.
It's £19.99 HERE (purse part of a set from QVC).
This actually looks really beautiful but I don't like the packaging… I might be the only person, so I'm skipping it!


this is the third prototype of my robot project, testing and experimenting with various kinds of input. the robots may look a little cheap but use of cardboard and hot glue (best invention since the steam engine is a fast and simple way to get going.
here you see that i mounted a foto resistor into a little tube. I think that will cancel out unwanted light from sides. Tests though have shown that the robot also chases light reflections on shiny surfaces and so i get actually not the results wanted. in ideal conditions, in a dark room with only one bright light source, it performs well.
The reed element i mounted on right front wheel. it detects passing little magnets glued on the tyre. Now i got a defined rotation of the right side servo enableing to position robot towards light and performing exact turns.
the front has 3 micro switch bumpers.


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The Kingdom Code - Make & Manage Money... God's Way!
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Help Children & Young Adults Become Debt-Free
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Debt Free… The New American Dream
BlogBy The Kingdom Code December 21, 2018
The American dream is always depicted as having a big, beautiful house. There's a white picket fence that surrounds a large, well-manicured lawn. Parked in the driveway, you can find a shiny new car. From the time we are young, this package is presented to us. The American Dream seems to equal MORE and BETTER…
Thanksgiving In a Pillowcase
BlogBy The Kingdom Code November 20, 2018
Thanksgiving In A Pillowcase As I crumbled cornbread to be used next week in the Thanksgiving dressing, I smiled as I recalled a story my mom told me about herself when she volunteered to make the dressing for the whole Mattox clan that were meeting at her Aunt Tichie and Uncle Rob's house for Thanksgiving. …
The Gritty Truth: What Is the Key to Success?
BlogBy The Kingdom Code July 7, 2017
When I think about the word "Grit", I think about the movie True Grit. Have you seen it? After a young girl's father is killed, she seeks out the help of Rooster Cogburn to find her father's killer and avenge his death. When she approaches Rooster, she says, "They tell me you're a man with…
The Benefits of Mentorship
BlogBy The Kingdom Code June 28, 2017
What Are The Benefits? Recently, I attended a conference for ministers, and many times from the many speakers, I heard mention of mentorship. Mentorship is not really something that is heard of in most circles these days. I tend to associate mentoring with the days of apprenticeship and trade learning. In our modern era, the…
Why Should I Be Encouraging Entrepreneurship in My Kids?
BlogBy The Kingdom Code June 3, 2017
Always Encourage Entrepreneurship in Your Kids! When we think of all of the principles, skills, and lessons we should be teaching our kids, entrepreneurship isn't usually at the top of the list. It actually may not even be on the list, but hear me out. We want the best for our kids, and everything we…
Quick Guide: Be Financially Prepared for College
BlogBy The Kingdom Code May 24, 2017
Being Financially Prepared for Higher-Learning Not all parents feel the same about higher education, but one thing we CAN agree on, is that it is EXPENSIVE!! A recent USA Today article released the findings of TD Ameritrade's Young Money Survey. This survey found that 26% of Millennials in college plan to move back in with…
15 Space-Saving Gift Ideas for Kids
BlogBy The Kingdom Code April 18, 2017
We All Love Space-Savers! Lately, living small has taken off BIG TIME! We're living in the days of tiny houses, capsule wardrobes, and minimalism. And you know what? I am absolutely on-board with these space-saving trends! I won't be moving into a tiny home any time soon, but our family is definitely cutting back on…
What Does the Bible Say About Money?
BlogBy The Kingdom Code April 5, 2017
Let's Learn What the Bible Says About Money! So many times as Christians, we like to think that we're not supposed to think or care about money. Looking into scripture, that's not necessarily true, so what does the bible say about money? Scripture is clear that we cannot love both God and money (Matthew 6:24),…
5 Ways to be More Productive this Week
BlogBy The Kingdom Code February 27, 2017
5 Ways to be More Productive this Week Productivity! Where are you my old friend? It may be trapped at the bottom of my purse, covered in animal crackers and snotty tissues. Anyone else feel like it's hard to be productive these days? I always think it's difficult to stay on top of my…
Why Should You Consider Purchasing The Kingdom Code Curriculum?
BlogBy Jennifer Hilder February 21, 2017
The Kingdom Code program was created because one woman asked herself, "What can I do for the Kingdom of God?" Jimmi Byler was attending a conference with her sister in 2007 and felt God's spirit speaking to her, and she listened. Jimmi Byler and other Christian educators collaborated to create The Kingdom Code. The program…
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Lamar Odom's New Girlfriend Did Jail Time For Attacking Her Ex-Husband With A Trophy
Rich Fury / Getty Images
Nathan Francis
Lamar Odom's new girlfriend is apparently no angel.
Just hours after the former NBA player went official with new girlfriend Sabrina Parr, a report emerged that Parr had some legal troubles in her past. As Radar Online reported, the fitness coach and former athlete was convicted of attacking her ex-husband with a trophy during a heated argument and ended up spending months behind bars.
As the report noted, Parr told investigators that her husband found her two cell phones and began reading text messages between her and other men, prompting him to tell Parr that he was divorcing her. She said that he grabbed her and threw her against a wall as he tried to choke her, prompting Parr to grab a trophy and hit her ex-husband.
The 32-year-old was arrested on May 7, 2015, on charges of felonious assault for the attack. She would plead not guilty to the charges, and was ordered to have no contact with her ex-husband, court documents obtained by Radar Online showed.
She was found guilty on all three charges and ordered to spend 180 days in jail, along with three years of probation. But as the report noted, Parr petitioned the court to let her go early so that her personal training business would not go under.
Lamar Odom has gotten plenty of attention for the new relationship, one of the only public pairings since he split from Khloe Kardashian. Sabrina Parr shared a picture of the couple together on her Instagram page, bringing a wave of attention and leading Radar Online to find out Parr's troubled past.
Odom has had some rough patches in his life as well, including a near-death experience in 2015 when he overdosed at a Nevada brothel. He has since recovered and become a motivational speaker, and said he didn't regret being thrown into the spotlight through his relationship with Khloe Kardashian.
"Doing reality TV and being married to Khloe, besides having children and besides me doing this motivational speaking that I'm going to start doing, that was the most memorable part and the best part of my adulthood. So, there's nothing I regret about that."
Lamar Odom's new GF has some killer curves.https://t.co/ZZGcvSgXgn
— The Blast (@TheBlastNews) August 2, 2019
Sabrina Parr seems to have moved beyond her past legal struggles as well and appears to be back on her feet. She now has a successful personal training business, which she promotes heavily through her Instagram page, showing off her rigorous workouts and chiseled physique.


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Q: What should my program's exit code be if I caught a signal? I think I may have been doing this wrong for a while, because we just switched to systemd and it's considering my cleanly-killed process to have ended unsuccessfully.
Basically I listen for SIGHUP, SIGINT and SIGTERM and then (by passing the signal code back up to main) cleanly e.g. return 128+SIGHUP.
I expected this to be used to populate $?, but now I think I understand that the shell is responsible for giving $? such a value, and then only if the signal was unhandled. So even if the process exited ultimately due a signal, because the signal was handled, $? will end up being 0 and all evidence that a signal had anything to do with the exiting will be lost. Is that right?
When handling SIGHUP and cleanly exiting, should I return EXIT_SUCCESS from main?

A: The convention of returning 128 + <signal number> is promoted by the Advanced Bash Scripting Guide among others (https://stackoverflow.com/a/1535733/567292), but is only for the case when your program fails as a result of receiving the signal.
If your program receives the signal, does not handle it, and is terminated as a result, the exit status (as provided e.g. by wait) will be similar but instead of bit 7 set will have a higher bit set to indicate WIFSIGNALED as opposed to WIFEXITED. If you are running in a shell, this is then translated by the shell to give an exit status ($?) in the range 128-255 (i.e., with bit 7 set), so as far as a shell script is concerned, a program returning 128+n is indistinguishable from a program terminating because a signal was unhandled:

[...] When reporting the exit status with the special parameter '?', the shell shall report the full eight bits of exit status available. The exit status of a command that terminated because it received a signal shall be reported as greater than 128.

If your program receives a signal then successfully exits, this is considered a successful termination, so your program should return EXIT_SUCCESS.

A: Return Codes are usually what you specify them. When you want to include signal to exit codes, you have to make sure they still stay unique.
If you don't need the signal in the exit code there seems to be no reason to include them though.
Whether to return EXIT_SUCCESS or EXIT_FAILURE is up to you/your program whether the termination counts as success or failure.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


The mini bas relief pendant forms part of Vivienne Westwood's classic collection. It uses the orb and satellite ring as its inspiration, which represents taking tradition (represented by the orb) into the future (the satellite). The pendant design sits at the base of a dark grey ruthenium toned chain and is encrusted with black diamond Swarovski crystals. The 49.5cm chain fastens with an orb engraved lobster catch by a Vivienne Westwood tag or at a choice of two other points so that you can shorten the chain by 2cm or 4cm. The orb design measures 2cm by 2.6cm. Made with brass.


Created by steph-choyer-Oracle on Jul 30, 2015 7:37 AM. Last modified by steph-choyer-Oracle on Dec 2, 2016 11:15 AM.
Learn how to configure an Oracle Solaris 11.3 system to provide secure administration over the new REST APIs using the Oracle Solaris Remote Administration Daemon (RAD).
One of the new enhancements included in Oracle Solaris 11 is the Remote Administration Daemon (also known as RAD). RAD provides a set of programmatic interfaces to allow administrators to manage Oracle Solaris 11 subsystems such as Oracle Solaris Zones, the ZFS file system, the Service Management Facility (SMF), and more. A previous article, "Getting Started with the Remote Administration Daemon on Oracle Solaris 11," covered how to use RAD using C, Python, Java, and REST programmatic interfaces. This article shows administrators how they can configure an Oracle Solaris 11.3 system to enable REST-based calls over HTTPS using the Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol.
In Oracle Solaris 11.3, a new REST interface to RAD has been added. REST APIs are an increasingly popular way of interacting with system services across the network over both HTTP and HTTPS using an encoding payload such as JSON or XML. Oracle Solaris 11.3 includes a new SMF service instance, svc:/system/rad:local-http, that is responsible for facilitating RAD communication from HTTP clients. Given that HTTP connections are not encrypted, the default configuration allows only for accepting connections from a local host on a UNIX socket. With a little configuration, administrators can open up a public port and provide secure transport over TLS.
The svc:/system/rad:local service instance manages local connections through UNIX sockets.
The svc:/system/rad:remote service instance manages secure remote TLS connections over TCP sockets.
The svc:/system/rad:local-http service instance provides access for local connections over HTTP.
At the time of this writing, there is no system-provided service instance to manage secure remote connections over HTTP, so we need to create one—it is likely that one will be provided in a future release of Oracle Solaris.
To do this, we need to create an SMF manifest. There are a number of ways to achieve this—either by taking a copy of the existing /lib/svc/manifest/system/rad.xml manifest and modifying it, or by using svcbundle(1M) to generate one and refining it afterwards. The key elements that the service instance needs to expose relate to key and certificate handling (using the PEM format common for most certificate authorities), the port to accept connections from, and the RAD protocol being used.
From the SMF manifest above, we have created a new SMF instance at svc:/site/rad:remote-http. We can see that the start method will call the /usr/lib/rad/rad daemon. We also include a number of properties within the ssl_port property group: certificate and privatekey provide credentials we need to make a secure connection over HTTPS (RAD will automatically generate these using self-signed certificates), port defines the port number on which to accept connections and is set to 12303, and proto defines that the RAD protocol to use is HTTP (as indicated by rad-http).
From the output above, we can see that we're connecting to a valid port with a RAD server on the back end, and it accepts only application/json as input.
The Oracle Solaris Remote Administration Daemon (RAD) provides a powerful set of administrative interfaces to allow local and remote configuration of a mix of technologies, including Oracle Solaris Zones, ZFS, SMF, and others. These programmatic interfaces provide a central point for exposing the capabilities of Oracle Solaris to consumers using common development runtimes, including C, Java, Python, and REST APIs. This capability allows secure remote administration at scale, which is critical for a typical cloud environment.
"Getting Started with the Remote Administration Daemon on Oracle Solaris 11"
Gary Pennington is a principal software engineer for the Oracle Solaris Core Technologies/System Management Group. He has worked on many parts of Oracle Solaris over the last 15 years, including resource management, virtualization, and RAD. Currently he is the technical lead for RAD.
Glynn Foster is a principal product manager for Oracle Solaris. He is responsible for a number of technology areas including OpenStack, the Oracle Solaris Image Packaging System, installation, and configuration management.


Please note, we have a regular Hobby Shop, too. Openning Hours you will find on the right side above at "MaKo on Tour". There you can find the dates when we will be at shows in Belgium, Netherland , Luxemburg, Germany and if you like to see or get any of the parts we offer on one of these shows, feel free to contact us.
MaKo Modellbau and / or Manfred Kohnz.
Enjoy your time at my websites.
We made some Changes on our webshop. So you find now on this side ALL the goods we had in stock, like you would find if you visit our shop.
But please note, it can happen, that an item is just sold in our shop, but still listen in the Webshop as deliverable, so please do not pay Proforma Invoice or PAY PAL Payments BEFORE you get an invitation.
To see all that we will be able to deliver to you, please choose "Complete Program" ,the button right above. There you find more than 16,000 items, also the new announced Kits.
IMPORTANT NOTICE ! Please do NOT PAY (Bank Tranfer and PAY PAL ) any Pro Forma invoices BEFORE you get an Invoice by e-mail from us !
Many of our small producers need more than four weeks to deliever and we do not like to get your money, before we are able to deliver.
We contact you as soon as all goods of your order are complete in stock !


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M – Artists
Website: www.discogs.com/artist/Mike+Shannon
It's been 10 years since Mike Shannon started making a name for himself on the international techno scene as a DJ, producer and label owner. Now, having relocated to Berlin from Valencia via Montreal in 2007 he's about to crown his first decade of active service with Memory Tree, his third f
It's been 10 years since Mike Shannon started making a name for himself on the international techno scene as a DJ, producer and label owner. Now, having relocated to Berlin from Valencia via Montreal in 2007 he's about to crown his first decade of active service with Memory Tree, his third full length to date, and his debut for another notable Canadian export - Richie Hawtin's Plus 8 Records. Over the years, Mike has well proven that it's not just his music that makes him such a valuable asset to the techno community, it's his total dedication to the cause. Whether finding him standing behind a record shop counter or searching out new talent for his labels, it's always been about bringing people together and investing in the future of the scene. Mike first got the vinyl bug at the tender age of 12, buying house and techno tunes at Play de Record in Toronto and by 15 his turntable skills were already landing him gigs at local underground parties and clubs. From then on, Mike's musical world expanded rapidly thanks in no small part to Detroit's influential WJLB radio station which turned him on to U.R., Juan Atkins and Kevin Saunderson - influences that still play a big role in his approach to music today. To satisfy his appetite for all things Techno, he was soon managing the orders at Speed Records in his hometown of Kitchener, Ontario where he continued his education; importing cutting edge sounds from across Europe. Throughout that time, Mike was out DJing and clubbing from Detroit to Toronto, making connections and building up a solid network of producers and artists, which led to the inevitable formation of his own label Cynosure in 1999. A couple of years later, he teamed up with Jeff Milligan on the more experimental Revolver Canada imprint. Both labels have since developed into highly respected and trusted sources, subsequently raising the profile of Canada's electronic music scene by providing then unknown producers such as Akufen and Deadbeat an international platform to spread their distinctive sound throughout the world. Beyond developing homegrown talent, both imprints continue to invite an inspired selection of international artists including Pier Bucci, Monolake and Brett Johnson to name a few. For Mike it's always been a question of choosing uncompromising artists who possess a unique and original voice - an attitude that also defines his own work whether recording as John Shananigans, The Sunaj Assassins or under his own name. There's a distinctive feel to his music that's both dark and soulful, that stays true to his roots while embracing the future and never fails to deliver a flurry of kick-ass, funk infected beats easily proven by a volley of timeless singles over the years and two previous full lengths. Take 2001's Slight of Hand on Force Inc - an album that cemented his reputation as an up-and-coming Minimal Techno producer and 2005's Possible Conclusions to Stories That Never End - a collection of chilled-out Electronica inspired by his musical odyssey throughout Chile in 2003. Mike's recent move to Berlin represents the fulfillment of another chapter in his musical career and with so many influential Canadian producers having taken up residence in the German capital over the last few years, it's a chance to hook up with old friends again and start collaborating on new plans and ideas, just like the old days. Then of course there's the new album, the accompanying remix projects and the immediate matter of fatherhood to make 2008 something of a milestone both professionally and personally.


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Tom Ford's Morning Routine Begins With Checking Email In Bed, Just Like Yours
By Emily Kirkpatrick
He is one of the foremost fashion designers in the world, consistently creating clothing that is unparalleled in terms of both elegance and raw seductiveness, but Tom Ford's morning routine looks a lot like yours or mine, according to a recent interview with Mr. Porter.
So, how does the king of smoldering fashion start his day? Ford's morning ritual is relatively low-key, even though his days often begin around 4:30. According to Mr. Porter, Ford replies to emails until around 6 a.m. when he then makes a huge iced coffee that he sips through a bendy straw while taking a bath. "I love that time in the morning when no one else is awake, and I'm alone, and then I can slowly come to life," the designer said. Don't we all?
Ford also claims to feel less sexy these days due to fatherhood, saying:
I feel less sexy now that I'm a father – and actually there's a scientific reason for that. I read that men who are the primary caregivers of children have lower testosterone levels. It drops, according to some reports, because nature wants the man to stay with the children and not let them wander off… Now I don't know if my testosterone levels have dropped or not, I haven't had them tested, but I feel less sexy, definitely.
Don't worry too much about it, Ford — you'll still always be the sexiest man alive in my eyes. If you can't get enough of finding out how fashion people get their day started, check out how these three sartorial superstars wake up.
1. Miranda Kerr
Andreas Rentz/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images
Kerr starts her day off on the right foot by cuddling with her son and making breakfast, according to Vogue. The supermodel also tries to keep things simple beauty-wise. "My skincare routine is basic but really effective. I cleanse, tone, and moisturize using Kora Organics Foaming Cleanser, Energizing Citrus Mist, and the Hydrating Day and Night Cream. Then I apply Kora Organics Tinted Day Cream, which has a natural SPF and gives a radiant complexion; put on some lip balm; curl my lashes; and do a light coat of mascara," she told the publication.
The model also practices chakra meditation and Pilates. No wonder she seems so grounded!
2. Marc Jacobs
While Kerr is all zen and green tea, Jacobs likes to mix up his healthy start with a handful of bad habits. The designer told Marie Claire, "I wake up at 7 a.m. I shower, shave, eat breakfast, and have a double espresso, a cigarette, vitamins, and supplements." He added, "Then I lift weights at the gym; I rarely do cardio. When I'm in Paris, I love to walk through the Champ de Mars." Sounds lovely.
3. Iman
Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images
Iman's day begins around 6 a.m. when her fittingly luxurious vintage Hermès alarm clock goes off, according to Harper's Bazaar. She then reads Daily Reflections while enjoying a double espresso, a David Kirsch Vanilla Protein Plus shake, some fruit, and an Organic Avenue Green Coco juice. After dropping her daughter off at school she hits the gym, alternating between yoga, cardio, and weights, with her favorite fitness class being IntenSati. Good info to know if you want to have a bod like Iman's!


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Review - Chariots of Fire
Chariots of Fire – UK, 1981
My favorite part of Hugh Hudson's 1981 Oscar-winning film Chariots of Fire in a scene that juxtaposes the stirring words of a religious sermon with the passion, struggle, and ultimately triumphs or agonies of Olympic athletes. The sermon is delivered by Eric Liddell, an Olympic athlete himself, and yet the images we see are not of him or the film's other main character, Harold Abrahams. Instead, we see nameless athletes experiencing the euphoria of victory, the disappointment of second-place finishes, and the rush of emotions that often accompany losses. This is something that television audiences rarely see on Olympic broadcasts, which frequently focus on the three competitors fortunate enough to be on their way to a trophy presentation. The scene in Chariots of Fire reminds us that for every trio that gets an award, many more go home empty-handed despite being perhaps the best in their country and among the best in the world. In our results-oriented society, they are often neglected and forgotten, and this is a shame.
Chariots of Fire is the true story of two runners whose paths lead them to the 1924 Olympic Games. Liddell (Ian Charleson) is Scottish, Christian, and deeply religious; Abrahams (Ben Cross) is a veteran of World War I and Jewish. Both of them are constantly reminded that they are outsiders, yet when the time comes for them to race, they are expected to put country first. They met on the track in 1923, and on that day Liddell is victorious. Shocked and confused, Abrahams becomes determined to beat him the next time they face off. This is all handled rather unconventionally. There is no animosity between the two men, and if it weren't for a lack of opportunity, it is easy to see the two of them becoming quite good friends. In fact, this is one of those rare films in which two fierce competitors square off and you don't want either one of them to lose.
The film has a somewhat predictable arc for a film of this sort, and perhaps that is the reason the film could be made in the first place. There's even a "Mickie"-type character named Sam Mussabini who shows up at just the right time claiming to be able to train someone to victory. This is followed by the requisite series of training montages, and in these scenes, Ian Holms' delivery will likely remind some viewers of Burgess Meredith's performance in Rocky. However, the film veers nicely away from the standard sports-film plot in its third act and reveals itself to be about something quite beautiful.
The film spreads itself a bit too wide at times. It wants to say something about athletes, politicians, religious bigotry, prejudice, romance, friendship, and rivalries, yet to do so adequately would require a much longer running time than just over two hours. Perhaps this is why the film's peripheral characters, characters like Jennie Liddell, Lord Andrew Lindsay, and Henry Stallard, seem rather undeveloped. Even the relationship between Abrahams and his eventual wife Sybil Gordon feels rushed and incomplete. These characters, as well as members of the Royal family and officials from the British government, are often reduced to mere decorations. They either stand by as Abrahams recites one of his many monologues about his internal struggles, or they implore a reluctant Liddell to go against his convictions. Some of these moments were intended to enable Abrahams to give voice to his inner demons, yet they sound like the words of a very skilled writer rather than the words of a young man trying to understand his still maturing emotions. The film also relies too heavily on unnecessary flashbacks, which only serve to remind viewers of quotes that already seemed like foreshadowing when they were first uttered. For example, in an early scene, Liddell gently reminds a young child playing soccer on a Sunday that the Sabbath is a day of rest. If doesn't take a genius to see the potential problems that this belief could pose to an athlete.
That said, Chariots of Fire remains a rather enjoyable film. What I'll remember most about it are some of its smaller moments of genius. The "war list" on the wall of Cambridge University and the stirring words delivered in remembrance of the men whose names are on it. The camaraderie of Lindsay and Abrahams during their early two-man race. The look of determination on Liddell's face as he stretches towards the finish line after being knocked down. The way Liddell walks over to shake Abrahams hand before they meet in competition. We learn so much about these two men during that brief exchange. The film reminds us that at its core sports is not about animosity. It is about the efforts of two people, two teams, two countries' athletes that meet with a common goal. And in its celebration of two of the Olympic greats, the film shows us why we should honor the efforts of all of them. (on DVD and Blu-ray)
Labels: 3 and a half stars, Best Picture Winners, Hugh Hudson, reviews


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A BN Islander aircraft, owned by startup airline NorthStar Air Tours. (northstarairtours.com)
Small airline to make 12-minute international flights out of Victoria
NorthStar Air offering flights between Victoria and Friday Harbour
Steven Heywood
Apr. 18, 2018 6:00 a.m.
After nearly a year of waiting for its regulatory approvals, NorthStar Air is ready to commence its short-hop flights between the Victoria International Airport and San Juan and Orcas islands in Washington State as of May 6.
The route is billed by the company as the world's shortest international scheduled air service in North America — with a flight time of a mere 12 minutes.
In May 2017, NorthStar Air also suggested it would be offering other flight service between Victoria and Bamfield and Tofino, with possible expansion to Whistler and Squamish in the future.
RELATED: New airline could operate out of Victoria airport.
The company will be using a nine-seat aircraft, typically seen for similar-length flights between Caribbean islands.
Departures are designed, according to the company, to appear to day-trippers.
A media release suggests fares as low as $49, but a search of their booking service on their website, shows tickets for $86.12 or $107.12 between Victoria and Friday Harbor (May 7 flights).
WATCH: Sewage pipe makes slow journey toward the ocean
BRIDGE TAKEDOWN: Trying again today in Victoria


Investigations are generally conducted by federal law enforcement agencies, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. We also frequently take cases from State and local agencies that participate in joint task forces with federal law enforcement agencies. In addition, the U.S. Attorney's Office works with referring agencies to provide direction and legal counsel during federal criminal investigations.
There are many federal crimes. Some involve narcotics, bank robbery, fraudulent activity that affects interstate commerce, wire fraud, mail fraud,tax fraud, any crime in which the United States is defrauded, illegal gun crime, environmental crimes, and civil rights violations. Some crimes may violate both State and federal laws, such as bank robbery. In these cases, the U.S. Attorney's Office works closely with State and local law enforcement officials to determine where the case should be brought, based on where the public would be best served.
What kinds of cases does the U.S. Attorney's Office handle?
This office prosecutes federal criminal cases committed in the District of Minnesota. The District is comprised of the entire state. The U.S. Attorney's Office also defends the U.S. in civil suits brought against it and brings civil cases to recover money for taxpayers and ensure citizens' civil rights.
Federal prosecutors charge most cases by presenting evidence to a federal grand jury, which is made up of 23 jurors, who are citizens of the District. The grand jurors serve two functions: They investigate cases by reviewing documents and hearing witness testimony, and they return indictments when they find probable cause that a person or entity has committed the crime charged. By law, grand juries operate in secret.
Why are the grand jury's proceedings secret?
The Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure require that grand jurors and federal prosecutors keep grand jury proceedings, including the existence of a federal criminal investigation, completely secret unless and until the grand jury returns an indictment against one or more of the accused. Witnesses, other than law enforcement officials, called to testify before the grand jury are not generally held to the same secrecy requirements. However, under most circumstances, it is illegal for prosecutors to reveal the details of grand jury deliberations. This is one reason the U.S. Attorney's Office does not confirm or deny the existence of an investigation.
What are the steps in a criminal prosecution?
See the Federal Criminal Procedure brochure. For a guide to the federal civil litigation process, see the Federal Civil Procedure brochure.
Do you issue press releases in every case?
No. While we try to keep the public informed of significant case activity, the volume of cases precludes us from issuing releases in every case.
Why does the U.S. Attorney's Office frequently say, "No comment"?
In most instances, the U.S. Attorney's Office declines to comment on pending cases or investigations. This is for two reasons: First, any matter occurring before the grand jury is secret under the law, and we are prohibited from discussing it. Comments made in such an instance could compromise an on-going investigation or threaten officer safety. Second, Justice Department guidelines, rules of professional conduct, and rules of court, as well as considerations of fairness to defendants, require that we not make comments that could prejudice a defendant's right to a fair trial.
What information can the U.S. Attorney's Office provide?
We can and do provide information that is in the public record, either through documents filed with the court or statements made in court. We can also provide status information about a case, such as the next scheduled appearance.
What are other sources of information about the federal courts?
The most direct source of federal case information is the Clerk of Court's Office. Federal cases are filed and maintained there. Anyone may ask to see the public pleadings in a case. The Clerk's telephone number is (612) 664-5000.


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HKETO, Brussels encourages Italian food and food-tech start-ups to seize Hong Kong and Greater Bay Area opportunities (with photo)
At a food and food-tech seminar for Italian start-up and scale-up entrepreneurs in Milan on November 24 (Milan time), the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) promoted Hong Kong as the ideal place in Asia for start-ups and scale-ups to grow their businesses.
The agrifood-tech ecosystem in Italy has been developing fast in recent years. The seminar covered the business opportunities Hong Kong can offer in the field of food tech, agri tech, food sustainability and innovation, catering technology and related sub-sectors.
The Acting Deputy Representative of the HKETO, Brussels, Mr Henry Tsoi, said that with strong research and development capabilities, a deep pool of talent, ample funding opportunities and an increasingly supportive ecosystem, Hong Kong is fast developing into an international innovation and technology hub that offers exciting opportunities to start-ups and talent from around the world. The number of start-ups in Hong Kong had increased by 12 per cent in 2020, to 3 755, he said.
Mr Tsoi underlined that Hong Kong is playing a key role in the development of the vibrant Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and remains a gateway to Mainland China and other neighbouring markets. There is great demand in Hong Kong for quality and innovative food products from Italy and all around the world, he added.
The seminar was co-organised with Invest Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and supported by Talent Garden Milano. Founded in Italy in 2011, Talent Garden is the leading European co-working network and educational institute for the digital and tech community, and spans 18 campuses in eight European countries. In Milan, it accommodates start-ups active in the fields of food and food tech.
Ends/Thursday, November 25, 2021


Don and I traveled to Savannah this past weekend to watch Madison's debut in the Novice Division. She rode well and won the class! Not bad for her first time up in this division!
The Bees won high point team again for the day, but UCF was close behind - trailing only by 3 points on the day! This weekend the Bees are making the long trek to south Florida to compete, and Don and I will be there to cheer them on! I am planning to take some homemade donuts to share with the team. I have never made donuts before, so I figured I'd better give it a go before Friday. Today I made the allrecipes.com Apple Cider Glazed Donuts, and they turned out great!
I didn't have apple cider on hand, so I subbed in apple jelly. The glaze is yummly, but I think it would have more apple flavor with the apple cider, so I will use that next time. I also think the jelly made the glaze very sticky! haha But who cares - they are full of apple-y deliciousness!
Saturday - We will be down south for a horse show, so we'll catch dinner out after the show. Go BEES!
Thanks for sharing the recipe for the donuts with us at Foodie Friends Friday. They look delicious!
Thanks for having me at the linky party!


«COFCO – это один из крупнейших производителей продуктов питания в Китае. Компания неоднократно выражала заинтересованность в развитии торговли с Приморьем. Мы много раз встречались с ними, обсуждали конкретные детали будущего взаимодействия, и вот первый сухогруз с приморской кукурузой отправился в китайскую провинцию Гуандун», – подчеркнул руководитель департамента.
Добавим, также компания COFCO открыла дочернее предприятие во Владивостоке – это еще один результат работы Администрации края с китайскими партнерами.
China National Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs Corporation (COFCO) has organized grain shipments from Primorye to China. The first ship, loaded with almost 4 thousand tons of Primorye corn, has already set off for the province of Guangdong.
According to the director of the Department of International Cooperation Aleksey Starichkov, preliminary work on the development of trade relations with the company has been conducted since 2015. For three years, the Chinese partners studied the Primorye market and the transport and logistic capabilities of the region, worked out options for cooperation.
"COFCO is one of the largest food producers in China. The company has repeatedly expressed interest in the development of trade with Primorye. We met with them many times, discussed specific details of future cooperation, and finally the first dry cargo ship with Prmorye corn set off to the Chinese province of Guangdong," - the head of the department stressed.
According to him, this delivery is only the first step in the development of cooperation between COFCO and Primorye enterprises. The company plans to transit the grain from Primorye on an ongoing basis. In addition, the partners still intend to organize the supply of food from Primorye to China, as well as implement agricultural projects in the region.
As the Chinese partners themselves point out, the shipment of raw materials became a particular example of the implementation of the state strategy "One Belt, One Road" by the COFCO company and the agreements between the heads of Russia and China, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, on developing cooperation.
We also add that COFCO has opened a subsidiary in Vladivostok - this is another result of the work of the regional administration with Chinese partners.
For reference: China National Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs Corporation (COFCO) is a holding company owned by the Government of the People's Republic of China. It is the largest producer and seller of food products in China. It is in the TOP-500 of the Fortune business magazine rating.
Founded in 1952, COFCO is one of the 49 largest state-owned enterprises under the direct control of the PRC State Council.
The activities of the COFCO group of companies include the production and processing of food products, real estate operations, construction and operation of port facilities, finance, transport, and hotel business.
Currently, COFCO has 336 branches and representative offices in 140 countries of the world. The company owns 180 manufacturing enterprises and more than two million points of sale of finished products. COFCO storage facilities allow to store up to 31 million tons, and the company's production capacity to process up to 89.5 million tons of finished products per year.


Tim Decker will bring his high energy, fast-paced speed painting performance to your next corporate event. Engage your crowd with this unique, exciting corporate entertainment.
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Prepare to be amazed as world-renowned speed painter Tim Decker whips up masterpieces in minutes. This is more than a show, it is an experience as he blends music, humor, and audience interaction all while creating giant portraits of legendary icons within minutes. He has appeared on TV dozens of times and his work and performances have been seen by George H. W. Bush, Muhammad Ali, Jimmy Kimmel, Arnold Palmer, and Kim Kardashian to name a few. A high energy show you don't want to miss.
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