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Category: Lumine Haven
The Territories of Lumine – Aljiba
While the tribes of magic society naturally scattered throughout Moonveil's wilderness to form culture's of their own, various events have made this previously established accord impossible to maintain. Certain tribes have been pushed inward or even destroyed by invading forces in the forms of Dracula and Fourshire. This is particularly true on Dracula's side, where the tribes are purposely kept alive as the vampire acts to indoctrinate them into his anti-human army. It is well-known by this point that the clans who resist him are massacred and turned into undead husks, though this is never Dracula's first strategy.
Dracula or one of his commanders will visit the tribes that the vampire has his eyes set on multiple times before they resort to destructive force. This gives the tribes plenty of opportunity to simply relocate, though understandably many of these clans are unwilling to just give up their places of settlement on Dracula's whim. Some resist and attempt to foolishly fight back while others band together in a mutual act of rebellion. This collective of insurgent tribes refer to themselves as 'Aljiba', a moving settlement which hangs around the border of Dracula's ever-expanding territory.
Aljiba is currently located in northern Moonveil, having seemingly found a temporary place of safety under the shadow of the Dragon's plateau. Though the tribes of Aljiba know this safety to be little more than an illusion while Dracula's reign continues. The time they have to make a decisive move is limited, Aljiba will soon move again and when it does it will either shape the future or disappear without a trace.
Being a collaboration of tribes, Aljiba would theoretically enjoy the benefits of unity in a similar manner to Lumine Haven. However, the forced nature of their banding has instead led to a far more discordant community. The leaders of the various clans often stand off against each other in an attempt to establish some form of hierarchy and the lack of a true guiding figure has left Aljiba painfully disorganized. The generally sour atmosphere which follows the tribes in their plight to take down Dracula only leads to more conflict and random lashing out.
While Aljiba is constantly moving location, the tribes with more advanced woodworking ability do hastily create places of shelter when they come across beneficial plots of land. These homes and incredibly simplistic, certainly not made to last by any means. Even in the current location near the base of the Dragon's plateau, where moving hasn't been a necessity in some time, the living conditions are only passable. Aljiba rarely has the chance to set up proper countermeasures for monsters and Fae, leading to tribesmen often being picked off even when they do temporarily settle.
Despite these danger, scouting parties are regularly sent out to determine where Aljiba could migrate to when the current settlement becomes compromised. Once this is done, they visit any independent magic society tribes they come across to inform them of where to go if Dracula comes. Other than that, the tribes of Aljiba spend their time training for the time of reckoning when they must face off against Dracula's forces. Training is the one thing that the tribes of Aljiba unanimously enjoy as it allows them to release their tension and bond with other tribes through learning their unique ways of fighting.
The Cambion
The Cambion are a tribe whose ancestors attempted to attain more power through mixing their blood with that of monsters. They wished for their bodies to undergo the mutations which made the monsters strong and, while most who attempted the process ended up dying from the ensuing warping of flesh and bone, a lucky handful managed to survive. These survivors bore horrendous, disgusting forms which were unfit to properly wield the strength that they had gained. Yet, this did not deter them as they were aware of the inexplicable stability which was achieved by the monster races through the passing of generations.
After years spent breeding and avoiding the crusades, the first of the modern Cambion came to be. A magic society race with the brutal power of monsters, entities who would be dubbed 'Demons' by the Templars. The Cambion, despite their potential, were not able to stand up to the Templar army and became one of the first tribes to survive the journey through the Sarasa to reach Moonveil. Once there, the monstrous traits of the Cambion further receded as an odd anomaly began to occur. Only under the light of the moon would their true monster-like forms and abilities manifest. The name 'Moonveil' originated from the Cambion tribe for this reason, a name which stuck thanks to the influence they had with their disproportionate might.
As Moonveil developed, the Cambion thrived as one of the most advanced tribes in all the land. With no need to assert themselves over the other emigrating clans, they became peaceful and focused only on their own growth. That was, until the appearance of Dracula. It should come as no surprise that they took issue with his attempts at establishing himself as lord of Moonveil and the Cambion elder began talks with the vampire. While the elder vouched for peace, Dracula stalwartly refused to budge from his stance that the Cambion should use their power against the unjust humans. Then, on one fateful visit to the Cambion village, Dracula's patience finally wore out and he killed the elder in hopes of awakening the monstrous instinct within the clan.
Certainly, the Cambion refused to stand around idly after such a blatant show of disrespect. On the night of the next full moon, when their 'demonic' abilities were at their peak, the Cambion attacked Castlevania with their full might. They were easily able to break through Dracula's forces and reach the castle, however once they got there they found themselves surrounded as around a third of their number had defected. These defectors had found meaning in Dracula's words and wished to fully connect with their monstrous roots. To that end, they even turned on their own kin. Not even the Cambion could overcome the combined forces of the traitors and Dracula's commanders and were thusly slaughtered to be made into undead slaves.
Few escaped the battle to return to the children and non-combatants left in the village. They could stay there no longer, they had to move. Shortly thereafter, the handful of remaining Cambion banded together with other tribes who had been slighted by Dracula to form Aljiba. While the Cambion may theoretically have been among the most qualified to lead the rebellious band, the survivors of the battle felt themselves unworthy of doing so. After what happened, they had no choice but to admit that the years of peace had made them soft. It's difficult for them to admit but, to defeat the monsters that the defectors would certainly become, the survivors may have to become monsters themselves.
Posted on December 29, 2018 //
Filed under Lumine Haven
More in Lumine Haven
The Territories of Lumine – Silver Pass & the Dragon's Plateau
The Territories of Lumine – Twilicant
The Territories of Lumine – Castlevania
The Territories of Lumine – Moonveil Wilds
The Territories of Lumine – Fourshire
The Territories of Lumine – Lumine Haven
The Races of Lumine
The History of Lumine Haven
How to Start Worldbuilding – The Story of Lumine Haven


There seems to me a natural progression in backpacking. In the beginning, we want to see everything, go everywhere, have every (positive) experience. This is both great fun and completely exhausting. I've reached the stage where I want to go deeper, I want to stay put for a while and really get a feel for the place. It's why I've been working and volunteering and taking courses abroad. I like cultivating a routine, testing out all the coffee shops until I find the best coffee in town, and seeing familiar faces in the shops and cafes.
Amber and I have been in McLeod Ganj for the better part of two weeks. More than enough time to do a proper survey of the coffee shops, bond with the street dogs and develop a repartee with shop owners on our street. We've been waking up early, climbing to Dharamkot to attend a guided meditation at Tushita, a Tibetan Buddhist Meditation Center, and then in the afternoon we do yoga on a rooftop patio overlooking the valley. Life is good.
Our beautifully simple two weeks here culminated in attending the Dalai Lama's teaching at his temple just down the street from our hotel. He's giving a four day talk to a group of Buddhist Mongolians. He teaches in Tibetan and then it's translated into Mongolian. An English translation is then broadcast on FM radio.
The teaching begins at 8 am, so shortly after 7, we join the long line of monks in red robes and lay people heading towards the temple, like a procession of ants. The sun is just risen, the mountains are bathed in soft pinks and purples. As we get closer to the temple, we can hear chanting and Mongolian throat singing warbling from the loudspeakers. The temple is a modest, almost nondescript building in faded yellows and greens.
After passing through a very thorough security checkpoint (no cameras allowed!), we climb the stairs to the main pavilion. There are people everywhere, bundled up in warm winter clothes and carrying mats and cushions to sit on the cement floor. It's very calm and quiet. The seating area spans two floors, under a large white awning. A handful televisions broadcast His Holiness from his seat within the temple proper.
At exactly eight o'clock, the Dalai Lama emerges from his rooms and walks through the crowd, up the stairs and into the temple. He's surrounded by his people, and he's using one of other monks as a walking stick. The crowd is serene as he passes. He seems a little frail (he is getting up there), but he radiates happiness. He takes his time. He holds his free hand in half-prayer in front of his heart and blesses the crowd as he passes. He looks in my direction and tears spring to my eyes. This man *is* love.
The teaching opens with a prayer, during which the monks pass out bread and Tibetan butter tea to everyone. The Dalai Lama blesses the bread and tea and begins to talk. He giggles a lot, and laughs at his own jokes. He talks about the limitations of materialism ("a diamond ring won't comfort you when you're sad"), how anxiety and stress make us sick, and the importance of affection. Right when he's talking about how animals need affection from their mothers too, I'm distracted by a pair of baby monkeys playing on the rooftop behind me; the older monkeys are sitting in the sun and grooming each other. "Fear," he says, "distances us from each other". We should instead practice love and compassion for every sentient being, because we are all the same. All the religions are the same at their core; atheists are the same too. We all want happiness.
The Dalai Lama talks for four hours, with a fifteen minute tea break. In the second half, he reads scripture and discusses the dhamma, and takes audience questions. He gently chides the Mongolians for drinking too much vodka. Vodka is no good, but their fermented horse's milk is okay. Someone stands up and asks how many camels he has. Turns out, the Dalai Lama has twenty camels. He likes riding on Mongolian camels; they're comfortable, he says.
I extended my Golden Triangle trip to include two days in the holy desert city of Pushkar. It was a short drive from Jaipur, only about four or five hours; the last hour or so of which was on a narrow one lane road that twisted through farmlands and low mountains. Pushkar was not the type of desert I was imagining. Instead of sand dunes and endless beige, it was a regular landscape that happened to also have a lot of sand.
Pushkar is one of the oldest cities in India and an important pilgrimage site for Hindus — for the Brahma temple and the sacred lake. Groups of holy men with huge coils of dreadlocks and orange robes stretch out in the shade of the buildings and pass the time smoking, reading the newspaper, sleeping and watching passersby.
Pushkar means "the place where the flower fell from Brahma's hand". According to legend, Brahma saw a demon killing his children and generally being a nuisance, so he killed the demon with his lotus-flower. The falling lotus petals created the lake, and Brahma held a fire sacrifice there. Like the Ganga river, a dip in the water is said to wash away sins.
Walking along the main street, every now and then, there is a sudden hole in the line of shops that leads onto a ghat, or stairway down to the lake. Descending the stairs is like walking into a temple. The orchestra of color and sound in the market is subsumed by a reverent quiet. Shoes are to be left on the upper stairs (the taking off of shoes is symbolic of leaving behind the outside world). Incense burns in a small shrine underneath a tree. People are silent, but smile at you with their eyes.
Aside from the religious sites, the other main tourist activity in Pushkar is going on a camel safari. They hold an annual camel fair where hordes of people flock to watch camel races, ride camels and other dromedary related activities.
I arranged a four-hour camel safari with a stop for dinner in the desert. I went with two other foreigners, a pair of French medical students who spent the whole time complaining about India. We had two guides and three camels between us. My guide, thankfully, rode on the camel with me. His name was Arjun, and he was in his early twenties, had been working with camels since the age of eight and had bright red teeth from chewing paan. He spent the whole time on the camel spitting over my shoulder. His marriage had been arranged when he was eleven years old, and while they lived in separate towns, he spoke to his wife-to-be every night on the phone. One of the first things he said to me was, "Do you want to eat chicken? I can get you chicken." He said it like a drug dealer in an after-school special.
My camel was named Johnny, and Johnny's customer service skills left a lot to be desired. He was in a foul mood the entire time. And the smell. Egads. This camel was every bad smell imaginable all rolled up into one terrible bouquet. The saddle was a pile of manky blankets so crusted in sweat and grime, they'd hardened into what was probably the least ergonomic seat that's ever existed.
We rode awkwardly and uncomfortably through the sandy foothills of the mountains into a beautiful sunset. We stopped for dinner at a low, nondescript building that looking like an abandoned barracks. Arjun walked to the next town to get beer for us, while other guide made dal, veg curry and chapati. The French boys and I watched the stars come out; it was like someone was poking holes in velvet.
It turned out that the boys were going to stay overnight and I was to return with my guide and my rotten camel after dinner, in the dark. Every time I plan something in India, it always turns into a surprise. No one ever explains what's going to happen ahead of time. And every time, I tell myself I'll ask more questions next time, and every time I miss something and am surprised. India really keeps you on your toes.
I wondered whether or not it was a good idea to return alone that night. I didn't want to stay the night in the desert, but I also didn't want to wind up in a bad situation. I spent dinner watching Arjun and focusing on my gut to feel what my intuition was telling me to do. It's always right, and I do my best to listen to it, but sometimes it's tricky to sift through the internal layers to get to the kernel of pure intuition.
I had time to make a decision, so I ate and watched and listened. Arjun sensed my hesitation, and asked if I'd prefer to stay the night. I decided that I could trust him and told him I wanted to go back. As we remounted the cantankerous camel, he assured me that camels have excellent night vision, and that the camel knew the way so well that we could fall asleep and it'd make no difference. Apparently, on the longer safaris, he slept on the camel all the time. I've no idea how he did that and kept his spine intact.
Still trying to make me feel secure, Arjun started calling me his sister and said he wouldn't let me fall. I told him I hadn't been worried about falling until he started bringing it up. He laughed and put his heels into the camel. The camel started to run — a gawky, uneven run that I found impossible to find a rhythm in. I could barely see anything beyond the bobbing head of the camel. Arjun yelped and pushed me forward whenever a branch hung too low in the path. Branches whipped at my face, and brambles tore at my pants. I thought I was going to pee myself. My knuckles felt like they were going to burst and my legs cramped from squeezing so hard. Arjun casually took out his phone, called his wife and chatted to her for the next hour.
I've never been more grateful to see city lights. I nearly leapt off the wretched beast when we arrived at my hotel. Arjun told me to come and find him if I wanted to eat chicken while I was in Pushkar, and walked into the dark desert night with the camel slouching behind him.


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This course provides an introduction to business principles, theory, and their practical application to the various areas of the Canadian and global business environment. The course examines the basic aspects of Canadian business economy, including demand and supply, products and services, the business trade cycle, private and public enterprise, and different types of competitive market structures. It also covers topics in business ethics and corporate social responsibility (CSR). Students will have an opportunity to examine and evaluate the basic principles of business philosophy, demand and supply theory, different types of business institutions, and formation of business institutions. Both the Canadian and global business environment will be analyzed and assessed from a business and economic perspective.


ADRIAN, Mich. – The Adrian College athletic department has announced that Erin Davis has been hired as the new Cheerleading Coach and Assistant Acrobatics and Tumbling and Dance Coach starting with the 2013-2014 seasons. Davis will serve as the leading coach for the cheerleading team.
"I am excited and proud to join the Adrian College family and contribute to the spirit program," Davis said. "Knowing the changes in the competitive cheerleading world with Acrobatics and Tumbling, this is exciting to be a part of the inaugural season here at Adrian. The cheerleading, acrobatics and tumbling, and dance coaching position combined with the support of the College, is what really drew me to the program. I am looking forward to working with [Head Coach] Regina Smith and helping Adrian College reach a new level of success in the coming seasons."
Davis joins the Bulldog Spirit program and Acrobatics and Tumbling after spending a year as an all-girl competitive coach at Capital Gymnastics in Austin, Texas.
"Erin is the perfect addition to our "up and coming" program," stated Smith. "She brings the perfect blend of competitive experience, technical knowledge, and passion of sports. I am proud to welcome her into the Bulldog family."
Prior to coaching, Davis was an athletic scholar gymnast at the University of Nebraska where she lettered all four years for Cornhusker Gymnastics. She was a Big 12 Commissioners Academic Honor Roll Honoree from 2010-2012. Davis was a 2011 two-time All American for Nebraska Gymnastics. Her collegiate gymnastics career included Big 12 Championships in Vault and Floor in 2011 and a perfect 10 on vault exercise in 2010.
As a young gymnast, Davis was a three-time Junior Olympic National Qualifier specializing in floor and vault. At the 2006 national meet, Davis took second on floor, third on vault and fifth on beam. In 2005, she tied for ninth on floor and vault and earned third-place honors on vault in 2004.
After Davis four-year stint at Nebraska, Davis participated in the first Pro Gymnastics Challenge aired on ESPN in 2013. Davis has also been known as an active community volunteer that includes, but not limited to, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, serving kids with disabilities and working with the elderly.
A native from Round Rock, Texas, Davis graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in Women's Health and Wellness.


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Slovenia vote winner Cerar nominated as PM
Slovenian President Borut Pahor on Tuesday nominated the winner of last month's election, political newcomer Miro Cerar, as prime minister of the troubled eurozone state, AFP reports.
"I believe (Cerar) will carry out this demanding task conscientiously and successfully," Pahor told journalists, although the appointment still has to be approved by parliament.
Cerar, a law professor and constitutional expert who won the July 13 snap vote following Prime Minister Alenka Bratusek's resignation in May, has already started talks to form a coalition with three centre-left parties, including Bratusek's new formation.
The outgoing premier stepped down after just over a year in office after she lost the leadership of the centre-left Positive Slovenia (PS) party.
During Bratusek's time in office, Slovenia avoided a feared bailout and recapitalised its state-owned banks. But it also saw a sharp increase in public debt and failed to stabilise public finances.
Campaigning as a fresh face in Slovenian politics beset by squabbling politicians and shady dealings, Cerar and his newly-formed SMC party won 36 seats in the 90-seat parliament, just a month after he announced his candidacy.
Parliament has a week to rule on the nomination of the 50-year-old Cerar, who was vague about his plans during the election campaign.
If he is approved, he will have 15 days to present his government lineup, which will also have to be approved by lawmakers.
Elections, Europe, news, politics, Prime-Minister, Slovenia, win
Slovenian PM wins confidence vote Kazakhstan Ambassador to Slovenia appointed Nazarbayev invited to visit Slovenia
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Step 1: Cover the victim's face with a thin layer of papier mâché. Let dry before removing.
Step 2: Glue foam padding to create offsets between the face-hugging layer and the exterior layer.
Step 3: Cover the foam with the outside layer of papier mâché.
Step 4: Paint. Cut holes for eyes and nose. Install strap.


I am so excited to be participating in the One Room Challenge this Fall. I am currently in the process of updating my first home with my Fiance. Designing our first place together while planning our wedding has been both exciting and a bit overwhelming to say the least.. but we are more excited for this next chapter of our lives than anything!
The room that I have decided to focus on for the One Room Challenge is our Master Bedroom. The bedroom before was a "master disaster". The room had purple wood paneled walls, a dingy ceiling fan that rocked and squeaked when on, flooring that was damaged, and lack of functional space.
My plans for the new space is create a light and serene environment for both of us to retreat to at the end of the day. Since it is a small bedroom, the layout will need to be improved to maximize the space as much as possible. I'd like to open up the ceiling and remove the drop ceiling and commercial looking ceiling tiles and add a smooth sheetrock ceiling with crowne molding to make the room feel larger.
There are (2) closets across from the bed wall that are very shallow and have book shelves inside. Since those closets are not functional for clothing, my plans are to bump out the closets and create an open niche for a dresser and functional storage. Also from an aesthetics standpoint — staring at a closet at night just isn't pleasing and from a design psychology standpoint, it just gives me bad vibes. So in order to make this bedroom "feel" calming and inviting, we must eliminate those strange closet doors and open up the area for functional and decorative pieces.
My Fiance insists on having a tv in the bedroom, so he'll get his tv and that niche could be the perfect place for it.
Since the room is small, that means we only have room for 24-28" nightstands. To maximize the bedside table surface area, I envision hanging modern pendant lights above each nightstand.
Here is a preview of my design concept for the master bedroom. My personal style is modern and streamlined with touches of natural elements (hello, plants everywhere) and my future hubby's style is rustic with hints of industrial. Both styles compliment each other and I think it will be a great balance of modern and rustic.
The design concept above is light an airy. The walls I will be keeping it light and mixing other shades of medium and dark taupe for contrast and depth. The wall color will be light to make the room feel as open as possible, and I am thinking of doing a dark accent wall inside the niche (across from the bed). I really loved how the natural lighting came in even on an overcast day and on the purple walls, so using light colors will only enhance the "airy" feeling because whites are more reflective to sunlight.
As for materials and fabrics, I will be adding layers of tactile textures. The window treatments will be layered with a natural grass shade and curtains layered top for additional privacy at night. We will be installing luxury vinyl plank flooring in a "drift oak" finish. The vinyl plank has a lot of texture to it and looks realistic.
The dresser that I selected also has a drift finish with light cerusing. Cerused finish is an oak finish technique that fills in the grains with a color. In the 16th century, this trending technique was started to fill the porous open grain of the planks, usually in white and also was known as "limed oak". Modern cerused finishes today can be shades of white to gray.
Those are my ideas for now, follow along for next week as I lay out the furniture and create a rendering of the design.


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Baseball chinwag with Nando di Fino
February 22, 2019 Gavin Baseball, Fantasy Baseball, MLB UK, Opinion
Welcome to the third article in our series of quick chats with our favourite people in the baseball broadcasting and fantasy baseball world.
Nando Di Fino is a multi-award winning writer, analyst, host and producer who has worked for, among others, ESPN, CBS, The Wall Street Journal, MLB Network, SiriusXM and is now the Editor of Fantasy at The Athletic. And he even has his own IMDb page.
The history graduate started his career as a researcher for the best-selling book Fantasyland: A sportswriter's obsessive bid to win the world's most ruthless fantasy baseball league. Have you read it? You should (buy it here from Amazon). Since then, Nando has become one of the most well-liked and recognisable characters in the industry.
Every guy wants to be him, and every woman wants to be with him, Mr Nando Di Fino, thank you for allowing us to break into your hectic schedule.
Can I start by asking, what is it like being the most charismatic person in fantasy baseball?
Haha. Hard pass on that one, friend! But I do appreciate the compliment.
Bat Flips and Nerds deals with all aspects of baseball, including grassroots play in the UK, European leagues, World Baseball Classic, fantasy baseball and, of course, everything encompassed by MLB. All with a British take.
Di Fino is an Italian name. Have you ever visited the homeland? What are your experiences of Europe and the UK?
Yes I have been to the motherland. And I love it there. And I know that's pretty milquetoast. I have family all over Italy, so I try to go once a year. I get my day or two of running through Rome, eating and drinking, then spend the rest with family in these little villages in the south. It's like I might as well be in Milwaukee. But I'm relaxed there. I just stare at the mountains and veg out, basically, then eat and drink and go to bed and repeat. I read a ton there, too. I mean, that might just be like a vacation for everyone else, but I associate it with Italy.
I've also been to London and Beaconsfield, for my friend's wedding, about five years ago. I didn't actually see Beaconsfield until a few hours before the wedding, and I hate that we didn't spend a full day there. I'm a weirdo. I like going to smaller towns like that and buying random souvenirs or checking out the local wares and traditions.
London was awesome, but every bar seemed to be owned by the same company, with the same kind of format, so we had to really try to find some different ones. The Cheshire Cheese was great. There was, I think, a George Washington-themed bar? I loved that. We ate well there, too.
And I actually peed in a weird urinal port-a-potty. We don't have those here. It was basically four plastic urinals just kind of in the middle of a plaza.
Anyway, enough about my thoughts on Europe! Next!
Fond memories of Europe
It is difficult to express how incredibly excited we are to have the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox visiting in June. The London Series is a dream come true for so many of us MLB fans in the UK who were brought up on a diet of one televised game per week … the broadcast of which started after midnight.
We are spoilt now with MLB.tv televising every game, blackout-free, although the time difference still makes life difficult. An 8:00pm ET first pitch is 1:00am over here. It is not easy to be an MLB fan in the UK, but it has created a committed fanbase of hardcore supporters.
The other problem faced by MLB fans over here is that the sport is disparaged by the media and therefore much of the public. We are doing our best to change this. We are bored with baseball being called rounders (which over here is generally a fun, non-competitive game for school children). The London Series will introduce the sport to a whole new audience. MLB is set to explode in the UK.
We realise that there is some animosity from fans not wanting yet another series to be relocated abroad, but what is your take on the London Series?
Ha. Fools. I think it's awesome and bizarre to see these games played all over the place. I love that kind of stuff. Forget about the oddity of the teams playing for fans who may not skew one way or another… or hearing the names announced with a British accent. But the park itself — we talk a lot about park factors — we don't know how it's going to play with the dimensions and wind and everything. Strictly from a fantasy point of view, that's going to be fascinating.
Launched in 2016, The Athletic has transformed sports journalism. The bar has been raised. No longer are dumbed-down, click-bait-filled articles the only choice for sports fans. The Athletic has recruited some of the finest writers in the business. It really feels like sports journalism has grown up.
I love the aim of The Athletic: Our goal? Make every article you read end with you excitedly declaring, loudly, "That was awesome, and I want more from this writer."
The Athletic certainly appears to be monopolising the very best writers. I hope it is the future of sports journalism and not an unsustainable business model which will need to hike up subscriptions and become filled with advertising.
What were your thoughts when The Athletic launched and how do you see it progressing over the next few years?
I thought it was awesome before I got here. You don't know how awesome it is on your eyes and brain to have no ads. I remember a few years ago, NFL.com had these PDF gamebooks, which had all the plays and snaps and everything. And you had to be lightning fast to click on the link, or an ad would play, and you'd click that instead, and it would launch a new window. And I used to mutter to myself, "I would pay a monthly fee to not have ads on this page right now, so I can just get to this f'ing gamebook." And here we are years later, and this beautiful site exists. And the "no ads" thing is like 10th on the list of why anyone would subscribe, which is nuts. You can't go back to regular sites after experiencing this.
I think over the next few years it's just going to keep it up. I've read so much on this site, and it's objectively so good. And smart. And I've seen it play out behind the scenes with these pure and awesome and really smart motives behind it all. It's respecting fans, readers, subscribers — that's a new thing. I've been places where the bosses think the audience is full of dummies, who will sit there and watch auto-play stuff or stick around to read bland garbage. Not here. And it's driven from the top. We respect people who shell out money to read us, we have a responsibility to put our best, most creative foot forward, and it's totally driven by the guys up top here.
You once gave advice that young people trying to get into the business of sports should be ready for this to be their part-time job (or a miserable full-time one) for at least five years, and to focus on creatively finding positives in all situations, after all, everyone can be negative.
That was sage advice. With the changes you have witnessed over the last few years, seemingly everyone is able to produce a blog and podcast. What advice would the older, wiser Nando now offer youngsters wanting to get into sports media?
I still think you need to start this out on the side, but the avenues are definitely more accessible. You don't have to hope an editor at any site will give you a shot. You just start a podcast or a twitch channel or your own site and go for it. You're responsible for making your own way, but you have freedom to do it how you'd like. And with social media kind of pushing this, the playing field is levelled. I saw a twitter account a couple months ago called MLB Moving Averages. It got retweeted into my timeline. And it was great. I clicked on it, went through some old tweets, and it was consistently really excellent. So I noticed. And I follow it now.
Someone told me theres a football game today,
That may be, but we're definitely 1 day closer to Opening Day.
I was curious how the top 40 scoring SPs in my home pts lg from 2018 were going by position ranking according to current ADP (ADP/R)
YES I JUST TROLLED THE SUPER BOWL pic.twitter.com/vfYIIUmEsM
— MLB Moving Averages (@MLBMovingAvg) February 3, 2019
And I DM'd the guy running it to say awesome job and let me know if you need any advice or whatever. Today, I'd tell him to just keep doing that.
Don't go to some site that won't pay you or could ultimately just be out to exploit you (for more on that, ping Joe Sheehan — he's long been a proponent of paying newer writers). You no longer need that. Anyone can do it on their own, they just have to do it well, not be afraid to self-promote, and have that first job to make actual money as it starts out.
Yours is a multifaceted job, what are the aspects you enjoy most? You once said that you preferred being Gepetto rather than Pinocchio. Is that still the case?
I think I enjoy, at least right now, in baseball season, doing something like reading Gene McCaffrey in the back end of our CMS and having that realisation that I'm working with him and not just reading his book from afar. And that the next week, there will be another article coming from him that I get to read before anyone else. It's just really cool to be able to have this group that is a mix of Ron Shandler, who's been at this for a long time and pioneered some really great stuff, and Matt Modica, who people are discovering and truly enjoying. Like I'd rather have someone tell me "I love Matt Modica" than tell me "I loved what you wrote about Tyler Glasnow." And I promise that's the truth.
Do people still ask you about your man crush on Jedd Gyorko?
Always. And Blake Bortles, who is my football version of him.
Click for the rest of the ESPN story
When was the last time someone woke you to ask for fantasy baseball advice with an early morning call?
My phone is on silent all night long now. Hahaha. Only a select few have the landline number in case of emergency. These days it's just harried texts during drafts.
Final question. Platforms like Fantrax will force Yahoo, ESPN and CBS raise their game, and DFS (daily fantasy sports) is growing in popularity at an incredible rate. Where do you see fantasy baseball in five years time?
I think you're going to see a lot more best ball. It's such a great format for baseball — do the draft, then let the computer do the work for you. Jake Ciely also has a format — "350" — that is designed to be done by September 1, so you can focus on pennant races and fantasy football. I really think you need to do something to lessen the insane amount of work needed to follow fantasy baseball. Those two new formats could help. Because it's a fun game, but it's so intense.
FINAL QUICK PITCHES
Roto, points, categories or DFS? Roto all the way. Then categories, then points, I guess. I do not like DFS. Maybe I would if it wasn't littered with sharks and spreadsheets. But the way it is now… no thank you.
ESPN, Yahoo, CBS or Fantrax? Haha. Pass again! I worked for ESPN and CBS, I love the people at Yahoo, and Fantrax has such a smooth format. I'm not being political here… I kind of like all four.
How many fantasy baseball leagues are you in? I'm down to about six real leagues, one Scoresheet, and then probably eight best balls?
Favourite player – past and present? It was always Don Mattingly for me growing up. About 15 years ago, it was a guy named Chris Snelling, who would sign "YODA" under his autograph and just got derailed by injury. Right now… I really don't know. I guess Jedd Gyorko, right?? I have a Gyorko doll, and I can't say that about anyone else…at the moment…
Favourite sports writer? I love them all. But let me turn your readers on to Levi Weaver @ThreeTwoEephus here at The Athletic. He's great.
Baseball rule you would like to change? Any of the unwritten ones. It's killing the fun of watching the game.
Where will Bryce Harper sign? I think it's San Francisco. Philadelphia makes too much sense. And I wouldn't count out either NY team.
Who will win the 2019 World Series? Tell you what… San Diego with Manny Machado is a very good team. Joey Lucchesi and Eric Lauer are nasty. Chris Paddack could be nasty. They get another pitcher in there (maybe Dallas Keuchel, maybe through trade — one of the Cleveland guys maybe?) they can be a ridiculous sleeper team.
Fantasy baseball sleeper pick for 2019? Tyler Glasnow will win the Cy Young.
Best Twitter account to follow? Try the MLB Moving Averages one @MLBMovingAvg. It's interesting.
Thank you so much for your time Nando, and we wish continued success as your career spirals ever-upwards. What do you have planned for us from now until Opening Day?
Tons of good stuff. I think 15 new columns and chats a week. We're also trying out a new thing called the "Request Line," where we let subscribers commission columns they want written.
And finally, finally, I believe you have a special offer for UK readers wanting to subscribe to The Athletic?
And sure! 40% off theathletic.com/fantasylaunch40 Keep in mind we have EPL coverage!
Check out the rest of the new content on Bat Flips and Nerds. We have great articles about Tom's trip to Padres' camp (whether or not it was pivotal in the Manny Machado signing is up for discussion), the already excellent podcasts are getting even better, @BatFlips_Nerds is the essential Twitter feed for baseball fans in the UK and there are some great new writers on board.
Get involved: 2019 will be an awesome year for baseball.
Bryce HarperChris PaddackDallas KeuchelEric LauerFantasy BaseballJedd GyorkoJoey LucchesiLondon SeriesNando Di FinoPadres for the World SeriesThe AthleticTyler Glasnow
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Mr. Akyıldız was born in Çataldere, Rize on 02.02.1964. Mr. Akyıldız was graduated from Çataldere Primary School.
He attended Istanbul Kabataş Male High School for the secondary education. He was graduated from Istanbul University Medical Faculty in 1987. He had compulsory service in Çankırı Kurşunlu Health Clinic, and he had been Base Doctor in Tuzla Infantry School for the military service.
He had been junior doctor in the Cardiovascular Surgery Department in a team led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Besim Yiğiter, the former Medical Director of Siyami Ersek Thorax and Cardiovascular Surgery Hospital, in 1990. Being junior doctor for 5 years and chief junior doctor for 3 years, he founded the Cardiovascular Surgery Department of the privately owned Swiss Hospital under directorate of Assoc. Dr. Besim Yiğiter. While he was working at above specified hospital, he had been visiting fellow at Cleveland Clinic and Texas Hear.
Mr. Akyıldız has been working at private sector for 15 years, and currently, he is working at MEDISTATE KAVACIK HOSPITAL, and to date, he had attended more than 13.000 operations and he had personally carried out < 10.000 operations. He has above-standard experience and knowledge on cardiac surgery with infra-axillary approach and off-pump coronary bypass surgery.
He married with Cardiologist Şenay Bank, M.D., on February 2001. Mr. Akyıldız has one daughter and one son.
The field of interest is Human Psychology and Behavior Sciences.
Hobbies include playing tennis, skiing, swimming and reading books.


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About It's A Stampede!
Rewind to the '90s
Support It's A Stampede!
The geek blog | www.itsastampede.com
Review: Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again
By Alex Wiggan
Image: ©Universal Pictures
**WARNING: THE FOLLOWING POST INCLUDES A RUDDY BIG SPOILER FOR MAMMA MIA! HERE WE GO AGAIN. IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE MOVIE AND WANT TO REMAIN SPOILER-FREE (AND YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY WORKED OUT WHAT THAT SPOILER IS) THEN STOP READING NOW.**
When it was announced that Mamma Mia! (2008) was getting a sequel, I must admit I was very, very sceptical. As much as I enjoyed the original, the idea of a sequel suggested that we were in for a quick cash grab and nothing more.
I could not have been more wrong.
I've just got back from an early morning screening of Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again and I LOVED it! Not only is the movie as much fun as the first, in my opinion it's much better, with a stronger story and a real warmth that fills the screen throughout.
Mamma Mia! was great escapism, but it was frothy at best. I say this as someone who genuinely liked the movie but understands it is what it is – an excuse to put ABBA songs on the big screen.
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again is so much more. It still has froth, but there's more substance and that was something I didn't expect.
The big spoiler I warned about in the opening of this post is connected to Meryl Streep's character. Yes, as alluded to in the trailers (if you were paying attention), Donna Sheridan is dead.
Donna's death is made clear from the very start of the movie and while it takes a moment to process the idea that Streep won't be taking part in the story, it soon becomes very apparent that she is still very much the story. Killing off the character instantly gives this film a purpose, to a.) look back at Donna's life via flashbacks and b.) look forward at the legacy she has created.
Through the use of flashbacks the movie fills in story gaps discussed in the first film, while allowing for the original cast to get back together for the present day storyline. And when everyone is back together, it feels like a family reunited, rather than a collection of actors on another jolly, lapping up the sun and just phoning everything in, as they easily could have done.
What's more, early on it seems like various cast members won't be taking part, only to pull back the curtain during the third act to reveal they're all still involved. Yes, ALL of them.
There is so much about this movie that I loved, from the song choices (which felt less forced this time around – well, mostly), to the heavily promoted appearance of Cher who looks fabulous. Sure, she's not in the movie as much as I would have liked, but then maybe she could be invited back for a third film?
The standout star of the picture is Amanda Seyfried, who really takes charge of this film. As an actress, Seyfried demonstrates how much she's grown and her character really feels like the centrepiece of the story.
Lily James is also perfect as the young Donna, effortlessly taking over from Seyfried when it's time for the flashback sequences, of which there are many. In fact, the film is about 50% flashback, but this, like Donna's death is very important to the story so it's all good.
While Streep might not be in Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again all that much, the film crafts enough story to make you feel like she's there, leading up to an emotional finale. Yes, I will admit it – I cried.
By the end of Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, I was in tears – real, genuine tears. I knew it would happen, I tried to hold back, but I couldn't help it, there was emotion there and it was as a result of a captivating two hours filled with laughs, love and family.
A Mamma Mia! sequel should not be this good, it should be the Shock Treatment (1981) to The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975); or the Grease 2 (1982) to Grease (1978). But it's not. Instead, it's The Empire Strikes Back (1980) to Star Wars (1977).
I now want to watch it again.
Review: Whitney (2018)
Review: Rocket Man
A Wrinkle in Time movie review
Tags: Abba, Cher, Mamma Mia!, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, Music, Musicals
Categories: Films
SDCC 2018: Day One and Day Two news round-up
SDCC 2018: Batman: Hush to be adapted for animated movie
How many Warlock movies are there? January 17, 2021
Review: Outside the Wire January 16, 2021
Review: Wonder Woman 1984 January 13, 2021
35 romantic movies to fall in love with January 12, 2021
How many Urban Legend films are there? January 10, 2021
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Home/Local News/Denver/Federal inmate killed in Florence, third such U.S. prison death in a month – Denver, Colorado
Federal inmate killed in Florence, third such U.S. prison death in a month – Denver, Colorado
denverDecember 7, 2021
Denver, Colorado 2021-12-06 23:54:49 –
Washington — A federal prisoner in a high-security prison in Colorado died in a quarrel with another prisoner on Monday, the third time a prisoner was killed in a US federal prison last month.
According to the prison bureau, Jamal Thompson, 33, died in USP Florence on Monday afternoon shortly after prison officials responded to the fighting.
Thompson's death was the latest security issue in the federal prison system, which has been plagued by chronic violence, serious misconduct, and persistent staff shortages. His death has also led the Department of Justice to take action to reform the Department of Justice, facing increasing pressure from Democrats in Parliament.
A 61-year-old man died last month after a quarrel at USP Tucson, Arizona. And last week, a 32-year-old man was killed after fighting another prisoner in USP Canaan, Waymart, Pennsylvania.
The prison bureau said that at around 2:30 pm, officials were called in to respond to the quarrel between Thompson and other prisoners and "started lifesaving measures promptly," but Thompson said he was in the emergency services. Was sentenced to death. Other prisoners involved in the fighting were treated for minor injuries, officials said.
Thompson has been sentenced to more than five years in an attempted bank robbery and has been detained in prison with more than 700 male inmates since March.
The Florence prison complex has several federal prisons, including the so-called Supermax, which houses some of the country's most notorious prisoners.
Senator Dick Durbin, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, called on Attorney General Merrick Garland to dismiss prison director Michael Carbahar, saying he couldn't adequately deal with the myriad crises that plagued the authorities. Stated.
In doubling Carvajal's call for fire last week, Durbin, NJ, pointed out a series of recent violent incidents within the federal prison system, including an attack at FCI Fort Dix in November. Burlington County, NJ is run by the same jailer who was in charge of the federal prison in Manhattan when financier Jeffrey Epstein committed suicide. The attack stabbed a prisoner in his eyeball.
Federal inmate killed in Florence, third such U.S. prison death in a month Source link Federal inmate killed in Florence, third such U.S. prison death in a month
UFCW Local 7, King Soopers announce tentative agreement, ending 10-day strike – Denver, Colorado
Local brewer to set up production facility – Denver, Colorado
Man accused of breaking into Morrison home with people inside – Denver, Colorado
Airbnb, REColorado urged to combat price gouging after Marshall Fire – Denver, Colorado
Denver Public Schools prepares to close schools as enrollment declines in coming years – Denver, Colorado
Man arrested in murder investigation after deadly shooting at Denver apartment complex – Denver, Colorado
City of Corpus closes Emergency Operations Center – Riverside, California


At a funds industry awards ceremony held at Saddlers Hall in London on 19 March 2013, the MFM Techinvest Technology Fund was awarded a trophy as the best fund over three years in the UK Information Technology equity sector. This is second year in succession that the Fund has received this award.
According to its website, the Lipper Awards "honour the funds that have delivered stronger and more consistent performance than their peers. Lippers proprietary fund rating methodology is used to determine the winners. This quantitative approach ensures that the Lipper Awards are performance-based and objective".
The latest IMA data for the sector to which the Fund belongs shows the MFM Techinvest Technology Fund is in pole position for the period since the end of 2008. As of the close of 20 March 2012, the IMA table shows the Fund has increased by 213.6% since then. North American-listed stocks make up 59% of the Fund.
Information on how to buy or sell shares in the MFM Techinvest Technology Fund is contained on the back page of this newsletter. It should be noted that transactions are only carried out once a week, based on the price calculated at noon each Wednesday. As always, remember that the past is not necessarily a guide to future performance.


Cottage Place and Franklin Ave.
Exit at Linwood Avenue West toward Ridgewood.
Continue past Valley Hospital and Graydon Pool swim area.
Go through the traffic light at Maple Avenue.
One block after the light make a left onto Cottage Place.
Exit at Maple Avenue North toward Ridgewood.
Continue on Maple Avenue to the light at Franklin Ave.


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L'université de Vérone (en italien : Università degli studi di Verona) est une université italienne, à Vérone.

Historique

Facultés

Personnalités liées à l'université

Professeurs
 Franco Borruto, professeur de gynécologie et obstétrique.

Étudiants

Liens externes

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


From Crete to Cambridge in less than a week.
Last Tuesday [11 July 2017], I spent the morning in the Monastery of Arkadi in the mountains above Rethymnon in Crete.
Yesterday [17 July 2017], on my way from Stansted Airport to the USPG conference in High Leigh, I decided to spend the morning in Cambridge. After breakfast near Christ's College, I spent a few hours browsing in the bookshops, calling into Sidney Sussex College, and taking photographs at some of my favourite places, despite the throng of tourists.
This year, for the first time in many years, the Institute for Orthodox Christian Studies is not organising a summer school in Sidney Sussex College, and I am going to miss a week of teaching, friendship and fun. But I still needed to call in on the place, and to enjoy this corner of Cambridge in the summer sun.
I was corrected on Facebook later in the day and told by a colleague that what I always thought was wisteria growing in the courts in Sidney Sussex is in fact solanum. But the name solanum is applied to a wide variety of crops and plants that include potatoes, tomatoes and aubergine. In other words, I have lot more to learn each time I return to Cambridge.
In Saint Edward's Passage, a side alley close to King's College, the Guildhall and the Market, I found myself rummaging once again through the collections outside G David, one of my favourite second-hand bookshops in any part of the world.
According to the stories in Greek mythology, Zeus abducted Europa and took her to Crete, where Talos, a bronze giant, guarded her from pirates by circling shores of Crete three times a day. Talos was made by Zeus, Daedalus or Hephaistos. A single vein of molten metal gave life to Talos, and this 'blood' was kept inside the giant's body by a bronze peg in his ankle. Talos attacked Jason and the Argonauts when they landed on Crete, Talos attacked them. Medea charmed Talos into removing the bronze peg, all his ichor flowed into the sand, and he died.
Talos was sculpted in 1950 by Michael Ayton (1921-1975). Like the mythical Talos, Ayrton's Talos is also made of bronze. But he has no arms, no face, and his torso is a bulging box shape. By leaving Talos without his arms, Ayton illustrates the anger and bewilderment of many post-war British sculptors.
I found myself wondering who is going to portray the anger and bewilderment of post-Brexit Britain.
Today [18 July 2017] marks the 200th anniversary of the death of Jane Austen on 18 July 1817. The bookshop of the Cambridge University Press is displaying special editions of her novels and biographies of her in a window facing the Senate House.
I wonder how many are going to break away from the throngs of tourists to call in today and to mark this bicentenary.
But I could not escape noticing the carefully sculpted juxtaposition of two of her best-known books: Sense and Sensibility to the left and Pride and Prejudice to the right.
Perhaps it is a summary of the anger and bewilderment of many in Britain a year after the Brexit referendum. After all, the vote appears to have been 48 per cent Sense and Sensibility and 52 per cent Pride and Prejudice.
If only there had been a little more Persuasion from people who should have known better.


Like all major sporting organizations, the UFC is aware of legal threats their business model poses and considers legal strategies in response to these.
On March 25, 2014 the UFC's Michael Mersch and Tom Wright along with two local attorneys hosted the Canadian Bar Association's Professional Development course "The Legal Landscape of Full-Contact Professional Sports: Impacts of Developments in the Study of Brain Injuries and the Emergence of Mixed Martial Arts".
During the conference some interesting legal issues were canvassed including the potential of Zuffa facing concussion related litigation similar to the recent NHL and NFL class action lawsuits. In the course of the conference some of the contemplated responses to this legal threat emerged.
Mr. Goldstein goes on to quote from retired MMA fighter Mac Danzig's blog post where he discusses suffering damage more so from training than competing as the type of evidence that would be used when attacking claims of causation.
"There is sparring, there is training as a youth, there are amateur fights, there are pro fights in different organizations. At the end of the day if an MMA concussion lawsuit did go through to trial (causation) would be a very difficult thing to show.
And then lastly, voluntary assumption of risk, there is the legal doctrine that no wrong is done to one who is willing. The concept being if you know what you are signing up for, you sign up for it, society has deemed it an acceptable activity and that's where the legalization comes in, its not on the NFL, NHL, UFC to prohibit an activity that's legal.
Mr. Goldtein then distinguishes the NFL litigation from potential MMA concussion litigation noting the allegations of fraud driving the NFL litigation.
The panelists also note that since professional MMA is government regulated deference is given to their oversight and imply that protection would be sought from this oversight should litigation arise.
It was an insightful conference and for those interested video of the conference is available online for anyone (non lawyers included) who wish to register.


'Casino Royale' was the 21st James Bond movie and first to star Daniel Craig as Bond. The movie, filmed in the Bahamas, Montengro and Venice, also stars Mads Mikkelsen as "Le Chiffre," Eva Green as "Vesper Lynd", Judi Dench returning as "M".
Nicolas Buc will conduct the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra performing the Casino Royale score by David Arnold.
Casino Royale in Concert is on at Hamer Hall 23 and 24 May, 2019.


To appear in Proceedings of UIST '12 (Paper). Constructable is an interactive drafting table that produces precise physical output in every step. Users interact by drafting directly on the workpiece using a hand-held laser pointer. The system tracks the pointer, beautifies its path, and implements its effect by cutting the workpiece using a fast high-powered laser cutter.
Pedro is an HCI researcher at Hasso Plattner Institut, with Prof. Patrick Baudisch. Makes and writes music (in OTO, Whit and eitr) and about music (in jazz.pt magazine), also talks about it (in radio Zero). Read more.
My keynote at LEAP Berlin, about art and science – focus on how artists and scientists push boundaries! [Photo, courtesy of Peter Kirn] Read the bio/synopsis from the program of Body Controlled here. More will be published on the upcoming issue of the Canadian Journal of Electroacoustics!


If you're in your 60's you may be looking forward to receiving NZ Superannuation and a SuperGold Card. However, be aware that Super is not an automatic process that commences straight after your 65th birthday. You will need to personally apply to receive Super in order for payments to begin. Once you are aged 64 years and 9 months (i.e. 3 months prior to your 65th birthday), you can apply for your NZ Super through an online application system. If you are approaching this age we highly recommend diarising it as Super payments are not backdated, so it is in your best interests to apply on time and begin receiving payments directly following your 65th birthday.
Once your Superannuation has been granted you will automatically be sent a SuperGold Card for discounts and concessions for a number of businesses, government services and council services.
Eligibility criteria and how much you are likely to receive varies for different individuals. For detailed information on NZ Superannuation and the application process, go to http://www.workandincome.govt.nz/individuals/65-years-or-older/superannuation/index.html.


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Like Inception? Watch These Anime!
2:00 PM February 12, 2019
Sci-Fi Anime, Psychological Anime [Genres]
Sword Art Online, Paprika [Anime Title]
Honey's Anime Pickup,
Cinephiles, fans of Leonardo DiCaprio, lucid dreamers and most casual moviegoers will be familiar with the 2010 sci-fi film Inception, directed by Christopher Nolan. The movie's famous premise involving the infiltration of people's dreams was fairly popular and as the movie progresses, the conception of dream manipulation becomes more and more complicated. Overall, the film becomes more and more engrossing as the characters find themselves in dangerous scenarios that could have them forgetting they're within layers upon layers of dreams.
Liked Inception? Watch Paprika!
Aired: November 2006
A tech lab has been developing an exciting device known as the DC Mini, capable of delving into people's dreams. Chiba Atsuko and Tokita Kosaku have been hard at work trying to develop this technology in order to help cure people of their psychological afflictions. Truth be told, having access to the dark recesses of people's minds comes with heavy responsibility and in the wrong hands, the DC Mini could prove to be an intensely powerful form of psychological terrorism. When the DC Mini is stolen and the people around them begin to behave strangely, Atsuko and Kosaku realise the gravity of their situation and enlist the help of Officer Konakawa, who is one of their patients. Together, they search both the real world and the dreamscape looking for the mental terrorist.
Major Similarities between Inception and Paprika
1. Dream-Hopping
Most people don't realise that Inception is a concept that Christopher Nolan had been sitting on for a while; however, even fewer people know that Paprika is the close inspiration based on several similarities, particularly the characters' ability to entire and explore people's dreams. Both films have characters with opposite reasons for accessing other people's dreams – some wish to help people, while others intend to use the subconscious to drive people insane.
2. Dangers of Having Psychological Access
Characters in both films soon come to the conclusion that access to people's dreams come with major consequences – Paprika's Kosaku and Atsuko very easily understand the dangers of having the DC Mini fall into the wrong hands when it is stolen, while Cobb and company in Inception have concerns in not having the awareness to distinguish dreams from reality form one of the bigger concerns of the film and with each increasing layer, the dangers are compounded.
3. Some Major Filmic and Visual Similarities
Inception and Paprika are strikingly similar in their plot and their thematic elements; however, there are some incredible similarities in terms of the filmic and visual aspects of the films. In Inception, when Cobb explains the theory behind dreams and dream construction, Ariadne attempts to touch the air in front of her, causing that part to shatter like glass – this is very similar to when Paprika realises that the dream she is currently exploring is falling apart – she touches it and it shatters… like glass. Both scenes lead the characters into new and unexplored territory within the dreams.
Both films are saturated in heaps of surrealist imagery and concepts that are evident in many of the major scenes, particularly the aforementioned "breaking glass" scenes. Glass, more specifically, mirrors, are a major element in both films – in Inception, there is a scene where mirrors display the true personalities of the characters reflected by them, whereas Paprika has these mirrors showing the characters' true feelings, a subconscious personality.
The warping hallways scene in Paprika which features a highly agitated Officer Konakawa is also used in Inception, in the scene where the character Arthur is involved in a car accident while in mid-dream. The spinning motion of the van in which Arthur is dreaming causes Arthur to be caught in a spinning hotel hallway – similar to the situation experienced by Konakawa in Paprika.
Liked Inception? Watch Sword Art Online!
In the year 2022, virtual reality technology has seen great progression with the invention of NervGear technology and an online role-playing game called Sword Art Online is launched. The NervGear allows players of the game to control their in-game avatars with nothing other than their own minds. Kirigaya Kazuto, also known as "Kirito," is one of ten thousand lucky individuals who get the first shipment of SAO, and they explore the scenic world of Aincrad. However, joy turns to horror when they find out that they cannot log out as the game's creator has trapped them in the world until they clear all 100 levels. To escape, Kirito must work together with other players; however, stakes are high as death in Aincrad means death in real life.
Major Similarities between Inception and Sword Art Online
1. Technology and the Mind
Both Sword Art Online and Inception share the motif of technology granting people access to unprecedented worlds through manipulation of the mind; and the mind's manipulation of the world. The difference lies in the fact that Sword Art Online is concerned with access of virtual reality, while Inception deals with the access of people's dreams.
2. Technological Misuse Leading to Grave Danger
In Inception, a great concern of Saito, the Japanese scientist who hires Cobb to hop into people's dreams is the fact that his technology could be used to bring people to a state of psychological ruin. Sword Art Online's NervGear presents danger in the fact that the microwaves used by the tech end up becoming the very reason why people who die in-game end up dying in reality. Later seasons of Sword Art Online reconcile this danger by creating less dangerous full-dive technology.
As far as similarities go, Paprika is possibly the closest one can get in their attempt to find something similar to the Hollywood movie, Inception, and while there isn't straightforward admission of the anime film's impact and influence on the blockbuster, the film simply speaks for itself. The films' various similarities are far too numerous and far too identical for it to be played off as mere coincidence. Paprika was itself based on Tsutsui Yasutaka's 1993 novel of the same name and it is warranted more attention from people who don't necessarily watch anime because of the major impact it seems to have had on a major Hollywood film with its own major impact. Sword Art Online is an extremely popular rendition of the well-done "trapped in a video game" trope which is common across most media and while Inception doesn't deal with games, the similarities are quite evident in the way in which technology created to allow certain immersive experiences can become dangerous. Are there other similarities you'd like to mention? Drop a comment below and let us know every spicy detail!
Like Blade Runner 2049? Watch These Anime!
Honey's Anime Pickup Post
Momochi-san Chi no Ayakashi Ouji (The Demon Prince of Momochi House) Vol. 8 Manga Review
Looking Back on One Piece: Enies Lobby
Reimei no Arcana (Dawn of the Arcana) Vol. 8 Manga Review
Looking Back on One Piece: Skypiea
View All Honey's Anime Pickup Post


Slaughter and May has been named Consultancy/Law Firm of the Year at this year's Global Sourcing Awards 2018. The winner of this category is recognised for its ability to deliver both initial and ongoing business value to clients, incorporating best practice and demonstrable commitment to the development and future of the sourcing industry. The firm's winning submission outlined its recent work for a number of clients, including a significant ongoing advisory role for Ericsson, the multinational networking and telecommunications company, a global insurance broker and a FTSE 100 international retailer.
The Global Sourcing Awards is organised by The Global Sourcing Association (GSA), the industry association and professional body for the global sourcing industry, and are held as part of the annual GSA Global Sourcing Summit which took place on 1-3 October 2018 in Cape Town, South Africa.
Slaughter and May have an award winning strategic sourcing practice with a track record in managing and implementing some of the largest and most complex projects across a broad range of sectors. We advise on transactions that are critical to our clients and of strategic importance to their Boards, often with significant internal sensitivities, business transformation dependencies or other value implications.
For more information please contact Rob Sumroy, David Ives or Duncan Blaikie.


New Delhi, Feb 13 : If discussions are not held on major issues in the House of Elders then it reflects on the health of the democracy and it's unfortunate to see that Upper House is not working properly, said Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha Harivansh Amit Kumar.
Speaking to ANI, Harivash said: It is unfortunate to see that the Upper House is not working properly. If discussions are not held on the important issues in the House of Elders then it reflects on the health of the democracy.
Elaborating about the functioning of the Rajya Sabha, Harivansh stated: This session of the Rajya Sabha was entirely washed out and even worked less than two hours in 10 days session. We could not properly discuss on motion of thanks and interim budget due to sharp differences between the Opposition and ruling party. I don't know in which direction our democracy is heading.Due to the adjournment of the Upper House, the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill and the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, which have generated much heat, will lapse. The Bills were passed in the Lok Sabha and were scheduled to be introduced in Rajya Sabha.
According to the Rajya Sabha Legislative Procedure, a Bill pending in the Upper House which has not been passed by the Lok Sabha does not lapse on the dissolution of the Lower House. But a Bill which is passed by the Lok Sabha and is pending in the Rajya Sabha stands lapsed on the dissolution of the Lok Sabha.


Being asked to photograph someone's wedding is a real privilege and a responsibility that I do not take lightly. With care, consideration and real motivation to get to know my couples and their families I strive to capture your special day as it unfolds, showing the little and large moments of love along the way. Invite me into your world and together let's create something amazing. If you are planning your wedding I can design a package just for you exactly as you want it.


GUATEMALA CITY – Thousands of Guatemalan peasants marched peacefully on Wednesday in the country's capital to demand the resignation of President Jimmy Morales and the continuity of the UN-sponsored anti-corruption body that the government is trying to dismantle.
The demonstrators gathered in Guatemala City's historic center, but they could not gain access to Congress because of heavy security measures put in place for the upcoming independence-day celebrations.
"Jimmy Out" was one of the main slogans chanted by the marchers, who arrived in the capital from various regions in the Guatemalan interior.
CICIG, which was established in the country in 2007, has since 2015 under Velasquez's leadership broken up dozens of criminal networks, spurring prosecutions against former President Otto Perez Molina and other high-profile offenders.


Brasilia, December 18 - Brazil's Public Security Minister Raúl Jungmann said Tuesday that he could not rule out the possibility that Italian former leftwing terrorist Cesare Battisti could have left the country. Battisti, who Italy wants extradited to serve life in prison for four murders committed in Italy's 'years of lead' of political violence in the 1970s and 80s, vanished shortly before a Brazilian judge recently issued an order for his arrest. "It's a possibility," Jungmann told CBN radio when asked if Battisti may have fled the country. "I can't say how high a possibility it is, but it is a possibility". The Brazilian authorities have issued photos of how Battisti may have disguised himself as part of the bid to track him down. Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, meanwhile, ruled out putting a reward for Battisti's capture. "I'm confident the case can be resolved positively," Salvini said. "I repeat what I said to the Brazilian president - if he is taken, I am willing to take the first aeroplane and accompany him personally (back to Italy)".


BMI measures weight in relation to height, and the Body Mass Index Chart provides you with some samples of that relationship. The BMI ranges shown above are for adults. They are not exact ranges of healthy and unhealthy weights. However, they show that health risk increases at higher levels of overweight and obesity. Even within the healthy BMI range, weight gains can carry health risks for adults.
Directions: Find your weight on the bottom of the graph. Go straight up from that point until you come to the line that matches your height. Then look to find your weight group.
Healthy Weight — BMI from 18.5 up to 25 refers to a healthy weight.
Overweight — BMI from 25 up to 30 refers to overweight.
Obese — BMI 30 or higher refers to obesity. Obese persons are also overweight.
Source: Report of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2000, page 3.


Stepping away from the trenches of the daily grind for a week of training can seem next to impossible, given today's tight training budgets and operational tempo. Yet, for information security professionals, keeping technical skills current and staying abreast of the latest security vulnerabilities and "best practices" is a matter of necessity. So, how can you fit in the training without breaking the budget and creating a security incident? SANS Mentor sessions provides an excellent solution to this problem by delivering high quality SANS curriculum in your local community by GIAC certified instructors. Most mentor sessions are taught in smaller class settings over a 10-week period, allowing students more time to absorb course material that is typically taught over a 6-day period. With a strong focus on hands-on exercises, the mentor format is the ideal way to integrate the SANS course material presented into your daily routines at work.
One upcoming SANS Mentor course, FOR 508: Advanced Computer Forensic Analysis and Incident Response, taught by Alissa Torres, is being held in Hanover, MD. This course runs from April 17 to June 19 2012 and is specifically designed for incident responders and experienced digital forensic analysts. This Mentor course will teach you the skills needed to take a deeper look into file systems and to create and analyze timelines through the use of the SIFT Workstation.
"This course lays the foundation necessary to understand data storage, then jumps into using the latest tools available today to ensure immediate value upon returning to work"
Today, security professionals are responding to complex security incidents from sophisticated adversaries and need to know what to really do when examining a compromised system in an enterprise. The SANS FOR508 curriculum addresses essential response skills such as remote system forensics, physical memory analysis and application footprinting, allowing students to expand their investigative skill set and addresses modern security incidents.
Register to attend FOR508 in Hanover — Advance your skills now!
Alissa Torres currently works as a security researcher for KEYW Corporation in Maryland and has 10 years of technical expertise in the information technology field. Previously, she was a digital forensic investigator on a government contractor security team. She has extensive experience in information security, spanning government, academic and corporate environments and holds a Bachelors degree from University of Virginia and a Masters from University of Maryland in Information Technology. She served as an electronic communications officer in the Marine Corps, working in radio communications and information systems. With a depth of experience as an instructor, Alissa has taught at the Defense Cyber Investigations Training Academy (DCITA), teaching incident response and network basics to security professionals entering the forensics community. In addition, she has presented at various industry conferences and currently holds the following industry certifications: GCFA, CISSP, EnCE.