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Adventure Always
by: Joni Elizabeth / in Homes, Spokane CDA Living
Spokane's population can dwindle on a summer weekend as residents clear out to enjoy a lake option so bountiful in the surrounding area.
Lake Coeur d'Alene—always a hot spot—offers opportunities for both day and overnight excursions between the resort, private cabins and residential rentals.
Caribou Lodge, tucked away in Kidd Island Bay, inspires adventure both indoors and out.
Homeowners Bob Poole and Shawn Richardson, California residents, purchased the home in 2012 when it was in foreclosure.
Richardson says that despite the home being completely stripped at the time of purchase (as in no toilets, baths, and in need of a complete remodel), she and Poole knew the instant they walked through the door it was something special.
"We literally bought the property right there on the deck. I don't even know if we went to all the floors," says Richardson.
The family worked with local builders and designers on a grandiose remodel, breathing life back into the property.
In the following years, summers and holidays were spent at the lake home. Yet as seasons change, so does life, and the home sat unoccupied for a while.
Vacation Rental Authority approached the owners offering to make it a premiere rental property, and Richardson and Poole saw this as a viable option for their unused home, which is also now on the market.
Thus, this summer marks the first the lodge is open to outside guests for rental.
The five floors of Caribou Lodge offer a luxurious getaway easily accommodating a group of 12-14, making it a hotspot for family reunions and vacations. It sits nestled amongst other work-of-art homes. creating a vibrant community in the sheltered bay.
There's a view of Coeur d'Alene Resort down the lake. "I love seeing the resort and fireworks, yet being tucked away in that quiet bay," says Richardson.
The 6,872 square foot home stretches across 120 feet of private sandy beach, architecture and materials inside mirroring the magnificence of the surrounding great outdoors.
The home towers over the private dock, a rocky pathway leading from the beach through natural plants to the sliding glass door entrance.
The initial impression suggests a castle, encasing the entrant in stone on all sides. A pair of kayaks beckon for adventure on the waves. An arched tunnel leads to a rock-encased hallway ending at a full bath and a wrought-iron spiral staircase serving as a portal to the world above.
Entertainment options abound on the second floor of the home. A pool table overlooks the bay, a gas fireplace tucking in one side. Other entertainment options include a central gaming table set beneath a statement chandelier whispering adventure, a mixture of Edison-style bulbs set atop a wagon-like wheel cascading from the ceiling with thick braided rope. A plush sectional sofa surrounds the adjacent TV and bar area.
French doors lead to a guest room, where one can only imagine the late night giggles and conversations that have taken place among the set of bunk beds with full view of the bay and evening stars. This guest room also leads to a private porch.
At the far end of the floor, a full bath again echoes elements of the outdoors with a slate tile shower, commanding oak-framed windows and baseboards, and stylistic details like lantern sconces flanking an iron mirror suspended by rope above the sink.
There are two options for upward travel in the lodge. A glass elevator spans floors two to five, serving as both an interesting architectural piece and a handy mode of transportation.
The second option is an open set of wide plank stairs set against stone walls. Both lead to the third floor, marked by two living room spaces adjacent to a gourmet kitchen setup.
Luxury appliances dot the spacious kitchen, like the Thermador double oven above a warmer, and a side-by-side Kenmore fridge and freezer. A six-plate Thermador cooktop sits on a granite island.
Even drinks enjoy deluxe accommodations in a wine fridge or one of two beverage fridges.
Meal prep need not be a solo activity in this setup, spacious enough to welcome onlooking guests without overcrowding. A free-standing barnwood countertop is an open invitation to sip a cocktail from the full wet bar beneath old fashioned pulley-style lamps.
Meals are easily enjoyed by a crowd, as the wooden bar and round dining table each seat six comfortably, with alternative seating on the deck outside. No matter the seat, it's lakeside accommodations as a bay of windows provides a constant reminder of the serenity of the lake and the majestic pines outdoors.
Congruent with the pattern of natural elements and fabrics throughout the home, neutral colors mix beneath custom wood cabinetry and overarching exposed beams in the adjacent living rooms.
One living room flows right into the next, each stocked with plush furniture inviting guests to sink into couches and soak in the serenity of the great outdoors.
Both spaces are most notably marked by a ceiling that spans to the floor above. A stone fireplace extends from floor to ceiling in the main living room, decorated by a stuffed caribou head inspiring the lodge's most recent name.
"There is something about that main floor: people snuggle into the couches with big open windows and the fireplace. It's also a great place to spend Christmas," says Richardson. "The bay freezes over and eagles fly around like crazy." In fact, the home was originally called The Aerie, for Eagle's Nest.
A green canoe—a Lake Louise original that found its retirement refuge in the rafters of the luxurious lake home—decorates the overhead pathway from one living room to the next, another fun detail in an ode to adventure.
The floor above provides a vantage point to both living spaces, and is also the main point of entry from the front door as well as home to the master suite.
French doors separate the suite from the grand entryway and powder room, leading into the master suite stocked with luxury.
A king bed sits beneath an antler chandelier, windows looking out to the bay and another set of French doors beckoning for a closer view from the private deck. A triangular window on one wall offers a unique perspective to the outdoor scene. The coziness of the master suite, with the bed separated from the rest by a half wall, definitely feels like an aerie, or eagle's nest.
Imagine opening your eyes to the lake view spanning before, swinging yourself out of bed and making your way to the bathroom. Bare toes meet the cool stone surface of the bathroom floor. A roman soaking tub stars in this space, waiting to cocoon its inhabitant facing out to yet another panel of windows providing spacious views of lake and pines.
A showerhead offers similar luxury in the same space, while a stone seat separates the two areas.
Frosted glass blocks hide the toilet, and more curves and carefully placed dividers allow privacy while keeping the open feel throughout the artful master bath.
Additional accommodations exist up the open stairway to the fifth and final floor of the home. A large gathering room offers relaxation with a plush chair set beside a bay of windows on one side and a smaller arched stone fireplace on the other.
One can take in the scenic view from on high via the balcony just off the main room. Two guest rooms, each with king beds and en-suite baths, lie in wait for guests.
Richardson admits a part of her is sad to sell the home. "But it's more sad it's sitting there unused. I hope a large family can congregate there and love it as much as we do," she says.
An avid traveler, Joni Elizabeth constantly snaps photos to document inspiring architecture and design. Writing about such spaces melds Joni's love for design and decor with that of sharing an individual's story, as she believes spaces are often a small reflection of the owner. She's also convinced no space is complete without a dog.
We Rise By Lifting Others Life in the Fast Lane


The Dispatch, KY, reports that Girl Scouts Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont will kick off its annual nut and magazine program September 30.
From September 30 through October 16, Girl Scouts from local troops will ask families, friends and community members to place an order for nuts and magazines. Products will be delivered between November 9-30.
All proceeds support local Girl Scouts and provide start-up money to new and existing troops in the community. Approximately 3,500 girls participate in this activity. The money earned will allow girls to take trips, support troop activities, attend camp, participate in regional, national and international destinations and conduct community service projects.
This year, the nut and candy varieties include chocolate-covered pretzels, almonds, raisins and peanuts, as well as whole cashews, cranberry nut mix, fruit slices, salsa mix, peanut butter dreams, deluxe pecan clusters, honey roasted peanuts and hot cajun crunch. Prices range from $5 to $7.
Anyone interested in purchasing products who is not contacted by a Girl Scout can email contact information (name, address, ZIP code and phone number) to fallproduct@girlscoutsp2p.org.


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4 November 2011 Security, Technology
Pre-crime Identification – the FAST Program
By Marcus Klinge
Sweaty palms and an elevated heart rate: are you having bad thoughts? Photo: barrowboy/flickr
The Department of Homeland Security seems to be developing technologies reminiscent of the pre-crime unit depicted in Phillip K. Dick's "Minority Report".
The department's so-called "FAST" project — which stands for Future Attribute Screening Technology — aims at nothing less than screening people for malign intent: for crimes they have not yet committed.
As the homepage for the FAST project describes, non-invasive sensors will be used to scan people for indications of bad thoughts. Currently, these indicators factor in posture, gait, thermal imaging of the face and changes in vocal tension while speaking, but might be extended to include other things, such as pheromones. » More
Tags: ICT, Technology, United States of America, Crime
21 October 2011 Social Media, Technology
The New Passive Activism?
By Valerie Sticher
Revolution at the click of a mouse? Photo: Brian Leadingham/flickr
"Dear incredible Avaazers,
Just a few hours ago, our community reached 10 million people!"
Last week's announcement by Avaaz, an online pressure group, speaks volumes for the continued enthusiasm for a form of political action that requires little more than a couple of mouse clicks. Once you've registered on a site like Avaaz, all you need to do to support a cause is enter your email address and click a button – or two, if you want to advertise your deed on your Facebook and Twitter accounts. » More
Tags: ICT, Internet, Political protests, Political activism
6 September 2011 Internet
A Reading List on: Cybercrime and Cybersecurity
By Andrew Dornbierer
The world has entered the digital age. We rely on the internet for information, communication and so much more; and technology influences almost every aspect of modern society, from personal banking to the management of global conflict. As an area of academic study, 'cybercrime' is still very much in the initial stages of development, as even the experts struggle to come to terms with ever-quickening pace of technological change and proliferation. This syllabus provides insight into some of the sources currently available on cybercrime and cybersecurity (with an additional focus on the controversial issue of 'cyberwarfare'). » More
Tags: ICT, Internet, Cybersecurity, Internet Governance
3 August 2011 Intelligence, Technology, Internet
The 'Wikipedia Dispute Index': A Collaborative Seismometer?
Exploiting online networks in order to map and predict cross-linked social phenomena such as the commonality in consumption (Amazon), electoral behavior (Google), the spread of civil unrest (Twitter) or even the outbreak of diseases (Google and EMM) continues to be both an intricate and promising field of research.
Thus, it comes as little surprise that Gordana Apic, Matthew J. Betts and Robert B. Russell from the University of Heidelberg recently suggested an indicator for measuring geopolitical instability by applying the principle of association fallacy, primarily used in life sciences, to online encyclopedia Wikipedia's entries whose impartiality is contested. In their brief research paper titled 'Content Disputed in Wikipedia Reflect Geopolitical Instability', the authors accordingly argue that "quantifying the degree to which pages linked to a country are disputed by contributors" correlates with a country's political stability. In other words: since instability is best represented by its underlying conflicts, the multitude and diversity of user-generated associations, namely: disputes, is believed to reveal some form of qualitative pattern that can be arranged as a stability ranking. » More
Tags: ICT, Internet, Geopolitics, Libraries, Political stability
28 July 2011 Technology, Finance
Bitcoin: Cryptography and the Crowd
Direct democracy from a geek's perspective. Image: TraderTim/flickr
Bitcoin is the world's first decentralized, digital currency. Its extraordinary performance over the last half year has caused quite some stir, not only among 'cyber geeks'. Users and supporters see Bitcoin as a technological breakthrough and expect its spending possibilities to increase as exponentially as its price. Meanwhile, critics point to many of these same characteristics as flaws. They are waiting for the bubble to burst, calling it a structurally flawed experiment.
How it works: This video – made possible with donations from the Bitcoin community– explains the basic idea behind the new currency:
To acquire Bitcoins, users can buy them on a trading platform or become 'miners.' The latter requires hardware and electricity – both usually purchased with conventional money. » More
Tags: ICT, Cybersecurity, Monetary system, Monetary policy, Currency

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Bruce Campbell Wants Five Seasons of Ash vs. Evil Dead
By ComicBook Staff - September 6, 2017 01:06 am EDT
Ash vs. Evil Dead returned on Starz this week, with a gory, hilarious, terrifying, and action-packed episode that proved they lost nothing in the transition from season 1 to season 2. As both star and executive producer, Bruce Campbell's work toward making Ash vs. Evil Dead the very best of Ash's stories is easy to see on the screen, as his love for the character is easy to hear in conversation. Talking with Comicbook.com about the second season of the show, Campbell said there's no other hero like Ash, and none he'd rather play.
"I'm delighted with Ash. He's officially the best character that I've ever played, and it's one that I'm going to investigate and explore until they tell me I can't do it anymore," Campbell told us. "I find Ash, with all of his flaws, all his foibles, all his mistakes, so wonderfully human that it's hard for me to relate to super hero movies."
The actor gave credit to Spider-Man, directed by his friend and fellow exectuive producer Sam Raimi (and a couple of them featuring cameos by Campbell), saying he's ultimately "just a kid from Queens." Characters with alien or godly powers, though, "gets old," he said, calling it "hard for [him] to care."
As for Ash's ongoing adventures, Campbell says he has quite a bit left in him, even in this particular iteration.
"I'll take five! I'll take five seasons of this. Give the fans a big boost of the material; they'll have 25 fresh hours of the show after this, after we're done [with five seasons], and that's like making 12 movies!" Campbell said, sounding sure they'd be able to do the show for that long. He proclaimed TV a "better deal for fans," and when you do the math it's hard to disagree.
(Photo: Starz)
Ash vs. Evil Dead season one is available now on the Starz app, on demand, on Amazon Prime, on Blu-ray, and on DVD. Season two kicked off on Starz this weekend, with 10 all-new episodes starring Campbell, Lucy Lawless, Ray Santiago, and Dana DeLorenzo as they try to fight back the Evil once more.
Pokemon's Latest Episode Shares Big Ho-Oh Flashback
Watch: Dwayne Johnson Thanks Fans For Their Condolences After His Father's Death
Star Trek Returns to the Kelvin Timeline in The Unsettling Stars
Steven Spielberg's Amazing Stories Reboot Reveals Premiere Date, First Look
New Nintendo Switch Patent Reveals Big Feature May Be Coming to Joy-Cons
Roman Reigns, Drew McIntyre, Cain Velasquez Listed as Betting Odds Favorites to Win 2020 Royal Rumble
Dolittle Ending Leaves Moviegoers in Shock


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Penn Yan fight involves 75 to 80 people ADVERTISEMENT
Penn Yan fight involves 75 to 80 people
PENN YAN, KEUKA PARK--A fight involving some 75 to 80 people broke out in Penn Yan during the early morning hours of Friday, Oct. 23. According to the Penn Yan Police report, the fight took place in the municipal parking lot on Wagener Street, with officers discovering the group physically fighting. The report indicates the fight began after issues between students of Keuka College and Finger Lakes Community College spilled out of a bar and into the parking lot.
Penn Yan Police Sergeant Jeffrey Stewart said there were no injuries and no weapons involved in the incident. He added there were no arrests made following the fight, adding the investigation is still ongoing.
The Penn Yan Police Department also assisted the Yates County Sheriff's Department in a second fight later that evening in a Keuka College parking lot. The Penn Yan police report claims the two fights were related. The sheriff's incident report said three people were arrested at the Keuka College fight, none of which were Keuka College students. Those arrested included Duvall N. Breedlove, 20, of Rochester who was charged with two counts of assault in the third degree, Jonathan A. Range, 20, of New York who was charged with one count of assault in the third degree, and Kevin M. Nguyen, 21, of Rochester who was charged with one count of assault in the third degree.
The incident report states deputies arrived at the campus at about 1:30 a.m. for a report of a large physical fight between several people. Yates County Sheriff Ron Spike said initial reports indicated "a few dozen" people were involved, but by the time the deputies arrived, there were only about a dozen people remaining. The investigation revealed Breedlove, Range and Nguyen physically attacked several students and one Keuka College security officer following a disagreement, causing injury to the students and the officer. The injured victims were transported to Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hospital by Penn Yan Ambulance for treatment.
Spike noted while he is not sure what started the first fight in Penn Yan, he believes the one at Keuka College was started due to relationship issues. All three defendants were later arrested and arraigned in Jerusalem town court, where they were released on their own recognizance. Breedlove was issued an order of protection, which prohibits him from having further contact with any of the victims. All defendants are scheduled to appear in Jerusalem town court Nov. 30. The Ontario County Sheriff's Office assisted in locating and arresting one or more of the defendants in Canandaigua.


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Super for You, Bad for Me
by Asta Idonea
Editions:Paperback
ISBN: B07G53GVFY
Struggling actor Oswell Outterridge thinks he's hit the jackpot when he's chosen to play a scene opposite his idol, Kane Teague, in a superhero movie. However, things take an unexpected turn when the slime he accidentally ingests gives him telekinetic powers. Then Kane asks him out, against all expectation, and it seems that life couldn't get any better—aside from the little matter of keeping his identity secret from his celebrity boyfriend.
Oswell goes from a nobody with little social life and few prospects for the future to dating the man of his dreams and using his superhuman abilities to defend innocents. Everything is perfect, and it seems he's finally achieved a happily ever after worthy of the silver screen. But when a supervillain arrives, determined to defeat Oswell and win Kane's affections, everything falls apart. In the ensuing conflict, Kane gets caught in the crossfire, and Oswell faces his toughest fight yet. Can he remain the hero he's always imagined himself, or will a dark desire for vengeance change him forever?
3 To Be Read lists
Paul Richmond
Action Adventure, Contemporary, Sci Fi - Superheroes & Villains
author - australian, author - british
Ending: Click here to revealHEA (Click here to hide)
Word Count: Click here to reveal60000 (Click here to hide)
Setting: Click here to revealLondon (Click here to hide)
Languages Available: Click here to revealEnglish (Click here to hide)
I'M SUPPOSED to begin by introducing myself, but that seems a strange task when everyone already knows me, by one name or another—something for which I've longed almost my entire life, though certainly not in the way it came about. Which name? Which reputation? I guess that depends on your point of view. Nevertheless, whatever you may think you know about me from the news and social media, I promise you, it isn't the whole truth. When anyone with a smartphone and an online profile can pen their own headlines, the facts soon become skewed. That's why I'm here, writing my tale. It's my one chance to set the record straight. At least, that's what they all tell me.
Good and evil. Black and white. Hell, even yin and yang. It's never as clear-cut as it might first appear, and so much depends upon your point of view. Inside every hero is a villain, trying to claw his way out. Within every villain, a hero waits to burst free. There's often a damned fine line between the two, and the catalyst can be anything, from the sublime to the ridiculous. For Dr. Jekyll—he of literary fame—it was a potion. For me, it was a man. Still, I mustn't get ahead of myself. If I'm going to tell this right, I need to start at the beginning.
Don't worry, there's no need to go back too far. I won't force you to sit through my birth, my early childhood, or my adolescence. The first is too slimy—or at least I assume so, having no memories of the moment—the next was free from all but the most mundane of playground traumas and all too forgettable, and as for the latter…. Well, who wants to live through puberty a second time? No, for this tale we need only rewind the clock twelve short months. Just goes to show you, a lot can happen in the space of a year. The passage of time may work its changes, but sometimes everything you thought you knew can turn on its head in the blink of an eye.
Let's set the scene, shall we?
Establishing shot: a flat-pack city built in the middle of a large backlot. At an initial glance, it's realistic, sure, but look closer and you'll realize that the lived-in grunge is the result of hours of careful painting, rather than natural erosion by the elements. The bricks aren't real bricks, and the glass isn't real glass. A strong gust of wind could send the buildings crashing down. Don't worry, though; they'll fix any lingering telltale signs of fakery in postproduction.
The medium shot takes us to the main street. Individual pedestrians are visible now, each costumed and made up like… well, like themselves. It's a modern-era setting, but wearing one's own clothes is a big no-no. The colors of this fake casual wear are skillfully coordinated to create the perfect mundane blend of blues and browns. I heard someone say these tones are supposed to reflect the hero's emotions at this point in the tale. I don't know if that's true, but I can say one thing for certain: reality has no place on the screen.
Time to zoom in for the close-up; don't you agree?
Picture me, Oswell Outterridge, twenty-eight years old, an up-and-coming actor on the set of my latest blockbuster. Well, maybe not my blockbuster exactly. If I'm going to do this, I suppose I ought to be truthful in all matters. Thing is, I was only a professional extra in the movie I'm describing, same as the last six flicks in which I'd "starred." My top performances up until this point in my humble narrative involved sitting in cafes sipping coffee or wandering dazed through the carnage after an explosion, and at the start, this one looked set to be no different. You see, all my expensive dramatic training notwithstanding, my face is a background face—nondescript, average, and utterly forgettable. I flatter myself that I'm a tolerable actor, maybe even a good one, with, as I've always liked to believe, the potential for greatness in time. Sadly, that means nothing these days unless paired with majestic mien and fabulous figure. If I don't point myself out to you during the two seconds when you can glimpse my profile or the top of my head in a crowd shot, you'll watch the films in which I've appeared and never truly see me. I'm an ant among ants, a speck among specks. Story of my life, really, until last year….
If you like Super for You, Bad for Me, you might be interested in:
My Highland Cowboy
Charlie's Hero
Asta Idonea (aka Nicki J Markus) was born in England but now lives in Adelaide, South Australia. She has loved both reading and writing from a young age and is also a keen linguist, having studied several foreign languages.
Asta launched her writing career in 2011 and divides her efforts not only between MM and mainstream works but also between traditional and indie publishing. Her works span the genres, from paranormal to historical and from contemporary to fantasy. It just depends what story and which characters spring into her mind!
As a day job, Asta works as a freelance editor and proofreader, and in her spare time she enjoys music, theater, cinema, photography, and sketching. She also loves history, folklore and mythology, pen-palling, and travel, all of which have provided plenty of inspiration for her writing. She is never found too far from her much-loved library/music room.


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FSLIC Resolution Fund
December 31, 2013 and 2012
1.Operations/Dissolution of the FSLIC Resolution Fund
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is the independent deposit insurance agency created by Congress in 1933 to maintain stability and public confidence in the nation's banking system. Provisions that govern the operations of the FDIC are generally found in the Federal Deposit Insurance (FDI) Act, as amended (12 U.S.C. 1811, et seq). In carrying out the purposes of the FDI Act, the FDIC, as administrator of the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF), insures the deposits of banks and savings associations (insured depository institutions). In cooperation with other federal and state agencies, the FDIC promotes the safety and soundness of insured depository institutions by identifying, monitoring and addressing risks to the DIF. Commercial banks, savings banks and savings associations (known as "thrifts") are supervised by either the FDIC, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, or the Federal Reserve Board. In addition, the FDIC, through administration of the FSLIC Resolution Fund (FRF), is responsible for the sale of remaining assets and satisfaction of liabilities associated with the former Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation (FSLIC) and the former Resolution Trust Corporation (RTC). The DIF and the FRF are maintained separately by the FDIC to support their respective functions.
The U.S. Congress created the FSLIC through the enactment of the National Housing Act of 1934. The Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 (FIRREA) abolished the insolvent FSLIC, created the FRF, and transferred the assets and liabilities of the FSLIC to the FRF—except those assets and liabilities transferred to the newly created RTC—effective on August 9, 1989. Further, the FIRREA established the Resolution Funding Corporation (REFCORP) to provide part of the initial funds used by the RTC for thrift resolutions.
The RTC Completion Act of 1993 terminated the RTC as of December 31, 1995. All remaining assets and liabilities of the RTC were transferred to the FRF on January 1, 1996. Today, the FRF consists of two distinct pools of assets and liabilities: one composed of the assets and liabilities of the FSLIC transferred to the FRF upon the dissolution of the FSLIC (FRF-FSLIC), and the other composed of the RTC assets and liabilities (FRF-RTC). The assets of one pool are not available to satisfy obligations of the other.
Operations/Dissolution of the FRF
The FRF will continue operations until all of its assets are sold or otherwise liquidated and all of its liabilities are satisfied. Any funds remaining in the FRF-FSLIC will be paid to the U.S. Treasury. Any remaining funds of the FRF-RTC will be distributed to the REFCORP to pay the interest on the REFCORP bonds. In addition, the FRF-FSLIC has available until expended $602 million in appropriations to facilitate, if required, efforts to wind up the resolution activity of the FRF-FSLIC.
The FDIC has conducted an extensive review and cataloging of FRF's remaining assets and liabilities. Some of the issues and items that remain open in FRF are 1) criminal restitution orders (generally have from 1 to 17 years remaining to enforce); 2) collections of settlements and judgments obtained against officers and directors and other professionals responsible for causing or contributing to thrift losses (generally have up to 7 years remaining to enforce, unless the judgments are renewed or are covered by the Federal Debt Collections Procedures Act, which will result in significantly longer periods for collection for some judgments); 3) a few assistance agreements entered into by the former FSLIC (FRF could continue to receive or refund overpayments of tax benefits sharing in future years); 4) goodwill litigation (no final date for resolution has been established; see Note 4); and 5) affordable housing program monitoring (requirements can exceed 25 years). The FRF could potentially realize recoveries from tax benefits sharing, criminal restitution orders, and professional liability claims; however, any associated recoveries are not reflected in FRF's financial statements given the significant uncertainties surrounding the ultimate outcome.
After evaluating FRF's remaining assets and liabilities in 2013, the FDIC returned $2.6 billion to the U.S. Treasury on behalf of FRF-FSLIC and paid $125 million to REFCORP on behalf of FRF-RTC (see Note 5). More transfers are expected to continue as remaining assets wind down and liabilities are satisfied.
Receivership Operations
The FDIC is responsible for managing and disposing of the assets of failed institutions in an orderly and efficient manner. The assets held by receivership entities, and the claims against them, are accounted for separately from FRF assets and liabilities to ensure that receivership proceeds are distributed in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Also, the income and expenses attributable to receiverships are accounted for as transactions of those receiverships. Receiverships are billed by the FDIC for services provided on their behalf.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
These financial statements pertain to the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows of the FRF and are presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). As permitted by the Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board's Statement of Federal Financial Accounting Standards 34, The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, Including the Application of Standards Issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the FDIC prepares financial statements in accordance with standards promulgated by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). These statements do not include reporting for assets and liabilities of receivership entities because these entities are legally separate and distinct, and the FRF does not have any ownership or beneficial interests in them. Periodic and final accounting reports of receivership entities are furnished to courts, supervisory authorities, and others upon request.
Use of Estimates
Management makes estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Where it is reasonably possible that changes in estimates will cause a material change in the financial statements in the near term, the nature and extent of such changes in estimates have been disclosed. The more significant estimates include the valuation of other assets and the estimated losses for litigation.
Cash Equivalents
Cash equivalents are short-term, highly liquid investments consisting primarily of U.S. Treasury Overnight Certificates.
Provision for Losses
The provision for losses represents the change in the estimation of the allowance for losses related to the receivables from thrift resolutions and other assets.
Related Parties
The nature of related parties and a description of related party transactions are discussed in Note 1 and disclosed throughout the financial statements and footnotes.
Presentation of Statement of Cash Flows
To enhance cash flow information for operating activities of the FRF, in 2013, the FDIC changed the method of presenting the FRF's Statement of Cash Flows from the indirect method to the direct method, which is preferable and is encouraged by the Financial Accounting Standards Board. Accordingly, the FRF's 2012 Statement of Cash Flows has been conformed to this method of presentation for comparative purposes. For 2013 and 2012, the reconciliation of net income to net cash from operating activities is presented in Note 7.
Disclosure about Recent Relevant Accounting Pronouncements
Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-07, Presentation of Financial Statements - Liquidation Basis of Accounting, modifies Accounting Standards Codification Topic 205, Presentation of Financial Statements, to require an entity to prepare its financial statements using the liquidation basis of accounting when liquidation is imminent. The amendments are effective during annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013. As the remaining issues of the FRF continue to wind down (see Note 1), the FDIC will evaluate the applicability of this standard to the FRF. At this time, the FDIC has no approved liquidation plan for the final dissolution of the FRF.
Other recent accounting pronouncements have been deemed not applicable or material to the financial statements as presented.
3. Receivables from Thrift Resolutions and Other Assets, Net
Receivables from Thrift Resolutions
The receivables from thrift resolutions include payments made by the FRF to cover obligations to insured depositors, advances to receiverships for working capital, and administrative expenses paid on behalf of receiverships. Any related allowance for loss represents the difference between the funds advanced and/or obligations incurred and the expected repayment. Assets held by the FDIC in its receivership capacity for the former RTC are a significant source of repayment of the FRF's receivables from thrift resolutions. As of December 31, 2013, only one of the 850 FRF receiverships remains active and is expected to terminate in 2014.
The FRF receiverships held assets with a book value of $2 million and $13 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively (which primarily consist of cash held for non-FRF, third party creditors).
Other assets primarily consist of assets that were acquired from terminated receiverships.
Receivables from Thrift Resolutions and Other Assets,
Net at December 31
Dollars in Thousands
Receivables from closed thrifts
Allowance for losses
Receivables from Thrift Resolutions, Net
Other assets, net
4. Contingent Liabilities for:
Goodwill Litigation
In United States v. Winstar Corp., 518 U.S. 839 (1996), the Supreme Court held that when it became impossible following the enactment of FIRREA in 1989 for the federal government to perform certain agreements to count goodwill toward regulatory capital, the plaintiffs were entitled to recover damages from the United States.
On July 22, 1998, the Department of Justice's (DOJ's) Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) concluded that the FRF is legally available to satisfy all judgments and settlements in the goodwill litigation involving supervisory action or assistance agreements. OLC determined that nonperformance of these agreements was a contingent liability that was transferred to the FRF on August 9, 1989, upon the dissolution of the FSLIC. On July 23, 1998, the U.S. Treasury determined, based on OLC's opinion, that the FRF is the appropriate source of funds for payments of any such judgments and settlements. The FDIC General Counsel concluded that, as liabilities transferred on August 9, 1989, these contingent liabilities for future nonperformance of prior agreements with respect to supervisory goodwill were transferred to the FRF-FSLIC, which is that portion of the FRF encompassing the obligations of the former FSLIC.
The FRF can draw from an appropriation provided by Section 110 of the Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2000 (Public Law 106-113, Appendix A, Title I, 113 Stat. 1501A-3, 1501A-20) such sums as may be necessary for the payment of judgments and compromise settlements in the goodwill litigation. This appropriation is to remain available until expended. Because an appropriation is available to pay such judgments and settlements, any estimated liability for goodwill litigation should have a corresponding receivable from the U.S. Treasury and therefore have no net impact on the financial condition of the FRF.
The FRF paid $500 thousand and $181 million to the plaintiffs in one goodwill case in 2013 and 2012, respectively. The $500 thousand represents a reimbursement for a tax liability of the plaintiffs as a result of the $181 million settlement received in 2012. The FRF received appropriations from the U.S. Treasury to fund these payments.
As of December 31, 2013, one case is active and pending against the United States based on alleged breaches of the agreements stated above. For this case, a contingent liability and an offsetting receivable of $356 million was recorded as of December 31, 2013 and 2012. This case is currently before the lower court pending remand following appeal. It is reasonably possible that for this case the FRF could incur additional estimated losses of $63 million, representing additional damages contended by the plaintiff. For a case that was fully adjudicated, an estimated loss of $8 million, which represents estimated tax liabilities, is also reasonably possible.
For the second of the two cases active at year-end 2012, the United States' Motion for Costs was denied by the trial court and the United States did not seek further review of this denial. This case is now concluded.
In addition, the FRF-FSLIC pays the goodwill litigation expenses incurred by the DOJ, the entity that defends these lawsuits against the United States, based on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) dated October 2, 1998, between the FDIC and the DOJ. FRF-FSLIC pays in advance the estimated goodwill litigation expenses. Any unused funds are carried over and applied toward the next fiscal year (FY) charges. In 2013, FRF-FSLIC did not provide any additional funding to the DOJ because the unused funds from prior fiscal years were sufficient to cover estimated FY 2014 expenses.
Guarini Litigation
Paralleling the goodwill cases were similar cases alleging that the government breached agreements regarding tax benefits associated with certain FSLIC-assisted acquisitions. These agreements allegedly contained the promise of tax deductions for losses incurred on the sale of certain thrift assets purchased by plaintiffs from the FSLIC, even though the FSLIC provided the plaintiffs with tax-exempt reimbursement. A provision in the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 (popularly referred to as the "Guarini legislation") eliminated the tax deductions for these losses.
All eight of the original Guarini cases have been settled. However, a case settled in 2006 further obligates the FRF-FSLIC as a guarantor for all tax liabilities in the event the settlement amount is determined by tax authorities to be taxable. The maximum potential exposure under this guarantee is approximately $81 million. However, the FDIC believes that it is very unlikely the settlement will be subject to taxation. The Internal Revenue Service concluded an examination of the affected entity's 2006 return without an assertion of taxation for an issue covered by the guarantee. The 2006 return was subsequently amended, and the amended return is under further administrative review. As of December 31, 2013, no liability has been recorded. The FRF does not expect to fund any payment under this guarantee.
On May 21, 2012, the FDIC, in its capacity as manager of the FRF, entered into an agreement with Fannie Mae for the release of $13 million of credit enhancement reserves to the FRF in exchange for indemnifying Fannie Mae for all future losses incurred on 76 multi-family mortgage loans. The former RTC supplied Fannie Mae with the credit enhancement reserves in the form of cash collateral to cover future losses on these mortgage loans through 2020. The maximum exposure on this indemnification is the current unpaid principal balance of the remaining 60 multi-family loans totaling $7 million. Based on a contingent liability assessment of this portfolio, the majority of the loans are at least 65% amortized, and all are scheduled to mature within two to seven years. Since all of the loans are currently in performing status and no losses have occurred since 2001, future payments on this indemnification are not expected. As a result, the FRF has not recorded a contingent liability for this indemnification as of December 31, 2013.
5. Resolution Equity
As stated in the Overview section of Note 1, the FRF is comprised of two distinct pools: the FRF-FSLIC and the FRF-RTC. The FRF-FSLIC consists of the assets and liabilities of the former FSLIC. The FRF-RTC consists of the assets and liabilities of the former RTC. Pursuant to legal restrictions, the two pools are maintained separately and the assets of one pool are not available to satisfy obligations of the other.
The following table shows the contributed capital, accumulated deficit, and resulting resolution equity for each pool.
Resolution Equity at December 31, 2013
FRF-FSLIC
FRF-RTC
FRF Consolidated
Contributed capital - beginning
Less: Payment to REFCORP
Less: Return of U.S. Treasury funds
Add: U.S. Treasury payment for goodwill litigation
Contributed capital - ending
Accumulated deficit
Contributed Capital
The FRF-FSLIC and the former RTC received $43.5 billion and $60.1 billion from the U.S. Treasury, respectively, to fund losses from thrift resolutions prior to July 1, 1995. Additionally, the FRF-FSLIC issued $670 million in capital certificates to the Financing Corporation (a mixed-ownership government corporation established to function solely as a financing vehicle for the FSLIC) and the RTC issued $31.3 billion of these instruments to the REFCORP. FIRREA prohibited the payment of dividends on any of these capital certificates.
FRF-FSLIC received $500 thousand and $181 million in U.S. Treasury payments for goodwill litigation in 2013 and 2012, respectively. Furthermore, $356 million was accrued for as receivables as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Through December 31, 2013, the FRF has received or established a receivable for a total of $2.2 billion of goodwill appropriations, the effect of which increases contributed capital.
Through December 31, 2013, the FRF-RTC has returned $4.6 billion to the U.S. Treasury and made payments of $5.1 billion to the REFCORP. The most recent payment to the REFCORP was in July of 2013 for $125 million. In addition, the FDIC returned $2.6 billion to the U.S. Treasury on behalf of the FRF-FSLIC in 2013. These actions serve to reduce contributed capital.
The accumulated deficit represents the cumulative excess of expenses and losses over revenue for activity related to the FRF-FSLIC and the FRF-RTC. Approximately $29.8 billion and $87.9 billion were brought forward from the former FSLIC and the former RTC on August 9, 1989, and January 1, 1996, respectively. The FRF-FSLIC accumulated deficit has increased by $13.1 billion, whereas the FRF-RTC accumulated deficit has decreased by $6.3 billion, since their dissolution dates.
6. Disclosures about the Fair Value of Financial Instruments
At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the FRF's financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis are cash equivalents of $826 million and $3.4 billion, respectively. Cash equivalents are Special U.S. Treasury Certificates with overnight maturities valued at prevailing interest rates established by the Bureau of the Fiscal Service. The valuation is considered a Level 1 measurement in the fair value hierarchy, representing quoted prices in active markets for identical assets.
Some of the FRF's financial assets and liabilities are not recognized at fair value but are recorded at amounts that approximate fair value due to their short maturities and/or comparability with current interest rates. Such items include other short-term receivables and accounts payable and other liabilities.
7. Information Relating to the Statement of Cash Flows
Reconciliation of Net Loss to Net Cash from Operating Activities for the Years Ended December 31
Operating Activities
Net Loss:
$(516)
$(179,008)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided (used) by operating activities:
Provision for insurance losses
Change in Assets and Liabilities:
Decrease in receivables from resolutions and other assets
(Decrease) in accounts payable and other liabilities
Net Cash Provided (Used) by Operating Activities
8. Subsequent Events
Subsequent events have been evaluated through March 6, 2014, the date the financial statements are available to be issued, and management determined that there are no items to disclose.


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The aim of Electrical and Electronics Engineering Program is to give professional training to the students according to the demand of the industry, and additionally, participation of the staff actively in applied and theoretical researches and supporting undergraduate courses by the results. The educational mission of Electrical and Electronics Engineering Program is to prepare our student for successful professional carriers in the international area. Electrical engineers are responsible for the generation, transfer and conversion of electrical power, while electronic engineers are concerned with the transfer of information using radio waves, the design of electronic circuits, the design of computer systems and the development of control systems such as aircraft autopilots. These well-trained engineers can look forward to a rewarding and respected career.
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Nowadays, Electrical and Electronics Engineering is an exciting and dynamic field. Respected career opportunities Get a minor degree from Computer Engineering Having the ability of the following recent developments in information century. Get yourself ready for the information century Specialize your self in your interest area like telecommunication, power systems, control, etc. Improve your practical way on Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
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Tonight is my last night living at the mansion, 565 Vine Street. The land of king sized beds, flat screen tvs, 2000 square feet of luxury, and next door neighbor Bill Briggs-- the first man to ski the Grand. It was a great way to spend my first winter in Jackson. Not exactly the rough life of a ski bum. Thanks Jan!
I've been loving the summer weather in Jackson. It's been blue skies and sunny for the last week. Most days have been getting into the mid-sixties. I can't complain.
I finished the last assignment of my online Political Science class this evening. Feels good to have another class out of the way. One step closer to getting the diploma.
Early tomorrow morning I'm headed to Tahoe with the girls. It will be about a 12 hour drive. It should be a fun trip with some good skiing. I'll post some photos when I return to Jackson!
Oh no! You can't leave the poor little sprouts unattended! Who will lovingly water them and make sure they get enough sunshine while you are gone??


text:
Phil Jackson questions whether Duke players live up to expectations in NBA
By Dan FeldmanJul 24, 2015, 10:55 AM EDT
The Knicks drafted Kristaps Porzingis with the No. 4 pick, and the early returns are positive.
But they also surely considered a couple players from Duke – Jahlil Okafor (who went No. 3 to the 76ers) and Justise Winslow (No. 10 to the Heat).
Would New York have chosen either? Knicks president Phil Jackson implies he had concerns simply because of their college team.
Jackson on Okafor, via Charlie Rosen of ESPN:
Jackson thinks he might not be aggressive enough. "Also, if you look at the guys who came to the NBA from Duke, aside from Grant Hill, which ones lived up to expectations?"
Let's take a comprehensive look rather than cherry-picking players who could support either side of the argument.
We obviously don't know yet whether Okafor, Winslow and Tyus Jones (No. 24 this year) will live up to expectations. Jabari Parker (No. 2 in 2014) looked pretty good last year, but he missed most of the season due to injury. It's far too soon to make any judgments on him.
Otherwise, here are all Duke players drafted in the previous 15 years:
Lived up to expectations
Rodney Hood (No. 23 in 2014)
Mason Plumlee (No. 22 in 2013)
Ryan Kelly (No. 48 in 2013)
Miles Plumlee (No. 26 in 2012)
Kyrie Irving (No. 1 in 2011)
Kyle Singler (No. 33 in 2011)
Josh McRoberts (No. 37 in 2007)
J.J. Redick (No. 11 in 2006)
Luol Deng (No. 7 in 2004)
Chris Duhon (No. 38 in 2004)
Carlos Boozer (No. 34 in 2002)
Shane Battier (No. 6 in 2001)
Didn't live up to expectations
Austin Rivers (No. 10 in 2012)
Nolan Smith (No. 21 in 2011)
Gerald Henderson (No. 12 in 2009)
Shelden Williams (No. 5 in 2006)
Daniel Ewing (No. 32 in 2005)
Dahntay Jones (No. 20 in 2003)
Mike Dunleavy (No. 3 in 2002)
Jay Williams (No. 2 in 2002)
Chris Carrawell (No. 41 in 2000)
That's 12-of-21 – a 57 percent hit rate.
By comparison, here are players drafted from North Carolina in the same span:
Harrison Barnes (No. 7 in 2012)
John Henson (No. 14 in 2012)
Tyler Zeller (No. 17 in 2012)
Ed Davis (No. 13 in 2010)
Tyler Hansbrough (No. 13 in 2009)
Ty Lawson (No. 18 in 2009)
Wayne Ellington (No. 28 in 2009)
Danny Green (No. 46 in 2009)
Brandan Wright (No. 8 in 2007)
Brendan Haywood (No. 20 in 2001)
Reggie Bullock (No. 25 in 2013)
Kendall Marshall (No. 13 in 2012)
Reyshawn Terry (No. 44 in 2007)
David Noel (No. 39 in 2006)
Marvin Williams (No. 2 in 2005)
Raymond Felton (No. 5 in 2005)
Sean May (No. 13 in 2005)
Rashad McCants (No. 14 in 2005)
Joseph Forte (No. 21 in 2001)
The Tar Heels are 10-for-19 – 53 percent.
Nobody would reasonably shy from drafting players from North Carolina, and they've fared worse than Duke players. Making snap judgments about Duke players just because they went to Duke is foolish.
Jackson is talking about a different time, when aside from Hill, Duke had a long run of first-round picks failing to meet expectations:
Roshown McLeod (No. 20 in 1998)
Cherokee Parks (No. 12 in 1995)
Bobby Hurley (No. 7 in 1993)
Christian Laettner (No. 3 in 1992)
Alaa Abdelnaby (No. 25 in 1990)
Danny Ferry (No. 2 in 1989)
Then, it was fair to question whether Mike Krzyzewski's coaching yielded good college players who didn't translate to the pros. But there have been more than enough counterexamples in the years since to dismiss that theory as bunk or outdated.
Count this as another example of Jackson sounding like someone who shouldn't run an NBA team in 2015.
To be fair, the Knicks had a decent offseason, at least once you acknowledge they couldn't land a star (which was kind of supposed to be Jackson's job, right?).
The questions Knicks fans must ask themselves: Do you trust Jackson because of the moves he has made or worry about the next move because of what he has said?
Tags: Austin Rivers, Boston Celtics, Brandan Wright, Brendan Haywood, Brooklyn Nets, Carlos Boozer, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dahntay Jones, Dallas Mavericks, Danny Green, Detroit Pistons, Ed Davis, Gerald Henderson, Golden State Warriors, Harrison Barnes, Houston Rockets, J.J. Redick, Jabari Parker, Jahlil Okafor, John Henson, Josh McRoberts, Justise Winslow, Kendall Marshall, Kristaps Porzingis, Kyle Singler, Kyrie Irving, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Luol Deng, Marvin Williams, Mason Plumlee, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Mike Dunleavy, Miles Plumlee, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, Raymond Felton, Reggie Bullock, Rodney Hood, Ryan Kelly, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptor, Ty Lawson, Tyler Hansbrough, Tyler Zeller, Tyus Jones, Utah Jazz, Wayne Ellington
Thunder GM Sam Presti says he plans to match max offer for Enes Kanter
By Kurt HelinJul 9, 2015, 7:30 PM EDT
Portland giving Enes Kanter a $70 million max offer sheet seemed a move done in part to make the Thunder pay. The Trail Blazers already have Meyers Leonard under contract, then they traded for Mason Plumlee and signed Ed Davis to a free agent deal. Do they need another center? One that doesn't play much defense?
But the Thunder need scoring inside, and Kanter gives them that. He is a gifted offensive player. Plus, with Kevin Durant's looming free agency you will not find a team in more of a win-now mode than OKC and they see Kanter as part of that now.
The Thunder have three days to match (until Sunday) and they likely will, GM Sam Presti told Anthony Slater of the Oklahoman.
https://twitter.com/anthonyVslater/status/619239420378480640/photo/1
The Thunder have Serge Ibaka as their starting four with Nick Collison behind him. At the five there would be Kanter and Steven Adams in rotation — they can play for offense or defense — plus they have Mitch McGary.
Kanter is a defensive liability — their defense was 6.5 points per 100 possessions worse when he was on the floor than when he was sitting. The Thunder offense was 3.5 points per 100 better when he was on the court. Overall, OKC was -0.7 points per 100 when Kanter was on the floor — and by the way they still had a terrible defensive rating of 107.5 per 100 when Kanter and Ibaka were paired.
But expect the Thunder to keep Kanter.
This is a market max deal — it's overpaying under the current salary cap, but as the cap spikes by more than $40 million over the next two years due to the new television deals, that contract will not be so bad.
And in a worst case scenario where Durant (and likely Russell Westbrook behind him) leave OKC, under the new contract will not be as burdensome under the expanded salary cap, meaning it could be traded fairly easily.
Tags: Brooklyn Nets, Ed Davis, Enes Kanter, Kevin Durant, Los Angeles Lakers, Mason Plumlee, Meyers Leonard, Mitch McGary, Nick Collison, Oklahoma City Thunder, Portland Trail Blazers, Russell Westbrook, Serge Ibaka, Steven Adams
Report: Enes Kanter signing max offer sheet with Blazers; Thunder have three days to match
By Sean HighkinJul 9, 2015, 4:30 PM EDT
Throughout free agency, it's been widely assumed that Enes Kanter would be back with the Thunder. He's a restricted free agent, but the Thunder are motivated to keep him, not only because they just traded for him at the deadline, but because they need all the talent they can get going into Kevin Durant's free agency next summer.
The Portland Trail Blazers, flush with cap space after losing three starters to free agency, are making their lives difficult. NBA.com's David Aldridge reports that Kanter will sign an offer sheet in Portland, worth four years and $70 million.
With lots of cap room post-LaMarcus, Blazers putting an offer sheet on Thunder RFA center Enes Kanter, per sources.
— David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) July 9, 2015
Offer sheet for Enes Kanter, per source, is a four-year max deal for approximately $70 million, with a player option for year four.
Yahoo's Adrian Wojnarowski adds that Kanter's offer sheet includes a trade kicker, which makes it even more difficult for the Thunder to match:
Kanter offer sheet is expected to include a trade kicker too, league sources told Yahoo Sports.
It's probably a moot point because the Thunder are expected to match, but Kanter is not a good fit in Portland at all. They just signed Ed Davis and traded for Mason Plumlee, and have their own former lottery pick, Meyers Leonard, who is expected to get big minutes after improving last season. That's three young bigs, all making substantially less than Kanter would make, and all of whom are considerably better defenders than Kanter, who is a complete liability on that end. Even with the cap going up next summer, a max deal for Kanter is not the best use of any resources for Portland.
But, again, the Thunder will probably match.
Tags: Brooklyn Nets, Ed Davis, Enes Kanter, Kevin Durant, Los Angeles Lakers, Mason Plumlee, Meyers Leonard, Oklahoma City Thunder, Portland Trail Blazers
Trail Blazers GM Neil Olshey chose chance of greatness over safer route to being merely good August 20, 2015 1:30 pm EDT Report: Tristan Thompson rejected $80 million contract offer from Cavaliers because his perceived peers got more August 19, 2015 1:09 pm EDT Phil Jackson questions whether Duke players live up to expectations in NBA July 24, 2015 10:55 am EDT Thunder GM Sam Presti says he plans to match max offer for Enes Kanter July 9, 2015 7:30 pm EDT Report: Enes Kanter signing max offer sheet with Blazers; Thunder have three days to match July 9, 2015 4:30 pm EDT Now that players can finally, officially sign deals here's a list of who did at midnight July 9, 2015 8:30 am EDT Report: Trail Blazers signing Ed Davis to three-year, $20 million contract July 2, 2015 2:49 pm EDT Who is left on the board after wild first day of NBA free agency? July 2, 2015 8:34 am EDT Ed Davis declines player option with Lakers, becomes an unrestricted free agent June 29, 2015 7:45 pm EDT Report: Ed Davis hoping for $7-10 million per year, says he wants to stay with the Lakers June 21, 2015 3:30 pm EDT Pelicans will play faster, lean on Anthony Davis more under Alvin Gentry May 31, 2015 2:00 pm EDT Warriors sweep Pelicans to end Anthony Davis' first postseason April 25, 2015 10:50 pm EDT North Carolina wing J.P. Tokoto declaring for NBA draft knowing he's unlikely a first rounder April 9, 2015 12:05 am EDT Glen Davis fined for kicking seat cushion into crowd (video) March 31, 2015 4:56 pm EDT Kyle Korver breaks nose, does not return to game for Hawks March 16, 2015 12:31 am EDT Anthony Davis returns to Pelicans' lineup after five game absence March 4, 2015 7:09 pm EST Rumor: Baron Davis planning an NBA comeback. Stop laughing, he's serious. February 27, 2015 11:00 pm EST Anthony Davis questionable for All-Star game due to shoulder injury February 10, 2015 6:27 pm EST Lakers forward Ed Davis to opt out after season February 6, 2015 10:22 am EST Lakers' players trying to adjust to Byron Scott's random rotations January 27, 2015 1:55 pm EST Kobe Bryant, caught midair, throws ball off Omer Asik's back and scores (video) January 23, 2015 12:48 pm EST Bismack Biyombo, after losing starting job and nearly half his minutes, happily helping Hornets January 14, 2015 2:58 pm EST Lakers' Carlos Boozer says his benching came as a surprise December 9, 2014 12:40 pm EST As Byron Scott talks big, Lakers' defense sinks to historic depths December 8, 2014 10:53 am EST Jeremy Lin, Carlos Boozer benched by Lakers; Ronnie Price, Ed Davis start December 7, 2014 9:43 pm EST Byron Scott plans to make changes to Lakers' starting lineup November 30, 2014 3:30 pm EST PBT's NBA Power Rankings: Things still golden for Warriors at top of the list November 10, 2014 2:55 pm EST PBT's Sunday NBA Winners/Losers: Luol Deng loving life in Miami November 10, 2014 1:30 am EST Report: Lakers may go hard after Rajon Rondo this summer November 6, 2014 1:01 am EST Kobe Bryant pretty much was the Lakers' offense Tuesday (VIDEO) November 5, 2014 8:30 am EST James Harden proves too much for Lakers in what is dreary opener for Los Angeles October 29, 2014 3:15 am EDT Lakers' rookie Julius Randle taken off court on stretcher with fractured tibia, surgery likely October 29, 2014 1:32 am EDT PBT's NBA Power Rankings: Just like last year, Spurs on top while Sixers on bottom October 27, 2014 11:44 am EDT With Ronnie Price banged up, Jeremy Lin to start at point when Lakers open vs. Rockets October 26, 2014 9:30 pm EDT Kings' Ray McCallum sinks put-back at the buzzer to beat Lakers October 25, 2014 9:30 am EDT ProBasketballTalk 2014-15 Preview: Memphis Grizzlies October 23, 2014 10:10 am EDT ProBasketballTalk 2014-15 Preview: Los Angeles Lakers October 13, 2014 10:00 am EDT Jeremy Lin says he plans to get back to attacking basket with Lakers September 26, 2014 3:59 pm EDT Ryan Hollins says Lakers, Spurs, Bulls among teams interested in him September 15, 2014 6:59 pm EDT Why are the Lakers hiring Byron Scott as head coach? July 26, 2014 9:30 am EDT


text:
NouveauGypsy
travelling through words~
Freedom, Texas
STAR SIGN: Libra
NaturesAlly
Oletimes
Gone with the Wind, Chocolat, Swept from the Sea, Places in the Heart, Where the Heart Is, Shy People, Passion Fish, Legend, Titanic, About Last Night, A Fish Called Wanda, Hope Floats, Legends of the Fall, Dances With Wolves, The Big Easy, Where The Lillies Bloom, Jeremiah Johnson, The Big Easy, Ladyhawke, Stealing Beauty,Color Purple, Trip to Bountiful, The Dollmaker, Far and Away, Cold Mountain, Beaches, Mask, O' Brother Where Art thou?, Driving Miss Daisy, Last of the Mohicans, Lonesome Dove, Lord of the Rings, Pirates of the Caribbean, Bram Stokers Dracula, The Exorcist, The Seventh Sign, Full Moon Junction
I Love Music!! Lynyrd Skynyrd, Joe Cocker, Van Morrison, Bad Company, Grand Funk Railroad, Stevie Nicks, Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles, Al Green, Dave Matthews, Jack Johnson, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Bonnie Raitt, Delbert McClinton, Susan Tedeschi, JJ Grey and Mofro, Ruthie Foster, Marc Broussard, Eva Cassidy, Iron and Wine, Ray LaMontagne, Hal Ketchum, The Mavericks, Michael McDonald, Jerry Jeff Walker, Dwight Yoakum, Willie Nelson, Clint Black, John Denver, Creedence Clearwater Revival,Jonny Lang, Norah Jones, Mazzy Star, Danny Gokey, Taylor Hicks ,Bob Schneider, Rod Stewart, Rolling Stones, Sting, John Cougar Mellencamp, KD Lang, Fiona Apple, Devil Doll, Bette Midler, Cher, Kelly Clarkson, Bill Withers, Otis Redding, Amethystium, Melody Gardot, Vanessa Daou, Vicci Martinez and this is the short list!!
Jean Auel - Anne Rice - Stephen King - Barbara Kingsolver - Larry McMurtry - Jimmy Buffet - Dan Brown - Bram Stoker - Iyanla Van Zant - Marriane Williamson - Maya Angelou - Sylvia Plath - Pablo Neruda - Anais Nin - Kahlil Gibran - and so many poets
Antiquing - Gardening - Photography - Mosaic crafts - Decorating - Collecting - Garage Sales -Writing Poetry - Collecting art
anything from youtube
create an art car and drive in parades
travel to a nice beach
learn to fire dance with poi and more
build a treehouse
write a poetry book
a mom, a grandmother, a wife, a daughter, a sister, a cousin
a poet, a nurse, a motorcycle mama, an antiquer, an armchair traveller
see the other categories for more info..:)
I enjoy being creative
I love classic art
and vintage postcards
and finding junk
and anything gypsy
roses and all flowers, cheese and wine, good food, fragrances especially musk, amber and vanilla, beautiful sunsets, walks out in the country, comfort, true love
caraway seeds, clams, raw onions, long toenails, drama
NouveauGypsy has 62 friend(s)


text:
Herod's Christmas Dinner (the Holy Innocents)
A Poem for the Fourth Day of Christmas, the Feast of the Holy Innocents (Matt. 2:13-18)
Herod's Christmas Dinner
'Glad Tidings?!' Save your breath, he said,
the child will soon enough be dead.
What fools to fill the sky and sing,
as though the peasant boy's a king.
That bastard in the manger straw—
looks like no prince I ever saw.
He wails for milk and cries for touch—
no heavenly one could need so much.
Were we to catch a glimpse of God
in that poor piece of human sod …
if this indeed were really true,
why, it would make a claim on you:
then any child might holy be—
black or brown or refugee.
You make your choice; I've made mine.
On holy innocents, I will dine.
David R. Weiss
Unpacking the poem
I wrote this poem four days before Christmas. Ironically it became a poem linked to the Feast of Holy Innocents, commemorated four days after Christmas.
The "seed" for the poem was my annual discontent/dismay over how Christmas has become primarily a celebration of consumer capitalism rather than the Christ child.
Each year my discontent takes a slightly different form given the currents events of the season. This year it reflects my despair that so many are consumed with fervor about where manger scenes depicting (soon to be) refugees in flight can be placed and equally fervent insistence over where current day real life refugees cannot be. This year it also echoes our society's overall continued dismissal of the cry, "Black Lives Matter," wanting to reframe its specificity in a way that disconnects it from any prophetic anguish.
In my mind I originally began with the voice of an angel speaking in lament on that first Christmas Eve, looking forward in time. That never fully blossomed into a poem, but you catch a faint echo of it in Herod's reference to "what fools to fill the sky …"
Eventually Herod's voice stepped forward as a sort of anti-witness to Christmas, his biting sarcasm trying to break through and catch us off guard, hearing truth "through the back door," so to speak.
The two primary claims I try to make here are:
However we understand our theological claims about Jesus' "divinity" (which is, ultimately, a MYSTERY no matter how certain we want to be) the audacity of the Christmas story is to suggest that divinity has become human and vulnerable in a way that redefines BOTH humanity and divinity.
And—if this redefinition is true to the core of God—if it really reshapes how we see God—then it's also true to the core of humanity (not simply Jesus) and should also really reshape how we see the people around us. I don't mean to say that Jesus isn't unique. He surely is, though we might argue a long time over how he's unique. But I do mean that in some very real way the truth of the incarnation is to proclaim that every human being—every "poor piece of human sod"—can bear a whole hint of the holy. And that should recast the way we encounter every single person we meet—but especially those most at the margins. Because the incarnation is most miraculous not in what it says about one babe in a manger but in what it says about all babes, all people out at the margins.
Questions for reflection:
I imagined first an angel and then settled on Herod as unlikely person to the truth of Christmas. Where or in whom do you find such unlikely insights?
I suggest that Incarnation (because of what it says about Jesus) says something extraordinary and almost scandalous about "the least of these" around us—something that ought to challenge, unsettle, and spur us into action. What do you think?
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Here you can find all the extra information you will need as an international student at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.


text:
<?php
namespace Disque\Test\Command\Response;

use PHPUnit_Framework_TestCase;
use Disque\Command\Hello;
use Disque\Command\Response\ResponseInterface;
use Disque\Command\Response\HelloResponse;
use Disque\Command\Response\InvalidResponseException;

class HelloResponseTest extends PHPUnit_Framework_TestCase
{
    public function testInstance()
    {
        $r = new HelloResponse();
        $this->assertInstanceOf(ResponseInterface::class, $r);
    }

    public function testInvalidBodyNotArrayString()
    {
        $this->setExpectedException(InvalidResponseException::class, 'Invalid command response. Command Disque\\Command\\Hello got: "test"');
        $r = new HelloResponse();
        $r->setCommand(new Hello());
        $r->setBody('test');
    }

    public function testInvalidBodyNotArrayNumeric()
    {
        $this->setExpectedException(InvalidResponseException::class, 'Invalid command response. Command Disque\\Command\\Hello got: 128');
        $r = new HelloResponse();
        $r->setCommand(new Hello());
        $r->setBody(128);
    }

    public function testInvalidBodyNotEnoughElements()
    {
        $this->setExpectedException(InvalidResponseException::class, 'Invalid command response. Command Disque\\Command\\Hello got: ["test","stuff"]');
        $r = new HelloResponse();
        $r->setCommand(new Hello());
        $r->setBody(['test','stuff']);
    }

    public function testInvalidBodyNotEnoughElementsInNode()
    {
        $this->setExpectedException(InvalidResponseException::class, 'Invalid command response. Command Disque\\Command\\Hello got: ["version","id",["id","host","port"]]');
        $r = new HelloResponse();
        $r->setCommand(new Hello());
        $r->setBody(['version', 'id', ['id', 'host', 'port']]);
    }

    public function testInvalidBodyTooManyElementsInNode()
    {
        $this->setExpectedException(InvalidResponseException::class, 'Invalid command response. Command Disque\\Command\\Hello got: ["version","id",["id","host","port","version","stuff"]]');
        $r = new HelloResponse();
        $r->setCommand(new Hello());
        $r->setBody(['version', 'id', ['id', 'host', 'port', 'version', 'stuff']]);
    }

    public function testParseOneNode()
    {
        $r = new HelloResponse();
        $r->setCommand(new Hello());

        $r->setBody(['version', 'id', ['id', 'host', 'port', 'priority']]);
        $result = $r->parse();
        $this->assertSame([
            'version' => 'version',
            'id' => 'id',
            'nodes' => [
                [
                    'id' => 'id',
                    'host' => 'host',
                    'port' => 'port',
                    'priority' => 'priority'
                ]
            ]
        ], $result);
    }

    public function testParseTwoNodes()
    {
        $r = new HelloResponse();
        $r->setCommand(new Hello());
        $r->setBody([
            'version',
            'id',
            ['id', 'host', 'port', '1'],
            ['id2', 'host2', 'port2', '2'],
        ]);
        $result = $r->parse();
        $this->assertSame([
            'version' => 'version',
            'id' => 'id',
            'nodes' => [
                [
                    'id' => 'id',
                    'host' => 'host',
                    'port' => 'port',
                    'priority' => '1'
                ],
                [
                    'id' => 'id2',
                    'host' => 'host2',
                    'port' => 'port2',
                    'priority' => '2'
                ]
            ]
        ], $result);
    }

}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Q: Beamer and Ua Language Does Beamer work with Ukranian language? I try to use it several times and all bad :)
If you have working project share with me, please!)
Thanks.

A: As far as I can tell (without being able to read anything) it seems to work fine with babel
\documentclass{beamer}

\usepackage[ukrainian]{babel}

\begin{document}

\begin{frame}
Привіт Світ
\end{frame}

\end{document}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Nuke needs to Kick it up a notch
It's safe to say that I watch a lot of TV. And within that, I watch a lot of gay-themed TV. So I do a lot of comparison and contrast with the various shows: pondering Greek's Calvin vs. Brothers & Sisters' Kevin, Guiding Light's Otalia vs. AMC's Breese, etc. And today, I couldn't help but compare As the World Turns' Noah, Luke and Mason with One Life to Live's Kyle, Fish and Nick.
On ATWT, we had Noah's professor casually mention he's cute and Noah act like he'd groped him like a drunk at a strip club. I mean, if Noah had pearls, he would've clutched them! He sputtered, he jumped back. He practically hugged the door as Mason extolled his virtues. After Mason realized Noah can sense he's attracted to him, Noah bolted to tell Luke how he'd been violated. Much righteous indignation and crying of sexual harassment ensued. They marched over to tell Mason what a bad, bad boy he'd been and he summarily apologized. He assured them he wasn't a "homewrecker."
Don't you actually have to inch towards first base to be a homewrecker? "You're cute" does not a bulldozer make! Do these three characters even know they're on a soap? Newsflash: Guy hits on you, sexual tension and potential jealousy from your significant other ensues. That's how you tell a soap story… and also a human story, not the story of three department store mannequins masquerading as people.
On OLTL, it was distinctly less PSA. Prompted by pal Cristian to go for it, Fish told Kyle he's ready to be with him. Kyle, who has a steady boyfriend, did not clutch his pearls or flinch away. He gently, rationally explained to Oliver why their timing was off…though their eyes said otherwise. And when Nick walked up, surmising that something had gone on between the old flames, he didn't react with fury and indignation but instead trusted Kyle's explanation that it was the "break up fight we never had."
Just the way they're written is like night and day. I honestly couldn't relate to the Nuke/Mason scenes at all. I laughed. I thought, "My God, I do not know any healthy 21-year-old male who would act like a nun when an attractive person indicated their interest." And, sure, you could play the "he's Noah's professor" card, but it's a soap! Luke made out with his grandmother's boyfriend; a professor ain't nothin'. Why is there so much fear at putting another man in Nuke's story? Whereas, over on OLTL, there's no question that Kyle and Oliver are soulmates, but Nick remains viable. He's a good character in his own right, and it's perfectly okay that Kyle's with him now. There's room for change, room for growth and no one's afraid to even touch each other or acknowledge a sexual attraction.
I think it's fairly obvious how I feel about the Kish/Kick storyline. And I've really tried not to judge ATWT, as they've effectively paved the way for OLTL. If there wasn't a Nuke, there wouldn't be a Kish. But Luke and Noah should not rest on their laurels just because they did the heavy lifting a few years ago. They need to change, to grow… and be allowed to have a real triangle. You know, like any other soap couple. I mean, heaven forbid…what if there's something bigger and better than Nuke out there for one of them?
October 2, 2009 October 4, 2009 Malatv talksoaps: atwt, soaps: oltl, tv talk
25 thoughts on "Nuke needs to Kick it up a notch"
dkellergrl2001
I mean, heaven forbid…what if there's something bigger and better than Nuke out there for one of them?
Preach it. I would love to see someone and/or something new for both Noah and Luke. It really is about time and for the folks that are wanting nohting and/or no one to come between them, then I wonder why they're watching a soap opera. That's how soap operas roll. Noah and Luke (at this stage of the game), should be onto their next "love of their lives" or they should be written off the shosw.
When I saw your Twitter earlier today, I just rolled my eyes, because it's the same damn BORING thing for those characters, even after 2 years. No one can or will every not deny that the NUKE storyline from 2007, paved the way for other gay/lesbian themed storylines (including the ridiculous Rafe/Adam on from Y&R), but at this point: that's all they have.
In two years, they haven't had a real legitimate third party interruption. There were the girls –Maddie and Ameera– and the story with Brian that had potential but went nowhere, Zac and Zoe (who were psychos), and now Mason, who barely registers on the scale of…anything. Meanwhile, in two years, how many different partners has Alison had?
Not that I want to use Ali as a yardstick, really, because she needs to settle down. LOL. We need a happy medium here for the twenty-somethings. Not completely domestic and not totally playing the field.
bonobochick
Alison's probelm is different. She keeps getting new guys because she doesn't spark with most of the men thrown at her. The last one she really clicked with was Chris and they got rid of him. I wish TPTB would stop throwing men at her and realize the problem isn't the men but ALISON. I have no issues with the actress but the character is a drippy, weak mess and I am tired of seeing viable men wasted on her.
Mala,
I have been praying and waiting for you to comment on this, and I couldn't agree more with your entry. Advocates of "the school of endgame coupling" seem to fail to see that not bringing in third parties in dyadic relationships in soap operas – a convention as old as the written word – shortchanges the audience, the actors and especially the characters.
Indeed, no one can ever dispute that without Nuke, there would be no Kish; even Ron Carlivati said as much. But keeping and making Nuke "life partners" at their ages is just not realistic and it goes back again to the failed promise of ATWT to treat Nuke as they would any other couple in its canvas. Fortunately, Kish seem to be fulfilling, as of now, the promises that ATWT has failed to deliver.
Thanks for putting your thoughts to electrons on this issue!
I absolutely give credence and props to the Nuke storyline for what it has done, and am incredibly proud of ATWT for what they accomplished. There is no doubt about that. But once I realized that Luke and Noah were going to be standing still and that was that…I got frustrated.
I'm a Carjack fan, too, and I love Lily and Holden. The fact that they constantly face drama, have been married to other people (and I even LIKE Jack and Janet), is maddening…but it's soap! Part of watching ATWT for me is wondering how they're going to get couples back on the same page. Look at Paul and Emily fans, who held out for years for a reunion and got one. Dusty and Lucy fans are hoping the same. Don't know if that's going to happen, but hey…don't give up!
Not giving Noah and Luke that same exact kind of push-pull, root-for quality, just throwing psycho dads and crazy non-twins at them and then writing endless coffee dates at Java… it does shortchange the characters.
The biggest frustration for a many of us is that after over two years, no significant change has occurred with the Luke and Noah story. Luke's contemporaries who are both and and off the canvas such as Will, Gwen, Maddie and Casey have gotten the Holden and Lily treatment, and yet Lily's own son is ghettoized and boxed into stories where the character does not grow and evolve because Luke is not allowed to enter into non-familial and non-platonic interpersonal relationships outside of Noah. What if there exists that certain guy who will just rock Luke (or Noah's) world? I understand the hesitation of TPTB in that there is a delicate juggling act in not wanting to portray gays as hedonistic sex addicts, but the polar opposite wherein Luke and Noah are more frigid than Bob and Kim is not acceptable either. The stories that Nuke have been given have boiled down to a series of silly little disputes resolvable before 2:54 pm ET in a single episode. And that does not make for good soap opera.
Back in the day, Dusty and Lily were the "endgame" and yet a certain Holden Snyder came along and the rest is Oakdale history. Probably the most famous example of where allegiances and rooting factors for a couple deemed as the "endgame" changed – though loathe I am to use it because of the ugliness from which the relationship sprung – was in the now epic saga of GENERAL HOSPITAL's Luke and Laura. If I am to remember my soap history properly, Laura and law student Scotty Baldwin were the golden couple until the anti-hero Luke Spencer came along. And again, the rest is now the stuff of soap opera legend albeit one tainted with shame because it gave birth to what is now termed as "rapemance" – a most unfortunate byproduct of Luke and Laura's legacy that show runners simply will not dispose of.
Point being, it's beyond high time for Nuke to get their just deserts and be treated just like their contemporaries who simply happen to be heterosexual. You're absolutely right: the lack of genuine conflict and that "rooting factor" that soap fans love cannot exist when the pairing one watches lives in a storyline vacuum. It has to end because as being told right now, the Nuke story is not doing anybody any favors by being stale and unable to mature and graduate from a junior high/puppy love romance into a full-blown adult soap opera love story.
Anthony D. Langford
I don't think anyone is denying that ATWT did it first and deserve credit for that. No one has ever NOT given them their due. But you can only rest on your laurels for so long before you start to ask: "What have you done for me lately?"
Luke and Noah should still be growing and evolving and changing and maturing as a couple and as young men. And they simply aren't doing that. And that is particularly frustrating to watch.
ITA. I don't think there's anything wrong with wanting more.
I mean, far be it from me to open up yet another can of worms, but I think a similar debate could be made between VL and AWZ and how they're handling stories. Olli and Christian are wonderful, adorable people. There is no denying that. But at some point, wonderful and adorable isn't enough. And you look at colossal dunderheads Deniz and Roman, who make you want to throw something your TV, and that… that is must-see!
(Of course, I'm also weeks behind on both shows, so who knows what's going on right now.)
What? Something better than Luke and Noah and their increasingly dull relationship? Say it isn't so! Mason should have been and could have been a hot, hot triangle for the boys. But the only thing that's hot is Forbes March from all the layers of clothing the show forces him to wear.
I couldn't agree more with you, Mala. The key for me is that Kyle, Oliver and Nick act like adult men dealing with adult feelings, emotions and desires. I can't say the same for Luke and Noah.
I, too, have tried to not compare them. But it's unavoidable, especially since they air opposite one another and the difference between them is so stark.
I really have tried to keep my thoughts on the two shows and the two stories separate. But when they both aired segments yesterday, it was just so jarring.
It's like people comparing baby switches or heart transplant stories. You're inevitably going to go, "AMC's baby switch was WAY better than Y&R's."
Forbes March is a fun, dynamic guy. He's hilarious. Someone who has never talked to him, never seen him in anything else, would not know that from Mason. But it's not even necessarily about the dour personality of Mason, as it is the set-up for the story. Three guys sitting around talking about a movie one of the guys is making? There's just nothing there to *work* from. I hate to sound like a therapist, but how do Luke, Noah and Mason, *feel*?
Whereas even pulling in the "new guy" Nick, on OLTL, involves an emotional component. Sure, he fell in love with Kyle way too fast, but it's a soap and they knew they had to give the character more motivation and the story more of a personal element.
Kelly H
Luke and Noah need to be treated like a real couple who live together. It would help if we could see them live together in their apartment, but that aspect of their life is censored/hidden. Luke and Noah are barely allowed to touch each other. They act like beer drinking buddies instead of lovers sometimes. A triangle with Noah acting attracted to his sleazy teacher while he fist bumps Luke would be crazy. They should let Luke and Noah act like a couple before they start having Noah attracted to Mason But I don't believe that Noah would cheat on Luke. To even consider it would be out of character. We hardly know anything about this Mason guy anyway, except for that he does not respect Luke and he's a big sleazebag.
Difficult Diva
Kelly – I understand your opinion on the NUKE/Mason situation, but here's my POV:
We, the viewing audience are not the ones writing what's being produced and shown on screen. So, until TPTB who are the ones responsible for what is written and produced for NUKE (because IMO, they are not separate individual characters anymore) and Mason STOP treating them like asexual and precious figurines that can only be used on special days of the week, I'm not going to continue on hoping for more. It's been over TWO YEARS now and I'm done.
Did I really want to see Noah and Luke, to jump on a bed (and ONLY jump), after realizing they FINALLY had alone time with each other? NO
Did I really want to see the Z twin storyline wrap up with no fallout of how Noah AND Luke (he should be used to it by now) felt about being kidnapped and attacked? NO, but it was like some trivial thing happened and off NUKE walked (hand in hand, with a kiss to appease) into another stupid storyline.
I think they're very much a real couple. Their love and trust in each other is quite clear. We never see Bob and Kim's house, but they're still a real couple…probably the most solid couple on the show, actually.
But Bob and Kim had decades upon decades of cheating, scandal and drama before they got to the perfect couple place. I just feel that Noah and Luke shouldn't already be emulating the AARP set.
Love this post. Total props to the trailblazing of Luke and Noah but . . . I've been struck by how precise and specific the writing is for Kyle/Oliver/Nick on OLTL – they use real specific words (e.g. beard, gay homophobe) to convey emotions and ideas that everyone can relate to on some level. For me, the best way to convey the universal is through the particular. Luke and Noah of late have been written in the broadest outlines and as a result their story don't really resonate with me anymore.
I agree with dkellergirl – fan and producer insistence on one true pairings diminishes soap operas. I understand the industrial reasons for selling these pairings but the serial coupling on soaps is such a great and sometimes radical alternative to the romantic coupling in other mediums. I've always loved how soaps trouble standard romantic fantasies – ideas that love with one person will save/fix/satisfy/complete you etc. This dates me, but I remember being totally committed to Phillip and Beth on GL but then becoming intrigued by and then totally committed to Beth and Lujack, largely because I enjoyed seeing Beth develop in an unexpected way. Seeing Kyle with Oliver and Nick fleshes out Kyle for me. And, even if Noah didn't have a full fledged affair with Mason it would be interesting to see what new qualities of Noah could be brought out in a relationship with Mason. It's true that this isn't the only way to show depth and development. I like seeing characters work and have friendships too. But ATWT assembled the ingredients for a romantic triangle it won't cook.
But ATWT assembled the ingredients for a romantic triangle it won't cook.
This. Yes. But in addition to that, your point higher up about Noah and Luke being written in the broadest outlines is what really speaks to me. I look at a pair like Craig and Rosanna who, admittedly, have a LOT of history to pull from, but there is subtlety there, and a lot of deft work in the scripts. Ditto for Paul and Emily or the scenes with Lily, Jack and Damian this week. And then you watch Luke, Noah and Mason and it's a completely different paradigm.
On OLTL, even the kids Matthew and Destiny get scenes that mean something.
Thank you for your article, it's exactly how I felt when I saw the Mason/Noah scene, totally unrealistic and unbelievable. Noah acting like an inexperienced teen at his first come on who needs to go cryin on his boyfriend shoulder and can't stand for himself (and clubbing his dirty professor on the head) isn't charming at all.
About Kish, can't get enough of this storyline maybe we'll finally find a soap that treat gay couples and gay characters exactly like the straight ones.
It all comes down to the basic, simple fact: Write them like real people. Not gay people, not straight people, just people.
Where is this hot and heavy Nuke triangle supposed to happen? At Java? Or maybe they could just borrow Hunter's apartment? Maybe Nuke's storyline would be more "human" if they were treated like all the other heterosexual couples and given an on-screen place to live and maybe even *gasp* a bed. Even Kyle has a room with a bed.
So why doesn't Nuke have an on-screen apartment? What does ATWT say? There are plenty of new sets all the time, so money can't be the issue.
I think sexual harassment is a pretty serious issue and the show just blew it off. I think it was actually irresponsible of the show for Luke and Noah not to take it seriously. I think what's going to happen is that it is revealed that Noah really feels something for Mason, otherwise he would have turned him in to the school. It seems to me there is a real triangle brewing. I think it will be revealed that Noah has feelings for Mason. Otherwise, Noah's reaction to a professor hitting on him is very off putting. For anyone that's ever been sexually harassed or sexually assaulted, it isn't something to be taken lightly. It's a soap, so Noah's reaction can only mean one thing.
I love Nuke, so I want them to have better stories. I wish they would turn up the heat on Luke and Noah's love life. They really never kiss much or cuddle in bed. So to see Noah and Mason do anything like that would be an insult. As for Kim and Bob, they had a house and love scenes when they were in their prime. There is no excuse for Luke and Noah's apartment not being shown ever.
I don't disagree that the show's handling of sexual harassment where men is concerned needs work. I still cringe thinking of how Kim dismissed Brad's accusations against Geneva Swift, when a year ago she blasted Brad for supposedly sexually harassing psycho Spencer.
And perhaps you're right, that Noah's over the top reaction and then insistence that Luke drop the issue means he "doth protest too much." It would certainly be a better explanation for why the scenes played out the way they did.
The problem is that ATWT does not treat Luke and Noah equally and never has. Despite fan campaigns, a vocal fanbase, ratings rising, and free publicity ATWT usually puts Luke and Noah on once a week for 5-7 minutes and tells a cliffs notes version of a storyline. Only Luke is a character that anybody can care about. Noah is just an extension of him. I do not understand why Noah has to be written so clueless and naive all the time. Plus why does that prevent him from putting Luke first in the relationship. He always puts someone else first-Winston, Ameera, Mason…And Mason? Who is Mason and why should anybody care? All we know is that he's a guy that wears winter clothes in the middle of summer and his attraction to Noah came from out of nowhere.
geekychick
Yes Luke and Noah do need a little spice. However Mason is not the character to give it to them. Mason and Noah have no chemistry. I think he's even more boring than Noah. He's a boring character who wears a scarf in the middle of July. How could Noah be attracted to that? Besides I am not buying that Mason is attracted to Noah at all. Forbes March is doing a terrible job showing that Mason wants Noah. It seems Mr. March is uncomfortable playing a gay man attracted to another man. I wouldn't have known if Mason wanted Noah if the spoilers didn't say so. All he needs to do is watch early Luke and Noah, when they were allowed to look at each other like they were attracted to each other. I know which character could have added a little spice. I really wish Kevin would have been gay. He would have been a viable threat to Luke and Noah's love.
Ah, Friday's Noah & Mason scene was a bit much, huh? I thought was pearl-clutching and so did my partner in crime (see: http://gaydaytime.blogspot.com/2009/10/as-world-turns-02-10-2009.html , I am in the comments section)
I shared this link on TWOP and the Gays of Daytime Forum cause I am curious what others have to say cause I think you raise some great points about the writing being a failure for Noah/Luke (has been for a while), though it's still an overall problem for ATWT. I would love a meaty story of some type for them, without or without a 3rd party. This whole triangle with Mason has been terribly written… but that's not surprising.
More linkage? And here I was hoping that this would blow over. LOL.
In all seriousness, I do hope we see a change in this story coming up. More shows just need to realize that getting soap opera right is as simple as organically writing about characters, not about the next plot point.
That's a bigger problem on so many soaps but especially on ATWT where the focus is on plot points & playing characters to fit them instead of having the characters driving the the plots. At least ATWT seems to have put a moratorium on storylines wrapping up in 3 weeks. I hope that sticks cause i was tired of getting whiplash watching this show.
I like to the think the links will provide you with more praise for bringing up valid points about the writing failure. =) Thing is, I think a lot of fans see it and complain constantly but it doesn't seem to make an impact with TPTB. Could be fear, could be apathy but they need to do SOMETHING because while ATWT has gotten better, it's still a mess mostly because of the writing.
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text:
Q: Is possible to compile OpenCL code for all current video cards? I need to distribute my program, which use opencl code without opencl sources. So i need to compile it to binary and load program from binary. This is simple, but each video card compile different binary for it self. How can i avoid this, and compile my source code for different videocards, whitout having this videocards. Maybe some compiler exist, where i can set spesific video card and get binary code for it? Thanks!

A: SPIR is designed for this http://www.khronos.org/registry/spir/
At least AMD cards support it. But you cannot use that in general right now.
Right now there is really no other way than just providing the kernels as text with your program if you want to distribute it generally to consumers. I wouldn't worry too much about the kernels being visible. Without the OpenCL API calls and documentation they are simply useless. It takes more time for someone to reverse-engineer them than to do the same from scratch. It's like OpenGL shaders in games which also are in raw text format.

A: SPIR is the solution,
just for a work around the following is the solution
I think the binary will be same for a particular type of video cards.
you can store the binaries of all the different video cards and choose the proper binary during the runtime using the Device information.