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Goddess of Hellfire
The Horror Stylings of Jenny Ashford
The Goddess's Favorite Creepy Movie Scenes, or Little Red Smiting Hood
30 Sep 2014 19 May 2016 / jennyashford
If you've done even a cursory reading of my other blog posts in this series, you'll know that the films and scenes I tend to write about are not focused so much on shock or gore as they are on conveying a sense of deep, lingering unease. I feel that movies and scenes that can accomplish this feat successfully are much rarer, for instilling a lasting dread in a viewer is always going to be far more difficult than simply making them jump in their seats or showing them something that turns their stomach. As I mentioned before, I'm not going to belittle horror films that take the easy way out; I've enjoyed a great many of them, after all. But my favorite horror is always going to be predicated upon that tightening noose of apprehension, that eerie, nightmarish imagery that sticks with you for sometimes years afterward, that subtly creeping menace that makes you almost regret ever even watching the thing in the first place.
As a case study, I now present a discussion of what I feel is one of the finest horror films of the 1970s. It's a critically adored piece of filmmaking, but I definitely feel that it sometimes gets short shrift in the "popular" culture of horror films. Part of this may be due to the fact that it's British, and perhaps more restrained and adult-oriented than the usual horror fare; in fact, it could almost be classified as an "art film." Part of it may be due to its fractured, confusing narrative and its obsessive repetition of themes. Whatever the reason, though, I hope that those of you who have never seen it will sit down in a darkened room and give it a chance, because I guarantee that you will be in for a truly unsettling experience. One caveat, though: if you're going to watch it, you might want to wait to read my recap until afterward, because I'm going to spoil the hell out of it. With that warning, let's continue, shall we?
Donald Sutherland is well-known for having the best epic eyeroll in the business.
1973's Don't Look Now was based on a short story by Daphne du Maurier (who also wrote Rebecca and The Birds, both of which, of course, were adapted to film by Alfred Hitchcock) and was directed by Nicholas Roeg, an idiosyncratic filmmaker known for such works as Performance, The Man Who Fell To Earth, and the Roald Dahl adaptation The Witches. Roeg's signature directorial style (and also his visual style, as he started out in the biz as a cinematographer) is all over Don't Look Now, from the disjointed plot construction to the recurring instances of symbolism. It's definitely a film that rewards multiple viewings and reveals hidden layers with each rewatch.
Ah, an innocent little girl skipping along right next to an ominous body of water. What could possibly go wrong?
In brief, Don't Look Now is the story of a married couple, John and Laura Baxter (Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie) who are grief-stricken after the accidental drowning death of their daughter Christine (Sharon Williams). To help deal with their loss, John accepts a job restoring an old cathedral in Venice, and the couple move from England to Italy in order to get away from their painful memories.
But naturally, things never work out that simply in a horror film. They have only been in Venice for a short time before Laura is approached by two sisters, one of whom is a blind psychic, in a restaurant bathroom. The psychic tells Laura that her daughter is with her and is happy, even describing the distinctive red raincoat Christine was wearing when she drowned. Laura is overjoyed at the news and believes unreservedly, but John is far more skeptical, and gently tries to discourage Laura's "fancies."
However, it soon becomes clear that something untoward is going on, no matter how skeptical John may be. Not only is there a murderer running loose around Venice, but John begins seeing fleeting glimpses of what appears to be a child in a red raincoat around the city. Laura, still heartened by the psychic's pronouncement, agrees to go to a seance held by the two sisters, at which they tell her that her dead daughter has informed them that John is in danger. John gets angry at all of this psychic nonsense, and he and his wife have a blistering argument where much of their resentments about their daughter's death come to the fore.
The next morning, they receive a phone call. It turns out that the couple's son, who is at a boarding school back in England, has been injured in a fall. Laura immediately leaves Italy to tend to him, while John stays behind. Strangely, though, John sees his just-departed wife later that very same day. She is dressed in mourning and standing on a funeral boat in the canal, along with the two weird sisters. He passes her in another boat, and calls to her, though she doesn't seem to hear him. Confused by her presence when she is supposed to be in England, and concerned about the murders happening around the city, he calls the police and reports her missing. Suspicious police decide to have John tailed instead, as he combs the city for any sign of his wife or the sisters he saw her with. Then, in a moment of clarity, he calls his son's boarding school and is informed that Laura is there, and had arrived precisely when she should have, judging from the time she left Italy. Severely confused now, John informs the police that his wife is fine and not missing after all. Then later, in the street, he sees the red-clad figure again and chases after it. It should go without saying in a movie like this, but it doesn't end well.
Taking a slight detour on the way to grandma's house.
Director Roeg is a master at fostering a bizarre sense of dislocation in the viewer, but also at wrenching a cloying sense of menace out of every frame in this film. He does this through means both obvious and insidious. First of all, whenever Italian is spoken in the film, Roeg chose not to subtitle it, so that a non-speaker watching the film would feel just as adrift and confused as the characters. Secondly, he plays heavily on the theme of precognition, refusing to make clear whether what we are seeing on screen is happening in the present, the past, or the future, and deliberately chops up the narrative so that it is presented to us in a largely non-linear way. Thirdly, he uses several recurring motifs as portents of disaster: water, glass breaking, the color red, falling objects and people, the sense that "nothing is as it seems." There is a constant sense of being stared at by hostile-seeming bystanders, there are subtle references to the murders which are never explicitly shown, and just an overall sense of displacement that contributes to the feelings of loss and relationship breakdown that the characters are experiencing. Roeg also makes great use of the dark, gothic back alleys of Venice to ramp up the creepy factor.
Several scenes stick out, but there are really only two that I'd like to briefly discuss. And before you get your hopes up, no, one of them isn't the VERY explicit sex scene that caused so much controversy when this film came out in 1973. I may discuss it one of these days if I ever do a series on oddly hot moments that inexplicably turned up in horror films, but for now, let's keep to the scary. Sorry, horndogs. 🙂
The opening scene is fantastic in establishing many of the themes explored in the film. The family is still in England at this point, and the daughter is not yet dead. Christine, in fact, is playing out in the yard in her red raincoat, while her brother idly rides his bicycle not far away. Inside the house, John and Laura are sitting before the fire. Laura is poring through a book looking for the answer to a question Christine asked her about frozen bodies of water (there's one of those motifs), while John is looking through slides of the cathedral he is going to be restoring. In one of the shots, he notices a red-hooded figure seated in a pew before a stained glass window. He looks at the slide through a magnifying glass, and suddenly we see what looks like a red arm extending from the figure, though closer examination reveals that it is a tendril of blood, eerily working its way across the slide. The sight of the blood gives John a moment of precognitive dread, and he bolts from the house and out into the yard. Unfortunately, he is too late to save Christine, and is reduced to dragging her lifeless body from the pond and howling in agonized grief.
The second scene I'd like to focus on is the final one, in which all of the director's leitmotifs culminate in one of the most unsettling sequences in horror cinema. John has seen that elusive red-hooded figure again as he is walking in the street, and begins to chase after it. The blind psychic, of course, has had a vision that John is in mortal danger, and Laura, who has returned from England, begins to run after him. He follows the figure up a spiral staircase to the tower of a cathedral. Laura cannot get in, and is reduced to reaching through the locked gates and yelling for him. John opens a door, and sees the little red-hooded figure standing against the wall, with its back to him. He thinks he hears it crying, and he tells it that he's a friend, that he won't hurt it. "Come on," he says, encouragingly. There is another shot of Laura reaching through the wrought iron gate and calling for him, and then a flashback of the photographic slide with the red-hooded figure sitting in the pew. And then, the red-hooded figure turns around, y'all.
Aww, look, it's my sweet little dead daughter!
Not a pretty little blonde-haired girl at all, is it? No, it is a disturbingly wizened little woman. She approaches John, shaking her head, and then there are intercut shots of the blind psychic screaming, of the Baxters' son running across their yard in England, of John embracing a stone gargoyle. "Wait," says John, and then the tiny, terrifying woman, who in case you hadn't figured it out is actually the serial killer running loose around Venice, pulls a cleaver from her pocket and thunks John right in the neck. There is a confusing array of images encompassing the past and present: John falling backward, Laura screaming, John holding his dead daughter in the pond, Christine's red ball, John holding his wife's hand in a restaurant, a mermaid brooch one of the sisters had been wearing. It's all set to the discordant sound of church bells clanging. John's life essentially flashes before his eyes as he lies there and bleeds out upon the floor.
And thus John, who spent the entire film discounting the existence of precognition (even though he experienced it himself just before Christine's death), has had his second vision fulfilled, even though at the time he wasn't aware that it was a vision: when he inexplicably saw Laura and the two sisters on the funeral boat, he was seeing the future, and seeing his wife mourning HIS death, not their daughter's. A fantastically crafted film all around, and one the Goddess enthusiastically recommends.
Until next time, Goddess out.
Favorite Horror Scenes & Film Reviews, General Horror Stuff
alfred hitchcock, best horror films, best horror scenes, british film, creepy scenes, cult film, daphne du maurier, ghost, ghost story, gothic, horror, horror film, horror movie, nicholas roeg, nightmare, scary scenes, serial killer, supernatural thriller
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Check Red Planet Mars At Its Best In Sky On April 8 And 14
April 5, 2014 / 1 Comment
Get ready for some stunning visuals of the red planet on April 8 and 14. Yes, space experts and scientists have now reported that on these two says, Mars will be viewed at its best from earth.
It will reach its highest elevation, and thereby, people can see Mars at its best after midnight.
This can be a rare sight as in some places, the red planet will be seen rising from the east, while the sun will be setting in the west.
Most visuals will be available on April 8, although Mars will be closest to Earth again on April 14, at a distance of 54,400,000 miles).
This is a recurring celestial event, which occurs when Earth and neighboring planet Mars is almost in a same line with respect to the position from the sun.
According to experts, this happens after a gap of 26 months.
The next best and similar spotting of Mars will be seen in 2016, which the red planet will be more close to our earth.
April has always been the best month to see a rare and beautiful view of Mars in the sky, according to experts.
On April 8 and 14, there is a reason to keep an eye on the night sky.
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


The Providence Group of Georgia, LLC, a Green Brick Partner, is proud to announce its recent recognition as a Top 10 Builder by Atlanta Business Chronicle in its annual Book of Lists. Ranked by new home closings in 2017, the luxury home builder earned the No. 7 spot.
Currently, The Providence Group builds approximately 500 homes a year in over 20 new home communities throughout Cherokee, Cobb, DeKalb, Forsyth, Fulton and Gwinnett counties. Priced from the mid-$300,000s to $1 million+, home options include single-family detached homes, two- and three-story townhomes and mid-rise condominiums.
Designed to make it easy to Make Space for Life, homeowners have an impressive number of unique floor plans and stunning exterior designs to choose from at the award-winning Design Center.
Residents at The Providence Group communities enjoy rich amenities such as gated entrances, clubhouses, pools, tennis courts, pocket parks and low-maintenance living with HOA-maintained landscaping and lawn care, to name a few.
To learn more about the 20+ new home communities from The Providence Group throughout Atlanta and the surrounding area, visit www.TheProvidenceGroup.com.


Do not take a hit-and-run charge in lightly. It is a serious offense that can carry devastating consequences that could affect you both personally and professionally for the rest of your life. If you face hit-and-run charges in New Jersey, seek legal help with a Moorestown hit and run lawyer to discuss the best course of action and navigate legal obstacles.
The penalties for a hit-and-run accident are no laughing matter. The state of New Jersey takes these charges very seriously, and the prosecution may attempt to push for the strictest sentence possible in your case.
Furthermore, if the driver is a subsequent offender, he or she likely will lose his or her driver's license permanently.
Due to the penalties, a hit-and-run conviction can carry, it advisable to seek the assistance of a legal professional in New Jersey who can help you in your defense.
Other defenses may be applicable to your case as well. For example, if the other driver was belligerent and you feared for your safety or that of your passengers and decided to drive away, it may be a valid excuse for doing so. This will depend on the evidence and circumstances of the accident.
It is also important to note that an accident still may be considered a hit and run if you caused any property damage, however minor, and still fled the scene. Even in these scenarios, the penalties could have serious implications that affect your future. In the event you are charged with fleeing the scene of an accident in which only property damage was sustained, you still should retain legal help.
Dealing with a hit-and-run charge can be a frightening endeavor, especially without the aid of a legal representative guiding you through the process. If you are being charged with this crime in New Jersey, contact the criminal defense attorneys Dash Farrow, LLP today.
Our Moorestown hit and run lawyers can examine the nature of your case and begin crafting a defense strategy that is personalized to your case. You can reach us by calling (856) 263-3198.


eCommerce is short for electronic commerce and the biggest trend is personification through big data, AI, VR and other technologies that support the customer experience.
There are many obstacles to eCommerce that don't exist in traditional shopping, the biggest one being competition, the second biggest that you cannot see the mistakes you're making or recover when you make them.
@CineplexMovies, @Starbucks, @McDonalds, @TimHortons all have all been successful in designing apps that allow their customers to easily order in advance and save them from waiting in line. Others like @SwissChaletCA have failed miserably (my humble opinion).
Businesses will never be able to ensure award-winning customer service online but they can try & up their chances by hiring eCommerce partner carefully that will create, execute, monitor and optimize eCommerce Strategy including training for front-line staff.
Businesses owners that truly value their customers have a loyalty strategy that ensures every brand experience is easy and pleasant, as frictionless as possible, NEVER break trust, always looking to over deliver and show they care!
Solutions like @eBay and @PayPal really pushed the pencil with payment processing early so most payment processing solutions on the Canadian marekting today accept popular payment methods.
Going cashless reduces accounting and theft numbers I'm sure plus is big time-saver for customers — less time waiting for change — for merchants who have to make floats, deposits, etc.
Abandoned shopping carts is when someone starts buying then stops. It's a huge problem with #eCommerce today and I am writing a column on this right now. Looking forward to hearing everyone else's answers on this.
eCommerce can be the best thing since sliced bread and the worse thing. Involve your top customers in the design, incent them to give you feedback, and ensure customer service is available 24/7 to service people who hit a bug.
You can see a recap of today's chat here.


1) Grateful for: unexpectedly plowed sidewalks on this morning's commute, a colleague who made me an entire container of chocolate chip cookies just for me, and a lovely gift basket from the office.
2) Quote of Yesterday: "Twyttyr is not the place for the most nuanced conversation." — Sorry, I can't remember who said it, but it was in the NYT.
3) Black is not always slimming - at least not when it's the filling of a second coffee eclair it isn't.


text:
package invtweaks;

public enum InvTweaksConfigSortingRuleType {

    RECTANGLE(1),
    ROW(2),
    COLUMN(3),
    SLOT(4);

    private int lowestPriority;
    private int highestPriority;

    InvTweaksConfigSortingRuleType(int priorityLevel) {
        lowestPriority = priorityLevel * 1000000;
        highestPriority = (priorityLevel + 1) * 1000000 - 1;
    }

    // Used for computing rule priorities
    public int getLowestPriority() {
        return lowestPriority;
    }

    // Used for computing lock levels
    public int getHighestPriority() {
        return highestPriority;
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Most insurance policies are pre-formulated standard contracts and the consumer-insured party may question if he is legally obligated to fulfill all terms, after he signs the insurance contract. Are all terms of an insurance contract legally binding? What are the consumer's rights, according to European and Greek law, if his contract contains unfair terms?
Nowadays, everyday activities may carry the risk of significant financial loss. This fact has resulted to the booming of insurance policies, which expand to various fields of human activity. It is generally accepted that insurance policy is a contract between the insurer and the insured. The insured is legally required to pay the premium set in the contract and in exchange, the insurer promises to pay the insured's loss caused by perils which are mentioned in the contract. However, since insurance policies are mainly standard form contracts, they do not always safeguard consumers. For example, consumers rarely negotiate the general and special terms of their contract and they must either fully accept the terms set by the insurance company or decline their services. This brief legal note examines European and Greek legislation on consumers' rights and the validity of certain unfair terms in their contracts, which may be legally invalid.
During the nineties, the European Commission conducted a comparative study of the national laws of member states, relating to the terms of contract between the seller of goods or supplier of services, on the one hand, and the consumer of them on the other hand and noted that their legislation presents marked divergences. As a result, the European Community has issued council directive 93/13/EEC, of 5 April 1993, on unfair terms in consumer contracts and directive 2005/29/EC, of 11 May 2005, concerning unfair business-to-consumer commercial practices in the internal market.
According to article 3 of directive 93/13/EEC, a contractual term, which has not been individually negotiated, shall be regarded as unfair if, contrary to the requirement of good faith, it causes a significant imbalance in the parties' rights and obligations arising under the contract, to the detriment of the consumer. Moreover, a term shall always be regarded as not individually negotiated where it has been drafted in advance and the consumer has therefore not been able to influence the substance of the term, particularly in the context of pre-formulated standard contracts. The unfairness of a contractual term shall be assessed taking into account the nature of the goods or services for which the contract was concluded and by referring at the time of conclusion of the contract, to all the circumstances attending its conclusion (article 4).
Consequently, the terms included in insurance policies, which are usually standard form contracts, must abide by these rules, not causing significant imbalance in the parties' rights and obligations, otherwise they are considered unfair and invalid. Moreover, when all or certain terms are offered to the consumer in writing, these terms must always be drafted in plain, intelligible language. If the meaning of a term is unclear, the interpretation that prevails is the one most favorable to the consumer ( article 5). As a result, if an insurance contract includes an unfair term, then the insured is not obligated to fulfill this specific unfair term. However, the contract is not considered invalid as an entity and it continues to bind the parties (if it is capable of continuing in existence without them).
The Annex of the directive states that certain terms are always considered unfair, for instance when they have the object or effect of enabling the seller to alter unilaterally, without a valid reason, any characteristics of the product or service to be provided. As a result, an insurance contract may include terms, which allow the insurance company to alter the contract, only if there is valid reason for the alternation and the meaning of the term is clear to the consumer.
Finally, according to directive 2005/29/EC, a commercial practice shall be regarded as misleading, in relation to consumer's rights, under directive 1999/44/EC, if it contains false information and is untruthful or it deceives or may deceive the average consumer, even if the information is factually correct, and in either case caused - or is likely to cause – a transactional decision that he would not have made otherwise (article 6 par.1). Consequently, if an insurance contract contains a term, which is described in a purposely vague manner- in order to deceive the consumer into not noticing its impact- this practice shall be regarded as misleading. Member States should ensure that adequate and effective means exist to combat unfair commercial practices, in order to enforce compliance with the provisions of this directive, in the interest of consumers (article 11).
Law 2251/1994 on the Protection of Consumers, the Ministerial Decision YA Z1-629/2005 and law 3587/2007 (incorporation of Directive 2005/29/EC), regulates various consumer issues, such as general terms and conditions of consumer contracts, unfair contract terms, misleading and comparative advertising, product liability etc. This law has transposed Council Directive 93/13 EEC. While article 2.b. of Directive 93/13/EEC defines as a "consumer" any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside his/her business, trade or profession, Greek law has adopted a wider definition. More specifically, according to article 1 par. 4.a of law 2251/1994, a consumer is a person for whom the products and services offered in the market are intended, or the person who uses such products or services, as long as he is the final recipient. It is noted that legal entities also fall within the definition's scope, according to greek law.
Furthermore, article 2 par. 6 of the law renders general terms and conditions as unfair and void, if they cause a significant imbalance to the parties' rights and obligations, arising under the contract, to the detriment of the consumer. The unfairness of a term is assessed, by taking into account the nature of the goods or services for which the contract was concluded and by referring, at the time of the conclusion of the contract, to all the circumstances attending the conclusion of the contract and to all other terms of the contract or of another contract on which it is dependent. Apart from the general regulation of paragraph 6, paragraph 7 is consisted of an indicative, non-exclusive list of thirty-two terms, which are unfair per se.
Moreover, the general terms and conditions, which are entailed in consumer contracts concluded in Greece, should be drafted in Greek language, in a plain and intelligible manner. It is noted that the use of Greek language is mandatory, in cases of international transactions, which take place within the Greek market (article 2 par. 2).


Organic Surge is a brand I had never heard of or used until I received this face wash in a Betrousse box many many months a go. As a beauty blogger it takes time to get round to using things and giving them a fair trial and review.
"Organic Surge channels the vibrancy and goodness of nature into our everyday lives. With products as individual as we are, natural formulas and charitable links, Organic Surge is dedicated to making life better wherever we can, starting with you."
Organic Surge Pure & Clean Face Wash 200ml RRP £5.99.
The packaging I have (from as far as I can tell) is the older style packaging, they have recently updated it to a sleek looking tube. This face wash claims to balance and stimulate skin, removes makeup and impurities without drying the skin. Organic Surge's products contain 96% natural products, all of their packaging is recyclable and they are against animal testing, hurrah!
I LOVE this face wash for ALL of the above reasons. I really like how it comes in a pump style bottle, dispensing one use per pump, I also love the scent (rosemary and lemon essential oils are packing in to here), I love that it lathers up really well and there is another big reason I love it, it really helps my oily skin, I have noticed a big improvement in my 'oiliness' after using this for a while, it also lasts for so long!!!
Organic Surge have their own website, they are also stocked in larger Boots stores and even John Lewis!
I will be extremely interested in trying out more from the range as if this product is anything to go by they will be fabulous!
Have you used or heard of Organic Surge?
I hadn't either Julie, glad I have now though!
This is a new brand for me, but having read your review, I think I'll have to try some of their products.


South Florida Doctors Group (Hialeah) - Book Appointment Online!
This doctor was great! She took her time to answer all my questions. Granted I did wait to be seen but it was worth it.
Very nice, knowledgable and professional doctor. The office staff also very nice and helpful.


damage to any other property.
The way earthquake-prone buildings are identified, assessed and managed changed when the Building (Earthquake-prone Buildings) Amendment Act 2016 came into effect on 1 July 2017. This is determined by the Territorial Authority (Council) of the district in which the building is situated.
The primary objective of identifying earthquake prone buildings is to protect people from harm. New Zealand is categorised into three seismic risk areas high, medium and low. These areas are used to set time frames for identifying, strengthening or removing earthquake-prone buildings. Selwyn District is in the high seismic risk area.
are used as hostels, boarding houses or other types of specialised accommodation.
All earthquake-prone buildings in New Zealand are listed on a centralised national register. This means individual councils no longer need to have a register, but they are working with NZ Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment to transition to the new system and provide information for building owners.
education buildings occupied by at least 20 people (including early childhood centres, schools, private training and tertiary institutes).
Earthquake-prone buildings are not considered any more dangerous than they were before being identified, so business can continue as normal. What it does do is provide a timeframe for shoring up buildings to make sure they are as safe as possible during future earthquakes.
When a building with multiple unit titles is deemed earthquake-prone, the owner of each title will be issued with a separate earthquake-prone building notice.
complete remedial work or demolish the building within 15 years of the date of the original notice.
Orange and black striped border – buildings with an earthquake rating of 0% to less than 20% or where no engineering assessment has been provided and the earthquake rating has not been determined.
White and black striped border – buildings that have an earthquake rating of 20% to less than 34%.
The risk of failure under seismic load is approximately 10–25 times the risk of failure for buildings that are 100%NBS.
Orange border – buildings that were given a section 124 notice before 1 July 2017, where the earthquake rating is not known.
Orange and white striped border – buildings or parts assessed as earthquake prone but owners exempted from carrying out seismic work. Exemption notices must be attached in a prominent place on or adjacent to the building.
Heritage buildings are covered by the earthquake strengthening provisions of the Building Act 2004 in the same way as other buildings. Owners of heritage listed buildings are encouraged to work with Council's heritage experts to achieve practical outcomes that preserves both public safety and the building's heritage.
Council has access to grants which may assist with repairs and maintenance or pay for a conservation plan to provide guidance on the best way to strengthen a heritage building without compromising the heritage values.
For further information regarding a heritage listed building/structure please contact the Duty Planner via heritagefunds@selwyn.govt.nz or 03 347 2868.
An earthquake-prone building can be bought or sold.
The new owner will become responsible for the seismic strengthening, therefore it is recommended that purchasers undertake independent investigations prior to purchasing a property that is likely to be earthquake-prone.
Buildings being altered may require additional upgrade work carried out on them in additional to strengthening work in respect of provisions relating to means of escape from fire and access and facilities for people with disabilities (refer s133AT of the Building Act 2004 for details).
The classification of a building as earthquake-prone can be challenged. Building owners will need to produce their own engineers report in order to challenge the initial seismic assessment (ISA) result.
If an engineer has already carried out structural engineering design work on the earthquake affected building, it is likely that the same engineer should do an ISA review because of their existing familiarity with the building. Council will review the initial ISA based on further information you supply.
If you are still unhappy with Council's decision you can ask the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment to make a determination on whether your building is earthquake-prone.
Building owners can apply for an exemption or extension under certain circumstances.
b) poses a low risk of injury to people and damage to other property in the event of an earthquake.
b) on the National Historic Landmarks list.
Send your application in writing with reasoning to justify your request to earthquakeprone@selwyn.govt.nz.
We are currently engaging with the community in relation to strategic routes and thoroughfares associated with earthquake prone buildings.
You can have your say via our Council website during the consultation period between 28 January 2019 to 1 March 2019.
Building owners need to develop their own internal policies and procedures. All tenants must be aware of these processes and know what to do prior to an event.
Anyone running a business is required by law to provide a work environment that is without identifiable risks to health and safety. The Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 does not set a minimum standard, rather it says that all practical steps are taken to remove or minimise the risk from identified hazards.
Following a significant seismic event, Council recommends building owners/operators get buildings assessed for potential structural damage that may have been caused by the earthquake.
The following four-step approach will help you work out if buildings are safe.
Initial assessment by owner/operator. If this finds significant issues/damage then further assessment is required.
You should hire a chartered professional engineer if there is any doubt.
If there is any concern about the structural integrity of the building, do not enter. Seek professional chartered engineering advice and guidance and advise occupants that the building is not to be occupied and move to step.
Chartered engineer inspects key elements of the building structure. This may include invasive techniques. It is recommended that the same engineer/engineering company does this for continuity and familiarity of the building.
Buildings are not to be occupied until the engineer declares that it is safe to occupy.
Once the engineer has declared the building safe to occupy, organise an inspection of building services and systems by suitably qualified professionals/Independent Qualified Person, e.g. fire protection, electrical, water, lifts, heating and air conditioning, or security.
If any services/systems are damaged, you may not be able to occupy the building until they are fixed.
Any other damaged areas identified as needing repair are also remediated in this stage.
A final check is done to ensure that the building is safe to occupy in accordance with building warrant of fitness and building code regulations and policies.
Building is cleared and fit to reoccupy.


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Testronic Announces Digital Media Project In New Orleans
Digital firm to launch in New Orleans Exchange Centre; project to result in over 300 new direct, indirect jobs
NEW ORLEANS — Today, Gov. John Bel Edwards and Testronic executive Mike Betti announced the company will launch a new 150-job testing facility for digital games in New Orleans. As one of the leading quality assurance firms in the digital gaming industry, Testronic provides outsourced testing services to a global game-development clientele. Testronic will open its new quality assurance location in the New Orleans Exchange Centre, formerly Chevron Place, located at 935 Gravier Street.
Upon ramping up to full employment at its New Orleans facility in five years, the company will produce an annual payroll of more than $5 million. Louisiana Economic Development estimates the Testronic project will result in another 169 new indirect jobs, for a total of 319 new jobs in New Orleans and the Southeast Region.
"New Orleans has emerged as a leading hub for new investments in digital media and software development, and this investment from Testronic is the latest in a series of victories for Louisiana's growing digital media industry," Gov. Edwards said. "Testronic provides quality assurance services to companies that are at the cutting-edge of digital gaming products, and New Orleans is the ideal setting for their new testing facility. I am proud to have seen this field's tremendous growth over the past four years as we have actively engaged in diversifying Louisiana's economy."
The selection of New Orleans by Testronic is a digital interactive media and entertainment success for Louisiana, as well as a foreign direct investment win. Founded in 1998, Testronic is headquartered in the U.K., and has U.S. operations in Burbank, California. The company also operates other studios in Poland and Chile.
"We're thrilled to officially launch our North American Games QA facility in New Orleans, and we want to thank the State of Louisiana, GNO Inc. and the City of New Orleans for their shared commitment and partnership," said Vice President of Business Development Mike Betti. "The center is integral to Testronic's strategic growth objectives: delivering industry-leading testing and localization solutions to our clients, and creating new opportunities for current and future employees. New Orleans was an ideal choice due to its strong talent pool and friendly business environment."
Testing products and games is a key function of Testronic, with a broad team of testers who ensure issues are identified and addressed. Testronic will provide entry-level technology jobs in New Orleans as a gateway to the digital gaming and interactive entertainment industry. Testing employees will gain valuable technology and communications skills for advancing in the industry.
"New Orleans is proving itself to be a major hub for a growing technology industry," said Mayor LaToya Cantrell. "We are seeing more companies choosing New Orleans as their home to grow their businesses and meeting our people where they are, while recognizing that there is a skilled workforce worth investing in. Alongside the Governor's Office and our private partners, we are making a real impact in the city and moving the needle for our people around economic mobility."
To secure Testronic's investment in New Orleans, the State of Louisiana is providing the company with a competitive incentive package that includes the comprehensive workforce development solutions of LED FastStart®, ranked the No. 1 state workforce training program in the U.S. Testronic also is expected to utilize the state's Digital Media incentive.
"Testronic's decision to locate their new testing lab in New Orleans is yet another validation of our decade-long effort to make Greater New Orleans and Louisiana a new hub for technology and innovation," said President and CEO Michael Hecht of GNO Inc. "Significantly, the Testronic jobs will provide economic opportunities for many across our region to build and grow their careers. The attraction of a global videogame service provider will further support GNO Inc.'s efforts to build out the videogame sector throughout the region, underscoring our mission to provide a thriving economy that allows everyone to participate and prosper."
"We are encouraged by Testronic's vote of confidence in New Orleans," said Quentin L. Messer, Jr., president and CEO of New Orleans Business Alliance. "This project win is not only further validation of the city's growing recognition as a tech hub but also a win for many friends and neighbors who are hungry for the chance to enter the technology industry professionally. While quite demanding, Testronic's jobs are accessible for a wide range of skills and will be the first step into tech for countless New Orleanians."
About Testronic
Testronic is an international Quality Assurance and Localization company providing award-winning services to the entertainment industries, including games, film and television. Established in 1998, and based in London, Testronic employs nearly 1,000 testers and has grown its operations to facilities in Warsaw, Burbank, and Santiago. A trusted partner for leading video game publishers and digital media companies across the globe, Testronic offers the following services: Functionality QA, Localization QA, Translation, Compatibility, Compliance, Player Support and Live Ops. Quality matters to Testronic: It has for over 20 years. For more information, visit testroniclabs.com.
National Technology Firm to Establish New Orleans Talent Hub, Create 150 Jobs
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Rural Sourcing to Establish 150-Job Software Development Center in Downtown Baton Rouge


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Georgia Cancer Center participates in initiative to understand racial, ethnic, age disparities in six cancers
Toni Baker3 min readMarch 28, 2017
(l to r) Dr. Roni J. Bollag, Dr. Sharad A. Ghamande and Dr. Edward J. Kruse,
The Georgia Cancer Center at Augusta University is one of a dozen sites across the nation helping build a molecular profile of six cancers that often strike early and disparately.
Cancers of the breast, prostate, colorectal system, liver and kidney as well as multiple myeloma, a cancer of the plasma cells that make antibodies to fight viruses and bacteria, strike earlier, deadlier and more often in some racial and ethnic groups, the National Cancer Institute has shown.
Now patients and scientists at cancer centers like Augusta's are helping build a databank of information about the cancers that will ultimately help identify better prevention, diagnosis and treatment to address the disparities, said Dr. Sharad A Ghamande, chief of the Section of Gynecologic Oncology at the Medical College of Georgia and associate director for clinical research at the Georgia Cancer Center.
"This offers great potential to be a part of something that makes a big a difference for our patients and for all patients with cancer," said Ghamande, a principal investigator on the NCI minority Community Oncology Research Program, or NCORP, grant at the Georgia Cancer Center and MCG.
It's the NCORPs, which work to ensure underserved patients have access to cancer treatment, including enrollment in innovative treatment trials, which comprise the national network for this new NCI effort, the Early Onset Malignancies Initiative. The Georgia Cancer Center has been awarded $132,000 from the NCI for the new effort.
The NCI estimates it will take about two years to collect sufficient data and material on 2,400 patients across the nation with early onset of the six cancers who are black, Hispanic, American Indian, Alaska Native or white.
With the patient's consent, blood and tissue samples along with demographic information and clinical updates at six months and one year, will be provided to the national databank. The material will enable researchers across the nation to do detailed genomic and other studies that can help parse more about how and why these cancers occur differently in various racial and ethnic groups.
Like pervasive hypertension, some cancers, such as prostate and breast, tend to occur earlier and be more aggressive in blacks than whites, said Dr. Jim Kruse, chief of surgical oncology at MCG and the Georgia Cancer Center. And, like hypertension, we mostly don't know why, said Kruse.
Answers typically are not evident from usual examinations of biopsy tissues and blood samples, said Dr. Roni J. Bollag, MCG pathologist and director of the Biorepository at the Georgia Cancer Center. "We are trying to get to the molecular part of it." Bollag notes this initiative is a continuation of the NCI's Center for Cancer Genomics, which supports genomic analysis of large cancer samples to better understand underlying disease mechanisms.
"Is it a genetic mutation that will be passed down to the family? Is it something that is just unique to that individual? We really do not know that now," Ghamande said.
But the realities of disparities can be stark and deadly. Prostate cancer, for example, which is commonly diagnosed at age 66, according to the American Cancer Society, tends to be a cancer most men live with rather than die from, Kruse said, unless it occurs early. Before age 55, the cancer tends to be found at a later stage and require more aggressive treatment. Black men overall are more likely to have prostate cancer and nearly 2.5 times more likely to die from it than white males, according to the Prostate Cancer Foundation.
American Indians and Alaska Natives have 1.6 times higher rates of kidney cancer and 1.9 times higher rates of death than whites from this cancer that most often affects the lining of the tubules that filter and clean the blood, according to the NCI. The incidence of liver cancer is nearly twice the incidence in Hispanics age 20 to 59 versus whites in the same age range. And, even though breast cancer rates overall are lower in black women than white women, mortality rates are higher in black women and it tends to be diagnosed at a younger age, according to the Susan G. Komen organization.
Bollag, Distinguished Chair for Oncologic Pathology, is a 2004 graduate of MCG. The decade-old Biorepository at the Georgia Cancer Center also has a wide array of samples from different types of cancer that are used for diagnosis and research purposes. Cancer researchers in Augusta also will have preferential access to the NCI databank being built through the NCI's Early Onset Malignancies Initiative.
The Georgia Cancer Center's partners in the ongoing minority NCORP include Georgia's Morehouse School of Medicine, DeKalb Medical Center, University Cancer and Blood Center LLC, the Georgia Southern University Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health and Phoebe Cancer Center, which all help serve significant minority populations. About 35 percent of the Georgia Cancer Center's patients are minorities, Ghamande said.
Tagged asbreast cancercancergastrointestinal cancergenitourinary cancerGeorgia Cancer CenterJim Krusekidney cancerliver cancermcgfeedMedical College of GeorgiaNational Cancer InstituteNCI Community Oncology Research ProgramObstetrics and Gynecologyprostate cancerRoni BollagSharad Ghamande
Toni Baker
Toni Baker is the Communications Director at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University. Contact her to schedule an interview on this topic or with one of our experts at 706-721-4421 or tbaker@augusta.edu.
$2.25 million NIH grant enables exploration of a pathway to better vaccines
Dr. Caprice Greenberg named MCG Department of Surgery chair
Jennifer Hilliard Scott
Traditional model for disease spread may not work in COVID-19
Written by	Toni Baker
Ergul named Regents Professor
Neuroscientist exploring potential of fat-derived hormones in depression, PTSD is new GRA Eminent Scholar


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require "spec_helper"

describe GraphQL::StaticValidation::RequiredArgumentsArePresent do
  let(:query_string) {"
    query getCheese {
      cheese(id: 1) { source }
      cheese { source }
    }

    fragment cheeseFields on Cheese {
      similarCheese(id: 1)
      flavor @include(if: true)
      id @skip
    }
  "}

  let(:validator) { GraphQL::StaticValidation::Validator.new(schema: DummySchema, rules: [GraphQL::StaticValidation::RequiredArgumentsArePresent]) }
  let(:query) { GraphQL::Query.new(DummySchema, query_string) }
  let(:errors) { validator.validate(query)[:errors] }

  it "finds undefined arguments to fields and directives" do
    assert_equal(3, errors.length)

    query_root_error = {
      "message"=>"Field 'cheese' is missing required arguments: id",
      "locations"=>[{"line"=>4, "column"=>7}],
      "path"=>["query getCheese", "cheese"],
    }
    assert_includes(errors, query_root_error)

    fragment_error = {
      "message"=>"Field 'similarCheese' is missing required arguments: source",
      "locations"=>[{"line"=>8, "column"=>7}],
      "path"=>["fragment cheeseFields", "similarCheese"],
    }
    assert_includes(errors, fragment_error)

    directive_error = {
      "message"=>"Directive 'skip' is missing required arguments: if",
      "locations"=>[{"line"=>10, "column"=>10}],
      "path"=>["fragment cheeseFields", "id"],
    }
    assert_includes(errors, directive_error)
  end
end


A new way of following me.
We will be making our first appearance at The Book Miser, December 10th, 51 Sandy Plains Road, a block from Hwy. 92 on December 10th from 12-noon to 3 pm.
The Killers Next Door will also be appearing at Wilbur & Rudy's Farmtable, 850 Hickory Flat Road in Milton on January 28th 2017. Afternoon time TBD.
Our third gig together as The Killers Next Door will be an event you've got to see. I don't have a date and venue yet, but it's coming soon. Actors will act out scenes from my novels, published and yet to be published. I've written the scripts an we're rehearsing the parts. I'm booked at the Books for Less in Buford on February 17 at 6:30 pm. It's a Killers Next Door event, but I might debut my dramatic performance at this event. Stay tuned for details.
March 25th – I'll be appearing at the Dahlonega Literary Festival. It's held at the St. Luke's Baptist Church. I'll be appearing all day as a Regional Writer in the ballroom. Come up to the festival, stop by and say hello, and partake in the many several festival programs and the culture of the Dahlonega area. You've find wineries with tastings, arts and crafts of all kinds, hiking and great dining.


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11 Best Apps Like Snapchat & Alternatives for Android
by Lennox AndersonPosted on November 30, 2022
Home » Apps » 11 Best Apps Like Snapchat & Alternatives for Android
Sharing moments and staying in touch with your loved ones is fun with Snapchat until you notice some issues such as an overwhelming interface and unavailable "last seen" status. Luckily, some apps like Snapchat can help you get rid of these and give you a better chat experience.
If you are tired of using Snapchat and you plan to grab a new one, there are a few chat apps to try out. Some platforms are built with more features than others, allowing you to pick one that meets your personal preferences. Let's have a closer look at the most potential options.
Best Apps Like Snapchat for Android
2. Telegram
3. WeChat
4. KakaoTalk
5. Messenger
6. Line
7. Wickr Me
8. Signal
9. Yubo
10. Discord
11. Steam Chat
Today's chat apps like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger are powered by end-to-end encryption so third-party cannot read or listen to your conversations. Some apps come packed with advanced features such as emojis, group calls, and even payment support.
WhatsApp is a widely used chat app with millions of active users throughout the globe. It could be the perfect alternative to Snapchat for some reasons, including user-friendly interface, powerful privacy and security, and abundant features.
With WhatsApp, you can send text messages, documents of various formats, photos, videos, locations, and many more. For better communication, experience a seamless voice call or video call with your friends or family. You can either choose 1-on-1 or group calls.
Enhance your social life with WhatsApp status. This feature allows you to share your precious moments or daily activities with everyone in your contact. You can also view other's status and leave a message to appreciate them. If you want to limit your audience, it lets you change status privacy settings.
Back up your conversations and media so you will never lose them. Whenever needed, you can easily restore chat history and read them later. WhatsApp is free and it is compatible with most Android versions.
Telegram is a powerful Snapchat alternative that promises improved communication. When a simple UI meets easy-to-use features, it provides you with convenient instant messaging. Not only does it support text chat, but also it allows you to make video calls and voice calls.
This cross-platform application runs well on a variety of devices and operating systems. Thanks to synchronization support, you can easily sync across devices and never miss any important chats. This also means you can check new messages or history from your handheld device or computer.
One of Telegram's main highlights is security and privacy. All chats and calls performed in this app are end-to-end encrypted, so the third party cannot see or listen to your messages. Besides, your data remains private because only you can control it.
This app like Snapchat offers unlimited, cloud-based storage for your media, documents, and chats. No need to worry about running out of space or losing your data. Simply access them whenever you need and restore to your device.
Statistics show that WeChat has more than 100M+ downloads on Google Play Store. This clearly signifies users' interests and satisfaction to their services, features, and accessibility. Not only can you make calls and chats, but also you can share special moments, daily life, and mobile payments.
When it comes to communicating with your friends or family, WeChat makes it possible to send text, voice notes, videos, location, and many more. It also supports a vast group chats up to 500 members. But if you are more into calls, it offers voice and video calls with high quality.
WeChat has other useful features, such as Moments to share your daily life; Sticker gallery to express yourself and make chats livelier; Selfie Stickers to make your own stickers; and WeChat Out which allows you to make calls around the globe at low rates.
If you are concerned about privacy, it lets you control your privacy so you can communicate with peace of mind. On top of all, this app like Snapchat supports mobile payment with which you can pay from this app using Pay and Wallet. However, this feature is currently available in certain regions.
See also 11 Best Eye Color Changer Apps for Android
KakaoTalk makes your communication fun and simple across devices. More than 150M+ people use this app to stay connected, making one of the most widely used instant messaging apps worldwide. You can thank the abundant features, intuitive UI, and easy-to-use tools.
Text messages and calls come standard. You can create group chats with unlimited numbers and make 1-on-1 or group calls. What's amazing, it has an open chat feature that offers an easy way to find new friends from other places and chat anonymously.
Improve your chat experience with profile and theme customization. Feel free to change your themes to suit your mood. You can also create a unique profile using photos, stickers, videos, and many more. A wide selection of stickers is available to choose from.
This free app like Snapchat has more features to offer, such as live talk to experience live chat and streaming in real time; Kakao Channel that contains exclusive deals and coupons from various brands; and location sharing. It also has in-app purchases to enjoy this platform to its fullest.
Brought to you by Meta Platforms, Inc., Messenger is a renowned alternative to Snapchat which has got billions of users across the globe. It was initially integrated to Facebook but now it is available as a standalone app though it still requires your Facebook account to sign in.
In addition to text messaging, voice call, and video call functionalities that come standard, Messenger has many other features. Watch Together, for instance, comes in handy to watch fun videos with your friends so you can share your thoughts about the video.
Messenger also supports chat customizations with a vast collection of beautiful and fun themes. Choose a theme that suits your moods and enliven the conversations. You can also find tons of fun stickers and GIFs to improve your chat experience.
Messenger comes packed with privacy settings that help you secure your chats. Similar to most apps like Snapchat, it boasts end-to-end encryption to protect your messages from third party. For this reason, Messenger can be a great app not only for personal use but also for business.
Line is designed to level up your communication with loved ones. This free app supports voice and video calls in addition to text messaging that comes basic. One of Line's key features is limitless stickers which help you express yourself during conversation.
Line is a game changer when it comes to stickers and emojis. With countless choices of stickers from developers and contributors, you can always find the right ones for your words. Plus, it allows you to use different themes to customize your app.
Another key feature to try is Line Voom with which you can find posts and accounts that come to your interests. Once you find them, start following them so you will never miss their latest posts. It also has a Home feature that gives you access to friends' birthdays, sticker shops, and other services.
This app similar to Snapchat is free. However, you can buy in-app purchases at various rates to unlock more features. More than 500M+ people use this platform to communicate and maybe you will be the next.
Wickr Me puts your privacy as priority. With this app, you can have a 1-on-1 or group chat, voice call, and voice memo with end-to-end encryption. It promises full protection to your images, files, and documents as well as gives you full control over access permission to your content.
This explains why Wickr Me private messenger app has been trusted for critical communications. With end-to-end encryption, Wickr and other parties do not have access to your messages and contact list. Plus, it doesn't ask for your personal information such as phone number and email address.
When it comes to features, this app like Snapchat highlights Shredder that overwrites deleted content from your device, ensuring no one can access it. You can also create a group of 10 members to communicate.
Configuration expiration timer is another excellent feature to find in Wickr Me. It allows you to set the expiration time for your messages and you don't need to delete them manually. This is an efficient way to keep your secret messages a secret.
Simplify your daily communication with Signal. This private messenger app has millions of active users who send and receive millions of messages as well as make HD voice and video calls every day. With a complete set of useful features, it keeps you connected with the loved ones.
Signal comes with a boast of advanced end-to-end encryption technology which lets you focus on sharing moments. It also has disappearing messages that will keep your history clean, not to mention it helps you get rid of nosy friends.
One unique feature you barely find on other messaging apps is customized alert. Feel free to customize alerts for each contact so you can easily identify the sender from the notification sounds. You can also disable sounds completely for any contact that you don't like.
Furthermore, this app like Snapchat includes built-in image editing filters with which you can crop, sketch, and flip photos before sending them. There is also a text tool that allows you to add words to the pictures.
Yubo is more than a messaging app but it is a social platform with a lot of functionalities. Not only can you say hi to people with a chat feature, but also you can make new friends through live streaming. If chatting with your friends makes you bored then Yubo promises an exciting experience.
Before starting a conversation with other user, you need to either join live streams or add people. It also has a Swipe feature that allows you to find people nearby or from other countries. Check if they have similar interests to you.
For a fun chat experience, Yubo comes loaded with game feature. While waiting for your friend to reply, you can play fun games such as drawing quiz, guessing pictures, and many more.
This chat app is free to download. If you want to unlock more advanced features, Yubo provides you with in-app purchases that are available at different rates.
If you are looking for an app like Snapchat that supports your communication then Discord could be the best bet. This application lets you stay in touch with friends, family, or community through text chat, voice call, and video call either 1-on-1 or groups.
To use Discord, you will need a server that organizes channels based on your favorite topics. Once you join a channel, it allows you to share files and documents, collaborate, and even conduct a meeting. Thanks to high fidelity, you can enjoy crystal-clear calls.
In addition, Discord is a fun app to create your own emojis. Simply take a photo and let this app turn it into a unique emoji. Share happiness by sending them with your friends. You can also share files like videos, stories, and photos.
Discord has got 100M+ downloads and is still counting. Download this app for free and enjoy default features or buy in-app purchases to unlock advanced functionalities.
Seamless chat and calls experience are everything Steam promises to you. Often used by gamers, it comes packed with a number of key features. Let's mention Friends List which lets you see who is online and Rich Chat which improves your conversations with videos, GIFs, emoticons, and many more.
It also has customizable notifications that ensure you won't miss a message or invite. Customize notifications for each friend, channel, or group chat for easier identification. Besides 1-on-1 chat, it supports group chats to make it easier to stay connected to your community.
Snapchat is a fun messaging app but you may want to migrate to other applications for some reason. Now that you know a list of apps like Snapchat with different features and functionalities, finding one that meets your needs should be easier.
Published by Lennox Anderson
Android has always been a passion of mine. I love writing about the latest and greatest Android devices, apps, and games. I'm always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to use my Android device, and I enjoy sharing my findings with others. I hope to continue writing about Android for many years to come! View all posts by Lennox Anderson
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People often regard tension negatively possibly because it is an occurrence usually associated with negative situations or experiences. It is even sometimes regarded as a state of mind. Tension is actually a natural functioning of muscles. Unlike its negative connotation, this physiological occurrence mainly serves as a protective act of maintaining the muscle's state despite constant stretching or pulling. Tension is what prevents the muscles from completely tearing apart. However, experiencing this often can take a toll on the muscles and may eventually cause fatigue and muscle rigidity. When this happens, it may lead to other muscular problems and even health problems not clearly related to muscle physiology such as headaches.
During stressful situations, a person's muscles increase their tension property unconsciously. This may possibly be due to the changes stress creates within one's brain governing chemical balances. Since the brain basically directs every movement of a person's body as well as other functioning of the entire system, altering chemical movements in the brain can cause changes within the entire body. Most of these changes are unconsciously experienced by a person which is why it is often difficult to control voluntarily. Tension of muscles become troublesome when it is often experienced, causes fatigue, and cannot be easily monitored since it happens without the person's knowledge of it.
The effects of this can range from just a simple fatigue to a worse case of a chronic headache. Though these conditions may seem not a cause of the alarm, in the long run, it can be greatly disrupting to any person's daily functioning. Headaches may not necessarily need hospitalization. However, it can surely prevent one from going to work or even performing important daily tasks. Because of a headache, a person's stress level may further escalate, thus, causing a continuous process of cause and effect between stress and headaches. This situation when prolonged may become more difficult to treat or manage. Thus, strong medications may already be needed to solve the problem.
Despite of the benefits of using prescription drugs, it can still cause several side effects, which is another downside. Some side effects may even be worse than the actual sickness itself. Some medications may not be as strong as the other prescription medications but may still be as potent or effective in treating chronic pain. These are usually the drugs that are initially prescribed by doctors when patients come to them complaining of tension headaches. As much as possible doctors mainly avoid to induce further pain and difficulties to their patients. Those are factors that need to be considered as well despite a drug's effectiveness.
Another issue concerning this situation is the availability of some supposedly prescription medications for tension headaches. Because they are sometimes accessible even without a prescription, people tend to self-prescribe and self-medicate. Situations which should have been prevented by the regulation of knowledgeable doctors will, therefore, have a greater possibility of happening. Also, simple health problems such as tension headaches may aggravate or may further develop into other worse complications because of this reckless actions. Thus, it results to what usually happens as an unnecessary mistake. Meager health problems such as chronic headaches brought about by stress and tension then becomes fatal.


Nintendo will reveal the Nintendo NX today. In fact, if you're reading this article at the time of its publication, we're less than an hour away from the reveal.
In the time since its initial announcement, we've seen tons of leaks and rumors about the NX. Some of them have been confirmed fake hoaxes, like the pair of controllers that showed up earlier this year. Other claims stand as rumors with many points of substantiation.
Let's recap a tiny slice of those rumors and see if we can paint an accurate picture of the Nintendo NX ahead of its unveiling.
This is the big one. We've heard multiple times from countless sources that the Nintendo NX will let players take the games they're playing at home and bring them along to play on a portable. This console supposedly does both.
Eurogamer has reported that the controller will have a screen in the center and detachable controllers on both sides. When in portable form, the NX will be played with the controllers attached. Players will be able to set the device down, remove the controllers and play on a surface. The NX can also be plugged into a TV for traditional console play.
The screen will, according to insider Emily Rogers (she has a strong track record), be 6.2″ diagonally. It will offer 720p resolution. She puts the console's "raw power" below the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, though others have indicated it's better than that.
This rumor, to me, feels just about confirmed. The Nintendo NX will use cartridges for games as opposed to discs. Recent trademarks mention the medium, and chipmaker Macronix received an order for chips from Nintendo.
Cartridges have come a long way in recent years. They're faster than discs, and they can hold a lot more data.
MCV has it from several sources that the first six months for the NX will be big for mainstay franchises. We know The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is set for the NX. Their sources say we'll see a Pokémon game and even a major Mario title.
Pikmin 4 is also supposedly close to completion.
Moreover, Game Freak committed to making games for the console. Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot has praised it multiple times on record, too.
It seems like the lineup is better than what we got out of the gate with the Wii U.
There's other stuff out there, too.
UK retailer Tesco had the system priced at £349.99. That's roughly $450.
One source says there are no plans for backwards compatibility for the Wii U, which is a bummer.
It will have something like the PlayStation 4's Share Button.
The system will apparently not be region locked.
As of right now, it's coming in March 2017.
What do you think will stick?


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Marble Ridge Capital Founder Admits to Neiman Fraud
Chris Dolmetsch,
Katherine Doherty &
Steven Church
2:47 AM IST, 03 Feb 2021 5:22 PM IST, 04 Feb 2021 2:47 AM IST, 03 Feb 2021 5:22 PM IST, 04 Feb 2021
(Bloomberg) -- Marble Ridge Capital founder Dan Kamensky pleaded guilty to fraud, five months after he was charged with abusing his position on a Neiman Marcus Group Inc. bankruptcy committee to purchase assets at an artificially low price.
Kamensky, 48, of Roslyn, New York, was charged by federal prosecutors in Manhattan in September with pressuring a rival to abandon a higher bid for Neiman Marcus assets so Marble Ridge could get them cheaper. The luxury department store chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in May and Kamensky was a member of a committee of unsecured creditors.
"Mr. Kamensky has admitted what he did was wrong," his lawyer, Joon H. Kim, said in an emailed statement. "He deeply regrets his conduct on July 31, 2020 and the great pain it has caused his family, colleagues and others."
According to federal sentencing guidelines, Kamensky should get 12 to 18 months in prison, prosecutors said. Under the deal, either side can ask for a sentence outside the guidelines, although a judge isn't required to accept any recommendation. Kamensky, who is free on bond, is scheduled to be sentenced on May 7. He could face a fine of as much as $55,000.
Even in contentious bankruptcy cases, where creditors and debtors often exchange charges of bad faith and unfair deal-making, it is rare for criminal charges to be filed.
In a hearing last year before a bankruptcy judge in Houston who referred Kamensky to federal prosecutors, the judge criticized the investor in unusually personal language, at one point calling him a thief "of the lowest character."
Read more: Judge Blasts Marble Ridge's Kamensky in Court
A day after Kamensky's arrest, the bankruptcy judge approved a plan that handed ownership to Neiman Marcus creditors in return for forgiving about $4 billion of the chain's $5.5 billion in borrowings.
"Daniel Kamensky abused his position as a committee member in the Neiman Marcus bankruptcy to corrupt the process for distributing assets and take extra profits for himself and his hedge fund," Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said in a statement Wednesday.
New York-based Marble Ridge was founded in 2015 by Kamensky, a former partner at hedge fund Paulson & Co. who started his career as a bankruptcy attorney. The firm specialized in distressed debt investments and the restructuring of troubled issuers.
Marble Ridge shut down and started returning money to investors in August after a U.S. government investigation found Kamensky, its managing partner, at fault for trying to interfere with Neiman's auction of assets in bankruptcy.
Kamensky was accused of securities fraud, extortion and obstruction for pressuring an investment bank to drop its plan to outbid Marble Ridge for a stake in Neiman's Mytheresa unit during the luxury retailer's bankruptcy, and then seeking to cover it up.
Creditors were demanding a piece of Mytheresa to compensate for their losses and counting on Kamensky to help get the highest return for everyone. U.S. officials claim Kamensky sought to take advantage of his role to benefit his portfolio at the expense of the other creditors.
As part of a separate settlement with the U.S. trustee, an arm of the Justice Department that monitors corporate bankruptcies, Kamensky agreed to pay $1.4 million to cover attorney fees related to the investigation of his conduct and agreed not to try to collect any debt Neiman Marcus may owe him until other creditors are repaid. He also agreed to make $100,000 in charitable donations and perform 200 hours of community service. Kamensky has agreed never to serve on another official bankruptcy committee.


This morning started just like a joke, with an Irishman in a bar.
Owing to a spontaneous message from an old work colleague I was sitting in a bar by 9am on my first full day in Myanmar drinking a beer and smoking a cigarette with a man I had just met.
Cameras by our side, we had one mission, to take the short ferry from the capital across to Dala and spend the day exploring the local villages there. Despite its strategic location near Yangon, the township is still largely rural and undeveloped mainly because it still lacks a bridge across the Yangon river, with connections between the township and the city being by ferry only.
I had been told that Dala was pretty rough and not very safe for tourists to visit so I was grateful for the male company.
On the ferry across we sampled an array of local produce including fresh lychees still in their shells and boiled quail eggs (I was relieved to discover they were boiled as raw quail eggs are also a popular snack food here). On the other side we bustled through the chaos of locals departing the ferry and taxi drivers trying to hustle a job. We organised two scooters with drivers and asked them to take us to any nearby fishing village.
What followed was a day of tea drinking, lots of spontaneity (including getting on a riverboat with no idea of it's destination until we reached it), communication challenges, photographing and interacting with locals, searching for miles and miles for a restaurant we could each lunch at, a lot more beer drinking, dancing kids, and bamboo villages.
During the day I saw just one other traveler and he seemed just as shocked to see us as we him, with him asking how we came to find out about the bamboo village. I was overwhelmed with the warmth of the people and the feeling of being completely off the beaten track despite being just a 20 minute boat ride from Yangon.


6/15/2K: One of our anonymous field operatives sent in this report. Thanks, KT!
Apple has registered AirSurf as a trademark. That's all most people know so far, but I've got inside sources spilling the guts on this development.
Turns out this innovation goes hand in hand with another rumored product, one that was actually denied by Apple. Apple and Palm Computing have been developing an Apple branded Palm device.
The new product will come in two configurations, one for consumers and one for professionals, making a new row on Apple's product grid. Sources very close to the operation report seeing the names iPad and PowerPad printed on prototypes, which would also adhere to Apple's product naming scheme. The iPad will be a Palm III, but in a much more colorful casing. It will be available in two colors, tangerine and blueberry, the same as the iBook. The PowerPad will build off the Palm VII and be cased with the graphite color scheme. This is where AirSurf comes into play.
Instead of the cellular modem used in the Palm VII, the PowerPad will have an AirPort card, allowing it to communicate wirelessly with any Airport network,and letting it surf the Internet. The iPad will have the AirPort card as an option, not a standard feature.
That's not all - the AirSurf modem, in addition to being installed in the PowerPad, may be offered separately. If so, it wouldn't look much different than the AirPort Base Station, except for having no wire connections whatsoever. Internet connections could then be made for groups of Macs where there are no phone lines. This would be extremely useful on school field trips or family vacations.
With AirSurf, the possibilities will be endless.


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Meeting of the Coordinating Team for Aid to Ukraine
DBN»News»News»Meeting of the Coordinating Team for Aid to Ukraine
On November 29-30, 2022, a meeting of the Coordinating Team for Aid to Ukraine was held at the Provincial House in Warsaw, on the initiative of Father George Menamparampil, responsible for Salesian coordination of emergency response. Along with the Warsaw Coordination Team, the meeting was attended by Angel Gudiña, coordinator of the Don Bosco Network (Spain), Alžbeta Kyselica Zelná, coordinator of humanitarian aid to Ukraine (Slovakia), and Alberto Livoni, coordinator of humanitarian aid at the VIS organization (Volontariato Internazionale per lo Sviluppo, Italy).
Participants discussed how best to join forces and organize well to help the needy population in Ukraine during the difficult winter season, when low temperatures and frequent lack of electricity throughout the country become a challenge. Online meetings were also conducted: with the Superior of the Salesian Visitation of the Greek Catholic Rite in Ukraine, Father Mykhaylo Chaban, with the Superior of the community in Kiev, Sister Anna Zainchkovska FMA, and with Father Piotr Pawelec, the Provincial Economer of the Krakow Province (PLS), which also includes Salesian communities of the Latin Rite in Ukraine.
After the meeting, Alberto Livoni, Alžbeta Kyselica Zelná and Iakob Tunievi, a volunteer from Slovakia, traveled to Lviv, taking with them for the Salesian communities food thermoses purchased as humanitarian aid thanks to the support of Salesian Missions Australia, and food products purchased as part of the project entitled "Supporting Salesian communities in Ukraine bringing humanitarian aid to victims of war," funded by the Polish Humanitarian Aid 2022 program, under the Polish development cooperation of the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
On behalf of the Salesian Family, we would like to thank all those who continually support activities aimed at helping Ukraine and its people.


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Bicyclist killed by car in Oxnard
Gretchen Wenner
Ventura County Star
A bicyclist was killed in Oxnard early Sunday morning after getting hit by a car, authorities said.
The accident was reported at around 4:30 a.m. in the 2400 block of Statham Boulevard, according to the Oxnard Police Department. The block is in an industrial area between Oxnard and Channel Islands boulevards.
A 2017 Honda Civic driven by a 43-year-old Oxnard man had been heading northbound on Statham at the time, officers determined.
More local news:Local pilots fly over St. John's Regional Medical Center in gesture of gratitude
The bicyclist was a 49-year-old Oxnard man. As of Sunday afternoon, police had not determined what direction the cyclist had been riding. Emergency personnel provided first aid and life-saving measures but the rider died at the scene, according to police.
The driver of the Honda was not hurt and was cooperative with police. Authorities did not immediately know whether speed, alcohol or drugs were a factor.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Officer Michael Wood at 805-385-7750 or at micheal.wood@oxnardpd.org.
Gretchen Wenner covers breaking news for the Ventura County Star. Reach her at gretchen.wenner@vcstar.com or 805-437-0270.
Local coverage is only possible with support from our readers. Sign up today for a digital subscription.


text:
Deuteronomy » Chapter 1
1:1 These are the words that Moses spoke to all Israel on the east bank of the Jordan, in the desert [and] in the Aravah, near Suf, in the vicinity of Paran, Tofel, Lavan, Chatzeroth and Di Zahav.
1:2 [This is in the area] which is an eleven day journey from Horeb to Kadesh Barnea by way of the Seir highlands.
1:3 On the first of the eleventh month in the fortieth year, Moses [also] spoke to the Israelites regarding all that God had commanded him for them.
1:4 This was after he had defeated Sichon king of the Amorites who lived in Cheshbon, and Og, king of the Bashan, who lived in Ashtaroth, [who was defeated in] Edre'i.
1:5 Moses began to explain this law on the east bank of the Jordan, in the land of Moab, saying:
1:6 God our Lord spoke to us at Horeb, saying, 'You have remained near this mountain too long.
1:7 Turn around and head toward the Amorite highlands and all its neighboring territories in the Aravah, the hill country, the lowlands, the Negev, the seashore, the Canaanite territory, and Lebanon, as far as the Euphrates River.
1:8 See! I have placed the land before you. Come, occupy the land that God swore He would give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and to their descendants after them.'
1:9 I then said to you, 'I cannot lead you all by myself.
1:10 God your Lord has increased your numbers until you are [now] as many as the stars of the sky.
1:11 May God, Lord of your fathers, increase your numbers a thousandfold, and bless you as He promised.
1:12 But how can I bear the burden, responsibility and conflict that you present if I am all by myself?
1:13 Designate for yourselves men who are wise, understanding, and known to your tribes, and I will appoint them as your leaders.'
1:14 You answered me, 'Yours is a good suggestion.'
1:15 I selected wise and well known men from among your tribal leaders, and appointed them as your leaders - captains of thousands, captains of hundreds, captains of fifties, captains of tens, and police for your tribes.
1:16 I then gave your judges instructions, saying, 'Listen [to every dispute] among your brethren, and judge honestly between each man and his brother, [even] where a proselyte [is concerned].
1:17 Do not give anyone special consideration when rendering judgment. Listen to the great and small alike, and do not be impressed by any man, since judgment belongs to God. If any case is too difficult, bring it to me, and I will hear it.'
1:18 At that time, I gave you instructions regarding everything that you must do.
1:19 We then moved on from Horeb and traveled all through that great, terrifying desert that you have seen, [going] by way of the Amorite highlands, as God our Lord commanded us. We finally came to Kadesh Barnea.
1:20 I said to you, 'You have come to the Amorite highlands, which God our Lord is giving us.
1:21 See! God has placed the land before you. Head north and occupy it, as God, Lord of your fathers, has told you. Do not be afraid and do not be concerned.'
1:22 All of you then approached me and said, 'Send men ahead of us to explore the land. Let them bring back a report about the way ahead of us and the cities that we shall encounter.'
1:23 I approved and appointed twelve men, one for each tribe.
1:24 They set out and headed north toward the hill country, going as far as Cluster Valley and exploring the territory.
1:25 They took samples of the area's fruit and brought it back to us. The report that they brought back was, 'The land that God our Lord is giving us is good.'
1:26 You did not want to head north, however, and you rebelled against God your Lord.
1:27 You protested in your tents, and said, 'God brought us out of Egypt because He hated us! He wanted to turn us over to the Amorites to destroy us!
1:28 Where are we heading? Our brothers took away our courage by telling us that they saw there a race that was larger and taller than we, with great cities fortified to the skies, as well as children of the giants.'
1:29 I said to you, 'Don't be so impressed! Don't be afraid of them!
1:30 God your Lord is going before you. He will fight for you, just as you watched Him do in Egypt.
1:31 In the desert, you [also] saw that God your Lord carried you along the road you traveled to this place, just as a man carries his son.
1:32 But now, here, you have no faith in God your Lord!
1:33 He goes before you in fire by night and in cloud by day to show you the path to follow, just like a scout finding you a place to camp.'
1:34 When God heard what you said, He angrily swore,
1:35 'No man of this evil generation will see the good land that I swore to give your fathers.
1:36 The only exception will be Caleb son of Yefuneh. Since he followed God wholeheartedly, not only will he see it, but I will give him and his descendants the land he walked.
1:37 God also displayed anger at me because of you [and] He said, 'You too will not enter [the land].
1:38 Joshua son of Nun, who stands before you, will be the one to enter, and he will give Israel their hereditary property.
1:39 The ones to enter the [land] will be the children whom you feared would be taken captive and your little ones who even now do not know good from bad. To them I will give [the land] and they will occupy it.
1:40 You must now turn around and head into the desert toward the Southern Sea.'
1:41 Your answer to me was, 'We have sinned to God! We will head north and fight, just as God our Lord commanded us.' Each of you took his weapons, and you made every effort to head north to the highlands.
1:42 God said to me, 'Tell them not to go and not to fight, since I will not be with them. Let them not be killed by their foes.'
1:43 I spoke to you, but you would not listen. You rebelled against God's word, and willfully headed north to the highlands.
1:44 The Amorites who lived in the highlands came out to confront you, and chased you like bees. They struck you down in Seir as far as Chormah.
1:45 You came back and wept before God, but God would neither listen to you nor pay attention to you.
1:46 You remained in Kadesh Barnea for a long time, as long as you remained [in all the other places].
to all Israel
Although Moses taught the Israelites many things, most were taught through Aaron and the elders (Eruvim 54b). From here until Deuteronomy 4:49, however, there are presented orations that Moses himself delivered to all Israel (Ramban; Chizzkuni; Adereth Eliahu; Malbim; HaKethav VeHaKabbalah). These orations were stated in the places mentioned in this verse.
Literally, 'far side.'
Or, 'regarding' (Targum; Rashi; Ralbag). Some say that Moses named areas around the Israelite camp after events that had happened to them earlier (Hirsch).
See Deuteronomy 1:9-14, 1:16,17.
Aravah
This is the deep valley running to the north and south of the Dead Sea. Specifically, it usually denotes the valley to the south, leading to the Gulf of Aqaba (see Deuteronomy 2:8; Chizzkuni).
Suf
Many sources identify this with the Yam Suf, the 'Reed Sea,' the 'Southern Sea,' or the 'Red Sea,' possibly identified here with the Gulf of Aqaba (Targum; Rashi; Saadia; Septuagint). It may also be identified with Sufah in Numbers 21:14.
vicinity of
Or, literally, 'between.' or, '[and] in the vicinity.'
The area to the north of Sinai and west of the Aravah, now known as the wilderness of el-Tih. The reference is most probably to Rithmah (Numbers 33:18), or Kadesh Barnea (Numbers 13:3), the place from which the spies were sent (Rashi). The reference would then be to Deuteronomy 1:20,21, 1:29-33.
The context then seems to indicate that the Aravah and Suf were places between Sinai and Kadesh Barnea. It appears that instead of heading directly north, the Israelites took a roundabout way to Kadesh Barnea through the Aravah passing by the Gulf of Aquaba (Suf). Some say that this was when Moses appointed judges in Deuteronomy 1:16,17 (cf. Adereth Eliahu ad loc.). Suf might then have been Kivroth HaTaavah (Numbers 11:34) along the west shore of the Gulf of Aqaba. See note on 'Tofel' below.
Some say that Suf was between Paran and Tofel, where Tofel is identified with the Kivroth HaTaavah area (Sifri; Rashi). Others say that it is in the area of Shittim, perhaps where the Tabernacle stood (Ralbag). Others identify it with Marah (Paaneach Razah). The Septuagint notes that Tofel was in the Paran Desert. Some sources identify it with el Tafile, a village about 15 miles southwest of the Dead Sea.
Lavan
Some say that this was the place of Korach's rebellion (Ralbag). Others identify it with the place where there were complaints about the Manna (Sifri; Rabbi; cf. Numbers 11:6). It is also possibly identified with Livnah in Numbers 33:20.
Chatzeroth
See Numbers 11:35, 33:17. Some say that this was the place of Korach's rebellion (Rashi; Lekach Tov; Chizzkuni).
Di Zahav
A place name (Ibn Ezra; Abarbanel). Some say that it was the area where the Golden Calf was built (Targum; Sifri; Berakhoth 32a; Rashi). Others identify it as the area where the Tabernacle stood (Paaneach Razah). The Septuagint translates it as katachrusea, literally, 'the gold works.'
There are a number of possible interpretations regarding these place names: 1. That they are places surrounding the Aravoth Moab where the Israelites were now camped. 2. That they were places along the way, where Moses presented these orations to Israel (the interpretation favored in our translation). 3. That they were places regarding which Moses spoke in his orations.
This is in the area
Following the second interpretation above, all these places were in that area. (cf. Chizzkuni; Abarbanel).
eleven day journey
The distance between Sinai and Kadesh Barnea is actually 150 miles.
Sinai, see note on Exodus 3:1.
Kadesh Barnea
See note on Numbers 13:3.
first of the eleventh month
1 Shevat, 2488 (January 18, 1273 b.c.e.).
(cf. Adereth Eliahu; Ramban). See Deuteronomy 5:1 ff.
Sichon...
Numbers 21:21-24, Deuteronomy 3:2.
Og...
who was defeated in
(Ramban). Or, 'Ashtaroth in Edre'i' (Rashi).
Edre'i
See Numbers 21:33.
(Rashi). Or, 'spoke at length' (Saadia). See note on Genesis 18:27.
land of Moab
The former land of Moab, which had been taken by Sichon.
Some say that this occurred after they left Sinai (Adereth Eliahu). Others say that it was before (Ramban).
known to your tribes
(Rashi). Or, '... men from your tribes who are wise, understanding and well known' (Ramban), or, 'knowledgeable' (Adereth Eliahu; HaKethav VeHaKabbalah), or, 'prudent men' (Septuagint).
I will appoint them
Although this was Jethro's suggestion (Exodus 18:24), here the Torah only records Moses' oration (see note on Deuteronomy 1:1). Some say that Moses did not discuss the appointment until after Jethro had left (Abarbanel).
captains of thousands...
Some say that the captains of thousands and hundreds were primarily military leaders (cf. Numbers 31:14), while the captains of fifties were primarily Torah teachers and elders (cf. Isaiah 3:3; Adereth Eliahu; HaKethav VeHaKabbalah).
and police
Or, 'who are police' (Ibid.). See Deuteronomy 16:18.
proselyte...
(Targum; Yevamoth 46b, 47a; Septuagint). Or, 'resident alien' (Saadia), 'impressive speaker' (Sifri; Rashi), or, 'common property' (Sanhedrin 7b; Rashi).
be impressed
(Septuagint), or, 'fear' (Rashi; Targum; Ibn Ezra from Genesis 15:13), or, 'be concerned' (Saadia). This is a commandment that a judge not be impressed by the litigants (Sefer HaMitzvoth, Negative 277).
moved on from Horeb
See Numbers 10:33 (Chizzkuni).
See Deuteronomy 1:2.
I approved
At God's word; Numbers 13:2.
set out
Literally, 'turned around.'
Cluster Valley
Nachal Eshkol; see Numbers 13:23.
(Ralbag). Ragan in Hebrew; see Proverbs 16:28, 26:22. Or, 'complained' (Rashi), 'spread false rumors' (Saadia; Rashi); 'became agitated' (Hirsch); 'became confused' (Ibn Janach); Or, 'spread hypocritical rumors' (Radak, Sherashim).
by telling us that...
Literally, '....saying, 'We saw...' '
Anakim.
(HaKethav VeHaKabbalah; Hirsch). Aratz in Hebrew. Or, 'don't let your spirit be broken' (Radak, Sherashim; Ibn Janach).
No man
Literally, 'If any man,' an oath form. See Numbers 14:22, 32:11.
Caleb...
See Numbers 13:6.
the land he walked
displayed anger
(Targum Yonathan; HaKethav VeHaKabbalah). See Numbers 20:12 (Ralbag).
Joshua...
Numbers 27:18.
Southern Sea
Yam Suf in Hebrew, here denoting the Gulf of Aqaba. See Numbers 14:25, Deuteronomy 2:8.
made every effort
(Tzafenath Paaneach from Avodah Zarah 66b). Hin in Hebrew. Or, 'were prepared' (Rashi), 'hurried' (Saadia), 'agreed' (Ibn Ezra), 'considered it enough' (Hirsch), or, 'desired' (Radak).
not to...
Actually a direct quote.
Chormah
See Numbers 14:45. Here it appears that Chormah was in Seir.
in all the other places
(Saadia; Rashi). Some say that the Israelites were in Kadesh Barnea for 19 years (Seder Olam 8; Rashi; Lekach Tov), while others indicate that they were there for 18 (Moreh Nevukhim 3:50; Midrash HaGadol). See note on Numbers 33:18.


How to Pick a Good House Painting Contractor If you're looking for a painting contractor to repaint your home's exterior, there's much to be considered. Besides, these pros are not all created equal, so you have to know how to assess them and choose wisely. Begin with two or three different prospects. Call these contractors and ask them to come and meet you in your home. You need to be there so you can see how long it took them to check things out. Usually, longer is better.
How many coats must be applied isn't the only factor that affects the price and quality of the job. Preparation is crucial as well. For instance, if you're looking for totally smooth and even results – that is, free from any remnants of previous paint jobs – make it known to the contractors, and don't be surprised if they charge you extra for it. Get a written estimate from each of your prospects. This should include every single detail that affects the outcome of the project, from labor to surface preparation requirements to primer and paint coats and the rest. Talk to references and look at previous jobs. If you get good feedback about the contractors, that's clearly a positive sign. However, don't be happy with mere words. Ask them if you may visit them and look at the contractors' work. The older the projects, the better – you want to see how they're holding up. Review the contractors' credentials. Membership in a trade association or business group makes no guarantee of good work, but it indicates the level of commitment and reliability of the contractor. Also find out if the contractor has any unresolved complaints filed by previous clients (your attorney-general's office and the Business Business Bureau) and if they even have the appropriate licenses to begin with (your state's Contractor's License Reference website). Have a written contract and make sure it's complete. To be complete, a contract should have the contractor's name, office landline and cellphone number, office address, and license number, plus every single detail included in the written estimate. Most importantly, the document should clearly state what is and what is not part of the job, including the start and end dates. You shouldn't have to pay for the project in full until you are completely satisfied with the result. A 10-15% deposit may be required. Make it a point to get a copy of the pro's liability and workers' compensation insurance certificates. Needless to say, don't use a contractor who is not insured. Demand a guarantee. You should get a guarantee for chipping, excessive fading, peeling or any other quality issues within a period of two years after completion of the project. Finally, remember that labor warranty and paint warranty are not the same.