At one of my events last year, a relaxation training client said "This setting reminds me of the artist salons in Paris" and that sparked an idea—I will start hosting artist salons! I have a special affinity for artists, so this is a way I can support the arts and provide some fascinating evenings for people.
I host six artist salons per year at my business space, and the experience has been wonderful! For each salon, I invite several local artists to share some of their work and talk about what art means to them during a program. I also invite people who are art appreciators to provide a warm audience for the artists. I begin with a brief guided relaxation break and then introduce each artist. We've had painters, writers, actors, photographers and musicians delight us with their beautiful art and their thoughts about it. Following the program is a social hour with snacks and an opportunity for audience members to mingle with the artists and each other.
If you are interested in being a featured artist or love the arts and want to be an audience member, let's meet! The best way to reach me is email: beth@atimeforexpression.com or use my contact form here.
Curl your toes and feel tension spread into your calves.
Press your knees together and feel tightness in your thighs.
Make two fists and feel tension spread into your arms.
Raise your shoulders and create tension in your neck. Take a deep breath and tighten your stomach and chest.
Experience tension all over your body.
Feel the warmth and heaviness of deep relaxation penetrate your muscles. Feel your muscles releasing, letting go, unwinding.
On Wednesday, May 23rd I will be speaking at the 72nd Annual Convention of the Paralyzed Veterans of America. It will be a breakout session for the spouses and caregivers, who specifically requested color relaxation—I am happy to provide that!
Whether you are a caregiver, a parent, a leader, or anyone who gives a lot of yourself, it is important to refill your well or replenish your energy. This is a big part of what I do—help people recharge so they can continue to give of themselves without burning out.
Thank you to Hannah Buchholz, CEM for the opportunity to speak at this very important event!
This event combines so many things that are important to me: music, helping college students, my alma mater, experiential teaching, relaxation training, beautiful spaces, and fostering community.
All St. Olaf students are welcome to this event—let's begin finals week feeling relaxed, refreshed, and confident!
St. Olaf students are welcome to join us in Boe Chapel on Thursday, May 17th at 8 pm for a very special Relaxing into Finals event. I will guide the students through breathing, muscle relaxation, guided imagery, and loving kindness meditation as a student plays beautiful cello music in the background.
Come experience a deeply relaxed state through techniques of breathing, muscle relaxation, guided imagery, and a loving kindness meditation with relaxation and life coach Beth Freschi. This group experience is known to create a peaceful energy that can be a wonderful bonding experience.
After 10 years of providing presentations on relaxation training and meditation for wellness, Beth Freschi is offering experiential speaking engagements. Learn more here.
The holidays are a busy time, and it is so important to take time to relax and recharge. Beth Freschi will be providing her relaxation training classes throughout the holiday season and beyond. If you live in the Twin Cities and are looking for a relaxation class, please find out more at Invitation to Relax.
In the beginning, A Time for Expression, LLC focused on the Twin Cities area of Minnesota. Over time, an international audience for Beth Freschi's recordings has grown—it's so exciting! Did you know that CD Baby sells Beth Freschi's CDs and Mp3s worldwide? Also, people from all over the world can download her Mp3s directly from this website by going to the Recordings page. We welcome people from across the globe to visit this website, listen to samples of Beth's recordings, and check out her posts about relaxation and wellness on her Facebook page.
Although all of Beth Freschi's guided relaxation recordings have sold well over the years, especially for an independent recording artist, her album "A Time for Sleep" is consistently ranked high in the relaxation and meditation categories for Mp3s and CDs. Check out some samples on the Recordings page!
A Time for Expression, LLC, based in the Twin Cities metro area of Minnesota, is happy to join the Metro Independent Business Alliance. Also known as MetroIBA, the Metro Independent Business Alliance is a non-profit organization working to support and preserve locally owned, independent businesses in the Twin Cities region. MetroIBA's mission is to help the Twin Cities maintain its unique community character, provide continuing opportunities for entrepreneurs, build economic strength, and create an environment where locally owned, independent businesses grow and flourish. Check them out at www.buylocaltwincities.com!
Twin Cities "Invitation to Relax"
A Time for Expression, LLC is committed to serving the Twin Cities metro area of Minnesota. We are happy to join buythechange.com because it connects people in the community through recommendations and requests for service. If you live in the Twin Cities, check out buythechange.com to find meaningful community connections.
"Quality Sleep & Your 2015 Intentions"
According to a study conducted by the American Psychological Association, Americans are more likely to feel their stress levels increase rather than decrease during the holidays. Various stressors (schedule-related, financial, interpersonal, family-related, etc.) have the potential to make the holidays a difficult time, especially if stress is not managed appropriately.
We receive constant messages in our culture regarding how we should pack our days full of activities and learn to survive on little sleep around the holidays in order to fully experience the season. In reality, our bodies and minds need sufficient relaxation and rest in order to function well so that we can be resilient and fulfilled in our daily lives.
Relaxation training can help to reduce holiday stress and make the season more enjoyable. Relaxation training involves learning and practicing a set of relaxation techniques (deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery, and meditation) that help calm the mind and body. According to the Mayo Clinic, when a person enters into a relaxed state, he or she breathes deeply, allowing oxygen to restore the body – levels of stress hormones decrease, muscles relax, the pulse slows, blood pressure decreases, and the mind and body work together to eliminate the negative impacts of stress. This results in a calmer feeling overall, improved sleep, and the ability to approach holiday activities with renewed energy.
Relaxation and life coach Beth Freschi of A Time for Expression, LLC (atimeforexpression.com) offers effective ways for individuals to reduce the impact of holiday stress and improve overall wellbeing. Many of Beth's clients have found her acclaimed guided relaxation recordings to be a valuable tool for decreasing stress and improving their quality of sleep, especially around the holidays. On her best-selling recordings, such as "Uplifting Guided Relaxation" and "A Time for Sleep: Guided Relaxation Techniques for Peaceful Slumber," Freschi's pleasant voice floats over ambient music, allowing the listener to enter into a deep state of tranquility.
Both of these recordings, as well as others by Freschi, are available for purchase in MP3 and CD form at A Time for Expression, LLC (atimeforexpression.com/products.php). Relaxation CDs and convenient MP3 download cards are also available for order in bulk quantities at A Time for Expression, LLC (atimeforexpression.com/offer).
Written by: Jen Westmoreland Bouchard, Lucidité Writing, Inc.
As more and more people experience the negative health effects of insomnia and exhaustion, they are turning to guided relaxation as an enjoyable way to settle into sleep. Major organizations such as Harvard Medical School and the Mayo Clinic recommend the use of relaxation techniques as a way to produce the body's natural relaxation response (resulting in slower breathing, lower blood pressure, and a feeling of calm) that can aid in improving sleep.
In response to the need for quality guided relaxation products for sleep, renowned relaxation and life coach Beth Freschi of A Time for Expression, LLC (atimeforexpression.com) developed "A Time For Sleep: Guided Relaxation Techniques for Peaceful Slumber," a recording to help individuals fall asleep and experience the rejuvenating benefits of a peaceful night's rest.
"A Time for Sleep" begins by guiding listeners through a progression of deep breathing and muscle relaxation exercises so that the mind and body can enter into a deeply relaxed state. Next, a guided imagery featuring a mesmerizing starry night and the majestic Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) gently lulls listeners into pleasant sleepiness. Beth's soothing voice takes listeners on a relaxing journey, helping them achieve deep and restorative sleep.
"Based on my listeners' response to this recording, I've found that my approach is effective for people who have trouble relaxing into sleep or who are new to the idea of guided relaxation in general," Freschi says.
"A Time for Sleep: Guided Relaxation Techniques for Peaceful Slumber" can be purchased by individuals or organizations (volume discounts available) through A Time for Expression, LLC (www.atimeforexpression.com).
Renowned relaxation and life coach Beth Freschi of A Time for Expression, LLC (atimeforexpression.com) is responding to the need for quality relaxation recordings that help individuals improve their focus and energy levels.
People who invest in their health through regular guided relaxation tend to feel more positive and energized about both life and work. Stress, which results from a variety of factors, can leave a person feeling exhausted and unfocused. According to the Mayo Clinic's website, relaxation training is an effective way to manage stress. Regular stress management through guided relaxation helps to increase energy level and focus, which leads to greater satisfaction in our personal and professional lives.
"My guided relaxation recordings address an essential component of whole wellness —reducing stress so that people can approach their lives with a renewed sense of energy and focus," Freschi says.
On Freschi's best-selling relaxation recordings, such as "Uplifting Guided Relaxation" and "A Time for Sleep: Guided Relaxation Techniques for Peaceful Slumber," her pleasant voice floats over ambient music, allowing the listener to enter into a deep state of tranquility and wellbeing. These recordings feature various techniques such as deep breathing, muscle relaxation exercises, guided imagery and meditation to help calm the mind and body and increase overall wellness. Listeners come away from the experience feeling more relaxed, focused, and ready to face the challenges in their lives.
Relaxation is a skill that requires guidance and regular practice. Freschi's relaxation recordings are a cost and time-efficient way of maintaining a regular guided relaxation program at home. They can be purchased through her website.
Life Coach Beth Freschi's Guided Relaxation Recordings Help Individuals Reach a Restorative State of Calm.
Holistic wellness practitioners have long recognized the benefits of meditation in reducing the negative effects of stress and pain and improving overall health and wellbeing. However, many people find meditating on their own is difficult, and they look for tools to assist them in this part of their holistic wellness journey. Guided relaxation can benefit individuals who need a bit of assistance to reach a deep and restorative state of calm.
In response to the need for such meditation tools, renowned relaxation and life coach Beth Freschi of A Time for Expression, LLC (atimeforexpression.com) has developed a series of recordings to help individuals benefit from the profoundly curative level of tranquility achieved through guided relaxation. Her recordings are helpful for people who are experienced with guided relaxation, as well as those who are new to the idea.
"Based on my experience leading relaxation training classes for the past 8 years and clients' response to my recordings, I've found that my approach appeals to people who have trouble relaxing or are new to relaxation training. Experienced practitioners tell me that my recordings offer a fresh perspective and the opportunity to 'refill the well' after giving so much to their own clients," Freschi says.
The recordings feature techniques such as deep breathing, muscle relaxation, guided imagery and meditation to help calm the mind and body and increase overall wellness. The recording "Uplifting Guided Relaxation" features refreshing imagery of a lush orange grove, and inspires a rejuvenating, positive outlook on life. "A Time for Sleep: Guided Relaxation Techniques for Peaceful Slumber," features imagery of the magnificent aurora borealis, and is a great resource for those looking to reduce stress and fall asleep with a peaceful body and mind.
"My guided relaxation recordings help ease stress and discomfort so that individuals can approach their lives with a renewed sense of health and vitality," Freschi says.
St. Paul, MN – February 12, 2014 – As more and more employees experience negative health effects of stress, companies recognize the importance of including stress management in their employee wellness programs and finding ways to increase participation. According to research by the University of Georgia and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), employee wellness programs are shown to be more effective when supported by management and include incentives for participation. These studies, along with research by the Mayo Clinic, also identify stress management as a key component of successful wellness programs.
In response to this research, renowned relaxation and life coach Beth Freschi of A Time for Expression, LLC (atimeforexpression.com) has developed a two-pronged approach to help companies integrate relaxation training into their corporate wellness programs: relaxation training sessions for corporate leadership and guided relaxation recordings for wellness program participants.
Freschi facilitates relaxation training sessions for corporate leadership teams, guiding them in how to foster a calm, healthy work environment designed to increase productivity and employee satisfaction. "Based on research and my own experiences, I strongly believe that when upper level management participates in wellness programs they are more successful," Freschi says.
On her best-selling relaxation recordings, such as "Uplifting Guided Relaxation" and "A Time for Sleep: Guided Relaxation Techniques for Peaceful Slumber," Freschi's pleasant voice floats over ambient music, allowing the listener to enter into a deep state of calmness and wellbeing. These recordings feature various techniques such as deep breathing, muscle relaxation exercises, guided imagery and meditation to help calm the mind and body and increase overall wellness and employee productivity.
As an incentive for employees to join or continue to participate in the corporate wellness program, she offers bulk discounts on these innovative guided relaxation recordings. "My guided relaxation recordings address an essential component of employee wellness programs—reducing stress so that employees can perform to the best of their abilities and approach their work with a renewed sense of energy and focus," Freschi says.
St. Paul, MN – January 6, 2014 – Renowned relaxation and life coach Beth Freschi of A Time for Expression, LLC (atimeforexpression.com) is responding to the need for quality relaxation and stress reduction programs in the corporate setting.
"My guided relaxation recordings address an essential component of employee wellness programs—reducing stress so that employees can perform to the best of their abilities and approach their work with a renewed sense of energy and productivity," Freschi says.
Relaxation CDs and MP3s are now available for order in bulk quantities at A Time for Expression, LLC (atimeforexpression.com/offer). The CD and MP3 download card offer is designed for corporations that already have employee wellness programs. They can be used as an incentive for people to join the wellness program, or to encourage those already enrolled to take care of their health through stress management.
CDs ordered in quantities of 10-500 cost $5.00 per CD, 500-10,000 cost $4.00 per CD, and orders over 10,000 cost $3.00 per CD. Convenient MP3 download cards are also available at $3.00 per card for orders of 10-500, $2.00 per card for 500-10,000, and $1 per card for over 10,000 cards.
In addition to providing her relaxation CDs and MP3s at discounted rates for use in employee wellness programs, Freschi facilitates relaxation training sessions for corporate leadership teams, guiding them in how to foster a calm, healthy work environment designed to increase productivity and employee satisfaction.


I already mentioned my side projects - JSXP and gclimbing - a couple of times. Now I have decided to start a series of posts which will describe several aspects of these projects in greater detail.
Because of several constraints involved I work in a different way on these projects than I would do for a client. Here I don't mind taking shortcuts. I can afford to skip a lot of tasks that would be needed when working with a team because I work alone. I do not depend on these projects, I do them mostly for fun. This changes some of the rules.
Every item from the list above will become a blog post and I will turn this list into links over time.
Update: I added "Taking breaks" to the list and removed "Deployment" and "Advertising / Marketing". Deployment would have been rather boring (I have and ant build that does most of the work, but there are still some manual steps involved). For advertising and marketing I have a concept, but I cant't tell if it works yet.


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Crawlbytes
Its all about news and social packages!!
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Home » Huawei P30 Pro Specifications, Price and Performance Review
Huawei P30 Pro Specifications, Price and Performance Review
July 9, 2020 November 28, 2021 admin
Huawei is one of the top 3 brands in the world today. It started off as a communications network hardware producer and later started producing smartphones and more. With a lot of focus on R&D so they can keep improving their products. Huawei also produces some of its own components and has also developed an OS that is not based on Android, after their issues with the USA.
The brand generally caters to a variety of price ranges, this allows for more people to afford smartphones. There are Huawei smartphones that are for a few thousand and there are smartphones that compete at the flagship level, costing a lot more. Among the many different smartphones is the Huawei P30 Pro, which was a hit and set new standards for the brand and the industry too.
The Huawei P30 Pro display
Huawei P30 and P30 Pro were launched in March 2019, the P30 Pro is aimed at taking on all the other flagship smartphones and does not disappoint with its aim. Built with a bezel-less 6.47 inch OLED display that has a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels, which is bright and crisp to view. The display quality is visible and shines through when one is playing games or watching 4K videos. There is a notch on the top for the selfie camera, this is probably the only feature or design element that is slightly dated as other brands are trying to maximize the display space.
Protected by Gorilla Glass the screen is slightly curved at the edges for a better grip as this is a large smartphone even by today's standards.
Performance & OS
There is a powerful chipset at the center of this device, the Kirin 980 which is built using the 7nm method. A method that is the latest commercially possible in chipset technology right now. It features two ARM 2.6GHz Cortex-A76 cores, two more Cortex-A76 cores running at 1.92GHz, and four Cortex-A55 cores for power efficiency. With an integrated LTE modem to further that power efficiency and two "neural processing units" or AI accelerator blocks. The GPU is an ARM Mali-G76.
For tasking power, there is 8GB of RAM along with 256GB of storage. The brand introduced a new file system last year, known as EROFS (Extended Read-Only File System), with claims that it has a 20% better read time and more efficient usage of space. All these powerful internal components make this smartphone super fast in performance.
The OS is based on Google's Android platform, using Android 9 Pie. A machine learning ready system that can learn the user's patterns and pace up the smartphone's performance in response. Layered on top of that is their own user interface or skin, known as EMUI 9.1. This is the first time Huawei used this version in a smartphone and it helps users have more customizations and options that the base Android 9 Pie does not provide for.
A major selling point of this smartphone was its camera systems. Huawei has a partnership with the legendary brand Leica, they help develop sensors lenses and the camera modules. This gives them an edge that few others have. To be able to integrate technology from one of the best camera developing brands sets them ahead.
There is a quad-camera array on the rear that offers 5x optical zoom, the quality of which is unquestionable. Upping the zoom ability, with a 10x hybrid zoom and 50x digital zoom, the latter of which does compensate for some of the image clarity. The main sensor on the rear is a 40MP one, the secondary is an 8MP telephoto sensor, a 20MP ultra-wide-angle lens is the third and the fourth is a ToF (Time of Flight) depth-sensing camera. These 4 combined allow the camera app to make use of many different variations to add layers to one's photography.
The main sensor has a unique new "SuperSpectrum" sensor with an R-Y-Y-B filter for each pixel instead of the R-G-G-B filters. This allows for 40% more light in comparison. Combined with the ISO level of 409,600, the sensor size of 1/1.7 inches, optical stabilization, and an aperture of f/1.6 means the low light photography is very well lit and clear.
On the front, there is a 32MP selfie camera that takes excellent shots. Overall the camera is powerful, with one drawback that the 4K video can only be recorded at 30fps. AI integration means Huawei can include features such as HiVision. This is an attempt to identify objects, landmarks, text, and more. You can also get automatic translations, search online shopping sites, and even estimate the calorie counts of meals. This feature will be refined but is a huge first step for a camera system.
The smartphone is packed with the full connectivity and sensor range, including the fingerprint reader which is embedded into the display allowing or fast access. Also retaining the 3.5mm headphone jack for convenience. The phone packs a staggering 4200mAh battery that lasts all day. It uses a 40W SuperCharge adapter that can replenish the handset by up to 70% in just 30 minutes. The Huawei P30 Pro is also a reverse wireless charging device as it lets you charge other Qi wireless charging supported devices on its rear.
The Huawei P30 Pro was launched in multiple color options, these include Aurora, Amber Sunrise, Breathing Crystal, Black, Pearl White, Misty Lavender, and Mystic Blue. Given it is competing with flagship smartphones and is packed to the hilt with features and power the Huawei P30 Pro is fro around Rs. 157,000.
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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ESA /	Enabling & Support /	Space Engineering & Technology
CDTI is a public entity under the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness. Its core competencies are the funding of industrial R&D projects and the management of international programs across multiple disciplines. The overall aim of CDTI is to increase the capabilities and competitiveness of Spanish companies, and to foster the participation of Spanish industry in international cooperation programs. CDTI implements the government technology policy through its own industrial R&D program, including the definition of a set of funding programs, project evaluation and project follow-up.
The international activity of CDTI is organized within the Directorate of International Programs. Here, several departments are involved in programs such as Horizon 2020 (with national Representatives and NCPs in all the themes within the Pillars "Industrial Leadership" and "Societal Challenges" and part of "Excellent Science"), bilateral and multilateral R&D programs within and outside Europe, ESA programmes (through CDTI delegates nominated in all the ESA boards where Spain participates), and at research infrastructures like as CERN, Fusion for Energy, ESO, etc., where CDTI acts as expert to the delegation and Industrial Liaison Officer.
The Department of Aerospace Programs manages around 75% of the national public investments in Space. Main responsibilities include the:
official representation of Spain at ESA (a task that is performed since 1986, currently together with the Ministry of Energy, Industry and Tourism as Head of Delegation);
representation in the joint Space Council ESA-European Union (EU) aimed at elaborating the European Space Policy;
technical representation at EU Commission and Council bodies dealing with space; and
management of bilateral cooperation programs with third countries in the space sector.
The Department of Aerospace Programs has prepared strategic plans for both space and aeronautics sectors in Spain, and has a working relationship with the entire Spanish space sector, as well as with the European space community. It has participated in all the major discussions on space technology and policy in Europe for the last decades, including both EU programmes (FP, H2020, Galileo, Copernicus) and ESA programmes. It is also the main government institution for technical expertise on space matters for international discussions, such as ISEF, COPUOS, International Code of Conduct, etc. Additionally, the Department of Aerospace Programmes is in charge of the technological return derived from the Spanish participation in international Research Infrastructures.
CDTI employs more than 300 people, most of them holding graduate and engineering degrees. CDTI headquarters are located in Madrid, and the center activities are supported by a network of twelve offices located worldwide.
EPIC: Electric Propulsion Innovation and Competitiveness
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Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (ASI)
Belgian Science Policy Office (BELSPO)
Centre National D'Etudes Spatiales (CNES)
Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR)
United Kingdom Space Agency (UK Space Agency)
Eurospace
SME4SPACE


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Day Two at the International Council 2016
By Munisha on Wed, 3 Aug, 2016 - 22:44
Today was devoted to looking at our relationship with a suffering world and how we might meet its needs as a community.
The morning saw short but heartfelt talks from
• Akuppa (UK), on climate change and the effect it is already having, including its relationship to refugee crises;
• Viveka (North America), on moving towards greater ethnic diversity in Triratna;
• Yashosagar (India), on combatting poverty and discrimination, looking at the teachings of Dr Ambedkar.
All three...
Read more about Day Two at the International Council 2016
'Angry Buddha' coming soon
By Munisha on Thu, 16 Jun, 2016 - 23:36
As we move toward the 60th anniversary of Dr Ambedkar's conversion, we hear news of a documentary film about the curious and inspiring story of the Hungarian gypsies who were inspired to start Dr Ambedkar High School, to help young Roma/gypsies to a better life.
Due for international launch and screenings later this year, 'Angry Buddha' is the work of Austrian filmmaker Stefan Ludwig. Giving a picture of life in a Hungarian gypsy community, it tells the story of Janós...
Read more about 'Angry Buddha' coming soon
Triratna in the Buddhist world
International inter-Buddhist conference marking 60 years since Dr Ambedkar's conversion
By Munisha on Sat, 14 May, 2016 - 16:15
Over on Triratna News, you can find details of an international conference in celebration of Dr Ambedkar's conversion 60 years ago, to be held at Triratna's Nagaloka Buddhist Centre in India, 11th-14th October 2016.
Read the Triratna News article.
The conference is being organised in partnership with the International Network of Engaged Buddhists and sees Order members including Subhuti speaking alongside Buddhist women and men of many traditions.
Read more about International inter-Buddhist conference marking 60 years since Dr Ambedkar's conversion
'Social engagement and liberation': 60 years since Dr Ambedkar's conversion
October this year sees the 60th anniversary of the first mass conversion to Buddhism of people then known as 'Untouchables', in Nagpur, India, which took place on 14th October 1956, led by Dr BR Ambedkar.
In celebration, the International Network of Engaged Buddhists and Triratna's Indian retreat centre Nagaloka are holding a weekend conference, 'Social engagement and liberation', 11th-14th October.
The conversion anniversary itself...
Read more about 'Social engagement and liberation': 60 years since Dr Ambedkar's conversion
Sydney Buddhist Centre
Dr Ambedkar - a celebration in Sydney
By Bodhidasa on Thu, 14 Apr, 2016 - 08:57
To celebrate the 125 Jayanti (birthday) of Dr B. R. Ambedkar and the incredible achievements of his life, the Sydney Buddhist Centre's Young Triratna group and a number of committed members of the Sydney Order (many of whom were recently ordained in India) hosted a special evening of reflection and celebration of this remarkable man.
This short video gives some of the many highlights of an evening rejoicing in the man who, among his many achievements, helped re-establishe Buddhism in the country of...
Read more about Dr Ambedkar - a celebration in Sydney
Engaging with the World: Celebrating Dr. Ambedkar
By Helen - Windhor... on Mon, 11 Apr, 2016 - 14:44
The 14 April 2016 is the 125th anniversary of the birth of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, commemorated as a public holiday in India, and by festivals in the Buddhist community there. We're choosing to celebrate the anniversary of his birth by giving away four paperback copies of The Buddha on Wall Street, in a Goodreads Giveaway.
The link may not be obvious. Please read on …
In The Buddha on Wall Street, Vaḍḍhaka Linn draws on four Buddhist voices he finds inspiring, and who...
Read more about Engaging with the World: Celebrating Dr. Ambedkar
'Ambedkar' movie by Jabbar Patel
By Carunalaka on Mon, 4 Apr, 2016 - 17:37
Here is a link to 'Ambedkar' by Jabbar Patel. It's the story of his life, struggles, and ultimate conversion to Buddhism - and winner of three India National Awards (Best Actor, Best Art Direction, and Best English language film).
Movie download site Zinemaya describes it thus - "this is one of the finest historical films made in Independent India. This movie takes place between the years 1901 to 1956, a period of great social upheavals and revolutionary movements around...
Read more about 'Ambedkar' movie by Jabbar Patel
Celebrating Dr B.R. Ambedkar.
By Carunalaka on Sun, 20 Mar, 2016 - 22:41
In 'Celebrating Dr B.R. Ambedkar', Subhuti offers four main reasons why we might remember and honour the great Dr Ambedkar.
This video also includes fact sheets about Dr Ambedkar's life, the work of Triratna in India and attempts to capture the essence and transformative power of the Dhamma revolution.
Dr Ambedkar's vision for the potential of Buddhism as creating a Pure-land is not just for India; it's an important message for the whole world.
Produced by India Dhamma Trust.
Read more about Celebrating Dr B.R. Ambedkar.
A Buddhist Revolution
In the second of a series of talks about Dr Ambedkar and his relevance to Western Buddhists, Dhammacharini Vajratara uses the example of Dr Ambedkar and the Indian Buddhists to show how Buddhism is revolutionary.
Do we need a revolution? If we do, what kind of revolution do we need? Vajratara argues that the real revolution is a revolution of mind, and it is the revolution of mind that creates a revolution in society. This is something Dr Ambedkar saw, and he...
Read more about A Buddhist Revolution
Radical Buddhism, Changing the Myth of Society - Dh Vajratara
The first of a series of talks about Dr Ambedkar and his relevance to Western Buddhists. In a culture of unprecedented freedom, Dhammacharini Vajratara asks how we choose which path to follow? This was the question facing Dr Ambedkar who had a burning issue to solve - untouchability.
Vajratara introduces Dr Ambedkar by showing his methods of solving this problem, and how he came to realise more than political, economic or social action was needed. She also explains how he came to choose...
Read more about Radical Buddhism, Changing the Myth of Society - Dh Vajratara


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« What Police Work is Really Like, Episode VI: Unnecessary Roughness
Pinned down by snipers in Benghazi »
Line in the Valley, chapter 5
I was only going to put four chapters of this book on my blog, but due to overwhelming demand (one guy named Mikey) I decided to go ahead and put chapter 5 up. Critiques, please.
Links to all other chapters and excerpts are below:
https://chrishernandezauthor.com/2013/03/22/novel-excerpt-first-chapter-of-book-3/
https://chrishernandezauthor.com/2013/04/05/line-in-the-valley-chapter-2/
https://chrishernandezauthor.com/2013/06/10/line-in-the-valley-part-of-chapter-6/
First platoon huddled around the hood of Lieutenant Quincy's humvee, staring at a map. Captain Harcrow and First Sergeant Grant stood with them. Nobody spoke as they waited for Colonel Lidell, the 56th Brigade Combat Team commander, to read a note a runner had passed to him. He frowned as he read it, making Nunez wonder what bad news he had just received.
Lidell folded the note, put it in a map case hung over his shoulder and told the runner, "Go back and tell Colonel Burress he's just going to have to make do until more troops get here. We'll talk about it later."
The runner gave a "Roger that, sir," and headed through the dark toward the mall. Nunez figured Colonel Burress, whoever he was, was bitching about having his units split up just like Nunez's battalion had been. Nunez's company received the warning order about the Arriago mission over an hour after Bravo and Charlie companies moved out from the Edinburgh mall. Bravo was sent to reinforce checkpoints around the eight affected towns, Charlie given to a scout squadron that was sending dozens of small teams to ring the towns with observation posts. At least they weren't getting some bullshit mission like guarding a police station or evacuee center, like other units were. Some mayors and police chiefs in unaffected towns near the border were making ridiculous demands of the Guard, even going so far as to insist soldiers be assigned as their personal bodyguards. The Guard's commander and the Governor weren't having any of that, but mobilized units were still being spread thin.
Arriago should have been a full battalion's mission. Instead, each of Alpha's three platoons would do the work of a company. Quincy's and Nunez's first platoon would secure the convoy, second platoon would push past them and secure the area immediately around it, third platoon would stand by outside the town as the Quick Reaction Force. If something went wrong, Captain Harcrow could find himself running out of troops real fast.
Colonel Lidell put both hands on the humvee's hood. He looked tired and frustrated. Lidell gave a loud "Good evening, warriors," and received a chorus of "Good evening sir," in response. He looked around and gave nods to several men. The younger ones nervously nodded back.
Lidell's voice didn't reflect the fatigue Nunez knew he was feeling. They were all feeling it. Since first being mobilized two days earlier, the soldiers had only slept in brief naps of less than an hour at a time, whenever they had a chance. Nunez knew they weren't at the stage where fatigue would cripple their ability to do their jobs, but another day without sleep and they'd be there.
"Men, you have received the most important mission I've ever given any soldiers under my command," Lidell said. "And you didn't receive it at random. I chose this battalion for the mission, your battalion commander Lieutenant Colonel Ybarra chose this company, and Captain Harcrow chose this platoon." He smiled, then added, "Well, this was the only company left in the battalion, so it wasn't hard to decide who to send."
The gathered soldiers laughed, just a subdued wave of chuckles. Nunez got the feeling that it was an expression of the platoon's appreciation for Lidell's willingness to speak the truth.
"Now that I know a little about this platoon, I know we've made the right choice," Lidell said, then pointed toward Quincy. "I know it's the right choice because this platoon is led by a man who took two rounds charging through a door in Afghanistan after an IED attack and ambush, and was awarded a Bronze Star with a V and a Purple Heart for it. The platoon sergeant," he said, pointing at Nunez, "picked up Quincy's SAW, dumped a drum through the doorway and then led two soldiers inside to clear it. And you all know what Sergeant Nunez did during the terrorist attack in Houston two years ago."
A few soldiers new to the platoon looked at Nunez. They knew the basic story, but no details. Nunez kept his eyes on Lidell. He hated any mention of the attack, and refused to discuss that day with anyone but his wife and a few trusted friends. He still had nightmares about it, still went to regular appointments at the department's psychological services division to talk about guilt he still felt. A lot of people had been killed while he was trying to figure out what to do. His soldiers had heard about what he had done, but not from him. He never talked about it.
Colonel Lidell pointed at another soldier. "And Sergeant Allenby ignored a serious arm wound during a firefight in Iraq so he could try to stop his squad leader from bleeding out. All your squad leaders have seen combat, almost all your NCO's have been tested in Iraq or Afghanistan, or both. So have quite a few of the specialists and corporals, and even one of the privates. And those who haven't been tested under fire aren't slackers, they're ready for what you're about to do. Other units are staging tonight to push into other towns tomorrow morning, but your mission into Arriago has priority. Remember that."
Lidell looked around again. "Men, it's up to you to recover an entire company of American soldiers who we think have been lost, and to rescue any survivors. I stress that we just think they've been lost, we don't know for sure. I know a million rumors blew through here last night after the ambush. Forget all that bullshit and just listen to what I'm going to tell you, because I got this straight from the command post. Here's what happened. . ."
As Lidell ran down the details of the ambush, Sergeant Carillo lit a cigarette. Nunez took in the sight of geared-up soldiers crowded around a map and smelled the butane scent of a lighter mixed with tobacco smoke. He was reminded of other briefings, on other nights before other missions in other, less important places. The gathering of tense soldiers communing with their leaders before battle had become normal in Nunez's life. The mission and place, however, were anything but.
Lidell continued, "After the gunfire tapered off, a soldier who claimed to be from the company got on the radio and started putting out information. He said the convoy had been hit by a near ambush that killed almost everyone. He saw over twenty enemy fighters dressed in black with black military gear, armed with M4 type weapons, AK's and one RPG that they didn't use during the ambush. He said he heard RPK fire, but as far as the command post could tell he didn't see one. He saw one soldier captured. According to this soldier, the fire initially came from shops on the east side of the street. They also took fire from an elevated position on the west side. He didn't give any more information after that. He had to get off the radio and we don't know what happened to him."
Lidell made eye contact with several of the soldiers again. "If this person's reporting is true, this was a well-prepared, well-executed ambush, better than anything the Iraqis or Taliban ever did. The enemy prepared a kill zone, blocked the road and took the entire company out in seconds. The soldiers at the checkpoints reported that heavy gunfire lasted less than a minute, then was followed by short bursts or single shots for a few minutes. We don't know what the gunfire after the initial ambush was for. Men, I hope to god they weren't executing our wounded, but I don't know. It's up to you to find out.
"Now, the soldier who was reporting. He said his name was Corporal D'Angelo. We got someone to the maintenance company's armory in Cuidad Irigoyen and found out there was in fact a Corporal D'Angelo on the convoy. He's a former regular Army infantryman who did one tour of Iraq and one of Afghanistan with the 1st Infantry Division. According to the soldiers still at that armory, this guy D'Angelo was pretty sharp. We collected all the information about him that we could, and one of the Joes in my CP wrote up detail sheets on 3×5 cards. I'm told those cards have been issued out, Captain Harcrow?"
"Yes sir," Harcrow answered. "The key leaders have them."
"Good. Keep in mind that we don't know if the person who was on the radio was really D'Angelo. Worst case scenario, one of these fucking guys just looked at a dead soldier's nametape, got on the radio, used his name and gave us false information. If you find someone claiming to be D'Angelo, be real damn careful about trusting what he tells you. We don't have a picture of him, just the information you have on your cards."
Lidell leaned in toward the platoon a bit. "Men, I'm going to tell you something that doesn't go any further than this parking lot. The truth is, that maintenance company was fucked up. Their commander was a disorganized dipshit, and there are still a bunch of soldiers at their armory who weaseled their way out of that mission. One of them even said he faked an illness to get out of it, because the company commander and First Sergeant were such shitheads. That doesn't mean we won't make every effort to recover them. But it does mean we go in there ready for a fight, not blind and stupid like they did."
Nunez raised his hand. "Sir, how does this convoy ambush affect the big picture? General Landers' bullshit about only one mag per soldier and nothing larger than a 5.56 went away, but what else has changed? What about the rumors that the President finally committed regular Army units?"
Lidell grimaced and rubbed his face. "Sergeant Nunez, the short answer is that a lot has changed. First, as you probably heard, General Landers has accepted responsibility for the ambush and stepped down from his position. I know some of you think that's good, but I don't. General Landers has been a friend of mine for over twenty years. I was one of his platoon leaders back when he had an infantry company, a long time ago. He's a good leader and he cares about his troops. When he gave the orders restricting ammo load and heavier weapons, he was trying to prevent us from using too much suppressive fire, causing unnecessary collateral damage and killing American citizens. The order to not use armored vehicles was partly because we don't have many, and partly because he was under pressure from the Pentagon to avoid the perception that we're militarizing the border. He knew how serious those orders were, and he agonized over them. And he's agonizing over the consequences. I know you men don't care about that, you have more important things to worry about than how General Landers is feeling. The important thing for you is that the acting commander of the Guard, General Koba, and Governor Mathieu have both authorized the use of stronger measures they believe necessary to destroy the hostile forces in the affected area. And the word they used was 'destroy', not 'neutralize', not 'arrest', no weak bullshit like that. The mission now is to destroy them.
"And to answer your question about the regular Army rumor, it's not a rumor. They're coming. Once the President was informed of the ambush he authorized the use of federal troops. As of four hours ago you're all under federal orders. This is no longer a criminal action, gentlemen. It's a war, or something damn close to it. Elements of the 1st Cavalry and 4th Infantry Divisions have received warning orders to head south from Fort Hood, but it's going to take some time. And remember, most of those divisions are deployed, so they only have about a brigade total strength between the two of them. All of their organic Apache battalions are overseas. Some of their troops will be airlifted in, but then they're dependent on us for sustained support. The regular Army units can't just jump in their armored vehicles and drive down here, they have to load them up on heavy equipment transporters and organize a convoy over a five hundred mile route. I'd like to think they had plans in place before they got the order, but the bottom line is that they're not going to be here for at least a day. Then they have to figure out what units are being committed where, what the orders and rules of engagement are, how to integrate with the Guard units already operating in the affected area, everything. It's going to be a couple of days before regular Army ground units move into any of the towns. Marine Reserve infantry units from San Antonio, Houston and Austin have also been mobilized, but they'll take a little time to get here. Our National Guard 19th Special Forces Group soldiers might be tasked to recover any troops captured during the convoy ambush. Apaches from the Guard unit north of Houston will be here in about a day. Tonight we'll have observation from two Navy Sea Hawk rescue helicopters from Naval Air Station Kingsville. They don't have guns or thermal sights, but the pilots have night vision and can watch the area for you.
"For now, there will be no fixed wing support. Neither the President, the Governor nor General Koba are willing to authorize air strikes inside American towns. Same thing with the use of explosives. No hand or M203 grenades, no Mark 19 grenade launchers. That could change, depending on what happens when you and other units push into the towns. For the missions about to happen, the largest weapon you'll have is an M240 machine gun."
Nunez looked at his watch. Forty minutes after midnight. They were supposed to hit their start point at one. The Sea Hawks Colonel Lidell was talking about wouldn't be on station until 0130. A unit could have been pushed into Arriago sooner, but the senior leadership wasn't rushing anything this time. Sending another company pell-mell into Arriago could compound the problem instead of fixing it.
Nunez glanced up from his watch and saw Lidell looking at him. Lidell checked his own watch and said, "Alright men, I know you don't have much time for your last minute checks, so I'll cut this off now. I'll be with your company leadership on the highway behind you, but I want you guys to know I'm not going into Arriago with you. That's not because I'm not willing to take the risks I'm asking you to take, it's because I don't want to be a distraction to you. I don't want anyone worrying about protecting me when you should be worrying about your platoon, the maintenance company, and any Americans that need help inside Arriago. If things go bad, I'll go in with the Quick Reaction Force, either as the commander or just as an extra rifle. But don't think about me while you're in there. Just do your job, accomplish your mission and make our country proud. I know you can do it, warriors. Do you have any questions for me?"
Nobody spoke. Lidell put his hand on Captain Harcrow's shoulder and said, "Alright men, that's it. Get ready to move out, and I'll be right behind you. Good luck to you."
Lidell and his entourage walked away. Harcrow gestured to Quincy and Nunez, and they gathered near him as the rest of the platoon went to their vehicles. Harcrow said, "Rodger, Jerry, I know you've checked the plan more than enough, but I'll ask anyway. Is there anything you don't understand about what we're supposed to do?"
"No sir," Quincy said. "Second platoon secures the area, we recover the casualties, third stays on the highway as the quick reaction force. Too easy, sir."
"Alright, you've got it then. Guys, I don't have to tell you that we're not about to let ourselves get taken out the way the 336th did. I trust you both to do this right. Good luck."
Harcrow walked away. Quincy turned to Nunez and said, "I told him we're ready, but are all the squad leaders really clear on the plan?"
"The squad leaders are as ready as we are. We've briefed and back-briefed them. We're all set to go."
"Okay, good." Quincy looked at his watch. "Jerry, I already know the answer to this, but any luck getting more night vision?"
Nunez gave a dejected shrug. "I begged everyone I could and looked for any that weren't tied down and under guard. There aren't any extras. We've got our two for the whole company, and we're lucky Captain Harcrow gave both of them to us for this mission. I don't think we're going to get more."
"Yeah, I know. Fuck, I wish we could. It's amazing how overseas everyone down to the lowest private gets a set, but here at home we got nothing." He rubbed his chin. "Well, fuck it. The driver of the lead vehicle gets one set and the dismounted element's point man gets the other." He looked up at the lights and said, "Uh. . . any word on whether or not the lights are still on in Arriago?"
Nunez's eyebrows rose. That question hadn't come up. "Well, shit," he said. "Nobody thought about that. If the lights are on, I guess our stealthy approach might be a little harder to pull off than we planned."
"Yeah," Quincy said, shaking his head. "Whatever, who cares. We'll deal with it when we get there." He rubbed his temples and said, "Jerry, if anyone, and I mean anyone, isn't clear on what they're supposed to do, tell me. We'll do a radio rehearsal on the way in."
"Got it, Rod. I'll pass the word." Nunez started to walk toward the rest of the platoon.
"Jerry, hold up."
Nunez turned back to see Quincy staring at him, eyes intense.
"Don't let me fuck this up," he said quietly, so nobody else would hear. "If I'm doing something wrong, tell me. I trusted you in Afghanistan and I trust you now. Watch my back."
Nunez grabbed Quincy's hand in a handshake. "Rodger, we all have each other's backs. Relax a little. You're doing everything a good infantry platoon leader should do. I trust you with my life. I mean that."
Quincy swallowed. "Right back at you, brother. Let's do this shit."
Nunez hesitated. He was taken back to another early morning, with another platoon in another place, where another lieutenant had shaken his hand and said Let's do this shit. Nunez had rolled into a Taliban-held valley in Afghanistan with that platoon leader. The disaster they expected that morning failed to materialize. But odds were a different disaster was out there, hiding on a dark street in Arriago, waiting to pounce.
Nunez gave Quincy's hand a squeeze. "Let's do this shit, Rodger."
Quincy smiled, let go of Nunez's hand and moved off toward his vehicle. Nunez walked to his humvee and climbed in. His soldiers were already there, passing a can of Copenhagen back and forth. Nunez liked the smell of chewing tobacco but couldn't imagine sticking any of that crap into his mouth.
Engines started up and down the convoy. Nunez told his driver, Private First Class Conway, to crank their humvee. Conway flipped the start switch to standby, waited for the "wait" light to go out, then flipped the switch further right and let it go. The diesel engine rumbled to life.
Within two minutes the platoon was mounted in their vehicles with engines running. Radio and weapons checks had already been completed, drivers had inspected and re-inspected the fluid levels of their vehicles, personal gear tested to ensure it wouldn't generate noise, radio frequencies set and communications checks completed. The platoon was ready.
Quincy got back on the radio. "Red 4 this is Red 1, check with 6 and see if everyone's ready to move."
Nunez answered, "1 this is 4, roger." He hung the platoon radio handset back on its mount and grabbed the handset for the company net. "Rapido 6 this is Red 4."
"Red 4 this is Rapido 6."
"6, Red platoon is ready to go, request Start Point."
"Red 4, standby one."
A few seconds passed. Nunez turned back to see Sergeant Corley, the platoon's medic, check his aid bag for what had to be the tenth time that night. Corley, twenty-eight years old, was tall, thin, pasty white and professional enough to hide the fear Nunez knew he felt. Three deployments to Iraq as a combat medic had taught him a lot. He had tourniquets on the outside of the bag ready to go, needles and tubing duct-taped to IV bags inside. His red helmet light was on so he could look into his bag. He closed the bag, turned his light off and gave Nunez two thumbs up. He was ready.
"Red 4 this is Rapido 6, all Rapido elements are ready to roll. Start your move."
Nunez acknowledged and switched back to the platoon net. "Red 1 this is Red 4, Rapido is ready."
"Roger," Quincy said. "Red platoon this is Red 1, follow me."
From his position in the convoy, three vehicles from the rear, Nunez saw Quincy's humvee at the front move out. The platoon's eight vehicles crept from their spots and followed in line as their platoon leader weaved through the parking lot and onto the highway. Nunez keyed the company radio.
"Rapido 6 this is Red 4, SP time 0058. How copy, over."
"Red 4 this is Rapido 6, I copy your SP and I'm behind you. Godspeed."
Dozens of soldiers from other units stood at the parking lot's exit, watching Nunez's platoon roll past. Nunez looked one of them in the eye. A tall and heavily muscled buck sergeant, with the demeanor and gear of an infantryman. The sergeant stared hard at Nunez and lifted his M4 over his head, a sign of one soldier's respect for another.
Other soldiers joined him. The last thing Nunez saw as they left the parking lot was a cluster of soldiers raising M4 carbines and Squad Automatic Weapons in the air as a silent salute.
Filed under: Line in the Valley	| 29 Comments
Tags: cartels, Line in the Valley, military fiction, Texas border
29 Responses to "Line in the Valley, chapter 5"
1 Scot Mantelli on May 13, 2013 said:
Love it bro! Love it!! Keep it coming. Better yet, when can we expect the full book? I apologize that i haven't been following any developments recently if there have been any, but this is one book i'd love to get my hands on ASAP!
2 chrishernandezauthor on May 14, 2013 said:
Thanks Scot. I think this book will come out this summer, unless I get overtaken by events.
3 Eowyn on May 13, 2013 said:
MIke isn't the only one enjoying the story.
If I may make one minor comment; near the end I kept reading the 1 in "1 this is 4, roger" as a lowercase L. Given that it's spoken, would it be less jarring to write the numbers down as words? I.e. "One, this is Four". Teh capitalization would even serve as a reminder that these are name tags, not just numbers.
Hmmm…I had stewed that one over earlier and felt like numbers instead of words worked better. I'll revisit that though, I might have been wrong. Thanks for the suggestion.
5 Mike_C on May 16, 2013 said:
Eowyn: Ic ácorde!"
Writing out the numerical designators reads better IMO, and allows you to avoid the sin of beginning sentences with "number" numbers. For example, one would not write something such as "Visitors to the park came from many states. 7 were from New Hampshire, 12 from Connecticut, …" The "12 is okay because it's greater than 10* and in the middle of a sentence, but most editors would change the "7" to "Seven."
Admittedly it gets complicated when a character is "Six" for some group itself denoted by a number.
Nonetheless enjoying the story and look forward to its publication.
* Weirdly enough some professional journals are directing authors to ignore the rule of spelling out small cardinal numbers (i.e. "we saw only one case of fungal yecchiosis" instead making it " …only 1 case of fungal …" ostensibly to save space and reduce page count.
Damn it! You're not making this simpler. 🙂
Not sure what to do with those numbers, I'll wait and see what an editor says. Thanks guys.
7 Mikey on May 13, 2013 said:
Surely I wasn't the only one waiting anxiously for chapter 5. I hope we'll be able to get this great story in its entirety (in any format!) soon with well deserved payment to the author for writing it.
Soon, I think. Just talked to my wife about it, we may go with sooner rather than later.
9 SPEMack on May 13, 2013 said:
Ha! Finally Jerry and the boys are on the way. Read real good. Can't wait for more. I honestly gave a little "woo" when you made mention of the 1st Cav.
One thing, and this is my former CAP cadet airpower geek talking, since they're Navy birds, wouldn't they be Seahawks or Knighthawks?
That would also make sense, being naval oriented SAR/ASW helicopters, they wouldn't have door guns or the like.
10 chrishernandezauthor on May 14, 2013 said:
You are correct. Change made. Thanks, Mack.
11 Bob on May 13, 2013 said:
When you going to get this thing published? There are maybe a few very minor things, but not enough to distract from an excellent story. Look forward to each episode that you have put out. Hope the full thing is completed soon.
Probably this summer. Do you mind pointing out the minor errors? Thanks for the comments and support.
13 Joshua Morris on May 13, 2013 said:
I'm dying to read the rest of this book, Chris. I'm enthralled.
I sincerely hope you'll find a publisher soon, because I must have more!
14 Tom Ciarula on May 13, 2013 said:
This is great. I like this a lot better that some of the stuff I bought. Put me on the list to buy a copy
15 Fred Tejan on May 13, 2013 said:
You have got to keep going Chris. This stuff is fantastic, and yes, far better than some of the books I have read as well.
16 Mark on May 13, 2013 said:
Please provide a way for me to read the entire book. TAKE MY MONEY!
17 M. A. Baxley, Jr. on May 13, 2013 said:
How much you want?? Never mind, take my wallet, PLEASE! I want more!
18 Greer on May 13, 2013 said:
Well done Chris.
I am enjoying the saga, and look forward to the next installment.
19 Aesop on May 13, 2013 said:
FInish this thing, brother! I want the whole book, and I know you aren't putting that out online.
Nothing to criticize in what you've got.
20 Sher Khan on May 15, 2013 said:
Good stuff — please keep it coming. I look forward to buying the complete book soon, too. You're getting good feedback comments on tech specs, I think.
Thanks Sher, I hope to have the book available soon.
22 Boyd Kneeland on May 16, 2013 said:
My critique is that the paper publishing business acts as if Guttenberg was still their man and like plastic printing plates haven't been coming out of two thousand dollar laser printers since 1985. The surprise is how long it is taking that delusion to kill them.
Really looking forward to buying this from you.
Thanks Boyd. I'm pretty amazed that there's still so much emphasis on paper printing. I've had an agent tell me my story sounded great, I was doing everything right as far as getting critiques and test readers, I had the right background to tell the story. . . but he wouldn't even look at it unless I cut at least 40,000 words. Printing costs make publishers limit books from new authors to 80,000 or less.
Thanks for reading and commenting, and I hope to hear your feedback after you read the entire book.
24 Dave L. on May 16, 2013 said:
Chris- one minor error of fact that I noticed. 4th Infantry Division isn't based at Ft Hood anymore, they're at Ft. Carson, CO.
Major Army formations in TX are 1st Cavalry Division and 3rd ACR (Stryker) at Hood (plus III Corps HQ and I'm sure a bunch of supporting units. The MI Bde assigned to III Corps will have a LRS company, IDed on the org chart as a Cav squadron), and 1st Armored Division at Fort Bliss.
Gotcha, good catch. Do you think it would detract from the story if I left it that way, or does it feel better if I change it to 3rd ACR?
Guys like me will notice, but I don't think it would affect too much to leave it. Inserting 3ACR might upset your story's timeline if you want to stay realistic about it – Strykers are wheeled, and they could move to the border without needing HETTs. The SBCTs at Ft Lewis self-deploy over Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 to Yakima all the time. In this case, they'd send logistics officers to every truck stop between Hood and the border to buy diesel with Uncle Sam's credit card. They could probably have the lead squadron on scene within 24 hours of a movement order.
If you want to base 4ID out of Carson, you might also railload 1ID units from Riley. Actual deployment time wouldn't be much longer, if at all, especially if the rail cars were already at Riley. Or just use all 1CD units. The heavies aren't getting much play in Afghanistan.
In your scenario, 1AD probably wouldn't be relevant to your story, since they'd probably be moving to cover the border out in west Texas.
I hadn't thought about wheeled Strykers. That probably would screw up the story. But thanks for letting me know, I'll have to think on it.
Well, the beauty of being the author is you can send them on a deployment to Kandahar without having to consult FORSCOM.
They're now deployed! Thanks Dave.


text:
HomeJudiciaryTharoor can't be compelled to face 'rigmaroles of trial', court says as...
Tharoor can't be compelled to face 'rigmaroles of trial', court says as it cites lack of evidence
The court says there was 'nothing on record' to prove that Tharoor had acted to 'irritate or annoy Pushkar' till she reacted and took the step of killing herself.
Bhadra Sinha
19 August, 2021 08:29 pm IST
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor with his late wife Sunanda Pushkar | Twitter/@sptvrock
New Delhi: In the absence of concrete evidence to show that Congress MP Shashi Tharoor had "provoked, encouraged or incited his wife Sunanda Pushkar to commit suicide he cannot be compelled to face the "rigmaroles of a criminal trial," a Delhi court said in its 176-page discharge order, setting the parliamentarian free of abetment to suicide charges.
Special judge Geetanjali Goel held that the evidence produced by Delhi Police showed no "instances or illustrations" of instigation that would be covered under abetment "as interpreted in a catena of judgements."
Furthermore, there was "nothing on record" to prove that the lawmaker had acted to "irritate or annoy Pushkar" till she reacted and took the step of killing herself.
"No doubt a precious life was lost. But in the absence of specific allegations and sufficient material to make out the ingredients of the various offences and on the basis of which the court could, at this stage presume that the accused had committed the offence, the accused cannot be compelled to face the rigmaroles of a criminal trial," the judge noted in her order.
The judge observed that none of the reports submitted by the doctors and autopsy board confirmed the cause of Pushkar's death.
"Suffice it to say that none of the Reports either of Medical Doctors or of Psychological Autopsy Board had confirmed that the death was a suicide", it was noted in the order.
Even if it was presumed to be a case of suicide, the judge held, there was a lack of evidence to prove the charges of abetment to suicide.
On the police's assertion that Tharoor's extramarital relationship had pushed Pushkar to take the extreme step, the judge observed even this allegation was not backed by any evidence.
Delhi Police had in 2018 pressed charges of cruelty and abetment to suicide against Tharoor, three years after Pushkar was found dead in January 2014 at a hotel in New Delhi.
Additional Public Prosecutor Atul Shrivastava, appearing for the police, opposed Tharoor's application for discharge, contending such a plea can be made only where the material on record was "wholly or absolutely insufficient."
Days before her death, she was "distraught and felt betrayed by her husband," the prosecution had told the bench. According to the police counsel, mental cruelty under section 498A of the Indian Penal code (IPC) covered even those situations that could drive a woman "to cause grave injury to herself or endanger her life."
Pushkar, it was argued, had started smoking though she did not smoke and had stopped eating. This was dangerous to her health and led her to develop suicidal ideations.
Also read: Sunanda Pushkar wanted to be in politics, family doesn't suspect Tharoor of murder: New book
How the case came apart
In Tharoor's defence, senior advocate Vikas Pahwa argued the prosecution could not establish the case of suicide. Therefore, the charges of abetment to suicide against Tharoor do not stand. The chemical examination reports on the viscera did not show the presence of Alprazolam or any other poisonous substance, but only caffeine. Nothing suspicious and unnatural was found in the body or outside, he said.
Pahwa criticised the AIIMS Autopsy Board for having started a parallel investigation, which he said was done to justify an earlier speculative report given by it.
"The Autopsy Board had written a letter to the SHO asking for circumstantial evidence which was not their job," he told the bench.
It was contended that the doctors had given their own interpretation as they only wanted to prove that it was a case of poisoning which was not their job.
He argued the prosecution had to establish the cause of death, which it could not do so. The conclusion drawn by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on the basis of which the charge sheet was filed was contrary to the evidence which was collected.
The counsel cited several top court verdicts in support of his arguments to say even having an extramarital affair was not good enough a ground to charge someone with mental cruelty.
None of the boards confirmed that death was suicide
The judge discussed the medical documents that were prepared by several boards over the years.
It said the AIIMS Autopsy Board — constituted immediately after the incident — had maintained that the cause of death was poisoning and due to excessive ingestion of Alprazolam.
However, it had not stated about the death being homicidal or suicidal or accidental, the judge said. Later, the board constituted by the Director-General of Health Services had also stated that no definite opinion could be given in this regard.
Even the Psychological Autopsy Board in the first Report had stated that the death was not homicide or suicide, while in its second report it said the deceased had suicidal ideations but did not state it was a suicide nor there is any other material to confirm it.
"Suffice it to say that none of the reports either of Medical Doctors or of Psychological Autopsy Board had confirmed that the death was a suicide. As such, none of the Boards had confirmed that the death was a suicide," the judge said.
Also read: Calcutta HC orders CBI, SIT probes into Bengal post-poll violence, Mamata govt could move SC
Relationship between act of suicide and conduct of accused
She added that though Pushkar did not suffer from any major ailment, she had various problems for which she took some medication. And this, the court said, was seconded by some of the witnesses.
A few prosecution witnesses also pointed to the fact that she was disturbed over her health though she was more distressed over the alleged affair of Tharoor.
Yet, the judge added, there was no evidence to "suggest that there was any willful conduct on the part of the accused of such a nature as was likely to drive the deceased to commit suicide or to cause injury or danger to life, limb or health."
The judge also accepted the defence contention that even the prosecution had not taken a particular stance on the cause of death — whether it was a homicide or suicide.
The court stated Pushkar might have felt distressed or mentally disturbed with Tharoor's alleged extramarital relation, but mental disturbance did not constitute the offence of abetment as held in various judgments of the top court.
There has to be a relationship between the act of suicide and the conduct of the accused, the judge said, quoting the SC rulings.
On prosecution's allegations that Tharoor neglected Pushkar's health, the court observed: "same cannot be termed as having been done with the intention to goad her or instigate her to commit suicide".
The court recorded appreciation for the prosecution "for the painstaking efforts put in by the investigating officer initially and then the SIT to collect, analyse and review all available material meticulously."
"Thereafter, the chargesheet appears to have been filed in the hope that perhaps the Court would find some material to proceed with the trial against the accused. However, criminal trials require evidence," held the court.
Also read: No organised system for militancy in Meghalaya, extortion racket to blame for unrest: CM Sangma
Delhi court order
Sunanda Pushkar


The 8 week CNU Undergraduate Study Abroad Program is going to conclude next week. It is now time for the CNU (Capital Normal University, Beijing, China) students to reflect on their accomplishments, celebrate the goals they have achieved, and value the friendships they have made! It is time to thank those who believed in them and helped them overcome culture shock and obstacles during their study abroad period.
You are cordially invited to the completion ceremony for the CNU Undergraduate Study Abroad Program, held in the Huehn Theatre from 2:30-4:30 pm on Tuesday August 29, followed by a reception.
Here is the agenda for the completion ceremony.


MoonMoon spawns in at the beginning of combat with Slayers in the Lower Slum District.
Pets are people or creatures that join you in combat to help vanquish your enemies. If a pet is killed, it is unavailable for a certain amount of time until it recovers, after which it can join combat again.
Each type of pet has a kind of territory it likes to appear in. A werewolf, for example, will appear in the wild, or in industrial ruins or abandoned streets, but won't join you in a museum or a nightclub. A gang enforcer will happily appear in alleys or social spots, but likely won't appear in sewers or catacombs.
You can prioritize which pets appear in combat, in addition to renaming them or disabling them (which you may want to do if you don't want them killing your adversaries before you have a chance to wipe their minds and make them work for you).
Pets also appear in your lairs, where they will wander around, eat whatever's in the fridge, and occasionally leave their dirty socks on your coffee table (some pets, not all). While wandering around your lair they occasionally offer quests that develop their backstories.
Pets can be purchased at various points in the game or acquired from quest lines. Pets offered during the Kickstarter and from the store generally have lower respawn times and cosmetic differences, but are not more powerful.


text:
Australia faces big challenges in chairing the G20
Colin Chapman
The challenge Australia faces as chair of the G20 this year is to reverse the widespread perception that the group is on the slide and not much more than an ineffective talking shop. Setting an agenda that is both short and manageable will be the key to success in Brisbane.
The next two-day G20 Summit in Brisbane is not until November 15, but the chief sherpa, Australia's Heather Smith, is already up and climbing. She recently hosted a meeting in Sydney of fellow sherpas from the other 19 countries whose leaders will come to Queensland, while also meeting academics, business leaders, opinion formers and decision makers within Think 20 (T20), a cerebral group of thinkers from the nations that make up the G20.
A sherpa's life
Dr Smith's mobile phone is on such active duty that it is in constant need of recharging. The life of this deputy secretary in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet will not be her own again until well after the last farewells in late November, when she passes the baton to her counterpart from Turkey.
The term sherpa is derived from the experienced guides on expeditions in the Himalayas. This is appropriate, because, as a previous Mexican G20 sherpa reminds us, "it emphasizes the preparatory process, the gradual ascent to the summit". This epitomizes the G20, where most of the work and the limited achievements will have taken place weeks before the presidents and prime ministers take off for Brisbane.
Meaningful summitry
As a veteran observer of such summits – and of the less representative G8 and its G7 predecessor – it is easy to be cynical as to their real value. The communiqué is usually drafted, agreed by officials and printed before the meeting starts. The texts tend to be platitudinous rather than precise, and often contain sentences identical to those used previously: "We remain committed to economic growth and free trade".
That said, there is a real determination in Canberra that the Brisbane G20 should be different. As he left Sydney to attend the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Tony Abbott said as much: the G20 should not be a talkfest; it needs to make a "practical difference to the global economy". Given the G20's record in recent years, that is a big ask. However, the Prime Minister's recent participation in the World Economic Forum is a promising start.
Another positive for Australia's chairmanship of the G20 is that preparation began a year ago. Wayne Swan announced the Government's $4 million support over four years for a G20 Studies Centre within the Lowy Institute for International Policy. This is headed by Mike Callaghan, a well-respected former senior Treasury official who also spent five years in Washington as an executive director of the International Monetary Fund and worked as chief-of-staff to former Federal Treasurer, Peter Costello.
Mr Callaghan has no illusions about the uphill task Australia faces in restoring credibility to the G20 — under attack from many in the G8 leadership, who resent the way it has assumed the central role this Atlantic-centric body once had, and equally disliked by those whose economies are below the line and left outside the club. Mr Callaghan believes that to succeed, the Brisbane summit "must be relevant"; to achieve this, the agenda should not be too long and should be tightly focused on major points of concern. G20 leaders have only a few hours together, have a limited attention span, and are, in many cases, trapped by a domestic agenda and media demand for punchy sound bites.
Lowy and Callaghan picked up an idea started by Mexico — the T20, in which think tanks and academics from G20 countries pool their ideas on important issues to be discussed within the G20 process. This is not a bad idea, because even if an issue does not make the final agenda – or the leaders' briefs – the fact that it is widely discussed by opinion formers and thinkers within all 20 countries can often lead to constructive dialogue and subsequent consensus between officials.
But at the one-day Think 20 meeting I attended in Sydney in December, with participation from most of the G20 countries, it became clear that the range of subjects put forward for debate far exceeded any vague prospect of their ever being agreed upon, let alone reaching the summit agenda. Mr Callaghan knows this. So does Dr Smith, Jo Hockey, Andrew Robb, Julie Bishop and Tony Abbott. They are all aware that 'agenda creep' must be cut.
Framing the agenda
So what will be considered important? Finding ways of creating sustainable economic growth worldwide will be the prime topic. Each country might be asked to publish its own economic growth strategy well ahead of the November meeting, in the hope that the summit itself could focus on a coordinated approach. This sounds like good policy, until the outcomes start hitting domestic agendas – for example, Chinese companies building and part-owning Australian high-speed rail infrastructure.
Trade will also feature strongly. The Abbott Government has already made strides here with a free trade agreement with South Korea, which will greatly help Australia's agricultural sector, and build relationships with our fourth largest trading partner. Another FTA with Japan is imminent. Peter Varghese, Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, believes the way forward in trade is for those countries willing to do so to forge ahead with bilateral deals, thereby setting an example for others. It will be interesting to see whether two Obama proposals – the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and the US-EU trade deal – move nearer to conclusion.
Australia also wants to see some movement on major global infrastructure projects, with each country's budgets divided into operational accounts (the budget) and a capital, or investment, account for big infrastructure projects. These would be financed by countries issuing long-term infrastructure bonds, linked to each project and available to international institutional investors. It's a good idea, but it will take much preparatory work between now and November.
And then there is the issue of equity in global taxation, where Australia has been one of the losers to big corporations who have (legally) minimized their corporate tax obligations through a series of complex devices and the use of tax havens. Former Assistant Treasurer David Bradbury, who lost his seat at the 2013 election, had been involved in much useful work here. Current Assistant Treasurer Senator Arthur Sinodinos confirmed to me that the Government would be putting firm proposals on taxation of international companies to the G20 meeting, after detailed discussions with finance ministers between now and November.
These subjects alone could occupy the entire summit, and still not lead to resolution, without addressing the many other issues on the global agenda, such as poverty reduction, financial stability, food security, climate change, the future of international institutions…
The task now is framing an agenda that is manageable, works and has at least a chance of achieving some results. If the sherpas can get that far, then it's possible that Brisbane 2014 can save the G20's faltering reputation.
Colin Chapman is President of the AIIA in New South Wales, and a former BBC economics correspondent and senior executive at the Financial Times, London.
Electoral Advertising Gets a Little More Light
By Peter Chen and Mary Griffiths
Next year, Google will utilise in-house transparency tools within Australia to verify the origins and spending on electoral advertising. Whether this transparency initiative will encourage a heightened awareness of the responsibilities of companies or change the way Australians look at political messaging remains to be seen.
Trump, the Shutdown, the Border, and the Wall
By Robert Donnelly
Rather than constituting an effective response to illegal immigration, Trump's insistence on building a border wall with Mexico reflects his unfounded paranoia towards migration in general.
Iran's Nuclear Ambitions
By Richard Broinowski AO
The assassination of Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh is immensely provocative to all Iranians. It may be the tipping point towards a full Iranian nuclear weapons program.


text:
Eacles opaca is een vlinder uit de familie van de nachtpauwogen (Saturniidae). De wetenschappelijke naam van de soort is voor het eerst geldig gepubliceerd in 1878 door Burmeister.

Nachtpauwogen

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


50,000 years ago – The peopling of Australia around this time suggests that humans had at least a serviceable knowledge of constructing watercraft.
30,000 years ago – The first domestication of dogs is thought to have begun. Essentially, it is the beginning of the human use of living tools which continues with the Agricultural Revolution and the domestication of plants and other animals – arguably humankind's greatest invention.
20,000 years ago – Indications of an early knowledge of mathematics are discovered.
27 BC – Roman surveyors used odometers to measure out the famous roads that led back to Rome.
1 AD – Alexandrian engineer, Hero, invents an early steam-driven turbine.
Similarly, the Glass Age has been in the process of exponential advances as well. According to Corning, the world's leading innovators in materials science, glass has been one of the most transformative materials in history. What was once considered a fragile material, glass is now stronger than steel. Glass that was once brittle can now be rolled up like paper. We can now experience limitless possibilities of design and functionality through precision glass used in products like interactive touch screens.
Harness the qualities of glass for your company. Present, annotate and collaborate on a giant tablet with meeting participants in the room and around the world. An interactive flat screen puts everything you need to visually present, capture and share ideas at your fingertips – all beautifully integrated into a single device. It's a perfect complement to your audio visual system and we have affordable but extremely durable interactive displays.


text:
HomeMuseum ExhibitsOdds & Ends
F70413 – Bunk Car – Seaboard Airline
Built c. 1930 by Seaboard as a maintenance mobile bunkhouse for track maintenance workers, it is equipped with a coal stove, shower, icebox and bunks for six. It is constructed of wood. It was donated in 1960.
200 – Kitchen Car – U.S. Army
This car was built in 1944 and used to prepare and serve food on troop trains. It was donated in 1966.
C-271 – U.S. Army Self-Propelled Crane
American DiesElectric built this 50-ton self-propelled crane in 1953 for the Army Transportation Corps. It was donated in 1992.
Log Cart
A DeFuniak Springs, Fla., logging company used this two-wheel, one-axle cart to move logs from where they were cut in the forest to a loading area for transport to the saw mill. Carl Adkison operated used this mule-powered cart during the 1930s. The cart has a winch to pull one end of the log off the ground. Mules then dragged it to a loading area for its trip to the sawmill. Click here to read more about the history of log carts.
Park Train
The Park Train dates to 1957, when it started service at the Birmingham, Alabama, Zoo. The two trains and their cars were donated to the Museum in 2000 and entered service in 2012.


text:
Home 2011: 9 Aliran Monthly 31: 9 editor's note
Aliran Monthly 31: 9 editor's note
Najib's announcement about the imminent repeal of the ISA and emergency era laws caught many by surprise. As Anil Netto writes in our cover story, it vindicates a half-century long 'people power' struggle against detention without trial laws.
This journey is instructive: it illustrates to us vividly that the struggle for justice and freedom is often long and arduous. But it also shows us what is possible if we persevere until enough people stand up to be counted and a critical mass is reached.
Kua Kia Soong, however, wonders if this is going to be a case of old poison in a new bottle. Malaysians, he says, would do well to demand that there is no return to detention without charge. That's the point which Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh, who spearheaded the Abolish ISA campaign in recent years, reiterates.
More good news came when the Australian courts blocked a refugee swap deal with Malaysia, for which Tommy Thomas is thankful. The merits of the case, he notes, would never have been determined by our courts.
Another case grabbed the attention of Angeline Loh: the case of Japanese multinational corporation Asahi Kosei which was suing human rights lawyer Charles Hector over entries in his blog about migrant workers' complaints.
Finally, Mustafa K Anuar looks back at the Bersih rally and laments over how the mainstream press disregarded the Bersih phenomenon. That was tantamount to abandoning journalistic and a commitment to truth and social responsibility.


text:
Code of Federal Regulations,Title 49,Transportation,Parts 400-571,Revisedas of October 1, 2021
Code of Federal Regulations, Title 50, Part 17(Section 17.95(f)-End), Revised as of October 1, 2021
Cfr T 50 Pt 17(17.95(f)-end ; Code Of Federal Regulations(2021)
Code of Federal Regulations, Title 50, Wildlife and Fisheries, Part 660-end, Revised as of October 1, 2021
Cfr Title 50 Pt 660-end ; Code Of Federal Regulations(2021)
Code of Federal Regulations, Title 46, Shipping, Parts 41-69, Revised as of October 1, 2021
Cfr Title 46 Parts 41-69 ; Code Of Federal Regulations(2021)
Code of Federal Regulations, Title 43, Public Land, Interior, Part 1000-END, Revised as of October 1, 2021
Code of Federal Regulations, Title 46, Shipping, Part 70-89, Revised as of October 1, 2021(Only the Cover was Revised)
Cfr T46 P.70-89,r10-1-21 Cover; Code Of Federal Regulations(2021)
Code of Federal Regulations,Title 48,Federal Acquisition Regulations System, Chapter 15-28, Revised as of October 1, 2021
Cfr Title 48 Ch 15-28 ; Code Of Federal Regulations(2021)
Code of Federal Regulations, Title 50, Wildlife and Fisheries, PART 17(Section 17.96-17.98, Revised as of October 1, 2021
Cfr T 50 Pt 17 (17.96-17.98) ; Code Of Federal Regulations(2021)
Cfr T46 P.140-155, R10-1-21 ; Code Of Federal Regulations(2021)
Nov/dec 2021; Military Review
Vol 86 208 11-01-21; Federal Register Complete


We can't say it enough, in this day and age, you can't have a business without a website and social media. However, for small businesses, there's never enough time for anything. I'd guess around five percent of Quote Roller's customers have a website domain with a run-down countdown under and "Under Construction" sign. They don't even have contact info or links to social media on there. This just doesn't do.
Today we want to introduce you to one of our rockstar clients Great Dental Websites which helps folks in their industry leave a cyber footprint, so they can attract and manage new customers.
Jeff Gladnick: I'm the founder of GreatDentalWebsites.com. We help hundreds of dentists across North America and Europe create dental websites and market themselves online.
Jeff: There are seven dentists in my family, and they all needed websites. I was the only computer engineer.
Jen: Why is it important for dentists to have websites?
2) When combined with search engine optimization, the new patient revenue is fantastic. We have many customers who, through their website alone, have brought in over 100k in patient revenue every year. These are patients who come in and say "I was looking online for a dentist on Google and we found you." Every year.
3) It's a convenience for existing patients who can't remember your phone number or need an easy way to contact you or refer you to a friend or see what other services you offer before calling.
Jen: Why should dentists utilize social media?
Jeff: This can be quite beneficial for keeping existing patients engaged and building a relationship.
Jeff: Due to the nature of our business, we can't just take ten dentists in the same area, since they are competing with each other. So we have to look all over, geographically, for new customers to help. Eventually, we will run out of empty spots on the map and can literally no longer take on new clients.
Jen: Since you say your market has an eventual limit, will you expand to other sectors or sub-sectors?
Jeff: Saw it in the Xero.com integration page and it piqued my interest. We spend a lot of time writing proposals, so I thought I'd try it.
Jeff: Our proposals are better managed and delivered on schedule. They are more professional and effective, and it plugs in nicely to our CRM and accounting software. Plus the time it takes to write a proposal is at least halved.
Jeff: I think you mean what have I already told my friends about Quote Roller. I told them to sign up asap.
Jeff: We don't have a huge sample size but it's about doubled in the first 2 months.


text:
Q: Implementing a C function that splits a string on a given character and returns an array of strings after the split (along with length of array) I'm trying to implement a C function that takes a string and then breaks that string on a certain character and returns back an array of strings after the split along with the size of that array. I'm using a data structure for this since returning a 2D array (the array of strings after the split) and its length is not possible. My code is given below:
struct charArr {
    char *arr[10000];
    int size;
};

struct charArr *stringSplitter(char *str, char c) {
    struct charArr *splitString = (struct charArr *)malloc(sizeof(struct charArr));
    if (splitString == NULL) {
        fprintf(stderr, "malloc failed\n");
        exit(1);
    }
    splitString->size = 0;
    int i = 0;
    int j = 0;

    while (str[i] != '\0') {
        if (str[i] == c) {
            splitString->arr[splitString->size][j] = '\0';

            (splitString->size)++;
            j = 0;
            i++;

            while (str[i] == c) {    /* this loop is to ignore continuous occurrences of the character c */
                i++;
            }
        } else {
            splitString->arr[splitString->size][j] = str[i];
            i++;
            j++;
        }
    }
    splitString->arr[splitString->size][j] = '\0';
    return splitString;
}

int main(int argc, char *argv[]) {

    // take input from command line
    if (argc == 1) {
        //buffer to store lines
        size_t buffer_size = 128;
        char *buffer = malloc(buffer_size * sizeof(char));
        if (buffer == NULL) {
            fprintf(stderr, "malloc failed\n");
            exit(1);
        }

        // loop continuously till user exits by ctrl+c
        while (1) {
            printf("Enter Input> ");
            getline(&buffer, &buffer_size, stdin);

            char *str = strdup(buffer);

            struct charArr *splitString = stringSplitter(str, '&');

            for (int i = 0; i<splitString->size; i++) {
                printf("%s ", splitString->arr[i]);
            }
        }
    }
    return 0;
}

On running the code on a simple input like (the input is continuously taken from the command line):

Enter Input> this & that

I expect the output to be:

this that

But, I'm getting the error:

Segmentation fault (core dumped)

If the input is as shown below (i.e; continuous occurrences of the splitting character):

Enter Input> this &&& that

then also the output must be:

this that

Edit: I'm trying to extend this to split a string on multiple delimiters as well (in one go), so instead of char c in the above function, if char *c is passed which is a string of delimiters (example c = " \t\n" to remove all white spaces from given string), then also it should work as expected and return an array of strings after the split and length of array.
For example, if input is (multiple spaces, tabs and newline):
Enter Input>      this                               that

Then the array returned (which is a part of the returned structure) must be of size 2 and only contain the 2 strings - "this" and "that".

A: Here's a rewrite of your function with the corrections that you need for proper allocation of each found string using strdup():
You can find my modifications preceded with comments that start 'Previously':
struct charArr* stringSplitter(char *str, char c){
    struct charArr* splitString = (struct charArr*)malloc(sizeof(struct charArr));
    char buffer[ MAX_BUFF ] ;
    if(splitString == NULL){
        fprintf(stderr, "malloc failed\n");
        exit(1);
    }
    splitString->size = 0;
    int i=0;
    int j=0;

    while(str[i] != '\0'){

        if(str[i] == c){
            //Previously:  splitString->arr[splitString->size][j] = '\0';
            splitString->arr[splitString->size] = strndup( buffer , j );

            (splitString->size)++;
            j = 0;
            i++;

            while(str[i] == c){    /* this loop is to ignore continuous occurrences of the character c */
                i++;
            }
        } else {
            // Previously:  splitString->arr[splitString->size][j] = str[i];
            buffer[j] = str[i];
            i++;
            j++;
        }

    }
    //Previously:  splitString->arr[splitString->size][j] = '\0';
    splitString->arr[splitString->size++] = strndup( buffer , j );
    return splitString;
}

A: It's been a long time since I wrote any C so I thought this would be a challenge.  Here's a rewrite of the stringSplitter function.
struct charArr* stringSplitter(char *str, char c){
    struct charArr* splitString = (struct charArr*)malloc(sizeof(struct charArr));
    if(splitString == NULL){
        fprintf(stderr, "malloc failed\n");
        exit(1);
    }
    splitString->size = 0;
    char sep[2];
    sep[0] = c;
    sep[1] = (char) 0;

    char* next;
    while( (next = strtok( str, sep )) )
    {
      str = NULL;
      splitString->arr[ splitString->size++ ] = next;
    }

    return splitString;
}

Above, I'm simply using strtok.   Take a look at the manpage for strtok() to see it's nuances.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Are indie developers totally disqualified from Ocu...
Are indie developers totally disqualified from Oculus Quest store? Is the quality really count?
laszlo_leber
This is not an attack, just a talking.
I'm writting because my second game pitch is rejected from the store, however my current 2 works are good quality products.
I.) In case of BangSquash I could imagine, that their problem is that it's an arcade game probably, but it's just a tip. It's a block-breaker style game for VR which could be attractive for people of all ages.
I sent the pitch twice to them. So when I got the email that they rejected my pitch, I started to finish the product as soon as possible without lost in details and I published it elsewhere... I simplified it to send it for Go&GearVR too.
Youtube trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDXEy-17hJ0
II. ) My history continued with a horror game...
Ok, I started to develop a next game, where I bought professional models, textures, etc. They are from really professional sources. There were not cheap but I'm a developer, and I have no studio so I must buy them...
I sent them a new pitch about this game and they rejected it after a few hours.
Teaser trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBQDIHPH408
I wrote them down, that I have everything to finish this horror game and make this high quality. Of course it was a little teaser trailer after a few days of coding, because I'm at the very beggining of this project.
I think they don't accept pitch from indie developers however I have no doubt that in case of this horror game I will achieve a high quality product at the end.
What do you think about the topic?
I think at least they must provide us more information about the reason. "After a thorough review of your submission, your application has not been accepted to receive Oculus Quest publishing access at this time. Your application is, however, a good candidate for the Oculus Start." is not enought.
I hope that after I sent my first game twice they didn't push the reject button automatically in case of my secound game 😞
Metal_Multiball
Chris Pruett outlines Quest quality metrics in this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrcYCLzgSsY
JeffNik
From reading these forums, Oculus is very picky about accepting submissions for the Oculus Store. Also from what I'm reading, they are in the process of integrating support for a second "store" for indie and hobbyist developers to sell their games that are less "curated" (but still follow Oculus content restriction guidelines). I understand it could be in place early next year.
stevehinan said:
Thank you, I will check it.
JeffNik said:
That would be a nice step from Oculus. I think, they should provide something like that because if they separate at least a category or something like that for indie developers, than it would be a chance for the regular users to buy something they want and for indie developers too to publish their content in official way. For many regular users, the side quest is really complicated way to download and run games. And it's not official. Mostly the hardcore gamers take the trouble to download the games in that way. And most games, for e.g arcade games are not for that community.
laszlo.leber said:
There were a few hints that the Oculus solution might actually use the SideQuest platform, with modifications and updates. Apparently Oculus reached out to them, and shortly after the Oculus announcement, the SideQuest team announced some sort of significant changes that they would be making soon, but it's quite possible that's just unrelated or unsubstantiated rumor.
I have just watched this video but I really don't know what's the problem with my pitch. I have sent them a 3 page detailed pitch with all the information they require. I have analysed the example pitch document before.
So my presumption is that they don't accept pitches from Indie developers. But I don't know why is that? I can invest lots of money into a project too if needed, I can develop it, I can buy the professional models, textures, visual architects too. My reference point is "Affected the Manor" regarding my horror game. And I can tell you I bought similar resources to build the game. it's not impossible to achieve that quality level. And I can invest money for that. But my creativity and huge development experience is given.
Is there any Indie developer who've succeded on quest store?
ovr-platform-util.exe "A server error occurred". Memory leak detected and more... in Tool Feedback 04-26-2022
Oculus Quest - Way to Store in Quest Development 02-12-2021
Is Oculus the right platform for hobby developers? in General Development 01-15-2021
Add QR code functionality to the Oculus Quest API in Quest Development 10-05-2020