text:
CAS calls for further investment into energy efficiency measures amid soaring demand for advice
Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) is calling for greater investment in energy efficiency measures as demand for online advice soared as the weather turned cold.
Unique webpage views of the charity's online advice page 'Grants and Benefits to help you pay your energy bills' have soared by 136% since September, going from 581 views in September to 1,372 in November.
The figures come as 1 in 4 households in Scotland, over 600,000 find themselves in fuel poverty.
There is also increasing numbers of homes in extreme fuel poverty. A household is in extreme fuel poverty if it spends more than a fifth of its income on energy costs and it still cannot afford sufficient heating and an acceptable standard of living.
Scottish Government predictions estimate that fuel poverty figures could rise further due to Covid-19, to 29%.
CAS is calling for greater investment in energy efficiency measures, as well as encouraging people to get help and support with their bills.
Kate Morrison, CAS fair markets spokesperson, said: "As the weather turned cold, increasing numbers of people checked our online advice for help paying their energy bills.
"This could be the tip of the iceberg, with Covid-19 potentially leading to an increase in fuel poverty as more people struggle to heat their homes.
"The figures in Scotland are already bad enough with 1 in 4 households in fuel poverty, so it's essential people get the help they need.
"CAS has produced an online tool to help people cut their living costs and increase their incomes, at www.moneymap.scot.
"As we look beyond COVID-19 and towards the huge challenge of net zero, investing further in energy efficiency measures is a no brainer. It's win-win, cutting bills and emissions and the same time. With the delayed COP 26 coming to Glasgow in 2021, now is the time to invest further."
Tags: Citizens Advice Scotland, fuel poverty
Innovative partnership to create energy efficient homes for Dundee Ayrshire Housing's new community facility progresses Council tenants in Dundee opt for 1.5% housing rent increase


LOS ANGELES (AP) Stephen Curry was having an off night. By the time the fourth quarter ended, he had hit only six of 17 shots – and three of those misses were air balls.
But when the game went into overtime, the two-time MVP showed again what makes him the NBA's best shooter.
Curry hit two 3-pointers to open the extra period and the Warriors outlasted the pesky Los Angeles Lakers 127-123 on Wednesday.
"Obviously, he had a horrible start to the game, but what makes Steph, Steph, is on a night like tonight he can still make huge plays," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said.
Curry scored 28 points, 13 in overtime. Kevin Durant led the Warriors with 29 points and Klay Thompson added 20 as Golden State avoided losing consecutive games for the first time this season.
The Lakers got a career-high 32 points from Brandon Ingram to push the defending champs into overtime. He and Durant dueled back-and-forth all night.
It was the first meeting of the season between the division foes, also making it the first matchup between Curry and Lakers rookie point guard Lonzo Ball.
Ball finished with 15 points and a game-high 10 assists. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Jordan Clarkson added 21 points each for the Lakers, with Julius Randle scoring 20.
It helps when you have Curry, who despite struggling almost all night, can quickly step up when needed.
After scoring five consecutive points in the third quarter, Ball was in a scrape on the floor for a loose ball when his head slammed against the court. It opened up a small cut above his left eye. The Lakers closed it with a Steri-Strip and Ball returned to the game.
Los Angeles had a chance to win at the end of regulation when Randle rebounded Durant's miss with 5.3 seconds to play. The Lakers set up a play for Ingram, but he missed a driving 8-footer.
Despite the Lakers' 8-13 record, Kerr sees positives in their rebuilding effort.
Warriors: Play the second of six consecutive road games Friday in Orlando. Golden State has won its last nine against the Magic.
Lakers: Travel to Denver to face the Nuggets on Saturday. Los Angeles beat the Nuggets 127-109 at home on Nov. 19, its second-largest margin of victory this season.


And Iwersen and Miller fully embraced the idea.
They haven't always played doubles this spring. Chronister mixes them up between singles and doubles, but when they have shared the same court, they've shown why their aspirations to reach the Class 2A State Tournament are real.
They got off to a great start during the first day of the Class 2A Sub-District Tournament on Friday, May 8, dismissing Anacortes' Lali Kushner and Natalie Wilson with a brisk 6-0, 6-1 victory, at Western Washington University's tennis courts.
After a quick first set, the Bellingham duo dropped the first game of set No. 2 before reeling off six straight games.
Next for Iwersen and Miller is a quarterfinal match against Blaine's Mandy Hayes and Emily Roe, and the Red Raiders will be looking to use their strong chemistry to propel them further into the postseason.
It wasn't out of happenstance Chronister envisioned Iwersen and Miller winning matches side-by-side. He saw the connection they could have and how their games could complement each other.
After navigating the postseason bracket alone the past two seasons, Miller's been thrilled to have a partner who counters her strengths and weaknesses so well.
That much was evident Friday.
Kushner and Wilson had no answer for Iwersen and Miller the final six games. The Red Raiders were so dominant, the Seahawks players seemed to accept their fate in the final games, noticeably moving slower to balls than they did early on.
Borderites' No. 1 singles player Saskia Dolk was the district champion last year competing in Class 1A, but now she'll have her hands full as she got her Class 2A Sub-District Tournament underway Friday.
Dolk scored a hard-earned 7-6 (3), 6-1 win over Burlington-Edison's Jaycy Cammock in the first round after receiving an opening-round bye. She next takes on Sedro-Woolley's Kassidee Beuse, a girl Dolk's lost to twice this season.
Dolk, a senior, moved from No. 2 singles to Blaine's top singles player this spring and is hoping the experience against stiffer competition will help her excel this postseason.
Sehome's girls tennis team began the Class 2A Sub-District Tournament in impressive style.
Lauren Smith, Ali Morrow and Andrea Clawson advanced in singles play without dropping a game, and Mia Zucchi and Hailey Holland, Taylor Harris and Simone Hall and Natalie Knops and Andrea Zucchi also advanced in doubles play.
Squalicum doubles team Kim Dorr and Rachel Dorr, who are yet to lose a doubles match this season, won 6-0, 6-0 in their first match and face Mia Zucchi and Holland next.
Round of 16 singles: Lauren Smith (Seh) def. Ruby Parker (Bel) default; Micaela Granberg (BE) def. Marle Knowles (Bel) 6-1, 6-4; Taylor Phillips (Anacortes) def. Eleanore Sammeth (BE) 6-0, 6-1; Ali Morrow (Seh) def. Maria Dale (Ana) 6-0, 6-0; Kassidee Beuse (SW) def. Emily Corbin (Lyn) 6-4, 6-0; Saskia Dolk (Bla) def. Jaycy Cammock (BE) 7-6 (3), 6-1; Nicole McInerney (Ana) def. Oriana LoCicero (Bel) 6-4, 6-3; Andrea Clawson (Seh) def. Hope Jorgensen (Sq) 6-0, 6-0.
Round of 16 doubles: Kim Dorr/Rachel Dorr (Sq) def. Karlie Lodgic/Kjaisa Gifford (SW) 6-0, 6-0; Mia Zucchi/Hailey Holland (Seh) def. Susan Laitsch/Allison Hart (Sq) 6-0, 6-2; Alice Heibert/Sophia Lawrence (Bel) def. Laura Pickering/Julianne Doucet 6-1, 6-2; Taylor Harris/Simone Hall (Seh) def. Beth Floyd/Hanna Anderson (SW) 6-0, 6-0; Natalie Knops/Andrea Zucchi (Seh) def. Kellie Fiebig/Morgan Braithwaite (Lyn) 6-1, 6-0; Sally Vaux/Hope Hurtado (Ana) def. Jessica Maskell/Sydney Parkinson (BE) 6-1, 2-6, 6-4; Mandy Hayes/Emily Roe (Bla) def. Olivia Bjorklund/Katie Kales (Bel) 6-3, 7-6 (9); Ellie Iwersen/Mariah Miller (Bel) def. Lali Kushner/Natalie Wilson (Ana) 6-0, 6-1.


What's Happening at the shop?
We're cooks, we like to stay moving. We have lots of plans for our first year in operation but like any good magician, we can't give you everything at once. This is the page to check-in to if you would like to know about all the fun stuff we have up our sleeves.
Check back for updates to the class schedule.
Beer and Bread, two different foods made from the same ingredients through fermentation. We invite you to join us for one of these special evenings where we pair our favorite beers with some of our favorite breads and more!
Allow us to get creative and treat you and your group to a truly unique experience for Long Beach. Our tasting menus are designed with you in mind and allows us to dive deeper into our culinary repertoire.


This single-family residence on the lake required extensive demolition and rebuilding of the structure due to the poor original construction and circulation pattern. The home's infrastructure was rebuilt and the interior reconfigured to meet this family's specific lifestyle needs. An elevator was added to allow the Owner to "age in place." Additionally, the original boat house on the beach was replaced to allow this active family their own recreational facility several hundred feet below the main house on the bluff.


text:
List is filtered with:
Year All 2020 2019 Month All Januar Februar March April May June July August September October November December
New "Horizon 2020" project started
Researchers from the Physical Chemistry Department at the Fritz Haber Institute have together with other European research institutions and companies formed the research consortium OPTOlogic. It aims to develop optical topological computing as a means to reduce energy consumption of electronic circuits. The EU funds the project with almost 4 Million Euros. more
The Fritz Haber Institute, the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion and the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin are building a research platform for catalysis named CatLab to achieve leaps of innovation in hydrogen research. The project is being funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) with more than 50 million Euros. more
The Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society is once again the most popular research institution for Humboldt Fellowships and Awards in Germany. In the last ten years, the FHI has also nearly doubled the share of female scientists from the Humboldt Foundation. The Interface Science Department welcomes two more fellows this winter. more
Update: FHI operations during Corona
Due to the quick spread of the virus in Germany, the Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society has partly re-instated shift work and increased safety measures. more
Josef Holzwarth, the fastest scientist
The well-known fast reaction kinetics researcher has sadly passed away at the age of 78. A few memories from inside and outside the Fritz Haber Institute. more
The Director of the Interface Science Department has been announced as the 2022 winner of the Paul H. Emmett Award in Fundamental Catalysis by the North American Catalysis Society. more
Google Summer of Code Student finds software solution for FHI
FHI Head of IT, Heinz Junkes, supervised a computer science student in an open source coding project, who then found a way to program interactive interfaces between different softwares needed to operate the free-electron laser. more
Agatha Frischmuth
Press and Public Relations +49 30 8413-3333 presse@fhi-berlin.mpg.de

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Rosa Neal was guardian of a disabled person's estate. On behalf of her ward, Rosa contracted to sell the ward's home to Damon Perry. Damon asked for, and received, approval from the probate court of the contract for sale of the property.
The contract had a mortgage contingency clause. Damon asked for a 30-day extension a day before the contingency was set to expire. The estate refused Damon's request. Damon then said he would waive the contingency and that he intended to purchase the house as planned. But the estate had received a better offer, so its attorney told Damon that his inability to get a mortgage commitment by the contingency deadline rendered the contract null and void.
Damon appealed. The parties argued over the correct standard of review. Damon wanted a de novo standard; the estate wanted review by a manifest weight of the evidence.
Our reference to the [Illinois] Probate Act of 1975 … does not reflect a clear statement of the standard of review to be applied to probate court orders generally. Although de novo review would be proper if we were interpreting the Probate Act, here we are not presented with a matter of statutory interpretation … While issues concerning the construction, interpretation, or legal effect of contracts are subject to de novo review, it has long been recognized that decisions rooted on equitable grounds should only be disturbed when there is a clear abuse of discretion in the judgment rendered by the lower court … Where a party seeks confirmation of an offer to purchase the assets of an estate, the court, as de facto vendor, may enter or withhold consent, in its discretion … Accordingly, we will review the decision in the case sub judice under that standard.
In the end, Damon's contract was tossed. Read the whole opinion, Perry v. Estate of Carpenter, No. .1-09-0312 (11/13/09), by clicking here.


Finding out more about the basic units that create a habitable living environment for all of us.
Involved in the production of numerous food products that include cereal, bread and flour, wheat becomes not only an essential source of food around the world but is also an indispensable commodity due to the world's reliance on wheat.
To put it simply, commodities stem from any item that has value. They are basic goods used in commerce, as inputs in the production of other goods and services. Essentially, we consume these raw materials to create a viable living world for ourselves.
What then, may be considered a commodity in trade?
Commodities are often generic and have the same basic value. Hence, they are usually interchangeable with other commodities of the same type. The quality of the goods may only differ slightly, but are still fundamentally uniform across all producers.
As such, it is typically trapped in a vicious price cycle. Due to their limited differentiation, they are easily sold and traded throughout the world. While there are instances of producers attempting to create a difference in products based on where there were grown — *cough* Florida oranges *cough*, these efforts ultimately yield little success.
In addition to this, commodities have extremely active markets, giving people the option of getting in and out of an investment without having to face the difficulty of trying to find a buyer or seller for their securities.
Having clarified that, what are some of the most highly-traded commodities?
No surprise there — considering its global demand and the rate at which our energy consumption is spiralling out of control in our rapidly industrialising economies, there will always be a pressing demand for sources of energy and fuel.
With over 2.25 billion cups of coffee consumed worldwide on a daily basis, coffee is actually the second most traded commodity in the world, falling a little short behind crude oil — and one of the oldest as well.
When natural gas is a source of energy and fuel used for almost everything, it is no doubt one of the most highly traded commodities in the world, despite growing efforts to move towards renewable energy resources.
Gold has always been a valuable commodity throughout history, especially among investors with its steadily increasing value over recent years.
Serving as a benchmark price for purchases of oil worldwide, Brent oil is used most widely throughout Europe and Africa.
Silver has historically been both a safe investment and a source of stability in investment portfolios. Above it's aesthetic value, it is also used in high precision medical equipment and industrial processes.
Extracted from sugar cane, sugar is traded in just about every country in the world. By 2030, the annual consumption of sugar will exceed 257 million tons.
Considered as one of the most versatile agricultural crops, the advent of biofuels has also especially increased the demand for corn over the last decade. Corn has become such an important commodity that United States has over 80 million acres dedicated to its production.
Cotton has been one of the oldest known fibres on the planet and has been traded for thousands of years. The fact that most of our apparel is made out of cotton justifies its position as one of the world's highly traded commodities.


You can eliminate Agencies & Attorneys by 50% or more with these letters!
You've sued your debtor, and the court has decided in your favor. But, disappointingly, that hasn't made it any easier to collect the sum that's owing. You've tried everything, to no avail. What should you do? Is there anything you can do? Or, should you simply give up, write it off, and tell yourself that you did the best you could.
There is indeed something you can do — and it can be remarkably effective: Serve your debtor with a Debtors Exam Order requiring them to appear before the court and present documentation for every asset they or their business own. There are a few different ways to use this strategy, but they all involve the threat of placing your debtor in the unenviable position of having to reveal all their assets of every type, under oath, and submit to an examination of those assets by the court. This is not a comforting thought to your debtor.
Our highly effective Collection Letter Template, plus attachments, in MS Word.
Download this letter today if you need help collecting the monies awarded you by the court.
All five of our Collection Letter Guides are designed to help you use highly effective commercial debt collection strategies to collect the money that's due you — and all five are free. So, why not take a moment to browse our selection, so you'll know exactly where to go the next time you need a strategy for a tough collection issue. You might even bookmark the page to locate it more easily later. Every one of our guides includes an effective Collection Letter Template to make it easier to create your letter.
At Stevens & Ricci, our goal is to simplify collections for your business by helping you Collect Money Sooner, at Lower Cost, and Without Losing Valued Customers.


Professional, qualified counsellors on hand to help.
At the Therapy Loft we understand that, for therapy to be effective, you need to find the right therapist. You need a counsellor with the right qualifications, experience and professionalism to effectively support you, or your loved one, through a challenging time. You need the right location, time and price. You could spend hours browsing websites and directories, only to find that the counsellor is unavailable. Or, you might leave voicemails or emails and wait days for a reply.
We understand how difficult this can be when you are under stress yourself and trying to deal with painful thoughts and feelings. You want to be seen quickly and by someone who is qualified and available to help.
Find the right therapist the easy way.
We have therapists on hand to help. Let us match you to the most suitable member of our professional team, based on your situation, your location, your budget and your availability. We do the leg-work so that you can feel reassured that the specialist you see will be appropriately qualified, experienced and ready to help you.
All of our therapists are professionally trained, fully insured, accredited or registered members of the relevant professional body, receiving clinical supervision and committed to ongoing professional development.
Sometimes we all face situations or challenges in life which we find distressing, or feel unable to cope with.


Bradken Mining GET and Buckets. MINING GET. Bradken offer a range revolutionary adapter and tooth systems, as well as shrouds to suit your bucket needs.
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Coal Mining Pick Cutting Tooth, Wholesale Various High Quality Coal Mining Pick Cutting Tooth Products from Global Coal Mining Pick Cutting Tooth Suppliers and Coal Mining Pick Cutting Tooth Factory,Importer,Exporter at Alibaba.com.
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text:
package de.tudresden.inf.lat.born.gui.robot;

import java.awt.AWTEvent;
import java.awt.AWTException;
import java.awt.Robot;
import java.awt.event.AWTEventListener;
import java.awt.event.InputEvent;
import java.awt.event.KeyEvent;
import java.awt.event.MouseEvent;
import java.io.BufferedReader;
import java.io.IOException;
import java.io.Reader;
import java.io.UncheckedIOException;
import java.util.ArrayList;
import java.util.List;
import java.util.Observable;

public class EventPlayer extends Observable implements AWTEventListener {

	public static final char QUIT_KEY = 'q';

	static final String COMMENT_PREFIX = "#";

	static final int MOUSE_PRESSED_TIME = 200;

	private boolean running = true;

	public EventPlayer() {
	}

	List<Event> readEventList(Reader reader) {
		List<Event> ret = new ArrayList<>();
		try {
			BufferedReader input = new BufferedReader(reader);
			for (String line = input.readLine(); line != null; line = input.readLine()) {
				if (line.trim().isEmpty() || line.startsWith(COMMENT_PREFIX)) {
					// skip
				} else {
					ret.add(new Event(line));
				}
			}
			input.close();
			return ret;
		} catch (IOException e) {
			throw new UncheckedIOException(e);
		}
	}

	Robot getRobot() {
		Robot robot = null;
		if (robot == null) {
			try {
				robot = new Robot();
			} catch (AWTException e) {
				throw new RuntimeException(e);
			}
		}
		return robot;
	}

	void runEvent(Event record) {
		Robot robot = getRobot();
		if (record.getId() == MouseEvent.MOUSE_PRESSED) {
			moveMouse(robot, record.getX(), record.getY());
			pressMouse(robot);
		} else if (record.getId() == MouseEvent.MOUSE_MOVED) {
			moveMouse(robot, record.getX(), record.getY());
		} else {
			// skip
		}
	}

	void pressMouse(Robot robot) {
		robot.mousePress(InputEvent.BUTTON1_DOWN_MASK);
		robot.delay(MOUSE_PRESSED_TIME);
		robot.mouseRelease(InputEvent.BUTTON1_DOWN_MASK);
	}

	void moveMouse(Robot robot, int x, int y) {
		robot.mouseMove(x, y);
	}

	public void run(List<Event> events) {
		Robot robot = getRobot();
		events.forEach(event -> {
			if (this.running) {
				runEvent(event);
				robot.delay(1000);
			}
		});
	}

	@Override
	public void eventDispatched(AWTEvent event) {
		if (event instanceof KeyEvent) {
			KeyEvent e = (KeyEvent) event;
			if ((e.getKeyChar() == Character.toLowerCase(QUIT_KEY))
					|| (e.getKeyChar() == Character.toUpperCase(QUIT_KEY))) {
				finish();
			}
		}
	}

	public void finish() {
		this.running = false;
		setChanged();
		notifyObservers();
	}

}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Two Students Recognized By International Honor Society and State Education Group for Academic and Civic Achievements
(Delaware and Chester Counties, PA • April 22, 2019)—Delaware County Community College students Em Mirra and Zun Phyu Thant, both of Havertown, were recently recognized by the Phi Theta Kappa international honor society of two-year colleges and the Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges for their stellar academic accomplishments and unselfish community volunteerism.
Mirra and Thant were among 47 transfer scholars and eight workforce scholars from Pennsylvania's 14 community colleges honored on April 8 at the Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges' Annual Awards & Recognition Dinner at the Hilton Harrisburg hotel.
"Em Mirra and Zun Phyu Thant are shining examples of the high caliber of students at the College," said Dr. L. Joy Gates Black, president of Delaware County Community College. "The College looks forward to the significant impact we anticipate Em and Zun will have in each of their chosen career fields."
Scholars are named by their colleges to the All-Pennsylvania Academic Team, which requires students maintain at least a 3.5 grade point average (GPA), have completed at least 36 credits, and be about to graduate with an associate degree. Workforce students must have a minimum of 12 college-level credit hours at a community college and a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.
All-Pennsylvania scholars are eligible to receive a full-tuition scholarship for up to two years at one of the 14 universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE). Both Mirra and Thant plan to attend PASSHE universities.
Mirra, a graphic design major who plans to attend Kutztown University's Communication Design Bachelor of Fine Arts program, hopes to one day work for the United Nation's Graphic Design Unit. "By working in-house for the United Nations, I can help design for awareness campaigns on topics of global concern," Mirra said.
Mirra has the additional distinction of being one of only five students statewide named a Coca-Cola Silver Scholar, which comes with an additional $1,250 scholarship. Nationally, Mirra, who identifies as transgender non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, was one of just 50 scholars selected from more than 2,000 students considered for the coveted Coca-Cola Silver Scholar award, a program sponsored by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation and administered by Phi Theta Kappa. Mirra also was recognized earlier this month at PTK Catalyst, Phi Theta Kappa's annual convention, which was held this year in Orlando, Florida.
Thant, an engineering major and native of Myanmar in Southeast Asia, plans to attend West Chester University. She hopes to one day work as an engineer for Exelon Corporation, or at PJM Interconnection LLC, a regional
transmission organization that coordinates the movement of wholesale electricity in 13 states and the District of Columbia. "Since I was young, I was always inspired by Thomas Alva Edison. The reason is because in my country, electricity is supplied only six hours a day, and even then power outages occur during those six-hour periods," Thant said. "Therefore, I always have dreamed of being the engineer who can provide electricity at all times to all people, reliably and economically."
Having met at the College and become close friends, Mirra, who also is president of the Art and Design Club, and Thant have worked together on school and community-centered projects. They also are co-presidents of the College's Phi Theta Kappa Alpha Tau Epsilon chapter.
Mirra, who also serves as the College's representative on the Barnes Foundation's Campus Outreach Council promoting the Philadelphia-based foundation's art, horticultural and educational exhibits and programs, was the driving force behind the College's "Cubes of Culture" collaborative art project. The project, which seeks to celebrate ethnic heritage and foster cultural exchange among students while dispelling hateful stereotypes, allows students to represent their countries of origin with cubic international flags, as well as with hanging posters that contain cultural profiles of the students. "While the installation serves to attract hallway patrons, the posters' real-life narratives of Delaware County Community College students enlighten viewers on the experience of belonging to another culture," Mirra said.
As PTK co-president, Thant also collaborated on the Cubes of Culture project, advertising in the College newspaper and inviting students to participate through the College website, student club fairs, the annual Multicultural Festival and other activities. Thant says that the project is rewarding because it gives students an opportunity to proudly showcase their culture, and it allows visitors to gain knowledge and an interest in diversity. "I am very grateful to PTK for giving me such an endeavor to express my culture as a minority, and to encourage society with acceptance to diversity and inclusion," Thant said.
About Phi Theta Kappa
Headquartered in Jackson, Mississippi, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievement of community college students and helping them grow as scholars and leaders. Founded in 1918, Phi Theta Kappa has 3.5 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters worldwide.
Photo Caption: From left, Delaware County Community College Board of Trustees Chair Donald Heller, President Dr. L. Joy Gates Black, All-PA Scholar Zun Phyu Thant, All-PA and Coca-Cola Silver Scholar Em Mirra, and Trustee Michael Ranck.
2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010


This lecture will be held on Monday February 29th at 7:00 pm at Linden Waldorf School, located at the Trinity Presbyterian Church. (3201 Hillsboro Pike Nashville, TN 37215) For more information, call Barbara Bittles at 615-294-1216 or email blbittles@comcast.net .
Fred Amrine is Professor of German Studies at the University of Michigan and a lifelong student of Rudolf Steiner. He is giving numerous lectures throughout the southeast from February 28-March 5. For more information on the lectures, check http://www.anthroposophy.org.
The Anthroposophical Branch of Middle Tennessee will have an Epiphany reading Tuesday, January 5, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. at First Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashville, 1808 Woodmont Blvd., Nashville, Tennessee 37215.
We will read "On the Three Magi" from the Rudolf Steiner book The Festivals and Their Meaning. You may access a copy from the link https://shar.es/163rSB at the Rudolf Steiner Archive.
There will be a social at 6:30 and the reading from 7:00-8:30.


text:
Disney's gravitational pull on the Dow could be further realized Tuesday as the company releases fiscal second-quarter results. | Image: REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File Photo GLOBAL BUSINESS WEEK AHEAD
Dow Jones Could Get Rocked by Poor Disney Earnings
September 23, 2020 UTC: 1:55 PM. May 5, 2020 UTC: 12:53 PM. by Simon Chandler
Disney will release its fiscal Q2 earnings report after close Tuesday, and it's set to be bad.
A poor report could weigh on the Dow Jones, which often rises and falls with Disney's stock.
The longer-term damage to Disney's business shows just how badly coronavirus will affect the U.S. economy.
Poor Disney (NYSE:DIS) earnings will hit the Dow Jones badly.
Due to announce its fiscal Q2 earnings after Tuesday's close, Disney will likely reveal that the coronavirus lockdown has harmed its overall business. In response, the Dow Jones and the U.S. stock market will suffer, with pessimism creeping in from tomorrow.
Disney's earnings will suffer as a result of closed parks and cinemas. And with such venues likely to see reduced demand for long after official lockdowns end, Disney's fate underlines just how long it will take the economy to return to normal.
Disney Set To Fall
For many months, Disney has provided a big boost to U.S. equity markets. When it posted mixed Q3 2019 results on August 7, the Dow plunged 500 points. In July, it was one of the ten biggest earners responsible for driving the Dow to 27,000.
When it goes up, the Dow Jones tends to go up. And vice versa.
Unfortunately, Disney–and the Dow–now looks set to go down if dismal quarterly earnings expectations are realized.
Analysts forecast Disney's earnings per share to plunge to 88 cents, down 57.9% over a year ago.
Source: Yahoo!
Likewise, analysts are beginning to downgrade Disney's stock. On Monday, MoffettNathanson's Michael Nathanson downgraded Disney from "buy" to "neutral." His explanation makes for some sobering bedtime reading:
There are a number of risks that could lead this unprecedented event to have a longer impact, with earnings revisions massively skewed to the downside … Our Disney downgrade is also an admission that we believe the economic impact on the company will be longer than most anticipate, especially given the risks of a second wave of infections.
Dow Jones Teeters
Nathanson closes his report by warning Disney of an "unrivaled earnings risk for the foreseeable future."
And given that Disney's performance has so often driven the Dow Jones, we should expect the index to struggle following Disney's Q2 report.
The Dow has been struggling to capitalize on its post-March recovery for several days. As CCN.com reported, "the Dow Jones struggled sideways" on Monday amid mounting U.S. coronavirus cases. It closed at 23,749, essentially where it was a month ago.
Dow Jones | Source: Yahoo!
Minus some minor rallies, the Dow has effectively been flatlining since early April. The Fed's "unlimited" QE spending is keeping it afloat despite the lack of decent economic news.
This is why a dismal Q2 earnings report from Disney is dangerous for the stock market. The Dow Jones is particularly fragile right now, and a stinking report from Disney could set off a wave of pessimism.
While Disney's streaming service seems to be doing well, its parks are closed, cinemas are shut, and ESPN (which it owns) has no sport to broadcast. It has also furloughed 100,000 employees, cut executive pay in half, and tapped some $13.25 billion in credit over the past two months.
So not only will its Q2 earnings be bad, but so too will its Q3 and Q4 postings. Even if lockdowns officially end next month, Disney's parks aren't going to be doing roaring business for some time.
By extension, Disney could be harming the Dow for quite some time, too.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of CCN.com and should not be considered investment advice from CCN.com.
3 Countries That Panicked Early are Reporting '0' New COVID-19 Cases
Tesla Escapes Pandemic Car-Industry Wrecking Ball, by Selling Cars


"We have no children so she was like our baby"
"They removed three feet of rope that was entangled in her intestines."
"Trust me when I say it is not worth it"
Leicester City FCWho should replace Harry Maguire for Leicester City against Bournemouth?
Leicester City FCWho is your all time Leicester City hero?


text:
Schiano to Bucs fans: Special days ahead
By Rick Stroud
TAMPA — The boo birds were perched near the tunnel by the southwest corner of Raymond James Stadium on Sunday as Bucs coach Greg Schiano left the field following a 31-20 loss to the Eagles.
Schiano said he never heard them, but that hasn't stopped him from feeling the frustration of fans following an 0-5 start and 10 losses in the past 11 games.
Monday, Schiano tried to assure Bucs faithful that their jeers would turn to cheers soon.
"If they can hang in there, we're going to be good," Schiano said. "If they can't, we're still going to be good, and they're welcome back.
"I'm not being smart. I mean that. I think our fans are great. When I came out to start the game, warmups, our fans were awesome. The end of the game, I'm disappointed just like they are."
Schiano's problems aren't confined to the field. His feud with Josh Freeman led to the quarterback's release. Sunday, the NFL player's union asked to assist the league in an investigation into who might have leaked confidential about Freeman's participation in the substance abuse program.
Schiano and general manager Mark Dominik said they would welcome that investigation and vowed to cooperate fully.
The Bucs also have three players coping with MRSA, which caused the union to file a grievance on behalf of kicker Lawrence Tynes. Guard Carl Nicks had a recurrence of the infection and faces surgery while rookie cornerback Johnthan Banks became the latest to contract it.
Cornerback Darrelle Revis called the MRSA issue a distraction and said it affected the Bucs in Sunday's game. Schiano said if that's the case, "I need to lead better."
Even Nick Carter, of the boy band the Backstreet Boys, tweeted his disapproval: #FireSchiano.
The Bucs got a better performance Sunday from rookie quarterback Mike Glennon, who passed for 273 yards and two touchdowns with an interception in his second pro start.
But for the fifth time this season, the Bucs failed to score an offensive touchdown in the second half and have not scored a point in the third quarter.
While Schiano speaks confidently of a turnaround, he's not putting a timetable to it.
"Certainly, we've got to win,'' he said. "But I don't sit there and say by this date, this should take hold and then this date this should take hold, because there are too many variables to predict."
Schiano wouldn't share what he said to his team Monday, except to say he was keeping it "real.''
"The Knute Rockne stuff, there's a time and a place for it,'' Schiano said. "But they're grown men who are busting their guts to win. They're as disappointed as I am."
Rookie tight end Tim Wright, who played for Schiano at Rutgers, has seen the coach turn losing streaks around.
"I think he can get it done and get everybody to rally around what he's preaching and I think he'll be all right," Wright said. "We're one play, two plays, three plays away from getting things turned around."
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It won't be easy. The Bucs play three games in 14 days — Sunday at Atlanta, Oct. 24 against Carolina and Nov. 3 at Seattle.
"We've had plenty of opportunities to win every football game we've been in this year and we've found ways to lose them," Schiano said.
"I can imagine how frustrated (fans) are, absolutely. I can guarantee you that they're not more frustrated than I am — no matter how fervent a fan they are. But that doesn't make it okay. I understand we're disappointing a lot of people.
"I understand anything and everything that's disappointment. The fact that our fans care as much as they do, I think that's awesome. When we get it turned around, it's going to be really special."
Up next:Bucs offense hitting wall in second half
Rick Stroud
Bucs Reporter
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It's that time of the year again, as our learning focuses on issues which affect our healthy lifestyles and well being during our Health Week. There will be opportunities to explore issues around smoking, personal hygeine, medicinesand fire safety as well as taking part in Line Dancing, Bike Olympics, Caged Soccer, Mini Gym and Working with the Rangers. It promises to be a great week!


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If you should have further questions: How to do.


Contemporary Butterflies Print / Animals Fine Art: This piece took over a year to design and hand-make. The spiral butterfly image is only a selected central part of the work. Inspiring print to decor any cozy room at your home or hotel.


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GENEVA--Internationally renowned conductor Seiji Ozawa expressed his desire to hold performances in China, saying the strained relations between Tokyo and Beijing should not affect private-level exchanges.
Ozawa was born in what is now Shenyang in northeastern China and spent his childhood in Beijing.
In 2011, health reasons forced him to give up conducting the first Chinese tour of the Saito Kinen Festival Matsumoto, an annual classical music event held in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture. Ozawa is founder and director of the festival.
Japan's Seiji Ozawa, one of the best-known conductors of his generation, said yesterday he had recovered from health problems including cancer and that his plans for the future included conducting an opera next year.
Ozawa, 78, was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in January 2010, underwent lower back surgery a year later and suffered multiple bouts of pneumonia, which kept him mostly sidelined until mid-2013.
He then made a triumphant return by directing an opera at the Saito Kinen Festival, a music extravaganza that he founded 23 years ago in the Japanese city of Matsumoto. Yesterday, Ozawa welcomed the announcement that the festival would be renamed the Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival.
"I'm really grateful," he said, contrasting the gesture to having a rehearsal hall named for him in the United States in 1994, when the idea struck him as being "a little bit like a tombstone".
"That somebody like me, who has suffered a major illness and underwent surgery, can speak casually about death is proof that I've really recovered," he said. "Either that, or I'm really dumb - but please think of me as being recovered and active."
Ozawa, a former conductor at the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Vienna State Opera, will direct a concert at the Matsumoto festival this summer and an opera, Beatrice and Benedict by Hector Berlioz, next year.
But he said changing the festival's name did not signal other changes, such as his retirement.
"That kind of thing is a trade secret," he said, to laughter. "The truth is that I have always been thinking of who might take over from me even from the time I began the festival years ago."
Known for throwing his whole body into conducting, Ozawa drew mixed reviews from critics for his dramatic style, once injuring himself during a concert.
But his style charmed audiences, especially in the US, where he spent nearly three decades as music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
Born in Manchuria in 1935, Ozawa first gained global attention by winning a competition in France and was later mentored by greats such as Herbert von Karajan and Leonard Bernstein.
Ozawa played down his success. "I'm the complete opposite of a genius, I have always had to make effort. Until I fell ill I'd get up early and study for several hours every day."
The conductor, of course, does not make a sound, but is responsible for every note heard. And it's said, for more than half a century, world-renowned Japanese conductor Seiji Ozawa has transformed orchestras and transfixed audiences.
A genius? Well, not if you ask him. It's just hard work, reports CBS News correspondent Seth Doane.
Throughout most of his career he was up by 4 or 5 a.m. reading music. Even on the day CBS News met with him, at the age of 80 he'd been studying a Puccini opera.
"Because you cannot make telephone call to Puccini anymore, so you have to understand," Ozawa said.
At his Tokyo home, he gave us a glimpse of the complexity a conductor sees on the sheet music.
"This is the string part, this is the wind part, this is the percussion part," Ozawa described.
"And you have to almost imagine what this all sounds like?" Doane asked.
Rehearsal, he said, is the most important part.
"If everything goes well, sometimes that happen, you know on stage, and with me -- that moment is unforgettable," Ozawa said.
There have been countless such unforgettable "moments" in a career spanning six-decades which took him from Tokyo to Chicago, and onto Toronto and San Francisco.
Then he spent 29-years in Boston as the music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Hence, why he was wearing a Red Sox jacket at the interview. He also owns a gold lifetime pass to Major League Baseball.
He showed us around his Tokyo neighborhood. At his favorite soba noodle shop, his picture is up on the wall next to some sumo wrestlers.
"How did you balance your conducting with your love of sports?" Doane asked.
"Boston Symphony is almost walking distance from Fenway baseball," Ozawa responded.
"So end of a concert, I look at the television -- and usually, baseball is longer than concert so I ask Peppino, our driver, 'Okay, Peppino, let's go!' And then I go," he described.
He would watch the last few innings at the field.
It was his love of sport that changed his career, as pointed out by no less than President Obama at a White House event celebrating the Kennedy Center Honorees.
"As a teenager in Tokyo, an aspiring classical pianist named Seiji Ozawa defied his mother's orders and joined a rugby match. Now, I have to say, looking at you Seiji, I'm not sure that was a good idea," President Obama said. "I mean, I don't know much about rugby. He broke two fingers, and that put an end to his piano-playing career... But fortunately, for the rest of us, it opened up the door to a career as a conductor."
At a busy café, he told us it was his piano teacher who first suggested Ozawa become a conductor.
"And those days, no television yet. So, I never saw orchestra. I never saw conductor. So, I did not know what to say," Ozawa recounted.
By 1960, he was a fellow the prestigious Tanglewood Music Center in the Berkshires. Though he spoke very little English, he made quite an impression. His first New York Times review appeared that same summer. It said: "with his talent, exotic good looks, flair and choreographic ability, Mr. Ozawa is a young man who will go far."
Fifty-five years later, a Tanglewood concert hall bears his name.
He was born into a Japanese family in then-occupied China, or "Manchukuo," in present-day Shenyang. The working-class family moved back to Japan after the war.
"I read you had to mow your teacher's lawn because you weren't paying for the classes -- is that true?" Doane asked.
"That's right. No money, my house," Ozawa said.
Many decades later, it was a fight with cancer and then a tumble this summer which kept him in Japan to recuperate with family.
In September, he took the stage for a special 80th birthday concert, where he conducted in front of family and friends.
"When you're conducting, you seem to be very expressive. You almost seem to speak with your eyes," Doane pointed out.
"I think you're right... I was busy with piano and rugby, so I didn't speak. My English was zero," Ozawa said. "I tell you, my answer is because my language is so bad, I think when I conduct, I have to use gesture and eyes.
Today he loves passing on his knowledge to the next generation and said kids make good audiences because you know right away if they're listening.
After decades of conducting, he said his favorite piece of music is usually whatever he's studying at the moment.
"I must...almost fall in love to this piece, otherwise a little too distance between piece and me. Not so good," Ozawa said. "Composer just left paper. ...And then when we play -- when orchestra play -- this become life... and to do that my energy must feel almost similar to the composer who wrote this."
When it goes just right, he says, a symphony can make magic.
His two loves -- sport and music -- can cut across boundaries, transcend language and unify. Both also require some talent and a lot of hard work.
Many of the performances given by the Okushiga academy musicians in July were delivered by a quartet, and Ozawa stresses that such arrangements are educational in their own right.
A simple string quartet consists of a first and second violin, a viola and a cello.
Ozawa believes that string quartets allow budding musicians to learn the fundamentals of classical music, and that doesn't apply specifically to string players. He learned this method from U.S. violinist Robert Mann, the 97-year-old founder of the Julliard String Quartet who visited him in Japan and Switzerland.
Ozawa likens a quartet's composition to a hymn that's comprised of four different voices: soprano, alto, tenor and bass, with the alto and tenor generating the color of the sound.
"Historically speaking, every composer from Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven to Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev composed their best work in quartets, paying close attention to the core harmonies in order to fit their own individual tastes," Ozawa says.
Looking back, Ozawa recalls that Saito often asked him to conduct a quartet and coach each of the four members together as part of his training as a conductor.
"It was an unusual method," he says, adding that it also taught him the importance of carefully reading the scores.
"The scores display good information from the composers," he says.
Students from China, Taiwan and South Korea participated in the Okushiga academy, working closely with their Japanese peers in quartets to produce a high-quality ensemble that they would ultimately perform in a series of concerts in Nagano Prefecture and Tokyo.
Six quartets played at the concerts, performing each piece of music with a deft mix of youthful energy and tension.
The most memorable part of each concert, however, came at the finale, when the students performed together conducted by Ozawa.
Ozawa's commitment to making music was reflected in his facial expressions, which inspired each and every student to produce their finest performance. The result left the audiences spellbound.
"Maestro Ozawa's presence on stage alone inspires me," 25-year-old violinist Reika Okura later tells me.


In compilation for wallpaper for Hittite Warrior, we have 24 images.
| 1023 x 782px 176.88KB | Hittites in chariot.
| 1006 x 1024px 845.49KB | Hittite relef of a Hittite warrior or war-god with shield spear and sword.


text:
FLARE / TV & Movies
"What Happened to Our Hopeless Romantic Bachelor?": Sharleen Joynt on The Bachelor Finale Part 2
Bach alum Sharleen Joynt shares her insider POV on episode 12 of Pilot Pete's season
By Sharleen Joynt
(Photo: ABC)
Wow. I'm almost (almost!) at a loss for words. Chris Harrison wasn't lying when he said this season's ending would be dramatic, shocking, and unexpected. But now that it's all over, I'm left wishing I even knew what I just watched. I always want to be supportive of our new couple—whomever the actual last woman standing may be—just as I'd love to let whatever it took for that couple to even GET to this point become water under the bridge. But you guys, last night was hella FISHY.
First, before I get to dissecting this finale and the season as a whole, I have to say I feel for both Peter's mother, Barbara, and for Madison. Frankly, if I were Barbara and had experienced her side of things, I'm not sure I'd like Madison a whole lot either. Even if Peter's family's having to wait three hours isn't Madison's fault directly (why couldn't production have given them a separate chunk of time to talk things out?), it does represent an overall difficulty, a challenge in need of overcoming, which any mother (certainly mine) wouldn't look upon lightly. Further, in general Madison doesn't seem to show much reverence for the mother of the guy she's dating and supposedly loves. I get that they got off to a rocky start, but clearly, despite months having passed since that meeting in Australia, no efforts had been made to improve this relationship. (Perhaps this is on purpose thanks to production? It's possible. Madison seemed somewhat surprised by Barbara's attacks.)
Meanwhile, I feel for Madison, too—that day in Australia looked downright awful. At the start of her conversation with Peter, I truly thought she might go home, she seemed so furious and unhappy. Given what she and Peter had just gone through (we'll call it Fantasy-Suite-Ultimatum-gate) and the fact they'd never really discussed it further, it felt very wrong for the only time they'd have together to land RIGHT BEFORE they'd meet his family. That was just a crappy situation for all parties. Last night, I loved how Madison made it clear that this was her journey every bit that it was Peter's, and she was right to clap back when Barbara laced into her and their relationship with shocking vitriol. It's clear Barbara is involved, protective of Peter, and even meddles in his dating life—and that in and of itself shows that maybe Peter should have watched his words when first describing Madison. If he had kept Fantasy-Suite-Ultimatum-gate to himself, especially since the rest of their relationship was so great, his mother wouldn't have had the same motivation (or ammunition) to go into that first meeting on the offence like she did.
Throughout this finale and the season as a whole, though, notice how the real culprit—production—somehow remained a blameless fly on the wall.
I got into a discussion with Nick Viall over the weekend about whether or not this season deserves the flak it has been getting for being "over-produced." His argument was that every season is produced. Every season has its intentionally cancelled Rose Ceremonies, its strategically timed (and located) "stealing," its usual producer poking and prodding. He conceded that making the final three women live together during Fantasy Suite week was taking things further than usual.
I get Nick's point and he's absolutely right in some regards, but as I declared to him in the ever-so-official setting that was an Italian restaurant, I agree with the popular opinion that this season was indeed over-produced. We can go through this step by step, starting with Champagne-gate: It's one thing to have Hannah Ann steal time with Peter, but another thing entirely to have her unwittingly steal an item, a bottle of champagne (a bottle of champagne that actually meant something to its owner, no matter how trivial) from another woman. It escalates the age-old Bachelor Time Steal into something far more pointed and personal. In Episode 5, Kelsey went to Peter's hotel suite to clarify the "drinking problem" gossip, quietly, quickly and smartly nipping that awful rumour in the bud. However, in Peter giving Kelsey a rose in that moment (whether or not a producer suggested Peter do this, I don't know, but it really smelled like production to me), it was impossible that Kelsey could have just gone and returned without detection, as MANY contestants of seasons past have done. (Hell, on my season, none of us knew Clare secretly went swimming in the ocean with Juan Pablo, just as no one from Ben Flajnik's season knew about his and Courtney's now-iconic skinny-dipping scene.) Further, Chris Harrison went the extra mile in how he told the women that evening's Rose Ceremony would be cancelled—it wasn't enough to just say Peter had made up his mind (as he's done in all previous seasons). He instead specified Peter had made up his mind THAT AFTERNOON, precisely when Kelsey had been with Peter, causing even more friction in the house than already existed. Victoria F certainly endured her fair share of producer prodding, from the Chase Rice concert to Peter's ex appearing at her Hometown date. A 1-on-1 date was obviously withheld from Mykenna to watch her unravel, just as Kelley was punished with an 11th hour villain edit, presumably for proving unravel-able. Was there a single woman who wasn't specifically targeted and toyed with? Is simply existing in the Bachelor bubble—something that has provided ample drama for many, many years now—no longer enough?
Sadly, the extra special producer treatment didn't let up as the season came to a close. Why did Chris Harrison needlessly tell Peter he was "not positive" Hannah Ann was coming to that proposal? Was he "not positive" or did he KNOW? Given Hannah Ann did end up showing up and we never even saw her really waffling (something we WOULD have been shown), it's safe to assume this was totally made up to get a reaction out of Peter. Of course Peter's "I'm about to pass out right now" from this moment was replayed in every preview all season long.
But the cherry on top, the crème de la crème, the tour de force of overproducing was the show's decision to—without Peter's knowledge—fly Chris Harrison to Auburn, Alabama to woo Madison back onto the season. Even I, the jaded former contestant-turned-critical recapper that I am, was gobsmacked by the license taken in doing this. Let's be clear: If Peter wanted to woo Madison back, that would be a VERY easy thing to make happen. Remember, Arie was quick to appear at Lauren Burnham's doorstep after dumping Becca Kufrin. Since when is it the host's place to secretly knock on the lead's doorstep and reveal details that aren't his to reveal?
During the Live segment, after we were shown Peter's breakup with Hannah Ann (who, by the way, was the picture of class and whose tongue-lashing of Peter was very satisfying), Chris Harrison asked Peter, "Was it your feelings for Madison that led you to to make that decision to break up?" Peter responded, "A little bit, yeah. It wasn't all, but a little bit." And remember, as we would later discover, HE SAID THIS KNOWING MADISON WAS BACK IN HIS LIFE AND CURRENTLY BACKSTAGE WAITING FOR HIM. I'm sorry, but "a little bit" is NOT a resounding "yes" (certainly not the way it was with Arie and Lauren). Yet, in Auburn, Chris Harrison took the extreme liberty of plainly telling Madison, "He ended his engagement because of his feelings for you." He told her, "I think in his dream he would be with you." Beyond this being obvious overproducing, it is simply overstepping. Peter is a grown man who can knock on the door of the woman he's pursuing himself. We viewers have to ask ourselves: Why wasn't Peter there? Did production suggest he fly to Auburn and he refused? Were they hesitant to suggest it because it was so soon after the break up? No matter what angle you use to analyze this choice, it was inappropriate. They essentially made a crucial decision on Peter's behalf—whether or not to pursue an ended relationship—without his consent.
The Powers That Be's decision robbed Madison and Peter (and us, for our viewing pleasure) of him telling her to her face that he missed her/loved her/wanted her back. But, looking deeper: Had Peter a) looked legitimately happy to see Madison when she appeared by the pool, b) seemed legitimately happy to be sitting next to her at After The Final Rose, c) shown conviction at any point in declaring his love for her, or d) shown passion in defending Madison against his family, I might have thought production had been doing him a favour. (Certainly, they behaved as though fetching Madison for him was some favour.) But, I don't know….something was OFF last night: the distant body language between the two of them (especially considering this is a guy who strokes the thigh of a woman he'll send home hours later), her terse smile, his lack of any joy whatsoever. An actual quote of Peter's regarding his and Madison's future: "Do we have a million and one obstacles? Yeah. Is it all uphill from here? Probably." Womp womp.
What happened to our hopeless romantic Bachelor? I get that Peter was struggling with the death glares his mother was shooting them, and that sucks, no two ways about it. But he's a 27-year old man who can make his own decisions about who he dates. Above all, it doesn't take a genius to figure out that looking and seeming ACTUALLY HAPPY would go a long way in warming your mother's heart to the woman you're with.
The worst part of all? Not only did we not get any real answers last night, but we were left with one more burning question. During the Live segment, Hannah Ann revealed Peter had sought closure with Hannah Brown. Um, can we talk about this, since the show evidently didn't wish to? First of all, seeking "closure" with an ex is, more often than not, pure bull crap. You seek "closure" because your new relationship doesn't fully satisfy you and you still, at least partially or peripherally or even subconsciously, hold a candle for your ex. It was nuts to me that the show glossed over this massive detail, especially given it's the kind of fuel that they'd normally pounce on and centre the majority of an episode around. Remember Episodes 1 and 2? Yeah.
My swirling questions as I attempt to get over this train wreck of a season: What would have happened had production NOT overstepped by delivering Madison to his door? Would Peter ever have gone out of his way to win her back, given his family's vehement misgivings? (It's not like he could have turned her away after she'd arrived in LA—that would make him the most hated Bachelor in history.) Would Peter have possibly pursued Hannah Brown in the end, and—OMG!—could she have been the one sitting next to him on that sofa? (It sounds far-fetched, sure, but also kind of… not?) Or could Peter have been sitting alone on that sofa, unsuccessful in his quest but a stronger, more mature and better informed man because of it?
Let's not forget: This show loves LOVE. When was the last time you saw any lead truly wind up—god forbid—alone? You might say Hannah Brown, but even her season (an inspiring self-love-fest in which a woman found her voice and strength) closed with the suggestion that she and Tyler C might rekindle their romance. This show relies on a happy ending (a happy ending between a man and a woman—a person's newfound love for his or herself doesn't count) and has never strayed from that, even if it would be a far better and more satisfying ending without it. My point is, we were led to believe Peter and Madison are together (together-ish?) and in love with one another, but based on sufficient evidence, I'm not fully buying what we were sold. It could be that what Peter and Madison share today really is some form of love. Perhaps they really are just "healing," as Peter put it (a few too many times). But based on what we were shown, it's tough to really hop on board the Peter and Madison (Peterson?) love train because, as of now, neither Peter nor Madison even look like they want to be on board.


text:
Q: long gc collection in java when changing boolean variable from a thread Weird issue I encountered, and took me long time to isolate the cause of it,
I have a class which starts a simple thread:
public class ServerConnector implements Handler {

private ConcurrentLinkedQueue<ImagePackage> queue;
private  boolean isDuringSend;
private String requestId;
private boolean isRunning;
private boolean done;
private ImagePackage packet;
private Context context;

public ServerConnector(Context context) {
    packet = null;
    this.context = context;
    done = false;
    requestId = null;
    isDuringSend = false;
    queue = new ConcurrentLinkedQueue<ImagePackage>();
}

public void add(ImagePackage packet) {
    if (packet.getImage() != null) {
        synchronized (queue) {
            queue.add(packet);
            queue.notifyAll();
        }

    }

}

public void start() {
    isRunning = true;

    Thread t = new Thread(new Runnable() {
        ImagePackage packet = null;

        @Override
        public void run() {

            while (isRunning) {
                if (!isDuringSend) {

                    packet = getElementFromQueue();
                    if (packet == null) {

                        continue;
                    }

                    try {

                        isDuringSend = true;
                    //  processQueue(packet);
                    } catch (Exception e) {

                        Intent intent = new Intent(context,
                                LoadingActivity.class);
                        context.startActivity(intent);
                        isDuringSend = false;

                    }
                }
            }
        }
    });
    t.start();

}

now the GC works and it takes him 300 ms to clear everything up:
  12-29 23:41:06.937: D/dalvikvm(14102): GC_FOR_ALLOC freed 0K, 16% free 13788K/16244K, paused                    271ms, total 271ms
  12-29 23:41:07.257: D/dalvikvm(14102): JIT unchain all for threadid=16
  12-29 23:41:07.287: D/dalvikvm(14102): GC_FOR_ALLOC freed 69K, 6% free 15289K/16244K, paused 270ms, total 272ms
  12-29 23:41:07.567: D/dalvikvm(14102): JIT unchain all for threadid=16
  12-29 23:41:07.848: D/dalvikvm(14102): JIT unchain all for threadid=16
  12  -29 23:41:07.868: D/dalvikvm(14102): GC_EXPLICIT freed 3036K, 21% free 13858K/17460K,   paused   254ms+256ms, total 545ms

but when I remove this simple line "is during send = false" from the code which is basically just switching a boolean field to true from inside the thread, the GC clean time will be reduced to ~ 40ms.
any ideas please why it happens?
public void start() {
    isRunning = true;

    Thread t = new Thread(new Runnable() {
        ImagePackage packet = null;

        @Override
        public void run() {

            while (isRunning) {
                if (!isDuringSend) {

                    packet = getElementFromQueue();
                    if (packet == null) {

                        continue;
                    }

                    try {

                        isDuringSend = true;
                    //  processQueue(packet);
                    } catch (Exception e) {

A: I Had a similar issue where the GC was causing lags on my app, it was solved adding "volatile" to the variable that can be changed from another thread, in your case it would be the "isDuringSend" var.
In my case i had no idea what was causing this, so your question really helped me to track down the issue.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Q: In Python, is there a way to do a partial application with types? I'm trying to understand how to annotate a function that may be a method:
from typing import Callable, Generic, Protocol, TypeVar, overload, Any

from typing_extensions import ParamSpec, Self, Concatenate

V_co = TypeVar("V_co", covariant=True)
U = TypeVar("U", contravariant=True)
P = ParamSpec("P")

class Wrapped(Protocol, Generic[P, V_co]):
    def __call__(self, /, *args: P.args, **kwargs: P.kwargs) -> V_co:
        ...

class MethodWrapped(Protocol, Generic[U, P, V_co]):
    def __call__(self, u: U, /, *args: P.args, **kwargs: P.kwargs) -> V_co:
        ...

    def __get__(self, instance: Any, owner: Any = None) -> Wrapped[P, V_co]:
        ...

@overload
def jit(f: Callable[Concatenate[U, P], V_co]) -> MethodWrapped[U, P, V_co]:  # type: ignore
    pass

@overload
def jit(f: Callable[P, V_co]) -> Wrapped[P, V_co]:  # pyright: ignore
    pass

def jit(f: Callable[..., Any]) -> Any:
    pass

class X:
    @jit
    def f(self, x: int) -> None:
        pass

@jit
def g(x: int, y: float) -> None:
    pass

x = X()
x.f(3)
x.f(x=3)
g(3, 4.2)
g(x=3, y=4.2)  # Fails!
reveal_type(x.f)
reveal_type(g.__call__)

Essentially, if jit().__get__ is called with an instance, it should partially apply the function using that instance as the first argument.  Otherwise, it should return a callable with the same signature as the function.
(This is a question about annotations only.)


I spent the month of November in a state of excited - sometimes panicked - bliss.
For those of you who aren't familiar with it, NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month, and it's a one-month challenge that happens every November. Thousands of writers and would-be writers make a promise to themselves, to the internet, to their NaNoWriMo homepage - a promise that they will write 50,000 words of a novel by November 31.
I decided to sign up two days before it started. I've written a little bit about how empowering my experience was here.
But it wasn't just empowering, it was thrilling.
I love writing on this blog. I love writing about creativity and sharing my life. I love words in general. But here on the blog I'm telling you about something that happened, something that I did, something I made.
When I write fiction, I am creating something. I'm creating people, life, whole worlds. And it's like being on drugs. Really good drugs.
Navah said I looked like I was on something when I finished a writing session. Wild eyed with a cat-that-ate-the-canary grin, I was drunk with power.
During November, I sat in coffee shops, giggling about the dialogue I was splattering onto the page, patting myself on the back for a new character development, making subtle movements that I hoped no one would notice while I tried to figure out the right description for my characters' ticks and quirks.
I wrote in my head constantly. I thought about my characters all the time and actually said "aha!" on multiple occasions after coming up with what I thought were particularly good ideas.
Every time I put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard), I thought why haven't I been doing this forever?
And that's the thing that's so great about NaNoWriMo and why I would recommend it to anyone who ever thought for one second that they'd like to be a writer. IT MAKES YOU WRITE.
I always wanted to be a novelist. Ever since I read Anne of Green Gables and then Little Women, I wanted to be a novelist. I wanted to send off my manuscript wrapped up in brown paper, tied with a piece of kitchen twine. I envisioned receiving the envelope in the mail, my hands shaking as I opened it to reveal a kind note congratulating me. I imagined running my hands over the smooth cover of a book with my name on it.
But the actual writing of a novel? I never actually believed I could write one. I read novels, and they were like magic to me. How could anyone do that? Make people and a whole world from nothing? From their mind?
That belief - or lack of belief - kept me from writing.
I wrote a little short story here or there, putzed around a bit, but I guess I hoped that one day a whole novel would spring, fully formed, into my mind.
Because I never actually believed I could create one.
Thank god there is no time for believing or not believing during NaNoWriMo. You either write or you don't. And sometimes that means you either don't write or you write crap. When you're up against a deadline, you write crap if that's what you have to do.
But that crap is still your creation. That crap is a little morsel. It might get thrown out or it might lead to something else. You never know until you put the words on the paper.
And after 30 days of that, you look down and realize you've got 146 pages of words, of people that you created, people that do things and say things and have feelings. And if you're like me, most of it is truly, utterly horrible.
But that's okay. In fact, that's fabulous. It means you get to keep working on it. It means there's more creating to do. It means you get to keep taking the drug.
When I would tell Navah that what I was writing was terrible, she'd try to comfort me or admonish me for being critical of myself. Are you kidding? I'd say. This is awesome! I think it's terrible and I'm still writing it. I'm not letting that stop me. I'm writing because that's what you do if you want to be a writer, no matter what. Now there's actually hope that I could get better and I could be a novelist. I could actually write a novel. I AM writing a novel.
I'm in the revising stage now, going through page by page to see what's there. Sometimes I'm surprised. I've forgotten whole scenes. I'm wrapping my head around this story I'm creating, figuring out where there's more to say, where there are other, small stories to include.
I think I'll be writing this one for a long time.


text:
Home Comedy #Fartgate: Former presidential candidate lets loose on live TV
#Fartgate: Former presidential candidate lets loose on live TV
Renowned anti-gun activist and Congressman Eric Swalwell (D-CA) is now known for more than threatening gun owners with nuclear weapons- he let out a biological weapon during an on-air sequence on Monday night.
Swalwell, who previously told gun owners across the United States that any resistance to confiscation would be a "short war" due to the US government possessing nuclear weapons.
The former presidential candidate unleashed a weapon of his own during an interview with MSNBC last night, making himself look even sillier than before.
To call the fart "loud" would be an understatement, and Swalwell later denied that it was him that let loose.
According to Townhall.com, the term "#Fartgate" was born shortly after, with pundits, celebrities and other netizens attempting to determine if Swalwell was telling the truth.
General consensus, however, is that the "Mad Nuker of California" simply couldn't contain the blast.
"No wonder why he dropped out the presidential race," Terrence K. Williams said of Swalwell, who he claimed was "taking crap about [President Trump]" at the time of the fart. "How can you hold the country together when you can't hold your own fart?"
Greta weighs in on exposure of flagrant greenhouse gas abuse #fargate pic.twitter.com/uSJz71tJYh
— zardoz (@zardoz29) November 19, 2019
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Testimonial: New Job, New Chapter - Calastrology Works!
I recently ordered your Gypsy Hypnotic Spell for my father who'd been out of work and collecting unployment for almost a year. I hoped it would help him get a job and it worked! He got the job, and not only that, I was also hired on the spot.
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An excellent opportunity to purchase this spacious Scandinavian style detached family home set over two levels. Presented to the market in an immaculate walk-in condition this unique property offers complete versatility and can be specific to the purchasers' own requirements. The current owners have maintained this property regardless of cost, with recent fantastic upgrades to include, double glazing, a total redecoration in crisp neutral tones, as well as new floor coverings throughout with high-quality Canadian beach wood use externally through-out the property.
A centrally located Mahogany framed front door allows access to the stunning hallway with a wooden framed staircase leading to the first-floor accommodation. On the ground floor, you have three large double bedrooms two of which have fitted wardrobes, a recently upgraded shower room, and utility room with guest WC. The first-floor landing is flooded with natural light through a large picture window and has space to include a large workstation, this area would make for a useful home office or study nook. The spacious open plan reception area and dining area with triple aspect full-length windows. The modern kitchen has a range of base and wall units with contrasting worktops providing ample storage, reception room two/bedroom four allows access through patio doors to the attractive elevated balcony, which is located above the garage and carport, perfect for alfresco dining and enjoying the sun.
To the front of the property, a large driveway laid to decorative stone chip allows parking for numerous vehicles and leads to the carport and large stone build garage. The front garden has a boundary hedge and is laid mostly to lawn with the boundaries containing a multitude of shrubs seasonal flowers and some mature trees. The large rear garden is private with a large boundary hedge, and again it is laid mostly to lawn with a scattering of mature trees. By adding two small gates this garden would be a safe and secure environment for pets and children alike. The garden shed will remain and is included in the sale of the property.
Extras Included in sale: All floor coverings, blinds, curtains, and some light fittings are included in the sale.


text:
Hire Teachers
University of Florida Buys In-State Scripps Assets for $100 | Inside Higher Ed
Margaret Mia December 10, 2021
The University of Florida has struck a deal to buy the in-state assets of the Scripps Research Institute, which includes three science buildings and 70 vacant acres. The price tag? One hundred dollars.
The deal, first reported by local news site OnGardens.org, comes after months of talks between the University of Florida and the California-based Scripps Research Institute, which describes its campus in Jupiter, Fla., as "three buildings on 30 lush acres within Palm Beach County's innovation corridor, between Interstate 95 and the Atlantic Ocean." Beyond the Jupiter campus, another undeveloped 70 acres owned by Scripps will also go to the university.
Negotiations between the university and Scripps were first announced in July, with an agreement signed in November, per a news release, which described the Jupiter campus as "one of the top National Institutes of Health-supported research centers in the state." The campus includes more than 40 faculty-led laboratories working to understand various illnesses and devise treatments.
"We are excited to work collaboratively with our colleagues at Scripps to rapidly take discoveries made at the bench to the bedside, where they can have the most benefit to humanity," Dr. David R. Nelson, senior vice president for health affairs at UF and president of UF Health, the university's academic health center, said in the November news release. "We are looking forward to cultivating a culture of innovation that will extend from the outstanding science already underway."
OnGardens.org also reported that Scripps will give UF "$102 million in cash on hand, most of it apparently committed to ongoing projects, minus $3 million for transition costs." The agreement, signed last month, is expected to close Jan. 18, the local news site reported. As part of the deal, UF can use the Scripps name, and current researchers will become university employees.
According to WPTV, in 2003 the state of Florida paid $310 million "for a campus adjacent to Florida Atlantic University in Abacoa to entice biotech firms," with Palm Beach County contributing an additional $269 million to Scripps in an effort to develop jobs in the region. The University of Florida and Scripps already have research collaborations, the TV station reports.
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This tool has a variety of uses in the security industry, for example the automated gathering of large amounts of social media profiles for use on targeted phishing campaigns. Facial recognition aids this process by removing false positives in the search results, so that reviewing this data is quicker for a human operator.
Create fake social media profiles to 'friend' the targets and send them links or malware. Recent statistics show social media users are more than twice as likely to click on links and open documents compared to those delivered via email.


Q: I just ordered Deluxe Menu & Deluxe Tree & Deluxe Tabs Single Website License. I have no conformation email, nothing to prove that I have ordered this product. Can I download this product how am I going to receive this product?


Few tourists that brave the crush of people on Las Ramblas in Barcelona, are aware of the existence of a masterpiece – an original Joan Miró mosaic – right under their feet in the middle of the pedestrian street near the Plaça de la Boqueria! Get there early (9am is early enough by Spanish standards) and you will have it all to yourself.
As excited as I was at finding the Miró, my loyalties lie with the muted hues and classic patterns of ancient mosaic floors. Below is a selection of mosaics, that have been cordoned off and are not technically underfoot at present, but still in situ.
A 1st century mosaic floor from the Church of St. Cosmas and Damian in the ancient Roman city of Jerash in Jordan, also known as the Pompei of the East.
The famous mosaic map of Madaba in the Church of St George, is considered the best representation of the biblical lands, up to 570 AD. After the Islamic invasion a few figurative representations were removed in keeping with Islamic religious codes. We spent a few hours here, on our way to Petra, but an overnight stay might be warranted.
No that isn't a carpet! That is a mosaic floor in a lesser known residence in Madaba. There is conjecture that there might be a whole lot more undiscovered mosaics underneath the entire city!
The exquisite Mosaic Museum within the Arasta Bazaar in Sultanahmet, Istanbul displays part of the floor of the peristyle courtyard of the Grand Palace of Constantinople, that was accidentally uncovered during construction work. These 6th century mosaics represent an aesthetic that is absent of religious motifs, showing instead hunting scenes and scenes from mythology, like the geese herder above and the incredible leopards' kill on the header. This isn't part of most tour itineraries. But do make the effort if you are ever in Istanbul, you won't be disappointed.
I'm so glad you posted this lovely selection of mosaic floors/walkways Madhu. I do love mosaic floors: they're simply gorgeous, and seem to be a sign of great luxury and refinement, as the Madaba "carpet" would indicate. Perfect post!
I love mosaics too and that made it easier to decide what kind of 'art' to write about. Glad you like it too TWLG. Thank you.
Wonderful post Madhu. I love mosaics and of those above think I love best the Madaba; how incredible it would be to discover more that are underneath the city. The colors and design on this one are exquisite.
Thank you Angeline. Madaba is heaven for lovers of mosaic.
And that's without Pompeii and Knossos! I agree, Madaba looks really interesting.
We went to Pompei in 1985 and my photos aren't in the best of shape 🙂 I think Madaba is worth an entire day at least. Thanks Jo.
Me neither. I hated having to waste my mornings just because nothing would be open till noon. And before you knew it, it would be time for siesta!! Thanks Ameena.
I like both the Miro and the ancient ones. Nice post and photos, Madhu.
Hi, Madhu, this is a great array of art–I love the history that you give, and the wide range of styles.
I'm glad you did, Madhu. I really love to see them all and compare. And when you present, you always share a story for each, and the more stories the better!
Thank you Ailsa. It was a fun theme to work on, thanks again.
Like footfalls in a mall? 🙂 Doubt Miro envisaged this number of footfalls though!
I missed the Miro in Barcelona…I will just have to go back. The mosaics on the floor of the Duomo in Siena are wonderful as well. Most are only uncovered for a few weeks a year.
Have been to Sienna, but haven't seen the mosaics there. A return trip to Italy is definitely warranted 🙂 Thanks for the visit and comment Debra.
I'm a big fan of mosaics. Seen all the ones you mentioned in Jordan and loved every single one of them. Been to BCN and managed to miss Miro's. I was with Catalan friends so will "tell them off" for having kept it to themselves (it's just not possible they don't know it's there!).
You are most welcome. And your Catalan friends probably take that art underfoot for granted 🙂 Thank you for the visit and comment.
Interesting and I love the photos.
The things one can unearth with a bit of patience and Google 🙂 Thanks for stopping by Kate.
I am mesmorized by mosaics! These are absolutelty astonishing!
Aren't they Zoe? I am amazed at the details in some of them and the intricate patterns! Thank you for your thoughts.
Wow, I'm glad you shared these photos and information! It seems like such a shame to walk on something so lovely.
I also think the Mosaic Art as exquisite, unique and beautiful. Thanks for sharing these amazing masterpieces particularly of artist Joan Miro. Sometimes we are too busy and preoccupied to notice that we are standing on top a priceless work of art. Have a blessed day.
Thank you Island Traveler. You too.
Thank you for sharing another gorgeous part of history and these mosaic masterpieces. Fascinating topic, especially to think that there may be still some left undiscovered!
You are most welcome Rufina. Thank YOU for reading and commenting.
And most people don't even realize those works of art existed.
Thank you Daffodil. Appreciate your visit and comment.
Mosaic is a nice art form. I've seen Madaba, but not the ones in Spain. I'll have to go there some day.
The other two were from Rhodes and Istanbul. Spain is wonderful of course.
Wonderful Madhu and I haven't seen any of them which is terrible. When I saw the Turkey tag I thought you would have the pavement at Ephesus?
Thanks Gilly. We went to Ephesus on our first visit on a tour and they skipped the terrace houses completely and that is the reason I don't have any floor mosaics from there. I did have the ones from Hierapolis, but they aren't that great looking.
Me too ;-D Hope there will still be beautiful things to unearth. Who would want to dig up laptops and ipods?
Imagine coming upon even more mosaics under the city?! How neat would that be! Great post, Madhu – stuff like this totally floats my boat!
Interesting post,Madhu – that 1st C mosaic is fascinating and mind boggling.
That was extremely interesting to me to see all of these. What a lovely surprise Your post is!
Thank you Sartenada. Glad you enjoyed it.
Intriguing floor mosaics and designs, good shots!


The Equilux Theme provides a couple of full-dark, neutral-gray theme for GNOME/GTK+ based desktop environments. It supports GTK+ 3, GTK+ 2, GNOME Shell, Budgie, MATE, Unity, LightDM, GDM, Chrome theme, etc.
This theme is based on the Materia Theme.
Thank you very much for your answer. I found out where to find the files. My Problem now is, that I have got no rights to copy file into the theme order. How do i get the rights, please. As I tried yesterday, the complete system crashed.
Thank you ver much for your anwer. For ubuntu 18.10 the right command sudo su is working I am still struggling finding out a good theme for visually impaired people like me. It would be great to find a solution, which is easy to find in the store and it works. I would like learning knowing how to design a theme, which is easy hold in grey/yellow and can be chanced to high contrast like lightgrey/black.
+Honestly IMO the best theme available on Linux ..
It depends on the redshift settings: being a low contrast theme on its own, it requires only to shift the color temperature. If you tweak other settings you will probably mess it up quite a bit :).
Hello, follow desktop-themer. Care to become a supporter? It is actually rewarding to give your collegues a pling as token of appreciation for your hard and continious work.
hello friend, thank yuo for you time and art, please, please your artwork is beautiful but can you avoid your artwork touch firefox because in many pages the black background doesn't let me see or write the letters from the textbox, or maybe I am doing wrong, I place your theme in /home/my-user/.theme this is in Fedora 27. thank you.
Did you try to restart FF?
do you refer to reset FF? but if I do that avery thing will erase with my password, pages I visit, atc. or what do you mean?
+ Excellent - though I did edit the Metacity file to tame the huge bar (too much padding around the font - better have less padding and a 11 point font - now it's simply sublime.
Gorgeous. Looks great on Xubuntu!
Very pleasing on the eyes!
Thank you for the theme. Switched to this one after using Adapta-Nokto for a very long time.
Text is very dark, but the theme is nice.


Immediately I had an epiphany. I rubbed out all the pieces and began to fill in the rows (now columns) again from the bottom, and jotted something at the top of the grid.
This was what I called "Rotating Four in a Row" (original, I know). Every 3 turns, the whole grid would rotate 90°, and all the pieces would fall to the bottom again. It was insanely tactical, having to plan several turns ahead for when the whole grid falls.
Next I had another idea: The grid could be filled in with blocks. These blocks would hover in the middle of the grid, and pieces would stay on them, like platforms.
It worked extremely well, but gradually I kept thinking of more features, and it became full of so many potential rules that it was more suited to a video game.
Unfortunately, I had no idea how to code, and moreover I couldn't imagine people playing four in a row on a desktop when they could play Unreal Tournament. Smartphones hadn't really taken off yet, so it wasn't really feasible as a portable game.
Years passed, and by the end of my first year of university in 2011, I'd all but forgotten the idea.
Until one day the PhD student who marked my maths tutorial sheets brought in his project.
It's a weird polymer, and it squishes in an interesting way. It was created as a fluke when someone wanted lots of plastic discs to measure loads.
But immediately it reminded me of my game. I looked around the computer cluster that day, and there were a bunch of people using their Androids. I still didn't know how to code (I thought it was black magic), but I committed it in my mind as "The Game I Will Make". I was used to making games in Klik from a young age anyway, so I was used to the conditional thought process of programming.
It was functional! And very customisable! But uh.. yeah, not very.. graphical.
I tried a bunch of engines that I won't name, but every one of them seemed a bit too intense for an amateur like me.
I called it Rotation Station.
Back then I was using MS Paint to make my assets, so they looked.. pretty abysmal.
At this point I watched an excellent video by Martin Jonasson and Petri Purho called "Juice it or lose it". It covered the basics of using animation and sound to make your generic looking game look attractive.
Now, you might notice here, it doesn't look much like the original concept at all! And that's because I had my second epiphany (in 6 years) shortly into development.
I'd made my first build for phones, and I thought to myself, "Who actually sits and plays multiplayer with their friends on their phone?" (since I have no capability to host a server for online). I deemed it necessary to make a single player campaign. But I already had the tools I needed to make the whole game. There were 16 collectible powerups in the multiplayer. All of these could be used to strategically navigate levels!
I drew grids in MS Paint, coloured them in various colours, and then I'd open up my script and add the levels in. Each object that can fall under gravity has a number 1000, like magnets (1000), blocks (1001), pits (1002), exits (1003), ice (1004). I inputted these in one by one. And we're talking "grid[0,0] = 1001; grid[0,1] = 1001;" for a 8x8+ grid for 144 levels. Tedious, but it means I don't have to load anything from external files. I found it easier to visualise and annotate levels in MS Paint than to create a level editor, plus it saved a tonne of time.
Then I'd balance them a bit. As you can see, there are some slight differences.
If you noticed as well, I added text above every level picture. This is because every level in the game, every level, is there to teach you a new way of thinking about the game that you hadn't thought of before, and it's all synoptic for later levels. However, I overestimated how intuitive this process was. I wanted to keep the game completely language free for foreign regions, but eventually I buckled.
I added the zeroth world, which is entirely basic tutorial levels.
There's a hand you can toggle on and off, and it instructs you exactly what to do. There's 18 of these that cover everything you need to get you started for the worlds 1-3.
By the time you reach worlds 4-6, you should have enough skill to work out things without text, and they're pretty simple concepts that are taught at the beginning of every level.
There is a bad guy at the very top of this level. If you drop one of your blobs in, it will instantly be destroyed. An instant lesson in what this guy does. If you do nothing, and keep rotating the level, he will follow the purple line and get to the exit before you. You only have one powerup at your disposal, and it flips gravity upside down. From this, you can figure out that the only way forward is to kill the bad guy by flipping gravity so he flies into the hole in the corner.
Here's another example. In this level, the blob has been dropped in where the purple line appears. Notice that block looks different. It's a popup block. If you travel over one of those solid grid pieces highlighted in red, they pop up and block your path. So as soon as you enter the level, you instantly know how it works. And then there's a second one, just in case you didn't.
There's one in the bottom left corner, so you know that they don't pop up while you're on them, only when you've moved off.
With all of these methods, the player can learn how to manipulate all the powerups and obstacles in the game. After the 18 tutorial worlds, there are 108 standard levels, and every 6 level a new powerup or obstacle is introduced, and you spend the next 6 levels mastering it.
This way the gameplay stays fresh constantly. It doesn't rest on its laurels and it keeps pushing you until you think of the game in a whole new way. You'll end up going back to the first worlds and laughing at how easy it is, and wondering how you could've possibly found it so difficult.
Now, at this point I had 126 levels, and I was just about to add achievements, when I was talking to someone at uni. He pointed out that another particularly big phone game uses bonus levels to reward the player for doing well. I decided to incorporate this by adding three bonus modes to the game. In every world, if you 3*, collect the pink orb and get to the exit, or kill your own blob in every single level, you'll unlock a big bonus level that's super difficult and tests everything you learnt in that world.
Here's the blobslayer mode, where you have to kill all your own blobs. Now, each bonus level also has some interesting extra theme in it. The one here is counting down. Notice at the beginning the green blocks form a large digital "10". If you simply follow the steps of changing the level with your powerups so that it reads 10 -> 9 -> 8 -> 6 -> 5 -> 3 -> 2 when it's in its original orientation you will win the level (as achieved above).
But anyway, as my first game, it's been a huge learning experience for me. I've learnt level design, C#, the ins and outs of Unity, great ways to script animation, how to make semi decent looking graphics, how to mathematically make GUIs, how to take your semi decent looking graphics and make them look pretty in action.
I've taken it on the road and met some lovely developers. And now I have something on the app store that has my name on it, and not only that: It's a game that means a lot to me, and has followed me through the past 6 years. And I'm really happy with how it's turned out.
But most of all, I've learnt: You need absolutely minimal coding experience to go and make a game, or art experience. Have an idea for a game? Go and make it. The only thing stopping you is your own self-doubt. Code isn't black magic. And heck, even if it is, go and become a wizard. It's the most rewarding pastime there is.
If you want to play Rotation Station, you can get it here for Android and here for iOS.
And there's more info about it here.