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Movie Review: "King Kong" (2005)
Movie: "King Kong"
Director: Peter Jackson
Running Time: 3 hours, 7 minutes
Filmmaker Carl Denham leads a film and ship crew to a secret island to shoot his new picture. Once there, they encounter some hostile natives who kidnap his leading lady Ann Darrow and use her as a sacrifice to Kong, the giant gorilla that lives on the island. Now, they must get her back, but despite the danger, Denham is not willing to leave without a film or an even bigger money maker.
"King Kong" is directed by Peter Jackson, who made a ginormous name for himself with "The Lord of Rings" trilogy. This is his remake of the 1933 classic of the same name. This version is actually set in 1933 and makes several of nods to the original, if you can catch them, which we were able to do since we had just watched the original a few days beforehand. Jackson's remake stars Jack Black as film producer Carl Denham, who wants to make his new picture on the hidden Skull Island. Joining him are Naomi Watts, who plays starving actress-turned-leading lady Ann Darrow, and Adrien Brody as screenwriter and play-write Jack Driscoll. Also in the film are Colin Hanks, Thomas Kretschmann, Evan Parke, Jamie Bell, Kyle Chandler, and Andy Serkis, who has a physical on-screen role and also does the motion capture for Kong himself.
Peter Jackson takes what was once a giant monster horror movie with groundbreaking visuals and turns it into an epic adventure film. Despite the scale-up in production and film length, he manages to capture the spirit of the original excellently and never trounces on its legacy. He paints Kong as more than just a giant ape and allows the audience to empathize with him, even if it's only in some small way. We see the great personality that Serkis, along with the help of CG animators, really imbued strong emotion into the character of Kong, so much so that we even can understand his motivations for the things he does. Kong likes Ann Darrow not because she's a pretty blond, but because she entertains him and makes him laugh with her vaudevillian act and empathy.
Where this remake excels, much like the 1933 version, is in its special effects. The creation of Kong is nothing short of brilliant. Combining Andy Serkis's mo-cap with an impressive array of digital talent brings this creature to life in a humongous and terrifying fashion. That being said, some of the other CGI elements, especially the other creatures Kong and the film crew interact with, don't come together as clean as the titular character himself. There are times while watching when we thought there should have been someone telling Peter Jackson to scale it back a bit when it comes to his overabundance of giant creatures. Also, the way the human characters interact with the digital ones isn't always 100% clean and sharp. Other than these few instances, the film is visually gorgeous from start to finish. Another problem we have with this version is its length. We understand the need for character development and the setting up of several situations from the original movie, but there is a good 40 minutes or so that could have been cut from the film, which would have made a less bogged down, better paced movie.
Upon re-watch, we are glad to say 2005's "King Kong" is a mostly engaging, exciting adventure film, and the parts that involve Kong himself help make up for the time spent without him (minus the one scene where Naomi Watts literally just grunts and screams for what feels like 30 minutes straight). Hell, even in the 1933 version, it take 47 minutes for King Kong to make his first appearance on screen. It rivals the original in greatness and far surpasses the 1976 version. There is a lot of action and intensity, as well as a few dramatic and tender moments. Who can forget about the climax atop the Empire State Building? This scene is massively impressive. This is what remakes should strive to be like only with a tad more restraint and a few less minutes of filler.
**CLICK HERE to buy this movie on DVD!**
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IMDB's Rating: 7.2/10
Do we recommend this movie: Yes!
Posted by Lolo at Thursday, March 09, 2017
Labels: 2000's, action, adventure, drama, movie review


Full contact details for Capitale Assurances Generales; Anjou, Quebec, Canada. Capitale Assurances Generales belongs to category Insurance agents, brokers, & service in Anjou, QC, Canada.
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How technology shapes the way people live and work?
Life with technology [choose 1]
A) How technology shapes the way people live and work.
B) I chose this topic because I think technology has really affected our lives and work nowadays. Technology has helped us to connect with people in an easier and available way. It has also changed the way companies communicate and collaborate with each other. Technology made it possible to continue our normal life during the COVID-19 lockdown with so many possibilities. It also affected the Economy tremendously by increasing sales and causing economic growth. Additionally, it has decreased poverty by creating your jobs and allowing people in need to reach a larger platform. It gave us new ways to develop our education systems to create better and more advanced minds. Technologies in the workplace help ensure that information is available only to the right people and virtually eliminate the leak of relevant information about the company. It can also be used to guard valuable objects and people. Technology affects every part of society, the kingdom or empire, and is based on accessible mathematics and the science of society, affecting every aspect of civilization.
C) I think readers would be interested in this topic since technology has changed many lives and improved our world for the better. Nowadays, new technologies have changed the world and our daily lives. The latest gadgets and tools provide us with useful information which makes our lives easy. New technologies have achieved high levels, and without them, we cannot imagine our next steps. Modern technology has covered the way for multifunctional devices such as smartwatches and smartphones, improved computers, and created new kinds of laptops, which are becoming faster, more portable, and more powerful than ever. With all these revolutions, technology has also made our lives easier, faster, better, and fun. One of the newest examples was remodeling our face-to-face classes online, then taking a few minutes, and we smoothly started to connect to the Zoom program and continued our studying. In a few years, drones may be the norm for everyone, and robots will be common in factories. Future technology is sure to change our lives in incredible ways, but here we are looking at the many common ways in which technology is changing our lives today.
B and C I wrote as an RP Submission
Use the topic you chose earlier in this course in Module 2. You may not use any other topic.
Locate information about your chosen topic using GCC's library electronic periodical databases. You will have a minimum of 3 sources for this research paper, and they MUST come from GCC's library databases, not any other library. You must include the URL, not the doi in the citation to verify it comes from the GCC library periodical databases.
Types of Sources to Use:
Print and other hardcopy sources are not permitted for this assignment at all. Sources from libraries and databases other than GCC are not permitted at all. If there is a print source you want to use, you MUST locate it in a digital format otherwise you may not use it.
The following are types of sources you may use:
Articles from databases such as Academic Search Complete, ProQuest, CQ Researcher, JSTOR, available through GCC's library
You may not use:
Gale Virtual Reference Library
print books, print newspapers, print journals, print magazines
These are general reference databases and print sources which will not provide adequate or up-to-date information for this assignment.
You must use at least 2 different databases. You may not get all your sources from just 1 database, and you may not use just 1 author for all your sources.
Take Note:
Some topics will not have sources available in all formats. Choose the sources that are most relevant and most easily downloadable. You might also want to consider length. Make sure your sources are not too long.
Download to a flash drive the sources you select to read and annotate. Be sure to get web addresses, author and copyright information and access dates for web sources. This is critical, so be sure to copy it from the database. Most online bibliography generators are not up-to-date with 2016 MLA guidelines, so you will have to create your citations manually using The Everyday Writer 6th edition with 2016 MLA Update.
Length of Research Paper:
Your research paper will be 4-5 content pages in length not including Works Cited [works cited pages are extra], typed in MLA8 format with a Works Cited page. [Total 5-6 pages.]
Image preview for how technology shapes the way people live and work?
How technology shapes the way people live and work? was last modified: October 5th, 2020 by Admin2
Explain what it is, and how this credit will benefit the individual taxpayer, the individual's family
Explain how current technology could be used to address the chosen issue.
What are some advantages and disadvantages of providing humanitarian aid on a long-term basis?
Categories: Computer
Tags: economy, technology

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Diseases that ticks carry locally is an issue you should be knowledgeable about in Tennessee. Ticks are a major problem throughout the country. There are a number of different species in North America. Most of which have the ability to carry disease.
First of all, these specific species in Tennessee have the ability bite and infect us with certain diseases.
Consequently, populations are generally greater in areas where livestock or animals are present. These areas include pastures, fields and forests. Therefore, the more animal populations present, the better chance the tick population can survive. As a result, humans come into contact with ticks when they walk or hike through fields or forest paths.
The more common ticks in Tennessee and the southeast include the American dog tick, the lone star tick, the brown dog tick and possibly the black legged tick. Each of these species can be responsible for infecting humans with certain diseases. What does a tick look like?
They are small, somewhat oval and have eight legs as adults. They do not fly or jump but crawl up on grasses and shrubs to fall on a passing animals or humans to have a blood meal.
The American dog tick adult is reddish brown with a gray shield on its back. The brown dog tick is a uniform reddish brown with no other markings. The Lone star tick is reddish brown with a single white spot or dot in the middle of its back.
Different tick species can carry different diseases. These are some of the more common diseases associated with ticks in Tennessee and the south ease.
American dog tick– carries tularemia and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Greatest risk of being bitten is in the spring and summer.
Lone star tick– ehrlichiosis, tularemia, Bourbon virus, Southern tick-associated rash illness (STARI) and Alpha-gal syndrome (meat allergy) Greatest risk of being bitten is in the early spring spring to late fall. Very aggressive tick to attack humans.
These diseases have certain signs and symptoms. Furthermore, most all are bacterial infections. To add, the infected person may not have all the listed signs and symptoms.
Ehrlichiosis: Fever, chills, headache, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and sometimes a rash with children.
Rocky Mountain spotted fever: high fever, headache, malaise, gastrointestinal symptoms and spotted rash on wrists, elbows and ankles. Can be fatal is not treated soon.
Tularemia: Fever, chills, fatigue, cough, sore throat, vomiting, abdominal pain and possibly an ulcerated sore at infection site.
The CDC has reported that ticks capable of carrying lyme disease have been reported in over half of U S counties.
Rocky Mountain spotted fever can possibly be fatal if not treated early.
Lyme Disease: This disease has a number of stages over time if untreated. Ring like or expanding rash, flu-like symptoms, sore lymph nodes, later pain in tendons and muscle, arthritis and later neurological problems.
STARI (Southern Tick-Associated RAsh Illness)– some same symptoms as Lyme with a possible rash and flu-like symptoms. Cause of disease unknown at the moment. Some doctors treat the same as treating Lyme disease.
Alpha-Gal syndrome: This is a non bacterial condition that causes a human to have a mild to severe allergic reaction to red meat. Other symptoms include swelling of lips and tongue, coughing and sneezing after eating red meat.
Most all of the tick associated diseases are treated with an antibiotic regimen. Avoid infested areas. In infested areas wear insect repellent and protective clothing.
Also, another thing you should do is always inspect your clothing and body. In contrast, if you have any question you might have an infection from a tick bite, consult a professional physician. Likewise, if you have an emergency about a tick bite that is causing health problems or life-threatening concern, call 9-1-1 immediately.
Finally, if you live in a very wooded area or a rural area with large landmass, field, etc., be aware of the possibility of ticks. Furthermore, if you need pest control in Tennessee, be sure to contact U.S. Pest Protection. Most noteworthy, ask about our pest control tick prevention services. We offer the best in Tennessee and are rated #1 in Nashville.


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Opera Prep
This is it, the final dress rehearsal before opening night.
And you and your students are invited because we just can't wait to share the show with you. Join us before the performance to meet the artists you're about to see on stage—and the behind-the-scenes production members—sharing stories about their careers in the arts. Afterwards, it's on to the theater for a full-scale, opening night ready performance. The show is about to begin, and we've saved a spot just for you.
Tickets are free.
Teachers must attend a required in-service (psst..we make it super fun and accessible via Zoom). Teachers have the option of attending the corresponding Opera for Educators session with an in-person in-service if they prefer.
Teachers can bring up to 50 students and chaperones.
All Opera Prep programs are subject to change
This is an amazing way to incorporate arts material into your lesson plans for (nearly) any subject.
2022/23 Dates and Operas
Lucia di Lammermoor by Gaetano Donizetti
Wednesday, September 14, 2022 at 7:30PM
Omar by Rhiannon Giddens and Michael Abels
Thursday, October 20, 2022 at 7:30PM
Tosca by Giacomo Puccini
Thursday, November 17, 2022 at 11:00AM
The Marriage of Figaro by W.A. Mozart
Thursday, February 2, 2023 at 2:00PM
Pelléas and Mélisande by Claude Debussy
Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at 7:30PM
Otello by Guiseppe Verdi
Wednesday, May 10, 2023 at 7:30PM
Click here to download a PDF describing the program requirements and how to apply.
Applications are accepted until the program is full (applications must be approved by LA Opera). To find out if applications are still being accepted, please email us at connects@laopera.org or call 213.972.3157.
Looking for online resources to explore careers in opera?
Click the button below for conversations with people working in the field as well as films and audio recordings of operas.
Opera Prep Online
Leadership support for Opera Prep from the
Additional support from
The Blue Ribbon
Recording Industries Music Performance Trust Fund


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warns.
Previous shifts from in-person to remote or hybrid learning (a combination of the two) during the COVID-19 pandemic have posed challenges for kids that have caused them to act out, according to Harvard University researchers.
They began a large study of learning and behavior before the pandemic, but the new conclusions stem from a look at 4½ months last year — January through May — when about 57% of kids switched learning formats.
"As we looked at how children's behaviors were linked to those learning formats, we found that it seemed like remote learning — which comes as no surprise to probably many parents — poses a challenge for children's behavioral health and functioning, and this really aligns with what we know about how stress and disruption affects children's behaviors," said study leader Emily Hanno, a postdoctoral researcher.
The conclusions emerged from four surveys of 405 parents of kids participating in the broader Early Learning Study at Harvard.
In the surveys, parents gave their take on their child's general behavioral health, including a number of "maladaptive" behaviors, including aggression or withdrawal. They also cited the frequency of "dysregulated" behaviors, such as limited attention span or difficulty switching between tasks.
Compared to when they were in school, kids showed more of these unwanted behaviors while learning remotely — and their general behavior was worse overall, the parents reported.
Behavior during periods of hybrid learning landed in between remote and in-person.
"We think that this is probably a function of the turbulence of switching between learning formats, and the instability and insecurity of switching to remote learning, but also probably the stress that households are feeling as they're adjusting to remote learning and also confronting the broader public health conditions that often coincide with remote learning," Hanno said.
Children thrive in predictable environments with clear, consistent routines, she pointed out.
"We think that a key way forward is making sure that children feel safe and supported and have the resources that they need to manage and navigate the stress that we're all experiencing in these unpredictable times," Hanno said.
The survey results illustrate the parents' perceptions of their child's behaviors, according to the study. The researchers said those working with kids and families should address not only the academic consequences of the pandemic, but also its impact on children's social, emotional and behavioral well-being.
"When children feel safe and supported, we know that they can more easily bounce back from challenges and be resilient," Hanno said. "I think it underscores that if we focus on building the conditions of supports that empower children's families and educators to navigate these complicated times, children should be able to more easily recover from these setbacks in the long run."
It's also essential to make time for kids to process what's going on, she said.
"It's tempting to want to jump straight into learning, to combat 'learning loss,' but we also need to understand that children are going through a lot socially and emotionally and giving them space and time to process and understand what that means is really important, too," Hanno said.
The findings were published online Jan. 10 as a research letter in JAMA Pediatrics.
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. kids' behavioral health was already in decline, according to Dr. Cora Collette Breuner, a professor of pediatrics and adolescent medicine at the University of Washington in Seattle. She said the reasons are unknown.
The pandemic added to that by contributing isolation, stressed parents, lack of robust tech support for children trying to learn remotely, and loss of interaction with teachers who could provide a safety net for those living in dysfunctional homes, she said.
"It shouldn't surprise people that kids become more withdrawn. They tend to regress to younger behavior," Breuner said.
To help keep kids at in-person schools, everyone should be wearing masks, Breuner said, including during sports activities. Parents, kids and teachers also need to be honest about any symptoms they experience that could be COVID-related and get tested, she said.
Breuner suggested parents should check in with their pediatrician if they have any concerns about their kids' behavior or mental health.
"If a parent is noticing a kid doing any of the behaviors that are mentioned in this paper, which are being more withdrawn, having more irritability, microaggression, maladaptive behaviors, difficulty switching activities or limited attention, they really need to find their health care provider and just chat with them about it," Breuner said.
The U.S. Department of Education has COVID-19 resources for schools, students and families.
SOURCES: Emily Hanno, PhD, postdoctoral researcher, Harvard Graduate School of Education, Cambridge, Mass.; Cora Collette Breuner, MD, MPH, professor, pediatrics/adolescent medicine, and adjunct professor, orthopedics and sports medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, and attending physician, Seattle Children's Hospital; JAMA Pediatrics, Jan. 10, 2022, online
Abuse of Prescription ADHD Medicines Rising on College Campuses
Stress Quiz
Stress Trigger Assessment


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McClendon, Richard J.
Richard J. McClendon has been an associate director in the office of Institutional Assessment and Analysis at Brigham Young University since 2008. Prior to this position, he spent two years as the research director for the Economic Self-Reliance Center in the Marriott School of Management at BYU. He has also taught in the Department of Sociology at BYU and as an adjunct professor in the Department of Religious Education. Before coming to BYU, he spent several years teaching for the LDS Church Education System as a seminary and institute instructor. He received both his PhD in sociology and his MEd in educational leadership from Brigham Young University. He has worked as a research consultant and has conducted research in various areas of education, religion, family, and business.
RSC Publications
Books edited by: Richard J. McClendon
Shield of Faith: The Power of Religion in the Lives of LDS Youth and Young Adults
Books authored by: Richard J. McClendon
Commitment to the Covenant
Articles/Chapters by: Richard J. McClendon
Spirituality and Self-Worth: The Role of Religion in Shaping Teens' Self-Image from RE 4, no. 2 (2003)
Captain Moroni's Wartime Strategies: An Application for the Spiritual Battles of Our Day from RE 3, no. 3 (2002)
4. Commitment to the Covenant: LDS Marriage and Divorce from By Divine Design: Best Practices for Family Success and Happiness
Bringing God into Our Marraige from RE 20, no. 1 (2019)


> > Sure, lets make XML unsuitable for use in UNIX pipes by allowing ^D.
> > expect EOF (^D or ^Z).
> (depending on your shell).
such as sending ^D to a shell.
"Text mode. In text mode the end of file is assumed to be at first Ctrl-Z character. Some conversions can occur reading and writing with End Of Line / Feedback characters depending on your compiler and your Operating System."
programs (such as cat) should be written to use binary.
Re: [xml-dev] Why would MS want to make XML break on UNIX, Perl, Python,etc ?


American Essay: Job satisfaction factors thesis FREE Bibliography!
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My children belong to the third generation of Tibetans living in the West. To keep them interested in the Tibetan language and culture, I use music as one of my most valuable allies. Over the years, the search for child-friendly songs and dances has become something like a creative hobby with Losar, the Tibetan New Year, figuring as a prime motivator and highlight where the children get to perform what they have learned during the year. We would always pep up the performances with beautiful Chupas and accessories brought from our travels to Tibet.
Much like what North American Indians do at their annual pow-wow, Losar is something like our Tibetan pow-wow: We get together with friends celebrating our heritage by joining in dancing and singing, sharing stories and eating Tibetan food that we cook together. In the process we receive a boost for another year ahead of us and the children are able to reconnect with their Tibetan roots. That's why this year too we will celebrate our New Year with all the bells and whistles. Losar is a ritualised event that keeps everyone positive and going.
I know we have been asked to skip festivities. But I believe it is not a wise recommendation. The daily stream of sad news coming out of Tibet is depressing and the hardliner response by China makes us feel helpless. In this situation, being asked to cancel New Year celebrations for the umpteenth time, could easily pull people further down instead of lifting them up. It's like twisting the knife in the wound.
Being continuously asked to cancel celebrations is scoring own-goals because we depend on cultural festivals to keep our traditions relevant. We can't be in national mourning forever. It paralyses our society. I don't want my kids to grow up in a morbid and culturally barren environment where all we do is shouting during demonstrations and mourning in prayers. I don't want them to subconsciously connect being Tibetan with negative emotions such as sadness, powerlessness, anger and uncertainty. If that's where we wind up, then the sacrifice of the self-immolators is 100 % wasted.
Tibetan kids deserve to be happy, enthusiastic and self-confident like all other kids. I want to see them excelling in their Western environments, at the same time, knowing their Tibetan culture inside out. And I want myself as a parent to be able to set the example. For our kids and our culture to burgeon in the communities outside Tibet, I believe it is psychologically important to have something positive to relate to like Losar celebrations.
So here I am, sharing three songs from the broad range of contemporary Tibetan music that are fun and uplifting. I picked them for my Losar pow-wow because they don't try too hard which is what makes them cool. They don't have a big message. They don't tell us: Speak Tibetan! Study hard! Work for Tibetan unity! I like these songs for this year's Losar precisely because they don't lecture, don't plead nor mourn; they simply live it.


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Luxury pet hotel owner fined for selling pedigree cats without pet shop licence
Estelle Tayler, owner of luxury pet hotel The Wagington. (Photos: Facebook/Estelle T. Tayler, TODAY)
By Lydia Lam @LydiaLamCNA
08 Apr 2020 12:35PM (Updated: 08 Apr 2020 12:40PM )
SINGAPORE: An owner of a luxury pet hotel was fined S$2,500 on Wednesday (Apr 8) for using hotel premises as a pet shop to sell three pedigree cats for S$2,800 each.
Estelle Tayler, the 37-year-old owner of pet hotel The Wagington, admitted to one charge of using the 27B Loewen Road premises to sell two British shorthair and one Ragdoll cat when she had no licence to run the hotel as a pet shop.
Another charge was taken into consideration - that she had used the hotel premises to exhibit cats for customers to play with for S$15 an hour when she did not have the required licence.
The court heard that Tayler had eight cats in 2018 and kept them at the premises. She displayed photos on Facebook offering to sell them for S$2,800 each.
One buyer responded to the ad and bought two cats for S$5,600 from Tayler at the hotel, while a second buyer bought a British shorthair cat from her on the premises.
Tayler managed to sell three out of the five cats she advertised for sale, despite being aware that a licence was needed to sell them, said the prosecutor.
She had applied for the licence but her application was incomplete as she failed to submit further supporting documents, and did not follow up.
The case was brought to light after a tip-off.
The prosecutor asked for a fine of at least S$2,500, noting that Tayler had no previous convictions.
Tayler's lawyer said that all the eight cats were Tayler's personal pets, that she had imported from the United Kingdom from 2016.
"A lot of these cats were older. They were definitely not kittens," said the lawyer.
"The amount that she charged the new owners was just to cover the cost of her purchasing these cats and importing them from the UK, so there's no benefit to her."
Tayler made the news six years ago when her hotel opened in Tanglin and was touted as the first five-star dog hotel in Singapore.
An extension for cats was later added to the hotel, with features like classical music, designer beds and Swarovski crystal-studded dining ware.
For using the hotel as a pet shop to sell cats without the required licence, Tayler could have been fined up to S$5,000.
Source: CNA/ll


Remember how I found the motherlode of Citroen DS in my own backyard?
Totally right next to where I live (within 20km.) I need to check this out.
He won't break up the lot. Even with my poor French skills I was able to express dismay at this fact via SMS.


Dakota Scott has spent her entire adult life trying to outrun her past, but even the privilege and reputation her family name affords her haven't helped her forget. Her mother's mental illness and the memory of the night that haunts her from so long ago won't release her. When the one woman with the power to set her free shows up, Dakota is drawn to her, but she is a painful reminder of everything Dakota has been trying desperately to escape.
When Jessie Weldon returns to her hometown after thirty years of avoiding it, she knows she has demons to face and a conflicted past to resolve, but she has no idea love awaits her. Can she give her heart to Dakota with the tragic past that lies between them?
The Big C, Is There Love after Cancer?


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Pale Honey – "Lonesome"
News April 30, 2015 5:08 PM By Caitlin White
Both of the other Pale Honey songs I love sneak up on you. "Youth" and "Fish" both start off with just a drum pattern or a solo guitar riff, building from a relatively quiet intro into a big, crashing chorus that smacks of satisfaction. The Swedish duo new single "Lonesome" is a little different — there's nothing to build to here, the leaving has already been done. Everything hits at once right from the start. A menacing bassline looms over chiming synths and twanging, crashing guitars; even if the end is near, this will be not be a gentle departure into that good night. Tuva Lodmark and Nelly Daltrey aren't trying to make anything but straight forward, no-holds-barred rock music. "I know I'll get along without you," Lodmarks muses, but her guitar is already saying that louder than the lyrics ever will. Listen below.
Pale Honey is out 5/4 via Bolero Records. Pre-order it here.
Caitlin White Subscriber harmonicait
Pale Honey


Frances was born on May 18, 1910 in North Vancouver. She and John married on Dec. 21, 1929 and moved to Oliver in 1930. With her husband she operated an orchard and ground crops.
She was a member of the Rebekah Lodge for 51 years. Frances was also a founding member of the Oliver Seniors Centre.
A memorial service was held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 8, 2007 at the Oliver United Church. Interment followed at the Oliver Municipal Cemetery.
Arrangements entrusted to Graham Funeral Home, Oliver B.C.


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Entertainment » Theatre
3/Fifths' Trapped in a Traveling Minstrel Show
Monday November 6, 2017
Wesley T. Jones, Vienna Carroll, Michael Bryan (Source:David Marshall)
James Scruggs, a New York City-based writer, performer, and producer, comes to Boston in partnership with Sleeping Weazel to pose some hard questions about race.
During the Obama era -- when so many things seemed saner than they do now -- we could hope to have a courteous and respectful discussion on racial issues in America. Such hopes now seem forlorn, and Scrugg's play "3/Fifths' Trapped in a Traveling Minstrel Show" has adapted to the times. Enraged, outraged, exasperated, and confrontational, the show forces us to look at our nation's ugly past and contemplate the present. Questions of bias in policing and criminal justice come to the fore, as do issues of cultural appropriation; those two themes seem central to the project, and a lyric from the free-wheeling first musical number boils down the essence of what's in store with a concise couplet:
"Our existence ignites your hate
As our culture you appropriate."
There's a huge dollop of acid-washed nostalgia -- that is to say, callbacks to the bad old days. The performance space is dominated by an old-fashioned billboard that doubles as a screen where rear projections of vintage comedy acts flicker, right next to clips from contemporary music videos. (The scenic design is by Michael O'Reilly; Jason Batcheller provides the video design.) The advert here isn't for a new subdivision or a brand of shaving cream, but for persistent and irrational attitudes -- and the need to consciously, intentionally change them. Meanwhile, the deeper implication is impossible to miss: Ours is a culture that has long sustained itself on the narrative, musical, comedic, and stylistic innovations of people that are not celebrated for their contributions, but scorned for their artificially imposed place in the social hierarchy.
Wesley T. Jones, Vienna Carroll, Michael Bryan (Source: David Marshall)
In another callback to the bad old days, the two male actors (Michael Bryan and Wesley T. Jones) are in blackface -- a provocation that has more than surface meaning, though when what Scruggs is up to here is revealed, it constitutes a dramatic reversal that shocks you and shakes you out of your accustomed perspectives. With absolute clarity of purpose, Scruggs puts his finger on a central plexus of overlapping concerns, and presses hard.
The play is structured as part variety show, part game show, and part trial by jury, and the tone becomes more aggressive and volatile by degrees. A game show sets famous songs originated by African American artists against the later covers by white artists and invites opinion on which version is better -- but it also asks us to think about who actually made money off the music. In a more dramatic passage, two men offer their first-hand accounts of being subjected to modern forms of involuntary servitude and forced labor, and talk about the illusions and realities of serving jail time. The show is conceived and written by Scruggs, but director Mark Rayment pulls nary a punch. This is not a show that's going to accept a nod of concerned agreement and call it good, and you sense that the idea isn't even for the audience to agree with its message but rather to (finally, unambiguously) take that message seriously -- as seriously as those who must live in fear for their lives must take it. After 75 taut, increasingly distressing minutes, you walk out feeling uncertain of exactly what just happened, but suspecting you've just tasted the barest hint of the sort of unhinged abuse our system has unleashed on generations of Americans based on nothing but the color of their skin.
Vienna Carroll serves as interlocutor, emcee, and, finally, judge. Hers is a center of gravity that pulls the rest of the show into balance. When she launches into song, however, she transcends all those roles. This is a show with jagged edges and urgent demands, but it's not a stranger to the healing balm of mercy.
"3/Fifths' Trapped in a Traveling Minstrel Show" continues through Nov. 11 at the Boston Center for the Arts. For tickets and more information, please go to http://www.sleepingweazel.com
3/Fifths :: Examining America, Coming to Boston
Related Topics: Boston theater | theater
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11 night cruise sailing from Sydney, Australia aboard the Pacific Adventure.
Visit Alotau, Kitava Island, PNG, Kiriwina Island, Conflict Islands, PNG and Sydney, Australia.
Experience the diversity of this vibrant city with its world-famous icons. Enjoy the sun and surf at one of the many beaches, discover the thrilling entertainment or wander through the chic shopping precincts.
Rich in diverse natural beauty and traditional culture, Alotau offers visitors fantastic markets and a colourful harbour area. It's undoubtedly one of the most laid-back, secure and enjoyable towns in Papua New Guinea. The Alotau Festival and Sing Sing is an alluring display of rich custom and culture, with intricately adorned canoes, warriors in traditional dress, powerful music, dance and ceremonies. Milne Bay offers a fascinating insight into the region during World War II, as the site of a significant historic battle.
As a matrilineal society, women make the rules in the Trobriand Islands. As intriguing as they are stunningly beautiful, guests can try their hand at Trobriand cricket on Kiriwina – where the unconventional rules include an unlimited number of players, dancing and whistle-blowing. Of course, natural beauty abounds with unspoiled beaches and sparkling tropical waters teeming with fish and colourful coral, ready for exploring. Or sit back and take in the cultural dances and traditional performances against the pristine beach backdrop.
Here, one of the world's most intact island cultures resides on one of the world's most untouched islands, and you are among the select few who are lucky enough to experience them both.
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Mythical Creature of the Week - Acromantula!
Follow the spiders? Why could it not be butterflies!
For today's Mythical Creature of the Week, we head into the rainforests of southeastern Asia to learn about the giant acromantula. The acromantula is a species of giant spiders that can grow up to the size of a carthorse. Adult acromantulas have an average leg span of fifteen feet and are typically covered in black hair. They have eight large, black eyes, two at the height of human eyes, four small eyes directly underneath, and an eye on each side of it's head at temple height.
If an acromantula happened to go blind, the eye would appear white. They have large pincers that produce poison and make a clicking sound when they get excited or upset. Acromantula fangs contain a venom that is extremely toxic, but also very valuable. It is nearly impossible to collect from an acromantula while it's alive, but the venom begins to dry after death so one must be quick to collect it.
Due to the difficulty to obtain it, it can cost up to one hundred Galleons a pint! Acromantulas can reproduce quickly, a female being able to lay up to a hundred eggs at a time. Typically acromantula colonies are run by the eldest male and female and both are treated with a large amount of respect. When a member of a colonie passes, the others eat the corpse. The reasoning behind this is unknown, but it can be agreed that it is a very gruesome ritual.
The spell arania exumai (ah-RAHN-ee-a EGGS-oo-may) can be used to blast acromantulas and other spiders away, so if you're one of the unlucky witches or wizards to have arachnophobia, this spell will be helpful to know!
Ola Fox *Squeals and shivers* Damn spiders!
Alice Somerfeld Oh wow! Very well done!
Lorene Fowler Great read!! Good work.
Jovan Smith wonderful article, very well done.
Iris Ellwood Contrary to common belief, Acromatula's are surprisingly very intelligent and friendly. They create insanely strong bonds with the wizards and witches that choose to raise them. Amazing article! I really enjoyed it!
Lainey Fitzroy Very informative! Good job!


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Kio and all her family members are gathered for a funeral in Okinawa. This same day, a message arrives from outer space. There she encounters a girl named Elis who claims to be an alien. The odd thing is... Elis has cat-ears and a tail. What does destiny have in store for Kio and Elis?


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St. Thomas (STT)
St. Thomas airport (STT)
/fotos/stt-aeropuerto.jpg
Cyril E. King International Airport, opened on January 22, 1928, serves the island of Saint Thomas and is one of the busiest in Eastern Caribbean. It mainly operates with flights to the United States and destinations in the Caribbean.
Official Website: viport.com
Number of Terminals - 1 - Open from 6:00 am to 11:00 pm.
Tel: +1 340 774 1629 / 5100. E-mail: [email protected]
The airport is situated 3 km (2 miles) to the west of the city of Charlotte Amalie.
Car Hire companies
There are car rental desks from companies Avis (Tel +1 340 774 1468 - 7:00 am to 7:00 pm), Budget (Tel +1 340 776 5774 - 7:00 am to 10:30 pm) and Hertz (Tel +1 340 774 1879 - 7:00 am to 9:00 pm).
What services does St. Thomas airport (STT) facilities include
The airport has an ATM.
Food and Drinks- Inside the terminal there are two restaurants.
Shopping- Stores selling alcoholic beverages, gifts and handicrafts.
Baggage- Porter service available. For enquiries about lost or damaged luggage, head for the offices of the corresponding airline.
Other Services-
Accommodation near St. Thomas airport (STT)
Some of the nearby hotels are: Emerald Beach Resort (Tel +1 340 777 8800), Lindbergh Bay Hotel & Villas (Tel +1 340 774 2525), Starz Hotel (Tel +1 340 777 7767), Sunset Gardens Guesthouse (Tel +1 340 227 4429), Olga's Fancy (Tel +1 340 643 4247), Windward Passage Hotel (Tel +1 340 774 5200), Miller Manor (Tel +1 340 344 0068), The Crystal Palace (Tel +1 340 777 2277), Villa Santana (Tel +1 340 776 1311), Bellavista Bed & Breakfast (Tel +1 340 714 5706).
Bus - Line 102 from VITRAN (Tel +1 340 776 4844) connects the airport with Ulla Muller School, Patrooit Manor, Vendor's Plaza and Schneider Hospital from 6:00 am to 7:20 pm. More information
Taxi - Outside the terminal there are cabs from Virgin Islands Taxi Association (Tel +1 340 774 7457). Travel time to the city centre is around 10 minutes.
Parking services at St. Thomas airport (STT)
There is a parking area situated opposite the terminal building and open from 6:00 am to 11:00 pm. The first 15 minutes have no charge. More information: Tel +1 340 714 6607. Fees
Disabled Passengers
Automatic doors, adapted toilets, ramps, elevators, accessible public telephones, reserved parking spaces and an ambulift to board and disembark from the aircraft. Inform your airline about your particular needs in advance.
Virgin Islands airports


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World Is Still Overshooting 2°C Target Despite Oil & Gas Headway
Schroders Climate Progress Dashboard has highlighted the fact that, despite headway made by the oil and gas industries, a drop in clean energy investment means we are still overshooting efforts to reduce global warming to 2°C.
In July of 2017, leading global asset manager Schroders launched its Climate Progress Dashboard — a tool designed to provide investors with "a unique insight" into the global progress towards limiting global warming to the 2°C target and the overall progress of the transition to a low-carbon global economy. Schroders published the most recent quarterly update late last week, concluding that "the world is still overshooting its temperature rise target by more than 2°C."
The headway made by the oil and gas industries — with capital investment in the oil and gas industry dropping in the last quarter of 2017, translating into a projected temperature rise of 3.9°C, down from 5.3°C — was offset by a decline in climate financing, which saw its temperature rise trajectory increase from 3.3°C to 4.6°C over the latest quarter.
Interestingly, despite the fact that Bloomberg New Energy Finance concluded that 2017 had been a record year for clean energy investment — reaching $333.5 billion, up 3% and reaching the second highest annual figure — Schroders highlights that clean energy investment was down in late 2017, and also highlights analysis published by the Climate Policy Initiative which showed clean energy finance had dropped 12% in 2016.
"According to the Climate Progress Dashboard's quarterly update, the oil and gas industry could be starting to translate the growing pressure it is facing into a strategic response," explained Andrew Howard, Head of Sustainable Research, Schroders.
"Our recent research discussed the challenges facing the industry and the importance of capital discipline as the key driver of future profitability and valuations[1]. There is further to go but the change is encouraging. Time will tell whether discipline holds with rising prices.
"The main setback over the last quarter reflects slowing climate finance flows. The challenge of encouraging capital into climate solutions on the necessary scale has attracted a lot of attention from policymakers and environmental groups and, while plans are typically ambitious, tangible action remains more elusive."
Schroders Climate Progress Dashboard
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Climate Change and Health, Epic New Book Out.....
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Amazon Rain Forest Drought is Tremendous, Concerning [VIDEO]


(Critical) Talked to employee and asked how dishes are washed? employee explained that dishes are washed in soapy water, rinsed and rinsed with hot water from faucet. Corrected by educating employee that dishes are to be washed, rinsed and sanitized with quat. Pic then set up the sanitizing compartment of the 3 compartement sink to manufacturer's specification of 200 ppm. Pic has been instructed to monitor and ensure employee are sanitizing dishes after washing and rinsing.
(Critical) Found ready to eat(rte), time/temperature control for safety (tcs) food, sliced turkey, tuna salad, and an opened carton of almond milk without 7 day (day opened/prepared + 6 days) datemark in the 2 door prep top cooler. Pic corrected by providing 7 day datemarks for noted items, and has been instructed to monitor and ensure appropriate items are datemarked.
Found the door of the unisex restroom propped open. To correct keep door closed.
Found a pair of used, single use gloves with food debris on the counter top which are being reused. Pic corrected by discarding use single use gloves and was instructed to discontinue this practice of reusing gloves as single use gloves are to be used for only 1 task.
Found a dishrack of cups which are not being used and a tub of utensils stored on the floor under the prep table shelf. Pic corrected by relocating utensils to a more protected location.
Found wet mop left in the mop wringer of the mop bucket in the mop closet. To correct after cleaning hang mop and allow it to air dry.
Found single use, tin pans used to hold/store fruit on the bottom of the 2 door reach in glass cooler. To correct replace these single use containers with commercial grade pans, which are durable, smooth, and cleanable.


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Inspired by retro round sunglasses that captured our eye, the Remmy carries the look with a modern flare. Their ultra-light construction features a slight horned temple and notched bridge.
- Frame Material: Polished Tokyo Tortoise handmade from zyl acetate.
- Five barrel hinges with a wire core embedded in each temple for strength.
- Brown Polarized CR-39 lenses manufactured by Carl Zeiss Vision.
An understated, self-assured style, Bower takes notes from some of the most iconic shapes of the past and updates them with contemporary detailing. Featuring a clean front mount and riveted temple hinges, Bower combines everything that's aesthetically great about the past with the functionality and durability of modern day. California cool with its sleek shape and styling, Bower becomes an everyday staple.
- Frame Material: Kola tortoise acetate with a matte finish.
- Lens: Bottle Green CR-39 lenses manufactured by Carl Zeiss Vision. Featuring 100% UVA/UVB protection and 6 base curve.


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ME TOO SHORT STORIES An Anthology
CRIMES AGAINST WOMEN, TALES OF RETRIBUTION AND HEALING
Meet the Authors: Rona Bell
Rona Bell is the pen name of a well-known New York business executive. She has published (under other pen names) in the North American Review, the Akashic Books Mondays are Murder series, as well as such publications as the New York Times, Washington Post, and Business Insider. Her most recent piece, "Spies on the Street," appeared in the Summer 2018 edition of Mystery Readers International. Her short story, "Prey of New York," was included in the anthology Where Crime Never Sleeps: Murder New York Style 4 and listed in Otto Penzler's Best American Mystery Stories 2018. Rona is a graduate of the University of Rochester and received a graduate degree from the University of Michigan. She has always been interested in the concept of opposites and the possibilities for story between those two extremes. She has been a proud member of the Crime Fiction Academy, directed by Jonathan Santlofer.
Articles & Blog Posts
Events & Appearances
Authors & Friends
Lynn Hesse
Rona Bell
Ana Brazil
Ann Rawson
C.C. Guthrie
Carole Sojka
Dayle A. Dermatis
Diana Catt
Gin Gannon
Julia Buckley
Julia Pomeroy
Madeline McEwen
V.S. Kemanis
Meet the Authors: Julia Pomeroy
Meet the Authors: Ana Brazil
Meet the Authors: Julia Buckley
Meet the Authors: Madeline McEwen
Meet the Authors: C.C. Guthrie
Meet the Authors: Diana Catt
Meet the Authors: Carole Sojka
Meet the Authors: Ann Rawson
Meet the Authors: Gin Gannon
Advance praise for ME TOO SHORT STORIES from bests...
Anthology Editor


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Catalonia, Scotland And Québec
An Chatalóin (Catalonia)
Couple of articles looking at the faltering fortunes of the sovereignty movements in Scotland and Québec when compared to the dynamism readily observable in their Catalan equivalents. The first comes from Patrick West in the contrarian Spiked and reflects a broadly British Unionist Nationalist viewpoint:
"On the face of it, Spain and the United Kingdom have much in common. Both are maritime, quasi-federal states and former empire-builders, who in the post-war era have faced the prospect of disintegration, as peoples in their peripheral nations have sought varying degrees of separation. In each case, the largest central nation, Castile and England, has resisted violent campaigns of national liberation, in the Basque country and Northern Ireland respectively. That's why the IRA and ETA made common cause: it's normal for separatist groups to forge such allegiances. It's also the reason why the two nationalist movements in countries now seeking peaceful means of withdrawal, Catalonia and Scotland, have paid much attention to each other's fortunes. No wonder that Catalan leaders have been looking seriously at holding their referendum at about the same time as Scotland's, which takes place on 18 September 2014.
Is such a comparison valid, though? Is an alliance between Catalonia and Scotland useful? In each case, I would say no and no. The reality that Scotland is looking increasingly likely to vote 'no' is bad news for the Catalan independence movement. If 'Catalonia is not Spain', as the familiar banner reads, it isn't Scotland, either.
It's not entirely coincidental that the Catalan parliament announced a referendum in January, 12 months after London agreed to one in Scotland. Catalans have been greatly enthused by the progress made by the Scottish National Party (SNP) under the charismatic Alex Salmond. Yet it has increasingly become an unreciprocated love affair. Salmond has so far kept his distance. There's no point in making enemies with Madrid at this stage, as, unlike London, a belligerent Madrid has not agreed to an official referendum and the outcome in Catalonia isn't binding.
The realisation that Scotland will probably vote 'no' (support for independence is at around 30 per cent and falling) is causing many in Catalonia, where secessionists make up a 70 per cent majority, to have a rethink. In January, the influential, left-leaning internet news site VilaWeb made known its concerns: 'In Scotland, the process is practically exclusively led by the Scottish National Party, which is opposed by an ideologically diverse coalition', wrote the site's editor Vicent Partal. 'In Catalonia, by contrast – and this became clear in the last election – the people don't want a single party or a single leader to run the process.'"
While there is much of interest in the opinion piece it is just that: opinion, and Britnat opinion to boot. Still, definitely worth a read. The second article comes from Konrad Yakabuski in Canada's Globe and Mail:
"What do you get when you've got a conservative prime minister embroiled in scandal who is so deeply unpopular in the province currently run by sovereigntists that he keeps driving voters into the arms of the secessionists?
The Parti Québécois might wish we were talking about Stephen Harper, whom sovereigntists consider their best weapon in the quest for Quebec independence. But the PQ has been unable to translate Quebeckers' aversion toward Mr. Harper and his policies into sovereigntist support.
That's not the case in Catalonia, where Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, his centre-right People's Party and the region's secessionist government are on a collision course that looks set to culminate in an independence referendum in 2014. While Anglo-Saxons focus on Scotland's independence vote, most of the rest of the world – and especially Quebec – will have its eyes on Catalonia.
The odds of major political upheaval seem much higher in Catalonia, where more than two-thirds support outright independence or more autonomy from Madrid. As beleaguered Spain's most prosperous region, with bustling Barcelona as its capital and a distinct language as its cultural glue, a new arrangement with Spain is increasingly sought by Catalonians. Nearly 100,000 of them filled a soccer stadium last month chanting, "Catalonia is not Spain." Fifteen times that many – one-fifth of the Catalan population – marched for independence in Barcelona last September.
This is one more major problem for Mr. Rajoy, whose leadership has already been sapped by a 27-per-cent unemployment rate and voter discontent with the budget cuts he's imposed to meet deficit targets set by the European Union.
As bad as it is, the economic crisis isn't even the biggest threat to Mr. Rajoy. The corruption scandal consuming his party – and dominating the national media – has left him mired in political quicksand. The Prime Minister faces allegations that he received potentially illegal payments from a slush fund set up by a former People's Party treasurer who is now in prison awaiting trial on fraud and money-laundering charges. Mr. Rajoy denies the allegations, but the scandal won't soon die."
Though it is quite possible that by the end of 2014 the Spanish state as we presently know it will be well on its way to dying.
TagsCanada • Catalonia • England • Québec • Scotland • Spain
8 comments on "Catalonia, Scotland And Québec"
Cotton Boll Conspiracy
Independence efforts in Quebec have been on the wane for the past 20 years, unfortunately. I have nothing to back this up, but I would imagine that the Canadian dollar's strong position versus the U.S. dollar in recent years has done nothing to bolster the drive for sovereignty in Quebec, either.
Yes, there does seem to be a lack of strong separatist feeling amongst the electorate at large in Québec, though I would guess that it is still in and around the 50% mark. I would also factor in demographic changes as well that have cut away at the nationalist block vote in recent times. Perhaps the unpopularity of the federal government might change that acceptance of the status quo but there doesn't seem much sign of it. That said Pauline Marois' (media-hyped?) unpopularity doesn't help the PQ cause and the smaller nationalist parties seem unable to make much head way against the PQ core vote.
It will be interesting to see how the PQ's sister party, BQ, fare in the federal elections next time around after the general election meltdown of support.
I also wonder if, going forward, the buildup surrounding the 150th anniversary of Canadian Confederation, which will take place in 2017, will negatively impact the separatist movement. The federal government is going to shell out a whole lot of money for the occasion and likely use it as an opportunity to demonstrate the purported benefits of being part of the Canadian nation.
Quebec officials who are pro-union will likely want to do the same, which means there's going to be a whole lot of "success" stories being touted by government-bought advertising in the years ahead.
That can be a hard thing to overcome.
I hadn't thought of it but now that you say, yes, that will be a major factor in the coming years. Hard to say which way it will fall. Depends on how the Canadian "Unionist" parties handle it. Too much triumphalism might backfire. You have me thinking about that one.
Màrtainn Mac A Bhàillidh
Interesting keeping up with our fellow independistas however Scotland will vote Yes, and no amount of unrepresentative BritNat polling will prevent it. The 30% support figure discounts a huge number of undecided voters who are far more likely to move towards independence as the campaign builds and the cast-iron case is made. Yes Scotland have many more activists on the ground and far stronger online support, as well as more creative, energetic, grass-roots movements which will undoubtedly win the day!! Scotland will be re-joining the international community in 2014 and hopefully Catalonia and Québec will not be far behind.
Thanks for the Comment, a Mhàrtainn. I tend to agree that the Yes vote is considerably underestimated, even with the evidence of the polling companies weighing so heavily in favour of the No camp. As others have pointed out those who favour the status quo tend to vote in lesser numbers than those who actively favour change, especially where the outcome is predicted to favour the established order of things. The Yes side in such a situation might just snatch a win, albeit by a narrow margin. However the famous Québec vote should be borne in mind. An assumed victory became defeat.
James Todd
This website looks different everytime I come here. Very cool. That ogham for An Sionnach Fionn on the right? Very cool. Anyway, I haven't kept track of the Scottish Nationalist movement too much. This article is the first update I've heard of it for months now. Gotta say, pretty depressing to hear that the polls are indicating so few Scots are enthusiastic about gaining their independence. I remember shortly after the referendum date was agreed to when the polls were indicating that most Scots wanted a divorce from England, so to speak. The movement was brimming with energy. A lot of English bloggers and writers at the time predicted that Scots would lose faith and decide not to separate once the time came. I assumed that they were just sore over the propsect of the Union breaking up. Looks like they might have been right.
It's depressing. Thankfully Catalans aren't showing the same reluctance and, quite frankly, cowardice that Scots are showing according to those polls. Hopefully Scotland'll find its balls in time for the referendum.
Welcome back, James, and spot-on with the Ogham interpretation.
Yes, the Scottish independence campaign was brimming with energy, as you say, but a lot of false steps and controversies have sapped much of that enthusiasm. The SNP must take a lot of blame for that. However things are far from over and it may well be a tighter vote than most believe.
Remember, virtually the whole British political and media establishment are arrayed against the Yes side. I don't believe there is a single national newspaper or magazine in Britain that is in any way sympathetic. Most are ferociously hostile to the SNP and Scottish nationalist in general.


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Recycling of plaster of Paris
Servas ShiyoI; Jozef NagelsII; Harold G. ShangaliIII
IDepartment of Prosthetics and Orthotics, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC), Moshi, United Republic of Tanzania
IIPhysical Rehabilitation Programme, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Geneva, Switzerland
IIIFaculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College (KCMU-College), Moshi, United Republic of Tanzania
BACKGROUND: Plaster of Paris (POP) is being used in different ways in the field of medicine, dentistry and rehabilitation. One of its uses is in the manufacture of models of body segments in prosthetics and orthotics. It is used as a one-off procedure in which the used material is dismantled and discarded. The disposal of discarded materials does not allow easy decomposition which then pollutes the environment. It is not known whether this material could be reused if recycled.
OBJECTIVES: The main objective of the study was to recycle POP models and determine its reuse in producing models with identical qualities, and thus reduce environmental pollution.
METHOD: The procedure adopted was to break discarded models into small pieces, remove impurities and dirt; then the sample models were milled, washed, dried and pulverised. The POP models were heated to evaporate crystalline water in order to determine for how many times it could be recycled while retaining the desired strength, setting time and working characteristics.
RESULTS: The recycled POP reached higher setting temperatures and was stronger in terms of compressive strain and strength than the virgin POP. The highest temperature recorded for recycled POP was 40°C, which was higher than that for virgin powder (32.5°C). Testing compressive strength of all cylinders in all groups showed that the average compressive strength of the recycled powder mixed with water in a ratio of 1:1 was 2407 KN/m2 and the ratio of 2:3 resulted in a compressive strength of 1028 KN/m2, whereas the average compressive strength of virgin POP powder mixed with water in a ratio of 1:1 was 1807 KN/m2 and the ratio of 2:3 resulted in a compressive strength of 798 KN/m2. There were no differences in working properties between the recycled POP and the virgin POP.
CONCLUSION: It was therefore concluded that under controlled conditions, such as grinding size, heating temperature, time and avoidance of contamination, used POP could be continuously recycled, resulting in stronger and workable casts.
Keywords: Recycling POP; calcination time and temperature; compressive test; setting time and reusability of POP; working properties of recycled POP.
Plaster of Paris (POP) came to be known as such because of the large gypsum deposits at Montmartre in Paris. It was also commonly called the gypsum plaster, produced by heating gypsum up to about 150°C in the presence of air. The heated gypsum, that is, calcinated and roasted, in which some water is lost as steam, contains only half the quantities of the water of hydration, which is called gypsum hemihydrate or beta hydrate.
The composition of gypsum-hydrated calcium sulphate (CaSO4.2H2O) is calcium 23.28%, sulphur 18.62%, hydrogen 2.34% and oxygen 55.76%. Calcium sulphate has been used wisely in several ways in the construction industry, agriculture, medicine, architecture and art. Sharp and Cork (2006) estimated that about 102 million tons of gypsum and anhydrite was produced in 2004. The production had grown to 250 million tons universally (Yu & Brouwers 2010).
Gypsum hydration
Currently, three polymorphs of gypsum are well recognised; they are formed because of different preparation methods, crystal morphology, impurities and/or supplements/derivatives. Both α-hemihydrates and β-hemihydrates undergo hydration reactions in slightly differing mechanisms accompanied by exothermic changes. Addition of water to gypsum results in the formation of pastes with interlocking structures, which are responsible for gypsum setting strength (Singh & Middendorf 2007).
Dehydration of gypsum
Vazquez-Almazan et al. (2012) indicated that when heated, 21% of water in calcium sulphate dehydrate (gypsum) undergoes dissociation from the mineral before evaporation, forming harder calcium sulphate hemihydrate. This process is now understood to be through endothermic decomposition reactions:
Yu and Brouwers (2010, 2012) reported that the amount of water needed for the hemihydrate is critical in the hydration reaction. The mechanisms of setting and hardening of gypsum plaster have been explained by the crystalline theory. Fine dehydrate is usually used to accelerate hydration to the desired setting time by changing the nucleation rates of generated dehydrate. Mechanically, the natural hardened gypsum has a high void level, consequently it is not a very compact solid. Gypsum strength evolves during setting because of rapid formation of interlocked matrix of β-dehydrate needles (crystals), followed by internal stress relief and removal of excessive water (Yu & Brouwers 2010).
However, there is no information regarding the recycling qualities of calcium sulphate used in waste generated from its use in prosthetics, orthotics, orthopaedics or dentistry. Wastes are in the form of improper/untimely setting of gypsum polymer and also from the gypsum polymer removed, for example after the repair of broken bone.
Gypsum uses and applications
Abundant natural availability of gypsum and its easy response to water, heating and rehydration make it a popular choice in the construction industry. One of the advantages of gypsum is that it is not hazardous to humans and plants. Owing to its affinity to water, as a soil additive, gypsum improves soil physics and chemistry. It is an excellent source of calcium and sulphur for crop nourishment, especially in crops such as alfalfa, wheat, peanuts and cotton.
In medicine, it has been used widely as a support for fractures, that is, broken bones (Figure 1). When such a cast is applied to support and maintain the corrected position of a fractured segment of a bone, it is referred to as an orthopaedic cast. However, this is slowly being replaced by fibre glass. In dentistry, POP is used for mounting casts or models of oral tissues (Figure 2). This transfer of measurement and shape facilitates an optimum alignment of anatomical structure of the teeth and its configurations (Lokuliyana, Petera & Gunawardane 1988).
In prosthetics and orthotics, POP powder is used to produce positive casts/models for fabricating mobility-assistive devices. The process used is either through lamination or thermoplastic moulding. Figure 3 shows a rectified POP positive cast ready for moulding a thoraco-lumbar-sacral orthosis (Figure 4), which is used for treating idiopathic scoliosis.
Owing to its rapid setting properties, gypsum plaster casts may not be usable if the fractured bone is not properly positioned prior to application of plaster. In many situations, such casts become waste, thus necessitating the repeated preparation of POP powder.
Furthermore, huge quantities of plaster have to be used for plastering, and after the bone is set and rejuvenated, this hardened plaster has to be thrown away, thus adding further to waste with consequent burdens on the disposal of such POP plaster casts. The environmental burdens are in the form of limited landfill disposal facilities, and regulated permissions. At the same time, gypsum contributes to the emission of sulphur dioxide in the environment (Szpadt & Augustyn 1991).
Upon completion of the moulding process, the POP positive cast is often thrown out. However, the positive cast does not dissolve easily and therefore pollutes the environment. It becomes even worse when it is not broken into small pieces, as there are no guidelines or policies for disposing of such materials in the country.
Cost of plaster of Paris
The production of POP in most developing countries is very minimal as there are either no companies or very few companies in operation. The production is not consistent as there is often a breakdown of machinery. The cost of POP and therefore the fabrication costs of mobility-assistive devices are high.
Contribution to the field
This study contributes to achieving sustainable and environmental-friendly disposal in daily use and practice. It also initiates some challenges of developing waste gypsum recycling processes. This in turn decreases the pollution of the environment, reserves raw material (gypsum) and increases its availability for prosthetics and orthotics use.
The aim of the study was to assess the feasibility of recycling of POP casts to be reused to produce positive cast models in order to reduce the waste, minimise pollution and increase the availability of POP for use in prosthetics and orthotics field.
This was an experimental laboratory-based study and a sequential convenient sampling method was used, whereby all POP positive casts which were produced by the students and academic staff at the Tanzanian Training Centre for Orthopaedic Technologist (TATCOT) during May 2016 were used.
Sample and participants
The average amount of POP positive casts/models used by the students and academic staff during the 1 month was found to be about 245 kg (about five bags of POP weighing 50 kg each). The sample size was determined by using the following formula of which the level of precision was 0.05:
As the amount of POP used per month at TATCOT is 245 kg,
Therefore, the sample size used for the project was 152 kg,
where n = sample size; N = population; 1 = desired confident level; e = desired level of precision.
The study was carried out at the Kibo Gypsum Manufacturing Company Limited, Moshi, Tanzania, as well as at TATCOT at the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre and Arusha Technical College, Arusha, Tanzania.
The procedure adopted was to break models into small pieces, removing impurities and dirt, and then the samples were milled, washed, dried and pulverised. It included thermoplastic/thermosetting moulds using recycled POP positive casts. The setting time, temperature changes during the setting time and compressive strength were determined. The data were collected by using weighing scale, oven, thermometers, stop watch, camera and strength testing jigs. The data were analysed by using strength compression jig and computer spreadsheet program (MS-Excel).
Recycling process
Converting the moulds or casts into powder
Dried POP positive cast models collected as seen in Figure 5 were produced by the students during their practical examinations. They were made out of similar negative models, which were used for all the students. These positive cast models were made from the same type of powder from the factory.
Calcination process
Two kilograms of gypsum powder was kept in an oven (Figure 6) preset to 180°C for 2 h for calcination process and for determination of water of crystallisation.
Samples for compressive testing
The samples reflected in Figure 7a were made out of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes, which are cylindrical and have identical measurements and configuration. A mixed proportion of either 1:1 or 2:3 of water and gypsum powder was poured into the cylinders. They were later left to dry under the same temperature to ensure consistency for compressive testing for all the repeated recycled samples. The samples were made in a ratio of 1:1 which represented the equal mass of water and POP for one batch, and 2:3 in the other batch, which means that water was two-thirds of the POP used.
The compressive test was performed using the machine reflected in Figure 7b. The compression was maintained at a uniform velocity of 1 mm/min for all the samples. There were five cycles of compressive tests carried out on 12 samples in each batch, 6 for 1:1 and 6 for 2:3 ratio.
Owing to the hygroscopic property of POP powder when exposed to atmosphere, it reabsorbs water for crystallisation, thus reducing its reactivity power and strength. The calcinated POP powder has to be stored in an air-tight PVC bag for further use. Figure 8 shows the first recycled powder packed in a PVC bag and stored for further use. The recycled powder weighed 152 kg.
Ten kilograms of powder was set aside from each sample which was later used for comparison of its properties with the recycled and virgin POP powder samples. The remainder of POP powder was mixed with water to repeat the recycling process with recycled powder. The mixing of virgin POP with 1:1 and 2:3 ratio of water and POP powder respectively was repeated for six times. The second, third, fourth and fifth cycles with 1:1 and 2:3 ratio of water and POP powder respectively were also repeated for six times.
Preparation of plaster of Paris to recycle the powder
The same process was used in mixing the recycled powder with water to produce positive model casts for the second, third, fourth and fifth recycling rounds respectively. The casts were broken manually and later pressed through the hardened steel plates of a pressing machine. This resulted in the particles of the same size and volume. This was continued into a milling and calcination process. The milling wheel was controlled by cleaning after every three procedures to ensure that there was no dirt.
Weighing and standardising water and plaster of Paris powder
Water and POP powder were weighed on a scale to determine the mass of water and POP powder. Apart from using in-house drinking water and storing POP powder at room temperature, there was no other standardised procedure used.
Compressive strength of recycled plaster of Paris powder
A Germany-manufactured Universal Testing Machine 'UTM' was used for testing bricks (Figure 9). Fitted with perforated pelite on upper and lower surfaces, UTM was used to read and register data of strain and strength of different models tested. The two different mixing ratios of 1:1 and 2:3 of POP:water showed differences in the strain and strength of the models tested.
Ethical considerations
Permission to carry out the study was obtained from Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College (KCMU-College) of Tumaini University Makumira, Arusha, Tanzania (Certificate No. 735).
Comparison of mass and temperature
The mass of POP positive casts was reduced by 17%, which reflected the amount of water of crystallisation that the gypsum powder contained as retained moisture.
The recycled POP mixed into two different ratios of 1:1 and 2:3 recorded a maximum temperature of 40°C and 36°C respectively, but the virgin POP mixed into two different ratios reached a maximum temperature of 33°C and 31°C respectively. The setting time of POP varies from 25 min to 60 min, depending on thickness.
The graphs shown in Figures 10-13 indicate the setting time versus the temperature for four samples of the six systematically selected samples of POP mixed with water in two defined ratios (1:1 and 2:3).
The temperature patterns of three recycled POP samples are compared with the virgin POP extracted from initial casts. The temperature was recorded after time intervals of 2 min while observing the material's behaviour with respect to its mixing ratio variants. The following are the vivid results obtained from the four graph patterns:
The graph pattern of the virgin POP is identical to all the different levels of recycling, that is, 1st-5th level of recycling.
In all graph patterns, the setting time starts as from the very first minute after mixing and is identical in both ratios.
The results indicate that the mixing ratios do not affect setting time but affect temperature released during the setting.
After the initial 2 min mixing of POP, while the virgin POP reached an initial temperature of 23°C, those from the 1st, 3rd and 5th recycle reached the temperature of 25°C.
There was a significant increase in temperature (8%) in the recycled POP sample (25°C) compared to the virgin POP sample (23°C), but the initial temperature was the same for all recycled POP samples.
In this study, the temperature pattern for all the samples was identical, and this is described by the initial, the highest and the lowest peaks of graphs. The setting time for all the samples was also identical, that is, 16th minute from the time of mixing.
The results shown in Table 1 reflect that there were rapid inclining trends of temperature towards the highest climax in all the trials. The mixing ratio was also significant in that the trial with ratio 1:1 showed higher temperatures in the last three trials. It was also evident that recycled POP starts with high setting temperature and ends with a higher setting temperature as compared to the virgin POP. The initial setting point for the virgin POP was 23°C and the highest was 27°C, while the initial setting point for recycled POP was 25°C and the highest point was 28°C.
Plaster of Paris has two common forms, that is, the alpha hemihydrates and the beta hemihydrate. The alpha hemihydrate has a density of about 2.76 g/cm3, while the beta hemihydrate has a density of about 2.63 g/cm3. The estimated amount of water after drying was 25 g and 47 g for 1:1 and 2:3 mixing ratio respectively. This resulted in a density of 0.847 g/cm3 (1:1 ratio) and 0.637 g/cm3 (2:3 ratio), the 2:3 ratio revealing a lower density.
The POP mixed with water at 1:1 ratio retained higher mass weight relative to the POP mixed with water at 2:3 ratio.
Initially, all the sample models prepared from the same powder sample but mixed in two different ratios (1:1 and 2:3) had the same mass weight until setting process was complete, but they started losing excess water at different rates during dehydration of the model. The model from 1:1 ratio lost water slower than the model made from 2:3 ratio.
The two different mixing ratios of 1:1 and 2:3 of POP and water showed a significant effect on compressive strength, with recycled POP being 2.34 times stronger. For both virgin and recycled material, the higher the POP powder to water mixing ratio, the higher is the strength, and vice versa. This is because the powder crystals provide more sites for compact bond attachments that resulted in stronger structures by reducing porosities in POP mould.
While the average mass of the model made from recycled POP mixed at 1:1 ratio was 301.35 g, the virgin POP model had a mass of 287.92 g, showing a variation of 13.43 g (about 4.5%). The average mass of the model made from recycled POP mixed at 2:3 ratio was 226.0 g, while the virgin POP with a mass of 219.0 g shows a difference of 7.82 g (3.5%). In general, mass of the models made from POP mixed at 1:1 and 2:3 ratios were 299.11 g and 225.52 g respectively, which amounted to a difference of 73.5 g (approximately 24.25%).
Figure 14 indicates that, the model mixed at 1:1 ratio resulted in a volume change of 2.04%, while the model mixed at 2:3 ratio had a volume change of 2.42%. This indicated that there was 15.70% greater volume change with different ratio.
The recycled material showed the average highest compressive strength of 2407 kN/m2 compared to the virgin material having an average compressive strength of 1807 kN/m2. When the powder concentration is higher, the model was more compact and stronger with little deformation before attaining the ultimate point.
The compressive strength was affected by the mixing ratio of POP powder and water such that the average strength of the recycled powder mixed in 1:1 ratio was 2407 kN/m2 whereas with 2:3 ratio it had an average strength of 1028 kN/m2, and the virgin POP gave results of 1807 kN/m2 and 798 kN/m2 respectively. Therefore, the 1:1 mixing ratio yielded compressive strengths that were approximately 43% stronger than the 2:3 mixing ratio for both recycled and virgin powder (Figure 15).
Workability of recycled plaster of Paris powder
For practical testing of the workability characteristics of recycled POP, two negative casts of bilateral ankle foot orthoses and one that of trans-tibia negative were taken by standard methods for filling with recycled POP slurry. Negative casts were removed after 1 h for rectifying and carrying out different procedures of thermoplastic and thermosetting of recycled POP with following observations.
Positive casts were of optimum standard which allowed for easy filing, nailing and cutting, and were able to accommodate the use of all the tools used for rectification, that is, modification of positive casts by using rasps (flat and half round). The impression of the force applied by virgin and recycled POP was similar. The nails applied during thermoplastic process were firmly held, indicating that the structure was hard enough. During moulding, recycled POP had an optimum strength to withstand the compressive force subjected to it during configuration and setting of plastic material either in the solid form or the liquid form, that is, when the pliers were used to mould a thermoplastic material, the plaster withstood tension without failure.
Water of crystallisation
The degree of gypsum dehydration was strongly influenced by the material's structure, particle size and impurities as well as by the conditions under which the process took place, such as temperature, heating rates, vapour pressure, humidity and particle size (Molony & Ridge 1968). In the same study, the average loss of water was 170 g and the temperature used was 180°C. The slight difference in the loss of water in which structures in the materials were not necessarily the same, was also witnessed by Molony and Ridge (1968).
Compressive strength tests
Plaster of Paris can be produced by the heat treatment of discarded moulds under different conditions, and the quality of the product thus obtained depends on temperature and duration of burning. A temperature of 180°C with a heating time of 2 h was found to be the most suitable combination for conversion of used moulds into POP powder, which showed a compressive strength of 375 N (Lokuliyana, Petera & Gunawardane 1988).
Workability of recycled plaster of Paris
There was no difference in the working properties of recycled POP and virgin POP. Mixing of recycled gypsum was much more economical because less powder was used to achieve and maintain the same strength as well as setting time of POP positive impression.
The physical and chemical properties of the product thus obtained were the same as those of commercially manufactured POP powder; therefore, the product obtained under these conditions could be used for manufacturing new moulds and also possibly as a cementation material for construction purposes (Lokuliyana, Perara & Gunawardane 1998).
Environment conservation
Recycling used/waste POP reduces environment pollution as large quantities are recorded from waste products, while reduction of environmental waste has been strongly suggested, especially in mining processes. Friends of the Earth (2008) agree that recycling reduces the need for raw materials such as metals, forests and oil, and consequently reduces our impact on the environment.
This study provided evidence-based facts to embark on recycling POP models and casts so as to avoid pollution and reduce the time spent and the costs of producing POP powder.
Plaster of Paris can be produced by thermal treatment of recycled gypsum powder at a temperature of 180°C for 2 h. The results of this project show that POP could be recycled repeatedly with the same procedure without altering the required setting time and working characteristics of recycled POP powder for prosthetics and orthotics, and even improving the compressive strength of casts. Thus, recycling POP could preserve the environment and reduce pollution. It seems that recycling POP could reduce the cost of importing new POP. However, further study is needed to compare the costs of importing versus recycling POP.
The authors wish to acknowledge the support from Special Fund for Disability (SFD) now referred to as ICRC MoveAbility Foundation; KCMU-College; TATCOT; Regional Office of the Tanzania Road Authority, Kilimanjaro; Arusha Technical College and Vocational Training Centre in Arusha region for their expert support during the entire process of the project.
The authors declare that they have no financial or personal relationships which may have inappropriately influenced them in writing this article.
S.S. was the project leader, responsible for data collection and analysis. S.H.G. was responsible for project proposal writing, raising of funds, data analysis, writing of the article and submitting for possible publication. N.J. reviewed the article and contributed to the writing and fundraising.
This research was funded by ICRC MoveAbility Foundation regional office based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Data sharing is not applicable to this article as no new data were created or analysed in this study.
The views and opinion expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any affiliated agency of the authors.
Friends of the Earth, 2008, Recycling: 'Why it is important and how to do it', Weblog, viewed 12 May 2018, from https://friendsoftheearth.uk/sites/default/files/downloads/recycling.pdf.
Lokuliyana, K., Perera, J. & Gunawardane, P., 1988, 'Studies on the production of plaster of Paris from discarded moulds', Journal of the National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka 16(1), 53-65. https://doi.org/10.4038/jnsfsr.v16i1.8277 [ Links ]
Molony, B. & Ridge, M.J., 1968, 'Kinetics of the dehydration of calcium sulphate dehydrate in vacuo', Australian Journal of Chemistry 21(4), 1063-1065. https://doi.org/10.1071/CH9681063 [ Links ]
Sharpe, R. & Cork, G., 2006, 'Gypsum and anhydrite', in J.E. Kogel, N.C. Trivedi, J.M. Barker, & S.T. Krukowski (eds.), Industrial minerals & rocks, 7th edition, pp. 519-540, Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc., Littleton, Colo.
Singh, N.B. & Middendorf, B., 2007, 'Calcium sulphate hemihydrate hydration leading to gypsum crystallization', Journal of Progress in Crystal Growth and Characterization of Materials 53(1), 57-77. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pcrysgrow.2007.01.002 [ Links ]
Szpadt, R. & Augustyn, Z., 1991, 'Environmental pollution in the vicinity of a waste-Gypsum landfill', Chemistry for the Protection of the Environment 42, 387-399. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-3282-8_33 [ Links ]
Vazquez-Almazan, M.C., Ventura, E., Rico, E. & Rodriguez-Garcia, M.E., 2012, 'Use of calcium sulphate dihydrate as an alternative to the conventional use of aluminum sulphate in the primary treatment of waste water', Walter SA 38(5), 813-817. https://doi.org/10.4314/wsa.v38i5.22 [ Links ]
Yu, Q.L. & Brouwers, H.J.H., 2010, 'Gypsum: An investigation of microstructure and mechanical properties', Proceedings 8th fib International PhD Symposium in Civil Engineering in Kgs, Lygby, Denmark, June 2010, pp. 20-23.
Yu, Q.L. & Brouwers, H.J.H., 2012, 'Thermal properties and microstructure of gypsum board and its dehydration products: A theoretical and experimental investigation', Fire and Materials 36(7), 575-589. https://doi.org/10.1002/fam.1117 [ Links ]
Harold Shangali
hgshangali@kilinet.co.tz
Received: 06 Feb. 2018
Accepted: 30 Aug. 2019


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