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Editorial Staff | Posted on June 6, 2015 |
Incredible Technologies finds success by daring to be different
By John Grochowski
Incredible Technologies has always dared to be different, something that's been apparent from the time it was previewing its first slot machines in 2009, before a 2010 rollout. But what's really remarkable is that IT is not only different, it's successful to the point that other, more established slot manufacturers have had to sit up and take notice.
"At our first [Global Gaming Expo], people from other manufacturers would stop by our booth, and do you know what they said?" Richard Ditton, co-founder executive vice president of Incredible Technologies, said at the company's Vernon Hills, Illinois, headquarters. "They told us, 'We've seen a lot of new manufacturers, but you're the only one we've seen with something worth stealing."
Much innovation has come from IT since it added slot machines to long-standing success with coin-operated amusement games, including the mega-popular Golden Tee golf. It's had successful games—notably Crazy Money—and it's had some growing pains in finding the math models that keep players coming back for more.
Now it has a certified hit in Money Rain, a top performer in IT's strongholds in California, the Midwest and the South. IT is in its early stages of entry into Nevada markets, and the push into the East is only a short time ahead. But in markets where Incredible is established, Money Rain has drawn raves from players and operators alike.
"Now we have a core game," said co-founder and CEO Elaine Hodgson. "It's out there, making several times the floor average [in revenue]. It's a proven product."
Money Rain also is a game that dares to be different—very different.
"Seemed like a bit of a stretch of the standard slot machine," Ditton said. "Rather than spinning reels, have an old type of railroad display. Split cards flip down [in what's called a 'split flip display'] like old railroad station clocks. I used to love to watch the clocks flip at Union Station [in Chicago].
"The game makes a cool rainy sound, and in the free spins you have the catchy music, 'Money rain, money rain, money rain. It has a scatter math model, not a left to right evaluation.
"There were some edges of resistance, people saying, 'What are you doing? You have to have a standard reel display.'"
To which Hodgson chimed in, "Not me!"
At first glance, Money Rain looks to be a standard video slot display with five reels, each three symbols deep. Symbols are color coded pastiches on U.S. currency—the $1 bill features George Washington and has a green border, the $2 bill has Thomas Jefferson and a blue border and so on.
One surprise comes in with winning combinations. Then, you get a smile from the presidents on the $1, $2, $5, $20 and $50 bills as well as from Alexander Hamilton on the $10 and Benjamin Franklin on the $100.
"On real dollar bills, the presidents look so unhappy," Ditton said. "When you have a win, Washington gives you a little smirk. Some players don't see it right away, but when they do see it, they love it. When have you ever seen George Washington smile?"
Several differences in game play give Money Rain a unique, fun feel:
The reels don't spin, per se. Instead, it's as if each symbol is on a hinge, and the bottom of a new symbol becomes detached from the top of the old, and swings down to reveal top and bottom of the new symbol. That's the split flip display.
All symbols are scatter pays, rather than using paylines. You're simply looking for enough matching symbols anywhere on the screen, rather than forming paylines from left to right.
Off to the right of the main display, there's a bonus reel. When dollar sign symbols appear on the main reels, the side reel spins and lights up from one to four currency symbols, which then fly over to the main screen. If the side reel lands on the $100, then you'll see some extra Ben Franklins on the main game, creating extra big winners.
Three or more storm clouds symbols launch the Money Rain free spins bonus. Values are increased for winners, bills and gold coins rain down the screen, and you just might find yourself singing along, "Money rain, money rain, money rain."
It's a game chock full of entertainment, but one even Ditton wasn't certain would work.
"I didn't think there was a chance of making this a successful game," he said. "The math is too weird. It was created, I thought, like a movie. There are elements of music, elements of suspense. You don't know what's coming. It's like having a present, but not knowing what's in it, and then the game opens if for you."
Hodgson credits Ditton, saying, "Richard is good at analyzing what makes players happy. Money Rain is fun. It makes you laugh."
Figuring out what would please players in graphics, sound and game play is something Incredible has done since its beginnings in 1985—the company celebrated its 30th anniversary in June. It started off producing games for early home computers, such as the Commodore 64, then got involved in pinball through Stern Pinball and started on the path to coin-operated amusement games by developing video hardware for Capcom Bowling.
IT had its big breakthrough in 1989 with Golden Tee Golf, the most popular coin-op game of all time. A megahit in bars, restaurants and arcades, it also proved enormously popular online an in home game versions.
Golden Tee remains successful, but the coin-op market has long been declining, and that prompted IT's entry into casino games,
"Golden Tee has been sustaining even though coin op has been declining," Hodgson said. "In casinos, we were late to the party compared to some, but we were still having success in coin op. We started sending games out in 2010. We had a cool game in Crazy Money, but we had a lot to learn. Some games didn't do so well.
"Now through Richard, we have a good handle on the math. We already had the graphics, but the math was hard to learn. Richard is a mathematician by training."
Early Incredible games used a "Magic Touch" format, in which players could choose their game volatility. Basic gameplay and graphics would be the same, but you could touch the screen to choose "win often," "win steady" or "win big." Did you want frequent small winners? Fewer small pays but a better chance at a big jackpot? Something in between? You could choose your experience.
Right from the beginning, IT showed a willingness to play with the reels. Crazy Money features coin and currency symbols, but some of the currencies were aligned diagonally instead of horizontally, creating extra diagonal paylines. Cars was another attention grabber. Reels didn't spin top over bottom, as usual. Instead, car symbols formed traffic that moved from left to right—essentially a side-to-side reel spin, while you looked for matching cars, trucks and motorcycles to line up.
"Cars brought us a lot of interest," Hodgson said. "It had its day, but it wasn't long lasting. All Mixed Up did do fairly well. People came to the booth to see what we would do next."
Today, IT has branched out, with a variety of styles of play. That includes the high-denomination market, games with larger bets than the penny-per-line play that draws most of the action on casino floors. High denomination players generally demand higher volatility, games that emphasize gambling and big wins over entertainment value. There's now a high-denom version of Crazy Money to appeal to those players.
Adaptation has been part of the learning process that included finding math models that attract players. Do you win often enough to keep you interested? Do you have enough of a shot to win big? Do the bonus events keep you coming back? That's all in the math. So is the big question from the other side: Does the game make money for the casino.
"We realized players want different experiences," Ditton said. "Anybody will have a good time on any game if they win a lot of money. But when they don't win, we want them to say at the end of a session, 'I lost some money, but I had a good time.' It's like going to a movie. You pay your $20, but if had a good time, then the movie is successful."
There's something competitors can take away from the IT experience, too, beyond all the creativity and innovations in these games with a difference.
"They can see that a new company can jump over the hurdles and make a product that works," Hodgson said. "That casinos will embrace a new competitor in the mix, and that you can do interesting things that work, and not be afraid to take a risk."
And most important of all, Ditton said, is finding "what gives players a good time. A lot of games seem like work. We want them to have fun."


When you are diagnosed with cancer, your doctor, your friends and others will likely give you tips or share personal experiences with you. What they might not tell you is how much fatigue you can expect to endure.
In truth, they may not be able to. Everyone's experience is different. Some people are able to keep up their regular routine and feel wiped out at the end of the day, while others will struggle just to get out of bed. Learn what might be causing your fatigue and steps you can take to manage it so that you can perform your daily activities and enjoy life.
Aside from the cancer itself, a number of factors can bring on the exhaustion and low energy you feel. Addressing any secondary health or emotional issues you may be undergoing, including any combination of the following, can give you a much needed boost.
While your energy is limited, concentrate on the things that matter most to you. Decide what is meaningful and what must be done. Then, look for ways to delegate, put off or skip those tasks that are less significant and leave you feeling drained.
Nutrition can have a substantial bearing on how you feel. Use every snack and meal as fuel for increased energy. Skip junk and processed food as much as possible. Opt for fresh, whole foods instead. Pick ingredients packed with protein, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals and fiber.
Treatments, medications, fevers and side effects such as vomiting or diarrhea can lead to dehydration, which can cause fatigue. Start and end each day with a large glass of water. Keep a water bottle with you throughout the day and refill it as needed. If drinking is difficult, try ice chips or popsicles as well as medication or salve for cracked lips and mouth sores.
Although it may sound like the last thing you want to do when you are feeling worn out, regular physical activity can actually help you feel better. Exercise can give you more energy, help you sleep more soundly and decrease depression, making you less prone to feeling fatigued overall.
Anxiety, depression and stress can decrease your immune system and increase fatigue. Look for ways to lessen them in your everyday life. Try journaling, meditation or prayer. Practice deep breathing and mindfulness exercises. Talk to a loved one, join a support group or seek professional counseling.
Listen to your body and make sure you get the rest and relaxation you require. Give yourself permission to take a break or a day off and put up your feet. Take naps without guilt when you need them. Allowing yourself to take it easy can be vital to not only overcoming cancer-related fatigue, but battling cancer as a whole.
Although some fatigue is to be expected, your healthcare provider might be able to help. For instance, your doctor may try switching prescriptions, providing options to help you sleep or diagnose anemia and other conditions that could be contributing to your weariness and offer remedies. A quick phone call, email or visit may be all that it takes to get you back on your feet again.


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Oreon: Chained Memories
Posted by XScripted on February 2, 2016 February 2, 2016
My book will be published soon. So I thought for those interested I would post the first chapter for you all to read.
CHAPTER 1: We Meet Again
Oreon stared at his fierce reflection in the mirror covered in sweat as his mind was stagnant this morning. He replayed the dream he just had to help gather himself. It plagued Oreon almost every other night it seemed.
It was always the same woman screaming his name, but her face would constantly remain unclear. He could only recall her scarlet curls as she ran through the flames. The only visible part of her face was a mark on her forehead which resembled the letter V. He figured she had to be an elemental like himself, how else would she be able to run through the fire unscathed?
This was always the conclusion he came to. What he was unsure about was whether or not she even existed. He had never met a person with scarlet colored hair.
He couldn't understand why it always felt so real. If he didn't wake up, he could swear he was just there.
These thoughts would linger from time to time. Something he didn't particularly mind, but knew would not have been allowed if his grandfather had his say. He wiped away the sleep and sweat from his face with a towel. His reflection showed his brown skin, relaxed posture and wandering half lidded eyes, along with his thick dreadlocks which hung past his ears. Despite his lean frame, his height along with his broad back and shoulders made him a difficult person to approach for those who didn't know him.
After a quick shower he made his way through his home. It was actually quite spacious considering only two people had ever lived in it. It was built by his late grandfather before Oreon was born.
He was brought here over fifteen years ago at the age of four. Though his grandfather was gone now, Oreon had grown accustomed to his living situation and felt no need to change it.
He often thought about adding another wing to his house when he was overcome with boredom, but never got around to it. He was pretty handy in things like that thanks to his grandfather, who acted as his only parental figure since Oreon's mother died giving birth to him.
His father went missing shortly after that leaving Oreon in care of his grandfather. He never once resented his father though. He found no point in wasting any emotional energy on a person he never knew.
Oreon stopped upon his grandfather's grave. He grabbed the bottle of rum sitting atop the tombstone and poured it on the surface. This wasn't really a custom in Oreon's family just his grandfather's own personal preference.
He always said, "No man should ever go a day without a taste."
This was one of the many things Oreon chose to ignore while the, Old Man, as he called him still lived. After he died though, he figured it was one of the few things he could do for him.
Oreon took a look at the trophy case standing behind the Old Man's grave. At first sight it would appear that it was filled with many precious antiques. The objects inside ranged from small to large trinkets, all obscure in shape. To Oreon it always looked like a bunch of junk that the Old Man was too stingy to throw away. The thought of gambling with some of it crossed his mind every now and again, but he figured that they wouldn't be worth much.
He peered through the case and found one of the pedestals empty. Just then he remembered he had to pick that one up today. This particular item was his grandfather's crowned jewel. He would always switch around the location. Oreon reckoned it was just one of the many ways the Old Man would entertain himself. Now that he was gone though, Oreon didn't want to go through all that trouble. He thought it'd be a lot easier to have his grandfather's junk all in one place.
He decided to throw his old training garments on, it had been awhile since he last wore them. The vest was as light as ever and the pants that went with them still had the extra weight on them. They were designed special by one of his grandfather's acquaintances. At first he thought they were silly looking, but they grew on him. It gave him his own kind of style. He patted off the dust that had gathered around the base of his pants as he stretched out his legs and arms.
Oreon had not been training much since the Old Man left this world. The hiatus he had took from it was relaxing for him. The Old Man would probably think of the word relax as a myth, because he never let up. He would have Oreon working from dusk 'til dawn.
He always said, "You're a One Shot boy you don't have the luxury to be an average elemental. You have to be perfect in the only element you can handle. As long as I'm breathing you will be."
One Shot was the name for elementals that could only use one element. Most elementals were born with the ability to use two. Even amongst them though, one element was always stronger than the other. That element was known as the prime. In Oreon's case, his lone and prime element was air. He didn't need anyone to remind him of what he was though. He had the birthmark to prove it. All elementals were born with the same insignia, but One Shots such as Oreon had a different one altogether. Oreon never felt ashamed though. His symbol stood on the back of his hand so he never tried to hide it.
He started sprinting to the interior of the village. His house was on the border of the small community. His grandfather built it out there so his training wouldn't destroy anything in the village. Each stride he took almost felt as if he was gliding through air. He took a coin out of his pocket and shot it from one hand to the other as he continued on. A habit he picked up whenever he was lost in his thoughts. Flashes of the girl ran through his mind as well as where he should gamble at once he picked up the trinket.
The village of Moh was a small place. They weren't one of the more modernized areas of the world, but that wasn't necessarily a bad thing. It was one of those towns where everyone knew everyone so it was like one big family to an extent. Oreon kept it cordial with the villagers and never allowed himself to get too close to any of them unlike his grandfather.
Law enforcement here was pretty much non-existent. The C.O.R.E., organization which stood for Coalition of Regional Elementals was the main acting government and police force of the world. Their officers were easily recognizable with their navy blue and silver uniforms. They didn't bother placing one of their towers here. The village itself wasn't important enough. It didn't contain anyone with any kind of notable prestige. Nothing stood out that gave it any sort of recognition from the rest of the world. This prompted CORE, to leave it to its own devices.
Once Oreon's grandfather arrived in this place, all crime even the petty ones virtually stopped. He was the only elemental in town and everyone thought he was a retired CORE official at first. Peace had been in effect for so long it just stayed that way.
Oreon was greeted by several people as he made his way to the market.
"Why good morning Oreon," a small middle aged lady tending to her garden squeaked out.
Looking down at her "morning mam," he replied with a sleepy look in his eyes.
"You know you don't have to stay here for our sake. You are still so young go see the world like your grandfather."
"I know, I know you people won't let me forget," Oreon said yawning.
"Obviously you don't know boy, because your still here ain't ya," an older gentleman with a gruff beard bellowed out from behind him.
Oreon had grown quite comfortable here. This is where he spent most of his life outside of being a baby. Part of him felt obligated to stay here, since his grandfather had helped these people for so long. He also could never really find a reason just to up and leave this place.
"I loved your grandfather's stories. They were so exciting. Anyway when you finally do decide to go do be careful dear. With people like this Menace character running around the rest of the world just isn't as safe and peaceful as our village," she said while knocking the older man down.
"Menace," Oreon asked.
"Yes the Menace haven't you been reading the papers boy," said the old man getting up off the ground.
"Can't say that I have."
"Well you really should it's our only link to the outside world."
"Will do," Oreon said putting his hands in his pockets as he kept moving.
Most people in town saw Oreon as their new peacekeeper. A title that once belonged to his grandfather. There were a few that didn't quite appreciate the little things Oreon did do. They always felt that he was just a part-timer that acted when it was convenient for him. They would either call him selfish or lazy depending on the situation, but people would defend him every day. They outweighed those who didn't much care for him. Most of the naysayers were also those who've lost something after betting with him. Oreon never let any of that bother him though. He just didn't like being compared to his grandfather.
The people were out and about this morning, and the market place was as lively as ever. The vendors were screaming out deals one after another. Several tried pulling Oreon to the side to give him one time special offers, but Oreon was a pro at dodging them at this point and kept them all at bay. He gave them a weak smile, which kind of resembled a scowl due to his natural demeanor. This would usually scare away any others who tried to approach.
After working his way through the crowds he managed to make his way to the vendor he actually wanted. He stopped upon a little petite stand with an old man sitting behind the counter. The thick framed glasses he wore made his eyes appear larger the closer you got to him. Oreon proceeded to get his attention.
"So is it ready," Oreon asked.
"Ah, yes just give me a moment," the vendor replied.
"Sure take your time."
Oreon took a seat at the counter. The figurines in the shop were composed of those with big bodies and small heads with huge eyes that didn't seem to proportionate well. He couldn't help but shake the feeling that all the figurines in the boutique were staring at him. He could hear the vendor rustling in the back.
"You know your grandfather was right about this thing bringing me some good fortune. If I would have started my business with this figurine as my charm I'd already be a very rich man," the vendor called out.
Oreon looked a little confused. The vendor was speaking as if the object his grandfather lent him was like all the others he had on display. Not wanting to over think it, he figured it was probably due to old age that he thought this way. That or maybe his vision was starting to go and everything just looked the same to him.
The vendor came out with a pyramid shaped object in hand. Oreon took a look at it and compared it to the items sitting on the shelves and just shook his head.
"What's the matter young man is this not the right one?"
"No it is never mind me, I was just wondering why your figurines are shaped like that?"
"These are art, as well as dummy cases," said the vendor.
"Dummy cases?"
"Yes perfect for concealing things as well as just putting them on display."
Oreon looked at the figurines once more and just nodded in agreement as the vendor continued on.
"She's a beauty isn't she? I kept her shining like a pearl in your grandfather's absence. A shame to see her go."
"I'm sure he would appreciate it," Oreon said as he picked it up. Once Oreon made contact with the object a soft glow emitted from it.
"So you can do it too huh," said the vendor staring at the dim light.
"Oh this, yeah it just does that."
"I couldn't figure it out for the life of me. Must be something about you and your grandfather."
"Yeah, I doubt there is anything special about that Old Man," Oreon said with a light chuckle.
The market place started growing rowdier than usual, which prompted the vendor to look down the road.
"I wonder what's going on over there," he asked.
Oreon decided to take a gander himself. They both started hearing the shouts of the crowd that had begun to gather.
"It's the Menace," they screamed out.
The crowd looked like they were chasing someone headed in Oreon's direction. As they drew closer so did the person they called the Menace.
"Get her everyone, get her!"
A girl with scarlet curls, black shorts, a black top, black boots and a grin buzzed by. She rushed past Oreon and the vendor. Her eyes were fixated on the object in Oreon's hands. As the villagers were running by, she looked Oreon in the face and blew him a kiss. The crowd continued to chase her out of the village until Oreon lost sight of them.
"What's the matter with you boy," the bearded man yelled at Oreon, "You could have stopped her all on your own."
"My bad, I guess I wasn't really thinking about it. Besides you guys had it handled."
The bearded man had a disgruntled look on his face.
"That isn't the point. It couldn't hurt you to help out more than once in a while," said the bearded man as he spat on the ground in disgust.
Oreon took his coin out of his pocket and showed it to the man. He wanted to place a wager on the outcome of the Menace appearing here. If heads the result of her passing would be harmless and nothing to stress over. If tails, it would be his mistake and something he would have to take responsibility for.
"So what do you say," Oreon asked.
The man shook his head. He warned Oreon some things in life shouldn't be left to chance. If there was something you could do you should do it.
"Not leaving anything to chance here. You should know by now most of my bets are safe ones," Oreon said smiling.
He flipped the coin and walked away. The man still stood shaking his head without either one of them seeing the result of the coin toss.
Oreon made his way back to the edge of town. Lost in thought he ignored the jeers of some of the village folk. He could feel the dissatisfied vibes they were sending his way nonetheless. The scarlet curls he saw on the Menace were familiar to him, but he wasn't the type to quickly jump to conclusions. His home was in view now as he muttered to himself.
"The Menace huh, I'll probably never see that weirdo again."
"I'm not weird," a voice called out.
Oreon stood alert, a reaction brought along from his training.
"Who said that," he asked.
He could hear the rustling of leaves. A red headed woman hanging upside down from a tree appeared in front of him.
"I did and I'm not weird. You of all people should know that."
"Wait what? First off hanging from a tree classifies as weird. Second I think I'll have to add crazy to that list because I don't know you," Oreon replied confused by her words. He continued on past her before being cut off by her once again.
"Crazy? Your grandfather said that's the worst thing you can call a person right," she said while swinging back in forth from the branch she was hanging from.
That got Oreon's attention. He turned around and faced her. Her red eyes were beaming as Oreon looked into them. He never met anyone outside of the village that knew the Old Man.
"How do you know my name, and what do you know of my grandfather and his words?"
She jumped off, landed on her feet and walked up to Oreon.
"Only what you've told me of course."
"Told you? I've never met you before in my life. Was I not clear the first time?"
Laughing she replies, "yes you have you just don't remember. I didn't think it'd be this bad though. I can't believe you really forgot me, but it'll be alright. I'm here to fix you up good as new."
Oreon a bit annoyed now replied, "I don't know what you're talking about and I don't think I want to."
He started walking towards his home ignoring her words.
He muttered to himself, "She is definitely crazy."
"I heard that," she cried out.
Oreon couldn't help but recognize the next words that left her lips. He caught himself mouthing the same thing word for word.
"The worst thing you can call someone is crazy. It's dismissive, you don't understand them so that makes them crazy? Maybe the environment is a little sick," she called out.
"That's how it went right," shouting at him now.
Oreon kept walking. He arrived at his home a bit bewildered by what just happened. He made his way to the training ground and opened the trophy case. He placed the trinket inside letting out a sigh. He started to recall his encounter with the Menace in his head, as he took a seat next to his grandfather's grave. Her voice did sound familiar he thought to himself.
"Just like the one in my dream, but no way they are one in the same," he said out loud as he shook his head.
"I think I'll just leave this one alone Old Man. They call her a Menace for a reason."
"Leave what alone," a voice called out.
Oreon looked behind him, only to find the Menace standing in front of his grandfather's trophy case.
He rose up and said, "How did you get back here?"
"I walked," she replied.
"That's not what I meant. What are you doing here? Leave me alone."
"I can't do that until I fix your memory. I told you already, and stop calling me Menace. You know I don't like that. My name is Menice, but I'll forgive you since you can't remember right now."
She started messing around with the junk in the trophy case.
"All those rude people never ask me for my name and just shout Menace. I have feelings to you know," she pouted.
Oreon sounded unsympathetic in his reply.
"My memory doesn't need fixing I'm fine."
He started to push her off his property and she began to slide against the dirt. She rose her hands up and came to a complete stop. Oreon could feel his muscles starting to strain as he continued to push. Meager specks of sweat started to form above his brow. He noticed Menices' feet had been rooted to the ground. She switched the position of her hands and they started to move in the opposite direction. Oreon fell back and Menice jumped back in front of the trophy case.
"You're an elemental," he said.
"Correct. I'm really strong to, so you should stop being stubborn and just listen to me."
Oreon rose to his feet a little bit more cautious of Menice. He began to search her body with his eyes and shook his head in disappointment. Menice noticed this and took off her left boot waving her foot in Oreon's eye sight.
"Is this what you're looking for," she asked.
Oreon didn't give her a reply even though it was indeed what he had been looking for. It was her mark of the elemental, but unlike himself she was no mere one shot. Her mark was significantly different from the one on Oreon's hand. It was of a true elemental signifying she had two elements at her disposal at any given time.
"So are you ready to listen to me," she asked.
"Why would you being an elemental have any effect on me listening to you?"
"It won't, but this might," she said revealing the pyramid shaped object she took from the case.
"Alright you've had your fun now put it back," Oreon said sternly.
"No thank you," she replied teasingly.
"I don't want to have to hurt you."
"Hmm, I don't think you can."
Oreon got into a fighting stance.
"If you attack me and I get away with this, you'll chase me won't you," she said with excitement in her tone.
He stayed on guard observing Menice as she paced back and forth slowly in front of the trophy case.
"You're not leaving here with that," he replied.
Menice put the trinket in her back pocket and closed the case back up. She quietly whispered her respects to the grave next to her before facing Oreon. The situation had become tense. Oreon knew one of her elements had to be earth because only they could manipulate the ground the way she did earlier. The mystery was her other element.
"If you decide to chase me you won't have a home to come back to," she said softly.
"I already told you you're not leaving here."
"Sorry, but I don't have a choice."
"Fine have it your way."
A stream of air burst from his hands towards Menice, who rose a pillar of earth, which impeded the blast as she shifted her hands once more. The impact caused the pillar to crumble. Dust and debris flew in every direction. When the dust settled Menice was gone. Oreon groaned in annoyance as he wiped the dirt off. He rose to his feet and noticed her footprints going back towards the village. He decided to head in that direction.
The villagers cry of the Menace grew louder the closer he got.
"Where did she go," he asked.
The bearded man confronted him.
"Finally boy you're taking action. Your grandfather would have dealt with her when she first showed herself."
Oreon looked down at the man.
"She made this personal alright. So don't go getting the wrong idea. Now where did she go?"
The man pointed towards the forest which enveloped the entire village. There was only one road that went through it. Unfortunately for Oreon, Menice took off in the opposite direction.
"Good luck finding her in there boy. It's not like you've ever been anywhere but this village."
The vendor from before also called out to Oreon once he caught sight of him.
Oreon ignored them both as he took off into the forest. He didn't want to admit it, but the man was right. He never really spent much time outside of the village. The time he did spend out of it however, was almost predominantly inside this forest. He knew first-hand how hard it was to navigate through it.
Finding Menice would be no easy task, or so he thought. He found a row of collapsed trees and headed down the path they created.
The forest itself was like a maze. It was easy to get frustrated and feel as if you were going in circles in this place. This was something he figured the Menace was experiencing first hand. The evidence came from the destruction she was leaving behind. The path she left was obvious enough that Oreon knew he was being manipulated. He didn't care though because he knew how much that trinket meant to his grandfather. His neglect for training showed as he found himself out of breath after traversing the maze for a bit. Luckily he caught a glimpse of the red head as soon as the next tree fell.
"Stop right there," he yelled.
Menice came to a halt and looked back at him smiling.
"I guess I made it a little too easy for you. This was nothing like the first time," she replied.
"Look it's hot and I'm not really conditioned for this. So if you could just give that back there will be no hard feelings alright."
Menice had begun waving her arms around.
"I can't, not yet," she said sorrowfully.
Oreon took this opportunity to rush her. Just as he was about to reach her the ground under him gave way. His feet slipped off the surface as he tried to find a foothold. His hands reached for something to grab on to as he continued to drop. He broke his fall by creating a cushion of air between himself and the floor. He looked up after falling down fifteen feet. He could hear Menice laughing at him from above.
"You remember this one don't you Oreon? This is the same thing I did to you before. Please tell me you remember."
Oreon shook his head and replied, "I don't know what you're talking about. Now get me out of here and give it back."
Menice put her head down in disappointment and walked away.
"Hey! Don't just leave me here," Oreon groaned. He looked up and started talking to himself.
"You must be loving this Old Man. This must be punishment for all the training I neglected. Now I'm back in this stupid forest and of course it would have something to do with you."
Oreon had never been too fond of this forest and its maze like attributes. Mainly because his grandfather's idea of training was throwing Oreon in here in the dead of the night. No food, water or provisions of any kind.
He would often say, "Only men survive off you go."
The only problem with that was he started doing this when Oreon was five. He always felt as if this forest was alive and days would go by before he was finally able to wander back to the village again.
Only reason he was able to follow Menice so far was because of all the trees she knocked over which is a simple task to an earth elemental like herself. Fortunately for Oreon though, pitfalls like the one he had dropped into had become somewhat of a second home to him so getting out was no problem at all.
He dropped his hands to his sides and propelled himself out of the hole. Once out he collapsed to his knees gasping for air. Gripping the grass, he looked up and Menice was nowhere to be found. He slammed the ground with his fist before rising to his feet.
"I'm never going a day without training again this is ridiculous," he said as he took off once more.
Xavier A. Blake – © ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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text:
Press ReleasesRight Wing Attacks Against Kevin Jennings Put Politics Above Student Safety
Right Wing Attacks Against Kevin Jennings Put Politics Above Student Safety
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 16, 2009
Contact: Drew Courtney or Josh Glasstetter at People For the American Way
People For the American Way President Michael B. Keegan today spoke out in support of Kevin Jennings, President Obama's choice to head the Department of Education's Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools (OSDFS.)
"Kevin Jennings has dedicated his entire career to ensuring that all students are safe in school," said Keegan. "Kids can't learn when they're not safe, and Kevin's work has won unanimous praise from across the education community. He's exactly the kind of person who should be in charge of the Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools. It's disappointing that some opponents of this administration would rather attack Jennings and his work to score political points than actually protect kids."
This week Congressional Republicans, in a letter organized by Congressman Steve King (IA), repeated dishonest attacks about an incident Jennings wrote about in his book, "One Teacher In Ten." The claim, that Jennings failed to report the abuse of a student more than two decades ago, has been thoroughly debunked, with even Fox News issuing a correction and withdrawing the allegation.
"Instead of working on real issues, Congressman King has chosen to push lies about Kevin Jennings," said Keegan. "His attacks are deeply dishonest and harmful to the important work of keeping students safe. Congressman King owes Kevin Jennings an apology, plain and simple. I'm proud that the White House and Education Secretary Arne Duncan have stood up for students and for Kevin. They should stand firm against dishonest smears from the right wing."


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The Carolina Panthers travel to LP Field to take on the Tennessee Titans on Saturday, August 19, 2017. The opening line for this game has Tennessee as 3 point favorites. The over/under has been set at 41. The Panthers had an ATS record of 6-9-1 last season while their over/under record was 7-8-1. The Titans had an over/under record of 10-6-0 and they were 7-9-0 against the spread.
The Carolina Panthers were 15th in the NFL in points scored with 369 last season. They ran 1,052 plays last year for 5,499 yards, which ranked them 19th in the league in total offense. The Panthers averaged 5.2 yards per play, which was 24th in the National Football League. As a team they accumulated a total of 318 1st downs last year, placing them 20th overall as an offensive unit. On the ground Carolina ran for 1,814 yards as a team, which ranked 10th in the NFL. They ran 453 times last year, averaging 4 yards per carry as a rushing unit. The Panthers were penalized on offense 98 times for 835 yards last season, which had them 26th in the league in penalties. Cam Newton threw for 3,509 yards last season. He completed 270 passes on 510 attempts for a completion percentage of 52.9%. His QBR last year was 53.1 while is quarterback rating was 75.8. He averaged 6.9 yards per pass attempt and 13.0 yards per completion.
Carolina was 26th in the league in points allowed on defense with 402 last year. They surrendered a total of 5,756 yards on D, which was 21st in the NFL. The Panthers were ranked 23rd in yards per play allowed with 5.6. Their pass defense gave up 6.5 net yards per pass attempt, placing them 22nd in the league as a unit. Opposing offenses completed 409 passes on 612 attempts against the Carolina Panthers defense last season, placing them 30th and 28th in the National Football League. The Carolina pass defense also gave up a total of 4,291 yards through the air, which was 29th overall in total pass defense. Their rushing defense allowed 376 attempts for 1,465 yards last year, putting them in 6th place in the league against the run. The Panthers committed 112 penalties for 907 yards on the defensive side of the ball last season. That ranked them 12th in the NFL. They gave up a score on 36.2% of possessions on defense, which was 19th in the league.
The Tennessee Titans ran for 2,187 yards as a unit last year, which ranked 3rd in the league. They ran 476 times, averaging 4.6 yards per rush as a unit. The Titans were penalized on offense 110 times for 1,012 yards last season, which had them 11th in the NFL in penalties. They were 14th in the National Football League in points scored with 381. They ran 1,008 plays last year for 5,728 yards, which ranked them 11th in the NFL in total offense. The Titans averaged 5.7 yards per play, which was 9th in the league. As a team they accumulated a total of 322 1st downs last season, ranking them 18th overall as an offensive unit. Marcus Mariota completed 276 throws while attempting 451 passes for a completion percentage of 61.2% last year. He passed for 3,426 yards. He averaged 12.4 yards per completion and 7.6 yards per pass attempt. His quarterback rating last season was 95.6 and his QBR was 64.9.
The Titans rush defense gave up 356 attempts for 1,413 yards last season, putting them in 2nd place in the NFL against the run. They had 137 penalties for 1,191 yards on defense last year. That placed them 32nd in the league. They allowed a score on 35% of possessions on defense, which was 14th in the NFL. Tennessee was 17th in the NFL in points surrendered on defense with 378. They gave up a total of 5,720 yards on D, which was 20th in the league. The Titans were 15th in yards per play allowed with 5.5. Their pass defense allowed 6.4 net yards per pass attempt, ranking them 18th in the National Football League. Opponent offenses completed 388 throws on 635 attempts against the Tennessee defense last season, ranking them 28th and 31st in the league. The Tennessee Titans pass defense also surrendered a total of 4,307 yards in the air, which was 30th overall in total pass defense.
Who will win tonight's Panthers/Titans NFL game against the spread?


Additionally, MemberMouse can offer upsells to members, or mechanically offer downsells to customers that want to cancel in order to boost client retention and optimize earnings. MemberMouse also allows members to update or downgrade memberships .You can take a look at a full feature list from MemberMouse to each of the juicy details in 1 spot, or see our overview of some MemberMouse features.
After products are made, you may then create membership access levels to connect to some of your membership solutions. These membership levels will establish the content limitation rules for members. However, you may also edit the accessibility rules onto a per-post or even per-page basis.When you create a membership level, you can assign that accessibility level to a particular product. This is precisely what I had been talking about in regard to versatility — you can assign an access level to as many goods as you need, so if you offer promotional pricing for email readers or testimonials from your own affiliates, you can tie the identical accessibility to every one of these products.You will also select which classes will be shielded for that access level from the exact same screen. Multiple post categories can be selected for accessibility. As a default, access will be restricted for the whole post for every single post in the category. However, you can get around this to display post excerpts and teasers using Smart Tags. Access can also be put on a per-post or per-page foundation whilst editing a page or post. The post / page editor is also where you are going to handle content dripping. Dripping is elastic and super-simple, as you can set a delay in access for every membership level in terms of days.Once content dripping is set up, you can view schedules for each membership degree below Product Settings > Content Dripping Schedule to find an overall view of if each entry level can see content. This page will also enable you to bulk edit access rights for each membership level, and customize content dripping occasions for each access level. It's really useful for those of you that currently have a good deal of content created, and just want to assign trickle occasions and access rights from one screen.Not certain how it'll look to every member? MemberMouse has a cool feature where you can preview articles from a certain access level's point of view, and also from a number of times into the membership (to determine the way your content dripping will affect what members view ). Examine the top of your display when previewing your site.
Before you begin setting up your website in order to sell membership goods, you'll want to take a look at a few of the built-in shortcodes for MemberMouse, known as Smart Tags. You can use smart tags to insert purchase links for your products, selectively restrict (or remove restrictions from) certain pieces of content to create excerpts, and display member data. Bright tags also allow you to insert hyperlinks that allow members to handle their own subscriptions, upgrade memberships, or purchase new goods.
MemberMouse has yet another sales choice of which you may take advantage. Members can't purchase more than one membership level using MemberMouse. However, you may use another content restriction instrument, called a bundle, to provide a topic-based membership. This is also how you can provide upsells to present members. You may assign many products to a bundle in precisely the same way which it is possible to assign multiple products to a membership accessibility level. Bundles allow you to enlarge the material access a product provides when used this way.Because Bundles are tied to products in precisely the same way as membership accessibility, bundles can also take advantage of content dripping. The advantage to using bundles is that members can buy more than 1 bundle at a time.
When you are done learning about smart tags, setting up products, access levels, and articles dripping, you will want to sell the memberships you've created. While MemberMouse automatically creates a lot of pages, it does not create a catalog or page. For me this is a good thing, since I think selling memberships to potential users requires long-form content anyhow — members probably are not going to visit your site and navigate for memberships right away.To sell memberships, you ought to create posts or pages with purchase links. It's possible to replicate purchase links from your product settings for each item, or generate a buy link using a smart label if the connection has been posted in your WordPress website (that is what we've done in the screenshot). You might even use MemberMouse's built-in button styles rather than the ones from your theme (mine are somewhat lackluster since we are using the default theme).
MemberMouse prices are determined by the amount of users for your membership website, however MemberMouse is not a true SaaS solution, since the MemberMouse plugin runs on your own servers. You put in the plugin on your website, but may also possess a MemberMouse account; your site then assesses with the MemberMouse licensing server to deliver data on site usage. As this is a"check in", your site doesn't need MemberMouse's licensing servers to run the membership part of your site. Because of this, website performance is entirely determined by your hosting and surroundings.MemberMouse pricing ranges from $20 per month for 1,000 users as much as premium and professional plans at $300-600 a month for sites with more than 100,000 users (support is included for all plans). Each pricing tier provides different benefits (like premium support starting with advanced programs ), but here's a rough breakdown of price based on number of users.
You may continue to bill on a recurring basis indefinitely, or you can set a number of bicycles for your membership (for example"3 payments of $19.95″). In addition, you can charge a one-time fee for memberships (though I would recommend avoiding this unless you're just starting out, as you'll always have to pursue new associates, which kind of defeats the purpose of a recurring billing version ).You can even use coupons with MemberMouse, and decide whether to apply them to the initial billing cycle or the lifetime of this membership. Coupons can supply a percentage off or a dollar-amount reduction. Coupons are also made to provide an entirely free membership, or you could make a membership for a customer yourself and deductions which membership instead. Coupon usage can be limited to specific products or quite a few uses.The very best part about billing is that you can control recurring billing actions, such as refunds, directly from MemberMouse instead of logging into your account with your payment processor. Ultimately, MemberMouse integrates with several popular payment providers, including Stripe, PayPal, Authorize.net, Braintree, and ClickBank. It's possible to use one onsite payment system, such as Stripe or Authorize.net, and at the same time use PayPal or ClickBank to supply up to three payment choices.As cards are tokenized and saved for members, MemberMouse may also help automate late payment handling to save your client control staff time and maintain your revenue stream flowing. When MemberMouse finds that a card has been declined, it marks the member's account as late, then sends the member and email asking him to login and upgrade the card info in the account. The member is then immediately charged the sum due and the member account is reactivated.
MemberMouse is not really designed to be an eCommerce platform, but it can permit you to sell some physical goods through your site and also to sell physical goods with subscriptions, such as magazines (though I think it does a much better job with virtual products compared to physical goods ). When you produce your goods, you mark it as"shippable", subsequently set up basic transport prices (like regular and expedited shipping).Personally, I'd only include shipping as part of the membership prices per month (and advertise this fact!) To simplify my shop management, however, the delivery methods can be helpful for selling'swag' items and other physical products for your site.
MemberMouse has a few integrations built in to assist you with your site management. First, email is essential for communication and engagement. Instead of set up an internal email system, MemberMouse integrates directly with email marketing firms like MailChimp and AWeber. You can use this integration to manage your relationship with members using an email platform you're already acquainted with, and transferring members between automatic lists to save you time.MemberMouse also incorporates with iDevAffiliate to manage affiliates for your membership site. When clients have been sent in an affiliate, this will be noted in the member account, and you'll be able to choose to dynamically display content or offers to associates based on which affiliate referred them to your website.
If you're an advanced user, or have a programmer on staff, it's possible to further automate a good deal of MemberMouse functions. In addition to clever tags (shortcodes in WordPress lingo), there are lots of actions and filters available, in addition to a well-documented collection of global functions for use in templates as well as other custom code.In addition, you can make push notifications for site administrators and associates for events like new member signups or charge receipts. This means that MemberMouse can always be the hub of information for your membership-based business.MemberMouse also has an API that programmers can use to incorporate MemberMouse with outside programs, which is not true with all membership plugins. This permits you to create, get, and upgrade information about members.
MemberMouse offers enormous functionality and will make it possible for you to treat your membership site like a business rather than a hobby. Since it is intended for sites with tens of thousands of members, this shouldn't come as a surprise. Setting up a website and fundamental content restriction is easy (especially with the help of the"Getting Started" videos), but far more personalization is possible in case you're eager to generate a time investment in site setup and optimization. There's definitely a learning curve involved in using MemberMouse, however it is in proportion to the amount of functionality you escape the plugin, since it has virtually everything you could want in a membership platform.


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New accreditation scheme for mental capacity representatives
Floyd Porter explains why the Law Society's new mental capacity (welfare) accreditation scheme is an important step forward for the protection of the vulnerable and others involved in Court of Protection hearings.
With an ageing population and the apparent increase in disorders of the mind through dementia or similar age-related conditions, mental capacity lawyers are becoming increasingly relevant and demand for our expertise is rising.
The Court of Protection (CoP) and mental capacity lawyers are primarily concerned with seeking outcomes in the best interests of individuals who lack the capacity to make decisions for themselves. My work helps not only my clients but, by extension, family members or carers.
There are rarely simple answers in the practice of mental capacity law. The decisions required are all the more difficult because of the emotional impact they may generate, particularly when they relate to welfare. The CoP's jurisdiction reflects the wide range of issues relating to capacity that arise in the lives of individuals, either directly or via family members.
These are not limited just to where a person resides or what type of care is in their best interests; they also extend to medical treatment issues such as whether receiving a particular type of treatment is in a person's best interests, or whether surgeons should be authorised to carry out a particular operation, as well as financial issues, such as who administers an incapacitated individual's property and affairs.
My role is to assist and advise clients through these difficult and emotionally complex issues, which can have long-standing consequences. The ability to work collaboratively with colleagues, whether they be social workers, doctors, or other lawyers – even those disputing the position of my client – is extremely important.
For example, I might be required to advise a client whose adult relative has been removed from home by a local authority or advise in relation to facilitating contact between a relative and an incapacitated individual. Advice and assistance may be required by a client whose relative is in hospital on life support and in respect of whom applications are made to the CoP on the question of whether life support should continue.
Mental capacity law may not be as academically complex as some other areas of law, but in some respects it is more challenging. The ability to listen and observe acutely is vital: you are not merely listening to the words spoken, but listening and observing to ascertain the wishes and feelings of clients who are often unable to provide clear instructions as a result of incapacity issues.
For all these reasons, it can at times be an emotionally draining area of practice. Not infrequently I am called upon to provide advice about the best interests of a person who lacks capacity that may be contrary to the expressed wishes and feeling of the incapacitated individual or their families. This is a difficult role to undertake, requiring sensitivity, clear, calm thinking, the ability to consider a matter from several, often competing, perspectives with complex detail including medical information, and, thereafter, exceptional communication skills to provide clear legal advice to clients.
As lawyers, we are all trained to analyse and provide legal advice to clients, but mental capacity lawyers need a particular range of skills to be able to serve the best interests of those who may not easily express their wishes. The Law Society's new mental capacity (welfare) accreditation scheme, which provides specialist training as well as accreditation, is an important pillar in the professional development of solicitors working in mental capacity. It will also help to ensure that the CoP and the vulnerable people who use it always have access to trained and accredited mental capacity experts.
I am extremely proud of the new scheme, which has been developed by the Law Society and a working group of highly experienced practitioners. It is a significant step towards ensuring that the growing number of vulnerable individuals and those involved in CoP proceedings have access to the highest quality representation, and I am proud to call myself a mental capacity lawyer.
For more on the Law Society's mental capacity (welfare) accreditation, go to www.lawsociety.org.uk/support-services/accreditation/mental-capacity.
Floyd Porter is a partner, head of the mental health and capacity team at Miles & Partners, and the chief assessor of the Law Society's new mental capacity (welfare) accreditation scheme.
This article first appeared in Solicitors Journal in May 2017 (www.solicitorsjournal.com).
The current Section Engagement programme has been created in consultation with the Section Advisory Committee and will focus on key issues including:
These issues will be addressed through a range of activities including: workshops, seminars, conferences, webinars, website, e-newsletters, magazine, and a LinkedIn group.
Ensuring clients understand their financial choices could help improve their overall wellbeing
Many professionals and clients take a one-sided view of financial advisers, and assume that independent advisers can meet all their needs. Dave Thomas explains, however, how employed advisers offering restricted advice can offer clients a different approach, and should be considered.
Help your clients find the right charity for their will
With 69% of the public happy to be prompted to leave a charitable gift in their wills, the Gazette's new-look Charity Explorer directory can help you support clients to find the right charity for their will.
The recent decision in the cases of PLK Ors has opened up a new approach to hourly rates. Andrew Bennetts looks at how financial and property affairs deputies can recover costs, even with a retainer in place
More Private Client News
Updated probate guidance (December 2020)
Read the latest updates from our December 2020 meeting with HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS).
Over 90% of will-makers may not be including digital assets
New research by the Law Society has shown that just over a quarter of people surveyed know what happens to their digital assets when they die and why it is important to include them in their will.
UK to replace DAC 6 as part of Brexit
On 31 December 2020, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) announced that the UK has decided to repeal DAC 6 and implement its own mandatory disclosure rules (MDR) regime.


text:
Best Course List
Course Wire Staff
Home » 6 Best Free Future Courses With Certification [November 2019]
Future is rising, Our team of experts have searched thousands of courses so you don't have to. We has come up with this list of Courses Tutorials, Classes, Training for Future,This list includes mostly free courses (some of top notch paid course included as well) from top schools and big name institutes. These courses are ideal for beginners, intermediates, as well as experts to level up your Future skills.'
1. Sustainability Science – A Key Concept for Future Design via edx, by The University of Tokyo
Required Effort: 6 Weeks, 2-3 hours per week.
Total Students Enrolled: 7,328+
Sustainability is indispensable for the future of humankind. Sustainability science has emerged as an effort to tackle the complex problems the world is facing today. Lecturers from different disciplines provide a holistic overview of key issues in sustainability including industrial pollution,…[ReadMore](https://www.edx.org/course/utokyoxutokyo006x?utm_source=coursewire-course-wire&utm_medium=affiliate_partner)
Why Choose This Course:
Historical lessons and current sustainability challenges in Japan and other parts of the world
International and Japanese initiatives in the field of human-nature connection
Japanese experience in urban-rural land use mixture
Frontier knowledge in the area of environmental governance and ESD
Theoretical concepts of sustainability science
You can enroll HERE
2. The Future of Mining? via edx, by The University of Queensland
What will the mining and minerals sector look like in 2040?
This course aims to explore the risks, challenges and opportunities facing the mining industry over the next few decades.
You will learn about scenario planning and how to use this approach as a strategic tool to…ReadMore
● The role of minerals in society and their contribution to sustainable development.
● The current issues and challenges confronting the sector.
● Emerging technologies and their impact across the value chain.
● The contribution of mining to the concept of the circular economy.
● New frameworks and policies for resource developments in the 21st century.
3. Future Robots. Towards a Robotic Science of Human Beings via edx, by Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II
Following historic human achievements in steam power, electricity, and digital information, Robotics is now considered by many to be the fourth industrial revolution. This course explores robotics not simply as advanced technology, but as a new scientific discipline that can lead to a deeper…ReadMore
Potential problems and opportunities for human beings as a result of the robotics revolution
The intricacies of human behavior: biological evolution, development, learning, imitation, cultural evolution
The economic revolution and political life as seen through the robotic revolution
Analysis of mental pathologies, art, and religion.
4. Sustainable Energy: Design a Renewable Future via edx, by Delft University of Technology
Total Students Enrolled: 29,529+
A transition to sustainable energy is needed for our climate and welfare. In this engineering course, you will learn how to assess the potential for energy reduction and the potential of renewable energy sources like wind, solar and biomass. You'll learn how to integrate these sources in…[ReadMore](https://www.edx.org/course/delftxenergyx?utm_medium=affiliate_partner&utm_source=coursewire-course-wire)
Assess energy use and the potential for energy reduction for transport, industry and buildings
Calculate the potential attribution of different sources of renewable energy like wind, solar and biomass and how to integrate them in an energy system
Design a plan for a 100% sustainable energy system
5. Hyperloop: Changing the Future of Transportation via edx, by Delft University of Technology
Is Hyperloop really worth the hype? Is this passenger pod levitating in a vacuum tube a viable alternative to curb the environmental impact of current modes of transport?
This revolutionary and more sustainable mode of transportation for passengers or freight can reach speeds of over…ReadMore
Understand the need for Hyperloop
Grasp the basic technical concepts of Hyperloop
Recognise the key hurdles for Hyperloop in the future
Develop your own ideas for Hyperloop
Gain more in-depth (technical) knowledge about Hyperloop by taking part in the extra activities or choosing the topics that you would like to learn in more detail.
Recognise challenges for Hyperloop implementation and develop a plan to tackle them.
6. A Resilient Future: Science and Technology for Disaster Risk Reduction via edx, by École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne
This course aims to introduce participants to existing and emerging technologies suitable for disaster risk reduction while promoting the overall aim of sustainable development. The course focuses on three main natural hazards- floods, landslides and earthquakes. It also discusses the challenges…[ReadMore](https://www.edx.org/course/epflxtech4drr?utm_source=coursewire-course-wire&utm_medium=affiliate_partner)
Explain Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) related concepts and science and technology for DRR.
Identify and describe existing and emerging technologies for landslide and flood reduction.
Explain methodological tools to assess vulnerabilities and risk and strengthen the resilience of communities at risk of landslides, floods and earthquakes.
Exemplify the role and the challenges of science and technological innovations for disaster risk reduction in an interdisciplinary manner including the importance of social aspects.
Recognize some of the actors active in DRR and international policy frameworks and technology for DRR.
"I haven't looked at all the materials yet but from what I see this is a great accessible collection of learning resources covering a range of levels of ability and experience. Materials can help to clarify lots of confusion and gaps in understanding on DRR and the technicality of some aspects. Well worth exploring."– Previous Learner


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Sterling Funeral Homes
Send Flowers for Pat
Pat H. Badgett, Jr.
September 28, 1931 ~ December 13, 2021 (age 90)
Patrick "Pat" Henry Badgett, Jr., of Dayton, Texas, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, December 13, 2021 at his home. He was born on September 28, 1931, in Dayton, Texas, to the late Oma Lee Alexander Badgett and Patrick Henry Badgett, Sr. Pat graduated from Crosby High School, class of 1949. He proudly served his country with the United States Navy Seabees in the South Pacific Theater. He worked as a mechanic, and was used as a forger of sorts to find things, specializing in logistics and procurement.
Pat retired from Atlantic Richfield, where he worked in various capacities from operator to area superintendent for more than 28 years. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Dayton, where he faithfully served as a Deacon for many years.
Pat pursued many hobbies, some of which included hunting, fishing, reading, working with cows, and vegetable gardening. His favorite hobby of all was the cherished time spent with his family and grandchildren. Pat was committed to attending most of his grandchildren's ball games.
Pat was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend to many. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister Bobbie Dee (Missy) and husband Earl McCoy and brother Morris (Billy) Badgett. Pat leaves behind to cherish his loving memory, his beloved wife of 67 years, Joyce Harris Badgett of Dayton; his children Patricia June Ressler and husband Donald "Rusty" of Palestine, Texas and Matt Badgett and wife Theresa of Dayton; his grandchildren Robert Ryan Ressler and wife Brooke, Richard Ray Ressler and wife Laura, Randall Ross Ressler and wife Susan, Jonathan Matthew Badgett and wife Laura, and Bethany Theresa Credeur and husband Cory; his eleven great-grandchildren; and a host of other loving relatives and friends.
To send flowers to Pat's family, please visit our floral store.
Sterling Funeral Home Dayton
Dayton, TX 77535
Palms Memorial Park
2421 HWY 146 S.
© 2022 Sterling Funeral Homes. All Rights Reserved. | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy


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Chris Sauter
Boerne, Texas, USA
Spring 2016 Window Works
Biography Construction Site (Cakes)
Fall 1999 International Artist-in-Residence Program
About Chris Sauter
San Antonio-based artist Chris Sauter explores the links between biology and culture, the present and the primordial, the personal and the universal. His principal strategies are: the transformation of common objects into other recognizable objects, extreme scale shifts, and the juxtaposition of disparate materials and images. Using architecture as a raw material, he often carves into walls to retrieve material needed to build other objects. It is a means to make literal connections between the architecture and the resulting object or to reveal aspects of their respective natures. He is interested in architecture for its constructed nature—that it is built primarily for the human body, and it can be a potent stand-in for "the institution" whether it is the home, the gallery, or the museum.
Chris Sauter was born in San Antonio, Texas in 1971. He has a BA from the University of the Incarnate Word and an MFA from The University of Texas at San Antonio. He exhibits nationally and internationally with solo exhibitions at John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, WI; Cueto Project, New York; Finesilver, Houston; Elizabeth Dee, New York; Galerie Valerie Cueto, Paris; and Susanne Vielmetter, Los Angeles Projects. Group exhibitions include Out of the Ordinary at the Contemporary Art Museum, Houston and Come Forward: Emerging Art in Texas at the Dallas Museum of Art.
In 1999, Sauter was selected by Guest Curator Okwui Enwezor to participate in the Artpace International Artist-in-Residence program.


text:
package club.zhcs.thunder.biz.config;

import org.nutz.plugin.spring.boot.service.BaseService;
import org.springframework.stereotype.Service;

import club.zhcs.thunder.bean.config.Config;

/**
 *
 * @author kerbores@gmail.com
 *
 */
@Service
public class ConfigService extends BaseService<Config> {

}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


At Dixon and Associates Therapy Services, we look at each patient as a unique individual, not a diagnosis. Personal attention is what our success is based on, and our whole company is set up to make everyone's experience with therapy a positive one.
If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact us at 336-889-5676.
Content copyright . Dixon and Associates. All rights reserved.


- It is made from delicate and intricate pieces carefully selected and constructed.
- The gold finish further ensures a long-lasting shine and sparkling sense.
- Materials: Gold Hardware, Acrylic beads, Rhinestone.


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In the book Their Eyes Were Watching God, written by Zora Neale Hurston, the main character Janie goes through many relationships. In herfirst relationship, Logan, she thinks love will just happen. Her second relationship, Joe, everything seemed to be fine but she had conflicting feelings within herself. The third, TeaCake, really seemed to make Janie's life complete. Although not perfect, she discovered what true love was really like.
When Janie married Logan, she never knew what to look for in a marriage but what she saw and imagined. Janie always imagined marriage to fulfill her dreams of love. Yet, those "barren brow stems" never matured into "glistening leaf-buds" in her marriage to Logan Killicks. "The vision of Logan Killicks was desecrating the pear tree." Instead of love, Janie only found disappointment in this marriage, and thus she came to a rude awakening of reality. "She knew now that marriage did not make love," so her " first dream was dead, and then Janie became a woman." Janie'sfirst marriage was unsuccessful and left her trapped with nothing but her hope. An opportunity to escape this marriage with Logan Killicks finally arose itself with Joe Starks.
Joe Starks "did not represent sun-up and pollen and blooming trees, but he spoke for… change and chance." This is why Janie decided to leave Logan Killicks and marry Joe Starks. Joe was very ambitious and materialistic. Therefore Joe would be able to provide for Janie. But this materialistic nature of Joe also made it impossible for any love to exist in this marriage. Joe didn't see any worth in things that he couldn't buy or own. To Joe, Janie was only a woman, a wife, and a helpless being he could possess. The only love he ever had for Janie was the love for a prized possession or object. Since an object can't speak its mind, think, or have feelings, Joe never expected Janie to be capable of doing any of these things. In this way Joe Starks crushed Jani…
Thier Eyes Were Watching God


text:
PYTHON_VERSION = 2.7
PYTHON_INCLUDE = /usr/include/python$(PYTHON_VERSION)

BOOST_INC = /usr/include
BOOST_LIB = /usr/lib
OPENCV_LIB = $$(pkg-config --libs opencv)
OPENCV_INC = $$(pkg-config --cflags opencv)
NUMPY_INCLUDE = /usr/local/lib/python$(PYTHON_VERSION)/dist-packages/numpy/core/include

TARGET = filter_tig
SRC = filter_tig.cpp FilterTIG.cpp
OBJ = filter_tig.o FilterTIG.o

$(TARGET).so: $(OBJ)
	g++ -shared $(OBJ) -L$(BOOST_LIB) -lboost_python -L/usr/lib/python$(PYTHON_VERSION)/config -lpython$(PYTHON_VERSION) -o $(TARGET).so $(OPENCV_LIB)

$(OBJ): $(SRC)
	g++ -I$(PYTHON_INCLUDE) -I$(NUMPY_INCLUDE) -I$(BOOST_INC) $(OPENCV_CFLAGS) -fPIC -c -std=c++0x $(SRC)

clean:
	rm -f $(OBJ)
	rm -f $(TARGET).so


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Home News Thugger's DNA was nowhere to be found on the alleged weapon
Thugger's DNA was nowhere to be found on the alleged weapon
Young Thug just received a diamond plaque for his collaboration with Camila Cabello on "Havana" but it looks like he's received better news than that. According to TMZ, charges against Thugger for gun possession have been dropped in Los Angeles due to lack of evidence. Thugger's attorney confirmed that the case was closed. Although Thug faced gun charges, legal documents revealed that the police weren't able to find any other DNA on the weapon. At the time, there were three people in the car and the police also weren't able to find out who the gun belonged to.
Police busted Young Thug in August 2018 during his birthday and Slime Language launch party. One of the people with Young Thug ended up running into a police cruiser which is what initially prompted the search. Police found several weapons in the car and subsequently arrested Young Thug.
Aside from his charges getting dropped, he's been teasing the release of his forthcoming project, Gold Mouf Dog. Earlier this year, he released "The London," a collaborative single alongside J. Cole and Travis Scott. He hasn't made much mention of it recently but he did premiere a new song called "Surf" during a very strange live stream. Hopefully, Thug comes through with some fire for us this year. Lord knows the street needs it ASAP.
Happy bday twin, don't know what it'll be without u kid…. go big on big !!
A post shared by SEX!! (@thuggerthugger1) on Jun 14, 2019 at 8:48pm PDT
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Bharat Book Bureau - Wednesday, October 29, 2014.
Bharat Book Bureau presents the new report, on" Actinic Keratosis-Pipeline Insights, 2014" provides pipeline products under drug profile section which includes product description, MOA, licensors & collaborators, development partner and chemical information.
'Actinic Keratosis-Pipeline Insights, 2014', report provides comprehensive insights about pipeline drugs across this indication. A key objective of the report is to establish the understanding for all the pipeline drugs that fall under Actinic Keratosis. This report provides information on the therapeutic development based on the Actinic Keratosis dealing with all the pipeline drugs, comparative analysis at various stages covering Filed, Phase III, Phase II, Phase I, IND filed, Preclinical, Discovery and unknown stages, therapeutics assessment by monotherapy and combination products and molecule type drug information. The report also covers the companies information involved in the therapeutic development of the products. It also has highlighted the discontinued and dormant products.
• The report provides pipeline products under drug profile section which includes product description, MOA, licensors & collaborators, development partner and chemical information.


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Editorial, 'THE GREAT DECEPTION!?" in LAW ANIMATED WORLD, 15 September 2014, Vol. 10, Pt. 2, No. 17 issue.
THE GREAT DECEPTION!?
Well, it could very well be so. Especially if one observes the almost free fall of the WTC 7 tower, not hit by any plane/body, it appears as a controlled demolition and so the non-mentioning of even the fact of its collapse in the 9/11 Commission Report, and ascribing of a silly reason for the same in the NSIT Report which in its turn slighted the 9/11 Commission Report, surely indicates a massive cover-up by the then government of America, which alas continues to this day. Many of us have all along opposed American invasion of Iraq, on the allegations of Saddam Hussein's belligerent and harsh measures and his alleged possession of the so-called Weapons of Mass Destruction, which ultimately proved fraudulent with not a single WMD found anywhere but even so the Iraqi President, who might have been despotic in his own country but was a rare secular Arab leader of the day, mercilessly executed by a lackey government through a Kangaroo Court trial amidst worldwide protests. But none of us had an inkling that the American extra-territorial expansionist policy and measures could have been built on the basis of a horrendous homicidal crime perpetrated on their own people through this 9/11 carnage, which, per what the 9/11 Truth movement or several war veterans/military-intelligence officers of America now reveal and accuse, is certainly a dirty work of the notorious Bush-Cheney gang then in power. Even the US intervention in Afghanistan was excessive and counter productive. Their recent intervention in Syria in aid of the very al-Qaeda and other fundamentalist outfits and its proxy war on Assad of Syria, another secular Arab leader, has generated the 'Frankenstein Monster' of ISIS, a religious fanatic terrorist outfit whose atrocities are so horrendous. It is a matter of utmost shame, even of grave crime, on the part of the US as also the developed democracies of the West that they could not launch an effective criminal investigation into this crime of the century with the UN also supine. We join the voice of the 9/11 Truth Movement and demand an impartial and comprehensive criminal inquiry into the 9/11 incidents, preferably through the United Nations, by an international tribunal comprising of eminent jurists, lawyers, engineers and other experts from all over the world to find out the real causes/ persons responsible for this calamitous crime. §§§
Editorial, "Alas, the Giants are Departing" in LAW ANIMATED WORLD, 31 August 2014 issue, Vol. 10: Part 2, No. 16
ALAS, THE GIANTS ARE DEPARTING
one by one – gargantuan in their respective fields, with superb motivation to serve humanity in general. Their extraordinary achievements in diverse arenas are but contributions to the cause of common human weal. This editor fondly remembers his school days when all the students – generally film goers – would split into two camps of ANR-NTR fans and heatedly argue as to 'ANR goppaa? NTR goppaa?' [who is greater hero – ANR or NTR?] and gradually realization would dawn that both were great, unparalleled-in-their-respective-specialized-characters actors who had mesmerized the Telugu film watching public in those days. They were a competing, if not rival, duo in the eyes of people then. In contrast the friendly duo of Bapu-Ramana commanded the Telugu film sector to an extent in recent decades. Bapu's versatility in art, direction and production is indescribable and sadly his body now extinct, following his demised friend, a magician of the written word in Telugu. Well, as time passed, the fascination for films waned and this editor as also many of the growing up students were drawn into the vortex of academic, social and political developments in the country and some into the movements to 'change the society' [samaaj ko badal dalo] when acquaintance first and camaraderie next with giants in political and social transformation movements had taken place. That is how a M.T. Khan and a Bipan Chandra came into the socio-political circle of contacts to this editor and the former was more of a comrade-in-arms, as a revolutionary writer, in the movement for social and human emancipation that shook the country in the late sixties and seventies, which continued to the present day with Khan Saheb more and more immersing himself in and guiding the human rights movements. And Bipan Chandra, a doyen of progressive historians in India, with his in-depth, scholarly studies into the history of the freedom struggle and communist movement, was a sort of Dronacharya for several Ekalavya disciples like this editor. This very personal note is to profoundly condole the passing away of these eminent personalities and, paying them glowing tributes, to rededicate ourselves to their noble ideal of universal human welfare in the sublime spirit of 'vasudhaiva kutumbakam' (entire world one family). §§§
Posted by I.M.Sharma at 12:58 AM No comments: Links to this post
Editorial "Basically Skewed Household Survey" in LAW ANIMATED WORLD, 15 August 2014 issue.
Posted by I.M.Sharma at 1:32 AM No comments: Links to this post
Editorial, 'THE GREAT DECEPTION!?" in LAW ANIMATED...
Editorial, "Alas, the Giants are Departing" in LAW...
Editorial "Basically Skewed Household Survey" in L...