Janis Timma poured in 27 points off the bench as Zenit St. Petersburg defeated Lietuvos Rytas Vilnius on Wednesday. Zenit never trailed in taking its maiden win in Group G of the Top 16, while Rytas fell to 0-2. Pavel Sergeev made 4 of 6 three-pointers for 14 points, Kyle Landry scored 13, Stefan Markovic ran the show with 9 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists and Trevor Mbakwe anchored the defense with 9 rebounds, 4 steals and 4 blocks for the victors. Zenit led by double figures after 10 minutes, but Rytas rallied behind Corey Fisher to get within 43-40 at halftime and then tie it four times in the third quarter. However Zenit never fell behind and when Timma heated up, he padded the lead and allowed the hosts to cruise to victory. Drew Gordon led Rytas with 16 points and 11 rebounds, Fisher added 15 points and 5 assists and Rokas Giedraitis scored 10 in defeat.
Markovic hit a three and then added a basket-plus-foul to get Zenit started on the right foot. Gordon countered with 5 straight points for Rytas, which trailed 9-8 at the midway points of the quarter. But the trio of Ryan Toolson, Landry and Timma each scored twice as Zenit took charge to lead 27-16 after 10 minutes. Rytas used a 0-7 run early in the second quarter to narrow the gap. Sergey Karasov took charge for Zenit and a Sergeev triple restored a double-digit advantage at 37-27, but Fisher and Julius Jucikas led another Rytas push to get back. Fisher's triple in the last minute of the half made it 43-40 at halftime. Adam Lapeta free throws further closed the deficit before Fisher tied the game at 45-45 with a three-pointer. Rytas tied the game three more times, the last at 52-52, but never went ahead. Back-to-back triples by Sergeev and Timma helped Zenit regain control and Landry's basket ended the third quarter at 62-53. Rytas remained within striking distance at 7 down several times in the fourth quarter, but Timma found his stroke with 10 fourth-quarter points to ensure a Zenit victory.
"After such wins when we score 110 points it is clear that our scoring will drop. That's why in such moments we must be aggressive in defense as we were in the beginning of the game. Sadly we have a relatively young team and our players can't perform good games one after another, but still a win is a win."
"We didn't manage to use our chances when the score was 47-47. We made a lot of unforced turnovers, we weren't aggressive enough on defense and made mistakes. In the end it was hard to catch up 10 points versus such an offensive team as Zenit when you already let them be ahead that much."


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Learner identity, space and Black, working class young women
July 17, 2011 January 8, 2012 Andrea Peto
"It's almost like she's two different people; one in English Literature class and another in song-writing club. I'd like to think the second one is the true her" (English teacher, inner London post-16 college)
This comment refers to a student who appeared to inhabit very different learner identities within two distinct contexts in her college: her academic English Literature class and an extra-curricular song-writing group. Within her English Literature class she had a reputation among her teachers for being disengaged, unproductive and sometimes disruptive; she was at risk of being removed from the course and frequently expressed her own desire to "drop out". Within her song-writing club, she impressed staff members with her commitment, patience and creativity; she expressed positive feelings about this learning experience and the work she was producing.
How could this student almost simultaneously inhabit such diverse learner identities within the same overall college environment? Did she somehow manage to be "two different people", as her teacher suggested, and was only one of these the "true her"?
In my work as a dance and English teacher in this inner London college, I often witnessed such fragmentations of learner identity across two contrasting 'spaces': the formal, academic classroom and the informal, extra-curricular, student-led performance group. A number of the students for whom I witnessed this identity "splitting" also participated in a particular social identity group and performance: the Black, working class female. Much research has shown that classrooms are white, middle class, masculine spaces and this research suggests that it is difficult for a student inhabiting an identity as a Black, working class woman to simultaneously inhabit a positive learner identity within formal learning spaces. Could achieving positive learner identities be possible in alternative, more informal learning spaces?
As Elesha's [a pseudonym] form tutor, I received an email from one of her teachers expressing a concern about her behaviour in class. The teacher suggested that Elesha had exhibited a fundamental disrespect for the learning process. I read on to see that the teacher's concern centred around Elesha taking out a compact mirror and applying make-up in the middle of a small-group activity. The teacher felt that such an action indicated not only a reluctance to learn, but was also subversive and defiant. Putting on make-up in this classroom had constructed a negative learner identity for Elesha.
Later in the year, the dance club that Elesha attended started being used by students to rehearse for a dance exam; within this more informal context the students could prepare for the exam as they wished. In the last of these rehearsal sessions, the students spent much of the time designing hair and make-up 'looks' for each other and afterwards practising their dances in an excitable manner in front of the mirror. To an onlooker this would not have appeared to be a 'serious' rehearsal session! Yet, Elesha had carefully designed a clever make-up look that reflected the shapes and movements within her choreography. From the point of view of an onlooker and an assessor, I observed that her dance performance that afternoon was enhanced by her choices of hair and make-up; she also performed with a sense of energy and confidence that I had not witnessed in previous performances. For this assessment she gained one of the highest marks in the class; the formal measure of a 'successful student'.
The creation of a glamorous appearance, through clothes, hair-styling and make-up, is clearly important to young women in the college, particularly those who perform a Black, working class femininity; it seems to act as a source of self-confidence and as a key component of their identity. In positioning investment in bodily appearance as "antithetical to educational engagement and success" (Archer et al. 2010, 71), students such as Elesha run the risk of being demonized in the classroom for engaging in a (sub)cultural act.
Of course, Elesha's make-up application in the context of her formal lesson was not directly conducive to her learning; and of course, the application of make-up in preparation for a dance performance is common practice. But my point is that in the classroom, this cultural act was seen as deviant and Elesha was almost demonized for it. It seemed to provoke a far more negative reaction than other common classroom (mis)behaviours that suggest a higher level of disengagement such as "off-topic-talking" or texting with a mobile phone under the desk.
Feminine glamour is clearly an identity performance with which Elesha associated herself. How can a student learn effectively where they are aware that something which is key to their sense of identity is categorically rejected by the space within which they learn? Further, where and when in the school space would it be deemed not just non-deviant, but actually appropriate and valuable for Elesha to apply her make-up, and in so doing value her as a whole person with specific, embodied cultural practices? To limit such a cultural practice to the invisible and unrecognised spaces of the toilets or corridors in break times is to reinforce the notion that there is no space for Black, working class, female culture within school or the learning process.
Perhaps informal learning spaces, such as Elesha's dance club, can bridge the divide between formal learning spaces and the student; in being allowed to inhabit a positive learner identity without cultural transformation or suppression, the student can start to identify with the school as a space where achievement and success "comes naturally" without having to transform or play a role.
Camilla Stanger (MA student, Goldsmiths)
Posted in IssuesTagged 'emphasized femininity', black femininities, femininities, further education, girls, learner identities, resistance, schools, working class femininities, youth
'Study reveals extent of the Oxbridge divide': Whatever happened to gender equality?
Familiar and strange fathers in education

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Il The Norman Fucking Rockwell Tour è il quarto tour mondiale della cantautrice statunitense Lana Del Rey, a supporto del suo sesto album in studio Norman Fucking Rockwell! (2019).

Antefatti
In seguito all'annuncio relativamente alla data di pubblicazione di Norman Fucking Rockwell!, il 1º agosto 2019 Lana Del Rey ha confermato che avrebbe anche intrapreso un tour per promuovere l'album, in parallelo alla diffusione del trailer ufficiale del progetto. Le tappe della prima leg del tour hanno avuto luogo nell'autunno 2019 lungo la costa occidentale del Nord America, con date sia in Canada che negli Stati Uniti, e nel Midwest.

Il tour sarebbe dovuto proseguire nel 2020 con concerti in Europa e Sud America, che sono stati cancellati a causa dello scoppio della pandemia di COVID-19.

Scaletta
Questa è la scaletta del concerto del 21 settembre 2019 a Wantagh.

 Norman Fucking Rockwell
 Bartender
 Chealsea Hotel No. 2 (cover di Leonard Cohen)
 Born to Die
 Blue Jeans
 Cherry
 White Mustang
 Pretty When You Cry
 Change / Black Beauty / Young and Beautiful / Ride
 Tomorrow Never Came
 Video Games
 Mariners Apartment Complex
 Summertime Sadness
 Doin' Time
 Off to the Races
 Shades of Cool
 Venice Bitch

Date del tour

Cancellazioni

Note

Collegamenti esterni

Tour musicali del 2019
Tour di Lana Del Rey

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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Accessories & Travel
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How To Choose The Perfect Winter Scent
Colognes aren't just for gifting at this time of the year, they are for a man to enjoy and to make himself feel good. Because, like that perfectly stirred martini or the pair of cufflinks that add flourish to an evening shirt, scents are the final touch, particularly when winter calls for dress-up and you want to feel your finest as you walk into the cocktail party. And scents, like the seasons, should adapt. The fresh, light, airy notes of summer - the lemony citrus and mineral tones - should segue into something richer, darker and more seductive. Just like your breezy summer linens should translate into more substantial evening-wear in lustrous velvets and refined silks, so too should your scent options carry more pizzazz and depth.
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While florals are deemed a lighter, more summery family of scents, there are also varieties that are more aromatic. Musk and amber, which is derived from the resin of the labdanum plant, for example, are more exotic and more likened to incense so perfect for the winter months. Luckily, Truefitt & Hill's research and development team have been creating nuanced, carefully blended fragrances for over two decades, which means we've had time (214 years to be precise) to hone our craft.
Take the classic Sandalwood Cologne for example; often this can be an overpowering, one-note experience of impactful wood. Our blend, however, is a heady, peppery arrangement with touches of bergamot alongside cedarwood to add depth, and touches of tonka and musk to add a buttery warmth. Simply add a handsome black-tie ensemble.
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And if your scent preference veers towards the more traditionally masculine, the aromatic Spanish Leather, derived from a formulation that dates from 1814, blends peppery pimento with bergamot and orange, alongside cinnamon, amber and moss, all of which are as warming and inviting as a crackling log fire as the snow falls outside.
Once you've stepped out suitably scented, there's something rather special about knowing that, in winters gone by, men of a certain standing were adding Truefitt & Hill's colognes to their Christmas grooming routines just as they do today. The cocktails might be more experimental, the settings vastly differing and the fashions wildly opposing, but the gentlemanly refinement remains the same.
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Community Centres and Village Halls play an increasingly important role in bringing local communities together. They offer a focal point for neighbourhood activities and a base for local groups. We work with the volunteers that are responsible for the management of all council owned facilities, and can signpost others to areas of support. This enables local people to determine and realise the sort of activities they need for themselves.
With over 20 community centres and 60 Village Halls there's no shortage of community based activities in Basingstoke and Deane. Playgroups, study groups, scouts and guides, martial arts and yoga take place within easy walking distance of home. The versatility of these buildings permits a wide range of uses.
For information on playgroups, after school clubs and nurseries view Hampshire County Council's Early Education and Childcare webpages.
Please use the directory below to find details of village halls and community centres in the Basingstoke and Deane area. You can use the form to specify location and facilities to obtain a list of venues that meet your criteria. You will need to contact the halls or centres direct for any booking enquiries.
Should you require any further information please contact the Community Development Team on 01256 844844.


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This kit contains 8 Awakening booster packs, 4 Mythical booster packs and 8 Kindred booster packs. Everything you need to play a draft game with four players!
Each player is given 5 booster packs (2 Awakening, 1 Mythical, 2 Kindred). They all open one of their boosters and pick out one card from it. After everyone in the group has picked a card, they pass the remaining cards to the person on their left. They then pick one card from the deck they received and pass it over to the left again. The boosters circulate like this until all cards have been picked out. The players then open their second booster pack to repeat the process, but alternate between passing to the left and right.
All heroes have access to all Elements to a basic level. This means that any player can play cards of any Element, regardless of what heroes they have selected.
They can use up to 2 Heroes. A player may opt to not play a Hero; in which case they will start the game on 30 health with no hero trait. If they do have a Hero or two, they gain those heroes' superior Elements, their hero traits, and the greater of the two starting health values (but it cannot go lower than 30, even if the heroes' health are both less).
When playing a combo, any card of the same Order can be used as payment. For example, a Death card can pay for a Poison Element, but a Lightning card could not. The same applies if a combo pays for another combo (any Elements of the same Order can pay for each other).
The deck should only consist of 30 cards in total (action cards and combo cards added together; this does not include the hero card), of which up to 5 can be combo cards, and the rest must be action cards.
The deck can contain any number of duplicate cards of action cards and combo cards alike (e.g. it can contain more than one copy of a combo card).


Psoriasis is a skin disease resulting in skin redness and irritation. People that suffer from Psoriasis have red skin and white patches. This disease is common as anyone can suffer, but mostly it is found in age group of 15 to 35 years. Psoriasis is not contagious, that means it cannot be spread from one person to other. Psoriasis is caused when immune system mistily takes healthy cells as pathogen (dangerous substances) and sends them out.
Unfortunately psoriasis can make a person's appearance unsightly, especially in severe cases. Sadly, this may lead to psychological problems such as low self esteem, poor self confidence, and other mental issues.
Psoriasis vulgaris is the most common form of psoriasis and is characterized by plaques that itch and may strongly affect the whole body.
When psoriasis appears on the scalp it can often be mistaken for simple dandruff. However, it is much more severe than dandruff and it is important that it is diagnosed early. If you feel like your dandruff is abnormally severe,you should consult your doctor for a proper diagnosis.
Even psoriasis can harm the skin under or near nails. It occurs with sign of tiny, white spots on the nails or big yellowish-brown part in the bed of nail. In this case of psoriasis it harms the nails so it can easily break, get cracked and even nail can come off.
Pustular psoriasis are elevated sores as they seemed, looking like blisters due to pus. Pustular psoriasis appears on the hands and on the feet and they usually cover large areas.
Psoriasis can also affect your finger and toe nails. When this happens the nails can become discolored and pits will appear in the nails. In severe cases the nail can even pull away from the nail bed causing the nail to fall off.
Psoriasis triggers are the same no matter what type of psoriasis you may be suffering from. Alcoholic beverages and unhealthy foods like junk foods, foods with high sugar content and caffeine levels can trigger the skin condition. Stress, smoking and other air pollutants can also trigger it.
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text:
Acidosasa es un género de plantas herbáceas de la tribu del bambú en la familia de las poáceas. Comprende numerosas especies nativas de China e Indochina, cultivadas en ocasiones por sus brotes comestibles. Comprende 27 especies descritas y de estas, solo 11 aceptadas.

Descripción
Son plantas perennes arbustivas (con los brotes jóvenes comestibles, agrios). Los tallos de flores de hoja verde. Culmos de 300-800 cm de altura ; leñosos y persistentes; ramificadas arriba. Las vainas del culmo de hoja caduca en su totalidad. Plantas desarmadas. Hojas basales no agregadas. Las láminas de hoja ancha (grande); pseudopeciolada. Plantas bisexual, con espiguillas bisexuales; con flores hermafroditas. La inflorescencia en un solo racimo, o paniculada.

Taxonomía
Acidosasa fue descrita por C.D.Chu & C.S.Chao ex Keng f. y publicado en Journal of Bamboo Research 1(2): 31. 1982. La especie tipo es: Acidosasa chinensis C.D.Chu & C.S.Chao
Etimología
Acidosasa nombre genérico que proviene del latín acidum (agrio) y Sasa (otro género de bambú), refiriéndose a los brotes comestibles.

Especies aceptadas
A continuación se brinda un listado de las especies del género Acidosasa aceptadas hasta noviembre de 2013, ordenadas alfabéticamente. Para cada una se indica el nombre binomial seguido del autor, abreviado según las convenciones y usos.
 Acidosasa breviclavata W.T.Lin
 Acidosasa brilletii (A.Camus) C.S.Chao & S.A.Renvoize
 Acidosasa chinouensis (T.H.Wen) C.S.Chao & T.H.Wen
 Acidosasa chinensis C.D.Chu & C.S.Chao
 Acidosasa edulis (Wen) T.H.Wen
 Acidosasa guangxiensis Q.H.Dai & C.F.Huang
 Acidosasa lingchuanensis (C.D. Chu & C.S. Chao) Q.Z.Xie & X.Y.Chen
 Acidosasa nanunica (McClude)C.S.Chao & G.Y.Yang
 Acidosasa notata (Z.P.Wang & G.H.Ye) S.S.You
 Acidosasa purpurea (Hsueh & Yi) P.C.Keng
 Acidosasa venusta (McClure) Z.P.Wang & G.H.Ye

Véase también
 Terminología descriptiva de las plantas
 Anexo:Cronología de la botánica
 Historia de la Botánica
 Características de las primuláceas

Referencias

Bibliografía
 Chao, C. & S. A. Renvoize. 1989. A revision of the species described under Arundinaria (Gramineae) in southeast Asia and Africa. Kew Bull. 44(2): 349–367.
 Clayton, W. D. & S. A. Renvoize. 1986. Genera graminum. Grasses of the world. Kew Bull., Addit. Ser. 13: 1–389.
 Li, Z. L. 1997. The Flora of China Bambusoideae project -- problems and current understanding of bamboo taxonomy in China. Chp. 5: 61–81. In G. P. Chapman Bamboos. Academic Press, New York.
 Missouri Botanical Garden. MO Generic Names in Use

Enlaces externos
 Imágenes en Google
  Grassbase - The World Online Grass Flora

Arundinarieae


text:
With the Passion of God
A Sermon for 2 September 2018
Once in the three-year cycle of the lectionary, we are taken into the Song of Solomon. Today happens to be that day. True confession from me is that early in my ministry as a solo pastor, a wise retired English professor named Ivol asked me to co-lead a study of Song of Solomon at the assisted living facility where she lived. She said: "I'll handle the poetic context and you handle the theology." The request alone should tell you something about the spunk of the woman I was dealing with! Soon, we were watching the chin-hit-the-table reactions of the ladies who Ivol wrangled up to attend. Several of them would blush as Ivol recited the steamy poetry of Song of Solomon. Giggling they would say: "I had no idea such things were in the bible! We certainly were NOT taught this as little girls in Sunday School!" . . . To ensure none of us find ourselves in our twilight years unaware of the full range of Holy Scripture, listen to a reading from Song of Solomon 2:8-17, 8:6-7. Listen for God's word to us.
"The voice of my beloved! Look, he comes, leaping upon the mountains, bounding over the hills. My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag. Look, there he stands behind our wall, gazing in at the windows, looking through the lattice. My beloved speaks and says to me: "Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away; for now the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree puts forth its figs, and the vines are in blossom; they give forth fragrance. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away. O my dove, in the clefts of the rock, in the covert of the cliff, let me see your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely. Catch us the foxes, the little foxes, that ruin the vineyards— for our vineyards are in blossom. My beloved is mine and I am his; he pastures his flock among the lilies. Until the day breathes and the shadows flee, turn, my beloved, be like a gazelle or a young stag on the cleft mountains."
And from chapter 8: "Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm; for love is strong as death, passion fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, a raging flame. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it. If one offered for love all the wealth of one's house, it would be utterly scorned."
What is your favorite love song? Every generation has them. Remember: "You must remember this: a kiss is still a kiss, a sigh is just a sigh. The fundamental things apply. As time goes by" (As Time Goes By, by Frank Sinatra). When I was approaching adulthood, many loved the one about star-crossed lovers from two different worlds. Even if they couldn't be together, Whitney Houston crooned: "I will always love you!" (I will Always Love You, Whitney Houston). . . . What about love songs for God? Isn't it one of the reasons so many cherish the hymn Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound? It's a rousing song of our love, our deep appreciation, our absolute devotion to God – the One of grace who doesn't have to be so dedicated to us; but is. From the haunting Lenten tune of What Wondrous Love is This, O my soul, O my soul to More Love to Thee, O Christ. Such songs can strike a chord that resonates all the way to the deepest places in our hearts.
Song of Solomon can do that, or the Song of Songs as the book of the bible often is called. But this little eight-chapter book squeezed in between Ecclesiastes and Isaiah gets minimal respect. Chances are high that most Christians never have read it. In fact, it's been proclaimed the most secular book of the bible because God is nowhere referenced in it. There's not even mention of the standard holy-stuff like praying, or fasting, or observing religious celebrations. There's not one lick of typical God-infused scripture here. Nonetheless, it's in here – ancient Israel's kind of love song. Actually, it's a collection of beautiful love songs – passionate descriptions of love and two lovers' visions of one another. And it just so happens to be the songs of two whose love was considered unacceptable in their time. One mate is believed to be Solomon, the great wise king of the Israelites, famed son of King David. Though some scholars believe it's just attributed to him as a way to make it an acceptable inclusion in Holy Scripture. The other lover seems to be an unexpected choice – which she herself declares in chapter 1:5-6: "I am black and beautiful, O daughters of Jerusalem . . . do not gaze at me because I am dark, because the sun has gazed on me. My mother's sons were angry with me; they made me keeper of the vineyards, but my own vineyard I have not kept!" She's not like all the others her beloved could have chosen. Her skin is dark from being forced to do manual labor beneath the hot sun. No one would consider her fit for a king. It's the oldest love story out there, right? Whether class or race or both is the issue, we can't be sure. Nor do we know what great wrong caused the anger of her mother's sons to burn against her. Was she born by one other than her brothers' father? O had her brothers caught their little sister sneaking off before? History has not left us the code to unlock the mystery. But, throughout this love song, we do learn that the two lovers had to fight for their right to love. In their day it was unheard of for two people from such differing backgrounds being together! The sneers of Jerusalem's daughters lurk around every corner. The lovers have to sneak off to the fields in order to be together, hastily seeing one another between this duty and that. Never being able openly to display their love without being despised. Likely it made their love grow stronger. Perhaps their poetry became the place to passionately declare their right to love whomever, no matter the prevailing cultural norms. In their writing is their insistence on loving whomever their heart desires.
And it's pretty steamy! Filled with surprisingly sensual language, it sounds more like one of those Harlequin Romance novels than ancient Holy text. Here's how the book begins. The lover pleads: "Kiss me with the kisses of your mouth! For your love is better than wine, your anointing oils are fragrant, your name is perfume poured out; . . . draw me after you, let us make haste" (1:2-4a). And in chapter 4:9-10, the lover proclaims: "You have ravished my heart, you have ravished my heart with a glance of your eyes, with one jewel of your necklace. How sweet is your love . . . how much better is your love than wine, and the fragrance of your oils than any spice." And then there's 5:1 and following where the lover proclaims: "'Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my perfect one; for my head is wet with dew, my locks with the drops of the night.'" She responds: "I had put off my garment; how could I put it on again? I had bathed my feet; how could I soil them? My beloved thrust his hand into the opening, and my inmost being yearned for him." Then, of course, these Songs contain my favorite parts – the lovers' descriptions of one another. Here's what 'ole Romeo declares to Juliet: "Your navel is a rounded bowl that never lacks mixed wine. Your belly is a heap of wheat . . . your two breasts are like two fawns, your neck is like an ivory tower, your eyes are pools in Heshbon, . . . your nose is like a tower of Lebanon" (7:2-4) WHATEVER??!!! It sounds like he's calling her some sort of big-nosed, giraffe-necked, pot-bellied freak with deer for a chest! CLEARLY this poetic beauty is lost on our post-modern imaginations.
So what's the deal? What's the Song of Solomon doing in Scripture and how in the world did it EVER make it into the lectionary – even if only for one week in the three-year cycle? . . . Well, a lot – a lot of good that is. And not just as an allegory of the love between God and the soul or Christ and the Church as some over the years have considered the Song of Solomon. This little book is in the bible and it has the power to do a world of good as a celebration of human love – a helpful corrective for us. Because think about it: what messages have made their way down through history about passion? It's something to stay away from, right? Something to be feared! Passion lies in the realm of uncontrollable, irrational emotion. Passion can cause us to do crazy things – spontaneous things – out of control actions. Think young love first pulling you into it's grip!
Of passionate love, one commentator writes: "to be in love is to live beyond the boundaries of the self." Love moves us into the realm where human and divine can merge – where we can get a good education in loving and being loved (Feasting on the Word, Yr. B, Vol. 4; Julia M. O'Brien, p. 5). Indeed, it is one of God's greatest gifts – to open ourselves to the mystery of the passion moving in us. . . . And if for another human being in this world, then how much more for the Holy One, who has gone to great depths for us? Isn't it time we fervently sing our love songs to the One who got more than a bit passionate in loving an entire creation? Getting physical, as God took on human flesh to walk among us, fiercely loving for our welfare. Definitively showing in Christ that love indeed is stronger than death. Passion is fiercer than the grave!
Song of Solomon invites us to love. To give of ourselves to one another like the One who passionately loves us every day and at last, beyond the grave. Brothers and sisters of Christ, celebrating the great gift, in our human love; let us love with the passion of God!
In the name of that Life-giving Father, that Life-redeeming Son, and that Life-sustaining Spirit, Amen.
This entry was posted in Sermons and tagged 2 September 2018, Human Love, Love Songs, Loving Despite Cultural Norms, Passion, Passionate Love for God, Song of Solomon 2:8-17, Song of Solomon 8:6-7, Unexpected Lovers on September 5, 2018 by RevJule.
Lent Lesson #2: Fiery
A Sermon for 4 March 2018 – 3rd Sunday during Lent
A reading from the gospel of John 2:13-22. Listen for God's word to us.
"The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. 15 Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 He told those who were selling the doves, "Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father's house a marketplace!" 17 His disciples remembered that it was written, "Zeal for your house will consume me." 18 The Jews then said to him, "What sign can you show us for doing this?" 19 Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." 20 The Jews then said, "This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?" 21 But he was speaking of the temple of his body. 22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken."
It's the third Sunday amid the season of Lent. And how interesting that the gospel reading assigned in the lectionary for today takes us back to the second chapter of the gospel of John. Right to a story that doubtfully ever will be depicted on a sanctuary stained-glass window! Seemingly in contrast to the gentle Jesus who carries the little lambs, the story of Jesus entering the Temple to throw over the money-changers is not often told to youngsters. It appears in all four gospels, which is one way the early church proclaimed to listeners: now hear ye! This one MUST be included in any understanding of the Christ! In the Synoptics of Matthew, Mark, and Luke; the wild-eyed, resolute Jesus cleanses the Temple as one of his last acts in Jerusalem before his arrest and crucifixion. But in the gospel of John at the outset of his public ministry, the first time we hear of Jesus going up to Jerusalem for the Passover; he's pouring out coins, throwing over tables, cracking a whip to rid his Father's house of that which he finds an utter disgrace.
While some point back to this event as the time Jesus got really really mad, righteous anger fuming like smoke from his ears; zeal is the word that is used. The gospel of John declares that zeal for the LORD's house consumes him – which is not about anger at all! Right about now we well-reasoning Presbyterians should be warned. The gospel's taking us into the depths of an energy many tend to shy away from: passion! That upwelling of energy that moves us into the amazing. That intensity of emotion that leaves us feeling absolutely alive! . . . Webster's defines zeal as an enthusiastic, intense interest – as in a cause or ideal. Also known as ardor. Another unfamiliar attribute today. Ardor is warmth of emotion, intense heat, red-hot burning passion. Which by the way is not just about something sexual as seems today's only acceptable realm for such intensity. Though truth be told, most in our post-modern culture are misdirected regarding passion in that realm too!
Here in the gospel of John, the story of Christ decidedly begins with passion. Jesus' upsurge of intense energy that will not allow the house of God to continue to be desecrated. It might be helpful to point out a few things about the context of Jesus' act. First, it was Passover. The annual festival when Jesus and his people celebrated freedom from the Pharaoh. Release from the bonds of Egypt. When God saw the people miserably enslaved for the benefit of the Pharaoh's economy, God found Moses. Ardently consuming a bush that was not burned up, the LORD declared: "Go to Pharaoh to let my people go!" (Exodus 3). Passover was the annual institution for a free people to remember and rejoice! God delivers in order for a liberated people to give great thanks. In order for a people to be an alternative light to all the nations. Imagine the affront to such freedom the buying and selling of animals caused. The exchange of the emperor's money inside the Temple gates in order for the annual Temple tax to be paid by every Jew of the nation. Of Jesus and the money-changers, one author writes: "had the traders been confined to the streets around the Temple, all would have been well. The (Jewish) Talmud records that a certain Babha Ben Buta had been the first to introduce 3,000 sheep of the flocks of Kedar into the Court of the Gentiles. His profane example was eagerly followed, until in Jesus' day the stench and filth of the flocks of penned sheep and oxen filled the air as they were bargained for by the traders and visiting pilgrims." Thus, the author continues, "Jesus made a whip of cords and drove them all, including the cattle and sheep, from the Temple area. To those who sold doves he said: 'Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father's house into a market!'" (Robert Backhouse, The Kregel Pictorial Guide to the Temple, 1996; p. 22). What God has made free, let none re-enslave!
It also might be helpful to know the layout of Herod's massive Temple. The Second Temple, which was even grander than the First Temple built by King Solomon that ended up destroyed when the people were exiled by the Babylonians. Nearly six hundred years later, the Second Temple was the expanded spot for God's people to gather. Imagine something like a massive medieval cathedral with an exterior wall enclosing 36 acres on "the top of the hill on which the city stood" (Ibid., p. 12). That's like four times bigger than the entire building and property of this congregation. The Temple expansion Herod began in 19 B.C. finally was completed in 64 A.D. – thirty-some years after Jesus' resurrection and a handful of years before Rome destroyed forever all but a portion of the Western-facing wall. Around an impressive edifice in the center of the 36 acres, stood a four-and-a-half-foot wall called the Wall of Partition. At the punishment of death, only Jewish men or women could traverse it. One author describes what was found inside: "Passing within the Wall of Partition, a flight of 12 steps led up to an area 9 feet higher, where the Women's Gate and the Gate of the Pure and Just gave access to a paved court known as the Court of Prayer. At the end of this court, on a semi-circular raised dais, sacrifices and gifts were brought to be presented to the LORD. Beyond this was the Court of the Priests, with its great altar of sacrifice and brazen laver for the ceremonial washing of priests." The description includes that: "The porch led into the Sanctuary itself, compromising the Holy Place and the Holiest Place. Inside the Holy Place stood the seven-branched golden lampstand, the table of showbread, and the altar of incense. The Holiest Place was about 30 feet square and 60 feet high and was separated from the Holy Place by a great curtain" (Ibid.). Outside these inner sanctums, sprawled a massive courtyard all the way to the edge of the 36th acre with a thousand-foot in length Temple wall. People from around the world were allowed to be in that part of the Temple in order to make their own prayers to the LORD. It was there, in that massive Court of the Gentiles, where anyone from anywhere might have been able to pray – if not for the ruckus that had become the buying and selling of all things needed for a proper Passover sacrifice.
The gospel of John records the scene in the Court of the Gentiles as that which stoked the fervor of Jesus. The place of prayer for all had become nothing better than a street-fair circus (with lots and lots of animals). The site alone bursts the gates of Jesus' guts so that a fiery furnace flares. It's easy to understand how this scene gets pegged as anger – as an enraged inferno ablaze among bleating sheep, wrestling cattle, and flapping doves. Passion may be so unfamiliar to us that we cannot tell the difference between one who is in a rage and one who is utterly inspired. Zeal puts us among the latter as a force far stronger. Think of the one so on fire for a cause that nothing can stop them. The one whose body and soul has come fully alive as passion courses like racing blood through every cell of their system. Passion is less like out-of-control rage and more like on top of the world vigor. Like the greening that returns to spring grass. The zest that gets one moving – despite any obstacles. I'm pretty sure it's known in Jewish circles as hutzpah – gusto. The bold audacity to get up to try again and again and again.
This is the energy recorded in the gospel of John as the surge of life that engulfs Christ's body at the beginning of his public ministry. Passion: the fiery voice of One living fully alive among us that we might too! . . . Imagine the body of Christ today being infused with such zeal. Coming alive to ensure justice for all to have enough. Space for all to heal. Welcome of any excluded. Peace in every heart and home. Whatever it is that alights our spirits as our deepest concern meets the world's deepest need. Then at last we will know the kernel of Christ's intense energy. The essence of his fiery fierce passion: not anger. But love. Love. Love enacted for all the world to see. May his body today surge with this same zeal!
This entry was posted in Sermons and tagged 4 March 2018 sermon, Ardor, Energy, Herod's Temple, Jesus and the Moneychangers, Jesus Cleanses the Temple, John 2:13-22, Passion, Robert Backhouse, The Second Temple, The Temple, Zeal on March 5, 2018 by RevJule.


Following the arrival of Thomas Brunner in 1847, this tour brings to life the key points in the colourful history of Greymouth, a town built on gold and then coal, exploring some of the eccentric characters that roamed the land searching for gold.
This two hour tour departs from Greymouth at 4.45 to 5pm (pick up from your accommodation) and returns you between 7.00 and 7.15 pm. Cost per-person $45.00 minimum numbers 2.. Group discounts available .


This week, Tim and Frank are talking about America's favorite small-town high schooler: Archie Andrews. The guys review the recent Archie comics reboot and talk about their memories of Archie, Veronica, Betty, and Jughead growing up. Cheers!


Well, Google has done it, they've automated the process of creating new ad variations for your Google AdWords account and they are testing it now live on some of your AdWords campaigns.
Ginny Marvin covered it yesterday but the SEM community is buzzing about it. It is called "ads added by AdWords" and it is exactly that.
Google says "Ads Added by AdWords create these variations of your ad for you, potentially improving your campaign performance." Google said this can increase your ad campaign performance by 5 to 15%. "Ads Added by AdWords are created by Google based on elements of your existing text ads, such as your headlines, keywords, or other information found on your ads' landing page," Google added.
We knew AdWords was doing machine learning for bidding but for creating new ads for you? That is another level.
You can learn a heck of a lot more in this help document. In fact, Aaron Dicks at @impressiontalk built a script that disables this from happening.


Even though vanilla isn't a true bean, it still belongs here. This orchid fruit has one of the most distinctive tastes of all. This is a creamy vanilla flavor that others try to copy. You will enjoy vaping on this one.
I love, love, love this Vanilla Classic. I mix it with the Cherry flavor. Please never discontinue this or the Cherry!!


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The Vehement Vegetarian Club
April 10, 2014 RamPage Jamesville-DeWitt High School
By Chloe Drescher and Bora Nanaj
Assistant Managing Editor of Promotions and Staff Writer
"Given that eating animals is in absolutely no way necessary for my family — unlike some in the world, we have easy access to a wide variety of other foods — should we eat animals?" asked Jonathan Safran Foer in his book "Eating Animals." This is the book that influenced Jamesville-DeWitt High School students to restart the Vegetarian Club. "Lots of people in [AP Language and Composition] seemed to care about what was talked about in the book," said junior Tal Frieden. He thought starting this club would be a great way to get people more involved about thinking about what they eat. "I didn't realize it would be such a huge impact," said AP Language and Composition teacher Courtney Romeiser. "They have such enthusiasm," she added.
The goal of this club is to "let students know that it's not all or nothing, you can make lots of choices in the spectrum," said English teacher Connie Myers-Kelly, the club's adviser. Whether it's being a vegetarian or pescatarian for a week, a day, or even a couple of months, the Vegetarian Club helps to introduce students to a healthier and new lifestyle. "Ultimately we want to support people to learn more about new recipes or to try a more vegetarian lifestyle," said Mrs. Myers-Kelly.
"The club is really fun, and it's good to have a support system of people who share the same eating habits as I do," said senior Victoria Roney, a vegetarian in the club. Physical Education teacher Emily Rowles believes that the Vegetarian Club is "a great outlet for people to talk about their eating habits." The Vegetarian Club meets every Monday in Mrs. Myers-Kelly's room.
The Vegetarian Club has a lot of ideas to get students more involved. In the near future there will be a two week trial called Pledge To Be Veg where people who aren't currently vegetarians can try it out. During this trial nonvegetarians will be paired with a mentor, someone who has been a vegetarian for a while, to help them get through the process.The mentor will share recipes and cook with their partner to help make the change easier and livable. With this trial Frieden hopes to raise awareness for vegetarianism, get people to think more thoroughly about their eating habits and hopefully decrease the amount of meat that they consume.
The Vegetarian Club also has other plans for the year. In addition to field trips to a local vegan cafe, Strong Hearts, and preparing vegetarian meals together, this club has planned to create a J-DHS vegetarian cookbook. "We are working on bringing our own vegetarian, vegan and even gluten free recipes together in this book," said Freiden. "Hopefully it will be part of the library at J-DHS and even on sale at some point," he added.
Vegetarians and vegans are popping up all around the country and J-DHS, and not just because of the book. "I decided to be a vegetarian because I didn't like eating animals for environmental reasons," said junior and club member Emily O'Connor. O'Connor has been a vegetarian for seven years. Chemistry teacher Theresa Groman, became a vegetarian 11 years ago for similar reasons. "I love animals and I wanted to save resources because it takes a lot of energy to raise animals for their meat," Groman said. "I don't like meat, and I feel bad when I eat it," said freshman Cearra Green, who has been a vegetarian for two years.
Another reason that people choose to be vegetarian is for the health benefits. "I just recently became a vegetarian for health reasons, and I'm excited to learn more about it through the club," said senior Taylor Riley. Chemistry teacher Amy Boettger has been a vegetarian for nine years and also became one for a more healthy lifestyle.
Some students who aren't currently vegetarians joined Vegetarian Club to learn about the lifestyle. Freshman Jamie Rieger joined the Vegetarian Club to see if it will motivate her to become a vegetarian. Freshman Maddie Scullion joined the club for similar reasons. "I'm not a vegetarian, but I thought it would be fun to join. I won't become a full vegetarian, but I may try to cut out eating meat at home," Scullion said.
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As Wisconsin's population became more urban there was a growing interest in gardening as a leisure activity and source of civic pride. Filled with period and contemporary images, recommended plant lists, and garden layouts, Vintage Wisconsin Gardens will interest those curious about the history of the state's cultural landscape and inspire readers to restore or reconstruct period gardens.
200 pages, 135 color and b/w photos and illus., 8" x 9", 1.25 lbs.


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The Fruits of Your Suffering: A Letter to My Refugee Mom
NAM/Diacritics, First Person, Adrienne Minh-Chau Le
Adrienne Minh-Chau Le's "Letter To My Refugee Mom" is what the title suggests it is – a straightforward, sincere, moving epistolary spoken by one generation toward the legacy of sorrow and struggles of an older generation. While the events (war, exodus, refugee life) that Le's "letter" addresses have their roots in historic events of four decades past, the themes in this piece are no less relevant in today's world – which we all know has its share of continuing war(s) and refugee crises. Le's letter is a particular account, that will surely resonate on a collective level.
When I ask what you remember most vividly from the day that Saigon fell, you remember people's sad eyes.
You were home alone when the South Vietnamese government surrendered on April 30, 1975. You ran outside in disbelief, joining your neighbors on the street. There were tanks — American tanks — coming down your streets, displaying the wrong flag, being driven by the wrong soldiers.
You wanted to cry but the tears wouldn't come. You were 22 years old and two months pregnant with your first baby girl.
In the years that followed the fall of Saigon, every fiber of your body was bent towards finding a way. At first, you were finding a way to survive under the new regime — finding a way to live with the raids, the burning of your precious books, the agony of having your father and brothers taken away to "re-education" camps, the unpaid field labor, the hunger, the repeated changing and depreciation of currency that left you with nothing, and nothing, and then nothing. But your country had become unrecognizable. Fear and secrecy ruled your life, and the only way to survive was to leave.
It took two years to plan the escape, and you had to hide it from everyone, including your parents. Everyone knew that escaping by sea most likely meant dying, and your mother wouldn't be able to take it if she found out. Two days before getting on the boat, you went home and looked into your father's eyes; they had grown old and clouded with cataracts. You asked him to tell your mother you were leaving.
He crumpled to the floor, right there in the doorway, and cried. "Let me send a younger brother with you," he pleaded. Of the 12 children, two sons were still in re-education and two were at home, at risk of being drafted into the Communist army. It was too much weight to bear. You promised him you would find a way.
The first time I saw you cry, we were watching a video of your father's funeral. You weren't able to fly back to Vietnam to attend. I asked what was wrong, and you explained that Grandpa was in that blue thing that looked like a vase. I imagined him sitting in a fetal position in that urn. I didn't really understand, but I cried because you were crying.
You left Vietnam in 1979 on a moonless night, on a small fishing boat with your husband, your brother, your three-year-old baby, and 21 other people. For three nights and four days you were seasick, but you thought of only one thing: go far out to sea, away from Vietnam. When Thai pirates chased your boat, you shut your eyes tight and prayed to Quan Âm, the Buddha of Mercy, for you had heard the stories about looting and rape. Your prayers were answered, and somehow the pirates lost track of your boat.
On the fourth night, you saw land. But when you got to the shore, you watched your husband, brother, and the other men get beaten by the Malaysian police — taking rifle blows to the head. You spent that night shivering on the beach, hugging your baby close and wondering how people could be so cruel. The next day, you were put on a ship with 300 other people and no engine, towed out to the middle of the sea, and left there to die.
Exhausted and delirious with hunger, you lay down in a corner of the ship, too frail to move or even speak when a man unknowingly urinated on you in the dark. When you regained consciousness, an Indonesian naval ship had arrived to rescue you.
You talk about your life in the refugee camp with a kind of fondness. You found work there, sewing clothes for local people and other refugees, and made new outfits for your baby with leftover fabric. You laugh as you tell me how your brother would shoo away people who pooped near your sleeping place and how the two of you would rush across the threshold between islands as the tide rose, carrying bundles of fruit that you'd collected and would later sell. When the water reached your thighs, he would urge you to go first so that he'd be the one to drown if the tide rose too quickly. Neither of you knew how to swim.
You say you survived because heaven loved you. After eight months in the refugee camp, perfect strangers at a church in Knoxville, Tennessee sponsored you to come to the dream land. Your fight to survive and thrive in America is a whole other story that deserves to be told — the success of which you attribute as much to the graciousness of others as you do to your own iron will.
Maybe that's what's most incredible about all this, Mom: when you tell me these stories, there is no hint of bitterness in your voice. At times you whisper, you sigh, you exclaim, you laugh, your eyes get sad. But over all there's just a calm acceptance that this is what your life has been.
I sit with you on the floor of your bedroom, having finally gathered the courage to fly home and ask properly for you to tell me about your life so that I can record it. We talk in Vietnamese, a language I speak and understand because of you. But how can I ever truly understand what you have lived through, or what it means for me to inherit this history?
I have grown up so comfortably eating the fruits of your suffering.
I'm 24 years old now, just about as old as you were when you left Vietnam with my big sister in your arms. From the moment I entered this world as your second baby girl, I have never wanted for anything. Heaven willing, I will never know the hunger and desperation that defined your twenties. It's amazing how much can change in a generation. You have never hesitated to tell me how proud you are of me. And yet, with all the privileges I have as a healthy young woman with a Yale degree, nothing I accomplish can compare to what you've done.
You transformed your suffering so that I never felt it, never saw it hidden deep inside the wellspring of your love, until I was old enough to be curious and started digging. I know you don't want me to, but I cry for you when I think about your past. It makes me want to do everything for you — and I do. You have always told me that my blood is your blood, that my bones are your bones. I am you and you are me. Your past is mine, the present is ours, and my future is yours. Everything I do in this life is for you, Mom. I hope you feel that.
Related storiy: Our Vietnamese Hearts
Adrienne Minh-Chau Le is a writer, mindfulness practitioner, and non-profit consultant based in New York City. She is an alumna of Yale University and the daughter of Vietnamese refugees.
This post is part of diaCRITICS' Vietnamese American Literary Series, OUT OF THE MARGINS, launched in 2015-16. The series curates literary work from poets, writers and artists of Vietnamese-American and Vietnamese diasporic experience. Our mission is to create an inclusive, diverse, provocative, ongoing space for voices and visions from this community, thus bringing them out of the margins. Dao Strom is the series editor and curator. This essay was initially published on the public radio program On Being.
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We are growing a community of supportive, beautiful "wise women". The world needs us now more than ever!
We will gather together in a women's circle to meditate and continue to practice the magic of cultivating inner vision and setting an intention with the powerful transformative energy of the solar eclipse of this upcoming new moon! Explore how the rhythms of the moon guide you to plant your vision seed, bring it to fullness, and incorporate the effects of having practiced that intention over the month. Come sip a delicious tea prepared by Robin Rose with fresh and seasonal herbs, light a candle, and experience a new sense of connection and purpose in your life. Other surprises in store!
Robin Rose Bennett, founder of Wisewoman Healing Ways: Herbal Medicine and EarthSpirit Teachings, has been offering classes and events since 1986 at herb conferences, festivals, community clinics, medical and nursing schools, and most joyously, outside with the plants in community gardens, public parks, and on city streets. She is the author of Healing Magic- A Green Witch Guidebook to Conscious Living-10th anniversary edition and The Gift of Healing Herb- Plant Medicines and Home Remedies for a Vibrantly Healthy Life. For more information on our lovely presenter, please visit: www.RobinRoseBennett.com.
*Cash, credit cards and checks made payable to "Country Flow Yoga" are accepted forms of payment.


To say people are excited about the return of Game of Thrones is an understatement. More viewers are tuning in to watch the HBO series than ever before. The promise of another colorful wedding is only part of the appeal; the furthering of unexpected relationships and the welcome presence of characters both old and new give the season an interesting kickoff. I'm a fan of both the A Song of Ice and Fire books and the television series, so the chance to interview the actors behind two of the series' most interesting characters was sent from whatever heaven in which a good portion of the Stark clan now rests.
Those characters are Brienne of Tarth and Oberyn Martell, better known as the Red Viper. Stepping out of their roles and elaborate costumes, Gwendoline Christie and Pedro Pascal prove to be infinitely more delightful than their characters. That fact made it a whole lot easier to spend some time nerding out with them.
"All I did was nerd out until I realized I had to concentrate and play a part," admits Pascal, who joined the show this season. Long before he joined the cast, right after Tom DiCillo's Living in Oblivion was released in 1995, Pascal approached Peter Dinklage on the street.
"I can tell you exactly what street it was -- it's so creepy," he laughs. "I told him how much I loved his performance in that, and years later, now I get to act with him." Pascal still hasn't revealed that story to his costar.
Also an immense fan of the show, Christie was especially in love with the books.
"It surpassed all my expectations, and I thought they were some of the most unconventional narratives I'd ever come across," she says. She was most interested in the women of the novels, especially that of her character, Brienne. Asked how often a role like that comes along, she says, "I wish I could say regularly. It's rare, but it's encouraging to me that a part like this, that so many of the female characters on the show, have proved to be so popular."
They're not only popular but also defiant to gender stereotypes. But where many viewers see Brienne as a mere knight, Christie sees far more.
"There's something about that combination of physical strength and beautiful inner vulnerability, as well as the glorious optimism and romance," she says. Those qualities inspire her to consider female archetypes and make her proud to play such an impactful role.
Hand in hand with gender discussion comes that of sexuality. Merely implied in A Storm of Swords, the Red Viper's bisexuality was thrust upon the audience during the fourth season's premiere.
"It's really just an element that is the richness of this person's character," Pascal says. "He's a person who does what he wants, when he wants, and he doesn't think about consequence. He's also somebody who refuses to limit himself of experience. It doesn't make sense to him to not grab at the opportunity to experience something beautiful no matter what shape it comes in."
That mindset makes Oberyn such an appealing, and unpredictable, character. Pascal has chosen to keep the show's future as unpredictable as possible. He sidesteps what fate someone with a hefty revengenda (a term lovingingly stolen from ABC's Revenge) might meet in Westeros.
"They always find a way to surprise the audience," Pascal says. "If you've read the books, you know that events are honored and well-told, but they still find a way to mix things up." That, along with other things, should keep fans of both the book and the show watching on a weekly basis.
As interesting as these characters are, they'd be nothing without fascinating interactions. For Pascal, a lot of that shows in the way Oberyn "just wedges himself in the center of King's Landing. He doesn't waste any time telling anyone why he's there, so it opens up a lot of possibilities of who he may interact with."
That results in the opportunity for intimate, one-on-one scenes, and not just of the sexual or violent kind, although Pascal assures he's spent plenty of time combat-training for upcoming scenes.
"There are scenes that have the same kind of dramatic tension as an enormous battle," he says. "Sometimes, it was pretty intimidating to go up against people I've admired as much as I have over the years."
In that same vein, Christie finds what's coming for Brienne this season to be just as interesting. She never expected to see Brienne placed into situations with Olenna or Margaery, but she believes it stays true to developing her character.
"We've already seen Brienne being placed in these situations that she doesn't know how to navigate," she says. "What I love is that we see the development of a woman with a sense of innocence developing reflective thought and being shaped by experience." Christie assures some pretty out-there experiences occurring in the fourth season.
One of her favorite moments, both in the books and the show, was the bathtub scene between Jaime Lannister and her character.
"The reason I found it beautiful was that they get into this emotional world together, and he reveals the man that he shields from everybody. For Brienne, the moment she stands up to him and says, 'Do not mock me,' to me, it was kind of like a birth for the character."
That scene rings true to her sentiments on the character and that hidden femininity under the hard exterior. It's one of the things that makes her character so fascinating.
"She embraces her womanhood," Christie says. "She isn't wearing her armor; she isn't protected by a metal suit of armor. She's just herself, and she stands up to him in that moment."
As that scene, and many others, show, it's clear that creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss (as well as executive producer and author George R.R. Martin) know exactly what they're doing.
"Whatever happens, you know it's in good hands," Christie says.
As for the fans and whether the actors are prepared to deal with their intensity, Pascal welcomes them with open arms.
"It's so exciting to be a part of this, and I really respect the fans. If they approach me with kindness, that would mean a job well done, which would make me really happy."
Juan Antonio Barquin co-runs a film criticism site, Dim the House Lights, and works as an arts writer for New Times. He aspires to be Bridget Jones and loves genre flicks.


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in Artists, Awards, Model, National Pageant, National Winners, News, News
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Meet Mr. India 2019, Syed Zain from Karnataka
Syed Zain, Rubaru Mr India 2019 from Karnataka.
by Gagan Singh May 4, 2019, 12:23 pm 10.4k Views
India's most handsome man was recently elected in Mumbai. He is this year's winner of the prestigious Rubaru Mr India pageant, Syed Zain. He hails from the Indian state of Karnataka and won the sixteenth edition of Rubaru Mr India pageant concluded on April 30, 2019 at Sea Princess hotel in the alpha world city, Mumbai. Apart from winning the prestigious title, he also won special award for Mr Photogenic at the said pageant. The event was organized by Rubaru Group.
Zain belongs to the city of Bengaluru in Karnataka. He holds a degree in engineering and technology from Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Technology and is a model by profession. This very good looking 24 year-old doe eyed Indian gentleman stands 6 feet tall and has black hair and black eyes. At the Rubaru Mr India pageant, he got noticed for his very dynamic and strong personality, captivating looks, and remarkable stage presence. His on-stage presentation and confidence were two of his greatest strengths during the pageant. Apart from all this, it was his very charming smile and dreamy eyes that made him shine in the crowd. He also won first runner up title at Rubaru Mr South India International 2019, prior to winning the Rubaru Mr India 2019 pageant. His hobbies are console gaming, functional training and going on long drives.
Syed Zain while receiving the special award for Mr Photogenic from Rubaru Miss India Elite 2016, Divya Shetty and ace Indian fashion photographer, Amit Khanna.
This year 38 candidates competed for the title of Rubaru Mr India 2019. At the pageant, the candidates were judged on various parameters like confidence, personality, looks, fitness, nature, communication skills, on and off stage presentation, on and off camera presentation, runway skills and many more. The candidates took part in different segments of the pageant that included individual interviews, formal wear round, ethnic wear round and health and fitness round. The final judgement was made taking under consideration the performances of the candidates during all these preliminary events and the overall performance of each candidate during and prior to the finale.
Syed Zain with the vice president of Rubaru Mr India pageant, Pankaj Kharbanda.
The Mr, India pageant is an annual event in India. It is owned by Rubaru Group, led by its founder and president, Sandeep Kumar. The event began as a regional modelling competition in Northern part of India in the year 2004 and gradually became India's foremost male pageant. The Rubaru Mr India pageant is regarded as the biggest and oldest running annual pageant for men in India. Since its inception in the year 2004, the pageant has sent India's representatives to more than 15 different international modelling competitions and pageants for men. It also holds the record of being associated with the maximum number of international pageant organizations in India.
At the Rubaru Mr India pageant, Zain got noticed for his very dynamic and strong personality, captivating looks, and remarkable stage presence.
The parent organization of Rubaru Mr India pageant produces five beauty pageants and modelling events annually. They are Rubaru Mister India pageant, one of the oldest and most celebrated pageants for men in Asia; Miss Supermodel Worldwide, the very first international modelling competition for women headquartered in South Asia; Mister Model Worldwide, the first ever international modelling competition for men headquartered in South Asia; Rubaru Mr and Miss Junior India, a talent and fashion event for kids and the Rubaru Miss India Elite pageant.
This very good looking doe-eyed Indian gentleman is an avid traveller and also enjoys going on long drives.
Rubaru Mr India pageant has produced maximum number of international awards winners than any other male pageant or male modelling competition in India. It is also cited at the "goldmine of handsome faces" in India for producing exceptionally good looking and handsome titleholders. Over the years, the Rubaru Mr India pageant has produced several notable titleholders who have brought laurels and pride to the world's largest democracy, India.
Previous article Pankaj Joon from Haryana won Rubaru Mr India Landscapes International 2019 title
Next article Rishabh Kumar from New Delhi won Rubaru Mr India Global 2019


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Q: Change logging format of SpringBoot - micrometer to JSON I have a SpringBoot application that uses micrometer to print out application metrics.
My pom.xml has:
<dependency>
    <groupId>io.micrometer</groupId>
    <artifactId>micrometer-core</artifactId>
    <version>1.1.3</version>
</dependency>

My Config class is:
@Configuration
public class CoreConfiguration {

    public static final String USER_REQUEST_CHANNEL = "userRequestChannel";
    public static final String USER_RESPONSE_CHANNEL = "userResponseChannel";
    public static final String MDC_ADD = "add";
    public static final String DONE_CHANNEL = "nullChannel";
    public static final String ADMIN_REQUEST_CHANNEL = "adminRequestChannel";
    public static final String ADMIN_RESPONSE_CHANNEL = "adminResponseChannel";
    public static final String SUPPORT_COMPLETED_CHANNEL = "supportCompletedChannel";
    public static final String SUPPORT_RUNNING_CHANNEL = "nullChannel";
    public static final String SUPPORT_ERROR_CHANNEL = "nullChannel";

    @Bean(name = USER_REQUEST_CHANNEL)
    public MessageChannel oAuthRequestChannel() {
        return MessageChannels.direct().get();
    }

    @Bean(name = USER_RESPONSE_CHANNEL)
    public MessageChannel oAuthResponseChannel() {
        return MessageChannels.direct().get();
    }

    @Bean(name = FIRST_TRADE_CHANNEL)
    public MessageChannel firstTradeChannel() {
        return MessageChannels.direct().get();
    }

    @Bean(name = ADMIN_REQUEST_CHANNEL)
    public MessageChannel instructionExecutionRequestChannel() {
        return MessageChannels.direct().get();
    }

    @Bean(name = ADMIN_RESPONSE_CHANNEL)
    public MessageChannel instructionExecutionResponseChannel() {
        return MessageChannels.direct().get();
    }

    @Bean(name = SUPPORT_COMPLETED_CHANNEL)
    public MessageChannel groupExecutionCompletedChannel() {
        return MessageChannels.direct().get();
    }

    /**
     * Turn on the Micrometer log file metrics.
     *
     * @return
     */
    @Bean
    public LoggingMeterRegistry loggingMeterRegistry(@Value("${micrometer.log.minutes}") long minutes) {
        LoggingRegistryConfig config = new LoggingRegistryConfig() {
            @Override
            public String get(String s) {
                return null;
            }

            @Override
            public Duration step() {
                return Duration.ofMinutes(minutes);
            }
        };
        return LoggingMeterRegistry.builder(config).build();
    }
}

USAGE IN CLASS:
public IntegrationFlow processRequest(HttpRequest request) {
    return IntegrationFlows.from(INPUT_CHANNEL)
            .enrichHeader(m -> m.headerExpression(REQUEST_ID,"payload.message.headers." + REQUEST_ID))
            .log(LoggingHandler.Level.DEBUG, CoreConfiguration.class.getName(), m -> {
                Throwable t = (Throwable) m.getPayload();
                return throwableToString(t);})
            .get();
}

I see the output of the metrics written to my log file as:

2019-02-25 14:40:23,337 | INFO  | [logging-metrics-publisher] |
  [meter.core.instrument.logging.LoggingMeterRegistry] | MY_SAMPLE_APP |
  userId = [] | jvm.memory.max{area=heap,id=PS Survivor Space}
  value=12.5 MiB

How do I log out in JSON format?
WHAT I NEED:
{
"ts": "2019-02-25 14:40:23,337" ,
"level" : "INFO",
"className" : "meter.core.instrument.logging.LoggingMeterRegistry",
"appName" : "MY_SAMPLE_APP",
"userId" : "",
"metric" :
        {"metricType": "jvm.memory.max",
         "area":"heap",
         "id":"PS Survivor Space",
         "value":"12.5 MiB"
         }
}

Updating question with code as per Jon's answer.
@Jon, do you think the below code is correct? I have implemented a custom Meter Registry that extends the LoggingMeterRegistry.
The only difference between LoggingMeterRegistry and CustomMeterRegistry is that my custom class print out ID=
In LoggingMeterRegistry: this.loggingSink.accept(print.id() + " throughput=" + print.rate(count));
In CustomMeterRegistry: this.loggingSink.accept("ID=" + print.id() + " throughput=" + print.rate(count));
COMPLETE CODE:
public abstract class SplunkMeterRegistry extends LoggingMeterRegistry {
@Override
protected void publish() {
{
    if (this.config.enabled()) {
        this.getMeters().stream().sorted((m1, m2) -> {
            int typeComp = m1.getId().getType().compareTo(m2.getId().getType());
            return typeComp == 0 ? m1.getId().getName().compareTo(m2.getId().getName()) : typeComp;
        }).forEach((m) -> {
            LoggingMeterRegistry.Printer print = new LoggingMeterRegistry.Printer(m);
            m.use((gauge) -> {
                this.loggingSink.accept("ID=" + print.id() + " value=" + print.value(gauge.value()));
            }, (counter) -> {
                double count = counter.count();
                if (this.config.logInactive() || count != 0.0D) {
                    this.loggingSink.accept("ID=" + print.id() + " throughput=" + print.rate(count));
                }
            }, (timer) -> {
                HistogramSnapshot snapshot = timer.takeSnapshot();
                long count = snapshot.count();
                if (this.config.logInactive() || count != 0L) {
                    this.loggingSink.accept("ID=" + print.id() + " throughput=" + print.unitlessRate((double)count) + " mean=" + print.time(snapshot.mean(this.getBaseTimeUnit())) + " max=" + print.time(snapshot.max(this.getBaseTimeUnit())));
                }
            }, (summary) -> {
                HistogramSnapshot snapshot = summary.takeSnapshot();
                long count = snapshot.count();
                if (this.config.logInactive() || count != 0L) {
                    this.loggingSink.accept("ID=" + print.id() + " throughput=" + print.unitlessRate((double)count) + " mean=" + print.value(snapshot.mean()) + " max=" + print.value(snapshot.max()));
                }
            }, (longTaskTimer) -> {
                int activeTasks = longTaskTimer.activeTasks();
                if (this.config.logInactive() || activeTasks != 0) {
                    this.loggingSink.accept("ID=" + print.id() + " active=" + print.value((double)activeTasks) + " duration=" + print.time(longTaskTimer.duration(this.getBaseTimeUnit())));
                }
            }, (timeGauge) -> {
                double value = timeGauge.value(this.getBaseTimeUnit());
                if (this.config.logInactive() || value != 0.0D) {
                    this.loggingSink.accept("ID=" + print.id() + " value=" + print.time(value));
                }
            }, (counter) -> {
                double count = counter.count();
                if (this.config.logInactive() || count != 0.0D) {
                    this.loggingSink.accept("ID=" + print.id() + " throughput=" + print.rate(count));
                }
            }, (timer) -> {
                double count = timer.count();
                if (this.config.logInactive() || count != 0.0D) {
                    this.loggingSink.accept("ID=" + print.id() + " throughput=" + print.rate(count) + " mean=" + print.time(timer.mean(this.getBaseTimeUnit())));
                }
            }, (meter) -> {
                this.loggingSink.accept("ID=" + print.id() + StreamSupport.stream(meter.measure().spliterator(), false).map((ms) -> {
                    return ms.getStatistic().getTagValueRepresentation() + "=" + DoubleFormat.decimalOrNan(ms.getValue());
                }));
            });
        });
    }

}
}

}

A: You must implement a custom MeterRegistry, perhaps using LoggingMeterRegistry as a reference, that serializes the data in the format you desire. Effectively that's what push-based MeterRegistry implementations are is just different serialization formats for different consumers.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Below is a listing of all Canadian public holidays and Parlamentary mandated observations. Have a look at our calendar with canadian holidays pages for printable calendars with Canadian holidays.
Click on any holiday below for more details and dates for the next 10 years.
New Year's Day marks the first day of the year, January 1st, according to the Gregorian calendar. Many cultures celebrate this day as it marks the end of one year and the beginning of the next. For many, this day is symbolic in that it gives us an opportunity to reflect, look back, to assess our accomplishments and failures, and it marks an opportune time to resolve to make positive changes for the future. Many celebrations occur to ring in the new year including fireworks at midnight, parades, special sporting events, time with family, and for many New Year's Day is a day of recovery from New Year's Eve celebrations the previous night.
Christmas Day is a day in which many Christians around the world celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. There are many religious and cultural celebrations during this time. Some of the most common traditions in Canada, are to erect a Christmas tree, decorate the home, exchange gifts, prepare a special meal with either ham or turkey being the main dish, visit friends and family, and attend a religious ceremony held at a church. Christmas Day occurs annually on December 25.


Closed: Fixed None Opened 3 years ago by botreynisa.
We plan on 31st October and 1st November a two days translation sprint, as Fedora hasn't translate Khmer yet. We need some drink and food for the participants. The expense will provide for two(2)days event.
Glad to see you are planning for Translation sprint. Do coordinate with G11N group,if you need any further help on this. Feel free to raise tickets on G11N trac.
Not only the Translation, i would also like to get feedback on i18n support for Khmer.
Expecting Khmer language group start participating in G11N group activities. i.e. Zanata survey, testing day and planning for Fedora releases.
G11N FAD is happening during same time 55at Tokyo, Japan 1-3 Nov 2015. If anything comes up don't forget to send email on g11n list.
is this ticket ready to reimbursement?
USD 25.12 have just been transferred to gnokii's account. (Reimbursement: USD 24.12, Transaction Fee: USD 1.0, Transfer Calculation: TXAMT=AMT*1.04). Thanks for your contribution to Fedora Project!


You are visiting the placeholder page for Carolyn Davis. This page is here because someone used our placeholder utility to look for Carolyn Davis. We created this page automatically in hopes Carolyn Davis would find it. If you are not Carolyn Davis, but are an alumni of Claymont High School Uhrichsville, OH, register on this site for free now.


This antler business card holder makes a great gift for any hunter. It is made of realistic looking poly resin and measures 4.5"W x 2.5"H. A fun accent to any home office or business.
A great gift idea for any hunter!
Showcases my business cards beautifully. Allows my customers to get to know a little about me. I just wish their was a bit more of a tilt backwards. My cards stand upright or with a forward slant because of the spacing. Still love it though. It is not big or bulky!


Buffering... is an ongoing series of movie, TV and documentary screenings, curated by LSx. They plan to present the stories, people and perspectives that are shaping our relationships with emerging technologies and how they impact our culture. They also intend to provide access to the people behind those productions - think of Buffering... as a geek's film club.


This pack contains a complete Fallschirmjager 81mm Mortar and 3 man team.Model comes supplied unpainted and unassembled.
This pack contains a complete Fallschirmjager 81mm Mortar and 3 man team.
Model comes supplied unpainted and unassembled.


Home»GTG Celebrates National Paranormal Day!
GTG Celebrates National Paranormal Day!
This blog post was co-authored by Jennifer Closson, Greater Than Games Creative Director, and Maggie Clayton, Greater Than Games Social Media Manager. All photos included were taken by GTG employees, or Rather Dashing Games.
Did you know that May 3rd is National Paranormal Day? Neither did we until Maggie did some super sleuthing online and found some great, new days for us to celebrate with you - our lovely fans! Previously, we had giveaways for National Beer Day and Pi Day. And today we celebrated May The Fourth! But for National Paranormal Day we wanted to give you a real treat with an interview from the Co-Founders of Rather Dashing Games, Mike Richie and Grant Wilson. Why these two people on this particular day? Because, not only do they have TWO spook-tacular titles in their game library sure to thrill ghost hunters everywhere, but Grant is an accomplished Paranormal Investigator. You may recognize him from the hit TV Show, Ghost Hunters, that aired on Syfy for 10 seasons.
Check out their interview and bios below. For those seeking to learn more about the paranormal, we got some useful tips and tricks of the trade from Grant in PART I of our interview. And for those hoping to join the gaming community from the business side, be sure to read PART II where Mike shares some insight into being a game designer.
Q) How long have you been a paranormal investigator? Did your interests begin long before the SyFy show, Ghost Hunters?
A) I've been investigating the paranormal since I was 15 years old. I don't really want to say what that equates to in years of experience, but, heck, why not. I'm nearly 44 now, so that's 29 years that I've been doing it.
Q) Would you say that you are a true believer, a skeptic, or an open minded individual searching for truth of the paranormal world?
A) I have had way more than my share of paranormal experiences. Something weird is definitely going on. I'm what I would call a beleptic, a bit of both. I have experienced far too much for my logical mind to not be a believer, but, I remain solidly skeptical. Just because I have reason to believe, doesn't mean I believe everything that comes my way. Far from it. People who know me know that, while I am open-minded, I am very harsh on evidence and experiences. I want to make sure I have exhausted all of my real-world knowledge before saying "I don't know". Even then, it's usually, "I don't know, yet".
Q) What advice would you give to those new to paranormal investigation?
A) I would say, first off, solidify your goals. Are you a "ghost hunter" or a "paranormal investigator"? They aren't the same thing, and one isn't better than the other. They just have different goals. Do you want to go to publically accessible places with equipment and simply try to have an experience? Do you want to capture evidence for evidence's sake? Then you're most likely a ghost hunter. Do you want to help people feel comfortable in their homes and truly roll up your sleeves to find answers so that you can help other people find peace of mind and comfort? Then you're most likely a paranormal investigator. I say this because if you focus on the wrong goal, you'll burn out quickly. Also, take everything you see, read, and hear with a huge grain of salt. There aren't any experts in this field, just people with more experience. Oh, and, I never charged anyone to investigate in their homes. It's basically a hobby... an expensive hobby. So, go to school for something that will put a roof over your head and food on the table, but can also be used for investigating. I don't recommend trying to make a career out of it.
Q) When attempting to connect or contact a spirit, what types of questions would you suggest people ask? Are there topics or questions that should be avoided?
A) People have this odd tendency to focus on morbid things such as the entity's death. I always train people to remember that they are talking with a human. So keep it friendly, light, and fun. It's ok to laugh and joke when speaking to an entity. It's just human nature. Imagine you are writing a letter to a someone you haven't met yet. What would you ask them? Share as much information with them as would like to receive from them.
I have noticed that whenever I have solid conversation, and I ask about death, God, or the afterlife, the conversation ends immediately. So, for the sake of keeping the conversation going, don't talk about those things.
Q) As a mixed group of believers, skeptics, and questioning individuals we want to ensure that we are respectful to paranormal investigators, such as yourself. We also want to be respectful to the departed. Is there a proper etiquette one should keep in mind when approaching paranormal investigations or conversations with believers?
A) Of course. When speaking with believers, don't assume they are stupid. Just because you don't have a reason to believe, doesn't mean they don't. You may not believe that my milk tastes sour until you've tasted it, if you catch my drift. But, it is ok to challenge their ideas. Many believers drink the kook-aid way too easily. Just do it suggestively, not condescendingly. Give them the feeling that you want to work together, not attack them and leave them in the dust. Some of the brightest minds are working hard to answer the mysteries of the paranormal and the universe.
Now when speaking with the departed, remember one simple thing. In theory, they are people too... they just don't have a body, and they can't communicate as easily. So, just ask yourself, how would you treat a living person? Good manners, respect, and positivity go a long way, and it's a great place to start with the dead. Most people are good, but every once in a while you get a jerk. So, I deal with them accordingly. But I always ensure to clean up that mess before I leave.
Q) In addition to being a paranormal investigator and board game artist, you are also a talented musician and consultant on many projects outside the board gaming community. Do you have any upcoming projects you'd like to tell us about?
But my main focus has been my YouTube channel. (YouTube.com/TheGrantWilson) There you can catch my upbeat show "What The Fetch!?" where I talk about all things weird with a balance of open mindedness and tongue in cheek humor.
Q) Grant, you are one of the two main faces behind Rather Dashing games - the other being Mike Richie. How did you transition from TV personality to working with Mike as a board game artist?
A) I've known Mike since I was 5 years old. My earliest memory was of him getting stung by a bee and I gave him my Heath bar to try to cheer him up. Mike is a very competent game designer and he had been doing so while I was filming. We sat around the fire one autumn night while he expressed some of his frustrations. He wanted to branch off on his own but he needed a bit of capital and an artist. As soon as the words came out of his mouth we both knew what we could do. So we started Rather Dashing Games.
I didn't really transition though. I'm still doing it. While illustrating and helping develop the games, I continued to investigate and try to sell paranormal television show concepts that would take the viewers to the next level, open up their minds a bit. The response I kept getting was, "Your ideas are too smart for TV". Frustrating! So, I decided to step off that path and start my own YouTube channel where I can talk about whatever I want, how I want, and when I want. It's a great way to brain dump 29 years of paranormal investigation knowledge, all without the doom and gloom side that TV always wants to drill into our heads.
Q) Mike, Grant shared with us earlier how he became involved in the board game business. Can you now tell a little bit about your journey in the world of gaming. How did you start? When did you know you wanted to open your own company?
A) I've been playing and modifying games since I was a kid. It didn't occur to me till I was in my late twenties that I could make money using my talents. I had some pretty cool designs and I was afforded an opportunity to pitch them at New York Toy Fair. Long story short, I signed a design and then became a freelancer and consultant. I did that for several years before I really decided to start a company. I was lamenting to Grant about how I really wanted to pursue my own concept for a company and we both had a V8 moment realizing we should pool our talents and resources. Rather Dashing was born.
Q) Mike, you work mostly on game design and mechanics. What's your process like when beginning a new game design?
A) I get asked this a lot and I still don't really have a good answer. Sometimes theme comes first, sometimes mechanics. At any given time, I have bits of mechanics floating around in my head that I'm always working on in the background. Eventually, inspiration hits and the pieces begin to come together. Then it's about writing it out as a concept and staring, tweaking, then staring some more.
Q) As a follow up, do you have any particular game mechanics that you find to be your favorites to design with? What about your favorite game styles to play?
A) Well I love abstracts and I love crafting, both of these I've worked quite a bit in. Right now I'm looking to push those boundaries. I like using relatively minimal amounts of mechanics and allowing the players to have a wide variety of choices within the parameters of the game. I feel like a lot of games on the market could be streamlined and still offer the same play experience. That's what I strive for.
Q) Mike, In addition to crafting board games, you and Grant have also written a book and you are an accomplished martial artists. How do you find time to balance all of these projects?
A) Some days I don't! Our book is a lot of fun and it's a challenge to find time to write in addition to working on all the games. Combine that with being a full time Husband and Father and the hours really evaporate fast. As for martial arts, I'd hardly call myself accomplished I studied for many years living in Rhode Island under an amazing Sensei. Since I've moved to Kentucky, I haven't found a dojo nearly the same caliber, so I continue to practice on my own.
Q) What advice can you both give to those just starting in the gaming world as artists or designers?
A) MIKE: It's a great industry and I hope I'm part of it forever. That said, it is difficult to stand out and make a career out of it. Don't give up on it, but also don't pass up legitimate bill paying opportunities along the way. Crossroads in life are seldom marked, and you never know where following opportunity will lead to and help your passion develop and mature.
A) GRANT: As an artist, there is SO much room for amazing art in the gaming industry. I constantly push my artist friends to break into industry. Drawing for board games is a blast, and you can really make a name for yourself there.
As a game designer, don't start your own company. I mean, that's what I did, but it seriously detracts from the creative process. I would suggest creating at least three games of different kinds and then pitching them together. This is a great time saver and allows you to basically stand in front of your potential buyer with an assortment of chocolates instead of hoping they like the only one you brought with you. And test play the heck out of your games. You'll feel like your game is the best game out there, and it may be, but if you only play it with mom, you'll never know how fun it truly is.
The "Ghost Gang" here at GTG took some of Grant's advice on the road Thursday night as we embarked on our very own ghost hunt. We took to Twitter to try to share our ghostly experience after live streaming an epic game of Fate of the Elder Gods, where Maggie took on teammates Mara and Matt, and Jenn and Rae! Check out the game play here.
Our ghust hunting adventure led us to Alton, IL where we stopped at two locations: The Alton Military Prison, and McPike Mansion. Altion in general is considered to be America's most haunted small town, and it was no easy task gaining that name. It is home to 9 haunted areas, including the 2 we visited. It has played host to numerous ghost hunting excurersions, and has been featured on both the Scyfy and Travel Channel for its grim past.
Alton Military Prison, above, is now a series of crumbling stone walls aged by time, and neglect. According to the Madison County Historical Society Alton Military Prison was the first state penitentiary opening its doors in 1833, and then closing them in 1857 due to overcrowding. It was reopened 1862 during the American Civil War to accomdate the rapidly growing number of Confederate prisoners of war. It was home to more than 11,000 prisoners, and was known to have a high fatality with regular outbreaks of smallbox and rubella. More than 1,500 Confederate prisoners, Union soliders and civilians are recorded to have died there during the 3 years it was open, 1862-1865.
McPike Mansion, above, was built in 1869 at the highest point in Alton, and has been unoccupied since the 1950's. It remains beautifully lit, and mostly in tact serving up hundred of ghost tours per year. The Mansion has been known for paranormal occurences, and spooky photos, such as unexplainable orbs of light, and human-shaped outline in the unoccupied windows of the house. We ventured there, and took several photos. No orbs appeared, but the Mansion is ominous and creepy regardless.
While you continue celebrating Paranormal Day - or any day you're looking to have a spooky good time - be sure to check out Graveyards, Ghosts, and Haunted Houses as well as Wakening Lair from Rather Dashing Games. If raising Elder Gods are more your style, check out Fate of the Elder Gods from Greater Than Games. Also, be sure to stop by either of our booths and say "hi" any chance you get at a convention. We love meeting the community!
SPOOKY SECRET: Some of the members of GTG are believers, some are skeptics, and some are beleptic (to use Grant's term).Lucky for us our city comes with a, potentially haunted past. St Charles, a historic town just outside St Louis, had its 15 minutes (well 60 minutes to be more precise) of fame when it was featured in season 10, episode 4 of Ghost Hunters. Check out the details of the episode with pictures on SyFy's website!
Mike considers himself a lifetime geek and has been playing games as long as he can remember. In addition to designing for Rather Dashing Games, he has several successful games to date published with other companies. When not designing games, Mike enjoys travel, camping, biking, martial arts, reading, cooking, writing, studying ancient history, and obviously, playing games.
Grant grew up a goofball constantly in a state of creativity. He has been drawing and composing music since he was almost too young to start. When he wasn't doing those things, he was bruising himself up hiking, biking, camping, and playing soccer. Now that he has finally grown up, he's added more to that list including cooking, writing, ghost hunting, playing with his band, and pretending he isn't 12. Grant is the primary artist for Rather Dashing. You may also know Grant from the long-running hit SyFy show Ghost Hunters. He co-founded TAPS (The Atlantic Paranormal Society) and has produced Ghost Hunters on the Syfy Channel as well as Ghost Hunters International. He is continuing to help people cope with the paranormal privately.