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STC Women in Charge: Sally Glass
WOMEN IN CHARGE
This past fall, more than 50 Washington, D.C. professional theatres participated in the momentous Women's Voices Theater Festival, showcasing more than 50 world premiere plays by women. In the spirit of the festival, Shakespeare Theatre Company started a blog series to highlight some of its Women in Charge. As part of STC's efforts to continue the mission of this season's Women's Voices Theater Festival, we would like to keep producing our STC Women in Charge blog series.
Theatre is a collaborative art, and a successful production involves stage managers, scenic designers, administrators and grant writers, costume designers, prop masters, trainers, and so many more. That is why we are taking this opportunity to highlight some of our women behind-the-scenes who keep our theatre, and the art form, alive.
During the 2015–2016 season, we will be publishing interviews with some of the women you will not see onstage, but who keep STC running smoothly. We're proud to put these wonderful women in the spotlight!
We hope you enjoy this next installment, featuring STC Charge Scenic Artist Sally Glass.
An interview with Sally Glass
Sally Glass at work during Kiss Me, Kate
How long have you been working in the arts?
I've been an artist "wannabe" since I was six when my drawing of bunnies and Easter eggs made the elementary schools' art exhibit display at the local Woolworth's store. I've been paid for painting scenery for…umm…well…let's say since curly perms and wide shoulder pads.
What's your favorite show that you have helped make happen? Why?
Many have had special moments, but the one that comes to mind has to do with being star struck—that would be Gaîté Parisienne for the American Ballet Theatre. I've always been a big Mikhail Baryshnikov fan—posters on my college dorm wall and everything. I also became a fan of the set designer, Zack Brown, who renders such beautifully hand painted elevations for his designs. A year after I began working for Scaena Studios, my employer before STC, we got the contract to paint Zack Brown's Gaîté Parisienne for ABT and MIKHAIL BARYSHNIKOV! The design was layers of gloriously, luxuriously painted trompe l'oeil backdrops of gigantic drapes and bows of red polka-dotted white satin, with huge tassels and ribbons. I was giddy with nervousness while painting and giddy with pride upon learning that Misha, himself, had laid eyes on polka dots that we had painted, and he had liked them! (I'm sure he liked my polka-dots the best.)
Can you explain your role in the theatre world, for those who might not know?
As Charge Scenic Artist, it is my responsibility to interpret the visual information any set designer gives us and to develop the methods by which we create the surface treatments for all the scenery seen on stage in its full size, live, and in person form. The design information could be in the form of a tiny painted model, carefully painted watercolors of each wall, photographic research, verbal descriptions, the classic scribble on a cocktail napkin, a coffee cup from the designer's kitchen, or a bottle of fingernail polish—or all of the above. I just need to make sure that the sculpting, texturing, and painting that we do on the plywood, steel, and muslin sticks to the scenery and not to the actors, can be walked on, or danced on, or climbed on, or fought on, or fondled as the case may be, and, hopefully, as the curtain goes up, transports the audience precisely to where the designer wants them to be with their disbelief suspended way up in the grid.
What do you love about STC?
First of all, I adore the people I work with every day. I have enjoyed the painters that have joined me over the years, the Scenery Department staff, and now the folks in the Props Department that have moved into the Scene Shop with us. It's a convivial place to work even when sawdust and paint and time are flying.
I feel like the Company tries to support high production values even though we are in an eternal struggle with scheduling and money to fund those values. Money, of course, usually has a direct correlation to quality. Often, though, for the craft of scenic art, time is the most valuable commodity used to raise the quality of our product. When we have been able to afford it, I have appreciated the time allowed me to experiment and refine the techniques we have used on STC's scenery. Many shows would have looked far, far less convincing or lovely if we hadn't had that time to get it as refined as we did. For that, and the generous moral support from the rest of the staff, I am forever grateful.
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Die deutsche Softball-Bundesliga 2017 war die 19. Spielzeit der Softball-Bundesliga. Die reguläre Spielzeit begann am 22. April und dauerte bis zum 27. August. Anschließend wurde in den Play-offs der Deutsche Meister ermittelt. Als Titelverteidiger gingen die Mannheim Tornados in die Saison. Durch den Aufstieg der Augsburg Dirty Slugs und der Buchbinder Legionäre erhöhte sich die Zahl der Mannschaften auf 10.

Reguläre Saison
Die reguläre Saison wurde als Rundenturnier ausgetragen, wobei die Division Nord vier Runden und die Division Süd drei Runden spielte. Jede Mannschaft trat gegen jede andere Mannschaft mindestens einmal zu Hause und auswärts an. An jedem Spieltag wurden zwei Spiele als Doubleheader ausgetragen, wodurch sich zwei Mannschaften insgesamt acht bzw. sechs Mal gegenüberstanden. Somit hatten die Mannschaften in der Division Nord 24 Saisonspiele, die in der Division Süd 30.

Play-Offs
In den Play-Offs traten im Viertelfinale die Zweitplatzierten aus einer Division gegen die Drittplatzierten der anderen Division im Best-of-Three-Modus an. Die Gewinner trafen im Halbfinale auf die Erstplatzierten der Vorrunde und ermittelten im Best-of-Five-Modus die Teilnehmer des Finales, das ebenfalls als Best-of-Five ausgespielt wurde.

Deutschland-Pokal
Parallel zu den Play-Offs wurde der Deutschland-Pokal ausgespielt. Die Runden wurden bis auf das Finalspiel in Best-of-Three-Serien ausgetragen. In der ersten Runde spielte der Viertplatzierte der Division Nord gegen den Sechstplatzierten der Division Süd und der Viert- gegen den Fünftplatzierten der Division Süd. Die Gewinner der ersten Runde spielten in der zweiten Runde gegen die Verlierer des Viertelfinales. In der dritten Runde trafen die Gewinner der zweiten Runde auf die Verlierer der Halbfinale. Die Gewinner dieser Runde ermittelten in der vierten Runde den Finalgegner des Verlierers des Play-Off-Finales.

Teilnehmer

Folgende 10 Teams nahmen, getrennt in die beiden Divisionen Nord und Süd, an der Saison 2017 teil.  Sortiert sind die Clubs nach ihrer Vorjahresplatzierung in der regulären Saison.

Reguläre Saison

1. Bundesliga Nord

1. Bundesliga Süd

Play-Offs
Zeitraum: 2. September – 1. Oktober 2017

Deutschland-Pokal
Zeitraum: 2. September – 7. Oktober 2017

Weblinks
 Offizielle Website der 1. Softball-Bundesliga
 Offizielle Website des Deutschen Baseball- und Softballverbandes

Einzelnachweise

2017
Sportsaison 2017
Sportveranstaltung in Deutschland

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Unai Emery says he expects Watford to demand a lot from Arsenal on Monday as he goes head-to-head with former teammate Javi Gracia.
The two Spaniards played together for a year at Real Sociedad in the mid-90s and have stayed in touch ever since, crossing swords as managers on numerous occasions in La Liga.
The Hornets have enjoyed a solid campaign in the Premier League – they currently sit tenth in the table – and last weekend beat Wolves to reach the FA Cup final.
Given Arsenal's poor form away from home, Emery knows his players have their work cut out if they're to take the three points.
"I know Javi Gracia and above all his teams are very organised with a big commitment to helping each other," he told his pre-game press conference.
Emery also faces a reunion with Gerard Deulofeu, a player he had on loan at Sevilla. The 25-year-old midfielder grabbed the headlines on Sunday when he came off the bench to bag a brace.
Given his form, he's likely to be a big threat for the home side and he may well have a point to prove; Emery once called into question his 'maturity and capability for sacrifice'.
"He is playing also now very well," said Emery. "He made the difference last week against Wolves in the FA Cup semi-final, with an amazing two goals.
"I like this player a lot. I think Javi Gracia is doing big work with him and he is showing now a big performance and also I think Watford supporters are enjoying him.
Tomorrow's win against Watford confirms Arsenal's champions league qualification.
I wouldn't go that far but with Chelsea losing today, the Totts at Man City next week, Chelsea v Man Utd & the Manchester derby still to come it would put us in a really strong position. Another away loss though & hard.to see us getting enough wins in the remaining games. It is a HUGE game. Come on u Reds.
So 63+13=76 points, I think that's enough to secure us champions league place. May even goal difference will matter if Chelsea or MANU get same points, in that case Arsenal will be superior.
Not haters, just a tad more realistic…?
Given we have the worst away record of any top six team, and are one of only two teams across all four divisions not to have kept an away clean sheet, there's a lot to get right, very quickly, against Watford.
If we were half decent away from home, you'd be right, but we're not, so far anyway. I really hope we can win tonight but most of us have been saying that about our away games since November – when we last won one. The key question for our the run-in is: if the players can't do it now, for themselves, for Emery and for Arsenal, when will they? We'll see whether they can over the coming games. Fingers crossed.
Didn't we all say the same thing about prior the Everton game? It's probably going to very tricky to get much from the Watford game tonight. We've a good recent record there, except for last season, but it was the same at Everton. Possibly Watford will have an eye on the FA Cup, but we're so bad away from home – no win since November, worst record in top six, no clean sheets etc. – that we can't rely upon that. Several Arsenal players have been very positive in the media but what counts is what they do on the pitch, not what they say to journalists (if only!). So far, there's nothing to suggest that our performances away from The Emirates are improving enough to take maximum points anywhere away from The Emirates. That has to change now, tonight, or we can kiss a top four place goodbye.
Deulofeo I mentioned last summer one of the potentials we could have attempted to secure.
Today's performance once again stark highlight of the need for a Rwinger.
But Mhkitaryan (but for a few moments) largely anonymous plus awful shooting and passes.
We should have got Mahrez last summer instead Mslintat boxed us into a corner with United and Raiolla.
Last summer there were a number of options to address the situation- David Neres at Ajax for instance or Hirving Lozano at PSV. I even mentioned wild card Belgian in Chinese league.
Deulofeo was another potential for us a dark horse to say the least but one with requisite skills (if not consistency) which might have been coaxed into better asset for us by fellow Spaniard Unai.
Instead, Mslintat did not address this issue.
And we sent Nelson out on loan. Hardly the gaffers decision since he was only getting to know the squad at that point.
Hopefully this summer we get Nelson into squad because we lack players who can take on and beat their men either for pace or trickery. Iwobi provides some of this on Lwing. Arguably even with Nelson in, we could well do with one more winger PLUS in midfield Torreira is hardly Santi Carzola.
We need a player there who can receive the ball with back to goal with eyes in the back of his head and who can turn on a dime, retain the ball for us.
But Rwing decidedly lacking for a LONG time now.


It could be described that government edicts would, in the long run, be the rule of thumb for everyone.
Some pundits still debate the effectiveness of "trickle-down economics" even though Reagan's eight years as president ended 29 years ago.
Old political stands die hard.
Under the current administration, journalists and journalism educators may be experience "trickle down journalism" in which the condescending attacks on journalism by the Trump Administration are trickling down to the general population.
For journalism educators, especially scholastic journalism educators, the trickle down may be hitting administrators.
Sarcastic comments about 'fake news' and innuendos of being the 'enemy of the people' do little to foster a strong relationship with scholastic journalists, and even less to boost and promote scholastic achievement by individual student journalists or scholastic media.
As painful and annoying as these actions may be, they are not insurmountable. While it's not a case of fighting fire with fire, it is an opportunity to address the fray and raise the bar for scholastic journalism programs.
Raising the bar needs to come before a school media or scholastic journalist is called to task. Fact-checking is, and this is not breaking news, paramount in establishing the quality and credibility of any media outlet and staffs.
Much in the same way that student journalists are introduced to Tinker, Hazelwood, lede writing and press ethics and law in J-1, they need to be exposed to fact-checking techniques as well.
I used to have a sign in my classroom with the old adage from the former Chicago City News Bureau. It read "Your mother says she loves you; check it out!" Quite simply, it is fact-checking 101.
The art and need for fact checking are not new. The explosion of the 24/7 news cycle and the digital news overload, not to mention allegations of 'fake news' by the Trump Administration, have heightened its awareness.
Teaching and practicing fact checking in J-1 classes can be done in a variety of ways.
First and foremost, have your students research organizations that specialize in fact checking. These include, but are not limited to, Politifact.com, Factcheck.org, Politico.org, Snopes.com and the American Press Institute.
Students should be familiar with the breadth of research done by fact-checking organizations and how they use it in reporting.
You can challenge your advanced students with a group activity in which each group gets is assigned a news story that needs to be fact checked. Students should be required to determine what information needs fact checking, verify its validity and discuss in detail what avenues they went through to validate the information.
To no surprise, fact checking of all stories in all student media is essential an should be part of the deadline schedule.
For educators, there are a wide variety of resources available. In addition to the News Literacy Project, the Digital Resource Center Digital Resource Center sponsored by the Center for News Literacy Center for News Literacy offers and extensive array of tools that can be applied to journalism courses.
It may be a challenge to add this to your curriculum, but the challenge pales in comparison to the challenges facing journalism today.
If nothing else, the next time you or your student journalists face a question regarding information in a story, you will be able to say it has been fact check and more importantly – you know your mother loves you.


F.F. Bruce died in 1990, but new editions of his books continue to be published. Most of the books listed here, published in 2017 and 2018, are newly published ebook editions of out-of-print works. Eerdmans has published new editions of The Epistle to John and The Epistle to the Hebrews in the "Eerdmans Classic Biblical Commentaries" series. And Understanding Biblical Criticism is a collection of articles that were previously unavailable.


The Native Plant Marketplace sponsored by the Tennessee Valley Chapter of the Wild Ones will be held from 8 am - 4:30 pm on Saturday, March 16th. It is FREE and open to the public. Browse and purchase nature-inspired art for your home and garden. Purchase pesticide-free native plants from regional nurseries. Talk with representatives from area environmental nonprofit organizations. Bring the whole family for a day of education and fun.


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Case Study: The American Academy of Diplomacy
The Golding Group is proud to document our year-long relationship with two professional podcasts: American Diplomat and The General and the Ambassador produced by The American Academy of Diplomacy, in partnership with the Una Chapman Cox Foundation. Our role is to expand the understanding of diplomacy, including its importance and its reality, to non-traditional American audiences via these podcasts. We will also be working to reach a broader public in the American heartland while developing engaged audiences and a sustainable business model.
Read the case study here.
The American Academy of Diplomacy (AAD) is an independent, non-profit association of former senior US ambassadors and high-level government officials whose mission is to strengthen American diplomacy. AAD represents a unique wealth of talent and experience in the practice of American foreign policy, with over 250 members. https://www.academyofdiplomacy.org/
The American Diplomat podcast provides informative entertainment to the listening public from our nations' diplomatic practitioners. The conversations with this elite cadre of career diplomats seek to give the listener a better understanding of the very human dimensions of those serving on the front lines of war, crises and conflict around the world. https://www.amdipstories.org/
The General and the Ambassador: A Conversation podcast is a series of unique conversations between U.S. Generals and U.S. Ambassadors on their strategic and operational teamwork to defend and advance U.S. global interests. Led by Ambassador (ret) Deborah McCarthy, the interviews with senior leaders explores the responsibilities, missions and results of their joint efforts in key combat theaters and during humanitarian crises. The series includes Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa, Europe, Russia, Haiti, Latin America and much more. https://www.generalambassadorpodcast.org/
PrevPreviousPPP/EIDL Expert Rachel Mathew, Co-owner of Polston Tax
NextNew Client: ASP Cares / Elite AnalyticsNext

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Determined not to be a garden-variety diva, Sophie Winston's neighbor Natasha cultivates a plan to shine on television-using Sophie's backyard. As the cast and crew of the makeover show Tear It Up with Troy bulldoze through her backyard-and vacation-Sophie retreats to her perennial boyfriend Wolf's to replace a dead rose bush. But her tender deed goes awry when she digs up a purse belonging to Wolf's missing wife.
As speculations sprout, Wolf bolts, and then a body crops up in a garden. Is Wolf's thorny past raising a dead head? This is one case the domestic diva can't let wither on the vine.


"Are you kidding me???" was my first thought when I found out I made it to the top of the waiting list for the Erma Bombeck Writer's Workshop this year. And once I was there, it was a fun weekend of kidding around with some of the funniest kidders around. A conference tradition is a stand up comedy show on the last night. Stacey Gustafson was the first person I met who was one of the few attendees brave enough to sign up to be in the show. I remember thinking that I'd never be able to stand up in front of hundreds of people, read something I wrote and wait (and pray) for laughter – especially with an audience full of humorists!
Just showing up for the conference was about all the courage I could muster. Since last fall, Lyme brain had not only taken away cognitive function, it had also taken away my self esteem. Truth be told, I almost cancelled the trip. I was terrified to go and look like a forgetful, mumbling, bumbling idiot – at the queen of humor's name-sake workshop no less. But alas, I couldn't finagle a refund so off to Dayton I went.
There were many ups and downs during the trip (see some photos at the end of the post), but I will tell you the biggest highlight here (I will save the funny lowlights for another post.). The conference sessions were led by some really heavy hitters in the writing world. At first, I found myself slinking further and further down into my seat during the sessions, thinking I belonged at the conference less than I – as a lefty – belonged in that right-handed college lecture hall desk, writing in a right-handed spiral notebook. My smudged notes and my inky covered pinky were very symbolic of how I felt in a room full of confident accomplished and talented writers.
But then a strange thing happened. The more writers I met, the more I realized that even those who had written multiple books or had a syndicated column or had gazillions of monthly online views all had something in common: they had doubts about their ability at some time or another. And then another strange thing happened. As the hours went on, I started to feel like I did belong at the workshop honoring the late great Erma.
By the end of the second day, I found myself sitting in the front row of a session led by Dan Zevin, the 2013 winner of the Thurber Prize for American humor and the 2014 National Society of Newspaper Columnists "Humor, over 50,000 Circulation" winner. (Incidentally, my blogging friend Darcy of So Then Stories won the "Blog and Multimedia Columns" category!! She's one funny lady – you should check her out.) Dan's session was a hands on workshop (or pens on?) where he gave us writing prompts, a short time to respond, and the opportunity to read our writing result to the room. I sat in awe of story after story being read. How did they come up with that brilliance in a couple of minutes?? And how did they have the courage to read it to a room full of people??
I was riding on the train to Toepeka and I was in a real jam because of the guy who sat next to me. I tried to shoe him away but he sat a foot away from me the entire ride. I knew he was a total heel when he started massaging his bare feet. I wanted to haul off and sock him. What an arch hole!
Then the strangest thing of all happened. When asked who'd like to read their story out loud, my hand went up in the air. What the heck?? I DON'T READ OUT LOUD. What are you doing hand?? Get down from there. Before I knew what was happening, Dan pointed at me…and I started reading. It's no stand up show, but was a big step for me. I'm not the hand raiser. Not the public speaker. Not the put myself out there and risk crickets type. But I did it. Erma's conference gave me that. And then Dan gave me something more: a compliment.
I'm sure Dan Zevin has no idea that his words felt like my "you can write" moment. Several months later, my foggy Lyme brain is still preventing me from writing often (it's embarrassing how long this admittedly ordinary post took me to write) but when I get discouraged and want to just quit, I pull out my smudged spiral notebook and remind myself that I was funny. Really funny.
Will I be signing up for the stand up show alongside Stacey at the next Erma conference? Probably not. But I will at least feel like I deserve to be in the audience.
My trip in photos. Well, a few photos. I will post more with the funny "lowlights" post.
My "I may throw up before I get there" airport selfie.
After seeing my hotel room, it was VERY tempting to just hide the whole time. Comfy bed, flat screen and…silence!
Luckily I soon found some of my blogging buddies: Hairpin Turns Ahead, Notes From the Shallow End, The Shitastrophy, Science of Parenthood, and Elle Roy Was Here so didn't retreat to my hotel room retreat. It was like a reunion with classmates I had never met.
Cake was served at EVERY lunch and dinner. And the best part? Everyone ate it! There was no "oh, I couldn't possibly eat that fattening dessert." Every bite was gobbled up on every plate at every meal. At EBWW, you really can have your cake and eat it too.
My end-of-first-day selfie: more tired, more puffy but also more happy that I went.
Day 2 photo with more blogging buds: Her Royal Thighness, So Then Stories and Menopausal Mother!
Phil Donahue was the first keynote speaker. I had no idea he and Erma grew up together and were life-long friends.
The workshop was a magical experience. Erma truly does live on at this conference.
If you enjoyed this post, you may also enjoy Monkee-ing Around at the Carry On Warrior Book Signing.
*I received no compensation for helping Stacey promote her book.


text:
package org.sistcoop.persona.services.resources;

import javax.inject.Inject;
import javax.ws.rs.core.Response;
import javax.ws.rs.ext.ExceptionMapper;
import javax.ws.rs.ext.Provider;

import org.jboss.logging.Logger;
import org.sistcoop.persona.messages.MessagesProviderFactory;
import org.sistcoop.persona.models.ModelException;
import org.sistcoop.persona.services.ErrorResponse;

/**
 * @author Leonardo Zanivan
 */
@Provider
public class ModelExceptionMapper implements ExceptionMapper<ModelException> {

    private static final Logger logger = Logger.getLogger(ModelExceptionMapper.class);

    @Inject
    private MessagesProviderFactory messagesProviderFactory;

    @Override
    public Response toResponse(ModelException ex) {
        String message = messagesProviderFactory.create().getMessage(ex.getMessage(), ex.getParameters());

        logger.error(message, ex);
        return ErrorResponse.error(message, Response.Status.BAD_REQUEST);
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


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Kafue National Park
Kafue is a sprawling wilderness that includes both woodlands and open grasslands. It is Zambia's oldest and largest national park. The park consists of a vast, undulating plateau, with some hills along the mid-reaches of the Kafue River. It is one of Africa's hidden gems as far as authentic safari areas are concerned.
Updated on the 24th of December 2022.
The park is well known for its predators, particularly the leopard. Unique antelope species like puku, red lechwe, and Lichtenstein's hartebeest occur in abundance.
The Kafue River and its floodplain are particularly well-known for their rich birdlife, with over 450 species occurring. Busanga Plains, part of Kafue, is a vast floodplain fed by the Lufupa River. When the floodwaters recede, tiny grass shoots attract vast herds of zebra, wildebeest, and other antelope.
Mammals Species
Zambia's Largest Park
22 400 km²
Standing in a queue of cars to get a better view of wildlife that has been spotted could be better. You can rest assured that, in Kafue, this will never happen. It is one of the few places where the untouched natural beauty of Mother Earth can still be experienced and appreciated. Here you can revel in the wild solitude and reconnect with nature.
Lake Itezhi-Tezhi
Although artificial, Itezhi-Tezhi Lake is one of the most striking features of the Kafue landscape. Stretching over 340 km2, it is almost the same size as the Island of Grenada. It's beautiful beyond compare and even more striking because even this vast lake seems to disappear in the sheer vastness of the 22 400 km² conservation area.
Bird Viewing
More than 450 bird species fly around in Kafue, so remember to pack your binoculars - you will only be putting them down sometimes! Pel's fishing owl, bee-eaters, kingfishers, African fin-foot, Goliath herons, wattled cranes, hornbills, vultures, eagles, and many more live and breed in the Zambian wetlands.
Experiences to Savor
When exploring Zambia's Kafue National Park, you'll undoubtedly savor the low visitor density and the prolific animal population. The immense herds and the predators that trail them will take your breath away.
aFar from the madding crowd
When visiting Kafue, you can experience nature's purest, most unspoiled state. Here you can go on a game drive without ever viewing another vehicle. There is no mobile signal, television, or distractions – just you and Mother Earth.
Nothing Plain about it
The Busanga Plains are one of the jewels of Kafue and Africa. It is hard to articulate the immense beauty and diversity of the wetlands. The river and its offshoots create a water-logged web that will keep you entranced during your entire stay.
Goodness grazing!
The floodplains create the ideal grazing site for a diverse range of antelope, such as the red lechwe and puku. Buffalo, wildebeest, elephants, and vast herds of lechwe are seen foraging in the grasses. It is fantastic to watch them and the predators that follow them.
What is the flight time to Kafue from Johannesburg?
Your total flight duration from Johannesburg will be approximately three and a half hours.
Are there any special health requirements?
Zambia is a malaria area. You should consult your physician if you plan a trip to Kafue.
Are there Tsetse flies in the park, and does the "sleeping sickness" occur?
Yes, but in the last 50 years, only one case of Human African Trypanosomiasis occurred.
Can I drink the water in Kafue?
You should not drink tap water. Bottled mineral water will be readily available at all accommodations.
Yes, Zambia is very safe to travel in.
Is there WiFi?
The remote nature of the camps means that internet coverage is low to non-existent.
What does Shumba mean?
'Shumba' means 'lion .'Kafue's most famous camp is aptly named, as many lions frequent the area.
Useful Travel Info
Guests are met on arrival at O R Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg and assisted with transferring to an international flight to Lusaka. From Lusaka, guests connect to a light aircraft to Kafue National Park in north-western Zambia. A camp ranger will drive you to camp from the resident airport in a 4X4 vehicle.
Weather & Best Times to Visit
The weather plays an integral park to visiting Kafue, as during the wetter summer season from November to April the plains are flooded, which makes a large part of the park inaccessible. The wet season does, however, transform the area, and its lush greenery is rather spectacular to see. Luckily there are camps that do stay open all year round.
The best time to visit would be during the dry season from June to October, when most of the park is accessible. The park is fairly large and the climate varies from area to area, and as such some parts of the park do go below zero degrees in the winter. The dry season is also the best time for game viewing and boat cruises are available throughout the year as well.
It was established as a reserve in 1924 to protect the natural environment and animals. In April 1950, the status of the reserve was upgraded to a national park by the Governor of Northern Rhodesia. In the 1950s, the authorities started the development of this park.
The untamed wilderness needed some infrastructure to provide tourists with access to the area's natural wealth. Thus, the massive undertaking of surveying the boundaries and roads and clearing sites for camps got underway. Authorities built airstrips and camps. After consultation with chiefs, the relocation of villagers out of the national park ended in the 1960s. With permits, the villagers were then allowed to fish during certain times of the year, harvest wood for fire and building material, pick fruit for sustenance, and gather salt from the salt pans.
Kafue contains four of the Big Five, excluding the rhinoceros. Leopard sightings in forested areas are such common occurrence visitors are guaranteed to spot this highly elusive predator. Large prides of lions of up to 20 strong move throughout the reserve, and cheetahs are plentiful, especially in the north. Kafue is also a stronghold for the endangered African wild dog. Although wild dogs are never easy to spot, Kafue provides ample opportunity to see them because this park has the world's largest population.
Elephants are abundant. The Kafue River and its tributaries contain large pods of hippos and some of the largest crocodiles in Southern Africa. You will encounter large herds of puku and red lechwe. Rare and elusive species like blue and yellow-backed duiker, sitatunga, roan, and sable are almost commonplace. Other mammals include pangolin, aardvark, bush baby, honey badger, and much more. It is a birder's paradise, with an impressive 491 species documented, including the endemic Chaplin's barbet.
Terrain & Vegetation
Kafue is both the oldest and biggest national park in Zambia. The area is predominantly covered by Miombo woodland, grassland, and shrubland, although wooden grasslands, riparian forests, and acacia woodland areas occur. Northern Kafue is known as the Busanga Plains: a rolling plateau of miombo woodland, mopane woodland, and grassy dambos (shallow wetlands) in some areas. The area is veined by many tributaries of the Kafue River, which in turn create corridors of hardwood riverine forests which can only be navigated by traditional mokoro boats (dugout canoes) in the rainy seasons.
The park includes various wetlands, such as the Busanga Swamps in the far north-western region, the Kafue Flats, Lukanga, and Lushwishi Swamps, listed as wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. These lush areas and the variety of ecosystem types are critical to the animals they support. Sycamore figs and baobab trees are some of the most prominent and also culturally significant in the area.
A variety of safari opportunities are available in the park. Birding safaris are a prevalent activity in Kafue, and specialist birding drives accompanied by expert game rangers are available. Day and night drives in 4x4 vehicles are an excellent way to view larger animals and cover more ground. Walking safaris mean guests can experience the terrain more hands-only. During the rainy season, safaris on the Kafue River using mokoros are an exciting and unique way to explore the surroundings.
At certain times of the year, hot air ballooning is available in the park, offering a breathtaking aerial view of the grasslands, wetlands, and larger animals roaming the rolling plains. Additionally, it makes for spectacular sunrises and sunsets across the vast expanse of this African safari area and is an excellent opportunity for photographers and cinematographers to film the landscape. Fishing is also allowed in the park, and pike and barbells are regularly caught off the banks of the Kafue River and her estuaries. At night, it's best to be on your back, looking at the stars that seem to dominate the landscape from a million miles away.


text:
CEO Of New Georgia Project On 'Aggressive' Voter Participation Efforts
Published January 3, 2021 at 3:10 PM MST
MICHEL MARTIN, HOST:
The results of Georgia's double Senate runoff on Tuesday could - could - define the next few years in Washington. The two Republican incumbents, Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue, will try to hold onto their Senate seats against Democratic challengers, the Reverend Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff. The runoff was triggered after no candidate in either race won more than 50% of the vote in the November election.
The significance goes far beyond those two seats, though, because the balance of power in the Senate is at stake. If Democrats win those seats, there'd be a 50/50 split in the Senate, and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris would cast any tie-breaking votes. The Republicans need to hold onto one of the Senate seats in order to retain control of that body.
With such high stakes, as you can imagine, there's been a huge effort and hundreds of millions of dollars spent on voter outreach. So we're going to spend the next few minutes talking to two people who are trying to reach voters in Georgia. We'll begin with Nse Ufot. She is the CEO of the New Georgia Project. That is a nonpartisan group working to register and engage Georgia voters in the civic process, especially traditionally underrepresented groups such as younger voters and racial minorities. And she is with us now.
Nse Ufot, thank you so much for joining us.
NSE UFOT: Oh, absolutely. Happy to be here.
UFOT: So your organization is nonpartisan, as I said, but it's focused on people who, despite being eligible to vote, have not been participating at their full potential. And your group is believed to have registered more than 500,000 voters in Georgia. You're one of the groups credited with helping Biden win Georgia and making those two Democratic candidates be competitive. So what's been your focus from November up to now?
UFOT: So we've run essentially our traditional campaign, but on an aggressively truncated timeline, right? So in the immediate aftermath of the November 5 general election, we immediately went into what we call ballot curing, right? So there are tons of people with provisional ballots and mail-in ballots that were on the verge of being rejected for a number of reasons. And we would knock on their door and say, hey, we have reason to believe that your ballot is going to be rejected if you don't take your ID down to the county office, if you don't fill out this affidavit, if you don't go there and find your envelope, et cetera.
And then, immediately after ballot curing, we went into voter registration and registered about 7,000 young people and people of color across the state. And then after the voter registration deadline on December 7, we immediately went into sort of get-out-the-vote mode because early voting started December 14. And as it has been reported now across the country, we have blown through all kinds of turnout records for participation and runoff elections in Georgia. So we've been a little busy...
UFOT: ...Trying to make sure that as many people as possible show up again to vote in these runoffs.
MARTIN: Well, I was going to ask about that because, as you just said, you've blown through all of these previous records for early voting. But do you have a sense of whether the people who are voting early are the people you're particularly interested in, which is people who traditionally have not voted?
UFOT: Yes. We are looking at something like - we've cracked the 30% threshold for Black voters. Over 30% of the people who've shown up to vote early are African American voters. I would also add that we are looking at 115,000 people who voted in the runoff who did not vote in the 2020 general election. And over half of them are people of color. And about half of them are voters under the age of 40 - so between the ages of 18 and 39. So those are folks who did not vote in November.
MARTIN: And I was curious about, what do you consider your best argument? Because one of the byproducts of an ugly campaign is that it makes - it gives some people a headache. I mean, they just feel like they don't want to be involved at all. I mean, it has...
UFOT: Right.
MARTIN: ...Traditionally had the effect of turning some people off, particularly people...
MARTIN: ...Who don't feel that confident necessarily in their own judgment, or they find the whole thing very disturbing, or they find it frightening because they feel like, well, gee, if I get involved, am I going to be a target of this? So what's your best argument to people for why they should power through all that, even if it is upsetting?
UFOT: I hope this doesn't sound like a cop-out to you, but we have a number of best arguments, right? So we have our colorblind conservatives, right? Like, these are folks who are often people of color, often Black folks, who are, like, you know, race has not had an impact on how I experience success in this country, et cetera. So we're talking to them about the power of their vote. We are talking to them about their power to decide, right - that all eyes are on Georgia for a reason, right?
There are voters who are moved by the history argument, right? That with this particular vote, that it is quite possible that not only will they have made Kamala Harris the first woman, the first Black woman, the first Asian woman to be the vice president of the United States, but they also could make her the most consequential vice president in the history of the institution, given all of what is at stake and the role of the vice president as a tie-breaking vote in the United States Senate as president of the Senate.
So some folks are persuaded by the history argument. There's also the Mitch better have my money (laughter) caucus, right - people who are watching the government play games with their relief - with COVID relief and just playing politics - Loeffler and Perdue and voting for the stimulus.
But having to explain that if Mitch McConnell is still majority leader in the Senate, then it makes the Loeffler and Perdue vote moot because it is Mitch McConnell who is in opposition to the $2,000 stimulus, right? So the idea is that because we've been having conversations, our best message depends on who we're talking to.
MARTIN: And so before we let you go, it's been said repeatedly that this particular election, this runoff, isn't about - isn't a persuasion election. It's a turnout election. It's not about getting people to sort of see an argument differently or to see these candidates differently or see the issue differently. It's just about getting your people out to vote, depending on who your people are. Do you agree with that?
UFOT: Yes, 100%. I mean, I think that there are people who are going to be persuaded. And so, I mean, I - first of all, I don't deal in absolutes, right? But I very much agree with that framing. I agree with that position because that has been our experience - that in this particular moment, people have their jerseys on in a lot of ways. And so, again, it is the nature of battleground state politics. It's the nature of swing state politics. But overall, yes, I agree. It is a turnout election in all of the ways that I can think of.
MARTIN: That was Nse Ufat, CEO of the New Georgia Project. That's a nonpartisan group that helps people in that state register and participate in elections with a particular focus on people who have been traditionally underrepresented.
Nse Ufat, thank you so much for talking with us. And I do hope we'll talk again.
UFOT: Same here. Thank you so much. Take care. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.


text:
Hot August Music Festival Brings in Americana Lineup and Local Vendors
Counting Crows and Punch Brothers to headline the annual event at Oregon Ridge.
By Lauren Cohen | August 4, 2015, 05:08 pm
Courtesy of Jordan August Photography
With the bucolic views of Oregon Ridge Park as its backdrop, this summer the Hot August Music Festival (HAMF) on August 15 will feature the sounds of multiplatinum recording artists Counting Crows, progressive bluegrass quintet Punch Brothers (whose recent collaboration with Mumford and Sons is featured in the Oscar-nominated film Inside Llewyn Davis,) acoustic one-man-band Shakey Graves, local electro-funk group Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, and many others.
"I like to keep the lineup kind of all over the place so that the bands represent all Americana music, not just one particular genre," says the festival's founder Brad Selko. "[Counting Crows] were really popular in the '90s, and now have a mandolin and pedal steels that bring more of an Americana feel. It's the kind of music that resonates with a lot of different people."
In addition to the constant live music scattered across three stages, the all-ages fête will also boast yoga classes for kids, harmonica workshops, drum circles, and tons of made-from-scratch craft and jewelry vendors. Festival attendees will also be able to indulge in eats and drinks from local foodie favorites like Zeke's Coffee, The Local Oyster, and falafel vendor B-More Alive.
Selko says that Cockeysville's Oregon Ridge Park—which has been the event's habitual home since 2002—is an ideal venue because of its countryside vibe and close proximity to the light rail for city dwellers. (HAMF provides a free shuttle from the Light Rail stop at the Timonium Fairgrounds to the festival all day long.)
"It's the perfect location. Not only does it reflect the music but it also reflects how [the festival] was when it started at my house 23 years ago," he says. "Even though it's a lot bigger, Oregon Ridge somehow has that same feeling."
If you're not completely wiped out after 12 hours of live music, spectators are invited to continue the fun at Bar Louie in Hunt Valley from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. The HAMF after party is free to the public, and will feature the alternative country sounds of June Star, along with some of the festival's other featured artists who may drop by.
Although Selko admits that planning a music festival always has its ups and downs, he says that his primary focus is making people happy.
"Everyone's lives are crazy, but these 12 hours of music take you somewhere that you need to go sometimes."
Arts District On The Town Arts & Culture Counting Crows Hot August Music Festival Oregon Ridge Pigeons Playing Ping Pong Punch Brothers
Lauren Cohen is the digital senior editor at Baltimore, where she covers food, events, lifestyle, and community news.
MaxSpace
Big Screen Blues: My Favorite Films of 2020
The state of movie theaters was a bummer for those of us who like to do it in the dark, but this year still gave us some pretty remarkable films.
Movie Review: News of the World
Tom Hanks Western is exactly the film we need right now.
Movie Review: Soul
A near masterpiece from Pixar, if only they'd kept their feet on the ground.
Movie Review: Promising Young Woman
The first great revenge pic of the #MeToo era.
The Medicine Show's Artist Collaborations Inspire Social Change
Founder Ajamu White discusses his shift to digital storytelling and the intersection between activism and art.
'If You Love Baltimore, It Will Love You Back' Speaks to the Fabric of the City
Senior editor Ron Cassie discusses his new collection of vignettes about some of Baltimore's most lesser-known characters.
A Baltimore Photographer Once Captured John Lennon and Yoko Ono at The Dakota: "C'mon, Mister-all-the-way-from-Baltimore, you can do this," Stuart Zolotorow remembers Lennon telling him.
Hampden Woman Searches for Beloved 'Bawlmer' Vanity License Plate: Elizabeth Desmarais hopes to find new owner and reclaim the familial tags.
Mess in a Bottle's Kalilah Wright Wants You to Wear Your Message: The entrepreneur talks new storefront and sparking activism through clothes.
Socially Distanced First Date Ideas to Try Out This Fall: Got the first date jitters? Take the edge off at these fun spots.
This Ravens Season Will Be Most Unusual to Watch—And Play: From cardboard cutouts to ambient stadium noise, the team's "work-at-home" situation is new for everyone.
Travel Finder
Railey Mountain Lake Vacations
+ Destinations
Massanutten, VA


Copyright © 2018 Jian Sun et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Jian Sun, Yongling Fu, Shengguang Li, Jie He, Cheng Xu, and Lin Tan, "Sequential Human Activity Recognition Based on Deep Convolutional Network and Extreme Learning Machine Using Wearable Sensors," Journal of Sensors, vol. 2018, Article ID 8580959, 10 pages, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/8580959.


Lockheed Martin Recreation Association, 4:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
3400 Bryant-Irvin Blvd, Ft. Worth.
From I-35 take I-30 west to Bryant-Irvin. Turn left, building on right. Or, from I-35, take I-20 west to Bryant-Irvin, turn right, building on left. $2.00 admission.
Contact: Karen Jones 817-377-4744 or Brad Johnson (Unipsychos) 817-737-9828.
Denton Civic Center, 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Free public show at 7:30 p.m. (in the ampitheater behind the Civic Center, weather permitting).
321 E. McKinney St., in Denton. $4.00 admission.
Contact : Logan Daffron 214-EAT-JUGL.


What's in a name? Plenty. The Comfo-Back™ says it all by taking comfort to a whole new level! We've taken the traditional Adirondack and added a refined modern feel. We designed ours with a higher back and more contoured style.


text:
Condition: New & Sealed
A 2017 Record Store Day release that we still have in stock. Hot on the heels of Springsteen's breakthrough record of "Born to Run" and appearing on Time and Newsweek magazines in the same week, Springsteen and the E Street Band set out to conquer England for the first time. This 1975 recording is the complete show with Bruce and the E Street Band. It opens with the piano acoustic "Thunder Road" and then romps through several Born to Run cuts like "She's the One" and "Jungleland". It includes an epic version of "Kitty's Back" and a great cover of "Quarter to Three". This may have circulated on bootlegs for years (you may have even paid this much or more for vinyl back in the day, with plain white labels, right?) but this is the remastered and cleaned up version released for the first time on vinyl. It sounds pretty sweet. It originally saw the Light of Day officially in the Born to Run 25th anniversary box set release, but in DVD and digital form. It's a 4 record set with a few liner notes from Bruce himself.


text:
Question: What YouTube Channel Has The Least Subscribers?
Who is the richest YouTuber?
Who is the richest kid?
Who is the fastest 1 million Youtuber?
Who is the most hated Youtuber?
Who is the most loved YouTuber?
Can YouTubers hide their subscribers?
Who is the richest celebrity?
Who is the poorest person in the world?
Is PewDiePie still Number 1?
Who is the most famous kid Youtuber?
Who is the number 1 Youtuber?
Who has the most subs on YouTube 2020?
The highest-paid YouTubers of 2019Dude Perfect – $20 million.Anastasia Radzinskaya – $18 million.Rhett and Link – $17.5 million.Jeffree Star – $17 million.Preston – $14 million.PewDiePie tied with Markiplier – $13 million.DanTDM – $12 million.VanossGaming – $11.5 million.More items…•.
Prince George of CambridgeThe wealthiest kid in the world today is Prince George of Cambridge, son of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, his Duchess. He inherited a whooping fortune, rising to no less than $1 billion.
Shoaib AkhtarShoaib Akhtar gets fastest 1 million subscribers on Youtube.
Top videosRankVideo nameDislikes (million)1†"YouTube Rewind 2018: Everyone Controls Rewind"18.232†"Sadak 2 Trailer"11.663″Baby"11.634†"YouTube Rewind 2019: For the Record"9.1146 more rows
Felix Arvid Ulf Kjellberg1. Felix Arvid Ulf Kjellberg (PewDiePie) Felix has long reigned as the most popular YouTuber worldwide.
A YouTube channel may very well choose to hide the number of subscribers it has until it has built up a bigger following. … Other than that, don't fall into the trap of buying a ton of subscribers and assuming that hiding that from the world also means YouTube won't be able to tell.
Summary#1) George Lucas net worth $6.5 billion.#2) Steven Spielberg net worth $3.7 billion.#3) Oprah Winfrey net worth $3.5 billion.#4) Kanye West net worth $3.2 billion.#5) Donald Trump net worth $3.1 billion.#6) Jami Gertz net worth $3 billion.#7) Michael Jordan net worth $2.2 billion.More items…•
man Jerome KervielThe world's poorest man Jerome Kerviel has handed himself in to French authorities. Jerome Kerviel, the ex-Societe Generale trader who has more debt than anyone else in the world, has turned himself in to French authorities to begin a three-year jail sentence.
T-Series overtook PewDiePie as the most subscribed channel on YouTube and became the first channel to reach 100 million subscribers. … T-Series has held the title of most-viewed channel since early 2017, and PewDiePie had been the most-subscribed channel since 2013.
10 Kid Influencers Achieving Fame & Fortune On YouTubeThe 10 Kid YouTubers Under 12 Driving Social Media Trends. … EvanTubeHD — 4.6 Million Subscribers. … Kids' Toys — 2.4 Million Subscribers. … EthanGamer — 1.7 Million Subscribers. … Babyteeth4 — 1.6 Million Subscribers. … B2cuteCupcakes — 1.6 Million Subscribers.More items…
1. PewDiePie — 105 million subscribers. Video type: PewDiePie is known for his popular videos where he gives commentary while playing video games.
What is the most subscribed YouTube channel? Indian music network T-Series had the most YouTube subscribers in the world in March 2020, with almost 140 million users following the channel. Swedish video game commentator PewDiePie ranked second with over 103 million subscribers.
Question: What Is Bad About The Internet?
Where is Cocomelon made? Cocomelon is based out of
Quick Answer: Is Dunkin Donuts Halal?
Are Dunkin Donuts kosher? The following bakery goods
What Is The Fastest Way To Cure Adrenal Fatigue?
How do you treat adrenal fatigue naturally?
Quick Answer: When Were The Peelian Principles Created?
How do police officers use discretion? In a law enforcement
How Can Electricity Help Us?
What if there were no electricity? If there were no


Are you searching for the latest fashion trends? Is it for a special occasion or are you looking for something casual? Well, you have come to the right place to do some online shopping! Fashiola has all you need, from the best designer labels and the biggest shops from the region and across the world. So, if you're looking for a new pair of jeans, a blouse or Arabian clothing for a special occasion, we've got it all! You can start by exploring the category for some inspiration or narrowing down your search by using the filters.


As the weather heats up, cocktails tend to strip down. Clear spirits appear on bar menus more frequently and, as too often is the case, sometimes it's at the expense of flavor. Simple, refreshing drinks don't have to taste boring. And clear liquors don't have to stand by as your only mixing option. This week, try a Sangre de Migrantes (or "Blood of the Migrants") Happy Hour cocktail. Made with mezcal, the cocktail offers a smoky, complex riff on a traditional margarita.
Jeremy Hawn, head bartender of Gotham Bar and Grill in New York City, created this week's cocktail. It combines mezcal, Aperol, cilantro, lime juice, with a little bit of green Chartreuse and simple syrup. You muddle the cilantro before the other ingredients are added, which allows its natural oils to be released into the cocktail. The result is a bright, fresh flavor that doesn't overshadow the other components.
Bravery aside, mezcal is simply a smoky cousin to tequila. Both originate from the agave plant, but mezcal is smoked rather then steamed. Worried about buying a whole bottle? This cocktail will work well with you favorite tequila, too.
Try a Sangre de Migrantes with ceviche or a fresh guacamole. (It tastes great with fresh-flavored foods.) And toast to making this summer a little more interesting.
Muddle 10 cilantro leaves in a shaker, pour in above ingredients, shake vigorously, strain and serve over ice in a rocks glass.


text:
Q: Spring, configure preferred bean to autowire when multiple instances are present I've an interface being injected as bean into multiple components.
Three classes implement this interface which leads to ambiguity for spring to autowire the beans.
I would like a flexible way (preferentially through the application.properties or an env var) to specify which bean to chose...
EX
public interface MyComponent{
}
@Component("a")
public class MyComponentA implements MyComponent{
}
@Component("b")
public class MyComponentB implements MyComponent {
}

@Component("c")
public class MyComponentC implements MyComponent{
}

then many classes through the system might autowire this component
@Autowired
MyComponent bean;

I know i can use @Qualifier("a") to determine which implementation to inject, but the problem is that if I want to cheange from 'a' to 'c' i will need to change the code in multiple places...
I wanted a global way to select which bean to use when qualifier is not present

A: I guess what you are looking for is the @ConditionalOnProperty annotation that you can apply to the component:
@Component("a")
@ConditionalOnProperty(name = "component", havingValue = "a")
public class MyComponentA implements MyComponent{
}

@Component("b")
@ConditionalOnProperty(name = "component", havingValue = "b")
public class MyComponentB implements MyComponent {
}

@Component("c")
@ConditionalOnProperty(name = "component", havingValue = "c")
public class MyComponentC implements MyComponent{
}

See https://www.baeldung.com/spring-conditionalonproperty for more information about this solution.
You can explore more about conditional annotations in Spring here: https://www.baeldung.com/spring-conditional-annotations

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Q: Getting Postfix Bounce on GCP Google Cloud VM using Sendgrid - sender non-delivery notification I am running Debian 8 on GCP VM. Trying to send e-mails with postfix using Sendgrid SMTP service, but I am getting bounce and none of the e-mails are getting delivered.
I followed documentaion and instructions, but not sure where the issue is ...
I tried using apikey approach as well as username/password, but both didn't work.
Documentation: https://cloud.google.com/compute/docs/tutorials/sending-mail/using-sendgrid
Syslog message below
May  4 23:30:20 elegant-dxlhoa-logintry-vm systemd[1]: Stopping System Logging Service...
May  4 23:30:20 elegant-dxlhoa-logintry-vm systemd[1]: Starting System Logging Service...
May  4 23:30:20 elegant-dxlhoa-logintry-vm systemd[1]: Started System Logging Service.
May  4 23:30:31 elegant-dxlhoa-logintry-vm postfix/pickup[4953]: 9F834A0CF7: uid=0 from=<root@elegant-dxlhoa-logintry-vm.c.elegant-dxl-dream.internal>
May  4 23:30:31 elegant-dxlhoa-logintry-vm postfix/cleanup[4976]: 9F834A0CF7: message-id=<20180504233031.9F834A0CF7@dxlhoa-vm.c.dxl-dream.internal>
May  4 23:30:31 elegant-dxlhoa-logintry-vm postfix/qmgr[4954]: 9F834A0CF7: from=<root@elegant-dxlhoa-logintry-vm.c.elegant-dxl-dream.internal>, size=428, nrcpt=1 (queue active)
May  4 23:30:31 elegant-dxlhoa-logintry-vm postfix/error[4978]: 9F834A0CF7: to=<ctg.cloudtechguy@gmail.com>, relay=none, delay=0.01, delays=0.01/0/0/0, dsn=5.0.0, status=bounced ([smtp.sendgrid.net]:2525)
May  4 23:30:31 elegant-dxlhoa-logintry-vm postfix/cleanup[4976]: A1BA6A0D0A: message-id=<20180504233031.A1BA6A0D0A@dxlhoa-vm.c.dxl-dream.internal>
May  4 23:30:31 elegant-dxlhoa-logintry-vm postfix/bounce[4980]: 9F834A0CF7: sender non-delivery notification: A1BA6A0D0A
May  4 23:30:31 elegant-dxlhoa-logintry-vm postfix/qmgr[4954]: 9F834A0CF7: removed
May  4 23:30:31 elegant-dxlhoa-logintry-vm postfix/qmgr[4954]: A1BA6A0D0A: from=<>, size=2434, nrcpt=1 (queue active)
May  4 23:30:31 elegant-dxlhoa-logintry-vm postfix/error[4978]: A1BA6A0D0A: to=<root@elegant-dxlhoa-logintry-vm.c.elegant-dxl-dream.internal>, relay=none, delay=0.02, delays=0/0/0/0.02, dsn=5.0.0, status=bounced ([smtp.sendgrid.net]:2525)
May  4 23:30:31 elegant-dxlhoa-logintry-vm postfix/qmgr[4954]: A1BA6A0D0A: removed
?Starting                                                                                289,56        Bot

Main.cf configuration below
# See /usr/share/postfix/main.cf.dist for a commented, more complete version

# Debian specific:  Specifying a file name will cause the first
# line of that file to be used as the name.  The Debian default
# is /etc/mailname.
#myorigin = /etc/mailname

smtpd_banner = $myhostname ESMTP $mail_name (Debian/GNU)
biff = no

# appending .domain is the MUA's job.
append_dot_mydomain = no

# Uncomment the next line to generate "delayed mail" warnings
#delay_warning_time = 4h

readme_directory = no

# TLS parameters
smtpd_tls_cert_file=/etc/ssl/certs/ssl-cert-snakeoil.pem
smtpd_tls_key_file=/etc/ssl/private/ssl-cert-snakeoil.key
smtpd_use_tls=yes
smtpd_tls_session_cache_database = btree:${data_directory}/smtpd_scache
smtp_tls_session_cache_database = btree:${data_directory}/smtp_scache

# See /usr/share/doc/postfix/TLS_README.gz in the postfix-doc package for
# information on enabling SSL in the smtp client.

smtpd_relay_restrictions = permit_mynetworks permit_sasl_authenticated defer_unauth_destination
myhostname = dxlhoa-vm.c.dxl-dream.internal
alias_maps = hash:/etc/aliases
alias_database = hash:/etc/aliases
myorigin = /etc/mailname
mydestination = dxlhoa-vm.c.dxl-dream.internal, localhost.c.dxl-dream.internal, , localhost
mynetworks = 127.0.0.0/8 [::ffff:127.0.0.0]/104 [::1]/128
mailbox_size_limit = 0
recipient_delimiter = +
inet_interfaces = all
relayhost = [smtp.sendgrid.net]:2525
mtp_tls_security_level = encrypt
smtp_sasl_auth_enable = yes
smtp_sasl_password_maps = hash:/etc/postfix/sasl_passwd
smtp_sasl_security_options = noanonymous
smtp_sasl_tls_security_options = noanonymous
default_transport = error
relay_transport = error
smtp_tls_security_level = encrypt
smtp_sasl_auth_enable = yes
smtp_sasl_password_maps = hash:/etc/postfix/sasl_passwd
header_size_limit = 4096000
smtp_sasl_security_options = noanonymous
bounce_template_file = /etc/postfix/bounce.cf

Appreciate if anyone can help,
thanks
TP

A: As described in this article you can run following command to make sure there is connectivity to SendGrid's SMTP relay.
telnet smtp.sendgrid.net 2525

Also, visit this documentation for some tips on Postfix configuration for SendGrid on Linux machines.


text:
Vinnie Paul All-Star tributes: Louder Than Life and Aftershock festivals
Vinnie Paul, HELLYEAH, Aftershock
We lost one of the greats, this summer.
Vinnie Paul, drummer with Pantera, Damageplan and most recently, HELLYEAH, passed away in June, 2018... far too soon.
HELLYEAH were due to play at both Louder Than Life (Louisville, Kentucky) and Aftershock (Sacramento, California) this fall/autumn. Now, an all-star tribute to Vinnie is planned at both festivals, organized by the festivals' Danny Wimmer Presents together with Sirius XM's Jose Mangin.
The tribute will feature members of Five Finger Death Punch, Korn, Godsmack, Deftones, HELLYEAH, Shinedown, Sevendust, GWAR, Bullet For My Valentine, Body Count, KYNG, Cane Hill, Emmure and more and will include songs from Pantera and Damageplan.
Vinnie Paul Tribute
The tributes will happen on Saturday, September 29 at Louder Than Life, and on Saturday, October 13 at Monster Energy Aftershock.
Jose Mangin says, "Vinnie is an idol turned big time friend, and he left a massive void on this earth. When Danny (Wimmer) and Gary (Spivack) asked me to put together something special for Vin, I knew the best way to pay tribute to him would be to throw a Texas-sized jam session belting out Pan-mutha-fukkin-tera songs loud & proud! Everyone involved is doing this because they love Vinnie, and together we can all carry on his name, music and spirit forever!"
Vinnie Paul and Chad Gray, HELLYEAH, Aftershock
Louder Than Life this year is three days! Friday, September 28 to Sunday, September 30 at Champions Park in Louisville, KY. Aftershock is the weekend of October 13 and 14 with local heros Deftones headlining. Both festivals have huge, huge lineups... check out Louder Than Life here, and Aftershock here. Be there!!!
(And if you are in the UK or Europe and want to know who Jose Mangin is, check out Sirius XM Octane through their website. My favourite radio station, which unfortunately is only available in the USA. You can (sometimes, occasionally... it's quirky) listen on line for a limited time--click the Listen Now button--and hear some of the USA's best hard rock and melodic metal. If that doesn't work today, there are always recordings, top 20 and other articles on the website. I really, really wish they would make Sirius XM available worldwide!)
Vinnie Paul and Chad Gray, HELLYEAH, Ace of Spades, Sacramento
I still say he's the happiest drummer on the planet :-) An interview/discussion with Brian Steele Medina
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Family games are responsible for building childhood memories that last a lifetime. Games not only help your child develop socially but most games are educational in one way or another. Whether the game is a physical activity in the back yard or a board game at the kitchen table, the child will learn lessons by winning, by losing, by following the rules and by waiting for a slower player. Some games offer the opportunity to work on reading and math skills and still others polish memory skills.
Many parents have a hard time finding the game that is suitable for all members of the family, whether it's because of a gap in ability or a difference of interest. Some games have such complex rules that they become more burden than fun.
Not to worry. These are games. Adapt the rules and make the game work for you. Be careful how you go about it, though. Even though it's fun to make up the rules of a game as you go along, every game can't be played like that. Sooner or later the child has to know that rules have to be set out in advance and followed consistently throughout the game.
As you start experimenting with the game to adopt rules to make it work for your family, let each child make suggestions. If the suggestion doesn't work, laugh and cross it off the list. Be flexible and enjoy the process.
Encourage compromise when establishing new rules. Let each child have a certain number of vetos on the rules suggested. This will help keep disagreements from escalating into major conflicts.
Make sure that the kids understand that these new rules for the game are unique to your family. Other kids may have the same game, but the rules will be different because your family has adapted the rules to fit your needs. Let them know the importance of setting out the rules before they start playing any game so that it's a fun experience and doesn't lead to arguments.
As the younger kids mature, try to incorporate as many of the official rules of the game into your family game night as possible. This will make it easier for your kids to play the games with others as their social circle expands.
Don't forget that the best games are not only educational, they're fun for everyone.


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Report: Mass. commuters want action on traffic-choked roads, unreliable transit
Apr 24, 2019 at 12:01 AM Apr 24, 2019 at 9:41 AM
According to a statewide poll, sixty-six percent say there's an urgent need to improve the state's transportation system.
Workers are fed up with their commutes, according to a recent statewide poll of registered voters.
Of the 1,200 participants, those with the longest commutes report the frustration has led them to consider changing jobs or leaving the region, according to the report prepared by The MassINC Polling Group. Sixty-six percent say there's an urgent need to improve the state's transportation system.
"The levels of frustration we are seeing in this poll suggest a significant portion of workers are reaching a breaking point when it comes to their commutes," said Steve Koczela, president of MassINC Polling, in a statement.
At the Framingham rest stop on the Mass. Pike Tuesday afternoon, Asael Cespedes of Westborough said he travels to different MetroPCS stores for his corporate job.
"I'd rather stay out in the stores and not deal with the traffic," he said of rush hour.
"Could it always be better? Yes," he said in response to the results of the poll. "Out here there are times you wish there were a better way than the Pike."
He blames the aging highway infrastructure. But the weather and solar glare are factors nobody has control over, he said.
"We currently don't have the bandwidth to handle all the traffic we have nowadays," Cespedes said. "It would be good to have expanded highways, but then what will we end up with? The 'Big Dig' again?"
Full-time workers feeling strain, especially those on transit and with long commutes
Q: In the past few months, have delays on the roads
or public transportation caused you to ...
All full-time
Morning commute
15 or < minutes
>45 minutes ... become stressed, angry, or frustrated 72% 73% 78% 64% 70% 76% 80% ... leave earlier or later to avoid the busiest times 72% 71% 82% 59% 74% 78% 86% ... be late for work 53% 52% 63% 32% 48% 61% 71% ... be late for appointments 47% 47% 53% 34% 49% 53% 62% ... consider changing jobs to get a better commute 30% 30% 37% 19% 20% 34% 51% ... consider moving out of the area altogether 23% 24% 29% 16% 19% 29% 30%
Source: The MassINC Polling Group. Responses were collected via online survey interviewing March 15-25.
Full report by MassINC Polling Group
Only 17 percent believe transportation has gotten easier over the past five years and 19 percent think it will get easier over the next five years.
"As a planning agency, we're always looking ahead to what the region will be like 10, 20, or 30 years from now," said Lizzi Weyant, director of government affairs at the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, in the release. "These numbers show that the region needs to make some big changes - from investing in public transit to coordinating transportation with land-use decisions like where to build housing - to meet today's needs and to prepare for the future."
To deal with the traffic congestion, 67 percent reported leaving earlier or later and 63 percent say they have felt stressed, angry or frustrated. Impacts are worse for those who use public transportation with 63 percent reporting having been late for work, and 53 percent say they've been late for appointments in the recent past.
I'm frustrated with the Pike. Metrowest commuters have been paying through the nose for decades. Only got worse with the gantry installation. Raise funds for better roads by making everyone else pay like we do. Also Uber and Lyft are a python slowly strangling our state.
— charliework (@millburysshoe)April 23, 2019
One big local initiative is reconstructing the Mass. Pike/Interstate 495 interchange, which draws at least 50 percent of the state's freight traffic. There have also been talks about the I-290/I-495 and Rte. 9/I-495 interchanges.
During a meeting with U.S. Rep Lori Trahan last week in Marlborough, Jonathan Gulliver, highway administrator for the state Department of Transportation, said the Mass. Pike/Interstate 495 project is a least two years away from breaking ground.
The survey shows voters support efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation by charging a fee to gasoline importers, increasing the frequency of commuter rail trains, off-peak toll discounts and regional ballots, which would allow regions to raise local taxes for transportation projects
I went from 30 miles to 6 back in January ... so that would be a no for me.
— Robert Fucci (@RobertJFucci)April 23, 2019
Jay Ash, president and CEO of the Massachusetts Competitive Partnership, said employers are getting the same messages from workers.
"This polling echoes what employers have been hearing from their workers for some time now," he said. "That's why business leaders continue to prioritize transportation policy advancement: for the convenience of our residents and businesses, and the overall health of our economy."
The poll reinforces the urgent need for fixes in the state's transportation system, said Kathryn Carlson, Director of Transportation for A Better City.
"The growing chorus of voices - from the business community to transit advocates to people in cities and towns across the commonwealth - are singing the same refrain: 2019 must be a year of action at the Statehouse to deliver the modern, comfortable, and convenient transportation system we deserve," she said.


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"With keen insight into the practical issues of teaching at the Jr. High level, Curtis has created a method that guides students and teachers through clearly defined and attainable steps for learning improvisation skills." - Dr. Kirt Saville
Overview of the Jazz Improvisation Method
Explore 9 Pathways to learn
how to improvise in a jazz style.
The step-by-step lessons, visual aids, and play-along tracks will help you play amazing solos!
For Individual Study
The 48-page book with 2 CDs is available for under $20. For school band teachers the Reproducible Classroom Set makes Improv Pathways very affordable.
FUN FOR KIDS & ADULTS
Improv time will be the highlight of your jazz ensemble rehearsals! Click here for 2 sample lessons.
EASY ON THE "TIME"
Each lesson takes only 30 minutes to complete, and the entire method can be finished in 5 months, leaving plenty of time to prepare for concerts.
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Each lesson provides several instructional and play-along audio tracks, making it easy to learn and practice new skills.
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Easy and effective for individual study and school jazz ensembles.
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All the best of jazz pedagogy is merged with innovative features.
Teachers LOVE using this method with their students.
Click here for Reviews.
Meet the Author of Improv Pathways
As an undergraduate at Brigham Young University, Curtis played trombone in a variety of ensembles including the Jazz Legacy Dixieland Band and Synthesis. He studied conducting with Dave Blackinton and Clynn Barrus, and jazz improvisation with Steve Call. He was drum major of the Cougar Marching Band, and performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival with Synthesis, appearing as a soloist on their Live at Montreux album.
While finishing his BM in Music Education at BYU, Curtis accepted an internship offer from Orem Junior High School and is now in his 19th year at this small Title 1 school, currently teaching 5 band classes and 3 orchestra classes. Parents recognized him as Teacher of the Year with the school's Golden Apple Award in 2007, and the Utah Music Educators Association presented him with the Outstanding Achievement Award in 2017. His ensembles have all been accepted to the Utah State Junior High Festivals, and have received multiple Superior ratings.
Curtis has been blessed to work alongside Jazz Educators Network President Caleb Chapman for nearly 20 years, and is currently the director and producer of the youngest jazz ensemble at his award-winning Soundhouse, the New Bop Big Band (ages 9-14). At summer jazz camps Curtis has team taught improvisation classes with Grammy Award winning saxophonist Jeff Coffin. Curtis also serves as a staff composed and arranged for the Soundhouse's flagship ensemble, the Crescent Super Band.
While earning a Masters in Music Education at BYU, Curtis received a BYU Graduate Research Fellowship allowing him to create the Improv Pathways Jazz Improvisation Method and launch websites devoted to (1) improvisation and (2) beginning band & orchestra materials. His StepWise Fingering Charts were published in the Scale and Rhythm Chunks series by Richard Canter, while his "old-school" StepWise Flashcards were recently "upgraded" into the NinGenius Music iOS app, allowing students to learn and demonstrate mastery of notes and fingerings with gamified appeal. He has presented clinics on jazz improvisation to music educator conferences in Utah, Colorado, and Ohio. In 2017 he was invited to present at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago.
His wife Christie continually inspires him to improve as an educator and as a person, and their six children fill his life with love, purpose, and adventure.


Fr.Abraham, Director of XLRI, Jamshedpur, and few of the faculty-members will be in Dubai. The faculty-members who are expected to come are Dr.Jittu Singh, Viji, Fr.George and Sriman. Gango is also in town and is expected to be there.
Some of the students/alumni from XLRI-AIT will also be attending the event.


Just added a new design by request.
If you want to load up your Phantom with dual batteries, gimbal and FPV gear, this will make it easy.
3D printed ABS, light and strong.
I have other colors available, just ask!
I never could do a diary either.


So simple - I'm going to give this a try, though my local isn't likely to run to shiitake either.
Vicki, I have tried it with brown, oyster and button mushrooms so don't stress too much about not having shiitake.
I know what you mean about 4-ingredient cookbooks -- usually there isn't enough complexity in flavor. But I imagine the oyster sauce itself is flavorful enough. I love broccolini and we buy it often and use for stir-fries or on it's own as a side veggie.
For me, the oyster sauce can be a little strong, but it certainly is a good weeknight meal. Quick, easy and healthy.
I've also not seen the point of broccolini, but maybe I should give it a chance!
Hi Joy, it is definitely easy for stir fries and steaming!
I've had mixed luck with the limited ingredient cookbooks as well but when the recipes are good they're usually amazing! This sounds tasty though I'm not sure I've ever had a broccolini!
I will keep trying things if only in search of a little variety and inspiration!
Maybe my girls would like brocolini better than regular brocoli? Wonder how difficult it is to find. This sounds so easy but just four ingredients?!
Trish, I can usually get broccolini and baby broccoli without any great difficulty. It's the mushrooms that are a bit harder to find.
I think my sons would love this recipe.
Let me know if you try it Diane.
This sounds so easy and good-I love anything with broccoli or broccolini.
Broccoli is my favourite vegetable! It's good to find different things to do with it.


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This could be the day you decide to live a new way.
On her path through evolution.
Public opinion is becoming a superpower, if unarmed.
Can we put aside, for now, our differences of opinion on the issues that matter least?
You know, those over which we quarrel the most.
To get working on what really matters?
In 1942, during WWII, the USA tested the first nuclear weapons explosion in human history. Leading scientists of that time (Edward Teller, Hans Bethe, J. Robert Oppenheimer and colleagues), involved in the project and familiar with its implications, raised concerns that the fission explosion might trigger runaway fusion and informed their leaders/employers, the US government officials running the project, of the real possibility that the planned explosion may ignite the atmosphere and thus extinguish all life on Earth.
The end of all life on Earth was incredibly unlikely, but they could not be sure.
The Government officials went ahead anyway.
Today, 72 years later, humanity is on the verge of developing technologies it may quickly lose control of, and there is nothing some of our 'leaders' wouldn't do for a profit. Believe it. They will test new bombs, new chemical and biological agents, and even viruses, without worrying about potential 'collateral damage'.
We never really know the agendas of our leaders. They have shown us, again and again. Can you see that? I mean, many see themselves as the 'boss' of their 'subjects', Us. De facto, the taxpaying populous is paying their salary, so, who's the boss again? If 80% of the voters don't want a wall, you can't just build it anyway.
if you are not a millionaire a hundred times over, you are not it, you better be aware of that.
In our 'free society', corporations are free to destroy the environment, treat their employees like slaves, lie in their advertising, keep the populous uninformed and ignorant to their misdoings and even direct governments what to do and what not and control legislature via lobbying, advertising and marketing in general.
Some governments feel free to spy on all our communication, digital or not, and arrest who they want without a warrant for days on. If you are a regular citizen, then the freedom isn't yours. You know these issues are real, just look around you, get informed.
How much more of this is it going to take?
More developed weapon systems don't make us a better people. Our drones won't help us, others have them too, and nukes, and chemicals, and biological agents, where will it all end?
In a world as technologically advanced as ours, global, rampant armament can only end one way: the annihilation of our species. There is no other outcome, no winner, no chance. No one disagrees with this assumption. Ever play tic tac toe?
When it comes to the military (complex), it has grown out of control, literally. The US spend 650 Billions on defense per annum, a large portion of their budget. Now, the US Commander In Chief, commander of the generally assumed 'most powerful armed forces on the planet, calls for a nuclear arms race. That is not only costly and unwise, it is incredibly dangerous, for all life on Earth.
The human race spends $1'700'000'000'000---/A globally, that is $1'700 billion, or 1'700'000 million dollars per year on attempting self annihilation. Surprisingly enough though, we call ourself an intelligent species. This fact alone shows how ignorant, arrogant and stupid we are (behaving).
I wonder, are we actually lacking the intelligence to do better, or are we just behaving that way, while ignoring obvious facts and certain consequences of our actions?
There is now, what I call, the 'space industrial complex', whose proclaimed goal it is, to colonize Mars, and then reach further into space. Now, I am an outspoken fan of science fiction and science in general. Nonetheless, I try to implement rational thinking and logic in all of my every day and long term decision making. The idea of traveling to other worlds and exploring outer space, the chance to encounter most likely intelligent, non violent extraterrestrial life forms, fills me with euphoria, hope and a sense of adventure.
That being said, here is how I consider this issue, thinking rationally.
In order for a species to reach a level of technology, necessary for interstellar travel, said species first needs to understand the futility of violence and abolish it altogether, or it will self destruct before reaching said level, due to the misuse of acquired technologies, whose potential powers we don't yet understand and/or take too lightly.
In addition, Mars, in its present state, is unable to support organic life. Allow me to remind you, that includes human life. We would have to terraform the atmosphere first, which, according to Christopher P. McKay (a planetary scientist at NASA Ames Research Center, studying planetary atmospheres, astrobiology, and terraforming. McKay majored in physics at Florida Atlantic University, where he also studied mechanical engineering, graduating in 1975, and received his PhD in astrogeophysics from the University of Colorado in 1982) could require 100'000 years for the complete process, a few thousand years for simple plant life and first, very low levels of oxygen. Then we would colonise and bring flora and fauna from Earth. After thousands of years and trillions in spending, we may be able to breathe the air on Mars.
I believe we should explore space, not yet, but when we are ready as a species, or we will bring all our social problems with us.
Earth is a beautiful place, you don't even know most of it, and you know what? It is perfectly fit to support human life and more. It can easily take 10 billion people if we get along and manage the place sustainably. Earth is the most perfect place for human life we may find in the Universe. I mean, apart from the damage we have caused, what would you change?
You know what else? it's right outside your door.
Earth can be a paradise, with very little effort, (relatively).
Our 'Leaders', corporate and governments, allow us to fight verbally.
We make films about revolutionaries, idolising the heroes.
We have thousands of books about movements and activism and even revolutions.
Activist groups online are a dime a dozen.
Series like 'cable girls', make us dream of acting up ourself.
Activist groups on social media find more and more followers.
The reason why the elite is letting all this happen, is because we don't seem to have a real goal.
We rarely go beyond signing a petition, if that.
We are not a real danger to them because we can't really stand together.
We need to come together and begin talking, and changing the way we live our lives.
We (the common people), are the majority. We outnumber the part of the elite which misbehaves by more than 5000/1. We need to show everyone that we are ready for change by begining to make our own choices in everyday life, choices that we know are good for us, personally and as a species.
We all need to recognise that we must learn and change the way we behave and think. We need to learn what we have in common, and not dwell on issues and things to fight over like hyenas. We need to rationally educate each other, and accept our differences in believe and heritage.
I think, most importantly we need to learn and exercise tolerance and consideration.
More and more individuals and groups around the globe are emerging and starting to inform people and organise. A new awareness has emerged and is growing everywhere.
Thousands have become active during the last two decades, even rich hedge fund managers called investor/shareholder activists, celebrities and Big Business people like Bill Maher, Bill Gates, Noam Chomsky and many more, whom I have listed here.
They all fight for a better world. Some fight for a specific cause, some for more democracy in their country and some fight broadband for a better quality of living, but they fight in their industry or for their region in the world, so far.
In the core, we all want the same, now we have to begin to act together.
We have to actually get together and drop our local, racial or social differences and petty quarrels that keep us from achieving major milestones.
Nationalist thinking and patriotism, all nations for themselves, keep the real, the global issues from getting solved.
Nationalism and patriotism have no beneficiaries except those who make a profit from international armed conflicts, which sprout on nationalism, those who prefer going about their 'business as usual'.
National pride is an illusion. One can only be proud over personal achievement.
Pride is a feeling of deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one's own achievements or the achievements of one's close associates.
Where is the achievement in having been born at a specific location?
Why should I be proud to be Swiss? I am certainly glad I have a Swiss passport, but why should I be proud? I didn't actively have a hand in achieving it, it is pure coincidence.
Mainstream media preaches and indoctrinates our peoples patriotism instead of humanism. Why is it important where we come from, give me one reason, other than climate and socio economic conditions.
Whether you are a Norwegian fisherman, an Austrian dairy farmer, a US postman, a German engineer, a Swiss banker, a Chinese rice farmer, a native Australian shaman, or the mother of two children in Cape Town, it matters not. You all essentially want the same. You want to live in peace and you want for your loved ones to prosper and live a life in peace. We all want to live in conditions in which we can thrive and pursue our own idea of happiness.
As long as we have nations, and corporations fighting for resources we don't need, (coal, oil, diamonds etc.) and leaders who tell us that we need them, we will have riots, wars, freedom fighters, revolutions and terrorism. The hunger for the finite resources we are trying to satisfy with 'stolen' goods from third world nations, entails a feeding process that necessitates wars being fought over the territories in which we find said goods.
We don't need oil, we have other, renewable energy sources at our disposal that would be more than sufficient, ready for harvesting, if we could only stop squandering resources and energy in endless arms races and fighting for our leaders differences of opinion that often we don't even share.
Why can't we think of anything better to do than hating and killing each other for no real reason other than the above mentioned?
We have been told the others are evil and want to kill us.
Those who really kill us are the corporate leaders. They do it by allowing carcinogens in our food and food chain, by poisoning our water supply, by cheating us out of healthcare, by sending us to fight wars for their profits, by letting the economy collapse, by misinformation, via lobbyism and by destroying our habitats/ the environment.
They are the worst terrorists.
Meanwhile, the 'terrorism', which we presently have the media try and make us think is a big problem, is in fact and number, not really such a big problem, relatively speaking. Check any list for causes of death (ranking), there are many and they say mostly the same. Less people die from terrorism than from suffocation due to a pea stuck in their throat.
As it stands, we a very misbehaving species on a well deserved self destruct course.
In my viewing angle, we, the common people, are as much to blame as the ruling class we accuse of covertly, illegally and unethically controlling us. Every time we purchase a product, we have a choice. Mostly we make the wrong choice because it is convenient. then we blame our leaders for allowing bad products to be made and rotten services to be sold.
We have the choice, almost every time we are being consumers.
In a few millennia, we have managed to bring the ecosystem of our home planet to the edge of collapse. Do you call that intelligent?
This collapse will be but a hiccup to the planet.
'Good riddance. Now where were we before this mishap?'.
Now, correct me if I am wrong. I found inumerous, mostly very informative and inspiring literature on the subject of my work.
Unfortunately, I also found most of them lacking the aspect of finding ways to work together as a species, globally.
What would you be willing to do, to help humanity reach the first major milestones en route to achieving world peace and a sustainable economy in your lifetime?
Would you accept, or even like it, if your neighbors were peaceful Caucasians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, Africans Chinese, Pakistani, American Native Indians, Greeks etc.? If not, can you tell us why not?
Do you believe all of humanities cultures/races, living peacefully under a mutually agreed upon and binding international constitution (with local enforcement), locally governed and with local/national variations/amendments) based on the most advanced democracies/societies, and the ideas of the grandest intellectuals in the world, will be possible in time? If not, can you tell us why not?
If you belong to the 99.99% or so, of the worlds population who are being ruled by the 0.01% or so, do you believe your live is as good as it can be and that the human species at peace and existing in a balanced, fair, healthy, sustainable society is impossible?
Have you considered the possibility that you see your situation as better than it really is?
Have you considered your sources of information, and have you applied all reason and rationale you could muster, while coming to your conclusion?
If you still oppose the Ideas presented here, would you actively oppose people or groups who actively, but with consideration for those (common people) who oppose them, try to achieve the greater goals as described within?
If no, welcome to humanity, a vision.
If we are to evolve as a species and 'build a new society', forged from all cultures and races on Earth, there would have to be 'rules', and I'm sorry, but you (or I) may not like them all. Eventually, those 'rules', this new 'constitution', would have to be established in a direct democratic way, authored by the greatest minds humanity can bring forth. The way I see it, such a new legislature would sound a bit harsh for some, but for the majority it would mean living conditions much more favourable for them, and for a human society to thrive in, sustainably.
Tolerance and consideration will be major concepts taught at all elementary schools.
Complete freedom of expression, as long as no other parties are threatened.
All citizens are equal before the law without privileges and/or exceptions.
Weapons and international armed conflicts are abolished, step by step. International violence must become a thing of the past.
Energy is produced from sustainable sources only.
Frees an estimated $???---/A globally in health care spendings due to cleaner environment and less violence/war.
Corporate power needs to be banned from politics and from social life.
More consumer reporting (public and transparent, one voice per comment, like trip advisor) The internet will open new possibilities to implement this, and this will reduce product cost and enhance product quality, furthermore, controlled, transparent lobbyism and marketing, will help eliminate corruption and free up further resources.
Decentralised, World government system: direct democracy, with strong local executive and judicative structures (decentralised, national, regional) If globalisation progresses in some way, this becomes necessary to make it fair.
A Global executive and penal system, ideally run by an A.I.
A living, thriving planet Earth.
All this may sound a bit idealistic, and definitely utopic, I'm aware of that.
Here is the challenge, I have mentioned it in the at the top.
Public opinion is becoming a new superpower. So how about unifying our opinions on what matters most, and to most, and letting that power grow. Let us put aside our differences of opinion on the issues that matter least, and forget, for a while, the little issues over which we quarrel the most?
Let us put our heads together and find a common ground for the issues that matter most?
Then we can make sure our children will live on a planet and in a society that we want them to live on/in.
The Alternative, you don't want it.
We need to understand the different underlying socio-economic condition in every region/nation, understanding these conditions would be one of the first tasks en route.
The information, contained here, is the result of thorough research and fact checking, It is an ongoing process in collaboration with registered readers and fellow Citizens and human patriots of all nations.
This page is a work in progress. Your feedback, input and collaboration is appreciated. Please remain rational and fact based.


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Utilising only the best natural stone, your lobby, corridors and office floors can improve immeasurably with appealing and high quality paving and cladding. All our services are undertaken by experienced stone masons who use top of the range equipment to ensure high quality results. A full list of the services we offer can be found here.
All of our fitters will ensure that your needs are met and that you are completely satisfied with the end product. We meet budgets and exceed expectations time and time again for both commercial and domestic customers throughout the UK.
From the smallest reception room of a local business to the front of an organization's flagship store, we are highly experienced and fully capable of delivering outstanding masonry work for a wide range of commercial and domestic clients. If you are based in the Leeds area and would like to commission a stone masonry project, please get in touch on 07957 978 385.


Very simple to grow strain. Requires very little fuss and gives great buds all over the plant. Love this strain. Absolutely loves sun though, so be prepared to get some quality grow lights if you grow indoors during offseason. Sweet citrusy scent that I can't get enough of. Very high yield compared to comparable strains.