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Tetsubo is coming
We've signed the contract. After thirty years, it's finally going to happen. It --
I should really start at the beginning, shouldn't I?
Tetsubo is a Japanese role-playing game that Jamie and I wrote back in the '80s to supplement Games Workshop's Warhammer RPG.
We had a blast researching it. We've always been big fans of directors like Kurosawa and Mizoguchi, so we got to rewatch a bunch of classic movies. And we loved steeping ourselves in the folklore of medieval Japan, with whopping great books like Henri L Joly's Legend in Japanese Art.
One of the things we wanted to capture in Tetsubo is the rural folk tradition in Japanese myth. Monsters are fabulous and strange, like something out of a dream, out of the Land of Roots. For the medieval Japanese the invisible world was never far away and it was the subject of fascination as well as dread. Tetsubo tries to capture that sense of energy and danger and weirdness. It's very far from being D&D with Oriental names.
But the project was not to be. The very week we were going to send Tetsubo over to Games Workshop, our contact there, Paul Cockburn, quit the company. Nobody else was particularly keen to pursue the idea of a Japanese WFRP book, so eventually we returned the advance (that was three pints of beer apiece we had to pay for ourselves, then) and recovered our manuscript. I think I had some vague plan of converting it to Dragon Warriors. But other projects got in the way, Tetsubo went back in the attic, and there it stayed until a few months ago when we got a message from Daniel Fox, founder of Grim & Perilous Studios.
Daniel is the designer and publisher of Zweihänder, a gritty roleplaying game for settings like the Witcher, Game of Thrones, Solomon Kane, and the Black Company. In short, the entire genre of fantasy spawned by Michael Moorcock's Von Bek stories.
Daniel sent us a copy of the Zweihänder rulebook, a truly mighty tome that fully justifies the name. He'd seen the Tetsubo PDF that we used to offer for free -- not the full work, that, just the pages we had in digital form. (Well, it was the 1980s. A lot of it was written on typewriters or stored on floppy disks.)
Would we, Daniel asked, be willing to consider...?
There was no need to say more. A second lease of life for our labour of love? And as a companion book to a great modern RPG like Zweihänder? It was worth the thirty-year war -- er, I mean the thirty-year wait -- to get here. Watch for more info over the next few months, and take a look too at the official announcement on the Grim & Perilous site. There's also an interview here with Daniel Fox that answers some of the questions I hope you're eager to put to us. Obviously there's some work to be done. I've dug out the complete manuscript and have been scanning the chapters that we hadn't stored digitally. And the entire book needs to be edited and converted to the Zweihänder rules system. But within a year we hope to get this thing out into the world. All it took was a little patience.
Labels: Daniel Fox, Grim & Perilous Studios, Japan, Michael Moorcock, Tetsubo, Von Bek, Zweihänder
John Hagan 16 November 2018 at 06:36
Looking forward to it (A Zweihander and the Blood Sword next year, eh ?). I'm currently reading Kim Newman's ANNO DRACULA 1899 which is set in Japan, and definitely in the mood for adventures in that ilk !
Dave Morris 16 November 2018 at 09:13
I've never read any Anno Dracula books, perhaps because it was too close to Shadow King, but a Japanese one sounds interesting.
If you are interested in picking it up, I should probably give you the right title - it's set in 1899 but is actually called ONE THOUSAND MONSTERS; Newman's books are always full of good ideas, and nasty little horror set pieces. As usual, KN is totally in love with his main character, the 400 year old 16 year old Vampire Genevieve Dieudonne - which I think brings us neatly full circle, as she of course (or one of her sisters-of-the-page in the Multiverse of books) first appeared in a series he wrote for GW back in the 80s...
One Thousand Monsters - oh, I like that. But it will have to wait till I finish my current reading in-tray (Banville, Zelazny, Benford).
Inevitability doesn't have to mean jumping through...
White skin, black heart
Summoned back from oblivion


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(Redirected from Southern United States)
North America > United States of America > South (United States of America)
4.1.1 Antebellum South
4.1.2 The Civil War
4.1.3 Reconstruction and Civil Rights Movement
4.1.4 New South and Sun Belt
4.2 Culture
The U.S. South has long had its own identity. Historically agrarian, it's known for maintaining traditional values, down-home hospitality, and a slower pace of life than other parts of the United States. The South is famous for its distinctive culture, accents, and music, and Southern cooking is so good a lot of visitors find themselves putting on a few pounds. If it's nature you're after, you can see huge swamps, ancient mountains, and historic plantations. So come on down, have some sweet tea, and see what it's all about.
States[edit]
Map of the South
Important historic sites in Montgomery and Birmingham, the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, and genial, hospitable people.
The "Natural State" is famous for its scenery and outdoor activities, like hiking, boating, and hunting. Northwest Arkansas also features a growing arts scene.
With both small-town charm and urban appeal, the Peach State is a crossroads of the South.
Horse racing, bourbon whiskey, bluegrass, caves, lakes, and mountains.
Cajun and creole culture, vast wetlands, festive New Orleans and a bastion for Roman Catholicism.
Though often overlooked as a destination, Mississippi has historic sites, music and literature, and antebellum architecture.
With mountains in the west and beaches in the east, North Carolina has both classic Southern charm and hip cities like Charlotte and Asheville.
Known for its shoreline of subtropical beaches and Southern cuisine.
Known for its music, with the country music capital of Nashville and the blues, rock 'n' roll and soul destination of Memphis, Tennessee whiskey, as well as the astonishingly beautiful Great Smoky Mountains.
The DC suburbs of Northern Virginia contrast with the firmly Southern character in other parts of the state. There's lots of history to see in places like Richmond and Colonial Williamsburg, as well as beach resorts in the east.
The only state in the USA to lie completely within a mountain range, West Virginia is rich in natural resources, physical beauty, and traditional culture.
Wikivoyage sorts some traditionally Southern states into different regions. While Texas and Florida are parts of the South, they are distinct regions in their own right. Oklahoma is often considered Southern, though it is on the Great Plains. Southern Missouri is Southern culturally, but the northern half and the cities of St. Louis and Kansas City are Midwestern in character. Eastern and Southern Maryland have a distinctly Southern culture, but the rest of the state falls firmly in the Mid-Atlantic. Although Illinois and Indiana are generally considered Midwestern, southern portions of those states are strongly influenced by Southern culture, with extreme southern Illinois especially so. While Kansas is a Great Plains state, the southeasternmost region of the state has noticeable cultural influences from the South.
On the other hand, parts of the South (as defined here) are more culturally influenced by other regions. In Kentucky, Louisville has traditionally been a hodgepodge of Southern and Midwestern culture; much the same holds true in Northern Kentucky (i.e., the Cincinnati suburbs on the Kentucky side of the Ohio River). Northern Virginia (suburban Washington, D.C.) and the Richmond Metro region in Central Virginia are influenced by the Mid-Atlantic: Northern Virginia attracts many people from out of state, and Richmond has historic and modern-day ties with Washington, D.C. and Baltimore. The Shenandoah Valley shares some similarities with parts of Pennsylvania and Ohio. While West Virginia is generally considered Southern, the northern half of the state is more akin to the industrial Midwest, while its Eastern Panhandle is increasingly becoming a bedroom community for D.C.
These are some of the major cities in the South.
33.756944-84.3902781 Atlanta — the largest city in Georgia; self-proclaimed capital of the New South, home to Coca-Cola
33.5175-86.8094442 Birmingham — the largest city in Alabama; an industrial center dating back to an era when there wasn't much industry in the South
32.783333-79.9319443 Charleston — a major city in the South during Colonial days, with much of that history preserved today
35.226944-80.8433334 Charlotte — the "Hornet's Nest", this city will give you a "sting" with its magnificent architecture
38.256111-85.7513895 Louisville — "Slugger City", the largest city of the Bluegrass State of Kentucky, is home to many Bourbon tours and the famous Kentucky Derby
35.1175-89.9711116 Memphis — home of barbeque and the blues; don't forget to eat catfish caught in the Delta, take a steamboat tour, and see Beale Street and Graceland
36.162222-86.7744447 Nashville — "Music City, U.S.A."; the world capital of country and western music, with Opryland and the Country Music Hall of Fame to show for it
29.95465-90.075078 New Orleans – jazz fills the streets of "Nawlinz", creating a highly happy ambiance
35.78-78.649 Raleigh – the "City of Oaks", North Carolina's leafy capital
37.35175-80.381081 Appalachian Trail
36.6042-83.68722 Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
35.683333-83.5333333 Great Smoky Mountains National Park – America's most visited national park
32.178889-80.7430564 Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
33.8-90.45 Mississippi Delta
34.329966-88.7118116 Natchez Trace
35.233333-75.5302787 Outer Banks, North Carolina
38.5-78.858 Shenandoah Valley, Virginia
The South is much more a cultural region than a geographical one; states west of Texas are not considered part of "The South", no matter how far south they are.
The broadest definition of the South includes all states which had slavery until the end of the American Civil War in 1865, putting its definite northern limit on the Mason–Dixon line between Pennsylvania and Maryland.
The Deep South (Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia) is usually considered to be the most archetypal region of the South. The Border States (Missouri, Kentucky, West Virginia, Maryland and Delaware) remained in the Union during the Civil War.
The inside of slave quarters in Virginia
Antebellum South[edit]
See also: Indigenous peoples of North America, Early United States history
The South was first settled by the British at Roanoke Island in 1585, and the first permanent British settlement was at Jamestown in 1607. Many of the early settlers in the South were indentured servants (that is people that had to work unpaid for a certain period of time and were free after that time — there were many white indentured servants who sold their future work to pay for the passage to America) and later, African slaves. Many Revolutionary War battles were fought in the South, including the Battle of Yorktown which effectively ended the war. By 1800, the Southern economy focused on the growing of tobacco (in Virginia, Tennessee and the Carolinas), sugar cane and cotton (elsewhere) as "cash crops", and did not industrialize in the early 19th century as the North did. At the time of the Civil War, one in three Southerners was a slave. Most of the others were farmers who were poor and owned no slaves, but a few owned large amounts of land and many slaves.
Most Indigenous Americans of the South were expelled during the early 19th century; see Trail of Tears.
The Civil War[edit]
See also: American Civil War
Upset with a growing sentiment against slavery and desirous of greater state autonomy, eleven slave-holding states seceded after the election of President Abraham Lincoln, forming the Confederate States of America. Three border states even fought civil wars of their own; they each had two organizations, one Unionist and one Confederate, both claiming to be the state government. What ensued was a bloody five-year conflict that left the country bruised and battered but ultimately resulted in the preservation of the nation as a single unit and the abolition of slavery. Most of the major battles occurred on Southern soil, and the South was devastated by the war. The Civil War still stands out as the last war fought in the mainland U.S. and the war with the most American casualties ever.
Texas and Florida also seceded from the union but are considered distinct regions today. Kentucky is considered part of the south despite never seceding from the Union. It did however allow slavery until 1865 and belonged to Virginia until the late 18th century and in the war it declared a tenuous "neutrality" that was violated by the South first, leading to a Union occupation and a small dissident faction establishing a secessionist government (and thus one of the more tenuous stars on the Rebel flag). West Virginia was formed from 50 counties of Virginia which repealed that state's secession act; it was admitted to the union in 1863. Maryland and Delaware also allowed slavery but did not secede, and are today considered part of the Mid-Atlantic travel region, while Missouri, another slave state that did not secede but instead underwent its own bloody civil war between pro-secession and pro-Union factions, is covered as part of the Midwest.
While the intervening 150 years have done much to heal the wounds, the Civil War is still considered a defining moment in the South. Reenactments of battles are carried out all over the region and period reenactment is a very popular hobby. While Confederate battle flags (rebel flags) can be found in many settings in the South, visitors should understand that, outside of a historical setting, the flag is viewed by many as a symbol of hatred and/or treason. All of the Southern states have removed the battle flag from their heraldry, with Mississippi being the last one to do so in a 2020 referendum, though less ostentatious aspects of 1860s heraldry are still featured in some state flags.
Monuments to Confederate soldiers and generals are still common throughout the South, despite the opposition of the likes of Confederate general Robert E Lee to those monuments at the time. Many of those monuments date to the 1910s or 1960s when "round" anniversaries of the Civil War and racial tensions led many towns to erect such monuments. Today they are increasingly controversial and a political shibboleth is whether one opposes or supports their removal. Similarly, many roads in Southern cities are named after Confederate generals.
Reconstruction and Civil Rights Movement[edit]
See also: Industrialization of the United States, Postwar United States
After the Civil War, people in the South struggled to cope with defeat. After a short period of "Reconstruction" that saw the South occupied by U.S. soldiers to ensure peace and guarantee the rights of freedmen, the old planter aristocracy regained control and by 1876 all federal troops had to leave, leaving the South under the firm control of Southern white Democrats (also called "Dixiecrats") until the 1960s. After 1876, Southern blacks were nominally "free", but in fact were treated as second-class citizens. They were often denied the vote, and many were forced to work the land as sharecroppers. Anti-black laws (variously known as "Black Codes" and "Jim Crow") were rampant in the South. In some cases the word "slave" had just been replaced by the word "negro" in the old slave codes. Segregation in the U.S. was firmly established by the 1896 Plessy v. Ferguson U.S. Supreme Court decision, which ruled that existing and future segregation laws were legal as long as the divided facilities were judged to be "separate but equal." This was overturned in the landmark 1954 Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision, which ruled that facilities reserved for "colored" people were inherently unequal. Many white Southerners fought against desegregation and equality for blacks until well into the 20th century. Some of them formed a group called the Ku Klux Klan, which terrorized blacks, Jews, immigrants, Catholics and civil rights activists through lynching, intimidation and public rallies. African-Americans migrated to Northern cities in part in search of jobs and in part to escape racism in the South - though what they found in the North was not necessarily much better. This "Great Migration" was an important period in African-American history and arguably helped make civil rights into a national rather than a Southern issue. It also resulted in the spread of some staples of Southern cuisine such as fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, cheese grits and okra to other parts of the country.
While many Northern states were prosperous in the early 20th century, most of the South remained poor. However, the New Deal of the 1930s brought large investments in infrastructure, especially through the Tennessee Valley Authority.
New South and Sun Belt[edit]
Since the 1960s, most of the South has become known as part of the Sun Belt, seeing immigration from both the North and Latin America, and to a lesser extent, Asia, while developing a high-tech industry in many cities such as Atlanta, Charlotte, and Raleigh. Many manufacturing companies have moved to the South in part due to weaker worker protections than in the traditional industrial cities of the North. In addition, with growing economies and greatly reduced levels of racism, large numbers of African-Americans have returned to the urban south since the 1980s, a phenomenon now called the "New Great Migration". While the standard of living has increased, rural poverty remains severe in parts of the region. Many parts of the South must regularly cope with tornadoes, hurricanes, drought, and floods. Politically, the South transformed from a solidly Democratic voting area into a Republican-dominated region. This transition took several decades and Southern Democrats like Carter or Clinton were able to win several Southern states in presidential elections they won. The South is still considered among the most conservative areas in the US, but 21st-century demographic trends have turned states like North Carolina and Georgia into swing states, and Virginia leans Democratic. As in other parts of the U.S., political and cultural cleavages often run between rural and urban areas, with suburbs somewhere in the middle. However, as most Southern cities are far more sprawling than many Northern cities which developed before the automobile, and as some state constitutions are downright hostile to urban interests, more Southerners consider themselves culturally suburban or rural regardless of the type of place they live in.
Southern culture is distinct from overall "American" culture as well as other regional cultures in the US in many ways. Evangelical Protestant Christianity, particularly Southern Baptism, still plays a huge role, and people who don't ever go to church are still something of a rare sight. While this fact is often derided by the media, and while stereotypes exist, if you are respectful you won't have any problem with the vast majority of Southerners, even if you are LGBT or of some non-Christian religion or none at all. Another aspect is that many Southerners feel a strong sense of patriotism either towards the South, their state or the U.S. as a whole and don't take lightly to what they believe to be insults against any of these. But the South is also famous for "Southern hospitality" and the friendly spirit of its inhabitants. If you come with an open mind, you will discover the charm that has enticed so many travelers before.
The South is a diverse region, with many unique traditions to be found if you scratch below the surface. Examples include the Cajun and Creole people in Louisiana and the Gullah people of coastal South Carolina and Georgia.
Attitudes vary from area to area, and most major cities and college towns tend to stand out as pockets of liberalism in an otherwise conservative region.
See also: Hot weather
The region's climate is somewhat varied, but has more in common than the climate variations of neighboring regions. Otherwise temperatures are fairly consistent throughout the South, with winter temperatures decreasing to the north, with only the southern limits of the region receiving truly mild winters. Summer is hot and humid, though the higher elevation of the Appalachians somewhat reduces summer temperatures. Other regions, which are typically low-lying, are in the subtropical climate category and rainfall totals are high throughout most of the South.
One of the most important identifiers of the cultural South is the dialect its people speak. Southerners from Maryland's Eastern Shore to North Florida, and as far west as Texas speak with a very distinct accent that is different from the rest of the United States. Contrary to popular conception, the "Southern accent" is not a homogeneous thing — spend a few weeks travelling the region and you'll probably start to pick up on some of the myriad differences between, for example, the laconic drawl of the Deep South, the French-inflected twang of the Cajuns in Louisiana, and the oddball Appalachian dialect. And that's not to mention the many residents of the region who don't speak with any identifiably "Southern" accent at all: the larger cities of the region are heavily populated with emigrants from elsewhere in the country who largely hold onto their accents, and even born-and-bred Southerners are tending to shun the local dialect as a means of avoiding the negative stereotypes associated with it (see below).
In the Lowcountry, which comprises the coastal regions stretching from southern North Carolina to northern Florida, some African-Americans speak Gullah, a distinctive English-based creole that is similar to those spoken in the Bahamas and Barbados.
The pronoun y'all (a contraction of "you all") is a well-known identifier of the Southern dialect, and is quite useful: it represents the second-person plural (equivalent to "vosotros"/"ustedes" in Spanish, "vous" in French, or "ihr" in German) and is used frequently in casual conversation. In the Appalachian dialect, the word you'uns ("you ones") serves the same function.
See also: Air travel in the United States of America
The biggest airport in the South by far is also the world's biggest in passenger traffic: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL IATA).
Other major airports include Charlotte/Douglas International (CLT IATA), both Reagan National (DCA IATA) and Dulles International (IAD IATA) in Virginia just outside Washington, D.C., Memphis International (MEM IATA), Raleigh-Durham International (RDU IATA), Nashville International (BNA IATA), and Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY IATA).
Most other Southern airports have flights to and from Atlanta, and many also have flights from Dallas, Houston, Miami or Washington.
The coast is served well by the East Coast superhighway: I-95, which cuts through Virginia, the Carolinas, and Georgia on its route between the megalopolis BosWash in the northeast and Florida to the south. I-20 leads through the Gulf coastal states through Birmingham, Jackson, and Atlanta between Dallas on the west and I-95 on the east. I-65 is the major north-south route going through the center of the region, leading up from Mobile through Birmingham, Nashville, and Louisville on its way up almost all the way to Chicago. I-55 parallels the Mississippi River, running down to New Orleans from Chicago via Memphis and Jackson. I-10 enters the South from Texas, and goes through New Orleans and Mobile. I-75 comes from Detroit and Cincinnati, and goes into Knoxville, Atlanta and Tampa. The South is also connected to other regions via the U.S. Federal Highway System and state routes.
There are several affordable Chinatown buses that travel from New York to farther south along the Atlantic coast, as far as the Carolinas. Greyhound from New York down the North Atlantic is relatively affordable, and a well traveled route. Traveling to and from Appalachia is less common, and Greyhound has a monopoly on bus routes to these areas. Greyhound routes to the less populous states can be quite expensive because Greyhound's operational costs per passenger for the area are higher because of the low volume of travel, and because Greyhound exploits its position as a monopoly. Most travel in the area occurs within the same general North-South corridor, rather than East-West, and bus is no exception, so you will have to deal with several transfers. To enter Kentucky for example, a Greyhound will go from New York to Philadelphia, PA to Pittsburgh, PA to Columbus, OH to Cincinnati, OH and then south from there. The same route will be followed if you are traveling to, say, Tennessee.
Greyhound buses are cheapest if booked months in advance. A single ticket booked a month in advance from New York to Memphis may cost as much as $140. If possible to do so safely, avoid depending on Greyhound for a large quantity of consecutive trips between individual cities in the South, as traveling between cities in the South by bus is often prohibitively expensive compared to intercity bus travel on the Atlantic or Pacific. (Traveling from Lexington, KY, to Louisville, KY, only slightly more than an hour away, will usually set you back around $50).
Although Amtrak does serve some of the South's major cities through long distance trains, this is one of the most underserved parts of the USA in terms of train travel, in a country that already has few trains elsewhere.
Highway travel is by far the cheapest way to get around the South. Fast-paced interstate highways cover most of the region, and connect all major cities. Of course, there is also the option to fly from city to city; but in most cases this is considerably more expensive than driving. Similarly, there is a limited amount of rail transit available, but this is usually quite expensive and much slower than an airplane.
See also: United States without a car
Do not expect to rely too heavily on public transit in most Southern cities. With only a few exceptions, cities in this region favor auto traffic. As a result, traveling beyond the core of a city is often difficult without an automobile. In all cases, it is best to do your homework before arriving. However, there seems to be a trend towards more public transport, and some cities are making an effort to make their downtowns walkable and accessible to people without cars.
The South abounds with historical sites, including colonial settlements, Civil War battlefields and Civil Rights landmarks. Visit Historic Jamestown in Virginia to explore the site of the earliest successful British settlement in North America (1607). Also plan to visit nearby Colonial Williamsburg, which presents a picturesque recreation of life in a colonial village, and includes 500 restored and reconstructed period buildings. From there, head down the road to Yorktown, where Lord Cornwallis surrendered to Gen. George Washington in 1781, effectively ending the American Revolutionary War.
Many Southern cities from the late colonial/early republic periods still retain much of their original charm. Notable among these are Charleston and Beaufort in South Carolina, Savannah in Georgia, and New Orleans' French Quarter in Louisiana. Many smaller towns boast quaint Neoclassical and Victorian historic districts, and many old boulevards in the Deep South are lined with ancient oak trees draped with Spanish moss. Antebellum plantations and famous presidential estates, such as George Washington's Mount Vernon, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, and Andrew Jackson's Hermitage, are popular attractions during the spring, summer, and fall. The nation's second oldest institution of higher learning, the College of William and Mary (1693), can be found nestled in the heart of Virginia's historic colonial district. Several of the USA's oldest public universities can also be found in the South, including the University of Georgia (1785), the University of North Carolina (1789), the University of South Carolina (1801), and the University of Virginia (1819), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From St. Augustine to Hampton Roads is a coastal trip through antebellum sites.
A Civil War battlefield near Richmond, Virginia
The American Civil War was the bloodiest conflict in United States history, and in many ways, still defines the South up to the present day. Battles took place in every Southern state, and many of the most notable battlefields are maintained by the National Park Service, including Manassas (Bull Run), Fredericksburg, and Appomattox in Virginia; Shiloh (Pittsburg Landing) in Tennessee; Chattanooga in Tennessee; Chickamauga in Georgia; and Vicksburg in Mississippi. Many wartime forts are still in good condition, and are open to the public. These include Fort Sumter near Charleston (where the first shots in the war were fired), Fort Pulaski near Savannah, and Forts Morgan and Gaines near Mobile, Alabama.
Many of the most visible landmarks from the Civil Rights Movement are also in the South; see Black Belt for the traditional plantation region and its legacy. These include Little Rock Central High School in Arkansas; Dexter Avenue Baptist Church, 16th Street Baptist Church, and the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Alabama; and Ebenezer Baptist Church in Georgia. Several interpretive centers have been set up to chronicle the struggle for equality, including the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute in Alabama, and the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site in Georgia. The National Civil Rights Museum is in Memphis, Tennessee, at the Lorraine Motel where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was murdered.
Other historic sites in the region include the Wright Brothers National Memorial in North Carolina, Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee, and NASA's Marshall Spaceflight Center in Alabama.
Some motion picture sets to seek out in the South are Forrest Gump (set in Alabama, but recorded mainly in South Carolina), Easy Rider and Smokey and the Bandit.
Many parts of the South flourish with natural beauty, and offer abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation. The southern Appalachian Mountains stretch from Alabama to West Virginia. Hiking, camping, rafting, fishing, caving, and rock climbing are among the most popular outdoor activities in this region. Many public recreation areas can be found here, including the country's most visited national park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, on the Tennessee/North Carolina border, as well as Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. The Appalachian Trail stretches the length of the chain, from Georgia through West Virginia, and offers backpackers a unique view of one of America's most diverse ecosystems. There is also the Natchez Trace Parkway, which runs from Nashville, Tennessee, to Natchez, Missouri. This is the old travel route that boatmen and traders took back North after bringing their trade to the ports in Natchez and New Orleans. The Natchez trace has Indian mounds and lots of historic sites along the way.
For those more inclined to enjoy the view from the road, the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina and Virginia offers up stunning vistas from the comfort of your vehicle, and provides easy access to the colossal Biltmore Mansion, as well as such mountain towns as Asheville and Boone, NC. Other popular recreation areas include Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky and Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas, as well as a multitude of rivers, lakes, streams, and marshes.
During the winter, ski resorts in North Carolina and West Virginia draw large regional crowds, usually with the help of artificial snowmaking devices. The ski trails aren't as steep or as high as those in the Western US, but they're still good for a bout of weekend fun.
The South's coastal areas are among the most scenic in the country. Sunbathing, swimming, parasailing, and fishing are among the most popular activities here. The most popular seaside resorts include the upscale Hilton Head Island, as well as Myrtle Beach, in South Carolina; and Gulf Shores in Alabama. The region also boasts many barrier island chains, preserved in their natural state, many of which are accessible by ferry. These include Cumberland Island National Seashore in Georgia, Gulf Islands National Seashore in Mississippi, The Eastern Shore of Virginia, as well as North Carolina's Outer Banks.
Most of the USA's greatest contributions to popular music originated in the South, and this is reflected today in vibrant music scenes in many of the larger cities. Fans of American music can visit Beale Street and Graceland, the famous landmark of Elvis Presley and his family in Memphis, Lower Broadway in Nashville, or Bourbon Street in New Orleans for a taste of the South's continuing musical legacy.
Fans of traditional American sports will also find plenty to do all across the region. College football is by far the most popular sport in the South (except in Kentucky, where college basketball is more popular), and sends mammoth crowds flooding into university towns nearly every Saturday during the fall. Stock car racing is also extremely popular, and NASCAR events draw large crowds to tracks for much of the year. College basketball also enjoys a significant following, but in most areas is less popular than college football (with Kentucky and, to a lesser extent, North Carolina as exceptions). The Kentucky Derby, held at Churchill Downs in Louisville, is an iconic American event, and brings in spectators from all over the world. NFL football, Major League Baseball, NBA basketball, and NHL hockey games are popular events to attend in the largest cities.
See also: American cuisine#Regional cuisines
The South is well known for its wide variety of regional cuisines. At the core of the diet is "standard" Southern food — often known as "soul food" in other regions of the country. Specialties of the region include fried chicken, catfish (served deep-fried with a breadcrumb coating), barbecue (not unique to the South, but best and most common here), sweet potatoes (sometimes called "yams", though it's a different vegetable than the ones native to Africa), black-eyed peas (actually a type of bean), grits (a cornmeal or hominy paste traditionally served as a breakfast side with seasonings that may include salt, pepper, hot sauce, and butter), Kool-Aid pickles (unique to the Mississippi Delta), cornbread, boiled peanuts, okra, peaches, and watermelon.
Due to its cultural diversity (especially at the coasts), the South is home to a number of unique culinary traditions. Perhaps the most famous is Cajun food, a zesty diet found in the Acadiana region of Louisiana. The crawfish, a lobster-like shellfish, is a hallmark of this style of cooking, as is gumbo — a stew of seafood or sausage, rice and okra. Creole food from the city of New Orleans is another distinctive cuisine, featuring dishes like beignets, jambalaya, étouffée and po' boys. You may also encounter Low-country cuisine, which hails from the coastal area of South Carolina and Georgia and focuses on seafood, particularly shrimp, crab, fish, and oysters, while the African-American communities in the same region have their own distinctive Gullah-Geechee cuisine. A more recent addition to the Southern palate is the arrival of Latin food, especially in Florida and the region's larger cities. Barbecued pork is a staple on many Carolina dinner tables, often served with vinegar and cole slaw.
Fast food is also plentiful and several chains only exist here.
A bottle of Coca-Cola
For the most part, beverages in the South are the same as in any other American region. There are a few distinctions:
Sweet iced tea is common in most parts of the region. In fact, an order for "tea" will be assumed to mean "sweet iced tea"; if you would like hot or unsweetened tea, you may need to ask for it specifically. The sugar content of a glass of sweet tea is about the same as a glass of soda, and it has a similarly sugary taste. It is also sometimes served with lemon or lime wedges, raspberries, or apple or peach slices or juice as flavoring.
Many soft drinks originated in the South. Most notable is the Coca-Cola headquarters in Atlanta, including the Coke Museum associated with it. Coca-Cola's main rival, Pepsi-Cola, was originally produced in North Carolina, though it has since moved its headquarters to New York. Mountain Dew originated in Tennessee. Most soft drinks are generically referred to as "coke," and are rarely, if ever, called "soda" or "pop." In metro New Orleans, they are referred to as "cold drinks."
The South has a long tradition of producing bourbon whiskey, with the state of Kentucky being particularly famous for it. Tennessee is also known for its Tennessee whiskey, which meets the legal requirements for bourbon whiskey, but is also required to fulfil some additional requirements.
The South is largely conservative by American standards, and many areas still retain blue laws – longstanding ordinances against alcohol consumption. These vary widely from one community or county to the next, and range from a universal tolerance to an outright ban on alcohol sales. It is worth researching in advance to see if there are restrictions in the area you will visit. Not all members of the communities actually follow those blue laws, and the stated goals of these laws may be inconsistently applied with bootleggers and mail-order wine sales bypassing local laws. A telling innovation is the beer barn where drivers -- presumably from 'dry' towns and counties -- can drive into a large structure, out of public view, and fill their cars' trunks with beer and other forms of alcohol. Nonetheless, it is unwise to presume that in an area or at a time of day where liquor sales are prohibited, that a local will violate those laws for you or notify you of any people willing to do so. Even in dry areas, it is always legal to bring in alcohol from areas where it is legal and consume it in the privacy of your own home/hotel room. That said, the South is home to three areas with "open container" laws where drinking alcohol in the street is legal; Bourbon Street in New Orleans, Beale Street in Memphis and Lower Broadway in Nashville.
Like the rest of the states, the drinking age is 21. Foreigners are expected to bring ID such as a passport or an international driving license when ordering alcoholic drinks.
As is the case in other regions of the United States, common sense is enough to keep you safe. Be aware of situations that are obviously dangerous -- unlit or isolated locations, rough bars, and impoverished neighborhoods. If you are an international traveler, keep your passport secure and handy at all times; passport theft is uncommon, but identification is important if you need help from the authorities.
Gun ownership is relatively common in the South, especially in rural areas, but it is still unusual to see a gun in everyday life. The likelihood of encountering one is remote, but still a possibility. Gun owners are generally responsible with their weapons, but it's still worthwhile to exercise caution in places like nightclubs, where shootings are not unheard of. Do not approach or cut through a stranger's property at night if you are in a rural area or the outskirts of a city: most people who have bought a gun have done so for protecting their family and property.
Despite common stereotypes, the serious harassment of individuals on the basis of race or ethnicity is rare. While the Southern states were among those that used to have laws against interracial marriages, you are unlikely to face harassment if you and your partner do not have the same skin color. There are still some remnants of racism, but it is becoming less and less common. If you ever feel endangered, you can call the police.
Non-white visitors are a rare sight in largely white rural areas, and you may receive some extra attention (usually in the form of stares) from the locals. The best thing to do is to just take it in your stride; this is usually out of curiosity.
The South had traditionally been socially conservative regarding homosexuality. However, such negative attitudes towards gays and lesbians are changing and diminishing and now vary depending on where one travels (rural areas hold more conservative views towards homosexuality). Regardless, the South is relatively safe for gays and lesbians, as violence against them is rare and the South does offer several gay-friendly destinations such as New Orleans, Nashville, Memphis, Louisville, and Atlanta. 21st-century Supreme Court decisions have legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, and made it illegal for employers to discriminate against their employees based on their sexual orientation.
Broadly speaking, the South is the most conservative region of the United States, but there are many exceptions. If you pay attention you'll find much more complexity and variation in people's attitudes than stereotypes would suggest.
Old-fashioned rules of politeness and courtesy are much stronger in the South than in any other region in the country. Try to say "ma'am" or "sir" when you answer a question from someone older than you—as in "Yes, sir" or "No, ma'am" instead of just "Yeah" or "No".
The Civil War – sometimes called "The War Between the States" or even the tongue-in-cheek "The War of Yankee (or Northern) Aggression" in the South – is still very much present in the public consciousness. Confederate monuments abound, and to a lesser extent so do Confederate flags. If you want to talk about the issue, tread with caution, and don't assume someone feels a certain way about the Civil War just because they're from the South.
Gun culture is strong in the South, and gun rights absolutism is prevalent in rural areas. Gun politics is one subject which many residents in the South have strong views over. Don't be afraid of asking questions about it, as Southerners are happy to explain, but try to avoid having a debate or an argument over the issue.
The South forms most of the Bible Belt, an area where Evangelical Christianity has a particularly strong influence. Church attendance is high, and religious references, advertisements, music, and television are popular. Other than Wal-Mart and gas stations, many places are closed on Sundays, especially outside major cities. It isn't considered impolite for someone to ask about someone's religious beliefs, and in some instances, you may often be asked about what religion you follow, even by people whom you've just met. You may often be asked to attend church services as well. Although you're not required to, it's one way to get attuned to the way of life in the South and meet people from all backgrounds.
In the past, the region gained a bad reputation for racial inequalities. Try not to criticize the bad things that have happened in the past, as it won't get you friends or praise.
Traveling northward out of the Southern coastal states will bring you to the Mid-Atlantic region, a culturally distinct area stretching from Maryland to New York. Going northwest will bring you to the Midwest, and heading west will deliver you into the large state of Texas.
You might also consider taking an opportunity to explore the Caribbean Sea to the south. This will lead you eventually to the Caribbean Islands and Latin America.
This region travel guide to South is a usable article. It gives a good overview of the region, its sights, and how to get in, as well as links to the main destinations, whose articles are similarly well developed. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.
Wikivoyage: Latitude 35.4, Longitude -85.2 (Map, Geohack)
Wikidata: Latitude 33.900, Longitude -89.500 (Map, Geohack)
Difference: 427.2km
Retrieved from "https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=South_(United_States_of_America)&oldid=4474461"

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Synonyms for meaning at Thesaurus.com with free online thesaurus, antonyms, and definitions.Dictionary reference and meaning of Recognizance. containing a condition to perform a particular act,.It must contain an element of unsatisfactory behavior immediately before an accident that was significant in initiating the event.
An act type is an action property, while an act token is an exemplification of such a type. The easiest-to-read, most user-friendly guide to legal terms. A star topology is designed with each node (file server, workstations, and peripherals) connected directly to a central network hub, switch, or concentrator.It is called a moral act because it is always either morally good or bad.
Unsafe act is any act that deviates from a generally recognized safe way or specified method of doing a job and which increases the probabilities for an accident.
By the same token, one may want a piece of the action, but not a piece of the act.
If an act type is wrong, all act tokens that belong to it are wrong.Tokenism is the practice of making only a perfunctory or symbolic effort to be inclusive to members of minority groups, especially by recruiting a small number of.
Definition of Protect IP Act from all online and printed dictionaries. Definition of MALICIOUS ACT: a term referring to doing an intentionally wrong.
Synonyms for reminder at Thesaurus.com with free online thesaurus, antonyms, and definitions.
The act of marriage usually creates normative or legal. meaning by blood or by marriage. Rate this definition: Dedication (noun) the act of setting apart or consecrating.
This conduct would fall within the definition of domestic terrorism because the protesters broke federal law by.Find descriptive alternatives for meaning. see definition of meaning.There has been a debate about the identity conditions for actions.
The distinction between a type and its tokens is an ontological one between a general sort of.


Lantana Democrat Lori Berman easily defeated Republican Tami Donnally in the special election to fill the Senate District 31 seat vacated by former Sen. Jeff Clemens.
According to Democratic consultant and numbers-cruncher Matt Isbell, this is the highest share of the vote received by any Florida Democrat in at least a decade.
Berman was immediately welcomed to the Senate by President Joe Negron on Twitter and by incoming Senate Democratic Leader Audrey Gibson.
Florida Democratic Party chair Terrie Rizzo also celebrated Berman's win.
Berman's victory had been a foregone conclusion since the early stages of the race.
Shortly after Clemens resigned over the public revelation he'd had an affair with a lobbyist, it looked like Berman would face a serious primary challenge from former Rep. Irv Slosberg.
The Boca Raton Democrat did as much to Clemens in the 2016 race, using nearly $1.9 million of his own money to bolster his insurgent campaign, though he ultimately received less than a third of the vote in in the three-way primary race.
His decision to step aside and endorse his former House colleague turned the Democratic Primary into a mere formality — Berman dominated in both fundraising and name recognition, and cleaned up with nearly 96 percent of the vote in her head-to-head against the fledgling campaign of first-time candidate Arthur Morrison.
Despite breaking the low bar set by Morrison in the primary, Donnally's candidacy was no threat to Berman's Senate hopes.
Unlike the 2017 special election for SD 40, or the pending special in HD 114, SD 31 is a Democratic stronghold. No Republican challenged to Clemens in the 2016 race and the seat voted plus-25 for Hillary Clinton — one of her best margins among the 19 state Senate districts she carried.
The Lantana lawmaker will get to be just that for the 2019 and 2020 Legislative sessions before she must reenter campaign mode.
Her election makes for 14 women in the state Senate and cuts the Republican advantage in the chamber to 23-16 — the SD 16 seat resigned by Clearwater Republican Jack Latvala will remain vacant until November.
Between late Tuesday and Wednesday morning, several Democrat-aligned organization congratulated Berman on her victory.
The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee framed Berman's win as part of a larger trend.
"The DLCC's work alongside Florida Democrats has resulted in the election of three Democratic women to this battleground state's upper legislative chamber, and we look forward to gaining more ground in 2018 and 2020 elections ahead of critical redistricting," said DLCC executive director Jessica Post.
Post notes that DLCC recently announced a new record for first quarter fundraising of more than $5 million, with $1 million coming from online donations.
EMILY's List noted that it had endorsed Berman.
"It's exciting to see a talented woman like Lori Berman fill this vacancy," said Stephanie Schriock, president of EMILY's List. "Lori is one of the many women we've seen step up and run for office at this critical moment in time, when more women are desperately needed at decision-making tables across the country and at every level of government. Women are driving systemic change in politics, business, entertainment, and numerous other industries. Electing women like Lori to office is a way to help ensure that the voices of women and families are heard and their interests are represented.
Schriock emphasized a takeaway several Democrats offered after Berman's win: It is not just a wave.


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Governor apologizes to peace group
Gov. Joe Manchin has apologized in writing and in person to the West Virginia Patriots for Peace for actions in Iraq and Afghanistan that offended them.
Manchin accompanied three other governors on an Easter weekend trip sponsored by the Department of Defense that concluded with an Oval Office meeting with President Bush and a Rose Garden press conference.
The Rev. Jim Lewis of Charleston said he was surprised that Manchin wanted to talk to representatives of the group when they delivered a complaint letter.
"He was gracious and very apologetic," Lewis said.
Manchin also sent a letter to group President Carrie Swing.
"I wish to apologize if I offended anyone. That certainly was never my intent," Manchin wrote. "As I look back, I realize I could have chosen better wording; however, I was caught in a moment of excitement and camaraderie with our troops."
The Patriots for Peace letter to Manchin said they were shocked to see a photo of him signing a Hellfire missile with the words, "Sending you to Hell! From Almost Heaven WV." He also signed a missile with the words, "For West Virginia's brave and fallen."
"Considering the fact that our Jewish brothers and sisters have been celebrating Passover, the remembrance of having been delivered from death, and that Christians were celebrating Easter with its theme of life defeating death.
Given that reality, your words etched on a missile seemed to contradict not only your own deeply held Christian faith, but the good spirit of West Virginians trying, in the face of war, to escape hateful and vengeful feelings," the letter said.
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Earaches, a feeling of fullness in the ear, hearing loss and ringing in the ear (tinnitus) are all common signs of earwax blockage. If the earwax is not removed an infection can develop. This would include severe pain in the ear that does not subside and a fever. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should talk to your doctor or audiologist, as these may also be signs of a more serious condition.
We recommend seeing a professional in order to diagnose a buildup of earwax. Our audiologist will need to look in your ear with a special magnifying instrument called an otoscope. Once diagnosed, your doctor can remove the wax buildup a few ways: with a small curved instrument called a curet, through suction or by flushing out the wax using a water pick or warm water. If this continues to be a problem, wax-removal medications may be recommended.
As long as your ear is healthy and does not have tube or a hole in it, at-home treatments can be helpful to manage earwax buildup. An eyedropper can be used to apply a few drops of equal parts hydrogen peroxide and room temperature water into the ear canal; this is done to soften the wax. Once soft, after an hour or a few days, the wax is ready to be removed. A rubber-bulb syringe can be used to gently squirt warm water into the ear canal. Once the water has drained out of the ear, the ear should be dried with a towel. This procedure can be repeated several times until the wax has been removed.


Gino Bogoni's works are permanently exhibited in the following museums and galleries.
"... Since I was a boy sculpture and drawing have always been a "primary" existential condition. To me they were indispensable, essential and irrepressible. It has always been my way of communicating with men and with nature. [...] To be an artist means plumbing the depths, where there are no easy solutions and the creative process is often racked with despair: where nothing is completely achieved or ever solved. And so new problems arise, new explorations begin, and new hopes, in art's wearisome journey towards utopia..."
Franco Bogoni and Patrizia Arduini Bogoni.


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Indian citizenship bill for illegal Non-Muslim immigrants challenged at the Supreme Court
Written by Staff Writer 12 Dec, 2019	| 10:07 pm
COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Indian citizenship amendment bill that grants citizenship to Non-Muslim illegal immigrants, has been challenged in the Supreme Court. The Indian Union Muslim League, a political party, has petitioned the court to declare the bill illegal.
In their petition to the Supreme Court, the Indian Union Muslim League argued that the bill violated articles of equality, fundamental rights and the right to life.
The Indian parliament yesterday (December 11), passed the bill which applies to migrants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.
It will become a law once the President of India signs it, which is a formality at this stage.
The Citizenship Amendment Bill triggered huge protests in the north-eastern state of Assam, forcing authorities to declare a curfew and shut down internet services.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi sought to reassure people in Assam, telling them they had "nothing to worry" about.
In a tweet, he said, "The Central Government and I are totally committed to constitutionally safeguard the political, linguistic, cultural and land rights of the Assamese people,".
However, the situation in Assam remains tense, as people defied curfew to protest in the state capital, Guwahati, this morning.
Protests have also taken place in the north-eastern state of Tripura which borders Bangladesh.
Earlier today, the army was called into north-eastern India, after thousands of people defied curfews to protest against the new citizenship bill.
India's court issue verdict on religious dispute
Kashmir schools, offices reopen amid tight security
India's unemployment rate hikes to 6.1%
Modi's swearing-in: President to attend today
30 May, 2019 | 12:34 PM
Voters go to the polls in second phase of India's massive election
Ranil is creating conflict between India and Sri Lanka – MP Chandima
Kashmir schools,offices reopen amid tight security
India's unemployment rate hikes to 6.1%
01 Jun, 2019 | 05:09 PM
Indian election second phase commences
18 Apr, 2019 | 02:45 PM
Ranil is creating conflict between India and SL


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Jack Sock Is Ready to Be the Leading Man in American Tennis
Merlisa Lawrence Corbett@@merlisaTwitter LogoFeatured ColumnistMay 29, 2015
Jack Sock, the last American male standing at the 2015 French Open, is finally ready to become the USA's leading man.
Sock has a chance to advance to the fourth round, the deepest he's ever gone in a Grand Slam. He can also replace John Isner as America's best hope to win its first Slam since Andy Roddick won the U.S. Open in 2003.
Sock, ranked No. 37, has plenty work to do before overtaking No. 16 Isner in the ATP rankings. However, the 22-year-old's youth and Roddick-like serve offer Americans a glimmer of hope. The country that produced Arthur Ashe, John McEnroe, Jimmy Connors, Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras has been mired in mediocrity, stuck outside the Top Five.
Thibault Camus/Associated Press
American fans used to watch Grand Slams to cheer on compatriots. Now they tune in to pick their favorite among the Big Four, none of them U.S. citizens. Slam-starved, Americans long to wave the flag for a men's tennis star.
Enter Sock, a native of Lincoln, Neb., who makes his home in Tampa.
Sock has already won a Grand Slam title in doubles, partnering with Canada's Vasek Pospisil to win the 2014 Wimbledon crown. The doubles team is currently seeded second at Roland Garros.
Unlike Isner, whose towering, 6'10" figure is atypical of tennis greats, Sock, at 6'3", 185 pounds, has prototypical champion's size.
Tennis.com's Ed McGrogan wrote that "despite Isner's height advantage, the ceiling for Sock seems higher, and it's largely because of his atomic forehand."
That forehand is fierce.
Courtney Nguyen, of SI.com, tweeted that former ATP player and tennis broadcaster Jimmy Arias said that only Rafael Nadal has a quicker racket head speed on forehand than Sock.
Courtney Nguyen @FortyDeuceTwits
Jimmy Arias believes Jack Sock has the quickest racket head speed on the forehand of anyone other than Rafa.
Sock used his forehand to pummel No. 10 seed Grigor Dimitrov en route to a first-round upset win over the Bulgarian. It was Sock's first victory over a player in the Top 20, in a Grand Slam. After beating Dimitrov, Sock told ATPWorldTour.com that his confidence is growing.
Jack Sock and Vasek Pospisil celebrate winning the 2014 Wimbledon men's doubles title.Jan Kruger/Getty Images
"I feel like if I play some of my best tennis I have a chance against anybody."
This French Open run marks a season high for Sock, who experienced the lowest of lows in January. A pelvic injury and subsequent hip surgery forced Sock to withdraw from the Australian Open. However, what seemed like a curse turned out to be a blessing for Sock.
While he was rehabbing, Sock received devastating news about his older brother, Eric Sock, who played tennis at Nebraska. After visiting the doctor for what he thought was a sore throat, Eric was diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia. He took a turn for the worse and spent eight days on life support.
Because Sock was in Kansas City recovering from his surgery, he was able to be by his brother's side.
"Had I been in Melbourne and gotten a phone call from my family that my brother was in the hospital, I don't know how and in what state of mind I would have been in to play tennis there," Sock told Alison Kim of ATPWorldTour.com.
The ordeal brought Sock closer to his family and helped him appreciate tennis. During the lead-up to Indian Wells in late March, Sock told Andrew John of the Desert Sun that his brother's courage and fight inspired him to play better.
"He was 24 hours away from dying. It took a lot of guts for him to get through that, so I'm out here playing and hoping to make them proud."
Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Sock wore the message "For you, Eric" on his sneakers at Indian Wells and in Miami. Earlier this year, Sock spoke with Kim about how his brother's recovery helps him keep his career in perspective.
"When you're out there and you get frustrated missing a ball or whatever it is, you can kind of think he's been through, almost not making it to a kind of miraculous recovery. Kind of puts things in perspective. Just go out there and enjoy it, and you can play a little more free."
Sock went on to reach the fourth round at Indian Wells, where he lost to Roger Federer. He had lost in the first round the three previous years.
He won his first ATP title in April, the U.S. Men's Clay Court Championships in Houston.
It seems like just yesterday, Sock was being touted as the next Roddick, another native Nebraskan. With Eric playing at Nebraska, joining the Huskers seemed like an obvious choice for Sock. However, he was considered a teen phenom and opted to turn pro at 18.
But like with many "future phenoms," Sock's professional career got off to a rocky start. Lumped in with the likes of Ryan Harrison and Donald Young, Sock's early struggles had him heading for the latest American bust tag. Instead of carving out a name for himself, he joined the list of American men failing to live up to expectations.
Then last year, Sock found instant success in doubles. He and partner Pospisil upset Bob and Mike Bryan in the 2014 Wimbledon finals. They beat the Bryan brothers again at Indian Wells this year. With so much success at doubles—his career earnings in doubles currently top his singles winnings—Sock seemed to be putting singles on the back burner.
That was until his brother's near-death experience brought new life to his game.
At the French Open, Sock has written a new inspirational message on his sneakers "4UGPA," which mean's "for you grandpa," in honor of his grandfather, who suffers from Alzheimer's. He tweeted a picture of his sneakers prior to his first-round match:
Jack Sock @JackSock
you'll be with me on the court here in Paris grandpa. stay strong in your battle with Alzheimer's. I love you #4Ugpa http://t.co/mDom5T8aRl
He's only 22, and his best tennis is ahead. He finally looks ready to take the dusty mantle left by Roddick. American fans are eager to embrace him. He's the next best hope.
Ashleigh Barty to Join Djokovic in Adelaide Exhibition Before Australian Open
Novak Djokovic: Letter About Australian Open COVID-19 Protocols 'Misconstrued'
Nick Kyrgios Joins Critics of Djokovic Over Covid-19 Controversy
'No Special Treatment' for Tennis Players in Melbourne
via BBC Sport


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Shevardnadze Recalls Fall of the Berlin Wall
By Matt Robinson, Margarita Antidze
Sep. 08 2009 00:00
ReutersShevardnadze speaking during an interview in his Tbilisi home Friday.
TBILISI, Georgia — Eduard Shevardnadze keeps a small piece of the Berlin Wall in his study, and the man who helped end the Cold War says the risk of a new one remains.
Twenty years after the wall came down, the former Soviet foreign minister who aided Moscow's reconciliation with the West says the world is a safer place but warns against complacency.
In an interview before the November anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, the chief collaborator of former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev lamented the Soviet collapse but said he had no regrets about the policies of "perestroika" and "glasnost" that preceded it.
The world must now grapple with a resurgent Russia and the untold power of an emerging China, he said. U.S.-Russian relations remain a cause for concern.
"The world is undoubtedly more secure than during the Cold War. But I cannot say we can rest easy," he said in an interview over the weekend in his guarded residence in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi.
"The first signs of a new Cold War have already appeared," he said, referring to U.S. plans to deploy a missile shield in Central Europe, which Washington says is to defend against Iran.
Russia says the plan is a direct threat and has threatened to deploy rockets in Kaliningrad, near Poland, in retaliation.
Shevardnadze, his speech slow and trademark white hair thinning at the age of 81, warned of the dangers posed by a growing insurgency in Russia's southern republics.
After communism collapsed, he became president of newly independent Georgia and he now criticizes the actions of his successor, U.S. ally Mikheil Saakashvili.
He laments how Saakashvili sent in Georgia's army against pro-Russian separatists in South Ossetia in August last year, resulting in a devastating five-day war with Russia.
And he spoke with concern about the unpredictability of China in a new world balance of power. As president of Georgia, Shevardnadze said he warned then-President Vladimir Putin, now prime minister, of Chinese pretensions toward Siberia.
"Undoubtedly, the world is a better place," he said. "It has become calmer. Relations between countries have improved. … But we must think not only about the situation today, but also about tomorrow. What's going to happen with China?"
The world this year commemorates the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, and Shevardnadze accepts the gratitude expressed to him on the wooden mounting of the piece of the wall in his study. It bears the words, "Eduard, Danke!"
On Nov. 9, 1989, Guenter Schabowski, spokesman for the East German government, showed a piece of paper to journalists and asked, "You'll all have seen this?"
The statement waved "preconditions" for East Germans to travel to the West. Within hours thousands were streaming through the gates. The wall, thrown up in 1961 to divide East Berlin from West, was coming down.
Shevardnadze, who later fell from grace with the 2003 Rose Revolution that toppled him as Georgian president, was instrumental in the opening up of Soviet society under Gorbachev in the late 1980s and defining a new policy of pragmatic idealism for dealing with the West and ending the Cold War.
A Georgian with a dry wit and wan smile, he marked a clean break in style and substance from his stolid predecessors as top diplomat. He says the fall of the Berlin Wall came as no surprise.
"I knew that sooner or later it would happen. We didn't help or prevent it. The Germans themselves started to break up the Berlin Wall," he said. "I believe that in those years I was right, and the policy that I and Gorbachev pursued was the only correct policy, although the result of that policy became the collapse of the Soviet Union.
"What can you do?" he said, smiling. "The Soviet Union collapsed, and Georgia became independent."


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Affordable Hybrid and All-electric Cars
Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss April 8, 2012
Dear EarthTalk: Which are the most fuel-efficient hybrid and/or all-electric cars available to consumers today (just the affordable ones, please!)?
— Jack Madison, Chicago, IL
Given increased environmental awareness, high gas prices and a continually slumping economy, it's no wonder that more fuel efficient cars are all the rage these days. The best deal going may be Honda's hybrid, the 42 miles-per-gallon (MPG) Insight ($18,350). Meanwhile, the newest version of Toyota's flagship hybrid, the Prius ($23,015), garners an impressive 50 MPG. Other solid choices include Toyota's 41-MPG Camry hybrid ($25,900), Ford's 39-MPG Fusion hybrid ($28,700), Lexus' 42-MPG CT 200h ($29,120) and Lincoln's 39-MPG MKZ Hybrid ($34,755).
For even greater efficiency and lower sticker prices, consider going electric, whereby you can charge your vehicle at ordinary electric outlets at home or work. Mitsubishi's new MiEV ($29,125) electric is the most fuel efficient car available to U.S. consumers in the 2012 model year, achieving 112 "MPG-equivalent" (the U.S. Environment Protection Agency's rating for electric vehicles that swaps in electricity for gas in its calculations) and a 62 mile range per full charge—not bad considering four adults can fit fairly comfortably inside. Another option is Smart's FourTwo Electric ($28,752), a two-seater with an 87 MPG-equivalent. And Nissan's all-electric Leaf ($35,200) achieves 99 MPG efficiency for a range up to 100 miles.
So-called "plug-in" hybrids also allow drivers to charge their vehicles' electric batteries via common power outlets, but also can use gasoline as needed for a longer range. Though pricey at $39,145, the Chevy Volt may save you money in the long run because it gets a whopping 94 MPG-equivalent in its preferred all-electric mode. An onboard gas generator produces more electricity as the vehicle is driven, extending the car's range with a full tank of gas to some 375 miles. Toyota released a plug-in version of its Prius ($32,760) this year, as well. It gets 87 MPG in electric mode (but this will only get you 15 miles without gas assistance) and a respectable 49 MPG in regular hybrid mode.
Another factor to consider when deciding which of these new uber-efficient vehicles may be right for you is the availability of additional incentives. Buyers of a new Volt, MiEV, FourTwo Electric or Leaf, for example, can cash in on a federal tax credit of $7,500—and some states may offer additional incentives—bringing the overall cost of these cars down to within the range of similarly sized traditional car models. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) posts all of the relevant federal tax incentives online at its Fuel Efficient Vehicle Tax Information Center website. For state-by-state incentives, check out the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE), a free online resources maintained by the North Carolina Solar Center and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC).
Of course, consumers don't have to go hybrid or electric to enjoy improved fuel efficiency these days. Scion's iQ ($15,265) and Honda's CR-Z ($19,545) each get 37 MPG out of sporty little gas-powered internal combustion engines. Kia, Toyota, Chevrolet, Hyundia and Nissan also make smaller traditional cars that get a respectable 33-34 MPG for sticker prices under $15,000.
CONTACTS: DOE's Fuel Efficient Vehicle Tax Information Center; DSIRE; Edmunds' "Decoding Electric Car MPG".


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Press Releases ● Jan 29, 2021
POLAR Mineral Water extends support for Singapore football until 2025
The renewal, worth S$1.5m, takes their partnership with the SPL and FAS to 22 years in a strong reaffirmation of support for the local game
SINGAPORE, 29 JANUARY 2021 – The Singapore Premier League's (SPL) longest-serving sponsor, POLAR Mineral Water, have committed to continuing their partnership with the League through to 2025.
The renewal of the sponsorship is worth approximately S$1.5 million and will see POLAR Mineral Water remain as the Official Mineral Water of the Singapore Premier League, Singapore Cup and the Football Association of Singapore (FAS). This will see POLAR supply close to half a million bottles of mineral water for each year until 2025.
The deal extends and reaffirms POLAR Mineral Water's long-term commitment and support for the development of football in Singapore, as it takes the SPL and FAS' partnership with Field Catering & Supplies Pte Ltd, which distributes POLAR Mineral Water, to a total of 22 years since it began in 2003.
Field Catering & Supplies Pte Ltd Managing Director, Mr Chew Thye Chuan, said: "We are honoured to be able to sponsor the SPL and FAS again for another term. We are committed to give our utmost support to our local football teams and do our part for the local sports arena."
FAS Director, Commercial & Marketing, Mr Jonathan Wong, said: "We are immensely grateful and appreciative of POLAR's faithful and long-standing support of the SPL and FAS, and delighted to continue this partnership. This is especially heartening as business circumstances have become more challenging over the last year, and this extension only serves to further underline the excellent relationship both parties enjoy. We look forward to working together closely to enhance the vibrancy of local football."
CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT


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The Causes of Tsunami
Tsunami are a terrible natural disaster. Tsunamis are images of very large waves that crash into the land area. It cannot be denie that the land area affected by the wave sweep will be destroyed due to the strength of the wave. The occurrence of this tsunami is usually not a single natural disaster. That is to say, usually a tsunami does not come alone suddenly. But there is usually a delivery, so there was a tsunami. Some natural events are the cause of the tsunami. The things that delivered the tsunami included the following:
Submarine Earthquake
An earthquake is the most common thing that can cause a tsunami. The earthquake in question is certainly an underwater earthquake. Submarine earthquakes cause a lot of vibrations that will trigger tsunami waves. Submarine earthquakes are the majority cause of tsunami in the world. Nearly 90 percent of tsunami events in the world are caused by earthquakes that occur under the sea. The earthquake that occur under the sea is a type of tectonic earthquake that arises due to a meeting or collision of a tectonic plate. Although underwater earthquakes are the main cause of tsunamis, this does not mean that all underwater earthquakes can cause tsunamis. Submarine earthquakes will cause a tsunami if they meet several conditions, including the following:
The epicenter is located at a depth of 0 to 30 kilometers below sea level
An underwater earthquake that has the potential to cause a tsunami is when the epicenter is at depths between 0 and 30 meters below sea level. The more shallow the epicenter, the greater the chance for a tsunami. In other words, the more shallow the epicenter of the earthquake is, the greater the chance of a tsunami occurring. This is because the vibrations that are felt are also getting bigger and stronger, so the chances of a tsunami also getting stronger.
The earthquake that occurred on the scale was 6.5 on the Richter scale
The next criterion is that an earthquake must have a strength of more than 6.5 on the Richter scale. So for example there is a shallow earthquake, but the earthquake is small, it probably will not provide an opportunity for the tsunami. The earthquake that occurred with a minimum force of 6.5 on the Richter scale was considered to have been able to influence the waves of the sea water, which would eventually cause a tsunami. The experience of the disaster that occurred in Aceh in 2004, the earthquake that occurred has a power of about 9 on the Richter scale. To find out the magnitude of the earthquake used a measuring device for earthquake vibration.
The type of earthquake fault is an up and down fault
Another criterion that also supports the occurrence of tsunami waves is the type of fault. The magnitude of an earthquake that can cause a tsunami wave is a type of up and down magnification. The existence of these ups and downs can create a new wave which, if it moves to land, can produce a tsunami. This will be worsened if there is a fracture on the seabed, so that it will cause sea water to drop suddenly and become the forerunner of the tsunami.
Well, that's some earthquake criteria that can cause a tsunami. Underwater earthquakes that do not comply with the above criteria then the chance of causing a tsunami is also small.
Submarine volcanic eruptions
The cause of the subsequent tsunami was the eruption of volcanoes under the sea. An ocean that fills two thirds of the earth's surface holds a lot of secrets. We do not know much about the appearance of the underwater, that in fact not only land has active mountains, but also underwater has many active mountains. Some active mountains under the sea can potentially explode or erupt at any time. As a result of a large or strong eruption from this underwater volcano, it cause a tsunami.
One of the major events that described the tsunami caused by a volcanic eruption was in Indonesia, precisely to the west of the island of Java. The name Krakatoa erupted in 1883. This event cause a massive tsunami wave that swept the area around the Sunda Strait. In addition to the events of Mount Krakatau, in Indonesia there was also an eruption of Mount Tambora in 1815 which was in East Nusa Tenggara to result in the occurrence of the Maluku islands. Indonesia is a country that has many volcanoes so it is call the Ring of Fire. This makes Indonesia must always be vigilant because volcanic eruptions can occur at any time.
Underwater landslides occur
The cause of the next tsunami wave was the occurrence of landslides under the sea. A tsunami cause by an underwater landslide is called the Tsunami Submarine Landslide. Apparently landslides don't only occur on land. As previously explained, the shape of the lower surface is like land. if on land we find hills and ravines, then in the sea too, so there is the potential for landslides. This underwater discharge is generally cause by a tectonic earthquake or a volcanic eruption. The strong vibration generated by this cycle can cause a tsunami. In addition to tectonic earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, collisions of plates beneath the sea can also cause landslides.
In 2008 a study was carries out in the Indian Ocean which mention the existence of a sea trough stretching from the island of Siberut to the coast of Bengkulu Beach where if the trough landslides there will be a tsunami on the west coast of Sumatra
Custom Written Term Papers
Jiddu Krishnamurti's Philosophy Of Education


This article was taken from an old newspaper cutting submitted by Stephen John Mc Quinn, Portacarron.
A representative meeting convened by circular was held in the League Rooms in Domnick Street, Galway on Saturday February 19th 1906 to consider the advisability of establishing a Coiste Conndae.
The Rev. Fr. Considine, President of the Galway Branch presided.
Among those present were: Fr. Moran C.C., Brother Francis Harty (Galway), Dr. Walsh, Ornamore, Dr O Beirne, Spiddal, Messrs J Hogan I.R., Tuam, L. O'Toole, Galway, David Walsh and J. Mc Quinn, Oughterard: J. Brennan, Bawnmore, P.O Máille and T. Meehan organizers, J. Dolan, Dalgin, P. Greaney and Domhnall O Duibone, Spiddal, Michael O Máille, Cornamona, E. L. Sheahan B.A.: John Rabbitt, Moycullen, Michl. Lohan and P. Gannon, Galway, M. Hartigan Menlough, M Hoctigan, Carrabrowne, John J. Connolly, English, Ahascragh.
Communications approving of the object of the meeting were received from – Rev. J. Craddock P.P. Castlegar, Rev. J. Mc Evilly C.C. Headford, Rev. D. Clarke C.C. Ardrahan, enclosing subscription: Una Ni Chulian Aran, Dr. Cawley, Gort, Mr. P. Mc Braidagh, Gort, Mr P. O Maille, Aran, Mr. P. Coen, Tullykyne. Messrs P. Mc Glew and Gallagher, Carna wired regretting inability to attend and promising co-operation. After careful deliberation it was unanimously resolved to establish a Coiste Conndae to be composed of two representatives from each affiliated branch in the County.
Vice Presidents: Domhnall Ó Duibhne and Peadar Ó Gráinne Secretary.
The secretaries were instructed to communicate with the various branches in the county, requesting them to select their representatives. They were also directed to summons a meeting for the 24th of February at 11.30 o'clock for the purpose of finally selecting officers for the current year, and for the consideration of a workable scheme of organisation in the county. It was decide to ask the Coiste Gnótha to give the services of Messrs O Máille and Meehan, organisers, to assist in placing the Coiste Conndae on a proper working basis.
This page was added on 17/01/2013.


A year-round versatile vest, the Riley provides protection from light rain. The exterior and fabric backing has been specially treated with a water repellent finish while the filling made of resilient DuPont Sorona Insulation with a focus on delivering lightweight, breathable warmth for taking on any challenge, in any condition.
Numerous interior pockets allow for the hideaway of many a gadget. The styling is sleek enough to be worn over a suit or sports coat yet soft enough to be worn in an informal setting.


This was a Budget for bingo-playing baby-boomers who have not started to draw their private pensions. George Osborne announced some sweeping reforms to the taxation of pensions and halved bingo duty.
The traditional "sin taxes" on booze and fuel have largely been frozen or even reduced, although tobacco suffers a 2% above inflation tax rise. The new "sins" appear to be; owning a valuable home through a company and operating a high-stakes gaming machine.
Most individuals aged under 67 will feel the benefit of an increase in personal allowance from £10,000 to £10,500 in 2015. A transferable married couples' allowance of £1,050 will also help basic rate taxpayers from April 2015. Savers will enjoy higher tax-free limits for ISAs and premium bonds later this year, plus a cut in tax on savings income from 2015.
Businesses are encouraged to invest in equipment by an increase in the annual investment allowance to £500,000 from April 2014, and reliefs for investing in small trading companies and social enterprises are enhanced. Small and medium sized companies who undertake R&D are also given additional tax relief.
The losers are those who use tax avoidance schemes, as those sinners will have to pay the tax avoided up front. Several other tax loopholes used by groups of companies are blocked, and the rules for VCT schemes are tightened-up to deter abuse.
This newsletter is a summary of some of the key points form the Budget, based on the documents released on 19 March 2014. It is possible that a different position will be shown by the draft legislation which will be published on 27 March 2014. We will keep you informed of any significant developments.
The standard personal allowance will rise to £10,500 from 6 April 2015. The age related allowances are gradually falling in line with age-related allowances given to taxpayers born since April 1948.
* given as 10% reduction in tax liability, where one partner was born before 6 April 1935.
When the personal allowance is taken into account an individual will start to pay tax at 40% when their total income exceeds £41,865 in 2014/15 and £42,285 in 2015/16. This is compared to a 40% threshold of £41,450 in 2013/14. This threshold (and the 45% threshold) can be increased if the taxpayer pays personal pension contributions or makes gift aid donations.
A person who wishes to take their pension as "draw-down" instead of buying an annuity will have to prove they have £12,000 of other income in retirement, rather than £20,000.
From 1 April 2015 the ATED charge is to be extended to properties with value of £1m to £2m. Then from 1 April 2016 the ATED charge will be extended to properties worth £500,001 to £1 million. The 15% rate of Stamp Duty Land Tax on such properties worth over £500,000 comes into effect from 20 March 2014 -; see below.
As announced in December 2013 the 36 month tax free period when a person's main home is sold, is reduced to 18 months for most disposals made after 5 April 2014. Where the home owner or their spouse is disabled or has moved into a residential care-home, the 36 month tax free period will still apply.
The Government will consult on how to charge capital gains tax on disposal of UK homes by individuals who are not tax resident in this country.
Disposals of payment entitlements by farmers under the EU Basic Payment Scheme will qualify for business asset rollover relief with retrospective effect from 20 December 2013.
The inheritance tax (IHT) nil rate band will remain frozen at £325,000 until 2017/18, and the rates of IHT payable on death remain unchanged at 40% or 36% where at least 10% of the net estate is left to charity.
From 20 March 2014 the residential properties in bands marked * are subject to SDLT at the rate of 15% where the property is acquired by a non-natural person such as a company, partnership or collective investment scheme. For sales in the period: 22 March 2012 to 19 March 2014 the 15% rate of SDLT only applied to properties sold for £2 million or more where the buyer was a non-natural person.


Yukirin News Roundup from October 30, 2015.
News roundup of Yukirin at the 48Group Sports Tournament held on August 25, 2015 at Tokyo Dome.
Daily Roundup of Yukirin related events on July 25th including Handshake Event and Fireworks Festival.


This lovely, shabby-chic Personalised Oceans And Mountains Wooden Hanging Heart gift will show your partner just how much they mean to you with the engraving in the middle of the heart reading, 'My love for you is deeper than the oceans and higher than the mountains'.
To make this gift even more romantic the design in the middle of the wooden decoration also features a line of love-hearts with one more at the bottom. Between these love-hearts you can have a personalised engraving. This engraved message can be anything that you choose and will make this gift not only thoughtful but a loving memento that will always be cherished.