text:
Both are promising countries for foreign investors: Guner Ureya
২৮ কার্তিক ১৪২৯
১৬ রবিউস সানি ১৪৪৪
Ashrafuzzaman Uzzal
Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo in Bangladesh Guner Ureya
Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo in Bangladesh Guner Ureya said, Both Kosovo and Bangladesh are promising countries for foreign investors and both countries have areas of investment that should be explored. Since such a situation exists between Kosovo and Bangladesh, the importance of joint ventures rather than mutual direct investments is appearing. If both parties can bring a part of the manufacturing capacity of Bangladesh on one side and Kosovo on another side with its capacities as a country next-door to big consumer markets, together they can create an incredible synergy. If both parties manufacture together and target third-country markets, they may achieve excellent results.
He said this in an interview with Bangladesh Travel Writers Association (BDTWA) recently.
In this interview, Lee Guner Ureya also said,
BDTWA president Ashrafuzzaman Uzzal, executive member Shakil Bin Mushtaq and Md. Zakaria Mondol were present in the interview session.
Here is the interview of the Excellency-
Ashrafuzzaman Uzzal: According to the current state of both country's bilateral trade status, how does H.E see future trade relations?
Guner Ureya: Considering the fact that only a few years ago, we had almost zero trade between the two countries, we should not underestimate our current trading volume. According to the Kosovo Agency of Statistics in 2021 trade volume between the two countries was around 13,200,000 Euros. In the first 8 months of 2022, our trade volume was around 11,602,000 Euro. These figures are very promising. Kosovo is pleased with the improvement in trade and other relations between the two countries and is confident that the trade volume will steadily increase in the upcoming years.
Ashrafuzzaman Uzzal: How can we work together for Bangladesh–Kosovo's bilateral tourism development?
Guner Ureya: The most important factor affecting tourism cooperation is mutual perceptions. It is strengthened by multifaceted cooperation and convergence of mutual perception. Cooperation in cultural, trade, and other fields will both increase interaction and help us get to know each other better. In addition to all these, tourism portfolios of both sides, attractions, modern infrastructure, and promotional events like fairs and familiarization trips, will also lead to the development of our cooperation in the field of tourism.
Ashrafuzzaman Uzzal: Which country has the most investment in KOSOVO and in which sector?
Guner Ureya: Most of FDIs are from Switzerland, Germany, Türkiye, the United Kingdom and Albania, particularly in real estate and services. There are considerable foreign investments in the manufacturing sector as well.
Ashrafuzzaman Uzzal: What are the challenges you see for more Kosovo investment in Bangladesh?
Guner Ureya: Let me clarify a thing. Both Kosovo and Bangladesh are promising countries for foreign investors and both countries have areas of investment that should be explored. Since such a situation exists between Kosovo and Bangladesh, the importance of joint ventures rather than mutual direct investments is appearing. If both parties can bring a part of the manufacturing capacity of Bangladesh on one side and Kosovo on another side with its capacities as a country next-door to big consumer markets, together they can create an incredible synergy. If both parties manufacture together and target third-country markets, they may achieve excellent results.
Ashrafuzzaman Uzzal: Many people visit to TURKEY from Bangladesh and its only 1h 40 minutes from Istanbul to Kosovo. Can Kosovo consider this for the frequent travelers to visit Kosovo and facilitate their Tourist visa from BANGLADESH?
Guner Ureya: Tourism is very important for the promotion of the values of our countries and for our economies. Sure, we recommend tourists visiting the countries of the region to visit Kosovo as well. We also started to provide visa services at our Embassy in Dhaka. Besides Kosovar visas, those who have multiple Schengen visas can easily visit our beautiful country. Our doors are always open to those who want to see the beauties of Kosovo. I just have to highlight an issue. There are those who see tourism as an area of exploitation for illegal immigration. As Kosovo, we are very strict on this and we do not allow such abuses.
Ashrafuzzaman Uzzal: How do you see Bangladesh economically in 10 or 20 years?
Guner Ureya: If you keep this development trend and ensure progress in income sharing, your country will be qualified as developed as planned in 2041. Economic growth will lead to the allocation of more financial tools for better infrastructure. Investments to be made in areas such as education and health will help the development of the whole society. In a word, a more prosperous atmosphere will be provided for everyone.
Ashrafuzzaman Uzzal: Have you visited any tourist places in Bangladesh? How were your experiences? Do you have any favorite places in Bangladesh?
Guner Ureya: Alongside historical monuments and sites, Cox's Bazar caught my attention. The routes to the historical places are tiresome, but you feel good after you arrive. Cox's Bazaar is excellent, but there is still a lot of work to be done to attract foreign tourists. Accommodation prices in the hotels are very high there. This is a situation related to the high demand for accommodation from domestic tourists. Honestly speaking, more investments and other arrangements are required to attract foreign tourists in Cox's Bazar. In the tourism sector, "being only beautiful" is not a sufficient criterion for success.
Ashrafuzzaman Uzzal: During your stay in Bangladesh what impressed you the most?
Guner Ureya: The hospitality and friendliness of Bangladeshi people fascinated me the most. Your people are very nice and friendly.
Ashrafuzzaman Uzzal: During your stay in Bangladesh what disappointed you the most?
Guner Ureya: Traffic.
Ashrafuzzaman Uzzal: How many Kosovo citizens live in Bangladesh? What are the major reasons behind their stay?
Guner Ureya: We have a very small number of Kosovars with residence in Bangladesh. Besides diplomats and their family members, there are Kosovars working for international organizations.
Ashrafuzzaman Uzzal: What are the top five exports and Imports between Kosovo and Bangladesh? Are there any potential sectors that both countries are missing?
Guner Ureya: I'm sure that in a few years we'll be counting to 5 or even more articles of import and export between the two countries. Currently, the main trade items are RMG. Of course, there is also the modest pharmaceutical products trade. Food, furniture but also ICT services are among other potential sectors for the trade of goods and services between the two countries.
Ashrafuzzaman Uzzal: How many Bangladeshi students go to Kosovo each year and how many of them got Scholarships?
Guner Ureya: The doors of Kosovo universities are open to international students. We would be pleased to have Bangladeshi students studying in our country. So far, we have identified only one Bangladeshi graduate from one of Kosovo's universities. We hope this number will increase. For the first time, there is ongoing work on a scheme for a scholarship for international students in Kosovo. An announcement will be made once the process is completed.
Ashrafuzzaman Uzzal: Is there any High official visit this year and how many were in between the two countries?
Guner Ureya: Recently, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr. Kreshnik Ahmeti visited Dhaka. On the other side, Hon'ble Minister of Education of Bangladesh participated Women Peace Security Forum held in Prishtina on 22-23 October 2022. The Prime Ministers of both countries have sent invitations to each other for an official visit. Both Excellences have very busy schedules. I hope it comes about soon.
Ashrafuzzaman Uzzal: Is there any tax-free agreement/FTA between Kosovo and Bangladesh?
Guner Ureya: There is an ongoing process of negotiation for the finalization of the Agreement for Economic Cooperation and Agreement on Avoidance of Double Taxation and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion between the two countries. On the other hand, the Stabilization and Accession Agreement with the European Union is in force and Kosovo's aim is to be a part of this great European family through the integration process. Therefore, we have to comply with EU criteria regarding FTAs. Our trade arrangements with Bangladesh will proceed in parallel with the arrangements your country will make with the EU.
Ashrafuzzaman Uzzal: We heard one Kosovar Girl has been to Bangladesh and wrote about BANGLADESH, we will be happy to have her write up about Bangladesh and what were her experiences in Bangladesh?
Guner Ureya: Yes, Ms. Lavdi Zymberi visited different parts of Bangladesh and she left here with friendly impressions. As far as I know, she posts her impressions on her own blog. I will forward your write-up request to her.
Ashrafuzzaman Uzzal: BDTWA wishes to invite some Kosovar Travel Writer, Professional photographer to visit Bangladesh for 7 to 10 days and BDTWA wish to visit Kosovo as well to write a travel book and to make a travel blog about Kosovo, can you arrange a FAM trip to Kosovo?
Guner Ureya: Of course, we are aware that such familiarization trips are important. We have organized such trips for tour operators and journalists from a few countries before. In the future, taking into account the demands and priorities of the stakeholders in the tourism sector, we can organize such an event between Kosovo and Bangladesh as well.
Multi-Destination Education Expo to be held in capital on 28 January
Sections of Balkan river become floating garbage dump
Don't stop cultivating cash crops but increase production in unutilized lands: PM
Bangladeshi Sri Chinmoy is important for the whole world
'Women from the Chittagong Hill Tracts region are playing an important role'
Fourth dose of Covid vaccine to be administered from Dec 20
James Gardinar underscores skill development, access to US digital platform fo Bangladeshis
`Sheikh Hasina government's important goal is to develop the country'
BAT Bangladesh hosts Road Safety Workshop in Dhaka
Open pit coal mining Possible at Phulbari
Barta24.com
News Desk, Barta24.com
EDUMIG Limited is going to organize a Multi-Destination Education Expo 2023 in the capital city of Bangladesh. The day-long event will be held on 28th January 2023 from 11 am to 5 pm at Hotel Sarina, Banani, Dhaka.
At the event, students wishing to pursue higher education abroad can learn about the admission procedures of universities in Canada, Australia, America, Hong Kong, Ireland, New Zealand, UK, Malaysia, South Korea, and the Schengen countries. Representatives from various universities worldwide will attend the event, where students can avail all the information regarding their higher education abroad, starting from the application procedures to obtaining VISAs.
Mr. Abbas Karimi, the founder of Edumig Ltd, will be inaugurating the event with our esteemed representatives of the mentioned universities at the Multi-Destination Expo 2023, offering up more than a decade of experience.
The Multi-Destination Expo 2023 offers students from all walks of life plenty of opportunities to pursue their higher studies abroad with scholarships. There can be scholarship opportunities of up to 10,000 dollars!
Mr. Abbas Karimi has been successfully helping students with their dreams of studying abroad. Now, he would like to help you with yours. So, please join us at Hotel Sarina and meet with the experienced Edumig Team and the University Representatives. We strive to provide you with a solution for your education abroad.
১১:৪৮ এএম | ২২ জানুয়ারি, ২০২৩
৮ মাঘ ১৪২৯
২৮ জমাদিউস সানি ১৪৪৪
Tons of waste dumped in poorly regulated riverside landfills or directly into the waterways that flow across three countries end up accumulating behind a trash barrier in the Drina River in eastern Bosnia during the wet weather of winter and early spring.
This week, the barrier once again became the outer edge of a massive floating waste dump crammed with plastic bottles, rusty barrels, used tires, household appliances, driftwood and other garbage picked up by the river from its tributaries.
The river fencing installed by a Bosnian hydroelectric plant, a few kilometers upstream from its dam near Visegrad, has turned the city into an unwilling regional waste site, local environmental activists complain.
Heavy rain and unseasonably warm weather over the past week have caused many rivers and streams in Bosnia, Serbia and Montenegro to overflow, flooding the surrounding areas and forcing scores of people from their homes. Temperatures dropped in many areas on Friday as rain turned into snow.
"We had a lot of rainfall and torrential floods in recent days and a huge inflow of water from (the Drina's tributaries in) Montenegro which is now, fortunately, subsiding," said Dejan Furtula of the environmental group Eko Centar Visegrad.
"Unfortunately, the huge inflow of garbage has not ceased," he added.
The Drina River runs 346 kilometers (215 miles) from the mountains of northwestern Montenegro through Serbia and Bosnia. and some of its tributaries are known for their emerald color and breathtaking scenery. A section along the border between Bosnia and Serbia is popular with river rafters when it's not "garbage season."
Some 10,000 cubic meters (more than 353,000 cubic feet) of waste are estimated to have amassed behind the Drina River trash barrier in recent days, Furtula said.
২৯ পৌষ ১৪২৯
Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called for increasing overall crop cultivation in the country. During the question and answer round of the National Parliament session on Wednesday January 11 2023, she emphasized her say, "People generally tend to focus on cultivating cash crops while farming. We are well aware about that. Our target should never be hampering the growth of any such crop, instead it's our duty to ensure that unutilized lands are being used for cultivation of crops."
The PM conveyed this message while replying to a question asked by Gaibandha-1 MP Shamim Haider Patwary about banning tobacco cultivation. "It's wiser to utilize all the cultivable lands for inclusive agricultural boost rather than halting the cultivation of any crop," she opined.
The Prime Minister also added, "My own area (Gopalganj) can be mentioned here as an example. Our family owns quite a bit of land in the area that was not looked after or the farmers entrusted with the responsibility, failed to look after the lands. We have taken the initiative to ensure cultivation in these lands. Not only on our land, we are also ensuring that the non-arable land around ours are being prepared for cultivation. We can ensure cultivation on over 10,000 hectares of lands that was previously non-arable."
"Even though some of the lands are waterlogged for over eight months in a year, we are planning fish-farming where applicable. Apart from this, we will cultivate whichever crop that is possible to cultivate. There is a trend of preparing floating beds using water hyacinths to cultivate different crops called dhaap. We have started using this method and have deployed the same method in other parts of the country," she said.
"My message to the Honourable member of the parliament is that, instead of stopping what is currently being cultivated, start thinking about utilizing the lands that are not being used for cultivation," the prime minister added.
৮ জমাদিউস সানি ১৪৪৪
A Peace Run is going to be held in Bangladesh from January 6 to 10, 2023. Around 12 international runners will come from the USA, UK, India, Haiti, South Korea, Iceland, Moldova, Romania and Hungary. Chinmoy Center in Dhaka is organizing the great event after the name of Sri Chinmoy. So, who is Sri Chinmoy? where was he born? What is Sri Chinmoy philosophy? Why is he so famous in the world? In an recent interview, Sri Chinmoy Center Dhaka,s Representative Shanti Sri is telling about the great man.
By Ashrafuzzaman Uzzal
Who is Sri Chinmoy and where was he born?
Sri Chinmoy is a spiritual master, born on 27 August, 1931, at Shakpura, near Chattogram. He was the youngest of 7 children.
What is Sri Chinmoy philosophy? Why is he so famous in the world?
Sri Chinmoy wrote: "Our philosophy in one sentence: Our philosophy is the acceptance of life for the transformation of life and also for the manifestation of God's Light here on earth, at God's choice Hour, in God's own Way."
Sri Chinmoy is best known as a man of peace, or as he describes himself "a lifelong student of peace". He initiated many projects to help foster peace, inner and outer—through meditation, through art, through music, through sports, through civic life.
How many Sri Chinmoy Centres in this world and when did Bangladesh start this centre?
There are Sri Chinmoy Centres in 330 cities, in 71 countries. The first one was founded in 1967 on the island of Puerto Rico in the Caribbean. The New York Centre was founded a few months later. New York, where Sri Chinmoy lived from 1964 until his death in 2007, is the headquarters of the Centre.
A Centre was established in Dhaka in 2016 and in Chattogram in 2020.
How long have you been involved with the Sri Chinmoy Centre and what inspired you to join?
I joined the Centre in my native city of Glasgow, Scotland on 2 December 1971, so, more than 50 years ago.
Sri Chinmoy came to Glasgow as part of his first European lecture tour. My husband was a student at Glasgow University. He was very interested in spirituality and philosophy, especially Eastern philosophy. He was involved in arranging the programme for Sri Chinmoy to speak at the University. I have to say at that time I was not a believer in any kind of spirituality. I had no patience for it. But I went along to the talk anyway. I was not happy that I did not believe in anything, in fact I suffered a lot from depression. What was I doing with my life? What was it all about?
Posters had been sent to us from New York, and they described Sri Chinmoy as a "spiritual Master". I felt that no one could be a master of spirituality; no one could know about these things for sure; it was all a matter of opinion. But the moment I entered the hall and saw Sri Chinmoy at the other end, there was something about him—charisma—I said to myself, "He knows." I felt it immediately, and I immediately wanted to learn from him.
While he was talking I could see a blue light all around him. It was fascinating, and I thought it was my imagination, but when I spoke to others afterwards, they had seen it too.
Sri Chinmoy offered to teach meditation to anyone at the lecture who was interested, so about 10 of us stayed behind and he showed us some meditation techniques and he formed the Glasgow Sri Chinmoy Centre. Again I saw this light. This time he became light. The silhouette was still there, but there were no features, just this shimmering light. Again I was amazed at this phenomenon, but even more, I felt great joy inside me, because I felt he could show me a way out of my depression, and show me how to become the person I really wanted to be.
How many books has he written? How many poems and songs?
1600 books have been published, there are more notebooks that are still being transcribed and edited and will be published in due course. His work includes poetry, plays, lectures, questions and answers and short stories. Nearly 117,000 poems and aphorisms have been published.
Sri Chinmoy composed more than 21,000 songs, the majority of them in Bengali. These songs are performed by his students at concerts all over the world.
He also loves painting? How many paintings he drew and how many galleries he made his painting exhibitions around the world? Was there any painting exhibition held in Bangladesh too, if so when?
Poetry and music were present in Sri Chinmoy's life from his childhood, but not painting. It was not until 1974 when he was 43 years old that he took up painting for the first time. His painting style is abstract and very colorful. He calls it "Jharna-Kala". As in all endeavors, Sri Chinmoy gave his heart and soul to painting, and in the first year produced 100,000 acrylic paintings—a veritable fountain of art!
He also does pen drawings and these are mostly of birds—"soul birds" as he calls them, and these number in the millions!
How many followers at present in the world and how many countries have Sri Chinmoy centres?
There are around 7-9 thousand members of Sri Chinmoy Centres in 71 countries around the world. Members are expected to follow a strict spiritual discipline—daily meditation, exercise, vegetarian diet.
Sri Chinmoy emphasizes that his way is not a religion—he encourages people to stay in their own religion. There are people from all religions in the centres—Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Jews, Muslims, and people with no formal religion. From my own experience, when following this path I got a deeper understanding of my own religion.
Is there any Guinness book of world record in his name?
At one time Sri Chinmoy held a Guiness record for weightlifting for his age (73), but I don't have the details.
A central part of Sri Chinmoy's philosophy is "self-transcendence" meaning always trying to better your own achievements. Competing with yourself and not with others. This is the philosophy behind the races the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team organizes, including the world's longest race of 3,100 miles (almost 5000 k). Sri Chinmoy's followers have taken part in this race, have swum the English Channel, have climbed many of the world's highest mountains. The Marathon Team hosts a games every year in Europe called "Impossibility-Challengers" where people come to set new records—personal, national, or world.
How many countries have roads in his name and how many roads?
70 Sri Chinmoy streets have been dedicated in 14 countries worldwide.
Countries are as follows:Australia, Canada, Czech,UK, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Scotland, Slovakia, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, USA.
When he started praying sessions in the UN and how did it happen?
In 1971, Sri Chinmoy was invited by U Thant, third Secretary-General of the United Nations, to form a meditation group for delegates and staff at the United Nations in New York. The group met twice a week and Sri Chinmoy attended whenever he was in town. The group still meets to this day.
Please tell us something about his Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run? When it was started and why this peace run?
The Peace Run is a team of international runners who run around the world carrying a torch symbolizing peace. It is based on a very simple idea, if you believe in peace, if you care for peace, if you hope for peace then express your hope by holding the Peace Torch, by joining the Peace Run for a few steps or a few miles. Since Sri Chinmoy founded it in 1987 more than 7 million people have participated in the Peace Run, covering 395,000 miles in 155 countries on all 7 continents.
Those who have held the Peace Torch include Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa, President Gorbachev, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Queen Elizabeth II, Muhammad Ali, Carl Lewis, Pope Francis.
I heard you are going to organize a Peace run in Bangladesh next January 2023 please let us know in details, how many people will join from how many countries? Who can join? Is it free to join? From where to where the run will start?
The Peace Run will be in Bangladesh from January 6-10, 2023. Around 12 international runners will come from the USA, UK, India, Haiti, South Korea, Iceland, Moldova, Romania and Hungary.
There are certain events where everyone can join, for example the opening ceremony of the Peace Run will be at the Eternal Flame at Suhrawardy Udyan on January 6 at 8am. From there we will run with the torch around Hatirjheel between 9:30 am and 11 am.
At 1 pm the Peace Run will visit the Buriganga Eco Park at Shyampur for the dedication of the Buriganga as a Peace River. On January 7th the Peace Run will run from Dhaka to Savar. You are welcome to run part of the way with us. There is no cost to be part of the Peace Run. On January 8th the Peace Run will visit schools in the Dhaka area. On January 9th the Peace Run will have a program in Chattogram and on January 10th it will visit Shakpura, the birthplace of Sri Chinmoy. For details please check PeaceRun.org
How many books have been translated into Bengali, which were written by Sri Chinmoy?
About ten of Sri Chinmoy books have been translated into Bengali. It is an ongoing process. In some of the poetry books, for example "The Garden of Love-Light" and "Pole-Star-Promise-Light," both the English and Bangla versions were written by Sri Chinmoy, and he later set these poems to music.
Is there anyone who did a Ph. D. in Sri Chinmoy? Who did and when?
Dr. Vidagdha Bennett, an Australia writer, wrote her Ph. D. thesis on Sri Chinmoy's poetry in the late 1980s, "Simplicity and Power: The Poetry of Sri Chinmoy 1971-1981". She has also written several autobiographical books on Sri Chinmoy. The best known is "His Sacred Breath."
Bidushi's book you have.
How many books written on Sri Chinmoy and how many of them are in Bengali?
Vidagdha Bennett has written several autobiographical books about Sri Chinmoy.
The Bengali ones by Shankar and Nashima Khan, a Bengali-born journalist now living in NY, you have.
As we know he wrote 1600 books, into how many languages have his book been translated?
I can't tell you exactly, but I know of his books being translated into many of the European languages—Italian, Spanish, German, French, some Greek, some Icelandic, some Portugese and Japanese.
A poem written by Sri Chinmoy was recited in 203 languages by members of the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run at the Dag Hammerskjöld Plaza, New York, USA, on 10 April 2014, setting a world record.
Why Sri Chinmoy was important to us?
Sri Chinmoy is important because he offers a path to spiritual fulfillment that takes account of the modern world. You don't have to shun the world and go live in a cave in the Himalayas—you can live in a modern city, have a job, fulfill your family responsibilities and still make solid progress in your spiritual life, discovering your true self, developing your good qualities, transcending your negative qualities, achieving peace of mind, depth of understanding and real happiness. The goal, you can call it Self-discovery, God-realization, Salvation, Nirvana, is the same, but the way to get there is tailored to the 21st century.
Tell us something about his project Oneness-Heart-Tears and Smiles.
Oneness-Heart-Tears and Smiles was begun by Sri Chinmoy in 1991 in response to a request by President Gorbachev at a time when Russia was undergoing great financial hardship. Sri Chinmoy organized a convoy of food, clothing and medical supplies and equipment to be sent to relieve the suffering of the Russian people. Since that time it has been delivering humanitarian aid to poor countries, and in response to natural disasters. On two occasions Oneness-Heart-Tears and Smiles has delivered container shipments of medical equipment to Bangladesh.
One notable project is the Kids to Kids program where children in developed countries collect and send toys and school supplies to less fortunate kids. Children are also encouraged to send drawings and messages of encouragement to children who are suffering, for example to Aceh Province in Indonesia after the tsunami of 2004.
Another project was Dolls for Africa, where people worldwide hand-crafted dolls for poor African children.
From 2002 to 2007 Ambassador Anwaral Chowdhury of Bangladesh was Under-Secretary-General and High Representative of the United Nations for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States. Ambassador Chowdhury entrusted to Sri Chinmoy, ten of the most vulnerable countries, to serve through humanitarian shipments. Ambassador Chowdhury stated that Sri Chinmoy surpassed the original request of ten countries which now totals 33 countries.
In 2020, 300 villagers from the village of Shakpura, where Sri Chinmoy was born, signed a petition requesting that the newly paved main road leading into Shakpura be called Sri Chinmoy Road. A letter signed by the late Speaker Humayan Rashid Choudhury dedicating 6 of Bangladesh's rivers as Peace Rivers.
Ashrafuzzaman Uzzal: President, Bangladesh travel writers association


text:
What Is Ignatian Spirituality?
By: David Fleming, SJ
What Is Ignatian Spirituality
SKU: What is Ignatian Spirituality
"Fleming offers bite-size chapters on love, pilgrimage, prayer, work, discernment and sin, each highlighting an aspect of the spirituality of St. Ignatius Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits."
-- Fr. Jim Martin, SJ
In What Is Ignatian Spirituality? St. Ignatius and the key elements of his teachings are brought to life by David Fleming, SJ. This highly accessible summary of the key elements of the spirituality of St. Ignatius includes a look at contemplative prayer, discernment, and what it means to be actively involved in service and mission. In 20 concise chapters, Fleming thoughtfully explains Ignatian spirituality and how this centuries-old method of disciplined reflection on God's work in the world can deepen our own spiritual lives and guide the everyday decisions we make.
For further information on Ignatian Spirituality, please visit our sister site: www.IgnatianSpirituality.com
¿Que es la espiritualidad ignaciana?
A Purposeful Path
Lord, You Called Me
The Way to Manresa
Redemption Road
God's Voice Within
A Simple, Life-Changing Prayer
The Ignatian Adventure
Reimagining the Ignatian Examen
Ignatian Spirituality A to Z
Shadow in the Dark
Experiencing God in the Ordinary
Sacred Space: The Prayer Book 2021
New- New -
Spiritual Practices for the Brain
Sacred Space for Advent and the Christmas Season 2020-21

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Seth Haapu has called a "New Wave" of Māori musicians together for his new single which he says is the accumulation of reconnecting with whakapapa and discovering the Rātana history behind his family's love of music.
Taupō's lakeside Waitahanui marae has opened its new ancestral house and dining hall. The occasion also coincides with the marae's 100th anniversary celebrations.
The Māōri Party will walk alongside the Kingitanga at next week's Ratana celebrations. This kind of alignment is something we haven't seen from the Kingitanga, so the question remains what does this mean and what message does it send?
Members of the Rātana Church strolled through Parliament today to commemorate an alliance formed between the church and the Labour Party 80 years ago. Te Kāea looks back on the significance of this day for the two parties.
As the signing of the TPP draws near, Prime Minister John Key is sticking to his guns, and talking up the agreement. This is despite a call from Māori to hold off on the signing.
Today is the last day for the celebrations of Tahu Pōtiki Wiremu Rātana. But it was the loose lips, and apparent ingenuine approach of some of the politicians, that has the Minister of Māori Development riled up.
Celebrations to mark the anniversary of Tahu Pōtiki Wiremu Rātana got underway today at Rātana Pā.
Labour MP Adrian Rurawhe says Rātana will be the last opportunity for iwi to unite and voice opposition over the signing of the TPP. Trade Minister Todd McClay confirmed today the Government will host the signing of the agreement on February 4 in Auckland.
Labour MP for Te Tau Hauāuru Adrian Rurawhe says the people of the Pā should think carefully about the motives of the politicians who visit the church's annual festival.


Chris Fonnesbeck is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biostatistics at Vanderbilt University. He specializes in computational statistics, Bayesian methods, meta-analysis, and applied decision analysis. He originally hails from Vancouver, BC and received a Ph.D. in wildlife biometrics from the University of Georgia.
Early attempts at using drones were unsuccessful, but such technologies have come a long way since then. It can be useful to be able to conduct multiple passes with multiple observers, depending on sea conditions, but in principle this could be done with drones as well. It would certainly save on fuel costs!


Our AutoCAD and Autodesk Software training courses are delivered by qualified professionals and certified instructors with years of practical experience. The courses make use of real-life examples and scenarios in line with Autodesk approved courseware and software experts. Each delegate is offered an Autodesk certificate of completion.


text:
What is a Fluorescent Globe?
A Fluorescent Globe is a low pressure mercury-vapor gas-discharge lamp that uses fluorescence to produce visible light. An electric current in the gas excites mercury vapor which produces short-wave ultraviolet light that then causes a phosphor coating on the inside of the bulb to glow. A fluorescent lamp converts electrical energy into useful light much more efficiently than incandescent lamps.
What Is Compact Fluorescent Light?
A Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL), is a fluorescent lamp designed to replace an incandescent globe; some types fit into light fixtures formerly used for incandescent lamps. The lamps use a tube which is curved or folded to fit into the space of an incandescent bulb, and a compact electronic ballast in the base of the lamp.
Compared to general-service incandescent lamps giving the same amount of visible light, CFLs use one-fifth to one-third the electric power, and last eight to fifteen times longer. A CFL has a higher purchase price than an incandescent lamp, but can save over five times its purchase price in electricity costs over the lamp's lifetime.
Is Fluorescent Energy Saving?
Compared to general-service incandescent lamps giving the same amount of visible light, CFLs use one-fifth to one-third the electric power, and last eight to fifteen times longer.
Is Fluorescent Dimmable?
All Mirabella Fluorescent Lamps can not be dimmed.
What is Colour Temperature?
Correlated Colour Temperature (CCT) in lighting describes how the colour of the light appears from a lamp, measured in kelvins (k).
Image a scale of 2700k (Warm White) to 6,500k (Daylight). The higher up the scale you go, the closer the light will change in colour. Colour Temperature does not describe the actual temperature of the lamp itself. However, the higher the colour temperature the "cooler" a lamp will look.
What Colour Temperature do i use to light up my space?
There is no accurate answer. It all depends on the mood of the area & the colour scheme.
Contact Mirabella International
Please fill in the following form and we will be in touch with you shortly.
* Insert a subject
Keep up to date with the latest offers, product releases and and news stories on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.


Triblets, or ring mandrels, are essential and versatile tools for jewellery making. This plain, round profile triblet has a working length of 300mm (12"), with a total length of 400mm (15.7") including handle. This triblet has a diameter of 10mm at the thinnest point of the blade, and a diameter of 28mm at the widest point. Used for forming or re-shaping metal, triblets are particularly useful when working with rings. They can be used to form a ring or a circular bezel to a chosen approximate size, to re-size an existing ring, or to correct the shape of a misshapen ring. This unmarked, solid triblet is made from steel, and should be kept clean and polished to avoid any marks which may be transferred onto the surface of your metal. It can be hand held or secured by the handle into a bench vice. Securing at any other point will mark or damage the surface of the triblet and transfer onto the surface of your metal. Other sizes and shapes are available.
Beautiful, heavyweight triblet. It looks so well made and I have no doubt it will last me a very long time.
Great for straightening bent rings !
I've owned one of these triblets for a few years now and mainly use it for straightening out rings that friends have bashed or stood on. I use it with a plastic mallet and can usually sort out problems in no time. Recommended !
Really excellent value for a solid piece of kit. Will definitely keep shopping for my tools at Cooksons.


text:
Project Philosophy
Exhibitions and Programs
Cultural Heritage Day at Fitchburg Art Museum
Boys and Girls Club of Fitchburg and Leominster
Readings and Resources
Thoughts on Cultural Heritage
5 Reasons Why We Should Teach the Value of Cultural Heritage to High School Students
Cultural Heritage Is Important!
What Did We Do Before Technology?
Teacher-Photographer
Browse Entries
Browse Exhibitions
Call for Photos
Contribute a Cultural Heritage Image Catalog Entry
Greece - Hercules Pottery; Fall River, MA - Lizzie Borden House
Catalog Entry
When it comes to the Greek mythical figure Hercules, most people would say that they are very familiar with his courage, his muscular body, and his overall importance as an heroic figure. There is no doubt that Hercules fits perfectly with all of those qualities. However, his story goes deeper into the possibility of the beloved hero having a history of mental illness and violence. Hercules' disturbing antics share very similar qualities to the local story dated back in the year 1892 of the Lizzie Borden axe murder case. Each was originally not known to cause any type of disturbances, thus presenting questions concerning their moments of insanity and what caused them to go insane.
In this image of pottery owned by the Fitchburg Art Museum, Hercules is in the midst of struggling to accomplish his second labor out of twelve: slaying the great Lernean Hydra. With the assistance of his nephew Iolaus, Hercules was eventually able to defeat the nine-headed beast, but what even brought him here in the first place? All fingers point right at Hera, the wife of Hercules' father Zeus. Hera was constantly furious at her husband as he would frequently cheat on her with his several mistresses. To vent her frustrations, she would lash out and get revenge on them or on their children. One of the mistresses turned out to be the mortal woman Alcmene. Zeus was very attracted to her - so much so that he traveled down to earth, transformed himself into her husband, and seduced her. They eventually became the parents to a child named Hercules, who was half human, half god. After many failed attempts at trying to kill him as an infant, Hera sent down a madness on Hercules when he was older, making him kill his own wife and children. As punishment for the murders, he was assigned the twelve labors.
Several hundreds of years after Hercules' time, the world was introduced to Lizzie Andrew Borden, who was born on July 19, 1860. Lizzie was the daughter of Sarah and Andrew Borden and grew up in Fall River, Massachusetts. After the death of her mother, Andrew remarried a woman named Abby, with whom Lizzie, as well as her sister Emma, did not want anything to do. On the morning of August 4, 1892, both Abby and Andrew Borden were found murdered from a "brutal hatchet attack" in their Fall River home. The case was a cause célèbre all across the United States, many speculating about Lizzie's mental health, some thinking she lapsed into a moment of insanity when the murder occurred.
It's very interesting how you can dig deep into a story and how many different connections you can discover. Although both Hercules and Lizzie Borden were overcome with insanity leading up to their murders, that insanity stemmed from different starting points. Hercules' insanity was caused by Hera being a nuisance. As for Lizzie, her insanity was, according to some theories, fueled by jealousy and greed; the jealousy came from the feelings she had towards her stepmother, while the greed was always there because Lizzie was probably well aware that she and her sister would come into a sizable inheritance after their parents' deaths. It seems as though, even with iconic figures such as Hercules, everyone has their own trigger and/or breaking point.
Carlisle, Marcia R. "What Made Lizzie Borden Kill?" American Heritage, vol. 43, no. 4, 1992, alistapart.com/article/writeliving.
"Lizzie Borden." Biography.com, A&E Networks Television, 27 Apr. 2017, www.biography.com/people/lizzie-borden-9219858.
Mark, Joshua J. "The Life of Hercules in Myth & Legend." Ancient History Encyclopedia, 23 July 2013, https://www.ancient.eu/article/733/.
Catalog Entry Author(s)
Rachel Rudsit, Student, Fitchburg State University
Photographer(s)
Provided by Fitchburg Art Museum
Research Assistant(s)
Samantha Flament, Student, Fitchburg State University
Herakles Slaying the Hydra, 350-325 BC
Apulian
Red Figure
Museum Purchase, 2001.3
Connecting the Classical to New England
artifact, british literature I spring 2018, classical tradition spring 2018, deities, disability, FAMExhibition, fitchburg art museum, greece, massachusetts, mythology, pottery, women
"Greece - Hercules Pottery; Fall River, MA - Lizzie Borden House," Cultural Heritage through Image, accessed January 19, 2020, https://culturalheritagethroughimage.omeka.net/items/show/33.
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Fitchburg Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. It is also supported by the Freedom's Way National Heritage Area, the Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Endowment, and the Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library at Fitchburg State University.


Okay, okay! I admit it. I got it WRONG! Yes, on electricity in the Conservative movement. No, on cooking in the Conservative movement. Oy ya yoy ya yoy!
To put this into context a little bit, I was curious on the Conservative movements position (or really, my rabbi's position) on using a glucose meter on Shabbat. From there, our conversation widened as he got more information from me.
Cooking is a category of work that cannot be done on Shabbat. This includes boiling water and some forms of heating.
My dilemma in all of this was the WHY for me, personally. Am I not cooking/wanting to not cook because I feel commanded not to, because I want to follow halacha, because Torah says not to, because it makes me feel better, because I find it meaningful, to make the week different from Shabbat, to gain some deeper insight or meaning for Shabbat, because that is tradition and it connects me to those before me?
Does it matter why as long as I do it? Or does why matter a lot?
Then there is the whole other side of it. My Jewish friends already think I am too observant and fanatical. My non-Jewish friends don't get the ritual aspect of Judaism and I secretly suspect that they think it is all a big OCD fest. Should that play any role or reality check for me?
Still, I have a drive for these rituals, a desire to fulfill them. I find ritual highly meaningful, and I enjoy the benefits and challenges they bring. I love going to the mikvah. It is by far my favorite ritual right now. I don't mind going beyond what the Conservative movement requires. I like keeping heckscher symbol kosher even though the CM allows ingredient kosher. I don't think it is okay to drive on Shabbat even though we currently do drive on Shabbat to shul (or Friday night dinner to welcome the Sabbath). I don't use the phone, computer or TV about 98% of the time. (I'm not perfect--I try.) I desire to be Shomer Shabbos. I am sorry, but I do. It makes sense to me.
However, I am not there yet. My family is not there yet. And I am exploring (at the inadvertent prompting of my rabbi) the whole WHY and WHAT of it. It is overdue, really. But I do need to sort it out...find my way...quit feeling guilty about it...and move in the direction I feel I should be.
Do you know, though...the answers to the question in red? What is your take? I would enjoy opening a conversation about this...getting feedback and perspective.
data/photo recovery software also give me help .I want everybody to know it.
The traditional reason for halacha is an overriding desire by the rabbis to help people to do what G-d expects from them and to avoid making mistakes in their actions. Ritual is an offshoot of this concern, with the additional aspect that it acts to separate us from people who don't observe as we do and binds us closer to those who do. This was also a goal of the rabbis: for example, they defined ritual practice on purpose to make it much more difficult to live in a neighborhood that is not majority Jewish or without a synagogue nearby [see eruv chazerot, found items, et al as examples].
I follow rituals that help me to be a better person, that make me feel better about myself, and that help me to exist within my community. The question comes when you run into situations where rituals separate you from the people you want to be with.
Just some thoughts for the new year. Shana Tova.


text:
A 2000. évi nyári olimpiai játékok úszóversenyein harminckét versenyszámban avattak olimpiai bajnokot. A versenyszámok az előző, 1996. évi olimpiához képest nem változtak.

Éremtáblázat
(A táblázatokban a rendező ország csapata és a magyar csapat eltérő háttérszínnel, az egyes számoszlopok legmagasabb értéke vagy értékei vastagítással kiemelve.)

Férfi
Férfi úszásban tizenhat – tizenhárom egyéni és három váltó – versenyszámot írtak ki.

Éremtáblázat

Érmesek

* - a versenyző az előfutamban vett részt, és kapott is érmet

Női
Női úszásban tizenhat – tizenhárom egyéni és három váltó – versenyszámot írtak ki.

Éremtáblázat

Érmesek

Források

2000
Uszas
Olimpia

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Cover your rear with this big package of LED's that will let everyone know what you are doing. Plug and play for an easy install. Everything is included! Strobe for brake lights, Turn signals all over and running lights too!!!
Can-Am Spyder F3T and Limited BRAKE/RUN/TURN/STROBE rear lights. Cover your rear with this new set of LED's that let everyone behind you know what you are doing! Easy Plug And Play.


Miranda Priestly has been with Nuzzles & Co. for a little over a year now. She's twelve years old, and she is just as fabulous and sassy as her namesake! You can find Miranda basking in the windowsill of Kitty Corner at our Adoption Center—lounging is what she's best at! More than a year is a long time to wait for a forever family, but Miranda Priestly has done it patiently…and obviously with lots of style.
Age: 12 years 9 months.


Successful Salon with 10 hair stylists, 4 manicurists and 2 Skin Care Therapists. Gross revenue to owner $81,500 in 2017. Lease is $0.80 per square foot at 2,450 rentable square feet. 762 W. Shaw Ave. Ultimate Salon has an excellent reputation with 5 stars on Google search and 4 stars on Yelp. Excellent location on the southeast corner of Shaw and Willow in Clovis. Smart and Final and Dennys are neighbors. Repeat customers through engaging staff and good customer service. Sales growth opportunity. Owner reason for sale is to take care of aging parent.


Bangkok Wolves: 1st Post - Welcome to "Bangkok Wolves" 5-a-Side Futsal Soccer Team - It's Alive!!!!
1st Post - Welcome to "Bangkok Wolves" 5-a-Side Futsal Soccer Team - It's Alive!!!!
Anyway, we are ALIVE and already played a couple practice matches against the Thai University team at their Home Practice Pitch at Rajamangala University of Technology Krungthep (UTK) - Bangkok. Their home "Pitch" is located near Empire Tower (Webster University's home offices), yet the "PRO" Wolves have their official first Game scheduled for 29 September 2018 at another field in Bangkok.
p.s. The Wolves main sponsor is the HiHelloBKK.com B2B entity, yet they are open to NO more than 4 other corporate sponsors. Drop us a message here to learn more.
Stay Happy - Stay Healthy Bangkok!!!
"Bangkok Wolves" International Trademark Declared - yet Use it (With Our Permission Please)!!!


text:
Match Report : 01/09/2015
Report: Accrington Stanley 1 - 2 Bury
Bury progress to the next round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, after taking a two-nil lead, but Accrington miss a penalty at the very end to equalise and send it to a penalty shootout.
Bury made the short journey on 'deadline day' to Accrington Stanley's brilliantly named Wham Stadium for the opening round of the regionalised Johnstone's Paint Trophy.
John Coleman's Stanley side were unbeaten in three games, despite only winning once so far this season and hinted at changes before the encounter, giving new keeper Ross Etheridge his debut. However, in the other early season cup competition, the Capital One Cup, they took a strong Hull City all the way to penalties, before losing out in the first round.
David Flitcroft named a familiar line-up to adhere to the competition's rules of playing six first-team regulars and only having five changes to the starting team of the last fixture. The news of Christian Walton's Bury contract being cancelled hours before kick-off, returning to parent club Brighton & Hove Albion for injury treatment, meant Rob Lainton became first choice, with young Jack Ruddy making the bench as cover.
With The Reds being regular opponents for The Shakers so far this season, after two behind-closed-doors friendlies, both being 'eventful' clashes according to the gaffers, this one didn't disappoint either in the second-half.
The last time the two clubs met competitively was back on the 27thJanuary 2015 when Bury took home the three points with a narrow 1-0 victory in League Two.
Bury got the game underway on a mild evening, despite a torrential downpour in the afternoon.
Accrington made their first bit of action a quick substitution, Seamus Conneely coming off for ex-Shaker Andy Procter in the opening 90-seconds to avoid punishment by the cup rules, a clever tactic and one of the quickest changes ever!
After a scrappy start, the first real chance of the game came on the 15thminute, after Danny Mayor found Andrew Tutte on the edge of the box from the left. His curling effort was well taken, but the Stanley keeper held onto it.
As both teams continued to cancel each other out, 'Accy' who were donning their red and white stripes had their first memorable chance on the 21stminute. Sean McConville hitting a free-kick from well outside of the area on the left, his effort being saved by Rob Lainton and pushed away from danger.
On the half-hour mark there was another chance like the other Bury games for a drinks break, as Accrington's Procter received treatment.
Just before the interval, the home side had a chance to take the lead after Lainton failed to hold onto a corner from the left. The uneventful half, in terms of clear-cut chances came to a close after two minutes of additional time, Bury probably looking the more threatening when attacking down the flanks.
HALF-TIME: ACCRINGTON STANLEY 0-0 THE SHAKERS
The Shakers management made two changes from the first half, with Danny Pugh and Danny Mayor being replaced by Reece Brown and Tom Pope at half time, Brown playing just in front of the defence.
Bury took the lead within a minute of the restart, Hallam Hope getting the final touch after Pope did well to usher the ball to left, allowing it to be hit low in front of the great Shaker support.
Coleman, who is admired by Flitcroft, made his second change on 53 minutes. This was straight after McConville hit a shot well over; getting trapped in the process at the top of the stand, in-between the metalwork, resulting in a humorous laugh by the Crown Ground crowd.
Two minutes later and the exciting second-45-minutes continued with a powerful drive from Tutte, which was pushed away unconvincingly by the Stanley keeper.
As the game progressed in terms of chances and attacking play, Bury's Pope and Accrington's Pearson were involved in a heated exchange just after the hour mark, being resolved by common sense from the official on the pitch.
The hosts made their final change on the 67thminute, as they searched for the equaliser. But Bury had other ideas, Andrew Tutte slotting home superbly with 20-minutes on the clock left, a goal he thoroughly deserved.
The goal scorer, Tutte was brought off for the Shakers final change on the 75thminute, Tom Soares coming on to show the great strength-in-depth Flitcroft has at his disposal.
Accrington pulled a goal back to make it a nervy ending, as their South-American substitute, Gerardo Bruna calmly placed his effort across Lainton's goal with 5-minutes left. A disappointment for The Shakers who looked like they were going to keep their first clean sheet since the opening game of pre-season.
Tom Soares nearly put the game to bed for Bury with a powerful header, after a cross from the right, but it was held, as Stanley went all-out attack.
Five minutes of added time were indicated, Stanley's Sean McConville winning a penalty shortly after, but after doing so well to win it, he hit it high and wide with what looked like the outside of his boot. Another spot-kick missed by the Accrington man, after his chance against Hull in the shootout.
That was their perfect opportunity to complete the unlikely comeback, sending home The Reds supporters unhappy and Bury off with what is hopefully a good run of winning games.
FULL-TIME: ACCRINGTON STANLEY 1-2 THE SHAKERS
After a busy day generally, the gaffer was delighted with a professional performance and more than happy with Matty Foulds outstanding 95-minute contribution, for what has been a difficult month in terms of results for the club.
Next up for The Shakers is an away trip to top-of-the-league Walsall on Saturday (3pm KO), who have got off to a great start so far this season, as Flitcroft's men still search for their first SkyBet League One win.
26. R. Lainton (GK), 2. J. Riley, 3. C. Hussey, 4. A. Tutte (ON 75'), 7. H. Hope, 8. J. Mellis, 10. D. Mayor (OFF HT), 14. C. Jones, 22. D. Pugh (OFF HT), 27. N. Cameron (Capt.), 35. M. Foulds.STARTING LINEUP:
34. J. Ruddy (GK), 11. T. Pope (ON HT), 15. R. Lowe, 19. T. Soares (ON 75'), 40. R. Brown (ON HT).BENCH:
None.BURY BOOKINGS:
Mr. T. HarringtonREFEREE:
1,344 (488 Shakers).ATTENDANCE:
Report by Michael Brown


Audio Visual Technologies can fully equip your function room, boardroom or training room with the latest Audio Visual equipment in such a way that it will be virtually invisible. You don't need to compromise aesthetics to have a fully equipped room. We can design your function room so it can be used for a fully blown Product Launch today and then be reset for a Wedding or meeting tomorrow.
As the experts in everything audio-visual the team at Audio Visual Technologies can be trusted to safely and seamlessly install a wide variety of audio visual solutions and systems into a number of domestic and commercial environments. Taking into account our customer's specific requirements our skilled and highly-trained technicians can deliver modern and timely audio visual installations for a competitive price.
We have a broad knowledge of any AV equipment. Why not give us a call today to find our how we can help you? To improve your quality of life, or to fully fit out your business or workplace with the latest technological advances call us on 03 9763 8155 for the best AV installation Melbourne has ever seen.
Wall Plates are a great way to run Cables from place to place without having those unsightly cables along the floor or hanging down a wall..
Dip Traps are one of the best ways to fit out a function room that will be primarily used for corporate use.
Wireless connectivity is currently available for most protocols and can allow you or your clients to wirelessly connect to a projector or LCD screen with little or no fuss. Ask us if it's possible in your space.


Recession? Time to Slash the Flower Budget - NY Times. Slashing the budget from 35K to 20K is pretty big relatively speaking. My wedding cost, since I was still in college and my husband had just graduated was a lot less. At my wedding my Mother in law had taken a flower arranging class and bought the flowers at the Flower Market in downtown LA, saving a bit of money. Her Teacher helped out making the corsages.


Eggshell Stickers did it again with the new hologram jawns. These jump offs make your name pop off like none other. Unlike vinyl or paper stickers, Eggshell Stickers are the best stickers you can get on the market. It sticks to just about anything and breaks easily, making it virtually impossible to remove. Egg Shell blanks measure approx 3.93" x 2.36" and come 50 to a pack. Get a pack or two now, it is well worth the money!!


Help translate Openbox! Any improvements to existing translations, or translations to new languages would be greatly appreciated by your fellow users.
Translations are done through "po" files. The easiest way to edit these files is to use KBabel, which is a part of KDE (in the kdesdk package).
If you want to update an existing translation, browse through our latest translations. You can download and modify the translation from there (right click on the "raw" link and select "save as" or the equivalent).
If you want to create a new translation from scratch, download the current translation template for Openbox or the translation template for ObConf and add your translations to it. Download the file and run the command msginit --locale LL_CC where LL_CC is the appropriate code for your language. For example ru for Russian, sv for swedish or en_CA for the Canadian variant of English. If you don't have the msginit command, you can save the file directly as LL_CC.po and fill in the header yourself, using an existing translation as a template.
When you've completed a new translation, you can submit it to the bugzilla to have it included in the next release. To submit a translation, follow the link below and fill out the template to create a bug report. After the bug report has been created, attach your new "po" file to the bug. If you for some reason don't want to use bugzilla, you can also try to send the translation to the mailing list or contact us directly on IRC but these methods are less reliable and the translation might get lost.
Please make sure to specify the character encoding properly or Openbox won't be able to read the strings, UTF-8 is preferable.
If you have any questions about what the english text means, or anything else is unclear, please don't hesitate to contact us via the mailing list or on IRC.
When submitting a bug report, please make sure to explain to the developers how to reproduce your problem. If we can't reproduce it, we probably can't fix it.
Openbox development is done using git. See the Help:UsingGit page for details on how to check out the latest code and send your changes back upstream.
This page was last modified on 7 March 2015, at 19:19.
This page has been accessed 151,990 times.


DOF Subsea Australia Pty Ltd's existing Subsea Inspection, Maintenance and Repair Contract with Chevron Australia has been extended.
DOF Subsea, a subsidiary of DOF ASA, has successfully provided IMR vessel, ROV, AUV, Project Management, Engineering services including on and offshore professional personnel to execute various work scopes supporting construction and IMR activities on the Chevron-operated Gorgon and Wheatstone Projects and other assets since February 2015.
In a statement Mons Aase, CEO DOF Subsea AS, said, "This is an extremely exciting award, reinforcing DOF Subsea's position in the global subsea IMR market. We look forward to continuing to support some of the largest offshore projects in Australia and indeed the world."


The ever-popular thumbs rating system is great for rating content performance. Especially for those looking for quick insights into the performance of product content, online support features and blog posts.
The easier it is to fill in your surveys, the more likely it is for your response rates to skyrocket.
Get your survey set up in no time with our quick and easy to use form builder.
View all results from your survey in your real-time dashboard and start taking action immediately.
Why make a content performance survey?
For starters, thumbs up/down is one of the most international gestures there is. Not to mention, using these types of surveys, you can quickly and easily collect feedback on your website content. It shows you which content your customers value and why.
With thumbs up/down surveys, it's good to keep your questions brief. For example, 'What did you think of this content', followed by an open answer field where you ask for an explanation to their previous response. For example, 'Would you like to add a comment?'.


text:
Bern is the last confirmed venue of Formula E 2018/19 championship
The Swiss capital Bern became the last venue filling the calendar of next season Formula E championship. It will host a Julius Baer Swiss E-Prix, which is scheduled to take place on June 22 next year.
The race in Bern will also be the final round of the newly-titled Voestalpine European races and after it finishes the championship will move over the Atlantic for the last two races of the season in New York City. Earlier this week it was also announced, that electric street racing series is returning to Santiago de Chile in January.
Bern will however not be the only newcomer to the racing calendar. Races will also be for the first time hosted by Chinese resort Sanya and Saudi city Ad Diriyah, where the 2018/19 racing season will start on December 15.
Oct. 13, 2018 Driving photo: FIA Formula E
Following the FIA World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) meeting in Manila Formula E and FIA announced changes in rules for 12 races in 12 cities across four continents. The 2018/19 championship will start in Saudi Arabia on December 15, 2018 and end in…
Electric GT Championship released the calendar for the 2018-2019 season
Electric GT Championship released the calendar for the inaugural season, which will start this November.


We welcome children from all countries. We are an all inclusive school.
St. Conleth's Infant Primary School is Catholic School situated opposite St. Conleth's Parish Church on the Naas Road in Newbridge Co. Kildare.
It was built in 1953 under the patronage of the Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin and run by the Holy Family Sisters until 2000.
The Naíonra at St Conleth's Infant School opened in September 2011, catering for six pupils aged between three and five years. It has a staff of one teacher and two SNAs. Pupils attending the Naíonra are from the greater Newbridge and surrounding areas.


3 November 2008 – The United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO) has voiced alarm at Israel's recent resumption of house demolitions – after a freeze which began this April – in the West Bank.
Robert Serry said in a statement issued over the weekend in Jerusalem that the UN Humanitarian Coordinator and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) are discussing the world body's concerns – given the impact of the demolitions on the area's most vulnerable, with many poor families left destitute – with Israeli authorities.
"The actions are also a political step back from the commitments Israel has made and send a discouraging signal regarding its support for the strenuous and concerted efforts underway to improve the conditions in the occupied Palestinian territory and build greater trust and confidence in support of the peace process," he said.
Mr. Serry said that he calls on Israel to follow its commitments by calling a halt to demolitions, thereby preventing civilians from losing their homes and livelihoods.
Last week, the head of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) said that conditions have not improved in the West Bank, with the number of checkpoints topping 600, making it extremely difficult for people, including UN staff that live in the West Bank and work in Jerusalem, to move around.
"The whole situation makes it very difficult… developing the economy there, and also makes us very worried about how viable a Palestinian State can be created in a territory that is so completely fragmented as this one is," Karen AbuZayd, Commissioner-General of UNRWA, told reporters in New York.


text:
Celtics Tickets
https://celticswire.usatoday.com/lists/nba-boston-celtics-begarin-talks/
Boston's new guard Juhann Begarin talks Las Vegas Summer League, Yam Madar and more
Justin Quinn
like follow
August 5, 2021 4:13 pm ET
Newest Boston Celtics draft pick Juhann Begarin spoke with the Boston media for the first time soon after being announced as part of the team's now 11-man Las Vegas Summer League roster, sharing some details about his plans to make the trip to Sin City after a pre-summer league practice.
Begarin, taken by the Celtics with the 45th overall pick of the 2021 NBA draft, is a native of Les Abymes, Guadeloupe, an overseas department of France in the lesser Antilles of the Caribbean. Speaking with the press in something other than his native tongue, there was perhaps a bit of a language barrier to overcome, but Begarin seemed confident just the same.
Asked if he had spent much time in the United States, Begarin replied, "No. Just one time for [Basketball Without Borders] in Chicago.
Boston Celtics' 2021 No. 45 pick Juhann Begarin to join team for Las Vegas Summer League https://t.co/15tkCclvPE
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) August 5, 2021
Asked what he knew about the Celtics before they drafted him, he had a little more to say.
"I knew the players, I know the past. That it's one of the best teams of all time in the league, and the 17 championships," he related. "And I know Brad Stevens.
If his comments Wednesday were any indication, Celtics fans could finally see the version of Romeo Langford they expected when he was taken in the 2019 lottery. https://t.co/hZcmBO9XgF
The Frenchman also shared how he ended up joining the team for Las Vegas Summer League. "After the draft … I came back to France, but I asked Stevens to play in summer league and show them if I can play in the NBA.
Previously, the consensus in the media was that Begarin was a likely stash candidate, but the Guadeloupe native hinted there might be a possibility of a change of plans. "After summer league, I will see what's happened."
The Turkish big man is reportedly Boston bound. https://t.co/nnMDb3DpOf
Barring a truly electrifying performance in Las Vegas, the No. 45 pick more likely than not is returning to play overseas, but he is familiar with his Celtics summer league teammate Yam Madar who can model his path to the NBA on.
That is, should Madar's prediction he'll make the 2021-22 roster pan out. Begarin told Celtics Wire "I know [Madar]; I watched him during the [FIBA] Under-18 [European Championships of 2018] play against France, and I know him just like that."
WATCH: Welcome back, Enes Kanter: his 2020-21 highlights with the Portland Trail Blazers https://t.co/w2uJMRRgjW
Fans curious to know more about his style of play will be pleased to know he has an affinity for the defensive end of the ball.
"I like defense," he explained, but he isn't a one-dimensional player, either. "I like to push the ball and finish on the basket. I like to steal the ball, and I need to improve my shot, my passing game and my skills."
Soon, he'll get a chance to do it in high-level play with plenty of Celtics fans watching.
This post originally appeared on Celtics Wire. Follow us on Facebook!
USA defeats Australia 97-78 with big second-half push to advance to gold medal game
Celtics guard Langford ready to show out in Summer League
WATCH: Stashed Boston Celtics point guard Yam Madar's first summer league press conference
Shams: 'Kanter has agreed to a one-year deal with the Boston Celtics'
On this day: Boston Celtics center Greg Kite born
Sign up for the Celtics Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning
Jaylen Brown's jam on Mavs' Maxi Kleber with the Boston Celtics makes NBA's 'Best poster dunks of the last 5 years' video
Celtics roar back to defeat Lakers in OT 125-121
Cameron Tabatabaie
PHOTOS-Lakers at Celtics: Boston survives Los Angeles 125-121 in overtime
Want the latest Celtics news?
You'll now receive the top Celtics Wire stories each day directly in your inbox.
Only one former Celtic is on the FIBA 50 greatest players list
NBA legends explain why Boston Celtics alum Pete Maravich's skills were unreal
Who are the Boston Celtics' top-10 all-time leaders in postseason points scored?
The Celtics have retired 23 jersey numbers (and one name) - these are the players so honored
Fashion and culture
Brad Stevens says the Boston Celtics are looking at ways to 'fortify ... depth' ahead of the trade deadline
Boston has retired 24 jersey numbers - these are the players so honored
Los Angeles Lakers at Boston Celtics: How to watch, broadcast, lineups (1/28)
© Copyright Celtics Wire 2023


text:
dervswerve
About DervSwerve
September 19, 2014 March 13, 2015 dervswerve Blog
My first essay……….
David Cassidy…little did he know…?
I wrote my first essay, in Primary School first class, at the tender age of 6.
It is the first known public display of my uber-vivid only child imagination; the first showcasing of the fantasia, in which I lived, for so much of my childhood and teenage years.
The essay?………"when I grow up".
Presumably, most of the class followed the to be expected pattern of, "when I grow up…", I'll be a nurse, ballerina, hairdresser, mummy etc. Or, "when I grow up.." I'll go to America, travel on a plane, and so on.
Not little Miss Fairytale.
"When I grow up….", " I am going to marry David Cassidy…..and we'll be very happy……and we'll sing together".
Seemingly, I described our life together, jetting around America in graphic detail (as graphic as a child with limited air-miles can get!) and how happy we were going to be when we got married!
The teacher (Mrs Ryan, RIP) was so taken aback by this that I was auto-awarded the inaugural essay writing prize of 5p. She later told my mother I had the most vivid imagination she had ever come across.
If Mrs Ryan thought she was taken aback, she was nothing near my Grandmother (Nana) who was informed of this future vision and prize winning related missive on the way home from school that afternoon. I remember twigging the railings on the school wall………crangcrangcrangzingzangzing…as you do…as I recounted the tale of the essay, my eternal love for Mr Cassidy and our impending nuptials. My Nana told me not to be having such nonsense in my head, but did good naturedly congratulate me on my prize whilst warning me to spend it wisely.
When my mother and herself were alone later that evening, it was with great glee and animation that she retold the tale of trans-Atlantic love and happy ever after, before the two of them collapsed in fits.
My mum refers to this episode once in a while…she looks at me and says, "Where's David these days then? You were in love with him you know, you were going to marry him. You know your Nana killed herself laughing after you got home. She went into the bedroom so you couldn't hear. She thought you were priceless".
Where is David indeed? Who knows. I lost interest when Abba came along, and reinvented myself as Agnetha, and sang into a hairbrush, like a million other kids back in the 70s. I obviously replaced amour with singing and being blonde and famous in shiny clothes and silver boots.
If I see a photo of David Cassidy now I cringe……but he gave me my first creative release, my first burst of imaginative licence, so thanks for that then Dave! And, wasn't it worth it, just for a few moments, to give such joy, to someone I did truly care about, whom I did really love.
And as for that imagination, it's still well and truly alive and kiciking.
Now if you'll excuse me……………imaginary places to be!
September 10, 2014 March 13, 2015 dervswerve Factual, Medical
Do you still say yes? The potential effects of Cannabis use before the age of 17.
The Lancet Psychiatry Journal has just recently published a report of combined research projects undertaken in both Australia and New Zealand extrapolating data recorded from a study of 3,765 regular cannabis users.
The statistics are pretty stark, and speak for themselves.
As is now the norm with most other things, drug use and in particular that of cannabis, is now starting at a much younger age, with adolescent usage now considered to be heavy: for example, 7% of US high-school students are daily/near-daily users. Similar usage is reported in Australia for 1% of 11-15 year olds. Whilst the % of daily use in itself would appear tiny, the fact that any 11 year old is actually smoking weed on a daily basis is by its very nature, quite a shocking revelation. In England, 4% of 11-15 year olds have used regularly in the past month. The findings of the study show that teenagers who use cannabis daily are more like to attempt suicide in later years. This is therefore a worrying forecast for the future on a not insignificant number of today's adolescents.
The study has found that there is a direct correlation between frequency of teenage usage and the future socio and psychological conditions of the respondees .
Those who used daily pre-17 are:-
7 times more likely to attempt suicide (does not suggest it is the cause of suicidal thoughts)
18 times more likely to become cannabis dependent
8 times more likely to become dependent on other drugs including and most especially Class A
Over 60% less likely to complete formal secondary education
One of the senior authorities working on the study project, Dr Edmund Silins commented:
The results provide "strong evidence that the prevention or delay of cannabis use is likely to have broad health and social benefits".
"Efforts to reform cannabis legislation should be carefully assessed to ensure they reduce adolescent cannabis use and prevent potentially adverse effects on adolescent development."
From my own personal experience, I have witnessed first-hand the effect cannabis had on well educated, articulate peers of mine, who had it all ahead of them . In the beginning, it was the odd toke, just for a giggle; then it became the social joint, at the weekends. In the end, it ended up becoming a daily habit, and one that destroyed the fabric of 3 families in a small rural location. These are the facts of what happened:
Family A 4 boys 2 girls – 3 out of the 4 boys, 1 of the 2 girls, became cannabis dependent. Total 4. Of that 4, 3 ended up in psychiatric hospitals with severe mental health problems. Two have never recovered.
Family B 2 boys – 1 ended up with a chronic cannabis dependency, which eventually led to class A (Heroin) drug dependency. He died at the age of 25.
Family C 2 girls – 1 started smoking cannabis at 13 (as well as drinking); by 17 she had a full blown heroin addiction. She gave birth at 18 to a lovely boy, who was taken from her by social services. She died of HIV/AIDS at 21.
I don't judge, these are the facts, both from the extensive research carried out and from my own personal first-hand experience.
I will let you make up your own mind on the subject. I know what mine is.
Derv
Thoughts on St Brigid's Day
Bombay Bicycle Club – Pedalling the Same Synth-Pop Delights
Exposure Won't Pay The Bills #dailyinspo365
Managing my Monkey Mind #dailyinspo365
What to Do? #dailyinspo365
Gretel on Thoughts on St Brigid's…
Ludwig Janssen on How to Disappear Completely #d…
Isn't Life Gre… on Gardening for Dummies P1 #dail…
Gretel on Not so "Dum Dum"
dervswerve on Not so "Dum Dum"
View DervSwerve's profile on Facebook
View @DervSwerve's profile on Twitter
View Manicswerve's profile on Instagram
View dervalmccloat's profile on Pinterest
View derval-mccloat-847b5b16's profile on LinkedIn
InstaDerv
Follow dervswerve on WordPress.com
Wordiness
126,733 Have Swerved Derv's Way
"This Eagerness to Change" ...with a roll of the dice ... "Such a Shame"
"Upon a Fit of Sickness, Anno 1632" - A Poem by Anne Bradstreet.
"Tomorrow Started" but sadly Yesterday has Ended
Coping with John ... A Perspective on a Talk Talk B-side by a fan
Wardruna's 'Raido' Is A Dramatic Journey Into A Mythical Past
When did men lose their manners?
Talos Unveils Breathtaking 'This Is Us Colliding' Video Filmed In West Clare


text:
Vikram Vij: A Chef's One-Way Ticket to Success
Born and raised in India, Vikram Vij's love affair with food started at an early age; he began cooking when he was just 10 years old, preparing meals for his mother and her friends. As an adult, he moved to study food and hospitality in Austria before moving to Canada, where his career as a chef really took off. He opened his first restaurant, Vij's, in Vancouver at the age of 30, and soon built a career as a chef and restauranteur. Vij imparted some of his wisdom with The Edge in a previous edition of Winners' Circle, and this is part of that interview.
You opened your first restaurant in Canada in 1994. Can you describe how Canada's restaurant and food scene has changed since then?
In 1994, I won an award for best Asian restaurant. I took it humbly and accepted the award, but after four or five days I went back to the editor and said, "Thank you for the award, but please figure out where Asia is. You cannot just lump us – India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Japan, China – into one category. You have to understand it." Next year, we suddenly had a category for best Vietnamese, best Southeast Asian. I think I was the reason for this change because I took a stand and said, don't lump us into one cuisine.
I just came back from Toronto, where I was speaking at this event, Sial. I was a keynote speaker, and all the major food companies were there including Coca-Cola, Loblaws, Longo's, and Sobeys. We've come a long way, because we don't have to call ourselves "ethnic" anymore. We are Indian. We are Chinese. We are Syrian. We are Cambodian. It should have its own place to grow. And obviously, fusion should happen. You should mix a little bit of Cambodian with Vietnamese. A little Chinese with Indian. That's part of nature. Cuisine is like a river. It should flow constantly towards the goal of creating something new and different.
Where do you hope to see the food industry in 10 years?
There will be a good balance, where out of seven days, three days a week we eat at home, cook, relax, drink some wine, and two days will be, "Let's just go out to eat, because I'm tired", and the other two days will be for takeout. When you work in a cubicle, for example, you want to be social and you want to go out. Being in the restaurant industry, we are very social because we are meeting people all the time. Human beings are social creatures, not social media creatures.
In your latest book, Vij, you discuss your struggles with prejudice. How has that experience shaped you as an entrepreneur?
It has taught me that if anyone judges you right off the bat, you should listen to what they have to say, look them in the eye and say, "Thank you for your opinion, but I beg to differ." Stand your ground for what you think, who you are. I always tell people to cook the food of your country or what your background is. Cook the food of your mother or grandmother, who loved you. Cook the food that reminds you of your heritage. Once you have that, use the experiences that you have now to create something new. Show respect to your background, but be innovative enough to experiment with new things.
You're a sought-after leader in the food industry. What do you think makes a good leader?
Focus is the most important. Never lose focus. Don't do things because you think money is going to make you happy. It's the desire and the motivation, and to know that this is what you want to do, and be proud of what you've done. If you're going to fail, then fail loudly. If you made a mistake on a dish or menu, be honest and say, "You know what, I screwed up on this dish." Don't blame others for your faults. Blame yourself for it, and get up and do what you need to do.
What three books would you recommend to entrepreneurs?
My book, Vij: A Chef's One-Way Ticket to Canada with Indian Spices in His Suitcase, because it took us three years to write it. It's an honest, genuine book which talks about the trials, turbulence and mistakes. One of my favourite books that I've always loved, I would take the train and I'd read Think and Grow Rich, by Napoleon Hill. I remember reading this and feeling so motivated. It's a self-help book, but it was great and still does so much for me. And the third is Arlene Dickinson's books, All In and Persuasion: A New Approach to Changing Minds. She's written great books about success, and she's been a great mentor on Dragons' Den. She didn't get much credit for it, but she did a fantastic job.
Jennifer D'Agostino | Contributing Writer
From Failure to Success: How To Keep Your Company's Momentum
If your company has recently found some success, then you'll want to follow some of these steps in order to keep that momentum going strong.
Are Luxury Brands on The Decline?
Profits for luxury brands appear poised to continue to rise over next decade, including at
Opening an online store for houseplants may sound strange in theory, but as more and
Apps to Help Entrepreneurs Streamline Their Small Business
As any small business owner will tell you, there always seems to be more work
PrevPreviousKiely MacLean: Pushing Against the Stereotypes, One Oil Tank at a Time
NextSeth Mattison: The Luminary EntrepreneurNext
Sheldon James
Photo caption: From left to right, Shamier Anderson, Sheldon James, and Stephan James. Photo courtesy of Sheldon James. The transition of a bootstrapping entrepreneur in
Fashion and Apparel: How ATSC Attracts Industry Leaders
From August 19th to the 21st, hundreds of international companies gathered at The International Centre in Toronto to show off their latest garments to Canadian
Mitch Joel: Media and Marketing Seer
Mitch Joel has built a reputation as a digital marketing guru, a sought-after speaker, and an author. He was the president of Mirum, a marketing
Althea Clarke: A Unique Voice
Althea Clarke moved to Canada when she was a child and built her own success story. After earning certificates in business operations and hairstyling, she


MULTAN: Following the visit of Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif, flood afectees plundered relief goods in the Shujabad area of Multan.
The affectees stormed a truck of relief goods and fought each other over the supplies. Due to this incident, women, children and elderly were not able to receive relief goods.
Earlier, during his visit Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif announced that the first installment of compensation for flood affectees would be disbursed prior to Eid.


Citizen + Virtual is a student-run Wintersession & IAP Series led by RISD, Brown and MIT STEAM. What happens to society when our virtual existence has become so much a part of our identity? How do we behave on the internet? How do we develop and sustain community through our internet presence? We aim to dissect and redefine the novel term of "digital citizen," in its ethical, physical, and access-based considerations, exploring how we can be active contributors to the global digital space.
Over the course of the Citizen + Virtual series, the participating students will be asked what pillars of digital citizenship resonate with them as well as how to help fully realize the potential of these ideals through individual and collaborative works ranging from convention defying design concepts to speculative and inquisitive installations. Students get funding for their projects, opportunities to meet fascinating guest speakers, and access to the experience of talented mentors and peers.
Along with the workshop series, we will also be events around RISD & Brown that will be open for the public to attend!
Documentation on the Series will be coming out in late February.
Reach out to info@steamwith.us with more questions and visit steamwith.us for more info about STEAM.


text:
Q: AVPlayer have still a delay after status reached "ReadyToPlay" I want to play mp3 files from my Server, i do the following:
NSURL *url = [NSURL URLWithString:item.audioUrl];

AVPlayerItem *playerItem = [AVPlayerItem playerItemWithURL:url];

self.player = [AVPlayer playerWithPlayerItem:playerItem];

self.player addObserver:self forKeyPath:@"status" options:0 context:nil];

self.hud = [[MBProgressHUD alloc]initWithFrame:CGRectMake(150, 5, 50, 50)];
self.hud.mode = MBProgressHUDModeIndeterminate;
[self.hud show:YES];
[self.containerView addSubview:self.hud];

Here is my observeValueForKeyPath:
- (void)observeValueForKeyPath:(NSString *)keyPath ofObject:(id)object change:(NSDictionary *)change context:(void *)context {

if (object == self.player && [keyPath isEqualToString:@"status"])
{
    if (self.player.status == AVPlayerStatusReadyToPlay)
    {
        [self.hud hide:YES];
        [self.player play];
.
.
.

Now the Problem is that even when the Status of the AVPlayer have changed to "readyToPlay" it still takes about 2-3 seconds before it starts playing and of course my loading Spinner gets hidden before the music starts....any Ideas?

A: try instead the method [self.player addObserver:self forKeyPath:@"status" options:0 context:nil];   by [self.playerItem addObserver:self forKeyPath:@"status" options:0 context:nil]

A: self.player.automaticallyWaitsToMinimizeStalling = NO;

Set to NO to play audio immediately after AVPlayerStatusReadyToPlay status!

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Despite the unexpected inconvenience of a collapsed lung that I earned in a soccer game a little less than two months before I was set to depart, I was able to head to Africa in the summer of 2010 as planned. It was a pretty good hit (his shoulder to my ribs) that caused enough of a compression to pop my right lung. Apparently, this type of injury typically occurs when a person hits the steering column of their car during a car wreck when not wearing a seatbelt. So, it was a fairly rare soccer injury one could say. And as it turns out, I was dumb enough to play with my collapsed lung for the final 20 minutes of the game. I certainly noticed I was out of breath, but who knew… x-rays the next day surprised us all when the expected broken rib didn't materialize, and instead an air-filled gap where my lung was supposed to be appeared. However, after a week on the couch and month of taking it easy, I was able to ramp-up quickly with some local climbs to get ready for the trip to Kilimanjaro, although this expedition took the "off the couch" expression to a level I hope to never repeat.
Upon arriving in Cape Town, I met-up with my buddy Eric Remza, who is a full-time mountain guide. We were fortunate enough to see the World Cup semi-finals match between the Netherlands and Uruguay, which was one of the most exciting games of the tournament with some amazing goals in a 3-2 victory for the Dutch. Afterwards, I was amazed to see the Uruguayans still dancing and singing and partying in the streets all night despite the disappointing loss. That's truly a huge part of what makes the World Cup such a special event.
The next day, Eric and I did a 5.10+ rock climb to the top of Cape Town's iconic Table Mountain. We didn't get a very early jump and I was a bit slow having just come off the couch, so our nice afternoon climb nearly became an epic one when the sun set while we were still two pitches from the top. The real catch was that the cable cars, which stop running at sunset, were our only option down. Fortunately, we topped-out just as the final cable car of the day was departing with the tram's staff that manned the summit station, and we managed to hitch a ride and avoid a long, cold bivy on top of Table Mountain.
We drove to Simon's Town the following day to head out with the same outfitter that is often featured during Shark Week on Discovery Channel (Chris Fallows) and who also took the BBC out when they filmed their Planet Earth segments of the sharks that breach the surface in order to catch Cape Fur Seals. It was an amazing experience and we were fortunate enough to see these two-ton super-predators up close while in the shark cage and as they breached the water's surface while hunting. It was worth the hour-long soak in the 50-degree water and gave me a newfound respect for these animals. They are amazingly agile and powerful. I can think of a lot of things I would rather be than a Cape Fur Seal. After a trip down the coast to the Cape of Good Hope, the southern tip of Africa, and a nice long day in Stellenbosch (South Africa's premier wine region), we headed to Tanzania to climb Kilimanjaro.
Once we arrived in Moshi, where I was promptly bitten by a mosquito (the only one I saw on the entire trip) that somehow found its way INSIDE my bed netting (the malaria meds did their thing, fortunately), we met up with the rest of the group we would be climbing with as part of the trip that Eric was leading. We had a good crew of a father climbing with his college-aged daughter, a father and his two college-aged sons, a couple in their early 30s, and a 30 year-old woman from New York City. We had an easy group dynamic and a good time working our way up the mountain. We did a seven-day climb via the Machame Route (aka Whiskey Route) to provide plenty of time on the mountain to acclimatize. We had some beautiful camps along the way, especially the Barranco Camp. From here, it was up over the Barranco Wall and down into the Karanga Valley before heading up to Barafu camp, our high camp, at 15,000' for our push to Uhuru Peak ("Freedom Peak" in Swahili) at 19,341'.
We had a beautiful summit day, albeit a bit cold (10 degrees with a wind-chill well below 0), and attained the summit just in time to watch the sun rise out of the Indian Ocean. After celebratory pictures on the summit, we made our way down to high camp and packed-up our gear. With only a short lunch break, we continued descending another 5,000'. So, in all, we climbed 4,200' to the summit from high camp and then descended a total of 9,200' to Mweka Camp and set ourselves up for a quick descent to the trailhead the next morning. It was a long day to cap a great climb, and the best part of the trip was still to come. After a day in Moshi to wash Kili's residue from our nooks and crannies, we headed to the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater for three days of safari.
Africa is truly a magical place and that becomes all the more clear while on safari. We had several days of beautiful weather and were fortunate enough to see four of the big five game, which include the leopard, lion, water buffalo, elephant and rhino. The rhino remained elusive during our 3-day adventure, but we saw the other four as well as countless antelope, hyenas, zebras, wildebeests, giraffes, hippos, impalas, warthogs, crocodiles, baboons, cheetahs, etc. It was really an amazing experience and one that I hope to repeat at some point. The most amazing thing we witnessed was a leopard sleeping high in a tree next to the remaining half of an impala kill that it had not yet eaten and, therefore, dragged up into the tree with it in order to protect it from scavengers while it napped. An amazing thing to witness firsthand.


text:
The Conspiracy Code
Updated March 3, 2006 12:01 am ET
The Lord moves in mysterious ways -- although his handiwork can seem pretty obvious in England at times. In 1984, a lightning bolt set fire to York's medieval cathedral. It happened just three days after the consecration there of Bishop of Durham David Jenkins, an Anglican priest who had publicly questioned the Virgin birth and the bodily resurrection of Christ. This week, some are seeing divine retribution at work again in a London courtroom, where the author of another heresy, "The Da Vinci Code," is defending his best seller against charges of plagiarism.
Embattled 'Da Vinci Code' author Dan Brown.
In our modern, post-Inquisition times, we note that Dan Brown's 2003 fictional work is heretical only in technical terms. Its central plot point -- that Jesus married Mary Magdalene and that they had a daughter -- does constitute what the dictionary calls "an opinion or doctrine contrary to church dogma." The fact that Mr. Brown's publisher, Random House, is now being sued for copyright violations by the authors of a 1982 "nonfiction" book with a similar theme, "The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail," may be nothing more than a delicious secular irony.
Verily, it is amusing. Both books involve an alleged, 2,000-year coverup of the alleged union between Jesus and Mary and the continuation of their bloodline through a line of French kings. So it's tempting to view the courtroom as the scene of a ridiculous fight over the rights to a ludicrous conspiracy theory.
What isn't funny is the impact this lawsuit could have on the world of writing and publishing. In Britain, as in the U.S., ideas are not protected by copyright -- it's the way they are expressed that counts. The accusation here is not that Mr. Brown's novel plagiarized the 1982 book's words. Plaintiff authors Michael Baigent and Richard Leigh assert that Mr. Brown wrongfully appropriated the "architecture" of their earlier work. For instance, the "Holy Blood" authors consulted documents in France relating to an alleged "Priory of Scion" organization that since 1099 has allegedly protected the secret of Jesus' marriage. Can, and did, the fruit of their labors turn up in another book?
The case is worrying to publishers and authors in part because it involves the issue of research and the point at which research becomes not just information but protected information. Depending on the judge's reasoning, a decision in favor of the plaintiffs could have a chilling effect on writers. A book (or other publication) need only appear in Britain for anyone, regardless of their nationality, to sue in a British court.
It's all the more depressing because "The Da Vinci Code" is a work of fiction, woven with legend ancient and new. So is the titillating essence of "The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail," whatever its authors say or believe. "The "Priory of Scion" documents that figure in both books' conspiracy theorizing were long ago revealed to be grounded in a hoax. One of its principal architects, Pierre Plantard, a French anti-Semite and royal-blood pretender, contributed to a partial account of the conspiracy story in a book published in 1967. So perhaps Random House should pay his heirs.
Meanwhile, as author Dan Brown awaits the outcome of the London trial, some have detected signs of contrition unrelated to legal issues. Outside the courtroom Monday, Mr. Brown told reporters that, unlike the 1982 book, "The Da Vinci Code" does not claim that Christ survived the crucifixion. "Questioning the resurrection undermines the very heart of Christian belief," he said. "The resurrection is perhaps the sole controversial Christian topic about which I would not desire to write."
Is anybody listening up there?
The Lord moves in mysterious ways -- although his handiwork can seem pretty obvious in England at times.


I've just wrapped up Six Weeks In The Studio, a mentored artist residency through the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. I had applied for the first session, that was to take place in May/June; which had to be cancelled due to our city's evacuation. When we returned I was given the opportunity to reapply for a revamped session and I'm so glad that, even in these crazy times, I jumped into it with both feet. It has been a most beautiful way to start anew.
Two mentor artists, Alma Louise Visscher and Kritsana Naowakhun, offered group sessions as well as met with us one-on-one to challenge and refine us. I am so grateful for everything they poured into us as I took full advantage of this opportunity in front of me. Gleaning from artists I admire, as well as being able to get real-time feedback in the studio was invaluable. They both have a way in coming alongside of you, pushing us to be better but still allowing us to stay true to our artistic voice and vision.
I came into the program with goals to explore light, shadows, depth and colour on a more intensive level. And with a short time frame, I knew I'd need to focus my projects as soon as possible so I could dive in and experiment but also know where I was headed. My artistic approach is much more thematic based, rather than medium based. I allow each piece to dictate the best medium to use - that freedom is incredibly fulfilling!
Over the next days I will share the finished works, some works that never made it to the final exhibition and pieces of the process behind the scenes. I began to rework and experiment with ideas that I had been exploring over the past months, seeing where it would take me and running with the ideas that came to mind. "The process" became my guiding concept, with the mountain serving as my visual metaphor.
My work is rooted in natural elements. My practice is in response to what, I believe, is an unfolding story revealed to us through Creation. Drawing inspiration from the natural world, I chose the mountain as my subject of study for this residency. Exploring a variety of techniques, the work was approached as a process, one work leading into the next; breaking a grand mountain range to its simplified forms. Through this process of fragmentation I explored simplified visual elements to approach each project from a different point of view. Throughout the creative process I found that I was drawn to natural and recycled materials, like tea and cardboard. The mountain was both an elemental study and a conceptual metaphor for working through and processing challenges we face.
Early on, the house was filled with the aroma of hundreds of bags of tea being steeped for my artistic purposes. Embroidery thread was dyed in bowls of green tea and cider, berry tea and chai. More thread went for a dunk in simmering pots of dried chamomile and lavender flowers. The liquid was then poured into mason jars to be used to paint canvas and watercolour paper. (The flower liquid went rancid quite quickly... good to know.) Some of my experiments went along as planned or better - and others... well, they led to failure and frustration. But, as Alma encouraged me, sometimes the best art comes from the "failures". Problem solving and adapting to my natural medium's limitations caused some projects to be abandoned down the road and others to morph into something new. I love that about the artistic process.
What resulted is the following two works, a small "watercolour" study using tea as the colour and a larger more intensive work, embroidering the dyed thread onto canvas. These two are available to purchase and on display at the MacDonald Island Community Art Gallery. Stay tuned for numbers 3 and 4 of the series!


Gene and Chris present crop circle investigator Nancy Talbott. During this episode, we'll be reporting the very latest developments in her ongoing research, including key lab reports. Much of this material is already posted on her site: BLT Research – Crop Circle Science, so you can follow the evidence that she'll be revealing on this week's show. Nancy will also offer an update on the unusual phenomena reportedly experienced by Robbert van den Broeke, a young Dutchman and possible psychic, who lives in the southern Netherlands' village of Hoeven.