text:
Tiffany and Nike Tease Upcoming Collaboration After Sneaker Photos Leak
The Best Way to Teach Sustainability in Fashion School? Listen to Students
The ecological-native Generation Z is pushing fashion education to rethink its approach to sustainability.
By Fleur Burlet Plus Icon
Fleur Burlet
Recent Articles by Fleur Burlet
April 23, 2019, 2:00am
A banner put up by a student at the Amsterdam Fashion Institute. Fleur Burlet
In the anonymous-looking entrance of the Amsterdam Fashion Institute deserted on a Thursday evening, a makeshift banner is draped on the staircase leading up to the classrooms. "Fashion shouldn't cost the earth," it reads in handpainted capital letters.
"I think I know which student is behind this," said Peter Leferink, principal lecturer for the fashion and design department of the Dutch fashion school. "He's probably struggling with the same questions a lot of other students are dealing with: Why am I here? What's the value of fashion today?"
Fashion students are having a crisis of faith.
"Today's generation of students are ecological-natives," said Ashley Adé, a consultant at trend forecasting agency Peclers Paris. "They were born into a world battling with an ecological crisis. For this reason, sustainability is a given for them, an automatic factor weighing into any of their decisions."
After breaking boundaries surrounding gender, these Gen-Zers are reshaping their role within society in relation to environmental issues. "They are leading climate marches and refusing to go to school to protest for more environmental policies," continued Adé. "These kids were brought up with the idea that the job market is saturated, so they are creating their own jobs on their own terms, which explains the boom in start-ups. They are breaking down barriers to create jobs that mirror their engagement."
For the consultant, their independent minds can also be a threat to traditional training systems. "Fashion schools have to react to this new generation, because if they don't one of these students is bound to start a crowdfunding campaign to launch a competing program," said Adé. "Education needs to adapt to this eco-conscious generation."
At the Institut Français de la Mode in Paris, this shift is particularly perceptible within the school's fashion management section.
"There has been a strong increase in sustainability-linked projects in the last couple of years," said Sylvie Ebel, executive director of the fashion school.
Half of the applications the IFM receives for its fashion management section have a sustainability angle, and one in five end-of-year theses deal with either corporate responsibility or environmental issues within the fashion industry. "It's a strong sign for us teachers that we have to change the way we view things," admitted Ebel.
As a result, her team is working to put together a university chair devoted to sustainability in the fashion and luxury sector, the launch date of which is yet to be confirmed. "The biggest shift we see is at the careers level: graduates now look at a company's sustainability policy before even considering applying for a position," said Ebel. "It's a huge trend."
Amber Slooten's graduate collection at AMFI was presented in holographic form. TEAM PETER STIGTER
This new generation of eco-warriors is shaking one of the core components of a traditional fashion education: the sacred graduate collection.
Amber Slooten graduated from AMFI in 2016 with a minor in Hypercraft, the school's virtual design section, which was launched 10 years ago. The designer had always been bothered by the amount of pattern-cutting involved during her B.A.
"I complained a lot," she remembered about her first years of training back in 2012. "Everything was done by hand, over and over again: technical drawing, toiling, pattern-cutting.…Why couldn't we just use a digital file on Illustrator and edit in one click?"
After a gap year spent at MediaLab, a division of the Amsterdam University of Applied Science, where she worked alongside game designers, interior designers and fashion branders, Slooten decided to present her graduate collection at AMFI in an entirely digital format thanks to a new software she discovered during her digital training, named CLO3D.
"For me, it was the perfect way to create an emotional storytelling while still being sustainable," said the designer, who has always been obsessed with anything tech-related. "You're so free. You pick the colors and patterns you want, and you can see what it looks like immediately — not like with toiles, where you have to imagine the effect on blank pieces of clothes. And you can change with a click of a button, without wasting any fabric."
Back at AMFI, the teaching body had to adapt its assessment methods. "If someone five years ago said they weren't going to make clothing for their graduation project, we would have been like, 'Huh? How are we going to assess you? Making clothes is what you learnt here,'" said Leferink.
Slooten's graduate project, a digital collection of clothes projected via holographic layers on a dancer, was a resounding success. The educational team at AMFI was so taken with it that she was asked to come teach a course helping students to use the CLO3D software, which none of the current teachers were familiar with.
Since she led the way, a number of additional students have graduated with a digital-only final collection. "We are going to change the fashion industry," enthused Slooten, who since then has launched her own digital design company, The Fabricant. "Digital is definitely the way forward."
Jessica van Halteren's upcycled graduation collection. Roswitha de Boer
In addition to virtual design, AMFI students have been allowed to produce end-of-year projects in the form of fashion-focused documentaries or innovative approaches to garment usage. Leferink cites alumna Jessica van Halteren's upcycling project, for which she used the same set of clothes to make all her collections throughout her bachelor's degree, endlessly unstitching and re-creating clothes one collection after another. "From a product-driven perspective, we have had to move to a process- and research-driven perspective in which innovation is leading," said the lecturer.
Limited finances brought Geneva-based designer Maëva Weissen to upcycling. "I started using textiles I already had at home instead of spending money I didn't have on new materials for each project," said the designer, who graduated from Swiss fashion school HEAD in June 2018. "Then I realized it was also viable on a sustainable level — why would we need to use new materials just for test projects that never actually leave the school?"
When she first presented her end-of-year project, a collection made of upcycled football jerseys rescued from local sports clubs, her teachers encouraged her to rethink her design method. "They were afraid of how it would look, and urged me to replace half of the upcycled textiles with new materials," said Weissen. "I was shocked: For me, it was never a question of style. They obviously didn't understand my engagement." Now Weissen runs her own upcycling project in Geneva, Vandales13, and participates in talks and workshops to spread the gospel. "Designers need to realize how easy finding used textiles actually is — once the word got out, I actually received too many donations."
In 2016, Beckmans College of Design in Stockholm introduced a sustainable pattern-cutting course co-led by Sarah Hayes, a pattern maker for H&M. "Eco-consciousness is getting a lot of hype here," said the designer, citing the media attention surrounding Greta Thunberg, the 16-year-old Swedish climate activist.
Hayes teaches both zero waste and minimal waste pattern-cutting during her five-week course at Beckmans. "I feel like sustainability is always treated via a creative focus, and not enough on the technical side," said the designer. "But our students are hungry for information and are getting more and more eager to incorporate sustainable techniques in their design process."
In addition to the traditional boxy shapes that are obtained when using zero-waste techniques — making best use of a rectangular piece of fabric so that no fabric waste is generated — Hayes was surprised at the number of creative offerings that were produced by students. "There is a real focus on fabric manipulation," she said. "You can tell they are channeling their frustration with the state of things towards creating something else."
A knitted silhouette using Ioncell by Anna Semi at Aalto University. JUHO HUTTUNEN
At Aalto University, in Finland, researching new materials has been the main focus for fashion design students, particularly intent on replacing damaging fabrics such as polyester, the production of which consumes 70 million barrels of oil a year and can take up to a century to decompose.
One of these alternatives is Ioncell, a technology created by the university's science lab that turns used textiles, wood pulp and even old newspapers into new fibers using ionic liquid, a recyclable and environmentally friendly solvent.
"I don't want to hype up the fact that I am doing sustainable design: for me it's automatic," said Anna Semi, one of the Aalto students who got to use Ioncell for their graduate collection.
The university's unique set-up, bridging chemical research and design training, allows students to test-drive some of the school's laboratory's latest innovations. Semi incorporated the new fiber, which has been moved into its piloting phase, in her knitwear-focused silhouettes. "It's extremely important for me to be completely circular," said the student.
Biomaterials are one of the areas Aalto students are getting the most interested in, according to Pirjo Hirvonen, professor of fashion design at Aalto. The lecturer is all for letting the new generation of students come up with their own alternative modes of production.
"In my Innovative fashion design course, I ask them: What problem is your design going to solve? And the resulting project is based on the student's own thinking," she explained. "I have learnt that it never works to impose anything on them. By asking them about their way of doing things, I've been able to witness a constant increase in their interest for sustainability."
But the main challenge fashion institutions are faced with is to come up with relevant answers to the eternal dilemma: If fashion is destroying the planet, is there even any point in wanting to become a designer anymore?
At AMFI, Leferink recently had to respond to his students' growing anxiety.
"Three years or so ago, fashion students realized that they had to change the way the industry worked in order to reverse its environmental impact. Now, they know it is too late to simply sit around and hope. Different views are urgently needed," said the lecturer, adding that one of AMFI's main goals is to become fully circular, getting students to reuse every piece of fabric.
He recalls having to counsel one of his fashion students, who was seriously considering quitting his course.
"We try to teach students that there are new areas to explore, new ways to create fashion. We need to show our students that there is space for them," said Leferink.
"I told this particular student that as a designer he was able to make a change, to offer alternatives to clothing or get people to consume fashion in a different way," he continued. "Talent is not a gift: it's a responsibility. As fashion teachers, it's also our task to help students realize that."


[the Sequence] is a logic construction puzzler.Let your mind be your guide: Lay down seven different kinds of modules as your roadblocks to get you (portrayed as a binary data point) to a sweet destination.Apply an out-of-the-box thinking to get you to the next level!
Very Positive (96) - 92% of the 96 user reviews for this game are positive.
[the Sequence] is a logic construction puzzler.
Let your mind be your guide: Lay down seven different kinds of modules as your roadblocks to get you (portrayed as a binary data point) to a sweet destination.
Apply an out-of-the-box thinking to get you to the next level! Every module is customizable in various ways; be free to create mind-blowing sequences that no one else could build.


Besides the correct boring of the tone hole on the clarinet, the undercutting of the tone hole, and an excellent bore, a good barrel and bell are the most important components of your clarinet. This assumes that you have selected a good mouthpiece.
The clarinet barrel and bell assure you great intonation, response, tone color, and evenness throughout the instrument.
The question then becomes "do you start at the bottom of the clarinet with the bell, or the top with the barrel?" Since I will assume you already have a great mouthpiece, that plays the style of music you play in the best possible manner, I would say the next piece of aftermarket equipment to purchase is the barrel. The clarinet barrel can fix many problems and is much less expensive than a bell.
What does a custom clarinet barrel maker have to keep in mind?
First of all, the clarinet barrel can have several tapers.
There is the straight taper where the top and bottom of the inside dimension are the same.
There is the standard taper, where the top of the inside of the clarinet barrel is smaller than the bottom.
Then there is the ever-more-popular reverse taper, where the top of the inside of the barrel is larger than the bottom. There are probably more variations of these tapers too.
There are also several designers who use a double taper, where the top and the bottom of the clarinet barrel are bigger than the center.
Then there is how much the taper changes from one end to the other. Is it a radical taper or a slow taper? Is it radical for part of the taper and slow at other parts of the taper?
How is the weight of the clarinet barrel distributed? Is the top, middle, or bottom bigger on the outside? What material is the barrel made of? Is it blackwood, cocobolo or some other exotic hard wood?
What about custom hand reaming to fix certain notes?
All of the factors above combine to determine the qualities of sound, response, and intonation of your barrel. You should ask your manufacturer of aftermarket clarinet barrels and bells these questions.
So, what does a custom clarinet bell maker have to keep in mind?
The clarinet bell is much like the speakers in your stereo system. The speakers in your stereo system can ruin the sound of the most expensive state of the art stereo components or it can create the glorious sound the components were intended to produce.
How big is the opening and what is the flair at the bottom of your clarinet bell?
Where does the inside and outside flair start?
What is the relationship between the inside and outside flair?
How long is the bell in comparison to the standard bell that came with your clarinet?
Brass musicians have been concerned with these questions for many years, as they have realized that the bell controls the projection of the instrument as well as the overtone series simply by its shape, flair, and length, both internally and externally.
Where is the weight in your bell? Is the weight at the top or bottom? Was the bell constructed with a big thick piece of wood just to minimize the chance of cracking? Is that big thick piece of wood necessary for a dark sound?
I have found that most aftermarket clarinet bells these days tend to be bigger than the bell that comes from almost every instrument manufacturer.
Is the weight the most important factor in what you are looking for in a good bell, or is the design is the most important factor.
It is my experience that design trumps all! If this were not so we would see heavier clarinets, barrels and bells from the manufacturers. You can go out and try dozens of aftermarket clarinet bells. One will work better than the rest for you.
Since the bell controls the complete overtone system of your clarinet, it makes sense to me to have the bell custom-made to complement your particular clarinet, barrel, and mouthpiece setup. This is different from trying a bunch of pre-made clarinet bells.
Look for a clarinet bell of solid design and material that compliments your clarinet, barrel and mouthpiece. You will not want to collect a shoebox full of barrels and clarinet bells unless you have a lot of money. Pick your clarinet bell carefully and with guidance. You will be glad you did.


育鵬社 ; 扶桑社 (発売), Ikuhosha ; Fusosha.
Hodo tokuchubon.". Be the first.
schema:publisher <http://experiment.worldcat.org/entity/work/data/4669041313#Agent/fusosha> ; # Fusosha.
schema:organizer <http://experiment.worldcat.org/entity/work/data/4669041313#Agent/fusosha> ; # Fusosha.


As of October 2018 Street Jam still list this car on their website but as it is based on the Speed Passion SP-1, which has been discontinued, we have listed this chassis as discontinued also.
I have never done a product review before, but I am very excited about this car I thought I would give it a shot. Who are StreetJam? I had not heard of them either, but they are very big in the drift scene in Japan who has decided to give F1 a go with something a little different. While this isn't a new car and has been around since 2013, in Australia I don't think anyone has really wanted to put up the cash to try something different from a manufacturer no one has heard of before.
Someone had to eventually give it a go and that someone just happened to be me. My previous list of F1 cars was fairly typical, first off with an F103, which converted to an Exotek link car then for the last year and a half a Yokomo. While the Yokomo has been a solid performer the strains of weekly competition were starting to take their toll and a new car was in order for 2015.
What sets the StreetJam apart from every other F1 on the market is its floating pod rear suspension design. While this design is not a new idea with similar designs having been used in pan cars back in the late 80's and 90's, StreetJam have improved on this with 3 pivot balls to control the pod action with 2 shock absorbers controlling the damping action.
So the next question you ask is why is this a good thing in an F1 ? All link F1 cars to date have been designed based on the manufacturers 12th scale link pod system where the aerodynamics generated by a 12th scale body is transferred to the chassis, F1 body shells on the other hand do not generate the same amount of down force and are relying on rear wings attached to the back of the pivoting motor pod. With this pivot action you are losing lots of the down force that the wing is generating, with some drivers placing weights to the rear pod in order to gain traction. With the StreetJam all the down force generated by the rear wing is going directly to the rear wheels which can only be a good thing.
The rest of the car is based on a SpeedPassion F1, while the front end plastic parts are interchangeable, there are many SJF01 option parts that increase the reliability of the front end, and these include an alloy front camber mount with 4 different options 3,5,7,9 degrees. There are also alloy lower suspension ball's and alloy steering arm capture nuts to make the front end very robust. While it's a shame these parts are not included with the kit they are inexpensive. And for those that like to hog the track barriers a little too tight all the plastic parts can be replaced with SpeedPassion carbon option parts. Lastly for the back end of the car the steel axle can be replaced by a carbon option for those that like to run light, but also gain a little extra acceleration due to the lower rotating mass, and a 5 spring kit for the rear shocks, as they do not share the same size with any other product on the market.
The build of the car was very straight forward with nothing out of the ordinary experienced, for the diff I replaced the standard steel balls with ceramic balls they last much longer, the diff action is extremely smooth and I was able to tighten it up without any slip to the spur. The rear pod is a little more compact compared to some F1 cars and you really don't want to be running a spur bigger then 66T for 48 pitch or about 84T for 86 pitch else you won't be able to run a large enough pinion to get a decent rollout.
For steering the kit comes with the SpeedPassion bell crank steering system, similar to touring cars, while in theory a good idea I went with attaching a low profile servo in the laydown position. This gives a little less play in the steering assembly, and I like the more direct feel. The kit does not come with any wings or body so this is entirely up to you with many drivers preferring their own wings and shells anyway.
So how does it drive? My first impression I was amazed how much rear grip the car has, it is very settled through the corner and likes to be driven hard out of the corner, I was certainly able to get on the power much quicker than the previous F1 cars I have driven. Up front the steering is very direct and carries lots of corner speed. Overall the floating pod makes this F1 very easy to drive. After 2 full days of testing with the car I am still yet to test out the overall durability, as mistakes are rare and easily recoverable without a big accident into a barrier which is a true testament to how the car drives.
Overall I am very happy with taking the plunge into the unknown and looking forward to the 2015 season with the StreetJam.
As a side note after my initial test with the car there are now 2 other top Sydney F1 drivers who have switched to the SJF01.


text:
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Daniel Wolfson, MHSA, executive vice president and chief operating officer of the American Board of Internal Medicine Foundation, hears a lot of stories about over-use and unnecessary care in his travels as head of the ABIM Foundation's Choosing Wisely campaign. He even has his own example of receiving four EKGs prior to cataract surgery, even though he had no cardiac risk factors. When he questioned the need for the EKG, the anesthesiologist revealed that he didn't want to run the risk of being sued for missing an unlikely chance of atrial fibrillation – a heart rhythm disorder.
"We can't work that way anymore," said Wolfson. According to a study published in JAMA in 2012, overtreatment, or care that is duplicative or unnecessary, accounts for 30 percent of health care delivered in the U.S. Eliminating overtreatment could save $270 billion in health care spending annually.
That's where the Choosing Wisely campaign comes in. The campaign began in 2012 as a way to raise awareness among physicians and patients of the harm and expense that occurs when patients receive more treatment than necessary. Choosing Wisely aims to increase conversations among patients and physicians about overuse, and to help patients make smart, effective choices for their care.
Physicians and health professionals from nearly 70 medical and related societies have created lists of the top five things patients and physicians should question. Consumer Reports helps get the word out to patients. The campaign is physician-led and evidence-based. And it's working. In just two years, market research indicates that 20% of physicians nationally are aware of the Choosing Wisely campaign and its purpose.
Physicians who participate in the Health Care Resource Stewardship Council, a voluntary subgroup of the Physician Group Incentive Program (PGIP), were among those who talked with Wolfson during a special presentation October 23. Wolfson stressed to the Council that the success of Choosing Wisely lies with the physicians and health providers who put the concepts into practice.
"Physicians and health networks are putting this campaign into action locally," says Wolfson. "It's up to you to make this work."
The Health Care Resource Stewardship Council is looking at ways the physician organizations that participate in PGIP can support and implement the Choosing Wisely recommendations in their practices.
This blog was originally featured on ValuePartnerships.com.
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
The Demon Headmaster (1996)
PG Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery, Family 25m
The Demon Headmaster is a British television series based on the children's books by Gillian Cross of the same name. Made for CBBC, the drama was first broadcast between 1996 and 1998. The first series contained six episodes, and aired twice weekly from 2 to 18 January 1996, the second series contained seven episodes, and aired once a week from 25 September to 6 November 1996, and the third series contained six episodes, and aired twice weekly from 6 to 22 January 1998.
School location scenes in the first series were filmed at Hatch End High School, in Hatch End, Harrow, North West London and The Royal Masonic School for Girls in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire. Other scenes were filmed around West London and the Vulcan Tower is in fact the Atrium building in Uxbridge. CGI was used to make this building appear on a traffic island close to Warwick Avenue tube station. Some scenes in the later series were filmed in the village of Sarratt, Hertfordshire and other locations in Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire.
Terrence Hardiman
The Demon Headmaster
Tom Szekeres
Harvey Hunter
Alphonsia Emmanuel
Florence Hoath
Kristy Bruce
Nina Young
Richard Hope
Richard Janes
Tessa Peake-Jones
Mrs. Hunter
Season 3 of The Demon Headmaster premiered on January 6, 1998.
We don't have any reviews for The Demon Headmaster.
intelligence test
new girl at school
Pump it up! We're close now.
Notamymerrick
rudely_murray
Ninko


text:
"""
Tests For Scheduler weights.
"""

from nova import context
from nova import exception
from nova.openstack.common.fixture import mockpatch
from nova.scheduler import weights
from nova import test
from nova.tests import matchers
from nova.tests.scheduler import fakes

class TestWeighedHost(test.NoDBTestCase):
    def test_dict_conversion(self):
        host_state = fakes.FakeHostState('somehost', None, {})
        host = weights.WeighedHost(host_state, 'someweight')
        expected = {'weight': 'someweight',
                    'host': 'somehost'}
        self.assertThat(host.to_dict(), matchers.DictMatches(expected))

    def test_all_weighers(self):
        classes = weights.all_weighers()
        class_names = [cls.__name__ for cls in classes]
        self.assertEqual(len(classes), 2)
        self.assertIn('RAMWeigher', class_names)
        self.assertIn('MetricsWeigher', class_names)

class RamWeigherTestCase(test.NoDBTestCase):
    def setUp(self):
        super(RamWeigherTestCase, self).setUp()
        self.useFixture(mockpatch.Patch(
            'nova.db.compute_node_get_all',
             return_value=fakes.COMPUTE_NODES))
        self.host_manager = fakes.FakeHostManager()
        self.weight_handler = weights.HostWeightHandler()
        self.weight_classes = self.weight_handler.get_matching_classes(
                ['nova.scheduler.weights.ram.RAMWeigher'])

    def _get_weighed_host(self, hosts, weight_properties=None):
        if weight_properties is None:
            weight_properties = {}
        return self.weight_handler.get_weighed_objects(self.weight_classes,
                hosts, weight_properties)[0]

    def _get_all_hosts(self):
        ctxt = context.get_admin_context()
        return self.host_manager.get_all_host_states(ctxt)

    def test_default_of_spreading_first(self):
        hostinfo_list = self._get_all_hosts()

        # host1: free_ram_mb=512
        # host2: free_ram_mb=1024
        # host3: free_ram_mb=3072
        # host4: free_ram_mb=8192

        # so, host4 should win:
        weighed_host = self._get_weighed_host(hostinfo_list)
        self.assertEqual(weighed_host.weight, 1.0)
        self.assertEqual(weighed_host.obj.host, 'host4')

    def test_ram_filter_multiplier1(self):
        self.flags(ram_weight_multiplier=0.0)
        hostinfo_list = self._get_all_hosts()

        # host1: free_ram_mb=512
        # host2: free_ram_mb=1024
        # host3: free_ram_mb=3072
        # host4: free_ram_mb=8192

        # We do not know the host, all have same weight.
        weighed_host = self._get_weighed_host(hostinfo_list)
        self.assertEqual(weighed_host.weight, 0.0)

    def test_ram_filter_multiplier2(self):
        self.flags(ram_weight_multiplier=2.0)
        hostinfo_list = self._get_all_hosts()

        # host1: free_ram_mb=512
        # host2: free_ram_mb=1024
        # host3: free_ram_mb=3072
        # host4: free_ram_mb=8192

        # so, host4 should win:
        weighed_host = self._get_weighed_host(hostinfo_list)
        self.assertEqual(weighed_host.weight, 1.0 * 2)
        self.assertEqual(weighed_host.obj.host, 'host4')

    def test_ram_filter_negative(self):
        self.flags(ram_weight_multiplier=1.0)
        hostinfo_list = self._get_all_hosts()
        host_attr = {'id': 100, 'memory_mb': 8192, 'free_ram_mb': -512}
        host_state = fakes.FakeHostState('negative', 'negative', host_attr)
        hostinfo_list = list(hostinfo_list) + [host_state]

        # host1: free_ram_mb=512
        # host2: free_ram_mb=1024
        # host3: free_ram_mb=3072
        # host4: free_ram_mb=8192
        # negativehost: free_ram_mb=-512

        # so, host4 should win
        weights = self.weight_handler.get_weighed_objects(self.weight_classes,
                                                          hostinfo_list, {})

        weighed_host = weights[0]
        self.assertEqual(weighed_host.weight, 1)
        self.assertEqual(weighed_host.obj.host, "host4")

        # and negativehost should lose
        weighed_host = weights[-1]
        self.assertEqual(weighed_host.weight, 0)
        self.assertEqual(weighed_host.obj.host, "negative")

class MetricsWeigherTestCase(test.NoDBTestCase):
    def setUp(self):
        super(MetricsWeigherTestCase, self).setUp()
        self.useFixture(mockpatch.Patch(
            'nova.db.compute_node_get_all',
             return_value=fakes.COMPUTE_NODES_METRICS))
        self.host_manager = fakes.FakeHostManager()
        self.weight_handler = weights.HostWeightHandler()
        self.weight_classes = self.weight_handler.get_matching_classes(
                ['nova.scheduler.weights.metrics.MetricsWeigher'])

    def _get_weighed_host(self, hosts, setting, weight_properties=None):
        if not weight_properties:
            weight_properties = {}
        self.flags(weight_setting=setting, group='metrics')
        return self.weight_handler.get_weighed_objects(self.weight_classes,
                hosts, weight_properties)[0]

    def _get_all_hosts(self):
        ctxt = context.get_admin_context()
        return self.host_manager.get_all_host_states(ctxt)

    def _do_test(self, settings, expected_weight, expected_host):
        hostinfo_list = self._get_all_hosts()
        weighed_host = self._get_weighed_host(hostinfo_list, settings)
        self.assertEqual(weighed_host.weight, expected_weight)
        self.assertEqual(weighed_host.obj.host, expected_host)

    def test_single_resource(self):
        # host1: foo=512
        # host2: foo=1024
        # host3: foo=3072
        # host4: foo=8192
        # so, host4 should win:
        setting = ['foo=1']
        self._do_test(setting, 1.0, 'host4')

    def test_multiple_resource(self):
        # host1: foo=512,  bar=1
        # host2: foo=1024, bar=2
        # host3: foo=3072, bar=1
        # host4: foo=8192, bar=0
        # so, host2 should win:
        setting = ['foo=0.0001', 'bar=1']
        self._do_test(setting, 1.0, 'host2')

    def test_single_resourcenegtive_ratio(self):
        # host1: foo=512
        # host2: foo=1024
        # host3: foo=3072
        # host4: foo=8192
        # so, host1 should win:
        setting = ['foo=-1']
        self._do_test(setting, 1.0, 'host1')

    def test_multiple_resource_missing_ratio(self):
        # host1: foo=512,  bar=1
        # host2: foo=1024, bar=2
        # host3: foo=3072, bar=1
        # host4: foo=8192, bar=0
        # so, host4 should win:
        setting = ['foo=0.0001', 'bar']
        self._do_test(setting, 1.0, 'host4')

    def test_multiple_resource_wrong_ratio(self):
        # host1: foo=512,  bar=1
        # host2: foo=1024, bar=2
        # host3: foo=3072, bar=1
        # host4: foo=8192, bar=0
        # so, host4 should win:
        setting = ['foo=0.0001', 'bar = 2.0t']
        self._do_test(setting, 1.0, 'host4')

    def _check_parsing_result(self, weigher, setting, results):
        self.flags(weight_setting=setting, group='metrics')
        weigher._parse_setting()
        self.assertEqual(len(weigher.setting), len(results))
        for item in results:
            self.assertIn(item, weigher.setting)

    def test_parse_setting(self):
        weigher = self.weight_classes[0]()
        self._check_parsing_result(weigher,
                                   ['foo=1'],
                                   [('foo', 1.0)])
        self._check_parsing_result(weigher,
                                   ['foo=1', 'bar=-2.1'],
                                   [('foo', 1.0), ('bar', -2.1)])
        self._check_parsing_result(weigher,
                                   ['foo=a1', 'bar=-2.1'],
                                   [('bar', -2.1)])
        self._check_parsing_result(weigher,
                                   ['foo', 'bar=-2.1'],
                                   [('bar', -2.1)])
        self._check_parsing_result(weigher,
                                   ['=5', 'bar=-2.1'],
                                   [('bar', -2.1)])

    def test_metric_not_found_required(self):
        setting = ['foo=1', 'zot=2']
        self.assertRaises(exception.ComputeHostMetricNotFound,
                          self._do_test,
                          setting,
                          8192,
                          'host4')

    def test_metric_not_found_non_required(self):
        # host1: foo=512,  bar=1
        # host2: foo=1024, bar=2
        # host3: foo=3072, bar=1
        # host4: foo=8192, bar=0
        # host5: foo=768, bar=0, zot=1
        # host6: foo=2048, bar=0, zot=2
        # so, host5 should win:
        self.flags(required=False, group='metrics')
        setting = ['foo=0.0001', 'zot=-1']
        self._do_test(setting, 1.0, 'host5')

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
This Day in History – January 22 – Hijinx, Humor, and Insight
22 January 2023 by Gary Jenneke
NewsWhistle is pleased to feature Gary Jenneke's "This Day In History" column.
You can read the original at Gary's THIS DAY IN HISTORY blog — or scroll down to enjoy Gary's unique look at life's comings and goings.
THIS DAY IN HISTORY… JANUARY 22
1575 – Queen Elizabeth issues patent monopoly on music to composers Thomas Tallis and William Byrd.
Musical geniuses, they were the Rodgers and Hammerstein of religious music of that era. The 21-year monopoly gave Tallis and Byrd the right to publish and print music and forbade anyone else from doing so. Unfortunately their publication was a failure, and they lost money. They again petitioned Queen Elizabeth for help. She responded by giving them a 21-year lease on various parcels of land.
Apparently they had become too big to fail.
1943 – Temperature rises 49 degrees in two minutes in Spearfish, South Dakota.
At 7:32 AM it was minus-4 degrees and two minutes later the thermometer hit 45 degrees. And if that wasn't strange enough, two hours later the temperature dropped 58 degrees. This time the change took 27 minutes, still a rather remarkable turnaround.
Now say the night before some irresponsible bartender, through no fault of your own, had over served you. With a head foggy from a hangover, you hit the street the next day all bundled up against the icy cold. Two minutes and 49 degrees later you are overly heated in your heavy winter clothes. Not associating it with a freak occurrence of nature, it could be enough to make a guy start thinking about taking the cure.
1946 – President Truman sets up CIG, Central Intelligence Group.
The CIG had grown out of the wartime clandestine organization, the OSS, Office of Strategic Services, and a year later would become the CIA. Truman realized intelligence was being collected by different departments within the government and thought it should be centralized under one agency. Truman's idea was that one agency would be feeding him intelligence without departmental interpretations. As a former President, Truman became concerned he may have created a monster. He worried the agency could use intelligence to influence the President in making bad decisions.
One month after JFK was assassinated, Truman wrote an op-ed piece critical of the CIA. He wrote "I think it has become necessary to take another look at the purpose and operations of our Central Intelligence Agency."
Truman also wrote, "I never had any thought that when I set up the CIA that it would be injected into peacetime cloak and dagger operations. It has become an operational and at times a policy-making arm of the government."
Strangely, the op-ed from an ex-President received little media coverage.
The Washington Post ran it only in its morning edition, and then dropped it, and no other newspapers picked it up. It has been suggested that maybe the CIA had something to do with that repression of opinion. Truman also believed the misuse of the CIA began in 1953 when Allan Dulles was named as its director.
In 1964 Dulles visited Truman in Missouri and tried to get him to retract his op-ed statements. Truman refused. So Dulles had a "fabricated retraction" by Truman placed in CIA files, just in case. Dulles also got himself appointed to the Warren Commission where he took charge of investigating JFK's murder. It has been suggested that this was like putting the fox in charge of the henhouse.
Does this all suggest that Truman was one of those goofy conspiracy theorists regarding JFK's death? I'm not sure, but it is evident that he was deeply troubled by what the CIA had become. I've mentioned it in an earlier blog post, but there is a great book about the CIA called "The Devil's Chessboard: Allen Dulles, the CIA, and the Rise of America's Secret Government" by David Talbot.
1561 – Francis Bacon.
Scientist, writer, and philosopher. An advocate of science, Bacon developed a scientific method based upon an empirical and methodical approach. An inductive reasoning rationale dependent on tangible proof. From Biography.com: "Bacon's approach placed an emphasis on experimentation and interaction, culminating in 'the commerce of the mind with things.' Bacon's new scientific method involved gathering data, prudently analyzing it and performing experiments to observe nature's truths in an organized way." A reformer with a liberal focus, Bacon spoke against feudal privilege, dictatorial power, and religious persecution.
As Lord Chancellor, he was accused by political opponents of accepting bribes, was fined, briefly imprisoned, and his political career was over. He devoted the rest of his life to science.
Given his experimental pursuit of the truth regarding science, and his liberal focus, he would probably run afoul of those in charge today, much as he had back then.
1931 – Sam Cooke.
Singer, songwriter, some label him the King of Soul. Originally a gospel singer, Cooke had a number of hit singles including "Cupid," "You Send Me," "Chain Gang," "Twisting the Night Away," and "Another Saturday Night." In December, 1964, under suspicious circumstances, Cooke was shot to death at a Los Angeles motel.
"Another Saturday night and I ain't got nobody,
I got some money cuz I just got paid,
How I wish I had someone to talk to,
I'm in an awful way."
Summer, 1964. USS Jason. San Diego, California. A kid in my watch section said, "Hey, man, I got a couple of tickets to the Sam Cooke concert tomorrow night, wanna go?"
I was a Sam Cooke fan and jumped at the chance.
The next day the chief of the radio shack said, "Jenneke, I've reassigned you. You got watch tonight."
"What! I just had watch last night. And I got tickets to a concert."
"Tell it to your Congressman."
And so there went my chance at seeing Sam Cooke.
1953 – Jim Jarmusch.
Film director, producer, screenwriter, and actor. Jarmusch was prominent in the world of independent filmmaking. He was director of such notable films as "Stranger Than Paradise," "Down by Law," and "Mystery Train." His films have a real-time street quality to them. His characters are usually at odds with society. Not bound by Hollywood standards, his films, appreciate them or not, have a unique style.
I especially liked "Mystery Train." I will have to go back and re-watch some of his older ones.
ABOUT GARY JENNEKE
At various junctures of his life, Gary has been an indifferent grade school student, poor high school student, good Navy radioman, one-time hippie, passable college student, inveterate traveler, dedicated writer, miscast accountant (except for one interesting stint at a Communist café), part-time screenwriting teacher, semi-proud veteran, unsuccessful retiree and new blogger.
You can reach him at gary@newswhistle.com.
The above information was sourced from the following websites:
ChapelRoyal.org
OnThisDay.com
ConsortiumNews.com
Biography.com
We'd also like to thank the following photographers and videographers for the use of their images:
* Lead-In Image (Jim Jarmsuch) – taniavolobueva / Shutterstock.com – "Cannes, France – 19 MAY 2016 – Jim Jarmusch attends the 'Gimme Danger' Premiere during the 69th annual Cannes Film Festival."
* Spearfish, South Dakota (video) – NorthernHillsTech / Shutterstock.com
* Harry Truman (art) – Arkady Mazor / Shutterstock.com
* Sir Francis Bacon (portrait) – Everett Historical/ Shutterstock.com
* Sam Cooke (video) – supercanadian4 / YouTube.com
* Jim Jarmusch (interview) – Film Society of Lincoln Center / YouTube.com
* Outro (Man-In-Museum Cartoon) – SkyPics Studio / Shutterstock.com
Section: News | Tags: Central Intelligence Group, Francis Bacon, gary jenneke, history, humor, Jim Jarmusch, President Truman, Sam Cooke, Spearfish South Dakota, this day in history, Thomas Tallis, William Byrd
Recent News Features


Older passenger jets were built with three or four engines because they needed the combined thrust when engine technology was not as advanced.
Question: Are trijet aircraft less safe than twin-engine or four-engine aircraft?
Answer:No. Trijets are safe. But modern twin-engine aircraft have such reliable engines that pilots can fly their entire career without experiencing an engine failure.
Older passenger jets were built with three or four engines because they needed the combined thrust when engine technology was not as advanced as it is today. Airplanes such as the B777 have engines producing more than 110,000 pounds of thrust. These highly reliable high-thrust engines have reduced the need for additional engines.
A few airplanes still have four engines, such as the Airbus A380, but they are now the exception.
Q: Years ago I was on a DC-10 for Cleveland which couldn't get up to desired cruise altitude because the outside temperature at 25,000 was 70 degrees. The poor jet just lumbered, unable to climb higher. Does this happen very often?
A:The standard temperature for 25,000 feet is -34.5 C (-30 F). Seventy degrees Fahrenheit at that altitude would be 100 degrees warmer than normal, a variation so extreme it seems likely you've misremembered it. But the issue you've described is real: Warm air does decrease performance, and the warmer the air, the lower an airplane's cruise altitude at maximum weight.
Q: What is Maneuver Load Elimination?
A: During flight, there are various loads (forces) on the airplane. One of them is gravity. Newer airplanes use powerful computers to recognize increasing G load on the airplane and to reduce it by deflecting flight control surfaces. This technology has been available for many years (the Lockheed L1011 had it). It not only improves the ride for the occupants, it reduces stress on the airplane.
Q: Many movies depict lots of open space under the cabin floor of 747s and similar large aircraft. Is there a large workspace or kitchen area in that area or is it generally completely full of cargo containers?
A: The L1011 had a galley under the main deck. In recent times, some airplanes have crew rest facilities below the main deck.
In most airplanes, there are only cargo containers below the main deck.
Q: Do any airlines still use the L1011?
A: No, none are still flying for commercial airlines. The L1011 was technologically advanced when it debuted in 1972, but more modern and efficient airplanes have replaced it in airline fleets.


The winter holidays are almost here! This is one of the best and busiest times of the year. Between getting your home ready for the holidays and picking out gifts for your loved ones, there's little time left to think about anything else.
However, part of getting ready for the holidays involves making sure your entire family will enjoy them. And, of course, that includes your pet.
As any professional local vet will tell you, with a little planning, you can keep your furry friends safe.
This way, they can get in a festive mood and celebrate alongside the entire family.
Many of us enjoy serving and eating special food during the holidays. But while a piece of pumpkin pie and a glass of champagne won't do you any harm, this is not the case for your pet.
Alcohol is something you should never give to your pet.
Foods and beverages containing caffeine. Caffeine is poisonous to cats and dogs. Caffeine can be found in many drinks and sweets you don't expect, like green tea or white chocolate. In case your pet has ingested caffeinated food or beverages, contact your local vet immediately.
Unbaked bread dough. Raw bread dough expands in the warm, moist environment of the stomach, and can cause your pet serious discomfort and health problems.
Onions. Onions are used in plenty of holiday recipes, and chances are you are going to be tempted to slip some food under the table for your pet. Don't! Onions garlic, chives, and leeks are poisonous to both dogs and cats.
Not sure what other foods are toxic to pets? Here's a useful resource you can use to make sure you won't feed your pet anything to put them at risk.
No holiday would be the same without decorations. However, it's important you are heedful about how you use them.
Burning candles. They are perfect for creating a cozy atmosphere. But make sure to place them in places where your pet can't reach. Like high shelves or mantels, for instance.
Electric decorations. Any chance your curious dog could bite into your Christmas lights? Pets that chew on electric cords can suffer severe burns, and even experience electrical shock. Consider using a cord protector or opting for the lower voltage LED lights to lower the risk.
Edible decorations. Pets are curious, and they will sink their teeth into whatever they find interesting. Popcorn and cranberry tinsel, candy cane sleighs; these sugary treats all smell too good for your pet to resist them. Unfortunately, sugars make pets sick.
Make sure to tire your pet out if you know you are going to have people over. Go for a long walk, play with your pet, dance around the house if you have to.
This way, your pet will be on its best behavior, and everybody will be able to enjoy spending quality time together.
Also, try to keep the holiday- associated stress to a minimum. Remember that pets pick up on our energy, and often mimic our behavior. If you're tense, your pet is going to be tense too.
Maintain a balance in everything you do and don't forget to enjoy this time of the year alongside your beloved pet!
After all, the winter holidays only come once a year.
If you need more advice or want a local vet to consult your pet before all the holiday chaos kicks in, you can schedule an appointment today!


Sunday's service will focus on the fourth of six steps (Discussion/Negotiation) towards attaining "Beloved Community," as outlined by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It matters how we talk to one another. It especially matters how we listen. It matters that all voices be lifted. Honored. Even the cantankerous. How do we manage this? "Using grace, humor, and intelligence," according to The King Philosophy.


text:
Want a Chauffeur-Driven Tesla P85D the Next Time You Visit Chicago? Check in at the Windy City's Virgin Hotel
• February 17, 2015
ChicagoConciergeTeslaVirgin Hotel
You've seen the hours of Teslaractioning videos on YouTube, Vimeo, Tumblr and Instagram. You've heard the breathless soundbite reviews from Tesla fans and owners alike, proclaiming Tesla's P85D electric sedan to be the best car they've ever driven or owned.
Ever dreamed of a chauffeur-driven Tesla Model S P85D? Just book into Virgin Hotel in Chicago.
If you're like us, you're probably suffering some severe depression after realising no matter how you cut it, your bank balance won't stretch far enough to let you buy one of your own.
So if you're the sort of person who likes the trappings of opulent luxury without having the means to pay for it, there may be a way for you to have your very own Tesla Model S P85D, complete with your very own chauffeur: stay at Virgin's recently-opened ultra-modern Hotel in the heart of Chicago.
Launched last month, the Chicago Virgin Hotel is the first of what we're assuming will be a worldwide chain of hotels from Sir Richard Branson's Virgin empire, promising pleasant, modern, airy rooms, simple pricing policies, free high-bandwidth WiFi, a minibar that charges 'street' prices, and a so-called 'one of a kind' custom hybrid bead that transforms from a bed into all manner of interesting things. Or so we're told.
That's before we even get to the highly-anticipated smartphone app, which Virgin says will let you keep track of your bill, order room service and control your room's air conditioning and entertainment systems.
For Tesla fans however, the killer app to convince them to pick the Windy City's Virgin Hotel in preference to better known brands might be the concierge Tesla Model S P85D Virgin has just purchased to transport guests to and from the airport and select parts of town, seven days a week.
All you'll need to do is book a room for a night, the price of which starts at $209 per night for a "Chamber King" room.
In keeping with Virgin's famous colour scheme, the car in question is of course brilliant red, complete with contrasting grey 21-inch, ten-spoke turbine wheels, carbon-fibre spoiler and an all-glass panoramic roof.
Virgin says the high performance all-electric sedan ties in with its aim of being not only one of the most accommodating and personal hotels on the market but also the most sustainable. Aside from the zero-emission Model S, the new hotel says it has an extensive green roof, energy-star kitchen appliances, daylight-sensing lighting control systems and LED lights throughout its recently-opened Chicago property.
That red Tesla Model S P85D is the new concierge car for Virgin Hotel's first ever hotel.
As for the 0-60 time of 3.1 seconds that the Chicago Virgin Hotel's new chauffeur-driven ride is capable of? We're guessing it won't be demonstrating its drag prowess down on Lake Shore Drive all that much. But for those clientele who know what the car is and what it's capable of, we're hoping Jeeves will open it up a little when it's safe and legal to do so.
BMW i3 Electric Car to be Reborn as Rinspeed...
It's Official: Japan Now has More Electric Car...
Thought of the Day: Who Should Get Those Subsidies?


text:
News Update from GCI
Today, GCI announced an agreement with Liberty Interactive Corporation. The details of the agreement can be found in the attached press release. A summary of the transaction and quotes from GCI CEO Ron Duncan are included below. Alaska press should direct questions to Heather Handyside 907-301-3481, hhandyside@gci.com
ANCHORAGE, AK (April 4, 2017) – Today, General Communication, Inc. ("GCI") and Liberty Interactive Corporation ("Liberty Interactive") announced the signing of an agreement that will combine GCI's business with certain assets and liabilities of the Liberty Ventures Group ("Liberty Ventures") into a company to be called GCI Liberty.
This transaction is a win for our shareholders, customers, and employees," said Ron Duncan, GCI co-founder, president, and chief executive officer. "As part of a larger company, GCI will be even better positioned to compete, innovate, and serve Alaskans and our customers in the lower 48 states."
I am deeply proud of the contribution that GCI employees have made, and will make, to Alaska's development as the 49th state. All of us at GCI are grateful for our customers' support over the years, and we will continue to work hard to retain that support in the years ahead."
GCI will remain a freestanding operation within GCI Liberty. GCI's leadership team, brand, operations, and products and services will not change as a result of the transaction. GCI will remain headquartered in Anchorage.
GCI will be the largest operating asset in GCI Liberty's portfolio of assets. GCI Liberty's other assets will include a minority equity interest in Charter Communications, the second largest cable company in the United States.
GCI shareholders will receive $32.50 in GCI Liberty stock – $27.50 in common stock and $5.00 in a new preferred stock – for each share of GCI stock. The common and preferred stock of GCI Liberty will be publicly traded.
This transaction, including the name GCI Liberty, recognizes the value created by the entire GCI team as we deployed advanced communications technology and services throughout Alaska over the past 38 years," Duncan said. The leaders of Liberty Interactive know us, respect how we operate, and believe that we will continue to grow value for customers and shareholders. Our culture, leadership, and focus on Alaska will continue as strong as ever.
We are pleased to announce this transaction with GCI," said Greg Maffei, Liberty Interactive President and CEO. "GCI is the largest communications provider in Alaska, generates solid cash flow, and is a strong fit with the largest assets in Liberty Ventures.
This transaction is subject to regulatory review and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2018.
Heather Handyside, GCI
907-301-3481, hhandyside@gci.com
Forward-Looking Statement Disclosure
The foregoing contains forward-looking statements regarding GCI's expected results that are based on management's expectations as well as on a number of assumptions concerning future events. Actual results might differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements due to uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside GCI's control. Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements is contained in GCI's cautionary statement sections of Forms 10-K and 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Nothing in the foregoing shall constitute a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell shares of GCI Liberty, GCI common stock or any of Liberty Interactive's tracking stocks. The offer and sale of shares in the proposed transactions will only be made pursuant to GCI Liberty's effective registration statement. Liberty Interactive stockholders, GCI stockholders and other investors are urged to read the registration statement and the joint proxy statement/prospectus to be filed regarding the proposed transactions and any other relevant documents filed with the SEC, as well as any amendments or supplements to those documents, because they will contain important information about the proposed transactions. Copies of these SEC filings are available free of charge at the SEC's website (http://www.sec.gov). Copies of the filings together with the materials incorporated by reference therein are also available, without charge, by directing a request to Liberty Interactive Corporation, 12300 Liberty Boulevard, Englewood, Colorado 80112, Attention: Investor Relations, Telephone: (720) 875-5420. GCI investors can access additional information at ir.gci.com.
The directors and executive officers of Liberty Interactive and GCI and other persons may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of proposals to approve the proposed transactions. Information regarding the directors and executive officers of Liberty Interactive is available in its definitive proxy statement, which was filed with the SEC on July 8, 2016, and certain of its Current Reports on Form 8-K. Information regarding the directors and executive officers of GCI is available as part of its Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 2, 2017. For other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be available in the proxy materials regarding the foregoing to be filed with the SEC. Free copies of these documents may be obtained as described in the preceding paragraph.
LIBERTY INTERACTIVE ENTERS INTO AGREEMENT TO ACQUIRE GENERAL COMMUNICATION, INC., COMBINE WITH
LIBERTY VENTURES GROUP AND SPLIT-OFF COMBINED COMPANY FROM LIBERTY INTERACTIVE
QVC GROUP TO BECOME ASSET-BACKED STOCK
Englewood, Colorado, and Anchorage, Alaska April 4, 2017 - Liberty Interactive Corporation ("Liberty Interactive") (Nasdaq: QVCA, QVCB, LVNTA, LVNTB) and General Communication, Inc. ("GCI") (Nasdaq: GNCMA) today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement (the "Agreement") whereby Liberty Interactive will acquire GCI through a reorganization in which certain Liberty Ventures Group ("Liberty Ventures") assets and liabilities will be contributed to GCI in exchange for a controlling interest in GCI. Liberty Interactive will then effect a tax-free separation of its controlling interest in the combined company (to be named GCI Liberty, Inc. ("GCI Liberty")) to the holders of Liberty Ventures common stock in full redemption of all outstanding shares of such stock.
We are pleased to announce this transaction with GCI," said Greg Maffei, Liberty Interactive President and CEO. "GCI is the largest communications provider in Alaska, generates solid cash flow with upside potential and is a strong fit with the largest businesses in Liberty Ventures. This transaction will ultimately create a standalone Liberty Ventures, reducing the tracking stock discount and enabling an asset-backed QVC Group.
"This transaction with Liberty Interactive brings GCI back full circle, as GCI was part of TCI until 1986. We couldn't think of a better owner, and look forward to being the largest operating asset within GCI Liberty," said Ron Duncan, GCI President and CEO. "We will continue to run the company with our focus on providing the best value for Alaska customers, offering opportunities for our employees and investing wisely in the Alaska market.
Liberty Interactive believes the creation of GCI Liberty will provide the following benefits:
Reduce Liberty Ventures tracking stock discount
Provide greater flexibility for GCI Liberty to pursue future strategic transactions
Produce strong free cash flow allowing for potential stock repurchases
Establish a strong currency that will be a more effective tool for management compensation and retention
Provide financial flexibility for future borrowings
Liberty Interactive believes an asset-backed QVC Group will provide the following benefits:
Establish leading pure play discovery based retail and eCommerce company
Liberty Interactive expected to be renamed QVC Group, Inc.
Make QVC Group eligible for possible inclusion in stock indices through elimination of tracking stock structure
Reduce the tracking stock discount
Increase near-term and annual liquidity through reattribution (discussed below) of approximately $329 million(1) of cash and approximately $130 million annual free cash flow from tax savings related to exchangeable bonds that will grow
Cash can be used for investments, stock repurchases and debt reduction
Establish a strong currency that will be a more effective tool for management compensation and retention and for potential future acquisitions
Maintain strong ability and liquidity to service all debt
GCI believes this transaction will provide the following benefits to its shareholders:
Provides immediate premium over GCI's current stock price
Continued participation in the growth of the business through equity ownership of GCI Liberty
Increased scale and resources to execute on strategy
Tax efficient transaction
Diversifies business beyond Alaska
Increased liquidity with access to resources of larger company
Shareholders of GCI will receive total consideration of $32.50 per share comprised of $27.50 per share in GCI Liberty Class A common stock and $5.00 in newly issued Series A preferred shares, based on a Liberty Ventures reference price of $43.65. The Series A preferred shares will accrue dividends at an initial rate of 5% per annum (which would increase to 7% in connection with a future reincorporation of GCI Liberty in Delaware) and will be redeemable upon the 21st anniversary of the closing. There will be no premium paid on the GCI Class B shares. The transaction represents an undiluted enterprise value for GCI of $2.68 billion and undiluted equity value of $1.12 billion. GCI Liberty will remain an Alaska corporation as of the closing; however, it is currently contemplated that as soon as practicable following the closing, a special meeting of GCI Liberty shareholders will be called for the purpose of voting upon a proposal to reincorporate in Delaware.
Upon completion of the contribution of Liberty Interactive's entire equity interests in Liberty Broadband, Charter, LendingTree, Inc., together with the Evite operating business and certain other assets and liabilities (including, subject to certain conditions, the FTD Companies, Inc. equity interest), Liberty Interactive will acquire a 77% undiluted equity interest and 84% undiluted voting interest in GCI Liberty, comprised of a number of shares of GCI Liberty Class A common stock and GCI Liberty Class B common stock equal to the number of shares of Liberty Ventures Series A and Series B common stock, respectively, outstanding as of the contribution. Promptly following the contribution, holders of Liberty Ventures common stock will receive one share of the corresponding series of GCI Liberty common stock in redemption for each share of Liberty Ventures stock held at the time of the redemption. As a result, upon completion of the transaction, former GCI shareholders will own 23% of the undiluted equity and 16% of the undiluted voting power of GCI Liberty, and former Liberty Ventures shareholders will own the remaining equity and voting interests in GCI Liberty. GCI Liberty's Class A common stock, Class B common stock and Series A preferred stock are expected to be listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbols "GLIBA," "GLIBB" and "GLIBP," respectively. It is currently contemplated that, prior to the completion of the contribution, the following assets and liabilities, among others, will be reattributed from Liberty Ventures to QVC Group:
Exchangeable debentures with maturities in 2029, 2030, 2031 and 2043, including tax attributes and recapture liabilities, and certain of the exchangeable bonds maturing in 2046 (as described below)
Portfolio of green energy investments
Approximately $329 million in cash (based on current valuations)(1)
Liberty Interactive's entire equity interest in ILG (currently 16.6 million shares)
Tax attributes related to equity awards from prior spins
De Minimis amounts of Time Inc. and Time Warner Inc. shares
Also, prior to the split-off of GCI Liberty, GCI Liberty intends to execute and draw down in full on a $500 million margin loan against its 42.7 million Series C shares of Liberty Broadband. Concurrent with the split-off, a portion of proceeds drawn on the margin loan may be distributed to Liberty Interactive to be used within one year for the repurchase of QVC Group stock or to pay down debt. The amount of such proceeds depends upon the portion of Liberty Interactive's 1.75% Charter exchangeable debentures that are not exchanged for mirror debentures of GCI Liberty (as described below).
After the transaction, total debt at GCI Liberty is expected to consist of the $500 million margin loan against Liberty Broadband shares, $750 million of Liberty Interactive's 1.75% Charter exchangeable debentures (other than debentures not exchanged as described below) and approximately $1.5 billion of existing GCI debt.
The split-off of Liberty Interactive's interest in GCI Liberty is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2018. The completion of the GCI acquisition and split-off are subject to certain conditions, including (i) the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act, (ii) regulatory approvals, including from the Federal Communications Commission and the Regulatory Commission of Alaska, (iii) approval by 2/3 of the outstanding voting power of GCI, together with 2/3 of each of the GCI Class A common stock and GCI Class B common stock, and (iv) approval by a majority of the outstanding voting power of the Liberty Ventures Group common stock present and entitled to vote on the redemption. Donne Fisher, former Chairman of the Board of GCI, and Ron Duncan, GCI's President and CEO, will join the GCI Liberty Board of Directors.
In connection with the closing, Liberty Interactive will offer to exchange any or all of its outstanding 1.75% Charter exchangeable debentures due 2046 for mirror debentures of GCI Liberty. After closing, QVC Group will guarantee GCI Liberty's payment obligations under the mirror debentures through October 5, 2023 (including any payment obligations relating to mirror debentures that are put, exchanged or redeemed on or before such date) in exchange for a guarantee fee, and GCI Liberty and LV Bridge LLC (a subsidiary of GCI Liberty) will provide an indemnity to QVC Group for any payments made in respect of the guarantee, supported by a negative pledge by LV Bridge LLC on the portion of the Charter shares referenced by the mirror debentures. With respect to any Liberty Interactive exchangeable debentures not tendered in the exchange offer, GCI Liberty will provide to QVC Group an indemnity with respect to any payments made by QVC Group in excess of stated principal and interest to any holder of the exchangeable debentures that exercises its exchange right under the terms of the debentures.
The repurchase authorization for Liberty Interactive as of February 1, 2017 was approximately $1,026 million, of which $376 million can be applied to repurchases of either QVC Group or Liberty Ventures stock and $650 million can only be applied to Liberty Ventures stock.
J.P. Morgan is serving as financial advisor and Baker Botts LLP is serving as legal advisor to Liberty Interactive.
Important Notice: Liberty Interactive (Nasdaq: QVCA, QVCB, LVNTA, LVNTB) President and CEO, Greg Maffei and General Communication, Inc. (Nasdaq: GNCMA) President and CEO, Ron Duncan, will discuss this transaction in a conference call which will begin at 9:00 a.m. (E.S.T.) on April 4, 2017. The call can be accessed by dialing (800) 274-0251 or (719) 457-2086, with participant passcode 4758381 at least 10 minutes prior to the start time. An accompanying presentation will be posted to the Liberty Interactive website prior to the call. The call will also be broadcast live across the Internet and archived on our website. To access the webcast go to http://www.libertyinteractive.com/events. Links to this press release will also be available on Liberty Interactive's website.
This press release includes certain forward-looking statements, including statements about the proposed acquisition of GCI by Liberty Interactive and the proposed split-off of Liberty Interactive's interest in GCI Liberty (the "proposed split-off" and together with the proposed acquisition of GCI, the "proposed transactions"), the timing of the proposed transactions, the contemplated reincorporation of GCI Liberty, the proposed reattribution of assets and liabilities at Liberty Interactive in connection with the proposed transactions, the renaming of Liberty Interactive, GCI Liberty's entry into a margin loan arrangement prior to the completion of the proposed split-off, Liberty Interactive's anticipated offer to exchange any or all of its outstanding 1.75% Charter exchangeable debentures, the realization of estimated synergies and benefits from the proposed transactions, business strategies, market potential, future financial prospects and other matters that are not historical facts. These forward-looking statements involve many risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements, including, without limitation, the satisfaction of conditions to the proposed transactions. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and each of Liberty Interactive and GCI expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in Liberty Interactive's or GCI's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. Please refer to the publicly filed documents of Liberty Interactive and GCI, including the most recent Forms 10-K, for additional information about Liberty Interactive and GCI and about the risks and uncertainties related to the business of each of Liberty Interactive and GCI which may affect the statements made in this press release.
Nothing in this press release shall constitute a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell shares of GCI Liberty, GCI common stock or any of Liberty Interactive's tracking stocks. The offer and sale of shares in the proposed transactions will only be made pursuant to GCI Liberty's effective registration statement. Liberty Interactive stockholders, GCI stockholders and other investors are urged to read the registration statement and the joint proxy statement/prospectus to be filed regarding the proposed transactions and any other relevant documents filed with the SEC, as well as any amendments or supplements to those documents, because they will contain important information about the proposed transactions. Copies of these SEC filings are available free of charge at the SEC's website (http://www.sec.gov). Copies of the filings together with the materials incorporated by reference therein are also available, without charge, by directing a request to Liberty Interactive Corporation, 12300 Liberty Boulevard, Englewood, Colorado 80112, Attention: Investor Relations, Telephone: (720) 875-5420. GCI investors can access additional information at ir.gci.com.
Participants in a Solicitation
The directors and executive officers of Liberty Interactive and GCI and other persons may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of proposals to approve the proposed transactions. Information regarding the directors and executive officers of Liberty Interactive is available in its definitive proxy statement, which was filed with the SEC on July 8, 2016, and certain of its Current Reports on Form 8-K. Information regarding the directors and executive officers of GCI is available as part of its Form10-K filed with the SEC on March 2, 2017. For other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be available in the proxy materials regarding the foregoing to be filed with the SEC. Free copies of these documents may be obtained as described in the preceding paragraph.
About Liberty Interactive Corporation
Liberty Interactive Corporation operates and owns interests in a broad range of digital commerce businesses. Those businesses are currently attributed to two tracking stock groups: the QVC Group and the Liberty Ventures Group. The businesses and assets attributed to the QVC Group (Nasdaq: QVCA, QVCB) consist of Liberty Interactive Corporation's subsidiaries, QVC, Inc. and zulily, llc, and its interest in HSN, Inc., and the businesses and assets attributed to the Liberty Ventures Group (Nasdaq: LVNTA, LVNTB) consist of all of Liberty Interactive Corporation's businesses and assets other than those attributed to the QVC Group, including its interests in Liberty Broadband Corporation and FTD, Liberty Interactive Corporation's subsidiary Evite, and minority interests in ILG, Lending Tree and Charter Communications.
About General Communication, Inc.
GCI is the largest communications provider in Alaska, providing data, wireless, video, voice, and managed services to consumer and business customers throughout Alaska and in the lower 48 states. Headquartered in Alaska, GCI has delivered services for nearly 40 years to some of the most remote communities and in some of the most challenging conditions in North America. Learn more about GCI at www.gci.com.
Liberty Interactive Corporation
Contact: Courtnee Chun (720) 875-5420
General Communication, Inc.
Investor Contact: Kyle Jones (907) 868-7105
Media Contact: Heather Handyside (907) 301-3481
(1)Exact cash amount to be determined at closing.


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Zalmay Khalilzad to continue as envoy on Afghanistan: FM welcomes Biden's reported decision
Zulfiqar Ahmad Updated 27 Jan, 2021
ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Tuesday welcomed the reports that President Joe Biden wants to keep Trump's Afghan envoy Zalmay Khalilzad on job, saying it reflects that new US administration is serious about resolving Afghan conflict through talks.
Talking to the media outside the Parliament House, he said there is no military solution to the Afghan conflict as it can only be resolved through talks, which the new US administration is also aware of.
"The new US admin wants to reduce violence in Afghanistan and so do us [Pakistan]…the new US government priorities with regard to Afghanistan is in conformity with our stance on the issue," he added.
Qureshi said he had sent a missive to his new US counterpart and informed him about the viewpoint of Pakistan on Afghanistan situation, adding the region has witnessed drastic changes during the last four years.
A ray of hope has arisen after 40 years, he said, adding, "I want to make it clear that we would be with new US administration in its efforts for peace in the region".
At the same time, he said restoration of peace in Afghanistan is a joint responsibility and the entire burden should not be put on Pakistan alone.
He said that the real solution of the issues still lies with the Afghan leadership, as it is their country.
To a question about reports of handpicking a recently retired military general Lt-Gen Bilal Akbar as ambassador of Pakistan to Saudi Arabia, he said 80 percent officials at Pakistani embassies around the world come from the Foreign Service of Pakistan, while the remaining 20pc are selected from different backgrounds.
About Broadsheet controversy, he said there should be a thorough probe into the matter to expose those involved in signing the agreement with the foreign company.
In an obvious reference to the then military ruler Gen Musharraf's agreement with Broadsheet to collect evidence against Sharif family's alleged corruption in properties and cash stashed abroad back in 1999, he said that it's not the fault of the PTI.
About the ongoing protests by the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), he said the PPP is making excuses for 'appropriate time' to quit the assemblies, and that appropriate time is not going to come until 2023, when the government will complete its five-year term.
He continued that the PPP could not take such a bold decision to quit assemblies as it cannot afford it, which is evident from Umerkot by-polls, where PPP misused state machinery to rig the polls.
He said there are serious differences between PPP and PML-N over bringing a no confidence motion against the prime minister, adding, if the opposition proceeds with the no confidence motion, we are ready to face them.
The minister plainly said the PDM is no threat to the government, as their agenda to get an NRO [National Reconciliation Ordinance] to get rid of their corruption cases is no privy to us all when they put forth their 34-point amendment to National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Ordinance.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2021
Donald Trump Zalmay Khalilzad NAB Joe Biden PPP Shah Mehmood Qureshi PDM NRO PTI PMLN


SAN DIEGO, Calif. – October 4, 2010 – Active.com®, a media property of The Active Network, Inc., and the leading online community that connects people with the sports and activities they love to do, today announced it has signed on Arkansas runner and triathlete Ben Davis as an Active.com ambassador. In his new role, Davis will work with Active.com to motivate and inspire people of all fitness levels to lead healthy, active lives through participation in sports and activities.
Davis has drawn nationwide attention following the debut of his inspirational YouTube video about his one and a half year journey to lose weight. After weighing in at 360 pounds and battling depression in 2008, Davis made a decision to change his life. What began as a short jog, led to the completion of a local 5K, followed by triathlons and eventually three marathons. On August 29, 2010, Davis completed Ford Ironman Louisville. He has lost more 120 pounds and is now an inspiration for countless others who want to make positive, healthy changes in their lives.
"As a runner, I've always known about Active.com and utilized their great online community, so to team up with them is really a surreal experience," Davis said. "Our message and goals within the fitness community are completely parallel and I'm looking forward to working to make those goals happen as an Active.com team member."
"Active Network is dedicated to promoting an active, healthy lifestyle and Ben exemplifies our mission to connect people with the things they love, want and need to do," said Jon Belmonte, COO of Active Network. "We are thrilled that Ben has joined the Active.com team to continue spreading our message of health and wellness, and motivating others to take the first step on the path to overcoming their challenges and leading a healthy lifestyle."
In addition to bringing Davis on board as an Active.com ambassador, Active.com and "The Biggest Loser" recently announced the launch of The Biggest Loser Event Challenge, powered by Active.com, a series of nationwide 5K and one mile events designed to inspire Americans of all fitness levels to get moving with others.


On one hand, I get it. Who would want to deal with this? Who would want a friend that gives fatigued half-replies when you need them, is never able to meet up with you spontaneously and is too anxious or tired to have FaceTime or phone calls? Who would want a friendship as tiring and unfruitful as ours, especially when you have your own fights and battles occurring? If you don't want to talk to me for a while to focus on your own issues, or just to unwind and be alone for a while, you are entirely valid and you don't have to justify that to me.
On the other hand, some of you hurt me. You hurt me by leaving me when I needed you most. You hurt me by making me feel like my conditions are worse for you to witness than they are for me to live with every day of my life. You hurt me by making me feel alone, different and excluded when all I wanted was to feel included and just the same as everybody else.
Maybe I should specify; if you went about it in a negative way, you hurt me. To the friend who told me after six years that we were going in different directions in life because I couldn't get a job, and that you never wanted to speak to me again because of that, you hurt me. Our friendship was never based on my employment and that should have never come into the equation. To the friend who told me I'm never around anymore and I'm no fun when I am, you hurt me. The day you told me I would never be loved if I "carried on like this," I realized who you really were.
Ultimately however, I thank you.
I thank those of you who went about leaving with human decency, for being honest with yourself and with me, and for admitting that your own issues are the priority for you, as they should be. I thank you for taking time away from me to focus on yourself and work on your own health. I thank those of you who went about it in a negative way for revealing your true colors to me. Thank you for not wasting my time any longer. Thank you for not pretending anymore.
Finally, I thank those of you who never left. Those of you who are still here, watching the chaos of my life unfold and offering a helping hand, even if it's just a quick "Hey, how are you doing?" I will be eternally grateful for those of you who try, as well as those who tried and couldn't handle it. You all help me to feel a little more human while I go through things that make me feel so alone.
This story originally appeared on TokiTalk.
Toki is a transgender man with a number of physical, neurological and mental health issues including autism, depression, OCD, ME/CFS and chronic pain. He lives in the middle of England with his partner, along with two snakes, four rats and four fish.


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⇑ back to "Opinion"
12 Critical Events to Happen Over 40-Day Period From Aug. 21-Sep. 30
10:30AM EDT 8/10/2017	 Michael Snyder
(Public Domain)
We are about to witness an extremely unusual convergence of events that many believe could represent a major turning point for our nation. By now you have probably heard that on Aug. 21, a total solar eclipse will move across the entire continental United States for the first time in decades. In fact, we have not seen a total solar eclipse cross from the west coast to the east coast in 99 years. And it will be the very first total solar eclipse that is only visible in this country since the United States first became a nation. Starting with that event, there is going to be a whole lot going on until we reach the end of September. The following are 12 critical events that are going to happen over a 40-day period from Aug. 21 to Sept. 30.
Aug. 21 – The "great American eclipse" will sweep across portions of Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. Seven years later, another very unusual total solar eclipse will move across our nation, and when you plot the paths of both eclipses on a map, they form a giant "X" right over the center of the United States.
Aug. 23 – A FEMA exercise known as "EarthEX2017" will simulate "catastrophes such as mega earthquakes, cyber terrorism or high altitude electromagnetic pulse attacks":
An exercise sponsored by FEMA and the U.S. Department of Energy set to take place on Aug. 23 called EarthEX2017 will include wargame responses to catastrophes such as mega earthquakes, cyber terrorism or high altitude electromagnetic pulse attacks.
The exercise will simulate a "subcontinent-scale, long duration power outage, with cascading failures of all other infrastructures," according to the official Earth Ex website.
"Black sky events" are defined as, "Catastrophic occurrences caused by man or nature that bring society to its knees."
Sept. 1 – This marks the start of FEMA's annual "National Preparedness Month."
Sept. 1 – The U.S. State Department's ban on U.S. citizens traveling into North Korea goes into effect. Many are concerned that this is yet another sign that we are moving toward war with North Korea.
Sept. 11 – This will be the 16th anniversary of 9/11.
Sept. 20 – Rosh Hashanah begins at sunset.
Sept. 21 – The U.N. International Day Of Peace
Sept. 23 – This is the date of what has become known as "the Revelation 12 sign". If you are not familiar with this alignment yet, the following is a very brief summary:
On Sept. 23, a unique astronomical alignment of the sun, moon, constellation Virgo, constellation Leo and planets Jupiter, Mars, Mercury and Venus is going to fulfill this passage from the book of Revelation:
"And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pains and the agony of giving birth" (Rev. 12:1-2).
Sept. 24 – Very important national elections will be held in Germany.
Sept. 29 – Yom Kippur begins at sunset, and it concludes on Sept. 30. Of course Sept. 30 will be the end of a 40-day period that began back on the day of the Great American Eclipse on Aug. 21
Sept. 29 – U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin says that the debt ceiling will be breached on this day if Congress does not raise it by then.
Sept. 30 – If Congress does not pass a budget by the end of this day, there will be a government shutdown just like we witnessed in 2013.
On top of everything else, the month of September is when the Federal Reserve is scheduled to begin unwinding their $4.5 trillion balance sheet:
The other big market force that could ruffle markets is clearly the Fed, which is expected to begin the untested task of unwinding its $4.5 trillion balance sheet in September.
In addition, it is very interesting to note that a large asteroid will come within 4,200 miles of our planet on Oct. 12:
The asteroid has not been seen since its 2012 discovery, when it sped past Earth at about one-fourth the distance from Earth to the moon. It's been too distant and too faint to be detected over the last five years. As it starts to approach Earth this summer, large telescopes will be used to detect it and re-establish the asteroid's precise trajectory.
The asteroid, known as 2012 TC4, could come as close as 4,200 miles to Earth, NASA said. That's actually fairly close, when you consider that the moon is about 239,000 miles away.
So what does all of this mean?
I don't know, but I am sure that I will receive even more criticism for putting this list together. Those of us that monitor global events and warn about where things are headed are often highly criticized. But in this day and age, we desperately need independent thinkers that are willing to challenge the system. Way too often people just go with the herd and will believe whatever the mainstream media tells them to think.
Never let someone else do your thinking for you. Investigate things for yourself and come to your own conclusions. Learning to think critically is one of the most important skills that you can have, and you will find that it is one of the most common traits among those that are truly "awake" to what is going on in the world.
The truth is out there, and if you diligently seek it, you will eventually find it.
Unless otherwise specified, the opinions expressed are solely the author's and do not necessarily reflect the views of Charisma Media.
Related topics: eclipse | Space | Technology
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Giulio Caccini (Roma, 8 de outubro de 1551 – 10 de dezembro de 1618) foi um compositor, professor, cantor, construtor de instrumentos, escritor italiano do fim da Renascença e início do Barroco e músico de harpa, alaúde e viola. Foi um dos fundadores do género da Ópera e um dos criadores que mais influenciaram o estilo Barroco. Foi também pai da compositora Francesca Caccini.

Vida
Pouco se sabe do seus primeiros anos de vida, sendo certo que nasceu em Roma, filho do carpinteiro Michelangelo Caccini que era o irmão mais velho do escultor florentino Giovanni Caccini. Em Roma estudou alaúde, viola e harpa, e começou a adquirir reputação de cantor. Na década de 1560, Cosimo de' Medici ficou tão impressionado com o seu talento que levou o jovem Caccini para Florença para poder levar os seus estudos mais longe.

Em 1579, Caccini era já cantor na Corte dos Médici. Era tenor e acompanhava-se a si próprio com a viola; ela cantava para entreter a corte e também em casamentos. Compôs sumptuosos intermezzos, elaborou espectáculos musicais, dramáticos e visuais, ou seja, aquilo que seria mais tarde a Ópera. Também fez parte de movimentos de humanistas, de escritores, de músicos e de escolas do mundo ocidental, sendo co-fundador da Câmara Florentina (Florentine Camerata); este era um grupo que se reunia em casa do Conde Giovanni de' Bardi, e que se dedicava a descobrir a glória, supostamente perdida, da música dramática grega. Com um conjunto de intelectuais e de talentosos, a Câmara desenvolveu o conceito de monodia – uma linha vocal solo emocionante e afectiva, acompanhada por acordes relativamente simples de um ou mais instrumentos – que era um revolucionário afastamento da prática Polifónica na Renascença.

Nas duas últimas décadas do século XVI, Caccini continuou as suas actividadees como cantor, professor e compositor. Como professor era subestimado uma vez que utilizava um novo método. Foi ele que ensinou o castrado Giovanni Gualberto Magli, que desempenharia o papel de Orfeu na ópera homónima de Cláudio Monteverdi.

Caccini fez uma última viagem a Roma, em 1592, como secretário do Conde Bardi, onde, de acordo com os seus próprios escritos, a sua música e o seu canto encontraram uma resposta entusiástica.
Contudo, em Roma, a Casa de Palestrina e a Escola Romana era musicalmente conservadores e a música de Caccini era ralativamente rara até finais de 1600.

Como pessoa, Caccini, não parece ter sido muito honroso, ele era frequentemente motivado pela inveja e pelo ciúme. Uma vez, ele denunciou o Grande Duque Francesco de um escândalo na família dos Medici: Eleonora, esposa de Pietro de' Medici estava a ter relações ilícitas com Bernardino Antinori, e o facto de ter Caccini o ter informado levou a que Eleonora assassinasse Pietro. A sua rivalidade com Emilio de' Cavalieri e Jacopo Peri parece ter sido muito intensa: ele possivelmente retirou Cavalieri do seu posto de director das festividades para o casamento de Henrique IV de França e Maria de Médici em 1600, este facto fez com que Cavalieri saísse de Florença em fúria. E ele também apressou a impressão da sua ópera Euridice para que esta fosse terminada antes da ópera de Peri que tratava do mesmo assunto, enquanto simultaneamente ordenava ao seu grupo de cantores para não trabalharem nas produções de Peri.

Depois de 1605 influenciou pouco a Música, no entanto, continuou a compor e a fazer actuações de música sacra antífona. Morreu em Florença e está sepultado na Igreja de Santa Annunziata

Música e influências
Florença e Veneza eram dois dos mais progressistas centros musicais na Europa até aos finais do séc. XVI, e a combinação das inovações musicais com o cada lugar, resultou com o desenvolvimento daquilo que seria conhecido como o estilo Barroco. As realizações de Caccini eram para criar um tipo de expressão directa da música, sendo mais fácil perceber aquilo que o cantor dizia, tornando-se assim um estilo de ópera recitativa, que influenciou inúmeros outros estilos textuais elementares da Música Barroca.

Le nuove musiche
A música de Caccini que mais influenciou compositores posteriores foi a colecção de monodias e canções para voz solo e baixo contínuo, publicada em 1602, intitulada de Le nuove musiche. A introdução a este volume é provavelmente a mais clara descrição de motivo e mais correcta apresentação de monodia do seu tempo.

Inclui exemplos de ornamentos – por exemplo, como uma especifica passagem pode ser ornamentada de formas diferentes maneiras, tendo em conta a emoção que o cantor quer transmitir. Caccini expressou-se descontente com a ornamentação usada pelos cantores e compositores do seu tempo.

Óperas
Caccini compôs três óperas – Euridice (1600), Il rapimento di Cefalo (1600) e Euridice (1602), no entanto, a primeira continha música que não era da sua autoria (eram principalmente de Peri). Adicionou ainda a música para um intermédio (Io che dal ciel cader farei la luna) em 1589; e mais duas colecções de canções e madrigais, também intituladas de Le nuove musiche, em 1602 e 1614.

Não restou nenhuma música para múltiplas vozes, no entanto, registos da época indicam que Caccini esteve envolvido com música policoral (antífona) por volta de 1610. Caccini foi predominantemente um compositor de canções para voz solo e com essa capacidade adquiriu muita fama.
O mais famoso dos seus madrigais é "Amarilli, mia bella".

Compositores da Itália
Compositores clássicos
Instrumentistas da Itália
Tenores da Itália
Compositores de ópera de Itália

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


As leader of a sector that relies predominantly on a volunteer base to save lives, Water Safety New Zealand (WSNZ) during National Volunteer Week is acknowledging the great contribution they make to our society.
"By nature, Kiwis like to give of their time to help others. The water safety sector is certainly no exception," says Chief Executive Jonty Mills. "Over half a million Kiwis volunteer in some way shape or form within our sector".
Unfortunately, New Zealand also holds the unenviable position of having one of the highest preventable drowning tolls in the developed world.
"This is a sector that relies predominantly on a volunteer base. Without them, the drowning toll in this country would unquestionably be catastrophic" says Mills.
Most drowning deaths in New Zealand are preventable* and organisations such as Surf Life Saving NZ and Coastguard NZ, as well as many smaller ones rely on volunteers to keep people safe in our waters.
"First and foremost a preventable drowning is a tragedy for a family and a community" says Mills.
Volunteering is a free public service. The social and economic cost of drowning deaths alone to New Zealand is estimated at over $400 million dollars per annum.
Jonty Mills says WSNZ stands beside all volunteers across all sectors. "Our country and our communities simply wouldn't function without them".
"We understand first-hand their value, the passion they bring and the massive contribution they make across New Zealand. That's why we should unite and acknowledge all volunteers this week".
*Preventable drowning fatalities are those where water safety sector intervention could have had an influence (for example where the victim was boating, swimming, diving).
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