Clint is back from China, where the weather was hot and the Olympics impressive. I will be in Sydney for two weeks from 6 Sept. During this time contact the office as usual via 04 3879807 or support@fastbase.co.nz. If you need to contact me directly, use +61 401 650067 or rb@fastbase.co.nz however for urgent queries contacting the office is best.
When you enter a line item for a Sales Order, Quote or Invoice, if you press F2 in the Sell Price field you get the Price History for the customer and the part. You can select a price from there (for the line item you're entering). By default Fastbase looks at sales for the last 12 months only. We've added a setup option so you can change this, eg. look at all sales in the last 24 or 36 months. If you're interested in this give us a call and we'll set it up for you.
Fastbase shows recent transactions for the supplier. You can print these using the Print button. Previously the information in the Narration column was not appearing in the report, we've fixed this.
For our customers who use Customer Returns in Fastbase - we've added a new Return Reminder menu option (Processing - Customer Return Reminders). This allows you to send reminder emails to customers with active Returns. You select the returns by Return Date and by selecting customers from a "Customer Selections" screen, listing each customer with active Returns, ie. returns that haven't been either Cancelled or Approved. Fastbase sends an email to each selected customer - a reminder they have not sent in their completed return form. The return form is attached to the email as a PDF document.
If you're not familiar with Customer Returns in Fastbase, they're basically a proforma credit note, authorising your customer to return the goods for credit - until an specified expiry date. See previous newsletters for more details.


maize grinder, corn flour mill machine, · maize grinder, corn flour mill machine, small corn grinding wheat, chill, sogrhum and kinds of beans can also be processed.. maizemiller/maize.
waldrichsiegen for tailor made heavy duty waldrichsiegen is the world's leading supplier of heavy duty machine tools in the field of milling, turning, grinding, texturing and boring.
up express gets you from toronto's pearson international airport to downtown union station in a reliable 25 minutes.


text:
Home Real Estate Celeb photographer Waring Abbott lists upstate pad for $5.5M
Celeb photographer Waring Abbott lists upstate pad for $5.5M
Celebrity photographer Waring Abbott and his wife, neuroscientist Sara Denning, are listing their Orange County residence for $5.5 million.
The cozy, light-filled home — at 15 Cox Drive in Monroe, NY — sits on 38 wooded acres with scenic views, trails, creeks and ponds.
The main house is more than 6,000 square feet with a library, a music room and a home office with a private entrance.
It features lots of windows and glass doors on the main floor, as well as an open kitchen overlooking a koi pond.
There's also a barn that serves as an art studio space and an additional workshop.
Waring has had a celebrated career, photographing everyone from Bob Dylan and the Rolling Stones to Yo-Yo Ma, Oprah Winfrey, Kurt Vonnegut and Richard Nixon.
The Monroe home sits on 38 wooded acres.
Daniel Milstein Photography
One of two bedrooms.
The main home is more than 6,000 square feet in size.
The property has a music room.
He's also known for his photos of KISS — as well as Michael Jackson, ABBA, Debbie Harry, Patti Smith and Divine with John Waters.
That said, one wing of the home is where Abbott keeps his 30-year-plus archive of photographs, along with a studio for his staff who work on current projects.
After buying the property in 1999, the couple then spent $1.8 million developing it, building a road, a bridge, a well, the house and the barn.
The open kitchen overlooks a koi pond.
Enjoy a soak in one of the dwelling's 2½ bathrooms.
The library area.
Now that they've fulfilled that dream, they are building something new on 68 acres west of the property.
"My wife and I are ready to buy a fresh parcel of land and design a new house. Our creative minds need change and 68 acres on a hilltop is the new inspiration," he said.
The listing brokers are Douglas Elliman's Nancy Strong and Jeffrey Hoffmann.
Previous articleKing Charles: Inside the 'functional' royal train designed with 'outdated furnishings' | Travel News | Travel
Next articleMartin Shkreli faces FTC contempt demand in drug case
EU parliament lifts protective immunity of two MPs linked to 'Qatargate'...
North Korea says US drills push tensions to 'extreme red line'...
The Morning After: Everything Samsung revealed at its Unpacked event

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Vilona: Navarre Raiders reverse a tenuous first half in a pivotal sequence that leads into satisfying win at Catholic.
For nearly two quarters against Pensacola Catholic on Friday night, all of Navarre's opening-game fears came to life.
Penalties. Struggling running game. Catholic's determination.
Tied 7-7 in the second quarter, Navarre lost a fumble ... then recovered a fumble on the same play. Then, they drove 78 yards in nine plays to score with 25 seconds left before halftime for a 14-7 lead — part of 28 straight unanswered points on the way to a 35-7 win for the Raiders before a packed crowd at Gorecki-LeBeau Stadium.
"Our guys, we always tell 'em no matter what, the first half doesn't matter," said Navarre coach Jay Walls. "We have to go out play. We knew we had to play. because (Catholic) has athletes. I'm proud of the effort in the second half. That is showing a little bit of confidence and consistency."
Catholic had its own moments as well. Freshman tailback Waymond Jordan dazzled on an 89-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter to tie the game. He some other runs as well.
Quarterback Colin Whibbs made some throws and scrambles under severe duress.
"I am proud of our kids," said Catholic's second-year head coach Matt Adams, who played for the Crusaders and then worked as assistant coach for his alma mater. "They came out and competed all night.
"A couple big plays really swung it, but well get back to work and be ready the next week."
The biggest sequence of plays helped just seconds apart.
With less than three minutes left before halftime, Navarre's Josh Carter had the ball stripped loose around the Raiders 35..
Catholic's sideline and stands were screaming in unison. The recovery was heading the other way.
But several yards into the return, a Navarre defender punched the ball loose and the Raiders got the ball back at the 22.
Nine plays later, Quinn Caballero turned a sideline route into a 33 yard touchdown pass from quarterback Marlon Courtney with 25 seconds left before halftime.
That sequence ignited a second half that Navarre controlled.
"I think it was huge," Walls said. "Anything could have happened. Those kids for Catholic are definitely believing in what they are doing and I believe they will be successful."
The Raiders will host Booker T. Washington next Friday. Walls pointed out Washington led Navarre at halftime last year. Catholic travels to Gulf Breeze.
For Navarre, the biggest blemish Friday was too many major penalties. The Raiders had four holding calls in the first half, several personal fouls in the seconds half.
"The penalties killed us," Walls said. "Some aggressive penalties by our defense and we have to take a look at the film. But we have to keep playing, we can't worry about it."
Navarre has a bulk of its returning starters back on defense. The Raiders have Dante Wright. They have Josh Carter, a two-time PNJ All-Area pick and the 2016 PNJ Defensive Player of the Year. They have several capable runners and receivers and two quarterbacks played Friday.
"It is important to have success early (in first game), it really is," Walls said. "Your kids work really hard (in summer) and they have some success and they hopefully start believing.
"We'll enjoy this for about 24 hours."


text:
HRCP reiterates demand for criminalising state torture
By Our Staff Reporter 2022-06-26
LA HOR E: On the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) reiterates its demand that the state should criminalise torture, which is obligatory after the country`s ratification of the Convention Against Torture in 2010.
In press release on Saturday, the commission says that neither a state of war, nor political instability, nor an order from a superior authority, justifies torture which hurts the very foundation of the rule of law.
While the Senate had passed the Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention and Punishment) Bill in 2021, the HRCP regrets the fact that the bill has yet to be passed by the National Assembly.
It says that such a marked delay in turning this bill into an act of legislation only sets us back further, since the bill not only provides a comprehensive definition of torture, that is lacking in the Pakistan Penal Code, but also empowers the National Commission for HumanRights to investigate such cases.
HRCP urges that the petition against internment centres, pending since 2019, be heard by the Supreme Court on a priority basis, and that such legal systems that condones torture be dismantled and transformed.
It observes that the allegations of custodial 1(illings and torture in detention centres, police lockups and prisons abound;yetunfortunately,mostinstances of torture remain invisible. Torture is not only under reported but also difficult to prove in medical reports as has been noted in various credible studies carried out on the subject, resulting in complete impunity for torture, the commission believes.
HRCP says the torture diminishes the victims, the system that allows it and ultimately the state itself.
HRCP stands with the victims of torture and demands that the state provide reparations to them and hold the perpetrators strictly accountable to end this culture of torture and renew the trust between law enforcement agencies and citizens, the press release says.


We add glucosamine and chondroitin to help aid bone and joint support, prebiotics to try to establish a healthy digestion and L-Carnitine, a natural substance which can help move and limit storage of fat. This is our lowest fat recipe, so ideal for hounds trying to lose the pounds!
We make this recipe using only freshly prepared, British lamb, with carefully chosen fruits and vegetables, and our unique blend of botanical herbs. This recipe is also a good source of all the essential vitamins and minerals your dog needs in their daily diet.
Herbs & botanicals: Alfalfa, Rosehips, Chickweed, Cleavers, Golden Rod, Nettles, Kelp, Celery Seeds, Milk Thistle, Dandelion Root, Burdock Root, Marigold Petals, Chicory Root.


Marijuana infused products, commonly referred to as 'edibles', provide another option to patients who cannot, or choose not to smoke their cannabis. Edibles come in many different varieties, including tinctures (alcohol and glycerin based extractions), cooking oils, premade desserts, drinks, snack foods, candies, and even chewing gum.
Below we outline the differences between psychoactive snacks and the more familiar inhaled forms of cannabis.
As touched on previously, even packaged edibles found at medical marijuana dispensariesscrew the pooch every once in a while with products that don't exactly match the expected dose. Keep in mind that your go-to distributor may have a batch that varies from the last one you tried, so if you think, "The last time I tried this, it was fairly weak, so this time I'll eat twice as much!", you may find out the hard way that this latest batch is a lot stronger than what you expect. Legal cannabis systems are moving toward stricter regulations for edible testing and THC content, but if you're living in a state without these guidelines in place, be sure to ease into your edible expedition slowly and cautiously until regulations and testing pave the way for consistency and accurate labeling.
Edible recipes don't always have to consist of the the stereotypical "pot" brownie or a sugary sweat treet; nowadays, you can transform most dishes into a cannabis-infused concoction. Try some cannabis cannabis-infused granola or quinoa salad, or make your own cannabis butterand douse your kale chips with it if that's what you're into. We don't care, as long as you stay cautious and responsible and remember our parent-y voice in your head when it comes time for feasting.


Due to soil conditions in Saratoga and Albany Counties, Subterranean Termites have a heavy presence in these areas. Family Pest Solutions recognizes this problem, and has developed a process to help identify, explain, and create pest control solutions in terms of termites.
Give us a call, and we will perform a detailed inspection of your home, give you a report on our findings, and offer what we recommend the best route to go is in terms of termite extermination.
A termite's life cycle begins as an egg, and moves on to become a larva. After being a larva, termites move into the nymph life stage, after which they are then divided into the three different castes of termite life (reproductive, worker, or soldier).
If a Subterranean Termite becomes a soldier or worker, it is complete with its life cycle up until the point that it dies (usually around one to two years, excluding queens that live up to 25 years).
Continuing, a reproductive termite can turn into an alate, making its way to either become a king or queen and create their own termite colony.
WHAT DOES A SUBTERRANEAN TERMITE LOOK LIKE?
A termite's body is equipped with six legs, boasting large heads holding straight antennas, with little distinction between traditional insect body segments. They can be colored white to yellowish, and some may have wings on them.
DO I HAVE TERMITES IN MY ALBANY HOME?
Termites are very dangerous for your home, so the sooner you recognize the signs of an infestation, the better. We always recommend calling Family Pest Solutions to do an inspection in order to make a professional diagnosis on your home in regard to a Subterranean Termite problem.
Patterns on flooring, walls, or furniture that are a result of termites burrowing.
HOW CAN I PREVENT SUBTERRANEAN TERMITES FROM INVADING MY HOME?
If you do not yet have a termite infestation, congratulations! We recommend that even those without an infestation get yearly inspections done by Family Pest Solutions. This will help keep your home safe, and take a proactive approach to the prevention or early extermination of a potential termite problem in your Albany, NY home.
Family Pest Solutions can professionally execute a detailed inspection, reports on our findings, and recommendations on what route to take moving forward. We use a termite extermination service utilizing a termite baiting system and borate treatment within targeted areas.
If you'd like a free inspection for your home, please use the form on our website to request one. You can also call us with any questions or concerns you may have.


One of the problems which faces the aspiring witch or magician is an increased sensitivity to and awareness of the "unseen" forces of the world. Usually this sensitivity is a delight, but occasionally it becomes a nightmare - in the most literal sense of the word. In particular, this article deals with what spiritualists and shamans would refer to as spirit obsession - a cluster of "symptoms" that differ from possession, but that still can destroy the integrity of the victims <AND ALSO> gives some background information on obsession, and then outlines a few "generic" techniques that will benefit those subject to this form of "psychic harassment."
Obsession occurs in every nation and subculture, and as a result every magical subculture has had it's own way of defining and dealing with the phenomena involved. Modern medicine, with the exception of Jungian and "New Age" psychiatry/psychology, tends to dismiss obsession as either hysteria or budding schizophrenia. The major religions, for the most part, now agree with this evaluation. Of course, the "New Right" fundamentalists are likely to see a demon in every corner Either of these approaches tends to disempower the afflicted person by destroying her/his trust in his own inner processes and making him dependent on the "expert" who will control the attempt to cure him/her. Spiritualists will warn you against psychic attack or unprotected dealings with the Dead. Work <?> will tell you that the problem is either openness to astral influences or rebellion within the psyche <OR "ALL OF THE ABOVE">. There is more to being human than the conscious mind, and unintegrated and unrecognized "complexes" within the psyche will sometimes have separate agendas that can lead to "attack from within" if those needs are continually ignored. My own tendency <PERHAPS "BIAS" OR "APPROACH" IS A BETTER WORD> is philosophically Jungian-to-agnostic, but practically Shamanic. I tend to view such "entities" as psychological. However, the techniques I use are more effective if the problem is "projected" outward and treated as if it were the result of attack by a sentient being. Even if obsessions are caused by "complexes", a truly well established complex takes on enough "life" to be regarded as a "secondary personality" demanding of respect. If someone is having to live with obsession, chances are that the person is more interested in resolving the problem than debating metaphysics. The methodology outlined below is designed to work, whether you agree with the philosophy behind it or not. These techniques are "homeopathic" in nature, contrived with the idea of strengthening the victim's "psychic immune system" to the point where s/he no longer can be victimized. Without this increase in inner power, the person can be temporarily freed from the obsession, but remains vulnerable to "evil influence" in the future.
Checking a person's personal history, one will usually find that obsessions begin during periods where stress, negative emotions, or injury have impaired that person's natural self-protective abilities. Or where the person has been unprepared or confused and has intentionally or unintentionally "dropped his/her guard" around someone already disturbed. Or where the person has been abused and degraded since early childhood and is consequently continually open to negative influences <LAST THREE SENTENCES NEED TO BE "SMOOTHER">. In psychological terminology, old "complexes" are cathected during periods when the ego is foundered in depression, weakening the "auric shield" that normally will protect against "outside influences," as well as the physical body. This auric shield can also be "pierced" during "psychic attacks," leaving a "hole" through which invading astral-organisms can pass freely. In the same way, "evil spirits" are contagious. Emotional, sexual, or magical intimacy with someone already obsessed can allow the entity to pass over to oneself. And an extreme period of rage or vengefulness can attract like to like, bringing one to the attention of "vengeful creatures" in the "lower astral."
Among the most common symptoms of obsession is a brooding fixation upon some negative thought or act. The obsessed person being unable to "turn off" the voice that urges her/him on to self-destructive or vindictive acts. The idea that one is the Messiah or the rightful ruler of the universe, or too low to continue to live may repeatedly intrude upon consciousness. To consider much addictive behavior to be the result of obsession by "earth-bound spirits" or elementals<???>. No longer having physical bodies, the "astral low-lives" push susceptible living humans into overindulging in whatever the discarnate entity still craves. In other cases, the symptoms take other forms. Sleep can be disrupted by repeated nightmares or night terrors. The individual may awaken with no memory of the contents of the dream, but over time will develop insomnia or a fear of sleep. Especially in children, the shadows of night can resolve themselves into terrifying images, and there can be an overwhelming sense of being constantly watched. Visual "hallucinations" may force themselves onto the physical plane or may manifest themselves solely upon the "mind's eye." At times the obsession can be relatively benign. Budding magicians can "pick up hitchhikers" during their initial workings, and these "creatures" may well content themselves with acting as Guardians of its cases the "entities" will only "act out" when the magician re-enters trance or attempts to work on the astral levels<PATCH IT UP>. People who work with divinatory techniques without proper training and grounding are especially vulnerable, with the Ouija board being the worst offender. This is one reason that the traditional religions, which do not want the general populace trained in magical techniques, urge people away from divinatory practices. Obsessions that strike those not trained to magick are usually not so courteous. In the more entrenched cases, physical symptoms other than insomnia can manifest. Especially when one is very tired or ill, the obsession attempt can escalate and begin to unbalance the homeostatic mechanisms of the body. Constipation, sinusitis and migraine headaches are the more usual manifestations, along with extreme pallor, edema, and mental confusion and memory loss. Poltergeist activity is also sometimes reported. The obsessing entity can also color the impressions of others. One can suddenly find oneself being accused of unsavory attitudes or persistently misunderstood. At the same time, truly unsavory characters will be attracted to the new image and will begin to pop up out of the woodwork.
There are many things that one can do if one suspects that obsession has occurred. One can treat it as a demon and turn to spiritual authority for help. One can treat it as mental illness and turn to psychiatric explanations. One can ignore it as much as possible, or begin to avoid the activities that call it forth. One can also "raise one's energies" using self-help techniques such as those outlined in following paragraphs. Any one of the above reactions cripples one as a magician, however. From a ceremonial viewpoint, one must pass the "Guardian on the Threshold" before one can pass on to the next level of development. From a Jungian standpoint, one must develop rapport with and "reintegrate" the rejected portion; from a Shamanic standpoint, one must "turn" the entity and either dismiss it or convert it into a spirit helper<?>.
Step one, using the magical approach, is to become acquainted with the "entity" and engage it in dialogue. In some instances the entity will turn out to be malevolent, in other's only "immature" or confused and angry at being ignored. Before engaging in this activity, one is advised to ground and center, and to shield in whatever manner one's tradition suggests. One is also advised to begin/continue in whatever other spiritually protective exercises one has faith in. If there is someone available to work with the afflicted person, have that helper prepare a list of non-leading(Not "are you a demon?," but "what are you?") questions. Then drop into light trance and Then let the other person ask the questions while the victim answers with the first thing that pops into his/her head. In effect, s/he will be voluntarily "channeling" for the entity's unconscious and perhaps "denied" (officially) circumstances. If there is no other person, then the victim must do whatever form of divination or trance work he/she have developed to contact his/her subconscious. Those with vivid imaginations can simply find a quiet moment and ask "are you there?," personifying the "entity" in the same way that children create imaginary friends. Afterwards, no matter what the technique used, the obsessed person is to be certain that his/her aura is closed and that s/he is grounded and centered. AFTER "CONTACT" At this point s/he may have failed to make contact. In which case there is nothing to him/her to do but repeat the exercise until either it works or s/he is sure it isn't going to work. If real contact does not occur, then s/he might attempt to simply banish "it". It is possible that the entity will not answer directly, but will begin to up<INCREASE> its activity level or bring a string of unusual circumstances into the obsessed person's life.
It is more likely, however, the<Y> have begun a dialogue. Sometimes "complexes" are immature parts of our own personalities that will calm down and begin to behave themselves once "they" no longer feel that they are being ignored. If the obsessing image is that of an animal, or even an ugly humanoid being, then it may simply be time to intensify one's spiritual quest and face down one's power animal or dark side. Frequently, these allies will attempt to come to the aid of someone undergoing psychic attack, and because of the general atmosphere of fear, will be perceived as threats and turned away themselves. Eventually, in either case the "entity" can either be "reintegrated" into the personality, or "kept" as a spirit-helper by those with shamanic leanings. If one is ALSO under psychic attack, the ally will probably help in the defense once asked and properly recognized.
Not everyone is a magician and not everyone wishes to open the "can of worms" of the subconscious. The following activities are very useful in "uprooting" spiritual obsession by increasing "light". In cases of "mild" obsession only a few of these measures, or a simple ritual of dismissal, will be sufficient to be rid of the problem. In more entrenched cases, these techniques should be continued for the healing period, accompanied by Inner Work, depth psychology, or other techniques that promote self-understanding. Those suffering from physical symptoms should also work to strengthen their immune system and improve their diet and lifestyle. If possible, the severely afflicted individual should have a counselor, teacher, or trusted friend monitor his/her progress "just in case."
For a period of three months, the obsessed should "cleanse" him/herself daily in whatever manner her/his spiritual tradition decrees. Grounding and centering are excellent techniques, as is renewing oneself through visualizing the aura as strong and untainted. One can draw pictures of oneself expelling all darkness or meditate on the same image. Prayer is useful, as is catching oneself thinking the old negative thoughts and declaring that one has "taken that out of the Law" or "averted" the consequences. If the afflicted has friends who engage in spiritual pursuits, send him/her mental support and positive energy. The individual is also advised to spend time in sacred places where evil is barred from entering, and to refrain from the company of persons s/he knows are bad for her/him. If already attuned to ritual work, the victim can "cleanse" his/her home or have it cleansed by someone trusted. Those who have faith in Holy Water should sprinkle and apply it liberally. Afterwards, if the obsessed is truly serious about being rid of a persistent fixation, s/he can burn white candles constantly while awake and at home. This will act as a symbol of the "light" one wishes to draw into one's life. The most seriously affected are advised to surround their beds with a protective circle and never to sleep in a darkened room. Other religious/protective symbols can be placed in sight and called upon, and protective incenses such as sandalwood may be burned. The important thing is to keep one's spiritual goal constantly in mind and the "entity<?> one's determination to improve. This may seem like a great deal of effort, but the effect will be to "open" the individual to positive influences, even if s/he doesn't believe in "demons". The individual will be "raising his/her energy" level to the point where something "dark" cannot even bear to approach her/him, and keeping the energy "high" for a long enough period that "it" will become "discouraged" and fade from sight. At the end of the three months, the "entity" should either be weakened severely from being "starved" or should be gone. If it is gone, then a ritually adept person can do a rededication wherein the formerly obsessed is declared sealed against recurrences. If the problem still exists, then the cause may actually be mental illness brought on by a brain imbalance or early trauma. In any case, entrenchment of that degree of severity is beyond the scope of any self-help article to deal with. In every case the author has seen or dealt with however, vast improvement over the three month period<?>.


The Spa zone of The Duke Hotel is a perfect choice for you to recover your strength and the sap of life after a day rich in events. We adhere to the concept of Spa, which means 'Sanitas per aquam' in Latin, to the full extent, so this is the right place to get immersed into the atmosphere of harmony and serenity.
The guests of The Duke Hotel look ahead to a swimming pool of 35 sq. m and a sitting area. As to fans of the bathing practices, The Duke Hotel offers them a sauna and a hamam in its Spa complex. Such bathing practices will relax your mind and improve your blood circulation de-stressing you and having a wholesome effect on your nervous system.
Spa massages with fragrance oils will complement the feeling of relaxation and inner harmony.
You will enjoy not only relaxation, but also a wholesome effect. A procedure with the use of oils will enrich your skin with vitamins and minerals, tone it up and add elasticity.
And the better way to end these pleasant procedures is to make yourself comfortable in the sitting area with a cup of aromatic coffee or tea.
For our guests who get used to go in for sports, the Spa centre is equipped with the Matrix cardio-vascular machines. The guests can have a drill here to keep a good physical form and tone up their muscles. Whereafter, we would recommend them to visit a sauna or a hamam. That will comfort your muscles and let them relax.
The Spa centre has also a vertical tanning bed 'Sunvision' that will give your skin a beautiful warm glow of the southern suntan.
In order to get a smooth tan, it is recommended to clean the skin removing any cosmetics, deodorants, and creams..
A regular visiting of the solarium imparts a positive mindset and tones up the skin.
Once you visit our Spa centre and immerse yourself into the atmosphere of harmony and relaxation, you will have a good rest for mind and body.
You can book a seat and get more detailed information about any additional services provided by the Spa centre at the reception desk of our Hotel or at phone: 048 705 36 36.


2018 was the year of mini breaks: trips lasting one to three days. Low on budget and time, I found myself having to choose between no trips and micro trips. For somebody who finds 2-week trips short, I surprisingly enjoyed these bite-sized escapades. Throw in the fact that all these trips were very last minute, and improvised on the go, and it rings true that travel does teach you a lot about yourself; I never imagined travelling in a "chaotic" manner, and yet I did.
2019 is luring me with a lot of promises. I'm ready to move on from my brief romance with brief trips, but nonetheless, happy at having learnt about new ways to keep my travel spark burning.
This old favourite never disappoints, easily leaving me refreshed in just a few hours. I didn't even have to wait until I reached Kabini for the excitement to set in…just packing my jungle clothes for the trip melted those blues like nothing else. Add in some safaris with knowledgeable naturalists, the tranquillity of the forest, and a quick digital detox, and I returned ready to dive back into routine.
On my wish-list for over a decade. Finally, plans fall into place. A cyclone threat looms large. My car breaks down. I almost return home. Decide to go ahead without my car. The cyclone passes, but not before giving Tranquebar a good wash. I traipse around town with my umbrella, in the rain. Enough said.
It's hard to believe that I had a great time in spite of all this, but that's the charm of Tranquebar.
Visiting home in December—the season that's as cold as Mumbai can ever get—I capitalised on the good weather to go on rambles and guided walks in South Bombay, or "town", as we call it. Of course, taking the hubby to discover more Irani Cafes was on the menu, as was the hunt for the best Undhiyu, a Gujarati winter speciality that's my favourite. We ended up deviating for some butter chicken along the way, but the fragrance of Undhiyu finally led us to culinary heaven.
A reluctant visit to attend a family function turned into the perfect way to sign off 2018. I am slowly discovering fun and exciting facets of Chennai, and a guided walk around traditional Mylapore kick-started my first staycation. Shocking relatives by checking into a hotel instead of staying with them was just the beginning of an exciting weekend. After a room upgrade in a heritage hotel, some truly fabulous food, attentive and personalised service, and lots of 'nothing time', I understood why staycations have been gaining popularity.
Collaborations are always exciting! Which is why, an offer to create and conduct a travel writing workshop for WEVID, whose workshops aim at addressing the evolving demands of the design industry, was too tempting to pass up.
The widespread popularity of travel has created an enormous platform for swapping stories. Images and words are powerful tools to share your travel experiences with family and friends. The sheer number of travel blogs has also meant that stories get easily lost in the crowd. This workshop offers an introduction to travel writing to those who want their storytelling to stand out, and will help participants write well-crafted and engaging stories that go beyond being just another trip report or blog post. In the age of Instagram and hashtags, long-form writing that sustains interest is challenging. This program aims to fill that gap.
2017 brought me my leanest travel year since I began active travelling ten years ago! Work and family commitments took centre-stage, leaving me rooted to home. I did miss the sense of excitement and discovery that travel brings, and I often found myself browsing through old trips' photos for some armchair travel and nostalgia.
The road-trip to northern Karnataka in Jan 2017 was special, because I have finally seen all the distinct regions of Karnataka, where I have been living for almost 14 years now. Karnataka's diversity in landscapes, wildlife, culture, art, architecture, and food have given me many fond memories and enriching experiences over the years.
Though I have no travel planned for 2018, I am optimistically looking forward to the year!
This region had been on my wish-list for a long time, as it promised to be different from Karnataka's other zones. North Karnataka's close proximity to Maharashtra and erstwhile Andhra Pradesh has led to its unique culture, food, language and clothing. The region is also filled to the brim with a rich architectural heritage of diverse styles. The 10 days we spent in Bidar-Bijapur-Badami-Pattadakal-Aihole left me craving for more; so did the mouthwatering local food at khanavalis, traditional eateries in the region.
A serendipitous addition to our itinerary, Hyderabad fell into place because we decided to access Bidar - the starting point of our North Karnataka road trip - via Hyderabad, as that seemed to be the best route. Although a short break, we were able to enjoy a fair slice of the city's culinary treasures. I have visited Hyderabad before, and am vaguely familiar with its tourist attractions, which we decided to skip this time. With my cousin (who lives in the city) in tow, we spent a couple of days feasting on Hyderabad's well-known as well as little-known culinary delights ranging from the very fiery to extremely sweet. And of course, copious cups of Suleimani chai and an assortment of breads and biscuits.
Irani chai & an assortment of biscuits at Nimrah Cafe, by the Charminar.
An unedited version of my story published in the Nov-Dec 2017 edition of asiaSpa India.
I should have been distressed, but I wasn't. I should have moped, but I didn't. I continued sipping my hot chocolate as though nothing had happened, staring expectantly through the foggy window for signs of that magical swoosh of green, the Aurora Borealis. Worried about my lack of reaction to the news, my husband proceeded to console me by saying that he was hopeful about the storm not setting in the next day. I cheerfully told him that we should turn back as advised, halfway into our road-trip around Iceland - the trip I had meticulously planned, the trip that was all I could talk and dream about since six months, the trip that was so expensive that I felt pangs of guilt in spite of having painstakingly saved up for it.
That night, we were the only guests at a cosy wooden inn at Breiddalsvik, a small fishing town in Iceland's craggy East Fjords. For that matter, in the week we had spent driving from Reykjavik - Iceland's capital - to Breiddalsvik, we had been the only guests everywhere. I am not exaggerating for effect – we were literally the only two people on the road at most times, barring at Reykjavik, home to almost half of Iceland's minuscule population. In October, at the onset of winter, the weather in Iceland is at its most tempestuous. So when the locals at Breiddalsvik told us that a 'don't travel for a few days' warning had just been issued because of a storm brewing all along our route, we knew it was prudent to turn back. That was a huge blow, but why wasn't I upset? The answer surprised me.
Shorn of creature comforts like luxury accommodation, local cuisine (being a vegetarian limited me) and 'branded' shopping, which sometimes tend to define a travel experience, Iceland had helped me discover what was important to me. I learnt to live in the moment, without a plan - quite a challenge for someone who likes to be on top of things. My definition of well-being changed; I realised that feeling alive and happy could result from just a consciousness of the world, my surroundings, and its wonders, including undesirable ones like the impending storm.
A week ago, a day after I arrived in Iceland, the Snaefellsnes Peninsula welcomed me with howling wind that rattled our parked SUV like a cradle. Overcome by fear, I sat clutching the car door until my knuckles hurt. Our guide had already descended to the bottom of the hillock, and gesticulated wildly, beckoning me to join him. Mustering up all my courage, I stepped out into the 25 mps (90 kmph) wind, the warning for which blinked on the digital display by the roadside, and had prompted us to stop driving until it subsided. I quickly wobbled down the slope. There, sheltered from the wind by the rocky drop, I gaped at the deceptively tranquil sight before me: Kirkjufell, with its small cascading waterfalls.
The hill Kirkjufell, with the waterfall Kirkjufellsfoss in the foreground.
As the adrenaline coursing through me slowly mellowed, and my heart ceased to thump wildly, I wondered whether the threat of danger made one feel alive. The epiphany came yet another day, when I walked the slippery slopes of a glacier, with crampons strapped on, every step calculated and purposeful, avoiding crevasses and thin ice. In spite of the intense concentration, my mind registered both the sheer expanse of the glacier as well as the delicacy of the lace-like patterns on patches of frozen ice. Yes, the threat of danger had indeed made me pay closer attention to my every movement, and details of the landscape, which may have otherwise gone unnoticed.
The summit of the glacier Svinafellsjokull.
Iceland took me out of my comfort zone, challenged me to rely on cues given by nature, and reinforced my belief in goodness. A fairly egalitarian society; the refusal to have an army; the rental company asking me to leave my car with its doors unlocked and the keys inside so that they could pick it up; museums refusing to charge us for our second visit because they said they noticed how much time we spent appreciating each exhibit - through large doses of pragmatism and visual poetry, Iceland reassured me that a lot is well with the world.
Bobbing in the hypnotic blue water of the Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa, images from the road-trip flashed before my eyes. Geysers, bubbling soil, volcanoes, lava fields, craters, glaciers, icebergs, auroras, and fjords - phenomena that had merely been words, were now memories. To be in the lagoon's warm water while the land around was in winter's grip was a surreal experience. Slathering some mineral-rich mud on my face, I floated to the bar for a drink, happy that driving back had given us more time to spend at the same places, as well as a chance to meet those who had waved us goodbye days earlier. Our promise of returning another day had come true, albeit sooner than expected.
The Aurora Borealis (northern lights) over Reykjavik. The blue 'Imagine Peace' light, conceptualised by John Lennon's wife Yoko Ono, is lit every night from his birthday in October until the day he was shot in December.
We were hunched over next to the kitchen building, unmindful of the water dripping over our heads from a water tank which had just overflown, peering in amazement at the gigantic reddish growth in the ground. Was it a flower? A fruit? A vegetable, perhaps? It looked not unlike a cabbage. We had no immediate answers, and the staff said that nothing like this had ever sprouted before. Lying prostrate before the wondrous object, I could see beetles and ants move along the sinuous folds of the reddish bulb, and between the cabbage-like leaves at its base, emerging coated with fine, yellow pollen. I soon discovered that I had seen the flower of an Amorphophallus sp. for the first time.
When I decided to visit Sakrebyle, I had no expectations other than that I wanted to get away from the city for some quiet time. There isn't much to 'see' or 'do' in Sakrebyle, and that suited me just fine. A modestly sized campus, this Jungle Lodges' property is a relative newbie, offering cosy log cabins across the road from Sakrebyle's famous Elephant Camp. The smallness of the campus ensures that a holiday here is peaceful, barring the bird-calls that resound from bamboo groves at the edge of the property.
Allowing for backyard birding (literally), the property's bird-bath offers birds some much-sought-after respite from the afternoon sun, while you sit behind a screen and enjoy their antics and birdsong. Even the shy Indian Pitta is said to be a visitor to this bird-bath, as is the Yellow-browed Bulbul, a Western Ghats endemic.
Dark-fronted Babblers, which are endemic to the Western Ghats.
The on-campus flora is home to various butterflies, bees, beetles and other insects, and the resident naturalists are only too happy to take you on a nature walk. Some of these nature trails are longer hikes through the surrounding Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary, weaving though a mix of dense canopies, shrub-land and grasslands. Along one of these trails, I spotted a lifer, a Drongo-cuckoo, and was engrossed in observing it. The sudden trumpet of an elephant from behind us had me scramble away, briskly walking all the way back to the property. While having breakfast soon after, we saw the elephant emerge from the trail, a mahout astride it, and realised that it was a camp elephant.
The aforementioned 'Sakrebyle Elephant Camp' is located across the road from the Jungle Lodges' property, on the banks of the Tunga River. Housing elephants which have been captured or born in captivity, some of them undergoing treatments for injuries, the elephant camp is fairly popular with visitors to the Shimoga region, especially with children. Watching the pachyderms being scrubbed clean in the river, sometimes playfully squirting their mahouts, I was left to deal with mixed emotions. However, understanding that matters cannot be looked at as starkly black or white, I ambled around the small camp, watching visitors interact with the elephants, sometimes apprehensive, but then, reassured by the mahouts, always enjoying the experience.
Having emerged from the river, the elephants were now being oiled to keep them cool, even as their food was being prepared. They are fed in an interesting way – chunks of coconut flesh and jaggery are wrapped into a bundle using hay, which the giants gleefully devour. A few of the youngest elephants were play-fighting and chasing each other, only to be firmly nudged by an adult if they got too boisterous.
With this playful sight as my parting memory, as I turned to leave, a loud trumpet from one of the young elephants made me jump a little. Just as an elephant's trumpet had marked the beginning of my trip to Sakrebyle, this trumpet signalled the end of my short but memorable time in the land of elephants.
I spent all of 2016 wishing I could travel more, and feeling that I hadn't travelled much. Penning these travel memories down has made me realise that I have indeed travelled a fair bit this year, and a few trips had actually just slipped under my radar because they were disguised as 'work' or 'wedding trips' or 'just going home'. I visited many cities and metropolises this year, something I don't do too often, as I seek tranquil places most of the time. 2015's food theme did continue strong this year. I also managed to visit places that had been on my travel wish-list since many years, some literally since my childhood! To top it all, I finally set foot in the northern Himalayas, having only travelled to the eastern Himalayas before. What more can I say? I'm ending 2016 on a cheerful and nostalgic note!
Here's hoping that 2017 brings this beautiful world of ours some much-needed happiness and peace.
A last minute travel plan to a national park which is notorious for being booked out months in advance should logically never work out; fortuitously, it did! Though my late booking meant that my safaris weren't in any of the zones with Ranthambore's famous monuments, or even the Rajbagh Lake, this trip gave me a fair idea of the forest's unique topography. And I did see one of Ranthambore's gorgeous tigresses.
When wildlife tours to Bharatpur were called 'Magical Bharatpur', I dismissed the description as just another tagline. Having visited Bharatpur now, I can vouch for the magic, and can say that 'magical' doesn't do the place enough justice. Beginning each of my three days with foggy rides in cycle-rickshaws at dawn, and ending them with multi-coloured sunsets, there wasn't a dull moment spent at the Keoladeo Ghana National Park. For me, the highlight of the trip was witnessing an out-of-season mating dance by a Sarus Crane pair; the love they expressed for each other was – you guessed it – magical! I also visited nearby Chambal on a day-trip, finally seeing the region's infamous ravines, the Chambal River, toothy Gharials, and the endangered Indian Skimmers.
Jaipur fell into place by accident, when I decided to fly in and out of the city while visiting Ranthambore and Bharatpur. Never one to miss chances like these, I decided to spend a day in Jaipur, for my first taste of the city which had been on my wish-list ever since I was enamoured by a cut-out of the Hawa Mahal as a child. A day is way too short for a holiday, but I thoroughly enjoyed ambling around the old city's vibrant bazaars and monuments, gorging on local delicacies which my host had painstakingly listed for me. And of course, I fell in love with Hawa Mahal all over again.
When a friend announced that her wedding would be in Kolkata, I lost no time in planning an extended trip to the 'City of Joy'. With a little over two days at hand for enjoying the city, I splurged to stay at the Oberoi, in the heart of Kolkata, with all the landmarks just a stone's throw away. The city is immensely easy to negotiate by walking, using the metro, or the classic yellow taxis (my personal favourites), though my friends didn't really share my enthusiasm for these slow and rickety behemoths. We visited some of Kolkata's classic landmarks, enjoyed Park Street's weekend vibe, ate ghoti gorom while walking along the ghats of the Hooghly River, and over-dosed on authentic Bengali mishti, which has spoiled any mishti outside of Bengal for us. Kolkata's street food was a revelation: delicious, available at every corner of the city, and light on the wallet.
I was grumpy during summer, due to my lack of travel plans because of having just recovered from a back injury. A sudden call from my wildlife mentor to travel to Sagar and Shimoga districts in the Malnad region had me bounding out of bed. With promises to my family that I would be extra cautious about my back, I set out on this four-day trip through lush forests and rolling hills, appreciating some lesser-known wildlife areas. The beautiful Jain temple at Nagarabasti, surrounded by verdant vistas, was a find. It drizzled incessantly throughout the trip; however, the famed Jog Falls was bone-dry, much to my dismay!
Home to me, but an intriguing metropolis to my husband, Mumbai (still Bombay to me) was a sudden trip in summer. What lured hubby and sealed the deal was the promise of Alphonso mangoes every day. I used this opportunity to walk around all my favourite hangouts in the city, with weary hubby trudging along in the muggy May heat. Exploring the Fort region to the CBD, Marine Drive to the Gateway of India, Juhu beach to Dadar, I relived my life as a Mumbaikar. Of course, how could food be far behind? Authentic Maharashtrian dishes, Irani restaurants, Gujarati food and Bambaiyya dishes, we savoured them all, washed down with copious cups of aamras and mango milkshakes. By the end of the holiday, my husband was a convert.
I've visited this forest many times, and the JLR property at K.Gudi is one of my favourites. Since my husband had never been there, we decided to take a short break mid-year. The probability of encountering elephants along the forest's narrow, winding, hilly safari route always excites and scares me in equal measure. This trip, to add to our excitement was the cottage we had chosen to stay in – farthest from the other cottages, and where leopards are routinely sighted. One of our most memorable experiences was sitting in our stilted cottage's balcony after 10 pm, in pitch darkness, surrounded by bats and fireflies, listening to frequent alarm calls and the rustling of leaves. Sometimes, the things you can only hear scare you more than the things you can see.
For an architect, Chandigarh is something of a holy grail. When I planned my trip to Spiti Valley, I jumped at the opportunity to spend a day there. My impression of the city, garnered mostly from school textbooks and architecture books, now sprung alive. In just a few hours, Chandigarh bowled me over with its cleanliness, orderly traffic, soft-spoken people, and joie de vivre. Nek Chand's Rock Garden was a childhood dream come true, and every bit as crazy as I had imagined! Seated on the bund at Sukhna Lake, legs swinging over the edge, surrounded by locals enjoying the tranquility, I could see why Chandigarh's residents love their city; I love it too!
My trip to Spiti Valley was one of the highlights of the second half of the year, and I returned smitten by the beauty of the region, the stark landscapes, its ever-smiling people, their hospitality, and their simplicity of life. Spiti is raw nature at its best, and its worst; yet, the locals embrace everything as a part of life. Involving high-altitude travel on gravelly roads where traversing 200 kms takes 12 hours, the tranquility of Spiti's tiny villages, the sparkling azure of its lakes, and the serenity of its monasteries are some of the many memories etched in my mind. Since my return, I remain deeply introspective.
Hampi never ceases to surprise me, even on my third trip! Having seen some of the main monuments on a 'fun only' first trip with a bunch of friends, and Hampi's and Daroji's wildlife on my second trip, I was third time lucky. With an excellent guide and lovely accommodation in serene Anegundi, I brought in my birthday just the way I liked it – walking all day through the treasure hunt that is Hampi, stumbling across picturesque ruins, pristine banks of the Tungabhadra River, and negotiating through herds of goats. Hampi's scale is staggering, and this is the closest I have come to feeling like Indiana Jones. Hampi's vast expanse also meant that in spite of the Dusshera holiday crowds, I always managed to find a quiet spot for myself.
Published in the August 2016 edition of Discover India magazine, as 'The Big Misty'.
The fireplace crackled, spewing out untamed flames, and sparks that spat into the room like energetic fireflies. I smiled and sank deeper into my easy-chair, cupping a bowl of hot soup. I was enjoying every bit of the cold weather, having arrived here from the scorching plains. Just a few relaxing hours in Kodaikanal had afflicted me with a languor that was quickly becoming second nature. As my hosts spoke animatedly about life in Kodaikanal, their favourite long walks, secret nooks, and scenic views, it became abundantly clear that I had a battle on my hands to shake off my slothfulness, if I wanted to explore Kodaikanal.
Sepia-tinted photographs and meticulous black-and-white sketches from the 1800s, dotted all over my hosts' living room, enticed me with the promise of pristine landscapes, fleet-footed Nilgiri Tahrs and Sambar deer in grasslands, and humungous Gaurs surprising me at road bends. As a compulsive nostalgia seeker, the thought of attempting to experience 19th century Kodaikanal immediately caught my fancy, and soon, I was consumed by the idea. So I pored over the photographs and sketches, noted details, and armed myself with directions and tips from my hosts, to help me recreate the memories held by these images.
The next morning, I forced myself out of the snug comfort of my quilt, only to be greeted by the croaking of cicadas. When I left at 6 am, there was barely enough light to discern and open the padlock on the property's gate, while simultaneously trying to prevent their resident pet from running out with me. Kodaikanal had not yet awoken from its slumber, except for a dimly-lit tea shack from which wisps of smoke emanated.
From its viewpoint, Kodaikanal Lake was seen shrouded in mist, which had coagulated over the water like gigantic, unruly candy floss. All around, trees emerged, many of them distinctly pine and eucalyptus. The sunrise vista was like watching film slowly develop in a dark-room: monochromatic at first, segueing from pastel pink to sepia, with the other colours choosing to reveal themselves only an hour later, as I drove back past the viewpoint. The lake's shape as seen from here corresponds exactly to its 19th century photograph. Not much has changed in the view, barring low roofs of Kodaikanal town peeking out from between layers of trees.
Pillar Rocks lay at the end of a long, winding drive from the lake's viewpoint; save for a couple of houses, the road was deserted. Crepuscular rays streamed in through thickets of trees, from which I heard langurs swinging. I was shaken out of my reverie by the appearance of a barricade - the road hadn't yet been opened to vehicles for the day. I approached Pillar Rocks on foot, with heightened anticipation.
Pillar Rocks sketch by Douglas Hamilton, 1862.
The two separate pillar-like rocks from the sketch now stood a little less distinctly, the 150 years that had elapsed having allowed plants to grow over the rocks, reducing the gap between them. The grasslands of yore were also overgrown. There were no gambolling Tahrs or Sambar, and the metal railing all around the viewpoint kept threatening to make my time-travel difficult.
The valley, however, lived up to its promise of being mist-filled, revealing parts of the escarpment of the Palani Hills on which Kodaikanal is situated. A howling, bone-rattling wind made my jacket and gloves redundant, but helped clear the clouds; the sky then turned a picture-postcard blue and gifted me the sight of Pillar Rocks crowned by the setting moon. When I said gifted, I meant it – just a few hours later, eager visitors to Pillar Rocks saw nothing, as fog hid the rocks until the next sunrise. My hosts had been right in egging me on to leave before dawn.
Enthused by how my morning had panned out, I was less averse to exploring 'modern' Kodaikanal and decided to see the picturesque lake up-close. The lake is the focal point of life in Kodaikanal, for residents and visitors alike. With restricted vehicular movement on the road encircling the lake, it comes alive with cyclists whizzing past, people chatting, residents jogging, and couples enjoying quiet strolls. With the lake on one side and many palatial heritage buildings lining the other, the lake road exudes an old-world charm.
The sight of bicycles brought out the child in me and I spent a greater part of the afternoon giggling over our clumsy tandem-bike riding skills, while resolutely cycling around the lake. To perhaps continue kindling the child in you, the boat clubs have ensured that most pedal-boats have gigantic cartoon characters built on them. With Mickey Mouse for company, I pedalled across the lake to one of its quieter arms. Families had turned up in droves to enjoy the pleasant evening; in spite of the crowd, the large size of the lake allowed me to have a piece of Kodaikanal to myself. And I had to admit - the Kodaikanal of today had provided me with as much excitement and relaxation as the Kodaikanal of the past.
That didn't stop me from resuming my pursuance of the next black-and-white photograph, though. Dolphin's Nose, so named because of the shape of the rock overhanging the valley, promised an interesting trek, and I decided to undertake it early the next day. The narrow trail took me past bustling hutments, cheap lodges with bewildering Hebrew signage, refreshment stalls, and locals gathering firewood, before meandering through trees and losing all sight of habitation. Which is why, it startled me to hear a voice behind me say "photo, madam?" barely ten minutes after I sat near the edge, lost in quiet contemplation.
Once an Enid Blyton-esque picnic spot for Kodaikanal's residents, Dolphin's Nose now attracts many visitors who enjoy posing in the 'Titanic pose' at the very edge. A few enterprising photographers not only orchestrate photogenic poses, but are also equipped with instant printers to give you copies within minutes. Upon my refusal, the photographer too sat down to admire the view. Coaxed by him into experiencing the feeling of sitting at the actual end, I slowly overcame my fear and swung my legs over the edge, hands gripping the ground next to me for dear life. Though decades had elapsed since my reference colonial era photo had been taken, Dolphin's Nose still felt like the end of the world.
If Dolphin's Nose whetted my appetite for more solitude, Berijam Lake surpassed it. With highly restricted access to the lake, you are almost guaranteed to be the sole individual there if you time it right. The long drive to the lake passes through precariously surviving shola-grasslands; I was pleased because it increased my chances of spotting wildlife, if not the elusive Tahrs. Mist engulfed the road for quite some time, considerately lifting at just the right viewpoints.
Berijam Lake sat in the valley like the grand prize at the end of a journey. To stroll and sit at the water's edge, surrounded by hillocks and dense clusters of conifers, with no sign of 'civilisation' in sight, made it the perfect end to my quest for nostalgia.
Driving back from Berijam Lake, lamenting that it was time for me to leave Kodaikanal, I passed the golf course. Despite being mid-day, mist rolled over its gentle undulations, even as a lone golfer persistently played his game.
That is when it dawned on me - the 19th century still existed in Kodaikanal: in its pristine landscapes, its capacity to offer solitude, and its flair for surprising you. And then, almost as if to chide that obsessing about the past wasn't healthy, Kodaikanal drops a misty curtain on it all, nudging visitors to experience its present – its people, its lake, and its activities. I realised that Kodaikanal morphs into what you seek from it.


Patchogue, NY – The National Park Service (NPS) announced today that Fire Island National Seashore Superintendent Karl "Chris" Soller will retire on March 31, 2018. In his 41 years of service, Mr. Soller worked to foster collaboration and nurture partnerships which can support the long-term stewardship of our national parks.
As superintendent at Fire Island, Mr. Soller completed a new General Management Plan, Deer Management Plan, Breach Management Plan, and Visitor Experience Plan. He has been a consistent voice in the planning and execution of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Fire Island to Montauk Point (FIMP) and Fire Island to Moriches Inlet (FIMI) Beach Reformulation Studies. In addition, he led staff and partners through Hurricane Sandy and the challenge, five-year recovery.
"Fire Island is unique in that it is not only a national seashore," said Mr. Soller, "but it is also home to thousands of people. It is only through collaborative stewardship that we can achieve our mission of balancing use and enjoyment with resource protection." His commitment to collaboration has resulted in a strong partnership with Fire Island summer and year-round residents.
Soller's federal career began in 1977 as a VISTA volunteer and he started with the NPS in 1978 as an outdoor recreation planner in Washington, D.C. From 1977 to 2008, he continued to serve in a variety of positions working between headquarters in Washington, D.C. and field positions in national parks in New York, including Gateway National Recreation Area. He first came to Fire Island from 1983 to 1988 as a management assistant, responsible for park planning, land use issues, and community relations. He returned in 2008 as superintendent and has served in the position longer than any superintendent before him.
A native of Youngstown, Ohio, Soller earned his BA in American Studies from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and his MA in Urban and Environmental Planning from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia. He and his partner of 25 years, Jack Curry, split their time between New York and Arlington, Virginia.
In his retirement, Soller plans to initially spend time with family and pursue his many personal interests. He hopes to continue to be engaged in landscape management and preservation through education and advocacy.


text:
Why the A380 superjumbo is making a comeback
(CNN) — The post-pandemic recovery of commercial aviation may have an early, unlikely protagonist: the A380 superjumbo.
The largest passenger plane in the world looked like the scrap heap just two years ago, as airlines struggled with the spread of the coronavirus. The entire fleet was grounded, many of the planes went into long-term storage and some airlines even seized the opportunity to get rid of their A380s altogether, with Air France withdrawing his fleet in May 2020.
But with passenger numbers rising and air traffic returning to pre-pandemic levels, the aircraft is experiencing a revival. More than half of the global fleet is already back in service, data from Flight radar24†
Emirates has the world's largest fleet of A380s.
PASCAL PAVANI/AFP via Getty Images
Lufthansa was the last airline to use the plane back — although not before 2023 — and there are reasons to believe that more A380s will gradually return to the sky.
"It's definitely making a comeback," said Geoff Van Klaveren, aviation analyst and managing director of advisory at IBA. "Operators were quite hesitant to return it because it is a very expensive aircraft, but I think we have seen demand recover faster than people expected."
Coming back more
Airbus produced and delivered 251 A380s, and 238 remain available for service today, with the rest being retired or scrapped. The aircraft, which is no longer in production, is popular with passengers and crews, but not with airlines — only 14 have had surgery it to date.
Nine of these currently fly: British Airways, All Nippon Airways, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Qantas, Qatar, Asiana, Korean Air and China Southern Airlines. Some of them already have plans to put even more of their A380s back into service.
Singapore Airlines, for example, currently flies 10 A380s from its fleet of 12, but confirmed to CNN Travel that the remaining two are currently being upgraded and will be back in the fleet soon. Korean Air also said it will recall a third A380 from its fleet of 10 to join the two already in service.
Qantas, which operates three of its 12 A380s on the Sydney-Singapore-London route, confirmed to CNN Travel that it aims to have a total of six back in service by the end of the year, with a plan to add four more. to be restored by 2024 (the remaining two will be scrapped).
Emirates, the largest A380 operator with 123 of the aircraft, is also ramping up. "Today we operate […] more than half of our A380s," said Richard Jodenbury, vice president of the UK division at Emirates. A380s will join those currently flying.
The very last A380 ever produced, went to Emirates at the end of 2021. It is one of the few Emirates A380s with a premium economy section – a middle ground between basic economy and business class.
It has proved popular enough that the airline plans to equip 67 more of its A380s with them over the course of 18 months and later this year. In that configuration, with four classes including First, Business, Premium Economy and Economy, the aircraft can accommodate 484 passengers. In the closest two-class configuration, business and economy only, Emirates A380s have a capacity of 615 passengers.
Difficult to sell
Lufthansa has announced it will return its A380s in 2023.
Thomas Lohnes/Getty Images
There are several reasons why airlines are circling back to the superjumbo. "There is a lack of widebody capacity as some operators, such as British Airways, have retired older aircraft such as the Boeing 747. There have also been some production issues with the new A350 and so on. So some airlines need the capacity," he said. Van Klaveren.
That's not all. For some airlines it makes sense to put the aircraft back into service, because the value of the aircraft has fallen so much that it is no longer possible to sell the aircraft.
"Some operators have realized that it is a very difficult aircraft to sell for many different reasons. If you don't have A380s, you are definitely not going to include it in your fleet, because that is very risky and expensive," says Van Klaveren.
"The value of a 10-year-old A380 fell by 60% compared to pre-pandemic, to $30 million compared to about $76 million, which is quite extraordinary. So a lot of [airlines] think they might as well serve them because it costs them money to keep them airworthy."
In fact, two airlines, Thailand and Malaysia, have put all their A380s up for sale, but haven't found any buyers yet. The only other holdout to date is Etihad; the Abu Dhabi-based airline has 10 in its fleet but does not operate any and currently has no firm plans to do so.
Shorter lifespan
Emirates recently launched a new A380 cabin, including a premium economy class.
The Emirates Group
Compared to the bleak forecasts of two years ago, now may be the time to envision a brighter future for the superjumbo.
"I think most airlines will continue to use the planes until the end of their lives," says Van Klaveren. "The question mark is whether that lifespan is 18 years rather than 25 years, which is the lifespan of most aircraft. If you compare it to the new generation aircraft, it's really not particularly fuel-efficient, so that would suggest that the average age will valleys."
Because Emirates has so many A380s, the fate of the aircraft will largely be in their own hands. "I think they'll get them all up and running again, because they're pretty critical of their business model," says Van Klaveren.
The Dubai-based airline continues to enthusiastically support the aircraft.
Emirates president Tim Clark said: AirlineReviews that once the A380 is gone, it will leave a void that cannot be filled by any other aircraft currently in production: "I would build another A380 twice the size because of the zero-emission engines we have now, with four, possibly three engines," he added.
For now, the A380 is still well received by customers around the world and will remain the flagship of the airline for many years to come, said Emirates' Richard Jodenbury.
"For us, the iconic double-decker bus is redefining the travel experience and remains an essential pillar of our network plans."
Tags: tripWhy the A380 superjumbo is making a comeback - CNN
American tourist survives fall into Vesuvius after reaching for phone


text:
Q: Not able to login in a webapi controller, but can login via a azure page. Not sure why I am running in asp.net core v2.  I'm trying to login from a remote mobile app.  In my webapi controller, I have the following code to test to see if a userid/password combination is correct.  Unfortunately, I get a failed login.  I also tried CheckPasswordSignInAsync with the same result.  I can login from the web via an asp.net core v2 razor page.  The code and comments are below.  Question: Is there any code that looks wrong, or is there a column that I should double check in the identity database table that could keep me from logging in?
Thanks for any thoughts.  :-)
The following webapi code is what I am trying to use to login via a webapi.  I am unable to login from this code.
Webapi code:
                var da = new DataAccess();
                var user = new ApplicationUser() { UserName = lu.UserName, };

            var res = await _signInManager.PasswordSignInAsync(user, lu.PassWord, false, false);
            if (res.Succeeded)
            {
                login.LoggedIn = true;
                var u = da.UserInfo(lu.UserName);
                login.UserToken = u.UserToken;
            }
            return login;

This is the code that I am using to login from an azure razor page.  This code is allowing me to login.
Login from the web:
var appUser = new ApplicationUser() { UserName = userName };
var signin = await _signInManager.PasswordSignInAsync(userName, pwd, true, false);

This is the code that I am using to create a single test user.
Code to create a user:
var email = "xxxxxxxxx@gmail.com";
var pwd = "yyyyyyyyyy";
var foundUser = userManager.FindByEmailAsync(email).Result;
if (foundUser == null)
{
    var res = userManager.CreateAsync(new ApplicationUser() { UserName = email, Email = email }, pwd).Result;
    var user = userManager.FindByEmailAsync(email).Result;
    user.UserToken = Guid.NewGuid();
    foreach (var role in Enum.GetNames(typeof(Roles)))
    {
        if (!(userManager.IsInRoleAsync(user, role).Result))
        {
            var iResult = userManager.AddToRoleAsync(user, role).Result;
        }
    }
}

A: Calling PasswordSignInAsync(Username, Password, false, false) seems to have solved my problem.  I'll pass this along incase someone needs it later.
Maybe someone has a better way to do this as well.
Thanks.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Treebo Hotels is India's largest branded chain of budget hotels. It provides India's budget travellers with reliable comfortable accomodation and affordable prices and at the same time helps its hotel partners earn more from their properties. Company follows a detailed 7 step process for property on – boarding to ensure it delivers on its promise of "Affordable Luxury, Guaranteed"


This listing is courtesy of Darla Steelman from Keller Williams-Midwest City.
$5000 price reduction!!! This 3 bed 2 bath home is nestled back on .85 acres. It has a beautiful living room with cast iron fireplace, an oversized formal dining room, and a large bonus room, perfect for gathering or entertaining, Entire home has been fully remodeled with fresh carpet and beautiful flooring throughout. It boasts a large 30'x60' workshop in the back with a small office, perfect for a car enthusiast or a carpenter. Laundry room displays a stackable washer and dryer that are included with the home. Schedule your showing today. This gem won't last long!


Yes, add single chain timing set (+$79.99) No, thanks.
INTENSE™ Cams are manufactured from new 8660 billet camshaft blanks by Cam Motion.
These are the cams for those of you planning to run turbo setups on your 3800 Series II/III engines. The Stage 1X Turbocharged Cam is ideal for use with stock cylinder heads, however stronger springs are recommended for reliability. The powerband is strongest from 2,500 to 6,500 RPM. The Stage 2 Turbocharged Cam is right on the hairy edge of being safe to use with stock cylinder heads, and is ideal for use with modified heads and stronger valvesprings (see INTENSE™ Stage 3 CNC L67 Cylinder Heads). The powerband is strongest from 2,700 to 6,700 RPM. The Stage 3 Turbocharged Cam should NOT not be used with stock cylinder heads and/or stock valvesprings. It is engineered for use with highly modified cylinder heads and oversized valves, and is a perfect match to the INTENSE™ Stage 3 CNC L67 Cylinder Heads. The powerband is strong from 3,000 to 7,000 RPM. The Stage 4 Turbocharged Cam is the most agressive grind available with a strong powerband between 3,500 and 7,200 RPM and should be used with our INTENSE™ Stage 3 CNC L67 Cylinder Heads. With any of these choices, you will need to use a higher stall torque converter, such as our ATI 245 mm. Heavy Duty Torque Converter.
-We recommend that a new timing chain and timing chain tensioner be installed in conjunction with any new 3800 cam.
-We recommend CompCams "OE R Series" Hydraulic Roller Lifters, High Load Valvesprings, and Valvespring Retainers with any aftermarket camshaft.
-We recommend INTENSE™ High-Performance Pushrods with any aftermarket camshaft.
-INTENSE™ Camshafts are hydraulic rollers, so no break-in period is required.
-While PCM changes are not required, we strongly recommend updating the transmission controller in the PCM for the updated power band. In addition, the INTENSE™ Stage 1X and 2 Turbocharged Cams may set an occasional S.E.S. light after extended idle periods, and the Stage 3 Turbo cam WILL set the S.E.S. light at idle.
-Stage 1X Turbo Cam users will benefit from higher WOT shift points (6,200 to 6,500 RPM) and rev limiter settings (6,700 RPM). Stage 2 Turbo Cam users will benefit from higher WOT shift points (6,500 to 6,800 RPM) and rev limiter settings (7,000 RPM). Stage 3 users will benefit with even higher WOT shift points (6,700 to 7,000 RPM) and rev limiter settings (7,200 RPM). Stage 4 users will benefit from WOT shift points (6,800 to 7,100 RPM) and a rev limiter setting of (7,300 RPM).
Write a Customer Review and share your thoughts with others.
I have been running this cam for over 2 years. I have a HUGE turbo build and this cam makes amazing power at WOT also does just fine on the street.


In Burleson ISD, we celebrated the start of construction on bond projects at the groundbreaking ceremony of Kerr Middle School this week. While this event was our first formal celebration, each project is aligning nicely with our goal of completing all projects by the Fall of 2019. The new Kerr Middle School is one of four of the BISD bond projects approved by voters in May 2017 to help manage district growth. The other projects will begin in earnest this summer once students vacate the respective campuses. A celebratory event to mark the official start of construction and renovations at Hughes Middle School will take place later this Spring.
Recap: Updates, renovations, and expansions will be made to accommodate growth, and increase capacity for fine arts and athletics.
Progress update: Site preparation is underway and portables are being relocated to allow for expansion construction to begin. Anticipated completion Summer 2019.
Learn more: The site plan, exterior design and interior virtual tour are complete and on bonds.burlesonisd.net.
Recap: A replacement campus will be built on Hidden Creek Parkway.
Progress update: Construction is officially underway and project completion is anticipated for Summer 2019.
Learn more: The site plan and exterior designs are on bonds.burlesonisd.net.
Recap: Collaboration areas will be added for academic opportunities and a multipurpose indoor facility will be built.
Progress update: Renovation for collaborative areas and construction of the multipurpose indoor facility will begin this summer. Anticipated completion for both projects is set for Fall 2018/Spring 2019.
Learn more: Design visuals for each project are on bonds.burlesonisd.net.
As the student populations at both Kerr and Hughes continue to increase, our goal for the bond projects is to begin with the projects at our middle schools. Every action we take with regard to planning, construction and progress of the bond projects will be prudent, strategic and focused on safety and efficiencies.
We are committed to student safety and minimal distractions throughout the construction process as we maintain an aggressive timeline for completion. Construction can sometimes be messy and the projects that will take place across BISD are no exception. That said, the district will take steps to alleviate and adjust to the realities of becoming an active construction site, and make every effort to not have construction traffic interfere with school traffic.
The community members on the Facilities Advisory Committee created an effective plan that addresses capacity at our middle schools and provides much-needed updates for Burleson High School. I encourage everyone to visit bonds.burlesonisd.net for continuous updates and visuals as we make progress on each of the four projects in the upcoming year. The results of these bond projects will have a lasting impact on our students and community for generations to come.


Here's another recent creation of ours making an wish box for a clients upcoming birthday as a gift. Since we are ongoing with a challenge "vintage and Classic" this can be some what source of inspiration to you all. Let's know more about the box.
Step.1: Taking the MDF Wood Box, scrub a little all sides using sand paper to remove dirt or dust and further apply Gesso to create a base for further paints to get perfect finish. Let it dry for sometime.
Step.2: After the base layer of gesso is dried, begin with next step to paint the box, top lid from Wasabi Green and bottom from Lemon Chiffon Chalk Paints. Apply 2 coats for better finish and colour.
Step.3: Now when everything is again dried completely hop onto next step of creating the lace texture on top by using Grainy Texture paste and Lace Stencil to cover the top of it and let it dry again.
Step.4: Now taking another shade of chalk paint pink ballet, just dab the colour on the popped up texture to cover the white also further dab with Ink oxide "Vintage Photo" to give a vintage look.
Step.5: Add some gold and glitter to top to complete the look.
Step.6: Now time to cover the bottom part... we have used a decoupage paper with vintage themed birds and flowers and applied on all four sides of the box using decoupage glue.
Step.7: Take a Gold Sheet and Lace Corner Die to take all the four corners and paste on each corners.
Step.8: Take Vellum Sheet, stamp the sentiments using Versamark Ink...pour some Black embossing powder and heat dry to finish.
Step.9: Dont forget to paint inside the box as well...I have painted it in Pink Ballet colour.
Step.10: Final step, cover all the edges of the box with Vintage Photo Ink Oxide to give vintage look.
And the box is ready.... we made this box on order for a client as a birthday gift holding all the best wishes from his friends and family. So the box holds 6*8 size 15 photomats with pictures of family and friends and there best wishes for the birthday.
Hope you all like the project and find it simple to make, just in case u have any queries feel free to connect with us.
Do share your lovely comments for the project if u like it, Share with your friends and family to read more.


text:
Maine Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports 30 new coronavirus-related deaths and another 438-WMTW Portland
It is said that the full development of "Cyberpunk 2077" did not start until 2016
Germany's largest head of state takes charge of Angela Merkel's political party and becomes the successor Chancellor-Washington Post
San Francisco 49ers offseason: Steve Young talks about how he will trade Deshaun Watson
Home / Business / Goldman Sachs' 60 new partners are the happiest people on Wall Street today
Goldman Sachs' 60 new partners are the happiest people on Wall Street today
November 12, 2020	Business 0 Views
Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (Goldman Sachs Group Inc.) raised the partnership of 60 bankers on Thursday, the smallest number of managing partners in two years, as CEO David Solomon tried to restore the most elite on Wall Street The bleak luster of the club.
Compared with the past few years, the diversity of the group has increased slightly, and the number of coders is larger, but it is still dominated by traders and traders. They peaked at Goldman Sachs' uncertain moments. Goldman Sachs is trying to reshape itself from a Wall Street tycoon into a financial supermarket without losing its identity or status.


text:
Kwirynów  is a village in the administrative district of Gmina Stare Babice, within Warsaw West County, Masovian Voivodeship, in east-central Poland. It lies approximately  north-east of Ożarów Mazowiecki and  west of Warsaw.

References

Villages in Warsaw West County

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Tigers' passion play
Former baseball player and manager from the United States
CHICAGO – Jim Leyland is smoking a cigarette.
Wait. No. Every Jim Leyland story starts with him smoking a cigarette. Jim Leyland is not about cigarettes. He is about passion. So let's try again.
Jim Leyland is standing on the grass at U.S. Cellular Field. He is hitting ground balls around the infield and giving marching orders to his lieutenants, who will pass them along to his Detroit Tigers, who have been the best team in baseball all season. He is taking a break for a minute and talking about why he loves the game, having returned to manage this season after six years away, and why he doesn't love it, what with all the stress, and when the subject of stress comes up, so, naturally, does the habit he can't kick.
"See that (bleeping) sign out there," Leyland said, pointing to the center-field scoreboard. "What does it say? Miller Lite. Here's my problem. These (bleeping) guys can come out here and drink 20 Miller Lites and hit a pole on the way home. Guy don't ever get drunk smoking a (bleeping) cigarette."
Damn. Guess he's passionate about cigarettes, too.
Which is no surprise, really, considering who Jim Leyland is and what he does. He sweats emotion. He lambastes one minute, loves the next. He cried earlier this year when reflecting on the Tigers' revival. He yelled a couple weeks prior when the Tigers sported the game's best record because he thought he saw a hint of laziness. Much like his Marlboro Reds, he somehow blends the coarse with the soothing.
And somehow he has coaxed a World Series contender out of a team that lost 119 games three years ago and 91 last season. The Tigers' pitching has been the big leagues' standard, their lineup features six players with at least a dozen home runs and their ability to turn batted balls into outs is unmatched. All due, the players contend, to Leyland's sense of who to coddle and who to prod.
"He does a good job of making it so if you don't know, you can't see it," Tigers center fielder Curtis Granderson said. "Years of experience, I guess."
OK, little secret. Granderson was actually talking about Leyland's propensity to hide a cigarette when he's smoking it. The guy is like David Copperfield.
"I never catch him lighting it," Granderson said. "I don't know how he does it. Maybe his hands are consistently hot and he uses his index finger. Or he can suck hard enough to spark it lit."
Enough with the smokes. This is about Jim Leyland and his passion, or whatever kind of voodoo he summoned to put the Tigers on pace for 107 victories, even after getting three-hit by Jose Contreras in a 5-0 loss to Chicago on Friday.
There is something special with him, and there always has been, from his years in Pittsburgh turning a dormant franchise into a three-time division winner to 1997 when he won the World Series with the Florida Marlins.
The next season, the Marlins purged their 12 highest-paid players and lost 108 games. Leyland leapt to Colorado in 1999, and after a miserable 92-loss season, he quit. He would spend time with his family and go golfing with his son and let his fervor return when it pleased.
Teams wooed Leyland. Every time a manager got fired, his name appeared. Baseball people wondered whether he was too gruff for today's players, and whether they answered yes or no, it mattered none, because Leyland didn't want back in, not yet.
Not until Dave Dombrowski called. Dombrowski and Leyland have known each other for 25 years. As the Marlins' general manager, he brought Leyland to Florida. Dombrowski, having just fired Alan Trammell, sought Leyland to right the Tigers.
"I fill that card out," Leyland said, pointing to the lineup card, "and hope they do good."
That's it?
"That's it," Leyland said. "It don't matter how bad I want it. Doesn't make a difference. You think I want it more than Ozzie or Gardenhire or Francona or Torre? I don't want it any more than they do."
Modesty generally does not come in such an intense bundle. Leyland, boom and bluster, probably believes what he's saying.
"I don't buy into it at all, actually," Dombrowski said. "He's always a guy who believed the players should be front and center, and that's one of the things that makes him successful. He does a lot for our organization. When you look at how we've changed our organization, he's been the one to keep things stable."
That's the boss talking.
"I've never done it," Leyland said. "I was never a player. I've never been through this."
He did win a World Series.
"Players got me the ring," Leyland said. "I didn't get it."
He ruminated some, then offered a final request: "Don't talk to me about me."
Players notice this about Leyland. He does not patrol the clubhouse barking like a watchdog. He spends most of the time in his office, kicking back in his chair, spikes on his desk, cracking jokes and reading charts and staring at walls and eating away at the carton of cigarettes he lugs, a Styrofoam cup his makeshift ashtray, blowing smoke only in the literal sense.
"He's one of those guys who has that presence about him," said Tigers first baseman Sean Casey, acquired in a trade from Cincinnati two weeks ago. "You see him and respect him instantly."
With what he's done in Detroit, it's difficult not to. Leyland inserted rookie Justin Verlander into the rotation and saw him turn into an ace, kept rookie Joel Zumaya in the bullpen and watched him limit hitters to a .174 average, nurtured Jeremy Bonderman from inconsistent 22-year-old to dominant 23-year-old. He gave Marcus Thames playing time and got 21 home runs in 267 at-bats, believed Carlos Guillen would return from an injury-ravaged season and was rewarded with All-Star-worthy play, massaged Pudge Rodriguez so he wouldn't feel compelled to take any midseason vacations like last year.
Leyland, quite simply, managed.
"And he's as good a manager as there is in the game," Dombrowski said, "when he's got that passion and burning fire."
Oh, it's back. And no matter how hard Jim Leyland tries to hide it, it's impossible to miss.


Margaret J. (nee Homburg) (May 23, 2017). Beloved wife of the late Robert M. Jenkins, and Harry W. Tillman. Loving mother to Robin (Melissa), Timothy (Evelyn) Jenkins and Wayne (Linda) Tillman. She will also be missed by her 6 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Relatives and friends are invited to Marge's Mass of Christian Burial Tuesday 5/30 11am at St. Luke's RC Church Glenside. Where friends may call 10am. Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. In lieu of flowers contributions in Marge's name may be made to The American Cancer Society 1626 Locust St., Phila, PA 19103.


Stash's Pomegranate tea is a unique blend of premium Chinese, Sri Lankan and Indian black teas with calendula flowers and natural pomegranate flavor. It has a fruity aroma and berry-like taste. Calendula flowers add visual interest.


text:
Sipke de Jong (Snikzwaag, 9 oktober 1899 – Heerenveen, 17 april 1986) was een Nederlands kortebaanschaatser.

Loopbaan
Op 5 januari 1924 deed hij mee aan de eerste kortebaanwedstrijd om het kampioenschap van Nederland op de Groote Wielen bij Rijperkerk. Boerenzoon Sipke moest tweemaal tegen elektricien Marten Slager, beide ritten eindigden onbeslist. De geschaatste tijd over de 160 meter was bepalend. Het tweetal was een seconde sneller dan de nummer drie Jan Baarda uit Blessum. De kanshebbers Ale Dikkerboom (Aldehaske), Jaap Slof (Joure) en A. Nauta uit Wartena waren ruim een seconde langzamer dan Slager en De Jong die beiden als tijdsnelsten doorgingen naar de finalegroep. Daarin eindigden Dikkerboom, Slof en Nauta als de nummer drie, vier en vijf. In de finalerit lieten De Jong en Slager voor de derde maal dezelfde tijd afdrukken: 15,5 seconde. Het reglement van de kampioenswedstrijden was nog in de maak en voorzag niet in dit scenario. Marten Slager en Sipke de Jong weigerden nogmaals te rijden, ze wilden niet het risico lopen dat er een vierde keer kamp werd gereden. Hierdoor was er aan het eind van de middag geen kampioen. Voorzitter Hendrik Oostenbrug van ijsvereniging Ryptsjerk besloot na de woorden "It hat moai west sa" aan beide schaatsers de eerste prijs te geven: een gouden medaille plus f 25,-. Door de ijsbond werd echter besloten geen officiële winnaar uit te roepen. Het betekende dat twee jaar later, op 22 januari 1926, Thijs Klompmaker zich de eerste officiële nationale kortebaankampioen mocht noemen.

Sipke was de een na oudste zoon uit een gezin van zes hardrijders. Hij had vier broers en een zusje die allen met schaatsprijzen thuis kwamen. Zijn jongere broer Jolle de Jong zou in 1929 en 1930 de eerste officiële Nederlands kampioen kortebaan worden. Boerenzoon Sipke won 36 eerste prijzen, 9 tweede en 6 derde prijzen. Hij verhuisde later van Snikzwaag naar een nieuw huis in Oranjewoud. Opvallend is dat dit nieuwe huis werd geschilderd door Geert Regts, de latere Nederlands kampioen kortebaan van 1963.

Zie ook
 Nederlandse kampioenschappen kortebaanschaatsen

Nederlands schaatser