WASHINGTON, June 5 (Reuters) - An effort in the U.S. House of Representatives aimed at forcing a debate on bipartisan legislation protecting "Dreamer" immigrants from deportation edged closer to success on Tuesday when two more Democrats joined the effort.
A petition was launched last month by centrist Republicans who say they are tired of inaction on immigration in the Republican-controlled Congress.
They want the House to debate and vote on several bills including a bipartisan one to protect the Dreamers, immigrants who were brought illegally as children to the United States.
The issue has bitterly divided Republicans, but nearly all Democrats favor holding the debate and had signed the petition as of late last month. However, there were three Democratic holdouts from the Texas border region.
On Tuesday, two of these holdouts, Representatives Vicente Gonzalez and Filemon Vela, said they will sign, leaving the effort just three names short of the 218 required to force a debate and votes on the House floor.
The sponsors have said they expect to have enough signatures, but House Republican leaders oppose the effort and have called a party meeting for Thursday to discuss the issue.
Gonzalez said in a statement that he had been hesitant to sign the petition because of "concerns that it could open the flood gates for members across the aisle to hold Dreamers hostage in exchange for a border wall" that President Donald Trump wants along the southwest border with Mexico.
Several House Republicans also oppose the construction of a wall and instead favor more high-tech solutions to border security.
One other Texas Democrat, Representative Henry Cuellar, still has not signed the petition, as well as a large number of Republicans.
Representative Steny Hoyer, the No. 2 House Democrat, said the goal was to have all 193 Democratic lawmakers sign the petition. It calls for debate and votes on four different bills to replace the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which Trump ended on March 5.


text:
package org.docksidestage.hangar.dbflute.bsentity.customize;

import java.util.List;
import java.util.ArrayList;

import org.dbflute.dbmeta.DBMeta;
import org.dbflute.dbmeta.AbstractEntity;
import org.dbflute.dbmeta.accessory.CustomizeEntity;
import org.docksidestage.hangar.dbflute.exentity.customize.*;

/**
 * The entity of ForcedType.

 *

 * [primary-key]
 *
 *
 * [column]
 *     MAX_MEMBER_ID
 *
 * [sequence]
 *
 *
 * [identity]
 *
 *
 * [version-no]
 *
 *
 * [foreign table]
 *
 *
 * [referrer table]
 *
 *
 * [foreign property]
 *
 *
 * [referrer property]
 *
 *
 * [get/set template]
 * /= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
 * java.math.BigInteger maxMemberId = entity.getMaxMemberId();
 * entity.setMaxMemberId(maxMemberId);
 * = = = = = = = = = =/
 *

 * @author DBFlute(AutoGenerator)
 */
public abstract class BsForcedType extends AbstractEntity implements CustomizeEntity {

    // ===================================================================================
    //                                                                          Definition
    //                                                                          ==========
    /** The serial version UID for object serialization. (Default) */
    private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;

    // ===================================================================================
    //                                                                           Attribute
    //                                                                           =========
    /** MAX_MEMBER_ID: {INTEGER(10)} */
    protected java.math.BigInteger _maxMemberId;

    // ===================================================================================
    //                                                                             DB Meta
    //                                                                             =======
    /** {@inheritDoc} */
    public DBMeta asDBMeta() {
        return org.docksidestage.hangar.dbflute.bsentity.customize.dbmeta.ForcedTypeDbm.getInstance();
    }

    /** {@inheritDoc} */
    public String asTableDbName() {
        return "ForcedType";
    }

    // ===================================================================================
    //                                                                        Key Handling
    //                                                                        ============
    /** {@inheritDoc} */
    public boolean hasPrimaryKeyValue() {
        return false;
    }

    // ===================================================================================
    //                                                                    Foreign Property
    //                                                                    ================
    // ===================================================================================
    //                                                                   Referrer Property
    //                                                                   =================
    protected <ELEMENT> List<ELEMENT> newReferrerList() { // overriding to import
        return new ArrayList<ELEMENT>();
    }

    // ===================================================================================
    //                                                                      Basic Override
    //                                                                      ==============
    @Override
    protected boolean doEquals(Object obj) {
        if (obj instanceof BsForcedType) {
            BsForcedType other = (BsForcedType)obj;
            if (!xSV(_maxMemberId, other._maxMemberId)) { return false; }
            return true;
        } else {
            return false;
        }
    }

    @Override
    protected int doHashCode(int initial) {
        int hs = initial;
        hs = xCH(hs, asTableDbName());
        hs = xCH(hs, _maxMemberId);
        return hs;
    }

    @Override
    protected String doBuildStringWithRelation(String li) {
        return "";
    }

    @Override
    protected String doBuildColumnString(String dm) {
        StringBuilder sb = new StringBuilder();
        sb.append(dm).append(xfND(_maxMemberId));
        if (sb.length() > dm.length()) {
            sb.delete(0, dm.length());
        }
        sb.insert(0, "{").append("}");
        return sb.toString();
    }

    @Override
    protected String doBuildRelationString(String dm) {
        return "";
    }

    @Override
    public ForcedType clone() {
        return (ForcedType)super.clone();
    }

    // ===================================================================================
    //                                                                            Accessor
    //                                                                            ========
    /**
     * [get] MAX_MEMBER_ID: {INTEGER(10)}

     * @return The value of the column 'MAX_MEMBER_ID'. (NullAllowed even if selected: for no constraint)
     */
    public java.math.BigInteger getMaxMemberId() {
        checkSpecifiedProperty("maxMemberId");
        return _maxMemberId;
    }

    /**
     * [set] MAX_MEMBER_ID: {INTEGER(10)}

     * @param maxMemberId The value of the column 'MAX_MEMBER_ID'. (NullAllowed: null update allowed for no constraint)
     */
    public void setMaxMemberId(java.math.BigInteger maxMemberId) {
        registerModifiedProperty("maxMemberId");
        _maxMemberId = maxMemberId;
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Q: Can one matplotlib style file inherit values from another? Suppose I have a matplotlib style file base.mplstyle with several specifications
legend.fancybox: True
legend.numpoints: 1
legend.frameon: True
legend.framealpha: 0.8
legend.shadow: True
text.color: white
text.usetex: True
figure.figsize : 9, 9

Suppose I want to create another style file small_figure.mplstyle, which has all identical settings save for just one:
legend.fancybox: True
legend.numpoints: 1
legend.frameon: True
legend.framealpha: 0.8
legend.shadow: True
text.color: white
text.usetex: True
figure.figsize : 2, 2 # <--- the only difference

Instead of copy-pasting a bunch of parameter values, is there any easy way to tell small_figure.mplstyle to inherit defaults from base.mplstyle? I'm thinking something concise, like
# This is not a valid .mplstyle file
plt.style.use("base")
figure.figsize : 2, 2

A: Style sheets are designed to be combined, so you can set up the styles you want to combine in list form. Note, however, that they will be overridden by the values of the more right-handed styles.
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

plt.style.use(['base', 'small_figure'])

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Goldwaters, Inc. v. Medar
GOLDWATERS, Incorporated, a corporation, Appellant,
Alyce MEDAR and Sam Medar, her husband, Appellees.
Snell & Wilmer, Phoenix, for appellant.
Laney & Laney, Phoenix, for appellees.
WINDES, Justice.
Suit by Alyce Medar against Goldwaters, Incorporated, for personal injuries claimed to have been caused by the effects of chemicals alleged to have been negligently[82 Ariz. 345] applied by the agent of defendant in treating plaintiff's hair in a beauty salon operated by defendant. From verdict and judgment for the plaintiff and the denial of defendant's motion for judgment n.o.v. or in the alternative for a new trial, defendant appeals and presents six assignments of error. The entire argument in defendant's brief is addressed to only one assignment and under the authority of Stallcup v. Coscarart, 79 Ariz. 42, 282 P.2d 791, the others will be considered abandoned.
The assignment argued presents the question whether the evidence justifies a finding that any product was applied to plaintiff's hair of which the defendant was charged with knowledge of potentially harmful effects. When we state the existence of facts we refer to such facts as are undisputed or for which there is evidence in support.
The dispute revolves around the question of whether a product known as 'Miss Clairol' which contained a toxic ingredient was applied by the defendant. This product should not be applied without first administering a 'patch test' to determine there will be no damaging reaction. Such test was not done in this instance. The defendant contends that the product applied was one known as 'Lady Clairol Whipped Creme' and the jury could not legally find otherwise. The assignment of error argued states that defendant had no knowledge of any potentially harmful effects of 'Lady Clairol Whipped Creme' and would not be liable for an unforeseeable allergic response. Tests demonstrated plaintiff had no allergic response to 'Lady Clairol Whipped Creme'. Consequently, the jury was fully justified in eliminating this as a cause.
The defendant contends that if the jury be allowed to find 'Miss Clairol' was used, it would violate the rule as announced in New York Life Insurance Co. v. McNeely, 52 Ariz. 181, 79 P.2d 948, that an ultimate fact cannot be inferred from another inferred fact. It is conceded by the defendant that from the testimony of medical witnesses, it could be inferred that some toxic substance was applied. There is ample evidence that whatever was applied was the proximate cause of plaintiff's ailment. Thus, the jury could find, without resort to an inference upon an inference, that some poisonous substance was applied which resulted in the injury.
The plaintiff in an effort to convince the jury that 'Miss Clairol' was the evil cause submitted evidence to the effect that plaintiff advised the operator she desired the color of her hair changed; that 'Miss Clairol' can be used to bleach or lighten as well as to tint; that 'Lady Clairol Whipped Creme' is used as a bleach; that both may be used when bleach and tint is desired; that 'Miss Clairol' was on the shelf available for use; that something ran into plaintiff's[82 Ariz. 346] ears and eyes; that 'Lady Clairol Whipped Creme' is a paste and not likely to run, whereas 'Miss Clairol' is a liquid that will run. The record card prepared by the operator who performed the service states 'bleach' under the heading 'Work', and under the heading of 'No. of Dye' it states 'Miss Clairol Whipped Creme'. This document also states 'Patron very pleased with bleach and color'. From these circumstances and this evidence the jury was entitled to infer the ultimate fact that 'Miss Clairol' was applied without seeking the aid of any other inference to establish such fact.
The evidence indicates that 'Lady Clairol Whipped Creme' and the other products which defendant contends were applied normally contain no toxic ingredient. Defendant suggests that if there was a toxin in these products it was by accident and hence the defendant had no notice thereof and could not be held liable. To relieve it of liability an attempt is made to invoke the rule that where the evidence shows an injury may have resulted from one of several causes only one of which may be attributable to defendant's negligence, the plaintiff must fail. The correct rule is that where there is more than one cause of equal probability, only one of which is attributable to defendant, the plaintiff has not proven his case. Salt River Valley Water Users' Ass'n v. Blake, 53 Ariz. 498, 90 P.2d 1004, 1007. In that case we said:
'We have repeatedly held that juries may not return verdicts on surmise or speculation, and that when damage may have resulted from one of several causes, and that it is as probable that it may have been a cause for which defendant was not responsible as one for which it was, a plaintiff may not recover.'
Applying this rule, the jury was entitled to conclude that it was more probable that plaintiff's injury was caused by the use of 'Miss Clairol' which admittedly contained a toxin than by the use of a product normally free of such substance. To attribute it to the latter, dependence would have to be placed upon the happening of an unlikely accident.
UDALL, C. J., and PHELPS, STRUCKMEYER and LA ...

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Tag Archives: isla fisher
REVIEW: "Now You See Me"
June 5, 2013 by Keith
I have to admit, the idea behind "Now You See Me" is pretty intriguing. As silly as it may sound, a group of magicians working together in huge elaborate bank heists is loaded with potential. The movie also puts together a pretty impressive cast featuring some fresh young talent, fun and reliable veterans, and a French actress that I've become a big fan of. So the ingredients are there for a fun an entertaining little thriller. That's why it's so sad that the movie stumbles all over itself and ends up being an unfortunate disappointment.
The story goes something like this – Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, and Dave Franco are small-time magicians working the streets and house shows. They're all brought together after being slipped a mysterious tarot card and address by a hooded stranger. We then leap forward to find that they have a fancy new stage show and perform under the name The Four Horsemen. After their first big show in Las Vegas rains down stolen money on the jubilant crowd, the FBI immediately get involved. Agent Rhodes (Mark Ruffalo) teams up with a French Interpol Agent Alma Vargas (Mélanie Laurent) to head the case. Their initial interrogation with The Four Horsemen leaves a sour taste in Agent Rhodes' mouth and he makes in his goal to stop them before their next big show.
Michael Caine shows up as a wealthy insurance man who sponsors The Four Horsemen's act but who may not be the ultimate brain behind their operation. We also get Morgan Freeman as a former magician who now makes his money debunking and discrediting magic acts. Both are tossed into the mix of what becomes the movie's big question – who is the person that's really behind The Four Horseman? It doesn't take a genius to figure out that twists and misdirections are a big part of this film. When the story stays focused on that it can be entertaining. Unfortunately this thing goes all over the place and by the time the twists do finally come, their effects on the convoluted story pack little punch.
There are numerous structural and narrative problems with "Now You See Me". First, there are so many enormous plot holes many of which you could drive a truck through. There are also hugs gaps in logic that no amount of magic can explain. The pacing is good enough that you can overlook some of these things while watching the film. But if you take even a second to think about some of the things they completely fall apart. The story has holes. The characters have holes. The explanations and revelations have holes. We also get bits of mumbo-jumbo about some mystical magical force called The Eye which honestly I still don't understand nor do I even care to.
Then there is the magic. With the exception of Eisenburg's cool card trick during his first scene (a trick which got me), most of the magic and illusions were underwhelming. Most of the time they felt more like movie trickery than actual magic tricks. Also I can't say I ever fully bought into any of the Horsemen as serious magicians. Some may blame the actors or it may be because we hardly spend any time with them. Most of our time are spent with the FBI trying to piece together what's going on. That leaves The Four Horsemen feeling pretty flimsy.
Personally I felt the performances were decent enough. Some where able to overcome the lackluster writing while others were smothered by it. Caine and Freeman were rock solid as always and Eisenberg was also quite good. But it was Laurent, the fine French actress I mentioned above, who gave my favorite performance. Like every other character, she has to deal with some occasionally clunky dialogue but she handles it very well. Not so with Ruffalo. He has his good moments but he also has a few stumbles. But once again, the script does him no favors.
"Now You See Me" is a real toughie for me. I was never bored. I never checked my watch. I enjoyed some of the performances, particularly from Laurent. But there are just too many stinking flaws to give the movie a recommendation. The story is riddled with plot holes. Some characters are so poorly written. The magic, which should be a strong point, won't blow anyone's socks off. In the end all of these problems sink the movie and keep it from being the film it should be. That's a shame because the parts were in place. There just wasn't a good enough story to work with.
Posted in Movie Reviews - N.	Tagged david franco, isla fisher, jesse eisenberg, mark ruffalo, melanie laurent, michael caine, morgan freeman, movies, now you see me review, woody harrelson


Greetings Love Bunnies! I am pleased to share with you this mix of r&B, soul, electronic chill, with some hip hop. This mix was done by @KDFA. Find him on Twitter and Instagram with that handle.
There is no tracklisting at the moment. Sorry bunnies.
Follow me on Breaker (social podcast app) @ Rach.
Download the 1indienation iPhone app and subscribe.
Greetings love bunnies! Here is a Progressive House, Trance and Downtempo mix from @Barnstormed on Twitter.
Subscribe on iTunes and download the 1indienation iPhone/iPad App!
Greetings lover bunnies! Sorry for the hiatus. I have been busy with the holidays and no personal space to record! My bad. I am glad you are still with me! I love recording, even when I am sick! I have a little bit of a cough and my voice isn't the best. So bare with me. This episode 100 is DEEP HOUSE mix by DJ DAZ // LA.
No tracklisting! Just enjoy the tunes.
APPS: HQ, Bossjock jr, NYC House, Hey! Vina, Feud Live, Word Cookies, and don't forget to download and support the 1indienation podcast with the iPhone app!


Looking For Best Conference Room Chairs with Wheels?
Why do you need conference room chairs with casters?
Conference rooms are where brainstorming happens; heated discussions and conclusive decisions made. Different people with different body types and varying physical attributes come together and work. A lot is said; a lot listened to, all in sitting position for a majority of time. Shouldn't such a place have chairs which are comfortable, supportive and if possible some mobility? The conference room chairs should be comfortable, allow the feet to rest on the ground and have a stable base which allows for free movement.
What are the advantages of conference chairs with casters?
Allows free movement in the room without getting up.
Casters come in different designs; hence they can enhance the look of the chair.
Damaged casters on expensive furniture can be replaced fairly easily without having to change the entire furniture.
Bad choice of casters can inhibit the proper position of the chair with respect to the desk.
Accumulation of dirt and debris in the axle reduces the movement of the chair.
If the lock mechanism fails the risk of tipping over is high.
Why are Conference table chairs with wheels a better option in the work place?
Today's lifestyle requires a majority of the working population to remain passive, spending a good deal of time in front of a computer on desk. This leads to various health problems. To counter these problems, we need chairs which come with adjustable back height, depth and good back support and mobility.
The addition of wheels to an ergonomic conference chair confers the user the freedom of movement across the office. When there is minimal effort involved to coordinate with people across the office floor, the productivity increases; nobody likes to leave the comfort of their seats to get things done. Now all you have to do is to wheel around wherever you want just like that.
Are conference chairs on wheels cost effective?
Conference chairs on wheels are priced differently for different makes and models. The price is often determined by the material used in the framework, the upholstery, the casters and additional features. On an average though, the normal chairs are available from $50 to $160, while the more luxurious one can cost anything between $400- $600.
Buy something that is strong and can bear the weight you are going to put on it.
Which are the most popular types of Conference chairs on casters?
Mid back chairs: As the name suggests are designed to offer all day support to the lumbar region.
Executive chairs: They too are designed to offer full day support to the low back; in addition they also provide full back and head support.
Task Chair: These are usually lightweight chair which do not provide any support but are more mobile.
Quality and affordability are displayed by the Executive Office Chair in Ribbed PU leather from 2X home.You can swivel around between presentations to face the other members in the room, confident that the chair's chrome base and 5 wheel casters support your every move and you will not be subject to embarrassing tipping over.
Solid chrome base means greater stability.
Tilt control with locking mechanism.
Annoying squeaky noises with movement.
Armrest though covered is not cushioned for a soft support.
Most of the users are satisfied with the comfort this chair provides. They feel it is a good value for money. The pricing and the functionality have endeared this product to all its users.
White is pristine and has a beauty which enhances the surroundings too. This Boss Mesh Back with Pewter Finish Task Chair does just that. Not only is it beautiful with its pewter colored arm rests but is also comfortable with adjustable tilt, height and ergonomically designed.
Overall the users have felt that the chair is comfortable, classy and has a solid base. They have experienced good back support and sufficient cushioning. They feel this chair is good for the price and does what it is supposed to do.
Gianni has come up with this sleek stylish high back chair which has sturdy chrome frame for the base and armrest. Specialized Duraskin makes sure that no hard surfaces poke you as it covers the sturdy frame. The modern ribbed stitching renders the chair a stylish look.
Material that resist a wear and tear so durability that lasts.
Can't sit for long hours without feeling sore.
Users feel it is stylish modern and easy to assemble though people have found sitting too long does give them some pain. People are pleased with the durability of the upholstery which reduces maintenance.
Should low back conference chairs with casters be your choice?
ThisAmazon Basics Low-Back Task Chair is ideal for home or office because of the convenience it offers. It has adjustable settings, supports the back and aligns the body properly thereby supporting long periods of sitting. The seat can be raised and lowered as need be. The fabric used is comfortable and durable offering breathability and comfort.
Durable fabric which is comfortable to sit on for long periods of time.
360 degree swivel enhances multi-tasking.
Nylon casters ensure smooth movement.
The fabric material is rough to feel.
The tilting mechanism doesn't function properly.
Several users are pleased with the ease to assemble and the comfort this low back task chair provides. The ease that the 360 degree swivel brings to the chair is much appreciated. They are quite satisfied with quality and the price.
If you are looking for support right from the back of your head to your lower back then Green Forest Office Task Chair Mesh High Back is where your search should end. This product besides the said support also has 360 degree swivel which allow multitasking. This chair adds a sense of style and modernity to your office and home.
Sturdy chrome base and safe pneumatic controls ensure that you have a stable chair to sit on.
It can withstand 300 lb. weight whereas the other models can withstand only 250 lb.
Great customer service who will respond to your queries within 24 hrs.
The instructions in the manual are not clear.
The chair tends to flip over if the locking mechanism is not in kept on.
There is no cushioning on the arms and head rest thereby one will have to endure the hard surface.
The conference chair is easy to assemble and no specific expertise is needed. The chairs ergonomics are much appreciated along with the smooth movement of the casters and the minimal noise during use. Some wish to procure one more because nothing beats the amazing price of the product. The only grouse in the entire picture is the poor packaging and delivery of the product.
Are you looking for luxurious conference chairs with wheels?
OFM Stimulus Series Adjustable Synthetic Leather Executive Chair with Padded Arms in black or chrome color is what you want. Thoughsynthetic leather has been used for the plush look, nobody will know if you don't tell them. The cushioned arm rest and the comfortable lumbar support ensure that you back pain will never be an excuse for not working. The great look, great feel and great price definitely work in favor of this conference chair.
OFM offers a limited lifetime warranty on the chair.
Carries the Greengard certificate for Low chemical emissions thereby ensuring indoor safety from harmful chemicals.
There are no visible drawbacks to this product because it is relatively new in the market.
It is relatively new in the market and the few customers who have used it find it a great buy at a great price.
Are you looking forcheap conference chairs with casters for your office?
For the wear and tear of a regular office environment you need to buy chairs which are sturdy and durable at the same time economical.Mid-Back Black Leather Swivel Task Chair with Nylon Armsfrom Flash Furniture are budget friendly leather computer chairs which provide comfort and mid back support. Though low in price they are replete with all normal features like tilt control,height adjustment, and good base and soft upholstery.
Leather and polyurethane have been used to improve the durability and softness of the upholstery.
Fire retardant foam has been used for safety.
The width of the seat is not sufficient for a big sized adult, though well suited for petite people and children.
More cushioning required for better comfort.
In general the customers are not surprised that decent quality is offered at decent price. They like the ease with which the whole thing can be assembled and upscale look of the conference chair. But big sized people have been unhappy with the size of the chair and its height from the floor which is just 23 inches.
We Choose this Boss fabric Deluxe Posture chair in Black color as the best Conference room chair with wheels because of its in-built lumbar support and waterfall seat which reduces stress on the legs because it increases circulation in that area. You can adjust the back height, depth of the seat and arm height for a comfortable sitting experience. Do not worry about the stability of the chair because the 5 star nylon base is sturdy and durable and provides a solid base which moves freely thanks to the hooded double wheels that allows smooth movement.
Users have found that the chair is value for money. Its ergonomic design and the ability to adjust height and depth have been well appreciated. They find the chair padding provides ample support to the back. Users also say that it is compact and fits in snugly in small spaces. Users have found it to be easy to assemble and meets most of their requirements from a conference chairs with wheels.


Please consider any kind of one time or regular donation. It is important for us so we can continue to serve, pay our bills, help people in need and grow our community.
Please download the Pre-Authorized Giving Plan Form. Fill it and drop it at our office.
Click to donate online. Please be careful and double check if you have the right parish listed.
If you decided to donate this way, just contact us and we will prepare envelopes for you.


The Northern Kenya Conservation Clubs are afterschool clubs that operate in fourteen schools in Laikipia, Kenya. The club at Shiloh Naibor Primary School wants to create a model forest by fencing in an area of the school compound 54 meters by 54 meters to keep out goats and sheep. This would give the teachers and students an area where grass can grow and trees can be planted, a space where they can sit in the shade, hold classes and eat lunch. It would also serve as an important model to the community of what can be accomplished when a conservation area is set aside, where no livestock can consume the grass and leaves. Overgrazing and deforestation are two major environmental problems in this part of the world.


Another birthday rolled in today. Curiously, what also came in my mailbox on my birthday was my new drivers license. Before I shredded my old license I looked at its picture, taken ten years earlier. Comparing the two photos was rather shocking. I was ten years older and I looked ten years older. Maybe I looked older.
Drivers' license pictures have this knack for making you look old and/or ugly. The DMV gloriously succeeded with me, making me scrunch down to get into the camera's frame. The new photo is in black and white, which by itself is guaranteed to make you look older. It also gives prominence to my receding hairline, something I had not noticed before. I seem to be developing a sag under my chin. Perhaps its worst feature is the dark looking circles under my eyes, something I never see when I look in the mirror, but which a black and white picture adds. I look grandfather-like, sort of like Grandpa from The Munsters. The horror!
It's a brave new world that I inhabit as I cross a boundary in time between my lower fifties and my upper fifties. In the novel Brave New World, it seemed everyone was on an antidepressant known as soma, which made life feel blissful. Thankfully, I am not on an antidepressant but slowly over the last ten years my medicine cabinet expanded with a host of prescription medications. In order to keep my aorta from getting too big I am on two heart medicines: Flecainide and Simvastin. (The men in my family have enlarged aortas, an effect of Marfans-like symptoms.) To control cholesterol, I am on a statin, specifically Simvastin. To reduce high triglycerides, I was put on a pricey drug that is encapsulated in fish oil called Lovaza. Then there is the nasal spray (Nasonex), which seems to help with the chronic stuffiness and nasal discharge. Plus there is one optional medicine: Terbafine, which is supposed to kill toenail fungi.
So I take six prescription medicines in all, plus a couple of supplemental ones if I need them, including a muscle relaxant for the sciatica. And speaking of supplements, I take a daily Vitamin D supplement because we middle aged people just don't absorb much of it naturally, no matter how much time we spend in the sun. There is also a silver multivitamin, because I'm over fifty. There are also fiber capsules to make certain things move more predictably. I also take a baby aspirin to reduce the likelihood of blood clots as well as a daily Zyrtec, which I may give up.
Here is a list of the medicines I took at age twenty: nothing. I didn't need any but that's because my body mostly worked like clockwork back then and, of course, I had no health insurance. Now, it gets crankier and I feel creakier, resulting in really annoying conditions like sciatica and numerous trips to my chiropractor. All this plus you try to exercise as much as you can with a sedentary job and mind your doctors' insistent urgings (only partially successfully) to refrain from all the foods you enjoy and eat all the stuff that vegans love but leave you taste deprived.
However, nothing says "old" better than using a BiPAP machine. A BiPAP machine is a close cousin to a CPAP machine, and is used by the millions of Americans like me with sleep apnea. After two sleep studies, the doctor of sleepology sort of knows what's going on with me, and she is insistent that every night when I sleep I must wear an ungainly facemask and attach it to my BiPAP. What it does is make my breathing regular while sleeping. Thanks to the power of durable medical equipment it pushes air into my lungs while I sleep, preventing snoring and (hopefully) sleep apnea. If you have sleep apnea, you have lungs that like to sleep along with you. They can't be bothered to provide all the oxygen you need and will even shut down, until your unconscious brain realizes something is wrong, shoots some adrenaline into your blood and you abruptly start breathing again. This should wakes you up, although most of the time you are too sleepy to notice. Instead you usually arise in the morning feeling tired and tend to want to nap during the afternoon.
If I had been prescribed a CPAP machine, a steady stream of air would go down my windpipe all night, but that's not the best fit for an old coot like me. Instead, I get the BiPAP machine, which works with my natural breathing. It knows when I am inhaling and pushes extra air into my lungs in a scientifically controlled and measured manner. To accomplish this I wear a large tightly sealed mask over my face and nose all night. The air is delivered through a sealed plastic hose attached to the BiPAP machine. The mask does not seal perfectly because a couple of years back I broke my nose, making wearing the mask somewhat uncomfortable and with some loss of pressure due to mask leaks. But hopefully while I am tethered to this machine the sleep apnea is gone but at least so far my sleep is not comfortable. I hope that I will get used to it in time. It seems I have no choice. Yet, something must be working, as I run to the bathroom in the middle of the night much less than I used to. I have yet to wake up feeling refreshed like a baby after a night on my BiPAP machine, something I hear happens, but perhaps that is coming.
In any event, all these medicines, minor ailments and durable medical equipment simply reinforce the obvious fact revealed in my drivers license: that I am aging, I know it, people who know me know it, and that the black and white camera at the DMV has documented it in its database and on my license. A much different future than my youth awaits. I'd best settle in for the ride. It sure won't be an E ticket.


I'm one of the Best!
So says the Alberta caucus of the Playwrights Guild of Canada, anyway.
The weekend of May 29 to 31, 2015, the annual PGC Conference will be held here in Edmonton. And on the very first night, ten short plays by Edmonton writers will have public readings at the latest Script Salon. A brand new snippet of mine, My Boyfriend's Cat, will be one of them.
It's only occurred to me now that this is a national event, and other theatre folk from all over Canada will be here and may be hearing my work. So. Cool.
This entry was posted in performance, photo, publicity, storytelling, theatre, writing and tagged alberta, audience, drama, edmonton, one-act, pgc, playwrights guild of Canada, reading, scene, script salon, theatre, writing by theatrejunkiehm2012. Bookmark the permalink.


text:
Q: What's this strange output for BINARY in the data explorer? In the Data Explorer, when I do
SELECT CAST( 123456 AS BINARY(4) );

I get an output of:
AAHiQA==

But, according to the docs the output is "usually":
0x0001e240

Applicable query.
I've been looking around, but couldn't find any explanation of the first-mentioned output.
Can someone explain the first-mentioned output and what caused it?
Bonus but slightly off topic:
How I would get the actual hex representation or convert the one to the other?
I originally asked this on StackOverflow, but I was led to believe that this is caused by some intermediate processing (not directly caused by the database) and should thus be here.

A: As far as the code is concerned, BINARY fields are output as byte[]. Since Data Explorer has no particular reason to specially support this kind of data, it's just passed as-is to the Json.NET serializer, the default behaviour of which is to convert byte arrays to base64-encoded strings.

How I would get the actual hex representation or convert the one to the other?

This is perhaps the more interesting question. What's your use case for wanting Data Explorer to return something different here?


text:
The Bosnian Islamic Society of Perth was established and registered in April 1996, with the purpose of assisting Bosnian Muslims who live in Western Australia to preserve their cultural and religious heritage. Despite our society's main aim of supporting the Bosnian Muslim community, nevertheless, our society welcomes all Muslims regardless of their nationality and ethnic background to become members.
Our Imam
In July 2013, the Bosnian Islamic Society employed the first ever full time Imam. Imam Mirsel Kozica is from Bosnian descent and has completed the traditional madrasa school for Imams in Serbia. His further studies have taken him to Istanbul, Turkey where he studied with a number of respected scholars, the science of Qirat. He holds a Bachelor of Islamic Theology from the University of Islamic Studies in Serbia. He also holds an Ijaza from the Reisu-l-Ulema of Bosnia, Sheikh Husein Kavazovic.


text:
No. 21 LSU Wins 10th Straight; Defeats Texas Tech, 74-60
Box Score +0
BATON ROUGE – The No. 21 LSU Women's Basketball team won their 10th game in a row and improved to 11-1 as the Tigers defeated Texas Tech Tuesday afternoon, 74-60, in the squad's final game in the West Palm Beach Invitational.
"It's much more enjoyable to get on a long charter flight going back home after a win," said Head Coach Kim Mulkey. "Merry Christmas to everyone. Thank goodness for all these LSU fans that showed up."
All five of LSU's starters scored in double figures led by Khayla Pointer who had 19 points, seven rebounds and seven assists and Jailin Cherry put up a season-high 16 points with five rebounds and four assists. Alexis Morris scored in double figures for the 11th game in a row with 13 points and six assists. Autumn Newby recorded her first double-double of the season with 12 points and 12 assists. Faustine Aifuwa rounded out the double-figure scoring with 10 points and eight rebounds.
Rhyle McKinney led Texas Tech with 14 points and Bre'Amber Scott added 12. Taylah Thomas grabbed nine rebounds to lead the Red Raiders.
The Tigers played big on the boards, out-rebounding the Red Raiders, 46-31. LSU grabbed 20 offensive rebounds.
"The kids started good," said Coach Mulkey. "We've just got to – in certain parts of the game – clamp down and understand the value of a big lead."
LSU jumped out to an early lead and never trailed in the game. The Tigers led by 13 at the half and the lead never dipped below 10, but LSU was also unable to extend it significantly in the second half.
"We have to learn how to extend leads," Coach Mulkey said.
LSU will return to the court two days after Christmas on December 27th, as they are slated to take on the Samford Bulldogs in the PMAC at 6:00 p.m. CT with $1 tickets available to all fans. The game will be available for viewing on SEC Network+.
LSU got off to a 6-0 start with contributions from Pointer, Aifuwa and Morris before Texas Tech got on the board with a pair of free throws. Cherry got on the board off a fast break pass from Morris to give LSU a 10-2 lead going into the media timeout. Out of the media timeout Pointer found Newby on the left block to give LSU a 12-2 lead as all five starters scored in the opening quarter. Texas Tech hit its first bucket of the game, a three, at the 4:27 mark after starting the game 0-5 from the field. Cherry hit back-to-back jumpers to give the Tigers a 16-5 lead as Texas Tech took a timeout. After an answer from the Red Raiders, Cherry hit her third straight bucket. The Tigers led by seven at the end of the first quarter.
Texas Tech made the first shot of the second quarter one minute in to geti within five of LSU, 20-15. Through much of the early part of the second quarter the teams traded points, LSU's lead never dipping below five. Morris reached double digits for the 12th consecutive game on a driving layup to give LSU a 30-21 game.
A few plays later Pointer hit a jumper to earn her 1,500th career point, giving LSU a 32-24 lead. She hit a three with the shot clock running down a couple possessions later to bring LSU's lead back to nine and then hit a layup to make it 11. Pointer hit a baseline jumper with time in the half winding down, scoring LSU's final nine points of the half and led a 7-0 LSU run as the Tigers took a 29-26 point lead into the break.
Cherry became the third starter to reach double digits scoring with her first made shot of the second half. She gave LSU its largest lead of the game, 45-31, a few possessions later. The Tigers led by 12 at the media timeout. At the 2:06 mark Morris stripped the ball, starting a fast break where Pointer found Aifuwa on a no-look pass to build a 15 point Tiger lead. Then after a Texas Tech three pointer, Morris drove baseline drawline contact and sank the runner, completing a three-point play. Everytime the Red Raiders scored, the Tigers seemed to respond and were able to limit Texas Tech from mounting any major runs. Despite LSU's responses, Texas Tech remained in striking distance heading into the final quarter with LSU holding a 60-46 lead.
After LSU scored the first four points of the quarter, Texas Tech scored the next four, keeping it close enough to mount a late run. Texas Tech hit a three right before the media timeout to make it a 13 point game with 4:51 remaining. But just like in the third quarter LSU limited any major runs with its lead never going below 13.
Gallery: Women's Basketball vs Vanderbilt


text:
Q: How to return asynchronous observable data from service to component in Angular 5.x? I have a Component (Let's call it CA) that creates many Components (CB).
Each component CB calls the same function from a service class.
This function creates and returns an Observable.
In the callback function of this Observable (let's call it O1), it subscribes to another Observable (O2), which is a member of the service class
Observable O2 push data to observers as long as it receives data from WebSocket connection.
In Observable O1, when it receives data from O2, it push this data to its observers.
My issue here, is that my components CB (which, as I said before, are subscribed to this Observable (O1) don't receive my data sent by O1.
When debugging O1 callback code, I can break on line when O1 receives data from O2. And then, it does an "observer.next(dataReceivedFromO2)".
But subscribers (1 in each Component C2) don't receive any data and I don't understand why.
Can anyone help me solve this problem? Thank you in advance for your help
Node version: 8.4.0

Here are my dependencies:
  "dependencies": {
    "@angular/animations": "5.2.0",
    "@angular/cdk": "5.0.4",
    "@angular/common": "5.2.0",
    "@angular/compiler": "5.2.0",
    "@angular/core": "5.2.0",
    "@angular/flex-layout": "2.0.0-beta.12",
    "@angular/forms": "5.2.0",
    "@angular/http": "5.2.0",
    "@angular/material": "5.0.4",
    "@angular/platform-browser": "5.2.0",
    "@angular/platform-browser-dynamic": "5.2.0",
    "@angular/router": "5.2.0",
    "bootstrap": "4.0.0-beta",
    "core-js": "2.5.3",
    "font-awesome": "4.7.0",
    "hammerjs": "2.0.8",
    "material-design-icons": "3.0.1",
    "rxjs": "5.5.6",
    "typedoc": "0.9.0",
    "zone.js": "0.8.20"
  },
  "devDependencies": {
    "@angular/cli": "1.6.4",
    "@angular/compiler-cli": "5.2.0",
    "@angular/language-service": "5.2.0",
    "@types/jasmine": "2.8.3",
    "@types/jasminewd2": "2.0.3",
    "@types/node": "9.3.0",
    "codelyzer": "4.0.2",
    "jasmine-core": "2.8.0",
    "jasmine-spec-reporter": "4.2.1",
    "karma": "2.0.0",
    "karma-chrome-launcher": "2.2.0",
    "karma-cli": "1.0.1",
    "karma-coverage-istanbul-reporter": "1.3.3",
    "karma-firefox-launcher": "1.1.0",
    "karma-jasmine": "1.1.1",
    "karma-jasmine-html-reporter": "0.2.2",
    "karma-json-reporter": "1.2.1",
    "protractor": "5.2.2",
    "ts-node": "4.1.0",
    "tslint": "5.9.1",
    "typescript": "2.6.2"
  }

Here is my service:
Note: Here, O2 is named "liveObservable". FunctiongetLiveResumeData() return an Observable (aka O1 in our Context) to each component that call it.
import { Injectable } from '@angular/core';
import { Observable } from 'rxjs/Observable';
import { WebsocketService } from './websocket.service';

import { IResumeReadings } from './../types/resume.readings';

@Injectable()
export class ResumeLiveService {

  resumeWebSocket: WebSocket;
  started = false;
  counter = 0;
  liveObservable: Observable<IResumeReadings[]>;

  constructor(private websocketService: WebsocketService) {
    this.openService(this.websocketService);

    if (!this.started) {
      this.resumeWebSocket.onopen = () => {
        this.resumeWebSocket.send('get_resume_data');
        this.started = true;
      };
    }

    // Here is my Observable O2
    this.liveObservable = Observable.create((observer) => {
      // When data comes from WebSocket, data are sent to observer
      this.resumeWebSocket.onmessage = (message: any) => {
        const bodyAsJson: IResumeReadings[] = JSON.parse(message.data);
        // Sending data to observer
        observer.next(bodyAsJson);
      };

      this.resumeWebSocket.onerror = (error) => {
        observer.error(error);
      };

      return () => {
        // If all components (C2) have unregistered from their respective Observable,
        // the service sends over websocket a message to stop sending data
        if (this.started && this.counter === 0) {
          this.resumeWebSocket.send('stop_resume_data');
          this.started = false;
        }
      };
    });
  }

  // Function that is called by each Component (C2)
  getLiveResumeData(id ?: number): Observable<IResumeReadings[]> {
    if (!this.started) {
      this.counter = 0;
      if (this.resumeWebSocket.readyState === this.resumeWebSocket.OPEN) {
        this.resumeWebSocket.send('get_resume_data');
        this.started = true;
      } else {
        this.resumeWebSocket.onopen = () => {
          this.resumeWebSocket.send('get_resume_data');
          this.started = true;
        };
      }
    }
    this.counter += 1;

    // We create and return an Observable (O1) which push data to observers when
    // it receives data from liveObservable (O2)
    return Observable.create((observerTest) => {
      const subs = this.liveObservable.subscribe((data) => {
        observerTest.next(data);
      }, (error) => {
        observerTest.error(error);
      });

      return () => {
        subs.unsubscribe();
        this.counter -= 1;
      };
    });

Here is my component (C2)
export class MeasurementCardComponent implements OnInit, OnDestroy {

  @Input()
  measurementInfo: IMeasurementInfo;
  @Input()
  formID: string;
  data: Observable<IResumeReadings[]>;
  alarmStatus: AlarmStatus;
  liveResumeSub: Subscription;
  constructor(private utilsService: UtilsService,
              private resumeLiveService: ResumeLiveService) { }

  ngOnInit() {
    // Storing Observable (O1) from service
    this.data = this.resumeLiveService.getLiveResumeData(this.measurementInfo.id);
    // We subscribe to this Observable
    this.liveResumeSub = this.data.subscribe(
      (readings) => {
      //  ==============> !!!!!!!!!!!     NEVER COMES OR BREAKS HERE      :-(   !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   <==================
        if (readings[0].limits) {
          for (const limit of readings[0].limits) {
            this.formControls[limit.name] = this.formBuilder.control(limit.value, [Validators.required]);
          }
        }

        const previousAlarmStatus = this.alarmStatus;
        this.alarmStatus = this.utilsService.measurementStyleAlarm(readings[0]);

        if (this.alarmStatus !== previousAlarmStatus) {
          this.setCardAlarmStyle();
        }
      },
      (err: HttpErrorResponse) => {
        if (err.error instanceof Error) {
           // A client-side or network error occurred.
          console.log(`An error occured while getting resume readings for cards: ${err.error.message}`);
        } else {
          // The backend returned an unsuccessful response code.
          // The response body may contain clues as to what went wrong
          console.log(`While getting resume readings for cards, Web server returned code ${err.status},` +
                      `message was: ${err.message}`);
        }
      },
    () => {
      console.log('complete');
    });
  }


Classic hazelnut flavored decaffeinated arabica coffee.
Again, this coffee seems to be well roasted . Has a very mild, pleasant fragrance, but the flavor is not as distinctive as it might be. I found this true with the three flavors I purchased. The flavor seem to cook out. It may be all a matter of personal taste and tastebuds.
I love the flavored coffees.
I love Hazelnut coffee but don't drink much caffeine in afternoon so this one is perfect all the way for that relaxing cup in my afternoon break.


Botanical Name of Badara : Zizyphud Jujuba Mill & Lamk.
A spine deciduous shrub or small tree grows up to 30 ft. height. Leaves – Alternate, ovate to ovoid-lanceolate, 3 to 7 cm long, 2 to 4 cm wide, Apex is slightly obtuse, base is oblique, margin closely serrulate, 3-veined. Inflorescence – Axillary cyme. Fruit – Drupe, 2 to 5 cm long, ovate or oblong dark reddish brown when ripe, contains single stony seed.
Internal: It is deepana, pachana, anulomana, trishna nigrahana and pleehavriddhihara in guna hence it should be used in agnimandya, aruchi, vibandha, anaha, adhmana, trishna and pleehavriddhi.
It should be used as cardiac tonic being hridya.
The root paste or leave paste of badar is externally applied on affected part of body in case of rheumatism,gout and similar conditions.
Paste prepared from badar leaves is externally applied over skin for relieving the burning sensation and fever.It also brings down body temprature.
Paste of badar bark is applied externally to treat Visphota,boils and abscess.
Bark decoction of badar is used with Narayana churna to treat bloating and abdominal distension.
paste prepared from root of Badara (Zizyphus jujuba), Tila (Sesamum indicum), honey and milk is used in raktatisara.
Fried leaves of badar mix with Saindhavalavana (Rock salt) is given internally in case of Kasa (Cough).
The paste of bark (12-24 g) is fried in ghee and taken with rock salt (1 g) thrice daily.
Badar root powder(1gm) should be taken with tandulodak (rice water) in case of vomiting.
The leaves juice is rubbed gently like kajal.
Paste prepared from badar leaves,amla and neem leaves is externally applied on scalp region in case of hair fall.
Fresh leaves decoction is used for hair washing.
Dried badar leaves churna is used to treat the diabetes in adose of 1tsf twice a day.
Badar leaves decoction is used for diuretic purpose.
The powder of dried fruit in a dose of 3gm is used to treat the diarrhoea.
To treat the dysentry ,the juice is extracted from equal amount of leaves of patharchatta ,jamun and ber are taken orally.
Ber is used in sweating and virechana treatment.
When ber is sour then it is not used in gastritis but when it is sweet and ripe it calms the stomach acid secreation and relieves the gastritis.
Paste of Badar leaves are fried in ghee and given mixed with rock salt to alleviate laryngitis associated with cough.
Pulp – 1 to 3 gm.
Zizogenin, Zeatin, Frangufoline, Saponin etc.
Bark: Leucocyanidin, Mauritines A,B,C,D, E & F frangufoline.
Polysaccharides from Zizyphus jujube Mill is evaluated for the chemical composition. Antioxidant activity and hepatoprotectie effect. HPLC analysis showed that polysaccharide rich in glucose (38.59%) arabinose (23.16%) glacturonic acid (17.64%) and galactose (10.44%).


text:
34. Lord of the Flies
thebiscuitfactoryonline Uncategorized October 15, 2018 October 15, 2018 6 Minutes
Enough of the synchronicity. Time to get back to Westcliff.
Whatever your take on the recent US shenanigans involving Brett Kavanaugh and Professor Christine Blasey Ford, what struck me most was how the details of memories from decades ago are subject to natural deterioration. If my experience is anything to go by, the emotions and feelings can stay just as strong and valid, but a 'who/what/when/where' blurring happens. While my feelings about grammar school remain intact, my recollection of detail is no longer sharp regarding the events that took place nearly 50 years ago.
Retrospectively, I can see that I was a bit of a hick from the sticks. Open-hearted, very imaginative, generally of a trusting nature. Not without bravery on occasions. But I lived in a village, and my dad was a scrap metal merchant, with little aspiration to middle-class sophistication.
Year one was fine, before puberty set in and 'Lord of the Flies' mentality came into play. I had quickly soothed my biggest worry, that the 30-minute journeys to and from school were navigable without being assaulted in some way for being a 'nerd'. I was a better than average sportsman, and the academic rigours were well within my competence. My first year school report was excellent, and never again attained.
My first year fears were deeply primal. Like our evolutionary ancestors who took those first cautious, perilous steps out of the trees, and tried to figure out how to not get devoured by giant-toothed beasts, my radar was forever scanning the potential source of any punch or kick from my peers, while a part of my brain figured out the behaviour that might avoid the corporal punishment still handed out by the school. Our technical drawing teacher, Mr Baker, would hurl a hard, wooden blackboard runner across the room if you talked out of turn. Scary, and incredibly dangerous.
I have no idea exactly when these more physical fears were supplanted by the more abstract concepts that Sharon Brown would already have encountered at St Margarets. Such as potential loss of social status, disapproval or disrespect from fellows, ideas about inadequacy and fretting over imagined futures.
All I can do is replay, with a few tidying edits, my notes made in the Isle of Man in 2002.
I'm never quite sure how it started, but guess it was the old thing where a group needs a target, or victim, to find its focus and establish its hierarchy. The tests go out to find the point of least resistance, which happened to be me. I was never looking to score social points, nor to control people. Least of all to upset them, tease them, or strip them of their self-esteem. I wouldn't do that to a dog, let alone laugh about it. But it was just a bit of fun, right?
What started it? I've a sneaking feeling that it may have come to life in the chemistry laboratory. Some standard experiment that ended with a test tube fizzing and shooting some acidic substance onto my hair. Which caught fire and went out again in the blink of an eye, slightly burning my fringe. I don't know that it made any difference to my appearance, but somebody laughed, and somebody else passed a comment. And I was seen to flush with embarrassment.
And then I may have twisted up my words in a French lesson, perhaps, causing a teacher's comment, and another flush across my face. And I guess that was it, a weak point was out in the open, and the vultures dived in. Teasing gradually began to intensify, and because the process upset me, and left me feeling flustered and defenceless, it was highlighted by some genius that Kev was beginning to cry. Fuck knows I wasn't, as that had been stamped out by Eric, but it acted as a rallying cry for the troops.
So now I was an embarrassed 'crybaby', and feeling so bewildered about this treatment that I didn't know where to start in defending myself. Which probably opened residues of the way that I'd felt when my father had smacked me, defenceless and open to abuse. He gave me the working class physical version, and now I was getting the middle class equivalent, in words, from these kids who were just beginning to feel their testosterone surge without having a clue to the impact they could wield.
I don't have a clue when my gauntlet started, nor when it petered out. But I do know that for two or three years when I needed to be flourishing and gaining self-esteem I was feeling crucified. I became so scared of attracting the wrong sort of attention that I went way into my shell, lest any blunder be punished.
The cruelty progressed to the stage that I would work out in advance of any activity where to sit, what to say and do, how to deflect attention from any potential cruelty. But it could never be avoided for long, as the lust for sport overcame my tormentors.
"Look – Kev's crying! He's crying, look everybody. Come and have a look, he's a baba, poor little Kevsy-Wevsy. Don't cry, Kevvy-Wevvy. Aaaah, poor Kevvy. Does oo want a hanky for your tears, poor Kevvy. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ….hee hee hee."
One standout example was a time when I'd somehow trodden in dog crap on the way to school. I didn't notice a thing, but a finer nose than mine caught on and instigated a search ending on my right shoe.
"Whoooooah boys, Kevvy-Wevvy's got dogshit on his shoe. He must be the dogshit kid. We don't want to sit near him – quick everybody, pull your desks away, get away from him."
So the dogshit kid sat in the middle of the room, flushing with embarrassment, trying to smile, feeling like digging a hole and jumping in it for ever.
Just as bad, being unable to go home and tell your parents, because there were no bruises or scars, and I would too ashamed to admit that teasing could be so upsetting. When I did, Eric's advice was nursery rhyme level. Sticks and stones could break my bones but names could never hurt. So on and on it went. "Let's have some fun and upset Kev. What little gems can we dream up today? How about the theory that ginger-headed lads never get girlfriends, or that West Ham supporters are queer. Hey his mum's called Phyllis – let's change that to syphillis? Ha ha ha ha ha. Hey, I think he's going to cry again. Are you crying, Kevvy-wevvy?"
There were other repercussions that span off from the fear of verbal bullying that I came to carry around. I began not to be able to see the blackboard so clearly at school, from about the age of 14. I either sat at the front to remedy this, or cribbed whatever needed copying from the lad next to me. What I should have done was to get some spectacles, but glasses were the preserve of boffins, and to have to become "four eyes" along with the other crap would have been too much to endure.
So instead I squinted ever harder at the board and indulged in what must have seemed like acts of madness to bus drivers, flagging down their bus and then waving it on, imperiously, when I saw that it was the wrong number bus for Bowers Gifford. Or sitting at home in front of the telly, never quite able to pick out the picture precisely for a period of years until I was at University, and could finally get myself some specs now that I was among real friends again.
I wish that there had been physical bullying, so that I could justifiably have let a fist fly. But using your fists after being called a crybaby? The only time that I let fly was when it was physically deserved, in one of the soccer games that we would play at lunchtimes, when one of the tormentors kept kneeing me in the thigh from behind. So I let him have an elbow in the ribs, and he never did it again.
I got up on scores and scores of mornings not wanting to go to school, but putting myself through it because I felt that nobody would listen or support me. I never understood what was happening. I suppose it was a bit like being smacked: you carry on loving the abuser and trying to please them. You don't know what you've done to deserve the lack of love, and subconsciously blame yourself that the abusers have been forced into acting so dreadfully.
By the time of sixth form it had stopped. But the inability to cry out for help has plagued me for much of my later life, when I will simply sit on problems that seem irresolvable.
Who said or did precisely what? That really would be guesswork, and has been of decreasing interest as I've got older. You acquire perspective, and see much more clearly that life brings hard knocks. That others go through worse, that school is a terrible crucible. And that you were never an angel.
But the feelings stay. I picked Rory up from infant school one day, and could see that he was getting more and more upset as a couple of his 'friends' had been teasing him remorselessly about his relative inability to climb a fence or match their speed.
On the way home he said: "They broke my heart Dad".
More perspective on this next time.
Previous Post 33. Hockney Part 2
Next Post 35. Cycling alone


text:
New Pivot Database Helps Identify Grant Funding Sources and Potential Collaborators
Faculty seeking grant funding opportunities and potential collaborators in their areas of research expertise now have a new integrated tool to help with both tasks. The Pivot database, which replaces the former Community of Scholars Funding Opportunities database, provides access to funding opportunities worth an estimated $33 billion from a wide variety of sources in the U.S. and other countries.
But Pivot is more than a search tool for grants. It also features a database of some three million scholar profiles - including WPUNJ faculty - based on their publications, associated web content, and additional details contributed by individual researchers, matching these to current funding opportunities. This additional content means Pivot users can search for a funding opportunity and instantly view matching faculty from inside or outside their institution; or conversely, Pivot users can search for a scholar and view funding opportunities connected to that individual's area of subject expertise.
Pivot provides all WPUNJ faculty with access to a personal account that can be used to create complete personal profiles, set up automated searches for new grant opportunities keyed to their own discipline, and identify potential collaborators both inside and outside WPUNJ.
Pivot is funded by the WPUNJ Office of Sponsored Programs and is accessible from its web page as well as from the Cheng Library's databases directory. Support for faculty is available through interactive training webinars (live and recorded), a series of training videos available on YouTube, and a six-page Quick Start Guide (in PDF format) that can be downloaded from Pivot's web site. On-campus support is also available from the Office of Sponsored Programs (x 2852, grants@wpunj.edu) and the David and Lorraine Cheng Library (x 2116, refdesk@wpunj.edu).
New Pivot Database Helps Identify Grant Funding So...


A Ranger carrying an assault rifle.
There are a plethora of weapons to choose from in this game. The first option for each class in Insect Armageddon and for Rangers only in all other titles is the assault rifle, a fast shooting, relatively high powered weapon that is useful against a variety of enemies. The weapons differ based on the class chosen and they are unlocked as the character levels up and picks up weapon drops.
A high-powered, fully automatic rifle. Developed in 2011, this new model boasts considerably higher firepower than the original. It has now been adopted as the EDF standard. In eight years of battling massive aliens on the field, it has delivered continuously strong results.
An upgraded version of the AF14. This RA model has an improved rate of fire, but loses a bit of range as a tradeoff. It can instantly riddle a target full of bullets. It's effective in close combat, but its designers were clearly more focused on speed than distance.
An ST model AF14 upgrade that sacrifices firing speed for power and range. However, since it is the first ST model, its shots travel slowly, making it ineffective against fast-moving targets.
An ultra high-energy laser gun. It has a short range, but boasts the destructive power of a tank, making it one of the strongest personal-use weapons known to man. However, that tremendous energy is difficult to control, so once the trigger is pulled, it will fire at full blast continuously until the wielder switches weapons. Recharging it, too, requires special facilities, making it impossible to reload out on the field.
An upgraded AF14-RA that fires an incredible 60 shots per second, resulting in overwhelming damage when all rounds hit. Ammunition, however, is used up quickly, and the weapon must be reloaded frequently. It also has a frustratingly short range.
An upgraded AF14. This model fires three-shot bursts in place of the full auto function -- there is no auto-fire. There is also no recoil from these rapid-fire shots, however, so accuracy is unaffected, and range is actually improved.
A new, vastly improved AF series model with firepower almost double that of the AF14, and only a very slight cost to range.
This ST model AF15 sacrifices firing rate for strength. Though it can't fire rapidly, it has exceptional firepower and doubled range. Additionally, the slow shot speed typical of ST models has been remedied, making this an effective weapon against fast-moving targets as well.
An enhanced 'Fusion Blaster' gun, with greater destructive power, a longer charge, and easier handling. Has a short range, but boasts the destructive power of a tank, making it one of the strongest personal-use weapons known to man. However, that tremendous energy is difficult to control, so once the trigger is pulled, it will fire at full blast continuously until the wielder switches weapons. Recharging it, too, requires special facilities, making it impossible to reload out on the field.
A new AF series model. With improved firepower and vastly increased distance, this weapon is extremely effective in mid-range combat. Ammo capacity is slightly decreased in exchange, however.
A special AF series model. This assault rifle fires two bullets simultaneously in a V pattern.
This coveted AF16 upgrade boasts an improved rate of fire without sacrificing power. Accuracy, however, is severely decreased in exchange, giving it more of a shotgun-like feel.
A new AF series model. This superb weapon boasts improved firepower and no longer suffers from poor ammo capacity, giving it an excellent overall balance.
A new AF series model developed primarily to offer high bullet velocity, making it possible to aim accurately at agile enemies. Range, on the other hand, is extremely short.
This rapid-firing AF18 upgrade does not suffer from the short range of other RA models. The AF18's high velocity is somewhat compromised, but it has excellent overall balance. Accuracy is also improved, given a skilled hand.
A special AF18 model developed primarily with firepower in mind. It is nearly twice as powerful as the AF18, but its accuracy has been severely compromised, making this weapon feel more like a shotgun.
An upgraded ST-model AF19 that sacrifices rate of fire for power. Accuracy and range are also quite high, and it supposedly boasts the fastest bullet velocity of any assault rifle.
An enhanced 'Fusion Blaster' gun with a dramatic increase in its destructive capability, a longer charge, and easier handling. Has a short range, but boasts power rivaling that of a tank, making it one of the strongest personal-use weapons known to man. However, that tremendous energy is difficult to control, so once the trigger is pulled, it will fire at full blast continuously until the wielder switches weapons. Recharging it, too, requires special facilities, making it impossible to reload out on the field.
This new AF series model has no outstanding strong points, but successfully improves on firepower without sacrificing overall performance. It's a great all-around weapon with no specific disadvantages.
This upgraded RA model AF19 no longer suffers from short range syndrome. In fact, it has a longer range than the standard AF19! However, it uses a special magazine that takes slightly longer to reload.
Developed for greater firepower, this AF19 upgrade features a wider barrel and -- in lieu of full auto -- fires off rounds in three-shot burst to help cut back on recoil.
An ST model AF20 that sacrifices rate of fire for outstanding firepower and bullet velocity. The trade-offs for this are reduced ammo capacity and a longer reload time.
An AF20 upgrade. This model exchanges full auto fire for a burst mechanism to improve accuracy. The resulting reduction in recoil also enables greater precision.
An output-enhanced 'Fusion Blaster' gun with a reduced charge but greatly enhanced destructive force. Has a short range, but boasts power rivaling that of a tank, making it one of the strongest personal-use weapons known to man. However, that tremendous energy is difficult to control, so once the trigger is pulled, it will fire at full blast continuously until the wielder switches weapons. Recharging it, too, requires special facilities, making it impossible to reload out on the field.
The masterpiece of the AF series. This model achieves the maximum balance of power, range and accuracy possible, making it a formidable weapon in close- and mid-range combat alike.
The final battle spec for the 'Fusion Blaster' gun. All of its features have been greatly increased, making it one of mankind's most frightening and yet most effective weapons. Has a short range, but boasts power beyond all imagination. However, that tremendous energy is difficult to control, so once the trigger is pulled, it will fire at full blast continuously until the wielder switches weapons. Recharging it, too, requires special facilities, making it impossible to reload out on the field.
The VanSnaster ll-l is an advanced submachine gur produced by VanSnaster Laboratories. The 11-1 was a originally conceived with light weight and extreme mobility in mind. It fires handgun caliber rounds at a very nice rate.
The Norwood AR-F is a basic-duty assault rifle, built to the specification of the EDF. It is a good all-around weapon, featuring a good mix of power, range and rate of fire.
Xinxabec's first experimental homing rifle was not ready for general service use, but was released for specials ops use at the start of the invasion.
AF14-B3 An upgraded AF14. This model fires 3-shot bursts in place of the full-auto function. There is no recoil from rapid-fire shots, so accuracy is unaffected. Range is also improved.
AS-19R An improvement of the standard AS-19. Much like the 18R, the focus here is placed on the increased rapid fire.
However, this has led to a problem with accuracy.
The Earth Defense Force Wiki is a FANDOM Games Community.


text:
The US is preparing a strike on Syria
Moscow. April 10. INTERFAX.RU — the United States has begun to "prepare the ground" for an attack on Syria in response to reports of "suspicions" that the Syrian town of Duma was to use chemical weapons, blame Damascus and Russia, told the Wall Street Journal.
She noted that before the meeting with the military leadership, the President, Donald trump told reporters that after watching the footage of dead women and children in the Duma, he was ready to take "quick fix".
It will not remain unanswered and the response will be powerful. When — I will not say.Donald Trump
Before meeting with members of his Cabinet to discuss Washington's response to allegations of chemical weapons, trump said: "We cannot allow such atrocities as these. We will take an important decision over the next 24 or 48 hours."
At the same time, trump said, answering the question of who should be responsible for the chemical attack that "it turns out", but added that this question "there are already good answers".
He said that the US has "a lot of answers, war", promising that this will be known "very soon, but perhaps after the fact".
The Wall Street Journal notes that, "at least one missile destroyer of the U.S. Navy extends to the Syrian coast."
The newspaper writes that "the Pentagon has already prepared for Mr. trump a series of military measures," as the President said earlier that "all will pay" for the chemical attack, including Russia and Iran, "if they were helping Damascus to use chemical weapons".
Previous Post:Lavrov: Russia will offer the UN security Council a draft resolution on the incident in the Syrian Duma
Next Post:XI Jinping: China will not maintain a positive trade balance and increase import


1. Kaneda2. Battle Against Clown3. Winds Over Neo-Tokyo4. Tetsuo5. Dolls' Polyphony6. Shohmyoh7. Mut..
CD1 – Jazz 爵士篇 【海邊的曼徹斯特 Manchester by the Sea (2016)】 1. I'm Beginning To See The Light – ..
Made in JapanLimited No. Edition1. A Fistful Of Dollars2. For A Few Dollars More*3. The Good, The Ba..
Hybrid Stereo SACD1. A Fistful Of Dollars2. For A Few Dollars More*3. The Good, The Bad And The Ugly..
Made in JapanLimited No. Edition	1. Footloose - Kenny Loggins 2. Let's Hear It for the Boy - D..
Hybrid Stereo SACD	1. Theme from "Hatari!"	2. Baby Elephant Walk	3. Just For Tonight	4. Your Father'..
Hybrid Stereo SACD	1. Peter Gunn	2. Sorta Blue	3. The Brothers Go To Mother's	4. Dreamsville	5. Sess..
Hybrid Stereo SACD	1. The Pink Panther Theme	2. It Had Better Be Tonight (Instrumental)	3. Royal Blu..
Hybrid Multi-channel SACDOlympic Fanfare and Theme (4:32)The Cowboys Overture (9:49)Superman March (..
Made in JapanHybrid Stereo SACDLimited No. Edition1. To The Edge Of The Earth2. Big My Secret3. A Wi..
Made in JapanHybrid Stereo SACDLimited No. Edition1. Memorial2. Miserere Paraphrase3. Book Depositor..
Made in JapanLimited No. Edition1. Memorial2. Miserere Paraphrase3. Book Depository4. Coupling5. Mis..


text:
Books & Novels»
Rewriting Twain? Really?
Jump to Last Post 1-12 of 12 discussions (48 posts)
BillyDRitchieposted 8 years ago
I'm surprised no one has posted about this...but apparently there is a new edition of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn being released in Feb with all references to the "N" word removed.
Are you or are you not in favor of fundamentally altering classic works in order to make them more politically correct for modern audiences? Why or why not?
I say leave the classics alone. Let them stand as a testament to the time in which they were created.
china manposted 8 years agoin reply to this
It is not double standard - it is pure ignorance. Twain wrote it partly in defense of the negro slave, blacking out the n word just reflects the modern tendency to black out the race issues that are still alive and kicking in many places, especially the USA.
Jim Hunterposted 8 years agoin reply to this
"blacking out the n word just reflects the modern tendency to black out the race issues that are still alive and kicking in many places, especially the USA."
Oh yeah, the racist USA, we have a black leader....do you?
What ? are you saying the US is not racist ?
I'm saying that in November of 2008 a majority of citizens of the U.S. elected a black man to lead them.
Assuming you don't live in the U.S. has your country ever done that?
Flightkeeperposted 8 years agoin reply to this
Dude, the guy thinks you're TK Sensei...
He probably thinks Obama's white.
I get accused of being all kinds of people.
Its funny.
I know, but it's so funny that you can make the libs in the forum foam in the mouth. I do enjoy it so. I'm sorry that you have to go through it.
Thank you for your concern.
They do get a little huffy don't they.
Shadesbreathposted 8 years agoin reply to this
The only people who read Twain as racist are people that don't have the intelligence to follow the stories he wrote. He was a smart man, so it is not hard to imagine how the slow miss it. The depth and beauty of his humanity in Huckleberry Finn, his absolutely genius approach to CLEARLY ILLUMINATING what was wrong with racism while pretending to have no opinion, is incredible.
Only the stupid don't see it, and to allow that kind of ignorance to deprive future generations of Twain's genius is a travesty. I get so sick of people looking for racism under every rock and behind every door. They are so sure the world is out to get them that they have lost the ability to truly tell which is which. Their whole world is an ink-blot test filled with white hoods and conspiracies.
lxxyposted 8 years agoin reply to this
I only caught the lead-in to said news story--but as soon as they mentioned Mark Twain, Huck Finn, and "editing" I thought of the only word one might object to.
I opine this to be analogous to many great literary books forewarning us of this day--Fahrenheit 451 and 1984 prime examples.
"He who controls the present controls the past. He who controls the past, controls the future"-George Orwell
And let's not forget Animal Farm and doublespeak. His novels are certainly prescient.
Yep! His vision of the future is our nightmare reality..
Buffoonposted 8 years agoin reply to this
Same thoughts here:
http://hubpages.com/hub/Political-corre … ig-brother
I'm infuriated at this total insanity but at least it's good to see some sanity and common sense still exist in the world.
marwan asmarposted 8 years agoin reply to this
I think classics should be left alone as they reflect eras and the "genuinity" of these periods. As to political correctness, well, its "good" and everywhere; we don't need to be reminded of it everytime!
Flightkeeperposted 8 years ago
Ssshhh! You're not supposed to be pointing out the double standard.
I think she means that most liberals believe that conservatives want to ban or rewrite books.
But why is a double standard just because someone didn't bring this up in the forum after it was made the cause de jour? Some of us do have lives outside the forum.
I'll let you figure out why its a double standard.
Not that you would ever admit to there being one.
SarahLinnyposted 8 years agoin reply to this
I think that china man makes a pretty good point. To say that the USA is not racist because we have a black leader is a bit ignorant. There is a good chance that china man is also a citizen of the US, and for you to blindly assume that he is not because of his name is in and of itself racist and small minded.
Yes, we have a black leader, but that black leader speaks like a white man, is surrounded by white people, and is the first person of ANY color to lead our country after a long line of privileged white males...
But let me guess, you're not racist because you have a Black friend and maybe kissed a Black girl once (but you'll never bring her home because she's just not your type).
Do you happen to be from the midwest?
Okay, let me add a bit to my comment. In my surprise at your inability to see your own bigotry, those of you who attacked so quickly at someone's mention of a major downfall of the US (a country of which, mind you, I am a proud citizen), I failed to look at china man's profile and see that he is, in fact, in China. My mistake.
However, let me maintain my original point while altering the way I made it. You attack a man who lives in another country for the way his country is run, for his leader not being of another race but Chinese, but at the same time, you say that his country is racist. Is your whole point not relying on a racist issue? You are a hypocrite of the most dangerous kind, my friend, the kind who make an institution of being no more than a closeminded asshole.
"You attack a man who lives in another country for the way his country is run, for his leader not being of another race but Chinese, but at the same time, you say that his country is racist."
Hmmmm, you're not really following this thread too well.
You may want to back up and try again.
I'm sorry, I didn't mean to put thought into what I was saying. And flightkeeper, close your mouth, the flies are getting in.
That's okay the laughs were worth a bug or two.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to put thought into what I was saying."
Thought is good.
I like thought.
I thought Chinaman said the U.S, was racist.
I now know from you that I attacked Chinaman and called his country racist.
Thats what I get for thinking.
Sarah - You are wasting your time responding to the troll, all it will do is get you to make a mistake and slip into personal attack against the outright bigotry and irritating garbage - then you will get banned from the forums.
"There is a good chance that china man is also a citizen of the US, and for you to blindly assume that he is not because of his name is in and of itself racist and small minded."
Are you bigoted towards people from the midwest?
Thats very small minded.
Haha YES! I am. Well, only the ones who make comments like yours.
Ron Montgomeryposted 8 years agoin reply to this
No, you like burning them intact.
BillyDRitchieposted 8 years agoin reply to this
Odd, I wasn't aware of any conservative who is in favor of banning or burning any book.
Historically, it has been the liberal side who wishes to shut down any speech they disagree with....(remember the Fairness Doctrine they were determine to impose on talk radio?0
Jaggedfrostposted 8 years ago
oh but my dears, Twain was supposed to be a great thinker of progress. He cant have such works on his record. Someone has to clean up his mess.
Rafiniposted 8 years ago
Leave the classics alone! If Mark Twain is allowed to be rewritten, to remove the 'n' word, then Shakespeare's Othello would have to be rewritten to remove all references of Othello being black, and a Moor. In fact, all Shakespeare's plays would have to be rewritten in order to make sense! Not to mention some of Hawthorne's works, or Charles Dickens, or....
Jim Hunterposted 8 years ago
I guess the Tin man should be called the "Recycled materials man".
The witch is "Alternative religion person".
The cowardly lion can be "Bravery challenged".
IzzyMposted 8 years ago
I'm surprised the Mark Twain foundation is allowing this! It really is taking political correctness too far!
I think the UK re-worded the nursery rhyme "Baa Baa Black Sheep" though not sure what to. Not many words can be used instead to keep the rhythm. Maybe they just banned kids from singing it.
I would leave it. What is next, rewriting To Kill a Mockingbird? Books should definitely be left as they were written, they reflect that time. I can't see how anyone could take that seriously.
I read Huckleberry Finn as a kid, it did not make me racist...
I heard about this before the conservative blogs and CNN picked it up but didn't think an actually publisher was doing this. I will be avoiding the publisher from now on.
And here we go bringing up the stupid argument that just because a liberal didn't post on the HubPages forum about it that means they accept it and are not upset about it.
I don't believe thats the argument.
There is a double standard.
They remove the "N" word so as not to offend.
What a liberal posts or doesn't post wont change that fact.
rebekahELLEposted 8 years agoin reply to this
it's so predictable. I've stopped reading their rants.
Huck Finn should be left alone.
I am DB Cooperposted 8 years ago
This isn't the first time a censored version of Twain's books has been published. Sales are always flat and the story goes away.
By the way, is there a reason why nobody is saying the word in question in here? Is it against forum rules? Using the term "the N-word" gives the word more power than it deserves. People don't want to actually say the word, so they use "the N-word", which makes the listener or reader say the actual word in their heads, so the speaker/writer is just shifting the use of the term from themselves to the listener.
Nigger alone is offensive to many, and can be perceived as "racist," which would be definitely against TOS.
I snigger, recalling a case where a teacher used the word "niggardly" (which, could be classified as being stingy) and reprimanded because of it.
http://www.adversity.net/special/niggardly_again.htm
You're absolutely right, tho.
"It's the suppression of the word that gives it the violence, viciousness."-Lenny Bruce
It just infuriates me that so many actually believe we should run the country from a position of appeasing the ignorant and defending hypersensitivity.
The offended parent should have been taken aside by the principle of the school and told, privately, "Um, listen ma'am, the word means 'miserly' and, well, so now you know. If you'd like, we have adult literacy classes on Wednesday nights at 7:00, and we'd love to see you there."
But no, they'd rather make a big show of apology rather than defend what is right. What a bunch of frightened, bullied wimps too terrified to defend themselves, too beaten down by the PC crowd to stand up for truth.
It's pathetic.
It went national; people took sides. As with most rulings/dealings such as this, the press propped it up for its controversy points. This isn't the first time I've seen this happen, and it won't be the last.
This is why you don't go around giving people authority. They don't know what to do with it.
I've listened to a lot of student debates on this topic in college classrooms. Professors are pressured to pull it from COLLEGE reading lists in AMERICAN lit courses. It's pretty amazing.
habeeposted 8 years ago
Some of you hubbers might be surprised by how many school systems have banned Huck Finn. What a shame! As several of you have said, Twain was speaking out AGAINST racism. Ironically, some schools in the Deep South banned the book decades ago because they understood this and didn't like the message. They also didn't like the idea of a white boy and an adult black male having such a close relationship and being naked together.
logic,commonsenseposted 8 years ago
I read Huck Finn as a child and rather than make me racist, it impressed upon me that racism is wrong.
It depends on how one inteprets what one reads I guess.
Just like anything else, you will see what you want to see in writing, politics, religion,or statistics.
Progressives who are rewriting it?
"10. It's coming from the "New South." Actually, NewSouth is the name of the publisher. But some research I'm conducting reveals that there is a quiet movement called the New South that is about rewriting history, reviving the Confederacy and erasing the historical fact of slavery's existence. Though the publisher does not appear to be connected to this New South movement, and doesn't appear to have racist intent, it's hard to ignore a shared revisionist impulse. "
http://www.truthdig.com/arts_culture/it … _20110106/
Every wonder that they may be erasing the word to change history rather than to avoid offense?
Is it a double standard when Obama hasn't released his Columbia and Harvard scho
by JON EWALL 6 years ago
Is it a double standard when Obama hasn't released his Columbia and Harvard school records?
Is there a "double standard" when it comes to (stay at home) dads?
by dashingscorpio 7 years ago
Is there a "double standard" when it comes to (stay at home) dads?It's often said that being a (stay at home mom) is one of the hardest jobs in the world. However when the roles are reversed and the wife is the "breadwinner" a large portion of society views the man as being...
The Numbers Game- The OTHER Double Standard!
by Grace Marguerite Williams 7 years ago
It seems that only children are subjected to an extremely higher standard of behavior than children from multichild families. Only children are often in a Catch-22 situation no matter what they do. If an only child is well-behaved, he/she is not relaxed enough and should be...
What is your opinion on the double standard around criticizing judges in America
by Ralph Schwartz 3 years ago
What is your opinion on the double standard around criticizing judges in America?Donald Trump says a judge in the TrumpU case would be biased and the media flips out, says Trump has no right to question the judges capabilities. Yet another judge who just sentenced a Stanford golden boy to only 6...
I'd like feedback on my Hub: The Double Standard of Racism
by Michelle Orelup 2 years ago
Hi Hubbers,I'd like some help with passing the Quality Assessment Process. I have received several emails from HubPages, that this article could be featured. Each time, I have edited the article, but it's still not featured. I would really appreciate your expert feedback on my Hub The Double...
Aren't we all getting tired of the DC double standard?
by Ralph Schwartz 8 months ago
DAG Rod Rosenstein first refuses to appear before Congress and now demands a private closed hearing with only a few lawmakers present. Why do "we the people" continually have to watch the double standard applied with insiders?Thoughts ?


Ntokozo Ngcobo (28) has been in the entertainment industry for more than nine years. making a name for herself as a poet, motivational speaker, actor, presenter and singer.
The returning Dim-Dep cast member believes this year's production will "be bigger and better" and will leave the audience wanting for more. Dim-Dep: Faces of Environmental Success debuts in June.
She portrays the reincarnation of Mpume Mngoni in the 21st Century.
Ngcobo said awareness about such productions needs to be raised.
"They educate, inform and are practical, because it shows that it is not only developed countries that are able to take care of the environment. This type of productions requires community participation to get the message across. The message is clear that whether you are from a rural area or the townships, the earth is ours and it is up to us to protect it," said Ngcobo.
After studying journalism at Varsity College Ngcobo decided entertainment was her main passion.
She trained at the Playhouse Theatre Company and her big break into the industry was in 2009 when she was cast in her first professional theatre production in the United Kingdom.
Ngcobo performed at the Arts and Cultural Diversity Expo in 2009 under the wing of Alex Wallace.
Other productions she has been involved in include Athol Fugard's Hello and Goodbye and My Children, My Africa as well as Full Circle and films include Umcebo Kababa and Fun Few Nights.
Apart from theatre she has worked with musicians including Zahara, Mzwakhe Mbuli, Musa Sukwena, Chicco Twala, and the late Robbie Malinga, Mafikizolo, Kelly Khumalo in 2013 in the Stop Xenophobia project.
When she is not performing she gives motivational talks at schools.
"Although the production does not run for the whole year, I still raise awareness about the message Dim-Dep is conveying. I give motivational talks in schools and some of the topics include environment sustainability," said Ngcobo.


Do you ever have one of those days? You know, the kind that brings out the inner 3 year old inside of you. The kind that makes you want to stick out your tongue at the world and crawl back in bed so that you can have a fresh start the next day. I have had a couple of those days this week.
The worst of which began with "Maaawwwwmmm" echoing down the hallway into my sleeping brain. I hollered back, "What?" The answer came back, "I went poop and peeeee..... and Mom, I had an accident." Nothing starts my day off right like rolling out of bed to clean poo off of my 4 year old and every surface he came into contact with, because he didn't want to stop playing Nintendo long enough to make it to the toilet. Just for the record, BOYS ARE MUCH MORE GROSS THAN GIRLS. Boys do the most unexplainable, disgusting things.
I got him cleaned up, fed, and off to school. I reasoned that the day could only go up from there! I tried to think positive. But all that went out the window when Ladybug woke up and was screaming. I came in to find round two of the poo poo messes. ALL OVER. So off to the bathtub we went and then I had to clean up all the sheets and do the laundry and remake the bed. Another disaster cleaned up. I had to get back on track.
I had to tackle the next project. Lou Lou's school room had not been used for school for a month because it was a disaster after Christmas. The same school room serves as my craft room and all the wrapping, crafting, and decorating had exploded all over the entire room. I decided I would finish cleaning it up. Then I decided to add a little "skirt" to my desk area to hide all the stored junk underneath it. What should have been a simple job turned into a time sucking pain in the hiney.
While I was in the middle of that, Bub came back from school and appeared with green all over his mouth. I asked him the most important question...IS THERE A MESS? He said, "No, Mom." But being a Mom for a few years and using my awesome deductive reasoning skills, I came to the conclusion that he was most likely fibbing to save his own hiney. So I left my skirting frustration to go to find the next. And there it was in all its glory. Green and red sprinkles mixed with M&M's. ALL OVER the playroom. Even in the couch. Under the cushions. The same couch that I had just vacuumed out and cleaned up 2 days ago. I was really ticked. He was sent to his room until lunch time because I was so mad, I didn't want to do anything rash.
I cleaned up that mess, got the kids lunch and then laid them down for bed except Lou Lou who went to the Nature Center with Birdie and her kids. Then I went back to the previous project. By this time I was pretty irritated. Nothing had gone according to plan and I was hoping the afternoon would go a little better. When I was just about finished, Birdie brought Lou home and came in holding a Diet Dr. Pepper (LORD BLESS HER SOUL) and some packages that were sitting on the porch.
Dumb swimsuit company. One more thing to put on the to do list. #247 Return swimsuit.
And simply put on a slipcover that I had ordered for it. Easy right? Sure except it wasn't wide enough. So, after I had wrestled the stupid thing and got it as far on as I could get it, I decided I would MAKE it work. I took the scissors and cut directly down the middle of the back.
And make it work. However, I decided with the way I my day had gone, it would probably be wise to NOT start on that little sewing project. I decided to call it "a day" on the project front. I gave up, went and cooked dinner, fed and bathed my kids and put them in bed. Then, I took a bath and climbed into bed with the hopes that the next day would be better because it HAD TO BE! And thankfully it was!
I love the "Crappy Day" title. I am singing "Oh Crappy Day...when I washed, I washed the poo away."
The craft room is taking shape - it looks like a great place to create! I hope the plan for the slipcover works for you - great idea, by the way!
And...I was thinking...maybe we should train the boys to poop in the garden/lawn...I hear it's great fertilizer. Hee hee. Maybe EJ would help with the training and/or transfer of said poo to the appropriate places?
Sorry you had such a bad day but glad the next day was better.
Man, your day stressed me out. And that part about sending Bub to his room "until lunch"--I couldn't believe lunch hadn't come and gone yet!
But, your skirting project turned out really well! And that fabric on your chair? We used to have that fabric on a chair in my living room growing up! Aww, memories.
Oh you poor sweet thing! What a day! And right from the get-go, too. But what a good mom you are and how creative are you with that great craft room! Wonderful!
I really enjoyed the 'bio' you did on 4 Sisters. Your children are so beautiful and seem like so much fun. What a wonderful family you have!