text:
2010 Recruiting: QB/DB Sam Gibson Commits
By Richard Pittman Updated Jun 10, 2009, 6:41am CDT
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In one of the the prime all-time examples that recruiting services don't know everything about what goes on with coach's recruiting board, yesterday LSU received a commitment from Prattville, Alabama quarterback/defensive back Sam Gibson. I doubt anyone associated with the private LSU media (myself included) had ever mentioned his name once in connection with LSU recruiting.
Not that he isn't good. He is a 3-star "athlete" with a good football build for either position. He is listed at 6'2" and 200# and may well be getting bigger. He claims 4.4 speed in the 40 yard dash, and his videos definitely show speed. He is the starting quarterback for the Alabama state champion and perennial powerhouse program, Prattville High School, a team that runs a spread option.
He is by all accounts a very heady player. He lists offers from Vanderbilt and Stanford, among others, so he's clearly far from an academic risk. As a defensive back, it is hard to gauge him, because there is no film of him playing defensive back. There is film of him throwing and film of him scrambling for yards. He came to the LSU camp this week and played some defensive back. Apparently Ron Cooper and John Chavis liked a lot of what they saw in him and offered. Despite living in Bama country, he committed to LSU on the spot. One can imagine that with his natural head for the game (you have to have a great head for the game to be a state championship-winning quarterback for a spread option team), he would compare favorably to a guy like Rashad Johnson, former Bama safety, who actually started his college football career as a walk-on.
There is some contradictory information about who has offered him. He does not list an offer from either Alabama or Auburn on his offer list, but his high school coach claims he had offers from both and just really wanted to go to LSU instead. Other sources say that both Bama and Auburn really wanted to get a closer look at him and are disappointed to have lost him. Gibson is apparently a bit of an Alabama anachronism in that he really favors LSU and knew all along that if LSU offered, he would jump on it. I don't have an explanation for it, and I wouldn't start looking for a trend there. Prattville is not Mobile. It is nestles smack between Auburn and Bama and is not remotely an area that favors LSU. I think a lot of LSU fans will be fans of Prattville High School this year though.
One thing this commitment does is it frees us up to pursue a quarterback by the name of Zach Lee out of Texas. Lee is a solid prep quarterback prospect, but he is also a good enough baseball player that he will probably end up being drafted in the 2010 MLB Draft. He is considered a risk for that reason. LSU may or may not need a quarterback in the 2010 class, but if the coaches believe a QB is necessary, it would be difficult to take Zach Lee because of the risk that he would bolt at the last minute for baseball. Gibson could be a developmental quarterback, as he looks pretty solid as a deep-throwing, running out of trouble quarterback. Signing Gibson would be a hedge against the risk involved in signing Lee. And if Lee signs and comes to LSU, Gibson would probably slide into a defensive back position.
For those of you so inclined, here is a publicly available YouTube of Mr. Gibson:


Munich 2013 was the place to be for the launch of the latest PMC loudspeaker, the fact.12. The High End Show is filled with all kinds of loudspeakers from the almost affordable up to the very best and most expensive (not necessarily one and the same), it was the perfect showroom. The first notes I heard in the PMC room were amazing and I pushed the Dutch distributor to get the fact.12 to my doorstep as soon as possible. When he did I had the opportunity to listen to one of the most accurate loudspeakers ever in the comfort of my living room.
Most readers will be familiar with the fact story. In 2009 the fact.8 was introduced alongside the smaller fact.3. The fact series differs from other PMC models by virtue of a very narrow baffle and slightly different voicing. Still they are full blown PMC loudspeakers, which means they are as neutral as possible, use an 'Advanced' transmission line for better bass, are built in the UK and are informed by PMC's work in recording studios. The fact.8 and the fact.3 use the same drivers in a two-way arrangement, both with parallel woofers. The new fact.12 is a three-way system, tweeter, midrange dome and again parallel woofers. But there is more than the eye can see, so let us take a closer look into the technical story.
The tweeterlooks and is the same as the older fact speakers with a grille over a Sonomex 19mm dome in a 34mm surround. Its magnetic gap is filled with ferro-fluid for quick heat dissipation. In this case the tweeter comes in around 4kHz via a 24dB/octave crossover. The newly developed woofers work from the bottom up to 400 Hz. For the first time in PMC's history the cones are no longer made from coated paper, instead they decided to use a coated metal cone, a super-long-throw 140mm type to deliver the deepest bass notes with the help of the Advanced Transmission Line (ATL). This is critically damped to preserve a fast response without resonances or standing waves. The midrange (above) is a totally new development as well, it has a soft 50mm dome which is small in comparison with the 75mm dome used in PMC's pro monitors but built on the same principles. This handmade unit also uses ferro-fluid and has a mounting plate that helps to better dispersion. The fact.12 is the only PMC model so far to use this drive unit.
Being a three-way, PMC decided to put enough connectors on the back to tri-amp the fact.12. Otherwise jumpers connect the terminals for bi- or single amplifier use. On the back we also find small switches to reduce or amplify the output of the tweeter and woofer. Yes, you can increase the bass with the use of a simple switch, which I believe is quite unique. It means you can adjust the fact.12 to the listening room and get optimal high and low frequency responses. In my room I had to reduce the bass output for best results.
The crossover is hand-built with selected components including French Solen capacitors and PMC's own custom wound inductors, all soldered to a double layer circuit board. As you can read elsewhere on this site PMC developed certain aspects of the fact.12 in co-operation with the National Physical Laboratory. Their method of visualising the radiating sound from the units and the baffle helped to optimise the dispersion, lower distortion and reduce phase problems within the crossover. For the first time at PMC a lot of the engineering work for the fact.12 was done by someone other than founder Pete Thomas, specifically his son Oliver (below). He did the measurements at NPL and transformed the results into improvements for the actual loudspeaker. Compared to the fact.8, the fact.12 has a thicker 35mm front baffle, 50mm thick base, two vents for the ATL and a longer line. This all results in a 25% volume increase over the fact.8 and leaves us with a loudspeaker measuring 1110mm high without its supporting bars and spikes. You need a powerful amplifier for the fact.12 because of its low 84dB/W efficiency.
I used Audia Flight amplifiers, the Strumento No.1 preamp and the model 50 class A power amplifier, capable of delivering 50/100 Watts into 8/4 Ohm impedances. Sources are a NAD M50 and M52 combination with an Esoteric D-07 D/A converter. My music files are in resolutions from 16/44.1 up to 24/192 in FLAC, ALAC and WAV formats. My other source is a Transrotor record player with SME 5009 arm and Transfiguration Axia cartridge with a balanced connection to a hand built tube phono amp. Of course I used my fact.8 loudspeakers as a point of reference. Most cables come from Crystal Cable, with exception of the balanced Yter cables between my DAC, preamp and power amp. The speakers were placed 2.1m (6'10.5") from each other measured from the centre of the baffle, 70cm (2'3.5") from the back wall and over one meter (3') from the side walls. They are slightly toed in for the best results in my 33 square metre (355 square foot) living room.
So how does the fact.12 perform with a large selection of music, ranging from purist baroque on original instruments via large orchestral works, jazz, pop and a lot of female singers? Things got off to an excellent start with Nardis played by Patricia Barber on her album Café Blue. This contains a very well recorded drum solo ending in a crescendo, followed by very delicate strokes on cymbals, these strokes sounded amazing and convinced me that the tweeter or the crossover in the fact.12 is, on this point at least, superior to the fact.8 or fact.3. The sound is so intense, metallic, singing and yet so natural and light in tone, I never heard this before on any loudspeaker on any occasion as far as I remember. I picked this piece over and over to show audiophile friends how good the tweeter performance is. But of course there is a lot more to listen to and we mustn't forget that before the cymbals start there is a complete drum kit, including a kicking bass drum. Dry, fast, controlled and explosive are words that seem most apt to describe that sound. Another highlight was The Four Seasons performed by Dutch violin player Janine Jansen. Her (SA)CD contains the quietest sounds from the violin as well as a full orchestra, the fact.12 proved that even music recorded close to the noise floor can be overwhelming thanks to its natural detail. At high volumes I was again and again amazed at how little distortion came from the fact.12, the only reason I didn't play at full tilt all night was to keep my neighbours from banging on the door. It is clear where these loudspeakers come from, from bigger and smaller brothers and sisters in recording and mastering rooms in studios all over the world. The fact.12 might be best compared to a PMC IB2i or even an MB2i, but housed in a domestically friendly cabinet with real wood veneers. It is that good I promise you, and just as power hungry too.
Let us take a look at the fact.12's low end. It goes deep, very deep indeed. Listening to Allan Taylor's The Beat Hotel or The Train Song from Holly Cole, the bass on these can be a bit overwhelming so I adjusted the filter to reduce output which meant that the bass was tight and controlled. Just like a house needs a good foundation, so does music, and the fact.12 delivers. The midrange is built on this foundation, so when Holly Cole sings Be Careful, It's My Heart, it almost brings me to tears how easily the fact.12 handles her voice and brings her close to me. I know, all reviewers say she's in the room, I say the same. I wish I could point this out with figures, if I could the fact.12 would get the highest score so far.
The moment I changed to vinyl and played the same Holly Cole piece it became clear how far apart digital and analogue systems still are. I thought that they were getting close when I used the fact.8 but the fact.12 is so much more capable of revealing small details, dynamics and staging, that these two worlds have been separated again. Now I love my vinyl set-up even more than I did. But don't think that you can't achieve the same excellent results with digital music, all you have to do is use a very good source. The fact.12 lets you hear every single detail, recording error, microphone bump and studio noise, it will also let you know how well your system performs. If I ever own a pair of fact.12s I might look for a tighter, more powerful amplifier. Something like Audionet AMP monoblocks from Germany that I reviewed recently. The fact.12 is a very direct loudspeaker, not in your face, since the stereo stage is wide open, yet it points exactly to where the singer is or the musicians are. If they are mixed to the left, you get sound from the left. The fact.8 is less directional and has a wider soundstage in my room. This is fun but the fact.12 gets closer to the truth. I played a lot more music with only good results. Tsuyoshi Yamamoto on the Three Blind Mice label performing Misty is amazing, I own the original LP from 1974 and it has enough dynamics to make a smaller amp clip. The piano exposes the speed of the fact.12, yet it is always in control; clear and punchy. Or take Agnes Obel and listen to Riverside from the CD Philharmonics, it will drive you up the wall with pure happiness. Lousy recordings on the other hand, do sound lousy. There's no cover up, no romance, the fact.12 comes right to the point. I would go so far as to call it unforgiving. If your tastes extend to contemporary pop of the heavily compressed variety you may not like this aspect. But turn to a good recording of a clarinet, tuba, trombone or trumpet, and you get exactly the sound of the original instrument. And just listen to voices, never could I follow the lyrics more easily.
Far too soon I had to return the new PMC speakers to the distributor, but luckily the fact.8 will take their place. And that is a very good loudspeaker for only half the money, but it almost physically hurt to see the fact.12 go out of the door. In Munich I was overwhelmed by this loudspeaker and decided it will be in my next system. Now that I've had it at home I want it even more. It sounds so pure yet musical, so fast yet laidback. It is undistorted, full of detail and comes closer to the sound of the original instrument or voice than anything I have heard for a very long time. It wouldn't be out of place in a high end recording studio. However the looks do make them good enough to put a pair in your living room. Be sure to use an amplifier that can handle the job. Invest in excellent sources, either digital or analogue to extract every single nuance from the carrier. Because the fact.12 is so capable it will reward you with a natural sound that everyone who is used to real voices and instruments at live concerts will enjoy. The fact.12 is the bridge that fills the gap between a domestically acceptable loudspeaker and a heavyweight professional monitor. The fact.12 is the proof that enhanced measurement and design techniques used by young engineers go hand in hand with the skills of experienced designers. This combination of knowledge gave us the fact.12, a speaker which made playing my favourite music so much more enjoyable. Sometimes being a reviewer is a blessing. And yes, I continue saving money for a pair of my own. I can still hear Holly Cole, the piano, the clarinet, the saxophone and last but not least the amazing cymbal sound on Café Blue.
Footnote: René must have saved pretty fast because he had placed his order for a pair of fact.12s before this review was published! Ed.


text:
Syria 'chemical' attack: France says force may be needed
Media captionA child describes his mother "falling to the floor", as James Robbins reports
France's foreign minister has said a "reaction with force" could be needed if Syria is proved to have used chemical weapons against civilians.
Laurent Fabius's comments come a day after Syrian activists said hundreds of people died in such attacks in the Ghouta area of the capital, Damascus.
The UN has asked Syria to allow UN weapons inspectors already in the country to be allowed to investigate.
But there is no sign as yet that Damascus will allow this.
The UN team arrived in the city on Sunday and are staying about 15km (10 miles) from the site of the recent attacks.
By Frank GardnerBBC security correspondent
The chances of the UN chemical weapons inspectors in Syria accessing the true site of Wednesday's alleged chemical attack in time to make a clear judgement on responsibility are slim.
It took months to negotiate permission for them to visit other sites around the country. The Syrian government, backed by Russia, is resisting calls to give them access to the eastern Damascus suburb of Ghouta where this apparent atrocity took place. Part of the reason is the area is contested between government forces and rebels and is therefore unsafe.
If an agent such as sarin has been used, the UN team would need to get to the site within days before traces become so faint as to be inconclusive. And if, as the opposition claims, it was a government attack, then a delay of days or weeks would give it enough time for forensic evidence to become controversial and for evidence of munitions used to be removed. The Syrian government insists it was the rebels who carried out the attack.
But they only have a mandate to visit three sites previously agreed between the UN and the Syrian government, including the northern town of Khan al-Assal, where some 26 people were killed in an alleged chemical attack in March.
The Syrian government has described the latest allegations as "illogical and fabricated". The Syrian army said opposition forces had made up the claims to divert attention from their recent huge losses.
Heavy shelling continued around Ghouta on Thursday, reports say.
'Red lines crossed'
A spokesman for Ban Ki-moon, Eduardo del Buey, said on Thursday that the secretary general Ban Ki-moon believed the attacks "need to be investigated without delay".
Mr Ban was sending his disarmament chief Angela Kane to Damascus to press for an investigation, he said.
Earlier, Mr Fabius told the French BFM TV channel that if the use of chemical weapons was confirmed, "France's position is that there must be a reaction, a reaction that could take the form of a reaction with force".
He did not elaborate on whether that meant backing military action, but did rule out the idea of deploying troops inside Syria.
The US state department said it had yet to "conclusively determine" what had taken place in Damascus, but that it was urgently gathering information.
Media captionUS state department spokeswoman Jen Psaki: ''The president, of course, has a range of options''
If President Bashar al-Assad's government was found to be behind a chemical weapons attack it would be "an outrageous and flagrant escalation", spokeswoman Jen Psaki said.
President Barack Obama warned last year that the use of such weapons would cross a "red line".
The British Foreign Office said earlier in a statement that the UK and 36 other countries had formally referred the latest allegations to Mr Ban, and called for inspectors "to be granted the necessary access to enable their investigation into these latest allegations as a matter of urgency".
"We believe a political solution is the best way to end the bloodshed," said the statement, but added that the UK has "said many times we cannot rule out any option... that might save innocent lives in Syria".
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu also stressed the need for an urgent response, and criticised the lack of UN action.
Image caption Video footage and photographs have been posted online appearing to show civilians, including children, suffering the effects of a chemical agent.
In pictures: Damascus attacks
How should the world respond?
On Wednesday, the UN Security Council failed to agree on a statement condemning the attack at an emergency meeting.
It was blocked by China and Russia, which have repeatedly backed the Syrian government since the crisis began.
Russia is supporting calls for an investigation, however, because it believes the opposition might have carried out the attack itself, as "premeditated provocation" in an attempt to win the backing of the UN.
Disturbing footage
Opposition activists said that more than 1,000 people were killed after government forces launched rockets with toxic agents into the Damascus suburbs in the Ghouta region early on Wednesday.
Chemical weapons claims
Khan al-Assal, 19 March 2013 - Syrian state media accuse rebels of killing 31 people with rockets containing "chemical materials". Rebels blame the army for the attack.
Al-Otaybeh, 19 March 2013 - Opposition activists allege an attack in which six people are reported dead, apparently in reprisal for gains made by rebel forces.
Adra, 24 March 2013 - The LCC activist network say two people are killed in an attack.
Sheikh Maqsoud, Aleppo, 13 April 2013 - At least three people are killed in an attack; internet footage of the victims shows symptoms consistent with exposure to nerve gas.
Saraqeb, 29 April 2013 - Eyewitnesses say canisters containing a poisonous gas are dropped from a helicopter above the town. Eight people are injured, one of whom later dies.
Ghouta, 21 August 2013 - By far the most serious alleged incident, with hundreds reported dead in attacks on the outskirts of Damascus
Q&A: Damascus 'toxic attacks'
Syria chemical weapons allegations
Syria's chemical weapons stockpile
How to investigate chemical arms allegations
The BBC has been unable to independently confirm the death toll.
Activists said Wednesday's attack took place as part of heavy government bombardment in the region surrounding Damascus, with government forces trying to drive out rebel forces. The areas affected included Irbin, Duma and Muadhamiya.
Video footage shows dozens of bodies with no visible signs of injuries, including small children, and survivors being treated in makeshift hospitals, with victims, including many children, having convulsions.
Chemical weapons experts have told the BBC that footage appears genuine and that the injuries shown are consistent with nerve agents.
While it is not clear how many died in the bombardment of the sites and how many deaths were due to any exposure to toxic substances, experts say it would be almost impossible to fake so many dead and injured including children and babies.
Both the rebels and government forces have accused each other of using chemical weapons throughout the 28-month conflict.
Syria is believed to have large undeclared stockpiles of mustard gas and sarin nerve agent.
The government has implied it has chemical weapons, but said they would not be used against civilians.
More than 100,000 people are believed to have been killed during the 28-months of conflict Syria.
Syria's war

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Today public has access to better than 1m resolution satellite imagery. You can see development pattern, landuse pattern, infrastructure built, housing quality. Corporates are publishing information about their retail network. Government is publishing lot of information like hourly weather record, daily mandi arrivals, stats about bank deposit and loans etc. with time, quantum and quality of information will only improve.
Now why not move your old modelling techniques to more scientific GIS based techniques using above mentioned data and satellite imagery. We can build models to predict how valuable each highway in terms of traffic, which roads in city are more valuable, what are the better locations for retail outlets, which areas of India are growing and how fast.
Gravity Modelling for predicting highway traffic between top 100 cities of India.
Car sales model based on car ownership data from census 2011.
Grid model to predict how many stay in every km of India and how fast these areas are progressing.
Contact us with your requirement to see this in action.


text:
#ifndef THIRD_PARTY_BLINK_RENDERER_PLATFORM_LANGUAGE_H_
#define THIRD_PARTY_BLINK_RENDERER_PLATFORM_LANGUAGE_H_

#include "third_party/blink/renderer/platform/platform_export.h"
#include "third_party/blink/renderer/platform/wtf/forward.h"
#include "third_party/blink/renderer/platform/wtf/vector.h"

namespace blink {

// Returns a BCP-47 language tag such as "en-US".  This is the UI locale of the
// browser application.
PLATFORM_EXPORT AtomicString DefaultLanguage();
// Returns a list of BCP-47 language tags.  This never returns multiple values
// in production.  This is not a value of Accept-Languages header.  See
// ChromeClient::acceptLanguages.
PLATFORM_EXPORT Vector<AtomicString> UserPreferredLanguages();
PLATFORM_EXPORT void OverrideUserPreferredLanguagesForTesting(
    const Vector<AtomicString>&);
PLATFORM_EXPORT wtf_size_t
IndexOfBestMatchingLanguageInList(const AtomicString& language,
                                  const Vector<AtomicString>& language_list);
PLATFORM_EXPORT void InitializePlatformLanguage();

}  // namespace blink

#endif  // THIRD_PARTY_BLINK_RENDERER_PLATFORM_LANGUAGE_H_

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


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text:
Paul Cardall's Peaceful Piano
Room for Renewal, With Michael Bishop at the Board
BY BARBARA SCHULTZ | MIX MAGAZINE JAN 2020
Ten years ago, pianist Paul Cardall was months into his stay in Primary Children's Hospital, Salt Lake City, Utah, where he awaited a heart transplant. Born with a congenital heart defect, Cardall had been in and out of the same hospital since he was an infant.
"I lived most of my life with a half-functioning heart, and the only experts available to care for me were in a children's hospital," he explains. "This is because most people with my diagnosis didn't survive. I was at the end stage, waiting for a heart because I was slipping away."
Music was Cardall's refuge during this difficult period. "There was a beautiful piano that Steinway had donated to the children's hospital lobby," he recalls. "At night when I had time to myself—even though I was hooked up to IVs and other machines—I would ask my nurse to help me take everything out to that piano."
Night after night, Cardall extemporized in the hospital lobby, until finally a donor heart became available. Ten years later, Cardall decided to recapture the emotions that had poured out during his hospital stay on a solo piano project called Peaceful Piano.


text:
A Day is a Struggle
Sections › Precarious Life in Motion
by way of Brooklyn, by way
of the Bay Area, where
she moved from Kuwait.
A Run in West Mishref
Yasmeen Khaja
I made my way up the hill, down the other end, and into the track. It was very hot (already) and very sunny, but there seemed to be a faint veil filtering the sun. By the way my inhales had felt—unclear and frictioned—I assume the veil was of dust. It was an unpleasant run. For example, I saw a butterfly but could not really see it, or think about it, or smile at it. I would say that I only saw the butterfly in objective terms, but I fear that I would be dishonest.
Near our house in Mubarak Al-Abdullah, there is a 1.5 kilometer walkway that loops and extends into another half kilometer just over a slight hill. Every few early mornings, before a run on the track, I warm up on the highest point of that hill. Relative to the rest of the track, it's not so high. But if I'm standing on top of it, and facing west, I see a freeway below me, and a bridge in the middle of massive construction right across from me. Witnessing the scale alone at nearby eye-level elicits a gravitas especially poignant in the dawn of another day, in a slowly spiraling time.
During the past four months, running in this same place, in this loop, has afforded a simple practice of measuring the changes in the landscape around me. My attention was focused. On one run, I counted 14 birds nests high up in the trees that had dried in the summer heat, now snapping onto one another. The bushes lining the track grew wildly onto the tarmac. Construction of the bridge was put on hold—there was a small gap in the middle of it, the bridge, which, if I looked at from a specific point, framed the qubba of a mosque in South Surra. The deceleration brought onto the country's production processes by the virus was made visible. Yet, virtually everything else around it was disappearing.
Every day, the Ministry of Health's spokesperson, Dr. Abdullah al-Sanad, came on the local tv channel, KTV1, to chant in soothing intonation a daily briefing of disembodied numbers and statistics. The state gave dizzyingly vague press conferences. The media armed itself with representations of national heroism: military, policemen, and youth volunteers all cloyed our need for something to be done, for action, with the exhausted image of people doing things that were actually far from what ought to be done. There were campaigns quick to warn against viral rumors. The impossible layering of information all but demystified the virus, and I couldn't stop thinking about the landfills in Kuwait. There was hardly a link between the two, but it was impossible to accept the idea that whatever world we knew was coming to a halt—not when the image of unsorted garbage continuing to pile in the middle of the desert went unaddressed. It seemed only reasonable to want to take into public consideration the parts of life that were still happening, including the stresses being put on the health of the locally deteriorating environment.
There it was, the heat. It wasn't so bad. And upon happening a dead pigeon, clearly plummeted to its death by slamming into the pavement face down, I hovered near it, but across the street. If a car came between us it would hurt neither of us. Particularly because the bird was already dead, but precisely because I couldn't bring myself to go near it. It was lying face down. It was so bright out. The sky was dreadful; it knew no blue. The bird's dead face was resting exactly on the street.
Instead, the pre-pandemic realities of nationwide consumption grew saturated in the wake of lockdown. So many things, beyond medical and other vital resources, were made deliverable. Advertisements adopted a rhetoric of reassurance. What was once a meal available in a brick and mortar restaurant was now packaged into a series of vacuum-sealed plastics that were newly acquired in the earnest venture of making homebound people feel more at home. I could buy those fresh-frozen- pre-pepared pizzas and recreate a vanishing reality with my family. We could role play our lives. We needed to survive, and businesses needed to survive, yet sometimes both at the expense of accumulating more. We kept unwrapping things. Stillness was simulated. None of us were actually at home, but all at once, our waste was.
On the other hand, the glaring lack of resources was unequally distributed. While the television displayed interstitial drone shots of an unusually carless and cautionary Kuwait, grassroots volunteer efforts pulling together fundraisers and basic–needs boxes were relentless in real action. The disproportionate access to sustain any life at all became more apparent in the total lockdown. Yet between the news cycles and daily briefings that somehow became more obscure over time, my immobility yielded no closure.
I moved back a few months before the virus broke out and after six formative years away from Kuwait. But I only started running in my last year in America, in downtown Brooklyn. My runs were like spells of discovery. Movement did not feel so socially siloed—everything around me was new. I was new; I left new. Now, at night, the only cars I heard drive by were the municipal waste collector trucks driven by municipal waste collector workers. The beeping truck reminded me of New York: a localized sound that articulated life, just outside. The sound of the bins slamming against the vehicle and its fading beep as the workers drove down to empty out the next house's trash was the only honest call I could make out that revealed the actual state of insecurity. In reality, life in the pandemic has not been put on pause.
The scary part about living in a small town that you grew up in is that you are tricked into believing that you are bigger than it. There's an illusion that sustains its smallness. It is a damaging illusion.
My runs were like daydreams, political images conjured in every lap around the track. The first five cases of COVID-19 in Kuwait were announced on February 24, one day before the national and liberation days. Things were already in extranational territory, and the country's initially proactive response to the virus was a point of celebration. Makeshift processes of utilizing existing structures as hospitals and quarantine residences were achievements announced by often maskless officials. It didn't make sense to me that most of the local media were telling people what to do instead of showing them. Seeing people with masks pulled down on chins interview other people with masks pulled down on chins about the efforts to control an unknowable virus made no sense to me. But these stubborn juxtapositions were not inevitable. They didn't have to be. I wanted these images to be more honest, like the beeping waste trucks. I wanted the two people on camera to start pointing at each other's noses or mouths as they recited coronavirus PSAs. Every time someone didn't, and a surface was touched, or a face was touched, I wanted the person behind the camera to say, "I saw that too."
My favorite joke to tell is that the Ministry of Communications directed the media into Hala Febrayer and never left. We've been stuck in nationalism since the second month of this year.
The track became a refuge for me, from a world where the virus was made invisible to discourse fatigue. The exhaustive sameness of running hundreds of kilometers in one place surrendered to me a clarity in which I could think. There were only a few other people on the track getting up before six. We hardly ever exchanged words, but we saw one another every time we were there. In persistent seeing was an acknowledgment I found gapingly absent elsewhere.
Documenting myself in this space is an exercise in preserving relations. Here is the walkway: long, narrow, and looping around an island of date palms. In early April, daisies. In late April, a light rain. Eventually, a devastating, dry, desert heat. Towards the end of June, construction on the bridge resumed. The gap was filled, and when I came to stretch at the top of the hill, I couldn't see the mosque anymore. I looked for other parts of the bridge to observe, but it was changing too fast. There was material residue laying around the highway, and I imagined it going to one of the unregulated waste sites. I wondered if this bridge will actually go anywhere, if this change is real.
I think, at one point, I saw a shattered ladybug. It was a red spot on the ground that shunted me off my course. I jogged a step back and bent down close to the ground, assessed that it was, in fact, a shattered ladybug, and jumped back into my run. I think all of this took about 3 seconds. And, if I'm not mistaken about which lap I was in, I almost ran into two chickens running away right then. They were far deeper north in the track than they usually are. It gave me a good laugh, being caught off guard by two running chickens. On this run, I saw birds dancing and chirping across the park. There are so many little ones. My right cheek burned, and so did my eyes. But I was happy with it. I could feel my body, it was there, despite everything else that wasn't. I went back home, and washed my hands.
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text:
Собственное ускорение в теории относительности — физическое ускорение (то есть измеримое ускорение, например помощью акселерометра), испытываемое объектом. Таким образом, это ускорение относительно свободного падения или инерциального наблюдателя, который на мгновение находится в состоянии покоя относительно измеряемого объекта. Гравитация не вызывает собственного ускорения, так как гравитация воздействует на инерциального наблюдателя таким образом, что собственное ускорение не фиксируется. Следствием является то, что все инерционные наблюдатели всегда имеют нулевое собственное ускорение.

Собственное ускорение контрастирует с ускорением, которое зависит от выбора системы координат и, следовательно, от выбора наблюдателя.

В стандартных инерциальных координатах специальной теории относительности для однонаправленного движения собственным ускорением является скорость изменения  относительно координатного времени.

В инерциальной системе, в которой объект мгновенно находится в состоянии покоя, собственный 3-вектор ускорения, объединённый с нулевой временной компонентой, дает 4-ускорение объекта, что делает величину собственного ускорения лоренц-инвариантной. Таким образом, концепция полезна в следующих случаях: (i) с ускоренными системами координат, (ii) на релятивистских скоростях и (iii) в искривленном пространстве-времени.

В ускоряющей ракете после запуска или даже в ракете, стоящей на старте, собственное ускорение — это ускорение, ощущаемое обитателями, и которое описывается как перегрузка (что не является силой, а является именно ускорением, см. эту статью для более подробного обсуждения собственного ускорения), производимой только транспортными средствами. «Ускорение гравитации» («сила тяжести») никогда не делает вклад в собственное ускорение ни при каких обстоятельствах, а значит собственное ускорение, наблюдаемое наблюдателями, стоящими на земле, обусловлено механической силой из земли, а не из-за «силы» или «ускорения» силы тяжести. Если убрать землю и позволить наблюдателю свободно падать, наблюдатель испытает координатное ускорение, но не будет собственного ускорения и, следовательно, не будет перегрузки. Обычно объекты в таком падении или вообще при любом баллистическом пути (также называемом инерциальным движением), в том числе объекты на орбите, не испытывают собственного ускорения (пренебрегая небольшими приливными ускорениями для инерциальных путей в гравитационных полях). Это состояние также известно как «невесомость» («ноль-g») или «свободное падение».

Собственное ускорение сводится к координатному в инерциальной системе координат в плоском пространстве-времени (то есть при отсутствии силы тяжести), при условии, что величина собственной скорости объекта (импульс на единицу массы) намного меньше скорость света c. Только в таких ситуациях координатное ускорение полностью ощущается как перегрузка (то есть собственное ускорение, также определяемое как создающее измеримый вес).

В ситуациях, когда гравитация отсутствует, но выбранная система координат не является инерциальной, а ускоряется с наблюдателем (например, ускоренной системой отсчета ускоряющей ракеты или рамкой, закрепленной на объектах в центрифуге), то перегрузки и соответствующие собственные ускорения, наблюдаемые наблюдателями в этих системах координат, вызваны механическими силами, которые сопротивляются их весам в таких системах. Этот вес, в свою очередь, создается силами инерции, которые появляются во всех таких ускоренных системах координат, подобно весу, создаваемому «силой гравитации» для объектов, зафиксированных в пространстве относительно гравитирующего тела (как на поверхности Земли).

Суммарная (механическая) сила, которая рассчитывается, чтобы вызвать собственное ускорение покоящейся массы в системе координат, которая имеет собственное ускорение, по закону Ньютона F = m a, называется собственной силой. Как видно выше, собственная сила равна силе противодействия, которая измеряется как «рабочий вес» объекта (то есть его вес, измеренный устройством, подобным пружинным весам, в вакууме, в системе координат объекта). Таким образом, собственная сила объекта всегда численно равна и противоположна по направлению измеренному весу.

Примеры
При удержании на карусели, которая вращается с постоянной угловой скоростью, вы испытываете радиальное внутреннее (центростремительное) собственное ускорение из-за взаимодействия между рукояткой и рукой. Это отменяет радиально внешнее геометрическое ускорение, связанное с . Это внешнее ускорение (с точки зрения вращающейся системы отсчета) станет координатным ускорением, когда вы отпустите руки, что приведет к полету по геодезической с нулевым собственным ускорением. Разумеется в этот момент неускоренные наблюдатели в своей системе отсчета просто видят, как исчезают ваши равные собственные и координатные ускорения.

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!Анимация: отпускание рук на карусели
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С точки зрения покоящейся системы отсчета, опасна тангенциальная скорость. С точки зрения вращающейся системы отсчета опасность может исходить от геометрического ускорения. Примечание: В некоторых браузерах вы можете нажать [Esc], чтобы остановить движение для более детального изучения. Однако вам может потребоваться перезагрузить страницу для повторного старта анимации.
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Точно так же, стоя на невращающейся планете (и на земле), мы испытываем собственное ускорение вверх из-за нормальной (перпендикулярной поверхности) силы, создаваемой землей на подошву нашей обуви. Она нейтрализует геометрическое ускорение в нижнем направлении из-за выбора системы координат (так называемая система отсчета поверхности (англ. shell frame)). Это ускорение вниз становится координатным, если мы случайно шагнем с обрыва в траекторию нулевого собственного ускорения (геодезическая или система отсчета дождя).
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!Анимация: мяч, который скатывается со скалы
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| Примечание: Система отсчета дождя, в отличие от капли дождя, больше похожа на прыжок на батуте, траектория которого заканчивается сразу, как мяч достигает края скалы. Система отсчета поверхности знакома жителям планеты, которые полагаются на физическое ускорение вверх от своей среды, защищающее их от геометрического ускорения искривленного пространства-времени. Неудивительно, что вначале микрогравитационная среда может их напугать.
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Обратите внимание, что геометрическое ускорения (из-за члена аффинной связности в системе координат ковариантная производной) действуют на каждый грамм нашего существа, в то время как собственные ускорения обычно вызваны внешней силой. Вводные курсы физики часто рассматривают гравитационное ускорение вниз (геометрическое) как следствие гравитационной силы. Это, наряду со старательным уклонением от неускоренных систем отсчета, позволяет им рассматривать координатное и собственное ускорения как к одну и ту же сущность.

Даже тогда, когда объект поддерживает постоянное собственное ускорение в течение длительного периода времени в плоском пространстве-времени, покоящиеся наблюдатели будут видеть, что координатное ускорение объекта уменьшается, по мере того как его координатная скорость приближается к скорости света. Тем не менее темп роста собственной скорости движения объекта остается постоянным.
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!Анимация: быстрый подъём и спуск
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Здесь наш объект сначала ускоряется вверх в течение периода времени 2*c/α по часам путешественника, где c — скорость света, а α — (красная) величина собственного ускорения. Этот первый этап занимает около 2 лет, если величина ускорения составляет около 1g. Затем он ускоряется вниз (сначала замедляется, а затем ускоряется) в течение удвоенного периода, а затем замедляется 2*c/α, чтобы вернуться на исходную высоту. Обратите внимание, что координатное ускорение (зеленое) является заметным только во время низкоскоростных отрезков этого путешествия.
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Таким образом, различие между собственным и координатным ускорением позволяет отслеживать опыт ускоренных путешественников с различных не ньютоновских перспектив. Эти перспективы включают в себя такие случаи как ускоренные системы координат (например, карусели), высокие скорости (когда собственные и координатные времена отличаются) и искривленное пространства-время (например, связанного с гравитацией на Земле).

Классические приложения
На низких скоростях в инерциальных систем координат Ньютоновской физики собственное ускорение равно координатному ускорению a=d2x/dt2. Однако, как было сказано выше, оно отличается от координатного ускорения, если вы выбираете (против совета Ньютона) описание мира с точки зрения ускоренной системы координат, например, ускоренного автомобиля, или камня, вращающегося в рогатке. Если вы согласитесь, что гравитация вызвана кривизной пространства-времени (см. ниже), в гравитационном поле собственное ускорение отличается от координатного.

Например, объект, подвергшийся физическому или собственному ускорению ao, будет наблюдаться наблюдателями в системе координат, подвергающейся постоянному ускорению aframe с координатным ускорением:
 .
Таким образом, если объект ускоряется с системой отсчета, наблюдатели, закрепленные в этой системе отсчета, вообще не будут видеть никакого ускорения.

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!Анимация: поездка от блока к блоку
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На этой иллюстрации автомобиль разгоняется после знака остановки до середины блока, после чего водитель сразу же отпускает газ и нажимает на тормоз, чтобы сделать следующую остановку.
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Аналогично объект, подвергающийся физическому или собственному ускорению ao, будет наблюдаться наблюдателями в системе, вращающейся с угловой скоростью ω, как имеющий координатное ускорение:
 .
В приведенном выше уравнении в правой части есть три геометрических члена ускорения. Первый — «центробежное ускорение», зависит только от радиального положения «r», а не от скорости нашего объекта, второй — «ускорение Кориолиса», зависит только от скорости объекта во вращающейся системе отсчета vrot, но не от его положения, а третий член — «ускорение Эйлера», зависит только от положения и скорости изменения угловой скорости системы отсчета.

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!Ньютоновский пример: рогатка с постоянной скоростью
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Силы на камне включают внутреннюю центростремительную (красную) силу, наблюдаемую в обеих системах отсчета, а также геометрическую (синюю) силу, наблюдаемую во вращающейся системе отсчета. Перед тем как камень отпускают, синяя геометрическая сила является чисто центробежной (направленной радиально наружу), а после отпускания геометрическая сила представляет собой сумму центробежных и кориолисовых компонент.

Обратите внимание, что после выпуска во вращающейся системе отсчета центробежная компонента (голубая) всегда радиальная, а компонента Кориолиса (зеленая) всегда перпендикуляр к скорости вращающейся системы отсчета. Также видно, что в обоих системах сила в точке крепления веревки (пурпурная), вызванная третьим законом Ньютона, противодействует центростремительной силе на камне.

Перед запуском камня
Следующие альтернативные анализы движения до отпускания камня рассматривают только силы, действующих в радиальном направлении. Оба анализа предсказывают натяжение веревки T=mv2/r. Например, если радиус лямки равен r=1 метр, скорость камня в покоящейся системе отсчета равна v=25 метров в секунду, а масса камня m=0,2 кг, то напряжение веревки будет 125 ньютонов.

 События в покоящейся системе координат перед запуском

Здесь видно, что камень все время имеет ускорение во внутрь, чтобы перемещаться по круговой траектории радиуса r. Радиальное ускорение в радиальном направлении aradial=v2/r вызвано одной «несбалансированной» центростремительной силой T. Тот факт, что сила растяжения несбалансирован, означает, что в этой системе отсчета центробежная (радиально-наружная) сила на камне равна нулю.
 События во вращающейся системе отсчета перед запуском

С точки зрения вращающейся системы можно сказать, что камень испытывает сбалансированную внутреннюю центростремительную (T) и центробежную (mv2/r) силу, что приводит к отсутствию каких-либо ускорений с точки зрения этой системы отсчета. В отличие от центростремительной силы, зависящая от системы отсчета, центробежная сила воздействует на каждый кусочек вращающегося камня, так же как гравитация действует на каждый наш грамм. Кроме того, величина центробежной силы пропорциональна массе камня, поэтому ускорение будет независимым от массы.

После запуска камня
После того, как камень высвобождается, в вращающейся системе как центростремительные, так и кориолисовые силы действуют нелокализованно на все части камня с ускорениями, которые не зависят от массы камня. Для сравнения в покоящейся системе после высвобождения вообще никаких сил на камень не действует.
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В каждом из этих случаев физическое или собственное ускорение отличается от координатного ускорения, поскольку на последнее может влиять наш выбор системы координат, а также физические силы, действующие на объект. Те компоненты координатного ускорения, которые не вызваны физическими силами (например, прямой контакт или электростатическое притяжение), часто приписываются (как в приведенном выше примере Ньютона) силам, которые: (i) действуют на каждый грамм объекта, (ii) вызывают массово-независимые ускорения и (iii) не существуют со всех точек зрения. Такие геометрические (или несобственные) силы включают в себя силы Кориолиса, , перегрузку, центробежные силы и (как мы увидим ниже) силу тяжести.

Взгляд из части плоского пространства-времени

Отношение собственного ускорения к координатному в заданной части плоского пространства-времени следует из уравнения метрики плоского пространства-времени Минковского (cdτ)2 = (cdt)2 — (dx)2. Здесь единственная система отсчета из метров и синхронизированных часов определяет положение в системе покоя x и время в системе покоя t соответственно, часы движущегося объекта определяют собственное время τ, а «d» перед координатой означает бесконечно малое изменение. Эти отношения позволяют решать различные проблемы «инжиниринга любых скоростей», хотя и только с точки зрения расширенной системы отсчета покоя наблюдателя, в которой определяется одновременность.

Ускорение в (1+1)D

В однонаправленном случае, когда ускорение объекта является параллельным или антипараллельным его скорости в срединном срезе наблюдателя, правильное ускорение α и ускорение координат a связаны с через Лоренц-фактор γ для α=γ3a. Следовательно, изменение собственной скорости w=dx/dτ является интегралом собственного ускорения по времени покоящейся системы t то есть Δw=αΔt для константы α. На низких скоростях это сводится к хорошо известному отношению между координатной скоростью и времени координатного ускорения, то есть Δv=aΔt.

Для постоянного однонаправленного собственного ускорения существуют аналогичные соотношения между быстротой η и прошедшим собственным временем Δτ, а также между коэффициентом Лоренца γ и пройденным расстоянием Δx. А именно:

 ,
где различные параметры скорости связаны соотношением
 .

Эти уравнения описывают некоторые последствия ускоренного движения с большой скоростью. Например, представьте себе космический корабль, который может ускорять своих пассажиров в 1g (10 м/с2 или около 1.0 световых лет в год в квадрате) полпути к месту назначения, а затем тормозить их при 1g за оставшуюся половину пути, чтобы обеспечить земную искусственную гравитацию от точки A до точки B. Для расстояний в системе покоя ΔxAB первое уравнение из приведенных выше прогнозирует средний Лоренц фактор γmid=1+α(ΔxAB/2)/c2. Следовательно, время путешествия туда и обратно по часам командира будет Δτ = 4(c/α) cosh−1(γmid), в течение которого время, прошедшее на часах системы покоя, будет Δt = 4(c/α) sinh[cosh−1(γmid)].

Этот воображаемый космический корабль мог бы предложить путешествия к Проксима Центавра и обратно, занявшие около 7.1 лет по часам путешественников (~ 12 лет по земным часам), путешествия в центральную черную дыру за около 40 лет (~ 54 000 лет, прошедших по земным часам) и путешествия в Галактику Андромеды, продолжающиеся около 57 лет (более 5 миллионов лет по земным часам). К сожалению, ускорение в 1g в течение многих лет легче сказать, чем сделать, о чём свидетельствует рисунок справа, показывающий отношение максимальной полезной нагрузки к стартовой массе.

 {| class="toccolours collapsible collapsed" width=600  style="text-align: left"
!Анимация:'' путешествие к звезде на расстояние 6.9 световых лет и обратно.
|-
|

С каждой точки зрения год должен проходить каждые две секунды или каждые 100/17,4 кадра. После каждого кругосветного полета пилоты на этом челночном рейсе будут в возрасте в два раза меньше, чем коллеги, оставшиеся на земле. Это действует замедление времени.

Другие различия включают изменения расстояния между движущимися звездами, которые видны в системе путешественника. Это действует Лоренцево_сокращение. Координатное ускорение (зеленое), наблюдаемое в системе карты, является значительным только за год до и после каждого запуска, в то время как собственное ускорение (красное), ощущаемое путешественником, значительное во время рейса.

Обратите внимание также на трассировку светового сигнала, инициированного с каждой точки запуска, но через 0.886 лет (системе карты) после запуска. Этот импульс достигает путешественника в средней точке путешествия, чтобы напоминать им о начале торможения. В системе карты Проксима Центавра видит импульс разворота до звезды назначения, но в системе путешественника верно обратное. Это относительность одновременности. Тем не менее оба наблюдателя сходятся во мнении о последовательности событий на любой времениподобной мировой линии.
|}

Примечания

Ускорение
Пространство-время Минковского

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
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    <!-- From: file:/usr/local/google/buildbot/repo_clients/https___googleplex-android.googlesource.com_a_platform_manifest.git/mnc-release/frameworks/support/v7/mediarouter/res/values-en-rIN/strings.xml -->
    <eat-comment/>
    <string msgid="8327680881775995150" name="mr_media_route_button_content_description">"Cast"</string>
    <string msgid="7553005460920830010" name="mr_media_route_chooser_searching">"Searching for devices…"</string>
    <string msgid="7106830097177242655" name="mr_media_route_chooser_title">"Connect to device"</string>
    <string msgid="109793632378378069" name="mr_media_route_controller_disconnect">"Disconnect"</string>
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    <string msgid="5441529851481176817" name="mr_system_route_name">"System"</string>
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text:
Commit Queue Keywords
=====================

COMMIT
------

If you are working on experimental code and do not want to risk accidentally
submitting the change via the CQ, then you can mark it with "COMMIT=false".
The CQ will immediately abandon the change if it contains this option.
To do a dry run through the CQ please use Rietveld's [dry run](https://groups.google.com/a/chromium.org/forum/#!topic/chromium-dev/G5-X0_tfmok) feature.

    COMMIT=false

The CQ will run through its list of verifiers (reviewer check, trybots, tree check,
presubmit check), and will close the issue instead of committing it.

    NO_DEPENDENCY_CHECK=true

The CQ rejects patchsets with open dependencies. You can skip this check with this keyword.

    CQ_INCLUDE_TRYBOTS

Allows you to add arbitrary trybots to the CQ's list of default trybots.
The CQ will block till these tryjobs pass just like the default list of tryjobs.

This is the format of the values of this keyword:

    CQ_INCLUDE_TRYBOTS=master1:bot1,bot2;master2:bot3,bot4

Here are some real world examples:

    CQ_INCLUDE_TRYBOTS=tryserver.chromium:linux_layout_rel

    CQ_INCLUDE_TRYBOTS=tryserver.skia:Build-Mac10.9-Clang-x86_64-Debug

    CQ_EXCLUDE_TRYBOTS

Allows you to remove trybots from the CQ's list of default trybots. Should only be
used when particular builders are failing for reasons unrelated to your code changes.

This is the format of the values of this keyword:

    CQ_EXCLUDE_TRYBOTS=master1:bot1,bot2;master2:bot3,bot4

Here are some real world examples:

    CQ_EXCLUDE_TRYBOTS=tryserver.chromium:win_chromium_compile_dbg

    CQ_EXCLUDE_TRYBOTS=tryserver.skia:Build-Win7-VS2010-x86-Debug-Trybot

    CQ_TRYBOTS

Allows you to list every trybot that you want to run for your CL.

This is the format of the values of this keyword:

    CQ_TRYBOTS=master1:bot1,bot2;master2:bot3,bot4

Here are some real world examples:

    CQ_TRYBOTS=tryserver.chromium:linux_chromium_gn_rel,linux_chromium_chromeos_rel,
      android_dbg_triggered_tests,android_dbg,mac_chromium_rel,win_chromium_x64_rel

    CQ_TRYBOTS=tryserver.skia:Build-Win7-VS2010-x86-Debug-Trybot,
      Test-Ubuntu13.10-ShuttleA-NoGPU-x86_64-Debug-Trybot,
      Build-Ubuntu13.10-GCC4.8-x86_64-Release-Trybot,
      Build-Ubuntu13.10-Clang-x86_64-Debug-Trybot,Build-Mac10.8-Clang-x86_64-Release-Trybot

TBR
---

If you are a Skia committer and cannot wait for a review,
then you can include the TBR keyword in your CL's description.

Example:

    TBR=rmistry@google.com

    NOTREECHECKS

If you want to skip the tree status checks, to make the CQ commit a CL even if the tree is closed,
you can add the following line to the CL description:

    NOTREECHECKS=true

This is discouraged, since the tree is closed for a reason. However, in rare cases this is acceptable,
primarily to fix build breakages (i.e., your CL will help in reopening the tree).

    NOPRESUBMIT

If you want to skip the presubmit checks, add the following line to the CL description:

    NOPRESUBMIT=true

NOTRY
-----

If you cannot wait for the try job results, you can add the following line to the CL description:

    NOTRY=true

The CQ will then not run any try jobs for your change and will commit the CL as soon as the tree is open, assuming the presubmit check passes.

NO_MERGE_BUILDS
---------------

This keyword prevents the Skia build masters from building this commit with others. Use it when your
commit may have effects that you don't want mis-attributed to other commits. Just include the keyword
somewhere in the commit message:

    NO_MERGE_BUILDS


Exquisite resorts, adventurous activities, the beautiful turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, and luxurious stay are some of the common factors between Mauritius and Maldives. But if you are looking for experience, both the places offer two different types of experiences. With a closed structure in terms of economy, Maldives have much lesser attractions when it comes to various tourist places. But its extreme natural beauty makes it a favourite place of visit among the tourists. Mauritius is a great option where you can get a good combination of culture and beauty. So choosing your perfect abode, when deciding for your honeymoon is a difficult decision to take.
Both these tropical paradise has a lot to offer. You can witness a huge spectacle of shipwrecks of the 18th century in Mauritius. Additionally, certain recent shipwrecks have developed into beautiful artificial reefs. You can witness Trumpet, Boxfish, sea anemones, Mauritian scorpions, sponges, and damselfish over here. It is a great honeymoon place if you love exploring the underwater world.
On the other hand, Maldives is a great place where you can enjoy great snorkeling and diving activities. You can witness various schools of tropical fish, baby sharks, caves, huge coral walls, turtles, manta rays and the whale shark. None of the varieties are dangerous. Start planning for your Maldives honeymoon trip. We will help you in selecting the Maldives tour package as per your requirement.
There are various places to visit in both Maldives and Mauritius. Mauritius has various promoted attractions like SSR Botanical Garden, Giant Tortoise Park and Nature Reserve, the famous Le Morne Cultural Reserve, semi-submarine rides, Black River Gorges National Park, undersea walks, Crocodile Park and other sun-bathing activities. Are you interested in visiting these famous places in Mauritius? Well, plan for a Mauritius trip with your spouse.
Maldives, on the other hand, does not have so many activities. But if you are a relaxed traveler, you will surely love Maldives. The most lovable activity which you should try is riding on the Dhoni. It is a cruise boat made using coconut palm and timber. During morning hours, you can snorkel or swim. Another major attraction in Maldives is the fresh seafood grill. There are several islands in Maldives, which you can plan to spend each evening on a different island. Bird watching is also a very popular activity over here.
Strolling down the gorgeous beaches on both the places is the must thing to do. If you just wish to laze around, you can just relax on the beach with your partner. Mauritius have all the public beaches with various facilities like toilets and parking areas. It is one of the most popular commercial beach destinations where the hotels have the best beaches. Small coves and varieties are seen mainly on the northern side. But all the popular stretches are mainly found in the east.
There are various pristine beaches and paradisiacal uninhabited islands in the Maldives. There are also 1200 islands which are absolutely perfect. The Vaadhoo Island is simply perfect for the rare glowing tides. The shores simply look stunning at night with a spectacular view and breath-taking ambiance. Its beauty is simply unmatchable at night.
Money is a very important factor when it comes to planning a trip. It is important to have an idea of your average expense when you visit an exotic place. You can always choose between going extremely luxurious or mid-budget on your average expenditure. You can enjoy various activities too, like catamaran cruises, spa treatments and various other water activities. There are some of the best value deals that you can have in Mauritius within your budget, whether more or less.
But Maldives, on the contrary, is very expensive. The resorts are generally of a very high standard. If you have a modest budget, you should definitely include some of the basic expenses like food, drinks, flights, transfers, and various other things. This way, it will be very economical for you to enjoy the destination as well as stay within the budget.
Food is also a very important element in your travel diaries. Trying out the various authentic flavors in each of the regions is a great thing to do when it comes to visiting various destinations. In Mauritius, there are a variety of food items which you can try. They are basically inherited from various places, like, China, Africa, France, and India. There are various gourmet restaurants, as well as various local eateries too. Liquors and cane rums are also very popular in Mauritius. You can also find various options in street food too. Chinese fried noodles and hot curries are also equally popular.
But on the other hand, if you visit Maldives, the food options are comparatively pretty less. So if you both are die-hard food lovers, it might be slightly disappointing for you. Spicy curries, fruits, and fishes can be found in ample varieties. The best kind of local cuisine can be found on the island of Male. Various kind of traditional snacks is also found over here. It is popularly known as Hedhikaa. It is mostly served in international resorts. When it comes to consuming alcohol, you cannot have it outside your own resort.
There are various places in both these lands that are totally worth visiting. Mauritius has various cultures and civilizations. You can even explore various designer boutiques, Mauritian products, luxury goods and Trou aux cerfs, which is the most popular volcanic crater. There are some of the most popular cities in Mauritius, which should not be missed like, Curepipe, Blue-Bay, Rose Hill, Grand Bill, Beau Bassin, and Port Louis. All the places have their own different and significant cultures, which is totally worth visiting.
Whereas, in Maldives, there are two main important places to visit- Seenu and Male, which you can just roam around and complete in an hour. All the major places of visit are located on the North Shore. Primarily, there is mostly Muslim, Dutch and British culture, which creates an ultimate and perfect niche for the Maldivian culture.
April to June and then again September to December should be the perfect time to visit Mauritius. If you love diving, you should not plan during January and February, as cyclones are very prone to take place during these months. November to April should be the best month for visiting Maldives, especially April, as the weather remains perfect for diving.
If you are still wondering which place-Maldives or Mauritius for your honeymoon, you have to know that both the places have peaceful and romantic atmosphere. The decision is completely yours and as per your requirements. Check Maldives and Mauritius weather, topography and other cost associated factors to find which is best for your honeymoon trip. When you analyse on various angles, you can find a suitable destination. If you are able to find any other dissimilarities between Mauritius and Maldives, do let us know in form of comments. What's more? Plan a lavish honeymoon trip to Maldives or Mauritius and enjoy the best vacation.


Thank you sir. I didn't expect to hear back from you personally – especially after midnight – but given your level of personal and professional success it makes perfect sense. Continue your good work. I look forward to meeting you and training at Front Sight.


TC writes: Washington Monthly ranks Texas State University at number 14 on its list of 2014 Best Bang for the Buck rankings for Master's Universities. The publication indicates the rankings are "based on the economic value students receive per dollar". It is the only Texas institution listed in the top 100.
This entry was posted in Director's DIARY on August 28, 2014 by Thomas S. Clark.
♦ Todd Oxford performed our National Anthem in July at the Texas Rangers Global Life Ballpark in Arlington, Texas. This was his third appearance as special guest performer.
♦ Also in July, he appeared with the Synaesthesia Saxophone Quartet at the Texas Bandmasters Association Convention held in San Antonio. The quartet was guest soloist with the Austin Symphonic Band.
This entry was posted in alumni students faculty NEWS on August 25, 2014 by Thomas S. Clark.
Hank Hehmsoth received the TxState College of Fine Arts and Communication 2014 Presidential Distinction Award for Excellence in Scholarly/Creative Activities for his accomplishments in composition. Hehmsoth is the MacDowell Norton Stevens Fellow in Composition, a Fulbright Specialist in Jazz, a National Endowment for the Arts fellow in jazz composition, and placed first in the 2010 National Association of Composers USA, Texas Competition. He was a member of the Austin-based Christopher Cross group, which won five Grammy Awards as well as an Academy Award for best song.
This entry was posted in alumni students faculty NEWS on August 22, 2014 by Thomas S. Clark.
TC writes: Yesterday I enjoyed watching the launch of training camp for a new season for the Bobcat Marching Band. Under the direction of Dr. Kyle Glaser, the band promises to be as large (over 300 members) and as exciting as it has ever been. BMB will perform for one away game (Tulsa), for halftime at a Dallas Cowboys game, and of course for all Bobcat home games. Let's join them in cheering on Texas State. Go Bobcats!
This entry was posted in Director's DIARY on August 15, 2014 by Thomas S. Clark.
Bobcat Music Teachers Get Jobs!
This entry was posted in alumni students faculty NEWS on August 14, 2014 by Thomas S. Clark.


text:
January 20, 2020 Legendary5261 Comment
Last time I was able to publish my picks was for Jan. 17 with mixed results (mostly great).
Ja Morant and DeMar Derozan were really superb statistically with the latter racking up 25-9-9 plus two steals. Morant held his own in the win, finishing with 16 points, five rebounds, eight assists, three steals, and a block.
If you have gone for Jaren Jackson, Jr., this where the mixed results thing starts. While Kevin Huerter (18 points, two rebounds, an assists, a steal, and two blocks) and Al Horford (20 points, five rebounds, six assists, and a block) were solid, JJJ struggled with foul trouble and played only 20 minutes, registering 10 points and little else.
For the bargain, Dwight Powell was below average although Jeremy Lamb completely outdid his salary: 18 points, six rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
Now, watch out for another batch of value picks:
As long as Ja Morant is priced like this at Yahoo ($29), I am going to go for him every single time. At DraftKings, he's a little more pricey but going up against New Orleans should help bolster his stats a bit more since the Pelicans are among the top teams in the NBA in pace.
I may sound like a broken record here but Rudy Gobert is playing and at Yahoo, his salary ($35) belies the production since he has hit at least 50 FP in three of the last six. Outside of Gobert, the other center I'm looking at is Bam Adebayo ($30 at Yahoo, $8,500 at DK), who is averaging 42.6 FP at DK over the past five.
Some Awesome Value
Photo Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Zo went down 900 bucks for Monday since Brandon Ingram is already there with a slight possibility that Zion Williamson go. However, Lonzo's value is not about scoring but in assists plus gaudy defensive stats so i don't think his value is in trouble even if the Pels is at full strength. If anything, that could even add more to his already-impressive statistical showings.
Aside from Ball, I'm also looking at Josh Richardson for stability. His usage may even increase with Al Horford questionable going into Monday with a sprained left hand.
The Bargains
Stan Szeto, USA TODAY Sports/Reuters
For the bargains, aside from picking up potential injury replacements, you may also want to look for consistency. If the latter seems more appealing to you, Donte Divincenzo might fit the profile. He is averaging 13.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, two assists, plus 2.6 "stocks" over the past five. He has accumulated at least 20 FP in nine of the last 10 games, which, to me, is what you call "consistency". He is only worth $4,100 at DK and $10 at Yahoo.
If you're feeling a little bit lucky, you may also want to try Larry Nance Jr, whose minutes are into the high 20's the past two games. He has averaged 10 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and two steals in that span (good for around 24 FP in DK) for almost the minimum.
Featured Image: AP Photo/Rick Bowmer
Bam AdebayoDonte DiVincenzoJa MorantJosh RichardsonLarry Nance JrRudy Gobert
Previous PostBest Value Picks For NBA DFS Friday– Jan. 17, 2020Next PostBest Value Picks For NBA DFS Jan. 24, 2020


Many organizations are clueless about their key assets and how to protect them. ISO 27001 provides a framework for managing them in a way that is appropriate to the business.
Implementation of ISO 27001 helps organizations to treat data security seriously. It works with your business and the kind of data it holds, whether it is bank account details, staff records, or client confidential information.
At the very simplest form, it will boost your client's confidence to trust your organization in keeping their data safe. It also demonstrates corporate due diligence and helps get compliant with the regulatory and contractual requirements regarding data security, privacy and IT governance.
Any organization that holds sensitive information is a candidate for ISO 27001 certification.Healthcare companies, finance, public, and IT sectors can benefit greatly from a certified ISMS.
Now if you can earn these many benefits, what is that thing holding you from being certified?The time involved in implementing and maintaining ISO27001? Or the hassle of developing policies and procedures? Our consultancy support can help shortcut many of these issues.
We help you ensure all policies and procedures are properly documented and up to date. We help you assist in identifying your information security assets and the risks associated with it. We help you in each and every step and will give a complete guidance on ISO 27001 implementation.
ISO 27001 certificate holders have an advantage over others who have not got it and catching up is essential if you are behind.


text:
Sólo le pido a Dios (in English: I only ask of God) is a famous protest song, written by Argentine singer-songwriter León Gieco. It is the first song of Gieco's 1978 album, IV LP.

History

Gieco wrote it in 1978, at his parents' house in his childhood village of Cañada Rosquín, a small town in the north of Santa Fe Province, Argentina. In fact, he wrote it in presence of his father, who told him that the song would be a "world-renowned" song, something it would eventually achieve. Gieco composed this song first trying out melodies with his harmonica and guitar. Then he began to write personal feelings, that gradually turned into phrases inspired by the harsh social events of the time, such as the military dictatorship of his country, Mercedes Sosa's exile and the threat of war between Chile and Argentina at the time.

The author doubted whether or not to include the song on his album IV LP, believing it was "boring and monotonous", but finally followed the advice of Charly García to include it and, thereafter, Gieco sang it as his closing song and has played it in all his national and international tours.

It was finally published in the album IV LP, 1978; since then it has been interpreted by various artists both from Argentina and around the world.

Versions
This song has been covered by various artists around the world and translated into more than twenty-five languages, including English, Portuguese, Basque, German, Quechua, Catalan, Persian, Arabic, Armenian, Hebrew.

 León Gieco
 Ana Belén
 Antonio Flores
 Beth Carvalho
 Emma Shapplin
 Fiel a la Vega
 Florent Pagny
 Gervasio
 Ginevra Di Marco
 Imca Marina
 Javiera y Los Imposibles
 Joan Manuel Serrat
 Juan Diego Flórez
 Luciano Pereyra
 Mercedes Sosa
 Miguel Ríos
 Nicole
 Mario Guerrero
 Kata
 Leo Rey
 Outlandish
 Bruce Springsteen
 Paulina Rubio
 Pete Seeger
 Pibes Chorros
 Piero De Benedictis
 Raúl Porchetto
 Sergio Denis
 Sixto Palavecino
 Shakira
 Tania Libertad
 Kleiton e Kledir
 U2
 Víctor Heredia
 Víctor Manuel

See also
National Reorganization Process
Mercedes Sosa

References

1978 songs
Argentine songs
Argentine rock songs
Protest songs


text:
Home > OEM News > With EQC and new compact car coming, Mercedes-Benz focuses on solidifying foundation for further China growth
With EQC and new compact car coming, Mercedes-Benz focuses on solidifying foundation for further China growth
Xing Lei November 28, 2017 September 11, 2018 OEM News, Smart EV	 Add to favorites 0
The EQC will begin production at BBAC in 2019.
GUANGZHOU – Mercedes-Benz is in no mood to bask in the record sales numbers it has continued to rack up in China and its current status as the top selling luxury brand in the country, senior executives made clear in an interview on November 17 on the sidelines of Auto Guangzhou 2017.
"I don't know and I don't care," said Nicholas Speeks, President & CEO of Beijing Mercedes-Benz Sales Service Co., Ltd. (BMBS), in Chinese while responding to a question on whether Mercedes-Benz would be able to maintain its sales momentum and luxury segment leadership in 2018 and beyond.
A few minutes earlier, Speeks had announced at a press conference that Mercedes-Benz delivered 507,742 vehicles (including smart) in the first 10 months of 2017 in China, up 27 percent year-on-year and the sales total for all of 2016.
Mercedes-Benz has already sold more than 500,000 vehicles (including smart) in China in the first 10 months of 2017.
October became the 56th consecutive month of growth for the brand of the three-pointed star in China dating back to February 2013, helping it to maintain its status as the top selling luxury brand in China. Sales topped half a million units in a single year for the first time ever and is on track to hit 600,000 units, a feat that no luxury brand has been able to achieve before.
"It's not the most important thing. It is not the thing that has guided us over these years, and it will not be the thing that will continue to guide us," said Speeks of the brand's leading position in terms of sales volume. "Although, we hope that the great performance of the Chinese market will contribute to our being globally number 1, chasing sales volume for its own sake is not something we are interested in."
Speeks stressed that the most important thing is making sure that Mercedes-Benz has a solid foundation for future business growth, that it has happy customers, dealers and partners and that it is seen as a premium brand in and around its products.
Hubertus Troska, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, responsible for Greater China, echoed Speeks' comments and emphasized that for the long-term success of Mercedes-Benz in China, there are many more factors than sales during a single quarter, and that is a lesson he and Speeks have learned while directing the brand's operations in China over the last five years.
The EQA makes its China debut at Auto Guangzhou 2017.
"It is all about whether we have a good relationship with our dealers. It is about whether customers perceive the image of our brand very positively. It is about whether we are capable of putting the right products into the market and whether they appreciate our products with the right value," said Troska. "We dare to say that our relationship with dealers is the best in the industry and the products have changed their positions, the value of the brand is better and customers are willing to pay for our products."
Troska emphasized that local production of the right products will remain a key factor in driving the long-term success of the brand. In fact, he announced at the show that local production of the EQC battery electric SUV, the first series model based on the Concept EQ from Mercedes-Benz's EQ dedicated electric brand, will go into production at Beijing-Benz Automotive Co., Ltd. (BBAC), Daimler's joint venture with BAIC Group, in 2019. The model will be powered by battery packs produced locally at BBAC with cells sourced locally, part of a RMB 5 billion investment in next-phase EV and battery manufacturing. BBAC will also begin production of the A-Class sedan in 2018 based on the Concept A Sedan that made its world premiere at the Shanghai Auto Show in April this year, a key segment below the C-Class in the compact car range that now accounts for a fifth of Mercedes-Benz sales in China. The Concept EQA, which had its China debut in Guangzhou, also presented a glimpse of additional models that will be localized, hinted Troska.
"The Chinese new energy vehicle market will develop and there are a lot of government initiatives and desire so we are going all in globally and totally focused on localizing products," Troska told CBU/CAR. "NEVs are China's vision and I have no doubt that we need to invest heavily into NEVs." The fact that Mercedes-Benz is speeding up the pace of EQC localization – in 2019 (the first year the NEV quota requirement is to come into effect) rather than "by 2020" as was announced in Frankfurt – is an obvious reflection of that investment commitment.
The China-exclusive Mercedes-Maybach S680 hits the market.
Troska believes that while customers are not really willing to pay a premium for an electric car because of factors such as range anxiety, residual values and lack of charging infrastructure, regulations are clearly demanding and driving a change in the industry and China will be at the forefront of that development.
"If there is one place in the world that can and will drive this change faster than other countries, it is China," said Troska. "We as a manufacturer need to make a decision, we need to invest 3-4 years ahead of it, and we are investing into the right direction. We don't know how fast it will come, but the NEV quota regulations certainly give us a good indication of what the government wants."
Troska believes that China will enjoy further political stability and economic growth after the recent 19th CPC party congress, and that bodes well for Mercedes-Benz.
"We are up for a very good period. I'm very positive about the Chinese economic development and the automotive market," said Troska.
"We see a growing Chinese market, the premium segment within that market a little more, and we are going to be a part of that," added Speeks. "In terms of product selection, we've done a lot to diversify the brand to meet customers' more individual and diverse demands in terms of styling and services."
Mercedes-Benz is addressing younger segments of its customer base, which averages 35 years old, according to Speeks, through sponsoring events such as e-sports League of Legends and heavy commitment of compact cars.
Mercedes-Benz is also beefing up its presence in online e-commerce platforms that enable an efficient purchasing and servicing experience, as well as quality, offline environments at its dealerships. In fact it plans to upgrade all its dealerships nationwide into a new customer experience ecosystem by 2020.
"The pressure actually comes now. There is a lot of work still to be done in terms of quality of services," said Speeks. "But we have some ideas and initiatives. We have every confidence in our brand, partners, dealer network and ourselves, and we will continue to grow."
EQA| Hubertus Troska| Mercedes-Maybach| Nicholas Speeks| V23N40
Auto industry's "art of attack and defense"
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Fiat said to be near deal to start Jeep SUV production in China


PS. I like cutting things up with scissors.
Because I totally just rifled through the paper recycling and cut up everything from magazines to newspapers to boxes to pamphlets to everything.
I nearly drooled. But I didn't. Because I was thirsty. And dehydrated.
I'm hot-blooded, check it and see, I've got a fever of 99.3.
PPS. I'm very vivacious. I would like to hug a nice person.
PPPS. And perhaps yell something.
PPPPS. Post scripts are idiotic.
In other news, I'm insecure and am wasting my large brain capacity on diet snapple and deviantart favorite.
Also, I like Josie because she drew pictures of me that were flattering.
Also, Death Cab for Cutie is a phenomenon. Not necessarily in a good way.
Also, the ants have come back.
Also, Life is weird and I am dependant on things I cannot depend on.
As well. Blond hair blue eyes black hair blue eyes black hair green eyes blond hair green eyes smile love hand on cheek tactic wipe the tear forehead kiss uncalled for profanity.
Sneezing calls for a shower and Mario Kart. I bid you a doo.


Wallace Stegner (February 18, 1909 – April 13, 1993) was a United States writer (of fiction and nonfiction) and environmentalist.
It is a better world with some buffalo left in it, a richer world with some gorgeous canyons unmarred by signboards, hot-dog stands, super highways, or high-tension lines, undrowned by power or irrigation reservoirs. If we preserved as parks only those places that have no economic possibilities, we would have no parks. And in the decades to come, it will not be only the buffalo and the trumpeter swan who need sanctuaries. Our own species is going to need them too.
This is Dinosaur: Echo Park Country and its Magic Rivers is a collection of essays and photographs edited by Wallace Stegner and published by Alfred A. Knopf in 1955. This passage is from the collection's first essay, "The Marks of Human Passage", which is by Stegner (page 17).
A 3 December 1960 letter to David Pesonen, concerning the wilderness portion of the Outdoor Recreation Resources Review Commission's report. Reprinted many times, for example, in The Sound of Mountain Water (1969) and Marking the Sparrow's Fall (1998).
This page was last edited on 28 January 2018, at 19:54.


text:
The Wasteland is a Celtic motif that ties the barrenness of a land with a curse that must be lifted by a hero. It occurs in Irish mythology and French Grail romances, and hints of it may be found in the Welsh Mabinogion.

An example from Irish literature occurs in the Echtrae Airt meic Cuinn (Echtra, or adventure in the Otherworld, of Art mac Cuinn). Recorded in the 14th century but likely taken from an older oral tradition, Echtrae Airt meic Cuinn is nominally about Art, though the adventures of his father Conn of the Hundred Battles take up the first part of the narrative. Conn is High King of Ireland, but his land turns to waste when he marries the wicked Bé Chuma, an unacceptable action for the king. He searches for a way to restore his country by sailing towards the mystical western lands, and eventually washes up on an island inhabited by the niece of the sea god Manannan and her husband. He attends an otherworldly banquet, and when he returns his wife is banished, presumably lifting the curse.

In the Arthurian Grail material, the Wasteland's condition is usually tied to the impotence of its leader. Often the infirmity is preceded by some form of the Dolorous Stroke, in which the king is injured tragically for his sins but kept alive by the Grail. In Chrétien de Troyes' Perceval, the Story of the Grail, the Fisher King has been wounded in a misfortune that is not revealed in the incomplete text, and his land suffers with him. He can be healed only if the hero Perceval asks the appropriate question about whom the Grail serves, but warned against talking too much, Perceval remains silent. In the First Continuation of Chrétien's work, the anonymous author recounts how Gawain partially heals the land, but is not destined to complete the restoration. Over the course of time romances place less emphasis on the Wasteland and more on the king's wound. In the Lancelot-Grail cycle the link between the devastated land and the wounded king is not absolute, and in the Post-Vulgate Cycle much more emphasis is placed on King Pellehan's injury by Sir Balin than on the devastation this causes to his kingdom.

Scholars of the earlier 20th century devoted much study to the Wasteland motif. In one of the more popular works on the subject, From Ritual to Romance, author Jessie Weston suggested that the origin of the motif lies with an otherwise unattested pagan fertility cult. The book is mostly disregarded today, though T. S. Eliot credited it as the source of the title and the largest single influence on his famous poem The Waste Land.

The Wasteland is depicted in the 1981 John Boorman film Excalibur, Boorman's retelling of the Arthurian legend. When King Arthur (Nigel Terry) finds Queen Guenevere (Cherie Lunghi) and Sir Lancelot (Nicholas Clay) naked and sleeping in the woods, Arthur plunges Excalibur into the earth, abandoning it. The land and Arthur grow sick, and his knights seek the Grail to restore both to health. Perceval wanders through the Wasteland, finally receiving a vision of the Grail and gains possession of it by answering the riddle of the secret of the Grail: Arthur and the land are one. Arthur drinks from the Grail and is restored.

References

Bibliography
 Norris J. Lacy (editor), The New Arthurian Encyclopedia, "Wasteland". New York: Garland Publishing, Inc., 1991
 Roger Sherman Loomis, The Grail: From Celtic Myth to Christian Symbol, 1991.

Locations associated with Arthurian legend
Irish mythology
Welsh mythology
Holy Grail
Literary motifs


text:
Sex, DC Comics, and ... wtf?
Long term readers know my opinion on sex in writing. I'd say my opinion on sex in general is very Catholic, but since no one understand that, I'm not even going to bother.
However, I can sum up my thoughts on sex in fiction very easily: who needs it?
We all know the mechanics. What possible reason is there for a blow by blow description? Pardon the pun, but you know what I mean.
Since my first article on sex, I've written a few sex scenes .... by few I mean two, and they were in the same book. However, the "sex scene" was in someone's dream, and the protagonist was having a conversation with his dead wife through most of it. The sex was incidental, and mostly has to do with the fact that she was killed on their honeymoon. The second sex scene was so vague, any less detail would be as clear as a Salvatore Dali painting, only with words.
Yes, I brought in Dali to an article on sex. I'm weird. However, there is a point.
Even during these scenes, there's no blow by blow description. (I'm going to stop apologizing for that phrase, just roll with it.). It's not necessary, unless someone's writing porn. Even something as intimate as noticing a tattoo on someone during sex doesn't necessitate that much detail -- the audience does not need to know what specific act the individual was doing when s/he noticed the tattoo. It's sex. Nudity happens. Next chapter.
So, what prompted today's rant?
DC Comics seems to be going back to the 1990s, where the artistic style was summarized by my friend Jason as "Big boobs, big guns."
The current version seems to focus on women and sexuality, with an overemphasis on the sex.
I've no problem with sexuality, or with women -- look at my model for Manana Shushurin if you don't believe me -- it's that it's bad writing.
Starfire in costume
Take, for example, the character of Starfire. She's an alien with red hair, green eyes (and I don't mean with two green irises, I mean the entire eye is green), orange skin, with measurements somewhere in the 36 DD battery range.
Normally, I would stop reading at green-eyed redhead (I grew up with a crush on the female lead in Riverdance, leave me alone). The character has always been sexually relaxed, it was mostly a cultural thing. And, for the most part, it was used properly -- as comedy. For example, in the classic Crisis on Infinite Earths, Starfire walks in with Nightwing, meets an old friend, and introduces him as "This is Nightwing, my lover."
Nightwing's reaction is such that you suspect he's glad that he has to go and face the end of the world.
And that was it. One panel. Move on.
[More below the break]
I look at this and think ...Ow! My back!
In their recent reboot, DC spent far, far too long on having Starfire posing.
And by posing, I don't mean "for seducing the guy she's targeted for seduction." I mean in weird, contortionist-like ways that are only useful for modeling.
Modeling what, I'm not entirely certain, but, still ....
What was the point of that scene? Aside from "we're pandering to hormonal males who can't buy Playboy"? Anyone? Anyone at all? Bueller? Bueller?
DC has landed in
Baywatch territory
Starfire is a woman who can quite literally level city blocks. And DC decided to dedicate a whole page to her trying to jump someone's bones, with another page dedicated to "Gee, she looks good in a bikini." Really? They couldn't think of something she could blow up?
Someone ran out of room for a plot in this issue, didn't they?
Notice I have not pointed out her barely there costume. The "reasoning" is that she absorbs solar energy through her skin, and the less she wears, the more surface area is used.....
Funny, twenty years ago, when Superman just came back from the dead and needed an enhanced recharge from the sun, he had to wear a form-fitting black suit to increase his solar intake. But then, that was before 300 and chiseled, CGI generated 8-pack abs were "in."
Also strange: she needs to bear more skin for more solar energy absorption, but she wears thigh-high boots, covering a lot of that surface area. If her powers honestly worked like that, it's time to invest in sandals.
So, to recap: Does this entire setup tell us anything about the character? Nothing new. Does it add anything to the plot? Is it amusing? No and no.
If we're lucky, comic books last 32 pages, without counting the ads. If we're not, it's more like 25 or 27. But they'll blow anywhere from 6%-10% of the book having Sunfire posing? Who the hell is writing this crap?
Anne Hathaway as
And, then, there's Catwoman. Yup, the one in the really tight-fitting outfit. As opposed to Halle Berry, the one in no outfit ... that was more CatHouseWoman than anything else.
Granted, in some ways, I think Catwoman's outfit is more practical than Batman's -- there's no loose fitting articles of clothing to be caught on nails, screws, the vents she crawls around in, etc. And, leather is good in knife fights (I read weird articles). Batman's outfit seems to have only recently made the cape practical, but I don't keep up with these things.
The cat burglar and antihero has had an on again, off again relationship with Batman since Julie Newmar played her in the 1960s Batman tv show. Maybe longer.
But, no, decades of jumping Batman -- sometimes literally -- is apparently, too subtle.
Let's have a full-on sex scene!!!!
Green Skin? Really?
Then again, I have a problem; I look at these images, and my first thought is "Why is her skin green? Has she been hanging out with Poison Ivy too much, or is it really odd mood lighting?"
So, what, exactly, does this entire sex scene add? Another two to three pages eaten up by something that could probably be implied in one panel, and -- oh, yeah -- the next issue is called .... wait for it .... The Morning After. Nope, still too subtle.
What do these pages add? Oh gee, Catwoman is taking his gloves off with her teeth. She's a little frisky .... um, she dresses up in skintight leather and carries a whip, I think we got that part.
A whole splash page?
So .... what was the point of this exercise? Obviously, they're going to continue this as a story line into the next issue. Good for them. So what? Why did they need two or three pages on this? Any one of you out there, reading this article right now, could have come up with a way to tell the audience that, yes, they are copulating. I suspect you could have done it in ... what, half a page? With some internal monologue?
That a "professional author" has done it this pathetic.
Obviously, someone at DC has decided that its readers are either (a) functionally retarded, and subtlety would go over their heads, (b) too young to get legal access to get this stuff on their own or (c) the author used to write fan fiction before this.
The author, Judd Winick, is the mastermind behind resurrecting Robin #2, Jason Todd -- who was so despised, the fans voted to have him beaten to death and blown to kingdom come.
Winick's brilliant idea: resurrect Todd, and make him crazy. So, I suspect we can't expect too much from this guy.
In short: this is no way to treat halfway decent characters. Catwoman has had a long run by dancing on both sides of the law, and living in a gray area that makes her more interesting than Batman at times .... and more sane (I think Batman was on his fourth nervous breakdown, last I checked). Starfire, for all the oversexed portions of her nature, has been entertaining for reasons other than that -- she had a run on Infinite Heroes, where she had some great character moments, and anytime the oversexed nudist part of her came out, it was a source of quick entertainment, and then we moved onto the plot.
Pity DC comics has no memory.
Labels: catwoman, comics, dc, sex, starfire
Fafhrd1 October 3, 2011 at 2:57 PM
I don't think Winnick resurrected Jason Todd; I think that was Jeff Loeb and Grant Morrison.
Also, I'd like to point out that Winnick wrote a semi-autobiographical story called "Pedro and Me", which was about his friendship on the Real World with a roommate who was gay (and died from AIDs). Winnick isn't gay (he married another Real World castmate, Pam Ling), though. But I'm sitting here wondering just HOW he'd let the Starfire stuff get past the editors.
I also checked out The Huntress. That, from what I saw, looked more like what DC does right.
Declan Finn October 3, 2011 at 3:03 PM
With Winick, I got his Jason Todd responsibility from here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judd_Winick#Writing_and_art_career Morrison and Loeb had Todd appear in Hush, but that was Clayface screwing with Batman's head. Winick retconned it so that it was Todd at one point in that chase scene.
Winick had nothing to do with Starfire, he wrote the Catwoman.
Why cant you just enjoy the story how they wanted it to be instead of complaining about everything you dont like about it. its very simple dont like it dont read it. People complain too much.
Declan Finn January 4, 2012 at 10:46 PM
If you believe we thought the stories were enjoyable in the first place, you think anyone would have a problem with them?
PSevetson September 6, 2016 at 12:44 PM
Sex off stage vs. sex on stage is a matter of cultural and generational preference. That said, sex which does not advance the plot is by definition bad. At best it is fan service. At worst, it is pandering for dollars from the any-sex-is-worth-buying-the-product-for crowd. Who would, by the way, _also_ buy the product if the sex was important to relationship building and advanced the plot.
RHJunior May 17, 2017 at 2:53 PM
Sex sells, and it sells big. There, I saved you a few thousand words.
Declan Finn May 17, 2017 at 10:05 PM
Except it didn't. The sales tanked.
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