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The Best Doctors for Gallstones in Singapore
Ryan Lim | December 10, 2020 January 12, 2021
Are you experiencing sudden intense pains around the abdomen area or frequent back pains between your shoulder pains? If so, waste no time and book a consultation with the best doctors for gallstones in Singapore right away.
Also, if you haven't been eating healthy food lately, talking to the best doctors for gallstones in Singapore stands as the wisest option. Only gallstone specialists can confirm whether you have it or not.
Anyway, we already looked for the best doctors for gallstones in Singapore and listed them here on your behalf. Check them out below to see which one is closest to your area.
(Note: This list is in no particular order.)
Dr Quah Hak Mien
Dr Andrea Rajnakova, Ph.D
Dr. Ng Kheng Hong
Dr. Lee Ser Yee
Dr. Winston Woon
BEST FOR Gallstone diagnosis and prevention
SERVICES Colonoscopy, gastroscopy, gallstone screening and treatment, piles surgery, stapled haemorrhoidectomy, and laparoscopic surgery
WEBSITE https://www.colorectalcentre.com.sg/
ADDRESS 6 Napier Road, #07-05 Gleneagles Medical Centre Singapore 258499
CONTACT DETAILS +65 6690 5496 [email protected]
OPERATING HOURS Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Dr Quah Hak Mien is considered one of the best doctors for gallstones in Singapore for his years of extensive practice in colorectal diseases. After receiving his degree from University of Bristol, he was given the opportunity to train in Singapore and overseas.
He's also received multiple awards for his outstanding work in the field of colorectal medicine, including the SingHealth HMDP award. Who wouldn't love to be under the care of one of the best doctors for gallstones in Singapore, right?
Dr. Quah Hak Mien's area of specialties include prevention and diagnosis of gallstones, other gallbladder diseases, and colorectal cancer.
Aside from gallstone treatments, other services offered by his clinic are gastroscopy, colonoscopy, piles surgery, stapled haemorrhoidectomy, and laparoscopic surgery.
Experienced physician
Here are some comments shared by his patients:
"I was very fortunate to have my case managed by Dr Quah. He was always extremely patient in answering all my queries. His calmness and competency puts me at ease. The stitches were also done extremely well. Nurses at his clinic were always helpful and I also like that appointment times were adhered to, without long waiting times like other clinics. Prices are also reasonable and I was glad to find that he has a package for colonoscopy at Gleneagles. Overall big thumbs up."
"Dr. Quah was recommended to me by my GP after it was determined I had developed a hernia. Dr. Quah's professionalism, experience and patient focus made the requisite surgery a clean, routine and efficient manner. Thank you!"
BEST FOR Comprehensive medical services
SERVICES Gallstones diagnosis and treatment, colonoscopy, gastroscopy, polypectomy, and capsule endoscopy
WEBSITE https://www.andrea-digestive-clinic.com/
ADDRESS #21-11/12 Royal Square at Novena, 101 Irrawaddy Rd, Singapore 329565
CONTACT DETAILS +65 6264 2836
Andrea's Digestive, Colon, Liver and Gallbladder Clinic is headed by its namesake, Dr Andrea Rajnakova. She's considered one of the best doctors for gallstones in Singapore because of her wide range of expertise.
Some of the services offered by her clinic are endoscopy, colonoscopy, screening and treatment for gallstones, and diet consultations. Each of their medical services is conducted with the use of cutting-edge technologies to ensure that all patients are well-taken care of.
Dr Andrea's clinic is known for its intensive medical services. It also aims to help patients live a healthier life by giving them tips on how to create a balanced diet that fits their medical needs and lifestyle.
One thing that makes Andrea's Digestive, Colon, Liver and Gallbladder Clinic stand out from other colorectal clinics is its personalised treatments for patients. Its medical staff will be with each patient every step of the way, from diagnosis to treatment.
Personalised services
Complete medical facilities
BEST FOR General surgery
SERVICES Gallbladder surgery, hernia surgery, robotic surgery, piles surgery, keyhole surgery, and colonoscopy
WEBSITE https://www.khngsurgery.com.sg/
ADDRESS 6 Napier Rd, Suite #03-13 Gleneagles Medical Centre, Singapore 258499
CONTACT DETAILS (65) 6475 5512 (65) 8228 5578
OPERATING HOURS Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM Saturday: 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM
If the discomfort you've been experiencing is no longer tolerable, we strongly recommend consulting with Dr Ng Kheng Hong. He's the most trusted surgeon on the island when it comes to medical conditions related to the digestive systems, based on the suggestions of patients who have struggled with gallstones.
Dr Ng Kheng Hong has been providing topnotch medical services to Singaporeans for over 20 years now, so rest assured that you're going to be in safe and capable hands. Aside from surgeries, he creates holistic treatment plans for patients to ensure long-lasting results.
Holistic medical treatment
Full-range medical facilities
Here are some comments proving that Dr. Ng Kheng Hong is one of the best doctors for gallstones in Singapore:
"Many thanks to Dr Ng Kheng Hong for his professionalism and superb skills in surgery. He has given me a new lease of life and improved my lifestyle. After many years of seeking treatments from several senior consultants and specialists I finally found a renown doctor who had solved my hard core problems. Many thanks and heartfelt appreciation to Dr Ng Kheng Hong.
"Dr Ng is a good and professional doctor. He is very reassuring. He attended to me immediately. He was very patient and managed to locate the spot of bleeding after 2 hours of scope. Thankfully, I recovered and was discharged 2 days later. No operations were required."
BEST FOR Minimally invasive surgeries
SERVICES Colorectal surgery, hepatopancreatobiliary surgery, general surgery, and endoscopy
WEBSITE https://www.surgicalassociates.sg/
ADDRESS Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre #08-07, 3 Mount Elizabeth, Singapore 228510
CONTACT DETAILS 66905482 [email protected]
If you're terrified of the thought of going under the knife, then you will certainly like the medical services of Surgical Associates. Dr Lee Ser Yee serves as one of its gallstones doctors, specialising mainly in minimally invasive surgeries for digestive-related medical conditions.
Surgical Associates is a colorectal clinic that aims to provide patients with comprehensive and complete medical services, starting from screening up to treatment. Patients who have long been suffering with digestive-related conditions can finally breathe a sigh of relief with their services.
It doesn't come as a shock that Dr Lee Ser Yee is also deemed one of the best doctors for gallstones in Singapore because of his multidisciplinary approach to all of his patients. Most of his patients have noted how friendly and warm he is as well!
Aside from gallbladder issues, Dr Lee can offer help in liver issues, pancreatic tumours, bile duct diseases, spleen tumours, and even haemorrhoids.
Friendly and approachable doctor
State-of-the-art medical facilities
Safe and comfortable environment
BEST FOR Laparoscopic cholecystectomy
SERVICES Gallstone treatment, hernia surgery, liver surgery, and pancreatic surgery
WEBSITE http://drwinstonwoon.com/
ADDRESS 38 Irrawaddy Rd, #09-23 Mt Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre, Singapore 329563 6 Napier Road. #08-01 Gleneagles Medical Centre Singapore 258499
OPERATING HOURS Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Saturday: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Dr Winston Woon is another trusted gallstone doctor that specialises in laparoscopic cholecystectomy, a type of surgery where the gallbladder is removed. He's currently serving as the elected president of the Hepatopancreaticobiliary Association (Singapore), so he's quite well-known among patients and doctors alike.
If you've been suffering from gallstone symptoms for quite some time now, we strongly recommend booking an appointment with Dr Winston right away. He splits his time between Gleneagles Medical Centre and Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre, so getting a hold of him shouldn't be that difficult.
Other services provided by Dr Winston are hernia surgery, liver surgery, and treatment for pancreatic cancer.
Dedicated gallstones specialist
And that's it for our list of the best doctors for gallstones in Singapore. If you've consulted with any of these doctors in the past, share with us your experience with them.
If you know of other gallstone specialists on the island worth consulting with, tell us their names and we'll check if we can add them to our roster.
Some of the best liver specialists in Singapore offer treatments for gallstones as well. Check out our list for that for more options!
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MARTHA F. DONEGAN, M.D.; ROBERT F. BEDFORD, M.D.
MARTHA F. DONEGAN, ROBERT F. BEDFORD; Intravenously Administered Lidocaine Prevents Intracranial Hypertension: during Endotracheal Suctioning. Anesthesiology 1980;52(6):516-517.


Neutropenia (pronounced noo-troh-PEE-nee-uh), a side effect of cancer and its treatment, refers to a decrease of neutrophils, a type of infection-fighting white blood cell. Because neutrophils are short-lived, the body produces about 100 billion of these cells every day. These cells play a key role in maintaining good health by seeking out and destroying harmful bacteria.
The goal of chemotherapy is to destroy cancer cells. But as they wipe out fast-growing cancer cells, they also can damage fast-growing healthy cells like neutrophils. This may lead to fever, as well as infections. Doctors can monitor neutropenia with a blood test. The risk of infections rises when neutropenia is more severe and long-lasting.
Neutrophil counts usually start to drop about a week after each round of chemotherapy begins. They often reach a low point about seven to 14 days after treatment. This is when infections are more likely to occur. The neutrophil count starts to rise again as the bone marrow resumes its normal production of neutrophils. It can take as long as three to four weeks to reach a normal level again.
If neutropenia develops or the neutrophil level does not return to normal quickly enough, a doctor may delay the next round of chemotherapy or recommend a lower dose. As with any treatment side effect, it's important to talk with your health care team about neutropenia. Communication with your doctor will allow your health care team to work closely to prevent neutropenia and treat any side effects effectively.
Doctors use three main types of medications to treat the effects of neutropenia: antibiotics for bacterial infections; antifungal drugs for fungal infections found in the throat or lungs, for example; and granulocyte colony-stimulating factors (G-CSFs) to raise the number of white blood cells. Talk to your health care what treatment option is best for you.
Avoid germs. Try to stay away from people with a cold, bronchitis, pneumonia or other infectious disease.
Wash your hands regularly. Be sure to use plenty of soap and warm water, and wash your hands for at least 20 seconds.
Be careful when engaging in activities that could lead to injury or infection, such as gardening or mowing the lawn. Wear gloves when doing these chores. Gloves can be helpful even when cooking and handling meat.
Clean cuts and scrapes right away. Use an antiseptic, and keep wounds clean and dry until they heal.
Keep surfaces clean and avoid contact with cat litter boxes, bird cages and fish or reptile tanks.
Talk to your health care team additional steps that you can take to prevent infections.


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Meet Our Clergy & Staff
Rabbi Sydni Rubinstein
Rabbi Sydni is a recent Shreveport transplant from Los Angeles, California. Previously, she has served as a spiritual leader and teacher at Jewish organizations such as Ohr Shalom Synagogue (San Diego, California), IKAR (Los Angeles), and B'nai B'rith Camp (Neotsu, Oregon). Rabbi Sydni earned her Bachelor of Arts in Music from Swarthmore College and received her ordination and Master of Arts in Rabbinic Studies from the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies. Between degrees, she spent two years engaging in intensive exploration of Jewish text at the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem. Rabbi Sydni especially enjoys teaching, learning, reading, writing, and chatting about Jewish approaches to self care, the status of women in Jewish law, and Biblical notions of love of God. When she is not at Agudath Achim, you may find her practicing yoga, playing piano, petting dogs, or exploring a farmers' market. You may also find her spending time with her husband and best friend, Rabbi Feivel and their two dogs Buddy and Jax.
Michelle Brooks
Carnell Smith

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


In May 1982 Ridgway was arrested for soliciting a "John patrol," a female police officer posing as a prostitute. And on Feb. 23, 1983, Ridgway picked up Keli McGinness, 17, from the strip and took her to a ballpark behind Sunset Junior High School on South 140th Street, where their liaison was disturbed by a police patrol. Four months later, McGinness disappeared after someone picked her up on the strip. Two months after that, police found the first of three bodies that had been dumped in blackberry bushes behind the school's ballpark. McGinness' body has never been found.
But with hundreds of prostitutes, thousands of customers and the furtive nature of the business they transact, Reichert's men had difficulty even drawing up a list of potential suspects. The strip was slow to yield up its secrets.
Reichert, who was elected sheriff in 1997, looks like a cop from a Hollywood movie, circa 1950, only he's not crusty. Tall and square-jawed, he wears his uniform without wrinkles, pops breath fresheners before going into meetings and ends his e-mails with electronic smiles. Despite his easygoing manner, he knows how rough it is on the streets. In 1974, when he was a 24-year-old rookie, a man holed himself up in a house and threatened to kill his wife. Reichert went in through a window alone and got the woman out, but was surprised by the man, who slit Reichert's throat open with a butcher's knife. Reichert got 45 stitches. The scar, shaped like a long pink sickle, slices down the right side of his neck.
Reichert's life has left other scars. Born in Minnesota in 1950 of German stock, Reichert is the eldest of seven children. When he was 11, his family moved to the town of Kent, south of Seattle. Like Ridgway — two years older and growing up nearby — Reichert spent his childhood playing in the fields and woods. His father worked in a warehouse, and the family was always short of money — but not discipline. "My father was the old iron German fist," says Reichert. "There was a lot of conflict there." But as the eldest of a large family, Reichert acted as peacemaker, pulling his siblings apart, confronting neighborhood bullies. "When I was 16, I remember my mother got into an argument with one of her friends. I went over and knocked on her door and tried to negotiate a peace with that lady. My mother said I was naive." Later, in college, he pursued some Peeping Toms outside the women's dormitory and ended up throwing himself on their moving car to stop them from escaping.
The church, along with his family, has always been at the center of Reichert's life. "I can't imagine going through life without faith," he says. His grandfather was a Lutheran pastor, and Reichert attended Concordia University, a Lutheran college in Portland, Ore., intending to follow the same path. But he left school to get married, in 1970. After a spell in the Air Force as a mechanic, he joined the King County sheriff's department, which covers Seattle and extends south of the airport, over what was once open land. He found himself drawn to murders. "Homicide is the ultimate in police work," he says. "I did all the courses I could — blood spattering, evidence collection, identification, puncture wounds." He started working homicide in 1979.
In '82 his partner and mentor, Sam Hicks, was shot dead while on duty. Reichert was not there when it happened. Three days later the suspect was picked up, and it was Reichert's job to ride with the man to the station in the back of a police car. Hicks's murder made him a more determined detective. Says Reichert: "You just don't want to give up until you make it right."
When Ridgway moved into his new house on south 348th Street in Auburn nearly five years ago, one of the first things he did was cut down all the trees on the property. "That had some neighbors pretty pissed," says Clem Gregurek, 69, a former Boeing employee whose house is next to Ridgway's. "He was one of those quick, hyper people," says Gregurek. "He was nervous. He was fast in everything he did. He was even fast mowing the lawn." Before moving to Auburn, Ridgway lived in Des Moines, Wash., only a few minutes' drive from the strip. He went around to his neighbors pointing out that prostitutes were turning tricks on their street. His complaints prompted police to increase patrols of the area. Last November, when news of his frequenting prostitutes came out following his arrest for the four murders, neighbors were shocked at his hypocrisy. Says Janine Mattoon, 50, a nurse who was Ridgway's neighbor in Des Moines: "Here is someone who is upset about there being too many prostitutes in the neighborhood, and then he is actually seeing prostitutes."
Ridgway was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Feb. 18, 1949. He has two brothers, Greg and Tom, and when they were young their family moved frequently between Utah and Idaho, finally settling in Washington in 1958. Like Reichert's, Ridgway's family was poor. His father drove trucks when he could get the work, while his mother brought up the three boys in a 600-sq.-ft. house off the Pacific Highway near what would become the strip. The boys slept in bunk beds in the same room and spent much of the time outdoors. "We literally crawled on our hands and knees over the area around SeaTac where this [series of killings] was supposed to have happened," says Greg Ridgway, 54, who works for a computer company.


Reliability is a very wide term and has numerous applications in different industries. With the new technologies, concepts, and reliability solutions based on iIOT, Cloud servers, and distributed computing, the reliability programs do everything on any kind of machines. Machine Learning plays a huge role in doing these wonderful things. Machine learning can be used to do enhanced condition-bases monitoring. There are a number of variables that we need to take care of if we want to prevent failures ahead of time and increase the uptime of the assets. This is a very generic application of Machine Learning.
Where do organizations start with Machine Learning?
What types of learning models are there?
Do we need to go buy more sensors?
There are different techniques that are used for data evaluation in Machine Learning such as Tree Model, Neural Networks, and all the tools that can be used to serve the purpose. The selection of tools starts from building a problem case. There are numerous instruments out there that can be used for getting different specific results. The organizations can just begin by starting a specific business case and then build a metrics around it. This model would serve as the baseline for solving a problem and then you can improve and build on it with time. You just need to define a process and then gather data based on it.
Machine learning is not just about sensors and data points. You need to evaluate the current data and data points that you have in place along with the sensors. Once you have done that, you can look for more sensors or improving your data gathering process. After the sensors are in place, you can look at the history of failures. The sensors can only send you an alert when there's a vulnerable pump or bearing. You are the one who has to make a decision on how and when to fix it.
Once you have followed up on the failure, you need to change the practice that goes around. You need to be able to trend that and make a learning mechanism that will help you in the future. Using technologies like Machine Learning and iIOT is amazing and it has revolutionized the maintenance side of things but the organizations should always take care of the fundamentals first before they bring in such tools. They should have good data collection and analysis strategy. Then they should be able to trend it so that everyone knows the value of that data.
The technology is out there and it really works. The results have shown the organizations the benefits of having a smart tool around to improve their reliability programs. The real challenge lies in making that proven technology for your organizational assets. But the organization need to be able to understand the problem that they have. They need to be able to prioritize their business cases and then bring the solutions to help with that. The Machine Learning just helps you prevent failures before they occur or at the very least increase the meantime between multiple failures. If the organizations can keep it simple, it works wonders for your maintenance and reliability programs.


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Reinhard Arnold Houben (* 29. April 1960 in Bensberg)  ist ein deutscher Politiker (FDP) und Unternehmer. Er ist seit 2017 Bundestagsabgeordneter und ist wirtschaftspolitischer Sprecher der FDP-Bundestagsfraktion.

Ausbildung und Beruf
Reinhard Houben hat 1983 ein Studium der Betriebswirtschaftslehre in Siegen als Diplom-Kaufmann abgeschlossen. Seit 1984 ist er geschäftsführender Gesellschafter der Arnold Houben GmbH, einem mittelständischen Handelsunternehmen für Leuchtstoffe in Köln-Rodenkirchen.

Houben ist verheiratet und hat zwei erwachsene Söhne. Die Familie lebt in Köln-Riehl.

Partei
Seit 1983 ist Reinhard Houben Mitglied der FDP. Im Laufe seiner politischen Arbeit übernahm er verschiedene Ämter bei den Jungen Liberalen, der FDP und in der Vereinigung Liberaler Kommunalpolitiker. Von 2000 bis 2011 war er Vorsitzender des FDP-Kreisverbandes Köln, seit 2012 ist er Vorsitzender des FDP-Bezirksverbandes Köln. Seit 2004 ist er Mitglied des Landesvorstands der FDP Nordrhein-Westfalen.

Er war von 1989 bis 1994 und von 2009 bis 2017 Mitglied im Rat der Stadt Köln. Von 1989 bis 1994 war er Vorsitzender des Rechnungsprüfungsausschusses. Von 2009 bis 2015 war er wirtschaftspolitischer Sprecher der FDP-Ratsfraktion und Vorsitzender des Wirtschaftsausschusses. Von 2014 bis 2017 war er verkehrspolitischer Sprecher der FDP-Ratsfraktion.

Abgeordneter
Bei der Bundestagswahl 2017 wurde Houben zum Mitglied des 19. Deutscher Bundestag gewählt. Er kandidierte im Bundestagswahlkreis Köln I (Stadtbezirke Porz und Kalk und vom Stadtbezirk Innenstadt die Stadtteile Deutz, Altstadt/Nord sowie Neustadt/Nord). Er ist über die FDP-Landesliste (Platz 8) in den 19. Bundestag eingezogen. Seit Januar 2018 ist er Mitglied im Ausschuss für Wirtschaft und Energie sowie wirtschaftspolitischer Sprecher der FDP-Bundestagsfraktion. Außerdem ist er Mitglied des Beirates der Bundesnetzagentur und saß von 2014 bis 2018 im Aufsichtsrat der Koelnmesse.

Reinhard Houben galt als scharfer Kritiker der Politik von Wirtschaftsminister Peter Altmaier. So wandte sich Houben gegen eine Verschärfung der Vorschriften für ausländische Investitionen in deutsche Unternehmen und gegen Altmaiers Ministererlaubnis für die Fusion von Zollern und Miba.

In der Post- und Telekommunikationspolitik kritisierte Houben 2019 die Auktion der 5G-Frequenzen und brachte einen Antrag in den Bundestag ein, nachdem die Zustellpflicht der Deutschen Post an Montagen entfallen sollte.

Mitgliedschaften
Reinhard Houben ist Mitglied in Die Familienunternehmer, in der Historischen Gesellschaft Köln und im Verein Freunde und Förderer des Kölnischen Stadtmuseums.

Weblinks
 Website von Reinhard Houben

 Reinhard Houben auf abgeordnetenwatch.de

Einzelnachweise

Bundestagsabgeordneter (Nordrhein-Westfalen)
FDP-Mitglied
Mitglied der Jungen Liberalen
Deutscher
Geboren 1960
Mann

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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Mauna Kea telescope protesters say stone altar…
NewsEnvironment
Mauna Kea telescope protesters say stone altar was destroyed
By The Associated Press and Jennifer Sinco Kelleher |
PUBLISHED: September 15, 2015 at 12:00 a.m. | UPDATED: September 7, 2018 at 12:00 a.m.
HONOLULU (AP) — People protesting the construction of a giant telescope on a Hawaiian mountain they hold sacred are decrying the destruction of a stone altar they built near the construction site.
The altar known as an ahu (AH"-hoo) was built June 24, the day hundreds of protesters prevented construction crews from reaching the telescope site on Mauna Kea (mow-NAH" kay-AH").
"About a hundred people or so contributed to this ahu I would guess," Lakea Trask, one of the protester leaders, said Tuesday in describing how stones were passed person-to-person to erect the 4-foot-high structure at an elevation of 11,000 feet.
"Basically, it"s a religious altar or shrine. It"s not just a stack of rocks. It"s the focus of the energies of our pule — our prayers — our spiritual connection to the land," Trask said. "It"s like a hate crime to us."
The group of people who have been camping regularly on the mountain to prevent crews from returning hadn"t checked on the ahu for a while, Trask said. Every second Sunday or so, some of them visit the altar to give offerings, usually water or bundles of leaves from the Hawaiian ti plant, he said.
On Sunday, "when they went up there to check on it, there was no ahu," Trask said. "And in its place there was a bulldozer."
A Mauna Kea Support Services employee removed the altar sometime before Aug. 25 to reach a pile of materials needed to grade the access road, said Dan Meisenzahl, a spokesman for the University of Hawaii, which is responsible for the mountain"s stewardship.
"Now, unfortunately, the nearest material pile was behind this particular ahu," he said.
"If this particular employee had checked with his supervisor, this wouldn"t have happened," Meisenzahl said of the altar"s removal. "This honestly is not how we would have liked this to happen. … Given the current situation on the mountain … I don"t think we would have proceeded that way."
Protests against the $1.4 billion Thirty Meter Telescope have been growing statewide. Dozens of people have been arrested for blocking construction workers or violating emergency rules created to stop people from camping on the mountain. Work has stalled since April amid the protests, and the nonprofit company building the telescope hasn"t indicated when it will try to resume construction.
Protesters are feeling emotional about the altar"s removal, Trask said.
"It almost felt like we were being provoked to respond," he said. "It"s just another kind of adversity we face as people trying to practice our religion … on a mountain that"s the most sacred to us."
But after discussions and prayers, the protesters are vowing not to let the incident distract them from protesting with peace, Trask said.
Protesters say they don"t want another telescope on Mauna Kea, which they liken to a temple.
Meisenzahl said he doesn"t know if the worker knew it was a religious altar.
"I don"t think it was malicious in intent," he said. "I think he was just trying to do his job."
What happens to the worker would be a personnel issue that the university can"t disclose. "But in all honesty, he didn"t violate any existing policies or protocols," Meisenzahl said. "It was unfortunate."
Two other ahu remain on the construction site, Meisenzahl noted.
Follow Jennifer Sinco Kelleher at http://www.twitter.com/JenHapa .
Jennifer Sinco Kelleher


The other morning I was riding through Portola Valley when a nail pierced my tire. It was quite impressive. I must have hit the nail at just the right angle for it to enter the tire and exit next to the rim.
Published on October 25, 2016 by kate purmal.
When I booked my Backroads bike trip to Alaska I had just two months to train. I dusted off my road bike and started riding. I knew it would be important to up my mileage and to get in a lot of hills to match the challenges I'd face in Alaska.
Published on October 11, 2016 by Lisa Goldman.
Even the best managers and leaders stumble when giving feedback precisely because of the sensitive nature of this dynamic. Very few people have learned how to give feedback effectively.
Published on September 27, 2016 by kate purmal.
We've been fortunate to work on some extraordinary teams and I've learned countless lessons about how high performing teams function. But I've learned just as much, if not more, from the teams that weren't so hot (and I've been on a few of those!) The truly low performing teams are a no-brainer.
Published on September 12, 2016 by kate purmal.
Published on July 26, 2016 by kate purmal.
Why Go the Extra Mile to Recruit Talented Female Board Directors? Not for the Reasons We've Been Told.
Are Women Leaders Bolder than Men?
Published on July 16, 2016 by kate purmal.


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Spouse: Helen WEITZEL-121729. Helen WEITZEL and (Husband of WEITZEL, Helen) LANZENDORFER were married.
Spouse: Living. Children were: Living, Living.
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Albert Melanchthon LAPE1920 was born on 20 September 1869. He died in 1931 at the age of 62. Parents: David LAPE-179883 and Sarah A. KIMMEL-179884.
Spouse: Annie LOHR-179891. Annie LOHR and Albert Melanchthon LAPE were married on 12 September 1901.
Anna E. LAPE1920 was born in 1863. Parents: Philip LAPE-179866 and Catherine L. ZIMMERMAN-179867.
Spouse: Henry FISHER-179875. Anna E. LAPE and Henry FISHER were married.
Anthony LAPE809,1920 was born on 5 January 1798. He died on 26 April 1882 at the age of 84. He was buried at Hoffman Zion Evangelical Lutheran Cem. in Jenners, Somerset Co., PA.
Spouse: Sarah RICHWINE-179847. Sarah RICHWINE and Anthony LAPE were married. Children were: Elizabeth LAPE-177272, John Welsh LAPE-179852, Eva LAPE-179857, Philip LAPE-179866, David LAPE-179883, Joseph LAPE-179895, Susanna LAPE-179899, Catherine Ann LAPE 14 jan 1922-179912.
Bertha E. LAPE1920 was born in 1868. She died in 1927 at the age of 59. Parents: Philip LAPE-179866 and Catherine L. ZIMMERMAN-179867.
Spouse: Daniel J. CUSTER-179877. Bertha E. LAPE and Daniel J. CUSTER were married on 3 October 1901.
Catherine LAPE799,1155 was born (date unknown). Parents: Nicholas LAPE-178638 and (Wife of LAPE, Nicholas) -178639.
Spouse: (First husband of LAPE, Catherine) CUSTER-178640. Catherine LAPE and (First husband of LAPE, Catherine) CUSTER were married.
Spouse: Joseph BERKEY-178635. Catherine LAPE and Joseph BERKEY were married.
Catherine Ann LAPE 14 jan 1922809,1920 was born on 7 May 1838 in Jenner Twp., Somerset Co., PA. She died on 13 January 1922 at the age of 83 in Gobles, Van Buren Co., MI. She was buried in Gobles, Van Buren Co., MI. Parents: Anthony LAPE-179846 and Sarah RICHWINE-179847.
Spouse: Jacob HOFFMAN-179913. Catherine Ann LAPE 14 jan 1922 and Jacob HOFFMAN were married in January 1864. Children were: James W. HOFFMAN-179914, Elizabeth HOFFMAN-179915, Lafayette HOFFMAN-179917, Ida HOFFMAN-179918.
Celena Alice LAPE1920 was born on 6 March 1865. She died on 24 February 1881 at the age of 15. Parents: David LAPE-179883 and Sarah A. KIMMEL-179884.
Charles C. A. LAPE809,1920 was born on 3 November 1870. He died on 12 March 1873 at the age of 2. Parents: John Welsh LAPE-179852 and Rebecca HOFFMAN-180035.
David LAPE1920 was born on 22 April 1832. He died on 6 February 1905 at the age of 72. He was buried at Hoffman Zion Evangelical Lutheran Cem. in Jenners, Somerset Co., PA. Parents: Anthony LAPE-179846 and Sarah RICHWINE-179847.
Spouse: Sarah A. KIMMEL-179884. Sarah A. KIMMEL and David LAPE were married. Children were: Celena Alice LAPE-179887, Ida S. LAPE-179888, Albert Melanchthon LAPE-179890, Matilda C. LAPE-179892, Edward R. LAPE-179893, Stewart LAPE-179894.
Edward R. LAPE1920 was born on 10 June 1878. He died on 14 February 1879 at the age of 0. Parents: David LAPE-179883 and Sarah A. KIMMEL-179884.
Elizabeth LAPE1081,1920 was born on 6 September 1824 in Jenner Twp., Somerset Co., PA. She died on 31 March 1904 at the age of 79. She was buried at Hoffman Zion Evangelical Lutheran Cem. in Jenners, Somerset Co., PA. Parents: Anthony LAPE-179846 and Sarah RICHWINE-179847.
Spouse: Moses SIPE-177271. Elizabeth LAPE and Moses SIPE were married in January 1844. Children were: John Luther SIPE-177267.
Emilie R. May LAPE809,1920 was born on 6 April 1861. She was baptized on 4 August 1861 at Hoffman Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jenners, Somerset Co., PA. She died on 27 April 1868 at the age of 7. Parents: John Welsh LAPE-179852 and Rebecca HOFFMAN-180035.
Eva LAPE1920 was born on 31 August 1828. She died on 2 May 1897 at the age of 68. She was buried at St. James Lutheran Cem. in Jenner Twp., Somerset Co., PA. Parents: Anthony LAPE-179846 and Sarah RICHWINE-179847.
Spouse: Isaac HOFFMAN-179858. Eva LAPE and Isaac HOFFMAN were married about 1849. Children were: John HOFFMAN-179861, Mary HOFFMAN-179862, Sarah A. HOFFMAN-179864, Gillian A. HOFFMAN-179865.
Ida S. LAPE1920 was born in 1866. Parents: David LAPE-179883 and Sarah A. KIMMEL-179884.
Spouse: Jess A. LOHR-179889. Ida S. LAPE and Jess A. LOHR were married.
John LAPE1920 was born in 1867. Parents: Joseph LAPE-179895 and Katie STAHL-179896.
John Nicholas LAPE3665 was born (date unknown).
Spouse: Catherine SHUNK-179388. Catherine SHUNK and John Nicholas LAPE were married. Children were: Salome LAPE-179386.
John Welsh LAPE809,1920 was born in September 1827 in Jenner Twp., Somerset Co., PA. He died on 7 October 1873 at the age of 46. He was buried at Hoffman Zion Evangelical Lutheran Cem. in Jenners, Somerset Co., PA. Parents: Anthony LAPE-179846 and Sarah RICHWINE-179847.
Spouse: Rebecca HOFFMAN-180035. Rebecca HOFFMAN and John Welsh LAPE were married. Children were: Nancy LAPE-180068, Sarah Jane LAPE-179854, Emilie R. May LAPE-179855, Charles C. A. LAPE-179856.
John Welsh LAPE1920 was born in 1876. Parents: Philip LAPE-179866 and Catherine L. ZIMMERMAN-179867.
Joseph LAPE2321,4927 was born in 1822.
Spouse: Catherine "Katie" LIVINGSTON-178768. Catherine "Katie" LIVINGSTON and Joseph LAPE were married.
Joseph LAPE1920 was born on 15 April 1834. He died in 1903 at the age of 69. Parents: Anthony LAPE-179846 and Sarah RICHWINE-179847.
Spouse: Katie STAHL-179896. Katie STAHL and Joseph LAPE were married in 1858. Children were: John LAPE-179897, Lucy LAPE-179898.
Levern LAPE6228 was born on 29 January 1908.4998 He died on 29 May 1998 at the age of 90 in Elkhart, Elkhart Co., IN.4998
Spouse: Elma HOLDERMAN-34371. Elma HOLDERMAN and Levern LAPE were married.
Lucy LAPE1920 was born in 1873. Parents: Joseph LAPE-179895 and Katie STAHL-179896.
Margaret M. LAPE1920 was born on 23 January 1873. She died on 26 May 1951 at the age of 78. Parents: Philip LAPE-179866 and Catherine L. ZIMMERMAN-179867.
Spouse: George A. KRAPE-179881. Margaret M. LAPE and George A. KRAPE were married on 26 November 1896.
Mary A. LAPE1920 was born in 1855. Parents: Philip LAPE-179866 and Catherine L. ZIMMERMAN-179867.
Spouse: Henry W. HORNER-179871. Mary A. LAPE and Henry W. HORNER were married.
Matilda C. LAPE1920 was born in 1874. She died on 12 April 1927 at the age of 53. Parents: David LAPE-179883 and Sarah A. KIMMEL-179884.
Nancy LAPE809 was born on 25 December 1850. Parents: John Welsh LAPE-179852 and Rebecca HOFFMAN-180035.
Spouse: William H. BERKEY-180069. Nancy LAPE and William H. BERKEY were married.
Nicholas LAPE1155 was born (date unknown).
Spouse: (Wife of LAPE, Nicholas) -178639. (Wife of LAPE, Nicholas) and Nicholas LAPE were married. Children were: Catherine LAPE-178637.
Philip LAPE1920 was born on 29 September 1830. He died on 29 October 1922 at the age of 92. He was buried at Grandview Cem. in Johnstown, Cambria Co., PA. Parents: Anthony LAPE-179846 and Sarah RICHWINE-179847.
Spouse: Catherine L. ZIMMERMAN-179867. Catherine L. ZIMMERMAN and Philip LAPE were married on 9 October 1853 in Stoystown, Somerset Co., PA. Children were: Mary A. LAPE-179870, Sarah C. LAPE-179872, Anna E. LAPE-179874, Bertha E. LAPE-179876, Willis A. G. LAPE-179878, Margaret M. LAPE-179880, John Welsh LAPE-179882.
Salome LAPE3665,8865 was born on 27 September 1816. She died on 28 March 1896 at the age of 79. She was buried at Custer Cem. in Paint Twp., Somerset Co., PA. Parents: John Nicholas LAPE-179387 and Catherine SHUNK-179388.
Spouse: Adam Lafevre HOLSOPPLE-179385. Salome LAPE and Adam Lafevre HOLSOPPLE were married in 1835. Children were: Helena HOLSOPPLE-179405, Lucinda HOLSOPPLE-179407, Edmund HOLSOPPLE-179383, Isaiah HOLSOPPLE-179410, Flora HOLSOPPLE-179412, Catherine HOLSOPPLE-179415, Philemon Ernst HOLSOPPLE-179417, Adam Lafevre HOLSOPPLE Jr.-179419, Adeline HOLSOPPLE-179422, Simon P. HOLSOPPLE-179425, Eve HOLSOPPLE-179428, Salome HOLSOPPLE-179430, Charles Fremont HOLSOPPLE-179432.
Sarah LAPE928 was born on 1 October 1846. She died on 21 October 1916 at the age of 70.
Spouse: Noah ALWINE-178500. Sarah LAPE and Noah ALWINE were married.
Sarah C. LAPE1920 was born on 11 April 1859. She died on 19 March 1918 at the age of 58. Parents: Philip LAPE-179866 and Catherine L. ZIMMERMAN-179867.
Spouse: Chauncey P. PRITTS-179873. Sarah C. LAPE and Chauncey P. PRITTS were married.
Sarah Jane LAPE809,1920 was born on 27 March 1856. She was baptized on 20 September 1856 at Hoffman Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jenners, Somerset Co., PA. Parents: John Welsh LAPE-179852 and Rebecca HOFFMAN-180035.
Stewart LAPE1920 was born (date unknown). Parents: David LAPE-179883 and Sarah A. KIMMEL-179884.
Susanna LAPE1920 was born on 29 March 1836. She died on 5 April 1911 at the age of 75. She was buried at Hoffman Zion Evangelical Lutheran Cem. in Jenners, Somerset Co., PA. Parents: Anthony LAPE-179846 and Sarah RICHWINE-179847.
Spouse: Josiah GOHN-179900. Susanna LAPE and Josiah GOHN were married. Children were: Mary GOHN-179903, Catherine GOHN-179904, William M. GOHN-179905, John A. GOHN-179907, Harry E. GOHN-179909, Philip Sheridan GOHN-179910, Annie Martha GOHN-179911.
Willis A. G. LAPE1920 was born in November 1870. He died on 7 October 1934 at the age of 63. Parents: Philip LAPE-179866 and Catherine L. ZIMMERMAN-179867.
Spouse: Edythe I. HERTLEIN-179879. Edythe I. HERTLEIN and Willis A. G. LAPE were married on 24 September 1901.
John LAPEM241 was born (date unknown).
Spouse: Eva COLEMAN-190847. Eva COLEMAN and John LAPEM were married.
Isabella LAPERFIDO8846 was born (date unknown).
Spouse: Joseph CURCI-25441. Isabella LAPERFIDO and Joseph CURCI were married. Children were: Angelo CURCI-24948.
Rebecca LAPHAM4038 was born (date unknown).
Spouse: Jeremiah BARTLETT-174589. Rebecca LAPHAM and Jeremiah BARTLETT were married. Children were: Amos BARTLETT-174585.
(Husband of Phyllis NOFSKER) LAPICOLA1011 was born (date unknown).
Spouse: Phyllis NOFSKER-29141. Phyllis NOFSKER and (Husband of Phyllis NOFSKER) LAPICOLA were married. Children were: Deborah LAPICOLA-29670, Michael LAPICOLA-29671, Susan LAPICOLA-29672.
Deborah LAPICOLA1011 was born (date unknown). Parents: (Husband of Phyllis NOFSKER) LAPICOLA-29669 and Phyllis NOFSKER-29141.
Michael LAPICOLA1011 was born (date unknown). Parents: (Husband of Phyllis NOFSKER) LAPICOLA-29669 and Phyllis NOFSKER-29141.
Susan LAPICOLA1011 was born (date unknown). Parents: (Husband of Phyllis NOFSKER) LAPICOLA-29669 and Phyllis NOFSKER-29141.
Charles LAPLANTE2922 was born (date unknown).
Spouse: Jeannette CHROCHIERE-158006. Jeannette CHROCHIERE and Charles LAPLANTE were married. Children were: Living.


text:
The Bachelor franchise certainly likes to bring back past contestants for different seasons and spinoffs, and new Bachelorette Clare Crawley is definitely one of those. Her appearance on The Bachelorette will actually be her fifth time on one of the franchise's shows. Here's a brief recap of Clare's history on all the Bachelor shows to date.
Clare made her debut in 2014, when she was a contestant on Juan Pablo Galavis's season of The Bachelor. She made a big impression, and, in fact, she made it all the way to the finale, where she and Nikki Ferrell were the last two women competing for Juan Pablo's heart. In the end, though, he didn't choose her as the winner, choosing Nikki instead. Upon learning this news, Clare refused a "comforting" goodbye hug from Juan Pablo, instead calling him out, apparently over something he'd said to her that viewers never got to hear.
"What I thought was going to be sweet, kind, loving words was not what came out of his mouth, and I'm shocked," she said. "He chose to tell me something that no woman wants to hear. That he doesn't know me, and some sexual thing, I don't even want to repeat it. It was insulting, it was offensive, and it just made me feel awful." Although the exact thing he said to her was never shown, we did get to hear her telling him off after the breakup. "I though I knew what kind of man you were, but I would never want my children to have a father like you!"
Fun fact: Clare is actually the second contestant from Juan Pablo's season to become a Bachelorette! For the cycle immediately following his season, Andi Dorfman — who self-eliminated during the final three — became the Bachelorette.
Clare joined the inaugural season of Bachelor in Paradise in 2014. She kicked things off with a (minorly disastrous) date with Robert Graham, a contestant from Desiree Hartsock's Bachelorette season, but soon began regularly "dating" Zack Kalter, another contestant from Desiree's season. They dated for a few weeks, although they had to deal with some drama when housemate AshLee Frazier's nasty comments about Clare were caught on camera and circulated throughout the house. Ultimately, Clare was too bothered by the drama and decided to quit halfway through the show.
That wasn't the end of her BIP journey, though. Clare returned the following season to try to find love yet again. She made it through a couple of dates, although it was clear her heart wasn't quite in it. At one point, she complained about the cast in general, claiming that the previous season's cast had been more "genuine." Needless to say, she didn't exactly make any friends from that statement, and she was eliminated by week four.
In 2018, Bachelor Winter Games included Clare in the cast, which brought together contestants from several international versions of the franchise. During her time on the show, she seemed to really hit it off with Canadian Benoit Beauséjour-Savard, but she quickly became involved in something of a love triangle with him and Christian Rauch of the German and Swiss versions of the show. Ultimately, Benoit quit the show and Clare was eliminated soon after, and on the After the Final Rose special, they revealed they'd gotten back together off screen and Benoit had proposed. Their relationship only lasted a few months before they called it off. But this one, at least, seems to have ended with a minimum of fuss: Benoit even posted an Instagram picture to wish Clare luck on her Bachelorette season!
Tags The Bachelor The Bachelorette
How to Survive Daylight Savings With Kids


Useful Firefox Addon(s) ... Feel free to add to this thread.
As a spin-off from another thread, I thought it would be useful to mention useful addons for Firefox.
The first is called Print Edit.
It installs in firefox and gives you the ability to print from webpages and edit out the bits you don't want.
If you have a page with a section containing some information you want to keep, you can print the page and before it is sent to the printer you can select and delete sections from the page.
You use the mouse to click/select things to delete.
It even has a clever select things and delete every else ability.
Really useful to save paper when printing pages full of ads and/or useless graphics.
You can then print the edited page directly to a .pdf.


text:
Pathologically Literate
Reading whatever, wherever, whenever I can…
Reading Life
Kindle Love
Tag: historical fiction
Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys
05/10/2016 05/10/2016 2 Comments
"Winter, 1945. Four teenagers. Four secrets.
Each one born of a different homeland; each one hunted, and haunted, by tragedy, lies…and war.
As thousands of desperate refugees flock to the coast in the midst of a Soviet advance, four paths converge, vying for passage aboard the Wilhelm Gustloff, a ship that promises safety and freedom.
Yet not all promises can be kept.
Inspired by the single greatest tragedy in maritime history, bestselling and award-winning author Ruta Sepetys (Between Shades of Gray) lifts the veil on a shockingly little-known casualty of World War II. An illuminating and life-affirming tale of heart and hope." – Goodreads
Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys is a woeful and fictional depiction of the true story of the world's most disastrous maritime tragedy known to man.
In 1945, near the end of World War II, four youth from different war-torn countries and of different backgrounds converge on a frozen path, intent on traveling to board a ship – the ill-fated Wilhelm Gustloff – bound for Kiel, Germany, where they are purported to be safe from Stalin and his army, who are pursuing them. What follows is the largest maritime disaster and loss of life in recorded history
Joana is a compassionate and knowledgeable nurse from Lithuania who brands herself a murderer as she grieves for her lost cousin and family. Emilia has been fleeing the Russian troops since she left Poland and is harboring a precious secret under her coat. Florian is a Prussian art restorer who is enacting his vengeance upon the Reich as he travels undercover. Alfred is an SS officer and sailor who maniacally worships Hitler and fantasizes about proving his heroism to the world at large.
Through the voices of these four young narrators, Salt to the Sea reveals to readers the calamitous tale of the Wilhelm Gustloff – which, despite the loss of over 9,000 lives when it sank at the hands of Russian torpedoes, is to this day a much overlooked tragedy in maritime history. This enormous pit of loss, horror, and despair is where Salt to the Sea is at its best. The fear and hopelessness of these characters is palpable, as is their will to survive and continue on toward salvation and a better life. It is easy to feel their grief and guilt for those they were forced to leave behind, and for those who died along the way during the long, hard trek.
It is quite clear that Sepetys was meticulous and exhaustive when it came to her research. The content of this novel meant much to her – one need only to read her touching Author's Note at the end of the novel for proof. Unfortunately, I found that I was unable to forge an emotional connection with the novel, nor did I form any sort of attachment to one or more of the characters. The structure of the book was short and choppy, with each chapter only a few pages or less – this isn't always a problem for me, however, with four separate narrators it cut short the time spent with each character and put me at a disadvantage when it came to forging a relationship with anyone.
Salt to the Sea is definitely a novel worth reading, if not for any other reason than this is a haunting tale that needs to be told to the masses. The horror and tragedy of the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff, the enormity of the impact on the people who were kicked out of their homes and forced to trek so many miles through vicious snow and low temperatures, and the fate of so many who were a part of Operation Hannibal as they attempted to escape the Eastern Front press of the Russian army are things that must not fall by the wayside of our awareness.
Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys – Read it today!
Source: Lincoln City Libraries
"Life can turn on a dime—or stumble into the extraordinary, as it does for Jake Epping, a high school English teacher in Lisbon Falls, Maine. While grading essays by his GED students, Jake reads a gruesome, enthralling piece penned by janitor Harry Dunning: fifty years ago, Harry somehow survived his father's sledgehammer slaughter of his entire family. Jake is blown away…but an even more bizarre secret comes to light when Jake's friend Al, owner of the local diner, enlists Jake to take over the mission that has become his obsession—to prevent the Kennedy assassination. How? By stepping through a portal in the diner's storeroom, and into the era of Ike and Elvis, of big American cars, sock hops, and cigarette smoke… Finding himself in warmhearted Jodie, Texas, Jake begins a new life. But all turns in the road lead to a troubled loner named Lee Harvey Oswald. The course of history is about to be rewritten…and become heart-stoppingly suspenseful." – Goodreads
Holy Mother of Sweet Baby Jesus.
Hands down, BEST book I've read this year.
Sorry, David Joy (I promise you came in at a close second).
I was a Stephen King fan back when I was in middle school. In my first year of high school, I read It, which scared the crap out of me. Beyond words. And that, my friends, was the end of me and horror novels. I broke up with Stephen King lickety-split, I will tell you what. Swore him off fo-eva, y'all.
But people would not shut up about 11/22/63. So, I bought it for my Kindle Paperwhite. Back in, oh, January of 2013. And there it sat, on my Kindle bookshelf, for two years. Taunting me, daring me, threatening me with visions of 849 pages of possibly creepy science-fiction-y boredom… Oh, how wrong I was. How. Wrong. I. Was.
Along with all of the accolades, ultimately the premise of this book was just too good to pass up. At the urging of my MomAdvice Book Club, I gritted my teeth and dug in. And I'm ever so glad that I did. There is so much to this novel that it is difficult to craft a concise summary about it. It is nothing like the Stephen King novels I read oh so many years ago. Those who enjoy historical fiction, particularly those with an interest in 60's history – and maybe a side interest in sci-fi – will enjoy this book.
And, y'all, this is no joke – I flew threw all 849 pages of this novel – absolutely captivating, I tell you. King quite obviously researched the hell out of the time period he was writing about – details, details, details. His writing was simply flawless. I was a bit concerned that at some point, perhaps near the end of the book, that things would take a bend toward the science fiction side of things and ruin the beauty of this work – and while it did rear its head, it wasn't in a bad way at all. Y'all, I am not lying when I tell you that I loved everything about 11/22/63. Except the fact that it ended. Boo-hoo for me.
11/22/63 by Stephen King. Read it today!
Source: Personal Library {Kindle Paperwhite}
The Thunder of Giants by Joel Fishbane
04/17/2015 04/16/2015 Leave a comment
"Mixing the eccentricity of the circus world and the heart of a love story, The Thunder of Giants is a warm and engaging debut about two exceptional women — both almost 8-feet tall
The year is 1937 and Andorra Kelsey – 7'11 and just under 320 pounds – is on her way to Hollywood to become a star. Hoping to escape both poverty and the ghost of her dead husband, she accepts an offer from the wily Rutherford Simone to star in a movie about the life of Anna Swan, the Nova Scotia giantess who toured the world in the 19th century.
Thus, Anna Swan's story unfurls. Where Andorra is seen as a disgrace by an embarrassed family, Anna Swan is quickly celebrated for her unique size. Drawn to New York, Anna becomes a famed attraction at P.T. Barnum's American Museum even as she falls in love with Gavin Clarke, a veteran of the Civil War. Quickly disenchanted with a life of fame, Anna struggles to prove to Gavin – and the world – that she is more than the sum of her measurements.
The Thunder of Giants blends fact and fiction in a sweeping narrative that spans nearly a hundred years. Against the backdrop of epic events, two extraordinary women become reluctant celebrities in the hopes of surviving a world too small to contain them." – Publisher's Summary
Born in Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia in 1846, Anna Swan was a real-life "giantess" who eventually reached a height of nearly 8 feet tall. At the age of seventeen she travelled to New York where she lived and performed in P.T. Barnum's famous museum; during this time she was reacquainted with childhood friend Gavin Clarke who had been injured while fighting in the Civil War. Anna made a great deal of money during her time with P.T. Barnum, however, after two separate fires destroyed the museum, she embarked on tours of Europe and the United States. While touring, she married a former Confederate Captain (from the Civil War) who was also a "giant." After retiring from show business, the two attempted to have children, but both were so large that they died within hours or days of their births. Sadly, Anna died of Tuberculosis one day before her 42nd birthday.
In Joel Fishbane's debut novel, The Thunder of Giants, he weaves together Anna Swan's real-life story with a fictional account of Andorra Kelsey's life – Andorra Kelsey being another "giantess" living in 1937 Detroit and weighing in at 7'11" and 320 pounds. Andorra, her three children, and her aging father are living in near-poverty while grieving the recent death of husband, father, and son-in-law Nicholas Kelsey. Discovered walking down the street by down-and-out talent scout Rutherford Simone, Andorra is convinced to travel to Hollywood – to star in a movie about the life of legendary giantess Anna Swan.
In this way the two women's lives are brought together. Each chapter alternates between Anna's life, Andorra's past, and Andorra's present experiences in Hollywood. As the history – and present – of each woman unfurls, their lives hurtle closer and closer together until they meet in a way most unexpected. Fishbane collects a delightful cast of characters to surround Andorra and while her life is difficult and she experiences tragedy, he also brings to her love, laughter, and hope. Fishbane also does a wonderful job of respectfully bringing Anna Swan's story (Anna Swan is pictured on your left) to life in these pages, avoiding the type of sensationalism that often accompanies those who are quite so "different."
I found The Thunder of Giants to be an enjoyable read. It didn't keep me sitting on the edge of my seat or rushing through dinner to get back to reading, however, it did sufficiently interest me. There is a bit of a mystery surrounding the death of Andorra's husband – in the beginning of her story, she claims to have killed him but doesn't explain how – that unfolds near the very end. I was mostly intrigued, however, by Anna and was even encouraged to do a bit more research on her life and experiences .
The Thunder of Giants is a charming and engaging tale of two women – one real and one fictional – that will tug on your heartstrings, bring a chuckle to your lips, and perhaps even a tear to your eye a time or two. If you're up for that, then go and get you some, y'all.
At the end of this post is a video about Anna Swan and The Thunder of Giants by Joel Fishbane.
The Thunder of Giants by Joel Fishbane: On sale now!
Source: St. Martin's Press {via NetGalley}
"In her stunning new novel, Gruen returns to the kind of storytelling she excelled at in Water for Elephants: a historical timeframe in an unusual setting with a moving love story. Think Scottish Downton Abbey.
After embarrassing themselves at the social event of the year in high society Philadelphia on New Year's Eve of 1942, Maddie and Ellis Hyde are cut off financially by Ellis's father, a former army Colonel who is already embarrassed by his son's inability to serve in WWII due to his being colorblind. To Maddie's horror, Ellis decides that the only way to regain his father's favor is to succeed in a venture his father attempted and very publicly failed at: he will hunt the famous Loch Ness monster and when he finds it he will restore his father's name and return to his father's good graces (and pocketbook).
Joined by their friend Hank, a wealthy socialite, the three make their way to Scotland in the midst of war. Each day the two men go off to hunt the monster, while another monster, Hitler, is devastating Europe. And Maddie, now alone in a foreign country, must begin to figure out who she is and what she wants. The novel tells of Maddie's social awakening: to the harsh realities of life, to the beauties of nature, to a connection with forces larger than herself, to female friendship, and finally, to love." – Goodreads
As a fan of Sara Gruen (before Water for Elephants, thank you very much), of course I was first in line when I learned of her newest novel, At the Water's Edge (March, 2015). Praying that I would not be disappointed, I greedily began devouring her words – and things came to a grinding halt. It. Was. So. Sloooow. My heart broke. I gnashed my teeth. I very nearly wept, y'all. No way could I not like this book – it was Sara Gruen! How could she disappoint me?! Well, thankfully, she didn't. Once I calmed down and continued reading further, things changed. More than changed – they bloomed. Bloomed into a gorgeous novel full of life, love, loss and the courage to grow.
When Maddie Hyde and her husband, Ellis, embarrass his socialite parents at the New Year's Eve party of 1942, they are kicked out of their home and cut off financially. Ellis and his best friend, Hank, who are both unable to serve in the War due to medical reasons, decide to make their way across the U-Boat-filled Atlantic to Scotland to hunt the one and only Loch Ness monster – dragging behind them a protesting Maggie. Arriving to a cold welcome (Ellis's father had preceded him in his own search years before and had not left a good impression on the locals), Ellis and Hank continue to alienate the inn staff and other locals with their drinking, carousing, and Ellis's mistreatment of Maggie.
During her time at the inn while Ellis and Hank are off hunting Nellie, Maggie is busy going through a transformation: from meek, spineless and whiny, dependent on Ellis and Hank as her only friends, to independent-thinking and strong-willed, growing close to staff at the inn as well as other locals. When a quiet yet desperate love begins to bloom between Maddie and the innkeeper, things get even more complicated as Ellis threatens to have her lobotomized for her noticeably defiant behavior of late (no joke, y'all!).
Did At the Water's Edge live up to the fabulousness that is Ape House or Water for Elephants? No, not really. But it is itself an enchanting and romantic read with a guaranteed happy ending that will leave readers with a smile on their faces. Go and get you some, y'all.
At The Water's Edge by Sara Gruen: On sale now!
Source: Random House/Spiegel & Grau {via NetGalley}
The Witch of Painted Sorrows by M.J. Rose
"Possession. Power. Passion. New York Times bestselling novelist M. J. Rose creates her most provocative and magical spellbinder yet in this gothic novel set against the lavish spectacle of 1890s Belle Époque Paris.
Sandrine Salome flees New York for her grandmother's Paris mansion to escape her dangerous husband, but what she finds there is even more menacing. The house, famous for its lavish art collection and elegant salons, is mysteriously closed up. Although her grandmother insists it's dangerous for Sandrine to visit, she defies her and meets Julien Duplessi, a mesmerizing young architect. Together they explore the hidden night world of Paris, the forbidden occult underground and Sandrine's deepest desires.
Among the bohemians and the demi-monde, Sandrine discovers her erotic nature as a lover and painter. Then darker influences threaten—her cold and cruel husband is tracking her down and something sinister is taking hold, changing Sandrine, altering her. She's become possessed by La Lune: A witch, a legend, and a sixteenth-century courtesan, who opens up her life to a darkness that may become a gift or a curse.
This is Sandrine's "wild night of the soul," her odyssey in the magnificent city of Paris, of art, love, and witchery." – Goodreads
Taking a turn away from her Reincarnationist series of the last few years, M.J. Rose has turned out a haunting new standalone novel for 2015: The Witch of Painted Sorrows. Staking her claim – once again – as one of the masters of romantic suspense, Rose weaves together romance, the supernatural and occult, and a dash of eroticism to create a sinister and spicy tale of love and fear in 1890's Paris.
After the death of her father – for which she blames her own cold and cruel husband – Sandrine Salome flees in secrecy to Paris, seeking refuge with her beloved grandmother. She arrives, however, to find that many changes have taken place in her grandmother's world – and that not all will be as she had expected. As she investigates, Sandrine embarks on a journey of self-discovery that will mercilessly thrust her into the world of occult-ridden Belle Epoque Paris. Experiencing changes she never expected, Sandrine begins having thoughts and urges that aren't her own. But where are these unsettling feelings coming from? Things become more and more clear as she delves deeper into her family history and moves forward into a future of independence and power.
I don't want to share too many details of the novel here; it would be easy to tell you the whole stinking story in just a few sentences. You'll need to experience that for yourself, if you choose. As a fan of Rose's Jac L'Etoile novels, I was familiar with her writing style and The Witch of Painted Sorrows did hold my interest as I read it, however, it's not really my style. I'm not really a "romance" or "supernatural" fan and don't see myself turning into one anytime soon. That said, it is rumored that this novel is the first in a series, and if this is true then there is a good chance I'd read the next one to be published (I'm nothing if not thorough, y'all).
Oh, yes, I mentioned that this novel is somewhat erotic… Um, yeah. There is sex. Graphic sex. This is not my thing. I'm a total prude (let's not even talk about when my BFF made me read the Fifty Shades trilogy). Not that I don't approve, or that I think it's inappropriate in any way – there's nothing wrong with it at all; sex scenes just gross me out. They didn't used to; it started a little over ten years ago. No idea why. I just cringe and gag and skip over the pages to the next part. Maybe it's a Mom thing…? So… FYI, y'all. Be prepared.
Would I buy this book? Not for myself – but I would purchase it for a friend who was into the genre. Totally worth your time if this is your thang. Go and get you some!
The Witch of Painted Sorrows by M.J. Rose: On Sale Now!
Source: Atria Books {via NetGalley}
Kindred by Octavia E. Butler
"Dana, a modern black woman, is celebrating her twenty-sixth birthday with her new husband when she is snatched abruptly from her home in California and transported to the antebellum South. Rufus, the white son of a plantation owner, is drowning, and Dana has been summoned to save him. Dana is drawn back repeatedly through time to the slave quarters, and each time the stay grows longer, more arduous, and more dangerous until it is uncertain whether or not Dana's life will end, long before it has a chance to begin." – Goodreads
After I finished reading Kindred by the late Octavia E. Butler, I was surprised to learn that not only was it not a recent release, but that it was actually published in 1979. Furthermore, I learned that its author classified its genre as Science Fiction. Feel free to call me biased; I would never have expected to connect with this book the way I did had I known it's genre and publishing date. But connect I did, and in a profound way.
I don't want to go into the content of the tale too much beyond the book summary posted above this review, in fear of including spoilers. I'll admit that it was a bit of a stretch for me to crack open a "historical fiction" novel that included time travel – definitely not my usual sort of thing. Yet Butler does not attempt to explain the details or mechanics of the time travel in Kindred, in fact it is but a small detail of the larger story she is trying to tell; the time travel simply playing the role of allowing the tale to unfold. Instead, Butler seems to be approaching a different question: How would a modern day person – Black or White – react if they were thrown back into the darkest days of slavery? How would he/she survive? What could they learn? And most importantly, how would their perception of these times change after personally living there?
A rich tale of love, gender, race, and responsibility, this harrowing and emotional read is also a fast-moving and action-packed novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat. When I wasn't reading Kindred, I was thinking about it; counting the minutes until I could get back to it and read it until the very end. This was difficult to read at times because of the blatant look at the violence and tragedy of slavery, but I do believe that opening readers' eyes to these things is a part of what Butler had intended. She is an expert at communicating knowledge through story, and I know that am better for what I read and learned in this novel. Highly recommended.
Kindred by Octavia E. Butler: Read it today!
Library Love: March 17, 2015
Library Love is a recurring post in which I share the weekly bounty from my public libraries.
Happy Saint Patrick's Day, y'all! As you can see, we've got our green goin' on today – how about you? I had to run out last night to buy The Boy & I Shamrock shirts for today so we would be pinch-proof. Other than that we don't actually do much around here to celebrate the holiday (although you should check out my Pinterest Board for some fun ideas) but it's always nice to at least dress the part. Not that anyone actually sees us since we homeschool, but at least we know we're complying with the Irish Holiday bylaws! I found some awesome reads last week at the libraries, y'all – I've already cracked open a couple of them and cannot wait to get to the rest. Let's take a look:
God Don't Like Ugly by Mary Monroe
Hold It Til It Hurts by T. Geronimo Johnson
Finding Jake by Bryan Reardon
The Paying Guests by Sarah Waters
I will say that I've already read Kindred and Speak, and they were both great novels, particularly Speak. Very powerful stuff, y'all. God Don't Like Ugly is a novel I tried to read about ten years ago but never finished (for some unknown reason) so now it's time for Round #2! I've had The Paying Guests on hold for a long, long time and it's finally my turn – woo-hoo! A Goodreads friend rated Finding Jake very highly, so I have high hopes for it. I've also heard great things about T. Geronimo Johnson, so Hold It 'Til It Hurts will hopefully be a winner, as well. It looks like I'm up to my eyeballs with books this week so I'd better get crackin'. Happy Reading, y'all!
Do you do anything to celebrate good 'ol Saint Patrick's Day? Share below!
The Rebellion of Miss Lucy Ann Lobdell by William Klaber
"The riveting true story of Lucy Lobdell, who, in 1855, left her home and family, cut her hair, changed clothes, and went off to live her life as a man. By the time it was over, she was notorious.
At a time when women did not commonly travel unescorted, carry a rifle, sit down in bars, or have romantic liaisons with other women, Lucy Lobdell boldly set forth to earn men's wages. Lucy Lobdell did all of these things in a personal quest to work and be paid, to wear what she wanted, and love whomever she cared to. But to gain those freedoms she had to endure public scorn and wrestle with a sexual identity whose vocabulary had yet to be invented. In this riveting historical novel, William Klaber captures the life of a brave woman who saw well beyond her era.
This is the fictionalized account of Lucy's foray into the world of men and her inward journey to a new sexual identity. It is her promised memoir as hear and recorded a century later by William Klaber, an upstream neighbor. Meticulously researched and told with compassion and respect, this is historical fiction at its best." – Goodreads
The Rebellion of Miss Lucy Ann Lobdell is a fictional novel. Miss Lucy Ann Lobdell, however, was a very real woman. Allow me to explain. Author William Klaber, a part-time journalist, took artistic license to tell the true story of Miss Lobdell, who in 1855 left her family and child behind, cut her hair and donned men's clothing, and struck out to live life as a man – as Joseph Israel Lobdell, to be exact. What followed was a journey of self-discovery, discrimination, pioneering, successes and failures, and the development of an entirely new sexual identity for Lucy/Joseph.
The tale Klaber weaves is gleaned from actual letters, newspapers, and other historical documents passed on to him from a local historian in upstate New York. He obviously performed meticulous research and worked hard to stay true to the Lucy/Joseph he met that way. Says Klaber,
"It has taken a long time for her voice to ring true in my head. Someone else might go into the forest and hear a different voice, but this is Lucy's story as I have heard her tell it."
Indeed, with this novel, Klaber has given us a rare gift. So little written history is found regarding women both great and small (this brings to mind a short story collection I am currently reading, Almost Famous Women – Joseph Lobdell could well have been included in its pages). Furthermore, the respect – and yes, even love – Klaber treats his subject with comes through as one reads each page leaving readers with a reverence for Lobdell all their own.
In an age where marriage and gender equity have made enormous progress, and the rights of transgender individuals have some protections (although not nearly enough), The Rebellion of Miss Lucy Ann Lobdell gives us an enlightening view of what life was like in earlier days for those who first bravely broke the mold and blazed a trail for future generations. Highly recommended.
The Rebellion of Miss Lucy Ann Lobdell by William Klaber: Read it today!
Source: Free Library of Philadelphia
Land of Love and Drowning by Tiphanie Yanique
"A major debut from an award-winning writer—an epic family saga set against the magic and the rhythms of the Virgin Islands.
In the early 1900s, the Virgin Islands are transferred from Danish to American rule, and an important ship sinks into the Caribbean Sea. Orphaned by the shipwreck are two sisters and their half brother, now faced with an uncertain identity and future. Each of them is unusually beautiful, and each is in possession of a particular magic that will either sink or save them.
Chronicling three generations of an island family from 1916 to the 1970s, Land of Love and Drowning is a novel of love and magic, set against the emergence of Saint Thomas into the modern world. Uniquely imagined, with echoes of Toni Morrison, Gabriel García Márquez, and the author's own Caribbean family history, the story is told in a language and rhythm that evoke an entire world and way of life and love. Following the Bradshaw family through sixty years of fathers and daughters, mothers and sons, love affairs, curses, magical gifts, loyalties, births, deaths, and triumphs, Land of Love and Drowning is a gorgeous, vibrant debut by an exciting, prizewinning young writer." – Goodreads
The year is 1917 and the Virgin Islands have just been transferred from Danish control to become a part of America. The Bradshaw family, along with the rest of the inhabitants of the Islands, are swept up in the excitement and change, but they have no idea of just how much change is coming their way. Captain Bradshaw, who has spent his life on the sea, is soon claimed by that same sea when his ship breaches a coral reef. Orphaned by the shipwreck are two young sisters and their estranged half-brother, each of whom possesses an unusual beauty, as well as a touch of magic that will factor importantly in their lives.
Land of Love and Drowning by Tiphanie Yanique possesses the kind of storytelling that slowly weaves a spell around you until you are fully entranced and committed to this tale. Combining fantasy and fiction with historical events, Yanique carries readers on a wave of magic and reality. Brought into play are such momentous events as WWII and the Civil Rights Movement (both in the U.S. and the U.S. V.I.).This powerful family saga also manages to explore the rich history of the Caribbean islands and the people who live and love there.
Land of Love and Drowning is a powerful and absorbing novel that brings to readers the question of whether we can escape the events destiny has planned for us, or if we are doomed to repeat the mistakes of our ancestors before us. Yanique's writing is imbued with a magic all its own as she masterfully pulls us inside the world of the Bradshaws and their home in the lush and magical Virgin Islands. For those who appreciate highly literary fiction, this is definitely the read for you.
Land of Love and Drowning by Tiphanie Yanique: Read it today!
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Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger
"From New York Times bestselling author William Kent Krueger comes a brilliant new novel about a young man, a small town, and murder in the summer of 1961.
New Bremen, Minnesota, 1961. The Twins were playing their debut season, ice-cold root beers were at the ready at Halderson's Drug Store soda counter, and Hot Stuff comic books were a mainstay on every barbershop magazine rack. It was a time of innocence and hope for a country with a new, young president. But for thirteen-year-old Frank Drum it was a summer in which death assumed many forms.
When tragedy unexpectedly comes to call on his family, which includes his Methodist minister father, his passionate, artistic mother, Juilliard-bound older sister, and wise-beyond-his years kid brother, Frank finds himself thrust into an adult world full of secrets, lies, adultery, and betrayal.
On the surface, Ordinary Grace is the story of the murder of a beautiful young woman, a beloved daughter and sister. At heart, it's the story of what that tragedy does to a boy, his family, and ultimately the fabric of the small town in which he lives. Told from Frank's perspective forty years after that fateful summer, it is a moving account of a boy standing at the door of his young manhood, trying to understand a world that seems to be falling apart around him. It is an unforgettable novel about discovering the terrible price of wisdom and the enduring grace of God." – Goodreads
In 1961, Frank Drum was living in a small town in Minnesota with his parents and two siblings. His older sister, Ariel, was a music prodigy who was headed to Julliard at the end of the season; his younger brother, Jake, suffered with a terrible stutter. Frank's father was a Methodist minister; his mother a homemaker who did not share her husband's love for the church. During this fateful summer, Frank was thirteen years old and at that age when he was still exploring exactly who he was, and anxious to prove his manhood to others. This tale is narrated by Frank – forty years later – as he looks back upon the summer that changed him irrevocably and, in fact, did cause him to grow up a bit faster than expected. During that summer of 1961, four deaths occurred – one of which shook Frank and his family to the core.
Despite all of the tragedy and the inherent mystery that follows, Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger is assuredly not a murder/crime thriller. This definitely leans more toward the literary fiction side of the scale, for it is about so much more than the tragedies of the novel. It's about survival and moving on, and doing it with grace and strength. It is about the strength of the family unit in times of crisis. It's about how those who are considered to be weak are beaten down, yet fight to remain standing. It's about choosing to face life head-on, or hiding from it behind closed doors.
Krueger's rich and evocative writing style paints a detailed picture in the reader's mind. His loving and vivid descriptions of Minnesota bring you right there. He writes a heart and soul into each of his characters that brings them to life in our minds. Ordinary Grace won the Edgar Award for Best Novel in 2014 {,as well as the 2014 Dilys Award} and in my opinion it was definitely deserved, for this is a novel that is far from ordinary. Go and get you some, y'all!
Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger: Read it today!
Get Literate
3 DAYS until the 24in48 Readathon!! These are just three of the choices for my 'Thon TBR. I always have to be sure to have a large pile of books on hand, since I'm such a mood reader. . #24in48 #readathon #24in48TBR #thenickelboys #therightswipe #fahrenheit451 #TBCreads #pathologicallyliterate
This dual POV YA tale was a bit darker than I expected. @juliebuxbaum tackles some serious themes here, such as death, grief, bullying, and more. Don't get me wrong - the sweet romance is there, too - and I was. Here. For. It. I loved reading David's POV and getting a bird's eye view of how he navigated the world through his autism - what a spectacular, beautiful character that Buxbaum crafted in him! I've read three Buxbaum novels in the last week and can safely say that she has earned a permanent place on my future TBR list. . #whattosaynext #juliebuxbaum #teamdavid #wndb #TBCreads #pathologicallyliterate
I enjoyed this charming little YA jaunt across the country (with a little romance mixed in, of course!). @jenniferesmith crafted an A+ cast who kept me smiling, laughing, and sometimes weeping throughout the book. Major points for the widely diverse character pool here, too!! . #fieldnotesonlove #jenniferesmith #wndb #weneeddiversebooks #TBCreads #pathologicallyliterate
Not sure what to say about this one - I like that it tackled mental illness in young adulthood and the psych ward experience in a somewhat realistic way, but it took a lot of concentration to follow the near constant timeline changes. I'm hoping this month's book club discussion will open my eyes (and mind) to a beauty I'm just not seeing yet. . #insightofstars #gaepolisner #momadvicebookclub #TBCreads #pathologicallyliterate
As my second title by @juliebuxbaum I have to say that this one took me by surprise. It was a slow burn - I warmed to it slowly, but was a fan all the way by the end!! . #hopeandotherpunchlines #juliebuxbaum #TBCreads #pathologicallyliterate
I loved so many things about this charming, delightful tale by @abbiwaxman - Awkward, bookish Nina was an absolute dear and I identified with her in so many ways. LOVED the cameo by Lili!! . #thebookishlifeofninahill #abbiwaxman #bookstagram #TBCreads #pathologicallyliterate
I absolutely LOVED Lily and the Octopus, so I just HAD to read this one, even though I generally don't do well with books addressing difficult maternal relationships... lesson learned. This was totally a case of It's Not You, It's Me. . #theeditor #stevenrowley #itsnotyouitsme #TBCreads #pathologicallyliterate
This bittersweet love story was a great read and I enjoyed it immensely; the YA take on You've Got Mail was a huge success in my book, and @juliebuxbaum gets 5 stars from me for her debut YA novel. . #tellmethreethings #juliebuxbaum #somebodynobody #TBCreads #pathologicallyliterate
@blakecrouch1 gets me every time, and Recursion is one of his most thought-provoking reads so far. . #recursion #blakecrouch #mindblown #netgalley #crownpublishing #TBCreads #pathologicallyliterate
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text:
/* jahmm package - v0.6.1 */

/*
  *  Copyright (c) 2004-2006, Jean-Marc Francois.
 *
 *  This file is part of Jahmm.
 *  Jahmm is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
 *  it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
 *  the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or
 *  (at your option) any later version.
 *
 *  Jahmm is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
 *  but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
 *  MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
 *  GNU General Public License for more details.
 *
 *  You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 *  along with Jahmm; if not, write to the Free Software
 *  Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA  02111-1307  USA

 */

package be.ac.ulg.montefiore.run.jahmm;

import java.util.*;

/**
 * This class represents the centroid of a set of {@link ObservationInteger
 * ObservationInteger}.
 */
public class CentroidObservationInteger
implements Centroid<ObservationInteger>
{
	private double value;

	public CentroidObservationInteger(ObservationInteger o)
	{
		this.value = o.value;
	}

	public void reevaluateAdd(ObservationInteger e,
			List<? extends ObservationInteger> v)
	{
		value = ((value * (double) v.size()) +
				((double) (e.value))) / (v.size()+1.);
	}

	public void reevaluateRemove(ObservationInteger e,
			List<? extends ObservationInteger> v)
	{
		value = ((value * (double) v.size()) -
				((double) e.value)) / (v.size()-1.);
	}

	/**
	 * Returns the distance from this centroid to a given element.
	 * This distance is the absolute value of the difference between the
	 * value of this centroid and the value of the argument.
	 *
	 * @param e The element, which must be an {@link ObservationInteger
	 *          ObservationInteger}.
	 * @return The distance to the centroid.
	 */
	public double distance(ObservationInteger e)
	{
		return Math.abs(e.value-value);
	}
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Yesterday WTS hit a milestone. We broke 50 posts in a month for the first time. We've gotten close with 49 but as of yesterday there were 53 posts for July. It's a small victory but I'm proud of it. Want to contribute to WTS? Create your own feature and let me know. I'm looking for 2-3 new features to run on a semi-daily basis.
Say what you will about Gladys. Say that she's a humongous fat pig. Say she's not very attractive and she has a face that only a mother could love. Say she's as frigid as a refrigerator in Antartica but Gladys knows how to cook.
She's always trying something new and cooking something it seems like (which probably contributes to her and Brutus' weight). Spaghetti Bolognese sounds really good and I want to try some.
Again, say what you will about Gladys but now we know how she bagged Brutus.
What the Hell Is Wrong With Mallard Fillmore?
Can Brutus Change My Eleventeen Dollar Bill?


Expert Sleepers has released version 1.3.0 of Silent Way, a suite of plug-ins designed for use as part of a modular analogue synthesiser system.
The plug-ins produce no sound themselves, nor do they process sound – rather, they generate signals to be used as control voltages (CVs), which can be patched into the control inputs of oscillators, filters, VCAs etc. of an analogue system.
Polyphonic mode for the Voice Controller.
Added a per-envelope Reset To Zero control, which controls whether the envelopes always start from zero when triggered, or whether they start from their current value (which is the common behaviour in hardware envelope generators).
Updated all plug-ins for the font changes in OS X 10.6.


Summer in the NFL is a time of universal optimism. Every fanbase is buzzing about moves made during free agency and the draft with hopes the upcoming season will be special.
However, history shows summer nfl jersey discount optimism turns into winter disappointment for NFL teams every season.
Just look at the NFC in 2017: Five teams that made the playoffs the previous year missed out. The Dallas Cowboys went from the No. 1 seed in 2016 to fighting to get above .500. The Green Bay Packers lost Aaron Rodgers and the promise of their season with one collarbone break. The Seattle Seahawks and Detroit Lions couldn't get back to the postseason, while the New York Giants fell from 11-5 to 3-13.
The Jaguars are undeniably talented. Oftentimes pure talent wins out, but there are reasons to believe Jacksonville will face a downturn.
More importantly, the AFC South should be more competitive in 2018, especially at quarterback. Andrew Luck will return after missing the entire 2017 season, Deshaun Watson is back after only playing seven games as a rookie, and Marcus Mariota is too talented discount nfl gear not to bounce back from the ugly numbers he put up in 2017.
The Jaguars are as talented as any team in the AFC and should be in the playoff race all season, but building on the foundation they set in 2017 won't be easy. Quarterback play, a better division and rising expectations could all factor into regression in 2018.


text:
Registration is open for Kindergarten entry from September 2021
Hampton Prep School
What's On > Headmaster's Bulletin >
Kindergarten to Prep
Coach Services
About Hampton Prep
Visit Hampton > Request a Prospectus >
Our Aims & Ethos
Inspections & Reviews
Policies & Documentation
Links with Hampton School
Arrange a Visit > Registration >
Entry to Kindergarten & Pre-Prep
Entry to Prep
Hampton Assured Places
Sports > Drama >
The L.I.O.N. Award
Leavers' Destinations > Subject Departments >
Subject Departments
School Calendar > Headmaster's Bulletin >
Calendar Subscribe
Headmaster's Bulletin
Directions > Vacancies >
The Hammond Theatre
Humanities and RE
Leavers' Destinations >
At Hampton Pre-Prep and Prep we believe that the teaching of Science is a vital part of every child's education. It develops in children an interest and curiosity about the world in which they live along with building their confidence in their ability to enquire into its behaviour. An understanding of Science also plays a key role in pupils' personal development by enabling them to use the concepts as part of their everyday lives. Science offers the keys to understanding the world around us.
Science encompasses the acquisition of knowledge, concepts, skills and positive attitudes. Our pupils are encouraged to be open-minded and to try and make sense of what they see and find out through practical investigation and fair testing.
The teaching of Science is based on the programmes of study of the National Curriculum. Across the year groups our pupils learn about a wide range of living things, materials and phenomena. They begin to make links between ideas and to explain things using models and theories. They apply their knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas to familiar phenomena, everyday things and their own personal health.
We challenge our pupils to think about the positive and negative effects of scientific and technological developments on the environment and in other contexts. Pupils are given the opportunity to carry out systematic investigations. They talk about their work and its significance, and communicate ideas using a wide range of scientific language, conventional diagrams, charts and graphs.
Pupils have the opportunity to go on various trips including the Look Out Discovery Centre and The Science Museum. The School also runs science events and has enjoyed visits by the Planetarium Dome and the Mad Science Company.
Virtual Talk 26 February 2021
PART OF THE HAMPTON SCHOOL TRUST
IAPS INDEPENDENT DAY SCHOOL FOR BOYS AGED 3-11 & GIRLS AGED 3-7 YEARS
T 020 8979 1844 E Secretary@hamptonprep.org.uk
Copyright © Hampton Prep School 2021


These beautiful etched black gems feature symbols that represent SPRING, SUMMER, AUTUMN & WINTER. They are perfect to keep on the altar when celebrating the various Pagan sabbats and seasons. They each measure 1.5" and are crafted of Black Onyx. Each set will arrive in a gift pouch.


text:
Pakistan court to decide immunity
This was published 10 years ago
By Ben Doherty
February 18, 2011 — 3.00am
THE diplomatic impasse over a US consular official held in Pakistan on a double murder charge worsened yesterday when a Lahore court adjourned the case for nearly a month.
The US had believed a deal had been struck to free Raymond Davis as early as yesterday but Pakistan's government responded by saying his diplomatic immunity was not assured and it would be for a court to decide his fate.
Mr Davis, 36, has been held in Lahore since January 27, when he shot dead two armed men he says tried to rob him when his car was stopped at a set of traffic lights.
A third Pakistani man was killed when he was run over by a US consular vehicle, driving the wrong way up a main road, as it came to Mr Davis's aid.
The widow of one of the dead men later committed suicide by eating rat poison after saying she could not live to see Mr Davis walk free.
Anti-US sentiment has been building in Pakistan over the Davis case as the US has pushed harder for his release.
The Pakistani government is caught between US condemnation if Mr Davis is tried in Pakistan and a potentially violent domestic political backlash if he is freed.
The family of one of the men killed by Mr Davis has vowed massive protests if he is allowed to leave the country.
''He should be tried in Pakistan and sentenced to death here,'' Imran Haider, the eldest brother of Faizan Haider, told Reuters.
''And if he is sent to the United States, we will fight to the last drop of our blood. We will come to the streets and muster support from the people of Pakistan and surround the homes and residences of the rulers.''
The US case has been put by Senator John Kerry, who visited Pakistan this week and assured leaders Mr Davis would face a criminal investigation in the US.
There has been confusion over Mr Davis's diplomatic status.
The US embassy has refused to specify his role at the embassy beyond a member of ''technical staff'', and questions have been asked about his history with security firms in Pakistan and why he was carrying a gun.
There is speculation the two men he shot had been following him, and were working for Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence.
The Prime Minister, Yousuf Raza Gilani, said Pakistan would not bow to US demands and Mr Davis's diplomatic status would be determined by a court.


Overall result - fengniao.com may have some minor risk issues.
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The WOT calculates reputation of the fengniao.com. This reputation system receives ratings from users and information from third-party sources, assesses the fengniao.com for safety features and confirms, whether fengniao.com is suitable for children. WOT results for fengniao.com can be consulted here.
Still concerned with fengniao.com? Please, contact our team. We will carry our full audit of the fengniao.com of your interest and update the information of the analysis.


비트코인 입금 관련 이슈를 해결하였습니다. / We have completed resolving issue regarding bitcoin withdrawals.
비트코인 입금 관련 이슈 조사 중 / We are currently investigating an issue regarding bitcoin deposits.
Subscribe to updates for 비트코인 입금 / Bitcoin Deposits via .


text:
package com.github.andrewoma.dexx.collection;

import org.jetbrains.annotations.NotNull;

import java.util.Iterator;

/**
 * {@code Builders} provide efficient implementations for incrementally building persistent collections.
 *

 *
It should be assumed that Builders are NOT thread safe. Furthermore, it is invalid to call
 * {@link #build()} more than once.
 */
public interface Builder<E, R> {
    @NotNull
    Builder<E, R> add(E element);

    @NotNull
    Builder<E, R> addAll(@NotNull Traversable<E> elements);

    @NotNull
    Builder<E, R> addAll(@NotNull java.lang.Iterable<E> elements);

    @NotNull
    Builder<E, R> addAll(@NotNull Iterator<E> iterator);

    @NotNull
    Builder<E, R> addAll(E e1, E e2, E... es);

    @NotNull
    R build();
}


Layer felt shapes with mulberry flowers for a beautiful dimensional look. Alternatively, use sequins for a shimmering look.
Decorate felt with buttons, bling or brads to make those embellishments pop.
Hand or machine stitch the edges around a felt shape.
Use a foam stamp and acrylic paint on a felt shape. This will leave a light stamped image just perfect for a subtle effect.
Break out those craft chalks and spruce up the edges of your felt.
Layer small shapes to create a beautiful border.
Punch different sized holes into a felt shape, then add it onto a second layer.


text:
Q: How to broadcast message to all channels names matched in source pattern? joined channel names:
ABCD, ABCDE, ABC, XYZ, AI, ABCDEFG, BCD, CDEF
How to (list?) match all joined channels and if is it possible to broadcast a message to ABCD, ABCDE, ABC, ABCDEFG channels that are included in basic pattern ABCDEFG?
Example of one channel:
SomeApp.Endpoint.broadcast("names:" <> "ABCDEFG", %{ result: "bingo" })

A: Phoenix's PubSub does not support splat topic matching, so the only way to get what you want is to comprehend over the explicit topics ABCD, ABCDE, ABC, XYZ, AI, ABCDEFG, BCD, CDEF and call SomeApp.Endpoint.broadcast("names:" <> subtopic, %{result: "bingo"} on each of them.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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