text:
Barrelling Forward
Written by Eva Crocker
Published March 18, 2017 | ISBN 9781487001438
FICTION / Short Stories
264 pages | 8 in × 5.25 in
Eva Crocker
Winner, Canadian Authors Emerging Writer Award
Finalist, Dayne Ogilvie Prize for LGBTQ Emerging Writers
Shortlisted for the NLCU Fresh Fish Award for Emerging Writers, Barrelling Forward is a brilliantly crafted debut collection from Newfoundland's newest literary star.
Eva Crocker sees life in sharper focus than the rest of us. The objects, rituals, and scenes of everyday life take on an almost mythic quality in these stories, even while remaining intimately recognizable to us all. Crocker peers at the underbelly of poverty and work, ambition and apathy, loneliness and love, to find the sliver of beauty in each spot. Nothing is ever as simple as it seems: the boundaries between friendship and sex dissolve; power relationships are turned on their heads, if only long enough to examine them from all angles; transgressions and escapes become new kinds of traps. In "Auditioning," a young twin makes a desperate attempt to reclaim her individuality. In "Serving," a father and a son give parallel accounts of what it looks like when you let life eat you from the inside out. In "Star of the Sea," a man watches his past get literally torn down before his eyes. And in the Cuffer Prize-winning "Dead Skin," an after-school walk through the barrens leaves two boys forever changed.
In stories that ache with longing even as they pulse with new possibilities, Crocker gives us an unforgettable array of ordinary people, sometimes soaring, sometimes sinking, but always, ultimately, barrelling forward towards what's next. Vivid, sexy, funny, and raw, this is a marvel of a debut from one of Canada's most thrilling new writers.
"Your mother thought you might like to have these for your new place." Walt's father had arrived unannounced, holding a set of pressed curtains in a grocery bag.
"You're cooking," his father said. Walt realized he'd brought the spatula to the door with him.
"Just breakfast." Walt heard the shower shut off, the pipes stuttering in the wall.
"There's someone here?"
"A friend. He's helping me move."
His father passed him the package, little beads of rain still on the bag. Walt's father edged his way into the apartment as Walt stepped backwards to make room for him.
"New windows?" His father looked around in the living room.
"It's renovated." Walt skimmed a hand along the sharp hairs growing on his jawbone. He was aware of the heat spreading across his face.
"Good, it's easier to keep a new place clean. We drove by and saw you didn't have any curtains up and your mother thought you might like to have some."
The door to the bathroom opened, the hall flooding with warm damp air and the smell of shampoo. Trent was wearing jeans and a t-shirt but his feet were bare. His hair was dripping, making dark circles on his shirt.
"Trent, this is my Dad."
Trent took three steps down the hall and held out his hand. His feet leaving wet smudges on the floor. Walt's back was against the closet door, which was made of thin strips of wood held together with a rubbery plastic. The door creaked against the weight of his body.
"I'm Trent." Trent extended his hand. He was taller and broader than Walt's father.
Suddenly, the apartment filled with a high-pitched bleating. At first it sounded like a bird but the louder it got the more mechanical it sounded. For a moment the three men stood staring at each other, paralyzed by the sound. Trent had dropped Walt's father's hand but they were still standing close enough to be touching. Walt held the curtains protectively against his chest. Trent's dog barked on the back deck.
"It's the fire alarm," Trent said. "There's something burning. Do you smell something burning?"
"It's toast. I was making toast under the broiler," Walt replied before darting out of the room.
EVA CROCKER is the author of the critically acclaimed debut short story collection Barrelling Forward, which won the Alistair MacLeod Prize for Short Fiction and the CAA Emerging Writer Award, was a finalist for the Writers' Trust Dayne Ogilvie Prize for LGBTQ Emerging Writers and the NLCU Fresh Fish Award for Emerging Writers, and was a National Post Best Book.
Praise for Eva Crocker and Barrelling Forward:
A National Post Best Book of the Year
Winner, Alistair MacLeod Prize for Short Fiction
Winner, Canadian Authors Association Emerging Writer Award
Finalist, NLCU Fresh Fish Award for Emerging Writers
"Eva Crocker is a remarkable stylist, her impressive stories crackle with life and originality. Barrelling Forward is a stunning debut." — Zoe Whittall, author of The Best Kind of People
"Whether they are flipping over in a car or are at a Deep Purple concert, the characters in Barrelling Forward have no intention of accepting their narrative. Each page is filled with the mundane, steeped in awe. And underneath it all lies a strange rage. Eva Crocker is a bright new misfit in Canlit." — Heather O'Neill, author of Daydreams of Angels
"Honest, funny, smart and so, so well-crafted, Barrelling Forward is a feast for those starving for the real thing in fiction. The ancient and peculiar mystery of intimacy — how we fit (or fail to fit) into the lives that surround us — winds its murky way through the whole collection, but each story burns with the excitement of a brand new case, completely original, and saturated with sharp detail. This is the work of a debut writer already at the top of her game. Please, Ms. Crocker, we want some more!" — Alexander MacLeod, author of Light Lifting
"[A]n intimate and fascinating read." — This Magazine
"Suggesting Alice Munro is both high and lazy praise – an easy way to say well-set short fiction and a pretty future for Crocker in CanLit – but there's a quality to this Newfoundland author's work that fans of the Nobel Prize winner will recognize, if they're willing to displace age, place and decoration accordingly. Where Munro so remarkably captures rural banality, Crocker taps a similarly enthralling mundanity in Quebec's urban bustle and Eastern Canada's could-be-anywhere suburban sprawls." — National Post
"A fine and enthralling collection that will excite and seduce readers." — Toronto Star
"Barrelling Forward, is a short-story collection unique for its diverse points of view . . . Crocker draws us in immediately . . . these brief pieces resonate with the reader for a long time." — Winnipeg Free Press
"[B]eautifully tense, packed with true-to-life richness . . . This is a sure-footed and promising literary introduction." — The Telegram
"Barrelling Forward comes at you in about the same way as her title would suggest: brazen, but entirely enthralling. Crocker may well be our modern Munro, or at least something close when it comes to Canada's greatest storytellers." — National Post
Praise for Eva Crocker's Fiction:
WINNER Cuffer Prize for Short Fiction, "Skin and Mud"
NLCU Fresh Fish Award Finalist
Books in Transit


On September 4, 2018, President Rodrigo Duterte issued Proclamation No. 572, Series of 2018 dated 31 August 2018 revoking the amnesty granted to Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV in 2010 by President Benigno Aquino III in relation to his involvement in mutinies against the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2003, 2006 and 2007. The President's Proclamation nullifies or declares void ab initio the amnesty granted to Senator Trillanes stating that the senator failed to comply with the basic statutory requirements to qualify for the amnesty. The President ordered the prosecutorial arm of the government to pursue the prosecution of Senator Trillanes as well as his subsequent arrest by the AFP and the PNP. The following disquisitions wish to shed some light with regard to the exercise of President Duterte of his executive power and its legal ramifications vis-à-vis the validity of Proclamation No. 75 and Senator Trillanes' entitlement to such.
In the exercise of the power granted to him under Section 19, Article VII of the 1987 Constitution, President Benigno Aquino III issued Proclamation Order No. 75 which granted amnesty to all active former personnel of the AFP and PNP as well as their supporters who have or may have committed crimes in connection with or in relation to the Oakwood Mutiny. Senator Trillanes, then lieutenant, senior grade, at the time of the Oakwood Mutiny, applied for amnesty in 2011 and led 94 other former junior military officers and enlisted personnel in retaking their oath of allegiance to seal the amnesty granted them. Proclamation No. 75 by former President Aquino III was concurred by the Congress under Concurrent Resolution No. 4 dated Dec. 13 and 14, 2010.
As the amnesty by virtue of Proclamation No. 75 was granted through a valid process provided for under the law, it cannot be revoked. However, if there is any remote possibility that a revocation may be done by President Duterte, it should have the concurrence of all members of the Congress.
The question whether the amnesty grant is void ab initio cannot be made through a mere Presidential Proclamation as such question is within the jurisdiction of the courts. The President claims that the amnesty is void ab initio for failure of Senator Trillanes to comply with the basic statutory requirements. As this is a question of fact, the courts should be given the chance to look into the propriety of Proclamation No. 75 as it has the authority to examine an executive or legislative act and to invalidate that act if it is contrary to constitutional principles. It must be noted that Proclamation No. 75 was issued by President Aquino III and concurred by the Congress under Concurrent Resolution No. 4 dated Dec. 13 and 14, 2010. A mere Presidential Proclamation cannot prevail over judicial discretion as it will violate the doctrine of separation of powers and disrupt the co-equal functions of each branch.
The arrest order of the President under Proclamation No. 572 violates Senator Trillanes' right to due process. Section 1, Article III of the 1987 Constitution provides that no person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law. Further, Sec. 2, Art. III, 1987 Constitution and the Rules on Criminal Procedure direct that only the courts, through the judge, has power to issue warrants of arrest upon finding of probable cause.
The warrant of arrest accompanying the Presidential Proclamation of President Duterte cannot be enforced as it is outside the realm of his executive powers. Not having been coursed through a court of proper jurisdiction, such arrest warrant does not produce any legal effect and cannot be subsequently enforced against Senator Trillanes.
Moreover, it violates Senator Trillanes' right to due process as he will be deprived of his liberty without showing of probable cause determined by a judge of a court of competent jurisdiction.
While the crime of mutiny is something that we should not take lightly given its dangerous effects to the government and nation alike, the seemingly confusing legal lacuna brought about by the circumstances between the parties leave them without any legal recourse under the law. The best way for President Duterte to deal with the matter at hand is to follow the legal processes outlined under the Constitution and question the validity of the amnesty granted to Senator Trillanes before the proper courts having jurisdiction over such matter. As for Senator Trillanes, it would do him well to question Proclamation No. 572 before the proper courts to put this matter to rest.
In the meantime, given the pressing economic problems faced by our nation, we think it is best to arrest the inflation rather than the irritation.


Help celebrate year five for the 3D Bash in Kennett!
3d Bash - Sept 6th-9th!
It's 3DBASH planning time! Last year we, the pilots and the spectators had an absolute blast and in part that was because of you, our sponsors! This will be the 5th 3DBash held at Kennett Mo. Each year the pilot count has grown. Last year we had over 50 pilots from 9 different states. Each year the pilots say they loved it and will be back next year for all the fun. This has been instrumental in allowing the event's growth year after year.
AJ Aircraft and NEA Hobbies of Jonesboro Arkansas. A Big thanks goes out to Tim and Andrew of AJ Aircraft and Ross of NEA Hobbies. We are Proud to be working with these guys, their airframes are of great quality and they have excellent customer service.
We are located on the South side of Kennett. Go on 412 to the junction with 551(at Bartons), go south for 1 mile and turn West on 508 and go 1/4 mile and the field will be on your left or South side of the road.
The field has a 150ft x 600ft grass runway, 80ft x 400ft of pits, and 85ft x 500ft of parking. With nothing on either end.


text:
NEWS & ADVICE : PERSONAL LOAN
SBI plans to venture in South Korea and Sao Paulo
The largest lender of the country, State Bank of India is planning to expand its business in South Korea, Botswana and Sao Paulo this year.
"The bank is looking at opening a representative office in Brazilian city Sao Paulo and a full service branch in South Korea," a senior SBI official said. The bank plans to set up a representative office in Botswana.
Currently the lender has 151 offices across 32 countries including US, the UK, Singapore, Canada and Mauritius. The offshore subsidiaries of the bank currently contribute to 16% of the total business.
The offshore offices of the bank saw a rise from 92 as on March 31, 2009 to 142 as on March 31, 2010.
In the domestic front, the bank has set up 611 new branches and 4,206 new ATMs between October 2009 to September 2010.
BPLR or Base rate?? Which is better…?
J&K Bank raises PLR
Guidelines to apply for NRI Personal Loans
Loans to assist people with bad credit scores
This is how a bank lends money
HOTEL: CaℒL Giℛℒs In Kharar 09855660911...
Model Escoℛts Service In Pune 8888IOO484 Caℓℓ...
What is the outstanding Amount for my personal loan
• LVB bank joined hands with NCML Feb 18, 2015
• Syndicate Bank hiring 5000 new staff Feb 12, 2015
• SBI donated Rs 8.6 cr as a part of CSR activity Feb 11, 2015
• Canara Bank tied up with NHBC Feb 9, 2015
• Hiring for Probationary clerks in South Indian Bank Feb 5, 2015

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Our most popular products have been grouped together into collections. Here you can shop based on the type of occassion or by who would be receiving the gift. Items are customizable and personalized to your specifications.
To view our full product line, use the individual categories at left.
Use the Search feature to browse by keyword.
Click on an image below to view the individual products in each collection.


The discipline of affective neuroscience is concerned with the neural bases of emotion and mood. The past 30 years have witnessed an explosion of research in affective neuroscience that has addressed questions such as: which brain systems underlie emotions? How do differences in these systems relate to differences in the emotional experience of individuals? Do different regions underlie different emotions, or are all emotions a function of the same basic brain circuitry? How does emotion processing in the brain relate to bodily changes associated with emotion? And, how does emotion processing in the brain interact with cognition, motor behaviour, language and motivation?


The application involves a mobile terminal, including the main display screen, the border and the rear shell. The main display screen and the rear shell are respectively set on both sides of the border. The main display screen and the rear shell are set up, and the mobile terminal also includes the camera module. The camera module comprises a bracket, a camera unit connected to the bracket, and an elastic fitting connected to the camera unit. The elastic fitting fitting is set on the outside of the camera unit. The installation is equipped with an installation hole. The elastic fitting is clamped between the hole wall of the installation hole and the camera unit, and the camera module is connected to the installation by the support. In the above mobile terminal, between the hole wall of the mounting hole and the camera unit, the camera unit of different specifications can be adapted to the same specification of the installation hole, and it is beneficial to improve the manufacturing and production efficiency of the installation hole.


'And you need to take home food from your dear old dad? How familial.' She smiled.
Wy clenched her jaw, hating Lady Arielle's smugly sweet tone. 'Yeah,' she said. 'My father's pretty great. But I'm late getting home, so if you'll excuse me.' She sketched a hasty bow like she remembered her father and Mirran doing, hoping the obsequiousness would mollify the noble, and she strode from the yard. She glanced over her shoulder and when she was sure they weren't looking, she dashed back around the house and came up to the workyard shelter from behind.
The blackwing was laying on the ground, chin on her hands. She looked up as Wy approached, ears pricking forward. Then her gaze fell on the haunch of mutton in her hand and she went incredibly still.
Wy hadn't forgotten when Spite knocked her from the cliffside perch, so she tossed Spite the meat before the dragon could mug her for it. Spite caught it in her beak and with the creak of snapping bones, cut the entire haunch in two.
Wy watched her tuck into the first half, trying not to think about how easily she could sever a human limb.
Spite froze under her gaze, her beak still wrapped around the meat. She started to growl, deep in her throat.
Wy raised her hands and backed away. 'Fine, fine. It's not like I'm the one who fed you, or anything.' When she got about twenty paces away, Spite stopped growling and resumed her meal.
She looked up to find the blackwing's unnerving green gaze fixed on her. Blackwing made a high-pitched croak and leaned down to nudge the other half of the leg toward her with her beak. Then she croaked again and sat back with her half, watching Wy expectantly.
Spite nibbled her beak at her, then resumed stripping her portion of the meat.
Well. Wy still had this meat to lure her with, at least. Spite was being unexpectedly good-natured — it reminded Wy of one of her earliest widllife lessons.
And Wy had covered her eyes as her mother loosed the arrow that had put it out of its misery.
Spite had been both physically ill and ill-tempered, but as her health had improved, so had her mood. Wy wasn't so naive as to think that Spite would ever be sweet — blackwings, much like the crows they resembled, were mischievous bullies a great deal of the time. But she had understood that Wy was helping her. It had just been too difficult for her to put aside her pain and fear until she was better.
Wy waited until Spite had stripped her portion to the bone and was gnawing hopefully at the marrow, before she hefted the remaining half. 'Come with me, Spite.' She waved the leg. Spite's eyes followed it, her head swaying on her neck. 'Come on. We need to leave.' She backed out of the shelter and used her hip to push open the back gate. Spite followed, cawing in irritation. She stepped right over the fence, untroubled by its height, leaning toward Wy and sniffing the meat curiously.
Spite cawed even more loudly and trotted after her, barely breaking a walk to keep up. She was an intimidating sight on the move, a huge black nightmare beast with dark feathers and a cruel beak, her wings shuffling threateningly at her sides. But Wy could see that although the blackwing's ears flicked backward and forward in irritation, there was none of the signature tension that preceded an attack.
A cry went up from the town; a man pointed at Spite and shouted to someone Wy couldn't see, while a little girl screamed loudly but watched avidly from the doorstep of a house.
Spite's ears swivelled and her head followed suit. She hissed at the townsfolk, planting her feet and fluffing up, interposing herself between Wy and the perceived threats.
If she spat poison or attacked someone, there was nothing she would be able to do to stop Lady Arielle hunting her down and killing her. Wy immediately reached up and grabbed Spite by her enormous beak, pulling her head down to her level. 'Leave,' she said, like she was scolding Pan for pestering a hedgehog.
Spite growled at her, eyes flashing, but Wy didn't relent. 'They're not a threat, Spite. You're a great big dragon and they're small squishy humans. Come on.' She wafted the meat in front of her, catching her attention, and guided her off again.
She heard more shouts and even a few cries that sounded a lot like 'Witch!' Behind her, Spite grew tense, lowering her head and puffing out her feathers, but she continued to follow Wy out of the town, her long strides easily matching Wy's short frantic ones.
Spite turned and hissed at her, jaws wide, spittle flying. Mirran dropped back and said more quietly, '–doing?' She started a jog at a distance, trying to keep up.
'I'm getting Spite out of here before Lady Arielle gets her.' Wy remained grimly focused on her task, but though Spite was still following her, she seemed a lot less interested in the meat. Now she watched Mirran beadily as she walked.
Spite hissed at her and there were flecks of green in the spit, forcing Mirran back another few steps.
'We're doing fine,' Wy said shortly. She glanced over her shoulder; the crowd at the town's edge had grown.
And then a shadow passed overhead and the thump of enormous wings filled the air.
Spite cawed loudly and charged wildly ahead, knocking into Wy in her mad dash for the forests edge.
Valour landed where Spite had been with a loud thump and a whoosh of air that forced Wy to the ground, but which Mirran withstood with patience, her tunic rippling.
Lady Arielle descended from her mount at the base of Valour's neck, climbing onto Valour's raised paw and then being deposited on the ground. Valour watched the tree-line fixedly, where Spite had vanished.
Cold radiated from the Knight, from the hard line of her shoulders to the tense set of her jaw. Still, she didn't look at Wy.
'And who's going to challenge that? I don't see any other Knights rushing to claim this backwater nowhere.' She shook her head. 'But the people here are going to thank me for coming to protect them from freaks like you.' Her eyes turned flinty. 'You set a blackwing on them, in their own homes. You'll answer for that. But for now –' She lunged for Wy.
Wy leapt out of her reach, her heart pounding, but Lady Arielle kicked dirt in her face and then grabbed her hair while she reeled. 'You,' she whispered in her ear. 'Are going to help me find your ugly crow of a dragon. Won't that be nice? Mirran.' She summoned her squire.
Wy grabbed the base of her hair, hoping to tear free, but Lady Arielle shook her.
'Get Wydis of Amys Mor up on Valour. We're going hunting.' She shoved Wy's head, sending her stumbling to Mirran.
Mirran gripped her arms, deceptively strong for such a lean woman. 'Don't struggle,' she warned, flicking her eyes at Lady Arielle. Mirran's mouth was set in a tight line; a muscle twitched in her jaw.
Wy glared up at her, considering her options. She was good at running, but not from a dragon. She was good at hiding, but there was nowhere to hide. If her mother were in her place, she would lay a curse Lady Arielle, but witchfolk didn't have real, storybook power — at least, not most of the time. Curses were slow-acting, and that kind of dark magic could leave a stain on someone's soul. More than anything, the threat of them scared people into leaving witches alone.
But they were in broad daylight, far from her swamp, and there was no power for Wy to draw on and no hope of escape. Not yet, anyway.
But maybe, if she looked for her moment, she could save Spite.
She let Mirran march her to Valour, hand on her shoulder. As she approached, Valour chirped a question, lowering her enormous head to sniff Wy.
'Saddle, Valour.' Mirran's voice was firm.
Valour snorted and her enormous tail thrashed anxiously, but she offered them a forepaw, which Wy stepped onto, followed by Mirran. Slowly, Valour lifted them to just below her shoulder. Wy focused on Valour instead of the way the ground was falling away from them, then stumbled onto Valour's broad back.
Wy stared at her a moment, unable to read the emotion behind the words. Then she settled behind her, getting a good grip on the harness and looking around her at the stretch of glittering blue feathers. Even without a saddle, Valour was incredibly soft, with none of Spite's boney build.
Wy felt the muscles beneath her shift and bunch, and then Valour launched into the air, wings sweeping out to catch her just as the jump turned into a fall. Each wingbeat shunted them higher with a whump of wings hitting air. Wy's stomach dropped and her lungs squeezed as she peered queasily over Valour's rippling sides.
'Deep breaths!' Mirran shouted over the whistling wind.
'Deep breaths! It'll settle your stomach!' She said something after that was lost to the wind and looked a lot like 'idiot', but Wy was too caught up to take offense. She tried to slow her rapid breathing into long breaths. As her breaths became more controlled, the tightness in her chest eased and her nausea settled. She still gripped the harness so tightly that it cut into her hands, and her every muscle screamed with tightness, but she gained enough of her mind back to start looking around.
Lady Arielle directed Valour with taps and shouts, her blonde hair streaming behind her. Mirran looked over Valour's side, scanning the world below as it blurred past at frightening speeds. Valour herself was fluid in motion; her long body rippled and swayed in the air; if not for her wings, she would look like she was swimming rather than flying, with her tail a liquid pennant behind her.
She could feel Valour's breathing, too, the rapidly pulsating breaths of a bird. But she needed to not focus too closely on Valour and her riders: they were hunting Spite, who must have still been too weak to fly. Her eyes raked first the forest and then the swamp, looking for the tell-tale flash of green eyes or the oily black of her feathers.
'Mirran! South-east!' Lady Arielle bellowed over the wind.
Wy looked too, and caught the shadow flitting across the marsh. She wondered at Mirran's reticence; it looked like Spite to her.
Valour's wings tilted and very suddenly Wy was lifting from her seat on her back. Only her grip on the harness seemed to tether her, though Mirran seemed quite comfortable, crouching with her feet beneath her.
There! Almost camouflaged among the dirt and mud was a muddy lake of a depth she'd never managed to reach the bottom of. As Spite rushed around the edges and Valour swooped low, Wy slid down Valour's side.
'Wydis!' Mirran reached for her, panic in her eyes, but Wy gritted her teeth and jumped. Valour gave a great trumpeting cry and twisted in the air, trying to catch her with her enormous paws, but Wy was plummeting too fast. She braced herself and tucked her knees as she hit the water in an burst of stinking brown water.
For a moment, she was drifting in cloying darkness, unable to breathe. She kicked, but the water was thicker than she remembered and her legs were already exhausted from tensing on Valour's back.
When at last she broke the surface, she gasped in the stinking swamp air, her hair thick with mud and algae. Above, Valour trumpted frantically, her alarm clear, but still distant.
Wy swam to the edge and heaved herself out onto a clump of plants and dirt. 'Spite!' She yelled. She dragged herself to her feet, water cascading from her hair and robes. She could already feel her body freezing; it was too late in the year to safely take a full dip in a lake. She looked around; Valour was unable to get down to her, the tree cover too thick around the edges of the lake.
Two green pinpricks appeared in the distance. Wy dove into a patch of ferns and bushes, knowing they would hide her path, and made for them.
She found Spite cowering under a large boulder with a dip beneath it from where water had eroded the earth. Her feathers were dulled by dirt and packed with moss; her legs were coated in mud up to the haunch. She cawed anxiously.
'Shh! It's okay.' Wy looked up then darted across to join the blackwing under the boulder. 'They don't know where we've gone.' Distantly, she heard Valour cry again. So strange to think the creature Lady Arielle was using to hunt Spite was so distraught over losing Wy.
Spite cawed again, but more softly.
'It's okay, Spite. We'll work it out. You're not strong enough to fly yet, is that right? We'll hide. I'm good at hiding. I'm a witch; you know about witches?' She kept up a constant stream of soothing conversation and gradually Spite's trembling subsided. Wy was glad to be near to her; she was so warm, Wy wanted to burrow in against her feathers under her wings, but there was no way that was going to be safe. But as Spite calmed, she reached up and stroked the sides of her face, just under her eye. Spite's eyes closed briefly, appreciating the touch.
She heard Valour cry again, more distant this time.


Mark Oldman's entrepreneurialism incorporates wine, the start-up world and both coasts.
Mark Oldman is one of the wine world's great popularizers. In his lectures, seminars and books - the most recent of which, How to Drink Like a Billionaire: Mastering Wine with Joie de Vivre, came out last fall - he encourages his audience to try unfamiliar grapes, relax about food and wine pairings and enjoy wine rather than make a fetish of it. Oldman's engaging breeziness can divert attention from his encyclopedic knowledge of wine, which he's acquired by following a path at once entrepreneurial and impassioned.
Oldman, 48, grew up in a New Jersey and had no particular interest in food or wine when he went to Stanford University in 1987. During a semester at Oxford, he became part of the Oxford Wine Circle, a student group that is able to attract some of the world's great winemakers to come to campus. Upon his return to Palo Alto, Oldman started a similar similar group at Stanford, which is about 90 miles north of Napa Valley, and got people like Robert Mondavi, himself a 1937 Stanford graduate, to speak.
"About 80% of the students wanted to learn, and 20% just wanted a good drink," Oldman says of the group, which lives on at Stanford's business school. "It was a lesson in marketing. The brand loyalties are still there," as many erstwhile Wine Circle members continue to buy from producers they first encountered as students.
Oldman's hustle was not limited to wine. An obsessive reader of college guidebooks, he wondered why there was nothing similar for internships, and he and his Stanford friend Samer Hamadeh wrote a business plan for a book on that topic. "There was an entrepreneurial sense there," Oldman says of Stanford, noting that even as an English major he knew of William Hewlett and David Packard, who founded Hewlett-Packard Co. in a Palo Alto garage and became idols to generations of Stanford engineers.
After getting his undergraduate degree from Stanford in 1991, Oldman picked up a master's degree in English and a law degree while teaching wine classes and working on the book project with Hamadeh. In 1995, they published The Internship Bible, which appeared just as the internet was taking off and message boards began serving as forums for gossip about employers. The book led to a contract with Houghton Mifflin to write a series of career-oriented books that served as a launching pad for Vault.com Inc.
That success helped Oldman land a spot on Stanford's Board of Trustees in 2000, where he met Burton McMurtry, one of Silicon Valley's most successful venture capitalists and a serious wine collector. "Almost everything I know about Burgundy comes from drinking with Burt and his family," Oldman says in a Chelsea loft that contains empties of some legendary Burgundy producers.
Despite the depth of McMurtry's collection, "he's quite casual about wine, and he has great generosity," Oldman says. "His impulse is to make moments for people with wine," an approach Oldman has tried to follow.
Oldman joined Stanford's board just as the dot-com boom was ending, and the resulting crash was challenging for Vault.com, which like many of its peers had to lay people off. Oldman coped in part by writing what would become his first wine book, Oldman's Guide to Outsmarting Wine, which came out in 2005 and is now in its tenth printing. He and Hamadeh sold control of Vault.com Inc. to Veronis Suhler Stevenson LLC for between $60 million and $85 million in 2007. Oldman published his second book, Oldman's Guide to Outsmarting Wine three years later, and he's made a career of being a wine impresario by speaking at food and wine conferences, consulting with collectors and teaching private classes.
It was a natural transition, Hamadeh says. "Vault.com provided a penetrating, iconoclastic look at companies and careers," he says. "We were tireless and passionate about career information. Mark has done the same for wine: breaking down wine connoisseurship and uncovering wine secrets for a wider audience."
The variety of assignments Oldman takes on forces him to learn about a wide array of regions and grapes and gives him the versatility to discuss wines from all over the world. It also fits his personality. "I'm a bit of a restless spirit, " he says. "You have to have faith that what you're doing can be reincorporated into the rest of your life."


text:
'Love Story' Stars Reunite On Stage For 'Love Letters' TourIt was a movie which launched a million a tears and a career for a young unknown beauty named Ali MacGraw, and a handsome young up-and-coming actor named Ryan O'Neal.
Ryan O'Neal Says He Has Stage 2 Prostate CancerRyan O'Neal says the prognosis is positive for his recovery from recently diagnosed Stage 2 prostate cancer.
Farrah Fawcett's Red Swimsuit Going To SmithsonianThe red swimsuit that helped make Charlie's Angels actress Farrah Fawcett an icon is going to the Smithsonian in Washington.


There were 580 press releases posted in the last 24 hours and 153,536 in the last 365 days.
APOPKA, FLA, USA, August 9, 2018 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Spike's Tactical, a Florida-based gun and weapons manufacturer, will begin selling their highly anticipated Spartan AR-15 rifle lower receiver on Friday.
The Spartan lower receiver, which was leaked and later confirmed and announced by Spike's Tactical in early 2017, is the first-of-its-kind to be designed and submitted to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
The lower receiver took more than a year to design and develop, features a Spartan helmet as the AR-15's magazine well and is compatible with all standard AR-15 lower receiver parts.
The Apopka-based weapons manufacturer teamed up with Rare Breed Firearms to give gun enthusiasts more options when it comes to personalizing their AR-15s and believes consumers will enjoy the unique look of a weathered Spartan helmet in either black anodized or a custom Cerakote paint job.
The Spartan was designed by Rare Breed Firearms, an Austin, Texas firearm-design company specializing in creating distinctive lower receivers for AR-15s. Rare Breed has made Spike's Tactical its sole manufacturer and distributor of their cutting-edge products.
The Spartan lower receiver is priced starting at $349.95 and is available for purchase online. To learn more about Spike's Tactical and their products, visit www.spikestactical.com.


Limoz Rwanda are East Africa's number one VIP transport company.With a fleet of more than 80 cars, Limoz Rwanda gives the best VIP customer service to its clients, with highly responsible drivers.
According to John Kabera, Managing Director Limoz Rwanda, Limoz offers the best. "What matters to you also matters to us" he affirmed, "reliability, client safety, comfort and timeliness. "Limoz provides clients with personalized service and attention to detail required for their special occasions.
"Our experienced and professional drivers are trained to handle major corporations and diplomatic protocols, as well as the most sensitive assignments with the highest level of professionalism.
They are always smart, responsible and sober."Before a driver is recruited, he goes through a driving and vehicle management test.
They must be fluent in either English or French. They are then trained in customer service and VIP handling. "VIP handling entails details such as what exactly a driver is supposed to discuss with a client.He gave examples of drivers who askVIP clients for jobs or other unnecessities.
Drivers are taught to respect the client's space and not engage in conversation unless the client asks questions; how to open for the VIP and where and how to park at a location to enable the client to access him easily.
Limoz Rwanda is committed to client safety and comfort. The company has run a contract with the Serena Hotels for close to 10 years. They also have a contract with The United Nations to transport their officials.
The company has an efficient fleet management through the use of Information Communication Technology (ICT), vehicle tracking system that ensures that drivers stay on track and bring in the fares.
He noted that ICT has provided ways of managing the business efficiently including a system called i-fuel, which is an automatic way of calculating the amount of fuel put and used in a vehicle.
With Limoz Rwanda you rent a lot more than just a car, come ride with us!


I would have had to wait another month and a half more, but thankfully, Nathan gifted me this cookbook just in time for Thanksgiving, when we had the opportunity to bake this very yummy pumpkin pie.
Joanne Chang started out baking cookies for her friends at school.
Joanne Chang at Flour Bakery in Boston reveals her famous chocolate mousse cake and homemade oreos.
Her accolades are pretty impressive, beating out Bobby Flay on Throwdown, Joanne Chang owns and works as head pastry chef for this establishment.
When I meet an inspiring person, I usually want to photograph them.First up is Flour Harvard Square, slated for an October opening (114 Mt.
Chang opened the first Flour location 16 years ago in South End Boston.I first met Joanne Chang, owner of Flour Bakery, in Boston, last spring. This thing has never let me down, so now it was my turn to impress her.
Chang left her career as a management consultant to work as a.
Openings: Pastry maven Joanne Chang will open several new locations of her popular Flour Bakery in the coming months.
Read the Flour recipe for white Coconut cake discussion from the Chowhound Home Cooking, Cakes food community.
Joanne Chang went on to beat Bobby Flay on the Food Network and channeled that success into a small baking empire around Boston, all without any formal training.


The "ZfK", short for "Zeitung für kommunale Wirtschaft", stands for the leading medium for municipal utilities as well as supply and disposal companies in Germany. One of the editors, Stephanie Gust, conducted an interview with Maik Neubauer, one of the two managing directors of TSCNET Services, which has now been published with the latest issue under the rubric "Nachgefragt" ("Enquired").
In addition to the company's role and tasks in the operation of the European electricity transmission grid, the talk also focuses on the potential of so-called Artificial Intelligence (AI). "At present, AI does not play a major role with us," Neubauer regrets. Although the Munich-based Regional Security Coordinator (RSC) "works with very complex algorithms and mathematical models to calculate network bottlenecks or available capacities", but "these systems are not yet self-learning" and do not yet issue reliable forecasts based on empirical values. "Here I see a very high potential for risk analysis in the future – both at the transmission grid level and in the distribution grids," explains Neubauer. Due to the courtesy of the publishing house, we can offer the entire text (in German) here.
The "THEMEN:magazin" is a German-language medium that reports every two months "on the challenges, opportunities and perspectives of the economy with a focus on energy policy". In the latest issue (5/2018), readers will also find an interview with Maik Neubauer, one of the two managing directors of TSCNET Services. It followed the Conference on Electricity Security Coordination (ElSeC) 2018 in Brussels, the #PowerCoordinationEurope.
The hot and dry summer of 2018 was a good example of extreme weather conditions that required top performance from transmission system operators, explains Neubauer. Wherever lines fail or threaten to fail, countermeasures must be taken immediately during operation. The interaction between transmission and distribution networks must also function smoothly. TSCNET Services supports these complex processes as a Regional Security Coordinator (RSC).
At the centre is a range of services relating to grid congestion management for transmission system operators (TSOs) to ensure a high level of grid security in Europe against the background of the rapidly growing share of renewable energies within the energy mix. Especially the high generation volatility of PV and wind farms leads to significantly higher demands on the monitoring and management of the European transmission grids.
TSCNET can at any time take advantage of a huge amount of data from almost all European network operators to calculate the network situation in the next hours and days and to identify possible congestions. "We thus act as an early warning system for the identification of potential dangers in the network, continuously evaluate these with our TSO partners and can thus counteract potential blackout situations in Europe in a concerted manner," summarises Neubauer.
In general, the European high-voltage grid is technically very stable and resilient, but often the limits are reached in the meantime, also because of the slow expansion of the grid. In the coming years, too, secure network operation is still only conceivable with considerable redispatch measures. The electricity from German offshore wind farms in the North or Baltic Seas does not stop at the border. The so-called 'Clean Energy Package' also changes the framework conditions throughout Europe. The energy transition is not a German project, but must be mastered on a pan-European basis.
In its current issue, the German-language "THEMEN:magazin" features a detailed interview with Maik Neubauer on TSCNET Services being the "congestion messenger for Europe's power highways".
With fourteen transmission system operators (TSOs) from eleven Central and Eastern European countries as shareholders and four additional customers from four other countries, the surveillance area of the Munich-based regional security coordinator (RSC) TSCNET Services lies at the heart of the continent. TSCNET was originally set up as a joint TSO initiative to maintain the operational security of the electricity system. Today, TSCNET's core responsibilities include coordinated network security analysis, capacity calculations, support in critical network situations, and aggregation of all relevant network data for the partner TSOs.
Despite their essential function within the integrated European transmission system, the work of the RSCs still is not well known to those who are not directly involved in the energy market. A comprehensive insight report published in Germany's leading professional journal for the municipal energy economy, the "Zeitung für kommunale Wirtschaft" (ZfK), offers a great opportunity to improve TSCNET's name recognition in this specific economic sector. A journalist from the prestigious press medium had a revealing talk with Maik Neubauer, one of the two Managing Directors of TSCNET Services.
The report is centred around TSCNET's Daily Operational Planning Teleconference (DOPT) with the TSOs' experts. In these conferences every day at 9 p.m., TSCNET's risk analysis is presented every day and the catalogue of possible measures is discussed.
Mr Neubauer emphasises the outstanding role of the RSCs as an early warning system for grid security in the increasingly complex and rapidly changing transnational electricity system. He sees TSCNET well prepared for new tasks, as already now the "pan-European network security analysis is going to be strongly aligned with the other european RSCs".
Power lines silhouetted with city night life. Picture: Voy Ager / Shutterstock, stock photo ID 631374623.
Will there be large amounts of wind energy in the coastal regions? Where do bottlenecks might occur? And how should transmission system operators (TSOs) react in order to avoid critical network situations? ‒ Safety analysis and risk management for the pan-European transmission system based on large volumes of data is the core business of the European regional security coordinators (RSCs), one of which is the Munich-based TSCNET Services. Although there are many other tasks ‒ such as calculating generation capacity to keep the grid stable ‒ RSCs only monitor and evaluate the market and grid situation to advise their TSO shareholders, but do not operate the grid themselves.
Maik Neubauer, one of the two managing directors of TSCNET Services, took the opportunity to explain the business of the Munich-based RSC more detailed in a personal portrait and interview in the "Tagesspiegel Background Energy & Climate", a daily market newsletter for decision-makers from the energy and climate sector. The "Background" is created by specialists from the renowned German daily newspaper "Tagesspiegel". In addition, Mr Neubauer gives insights into his personal view of the digital and energy-specific future, his motivations and inspirations.
Recently, in the context of the European Commision's "Clean Energy for All Europeans" package, there has been some discussion about the role of the RSCs and wether they should take over operational responsibility. Regarding this, Mr Neubauer represents clear positions: "In my view, Brussels underestimates how complex the European power grids are and how valuable the long experience of national TSOs is." Hence, the TSCNET managing director welcomes the prevailing opinion that the RSCs will not have direct control of the network in the near future. Instead, TSCNET Services will streamline its evaluative and advisory functions. This includes grid stabilisation assistance after outages, training of TSO staff and active proposals for necessary compensation measures to improve cross-border coordination, increase safety and, ultimately, save costs.
> Open article and interview, in German (pdf, 126kb).
The article was published in the daily decision-maker newsletter "Tagesspiegel Background Energy & Climate" and is reissued with kind permission. The rights are held by the publishing house Der Tagesspiegel GmbH.
The services and solutions offered by TSCNET Services are well known to transmission grid experts: The Munich-based Regional Security Coordinator (RSCs) helps European electricity transmission system operators (TSOs) to keep the grid stable. The German-language edition of "pv magazine", a trade publication for the photovoltaic industry, could help further expand TSCNET's level of awareness. Maik Neubauer, one of the two managing directors of TSCNET Services, explains in an interview the challenges posed by the expansion of renewable energies in Europe and why extreme weather conditions require special measures.
Neubauer explains, which services are actually offered and why these are becoming more and more important in the course of the energy transition. Predicting and avoiding congestions and threats within the power transmission system is TSCNET's core business. For this purpose, large amounts of data from the TSOs are collected and analysed with specially developed tools. When potential hazard signals are identified, they are shared with the TSO partners and jointly evaluated together to ensure grid stability at all times. "We act as an early warning system in the normal operation of the networks, but also as a support system in exceptional situations," says Neubauer.
While the general risk of blackout, according to Neubauer, is rather low, one must also take into account that the European transmission grid was not originally designed for the fast-growing and highly volatile feed-in of wind and solar energy that accompanies the energy transition. The systematic change in energy production increases the requirements for continuous grid monitoring and forecasting quality. Hence, the supervisory function of RSCs like TSCNET Services has already become essential for today's energy system and will increasingly be in the future. An important project, for example, is to support the development of a new Common Grid Model (CGM). A fully redesigned data network will be set up in order to guarantee an absolutely secure and harmonised data exchange. "All our services will be based on this new data platform in the future," says Neubauer.


text:
Doug Patterson : travels in watercolour
Doug Patterson is a renowned archtitect & artist who, in his own words, says his feet have not touched the ground in the last six years!
However, he is also an artist very much with his feet on the ground – as his recent watercolour sketches demonstrate, revealing a unique insight into the locations, religious communities & styles of architecture that he has encountered on his extensive travels around the world.
Over the last six years Doug Patterson has been on a personal artistic crusade, retracing the journeys made by three 18th and 19th century travelling artists – Hercules Brabazon Brabazon, Vasileios Gregorovic Barsky & Samuel Davis – who between them recorded the three great world faiths – Islam, Buddhism and Orthodox Christianity.
Doug's journeys in the footsteps of these three artists has included sketching and painting Islamic mosques and monuments in North Africa and India, Buddhist Dzongs in Bhutan and the Orthodox monasteries of Mount Athos and Meteora in Greece. This project, called Artists in Paradise, recently culminated in a well-received exhibition at the National Theatre, London in 2010.
The monastry of Hilandara, Mount Athos © Doug Patterson
Doug has visited Mount Athos in Greece twelve times, walking throughout the holy mountain and visiting all twenty Orthodox monasteries. Doug's travels in Greece followed those of the artist and Russian monk, Vasileios Gregorovic Barsky, who in 1745 visited Mount Athos and recorded the life, landscape and architecture of the holy mountain. Doug Patterson's Mount Athos portfolio consists of over 200 artworks, including sketches, water-colours and oil paintings. The Mount Athos series of works were recently exhibited in Saloniki in Greece, the exhibition then travels on to Athens and Istanbul, Turkey.
The Katholica, Hilandara, Mount Athos © Doug Patterson
Between 2005-2007 Doug travelled to Bhutan, the land of the Thunder Dragon, following the route of the artist, astronomer and director of the East India Company, Samuel Davis (1760-1819), who visited Bhutan in 1783. Doug's Bhutan portfolio is a comprehensive contemporary collection of drawings and paintings of the landscape, life and architecture of all the 20 Dzongs (Buddhist monasteries) of Bhutan.
Jakor Dzong, Bhumthang, Bhutan © Doug Patterson
Buddhist Monks in Bhutan © Doug Patterson
Travelling through the region of northern India (of the Mughal Empire), Doug's next series of paintings and drawings retraced the footsteps first taken by Hercules Brabazon Brabazon (1820-1904) who made numerous journeys recording the architecture of the Muslim and Christian world.
Jama Masjid mosque © Doug Patterson
Gurudwara Bagla Samib, Delhi © Doug Patterson
Doug Patterson is an artist who rarely stands still it seems! He has already begun a new travelling art project, called Sacred Places, in which over the next three years he hopes to visit twenty sacred locations worldwide. As Doug explains:
The first location in this project was the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya, India. The journey was by boat from Calcutta via the Hooghly and Ganges Rivers, first to New Farraka and then through the lock onto the River Ganges. We finally docked in Patna then went by road to Bodhgaya, finally to arrive at the most sacred Buddhist site, the Mahabodhi Temple, culminating in an intense spiritual experience. The various artworks illustrating this particular journey are now almost complete.
In November 2010 I then travelled to Albania to teach in the school of architecture and then I went on to Libya for Christmas and the New Year. This trip, first to Tripoli to visit Leptis Magna and Sabrata was astonishing, then on to Bengazi, and finally travelling 600km south through the Libyan desert to Gadhameson on the border of Algeria.
My next Sacred Place is an expedition for one month through the Canyons in Arizona, I will be travelling with an artist friend who lives in Flagstaff, we will walk and camp through Bryce, Zion, Grand Canyon and Monument Valley – the latter is the sacred place, and the journey is the Canyons.
Later in the year I am planning another journey (depending on current political events) to Yemen and Saudi Arabia, travelling overland from Aden to Sana and then to Riyadh. This journey, which follows the ancient Frankincense trade route between Yeman and Saudi Arabia, will include initial studies in watercolors (and then later as oil paintings in my studio) of the traditional architecture and mosques. My route will take in Aden via Tarrin, Kawkaban, Sana and the Wadi Dhahr Valley in Yemen, then crossing over into Saudi Arabia via Najran, Abha, Jeddah, Medina and Riyadh.
Artworks wishes Doug yet another 'bon voyage' and we look forward to the seeing the new 'Sacred Places' series as it evolves. In the meantime you can listen to Doug Patterson talking about the ideas & inspiration of his earlier travels on BBC Radio 4's travel programme, Excess Baggage.
Doug Patterson trained at the Royal College of Art, then studied Architecture at the Architectural Association, graduating in 1974. He established his own architectural design practice and has spent the last twenty five years working on a wide variety of projects, ranging from film sets to a 28-suite luxury yacht. You can view his comprehensive art portfolio on Doug Patterson's own website.
This entry was posted in artworks news and tagged artist interviews, artists, artworks, doug patterson, exhibition, landscapes, paintings, watercolours on April 25, 2011 by admin.
← Penny Bhadresa linocuts featured in BBC Gardens Illustrated magazine Take five with… Helen Dougall, batik artist & painter →


Mio Kurakowa! Who you may or may not remember from the second Bunny Wiggins story Die Now, Die Later! In the face of BW's sliminess, she attempted to maintain her decorum. Racer Lad was a parody of Speed Racer (If you haven't guessed already), and BW stole his car for nefarious ends.


Indonesia, the world's biggest producer of palm oil, will not accept an EU plan to curb the use of crops that cause deforestation, and argued that its higher production yield made it better placed to meet global demand, a senior Indonesian official said.
Indonesia intends to challenge the plan, known as RED II, at the World Trade Organization on the basis that it does not meet its free trade principles and that the method used to define sustainability unfairly favoured European vegetable oils such as sunflower and rapeseed.
'The EU wants to position itself, especially in the current global circumstances, as a defender of free trade but they are acting like this,' said Mahendra Siregar, special staff at the foreign ministry.
Siregar said environmental damage was also caused by other vegetable oils, while palm's higher production yield made it better placed to meet global vegetable oils demand expected to reach at least 320 million tonnes by 2025.
'In this context, palm oil is the most sustainable,' said Siregar, who is also the executive director of the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries.
The EU accounts for around 15 percent of Indonesia's 2018 palm oils exports, valued at around $19 billion, according to the Indonesian Palm Oil Association data (GAPKI).


On Friday July 10, James Flowers (47), an experienced climber from Colorado Springs, and his partner set out to climb the Northwest Ridge of Capitol Peak (14,130 feet), one of the most challenging fourteeners in Colorado. They successfully reached the summit and were descending along the Northwest Ridge when Flowers lost his footing on a snow/ice patch between K2 and Daly Saddle. He fell and slid at high speed through snow chutes and rock bands until he came to rest at an elevation of 12,500 feet in a rocky area.
Flowers initially survived the fall. His climbing partner called his own wife at 2:45 p.m. Friday and she contacted authorities in Aspen. The Pitkin County Sheriff's Office mobilized Mountain Rescue Aspen and a Flight for Life helicopter, the first of which had mechanical problems and was unable to depart from Frisco. Authorities were able to maintain periodic cellphone contact with the climbing partner.
A Denver-based helicopter was sent and due to the altitude, did an initial fly-over before offloading some weight and dropping off a paramedic. The chopper then picked up Mountain Rescue Aspen strike-team members one at a time and dropped them off on a knoll about a mile and a half from Flowers. A Mountain Rescue Aspen paramedic didn't reach Flowers until 6:25 p.m. When the paramedic arrived, Flowers didn't have a pulse and was not breathing. The paramedic performed CPR, which was unsuccessful.


Many employers hesitate to provide job references because they fear liability. Of course, a negative employment reference could give rise to many different types of claims, including defamation, interference with prospective advantage, blacklisting under Labor Code section 1050, or even retaliation.
That said, employers are afforded protection with respect to providing references by the "common-interest privilege" contained in California Civil Code section 47(c). A recent decision by the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Noel v. River Hills Wilsons, Inc., clarifies and reaffirms this protection.
The plaintiff, Brandon Noel, is a former employee of River Hills Wilsons, Inc. ("Wilsons"). GTE hired Noel contingent on a successful background check. The company GTE retained to perform the background check contacted Wilsons for a job reference and was told Noel left Wilsons because of loss prevention issues, and his rehire status was "unfavorable." The information conveyed by Wilsons was incorrect.
GTE withdrew its offer to Noel after receiving the background report. Noel then sued Wilsons asserting various theories, including defamation. The trial court dismissed the case before it reached a jury, finding Wilsons' statements, although false, were privileged communications. The Court of Appeal affirmed the ruling and clarified the requirements necessary to establish the common-interest privilege.
The courts have applied the common-interest privilege in the job reference context for several years. In addition, in 1994, the Legislature amended Civil Code section 47, subdivision (c), to expressly apply the privilege to statements current or former employers make to prospective employers when the statements are "based on credible evidence" and made "without malice." Importantly, the current or former employer also is explicitly authorized to answer whether the employer would rehire the employee.
What Is a Protected Communication?
In evaluating Noel's arguments that the common-interest privilege should not apply, the Court of Appeal offered the first judicial guidance on the requirement the communication be based on "credible evidence" to be protected. Noel argued a former employer who provides a false negative job reference is liable for defamation if there is no credible evidence to support the communication.
Noel argued Wilsons should be liable for defamation under this standard because there was no evidence Noel had loss prevention issues. It was undisputed the Wilsons' manager who made the communication to GTE simply confused Noel with another former employee who did have loss prevention issues.
The court rejected Noel's arguments and emphasized the common-interest privilege was meant to protect employers and managers in such situations. In the court's view, the central issue is the state of mind of the person providing the job reference. If that person makes the communication "with malice" then no protection exists. In other words, if an individual is merely negligent or makes an unintentional misstatement in giving a false job reference, there can be no defamation. In this regard, the court noted the Legislature's desire to encourage employers to provide job references and reduce employers' fears of defamation claims.
The court noted the "based on credible evidence" language was included in the statute simply to emphasize it is not reasonable for employers to report mere rumors or unfounded gossip. If a communication was based on mere rumor, for instance, the privilege may be lost because there would be no reasonable grounds for believing the truth of the publication. This prong of the analysis is related to the malice standard referenced above.
Noel claimed Wilsons' false communication should not be privileged because there was sufficient evidence the manager made the statements with malice. The court rejected the argument, and clarified the malice standard in this context.
The court ruled that a communication between interested parties, such as a job reference from a former employer to a prospective employer, loses its protection from a defamation claim if the communication was made with malice. A communication is made with malice if the communication was motivated by hatred or ill will. A communication also is deemed made with malice if the person making the communication lacked reasonable grounds for believing the information conveyed is true.
Considering the nature of the manager's mistake in Noel's case, the court concluded there was insufficient evidence to show the manager acted with malice or in reckless disregard for the truth. The court noted the manager apologized for the mistake as soon as he learned of it, and Wilsons offered to rehire Noel in an attempt to remedy the situation.
Even in light of the protection to employers confirmed in the Noel decision, the central question is whether providing a substantive job references (more than dates of employment, for instance) is a good practice for employers.
If the employer will be providing a negative reference with respect to a former employee, the employer will face the possibility of a legal claim by the employee. As explained above, the protection from defamation claims is not absolute. Likewise, employers can incur significant legal defense costs in defeating even frivolous claims.
Moreover, employers who provide job references also face liability for claims other than defamation. For example, the California Labor Code prohibits employers from making a misrepresentation that prevents a former employee from obtaining employment. Under such circumstances, the former employee also can sue the employer and recover three times the amount of any actual damages.
If a job reference is misleading, the former employer could even face claims from the subsequent employer or third-parties. In one case, the California Supreme Court held an employer could be liable for recommending a former employee without limitation where there was a "foreseeable risk of harm to third persons." The court found that a student sexually molested by a teacher could maintain a fraud claim against a school district that previously employed the teacher. The former district gave the teacher a positive job reference without disclosing several prior sexual acts of misconduct by him.
Despite the potential liability associated with providing job references, employers should consider the significant benefits of offering feedback regarding former employees. Without job references, prospective employers are denied the opportunity to fully evaluate applicants. The Legislature and the judiciary have recognized the benefits to society when employers share job references, and they have attempted to strengthen the protections for employers to address the understandable reluctance to provide job references. Also, a neutral reference policy may prevent claims for defamation by self-compelled publication (i.e., a former employee claiming she was compelled to discuss her negative employment history with a prospective employer). Of course, no-reference policies also deny good employees valuable assistance in obtaining employment.
1.	Establish a reference policy and follow it consistently. Whatever reference practice an employer adopts, it should be memorialized in a formal policy. If the policy is well communicated, no one should have false expectations, and managers and supervisors are less likely to deviate from the employer's practices. Management employees should be instructed that "off-the-record" comments are strictly prohibited. In addition, the policy must be consistently enforced to avoid claims of discriminatory treatment.
2.	Only certain individuals should be designated to respond to reference requests. Adopting this practice will help to ensure the employer's policy is being applied consistently. It also helps avoid contradicting references, as it is not unusual for management employees to have different opinions regarding what information should be communicated about a former employee.
3.	Require written reference requests. This provides valuable documentation and strengthens any common-interest privilege claim; the common-interest privilege only applies if there is a request from one whom the employer reasonably believes is a prospective employer. Employers also should document all the communications and only provide the reference or verification in writing.
4.	Obtain written authorizations and releases from employees. Written authorization and releases give the employer express permission to provide the reference, and prevent employees from suing for any information released. Some employers obtain a standard release from all departing employees, regardless of whether there is a pending reference request. The individual may even be made aware in advance of what information the employer intends to convey. This strengthens any authorization, and avoids the bad feelings that often arise with negative references.
Although there is no perfect or "fool proof" method for dealing with job reference requests, following some of the foregoing tips will diminish the risks associated with such requests. The decision of how much, if any, information to provide, involves a careful risk assessment by employers. Employers are encouraged to speak with an employment expert in developing the appropriate policy language.


1)The discussion about volatile markets is folly.
Fast or gradual makes zero difference. Rebalancing guidelines handle that. How much straying from target or do you use a fixed time method?
2) Are you holding 70:30 for age 55+? You only did half the job. At least plan to 90. You can alway change it later.
By the way, at 45 your half way there. Life doesn't end at 55.
That's the problem folks. Life looks different at 55-60. That's why you're saving.
I like the idea of having dry powder but how do you know when to deploy it. Ok the market dropped 20% but what if it goes down another 20%. Or what if it rebounds quickly like it just did. When I do add in bonds I plan to rebalance once a year on a specific date not based on market events.
It just seems like time out of the market to me.
I agree with the mumbo jumbo. But since I am young I would love if they are right about poor future returns in the upcoming decade.
This is the issue. There is never a sign, bell or other obvious thing that tells you when the time is. I dont feel like bonds are much for dry powder in these scenarios. Either way its violating some part of the point of the bonds. You cant simultaneously use them for volatility smoothing AND dry powder. At some point unless you know the best time to buy, you're out of bonds and 100% equities. Then you neither have dry powder nor volatility smoothing. Bonds do not have to move in a negatively correlated fashion either, they can both lose value at once (like 2018q1).
What if you deploy all your bonds at only halfway down? Enjoy. In reality if you are a true buy/hold index person, aside from new contributions there is really no way to have dry powder without disrupting your asset allocation. Forgive me if im wrong but the point of the asset allocation is to smooth volatility so you dont make terrible decisions not to have some cash on hand during a dip.
You may be correct. Well , there scenarios when you are correct.
1) New funds brought in that exceeds losses.
3) No such thing as permanent loss.
4) AA (stocks/bonds) is ignored.
I mean all three in a philosophical way.
Volatility smoothing assumes stocks lose and gain more than bonds. Rebalancing is by definition designed reallocate assets by creating it using dry powder.
Stocks do poorly, sell bonds and but stock.
Stocks go fantastic, sell stock and but more bonds.
The point you are missing or rather deciding is not appropriate for you is that that you don't need a stock and bond split for maintaining dry powder. I hope sincerely that never incur permanent losses never lose the ability to continue to invest new funds.
Mechanically, even 90/10 forces you to adjust. That In itself is a good thing. My fear on ignoring AA is those that have only experienced one significant downturn, and that was insignificant because they had limited assets 10 years ago. The "dry powder" generated by keeping 10 to 20% bonds is great insurance at a very small decrease in average returns. If you have bonds, you will always stay in the game. The extra point or 2 claims many casualties. In good times, it's counter intuitive, selling stock to buy bonds. Yep, saving up dry powder. Same as saving for retirement, some day you will be glad you did. Think about 10-20%. You don't gain much ignoring AA.
I like the idea of having dry powder but how do you know when to deploy it. Ok the market dropped 20% but what if it goes down another 20%. Or what if it rebounds quickly like it just did.
What you're basically asking his how to time the market (where is the exact bottom?), which is tough to do. Instead of trying to figure out where the bottom is (probably unknowable, at least for someone like me), one possibility is to plan ahead with a ladder, where you plan to put a lump sum on each step down and buy into weakness – for example, if it drops 20%, put x amount, next 20%, put more. This is basically what I plan on doing if US equities go on sale at some point.
Regarding asset allocation, currency is an asset, and in my (unprofessional) opinion there's nothing wrong with having dollars as some percentage of your portfolio to give you options if things go on sale, among other good reasons for having cash available.
I meant it more rhetorically because I do not actually plan to do that. I have convinced myself timing the market is not something I am capable of.
age 55: 70:30, I "think" I will be cool with 70:30 until dead, but at age 55 I will revisit as a lot changes in 10 years.
2. ignore market unless it drops >20%. If it drops 20% reballance to keep AA at goal. If it drops another 20% then do it again. etc. Otherwise ignore.
Will this be perfect? Nope. Will anything? Nope. Is this market timing? matter of perspective.
Could this decrease returns, sure, but it might improve them and it will give me something to keep me from loosing my stuff when the poo hits the blades.
I still have a lot to learn but this seems like a good start.
Really just saying this thread feels like lots of market timing packages behind good sounding ideas like asset allocation. Can be dangerous and lead to bad decisions unless it's part of your strategy before.
100% agree. WCI additional made reference one time to only make any changes after 30 days of a holding period.
Additionally, I ONLY consider AA changes in good times for reasons of better diversification and less risk. I don't carry any real estate in the portfolio (house kind of counts in total, but not my retirement fund) Thought about it for 5 or 10 years. If I downsize, I want some.
IF you choose some debt, it's purpose is ballast. Take on more or less as needed. Smoother sailing and keeps you on course. I loved OP's choice of a birthday. 20% or 2 times a year. A plan not a reaction. Most times, doing nothing beats emotion. Doing nothing provides that. 100 % stocks means you are doing nothing, but also no dry powder. Follow your plan. Sit on it for a year. You got time.
Risk portfolio has outperformed in the last 20, 10 and 5 years.
Just whether you can hold and whether this will be the case in the future.
Even if you get market timing right, dry powder will often underperform. Say you have 20% cash or bonds over the cycle and deploy it during periods with greater than 20% declines. If you backtest, this is a losing strategy most of the time VS allocating to risk.
Only situation where I see it clearly winning is if you allocate to high beta after a 20% decline, but you are there also taking on more risk. This would be like deploying cash to buy banks or home builders in 2009 or resources in 2016. Really browning your pants situations and liquidated stuff. Not many people can do that as it is hard to wait for it, have the cash when needed and buy stuff that looks like it is going to 0.
If you want deep value, contrarian plays, you don't have to wait until a bear market. There is usually some sectors that have these qualities – like uranium stocks, shipping stocks or Europe currently tick some of those boxes.
What you get in a bear market is wholesale liquidation. You can probably have the cash/bond allocation outperform over the cycle by taking advantage of this, but I would argue, not by buying index funds. To take advantage of wholesale liquidation, you do start to get into some serious risk taking/gambling and are moving away from the clean path into some very windy, perilous ones.
A sound plan and stick with it. Behavioral finance is an individual thing. The hard part is knowing if it really needs to be changed. Your risk profile changes.
Good point. This is a strategy I've started dabbling with (with variable success), using etfs that are essentially in their bear markets. Like you mentioned, you need a strong stomach for it, as there's a good chance you watch your investments trade sideways for awhile, or go down even further until they find the bottom. It does feel high risk, but it's probably not much different than the feeling of investing in the S&P 500 in 2009.


text:
A265800 Numerators of primes-only best approximates (POBAs) to the golden ratio, tau; see Comments. 8
5, 3, 5, 11, 31, 37, 47, 157, 571, 911, 1021, 1487, 2351, 3571, 24709, 25463, 69247, 80803 (list; graph; refs; listen; history; text; internal format)
Suppose that x > 0. A fraction p/q of primes is a primes-only best approximate (POBA), and we write "p/q in B(x)", if 0 < |x - p/q| < |x - u/v| for all primes u and v such that v < q, and also, |x - p/q| < |x - p'/q| for every prime p' except p. Note that for some choices of x, there are values of q for which there are two POBAs. In these cases, the greater is placed first; e.g., B(3) = (7/2, 5/2, 17/5, 13/5, 23/7, 19/7, ...). See A265759 for a guide to related sequences.
How is this related to A165572? - R. J. Mathar, Jan 10 2016
The POBAs to tau start with 5/2, 3/2, 5/3, 11/7, 31/19, 37/23, 47/29, 157/97, 571/353, 911/563. For example, if p and q are primes and q > 29, then 47/29 is closer to tau than p/q is.
x = GoldenRatio; z = 1000; p[k_] := p[k] = Prime[k];
t = Table[Max[Table[NextPrime[x*p[k], -1]/p[k], {k, 1, n}]], {n, 1, z}];
d = DeleteDuplicates[t]; tL = Select[d, # > 0 &] (* lower POBA *)
t = Table[Min[Table[NextPrime[x*p[k]]/p[k], {k, 1, n}]], {n, 1, z}];
d = DeleteDuplicates[t]; tU = Select[d, # > 0 &] (* upper POBA *)
v = Sort[Union[tL, tU], Abs[#1 - x] > Abs[#2 - x] &];
b = Denominator[v]; s = Select[Range[Length[b]], b[[#]] == Min[Drop[b, # - 1]] &];
y = Table[v[[s[[n]]]], {n, 1, Length[s]}] (* POBA, A265800/A265801 *)
Numerator[tL] (* A265796 *)
Denominator[tL] (* A265797 *)
Numerator[tU] (* A265798 *)
Denominator[tU] (* A265799 *)
Numerator[y] (* A265800 *)
Denominator[y] (* A265801 *)
Cf. A000040, A265759, A265796, A265797, A265798, A265799, A265801.
nonn,frac,more
Clark Kimberling, Dec 29 2015
a(15)-a(18) from Robert Price, Apr 06 2019


Retirement should be celebrated, but thinking about finances can be a headache. Wilson Advisors, LLC understands the transition from work life to retirement. Whether you need a helping hand to analyze your projected Social Security benefits, or desire a professional to suggest income-producing investments, we can help you live the retirement you've always dreamed about.
Carl retired two years ago, and Julie is only three months away from her final day at work. Carl's retirement income is based on his Social Security benefits and railroad pension. They are both healthy, and Julie is worried that Carl's income won't keep up with inflation after 20 or 30 years. She wants to put her 401(k) assets in safe investments that will exceed inflation.
In this situation, we would analyze Carl and Julie's income needs based on their ideal picture of retirement. Based on those needs, Julie's assets would be placed in several income producing funds while providing for the inflation protection she needed. As they could both live on Carl's income in the short term, another strategy to implement is delaying Julie's Social Security benefits to receive a larger monthly benefit in the future.
Carl and Julie are fictional representations of our client base. Any similarities to actual persons, living or dead, are entirely coincidental.


text:
SnapshotPosts about the best places in the world, period.
IndexChecklists to inspire and improve travel.
Camera RollPhoto feeds from the creatives who roam.
DispatchCulture reports from every corner of the world.
Travel JournalPersonal essays on journeys of the mind.
Packing ListInterviews with people who know how to pack.
Like a LocalCity guides through the eyes of a local.
The Introvert's Guide to Low-Key Las Vegas
Photo via Unsplash.
IndexMichelle Konstantinovsky
A low-key guide to Las Vegas for the introvert in us all.
What happens in Vegas… might sound like a nightmare if you're an introvert. From over-the-top nightclubs with booming sound systems and way too many sweaty bodies to all-day drink-a-thons at lavish hotel pools, the extravagance and inherent extroversion may prove to be too much for those of us more inclined toward solo experiences. But as a sprawling city full of world-famous attractions, Las Vegas has something to offer everyone—even the lone-wolf travelers among us.
While Vegas may not be the ideal destination for the most introverts, it is a much more diverse and culturally rich city than it's often depicted to be. With a little legwork and a positive attitude, just about anyone can find a way to find their place in Sin City.
Here are just a few of the must-sees, must-eats, and must-dos Sin City can offer its less hard-partying patrons.
Inside the Wynn Hotel in Vegas.
Take a master class at The Wynn
If you're dying to see resident DJ Dillon Francis kill it at the club but can't fathom the thought of battling The Wynn's dancing crowds, then try the resort's more low-key series of workshops. Led by master chefs, bakers, vintners, and artisans, the hands-on experiences allow attendees to perfect their skills in the kitchen and beyond. January's offerings include a master dumpling class from dim sum chef Sandy Chi and Chef Chen Wei Chan, and pizza and pasta-making classes with chefs Jonathan Bauman and Enzo Febbraro.
Keep it chill, poolside
The phrase "pool party" might send shivers down the spine of any true introvert, but the newly opened NoMad Las Vegas is getting ready to unveil a pool that defies the wet and wild stereotypes. Set to open in spring 2019, the super laid-back and luxurious lounge area — inspired by the Majorelle Gardens of Morocco — will include a poolside cafe and bar serving casual fare and expertly-crafted cocktails, along with a robust selection of wines.
See some sign history
Cities with a storied past usually have some truly unique institutions, and Vegas is no exception. The Neon Museum (a.k.a. The Neon Graveyard) is where old Vegas signage comes to take its final rest. Founded in 1996, the nonprofit organization is dedicated to "collecting, preserving, studying, and exhibiting" old-school signs from years gone by. The museum offers tours, special exhibits, and much more, like Brilliant!, artist Craig Wilson's show that walks viewers through the city's rich history.
The Neon Museum. Photo via Flickr.
Believe it or not, it's totally possible to find natural wonders just beyond the borders of the glitzy strip. Just to the north of the city is Mount Charleston, a summertime hiking destination and a wintertime ski haven. The site offers 12 hiking trails, 200 campsites, and over 150 picnic areas. Also close by is Valley of Fire State Park, a 40,000-acre landscape of bright red Aztec sandstone and gray and tan limestone.
Enjoy serious spa time
Nothing soothes an introvert's soul like the promise of solitude and silence, and both can be gloriously achieved at Qua Baths & Spa at Caesar's Palace. The 50,000-foot sanctuary has received numerous awards since opening its doors in 2007, and in addition to its three Roman baths, it's home to the seriously unique Arctic Ice Room, a 55-degree domed space that features heated benches and floors and falling snow. The spa also features a ton of other totally Zen experiences, including something called "Soulful Journey Synergy," which invites participants to "set an intention for the experience" before going through a Tree of Life energy reading with crystals, an essential oil massage, light therapy (aka Chromotherapy), and a sound bath composed of acoustics "that originated at the start of our known universe and continues to completely envelop us today."
Road through Valley of Fire State Park. Photo via Unsplash.
Escape The Strip to eat in peace
Vegas has a thriving culinary scene, but if you're not down for the scene-iest spots on The Strip, then your best bet is to venture off Las Vegas Blvd and sit down at a more low-key but renowned dining spot like PublicUs. The "canteen-style neighborhood restaurant and coffee bar" is located in the Fremont East District of Downtown Las Vegas and is known for its calm decor and quiet atmosphere (in addition to a menu full of delicious dishes). Sparrow + Wolf is another off-the-Strip eatery that serves up a rotating seasonal menu of shared plates in an artsy environment.
If all else fails, books have your back
Perhaps one of the simplest, most effective strategies to escape the insanity of Vegas is to hide in the comforting presence of books—lots and lots of books. Luckily, Bauman Rare Books is a 2,300 square-foot gallery that houses exclusive finds like the first edition of James Joyce's Ulysses and a signed first-edition copy of Ernest Hemingway's A Farewell to Arms. Located among the shops at The Venetian, history buffs will also geek out over the gallery's impressive collection of original documents, like a President Lincoln-signed letter. You can take a relaxing gondola ride after if you like.
A new kind of
Here Magazine started as the stories and pictures we picked up on the road and shared with our immediate circle, then grew into something bigger. Now, we explore places through the lens of local, creative, and influential people. Get the magazine in print, online, and sign up for our newsletter to get it in your inbox, too.
Yes, send me info about everything new happening at Away. Read all terms here.
You're on the list.
We're happy to have you Here.


text:
#if DEBUG
#define JSLog(s, ...) NSLog( @"<%p %@:(%d)> %@", self, [[NSString stringWithUTF8String:__FILE__] lastPathComponent], __LINE__, [NSString stringWithFormat:(s), ##__VA_ARGS__] )
#else
#define JSLog(s, ...) //
#endif

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Different Ways Technology Is Changing Trends in Manufacturing
Technology has changed everything from how we communicate, learn new information, and more. It's creating new trends in manufacturing, too! Click to learn more.
Let's say you're a Production Supervisor or a Supply Chain Analyst. Or maybe you're a Maintenance Mechanic / Electrician or Quality Assurance Manager.
Your company breaks its budget getting some new tech in. You walk into work one day, and your heart sinks. As you watch the impressive new tech being installed on the floor, your inner monologue chatters away:
The robots are coming.
Does that mean it's time to update my résumé and brace for layoffs?
A new study by the McKinsey Global Institute shows that automation may cut 800,000 jobs worldwide in just over a decade. The specter of unanticipated new trends in manufacturing lurks around every corner.
Welcome to the modern era. These trends can be worrisome for CEOs and workers alike. How can anyone hope to compete or adapt when technology seems to be outpacing them at every turn?
Let's check out some examples where the tech of the future may be creeping up on you.
Box Erectors and Palletizers are Improving Factory Production
The more menial aspects of labor are being replaced by automation at a frightening pace. This means that having a more advanced skill set is essential to stay ahead of the curve.
Cobots are popular additions to many modern factory floors. They make factories more efficient by operating alongside workers.
New manufacturing technology is enhancing their productivity even further. For instance: the XPAK ROBOX™ is an example of a powered box erector, an enhanced robot that automates the process of making boxes.
The bigwigs know that fumbling with packaging materials slows down production. You can bank on this kind of technology replacing some human hands in the future.
The ONExia PalletizUR™ is another example of an enhanced cobot. It uses graphic software that helps get pallets filled fast. A group of sweaty humans with bad backs would have a hard time competing with this one.
The good news is: These cobots still need humans to program and operate them. Employers want to see that you are eager to learn and adapt to this environment.
Trends in Manufacturing are Modernizing the Old Ways
Maybe you already have some pretty advanced skills. But what if all your knowledge is tied up in older tech that is likely to be replaced?
A lot of older factories were dependent on hard-wired systems of relays and timers. Making routine adjustments to these old systems was very costly.
The Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) is a new manufacturing technology that is replacing these aging systems. PLCs are essentially computers that are built to operate in harsh factory environments.
People skilled in maintaining old systems will need to evolve. Those who are skilled in programming PLCs are in a better position to succeed.
Also: Most motorized machines operate on fixed-speed loads today. Your whole business is beholden to these speed limitations.
An industry-wide study suggests that new Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) are gaining a foothold in the industry. VFDs have a projected compound annual growth rate of 7% by 2022.
VFDs allow voltages to be gradually increased or decreased, instead of being stuck at a fixed rate. This decreases energy costs and power usage, while also allowing greater flexibility.
VFDs may change your work environment in many ways. For those hoping to adapt, it will be important to anticipate those changes.
Don't Let Industry Catch Up With You
At JSK Recruiting, we know that workers are the heart and soul of a company. We also know that sometimes current trends in manufacturing can be troubling.
Many factories are now operating with no humans in the building at all. Instead, they operate in the dead of night with the lights turned out, and with the heating and air conditioning turned off.
To an aspiring worker, this may sound less like an industry with lucrative career paths and more like the set of a horror movie! But all is not lost for those who are ready for a challenge.
You may be reading this and thinking about hiring a skilled new worker to pair with an enhanced cobot. You may also find that you're suddenly interested in partnering with a cobot yourself. Either way, get in touch!
We're in the business of matching industry with talent. We want to help you catch up with industry before industry catches up with you.
Let's take the next step together.
What Are Tariffs and How They're Affecting the Manufact...
Fresh Grads and How That Affects the Job Mark...


At the Metro Toronto Convention Centre we believe in integration and equal opportunity. We are committed to meeting the needs of people with disabilities. This is why we offer barrier-free access, and meet all requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act ("AODA").
Wheelchairs are available as a courtesy service on a first come first serve basis. Please visit our Guest Services agent located in the North Building on Level 200 and in the South Building on Level 500.
All levels of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre are accessible under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. Please see below for information on specific accessibility details by floor.
For any questions, suggestions or required documents regarding accessibility, please contact us at (416) 585-8199 or accessibility@mtccc.com.
If you require additional support or an accommodation in the event of an emergency evacuation, please notify Security upon your arrival to the Centre at (416) 585-8360.


text:
Significant security challenge for new vehicle communication standard
Migration User
The United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is planning to create an official standard for Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communications and the agency recently published an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) on V2V—effectively a notice that the standard and a requirement to implement it is on the way—along with a progress report on the development of this new technology.
Why is the US government getting involved in creating new technology standards? It doesn't believe that the market would agree on a standard itself in a timely fashion if left to its own devices. "NHTSA believes that no single manufacturer would have the incentive to build vehicles able to 'talk' to other vehicles, if there are no other vehicles to talk to—leading to likely market failure without the creation of a mandate to induce collective action," it said.
Safety and the connected vehicle
V2V communications is just one element in the development of the "connected vehicle". After several decades of car design largely focusing on improving existing paradigms, automobile makers and regulators are now exploring the integration of a range of new technologies into tomorrow's vehicles.
One of the core roles of the NHTSA is reducing the number of road accidents in the US and it believes that implementing this new technology could help prevent up to half a million automobile accidents a year and save more than 1,000 lives.
The proposed standards do not prescribe what kind of applications car manufacturers must develop for vehicles using the technology. Instead, the NHTSA has focused on creating a common communications systems that will allow vehicles from all manufacturers to communicate with one another.
Despite not mandating any applications, the NHTSA did trial two implementations of the technology, Intersection Movement Assist (IMA) and Left Turn Assist (LTA), both of which used V2V-based messages to obtain information to detect and then warn drivers of possible safety risks.
LTA warns drivers not to turn left in front of another vehicle moving in the opposite direction, while IMA warns drivers if it is not safe to enter an intersection due to a high probability of collision. The NHTSA found both had proven effective in mitigating or preventing potential crashes.
Complex security
What about security? Obviously any V2V system will require very robust security to ensure that communications are neither spoofed nor tampered with, since the consequences of any interference could be fatal. The NHTSA has already sketched out a security framework that will allow for messages to be exchanged and authenticated in real time. However, the challenges in developing such a system are considerable. Vehicles must be able to communicate with one another without any prior interaction in a system that ultimately may need to scale to accommodate over 350 million users.
After examining several alternatives, the NHTSA has settled on an asymmetric Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) encryption system. PKI is designed to allow secure communications over public networks and relies on verifying identities through the use of digital signatures. The PKI system creates and manages digital certificates for each device and can revoke them if needs be.
PKI systems are widely used today, but what the NHTSA is proposing is vastly more complex than a standard implementation. By its own acknowledgement "no other PKI system exists today that is broad enough to serve as a key safety-critical model." Why is this? Other public systems, such as military communications or air traffic control, involve parties that are known to each other as trusted sources or can be identified as such. Furthermore, they rely on secure or private data networks and don't rely on the Internet or telecoms networks.
Private, commercial implementations do rely on the Internet and wireless telecoms networks. While they can be used to secure online financial transactions, they can verify user identities because of pre-existing agreement with certificate authorities (CAs), allowing user identities to reside within databases.
Why is the proposed V2V security framework far more complex than any other model? Privacy is one of the key reasons. A secure authentication framework is required that, at the same time, guarantees anonymity.
Specifically, a system is needed that separates some of the functionality to ensure that no one entity has the ability to match records that would lead to identification of an individual driver or vehicle. Privacy has also driven the need for a much greater amount of digital certificate usage. In this system, digital certificates use random identifiers that change frequently in order to lower the risk of associating a driver or a vehicle with any one certificate.
Figure 1. V2V security design in comparison to a basic PKI
Privacy considerations also have resulted in the addition of an element to obscure location coordinates when a vehicle or device communicates with the system (for example, to request more digital certificates or to report "misbehavior" in the form of suspicious activity).
When suspicious activity does occur in PKI systems, CAs typically act as misbehavior authorities, mitigating and removing suspicious activity. The misbehavior authority (MA) in the proposed V2V system will be a separate and more complex entity. As the NHTSA acknowledged, "not all of the described functionality of the V2V MA has been demonstrated (for example, the use of local detection and reporting) in industry." It has however planned for demonstration and testing of an operational prototype.
Who will manage this complex security system? NHTSA is hoping that it can be contracted out to a private company. It said that it will also issue a Request for Information (RFI) in the near future to seek comments on whether any companies may have an interest in exploring the possibility of building and operating a V2V Security Credential Management System (SCMS) in addition to getting feedback on the proposed structure of the SCMS.
Given the unprecedented complexity of the SCMS, it remains to be seen whether such a system is feasible and if anyone is willing to accept the challenge of managing it.


text:
import React, { PropTypes } from 'react';
import injectSheet from 'react-jss';
import Button from 'react-mdl/lib/Button';
import { breakpoints, colors } from 'modules/common/styles';
import LabelWithBorder from 'modules/common/label/labelWithBorder';
import { formatPrice } from 'funong-common/lib/utils/displayUtils';

const Specs = ({ specs, specIndex, onClick, classes }) => (

规格:

        {specs.length > 0 && specs.map((spec, i) => <Button key={i} ripple colored={specIndex === i} onClick={() => onClick(i)}>{spec.name}</Button>)}

      {specs[specIndex].params.map((param, i) => <LabelWithBorder key={i}>{param}</LabelWithBorder>)}

{formatPrice(specs[specIndex])}

  );

Specs.propTypes = {
  specs: PropTypes.array.isRequired,
  specIndex: PropTypes.number.isRequired,
  onClick: PropTypes.func.isRequired,
  classes: PropTypes.object.isRequired,
};

export default injectSheet({
  wrapper: {
    marginBottom: 24,
    [breakpoints.mediaDestkopBelow]: {
      marginBottom: 8,
    },
  },
  specs: {
    display: 'flex',
    alignItems: 'center',
    '& > h6': {
      color: 'inherit',
      fontSize: 16,
      lineHeight: '20px',
      margin: '0 16px 0 0',
    },
  },
  specNames: {
    flex: 1,
    display: 'flex',
    flexWrap: 'wrap',
  },
  params: {
    padding: 8,
    '& > span': {
      margin: '0 4px',
    },
  },
  price: {
    color: colors.colorPrice,
    paddingLeft: 8,
  },
})(Specs);